The Swamp Dragon

Chapter 10: Welcome Home

Aren: "Whaaa!!! Where here!!"

Zuon: "This is where you came from right? There isn't that much difference in my kingdom though."

Aren: "Well, Yeah mostly kingdoms are just kingdoms"

Drinia: "I'm kinda scared... I can't show myself yet"

Aren's father: "Wait, I think we have a blanket here in the carriage..."

Aren: "No worries dad, I have one you can use it as a hood"

Zuon: "You're prepared for this situation, huh?"

Aren: "Yeah of course. I always had to find a way to hide her in a crowd"

Trofinn: "So? Where are we going now?"

Aren: "Umm wait, dad?"

Aren's father: "Hmm? What is it?"

Aren: "Can we stay on our previous home back before we left it"

Aren's father: "I'm not sure about that since I don't know if it’s still exist or not"

Aren: "I guess we have go there and find out"

Trofinn: "We should take a rest first. Some nearby inn should do"

Aren: "All right- wait, where is our money again?"

Trofinn: *gasp* "Boss Juroo was carrying it with him!"

Drinia: "Oh we just buried it along with him"

Aren: "And I forgot to bring our share!"

Aren's father: "Haha! Were basically penniless right now!"

Zuon: "Are you kidding me? Well I do have money but I think it’s only enough for me"

Aren: "I uhh... I think we have to sell some of your scales Drinia hehe...to make money?"

Drinia: "Sure! That's fine for me!"

Aren: "Good! That's good!"

*Drinia gave two scales to Aren*

Aren: "All right, thank you very much"

Zuon: "Awesome... it really does look like a gem"

Aren's father: "What will you say to the trader Aren?"

Aren: "I uhh I'll just have to say that this is our familiy secret treasure, I guess?"

Aren's father: "Hmm... yeah that might work"

Trofinn: "I'll come with you and the others can just stay here in the carriage while waiting for us"

Zuon: "All right, no problem"

Drinia: "Umm... can you buy some food too I'm really hungry right now hehe..."

Aren: "Of course! I know the best food this kingdom has to offer so wait for us!"

Trofinn: "Let's go"

*Both of them went to the kingdom to look for a trader and surprisingly they found one as soon as they enters. They trade it with a very believable reason.*

Trofinn: "That's insane that they actually believe that it’s a family treasure"

Aren: "Shhhh! Quiet Trofinn! Anyway, let’s look for food that we can all eat with a cheap price. O I think I saw one"

Drinia: "They’re here! They’re a lot faster than I thought"

Aren: "We brought cooked potatoes!!"

Zuon: "Cooked potatoes? Really? That's one of the delicious food of the kingdom?"

Aren: "Hey, don't underestimate cooked potatoes! They’re really good while having very cheap price"

Drinia: "I'm satisfied with that! And yeah it does look tasty somehow"

Aren's father: "I remember bringing home cooked potatoes whenever I got from work, right Aren?"

Aren: "Yeah, dad"

Drinia: "Oh! It's so sweet!!"

Zuon: "Hey, hey! It’s not bad! This is really good!"

Aren: "Told you so!"

Trofinn: "We could store this as our basic food source though. We could buy a larger amount of it without having to spend too much money"

Drinia: "I don't mind eating cooked potatoes along the way but it would be better if we have variety… you know?"

Zuon: "Yeah, yeah I agree"

Trofinn: "All right, got it"

Aren: "Are guys done eating? We should get going now"

Zuon: "Are we going to leave this carriage here?"

Trofinn: "Of course not we will bring it inside the kingdom"

Aren: "Wait, we just stole this carriage right?"

