Chapter 17 - Stretching One’s Legs

“So, uh, how big is an adult dragon boss?” Garry asked as they traversed the forest.

“I think I read that red dragons can be over six meters tall.” Frrsha chimed in.

“The hot cat girl can read?!” Garry retorted.

Frrsha flashed her claws right in front of Garry’s face. “Careful scratching post!”

“My bad. I was just surprised is all. Brains and beauty, yum!” Garry replied.

“Where did you learn to read?” Deathwalker asked.

“Uriel taught us to read while we were in your realm, alpha.” Mrrsha commented.

“You told us you were a dragon so my sisters and I asked Uriel to recommend a few books so we could learn more.” Frrsha explained.

“You know, with the bond you have with the boss, I could probably share some of the shows he used to watch...” Garry began before Prrsha cut him off.

“What are shows?”

“Think of them like moving and speaking portraits.” Deathwalker offered as way of explanation.

“Yea, they are great! He has a bunch that are about dragons or have dragons in them. There are also some about dinosaurs, which are just types of dragons, but their histories got them wrong. Either way they are fun to watch! It’s what I do to entertain myself when there is a bunch of boring talking going on.” Garry said excitedly.

“If you could share this with us Garry, we would appreciate it.” Mrrsha stated.

“Awe, that is the first time you’ve used my name. I knew it! I’m wearing you down!”

This time Prrsha flashed her claws at the Shadow Gazer. “Do not push your luck scratching post!”

Deathwalker was uncertain about what Garry might expose them to. “Keep it family oriented to start. Oh, and none of that nonsensical crap that depicts the dragon as the bad guy. That stuff always annoyed me.”

“But the best stuff is with all the blood and guts!” Garry protested.

“Do some of the older 80s and 90s cartoons. There are some great ones about dragons that I couldn’t get enough of.” Deathwalker shared.

Garry pondered the suggestion. “Hmmm, that is some of the better entertainment, that and anime of course!”

Deathwalker nodded in agreement.

Garry and Deathwalker spent the next several hours of their journey explaining some of the concepts and shows to the three cat girls. They seemed fascinated by the concepts of movies and tv shows, even more so when they learned how much their alpha had enjoyed the older stuff. It was decided when they returned to Timberfall, they would take some time to explore how to have the three cat girls join the mental constructs Garry and Deathwalker had created.

They heard a roar as they entered another clearing. In front of the Savage squad, they saw the Adult Red Dragon they were looking for. It had its claws dug into some kind of animal, most likely its latest meal.

“That’s a huge bitch!” Garry exclaimed.

“Who dares to call me such a thing?!” The red dragon roared back.

Warning! A dragon’s roar can trigger a primal fear in the hearts and minds of lesser creatures, causing a Fear, Frightened, or Horrified status condition. All are prey before the might of an adult dragon! However, you are no prey, you are a hunter! You are immune to negative status conditions from dragons. Your disciples are also granted such protections.

“I think you pissed it off, Garry.” Frrsha commented.

“No surprise there.” Prrsha chimed in.

‘Well that explains their cavalier attitude while staring down a giant dragon.’ Deathwalker thought.

“Enough chatter sisters. Let us show this intruder what happens when someone enters our forest.” Mrrsha turned to Deathwalker. “If you would allow us to deal with this... intruder.”

“INTRUDER! I AM A DRAGON! Wherever we tread is ours by birthright!” The red dragon roared in fury. ‘Who are these insects to act this way!’

The dragon charged the savage squad.

The cat girls and Deathwalker easily dodged out of the way, but Garry was not so lucky. As the Shadow Gazer attempted to move, he was clipped by the backhand of the dragon’s left front claw sending him off course. This led the little ball right into the path of the dragon’s open maw.

CHOMP!!!

“Garry!” Deathwalker exclaimed.

The red dragon smiled a wicked grin. Just as he turned towards his other targets the dragon’s face turned up in consternation. The dragon starts coughing before spitting out the Shadow Gazer and multiple shards of ice.

Mrrsha jumped in the air catching Garry before he careened into a nearby tree. “Of course, he didn’t like you!”

“What can I say, I’m an acquired taste.” Garry grinned.

The dragon spat out a few more chunks of ice and shaking their head. “You dare to use ice on ME! Burn!”

Opening their mouth and let loose a jet of fire streamed out of the dragon. Moving its head back and forth in an attempt to burn all the offenders for such insults. Swiping with its tail and claws any time the cat girls approached. ‘Why are these small creatures so fast?!’

Then the dragon noticed a humanoid standing up against a tree at the edge of the clearing. As easy as a target the humanoid looked, any thought of attacking felt wrong. Shaking off the weird feeling, the dragon refocused on the quick and nimble catlike humanoids.

