—

Dante had trudged off in the same direction as before but was moving farther into the forest. Small pathways were found, as there used to be trade routes along the mountain way. Over the years, many trees and rock formations have formed, blocking off potential trails for traders and travelers and making reaching the village from these routes more of a hassle. This was a perfect place to set up a secret hideaway since no one was bound to come that way. 

He began to fuss to himself as he walked up the pass. 

"What does she know about "being ready"?

"I ain't practice all those years just to sit around in this stupid village forever!"

He trudged on and complained before reaching a cave. It was small yet could fit a few people in it, expanding as you walked in. The walls were cold and jagged, yet a few things spread along the ground, with a few things written on the wall with chalk. It was a base of sorts for Dante and the children from the village. Though they heckle him a ton, they enjoy spending time with him, which is evidence of that. 

Many books and materials were sprawled about on the ground. Dante stepped over them as he sat on one of the stumps in the cave, pondering why his request could have possibly been rejected. Was it the cost? No, there's no way it'd cost too much to leave the village; he knew that even Rita would go and leave from time to time. The monsters along the way could show up. He was confident he could handle anything with the right weapon.

"Then what could it possibly be…?" he said as he angrily grabbed a book and threw it across the room. Frustration had built within him on his walk to the cave, but it festered even more when he couldn't understand why he was kept there. The village people knew him and seemed to greet him just fine; why wouldn't the people outside do the same? 

The question resounded as he picked up the thrown book and looked at it. It seemed one of the kids had swiped it from behind Rita's back; it was the book about the Dragonborn again. He looked around to see if anyone was close, he assured himself before opening the book and looking at the pages. The pages had aged slowly, turning to a washed-out tannish color. The words still read finely in black ink, a loved and cared-for book. He glanced at the words across the book and began to read to himself.

"Calamity befell the Eastern Region as the sudden war of the dragons and humans came to be, 

after the sudden death of the Dragonborn named "Noel." A man clad in draconic scales and features, 

but wore the disguise of a human. An abomination. Wreaked havoc upon the region until the 

brave and valiant "Knights of Gran" defended the many innocent lives from the monstrous attack by

Noel. They struck him down and saved many as his reign of terror throughout the kingdoms 

ceased. Though it sparked more than anyone could imagine, a full-scale war between the races ensued."

Dante's eyes peered closely at the words. He understood the true story behind what happened but didn't know that Rita had been fabricating it to this extent for the children and him over the years. This realization struck a feeling, and he pressed on with the story.

"With many taking the side of the humans, and few of the dangerous mythical dragons which resided in 

the forbidden lands east of the Eurus Mountains. Launching a full attack for killing their kin, the Dragons

wanted revenge, and the "Great Wyvern War" lasted 2 grueling years; the fight between Dragons vs the Humans and

other races raged on. It wasn't until the leaders of both sides decided it would be best to end the baseless killing and loss

with an agreement that a treaty was formed."

"An agreement…"

"The treaty was signed by the humans' leader, King Gilford III, and the dragon's leader, Vulcan. Agreeing that both sides

would not be involved with one another at any time from then on. From walking amongst the humans to humans

traveling within the forbidden lands, both races had to be disconnected. Including the preset of procreation amongst

both races, as the case of "Noel" never came to be again. If it happens once more, the perpetrators of the sacred treaty

would be executed alongside the creation instantaneously."

His eyes jolted open as he read the words over and over again. He dropped the book as he felt his face and body frantically. He never expected this to be withheld from him, even if Rita seemed to be "looking out" for him. Dante began to breathe erratically as he looked at his features. He was a spitting image of what was described in the story.

“Was this…why she was so persistent…” 

His voice began to waver as he slowly slid from the wall onto the ground; the weight of his existence suddenly hit him as a grueling pain filled his body. He realized that he shouldn't even exist and be dealt with if found out to be what he was.

"A Dragonborn…"

He looked at his arm and felt the rough, scale-like skin forming. His ears were sharper than everyone else's in the village, and his sharp eyes often scared off the other children, not to mention the weird looks he'd receive from certain villagers. He didn't belong out in the open or in the village.

"I don't belong anywhere…I shouldn't even exist…!"