The stars were shining bright in the sky as Volusius crawled through the entrance of the dragon’s lair, accompanied by a thin streak of moonlight. As I waited outside in the icy wind, watching for any sign of life from inside the caverns, I couldn't shake my feeling of regret at having ever come here in the first place. 

He crept stealthily into the mountain. The wind howling through the mountains was far far away and the only sound he could hear was himself stepping. 

What seemed a peaceful cavern was now a labyrinth of winding trails and grotesquely carved walls. The walls were rough and uneven like they were carved out by digging. The floors were rough and jagged with the marks of a beast's claws: a product of a creature that had never known relent or reprieve. 

That wasn't an entrance carved by nature or human hands, but by a beast that had paid little attention to the smoothness of the ground when making its lair. Winding dirt paths twisted and turned, leading down into the heart of the dark walled cave like trails on an ant hill. The slightly uneven floor led deeper and deeper into the darkness below to an obscure and distant destination. 

He pushed his rhomphaia forward, listening intently for any sound or movement in the darkness ahead. His armour blended perfectly into the shadows of the cave. Shining surfaces, darkened as his helmet obscured them, but overall, he was almost invisible in that nightmarish cave. 

He touched the wall with his hand and could confirm that it did not appear to be naturally formed. It was smooth, but uneven, while the floor showed signs that someone had dug it out with giant claws. His heart raced as he moved further and further down into the unknown, ready to meet whatever fate lay at its obscure destination. 

Volusius took a hesitant step forward, his heart pounding in his chest, his gaze glued to the rocky ground. He paused and squinted at a curious shape set into the earth; it was a footprint, long, curved and wide, certainly belonging to a beast of immense size. Every muscle in his body tightened as he carefully traced its length with one finger, noticing every intricate detail, fearful of whatever beast had left such a print behind. 

He took mental notes of its dimensions, taking care not to get attack by surprise while distracted. It must have been an enormous monster he thought, far bigger than any he had ever encountered before. A lump formed in his throat as he eyed it warily and studied the footprint more closely. 

With trembling hands, Volusius continued into the darkness, turning off his lantern to save any remaining fuel. 

He moved cautiously, relying on his other senses as he moved ever deeper into the unknown. 

As he navigated the rocky terrain, he listened out for any signs of life beyond his own. Then he heard a deep breath and saw something in the distance. As his vision adjusted to the darkness, he realized that it was emanating a faint glow. 

He narrowed his eyes and squinted to make out its shape. “What’s that glow coming from over there?” he said to himself. 

He crept closer, careful not to make any sudden movements or sound. Even though he knew it could be dangerous, Volusius felt compelled by something deep inside him to continue forward and explore. 

As he approached, he noticed the glow emanating from further down in the dragon's cave becoming greater. His heart hammered in his chest as he inched closer. 

After a short pause, he moved forward again, cautiously reaching the end of the tunnel. His head peered through, making him look more like a wolf than ever in the darkness. In front of him lay a large and very deep cave, dug right into the roots of the mountain. It was almost dark, so that it vastness was only vaguely discernible, but from openings in the ceiling came the light of the moon and perhaps rainwater collecting in a small lake. Further down, a great glow shone. The glow of a great immense and the scales of a dragon, sleeping peacefully amongst its hoard of riches. 

Volusius held his breath and slowly advanced towards the dragon's bed while examining its guard carefully for signs of movement or life. To his relief, it appeared to still be asleep, but dared not move any closer for fear of being detected. At least for the moment. 

With each passing moment, he grew more confident that he had not been spotted by the beast and began looking around for a way to get close to its hoard undetected. 

Volusius trembled as he stepped closer to the colossal dragon that lay sleeping. Its dull snorting seemed like thunder in his ears, and he was almost suffocated by its heavy exhalations in the air. 

A huge golden-red dragon lay sleeping beyond the lake. Beneath it, under all its limbs and its great tail wrapped in coils, and around it, on all sides, on the invisible ground, lay innumerable heaps of precious things, gold, worked and unworked, stacked where they had been piled by greedy hands; piles of valuable stones and jewels, and silver shining in the moonlight. The fluorescent light cast an eerie glow over everything: an immense treasure gathered in who knew how many raids. 

One last step and he could see it better: it was like a long, huge snake, with four legs and two wings sprouting from the front limbs. 

The massive scales gave off a warm light that allowed Volusius to see the entire cave around the dragon. Vast pillars spread their branches up through the darkness into unseen heights. The floor was covered with numerous trenches dug by the dragon's constant turning. 

Volusius estimated that he would have numerous places to hide or approach unnoticed, but the thing that worried him most was the dragon. He looked at the rhomphaia and then back at the dragon. The scales glittered like they were made from pavestones and felt warm like summer sunlight, even at that distance. 

Even if his was an enchanted blade, he was not sure if he could cut through its thick scales with a single blow, but at least he had the immense length of the dragon in his favour, which in this state could not easily turn around to strike him. If he had approached it from the right direction, he could have avoided the problem of the scales by striking it with the pommel of his hilt and shattering a few bones without being bitten or burned. The alternative would have been to attack his soft underbelly, but the problem was that, curled up as he was in his sleep, it would have been impossible to do either the former or the latter without waking him. 

