Chapter 3: The land and it's residents.

After reading the Codex, a thought, an instinct, coursed through me.

Knowledge on how to spread my will.

Curious, I tried, and relying on my newly gained instinct, I spread my consciousness around me.

Then I felt it.

A feeling of freedom.

A feeling of strength

A feeling of submerging into water, deeper and deeper.

I becoming all

All becoming me

Merging Bla-

[HALT!]

Hearing the voice, I immediately regained my senses.

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[Warning: Refrain from extending your consciousness into this land.]

...Right, my bad. So now what?

[The current priority is to leave this land.]

...Sounds reasonable; how?

[My analysis concluded that this land, while in a constant state of blaze, does not possess a barrier of any kind; therefore, one can walk in any direction and leave]

...Sounds simple enough.

I look around me as I say that. As far as my "eye" can see, there is nothing but a burning land all over me.

...Direction doesn't matter, huh?

I begin to walk—well, fly, given that I seemingly possess no legs—forward.

...What is your name?

While I flew, I asked the voice in my head for something to call it.

[While I possess no name, you may call me Echo.]

...So Echo, what is this thing you need assistance with?

[I require you to tr-]

Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I jumped out of fright and immediately turned to where the roar came from.

And there I beheld. Red scales that seem to glow, a humongous reptilian body, four legs, each with a set of blazing claws, and feral red eyes. Flames seem to cling to its body, making it look very intimidating.

It is surrounded by creatures of fire in various shapes. A bird-like fire flies above it, a tiger-like one bites one of its legs, and a snake-like one coils around its neck.

Even so, it does not seem threatened, as the gigantic reptile used its tail to grab the tiger and flung it towards the bird, then used its claw to skewer the snake before biting it.

The beast fights, no, feasts on what seemed like fire elementals.

...A dragon?!

My mind went full alert; meeting such a creature would be nothing but disaster.

[Yes, but actually no. That is a Salamander, a higher form of fire elemental, though in your current state. It is still a threat; proceed with maximum caution]

...Is that so? Well, better leave befo-

Ah, shoot.

It's looking at me.