The Dark Dragon's Vessel: Throne of Ash and Shadow

Wonderer

Max departed with the remaining money when the orphanage was destroyed. He went to seek a new location where he could settle for what he expected forever. In truth, he couldn't focus on finding a place.

After all, in less than a week, he went from being without a drive to discovering that he has two drives and is a vessel for a dragon.

It didn't help that the drives were ancient and mutated. The blue lightning, or BL, was more than simply a mutation, it was a mutation of a mutation.

Normal lightning is not a primary drive, rather, it is a mutation of the fire drive. And BL is a mutation of that.

So he had an ancient drive that hadn't been seen in a long time and a double mutated drive.

'Great, just great... what now?'

Wandering the city's streets, which are filled with citizens and tourists from different human kingdoms and even other races.

Max's attention was drawn to another message from the guild leader. It wasn't particularly intriguing, though, it was just the same thing as before, just apologizing. There wasn't even a reward.

Max whined, it appeared that he would not be getting any sweet money this time. So he began to leave but was stopped by what he heard next.

"I understand all of your worries, because of that, myself and one of my lieutenants will be coming back from vacation to assure your safety."

Was the guild leader was returning from a vacation? This implied two things. That the crime rate would soon be reduced, not many people commit crimes while she is here. But that's the thing, every criminal who's been waiting for their chance will have to come out before she arrives.

'I only have to survive for a little longer... it shouldn't be that hard right? I just have to not get caught in the next incident like I did with the other two.'

After that Max stopped by the coffee shop, he decided to make this his place where he would clear his mind. He ordered a cup of coffee and waited.

'So this dragon wants to take control of my body and use me.'

This wasn't good news, luckily something was blocking the dragon from getting control. Max didn't know what or why but was sure not complaining. It just gave him more time.

He smiled.

'Ok then, if you want to take over my body and use me, I'll sure make great use of your abilities until then, and I'll use you until I lose control of my body, so we even.'

Max's coffee arrived, this time he said to put in extra sugar, so it would be sweet.

After looking down with a face of defeat.

'It's still too bitter.'

It was already late, and because he couldn't find a spot to sleep, he chose the second best alternative. He climbed a hill and slept on the grass, gazing at the stars. He used to do this a lot, he even painted some on the ceiling. The stars always helped him relax.

He woke up the next day, grumpy, and had obviously not slept well. Today he needed to find a place to sleep.

Determined, he descended the hill into the city. Walking through the city in this manner made him appear strange to others. But his determination served him well, he discovered an abandoned shed. Excitedly, he opened the door, only for everything to fall.

He was met by a man performing a ritual, and this time he got to witness its completion. The demon vanished into the ground, and the man was enveloped in white light before a silver substance emerged from the ground and entered him. What was that?

"How long are you going to stare kid."

Hearing this Max instantly started running away, but the man wasn't chasing him?

'Weird.'

He then frowned.

'I need to do something about my spying skills.'

But now the important thing was figuring out what the man got from the ritual. Was it an outlawed power? It had to. But which one?

Max then noticed a sticky note strapped to his leg. He grabbed it and started reading it.

'How long do you think you will live, what about the others around you?'

What kind of note was this? What did it even mean?

But the question Max feared the most was if he had gotten himself in a soon to happen incident.

'Not again!'

He spent the rest of the day trying to find another spot, but just like the first day he couldn't concentrate.

'What does the note mean?'

So at night he sadly had to sleep on the hill again.

Waking up the next day, he noticed bug bites on his body, today he really had to find a place to live.

He descended to the city and started wondering again. He would find many places but they would all be taken by beggars or other homeless.

'Damn it why are so many people here homeless, just buy a house.'

The sun was setting to Max started going to his usual spot. Another night with little to no sleep. But something caught his attention in a dark alleyway.

There was a family of three, a mother, a father, and a daughter. They appeared frozen. Behind them stood the same man as yesterday. The angle let Max see his face.

\A man in his early thirties, with a freshly trimmed beard, brown hair, and hazel eyes, was wearing gold earrings and rings. He appeared very happy for some reason.

It wasn't his problem, though. Or was it? This was the ideal time to attack him and stop an incident before it began. He hesitated a lot before making his decision.

...

The next second the man saw a sword flying at him with great speed, he wasn't able to dodge, so he closed his eyes hoping for the best. It hit him. But it didn't hurt? He opened his eyes to see... a wooden sword?

Seeing that his attack did no damage Max nervously chuckled.

'Uh hey...'

The next second he got punched in his face. It hurt but he had to endure it. He couldn't use his Dark Matter because it would cause too much commotion. He only had his BL and his sword. But BL wasn't as easy to use as Dark matter. So his attacks were weak, but at least he was fast.

Remembering how his kidnapper used her drive he got an idea, he used his drive on his feet so he would be able to dodge easier.

It indeed helped. As he dodged the man's punches, jabs hooks anything that was thrown at him. He felt strong but was just as fast put in his place as the man's arms caught on fire and caught him off guard.

'It burns, that's not nice.'

"I don't have time for this kid, spent their energy wisely kid."

'What's that supposed to mean, what did the note mean?'

"You will see, after all, you have enough life in you."

'You sure know how to put someone in the clouds.'

"I'm actually giving you many hints."

He snapped his finger and left. The family suddenly began moving again.

"Oh my, I thought that was it for us thank you."'

The mother grabbed Max's hands inside hers and spoke very respectfully.

'Oh, it's nothing really I just did what I thought was right.'

"Your parents taught you right.'

As Max heard his this his face darkened.

"Oh I'm sorry, did your parent die or something?"

'Yes... they did, I'm all alone now.'

...

"You know we have an empty room."