Explanation

Emre was the last to wake. They had all slept the rest of the afternoon and most of the night, waking at the early hours of the next day. The sun was on the verge of peeking over the horizon as Emre sat up from the bed. He felt groggy, but at least he wasn't exhausted anymore.

He decided he would check out his new skills and upgrade his stats quickly before he went down to the tavern floor.

[ Name, Emre ] [ Radiant Lesser Dragon ]

[ Lvl, 36/70 ] [ Exp, 0/1850 ]

[ Stats ] [ Stat Points, 0 ]

[ Str, 28 ] [ Dex, 30 ] [ Int, 31 ]

[ Con, 30 ] [ Wis, 27 ]

[ Skills, Swimming [Lvl 6], Climbing [Lvl 5], Venom Bite [Lvl 10], Venom Spit [Lvl 5], Claw [Lvl 10], Ambush [Lvl 7], Perception [Lvl 15], Stealth [Lvl 10], Light [Lvl 10], Healing Touch [Lvl 10], Light Bolt [ Lvl 5], Healing Breath [Lvl 5], Radiant Flame Breath [Lvl 5], Dragon Detection, Telepathy, Circle of Protection [Lvl 5], Radiant Claws [Lvl 5], Dispel Magic [Lvl 5], Dragon Aura, Wind Manipulation [Lvl 7], Wind Burst [Lvl 4], Wind Arrow [Lvl 5], Wind Wall [Lvl 3], Wind Blades [Lvl 2], Shield [Lvl 5], Light Arrow [Lvl 5], Radiant Bite [Lvl 5], Alarm, Beacon, Levitation, Divine Oath, Divine Eye [Lvl 5], Radiant Spear [Lvl 1], Invisibility, Shapeshift, Barrier, Thundershock [Lvl 1], Divine Bolt [Lvl 1], Spatial Storage, Radiant Blade [Lvl 1], Radiant Beam [Lvl 1], Healing Pool [Lvl 1] ]

[ Titles, Other-Worlder, Tirian's Angel, Frog Slayer, Destroyer of Corruption ]

[ Radiant Blade, a sword made from divine light ]

[ Radiant Beam, a beam of divine light that can shot out within a range of 60 feet ]

[ Healing Pool, healing liquid that can heal illness or injury upon consumption ]

Radiant Blade was like the Radiant Spear he got. He could probably wield it as a human. The Radiant Beam immediately reminded him of the beam that the corruption had been blasting and figured it worked in a similar manner. As for Healing Pool, if he could create a liquid that heals… couldn't he potentially create health potions?

If he could make health potions he could sell them or just have something to heal himself while in the middle of battle. He would test out the limit and the inner workings of that later. For now, he should probably meet up with the rest.

Heading down the steps, the tavern was solemn with very few villagers inside this early in the morning. His party was sitting at the same middle table as before, looking drowsy as they mumbled amongst themselves.

Idris noticed him first, his brows raising as he pulled out the empty seat next to him. Everyone else noticed after this action and looked up toward Emre. Killan and Nalia kept their gazes down mostly. Conin's face was covered, but Gerrar looked up with a smile.

"Morning." Ragan greeted, stretching out his arms.

"Morning~" Emre responded with a yawn.

Emre sat down between Idris and Ragan and leaned back in the chair.

"Since you're both here, we have some questions to ask." Gerrar spoke up.

Emre raised his hand to stop him from saying anything else. "This is a public place. Eyes and ears are everywhere."

While Emre and Idris had chosen to reveal themselves to these people, their human forms would best be kept a secret until he and Idris could talk about the specifics of how they were going to go about things. Being known as a dragon in front of people will only bring unwanted circumstances for them.

Keeping their identities hidden now was more for convenience rather than fear of being tied down. Until the two could talk about it, keeping it a secret from their surroundings was best right now.

"Should we convene elsewhere?" Ragan asked.

"Yes, that would be a good idea." Emre nodded.

"We could head up into one of the rooms." Gerrar suggested.

It would be a bit cramped because the rooms of this place weren't that big, but it would be suitable. Emre would be able to put up a barrier to also block out any sight or hearing to outsiders.

Everyone muttered or nodded their agreement. They all headed back upstairs and ended up in Emre and Ragan's room on the third floor. Piling in, they sat on the beds or on the floor. It definitely felt cramped in the small room, having seven people in it when it was only meant for two.

With a quick thought, a faint golden glimmer came from Emre and he cast Barrier.

"There, now we can talk freely." Emre said, sitting on one of the beds.

"You can ask your questions, but some we cannot or will not answer." Idris said, folding his fingers together.

Killan seemed hesitant but he spoke up first. "The type of magic you two used, it's holy magic, right?"

