The End of the Blue Dragon

by KazeelBaYz

After returning from chaos that is Vollachia, Natsuki Subaru went to an old cavern first instead of meeting all of his friends. And armed with a memorised Legend and his Weapon, he went inside the cavern to make sure the Legend's ending isn't too bad.(L)

I look up at the large cave-like place.

The rock ceiling is higher than ever.

To fully look up at the ceiling I need to twist my head up by a lot.

I sighed.

I need to do this.

Even though I have my almost world-breaking Authority, I don't want to use it.

In fact, unless it's absolutely necessary, I would rather not use it at all.

After all, even with all of its potential, that Authority is not really a combat-type one.

My time spent trying to save the one who had saved me were not in vain, as I learnt the lesson of humility after failing over and over again.

My time spent trying to get along with a group of new faces were all apart of my lesson to learn the lesson of patience, of which saves both myself and all of them.

My time spent learning and overcoming of my naivety and ignorance that had gotten me a beat up from someone I want to call my friend, had also help me to discard my slothful nature and kept being diligence ever since. All of that come at the price as the person that had helped me the most at that time was gone.

My time spent learning of the value in relying on my friends, helped me lessen the burden of being someone with my power. Helped me to realize when I need to rely on the people around me, people who could and would help me. And helped me on my path to become a generous person, someone who would not take on everything alone.

All of the lesson learnt at those times helped me more than I could ever know when I was faced with the ridiculous situation such as the Cult attack on the city of Water Gate.

There were definitely a lot of moments during the Adventure of The Watchtower Explorer, that made me feels like giving up, that made me just want to chose an easier path. But even as someone who had not learned of any lessons on my time, that someone still was able to shrug off that gluttonous temptation and succeeded in his own way to contribute to the victory on the conquer of the Watchtower Arc.

All of those events help to shapes me into who I am today.

Even though there some despairing moments, I am grateful of the action I took and the result of it. Even if some of the results are less than desirable.

The ground beneath my feet shook and tremble.

It felt like a miniature earthquake of a sort is going on this very cave that I am unfortunately stuck in.

I knew exactly what creature made the ground it stepped on tremble with just its presence alone. It sounds exaggerated even in my own thinking, but I knew it's true. That creature is-

"Raaargh!"

"-Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cavern…"

I muttered out as I calmly gaze at massive figure of a dragon in the distance.

The dragon is indeed a dragon-like creature. With its mighty figure, two wings large enough to support its body to fly. With its strong arms and leg along with claws seemingly sharp enough to butcher the weakest me in mere moments. Covered in light blue coloured scale. Ominous eyes that would send even some of the strongest willed to their knees. And two horns, one around its supposed nose and another near the top of its head.

The dragon was supposed to protect the Mystic Cavern it resided on, it's perfectly reasonable for it to do so. People previously were able to meet the Dragon and sometimes stay in the Cavern without any punishment from the said Dragon. They were in some-sort of truce relationship and if there were no unwanted violence from either side, they will continue to co-exist for ages to come.

Unfortunately, the ending of that relationship was not a happy and peaceful one like that. On one fateful day, an adult human was to stumble into a secret-like entrance to the Cavern and uses it to enter it. The Dragon didn't notice anything really wrong with them using that entrance, which urges other to do it too. However, the problem started when the space around that area started to collapse, slowly and slowly until it collapses all at once. This anger the Dragon and it attack the people who it thought was the culprit of it.

Of course, it was not really the fault of either the human or the Dragon, as the collapse was the problem of the cavern being too old. When both the Human population and the Dragon realize their mistake, they both agreed to a final contract.

'The Dragon shall not leave nor harm anyone outside of the Cavern. The Human shall not go inside the Cavern and if there were those who do so, they shall be punished by the Wrath of the Dragon itself.'

Before that, the Dragon sometimes went outside the cavern to energize itself. Though even without that source of sunlight, its body could live for a longer lifespan that most if not all creatures.

So, as its source of sunlight was depleted, it made do with just slumbering inside the cavern for a long time. But, even with its body near immortality, its mind cannot take the seemingly eternal silence and solitude. And it broke. It tries to prevent such a tragedy, but there was nothing it really could do. It tries to slumber longer, tries to think of the faint memories of friendship it used to have, tries to just not think, in the extreme case. But it fails. With its mind broken, only its body could do its job. The only thing that it was capable of thinking of, and the last thing that it had thought in its final moment of sanity.

