Then, the usual way it is. Jas, you do it’, said Alice

Jason repeated what the others had done. He placed his palm on the orb and the same words floated up, 'Go above ground and towards the snowy mountains’.

The group sighed at the text.

'Hah...looks like we're heading for the mountains after all', said Jason shrugging his shoulders.

'Or we could kill Daiki and chill for a few days while his ghost does all the work', suggested Alice with a straight face.

Daiki went pale for a second as the group seemed to be seriously considering it.

He started, 'Uh, guys...'

'Pfft...', they started laughing.

'Look at your face! D-did you really think...ahaha, we would do something haha like that?' asked Alice, unable to hold back her laughs.

'Hey! You looked like it...' mumbled Daiki.

'Dude, relax. No matter how hard it gets, we would never do something like that to you', assured Seo-Jun, placing a hand on his shoulder.

'Yeah...okay, thanks', said Daiki, looking down with a smile.

He really thought they would consider it since it was true that it hasn't been easy and it'll likely only get harder from here on out. Yeah, they've had some relatively simple tasks and quick clears but that didn't mean it was a breeze.

You throw a bunch of modern people with close to no basic survival skills and make them fight for their lives with no experience. It was a surprise they stayed alive for the first few minutes much less got out intact.

In the past, it would've been challenging for them to be sent out camping in safety, but having to fight monsters, find their way through unknown woods, complete absurd tasks only meant to mess with them, being cornered to go in to a cave knowing full well the danger inside but doing it anyway to escape the acid rain and so on.

They've constantly been stuck between a rock and hard place where they've had no choice but to jump out of the frying pan straight in to the fire but they've managed to survive nonetheless.

But considering the recent events, it seemed as if the flames were going to be white hot from now on while the frying pan would already be up in flames.

And through it all they'll have no choice, thanks to a fate they didn't wish for, from a long-dead immortal who messed up, and betrayed everyone who trusted her, being forced to be heroes to save people they don't know, fight something they don't know with powers they still don't have!

Then again what choice do they even have at this point, they've already unknowingly and unwillingly been shoved in to this pile of shit and they have to clean it up.

Because of a choice made by someone unrelated before they were even born, they have to complete what that person couldn't and be a hero and if they refuse to do it...a villain.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

(Players: You got carried away with writing didn't you? =_=

Author: Heh...sorry, I'll get back to the story ╮(╯▽╰)╭ )

'Now that the destination's been decided, should be go back now?' asked Zhiren

'Hey, let's at least check this place out a bit', suggested Alice already heading for the nearest room.

'Wait, we shouldn't just do that when we don't know what's in there!' warned Seo-Jun hurriedly, but it was too late.

Alice had already slid the door, and dodged to the side as flames burst out.

They ran to her side, 'Are you okay?!' asked Zhiren worriedly.

'Yeah...' replied Alice in a daze, still shocked about what just happened when a white scaly little head peeked out the door, staring at them warily. It was a young dragon!

They stepped back, preparing to pull out their weapons at the slightest hint of another attack while Alice was still sitting on the ground, staring back at those beautiful silver eyes and feeling a strange pull towards them. She felt many things...care, love, warmth, concern, regret, a mix of complicated emotions she didn't understand or know why she had for this creature.

And most surprising of all was that she found that not once had she felt fear, or a desire to fight this thing. It's actions did not give her the slightest feeling of threat or animosity but looked more like an angry child throwing a tantrum. For some reason, she felt a connection to it.

She extended her hand to it and looked at it warmly.

'What are you doing?! Get back now!' said Seo-Jun, confused at her actions.

'Shh, it's okay. Somehow, I don't think it means any harm, i more like it's upset at being left alone. Don't ask me how I know, I just feel it...must have something to do with my connection to Yuki', she claimed confidently.

'Yeah...a plot like that is possible', he mumbled.

