Capítulo 8: The encounter
Month have passed since the incident with the Rou clan. Shade has had time to learn many things from the rune that's lodged in his heart. He had gained some of the memories of the thunder dragon Vershnos. This had also meant that he had to spar with the lord of the land and his future wife Mira.
With each passing sparring session, Shade learned how to control his powers more precisely. His body felt a bit alien for him because of the memories, but he still believed he was still the same person. Him and Mira even had a conversation about it while watching the moon.
- Hey Shade?
- What is it?
- Sometimes I wonder if it's still the same after you took that rune on your chest. You seem a bit different than I remember.
- Is that so? Perhaps it is the memories that I now have that make me act differently, but I still think I'm still the same me. Sorry if you don't feel that way.
- What are you apologizing for? You didn't choose to be this way. Even if you feel a bit different, I still can feel the same as you in there somewhere.
- So that's how you feel.
- Oh! Don't worry too much about it! I still love you all the same!
- Thanks. I love you too.
And with those peaceful days came a day when an unexpected visitor came to say hi. While Shade, Mira and Aisha were eating supper together, a sudden stranger's voice was heard from the end of the table.
- Does it taste good?
All of them are surprised by the strange man appearing from out of nowhere. The man had a white hair, white rope, horns on the back of his head and a white lizard tail. Mira shouted.
- Who are you and how did you get in here!?
- Patience my dear, you don't want this to get messy inside your house now don't you.
Aisha then shouts.
- How dare you speak like that!
- Oh I do what I pretty much please. For the most part anyways.
The Shade looks a bit closer and notices the old looking spear that the dragonoid was holding. His memories could tell him that this man was someone he knew. Shade shouted.
- Don't do anything to him!
Mira responded.
- What? Do you know him?
- I do. And I don't. But I know that we shouldn't mess with him.
- What are you…?
Then the man introduces himself to the people at the table.
- Maybe I should start by introducing myself. My name is Norman Käär or what people call me Norman the ghost dragon. Pleasure.
Mira asks.
- I think I heard the name ghost dragon somewhere.
Aisha replies.
- Yes. I believe that he was one of the previous sun emperor's… What was it?
- Consultant.
- Yes. But I heard that you disappeared ages ago.
- Well now I had some business to do with this young man over there.
- You mean Shade?
- So that's what they called him. The thunder of Kogane valley Shade.
- I haven't heard that one before.
- Neither have I.
- Then why did you…
- I made it up just now.
- Huh… So how do you know Shade?
- Well, I don't know him per say, but I know his… How should I put this?... Ah! Predecessor.
Mira says.
- Predecessor? What do you… You don't mean the dragon lord of thunder do you?
- That's the one. To make it more simple for you two ladies, why don't Shade here tell you what I am.
- What does he mean, Shade?
Shade answers.
- He's… You know those voidborns I talked about?
- Yes, the artisans of this world.
- Yes. Well he is one of them.
- He's… You mean a god among god's is standing right there?
- Basically yes.
Mira goes speechless. Then Shade asks.
- What are you doing here?
- Oh my little device here told me that you were in this direction, so I headed over to see you myself.
He shows a circular plate with some glowing rings on it and two dots.
- Why would you want to meet me?
- It's quite simple. You see, I need that rune of your.
Mira asks.
- But won't it kill him?
- Well, it is attached to his physical and spiritual heart and by removing it, it would make a metaphorical and literal hole in his chest. So yes.
- But why do you need it?
- It's something you don't need to know.
- But why? We finally have him back and now you are going to take him away from me?
- Let me rephrase this. You don't get to understand.
- Then I will…
- I recommend you won't try anything stupid. I don't need no unnecessary deaths today.
Shade asks.
- So if I refuse, will you hurt the people here?
- What do you take me for? I'm not the kind of guy who would kill meaninglessly. But if you and I have a problem, I suggest we go and talk out in the woods where no one will get in the way.
- If that's what it takes.
- Then let's go, shall we?
Norman and Shade start to leave. Then Mira tells them.
- I'm going too.
- Mira…
- I won't just watch you die a second time.
Norman replies.
- If you get in the way of our discussion, I can't promise your safety. For you or your next kin.
Shade asks.
- Next kin? What do you…?
- She is carrying your child. Do you want to risk losing both your love and your child?
- Is this true Mira?
Mira responds.
- I didn't even know about this. How did you…?
- I have an eye for this kind of thing. Now will we go or what?
Shade looks at Mira and says.
- Don't worry. I won't give in so easily. You just stay safe.
- Shade… You better come back.
- That's a promise.
Then the two men leave and go to the forest where they won't be bothered. Then Norman says.
- It's not nice to lie to her.
- I wasn't lying. I will come back to her.
- If that's what you think will happen.
