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Chapter 13: Paladin of Bahamut

Arcturus' entire body trembled with pain. He slowly opened his eyes to the swirling snow around that spread around him. He sat up, his head still spinning from the shock of the impact he experienced mere moments ago.

"Aghh...I don't remember the fall being this bad when that bastard Dread Flame brought me down from the sky," Arcturus touched his forehead with his hand and grunted in pain. Even something as simple as massaging his throbbing head made him feel sore. He shook his head slowly and soon enough the blurry image he saw before his eyes slowly came back into focus. He was in a wild, uninhabited area by the looks of it, and the compressed snow he had tumbled on when he hit the ground made his eyes widen with grim realization.

He held me...right before- Arcturus' eyes frantically scanned the area around him, desperation lodged in his chest like a nail hammered in too deep to pull out. That's when he saw the dragon, and he wished he had not. Lying not that far away in the snow was the grim spectacle of blood, torn scales and wounds that made up the dragon he knew. Veledar.

"Oh...oh Gods, don't let this be,". Arcturus tried to stand and immediately gasped as a sharp pain stabbed his chest. He struggled. Groaned. Cursed as he forced his weakened limbs to obey.

_ Gods... it feels like my limbs... are weighed down by boulders._ Arcturus scrunched his face with effort. With another pained murmur the paladin succeeded to get on his feet.

"Least my legs aren't broken," he quickly looked over his form as thankfully nothing appeared to be broken. Arcturus took a deep breath, sending another wave of painful flames up his chest.

"Nghhh, aaaaah, that's...fock me that's rib's twisted like a dragon's cock, but I'll live," Arcturus muttered. "That's not important right now. Veledar. I need to..." His eyes focused back on the bloodied dragon that had yet to move from the dented snow he rested in.

"Please...Don't be dead..." Arcturus gathered all the strength he had in his aching body. "Veledar!" he shouted out as he painfully limped towards his friend. "Please..." He nearly stumbled and fell as his next footstep made him gasp in pain. He caught himself, his eyes never leaving the dragon's broken body. The snow around Veledar was painted a dark crimson, a grim reminder of the gryphons that forced him upon this course of action. Arcturus closed the distance painfully slow. He was now within arm distance of the dragon, and there was yet a movement to notice from his friend.

"Gra...rrrrraaaahhhh," Arcturus' heart but leaped inside his tight chest as he saw the dragon's chest rise.

He was alive. The Gods had mercy on them both. Even with their blessing, Arcturus tried to not get his hopes up as he knew too well he was in no position to mend a dragon's wounds, not to mention he was a wanted man by the king's chasers.

_ We're not safe yet, but at least he's alive._ Tears of gratitude fell along the paladin's scratched cheeks as he looked upon his dragon friend. The Veledar's wings, so proud and big when they flapped up there in the skies, twisted off at odd angles. Slash marks covered his tan scales, oozing small rivulets of blood. Small pools were already forming in the snow from various places on Veledar's broken body, but he was alive, even if the heart-wrenching breath that oozed out of his throat dared otherwise.

"Veledar," Arcturus dropped beside the dragon's proud head to cup his chin in his hands. "Veledar, look at me. Up here. Look in my eyes."

"I'm...ghlouarugh," Veledar coughed suddenly, painting Arcturus' chest with a warm, viscous sludge as red as his scales.

"N-no. Don't!" Arcturus tried to warn in vain.

"I'm fff-fine." Proud as ever, the dragon slowly stirred and tried to stand onto all fours. His legs wobbled for a moment, as Arcturus was certain he was going to collapse.

"Stop. Stop!" Arcturus tried in vain to keep the dragon down. "If not for the Gods themselves, do it for me, you stubborn dragon!"

"W-w-we can't... stay here. The gryphons...they'll smell our blood, then..." Veledar's eyes scrunched in pain, followed by the rasping sound of his voice. Arcturus tore his eyes away from him to look for a place to hide in this snowy area.

"Nothing...There is nothing!" He cupped his hand and placed it next to his eyes to protect himself against from the sun's glare.

"Come on, you bastards! Are you coming for us or not?"

He heard the screeching of gryphons from behind, closing in to their position no doubt. His eyes strained to see anything within the swirling winds, but all he make out was the sky above and the sea of white snow, dotted with red blood.

Arcturus narrowed his eyes. Kept looking. Then, as if by a miracle, appeared to be a large cave just ahead of them.