These and other thoughts passed through Volusius' mind, and he was amazed at how much his mind was thinking like a veteran hero. He felt a certain pleasure at all this intelligence, but other thoughts also passed through his mind. 

Not waking the dragon shouldn't have been a problem, but it seemed unnatural to kill someone in their sleep. He also did not want to face such a beast without an advantage, especially not to see it in all its horror. 

Volusius found his hands trembling as his heart was beating wildly. He took a deep breath, then another and another, until he felt his heart slowing and his hands steadying, and then he sprang forward, leaping from pillar or pit to pillar as he approached. 

Meanwhile, I waited, sitting on a rock near the entrance to the cave. My time spent waiting there felt like an eternity, each second harder than the last. 

I twirled the necromancer's staff as if it were a talisman that could make my worries disappear, but all it did was deepen the confusion in my mind. Should I go into the cave and help Volusius? Would it do more good than bad? 

Anyone who has ever been in love knows that waiting for the beloved makes you suffer and suffer even more if the beloved is in danger. It makes you suffer to such an extent that suffering kills. In my case, the agony of not knowing what was best nearly drove me to insanity. 

But even though waiting was killing me, I kept on waiting. I continued to twirl the rod, concentrating my mind on its spinning movement: what should he do? What was the right thing to do? Her heart told her to go in, but what would be the consequences of that action? 

I stood up and looked towards the cave, then sat down and stood up again. Then a perverse wind moved branches and shrubs, leaving a trail of leaves on the lawn, winding like a green snake. I paid no attention at first, but as I moved around the black stones and green leaves, a sharp shape formed before my eyes. The shape of a huge green snake winding its way towards a fierce black wolf. 

An illusion of the eyes? A message from the gods? Or just my own desperate imagination? Whatever it was, I cast away the staff and marched into the cave, regardless of whatever peril might await me there. 

Meanwhile, Volusius mustered his courage as he approached the lake that separates him from the dragon. The lake looked like a black piece of cloth, spread out in the middle of the cave. the only hint of movement is the faint ripples in its depths dancing across the surface. It stretches on for what seems like eternity, and there is no other way around it. Steeling himself, he plunged into the water with a silent splash. 

He moved without making too much noise. The water was silent except for the sounds of his own beating heart, the dull muted plopping of his legs entering the water, the sounds of his own splashes as he struggled towards the far shore. 

The cold lake water shocked his senses, but he pushed through it with a powerful determination. He clawed at the edge of the lake and surveyed the dragon. He needed to reach the huge columns that adorned the cave. There he could hide even better. With a sudden burst he emerged from the water and using all his strength he sprinted towards the closest column where he could hide in its shadows. 

Volusius' heart pounded wildly against his chest. He held the bow tightly in his right hand as he stepped closer and closer to the third column. Never had he been so close to a dragon before, not even from a safe distance. 

The beast slept peacefully before him, unaware of Volusius' presence. But who could blame Volusius for feeling such trepidation? Unfortunately, what is really frightening about dragons is not only their dimensions, but something also Volusius will discover first-hand as he passes through the third pillar: and this realization will pierce him like a spear. 

The walls narrowed down until they met at an arch carved out by the dragon itself. He followed the path ahead cautiously, taking in every detail. The ground beneath him appeared benign but it was much more slippery than it seemed. 

Volusius looked back at the ground ahead. It looked a safe bet jumping foreword; but in reality, it that space was carefully crafted to be smooth and slippery. As Volusius jumped there, wet from the water of the lake, his body slipped on the treacherous stone, and he found himself rolling towards the dragon. Neither strength nor claws could help him, and he slid into deep pits and depressions cut into the cave floor until he crashed noisily into the mound of gold. 

Volusius snapped his head up and watched with terror as one of its giant eyes slowly opened, revealing an iris like a precious gem with vibrant streaks of warm colour intermingled within it. That ruby shone brighter than any gold and, with its various shades of red, now it looked at him with amusement. Its light seemed warm and confident compared with the grey gaze of fear in Volusius' eyes. The reflection of that merciless stone made it clear how far Volusius was from home. 

Sitting upon a hallowed granite pillar, the dragon arched his back as he raised his fore-claw to the sky. His majestic wings spread out and caught the wind like flags in a gust, lifting him up so that he could see everything below. He lowered his gaze and peered at Volusius, his tail whipping back and forth, steam swirling from holes in its scales. 

“Well, well, well, looks like another little mouse tried to fool me,” said the dragon, rising in all his majesty. His jaws opened wide, and spit seared the air with poisonous breath that slumbered for too long in that ancient cave. “Didn't they ever teach you that sometimes the most obvious path is the best trap?” he said, looking at the corridor between the pillars he had personally dug, to encourage visitors to feel safe in the shadows. 

Volusius felt a shiver down his spine, and suddenly that dragon felt more scarier that any creature he had knowledge of. 