Zuon: "Logically, yeah that is completely true"

Drinia: "I feel bad for that person though"

Trofinn: "Anyways, everyone ready? Then let's go"

Aren: "but first we should feed the horse somehow and he looks thirsty"

Aren's father: "We already did that earlier as soon as you guys left so we can proceed now"

Aren: "Got it, dad"

Drinia: "All right. Time to hide myself"

Zuon: "You shouldn't act too suspiciously Drinia they might capture and put you in jail"

Aren: "Well yeah. Unlike Dime Kingdom people here are not used to killing and some other stuff"

*The carriage soon entered the kingdom. They looked around for an infamous inn they could rest to*

Aren's father: "Hmmm I think this is a decent one"

Aren: "Oh... it seems pretty normal dad"

Aren's father: "Well I guess. I mean we want places that aren't too much crowded right?"

Trofinn: "This place might work let's check it out"

Drinia: "I uhh... Can I stay here at the carriage?"

Zuon: "No, you can't. What happens if someone kidn*pped you and realized that *whispers* you're a dragon"

Aren: "Zuon is right. It's better for you be with us where we can protect you"

Drinia: "All right... I'll come with you guys"

*They entered the Inn and saw lot of people in the first floor*

Aren: "(There were a lot of people than what I expected! It's still a good thing we could avoid being the center of attention as long as they don't notice Drinia)"

Aren's father: "Follow me"

*They passed the customers whose busy eating and drinking. Telling the stories of their life and other things they could talk to*

Aren: "It's that the one where we can pay for things?"

Trofinn: "All right, let me handle this"

Zuon: (Hmmm... yeah. This kingdom is more likely the same as Demi Kingdom. Despite being in the village I need to go to Demi Kingdom to study so I can still observe the life they had there. Lots of drunk hunters, some are freshly wounded and yet their laughing with their friends)

Aren: "Hey Zuon. What kind of room?"

Zuon: "Huh? Me? Wait, are we going to have separate rooms too?"

Aren: "Uhh no. I'm just wondering what the best room for the four of us is what I meant?"

Zuon: "We don't need a room that's too huge for us since we'll just stay here for a night"

Aren: "Hmmm... okay, okay understandable. Make sense"

Trofinn: "So what room?"

Aren: "The average one should be enough for four of us then Drinia will have a small one"

Zuon: "Come to think of it, Why aren't you talking- (She's trembling in fear!!)

*Aren noticed it so he decided to approach her to calm her down*

Aren: "Hey, hey Drinia. Its okay were right here to protect you don't panic and remove that fear... We will always be by your side"

*Drinia nods*

Drinia: "Okay..."

Aren: "Good"

Trofinn: "I'm done paying for the room and here's the key to your room Drinia"

Drinia: "Th- Thanks"

Aren's father: (If I were in her shoes I would feel the same. Knowing that you're different from them and that they might hurt you once they had the chance. Humans is as scary as ever)

Aren: (To be honest, I really want to leave this place as soon as possible. This is the perfect time to avoid Narsin's catastrophe but I can't say it to them. We all need a rest and of course they need it too. However, if Narsin will just walk from here coming from Dime Kingdom then it means it will took him a whole day. It's more than enough time for us to escape this kingdom)

Drinia: "So uhh does our room just beside each other?"

Trofinn: "Yes, of course so don't worry"

Zuon: "Finally, I can have a decent sleep after for so long"

Trofinn: "Really, you did seem to be sleeping well in the carriage"

Zuon: "I have no choice at that time. I need to save my money as much as I can"

Aren: "Oh... Is this the room?"

Trofinn: "Does it have the same symbol as the key?"

Aren: "Yeah, it does and Drinia's room should be on the left, right?"

