13 New Home

Bruce, hidden in the dense foliage, assessed the situation with a calculating gaze. His mind raced through various strategies, each one a delicate balance between daring and caution. The Black Dragon, with their cunning mind. presented a formidable challenge. Yet, in their excitement over the capture, they had let their guard down, providing Bruce with a fleeting opportunity to flee.

The young dragon understood the gravity of the situation. Carona and Torenço, despite their noble lineage, were vulnerable without the guidance and protection of their elder sibling. Bruce's heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. He couldn't let their story end in the jaws of these werewolves, nor could he allow them to become pawns in Kasavia's sinister schemes.

Silently, Bruce retreated into the shadows, his mind working furiously. He needed a plan that was swift, effective, and most importantly, unexpected. The element of surprise was his greatest ally in this precarious dance with danger.

"Hold on, wait for me!" Bruce called out, his voice echoing through the dense jungle.

Carona, agile and quick-witted, was close behind him. Unlike Torenço, she was more cunning and adaptable, qualities that made her invaluable in their current predicament. She recognized Bruce's strength and leadership as their best chance for survival.

Torenço, trailing behind, couldn't help but feel resentful. He begrudgingly followed, internally scorning Carona for her apparent allegiance to Bruce. Yet, he knew that Bruce's power was unmatched among them, a fact that irritated him even as he followed deeper into the jungle.

Bruce was keenly aware that their survival depended on his leadership. He needed to find a safe hiding place, away from the black dragon Kasavia's keen senses. The jungle was perilous, but it offered them their only chance.

He led Carona and Torenzo with purpose, occasionally pausing to change direction to distrack the black dragon pursuing them. His aim was the famous Potala River, a landmark he recalled from inherited memory. After treking through an arduous trek while hiding their presence from potential predators and the black dragon that was on their trails, the river came into view, which was shimmering in golden light under the rays sun.

Without hesitation, Bruce plunged into the river, followed closely by Carona and Torenzo. They swam upstream, the cool water enveloping them.

Minutes after their disappearance, Kasavia the mighty black dragon that drove their mother from her territory arrived, with her frustration evident. She circled overhead, cursing their cunning. "Clever green dragon offspring, eluding me with such a simple trick!" she roared looking for the while circling overhead for a sign of little dragon hatchlings, But the river's flow obscured her perception, leading her to eventually become frustrated, she could only depart, defeated.

The cold winter water was a harsh contrast to the young dragons' natural habitat. As green dragons, they were not adapted to such temperatures, unlike their white dragon counterparts from the north. Shivering, they climbed out, determined to continue their journey northwest.

The trio stood together, a small but resolute force in the vast, unforgiving jungle. Bruce's leadership had been tested, and he had emerged victorious. But this victory was more than a triumph over their foes; it was a reaffirmation of their bond, a promise that they would face the challenges of this new world together.

Bruce knew they needed to find a desolate land, a place where they could settle and regroup. The journey ahead was uncertain, but their resolve was firm. They had escaped the black dragon's grasp, and now, survival was their only goal.

As Bruce led the way, he knew that their survival depended on finding a territory free from powerful beings. Their hatchling instincts helped them discern which lands were claimed and which were not. Unlike animals that marked territories with urine, formidable monsters and dragons left an "awareness" or unique signs to stake their claim. Yet, not every area in the green forest was occupied, and there were still many unclaimed spaces suitable for them.

After a day's journey, the trio turned south from the river and discovered an ideal location on the outskirts of the primitive jungle. Bruce surveyed the terrain, noting the surrounding mountains, abundant caves, and dense woods – perfect for concealment.

With their mother no longer there to protect them, Bruce felt the weight of responsibility to ensure their safety. He chose a cave as their temporary home. It was humid, but the steamy warmth offered a welcome respite from the winter chill. For once, Carona and Torenço appreciated Bruce's choice.

However, hunger soon set in. Bruce resorted to picking up rocks and eating them in the cave, a behavior that Carona and Torenço found disdainful. To them, as noble green dragon descendants, eating rocks was disrespectful and unsatisfying. Despite their hunger, they refused to stoop to such levels and instead decided to hunt for real prey.

Bruce shook his head in exasperation at their naivety and lack of awareness of the potential dangers lurking in the jungle. Despite his concerns, he thought their actions might inadvertently draw out any lurking threats, allowing him to better assess the situation.

As a six-month-old dragon with a three-meter-long body, Bruce was formidable in size, capable of overpowering many beasts and even some lesser monsters. He felt confident in his ability to protect himself and perhaps teach a lesson about the strength of a green dragon hatchling.

Following the scent of Carona and Torenço, Bruce cautiously tracked them. He soon heard Torenzo's angry voice and the babble of an unfamiliar language. Peering through the foliage, Bruce saw a troubling scene: Carona and Torenço had fallen into a deep pit and were struggling to escape. Surrounding them were over a dozen werewolves, chattering excitedly in their tongue.

"We've caught two young dragons! Offering them to the great black dragon Kasavia in the eastern swampland will surely earn us favor," one werewolf exclaimed. "Imagine, no one would dare cross us werewolves then!" They seemed oblivious to Bruce's presence as they plotted their next move.