As Nile drifted deeper into sleep, the gentle rustling of sand and the faint glow of the ruby-eyed dragon faded into a misty, dreamlike haze. He felt himself enveloped by a warm, amber glow, as though he were standing in a perpetual sunset. Shadows swirled around him, faint and shifting, like ripples in water. In the hazy silence, the energy of the room stirred, and something inside him reacted - a soft tickling at the back of his mind, like an itch begging to be scratched.
Usually, Nile was more careful with his abilities, especially the new ones. But tonight, lulled by the comfort of Mr. DuMonte’s library, he didn’t realize he’d activated one of his latest skills, Neural Link. Only this time, instead of connecting to a device or tapping into the familiar hum of EM waves, it latched onto something entirely different - a network of living energy, rich and ancient, humming with secrets.
System Message:
Neural Link Activated - Target: Mystical Entities
New Connection Established: 3 Nearby Energy Signatures Detected.
The world around him dimmed, and he felt himself slipping into a calm, dark space - a place that seemed to echo with voices. The hum of technology was gone, replaced by a quiet, murmuring conversation, like whispers across a chasm.
"...the one you’ve chosen to watch over, young pup?" The voice was deep and resonant, carrying a gravitas that vibrated at the edges of Nile’s awareness, both soothing and powerful. It took him a moment to realize - that was the dragon speaking.
“Chosen?” came a second voice, light and cheeky, with a playful edge that made Nile think instantly of Peanut. “Watchin’ sounds like work, and let’s face it, I’m more of a, uh… guidance counselor with an edge. Nile’s got potential, sure - just a little buried under all the gadgets and that ridiculous hoodie.”
A silky chuckle floated in, soft and faintly amused. “And Dom is any less challenging?” The voice, unmistakably Charlie’s, held a note of amused superiority. “She is fierce, but utterly blind to her own path. Our young ones rarely see the futures laid before them - that’s why we are here.”
A deep rumble of agreement came from the dragon, his tone softened by a layer of affection. "We are here not merely as protectors, but as guardians of Olivia’s wishes - her legacy. It is our duty, left to us by her, to see these young ones through their trials - to guide them toward the purpose she envisioned, though they may not yet understand."
Nile’s thoughts drifted, his mind floating as he listened in a trance. The dragon’s words felt timeless, profound. His heart pounded with the thrill of a secret unearthed, a truth meant for ears other than his own.
"Right,” Peanut piped up with a snort, “and I suppose you’re just going to ‘see them through’ by doling out the occasional moral lecture, and philosophical gem, Ruby Eyes?” His tone was playful, but there was a clear respect in his words. “They’re going to need more than an ancient monologue to make it through what’s coming.”
Charlie stretched luxuriously, her whiskers twitching with feline pride. “Perhaps, but they need more than brute survival,” she replied, her voice a melodic purr. “They need reminders, guidance - and yes, even a bit of mischief now and then to keep them sharp. Dom has her mother’s fire, and Nile… well, he’s resilient, even if he doesn’t know it yet. He’ll learn.”
“Yeah,” Peanut said, his voice softening, “kid’s got a spark, alright, even if it’s hidden under all that bravado.” There was a hint of pride, quickly masked with a lazy yawn. “I’ll be here, pulling him out of the fire when he inevitably sticks his hand in.”
The dragon’s ruby eyes glimmered, his gaze turning thoughtful as he studied his two younger counterparts. "Tell me, young ones,” he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of centuries, “was it truly necessary to choose forms so… endearing?”
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Peanut let out a gruff little bark, his tail wagging just a bit too enthusiastically for his casual tone. “Hey, I fit right in! Humans take one look at a scruffy pup and think I’m just here for belly rubs and scraps. They don’t even blink twice - the boy thinks I’m just a pound mutt.” He chuckled. “Not that I’m complainin’ – I just know he’s gonna give me plenty of belly rubs, and treats.”
The dragon’s lips curled faintly, a hint of a smile in his ancient voice. “A strategic choice, I suppose. Clever, unassuming… though lacking in gravitas.”
Charlie gave a dainty sniff, amber eyes gleaming with amusement as she cleaned one paw. “Cats, on the other hand, have no need to be endearing. We exist to be admired - aloof, wise, and perfectly suited for watching over our wards without disruption.” She glanced at Peanut with a faint smirk. “Unlike certain creatures who must resort to wagging their tails and begging for attention.”
Peanut rolled his eyes, casting a playful look back at her. “What he means, dear furball, is we’re not scary enough. He’s got those big ruby eyes, that whole dragon ‘master of the arcane’ look going for him. We… blend in.”
“A queen of your own making,” the dragon remarked, a dry chuckle reverberating through the air. “Still, both forms do serve their purposes, even if they do lack certain… formalities.”
“Formalities,” Peanut snickered. “We’re here to keep an eye on these two, not run for office.”
Charlie narrowed her gaze, whiskers twitching. “We’re here to guide, to blend in, yes - to make sure they reach where they need to go.”
“Perhaps one day they’ll learn there’s far more to you both than fur and belly rubs,” the dragon mused, his tone softening. “You are bound by a greater purpose, one you have yet to fully understand yourselves.”
There was a long pause, an almost reverent silence, before Peanut spoke up, his tone laced with admiration. “You really were close to Olivia, weren’t you?”
The dragon’s expression softened, his ruby eyes gleaming with memories. “She trusted me - us - to carry forth what she could not. She saw something in these young ones that even I struggle to fully comprehend. Her foresight was uncanny, her spirit unbreakable.”
Charlie’s gaze softened, the edge in her voice melting away. “Olivia saw much, that is certain. She left Dom her passion, her fire, and yet she knew they’d need more than that.”
“Yes,” Peanut murmured, almost to himself. “And Nile… I guess that makes him the spark, huh?”
A deep, solemn note entered the dragon’s voice. “Their paths have yet to cross fully. Together, they may wield the strength to fulfill Olivia’s hopes. But they are not yet ready, young as they are.”
Charlie nodded, her gaze focused and steady. “So we wait. We are here, as we were meant to be.”
“And we will be,” Peanut added, softer than usual. “For as long as it takes.”
The dragon inclined his head, a slow and stately gesture, his gaze taking in both of them. “Then let us continue our vigil, young ones. The Shadow comes, and we must ensure they are prepared. Olivia’s legacy lies in their hands, and we remain as we promised. Perhaps one day, they will understand all that has been done for them.”
As the familiar voices faded into the quiet of Nile’s sleeping mind, he felt an odd warmth - a presence lingering just beneath his consciousness, as though the words, though fading, had left an imprint deep within him.
System Message:
Skill Aspect Unlocked: Neural Link (Familiar Link)
You have temporarily tapped into a latent mental link between familiars and their wards, allowing you to perceive their conversations and insights.
Skill Effect: Grants limited access to nearby familiars' thoughts and discussions.
Duration: Until Interrupted
As the conversation drifted into the deeper realms of true sleep, the voices softened to faint echoes, like distant waves lapping at the shore. The last thing Nile felt was the comfort of the dragon’s words wrapping around him like a protective cocoon.
System Message:
Familiar Insight Skill Gained - Partial Bond Strengthened
You have gained limited awareness of familiar energies and their connection to their wards. This skill may expand with further interactions.
New Quest Unlocked: Hidden Bonds
Discover the legacy left by Olivia and strengthen your bond with the familiars to unlock deeper insights and abilities.
Current Objective: Discover the legacy left by Olivia and strengthen your bond with the familiars to unlock deeper insights and abilities.
Rewards: +XP, Skill Evolution