Chapter 16 - A dragon's tale

The wings of dragon’s flapped beautifully through the sky. The land below was sprawling with forests and rivers, a sight I enjoyed.

Birds flew by in another unusual pattern of a G, making me want to ask the Goddess if she had something to do with this world's creation.

“Do you know if we are close?” The woman in armor asked as I held onto her waist.

“N- Not yet! We still have a bit to go!” I stated, Audrey nodded in understanding and turned back to flying.

I spotted Layla on the back of Wilfred’s dragon, scared of the height as she squeezed Wilfred’s waist tightly, Conrad was glad behind her, happy to not be suffering the same fate. Lard was with Ira and Ari, his expression was depressing. It appears that Audrey has no dragon of her own and shares with Ari on occasion.

Gideon kept to the front, leading the pack as he scanned the space around us for potential attackers.

This... This is intense.

After our victory, everyone made their way back to Gideon on the open road.

With those wounded getting checked up on by the soup loving knight, Gideon had us within proximity.

“You attest that Toshiro had won fair and in our established time?”

“Yes, my lord.” Audrey bowed.

She’s lying.

I distinctly remember it being passed noon, and I know her to have noticed the same. Was the offering of relaxation good enough to break her honorary vow?

“Hmph.” Gideon scuffed. “What now?”

With everyone’s attention on me, I felt the pressure.

“First- Ouch!” I winched.

“S- Sorry!” Layla apologized, being gentle as she bandaged my head.

“First... We will track down the Goddess, whatever reason Discordia has to take her means trouble for these lands.” I assumed.

“But Toshiro, sir.” Audrey spoke up, I have yet gained another supporter. “Our problem is the fact we cannot track the Goddess. Our dragons do not sense her power no more.”

“Is there a reason for this change?” Gideon asked the big question. One I didn’t know how to answer.

“The Goddess was dead.”

The three of us who also knew let our jaws drop at the reveal.

“C- Conrad!?” Layla snapped.

“I will not lie or conceal to Gideon. I wished for the safety of the town, and it has been granted, but my royalty is with Gideon and his cause. We should prioritize the Goddess’s mission.” He stated bluntly. Layla looked hurt.

“What is this about the death of the Goddess?” Gideon’s brow furrowed, anger reflected in his demanding eyes.

“I believe she’s alive.” I stated confidently.

“Look guy.” Wilfred made his way up. “You may have won this fight unexpectedly. Getting the battle-hardened Audrey on your side is no small feat.” He flinched as her attention drifted onto him. “But if what Conrad said is true, and the fact we can’t track the Goddess backs it up. This mission is fruitless, what makes you so sure she is alive.”

Wilfred sprung my first trap.

“Because of this.” I placed the vials I had recovered from each of them. The room stared in confusion.

“Because of healing potions? I’m not seeing a connection here.” Ira stated, using his knocked-out sister's head as an arm rest.

“There’s a connection none of you can see except me. The very reason I proposed this challenge in the first place. I can track the Goddess.”

The room looked in bewilderment, unsure of my words. Lard and Layla stared, knowing to trust my words but still questioning them.

“Okay, but what does that have to do with her being alive?” Wilfred was now ensnared as my first prey.

“The Goddess’s magic works as a beacon. It’s how you were able to find her in the first place. As long as the beacon is active, she is still using her power to control the hillside of reincarnation.” I assume.

“Hmph.” Gideon wasn’t fully convinced. “Then tell us what you’re getting at. How do these vials play into this?”

Gideon loves falling for my traps.

“These vials contain the very blood of the Goddess.”

The room went silent. Eyes widen in shock to the news.

“Wait...” Lard picked his head up, trembling as the news struck a chord. “Discordia was giving me the Holy water... and the Goddess’s withered state... Discordia was draining the Goddess of her blood...?”

I nodded. Lard was in disbelief. He had no earthly idea of her schemes.

The room watched as his mind was overwhelmed, he couldn’t even say a word.

“Then by your claim, you found my warriors due to them holding her essence?” Gideon observed.

“Correct. I can see the faint Golden Glow of the Goddess in these vials. And in the distance.” I pointed to a vague, far away place. I can see the Goddess’s power, even from here.”

“That's... That’s the direction of the Demon king's castle.” Audrey stated, the room of warriors murmured.

“Hmm...” Gideon seemed convinced. “Then we’ll have to split, I will resume our frontal attacks on the castle while you all try to catch up to the Goddess.”

