Astalos somehow meet an exciting question. For three hundred years, he was imprisoned in this cave by humanity. And now here he is, answering questions from a being of the same race that took away his freedom. It's almost poetic. Yet, he doesn't mind a single bit; he has long passed the stage of self-destructive impulse. To him, a good talk is everything, even if it's again the thing that he used to hate the most.

"I have heard that people from other worlds came to us through summoning magic or a portal. But, none of them are like you," Astalos says as he gazes into Minoru with a relish look.

"Magic? Portal?" Minoru widen his eyes out of confusion

"You don't know about magic?" Astalos is surprised

"Those kinds of things don't exist in my world; they are just made-up stuff."

"Very interesting. How did you arrive here without knowing about magic?"

"I don't know; I wish I had the answer to this. I just remember dying on a battlefield, and then I woke up here."

Astalos stops and laid back for a bit. He never thought that he would see something this fascinating. The creature in front of him has the body of a mindless slime but a soul of a human. He has no idea how this being can retain its humanity or even function at all. There are so many questions, so many things to ask, but for now, he knows it's better to be cooperative and wipes away the air of mistrust around them. So, he plays along and tries his best to answer its question.

"So the only part of your that got sent here is your soul? This the first time I heard a soul being able to survive traveling between dimensions on its own"

Somehow, Minoru was both surprised and wasn't at the same time by that answer. All of this talk about souls and other worlds is complete gibberish to him, as he believes in neither of those things. Yet, after seeing some of the strangeness in this cave, a giant dragon using telepathy has forced him to accept this new reality, even if it contradicts everything he knew. This whole situation is like a manga plotline; it's absurd and so out of this world that he can't even question it and has no choice but to play along.

"So, you're saying that my soul traveled here after I died? Is this some kind of Hell?" He makes a joke and tries his best to play along.

"Unfortunately, no. The place we are in right now is the Great Forest of Griess. At least that is what it's called the last time I walked the surface. Three hundred years have passed, so it might be a desert right now for all I know" He squints his eyes with a slight frustration lurking in them.

"You have been trapped here for three hundred years!?!" Minoru says with the most shocked expression he has

"Yes," He replies with such a calm demeanor that it's almost like it's no big deal.

Astounded is an understatement for what Minoru is experiencing right now. The idea of being locked in here for three hundred years while being all alone is incomprehensible to him. He wonders how this dragon can endure that level of torture, as he can't even stay in solitude for an entire week without feeling like something is wrong. What kind of action must one do to receive this level of punishment?

"That is unreal. How much time do you have left?"

"My trial is eternal little one; it never ends. But my body won't be able to hold on for more than one hundred years from now. So I will eventually die in this cage," Astalos says with a shaky voice.

His final punishment is death? Even though Minoru doesn't know the complete picture of this event, he still sympathizes with him, which pushes him to seek out the cause even more.

"Just what did you do to get trapped in here?"

Astalos turns quiet. He swings his head around and doesn't seem to be focusing on Minoru at all. He doesn't say anything and only stares at the wall with a distant look. Minoru understands that he doesn't want to talk about it; maybe the reason is deeply personal to him, or perhaps it's something he regrets. Whatever it's, he understands that Astalos isn't going to share, but he respects that and doesn't want to go any further. However, the silence drowns the lair in an awkward atmosphere, forcing Minoru to break the ice somehow.

"So, you said there are humans in this world, right? What do they look like?"

Astalos turns around and scratches his head like he is trying to remember the details.

"Hmm, last time I saw them, they look like a bunch of hairless monkey wearing fancy fabric, poking sticks at each other"

"That…is one way to describe humans. I'm guessing they don't look too different from us."

"Could be, but I don't know what your kind looks like. Moreover, I'm more interested in your world; you said the concept of magic doesn't exist there, right? So then how does it function?" He leans forward even more like he is demanding Minoru to give him the answer.

"I don't understand your question here" He can feel a slight shiver running through his spine. It's like Astalos's curiosity is choking him.

"This world operates on mana. Every living being, every landscape, has mana in them. It's what keeps us alive, nourishes us, strengthens us, and gives us what is called magic. Humans make their tools, their weapons to use this magic, and animals are born with it so they can defend themselves. Without magic, this world can't continue; it's everything. So how can your world exist without it? I'm inquisitive."