Drinia: "Okay, I got it"

Trofinn: "So uhh we should take a rest for now and meet up to eat dinner on the first floor"

Aren: "Yeah, that's right"

*While they were taking a rest for the day. Dren the wood spirit meets up with Hygon in one of the houses inside Demi Kingdom. Dren disguised himself as normal human but he can only hold it for 20 minutes every day. As he walks in the streets the humans around him felt nothing*

Wood spirit: (Why does he need me too? Can’t he just tell everything to Narsin)

*He found the house and enters. He saw Hygon taking a sip of tea*

Hygon: “You’re finally here, Dren”

*Hygon is a tall man in his twenty’s, dark blue hair and yellow eyes then a golden earrings on his left ear. His body isn’t that much buffed but you can sense the overwhelming presence of him. His clothes are pretty standard because he doesn’t like fancy things that much. A black long sleeve and brown pants wearing a wooden shoes came from other dimensions*

Wood spirit: “How did you know it was me I’m disguised perfectly? (His sense of fashion was way off as usual)”

Hygon: “I will always know when it’s you because who else would meet up with me. Oh yeah, look at my new clothes I found it in the other dimensions where I scouted their objects”

*Dren sat down on the table to discuss things with Hygon*

Wood spirit: “It’s pretty nice but I don’t think its suited in this world but wait that’s not the topic. What do you exactly do you need from me?”

Hygon: “You know that tomorrow is the big day right? I was actually surprised that Narsin told me about it I thought it would take one more week”

Wood spirit: “That’s right. The preparations are done and the wait is over so I need to go to Spirit Kingdom as fast as I can today”

Hygon: “You have to past the Vari Kingdom to go there right? So I want you to do something incredible to your lovely sister”

Wood spirit: “Wait, how did you know-“

Hygon: “Narsin told me about it. The night you’re travelling together you accidentally encounter your sister on the way which she holds a dragon spirit”

Wood spirit: “So? What about my sister?”

Hygon: “I want you to turn her like you”

Wood spirit: “Like me? You mean... *gasp* you have that thing?”

Hygon: “The mushroom that turned you into that monster. Yes I have it. Turn your sister into another corrupted spirit”

Wood spirit: “I though every piece of that mushroom were burned down how did you get one?”

Hygon: “The leader gave it to me on our meeting last month. I can’t think of anything to use it until Narsin mentioned your sister, it’s the perfect experiment!”

Wood spirit: “It’s not an experiment if we already know how things will turn out with that thing”

Hygon: “Exactly, but we don’t know if she can control it or whether she decides to protect her friends or destroy them”

Wood spirit: “That’s a messed up plan and I liked it! Deal! I’ll destroy my sister’s life once again”

Hygon: (You’re a crazy bastard Dren. Not only that mushroom corrupted your spirit it also destroys you’re mind) Make sure that you won’t mess this up”

*Hygon gave the small pocket bag to Dren consisting the said mushroom*

Wood spirit: “Yeah, I don’t have much time on this disguise and I can’t let the people panic on my form so I should go now”

Hygon: “What are you saying you have 15 minutes left, right?”

Wood spirit: “I will use that time to get close to my sister without her noticing or… I might take another way to do it so I will go now”

Hygon: “Take care and good luck to us tomorrow”

*Dren nods and immediately went outside the house hoping to get out of the kingdom as fast as possible*

Wood spirit: (After this I will travel to Vari Kingdom then head straight to Spirit Kingdom)

*One month ago, the king of Clock Kingdom calls a meeting inside his dining room at his castle. The king of clock kingdom had red bluish hair with black eyes*

Clock King: “Good day, my friends from all over the continent”

“The terror and monster of Spirit Kingdom and the banished child, Dren the Wood Spirit”

“The nightmare of Vari Kingdom, the corrupted magic user, Narsin”

“The despicable one of Dime Kingdom, the one blessed with immense power, Hygon”

“The ferocious human-animal of Demi Kingdom, one who can be a horrible hungry beast, Okan”

“And I the genius king of Clock Kingdom, one who wants to pass the boundaries and explore he world, Horatius III”

Okan: “Enough with the introductions what do you want from us?”

King Horatius: “Now that we know each other I have a very good offer for all of us”

Hygon: “I would appreciate this if it worth my precious time”

Wood spirit: “I don’t mind being here I have nowhere to be anyway”

Narsin: “Shut up and let the king speak don’t you lot have some respect?”

