The Swamp Dragon

Chapter 9: The Path We Take

Grandma Hal: “Carry me! I know where she is hiding!”

Hunter 1: “Just stay here old woman your job is done”

Hunter 2: “Yeah, just go back to selling fruits or anything”

Hunter 3: “Just because you did something to us we will now let you lead us. No”

Grandma Hal: “Huh? But you all promised that you will pay me a decent amount of money and that I will have a share with the scales!!”

Hunter 1: “Promises are meant to be broken. You also did that to her, right?”

Grandma Hal: “You don’t know her nest I’m the only one who can find her!!”

Hunter 2: “It’s just in the forest straight ahead right? Where else that little creature can go?”

*All the hunters in that building left the place to chase that creature they just saw. It will be the most valuable hunt the will ever had in their life*

Hunter 1: “That kind of human is really rare! That would worth thousands of golds!!

Hunter 2: “What a lucky day it is!!”

Drinia: (All right, I’m almost out of the kingdom… I have to get back to my forest-)

*Tons of flying arrows and daggers aims at Drinia thanks to her automatically moving vines it caught one of it*

Drinia: (That was close!)

Hunter: “I almost got her damn it!”

Drinia: (I hate this place! I will never ever leave that forest again. I can’t trust anyone)

*Drinia soon gets back into the deep forest but the hunters will not stop just because of that*

Drinia: (I have to do something about them)

*The hunters slowly observe the forest wielding different weapons like, swords and shield and especially plenty of arrows and bows*

Hunter: “I’m not going to lie. Despite that creature being a little girl her actions feels like a mature human”

Hunter 2: “There are some strange creatures that develop faster than normal humans, you know”

Hunter 3: “I’m assuming that were roughly about 30 hunters right now. That creature had nowhere to escape”

Hunter 1: “We should still be careful though there are lots of monster around the area of this forest”

*As they walk further there haven’t any sign of life yet until this green gas starts to expand in the area*

Hunter 1: “What’s this?”

Hunter 2: “Don’t breathe it in! It will make you… fall... asleep…”

*In an instant every single hunter loses their consciousness*

Drinia: (It works… I’ll just leave all of them here. I’m too weak to kill…)

*One hunter aims his arrow to Drinia pretending to fall asleep as he holds his breathe Drinia’s vines sense it so it moves automatically and pierced its head*

Drinia: “Huh? *gasp* It protected me again… I guess I’m not alone. There is this spirit who makes sure that I remains alive.”

*Drinia walks away looking down. Her feelings are mixed and her thoughts are rumbled. She can’t think of anything to do but to just walk and walk continuously. She went and looked for a swamp where she can live on for the rest of her life*

She said to herself, “This is where I belong”

Drinia: “And that is how I got there. I live alone for 10 years until I decided to leave that place”

Aren: “Wow, that’s a very sad story of your life. If I’m in that situation I don’t think I can handle that loneliness”

Aren’s father: “I hate it on how the greed of human can be endless. That’s one of our worst part as a creature ourselves”

Tino: “I have a question though”

Drinia: “What is it?”

Tino: “You said to yourself that you can’t trust anyone anymore and that you will never leave that place ever again. What is the thing that change your mind?”

Drinia: “Hmm.. I think it just because I have a hunch that Aren is not a bad person. When I saw him hunting with his father I thought that maybe the were just doing this because they need money or food. So I have to make sure that they won’t get hurt and that they will return home safe.”

Tino: “I see, so Aren found you”

Aren: “Yeah, It was strange at first because how come a beautiful human like creature is out here deep in the forest”

Aren’s father: “Oh I get it now, that’s why when I’m hunting that little green creature thing it leads me back to where we entered”

Drinia: “That was made from my vines”

Tino: “That is so convenient. No wonder lots of humans want to hurt you”

Aren: “Greater value comes a dangerous life. Must be tough to live peacefully knowing that you can benefit lots of humans”

*As Drinia looks at them having a nice conversation. She remembers her point of view where he first met Aren in that cold night*

(When I first talk to him. My loneliness vanishes out of nowhere it feels like I could finally gain a friend I’ve been looking for so long. I didn’t hesitated to ask him if he’s all right. It’s also the first time someone look at me with admiration not caused by fear nor greed. I know myself that he’s innocent and sincere.

(That’s why I really waited for his return. I am lying when I said to myself I didn’t want to see him again. It’s the only way I can refill the emptiness in my heart I’ll just have to open it again)

*back into the current situation*

Tino: “I’m hoping that we reached that kingdom soon”

Aren’s father: “Don’t worry, as time passes by were definitely getting closer”

Aren: “Since were not there yet why don’t you Tino tell us some of you past stories? Where did you came from and what is the exact reason you became a drageonologist? Is that right?”

Tino: “To be honest. Tino is a fake name. I will ever tell anyone my real name unless I really trust them but now I trust you guys so you can call me Zuon! Zuon of the none kingdom! Yeah I didn’t grew up in any of the 1.. 2… 3… five kingdoms?”

