The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

A place even the Undead wouldn't want to go, a world of Despair that was about to be completely drained of its last bit of Magic Power.

"Yes, they are the same spatial coordinates, but not the same plane. Just as each of us has different destinies, worlds, as planes, also have different destinies," she said. "In theory, we cannot step into the same river of fate. However, in that azure age, my ancestor, Alexandra, changed that world's course of fate with her own strength, splitting it in two. Yet, that world, woven from the Emerald Dream, can only be entered by a Fate Weaver."

Fate Weaver? For David, this was getting out of his depth, and it seemed somewhat inconceivable to him.

A Dragon was capable of altering an entire plane's destiny! Even if it was crafted from dreams, it still set David's heart racing.

"That refers to those who have broken the surface of the river of fate at least once—it's not as miraculous as it seems," she continued. "Every Legendary Destined One has, in essence, purposefully or unconsciously, come into contact with their own trajectory of fate at least once. However, the vast majority, upon falling back into the river of fate, still cannot change its course. It's not a difficult condition to meet, especially for you."

"Is there something special about me?" David asked.

"I sense a residue of 'dreams' within you," she replied.

This time, David chose to remain silent; the unfamiliar knowledge was overwhelming.

Her words reminded him of that bizarre dream he had experienced while in deep slumber.

But shouldn't every creature have dreams?

He heard her continue, "Dreams are a key, just like my travel to other worlds. Dreams can be used to explore and journey to different planes. They can also be used to influence individuals, or even for Nightmares or some Demons to torment or manipulate individuals through them."

"But what many creatures don't know is that the greatest use of dreams can actually be as a method to foretell the future."

"Gods or other supernatural forces might use dreams to send prophetic visions to their followers or chosen individuals. However, these are often abstract and symbolic, needing interpretation to understand their meaning."

David suddenly became wary but then remembered that he was no follower of any deity. Could it be Tiamat?!

"But more often," she went on, "it is after you have come into contact with and mastered a certain power that you begin to be influenced by the essence of that power. When a future scene is projected upon it, it will reflect a distorted Mirror Image. Spying on and interpreting such dreams often inadvertently changes one's trajectory of fate."

"Even if it is unintentional, they still changed their fate. My ancestor called them... Those Who Touch Fate."

"But it's hard to say whether such change is good or bad, so everyone who is aware of this method tries their best to work towards what they believe to be the better side."

"Therefore, some of them also call themselves Fate Weavers."

"But only after understanding how vast the currents of time are will one realize how ridiculous the so-called weaving of fate is."

"But being able to change is somewhat more enticing to a Dragon's heart than realizing the tragedy and still being unable to change the predetermined outcome, isn't it?"

David took a deep breath and agreed,

"Indeed it is."

"So, may I take it that you have agreed to this deal?"

"Yes, the reward you're offering is enough to entice me. I'd just like to know, how can I 'interpret dreams' like you do?"

The old Dragon answered, "Very well, then this deal is concluded. This dream is about to end, and the Emerald Dream I left for my daughter Shadila is also about to awaken."

"At that time, you can take the 'Heart of Emerald' I've left behind. If you sleep holding it, you will be able to remain lucid in the dream and sustain its existence."

"And then, how to interpret it will entirely depend on... your own will..."

"My daughters... I entrust... to you..."

With Serubelia's gradually fading words, the Illusion of the mother Dragon before him and the entire Emerald Dream also began to disintegrate.

Soon, with a sensation akin to waking from general anesthesia after an endoscopic procedure, David gradually became aware of his body. The sound of desperate crying beside his ear grew louder:

"Mom! Mom, please don't leave me."

"Mom, don't you want me anymore?"

"WAHHHHH!"

As David was woken by this crying, a sound as desolate as a crow cawing over withered vines and ancient trees, he glanced over. The World Tree sapling, which had once soared into the sky like a city amidst the clouds, had completely withered away during his 'single dream.'

All the galloping herds of livestock, the wolves, tigers, and leopards controlled by the Green Dragons, the Druids, and those Green Dragons themselves had all vanished with the wind.

Only the young female Green Dragon remained, who perhaps knew she was lingering in the dream but still refused to wake up.

Shadila.

Although he had made a deal with the mother Dragon to look after this 'little female Dragon' who was several sizes larger than him, David wasn't very skilled at soothing young Dragons, especially a female.

David immediately headed for the brilliant 'Heart of Emerald' that was falling from the withered World Tree, emitting an extremely potent aura of life.

This was a treasure. He had no doubt that if his father were to refine it with Alchemy, it could become a legendary Magical Artifact. Combined with the healing abilities of his Stone of Regeneration and his Authority, Gluttony, could he transform into a completely 'immortal' Monster?

Greed.

But heaven knows if, after that, this thing would still have the ability to interfere with dreams, so he immediately gave up on this tempting fantasy.

However, just as David was about to happily wag his tail and receive one of the 'rewards' the mother Dragon had advanced to him, he suddenly felt a vicious gust of wind rushing at him, accompanied by Shadila's heart-wrenching roar,

"Get your claws off it! That's what Mother used to contact me!"

"It's mine!"

"ARGGHH!!"

THUMP! David was immediately tackled to the ground by an Evil Dragon a size larger than himself. It felt as if one side of his head had been completely enveloped.

A moment later, intense pain shot through him.

"AHHH!!"

"Let go! Let go of me!" David, like a large orange cat suddenly pounced upon and pinned to the ground, being relentlessly bitten, began to wrestle with her on the floor.

Quite undignified.

"Stop it! Shadila! Are your scales itching again? He's my... my friend!"

For a moment, Nifadora, the elder sister, was dumbfounded as she watched the two Dragons wrestling.

Shadila, who had been doted on by her mother since she was young, became even more enraged:

"You... you're still siding with an outsider Dragon! WAHHHH!"

"Mother, look! You just left, and now Sister is helping other male Dragons steal your inheritance!"

"Shadila's fate!"

"Is just too tragic!"

"WAHHHHH!!"

The young female Dragon bit down even harder.