---POV: Aaron Geyser (Uncle Black)---

After seeing little Arins sleeping face, I pose a question to the two newcomers.

“So, might I know who you guys are and why you are here? Let’s begin with you, Diamond Turtle.” (Aaron)

Asking this question with light pressure leaking from my body, the Diamond Turtle flinched back and hastily started to speak:

“Sorry, I don’t have a name, but I am a Dragon-Kind Diamond Turtle. I’m only barely 30 years old and I came because I thought I could make a contract with a powerful being…” (Diamond Turtle)

Blabbering in a speed unexpected for a Turtle kind, he seems to be a young-ling who is traveling. Maybe because he was kicked out of his Home, or did he lose it in another way? No, speculating without proof isn't a good idea. Anyway, he is only 30 years old, meaning he is about 14 to 16 years old by Human Terms? But what interests me is that he wants to make a contract with a powerful being… did he feel Arin’s Power before and has hope for evolution? Anyhow, not owning a name means that he never had a contract before, and that he also isn’t from an important Family like me. Monsters actually gain a Name when they officially reach adulthood, are born in a special family, or if they make a contract before that.

Normally, monsters under a certain grade can make contracts with other beings. Meaning, that if the Master is powerful and grants the Monster a name, there is a chance for the Monster getting stronger, or even evolving into a higher species. Though this also means that it can’t disobey the master and has to serve under him. There is also a Contract of Equals, meaning that they can sense each others position and help if they feel like it. Something like mutual exchange. But aside from contact, Equality contract doesn’t yield a lot of benefits.

Actually, thinking about it, it’s not surprising that this Diamond-Turtle wants a contract, as it itself belongs to a lower class dragons-species.

The still nervous Diamond-Turtle is slightly shaking Ups, forgot to remove the pressure on him.

“Sorry for not retrieving my pressure, but let me answer to you. You can’t make a contract with me as I don’t have the will to make any. If you wish for a contract with the kid, then you’ll have to ask him first. Anyway, what you do is up to you… I’ll be leaving towards the Dragon Mountains soon, so are you willing to follow?” (Aaron)

Nodding his head rather quickly, the Diamond-Turtle agreed. Nodding my head, I turn around to the Lightning-Wyrm and pose the same Question as I posed to the Diamond-Turtle.

The Lightning-Wyrm seems to have no name as well, and she is a female, as proven by the fact that her body is smaller by comparison to other Wyrm her Age. Actually isn’t she also smaller than normal females of her kind? And yea, she is already over 300 years old. By estimation, she should have the mental age of a 20 year old Human, yet still counting as a Teenage-Dragon. Anyway, when I asked her why she came here, her answer was:

“I was flying in the sky, when I suddenly felt someone wielding advanced Lightning-Magic, so I went to check it out. And also because I hope to find someone who doesn’t care about my “Mark”.” (Lightning-Wyrm)

Ending her sentence with slight dejection, The Wyrm easily regains herself. So she is a Mark-bearer? A Wyrm can be born carrying a mark, which effects it has is unknown but the Wyrm’s see it as a curse, so they get rid of every Wyrm carrying it when they reach an age where they can hunt alone. Mostly because those Wyrm are smaller than their brethren, making them stand out.

Anyway, she seems to be a bit too enthusiastic, but I can’t feel any ill will, so I don’t mind her tagging along, but she should stop talking already. I also have nothing against Arin making contracts with potentially powerful monsters, but I still wish to teach him first how to handle this, otherwise it might be too much for him to absorb as so much happened today. Actually, I'm surprised all the knowledge even fit into his tiny head.

Anyway, leaving the two behind, the Crimson-Wolf Mother nodded her head, meaning that she will also follow us to the Dragon Mountains. It is rather funny. Living alone for so long, and suddenly this Kid comes along and the Group is already more than double before we even reach the Dragon Mountains. Well, better prepared than not. Standing up, I begin to speak:

“So everyone; we are leaving for the Dragon mountains, as for Transport, the Humans were Kind enough to deliver us an Air-Ship. With that said, everyone board it, and prepare to leave. Sadly I can only use it temporarily as this ship isn’t designed to be used by Monsters, so we'll have to take breaks. Let’s go!” (Aaron)

Making a final declaration, I help the Mother wolf carry Arin and her pub onto the ship, before starting up the Mana-Engines of it and take off. Actually, this experience isn’t new as I was already once allowed to control one, but that was so long ago, yet it feels like it was yesterday. Anyhow, I ask myself, how will it be to return to Dragon Mountains after so many years? Even though I made a promise to look after him, I still am unsure… Well, at least they are informed of our soon arrival, and if there are problems there is still Scyrra who won’t refuse to help should anything happen…

Leaving my thought at that, I carefully fly the ship, with its new crew of Monsters, into the northern direction, the direction of the towering Mountains while the west shows a beautiful sunset.