"It's not far. We just have to make it there." Arcturus said. Then in his mind, he figured out the next step.

_ If Veledar could set an illusion over the cave's entrance we might stand a chance at remaining undiscovered._ He turned back to his broken friend, trying to not show too much worry on his wounded, aching face. When he reached him, he wrapped his arm around the dragon's neck. "Come on, Veledar. You can do this. I know how stubborn you are when you put your mind to something, so show me. Show me how strong a dragon really is."

Arcturus had no idea how Veledar mustered the power to stand on his fours, but together they limped forward, the snow crunching beneath their steps. "That cave...it's not an illusion, is it? Your eyes can see it too. Maybe if you set up an illusion we can hide from the search party."

"N-Not like we have any choices, human." The dragon growled in pain. "Tell you what...it w-w-would be better than bleeding out in the snow." Veledar gasped weakly as he moved one limb after the other. The dragon seemed to strain himself with each step, his eyes scrunching practically with each crunch of the snow beneath his paws. Arcturus shuddered when he heard the dragon take a deep breath, followed by an even larger groan of pain. Veledar coughed deeper than before, spraying the snow with a rain of blood.

"Almost there, Veledar. Just a few more steps." Arcturus said calmly even as he fought the urge to try and rush him. He could hear the gryphons getting closer.

"Come on you big scaly bastard! You're not going to die in this frozen place, do you hear me? If I can ride in your claws, you can take a few more steps!"

"Look at these streaks. The beast bled all over the place. Spread around. I want him found within the minute, d'you hear me? Go, go!" he heard a man shout from behind,

Arcturus slightly turned his head to see only the rush of snowflakes carried by the bitter wind. The snow that whipped his body with relentless lashes was a blessing in disguise, starting to restrict vision to several feet in front of them.

_ Good. If I'm blind, they're blind._

Arcturus had never thought several feet of travel could seem so long. He knew the whole ordeal probably only lasted a few minutes, but with his friend's ragged breath, painful gasps, and crunching wings drilling into his ears, the journey to the cave seemed to last forever.

When he finally reached the rock wall, Arcturus finally breathed a sigh of relief and followed Veledar inside.

We did it! Praise the Gods and their infinite mercy. I have to remember to extend my gratitude when we're safe.

Arcturus forgot about his broken ribs, the cuts on his face, his weighted limbs. He forgot about everything in the rush of relief that washed over him. He was about to lay a hand on his dragon and offer his heartfelt praise for the titanic effort, but his hand found nothing. Veledar collapsed onto the floor with a pained grunt, his wing drooping over the ground splattered with yet another dose of blood.

"I- I can't...make it any further." Veledar gasped in pain, his claws tensing on the cavern floor.

"No. You're not dying on me here. I will not allow it!" Arcturus pulled off his pack, emptying its contents onto the cold floor. It collected into a cluttered pile of assorted items. He swiped his hands through the mess and grabbed a small box with a red cross on it. He fumbled with it as he tried to rush, managing to spring it open with a small click. Inside the box was bandages, materials for stitches, and two healing potions.

"Just...keep your eyes open. Focus on my voice and try to stay awake." He said confidently, trying to hide the worried crack in his voice. He felt an icy grip tighten around his heart as he looked to his friend, unable to shake the feeling of dread that sprung forth when he looked over Veledar's wounds in detail.

Arcturus suddenly drew his sword as he heard yet another gryphon screech, too close for comfort.

"Plan to stab them...with that feeble iron stick?"

Arcturus reluctantly dropped the medical supplies with a soft clatter of wood on stone. The dragon was right. If it came to a fight, there was no way he could defend himself and help Veledar. He held the sword in front of him at the ready as he assumed a battle stance.

"I will not let these bastards take you."

"Y-you were a good human, best I know actually...but you're being foolish." Veledar muttered as if in a daze, his voice trailing off as he thumped his tail weakly.

Arcturus stared at the cave's entrance to see several shapes start to emerge from the storm with Garroth at the head. His friend wore a worried face on his brow, clearly following the tracks left behind by Veledar. He was flanked by several others in red leathers that held energy crossbows slung at the ready. He could see their eyes, desperately trying to see where they had gone.

"I told you to hold your fire!" Garroth shouted, turning to one of the men. "He had Arcturus. You could have killed them both!" Garroth turned away from the man placing two hands around his mouth, "Arcturus!" he shouted, desperation clearly in his voice. "Where are you!?" his voice cracked with genuine concern. Garroth stood for a few minutes in silence as if waiting for Arcturus to reply. Part of him wanted to call out to his friend and give away their position. Garroth had more than a few gryphons. He had an airship fitted with enough healers to restore Veledar. Arcturus fought with himself as his friend paced around, staring at the blood on several occasions. Garroth held a hand to his chin, as he came to a stop.