'Protect the Cavern'

And the protect the cavern it did. Even when a smaller animal accidently went inside the cavern, the Dragon with only its instinct alive, slaughtered the animal with its bare hands. The people were no exception, no human nor demi-humans are safe from its mindless judgement.

No one would even go anywhere near that cavern anymore.

Even the Witch Cult are no exception to that, and they actively avoided going anywhere near the Mystic Cavern.

Or so they said.

I believe the rumors whole-heartedly when it was saying that the Witch Cult are not maniacal enough to enter the cavern. However, it is a lie when it was said that no one dares to even go near the cavern. After all-

"One is already here…"

My lip curved into an innocent smile just thinking about it.

I observe the awake dragon that are somewhat standing in its resting place.

It had changed.

The appearance of the Blue Dragon was supposed be something that was described after the people of hundred of years ago saw the Dragon themselves. Which mean that the appearance of the Dragon was supposed to be as described if not perhaps a slight change here and there.

But it doesn't even look as close as what it was described to look as.

Its body is still massive as ever, almost reaching the height of the ever-taller ceiling of the Cavern. But that's about it. Its strong pair of arms and limbs looks frail, even with its claw still sharp. Its pair of wings that was supposed to be big enough to support its already massive body to fly, is thin and while it is big, the wings probably could only support around a few flapping to the sky before it fell. The body that was supposed to be covered in light blue colored scale is now covered with dark blue instead. And its ominous eyes look dead even though it is moving and breathing like its alive. It's supposed beautiful horns on its head are both rusted and darkened.

The Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cavern look more like a moving corpse than a living being at this very moment.

The atmosphere in the cavern thickened.

I expected that change to happen but it seems that it took longer than expected.

The Dragon has finally detected my presence.

"Raaaaargh!"

It roars once again, even the roar sound identical to its previous one.

I understand what that meant and what that implies.

The Dragon truly is long gone.

I clenched my fist.

My teeth are gritted and I reflexively glared at the abomination form of the one once known as the Guardian Dragon.

This is so unfair. Why was there such an ending? An ending that lead to this thing? It can't even be called the Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cavern anymore. Its mind and rationality and sanity had long since disappeared to who know where, its body preserved just enough to be classified as alive and its power is just a mere fragment of its former self. I pity it truly. It did not deserve such a sad and tragic fate.

I allow myself to express my sadness in the form of a tear leaking from my eyes.

I wonder, how would the people who had met and perhaps befriended the dragon before felt if they were to appear before this sorry-thing? Damned fate. They were probably already dead before the conflict against each other even began.

My hardened gaze looks up to the Living Corpse.

It registers me as an entity that were not here before, an intruder perhaps? If so, it will try to kill me and I cannot allow that.

My judgement was right as the Li.Co. immediately tries to claw at me with its hands. The strike was fast, experienced as if it had done such a thing for so many times to come.

But my mana enhanced body is faster than that strike. Thus, I was able to dodge the attack almost easily.

The Li.Co. looks seemingly puzzled at the though that an intruder manages to come out alive after its strike.

It doesn't take long for it to snap out of that state and it went for another attack using its other arm.

I dodged it too.

We both made eye contact.

I unsheathe the Holy Sword that was on my waist.

"Shine!"

I said in a louder tone, and the Sword complies to my will as the brightness of the sword fill up the cavern.

The Li.Co. froze at the seemingly unfamiliar light. It was so used to the darkness of the cavern that it was so shocked at seeing this supposedly new phenomena. Unbeknownst to either of the battler, a Dragon in its previously seemingly eternal slumber were nudged to wake up. The light that nudged the Dragon was as if someone went to wake up a child.

With the vision of the Li.Co. restricted, I went for a slash at its already severed tail. I wonder who was the one that had cut off its tail?

My Sword cut through the previously hard scale. There were no red nor blue blood that came out of the wound, only injured flesh.

I frowned once again.

…Its body truly is dead. Yet, its not dead. Is that just a Dragon Physique or is this Dragon body special?

