SWNOVELS Chapter Facing the Dragon
Eeko tracks down the dragon responsible for the destruction of Star Village followed closely behind by Ijimicko.
“The dragon must have retreated to this pit,” Eeko says.
“That’s what I was just about to say!” Ijimicko lies.
“Yeah right,” Eeko says.
“HEY! HEY DRAGON! WE KNOW YOU DESTROYED A VILLAGE FOR NO REASON!” Ijimicko yells into the pit.
The ground rumbles and the black serpentine dragon arises from the pit.
“WHY HAVE YOU COME, HUMAN?!” the dragon shrieks.
“I’m here too,” Eeko says.
“Eeko,” the dragon says.
It settles down and stares at the two.
“Wait, you know me?” Eeko asks.
“Yes... We met before and I tracked you down to here,” the dragon says.
“STOP STALLING! IT IS TIME TO FIGHT!” Ijimicko yells.
The dragon puffs out a cloud of smoke at Ijimicko causing him to fall over coughing.
“Eeko. It is I, The Monster,” the dragon says.
“NOOOO! NOT YOU AGAIN!” Eeko says.
“I don’t wish to kill you. Just your friend. He’s human. Humans must die,” The Monster says.
“No! He helped me escape slavery!” Eeko says.
“Right, but now he must die,” The Monster says.
“No way!” Eeko says.
He kicks The Monster’s face as hard as he can.
“Ouch! That hurt!” The Monster says.
“You deserved that for saying Ijimicko must die!” Eeko says.
“Hmph. You are strange. I thought you hated him!” The Monster says.
“I did, but he’s my hero now. He saved me!” Eeko says.
“Because your master was going to murder you or feed you to the dragons?” The Monster asks, reading Eeko’s mind.
“Yes,” Eeko says.
“You’re no fun. I want your fear,” The Monster says.
“I’m not giving you any this time,” Eeko says.
“Not even a little?” The Monster asks, “I thrive on fear!”
“Why would I want to be afraid?” Eeko asks.
“I’ll make you afraid!” The Monster says.
Eeko feels pressure on his body and he looks down. That is when he notices that the dragon is wrapping himself around him.
“Do you fear, now? Fear for your life? Fear for the life of Sydon? The true bearer of intelligence?” The Monster asks.
Eeko can’t help but fear a bit.
“How did you know about Sydon?!” Eeko asks.
“Oh, don’t play dumb... I can see him... All over your mind...” The Monster says.
“LET ME GO!” Eeko cries out.
He breaks free from the dragon’s coils using his great strength.
“Awww... We were having fun...” The Monster says, “I wish I could eat your friend, but I have to get back to teaching my apprentice...”
“You have an apprentice?! Who would be dumb enough to gain training from you?!” Eeko asks.
Ijimicko is still coughing.
“You know him... You worried about him... Pete Brian is alive,” The Monster says.
The Monster rises high into the sky, breaking some of the clouds open. Rain pours down and he returns to the pit in the ground.
“That was anticlimactic...” Ijimicko says, “No fight?!”
“Pete’s alive... How?!” Eeko asks.
“Didn’t Luka or Fraizer say something about how you’d think they’re dead and they come back alive somehow?” Ijimicko asks between coughs.
“Oh... But... They ripped him to pieces...” Eeko says.
“And he’s going to be evil again because that dragon is teaching him...” Ijimicko rasps.
“Looks like Snyvolon is in danger again...” Eeko says.
“Stick around too long and someone is bound to report you and you’ll go back to your master to be slaughtered...” Ijimicko says.
“Then... Who will protect Snyvolon?” Eeko asks.
“I can,” Ijimicko says.
“On your own? I doubt it!” Eeko says.
“ARE YOU DOUBTING MY ABILITIES?!” Ijimicko asks.
“Yeah, why?” Eeko asks, “Plus, I thought you hated being alone...”
“I’d let you help me, but you’d get captured,” Ijimicko says.
“I can come up with a disguise,” Eeko says.
“Yeah, but you’re the only Wolf Boy who looks like a skunk. That’s so obvious!” Ijimicko says.
“Well... Maybe I can disguise myself as a badger,” Eeko suggests.
“A large badger with a long tail and long ears?! No. That won’t work,” Ijimicko says.
“Could work,” Eeko says.
“Fine... Let’s get Sydon,” Ijimicko says.
The two walk back to Star Village to retrieve Sydon. Upon arriving, Eeko instantly found the woman he had handed Sydon to.
“Excuse me, ma’am, may I have my baby back now?” Eeko asks.
“Of course. He wasn’t a bother, by the way,” the lady says.
“Thank you for protecting him. Please tell nobody I was here,” Eeko says.
“I owe you that. You saved the survivors of the fire...” the lady says.
“Do you know how some of these people who weren’t burned died?” Ijimicko asks.
“Magic... There was a boy with a wand and he killed these people with the help of that dragon!” the lady says.
“Must be Pete,” Eeko says.
“Stay safe!” Ijimicko says.
He tosses a few coins to the lady to pay her before they quickly exit the burned village.
“It’s been nice traveling with you again, human-face,” Eeko says, jokingly.
“I still hate you, Eeko. I just needed to do this for you so that I’d stop feeling guilty and stop having nightmares,” Ijimicko says.
“Call me if you need me. I’m now going to be known as... The Badger!” Eeko says.
“Where will you get a disguise from?” Ijimicko asks.
“God will provide for me,” Eeko says.
“Still crazy. Okay. Bye Wolf-Face!” Ijimicko says, turning to leave.
“Iji. Do not fear being alone. Take Kid with you if you need support,” Eeko says.
“Wait... His name is actually Kid?” Ijimicko asks, blushing.
The wolf plushie from before is still tucked into his pocket.
“Yep,” Eeko says.
Sydon coos at Ijimicko and waves goodbye as he leaves.
“I’m going to teach you how to talk, how to walk, everything. It’s just you and I, Sydon... Until Ijimicko calls us to fight,” Eeko says.
With that, Eeko sets about creating a home for him and the baby in a well-protected cave in the mountains. Now all that is left to do is await the coming of the Legendary Wolf Girl.
The End