"The tracks of blood end here. Clearly the beast survived the fall, but for how long? Where could it possibly go?" Garroth thrust a finger towards the paw prints in the snow. "Here you can see the boots. Arcturus survived as well." Garroth smiled, tracing the path Arcturus had made with a sweep of his arm. "Arcturus!" he shouted again, and once more waited for a response.

"Were did they go next, Garroth?" one of the men asked as Garroth looked around. His eyes were narrowed as if he were desperately searching for something. It dawned on Arcturus, Garroth, and his men could not see the cave right in front of their faces.

"Veledar. Veledar, when in the blazes did you have the time to cast an illusion?" Arcturus whispered as he turned his head back towards the dragon. Veledar had not moved from where he fell, and his eyes were closed.

"Oh no...no no no, don't do that!" Arcturus whispered, scrambling to his medical supplies. He grabbed the two glass health potions firmly and bounded to his friends broken body. He grabbed Veledar by the snout and with a forceful thrust upwards he opened it. He uncorked the bottles, tossing the cork aside as he dumped them down the dragon's throat.

"Swallow. C'mon, do it you sleepy beast." Arcturus said after he shut the dragon's maw and rubbed his neck to stimulate his swallowing reflex. Veledar stirred and coughed multiple times, forcing Arcturus to clamp his maw shut least Garroth heard them. With each cough though, Arcturus watched the dragon's body shiver, shake, and twitch.

"T-tastes terrible, I would rather have wine." Veledar grumbled as he held his head back.

"You can have wine when you make it through this. We will get the best, and in large quantities to befit a dragon." Arcturus pulled out the materials for stitches after he took off his gauntlets. He then pulled out the mana crystal that gave light and activated it with a hasty touch. He would need the light for what followed, although part of him wished his eyes remained in the dark, for in the light he could see his friend's wounds even clearer. The cuts were deep, parts of his scales were actually torn open so to reveal the muscle and sinews that hid beneath. Arcturus stifled a terror induced gasp as he grabbed the cool needle and metal wire. He paused and looked to the dragon, and wrinkled his brow. "This is going to hurt a fair bit, so try to keep your maw shut unless you want our friends to come after your tail again."

"M-more than falling out of the sky? That's-" Veledar coughed up more blood and gasped with ragged breaths for air.

Arcturus moved to the largest wound that was on the dragon's chest, closest to one of his ribs. He moved several smaller scales out of the way to get a better view of the wounded flesh. "So tell me, wise, powerful dragon. Where are your wings going to carry me once we leave this adventure behind?"

"I-I think I'll find a mate, and mount them till I am Ra-" Veledar started, then muffled his growl within the depths of his jaws as the needle pierced his flesh.

"I thought you said falling from the sky was worse?" Arcturus chuckled as he went up the dragon's hide with the needle, each additional pierce followed by another wince and gasp of pain from his friend.

"I take it back, t-that stings worse than a gryphon's claws! I-If I wasn't so hurt I'd smack you!" Veledar replied with a groan. Arcturus felt the dragon's tail move slightly in support of his words. "I take it that it must be pretty bad if you're fussing over me like this."

Arcturus focused on sealing the wounds and stayed quiet.

"Silence? That only works for peasants, Arcturus. Act like a paladin for once."

"That I can, but I'm not sure you're gonna like a stern touch given your condition."

Arcturus finished with the current wound he was working on. The tightened, tattered flesh did not look pretty being stitched together and was slowly oozing blood. He felt one of Veledar's paws move to his side it caressed him gently for a few moments before Arcturus pushed it aside. He let the dragon know of the seriousness of this task, and after Veledar muttered an agreement, the paladin started sealing up the next closest wound that was at the dragon's shoulder.

"So why was that butt-head commander captain of gryphons whatever considered your friend? I have to admit, for all his efforts in trying to capture me he may have done a better job than you at trying to kill me." Veledar laughed weakly which prompted him to unleash another ragged cough.

"Oh, Garroth? He's a fine man with years of experience at the helm of an airship." Arcturus kept his calm, for he knew that in spite of Veledar's wounds, Garroth held only part of the blame. "Garroth even though he is an adventurer is still a man of honor. A good soldier that follows his king loyally. I wish I had time to introduce you properly. Who knows, even the gryphons might've been persuaded to like you."

