Rebirth of a Hero? Ch. 03

Nataly rolled over in the bed and stretched, as she looked around she noticed that Val wasn't in the bedroom, when she sat up and moved to the edge of the bed then stood up and called out as she walked to the door that led to the hallway, "Hey Val where are you?"

While Nataly descended the stairs she heard Val reply, "In the kitchen," Nataly walked over and looked into the kitchen and saw Val studying some ground beef.

"What's wrong Val?" Nataly asked as she walked into the kitchen nude.

"I'm confused as to how one would eat such a thing," Val said waving her hand at the ground beef that was somewhat thawed.

"You cook it and add it to various recipes," Nataly said as she walked to the oven and pulled out a large pot and a large frying pan, "How long did we sleep?" Nataly asked as she filled the pot with water.

"No longer then a few moments, the sun has yet to set and it was at it's peak when we entered your home," Val replied as she stood to the side watching Nataly cook. "May I ask what your doing?"

"I'm making some spaghetti it's a simple meal from my world," Nataly said while searching the cupboards for pasta, as Nataly searched she noticed that each cupboard had a small plack with some words on each of them and there was a dial under it that had a category of the word below it, she found one that said dried goods and below it the dial read 'rice and asain noodles' Nataly rotated it twice and found 'pasta noodles' she then opened the cupboard and saw over a hundred different types of pasta noodles, Nataly reach up and grabbed a bag of spaghetti noodles.

"Do all kitchens have such storage abilities in your world?" Val asked as she spun the dial under 'breakfast' and opened each one looking at the various dried breakfast foods.

"No this is part of my home it's not a normal thing in my world," Nataly said as she put the ground beef into the large pan and grabbed a wooden spatula to break it up.

"I see and what are you doing now?" Val asked while she avidly watched Nataly cook.

"I'm cooking the meat so it's safe to eat and to make it taste better," Nataly replied while watching the water waiting for it to bubble.

"Why not eat it raw?" Val asked Nataly while she sat down after realising that Nataly wasn't going to do anything interesting.

"You can but most people can't," Nataly giggled as she put the pasta into the boiling water and stirred it.

"Right humans have a weak stomach when it comes to most foods," Val said as she looked around and then asked Nataly, "What do you have to drink?"

"Yup one moment," Nataly said as she opened the cupboard that had crockery on the plack but no dial, she reached up and pulled out a large cup and went to the fridge and pressed the cup to the water dispenser then the ice dispenser, "Here Val," Nataly said as she placed the glass in front of Val.

Val watch Nataly quietly as she cooked, after a few moments Val leaned closer breathing in deeply and savouring the smell coming from the pasta sauce that was cooking, Nataly started to strain the pasta noodles and then she fetched some plates and cutlery and placed them side by side then brought the food to the island and made the plates, "Here Val and I'll show you how to use a fork in case you don't know," Nataly said as she used the fork making sure Val was watching.

After Nataly showed Val how to use it she copied her and accidentally bit the forks prongs off, "I'm sorry, I forgot to keep my strength in check," Val said as she blushed and spat out the metal prongs.

Nataly laughed and retrieved a second fork and handed it over, "Don't bite the fork just pull the food off of it," Nataly said smiling.

Val carefully used the fork and groaned in pleasure, "This is delicious, you eat this all the time?" Val said as she started to eat some more then whispered smiling, "I wish I could eat this everyday."

"Don't worry I can cook a lot of things so I'll show you more delicious foods," Nataly said as she put some salt on her pasta and continued to eat.

Val smiled and started to eat in comfortable silence, after they finished eating Nataly started to clean the dishes while Val walked out and into the hall, Nataly finished and walked out and saw Val waiting at the door, "Ready to learn? I would prefer to teach you in my room so this way we don't damage your home," Val said as Nataly walked closer.

"Sure, what do you think I should learn first?" Nataly asked as she opened the door and led Val out.

"First you need to learn control and how to maintain it without it exploding or damaging you," Val said as she walked over to large empty space away from the frozen monster remains and her nest.

"I see and is there any hints you can give me?" Nataly asked as they reached the corner and sat down across from each other.

"Yes use your mind to picture what you want done, your mind is the most powerful method of self control you have if you can picture what you want and form your mana around that idea. When doing so anything can be done eventually but start with simple things like stones or sticks," Val said as she focused intently as the thickening fog between Natalys hands.

"Then let's make a ball," Nataly said as the fog started to swirl and condense into a golf ball sized sphere, "What do I do with this now?" Nataly asked as she held it and looked at the deep blue ball in her fingers.

Val starred in surprise at the object Nataly was holding, "Well first we need to go outside, come here," Val said as she helped Nataly up and carefully led her out, "Please do not drop that in here," Val asked her nervously.

"Why?" Nataly asked as she walked through the hall to the throne room.

"Because I get the feeling of danger from that little ball your holding and I don't want to see what it'll do inside a confined space," Val said as she led the way, Nataly looked surprised as the ball of mana and silently followed Val.

