Dragon Emperor 11: From Human to Dragon to God

by Eric Vall

  We all stepped back in surprise as the mage’s face was revealed. He was bald from the top of his head to what we could see of his neck, he had no eyebrows or eyelashes, and the same purple splotches from his hands appeared on his head. It looked like he had some kind of skin condition, but in this world, I’d learned not to take anything at face value.

  “What the hell is he?” I muttered to Alyona.

  “I-I don’t know,” she stammered.

  “A mystery even the great princess can’t solve,” the mage sneered.

  “You don’t talk to her,” I snarled as the cruel smile fell from his face. “You talk to me.”

  Even trapped, the mage was cool as a cucumber, and his spotted face was expressionless as I paced in front of him.

  “I see now why Milo failed to obtain the Triad relics,” he murmured. “I didn’t realize a dragon guarded them.”

  Milo again? Even dead, that mage was a pain in my ass.

  “I killed him, his sister, and his dad already,” I chuckled. “Who are you supposed to be? The scary Uncle Scrooge?”

  “No,” the mage snickered and then squirmed against the ropes. “I am--was Milo’s employer. When he failed to return with my requested items, I decided to obtain them myself.”

  “Looks like you failed, too.” I smirked. “Why did you want them?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” the captive replied and rolled his eyes dismissively as he tugged at the rope again. “You have obviously defeated me and plan to kill me.”

  “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said all day,” I laughed. “You might as well quit trying to escape. I only have one other question before I’m done with you. Who is our mutual friend?”

  “The amazing dragon doesn’t already know?” He feigned astonishment with a dramatic gasp. “I’m sure he’ll be coming for the relics soon enough.”

  “It would be a waste of time,” I said. “No one can get them from me now.”

  “We’ll see about that.” The mage scowled. “Until then, say hello to Olivier for me.”

  “I should have figured that--” I started to say, but the mage had gained enough use of one hand to snap his fingers.

  Within a blink of an eye, his neck snapped with them, and his head lolled forward as his body hung limp in the air.

  “Gods,” Nike gasped. “Did he just…?”

  “Yeah,” I muttered. “He just snapped his own neck.”

  “Who is Olivier?” Abel wondered and stepped forward to poke at the dead mage.

  “Someone else whose neck I’d also like to snap,” I murmured. “Could it be a trick?”

  I felt out with my magical senses to get a sense of his status.

  Classification: Human mage

  Condition: Broken neck, severed spinal cord

  Priority: Not applicable

  Status: Deceased

  Well, that answered that question. The mage was dead.

  “Now what do we do?” Abel asked.

  “First, we get rid of these bodies,” I decided. “The people have been working hard to rebuild their homes from the last attack. We don’t want them to come out here and see this.”

  “Of course, my lord,” the warrior agreed and rushed toward his soldiers to give the order.

  “Then I need to know who put up the barrier spell,” I mused as I turned and scanned the handful of citizens who mulled around the entrance.

  “I think I may know,” Naomi said as she looked over the small crowd carefully and then nodded. “Yes, I see him.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “Equoth,” she answered. “One of my students.”

  “Introduce me,” I said firmly.

  “Of course,” she agreed.

  “I’m going to close the portal, and then I’ll be right there,” Alyona advised before she hurried toward the magical opening.

  I followed Naomi across the road to a group of three teenage boys clustered together next to a small building. They were all lizard Demi-Humans, and one looked to be about nineteen, while the other two looked a couple of years younger. As we approached them, the oldest boy clenched his jaw, and color drained from his face, so his bright blue scales stood out from his now-pale skin as he stared at us with matching blue eyes.

  “Javo, Kamut, please leave us,” Naomi ordered.

  The two younger boys nodded and sprinted away with only a glance over their shoulders.

  “I’m not sorry I broke the rules, Lady Naomi,” the oldest Demi-Human said with his chin out. “But I had to help.”

  “You aren’t in trouble, Equoth,” Naomi chuckled. “Lord Evan simply wants to talk to you.”

  “To me?” Equoth’s blue eyes widened in surprise when I stuck out my hand.