Aren: “Huh? Really? Wow that’s a lot of new information about you. Nice to meet you Zuon. You hear that trofinn? He’s real name is Zuon!”

Trofinn: “Yeah I can hear you guys loud and clear!”

Zuon: “I just live on a secluded village between Demi and Vari Kingdom”

Drinia: “Demi Kingdom? What is it again?”

Aren’s father: “Demi-humans Kingdom. This is where half human and half animals exist”

Aren: “Come to think of it. They were the same as you Drinia they can transform into an animal but it depends on how strong their magical power”

Zuon: “Yeah they almost the same but the main difference is that they were born with it naturally. No matter what kind of animal the parents could be there will always be a single outcome”

Aren’s father: “With that in mind, I didn’t expect that small villages actually exist”

Zuon: “Well yeah, because there are normal group of people who just wants to live away from magical things and my village is one of them.”

Aren: “But how on earth did you encounter a dragon?”

Zuon: “To be honest again, I never encountered one! My grandpa is the real one who were saved by a dragon and I just simply amazed on how mythical they can be. Large wings, thorns, horns, and a fiery breathe. I am intrigue that what if there are different kinds of dragons so I decided to study them without any benefit for me I’m doing what I like”

Aren: “Must be nice to spend your time on something your passionate about”

Drinia: “but how did you survive outside your village? Don’t you miss your friends and family?”

Zuon: “I survived by begging for food!! Just kidding. You know I’m not a weak person my family was originally came from Demi-Kingdom but we decided to pretend to be normal and just live life peacefully away from any trouble or responsibilities. If I want to make money I’ll just hunt any monster I found and trade it with money as simple as that”

Drinia: “I remember it now! When you were about to transform into an animal that night when my brother is about to attack us”

Zuon; “Well I have no choice but to reveal it when my life is in danger but more for me I want to ignore this power and just be normal”

Aren: “Well, that’s kinda the opposite for me. If I want to protect anything I need to have enough power to do it but sometimes not all things you want you get”

Drinia: “Huh? Aren’t you pretty strong enough Aren? Your strength is beyond an average human”

Aren: “But I’m a Varinian who had an access to mana I supposed to know how to use magic on my age and yet I can’t do it”

Aren’s father: “Don’t worry Aren. You’re just a late bloomer. You’ll soon discover your own magical ability”

Zuon: “Why do you have to protect someone? Do you have an enemy out there?”

Aren: “We will always have an enemy. There will something or someone that will hurt us that’s why I need the power to prevent it”

Zuon: “I guess I don’t know what that feels since I have this incredible power I didn’t wish for”

Drinia: “I don’t dislike having a dragon spirit within me but what’s wrong is that because of this power I lost everything I have.”

Aren’s father: “Life sucks eh... No matter what generation it may be life will always hard and full of challenges. However, that makes our journey interesting too.”

Aren: “You’re right dad it really is interesting”

Drinia: “We’ve been talking here for hours are we there yet?”

Aren’s father: “I don’t actually know where we are right now did we take a detour?”

Trofinn: “I forgot to say. I didn’t want to interrupt you guys but we have to take a little bit of faraway road since I SAW A LOT OF DAMN MONSTERS!!”

Aren: “What??”

Trofinn: “I don’t know why they are blocking that road but it’s a good thing there’s another one right?”

Aren’s father: “Wait, you took a separate road? That is not the way to Vari Kingdom. We’re heading to Demi Kingdom right now”

Zuon: “Oh yeah, now that you’ve said it I did took this path to get here”

Trofinn: “No way, so we have to go back to face that monsters”

*The carriages turns back*

Aren: “It must be Narsin… He’s preventing any army or reinforcements from going to Vari Kingdom”

Drinia: “What do you think their planning to do? That man is with my little brother last night”

Zuon: “This must be the enemy you’re talking about”

Aren’s father: “I’m just wondering when we left the Vari Kingdom that day there isn’t anything that blocked us”

Aren: “Maybe we are allowed to leave it but no one dares to enter it”

Drinia: “Can’t we just take this path and redirect to Vari Kingdom?”

Zuon: “I think that’s impossible. It took me 3 days just to travel from my village to Dime Kingdom”

All: “3 days??”

Aren: “That’s how far it is? That’s insane”

Aren’s father: “There’s no way we can survive that long”

Drinia: “I changed my mind this is the best way we can take”

Trofinn: “Prepare yourselves its either we die all here or we keep on moving”

Zuon: “We could just pass them secretly right?”

Aren: “Well, if their on the main road then we’ll go to the sides to avoid them”

Drinia: “What about this carriage?”

Aren’s father: “I guess we have no choice but to leave it here”

Zuon: “It will just be destroyed anyway so it’s better to let the horse free”

Aren: “We’ll bring the supplies ourselves, huh?”

Drinia: “Now this is what we call interesting and… I hate it”

Trofinn: “All right, this is as far as we can go. We can’t approach them too much”

Aren: “All right, I hope that our supplies won’t get damaged here”

Drinia: “Can’t we just blow them away with explosion like last time”

Zuon: “That’s a good idea! We just need lots of powder explosions and then boom!!”

