Rebirth of a Hero? Ch. 02

So this is chapter 2 and the winner of the three stories that I posted as promised, I will do this story for a bit then go back to The arrival series. This series will be slower paced than Arrival and more focused plot and character development with hopefully more twists and unexpected turns, have a good time and enjoy reading.

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The dragon pulled its head back slightly and studied Nataly, "What do you mean you were 'reborn' here?" the dragon lifted its head to its full majestic height of forty feet.

"I come from another world," Nataly stuttered out as she stared in fright at the massive dragon.

The dragon's gaze switched to the group behind Nataly and spoke to Nataly directly, "I'll ask that you stay silent while I speak with these messengers," the dragon said as they slowly reached forward while Nataly backed up a few feet in panic until the dragon's claw with a caress like gentleness and grasped Nataly and lifted her up close to its head and whispered, "Please do not fear me little one, after I send them off I'll speak with you about what you said I also believe they heard you as well," the dragon said as they deposited Nataly into a small cave like area twenty feet from the ground.

Nataly relaxed slightly and turned around looking surprised as she spotted two large chairs and a medium wooden table in between the chairs, "This looks comfy, wonder if I have anything like that," Nataly said as she remembered about her hidden home, she reached forward slowly and nervously then grabbed at the air and her hand grasped a handle.

As Nataly pulled the door open she saw an ornate bronze door open in front of her while she stepped forward into a large entryway, as Nataly looked around she noticed that there were ten hooks meant for jackets and coats and below them was a three tiered shoe rack that had her other three pairs of shoes upon seeing her shoes she looked up and saw her winter jacket her fall coat and her spring jacket, Nataly looked towards the opening that led towards a hallway with spiral stairs at the end.

As Nataly walked into the hallway she saw an enormous dining room to the left, the table had twenty two chairs along it's four sides one at each end and ten on each side while the outer walls were painted red with various decorations along the cupboards and shelves there were three large paintings each one beautiful and catered to Natalys taste each one represented a period in prehistory.

The first being a scene where a Pterodactyl dove with an open mouth attempting to catch a fish, the second was a portrait like painting of a T-rex unleashing a ferocious roar towards the painter with a jungle scene behind it, the final painting was a scene of a megalodon attacking a large whale like creature from below.

As Nataly turned towards the single large rectangular window revealing a strange jungle with bright blue leaves and deep pink trunks, "Wow they actually gave me the interdimensional windows that's awesome," Nataly said as she stared out the window while slowly walking towards the second exit at the end of the room.

Nataly walked into the hallway from the second entrance and looked into the door a few feet to the right of dining room secondary doorway, as Nataly looked around she marveled at the massive kitchen with a large center island and commercial sized refrigerator, to the far left and a side by side double oven with six elements on top that sat in the center of the ruby red countertop to the right of the stove top was a sink with two taps and three bowls.

Above the center island was a hanging rack for various pots and pans beside the fridge on the wall was a large utensil rack that hung various cooking tools, in the empty space beside the doorway was a butchering area for wild game and meat, to the far right a door that seemingly leads to the dining room but when Nataly entered it turned out to be a large and deep walk in freezer.

Nataly walked out of the kitchen and walked back towards the entryway where she looked into the right doorway and saw a large red gothic style living room with a large red L shaped couch against the back wall with a short but long redwood oval coffee table was placed in front of it, two red victorian chairs were placed in the other corners of the room leaving a large red circular lounge chair on the other side of the table with a short back support facing the couch, on the far back wall behind the lounge was a large fireplace with a small but cheery fire burning away and to the left of the fireplace was a doorway that Nataly started to walk towards.

As she entered the doorway she stopped and stared at the large antique desk in the center of the room with a large office chair and a state of the art computer, Nataly stared in shock at the computer and ran towards it as she sat down and turned on the computer a message popped up that read, "Hello Nataly Anderson and welcome to your new home, on this computer you may do anything and read or watch anything the only thing you cannot do is talk or comment on anything and in no way can you communicate with anyone or anything from your previous world, good luck on your adventures and travels in Amairaedia," the note finished as Nataly looked disappointed until she noticed the computer screen was her normal laptop background after a quick search she discovered that her laptop had been converted into a powerful desktop computer.

