Cooler Trauss POV

  Beadu, Sylvarius, and I walked in the dense, dark forest, where nothing but the sounds of animals and insects filled the air. The human girl on my back is still sleeping.

  I am still angry at what Beadu and Sylvarius had done—especially the fact that they cut me off right when I was about to mention the girl to them. Sylvarius isn’t much of a worshipper of Vaassith, but it was no secret that the dragon goddess, who resides in another dimension, has been friends with the lizardfolk goddess in this realm for centuries. They share simir values, so it made sense why Sylvarius and Beadu set off the explosions together. Both of them are warriors, devoted to their respective goddesses, and their ideals of vengeance and justice align.

  I, however, do not share their sentiments. I never have.

  I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. They had even given me a heads-up about when the b would explode. As their teammate, they know I can survive almost any unpredictable situation thrown at me. By now, I should be used to it.

  But this time, a child was involved. And that’s something I can’t ignore.

  "Trauss...I.." Beadu started, but I cut him off before he could continue.

  "Sorry, Beadu. I am not in a talking mood as I am carrying this girl."

  Sylvarius raised her brow at me. "Really, Lizardboy? Saving a human girl?"

  "Would you ignore a dragon child if they were being held in a high-security containment facility against their will?"

  Sylvarius immediately flinched. "N-NO, of course not-!"

  I didnt let her finish. "Then this is the same for me. Please try to understand" I say with no guilt, no hesitation for my actions.

  I, then, looked at Beadu, my tone growing stern. "Beadu, dont cut me off when I am going to say something in the radio. Because that can be difference between life and death in this world. Do we understand each other?"

  Beadu gave a firm nod.

  We walked inside the dense forest. At night time, it was dark and a good pce to ambush unsuspecting travelers, but tonight it felt quiet, not a bad quiet, but a good quiet if that makes sense.

  The girl on my back that was sleeping had blond hair and striking green eyes. The girl, in her sleep, muttered something in her sleep.

  "Ice Cream...Ice Cream, along with..... chicken.....pancakes," As the girl muttered something like this, I couldnt hold my snickering at what this human girl was saying.

  Beadu and Sylvarius looked at me strangely after that and both exchanged bewildered looks. Both whispered something to each other in hushed voices. It must be something about me ughing for the first time in a while. Truth is, I havent ughed in a long time so they must be shocked.

  "Beadu?!" Sylvarius gasped. "Is Cooler actually snickering?!"

  "It must be a fluke Sylvarius. Its gotta be"

  I rolled my eyes. "You two do realize that I am here listening to this right?"

  Both of them immediately became quiet and kept going.

  I won’t lie—returning home for some rest sounded good. But this quiet, away from the endless battles… it was better.

  After a few hours, we neared the lizardfolk city, only about a mile away.

  I then see a group of lizardfolk children running toward Sylvarius and Beadu. It’s no surprise that they gravitate to them—my presence is quieter and more reserved compared to their lively personalities.

  "UNCLE BEADU AND AUNTY SYLVARIUS, DID YOU DO IT?! DID YOU BEAT THE BAD GUYS?!" A lizardfolk child said excitedly.

  Beadu and Sylvarius burst into a hearty ugh, exaggerating their tales of battle. The kids clung to their words, soaking in every moment of their heroic storytelling.

  "It was a shame, though—I used to get along with kids very well. There was a time when I would return from every mission and ugh alongside them, but I guess this way of life changed me at some point. I don’t know why, but I find it hard to talk about my so-called adventures, especially regarding the people I had...

  Instead, I remember.

  A bloody, horrific scene fshed in my mind.

  Damn it. Crap… crap… I’m remembering again. Breathe. Stay calm.

  I clenched my face with one hand, forcing the images away.

