Chương 4: Picky eaters and snobbish warlocks

.. but he also hadn't expected it to be this confusing. Luna, the newly hatched Silksong dragon, sat in her little scarf-nest beneath the desk lamp, wings curled around herself like silk ribbons. She chirped and blinked her pale lavender eyes at him with absolute trust. And absolute hunger. He had tried everything.

"Here comes the bacon," he'd said earlier with a hopeful grin, holding up a bit of crispy breakfast glory. She sniffed it, licked it once, then sneezed a puff of shimmering mist into his coffee. Raw steak? Ignored. Boiled chicken? Turned her nose. Milk? Spilled and unappreciated.

"Water? Maybe?" He'd tried. She dipped a claw in it, stared at him like he was a disappointment, and let out a long, mournful whine.

"I am literally out of options," Josh groaned, flopping onto the couch and rubbing his temples. Then, a flicker of memory surfaced... half-buried, but vivid enough to make him sit up straight. The game! He quickly pulled up the description on his computer. The figurine he'd used was from Dragon Lord Saga IV: The Twilight Chorus. A collectible companion dragon. He'd used it in every magic-build run as a passive aura support, and there'd been a flavor text line in the game...

"These elegant creatures feed not on flesh, but light itself, drawn from stars, spells, and sacred lanterns." In the garage, stuffed in a drawer of random junk, was a heavy-duty laser pointer he'd bought years ago for a science fair trick that never happened.

"…No way," he muttered.

"Worth a shot." Thirty seconds later he had it powered, loaded with fresh batteries, and flicked it on. A sharp green beam lanced out across the room, settling on the wall. Luna's head snapped up. Her eyes locked on the point of light. She pounced, but not like a kitten chasing a dot. She opened her tiny jaws wide where the beam touched and, to Josh's complete disbelief, the light curved toward her, bending like silk in wind. It didn't disappear like normal.

It flowed, slow and shimmering, like the laser had turned to syrup, and Luna drank it. The effect was instant. Her wings fluttered. Her body relaxed. She let out a low, musical hum.

"…You're kidding me," Josh breathed.

"You eat light?!" He stared as she gently sipped at the beam, making tiny gulping noises, her scales pulsing faintly with each swallow.

"Princess! Guard Luna!" he ordered, grabbing his keys. His golden retriever snapped to attention with a sharp bark, then sat proudly in front of the dragon like a furry palace guard. Josh bolted out the door. Fifty minutes, three stores, and a suspicious conversation with a tech salesman later, he returned, arms full. Six strong laser pointers, high-output and rechargeable. Fifty packs of backup batteries. And a roll of duct tape, just in case. Princess gave him a welcoming bark as he entered.

Luna was still there, latched onto the laser beam like a baby bird to a feeding dropper. She gave a chirp of delight as he stepped in, then flapped her wings in demand.

"Alright, alright, coming through," Josh said. One by one, he flicked on the new lasers, positioning them around her like a ritual of sci-fi nourishment. The beams danced into her open mouth, and she greedily soaked them in, her body glowing slightly brighter with each one. She made soft humming and gulping sounds, like a flute drinking sunlight. Josh sank onto the floor, dropping the heavy shopping bag beside him.

"Whew… let's just hope fifty packs of batteries will last us a while," he muttered, watching Luna happily consume quantum soup for breakfast. Princess yawned, laid her head across Josh's knee, and wagged her tail. Luna belched a puff of twinkling light. Josh just smiled.

"This is gonna be weird… but I think we'll figure it out." Josh was lounging on the couch, still in his pajama pants, cradling a sleepy Luna against his chest. The tiny dragon's belly glowed with a soft inner light, gently pulsing from the recent feast of laser-fed energy. Her wings fluttered faintly as she dreamed, and her head was tucked beneath her silk-thin tail like a cat in repose. Josh smiled down at her, one hand stroking her smooth pearlescent scales. She made a soft, musical hum in her sleep.

Honestly, he did not go back to work… nor did he tell his boss about it. The asshole of an employer will stew as Josh even turned his phone to mute. If he was right, and he may very well be, his income will arrive from the other side. Then… ping. A golden window flickered open just above his head. [Incoming Prayer: Gaix Tahinor] [View Feed?]"Oh, Gaix is praying again?" Josh murmured.