The world Astalos just described is like the one in those fantasy stories that Minoru used to read in his free time on the battlefield. He is always fascinated by the concept of magic and what they can do; the escapism they provide is a gift for the mind during wartime. But he never overthinks about them because they're just that, pure escapism. However, now that he exists in a world where magic is a part of reality, he has to force himself into this unknown territory. The contrast is too far off that although the two worlds might sound familiar, they are the exact opposite of each other. Too much that he doesn't know where to start the comparison between them.

"Hmm…Maybe my world isn't as generous as yours. It doesn't have mana, so it adapts to that loss and creates an ecosystem that doesn't depend on that factor to survive. There are no dragons or powerful beings, but the creatures it has can fill their given role perfectly. That's only my theory, though."

"So you're saying that your world works off its limitations and adapted?" He places his hand on his cheek

"I guess, I honestly don't know. This is the first time I was asked this question" Minoru chuckled.

"And how did your race adjust to it?"

"We don't adjust; we were born in it. In the past, we lived with only what nature provided us, but we slowly detach from it and create masterpieces of our own. We created society, the concept of money, machines that can do what we couldn't and even better. We made those things with what we learned and the resources around us. We didn't have the luxury of magic like this world."

"Your kind can create tools that can do what only magic can? Very fascinating"

"I will take that as a compliment" He smiles.

Although Minoru likes talking about these kinds of things, it's starting to get too severe for his taste. He likes jokes and fun talk. That is how he makes friends and calms down others in the midst of a battle, not just philosophy. He wants to know if this almighty dragon is capable of fun instead of just asking question after question.

"So, enough about me, let talk about you, shall we," He said with a slightly sarcastic tone.

"Oh right, all we have been doing is talking about my apology. Ask me whatever you want."

"Ok, this might be silly. Do you like to eat and go…that, like us humans? Sorry if I'm rude" He tries his best to keep straight not to giggle and potentially provoke him.

"That's a good question. You see, I'm a true dragon, a purely magical being. We don't need food or water like other creatures; we only need mana to sustain ourselves. So as long as we have mana, we don't die of old age; we are effectively immortal. That's why I was able to survive for three hundred years in this cave, but because the mana in here is slowly diminishing, I only have around a hundred years more before I starve to death."

"That is...very unfortunate for you to get stuck in here like this".

"Same can be said to you!" He looks dead on at Minoru

"Excuse me?" Minoru feels like he got hit by a bombshell after hearing that

"You may not realize it, but you are also effectively immortal too. Slimes don't age. They can eat anything and do not require mana to stay alive and can change their shape. However, all of them are mindless except you, so I don't see the point for them to exist."

He let out a slightly evil grin that made Minoru disturbed somewhat. But he can't deny what he just said is pretty useful information, though it also confirmed that he is genuinely one of a kind even among his race. And even though he hasn't even seen another slime, it still makes him feel kind of sad.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"That's good to know" He then looks around the lair a bit.

"So, what do you usually do to kill time?"

Time begins to fly by as they continue their mindless chit-chat. Only god knows how long they spent conversing with each other, but it's a way to kill time. For the first time since he came here, Minoru feels like he can finally let his guard down. He talks about all of the stupid things he knows, like how people still think that his world is flat and all of the strange things he saw during his job. As for Astalos, he finds enjoyment in finally being able to talk to someone after three hundred years, and for a brief moment, he somehow forgot that there is an inescapable wall between them.

"So you are saying that your kind invented the machine that can let you fly without the use of mana?"

"Yes!" He replies with a sign of proudness

"How does that even work?"

"Well…" Smugness appear all over his face

"We created an engine that is designed to move forward at high speed. That makes airflow rapidly over the wings, which throws the air down toward the ground, generating an upward force called lift that overcomes the plane's weight and holds it in the sky. The wings force the air downward, and that pushes the plane upward…blah, blah, blah."

"Please speak something that I can understand, please" Astalos is annoyed by his smartass attitude.

"Ah…sorry. Basically, it manipulates the airflow to flies, and it runs fuel we called gasoline."

"What is that?"

"Basically the leftover from decomposing animals and plants."

"That sounds disgusting" Astalos twitches his eyes

"Hahaha, not really" Minoru flicks his right hand around as he laughs.

"You know, I thought you would be a lot more…angry and aggressive. But, you're actually not that bad."

"Ho? And why do you think that?" Astalos raises his head with interest

"Because every form of literature in my world always depicts dragons as ferocious beings, capable of mass destruction and death. Yet, you are more laid back than some of the people I knew".