"Find that hard to believe after what they've done to my scales."

"T'wasn't personal, believe me. The gryphons, including Garroth, were just following the king's orders. Blazes, dragon. The whole of Lumara thinks you killed me that day in the airship." Arcturus replied.

"What do you think you know about me?" Veledar cocked his head to the side.

"That you're a pompous dragon full of hot air for start, but... your heart's in the right place. I wouldn't be dipping my fingers in your blood to save your stubborn arse if I felt otherwise."

"What if I were lying to you this entire time? Your fondness for me can very well be an elaborate charm I placed on you from the first moment we met."

Even with the dragon's hot blood on his fingers Arcturus couldn't help but chuckle. "Why am I using these barbaric tools when his winged highness can amaze me with a display of magic?" Arcturus said with a mischievous smile. "What's wrong? Surely a simple charm as mending flesh is not beyond the abilities of Veledar the charmer."

"Are you mocking me, human?"

"A bit," Arcturus admitted as he put his needle back to work. "Sometimes you need a slap over the bum like any other child."

"I can slap back."

"After you're better, sure." Arcturus laughed again. "It doesn't take magic to know someone's heart. I can tell if you lie just by looking into your eyes."

"Try not to fall in love with me please. I have enough sycomphants already without adding a disgraced paladin to their ranks," Veledar laughed weakly, "Damn, you do know how to lift a dragon's spirits."

Arcturus smiled sincerely when the dragon looked down at him as he worked, probably curious to see if his human really did his best. "By the time you will be done I will like one of your quilt things. It will be very ill fitting of a hero of my stature."

"Hero, are we?" Arcturus replied, moving to another wound as he felt Veledar twitch. "How do you see yourself earning such esteemed rank? Certainly not by falling on your butt."

"O-of course not, you bumbling sack of rocks. Saving his knight from capture, snatching him from certain death, keeping him from fainting while he stitches his first dragon... this will make a great story of course."

"Only if you don't scare or annoy your sycophants away." Arcturus grinned.

"You and Lyndis seem very fond of me."

"Aye. We do. However, I think we are different than most people. As you might've noticed from our travels, not many humans are ready to worship at your feet."

"Not yet, but we'll teach them, " Veledar said in a whisper. "The valiant dragon and his selfless paladin...this will be a tale for the ages..." the dragon then smiled as his eye lids closed softly.

"Veledar?" Arcturus looked over to the dragon. His head was on the ground, eyes closed, seemingly asleep...but the cold dread that rushed along his spine spoke of much graver things.

"Do I bore ye to the point of sleeping on me? Come on. Wake up."

No reply came from the dragon.

"Veledar?!" He knelt besides the dragon's head, his voice cracking. He rushed to place his hand on the dragon, feeling around for his pulse. He felt a dull thump against the warm dragon's hide.

"No, come on I almost healed you. You're fine. You have to be fine." His face darkened as he felt it weaken. Arcturus rose and paced around, the stench of Veledar's blood filling his nostrils with every breath. He had no idea what else to do in the wake of such horrid fear. To have the dragon die on him now, after everything they've been through...

"No!" Arcturus moved to the dragon's snout and gave it a serious smack. "Wake up, dragon. This isn't how a hero's quest is supposed to end!" He slapped again and again, each time getting the same silent void.

"You got to stay awake Veledar! You can't go on leaving me or this world just yet. You have adventures to embark upon, humans to amaze, mates to mount in whatever ways you dragons do it!"

In spite of the humorous approach, Arcturus could feel the pit in his stomach growing, turning into a twisting, painful knot.

"Don't die...Please don't die on me. I'm begging you, Veledar. I'm begging you...come back to me..."

When the dragon failed to give his answer, Arcturus went back to check the pulse. This time he scrambled to get there to find that -to his horror- instead of a faint pulsing there was no tremor. No heartbeat.

Nothing.

"Come on you cheeky bastard!" Arcturus shouted, placing his arms together and slamming down on the dragon's rib cage with all his might. "YOU!" Smack! "CAN'T" Smack! "DIE!"