"Let's see what he's up to." He tapped the icon, and the magical feed shimmered into view. Gaix was seated in a small, sparsely decorated chamber, stone walls, low light, and a single chair across from him that exuded authority like a black hole exudes gravity. In it sat a warlock draped in layered dark robes, runes pulsing along the hems. A hellhound the size of a pony rested at his feet, smoke curling from its maw, tongue lolling as it salivated openly at the sight of Gaix. The tension in the room was palpable.

Josh leaned in slightly, eyebrows raised.

"Yikes. This guy's got final boss vibes," he muttered, absently pulling a blanket over Luna's belly. On the feed, Gaix lowered his head, voice clear and firm, even if his hands were clasped a little too tightly.

"Oh please, my Lord Joshua Steel," Gaix intoned, "show a sign of yourself so others may see your majesty's power." Josh blinked.

"Wait, wait... he's calling me out in front of this dude?" The warlock across from Gaix looked… unimpressed, like someone who just got a whiff of spoiled fish. His expression screamed: What nonsense have you brought into my hall, boy? Josh exhaled slowly.

"I get what this is. That guy's trying to roast my dude." He set Luna gently onto the couch cushion, where she snuggled closer to Princess, and stood. His eyes scanned the corner where he kept a box of fantasy trinkets, collectible figurines, and toy weapons, items from conventions, tabletop games, game shops. A grin spread across his face.

"To hell with that," he said aloud, reaching into the box. He pulled out a thumb-sized plastic wolf, grey with flecks of silver paint. It looked fierce, but also noble, definitely one of those "starter pet" kind of creatures from some RPG. He had no idea where he got this figurine… still. Without hesitation, he shoved it into the blessing slot.

"Let's give them a show." In the room across the dimensional veil, magic flared. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. From a brilliant swirl of gold and storm-grey mist, a massive direwolf erupted into existence beside Gaix, towering, regal, and covered in the exact same silvery fur as the toy that birthed it. The hellhound whimpered from the icy cold aura of the wolf.

The master warlock leaned back, expression shifting from smug skepticism to alarmed curiosity. Josh didn't hesitate. He leaned forward, voice firm… hoping that his blessing can hear him again just like a cerberus did.

"You are Bastion," he said.

"And you shall serve Gaix the Warlock as his protector. Accept your role and introduce yourself." It was cringe as hell and if anyone here on Earth saw him, he would have turned beet red. But in that world… The wolf raised its head proudly.

"I was ordered by my creator to serve you as your guard and shield, Gaix the Warlock," the icy direwolf rumbled.

"You may call me Bastion." Then, with unexpected grace, the giant creature bowed its head to Gaix. Gaix stared for a breathless moment… then a grin slowly broke across his scarred face. He turned toward the space where the wolf had briefly looked, eyes rising slightly to the ceiling, and gave a deep, respectful bow. The feed faded. Back in his living room, Josh flopped back onto the couch, the ghost of a smirk still lingering.

"No one's gonna mess with my faithful follower," he said to himself chuckling. Luna stirred against his side, blinking blearily, then curled into his lap. Josh just leaned back, eyes on the ceiling, as his home filled with warm light and a quiet sense of victory. - - - - - - - - - - - The air shimmered with heat and arcane pressure moments before the main gate of the Vancott border city's magic society cracked open with a thunderous boom.

Out of the smoke strode Majorius, Arch-Warlock of the Ivory Circle, Supreme Arcanist of Vorthon's Flame, and self-declared Scourge of the Unworthy. His long crimson and obsidian robes trailed behind him like a spilled jar of ink, runes pulsing and shifting with every step. At his side lumbered a hellhound the size of a small horse, its muzzle wrapped in chains that sizzled with divine wards. Majorius stopped in the center of the foyer, raising one imperious eyebrow at the startled staff and guards.

"I received a summons," he announced, his voice like molten brass poured over cold steel.

"Someone in this humble provincial outpost claims to have discovered a new divine entity." The guards exchanged looks. No one said a word.

