18 Aftermath

"Wake. The. Fuck. Up!"

Lying down on the ground peacefully, I had not expected those words. Nor the powerful kicks that followed each of them. I had not been dreaming, per se, but I was somewhat aware of my condition even while I slept.

I could feel my body piecing itself back together, slowly but surely. My low reserves making it take all the longer. Leaving me asleep for what felt like several days until the process finally finished, at least, on the inside.

The outside was a different story entirely. Ddraig's flames had done so much damage that it would probably take a month to heal with the power I currently possessed. But it seems, my last opponent would not wait that long. Henceforth, the kicks.

Jolting awake, my three serpentine necks pulled my heads in the direction of the small humanoid standing on my chest. A man, it seemed, who possesses long red hair and bright emerald eyes. Ddraig, in his human form, I realized.

"Really? Get off my chest. Now." I demanded. A gleam of rage in my eyes. I don't like being awoken, it seems. Especially not like that.

Gaining a smirk, Ddraig raised his hands in surrender. "So, even alien dragons don't like being disturbed in their slumber. I can understand. But I must admit, it's quite funny when I am not the one subjected to it." he gave a hearty chuckle as he jumped back. Landing on a large rock.

Painfully pulling myself off the earth, I stood up and took in my new height. I had grown quite a bit from this fight. Now towering far over 200ms, with my physical strength ascending into the realm of the heavenly dragons, most likely. I only really have Ddraig to compare to.

Who I eyed with my third head, before asking the only question that mattered. "Why did you leave me alive, Ddraig?" It didn't make sense. He should have killed me, even if I impressed him. But now, I have a chance to surpass him once again, if he lets me go. Making this action foolish.

"Why not? I said it before, you have quite a bit of potential. Just in this fight, you surpassed your limits like it was nothing and actually put up a fight against me, the Red Dragon Emperor. It would be a waste if that potential was not realized." He explained, an excited look in his eyes.

Which only made me angry. "So what, we become buddy-buddy now? Act like we don't want to kill each other?!" Does he think this is a game? Some drama about how the hero befriends the villain after defeating him?

His response was to burst out into mocking laughter. His expression morphing into a twisted smirk. "Of course not! Don't be a fool, Ghidorah! I have no desire for your friendship or your company! I simply wish to see you reach your peak. To face you at your strongest, only to break you down and completely annihilate you. To show you who is truly better!"

Now, that made more sense. Ddraig is not the same dragon seen in the anime at all. He has not yet been degraded and pacified by his countless human hosts. So, right now, he is truly the Red Dragon of Domination. And this is his idea of domination.

To allow his foes to become as strong as they can, just to show them it was all for nothing. That he alone will stand at the top.

"I see. Very well, then. Next time we meet, I will not disappoint. Nor will I lose again. I swear that upon my soul, Ddraig." I declared.

He laughed once more, this time in amusement. "Hurt your pride, did I? Losing is an experience I have yet to experience myself but I suppose it is quite unsettling. At least, that is how it is for most I come across." he bragged-taunted. Grinning in pride.

Hearing this, I decided to change that. But I must prepare. He will be expecting me to grow exponentially and he will grow stronger as well in return. The only option is to find ways around his abilities, or to counter them. While also gaining new ones that he cannot prepare for.

It was as I thought this that Ddraig gained a bored look and manifested his dragon gate. "Alright, I'm leaving now. I've wasted enough time here already. Just know that we will meet again, Gold Dragon Emperor. And then, we will settle the matter."

Nodding, I voiced my agreement. "Indeed."

Then, without further ado, he left. Leaving me alone in this wasteland of my own creation. But I could stay either. So, I quickly took flight. Ignoring the pain it brought me and used my sense of smell to find a few dozen high-class beings.

That I then devoured and gained the power needed to mend my body. Ending the pain I felt before I manifested my own dragon gate. Using my energy signature to find Hecate and quickly arrive at her location.

Only to find myself standing before what could only be described as a castle. One that bared flags that depicted a large three-headed dragon. Making this place mine. I just don't understand how they built it this fast. How long was I out?

Having sensed my arrival, familiar magic notes appeared before me and morphed into my priest. Who stared at me with emotions akin to relief, surprise, and awe. Before she dropped down to one knee and placed a hand over her heart.

"My king, you have returned. When I had sensed Ddraig's presence... I had feared the worst. I had even prepared to revive you if it had come to that. Thank Chaos it didn't." She sounded scared at the thought. Even though I could never truly die. Only be delayed.

Shifting into my lesser form, I tilted her head up. Allowing me to gaze into her eyes with my own. "There is no need to fear, my priest. We are the fear. Is that not what my religion will be based on?"

Smiling at my words, she rose to her feet. Standing half a foot shorter than me. "I should have known better. You really are something else." Hecate stated in mock exasperation.

Gaining a chuckle from me. "How long was I gone?"

"8 days."

Damn. That's longer than I expected. "Annoying. How did it go on your end?"

Turning to face the large castle that spreads miles long, she answered. "Smoothly. The monsters proved to be quite capable, especially the sphinxes, when designing this place. The rest used magic or their strength to build it and we finished in 3 days. Now I am having them conquer the rest of the continent. Yours?"

That is good to hear. "Roughly. Ddraig kicked my ass and left me alive so that he could do it again later. Though, I did get some insight into mastering Devouring Magic. While also gaining quite a bit of strength." Not that it makes up for the loss.

Turning back to me, Hecate now looked prideful and excited. "Really?! You're saying you actually used it in that fight? And I didn't get to see it!" She bemoaned as she became quite depressed. She really likes magic.

"Don't worry, my dear, you will see it later. I'll need your help mastering it." I said while giving her an amused look.

Causing her to blush and straighten up. Realizing that her mask had slipped. "I would like that..." she whispered. Looking away to hide her face. Cute.

"Good. Now come on. You still need to show me around, right?"

"Right!" Shaking off her embarrassment, she grabbed my hand and teleported us away.