Searching For Andromeda

Fire.

Ephraim was waiting to be burnt into scorch; considering he just submerged himself into yet another burning doom once more. He waited to feel first degree burns and then second, third—until he won"t be able to feel anything any longer.

But nothing came. Not even the blistering pain. The fire was still intact, but it wasn"t flaring him into a barbecue. He was standing amidst all the orange-red hue of the blaze, but it was simply . . . warm.

Ephraim glanced down to his sword, which was now enveloped with fire. The wisp he had slashed wrapped around all over the blade.

"It"s not burning me . . . ?" Ephraim muttered, seeing the fire around him. Even one that neared his forearm didn"t even feel like anything. Was he hallucinating? Did he, somehow, got third-degree burn which why he doesn"t feel pain? But his skin did feel like they were still stinging from the earlier scars, so it"s quite far-fetched to think about the hallucination part.

"You"ve done well, Human."

The dragon"s l.u.s.trous scales caught Ephraim"s eye. It slithered towards him while the fire slowly dispersed.

"Did I d-defeat him?" Ephraim asked. Even he couldn"t believe it.

"You did not defeat Nar." The guardian clarified. "Nar . . . accepted you."

Ephraim stared at the sword. The fire began to clear up and then the remaining flame formed into a small ball of fire. A wisp. It then neared Raim.

Ephraim glanced at the dragon, who then nodded at him. Ephraim"s gaze drifted back to the wisp. It was time now, unlike earlier. The fire"s been mellowing out. Ephraim then reached his hand towards the wisp. Of course, any normal person wouldn"t just touch fire. But he felt as if it was alright, given the circ.u.mstances.

The wisp drew near Ephraim"s fingertips until it wrapped around his whole hand. Ephraim watched as the fire slowly disappeared as if the flames were going inside his palms.

"Human."

The dragon slithered its way towards Ephraim. He then bowed his head to Ephraim.

"With this, I am free." The guardian exclaimed and then—its l.u.s.trous, metal scales began to gradually corrode and disperse through the air like twinkling glittery stars fading to the air.

Slowly the whole arena was yet again drowned with light. The light began to repaint the arena into another chamber, similar to that of the scenery when Ephraim was able to arrive at the last floor by escaping the fiery dooms.

Ephraim glanced towards that door. The metal dragon on it was now gone, and the door to Nar was opened. Ephraim clenched his fist and sauntered inside fearlessly.

He had a gla.s.ses that had one lens broken (he couldn"t quite remember how) but he was certain it was around his fight with the deity, Nar.

Every step he took made him more anxious than ever. What"s waiting inside the chamber is someone he hopes to be at least alive. The thumps of his steps to the floor matched his reverberating heartbeat.

Ephraim lifted his gaze to see the whole vicinity.

"Heh."—a snort—"took you long enough, Lame leader."

Ephraim"s astonished expression eventually softened. His reaction was slowly being set into what you can call an image of relief.

"Sam," Ephraim muttered, collapsing to his knee. He still couldn"t believe it. They made it out alive. Even if it was only the two of them.

Samuel had an expression in his face that Ephraim couldn"t make out. The expression of someone that understands what happened, and came up to a conclusion that for the best, he ought to save all what he had to say when both of them have the full grasp of what was happening . . . in order to move forward!

** A little earlier before **

Samuel ran. He ran until his eyes hurt. Every step he took, and every time he pa.s.sed what was supposed to be beyond his realm of knowledge, a blinding light just permeated through the iris of his electric-blue orbs.

One step forward. And then another. All he had to do is to see what lies beyond these chambers. He couldn"t just stall and be like a wimp.

He"s SAMUEL ALBRECHT. He has to live up to his name. He had to be someone that is impeccably strong and arrogant until the end!

Beyond the light was a door—a door that was opened for him. Without any hesitation, Samuel stepped inside the large aperture calling him in.

And truly—TRULY it was a spectacle to behold.

Gold.

Golden ceilings, golden freights, golden wares, golden floors—basically, everything was made out of l.u.s.trous, shining, gleaming gold! Rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and numerous pieces of jewelry in opened treasure chests made Samuel even dizzier.

What is this? Everything is just made of gold! And gold means cash! CASH!!!

Samuel felt as if his head was going fuzzy. Too much gold in one place made his head hurt.

"So these things really existed . . ." But it wasn"t as shocking as Samuel thought. Obviously. This was a dungeon. This was the turning point.

Samuel shook his head. Of course. But he still has to do something. He still ought to remain vigilant at all costs. Because every time he had tried to even feel the slightest feeling of ease, something bad happened.

Clenching his fist, Samuel shut his eyes tightly. Like that what happened to Yael and the others. Every single time he became calmer, even the slightest, everything falls to ruin—

"At this rate, you"ll just diminish the fire inside you." Rumbled a thundering voice. "Youngling."

A dragon made of gold appeared before Samuel, making its way towards him.

Just how many things in here are made of gold?!

"I see you"ve overcome your fear." The golden dragon a.s.serted. Samuel had seen things that were way beyond imagination ever since he got affiliated with Andromeda. But this—"THIS IS JUST SICK!!!"

"Oh. Your fire is back again. Let that flame burn onto your heart, Youngling." The dragon said. "Are you here to claim Nar?"

Samuel shook his head.

"As I thought." The guardian exclaimed. "You are here for refuge."

Samuel still couldn"t digest the fact he was talking to a DRAGON. A dragon made of gold.

"I can see everything in this dungeon," the guardian then lowered his gaze. "But I have made a fatal mistake."

"A fatal mistake . . . ?"

"Youngling. You are the companion of the one who will claim the vessel." The dragon glowered. "By the time he arrives, I shall head back to the Heavens due to the fulfillment of my duty."

Samuel blinked.

"So why are you telling me this?" Samuel still couldn"t believe he was having a conversation with a dragon, which matched the hesitant tone of his voice.

The dragon did not answer his question. Instead, he began to explain things to Samuel. Things that were beyond what Samuel himself couldn"t even bring to hypothesize. Samuel, in the end, was rendered speechless.

"He had stepped inside Nar"s Chambers. Now I must fulfill my duty." The dragon exclaimed, slithering towards the aperture. Samuel"s shocked expression was met with the dragon and the large doors closing.

"Wait—"

"You have done well. Leave it all to fate," said the dragon before closing the doors completely.

"—Youngling."