Desert Dragon

by Michael Rogers

  Lezard: "You gave me the impression you'd be seeing me soon."

  Millard: "My little monster.. I've been back and forth between continents, making new friends, The Unknown Territories." *He shook his head and adjusted his cone-shaped hat.*

  Lezard: "Not even once."

  Millard: "Now, now, my little monster. I've been to Silver Wind Island several times, just to see you. But you were never there?"

  Lezard: "You did? I wasn't?"

  Millard: "It made my old bones sad."

  Lezard: *He gasped in realisation.* (He must've arrived when I was out on guild related missions?)

  Millard: "Good news. I'm closing in on Kathalestel."

  Lezard: "Mother monster?"

  Millard: "Yuppers."

  Lezard: "Ooo, how exciting."

  Millard: "I know! Do you feel the excitement, it sends malicious shivers down the spine."

  Lezard: "Malicious yet-"

  Millard and Lezard: "Delicious!"

  Lezard: "Bwarharharh."

  Millard: "Bahahahah."

  Lezard: "It's good to see you again, daddypoo."

  Millard: "And you too my special pumpkin."

  Lezard: "Oh stahp, as Karol would say."

  Millard: "Bahaha, how are your trusty friends going?"

  Lezard: "Actually, I'm in a guild."

  Millard: "Oooo-" *He wiggled his bottom to each side.* "A guild?! What is it called? Who did you join?"

  Lezard: "We formed our own guild. The Rostical Guild!" *He hobbled on the spot and pointed up into the air, as if he was doing some sort of pose.*

  Millard: "How majestic! Do you all have special poses? And do you wear different coloured clothes, or matching?!"

  Lezard: "Bwarharh, settle your battleship, daddypoo-"

  Thirty-Eight: "D-Damn you-" *He twitched in pain and fell unconscious once again.*

  Lezard: "What happened with them?"

  Millard: "They-" *He hobbled around and faced the party of warriors, watching small pockets of flames burn along the ground around them.* "They used Rostical, and they used it to hurt people."

  Lezard: *He noticed the tone difference in Millard's voice.* (Father monster is serious-)

  Millard: "It feels like a massive stamp on mine and Kathalestel's dream-"

  Lezard: "Speaking about her, where is she?"

  Millard: "I've pinpointed her possible whereabouts. It's East to The Snowfrost Mountains."

  Lezard: "What an unusual place for it to be."

  Millard: "I know. I'm heading there now."

  Lezard: "I'm coming."

  Millard: *He started to walk forward, causing his brown robes to flap in the wind.* "How did you find me? Your appearance is too much of a delicious surprise to be a coincidence."

  Lezard: "I had research's help."

  Millard: (Dawn, Silver Wind Island's renounced researcher.)

  Lezard: "Let's hobble into the fateful direction together."

  Millard: "I'm not sure how exactly this confrontation will go, but I'd prefer it if you weren't there-"

  Lezard: "Nope, I'm not hearing this conversation!"

  Millard: "It won't be safe. Her condition has corrupted her personality, it's like she's not even herself anymore."

  Lezard: "Her eyes... It's because of me, isn't it?"

  Millard: "I don't blame you-"

  Lezard: "If mother monster didn't give me her Radiatons, then she'd be immune to this disease!"

  Millard: *He stopped on top of a small hill and stared at a massive forest in the distance.* (The Ancient Forest.) "That's true."

  Lezard: *He gasped with emotional pain.* "Daddy.. Poo?"

  Millard: "What you don't know, is that you were dying."

  Lezard: "No-? What did you say?"

  Millard: "Kathalestel also blamed herself."

  Lezard: "Why?!" *He stopped beside Millard and focused all his attention to his face, ignoring the vast scenery around him.*

  Millard: "That two Consultants couldn't produce a powerful offspring."

  Lezard: "..."

  Millard: "She blamed herself, that something went wrong on her end."

  Lezard: "How could she-?"

  Millard: "Although I don't possess Radiatons, they are still passed down through blood. By the basic rules, you should have also possessed Radiatons-"

  Lezard: "But I don't-"

  Millard: "Exactly."

  Lezard: "What did you mean when you said I was dying?"

  Millard: "You don't remember it, because of the poison."

  Lezard: "Poison?!"

  Millard: "You accidentally stepped on a poisonous Scoldrant. It was one of those, wrong time moments."

  Lezard: "How could I be so foolish?"

