Chapter Eighty-Eight - Wyvern

Chapter Eighty-Eight - Wyvern

Chapter Eighty-Eight - Wyvern

I had been looking forward to the day where I would get to meet a dragon since... about the time I discovered what dragons were, really.

Big, magical fire-breathing creatures that were at once majestic and terrifying. There was so much lore and mysticism around them. I had spent countless hours imagining what it would be like to talk to a dragon, to ask them about their life story, to make friends with something that no one would ever dare bully, and that I could ride across the skies on.

They were the stuff of legends, both good and bad.

The dragon on the fifth floor of the Path of Broken Reflections wasnt a creature of flesh and blood as I had imagined, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

Five meters long--I guessed--from snout to tail, wings that had to be longer than its entire length, all made with delicate curves. It had a pair of horns wrapped around its head that ended in jaggedy points, and its teeth were as long as my hand.

Its size alone was impressive, but this dragon was more than just big, it was like a mosaic of stained glass. I could see the ceiling on the dragons other side, warped and shifted by the glass that made up its body. Delicate filigree of spun glass circled out across its wings. It turned its head our way, pupils like golden mirrors locking onto us.

It didnt move though, probably because we had yet to enter the room proper.

Whoa, I said. So pretty.

No, Amaryllis said. You cant walk up to it and ask to be its friend.

Im sure its nice, I said.

She sighed. Its draconic. Their idea of being nice is eating you later instead of eating you now. Besides, if it eats you, Awen and I will have to face it alone. You wouldnt want that, would you?

Awa, I dont want anyone eating Broccoli, Awen said.

Youre not trying to guilt trip me into not trying to talk to the pretty glass dragon, right?

I would never, Amaryllis deadpanned. Who am I to stand between you and an opportunity to be chewed up by a wyvern.

Wyvern? I asked.

She gestured to the dragon. No forelimbs, the wings are at its sides, not its back. Thats a wyvern. Theyre the more... animalistic cousins of dragons. Not nearly as dangerous, but still a threat.

I scrunched up my face, but gave up with a nod. Fine. I guess. No talking to the pretty wyvern.

Its a dungeon creature, and the boss at that. Theres no way youll be able to negotiate your way past it, Amaryllis said. Which means that well have to fight and kill it. Which Im not sure well be able to do.

I looked from her to the dragon, then fired off an Insight at it.

The Stained Wyvern of Mirrored Paths, Boss, level ??.

Oh, thats not very good, I said. Can you see its level, Amaryllis?

The harpy shook her head. No. But I can guess. Judging by the level of the dungeon it has to be between levels eleven and thirteen. Basically, you can expect it to have a second class waiting in the wings, probably far below ten, but still there.

Ah, I said. Thats not good.

There were a few problems with trying to fight a dragon... or a wyvern. First, it was a giant predator bigger than a minivan and we were just three very small girls that would all neatly fit into its tummy once wed been chewed a little.

Second, it had wings, and could presumably fly.

Third, it was a few levels above us. I couldn't say how much stronger I was now compared to when I arrived in this world. Or rather, I couldnt say how much of an impact levelling up on its own had. Skills, on the other hand, were huge boosts to both my power and abilities. I bet that the Wyvern would have a whole bunch of really good skills.

I winced. I say we try. But we also prepare to run out of here if we need to.

The wyvern spun around in the air, golden eyes locking onto me.

Get ready! I called out.

I saw the girls moving over to stand next to a pillar, Amaryllis with her hands sparking and Awen with her crossbow raised.

Wind battered around me as the wyvern came screaming down towards the pillar where I stood talons-first like a bird of prey. I stood my ground for just a little bit longer, coiled and ready to jump.

Then lightning rammed into the wyverns side.

I jumped, moving towards another pillar that I bounced off of on a path towards the far end of the room.

The wyvern wheeled upwards with huge beats of its wings. There was a faintly darkened spot on its side, but little else to show that it had been hit.

Darn, I said. Then the wyvern flipped around and came roaring down towards the girls. Double darn!

The wyverns chest began to glow and it pulled its head back in a way that I was certain was very bad news. Then it opened its mouth wide and a cloud of sparkling dust poured out of it and splashed out towards the girls.

Lightning filled the air between them, Amaryllis doing her best to stop the deluge, but while it pushed some of the particles back, plenty still landed around the girls.

I took off at a hopping spring, bouncing from pillar to pillar while the wyvern flapped its wings and regained some altitude.

The dust it had spat was glass. Fine particles of loose glass, like sand that choked the air. I began to fire my cleaning magic in little bursts as I jumped down into the cloud.

Finding the girls was easy. They had huddled together under Awens long jacket, using it as a barrier of sorts. Seeing them coughing up blood and wheezing was a lot harder. Are you okay? I asked rather stupidly as I moved to their side. They were both covered in multicoloured, sparkling dust. A fresh burst of cleaning magic took care of some of that, but I was starting to run low on mana already.

Amaryllis tried to say something, but just choked and wheezed instead. She tapped her bandoleer.

I caught on and reached over to yank a pair of potions from her chest. Popping the cork off of one, I pressed it to her lips, then I did the same for Awen with the second potion.

It took a few fretful seconds, but my friends were soon breathing easier. That was disgusting, Amaryllis said.

Awa, Awen agreed.

Good thinking with the coat, Amaryllis said. She shook her wings and a few strands of glass tinkled out. That was... unfortunate.

I--I think I hit it with a bolt, Awen said.

I tried a smile, then looked up as a shadow flitted past. That didnt quite work as planned, I said.

We noticed.

Right. One more thing, then we leave and regroup, okay? I said. Are you both up for it?

I wont let one little setback hold me down, Amaryllis said as she stood taller and shifted her wings.

Awa, I, I can try!

Grinning, I told the girls the bare bones of my plan, then I jumped onto the top of the nearest pillar. Alright, buster, its time to... get...

My voice trailed off as I stared around and at the three wyverns flying just over the pillars all around us.

Oh, shoot, I said.

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