The dragon turned his attention back to Volusius. “What have we here? A wolf? No, no! A wolf that had better be a fox and not play wet frog between my pillars. Go on! Tell me, what prompted you to wake the sleeping dragon?” 

Volusius nodded, an awestruck look on his face as he gazed at the dragon. For a moment, he forgot himself. The dragon’s scales glisten in the light like a fresh coat of arms. They were hard and impenetrable, with the glint of newly forged steel. The dragon's fangs, lined with death, its claws, sharp as daggers, its eyes as red as burning coals in the night. 

“You are wonderful,” replied Volusius, raising his head to see the dragon in all its splendour and almost dropping the rhomphaia in astonishment. 

Do not be fooled into thinking that our Volusius was trying to flatter the dragon to save his life. His reaction was genuine. The sight of such a huge and majestic creature filled him with awe. Only sheer astonishment could be an appropriate response when faced with such a gigantic and fearsome creature. 

Under the luminescence of its golden hue, it looked more like a divine being than a monstrous pillager of towns. But enough with this praise for the dragon: let us hear what the beast has to say, and how our Volusius will answer, for now it is no longer a question of courage but of cunning. 

“A pleasant answer...” said the dragon, noticing the sincere astonishment in his voice, "but not the answer to the question I asked you. What brings you to my lair?" 

Volusius felt a chill run down his spine as he took a shaky breath and began to speak; slowly, desperately trying to find an escape route or any advantage in the cave's conformation. 

“The city of seven hills, Roma...” he said, pausing for a long moment, “...are you familiar with this place? My name is Volusius Ulpius Vopiscus, son of Virgilius, known as Isengrimus, and I am here to put an end to the raids that have plagued my city for a century.” 

“A very cunning answer, now that surprise is not on your size...” said the dragon laughing, “...but this is why you are here: to slay the dragon, save the nymph and live happily ever after for the rest of your days, in glory and honour...” he said, bringing her muzzle closer to get a better look at him, “...just like in the fairy tales of the good old days... “ he added, laughing, then turned and showed him his back, “...perhaps you are a hero, or perhaps you hope to become one, but to be a hero or would-be hero who wishes to slay the one who has plagued your city, you surround yourself with ironic company. Go home, while I permit, since I'm in no mood to quarrel with her again; but pay more attention to those you consider most friendly, for it is from them that you will receive the surprises.” 

The dragon raised his muzzle slightly and turned away. 

“Wait!” said Volusius, putting himself in a guard position, “I have come here to put an end to the massacres, and I intend to do so!” 

“Then do it! It's right next to you!” said the dragon, sniffing the air and then turning his attention back to Volusius, “But you know nothing about it, what do you know about the dragon? Do you happen to know what it looks like? Where was I when it destroyed cities? What are its motives or its powers? No, you are no hero, you are just a child playing such a role, seeking glory in the lair of the first dragon he finds,” said the dragon, approaching him again. “Justice! That is a word you heroes like to throw around, but what do you really know about it? What you have come here to do is nothing but a murder that will bring you glory.” 

Volusius listened in confusion, remaining vigilant lest the dragon think him vulnerable and making sure he had an escape route. Meanwhile, the dragon continued to sniff, turning his head until his nostrils caught again the scent he liked. 

“It's been a long time since I've smelled something like that!” said the dragon, his voice deep and throaty. Volusius moved to the edge of the cave near the pillars. 

“What about your little friend waiting outside the cave?” said the dragon. “I smell her again, even after all these years.” 

Volusius lifted his chin. “Friend? What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about.” 

“Don't try to outsmart a dragon, you're smart enough to know it won't work, my dear. While you face danger in front of you, there is something more dangerous else behind you. I'm talking about your little snake waiting outside the cave. I haven't forgotten her scent.” The dragon paused and sniffed the air, “She's very close to you right now.” 

Volusius became defensive. “I do not wish to question your judgement, but I am sure you are mistaken. Do you really think I can take a woman with me on such an adventure?” 

“No, of course not...” replied the dragon, “...but there may be other reasons for a snake to follow you alone into danger or to trick you in this place... and then there's her scent. I smelt it long before you entered this cave, and even now you are saturated with it. Do not deny it. Decades may have passed, but I still remember the scent of someone so intimate with me. Like the sweet scent of flowers to a worker bee.” 

The dragon approached Volusius, its brow furrowed with disgust and anger as it drew in a deep breath of the night air. The aroma of the fields, tinged with hints of spring flowers mixed with the scent of blood from recent battles fought amongst rivals, stung his nostrils and brought back memories of happier times. 

“I have no idea what you are talking about, but I have no intention of letting you harm Varuclezia” said Volusius, tension mounting within him as he awaited his final confrontation with the dragon. 

“Varuclezia, daughter of Valdemarus. Such a lovely name for such a vile creature! What do you know of her? What did that beautiful nymph promise you to bring you here? Did she play the part of a damsel in distress? Or the powerful witch capable of satisfying your deepest desires? For she is neither the one nor the other.” 