"If this is a joke," Majorius continued, slowly turning his eyes toward the assistant gnome who had written the letter, "I shall roast the jester and feed him to my hound." The gnome gulped.

"N-Not a jest, Master Majorius. His name is Gaix Tahinor. He's... waiting in the south chamber." Majorius rolled his eyes with dramatic flair and swept forward, the very walls of the building seeming to shrink in his presence. Gaix sat alone in the chamber, palms pressed together to stop their shaking. He wasn't sure if the sweat down his back was from nerves or from sitting beneath the enchanted oil-lamp chandelier overhead.

He had tried to look presentable—his brown tunic and traveler's cloak freshly dusted, and his staff neatly propped beside him. Still, the thought of facing Majorius, the walking embodiment of magical wrath, had his stomach tying itself in knots. The doors flung open with such force that one nearly rebounded back into the frame.

"Gaix Tahinor." Majorius entered like a thunderstorm given shape, his hellhound padding beside him with burning eyes.

"You're the poor sod who decided to waste my time?" Gaix stood and bowed deeply.

"I… yes. I mean no! I didn't mean to waste anything, I..."

"Oh please," Majorius sneered, gesturing with a lazy flick of his fingers.

"Spare me the drivel. Show me something tangible. I care not for mediocre spells or a tablet. If this is truely a powerful entity you dare call a deity then I want to see proof" As a warlock favoured by the Seven Winged God of Justice, he feared no lesser deity or spirit.

"I... I can prove it." Gaix cleared his throat and dropped to his knees beside the portable brass altar.

"Great Patron Joshua Steel, if you would show these doubters a sign…" Majorius snorted.

"Joshua Steel? What is that, a smith from the sky? Did your god forge farm tools and call it holy work?" He enjoyed roasting this lad far too much. The hellhound growled, but mostly from boredom. Gaix ignored the insult.

"I call upon your name once more. My life is yours to command. Please... show your presence." There was a moment of silence. Majorius turned, already reaching into his robes for the parchment to write a scathing reprimand. And then… Boom. A ripple of energy cracked the floor beneath the altar. A great silver glow burst from the brass bowl like a geyser of starlight. The room filled with cold and a low, otherworldly hum.

And standing there, proud and still, was a massive silver-furred direwolf, eyes glowing faintly blue. Majorius's mouth closed slowly. The hellhound feeling the icy energy yelped and backed away, whimpering. The cold being its weakness. Then the wolf spoke.

"I was ordered by my creator to serve you as your guard and shield, Gaix the Warlock," it said with perfect clarity and resonance.

"You may call me Bastion." The wolf bowed its head. Gaix's jaw dropped open, just as much in shock as satisfaction.

"He... he answered..." Majorius was still silent. His posture had not changed, but his entire presence had dimmed slightly, like a flame encountering wind. The glow of superiority flickered. Then, with a sigh worthy of a monarch conceding to a rival, he stepped forward and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Hmph. I see," he said.

"It appears I was... premature in my assessment." He looked at Gaix with narrowed eyes.

"This may not be a weak spirit or a lesser immortal…. and I am not blind to what I have witnessed." He waved his hand, and from within his sleeve a small satchel of gold coins floated down into Gaix's hands.

"Consider this a token for enduring my doubt. And a rare admission that I may… may… have misjudged." Gaix blinked.

"Th-thank you, my lord." Majorius was already halfway to the door.

"You are to compile everything on this... Joshua Steel. Visions. Boons. Words. Even dreams. I want every scrap of knowledge gathered and documented. The Ivory Circle will want it bound and reviewed."

"And... if he gives more signs?" Majorius stopped in the doorway.

"That would be preferable. If he is a good patron, many other warlocks may try and reach out to him.." And with that, the great warlock swept from the chamber, the hellhound trailing behind him with its tail tucked. Gaix turned back to Bastion, who sat calmly at his side, tail curled neatly around his paws.

"Well," Gaix breathed.

"I think I'm going to need a bigger notebook." - - - - - - - - - - - The following weeks were surprisingly entertaining for both Joshua and Gaix, albeit in very different ways. Gaix was invited by several adventuring parties. The fact he spoke with Majorius, and came out his head held high was alone a bombastic news. The other fact that his spells came endlessly made him an absolute treasure for any party.

