Reincarnator RB Dragons, ch 55

Kevin woke up and stared at the sky for a moment.  The clouds, unobscured by some sort of demonic stealth field, looked beautiful.  He could tell he was still alive because everything hurt.

When he glanced down at himself, he could see some terrible injuries that were just short of mortal.  Before he’d passed out, Kevin had believed he was going to die.  It took him a while to realize what had likely happened.

Even though he’d lost his werewolf form, he still had [Werewolf Constitution: Minor].  The ability also synergized with his werewolf form, so before he’d reverted back to a goblin, hed’d been regenerating even faster than he had as a werewolf in his previous life.  Then, while he’d been unconscious, his body had kept slowly healing.

His mana was still almost gone.  Maybe it didn’t regenerate very fast if he was hurt and unconscious.  He didn’t know yet.  His spirit was still raw, but he knew what he had to do.

It took a lot longer than it had since the first time he ever activated [Arcane Surge] for enough mana to gather before activating the ability again.  Kevin was exhausted and opened up some of his wounds as he unleashed the energy through a thrown rock.  The makeshift grenade exploded–a very inefficient use of the power, but he just needed to get rid of enough so it wouldn’t make him explode.

Maybe one day he’d have the control and precision to use all that energy for something other than just dumping it into a weapon.

With the energy that remained his his hand, Kevin channeled it into [Soul Mend].  He was able to use tiny bits and pieces of his own mana to supplement the healing ability, but the majority of the energy came from what was left of [Arcane Surge].  The effort was just enough to patch himself up enough to stand and limp over to where Lydia was still stretched out on the ground.

He smiled tiredly when he saw that she was awake.  One great eye watched him painfully drag himself over to her.  Then, even though his body, mind, and soul screamed in protest, he triggered another [Arcane Surge].

It took three repetitions of [Arcane Surge] to heal Lydia to a state where she was stable.

Kevin sat and leaned against his cousin’s giant leg.  The other one, the one that had been shattered, was still tender.  Lydia finally spoke.  “Thank you.”

“Nah.  Thank you.  You threw yourself at that bastard when I was just staring into space.  He didn’t even come for you.”

The next minute of silence stretched out.  Kevin could imagine what Lydia wanted to ask and why she hesitated.  Finally, she rumbled, “The demon said you were a Champion.  Do your parents know?”

“Yes.”

“Polymorphing into something unnatural is impossible for dragons.  Werewolves are unnatural.  Do they know you can polymorph into a werewolf?”

“No.”

“I see.”

Kevin sighed.  “I don’t care if you tell them.  It’s not something I plan to ever volunteer to anyone else, or ever use again if I can help it, but family is different.”

“Family huh? Like me?”

“Yes, like you.”  Kevin’s neck hurt as he craned back to look at her, his green skin against her green scales.  Her giant, reptilian eyes were peering down at him with an unreadable expression.  “You’re a pain in the ass, Lydia.  I won’t lie about that.  But you are my cousin in every way that truly matters.  And even before this moment, you were truly becoming my friend.  But now…now you are my comrade.”

“I see.”  She moved one of her arms to surround Kevin, and draped her unfinished wing over him, providing shade.  “Just sleep for now.  I will heal, and I suggest you will too.  We need to have a talk, and now is not the time.”

“Sounds good.”

The moment Kevin’s eyes closed, he was out.

***

The next morning, Kevin stood in a fresh change of clothing, most of his wounds healed.  Lydia was still worse for wear, but she’d be completely fine again in a week–physically at least.  Her normal swagger and capricious attitude were missing.  Currently in human form, her eyes were flat and distant.

Kevin knew if he traveled about a half mile away to where the battle had taken place, Historia’s body would already be gone.  Monsters decayed fast, but dead demons made the process seem slow by comparison.  Kevin was a little worried about the spear that had been lost in the river, but it wasn’t something he could worry about right now.

He’d buried the pieces of his sword at the edge of the battlefield.  The blade had served him well.  Now he’d need a new weapon, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t be in a huge hurry. 

“So I guess this is where we part,” said Kevin.

She nodded.  “I have to tell our parents about what happened.  Both of our communicator devices were destroyed by the demon’s stealth field.  The fact Alariel has not come meant the dome stayed up long enough to even hide the filth’s death.  Nobody knows what happened but us.  And like you said last night, it is likely that whatever conflict you were sent to prevent was being influenced by evil somehow.  There is no way these events are not somehow connected.  An actual demon of this Historia’s rank walking the land hasn’t been recorded in hundreds of years.”

“Maybe they all just had really good stealth fields.”

“Unacceptable!”  She took a breath and softened her voice.  “I did not even know demons could do that until now.  It pains me to admit this, but my parents might not know, either.  Perhaps all dragons don’t know.  I must meet with them.  After I do, I will find you again and bring you another device to message your parents.  My tracking magic is on you.”

“Sounds like a plan.  I’m just going to Tallridge Hollow from here.  I mean, how hard can it be to find a goblin in a country of goblins.”  He grinned, and Lydia smiled weakly back.

She tapped her pack.  “The note you left has everything you can remember about the ork dig site, yes?”

“Yes.  And a note to my parents, and everything else I know.  Like I told you, Historia mentioned the god Maldroga, but I am fairly sure he serves Baal.”

The hatchling dragon shook her head.  “Fighting the Champion of an evil god with another Champion…and living to tell about it.  Perhaps it would feel more real if the other Champion had not been you.”

“Yeah, well, thanks for saving my life, too.” He scratched his neck.  “In hindsight, I wish I’d told more people about the ork dig site, but I’m not sure that it would have meant anything until now.  And…I’m sorry you have to go back alone.”

“Don’t be.  It was largely my decision and is the rational course of action.  I am a dragon.  Everyone will believe me without question.  I must make contact with the mayor of Clearmine, or one of the major guilds, or perhaps even Alariel to come and inspect the site of our battle before all the evidence fades.  Not only that, if your mission truly is related to an incursion of evil in these lands–and a large, brewing war would definitely be in their interests–you must proceed.  As you’ve told me so forcefully before, you are the best goblin for the job.”  Despite her sharp words, she smiled and her eyes almost looked like they had shed tears.

Lydia turned abruptly and began walking away.  Over her shoulder she said, “Not only that, although I wounded the demon, you were the one to kill him.  Unless another Champion shows up, you should be able to handle the road to Tallridge Hollow, at least.  I will meet up with you again when I can.

Kevin folded his arms and watched her walk down the road back towards Clearmine until she disappeared over a hill.

Then he turned and began walking the opposite direction, but as he did, he pulled up a notification window he’d gotten the day before. 

Congratulations for destroying another Champion!  Historia, Champion of Baal was felled by your hand!  Killing such an old, renowned champion has dealt a solid blow to an enemy of your goddess and she is well please.

3 Renown Points rewarded.

Kevin made a face and muttered, “Now what am I going to do with these?”

----

End of book 1.

There will be a 1-2 week break before chapters of book 2 start being posted.

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

-BC