The Crooked Spire

“S-so, w-wh-how will w-we kn-know when w-we find wh-what w-we’re looking f-for?” Alison questioned, leaning against John a little.

At that point, he’d realised that Alison had managed to interlace her fingers with his in the minute they had been walking together without him even noticing.

Using his free hand he rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I just expect we’ll know it when we see it? But I’m honestly not entirely sure. It didn’t say anything in the quest to give us any hints, so I think we should just look for things that look out of place or different? This place looks mostly the same everywhere, so I think unique looking things should be what we take notice of, probably?”

“O-okay, w-what a-bout all the dr-dragons a-around?” Alison stuttered motioning towards a group of small lizard-like creatures huddled together on the opposite side of the road.

“I don’t think we have anything to worry about; unless some attack us like those ragged-tooth things from earlier. They seemed to quickly turn tail after I used the
Dragon’s Breath on them though. Oh! I should see if the description changed while I still have Vox as my element,” John said, pulling up the skill again.

Dragon’s Breath

Active
Cost: 20 MP
Cast Time: Instantaneous
Element: Vox
Description:

An incorporeal wave of energy rushes forwards, pulling up to 40MP from any creature in its path, should they generate innate mana.

The liberated mana is dispersed into the environment, where it is possible to cling and be infused into otherwise non-magical living entities, such as plants.

“Oh, that’s interesting. She must have been really low on mana then, though that kinda makes sense with how low her health was. I thought I’d just, like, taken her ability to use magic, that’d probably be way overpowered though for only twenty MP,” John mused.

“D-does that m-mean y-you’d be a-ble to make a m-m-magic tree? L-like, if someone st-stood in f-ront of a tree a-and y-you used t-that on them, t-their m-m-ma-magic would g-go into the tr-tree and make it m-magic?” Alison asked.

“I’m not actually sure, to be honest, and the wording of what it might affect is ambiguous; it says living entities and uses plants as an example so does that mean it affects more than just plants? Could the lost mana go into, say, a fish or something? And what would it do to it?” John wondered.

“M-m-maybe y-you should tr-try it out on something an-an-another time,” Alison suggested.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Right now we should keep looking for this lure thing. I think my Aspect Attunement is about up or I’d have changed my eyes back to being draconic, I don’t really want the eye strain when they turn back normal though. Let’s just keep our eyes peeled,” John said.

After leaving the small square they had been in, they walked in a straight line, keeping their eyes open and looking in every direction. Five minutes passed and everything looked exactly the same, buildings and roads had nothing to distinguish them as being even the faintest bit unique, even the dragons around seemed to be the same and act in the same manner.

Another five minutes passed and they came across another square exactly the same as the one they’d started at. John wondered if they’d somehow looped back around and ended up in the same place, but as he scrutinised the area he spotted a difference: the statue here was unbroken unlike the one from before. If he hadn’t damaged the statue while fighting Celeste, he wouldn’t have been able to spot a single discrepancy.

“Sh-should w-we look a-around here? M-m-maybe the l-lure is a-around h-here,” Alison reasoned.

John scanned the area before looking down at Alison. “I don’t think we’re gonna find it here, I have a feeling that it’s going to be more obvious. Come, let’s keep moving,” John said, guiding Alison onto the next street.

With everything looking the exact same, it felt to John like they weren’t getting anywhere which is when he decided he’d power through the migraine using his draconic eyes in daylight would give him. John squinted as the colours became too much for him once again; the back of his eyes began to strain as they took in the vibrancy of the world. It took a little while, but the pain dulled until it was manageable.

Looking around he noticed movement he hadn’t seen with his human eyes. It wasn’t unexpected but it was still a shock to him just how many dragons were hidden in plain sight. He was half-expecting that maybe his improved vision would magically show him the way to what they were looking for. Instead, he got a headache and could now see lots of dragons clinging to the walls or hidden in overhangs and nooks.

The two moved on, John being extra careful to look wherever he could. Taking in the extra details, he did notice some extremely small differences in the buildings but none were unique in a significant way that would indicate it was what they were looking for. As they continued, John noticed something different down a side street.

John lightly tugged on Alison’s arm directing her in a different direction and the two walked towards it. The thing had a fat stout body like that of a large pig, its thick leathery skin reminded John of an elephant or rhino. The creature had several stone-like protrusions around its body though the biggest focus of the oddity were around the tail it dragged across the floor; John assumed the thing was too thick for the creature to be able to keep it suspended in the air.

