Amelia the Level Zero Hero

Chapter 128

A figure lay slumbering in the darkness.

It remained still like a boulder— despite having lain idle for a month, it still had yet to move. Dust was now collecting on its crimson scales, masking the dark blotches splashed across its body. And despite looking like a statue with its dull colors, it was actually alive.

He was an Elder Dragon. One of the majestic beasts that once ruled the skies, the earth, and the seas. With scales so vibrant, even the colors of the rainbow were sickly pale in comparison to their scales. But despite his status and statute, he lay there caked in dirt, mud, and blood.

His name was Grat-ra’zun, and he was injured.

He had been known as the Great Rakaarzun. He was the Glorious Terror of Mount Arkais. In the past, he had also been called Igniz’s Arcane Champion, and he had been crowned the King of the Crimson Flame.

To think that he would be reduced to such a state, all because of a human…

His eyes fluttered open and close for a moment. He caught a glimpse of the gray walls of the cavern. He saw the rocks and pebbles lying on the ground. He stared out the mouth of the cavern, seeing the undulating mountaintops stretching out over the horizon.

It had been months since he had first been injured by the [Hero King] Kallistus. And yet, his wounds refused to fade away. He would have died, but he was fortunate enough that he had been saved by Jax the Forsaken Archer.

Grat-ra’zun was grateful to the exiled elf. Unfortunately, even with their combined strength, they wouldn’t have been able to fend off the [Hero King] and his minions. So they fled together. They flew halfway across the continent to seek out Amelia.

But the Elder Dragon hadn’t been able to complete the entire flight. Not with his injuries. So they had to continue on ground— they had to trek across the remaining distance to Windrip. And because of that, they had arrived too late.

They reached the fortress city when it had already been overtaken by the [Hero King]’s forces. And perhaps if Grat-ra’zun had already recovered at that point, they would have been able to intervene once Kallistus Kal was gone. However, the Elder Dragon’s injuries persisted.

He was still hurt, and that was why he remained inert. Even until now.

And that was how he ended up here in the Frozar Mountains. In a futile attempt to track down Amelia, they had come here. But she had already been long gone by the time they arrived.

Grat-ra’zun had wanted to press on— to continue his search for the brown-haired human. However, he had already exerted himself to his limit, and that was when he collapsed here in this cavern. And since then, he hadn’t moved. He had barely even been able to lift his head and speak as Jax looked after him.

But fortune favored the duo for a brief moment. The sky lit up one night as the Void’s essence permeated all throughout Vacuos. And they knew that only one person could have been at the center of such a calamitous event.

Jax left the Elder Dragon alone to pursue this lead. He hoped that he’d be able to find a way to get to Amelia if he followed the trail she had left behind. And Grat-ra’zun agreed that it was a good idea, even if it meant that he was left alone back here in this cavern all by himself.

He waited in the darkness and the solitude for the elf’s return. He remained silent. And he heard the rustling of the wind as a cool breeze washed over the entrance of the cave.

Grat-ra’zun’s eyes cracked open as he raised his head. He saw a bright figure shining in the darkness. He saw the white feathers gently drifting to the ground at his clawed feet. He groaned as he looked up, seeing a familiar figure descending from the sky.

“You’re…?” the Elder Dragon whispered softly. “Guardian Angel Z357?”

Greetings, Great Rakaarzun, the angel said as he landed at the mouth of the cave. He raised a hand, and a lance flashed into existence in his palm.

“What are you—” Grat-ra’zun started.

And Guardian Angel Z357 swung down with his lance. He struck his weapon against the Elder Dragon’s skin as there was a bright light. Grat-ra’zun winced as a searing pain washed over his body, but he caught himself from screaming.

Because it was not an attack. A moment later, the intensity of the light dimmed, and the Elder Dragon was bathed in a comforting warmth.

Dispel Depravity, the angel said as he lowered his lance.

Grat-ra’zun looked down at his crimson scales, watching as the curses marking his body slowly faded away. His wounds remained, but the dark blotches that had prevented him from healing was gone. He blinked, before looking up at the angel.

“It has been a while, oh holy one,” the Elder Dragon said as he bowed his head. “Thank you for curing me from this wretched curse.”

Guardian Angel Z357 nodded mechanically as he lowered his lance. We need to talk.

—--

“I’ll be back soon,” I said as I patted Bucky on the head.

The chicken clucked, shaking her head. She looked upset— well, she looked as upset as a chicken could be. And while I couldn’t understand her words, I knew what she was upset about.

I had only just returned to the restaurant, and now I was heading out again.

“I know, I know.” I smiled softly at her. “But don’t worry, this time Noele will look after you. So don’t worry, alright?”

I drew back, and Noele blinked. The blonde girl had been carrying the chicken, but this was the first she had heard about this arrangement.

“Wait, why me?” she asked with a frown.

“You’re my apprentice, aren’t you? This is your next lesson— keep the chicken well-fed while I’m gone.”

“How is that part of my curriculum? How does that even relate to teaching me anything? This is the first lesson you’ve given me in months and—” the blonde girl started to protest.

And I waved a hand off dismissively. “See you in two days’ time, Noele. Say bye to your parents for me too!”

I started walking away from the restaurant as the blonde girl harrumphed. But Bucky began to whine. And Noele cradled the chicken in a comforting way. I just smiled as I turned away from her.

It was dawn— no, it was before the sun had even begun to rise over the horizon. I could see the fringes of the orange glow lighting up the sky, but the crimson ring of light had yet to show itself to the world. I had already told both Xakor and Harlan about what was happening.

Well, I just told them I had to go and deal with something for a little bit. I didn’t go into too much detail. However, the both of them recognized Jax, so they knew it was something important. And while Arthur knew about the full details, I just reassured him that things would be fine.

Sure, Kallistus Kal was after me, but I wasn’t too worried about that. Firstly, I highly doubted that the [Hero King] would be able to do anything to harm me in any way. And secondly, even if he could, it was not like he knew who I was in the slightest.

From what I’d been told, he was just searching for the one who had opened up the rift back at Mount Arkais. There really was no way to trace me back to that. The only real way for the [Hero King] to track me down was if he was searching for a really amazing restaurant with a chicken for a mascot.

And if he did come, it would be as a customer, not to hunt me down.

Anyways, I was just going to return to Windrip to save Guildmaster Evan. I was certain that he was still alive because he was needed by the [Hero King]. So I could just break him out of his prison or whatever and leave as soon as that was done.

If Kallistus Kal was there too… well, I didn’t actively want to deal with the consequences of killing a literal king, but I would if I had no other choice.

“Are you ready?” I said as I walked up to Jax.

The Forsaken Archer nodded back at me. “I was under the impression that you were the one who was nervous considering how long you were taking to get ready.”

I rolled my eyes and spoke simply. “Just do me a favor, and don’t scream.”

Jax scoffed as he crossed his arms. “Me? Scream? Please, I don’t—”

He blinked as I scooped him right up from under his feet. He stared at me for a moment, completely confused. And then I leapt into the air, shooting through the morning sky as Jax…

Well, he screamed, of course.