Chapter 112
The Hostile Patient
The dragon with its broken core was far more powerful than I originally thought. Its wounds were deep, honestly the beast had gone through so much pain and torture that most would have broken under such pressure. Yet, the dragon seemed to have survived and lived from spite alone. Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat in awe by their spirit. For it seemed that the spirit of revenge filled their body and pressed them forward to live day after day. However, I could not in good conscience heal such a creature that held such rage in its heart, at least not without a quick talk.
As I approached, I saw a quest prompt letting me know that I was now on the clock to not only fix this dragon, but also its poor disposition in life.
Hidden Quest Discovered: The Broken King: You have discovered that the former king of the Lumina dragon clan still has defiance and rage lurking within its heart. Healing the creature now would only cause a future calamity to befall the peaceful dragons of the Lumina clan. Kill the dragon to ensure its evil is never released upon the world again. Rewards: Experience, Rare Skill, Luminestria’s pendant, access to the dragon clan’s horde of books, variable.
Then just like that, the game made a low blow. Let an evil dragon die and get rewarded by being granted access to the horde of golden books. Just the thought of such books made my heart begin to beat a little faster, but taking a breath, I forced my mind to relax as I quickly gave up such a thought. Today was not about me, it never was supposed to be about me when I healed. Despite my reasons for healing, I couldn’t be biased in why I chose to heal, or worse chose not to heal. Still, I felt sick to my stomach, not just for the fact that I was turning down easy access to the legendary horde room of books, but that I honestly for a second contemplated letting the dragon die.
If the dragon died due to my negligence would be one thing, but I was more than certain I could not only heal this dragon, but also restore their mana core to its original condition. Of course, that would just meant that I set loose a tyrant to torture and subjugate a clan of dragons that were otherwise friendly, even if Mallory did need to get a bit handsy with a few before they got the lesson.
Sigh.
Mentally I rejected the quest, as I knew it was not something I could do. I would be haunted by the decision, saying that I let my morals go for the chance at easy power. Even if this person is a monster, I have the chance to save them, and that is what I will do. Then as soon as I had this thought, I was greeted with yet another terrible quest prompt.
Hidden Quest Discovered: Restoring the Tyrant: You have discovered that the former king of the Lumina dragon clan still has defiance and rage lurking within its heart. Heal the creature now so that he might once again rise to the heights of his former glory. Rewards: Experience, Rare Skill, Luminestria’s pendant, access to the dragon clan’s horde of books, variable.
Again, not very adaptive with the quest rewards there, but I decided that this was not something I would be able to accept either. While I was all for healing a patient, I realized that healing one patient who would then go about killing others was something that would also weigh on my conscience.
Just as I was debating how to heal this dragon, while simultaneously keeping them from ever causing trouble for the rest of their clan mates, I had an idea. Or rather an epiphany of sorts where I realized how I could force this dragon to go down the correct path.
Smiling to myself, I strode confidently forward.
Clatter.
As I moved forward, the dragon that had been staring at me with contempt suddenly noticed my change and backed up almost on instinct. The backing up of the dragon caused the giant chains that held it in place to clink together as they were pulled to their maximum distance.
“Relax. I am here to heal you.” I stated confidently, holding up one hand in a halting gesture to get the dragon to stop moving away.
Rustle.
At that the dragon relaxed slightly, then I continued, “I will heal you. I will give you back your access to magic. But I will also make it so that even casting one dark spell will break you again. No metal spear to the back, no one needed to watch over you. You and you alone will be the judge jury and executioner of your own demise.”
Rumbling laughter.
The dragon was so large and powerful that when it began laughing at my statements, made the entire prison cell we were in vibrate. Then with a deep rumbling voice it spoke.
“You think you can stop me.”
At that I just slightly smiled and then shook my head. “I don’t need to stop you. You have already been stopped, or did you miss the way you were skewered and chained down on the ground and left to die like a lowly beast.”
With that, I paused for a second, then seeing that I had the beast’s full attention, I continued. “No, I am just giving you the courtesy of knowing that two things will happen. First you will be healed, and completely, no more Blight, no more festering wound, and no more broken core. Second, the part with your core will be conditional, should you stray from the path of Spirit healing, then you will shatter your own core with your own arrogance.”
Mocking laughter.
“You speak as if you have power to change the fate of destiny. My core is shattered yes, but you healing it, even if such a thing were possible, you could no more prevent me from using magic as I saw fit, than the great tree could stop growing towards the heavens.” As the dragon spoke, I felt an intense headache coming.
This was like speaking to my ex, except at this point I didn’t know who I disliked more. The pompous dragon who all but swore they would use their powers for evil the first second they got them. Or my pompous ex, who all but swore he would make my life miserable for the rest of my life. The funny part is, I still use my ex for motivation on why I will live my best life.
I also see this dragon as a new Bob, someone who I will absolutely crush with kindness.
