I Only Tame Dragons

Horizon ventured into the forest, his sights set on gathering rare materials, hoping to craft new equipment for Silphie.

The forest, dense with life, was bustling with other players who had the same goal in mind, their eyes scanning for useful resources.

However, while the others seemed content with ordinary finds, Horizon had set his eyes on another thing.

With his [Draconic Awareness] activated, he felt a familiar yet faint aura—one that could only come from a dragon.

His eyes narrowed, his breath steadying as he honed in on that presence.

"There are dragons here?" Nyx's voice, a whisper of curiosity, echoed in his mind. "Are they the ones who didn't return to Drakha?"

Horizon shook his head slightly. "I don't think so. This one's weak, not like the Drakhan dragons. It must be a native to Eternia."

Nyx's eyes widened, her excitement palpable even through the telepathic link. "Native? I thought dragons were all part of the Drakhan! What could they be like? Quick, let's find them!"

Horizon remained calm, though the thought intrigued him. "We're here for materials, not dragons."

"Are you not even a little curious? You could bind this dragon! Think of another dragon servant you'd gain."

Horizon paused, weighing the options. His original plan had been to quietly gather materials, avoid conflict, and craft something for Silphie.

But Nyx was right—how often did one stumble across a dragon, even a native one? His resolve wavered for just a moment, but then he made his decision.

"Alright," Horizon said quietly. "Let's find this dragon."

Nyx's triumphant laughter rang out in his mind as Horizon veered off the well-trodden path, slipping into the deeper, darker parts of the forest.

The air thickened with the scent of earth and decay as towering trees closed in around him, casting long shadows over the ground.

Along the way, he passed groups of players hunting beasts or gathering resources, keeping his movements careful and silent, not wanting to attract unwanted attention.

As he ventured deeper, the creatures grew more dangerous. Live carnivorous plants shimmered into view, ethereal and predatory, but they posed no significant threat.

A few beasts crossed his path—massive, clawed creatures with gleaming eyes—but Horizon dispatched them quickly.

With every step, the dragon's presence pulsed stronger, tugging Horizon deeper into the forest until he arrived at a clearing of wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze.

He halted, frowning as he surveyed the open space. The air buzzed with something ancient, something powerful, yet nothing was visible.

"There's nothing here," Horizon muttered, confused. "But the presence—it's here. Is it invisible?"

Nyx fluttered her skeletal wings, rising off Horizon's head. "There's a barrier here," she said, her voice laced with curiosity. "A strong one."

Horizon glanced at her, then checked his map. They were far beyond the normal hunting grounds, deep into the Crownjade Woods.

A few more kilometers, and they'd be in the forbidden area where even seasoned adventurers dared not tread.

"I don't sense anything," Horizon admitted, frustration creeping into his voice.

Nyx scoffed. "That's because you're still weak. Be glad I can even sense it. I bet even the elves who live here don't know there's another world hidden from their sight."

"So, what are you going to do? Break the barrier?"

Nyx rolled her hollow eyes. "Please, with my current body, I can't break something like that. No, we're just going to give it a little knock and see what happens."

Before Horizon could ask more, the runes on Nyx's skull began to glow, pulsating with an eerie light.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A gust of wind swirled around them, expanding outward like a ripple in still water. The forest around them grew unnaturally silent, the trees no longer rustling, the air went still.

"What are you doing?" Horizon asked. "What did you do?"

Nyx smirked. "Hang on tight. It seems like they're curious about us too."

The air shimmered, and before Horizon could react, the world around them blurred and shifted. They were no longer in the familiar part of the Crownjade Woods but had been transported to a new realm.

Towering above them were gargantuan apple trees, their canopies stretching so high they seemed to scrape the sky. Nestled beneath their roots were tiny houses, quaint and hidden in the lush grass.

Horizon blinked, unable to believe his eyes. Fae creatures—actual fairies—floated around them, their tiny wings shimmering like sunlight on water. Their large, translucent eyes stared at him with equal parts curiosity and mischief.

And there, among the trees, were dragons—Flora Dragons—their forms entwined with vines and flowers, their scales more beautiful than threatening.

Some of the dragons watched them cautiously, their eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom, while others rolled lazily in the wildflowers, uncaring and content in their peaceful existence.

The Flora Dragons were unlike any Horizon had ever seen. Far from the imposing, fire-breathing beasts of legend, these creatures seemed more like guardians of the forest, their bodies adorned with vibrant greenery.

Nyx floated down beside him, her expression unimpressed. "These are the native dragons? They look more like pets than actual dragons."

Horizon couldn't blame her for thinking that way. The Flora Dragons weren't massive like the Drakhan dragons. Most were the size of large beasts or humanoids, with a few towering at four times the height of a man.

Some were even smaller, no bigger than insects, darting about like fireflies. Their bodies were intertwined with flowers and leaves, making them appear more beautiful than dangerous.

Just as Horizon was about to speak, a deep voice resonated through the air, its timbre shaking the ground beneath his feet.

"Welcome, visitors."

The voice thundered through the air, deep and resonant, as if the very forest spoke.

The ground beneath Horizon's feet trembled with its power, the trees swayed slightly, their leaves rustling in sync with the voice's vibrations.

The sound was everywhere—impossible to trace, as though the very sky and earth had come alive.

Horizon's pulse quickened. His eyes darted across the clearing, scanning the towering trees and the wide expanse of wildflowers, searching for the source.

But nothing seemed out of place. No great creature stirred, no shadow loomed.

Yet, the air itself felt charged with an ancient force, humming with a power.

His breath hitched when he finally saw it.