A Sense for Danger

As was previously stated, Ithicos fell with the fireballs as soon as the tentacles got close enough for his liking, what was not stated was what occurred as a result of this attack. To explain, once the fireballs made contact with the ground, they resulted in a blast which blew away all of the ground, leaving the tentacles now fully exposed.

They didn’t get fully burned up? Nice!

In this case, the creature's flame resistance now worked against it, as it meant only the ground was completely blown away. To make things better for Ithicos, the tentacles, while not affected too physically by the actual initial blast or heat, were seemingly still in a state of shock and disorientation, and were not moving as quickly.

NOW THEN!

*CRASH*

Once he fell to the surface, he sent his claws and mouth towards the tentacles, his left claw unfortunately missed, while his right barely held a solid grip, but his mouth had grabbed and entrapped one of the tentacles so completely, that even the slightest movement would be difficult for it. Once he had managed this feat, he grabbed the part of this tentacle still within the dirt with his free left claw, and began to pull it towards himself. To continue bringing the creature and himself closer together, he passed the tentacle in his left claw into his mouth, and once he had it securely, grabbed a piece still deeper. As he did this, he wrapped the tentacle in his right claw around his wrist, in case of somehow losing the tentacle in his mouth. This continued for a rather long period of time, as he continued to grab and force the creature nearer and nearer to himself. Perhaps it is strange however, that the creature did not merely cut off it’s own tentacle, but I have a distinct feeling that, due to the complex network of tentacles the creature had made underground to ensure it could strike from anywhere, there was a true possibility that it could not actually figure out where to cut, and was likely cutting off more and more tentacles in a furious attempt to avoid an unwinnable melee. It is also likely, based on previous interactions, that the creature could not actually see underground, and likely only remember where each tentacle was generally placed using instinct. When it was attacking Armos for example, it took a while before the creature could actually manage to place a tentacle directly in front of him, while timing it properly, and he was only one individual. So perhaps when dealing with multiples, it would simply go for quantity rather than the precise aiming it could not do very well to begin with.

HUH! There’s more here now?

To ensure that Ithicos could not simply dig to its tentacles, the creature had created a network that would always stay away purposely confusing so that, even if Ithicos did manage to reach a tentacle or two, he would not be directly led to the creature from that. But this was the downside of that plan, not only did it mean (as mentioned before) that even the creature was not capable of precision, but that, as long as Ithicos followed a tentacle long enough, he would eventually reach more tentacles in a rather short period of time.

Perhaps realizing it's time was limited, the creature redoubled its efforts at striking Armos, Shari, and Mairi. In the hopes of finishing them off before Ithicos could reach it.

“Just a bit longer everyone! I can see Ithicos getting deeper and deeper!”

“That’s good… but why hasn’t it cut off its tentacles at the root yet? Sure it would make all its preparation for naught, but in a matter of life and death surely this risk is not worth it?”

“HA! Don’t worry too much, I may not be able to read this thing’s mind, but I can tell just by looking, it wants us dead enough it’s willing to risk everything!”

How Armos could possibly know such a thing was anyone's guess, but it was an oddly potent theory. After all, if the creature gave up, the chance of its next ambush being successful would go down even further. Not to mention they would now be chasing it with greater fervor. By all accounts, this was one of its best chances, so perhaps it wished to attack and end it all immediately, before things could get worse.

In that case… then why has it not used its more twisted abilities that Shari told me about? Was it truly that damaged by its isle crashing?

“Could it be that this isn-”

Just as Mairi began speaking, a complete darkness began to spread throughout the area, engulfing all as it moved in waves to cover all completely.

I just had to open my big mouth!

“Did anyone see where those shadows started from?”

“I think it was… AH! It was right I placed that new kid, Miyo!”

For the first time, Armos’ good nature melted a tad bit, fearing for what the creature could do to his new companion.

“What should we-?!”

“Use your psychic magic to call Ithicos!”

Shari stared for a moment, shocked at Miyo’s statement which cut her off.

“He can get there in time if you guide him, and that fire of his might drive back the darkness!”

