"I acknowledge your strength, o fleeting one..."
The beast in front of me spoke in a language foreign to me, yet I understood every word it said. Its huge reptilian eyes gazed into mine, steady and unwavering.
"Is that so?"
I could feel my mouth move and speak in a foreign language, but like with the dragon, I could understand every word. I could feel my mouth curling up into a weak smile.
"That's definitely an honor, being acknowledged by the great Elemental Dragon..."
A moment of silent came to us as we kept on staring at one another. Then, my arm moved, as if reaching out to the dying dragon. The dragon did the same almost at the same time. It was as if the both of us were yearning for each other's acknowledgement. The tip of its claw gently brushed against mine, and I firmly held it.
"Sorry for attacking you out of the blue. As the kingdom's hero, I couldn't exactly say no to the king."
The dragon lets out a chuckle as it closed its eyes. It slowly nodded its head, before resting it on the ground.
"Pay it no mind, o fleeting one... In any case, you've achieved something every warrior can only dream of. I have to reward you."
I closed my eyes and began contemplating. I can feel my breathing getting weaker with every breath I take. My pulse is starting to slow down as well. I opened my heavy eyelids and stared up to the sky.
"I was already the strongest magic knight alive... If anything, it only brought me troubles. I want to get rid of it."
The dragon silently gazed at me, before letting out another chuckle.
"What an odd thing to ask for. Is it not the dream of every mortal to reach the pinnacle of strength?"
This time, I was the one chuckling. Probably because of the deep wound across my torso, I ended up coughing blood in the end.
"Yes, but it came with a price. I couldn't do the things I want to do. If anything, I want to be freed from this burden."
The dragon lets out a thoughtful hum as it closed its eyes once again.
"Then... what do you think of being reincarnated as someone with a talent that does not look useful?"
I turned to the dragon with one upturned eyebrow. Seeing that as a sign of confusion, the dragon chuckled once more.
"I will bring you to a world where written words on top of a piece of paper is more valuable than your actual capabilities. There, I will give you a talent that will make you no better than a talentless person."
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
"That does sound nice. Would you mind taking me there?"
The dragon nodded, and began to chant. It sounded more like a low growl rather than a chant, but I know it was chanting in an ancient dragon language. The dragon opened its eyes once more and nodded to me.
"I hope you will have a better life over there, brave hero Lance."
I snorted in amusement as my mouth curled up into a smile.
"Hey, thanks... You know... you're actually pretty cool... I wish I... could've... known you... better..."
As I draw my last breath, the last thing I heard was the dragon's voice, talking in an amused tone.
"Then we shall meet again not as enemies... but as friends... And perhaps..."
With that, my vision goes completely dark, and I woke up in cold sweat.
YOU ARE READING
The Immortal and The Undying
Viễn tưởngLance was a hero. He is a role model for every fighter and magician on the continent. Kings bowed their head to him. He had everything. Fortune, fame, but he felt empty inside. He travels alone, with no one he can call friend. The smiles and praises...