Part 2

“Is it just me, or is everything getting a whole lot darker…?” Drake asked himself.

He was racing through the forest floor. It had already been several hours since he had left Peter with the promise he’d return with food, and while it had taken longer than he initially had wanted, he had gotten something at least. Well, two somethings, given the large, and very dead lizard in one hand, and a timid, if outright fearful Nymph nested firmly between his shoulders.

Regardless of his promise to Peter, given the thick brush overhead, Drake questioned his senses. Was it really getting darker? This was a dungeon, after all.

The upper floors matched what he had imagined, if only a bit dreary given the unnaturally blue lighting and dark surroundings. He had actually been pleasantly surprised when he had arrived in this cavern. He had been trapped in near darkness with his experience with the Myconid.

It wasn’t surprising to think it was a mere trick of the eyes, or a particularly well-shaded patch of forest. Rather, this had already happened a few times before, given the rampant overgrowth of such an area. As the surrounding forest became darker, and darker, however, he quickly realized what was happening. Given a bit of thought, and it made sense.

If the Light Stone that lit the cavern acted as day, then Aesir just as easily could cause that light to recede for a period of time to act as night as well. Especially if such an area was meant to emulate the outside.

Racing forward, he gave the shifting landscape around him a quick glance before motioning to the Nymph that was clung tightly to the reptilian ridges on his back.

[How long does night last in this place?] Drake asked.

Shrinking down slightly, as if surprised by his sudden question, the Nymph answered quickly.

“A-ah, it lasts for roughly the time that the light lasts. As for how long that would be to you… I apologize,” the Nymph closed in on his back more tightly, leaving Drake to merely sigh as he moved forward.

Roughly the same, then? He huffed, as he glanced at the forest floor.

Well, if it really was meant to emulate natural light, then it really would still be just a standard twelve-hour night. Regardless of the various time-related interests of the underground cavern though, it seemed there was a slight problem…

Why did she act like he was taking her away to her doom? Sure, it didn’t look good, given he looked like nothing more than some sort of demonic-looking dragon beast carrying a young woman away from those who looked after her, but did he really give off that bad of an impression? He had nothing but positive things to say about the young woman. She was undeniably beautiful, likely as a result of the Dryad’s considerable influence, and there was no denying she cared for those around her…

Then again, it wasn’t too hard to see why she was so afraid as well. He was practically the opposite of such a race in every way. Where the powers she controlled practically epitomized the good in the world, the power he held were highly selfish, only being useful for attack or defense, or in extremely limited cases, scouting. Still, it was undoubtedly combat focused.

Ah… He sighed again, before shaking his head free of such thoughts. Brooding over such a matter wouldn’t do him any good. It wasn’t as if he was wholly destructive, either. That was a key point he wanted to test as well but, things never turn out like he wanted.

“Um… Hello…?” A small voice piped up in his hear.

[Hm. What is it?] He tilted his head back towards the Nymph. She actually took the initiative to speak with him?

“You mentioned the purpose in my capture…” She paused, tensing up on his back for a brief moment before continuing. “You… mean to hand me off to your companion. I understand that correctly, yes?”

[Hand you off?] Drake paused in mid-thought, as he gained a deeper understanding of what she had thought of him.

Dammit… He shook his head.

[Ah, look. You’re simply meant to teach him the finer points of that holy mana you control. I wasn’t lying when I told you that.]

“That’s…” She paused, longer this time. “I… see.”

Drake sneered to himself as he continued forward. [The truth is, I just needed a source of holy mana, and you were the closest at the time. Although my plans changed a bit, any other coincidence is just that. A coincidence. Although… I may have to prepare Peter a bit for a Nymph.]

He chuckled in an evil manner at the thought of Peter’s mouth dropping at the sight of her. Although it was faint, even Drake felt a sort of animalistic attraction towards the Nymph. Like he needed to protect her, although that was no doubt enhanced by her other qualities. A species that survived in such an environment based almost purely on such gifts… It was no wonder she had been so frightened when he had inadvertently broken her barrier and allowed the Troll through to her. It was a beast that was largely unaffected by her, just like himself.

Of course, all that meant was that he would need to prepare Peter for her as well. With any luck, hopefully that newfound power of his would help ward off any overt effects. If he was able to get any semblance of control over it at least. Well, he could hope.