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Yeah, every single thing about this Living Corpse makes it out so that it should be dead. From its mental to physical, they're all dead.

"So why?"

I dodged another strike from its arm, I counter attack by easily stabbing through it and jump back to gain distance.

Its fast, it has strength, yet, even I was able to injures the Li.Co. so easily.

"Then why?"

I haven't even use Aura yet. All of my feat so far is all just pure Mana Enhanced, and I still was able to almost beat the Li.Co. one-sidedly.

"Why are you still alive!?"

I shouted from the top of my lung. As loud as I could. I stare at the pathetic sight of the Li.Co. not knowing what to do anymore.

-It was said that the Blue Dragon was almost invincible. A flap of its wing will make a rush of wind windier than even the most advanced Wind level spell came. Its scratch will its opponent devastated and despaired at the absurdity of the strike and the impossibility to avoid it. Its tail strike will call upon a flood level concreted water in a small ball-like shape. And its fire breath was so hot that it could burn for years to come if not for its own will to stop it.

I see none of those. Not a single one of those legend. Not even just one of them.

I'm angry. I don't feel a single hint pride in defeating such a thing. I feel wrathful instead that such a legendary being was reduced to such a state. It was a feeling that I felt every single time I was fighting it. Every single time I slash and cut away at its flesh. I can't help but compare the legend and the Li.Co. I'm facing head-on right this very moment.

-The pity that I feel for it is equal to the wrath I have for it.

I tightly gripped the handle of my sword.

I can feel my Aura coursing through me. Enhancing my power, my speed, my stamina, my everything.

I look once again at the gaze of empty eye of the Living Corpse.

There is something changing in that gaze of it.

"Something…is definitely different."

I dodged the strike of its arm.

Did it get faster?

The strike was fiercer and more precise than the previous one.

Even using Aura at the moment, I feel just like I'm using Mana Enhancement when I'm facing this weirdly more powerful version the Living Corpse.

Is…this it?

I wait for an opportunity, the moment that scaled-creature strike its predictable strike, I will jump above it to inflict a damage to it. If I'm right or wrong, then, the result of my attack will confirm it.

I jumped above to dodge the strike of its arm.

I swiftly delivered a kick the arm of the creature to boost my jump and then aim for that attack and-

My Aura concentrated attack successfully manages to cut one arm of the creature. And with that I was face to face with the ever-hanging eyes of this creature.

Gravity pull me back to the ground and I once again gain distance to observe the change.

From the corpse-like dead eyes, to a slight glint, to an emotionless alive eye, to a realization, and finally, to anger filled with countless different emotions that were previously sealed inside.

With that-

"Roaaaaaaaaorgh!"

The whole cavern was once again filled with the forgotten wrathful rage of the Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cavern.

"This is it! The Dragon roar filled with pure emotions! To think that with just a slight exposure to Shiny's Light and my Aura could have woken you up…That is just incredible! Truly, you deserve the title as the second strongest of the old Legendary Dragon legacy!"

The Dragon look at me in an amused expression. Very different from the previously empty filled one before. Its body is half-dead, its soul is probably rotting away. If it survived our clash, then it would be no different than really dying as I would definitely cripple it first before I die.

But there's no way I'll just leave it at that.

I will do my best to defeat this Dragon once and for all!

"You knew…even if it's just for a few seconds, I want to fight you at your full strength. I myself am at my peak. I will probably get stronger from even if I did not do such a risky thing. I mean…to fight the one of the strongest Legendary Dragon ever at its full strength? Only an idiotic fool would do that, right? Oh well, looks who's here. An idiotic fool right at you! Even if I will die just from the exposure from your power, I don't care about that. Even if I will one day surpass you without actually clashing with you today, I won't accept that. At this moment, I want to fight you. That's why- Fight me! Blue Dragon!"

And sure enough. The Dragon of old responds-

It knew that it doesn't even have a really bright future anymore. Thus, it will deplete all of its remaining lifespan just for this fight. It is after all, a Legendary Dragon. Even with its pride damaged, it is one who will not back away from a sacred fight such as this.

The Dragon of old responds-

By exposing an imposing and impossibly potent aura.

It completely covered the cavern and the atmosphere become even more suffocating for normal people.

