After Drake passed the bell tower, Hero regained consciousness.
His vision was greatly blurred and his whole body, except his head was paralyzed.
He muttered, "Uh… what happened?"
Drake looked at him and smiled, "We're almost to the Dragon Order. They will decide what happens to Sashiil. But for now, you need to rest. By using Final Destruction Wave, your body is exhausted and is acting strange."
"Yeah, I guess paralysis and visionary distortion can be classified as "strange"."
"You're so right! Anyways, rest so you can heal faster. We have a long trip ahead of-"
Just then, a blue dragon flew down and landed right in front of them. She had blue bangs and blue hair. She was about seven feet tall, just like the other dragons. She had a yellowish tan stomach. She was a water dragon.
She shouted, "Stop! You may not precede any further!"
Drake looked at her puzzled and replied, "Why not? It's not like you own this road!"
She looked at him and paused. Then, she shouted, "What are you talking about! I have my orders! Return from where you came from immediately!"
Drake looked at her and replied, "You're kinda cute… for a roadblock."
She looked at him and blushed.
"Wha-what! Don't forget that we are enemies… or did you!"
"No, but I don't think we were enemies from the start!"
Hero woke up and mumbled, "What's the matter? Why have you stopped?"
Drake replied, "Oh. There's an annoying roadblock in the way."
The dragon shouted, "Don't call me that!"
Drake grabbed his com-link and said, "Uhh… Yuin, we have a problem."
"What is it?" Yuin asked.
"There's an annoying roadblock in the way. What should I do?"
"Destroy it." Yuin replied.
Drake turned and looked at her and said, "He told me I should destroy you… if you don't mind. What do you think, Hero?"
Hero woke up again and mumbled in a confused manner, "What is this roadblock? You addressed it as a she, how do you know that? (Couldn't it be a boy boulder?)"
Hero thought Drake was talking about a boulder blocking the pathway.
Drake laughed and exclaimed, "She's a she alright! And she's hot!"
Hero thought, "I hope these are the after effects from the attack, otherwise Drake is flirting with a boulder!"
She looked at Drake even more embarrassed than before and yelled, "I AM NOT A ROADBLOCK! Stop calling me that! If you refuse to leave, then I will slay you! Prepare to die!"
She dashed forward and attempted to grab Drake's neck, but he backed up just in time to counter. He slammed her against his knee and grabbed her by the neck. He then laid three power punches to her stomach. He grabbed her again when he let her go, and smashed her head into the ground. He then applied pressure to her neck to make her fall asleep.
Suddenly, she flew up in the air and yelled, "Is that the best you can do?"
"No, but I can show you!"
Suddenly, Hero yawned and a huge fireball shot out of his mouth and hit the dragon. She fell to the floor with an "oof!". Drake looked at Hero, on his shoulders with astonishment. He wasn't impressed by the attack, but was by the fact that Hero could maintain his nap on Drake's shoulders and attack at the same time!
The girl got up and shouted, "You got lucky! Now, finish me!"
Drake looked at her puzzled and said, "I won't kill you! That's just crazy! I-"
Then, she flew off and headed toward the Dragon Order. Drake carried Hero and headed in the same direction.
When they arrived, Rei was there at the entrance and greeted them.
He said, "Welcome to the Dragon Order. How may I serve you?"
Drake laughed and said, "Okay Rei, stop joking around!"
Rei looked at him confused and asked, "How do you know my name? I have never seen you before!"
Drake looked at him shocked and replied, "It's me, Drake. This is Hero, your student. You trained him a year ago! How could you forget!"
Rei looked at him and replied, "If you need any help, you can go inside and talk to one of the Dragon Order. You should seriously get checked out. I've never trained anyone, I'm just a greeter."
Drake backed up slowly and walked away.
Suddenly, the blue dragon flew down and landed right next to them. She said, "See… you should have turned around. All of their memories were wiped clean by a man with a huge sword."
Ashley and Dylan weren't there. They probably left to find Hero.
Hero woke up on Drake's shoulders and said, "Let's go. Anyways, welcome to the team. My name is Hero, and this is Drake."
"What! I never said… Uhhh! Never mind! My name is Sarah. I was abandoned as a child and was forced to live in the mountains because no one excepted me." Sarah explained.
"I'm an orphan too. That man you saw… was my parents' murderer. I'll explain more when we walk because it's a LONG story!"
Then, Hero Drake and Sarah left the Dragon Order and headed eastward.
"…and that's why you should never come to a new world when there is a crazy scientist-type guy there waiting to study you "mate". He's a creepy guy." Hero said to Sarah.
