5: Meeting a Dragon

The following day Alex again sneaked into town to go and meet Merissa. As much as he had wanted to run away, he knew he couldn’t take that chance. His best chance was to find the pendant before the creature and destroy it. But before that he needed a layer of protection for himself.

After Alex reached Merissa’s house, she brought him a bit far away from the Anestian wonders on the hills where they could have some privacy. “Was it necessary for us to come out so far?” Alex asked as he took in the scenery.

“Why? Scared I might do something?” Merissa asked in a teasing manner. Alex gave her a sideways look saying “If the situation had warranted, I usually don’t go with strange aunties to strange places, you know.”

*Pow*

Alex rubbed the small bump his quick mouth earned him as Merissa seemed to be searching for a good spot. After finding one Merissa began to explain “From what I know, that wooden piece is simply a vessel.”

“A vessel?”

“Yes, a vessel for an entity. There’s a bit of history behind that thing but what’s important right now is that, the thing has latched itself to you. You won’t feel it but its basically sucking energy from you.”

“Should I be concerned?” Alex asked feeling a bit worried now. “Well, yes and no. If left as it is, it might suck everything from you. At the moment its very miniscule so you won’t even notice.” After a pause she continued “Let me tell you Alex that thing in that wood is from the same world where the creature came from.”

Alex’s look changed to a surprised one. “Humans and every creature there is born with a special energy within them. This energy is commonly known as mana. Some possess high amounts of mana while others low. Either way everyone does. Though there’s one in a billion chance where they aren’t. You are that one.”

Alex, “Then does that mean I don’t have mana?” Merissa nodded. “So, how does that help me?”

Merissa, “it doesn’t.” Alex sighed wondering which unlucky star he was born under. “But that thing does.” Merissa pointed at the wooden piece. “Even though you don’t possess any mana, that thing does, enormous amounts at that. I believe that if you call out to it, it would lend its power to you. Then you can use mana too.”

Alex kept staring at the wood slightly rubbing its smooth surface. Merissa knew it might be a bit hard to take all of this in and to believe it all. After a few seconds Alex asked “Then can you use mana?”

Merissa nodded. “Show me then.” Alex demanded feeling a bit skeptical. Merissa sighed “I would if I could’ve… I know you would find it hard to believe me without solid proof so lets directly jump into it.” Merissa said as she set the bag, she brought with her on the ground and removed several meters long red ribbon cloth. Following both of the sat crossed leg in front of each other.

Alex held the wood in his right hand while Merissa kept her right hand on top of Alex’s and wrapped both their hand together. Alex felt weird doing all this stuff. At this point, he had his doubts about Merissa but then again, she was the only one who was believing in him.

“Remember, don’t be scared, I won’t be there with you but you will be able to hear my voice. Steel your resolve and will power. And most importantly if you felt like you can’t take it anymore, tell me you want to get out and that’s what we’ll do.” Merissa said a bit concerned.

Alex still taking in Merissa’s bizarre words nodded. “Close your eyes and try to keep your breathing stable.” Merissa guided as she did the same. Minutes passed with Alex feeling no change. Beginning to lose patience he decided to call this off when he suddenly felt the earth below had slid away.

Alex opened his eyes and found himself in staring in the dark. But there seemed to be light coming from behind and above him. He looked around and found himself to be floating in a sky full of stars. Alex gulped and rubbed his eyes not able to believe what he was seeing. His mouth hanging open in awe of the beautiful scenery.

“Alex.”

Startled, Alex looked around hearing Merissa calling out his name. “Its alright, its me Merissa, my voice will be simply in your head, you don’t have to worry.”

“Woah…” Alex said instinctively hearing Merissa’s voice in his mind. It was almost similar to him hearing music with headphones on.

*GRRRR*

Suddenly a low growl rose came from the darkness in front of him. Alex gulped instinctively taking a step back. Merissa, “Alex, remember what I said, the entity is going to reveal itself.”

“So, you found your way into this place huh? Looks like you have some help.” A deep yet calm voice resounded from the darkness as the night sky filled with stars began to expand shedding a bit of light in front of Alex.

Alex’s eyes widened slowly until they could no more. His throat felt dry and his knees felt weak. It was quite a natural reaction seeing as how the gaze of a 30-meter-tall dragon’s head looked at him directly. The rest of the dragon’s body was still shrouded in darkness. It had two long horns pushing back in a graceful manner. Its large blue eyes shined in the night. The dragon’s mouth didn’t open much when it talked.

But the little it did, it was enough for Alex to take a glance of the large terrifying fangs. Not to mention the sharp canine teeth at either side. The dragon sported a black color with dark blue hair on his head travelling down its back. It was magnificent and terrifying at the same time.

