I Received System to Become Dragonborn

The moment Caelion explained that helping them would not be easy and they needed to do something for him, the four Dragonborn exchanged knowing glances.

Almost instantly, their telepathic connection linked their thoughts together.

"He’s going to send us on an errand first, isn’t he?" Eccar said, wearing a bitter smile.

"I hate this," Aesa replied coldly. "Let’s just break out of this cell and find what we need ourselves."

Erend smiled helplessly.

"Don’t be hasty," he told her. "You don’t actually mean that."

Aesa clicked her tongue inside the shared mental space but offered no argument. Erend knew her well enough to recognize that she was simply irritated. If she had truly intended to force their way out, she would have done it the moment the prison door had closed.

"Besides," Erend continued, "he’s trying to cooperate with us. That’s already more than we expected when we first arrived."

"It still feels like we’re being hired to do errands before we’ve even been released," Eccar said.

"Could be worse," Erend replied with a small grin. "At least he isn’t trying to execute us."

Eccar snorted. "Fair point. If that’s what happens we wouldn’t have a choice but to fight them."

Sylven never joined the conversation. He just stood quietly with his arms folded before letting out a long, resigned sigh.

He already knew exactly where this discussion would end. Whether they complained or not, they were going to accept the request anyway. There was little point wasting energy arguing about something that had already been decided.

The telepathic conversation ended only a heartbeat later.

Erend looked back toward Caelion.

"Of course," he said politely. "We’ve already asked for your help. It’s only fair that we help you in return."

For the first time since entering the prison, a faint smile appeared on Caelion’s face.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "I truly appreciate it. While you’re handling this matter, I’ll gather every historical record regarding the Sky Tyrant that I can obtain. By the time you return, I should have considerably more information for you."

"Sounds fair," Erend replied. "So... what exactly do you need us to do?"

Caelion’s expression became serious once more.

"There has been a growing problem along our eastern frontier," he began. "Beyond Skyhold Bastion there is a dangerous region called the Shattered Expanse. It marks the edge of our territory, where the influence of civilization begins to fade."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Over the past several months, monsters have been emerging from that region in unprecedented numbers. At first they appeared only occasionally but their attacks have become more frequent and increasingly organized. Several supply routes connecting nearby islands have already been abandoned.

"These aren’t ordinary monsters. Many of them possess unusually strong Magic, and have physical strength that makes them able to tear through enchanted fortifications. Patrols that once consisted of a dozen soldiers now require entire companies just to survive.

"I’ve considered sending my army to eliminate them, but..." He sighed. "The casualties would be severe. Even if we succeeded, too many of my soldiers would never return home."

Silence settled over the prison. Then Aesa spoke.

"So you’re sending us because you don’t have to worry about what happens to us?"

Her voice was calm and cold. Her icy blue eyes locked onto Caelion with an emotionless stare that sent an involuntary chill crawling down his spine.

The sudden question caught him completely off guard.

Until now, Erend had handled nearly all of the conversation. Aesa had remained silent from beginning to end. Because of that, hearing her cold voice now carried far greater weight than he had expected.

"I-I didn’t mean it like that," Caelion answered quickly, unable to hide the slight stammer in his voice. "I know the four of you have extraordinary power. From everything I’ve witnessed, you’re simply far more capable of dealing with a threat like this than either I or my soldiers."

Aesa watched him for another moment before quietly exhaling. She said nothing else.

The oppressive pressure that had filled the room gradually disappeared.

Erend smiled awkwardly, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"Don’t worry," he said. "We’ll take care of it. Killing monsters has always been our specialty."

Eccar grinned. "I’d say we’re overqualified. And if these creatures really are as dangerous as you say, it’s really is better that experienced fighters deal with them than ordinary soldiers."

Caelion looked at the four of them with visible relief. He truly had made the right decision.

Honestly, none of the Dragonborn considered the assignment particularly difficult. As Erend had said, battling monsters, destroying powerful enemies, and surviving impossible situations had become routine parts of their lives long ago.

Compared to facing corrupted Dragonborn, cosmic beings, or the horrors born from it, a monster infestation sounded almost relaxing.

"So," Erend asked, "when do we leave?"

"As soon as you’re ready," Caelion replied without hesitation.

—

Several days passed and then everything was finally prepared.

True to his word, Caelion arranged for the four Dragonborn to be released from their prison cell. Before they departed, servants brought them proper clothing that matched the customs of Elyndor, allowing them to blend in more naturally should they encounter other settlements during their journey.

Their new attire was both elegant and practical. They wore long tunics woven from light blue and gray fabric embroidered with subtle silver patterns that resembled drifting clouds.

Dark leather belts secured the garments around their waists, sturdy knee-high boots provided protection for long travels across rugged terrain.

Over everything, each of them wore a deep navy cloak lined with soft white fabric. The hood concealed much of their appearance, casting their faces in shadow while fluttering gently in the cool sky breeze.

Not long afterward, the four of them stood at the eastern edge of Skyhold Bastion.

Beyond the island stretched nothing but an endless sea of clouds beneath a brilliant blue sky. Countless floating islands drifted peacefully in the distance. The vast emptiness below disappeared into an unfathomable abyss.

Looking over the edge created the unsettling illusion that the world itself simply ended there.

Caelion stood beside them with his hands clasped behind his back. A handful of his most trusted soldiers waited several dozen meters away, giving the governor enough privacy to speak with their unusual guests.

"I believe all of you can fly," Caelion said.

Erend nodded. "Yes. We can."

"Good." Caelion pointed toward the eastern horizon. "Keep flying east. You’ll pass several smaller islands before reaching the frontier. Once you’re there, you won’t miss it. The monster-infested region is impossible to mistake. I wish you good fortune."

Eccar grinned. "And don’t forget what you promised us. We’ll be back soon."

Caelion gave a firm nod. "I won’t."

Without another word, the four Dragonborn stepped toward the edge of the floating island.

A moment later, four pairs of magnificent Dragon wings burst from their backs. Crimson, dark brown, icy blue, and emerald wings shimmered beneath the sunlight as it unfolded to their full span.

With a single powerful beat, they launched themselves into the open sky.

The wind roared past them as they soared effortlessly above the endless clouds, rapidly becoming distant silhouettes against the horizon.

Behind them, Caelion remained frozen.

His eyes widened as he watched the wings carrying the four strangers.

He slowly swallowed.

"It’s a good thing that I chose not to make enemies of them."," he muttered quietly to himself.

—