Chapter 8

Responsibility

As Alexander trudged past the thick bushes and overgrown trees, he began to worry that he had lost his sense of direction and taken a wrong turn. However, his concerns were soon relived as he spotted the tops of trees that were ravaged and broken. Pushing his way forward, he eventually caught sight of a clearing in the wilderness, where he saw a massive creature that blended surprisingly well with its surroundings. As he entered the clearing, he noticed that the creature, which was about the size of a school bus, was not moving, but he could see its chest rising and falling slowly, as if it were taking ragged breaths. Alexander muttered to himself, "After a fall like that, I doubt it's going to attack me anytime soon." With a newfound sense of confidence, he approached the dragon, ready to examine it more closely. As he neared the dragon's head, Alexander couldn't help but marvel at the glistening dark green scales that seemed to come to life in the light. However, his awe was quickly interrupted by a loud crack as he stepped on a small branch. The dragon's eyes flew open with a suddenness that made Alexander flinch and yelp. Despite the noise, the dragon didn't move, instead tracking Alexander's movements with eyes that seemed to shine with an almost unearthly intelligence upon closer inspection.

Alexander could do nothing but stand there frozen as he cowered under the magnificent creature's gaze, but he snapped out of his daze enough to use examine.

Examine

Name: Elemental Dragon

Level: ???

Description: ???

Elemental affinity: Earth, Light

As if sensing his intentions, the creature's eyes flickered slightly. Suddenly, a deep and echoing voice seemed to surround Alexander from all directions.

"Who are you, young Summoned?" the voice asked.

Startled, Alexander looked around but saw no one. "Uhhhh, who said that?" he replied hesitantly.

"You attempted to use your skill on me, child. I should at least know who you are," the voice replied, almost as if Alexander heard it in his mind rather than through his ears.

Alexander did not know how to react, his mind not completely comprehending what was taking place. "Is that you...are you the one speaking?" he said to the downed creature.

"It is I, child. Now, answer my question. Who are you?" the voice replied.

"Uh, my name is Alexander" he replied hesitantly.

"You are not of this world, Alexander the Summoned," the voice boomed in his head.

Alexander's mind raced with questions, but he didn't want to upset the creature. "I apologize if I've offended you in any way," he said respectfully. "I didn't realize you were... sentient?"

The dragon let out a deep rumble that Alexander took as a chuckle. "Yes, I am indeed sentient. My kind have been around for eons, and we possess great knowledge and power."

Feeling a mix of fear and awe, Alexander asked, "May I ask why you're here, and how you were injured?"

"I was attacked by a group of humans who sought to take my power for their own selfish desires," the dragon replied. "They underestimated me, but their weapons managed to wound me nonetheless. I fear I am not long for this world." the dragon's voice reverberated in his head.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Alexander replied, "in my world, Earth, humans take what they want and don't care about the effects their actions have."

"But you are different?" the dragon asked with an inquisitive tone.

"I cannot say I'm different or better than them, but I did try to help my world however I could," Alexander said with a sad soberness, once again remembering the fusion reactor that could have helped billions of people. "I was an engineer in my world, which I guess would be some kind of crafter in yours," he said.

"We have engineers in this world as well, young one," the dragon replied with a slight tinge of amusement. "How did you contribute to helping people in your world exactly?"

Unable to register the fact that he was having a telepathic conversation with a dragon, Alexander replied, "my world was dying. For centuries humans there harvested and stripped the Earth of its resources, not stopping to see the effect it was having on the environment. Through a global-scale industrialization, the planet's temperature increased and it's natural resources were running dry. My team and I made several inventions that eased that strain, but we could not make a big enough impact, until my last invention, that is."

"And what was this invention exactly?" the dragon asked, seeming intrigued in what Alexander was saying.

"I'm not exactly sure how to explain the concept," Alexander replied not knowing how to relate the advanced technology to a seemingly medieval world. "Do you know how this world's sun generates its energy?"

"I have always assumed it to be magic," the dragon replied, "but there are many scholars in Avendor who have different theories. Go on young one, explain your invention."

"We don't actually have magic in our world," Alexander said, "everything our race has learned was done through the use of technology and something we dubbed the scientific method."

"That is very interesting," the creature said. "Go on."

"Well," Alexander continued, "using this scientific method, we determined that stars create energy by smashing minuscule particles, atoms, together, releasing a massive amount of energy. Now imagine this happening billions of times every second and you have a star, very broadly speaking."

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The dragon seemed to ponder his answer as it stayed silent for a long moment. "What does this have to do with your invention?" the creature asked.

"Basically," he replied, "we were able to reproduce the same concept on a much, much smaller scale, essentially harnessing some of that power to apply it to anything that required energy. It would essentially eliminate the reaping of our resources to produce power."

"And you did this all without the use of magic?" the dragon asked, sounding more and more intrigued.

"Yes," Alexander said, "but the technology was not completed. The latest test for this device went haywire and it somehow ended up sending me to this world."

"From the sound of it, you were dealing with a massive amount of energy," said the dragon. "Energy is chaos, and chaos brings anything to pass."

"I suppose," Alexander replied, not knowing what else to say.

"Your world's technology seems to be more advanced than mine," the dragon continued, "however magic could make up for this."

"I'm kind of new to this whole magic thing, honestly," Alexander said scratching the back of his head. "Is it prevalent in your world?"

"Avendor has magic flowing throughout its entirety, child," the creature replied. "From the trees in the dirt to the massive air stones keeping this island in the sky."

"I'm sorry," Alexander interrupted, "what do you mean 'this island is in the sky'?" Alexander asked, almost incredulously.

