The Journey of a Thief, Dominique Pearce (heavenly.kaos) [ebook smartphone txt] 📗

On Earth in a country called Japan, they’re often called ‘kitsune’, and are dubbed mischievous creatures. However, only some of them can take on the form of a hume. Like I said, Rosie’s special.” He was confused, but I think he understood. I think he was more confused by the fact he just saw a fox transform into a human being. I can’t exactly blame him for that.
After that, Rosie and I started walking towards the woods. A short walk away was her house, and we needed to talk. At first Luneth didn’t follow. I gestured for him to come along.
“Hey, uh, if it’s all right with you, I’ll just stay out here by the river.” he said. I figured he was scared of Rosie. Not that she’s very intimidating in her human form. Actually, she’s quite adorable. She’s got these big eyes and the sweetest smile; it’s nearly impossible to not like her. So what was his problem?
“Well, is there a particular reason you wanna stay outside?” I asked. I was feeling a little bit unusually curious.
At this point, Luneth cleared his throat, like he was going to say something important. “I don’t know about you, but I’m just a little concerned about how many lunatics are gonna be on this trip.” he retorted. With a little laugh, he added, “MY limit is one.” As he said this, he held up one finger. “That goes for how many lunatics are in the same room with me, too. I’d like to stay in one piece, if you don’t mind.”
So, he was scared of us. I figured.
“Fine, do as you wish. I’ll just fill you in later.” I told him. “Just don’t go wandering off, okay? I don’t want to have to go looking for you.” He began walking back to the riverbank. “Hey!” I called. “Promise to stay put?” He raised his hand, signaling to me to just go ahead. Whatever.
I turned to Rosie. “Let’s go.” And with that we were making the short walk to her hut in the woods.
“Hey, what’s up with him?” Rosie asked me as we walked. “It’s not like you to take along someone like him; or anyone at all, for that matter.” It was true, I preferred my own company more than anyone else’s. Whether it was choice or just loneliness, I was almost always by myself. But it got me thinking. Why was I taking him along? He could fight, I knew that much, but I hadn’t seen how well just yet. He’s not the most friendly of people, and doesn’t know very much either. In fact, his chances of being an asset instead of an anchor just dropped. But then again, that day in the woods when we chased Isaaru... I just so readily accepted his offer, even though I had expected otherwise. And at the riverbank; I was mad for sure, furious...! But I couldn’t kill him. I just couldn’t kill him despite all the anger in my soul.
“Hey!” Rosie called. “Hello? Could you get your head out of the clouds? I asked you a question?” I snapped out of it. I laughed a little bit. “Sorry, my mind just tends to wander.” I told her.
“These are things I know all to well, Kitiraa.” she replied. “But seriously, why is he here? It’s very unlike you to trust a stranger with what could be your life.” At this, I laughed. “Rosie, I know what I’m doing-” Sort of, I thought, “-and I can tell you with near certainty that Luneth won’t be a problem. He can fight well enough-” Even though I’ve never actually seen him fight... “-he makes an excellent guide, and besides, he practically begged me to come along.” Even though it was quite the opposite... “Sure, he can be a nuisance, but he’s not really doing any harm, so I just figured, ‘why not?’” Besides, I thought, I could use the company. I know I’m normally on my own, but his is a company I can learn to enjoy.
Rosie smiled. “Well, if you’re sure, I won’t question you’re judgement... but I don’t know, he’s not exactly the sharpest sword in the shed.” At this, we laughed together. “Yeah, I know,” I responded. “But it’s not really his fault he doesn’t know anything. Once I get it through his head, he seems to get it. I just don’t think he’s ever been told.” By the time I had finished my sentence, Rosie’s little house came into view. It wasn’t very big, but it didn’t need to be. Enough to house maybe one or two people, it was no bigger than one room and a bed mat in the corner. It was kind of like a nomadic hut, and could all be picked up and carried away if she ever wanted to move, which was handy, because if I remember right, Rosie never sits still in one place for very long.
“Well, now that we’re here,” She said as she pushed back the curtain that served as the door, “We can get down to business.” We went inside, I took off my black sandals, and sat down on a tatami mat on the floor while Rosie went over to her little bookcase. She ran her finger down through the titles. Her library was most impressive. In truth, she was probably the only person who know more about dragons than me. When I was little (well, little-er), I used to come over all the time, and read her extensive collection of books, all of them with vast knowledge on dragons. Actually, she’s the one who taught me all I know about the extraordinary creatures.
“So, who is this dragon you’re looking for?” she asked. “Do you happen to have a name?” I thought hard. Pyran hadn’t given me a name for the dragon Wyrm. Then again, I shouldn’t’ve expected him to care that much. It’s MY job to learn all about him, after all. Wait, didn’t he say something last we met? I thought back, and remembered; he said a single word: Isaaru.
