Chapter 8

Five days before the incident…

"Oh? Lady Tiamat wants to see me?"

Suguru was outside, reading a book when Sukuna told him Lady Tiamat was looking for him. She was in the domain now and he should leave immediately. Suguru didn't understand, but he agreed. Sukuna merely led him to her, but he was left to deal with Lady Tiamat himself.

The great dragon goddess took notice and approached him. She smiled warmly to Suguru and explained she would like to borrow his help. He happily obliged as she led him out of the domain of all things. In fact, he was taken down the mountain to a strange clearing that had small rock formations and shrines.

"What is this?" he asked aloud.

"The Tooru family grave site. Ryomen has done a wonderful job in its maintenance." She said.

"Oh… but… why are we here?"

She smiled to him before reaching into a pocket on her dress. She took out an orb.

Suguru froze as he saw it surging. "What… is that?"

Lady Tiamat peered at it. "The soul of a dragon, who was a dear friend of mine," she explained. "You see, Suguru, my friend asked me to hold on to this for them, believing there would be a day that they would be needed…" She said offhandedly. "But, the situation is this, my friend had a very unique ability, even among the dragons. Yet, his power was greatly feared, so much so that they arranged his death accordingly. He knew this would happen, and asked a favor before he was killed years later. If something ever happened to him, to recover his soul and save it for a time needed."

He nodded to this. "You are very dedicated." He said with great admiration. "It's good to know when a favor is asked of you and you agree, it is in good hands."

She giggled to his words. "My goodness, Chusi put you through the ringer didn't she?"

"More or less…"

"Now, the reason why we are here. My friend's last bit of consciousness has been used up to tell me this…" she extended her hand and offered the orb to Suguru!

"What… why are you offering this to me!?" he demanded. "Lady Tiamat, I have killed mercilessly, pointlessly and in cold blood! I don't deserve this!"

Her smile didn't vanish, in fact she began to walk forward, forcing Suguru to stumble back and into the grave site of the Tooru clan. "My friend is not the only one who thinks so…"

He tried to move, but froze oddly. Slowly, he peered down and saw tree roots coil around his feet! "What… are you doing this?!"

"No, but the clan who rests here is… they know what Chusi has done, they know the effort that has gone into training you. As well, look at yourself. You took the lessons to heart! You complained here and there, but, you saw this through" she explained. "The old Suguru wouldn't have done so. They would have looked for ways to bring about their old idea into a new light and a new way. You wouldn't have changed at all if that was the case, but… do you feel you are the same person as before?"

He considered her words.

He knows he isn't the same as he once was, not after all that he endured and what can be recalled with Kenjaku using his body. He looked to Lady Tiamat once more. "Do you think I am worthy?"

She retracted her hand a little.

"Suguru Geto. I've been keeping a close eye on everything here, and from what I have seen, and what has yet to happen… this is the path for you." She said gently. "I won't force you to take this, but I do hope you consider the honor I am offering you. For among those here, the only one who can take this dragon soul, is you. For the characteristics are close to yours. Now then, if you do take this, understand your change will be different from the others. For their power was already decided on. This, will change yours"

"I… won't be a curse tamer?"

She ho hummed the notion.

"Not quite, but at the same time, you won't. This is what you risk, do you trust me when I say that you are the only one to take this dragon soul?"

He sighed. "It's not that I don't trust you… I don't trust me," Suguru said. "What if I fall on the same path as before? What happens then? If I become a dragon and abuse the power I was given… that soul is wasted. I don't think I am ready"

Yet as he spoke, those tree roots continued to coil up his leg. He didn't resist them, yet was curious as to why it continued to keep a grip like that on him.

"Suguru, life is about making mistakes. And you of all know the ones you have made, reflected and accepted your past missteps and errors in judgment. You have looked back on yourself and understood what you did wasn't the path to take. But now, I offer you another. The question is, will you follow it?"

He was conflicted.

Suguru knew he was being acknowledged, but was this right?

"What is making this tree root coil around me?" he asked.

Lady Tiamat smiled. "That would be the Tooru family, they are making certain you don't go anywhere… it appears that despite the fact they are not among us… they are here in other ways. Not to mention, they are watching this just as closely as I am. Now, Suguru…" she offered the orb once more. "What say you?"

He stared at it, the orb in her hand and yet…

Suguru reached out and swallowed it.

Instantly, the tree roots released him. He stood for a moment, but found nothing happened. "Did… I do this right?" he asked.

Then, he felt his heart stop!

The world blurred around him, just as his stomach acted up. The last thing Suguru could recall was the curses he contained… were working their way out of his body…