With everything complete and the portal now fully stabilized, Taufik had no more ties to the Inferno Continent.
His mission here was done.
The swirling gateway behind him thrumd with arcane energy, glowing like a wound in the fabric of space, alive, humming, and waiting.
He stood at its threshold, the unnatural light casting long shadows across the scorched earth. Before him, Rakhsahsa II and a handful of his elite soldiers had gathered to see him off.
The wind carried ash and heat, but for once, the silence between them wasn't hostile. It was heavy with understanding.
Taufik turned slightly, placing one hand on Rakhsahsa II's shoulder. His gaze was unreadable, yet held the weight of judgnt and finality.
"...Alright, my business is done here. I'll see you around, Rakhsa... And when that ti cos, I hope you're stronger than this"
His voice was calm.
Rakhsahsa II's prideful posture stiffened. He opened his mouth to reply but faltered for just a mont.
"...Understood, Master, I'll-"
"Master?"
There was a blink of surprise in Taufik's tone, not annoyance, just curiosity.
"Ohh~ I'm sorry. Is it alright for to call you that, sir?" Rakhsahsa II stumbled over his words, an unfamiliar nervousness creeping in. "I an, I've learned so much in these two days. If it's acceptable to you, sir…"
Rakhsahsa II's proud voice wavered, not out of fear, but from sothing far more genuine. Respect. Gratitude. Perhaps even reverence.
Around him, his dragon soldiers exchanged silent glances. Their expressions, usually as unyielding as stone, now flickered with sothing like recognition, for a man who had changed their world, their destiny.
Taufik gave a quiet, amused smirk, withdrawing his hand.
"Master, huh?"
He turned toward the portal. Its surface rippled like molten glass, casting distorted reflections of the soldiers and the crimson sky.
The hum of power grew louder as he neared it, steady, strong, undeniable.
He paused, glancing over his shoulder one last ti.
"Fine. Call whatever you want. Just make sure that next ti we et…" He narrowed his eyes slightly, "… You don't embarrass yourself"
Rakhsahsa II fell to one knee, bowing his head deeply, one fist over his chest.
"I swear on my na and on the Inferno Continent... I will not"
"Good, it's ti for to go," Taufik said, turning slightly as the glow of the portal danced against his silhouette. "And try to get along with the other Dragon Kings. From today onward, you're comrades united because of "
His voice held a quiet strength, not commanding but compelling.
"I'll let the others know about this, so do your best. Oh ~ and don't take this as an order. I don't want relationships that feel forced. Consider it a suggestion... Take your ti and think it through"
Rakhsahsa II nodded solemnly.
"Understood. I'll try my best… Master"
He paused, then added with hesitant sincerity, "Oh, and Master… I know you built this portal for a reason. But… How will I know when you need our power?"
Taufik gave a faint smile. "Don't worry about it. That ti isn't coming soon. But when it does, you'll know. Until then, just focus on getting stronger. Strengthen your troops, and yourself"
"…Understood"
Taufik dipped his head slightly. A rare warmth flickered across his face.
"…Since you recognize as your Master, then as a Master... I'll give you sothing"
He lifted his hand. Light gathered in his palm, glowing with ethereal energy. As it faded, an object took form, an orb the size of a fist, suspended in midair. It was crystalline, gently pulsating with a soft blue hue, encased in an elegant lattice of silver and bronze, engraved with intricate arcane patterns.
Without ceremony, Taufik tossed it toward Rakhsahsa II.
The dragon king caught it instinctively, staring down at the orb in confusion.
"...This?"
"That's the solution to your 'small' problem," Taufik said, his tone teasing but sharp with intent. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice after staying here for two days… And only eating that incredibly tough at?"
Rakhsahsa II laughed awkwardly, his proud posture slipping for a mont as he rubbed the back of his head. "Forgive us for that, Master. We… Don't exactly have livestock suited for guests"
Taufik just shook his head with a faint exhale, neither angry nor amused, just resigned. He stepped a little closer, voice low and sure.
"That orb draws in ambient air, purifies it through magical filtration, and releases clean, life-sustaining air. It creates a do-shaped zone… A stable environnt. Ideal for people… And animals. And the coverage is wide... Large enough to support real herds"
The orb pulsed softly in Rakhsahsa II's hands, almost responding to the explanation.
Taufik let the words settle into silence, then added, with a knowing look.
"You know what I an, right?"
Rakhsahsa II's eyes widened. He looked down at the artifact, speechless. The weight of what it ant to hit him all at once.
"This..." He breathed, barely able to believe it. The implications were massive, his people could now raise livestock, restore balance, and rebuild.
His grip tightened around the orb as emotion surged through him.