Alex wanted to say something but no words came out. The dragon kept an uninterested gaze upon him.

“So, what do you want human?”

No reply came from the 16-year kid. “Don’t be frightened by its appearance Alex, take deep breaths and focus, you can do this. Remember he can’t harm you here.” Merissa’s voice came in Alex head encouraging him. Alex followed her instructions and took a few deep breaths. Once he felt his nerves calmed a little Alex spoke “I wanted to borrow your power.”

Dragon, “Oh and why should I do that?”

“Haven’t you attached yourself to me? Taking my energy? In return I am asking for your help.” Alex stated firmly. “Hahaha don’t make me laugh kid, you don’t even know the reason why attached myself to you and you’re asking for my power? Absurd. Let me tell you, I can simply detach myself from you or even consume you completely.”

Alex paused unable to say anything else. Everything the dragon said was correct. He was practically at his mercy. Even Merissa didn’t know how to tackle the situation. Alex thought for a few seconds before replying “F-Fine then go ahead and consume me.”

“Oi! What are you saying?!” Merissa retorted. “The dragon was slightly taken aback by his words but he didn’t show it on his face. “And why do you think I’ll do as you want?” The dragon asked his voice getting more intimidating.

Contrary to the dragon’s expectation’s Alex’s face turned into a smirk as he folded his hands behind his back. “You know what I think? I think you don’t want to do that or rather you can’t.” Alex said with the last words sounding more of a tease.

“Alex! Don’t provoke hi—

As Merissa was warning him, her voice suddenly disappeared.

“Hah...” Merissa opened her eyes in the real-world facing Alex whose eyes were still closed. “No, no, how did I come outside?!” Merissa said to herself as she began to panic. She closed her eyes again in order to go back to Alex but to no avail.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

“Oi! Alex, wake up! Oi! KID!” Even after slapping and shoving him Alex still continued to remain in that trance.

Inside the Realm with the dragon and Alex:

“Merissa? Merissa?!”

“She can’t hear, neither can you. I don’t like pesky intruders here.” The dragon said in an irritated tone. “What did you do to her?!” Alex asked horrified. “Nothing much, just threw her outside my realm. Now tell me kid, what makes you think I won’t consume you now that you have angered me?”

Alex kept his stance clear and stated “I just know it, its my gut feeling.”

“Heh…” A chuckle escaped the dragon’s mouth. “A gut feeling? What kind of a human kid are you?”

“So, you confirmed it huh, you really can’t kill me.” Alex said realizing something important. “What m—

“You would’ve already done it! I don’t think a human asks ant before crushing it whether it thinks that the human couldn’t crush it. Doesn’t make sense that you do to. Not to mention you’ve protected me once too. Unnecessary if you ask me but you still did.”

The dragon’s eyes turned sharp, clearly angered by Alex interrupting him in between. “That creature would’ve killed had you not helped me with the sword. Not to mention my unusual heightened vision at the time. It was you’re doing, wasn’t it? You need me. I don’t know for what but you don’t really want me dead.”

Alex said with the firmest tone he can. There was silence for a few seconds before the dragon said “You just speculated all that didn’t you?”

Alex, “Does it matter? Either way, all I want is your help in exchange for you being attached to me.”

“Fine then, since you were able to guess most of the things correctly, I’ll help you out a little. You’ll feel a bit different than before, as to how you control this power, I am sure that woman can teach you. Goodbye for now kid.

“Wai—

Before Alex could ask anything else he disappeared from the realm leaving the dragon and star filled night alone. ‘Hmph… he sure acts tough for a kid.’ The dragon thought to himself as he remembered Alex folding his hands behind his back. Alex may not know this but the dragon can make out. His hands were trembling.

Alex on the other hand found himself up on the ground as his eyes opened with a jolt. “Huh? Alex! Hey kid, are you alright?” Merissa who was holding Alex in her arms asked as she found him coming back to consciousness.

Alex’s first words after opening his came as “Old… lady?”

*Pow*

Alex blurting earned him a smacker on his head. “In my defense I was dizzy and I thought I was looking at an old woman, you know.” Merissa ignored him as she untied the ribbon.

*Gulp*

“Haah!! That was refreshing!” Alex exclaimed after taking a drink of water. “So, what happened?” Merissa asked curious.

Alex didn’t reply as he simply stood up with the wooden piece in his hands. A few minutes passed by. “Are you—

*Schhllkk*

The sound of sword ringing echoed in Merissa’s ears as a rustic blade and handle emerged from the wooden piece. Merissa smiled as she looked at the sword in his hand.

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