You know, when I said We have a beast to hunt, I expected for us to immediately go on the hunt. After such a cool line, I expected us to go on said hunt without a second to question. But no, while it motivated the girls, we didn't go.
We were currently seated in some sort of meeting room. I sat on a "throne". It was made with materials that were found around, mostly constructed by Gamma and Eta. It had wool to soften up the wood, and that's all there was.
"So this is what you failed on?"
Alpha asked as he looked at the papers Eta and I had written. I said I'd work with them tomorrow but something had caught their attention.
"This was by trial and error, no?"
"Yeah. We have no clue how words can manifest into power—we thought that if put in a specific order, we'd be able to know how they do so."
Epsilon grabbed one of the many papers and looked over it, a questioning look on her face.
"The book has no explanation on what any of these words do?"
"Lord Shadow and I went through every single page, nothing was mentioned."
"It's rare to hear that Lord Shadow "failed". It's not something that happens often—this would be the second time I've witnessed it."
That's what caught their attention—that I failed.
"Oh, Alpha-sama, what was the first time?"
"Lord Shadow told me how he failed to deceive his sister about how and where he was getting all his golden coins. While she doesn't seem to mind as long as he's with her, she knows they're not "legitimate"."
"Claire-sama sure is persistent…"
Beta said, a small smile on her features.
Everyone was present. The table in front of me was long, as opposed to the one in the dining area. I sat at the end of the table, the other end being empty. Alpha and Beta were to my left and right, followed by Gamma and Delta, Epsilon and Zeta, then Eta.
"The problem with the language is that there's no way to "understand" it."
"What will putting everything in random order do?"
Epsilon asked, her eyes filled with curiosity. She's currently the third strongest in terms of magic. First is Alpha, followed by Beta then her. She specializes in magic, to be more exact. Her control over slime and her overall growth has been quite outstanding to witness.
"We'd be able to figure out why. Let's use the cuffs for example. If Eta and I were to figure out a pattern, we'd be able to grab those words and extract what little information we could from them and how they work."
"Oh…"
"Lord Shadow. How could you understand "how" they work with just the pattern?"
"Using the cuffs again as an example. The cuffs give a small quantity of magic that's constant—it never changes. I feel the magic disrupting everytime I touch or wear them. But, understanding the pattern would allow me to understand "how" they work because if it's not the same, theoretically, it shouldn't be constant."
"The most minimal change would disrupt the magic imbued?"
"Exactly."
Zeta's a smart cookie, although at times she finds it a bit difficult to understand what I'm trying to say. But she still tries and at times understands, which is something I can applaud.
"Lord Shadow, as Zeta said…"
Epsilon spoke up. I turned to her, "What if magic was imbued in the language?"
Wait. I didn't think of that.
"Because what if the pattern has magic imbued to it, thus allowing the constant amount of magic imbued to flow?"
I didn't think of that!
"That's incredibly reasonable…"
If I send a set amount of magic into the words, it'd be a set amount of magic. The problem is, how are they able to sustain the magic if it's not being controlled?
"Alpha, hand me the book."
It landed right in front of me. I opened it.
Grabbing a bunch of random letters, I used a stick for this quick experiment. I wrote with a small slime knife random hieroglyphics into the wood and sent a small amount of magic to it.
"Lord Shadow! It's glowing!"
As Epsilon said, it's glowing. It's glowing my color—a deep purple shone from the hieroglyphics.
"The magic! It's constant!"
How? How can a language sustain the magic and keep it there?
"...How?" Asked Eta, as I finished. The hieroglyphics stopped glowing.
I looked at the stick, testing its weight. It didn't grow—it isn't heavier… but it's certainly more powerful.
But as Eta asked… How?
"It worked, Lord Shadow."
Alpha said, as she looked pleased by the results, but I didn't. I'm not.
"I need to understand this further…"
My running theory now:
The magic imbued onto wording and it keeps it constant, that much it obvious. The wording isn't the one keeping the magic constant though, it does it by itself, what the words do is chain it in the object—
"Lord Shadow…"
I turned to Alpha, who pointed to the stick I was holding.
"It dissipated."
I turned to my hand, I didn't feel anything in my grasp. It, as Alpha said, dissipated. No trace of it remained.
"It wasn't able to sustain my power…"
That's why most Artifacts, or in this case, the cuffs were made of metals. Better magic conductivity… which still sucked, but compared to what it could be (aka wood), it's better than nothing.
"Lord Shadow…" Eta spoke up, "What do you think?"
"Thanks to Epsilon, I understand why magic is imbued into it, yet I have no understanding as to how it does it. How can imbuing random hieroglyphics to an object create a sustainable place for magic?"
"Lord Shadow… What if the object is able to sustain the magic in of itself, what the language does is reinforce it?"
"That's reasonable, Epsilon, but there's still the question as to "how"."
Nothing maintained outside the body can be controlled nor constant—while you can bypass this, and most of my current magic research revolves around it, for it to be controlled-no, sustained that even having it standing on itself is an achievement. So how?
My "Magic Weapons" are formed on the basis that something outside of the grasp can be controlled, if your understanding of magic is good enough… if your control is good enough. But it takes that, "control", while the cuffs don't…
So how…
How?
—?!
Wait…
We're in a magical world. With elves, and beasts.
The same rules as my old world won't always apply. There won't always be a "reason" similar to that of my old world… Some of course do, since matter is always present—it'd be the same no matter the circumstances. Gravity is another factor… but… what if…
"Lord Shadow is pensive…"
The words main objective is to chain up the magic—it has to be constant for it to function properly; it has to be stable. That much we know. How can I figure out what the words do, if I don't have a proper understanding of the language?
I… don't have a clue.
Genuinely no idea—
Wait.
When I used the language on the stick, the magic was controlled… I had put a set amount whilst it was neutralized. I've been using that as my theory, "it has to be stable", but what if I use an unstable amount of magic?
I grabbed another stick (from where exactly, I don't know, but I have it) and began using hieroglyphics again.
"He's trying again…"
"You think Lord Shadow figured it out?"
"Bossman is smart! He definitely did!"
I imbued magic, but no set amount. I let Magic Overload happen and threw magic in there… It glowed once more… I neutralized my Magic Overload and watched.
The glowing took longer to die down compared to the previous amount—oh?