Nataly got up and walked out to the hallway and decided to see if the dragon was done talking to the people.

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As the dragon monarch put Nataly down she turned to the group of would be messengers in front of her and in a series of draconic noises the monarch spoke to them, the elf listened intently and turned to his compatriots and repeated the monarch's words, "The monarch said that they could not help with our predicament most solutions they could think of could result in many deaths at the hands of enslaved dragons, as for the interruption they've asked us to keep it from our perspective kingdoms," the elf then looked at the monarch and spoke in draconic to them.

The monarch listened to the elf and sighed the dragon then replied, the elf perked up and repeated their words to the group, "The monarch said that they can send twelve dragons to help, they will only bring down enemy dragons and try to bring them back here or break them out of whatever spell they are under," the elf said as he looked up at the monarch and bowed in respect the others beside him did so as well.

The human stood up and said to the monarch in the general tongue of man, "Thank you your monarch, I hope you live a wonderful life," as the human finished he bowed his head and walked backwards, everyone followed suit as they left the monarch's throne room.

The monarch looked up as twelve dragons crawled out of various entrances and stopped as they lined up in front of the monarch, the large black dragon stepped forward and lowered his head and said in a deep gumbled, "Yes monarch?"

"As you heard from the various races of man there have been dragons captured and or enslaved by the dark horde, I'll ask each pair to start aiding the race of man by either freeing our captured brethren or killing them if they can't be freed, flame dragons I ask that you go aid the southern towns, water dragons I ask that you go aid the northern towns, wind dragons I ask that you go east and keep the horde from passing the mountain ranges, earth dragons I ask that you aid the western towns and keep the hordes sandwyrms from towns and if the wyrms do reach civilizations do you best to keep the death toll to a minimum please," the monarch said to each colored pair of dragons as they lowered their heads in acknowledgement of their request.

The dragon monarch stayed quiet as they thought about the four other dragons, after a few moments they looked up at the two final pair of dragons waiting for their orders, "I ask that the dark dragons go Dracshore river and keep the horde from crossing it from what the wyvern scouts told me they've been searching and studying the currents for a way across so make sure they do not succeed," they said to the pair of black dragons, the dragons lowered their heads in agreement.

They turned their attention to the pair of white dragons and said, "I need you to to go and aid both sides and keep the races of man from warring with the demons and try to turn their attention to the horde and or join forces against the horde, if there is a large scale battle against the horde do your best to aid both demon and races of man," The monarch said as they relaxed and settled onto their stomach while the twelve dragons left to do what was asked of them.

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As Nataly walked towards the door she noticed a peg sticking out of the door, she realised that it was a sliding speakeasy she pulled it back and saw the twelve dragons leaving the cave, she turned her attention to the dragon monarch that was relaxing and looking around, "Strange, where did that human female go," Nataly heard the monarch said as she stood up and looked surprised as Nataly wasn't where she was left.

Nataly took a big breath and opened the door as Nataly came into view of the dragon she nervously stepped forward as the monarch turned and spotted her, "Hello, I was wondering where you went I did not notice your presence at all," the monarch said in shock as they moved their head closer to Nataly.

Nataly froze as the massive dragon head came close she looked up and said with a bit of a stutter, "Sorry your majesty, I was just looking around my home that is hidden in between worlds," Nataly sat down in one of the chairs as she spoke not trusting her legs to keep standing.

"I see, you must be powerful if you can have a dimensional palace," the monarch said as they laid on their belly and kept their head level with Nataly.

"Well I also have two more abilities or gifts that the Administrator gave me," Nataly said as she started to relax in front of the dragon queen.

"What is an ad-min-stray-tore?" The dragon monarch asked looking confused at the name.

"Angels, gods, divine beings that kinda thing," Nataly said as she stood up and walked to the edge of the little cave and looked at the monarch, "May I come down?" Nataly asked the monarch nervously.

