Tyler had everything he had ever dreamed of. His life was a tapestry of accomplishment: a master of his own martial art, the Way of the Dragon Impulse, he had dedicated decades to perfecting each movement, each breath, each strike. He'd even retired in peace, after finding a worthy successor—something few masters ever achieved. He had lived his life to the fullest.
So why, then, did his story end with murder?
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[Tyler's POV]
The cold blade slid between my ribs, sharp with betrayal. I turned, shock and pain mingling, and met the eyes of my best friend—the man I trusted above all others. The world faded to black as I collapsed, my mind spinning with questions and a single, burning desire for vengeance.
But death was not the end. Instead, my consciousness was pulled into a swirling void—a place between worlds. I think I felt the echo of my last breath, the regret of unfinished business, and then-
Light. Noise. Suddenly, I was in a clearing in the woods.
I pushed myself upright, heart pounding, and looked around. The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, and an eerie stillness hung in the air. Not a bird sang. Not a breeze stirred. There were only trees—thousands of them, standing in perfect rows, each identical to the last. Their trunks were smooth and pale, their branches leafless, reaching upward like bony fingers. No undergrowth, no animals, nothing but the endless repetition of the same tree, over and over. It was a forest, yes, but one utterly devoid of life except for the trees themselves—a place where time seemed frozen, and I was utterly, impossibly alone.
Ten years passed in that lifeless forest, though time became a blur, measured only by the ache in my bones and the scars on my skin. I wandered between the identical trees, searching always for a way out, for something to break the monotony. The silence was broken only by the shrieks and howls of monsters—hideous things, twisted by hunger and rage. I fought them with bare hands and scavenged weapons, every battle a reminder that I still lived.
Sometimes I would stumble upon other humans, but they were worse than the beasts. Bandits roamed the woods, faces sunken and eyes wild, laughter spilling from their lips in manic bursts. They attacked without reason, driven mad by isolation or whatever curse haunted this place. Their madness was infectious; their laughter echoed long after I left their broken bodies behind.
Through it all, I survived. I became a ghost among the trees, a legend whispered in the dark by those too far gone to remember fear.
And through it all, I never once found civilization...
One day, as I wandered hungrily through the monotonous rows of pale trees, I stumbled upon a hollow beneath the twisted roots of a colossal tree.
The sight of something unusual drew me in—buried among the damp earth and tangled vines was a dragon egg, larger than any I had imagined. Its shell glimmered with an ethereal white brilliance, shimmering softly as if it had absorbed the light of every star in the universe.
Kneeling close, I felt warmth radiating from the egg, pulsing gently as if it contained a heartbeat within. My heart raced. This was no ordinary creature. Here was a glimmer of hope in a world long shrouded in darkness.
Instinct urged me to take it, to protect it, no matter how long it took for the life inside to emerge. With a reverent touch, I lifted the egg, cradling it against my chest as if it were the most precious treasure. An overwhelming sense of purpose washed over me; I would raise this creature, nurture it, and protect it until it was ready to step into the world.
I had spent too long wandering alone, and now I had something—someone—to care for. I carved out a more permanent shelter beneath the roots of the grand tree, creating a cozy space for the egg where it could remain safe and warm.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and slowly the passing seasons blurred into years. I fell into a routine revolving around the egg, gathering food during the day and returning at dusk to sit beside my glowing charge. I spoke to it of my past, my hopes, and my dreams, sharing fragments of a life I once knew, as if my words could somehow breach the shell and foster understanding.
Sixteen long years passed in this timeless prison, marked by a constant ache of anticipation. Each crack on the egg's surface sparked a surge of excitement, yet nothing ever broke free. I watched the seasons change, the remote corners of the forest grow wild and dangerous, while I remained vigilant, guarding the unhatched life that filled me with longing.
Then, one fateful day, as storm clouds gathered overhead, I heard a soft cracking sound rise above the constant patter of rain. My heart leapt into my throat, and I rushed to the egg, kneeling beside it with my breath held tight.
I could see the cracks spreading like veins across its perfect surface, an electric thrill coursing through me. With a sudden burst, the egg shattered, revealing the creature within—a dragon of purest white, its scales shimmering with a radiance that illuminated the darkened hollow.
Its eyes, entirely white, held an infinite depth, pools of light that seemed to reflect a universe of knowledge and emotion. The dragon blinked and stretched, shaking fragments of shell from its body before turning its gaze toward me.
It cocked its head, and to my astonishment, it spoke, its voice a melodious whisper laced with both wonder and authority. "You have waited a long time for me."
I was momentarily speechless, overwhelmed with awe. "You can talk?"
"Of course," it replied, a hint of playfulness in its tone. "I am Lys, and it seems I owe my life to your patience and care. I am a variety of an abyssal dragon."
With my heart racing, I reached out carefully. The dragon nuzzled against my hand, warmth radiating through the bond that formed instantly between us. It was a connection deeper than words, a promise that we would explore this world together.
"Where are we?" Lys inquired, its head tilting as it surveyed the hollow. "It feels... strange here."
"This forest is cursed," I explained, my voice trembling with emotion. "But now that your here, things might change."
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[Hope you enjoyed!!!]
[next chapter: Eldrin?]