Reincarnated Memories

The Dragon's Treasure

"Where are we going?" There are three boys walking in a cave that darkness cannot reach. It was a narrow passage that nearly a full grown adult cannot just walk into. As it was illuminated by a weird, faint light, the three men walking on it can clearly see the rock formations that are naturally being formed around. The limestones underneath produce a cool yet soothing effect to their bare feet while walking. Even the small water formations underneath seem to be glowing from the reflection of the stones that emits light.

"Soon you'll know." A man with a husky voice told him. "You might want to get ready yourself for meeting one of the ancient winged-race this world ever had." And with that, the younger boy ate up the wind around in his throat and somehow, it became clear to him as to why his friends are slowly disappearing together with their respective teachers and saviors.

"Lance, how about Ean?" He asked the older guy in front of him.

"What about him?" The hybrid returned the question even though his expression showed that the boy might be beyond saving. Lance just hid his face from Kry as he knows that the kid knows how to read the atmosphere really good.

"How can Kidd and Lamia reach him?"

"As far as we know, humans learn from failing too much." Lance kept walking while trying to evade the sharp curves of stalactites and stalagmites that cover the narrow path. "He'll probably get a training or enhancements to make sure that he'll- -"

"Grow." Kry then kept his silence for himself as he seems to already know what they might do to him.

"So Kry, do you want to meet your ancestor?" Ricken snickered around after asking the question that made Kry more curious as to where they will be going.

"What do you mean?"

"Hush ricken, we don't want the kid to expect something." And with that, Lance looked at Ricken with eyes glowing red and face hardened. The cool passage began to chill around the boy.

"Relax, I'm not planning yet to tell until we reach the hall." The comment of Ricken made Kry more curious, but as to what he heard from Lance, it seems that asking further will only get far-fetched comments or riddled answer. And it might be a waste of their time and effort to speak.

It has been a while since they began making curves and the passage becomes more accessible as the ceiling of the cave began expanding. But the cool began to warmth itself on the way. And weak drafts can be felt around. The moisture began decreasing and the stone formations around the cave began less and less as they go deeper.

Kry doesn't know how deep they have been or how high they might have climbed because the area felt flat to him. He remembered that they entered a cave from a certain mountain's foot a little far away from the border. It was covered by lush and thick forest and a lot of life around it. The biodiversity around the cave's entrance was entralled by various living creatures.

He felt that there are no more waters from where they are stepping. But Kry noticed that they area already stepping on a tiled floor with grass growing from the edges and broders of the tiles. it was white with hints of clean brown dirt where the grass grows. It still shows a hint of dampness but was beggining tyo dry. As soon as he looked up, he felt a low grumble in the floor and made him a little jumpy. The two older men noticed it and they just smiled at him.

"It seems he also got the same expression when we came into this world huh?" Ricken commented with a smile on his face.

"But, the difference is that, we have no guide back then. We did it for survival." Lance's smile faded as soon as he faced the entrance of where they are heading. "But this is as far as we go." He looked at Kry who is already facing him with a near determination, but full of curiousity and uneasiness.

"I'm ready." He shortly said to them, which in turn they nodded and made space for Kry to pass.

The young dragon boy walked slowly to reach the gate.

Kry entered the gate and was greeted by a really gigantic golden dragon who seems to be waiting for his arrival.

Welcome son. I awaited for thee memory to take thy trial.

"You."

Aye

Kry seems to know who the golden dragon was. But he can't take his eyes of the red eyes of the golden dragon. Just the eyes of the creature in front of him towers him by more than five more person stacked to him. The golden dragon was  real giant and could even tower the black dragon they saw back at the Capital. He was just lying down on the ground with wings covering his body. The scales illuminate the room just right and seems to be resting.

I am what they call the First King of the Land before the Humans came. I am the holder of the Essence of Mercy and Retribution. I guide the lost souls of my children to be sent to the Reincarnator and I am the protector of Balance just like the grand entity residing on your memory. The voice of the dragon echoed throughout Kry's mind and surprisingly, Kry found it not painful but rather solemn and at peace.

"Great Dragon-" He was soon cut by the Golden Dragon in front of him.

You. You are still weak. Deterred by fear. You who have been Alone since your brother and parents died protecting you. You who have mastered demonic and dark arts yet afraid to use it against the enemies you swore revenge for killing your brother. You who have been alone all this time. No balance, must be made one. It is optimal for the world's continued exitence.

"What are you trying to say?"

The test of your friends. Two in the moon trying to protect the planet. One who is still on the process purification by the world's mightiest swordsman. One who are being trained by the mystical beings by the last summoner. One being chimically enhanced by the humans. Another being trained by the essence of Memories and Essence of Will. And the Sanctus Deus travels from dimension to dimension helping the unknown and the gate to search poweful allies.

The dragon moved his claws and pointed at the white scarf that Kry was wearing all this time.

This white scarf, it protects you. But protections doesn't last. For you to obtain power to fulfill your revenge, I will give them to you.

And with those words, Kry remembered everything that happened to him and his brother while they were living together. The pain and the fear he felt when the demons tortured and killed his brothers and the way they played him until he passed and his foster father defended him and raised him.

He looked up at the dragon with determination. As the dragon saw the eyes of the young dragon folk, he silently blinked and then reconnected his thoughts to Kry.

Your test. You will stay here until you know your true name.

"My true name?" Kry inquired.

Living creatures with a dragon's blood running in their veins all have one. The true name defines who we are and it carries unbelievable power. Power that could match the hope's parents and to be able to guard the current Queen of the Dragons from any enemies. Power to oblitirate a whole country in one fell swoop.

"How could I get that?" Kry seems to be dumbfounded by the test given to him.

That is for me to know and for you to find out young one. I will watch over you until you finally realize the name that you yourself have named. This test of mine is a treasure that one will keep for ages to come. Longer than what gem or could could last. When you pass my treasure, then you will transcend even your parents and those who came before you.