Chapter 78 - Dragon Force
It was daytime and Hope was able to see the dragons on the islands watching over them with expectant eyes. There was a mix of hope and fear in their eyes and he was wondering why they were looking at them like that.
"This way," Kian said and led the way into the biggest island of them all.
It was flat on the surface but had several ruins-like structure. Around it were smaller islands that connected to it with large chains that were covered with flowering vines.
When they landed on the large island, Hope's dragon form panicked after seeing a white dragon lying lifeless on the floor. There were four other dragons surrounding it, all were looking at him with hopeful eyes.
Underneath their glances however, Hope could sense something else. All the other dragons, including Kian, were showing the signs of hiding a feeling under their hope filled expressions.
"This is the White Dragon Emperor, she was hurt by the Supreme Dragon Emperor who turned rogue and became a Cannibal," Kian explained.
"Is he really…" the green dragon trailed off and shook his head. "We have no time. My name is Florian, the Flora Dragon Emperor."
"Introductions later," the black dragon said. "Let's save Bright first. Everyone, use your Dragon Force to pull Bright from the edge."
"Wait," Kian stopped them. "Shadow, sir, I need you to help me pull Graysen's Dragon Force first."
"So, you mean…" the black dragon trailed off and growled. "Arcturus really cornerned us, huh?"
"We have no other choice, sir," the smallest dragon, the yellow dragon, walked over and bowed. "To save Bright, we needed one more Dragon Force."
Shadow ran to the edge of the island and fired a roar so loud, it felt as though the neighboring islands shook.
"W-What is happening?" Hope fearfully asked.
Kian raised his wings and gently patted him on the head, "Don't worry. We will explain later. For now, breathe."
"What–"
The black dragon charged at him and stopped right in front of him. He spread his wings, letting his body cover himself with a black viscous aura. The aura gathered in the Shadow's chest and shot a beam right at Hope's chest.
He closed his eyes, as he felt something inside him being pulled by the aura. The black dragon flapped his wings, pulling something from inside Hope.
"I-I feel weird," Hope cried. The aura covering his chest felt as though a hand was touching his insides, his flesh shivered at the foreign feeling.
"Forceful Reclaim," Shadow casted, prompting the sudden tug inside Hope.
'You have gained<< Dragon Force >>.'
The black light from Shadow slowly gushed out of Hope's chest that immediately blasted a dark gray aura that formed around his body. The aura seeped into his scales as he felt a surge of power in him. He felt his body grow from a size of a small barrel to a size of a small house.
'Your << Dragon Form >> HP has now been raised to 75,000/75,000.'
'Your << Dragon Form >> MP has now been raised to 7,500/7,500.'
"Wow," Hope let out and looked at Kian. "So, this is Dragon Force."
"Yes," Shadow replied. "Now do as what Shadow did and let's all pull Bright from the Balcony of Death's Mansion."
Hope tilted his head on the side, "Balcony of what?"
"He's basically saying let's use Dragon Force to revive her," Kian whispered.
They all gathered around Bright and started to let their bodies glowed with their respective colors. The viscous light flowed out of their bodies as they let it flow right on their chests.
"Now!" Shadow commanded and all of the Emperor Dragons shot their Dragon Force at Bright. They spread their wings as they pulled her own Dragon Force inside her that was already wavering.
"She's still here!" Florian cheered and flapped his wings harder. "Everyone, pull harder!"
They gave their all and wrapped their auras around the fragile aura of the white dragon. As they let her aura slowly resurface, Bright's breathing started to get normal.
"Get the healing dragons on standby and immediately take over once we pull her," Shadow commanded.
"Just a bit more!" Florian yelled.
A few moments later, Hope felt Bright's Dragon Force tug at him. When he moved closer to see what it was, a thin white streak of light shot from Bright's chest and into his, instantly sending his mind into an empty white room.
"Here you are," Bright whispered. "I know you made all your efforts to revive me but I should not wake up for now."
"What do you mean?" Hope asked, looking around and saw a beautiful woman behind him. She had long white hair, white eyes, and skin as white omly a shade darker than the snow.
