"Stupid worthless humans... Wretched little beasts..."

The draconic woman muttered to herself, cursing out their entire species for the idiocy of their government, which was really quite a human trait in all honesty. After all, they had been saying for years that humanity was doomed because of their politicians and the other suits in charge of everything.

With the way the apocalypse had came about, you would have thought that would have gotten them off the hook for dooming them all, but it seemed they managed to swoop in at the last minute and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory one last time.

As she muttered, she was striding down the long corridor carved into the landscape by those 'stupid worthless humans', her footfalls echoing throughout the secret metal corridor. They had followed Alfie back to the secret entrance built by the humans are were currently making their way towards the 'Heaven's Gate'.

The Dragon was stomping with quick, heavy steps and actually left slight indentations in the metal with every step, while the humans had to mount their beasts to keep up with her. Even though it was simply a quick walk to her, the beasts were having to jog at a considerable pace to keep up with the enraged lizard.

Unfortunately the humans who built the cavern didn't build it for Wyverns, which was a truly inconsiderate thing to do, and thus Omelette had to stay outside as he was unable to fit. Seth had instead had to ride in tandem with Astra on the back of her two headed wolf, a beast that was large enough to easily carry both of them without much strain.

Perhaps Seth would have to see if the Dragons transformation could be taught to him. God knows what form he would take if so. His mind immediately thought up quite a few overly edgy appearances, like the type of characters you would draw when you were 12 and think were so cool.

After all, he did call himself the 'Roaming Shadow of Death', so it wouldn't be too absurd. Then again... It's not like 'Sephtis' had much room to talk about edgy names.

"Thank you..."

"Huh?"

A soft spoken voice pulled him out of his thoughts of Omelette's possible edgelord appearances. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked to where Astra was sitting behind him. He had thought that she would want to ride in front, since it was her mount, but she insisted that he ride in front of her. Although on second thought, it made sense.

She was probably still tired from being shocked by her own electricity and nearly drowning. That would exhaust anyone.

She was sitting with her arms lightly wrapped around his waist, while her head resting on his back solemnly, using him as a pillow to relax against. Her head was tilted in a way that hid her face from his view.

"I said thank you... For saving me, I mean. I'm sure it couldn't have been pleasant with me in the water with you. I'm sorry for that too."

At the mention of the word pleasant, his mind immediately assaulted him with flashes of their 'kiss of life' and how her lips felt against hers. It was also at that moment it cursed him with thoughts that were lamenting that they were wearing rigid armour while she was resting against him like this.

He quickly banished those thoughts to a special jail in the corner of his mind, clearing his throat awkwardly as he really hoped that he wasn't blushing at all.

"Cough Well, uh... It wasn't too bad."

"...Oh?"

"What I mean is, I've got my tricks to protect myself from things like your lightning and other stuff. Of course. What else would I mean, haha..."

"Hmm... Nothing, I suppose."

She pushed her head against his back a little bit more, causing Seth to let out a soft sigh. He wanted to slap himself a few times, to knock some sense into himself. He was fine before, and it wasn't even a real kiss. So why was he getting so damned flustered? He was better than this, he knew that.

He knew how to act cool around women, he'd won more than enough hearts for that. So what the hell gives? Was he really this out of practice after just a few months? Actually... how long had it been?

Let's see, the last time he had a girlfriend was... ugh, far too long ago. The thought of the number of months sent shivers down his spine and a wave of depression flooding into his stomach.. The passage of time really was a cruel mistress. But then again, he had been focusing far too much on his job and had let those far too many months just slip him by.

Calming himself down, so he didn't act like some idiotic school child, Seth let his mind return to its natural operating state before asking calmly.

"What made you say that now?"

"Well... I realised that you've saved my life a few times now but I've never said it until now. I don't know how I would feel if you thought I was ungrateful when you... Well, I just wouldn't want you thinking that. Especially if it because of my own stupid actions."

"The thought never crossed my mind for a second. I never thought that you had to say it either. I mean, this is just what we do, right?

I save your life, you save mine. It's just natural, like breathing. I don't even think about it anymore. I mean do you thank your lungs every time you breathe?"

He didn't get a proper response, but he could vaguely feel her shaking her head against his back.

"Exactly. Well then, don't let it bother you any longer. But just to be certain, I hope you know that I am grateful for every time you have saved my life, and for every time that I know you're going to in the future. Especially when it is because of my own idiocy and stupid actions.

Just as I know that you'll be grateful when that same stupidity helps save you. Got it?"

He felt her nod her head and he smiled softly to himself, focusing once again on the draconic lady stomping down the corridor to where they had found the 'Heaven's Gate.' It was a surprisingly long corridor, no wonder Alfie looked so out of breath after running down it.

Behind him, Astra shifted in position. She retreated her hands slightly, so they were resting on his hips instead of wrapped around him fully, and sat up straight with the proper posture one would expect of the glowering commander of this operation.

Her voice regained its neutral, uncaring tone and was completely barren of the hints of vulnerability she had displayed before. If it wasn't for the slight blush still lingering on her cheeks, it would be like it never happened at all. But it didn't make Seth disappointed, instead he found himself smiling softly at her usual expression as she shifted one hand, so it was resting on his shoulder as she spoke.

"So, correct me if I'm wrong, but that woman is definitely the dragon that appeared when we were attacking the castle, isn't it?

It clearly looks different, but it's definitely got the same vibes. Plus you know, the eyes kind of give it away."

Seth chuckled softly and nodded his head,

"Yeah, you're right. She is the same thing. You're observant as ever, I see. It's no wonder you sniffed me out so easily, nothing gets passed you."

"What can I say? I'm just that good. Plus, you were being totally obvious. Speaking of, are you going to tell the others? I know some are starting to be a little suspicious of you after everything.

And it's tough, being the only one who knows."

"Ah Well..."

Her eyes narrowed and brow furrowed deeper as she moved her head next to his, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered into it. But it was not a sultry or seductive whisper, but one that was laced with hidden danger, which was added to by the death glare she was giving him and the small amounts of electricity sparking along her fingers.

Those blackened fingers dug into his pauldron ever so slightly, as she gave him a forced smile that didn't match her glaring eyes.

"Well? Well what? Is there something you have to tell me?"

"You're not the only one who knows about my identity so far, they actually knew before you..."

Her smile grew even more strained, the glow of her eyes intensifying slightly.

"Who else knows?"

"Cyn, I mean Cynthia knows... and uh... and Tiff does too."

The last part was muttered, as if he didn't want her to hear it in the slightest. But as her fingers tightened on his pauldron, the shell based armour cracking and buckling ever so slightly, he had a slight feeling that she might have heard it anyways.

"Tiff... Tiff... The cra- passionate fan girl that had her hands all over you. She knew who you were... before me.

Maybe these shocks are doing you good, because why else would you only tell me this now? Maybe I should give you a few more shocks, just to see if there is anything else you should be telling me."

She squeezed her hand tighter, the sparks on her blackened fingers growing before her hand relaxed and she let out a deep sigh, the sparks subsiding at the same time.

"Well... What else would you like to know?"

"Tell me how you met this dragon lady, and everything about this quest she sent us on. I think I deserve to know, don't you?"

Seth let out a soft sigh and nodded softly, clearing his throat as he prepared himself to tell her the tale.

"It all began when she walked into my bedroom when I was naked. I- Ahh! What are you doing? Aah, No! Wait, I can explain!"