While they were walking, Sarah asked Hero, "So… what was it like in Aeris? I never had a home… so what was it like?"
Hero smiled and then replied, "Those days… when I had my parents… I felt like I had everything. When tragedy struck, I realized that even simple things, like having parents, could destroy you on the inside if you lose them. I was forever scared, and the man who killed them, haunted my dreams. He will never get away with what he's done! I must kill him!"
All three stopped, and Drake and Sarah look in shock at Hero.
This was the first time they ever saw Hero angry. His eyes were glazed with hatred and his body was tense. Then, he regained focus and said, "Well anyways, let's continue. If we head in this direction, we're bound to find Yui."
Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared in the distant fog. Hero, Drake, and Sarah transformed into their dragon forms and got into their fighting stances.
Then, a voice called out to them, "That won't be necessary. I only want Hero, so come forth!"
Hero looked at Drake and Sarah and then walked into the fog. He looked around and spotted blood stains everywhere.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Hero stared in horror as he noticed Yui standing before him.
"I'm not asking for a fight, Yui, I just want to talk." Hero explained.
"I know. I was thinking the same." Yui replied.
Hero looked at him confused and asked, "W-what?"
"Let's just put it this way… I changed my mind. My father is an evil man. He's already destroyed countless villages along Vinifia's south and north coast. I was dispensable in his scheme. I didn't realize… that you still wanted to be my friend. After all I've done to you… you still liked me. You are truly strong… stronger than me. All I ask for is one thing. Will you be my friend?"
Hero smiled and replied, "You've always been my friend, so you will always remain my friend. Welcome to the team, Yui."
Drake turned and looked at Sarah and said, "I don't like this. Hero could be in trouble, and we're just standing here."
"Well, at least he's not with Yuin." Sarah replied.
"Very true. Yuin is crazy… a crazy scientist. It's scary that he wants to see Hero… and the white dragon… UHHH!" Drake added.
Then, Drake started puking as soon as he finished. Sarah took one good look at him and then felt sick to her stomach. Then, both started to laugh and throw up uncontrollably and didn't notice Hero and Yui both walk out of the fog.
Then, Drake's saw them and he stopped throwing up. He looked astonished and shouted, "Hero! Watch out! Yui is…"
"…Still my friend. Even though he worked for his father, he still wanted to be with us. His father forced him to kill many people and dragons. He's now part of the team."
Sarah and Drake both looked at each other confused, and shrugged.
Suddenly, Hero's com-link rang and he answered it.
"What is it, Yuin? Why did you call?" Hero asked.
"Bad news. The man who murdered your parents just destroyed another village of dragons south of the Dragon Order. If we don't do something fast, Vinifia will die." Yuin replied.
"We also have good news. Yui betrayed his father. He's on our team now! We also have a new teammate, Sarah." Hero replied.
"Is she a… white dragon?" Yuin asked.
"No. You're kinda scaring me…"
"Excellent! Now, head south to reach his father. This is the final battle. Surprise him by using your attack. Also, I interrogated Sashiil. He told me that there is an ambush set up somewhere near the Dragon Order, so be on your guard."
"Thanks Yuin, we will." Hero, Drake, Sarah, and their new member Yui left that spot and headed towards the Dragon Order. The fog just cleared, and it revealed a bright sunny day. For some reason, Hero couldn't help but think of Yuin. He was a very creepy guy. But then again, he was a scientist. Why would he be going after Hero? Did he go after Drake? Oh well… hopefully it'll stop. Hopefully.
While they were walking, Sarah asked, "So… Yui, why did you betray Hero?"
Yui looked at her and replied, "I was exiled from Hero's town, Aegis, and I believed that it was Hero's fault. He kept my secret… that I was an Iyallanos, one of the banished race. But, it was really my father's fault. He secretly sent his soldiers to take me away and deliver me to him. Then, he gave me the ultimate sword of light, the sword he couldn't wield. He gave me it, and told me I could destroy Hero, the weakling, with it."
Then, Hero looked at him with mad, evil eyes.
Yui looked at him, laughed and said, "No offense. That's what he said. Anyways, I accepted it and then he put me through intense training. You see, my sword, Luciis, is a key to unlock Soul Reaper's true potential. Exile, is also a key. Soul Reaper has two sides, light and dark, depending on the wielder's heart, soul, and mind. If the wielder's heart is pure, it will become a good sword. If the wielder's heart is impure, the sword will turn evil. The sword is linked directly to Hero's thoughts, feelings, reactions, and both worlds. If the sword is pure, peace and prosperity will fall upon the lands. If it turns evil, vice versa. Hero carries the fate of everyone on his shoulders."