After several desperate thumps Arcturus took in a deep, chest-aching breath as the dragon's heart came back to life. He let out an enormous sigh of relief and collapsed against his friend's scaled chest, resting only for a moment before he grabbed some spare torches from his pack and arranged them like a campfire. He pulled out his flint and steel and started a fire. Hopefully the warmth of the flames would at least warm the wounded dragon. He looked to Veledar who was still breathing shallow breaths, then Arcturus felt the dread once again creep over him. Arcturus padded over to the dragon's side as he scanned to the rest of the cave, dimly illuminated by the crystal and torchlight.

The cave was larger than he initially noticed, and it seemed to have carvings on the cavern walls. The carvings' writing looked like it was drawn with harsh lines, or possibly with a claw. Within all of it he made out a picture of a large dragon cradling another one in its claws. It was painted a metallic silver, and the human somehow remembered it was a picture of Bahamut, the goddess of dragons. He was drawn from the image by another one of Veledar's ragged breaths, just like when his heart had stopped. Arcturus collapsed on top of his friend and grabbed one of his scaly paws. He rolled his fingers over in his cold hands, and placed another hand on top of it.

"You can't die. Not after I brought you back a second time." Arcturus sniffled, for he felt the same helplessness now as he did when he had held his fading son within his arms. He looked to his broken and dying friend, fighting back a sob. Tears started to well in his eyes as he clutched the dragon's paw even tighter.

"I've...I've tried all I can, Veledar...but I am running out of ways to save you." He said weakly. "The potions barely healed your gashes, and that's only what my eyes can perceive. I've got a broken rib, but you..." the human squeezed his eyes shut, remembering the overwhelming shock that spread throughout his body when the dragon crashed into the snow. "No. I can't think of internal bleeding, broken bones and what not, cause I can't mend that. All I can do is stitch flesh and sit and watch how you fade, just like my son."

Arcturus felt the tears start to drip down his face now. "You're the first friend I have made in a long time. Do you know that? You can't just go and die now...Not when I still have so many unspoken words to share," he said, gripping his friends paw tighter.

"Veledar...I speak of the Gods often, but truth is...I am not a pious man. Before Dread Flame I believed in the power of my will and the strength of my arm, and after the monster robbed me of my family, there was nothing left. No faith, no hope. Nothing.

Arcturus looked to the carvings and the pictures of Bahamut on the wall with blurry eyes. "But I am going to pray now for you, cause it's the last thing I can think to save your proud, stubborn arse."

Arcturus placed his sobbing head onto Veledar's chest and closed his eyes. "Please...please hear me now," his voice trembled in the same manner as his body as a torrent of emotions boiled inside him.

"If you're up there...if you can see this broken dragon and hear my whispered pleas, do something." Arcturus gritted his teeth, "DO SOMETHING!" He hissed, thinking of the dragon goddess Bahamut. If anyone would try answer his prayer it would be her. He knew it sounded selfish, and arrogant to think a God would answer his pleas, but he still had to try. He focused on his friend, his pain, his wounds, and the absolute need to see him healed. Arcturus sat in that uncomfortable position until his neck went stiff and his joints ached, sobbing softly onto Veledar's scales until he started to feel odd. Just like when he had been transported into the realm of the fairies.

Arcturus opened his eyes, still puffy and red from all that crying. He wiped the moisture that clouded his vision with a hand to see what lay before him. Where the cave had been mere moments ago now stood a large swirling vortex of dark grey clouds. Suddenly a bolt of lightning shot across the sky, illuminating the entire swirling storm for an instant. Arcturus looked down to find that he was floating mid-air, and panic soon raced through his mind at the prospect of being swallowed by the angry clouds that surrounded him on all sides.

It's a dream. Just a representation of my grief. It's not real...or at least not as real as it seems, Arcturus thought to himself as he sought to calm the primitive signals that shot all across his body -that which Veledar often referred to as instincts. He calmly breathed slowly, in and out, and relief slowly replaced dread as he realized he was not going anyway, least of all plummeting to his death.

"Hello?" he shouted out to the clouds, "Is anyone there?"

No answer came.

"I must be here for a reason. Please, if anyone hears my pleas, help me! My friend is leaning closer into death's embrace as we speak. There has to be something I can do to save him. Has to! I won't allow him to just...to just-" Arcturus broke down into sobs for a few emotional seconds when the only reply he got was a large bolt of lighting streaking across the sky. He thought he was alone, abandoned by the Gods themselves.

Then he saw it. In that brief flash of light, he noticed something emerging from the dark clouds. It was enormous, easily dwarfing the puny human that stared with shocked eyes. The creature, if it could be called such, was covered in platinum scales that shone with bright light, wings that seemed to stretch on forever, and eyes like liquid mercury. Then he knew it, deep into the marrow of his bones. Hovering before him stood none other than the massive form of the dragon goddess Bahamut.

