Author's Note: Wow, a big flow of reviews from the previous chapter! I'm glad you are all enjoying the story as much as I am! Now this chapter I had to rush out a bit due to my going to ComicCon this week.
DeathstrokeNorris: When Kingdom or Empire 'Trains' a unit, they are technically creating one altogether. But one with its own history and livelihood. Think of it as like taking a civilian from off screen and putting it on screen as a soldier instead.
Drakefire: Growth Stage, ACTIVATED!
Life of a Zero Dragon
Chapter 16: The Butterfly Effect
"Louise…"
A voice echoed through the darkness, her mind blank, not being able to currently recollect what had transpired recently. Louise Francoise only continued to drift in the sea of the void, content in lying within its serene depths.
"Louise…"
Again, the call of her name echoed, who was it that disturbed the serenity that she currently enjoyed? Yet, as it voiced out, a feeling of cold touched her. The motionless terrain of emptiness being filled with color, a brush of pastel greens and blues coursing through with each stroke.
"Wake up, Louise!"
A bright light now shone through, blinding her metaphysical vision before sight once again graced her and her eyes opened to see the ever present blue skies and white fluffy clouds hang overhead.
She turned her head, taking note of a small gray-colored dragon…
"Eris...dar?" Louise questioned with uncertainty as the feeling of drowsiness and numbness beginning leaving her body.
"Thank goodness…" Erisdar trailed off as he sat in relief, "You're okay."
Louise placed a hand on the grass beneath her, using it as support to sit upright. She groaned as her body begrudgingly obeyed her command, she shifted to avoid having her cloak being tugged on by her movements.
"What happened?" Louise asked her familiar, the blinked as her vision finally decided to fully focus and grant her the full view of the surrounding area.
"That's the question of the day isn't it?" Erisdar replied as he glanced around, "We should probably not stay in one place too long, though."
The noble girl began to shakingly stand on her feet, recollecting her balance before beginning to pat out the bits of dirt and grass that stuck to her uniform. She checked herself briefly, noting that outside a few small tears in her clothing it was otherwise in decent condition and that her wand lay on the ground.
Louise picked it up and placed it inside her wand holster. Best not to lose her only self-defense, even with her familiar's protection. The third daughter of the Valliere family looked towards the small Chosen Dragon.
"Where are we then? This is certainly no forest I've ever been in." She asked.
Indeed, the forest was a bit too… Peaceful. There was the sound of gentle raindrops yet it did not rain. The sounds of birds echoed through the woods and the sun shaft from above seemed to be perfectly placed… A bit too perfect.
It unnerved her, that such a place as this could feel so peaceful and natural, yet hold a contrasting artificial tone to it.
"Mmh… I don't know… Until I see more I can't really tell if it's part of the map or not," Erisdar replied to her.
"I don't believe any Halkeginia map displays a place like this," Louise commented, believing her familiar was referring to real geological maps. Then she recalled what he had said earlier. "You're right, and I don't want to stay here for long. We should fine Tabitha and Kirche so we can ride her dragon out of here."
Of course, if Erisdar was big enough she would've ridden him out, but he's still in the dragonet stage as he explained before.
Erisdar nodded in agreement, sniffing the air with his superior sense he stood on all four paws and began walking eastward.
"You know the way?" Louise questioned as the teenager began following her dragon familiar.
"No, but this way smells less of blood."
The noble could only flinch at the thought of what could possibly be in the other direction right now.
The denizens of Lockvale, which was the village's name that the Dragon Catcher currently resided in, have treated Rosina like they had known her for quite a while. The 6th Player had grown a bit used to their presence in the few days she's been here. But, this same boundless joy and friendly conversation only served to make her homesick. So, with a stout heart and determination, Rosina decided it was time to leave.
It was a harder decision than she thought.
"Good afternoon, Rosina!" Jacob, the suggorate leader of the village and the man that gave her shelter from the frozen landscape, greeted her.
"I see you are in good health," Rosina said in reply. "How's Elisa and William."
Jacob smiled, "Elisa is fine, with the snow storm having past it's been a lot easier for outdoor activities. I can find William and his friends hanging about near the fields."
"It still surprises me that you can grow crops in this weather." Rosina commented, "I know you stated that it's only the Fall, but it is nearing Winter is it not?"
"Living this far north on Albion has its perks, we make the crops that most don't even think of growing. It's why they sell so well, and also counts as the village's main source of income," Jacob explained to her. "But it looks like something is on your mind, how can I help you?"
"I don't know how you ever manage to do that," Rosina said, "But I think it's my time to leave the village. I still seek a way back home."
"Canterbury?" Jacob questioned.
"The same," She dares not press, any questions asked of modern day England would only lead to confusion.
"While I do not know of any town or city by that name, it does sound I'm sure you'll find it in the country someplace," Jacob reassured her.
"I hope so too, did you deal with those nobles?" Rosina changed the subject.
"Yes, happened when you were gone yesterday. They were taken by an escort of guardsmen. But even though we were promised to be left alone, I doubt they'll stay away forever," The man finished.