Then, they all reached he Dragon Order, but everywhere was abandoned. Drake peeked inside of the main hall and found all of the dragons and the Dragon Order, including Rica.
He called out, "Hero, Yui, Sarah! I found 'em!"
When they ran over, one dragon flew over and attacked Drake. He fell to the ground and grabbed his bleeding arm.
"DRAKE!" Hero shouted.
He ran over and tried to help Drake, but some dragons carried him off.
Suddenly, a girl wearing black ninja suit jumped down from the ceiling and landed on a platform above the dragons. She had dark green hair and blue eyes.
Then, all the dragons bowed to her and she said, "Why slay dragons… when you can control them!"
The dragons' memories were erased. They stood still like puppets as if they were waiting for the girl's next command.
Hero looked at her and shouted, "What have you done with him!"
She laughed and replied, "The Dragonslayer Order has been searching for your friend for a long time. He used to work for us, but in the end, he betrayed his own comrades. It just so happens you have the legendary Dragon-X on your team! By sunset, I will have slain him personally, and his skin will be mounted on a wall in our hideout!"
Sarah looked at her and responded, "How could you do such a thing! You think that you can justify the fact that dragons always outmatched your family! You'll never get away with this!"
She looked at her and laughed. Then she replied, "Just try and come after us! We have built an army of dragons, who are loyal to us! The only thing we care about is slaying Dragon-X! Then, the Order will finally accept us and I will be the highest AND permanent member! Finally, I can be made a member of the Dragonslayer Order by slaying my first dragon! Then, we can slay all these dragons here."
Hero looked at her and said, "How could you! You're the one who's wrong! By slaying dragons… you're removing the protectors of this world! You're killing innocent lives! You deserve to-"
Just then, a dragon flew down and slashed at Hero. He took the blow as the dragon watched in horror.
The dragon was Rei.
Rei looked at Hero and muttered, "H-H-H- Hero?"
He was just starting to remember Hero. Sadly, he still wore the same, dorky yellow headband. Why didn't the Dragonslayer take it off for him?
"No! Grab him before he remembers fully!" the Dragonslayer screamed.
Then, several dragons grabbed him and took him away.
Rei screamed, "Hero! DRAKE Is located…."
Then, his voice trailed off and the Dragonslayer said to some dragons near her, "Go accompany them. Make sure they escort him to the prison on Lacaio Island. Give him another treatment, so his brain can be completely erased. For now, hold him in the prison on this island."
She turned and looked at Hero.
A dark, ominous purple aura was flowing next to him. His eyes were half glazed over, and his body was tense.
He muttered, "You won't get away with this! I will kill you!"
She laughed and replied, "You're weak. If we captured Dragon-X this easily, and he's the legendary dragon, who do you think you are? Dragon-X is the strongest dragon alive…you are NOTHING compared to him! Are you even a dragon! Transform now!"
Hero looked at her, smiled and said, "I don't care what you think. I'm not really even a dragon… I'm the Legendary Warrior!"
"Ha! The Legendary Warrior… how stupid! Drake is the Legendary Warrior, not you! Since you are a human, I should destroy you now… but, I will give you two offers. Die now, or become my loyal slave. It's your choice."
Hero looked up at her and smiled. "Is living a choice, cause that's what I'm choosing!"
Then, she blasted a hole in the ceiling with her staff and jumped onto the roof. She peered down through the newly opened hole and threw down a smoke grenade. Yellow smoke billowed out of the canister and every person automatically transformed into his or her dragon forms.
Yui questioned, "What! What is… happening!"
The Dragonslayer laughed and replied, "This smoke grenade is made of a special gas that makes humans faint, and exposes dragons. Dragons are instantly transformed when they inhale it… so that's why you changed!"
"I don't think so." said a mysterious voice.
Then, everyone looked at Hero. Hero was still in his human form!
The Dragonslayer looked down and questioned, "Wh-what! How could this… WHO ARE YOU!"
Hero looked at her and smiled in an evil way. He drew his sword and lifted it up high.
Suddenly, blades of darkness, similar to blades of wind, cut and slashed every one of the Dragonslayer's captive dragons. She and everyone looked in both shock and horror at Hero. The dragons were badly wounded and most were paralyzed.
Then, Hero said, "The Legendary Warrior and the legendary white dragon."
Out of fear, she disappeared and ran west towards the mountain range.
She used a special technique of the Dragonslayer Order. It was a move that made you disappear. When you were invisible, people couldn't see you escape. It was done by concentrating your soul energy.