The hieroglyphics took the magic in, so did the stick, evenly sharing the magic, fifty fifty.
The hieroglyphics use the magic thrown in and use it to solidify the place where the magic would stay, thus letting it get accustomed to the object!
It neutralizes the amount of magic and allows the object to sustain the magic!
"I figured it out!"
The stick crumbled in my hands. So the chains are using the magic and it neutralizes on its own!
My only question now is: Does it decay, or does it remain the same no matter what? I'd assume not, since the cuffs are constant, there is no decay, it's just there.
"Magic is used by both the object and the language. It allows the magic to accommodate and be used without decay to some degree, thus allowing you to use it for long periods of time."
Epsilon raised her hand, I nodded,
"So how are the cuffs able to transfer the magic to a body, then get it back after they're no longer of use?"
Great question Epsilon! You've left me stuck once more!
"Bring me the cuffs."
In a matter of seconds, they appeared before me. I grabbed them and placed them on one hand, and with help of Alpha, in the other. I felt the magic traverse from the cuffs to me the moment I made contact with them…
So it doesn't transfer, then. It's like protons and electrons for that matter! Positive energy and negative energy attract each other—but in this case, it's no energy. It's magic particles. While not opposites, the chains feel the magic from one's body and immediately go to stop it.
Thus, meaning that a test subject was used when writing this inscription. The reason it didn't work? We didn't imbue power into it!
"Magic attracts each other to some degree. While not overly powerful, it's there. The cuffs' magic feels your own, and it travels to block the magic flow."
Beta and Epsilon were writing everything down.
I have to remember: Not everything is the same as my old world. There's things that clearly changed. Not everything will be identical. I have to further understand this world to understand even better the magic and how to better utilize it.
It's difficult, though, because here technology is pretty meh compared to my old world. While there's a lot of information around, there's not enough for me to continue with my studies and such.
Alpha took the cuffs off and I sighed in relief, to finally have a decent understanding on how this language works. Now if I figure out why they do that, I'd be happy, but I've already dealt with a headache… Now I have to find a way to utilize this to a degree that'd benefit me in battle.
How? If writing the language in of itself is quite the nuisance, then pouring magic into it would be troublesome? I don't know… but that's something I'll figure out.
"Anyways, with this out of the way."
As I said that, Eta grabbed all the papers and the chains. She placed the papers in a File Folder and the chains in a box with all the other ones.
"What is this "beast" that you were talking about earlier, Alpha?"
She looked at me.
"Beta and I have found a fallen capital. We knew it was there, although hidden by the Kingdom of Midgar, there was enough evidence for the Kingdom to be known. The whereabouts were a mystery, though. It took a while, but…"
"It's East of the Kingdom, quite far from where we currently are."
"Oh, is that so? You two sure work quick. It was only a few hours that Eta and I were working."
Alpha grinned before her face fell neutral,
"The Kingdom's Capital fell due to unknown reasons. There were stories thrown around, "The Geological position is inconvenient", "A civil war broke out", "Monsters from another world came to defeat the Kingdom and succeeded in their goal". There was no solid evidence that we could use to back-up any of the many claims."
"Alpha-sama and I went there, then, to see the destruction that was caused. It was pure destruction—no living being noticeable. Everything was dead, even the ground. Holes—craters were all over, but its geographic position is not only beautiful, but quite the spot for possible trades…"
Quick reminder: We're all near the same age… they know a lot!
"It is as Beta says, Lord Shadow."
"What about the beast, then?"
I could feel both Alpha and Beta's wary gaze as they looked at each other before turning back to me.
"A beast like no other. It was in deep sleep, but we could see it from afar. Couldn't really figure out the details on its appearance, but its power was tranquil and the being itself was quite large."
Oh?
"It's quite obvious that the beast did the damage. It laid in between rubble at the top of a small hill, Beta said that's where the castle would've stood. Not only that, but we couldn't even get close, as the ground was covered in poisonous mist…"
Oh!
Mist? That sounds interesting.
"And on a scale from one to ten, compared to you, Alpha, how strong did this beast seem?"
She shook her head, "There's no way I'd be able to defeat it."
Hm…
"Well then, you said it'd be best that "we all go there now, to deal with this beast.", no? Let's go."
I stood up without a care and walked out.
We were walking through a heavily dense forest. Thick wood, tall trees, tall grass, logs that have fallen.
We were walking on a path that I am not aware of. A pair of hands held to my head as two legs crossed in front of my chest and some weight accommodated in my shoulders.
"Gamma, please lighten the grip."
"Ah! Sorry Lord Shadow!"
She didn't let go, but at least the hold she had on my head wasn't as firm.
She had trouble not falling… a bit clumsy, some would say. And while it has improved especially with her use of Slime, it's still quite… not good. So for long walks or places where there's constant movement, I've taken it upon myself to let her sit on my shoulders so I don't have to worry much for her safety.
The moon light barely shone properly in the path we walked—the tall trees obscured most light.
Alpha and Beta led with torches in hand. Zeta was in front of me clearing the path, because according to her own words, "Lord Shadow, a deity such as yourself mustn't walk through rubble and ruins; mustn't walk through nuisances. A clear path is the least you deserve", and she's been giving me a clear path through it all.
Behind me were Delta, Epsilon and Eta, not really doing much, just following as was I.
I, as you could've told due to my deep voice, was in my Shadow outfit.
I looked around, trying to sense any life-force… I could feel nothing but one, other than ours. It was straight ahead, a few more minutes walking.
"So this is the far East of the Midgar Kingdom?"
The girls tried to convince me to not use torches, because "we work in Shadows, we have to get accustomed to darkness and its advantages and disadvantages", and while completely true, I can't think of any reason currently why we'd need to work in the shadows.
"Indeed, Lord Shadow."
Alpha said without turning back as she jumped over a boulder, Zeta grabbed said bolder and threw it to the left without a care in the world.
"We're nearing where the original capital of the Kingdom was."
Beta said as she walked side-by-side with Alpha. The two of them beelined it towards where I felt the life-force strongest at.
"Is this beast really that strong that we must pull Lord Shadow out to fight it?" Zeta asked as she crossed her arms, "I'm pretty sure we're more than capable enough. I don't want to bother our Lord."
"I don't think we could beat the beast that caused the havoc we're about to see."