"We are currently on a large island floating in the sky," the dragon said with an amused tone, "this is what I mean when I say magic is everywhere. Whole continents reside in the air, held aloft by the Air magic of Avendor."

Not being able to comprehend the sheer scale of that statement, Alexander chuckled and said, "meanwhile, I can throw a magic pebble."

"You already possess a spell, child? Do you hold an elemental stone?" the dragon asked.

"I do," Alexander replied while pulling the brown stone from his satchel. "I found an earth elemental stone in a castle nearby."

"You must have a high earth affinity if you are able to wield it then," the creature said.

"Actually," Alexander said scratching his head again, "I have an ability that gives me 100% affinity with all elements. At least that's what the ability description says."

The dragons eyes widened after what Alexander said. "Never in my long life have I heard of someone being able to wield all 6 elements. You could be truly powerful, Alexander of Earth," the dragon said reverently. "Do not reveal this ability to anyone, for they might kill you now in fear of what you could become."

"And you wouldn't?" Alexander asked the dragon hesitantly.

"Even if I could move, young one, my life is coming to an end. I do not wish to cut your story short," the dragon said, "You are in a dangerous land, Alexander of Earth. Be wary of who you put your trust in and who you ally with. Most importantly, you need to grow your power. The one constant of Avendor is that the powerful rule over the weak."

"That isn't very different from my world," Alexander replied, "the powerful and rich use the weak and poor however they wish."

"This is true," the dragon's voice echoed in his mind, "do not presume, however, that power is the only thing separating the strong from the weak. The application of power is more important. An ant could bring down a giant, given the right powers."

"David and Goliath," Alexander said more to himself than the dragon.

"Moreover," the dragon continued, "your ability to wield all 6 elements could very well be unique in this world. It is unheard of, and I have lived for over a millennia."

"A millennia?" Alexander asked incredulously, "are you immortal?"

"My kind do not age the same as you human. We are indeed immortal," the creature said. "Dragons grow more powerful the older they become, both physically and magically."

"A thousand years of life and experiences..." Alexander said in awe, "that's incredible. How much power does a millennia mean for you?"

"Dragons are a very powerful and magically adept species," it replied, "and I am no exception. My deeds have been revered by many, however I have regrets, same as you I am sure."

"You could say that again, Alexander said, "how did the humans bring you down, if you don't mind me asking?"

"David and Goliath," the dragon said somberly.

"The application of power, not power itself..." Alexander said in the same tone.

"My time is short," the creature said, "You have much to learn, Alexander of Earth. I apologize that I cannot help you with this. I must, however, ask an impossible favor of you."

"Anything," Alexander said without hesitation.

The dragon took a moment to say anything, as if unsure whether to continue. Then, with what was an obviously straining movement, it adjusted its body and slowly lifted one of its wings. Emerging from under the wing, a cat-sized dragon similar to the other walked out slowly. It's gold-colored scales, while small, were magnificent and glistening in the sunlight.

Alexander was awestruck, not being able to move or speak. The small creature moved its head to look at the green dragon. Alexander was not certain, but he wondered if they were also communicating telepathically. The small dragon then turned its head to look at Alexander and, almost instantly, it's mood changed and it started hopping and running up to him, circling his legs when it reached him.

Still unable to speak, Alexander looked at the green dragon, confusion and awe evident on his face. "This is my son," the dragon's voice once again sounded in his head, "dragons rarely produce offspring, and when this happens it is a celebrated event. He is young, however, only a month old, and the only one I have been able to produce."

"He's magnificent!" Alexander said, "will he be alright on his own? I have been here less than a day and almost died."

"This is the request I must make of you, Alexander of Earth," the dragon's voice boomed with a more official tone than before. "My son will not survive if I can no longer protect him. I must ask you to take him under your care. Raise him and help him fulfill his potential."

Alexander stood dumbstruck, not knowing how to reply to the request. "I know this is an impossible task, but I must ask either way," the dragon continued. "This will not be without benefit to you, however. The bond between a dragon and a human can be mutually beneficial, but it comes with vast responsibility. The early days will be difficult. My kind are hunted, and if you encounter the wrong people, they will attempt to take him. You. Must. Never. Let. This. Happen." the dragon said, cutting off each word.

Shaking himself from his awe, Alexander replied reverently, "you have my word. I will do anything and everything in my ability to protect this beautiful creature, and when that is not enough, I promise to do more."

"Thank you, Alexander of Earth. My lineage is strong and has been a part of this world since it came to be," the dragon said. "To have it end due to humans would be a travesty."

Alexander took a moment to process that mind numbing statement and bent down to pat the small dragon's head. It seemed to enjoy the contact and jumped around, almost like an excited dog.

"You must leave now, Alexander. I do not wish my death to be a part of my son's memory," the dragon said sadly.

"I understand," Alexander replied in a sober tone. "I'm sorry I never asked, though. What is your name?"

Amused despite its state, it replied, "Zarathorn of the Old Order."

"Does your son have a name yet?" Alexander asked.

"He does not," Zarathorn replied. "You will be his caretaker and I will allow you to choose. Now you must go Alexander. I apologize, for I have not made your already difficult situation any easier. Take care of the young one now and he will return it a thousandfold in the future. Goodbye, Alexander of Earth, goodbye my son."

"Good bye, Zarathorn" Alexander replied as he took the small golden dragon into his arms, surprised by how light the creature was. As he walked away towards the ruined castle, the small dragon raised its head above Alexander's shoulder and let out a piercing cry towards his father.