Kapitel 136: Free
Despite the creature's fierce and grand exterior, it didn't roar or exhibit any form of aggression as Jack neared. Instead, the dragon's gaze was locked onto him, its eyes widening as it felt the tempest of emotions storming within the man. Even in its weakened state, the creature was keenly attuned to the feelings of those around it.
Braving the beast, Jack stepped forward and gently touched the dragon's nose. The warmth of the scales against his skin was a stark contrast to the coldness of the chamber.
Lysa felt her breath catch in her throat. The dragon, though it could incinerate Jack with a single fiery breath, seemed to acknowledge his presence, showing no aggression. There was a palpable energy exchange between man and beast—an understanding.
The dragon, with its grandeur and magnificence, looked ferocious and terrifying to any onlooker. Yet, Jack, with his heightened sense of Observation Haki, perceived something beyond the veneer of this majestic creature's might. It wasn't the strength of the beast that resonated with him, but the underlying anguish it harbored. The dragon's aura echoed feelings of subjugation, confinement, and violation.
The pain emanating from the creature seemed to mirror Jack's own anger—not towards it, but on its behalf. His Observation Haki allowed him to tune into feelings and perceptions beyond the ordinary. This sense extended even to animals, affording Jack a unique level of understanding and empathy.
In the dragon's eyes, Jack saw a reflection of its tortured existence on the island. Captured, subjected to relentless experiments, and dissected for arcane research purposes. Its grand form, now chained and probed, was a mere husk of its former glory. Yet, the creature's spirit remained undiminished. It was determined to maintain its dignity, holding its head high, even in the face of impending doom. But, sensing Jack's rage for its plight, it seemed to falter in its conviction.
It was an experience unlike any other. Throughout its time on this island, the dragon had encountered humans who either sought to exploit it or ran in fear from its might. Not once had it come across a human who felt anger and sorrow for its suffering.
Lysa watched in awe as the scene unfolded before her. The dragon, an embodiment of power and majesty, seemed to recognize something in Jack, a connection forged through shared rage and empathy.
"Are you alright?" she whispered to Jack, concern evident in her voice.
Jack's stormy eyes met hers. "This creature... It's been subjected to things no living being should endure," he replied, his voice cold as steel.
Lysa nodded, understandingly. "We need to free it, but also, we must continue our search for the children."
Jack shook his head, casting his eyes upon the magnificent dragon before him. "If we free it now, it won't survive long enough to flee this cursed island." His voice was low, laced with an uncharacteristic hint of sadness.
Lysa looked around the expansive chamber, her eyes darting from one container to the next. The numerous bizarre and mutated creatures, floating lifelessly within their respective chambers, gave the entire room an eerie atmosphere. Their life forces felt weak, barely flickering, and a realization hit her.
She whispered, "They're draining the dragon to create these... aberrations." Her voice was a mix of horror and disgust.
Suddenly, an intense, overpowering energy emanated from Jack. It was so potent that both Lysa and the dragon shivered involuntarily. The mighty beast, despite its size and power, felt a deep-rooted fear. For a moment, it felt as if it was not facing a man, but an unfathomable force of nature.
In the next heartbeat, a profound transformation began in the chamber. All the creatures within their respective containers began to disintegrate, turning to dust in mere seconds. To any onlooker, it appeared as if the life essence of every creature was being forcibly extracted, leaving behind only lifeless husks. But to Jack, streams of vitality flowed towards him, visible only through his enhanced senses.
He focused, gathering the streaming energy, converging it into his hand. A swirling, radiant orb of pure vitality took form, its glow illuminating the vast chamber. Jack took a deep breath, approached the chained dragon, and with deliberate intent, pressed the orb against its chest, right over its heart.
The dragon's entire body jolted, its scales shimmering even more vibrantly as the life force coursed through it. The chamber echoed with the dragon's deep, resonating roar, filled with a mix of pain and newfound vigor.
As the energy settled, the chains that bound the dragon rattled and began to crumble. They fell away, releasing the magnificent creature from its enforced confinement.
The dragon, its posture now upright, fixed its piercing eyes upon Jack. Yet, instead of hostility, there was a profound sense of gratitude. It seemed to acknowledge the act, understanding the risk Jack had taken for its sake.
Lysa, still hovering above, watched in awe. She had seen many sides of Jack, but this was something entirely different. It wasn't just about their mission anymore. It was about righting a wrong, about ensuring that no living being, no matter how powerful, suffered needlessly.
Jack stepped back, giving the dragon space. "You are free," he murmured, his voice resonating throughout the chamber. The dragon responded with a soft, appreciative growl, stretching its wings wide as if savoring the newfound freedom.
They shared one final, understanding gaze before the dragon, with a powerful flap of its wings, soared upwards, breaking through the ceiling of the chamber and into the sky beyond.
The room fell silent for a moment, the only sound being the distant echoes of the dragon's departure. Jack turned to Lysa, the storm in his eyes now replaced with a calm determination.
"We have more to do," he said, refocusing on their primary mission. "We need to find the children."
Lysa nodded, determination evident in her eyes. "Let's go."
Together, they ventured deeper into the island's labyrinth, each step bringing them closer to unraveling its dark mysteries.
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