141 The Promised Hope (1/2)

Elric was following Lesse along. She was tasked by the old grandma landlord to show Elric the different places in the apartment.

Elric was curious as to what happened to Lesse's powers. Not to mention, the latter did not just lose its Dragon powers but its overwhelming pride as well. The Lesse he knew from the past was an overbearing woman.

She was cold, arrogant and a fighter that never backs down no matter her enemies are. But right now, the one standing and guiding Elric throughout the house was like a different woman.

She has a pleasing attitude, a charming voice with a graceful demeanor. Watching her slender, curvy back, Elric could not help but recall the naked skin behind that beautiful figure he has seen in the past.

Not only that she has grown more mature, but she has also become more beautiful and composed - far from the younger Lesse he knew from the past. He was just not sure if the attitude she's showing off right now is the real deal though.

He had to give her credits though as she was indeed fluent even in Bisayan language. The last thing he remembered, this woman was spouting Chinese words during their first meeting. He did not even know what they meant! All he knew was that she was threatening to kill him!

If he was not mistaken, this woman right here is a Chinese Dragon who was once a proud royal Eastern Dragon. She was undergoing a Tribulation of Light in order to ascend which explained her dropping down from the night sky that time.

And according to the records of the World Knowledge, there is supposed to be an estimated one hundred thousand members including its respected Elders. But as Elric traveled across the continent, from Texas up to the small town in Cebu, Philippines, yet, there was not a single sign of the Eastern Dragons at all that used to confidently glide across the Asian skies.

This only confirms what that snobbish boy said in the rooftop. Something happened to the Eastern Dragons and Elric seems to have great participation over it since it all started ever since the catastrophic event ten years ago.

And if ever Elric has something to do about it, he is inclined to do what he can to protect the last remaining Eastern Dragons and possibly revive them back. Right now, there was just too much in Elric's plate and finding his granma's soul is his first priority.

\”And this right here is your room as grandma instructed. Are there any questions you wanted to ask?\” Lesse words suddenly interrupted Elric's train of thought and innocently looked at the woman before him who was staring intently at Elric with a curious gaze.

Knowing grandma's landlord's true identity, Lesse was not stupid enough to their pathetic excuse. She trusted her instinct and strongly believes that the man before her is not as stupid and weak as he looks. The man could be another Spiritual or a special agent sent by the Guardians perhaps. Either still, she decided to play along and investigate through the sides.

\”Uhmm. Nothing more. Thank you for guiding me all along.\” Elric sheepishly replied.

\”Not a problem. And in case you got more questions, don't hesitate to ask grandma, and in case she's not present since she usually leaves without telling us, you can just inquire at me. My room is just right here on the opposite door.\” Lesse said with a hospitable smile while pointing her finger at the door just behind her.

\”Got it. Thank you.\” Elric said as he opened his room's door and went in.

Lesse, on the other hand, remained standing before Elric's room. From a refreshing and cheerful smile, her face suddenly shifted to her usual serious and cold look.

\”No matter if you are just another outsider or Dragon hunter who just wanted to investigate us, then I am afraid to say that you are just wasting your time. You will never be able to figure us out.\” She muttered silently and turned around to enter her room. Her duty as an assistant apartment manager is done.

***

Settling down on his now own rented room, Elric was staring at the window that was overlooking at the tall building from the distance. His goofy mode is now gone and he was back to his cold eyes and a domineering aura.

\”So how do I start? How do we get to the Realm of Darkness?\” Elric suddenly said.

\”Not bad, you managed to detect my presence right away. I must say, I am incredibly impressed by how fast you have adapted to your new soul powers.\” Kahayag, who was in her ethereal form came out of the wall like a ghost and landed beside Elric.

Elric ignored her praises though and waited for the answers that he was expecting. Noticing Elric's quite yet cold stare, Kahayag could not help but just answer him right away.

\”Well, you see, we really do not need to go anywhere to reach the Realm of Darkness. We just have to wait for the next lunar eclipse when the realm gate open's to their dimension.\” She explained as her ethereal figures look up to gaze at the faint glow of the moon in the sky.