Finally ready. Fully packed. All past swords. All tools. Brother's old clothes. Dhie Whu. Hooh Mong.
Everyone knows now. And since I accidentally packed it… why not?
Let's go out my way.
If this is the last time they see me, let them see me.
I walk out of my tent in my pale rose dress set.
All the soldiers are looking at me in silence and muffled whispers.
"Knew it."
"Doesn't change what she did."
It doesn't matter.
I turn and bow to them. "Thank you for taking care of me this month."
They don't expect that, so they all awkwardly bow back.
I walk into the Captain's tent.
"Captain. I have to leave now. Thank you for appreciating my work. I leave Bhing Shuang to your care."
"Don't go."
"Captain. This is the safest way to return our brothers-in-arms. You still have to save the scholars. Help me greet them."
"I'm sorry. I'm not a strong Captain. I cannot protect my people."
"You already did more than every man I know."
"I'm sorry, Rhi… You look really beautiful in that dress. Nice set."
"I know." I grin at him. "Goodbye, Captain."
"Goodbye… daughter."
I march out of the tent.
I take one last look at the camp—my forge, the training field, the soldiers now standing straighter than they ever did for me. Then I turn to face him.
"Lord Ashura."
"I said just Ashura is fine."
"I'm ready to follow you. I hope you honor your deal."
"No point in lying. As soon as we reach the castle, your friends are free."
.....................
Ashura didn't tie me up.
Instead, he turned into a giant centipede-like creature and let me ride his back.
But instead of insect legs—he had human hands. Hundreds of them. Crawling, flexing, reaching.
Not going to lie, it's the kind of image that might haunt my sleep for the rest of my life.
We traveled in silence.
By the end of the day, we reach it.
The castle.
It isn't just old—it bleeds strange energy. The trees around it are rotted to bone. The air smells scorched. The sky has turned a bruised red, pulsing with something… wrong.
Ashura shifts again—back into the form with hands and a face. Still red. Still smiling. Still wrong.
"This way," he says.
No guards. No resistance. Just a long corridor lined with melted stone statues.
He leads me straight to the throne room.
"Let me go in first and introduce you."
He opens the massive door with ease. Then shuts it behind him.
I'm left alone.
In a demon's castle.
Waiting to meet a dragon lord.
Very not lady-like of me.
In the stories I used to read, dragons demanded virgin tributes. Virgins, specifically.
I should… probably avoid bringing that up.
The door opens.
Ashura sticks his head out.
It might almost look cute—if his face weren't nightmare fuel.
"He summons you."
I follow him in.
The throne room is quiet.
On the throne sits a green dragon-headed figure, blond hair flowing over magem-forged armor that hums faintly with power.
Ashura kneels instantly. I follow his lead.
"You are the blacksmith who forged these swords," the dragon-lord says.
"Yes, my lord." My voice holds. Barely.
"Good." A pause. "What do you need?"
I blink. What?
That's not the line. That's not what monsters say.
I glance at Ashura.
He doesn't move.
"Did I scare you?" the lord asks in a deep voice.
"No, my lord." I want to go home.
"You have nothing to worry about. I have not killed a single human for three centuries. I have no reason to break my vow today."
Is this normal for demons?
Let's see if I can bargain for something.
"I need my friends released. And the sword I made for them, returned."
"Loyal. Admirable. Ashura, do what she said."
"But Lord, I like the…"
"Do as she asks. She's already here. You'll have your fill later."
"Yes, my lord."
Ashura bows and leaves the throne room.
I'm alone with a dragon.
"What's your name?" he asks.
"Lhiu Rhi."
"Beautiful name."
He walks down from the throne to take a good look at me.
"What's yours, my lord?"
He starts laughing. "Bold girl. Bold girl."
He sits down in front of me. "Sit."
I follow the order.
"I am Lhong Heh," he says.
"Son of Tooh Shah (Massacre), Tian Jing Long Wong (Lord of Dragons). Some even call me the Dryhten of Avarice—though my brother refuses to admit it."
"Are you really a dragon?"
"Indeed, I am. This is not my final form."
I nod, trying not to imagine what his final form looks like.
"But I prefer to be like a human when I face a human. How old are you?"
"Eight."
"Sola years?"
"Yes, I guess?"
"Such a young age to have such impressive work."
"You honored me, my lord."
"I didn't. Sword-forging has been my personal hobby. But I am two thousand years old, I still cannot do what you did."
He pauses.
"Are you engaged?"
Oh no. I don't like where this is leading, but maybe he can help me kill Bhi Yh Queh. Would he break a vow for me?
"Yes, my lord."
"And you still joined the military? Is your betrothed there?"
"No, my lord."
"Now, this is a story I would love to hear about. Leave no details. We have all the time we have."
I take a deep breath. I guess there's no way to get out of this.
"My lord, before I start, may I ask for a confirmation?"
"About what?"
"Why do you want me here?"
"For your skills. Now tell me your life story."
I explain how I lost my mother when I was young, how I met my master, how I dreamt of going to Uxiospea—he doesn't like the idea, how I got entangled with Bhi Yha Queh, and how I ran away to save a man I barely know.
He is crying halfway through.
A very sentimental dragon lord.
"Losing a mother is a wound that time never truly closes," he says, voice low and steady. "I lost mine only a decade ago."
I look up, surprised.
"She was the last Dryhten of Avarice," he continues. "A proud, fierce spirit. She was murdered—by the Empress of Uxiospea."
His gaze hardens, but he doesn't flinch.
"It was a fair fight. I hold no grievance."
My breath catches.
He looks at me, searching. "You don't see me as a monster, do you?"
"I hadn't met a demon until recently. I can't say I know the difference between you and humans—other than stronger… and weirder."
I pause.
"But you're still far less of a monster than the one I actually met."
"You don't know what I've done," he says quietly. "But I appreciate your honesty." A pause. Then—"So. Back to my original question. What do you need to forge me a sword?"
I smile. "The best material and the best forge you have. That's all."
He rises and offers his hand.
I take it.
"Then let's get to work."