Vampire x Wyvern

-----Kaede's POV

After my short battle with the wyvern, I have successfully tamed it; albeit in quite a forceful and dominating way. But I chose to wait till we pass through the storm before revealing the wyvern to the soldiers. And after what felt like hours of constant flying, we finally break through the storm as the wind gradually returned back to normal. I spot the soldiers also emerging through the storm, so I slowly begin to descend as they begin to stop. Thankfully there seemed to be a decent sized patch of land in front of them, so I chose to land there along with the wyvern. Of course, we were met with swords drawn, but I raise my hand, letting them know it's okay.

Kaede: "It's okay! This one here is our friend now."

Neri: "What?!"

It was then that the masked captain stepped forth towards me and the wyvern. I was worried the wyvern would try and attack him, but it looked like I've really pacified it at the moment as it just sits there in a calm manner.

Masked Captain: "Explain yourself."

Kaede: "I sighted this wyvern coming to attack us while we were passing through the storm, so I engaged it myself."

My statement brought upon murmurs from the soldiers behind the masked captain as they all eye up the massive wyvern behind me from a distance.

Masked Captain: "And you didn't kill it?"

Kaede: "It has a family. I cannot kill it knowing such a thing."

Masked Captain: "Hah. One monster to another, huh?"

I really hate that I can't see his face, but I can tell that he's glaring at me. I get what he's saying and he's right, this wyvern and I are both monsters, but I didn't do this because of that.

Kaede: "I deemed it necessary to have more firepower. If you don't agree, then I'll just let this wyvern free."

Masked Captain: "Free? You said it was hostile towards us during the storm. It'll likely be a threat to us in the future. We should just kill it instead-"

Kaede: "Sorry, but I won't let you do that."

Even the wyvern is seeming to be getting pissed at the masked captain as I can hear it's growls deep in it's body. I reach behind me to gently lay my hand on it's massive snout in hopes to calm it down.

Kaede: "I came here to help independently, just as the queen said. I may be following you, but you do not control my actions. So either the wyvern stays, or I leave."

It's a complete lie on my part as I'm going to Inasdale no matter what. There's too much value in it to just throw it away for the sake of this wyvern. But if it means that we'll gain another ally, then I'll spout as many lies as I can.

Masked Captain: "Fine. Do as you wish."

He leaves back to the other masked soldiers as I turn around before patting the wyvern on it's nose. It may be breathing gently, but it's massive nostrils blow air with enough force to blow my hair back. It honestly feels nice weirdly enough.

Kaede: "You did great."

I can't believe how relaxed it is now. It's like a puppy in a way, except it's fur is hard, plated scales that feels like I'm rubbing rock. It's color resembles the color of my eyes as I soon find myself staring into it's golden eyes. It's like a combination of my life here and my life back in that other world.

Neri: "Uhm. Kaede?"

Kaede: "Hmm?"

It was Neri this time to approach me. I wouldn't be surprised if her captain was the one that sent her here to supervise me again.

Neri: "Can I?"

But instead, she lifts her hand up almost as if she's asking to pat the wyvern. Is she crazy? Well it's not like I think anything will happen, so I guess it's alright.

Kaede: "Sure."

I step away, letting Neri move closer. The wyvern expectedly narrowed it's vision onto Neri, however it's soon began to slowly revealed it's teeth, almost as if saying to back off. But Neri didn't do such a thing, and instead took off one of her black gloves before stretching it out to the wyvern. I could hear the wyvern take a moment to sniff Neri's outstretched hand, and in the next moment, the wyvern suddenly relaxed, as it's teeth soon began obscured once again inside it's mouth. It was then that Neri gently pat the wyvern on it's nose.

Kaede: "Wow."

Neri: "This one's quite a beauty, isn't she?"

Kaede: "Yeah. But what was that?"

Neri: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "It was like the wyvern recognized you in a way."

Neri: "Ah... Well, that's a secret, hehe."

Kaede: "Mmmm."

