Cameraman Never Dies

The deity's smile was like a warm cup of tea—soothing, but getting on his nerves at the same time. "Before I go," she began, her tone so nonchalant it felt like she was about to drop another bombshell, "I want you to know that I've been helping you understand more about what you'd encounter next. Every day, at that."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me you never found it suspicious that the lessons you got from Melina and Dosav were crucial pieces of information you needed just before the night you went to the forest. And also before making that doll of yours".

"Aah, so it was you. I did find it suspicious but I just did not think hard about it." He was speaking the truth but he somehow got the feeling that the deity did not believe him.

Call me Clio from now on," she said, her voice suddenly serious. "And remember, whatever happens next, you can achieve what you desire if you put your heart into it."

And with that cryptic one-liner, she disappeared in a flash of blue light, leaving Judge staring at the spot where she'd been.

"Huh?!"

There was something ominous in her parting words, like a bad fortune cookie. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it left him feeling like he'd forgotten to study for an exam he didn't know was happening. But he still hoped for the best.

———

Despite the mountain of info dumped on him that night, Judge was out like a light as soon as he hit the crib. Turns out, even masterminds need their beauty sleep, especially when they're stuck in baby bodies (remember, he is still a baby). Science says babies sleep more than adults, but honestly, no one tells you how hard it is when your tiny body demands 16 hours of shut-eye.

Morning came way too soon with the most annoying sunrise he'd ever had, he was really exhausted and it was difficult to wake up, and the sunlight wasn't making it any easy for his poor toddler muscle build, like the sun was personally offended by how hard Judge was trying to sleep.

But morning bath maids did not show his weak body any mercy as they scrubbed every nook and cranny, leaving him spotless. Not that he was any dirty before the bath, the whole mansion was as clean as a newly printed dollar, straight out of the treasury.

Today was a bit different, his bath was finished quickly, and his dressing was done in a haste. Were they running late for a morning flight and had to rush? Do dragons even ride planes?

But his thoughts were interrupted by his mother who seemed to be in no rush unlike the maids, but her face was full of worry. Must be something related to Dad, He made an educated guess. His father was nowhere to be seen for the past few days.

His mother leaned forward as soon as she was out on the hall. Oh no! No no no! Judge knew where this was going, and he was not ready to travel lightspeed in a dragon's arm. His baby body was not ready to handle that again. He was pretty sure physics didn't allow for this, but who was he to question dragon mom logic?

Eleyn (his mother) took off, air cracking around her as she moved, the surrounding turned to a blur as she passed by.

She stopped on front of the patriarch's office, the air swirling around where she stopped. Judge still didn't understand how the mansion was still in one piece.

Eleyn entered Judge's Grandfather's office with him in her arms. He was still a newborn, and she was not treating him like a fragile toy that would break at the slightest touch. So something was going on in her mind that was putting her mind in a state of unrest. This was making Judge really worry about his father.

His grandfather was holding the sphere he had previously used to teleport them into a gazebo. But this time, he was putting the sphere inside a circular hole on his sword. Judge could see ether particles circulating on the glistening silver-colored blade, making it shimmer brightly. He was surprised that it was not made of gold, maybe it was because gold wasn't the best choice when it came to making weapons.

His Mother said something to his grandfather. Which, while he only understood a little, he managed to piece together the information in the way he thought was the most accurate. "Father, where did you keep my catalyst?"

His grandfather said nothing to answer, but he pointed at a gold ornate (yes gold), black wooden box sitting on one of his shelves. His mother extended her hand towards the box and it was opened automatically, revealing a deep red wand, it had a wooden texture.

The wand was a fine piece of craftsmanship, the design was simple yet captivating. There was a purple gem on the end of the handle, the hilt was shaped like a flower. The shaft had a beautiful curved pattern.

It didn't take long for Judge to figure out what was happening, they were getting ready for a fight. But who would wage a fight against the oh-so-mighty dragons? He couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong.

Judge remembered what the deity had said the previous night, he calmed his mind, thinking it would be alright. After all, he had seen his mother sprint a long distance with lightning speed, and with him in her hands. She was obviously strong.

His mother summoned the floating wand towards her, his grandfather said something to the knights present. Judge concluded it as an order since he had a commanding tone. His mother waved her wand, creating a pouch made of fire.

"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Judge looked at his mother, concerned about his own well-being.

She put him in the fire pouch, "I knew it," Judge cried, looking at his mother as if she just betrayed him. But contrary to his fearful expectations, the pouch was warm and comforting, almost too comforting that he fell asleep as soon as he was put in, and he had only just woken up.