Beware: Dragon Within [Western Fantasy]

Also known as: "Hold On to That Dragon"

Legend has it that a dangerous creature lives deep in the Xisuo Forest.

He has sharp teeth, wings that blot out the sky, and blood-red eyes that shine like terrifying will-o'-the-wisps in the dark. His long, spiked tail can sweep away an entire village in an instant.

Fearing the danger, the towns outside the forest have always treated its depths as forbidden ground.

Only the mayor's eight-year-old son refuses to believe the stories and keeps clamoring to go into the forest to search for treasure.

Until one day, he disappears near the forest.

To find the missing boy, Dis Town offers a hefty reward and prepares a special gift for the creature deep in the forest.

A well-behaved, pretty orphan who lives with an old wizard, and the only apprentice wizard to volunteer: Lansen Chet.

Lansen sets out expecting to be eaten.

He wears his cleanest clothes and brings the most delicious, buttery biscuits. He plans to ask Mr. Dragon if he might spare the mayor's son in exchange for these things, and, while he's at it, whether the dragon could bite gently when the time comes.

The little wizard walks onward over the dry leaves. As he nears the castle and a terrifying, enormous shadow falls over him, he still reflexively closes his eyes, summons his courage, and pulls the wand hidden in his sleeve.

He meant to give the dragon a whack before getting eaten, but in his panic, he recites the wrong spell. When he timidly opens his eyes, he finds the castle's owner has folded his wings and stopped in front of him, his long, narrow pupils examining the beautiful flower, still beaded with dew, that Lansen is holding halfway up in the air.

Dragon × wizard

1. A sweet, fairy-tale-style story

2. A writing exercise while getting back into the swing of things. Updates whenever; not contracted

Theme: There will always be someone who brings you a bouquet