Alpha and Beta walked up and pushed a bush to the side, and to view came everything.
"I see what you meant."
What she meant with "destroyed", rubbles and craters. That's all that could be seen! Nothing stood. No walls, no floors, no ground, even. It was all uneven, bumps all over the ground, craters and small hills of dirt and rubble. Where I felt the life force stood a chroma-colored being. The power it radiated while asleep was quite strong. Stronger than Alpha for sure, and even if the Seven of them worked together, they'd have quite a hard time dealing with it. In front of where the beast laid was an ocean. This is what Beta means by trades? Probably not, but it's quite beautiful, as Alpha said.
"What happened here, boss?" Delta asked. I knelt down, letting Gamma touch the ground as I looked downwards, towards the pain. It was covered in mist… Purple mist.
"Safe to assume, yet hard to figure out."
If what the girls tell me is true, then this being could've caused havoc for no reason. We have no details as to why, when or how it did it… and we don't even know if it did it…
I approached the mist, raising my hand to stop the girls from moving with me. I knelt down and sat in-between.
"As Alpha said. It is poisonous."
You can remove the particles of poison before it enters your body, and even once it enters, you can manipulate them to not be damaging. Quite the neat trick, I'd say.
How can this mist exist? It's actually quite unique. Is there a way for me to do something similar?
"Say, Alpha. How did you know this was poisonous?"
"I went in. I was quick to notice how the poison began to enter, and left immediately. I took about half an hour to remove all the poison that had entered."
So Alpha took a while to remove the poison? I tend to forget that I am still leagues above them—not to flex… but they're not there yet…
The mist itself had the poison effect all around the mist. I was neutralizing it and removing them per breath that I took, but I do wonder if I can remove them before they're even able to reach me?
I stretched my hand and concentrated on the magic. Its power was quite outstanding, I must say. I overpowered it, though, and—
Swin!
—The purple mist that even reached the beast glowed for a second. It grew a brighter purple—almost pink. It continued doing so, before a deep-purple took its place… my magic had taken control.
"Hmmm…"
All I did was spread my magic and overpower the previous one. While the mist isn't "magic", its poison, I used the magic to remove all the poison particles, and replaced them with my own magic particles, thus…
"Who's willing to try the mist now?"
I didn't have to neutralize every breath now, as no poison entered my body, but I needed to make sure that it'd be fine for them too.
Alpha was the first one to walk forward, and everyone followed her steps.
"Only Alpha can come, as she was the first one to walk."
Everyone froze and took three steps back. They act as if I'm a sergeant or something.
Alpha reached the mist and took a deep breath. I saw no poison particles enter, only my magic, which made it grow into her reserves… not to Magic Overload levels. Quite the opposite. Such a miniscule portion, one would barely notice… but it did grow.
"I can breathe just fine, Lord Shadow."
She said as her blue eyes turned to mine.
"Well then, I've removed the poison from this mist–"
Shake–Shake–
The ground began to shake… Something large had moved.
The life force I was feeling suddenly moved. I turned around, and looked towards where the beast previously slept. There's no way for me to tell, especially looking at the distance between the beast and I, but I have a feeling that it felt the magic—my magic.
"I have a feeling that it noticed my magic. Be wary, this fight I'm going to leave it to you girls." I said as I jumped up, and with magic manifested a purple platform for me to stand on. "And as Alpha said, she on her own wouldn't be able to defeat it."
I looked with curiosity in my position as the beast flew upwards. First thing to notice was its color. A beautiful silver-white that reflected the moon light. A huge beast. It had the torso of a human, yet the tail of a snake. It was covered in silver-white scales, although from afar one could see that the tails had a thinner layer that would allow easier and further penetration if needed.
How it flew was quite interesting. It only had two wings that connected to its back, yet they didn't connect entirely. They connected at two points: Near the neck of the beast, and where the tail and torso connected. In between there was a giant hole.
The wings themselves changed colors, from blue, to dark blue, to purple, to pink, to light blue, before going back to blue. A continuous cycle. They aren't wings like that of a bird, but they're flames, which is pretty cool.
Its chest had the hardest looking scales, and it had two arms, giving it a weird look. Something I just noticed though, all the scales were covered in unstable amounts of magic, yet they weren't unstable to the point it'd cause Magic Overload, I mean unstable as in potent. The head of the dragon was bigger than me, with ease. It had six horns which started silver-white before at the end turned golden. It had two light blue eyes and had four chrome-like whiskers.
Bolts of power coursed through its body, especially its shoulders and arms.
It flew closer to us, and—
〔It's unusual to see people around these parts. It's even more unusual to see kids.〕
—It spoke.
"Knowledge knows no limit, only yourself."
〔So you're in my land, looking for "knowledge"? Kids your age should be currently in school.〕
It flew closer towards us, majestically. Honestly I'm a bit jealous. Right in front of me was a dragon, flying towards us. Its wings glowed beautifully, and its body blocked the moonlight from us, giving it, the dragon, a more menacing look as it approached us.
"For a mere dragon, you have a sense of humor."
〔Live a life like mine, and you don't have much of an option.〕
"Weren't dragons extinct?!"
Beta asked below me. I sat on the platform I've built and looked downwards. They were all ready to fight, all ready to jump into action at any moment necessary.
〔Most did, young girl. Not many know that we use to rule the lands. Curious as to how you know…〕
The dragon landed before us and looked at Beta with a curious look, before I snapped my finger, bringing the attention back to me.
"Were you the reason for all the destruction behind you?"
I asked as it raised its head and looked at me.
〔I ask first, why are you all in my lands?〕
I could sense the hostility, I could feel the power as each word said sent a small wave of power, as if sending a message.
"Curiosity, some would say."
〔So you approach my lands because you're "curious"?〕
The Dragon sounds arrogant, prideful, and it sounds like it's trying to ridicule me.
"No destruction of this scale without a reason."
〔You're curious of its history, then?〕I nodded, 〔Things happen, promises are done, vows are broken. Are you satisfied?〕
"Hoh. You said that easily. Is there something else… some sort of treasure?"
I've read enough fairytales to know that Dragons are hoarders! They hold an obscene amount of loot after raids and such!
〔Hah, so you're after the treasure?〕
Jackpot!
I nodded with ease.
