NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Meet the Dragons
Victoria and I were greeted at the train by Elder Florick Zengo and his wife Maven Zengo. They had been informed ahead of time by Elder Ravenkin of our arrival.
Elder Ravenkin had already said we were his most promising disciple and teacher, so we didn't have to come up with a cover story. Maven told us she had prepared a feast for us.
Elder Zengo informed us it would just be the four of us sitting down for dinner tonight. He didn't want any sect drama getting in the way of our discussion. Which he told us there would be plenty of time for tomorrow during my scheduled exhibition match with their brightest student.
Elder Zengo and his wife were far more human appearing than I had expected. They said that was thanks to the magic bracelets that the Fae had made for the sects when they first formed.
Sect members were given bracelets that allowed them to venture out into the human world. This was due to the human appearance they gave the wearer. Now, certain things would still show through depending on how tightly you had wound the bracelet.
Full tightening allowed for a fully human appearance, but looser adornment allowed horns to show through and some scaling, as well as tails and sharper teeth. Maven said that most people prefer to wear them looser because it allows them to still feel like they're still in their own skin somewhat.
The bracelets weren't an illusion. They caused forceful transformation to the monsters who were wearing them. The larger or more monstrous the monsters, the more uncomfortable they felt when wearing the bracelets.
Not only did they allow for above-ground travel, but they also facilitated humanoid martial arts. It created a more even playing field for martial arts practices. They still allowed monsters to express their full strength and power, just in a more compact form.
It perpetuated the idea that the best fighters should have control over the most dangerous portals. Portals that held monsters and enemies that couldn't be reasoned with. You just had to fight them.
No one argued over the fact that the strongest fighters should have access to the most dangerous portals. The arguments were always over who were actually the strongest fighters.
Dragons were at the top of the rankings and Vampires were listed at 8, but both being very competitive species, they developed a rivalry over time.
If you're curious, I'll list the rankings here. From top down to vampires, it goes Dragons, Elementals, Djinn, Fae, Phoenixes, Thunderbirds, Liches, and Vampires.
"So I hear you may tilt the scale in favor of the vampires soon. What makes you think we won't eat you before you can do that?" Maven said playfully.
"Because that would spoil the game. And dragons love games, do they not?" I said, laughing.
I was doing my best job at playing the charming dinner guest. I have dined with mafioso's and their wives, so I'm used to high-pressure evening celebrations, but it didn't get much more high-pressure than dining with dragons.
Just like dragons, mafioso's like to throw threats around for fun. Especially over dinner. What could make for more exciting dinner conversation than throwing out verbal traps and watching your prey squirm?
Personally, I could think of many things more exciting than that, but not to mafioso, and apparently not to dragons either.
"Of course we do, but sometimes protecting your investments is more important than fun," she said, a very serious look on her face.
"I can appreciate that, but if you learn one thing about me, learn this: I'm not here to take anything from anyone that is rightfully theirs. If it turns out you're not able to handle the responsibility of managing more dangerous portals than us, that's one thing, but if you're managing them fine, I see no reason not to let you keep them," I said.
"Oh, we're managing them fine, dear," Maven said. A look of concern flashed across her face for a moment, and then it was gone. She wasn't being entirely honest with me, but there was nothing I could do about that.
I couldn't intimidate the truth out of her like I could with some people. Her sect was stronger than mine, and they could crush me like a bug. At least for the time being.
I needed to be smart and let her deal with whatever she was hiding from me. I would let her know that she could come to me if she needed help and leave it at that.
"You know, we're here to help each other out. I don't see why this can't be a mutually beneficial relationship. Things are great now, but if there ever comes a time when you do need help, don't be afraid to reach out. Rivalries should be fun," I said.
"We should challenge each other to reach greater heights, not tear each other down. And if we ever needed help, I certainly hope you would be there for us."
"Of course!" She said, not meaning a word of it.
But I had communicated what I wanted to. I had extended a helping hand. It was up to her now to take it.
The dinner carried on uneventfully. We all exchanged interesting or humorous stories over some of the finest steak I had ever eaten. Dragons were obligate carnivores. They could only eat meat.
So the dinner prepared for us was smorgasbord of meat, the likes of which I had never seen. While we chatted, I made sure to take full advantage of this opportunity, because I likely wasn't going to get another dinner like this in a long time.
After dinner, a servant showed me and Victoria where we would be staying. They had prepared separate rooms, not knowing that Victoria and I were together beforehand. Technically, Victoria and I didn't know beforehand either.
I was sitting in the dark, meditating, forming more layers of my lifeblood crystal, when I heard a knock at my door.