So, I tell them about using the Origin Energy to repair my soul and max out my soulscape skill. Then I tell them what the dragon told me about the other planes and raising my soul level. As I am talking they are both just staring at me like I am talking gibberish.

Seronia says "I am sorry, Ash, but I have never heard of any of that."

Krenocia says "Same here. And if anything your soul is worse than before, not repaired."

"Well, if you two don't know anything about it, I guess I need to ask the dragon."

Krenocia says "Whatever you do, do not damage your soul anymore!"

Seronia says "Can't you just talk to the dragon in the soulscape?"

"I would, but it requires a name to invite someone, and the dragon never told me his name."

Seronia says "Then will you be waiting to talk to him until you return to the peninsula?"

"Maybe, I might try a few spells first."

Krenocia says "Just don't do anything crazy!"

"Don't worry, I know how fragile my soul is."

After we are done chatting things turn a little weird, Seronia and Krenocia both look expectant. They are looking at each other like they are both waiting for the other to leave first. It ends when Krenocia smirks at Seronia, making her blush and leave with a wave at me.

Once her sister is gone Krenocia approaches me and gives me a deep kiss. She leaves before I can recover enough to say anything, but it isn't like I am about to complain. So it would seem that I was right and this is a new thing, not just a passing event.

While I definitely enjoyed it, it does make me wonder about the meaning behind it. Not wanting to think about it, I end the soulscape and return to the real world. Brightfire and Nala are currently curled around me and are both fast asleep.

Gathering some mana I attempt to create a message and send it to the dragon. Unfortunately, while the spell itself works, I can't send it without knowing the dragon's name. Since that won't work I try a few other spells, but they run into the same problem.

However, since I know where the dragon is I try to use farseeing magic. That works and after a few minutes I manage to see the dragon sleeping in the cavern. Unfortunately, I don't have any way to communicate with the dragon using this magic.

I could attempt to gate there, but I am pretty sure it is too far for my current mana. As I am trying to think of how to contact the dragon I find myself suddenly pulled into a familiar soulscape. Once again I find myself on top of a mountain with a smaller version of the dragon staring at me.

Dragon says "Well, well! This is an interesting development! It would seem that you have been through a lot, little Ash!"

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Ah, yeah. I guess I have been through a lot since we last talked."

Dragon says "Why don't you tell me about it and then you can tell me why you came looking for me."

So, I start telling the dragon everything that has happened and that I have done. It is actually kind of hard to remember everything and I have trouble keeping things in order. The dragon seems highly amused as I am telling him everything, that is until I talk about the gem.

Dragon says "It is good that you escaped! That is not a gem, it is more like an egg left behind by a god's passing. It wasn't trying to make you a god, it was using you to revive the dead god."

"So it was trying to destroy my soul?!"

Dragon says "Yes. It is good that you escaped when you did. Any longer and you would no longer exist. It is too bad about your sword though."

"Do you know a way that I can repair my soul?"

Dragon says "Not really. If it was me I would simply sleep for a few thousand years and let it heal normally."

"Yeah, that option wouldn't really work for me."

Dragon says "We can discuss that further once you finish your story."

Even though I have a pile of questions it is obvious the dragon won't answer them yet. So I go back to the story and eventually get to talking about the maker. The dragon looks especially interested when I start talking about the Origin Energy.

However, despite the fact that I can see his desire to ask questions, he stays quiet. He waits until I am done telling him everything, including my visit to the hallway. After I am finally done it is a few minutes before he says anything.

Dragon says "You really can't just leave things alone can you? Are you sure you are a mortal and not the god of mischief in disguise?"

"If I was a god, would there really be a way to hide it from you?"

Dragon says "No. Although, a mortal using Origin Energy is even harder to believe than a god fooling me."

"Fair Point. So, any advice for me?"

Dragon says "Stop waking up things that should be left asleep?"

"I meant about my soul!"

Dragon says "Well, since you can't just sleep, going and getting more Origin Energy would work. If you can increase your soul level without getting hurt, that would help your soul heal faster."

"Neither one of those is going to be easy! I don't really want to cross paths with the maker again, so can you tell me more about the hallway of doors?"

Dragon says "Each door represents a plane or demi-plane. You have to follow the rules of whatever plane you enter."

"Is that why I couldn't make equipment when I went inside the first one?"

Dragon says "You used the wrong energy! You used soul energy to make a body, but why would soul energy make non-living things?"

"Wait, that was soul energy? I thought it was just normal energy of the plane!"

Dragon says "No, the energy used to make a body is soul energy. That is why it is so hard to gather. Other than making a body, there is nothing else you can do with that energy."

"Wait, if it is soul energy, could I use it to repair my soul?"

Dragon says "Actually, I don't know. I have never needed to repair my soul. In theory, if the energy is compatible with your soul, yes you could."

"I will experiment with that later. Is there anything else you can tell me about souls or the planes?"

Dragon says "Not really. Most of it you need to figure out yourself."

"Oh, what about divine power? Why couldn't I use it?"

Dragon says "Unless the goddesses you follow are present in those planes, you won't have access to their power."

"That makes sense. I should have realized that."

Dragon says "Any other questions?"

"Could you tell me your name so I can reach you easier?"

Dragon says "No, I won't. A dragon's name is a thing of power, I will not share it with any mortal."

"Alright, I understand."

Dragon says "However, you can just send your magic eye to me and I will pull you into my soulscape to talk."

"Thank you! Is there anything I can do for you?"

Dragon says "No need. You have already provided me with a lot of entertainment!"

"That's good, I guess."