“Enough of these riddles! Speak plainly and let us finish here!” he said, pointing the rhomphaia at him, however nonthreatening that might have been, and drawing a laugh from the dragon. 

A low, guttural laugh escaped from the dragon's throat. “Strong words... surely you cannot be so foolishly trusting of this precious snake..." said the dragon, "...but the answer is simple, Volusius, son of Virgilius: you have been used, my dear, though I do not know to what end. You are not too different from the pawns he has used before and, in this game, you were nothing more than an expendable pawn. She sent you here to kill me in my sleep, and now that I am awake, you can be certain that your life is worth nothing to her. But now leave. I have no more desire to talk with you, Isengrimus. I long to see my beautiful nymph again.” 

The dragon turned its gaze towards the exit to the cave, but before he could move towards it Volusius struck him in the cheek with his enchanted blade, a slash that cut through the scales and skin and cut a deep gash from ear to chin. The dragon almost lost his balance. 

"I do not know what game you are playing, but I will not allow you to lay a finger on Varuclezia." 

Volusius' eyes had turned red, and a dark aura enveloped his body, but despite his intentions, all he managed to do was make the dragon move its head to the side. 

It left him with a slight scratch, but he got the opportunity he had been waiting for. When the dragon turned its head again in anger to attack, Volusius surprised it with a swift blow to the throat. He repositioned his sword, and a downward strike aiming at the dragon's neck would have killed it if another voice hadn't distracted him. 

“Volusius!” I cried, my voice echoing through the cave. The sudden sound caused Volusius to come to a stop and turn towards me. His surprise was palpable, but before he could speak a single word of inquiry, the dragon pounced. With lightning speed, its massive paw threw Volusius aside like a ragdoll, before pinning him mercilessly to the ground. 

“Stop!” I shouted with all my might at the fierce beast. My heart pounding in my throat. 

“So, you care about this man,” said the dragon, taunting me. 

“Let him go,” I said, my voice strained with emotion. 

“Does he know what you have done?” the dragon taunted. 

“Let him go,” I said, my voice trembling with tears. 

“Does he know what you really are?” the dragon asked, as if relishing in my torment. 

“Let him go!!” I screamed, my voice boiling with wrath. 

My rage flared up inside me like a thousand suns. My eyes turned as deadly as a snake's, while fangs protruded menacingly from between my lips. Scales grew on my skin as I took on the appearance of a giant dragon: a were-dragon of the Hercynian Forest with green scales and golden eyes. My wings unfurled majestically, beating powerfully in the air as I rose to challenge my foe. 

“Magnificent!” said the dragon watching me, but before he could say anything else, I launched myself at him. I seized his muscular neck in my jaws and threw his mighty head back down to the ground with all the weight of my body. My claws wrapped in an iron grip around him, giving out a shriek that cut through the air like a thunder. 

His eyes widened as his shoulders strained under the pressure of my muscles, twisting and cracking. His tail whipped up from behind him, wrapping around my waist like a chain and holding me in place as he lifted one taloned foot over my chest with ease. But the fight was not over. I slipped off his lend and clung to him again, continuing that terrible dance. 

Freed from the dragon's grasp, Volusius realised that he had to leave immediately if he did not want to be caught in the fight. 

Volusius' breath hitched in his throat as he stepped out of the cave and into a wall of icy air. He felt a cold breeze sail past his face and land in his stomach, causing him to immediately brace for what was to come. He turned and saw that eight wraiths had converged on him from all directions, while far above on a rocky outcrop he spotted the ninth wraith: a sinister figure perched atop it like an unforgettable sentinel. This one seemed different from the others. On closer inspection, he realized with horror that this was no mere wraith but the necromancer himself, who had just recovered his staff. 

Volusius' heart thudded in his chest as he took in the sight before him. The necromancer's gaze fixed upon Volusius and suddenly each of the wraiths let out an eerie shriek that sent a chill down his spine. Volusius trembled with fear but managed to find the strength to react. The necromancer waved his newly recovered staff and pointed it at Volusius, who immediately realized that he had to flee. 

Summus Soranus, tu es ille cui per ignem ambulamus. 

“This will be a long night,” he said, before finally taking the form of a wolf. 

He ran as fast as he could, his feet slamming into the dirt and sending a cloud of debris into the air. He pushed his way through the wraiths, ducked under the boughs of trees, and tracked mud onto blankets and grass swatches. 

The wraiths followed him, like shadows in his wake. The high-pitched moans of the wraiths followed him, but no matter how hard Volusius ran, he could still feel their presence behind him even when he glanced back; even when they were out of sight. He needed the sun. The sunlight would have chased them away, or at least clear the odds. Could have attempted to scare them of again? No, not in those conditions. Not in his mental state. 

The ground was thick to break through, and there were scores of wraiths to dodge around. It was like trying to run through seaweed that moved with every step and then, running through the last of the trees, he ended up in a clearing open to the sky. 

