SWNOVELXO Chapter 29: Chapter 23
I woke up early in the morning the next day. I decided I would start a pack but would have another leader. I wanted to pick Strider or DreadGleamer, Dreadgleamer is older and is smart but I ended up with Strider since she's closer to me and was a human. Dready would be like a Second-in-command, a deputy (Congrats to the people who get the reference, and whoever got the reference where Sol's name came from. Hint: they're from the same book series). But now I need another Deputy for Strider. It was a very tough choice, but I went with Moth. She's smart, and I totally did not pick her because she was my sister.
You did.
Shut up, Sol! I'd also need to ask Garff and Sephra to join the pack once the Dragon Riders leave the edge. After some deep thinking, I figured out that today or tomorrow was "King of Dragons Part One", Aka, the finales. I wanted to gather everyone so we could tell them about how Strider, I, and White'Scales were formerly human.
Unlike most reincarnates, I wasn't too scared to tell my friends and my family. Like, usually it goes well and most of the dragons here are pretty casual. Maybe Crimson might be indifferent but he's grown to mainly respect me, at least, I think so.
I carefully lifted my body from the pile, careful not to wake anyone, and made my way out to the cool morning to watch the sunrise, waiting for everyone to wake up. Strider and White'Scales were already up and together.
"Watching the Sunrise, hm? It's a good way to spend time, I guess. Anyways, I need to ask you something."
Strider turned towards me, White'Scales however just hummed sleepily in acknowledgment.
"I wanted to ask if you'll be okay with me telling everyone we were all human from a different universe...?"
"Erm... Sure." Strider said dismissively, turning back to the Sunrise.
"Whatever Strider said..." White'Scales grumbled, clearly wanting a snooze.
"And I'm starting a pack...?"
"Yep," said Strider. White'Scales yet again, hummed in acknowledgement.
"You don't care, do you?" I deadpanned.
"You are correct."
Hah! Oh, and if you're going to tell Gleamy of your decision, I think he's in one of the corners of the cave, sleeping.
Oh, thanks, Sol. How'd you know? Powers?
That's where he was sleeping last night. Now save yourself the embarrassment and go find him.
I did exactly that, finding him in the far left corner. While I walked towards there I couldn't help but notice the cave was a bit cramped. I'll have to build some homes for most of everyone. Gee, that will be hard... Or we could move in with Garff and Sephra.
I gently nudged Gleamer awake, he groaned stretching as he turned towards me, tired. "Hm? Yes, Zero...?"
"I uh, thought about it and... Yes, I will make a pack" He widened his eyes but I interrupted him before he could talk. "But, I will do this my way."
"Oh, thank you! You don't know how glad I am!" The Dreadstrider jumped up and practically spun in circles.
I then explained how so far that I would have two leaders and two deputies, I would also mix things humans do.
"That's... Way off from normal packs, but... I'm glad to be your deputy, Zero." he nodded. Then Zero remembered he had to tell him about his past. He was like, "Oh, nice." and we talked till everyone was awake.
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"So yeah... That's it." I finished explaining to everyone how, I, Strider, and White'Scales were human before. The reactions were pretty much all the same, a bit of surprise, then they just shrugged it off. The only dragons who didn't share a response were Viper and Crimson, who gave me some confused looks for a while (Which I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing), while Viper would glare at me sometimes, but that's usually how he just... acts. I also told them about my decision about making a pack and doing it my way.
I also decided I wasn't going to Berserker Island to fight the dragon hunter, as well as stop anyone from going if I could. We need to make sure Scarlet doesn't escape. I think Moth was guarding... I hope she's okay. Moth should've been able to hear what I said, but just in case, as well as checking if she's okay, I'll go there.
Once I reached the spot we left Scarlet and were relieved to see Moth okay and Scarlet still sleeping. Moth was glaring at Scarlet intently. I don't think she slept that whole night.
"Yeah, yeah. I heard what you said, I'm okay if you need to know." Moth said, not taking her eye off Scarlet and making me jump slightly. "She's been sleeping most of the night but I couldn't take any chances and stayed awake. She's planning something, I know it..."
"Oh, I guess that's great. Do you want someone to switch in to watch Scarlet?" I asked, she must be tired.
"Hm... No, but I will ask if you can bring me food and watch her for a bit while I drink water. And maybe even get White'scales or Strider here with me when she wakes up in case she gets rowdy and needs the stinger."
"I can do that, while I'm getting some fish I can get one of them."
"Thanks, little brother."
"Anytime!" I leave back towards the cave. Hazel asked if she could come with me as she wanted to do something back at the Clubhouse. I didn't ask why, I mean, this is probably the riders' last day here, who cares what destruction she causes? Plus, she's probably just explaining what happened to me, and maybe even my decision.
After I may or may not have stolen a couple of fish for both Moth and me, I got White'scales and gave Moth her two fish. She went to drink water and soon came back.
After that, I said goodbye and went back to the cave. Not much was going on, the only dragons that were there were Strider and Dready, who were taking, and GoldGlare was with Spark. Lux was with Tree, Stinger playing, and Crimson was watching them.
