Investigate the rumbling.

Now everyone can hear it--the sounds of trees being knocked away, and foliage being crushed or torn. Through it all, you can even hear the creak of a trunk being delivered its final blow, followed by a crash from the tree hitting the ground, and then rolling down a hillside. It's a cacophony of destruction. Whatever is on its way is large and hefty, and cares little for the damage in its wake. Colourful birds rush into the sky like a rainbow explosion. Then suddenly, a half dozen rabbits come hopping out into the clearing. They see the party, panic once more, and then split in all different directions to flee somewhere else.

"Look, I told you!" Niki shouts.

Eva glares at her. "I'm not--"

Though everyone's attention fixates on the forest ahead as the thunder becomes near enough that you expect to see something seconds from now. However, the rushing slows, and soon the noises are slow and meticulous. Whatever is there, now moves cautiously, though the strength of the creature betrays its stealth. It definitely makes you more unnerved, however. It's either a wild animal that knows enough to hunt, or a monster more sentient, and is waiting for the right moment to strike. Knowing how some creatures are in this world, it could have any number of strange attacks, some of which could be from a range. The longer you wait, the more dangerous it becomes.

You hold your sword up, ready to block, dodge, or whatever else the situation calls for. Though you also step slowly closer. "Whatever's there, we mean you no harm. We crashed here. So really we're just waiting for the best way to leave. If this is your island, we aren't here to take it."

There's a long pause before an answer, but not before a sound. You hear a low rumbling. After a moment, you realize it's a great beast's guttural growl, but one that suggests an intelligence even before words follow. It seems to be thinking. "... Crashed?" it finally says. The voice is deep, though it may be lowering its voice even further to intimidate. You can't quite tell.

"Well, the reality is more confusing than that," you respond. "But kinda."

Then you see a shape manifest in the shadows. Between the trees, a singular red, reptile-like eye shines before a face of crimson scales. There's a scar over where the rightmost is shut. A claw extends out first, with nails as long and sharp as axe blades, and they tear into the dirt as the creature gradually emerges. Soon, the red dragon is fully in view. The first thing you notice, past its grandeur, is the wing on its left. The flesh is torn--badly damaged, far too much for flight to still be an easy task. It slams its foot down on the campfire, putting the flames out in an instant. It snarls deeply as hot smoke rushes from its nostrils.

"... Uh. Eva. What do you know about dragon lore?" you ask.

Eva backs up more swiftly than the rest, opting to hide partly behind you. "Well, the ones who seem to garner the most respect are gold and silver. They're some of the most powerful, and have an ancient reputation. Red and black though, some people say they're the most dangerous. Just as powerful, though they rarely seek validation from others."

"So Malakae if she didn't care what others thought of her. Truly scary."

"Do we slay it?" Niki asks.

You shake your head and step forward once more. "Dragon. Like I said, we didn't mean to end up here. If this is your territory, we'll be leaving as soon as we can."

She's not alone. I can feel something... No I can see it. There are a few other creatures between the shadows of the trees. You peer beyond the great red dragon to see much smaller figures lurking behind. The first appears to be a goblin. Next, a barely visible wing--harpy perhaps. There's something strange moving through the tall grass. It looks like slime of some sort, though the details are impossible to discern right now. You wonder if there are more as well.

There's something else you notice too. The dragon might look tough and worn, but you can make out little flowers decorating parts of its scales, mostly around the head.

"Leave," speaks the beast. The voice is more feminine than you first thought. "Leave now!" She raises her maw up towards the sky, and after she opens her teeth like a gate of iron, a stream of scorching hot flames cover the sun.

You can feel the heat from here. "She's protecting the others," you say.

"The others?" Eva asks.

"I see. That makes sense. A beast is far more dangerous when near its young," Gwynevere adds.

Peony takes your hand. "So maybe you aren't much different." She turns her eyes up to the dragon, unperturbed by the flames. "Please listen! Hero King Kyle Warren, also known as my handsome husband, only wishes to protect those he cares about. We're his to keep safe. So we don't wish to fight. Let's talk about this."

You slowly slide Lauo back into its scabbard and then raise your hands in peace. "And we just finished getting swallowed by an ancient creature of the sea. I assure you the last thing we want to do is hurt anyone on this island. The truth is we don't even know where we are right now."

The dragon once again ponders with a deep bellow. She flashes the gaze of her one eye down to those hiding nearby. Something is whispered, not by her, and you can't quite make it out. Though whatever it was, it made her think even longer. Nobody speaks as she does. After a few moments, she sighs and nods her mighty head. "If you try anything, I'll leave you a smoldering pile of ash."