“Actually, we may be able to get them by days end.” I stated.

“What?” The room was in surprise.

“How are you so sure?” Audrey asked, my final trap activated.

“Doran the Dragon.”

“Doran?!” The warriors were shocked.

Eh? I didn’t think I would get a reaction.

“You have met this beast?” Gideon also spoke with surprise.

“Y- Yes... He flew off with the Goddess and Discordia after we had taken out one of his eyes.”

The warriors stared in disbelief, even Gideon's eyes widened.

“You are a God.” Audrey was now convinced of my false claim, and I have no idea why, I got Déjà vu.

“That would explain the thrashing of the town when we first arrived, and it being at night supports it.” The soup loving warrior stated and he finished helping Lard’s wounds.

“We will believe your words. You have done something truly of a God.” Gideon bowed in compliment. Conrad was astonished.

“Uh... Thank you...” I feel a bit of shame. “For now, we cannot use the Goddess’s blood for healing. It is our tool of victory against Doran.”

“Our tool against him?” Wilfred asked cautiously.

“What did you have in mind?” The room now intrigued with questioning attitudes. I was skittish to answer.

Enjoying the open air of the dragon shook me from the coming events. I was glad we chose not to split, Gideon after hearing of Doran never prompted the idea again.

I kept my eyes on the golden glow far in the distance, analyzing it.

The Goddess doesn’t seem to be moving still. I think my assumptions are correct. I remember Doran’s urgency to find shelter before dawn. I assumed it was to rest as it was a far distance to the castle, but with the soup warrior’s words of the night giving basis to our statement makes my brain itch.

I studied the air as we soar, noting the magic that filled it. It does have a hint of shine, as if reflected by the sunlight itself, resembling the Goddess’s Golden glow.

There is a connection.

My insight was ablaze. My intrigue was excited. This narrative still has some surprises awaiting me and my itch was still unscratched.

Audrey felt my arms tremble in excitement. Her curiosity questioned it but let it be for now.

We flew, the sun nearing its final hour.

Much time passed, the group tired but determined. We had taken two breaks since we took off, afraid this had caused too much delay.

“Are we near?” Audrey asked.

“Yes... They’re far below...”

I pointed downwards. The group caught glimpse and turned their attention down.

“I don’t see anything.” Audrey stated, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

“Take us down, she is here.”

With a nod of her head a pet of the dragon’s neck, it descended, the others following our lead.

The trees were nearly ripped from the ground as the five dragons made land fall, the dust was scattered to the winds.

Dismounted and stretching, everyone was feeling better after the long ride.

“Where is she now?” Gideon approach, catching me off guard as I let my arms go limber as I exercised.

“This way.”

The group followed, their weapons equipped as the sun was ready to hide for the night.

A sound of a strong wind could be heard, breezing through the trees and intimidating us as we were enveloped by it. It was warm, a low hum followed it as if the forest was speaking to us. We pressed on.

The entrance to a cave was before us. Its immense size was both natural, and partially carved, as if an excavator had dug through. Mounds of rocks piled to the side of the entrance.

“The Goddess... Is in here?” Wilfred trembled.

FOOOSSHHH

The humming wind blasted through the cave, reminding me of the first time I felt Gideon’s dragons' breath.

“That is Doran.” Gideon stated confidently. “Toshiro.”

“Hm?” I turned to meet his gaze.

“I want to thank you for this opportunity.” He bowed. “Without your knowledge and abilities, we may never have had a chance against him.”

The group was scared. Gideon’s bow unsettled them, as if this was the end of days.

“Well... Don’t thank me yet. We still have a dragon to slay.” I gave my crafted smile, unsure where this underline gratitude is coming from.

“Toshiro is right. Until this is over our thanks should be in reserve. We have lost many to this beast... We shall have our revenge.”

Audrey’s voice trembled, but not the same as the others. Her tense aura more present than before, eager to have a resolution.

I swallowed my fear, knowing this will not be like my other fights.

“Layla.” I turned to here.

“Y- Yes!” She was afraid. Her legs were shaking, ready to buckle under her weight.

“I need you with Lard. Keep out of the danger but do not let him out of your grasp. We’re counting on your ability.”

Layla bit her lip as she nodded. The pressure made her want to throw up, Lard was silent, stuck in his own head.

I put my hands on his shoulders, scaring him. He did not teleport away this time. “I’m entrusting Layla to you. I know I can rely on you.” I spoke in truth.

