From One Dragon To Another

Chapter 1 - The Journey Begins

I stood before the large, collapsed beast; my body battered, bruised, covered in dust, sweat and dirt. I stood with a sturdy stance until my legs finally gave way and I fell to my knees. The breeze blew my long, midnight black hair to the side of me with the yellow ombre in my hair glowing from the sunlight. My fiery orange eyes stared intensely at the mammoth laying motionless in front of me; sheer accomplishment that I managed to conquer such a fiend could be seen in my glistening eyes. Realisation finally hit me, I had just finished my last ever job request with my guild- Howling Dragons.

"I am beat. This job was definitely a tough one but, I fought a worthy battle and came out on top, thank goodness." I said to myself with relief, breathing heavily after the intense exercise.

I swept my bangs away from my eyes and gathered my hair in my hands into a ponytail, tying it with a black hair band. I moved my legs so I was sat cross legged on the torn up ground, looking at the beast I had just annihilated.

"Man that was tough." I muttered to myself.

"I'll say. That was so awesome Akari!" I heard a young lady say excitedly.

My name is Akari Ryu, 19 years old and a proud member of the Howling Dragons guild based in Shirotsume town, in the Kingdom of Fiore.

I turned my head to look over my shoulder, my friend was running towards me. Kasumi Sasaki, 16 years old. Kasumi is also a member of Howling Dragons and has been a very close friend of mine for years, pretty much since I first joined the guild. Her pixie haircut with her long bangs brushed to the right side of her face is baby blue in colour with her eyes being as deep blue as the ocean. She wears a white, off the shoulder, lace decorated, skater dress, a pair of black leggings, a pair of pastel blue, high heel, ankle boots and a dark blue, long jacket.

Kasumi crouched down next to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"That was amazing what you did." Kasumi said with a smile.

"Thanks I guess. I mustn't forget you though, I couldn't have done it without you." I praised Kasumi.

"I didn't do anything really." Kasumi said modestly.

"You were healing me through the whole battle though, it's a huge help." I said gratefully.

"Thanks. We make a really good team; you, me, and Pika." Kasumi said excitedly.

"Speaking of, where is Pika?" I asked whilst looking around the area covered in rubble.

"Don't worry I was taking care of her." Kasumi smiled as she took Pika out of her jacket pocket.

Pika is my best friend and my pet cat (or Exceed if you want to be technical). She is yellow in colour and always wears a Pikachu costume, hence why she is called Pika.

Kasumi handed Pika over to me and I cuddled her tightly before putting her down on the ground.

I got up off the ground and strolled through the town with Kasumi and Pika to collect the reward money and go to the train station to travel back to the Howling Dragons guild hall. I had some news for Kasumi and the rest of the guild, and as much as I was excited about my future as a mage, I still felt guilty inside about wanting to leave the guild, I felt like I should always be there for them forever, on the other hand, I also felt like it was the perfect time to move on with my journey as a wizard.

The three of us sat down on the train and reflected back on our really busy day. I managed to get a wash and change of clothes at a local B&B (Bed and Breakfast) before leaving the town. I changed into my everyday outfit consisting of a pair of yellow boots, a pair of black leather leggings, a black vest top, and a loose, off the shoulder, yellow, knitted jumper. My hair was taken out of its temporary ponytail and left in its natural state.