Chapter 661: It is time for you to return to the real Nerathis, Hero.

The enormous Steel Dragon, the Guardian Beast that even the mighty Sky Army trembled against, the ancient being who had made a Demi God lower his head—

That ancient entity bowed.

Both Kael and Lavinia widened their eyes in disbelief. The newborn in Kael’s hand looked at Ferrakar with his large golden eyes, Ferrakar kept his head lowered even when he sensed the newborn’s gaze.

The newborn stared at Ferrakar for a few moments, then he moved.

Kael felt him shift, so he carefully lowered his arms, the little Dragon stepped down onto the ground and moved towards Ferrakar with adorable little unsteady steps.

When he tripped, Kael held him, then, he let him walk again.

This was their private moment, so he stepped back and gave them the space they needed.

The little Dragon slowly wobbled all of the way, Ferrakar kept his head down the entire time.

It was a comical sight.

Especially since the newborn looked impossibly small compared to Ferrakar,

Then, suddenly—

As the newborn got close enough, as Ferrakar’s blood trembled at his presence, he placed his forehead against Ferrakar’s snout and—

"Father..."

He spoke in an absolutely adorable voice.

And Ferrakar’s body froze even more. For a moment, the ancient Steel Dragon did not move at all, then his eyes changed, the reverence those eyes held was still there, but now, a new emotion appeared—

Something... softer.

That one gentle touch made the Ancient Steel Dragon realise it.

The child before him had changed, his bloodline had turned into something far above his own, but...

He was still his child.

He was still the same little life that rested in the Egg he protected.

He was... still his son.

Ferrakar slowly closed his eyes.

The newborn stayed there, his small forehead pressed against the massive Dragon’s snout.

Both Kael and Lavinia remained silent at that sight, then, after a long long time, Ferrakar opened his eyes again.

"My child..."

He spoke in a very low, gentle voice.

"Father..."

The newborn Dragon repeated, he almost seemed shy.

It made Kael smile, Lavinia’s expression softened as well.

Ferrakar slowly raised one claw and moved it with more care than anyone in the entire world had ever seen from him.

Then, with the very tip of that enormous claw, he gently touched the newborn’s head.

The newborn’s eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying the thing that could tear apart even the most fearsome entities in the world touching his forehead.

Ferrakar stared at him.

For a long time, he only stared, then he looked at Kael, letting him join the moment, Kael smiled and walked closer, the newborn turned and looked at him. Kael crouched beside him and gently rubbed his back, the little Dragon leaned against his hand.

Ferrakar looked at that scene.

The ancient Steel Dragon didn’t say anything, but Kael could feel it.

Relief.

And... pain.

Kael looked at him and smiled.

"He needs a name."

Ferrakar’s eyes moved to him.

"Please name him."

Kael requested.

Ferrakar paused.

"What?"

"Please name him."

Kael repeated.

"You formed the Bond."

Ferrakar frowned.

"And?"

Kael only tilted his head.

"Shouldn’t you name him?"

Kael looked at the newborn Dragon.

The little one was standing between them, looking from Kael to Ferrakar with curious eyes, as if he understood that something important was happening.

"He is your child as well."

Kael answered and Ferrakar—

He didn’t know how he was supposed to react.

He had given the child away, he was prepared to let go, but...

Kael wasn’t going to allow that.

He won’t allow their connection to end after Ferrakar passed the child to him and Ferrakar—

He couldn’t be more grateful for it.

Ferrakar looked at Kael for a long time, then, he looked at his child, his child looked back with the same innocent golden eyes that somewhat matched his.

Then, in a voice much softer than before, he spoke.

"Vaelor."

He announced.

The newborn Dragon blinked, then he grinned, liking the name.

"Vaelor."

Kael looked at his child and repeated the name.

Then, Kael’s eyes turned golden—

[Name: Vaelor]

[Race: Origin Adamant Dragon]

[Rank: Eternal]

[Age: 0 Days]

[Level: 1]

[Strength: 26]

[Agility: 9]

[Speed: 8]

[Stamina: 28]

[Defense: 39]

[Mana: 20]

[Intelligence: 20]

[Charisma: 24]

[Strengths: Fortress Body, Origin Metal Affinity, Guardian Instinct, High Endurance.]

[Weaknesses: Inexperience, Slow Movement, Limited Control Over Origin Metal.]

...

’Strong...’

Kael thought in his head.

A defence stat of thirty-nine at level one...

Kael could see why the little thing had the potential to grow and become strong enough to protect an entire world.

For now, however, that did not matter, Kael only stared at his child and smiled. Vaelor smiled at him, Kael then nodded, letting Vaelor go to Ferrakar.

Then, the little dragon placed his head on Ferrakar’s snout again.

Ferrakar closed his eyes, sensing and enjoying the closeness.

Kael and Lavinia watched them quietly.

A few minutes later, Ferrakar finally opened his eyes, then, he looked at Kael,

"Vaelor."

He spoke.

"It means one who carries the vow of steel."

Kael looked at him and smiled.

"It’s a good name."

Ferrakar’s eyes softened a little.

"I’ve given it a long thought, years."

"And it shows."

Kael nodded.

Ferrakar nodded, then, he gently touched Vaelor’s head with his snout and—

"Go."

He spoke.

The newborn Dragon stared at him, then, after a moment, he turned and walked towards Kael.

He tripped again midway, Kael caught him and lifted him into his arms again, Vaelor cuddled into his chest, Ferrakar watched them.

This time, there was no pain in his eyes when he saw it.

There was only acceptance.

Kael held Vaelor carefully, then he looked at Ferrakar.

"I will take care of him."

And Ferrakar—

"I know."

He nodded.

Kael smiled at those words.

For a moment, there was silence.

Kael looked at the sky, it had returned to normal. He didn’t know how to react to that, he didn’t even know what these sky phenomena even meant, he just wondered how many people had caught on till now.

And while Kael was thinking about it all—

Ferrakar looked at him and—

"It is time for you to return to the real Nerathis, Hero."

He spoke directly and Kael’s expression changed.

"What...?"