He discovered to his horror that he had landed on a spike jutting out of the mountain and into the void. With an abyss in front of him and his hips, he had no choice but to face the threat coming from behind. 

He turned and slowly regained his human features. His face was a mask of determination, and he grabbed the rhomphaia in preparation. He took up a guard position, waiting for the eight figures to advance. 

“Step forward!” he said. “Dead or alive, I do not fear you.” 

“Fear?” laughed the ninth figure emerging from the mist; solid, alive and able to make ghosts bow as he passed, “you are afraid, but not of us. In any case, it is not to cause fear that we are here.” 

Volusius did not flinch; standing like a stone with arms crossed over his chest. 

“You are a very stubborn fellow,” said Volusius, “what are you doing here?” 

The eight wraiths stood together at the edge of the line of trees in front of him. Their eyes were cruel and their faces ancient. Shadows over shadows. 

“I am here because rivers of blood cannot be washed away by the flow of water...” replied the necromancer. 

Volusius did not understood the meaning of these words, nor did he wait for them to be explained to him. He looked around and found only confirmation that he had no way out. The cold was biting, and his eyes burned with tears as he ran towards his opponent, hoping that his fall would lead to that of the wraith. 

As he ran, his mind wandered back to his first encounter with me in his home. Had I tried to help him find a path for a heroic task? Had it been a mistake to try and change who I was? It was all in vain. The horde of wraiths pushed him back. 

“What do you want from me?” said Volusius. 

“They are not here for you...” I said, emerging from the forest behind the wraiths, “...my brother Ophirix is here for me.” 

“Varuclezia! What is the meaning of this? What is going on?” said Volusius, before the image of what had happened in the cave came back to him, "The dragon, you are the one who has been plundering our capital for more than a century!” 

“I'm sorry. I thought helping a hero would change who I am.” I lowered my eyes in shame, and Volusius did not respond. 

Ophirix took his cloak and covered me with it to protect me from the cold, then he removed his silver mask. There was softness in his face. He had an androgynous figure with long, beautiful hair that shimmered with a light green colour. His eyes were purple, but there was no anger or rage in them, just sadness and grief. 

He focused his gaze on Volusius again. His voice was calm, yet powerful and filled with an ancient wisdom. He paused for a moment and then spoke again. 

“You men are so attuned to yourselves. In your fury to destroy your own temples and libraries you have not bothered to ask yourselves what other beings have suffered from your evil,” said Ophirix. He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with the fires of a thousand years and declared: “three times we have sent a dragon, three times you have ignored our warnings, but we can go on and on, and the time has come for my sister to return to her people.” 

“This is madness!” said Volusius. “You cannot take Varuclezia away from me!” 

But before he could finish his sentence Ophirix resumed speaking as if he hadn't been interrupted. “Varuclezia will remain with us, here in the realms of men she does not belong, until her people are safe.” 

Without another word the wraiths began to dissipate into thin air until finally only Ophirix remained standing before Volusius. Looking into his eyes one last time he said: “Your heart is strong enough to withstand this sorrowful parting; it will not break you forever. Keep the armour as compensation, however little it may be worth to you at the moment and return to your life among mere mortals.” Then he too disappeared in a cloud of mist leaving Volusius standing alone in the forest. The morning light finally arrived, but not for Volusius. 

The sun was setting behind the hills, its rays filtering through a wispy cloud cover in the western sky. The shadows on the ground were beginning to lengthen as the light began to fade, and with it the heat of the day dissipated, replaced by a cool, refreshing breeze. 

In the distance, a small figure could be seen walking slowly across the landscape. Sofia was in no hurry to get home. As she walked, she seemed to pay no mind to her surroundings, her gaze instead focused on the far-off horizon. She paused for a moment to take in the sight of the setting sun, then carried on his journey, ever onward. 

Her walk had not been particularly straight, as his small body had a limit to how much wine he could drink. Her feet tripping somehow over even stones. But it had been worth it, at least until she woke up the next morning. 

She eagerly extended her arms, content with the night that had passed. But it was time to go home, mostly because the streets weren't too safe for little ones like her. 

The cathyzus scurried along the side of the road, squeezed between two dark walls of shadow, blanketed in complete darkness from the streetlights above. Night and small size would have been her protectors. 

All a sudden she heard a deep thumping behind her, and turned around with a beaming smile, expecting one of her old tavern mates. Instead, an unmistakably huge black wolf emerged from the darkness. 

Sofia gasped in shock as she saw the huge black wolf that had appeared out of nowhere and was now standing before her, its eyes shining with a bright yellow light. She felt panic rise inside her body as she tried to suppress the terror and stand courageously. Sofia tried to put on a good face, but the terror struck again, when the wolf growled menacingly in response to her words, and she could not help but feel completely frozen with fear. The wolf did not appear to have any aggressive intentions or to be hungry. He just looked confused; as if he had just returned to the den and found unknown intruders, whose identity and intentions he did not know. 

Or perhaps not even that. Perhaps he was as confused and frightened as someone who didn't know where he was and why he had gone there. 