---POV-Change: Arin---

I find myself once more in the now golden white space of my mind. Actually, wouldn’t my Imagination work here?

Thinking thus far while hearing my own thoughts, I try to imagine a flowery field with a picnic-set under a tree. Opening my Eyes once more, I find the flowery field in front of me, just like I imagined it. Actually, I can “feel” the wind and touch the Flowers, but it seems that this has no effect on my real Body. Anyhow, shortly afterwards, a pair of slender arms suddenly hugged me from behind and lifted me up.

It was Lumi, showing a happy smile I haven’t seen on her yet. Her Crimson-Gold eyes were shining in radiance and her tails twitched happily. I don’t know what occurred, but she seems happy to see me. It didn’t take long before she sat down in between the flowers and started to talk;

“You know Arin, I have to thank you, yet I also have to say sorry.” (Lumi)

Speaking in a slightly dejected tone, Lumi began to explain while playing with my hair:

It seems that Sky, the fairy that would visit me from time to time, was actually a construct of my mind, an Illusion born from my Creativity. But when Lumi first mentioned that name I was surprised, does she have something to do with her? Is she the reason I haven’t seen her since the time I traveled through the dimensions?

As Lumi’s explanation continued, my question started to clear up, or increase. At least until she explained the more complicated words.

“Sky was a rather complicated form of Imagination. So when you traveled through the dimensions, this being in your Mind called sky took form of something like a soul. It was only a hull with no complexity, but it was still an existence formed by your Mind. Normally this should be impossible, but due to the sudden circumstance, your creation, sky, was given “life”. But it was just a hull, not very powerful nor complex. This is where I comes in. I was a construct, made complex from the echo of the original Lumi, but only that. No true soul, and just a filled consciousness without boundary.” (Lumi)

Explaining thus far, she tried to explain me the process of sky, but I can't follow the content completely until she used the more simple terms afterwards. Still, I am sad hearing her talk like she is only a construct, because to me she is something more. Trying to encourage her, I wrap myself more into her arms and lean myself onto her body. Actually, due to me being practically on her lap while being held from behind, I stayed in Human form as my tails could become a hindrance.

Anyway, if I didn’t misunderstand, Lumis consciousness fused with the small soul-hull inside my mind, formerly Sky, and created a new and complete Soul. A soul by the name of Lumi. It is still just a tiny soul, the size of a bud. But it is already more than double as powerful as when Lumi was still “just” a consciousness. Also, it seems that her new soul is directly linked to me, meaning that if she ever had a new body, she would still be able to communicate with me.

Maybe this works kinda like a Ear-Plug of a smart-Phone?

Anyway, seeing her this happy, I also felt happy. We played and chatted for a while, Then Lumi touched my nose and said in a whispered voice:

“Little Arin, I think it’s time to go back to sleep, you did well today and you deserve your rest.” (Lumi)

“Am I not sleeping?” (Arin)

Hearing my question, she just giggles and tells me: “Indeed, but only the body. Your mind also has to rest in order to be fully refreshed.” (Lumi)

Hearing her words, I just silently nod and make myself comfortable in her Arms, leaning my whole, practically nonexistent, weight onto her. I close my eyes and as I can hear her sing a lovely lullaby. My thoughts start to fade…

“I... Love you… mom… suuuu…” (Arin)

“!?!” (Lumi)

…

…

…

Waking up due to a slightly shaking feeling, I rub my eyes to take a look around. I see perfectly, yet I could tell that it is night, and that it’s dark. Lifting myself up, I realize that I’m still in my Human form, yet whatever was beneath me gave me a comfortable feeling on a level not much lower than my tails. Watching my surroundings, I see what this something beneath me is. I am sitting right next to the wolf-Mother who is still pleasantly sleeping, while her pub is nestling itself close to me. Letting out soft barks while I scratch it’s head, the pubs tails starts to swing around, waking up the Mother-Wolf.

Being suddenly looked at by a Wolf-head nearly as big as my whole body, I draw back for a moment. Calming my beating heart I see that the Mother-Wolf just lightly chuckled at my behavior, making me embarrassed. Massaging the wolf-Pub head once more, I stand up slowly and look around. I wasn't standing on top of a grassy field, but instead on wooden planks fitted with metal. There were railings behind me and a giant wooden pillar a few meters in front. It had multiple layers of cloths attached to it, making it form a sail.

Looking up, I could see the cloudless sky, decorated with countless stars like I've never seen before. The scenery drew me in as I kept staring at the sky. Somehow not even my neck hurt.

