A Dragon's Freedom

Chapter 15

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Issei woke early and stretched his muscles, he knew that no one else would be up this early in the morning. He felt good about training today, it excited him as he went to the bathroom to freshen up. He looked at himself in the mirror, he saw his jaw clench.

Issei: It's almost time.

Ddraig: "Yes, but you should say goodbye to the others."

Issei: No, I'll take the yelling when I get back, but I will say goodbye to anyone who's awake. I don't want to wake the girls up.

He packed up his gear and headed to Ingvild's room first, he wasn't sure to knock, but he opened the door. He was in luck as since he went to bed earlier than them, the girls had a sleepover, so they were all there, except Yasaka. He scanned the room for who was asleep, he was sure Ophis was in the room.

Ophis: Hello, Issei - she had teleported behind him as he was opening the door.

Issei: Whoa, Ophis - he whispered - you nearly gave me a heart attack.

She was floating behind him and watching him.

Ophis: What were you doing?

Issei: Well, I was checking to see who was awake, so I could say goodbye.

Ophis: Oh?

Issei: Yeah.

Ophis: So, the Dragon Range, are you prepared for it?

Issei: Is anyone ever?

Ophis: No, I don't think so and you said you would be there with Crom Cruach, correct?

Issei: Yes.

Ophis: You have the will of Apophis, Baka Red, and myself, you will need to train yourself and your armors, even the ones that rely on Apophis' power.

Issei: I don't want to use those, I could become an evil dragon.

Ophis: You won't, and his power is now your own, just like Albion's.

Ddraig: "She's right, their power is now ours, so we can use it as we want."

Issei: Wouldn't there be drawbacks?

Ophis: That's a risk you will have to take, tell me, do you want to beat him? Win this war? Gain the peace that you so rightfully seek?

Issei: Yes, Arius and people like him need to fall, they disrupt the peace.

Ophis: Your peace?

Issei: No, not just my peace, for Minerva, for Ingvild, for Lilith, for Kunou, for Yasaka, for my parents, for you, for my friends, I don't want them to deal with what Ryoga did.

Ophis: Then rely on that power to your benefit and you will succeed.

Issei: You think so?

Ophis: Mhm.

Issei: Thanks, Ophis.

Ophis: Of course, isn't that what friends do? Lift each other up, so we don't doubt ourselves, you taught me that.

Issei: Yeah, that's what they do - giving her a hug - thanks for being mine.

Ophis: Mhm, and I'm glad that you're my friend, too, Issei - giving him a smile.

Issei: Can you give them a message for me?

Ophis: Sure.

Issei: Let them know that I love them and I will be back, I have a press conference to attend after all.