(Part 2 - Into the Dragon Tamer)

Andy's POV~

I awoke to find myself in the same place as I last knew. I was inside a room made by Father Red. It was brighter than it was last night in here, likely meaning that it's now morning.

I waited for my eyes to adjust to the brightness of my surroundings. I look down to see a familiar arm wrapped around me. I look back and see Vernon's arm, hugging me close to him. His grip was tight, even when he was sleeping.

I looked around me to see if I could find anything to replace my spot. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could find. I feel something scrape against my leg. I look down and see the large, fluffy tail of my captor. It was risky, but it was all I could find.

Reaching down carefully, I lightly grabbed his tail and was somehow able to replace myself with it. Thankfully, he didn't wake up. I walked around and saw a slim opening of the door. Father Red must've opened it while he slept. Going over to the hole, I just barely managed to  squeeze myself through. As I got out, I could hear the voice again. "Andrew..."

I sigh and knew I had to follow it. Maybe then I could sleep peacefully at home, knowing I found who was calling my name. One thing's for sure, it was definitely closer than last time. I guess that means Vernon unintentionally got me closer to it. I start walking away until I hear the sound of scratching from behind me.

I look back and see Vernon trying to get out of that hole, but he's too big. I could hear him shout in a loud, scary, and commanding voice "ANDY GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!!! I WILL NOT LET YOU GET AWAY FROM ME!" I backed up as he continued to try and get through the hole. It was then I noticed the roots of trees coming towards me. I knew I had to run.

I start running in a direction that I felt was closer to the voice. I look behind me to see the tree roots all coming for me. I continue to run as fast as I can. I look up ahead and find a cave. I certainly hope no bears are there. I had no choice, so I ran into the cave. As soon as I do, I noticed the roots still following me, but before they could get in, a big fire blast that came from nowhere blasted at them, burning them to a crisp.

They retreated and I looked up and saw a dragon. Okay, I would've been fine with a bear now. It roared in my direction and I got scared backing up. I see a dark figure jump off its back. "Easy there, Inferno." The dragon seemed to calm down after it said that. I gulp nervously as the figure approached me. When it gets close enough, I could see a furred creature once again. This time, it had short grey fur, black stripes on its back and long hair.

It held its hand out to me. "Are you okay? I'm sorry about him, he isn't too kind to strangers." I gulp nervously and nod. I grab his hand and he pulls me up. I sigh in relief. "Thank you. And I'm alright, thank you." He nods his head and looks around me. "That's a relief." I nod in agreement and he wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me more into the cave. "Here, you should rest a bit. And maybe explain to me what happened." I nod my head as he takes me to a fireplace, but without a fire.

He takes in a deep breath and a small flame forms in his hand. He guides the flame to the fireplace and the fireplace ignited quickly. "Wow, Fire magic." He nods. "It was a gift from my family line. We were blessed with fire magic when an ancestor of mine saved a dragon." I nod my head. "That's amazing." He nods his head again. "Inferno here is an ancestor of that dragon. Ever since then, my family dedicated their time to become dragon tamers."

I nod my head again. "So that's why he listens to you. You tamed him." He nods his head. "Yeah, I also tame dragons that go on a rampage. They don't stay with me, but it's nice knowing I make a new friend every time I do."

I smile "That seems like a nice job to have. A new friend every time." He nods and smiles at me. "It is. But we don't make it a job, it's more of a hobby." I nod my head once again. He then widens his eyes in surprise. "Where are my manners? I'm sorry, my name is Phoenix. As you already know, I'm a dragon tamer." He takes his hand out and I shake it. "My name is Andrew. I'm not anything special like you, but I'm on a bit of a personal quest."

He tilts his head a little bit in confusion, so I explain to him my scenario. He nods at my explanation. "Do you know anyone that could have that voice?" He shakes his head in denial. "I do not." I nod my head and sigh. He smiles and pets my head. "I'm sure you'll find them." I nod my head and smile at him. He looks over at the dragon and smiles. "You want to pet him?" I jump in surprise at his offer. "A-Are you sure?"