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I honestly curious as to why you even get trapped in here in the first place."

Astalos goes quiet once again. Minoru now realizes he just struck something he shouldn't and immediately tries to change the topic. But, before he could say anything, Astalos suddenly breaks his silence and talks in a regretful tone.

"Minoru, when I was talking about the time I had spent here, at that moment, I saw a glimpse of sadness in your eyes. Was it because you feel bad for me?"

Minoru knows that he is not joking around anymore, so he tries to give Astalos the best answer.

"…I did. It's in my nature to sympathize with your situation."

"Then will you still feel for me if you saw what I did?" Astalos walks toward and pushes his right hand again the wall of light separating him and Minoru

"Tell me…will you?" He glares at him

"…I don't know. I don't know your past, so I can't judge you."

"Then place your hand against mine," He taps his palm against the wall.

"What?"

"My power will show you what I did; all you have to do is place your hand against mine. After that, it's your own term to judge if I'm worthy of your pity or not"

What the Hell Happened to the fun atmosphere they just had? Minoru thought he could find comfort in this place, but now he is told to see something he probably shouldn't.

"No, I don't think I need…."

"DO IT!" Astalos yells at him, making his "heart" jump

"This is not just for me; this is for you as well. You deserve to know it" Astalos lowered his voice but still tried his best to persuade Minoru.

Minoru knows he doesn't have to do it as nothing Astalos can do could force his hand. But he knows what respect is, and Astalos deserves at least some form of it. So he does what this giant dragon begged him to do and places his hand against the wall.

At that very moment, flashes of light came out from nowhere and blinded him. He can feel the wind brushing through his body, but he doesn't feel any weight in it; it's like his body has fused with the air. He opens his eyes again and slowly recovers from the sudden disorientation. The color of bright orange from the raging fire is the first thing he sees, followed by the smell of ashes and the agonizing scream of other people echoing in his ears. He hovers up in the air while the fire spreads all over a small city below, devouring everything in its path. Houses were burned down, charred corpses lying on the ground, while the one still alive are running and screaming for their lives.

This scenery is Hell, just like the ones he saw in the past. No matter how many times he sees them, he can't ever get used to them. He feels sick; he can feel his heart sink with each second passed by and desperately wants to look away, but he has no control over his eyes nor body. He is just a spectator being forced to watch this horrible event unfold right in front of him.

As he tries everything he could to stop looking at this. In the corner of his eyes, he can spot a silhouette of something standing on a cliff near him. The fire continues to burn through everything and become so bright that it can even illuminate the cliff. He can now make out the shape of a woman, wearing a white rope, a mask with meticulous design, and a red gem in the place of the forehead. The woman is looking right at his position as she slowly unsheathes the long sword on her hip and flies straight at him.

Slash

Minoru wakes up gasping for air, looking around again to see that he is in Astaloss lair. He then immediately glares at him with anger and demands an answer.

"WHAT WAS THAT? ANSWER ME!" He yells

"The reason why I'm here"

"What?"

"Three hundred years ago, I destroyed an entire city and was imprisoned by a hero of men. What you just saw is the moment right before I was sealed away."

Minoru is entirely flabbergasted. He simply couldn't believe what he just saw. The very dragon that he thought he could be friends with is precisely what he feared, a monster of death and destruction. He tries to lay down and calm himself as best as he could, but all he could feel is that he had just been tricked.

"Why did you show me that?"

"Because I'm not what you described me to be. Minoru, you are the only person I have met after all these years. I value our talk and the connection we made through it; I truly do. That is why I have to show it; I don't the idea of you seeing me, not for who I truly I'm. I hate to doing that to someone I consider a friend."

Minoru doesn't respond. He just sits there silently, trying to take in everything. He looks at Astalos with disbelief, while Astalos tries to not push him any further.

"I guess our time is up. There is a small water stream not far from here, follow it, and you should reach the front gate and get out of here if luck is on your side. I can sense that the monsters outside are leaving. If you go right now, you might be able to make it."

Minoru still doesn't respond. Instead, he pulls himself up and drags his body to the corner of the room, and lays down. He stares blankly at the wall and thinks about what just happened.

"Why did you do it?" He broke his silence but still doesn't look at Astalos

"Because I was young, stupid, and full of pride. As a dragon, I was born with extraordinary power. I praised myself for being the apex of the world and that all life is the wimp of my mercy. So I fight and kill without thinking about the consequences. When I have realized the price I have to face for my own hubris, it was already too late."

