Author's Preface
The next morning, Ryan woke from a rather sleepless night. His thoughts drifted to the gods, the ridiculous demand they had made of Turux, and why the hell Ryan was so important that his soul needed to be transported to this world in the first place.
Ryan sat on the edge of his bed.
"Meatloaf mad. Meatloaf no get to fight."
Ryan smiled and chuckled to himself before snapping his fingers. His five generals appeared, each taking a seat somewhere in the room.
Ryan looked at Meatloaf. "Why did you want to fight? You would've died."
"Master ignored us."
"I didn't ignore you. I simply used tactics to win an unwinnable fight."
Meatloaf crossed his arms. "Master thinks we are weak."
"I mean... compared to dragons, yeah."
Ryan bent down and rubbed Fido's belly as he looked up at the rest. "Look, y'all, I have watched teammates die before. I watched all of you almost die when we first got here. I will not sacrifice you all. I don't know if it's some weird mechanism that comes with being a shadow that makes you all so willing to rush off and die, but if it is, I intend to destroy that wiring. To me, you are living beings, not just my shadows, but my friends. I do not wish to see you perish over something foolish."
Bubba stood in front of Ryan and turned to the other shadows. "As the first shadow of our Master, and therefore the leader, we should heed his words. Do not throw your lives away carelessly."
"Tch. Leader? Says who?" Veyra stood.
"Yeah, who made you the leader?" Thimble stood on Ryan's head with her hands on her hips.
Bubba looked back at Ryan. "But I am his first shadow, and I am the strongest! Naturally, I am the leader."
"Meatloaf beat big dumb orc's brains out."
Bubba stared at Ryan. Ryan raised his hands. "Uh-huh, leave me out of this."
Bubba turned to the rest of them. "Fine. We will fight, and whoever is the last one standing will be the leader of the shadows. Everyone back to the Shadow Realm."
Ryan shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes upward toward his head. "Thimble, sit this one out, yeah?"
"Hmph. I'll become the leader. You wait and see."
"So be it." Ryan snapped his fingers as his shadows returned to the Shadow Realm. Ryan sat down and opened his system window.
[Mana Reserve: 2850/∞]
[Shadow Dragon Egg: 500 Mana/Day Drain]
"Guess I really haven't meditated since I've been here. I need to. I really want to see Bubba's evolved form, but this fucking egg is draining me."
As Ryan began to meditate, a knock came at his door.
"Of fucking course."
Ryan stood and opened the door. Alyssara and Olar stood smiling.
"Good morning, Kade."
"Call me Ryan. Kade is my adventuring name. You know way more about me than I would've liked, so..."
"Very well, Ryan. Our mothers wish to see you."
Ryan sighed. "Lead the way." He grabbed his bag that had some provisions, his gauntlet and followed the two out.
Ryan made his way into the meeting room of the royal palace. Fyz and Alessia sat at a table. Alessia gestured for Ryan to sit, so he did. Alyssara and Olar sat next to him.
"We want to thank you for everything you have done," Alessia said. "Whether it was intentional or by the will of the gods, either way, you gave us each closure and allowed us to see the dragon we all love one final time."
Fyz slid Ryan's mask across the table. "This is our gift for all you've done."
"Oh. Thank you." Ryan reached over and picked up his mask.
"Go ahead and put it on." Fyz smiled. Ryan put his mask on. "We have added a few enchantments. We strengthened the enchantments that will keep it on your face, and not allow it to be easily dispelled. The other enchantment conceals your mana signature, and can stop others from trying to get a read on your strength."
"Since you value your anonymity, it should help stop those who are trying to detect your mana and strength." Alessia said.
"Damn, so you're saying with this i look like a regular dude?"
"Your mana seems considerably smaller than it is, and your unique mana signature is undetectable."
"People can read mana signatures?"
"The strong ones can, and those with talents to do so."
Ryan took his mask off and sat it on the table. "Thank you so much. I didnt expect you to do this for me."
"Its the least we can do." Fyz smiled.