“Why can’t she just go to him?”

“Too much risk! Shari isn’t as strong as you or I, so she’d be way less adept as dodging tentacle while trying to get somewhere.”

As Mairi said this, she began to run towards Miyo and the child. Tripping often, but sure enough on her feet that she made good time.

I… I must fulfill honorable elder sisters trust in me! I must!

It seemed that, contrary to her somewhat flawed, but still impressive skill at Elemental magic, Shari’s skill at psychic magic left… much to be desired. This was unknown to Mairi, who likely due to her inexperience saw Sharu's meager skills as particularly impressive. But not unknown to Armos, who shot Shari an inquisitive look, to which Shari definitively answered with a determined look.

“Ha! Gotta say, ya really seem to be comfy with yourself right now!”

“Honorable elder sister has been a good influence.”

“Is the mana good with that?”

“... It must be, or else why would it allow this to occur?”

“Ha! Fair enough!”

Apparently satisfied, Armos began to run in the same direction as Mairi, though unlike her, he made huge leaps, going farther and farther each time, presumably to ensure he would not get lost in the darkness.

Now then…I must focus… focus… come now…

Ithicos stopped what he was doing, and put his head up for a moment.

What's that buzzing sound? And why's it so dark out there?

Due to being underground, Ithicos had not initially noticed the creature's next step, but upon looking out, it was quite clear something was amiss.

Does this place just get dark randomly? I guess I can't discount the possibility, but I doubt it…

As his mind began to consider the possibilities. He noticed something in the corner of his eye.

The darkness… it doesn't seem to extend all the way? It's not as though a cloud or fog is covering up the light either… this is… how should I…? Ah ha!

Happy with his idea, he let go of the tentacle in his mouth, prompting it to slither away into the ground, fortunately he still had the tentacle in his claws, so the loss was not too impactful.

One… two… three!

After preparing and aiming his shot properly, Ithicos produced a short burst of flame out of the hole he dug, as it escaped, it went into the darkness, yet did nothing to pierce through it. Strangely the flame itself could still be seen, it was as though the darkness, rather than obscuring the light itself, took away the light's ability to uncover.

Hmm, those things eating away at the light… they look kinda familiar…

Ithicos briefly glanced at the tentacles in his claws, which still wriggled to escape his grip as though nothing had changed.

They have to come from the same source… right? But if that is the case… Why now?

He looked at the ever increasing amount of shadow and considered its location.

Hmm… from the looks of things… it seems to be coming from around… right where… ah!

Upon inspection, he quickly grasped where the darkness was coming from.

Should I get over there? Or is this some kind of bluff to get me to stop digging?

The darkness continued to spread as he thought this.

My friends… Can I take that kind of risk?

Somehow, the darkness even began flooding into the hole he dug.

This definitely isn't normal darkness, it is sickening at the touch. Ah! Have they been trapped in that? Fighting without stopping? If they can do this much, how could I even consider staying here, leaving them to die?

Realizing this, Ithicos smiled a bit (as much as a dragon can smile) and turned around.

Sorry guys, guess I got tunnel vision.

With that accidental pun, he let go of the tentacles and climbed out of the hole, into the darkness above.

Come on… please Mr. Dragon hear me…! I have to… Let you know something… For honorable elder sister’s sake!

As he did this, Shari continued her attempts to contact him. Her already exhausted mind being brought to the brink of collapse from this magic, as a pentagram appeared on her forehead from exertion. Unfortunately Mairi was not aware of how telepathy operated, so she was unaware of how difficult her request would be. In her defense, most people would bring the problem up immediately before things could progress. But due to both the danger of the situation and Shari’s devotion to her so-called sister, this did not occur.

Now then. All I must do is…

Just as she thought this, a great pyre of flame distracted her, as it arced across the sky far above her head, in the direction of her friends.

Mr. Dragon?!

Yes, before she could so much as muster a psychic transmission, Ithicos had gone through the arc explained earlier in this very chapter.

Huh? Oh it’s Shari! What’s she doing? It’s dangerous to just stand in the open like that!