At the front of the thing was a large ugly head attached to the body without a neck; around the connection were several more rocky lumps. The creature had small yellow eyes and a large nose. While it looked more like a snout with the way it was pressed against the creature’s face, John couldn’t help but think of a pug. The mouth of this creature seemed reminiscent of a hippo, spanning the thing’s entire skull and thick pointed teeth stuck out from its bottom jaw followed by two large tusks. Its chin was large, robust and sporting more large stone warts, though these ones seemed to be more rounded than those on the rest of the body.

John and Alison could hear the thing’s laboured breathing and grunts which only furthered the link to a pig. If John had the choice of which to be fighting, though, he would choose the pig every time. Luckily for the two, it hadn’t taken notice of them.

John jumped out of his skin as he heard Alison’s panicked whispers, “J-John, w-w-wh-what is th-that thing?”

John rubbed his face before turning to Alison. “I’m not sure, but let’s keep quiet and stay still. I’ll use Observe on it.”

He cast the spell and the window appeared in front of the duo:

Name: Garnok

Family: Dragon | Branch: lesser basilisk
Size: 100cm shoulder height/160cm head-to-tail | Weight: 463 kg | Sex: F
Level: 10

Creature Description:

These hog-like dragons have a diet of mostly Gonchon (a large and thick bamboo-like plant). They use their tails to smash the hard wood-like culm then chomp the entire plant with their thick teeth.

Garnok have exceptionally poor vision but incredible senses of smell. It’s said that a Garnok can even smell the intentions of creatures around them. If you have any ill intentions towards them, you will be on the receiving end of their bludgeon like tail or their sharp tusks.

These creatures often make amazing pets and guard animals. They exhibit very strange behaviours, contrary to their non-territorial nature. When bonded to a master they will protect the owner’s land and property. They are also curiously affectionate and playful.

Personal Description:

It is aware of your presence but doesn’t perceive you as a threat.

Hungry but unable to smell food anywhere close.

John sighed with slight relief. “At least it’s not going to attack us; I think we should be safe slowly walking around it.”

Alison nodded and hugged his arm. The two slowly moved past the creature that followed their general direction but didn’t seem to actually look at them. The thing grunted loudly which made Alison jump and cling to John tighter. Once they’d passed they continued in the same direction.

The Garnok seemed to be the only thing in this direction until John spotted something between buildings, something he hadn’t seen the entire time they had been in this barrier… grass.

Alison spotted what John was looking at and essentially began dragging him towards it. “C-come on, i-it has t-to be here!” Alison beamed.

The two emerged to a large field of green, boarded by cobbled paths; trees and other plants grew in this area but the focus was a building in the centre of the field.

From what John could see, the building seemed to be in the shape of a giant cross, and in the place where the halls converged was a large square tower twice as tall as the rest of the building. Not only that but a large pointed spire reached double the height.

The spire was quite the sight to see. It twisted on itself, but not only that, the entire thing was crooked, bending to one side then the other as it reached up into the sky. Something that he also noticed was the number of dragons around, dragons of different sizes, though none were even close to the blue basilisk he’d been attacked by the week prior.

The largest he spotted was a snake-like creature that lay flat against the grass, almost looking deflated. It had to be over fifteen metres long and was around a metre at its widest. Lucky for them, it seemed none of the dragons were even the least bit interested in them, either lounging around the area or pacing around the building. Though they did spot more than a couple of dragons aggressively attempting to gain entry with no result.

“This has to be the place,” John muttered. The two walked towards the tower, looking in every direction just in case they might have to run. Though the cautiousness was unnecessary, some dragons did seem interested in the two, but surprisingly it was always out of curiosity not aggression.

When they reached the building, they quickened their pace towards a large old wooden door. Pushing down the handle, the door easily opened, though not without a loud groaning creek as the old metal hinges rubbed against each other.

As quickly as they’d opened the door, they slammed it shut after seeing the attention from the surrounding dragons. Once inside though John felt his dick begin to twitch, a smell he barely recognised hit his nose. ’Lani? What? How is she here? Why is she here?’ he thought.

Quickly John moved into the cathedral looking around for the mischievous fae dragon, though to no avail. The scent did begin to get stronger though, and as it did, it began to smell less and less like Lani, but he still struggled trying to stop himself from getting hard.

Eventually, he entered the main worship hall. Pews on either side of him, he quickly walked towards the altar, seeing something on top of it that was out of place. Walking up the couple of steps, he looked down at the object: a metal helmet, though not for a man, this reminded him of horse armour but it was clearly a helmet for a small dragon.