“Silence.” I say, and then with a Telekinetic press, I increase the gravity under the beast. In particular I increase the weight right at the back of its neck, right on top of one of its thickest sets of chains.
Thump.
The collapse of its poor body. Seeing its old and battered body collapse from the pressure, I almost feel bad.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
GRRR!
Then of course the dragon began to growl and to make it so I realized I was just getting started.
“You think this is enough to hold me! I will break free and then break you into…” That was as far as the dragon got before parts of the great tree Yggdraspirit began growing all around the beast. Again, we are inside a tree, the dungeon that has held the chains of this monster for so long is a tree, and I happen to be somewhat decent at Nature magic. Using a patented weave of Spirit, Life, Nature, and even Holy magic to make sure the part that touches the corrupted beast stings that slight bit more. Sort of like sandpaper, but with a Holy sunburn from sandpaper feel to it. I know, actions like this are beneath me, that I am only rising to show just how childish I am. But sometimes you must realize that you are not the bigger person. When those times comes, it is best to just accept your faults and to…
“AHHH! AHH! IT BURNS!”
To just relish in the suffering of others.
The dragon hisses out in pain, as the chains that were against the ground are now completely devoured by portions of the floor that have grown up and circled around the neck of the monster. Making it so the only way to break free is to pull his neck through the tube that now holds his head perfectly in place. In all there might be a millimeter of clearance available on all sides, if it holds its neck perfectly still. Otherwise, it feels the direct repulsion of specifically formulated Holy magic, that somehow goes exactly opposite of the beast’s own residual Dark magic that has permanently coated its body and skin.
I hold up my hand in the form of a closed fist.
Then just as would be expected, the sudden movement in front of the dragon causes him to go silent. With that I wait a beat and let out my pointer finger.
“What is…”
Hearing that, I just shake my head and lower my finger down.
“Speak to me you insolent…”
At that, I shake my head even harder, and drop my right arm behind my back. The moment I do, I instantly channel more energy into the tree, causing the part of the tree that had been acting as an irritant neck brace begin to expand rapidly.
“St-to-op.” The dragon stammers out, fear now in its tone.
Hearing the new tone, I pause and get an expectant look on my face. I don’t speak. Instead, I let my actions teach the dragon. Every time my hand drops behind my back, I not only lengthen the brace that holds the dragon in place, but I also make sure it gets exposed to more and more soft scales of the dragon. Then when it is quiet for a second my fist comes up, causing the growth to stop. Then the next I begin to count to five.
Surprisingly this dragon is very stubborn, and also has a very long neck as I was beginning to run out of feet of neck to surround before the dragon finally got to five.
With all five fingers standing up proudly on my right hand, I nod. “Now that we have some manners, perhaps we can begin.”
Dragon looks like it is about to comment, all it takes is me to threaten to lower my hand again for the dragon to instantly close its mouth and cower in fear.
Normally I would be appalled by such actions, but this time it felt sort of justified. Sort of like that one time you must lay down the ground rules with your kids, then after that they realize what sets you off and try to avoid that at all costs. This was the same, but with a Death and Spirit dragon that has been used to being the king of all beasts for thousands of years.
As soon as I realize that I can begin with actually healing this creature, I am met with a brand-new skill.
New Skill Gained: Grand Master Level Taming has reached level 1. Grand Master Level Taming is a Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Personality, Sociability, Attractiveness, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill.
“The unicorn,” I mutter to myself having finally done it, getting a skill that increases all nine Attributes. Of course, it would be related to something ridiculous like taming dragons of all things, but still I can now cross that goal off my bucket list.
“I am not a unicorn.” The dragon spoke defiantly.
“What?” I ask, completely at a loss for why the dragon is starting something. Only to realize after I asked that the dragon was likely thinking that I was speaking of it, rather than the skill.
“No-nothing.” The dragon stammered and then visibly quivered in its burning prison.
Sizzle.
The dragon is quivering in so much fear from me, that it is clearly letting part of its skin burn from touching the Holy infused Yggdraspirit prison than to get even an inch closer to me.
Shaking my head, I realize this has gone too far, for me at least.
“Are you done being dumb?” I ask the dragon.
“What?” The dragon asked a note of confusion and fear in its voice.
“Are you done being dumb? All I wanted to do was to heal you, but you went and made it this whole big song and dance. So, are you done? Will you let me heal you, without you threatening to eat my impertinence, or whatever.” I say.
“I, I don’t think I could eat your impertinence…” The dragon asked a note of confusion in its voice.
Shaking my head, I realize the dragon was taking this all way too literally.
“Look, I’m going to loosen your restraints slightly, don’t make me make you regret it.” I say.
“Please.” The dragon said, with a note of pain in its voice.
Hearing that, I take a deep breath and then let it out. This was too much, at least for me, but it will be worth it, if this dragon doesn’t squander this gift at a second chance.