That is the real power of the Legendary Dragon.

Such stench of pure strength and power will make even some of the most powerful warrior faint.

"-You're finally going all out. Alright, I will do so as well."

My excited feeling for the battle makes my grin even wider.

I prepare myself to let loose all of my accumulated Energy, I rework my stance and footing so that I could stabilize myself before using all of my energy in one go.

I can feel the intense atmosphere coming from the Dragon increasing, and it keep increasing until it reaches the point where it was unheard of to be at, since so few were able to reach it after all.

I feel the handle of the Holy Sword and tighten my grip on it as usual.

The technique that would be used against this monstrously strong opponent will be of something I haven't used for a while.

It was for the better, since every time I uses it, it uses up all of my strength at once and I cannot control the amount used.

However- for this specific battle, this is the most useful thing ever.

I take a deep breath.

My other hand took hold of the Holy Sword as well, it is now used by both of my hands.

I made an eye contact with the Blue Dragon.

My face manages to smile in front of such a powerful being.

This time, it was such a wonderful thing as I'm not facing a Living Corpse.

I would always rather do a full-on battle rather than one last attack like the one we're the one doing, but…

Neither of us are at full power. And for the Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cavern, I don't think it will ever be in its full power again, its time for its peak had long passed.

And yet, for us to still rather do it all seriously at once rather than just half-hearted battle like the previous one with the Living Corpse?

-It makes my heart beat in excitement and respect.

"It's time, isn't it?"

We broke the eye contact. It will be the last of either of us seeing each other like that again. But there is no regret to be found.

Both of my hands ready up, I raise the Holy Sword above my head.

-The moment I swing it down, the battle will be at its start and its end.

I can feel my Mana leaving my Gate, entering the concentrated energy coursing through the Holy Sword along with my Aura.

I will win. I will not die here. Even against such a being as my opponent, I will still win. I believe in myself. I put enough trust in Natsuki Subaru to win. I, Natsuki Subaru will not die nor lose here.

Thus, I swing the sword down and yelled out its true name.

"Froundrish!"

The Holy Sword is the one that has chosen me as its only wielder. The sword is the one that chose to put its entire being into my possession rather than accepting reasons. That is the Sword that I could always trust to have my back and back me up even in the worst situation!

And sure enough-

"ROOOOOOOOOARGH!"

Even without any indication of what that breath technique was supposed to be, even without a slightest clue on what it was supposed to represent, The Legendary Blue Dragon roar and breath away its remaining lifespan into that single breath. The breath contains everything of pure destructive power, speed that it can reaches me in an instant if not for the light beam of my sword and even forcing me to smell its sheer strength within its breath.

-Unfortunately,

The last skill of the Dragon, known as the Heavenly Breath of the End while stronger than its opponent, fail to reach its target in the short amount of time it could be used for. The Light of Hope and Determination of the Holy Sword was enough to slow down that last attack until the Dragon that has breathed it was forced to stop from insufficient lifespans.

And the moment that the Last Breath stopped, was the moment the Dragon got purged by the brilliant light of its opposing star.

I hold on to my sword as a support to remain standing.

I did it. I defeated it. It was all a combined support of all the things I have learnt, and the partner that made it possible for me to defeat such a being.

But it seems I was right after all.

That Dragon lasted long, but its remaining life was already so short that it could be observed from how short the duration of the Heavenly Breath of the End. If it were any longer… I would definitely die.

"Hahaha, hahahaha!"

I laugh to myself at the luck I have. The last thing I was expecting was luck to help me out, after all of the things it had done to screw me over in the past. It seems that I will not just have bad luck all the time.

"Still, to think I could somewhat handle that Dragon even when I'm not at my strongest yet…truly amazing. I guess it's true, even Natsuki Subaru can get stronger…"

I manage to regain my posture to stands up using my sword, I will fall over, exhausted soon, but not yet, I have another thing that have to be done.

For the Dragon that has fought against the loneliness of time.

For the Dragon that has never back down from challenges.

And for the Dragon that has always do its best to the very end-

"Blue Dragon of the Mystic Cave, I hope that you will have a better life next time. And…perhaps in another world and in another time, we could have been friend. Thank you."