The smell was emanating from this, he could tell that much. Deciding it would be better to not try speculating, John cast Observe.

Guard drake helmet lined with Pheromone laced cloth

(Enchanted item)
This helmet was specially crafted for a loyal guard drake (a lesser drake trained as a mount, as well as a guard animal).

(World Link)
The metal used in this object is uniquely tied to the abandoned city of Hyengar. (32:19 minutes remaining)

Pheromones from John Newman and several strains of synthetic female pheromones have been infused into the cloth within the helmet, causing both male and female dragons to be attracted to the barrier.

(Alchemically Altered)
Alchemy has been used in order to extend the lifetime and boost the pheromones attached to this object (6h32m19s remaining)

John felt a torrent of unease hit him like a ton of bricks and he felt almost frozen. “W-what? W-w-why d-does it s-say y-your name?” Alison questioned, still clinging to John.

“I… uhm, I don’t know…” John struggled before mumbling, “What the fuck!”

BANG BANG CRASH

The door to the cathedral splintered and split as something burst in. Without thinking, John stored the helmet in his inventory and pulled Alison down, hiding them both behind the pedestal.

The sound of heavy breathing came from across the building before Smash two wooden objects collided close to them. It was quiet for a moment but John heard a voice, “Huh, the smell vanished…” A moment passed. “Wait no, they’re just hiding.”

Smash smash smash “Come out, I know you’re hiding, I can smell you!” the voice called.

John motioned for Alison to stay put, knowing the loud sounds of splintering wood were getting closer and closer, as was the voice.

He stood and turned to see four of the pews had been turned into scrap wood and slowly approaching was a girl with blue skin, her face contorted in anger. Long pointed ears protruded from beneath a dark blue bob. Black metal armour covered the girl’s chest and arms while a belt held a strip of cloth which hung down to her knees, finally was a set of thigh-high boots which hugged just a little tight making the flesh of her thighs slightly protrude.

Behind her was a short but thick blue tail which waved side to side as she moved closer; once John was in view, a smile began to form.

“You the big boss then?” she questioned as she pulled back and used her large gauntlet to smash another pew. Her chest piece let out blue light and a small amount of smoke followed coming from what looked like eyes on her chest plate.

“No!” John answered loudly. “I was pulled into this barrier and I’ve just been trying to get out, I swear.”

The girl stopped, and as she did John focused until her name appeared

Kaen Otoshidane

Kindling Flame of the Emperor Dragon
Level 18
RP: -30

She looked at him and cocked her head. As she did she raised an eyebrow and John noticed her RP jump up to twenty. A smile formed on her face as John walked down the stairs with his hands raised. Her eyes figuratively and literally glowed as she looked at him.

“This’ll be so much fun, I can smell you from here, you’re a full-on drake, can we fight? Please?” Kaen asked, almost bouncing with excitement.

“What, no! You’re way too strong for me, I’d die. Plus I need to get out of here,” John argued.

The girl seemed to look annoyed and pulled back before destroying yet another pew. “Don’t bullshit me! You’re hiding all your magic and I can smell you from here. You know, I’m just gonna fight you and you can either fight back or get an ass-kickin’”

John saw her move for a second before she was right in front of him. Somehow he managed to dive to the side, ducking between two pews, and he heard what sounded like stone cracking.

He stood to see a large indentation in the floor which looked exactly like her fist. She turned to him, and he managed to hop over the pew behind him as she destroyed the one in front of him. Her chest began to glow brighter and brighter as she continued following him until he hopped over the last pew.

John essentially ran to the back of the cathedral as far away from Alison as he could, and seeing no other way, he willed his claws into being and used Aspect Attunement thinking maybe if she saw how weak he was, she might stop.

“Fine, I’ll fight but, uhm, take it easy on me, I swear I’m not as strong as you think I am,” John yelled.

The almost animalistic look in Kaen’s eyes at this point seemed to register him accepting her challenge. Time seemed to slow as he saw her, racing towards him in an inhuman way; his heartbeat thundered in his chest and somehow he knew he couldn’t dodge, block or avoid her attack at all. There was no talking her down and she was coming full **** at him.

In no time at all, she was right in front of him, her chest glowing brightly as smoke emanated from it. Her fist came flying towards him, getting closer and closer. ’Fuck, I can’t move. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to get away. She’s going to kill me and I can’t do or say anything to stop it…’ His last thoughts were almost a blur before his vision turned a deep red and he felt his consciousness slipping.

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