For once in a while, it was nice and peaceful... But quite boring. I could take a nap, but I doubt I'd fall asleep when I just woke up a bit ago.
Aw... It's like you forgot about me! I'm hurt...!
Ugh, no you pesky little rat, how can I?
Well, you forgotten we could talk AND I was a dragon before this!
And how does that stop me from being bored... I internally grumbled.
How can you be so DENSE sometimes... That means you can learn about me, my past, and HOW I managed to be like... this!
... I don't really want to know, but fine, tell me your whole mYsTeRiOuS past.
Hmph, well, it all started when I was hatching from my little egg-
Skip to relevant stuff, please.
NO! As I was saying, I was a dragon who's name was lost to time! It's been so long even I don't remember it... But well, I was young and probably the smartest of my siblings. That's important cause since they were so stupid they died. Well, except for this one sister, who stuck with me until... Well, I'm not telling you yet, as your old world said, no spoilers!
Uh-huh, can we get to the part about how you got here?
I was getting to that! I and my sister, Clarus, were inseparable, we fought danger none here could even DREAM of! That's until I found HIM.
Ambrose?
Not exactly... I met someone who knew him and was getting food for him. Unlike now, Ambrose was still "mortal", even if we never saw his appearance.
Then.. Who was it?
A decent fellow named Splendor Spei, but we called him Spei. He actually slightly resembled you and even acted like you. Though I think wasn't from another world. We met him a while after we awoke on an Island after a terrible storm. We faced unfamiliar threats and he showed us how to deal with them. He basically saved our lives.
Well, why did you mention him with such disdain if he saved both of you?
Well... He was the one that forced me to do it. He spoke of Ambrose so highly and asked to come and meet him. Clarus didn't trust him, she said her instincts were telling her not to go. For the first time in my life, I shunned her and went with Spei. I did not notice the sad look for me, it looked like he didn't but did want to do what he wanted to do. I should have listed to Clarus...
What was he going to do...?
...While he was leading me down a tunnel, I hesitated and asked him if I should do this, I was already starting to regret what I said to Clarus... He said he was "Just going to show me to Ambrose. He lied.
Once we got there. I saw a circle similar to what you saw at Scarlet's hidden cave, but bigger, as big as the whole cave, and with Skeletons scattered around. Both animal and dragon... At the back was a deep, pitch black hole even I, with my superior night-vision, couldn't see anything in it.
What... What happened next...?
I... I wanted to leave, I wanted to leave as soon as possible. Without a word, I turned back, and tried to leave but... Spei... Spei blocked me. His eyes were closed so he couldn't see me, or my despair. He pushed me into the circle, I landed right in the middle. I was tired, so tired. But something grabbed me, the last thing I ever heard of him was... "I-I'm so sorry."
I... I'm sorry... But, I can't help but be curious but... Do you forgive him?
...
Oh no, did I get him angry?
I'd be dammed if I ever forgave that blood-sucking leech... Is what I would say back then, when I didn't understand. Ambrose had to lock me when Spei came to feed him so I didn't kill him. But now, I know he was... hesitant, probably manipulated by Ambrose. I forgive him now, but just by a little.
Wow, most dragons... Well, almost everyone wouldn't have forgiven him. Okay, maybe except me but... That was very noble of you.
Aw... Thank you!
Of course, Sol, you've been through rough things.
"Ey! Zero, you're staring at the wall so I'm assuming you're talking to Sol but I have something to show you!" I heard Strider's voice behind me. I turned around to see her.
"Er, you're right, what is it?"
"Come on, it's behind the cave." She gestured with her tail.
As we walked, Strider smiled. "So, what's with the smile?"
"Is it wrong to be happy now? Well, you see, me and the rest had made something for you while you were gone"
It was a short walk behind the cave. There were some big bushes that looked to be covering something up. Nudging the bushes out of the way revealed a statue almost as big as me! It was a stone statue covered with... my pink amber...? It depicted me with my wings spread out, my tail curled around three eggs. At the base of the statue, it looked like the Target logo, but the white stripe was replaced by Liquid amber and the red parts were stone.
"It's good, right? Please say it's good, it took like, two days and nights with no sleep to make it? And please harden all the amber, don't ask where we got it. It isn't too much amber so you should be able to make sure it's hard for as long as you're alive."
"Course' I can harden it for you." He quickly hardened it. "Anyways, it's AWESOME Strider! You spent so long to make something I don't even deserve!"
"ZERO! Of course you deserve it! You saved Hazel from probably starving to death, then you saved us from also starving and not being killed by the Alpha, and last but not least... YOU SAVED A WHOLE FUCKING ISLAND?! Don't you dare say you don't deserve this?"
"...Uh, I guess you're right..." I mutter. "Okay, ima... go take a nap now."
I speedwalk as fast as I could to the cave before curling up. That was scary...
I know right? Even I was scared! Anyways, would this be a good time to mention I learned a new thing from your world :3?
Oh no.