Damien glanced around at his mismatched group, considering their next move. Blackie, ever poised and thoughtful, suddenly spoke up.
"If we're trying to find the first inheritor, perhaps we should search the Dragon World first. Earth's mightiest are only middling-level beings there. It could easily have been a dragon who received the inheritance."
Damien nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "You might be right. We'll head there first."
Fluffy puffed himself up dramatically, massive skeletal wings spreading wide. "Excellent! I shall lead the way and announce our glorious—"
"No," Damien interrupted firmly. "Fluffy, turn into your human form. We don't want to attract unnecessary attention."
Fluffy visibly recoiled, crimson eyes wide in disbelief. "Human form? Me? A majestic, ancient guardian beast of unparalleled glory becoming… becoming one of your small, fleshy, hairless—"