The dragon glided closer to him, twisting around his form as if to measure the creature that entered her realm. Her eyes never took a moment away from him. If he did not know better he would assume they had the intent of murder behind them.

"I-I know what you are."

"Do you, mortal?"

Arcturus slowly dipped his head in reverence. "Veledar told me about you. I've seen...pictures on the cave's walls. Pictures of you. You are the goddess of dragons, as for me, I am nothing but a mere human, here to beseech you for your aid." Arcturus gulped nervously, almost convinced that no God, dragon or not, would pay any heed to the soft, broken words of a desperate man.

"Please..." Arcturus bowed before the enormous dragon. "My friend, Veledar, a dragon with the most beautiful red scales I've laid eyes upon is marred and broken, d-dying as we speak. He is beyond my help, but maybe...maybe you have the power to alter his fate. Perhaps you can save him!"

Bahamut stopped and looked slightly away, as if to relay the response, "Why should I care about this Veledar, mortal? All creatures perish, even dragons. It is the way of the world."

Arcturus felt something akin to hope when he saw her mercury like eyes peek a glance back at him.

"I know what you mean, wise, powerful Bahamut, but I am not here, standing before you to fight against the way of the world. All I need is one chance for one dragon. That's all."

"One, a hundred, perhaps even a thousand. Intervening into the affairs of the mortal world is impossible."

"That's not what he told me!" Arcturus shouted out in a flash of anger. "Nothing is impossible. Not to you!"

Arcs of lightning traveled through the clouds, the light so bright it brought Arcturus to tears. "You dare defy me, in my own sanctum?" Bahamut's voice crackled in the dark vortex that once again surrounded Arcturus' diminishing form.

"I dare to plead mercy for a dragon that-a dragon who's..." Arcturus choked as the image of Veledar coughing his last words appeared into his mind. In pain, coughing his last, and he still cut through the gloom with jokes not for his own sake, but for the paladin that mended his wounds.

The man that failed him. Arcturus closed his eyes shut, then tried his best to get onto his knees even as a thin stream of hot tears ran down his contorted face.

"Speak." Bahamut beckoned. "Release the burden trapped within you. Who is this dragon you speak so fondly of?"

"An insufferable bastard who I proudly call friend!" Arcturus rasped, his chest tight, breath shallow. "He's the only dragon I ever befriended...the one who filled my void with hope years after I've lost my family to another red. I ask of you...nay. I beseech you for a way to save Veledar's life, just as he saved mine."

"He...saved you?" The platinum dragoness spoke with a softer voice, and Arcturus nodded several times as flashes of the past events filled his mind.

"I was falling fast, so fast that I even made peace with my inevitable demise. Then he grabbed me." Arcturus winced. "Felt his paws wrap around me, holding me steady while I shivered like the useless burden that I was. When the ground rushed to meet us, he took the brunt of the fall. He-" Arcturus sobbed. "Veledar broke his body to preserve me, and even crippled, wounded, bleedin' from more places than I could count, his only concern remained with me and my safety."

Arcturus wiped his tears and looked at the dragoness, searching for any traces of emotion, hoping to see a small result of his words.

"You spin a memorable tale, but a tale on its own will not persuade me to break one of the most ancient rules of this world."

"But it is no mere tale! This happened. Veledar is truly dying, right now, while talk of rules and what cannot be done." Arcturus bowed his head as he realized emotions started to cloud his judgment.

"I mean no offense, great Bahamut. Just please...hear me out. Listen, instead of allowing my voice to simply caress your ears. This Veledar, my friend...he is the worthiest dragon you'd meet if you but only give him a second chance. Please...he sacrificed himself because of me. I'm the reason he's inching closer to death, so let me bear whatever punishment you see fit. I will do anything it takes to save his life, great, wise Bahamut!"

Bahamut considered his words, then Arcturus shuddered when the female brought her humongous snout inches away from his face. He had seen the look she was giving him on Veledar's snout before. It was a smirk. A clear sign of mischievous satisfaction.

"That is an intriguing proposal you are laying at my paws, mortal. Anything, you say?"