During their exchange, the young dragon revealed itself. Its white scales shimmered like freshly fallen snow, reflecting the light in dazzling patterns that danced across the room.

Each scale seemed meticulously crafted, creating an almost ethereal glow around the dragon. Despite its small frame, which contrasted sharply with the usual image of its larger kin, the young dragon held itself with an air of unshakeable confidence.

Its proud demeanor spoke of ancient power and inherent majesty, a testament to its noble lineage. The dragon's piercing silver eyes surveyed the surroundings with keen intelligence, hinting at the wisdom and strength contained within its seemingly delicate form.

'So cute!' exclaimed Alice, wide-eyed.

Its proud expression cracked, seemingly understanding her word, revealing a hint of embarrassment, an amusing contrast to its previous behavior.

It bashfully scurried to Alice with its head down and cuddled against her chest. 'You're finally back, mom!' it stated in a child-like voice startling the group.

'You can talk...', mumbled Seo-Jun.

'Of course I can, Uncle. What's wrong with you? And why do you all look so different? And where have you been since you locked me in here, mom? And...' it kept asking questions, one after another, not giving them a chance to respond.

'Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!' interrupted Alice holding the restless creature in her arms, 'What do you mean, mom? And why'd you call him uncle?'

'Because that's who you are', it replied.

'But we're not...how can you tell?' she asked again.

'Because I'm your familiar, you have my mark on your soul and his soul smells like Uncle's so I can tell', it stated.

They seemed to understand what was going on. It seemed Yuki passed on more than just abilities to them.

'Is it possible to transfer the mark?' asked Alice.

'Not usually, though there is a way. But for that the original owner would have to die...' it said, then stopped and looked up, 'Are you not Yuki Niflhelm? Are you not my mom who raised me? Is she dead', it asked with tears in its eyes.

'Yes', said Alice softly, a short simple answer to all its question. Though it was one word, the weight of it pressed down hard on her shoulder, making her feel uncomfortable and suffocated. She felt pain and heartbreak for the young dragon, but too vividly. Then, she realized those emotions didn't belong to her, even if she felt sympathy or empathy it shouldn't be this intense.

These were it's emotions that she could feel through their connection.

'I'm sorry...she has been for over a millennia', she continued.

'The dragon cried in her arms for a while, its sniffles and sobs piercing through the hearts of whoever heard them. It reminded Jason of his own past.

He reached out and slowly patted its back, in an attempt to soothe it. Soon it took a deep breath, its emotions gradually calming down.

It separated and looked up with an expression of confidence and pride betrayed by it's still teary eyes and said, 'Okay...I understand. I didn't know because she had found a way to suppress the connection from my end.'

It paused and continued, 'Since you were chosen by mom, I accept you as my bond. My name is Snow Niflhelm and I'm 2000 years old. Who are you?'

They all had the same thought 'How is this dragon 2000 years old!'

'It could make sense considering its a dragon moreover it was looked away for over a thousand years as well so its possible.'

These thoughts danced around in their heads for a bit, when Alice answered.

'Uh, I'm Alyssa Brown. You can call me Alice. And I'm, uhm...40 something. A lot happened and I stopped keeping count and I'm apparently your mom's successor or something. Anyway, it's nice to meet you', she introduced herself with a smile.

'Ah, I see. Nice to meet you as well', it bowed its head and suddenly rushed at her. Before she could react, it climbed on to her shoulder, startling her and snuggled against her neck while wrapping its body around her shoulder, 'Okay, now that we've introduced ourselves, you can carry on. I need a nap'.

Saying this, it immediately fell asleep. They didn't know whether they should laugh or cry and decided to just leave it be.

'It seems like we have a new addition to our group', said Seo-Jun softly, afraid to disturb it.

To be continued...

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Alice: You should've felt it was me, why did you attack?! You almost melted my face off!

Snow: The author was talking about fire and I was mad at being left alone! ╮(╯▽╰)╭

Alice: =_=

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