“Hey, what do you got on ‘Isaaru’?” I asked her. “When we spoke, he said ‘Isaaru’. I assume that to be his name.” She looked through the seemingly endless row of books. I know the bookcase is magicked to hold as many books as she pleases. Even though it’s no bigger than maybe 3 or 4 feet off the ground, but when you look close enough, it’s a collection that would put any library to shame. “Isaaru, Isaaru... no, I don’t think I see anything by that na--” She stopped suddenly. “Wait. I think I’ve heard that name before. Just how old is this dragon?” She asked. I shrugged. “Pyran said he was an elder Wyrm; at least 1000 years old.” I told her. “The battle scars up and down his arms and face proved that much. Why?”
“1000 years old. You’re sure?” she asked again. I nodded. I was a little puzzled, but whatever it is, it’s important. “Oh boy...” At this Rosie sat down. “This is not good...” she sighed and put her hand on her face. “Kitiraa, I think this is a little bit more than a contained incident involving a hungry dragon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kitiraa, Isaaru is the name of an old dragon tamer; he’s mentioned in texts dating back as far as 1000 years old.”
I still didn’t get it. What’s a dead dragon tamer got to do with the Wyrm I’m following?
“Kitiraa, he’s... he’s not just another tamer, he... he tried to destroy the world.”
What did she say?
. . .

“Addramelech, the Wroth... you’re sure that’s the name of the dragon?”
“No, I’m not sure. The tomes say that there were three dragons, Addramelech, Ultima, and Zalera. It doesn’t necessarily say which is which.”
I was running out of time. I needed to leave this place with some solid information, and soon. An hour has already passed, and we’ve poured over dusty old books and still, we have nothing. Rosie, I trust in your knowledge, but Luneth and I need to leave...
“Aha!” she exclaimed. I sighed in relief as I moved towards her. Finally, solid evidence! “What, what did you find?” I asked her, glad to have finally found something.
“Well, it says here that the three dragons were born of three places, Ultima of the water, Addramelech of the storm, and Zalera of the fire.” she read.
“Meaning?” I asked impatiently.
“Meaning, that the dragon your looking for can be narrowed down. What was his coloring again, red?”
I thought back. I nodded. “Yeah, a dull red.”
At this she smiled. “Then your dragon can only be one: Zalera.”
She showed me the book, pages worn but well cared for, and in the center of the page were the dragons. Sure enough, Zalera was colored dull red. The diagram was impressive, it looked just like him.
“So, what does this mean for me?” I asked her.
“Well, we at least know who this dragon is now.” said Rosie. “It’s not much, but it’s a start. The way I see it, this is good news and bad news. The good news is, we know more about him. I think your next move is to find the dragon’s place of birth and work from there. The sooner you can find out his weakness, the better.”
“And the bad news?”
“Well... the bad news is there’s two more dragons you have to worry about...”
WHAT.
“I was not informed that I’d have THREE dragons to take care of. This ‘Zalera’ is more than enough for me to handle right now as it is.” Well... this is definitely irritating... “That stupid Pyran. Always sending me on stupid errands without all of the information...” I took a deep breath. Getting angry now will not help me. Think positive thoughts... positive thoughts... impaling Pyran with a wooden stake... strangling Yunae to death... shaving off all of Shiva’s ‘precious’ long soft hair... hitting Luneth in the head a few times... getting Pyran drunk and shoving him off a cliff... taking on a couple of rounds with some of the best palace guards... Gosh, I really need to hit something right now...
I shook my head. Focus. Breathe... you can do all of those things later. Must find dragon now.
“So... anyways...” Rosie had a scared look on her face. She must’ve seen my horrifying expressions... I guess I do think of some scary stuff. Eh, that’s normal. Moving on now.
“Uh... so, where is this dragon from? Meaning, where should I start?”
She snapped back into reality and began thumbing through the pages of the book. “Hmm... I believe that Zalera’s birth-place is not far from here... Yes, it says here that his egg was crafted from the fires of Mount Rizumu. It’s a volcano about 50 or 60 miles southeast from here, maybe only... five days walking time? Of course, if Lunakai were here, she could just give you guys a ride and you’d be there in a matter of minutes...”
“Rosie, you know I couldn’t take her on a journey like this.” It’s true, that taking her along would make things a lot simpler, and I do miss her very much... but no. I couldn’t take her to Aavia. If she got hurt, I don’t know what I would do.
“I know, I know, you left her behind for her safety and all that. But, you should know she misses you and wishes you’d have taken her.” she replied with a smirk.
“What?” I cried, shocked. “How do you know about that? And what do you know what she’s feeling?” I thought I was the only one who could do that...
She only laughed. “Kitiraa, dear, I think you should know by now that hydras are special. Of course I can sense Lu’s feelings. I’ve always had a