7 Custody battle (1/2)
Part 1
A man was enjoying a cold drink in the middle of a bar. He Was holding a tired expression on his face similar to someone who had not been able to sleep for the last couple of weeks.
He could hear conversations behind him, whispers from people scared of the dragon attacks and praying for the barrier to hold. Some were mentioning how their end was in sight and that maybe they would have to pay for their sins, others were trying to reassure that the barrier would not break and that there was nothing to worry about.
No matter what, the dragons were the only thing on everyone's mind at that moment. As the man was about to order another bottle someone approached him.
”Excuse me sir, the place seems to be pretty full today, you mind if i sit here?”
”Suit yourself...”
The man did not mind the company as long as it wasn't another mouth talking about the bloody dragons. he was sick to death of hearing about dragons everywhere he went.
”Is there anything you recommend from the menu?”
”Beer is always a right answer... Helps you take your mind off your problems...”
”Are there many problems on your mind right now sir?”
”Ha... You don't know the half of it... My boss hired me and my team to help with one of his schemes to make some fast money, but he keeps pushing all the hard work onto us...”
”Your boss doesn't sound very nice...”
”He's just a brat... A kid pretending to be a man by giving orders to those around him...”
”Why do you put up with him?”
”He's a pain in the neck and i want to strangle him every time i see him, but he does know how to use his brain and his plans usually do provide us with more than enough to live by.”
”I see. Money is indeed important after all.”
”Got that right! Listen kid, a bit of advice, if you ever manage to find a big brain that you know can provide good results, even if he annoys the hell out of you, always do your best to hold it in... In the end, his gain will be your gain.”
”I get that... I also have a boss that annoys me from time to time, but he is really good at what he does and does manage to provide me and my teammates a good lifestyle...”
”That's what I'm saying... Just stick to him until you get everything you need, I'm sure you wont regret in the end.”
”Thanks... I'll keep that in mind... By the way, can i ask you something?”
”Sure kid, what's up?”
”Where did your boss put the dragon egg?”
The man froze in the middle of his drinking and his eyes almost jumped out of his head.
”... The what...?”
”You see, i have a really good sense of smell, and not too long ago i could feel the smell of the dragon egg coming from you!”
”Kid you're crazy... I don't know what you're talking about...”
”Ah! Is that so? My mistake then... Just let me check one more time!”
Daren stood up from the chair and changed into his beast form. The man who was drinking beside him started to lose all color from his face and begun to shake without stopping. Daren approached his nose closer to the man's face while trying to make a smile. He was so close that the man could not help but stare directly at his massive teeth.
”Sorry sir... I definitely sense the smell coming from you... Are you really, really, really sure you don't know what I'm talking about?”
Each time Daren said the word ”really” he would open his mouth wider and wider revealing more and more his terrifying fangs.
”I... I... I... ”
”Yes?”
”I... Think i might know...”
Daren made a huge smile trying his best to stay as close to the man's face as possible, to the point were his teeth could almost touch the terrified drinker's eyes.
”Thank you very much!”
Part 2
The group was standing outside a large dark building located in the farthest corner of the village.
”Daren, can you smell it?”
”Yeah, the egg is here.”
”Anything else? Is the mage or his goons anywhere around here?”
”I can sense a few smells guarding the eggs but i don't know which ones are the goons and which one is the mage...”
”You two sure you want to do this alone?”
Gustav asked them the two who were preparing to enter the building.
”It will be ok... Compared to a duo of dragons some thieves looking to make a quick buck should not be a huge problem.”
”What if the mage is in there?”
”Then we deal with him.”
”Maybe we should call a few candidates for backup...”
Gustav seemed really worried but Marceus was feeling more confident than usual.
”It will be fine. Don't worry! You ready partner?”
”Let's do this!”
The two transformed into their usual armored lion combination. Ria seemed a bit surprised.
”You guys are not doing that shinny thing?”
Daren seemed confused.
”Shinny thing...?”
[She's talking about our fusion.]
”Oh that... Marceus said that only last for a short time so we are trying to save for important moments.”
”I see.”
Lilith came closer to the two and whispered a few words towards Daren.
”Daren... Congratulations!”
”... Thanks Lilith!”
[What was that? Are you having a baby or something? Don't tell me... Am i the father?? Daren did you take advantage of me while we were together at night??]
”Yeah yeah whatever... Let's get this over with...”
[Argh!! My cute Daren has grown into a boring rebellious teenager! I want my cute Daren back!! Teasing you is no fun if you don't react!!]
”Who the hell is a teenager...? How old do you think i am...?”
”Good luck you two!”
”Thanks Auren!”
The armored lion entered the building and started to search for the egg.
[Oh... I can feel the egg's smell too now!]
”Really?”
[Yeah! Our fusion must have strengthened our connection! I can feel more of you power now!]
Daren realized that the same was true on his side. If he concentrated he could change Marceus shape by his own will. He started to remember the story about how Lilith got drunk with power and ended up taking complete control over Marceus. He hoped he would not have to go through something like that, there is no way he would be able to handle that kind of power very well.
”Hey! Who are you?”
Someone had seen the two of them! At first he was surprised with the huge monster that had came out of nowhere but then tried to compose himself back and alerted his teammates.
”We're being attacked!! Everyone!! Wake up!!”
Soon others started to gather around Daren. Men who were sleeping a few seconds ago were attracted by the warning and begun to ready their weapons.
[Man... You are a terrible ninja...]
”The heck is a ninja...?”
[Try talking to them... Maye they might understand our situation if we explain politely!]
”Kill him!!”
[Or not... Not is a possibility too...]
The desperate men started to gang up on Daren but with his muscular power and Marceus boosted energy they were barely a challenge.
Daren started to hit each of them with light punches trying his best not to kill anyone by accident. With his speed he moved like a shadow covered in silver across the area.
”What the hell is this thing!!??”
[Oh! Daren he's right! We need to come up with a cool name for ourselves!]
”...”
[I'm thinking of something like ”Silverclaw-man”! or maybe ”Armored lion guy”!]
”You're distracting me, please stop...”