Chapter 10:
Strum the World Back to Life!
As time passes, the three girls, now known as Eclipsera, hike up rocky and dusty trails.
Mizuki: “Eillia, tell me more about dragons! Do they breathe fire every time they sneeze? Do they eat rocks? Can they play drums with their tails?!”
Mizuki asked, bubbly and curiously. After being isekaied into a fantasy world herself, this was the first time she felt excited when it comes to meeting a race that only a fantasy world would have.
Sure, Dwarves and Elves are cool, but dragons? In a world where everything is decided by music? That is fantasy on a whole new level!
Eillia sighs softly.
Eillia: “They don’t eat rocks… And not every dragon breathes fire… And they have arms to play drums…”
Eillia explained patiently.
Frida: “Tch! You sound like a tourist guide. And…”
Frida turns to Mizuki with dead-looking eyes.
Frida: “Don’t get us roasted alive. Knowing idiots like you, getting roasted alive is possible…”
Mizuki: “Huhh!? Who’s an idiot, idiot!”
Both Mizuki and Frida start pushing their faces towards each other, trying to show who is boss.
Eillia: “Alright, alright… Let’s stop fighting and continue our journey, okay?”
Both girls stop their movements and turn away from each other in sync. Frida pouted and made a “hmmph” sound.
As they continue walking, Mizuki suddenly lights up and yells.
Mizuki: “Ohhh! I just remembered something!”
The two pause their steps in shock before Eillia sighs softly again.
Here we go again.
Eillia: “...What is it?”
Mizuki grins and laughs mischievously.
Mizuki: “Well…Back in Dwarven Town, when we were having breakfast, I overheard a rumour that there’s a Legendary Dragon Bassist in Dragonhill who plays only at night!”
Frida: “Who the hell overhears other people’s conversations? What are you, a creep!?”
Mizuki: “It’s called gathering intel!”
Mizuki continues with excitement.
Mizuki: “They said that her bass resonates through the hills at night, but no one has ever seen her up close! Legend or not— Let’s find her after we reach Dragonhill!”
After a short pause, Eillia spoke up skeptically.
Eillia: “Sounds like a bard’s exaggeration.”
Frida: “If it’s true, let’s hope she’s not a snob like my brother.”
Frida spoke, who was still annoyed at Mizuki but also half-hopeful.
Mizuki’s grin widens.
Mizuki: “It’s settled! We're tracking down the legendary bassist! Our fate is in store!”
***
And after a while, they finally reached Dragonhill.
There are echoes everywhere, caves scattered across the cliffs, and dragons soaring overhead.
Frida: “It’s… Majestic. Yet… A bit intimidating.”
Eillia: “Mizuki… So, after “gathering intel”, how are we gonna find this “Legendary Dragon Bassist”?”
Mizuki: “Good question. I have no idea!”
Both Frida and Eillia stare at her speechless.
After the long pause, Mizuki decided to speak up.
Mizuki: “It’s alright. Let’s ask for directions!”
Mizuki said cluelessly, but with enthusiasm in her tone. She started looking around and spotted a group of dragons.
The group of large dragons is sitting in a circle. With giant cards in their hands, they were complaining to one another about the rules, rather than yelling or fighting, as Mizuki would imagine before seeing a real dragon. Mizuki then starts walking towards the direction where the dragons are sitting.
Eillia: “Wait, Mizuki, take note that dragons are…”
But before Eillia could finish her sentence, Mizuki started waving eagerly at them.
Mizuki: “Hey! Excuse me, mighty dragons! Do you know where the Legendary Dragon Bassist hangs out?”
The dragons paused mid-game and slowly turned their enormous heads in Mizuki’s direction.
Silence.
???: “... Are you mocking us, little human?”
One of the dragons glared at her slightly.
???: “She’s trying to distract us so that we will make bad plays and ruin our game!”
Another dragon in the group growls. Seeing this, Eillia facepalmed.
Eillia: “Seriously!?”
Eillia attempts to mediate nervously, but Mizuki persists.
Mizuki: “Waaait… These cards look familiar… Dragons play old maid? The one where everyone pairs their cards, right? And the loser is the one stuck with the silly ‘old maid’ card at the end! That’s surprising!”
Mizuki blurts out curiously, causing the dragons to freeze.
Mizuki laughs innocently and continues. She raises her hand and points at one of the dragon’s hand cards.
Mizuki: “Pfft… Haha. You got the old maid!”
All the dragons looked at her with disbelief.
???: “No one… NO ONE laughs at my hand! That card has cursed me for SEVEN rounds straight!!”
The dragon, who is holding the “Old Maid” card, snapped before dropping his hand cards.
???: “You dare mock and ruin our game experience!?”
???: “I was about to win for the first time in a century!”
???: “That’s why we never let outsiders watch!”
Mizuki starts laughing awkwardly, as she takes a few steps back slowly and raises her arm, as if surrendering.
The biggest dragon in the group, who looks like the leader, raises his small but buff arms and points at Mizuki and the other two.
???: “SEIZE THEM!!!”
Frida: “Oh great, we are dragon food now...!”
As the group of dragons flies towards them, the trio starts running for their lives.
Note to self: dragons are more serious about card games than their treasure hoards.
Eillia: “It’s over… I'm stupid for putting my trust in this band leader… I love you, Aunt Shaua…”
Mizuki: “It’s okay, we are not dying! Don’t be overdramatic! These old geezers can’t even catch up…”
One of the dragons swooped down and opened its mouth wide, getting a little too close to the trio running away from them.
Before the dragon could reach and bite down, Mizuki stumbled but bounced back quickly and continued to run.
Mizuki: “Hah! All according to plan!”
Mizuki grins as she runs.
Frida: “Tch! It’s not the time to joke around...!”
Frida took out her drumsticks and started drumming on her own instrument case while running.
Frida: “We’re gonna die because of you!!! Dragons, dragons, go away!!”
Frida starts tearing up as she continues to drum while running for her life.
***
After hours of chasing, they finally found a rocky canyon to hide in.
The group of Dragons, unable to find them and also losing interest, decides to soar away. Leaving the trio exhausted but alive.
Eillia: “Whew…”
The three of them collapsed onto the floor, panting.
Mizuki: “I… I’m glad that we survived…”
Frida: “Isn’t this whole situation your fault!?”
Before Mizuki could reply, suddenly, low, deep bass notes rumble in the atmosphere.
It’s smooth and soulful, unlike anything they’ve heard before. The sound wraps the twilight in rhythm as it echoes off the cliffs.
Mizuki’s eyes start to sparkle.
Mizuki: “That’s it! That has to be her!”
Mizuki starts sneaking towards the sound, and the other two girls look at each other before sighing and following her hesitantly.
They spotted a silhouette in the distance: a slim, graceful, dark-scaled dragon playing a huge bass in the moonlight.
Frida: “A dragon… with a bass…”
Frida whispered as her eyes widened in awe.
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