"Ah yes, I'm sorry here step onto my hand and I'll bring you down," the monarch said as they stood up and brought a large clawed hand up and waited as Nataly stepped onto it, as the monarch put Nataly down they stood to their full height and asked, "what is your name human female?"

"My name is Nataly, may I ask what your name is?" Nataly responded feeling better about being in the dragon monarch's presence.

"Nataly, that name is interesting I've never heard of it before," the dragon monarch said as they took a formal bow and said, "Well met Nataly, I am Valadraykia Queen of the Northern Dragons," Valadraykia said as she raised from her greetings and layed on her stomach.

"Hello Valadraykia, that is an awesome name and I'm sorry for screaming at you like that earlier I was scared but after talking a bit I know your not mean or evil," Nataly said as she lowered her head in a slight bow.

"That is fine most people assume dragons are destructive and love to eat people still I thank you for saying sorry most don't," Valadraykia said as she slowly laid her head down and faced Nataly, "Is one of your powers an attraction or something similar? Because I find myself attracted to you and I've never found any of the races of man attractive before," Valadraykia said as she gave a suspicious look towards Nataly and shook her head slightly, "Also, how did you come to be in my lair of all places?" She asked Nataly.

"Yes one of my powers is attraction so give me a moment I want to try and alter it ok," Nataly said as she closed her eyes and focused within herself, she imagined that her charismatic powers where similar to a volume level on an old stereo and turned it down to zero, as she did so she heard Valadraykia sigh in relief Nataly opened her eyes and smiled, "There turned it down and as for coming in front of you well that is kinda embarrassing but I asked how many potential partners I had in this world and I was told nine so I asked if I could be sent to the most powerful one that could teach me about this world and about magic control," Nataly said as she blushed.

Valadraykia looked at Nataly in shock and then smiled and laughed lightly, "I see that is very interesting, I wonder if I can teach you anything even tho it would be against what the council of monarchs wants," Valadraykia said as she raised her head and gave a menacing look and said, "Nataly before I do anything more I must explain a pattern we dragons have noticed, every five hundred years a 'hero' is sent to this world to battle the dread lord and each dread lord is born from the previous hero," Valadraykia said as she leant forward, "When the dread lord dies their essence invades the hero's giving them immortality and cursing them to fall into a corrupted state of mind being driven mad with the need to kill and slaughter, we dragons have decided that when the hero faces the dread lord we will kill the winner of the battle regardless of who wins," Valadraykia finished as she looked down on Nataly waiting for a response.

"Wait you mean the dread lord was the previous hero? If that's the case why not try to break the curse?" Nataly asked as she looked a bit worried about fighting dragons or dread lords and other monsters.

"The previous council tried twice the first time nearly ended all demon kind the second time cost us many draconic lives, we alone cannot battle dread lords or hero's they are powerful forces that are protected by fate only those guided by fate can defeat them," Val explained.

"I see, and here I thought I would have time to relax and do my own thing for a bit and not be thrusted right into the middle of everything," Nataly mumbled worriedly.

"No you have some time still, the dread lord has only recently started appearing you can still move around and explore to your heart's content, we dragons will do our best to slow him and his forces down or force them to change their plans," Val explained as she leant down and said quietly to Nataly, "Worry not if you need to learn anything I will do my best to teach you, I feel that you are the key to breaking this pattern of heroes and dread lords, I'll call for a meeting of monarchs while I teach you the basics of this world and test your magic to see what you can do and can't do," Val said as she gestured to the large opening behind her and asked, "Join me?"

"That's good and thank you for teaching me also I don't know if I can truly break the cycle but I'll try if it means living a peaceful life after," Nataly said as she started to walk behind Valadraykia who led them deeper into the lair.

"May I ask where your taking me?" Nataly asked as she struggled to see in the dark.

"To a more private chamber that is out of everyone else hearing range," Val said as she entered a large cavern filled with blue light coming from the icy ceiling, Nataly marveled at the large room that had nearly a whole ceiling made of ice but what caught her attention was the enormous skeleton roughly the same size as Valadraykia.

