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Chapter 9 - "The Creature Within the Sea"

Chapter 9 - "The Creature Within the Sea"

Scales that drip water down past the large sweeping wings on its side. A jaw larger than most carriages and ice-cold eyes that stare at Hiro and Isamu. Hiro stares back with sparkling eyes as Isamu hides behind him shaking in terror. The large creature leans closer to the two as a large blow of breath from its nose almost forces Hiro and Isamu to drop to their knees.

“Hiro if we run we might make it to the gate in time…” Isamu’s voice trembles quietly as she tightens her grip on Hiro’s shoulder.

The creature towers above them both as Hiro begins to wince slightly to Isamu’s shock, “Are you ok?”, Hiro holds his head as he sees visions of the creature that destroyed his village. Fire burns and smoke swirls as he and his mother sit in the clearing staring upwards at a large dragon like creature in the sky.

“Hiro!” Isamu’s voice finally snaps him out of it as he shakes his head. “Are you ok?” Isamu looks at him worried as he smiles and nods.

The creature leans down towards him and places its head by his side. Isamu shakes in terror as its face sits right by Hiro, “Please don’t eat us…”

The dragon looks up at them, “Eat you?”, its voice is like a child as Isamu and Hiro stare down at its face in shock.

“So, you really did talk?”

The dragon laughs as a slight flame blows from its nose. Its laugh is so childlike it almost puts the two at ease.

“What the hell are you?” The dragon looks offended by Isamu’s question as it pouts and pulls its head back.

“Hmph!” It looks away from the two as Isamu grows annoyed.

Hiro laughs as he slowly places his hand on the dragon’s chest. It’s cold to the touch as he slides his hand down the wet scales. As he slowly pets the creature it seems to get smaller. Isamu tilts her head in confusion as the dragon slowly shrinks until it’s shorter than the two of them.

Hiro and Isamu look at one another shocked as it stares back at them, “Why did you stop… also when did you two get so tall?”

It begins to look more human like as they stare at it with widened eyes. The dragon just scratches its head as he looks up at the two. The thing resembles far more of a human child now as it stands on two legs and looks up at them. Its eyes glow a deep blue as the scales begin to fade.

A human boy with horns and slight patterns of scales stands before the two looking confused. He ruffles his now longer hair as he looks around as if nothing has changed.

“Hiro… That’s a kid”, They both look at one another and back at the boy.

“A kid! Where?!” The kid looks around rapidly as he nervously jumps behind Isamu’s leg, “They’ll be scared of me!”

The kid stops as he looks up at Isamu once again before looking down towards his hands.

“Wait… I’m the kid?”, His deep blue eyes seem to lighten as they widen in excitement, and he begins jumping around cheering.

As he runs around Hiro and Isamu they look at one another trying to make sense of what is happening, “So is he… a rogue whatever they said?”

Hiro scratches his chin as he watches the kid run around, “Who knows?”

Just as they begin to think about it they hear the large gate begin to open behind them causing them to grab the kid and jump into the nearby bushes. Hiro and Isamu hold him down as they peer through the gaps between leaves. The kid struggles around unable to contain his excitement.

They watch as two figures begin to walk around the large lake investigating. As they come into view of them they realise its Zero and Asahi. Hiro smiles and goes to stand until Isamu grabs his arm and pulls him back down,

“What do you think they’re gonna do when they find him you idiot!”, Hiro thinks for a second before looking over at the kid and sighing.

“It’s supposed to come out of the water whenever someone arrives right?” Asahi inspects the water closely as his reflection stares back at him.

Zero looks around as she sees the huge footprints left just moments earlier by the dragon, “I think it already has”

They both look closely as three other sets of human footprints also surround the four giant ones.

“You think its already came out and… y’know” Asahi looks worried as he looks down at the three sets of prints.

Zero stares down at a pair of goggles lying just behind the large collection of prints. She slowly inspects them before looking towards Asahi, “How many prints were there?”

“Three it seems… one looks like a kid but….” His eyes dampen with sadness as he closes them and places his hand on the smaller set of prints. He then hears the stomps of armour walk by him again and again. He opens his eyes confused until he sees Zero pacing back and forth searching the nearby bushes.

“What are you doing?” Asahi stands fully as he doesn’t receive an answer. He walks over to her as her breath grows heavier and staggered. His eyes slowly lock on to the swinging goggles in her hands as she paces making his eyes widen in shock.

“Isamu…” His face drops in realisation as he stares at the goggles she always wears.

“Can you find any sign of Hiro!?” Zero’s voice is shaken as she rips apart bushes with her hands searching.

Hiro wriggles around trying to tell them as Isamu holds the two of them down. The kid eventually wriggles free and runs out from the bushes towards Asahi as he drops to his knees. The kid giggles and skips towards him as Zero doesn’t even pay attention to him.

