bookpower Chapter 39 The Lake of Mana.
Chapter 39 The Lake of Mana.
Kael slowly opened his eyes, feeling a sensation of lightness he hadn't expected, almost as if he were floating. The last thing he remembered was collapsing exhausted onto the ground, but now a warm, wet feeling was touching his face. He blinked, confused, and tried to move, but his energy was still low, his muscles heavy with fatigue.
"What...?" he murmured, trying to orient himself, but before he could complete the thought, a warm, sticky tongue touched his skin again, and he turned his head, seeing the same creature he had encountered earlier – the small creature that had helped heal the wound on his arm.
It was there, with its bright eyes and curious demeanor. Its movements were gentle, almost as if it were trying to wake him up in a caring way, like an animal trying to rouse its owner.
Kael looked at it with a surprised expression, still a bit dazed. "You... are you waking me up?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
The creature nodded with a small movement, its eyes focused and attentive on him. It seemed to have been taking care of him while he was unconscious, as if it had stayed there, waiting for him to wake up. Kael fell silent for a moment, trying to understand the situation. How had this creature found him here? And why was it being so... careful?
He sat up slowly, feeling a bit of residual pain in his muscles, but his arm wound was already completely healed, much faster than he would have expected. He looked at the creature and then realized: it wasn't just some ordinary hunter. It seemed to have a special connection to the surrounding environment, perhaps even more intelligent than he initially assumed.
"You helped heal my wound... What are you?" Kael murmured, more to himself than to the creature.
It didn't respond with words, but with an inquisitive gaze, as if it were waiting for him to understand something deeper. It took a step back, pointing its head toward the darkness of the cave, as if indicating something beyond. Perhaps it was a sign that there was more to this cave than he had imagined, or that it wanted him to follow.
Kael, still a little dizzy, looked around. The place was quiet now, but he knew he couldn't afford to relax for long. The battle with the Queen Spider had drained almost all of his strength, but it seemed that he was still alive, and that, as surprising as it was, meant that survival was still within reach.
"Alright... Alright, I'll follow you then." Kael said, feeling more alert as he got up with effort. He took a quick look around, but the cave was immersed in shadows, the only sound he could hear was the beat of his own heart. "Let's see what you have to show me."
The creature moved ahead, its steps soft and quick, leading Kael deeper into the cave. He felt a strange sensation that, even in this dark and unfamiliar environment, he wasn't entirely alone. Something else was there, something beyond the damp walls and dense webs.
Kael stayed silent, allowing the creature to guide him, knowing that if he wanted answers, he needed to follow. He didn't know what else might be waiting for him, but something told him that this creature, with its instinctive and mysterious behavior, knew exactly where it was taking him.
But then, something even more impressive caught his attention, making his heart leap. In the center of the lake, resting on a small island surrounded by that luminous water, was a magnificent creature.
It was a dragon.
Its body was immense, even in a resting position, with scales that shone a pure white, reflecting the light from the lake and creating a prismatic effect around its form. Its wings were folded, but Kael could see that, when spread, they would be vast enough to cover much of the hall. The dragon's head rested on its forepaws, its eyes closed, but Kael couldn't help but feel an overwhelming aura emanating from the creature. It was as if the very air around it was filled with reverence and raw power.
"A White Dragon..." Kael whispered, unable to believe what he was seeing. He had heard stories of dragons, but seeing one was something reserved for legends. Still, here it was, majestic and terrifying, resting as if it were the guardian of this mana sanctuary.
The small creature beside Kael took a few steps forward, stopping at the edge of the lake. It turned its head toward Kael and made a low sound, almost like a murmur, encouraging him to come closer.
"You've got to be kidding me..." Kael murmured, swallowing hard. He took a few more cautious steps, trying not to make a sound. Every movement seemed to echo throughout the hall, amplified by the almost supernatural silence of the place.
The dragon didn't move. Its breathing was slow and steady, its chest rising and falling like a living mountain. Kael felt his legs tremble slightly as he drew closer. The energy in the air was so intense that it seemed to pass through his skin and bones, almost suffocating him. Even with all the mana he had recovered along the way, he felt tiny, insignificant, in front of that colossal presence.
When he finally stopped, Kael stood at the edge of the lake, watching the dragon with a mixture of fear and fascination. He didn't know if the creature was really asleep or just pretending, waiting for the right moment to attack. Still, he couldn't help but admire its beauty and grandeur.
"If I don't come out of here in pieces, it'll be a miracle..." Kael muttered to himself, his voice low and almost inaudible in the vast hall, while his eyes remained fixed on the immense creature in front of him. He didn't know whether to back away or try to hide, but something about the sight held him in place.
Suddenly, he felt a shiver run down his spine, as if the very air around him had changed. A deep, resonant voice echoed directly into his mind, charged with a power so overwhelming that it made his knees almost buckle.
[You don't look scared, human child.]
Kael froze, his breathing hitching. He raised his eyes slowly, and it was then that he saw the dragon's glowing irises open. Two eyes of a piercing, intense blue, like jewels that contained the sky itself, were now fixed on him.