Stop.
Riley’s trembling hand that had been holding the bottle almost opened in surprise.
Because short of wanting to raise his hands in surrender, the relief that suddenly coursed through his body nearly got him going limp and in tears.
But why?
Instincts probably?
His head and heart had been pounding since he considered taking the cork out. And in that mont, he felt a terrible yearning for the golden dragon who was probably huffing and puffing in indignation.
Maybe Kael had gone back.
Or rather, surely he’d gone back, right?
Because, according to Riley’s calculations, he had been here for hours now. And if Kael had stayed to wait for him, then that guy would have missed als and work. And that would not be good for his already cranky dragon.
His head was suddenly filled with tasks, things to do, and other thoughts that definitely had nothing to do with what he was currently facing.
But Riley felt he would go crazy if he didn’t think about his future, as his lungs were already having difficulty breathing when he hadn’t even done anything yet!
His already frayed mind, however, was rattled when the guardian once again spoke.
Human, why are you doing this?
The question admittedly took Riley aback, and a dozen thoughts scrambled through his head. He wanted to understand what was really happening. He wanted to figure out who he was. Maybe even see if he could stay with Kael a little longer.
But if he were being honest, as soone who knew so things were ant to stay buried—like, you know, tombs—the real reason he was here was simple.
"I made a promise to Kael."
"And I really intend to keep it. So more than anything, I have to return to him..." Riley began, his voice tentative at first. Then he continued, sounding as if he had finally made up his mind.
His instincts were telling him not to go through with this, and so if it would be sothing that would go against his original purpose, then he’d rather not drink this admittedly shady thing.
It’d be a sha considering everything, but Riley figured he really couldn’t risk Kael.
That decision comforted him, and he even ended up saying, "Lord Thyrran, about unsealing. I know I’d been adamant about it earlier, and I really apologize for taking up too much of your ti. But if it’s really contrary to my original goals, then maybe there would be no need for it?"
Riley was just hoping he wouldn’t be killed for this disrespect. After all, he felt as though he’d led around a sales representative only to decide not to buy anything in the end.
He felt horrible. But the sinking feeling that ate at him couldn’t be ignored. And as soone who mostly survived by listening to his gut, it would be stupid to ignore it now, especially when he was turning clammy just from holding the vial.
It was just that the relief didn’t even stay for longer than a few seconds because the guardian said:
I understand. But what has been started cannot be stopped.
"!!!"
Say what now?!
Riley’s head whipped up so fast he thought it was going to detach.
"I-I’m sorry, what does that an?" he stamred because that didn’t sound good at all.
Thyrran didn’t answer, and it was only then that the frantic human rembered the issue with answering questions, so he changed his approach.
__
"Then do I really have to drink this?! Are there no other options?!" Riley pointed at the vial with both hands, panic practically leaking from his pores.
Thyrran rely stared at him.
Obviously, that wasn’t comforting.
Riley swallowed and tried other ways to get around this. "Don’t get wrong, my lord, I really appreciate it, and this thing looks pretty, but I really don’t think it’s safe to consu. Y-you know, fragile human stomachs and all that."
Silence.
"I know you can’t talk about it, but if there are other ways where I could at least survive, then even if it’s harder, please lead the way. I am willing to try my luck with that instead. Just not this one!"
Thyrran found it interesting that the human sohow understood the nature of that liquid even without the ability to analyze anything through mana.
And as for another way... ideally, there should not have been any. In fact, the vial was ant only to get to that point faster, because he was adamant about being unsealed.
But while the thod could be different, maybe through natural causes or through being induced, in the end, it would still an the permanent death of his current body and identity.
However, it was as if the universe had aligned for this child, because there was, in fact, one more option. A path that had opened the mont he ended up with that impossible blood sigil.
It was just that, not only was that option uncertain, but it was also dangerous, untested, and could even lead to an outco far worse than drinking the vial. And on top of that, it was not sothing Thyrran ever even thought of doing before.
Would he even succeed if he attempted it?
Did the masters foresee this mont when they entrusted the request to him?
Probably.
But judging by the subject’s face—pale, terrified, and wary of the vial like it was a cursed relic—it seed they would have to do things this way.
Thyrran finally said:
Then show your determination.
A powerful gust of wind erupted out of nowhere. Riley yelped as his feet left the ground and he was blown backward several paces until he landed exactly where Thyrran wanted him.
He scrambled upright, hair sticking out in all directions, one hand shielding his face. "Okay! What do I have to do this ti?"
He did not get an answer.
What he got was movent.
Sudden, deliberate, dizzying movent.
To Riley’s confusion, the enormous serpent had slithered around him in a wide circle. Then Thyrran moved behind him, his massive body coiling with purpose. His head rose high above Riley’s own height, shadow falling over the trembling mortal.
"Huh?" Riley muttered as he stared upward.
Thyrran lowered himself again, gliding down to Riley’s head level, then even lower, before rising once more in a silent, predatory arc.
From any angle, from any perspective, it looked like Thyrran was about to swallow him whole.
The guardians watching from behind the veil froze.
The mortal froze, barely having any ti to inhale.
And for the first ti, Thyrran hissed one word audibly.
"Endure."
Before Riley could do anything more than widen his eyes, Thyrran opened his jaw wider, leaned in, and a single curved fang shot down and pierced straight into Riley’s shoulder.
The world snapped white.
Riley’s scream tore out of him, sharp, instinctive, and startled enough to shake the entire chamber.
For it was then that his first true hurdle began.
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