As his adventures continued, he met a really old dragon all the way piled up in some central part of mountains. The creature was so old that even its wings were ragged. Its old glamorous scales lost their luster with age. It looked up to him, with wise, sorrowful eyes.
"I do not seek vengeance, young one," said the dragon, its voice rasping like an ancient wind. "I only seek peace."
His heart was trembling. This dragon was different from all others. Not a monster, just a victim like him. The dragon told him about the years of war, of how dragons had been protectors once but had fallen victim to their own might. It talked about regret and loss.
"Kill me if you will," the dragon said, "but know that there is more to this war than vengeance."
Those words struck deep into Rein. He felt hesitating for the first time. Was he really going to kill such a great creature, one so deep in agony? Was there no way to end the war without bloodshed?