He kept his distance, low and ready to bite her throat without hesitation, but showed no sign of wanting to get closer, at least not right away. He was just nervously studying the situation he found himself in. 

Sofia studied the situation carefully before deciding on a course of action. She felt sorry for him and knew that she had to help him somehow. 

Sofia made herself small. She flattened herself against the wall, making no noise that might alarm him, then slowly stretched her hand out to him so he could smell it. She took a deep breath and slowly stepped closer to the wolf, placing her hand on his head. 

She stretched out his arm, cautiously. She drew back, sensing that the wolf did not appreciate her sudden approach. She said in a gentle tone, “Up, up. I am a good cathyzus. Be a good wolf too.” 

When she was close enough, she let her sniff his hand. When she was sure the wolf had become accustomed to her scent, Sofia stretched out her arm further and stroked it. The wolf recoiled slightly, but eventually let her stroke him. 

The wolf seemed surprised by the sudden contact, but he did not move away or show any signs of aggression towards her. 

The two of them stayed like that for some time in silence, until Sofia finally broke it by saying “Come with me. I can help you find your way back home if you are lost.” 

"You and I know each other. I still don't understand why, but we know each other..." said Sofia in an affectionate tone, "...who are you? Your eyes are not new to me." 

Something happened and Sofia stepped back as she noticed a change in the wolf. Unsure of what was happening she remained still. But her confusion soon changed to shock when the wolf suddenly disappeared, and a man appeared in its place. She immediately recognized him as Volusius, 

The wolf disappeared and Volusius fell unconscious on the pavement in its place. 

Volusius laid unconscious on the pavement. Sofia quickly ran to his side and knelt beside him, gently shaking his shoulder to wake him up, but to no avail. 

Volusius awoke to find himself lying in bed. At first, he thought he had slept late, after a night disturbed by a long, pleasant dream with a sad ending. For a moment he had the feeling that he had not left at all, that in the next room Varuclezia was sleeping on his sofa in her pyjamas. But the ceiling was strange and unfamiliar to him, as was the room around him: full of useless things and clothes thrown about on the floor. The bed was of normal dimensions, but the wardrobe had a small ladder, and the clothes on the floor were too small for a man. 

He stood for a few minutes, watching the moonbeams on the wall and listening to the chatter coming from beyond it. 

“So? How does it feel to sleep in a beautiful woman's bed?” said Sofia. Sofia lay on the bed, barely occupying half of it with her body. 

“Am I in your house? Did you bring me here?” said Volusius, leaning on his elbows. 

“Of course! I picked you up with my kid arms...” said Sofia in a mocking tone, before looking at him more seriously, “...thank goodness there were passers-by. What the hell did you do?!” 

Sofia sighed and sat up. She reached out with both hands to grasp Volusius by his shoulders and then used them to hoist herself up until she was straddling him. “So, are you going to tell me?” 

Volusius lay back down. He felt too empty and weak to argue, and he didn't think he could ever say anything to change the situation. He was completely exhausted now. Memories of the journey flooded back to him: the disastrous crossing of the forest; the fight with the ghosts and the encounter with the dragon, until the revelation of Varuclezia's true nature. 

As he thought about all these things, trying in vain to remember the journey home, Volusius sighed and looked deep into Sofia's eyes, trying to find the answers he was so desperately seeking. He shook his head slowly. “I don't remember anything. I just remember running through the woods. I just wanted to be faster and then everything went dark. I don't know what happened after that.” 

“And the wolf thing? Since when can you turn into a wolf? They turned you?” said Sofia. “Or is it because it is true, That the Ulpians, Aelians and Vopiscans have wolf blood in their veins?” 

Volusius did not laugh at that joke, and that hollow reaction worried Sofia. there was a long silence, broken only by Sofia's snorting as she looked at him, waiting for an answer. Then she seemed to understand where the problem laid. 

Sofia's voice trembled with concern as she finally spoke up, breaking the tense silence between her and Volusius. 

“Where's Varuclezia?” she asked worriedly. “Is she all right? Is everything all right?” Her heart raced, and her palms were slick with sweat. 

Volusius met her gaze, his eyes grave. 

“Yes, she is fine. She is safe and sound...” he reassured Sofia, his voice calm and measured, “...she was fine when we parted. She just that she took a different path.” The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. 

“What happened in the dragon's lair?” asked Sofia, struggling to remain composed despite her rising panic. “You were so dazed and confused; you still are, by the way.” 

“Of course, Varuclezia is not here with me...” replied Volusius, “...the dragon was about to overwhelm me. There was little or nothing that could be done for me, and then... then Varuclezia entered the cave and turned into the dragon. Not a dragon, but the dragon, the dragon that had ravaged our city for a century. If only I could have appeased its wrath!” 

His voice grew hoarse with emotion as he recounted what had transpired. 

“I don't understand...” said Sofia, “...Varuclezia imitated the dragon? The dragon made her into himself. I do not understand. Talk to me.” Her eyes searched his face anxiously. 

The room fell silent once more as Volusius hesitated before speaking again. 

