It was strange. My ability to transform into a human doesn't necessarily mean I would gain all of a dragon's strengths and weaknesses. Even a baby dragon of level one, I found, was far stronger than a base human by far. It would be like comparing a fully grown brown bear to a regular, untrained boy with some aptitude for athletic sports. And what I was, was just a teenage boy way in over my head.

I still couldn't wrap my head around my ability to retain all that mass of a dragon as a human. It just didn't seem scientifically possible. But, what did I know? All those things I saw, that seared into my brain like a hot poker, wouldn't ever let me forget. Impossible became possible, and anything can be actualized.

My human body heals just a little bit faster than normal, and I was twice as strong. Enough, at least, to keep up with the younger elves. My senses were far better. The ability to see and sense in the dark, to smell and hear, had increased my sensitivity by two-fold. It was nothing compared to when I was a dragon, but it was still something.

The older, grown men and women could still beat me down, strength wise. I knew this because I decided to challenge them to an arm wrestling competition. They loved it, and the camaraderie between the men became stronger all the more. I still, however, got my ass kicked. I didn't know what it meant if someone decided to strike me with a fatal wound, but it wasn't a worry I had to deal with. For now.

I was immune to low-level heat resistance. Fire doesn't necessarily harm me, but I can still feel the increased temperature on my skin. Normally, I would be concerned, but I've switched to an entirely different racial type of dragon, with an affinity for storms and lightning. It seemed incomprehensible to me that I am now an entirely different draconian race. To suddenly switch from one thing to another... Evolution never worked that way. Another impossibility.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. It helped clear my thoughts, and focus on what was at hand.

> Dragon of Storms and Skies

>

> You have chosen the Dragon of Storms and Skies. Physically prodigious for their gargantuan size, their noble bearing befell the lands in their great shadow and overwhelimg power. The skies are their domain, and storms their dwelling.

The name implied that I was truly a child of the skies, as some of the mythological gods in my world's ancient history. I was maybe eight foot four, maybe bigger. My width was probably around seven foot two. It was particularly difficult to measure oneself when I had no way to accurately do so, especially with a body I was unfamiliar with. I was clumsy, and it took some getting used to.

Still, my size contradicted the description given. It didn't make any sense. Was it because I was so very young? Or did I have to increase my level in order to get that big? It was all still so confusing, but it was the only explanation I had. So, I willed my mind into the stats for more information out into the forefront. Anything that might be useful, anything that would give me something to understand just what I was.

I didn't think it would actually work, which only brought more questions when it did.

> Dragon of Storms and Skies

>

> Dragons are ancient beasts more akin to natural disasters. Their will indomindable, and their strength unrivalled. Extremily solitary, they prefer the silence of their respected domain. They do not care for much, neither for material wealth or mortals. Dragons are simply a part of the natural world, and even the minor gods attached to the material world are wary of angering such creatures. Such as it is, to anger the children of The King of Dreams.

>

> The Dragon of Storms that beheld the skies above all mortals, are rivalled only by the very few. Rivals of its kin do not take intrusion to their domain well. That the very earth shall tremble upon their very wrath should they battle. Their clashes shall reverberate across half the realm, sunder reality itself.

>

> Mortals and immortals alike shall find no quarters, no haven, that can stall the songs of the dragons.

Well, that didn't say much. If anything, it only left me with more questions than answers. I knew this even as that peculiar woman-goddess-thing informed me of my draconic origin. I still remembered the titles of my "father" well, for what else could it be? He was a God, with power and title that went with it. I didn't understand what that meant, not truly, but he sounded like bad news all around.

So, what could I do? I didn't know, because the lack of information was concerning. Were there others like me? And if so, were they different?

If so, I was in trouble. I was still weak, and my strength was not enough to fight against most of the monsters that reside in this world. For certainty? I didn't know. Not without the facts. But, in my guts, I knew this more than anything. Call it instinct. I just needed time, and I was afraid I was going to lose it.

I just needed time.

So, one day, I sat down by the cliffs, overlooking the blue ocean as the sun was rising. I felt the salty ocean breeze, and the quiet still waters. If I tried hard enough, I could hear the distant songs of the whales. And behind me, the verdant grass swayed softly against the breeze. I could hear the heartbeat of Benny, as he sat beside me.