“I’m not just a Nymph… you know,” she whispered.

[Hm?] Drake tilted his head towards her. [What’d you say?]

“Ah…” She paused, her voice slightly squeaking as she tensed. It seemed she hadn’t meant for him to hear that small complaint.

The Nymph gave an uneasy breath in, before speaking once more, seemingly resigned.

“It’s Emeria…” She sulked. “My name is Emeria.”

Drake’s pace slowly almost instantly in that brief second after he had realized what he had heard, eventually stopping altogether under the slowly fading light of the cavern above.

“Right,” he shook his head, as he muttered to himself in Draconic, an utterly incomprehensible language to the girl. “Your name was Emeria.”

Who was he? One of the few humans who seemed to know that the monsters that others saw as evil was just the same as themselves. Yet, from the moment he had met her, he had acted like she was nothing but a means to an end. He hadn’t even given more than a thought to the surprise he had initially had when the trio of Satyr’s that acted as her guards had called out her name.

Stolen story; please report.

Both Drake and Emeria paused. He could feel her beginning to shrink ever so slightly against him, as if trying to make herself smaller. Just another sign.

He laughed. A somewhat unsettling sound coming from him, but a laugh, nonetheless. Then, re-adjusting Emeria only slightly onto his shoulders, he sped forward again.

[Emeria. It suits you. Although, that may just be my own bias talking.]

“…”

He continued, his speed accelerating step by step. What would Yami think of him?

[I’m sorry, for what’s it worth. It’s been… difficult, since I came to where you live. It seems like a nice enough place, but I’m not really in the position to enjoy it for what it could be.]

“Did… something happen?” She asked tentatively.

He smiled.

[Just a mistake. I was too careless and got someone I care for in trouble. I need to kill that one-eyed giant you mentioned, the Fomorian, to leave this place, though. After that, everything will return to normal. It’s why I lost my temper just a tad when you said you didn’t know how.] He said depreciatively.

No matter how he felt though, that was just another mistake. Treating her like nothing but a tool.

[You’re just as human as I am, if a bit different. Although…]

A bit ironic, given his current form. Well, it’s not as if he had time to give her the trials and tales his life story, either. Although admittedly, the first 22 years were a tad dull.

“Just as human… you’re… one of the predecessors?” She said in muted shock.

Predecessor. That was a term he hadn’t heard in a long time. Even the word brought back admittedly painful memories of a certain, horned witch.

[Yes, well…] He gave a lengthy sigh. [It doesn’t make much of a difference, truthfully. I just had a different start than most.]

“…”

Quiet again, huh? He thought shrewdly. Was the existence of predecessors really so important that even a Nymph in a godforsaken place like this would know of them?

Regardless, it seemed as if keeping his origins from those who hadn’t turned from humans was more important than he originally had realized. Gwyndolyn was certainly an outlier, all things considered, but for even a Nymph in the middle of a dungeon like this to have heard of those like him. It seemed that it made him an anomaly, even more than what he had realized before.

Well, no taking it back now. He groaned internally. Let’s just get her back to Peter. The sooner the better, it seems.

From that moment, Drake and Emeria proceeded through the fading light quickly and silently, only stopping occasionally with a few prompts from Emeria. What exactly she was attempting to steer him away from, he was unsure, but it seemed she had expedited his journey in a few places, by keeping him from fights he would otherwise had to have endured.

Undoubtedly, he could have done the same, but maintaining such a process for any and all potential threats, while traveling? It wasn’t a surprise that he had relied so heavily on Yami during his travels. It wasn’t something he excelled at, regardless of his newfound telepathic senses that he had gained through their bond. The help was much appreciated.

Regardless of the little things, Drake made good time. The exact direction he ran was somewhat sketchy, given he had only been to Peter’s camp once, and that was almost through sheer instinct. Thankfully however, the center of the cavern was well established. Finding his little encampment from there was simply a matter of taking his time and extending both his mana and senses to his surroundings. As for the… ally on Drake’s shoulders.

“This mana…” Emeria whispered to herself.

Teach a friend how to use her power. That was the second request he had asked of her before she was taken away, with not even a moment to voice her concern. That what he was asking was an impossible request.

The powers granted to her by the Great One wasn’t something that could be given away so easily, as it wasn’t hers to give in the first place. It was why she had been so afraid when she had first been snatched away.

