Ficool

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The Sealed Dragon in the Cave

For what felt like hours, Luminus Aether sloshed around the cavern, experimenting with his new body. He discovered he could bounce if he compressed himself like a spring, though the landings left him wobbling uncontrollably. He learned he could "see" without eyes, sensing his surroundings through vibrations and magic particles floating in the air.

It was strange, foreign, yet exhilarating.

Still, one problem gnawed at him.

"…Am I just going to ooze around forever? I can't stay in a cave my whole life."

The Ethereal Guide answered immediately, as it always did.

"Surroundings: Sealed Cave. Designated as a forbidden zone by local inhabitants."

"Forbidden zone, huh? Guess that means there are monsters lurking around." Luminus muttered. "Well, I am a monster now, but still."

He continued rolling deeper, drawn by an odd presence he couldn't explain. The air grew heavier, almost oppressive. A faint pressure pressed against his gelatinous body, making him instinctively want to retreat.

But curiosity won.

At the center of the cavern lay something colossal. Chains of glowing light crisscrossed the floor and ceiling, binding an immense shadow. The moment Luminus realized what it was, his entire body trembled.

A dragon.

Its scales glimmered like obsidian, vast wings folded against its body. Despite being bound, its presence radiated raw, suffocating power. Its eyes—sharp, golden, and impossibly ancient—shifted to focus on the tiny blob daring to approach.

"W-whoa…" Luminus stammered. "That's… one big lizard."

The dragon's lips curled, revealing jagged fangs. Its voice rumbled like thunder, echoing through the cave.

"Who dares disturb my prison?"

Luminus froze. His entire being screamed at him to flee. Yet the absurdity of the situation overpowered his fear. He had been reborn as a slime, and now he was staring down a legendary beast. Could his life get any weirder?

The Ethereal Guide chimed in, calm as ever.

"Entity Identified: Drakion Zephyros, the Tempest Dragon. Catastrophe-class monster."

"Catastrophe-class?!" Luminus squeaked. "That sounds bad!"

The dragon—Drakion—narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. So even a mere slime knows fear. Good. Tremble before me."

"I'm trembling alright!" Luminus blurted. "But, uh… if you're so powerful, why are you chained up like a Christmas decoration?"

The cave fell silent.

Drakion blinked once, then let out a booming laugh that shook the stone walls. "You dare mock me, little slime? Interesting. It has been centuries since anyone has spoken to me without groveling."

Luminus gulped. "Well, uh… sorry? I didn't mean to be rude. Just… curious."

"Curiosity, is it? Then I shall humor you. I, Drakion Zephyros, was sealed here three hundred years ago by a hero wielding divine magic. My power was deemed too dangerous for this world."

Three hundred years… sealed away, feared and forgotten. Even through his fear, Luminus felt a twinge of pity.

"Must be lonely," he muttered.

The dragon tilted his head. "…Lonely?"

"Yeah. Being locked up all this time, no one to talk to. If it were me, I'd go insane."

For a moment, the cavern was silent again. Then Drakion rumbled softly, a sound not quite like laughter, not quite like a growl.

"You are… peculiar, slime. Most would flee or beg for their lives. Yet you speak of loneliness."

Luminus puffed up—or rather, wobbled proudly. "Well, what can I say? I used to be human. Guess I still think like one."

"Human, you say?" Drakion's eyes gleamed with interest. "Fascinating. Perhaps fate brought you here."

Luminus hesitated. "…So, uh, what happens now? You're not gonna eat me, right?"

The dragon scoffed. "Eat you? You would not even make a morsel. No… I find you amusing. I shall give you a name, slime."

"Wait, hold on!" Luminus shouted. "You can't just—oh, wait. Actually, I already have one. Luminus Aether. Pretty cool, right?"

Drakion stared, then let out a low chuckle. "Hmph. Then let us form a pact, Luminus Aether. You will be my first companion in centuries. In return, I shall lend you my strength."

The words sent a shiver through Luminus. "A pact? With a dragon? Is that even allowed?"

The Ethereal Guide's calm voice echoed in his mind.

"Proposal detected: Soul Pact. Risk: Minimal. Benefit: Enormous."

"…Enormous, huh?" Luminus muttered. Then, with all the bravery he could muster, he bounced forward. "Alright, Drakion Zephyros. Let's do this."

The dragon's eyes blazed. "Then it is settled!"

The chains rattled violently as glowing light surged between slime and dragon. Luminus felt heat, pressure, and power flood into him, not burning but invigorating.

"New Title Acquired: Partner of the Tempest Dragon"

"Unique Skill: Storm's Blessing obtained"

Luminus wobbled, dizzy with energy. "Whoa… I feel… amazing!"

Drakion grinned, for the first time in centuries looking almost… free.

"Good. From this day forth, you are not just a slime. You are my equal, my friend. Together, we shall shake the world once more."

Luminus laughed nervously. "Heh… no pressure, right?"

And thus, in the depths of the sealed cave, a ridiculous yet legendary partnership was born—between the weakest monster of all and one of the greatest beings the world had ever known.

More Chapters