I never meditated before. It was hard to keep still. Even as a human I was restless, and my ability to stand still as a dragon was nearly impossible. The first time I tried to quiet my mind, I failed. To my continued frustration, I had kept failing day after day, despite the hours I have put into meditation. It took doing cardio exercises to physically exhaust my mind and body, in order to stop my wandering mind just to meditate.

"You have been sitting here for a long time," That deep, baritone voice startled me. I knew someone approached me, but the thought hadn't really registered to my mind until it was too late. "What do you see?"

"Eruyonaon? I didn't realize...," I sighed, as the man took a seat beside Benny. I could hear the contentful chuffs of Benny, as Eruyonaon's fingers scratched behind the ears. "How long have you known?"

The chief elder was something of a Wiseman himself. Having lived for seven centuries can do that to anyone, I imagined.

"Long enough, I suppose," Eruyonaon's hazel eyes looked out toward the ocean, a light smile upon his face. "Still, you haven't answered my question,"

I huffed. "Just the ocean,"

"Truly?" He seemed surprised. "You must love this spot, then. You have been coming before the sunrise for many weeks. What do you hope to find?"

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"Find? Nothing, I suppose," Or everything, I thought bitterly. "Just mostly curiosity, and the silence."

"Ah, I see," It was a long time before the silence was broken. "You miss your family. You miss your home."

I rubbed my eyes in fatigue.

"I miss them, yeah," I said, as I watched the sunrise. "I miss them so much. I miss my school, my friends. Most of all, I miss my family," I chuckled softly in frustration. "And you know what? I miss the internet. The music, the movies, and hotdogs. Oh, and the plumbing...,"

So I talked, and he listened. Eruyonaon probably thought I was talking nonsense, but damned if I didn't care. I just needed to vent. It's been so long since I ranted about my nosy sister, or my stupid friends, to someone. And to just... let go. I missed them terribly.

I just needed someone to listen to. And, it helped, and my mind felt lighter.

The next day, I woke up early to sit upon that very same spot. The sun rose, and I closed my eyes to fill my mind with silence. My birthday was in December. The season seemed to last longer, but it was enough to know the truth. The elves, long-lived as they were, was my family.

And then, as I watched the rising sun on the horizon, I got a confirmation that startled me. I had forgotten what I had originally set out to achieve. But I'd done it. I'd done what I thought was impossible, a nonsense theory that just wouldn't leave my mind. But, it worked. It worked!

> Skill Unlocked!

> Meditation lvl. 1 Acquired!

> You seek peace of mind, to find insight upon oneself, and others. You wish to reach tranquility and equanimity.

The higher and higher I chased it, the more impossible it seemed to achieve, I've found. I wasn't happy, but neither was I content with my newest attribute. This opportunity only gave rise to more possibilities. Was it possible I could acquire more abilities? Yes, it seemed to be more than achievable. But the time required to achieve it was too long.

I didn't have any cheat codes, not like when I was in the dark world, where there were constant monsters to hunt and kill. Here, most of them were just animals, even the biggest, meanest bunch. Constant violance seemed like the answer to my problems, but one which I thankfully lacked.

Sadly, I was still stuck as a level five.

"Are you ready, Valerian?" Startled, I looked up to find Arawen standing behind me, her hands clasped behind her back shyly. I couldn't help but return her infectious smile. "The... ah, ambassadors, right? They're here, and the elders are waiting for you."

The Curious Raven tribe was far larger than the Cry of The Black Wolf tribe, one which they've had some semblance of a trade for the past few centuries. Until, of course, the Ravens have heard of the progress we've made of our village. No doubt, they'll wish for our secrets, and no one was willing to share without some price to be had.

I walked with Arawen back to the village. It had been a year since my arrival, and already the tiny village had grown considerably. The earth had been packed and cleared for a proper cobblestone road, and the food was aplenty thanks to raising cattle and farming simple fruits and vegetables. More importantly, the homes had been newly constructed by the shaping of stone and wood.