This meant a whole lot of money and experience along with wish points for Gaix and an almost never ending entertainment for Josh who used Bastion or small birds for watch Gaix like a live TV. It beat cable by a massive margin. Then rrrrip...

"Luna! Not again!" Josh ran to the kitchen. There she was... Luna, his baby Silksong Dragon. Only three weeks had passed since she hatched, and already she was the size of Princess, his golden retriever. Both were currently having a contest of who could rip Josh's flip-flop from the mouth of the other. Luna had grown sleek and elegant… her body lithe, tail smooth, her spine ridgeless and swanlike.

Her horns were still blunt and nubby, like curved spoons, and her eyes had grown larger, now glimmering with emotion and frightening intelligence. She no longer looked like a hatchling, she looked like a scaled child with grace beyond her size. She was also eating five times a day, including at 3 a. m., which meant Josh hadn't had a proper night's sleep in a while. He rubbed his eyes and sat back down in his gaming chair with a groan. And then …

"Father?" Josh yelped and nearly fell backward, his arms flailing like a broken windmill.

"W-what the hell!?" Luna padded up beside him and nudged his ribs gently with her snout.

"Are you all right, Father?" she asked again, her voice inside his head. It was soft, distinctly feminine, and carried the hesitant rhythm of a child still learning speech. Josh blinked at her, wide-eyed.

"You... You can talk now?!" She tilted her head, a tiny pout forming.

"I've been able for a few days now. I didn't want to do it wrong... I waited." Her thoughts were clear, but the phrasing was clipped and simple—like she had memorized the words instead of spoken them naturally. Josh laughed in disbelief, then pulled her into a hug.

"I love it, kiddo. You're amazing."

"Yay." She wrapped her forelimbs around him clumsily.

"I love Dad too." At that moment, Princess, ever the social glue, seized the opportunity for a group snuggle. She leapt onto the couch and licked both of them with enough enthusiasm to soak a towel. Josh chuckled as Luna squealed in delight.

"Alright, alright! Enough love… I need to buy more flip-flops. You two are monsters."

"I'm not a monster," Luna protested sweetly. Josh grinned.

"You're right. You're my girl." And in the sunlit chaos of chewed shoes, a psychic dragon daughter, and a drooling golden retriever, Joshua Steel, accidental patron of a warlock, and now adoptive father to a magical creature, grinned like nothing else mattered. - - - - - - - - - Gaix was doing well. Exceptionally well. Money no longer being an issue and Bastion making sure no enemy dared to reach him. Better still, he had developed a habit.

Whenever he found a rare herb, a unique monster drop, or a magic core, he didn't sell it to alchemists or save it for trade. He offered it up at his portable altar with reverence, whispering gratitude to Joshua Steel. It was absolute worship, maintaining a divine bond with his deity. He also had almost seven hundred wish points. The lesser boon cost thirty-five, a normal one a hundred and a major boon cost a thousand. Still Gaix figured that the cerberus was actually a major one by accident.

No way that was the minor or his heart could not handle this deity. - - - - - - - - - Joshua, meanwhile, was having an entirely different kind of adventure. The money from Gaix's offerings was not a trickle. It was a steady flow, enough to make Josh sit down one morning with a calculator and laugh. Raising a magical dragon wasn't exactly a part-time gig. His expenses were up, yes… especially on batteries, laser pointers, and nonstop late-night feedings, but his income was astronomical by comparison.

In a single month, he had earned more than he used to make in a full year. Years of watching finance advice channels, prepper survival guides, and digital privacy videos had turned him into a cautious… if slightly eccentric investor. He hired a lawyer. Paid him generously. Avoided all major local banks and opened a Swiss account. If this amount of money and gemstones would flow to him… he had to be careful.

By the end of the third month, his assets between old savings and Gaix's offerings, totaled nearly half a million British pounds. Still, he lived modestly, all things considered. His house remained the same. His car still had a duct-taped bumper. The only real luxuries were food for his growing dragon, Luna and his golden retriever, Princess. Aside that his biggest expenses were a fresh set of clothing and a child sized bed that was delivered to his house.