  “Manners, young mage,” my lover advised quietly.

  “Y-Yes, of course,” the teenager stammered before he reached out and grasped my forearm. “Well met, Lord Evan.”

  “Well met, Equoth.” I smiled. “You were quite helpful in that battle.”

  “I-I, ah, I just knew I had to do something,” he replied.

  “It was a great barrier spell,” Naomi commended him. “Your power is still growing. Only a few months ago, you could barely conjure an orb.”

  “Even since you’ve been gone, I’ve improved my orbs,” Equoth said as he puffed out his chest proudly. “Would you like to see?”

  “Please.” My lover grinned and looked over at me.

  Equoth took a step back with a slight smile and twirled one hand over the other palm. Suddenly, a bright blue light appeared in the air between his hands, and soon the tiny pinprick grew until an orb the size of a basketball hovered above his palm. It appeared to be made of fire like mine, but the flames were the same bright azure as the scales on Equoth’s neck.

  “See?” The boy smiled broadly as he spun the orb between his hands. “It’s, like, three times bigger now!”

  “It is,” Naomi agreed with a motherly smile.

  I liked watching this side of her almost as much as I liked the ass-kicking mage side.

  “Equoth, you seem like the type who knows when to do what’s right,” I said as I watched Naomi out of the corner of my eye. “I think you need some training in other areas to make you a well-rounded guard for the city of Kana.”

  Naomi’s mouth dropped at my suggestion.

  “A guard?” Equoth gasped as his blue eyes nearly popped out of his head. “You mean it, my lord?”

  “Yeah,” I chuckled and turned to yell over my shoulder. “Abel! Come over here!”

  “Yes sir!” The lizard warrior jogged over to us and stood with his hands on his hips. “What can I do for you, Lord Evan?”

  “Young Equoth here is a skilled mage,” I began. “And I’d like him to become just as skilled a warrior, so he can help guard Kana and keep her people safe. Do you think you could handle his training?”

  “I would be honored to do as you ask,” Abel replied with a bow.

  “Then it’s settled,” I declared. “Equoth will train for guard duties with Abel. I’ll speak with Lord Vallen to set everything up.”

  “Thank you, Lord Evan!” Equoth exclaimed. “I swear, you won’t regret it.”

  “I’ll hold you to it.” I winked, and the young Demi-Human grinned before he ran after his friends just as Alyona walked over to join us.

  “What did I miss?” she chuckled.

  “Lord Evan decided my student will learn warrior skills to accompany his magical ones,” Naomi replied with a smile. “The boy is ecstatic.”

  “What a great idea,” Alyona said, and it seemed like she knew exactly what I’d had in mind. “The portal is closed now. We should go let Lord Vallen know we’ve taken care of the attackers.”

  “My lord, we can continue the cleanup here,” Abel added. “Lord Vallen will be happy to hear the news.”

  “Fair enough,” I agreed. “Let’s go.”

  So, I waved to Nike and my other lovers to walk with us back to the castle, and the dryads scurried over to
me and wrapped me in a tight hug.

  “We’re so glad you’re back!” Trina squealed as she snaked her arms around my neck.

  “We really missed you!” Polina agreed and pecked me on the cheek.

  “Like, reeeeally missed you,” Marina added with a wink of her emerald eye.

  “I missed you, too,” I chuckled as they released me so we could continue walking toward the palace.

  “How was Hatra?” Ravi asked as she fluttered above us.

  “It was more intense than I planned on,” I admitted. “Apparently, some guilds have been trying to break in and steal our eggs.”

  “Those bastards!” Polina cursed. “Did you kill them all?”

  “Of course, he did,” Marina answered before I could open my mouth.

  “Yeah, he’s a badass dragon,” Trina agreed. “No one could even compare.”

  “And Valerra will make sure no one else comes close,” Laika pointed out. “She’s already ferocious, but seeing her as a mother is, ah, intense.”

  “She’s a badass, too,” Aaliyah clarified with a fanged grin.