The Dragon Catcher recalled that she had spent nearly all of yesterday tracking down and destroying the Ice Revenant the caused the more than normal snow storms. The Ice Revenant was a type of ice-elemental from Warcraft III's map, Life of a Dragon Sequel.
She checked her inventory, gently providing the handle of the Item she received, Kelen's Dagger of Escape. This dagger, while not providing any passive bonus, did allow her a weakened version of the Blink ability. The chance of this dropping was astronomically low.
She was amazed the Map Maker hadn't spotted and removed the item considering how broken it was in usage. Rosina assumed if it had been any later version that 2.0, the item would have disappeared.
Rosina brought out a map she had received earlier, bringing it in front of Jacob. "We're here, right?" She said, pointing toward the northernmost region of the floating continent of Albion.
Yes, floating…
It was a hard pill to swallow.
What is this, one of those Japanese cartoon, anime things?
"Yes, if you follow this path it will lead you directly to Carlisle."
That name was identical to another city in England, this was way too convenient and suspicious. The more some names came up, the more she believed she was sent into the past.
But England was not a floating island, Scotland didn't exist, the landmasses were different in shape, and numerous towns and cities cease to be.
This was not Earth, simply because Earth didn't have two moons.
"Alright, but why did you mark the longest route there?" Rosina questioned.
"Ah, well, the region right here has been contested territory for many creatures. Recent news also says something else made its home there. So best to avoid that, Rosina." Jacob explained.
She nodded, "I'll make my way. Wish everyone well, I do not want to worry them."
"You're not going to tell them yourself?"
"No, they will seek to delay me as much as possible."
"That is true, you cannot blame them, someone of your strength is a valuable asset to the village." Jacob nodded in understanding.
"I'll take my leave."
"Brimir guide you, Rosina. The Frost Archer."
Cora Rune had decided to head northward, since having spoken to Tiffania she had learned quite a lot about the surrounding region. It was hard to grasp that all this time, she had been on a floating continent named Albion. The Fable reference wasn't lost on her if it was that. In any case, the Chosen Dragon decided it was best to find any sort of dragon nest that can provide her a color.
Color, also known as Element, are two interchangeable terms with a different meaning than that of the norm when playing Life of a Dragon.
There were a number of different colors, elements, to choose from for a Chosen Dragon.
Red, the element of flame and light.
Blue, the element of snow and ice.
Orange, the element of air and electricity.
Black, the element of earth and darkness.
Green, the element of grass and poison.
And finally, Nether, the element of chaos.
There were, of course, secret dragons to choose from, but with this strange transition, it'll be nearly impossible to become one of those.
Cora Rune didn't know if any other type of dragon was added in 2.0 or above. Frankly speaking, version 2.0 of Life of a Dragon Sequel wasn't even the latest one. She firmly knew that it was 2.1, but had been too excited to really voice the opinion.
Did the Map Maker host 2.0 because he was trying to test something?
Speaking of which… When she had returned to the orphanage, Cora had come across a note detailing the position of the Blue Dragon Nest. It was also solid proof that somebody was out there, someone also from the game.
Cora Rune reappeared after usage of the Blink ability. Immediately noticing that she stepped onto the snow. It was a good sign, as up ahead revealed a bunch of oddly displace mountains that did not seem native to the surrounding region.
Instinct took over.
The Chosen Dragon player finds her body suddenly as a number of throwing axes flew past her and embedded themselves in the nearby cliffside. Her paws brought up the snow as talons halted her movement. Cora's head whipped around to found the enemy, it stood tall, nearly eight feet, with blue skin covered in white furs holding two throwing axes in each hand.
"Frostbite Troll," Cora Rune stated. "A creep from Life of a Dragon…" She ducked as a few axes flew over her head, "Damn it."
The cooldown for her Blink ability checked out, and she activated it, disappearing and reappearing in a flash of blue lights behind the troll.
Then arrows flew.
Yes, arrows.
Her sight caught the vision of a green-cloaked figure, a brief moment and then she knew exactly who that was.
"The Dragon Catcher? Rosina!?"
Current Status:
Chosen Dragon Player 1: Saito Hiraga - Alive - Dragonet (Agility) Level 9
Chosen Dragon Player 2: Alex Storm - Alive - Hatchling (Strength) Level 2
Chosen Dragon Player 3: Asuna Godiva - Alive - Dragonet (Strength) Level 5
Chosen Dragon Player 4: Artos Archway - Alive - Dragonet (Agility) Level 7
Chosen Dragon Player 5: Cora Rune - Alive- Dragonet (Intelligence) Level 8
Dragon Slayer Player 6: Celdrahil - Alive - Slayer Level 7
Dragon Catcher Player 7: Rosina - Alive - Catcher Level 9
The Human Kingdom Player 8: Aylmer and Abigail - Alive - Royalty of Human Kingdom
The Fel Empire Player 9: Grom - Alive - King of Fel Empire
Mercenary Player 10: Elizabeth Loyal - Alive - Sorceress Level 2
Observer Map Maker: Map Maker - Alive - The World Editor