"Yes." Idris answered.

"And you're both dragons…"

"Correct."

"Okay… why are you both here? Why are you fighting with the dark creatures?"

Emre responded this time. "We're here because of the dark creatures. Put simply, them being here is not meant to be. And personally, I don't like the idea of leaving innocent people to die."

"So you came to help us humans?"

"Yes."

"What about you, Idris? What is your reason?"

"While I also don't like the idea of people dying, I have another reason that I cannot disclose." Idris answered.

"I see…"

"How did dragons come to get holy magic? Isn't it famed in history to only be gifted by Gods?" Gerrar asked, his arms crossed.

Both Idris and Emre shook their heads.

"Something you won't answer?"

"Yes, that is one of the things we won't answer." Idris answered.

"Okay, then, what are you two planning on doing next?"

"For now we plan on sticking around to wait for reinforcements before anything. We have to talk first before we decide what to do after that." Emre said and Idris gave a small nod.

"What is your ultimate goal?" Ragan asked.

"Getting rid of the dark creatures." Idris answered.

It was safe to say that killing all the dark creatures was the main goal. Especially if they were sucking the mana out of the earth. Not to mention for Idris, it was the one condition for bringing him back from the brink of death. It was hard to imagine what would happen if Idris decided to screw off instead of doing what Animor intended him to do.

Emre on the other hand, his reasoning was more related to morales. As someone who had previously been human, the idea of just leaving humans to be attacked and killed by these things wasn't entirely a nice one. Besides, Tirian would have probably found a reason to have him fight them anyway if this wasn't the case.

"By yourselves?" Ragan's brows furrowed. "I don't know if you noticed, but there are too many for you to handle all by yourselves. Even if you can use holy magic."

Emre had somewhat forgotten about that fact after he met Idris. There was definitely no way just the two of them would have been able to handle that many at once. The soldiers and the party being there helped with the whole situation so that Idris and Emre could focus on the strongest enemy.

"And Emre, you just started learning the sword and you still have more to learn about magic. You may be good with your radiant magic but your wind magic is seriously lacking in terms of power." Ragan added on.

"I know." Emre responded with a small sigh.

Once a mentor, always a mentor it seemed. Emre felt Ragan would be the only person in this group to talk to him like a child. The only problem was that he wasn't wrong. Unless Emre planned on revealing himself as a dragon every time they went into battle, he needed to get better at using weapons and his other magic.

"Can we help you?" The shy Conin spoke up.

His light voice instantly caught the attention of everyone. Even though all eyes were on him, he continued.

"I'm sure everyone has been thinking the same thing." His voice lowered into a mutter in the end.

"I think he's right." Nalia added on with a small nod despite her shaking voice.

Well, if the two most quiet members of the group were speaking up about it… Killan and Gerrar ended up nodding their agreement to the idea. They couldn't possibly leave these two to deal with this problem by themselves, even if they were dragons.

"What do you two think?" Ragan looked at the two somewhat shocked dragons.

Emre scanned the stubborn and determined expressions of the party while Idris kept his gaze downward. They could say no to keep them relatively safe, or they could say yes and drag them into an issue they didn't need to be involved in. Even if they were offering it, they still didn't know the whole extent of the problem. Gods were involved.

"This…" Emre placed his hands on his temples. "Listen, guys, what you're trying to get involved in is more than you could imagine."

"The dark creatures are already threatening us. Staying near two dragons is the safest place we could be." Ragan said. "Besides, the army is already getting involved. I have connections. I can get us an audience with the Commander."

"The Commander!?" Killan sounded shocked.

"Ah, that's right, you guys didn't know. Basically, I'm an old Lieutenant of the army."

"Ragan you left for a reason…" Emre said, not leaving room for Killan to ask more about Ragan's situation.

"Regardless of the reasoning, the army is the strongest force that can take on these dark creatures. We have one of the largest armies in the world, and if I can let the Commander know about how dire the situation really is, then there is a better chance for us to be able to prepare against them properly. Besides, how much information about the dark creatures' movements do you have?"

Emre and Idris remained quiet. There was always the chance he could get more visions, but he wasn't exactly able to say that right now. Plus having visions didn't exactly tell him the location or time.

"If we can talk to the Commander, he'll be able to get more extensive information about their movements and forces than we do. If we continue to wander around with little to no information, we'll likely miss something big."

It would definitely be better to have a solid source of information. The question was if the Commander would agree. How much would they have to tell him to get him to understand? They hadn't even told this group about the Gods' involvement.

Emre rubbed the side of his face with his hand. "Idris and I need to talk about things first… There is more stuff we haven't told you guys about. I don't want you all getting into something you'll regret."

"We're already involved, Emre." Ragan stated. "Everyone who fought or was affected is involved."

