Trance

Jony stared at the imprisoned dragon, his heart still shrouded in that unusual numbness. It was hard to wrap his head around the fact that he was having a conversation with a dragon, especially one that had wiped out a whole country. But as the dragon continued its story, Jony's curiosity got the better of him.

"So, they killed your tribe and family first? That's terrible," he remarked, his voice devoid of emotion.

The dragon nodded, a hint of sadness in its eyes. "Yes, they invaded our territory, driven by their insatiable greed for our treasures and our land. I fought back, defending my kin and our home. But in the end, it was futile. The humans had their own magic, and their numbers overwhelmed us."

He listened, trying to absorb the gravity of the dragon's words. It was a bleak tale of vengeance and destruction, a cycle of violence that had consumed both sides.

"Being sealed here, is this your punishment?" He inquired, his eyes fixed on the massive chains that held the dragon.

The dragon shook its head. "No, this was not my punishment. This is my atonement. I was filled with anger and hatred for humans, and it clouded my judgment. But I realized that perpetuating the cycle of violence wouldn't bring back my kin or change the past. So, I accepted this seal willingly, to prevent myself from causing more harm."

He blinked, processing the dragon's words. It was a surprising twist in the story, a dragon seeking redemption rather than revenge.

"What do you want now?" Jony asked, his tone still distant.

The dragon fixed its gaze on him. "I want to be free, not to seek revenge, but to find a place where I can live in peace. A place where humans and dragons can coexist without fear and hatred. I can sense something unique about you, something that connects you to a higher power. If you release me, I promise not to harm you or anyone else."

Jony continued to stare at the dragon, his heart remaining shrouded in that unusual numbness. The dragon's words echoed in his mind, but he couldn't find a way to trust the creature. His gaze locked onto the dragon's eyes, searching for any hint of deception.

As he stared deeply into the dragon's eyes, a sudden pulse erupted from his chest. It was as if something within him had awakened, a power he couldn't explain. His own eyes went completely blank, a vacant expression devoid of consciousness, yet his body remained awake and functional.

In that strange trance-like state, he raised his hand, his fingers curling into a fist. Without understanding why or how, he felt an uncontrollable urge to strike out. Time seemed to slow as he vanished from sight, his form blurring into nothingness, and then instantly reappeared in front of the dragon.

"What on earth are you—" the dragon's words were cut short as Jony's hand pierced its heart. The attack was a terrifying spectacle, swift and merciless. The dragon's eyes widened in shock and agony as life drained from its massive body. In its final moments, it saw a blur of Jony, an enigma of death and evil.

In the aftermath of the dragon's demise, Jony remained in his trance, his gaze unwavering. Strange, incomprehensible words began to spill from his lips, ancient incantations that seemed to echo from another realm. As he chanted, the dragon's soul, like a wisp of fading starlight, slowly departed its lifeless body. It danced towards Jony, irresistibly drawn by the mystic forces he unknowingly commanded.

Outside the sealed chamber, the heroes who had once imprisoned the dragon felt a sudden shift in the air. Their expressions darkened as they sensed the creature's life force vanish, replaced by an unsettling emptiness. The whispers of nature itself seemed to mourn the fallen beast, and a chilling realization washed over them: the dragon they had sealed away had met its end.

As he emerged from his trance, the fog of numbness that had enveloped him lifted, leaving behind a tumultuous storm of emotions. He began panting heavily, the weight of what he had just done settling on his shoulders like a leaden shroud. "What have I done?" he muttered to himself, his voice trembling with remorse.

Seating himself amidst the remnants of the dragon's hoard, he clutched his chest, feeling his heart race with both guilt and fear. The vivid memories of his actions flooded his mind, and he knew he had been aware of everything transpiring around him but had been utterly powerless to prevent it.

For the next twenty minutes, he remained in that desolate state, grappling with the consequences of his actions and the enormity of the creature he had vanquished.

Once he had somewhat calmed his racing heart, his thoughts turned to the moments leading up to the trance. "Back then, I could sense the dragon was lying," he mused. "It would have probably killed me if I freed it, but still... killing it is too much."

With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself to his feet and began to explore the chamber. His eyes fell upon a suit of light armor and a sword that resonated with him, as if they were meant to be his. The armor molded perfectly to his body, offering protection without hindrance, while the sword felt like an extension of his very essence.

Just as he was about to venture further into the cavernous chamber, a disorienting sensation overcame him once more. The world twisted and shifted, and in an instant, he found himself back in the dense forest where he had first met Ella.

Bewildered and still grappling with his newfound turmoil, Jony's 1st thought is Ella. He immediately starts looking for her.