Valerian, The Legendary

A few minutes later, the two people stopped simultaneously. Valerian said, “We are getting late.”

Fortuna replied, “Your fault.”

The young man could not do anything in return. The dragon would never admit fault. The three people heaved a sigh of relief when they saw this. The last few moments gave them a death scare. Valerian shook his head, saying, “We will go to the Titan peak first and then relay everything to the elders. They will arrive here soon and aid you guys. Is that okay?”

Ashlyn wanted to say something but decided against it and nodded with the other two. Valerian carried on, “Then I shall take my leave. I know you all want the best for your people. It might not be possible to exist in harmony, even if possible. It might not be easy. So, please try to find a way to make this happen. All our nations lack in some aspect. Let us stay together and make up for the weaknesses in our sides.”

Morgana and the other two nodded. They wished him a safe journey and good luck. Fortuna assumed her natural form and then said, “Get on.”

Valerian nodded, and after one last bye to his companions, he jumped along the dragon’s spine and sat on her shoulder blade. He did not say he would like a saddle tied around her neck, or Fortuna would have flared up. Instead, the dragon spread her wings, and with a flap, they were off the ground.

The three people kept looking at their vanishing figures in awe. This awe was not contained to just the three of them. Even the old experts in the distance were shivering from excitement. This was their first time seeing a real dragon, and that kid dared to ride it. Unimaginable.

…

.....

Fortuna flew with Valerian to Titan peak. It only took her a few hours to cover the distance of thousand miles. The guards were all on attention as the officials were resting. The royals were filled with anxiety, all sitting together in a big tent replacing the ring of duels. The Valkyrian elders were all placed under arrest.

The occupants of this tent were discussing the situation on the battlefield. Morgana, Ashlyn, and Lyon had just told them about the entire scene with as much detail as possible, and they were all happy. Only the Lumen side looked calm among them.

Zeenat asked, “Your Excellency, you all seem worried about something.”

Libra heard this and nodded faintly as he said, “Valerian must be on his way back from a long journey, only to set off again. More than the situation of the continent. We are worried about his departure.”

The people understood what was going on here and nodded. Then, just when they were about to continue, the guards outside said, “Lumen King’s guard commander Quies seeks permission to enter.”

Libra replied, “Allow him in.”

The cloth parted, and Quies walked inside dressed in silver armor. He bowed his head to everyone and said, “Your Excellency, his highness the fourth prince has returned.”

Fragrantia and Azula stood up, and the former said, “Please excuse me.”

The rest of the people stood up, saying, “Your excellency, allow us to welcome the prince with you.”

Fragrantia thought about it and then nodded. She turned around and wanted to walk out when Libra took her hand gently and accompanied her. At this moment, the lady realized she had been losing her composure more than ever. It was not like she was at fault; her heart was that of a mother, and thinking about her child leaving her alone for months again, made her feel overwhelmed.

The emperor led his empress outside the tent. Where a few people were standing with their gazes locked on the horizon. All they could see was a glimmer of silver moving toward them quickly. Azula mumbled, “Do not tell me Fortuna is letting him ride her back.”

Vertex was surprised too, and Adele said, “What do you mean by this? How can Fortuna allow him to ride her back?”

Hearing all the murmurs, Fragrantia said, “Valerian discovered Fortuna. He saved her life, and in return, the dragon god allowed them to form a bond.”

The people were bewildered by this information. They could not understand what did Fragrantia mean, and the royal teacher of Stella Nation asked, “What do you mean by a bond, Your Excellency? Is it the bond between a human and a magical beast, the bond of companionship?”

Fragrantia shook her head and said, “If you all know how a dragon reacts when it has just come out of its shell. You will know that only when someone knows the true name of the beast will you survive its fury.”

The lady paused, and the people nodded in understanding. This knowledge was not such a secret, so everyone knew about it. After the people nodded, the Empress said, “Valerian was holding her in his hands when she came out, and he also knew her name. It was a blessing of Vita.”

The people were shocked, and at this moment. Fortuna flew over their heads in a flurry. She circled around and gracefully landed on the ground. Valerian jumped off her neck and glared, ‘You show off.’

Fortuna raised her chin slightly and replied, ‘I disdain to set my sight on your ignorant self.’

Valerian clicked his tongue and said, ‘Childish.’

Then he walked toward the people of the royal camps. Fragrantia walked over with Libra, and the two people met in the center of the summit. Zeenat and the rest knowingly maintained a slight gap between their positions. The soldiers were all looking at the dragon standing in the back with awe. The scene for them was too enchanting.

Valerian asked with a smile, “What happened, mother? Why do you look pale?”

He walked closer to her and extended his hand for her to hold. Fragrantia held his hand, and he embraced her. The empress could not help but shed a few tears. The young man mumbled, “They will all think bad of you and gossip later. Do not cry.”

Fragrantia could not help but chuckle when she imagined the people gossiping about her, and her palm smacked Valerian on his shoulder. The young man said, “I am sad too, but I cannot cry, you know that, right? Do not remind me of my weakness, and do not become my weakness either.”

These words made the Empress take a deep breath. Then, she broke the embrace and asked, “Are you okay? Although we got the word from the front, I still want to ask if you are fine?”

Valerian nodded and spun in a circle for her to look and said, “See, I am fine.”

Fortuna said, “Val, the time is running out, be fast.”

Valerian put on a bitter smile and addressed the crowd, “I apologize for my crudeness, but I need to take leave soon. So, all the seniors, forgive me. As you all know, I am here to deliver a message that Valkyria has lost in this war. I do not hope to see a war in the future, so let this be the last one.

Valkyria will need our help to regain their balance once again. How can we help those who harmed us so much? What if I told you that their actions were never their own? The god they worshipped had too much influence on them. So, please do not let them fall into despair.

Humans are the most dangerous when left alone, to those around them and themselves too.”

The officials and the monarchs nodded to him and assured in with various statements. Finally, Valerian said, “If you all tried to exploit the situation to gain more land under your flag, then go and check the battlefield first. I do not mind coming back from my journey and liberating the lands from some money-minded rulers. Be the leaders who make the lives of their people happier and better. Not a ruler that brings them shame and sadness.”

The people all emphasized their early thoughts. Then Valerian looked at his family and bade them all farewell. The ladies had tears, but they could not help it. Even Adele, who had not spent much time with Valerian, was touched by him, let alone Azula.

The princess repeatedly told him to take care of himself and return soon. Valerian nodded and assured them that he would be fine. He was sad, but he could not show it. He was aware that he would be gone for a long time this time, but he did not say anything to any of them. It will only make the partition more painful.

After all, was said, Valerian had to walk away from them and jump back on Fortuna’s neck. The magical beast could sense the turmoil in his heart and said, ‘We will leave now. I will not take you to the woods.’

Valerian wanted to protest, but his head was getting heavy, and he nodded. Then, he said, ‘I will meet her after I return.’