She would be of no help in leaving the dungeon, given that he required to kill the one-eyed giant. He was already furious at that small point, so what would he do when she couldn’t fulfill his other task? The succinct execution that had been given the Troll was the most she could hope to have, at least at first.

However, he was different than he appeared, it seemed. He was human, and a predecessor. An exceedingly powerful one at that. The initial fear of death that overcame her in the minutes following her capture slowly transformed into one of almost child-like curiosity as he explained more of himself.

How did he come to be here? What was that strange, human-like form he took on, and how did he gain such powers? Just what was he?

That was only the beginning of the thoughts that ran through her mind. However, as Drake approached Peter’s encampment, another shock ran through her.

The Great One’s power… it is here as well…

Drake was moving with purpose now, and he was headed straight towards the source. Despite her mortal fear of death largely disappearing altogether once he told her of his motives, she had steered him away from several of her sisters. Given his temperament, she was unwilling to let him near any of the others, given what he may do. That only now, he would approach one directly…

“Drake, move to the right. Another one is ahead.”

[Hm?] He tilted his head. [This is the right way. I’m close enough now to recognize where I am.]

“But…” She tensed. Her sisters all kept away intruders in one form or another, but he seemed to break such precautions with ease. That they had entered the eastern portion of the cavern as well made it all the more dangerous. Those here had resistances to their natural charm.

“Please… I-”

“You’ve returned, I see.” A voice from above spoke.

Both Drake and Emeria turned, although each had significantly different reactions.

Above on a small tree limb, the Grimal sneered at him. Drake returned in kind, looking up at the cat chimera with equal derision. Why did it not surprise him that it made it back to Peter in perfect condition?

[Glad to see you aren’t dead. It would have been a shame if something had happened.] Drake snarled.

“Indeed.” The Grimal spat back. The distrust from before had turned into almost outright hostility, despite each of them attempting to help Peter in their own way. Grimal viewed Drake’s intrusion as a corruption of the true path to master the power that was given to Peter, while Drake merely viewed the Grimal as a nuisance, at best. However, even the chimera’s gaze softened when it spotted the small creature on Drake’s back.

“A Nymph. You would bring one here, to him?”

[What? It seemed like a good idea to me. Not exactly what I left for, but whatever works.] Drake shrugged.

The Grimal stared at him. A Nymph. He had actually brought a Nymph here to Peter.

“Hurry in. He’s been waiting for you quite a while, it seems. No doubt waiting for you to return with a meal,” the chimera stated, as it spied the lizard in Drake’s hand. Turning out of sight, the Grimal disappeared, leaving Emeria and Drake to stand there, alone with one another.

“Damn thing. Even Aleria is more accommodating. At least she isn’t outright hostile…” Drake cursed.

Drake stretched his body, positioning the Nymph in a position more comfortable to the both of them as he lowered her down to the ground. At least he had finally gotten back.

In a flash of opaque, crimson mana, Drake returned to his human form, cloak and all. Then, turning to the Nymph beside him, he gestured to her.

“Well then, not regarding that first bit. Welcome to my friend’s humble abode.” He cracked a smile at that little line.

You’ll have to forgive the lack of food, of course, but I was a bit hungry when I first arrived.” He turned, and gave a half-hearted wave, signaling her to follow him.

“R-right.” She replied.

Drake didn’t waste a moment more and walked into the camp. Emeria followed close behind, her eyes darting to the spare shadow or two that suddenly moved deeper into the forest interior as her eyes moved to them.

She had been followed, that much was certain. Whether it was a simple curious onlooker or something more nefarious, she was uncertain, but she was safest with him. Whether he knew of their existence, or simply didn’t care, it made little difference. In the eastern region of the cavern, escape was almost a death sentence. Still…

Even meeting this friend of his, Emeria was nervous. What little she knew was what Manna, otherwise known as the Dryad and Aesir’s Partner, had imparted to her. There were other important measures as well, such as the tricks and methods to take care of the forest, and of the various ways she should take care of herself. Even her guards were granted to her, and as ones who were both largely immune to her charms, yet still faithfully followed, it was a gift that touched her soul.

Now, separated from that brief comfort and thrust into a situation with complete strangers…?

Well, it wasn’t surprising that her nerves were on edge, to say the least.

“Yo! Peter! Guess who came back with food?” Drake yelled out to the haphazard camp ahead.