Then, with a swift and deliberate motion, Rakhsahsa II dropped to one knee (again), bowing deeply in gratitude. His soldiers followed suit, armor clanking as they moved in unison.
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MASTER! With this… We can raise livestock again. Thank you… Truly"
Taufik turned back toward the portal, waving a hand dismissively over his shoulder.
"…It's nothing special. Just sothing I thought you'd need"
He stepped into the portal without hesitation. Light surged, engulfing him in radiant brilliance. At that mont, the wind fell still, and ti itself seed to pause.
Rakhsahsa II and the soldiers shielded their eyes, the echo of Taufik's presence lingering even after his form had vanished.
The portal remained, silent, glowing, unshaken.
A monunt not just to power, but to change. To legacy. To a brief yet unforgettable mont when worlds connected.
--------
It hadn't even been five seconds since Taufik stepped through the portal on the Inferno Continent, and now, he was standing in the heart of the Forest Continent.
Gone was the suffocating heat and crimson haze of molten landscapes.
Before him stretched a vast, vibrant forest, dense with erald canopies, the air rich with the scent of moss, bark, and blooming flora.
Birds chirped in the distance, and beams of sunlight filtered through the leaves like golden threads.
Taufik took a deep breath. He'd been immune to the toxic atmosphere of the Inferno Continent, but even so… This felt infinitely better.
"…Haa~ I like this air," He muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He looked around. The portal's forest-side gateway had been constructed right in the center of the Green Dragon Kingdom, surrounded by living wood and ancient trees that shimred with faint magical energy.
Dozens of green dragons were nearby, moving gracefully in both dragon and human form. They barely glanced at him, clearly used to his presence but there were definitely more of them than usual.
"…You're back, sir Savior," One of the guards stationed at the portal greeted him with a polite nod.
Taufik raised an eyebrow. "Hm… What's going on here? So kind of celebration?"
"Yes, sir. Not long after your departure, a convoy from the Blue Dragon Kingdom and the Golden Dragon Kingdom arrived The Queen and The King themselves. It's the first official visit in centuries. Everyone's a bit... Stirred"
"Ohh~ So Kania and Akh'sha are here, huh?" He mused aloud, clearly amused.
"Yes, sir. Would you like to announce your return"
Taufik paused, then glanced back at the portal behind him. A glint sparked in his eye.
"…Actually, no. This might be a good opportunity"
Without another word, he turned and re-entered the portal.
Monts later, the swirling light pulsed once more, and Taufik erged again.
This ti, he wasn't alone.
Behind him stepped Rakhsahsa II, clearly unprepared for the sudden shift in the atmosphere. His eyes widened as he took in the lush green surroundings, the fresh air, the sheer difference from the blazing inferno of his holand.
"…Ma-Master… I... I wasn't ready for this-"
"Don't say anything," Taufik said, calmly but firmly. "Just follow "
He glanced back over his shoulder with a smirk.
"This is your first step toward getting along with the others"
Rakhsahsa II hesitated only a mont longer, then gave a single, sharp nod.
"…Understood. I'll try my best"
--------
With steady strides, Taufik led Rakhsahsa II directly toward the Green Dragon Castle.
The path was vibrant with life. Green Dragon citizens, both human and dragon in form, moved about, celebrating the unexpected royal visit.
The mont Taufik and Rakhsahsa II approached the castle gates, the guards straightened. Their eyes lingered on Rakhsahsa II, wary, uncertain but they didn't dare intervene. Not when he walked beside him.
Even inside the castle, as they crossed grand halls lit with dancing lights and rich greenery twined into the architecture, the sa skepticism followed them.
Whispers stirred.
Rakhsahsa II, with his intense aura and unmistakable Red Dragon Bloodline, drew curious, and cautious glances.
But again, none acted on their doubt.
Taufik's presence was enough.
Then the doors to the main hall opened.
Laughter echoed, music danced through the air, and nobles from the Green, Golden, and Blue Dragon Kingdoms mingled in a rare, joyous scene.
And amid it all...
"…Daddy, you're here!"
A delighted voice cut through the noise, and from across the hall, Alice ran full speed toward him, her ponytail fluttering slightly in excitent as she ran.
The other children were not far behind, trailing her in a flurry of happy energy.
Taufik's expression softened. He bent down, spreading his arms wide just in ti to embrace them all in a single, warm hug.
"…I'm back," He said softly, his voice carrying the weight of fondness and quiet relief.
Behind him, Rakhsahsa II stood still, silent, watching.
His usually hardened expression lted into sothing far more thoughtful as he witnessed the scene. This was the man he called Master, not just a warrior, not just a savior, but sothing deeper. Sothing more whole.
And for the first ti, Rakhsahsa II wondered… What kind of world could his people live in if they truly followed this man?
....
...
..
.
User Comments
0 comments from readers