“Varuclezia is not here with me, but I need her here with me!” said Volusius before pausing. “Varuclezia is the dragon. The dragon we were looking for changed before my eyes. The other had nothing to do with it...” said Volusius, confused, “...I think Varuclezia was angry at what men had done in the dark times and was tired of being angry. She wanted to help me become a hero so that she could be at peace with herself.” 

“I don't think you would have set out to hunt nymphs and dragons if it wasn’t for her...” said Sofia, “...but I'm sure she wouldn't have either if she hadn't found the right person: and I'm sure you know why she chose you.” 

“But she did not stay with me...” said Volusius, his voice heavy with sorrow, “...and yet I was sure that I could wipe away that sadness from her eyes. Now I'm uncertain of my power to do so, and perhaps it is for the best that things ended as they did.” 

“Let me in! Tell me what happened!” begged Sofia. 

“I don't feel like talking... go away,” said Volusius weakly. 

“Don't keep it all inside. Let it all out with me!” insisted Sofia. 

“Go away!” snarled Volusius, his fangs bared like a wolf's. 

Sofia stumbled back in fear, seeing his face distorted with pure rage. Volusius had changed into something unearthly and feral; only reverting to his gentle self when he became aware of what he had done. 

“Don't abuse it too much if you don't want to lose yourself,” said Volusius to himself, thinking back to my words. Then he looked at Sofia and said: “Sorry. I will tell you all in due time! The gods know how hard it is for me to speak now. I have no desire to speak or move, so please don't insist and leave me alone.” 

Volusius closed his eyes but felt Sofia's gaze on him. Then he felt a weight lift from his stomach and footsteps leave the room. Silence finally followed, and then the sound of something metallic crawling. 

What Volusius saw when he opened his eye was a small cathyzus dragging his heavy armour across the room, one tug after another. It was not an easy task considering how heavy was the armour. But Sofia was stubborn. 

She strained against the weight of the armour, her small frame trembling with each tug. Despite the difficulty of the task, she refused to be daunted and kept dragging it across the room with determination. 

“What are you doing?” asked Volusius, his voice barely audible as he lay sprawled on the bed. 

“Oh, my goodness. Surely without me you just don't move?” said Sofia climbing back onto the bed and straddling him again. "It was all your choice to not follow Varuclezia! Don't you remember what you ever wanted since childhood? Dreams of nymphs and dragons faded away with each passing year; and now that you finally have them both, you want to ruin everything just because are same person?" 

A heavy silence filled the room, and a spark lit in Volusius' eyes. He watched her sitting on him under the pale moonlight and for a moment he was stunned. He felt like he was seeing again his Varuclezia in her. 

The patter of soft raindrops echoed against the windowpane, and Volusius's heart thudded with anticipation. 

“Sofia,” he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. 

“Yes?” 

“Will you stay by my side for a while longer?” 

The tenderness in his eyes touched Sofia deeply; she gave him a hug and kissed his forehead tenderly. Volusius sat up slowly and Sofia wrapped her arms around him from behind. 

Thunder erupted, followed by the flash of lightning. Volusius' gaze shifted to his purple handkerchief and with a slight wave of her hand, she ordered him to come closer. The handkerchief folded into the shape of a squirrel and scampered up his arm before tumbling over the length of it and landing in his palm 

Volusius looked at it, aware that Sofia was watching his every move carefully. The handkerchief unfolded and revealed the amethyst ring. He stood looking at it for a moment until Sofia reached out and took it to look at it better. 

Volusius looked up and saw how Sofia gazed at the ring with curiosity, before carefully placing it back into her handkerchief. 

Under that ever louder ticking, Volusius felt himself overwhelmed by old memories. 

e remembered a cold autumn, when he was a boy. The rain pattered down against the leaves of trees and damp earth, saturating his clothes and black hair. He hid in a hollow trunk and waited for it to end. 

He was scared and cold, and he huddled in that little corner, trying to keep warm as best he could. 

Volusius was crying, but he hid his head in his arms because boys don't cry. That is a girl thing. Despite these words, the tears continued to flow. Then the pattering of the rain stopped. 

Looking to his left, he saw a beautiful lady kneeling, sheltering under a black umbrella. 

The beautiful lady's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the tears streaming down Volusius' face. "Why are you crying, little one? Are you lost?" said the beautiful lady. 

“No, I am not crying,” said Volusius, wiping away his tears. 

The lady smiled and slipped into the alcove, closing the gap with her umbrella and standing behind Volusius. 

“There is no harm in crying. One should worry about those who do not cry when they should...” said the beautiful lady, “...but tell me, what are you doing so deep in the forest?” 

“I was looking for the nymphs, nymphs and dragons,” replied Volusius. 

“Oh? And for what reason were you looking for such things?” said the beautiful lady, holding him in her arms. 

“I want to be a hero. I want to help those in need. I like to see people happy.” 

She nodded slowly and said: “That is an admirable goal. Show courage, be brave and never fear.” 