When suddenly a cold breeze hit me, I activated my Essence-Clothing to form a mantel around me. By now it actually is like normal clothes when it comes to physical resistance, but wind and cold are resisted perfectly. Though fusing Mana into it is rather hard, it feels like trying to sew two thick leathers together, hard to pass through.

Leaving those thoughts behind, I curiously look over the railings to have a look, just to find a sea of clouds, meaning we were in the sky. Is this the flying Ship of the attacking Humans? Actually, isn't this kinda scary, falling from this height would be deadly wouldn't it? Kinda scared, I back off from the railings and just keep walking along the wooden deck of the ship.

As I start wandering around, looking for Uncle Black, I meet a dark blue turtle, sitting alone. It was rather small if you compare it to Uncle Black, but it still towered at about 3 meters in height, even as it was sitting. Looking up it's huge body, I accidentally let out a amazed sound, making the turtle nearly jump. Looking back at me with big eyes, the massive turtle head was suddenly turned around, staring me down.

“Oh, so it's you, please don't scare me like that. I'm not good with scary situations...” (Blue turtle)

Speaking in a slightly embarrassed tone, the blue turtle talked. I am more surprised that he talked the Dragon-Language like Uncle Black instead of a Monsters Growl and Roar. Still, I haven't seen him before, who is he?

Posing said Question, the blue turtle introduced itself in a stuttering Voice. It seems he is a Diamond turtle without a name and was just barely 30 years old. Though his conduct reminds me more of one of the shy kids in the Orphanage, I just smile lightly before introducing myself. But still, not having a name is inconvenient.

“Hmm, having nothing to call you is kinda weird... I'll call you... Cyan...” (Arin)

Before understanding what happened, suddenly a massive power leaked from my body the moment I mentioned the name I gave him... Silver and gold light started to gather around me and Cyan, creating a giant vortex. I sense that the energy is my own Mana being dispersed into the air, surrounding me and Cyan.

I don't understand what's going on, but at the confused me, Cyan opposite of me just silently bows and speaks in a serious,yet still stuttering voice..

“I~I shall accept the n~name you have granted me. May I s~serve you for eternity until this b~bond shall fade!” (Cyan)

Having his Voice reverberate more powerful than before, the Vortex thickened and became blindingly bright, stealing me my eyesight.

I don't know what exactly happened as I was closing my eyes tightly, but I sensed something akin to a connection created in my Mind. But as the event proceeded, more and more of my Mana rose from my body, creating multiple phenomenon in my surroundings. Multiple elements crashed and fused with each other inside the vortex, before ending in a pillar of Light akin to a Flare-Signal from the REGA Helicopters. Not long after, the light started to weaken around me and finally fade.

As I was slightly floating during the event, I was first trying to regain my footing on the ground (Ship). It doesn't take long before I regain all my senses and look into the direction where Cyan was supposed to be.

There is still a large Silver Light surrounding that location. Inside, black, blue, green and brown colored lights jumped around before entering the silver Vortex. Not long after did the silver Light die down, and revealed...

“Whoaaah...” (Arin)

Letting out a dumbfounded voice, I am shocked as in front of me stood, instead of a 3 meter Diamond-Turtle, a giant, ten meter high Turtle with the head of a Dragon. His shell became more streamlined and it's color changed from light blue to a dark blue color, with multiple lines along it in the colors of Emerald green, Cyan Blue, Black and Brown, making him look extremely majestic. Actually, does he even fit onto this ship?

My worry is luckily not needed as Cyan was still lightly floating above ground. But before I could say something, he was shrouded in light once again, but this time it was a dark blue color. As the Light started to shrink and slowly floated down, I was still standing there with my eyes wide open. As soon as the light touched the ground, it suddenly dispersed and revealed an about 16 year old boy with Dark Blue hair and a emerald green as well as a cyan blue colored eye. His Body seemed well trained, but unlike me, even though he still appeared slender, he gave off more of an aura like a massive, trustworthy shield.

Looking around, Cyan was surprised, but then the remaining Mana in the surroundings condensed and formed clothes around him, nearly freaking him out. Somehow they remind me of the ones Uncle Black always wore. When he looked into the direction of what seems to be the back of the ship, he suddenly froze. Trailing his gaze, I understand. There are Uncle Black, the Mother-Wolf and something that kinda looks like a Chinese Dragon from earth, clad in silver scales. All of them had wide open mouths and eyes, staring at me and Cyan like we were rare animals. Wait, aren't I a rare Animal (Monster)?

Getting distracted by my random thoughts, I notice Uncle Black a little late who held his head, sighting in the process. He had a wry smile on while muttering something to himself. As I look at him, I crook my head to the side and ask in a slightly confused tone:

“Uhmm, did I do something wrong?” (Arin)