"The Supreme Dragon Emperor had been using the Spirit Dragons' Domain to suffice his cataclysmic power," Bright said, voice as soothing and serene as the sea. "He planted several Dragon Forces throughout the Domain and I could purify them, only if I am in this form. This spirit form of mine can travel throughout the Domain and hunt the Forces."
"So, you mean–"
"When I let your consciousness go, disrupt everyone's Dragon Force by stopping your own," Bright instructed.
"Wait, how do I know you're not the enemy just tricking me?" Hope asked just to make sure.
Bright smiled, "Just like your father. When I let you go, just when you wake up from this Trance, ask Shadow this."
She leaned in and whispered in Hope's ear. "Where do the Starflowers bloom? There's only two people who knows the answer and that's us. If he insists on answering, force him. And if he answers Nascent Mountains in the Fall, you can let go."
"O-Okay," Hope said.
"We don't have much time. My spirit form's fading. Ask him now and let go. I trust you, Graysen."
"Okay!"
Hope woke up from his daze and was instantly met with Shadow's glaring eyes. "Why are you dozing off like that?!"
"W-Where do the Starflowers bloom?" Hope spurted.
The shock in Shadow's face was evident. "What?"
"Is it true that only you and Ms. Bright know the answer?" Hope followed.
"Y-Yes," Shadow whispered. "But why– Bright?"
"She just talked to me, so answer the question. Where do the Starflowers–"
"The Nascent Mountains in the Fall!"
Hope instantly pulled his Dragon Force back, disrupting the others and forcing theirs to stop their flow.
"What have you done?!" Shadow roared.
Bright's body glowed up with a bright white light. Her Dragon Force covered her body and coated all the nooks and crannies.
"Bright?" Shadow leaned in and nudged his muzzle at Bright. "W-What?"
Hope told them about his conversation with the white dragon. They were all shocked to say at least.
"But Dragon Forceal communication requires a–"
The yellow dragon, Zeus, cut Florian off. "Florian, your domain needs you."
"Right," Florian chuckled awkwardly and left, leaving Hope, who had returned to his human form, a Dragon Stone. "Take this with you. I believe you might need this in the future. Zeus, leave some for him too."
Bright's unconscious body was laid inside a guarded chamber inside the ruins. Shadow was guarding it along with several dragons.
"Sylph is going to be here soon, so you better go," Zeus said. "She's annoying as f*ck, and I don't want you to remember that impression on us. But you're always welcome to come back."
"Plus, your friends may be looking for you," the brown dragon, Mandrake, said, handing Hope two more Dragon Stones. "Take this with you. From Sylph and I."
"O-Okay," Hope said.
Zeus walked up to him and handed him his Dragon Stone. "You can always come back here. Probably when all things have been settled. If you know, you ever feel lonely."
Hope nodded and was led by Kian to the vortex.
"Remember, it will take us some time to get through the vortex since it's powerful. Wrap your body with your Dragon Force," Kian instructed. "Let's go home."
–
"Is he not home yet?" Elliot asked Lance as they sat on the guild's roof. "Where did he go?"
"Let's just wait for a bit. You used up your mana using Hasty Aspire to travel throughout the city. You must be exhausted," Lance said.
"I can't rest knowing Hope is out there, maybe lost. He's still a kid, remember?"
Lance smirked but had sadness painted all over his face. "I know. I am his parent figure after all."
"I'm sorry," Elliot flopped down the wooden roof of the guild. "Okay. Let's just wait."
Lance was about to speak when two loud flapping of wings from afar made him snap his head above. Two large dragons landed a few ways away from Alorde.
"Was that them?" Elliot asked.
"I don't know," Lance said. "One seemed to be bigger."
A few moments later, Connor came running above with Ed, both panting.
"Lance, Elliot, you're never going to believe this," Connor panted. "Hope's back but…"
Hope walked from the entrance of the rooftop and in front of Lance and Elliot who had eyes as wide as saucers.
"Y-You're…" Elliot trailed off and looked at Lance. "H-He's…"
Lance grinned, "Gotten strong–"
"Gotten even taller than me now!"