It grinned upon seeing my nod, 〔For a being such as yourself. You not only come here asking for "information", but the treasure I've had for centuries?〕
"The treasure is an after-thought. I'm more curious as to why."
〔Information of such levels and treasures kept for so long come with a price, you're aware of that, right?〕
A price? What's the point of paying if I'm getting the treasure?
"You don't need a "price". It'd be pointless, after all."
It growled at my comment… Was I rude?
〔Nothing is free. A price must be paid. That's the law.〕
"Law? You determine what's right and what's wrong. You can't let others do that for you."
〔That's a good mindset, but I've determined what's worth.〕
I looked at the dragon as it opened its mouth and its cheeked puffed.
〔No treasure will be in your hands of you don't earn it!〕
That's how it is?
Suddenly, before the dragon could do anything—
Thin!
A spear had tried to stab the dragon itself.
Zeta had jumped into action.
The dragon turned to where he was attacked and saw that Zeta had tried to stab him… I determined it's a man due to the way its voice sounds, but I don't know if it's a he or her… I'll continue with him though.
Zeta had tried to stab the dragon but used too little magic, especially since the scales were reinforced—bathed in magic.
The dragon spit something out of its mouth towards where Zeta stood. The mist. This was a limiter—limiting where they could go, sadly enough, my magic was still through the previous mist, so as soon as the mist landed on the ground, it converted to my own.
Zin! Zin! Zin Zin Zin Zin!
Delta had appeared behind the dragon, but he was using his tail to block all the attacks that Delta threw. Each claw that was reinforced with slime and magic was easily deflected.
The dragon flapped its wings, making Delta land on its back, and it spun insanely fast, grabbing Delta with one of its hands.
Delta used her strength but failed to get out, captured in the grasp of the dragon.
Alpha appeared before it, though, in its snout and stabbed downwards, the slime penetrating the dragon.
The dragon's magic accumulated in the stab area, and as soon as Alpha pulled the sword out, it quickly regenerated.
Alpha used this to her advantage though, jumping mid-air to avoid being eaten and forcing the dragon's attention towards her. She manipulated the slime to appear as tiny spikes beneath her shoes, so she could stab the dragon as she walked all over him.
She landed on its head.
The dragon twisted, before flying to its side, avoiding a stab from Zeta once more. It used her speed to his advantage, using his tail to slam her upwards, giving her height and thus a deadly fall if she didn't control it.
Swun!
Something flew past me, Epsilon carrying a scythe aimed for the dragon's neck, where no limbs and no mouth could reach.
The dragon, though, reinforced its neck and condensed the magic, before making it pour out of its neck, sending a gust of power and wind outwards, not letting Epsilon reach its neck. With Delta captured, Alpha on the dragon's head, Zeta flying in the sky, using it to her advantage, reinforcing the slime to such levels that with the momentum and magic, it'd penetrate any scale.
It began to twist—going in circles.
It did the job to send Alpha flying and confuse Zeta enough on what to do.
"Beta, reinforce your slime and attack the tail. Zeta, and I are going to save Delta." Alpha said as she landed. Delta growled, trying and failing to bite the dragon a multitude of times.
The dragon stopped twisting and opened its mouth, shooting flames towards the girls who avoided it with ease.
〔This one seems like a heavy-hitter. If I were to let her go, she could do considerable damage to me.〕
It used its tight on Delta and aimed it towards Eta, who was looking on what to do. A fist going directly in her direction.
Eta elegantly dodged, before she manifested a katana in her hand and jumped upwards, towards the dragon's belly—
Sa! Fsh!
—it served its purpose, as Alpha had stabbed the snout once more. The dragon glared at Alpha as Alpha calmly looked at the dragon. Another sword manifested in her free hand—
Thunk!
Eta couldn't stab him from beneath… The dragon was overwhelmed by sheer numbers, or so it looked.
Swin!
Zeta, though, worked wonders, as she rolled on top of the dragon to soothe the landing… but her attack went through the dragons like butter. It roared in pain, before Beta landed where Beta was and used the slime like Alpha had, forming small spikes on the shoes.
The dragon let go before it began twisting again…
RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The dragon roared—it was imbued with magic that was directed towards the nerves! It paralyzed everyone.
Alpha and the crew were frozen.
The dragon stopped twisting once everyone was nowhere near its body and it raised its arms.
A ball of pure power manifested. Magic is not condensed, but completely dangerous. The sphere was using the dragon's own magic as its own, taking it and growing further.
"R—" Delta tried to move. "Ruaaa!"
Her body thrashed around as she forced her body to move once more. She glared at the dragon. She wasn't paralyzed anymore. Quite the will you have, Delta. Everyone saw Delta move and all tried to move too.
Delta jumped once more, her slime manifesting as a sledgehammer but twice as big.
The dragon avoided a smash before it grabbed the hammer. The slime dematerialized and it flew back towards Delta. Delta used her previous momentum and landed on top of the dragon and—
Thunk!
—attacked with the sledgehammer—
A spear was thrown at the dragon.
"The magic in the scales is weakening! Let's use this to our advantage now!"
As the sphere above the dragon grew in power, it meant that less powers were going towards the dragon itself, thus weakening its defenses.
The spear had penetrated the dragon, as Epsilon had thrown it, imbued with huge amounts of magic. The slime dematerialized, but it did the job.
Eta used her Katana to cut multiple cuts in the dragon.
Alpha stabbed the dragon in the eye.
〔Run.〕
The sphere suddenly glowed brightly.
The Dragon had no more magic in him.
The sphere had it all.
But they didn't listen to him.
"Zeta! Delta!"
Alpha screamed as she increased the amount of magic she's using towards the dragon's throat.
It was using the fact it's weak currently, and forcing it to defend before it can let go of the attack, quite smart.
And it worked, as Alpha's weapon was enough to gain a reaction from the dragon. The glow stopped from the sphere and it went directly towards the dragon's throat.
But Alpha turned mid-air using magic aiming towards the stomach.
Stabbed.
And from above, too.
"Epsilon!"
The Dragons energy combusted and pushed Alpha away, before it threw flames towards the air. It used a limb and made the gas—the fire, liquids, and it all began to fall towards them, lava-like.
But Alpha was using this to her advantage, to attack at a different point—-beneath the dragon.
The dragon was still stabbed from above, as Delta and Zeta used the slime to deflect the lava.