Constant tail swipes, claw slashes, and fire breath attacks made the red dragon the hardest fight the three matriarchs ever faced. Frustration grew on both sides as feline strikes were deflected or abandoned from the onslaught that was a red dragon. The cat girls were having difficulty landing strikes but so too the dragon struggled landing a hit beyond a glancing blow. Garry’s attacks were rather ineffectual as the red dragon’s scales seemed to be rather resistant to magical attacks.

“Maybe we can get it to swallow the ball of crazy again.” Prrsha said in exasperation.

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Frrsha looked around the clearing. The ground was scorched or had huge gouges in them. Nearby trees were busted or knocked down. “At least the dragon is smart enough not to set the entire forest on fire.”

Garry telekinetically threw a large tree branch into the side of the dragon’s face. The strike saved Mrrsha at the last minute by sending the dragon off course.

“Suck it!”

“Thank you, Garry!” Mrrsha said as she landed next to him.

“Eh, I owed ya one.” Garry replied.

Mrrsha called out to Deathwalker. “We are at a standstill, alpha.”

“Yea it’s not fair dragons are so resistant to magic and so huge!” Garry complained.

Garry’s words resonated with Deathwalker. “Hmmm. You just gave me an idea buddy.”

“Of course, I’m awesome!... what did I suggest?” Garry replied.

Deathwalker smiled back at his familiar before calling out to Frrsha and Prrsha as he started to disrobe. “Back off and leave the dragon to me!”

The two cat girls quickly disengaged their opponent. This gave the red dragon time to register what was just said. Turning to Deathwalker, the dragon sneered. “You?! What could you do little one? Ha, ha, ha, ha!”

Deathwalker did something he wanted to do since all his level ups, even more so from their recent hunting trip, take on his true form. He jumped up high into the air and began to transform. Luckily his jumping helped his expansion upwards instead of crushing everyone around him. He grew and grew, taking on his Ancient Omni-Dragon form for the first time since coming to this new world.

Deathwalker was so massive his shadow blocked out the sun for everyone in the clearing and beyond.

The red dragon stared up in equal parts shock and horror. He was now looking up at the largest ancient dragon he had ever seen. One clawed hand the size of the red dragon’s entire body, and he had just insulted the being by calling him ‘little’. The aura of this being enough to bring him to his knees.

With the flick of his wrist, Deathwalker picked up the red dragon and brought him close. “Who are you calling little? He, he, he, he, he!”

The savage squad too stared in shock. They had never seen their master in his full dragon form. For them it was a matter of wonder, his aura wrapping them like a warm blanket of security and protection.

———

Animals and monsters in the area felt the opposite of the savage squad. Everywhere the aura spread out the beasts panicked and fled in the opposite direction. The power of it was so intense that it was sensed miles away from Timberfall.

Several of the higher ups in the city went on alert. Elder Martha took charge and began issuing orders. “Man, the walls! I want everyone on duty and at their post immediately!”

Commander Willis saluted. “As you command, Elder! It shall be done!”

“That power... it is a dragon!” Advisor Nero stated.

Elder Martha nodded to the advisor.

“Has the dragon returned? Let me at him!” General Mineheir said as he withdrew his sword.

“This aura feels much stronger than the one we felt before.” Advisor Mona commented.

“Perhaps it was holding back its power before?” King Alfheim suggested.

“Just like that dastardly dragon to toy with us earlier! Fear not your majesty, I will vanquish this cruel foe!” General Mineheir cried.

————

Garry flew up near Deathwalker’s head as he saw the genuine terror in the red dragon’s face. “If you bite his head off, can I get a taste of what’s left, boss?”

The red dragon visibly gulped. “Ha, ha, ha, ha! Not so big and tough are you now huh?” Garry said before turning to his master. “Hey boss, if you could do this anytime, why didn’t you do this earlier? I would think in that form you’d be unbeatable!”

Deathwalker did not take his eyes off the red dragon as he waved his other arm and answered his familiar. “As you can see by all the felled trees, this form is a bit unwieldy and not exactly subtle. Plus, how I use magic in this form is a bit different, so I remain in my humanoid form. Easier to blend in too.”

“Yea, but boss, look at you! I can see the beasts in the distance running for the hills. You should definitely use this form more often.” Garry retorted.

“I’ll consider it my friend. I would need to enchant some clothing to shift with me. Luckily, I got out of my trousers and the rest of my clothes before changing.” Deathwalker answered.

“Yea but I don’t think the cat girls would mind you stripping before transforming.” Garry commented.

“No, we do not mind at all!” Frrsha called out.