*The room slow down quietly and the king starts talking about his offer*

King Horatius: “We have gathered here based solely on my ambition but it will benefit all of you too”

Okan: “I heard rumors that you were the crazy king who’s venturing the outside world letting your knight sacrifice their life for your discovery”

King Horatius: “That’s a harsh way to put it but yeah that is most definitely true”

Narsin: “So basically you’re going to use us for your ambition that we will also gain benefits for ourselves”

King Horatius: “When you all entered here I already sensed the strong power within you I am wondering why haven’t you using it for your own good”

Wood spirit: “Oh I know where this is going”

King Horatius: “I’m glad that were on the same boat. 6 weeks from now and we will launch an all-out war with the whole continent”

Okan: “That’s not very surprising considering that it’s you we were talking about”

King Horatius: “This is the best for this last human continent. If we stay behind these bunch of trees we won’t get anywhere. Soon our population will rise and we will not be having enough resources in this tiny piece of land so I will prevent that from happening, I am the last hope of this continent”

Okan: “So you’re basically making us do all the dirty work for you but I don’t mind. I’ve been wanting to destroy my kingdom”

King Horatius: “But were not basically killing them we just want to make them bow down to us and create a one new empire for all different humans”

Narsin: “Hmmm... I like this idea. I’m in”

Hygon: “Yeah, me too”

Dren: “I’ll join this one because I don’t have anything else to do anyway”

Okan: “That goes for me too”

King Horatius: “I’m glad that you all agreed into this. All four of you are the last persons I could think of to get help. First, we will be taking the position of Vari Kingdom since they are in the center of this continent. My kingdom will release an all-out war to them after Narsin weakened their defenses”

Narsin: “Understood”

King Horatius: (I can’t believe their actually cooperating well. I thought they would rampage or some sort looks like I underestimated them)

Okan: “So that’ it? That’s all we have to do right? We’ll attack our respective kingdom bringing an all-out war to the whole continent”

King Horatius: “Of course that’s all you have to do. After 3-4 weeks we will soon initiate the attack”

Dren: “Still have a lot of free time…”

Narsin: “I’ll have to go back now I have important things to do”

Hygon: “Oh… Only a few weeks left to enjoy this old world”

Okan: “I have pet animals to take care of so I’ll be going too”

King Horatius: (I still don’t understand… why does everyone on their kingdom treats them as an enemy when the truth is this is just their true form...)

King’s Assistant: (Looks like everything turns out unexpectedly well but still despite being the king…. King Horatius was not respected by anyone outside the kingdom so he was shocked to see them like that. No one believed his ambition, no one tries to understand him, no one cares how he manage his kingdom for the things he has done. He only wants to grant the dream of his ancestors… to venture out the whole world)

*After the four gotten out of the kingdom King Horatius immediately went to the grand hall where his army was waiting for him*

King Horatius: “Our long awaited revenge is about to happen. I need the strength of each of one of you, we will show the true power of clock kingdom. We will going to manipulate the future of this world”

*King Horatius army consist of humans who can control time in a short period. Each with different specialty and skills that contains threat to the whole continent*

King Horatius: (This is insane… I’m about to destroy the balance this world had created)

*Back in the current time, while the headhunters travels to Vari Kingdom they saw Narsin standing in front of them*

Narsin: “Do you mind if I take a ride with you?”

Herald: “Hey guys, there’s a varinian here who wants to go with us”

Mr. Tilou: “Why not? He’s going to Vari Kingdom anyway, right?”

Narsin: “Of course, I just had a business here in Demi Kingdom. Sadly, I don’t have enough money to rent a carriage”

Rula: “Sure, you can go with us”

Narsin: (What a lucky day it is... they didn’t notice I flew above them while using my magic spell but I have lots of time to spare on such trivial things)

Herald: “Welcome aboard, sir”

Narsin: (Wait… this guys... are headhunters?) Who are you about to kill?”

Furoo: “You already know that were headhunters, huh? Let just say that we want a sweet revenge”

Narsin: “I see… (Things will get interesting from now on…)