Arthur and Thanatos both approached the skeleton of the beast. Its mana still lingered in the air. The mana closest to its body was almost suffocative. And Arthur was struggling to keep his breath. While Thanatos was completely fine. The mana was guiding itself towards Arthur.
"Oh my…you remind me of an old friend…"
The voice boomed through the cavern again. Its source was right in front of them. Arthur looked towards Thanatos.
'How is it that this vestige is seeing me? That doesn't make sense it must—'
"A good question…"
Arthur jolted back a bit. Surprised that the echo had invaded his thoughts.
"Dragons. Never truly die, we are beings of mana."
The mana around Arthur swirled and flowed towards him. Creating a cyclone that isolated him from Thanatos. As the mana took shape of a beautiful woman, her hair was as blue as the sky. And her eyes a radiant gold. Wearing a plain white dress that ran down to her feet. Her features were soft. A pair of white horns extruding out of her forehead.
"How handsome…"
Her hand drifted out towards Arthur. He took a step back. Avoiding her touch.
"…how unfortunate the seed of calamity has placed itself in you. Though, I know you'll figure something out…"
"And you are…?"
Arthur remained wary of the woman's movements.
"Hm? Oh. It doesn't matter. All that matters, is that you've disturbed my slumber. You're lucky you look like him though…"
Her hand slipped onto Arthur's forehead. Pressing against it.
"You're too young for this power…so witness this…the burden, of a thousand years of life…"
Draconic mana coalesced around her hand and Arthur was lights out in an instant. His mind went completely blank. And then it was rushing full of a thousand years of memory. Memories that he hadn't received yet. Memories of a distant future. And he found himself sitting on a rock in a barren wasteland. With a crippled and aged body, in a heavy suit of jet black armor. That had seen its fair share of battles. Surrounding him were blades of millions of men. He was holding an unfamiliar one in his own. It was also jet black. And emanated a mysterious energy.
He managed to push himself off the rock. He had an annoying headache. He was feeling a mixture of so many different emotions at the same time. The transfer of memories had been…rough, for lack of a better word.
'Where…am I…'
His mouth was dry. Like he hadn't drank water in years. Like it had gotten used to being dry. And somehow he was still alive.
'Actually…how am I still alive? Everything is…foggy. For the most part. That damned…dragon. What did she do to me? Is everyone dead? Ugh…'
He noticed a figure coming from the distant, emerging from the dust storms swept up from the wasteland. Wearing a cloak. And a white rapier at their side. Clearly a feminine figure. With a few strands of white hair hanging out of the hood. But, unfortunately, Arthur's old bones could not keep up with the speed of the woman.
"I'm sorry." Her voice carried a soft tone. Despite the blade of her rapier being planted in his chest. Even when she was at quite the distance only moments ago.
Though, he felt a hint of anger in that moment. I'm sorry. That was a phrase he knew simply all too well. Since he was a child.
[Gained attribute: Matrix]
[Gained attribute: Draconic mastery]
[You have gained an abundance of draconic mana. Your dragon body has started its development. This may be painful.]
[Gained attribute: Dragon Eyes]
[Gained attribute: Draconic Strength]
[Gained attribute: Burden of a thousand years]
Thanatos watched silently as the vortex of mana dissipated. The mana in the air was being absorbed into Arthur's back. A single tear ran down the eye of Arthur as he slowly opened his eyes. An odd part of him felt liberated.
[The gods seal has been broken.]
Blue fire started to emanate from his arms. Arthur sighed and gripped it with his own hands until it dissipated. His eyes, although the same blue color. Had more depth to them. Like he could see so much more.
"What…happened?"
Thanatos only smiled slightly.
"You tell me. It's only been a minute."
"Is that so? It felt like…a thousand years."