The sphere exploded.
Swoon! Swoon! Swoon!
Beams of pure magic shot towards them, almost tentacle-like. Purple streams of pure power flying through the air, swirling and twisting mid-air. None of them came to me, funnily enough.
Best they can do is use the slime to block the beams itself—with a beam of slime of our own.
Delta and Zeta had landed and were using everything to dodge the beams.
Epsilon was using her own magic to counter his, but was being hit numerous times.
Beta and Gamma tried to do a bit of both.
Alpha was avoiding them with a bit of trouble, but she was doing decently fine.
"Is this it?!"
Gamma screamed as she stood up, bloodied. She's not a fighter, everyone knows that… yet…
"For our Lord, this is childsplay!"
She dashed towards the dragon, but it worked as a distraction.
Her blade manifested, a normal sword—all while injured.
The dragon had miniscule cuts, and beams from the sphere still shot around, so she needed to deflect and avoid, which she couldn't do very well… But Alpha was protecting her from it.
Alpha used this to her advantage and was running alongside an injured Epsilon, "Reinforce me!"
Epsilon began transferring her own magic to Alpha. Magic can recover, but it takes time, so Epsilon giving her magic to Alpha means that Alpha must do everything without Epsilon.
A light-blue aura surrounded Alpha as her power grew—not out of control. It's still my power, so it's neutralized, but strong enough to be able to survive any attack of the dragon.
Alpha's blade manifested once more.
The power she was pouring to it was quite potent.
The dragon, too, noticed.
The beams stopped shooting towards everyone else, mostly heading towards Alpha.
She used her blade to cut the beams as she dodged and weaved.
She used the magic and sped-up, avoiding the beams, and if any neared her, using the blade to stop their path.
The dragon began glowing a light purple… its magic was returning to it as the sphere began to dissipate.
The beams stayed, though, and they would until they reach a target—until it hits something.
They were all after Alpha, and until they hit something, they wouldn't stop.
〔Quite the strong one.〕
Beta joined Alpha and gave her magic, before using was little she had to block the beams, failing, though.
Zeta used this to her advantage, alongside Delta, and began attacking the dragon, but the dragon ignored all cuts, as it glared at Alpha… the light purple glowing brighter and brighter.
Gamma and Eta had joined Zeta and Delta, and were trying their hardest to injure the dragon, but the dragon didn't care. Healing them in a matter of seconds. It could heal everything but the one in its snout.
Alpha jumped and pointed the blade directly towards the dragon's chest.
"!"
It grabbed it—the power nullified in an instant. Fatigue hit Alpha…
The dragon opened its mouth to throw flames or mist, but Zeta grabbed some slime and threw it inside the dragon, choking it, forcing it to drop Alpha.
Its hands were heavily injured. Had that attack hit the dragon, he would've been fatally wounded. Good teamwork, I'd say.
For them to be fighting a dragon stronger than them by a long-shot and forcing it to defend, not giving him a break to attack is quite outstanding. Their teamwork is commendable…
Delta grabbed Alpha as she was barely conscious. Epsilon and Beta were panting, seated down in the ground. Zeta, Gamma and Eta were glaring at the dragon with fury.
"That's enough."
"That's enough."
My Lord spoke.
"You've all done well. It is my turn."
He dropped from his platform. Gamma, Eta and I took a few steps back as he landed behind us and approached the dragon.
"I'm proud of you all, let me take care of it."
As he said that, his magic erupted.
My Lord's magic shone brightly, a force field surrounded everything around us. A deep purple glow combined with magenta flashed through the sphere as the power it produced continued growing.
My Lord walked in front of us as the dragon looked at his surroundings.
〔Such raw power…〕
My Lord stretched his hand, almost as if inviting the dragon to a dance. I don't know if it was my Lord's intention, but it infuriated the dragon.
"After you, Mist Dragon."
The dragon roared as a deep purple light appeared in his chest. My Lord turned around and with the slime grabbed all seven of us and placed us behind him, a few feet back.
ROOOOOOOOOOOA!
The dragons magic erupted and it did an attack all to similar to my Lord's "I am Atomic" attack, as he says… as he calls it "Atomic"... but not as potent. A white light covered it all, but my Lord only raised his arm—
"For so much magical energy poured into it, it's rather flimsy, isn't it?"
—Lord Shadow poured his own magic and it neutralized the attack. Stopping it mid-way! No… wait…
〔You neutralized it…〕The dragon too took notice, as the attacked continue to grow in terms of size. Even when it reached us, it did no harm, merely curing us from fatigue and all damage we had taken.
Probably the reason why Alpha-sama recovered after the sphere was put up.
"A potent attack is no use if there's no technique behind it."
The dragon's attack dissipated as Lord Shadow walked forward, "Let me show you how it's truly done."
Suddenly Lord Shadow vanished from our sight! And from the look of things… from the dragon's too! The dragon had wide eyes as he stared everywhere, trying to find Lord Shadow!
"Atomic Arrow…" My Lord appeared beneath him—under the dragon's chin and pointed two fingers upwards. A deep purple arrow appeared in front of it, and shot towards the dragon's chin- piercing with ease.
The dragon's magic quickly regenerated, but it did the job, as Lord Shadow appeared once again above it.
"Atomic arrow!" The same attack from above, the dragon turned to above with the intention to parry but—
〔Where…〕
My Lord took the arrow with him and was nowhere to be—
Fsh!
—something cleaved the dragon's tail!
It roared in pain as a sphere appeared above the dragon once more—
"Kukuku…" My Lord chuckled, as the dragon's tail began to regrow. "Shower! Atomic Arrows!"
Inside the sphere—above us all, a bunch of arrows appeared! The dragon glared, and it's magic quickly turned into nothing, forcing everything into the sphere—
Flap!
It flapped its wings and increased its flight speed, heading towards our Lord.
Fist were thrown to our Lord, but he dodged with ease, grabbing one of the fists with his small hand and—
"Go!"
—The arrows above began falling and they all pierced the dragon with ease! All of them landed on the ground and made small explosions…
"The damage outwards doesn't matter as much as the one inside. With each arrow, miniscule particles of magic enter your body, damaging you internally."
My Lord…
The dragon tried and failed to heal, and the sphere seemingly… converted to my Lords…?
