Chapter 69

He’s not dead. A voice, seemingly ancient, yet powerful, said. The voice jerked Henry out of his paralysis. Without pause he summoned his Naiad, knowing the D.E.D. specialized in healing, though uncertain if the capabilities could be used to heal his best friend. JJ’s form still hadn’t moved, and it bled profusely, though he could see, just barely, the bloodied chest moving up and down with ragged breaths.

“JJ.” Henry rushed towards his friend as his Naiad got to work, blue waters flowing around the water nymph, cascading around JJ, glowing as they tried to heal the wounds.

It won’t work. The voice said again, and this time, Henry’s mind comprehended who was talking. The dragon was still present, i’s eyes watching the situation below it unfold with something akin to curiosity, and sorrow. You’ve not the abilities to heal those wounds. You’re not strong enough.

“I’m tired of hearing those words.” Henry said through clenched teeth as he urged his D.E.D. to keep trying. There had to be something he could do. Some way to save JJ. The Demon Hunter had assured Henry that he could handle the situation. This didn’t look like it had been handled.

I’m sure you are. The dragon said. Tell me. Why do you seek power? What is strength to you?

Henry was half listening as he knelt beside JJ. He began tearing his own shirt into strips, trying to remember the first aid training he’d had. If he could stabilize the bleeding and staunch some of the wounds, maybe JJ could be saved. He needed to call 911. He needed professional help.

“I don’t know.” He said aloud, frustrated. This wasn’t the time for bullshit philosophies. Furthermore, hadn’t the Consumer mentioned this dragon was killing JJ. That it was going to devour all his essence until he was no more? “I want to protect those I can. I want power to make sure I can take care of those close to me. And, honestly, I want to do all I can to make sure people don’t have to hurt, if I can.”

Honorable, to a degree. The voice answered. Though, not unheard of before. Is that all?

Henry growled. “The hell is with these questions? Are my answers even going to make a difference? I’ve been trying my best to grow like I was supposed to. There’s a danger to the world at our doorstep, and here I am, without the power to even help my best friend. How the fuck am I supposed to help stop the Old Ones, if I can’t even do this.” He slammed his fists into the torn ground, the wind ripped grass wet with blood and water. Beside him, his Naiad continued pumping healing water into JJ. Maybe, just maybe, his friend’s breathing had steadied? But he was still extremely pale, and the wounds were countless.

They could, and they could not. The dragon moved its massive head towards Henry, the proximity forcing Henry to look away from JJ, and stare at the head of the magnificent beast. Power radiated off it, and its eyes were swirling expanses of knowledge. Yet, you cannot know the unknown, unless you take a chance, and explore all paths.

Henry bit back a retort about fortune cookies, his eyes glaring at the creature. Rage, frustration, despair. Too many emotions swirled within him at that moment. All he wanted in this single time, was to save his best friend.

I see determination in your eyes. I see drive in your actions. And judging by the time I’ve spent with your friend, as well as the feelings I recognize from your D.E.D., I know you are not like most of your kind. And, while I would wish to question you more, I am aware, painfully so, of our limited time together.

As he spoke, his form seemed to pulse, and at the same time, JJ let out a pained gasp, blood spewing from his mouth. His body began to tremor slightly, and Henry knew JJ wasn’t long for the world.

I can save him. While you do not have the power, I do. The dragon’s voice was heavy. Though, to do so will nearly drain all the power I’ve acquired from him. It will also destroy the fragment of my soul, which was so carefully engraved upon his flesh, to serve as the guide to my scattered fragments.

“Whatever it is.” Henry said immediately. “I don’t care. Save him.”

The Old Ones are returning. The dragon said matter of fact. If I do this, you may lose the chance to gather my fragments in time. And without my full power, I know not if you’ll be able to survive the Old Ones’ ceaseless hunger. Would you sacrifice the world, for your friend?

“I.” Henry paused. What the hell was the dragon speaking of? Henry didn’t understand any of it. But there was no doubt there was a power to the creature. Even the Consumer had been surprised to see it. Could this creature be one of those scattered, ancient D.E.D. that he’d heard about? If so, if it were one of the original ones who’d helped mankind, certainly it would have the power to help against the Old Ones. But that wasn’t a certainty. That was conjecture. Only one thing was for sure right now.

“Heal him.” Henry said with conviction. “If what you say is true, I’ll need his help more than yours. From the way it sounds, acquiring your ‘full power’ isn’t a guarantee, regardless. But, you can save him. And with JJ at my side, we can figure the rest out. No matter what it takes, we’ll figure out a way to keep this world safe.”

The creature chuckled, its form glowing brightly. Silver light radiated around its entire body, pulsing like a heartbeat. With each pulse, JJ’s wounds began to close, his breathing steadied. It seemed, in Henry’s eyes, that the wound’s weren’t healing, per say, but instead, being undone.

Your conviction, in this moment, is noted. The dragon said, its voice quickly fading. As was your friends, as he fought against that monstrosity. What was once a loud, powerful voice, had grown soft, gentle. While I’ve not the power to give you much, I can leave you with a parting gift. For you’ve shown you may be worthy, to wield my power in the end.

“What is it?” Henry was glancing between JJ and the dragon. Color was returning to his best friend’s skin, his breathing regular, and all the wounds practically gone, leaving not a trace of the grievous damage he’d received.

First, seek out the Sword of Goujian, which holds a fragment of my essence deep within. Call to me, and flood the blade with essence, to awaken my spirit, so it may guide you to the other fragments of my essence. The dragon’s form had become completely transparent, and Henry could see it was beginning to fade away, drifting apart in much the same way The Consumer had.

Second, the voice was but a whisper as the massive body seemed to float away into thousands of tiny bursts of light, leaving nothing behind, beware the monster you fought here today. It has been injured, but it has not been destroyed.