Drinia: “Thanks for being sarcastic Zuon”

Zuon: “What? I’m not wrong right?”

Aren: “Oh yeah it is possible what do you think dad?”

Aren’s father: “Can you please help us here first”

Trofinn: “There still some bags here”

Zuon: “All right, all right. Sorry”

Drinia: “Are you ready Aren?”

Aren: “Uhh wait how did we make that fire again? I just need a stick right and you will make it an igniting thing right?”

Drinia: “Huh? Did you forgot? Just scratch the stick on my vine and it will automatically create the fire”

Aren: “You’re vines are so essential that I need it so badly”

Zuon: “So you guys have a plan?”

Trofinn: “Oh, You’re going to recreate what we did to the headhunters when we first encounter them?”

Aren: “Yeah, it’s very effective in this kind of situations”

*They all look at the monsters in the distance as they plan their next move*

Aren: “Their literally on the way!”

Drinia: “Tons of different species eh.”

Trofinn: “Hmm... wait, Rather than throwing a blazing stick why don’t we just use my bow and arrow”

Drinia; “Oh yeah that’s perfect in that way no one need to approach them except me”

Aren’s father: “However, once you released that gas thing of yours we need a rope to pull you back fast so that you won’t get caught in the explosion”

Zuon: “I see, I see. It really is risky for Drinia. Can you do it?”

Drinia: “of course! I still have resistant to fire since I have dragon scales”

Aren: “All right, it’s decided all we have to do is to perform it”

*Aren tries to find a rope but he can’t find any*

Aren: “Oh we don’t have any rope?”

Drinia: “Well, You can use my vines as a rope”

All: “Just how convenient your vines can be!!”

Zuon: “Okay, yeah this is long enough”

Aren: “Here let me tie it to you”

Drinia: “Oh thanks!

Aren’s father: “Take your positions”

Trofinn: “Do I have just have to scratch the vine for the fire to ignite?

Drinia: “Yes! Make sure it touches the vines first before it reaches them”

Trofinn: “Okay, I understand.”

Aren: “Were ready whenever you are Drinia”

Drinia: “I will count to three. I will run breathe the gas the arrow ignites it as you guys pull me back. Is that clear?”

All: “yes!”

Drinia: “1… 2… 3!!”

*Drinia ran as fast as she can towards the monster. It notices her and all of it started to ran toward her she breathe the gas and the arrow comes with a fiery tip.*

Aren: “PULL!!”

*They pulled Drinia as fast as they can and as soon as the gas and the fire touches it directly explodes on the monster*

Zuon: “All right!! It works!!”

Aren: “You did it Drinia!”

Aren’s father: “Not bad! Now we can still use the carriage without any harm”

Trofinn: “It turns out pretty well”

Aren: “Let’s go!”

Aren’s father: “Now I can say that were really close to the kingdom”

*Meanwhile, in Dime Kingdom you can see Narsin walking out of the kingdom. Meeting up with Dren the wood spirit*

*Dren notices that Narsin is disturbed by something*

Narsin: “Hmmm…”

Wood Spirit: “What’s wrong? It pretty rare for you to look like that”

Narsin: “I felt a disturbance in my magic spell around Vari Kingdom. Looks like Aren does something to pass those monster”

Wood Spirit: “I see…”

Narsin: “I made that spell especially for them”

Wood Spirit: “So? Did you inform him about the new plan?”

Narsin: “Yeah, He wants to talk to you but for me I have no business here anymore I’ll just have to go back to my kingdom”

Wood Spirit: “All right, got it”

Narsin: “What a pain… It takes a whole day to walk here from there”

Wood Spirit: “Why don’t you use a carriage?”

Narsin: “Only lame people uses that”

Wood Spirit: “See you later”

Narsin: “Yeah,yeah”

*Inside Dime Kingdom, The headhunters are preparing for their journey to Vari Kingdom*

Rula: “Food and water supplies check!

Herald: “Were almost ready to go”

Mr. Tilou: “Okay, I’ll carry chief to the carriage”

Herald: “Okay, Sir Tilou”

Rula: “Hayss.. I’m still sad about Helone…”

Herald: “That is why we’re doing this we need to bring revenge”

Rula: “I just realized that this job is so tough… We need to kill people and yet if someone kills one of us it damn hurts”

Herald: “We are the bad guys here. We earn money in the most dirtiest way”

Mr. Tilou: “Hey, I got chief now”

Furoo: “You don’t have to carry me! I can walk on my own!”

Mr. Tilou: “Calm down chief! It’s just more convenient this way”

Rula: “All right, we can go now”

Herald: “I’ll drive the carriage so just relax there until we reached the kingdom.”

Rula: “We’ll be there by night time, right? That’s a long way to go”

Narsin: “I’m pretty excited to meet you again, Aren. That spell will only exist because you came back to Vari Kingdom”