"This sphere that surrounds us constantly lets me grow in terms of magic reserves. It uses magic particles and magic flow that surrounds us and they all go directly into my body. Quite risky, but it helps since I can manipulate every particle in the air… your magic, being a prime example."
Lord Shadow has shown us this power before: It neutralizes our magic and when we try to use it, converts to his. He can decide for that to happen: sometimes allowing us to have the magic, or making it go to his own arsenal…
〔That's quite the power.〕The dragon said in respect as our Lord landed before him, having let go of the dragon, 〔It makes me more the eager to beat the living shit out of you!〕
The dragon began attacking Lord Shadow melee. A barrage of fists, tail swings, and fire was thrown at our Lord, but he avoided them with ease—with the most minimal effort.
My Lord manifested a blade behind the dragon—it glowed purple, so bright enough to even catch the attention of the dragon as it turned around to deflect the blade—it dissipated.
"Nuclear arrow…" The dragon turned back and saw an arrow flying right to its face—
Sound vanished-light vanished. All that we could see was Lord Shadow and the dragon as the arrow disappeared when it touched the dragon's snout.
A wave of light disappeared. All that was left was white. I could hear nothing. I could see nothing. I could feel the rest of Shadow Garden behind me, as we all cuddled together in the blinding light.
But my Lord's attack did no damage to me. Quite the opposite, it healed me… and I can only assume it was the same thing for everyone else. Nothing could be seen, nothing could be heard.
" #(& #" Someone tried to say something, but the deafening noise covered it. It didn't let any noise enter, and it didn't let any noise leave.
After a few minutes, Lord Shadow appeared in our vision, looking down as the dragon was beaten and bloodied. My Lord looked towards us, as we all hugged each other—all fatigue, all injuries and all worry left our body.
The dragon was bowing down to our Lord, and our Lord had a blade pointed at its head.
"That's what you wanted, no?"
The dragon was defeated with ease by our Lord.
〔…〕
The dragon said nothing, though, as it maintained its head bowed.
"Now tell me, Mist Dragon. Where is this treasure?"
〔Would you let me mark you as my Master, first?〕
Lord Shadow was taken back as the Dragon raised its head to look at our Lord.
"What do you mean?"
〔Someone with such prowess doesn't need "help" and has no need to take care of others, yet you do so. I have a feeling that you won't betray the trust I put on you, thus I'm willingly placing myself as your servant.〕
He's talking about us. Even though we barely made any damage to the dragon, our Lord defeated it in a matter of minutes!
"Why I appreciate the gesture, there's no need for you to go to such extents."
〔But I want to.〕
Convincing argument, if I do say so myself. I'd do the same, after all. Lord Shadow seemed weirded out by it, before he shrugged and nodded.
"Are you sure of this?"
The dragon nodded.
"Alright, then."
The dragon nodded once more, before mist left its mouth once more—this mist wasn't purple. No. It was light-pink. Lord Shadow stood in it, before a faint pink glow surrounded him, and a flash of purple surrounded my Lord.
"Done, I assume?"
The dragon nodded.
"Perfect. You're to listen to these girls in their time of need, no matter the circumstances. That's a direct order from me."
〔Of course, Master…〕
It's voice didn't fit it saying that.
"All I truly care for, currently, is the treasure. Lead us there."
The dragon nodded before it turned around. Lord Shadow mounted it, and we followed suit.
I'm currently riding a dragon! It's quite cool, if I do say so myself! The girls held onto dear life as the dragon flew quite quickly. Apparently I'm its master now, yet I forgot to ask for the gender.
"Neh, Mist."
〔Hm…〕
"I haven't been able to tell properly: are you a boy or a girl?"
The dragon chuckled. What's so funny?
〔Woman, Master.〕
Owwwww. I thought she was a he. That's my bad.
"I see…"
The flight was short. It was the same flight she took to get to us. The terrain was dead. Since I had removed the poison, it was safe for all of us to walk in the mist.
Once I got down, we were in where she was sleeping. I looked at her, wondering what she was going to do. I mean there's no treasure near here. Is she lying to me or something? She grinned, though. Why? Are you 'bout to attack me or something?
Her body started glowing a pink-silver, and she rose up—
"I think this is more ideal, is it not, master?"
—where the dragon once stood appeared a completely nude woman. She had silver-like metal hair, blue eyes that switched from blue to light purple every once in a while. She was as tall as Kaa-sama.
Oh, and she's naked.
"Y-You're the dragon?"
Beta asked as she stood behind me. The woman nodded, her eyes shining mischievously.
"Yup! That's me! Mist, as Master calls me!"
She had no horns, no whiskers, no sharp nails, nothing. Just a normal woman. She approached me and hugged me. Due to our height difference, my face collided against her you-know-what.
"So, what's your name, then? I saw you throw some mist, so I thought it was appropriate."
"It's actually Mist, as it's the name I've had for centuries, now. But can give me a new name if you want, master~"
I pulled my head out of her chest, and looked her in the eyes… "Kaida."
She blinked, before a grin appeared in her features, "It's lovely, Master!"
She pulled me into her chest once more.
I don't know why, but I felt my seven Shades anger increase.
"L-Lord Shadow, what does "Kaida" mean?"
In my Old World, when studying mythology, I found out about dragons and how respected they were in Japan. I don't remember if it's exactly this, but I'm pretty sure it meant "Little dragon"... I have to double check. How? Don't know. Pretty sure powerful entities such as Emperors and such had this name…
"It doesn't matter what it means, as long as my Master gave it to me, I'm happy with it!"
I just happened to accept her being my servant of sorts, and now I'm regretting it.
"Kaida." Alpha spoke up, "Can you take us to the treasure?"
Thank you, Alpha. Kaida perked up and let go of me, "Follow me."
Inside where she was resting—the crater, was a small hole to the side. A man-made cave. She was still naked, by the way. Why are you pouting, Beta?
The cave itself was lame. Not much to see, other than it was quite unstable. Shaking every now-and-then. The cave didn't even echo, which sucked! The stone if you give it the most miniscule of pushes will make everything fall. Quite scary.
Some light at the end of the cave—seemed like light reflecting off something.
We reached the end, my excitement was outstanding as we neared the treasure—
"This is the treasure I've kept, but now is yours, Master."
—WHERE IS THE TREASURE?!
