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Apathy
Thorns

Thorns

> Galen Vesa

*Truly you are the biggest, irreformable human dolt I have ever seen!*

Erta spoke while massaging the bridge of her nose. For quite some time she’s been pacing back and forth in her human form. Lecturing me.

*I leave you alone for a week or two and you already mixed us into something bothersome!*

*And for no good reason!*

“Well, you left me in the middle of it so don’t complain. If you’re done venting then let us decide what to do next.”

*What is there to decide? We leave. Your mana is stable enough. Order the spirit and move us from here.*

“No.”

She froze and stared at me. At the back of my mind I felt the familiar probing which I blocked. That it worked came as much a surprise to me as to her. She gazed at me puzzled.

“Erta, I may be broken but I’m not dumb. I can piece two plus two together. I can live with people patronizing me but please don’t treat me like a moron that won’t understand anything. That I will not stand.”

I pointed at the mana spinning above us.

“If you knew that was so dangerous why didn’t you tell me? I've been walking around with a ~Subjugation target~ sticker over my head, clueless as to what would happen if somebody noticed.”

“And that tree? Why, imagine my surprise when I learned what that can do. More so when they told me why nobody should have it.”

“Lastly, I want to do something for those girls. Anything. We have enough power to spare but I don’t know how to use it. Safely that is.”

*Safely?! Human do you have any idea what you are talking about?*

Her anger boiled within her.

“No. I do not. That is exactly why I am here. That is what I came to ask but first, swear to me. Swear you will never lie to me. Swear you will never withhold any knowledge from me.”

*Only that? Human…*

Her laughter resounded through my mind.

“Yes only that you irritable lizard. I do value your word and I respect you enough to honor it. And I think, well I’m sure I can’t call us equal but I do believe I am due at least as much respect as I give you.”

“No more secrets. Please. At least not the ones that will bite us in the end.”

*Erneaterrncira*

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Her mind suddenly became calm and clear. As if I looked into a mind of my own.

*That is my true name human. Erneaterrncira Starborn. Blood of Sergorn Black. Hatched of Rialta Starborn.*

*Mine is the bloodline that shattered the moon.*

*I am the last of my kind…*

Resignation crept into her.

*I was. Now it no longer matters. Dragonkin is no more.*

*Is that enough respect for you human?*

“Well I think I can work with that roomie.”

I gave her a wink and got up, extending my arms around her. Way to go me. Made the dragon lady sob again. Erta suffered my hug in silence.

“You know you can hit me if you want?”

*And what would be the point of that, dolt? You cannot feel pain. You cannot comprehend what my feelings are.*

“But loneliness I know and understand. Once more I give you my word, we will find her. Just first I will need tiny-weeny help from my amazing personal dragon. Did I mention how awesome and beautiful she is? And the eyes…”

Erta grabbed my arm and slung me over her shoulder. I smashed against the ground with a force that made the world shudder.

*You know what? I do feel better. Now, let us tend to the lunacy you got us into.*

“While you were napping I ordered the spirit to conceal your presence and any additional strangeness our body holds. She added that on top of whatever protection we already had from her.”

*The cost of that must…*

“It was her idea and the payments she already received while helping me with another issue.”

At least that’s what the pervert said.

*Your phantom back pain?*

“Yes. And it is not as imaginary as you think.”

*With that I can not help you. There is nothing amiss with this body. Also, ever since you acquired that artefact, condition of our body only improved.*

“You mean that presence I feel comes from that bracelet?”

Tick-tock, tick-tock. Like a metronome the odd feeling bobbed at the edge of my mind.

*Yes.*

*As for the elves, it is best if we act now if we must. Order the wind to take us and those you wish to help, as far away from here as possible. Then we will see to their release.*

“What about Nafira? They are her responsibility. She will be repressed for such action.”

*A rose has thorns for a reason. Each choice bears a price. That is the way of life. Choose and accept the consequences.*

*So, what will you choose?*