Draikan: The World of Dragons

~ 37 ~

~ Chapter Thirty Seven ~

The moment I opened my eyes, I realized how stupid it was to run with my eyes momentarily closed. If only I had ran into a tree or a large flower stem.

No. My bad luck continues to follow me as if I was cursed with it. There was a large tree branch on the ground right in front of me and I would have stopped in my tracks if I wasn't so close to the log-like branch. It was so large that I couldn't just run over it. Instead, I flung my body upwards and jumped as high as I could.

Now I know I'm no agility expert. I'd leave that to the professionals. However, I still thought that I could have at least landed on the other side, no matter how clumsy I would have done it. Unfortunately, there was a large hole where my body fell through.

Yet again.

This time I didn't fall through a dimensional hole. Instead, I landed extremely hard on the floor of this secret tunnel. There was nothing but rocks and stones all around me. I looked above me and saw nothing but darkness. The light from the surface didn't reach the inside of the hole's entrance. Instead, little torches were lit and hung on the sides of the walls, illuminating my surroundings.

I would try my luck and climb up, but who knows if I'll come face to face with that evil spirit. He's still chasing after me.

I looked around and realized that there's only one way to go. And that's straight ahead. One single path is easier to follow than guessing between four directions.

***

As I'm walking into unknown territory, I thought about how nice it is to kinda be by myself again. It gave me a moment to calm down and think rationally about what just happened.

First thing first. My spirit or consciousness must be inside the ring. That would explain why my physical body is with Kaene and Zander. How to get to them is a mystery. Although I have a strong suspicion that it may be through that water.

I've read enough books to know that mirrors and water are the typical gateways between other worlds. At least it is in horror books and movies. Something scary always pops through a lake or through an old mirror.

Anyway, the fight against the sirens and dark fairies must've ended. Kaene and Zander had looked like they went through hell. They were in just shorts, their upper bodies marred in scars and dried blood. I couldn't hear anything through the small pond, but I hope they don't resent me.

~***~

I stopped walking. I found myself at a dead end. The path to getting here wasn't long. In fact I can still turn around and see where I had landed.

But... Earlier the path seemed never ending.

Am I actually being tricked and that awful spirit is toying with me?

"No, you're safe for now."

I swiveled around upping hearing a feminine voice. It sounded calm. But where did it come from? Why does every mysterious creature do this to me? Is sneaking up on someone the only thing they can do?

Wait. Did she read my mind?

"I did. And you worry over everything little human."

As I turned around, I said, "Where are you? And Who are you?"

There was a small chuckle before a stone started shining brighter than all the rest.

I slowly walked closer to it and when I was close enough, the light dimmed. Inside I saw a small dragon. It seemed like she was fading away as her black scales began turning white. More than half her body was almost gone. Yet her yellow eyes shined brightly.