No coins, no jewelry, no golden bars! Dragons are hoarders, are they not?! I don't care about no goddam book! I need the money! It's all been stolen after all! Well I wouldn't say stolen but Gamma sure is persistent when she says that she needs it for future goals and I don't want to be rude! I mean, I need the money to live a lazy life but c'mon! Where is the gold—I peered over my shoulder. Gamma also seemed sad. I bet she would've stolen everything from me if there were gold. You know what, it's not that bad. Any gold that I find without Gamma's presence near, is mine. If she is anywhere close, she'll try to steal it away!
"This book contains information on Ancient Civilization and how they utilized magic; this is what allowed me to grow strong."
This is your most prized possession? A book on how to grow strong? Really, Kaida? You've disappointed me. I dropped the magic changing my voice, as I really didn't want to continue with all dat.
"This is the treasure?"
Kaida blinked, before she shook her head—goddam they swing.
"No, there's more. But they're hidden in a separate cave. Do you want to go, Master?"
I grabbed the book—ancient language.
I opened it on a random page, and coincidentally enough I found ancient language. No, this is no "Ancient Language", but it explains THE FUCKING LANGUAGE! What are the chances?! Like actually! To be fair…
I looked at Kaida as she stared at me. She's… old, no? She said Centuries, after all. How old is she exactly?
"I have a feeling that you're thinking something rude, Master."
She grinned. Scary...
"Nah, just wondering how you were able to find something like this." I raised the book.
"I tend to hoard things that allow me to grow in terms of power: This book and its explanation on how humans were able to use words, "Ancient Language" to grow stronger really intrigued me. That book I stole after this Capital fell, and it's how I grew to my current strength."
"You used Ancient Language?"
"No, Cyan-haired girl. I used the explanation on how it works and used it as my own arsenal—not using the Ancient Language itself."
"How were you able to understand it, then?"
"You lack sleep…"
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Are they your servants too, Master?"
Yeah I should've seen this coming. Well they're not servants, although Zeta doesn't seem displeased with that comment... Niether does Alpha... neither does anyone else. Gotta switch the topic, quick.
"How does the Ancient Language neutralize the magic, Kaida?"
"All the language does is neutralize and divide the magic output; fifty for the object and fifty to sustain the magic within, Master."
I was right, then.
"Eta."
I handed her the book and she held it close to her chest. She immediately opened it and started trying to read.
"How did you use this for your magic, then?"
"Cyan-haired girl, that's how I was able to sustain the attacks. You don't need the language as long as you understand how it works, it'll be able to sustain itself… Just as Master was doing!"
I technically do that, then, but using a hundred percent of the magic… So ancient language is pretty much useless for me? Hm… There has to be another use? No? I'll figure that out later.
"I didn't use the language. I used my own magic."
Kaida blinked as she stared down at me, "Yeah. I didn't use the language. I've been using magic outside my body—hundred percent of the magic. Not divided by the Language."
She blinked once more… She seemed surprised.
"That's my master~!"
It's hard to breathe.
"But Master, that takes years of practice! Even I haven't even been able to control something like that! How old are you?"
"dwen."
She blinked. My voice was muffled, but I felt that she understood.
"You're ten?!"
I nodded, trapped in the fleshy prison.
"Oh! My Master is so talented~!"
"He's not only "your" Master, you know that, right?"
Is that jealousy I'm feeling in the air?
I left the prison and sighed. "Kaida, what are you going to do now? Are you going to stay here?"
She blinked, "I do what you want me to do, Master."
I blinked, she just became my "servant" and she's acting hella weird. I didn't even see this type of submission in those weird animes back in my old world.
"You can stay, if you like. I'll come visit once or twice a week. I have to go now, though. Claire is going to murder me."
I pointed towards the exit of the cave. Morning had arrived, and the sun was slowly showing through the cave.
"I'll see you all later, as I have a sister to deal with."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"You're not letting go?"
"No."
She didn't try to beat me up, only because I fell "asleep" in the toilet.
She was inevitably pissed as she roamed through the house searching for me. When she found me "sleeping" in the bathroom, she dragged me out and forced me to sleep with her on the couch, even if it was already morning.
"Cid."
"Hm?"
"According to Kaa-sama… some people are coming over to check on our health."
"Yeah? What about it? Normal doctors, no?"
"I have a sneaking suspicion that's not going to be that easy."
Hmmmmm… I feel her stressed up. Maybe I should do something, no? To make her feel better, I guess…
"Nee-san, want to go out for a bit?"
She sat up and let go of me, looking at me curiously, "It's rare for you to take initiative in such things. Are you sick?"
"What? No, Nee-san! I think it'd be nice for us to hang out without me being forced to every once in a while."
She looked up and down, then down and up, then up and down—yeah you get it.
"I hope you don't plan on running away?"
"Why would I run away from such an elegant and beautiful Nee-san?!"
That'd do it.
"Last time we went out on our own, some bandits attacked us, I don't know if you remember, Nee-san."
"I remember as clear as day, Cid… Thanks to those bounty hunters we're alive…"
Yeah so when I was six and she was eight, Nee-san wanted to hunt down something about the scarecrow, nascar… bandits? I don't remember. All I remember is that we went out at night to hunt them, (against my will, of course), and well… she boasted on how she'd defeat them.
It only took like three hits and she was down.
After I made sure she fainted, I quickly got rid of the trash, and then forcefully fainted next to her. They were quite easy to deal with…
She believes that it was some bounty hunters who saved our asses, but it was just me using my younger body to its limits.
We were walking currently in the middle of the day, a dirt path. Near where we live there's nothing to be seen, other than small lakes, rivers and such.
We were currently near the river bank where we train daily. She sat down and patted the ground next to her. I sat.
"Why were you sleeping in the toilet, pants down, hands up?"
"I don't remember. All I remember is waking up in the middle of the night to take a well deserved piss, but after I did and I flushed the toilet, I couldn't move… I fell asleep there."
"Hm…"
We stood there, quiet. The wind blew against us.
"My magic control has been better recently…"
She said, and I completely know why. After all, she has my magic…
"Is that so, Nee-san?"
"Yeah and that raises the question, what happened to yours? It just ceased to exist."
