Chapter 401 The dragon
"And why would I believe you? You're just a foreigner in this place and you say that you can help me? Why would you even help me kill them?" The dragon turned around to look at the man whose grin hadn't disappeared from his face.
"Just because I could do it, besides this world is already rotten to the core. Why would they discriminate against a powerful being like you? And why would you let them do this kind of thing to you when you are a dragon, the most powerful being in this world." Cygnus stretched out his hand to his side as he floated in the air.
A sinister force could be felt coming from the man. It was something that the dragon hadn't felt before. The desolate plain was already dark and yet because of the man's presence it felt even darker and more sinister.
"It's not that simple. There's more, am I correct?" The dragon was skeptical. Why would someone suddenly give him that offer?
He believed that the man had other motives in trying to enlist him in his so-called adventure. Cygnus's grin was saying a lot more even without him speaking. The was also a glint in his eyes that made the dragon think about his other motive.
"Since you will become my subordinate I will tell you," Cygnus answered. He returned his hands behind his back.
The dragon did not refute his words and instead waited for him to say his piece. Listening to him might convince the dragon. He was already tempted so it would be easier to get the dragon by his side if he would tell him the truth.
"I destroy worlds that the gods cherished so much. It is my revenge for the death of everyone dear to me." He said it so calmly that the dragon felt fear from the innocent face of the man who was coolly floating before him.
"Are you going to destroy this world too?" The dragon asked again. He already anticipated the answer but the urge to ask was still there.
"You won't believe me if I told you that I won't. Besides, this world is a world dedicated to the god of war, so I must destroy it." He did not hide his intention.
The dragon nodded his head. He looked around at the desolate land where he grew up. It was a lonely place but it was his home for hundreds of years now. He looked back at the man who was waiting for his answer.
"Then I would accept your offer," the dragon decided. Maybe this was a sign that he needed to move and do something about his ridiculously boring life.
His gaze once again landed on the man as he thought that the adventures with this man would surely be fun. He also wanted to see how the man would challenge those gods. He reached out his hand and Cygnus accepted it.
"Since you accepted my offer, why don't we make a pact?" Cygnus suddenly suggested which took the dragon aback.
A pact would mean that he would be bound to the man and he to him. It wasn't unusual though as he could smell the scent of a demon in him. This must also be to ensure that he would not betray the man.
"I'll take you on that once I see what you can do." Although he agreed to join him, the dragon wasn't so keen on forming a pact that could bind him.
Cygnus narrowed his eyes but he understood. A dragon's pride will not let them bow their heads to anyone they deem lower than them. This was not the right time yet and he could just patiently wait until the dragon came to him willingly.
"Alright then," Cygnus nodded his head. He then turned around and started to float away from the dragon.
"Where are you going?" The dragon was suddenly confused at his action. He thought that the man would convince him.
"I'm going to show what I can do." Cygnus looked and grinned at the dragon.
The black dragon followed behind as he was curious as to what the man meant. While they were floating towards the exit of that land, the dragon finally thought of asking the man his name. He forgot to ask and even introduce himself.
"My name is Cygnus Altair," Cygnus introduced himself.
The dragon looked at him because he answered his question even with him not voicing it out yet. "I'm Ignius." He shrugged it off and introduced himself too.
Cygnus suddenly stopped and looked at the man with a grin on his face. Ignius was taken aback and couldn't help but gulp because of how the man was looking at him. He took a deep breath and when he finally heard what Cygnus wanted to say, he was dumbfounded.
"Do you want to try saying my name?" Cygnus asked. He wanted to know if the curse in his name could affect a dragon. He knew that anyone who would say his name would die but all of those who said it were humans. Not even those who had written his name were able to live.
"Why would I do that?" Ignius was confused as to why the man was asking him to say his name. He wanted to say no but the eager look in Cygnus's eyes stopped him from doing so. "Alright," he sighed, "Cy-" he stopped and looked at the man.
Before he could even completely say the name, he could already feel a burning sensation in his throat. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth. He then started coughing out blood that fell to the hot ground.
"W-what happened?" He asked in a stuttering voice while he was regulating his breathing and the amount of blood that was coming out from his mouth.
He thought it was done but then his body started to feel hot and it became unbearable. It was like the insides of his body were being burned. Ignius lost his balance as he fell to the ground. He was wheezing and coughing as he knelt there.
Cygnus also lowered himself and stood in front of the dragon. "I was just testing how a dragon will react as they take the curse in my name." He was looking down at the dragon with fascination in his eyes.
Ignius looked up and saw that the man's eyes were no longer black but as red as blood. The glint in them was real and full of joy because of his suffering. He lowered his head while he was holding his neck to ease the pain.
After a while, the effects of the curse slowly disappeared and he could now easily breath. He inhaled and exhaled a few times before he could finally stand up and face the man who remained silent. Ignius looked him in the eye and this time he did not avert his gaze.
"I'll remember not to carelessly say your name in the future." Ignius wiped the remaining blood on his lips and flew first. He was not in the mood to talk to the man after what happened. If he was not a dragon, he might have exploded right there and then.
They reached a certain forest after they left the desolate land which was Ignius's territory. The dragon looked at it and at a whiff, he could already tell that werewolves were living in that place. Amongst the dwellers of that world, werewolves were one of the most vicious groups that existed.
They would raid the territories of the different clans and take them for themselves. They pride themselves with their agility and strength. It would be a bloodbath once they move as a pack. Ignius heard once that they raided a territory of the fairies and destroyed it.
"What are you going to do in this place?" Ignius asked as he looked around. He could already feel the presence of the wolves getting nearer to where they were.
"I just find them annoying. They're so rowdy and they think that they owned the whole place. My rest has been disturbed by them so many times already. So, I should teach them a lesson and this will also be my chance to show you what I can do." Cygnus grinned while the dragon only looked at him.
After a few minutes, werewolves were already surrounding them. They both landed on the ground and looked around. From what the dragon could tell, there would be at least a hundred werewolves there right now.? They were all growling and baring their fangs at them.
From behind one of the trees, a man emerged and walked towards them. His steps were full of swagger and the look in his eyes was full of judgment. There was also a smirk on his face as he casually placed both of his hands on his pockets. His gait really screamed arrogance.
"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here, the infamous black dragon." The man who stepped out laughed followed by the other werewolves who were still hidden behind the thick bushes and trees. "Why would an esteemed dragon suddenly visit our territory?" The mocking in his voice couldn't be hidden.
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience