The boys exited the tomb, looking around for any sign of the unknown animal. With the peak of Ravatogh having few monsters, thanks to the zu's nest keeping them at bay, the group was able to have a look around. They had discovered a hidden path in the rock that led right to the royal tomb. But after collecting the weapon inside, they were baffled as to why they had yet to see any trace of the creature that had made the howl they'd heard earlier.

"Bummer," Prompto said with disappointment. "I thought for sure we'd find that creature."

Gladio arched an eyebrow at him. "What happened to that scaredy-cat attitude from earlier?"

The blond scoffed. "Well I did want to at least see it, even if it was big and scary."

Noctis sighed. "Maybe it's not even here anymore. If it could fly or something, it might already be long gone."

"I don't think so," Ignis interrupted. "The tipster claimed to have heard the beast more than once, not only that, the zu appears to still be on edge. If our mystery animal could easily fly away, it would've done so already."

"Which means it's still around," Gladio concluded.

Prompto grinned, moving closer to the edge. "Then we've just gotta look harder. I can't wait to get a picture, but until then, might as well get some shots of the view."

He took his camera and looked through the lens. He snapped a couple of pictures of the breathtaking scenery from atop Ravatogh. Right as he was putting his camera away, the rocks under his feet began crumbling. He froze, his eyes shooting down to the ground. Before he could move or speak, the ground gave way under him. He screamed out as he fell, clutching his camera tightly.

"Prompto!" his friends cried.

It was only a short drop before he hit solid ground again. He rolled across the the hard stone, breaking the fall so he wouldn't injure himself. He was about to breath a sigh of relief when a deep growl met his ears. He stiffened and slowly turned around, seeing a large, white-furred beast. With wide eyes, the blond carefully backed away, putting space between him and the creature until his back nearly hit the wall behind him.

"Prompto, you okay?!" Noctis called, peering down through the gap in the rock created from the gunman's fall.

"Y-you guys might wanna get down here!" he shakily responded, unable to tear his eyes away from the creature.

The large beast turned her gaze up to see three other males dropping down, one by one. Once they were all present, they stared at the creature in silence as she snarled at them. Like Prompto, they stayed back, prepared to summon their weapons if the creature lashed out. They scanned over the animal's appearance.

She was covered in white fur with a strip of brownish black along her spine that enveloped her long tail. She had two massive wings with a couple of extra flaps at the base of her tail. Her tail was spread out behind her and she had long, cat-like claws along her fingers and toes. Her hands were somewhat human-like in appearance. Among her fur, spine-like crests jutted out from the sides of her head. Her sharp, glistening teeth were visible with her lips peeled back. Her eyes were a vibrant green and her pupils were constricted, much like a snake's at the moment out of aggression.

From Ryella's point of view, the four males looked like a possible threat. In her condition, she was wary of everything. She had heard them up above her alcove, but remained quiet in hopes that they wouldn't discover her. The boys immediately caught sight of her injured wing. The arm of her right wing was ripped up and covered in blood. The hole in her left side wasn't visible to them since they were trapped on the alcove on her right side. The four guys were in complete awe at seeing such a unique, beautiful beast.

"My word..." Ignis muttered. "I believe we've found our mystery creature, and it appears to be injured."

"Whoa, so cool," Prompto quietly stated, taking a couple of quick snaps.

Gladio stood defensively in front of his friends. "Doesn't look too friendly though."

Ryella attempted to shift around to her feet in case she needed to defend herself, but with her wounded side, she whimpered in pain and collapsed back onto her stomach. She continued to growl at them, warning them to stay back. But Noctis was eager to help the unique creature.

"The poor thing's hurt," he pointed out. "I think it's just afraid." With his hands up in a way to show he wasn't armed, he carefully stepped closer to the dragon. "It's okay," he calmly told her. "We're not gonna hurt you. We can help."

Ryella's snarls ceased. She could hardly believe who she was seeing. She recognized the prince from 12 years ago. He had grown considerably, but she could now tell it was him. Though he didn't recognize her, having never seen her dragon form, he still appeared to be kind-hearted, just as he had been in the past. Ryella stared at him as he cautiously inched closer, tilting her head to the side curiously. He stopped, still giving space between them, and scanned over her.

"Just what are you?"

The others carefully moved a bit closer, intrigued by the beast. "Could this be..." Ignis mumbled. "A dragon?"

"A dragon?" Prompto echoed. "You mean, those things really exist?"

"They were powerful, intelligent creatures believed to have lived long before the Great War of Old," the bespectacled man explained. "Thought to have been extinct, this could very well be the last of its kind. This must be why the zu has become so territorial."

He's very wise, Ryella thought, her gaze on him. I wonder who he is... I wonder who all three of them are.

"It's a miracle to find such an ancient species," Gladio said. "It'd be a real shame to let them die out."

But they have died out, the beast mentally replied, knowing about the ancient dragons. I am merely a Guardian, given the power to become a beast. Dragons truly are extinct as a species.

"We gotta help this one, then," Prompto said in a slight panic.

Noctis gazed up at her wing, seeing the teeth marks left from the zu. Ryella whined at him and nodded her head to her other side. The boys got the hint and carefully stepped over her tail and to her other side. There, they could see the large, bloody wound that covered her side.

"That bird really did a number on you, huh?" Noctis quietly said. "No wonder you're holed up here." He reached into his pocket. "Don't worry, a potion should have you feeling better in no ti-" He froze, his hand thoroughly searching for a curative.

"Noct, you did remember to bring medicine, did you not?" Ignis inquired.

After frantically searching all his pockets, the prince sighed in frustration, replying, "No... I guess I forgot."

"Smart move," Gladio sarcastically interrupted. "If one of us got injured on the way up here, we'd have been screwed."

"Let's just go back and get some supplies," the gunman suggested, trying to keep the peace. "Then we can heal up the dragon. No biggie."

"Although I'm not keen on trekking back and forth a dozen times over Noct's slip-up," Ignis admitted.

Gladio smirked. "Here's an idea, since Noct forgot the potions, why don't we let him go back and get them. Maybe it'll teach him to remember to bring supplies from now on."

The prince crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Fine, we'll split up, but I'm not going all the way back by myself. Gladio, since you suggested it, you're coming with me. Ignis, Prompto, you guys wait here with the dragon."

Given their orders, Ignis and Prompto stayed put while Gladio climbed back up the rock and Noctis warped up to the path above. Ryella watched them go, wishing Noctis had stayed instead. He was the only one she knew. She assumed the other three were his friends, but this was the first time ever meeting them. At least she had a name for each of them though, having listened to Noctis address them. With the prince and shield disappearing up on the path above, Ignis and Prompto were left with Ryella.

"So..." Ryella set her gaze on the blond boy. "We just sit here and wait for Noct and Gladio to come back?"

"That's the idea," Ignis responded.

Prompto took a selfie with the beast in it before grinning up at her. "Hey, Iggy." His blue eyes didn't leave Ryella. "Do you think this dragon's a guy? Or a girl?"

"I don't know. Why do you ask?"

The gunman finally turned his attention to his friend. "I was thinking of giving it a name. You know, so we don't have to keep calling it 'the dragon'."

"Fair point," the advisor replied.

Prompto smiled brightly at the creature. "Well... Let's see..." His eyes roamed over her figure, making her somewhat uncomfortable. "Your fur's beautiful, and you've got kind of a slim figure..." He hummed in thought. "Aw, what the hell, I'll just assume your a dude."

Ryella's eyes widened. After looking at me like that, he thinks I'm a boy? She was a bit offended by that. Although it wasn't a big deal, she didn't want him calling her by a boy's name or something. She growled angrily at him, catching him off guard and causing him to stumble back.

"I'd assume that means you're incorrect," Ignis told the blond.

"Whoa, sorry!" Prompto swiftly apologized, causing the dragon to quiet her snarls. "Guess that means you're a girl, then." Ryella gave a small nod, causing the boy to smile. "Makes sense with how pretty you-" He suddenly froze, his eyes widening. "W-wait a minute, did you just nod?!"

She gave another nod in response. Ignis stared with astonishment. "I don't believe it... Can you honestly understand what we're saying?"

Ryella purred and gave yet another nod. Prompto broke out in a grin of excitement. "That's so cool! Dragons really are smart! It'll be kinda like talking to another person! This makes things way easier!"

"Well, we know you can understand human speech, and that you're a female," Ignis said. "Now we simply need to figure out what to call you."

Prompto hummed in thought. "Hmm, give me a little while to think of something."

Ryella watched and listened to the two talk to her and each other. They told her a bit about themselves and Noctis and Gladio, having her nod if she understood. She already knew of Noctis being the prince of Lucis and the power he wielded. But turns out Gladio was his shield, Ignis his advisor, and Prompto his best friend from school. Though Ignis was quieter, Prompto was talking her ears off. He explained to her about Insomnia and what life was like there, even mentioned about the journey they were all on now.

Ryella couldn't help but inwardly smile and giggle at him. He's so friendly and funny. He reminds me of...Clement. Her joy instantly faded only to be replaced with pain and sorrow. What am I doing? I can't get attached to these people. She had temporarily forgotten the heartache she'd gone through. She couldn't allow herself to form any kind of relationships again. For the moment, she would be nice and allow the boys to help her. But afterwards, she'd have to move on.

After a short while, the two males had taken a seat, still making small talk. Prompto was still trying to figure out what to call the dragon, even though Ryella didn't really mind what he might come up with. The white beast felt her stomach rumble. She hadn't eaten in over a day and her stomach felt so empty. She was trying hard not to think about it. She instead brought her hand up, licking the top of it and using it to clean her face. She groomed herself much like a cat, which didn't go unnoticed by the boys. They smiled at how cute she was acting when Ignis suddenly took notice of the necklaces that had been previously hidden under her hand.

"Is that a...dog tag?" he quietly asked the blond.

Prompto nodded and stood. "Looks like it, and some kind of pendant too."

He slowly walked over, his eyes glued to the items. Ryella suddenly took notice of how close he was to her belongings. She immediately slammed her hand down over the top of them, causing the boy to flinch. The dragon snarled angrily at him, sliding the necklaces closer to her. Prompto held his hands up defensively.

"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't gonna take them from you."

Ryella quieted and instead, scooped up the necklaces, holding them in her palm. She looked down at them sadly, her memories coming back to mind. Every time her eyes landed on the tag and the pendant, she was reminded of all her losses. Her green eyes grew wet and tears began streaming from her eyes. Prompto and Ignis both watched with bewilderment. Whimpers rose up in the beast's throat. She lifted her head and let out a low, moaning howl of sorrow that echoed across the mountain.

"So the sound we heard before," Ignis began, "was the mournful howl of this dragon." Despite his calm expression, his tone hinted at the sadness he felt hearing the creature's howl. "Those trinkets must hold some meaning to her, perhaps a reminder of someone dear to her."

Prompto sympathized. He knew what it felt like to be all alone, just as the dragon appeared to be. If that was really what the white beast felt, then he could relate perfectly. He calmly approached the wailing creature, moving closer than any of them had before. He reached out, placing his hand against her upper arm. That caught her attention, silencing her as she looked down at the boy. Prompto smiled reassuringly.

"I don't exactly know why your so sad, but I'm assuming it has to do with those necklaces." Ryella's eyes widened slightly. "I bet you've lost family or friends that you were very close to. I'm really sorry." The dragon lowered her head to him, her emerald eyes locked onto him. "But you don't have to be lonely or scared, 'cause we're here with you. And I promise, we'll get you taken care of in no time."

Ryella suddenly nudged him with her nose, causing him to wrap her snout in a hug. When he pulled away, he was laughing like a child. The gunman went over to her side, collapsing against her. He hummed at the soft fur that enveloped him.

"Your fur is sooo soft," he stated, petting her. "And so warm. Man, if someone were to camp out on your back, it'd be like sleeping on a big, fluffy cloud, or maybe a marshmallow." He suddenly gasped, beaming with joy. "That's it! I've got the perfect name for you! Mallow---because your white and fluffy and soft to the touch, just like a marshmallow...the candy, not the daemon."

Ryella gave a purr to show him she approved. After all, it was only a nickname. She didn't mind, she actually thought it was kind of cute. Ignis chuckled, pushing up his glasses and approaching the two.

"I suppose that means she approves."

"Mallow it is, then!" Prompto cheered.

After having figured out a name for the dragon, Prompto was even more thrilled to have been able to touch the beast. He couldn't believe how soft and silky her fur was. And all that time he thought chocobos were the greatest animals, but he was growing quite fond of dragons as well. Ryella was more than relieved to have the company, even if it would only be for a short time. They simply had to wait for Noctis and Gladio to return with the curatives needed to heal Ryella, then she could be on her way.