562

"Answer me this, Thrud... What difference will it make? Will I be able to change the future? I'm but one human, I don't see how I can fend off an army of sharks, if they're strong enough to defeat both the wall and I."

"Not much~ You dying or living, not much." 

"And what if I don't accept? What if I just use the information you gave me, by... By escaping before tomorrow's events?"

"Then the castle will be conquered, and shortly thereafter, the entirety of Del Lagos will be burning from warfare."

As if such information didn't really mean much to the grand schemes of things, Thrud comfortably laid herself down upon the wall, enjoying the gentle ocean of stars above.

"W-why me?"

"Why not you? Your family owes me. The Lumix bloodline owes me, this isn't the first time I've spoken to someone of your house."

Even without looking over to her, the dragon was privy to the twirling and spinning thoughts that spun within Rosemi's mind, who was trying to connect the stars, the dots, to decipher their meaning.

"Your grandmother also made a deal with me, to ensure the bloodline survived, which is why she trained and treated your mother like a soldier, which resulted in your mother also training you and your sister like soldiers highly optimized for warfare. Your lineage is fated to be caught in every turning point humanity has to endure. Whether humanity survives with or without a member of your house, your house will continuously be caught in the flames of war and strife.

If you want to know more about it, you could always ask your grandmother-" Thrud paused, tapping her index finger upon her lips a few times to refresh her memory, a natural result from a being that saw both past and future sporadically. "-Apologies, she's no longer here..."

Seeing the anger, frustration and sadness that coursed within the human's blue eyes, Thrud sighed as she allowed the silence to fall over them, presenting the human with time to finish her thoughts for clarity. The realization that, whilst she endeavoured to become strong enough to carry the obligations, the pressure, the weight of the family upon her shoulders enough for two. That, even her own children were fated to such a fate, children she naturally one day would desire to have with the man she loved and held dearly.

Her tears weren't for herself, for her own fate or wellbeing, but for that of her future. She couldn't imagine the pain Asai would have to go through, if she were to confess such information to him, that his children were fated to suffer, to experience war and bloodshed.

After all, wasn't that why they were fighting so desperately now? So that the future generations could live in peace and prosperity, to be ignorant of the horrors of war, the bloodshed and void that came with it.

"Don't get me wrong human, your grandmother was the one who suggested such a pact to me. I merely accepted on a whim, but even a whim holds great weight and must be fulfilled. And thus, even if I don't want to, I must continue to uphold my part of the contract."

"F-fine, you're basically collecting a debt my family owes correct? Then, I'll do it! I'll shoulder whatever it is, what difference does it make if I have to endure another obligation?"  Rosemi internally laughed, finding it greatly ironic that so many envied and wished for her life, her position as a mighty duke's daughter, when such hidden shackles were constantly weighing her family members down. Truly, the rose was the most desired flower, but one that came with thorns indeed.

Satisfied with the women, her desire to fulfil her family's oaths, whether they be to the royal family, the kingdom, or to dragons and deities, rather than complaining and sulking about injustice and unfairness, Thrud finally took the human seriously. Hopping off the ledge and approaching the girl with complete seriousness, she pulled out a golden ceremonial dagger from her dimensional pocket.

"I'm increasing the price, the debt your lineage owes me. Your first born son shall be given to me on the day of birth, I shall adopt him and nurture him as an apprentice of mine. You aren't to contact him unless I allow it.

Also, I want your soul, a befitting price to pay to continue living, to escape certain death, don't you agree?"

"W-what do you mean? My soul? What does that entail?"

"It means... Your human body will stop aging, your soul will continue to walk the world, your sword will never be allowed to retire. Only at the time of my own death, will you finally receive eternal rest." Thrud slit her wrist, allowing the coursing red liquid to flow, presenting her wound towards the human's mouth, she warmly smiled as she confirmed the thoughts currently processing. "Yes, you will have to watch your sons, daughters, friends, family and even Asai grow old and die. You will one day find the world to have changed so much so, it will feel alien to you. Rosemi de Lumix, do you accept the conditions I have presented to thee? If so, partake and renew thy blood pact."

Rosemi's heart tore as she imagined watching her own offspring wither before her, to watch decay, rot and mould cover the world she loved, the people, her parents and Asai... 

To prove herself strong, she bit into the dragon's wrist, sucking and drinking the fiery liquid that burnt her throat like a wild-fire that rampaged through forests. Rather than allow the world she loved and cared for to burn and enter ruination, she strived to carry the weight of the world upon her shoulders. Hoping that Asai would one day forgive her, to understand her plight.

Her wounds healed, her cuts, scars, bruises and fractured bones all regenerated to their prime, even the little skin blemishes that naturally effected humankind vanished, leaving her rejuvenated and pristine. When the burning sensation no longer assaulted her every muscle fibre and cell, she opened her eyes to breath in the fresh air of the night.

The banners waved, the soldiers mumbled and laughed amidst groans, the horses neighed as others snored. Thrud the dragon was no longer there, vanishing into the night like a cold breeze. No one but Rosemi was privy to their exchange, as new information injected itself into her soul, muscle memory foreign combined and transformed into familiar motions.

[Rosemi de Lumix: Lvl 90]

[HP: 110->150 MP: 100]

[Title: Dragon Priestess]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Dragon's Heart]

Þrúðr's priestess, upon dying, host will resurrect after 100 years.

[Dragon Ignition]

100% of caster's remaining mana as magical damage attack to Frontal AOE via summon.

[Divinity]

Increase Divine Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defence by 10%.

[Critical Aura]

25% Increase in critical attack rate

[Order Swing]

12% of your damage is accumulated and applied towards next attack for 20 seconds

[Lumix Bloodline]

+30% attack speed, damage, accuracy and critical rate when wielding a sword

[Rush]

Charge target within 15 meters from caster and Paralyze for 3 seconds.

[Sword Waltz]

5 Consecutive strikes, sharp blades of wind that ignore target defence.

[Bloodthirsty]

+30% damage against [Living] targets. Kills regain 10% of missing stamina and health.

[Liberation]

Shreds opponent's wrist & disables 40% of your target's Damage Drop & Defence for 60 seconds.

"100 years..." A gentle tear trickled down her soft cheeks, as she imagined dying and waking up to find everyone she held dear and knew either dead or having a foot within their graves already. Horrified with the awareness that with each death, the world she knew would age and progress without her. "God damn it."

Clutching Erica's sword close to her chest, she felt the sword handle creak in pain as her grip strength had increased. Just like mana, the dragon blood that was incorporated into her flow, empowered her every cell.

"Oliver."

The knight snapped to attention, extreme drowsiness veiled his eyes as he saluted towards her voice. Gary was slower to attention, as he fumbled and fell, struggling to utilize his forearms and triceps to even push off the ground due to exhaustion.

"Y-yes commander?"

Rosemi's ocean blue eyes glistened, as she ignored the aching of her heart, the shaking of her emotions, and concentrated on the now.

"I have a plan."