  A while ago, when a child asked me how fun were my so called "adventures" were, I thought I was smiling when I answered. But I wasn’t. The expression I gave them was completely bnk when I unknowingly reminisced inside my head. It unnerved them, and ever since, they’ve avoided me. I don’t bme them. Lately, I’ve felt emptier than usual, and it’s starting to show on my face the more I stay around people

  I gnced at Beadu and Sylvarius. I admired them for their mental strength and having fun regardless. While they are older than me and despite being warriors, despite being assassins, they still found ways to enjoy life. They served their goddesses with unwavering devotion and happiness. But me…? What am I even doing? Why cant I be happy just like them and not complicate things in my own mind. Why can’t I just adapt and accept things like they do? If I could, maybe I wouldn’t feel this emptiness.

  I sighed, feeling the weight of my own frustration. How frustrating am I? I dont even know how to fix this emptiness I feel.

  Leaving Beadu and Sylvarius behind, I continued walking as I carried the sleeping girl. The city stood there before me, and at its center stood the grand temple of Vaassith.

  The temple was massive, its ancient stone walls towering over the city square. Its structure was built with smooth obsidian rock and white marble. The surface gleamed under the glow of enchanted torches. Intricate carvings of dragons and lizardfolk warriors wrapped around its towering columns, each telling stories of battles that have happened in the distant past.

  A massive golden statue of Vaassith herself stood at the entrance, her sharp, reptilian eyes watching over her followers. Incense is burned and used, filling the air with a smoky, herbal scent. The temple’s doors, heavy and covered in sacred glyphs, were open, allowing the soft glow of candles to illuminate the temple.

  Surrounding the temple, the city was filled with life. Merchants shouted over the crowds, advertising fresh meats, exotic spices, shimmering fabrics, and other impressive devices from kingdoms around the world. The scent of roasted meat and baked fresh bread drifted through the air, mixing with the distant sound of instruments pyed by traveling performers who often performed at a popur Pza.

  Lizardfolk of all ages moved through the streets, some carrying baskets of trade goods, others donned in warrior attire, fresh from a hunt or patrol. Children ran and pyed, their ughter ringing out loud. A few Dragons too were also moving through the streets.

  Despite the temple’s powerful and divine presence, the city did not revolve solely around worship(solemn worhsip). Instead, it thrived on a bance between faith and daily life. Here, the people lived under Vaassith’s watchful eye—strong, unyielding, and ever-present.

  But I didnt go there. Not yet.

  First, I needed to take this unconscious girl to the hospital.

  And so, I did.

  As I carried the girl to the local hospital, I wasn’t surprised to see that most of the patients were of dragon and lizardfolk descent. The doctors seemed a bit startled at the sight of a human girl being admitted-after all, humans weren’t common in this city. But despite their initial surprise, they didn’t discriminate. They simply weren’t used to seeing human patients here.

  After pcing the girl in a hospital bed, I spoke to the doctors. “I’ll be back ter. Inform me as soon as she wakes up.”

  With that, I turned and left, making my way toward the temple.

  I had a feeling that Sylvarius and Beadu had already informed the goddess about our mission and the artifact they retrieved. And now that I think about it… they must have also told her about the girl I saved.

  I made my way towards the hidden entrance, one that only a select few knew about—an entrance that led directly to the goddess herself. Only those who had earned her permission could use it, warriors and assassins who served her name in secrecy.

  The entrance was well-concealed within the temple’s structure, hidden behind an unassuming section of the outer walls. To an outsider, it looked like nothing more than an old, moss-covered stone, blending beautifully with the rest of the temple. But I knew better. After all, I had gone to this pce many times. With a precise press of my cws against the right grooves in the stone, the wall rumbled softly before shifting inward, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.

  I stepped inside. The passage sealed shut behind me.

  As I walked through the tunnel, dim blue torches flickered to life, casting shadows along the stone walls. The deeper I went, the quieter it became, as if the very walls swallowed sound itself.

  Finally, I reached a door. It stood out starkly against the rough cavern walls—a massive wooden door, reinforced with gold filligree(delicate ornamental work of twisted gold, silver, or other wire) and adorned with intricate carvings of serpents and divine runes.

  I knocked.

  A moment ter, a voice—deep, powerful, ancient—rumbled through the door, vibrating through my very bones.

