Valerian, The Legendary

280 Trials Of The Guardians.

The golden duck was surprised and enquired Valerian, “Why are you laughing?”

The lizard clicked his tongue and said, “It is not why he is laughing, you ugly duckling. It is whom is he laughing at.”

The duck opened her eyes wide and said, “You reptile, who allowed you to interrupt? Shut up and stand on the side.”

Valerian had calmed down and said, “Pardon me, Your Highness, your demeanor is very stoic, and looking at the big lizard, I could not hold back my laughter.”

The duck stopped hearing things after the boy addressed her as Your Highness. The lizard glared at Valerian only to face the bloodline pressure emitted by the duck. This move took the young man by surprise. This pressure was identical to the one emitted by Fortuna. However, it was still somewhat shallow.

The lizard took a few steps back and bowed his head in suppression. Then, the golden duck looked at Valerian seriously and asked, “Do you think it is funny?”

Valerian was initially intimidated but gradually calmed down and asked, “What is funny?”

He had some inkling about what the duck might be talking about. However, he was not going to admit it. The duck said, “Everyone thinks my mother swallowed a drop of blood from the late King, Dracos. Do you know, it was much worse than that? The dragons have a season of heat. The king and queen selected this shore as a place of their copulation.

The essence leaked, and my mother could not help but grow curious about it, and then she controlled that essence to impregnate herself. You know magical beasts are all sentient. So, from that process, I was born. The first thing I did was to eat my shell, then eat my siblings, and then eat my mother.”

.....

Valerian was shocked, and the duck continued after a pause, “Ducks do not name their chicks. But the essence of dragons changed me into something that is neither a duck nor a dragon. So, you tell me, what am I?”

The young man had no answer to this question. After all, this was the first time he had heard of something this absurd. Finally, however, he did not put up any fa?ade and said, “I do not know what to say or how to react to your story.”

The duck nodded, and then she glowed with golden light and transformed into a dragon. Valerian was shocked, and the red lizard on the side prostrated in front of the dragon. The golden dragon said, “Your work here is finished, Custos. You may leave.”

The red lizard retreated from the scene with its head down. Valerian could not understand what was happening here, and the golden dragon said, “You are the first human ever to set a step on our land. What you just experienced was a trial. The motive was to check your strength and clarity of heart. You have passed.”

Valerian was surprised, but then he asked, “Your grace, may I ask, who are you?”

The golden dragon replied in a quiet voice, “I am Arma. The guard of the western shore of the dragon kingdom.”

Valerian bowed his head slightly in greeting, and Arma reciprocated the gesture. Passing the trial made him acknowledge the child’s character. Then, Valerian asked, “Sir, when did you test the clarity of my heart?”

Arma replied, “When I told you the story, you expressed complicated emotions. To different people, a clear heart also has various definitions. To us dragons, the heart is clear when you can stay faithful to what you hold inside. You did not try to console the duck and replied truthfully. That much clarity is enough.”

Valerian understood and nodded. He said, “Thank you for your enlightenment, Your Grace. Please allow me to take my leave. I need to complete another trial.”

Arma nodded and watched Valerian walk in the woods. He stood still, gazing at the young man, who vanished in the thick cover of the woods. The golden dragon nodded faintly and then flew away.

Valerian did not spot the dragon flying over his head because Arma took a detour. The young man explored the wood and moved slowly. The herbs found on this island greatly surprised the young man. He discovered that the herbs called rare by humans were readily available on this landmass.

Valerian inspected the herbs, but he did not collect them. He did not need to. A few dragons paying attention to the young man could tell he had no ulterior motives. Soon, the young man walked through the woods and reached a clearing.

He stopped when he found a cyan dragon resting on the lush green grass. Sensing some movement, the dragon opened her eyes and gazed at Valerian. The young man bowed slightly. Although he was prideful, it did not mean he was strong enough to take on a full-fledged dragon. It was better not to offend these creatures.

This dragon had a very gentle aura. The beast saw Valerian’s greeting and nodded in return. It was evident that if someone can pass the trial of the guardian, then they must be worthy.

Valerian did not intend to converse with this dragon and turned his head to walk away when he heard a soothing voice, “Can you help me?”

The young man asked, “What can I help you with, Madam?”

The dragon shook her head and said, “I am Gale. You can address me by my name. I hope you can play some music for me.”

Valerian was surprised at this request and asked, “Why do you want to hear music, Gale?”

The dragon sighed and, looking at the sky, said, “When I used to roam the world of humans, I came in contact with an old lady. She used to travel the continents and play music in different venues. For thirty years, we accompanied each other, and she would play gentle music every night. Gradually I became used to those sounds and would sleep only when she played. Then, fourteen years ago, she was left behind on the eastern continent. Since then, I have not had a blissful sleep.”

Valerian nodded and sat on the ground. Gale was surprised when he removed his Filum Vita from the magic pouch. She said, “I did not think for you to be able to play musical instruments.”

Valerian looked back at her calmly and said, “Coincidence.”

Gale nodded, and the young man began to tune the instrument. Valerian looked at the dragon and said, “I beg your pardon if my music is not at the level of your companion.”

Gale shook her head. She did not have much expectation from this child. However, when he plucked the first note, the dragon was surprised. Gradually the music echoed in the clearings. Valerian imagined how Diligentia, Flos, and Fragrantia pat his head while sleeping.

Flos did it once in the mana realm when they first met. The emotions he integrated into this song calmed the dragon’s, worried heart. She placed her head on her paws and closed her eyes. Gradually, her breathing stabilized and became more profound. Valerian had successfully put her to sleep. However, the young man did not stop and played the whole piece.

After he was done, Valerian did not rush to get away. Instead, he waited for the silence to settle and see if Gale would wake up. The atmosphere calmed down, and Gale continued to sleep. The young man slowly wrapped up and left the place with gentle steps.

…

Arma landed on the Throne peak and bowed his head to Fortuna. Then, the Queen of Dragons asked, “Do you think he is worthy enough now?”

Arma replied, “Your Majesty, I cannot be the judge of that. He passed my trial, yes. But he still has a long way to earn the right to climb the throne peak.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “It is fine. I expected that for you, Guardian Arma. But I am sure Valerian will find a way to pass all the trials.”

Arma nodded and said, “Looking at him now, I think that is possible. After all, not every human will stop and help an unknown creature.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “If it was another human, Valerian might not have stepped up, but he trusts beasts more than his kind.”

They were able to see what was going on with Valerian. In addition, the Queen and the guardians could monitor every corner of the island from the throne peak. Arma heard what Fortuna said and countered, “Is it right for us to trust someone who does not trust his kin?”

At this moment, a gentle voice echoed on the peak, “It is not that he does not trust his kin. However, he takes his time in developing that bond and takes everything with a pinch of caution.”

When the words dropped, a cyan dragon appeared on the peak. The dragon was identical to Gale. Only the eyes looked a bit dull. She greeted Fortuna and Arma.

Fortuna asked, “You did not like his music?”

Gale shook her head and said, “The original body is there, sleeping after ages, and I will also vanish soon. I cast my vote. He is trustworthy. His music is true, and it comes from his heart.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “Then let us see if he can earn the recognition of the other six.”