Lard didn’t know how to respond. With a downward expression he snapped out of it, giving me his prideful eyes and nodded.

I felt more confident.

“Let us go.” I stated, we joined the group in preparation.

“Alright then men. We live... Or we die.” Gideon stated, the group found their resolve.

Entering the cave, we felt the moisture. The cave dripped with condensation, bringing a disgusting smell. Many of us tried to block it out mentally, Ari and Ira plugged their noses forcefully.

“It’s like a horde of monsters died in here.” Ira whispered his complaint.

The powerful wind erupted from deep within, we all grounded ourselves, doing what we could not to fly away.

“BLEH!” Most of us coughed. The waft of pungent air accompanied like an aftertaste.

“Oh God, I think it got in my mouth.” Ari complained, spitting out the smell.

“This wind needs mouthwash.” Layla wanted to gag.

“Focus men.” Gideon was strong, I almost believe he was unfazed by the aroma. “Our target is up ahead, do not get distracted.”

Audrey was onboard, pushing forward despite the condensation of the air seeping into her armor. I couldn’t read her eyes, but I could tell, she had bloodlust.

We continued, fighting waves of the smell and wind and Gideon and Audrey took the lead.

“Hey. Wilfred.”

“Hm?” he was taken aback by my sudden call. “What?”

“Is there a reason these two are so... Angry?” That was the best way I could explain.

“Hm... We all have history with Doran... But they have their own...”

“Their own history?” I questioned. “What does that mean?”

“I can’t say. But I will tell you this, he’s the reason the four of us don’t have the Goddess’s blessing anymore.”

“Her blessings...” I was confused. “Wait. You mean to tell me you don’t have cheats?”

“Uh... If that’s the word you want to use, then yes.”

I was flabbergasted. I never considered the fact that their whole group never once used abilities during the challenge.

“Wait... How did you all lose them to Doran, and why does Audrey have hers?”

Wilfred peaked around to the other warriors, making sure they didn’t have anything to add. “Doran doesn’t breathe fire like our own dragons. He has this... Terrifying blaze...”

“Blaze? Like a different kind of fire?” I asked curious.

The next wave hit, the group was now more confident to stand against it.

“Kind of... It’s hard to explain but it doesn't burn you. Rather, it takes away your ability, cutting off our connection to the Goddess herself. Audrey never had the displeasure of encountering him. Nor faced the true horror behind his breathe.”

“She hasn’t? Then why is she seeking this fight with such intensity?”

“That... Is something I cannot say. I will warn you, whatever you do, not for the sake of your power, but for your own mental space. Don’t let his blaze hit you” 

I took Wilfred's downward glance as a sign to ask no more. But now knowing Doran’s power, I am terrified.

I’m still unsure if I have any cheats. This ability of mine to see magic has me convinced this is my own. But without the Goddess’s outright confirmation I can’t risk losing it to the dragon.

As I pondered, I was stopped by the body in front of me. The soup warrior froze. I peered around to see everyone had their sights on the same thing.

I froze in accordance with the group. The sight terrified me to my core.

I found her.

The Goddess’s golden glow was easy to spot in the darkness. She was still strapped upon Doran’s back.

Doran himself was curled, his mighty body was in a ball as the cave was barely able to hold him, the walls showed his claw marks where he dug.

With his deep breath, he let out a powerful snore. Being so close to the source, many of us had to hold onto one another, Lard kept teleporting in place but almost was blown away by the strong and disgusting wind.

We trembled at his presence, scared of his power.

Studying him I saw the very wound we had given him. The group looked in awe, amazed we weren't lying.

The wound was fresh, not healed after a day of rest, the blood was dried. It looked as though he tried to rip his eye out, his claws dug deep into his flesh

“Ready?” I asked. Everyone nodded, pulling out their vials and readying their blades. “Alright... Let’s-”

“Naughty, naughty!”

I shivered, scared by that cold sadistic voice.

Doran lifted his might head, shaking the cave as he turned his attention onto us. With a flick of his tail, Gideon used his sword to block before being slammed against the cavern’s wall.

All of us quivered in fear, I felt that unnerving gaze from Doran’s saddle.

“I didn’t think I would see you so soon... My little Puppy...” Discordia’s smile spanned ear to ear, excited by my unpredictable nature.

Without even a moment to react. Doran let inhaled the Cave air. Exhaling a powerful dark blaze, shooting out blue lightning across the cavern.