As Eren and Hubert entered the heart of the volcano, the air grew thick with heat, and the glow of the lava cast an eerie red light across the surroundings. At the end of the path, they beheld the magnificent sight that had been the center of their family's guardian for generations.
There, lying in a colossal chamber, was the fire dragon Ugram. Its crimson scales shimmered like molten lava, reflecting the intense glow of the lava flows around it. The dragon's wings, folded neatly against its powerful body, were large enough to create a gust of wind with the slightest movement.
Ugram's eyes, the color of burning embers, remained closed as it slumbered. Its long, sharp claws and serrated teeth, visible even with its mouth shut, testified to its formidable power. The dragon's presence exuded strength, wisdom, and a sense of agelessness.
As Eren stared in awe, he noticed that the dragon's belly was slightly swollen, to be more precise, there seemed to be something under its belly, which puzzled him.
In the midst of his amazement, a sudden realization struck Eren and he turned towards his father for answers.
"Father, Sir Ugram… is that an egg!?" Eren exclaimed, his eyes widening in astonishment.
Hubert nodded solemnly, his expression tinged with reverence. "Yes, my son. Sir Ugram laid an egg about a year ago. It's a rare occurrence for dragons, and it happens only every few hundred years."
The pinnacle of all species, dragons were beings without a distinct sex. They didn't rely on their fellow dragons for reproduction, for they were perfect beings capable of existing on their own terms. Each dragon could take the form they preferred, male or female, as sex held no significance to them. Perhaps this was why dragons preferred solitude, rarely choosing to be in each other's company.
Dragons reproduced by laying eggs. Ancient texts spoke of how a dragon could lay only about 2-3 eggs in their lifetime, which could span thousands of years. However, the primary reason they refrained from laying more eggs wasn't an inability to do so, but their own preference. After laying an egg, dragons became incredibly susceptible and weakened. It would take them anywhere between five to ten years just to recuperate fully. During this period, both the dragon and the egg were vulnerable.
Knowing that the fire dragon Ugram had laid an egg a year ago meant that it would be at least three to four years before the dragon egg hatched. Eren saw this as a unique opportunity to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that had befallen their family in his past life. If Ugram was weakened due to the egg-laying process, it might provide the chance Eren needed to understand the mysterious events that had led to his family's demise.
However, as Eren's thoughts raced, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. 'Wait a minute!' he thought.
'There was no information about the dragon egg in the Pendragon region, was there?'
Dragon eggs, much like the dragons themselves, were covered with hard scales, rendering them immune to most physical and magical attacks. It was highly unlikely that Ugram would have harmed its own egg with fire, considering it was its own offspring. This realization left Eren with a singular question: why was the dragon egg not found in his past life?
As his mind pieced together fragments of memories and conjectures, an unsettling idea began to take shape. 'Did something happen to the egg in my past life that resulted in Ugram going on a rampage?' Eren wondered aloud, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
The revelation sent a shiver down Eren's spine, causing him to momentarily forget the sweltering heat of the volcano's chamber.
It was only a theory, but he found it possible. First of all, Fire Dragon Ugram had been the guardian of Pendragons for many generations, and there had never once been any problems with the fire dragon until suddenly, in his past life, it went on a rampage and destroyed a quarter of the empire. The whole situation now seemed like a play orchestrated by someone.
As Eren observed the majestic creature before him, he realized that the rage he once felt had transformed into a mixture of empathy and curiosity. The sheer magnitude of the dragon's presence was awe-inspiring, its scales shimmering with a mesmerizing crimson hue under the dim glow of the lava-lit chamber. Eren's eyes were drawn to the dragon's piercing eyes, reflecting both ancient wisdom and unfathomable depths.
Eren knew the feeling of losing his family, and he imagined a situation where the dragon had suffered a loss, just like he had. The dragon no longer looked like an enemy but a being he sought to understand.
But what he failed to understand was the fact that dragons were a perfect species; they didn't have any filial piety or emotions towards their parents. Their existence defied the conventional notions of family and relationships, some dragons even reproduced just to consume the dragon heart of their own child to become stronger and increase their own power. However, as Eren wasn't aware of this truth, he naturally misunderstood what it meant.
Hubert, sensing the emotions stirring within his son, placed a reassuring hand on Eren's shoulder. "Be careful, my son. Ugram is still a powerful creature, even in its current state. Approach with respect, and it may grant you the answers you seek."
Hubert wasn't aware of what had been bugging his kid, but he was sure of one thing. Eren had been acting weird ever since he mentioned meeting the dragon. It almost seemed as if Eren was eager to meet the dragon and have a conversation with it, as if an inexplicable connection drew him closer to this mythical being.
With his father's words echoing in his mind, Eren stepped forward, his heart pounding with anticipation and trepidation. As he drew nearer to the fire dragon, he could feel a gentle warmth emanating from its massive form, the very heat of the dragon's presence enveloping him like a protective cocoon.
"Sir Ugram," Eren called out softly, not wanting to startle the slumbering beast, even though he knew the dragon was already aware of his presence.
"I am Eren Pendragon, the descendant of the Pendragon family."
The dragon's eyes fluttered open, and its gaze fixed upon Eren. There was wisdom and ancient knowledge in those eyes, a gaze that seemed to pierce through time itself.
"Young Pendragon," Ugram's voice resonated like the crackling of flames, carrying the weight of centuries of existence.
"Interesting!" The dragon said as its eyes opened wide, and it slowly rose from its position, sitting with absolute majesty. The egg that was beneath it's belly was exposed which was covered in hard red scales.
The glow from the lava intensified, illuminating the chamber with an ethereal brilliance, as if the dragon itself was a manifestation of the fiery heart of the volcano.
Hubert noticed it a step late, but a thin invisible shield was created between the fire dragon and his son, signifying the dragon's acknowledgment of Eren's presence.
"Sir Ugram," Hubert urged as he gazed at the dragon, his heart filled with both concern and awe. He was aware that the fire dragon wouldn't harm his son but as a father he couldn't help but worry about Eren.
"I have something to talk about with your son. Go back alone for now, Hubert."
The Fire Dragon didn't open its mouth, but its voice was delivered to Hubert through a telepathic connection. Hubert hesitated but left, trusting the ancient guardian to watch over his son.
"I will leave him in your care," he said before departing from the chamber.
The fire dragon waited for Hubert to leave, and only when he did, did it turn its attention back to Eren. It silently looked at Eren, its eyes fixated on him as if the dragon's gaze was piercing through Eren's soul itself, delving into the depths of his being.
"Now, what do we have here? A soul of the future dwelling in the body of the past?" The dragon remarked with curiosity, its voice reverberating through the chamber, merging with the echoes of the volcano's rumbling, creating an ethereal symphony that seemed to resonate with the very essence of time.
"...!!!"
Eren was taken aback! He stood speechless, his mind racing to comprehend the significance of the dragon's words.
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