The First Dragon God

Leo looked at Ves who was unconscious in his hand. His body tense as he watched the energy envelop her.

The battle against the Evolved Rank monster had pushed her to the very limit of her strength. But she had won, completed her evolution requirements and now, she was evolving.

The soft glow from the energy surrounding her body radiated power, shifting and coiling around her as if it was reshaping her existence itself.

Leo exhaled and took a step back from the monster's corpse.

The moment Ves had collapsed, he knew that staying wasn't an option.

The forest was far from silent and the noise and disturbance of Ves' battle against the monster, had been carried through the trees, and Leo knew exactly what that meant.

Other monsters would come.

Some drawn by the scent of blood, others by the territory left unclaimed after Ves had slain its ruler.

And the last thing Leo wanted was to be caught in the middle of a new territorial battle. He didn't need to be told how dangerous it is. Especially when it's between Evolved Rank monsters.

Leo allowed himself to feel Ves' body condition, as he placed his hand on her forehead. He noticed that her body was burning up and she was shuddering slightly as her muscles twitched.

He felt that this was likely due to the energy surrounding her but there was nothing he can do about it.

Leo tightened his grip on Ves' body. He knew she would be fine. But he had to get them out of here.

He moved quickly, his senses on high alert. He paid extreme attention to every rustling leaf, every snapped twig in the distance, as it could mean a new enemy approaching.

The deeper parts of the forest were no longer safe. Not with the balance of power shifting due to their fight. Abd Leo knew exactly where to go.

The outskirts.

.....

He traveled far, moving through the dense foliage, with Ves still held securely in his arms.

The further they went, the quieter the forest became.

This was the territory of low-level monsters. Weaklings. Beasts that would scatter the moment they sensed something more powerful than them.

Finally, he found a small clearing, secluded enough to remain undisturbed.

Leo gently laid Ves down against the base of a massive tree, making sure she was comfortable before stepping back.

Then, he waited with his eyes never leaving her.

She was still deep in the process of her evolution, with her body adjusting and growing stronger.

Leo leaned against a nearby rock, arms crossed, letting himself breathe for a moment.

But his mind wouldn't rest. Even though Ves had won, it hadn't been easy for her.

The monster she had fought had nearly overpowered her, and if she had made even a single mistake…

Leo clenched his jaw.

He hated that feeling. That powerlessness, that inability to step in when it truly mattered.

He knew he was stronger than Ves but was he strong enough?

That question haunted him. And soon, it wouldn't just be about them.

Mia and Miguel were fighting their own battles right now. He could only hope that they would be safe.

A sudden gust of wind rushed through the clearing.

Leo didn't have to look up to know who had arrived.

.....

Tatiana descended from the sky, her wings of blood fading as she landed gracefully on the ground.

In each of her hands, she carried Mia and Miguel, both of whom were still wrapped in the glow of their evolution.

Without much care, she dropped them onto the ground, dust rising as their bodies landed with a dull thud.

Leo glanced at them briefly and he saw that they were alive, which meant they had succeeded in their battles.

But his focus remained on Tatiana, who now stood beside him, with her usual smirk on her face.

She glanced at him, then at Ves, then back at him again.

Leo understood the look she was giving him before she even said anything.

Tatiana let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head slightly.

"You're thinking too much."

Leo's fingers twitched, but he didn't answer right away.

Tatiana folded her arms.

"I don't even have to guess. I know exactly what's on your mind."

Leo smiled ruefully as he turned to look at Ves, Miguel and Mia.

Tatiana smirked when she saw his action.

"Come on, let's hear it."

Leo was silent for a moment.

"I'm wondering if this is enough," he admitted. "If we're strong enough."

Tatiana raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Leo's eyes darkened slightly. "For what's coming."

Tatiana was quiet for a moment. Then, she laughed softly.

"You're worrying too much."

Leo shot her a glance, his expression serious.

"Am I?"

Tatiana sighed, and looked at Leo with a tired expression on her face.

"Look at them," she said, gesturing to the unconscious forms of Ves, Mia, and Miguel.

"They fought their respective battles and they won. And now, they are evolving. What more do you want?"

Leo's jaw tightened.

"I want to be sure they won't die."

Tatiana studied him for a long moment. Then, her smirk faded slightly.

"You're afraid of losing them," she murmured.

Leo didn't answer because she was right.

Tatiana shook her head and sighed.

"You can't control everything, Leo."

Leo exhaled. "I know that."

"But you still want to try."

He didn't deny it.

"I get it. You're used to being the one holding everything together. You're used to watching out for them, making sure they're safe." Tatiana smiled.

She turned to face him fully.

"But you're forgetting one thing."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Tatiana smiled.

"They're not weak anymore," she said, as she motioned to Ves, Mia, and Miguel, with their bodies glowing.

"They can stand on their own now," she continued. "You're not the only one who has to fight anymore. They're strong. Maybe not as strong as you. But they will be."

Leo looked at them again.

Ves, who had torn her enemy apart with her own hands.

Mia, who had used speed and her stealth skill to take down a serpentine terror.

Miguel, who had stood face-to-face with an unstoppable force and broke it apart with sheer power.

Yeah, they had changed.

Leo sighed. "…I know."

Tatiana smirked. "Then act like it."

Leo nodded in understanding at Tatiana's words as he raised his head to the sky.

Tatiana also turned her gaze toward the sky.

"They'll wake up soon. And then, we move forward," she said, and Leo nodded.