Arcturus dipped his head. The dragoness stared straight at him, her eyes seeming to pierce the veil of flesh to look upon his very soul. Though Arcturus felt bare before such imposing presence, he stared right back, eyes focused, unblinking, as if this were the most important thing in the entire world right now. He knew it in the back of his mind that this was dangerous game he was playing. After all, this was how things went sour in the stories told to children by their mothers or the ones written in the scrolls of adventurers. Making deals with entities outside the material realm rarely attracted anything good, but as he stood on his knees with his eyes focused on scales, Arcturus' mind traveled back to Veledar. He pictured his friend laying on that cavern floor, the blood oozing out of his impromptu stitches, his throat convulsing, giving out his last pained breaths. That was all the mental image he needed, with utter conviction in his voice he voiced his decision.

"I would go to the void and beyond if that's what it takes to save my Veledar's life, so yes," Arcturus stood up with a stern look about his face. "I'll do anything you ask of me."

Bahamut flew around him, flapping her enormous wings before returning with a great gust of wind. In spite of the tempests created in the aftermath of her wingbeats, Arcturus hardly moved from where he was hovering. With her claws, the dragoness formed a pedestal that hovered right in front of him, a thing made of a stone as bright as her scales. On the pedestal lay a sword forged of bright gold, encrusted with many gems, and armed with a blade that gave off a faint blue radiance. Bahamut hovered, once again her eyes focusing on the human before her.

Arcturus breathed in and somehow willed himself to glide towards the pedestal. The entire time he did so, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He came to a stop, and with his right hand the paladin reached out towards the sword. Each inch that brought him closer towards his prize increased the power radiating towards his hand. The power to conquer the whole world, the power to bring the mightiest evil down to its knees. Arcturus pictured himself returning to his king with this word in hand, ready to deliver holy wrath upon Lumara's enemies.

Then the image of him kneeling before the king flickered, and Arcturus stood upon the throne instead with an entire squad of paladins offering their swords to him, a good, benevolent king that-

"No..." Arcturus shook his head. "That's not...this is not what I seek!" He pulled his hand away from the blade as if bitten and threw Bahamut an angry glance. She was still looking at him, but her eyes seemed to be filled with curiosity. If he had to guess her expression it would be one of "Well?"

"This a test to ye?" Arcturus hovered away from the pedestal, not even looking at the accursed blade that stole his eyes for too long already. "I lay out my heart and my thoughts before you, and this is how you repay me? With games and tests while my friend is-"

"We are unbound by time or any of the laws you know. Believe me. Your dragon friend is not suffering more than he already had."

Arcturus thought of a way out of this stupid test. If I don't want the power presented before me, what will I do? All I want to do is save my friend, to heal him, to not have yet another soul I care about die in my arms. His thoughts briefly shifted to Geoffery, particularly to the moment when his son gave his last breath. Arcturus shook his head and wiped his eyes.

He tried to speak and reason with the Goddess. Perhaps it was time for another approach. Something more befit for a dragon. Arcturus willed himself to fly up to Bahamut's snout. He reached out with a hand and placed his palm softly on her snout tip. It was cool to the touch but not uncomfortably so.

"You think a mere touch will convey your pleas better than words?"

Arcturus said nothing. Instead, he pictured a healed Veledar in his mind, protecting innocents against perils. Then he thought of his vows, Selena, and his son. "I know you can feel this. This is the choice I make. I wish not the power for myself, but to heal and protect others." he said aloud.

The dragoness seemed to chuckle, deep in her throat. She then swirled around him in a blur of silver. Her form seemed to shift and change shape until in a quick motion the small silver blur flew straight into Arcturus' chest, where his heart was. He clutched at it with his hands as he felt like his chest had caught aflame. He collapsed in pain, white hot, and blinding. His eyes exploded in stars and his ears rang with a deafening roar, just like the one he had heard faintly the entire time.

"Human Arcturus." a soft voice spoke, however he could feel the ancient power that it carried, as it seemed to come from within his very mind. "The honesty displayed by your words and deeds have moved me...deeply. You shall go back to your world and be my paladin, like I intended for you. Go now, human, and bestow my light upon your wounded friend, along with any else that follow."

Around him the clouds gave way to reveal the stars above, with the shapes of thousands of dragons nestled within their light. They were all swirling around, snouts pointed towards him. He could see the twinkle in their eyes as he felt his chest glow warm once again. He could not help himself as his mouth fell open, at the sheer beauty of the spectacle presented before him.

Then another flash of light came, and everything went dark.