With that, I focus my mind and let the great tree prison of Yggdraspirit grow out in all directions, allowing a few feet of wiggle room for the entire neck, except for the part that is used to keep the jawline from being removed from the bindings. This is that one last hurdle needed to keep the dragon at least somewhat still and in place while I operate. Sort of like a cone for a dog, all except this cone is actually a part of the floor and held tightly in place.
“Finally.” I say to myself as I climb my way up the back of the dragon, up its body and towards the open festering wound that still holds a long piece of metal that has been broken off inside.
Seeing the piece of metal, I realize that both my Telekinesis can’t grab the metal. Also, the metal has a dissolving effect on my Omni-Heal magic that I send into the beast, making it so that magic alone cannot be used to work with this piece of metal.
“Honestly, I thought I was pretty annoyed with you.” I begin saying, as I try to create a wider opening that I can slide the metal shaft out of. “But seeing this, you really annoyed someone if they went through the trouble of this.”
“What, I…” the dragon began to speak, but his words were cut off as I let out a deep breath and then fished my hand in and touched, the sheath of metal.
Painful tingle.
You know that feeling when you have been sitting down for a while and your foot fell asleep, but you don’t know until you stand up and try to walk around. That pain is what I felt by touching the metal with my gloves on. Still, I can’t let that stop me, but I also cannot get a full grip, unless I stick my arm all the way in. The only problem is that from this angle with me on my side, I cannot generate enough force to pull out the metal spike.
“Mallory get up here and pull me.” I state.
“What, no way.” Mallory states, then “bluh, bleh…” Mallory beings to dry heave from just seeing me and apparently the rotting slimy mucus that is rolling off my arm as I look at her. Fortunately, I cannot smell the rot, as I still have on my Thieves’ Guild Vice-Leader’s Mask.
“My arm can barely reach. Either you reach in and get it loose or you could grab me and pull me free with it.” I state the two options available.
“Honestly, can’t we call this one a loss and we just kill it and get the reward bonus? I mean it is already three paws into the grave and is still spouting off revenge stories.” Mallory notes, gesturing to the dragon.
Hearing that, I turn my attention to the dragon who as it so happens can see me directly on its back, almost like someone wanted them to see this. Realizing that the dragon cannot look away, I turn my head towards the dragon and then open up my third eye and ask in a mostly calm tone, “you wouldn’t dare to betray me now, would you?”
“Wha, no-no master. I would never dream of such a thing. I, I will do as you wish…” The dragon stammered.
Splash.
There is the sound of water splashing beneath me. I am trying to figure out what happened, before I realize that the temperature of the area slightly rose as well, meaning that I would likely smell something far more potent than ammonia if I wasn’t wearing my mask. I pause, trying to figure out how we got to this point, of me literally scaring the liquids out of an evil dragon patient.
I remember getting the skill Intimidation long ago and maxing it out to its previous level 125 maximum so long ago that I almost forgot what was needed for enacting the skill. Yet, I am certain that after today’s performance that skill is getting a lot of new use, particularly as I try to get it to my new level 175 maximum rating.
Trying to keep my character that I am portraying of a completely indifferent healer mercenary, I take a breath and try not to wince at how frightened the chained dragon is. Honestly, I almost feel bad for the creature now, as it is chained, beaten, and left for dead, but still angrily clung to life. I can’t help but feel a twinge of respect for such a creature. That said, it basically was trying to insinuate that it was the incarnation of all evil and that it was willing to slaughter me in a heartbeat if I so much as let my guard down around it. Fortunately, my skills have let me get past this initial rocky start and let us get to here.
“Look, just grab me and pull me free. You don’t even need to look at it, also if you do it quickly enough you won’t even smell it, hopefully.”
Mallory was about to take her first step forward, but then paused as I let out the word Hopefully. Seeing that I internally wince, before I remember that sometimes I say one word too many.
Awkward silence.
There is a long awkward moment, before Mallory reluctantly shakes her head in one of those, how do I always get in these situations, types of movements. Then next thing I know she is performing the worst Heimlich maneuver on me, while I perform my worst Pooh with his hand caught in the honey jar impersonation.
Splashing slurp.
There is a sickening sound of mucus and viscera being sucked out of the way, as we finally get a portion of the metal shaft, then I can get a second hand on the slimy shaft. Then there is a deafening pop, before we go flying away, Mallory’s Valkyrie wings flapping violently before we float in a free flow.
Clatter.
Of course, my already numb fingers can only take holding the alien metal for so long in the air before I eventually let gravity and the floor take it away.
“Well, now that the hard part is done, all that is left is the part that was unimaginable yesterday.” I say, patting Mallory’s hands to get her to let me go, so I can use my own wings to glide down and begin the second stage of the healing process.
“So we are onto the part that was unimaginable yesterday, so let me guess that makes today Tuesday, right?”
“About right.” I say, mentally preparing myself for all the intricate steps that still needed to be performed. Then, after taking a second to focus my thoughts, I let a slight smile form on my lips as I begin to do the impossible, I start the process to heal a broken magic core.
Magic is so much fun.