In the middle of the ridiculous commotion between the two friends, a heavy, majestic, and thunderous voice broke the air. The voice was so strong that the ground they stood on vibrated.
"Who are you? Why are you in my territory?"
Keyzier and Donovan heard the voice and immediately stopped fighting. Keyzier released Donovan's leg. They immediately searched for the source of the voice.
Their eyes turned toward the abyss. From behind the thick clouds, a pair of giant emerald wings spread out. A metallic green scaled head with majestic curved horns appeared slowly.
They were shocked to see that the voice came from a very large dragon hovering at the edge of the cliff. Its golden eyes stared at them sharply.
It was a Dragon. A creature of legend.
Donovan froze. His knees went weak. He became confused and a bit scared of the dragon, known as the strongest monster in this world.
What do we do? This dragon is very strong. Its presence alone makes it hard to breathe. If Keyzier and I attack it, we will definitely die instantly! he said in his heart, his brain stuck looking for a way out.
However, before Donovan could even think to beg for mercy, Keyzier—whose brain had short-circuited due to panic and frustration—stepped forward to the edge of the cliff. He pointed his index finger at the dragon's nose.
"HEY STUPID DRAGON, SO IT WAS YOU WHO DRAGGED US HERE, HUH? YOU KNOW, I WAS ALMOST FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO DIE A SILLY DEATH IN THIS GODFORSAKEN PLACE WITH HIM...!! RETURN US RIGHT NOW!"
Donovan's jaw dropped in disbelief that Keyzier said that to the dragon. His mouth hung open, but no sound came out. He stared at his best friend's back with horror.
"KEY!!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" hissed Donovan.
The Dragon pulled its head back slightly, looking surprised. Never had a creature so small, so human, dared to snap at it.
"What do you mean, human?" the dragon's voice rumbled, its breath like a storm wind. "I didn't do anything. And also, I am not a stupid dragon. Isn't it rude to call me stupid?"
Instead of being afraid, Keyzier got even more emotional.
"YOU ARE THE ONE BEING RUDE! COMING SUDDENLY AND STARTLING US! WE WERE DOING A MISSION IN MALBO FOREST LOOKING FOR ANOME FLOWERS AND OPRASIDA MUSHROOMS, AND SUDDENLY WE ARE HERE! THIS MUST BE YOUR DOING, RIGHT?"
The Dragon looked confused. "Malbo Forest? I don't understand anything you're saying! This is a different place, not Malbo Forest."
"YOU REALLY ARE A DRAGON THAT—..."
[SMACK]
A hard slap landed on the back of Keyzier's head. Donovan couldn't let this continue. If Keyzier said one more word, they would turn to ash.
"WHY DID YOU HIT ME, NOVAN?" protested Keyzier while holding his back.
"SHUT UP! You just stay quiet and let me ask, you idiot! Do you want us to be eaten?" whispered Donovan sharply.
"Tch, just do whatever you want then, stupid Novan!" Keyzier looked away, sulking.
Donovan took a deep breath, trying to be polite. He bowed respectfully to the dragon.
"Forgive my friend, Lord Dragon. His brain has some issues. I want to ask respectfully. Where exactly are we?"
The Dragon snorted, thin smoke coming out of its nose. "This is the land of Sky-valley and this place is above the sky! The sacred territory of dragons."
"SK-SKY?" shouted Keyzier and Donovan in unison.
"Is that true?" asked Donovan in disbelief.
Keyzier turned back, pointing at the dragon again with a look of rejection. "HEY STUPID DRAGON, DON'T YOU LIE TO—..."
Donovan's movement this time was as fast as lightning. He didn't want to take the risk. Donovan immediately stuffed Keyzier's mouth with leftover bandage cloth from his bag and deftly tied Keyzier's body to a nearby tree trunk using the rope he carried.
"HMMMPP... HMMMPP...!!"
Keyzier kept struggling, wanting to be released immediately. His legs kicked the air.
Novan, you bastard! Why is my mouth gagged? I'm even tied to a tree like this! Stupid Novan!! he said annoyedly in his heart while staring sharply at Donovan with a murderous look.
Donovan ignored his best friend and turned back to face the dragon. "Forgive the disturbance earlier. So, is this place really above the sky?"
The Dragon nodded slowly. "Yes, that is correct. The lower forest portal is sometimes unstable. How did you get here?"
Donovan told the dragon everything that happened. About the Anome flower mission, about Rommy, and the strange fog in Malbo Forest.
The Dragon seemed to think for a moment, then its eyes narrowed wisely. "So that's the story? You were thrown by the ley line current. Perhaps it is fate. You cannot go down by walking. Come with me by riding on my back! I will take you to the place where the flowers you seek are, then lower you down."
Donovan's eyes sparkled. Riding a dragon? That is every adventurer's dream.
"Alright then, we will get ready immediately! Thank you for your generosity!"
Behind them, the muffled sounds of protest grew louder.
"HMMMPPP....HMMMPPP...!!"
The Dragon glanced at Keyzier, who was still tied to the tree. "Just release your friend, human! I won't eat him, he is too noisy."
Donovan sighed, then approached Keyzier. He immediately untied the ropes and removed the gag from Keyzier's mouth.
As soon as his mouth was free, Keyzier exploded.
"DONOVAN YOU BASTARD! WHY DID YOU TIE ME UP LIKE A BANDIT LIKE THAT, HUH? I AM YOUR BEST FRIEND!"
Donovan looked at him flatly. "THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY STUPID AND DON'T UNDERSTAND OUR SITUATION!! WE ARE FACING A DRAGON, KEY! HAVE SOME MANNERS!"
The dragon, who was watching and listening to their silly debate, immediately interrupted their conversation.
"Now human, climb up and come with me!" said the dragon, cutting off their argument, lowering its wing so it could be climbed.
Keyzier immediately turned toward the dragon. Silence for a moment. Anger and panic slowly replaced by awe. He was going to fly riding a dragon. Their adventure as Party Donkey had just leveled up to a completely different stage.