Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2206: Conflict With The Thunderbirds

Grey told Sir Astarot what he had come for. He wanted to bring Eisendrache to the Dragon Mountains for training.

”That is no issue,” Sir Astarot replied without hesitation. ”He is a Dragon. He is welcome in the Dragon Mountains.”

Grey had not expected such a quick acceptance. He paused for a moment, then inclined his head. ”Thank you.”

”It is nothing.” Sir Astarot’s tone shifted, becoming more serious. ”Now that the favor is settled, we should move to the matter at hand.”

The silver Thunderbird spoke first, her voice still elegant and measured. Her pale eyes remained fixed on Grey. ”If the boy’s method is truly as you described, then launching an attack now would be the best course.”

The blue Thunderbird, still visibly irritated, forced himself to speak. ”She is right. As long as the Gnomes cannot use their puppets, our forces can crush them.”

Both Thunderbirds and Sir Astarot turned to Grey, waiting for his response. The young man, however, looked completely uninterested in the conversation. He was examining the interior of the tree with mild curiosity, as if the discussion had nothing to do with him.

”Grey?” Sir Astarot called when no answer came.

Grey lifted his head. ”Oh. Are you finished?”

”Yes,” Sir Astarot said. ”We only need confirmation from you on when we can begin the attack.”

Grey’s brows drew together slightly. ”Why would you need confirmation from me? I have no agreement with the Thunderbird Clan. What they do against their enemies has nothing to do with me.”

The blue Thunderbird’s expression turned ugly. Even the silver Thunderbird showed a flicker of clear annoyance.

Sir Astarot, however, was not surprised. He had spent enough time around Grey in the past to know the young man’s temperament. Grey was stubborn, fearless, and slow to forgive once he felt wronged. The earlier threat from the blue Thunderbird had almost certainly closed any chance of easy cooperation.

The old Dragon sighed. ”Grey, I understand you are upset about what was said. But we share a common enemy. Can you set the earlier conflict aside?”

Grey met Sir Astarot’s gaze directly. ”Sir Astarot, I respect you a great deal. You know that. But he threatened my life. If not for the respect I hold for you, I would already be gone. I will not overlook it. He threatened to take me by force, and I do not take that lightly.”

His voice remained steady, but there was no room for negotiation in it. The memory of the blue Thunderbird’s words and the pressure of its aura was still fresh. Had Sir Astarot not intervened, Grey had little doubt the bird would have tried to tear the method out of him by any means necessary. Helping someone who had shown that kind of intent held no appeal.

The blue Thunderbird’s feathers bristled. A low, harsh sound rose in its throat as its aura began to stir again. Before it could speak, the silver Thunderbird cut in, her tone still calm but carrying a note of genuine seriousness.

”I understand the reason for your anger,” she said. ”And I apologize for my companion’s threat.” She paused, then continued, ”You must also understand our position. We have lost many of our clan. We are desperate to end the Gnome assault. A method like yours is not something we can simply ignore. We hoped to learn it so we could use it not only here, but across the continent.”

”And I already told you it cannot be shared,” Grey replied, his voice sharpening. ”You refused to accept that. Do you think others have not gone to my father with the same request? I do not enjoy speaking with those who have shown they are willing to kill me. I will not work with them either.”

The blue Thunderbird’s claws flexed against the wooden floor. The temperature around its body rose noticeably as its temper slipped further. Only the steady weight of Sir Astarot’s aura kept it from lashing out.

”Listen, boy,” the blue Thunderbird said, forcing the words through clenched restraint. ”As a native of the Aurora Continent, it is your duty to fight for this land and all who live on it, just as we are doing.”

Grey’s reply was ice-cold. ”I can wait until your clan is wiped out before I make a move. One less clan will not change the overall war.”

The blue Thunderbird’s eyes flashed. Its voice turned sharp and cutting. ”And you believe one puny human can?”

”That is exactly why I am not helping you,” Grey answered without hesitation.

The blue Thunderbird’s aura surged violently. Feathers stood on end and a crackle of lightning danced across its wings. Even the silver Thunderbird’s expression cooled, a clear edge of anger appearing in her pale eyes at Grey’s blunt dismissal of her entire clan’s survival.

She turned to Sir Astarot, silent but clearly expecting him to regain control of the situation.

Sir Astarot felt a deep headache forming. It was obvious Grey had no intention of offering any help to the Thunderbirds under the current circumstances.

”Enough,” the old Dragon said, his voice carrying quiet authority. ”We all started this conversation poorly. It would be best if everyone steps back for now. We will reconvene tonight.” He looked at each of them in turn. ”Agreed?”

”I am fine with anything as long as I do not have to remain in the same place as him,” Grey said evenly.

Sir Astarot’s eye twitched once, but he said nothing more to Grey. Instead he sent a short voice transmission to the two Thunderbirds, telling them they would continue later. Then he turned and left the great tree, Grey, Reynolds, Void, and the bunny leader following behind him.

When they reached the quieter place Sir Astarot had been using as his temporary quarters, the old Dragon finally stopped and looked at Grey.

”You are too stubborn,” he said, shaking his head with a long sigh.

Grey met his gaze without apology. ”Have you considered what he would have done to me if you had not been there?”

”I have,” Sir Astarot answered. ”That is the only reason I am still being this lenient with you.”

Grey fell silent for a moment. He knew the old Dragon was telling the truth. He was only a junior in front of three Half-God experts, yet he had spoken without restraint and none of them had forced the issue. That freedom existed solely because of Sir Astarot’s protection. Alone with the two Thunderbirds, the outcome would have been very different.