Oh… Yeah I'm constantly condensing my magic, and it's come to the point that it's so miniscule, Alpha can barely feel it herself. It feels as if I can create a goddamn blackhole—that's not a bad idea, actually…
"I don't know Nee-san, maybe I don't use it enough?"
She looked at me curiously.
The blackhole is a horrible idea, after all how can I stop it if it grows out of control? Yeah done-goof. No good.
"That's not it. You constantly use it when we spar—it's the only way for you to overpower me, even when I'm going easy…"
Yeah she's getting suspicious. Maybe I'll make up some lame excuse about it being a sickness that's reducing my magic capacity or something…
"I don't know, I feel it just fine, Nee-san…"
She sighed and laid her head against my shoulder, "Maybe I'll train you harder… maybe it is as you say, you don't train hard enough…?"
I said nothing as I just let her be. The grass is itchy, but I don't want to bother Nee-san.
Silence was all that was heard between us.
"Cid! Claire!"
After two hours, we were called. We turned slightly, just enough to see Kaa-sama running towards us. I assume this 'bout the doctors.
"Hah! Give me a minute…hah…" Kaa-sama held onto her knees as she took deep breaths. After a minute or two, she stood straight, "The doctor from Midgar Kingdom is over to check on you guys health. He's leaving soon, saying he has a multitude of people waiting for him. Let's hurry."
We nodded. After Nee-san stood up, I followed and we went walking towards our house.
After the walk, we entered our living room, and there was a young looking man. Brown hair, brown beard but no mustache. He had a white coat surrounding him and had some files… His magic was quite potent, which is quite surprising.
"Claire and Cid Kagenou, right?"
We both nodded. We were currently seated apart from each other.
"A pleasure! I'm doctor Jean Sato. I work for the Midgar Kingdom—" he showed an identification of sorts. It said his name, it showed an ink picture of him, and what he worked as. "—and I'm being sent to households searching and trying to see if there's anyone with a specific sickness. If I'm not mistaken, someone had come a year prior, no?"
Last year was when Nee-san's Magic Overload started taking effect.
"Yeah, Jean-kun. It is as you say. Last year Gorou-san was the one who came."
"Did he find anything?"
"Yeah, he said that Claire had something weird happening…" She looked confused, "But other than, there was really nothing else to it."
"And something you can add to that?" Kaa-sama looked at the doctor, "About what he meant when he said "something weird"."
"She had some weird black spots—" the doctor froze as a malicious grin appeared on his face, "But it disappeared. No other spots have appeared. I think she grew stronger, because she told me it was because Cid used to get good hits on her…"
Nee-san was frozen, as was the doctor who turned to look at Claire.
"Is that true, Claire-san? You don't have any more black spots?"
"Yeah, it's as Kaa-sama says. They've stopped showing up. I'm not letting Cid hit me anymore."
The doctor rapidly wrote stuff.
"And since when don't you have these blackspots anymore?"
Since this man is a doctor, I feel like Nee-san is more inclined to believe them… "Around six months ago…"
But this man is nothing but suspicious. The moment Kaa-sama mentioned something about the black spots which are the Magic Overload taking effect, he's been paying more attention.
"It just stopped? Nothing has popped back up again?"
"They never "popped up", as they were lucky hits by Cid."
The man wrote more stuff into a stack of papers.
"I see… anything else you have to add, Claire-san?"
"What do you need?"
"Did you feel sick? Something odd?"
"What?"
"When those blackspots appeared, did they have any effect on your body?"
Nee-san shook her head, "No. Those black spots were nothing but bruises. There's nothing more to it."
I know Nee-san is lying, as those spots are where the magic mostly concentrated before it continued coursing through the rest of your body.
The doctor stood up and nodded, "That's enough. I have more people to go to. Thank you all for your time, I hope you all have a nice day."
"Oh, no! Let me accompany you to the exit!"
Kaa-sama helped Jean as he grabbed his papers and left Nee-san and I in the living room.
"That guy was suspicious, Nee-san."
She nodded, "He knew what possession was and didn't say anything."
Yeah, the questions he was asking were too specific. I'm surprised Kaa-sama didn't catch on either.
"We'll deal with that as it comes, Nee-san. Let's go."
I stood up and stretched my hand, "Let's go back to the river bank."
She intertwined her arm around my own.
"Suspect: 112
Methy Davenport
Age: 14
Appearance:
Young blond girl, short hair, brown eyes. Short. Usually wears nothing but a dress.
Demon possession [✓]
Stage: Early. The possession is barely taking effect and is quite late compared to most."
A page was turned.
"Suspect: 115
Akemi Abiko
Age: 11
Appearance: Purple hair, light magenta eyes. Average height (for age).
Demon possession [✓]
Stage: Early. The possession is barely taking effect as of currently."
A page was turned.
"Suspect: 124
Claire Kagenou
Age: 12
Appearance: Raven/dark hair, red eyes. Average height (for age).
Demon possession: [X]
Stage: According to Jean, Claire Kagenou is clear from all possession—no possession was detected nor evident in Claire Kagenou's physical appearance."
A chair fell
Disbelief filled a man's face.
A muscular man looked at the paper in disbelief. He had gray hair. His eyes were filled with tears as his hands shook when holding the paper.
"Everyone! Call for everyone! Now!"
Looking around, one could tell that they were in some sort of underground base. Chandeliers were everything that let light shine through the multitude of cells.
This man stood in a cell of his own, but not imprisoned. Using it as an office of sorts.
"Found anything, Grease?"
Soldiers surrounded the man.
"We're to kidnap Claire Kagenou. We have a deadline of five days for this to happen. Get to work! Now!"
Author:
I am not the best at writing fight scenes. I tried, had like seven drafts and this one is the one I'm most proud of. Now, gon say som quick: Thank you for all the support, I really appreciate it. If you don't have an account and still leave a comment, please use a name so I can directly leave a message to you here at the bottom especially when it helps me understand things better or fix mistakes I've done in previous chapters! So this is for:
Guest: I didn't know the ages... or more like I had trouble following the ages through the wiki and light novel, so you clarifying really helped me out! I thank you!
DRAG0N0ID EX: Yeah thanks for poiting that. I was looking around if it was "Oto-san" or "Ota-san". I flipped a coin lel. I'll be fixing it later.
That'll be it, though. Thanks again for the support, hope you enjoyed.
CTN out~!