It was late at night and only the moonlight was there to help the men see each other. Then Shade started swinging his sword at Norman and Norman fought back. They exchanged blades in flashes that no normal man could follow. However, Norman was faster and more powerful because Shade's body wasn't attuned for his memories.
Then Norman managed to push Shade against the tree and when his spear was about to hit a critical hit, Mira appeared and deflected his spear. Norman was is shock for a split second but then he said.
- A shame.
Then he stabbed a hole in Mira's shoulder and launched her against another tree. Shade shouts.
- Noo!
Shade rushed to defend Mira even though he didn't have a weapon. Shade then asked frantically.
- Why did you come?! I thought we agreed to leave you out of this!
- I couldn't watch my love die again. That is why I came here.
Then Mira said to Norman.
- I had a feeling that I knew you, but now I'm sure.
- Sure of what?
- Your presence, it reminds me of the elf named Nyx who once worked with my father. And since you are a god of sorts, changing appearance wouldn't be that much of a task for you. So I think that you must be the same man.
- …
- Did I hit the spot?
- Now it is truly a shame. I was planning on letting you live. But now…
Then in a flash that neither Shade or Mira could fully follow, Norman appeared between Shade and Mira to stab Mira in the chest. In a speed that no one could have expected from Shade, he pushed Norman with a thunderous punch. Norman managed to block the attack, but he couldn't do anything about the momentum Shade had made him move. So Norman flew through two trees and landed on the third.
Shade was exhausted from that strike, but he couldn't let his guard down. After a moment of pause, he heard Norman moving and getting up. Norman had lost his weapon, so he slowly searched for it and picked it up. Even though there was a prime opportunity to attack Norman, Shade chose to stand on guard so that Norman couldn't do the same trick twice. Even though Norman thought he knew the answer, he still asked.
- It would have been a great opportunity to attack me when I didn't have my weapon on me. Why didn't you take that advantage?
- I couldn't let you come close to the second time.
- So you missed that great opportunity to make double sure that the person you are protecting doesn't get hurt?
- Yes.
- Hmmm… Your power… Can it heal anything yet?
- What?
- Answer the question.
- I haven't tried yet, but I think I can.
- Then, do you remember what Vershnos's last words were?
- I… I believe that it was "Build a legacy you feel proud of. I know I have."
- Hmmm…
- What are you scheming?
- Nothing much. Just tell me what will you do with your powers?
- To assist my future wife.
- And what if she turns to the path of evil.
- I will not let that happen.
- Hmmm… Very well.
Suddenly Norman's presence became calmer than it previously was. Somehow, Shade felt that he might be able to trust him now, but he was still on his guard. Then Norman started to get closer and he said.
- Show me your hand.
- What?
- Just do it.
Shade follows Norman's instruction and shows his hand to him. Then Norman is close enough, he grabs that hand and says.
- I'm not like my sister or older brother so this might hurt a little.
- What.
Then a pain started coursing through Shade's body like it was pierced by thousands of tiny needles. Then when Norman let his hand go the pain stopped and Shade asked while raising his guard up again.
- What did you do?!
- Just checking a few things. It seems that I can let you be for now. As of this girl here…
- Don't you dare do anything to her! Or I will…
- Relax. I won't do anything to her. In fact, I'm going to help her a little.
- What?
Norman looked deep in Mira's eyes and asked.
- Do you know what killed the dragon lord of thunder?
- I… I think it was something about a false god's attack.
- Good answer. You pass as well as your little hubby here.
- What's a hubby.
- A sweet word that wifes call their husbands.
- Is that so.
Shade intervenes.
- Don't go teaching her stuff like that!
- In any case, I think your little darling is in great pain right now. So would you kindly heal her as you so claim you can do.
- I… Of course I will.
Then Shade goes near Mira and presses his hand against the wound. It takes some time, but the wound is healed perfectly. Then Norman comments.
- That took longer than expected. I guess you don't quite have the hang of it yet.
- Shut up.
Then Mira rises up and asks.
- So what are you going to help us with?
- That conversation can wait. I think it's about time we get some rest. Oh, while I at it I'm going to just ask, could I sleep in your house today.
- Absolutely not.
- A shame. I guess I will camp in the woods then.
Shade then suggests.
- How about you sleep in my cabin? It isn't used by anyone now.
- Oh that. Yeah, I take it.
- Sleep well.
- So do you two.
Then Norman starts walking away and Mira asks.
- Are you seriously letting him go like that?
- I… I have a feeling that he means no harm to us now. At least that's what I think.
- Well I don't trust him.
Then Norman pops out again to say.
- Oh! As for the baby. Yeah that was a lie.
Then he leaves again and Shade and Mira stay silent for a while. Then Mira says.
- Oh I definitely don't trust him!
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