Well it does seem like this wyvern likes Neri now which is relieving. Can't say the same can be said to the other soldiers. But a secret? Is Neri some kind of dragon whisperer? Like how some people are just naturally gifted with dealing with dogs? Hehe, I can just imagine this wyverns massive tail wagging now, but that'd surely destroy even more trees.

Neri: "...I'll tell you after this battle."

Kaede: "Oh?"

Neri: "So, thank you for not killing this one."

Kaede: "Like I said, she has babies, so it'd be too cruel to do such a thing."

Neri: "Babies?"

Kaede: "Yeah. I saw them quite a while ago, before I came to Yarene."

Neri: "Wow~ To think you're now a mother, hehe."

Yeah, this really makes it seem like Neri is familiar with this particular wyvern. The way the wyvern just immediately lowered it's guard after taking in Neri's scent, it's really suspicious. But I guess Neri does plan on telling me after this battle, so I guess I can wait until then.

We soon set up camp as we've travelled for quite a bit longer than we originally planned to. Normally we would have to deal with a few monsters here and there, but with the massive wyvern now with us, we've had no issues as we set up camp a lot faster than usual.

Just then, the wyvern gently nudges against my side as if asking for something, even making what I'd like to think are pleading sounds, but I'm clueless as to what it is.

Neri: "She's hungry."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Oh, actually now that Neri mentions it, I guess the wyvern was out hunting for food. I wonder if it's safe to just have her go off and get food on her own. Hmmm. I turn to face the wyvern, looking into her eye.

Kaede: "Go. Get some food for you and your babies."

The wyvern makes a lightly higher pitched sound as if pleased with my words. I'm actually surprised it seems to understand me.

Kaede: "But be sure to come back, okay?"

It lowers it's head as if it understands before it swiftly takes to the air, causing dust to blow up around us and the trees shake violently. When the dust finally settles, I watch as the wyvern soars off in the distance in search for food. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the wyvern just stays away from us, but I'll be happy if it does return. It seems quite intelligent so maybe it knows that I know where it lives and might not risk anything.

Neri: "What about you? You hungry?"

Kaede: "Thanks, but those food would be wasted on me."

Neri: "Not that. Here."

Neri had yet to put her glove back on and instead lifts up her hand towards me. Wait... Is Neri seriously asking me if I want to drink her blood?

Kaede: "You're crazy."

Neri: "Am I? I've been around you for quite some time now. I know that blood is a necessity for you."

Kaede: "I-I'm fine."

Neri: "You haven't eaten anything since we left, right? I would like for you to be in fighting shape for when we go into this fight, so please."

So that's what it is. But still. It baffles me that Neri is offering herself like this. I have to admit I am curious to how her blood tastes, especially after what happened earlier with her and the wyvern. Thinking that, I take her hand in my own.

Kaede: "You sure?"

Neri: "Mm. Go ahead."

I do as she says and gently pierce her wrist as blood quickly fills up my mouth. Immediately from what I can tell, her blood is definitely not human, but can't say I've tasted anything like this before... Suddenly, a flashback with my fight with Oboris appeared in my mind where I sank my fangs into his limp body. This taste... It reminds me of that.

Neri: "K-Kaede-"

Kaede: "Mmm?"

I snap myself back to reality as I realized that I've made a bit of a mess out of Neri's wrist. I feel bad that her first time feeding me is such a mess, but I didn't expect to taste something like that. Even now, I can feel my body growing hotter the more I drink, almost like I could jump to the moon in a single leap if I could. But I guess I am making Neri a bit uncomfortable now, so I stop for now, gently pulling away from her wrist before immediately healing the mess I made.

Neri: "Thank you."

Kaede: "N-no... Thank you."

Her blood is still lingering in my mouth as I try to savor the taste for as long as possible. Oboris... He was a dragon, right? If Neri tastes the same as him, then does that actually mean that Neri is actually a dragon herself? From what I know from Mai, dragon's are far more powerful and intelligent than wyverns. But then wouldn't Neri pose a threat to Yarene? What caused her to be in the position she's in? I have so many questions.