The Imprisoned Dragon - Blade, Dan Heng IL

5. Nightmare

"Dan Heng..."

He was floating on the pond, as an Azure Dragon was slowly flying around him. The waterfall behind was giving him a sense of peace. Dan Heng was peacefully meditating on a pond, releasing his mana to keep the ancient forest he was living in back then as the main keeper of the magic and the creatures who were living in.

He opened his eyes and smiled softly once he noticed the Emperor with some guards behind on the horses.

The Emperor had long black hair and dark eyes. He slowly reached the pond as he was opening his arms "The Kingdom's treasure"

Dan Heng rest his feet on the water and kept some distance from the Emperor "Your majesty, it's good to see you're healthy again"

"Thanks to you! I have been told a beautiful spirit protected me the whole night and of course it was you!" the Emperor smiled "I am here to offer you a place in my manor, you will get the honor to live in the Emperor of the Sun's manor, in exchange I will just ask you to keep giving me that power of yours as this will make us invincible against the invasion"

Dan shook his head "As a Keeper of the Life Essence, I can't share this power to even your Majesty, I just wanted to help"

The soldiers looked like they were about to drow their weapons, but Dan Heng didn't even feel the tension of the moment as he was believing the Emperor was being friendly.

"But won't you feel like you did show me your back at me, the Emperor, and the people of this kingdom once the invasions will bring pain to many people you could help?" he asked and Dan gnashed his teeth, feeling already guilty.

"I am not... supposed to help mortals" Dan looked like he was sad, but he simply wasn't supposed to use his powers for anything like that. He wanted to keep himself neutral and at peace.

"But I am not a mortal, I am the Emperor of the Sun!" The Emperor walked towards the water, and Dan Heng's eyes glowed of a beautiful blue. Everyone got surprised once they saw the Emperor walking on the water to reach the half dragon "See, I know you care about the Emperor" he smiled and Dan Heng looked at him as he was caressing his hair "Just come with me"

"What do you want to do exactly?" Dan's eyes were locked on the Emperor's one. He smiled like he was already tasting a victory, making Dan feeling shivers all over his body for a moment.

"It's a shame you have this power and none to share it with, I will be your guide to use it for a greater good"

Then flashes of Dan being in the manor of the Emperor, soldiers around him... Sorcerers chaining him and forcing him to kneel before the Emperor, who was smiling under his suffering as they were pulling his body inside a sanctuary..

"I lied to you, my precious treasure, your power is the reason why my soldiers are so strong and I am immortal!" Dan was on the ground, half asleep, feeling no energy in his body. He couldn't even feel the touch of the Emperor's hands on his hair "You can't... be out there. The world needs to be purged first, I will make sure the world will be pure just like you before you get out of here" he gave some caress on the half dragon man "Just hold on and don't fight it... I will make sure I will use your power for the best of the Empire, no one has to find my best jewel, ever!" Dan Heng's eyes were opened up as the Emperor was laughing, seeing Dan's mana getting slowly out of his body to fill the hourglass.

"What a beauty" the Emperor commented "And you didn't want it to share anymore once you helped us? Wasn't that a selfish choice? I am glad you didn't cause more problems, my treasure!"

"I don't... want to be... here" Dan tried to speak and the Emperor crouched down again, giving him little pats on his head "I thought..."

"Such a powerful and beautiful creature, in need of guidance" the Emperor spoke "You're lost and you couldn't even recognise who's good or bad in this world" he smiled "I will take care of you, you will be in this golden cage, I made this sanctuary just for you, my treasure! Nobody has to know you're like a God in this world! My God!" he sighed "Now sleep, my treasure, I will make sure I will kill everyone who wants to approach my kingdom to get this power.."