Pursuit of happiness

A brilliant orange flame lit up the dimly lit dungeon, as a dragon spat fire toward Alden.

"Oh no!" Alden yelled before disappearing within the flames. The dragon that unleashed the attack hovered in the air over the bright flames. It's mouth opened to release a fearsome roar.

The flames burned angrily for a few seconds before finally getting weaker and fading away. A silhouette appeared where the fire had once been, and who stood there but a smiling Alden.

"Just kidding. That was weak." Alden chuckled as he dusted himself. "Now let me show you what a powerful attack looks like."

Alden held out a hand. A large hand shaped rock broke out of the ground. It lifted into the air, until it was above the dragons even. It was massive in size, and even then it did little to fill the spacious dungeon.

Alden gently clicked his wrist downward. The hand flew down like a judge's hammer before striking the ground.

BOOM!

Dust danced filled the dungeon and his the hand within. When the dust eventually disappeared, there was no giant hand, and there were no dragons.

They were all dead, crushed under Alden's power.

"A month ago and I would have only dreamed of such power." Alden glanced at his open palm. "F-class huh? Can't wait to become S-class."

Alden felt that reaching S-class was his current goal. When he was there, he could rethink his plans. Also, he hoped to conjure a massive army of metal. He would conquer the dungeons, and the human world.

For what though?

Alden slowly walked through the corpse ridden dungeon before stretching out his hand and whispering. "Converge."

For what would he attain such power? How would he know once he got there that it was all worth it.

"I suffered a lot because of my weakness, but is that really sufficient reason for me to become powerful?"

A great multitude of moon metal hand already been transferred into the dungeon. Alden had leveled up his dungeon transfer so he could now summon whatever he wished for himself.

Like clouds on the peak of a mountain, energy filled the room, moving to and fro like dust on a windy day. Bluish in appearance, it covered every corpse in the dungeon until nothing else could be seen besides it's brilliant glow.

"Once I've acquired as much power as possible, what do I do?"

One by one, the glowing silhouettes began to rise, like the sun on a dark night. Very, very soon, a few hundred majestic beasts stood, all of them focusing their attention toward the man in the center.

Alden gazed around the multitudes of metallic dragons, all of them submissive to his command. His heart could not help but rejoice, he had finally tasted what power felt like. Now he wanted more.

"Humans grow rich to avoid poverty and chase popularity to escape solitude. It's because those things make them user, so it can only mean that it's exact opposite would make one happy."

Mar Kirr stood by his side silent. Shadow sat upon his shoulder, it's occasional sqwaks unheard of. The dragons, they too were quiet. Aldens calm and thoughtful voice was all that filled the empty cavern.

"This is not life. Happiness is not incessant, so it should not be chased. So what could be a viable reason for dedicating ones entire life to something?"

Alden sighed and cast a lonely gaze down the dark dungeon.

"Why do I even keep trying?"

Alden felt the cold touch of uncertainty's palm as it clasped around his hart, squeezing tighter and tighter by the second.

As the iciness began spread to every bit of his heart, a deep and sharp voice gave the hope of cracking that ice.

"Master, if I may?" Mar Kirr said, seeking permission to speak.

Alden turned to him and nodded.

"It appears to me that your soul is Troubled. While I cannot provide a direct remedy, I can suggest something that may help in restoring your calm". "

Alden narrowed his eyes curiously before beckoning him go continue.

" Calm your mind. There is no clarity in troubled waters, it is only when the sea is calm, that you clearly see."

" And how do I do that?"

"remove all doubts. Leave no Grey, only black and white. Nothing in between. Be either brave or cowardly. Or weak, or strong. Remember however, that there are consequences for every choice made. Even a choice not to change."

Alden stayed silent after the answer, before finally speaking.

"And what if I choose to be strong?"

"Then your life will be a journey towards that peak."

"And once I reach that peak?"

"It's not easy to stay there," Mar Kirr turned toward the dark tunnel from where the roars of new enemies could be heard."And there are always higher mountains."

Alden nodded understandingly. Blue energy crept around his body, as he prepared to fight. The semi metallic dragons of Aldens army all readied themselves for the coming storm. This wouldn't be like the other fights, Alden could feel it. But before that happened...

"Mar Kirr."

"Yes, master?"

"Thank you."