  Millard: "We're all foolish at some point in our lives. She tried to heal you, but it just wasn't working."

  Lezard: "Why? She was a Consultant with Radiatons."

  Millard: "Despite their strength, even top tier Radiaton Users can't heal certain wounds. The poison was simply too deep in your system."

  Lezard: "Why are you talking so carefree?" *He spoke with watering eyes, as if he felt guilty.*

  Millard: "She didn't even think about it. She transferred her Radiatons on to you, and I don't blame her."

  Lezard: "But-..."

  Millard: "We've lived through many lifetimes.." *He looked up, staring at the sky with a smile.* "I believe I'm reaching the last chapter in my tale."

  Lezard: "H-Huh? What are you saying?"

  Millard: "I'm tired. I'm tired of trying to search for the love of my life, watching her mistakes walk across these lands-" *He waved below at the unconscious party of warriors.* "The very lands we swore to protect."

  Lezard: "I've also lived through a couple of lifetimes-"

  Millard: "But you were sheltered."

  Lezard: "Sheltered? I've been on many succulent adventures with you and mother mon-"

  Millard: "You've got yourself a guild, friends..." *He spoke with a smile and looked away with watering eyes.* "That makes me happy."

  Lezard: "And my parents make me happy!"

  Millard: "At some point in your life, you need to go out and create a family of your own."

  Lezard: "But I'll never leave you-"

  Millard: "I feared you'd never make friends, but look at what you've accomplished."

  Lezard: "It's true, I've never had many friends-"

  Millard: "I didn't raise you to be modest."

  Lezard: *He chuckled with emotion.* "No friends.. But I'd rather have my family-"

  Millard: "Do you know why I never created a guild?"

  Lezard: "No?"

  Millard: "Because I already had my family."

  Lezard: "Lezard doesn't understand?"

  Millard: "I don't think the younger generation understands the meaning of a guild. Guilds are there that will always push you towards the greatest possibilities of your future, they will never chain you to the mistakes in your past."

  Lezard: "What has that got to do with family?"

  Millard: "As much love as a family can produce, they sometimes will chain you, remind you of your past."

  Lezard: "That's one of the silliest, non-delicious things I've heard you say in a while."

  Millard: "Maybe these old bones are having trouble expressing themselves." *He faced Lezard and placed his hand on his shoulder.* "You will create a past with them, but they will never hold you to your mistakes."

  Lezard: "You and mother monster never reminded me of my past."

  Millard: "Bahahaha, so old and wise, yet still so young. You're certainly an Esteed."

  Lezard: "Bwarharh?" *He awkwardly chuckled in sheer confusion.*

  Millard: "We, as your parents may have never directly reminded you of your past. It's you."

  Lezard: "Me?"

  Millard: "There will be no love stronger than family, but no bonds greater than a guild."

  Lezard: "But I've seen people have great family bonds-"

  Millard: "Lezardestel Este
ed. I think you're missing the greater picture here."

  Lezard: "Then, what is the picture?"

  Millard: "They will be your family."

  Lezard: "Father... Monster?"

  Millard: "I'm going to finish my story." *A tear ran down his face, causing Lezard to shake his head.*

  Lezard: "No. No. No, no, no, no!" *He stepped back, purposely moving out of Millard's reach.*

  ----------

  Nathan: *He walked out of the gate, staggering towards the middle of the arena.* (I know she's tough.)

  Spectator: "And here is our champion!"

  Champion: *She hobbled into the arena, causing the crowd to roar.* (I told him, I will not go easy.)

  Rachael: "Nathan versus the champion, right off the bat." *She spoke with excitement.*

  Luna: "I don't know wat his excitement is about beatin' Rostickal, but he better hold his own."

  Destiny: (Why do you say one thing when I can feel what you're feeling?)

  Luna: "Shuddup, you!" *She violently grabbed Destiny with both hands and threw her into her lap, before ruffling up her fur.*

  Destiny: "Yeup!" (Save me! Somebody!-) "Yeup!"

  Nathan: *He stopped in the middle, watching the champion hobble up to him.* (Let's finally see if Rostical isn't everything.)

  Champion: "Nathan." *She spoke in a high tone, smiling at him.*

  Nathan: "I'll show you."

  Champion: "This time or the next?" *She smiled.*

  Karol: "Nafan, good luck."

  Trevour: "This is situational. I'm friends with them both, but I'm leaning towards Nathan."

