Chill.

And dampness.

And omnipresent darkness.

I wonder if this is how it feels to die?

Is this how it when you die?

If so, it's not so bad... no pain or memories.

"Grrrr ..."

What... what was that ?!

"Strange is a flower that dares to call the dragon 'something'."

Dragon? But who? I do not understand what is going on, but is someone with me?

As far as I remember, I was ... no ... wait a moment... what was I thinking again?

Where was I? What was happening?

I do not remember. I do not even know what I just mentioned.

"The memory of the last moments and the majority of life is lost when you recover."

The voice again! Who is there?!

I do not see anyone!

"Nothing unusual. It's hard to see anything when you do not have eyes, right? "

I do not have eyes? How is that possible?

Wait for a second... after all, I do not say anything ... how could anyone know what I'm thinking about?

"Right. You do not speak. It is hard to say anything without a mouth or jaw. But I hear your voice just fine. And clearly, that is. That's the merit of being a powerful dragon. "

A powerful... dragon? Did I hear right?

Wait... Did I "hear"? Do I have ears?

"No, you do not. But don't you think that if I can hear your thoughts, then I can also speak while using them? "

In fact, that would be logical.

So I do not have eyes, lips, and ears. Still, I'm alive ... Who am I? Or what?

"Flower. A very rare and unusual flower called Omorusis teresis, which in the ancient language meant First Whiteness. "

...

Flower?

"Yes. Flower. That's why I have not burned you yet ... because this is the most interesting situation that has happened to me since I have been in this grim prison. "

Prison ?! Are you a criminal?

"No. Dragon. And it's super strong. "

It didn't sound very modest ... it was like bragging.

"I heard that ..."

Apart from the fact that I am in prison with a dragon, and I am a flower ... What next? Do I have to continue this existence?

I don't want to.

What can I do to change this? Can I do anything at all?

[Passive skills possessed: Longevity, Telepathy, Spikes, Thick Skin I.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Possessed active skills: Treatment I, Poison I, Identification I.

Special Ability: Absorption I.]

What is this inscription? What skills?

I do not know what it means ... Longevity?

[Identification - Longevity: Significantly prolonged life. You are not immortal, but your life is comparably long to the lives of elves, dragons, etc.]

Again this text. It looks like something that resembles game statistics. And it seems that somehow I can activate it with commands.

"What are you talking about? What text? "

I don't need more voices in my mind. Be quiet.

"Qu ... what ?! You know that no one who ignored me, let alone silenced me, was able to live a long life? "

That explains why you are here. You've probably pissed off many families. Now do not bother me, please, because I have to check something.

There was silence.

Do not get offended. I'll tell you later.

It seemed as if the atmosphere had eased slightly and wasn't so tense anymore. And good ... I did not want to offend him.

I need to stay focused. How did it go? OH! I know.

What is Telepathy?

[Identification - Telepathy: The ability to communicate with other possessors of this ability without speaking - with thoughts.]

Seems logical. And what is this skill Spikes?

[Identification - Spikes: In case of danger, the hairs on the stalk harden, changing into spikes. Poison leaks from the tips of the spikes.]

What is Thick Skin?

[Identification - Thick Skin: Hard and durable stalk. It's easier to bend rather than break, you can not cut the stalk with a knife unless you die or it's done with a special blade.]

That sounds helpful. So I'm very durable!

"Durable? Flower...?"

Shhh!

"..."

Okay ... What are those active skills?

[Instruction - Active skill: Ability that can be activated as long as the appropriate conditions are met - if they are required. Each ability can be developed. Along with development, the skill becomes better and easier to use.]

I guess I know what that Treatment skill means, so I will not ask about it, and Poison sounds rather logical. And I'm using Identification right now. That leaves me one last question. What is this special skill?

[Instruction - Special Skill: It is a unique ability that only a maximum of one or two creatures that exist at the same moment may use.]

So it's something super rare ?! Then, what is Absorption?

[Identification - Absorption: It allows you to absorb the energy of a creature or object by feeding on it. Thus, it gives you the chance to take over the host's abilities, knowledge, or qualities.]

Wow... this 'Absorption' sounds really great. It is a pity that I do not know how to use it. In the end, I can not move nor I have a mouth or eyes...

"It is not true you little ignorant. You have your thoughts. And my voice, if you stop ignoring me, or else I'll burn you. "

Do not lie. You lack the company, that's why you will not burn me.

"..."

I thought so.

"So what's going on with this" absorption" you talk about?"

I think it's enough if I remember what I read from identification, right? I mean, I do not have to think about it ...

"Yes, yes, I saw it."

There was a long silence. Given that I can not hear anything anyway, the word 'silence' sounds strange. Since my thoughts are the only source of 'sound'.

Dragon?

"Yes, yes, I am here. Do not be so impatient Lil' Flower. "

Don't call me like that.

"And how should I call you? Flower? Weed?"

No... I mean...

"Exactly. You think about what your name is ... or what you want to be your name, and I have a plan. "

Name ... Hm ... I know I used to have one. I guess? Well, because everybody has one... But wait a moment. What plan did the dragon talk about? What did he mean? Dragon? Hello?

Silence again. I try to imagine that I see grass, trees, and the sky, but ... I can not remember what they look like.

"Maybe there is a chance you would remember. I have an idea what to do to let you have eyes and ears and mouth ... to be able to take on a human shape. "

Really?! But why would you do it Dragon?

"Because I have nothing better to do ..."

Silence again. The moment after he spoke, he suddenly fell silent. Why did he do it? Why did you do that? Dragon? Moment. Has something touched me? I'm sure I felt something. As if something pressed against me, and then tried to tear me from the ground ...

Are those roots what I feel? The pleasant, hard ground disappeared. Now I feel only something soft and unpleasant. But I'm hungry and I think I can eat it. Is this meat? Can I absorb it somehow? Can I eat this?

[Activation ability: Absorption / Status: 100% / Successful activation. Passive ability used: Happiness I]

[New passive ability acquired: Happiness I]

[Promotion of ability: Ability Happiness I was promoted to Happiness II]

[Advancement of Ability: Ability to Absorption I was promoted to Absorption II]

[Advancement of Ability: Ability to Absorption II was promoted to Absorption III]

Weird feeling. As if I was suddenly full of energy and feeling stronger.

[Promotion: You gain Level 2]

[Promotion: You gain Level 3]

And such a strange tingling ... a warm one.

[Note: A new ability has been absorbed]

[New active ability acquired: Shape-shifting]

What? Shape-shifting?

[Identification - Shape-shifting: The ability to change shape into a form of a being whose energy has been absorbed. Available forms: Human]

Can I change into a human? Is it possible? Does it mean... that I can have eyes and ears and hands. But how should I do it? I do not know how to make me change into a human being.

[Activation ability: Shape-shifting / Transforming into: Human]