"Let's just tell them." Idris said, looking to Emre. "It's better than just leaving them in the dark. Plus, who would believe them if they went off talking about it?"

"Ah… Fine." Emre sighed out.

Everyone started to hone in on what was about to be said.

"Think of this entire situation as less of going around killing dark creatures, and more as war against a God."

"War… Against a God?" Killan was shocked.

"You're being serious?" Ragan asked.

"Yes. At least, that is how we're taking it. You see, dark creatures are created by the Goddess of Despair. Idris and I were given holy elements because Tirian and Animor want us to help fight against the dark creatures invading the land." He gave them the gist of it.

"So, you're basically Paladins?" Ragan asked.

"Paladins?"

"Yes, every God has or has had a Paladin. Paladins protect and fight on the behalf of their respective Gods. Unlike a High Priest who is only able to hear the voice of their God, Paladins cannot but are given one unique power or weapon by their God in order to fight on their behalf. They work alongside the High Priest, usually.

"High Priests and Paladins are also not bound by borders since there is only one for each God; they can go anywhere. High Priests will mostly stay at the main shrine of the Kingdom they are currently in though, while Paladins will go out and fight based on what the High Priest tells them."

"How does one know if they are a High Priest or Paladin? What if someone lies?"

"Ah, each God has an ancient artifact. In every main shrine, there is an orb that will glow a certain color if a High Priest or Paladin touches it. So if someone is claiming to hear the voice of a God or is given a power by one, they won't be officially accepted unless they touch the orb.

"It won't glow at all for normal people. And magic cannot be cast in shrines, nor can the orbs be removed and replaced. There is no possible way to fake it. Right now, there is no High Priest for Tirian, but there is a Paladin. For Animor, there is a High Priest, but no Paladin."

"But you said Paladins are only given one power or weapon and cannot hear the voice of their God? While High Priests can hear the voice of their God but don't have any powers or weapons?"

"Correct."

"Hmm… What about those people you told me that had radiant magic before? You said there were three before me."

"The first one was the First Priest, but there isn't much information on him other than that he could hear all of the Gods' voices. The second was only considered a High Priest, not a Paladin, but I'm not sure if she could hear her God's voice or just knew how to use radiant magic. As for the third, King Senteus, he is not ranked as a High Priest or Paladin. It's only rumored that he can use radiant magic, not proven."

"What about shadow magic?" Idris asked.

"There has only been one instance of shadow magic. This is the only reason why humanoids knew it existed. The only thing about it written in the book I read is that the man who had it claimed that it was gifted to him by Animor and proved it by placing his hand on one of the orbs. Unfortunately, he disappeared shortly after, claiming that he had a job to do and wasn't heard or seen from afterward."

Emre and Idris both looked perplexed about the information they had just learned.

"High Priests and Paladins are well known around all the Kingdoms, how did you guys not know about them?" Killan wondered.

"My mother never taught me about humanoid lore aside from the need-to-know things like lifestyle for example. Us dragons do not have High Priests or Paladins, in fact, we barely ever even talk to one another. We do know about the Gods, however." Idris explained before glancing at Emre.

"I..." Emre paused awkwardly.

Both Idris and Ragan gave him subtle questioning looks. Ragan had heard him tell Audr that he had a mother, but Ragan had also taught him everything he knew about the world right now because Emre had told him that he was a young dragon that barely knew anything about humans. Meanwhile, Idris just knew that Emre hatched out alone. There were definitely some gaps.

"I learned most of what I know from Ragan." Emre finally said.

He couldn't lie about anything right now because Idris was here. While he wasn't talking directly to Idris, and anything he said to these guys probably wouldn't be considered lying to him, but Emre wanted to avoid lying just in case. Otherwise, he would just probably tell them the same thing Idris did.

"But, what would we be considered then? We both use holy elements, so we can both do more than just use one power or weapon. Also, neither of us are humanoids." He added before anyone could question his hesitance.

"I wouldn't be able to tell you. We'd probably have to visit the shrine temple in the capital. We can do that when we go to talk to the Commander." Ragan answered.

Emre's brows furrowed. "So you still intend to come with us?"

"I do." Ragan then looked to the rest of the party that had been mostly listening. "What about you guys?"

They each glanced at one another for a moment before looking at Idris and Emre.

"Yeah, we're still going to help you." Killan stated.

Emre let out a sigh and looked at Idris.

"I don't mind." Idris told him.

"Fine, you can come with us."

Killan and Gerrar smiled while Nalia and Conin high-fived. They were all going to be dragged into the thick of it. Fighting against a God… Ragan was right, they couldn't do it alone, but even so...

Sigh… He just wanted to live a peaceful second life. Not fight a war.