"What do you plan to do once I close my eyes?" He struggled to understand how a dragon's mind worked.
"Signing the contract," she responded like it was nothing.
"And how does this relate?" he raised an eyebrow, but before he could say another word, she leaned in.
Her lips met his, and he quickly tasted her saliva. It was more intoxicating than he ever imagined.
The taste melted on his tongue, and for a moment, he lost himself.
But there was something more .
A surge of energy coursed through him, like an electric pulse that entered through her lips.
She bit his lips.
The metallic taste of his blood mixed with the sweetness of her saliva, created an intense sensation.
Just as quickly, he felt a searing pain on the back of his right hand.
A symbol burned into his skin, its heat so intense it felt as though a hot metal brand for horses was pressed against him.
Once the symbol was complete, it cooled down.
It resembled a tribal-like dragon tattoo, glowing brightly for a few seconds before the light faded, leaving behind a dark, permanent mark.
(The pact has been formed.) She step back, maintaining her calm expression.
"Is that it?" His voice trembled slightly, still unable to fully process what just happened.
(Yes,)
(Now that we're physically connected, I can feel more of the world around you. There's an artifact nearby…one I created that could grant you power quickly.)
This news made him feel a rush of excitement.
"Where is it?" he asked, eager to know.
(We're getting closer. There's a good chance they're taking you to the same place. For now, just act like you're still hurt.)
"I am hurt, I got stab.."
"See..." He stopped, staring at what could only be described as a miracle.
He lifted his cloth, only to see that his wounds mostly healed.
"Is this an illusion?"
(No, it's part of the benefits of signing a pact with me,) she explained.
(Slowly, your body will start to take on some of the characteristics of a dragon. The more you grow stronger, the more you'll change.)
"Is that really true?" he asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.
From what he knew, a summoner had to reach the 3rd level of unification with their beast before gaining any real physical enhancements.
Even then, it wasn't permanent. The boost could only be used when the beast was physically present.
(Yes, and you shouldn't find it strange. Our pact is based on equality. You can feel it too,)
Kash nodded slowly. Deep down, he knew she was telling the truth.
Neither of them was forced to obey the other.
With her suggestion, he went along and waited inside his cage.
Soon, they reached a tall gate surrounded by stone walls about twenty feet high.
A platform stretched along the top, with guards patrolling with lanterns in hand.
CREAK.
The metal gate lifted, opening a way.
Kash watched as more guards in blue uniforms gathered at the entrance.
Two of them grabbed him and carried him inside without even checking on him.
It seemed they didn't care whether he lived or died.
They descended a set of stone stairs, the air growing colder with every step.
At the bottom, they threw him into a stone cell.
The bed was nothing more than a pile of dry hay—the ones use to fed horses.
Inside, the stench of urine and dried feces filled the air.
Just being in this place was torture. This was no place for anyone to live. Even for criminals.
The heat and the stagnant air made the smell even worse.
If he didn't die from bleeding out, he would probably end up succumbing to some lung disease or virus, as he was certain the place was teeming with every illness imaginable.
"It reeks," he pinched his nose before throwing up again.
His family might have fallen from wealth, but he never gone through anything like this.
"Kash..." a voice called out, snapping him back to his senses. It came from the next cell.
"Mother!" He pressed against the moist wall. "Mother, are you there?"
"Oh, good heavens. Yes, I'm here," she cried out.
"Kash, my son... are you alright?" This time, a deeper voice answered. It was his father; Kaden Dragmir.
"Big Brother Kash! I'm here too," a small voice called out.
It was his beloved little sister who was only fourteen years old, Keisha. She wasn't spared either.
"To hell with the Imperial Family. Why are they doing this to us?" Kash punched the wall in frustration.
"Son, we've been framed," Kaden's voice echoed. "And I know who's behind this."
Kash stood motionless, his thoughts a tangled mess. "Father, what do you mean? Please, explain."
"It's the house of Derami," Kaden voice came out strained.
"They gave your uncle a job as a personal guard to one of the royal children. That prince was assassinated, and now they're blaming him... and us, for conspiring against the empire. They even planted evidence in our home."
'SERA!' Kash shouted in his mind.
'YOU LIED TO ME!'
(Did I? I only said it might've been the gods and goddesses. I never said I was sure.)
'You...' Before he could finish, she spoke again.
(Your anger is pointed at the wrong place. Regardless of the reason, you and your family are still in a very dangerous situation. You need one of my artifacts to escape.)
Kash was lost for words because she was right.
'I hate you. You're a manipulative woman.'
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
(I only learned from the best. Your ancestor started all of this... he—)
'I'm not him!' Kash snapped. 'Why should I suffer for his mistakes?'
This time, Sera didn't respond. She realized her judgment were clouded by her old resentment.
Unfortunately, he resembled him too much.
The face, the voice, the white hair, even the shape of those blue eyes that mirrored the ocean under the clear afternoon sky.
It didn't help that Kash was the spitting image of him.