Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 572: The Vow

***

Within the Elder Dragon's perception, Alex suddenly resembled a dragon...

—or perhaps more precisely, a direct heir to that mighty lineage.

In an instant, the entire scene halted as if suspended in stasis.

A spectral embodiment of Will materialized high above the skies, then descended directly into the Elder Dragon's form.

Moments later, the dragon's gaze sharpened with awareness and purpose.

"[Who are you? How is it possible for you to converse in our ancient language?]" the Elder Dragon interrogated sharply.

"I am a descendant (a disciple) of one of the elders from the True Dragon race," Alex responded. "The Ancient Dragon, Uthvaazgol."

Due to the statement's considerable length, Alex refrained from tapping into Senu’s mana to utter the words in Dragon tongue and opted to speak in his usual manner.

"[You, a mere human, presume to claim lineage from such a revered entity? Does your kind's deceit have no boundaries?]" the Elder Dragon roared in fury.

"Examine me and judge for yourself!" Alex shot back.

At once, driven by apparent outrage at the assertion, the Elder Dragon unleashed its immense sensory probe over Alex's entire being.

A bead of perspiration trickled down Alex's forehead and traced along his temple.

This move was a tremendous risk.

He was wagering that the mark from his master lingered inside him—and that the Elder Dragon possessed the means to sense it.

"[What?!]" the Elder Dragon burst out abruptly.

Its enormous eyes fixed on Alex with evident astonishment.

"[Why would—?]"

The creature struggled to grasp why a being of such supreme stature would imprint upon a frail, apparently trivial human.

Moreover, the Exalted One hadn't just imprinted on the human...

The Exalted One had employed an Elder Dragon’s essence blood along with its heart to reshape the human's physique.

In the Dragon Clan's eyes throughout the cosmos, this would demand the gravest attention.

Should the Exalted One have indeed performed this act, the human standing there must possess immense significance.

Given that reality, only one fitting reaction existed.

"[For an heir of an Exalted One to visit our plane and volunteer as its Legatee brings profound honor to this realm.]" the Elder Dragon declared with gravity.

"[Go forth, successor of the Exalted One.]"

The dragon shifted its position, uncovering the flame concealed in its wake.

Alex silently exhaled the breath he'd kept trapped.

’Apologies, Master. I had no alternative but to invoke your name,’ Alex reflected silently.

His pact with Uthvaazgol —Merlin— stipulated that he avoid disclosing their link until his strength had advanced further.

’In dire straits, extreme actions become necessary. Master will surely comprehend,’ Alex reasoned with himself.

Luckily, the bold wager succeeded.

An imprint from a dragon surpassing Class 8 was something a Class 6 dragon wouldn't risk overlooking.

Alex softly stroked Senu while also calming his fellow beast companions via their individual connections.

The party pressed onward —with the vast throng of beasts and twisted humanoids halted in temporal stasis by the Elder Dragon’s will— heading toward the remote flame.

Even as Alex attempted to convince them of the Elder Dragon's harmless intent, his beast companions stayed alert, maintaining their defenses against the dragon.

Alex nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation.

’With its Will now inhabiting its form, that's no simple spectral Elder Dragon anymore— it's essentially the authentic entity. Should it desire our demise, none of you could resist regardless,’ he pondered to himself.

Nevertheless, their caution filled him with quiet satisfaction.

At last, the group arrived at the flame.

Though its radiance extended far across the crumbling world, the flame proper proved remarkably compact.

As they drew near, the flame ascended softly into the atmosphere and floated to Alex, ultimately nestling in his hand.

Alex sensed its warmth.

’It's scorching... yet comforting,’ he contemplated.

"[That is our plane’s Flame of Hope]," the Elder Dragon explained.

"[In the bleakest eras, provided even the tiniest spark of hope endures in the souls of this plane’s inhabitants, that hope will light the way to the plane’s endurance... and triumph.]"

A spark of comprehension lit Alex’s eyes.

’Thus, that reveals the essence of this ordeal,’ he pondered.

’During the most oppressive darkness, when all appears hopeless... when no route to endurance or triumph emerges...’

’If we nurture hope within our spirits, an avenue to that hidden triumph will ultimately emerge.’

’And by uniting with all who persist, we can progress down the trail brightened by that hope and fortitude...’

"[Heir of the Exalted One, while our plane stands as merely one speck among the endless realms adrift in the infinite void —insignificant and minuscule— for those of us spawned from its essence, it holds unparalleled value.

"[Your Destiny and Luck have guided you here, and now you cradle our plane’s Flame of Hope. May you cherish and uphold our dedication and resolve with the genuine respect you've displayed this day.]"

All at once, the Elder Dragon dipped its head low.

"[Please... guide this plane and its inhabitants faithfully through this catastrophe.]"

Alex found himself taken aback.

From what he knew, Elder Dragons embodied immense arrogance.

Witnessing one —a Legendary figure, and probably a formidable one— lower its head before him...

He held no uncertainty that the dragon truly cherished this plane.

Alex's features turned serious, bordering on somber.

"I grasp your resolve, Your Excellency," he stated with utmost earnestness.

"Yet, I remain only a fragile Class 2 entity. I lack knowledge of the catastrophe afflicting this plane, but if beings of your caliber could not —or cannot— halt it, then rationally, I cannot vow success on my part."

"Should the catastrophe surpass my abilities, and those of my charges, I will exert all efforts to escape this plane without hesitation."

Alex’s forthright candor evidently surprised the dragon.

The Elder Dragon let out a gentle, joyless breath laced with sorrow.

Yet Alex pressed on.

"Even so, I am the type who despises harboring regrets," he declared steadily.

"Thus, I will strive to conquer every trial and claim the role of ’Legatee’ these tests mention."

"And upon success... I will exhaust every resource at my disposal —however constrained— to fulfill my role."

"[That, I swear.]"

Alex delivered the concluding phrase in Dragon Tongue.

The Elder Dragon’s eyes expanded marginally.

Through Alex’s utterances —devoid of any falsehood— the dragon discerned his true nature.

He seemed among the scarce humans who valued their pledges and regarded their commitments gravely.

But escalating it by vowing in Dragon Tongue...

That transcended a mere declaration.

It formed an unbreakable oath.

Not even the Exalted One supporting him could shatter it absent dire repercussions.

"[Thank you.]"

The Elder Dragon inclined its head again.

***