Mikha’el
Damon stared at his level, which was now at rank 6. He was surprised at the increase of two levels from fighting five Pookas.
"Master, what are your plans?" the Dragon asked after licking its teeth from eating.
Damon glanced at the Dragon, who stood before him. "Before that, I want to introduce myself. I am Damon," he stated, standing up and facing the Dragon with a smile.
"Master Damon… Seems unusual," the Dragon stated, trying to say the name correctly.
"Tell me yours. I want to know what to call you," Damon replied, stepping closer. He wanted to squeal in excitement for conversing with a literal Dragon, but he needed to compose himself, or else, he would appear weak.
"I am known as Mikha'el. Dragon of the Wind and Protector of Acedia before my fall," Mikha'el stated proudly with its head held high.
"Mikha'el, that's a nice name," Damon smiled, opened his tab, and a card appeared on his hand. "Let's go somewhere private. Who knows, someone might be lurking around." He added upon remembering Ignis.
The Dragon raised its head, and its ears moved while detecting any presence. It twitched after sensing someone a few kilometers from them.
"Master, please get on my back," the Dragon whispered and flopped down for Damon to hop on.
Damon was stunned as he hadn't expected the offer. "Alright," he replied nonchalantly, acting normally. He was nervous and excited at the same time, especially when he touched its thick scale.
Mikha'el glanced at Damon and saw him struggling to get up. It spread its wings for him to use as stairs to climb.
"Thank you, Mikha'el," Damon said after he settled above the Dragon.
Mikha'el nodded before flapping its wings, slowly lifting from the ground and gliding upward in full boost.
On the other side, Ignis was busy burning the Pooka's camp when a strong wind hit her. She looked above and saw a glimpse of the Dragon before it vanished into the sky.
"Wind Dragon!" Ignis exclaimed and hurriedly ran back to the city to inform Saorsa of her findings.
Mikha'el flew back to where it came from, the broken tower. "This place is safe," it stated after landing.
"This place is clearly abandoned and deserted. I wonder why," Damon commented while looking around. He leaped down and nearly face-planted on the ground.
"This place used to be an old city of Acedia," Mikha'el explained briefly.
Damon's eyes widened at the information. He didn't expect the place to be an old city, but what got him curious about why it was abandoned.
"I see. What a horrible history," Damon commented while looking around the ruins. He noticed the place was vast compared to the new location.
"Indeed, the war destroyed this place for good, Master," Mikha'el replied and let out a soft grunt.
"This might be a safe place away from the Acedia citizens, but I think you forgot something," Damon glanced at Mikha'el and pointed at himself.
Mikha'el tilted its head in confusion. "What about it, Master?"
Damon was about to speak but stopped. He felt that if he said the name, something would happen, and he didn't want that.
"Let's go somewhere more secluded than this place," Damon whispered and hopped on the Dragon's back. He felt uncomfortable in that location, knowing the Obsidian Order might come any time.
Mikha'el obeyed without a question, rose to the sky, and landed at the cliff in the opposite direction.
Damon looked at the map and saw they were at the very edge, which he was grateful for.
"This is the place, Master. No one comes around here often," Mikha'el explained and lifted its head, feeling the gush of wind and the smell of salt waters.
"This place is beautiful," Damon complimented while looking at the bright sun and calm ocean. He went down and nearly fell off the cliff if he didn't take a step back.
Damon and Mikha'el sat next to each other and enjoyed the view for a couple minutes.
"Mikha'el, what is your dream?" Damon asked out of nowhere.
"Huh?" Mikha'el was taken aback by that question. After living for so many years in times of war and chaos, dreams were no longer irrelevant.
"Since you're free now, what do you want to do?" Damon asked further with a grin. He wanted to know what goal Mikha'el had in mind that he could work with.
Mikha'el remained silent for a few seconds, but its eyes showed rage and unspeakable fury.
"I want… Revenge," Mikha'el replied sternly, and its eyes glowed brightly from the emotions it felt.
A strong current of wind formed around the Dragon, and Damon needed to run a few meters away, or else he would be swept.
"That's a lot of resentment," Damon noted after seeing the immense power, but it didn't take long before it vanished.
Mikha'el collapsed to the ground with a loud stud and breathed deeply. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I can't control my wrath," it whispered.
Damon went to Mikha'el's side and touched its forehead for comfort. "I understand. As much as I want to know the whole story, I want you to get some rest first, and we will talk about them when you wake up," he stated sweetly.
Mikha'el couldn't help but shed a tear at the kindness it received after many years of isolation. Its eyes closed and slowly went into slumber, and the last image it saw was Damon's smiling face.
"You must have suffered greatly… more than me," Damon whispered in pity while staring at the Dragon. He opened his palm, and the skill card appeared.
"My goal is to relive my life and create my own story, but it won't hurt to help you get your revenge on those who harm you, Mikha'el. I shall grant you another chance in life to accomplish your dreams by my side," Damon stated sternly, smirking at the thought.
The skill card rose up in the air and glows in black and gold.
"I, Damon Mintz, command you, Overshadow, activate transformation!" Damon shouted in full force.
The card shattered to pieces, and its dust spread over the Dragon's body. It glowed in gold before it turned to a black smoke that covered its entire body.
Damon gulped nervously. It was the first time he used that skill, and he hoped it wouldn't turn into a failure.
The black smoke slowly vanished, and what remained was a naked girl with teal-colored hair and a pair of horns lying on the ground, unconscious.