Dragon Sword

In a land far from the kingdom’s mainland, there lies a small, secluded town known as Nide Town. It rests quietly between towering mountain peaks to the west and a vast, endless ocean to the east. The town has a modest population of around three thousand people, and life there has always been peaceful. However, Nide Town follows one very important rule: No one is allowed to enter or leave the town. The reason lies in the race of its inhabitants. Most of the people living in Nide Town possess dragon blood—they are known as dragonfolk. According to the history from the thousand years Dragons are known as the destroyers of worlds. And because of that dragons are feared. But eventually humans gains power to fought back and hunt the dragons. The battle between dragons and humans was yet to conclude, but there are some few dragons that choose to live at peace. “I think this much air should be enough.” The voice belonged to a girl with long black hair and a dragon tail shaped like a shark’s fin. Her name was Miyu, one of my longtime friends. Her gaze was fixed on the massive hot air balloon she had just finished preparing. Beside her stood a blonde girl with emerald-green eyes and a white dragon tail flowing behind her back. Her name was Liane. She was carefully examining a map hidden inside an old book. “If we keep heading north.” Liane said excitedly as she pointed at the map. “We should eventually reach this land.” “We still have time to turn back… Are you two really sure about this?!” I tried my best to stop them. My name is Arthur, and unlike them, I’m just a normal human. In fact, I’m the only human living in this secluded town. “Don’t be such a wuss, Arthur!” Liane laughed. “Come on, get on already! Or I’ll leave you behind!” She reached her hand out toward me. But I couldn’t let her go. Leaving the town meant breaking its most sacred rule—and I couldn’t allow Liane to face the outside world. Ten years ago, an accident erased most of my memories. The only thing I remember is being aboard a large ship… and then a massive explosion. Liane’s ill mother found me washed ashore and saved my life. At first, the town hesitated to accept me. But eventually, they welcomed me and gave me a home. That home belonged to Lia—Liane’s mother—and Liane herself. They became my family. Until tragedy struck. Lia’s illness worsened, and she eventually passed away. Before she died, I made her a promise: I would protect Liane, no matter what, and stay by her side. By the time I realized it, the air balloon had already risen high into the sky. There was no way I could reach them now. My breath grew ragged as I slowed from running to walking, struggling to catch it. “Liane!” I shouted as loud as I could. “It’s your fault for not coming with us!” Liane shouted back cheerfully. “You’re too slow, Arthur! Make sure to say goodbye to everyone in town for me!” Her eyes sparkled with optimism. Don’t be so optimistic… The outside world is filled with danger—at least, that’s what all the stories say. As Miyu and Liane drifted farther away, riding the sky in their balloon, a deafening roar echoed across the entire town. “You two again! Troublemakers!” It was the chief of Nide Town, his face twisted with fury. His skin flushed red as his body expanded to nearly three times its original size. With a powerful flap of his wings, violent winds surged through the air. In a single dash, he reached the balloon. Miyu and Liane trembled as they faced the town’s dragon chief, tears welling in their eyes as they clutched each other’s hands. With one swift motion, the chief destroyed the balloon and brought them safely—but forcefully—back to the ground. Naturally, attempting to break a taboo did not go unpunished. As punishment, Miyu and Liane were sentenced to one full week of mandatory labor throughout the town.… … ... ... Several days had passed since the incident. Inside the small wooden house once owned by Liane’s mother, only the two of us lived now. The place still carried her presence—quiet, warm, and impossible to forget. Despite being a girl, Liane rarely helped with household chores. In the end, almost everything fell on me. Strangely enough, I didn’t mind. I owed her mother my life. And taking care of Liane felt like the only way I could ever repay that debt. “…I was so close.” Liane muttered those words as she lay sprawled across the bed, a thick book resting in her hands. “How many times have I told you not to read in the dark?” I said while setting the plates down. “You’ll ruin your eyesight.” “Huh? Where did you even learn that?” she replied lazily. “I’ve never seen a dragon with bad eyesight.” “Really?” I paused. “Then… I wonder why I know that. It feels like someone used to say the same thing to me.” She glanced at me. “You’re super weird,” she said. “Well, I guess that’s because you’re human, not a dragon like me.” “Well, I don’t need to be a dragon to take care of a hopeless woman like you.” I placed freshly cooked meat and a small serving of vegetables on the table. “Who are you calling hopeless?!” “I’m a proud dragon, you know! I can survive in the vast world without anyone’s help. Dragons are feared creatures!” She stood up confidently—only to freeze when she saw the vegetables. “…What is that green thing?” She stared at it with pure disgust. “I’m not a herbivore! I hate vegetables!” There it was again—complaining like a child. I sighed and sat down beside her. Liane was definitely hopeless. As we started eating, her eyes drifted toward my hands. “…You’ve been training again, haven’t you?” “That old sword.” “Of course,” I replied. “If I’m going to be your protector, I can’t afford to be weak.” “A human can’t protect a dragon,” she said bluntly. “Dragons are powerful. That’s why we’re feared… and hunted. That’s why we’re isolated.” “Maybe,” I said quietly. “But I won’t give up. I want to be strong for the people I care about.” While speaking, I noticed her scribbling something in her notebook—plans, routes, ideas. Plans to leave the town. “Liane,” I said carefully. “Can you stop doing reckless things? Please don’t try to leave the town again. I think your mother would want that too.” She stopped eating. “The world is vast and beautiful,” she replied. “Not seeing it would be a waste.” “There are rules,” I said firmly. “Dragonfolk cannot leave this town. That’s final.” The moment those words left my mouth, the atmosphere changed. Liane placed her spoon down. “…I’ve lost my appetite.” She stood up, her back turned toward me. “Hey. Eat your dinner.” “I don’t want to!” she snapped. “Why do you always stop me?! Our plan was perfect! I bet you’re the one who told the chief about the air balloon!” That wasn’t true. I never said anything. But I couldn’t deny that I was relieved the chief arrived in time. “Why can’t you understand me, Arthur?!” “I hate this town! …I hate you!” She ran out of the house before I could stop her. There she goes again. But I understood. This house. This town. Everywhere she looked, memories of her mother lingered. Before her mother died, Liane had always been cheerful. Afterward, she became obsessed with leaving—chasing adventures like the ones in the books she read. Running away was her way of escaping the pain. She knew better than anyone that dragons were feared and hunted. That was why dragonfolk weren’t allowed to leave. And yet… she still wanted to go. Truth be told, I wasn’t completely against the idea either. A bird would eventually leave its nest. But this town was different. For generations, dragons had lived here peacefully, content with simple lives. Most never desired anything more. Still… I didn’t want to live in isolation forever. After dinner, I picked up my sword and began swinging it again. I wanted to be strong. Strong enough to protect Liane. I had never told her my true feelings, but deep down, I wanted to go with her—beyond this town, into the vast unknown. Part of it was curiosity. Curiosity about my lost memories. Somewhere in my heart, I felt it. I was meant to leave this place. And when that day came, I wanted Liane by my side. No matter what dangers awaited us, I would stand in front of her. But until then… I couldn’t let her leave alone. My only wish is for the one most precious to me to reach her happily ever after.