  “Ahhh, I miss Valerra,” Trina sighed.

  “Even though she probably doesn’t miss us,” Polina sighed.

  “She might!” Marina argued. “We’re bonded with the soul bridges now. She loves us, too.”

  “She is a great lover,” Naomi agreed.

  The dryads stopped and stared at the lizard Demi-Human with open mouths.

  “You mean--” Polina started.

  “She let you--” Trina cut her off.

  “And Laika,” Naomi pointed out.

  “And Laika?” Marina nearly shouted. “Ugh, I’m so jealous.”

  “Once we’re all home together, I’m sure you’ll have your chance,” I laughed. “Valerra has gotten more used to her human form now. I think she even enjoys it a little bit.”

  “I’m inclined to agree.” Laika bit her lip. “I also enjoyed her human form.”

  My cock throbbed at the wolf’s hoarse voice, and I cleared my throat as I readjusted my trousers.

  “Anyway, ah, we’re here,” I interrupted the conversation as we arrived at the palace doors. “Let’s go see Vallen.”

  As soon as we walked inside, the small lizard leader scurried over and hugged his sister.

  “Oh, Naomi!” he cried out. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

  “Of course, I am,” she muttered, but her lips twitched into a half-smile. “I can handle myself, Vallen.”

  “Yes, yes, I know,” her brother said and released her. “Always the tough one, my dear sister. And the enemy?”

  “Gone,” I answered. “The portal they used to enter the city has been closed, and your guards are cleaning up the streets as we speak. They’ll also need to repair the gate.”

  “Repairs have been our specialty for the last few days,” Vallen murmured. “But, alas, repairs are better than funerals.”

  “Indeed.” I nodded. “Now, the other thing we need to discuss is the young man Equoth.”

  “Oh, that boy means well,” the lizard said carefully. “He hasn’t offended you, has he?”

  “Not at all,” I replied and waved a dismissive hand. “He helped keep our people safe, and I assigned Abel to train him as a guard.”

  “A mage as a guard?” Vallen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “But why?”

  “Naomi has guarded the city well with her magical abilities, right?” I narrowed my eyes as I awaited his response.

  “Well, of course,” he agreed quickly. “But having two mages guard the city might put a target on us.”

  “You would only have one,” I said, and Naomi’s amber eyes widened. “Naomi, if she chooses, would leave with us.”

  “Why would she…” Vallen trailed off as he watched his sister stare at me with pure adoration. “You want to go with Lord Evan?”

  “More than anything,” she sighed.

  “What about Kana?” he argued. “What about an heir for our family?”

  “I may have a solution for that,” Alyona interjected quietly. “I read about a spell that can renew your virility, Lord Vallen.”

  “I’ve tried, milady.” Naomi frowned. “Nothing has worked so far.”

  “The spell I found is not one you’d see in a typical text,” the princess said. “I only know it because of my time in the Cave of One Thousand Sages.”

  “Why would you need it there?” Vallen asked.

  “Many people go to the cave to seek guidance and salvation,” Alyona replied with a smile. “I’ve witnessed many miracles created by magic, and I would be happy to try the spell for you.”

  “I’d try just about anything,” the lizard leader murmured. “I won’t hold my sister back from her love for Lord Evan, but I have to consider the future of my city as well.”

  “If the spell works, you will support my decision?” Naomi wondered.

  “Of course, dear sister,” Vallen replied and grasped his sister’s hands. “I want you to be happy, and I’ve known for years that you would find it eventually. I just didn’t expect it to be in this manner.”

  “Then let’s try the spell!” Naomi chirped. “Princess Alyona is brilliant, my dear brother. She will not fail us.”

  “Okay,” he agreed and turned to Alyona. “What do you need?”

  “I need something from each of your parents and something you treasure,” she answered. “It has to be something you hold dear but are willing to sacrifice for your future children.”

  “Hmm.” Vallen rubbed his hands together as he considered which object to use. “I have just the thing!”

  Then the lizard leader scuttled out of the great hall and out of sight.

  “This should be interesting,” Nike chuckled next to me.

