Pallet scratched her head, unease flickering in her eyes.
Why isn't the Flame Spirit responding to his summons? Is he not the destined beast bound to its fire? she thought inwardly. Unknowingly smile curled on her corner lip.
"Maybe your claws need to touch the tree," she suggested hesitantly.
Following her instruction, I pressed my claws against the ancient trunk of the Ragnarok Flame Tree.
Sizzle…
The instant contact was made, the world changed.
What had been a gentle, pulsing glow erupted into a blinding inferno of light. Both Pallet and I stumbled back, shielding our eyes. The air thickened with sacred energy heavy enough to make my chest tighten. Deep within the trunk, something vast and primordial began to stir.
"Did you feel that?" Pallet whispered, her amber eyes wide with awe and fear. Her newly awakened senses detected far more than mine could. Whatever she felt it was magnificent… and terrifying.
"I felt it," I managed, voice trembling. The energy wasn't distant or divine anymore it was personal, raw, aware.
The tree was responding… to me.
The flames in the branches swirled into strange, rhythmic patterns, pulsing like ancient runes or a forgotten song. The temperature spiked, and the air filled with a scent both intoxicating and alien — sacred flame unlike any ordinary T-Rex fire.
"Great Flame Spirit," I called again, emboldened by the reaction. "I am Rider Rex, son of Scorchclaw. I failed to awaken through the traditional path please, show me another."
The response came instantly.
The colossal tree shuddered. Branches swayed without wind, light poured from every leaf and fruit, and the ground vibrated beneath our feet. Then a sound came — deep, resonant, ancient. A voice that wasn't a voice. Amused. Timeless.
Excitement surged through me but when I turned, Pallet's expression was pale with dread.
The Ragnarok Spirit… it's responding to him.
I was right. He isn't an ordinary tyrannosaur in a wyrmling shell.
Her whole body trembled with the weight of buried memories.
Yes… it's the same flame of destruction the breath once exhaled by the God of Ruin himself, the flame that erased nations and turned souls to ash.
"I prayed this wouldn't happen," she whispered under her breath. I can't let him awaken that power… not again.
"Rider!" Pallet suddenly grabbed my arm, her voice sharp. "Something's coming! I hear movement — in the forest!"
My stomach dropped. In our desperation, we had forgotten the risk of discovery. If others found us here, attempting forbidden spirit contact, both our families would be ruined.
"How close?" I whispered.
"Very close," she hissed. "Multiple T-Rex minutes away!"
The timing was cruel. Just as the spirit responded, we were about to be caught.
"We have to go!" Pallet tugged my arm.
"But the spirit's responding!" I protested. "This might be my only chance!"
"It won't matter if we're captured and banned from returning!" she snapped. "Move, Rider!"
"Great Spirit!" I cried desperately, turning back toward the radiant tree. "I will return when it is safe — please, remember my plea!"
"Move!" Pallet hissed, dragging me into the shadows.
We ran through the darkness — my clumsy wyrmling strides contrasting her swift, graceful movements. The forest loomed around us, a maze of glowing trunks and whispering leaves.
"This way," she murmured. "Stay low. No sound."
We crouched beneath a cluster of flame-trees just as a patrol entered the Sacred Grove. From our hiding spot, I saw three massive adult T-Rex bearing the Forgefire clan's marks.
"By the eternal flames…" one muttered, staring at the blazing tree. "What caused that? The spirit tree's never reacted like this outside ceremonies."
"Residual energy from today's awakenings, maybe?" another said uncertainly. "Some fruits were unusually strong this year."
I frowned inwardly. Pallet said multiple Rex were approaching… yet only two appear.
No — now wasn't the time to question her. I just followed quietly.
The journey back through the Flame Forest was a nightmare. Every rustle froze us. Every shadow felt like eyes watching. The Flame Tree's light still burned across the horizon — too bright, too visible. Someone, somewhere, would notice.
"My mother should still be in the healing chambers," I whispered as Scorchclaw territory came into view. "If we're careful, I can slip in unnoticed."
"If we move quietly, they won't see us," Pallet added softly.
I hesitated. "Do you think the Spirit will remember me? Will it help when I return?"
She turned back toward the Grove, the faint red glow painting her face in sorrow.
"After a reaction like that," she said quietly, "the Spirit will never forget you. The only question is whether that memory will bring blessing… or disaster."
Tears shimmered in her eyes. She turned away before I could speak.
"Why, Pallet? Why are you—" My voice faltered, but she was already walking away.
Was she crying for me?
Why tell me to stop, after all this?
My heart ached with questions.
She was so strong yet in that moment, I realized she was still just a girl burdened with fears I couldn't understand.
Hidden behind a tree, she stopped. With a frustrated growl, she slashed her claws across the bark, splitting it apart.
"Why must you be so kind… so innocent?" she whispered to the night. "If even a trace of your future self's evil remained, I could have slain you here."
Her claws trembled.
I don't know what led you to joining side of ghost demon dragon… but I won't let it happen in This life .
"This time," she vowed, voice fierce with conviction, "instead of becoming that monster you will follow my oders . "