Releasing a blast of flame, Ithicos incinerated the area around her. Ensuring her safety, and then began to slowly fly down to her level.

My flames worked fine? Actually wait, Is she ok?

Flying down to her level at a faster pace than before, Ithicos looked closely for the slightest sign of blood or wound, fearing for something subtly life threatening, the sort of something that could not be seen until it was too late.

“Ummm, Mr. Dragon, did you get my message?”

Message? Well, I did hear that weird buzzing. Was that something to do with you Shari?

To try and communicate his uncertainty on this question, he alternated between shaking his head and nodding in intervals, before finally pausing to point his head in the direction of the darkness's source.

“Well, whatever the case…”

Shari shook her head, and the pentagram dissipated. After a moment, she quickly decided on her next order of business before pointing in the same direction as Ithicos, albeit slightly to the left.

“From what we saw, the darkness started over there. If you haven't already guessed, it's being caused by the blue signal. Honorable elder sister and Armos are both making their way towards Miyo and the little one. In this case, I'll ride on your back again and assist you however I can!”

Sounds good! However…

As Ithicos thought this, he lowered his head, his eyes offering a piercing look towards Shari.

“You… want me to ride on your head?!”

Well, it would be more comfortable than my body. Don't tell me that sort of offer is weird for dragons? No wait… I'm pretty sure Mairi rode on my head earlier?

“It-it's unbecoming for one such as me to besmirch a dragon's head! Honorable elder sister is honorable enough that it's fine… but I- AH!”

Before Shari could continue, Ithicos began charging forward, not even entertaining any other sort of possibility.

If I let you go on my back, then how could you act as my spotter? I won’t be able to see you sure, but hearing you will be fine. I need someone else to look around while I make my way through this darkness, especially since I can't actually use my flames to light the path or else risk burning someone.

“I-I suppose I can see your point but-”

Don't worry, I don't consider it any sort of disrespect to have you up here.

“O-ok! In that case, let us continue forward!”

Right!

At this declaration, the two charged into the darkness, with Ithicos keeping a steady but slow pace for fear of hitting his friends, and Shari carefully scanning the area around them, her sense over mana assisting in that endeavor.

“Actually, this may be a strange question, but can you sense mana Mr. Dragon?”

She’s not even bothering to call me Ithicos anymore… Ah well, whatever.

To answer her question, Ithicos shook his head quickly for no.

“I thought not, while some dragon species are more likely to develop this sense than others, the Ignits are usually average for dragons.”

Hmmm? Is Ignits the name of my species? There are different species of dragons? We’re talking about this fun fact in the middle of this situation?

His impatience must have shown on his face, because Shari immediately took to explaining her point.

“Ah, I mean no distraction towards our noble goal. All I wish to tell you is that it may be possible for you to learn this skill, and the darkness here provides both adequate conditions to do so properly and adequate reason to attempt it.”

I suppose that makes sense… I can’t really see through this darkness that well anyway, while Shari seems to have some idea of where things are just based on this sense of hers…

Ithicos nodded once for yes, his pace not slowing.

“First, to give some sort of understanding, I must explain the basics of mana to you. I assume in your old world, you were not particularly aware of mana? Ok, in that case I will start with that explanation. Mana is, in essence, all around us, it binds us all together and acts as a physical manifestation of the laws of this world. In the magic of the pentagram, if the flesh point is your body, the psychic point is your mind, the soul point is your, well… soul, and the separation point is the disconnection and independence of all things. Then the elemental point and the mana that forms it is the connection of all living things, and the laws that bind them. By sensing mana, one can feel their connection to the larger world itself, and can work with it to become stronger. As a dragon, your body is partially made of mana, so your connection with mana is even greater than mine could ever hope to be.”

REALLY?!

“Yes, your fire breath is an example of fire magic. I could never hope to do that much, at least not without losing all of the mana in the area.”

Wow… so I’m even stronger?

“So… with all that being said, could you try and stop for just a moment, and feel the world around you?”

How do I…?

