“It simply isn't an adventure worth telling if there aren't any dragons.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien,
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Amidst the vast expanse of the highway, Lucas knelt with an air of undeniable honor, his hand gently caressing the woman's head. The stark reality of her bleeding form sprawled on the ground hit hard—her stomach pierced by a bullet.
"I dare say, I am a man of honor," he murmured, remorse evident in his voice. His fingers tenderly closed her eyes before he rose to his feet.
Click!
A metallic sensation pressed against the back of his head, the unmistakable presence of a gun making itself known.
"My, my, how many years has it been since someone pointed a gun at me in such a way," Lucas mused, his composure unwavering, akin to an undisturbed sea.
Footsteps approached from the periphery of his hearing.
Click! Click! Click! Click!
"Raise your hands and turn around!" a voice demanded.
Surrounded, yet unyielding, Lucas complied. Ten men aimed their guns from a distance, while one stood close, his weapon trained on Lucas.
Beyond the armed men stood a car. From it emerged an older man, and Lucas couldn't help but flinch at the sight of him.
"Why?" Lucas queried.
The older man lit a cigar and took a few steps forward. "You were nothing more than a lowly assassin I once took in. Now, you've become a threat," he declared, his face reddening. "A threat! A bloody threat to my position!" He exhaled a puff of smoke. "A dog must always remember its place. Should it forget? Well, then, the responsibility lies on its master to ensure the dog realizes its bloody place."
Lucas smiled wryly. "Ah, I always sensed your true nature. I just never thought you would abandon me," he looked up. "I blindly admired you like a father, but now I see you were nothing more than scum."
"You learn too quickly, Lucas. If I spare you now, you won't hesitate to kill me later."
"Oh, I won't," Lucas grinned sinisterly. "Better not miss any bullets, old man. After all, in case I survive, you'll witness brutality beyond your imagination."
"We are the same, you and I. In the grand scheme, it's all just business. Don't take it personally." The older man waved his hand, signaling the soldiers.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The shots echoed, sealing a fate entangled in betrayal and revenge on that desolate highway.
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"Ahh, Lucas, your tales were renowned, you know. We, gods, wagered that you would be the one to ultimately bring down that old man."
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Lucas found himself confined in a place reminiscent of a prison, where chains bound him to the ground. Glancing down, he discovered a metallic rod protruding from his chest. Despite the presence of metal rods embedded in his body, he was surprised to feel no pain.
In vain, Lucas struggled against the unyielding chains.
"I, who bet against the gods, earned quite a profit. I knew that old man was too cunning. He wouldn't allow talent like yours to flourish."
Lucas directed a piercing glare at the man who spoke. Resembling a prison warden, the man donned a striking blue overcoat, his dazzling blue eyes and azure hair creating an otherworldly aura.
"Oh my. Don't look at me with such menacing eyes. I am quite shy," the warden smirked smugly.
Remaining silent, Lucas grasped the significance of maintaining a quiet demeanor in his current predicament. The loquacious man before him seemed prone to divulging information without prompt.
"I see you're able to resist the urge to inquire. I'm impressed. You see, I am but a gambler who relishes a good bet. Earth may have eluded you, but there are still other realms where you might prevail."
Lucas narrowed his eyes, choosing to play along. "And how does that concern you?" he asked skeptically.
"As I said, I enjoy a good bet. Once every thousand years, a majestic game unfolds. With games come wagers. Some bet on the offspring of a God and a Human, while others favor the daughter of the Sun Dragon. Yet, I placed my bets on you, Lucas."
Had it not been for the vivid memory of his own demise and the fact that he now lived despite chains embedded in him, Lucas might have dismissed the man's words as the ramblings of a fool.
"And what benefits would I reap?" Lucas inquired.
"Right to the point, aren't you?" the warden continued, "You must acknowledge your demise. However, I can alter that. You can reclaim your life and seek revenge. Furthermore, I shall grant you three wishes. You see, when I wagered on anyone other than the children of gods or divine beings, they all laughed at me." His blue eyes turned crimson. His blue hair followed suit, and two black horns sprouted from his forehead. "Now, all I wish to do is laugh back at their faces and make them realize how lowly, pathetic, and mindless they are. Do you understand?"
Lucas remained silent. As a mere human, the warden's words hinted at involvement in matters beyond his understanding. Yet, Lucas was not one to retreat, especially after being killed by his own father.
"Now, would you prefer to languish in a cell forever, or help me mock the gods?"
"Sure," a wide grin appeared on Lucas's face. "Anything beats a life in solitude, right?"
"Marvelous. I shall lend you one of my little angels to fill the void in your knowledge of other realms," the warden declared. Pausing, he added, "But, of course, as a human, you will undoubtedly face challenges." A sinister smile crept across his face. "So, be prepared to embrace your new identity."
"What..." Lucas's vision faded, and the chains fell away. His form darkened and transformed into smoke.
The dusty black smoke congregated and swirled around the warden's palm. Gradually, the smoke coalesced into a shell, shaping itself into an egg. The egg, black with red stripes, held an enigmatic promise of transformation.
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‘We are the same, you and I’
Even in the darkness, these words resonated around his consciousness. He struggled to open his eyes. It was dark. Dark but warm. Strangely he felt light and cozy like he was swimming in warm water.
Bang!
The sight of getting shot flashed in his mind.
Crack!
The feeling of getting betrayed became more vivid.
Crack!
Twitch!
He could not see but felt one of his limbs twitch. But it felt different but not strange.
Crack!
That’s not how he usually felt when he moved his limbs.
Crack! Crack!
The eggshell fractured. Emerging from within, a diminutive black appendage, adorned with three menacing claws, revealed itself
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