He nods his head again and guides me towards Inferno. He places his hand on mine and guides my hands towards Inferno's snout. Inferno relaxes and I continue to pet him. Phoenix smiles. "It seems he's taken a liking to you. Good job, Inferno's now a friend of yours." I smile and continue to pet him.

After about what seemed to be an hour, it was already getting late. I yawned and Phoenix smiled. "You want to sleep?" I shake my head. "Not yet." He nods his head and looks at me seriously, but with worry too. "What was going on earlier when you ran in here?" I sighed at his question.

"When I first came into the enchanted wood, I came across the Guardian of the Forest. He took me to a large tree and trapped me and himself inside of it. He was intending on keeping me there forever. He wanted me to be his significant other or something. I could tell he was obsessed, and I knew I had to run away."

Phoenix put his hand on his chin and started to think. "Guardian of the Forest, huh? I've met him before." My eyes widen. "You have?!" He nods his head. "Are you two friends or something?" He chuckles and shakes his head "Definitely not. He's always getting mad at me when I practice my self defense with my fire magic. And he's always nagging about Inferno accidentally knocking a tree down or burning one." I just nod. "I see..." He nods and I yawn again.

Phoenix smiles. "You ready to sleep?" I nod my head and look around. "Where do I sleep?" He walks over to Inferno and leans against his stomach. "I don't think I'd be comfortable sleeping like that." He nods his head and thinks. "Inferno, wing down." Inferno does as told and sets his wing down, the other staying in place. He lies down on the wing and uses, what I assume is a pillow he probably made for himself to rest his head.

"What about a blanket?" He shrugs and says "I've always used his wing as a sort of coverage from the cold." I just nod. "I'm sorry for being picky about this." He looks at me surprised "No-No, you're fine! I'm fine with this, and I'm sure Inferno is to. We want you to be comfortable." I nod my head and head towards Phoenix. "How about you lay on my chest? I can use my fire ability to warm my fur. Plus, my fur is pretty soft."

I kind of blush at the thought. "A-Are you sure?" He nods his head in assurance. Hesitantly, I walk over and lie my head down on his chest, and he wasn't lying when he said it was soft. "Comfortable?" I nod my head, my face a bit red from the situation. He wraps his arms around me and strokes my head to help me sleep faster.

The next morning, I awoke to the smell of food being made. I look over and see Phoenix over a fire, making food for two. "Good morning, you sleep well last night?" I nod my head and stretch. I walk over and sit next to him by the fire. He sets the food down on two plates and hands me one. I take a bite of it and it was really good! He smiles as I continue to eat it.

After I was done, I get up and stretch. "Well, thank you for the food and thank you for last night. I need to head out and find that voice, so I'll be seeing you." I start to walk towards the entrance of the cave. That was, until Inferno put his wing down, blocking my exist.

I smile at this. "I'll miss you too, Inferno." However, Inferno wouldn't move his wings. I then feel Phoenix pick me up and set me down on his lap. "Sorry Andy, but there is one thing that the Guardian of the Forest got right. And it's that you're really cute." I blush. "T-thank you, but I got to leave." I try to get down, but he pulls be back on his lap.

"I'm sorry Andy, but... I don't want to say goodbye. I want to be with you. Forever if possible." He nuzzles his face into mine. "I-I'm sorry, Phoenix, but I have to say no. I have to go." I get off his lap and walk towards the entrance, but before I make it far, Inferno blasts a wall of fire in front of me. I'm one again picked up by Phoenix, this time though, he's holding me a lot tighter.

"I think you're missing the point Andrew. I'm not taking no for an answer. You're staying here. After hearing you talk about that damn forest guardian, I can't trust you'll be safe, so you're staying here. You'll only get hurt out there." I shake my head. "What if you come with me?" He shakes his head again. "No, it's not enough. I need you by my side. Going with you is temporary, but you being with me is forever."

He hugs me close to him and lies my head on his chest. "I'm not letting go. I've made a lot of friends, but I'm not letting you go. You're special. You're living with me, and I'll take good care of you." He pulls away and kisses my lips, causing me to jump in surprise. "Even if it means keeping you to myself. I love you, Andy. And I don't want to let go." He hugs me close again, causing me to struggle. He just holds me tighter and nuzzles me. "I'm not letting go. I love you Andy, and that's forever."