"Then, if you were to be given another chance, will you still repeat that action and destroy others for your own amusement?"

"No…If I could start again, even if it's a million years from now. I will keep myself; I will find another way."

Minoru is finally able to bring himself to look at Astalos. His eyes don't have a vicious look on them when they first met anymore. Instead, it's now filled with insecurity and uncertainty.

"You know…I shouldn't trust you after knowing what you did. But just like you, I enjoyed the time we spent conversing with each other. Of course, that doesn't erase the atrocity that you created, but I still pity you."

"Why?"

"I'm a War Photographer. I saw horrors that people shouldn't see and did things that a sane person shouldn't commit. Maybe in a way, I'm just like you, but to a lesser extent. Yet, after my death, I was given a second chance in life despite all of those actions I did. I won't judge you because of your actions in the past. It has already been judged. Rather, I want to do something more meaningful; I want to give you a second chance, just like I was given."

"You're joking me!" Astalos replied with shock

"I'm not," Minoru counter back with a voice full of determination.

"I killed people, Minoru. I destroyed a fucking city more than my own stupid pride! I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just don't like lying to your face!"

"Does it matter? I saw others commit atrocities throughout my life, but I also saw them being tormented by the action they took and drove them to change and become better, so they can fix their mistakes. You are the same; you changed. You are no longer the dragon that burned down a city, Just a being full of insecurities and self-hatred. Astalos, you already suffered enough. It's time for your mind to rest."

Although there is no tear from his eyes, Minoru can swear that he saw water leaking out of them like they're about to burst. He must be really holding his emotions in.

"I never thought I would hear these words from a human" His voice is full of shakiness as he said it.

"It's all just bark, though. I can't do anything to help you, so the best I can do is sugarcoating my word" Minoru smiles.

"So, what will you do after you get out of here," Astalos asks

"I don't know. I have no knowledge about this; maybe I will find someone to communicate with or get killed. Either way, it looks kinda depressing" He chuckles.

"And you, what will you do if you get out of here?" he asks.

"I want to see the sunrise. I used to love watching it, and after all these years, I'm craving that sensation even more now."

"I guess you really are a greedy dragon," He laughs

Minoru stands up and walks toward the crack. The monsters outside are all gone; everything seems safe and is an excellent opportunity for him to go.

"I think it's time for me to go. I'm sorry for leaving you, but this is the best I can do. I guess this is goodbye."

"It's. Goodbye, Minoru"

"Goodbye…Astalos. If I survive the outside world, I will return and get you out of there somehow. I promise"

"Then go"

Minoru stretches his body out and makes his way to the crack. But, right after he made it to the halfway point, Astalos suddenly called him again.

"Wait!" Astalos yells, making Minoru immediately stop and turn back.

"There is actually a way for both of us to get out of here!"

"Then why didn't you tell me" He slithers back in

"Because it's pure selfishness on my own part. You will suffer way more than I do."

"Spit it out, please," Minoru said with an impatient look.

"By using my telepathy, I can transfer my mind into your body, and we will coexist together. My body will be stuck in here, but at least you and I will able to get out together."

"That's it? Then proceed then, we don't have time."

"Are you insane? At least think about it; you will be stuck with me for the rest of your life. The process is non-reversible, so please reconsider it!"

"Seems fine to me. I like talking to you, so that shouldn't be an issue, and you can help me navigate around. It's a deal"

"I…you…"

"Just do it. We don't have time!"

"Fine…But don't you dare regret it. Place your hand against mine just like before."

"Finally!" Minoru places his hand against just like he asked.

"DO NOT REGRET THIS!"

"I won't" He smiles.

A flash of light hit his eyes and blinded him. Immediately after that, he feels like someone is drilling his head. The pain is so bad it almost makes him collapse onto the ground. Then, as he opens his eyes and his vision begins to refocus, he sees that Astalos's body is now wholly lifeless; the shine in his eyes is no longer there. Out of panic, he immediately called out for him.

“Astalos, oi Astalos, are you there?”

Silence is what is on the end of the other line, which makes him even more nervous. But suddenly, his right side begins to inflate and stretches out. What comes from it is a small face.

"Yes…I can hear you," The face replied

"Thank god, I thought you failed."

"No, it just takes me a few seconds to adjust. Now let's get out of here before it's too late."

"Good idea" Minoru then rushes out of the room immediately after he finished talking.