"Hey Valadraykia, what is that skeleton over there," Nataly pointed to the skeleton that was upheld by a thick layer of ice.

"That there is an elder rasque, they are far and few between in the world but they can battle one such as myself to a tie their breath attacks more powerful than any dragons it's like beam of intense heat that can melt dragon scales but we are physically stronger and faster than them," Valadraykia explained as she lifted her wing revealing a darker patch of scales, "I earned this scar when I fought this rasque to the death after it tried to attack the nest after following a half dead dragon it ambushed. After killing it, I gained the title of monarch in the northern nest," Valadraykia said while walking onto a nest packed with various hides and furs that made a massive bed that held Valadraykia's enormous size comfortably.

"I hope I never have to face that thing," Nataly said as she walked to the nest and didn't see anything for her to sit in, "Umm, is there anywhere I can sit?" Nataly asked as she looked around.

"Sadly there isn't but if you want to learn please sit with your legs crossed and hands held to your heart," Valadraykia said as she put one claw close to Nataly, "Now picture yourself in front of a body of water, it'll represent your magical capacity once you do I'll touch your forehead and see what you have," Val said as she watched Nataly sit as instructed and focused.

As Nataly meditated she felt that the world was drifting away until she opened her eyes and saw the ocean in front of her she looked around in surprise and noticed that there was a line of mountains behind her and not far from the shore line were islands of various sizes and shapes.

As Nataly looked around in wonder she felt someone trying to join her by asking for permission, Nataly gave permission and within a few seconds Valadraykia appeared in front of Nataly, "Thank you for letting me in and this is wonderful. I've never seen this type of forest before," Val said as she turned around and her jaw dropped as she saw the ocean before her.

After no response Nataly reached over and patted Vala's foot, "Hey, are you ok?" Nataly asked Val.

Val jumped and looked at Nataly in shock and nodded, she then walked to the shoreline and put her head down to the water and licked it lightly, Val jumped back in shock and shook her head violently.

"I'm amazed by the sheer amount of mana you possess, I've never heard of a creature with this much before and as for quality it's higher than anyone else's as well what you have here is almost divine, May I take some for myself?" Valadraykia asked Nataly.

"Can you tell me why first?" Nataly asked her as she walked to the shore line and started to walk into the water relaxing at the coolness of the water.

"In this world you entered people can increase their mana capacity in only one way and that is by having someone with a higher amount and quality willingly share their mana with them while they have full mana," Val explained to Nataly as she stared at the water with an eager smirk.

"I see, well if that's the case I will after you can teach me some more magic," Nataly said being a bit hesitant to give away her mana right away.

"I understand, once we leave this mental realm I can try to find out what element you possess," Val said looking a bit guilty at letting her greed show, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to let my greed get the better of me," Val said as she lowered her head in an apologetic bow.

"It's ok, I don't mind sharing with you after helping me learn about this world, after all it's why I was sent here remember?" Nataly said to Val as she came back to the beach still wet from the dip in the ocean.

"Thank you," Val said as she slowly faded from view, Nataly looked surprised then remember that she was within her own soul so she closed her eyes and opened them again with a deep breath and looked around Vals room and started to slow her breathing to relax.

"Can you try to put some mana into your hands and just let it sit there please I'll perform the spell that with reveal your element," Val said as she rested her head beside Nataly watching her.

"Okay," Nataly said as she imagined pulling mana from her soul ocean into her hands with a straw, as she did so her mana built up between her hands and after a few moments it started to shake.

"Be careful Nataly, focus and keep it steady," Val said just before it exploded forward making Val flinch and pull her head back, as Val opened her eyes to snarl at Nataly she stopped and watched in as Nataly focused harder and was slowly pulling the bright blue mist together back and in between her hands, once it was between her hands the mist condense into a deep blue nebula, "I'm so sorry Valadraykia I didn't mean to hurt you or anything it was an accident I swear!" Nataly pleaded as she keep the mana stable.