“Why are you sad mister?” Asahi slowly looks up to see a boy with messy dark hair and deep blue eyes as he smiles down at him.

“Wh-who…?” Asahi can’t finish his sentence as he looks to the ground.

The boy laughs until turning around to see Zero glaring down at him. He quickly shrivels up as he feels the immense pressure of her stare. Zero seems fixated on the scales on his back.

“You…” She slowly looks around taking everything in before looking back at the kid. “Where is he?” Her voice is cold and scares the boy. He slowly crawls away from her as she continues walking forward.

The boy reels back as she reaches out her hand. His eyes squeeze shut as he waits on her hitting him. His eyes slowly open as he feels a hand softly touch his head and a soft voice follows,

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Where is Hiro?”, The boy stares up at the armoured woman as his eyes widen.

Asahi looks at the boys back as dragon scales reach from his lower back to his neck. He stares as water drips from each one onto the other.

“What are you?” His voice is slightly shaken as he reaches out towards him. The second his fingertip touches a scale the boy reels back and hides behind Zero. As his face peers out from behind the white and gold armour of Zero scales begin to form along his forehead.

Asahi takes a step forward causing more scales to grow. “You can’t control it?” The boy shakes his head as he holds onto Zero’s leg.

She sighs as she gets down to his level and looks him in they eye, “Did you see a brown haired boy with brown eyes?” The boy tilts his head in confusion as Zero continues, “He’s got messy hair… There might’ve been a girl with goggles?”. The boy’s eyes light up as he points towards the bushes nearby.

“There?” Zero slowly walks over towards the bushes as they sit still. She takes a breath before reaching out towards it. She only moves inches as her fingers grow closer to the leaves until,

“Yo!” She instinctively forms swords and sticks them to the person’s neck. “Hey… Zero” Hiro nervously laughs as Zero sighs in relief as the blade dissipates into a red mist.

Isamu slowly peers out from the bushes with her goggles over her eyes, “Oh good she didn’t kill you” She steps out from behind the bushes as the dragon boy runs towards them smiling.

Isamu looks down at him with a scrunched up face as he hugs her legs. Isamu tries to pry his little scaly hands off her legs through her fright. Hiro laughs at her face as she slowly grows more annoyed at him.

Asahi sighs with his face in his palm, “What are you two doing…” His voice oozes relief as he feigns annoyance.

Hiro wraps his arm around Asahi with a smug look on his face, “Were you worried about us?” Asahi groans in response as Hiro laughs.

Zero looks down at the child as Isamu squirms around, “So he’s the rogue subject?” The boys’ eyes glow as he looks back at her confused.

The four of them hear the gates once again swinging open. The young boy squeals and jumps behind Isamu.

“What’s your problem?”, Zero stares at the child as he shakes in fear as a man approaches them.

The man runs towards them wearing a long robe and glasses. His hair is slicked back as stops in front of them breathing heavily.

“Y-you shouldn’t be out here” He tries to speak through his exhaustion as he looks up to Asahi and Hiro. He slicks his hair back and coughs as he fixes his glasses, “It’s dangerous”

Hiro and Asahi look at one another and back at the man as he sweats, “The monster you mean?” Asahi looks back at the boy who hides behind Isamu’s leg.

“Yeah, the monster… kids have been going missing around here recently”

Hiro smiles as he pats the man on the shoulder, “These guys are pretty strong don’t worry”

The man looks over at Asahi and Zero, “Strong? Strong how?” His voice has a tint of worry as the words leave his mouth.

Asahi cuts in before Zero speaks, “I drink my milk”, The man laughs with relief as Zero gives Asahi a look of slight confusion.

As the man’s eyes slowly survey the group his face seemingly grows spiky as his eyes land on the child hiding behind Isamu's leg. His glasses hide the look in his eye as the sun glares off them. He swallows before fixing his glasses once again.

“Well, I guess if you are all safe…” His words are rougher than before as he turns away and heads back towards the city.

Asahi sighs as he looks at Zero. Zero looks back at the child as he thinks. The boy loosens his grip on Isamu’s leg as he calms his breathing,

“What’s wrong?” Zero leans down towards him.

“N-nothing” His voice is quiet as he looks to the floor still holding onto Isamu’s leg.

“What’s with the energy change little dude?” Isamu looks worried for the boy as she stops wriggling away for the first time.

Zero looks back towards the man as his figure disappears behind the gate. The glint of his glasses looks back at them one last time before the gate slams shut. Her eyes linger on the spot for a few seconds before Asahi taps her on the shoulder,

“You suspicious of him too?” His eyes are also trained on the gate as Zero nods.