"So, now the good news is out of the way. He told you, didn't he?"
"He did," Fyz said.
"You all must have your own thoughts and feelings about it. I would hate me if I were you."
"Hate?" Alyssara grabbed Ryan's shoulder. "How could we possibly hate you? You didn't ask the gods for this, and without you, my brother and his mom would still be in the Outlands living as hermits."
"She's right," Olar added. "You've given us something we couldn't give ourselves."
As Olar finished, Tyrus walked into the room. "You also gave us the hard truth. Though I still believe dragons are mighty, maybe every once in a while we can learn from you two-legged, dull creatures."
Ryan laughed and shook his head. "I can learn a few things from you guys as well. You are so trusting based on the words of gods who use you as pawns in a game of universal chess."
Alyssara leaned forward on the table. "They surely guide our paths, but it is our decision to follow them and do what is right in our hearts. I hope you will remember that." Alyssara stood. "With that being said, I'm sure you must be getting back to Elyndor soon."
Ryan nodded. "I should, but before I go, I want to give you guys a prophecy of my own."
"Ohhh." Fyz perked up.
"In a few months, towers are going to descend on this world. They will bring monsters and destruction. You would do well to unite your lands now in preparation."
"Towers?" Tyrus asked.
Ryan looked over at him. "Yes, towers. I don't know much, but I know they're coming, and I figured I owed you all that much truth. That's all I know."
Alessia bowed her head. "We will heed your warning. Alyssara will take you to Elyndor."
"What about Olar?"
"He is the heir to the throne of the dragons, so he has some learning to do."
Ryan tapped Olar on the shoulder. "Sorry, bud. Sounds brutal. If you ever need anything, let me know."
Olar nodded. "Thank you, Ryan. I will do my best to prepare the Dragonlands for the incoming towers. I hope whatever path you are heading down will be fruitful. If you ever need us, we will be here for you. You are the savior and leader of the Shadow Clan. Do not forget that fact."
"Yeah, yeah." Ryan stood and looked at Alyssara. "So, can we go now?"
Alyssara laughed. "Of course."
Alyssara guided Ryan to the massive hole in the wall and the landing pad for dragons. She transformed. Ryan looked back and waved one more time before she bit his collar, tossed him onto her back, and took off.
As they flew over the mountains, leaving the Dragonlands, Ryan was quiet. Finally, Alyssara spoke to break the silence. "What are your plans now?"
"I'm not sure, honestly. Maybe the Demon Continent? I want to see the world before these towers appear and ruin everything."
"The Demon Continent is beautiful. Their people have been oppressed for a very long time, so if you go, please be careful. They aren't the friendliest bunch."
"I will bear that in mind." Ryan looked at the surrounding area beneath him, then looked up. He could see Elyndor off in the distance. "Ummm, Elyndor is that way." Ryan pointed. "Why are we going this way?"
"That's a surprise."
Alyssara flew for another thirty minutes and landed in the middle of a dense forest just southwest of Elyndor. In the middle of the forest sat a tiny cabin with an enormous shed behind it. Thick black smoke rose from a smokestack on top of the shed.
Ryan looked at Alyssara as she landed and transformed. "Please tell me this isn't another prophecy. I'm about fucking fed up with them right now."
Alyssara laughed and nodded her head toward the shed. "It's not, but there's someone I want you to meet. Also, can I see the gauntlet from your bag?"
Ryan reluctantly reached into his bag and handed her his left gauntlet. "Okay, seriously. You gonna tell me what the hell this is about?"
Alyssara led Ryan to the shed and opened the door. As they walked in, heat and smoke billowed out. The figure inside turned and looked at Alyssara.
"Oh my, what a surprise. It's so good to see you!"
"Wonderful to see you too." She reached out with Ryan's gauntlet.
The figure grabbed it and stared at it. He leaned to the side and saw Ryan standing behind her.
"Son of a bitch! What is he doing with you?"
Ryan stared at the man in disbelief, covered his face with his hand, and sighed.
"Fuck me."