Corrupt Light Dragon

Chapter 4: The Slayer is mine!

The tournament finished at dusk or at least that was the time Noirxus decided to wake me up. We wandered around the town or city (I get more confused every day) looking for a good place to spar but just like last time, we – and by we, I meant I – couldn’t find a good sparring place…at least inside the city. If we went out of the walls, there would surely be a spot but then we risk getting locked out. Sleeping outside when I’ve already paid for the inn is not something I’m sure I’d risk for a spar.

Noirxus sighed in relief when I gave up looking but I had so much bottled up frustration (the Tubby, the shoe, the rabid fans, the Noirxus…) that I just couldn’t let it go. I needed to vent one way or another.

“Come here Noirxus,” I said gesturing for him to come closer.

“What is it?” he replied not moving from his place.

“I want to hit you,” I whispered as I smacked a fist into my other hand. “I want to hit you so bad.”

“No. Get away from me,” Noirxus whispered back, taking a few couple of steps away.

“Come Here!” I yelled, chasing him around. And boy did he give chase. He ran down streets, in narrow alleyways and up rooftops – we're like two children playing tag. From the houses we jumped over, I heard couples yelling about infidelity and whatnot. Noirxus was such a sensation he caused family feuds. I didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

Sometime during the chase I landed on top of a tavern. The boisterous laughing and the scent of alcohol offered another way to vent since apparently my proud companion wouldn’t cooperate and stay put.

“Alright Noirxus! You win!” I called. “Go back to the inn. I’ll stay here and drink some…liquid fire!” He was gone before I could finish the sentence. Somehow the way he didn’t hesitate to leave me bothered me – another addition to my growing list of frustrations.

Breathe, Chryisle breathe. You are here to relax. I sighed and leapt down to the street. Laughing drunks and incoherent storytellers greeted me upon entering the tavern. Everyone looked so cheerful and lively it felt contagious but still I must distance myself from people who drink…beer. I needed a mood upper not a mood damper.

I sat on a small corner of the tavern and ordered a flagon of sweet wine from a passing waitress; smiling at her when she returned with my drink shortly. She smiled back weakly.

Poor dear must have suffered so much harassment in this pig house, I mean establishment!

As the soothing warmth of the wine washed away the weariness of the day, I recalled instead its more enjoyable moments such as beating Tubby and chasing Noirxus. Honestly, I acted like a child around him…well more childish than usual. Truly it has been a while since I’ve been around another person my age; all because I didn’t bother to make friends when I was a child, knowing that I’d never stay in one place for long. It was heartbreaking to part with a friend.

“This tournament is the most exciting event of the century!” someone announced loud enough for everyone in the house to hear.

“Hear! Hear!” another yelled from a different corner. “Everyone in the second elimination round is exceptionally good!”

“Are you worried, Slayer?” someone provoked. “Anyone of the contestants can give you a run for your money!”

A deep mocking laugh answered. “Fool! No one in that tournament can hold a candle to me! I am a Dragon Slayer for heaven’s sake! I’ve killed a dragon and a dragon is tougher than any human that ever existed! I can kill all of them in my sleep.”

“I don’t know. The pretty boy Noirxus and the – what was the name of that woman? You know, the sadistic one, the she-devil mage…”

“Chryisle?” someone suggested.