Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The faint glow of dusk filtered through the stained glass windows of the elvin council chamber as Alex and the dragonborn woman finally stood to leave. The hour-long discussion with the Queen and the elvin leader had been draining, though productive.

Alex's mind replayed the key points of their conversation as he followed their guide, a young elvin warrior, out of the hall and into the winding paths of the elvin settlement.

The dragonborn woman walked beside him, her arms crossed and her steps purposeful, as if eager to reach their destination. The unconscious dragon boy was slung over Alex's shoulder this time, his steady breathing the only sound breaking the forest's natural silence.

After a few minutes, they reached a quaint guest house nestled among the towering trees, its walls adorned with intricate carvings of elvin lore. The warrior gestured for them to enter, bowing slightly before departing without a word.

Inside, the guest house was simple but elegant, with two spacious rooms and a common area lit by enchanted lanterns. The dragonborn woman immediately claimed one of the rooms, disappearing inside without so much as a glance back.

Alex sighed, stepping into the second room. It was large, with a single bed in the corner, a wooden table, and a chair. He carefully laid the dragon boy down on the bed, adjusting him into a comfortable position before stepping back.

For a moment, Alex stood there, staring at the boy.

"You're heavier than you look," he muttered under his breath, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He would give a thumbs up to the Dragonborn woman if she was here - for carrying him so much time without complaining.

"Well, it's natural given their sibling relationship..."

Finally, he turned to the other side of the room and sank onto the floor-length mattress prepared for him. The fatigue hit him like a wave as he leaned back, staring up at the ceiling.

His mind drifted to the meeting they had just finished.

Talking for nearly an hour had been taxing, but at least the Queen and the elvin leader were cooperative. They had discussed critical matters, including the immediate matter of providing a safe place for the hunter trainees and hunters, who would likely wake up soon.

Explaining the situation to them had been a necessary part of the plan, but Alex couldn't help but feel relieved that the elders hadn't interfered.

"They must've been too embarrassed to show their faces after that," Alex muttered, a small, tired chuckle escaping him. He could still see the elder Enthranel's flustered expression when the Queen had silenced him with a single glance.

Closing his eyes, Alex exhaled deeply. "Right… I still have to be there in person when they explain everything," he murmured to himself. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. "What a hassle…"
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But for now, the immediate problems were solved. The hunters would have a place to stay, the Queen and the elvin leader were on the same page as him, and there was finally a moment of peace.

A nap, he decided, would do him good before the next inevitable wave of chaos.

And so, as his mind quieted and his body relaxed, Alex closed his eyes and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, the sounds of the forest outside lulling him into a rare moment of rest.

_____ ___ _

About an hour later, the room's tranquil silence was broken by the faint tremble of the dragon boy's body. His eyelids fluttered, his breathing quickening as he stirred from unconsciousness. Memories flashed in his mind—a vivid image of a hand landing hard on his face, followed by darkness swallowing his vision.

With a groan, he rubbed his face, the phantom pain still lingering.

"Big sister?" he muttered subconsciously, the words leaving his lips before he realized. A shiver ran down his spine as goosebumps pricked his skin.

His draconic eyes squinted, taking in his surroundings.

The room was unfamiliar yet oddly serene, crafted from the inside of a massive tree. Soft light from enchanted lanterns cast intricate shadows across the walls. He recognized the craftsmanship—it was unmistakably elvin.

His gaze wandered further until it landed on the figure lying on the other side of the bed. The young man had a slightly cute yet mature face, his features calm in slumber. His well-built body was relaxed, and a faint, ethereal white light surrounded him, as if shielding him from harm.

The dragon boy tensed immediately, alarm bells ringing in his mind. His instincts screamed danger. Whoever this human was, his presence felt unnatural, like something far beyond ordinary.

Without a second thought, he prepared to strike, intending to disable the human before he could wake. But just as he moved, a hand landed sharply on the back of his head.