Soul energy was the soul deep within your body. By using your soul, you become weak. Some special people can use their soul energy to attack foes, transform or make an elemental attack. For a dragon to transform into a human, he must use his soul energy.
Yui transformed back, because the gas wore off, and grabbed his sword. He ran over and clashed swords with Hero. Hero's eyes returned to normal, and Hero and his friends huddled together. Then, light beamed from both swords and the group was instantaneously warped out of the Dragon Order main hall.
An hour later, Hero woke up.
He looked around and noticed they teleported to the cave near the Dragon Order.
It had been a long time since Hero had been in the cave. This was where Hero ran to when the Dragon Order.
Yui walked over to him and said, "Good, you're awake. I've done some researching, and the Dragonslayer Order is located near the mountain range close to Yuin's base. I'm going to stay here and wait for everyone to wake up. You should head to the cave that the Dragonslayer Order is hiding in. It'll take you two hours to get there and for it to be sunset time, so you must hurry! Good luck!"
"Two hours! That's not a lot of time! I better go!"
"Yeah… you better." Yui said casually.
Hero then took off running.
After two hours, it was almost sunset and Hero reached the cave.
"Phew! I'm glad it's not sunset yet!" Hero shouted.
Just then, Hero was surrounded with Dragonslayers! They looked like fierce warriors with steel broadswords. They all wore black ninja outfits with black headbands.
"Uhh… hi?" Hero said.
"You're a dragon, are you not?" one of them asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Hero asked.
"You must die!" one of them shouted.
They ran up and tried to kill Hero with their swords, but Hero was way too fast for them. He dodged all of their attacks and knocked all of them out. Then, he said quietly, "I'll let the Dragon Order take care of them."
On a wall above the entrance was the mark of the Dragonslayer Order. The mark consisted of three crosses; two small ones on either side of a big one. This mark was found on the back of all of the Dragonslayer's hands.
Hero ran inside and found Drake chained to the wall.
He ran to him and said, "It's ok. I'm gonna get you outta here!"
He noticed that his arms and legs were chained to the wall. Suddenly, a Dragonslayer ran up behind Hero, whacked him, and then chained him to the wall too.
After ten minutes passed, Hero woke up. Much to his dismay, he was chained to the wall. The shackles were made of lunikrite; the same metal Exile was made of. It can reflect any elemental attack, so he couldn't use his powers.
Hero looked at the Dragonslayer who just entered the room and asked, "So… where did you get your hands on lunikrite? The ore for this metal can only be found in the Oior mines in Aeris. How did you get your hands on this?"
"A kind man in a white overcoat gave them to me. Besides, why do you care? You'll be slain soon with your friend Drake! I can't wait to skin you both!" exclaimed the Dragonslayer girl from earlier.
"Finally, I, Kira, will be excepted into the Dragonslayer Order by slaying Dragon-X!"
Drake turned to her and asked, "And what are you planning to do to Hero? Slay me instead of him!"
"As you wish. I have orders to give him to the man in the white overcoat. He will slay him instead!" said Kira.
Then, she walked over to Drake, raised her sword to his head, held the trigger to charge the blast, and shouted, "Say goodbye, Dragon-X!"
The weapon was like a sword, but it had a trigger below the guard. It could concentrate and release energy to shock the enemy.
"GOODBYE KIRA!" shouted Drake.
He swung his tail at the weapon causing it to fall out of Kira's hands. The charged laser reached maximum and shot the shackle on Drake's right hand. The weapon skidded across the floor and Drake broke free.
"How did you…"
"Easy. Your weapon uses energy, not an element. That's why the shackles broke." Drake explained.
He broke Hero free and blasted a hole in the ceiling with his dragon fire. He flew out and headed towards Yuin's base.
Hero walked over to Kira, gripped her by the neck, and said, "Don't interfere with my mission. If you interrupt me again, you shall pay. Farwell."
Then, Hero let go of her, transformed, and flew away leaving Kira alone.
She looked up at the ceiling and shouted, "Dragon-X, Hero, you will both pay! I will slay you both!"
Then, the man who murdered Hero's parents walked into the room and said, "It seems you failed in destroying them, Kira. What shall I do to you?"
She looked at him and said, "I'm sorry. Next time…"
"… Next time you fail me, you will be slain. Do the job right or perish."
"Yes my lord, I will." she said.
Then, the man left the room and disappeared into the shadows.
Faron, her father, walked into the room and explained, "It's ok, Kira. We will slay Dragon-X soon. For now, we must plan our next attack. We must also slay Hero, the Legendary Warrior. If we do, we will regain our position as the best in the order."