34 Guardian

The following day I and the Group were ready to head into the forest of mist. Joshua, as usual, was very blunt in his way of talking. As usual, Clarabell got mad, what happened to her? The first time I met her she felt like a drawn blade. But now she's very open, was my first impression wrong? Well, who cares Clarabell is Clarabell.

That was when I remembered something my head hurt like usual but this time I heard it clearly. My own voice saying "So what if she is a mix or a half or whatever. Who cares of what race she is from. It matters not to me, Elizabeth is Elizabeth nothing more nothing less." Who the hell is Elizabeth? While I was thinking I heard a voice from outside my thoughts. "Hey, fox mask are you alright?"

"Yeah, it's nothing."

Damn it! "You better be sure you're alright we can't have you sick before fighting. We're going there to fight a 3rd generation water dragon." Remembering that gave me the boost I need to forget about the pain.

"You're right I can't be rude to such a strong opponent," Joshua spoke a little irritated. "Rude or not I want to live after my revenge." "Sir Joshua will you really not tell us the reason why you want to kill this dragon."

Richard tried to ask Joshua. Joshua answered "there's no reason to tell you guys about myself. Besides if you really want the stone of truth. You need to kill that dragon, it will never let anyone near the stone." Clarabell was at her limit.

"Hey, you were here actually risking our lives for you. Trying to slay a 3rd generation dragon. The least you could do is act nice." Joshua chuckled at Clarabell's comment. "Heh act nice? You're going there not for me but for your own selfishness. It just so happens this is payment for being a guide but no matter what happens to get what you want. You'll still need to do what I want. Also your just dead weight flat chest. By the looks of it in your party your the most useless. See here noble kid got the money and negotiation skills.

Little missy ain't so bad in hiding her presence and fighting, she could be used as a scout. Fox mask kid is the best fighter around, his skills can be said to be top notch in the whole continent of Senddan. So I'll ask you just to make sure. Why do I need to act nice to you?" Clarabell looked at Joshua bitting her upper lip she couldn't refute him,

Clarabell's thoughts:

Damn him! Even though he's so irritating he does have a point. Though I'm stronger than Richard the other three surpass me in skill. Richard even if weak is the one funding this quest. So what do I bring to this group? Damn it I can't even tell him his wrong.

Ricard butted in their conversation. "So Sir Joshua are we near the forest yet?" "Yes, it will be about 15minutes before we get there." "Then before we reach the destination I propose we talk about our strategy. We are about to face a 3rd generation water dragon after all." The group stopped and nodded everyone looked at Joshua he sighed then answered: "fine let's talk about our strategy."

I then asked Joshua "so Joshua can you tell me the layout of the forest." "Sure, the forest of mist though it's called that there really is no mist. The whole area near the dragon is surrounded by a lake.beyond that lake is a cave where the stone of truth lies. Also even though it's called a forest it mostly consists of water than trees. The reason why it's hard to find is because the water dragon has used a high-end spell to fool people who pass by. Even though it's right in front of you, you will never notice it."

"Then how can you find it?" I asked confused "well a friend and I stumbled upon it by coincidence and when we reached inside beyond the barrier. I and my friend placed a spell to find it if we lose sight of it." I nodded at his explanation I then looked at Richard.

"Richard about your binded weapon what are its qualities? What can it do in its unbinded state?" "My weapon makes illusions and in its unbinded state it can increase the area effect of the illusion." "What kind of illusions?" "Well anything I can imagine with this I can make one think there are a hundred soldiers when there is none. Also in the unbinded state the more the opponent believes in the illusion the more damage the illusion can inflict." That's a great binded weapon, but wait "that doesn't make sense if you had such a great binded weapon why are you in f class?" Richard looked down ashamed he couldn't answer so Clarabell was the one to answer for him,

"He can't use his binded weapon properly. To use his binded weapon he needs a clear image, but when in battle he can't concentrate enough to do anything. His physical abilites in itself can be in B class if you add his binded weapon his A class material. The only thing stopping him is his inexperience to battle. He gets all panicky when in battle. Unable to think straight even a slight error in his imagination will stop his binded weapon's ability." Hmm, so that's it. "How about you Clarabell, how long can you maintain your unbinded state?"

Clarabell proudly answered "about 2 hours. I notice the flaw of the time limit in our last battle so I trained to prolong my unbinded state." "So what's the plan Gabriel?" Richard recovered from his previous embarrassment asked. "Well, we can't formulate a real plan yet. We have absolutely no information on the enemy. So I just wanted to gain more information going in there. When the time comes I'll give directions. Is that alright with everyone?" "Well, the strongest is always the leader," Joshua replied a little vexed at himself for admitting it.