Hiro dances around the boy trying to cheer him up as Isamu shouts at him to get him off. The smile once again returns to the boy’s face as Asahi and Zero watch on. Asahi can’t help but grin ever so slightly.

The four of them walk through the stone streets as the boy sleeps on Asahi’s back with a cloak over him. The sun begins to hide behind the clouds as they reach one of the city’s inns.

The five of them sit in one of the dimly lit rooms of the inn as the boy sleeps on one of the beds. The boy squeezes onto Isamu’s hand as he murmurs and moves in his sleep.

“What are we supposed to do? He says he doesn’t know his parents…” Asahi looks over at the boy with concern in his face.

Zero stands off of the bed as she makes her way to the door, “I’m gonna investigate around I just need you guys to make sure you don’t lose him…”

Hiro jumps up off the floor, “I’ll come with”

Zero shakes her head, “No… he’s calm around you and Isamu”

He slumps back down on the floor pouting. Asahi sighs as he walks towards Zero, “Guess it’s me and you then?”

“No… You protect those three” Asahi looks back at Hiro and Isamu,

“Please don’t…” He dreads the annoyance of the two of them together.

Zero turns away, “They are both still injured and they’ve already gone missing once today…” Asahi groans and rolls his eyes as he lies down on the second bed.

The streets are quiet as the city grows darker. The clinking of Zero’s armour is met with the light pattering of rain as stores close and taverns become alive. The statue of Kaito Yoshida looms over her casting a shadow even in the darkness. Zero sighs as she looks down at her hands before slowly looking up to the sky. The moon begins to peer through the gaps in the dark clouds. Stars slowly begin to show themselves as a brisk wind passes through. Her sparkling blue eyes glimmer against the moonlight. Just before she loses herself in a moment of peace she hears faint footsteps coming closer to her.

The boy with the scales smiles as he stands over her atop the statue’s sword.

“What are you doing out?”, Her voice is stern as she looks down at the boy. The smile doesn’t leave his face though as he just stares up at her.

“Your eyes are pretty…”, The boy balances himself on the sword as he tip toes along. The statue is in pristine condition.

Zero slowly lifts herself off the statue’s base and looks up towards him, “I said what are you doing out here?”

The boy hops off the statue and lands just in front of Zero, “Green eyes fell asleep…”

Zero rests her head in her palm as she sighs, “Well let’s go back” A slight frustration in her tone arises as she grabs the boy’s hand and they begin walking back together.

Just as the night begins to lie silent the boy’s eyes widen as he sees a man carrying chocolates along the road. He pulls at Zero’s arm pointing at it,

“Please, please! Can I get some?!” He flaunts his puppy dog eyes from under his cloak as Zero tries to resist.

She sighs, “Fine…”

Zero watches as the boy jumps for joy and gets handed a handful of wrapped chocolate. The two sit on a nearby wall as the boy digs in. Zero watches on silently.

“Don’t you want some?” The boy holds some up to her face.

“I-I’m ok…” Her voice is oddly staggered as she raises her hands guiding the chocolate away from her.

“Huh?! Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

She away as she quietly mutters, “I’ve never had it…”

The boy jumps up as his mouth is gaping and his arms slam onto the back of his head, “Huh!?!” His shout bellows through the empty city streets echoing into the far reaches of the stone paths.

Zero sighs as she leans back to look up at the stary sky, “We never had any where I’m from”

The boy sits back down looking at her with a curious glint in his eye, “And where’s that?”

Zero stares off. The glimmering blue of her eyes through the slit in her helmet dampen with sadness as the moon reflects off her golden tints. “A long way away…”

“Would you like to go back?”

“I would…” Her ice cold voice melts with the warmth of memories.

“Anyway, lets get you back kid” She slowly lifts herself up and turns to the chid. Her glimmering blue eyes widen as the man with slicked back hair and long flowing robes stands with his hand placed on the boys head.

A sinister grin paints the face of the man as he whispers, “Let’s push along our experiment… shall we?”

Before Zero even has any time to react the child’s eyes look at her desperately and his face reacts to the man’s hands.

In just a moment the child begins screaming as the scales on his back largen and his eyes glow. Zero looks on in horror as the boy’s body mutates before her. His hand slams against the stone cracking it underneath. The man laughs as he steps back watching the boy become the dragon that he was before.

Zero falls back to the floor as she stares up as the dragon screeches out towards the hanging moon.

Her breath is heavy and staggered as the rumblings of its crashing feet bellow below her. The stone shakes as lanterns swing and fall. Under the moon grows wings casting a dark shadow across the street. A single piece of chocolate breaks beside Zero.

The dragon spreads its wings above her. The silhouette of what was once just a young boy reflects in the blue of Zero’s widened, shaking eyes.