Glistening Scales

"A snake…?" Emilia wondered as the pyramid started rising up in the sky. Ed and the others continued to move while monitoring the movements of the serpent. The serpent started rising up in the sky until its shadow reached Ed's group and covered them from the sun. Then, it seemed to be staring in their direction. After a couple of seconds, it returned its body to the ground.

The serpent started to slither in their direction. Although it was moving at a fast pace, its movements were calm and serene. The sand particles that flickered around its body reflected the light of the sun, giving it a majestic feeling. Not much time passed before it stood in front of Ed and the others.

Although Emilia was much stronger right now, she still felt nervous. The gigantic body of the serpent was nothing to scoff at, as every time it let out its tongue, it released a massive amount of QI with it. Bella couldn't decide on whether she liked the serpent or not. She was massively impressed with its beautiful scales, even though it seemed to have fought many battles since scars covered its body. But, at the same time, the serpent released an intimidating feeling.

Ed took the initiative as he took four big strides before standing in front of the serpent. Ed looked minuscule and was so far from the eyes of the serpent, yet the two of them seemed like they were seeing eye to eye. Ed revealed a big warm smile, and said, "It's been a long time, Mehen…"

The Great Serpent Mehen. The serpent that fought Ed and lost, leaving a promise unfulfilled between the two of them until this day. He was the friend that Ed was looking to meet.

"Ah, it's you guys. How have you been?" Emilia and Bella could feel the sound waves of the gigantic serpent enter their bodies and shake their hearts. It was the same feeling when listening to loudspeakers in a concert. However, that didn't attract their attention. It wasn't the fact that Ed knew it well enough to call it by name either. It was the fact that the serpent treated Ed and the others like an afterthought.

"…You never change, do you…You've been fighting hard, haven't you?" Ed noticed the cuts and removed scales on the body of Mehen. He knew that Mehen had a molting skill that allowed him to negate all damage, but it was at the cost of his QI. The fact that he had these many injuries meant that he fought, after using that skill and still didn't heal.

Mehen, in order to fulfill the promise between him and Ed, fought for over a year non-stop. He killed cultivators that were as strong as Heavenly Establishment level 10 by sacrificing his body parts many times. Sometimes he needed to hide for weeks from strong opponents. Other times, he didn't eat as he fought wave after wave of enemies. Mehen waited for Ed. He didn't care how long it took. He waited. And now, his savior had arrived. Although his nonchalant attitude was ingrained in his personality, he was actually happy down to the last remaining scale on his body.

Mehen noticed Bella staring at him, so he stared back. Ed noticed this and chuckled. He knew about Bella's love for animals, monsters, and the unknown. She was one of the few people that actually enjoyed hanging around with Sieg. Sometimes, they would call him weird titles together.

Mehen flattened his head on the sand near Bella and said, "Get on and sit tight." Bella did as she was told. She couldn't jump to his head, so she flew there instead.

"You want to go too?" Ed said while looking at the bewildered Emilia. Out of worry about Bella, or out of curiosity, Emilia decided to go as well. Mehen could tell that Emilia was important to Ed, so he didn't object.

Once the two of them were sitting comfortably, Mehen shot his head towards the sky. He went at a speed faster than anything the two of them had ever experienced. Once his whole body was standing like a pole, he brought his head down at an equally impressive speed.

"Again, again!!" Bella seemed really excited at the game they had played. It was like an amusement park, but much scarier and not really safe. Emilia descended and bowed her head politely towards Mehen. She didn't seem to like the trip as much as Bella.

After playing for a couple of times, Bella finally had enough. When she descended, she was so dizzy that she stumbled when trying to walk. Ed and the others then started to talk with Mehen. Merry and Agumon didn't know him, so Ed told them about the story.

"So, are you ready to leave this place?" Ed finally brought it up.

"…" Mehen looked around, at the sandy surroundings, at his own injured body, and finally at Ed and said, "Yes. I wish to see what kind of world you'll show me!" For the first time, Mehen showed his genuine emotions when talking, or rather hissing.

'You heard the ma-serpent!' Ed contacted the system with his mind as he flew towards Mehen's head. As Ed's hand and Mehen's head connected, a bright light surrounded them. In the next instant, Mehen was no longer there. Ed immediately checked his Inventory and crushed Mehen's card. The Great Serpent Mehen's black glistening body appeared in its full glory. There were no injuries on his body, and his scales were shining.

But, that wasn't all. Thanks to the conditions set by the system, his cultivation state increased by many levels. He leveled up to Immortal Establishment level 5, same as Ed's other monsters. A massive amount of QI erupted out of his body, sending the sand around flying away. Ed teleported in front of Bella and Emilia, and released his own KI in a radius around them, protecting them from the sandstorm. Ed's monsters were able to protect themselves.

After a little while, Mehen controlled his new found powers. Due to his QI release, they were now in the middle of a hole, surrounded by sand in every direction. Mehen reduced his size until he was simply an oversized snake. He rolled around the arm of Ed as he rested his head on Ed's shoulder.

As Mehen rubbed Ed's face with his cold scales, Ed told everyone, "Our job is done. We're leaving the tower!"