Rebirth

Chapter 34: The Pack of Wolves and Triple Dragons

The guild came together that evening. We were all in one of the more expensive bars, drinking away at our new license. Officially, we were a guild now. I was happy for that, but Gus's words hadn't left my mind. They stayed lodged in my brain, replaying over and over like a movie, each word echoing in my mind, along with the vision Gus showed me. I held my head then, closing my eyes.

In addition to my rattled brain, I was also in an intense amount of exhaustion and pain. It wasn't exactly unbearable, but I struggled with doing the most simple tasks. My arms, legs, sides, and head were wrapped in a white bandage wrap, with gauze underneath to cushion and hold in any blood that might leak out. My hair was in a thick ponytail,- thanks to the girl's combined efforts. I swapped my clothes after the trial, wearing basic blue jeans and a white T-shirt and open toed boots. Footwear like this seemed to grow on me since I've gotten here, as I found myself wearing the type of boots more and more.

Zhaniah sat next to me at the bar, patting my shoulder. "Nice job today. You did well. I'm amazed at how you managed to pull off that win."

"All I know is because of it, I'm totally drained." I snapped my fingers, a small white flame flickering between. "My magic is regenerating though, so I didn't lose much. I guess it can replenish over time, regardless of how much was used."

"Well, take it easy alright? Don't go dying on all of us."

I looked at her then, and rubbed my head. "That reminds me. We all got to go." I stood, and she looked at me questioningly. Standing on the bar counter, I whistled, loud enough so everyone would look my way. Once I was sure I had their attention, and Jocelynn stepped in the bar with Cynthia, I began speaking. "Alright. I know we're all drunk and happy and everything, but we still have some business we need to deal with. Everyone sober up as quick as you can, because we're all going to meet some dragons."

G spit up his drink, and Beowulf watched me. The guild started laughing, and I wasn't sure if it was with me or at me. "I guess you hit your head harder than you thought, eh Justin?" Someone said as they continued laughing. I sighed, shaking my head. "Did you all forget the three dragons that flew over the city a few days ago?"

The laughs died down, replaced by shocked faces. "You met those things? For real? You seriously met the dragons?"

I nodded, stepping down from the bar counter. "There's a lot I need to explain to you all. The Queen and my close friends know this already, but I figured it would be best to share this with all of the guild." I moved towards the door, nodding at Jocelynn when I opened it. "We're all going out of town for a little bit, deeper in the forest. Anyone wanna go first?" No one moved, not even Jocelynn or Zhaniah. I could feel the growing uneasiness, so I chuckled and stepped out first. "Fine, I'll lead the way."

Despite their hesitation, the guild followed me towards the cave after a few minutes. As I stepped within the opening, being greeted by the familiar feeling of intense magic, the guild stopped short, with Zhaniah in the lead. When I noticed they stopped walking, I turned to them. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know about this... They're ok with you, but what if they attack us?"

"You'll all be fine." I said, sighing. "Don't freak out so much."

"Easy for you to say, Mr. Third Leg." G said, stepping in after me. "We might as well get it over with.. No sense in waiting out here." After him, Beowulf passed by me. I glanced at him, catching his eye for a few seconds, and noticed a strange glint within them. He was deep in thought about something, but no wasn't the time to ask why. The guild began descending into the cave, our steps echoing against the walls. I made my way to the front when we entered the massive cavern, noting the immense darkness. Breathing could be heard from all three angles, followed by shuffling.

"What is that," Jocelynn questioned, grabbing one of my arms.

"No idea.. But it's actually freaking me out..." Zhaniah answered, stepping closer to me.

"Mama.. I'm scared.." Cynthia said, grabbing my shoulder.

"What's with you three? There's nothing to-" I stopped, as a massive blinding light shined overhead. It was blinding at first, but as our eyes adjusted, Garuga roared at us all, and the entire guild screamed, even Beowulf. I stood there, eyes half open, watching the shadow dragon. Syrreth and Porrelth laughed loudly, with Garuga smiling deviously at all of us. "Ye' humans become so easy to frighten!"

"There are. I had a feeling this would happen," I said, prying myself away from the three girls. Brushing dirt from my pants, and rubbing my now sore ears, I watched the triple dragons, speaking sternly, "You're all like five year olds! What if you gave them heart attacks!"
"Oh lighten up ye' fool," Garuga said. "Ye' is laughing on the inside."

"That doesn't excuse it." I crossed my arms. "We have business we have to handle, ya know. We need at least half of them alive, not dying from fear."

Despite being scared, Zhaniah bounded over, jumping on my head and holding herself up high enough to talk to Garuga. "You're an actual dragon?!"

"But of course. We all are. I see ye' have a fascination for creatures like us."

"More than you think."

"Who's this one," Porrelth asked, lowering his head next to Jocelynn and sniffing her. "She has your scent. Is she a mate?"

I felt my cheeks develop a pink tint as I let Zhaniah down. "Yeah, but that's not important right now."

Syrreth nodded, stroking his beard. "Justin is right. We must discuss the issue of Gus's predictions. Have ye' told them yet?"

I shook my head, "I was waiting for us to get here first." I faced then guild, taking a deep breath, and projecting my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Since they were wolves, their hearing was more developed than a human's, and the fact that Jocelynn and Cynthia had the guild insignia (Jocelynn on her thigh, and Cynthia on her chest), they developed similar wolf like traits. Nothing in physical appearance though. "So, I told you all there was something we needed to talk about with the dragons." I paused, and took a deep breath. I was never the best public speaker, but I always ended up easing myself into it. "Gus told me something that I think we should be wary of.. He said he was from the future," That sparked a few murmurs, but I continued speaking, "He also said that... Well, he said that we would all die when we fought Amaterasu."

It went absolutely silent. The tension in the air was thick enough to unsettle even the dragons. I rubbed my throat, closing my eyes and speaking, "I saw a vision of it too.. Amaterasu and one other.. It was strange, and really creepy to see..."

"Was there anyone who lived," Beowulf asked, seemingly unaffected.

"Nope.. Complete annihilation," I replied.

"Then we should prepare.. We need to be ready just in case, and with the dragons on our side, we'll drive him back."

"... I.. Don't know about that.." I looked at my dragon masters. "I didn't want to involve them too much in this fight.."

Garuga closed his eyes, "Even though we told you about this?"

"If there's the possibility of all of us dying, I'd at least want you three alive to train someone else.. As a backup plan."

"Ye' is kind hearted, however, it is not an option. We shall help ye' humans, as best as we can. Such is the way of the Triple Dragon Council." Porrelth said. I nodded to them, accepting their decision. "We'll need lots of planning then. Is everyone ok with staying here for a while?"

No objections, in fact, everyone seemed eager to. I smiled at them all, nodding, and looking at the dragons. "Take the smartest of the guild. Plan with them, and they'll relay it to us after." I said, then moved away as everyone began chatting. Beowulf walked towards the dragons, along with Samus and G, and the 6 began discussing plans.

Zhaniah patted my shoulder, "You alright? You look like you're gonna pass out."

"Probably.." I replied. "I'm still so exhausted.."

"Go rest then," Jocelynn said. "Don't push yourself too hard."

"Yeah, I guess." Nodding to the two, I moved towards the more remote part of the cavern, lying down. It didn't take too long to fall asleep, and as I did, I was greeted by nothing but twisted dreams of the past.