  Rachael: "Hehe, it's a win-win either way."

  Trevour: "Heh heh. Right you are, boss."

  Rachael: "Wait a minute? Where is Nathan's sword?!"

  Trevour: "Pardon me?" *He looked down to the arena and gasped.* "H-He's not holding it?"

  Karol: "But Nafan fights wiff his sword?"

  Luna: "I knew he was a dickwad, but seriously?"

  Champion: *She looked over Nathan's shoulder and tilted her head to one side in confusion.* (Where is his weapon-?)

  Spectator: "The match will begin, now!"

  Champion: "Ready when you are."

  Nathan: "I know-"

  Champion: "Just remember the entire guild is watching us."

  Nathan: *He reached over his shoulder and formed a fist.* "Fine-" *He dropped his arm, pulling out a sword.*

  Champion: "Oh my." *She watched sparks scatter behind him.* "You learned how to conceal it like a captain?"

  Nathan: *He half smirked, swinging the sword in confidence.* "You know it."

  Champion: "You sure you want to do this?" *She spoke in a high tone, looking serious.*

  Nathan: "Here I come!" *He straightened his arm and yelled, running towards the champion.*

  Spectator: "Here you have it!" *He spoke with excitement, causing the audience to fall silent.*

  Champion: *She raised her arm and opened her hand.* "ICICLE EDGE" *She clicked her fingers, watching ice shards plummet from the sky.*

  Nathan: "Double Slash." *He spun around and slashed the shards, causing them to shatter away.*

  Champion: "I see you and Karol did some training?"

  Nathan: *He smirked, flicking ice off his sword.* "Don't forget Lezard."

  Rachael: "Those movements-" *She looked at Karol.* "They looked really fluid like one of your dances."

  Karol: "Nee hee." *He smiled proudly, as if he answered her question with his response alone.*

  Champion: "Oh my? FLAME BOLT" *She pushed forward, blasting balls of flames from her palm.*

  Nathan: *He held the sword with both hands, lowering it to his side.* "Hurling Might."

  *Nathan dragged one foot back, swinging the sword like a bat.*

  Nathan: (It's a simple Azure Burst, but it's a guaranteed critical hit-) *He sliced the fireballs in half, watching them splinter away.*

  Champion: (There was no resistance-?)

  Nathan: "Chur, I'll show you heat!"

  Champion: (He was able to withstand my Rasticsplash with such ease-)

  Nathan: *He sprinted towards the champion, raising his sword.* "Hard Blade." *The air around the sword warped and grew, forming a larger sword.*

  Champion: "Enveloping Astragons around the sword and using it as a weapon, how very intelligent of you."

  Nathan: "Don't patronise me!"

  Champion: "MYSTIC SHIELD" *A bubble-like shield spiralled around her, blocking his attack.*

  Nathan: *He slid back, raising the sword behind his back.* "That's a pretty weak shield."

  Champion: "Really?"

  Nathan: "Double Slash." *He slashed downwards and spun around, slashing across, popping the shield.*

  Champion: *She clapped her hands, causing a blue glyph to shine under her.* "POLAR SNAP"

  Nathan: (Shit-) *Snow swirled and clustered around his sword, exploding into a large chunk of ice.*

  Champion: "Now-" *She straightened her arms and focused, causing a green glyph to spiral underneath her.* "Swift might, at my command, AIR SWIRL"

  Nathan: *He gritted his teeth, looking down to his sword.* "Hard Blade." *An aura grew around the sword and shattered the ice, causing him to raise it in relief.*

  Champion: *She pushed her palm forward, blasting Nathan back off his feet.* "You were getting a little too close-"

  Nathan: "Argh-" *He hit the ground and coughed, rolling back onto his feet.*

  Champion: "What a quick recovery."

  Spectator: "What a spectacular match, Azure Bursts versus Rostical!"

  Champion: *She stepped to the side, pointing one arm at Nathan.* "HEAT LANCE"

  Nathan: (Rostical isn't everything! I'll prove it!-)

  Champion: *She flicked her hand, hurling two curve-shaped fire lances towards Nathan.* (I've purposely increased the Neurons in this-)

  Nathan: "Grr-" *He quickly jumped to the side, avoiding one fire lance.* "Hurling Might." *He swung the sword like a bat, slicing the fire lance away.*

  Champion: *She leant forward, concealing her smirk.* (As I expected-)

  Nathan: "What-?!" *The fire lance suddenly exploded, blasting him back.*

  Karol: "Nafan!" *He squealed in shock.*

  Nathan: *He slid on his back, quickly hitting out a small flame on his sleeve.* "That dirty-"

  Champion: *She watched Nathan awkwardly stand back on to his feet.* "Wow, I'm impressed."