"I trust your judgment Gabriel," Richard replied with a smile. "Fine, I will follow you for now," Clarabell answered curtly while blushing. Her reactions are weird. I looked at Lauria and asked, "Lauria can you reproduce a weapon besides turning yourself into one."

This was the one thing that's been bothering me for awhile now. "Yes, master I can do that. I'm a being that can be any weapon. Yet my true specialty relies on my ability in reproducing the weapon." I knew it since our minds are linked the information flow can be received both ways. "So Lauria in this battle I want you to fight with us. I also want you to back me up with your sword reproduction."

Lauria did a curtsy and answered. "As you wish my master." After my conversation with Lauria, Joshua asked "so is it safe to assume little missy here is your binded weapon fox mask?" "Yes she is, but she's not just a weapon she is someone irreplaceable to me." "I wasn't implying anything fox mask just a question I never knew your relationship with a weapon is like this you have such unique tastes." Joshua smiled mischievously, Lauria's face was scarlet, Clarabell was emitting a huge killing intent. Richard simply sighed as if he understood the whole situation but couldn't do anything. Seeing all their reactions I finally understood what I just said. "No we're not like that I just meant that she's an irreplaceable companion so don't treat her like an object that's all." When I said that Clarabell's killing intent subsided and Lauria showed a complicated smile. With this, we continued on to the forest of mist.

†

We reached our destination and like Joshua said it was really more like a lake with trees than an actual forest but it just seems that way cause the lake was huge. Joshua was also right when he said that we wouldn't notice the place even when where near it. When we were approaching the place I couldn't see anything I thought Joshua was tricking us but when we passed through the so-called barrier the whole forest suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was really surprising.

We left the horses near the entrance as we are about to do battle with a powerful being. Worst case scenario we retreat so we need those horses alive. We walked awhile when we finally saw the cave but not the water dragon.

As I was about to ask Joshua if there really was a water dragon the ground suddenly shook and a large voice echoed "Humans? What is it you want? Are you people another one of those fools that seek the stone?" From under the lake, a giant serpent-like thing sprouted. It had pure white scales and a long body probably about 25 meters not including its head.

It was enormous the only reason I can say probably 25 meters is because that's the only thing I can see. The rest of its body seems to be resting at the bottom of the lake. So this is a water dragon, it truly deserves to be called one of the strongest race. The size alone was menacing but the aura it emitted was no joke either. Everyone except me and Lauria was shaking. No choice it seems I'm the only one who can answer properly.

"Yes, we came here for the stone of truth." The water dragon roared "foolish humans, have you learn nothing. Such an object cannot be entrusted to you humans and your greed." Strangely enough, this statement irritated me so I shouted my answer. "Who the hell gave you the right to judge humanity as such? Your nothing but a giant snake yourself."

"Rude human you know nothing. I have lived for a millennia, my knowledge, experience, and power give me the right to judge you." This was when Joshua joined the conversation. "Is that your excuse! Is that the reason why Rita had to die! You killed her simply because of such reasons!"

The water dragon finally took notice of Joshua. "Human I know your scent you are the coward who fled and left his lover. A coward and a weakling such as yourself have no right to question me." Joshua looked at the water dragon tears where flowing down, he screamed. "I didn't run! Rita told me she had a plan. She told me that she had a plan that I should run first and she will follow." At the last sentence, Joshua's voice was trembling.

The water dragon looked at Joshua with disappointment and uninterested. "Human coward stop deluding yourself. You're the one who's making excuses surely you know that at the time there was no way to escape me. You're lover simply made a plea. Showing all her love and courage she offered me her life and soul in exchange for your pathetic life." With that line, Joshua fell to his knees and kept muttering Rita's name. Richard and Clarabell where still in a daze. The water dragon continued speaking "so weak and fragile humans are. Especially this coward. Well be honored I will personally deliver you to your lover's side."

The water dragon opened it's mouth and was about to devour Joshua. It was fast for its size. I and Lauria dashed forward. Lauria created two Large hammers she handed me one and in unison, we went in the middle of the water dragon and Joshua. We hit the water dragon's head forcing him to stagger backward. "Human and that partial human do you wish to challenge me?" Partial human? Is he talking about Lauria? No time to think about that. I smiled fearlessly at the water dragon and answered. "Sorry, but this meal has a little bite to it. If you're not careful it might devour you instead!"