Chapter 92: Roar of the Dragon (1/2)
With the sharp claw on her left hand's index finger, Granny pricked the skin on her right hand making a tiny opening to the flesh between two scales.
Gritting her teeth, she sternly looked at her golden scaled right hand as her dark red blood streamed down on his left hand and finally dropped into the multi-colored syrupy liquid in the cauldron.
As the first droplet of blood vanished in the liquid, she pulled her hands away from the cauldron. The liquid immediately entered into a heated chemical reaction. Foam quickly formed on the surface, while also large silver bubbles formed and burst apart.
Seeing this, Granny closed her eyes and slowly and deeply exhaled. Her draconic aura soon receded, while her scales returned to her previously wrinkly skin. Only a tiny bruise could be seen in the middle of her right hand, a reminder of the act.
Opening her eyes, the golden luster was no longer there. She tiredly looked at Number 3, and as her trademark gentle smile resurfaced, she ruggedly spoke.
”Hah… it should be done. Keep injecting your energy until the foam dissipates from the surface, then it should be finished. I need to sit down for a bit…”
There was no need for a verbal response, Number 3 slightly nodded her head, and continued radiating the heat from her hands.
Granny sluggishly made her way back to her chair and poured a fresh cup of tea from the kettle that was seemingly always on the coffee table. She silently sipped from it and watched as Number 3 completed the finishing touches on the concoction.
Several minutes passed like this until Number 3 finally pulled her hands away as the light faded from them.
She smiled as she looked at the finished liquid, then following the elder alchemist's example, she also walked back to her chair and poured herself a fresh cup.
”The fire.” was the only word she spoke.
”Oh right, let me fix that.” Granny replied, and with a single clap, the purple flames changed returning to their original orange color. Immediately, they could feel the warmth from it.
Returning to her resting pose, she continued to gaze at the flames.
”Honestly, I don't know if I can repeat this in the next few decades. It really takes its toll on my weary bones.” she let out a tired sigh.
”Oh, don't complain. Even if you were in a much worse state, you would still do it without any hesitation, if it meant you could save Aiden or Lily. Instead, tell me: how long before we could give the elixir to Aiden and wake him up?” Number 3 asked.
”It should be ready before dinner time. It needs a couple of hours to cool down, and then we should be ready. I assume you already have a vial ready.” Granny responded while she continued to rest and sip from her cup.
”Hmmm. We're nearly done. I never thought I would see the famous elixir rumored to even be able to bring back the dead…” She sipped from her tea, and as she continued to gaze at the flames, she remembered the event a few nights ago. Number 3 looked at Granny as she spoke.
”Still, the words of that apparition… What do you think could it mean? Strengthen his soul?”
”Hard to say,” Granny thoughtfully replied ”there are still many questions about that kid. Like how can he be a dragon while born in a human form? Also, his powers… Don't you think it's strange? He is so young, yet so feral, so wild. The ghost, or apparition or whatever that woman was is just another layer on the mysteries surrounding him.”
”True. The fact that the Grandmaster noticed and even ordered to keep an eye on him…” Number 3 seconded Granny's thoughts.
”Anyways, let's just enjoy this nice cup of tea, and rest up before we bring the drink to him.” Granny answered.
They enjoyed their cups while they gazed at the fire and thought about the night where Aiden would finally wake up from his long slumber. Hopefully, they would finally get some answers to some of their most burning questions.
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Inside the void where the golden flame continued its metaphorical battle of survival against this monstrous enemy, the white ball that kept up his relentless guard, softly spoke.
[Not that much now Aiden…. Not much…]
As if understanding its words, the golden flame flickered. The seed that this flame continued to protect, was now clearly visible. Both the white ball and the flame knew that soon, it will be able to leave, and return where it belongs.
Suddenly, a girl's hollow and faint cry could be heard echoing across the void. How could it traverse if this place was truly devoid of any medium, would be an excellent question.
Regardless, the faint sound of this familiar-sounding girl's voice kept echoing. As time passed on, this echo started to become louder, clearer.
As the sound eventually reached the only residents of this place, the seed that was sleeping soundly inside the flame started showing signs of activity.