The beautiful lady smiled at him, and with a nod of her head, a purple handkerchief with gold inlays came out of her pocket. The fabric unfolded in the air and folded into the shape of a small wolf. It jumped onto Volusius' shoulder, where it rubbed affectionately against his cheek. Volusius laughed. 

The lady gestured with her finger and, understanding the command, the handkerchief slid down Volusius' arm and opened between his palms. Then she showed him a ring of a strange silver metal set with amethyst-coloured gems. 

“This is a very powerful and precious ring. It is yours now. A gift from me,” said the lady as she gently placed it in Volusius' hands. “Guard it always and never use it. Keep it with you as a noble guardian and when you are sad or hurt or lonely look at it to remind you of when you wished you were a hero in search of nymphs and dragons.” 

Volusius looked at the ring, confused by these words, then saw the beautiful lady place the ring in her handkerchief and close it gently. 

“I want to slay a dragon...” he said despite knowing how unlikely that wish was, “...and I want to be one of those men who protect beautiful nymphs like you.” 

“Perhaps you will have both someday,” she replied, surprising Volusius with her smile. Then she kissed his forehead softly and added, “but for now do not let your parents worry.” 

Volusius lifted his eyes one last time to see what he remembered were two sad golden eyes framed by long green hair. 

“It was her,” said Volusius, his knuckles whitened as he clutched his cold handkerchief and ring. 

“Who was what?” asked Sofia. “What are you talking about?” 

“Prepare to keep your promise to offer me the best lunch of my life, because when you see me return, it will be by holding Varuclezia's hand.” Suddenly, he whirled around, quickly donning his armour as if facing an enemy. He grabbed the chainmail and paused to look at Sophia, his eyes filled with light. “Thank you,” he murmured. “It seems it is all true. Without your help, I would have been doomed to never find my beloved nymph.” 

A quiet smile spread across Sofia's face. “I know, I know.” 

Meanwhile, Volusius was not the only one listening to the rain. 

There, under the foliage of one of the parks that adorned the city, I stood in silence listening to the rush of water drops on the leaves. The branches curved around me like a cage and there was no real glimmer of light. Then the rain stopped a step away from me: a small dry circle, a male figure and a black umbrella. 

“Is there room for me, sis?” said Ophirix and I made room for him. 

Ophirix sat down by my side and, leaning on the umbrella, handed me a sandwich. I opened my mouth wide, revealing two snake-like canines, and took a big bite out of the sweet meat inside the bread. Ophirix laughed, forgetting for a moment to hide her serpentine tongue. 

“...?” (Varuclezia). 

“It's been a long time since I've seen you eat so eagerly,” said my brother. 

“...?” 

I looked down at my body to see if I had done something, but finally noticed the drop of sauce on my cheek. 

“Yeah, I'd say it's been a long time since we've spent time like this. Like a family” said I, looking down sadly. 

Ophirix began to chirp, and a flock of birds kept us company with their song... in exchange for a few crumbs, of course. 

"You've always been good at talking to birds..." said I with a slight smile, "...but I didn't expect you to start commanding wraiths." 

"Actually, I only wanted to help the souls of the living and the dead..." said my brother, "...but as I watched our people fade away and I had to placate more and more unjustly mowed down lives, I too began to feel a deep anger." 

The sound of rain began to rise among all those falling drops: people shouted in fear, wheels squeaked against wet roads. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought back to happier days. 

“I miss mum and dad” I whispered and Ophirix answered by folding me in an embrace. 

“I miss them too, but they would be happy to see that we are well,” murmured he gently, but no amount of reassurance could bring back the smile on my face. 

Looking up at the houses, I shouted: “How can you men be so naive? How can your foolishness outweigh the good?!” The echoes rang through the streets like a warning bell, stirring feelings of disbelief in me. "Why did I have to lose my parents and friends for your desire for power?" 

“You know. There was a time when the race of men was eviller than it is now. That was a time when might was right and when the righteous, the loyal and even the good were not honoured. Then, with the age of industry and reason, the golden age returned among men, and in time also piety, justice, and equity reigned again.” 

“Now, however, they give greater honour to the wicked and the violent” I continued in my flute's voice. “They praise the charlatans with greater vigour. Who knows what has happened to make them fall into an evil superstition.” 

The rain stopped and we could look at the soft moonlight again. I stood up and said, “It's time to go back and punish the people,” but before I could walk away, my brother took my arm 

“I love you,” said Ophirix. 

“I love you too,” replied I. 

My eyes glowed like two stars under clouds illuminated by daylight. First a light of sadness, then of wrath. 

I stepped out into the rain and felt an invigorating chill run through my veins. I threw my head back and opened my eyes wide to the sky, ready for the cleansing deluge. There seemed to be something cleansing about all the water. I closed my eyes and waited for the water to fall on my face. As each drop splashed against my skin with fiery passion, I felt a transformation begin within me. The rain stopped and I roared with unbridled fury: “Let's teach these men a lesson.” 

Without warning, scales erupted from my flesh, blinding me in a veil of shimmering emerald, green until I was transformed into a mighty dragon.