Blitz slept peacefully, having dreamt of fat, juicy sausages dancing across a golden plate.
Then -
Knock, knock.
His ears shot straight up.
His eyes fluttered open.
He stretched across Rivera's warm lap, blinking blearily.
"Who is there?" Rivera called. She didn't move. Blitz was resting on her lap like a fluffy paperweight.
"Miss Rivera, it's me," came Sophie's voice from beyond the door. "Master Alvin and Lady Rose are here. They want to see you."
Rivera stiffened.
"What? My parents…?" she whispered.
Blitz promptly sat up, ears perked, tilting his head as he studied her face.
Just as he suspected-
Rivera's hand trembled as it held him.
She still wasn't ready.
Not after yesterday.
Not after what had happened.
She inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
"Sophie… tell them I'm tired. I'll see them tomorrow, okay?"
But Sophie didn't answer.
Instead, another voice drifted through the door: soft, calm, mature.
"Sweetheart, it's me."
Rivera froze.
"…Mom?" she breathed.
"Sweetheart," Rose said with a sorrowful tremor, "we're sorry for what happened yesterday. Please… forgive us. We promise it won't happen again."
Rivera's shoulders tightened, her breathing unsteady.
"It… it's alright, Mom," she whispered. "I know Father meant well. I don't blame him…"
"Then -" Rose began, but Rivera cut her off.
"But… I'm still hurt."
Her voice shook.
"Blitz is hurt, too. I want to be alone. Please… Mom."
Silence was pressed against the door.
Then Rose exhaled, long and heavy.
"…I understand, sweetheart. We'll give you space. But there is something else."
Rivera's head snapped up.
Something else?
"Eh? What is it?" A thin thread of worry slipped into her voice.
"The Celestial Being," Rose said. "She wants to see you."
Rivera jolted upright so fast Blitz tumbled off her lap and landed on the bed with a soft whump.
"What?! Lord Carmina… wants to see me?"
"Yes," Rose said. "Your presence has been requested as soon as possible."
A cold shiver ran down Rivera's spine.
Blitz's heart hammered, thumping hard enough to rattle his tiny ribs.
He knew that name.
Oh hell no…
The Dalmenton Celestial Being.
Carmina.
On one hand, Blitz desperately wanted to see her - what Blizzard gamer wouldn't want to meet the legendary, primordial dragon in person?
On the other hand…
Rivera may be walking into a danger she wasn't prepared for.
The Dalmentons weren't just strong; they were the epitome of beast tamers in Blizzard.
Unmatched throughout the entire Kingdom of Primacia.
And the reason was simple: Their Celestial Being. She was not human. Not even close. She was a dragon - A primordial dragon. Lord Carmina.
And she had summoned Rivera.