  Nathan: *He took deep breaths, firmly holding the sword in anger.* "Stop talking like that!"

  Champion: "Oh my? Like what?" *A green glyph spiralled underneath her, alerting Nathan.*

  Nathan: "Like you're better than me!" *He shouted with emotion, charging towards the champion.* "Double Slash-"

  Champion: "AIR SWIRL" *She pushed forward, knocking Nathan back onto the ground.*

  Rachael: "C'mon, Nath! Get up!"

  Trevour: "Go on, sir! Show her what you can do!"

  Rachael: "I agree. We've been on so many quests together, I haven't seen him get knocked down so often in one fight."

  Champion: *She took a step forward, leaning forward due to her hunchback.* "When the time arrives, let's fight when I don't have to hold back."

  Nathan: "Huh?" *He placed his hands behind his back, awkwardly leaning up.* "What are you doing?"

  Champion: (I copied this technique from you.) *She reached for the sky and an electric spear flashed in between her fingers.*

  Nathan: *He stood up and gasped with widening eyes.* "That's!-"

  Champion: "I know, once I saw her use it, I had to learn it myself."

  Nathan: (The woman with the long black hair-) *He grunted in recollection.*

  --

  *Nathan stood in the middle of the arena and pointed his sword forward, glaring at a woman concealed in robes.*

  Nathan: "Who are you?!"

  ?????: "Ey, does it matter? Please respond." *She raised her arm and lightning flashed around her hand, forming itself into a lance.* "LIGHTNING-"

  --
r />   Nathan: *He gasped in shock and became more alert to the champion.* (So she was watching that fight?!)

  Champion: "LIGHTNING SLICE"

  Nathan: "Double-"

  Champion: *She swayed her arm across, throwing the lightning at Nathan.*

  Nathan: "Slash-" *The spear struck into his right leg, causing strings of lightning to flash through his body.* "Argh!-" *He twitched and moaned in pain, dropping his sword.*

  Champion: (I purposely placed more Neurons into the lightning, ensuring its Rasticsplash was at its most damaging-)

  Nathan: *He twitched on the spot due to the lightning.* (No, I can't! Not again!-)

  Spectator: *He watched the lightning disintegrate into nothing, causing Nathan to drop the ground.* "It appears Nathan is unable to battle, the champion keeps her position."

  Champion: *She looked at her hand and formed a fist, hobbling towards Nathan.* "Are you okay?"

  Nathan: *He deeply inhaled the healing breeze, causing him to stand up.* "Yeah. Let's go."

  Rachael: "Damn.. Nathan." *She sounded upset for him.*

  Trevour: "He did his best, right?"

  Luna: "..."

  Rachael: (No matter how I see it, compared to Rostical, sword skills alone won't be able to-)

  Trevour: "He'll need to learn how to flashstep, or long range Azure Bursts in order to keep the champion on her toes."

  Luna: "Wateva.. The next match is gonna start soon." *She grunted, focusing all her attention to the vacant arena, as if she didn't care that Nathan lost.*

  ----------

  *Trinity and Infinity sat on the dirt ground, looking down to their feet in sadness.*

  Trinity: "He's not going to be impressed."

  Infinity: "Impressed, he will not be-"

  Trinity: "Once he finds out we failed, he'll lock us back up in Sorrowprax for sure."

  Infinity: "Locked up we'll be." *She spoke with lowering morale, as if she knew he would do it.*

  ?????: "So, I shouldn't be impressed? Why?" *A man suddenly appeared out of the shadows, catching the twin's attention.*

  Trinity: "C-Consultant-" *She quickly lowered her head in respect.*

  Infinity: *She noticed Ridley's unusual hair style and glasses.* (He's wearing those fake glasses again?)

  Ridley: "I get back after a happy field trip from the forth Unknown Territory, to find bad news?"

  Infinity: (The Unknown Territories-?)

  Trinity: "We're so very sorry!" *She squealed in fright.*

  Infinity: "Sorry we are!" *She nervously brushed her hands through her blue hair.*