A Dragon's Call

Getting past the barrier, he no longer had the feeling of being watched. Andre finally let himself go and dragged his bloodied body through the dense forest. The earth beneath him seemed to be be spinning, a feeling of lightheadedness.

He clutched his left arm, where the lynx's teeth had sunk, leaving behind a deep-cut wound. His breathing was ragged, each step now more agonizing than the last. Yet he pushed forward, driven by the faint pull of familiarity.

Finally, he was back to the base of the familiar oak tree; his solace. Its ancient roots rose like the welcoming arms of a guardian, providing a natural bed beneath its sprawling canopy. The tree had stood here long before the barriers went up, a silent witness to the changing world, it had witnessed his growth in particular as well - an inanimate companion, some might say - from the powerless weakling he used to be to a victor against an Earl class killing machine.

Andre collapsed against its trunk, letting the coarse bark bite into his back as he slid down to the ground.

He cast a glance at his forearm and to his surprise, he could see the wound had gotten smaller, not too noticeable but he could tell it was in better condition compared to when the lynx had first bitten him. So was the claw graze on his side and the shallow cut on his chest caused by the beast's tail as well. A sense of relief was starting to wash over him, he was already trying to come up with ways of disguising his injuries without anyone's notice and excuses if they did.

The wounds were healing, slowly, yes but healing nonetheless. There was something else - something obvious enough to pry his attention from the injuries he had sustained. A simmering heat stirring within him, unlike anything he'd felt before. It had started with the ember-class badger he had first slain on stepping into the ember class territory, a faint spark of change that had grown with each subsequent encounter. Now, it raged like a storm, consuming him from the inside.

"Kael," Andre murmured, his voice hoarse.

Kael took his time. "You're about to see your true potential," he said, his tone calm and steady.

"What does that even mean?!" Andre grimaced. "Feels like my insides are being torn apart. Is this supposed to happen?"

"It's the next stage. The stage where you actually know what it means to possess the powers of a dragon. Your body is adapting, evolving. You've absorbed enough raw energy to commence the evolution process."

'That explains why I had that feeling when I killed the badger.' Andre thought.

"You could have just told me before nudging me towards enemy territory."

"What fun is there in letting you know everything. What happened to the element of surprise! ... what's life without surprises."

"Oh so now you've got jokes. I thought you were supposed to guide me through..." Andre wanted to retort, to lash out at Kael for his cryptic explanations, but he was unable. The words died on his lips instead as the pain intensified. His muscles seized, his vision blurred, and he lay flat on the forest floor.

The transformation had begun.

***

It started in his core - a burning, twisting sensation that spread outward like wildfire. His bones cracked and reshaped themselves, his muscles tearing and rebuilding with an unnatural speed.

Andre screamed in agony, his voice echoing through the forest. The oak tree seemed to hum in resonance, its branches swaying despite the lack of wind.

Andre's senses sharpened in bursts. The earthy scent of the forest overwhelming, the rustling of leaves like a rumble to his ears. His hands clawing at the dirt as his body rebelled against itself.

"Embrace it, Andre." Kael urged.

Andre gritted his teeth, his body convulsing as the final wave of change coursed through him. Then, as quick sudden as it started, the agony ceased. He lay there, shivering, drenched in his own sweat from head to toe. The world around him seemed to hold its breath.

Slowly, Andre sat up, his back against the tree bark. Struggling to regulate his breathing, his breath coming in shallow gasps.

He flexed his fingers, eyes filled with awe at the strength he felt coursing through them. His wounds, once fresh and raw, had closed, leaving behind the faintest of scars. He touched his forearm where the lynx had bitten; nothing.

"What... what just happened?" Andre asked, his voice steadier now.

"You've just undergone your first major evolution," Kael said. "Your body has finally aligned with the energy you've been absorbing."

Andre stood up in wonder at what he was feeling and seeing. Standing up, the earth seemed farther down than it always had. It would seem he had grown a few inches taller, he couldn't exactly tell. His previously lanky frame wasn't feeling so lanky anymore.

Everything seemed different, better. Deciding to test his current strength, he noticed his movements to be more fluid, his reflexes sharper. He felt connected to the forest, as though it pulsed in time with his heat. The oak tree, his silent witness, seemed almost alive, its energy mingling with his.

But it wasn't just his body that had changed. He glanced at his hands and noticed faint, intricate markings glowing beneath his skin. They pulsed faintly before fading into obscurity.

"What are these?" he asked, holding out his hands.

"I call them 'routes'," Kael explained. "Marks of power. They are connected to your very core and will grow more intricate as you continue to evolve."

"Routes huh, ... How much stronger have I gotten Kael?"

"Listen to your body" Kael replied.

Andre confused, closed his eyes. It was as if he could see right into his inner self. He could feel the flame trying to say something to him.

Opening his eyes, right before him was a levitating book. The book gave off an ancient aura, a part of him.

Before he could question further, the book opened on it's own accord. On the page it opened to was displayed a non-human writing, a writing he could read - to his surprise - even though he had never seen anything like it.

Deciphering the writing, it read;

One percent of your dragon powers unlocked: 1/100

You are officially a Dragonkin.