It had taken a day longer than Mary White had hoped, but all the ingredients for the blood pact had been gathered. It left only one final step to be done. That was why she was in the tattoo parlour. A specific set of symbols were slowly being gorged into her skin. To eventually become scars.

“So why didn’t ya get one of yer assistants to take the pact?” The tattooist was a balding man with a few teeth missing, casually making conversation as he moved his way over the carvings with a practised hand. His wall was dedicated to other runes with descriptions of what each one did. ‘Protection’ for example would use the energy of the mark to protect against damage, at least to a certain point.

Still, it was a popular mark, one that made the paranoid feel safer. It was also one of the marks being carved into the skin of the woman currently resting in the chair, hissing each time another line was started on. Still, words did eventually spill out in a flow of momentary distraction.

“Because I don’t trust them. I don’t trust anyone but myself to do this. It would be too easy to try and enslave the dragon. You’d think history would have taught us about that sort of thing.” It was a challenge to remain still as the searing pain scorched her skin. But even that did nothing to curb her annoyance.

“You know, yer’re putting a lotta faith in my tattoo skill,” he pointed out idly with a chuckle, finishing up the last of the lines and pulling out a mirror. Each line was seared into her skin and the blood began to seep out of the corners of the wound. Each inch of it was carefully examined and compared to the markings on a piece of paper.

“That’s different. Your work I can check ahead of time. If I gave it to another, they could very well change it.” The wound was carefully bandaged up and the tattooist drew a symbol onto it. He then placed a hand over the bandage, and it glowed for a moment.

“Will still need some time, and you’ll be tired today, but it should be ready to go by the morrow.” With a wipe of his brow, he moved to put his tools away as she rose.

“Thank you, Kent.” With the payment processed, Mary headed out, stepping idly over the concrete as half-heard conversations echoed in the street. Her gaze going around the unfamiliar neighbourhood, she noticed an odd bakery across the way, nestled neatly between a daycare and a morgue of all places.

A soft chuckle escaped her as she slipped onto a bus and began her path home, resting as the spell drew from her energy to speed up healing. By the next morning, not only was she well dressed and ready for the day, she had the runic tattoo on her right arm, completely healed and ready for the day.

Each trip had been relatively the same, and today was no exception, travelling to the outskirts and ensuring all the required ingredients were ready. With the guards already having a perimeter, it was time to head out and prepare the circle: two spheres at opposite points, with arcane runes circling a blade and a mess of plants.

Magic was not a thing Mary understood. Everything before her might as well have been a different language. But from what the experts had told her, she could discern small portions of it. The first ring of runes was the intent, the purpose. The second, the binding. And the final was the seal. The seal was what required the materials. While most components were provided by the runes and the two forming the pact, the Urkroot acted as a sealant, ensuring the bond would not fade.

“So it’s all ready then?” Looking it over, she glanced toward a man in a white lab coat. Three large tomes stood before him. He leafed through them and gave a nod.

“Yes, Miss White. While our knowledge of their magic is rudimentary, we should have everything in place.” The man stepped back as she pulled out the pact that they would be forming, reading over every word and finding it solid. There could be no wriggle room. But it would still require negotiations.

“I’ll be right here behind the barrier, Miss White, should a rewrite be needed,” a weaselly-looking man with a comb-over spoke behind the barrier.

“Then let’s call this dragon.” The scientist moved over to a device and turned it on. A pulse echoed out and a beam of light ascended into the sky: a white flag that could be seen for miles. A breath in, and out. The immigration line halted as they all stared toward their work, the entire world waiting on a single breath.

Slowly, a black form appeared on the mountain range and grew in size before leaping into the air. It slowly grew bigger and bigger before diving down toward them. The scientist panicked and ran back toward the barrier, but Mary waited, her heartbeat growing in franticness as she forced herself to show no weakness while the dragon landed right in front of her with the barest shifting of grass.

“” Their rumbling voice echoed around the area as the line of immigrants moved to kneel and bow. Even those in the barrier were unable to hide their shock and awe as the scales on the massive form shifted and moved with his voice.

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“English, please. I know you speak it,” responded Mary cordially. A soft rumbling laugh caused the ground to quake, and the beast moved to shift. Runes rapidly flashed into existence in the air before his form sucked inward, and a humanoid figure stepped toward the woman, regarding her with a small measure of amusement.

“You stand here, unguarded, without any protection, before me, above your beacon of light. I can respect your resolve and guts, human.” A smile fell on the face of the black-haired man as he stood with his gaze down toward her, measuring 9ft tall, always looking down at them. Even in a humanoid form.

“You wished to come into the barrier, yes? We convened on it and have come to a decision. Should you wish to: we will form a blood pact. The rules will protect us as the collars do for the other monsters.” There was a pause as she saw the figure glance toward the crowd.

“Well, first off. If you are going to call us such a word: we prefer it be Munst. To call us monsters speaks of your species’ arrogance. We don’t call humans ‘maggots’ now do we? So show us the same respect.” Leaning forward, he merely smiled warmly at her, though there was an edge to it, his shadow briefly blocking the sun from hitting Mary.

“My apologies, Munst then.”

“Good good. Yes, I would be open to a blood pact to assure your kind. However, do not think I will agree to just anything. If the terms aren’t fair, then this deal will be over.” Draconic eyes stared as she reached for her sleeve and pulled up her arm to show the markings.

“My my, your kind have improved. Those are all correct. Though your linework is a little wobbly.” There was a heel turn as he moved to step into one of the spheres. Mary moved to do the same. With a whimper, the scientist forced himself out and to the centre of the circle, preparing to cast the spell.

“Then…Let us begin.” The circle began to glow brightly as he chanted in the runic language, each one starting to glow as he soon finished the three steps.

“” The magic shifted their words, changing them and shaping them into growls and vowels humankind was not made to do.

“”

“” Their voice grew hoarse and strained, but they continued.

“”

“” At that one, the dragon hesitated. For a moment, the spell hung in a brief balance of vibrating energy.

“” As the final words were spoken, there was a sudden sound of pain as runic symbols carved themselves into his arm. Mary’s runes also glowed brightly as she watched golden blood fall to the ground. He clutched his arm for a moment as the pain slowly began to fade away.

“Who knew dragons could bleed,” she remarked under her breath as the magic began to fade from the circle, the golden blood vanishing. A soft laugh echoed from his mouth as he straightened up, scales growing down his arms and then falling away. The bloody limb healed, with the runic tattoo remaining on its length.

“Mmmha, yes.” He breathed in and smirked at her, “You toy with strong magics, laws that we must obey.” Still, the deed was done. And with it, came Mary’s end of the bargain. Stepping forward, she moved to offer him a black and gold pass.

“This will allow you to enter. I also put a small amount of money into it. If you require more, come find me and we can see about making a deal. Your kind can just…make gold right? If you can make other metals we can come to some sort of exchange.” All too quickly she stepped away and watched him walk past, toward the city.

“Also, your name?” That question gave him pause, glancing back as he considered the question.

“Our kind doesn’t really ‘have’ names. Most refer to us as ‘Mylord.’ I’ll let you decide what you humans call me.” A sharp turn around and he was staring at her. Put on the spot, Mary searched her mind and fished out the first idea that came to her.

“Mylo?” It was pathetic, terrible. A fearsome dragon accepting such a normal name like Mylo was ridiculous.

“Mylo it is then. If you will excuse me, I have a city to explore.” With a wave, the dragon entered the city. Much to the dismay of all humans watching.