  “Right,” I agreed with a quiet laugh.

  Suddenly, Vallen reappeared with an armful of various items, and he laid them gently on the floor in the middle of the room and spread them out.

  I looked over his trove to see a man’s tunic with blue and white stripes, a woman’s bracelet with a large garnet stone in the center of the gold band, and a gold sculpture. I assumed the tunic and bracelet were his parents’ belongings, but I had to take a closer look at the gold carving. It was about a foot long, and it featured five heads in a straight line. Each person was a lizard Demi-Human, and upon further inspection, I could see one looked like Vallen, and another looked like Naomi.

  “Your family effigy?” Naomi gasped. “Are you certain?”

  “I have many pieces of art that remind me of our family,” Vallen answered as tears welled up in his eyes. “But I want to have my own family, too. If this is what I need to sacrifice, then so be it.”

  “I think it will work perfectly, Lord Vallen,” Alyona said and put a gentle hand on the lizard’s shoulder. “Now, let’s place them in a triangle, and you stand in the middle.”

  We helped the princess arrange the items around Vallen, and he watched from the center of the room with shining yellow eyes. Once the items were in place, Alyona stepped back and reached into her spatial storage. She pulled out a small book, no bigger than a shirt pocket, and thumbed through the pages until she found what she needed. Then she looked up at Vallen and smiled with angelic patience.

  “I’m ready,” Vallen declared with a sniffle.

  “Here we go,” Alyona murmured before she began to read from the book. “In the light of day, in the dark of night, blood runs deep.”

  Suddenly, a beam of bright red light burst from Vallen’s father’s tunic and shined against the ceiling above Vallen, and the lizard Demi-Human gasped but didn’t move.

  “Restore and renew, love and grace, foundation must be laid,” the princess continued, and a yellow light soared from the bracelet and met the red light above the leader’s head.

  “For family, for the past, and for the future!” Alyona shouted the last line.

  A white light shot out of the statuary and into the ceiling with the others, and then the lights brightened un
til I had to close my eyes or go blind. A shrill scream, like air released from a balloon, filled the room and echoed around us, but after what felt like an hour, the scream stopped, and the great hall was silent.

  I opened my eyes to see Vallen standing in the center of the room, but he looked different somehow.

  The lizard leader turned to meet my gaze, and I knew the spell had worked. He stood taller with his shoulders back and his head held high, like the weight of being sterile had held him down. His body seemed to know it had been repaired, and a grin stretched across his face.

  “Princess Alyona!” Vallen boomed. “You’ve done it! I can feel it!”

  “Are you certain, brother?” Naomi asked as she looked him up and down. “You don’t look any different.”

  “Yeah, he does,” I chuckled.

  “Really?” My lizard mate raised a magenta eyebrow at me and turned back to her brother. “I don’t see it.”

  “Trust me.” I winked, and Nike nodded in agreement.

  “Then I can go with Lord Evan and my sisters?” Naomi asked Vallen with a hopeful smile. “And you will find a mate?”

  “A mate!” Vallen exclaimed as his eyes widened, and he put a hand to his brow. “By the gods, I’ve forgotten how to woo a female!”

  “It’ll come back to you,” I laughed. “Like riding a bike.”

  “A what?” Vallen’s bewildered expression had me laughing even harder.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Laika answered when I didn’t respond. “He does that.”

  “Then tonight, we celebrate!” Vallen punched his fist up into the air. “To finding a mate and the rest of your journey!”

  “We love parties.” I grinned.

  “Yes, we do!” Polina cheered, and she grabbed her sisters and twirled around in circles.

  “We can decorate!” Trina offered as she spun around.

  “And pick out our outfits!” Marina squealed.

  “Can’t we just wear these?” Laika asked with a frown.

  “Battle clothes?” Marina scrunched up her nose. “No way.”

  I’d like to help them, if I could, Miraya nearly whispered from my spiritual sea.

  “Of course, come on,” I encouraged her.

  Miraya appeared before me in a flash of white light with an ethereal smile, and the dryads cheered some more at her arrival.