  "Come" A simple, yet powerful command.

  I go through the door.

  Bathed in divine light, the goddess Vaassith sat upon an ornate throne, her presence both commanding and serene. She was draped in flowing robes of dark emerald and obsidian, adorned with golden embroidery that shimmered like the sunlight. A delicate yet regal veil of green and red silk covered the lower half of her face, hinting at her divine mystery.

  Despite her humanoid form, her draconic features were undeniable. Gleaming golden scales adorned her arms and neck, reflecting the light like polished jewels. Long, curved horns crowned her head, bck as night with veins of glowing crimson running through them like va. Her hands—cwed, yet elegant—rested on the arms of her throne, adorned with rings of celestial energy that pulsed with power.

  I lowered my head and bow deeply. "Hello, Lady Vaassith"

  Her voice resonated through the chamber, both gentle and commanding. “I have heard everything from Sylvarius and Beadu. Well done on the mission, Cooler. Despite being only seventeen, you are already rising among my finest warriors and assassins.”

  "Thank you my Goddess." I remained bowed, never meeting her gaze.

  “However…” Her tone shifted slightly. “I also heard you brought a human girl from the b.”

  I paused, then answered. "Yes"

  Goddess Vaassith paused for a moment and then questioned. “Even though it was not part of the mission?”

  My jaw clenched. I felt the urge to boldly respond, despite my head still lowered in deference(means respect).

  “And from what I personally heard, the mission was to retrieve the artifact—not to destroy the b.” My voice remained steady despite the underlying emotions swirling within me “I wasn’t even informed about this by Beadu and Sylvarius. You ordered them and kept me in the dark. Why?”

  The Goddess spoke, "Cooler. I did not reveal it to you because I know you would not have approved"

  I exhaled sharped. "Then you shouldnt have brought me to this mission then"

  The goddess then paused and slowly spoke. "I couldnt do that. Your skills were neccessary to make sure this misson is a success"

  I pause, feeling bitterness in my chest, but I dont show it.

  "I see"

  After a long silence stretched between us. She spoke again.

  "Cooler, I promise the decsions I make are for the greater good. I do what I believe is right"

  I say nothing at first, but after a minute i speak. "I Understand."

  I had a feeling that if I said what I was honestly speaking right then and there, it would only strain my retionship with the Goddess.

  The goddess sighed, her voice turning softer—almost sorrowful. “You have treated me like a mother throughout your life, ever since you were alone. What changed? Why have you become so distant from me, my child?”

  "Nothing changed. I have just been busy...alot" I reply back instinctively, but I knew it was just a lie. Because I myself felt my own words were false. I remembered an event 2 years ago. An event that had been haunting my own mind to this day. The event that changed everything for me.

  And so did she. But she decided not to pursue it. She knew me too well. She knew my stubbornness.

  So instead, she sighed again and moved on. “Fine. There is another matter I wish to discuss.”

  Her gaze bore into me. “You do not use the blessings I have granted you. Why? You could have used them at any time. Beadu and Sylvarius embrace theirs, as do all who have been blessed.”

  Internally, I sighed. Outwardly, I remained composed. “I simply haven’t found a reason to use my blessing, that’s all.” Another lie: one that I hoped was believableat least.

  I dont tell Goddess Vaassith the reason why I dont use the blessings given to me. I felt like if I did tell her it could complicate my retionship with her more than it alrady has.

  She studied me for a long moment.

  Then, finally, she relented. “I see…”

  I felt relief wash over me.

  But then—

  “Before I dismiss you, I have one final request.”

  I listen. Eager to do it quickly and then leave.

  “I wish for you to bring the human girl here.”

  Silence.

  I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, frozen. But then, my voice instinctively shouted:

  “EXCUSE ME?!?!”

  The goddess ughed and snickered heavily at my shout.

  Announcement:

  Chapters with Val and Eclipsara will now continue. Also, making this chapter really drilled into me on how challenging it is to add rich detail. Regardless, I had fun learning and improving. Thank you for reading once again.