Darkness Inside The Light

John looked at the lifeless body on the ground. Bryan didn't provide him with much information, but at least he had now a clue from where to begin his investigations. He didn't spare anyone from the group, even though he knew that most of them were innocent people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

'Killing them won't be enough. When I meet Kalan, the magic that covers the forest will break too and it'll be only a matter of time before they find the corpses. For now, I have to dispose of them and put the blame on someone else. Only then I'll feel safe...' the youth thought and decided to act the appropriate measures so that he could hide his real identity. Since he was close to the Order, John decided to bury the bodies instead of burning them. He didn't want the smell of burnt flesh to attract any unwanted attention from any patrol.

'It will take some time and I am in a hurry. Although I don't believe that anyone would be so reckless to risk awaking the dragon by doing anything stupid, I am a little worried. I have to finish this business as quickly as I can...'

******

Vladimir was terrified by the spectacle in front of him. He had already known that the white dragon was enormous but upon seeing it standing, he realized that only now he had an idea of how outrageous its size truly was.

'If the fog didn't exist, it could probably be seen from the capital!'

"Some ants actually tried to steal the treasures of the mighty me! The two of them had already paid the price with their lives and now it's your turn..." the booming voice of the monster said.

"We wouldn't dare, honorable one!" Maria shouted desperately.

"Enough with the idle talk! I will eat the girl first..." the dragon said as a smile(!) formed on its face. Its claws slowly approached the young woman who from her terror couldn't move. Vladimir who was watching the exchange between the two of them struggled to calm himself down and with extreme difficulty, he managed to open his mouth.

"There is something that you want from us, isn't there?"

The dragon stopped his movements and looked at the youth with some amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Why do you say that, boy?"

Vladimir took a deep breath to gather his remaining courage and started to talk

"You are a powerful existence that wouldn't waste its precious time talking to mere mortals like us unless there is something that we can help you with...' the youth replied with confidence.

"Aren't you unexpectedly smart? I have some interest in you, but the girl is unnecessary. I don't have a reason to keep her alive..." the white dragon said as he proceeded to grab the black-haired girl. It then lifted her in the air and moved her close to its opened mouth. Upon seeing the sharp teeth of the monster ready to devour her, Maria couldn't endure it anymore and she lost her consciousnesses.

"If you kill her, I swear in heavens that if I miraculously survive today, one day I'll come for you, no matter how much time passes! I, Vladimir Erickson, am a person that never forgets his grudges!" the youth shouted hysterically.

The dragon wanted to laugh at the powerless boy who didn't know the difference between heaven and earth but upon seeing the madness in his eyes, an uncomfortable sense of uneasiness slowly emerged on its heart.

'This boy's destiny is a little peculiar. There is actually a possibility that he can turn his words into reality in the future! A human killing an a.d.u.l.t dragon isn't unprecedented but it hasn't happened for thousands of years. It seems that this era will change once again.'

"If you answer some questions of mine, young lad, I'll spare both yours and your companion's lives. What do you say? A nice deal, right?"

Seeing the nod of the youth, the dragon immediately continued.

"Where are you from, boy?"

The question made Vladimir dumbfounded but he still replied truthfully.

"I don't remember the name of the place where I was born..." Vladimir replied as he shook his head. He thought for a little and after some hesitation, he opened again his mouth.

"I was only five when the demons destroyed my home and killed my family. I was found and raised by my foster father. Whenever I asked him about my birthplace, he would avoid the topic and would say that I was not ready to learn about the truth..."

"I see..." the dragon muttered and fell silent. After a few minutes, it proceeded to its next question.

"Do you know a young lad with brown hair that uses dark and light magic?"

Vladimir was extremely surprised when he heard what the creature in front of him said. His initial goal from the start was to save his brother and the words of the monster gave him hope that John was still safe. He couldn't hold back his enthusiasm and he hurriedly talked

"It's my brother, John. Is he alright? He became lost because of the magic circle over there. Please, I beg you to return him to me!"

'I was thinking of killing him in case he creates problems for me in the future but it seems that this is something I can't do after all... I can't kill the brother of the man who accepted my friend's proposal...'

"Don't worry. Not only he is safe, he managed to escape from the magic too. He will be here soon. No, to be clear he has already come, right?" the dragon said as it turned its head around. A youth suddenly entered the cave with a smile. A young man who didn't have the slightest feature that could make him stand out from the masses.

"It's my honor to finally meet you, Kalan... I don't plan on hiding anything from Vladimir so you don't have to lie." John said as he bowed respectfully.

"John!" the silver-haired youth shouted enthusiastically but the dragon quickly interjected.

"I didn't lie for you but my old friend. Know your place brat" Kalan said with a stern voice.

"Naturally, I am aware. By the way, some knights are heading here. I am afraid that we don't have much time, so I would like to ask you for a favor if it's possible.

"If it's about the mana stones, you don't have to worry. They have already served their purpose so you can take them." the dragon replied indifferently.

"I thank you, honorable one, but that's not what I wanted to ask..."

Kalan started to become angry upon hearing the words of the boy, but he restrained himself for the sake of his old comrade that was accompanying him in the past.

"There is something else? Be careful of what you'll say!"

"Of course I wouldn't dare to ask for anything complicated. I think that you'll find it very easy to complete my request. As I told you before, there are knights that are coming here. What I want from you is to exterminate anyone with the exception of a red-haired girl, a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, a priest and the sister of the unconscious girl over there. They are the strongest in the Order so you can kill everyone who is weaker than them"

"What? What do you mean John?" Vladimir yelled in shock.

"If it's only that, I can fulfill your wish but are you sure? Aren't they your companions?" Kalan asked in doubt.

"Many things happened that were out of my expectations. Since I can't control everything as I originally wanted, I'll remove any possible variable that might appear someday..."