“Fair enough.” Deathwalker said before turning all his attention to the red dragon in his hand. ‘Is it a hand or claw or claws? Ah, no matter.’

“Now what is your name dragon?”

“D-draconis your majesty!” Draconis stuttered.

“Not very original at all.” Garry teased.

“Hey! I was named after my father, and his father before him, you ignorant little...” Draconis replied with indignation.

Deathwalker squeezed just a bit.

“My apologies for the insult to your ally, my ancient majesty.” Draconis wheezed out.

Garry just looked at the red dragon with a smug look on his face, then stuck out his tongue.

Deathwalker spoke up. “He is my familiar. That is the second time you have called me ‘majesty’. Why is that?”

“Your aura and race... it must be what I sensed when I first laid my eyes upon you. Something told me down to my very bones not to attack you. That to do so would be wrong and the highest violation of dragon law. Now that you have taken your true form and released your aura, I understand what that feeling was. All dragons possess genetic memories passed down through our bloodlines. Every dragon knows Omni-dragons are the royalty to our kind. An ancient Omni-dragon must be venerated. May I know your name your name, your Majesty?” Draconis explained.

Sensing no killing intent from the dragon, he put the red dragon back down. “You may call me, Deathwalker.”

Draconis bowed as low as he could. “Oh, ancient Deathwalker. I give my oath and pledge myself to you always! Please accept me as one of your retinue. I swear to serve you faithfully and loyally for now and eternity!”

Deathwalker accepted the oath and mentally swiped away the notification. He was just about to dismiss the next notification when it asked for his input. In all of the notifications he received this was the first to ask for his choice and not allow him to minimize it. Selection made, a new notification trumpeted in his mind and in the minds of everyone in Timberfall Duchy and the Kingdom of Nord.

Hark and rejoice! Duke Deathwalker Dragonvein has resolved the kingdom-wide threat from an Adult Red Dragon! The details and nature of how he accomplished such a legendary feat are sealed by the System! Only a Hero can resolve a dragon threat. Deathwalker is granted the Title of Hero!

Deathwalker immediately received another notification.

Congratulations! You chose to spare this dragon and take him into your retinue. This is the first step to claiming your rightful place as dragon royalty and establishing your own dragon wing. Your ancient Royal bloodlines are pleased! You have won the Title Hero & Emperor of Dragons! This title shall be hidden and only visible to dragon-kind and those you choose to share it with.

Title: Hero & Emperor of Dragons

Description: You are not only seen as dragon royalty, but also now seen as their salvation. Dragons cannot attack or do you harm. Any magic or compulsion on a dragon will be automatically broken and overridden. Reputation with dragon kin starts positive. All reputation gains with dragons increased by 1000%. You are meant to lead and save dragon kind, bear that burden well!

“Wow! That’s some title! It is all bold and everything! Of all my titles that literally might be my favorite.” Deathwalker exclaimed after reading it.

His whole life he loved dragons and now this title helped him with any future dragons he would encounter and work with. It was like a dream come true. Deathwalker knew it was a critical responsibility and he would treat it as such, but he just couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

Shifting back to his humanoid form, Deathwalker asked, “Do you know how to polymorph or shift into humanoid form? If you plan to stand by my side, you will have to blend in as I do.”

“Uh, boss, I don’t think you exactly blend in. I mean you kind of standout...” Garry began before Deathwalker cut him off. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, your majesty. I can take humanoid form. If it pleases you, I will take form now.” Draconis replied.

Deathwalker just waved his hand in a motion that said get on with it.

Without further delay, Draconis wrapped himself in magic and wove his spell. He quickly shrunk down to a tall human kneeling. The man had broad shoulders, red hair, and a dark red and black outfit.

“How is this your majesty?”

Deathwalker clasped wrists with Draconis and hauled him to his feet. “That looks great but around other humans you will need to call me something other than majesty.”

“But that is what you are! I would not dare insult you, your majesty by calling you something else.” Draconis said in shock.

“They do not see me as their majesty. They call me Duke, Grace, or Deathwalker. The girls call me Alpha. Garry calls me boss or master.”

“Master would be most appropriate if I cannot call you Majesty.” Draconis said as he bowed at the waist.

“Fine, fine. Now let’s talk about humans and other humanoid races. You cannot just kill them for any small slight you might think they make.” Deathwalker explained.

“Surely, you are jesting with me, master. What punishment can I really dish out?” Draconis questioned.

Garry sighed. “No, it’s sad but true.”

Draconis had a new look of horror on his face.

“But sometimes the boss does let us unleash the pain!” Garry chimed in.

“I knew it! Good one your majesty, you almost had me!”

Deathwalker groaned. ‘This is going to take a while.’