Arcturus' vision cleared like the dark clouds in Bahamut's timeless realm, only now, instead of cold platinum scales, he found himself still holding Veledar's crimson snout. It was warm...but so were his hands, giving off a faint radiance similar to the azure blade of Bahamut's sword. It felt strange, like he was pouring his very being into the dragon, though the sensation felt anything but uncomfortable. Like hot water, it was warm and soothing, the soft glow rippling against the dragon's scales like beams of sunlight. Arcturus watched the stitches burst apart as the wounds healed themselves before his shocked eyes. The gashes that had filled him with worry vanished along with the blood oozing out of them, and finally Veledar opened his eyes once more.

Arcturus lost himself in the tide of happiness that washed over him and hugged the dragon as tightly as he could.

"Veledar, thank the Gods!" He mashed the side of his face against the dragon's scaly chest.

"What madness got into you?"

"The madness of joy you stupid scale-head!" Arcturus sobbed loudly in happiness as he squeezed the base of the dragon's chest tighter. Veledar pressed his paw against his back, his own form of awkward hugging, and Arcturus could not help it as he felt tears once again stream down his face.

"Well I obviously missed the hidden stash of wine you gulped down...or whatever paladin magic you worked on me, because clearly that needle of yours accomplished just about as much as my arse sitting on this stone." Veledar said with a grin, pushing the paladin slightly back to nuzzle away the tears that fell down his cheeks.

"Oh come on you silly dragon, you don't have to lick me."

But he did, and Arcturus enjoyed every smothering stroke of that silky tongue across his flushed face. "Alright, that's enough," he patted the dragon's silly snout. "I'm fine with rubs, but no more licking please."

"You loved it! Admit it, or I will rid you of your clothes and give you a proper bath."

"Come on now, you scaly oaf. Nuff about that unless you want your brave paladin to break down in tears again."

"It's not that bad," the dragon flicked his tongue out a few times. "Apart from the slight bits of grime and the salty taste, crying shows me that you genuinely care about me. I am touched. I may not show my emotion as openly, being a dragon and all, but here. Feel for my heart. See how quickly it beats."

Arcturus put up with the dragon's request. "Blazes!" he chuckled happily. "Don't tell me a bit of stitching and two potions are all it takes for a mighty dragon to fall in love with a puny human!"

"You're not THAT puny. Besides, there's plenty of tales where love begins just in moments like this."

"Really?" Arcturus arched an eyebrow. "Quite the reader of stories, are you?"

"I do enjoy a good romance once in a while. You humans are...interesting to say the least." Veledar admitted before he quickly looked away, probably embarrassed to admit his feelings.

"Tis fine, you crafty dragon. I won't tell if you don't fly from village to village spoutin' tales of the weepin' paladin."

"Excellent idea!" The dragon straightened his head, chest puffed out. "I shall leave no details out on how this proud paladin -the elite of Lumara's army- all but succumbed to my greatness. Imagine the songs about me. The tales! It's glorious!"

"Aye. Glorious indeed." Arcturus patted the dragon's paw. "If we leave out the part when you shat yourself when we smashed into the snow."

"I did not!" the dragon bared his teeth.

"Same way I didn't fall for your charms? That's what you're saying."

"Not yet," the dragon grumbled.

He was back to his old self, and Arcturus couldn't be happier. He sniffled one last time as he could not remove the smile that was still spread wide on his face.

Praise the blessed light that brought him back from the grip of death. I'll never forget the kindness you've done to me this day, Bahamut. I shall be your champion and carry out your light into the world, just like I promised.

"Silence, mrrrm? Looks like you're pondering on something." The dragon lowered his snout to Arcturus' level, then flashed a quick smile. "That look in your eyes, that smile...it's happening isn't it? You're falling for me!"

Arcturus slapped the dragon's snout with a quick smack of his palm, but Veledar offered another type of retaliation. He moved in and hugged the paladin just as tightly as he had before.

"Gaaaah you're squeezin' the breath out of my lungs!" Arcturus scrunched his face in theatrical fashion. "No wonder you need to practice hugs on stuffed animals."

"Quit your sissy fussing, human." Arcturus felt Veledar' wrap his neck around him. "This isn't the first time I held you in my paws."

"Yeah..." Arcturus smiled as the dragon's wings draped over their heads. "You have this thing of sleeping with your toys like a big-nosed, winged, tail-carrying child."

"You're quite a lot more than that." The dragon mumbled.

_ You too, Veledar,_ Arcturus thought in his mind, allowing the dragon's soothing warmth and gentle breath to lull him to sleep.