I had little knowledge of Araialien magic, but from what I've seen, they were formidable, if primitive. I tried to learn their magic, of course. Why shouldn't I? It seemed like a reasonable thing to do, but such magic belonged to the blood of the elves and the raw, untapped lands of the earth. Or, perhaps, I just didn't have the correct mindset for such magic. I didn't feel anything for it, but it gnawed at me.

I did sense the reflection of their magic, if distant, however.

If I had to describe it, their magic was a song, filled with tiny whispers and a silent stillness that echoed within the backdrop of this world. It was there, resonating deep into the earth, vibrating, to every plant and dirt and seed, to stone and wood, and to every cry and call of the wildlife. The elves simply answered back.

I... their magic was larger, more worldly than I could ever be. There was a wonder to their perception, of being natural cultivators to nature magic that so easily connect to the fundamental natural order of this world.

Sadly, I didn't know anything. I was completely useless in trying to figure it out.

My grumpiness was starting to show. As I walked past the people that went about their duties, I indulged in nostalgist recollection of modern technology. I missed plumbing terribly. The elves don't leave... waste behind. Of any kind. The fuckers. Their bodily system somehow digests everything. Everything. It was no wonder they were so much stronger than the average human. They were more evolved.

The elder Eruyonaon and his wife, Silivlairiel, along with one of the elders of the Cry of The Black Wolf tribe were here, situated along one side of the low table. The most notable one sitting by the chief's side was a skinny, elderly elf, with a beard that could have swept entire floors. A shaman, mystic, and everything expert on magic. His words held great weight and was a considerably important man to the tribe. He was my teacher, in both the language and the culture. A man with much patience and strength, even if he found me annoying.

On the other side sat the chief of the Curious Ravens, holding a clay cup of tea. The leader among them was a giant of a man, clean shaven, with long white hair and steel-grey eyes.

I sat beside the Wiseman and watched the negotiations take place. My knowledge in such areas was lacking, but the chief invited me to watch and learn. So, I did. The trade talks went for a long time, and breaks were taken quite frequently. There were some hints to merge their clans, but rebuffed every time. It was obvious that such a move would only result in the leadership within the Wolf tribe.

As the talks continued, I checked my stats. I haven't leveled, but my constant practices helped level my Mana Control quite considerably. I've been here for a year, and a skill was gained, which took about just as long. There were no monsters here, unlike the underground world he originated from. There was no vicious killers or demigods roaming about. Only animals and people who were concerned more about their next meal.

It didn't... suck, per se. It was the most peaceful time of my life. I could just simply relax, and stretch my wings. I practice, of course. Do some training every morning. Stretches, situps, pushups, and anything else I could think of. A few got curious, but ultimately dismissed it as a waste of their time.

Not Arawen, though. She arrived, all childlike smiles and waves of giggles, and decided to do them herself. So, she joined every day. I taught her as much as I could, with what little knowledge I did have.

As the years went by, my abilities stayed much the same. I hadn't leveling up, but I was improving with what I had. Already, I had several levels in Mana Control, and a single level up in Meditation. The latter helped tremendously with of Mana Control. There was no doubt that they synergized quite well together.

My ability to fight improved. Wrestling and other such martial combat became something of a staple within the elven community, so long as a referee was there to oversee the matches. I lost most of the time against the chief hunter of the tribe, but the exhaustion of the match had me laughing all the time. It was good. It felt good.

I belonged. I wasn't of their culture, or ethnicity, but they welcomed me, despite my horrifying ability to turn into a fearsome dragon. Their little village improved, slowly, and became something of a town. Their way of life became something of an envy to the other tribes. Many wished to join, for both comfort and safety, and military improvement. Oh, and food.

It was peaceful, in my little bungalow. Until, of course, the chief of the tribe came into my home without so much as a knock. Well, there was a knock. I just didn't hear. Point was, I froze, when he said to me, "You are alone. A marriage proposal shall come to you. You shall accept. I will not let your life be one of solitude and seclusion for the rest of your life. You need children. So it shall be. So, shall it be done."

I wanted to eat him for his arrogant presumption. That was my dragon side. But a human part of me heartfully agreed. It was an arranged marriage. I hated the very concept of it, but I was socially inept, and living with people thrice my age felt awkward and alienated.

So, I did what I hated most, and said, "Okay."