Heroes and Dragons

9

After that major battle, Gigi became noticeably despondent.

I had a hunch that it wasn't just about the stolen treasured coin.

More likely, the battle made Gigi realize that it wasn't the chosen one, destined to become the supreme villainous dragon it had hoped to be.

I truly understood that feeling.

When I discovered the significance of the hero's aura and realized I didn't possess it, forcing me to abandon my childhood dream, I too was deeply troubled for a while.

After much persuasion from me, Gigi finally agreed to go out with me to clear its mind.

So, on a quiet summer night, with Gigi donning all-black scales and hesitantly stepping out of the lair at my persistent urging, we ventured out.

The summer sky was clear, stars twinkling brilliantly. The distant towns glimmered with lights, while the nearby woods, though dark, were alive with the chorus of cicadas and the gurgle of streams, all blending into a symphony. The gentle breeze of the summer night brushed against us, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Gazing at the beautiful scenery, Gigi's face broke into a childlike, innocent smile.

"This world is truly beautiful," it remarked.

Before I could respond, I felt a whirlwind sensation. When I regained my senses, I found myself hoisted onto Gigi's back, soaring through the starlit sky as it spread its wings.

Perhaps due to its long hiatus from flying, Gigi's flight was unsteady, causing us to bob and weave, which turned my face pale with fear as I clung tightly to its scales.

Yet, Gigi seemed overjoyed, chatting away as we flew. It spoke of the hard work it took to pass the dragon qualification exam, how proud it was of its collection of limited edition coins, and even recounted a time it had ventured into a castle to kidnap a princess. It turned out the princess spent her days secretly using the coins from Gigi's treasure chest for online shopping, leaving Gigi to collect countless packages. Terrified, Gigi eventually handed the princess over to a visiting hero, vowing never to meddle with princesses again...

Gigi laughed at its own stories, the laughter causing its wings to tremble.

As the laughter subsided and tranquility returned, Gigi gently descended into a field far from the city, setting me down.

It first looked towards the bustling city, then turned to me, its expression one of hesitation.

"Do you think... I'm also a part of this beautiful world?"