“Consider it like this… you are the world.”

I… am the world.

“And the world is a part of you.”

The world is a part of me.

“Now I'm going to send the mana in the area through you directly, remember my words as I do so.”

Ok!

As she said this, true to her word… the mana in the area began to shift. Bit by bit it found itself crowding around Ithicos, as he put all his concentration into the phrase Shari had taught him.

I am the world… and the world is a part of me.

The mana around him began to slow after the initial excitement brought about by the sudden movement.

I am the world… and the world is a part of me.

It then began to still completely, as though frozen in time itself.

I am the world… and the world is a part of me.

At this point, almost all of the mana in the area was focused around Ithicos, both due to Shari's skill with mana and Ithicos’ latent talent for manipulating the stuff. For those who could sense mana, it was as though he had grown in size because of it.

I am the world… and the world is a part of me.

But then, movement began to appear, small and precise, but movement nonetheless.

“Good, now feel your body, from the tip of your tail to the peak of your snout.”

I am the world… and the world is a part of me.

While continuing the incantation, he did so, and the small movements almost seemed to organize, as they all built up around the tail, and slowly but surely moved towards his snout as asked.

“Incredible… Now Mr. Dragon, I think you have enough control now to try this. I want you to imagine your body growing, imagine all that you are expanding outwards into this larger world of ours, free from the corruption of civilization and filled with the sublime splendor of nature itself.”

I am… the world…

With this command Ithicos finally began to exert himself, as the mana crowding around him began to expand outwards, in an even pace, till any sign of what had just occurred had disappeared.

“Now open your eyes, and whenever you wish to sense mana, imagine how you feel in those specific parts of your body.”

And the world… Is a part of me!

And so it was done, as the mana in the area seemed to free itself, and twist and turn, while Ithicos looked around inquisitively.

It's as though… the mana is telling me how it's feeling, and how much of it there is.

Given that Shari wasn’t particularly gifted as psychic magic, and had a rather unhealthy overestimation of his abilities, she assumed it had worked.

“That’s great Mr. Dragon! Now that we can sense together, this should be much simpler! I’ll sense this way, and you sense that w-”

I sense trouble up ahead!

Before Shari could finish her thought, Ithicos immediately began charging in the direction of the danger. Evidently his mastery of mana sense had already developed past her own, and he was already sensing things at a distance longer than her own senses could show her.

“Incredible… Now let us make haste Mr. Dragon, we have friends to save!”

Right!

So once more the two began their run towards their friends, hoping against hope things were alright, or at the very least, salvageable.

It's strange, despite Mr. Dragon's presence, I still feel this great sense of foreboding. Yet despite this feeling, my view of the future has yet to occur.

It is perhaps an irremovable aspect of all mortals, an aspect of instinct and worry, not based on pure logic or magic in any way, but on a simpler, baser instinct. It has gone under many names, anxiety, paranoia, worry… but in this case, what could only be called doubt. Doubt in her belief that things would be easy thanks to Mr. Dragon, what more was this creature hiding? Doubt in this situation, after all, what was it her honorable elder sister was going to express before the darkness came? And doubt in her own mind, perhaps brought about by this moment of levity working with mana peacefully. Perhaps finally brought to a head from the time she had to think on the matter.

Mr. Dragon… his strength is immense, and his skill with mana is fantastic. Truly I am blessed to be given the opportunity to help but… well… What exactly is he? There is no doubt in my mind that he is a true dragon, but no Monster reincarnations have ever been recorded in any history I've heard of. He says he is from a different world, but which one? Considering his bizarre nature, perhaps one not yet discovered, one without magic as I know it? He seemed confused by the most simple of magic’s so it’s unlikely he interacted with anything similar to what I know of, but given the time I’ve been asleep, it’s entirely possible he merely interacted with things wholly alien to me. Whatever the case… whatever the case… this is the sort of coincidence I must admit as suspicious… not to say Mr. Dragon is suspicious himself of course!

She thought to nobody in particular.