As they reached the throne room Val looked up and said, "Meznokania head my decree," after a few seconds a large red dragon fell from one of the upper cave entrances and landed and nearly knocked Nataly down with the wind and shaking.

"Yes my Queen," Meznokania said then gasped as he realised that Val was in human form, "My Queen you've managed to shapeshift!"

"Yes I have with this hero's help, now I need you to have the drakes send a message to the other Monarchs that they need to come here for a gathering, tell them that the new hero has arrived and that I've deemed her a worthy allie to all dragons, also give them updates about the horde and to be ready for them," Val said with authority.

"Yes my Queen, shall I also inform them that you have now joined the elite ranks of ancient dragons?" Meznokania asked as he looked upon Val with awe.

"Yes and while were here can you take us to the mountain peak?" Val said as she looked at Nataly then the deep blue ball of mana that was starting to hum.

Meznokania noticed the hum and nodded quickly, "Yes let's hurry," He said as he laid down to let Val and Nataly climb onto his back, once they were on he quickly flew out the main entrance and flew up and onto the peak where he landed.

Val picked up Nataly and jumped down then pointed up "Hurry throw that ball as hard as you can upwards."

Without replying Nataly did so and once the ball sailed high up it exploded, the shockwave washed over the mountain top clearing most of the snow and nearly knocked down everyone Nataly barely managed to stay standing with the help of Mez putting his paw behind her to brace her, "Okay note to self don't make such a ball without making it weaker," Nataly said as she steadied herself.

"I'll go get the drakes ready my Queen," Meznokania said quietly as he stared at Nataly with fear and respect in equal measure.

"Do so, I still need to train Nataly in Mana manipulation," Val said as she watched Meznokania glide down the mountain after listening to her speak.

Nataly hugged herself and started to shiver, "Can we go back in it's really cold," Nataly said as she started to rub her arms.

Val opened her wings revealing her nude form and wrapped them around Nataly, it helped against the wind but not the cold, "Try to create a shell around you to keep the cold out," Val said to Nataly as she started to purr and her chest started to brighten from within and the temperature increased around them both.

Nataly closed her eyes and Pictured a skin tight full body suit that was meant to keep out the heat and the cold, after a few moments she opened her eyes and saw only a blue light covering her eyes, "Val where are you?" Nataly said in a panic.

"Right in front of you, your covering your whole body in mana," Val said as she hugged Nataly to her chest, "Make the protective layer clear," Val suggested as she held Nataly back within arms reach.

"Okay," Nataly responded as she closed her eyes and started to focus, after a few moments she opened her eyes and saw everything clearly, "That's better," Nataly said as she looked around in wonder at the natural beauty around her.

To the north was a deep blue ocean that stretched to the horizon and it's solid blue was interrupted by random icebergs, "This is The Aquas ocean, legends said that there is a mountain sized creature called Leviathan that keeps the spirit of water safe," Val said following Natale's gaze.

To the west a large desert set behind the mountain range expanded to the horizon but Nataly followed the edge to where a river followed the edge of the desert and a great plain, "That's the great desert, humans and beast folk live together there are also some demon folks who live there but in secret," Val said pointing out the desert.

Nataly looked south but saw only plains, "This world is covered by plains mostly, it's also where humans have the most presence," Val explained then she point to the low mountain range cutting across the world, it looked like shark teeth and even had space between the mountains, "That is the Jagged tooth mountain range home to the dwarfs," Val said.

Nataly looked to the west and saw a massive forest with trees that where as tall as redwoods on earth, then beside it was another ocean that looks shallow, "That is The Sylvian Woods home to the elves, that body of water is the Shallow ocean it's deepest I could stand on my back legs and raise my head and it would clear the water in my dragon form," Val said as Nataly completed her look around the world.

"It's all amazing and beautiful, after I learn a bit more can we go to the human country first I want to see what it looks like," Nataly asked as they sat down on a small boulder.

"Yes I can take you there first but I want you to learn control first, Now create a stick of mana," Val told Nataly while covering herself with her wings again.

"Ok this time not so powerful," Nataly said as she focused on her hands and slowly her mana seeped up from her hands and slowly formed a light blue spear, "Just as I pictured but I can't throw it far," Nataly said looking a bit worried about it exploding.

Val tentatively put her hand on the mana spear and held it, after feeling no pain she picked it up and took a few steps forward and launched it to the forest line between the mountain and ocean, the spear exploded above the forest spooking some wildlife and causing birds to fly away, "That one didn't have much power to it thankfully," Val mumbled walking back to Nataly.

"I wonder how much power I can put into my weapon," Nataly said remembering that she had a magical weapon, she felt for it then remember it was in her room, "One moment I need to get something," Nataly said as she opened the door to her home and walked in.