"Ah! Ow!" he yelped, doubling over in pain and clutching his head. The blow stung more than he expected.

Fuming, he turned, ready to lash out at whoever dared to strike him. His anger froze the moment he saw the culprit.

His breath hitched, and his eyes widened in recognition. "H-hi, Sister Z'nya," he stammered, forcing an awkward smile.

Z'nya, his elder sister, the dragonborn woman, stood there with her arms crossed, her golden eyes stern. She glanced briefly at the young man on the bed, then back at her brother. Flicking her fingers, she conjured a sound-blocking barrier around the sleeping human.

"Don't wake him up," she said, her voice calm but carrying a weight of authority. "He needs to rest."

The boy nodded quickly, terrified of earning another strike.

But his mind buzzed with questions. His sister wasn't the type to show concern for just anyone. Heck she never cared for him like this.

Thus, several questions immediately flooded into his mind.

Who was this human?

And why was she going out of her way to protect him?

Could it be...?

She finally developed feelings for someone?

His stone hearted sister?

No...

He needs to uncover the truth.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, he blurted, "W-Who is he?"

Z'nya's gaze softened as she looked at the young man, though her expression remained guarded.

"Our benefactor," she replied simply.

The boy tilted his head, puzzled. "Benefactor?"

Z'nya sighed, her tone shifting to one of explanation. "He is the one who freed me and saved you. The one who saved countless lives, prevented the destruction of this world, beat the Black Scourge at his own game, and dealt him considerable damage. I can continue but I will stop here."

Her golden eyes glimmered as she added with a calm finality, "In short—he is a Thaldrakos."

"!"

The boy's mouth fell open, the weight of his sister's words sinking in. He blinked a few times, his draconic pupils narrowing as if trying to process what he'd just heard. His lips parted, and the word left his mouth in a breathless murmur:

"Thaldrakos… Foe of Chaos?"

The title carried immense weight in their race.

It was not one to be thrown around lightly, nor was it bestowed easily.

Thaldrakos was a name revered in their culture, a pinnacle of what every individual aspired to become—a warrior who fought not just with strength, but with their entire being: body, mind, and soul.

Unlike the tales of heroes sung in other lands, a Thaldrakos was not some romantic figure who triumphed with ease or was unscathed by the trials they faced.

They were battle-scarred and relentless, their victories paid for in blood, sweat, and sheer will. To their race, a Thaldrakos embodied the ultimate ideal, a symbol of unyielding defiance against the forces of chaos and destruction, no matter how small or insignificant.

He swallowed hard, his gaze slowly shifting back to the young man sleeping so peacefully on the mattress.

For a moment, he didn't see just a human.

He saw something else—something far greater.

Alex lay there, his face calm and undisturbed, bathed in the faint glow of the enchanted lanterns. The boy's instincts, which had earlier screamed danger, now seemed to whisper something different.

Respect.

Reverence.

If it had been anyone else calling him a Thaldrakos, the boy would have scoffed, perhaps even laughed.

But it was his sister who had spoken the title—his sister, Z'nya, the prodigy and genius of the young generation, she was also the one who knew more about their culture, their ideals, and their history than anyone else he could name.

She was the one who had dedicated her entire life to walking the path of the Thaldrakos, striving to become one herself.

Her passion for their ways was unmatched, her knowledge deep and unwavering. If she believed this human to be worthy of the title, then it had to be true.

Something clicked in his mind, a sudden realization that sent a chill down his spine. His eyes widened, and his gaze darted to his sister.

"Wait…" he began, his voice barely a whisper. "Did you say he… saved me? But it was trainee Kael who—"

He froze mid-sentence, the realization hitting him like a bolt of lightning.

No… it couldn't be.

They looked different.

But there were countless ways to change appearances...

He turned to his sister, his face pale with disbelief but also tinged with hope. "You don't mean…?"

Z'nya's golden eyes softened, and she gave a small nod, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"Yes," she said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of truth. "He is the same person."