It’s just… All in one day, we decide to follow my vision of this abomination, discover this world truly does support abundant life and mana as honorable elder sister surmised on her mountain, find a mysterious girl in a horrible little village imperative to the future somehow… and after burning that village to the ground, we find Mr. Dragon… Miyo… and the Blue signal all in the space of a few hours. Honorable elder sister seemed suspicious of something being amiss, and while I cannot quite fathom what it is specifically, I can fathom her general suspicion. Even if I kind of want to slap her for being paranoid of Mr. Dragon.

Round and round her thoughts turned, round and round they considered things she did not enjoy the implications of. This mysterious place was no longer the land she had seen many millennia ago. This was a natural consequence of time, and her naturally different perception of it given her profession as hero and home known for housing many with long lifespans. To my understanding based on the research I have done on the subject, this land had not been nearly as destroyed as she thought it was, and the changes, while significant, were not nearly as over the top as to make the land unlivable for days, much less many millenia. Ironically, I believe that her involvement in many key moments at that time may have accidentally colored her perspective and gave her tunnel vision. After all, when one sees a blade coming towards themselves, they seldom pay attention to the warrior wielding it, or the ground that warrior stands upon. As for the mysterious mana? Frankly I have no clue. Apparently my predecessors lost the ability to monitor these lands once the mana was originally lost, so I never bothered trying to check. It’s honestly been a rather frustrating mystery I’ve kept on the back of my mind. I will not bother discussing my theories, as it has little bearing on this report and will be nothing but baseless speculation. I plan to write a separate report on this issue soon anyway so there is little point in speaking of these ideas here, in a report I don’t plan to classify.

I guess it all just comes down to one question… is this coincidence… fate… or some sort of scheme?

Meanwhile, as Shari worked her hardest to look for her friends within Ithicos’ blindspots while contemplating the larger ramifications of the situation, Ithicos continued to sense the mana around him while contemplating absolute nonsense.

Man… it sure is weird being able to sense this mana stuff! I wonder if it exists in my world too? I would hope so, would make it way more interesting. Maybe I should try bringing mana there sometime if there isn’t any? I wonder how everyone back home would react to me? Would they be scared? I hope not.

This process continued ad nauseam for a few minutes, as they neared the source of panic within the mana, until they finally reached a certain point of no return.

The darkness is getting worse… and the mana is getting more panicked. I’m pretty sure this is where I sensed that trouble earlier.

Ithicos looked up to Shari to signal the situation, but caught something odd.

I see her perfectly? How on… wait a second, everywhere surrounding us looks dark, but I can see her as though it’s daytime? What is with this dark- AH!

Just as he thought this, he caught something, a figure, a familiar figure. Like Shari this figure was totally visible despite their dark surroundings, but unlike Shari they were… worse for wear to put it lightly.

“Miyo!”

Rushing forward, Ithicos let out a powerful burst of flame around Miyo, and not a moment too soon. As when the flame reached her, it seemingly burned multiple tentacles obscured by the darkness.

So my flames do work??? Well whatever, I guess it hides itself alongside the area around it? That’s its strategy?

Anger began to swell up within Ithicos, as he finally reached Miyo, and lowered to allow Shari to reach her.

“Do not worry Mr. Dragon! She appears to be healthy, or at least not in fatal danger!”

Phew…

Ithicos looked towards the rest of the imperceptible darkness, and considered what had just occurred.

If I can’t see them… that means they're surrounded by… something.

He looked towards his two comrades and motioned to them, immediately understanding his meaning Shari picked up Miyo and stepped onto Ithicos’ back.

“What are you… doing?”

Miyo weakly asked.

“If we’re left here, the abomination will merely attack us from the darkness, this way, the three of us can assure each other's safety.”

“Are you sure that we won’t hold… Mr. Dragon back?”

“Oh we absolutely will, but Mr. Dragon is a kind sort, allowing us to be risked would only cause him more worry and pain than simply taking us with him. Besides, his flame breath has impressive range.”

“...”

Not entirely agreeing, but in no shape to argue, Miyo merely nodded.

Well… off we go.