Chapter 284: The Dragon and the Maiden

Chapter 284: The Dragon and the Maiden

Maya didn’t know what was going on? Her normally friendly companions had become so crazy. Ruben was dead, why did he stop her from taking revenge? Why did he attack her? Her head hurt like it was splitting, and the person in front of her became blurry and twisted.

Maya let out a furious roar, a threatening warning. But the person in front not only didn’t back down, but also pointed their weapon at her.

That bad person was about to run away, her figure had already disappeared, only the leaves were swaying slightly. No one had ever dared to act this recklessly right in front of her. In her anxiety and daze, she instinctively opened her mouth, and a scorching breath erupted from within. It enveloped that tree, and Ruben who was lying there dying.

The tree instantly turned into a blazing torch. Beside the torch was a curled-up, smoking piece of charcoal. Maya shook her dizzy head, starting to suspect that what she just saw was a hallucination caused by her poor condition. She turned her head slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, meeting the gaze of her dust-covered companion.

The beast and the person stared at each other for a long time without moving, until other people appeared nearby.

“She did it!” With these words, everyone’s eyes focused on her.

And at that very moment, that young girl appeared again behind a tree not far away, half her body visible as she prepared to throw the Short Blade in her hand.

She roared again, at that girl, and also at the crowd in front of her. She didn’t know who struck the first blow, nor who was the first to be shoved aside by her. Amid the shouts and attacks, Maya began to dodge. She didn’t want to hurt them, so she kept warning everyone with her roars, but it didn’t have much effect.

Some people lunged forward, some were thrown flying. Some who were thrown away never came back. Someone, she didn’t know who, shouted loudly, “She’s gone mad! Kill her!”

A sharp blade pierced her scales, and hot blood gushed out. In the intense pain, she turned her head towards it. The girl was mixed in the crowd, backing away, and flashed a challenging smile at her.

Resentment and anger mixed with scorching breath erupted from her mouth, aimed at the crowd, at the girl among them. Within the heat flow, it seemed like a delicate, blooming flower flashed for an instant. The breath dissipated. Two or three people who were caught in it were rolling on the ground, howling in agony, but the girl was not among them…

When Maya wanted to run, wanted to take to the skies, it was already a bit too late. She watched helplessly as the girl hurt her, and also hurt her former companions. She didn’t understand. The enemy was right there, why did the people turn a blind eye to her?

As she struggled, her wounds kept increasing, and the people clinging to her body became fewer and fewer. Maya knew they were done for, and she herself would have a hard time escaping. The desire to survive finally erupted with a powerful force. She expelled her breath with all her might in all directions, until a ring of blazing fire burned around her. In the firelight, she soared into the sky and flew towards the distance. Warm blood, carrying specks of Mana light, sprinkled down from the air.

Dizzy and dazed, Maya finally crashed onto the ground. The soft sand beneath her and the gentle seawater beside her gave her a sliver of peace. She curled up her body to make herself feel a bit warmer. She hadn’t flown very far. That girl would find her soon. There was no escape. She was going to die on this strange land.

According to ancient lore, Dragons could connect hearts with their companions, but such things rarely happened anymore. Once equal partners had gradually divided. Although they still maintained a fragile Covenant, it was no longer its original intent.

They didn’t believe me, they even wanted to kill me…

Bearing this resentment, Maya closed her heavy eyelids. Only the slight rise and fall of her chest indicated she was still alive.

…

After Zoya left, Eileen felt restless. She knew her behavior had been very rude. As a friend, Zoya was very good. After Bran rejected her, Zoya still provided a lot of help. She should be thanking Zoya, but she couldn’t fully bring herself to do it. Every time she faced Zoya, a different kind of emotion filled her heart.

Not long after Zoya left, she secretly followed her out. She wanted to know where Zoya was planning to go, what she was planning to do. Zoya had grown stronger again, even starting to handle things on her own, while she was still learning under others’ guidance.

Eileen knew Bran would not let Zoya take risks easily. She was just a bit jealous, which was why she had been so offensive in her words and actions.

The journey was uneventful, until the gentle beach was cut off by a cliff. This was the border patrolled by the Dragon Riders. She stopped, spent a night in melancholy, and then began her return journey.

Eileen knew that Wizards could see very far. Since Bran broke the boundaries, perception was no longer limited by innate ability. Some Wizards also used perception as a breakthrough point, prioritizing its Evolution. She believed Zoya must have long been aware of who was following behind her. But throughout the journey, Zoya had always kept her distance. If she sped up, Zoya sped up; if she slowed down, Zoya slowed down.

After losing Bran, Eileen had now also lost Zoya as a friend. She was annoyed, regretful, but it was all too late.

A huge beast crashed onto the beach in the distance, startling her.

What was that, a Wyvern?

How could there be such a large Wyvern? Where did it come from? Why did it appear here? She looked back over her shoulder, a faint guess forming in her heart.

This huge Wyvern was covered in wounds, making it look ugly and terrifying. But Eileen felt a sense of familiarity and closeness from its aura.

She quickly ran towards it. As she got close, she jumped off her mount and carefully crept to its side. Perhaps sensing she meant no harm, or perhaps having lost its last bit of strength, the creature only squirmed slightly before falling still again.

A long cry came from the distance, its warning intent clear. Eileen’s hand trembled slightly, but she continued examining the creature’s wounds, occasionally cleaning out foreign objects from them.

Until running footsteps from behind grew closer and closer, and the creature began struggling desperately, trying to stand up.

She turned around and resolutely positioned herself in front of the creature.