Val stood their waiting for a few moments with her wings wide open enjoying the cool wind blowing across her human skin brushing over sensitive spots she never knew she had or could have in dragon form, Val covered herself when Nataly opened the door and Val gapped at how it seemed like she just stepped out of the wind, "I never saw how it worked from the outside, it's interesting," Val said as Nataly came up to her and held up her magnum revolver.

"I see, and I got it," Nataly said holding it up she then turned to Val and said, "It uses my mana as ammunition do you think I can customize the ammo before firing?" Nataly asked.

"I don't know I've never seen such a thing before, the best way to find out is to try it for yourself," Val said as she sat down watching Nataly study the odd looking weapon.

"Fair point, guess I'll try by trying it out first," Nataly said as she stepped up to the ledge and pointed it to the mountain peak below her, she focused on the gun and slowly poured mana into it until it started to hum and vibrate in her hands then she fired it, the barrel exploded outwards like a cartoon and knocked Nataly back a few feet then a massive explosion shook the mountain itself.

Val rushed to Natalys side and helped her up and brought her to the ledge where the peak had a large crater in it, after a few moments the peak started to lean over and then it fell unleashing a massive rock slide that vibrated the mountain as it moved, hundreds of dragons poured out of the mountains and looked around expecting a battle when they didn't spot anyone they looked to the Queen and Nataly.

Nataly blushed hard and looked at Val, "I'm sorry to destroy your mountain I didn't expect it to be so powerful," Nataly said pleadingly.

Val slowly looked from the ruined mountain to Nataly then back down the mountain and started to laugh, "It will take some time to teach you how to properly manage your powers," Val managed to say as she after she finished laughing, she then looked to the earth dragons and ordered them, "Earth dragon scour the mountain make sure nothing was damaged and try to fix what needs fixing," Val then looked at all the other dragons, "I will teach this young hero control and this world's logic, during this time I hope all of you accept her as a sister and honorary dragon," Val said as she lead Nataly down the mountain and into her nest.

The dragons bowed to Vals orders as the earth dragons started to fix and repair the mountain.

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ONE MONTH LATER

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Nataly stepped out onto the path that led from Val's nest to the plains below, she looked behind to Val who was now dressed in an icy blue himation with an open back for her wings and her tail slightly lifted the back portion of the skirt Val had no shoes or sandals.

Nataly on the other hand wore a red tank top under a solid black zip up hoodie with a thick red plaid skirt that ended just below her knees, She checked on the holstered pistol near her left arm pit, she looked down and tapped the front of her black military boots against the ground to test the fit, "I'm ready are you?" Nataly asked Val.

"Yes I am shall we start our journey into the world of Amairaedia?" Val said as she stepped forward and turned facing Nataly.

"Yes, we'll go to the human city of Numahshesh," Nataly said as she started to walk beside Val, "Also can you just transform and take us their faster?" Nataly asked dreading such a long walk.

"No you need to get used to walking and remember all the training we did you won't get tired and you'll be faster than most humans in this world," Val reminded Nataly, Nataly smiled and then launched herself forward into the air then imagined a large glider attached to her back slowing her decent and letting her glide at a fast pace.

Val caught up with her wings and laughed out loud, "You will never take the slow pace will you?" Val asked while they flew forward, Nataly pictured a propeller attached to her feet and once she put mana into the image she kept up her speed and started to alleviate.

"Never I enjoy this new found freedom I have with mana," Nataly said as she watched the small patches of forest in the plains moving below her, Nataly suddenly felt a deep dread within herself and automatically shielded her head with her arms and yelled at Val, "BRACE YOURSELF!" as a thin red beam struck her shield sending smaller beams in random directions.

With Natalys momentum stopped she fell to the ground with Val flying to catch her, Val just managed to catch her as they crashed into the foliage while Val also covered them with her wings until they hit the ground and rolled to a stop beneath a large maple looking tree.

As they stood they heard a deep ghostly roar that made them look around in fright, Val said quietly to Nataly, "That was the sound and attack of an elder Rasque but that shouldn't be possible we dragon's killed one only five seasons ago," Val whispered as she looked around and listened for the monster.

"Change into dragon ok I'll refill your mana we need to get ready ok," Nataly weezed, "That attack drained me more then half my mana, how does anyone survive that attack?" Nataly asked while slowly quickly recovering her mana.

Val looked at Nataly in shock then shook her head, "You don't survive the attack because all you can do it avoid it," Val said as she closed her eyes as her wings exploded to the sides to their true length of seventy then her neck stretched forward while her arms and legs also stretched and thickened her tail shot out with the tip growing a cross shape like spike, the nearby trees were uprooted and pushed away as her dragon form appeared as the Rasque smashed through some trees and roared at her, Val looked exhausted until she felt Nataly top up her mana pool using their connection.

Nataly looked in shock at the T-rex looking brown monster with armor plating along it's back and legs it's arms with long and tipped with three scythe like claws while it's tail looked like a T-rexs but with an extra 20 whip with a spike tip charge Val and tackled her pushing her back, Nataly ran out of the way as she pulled her gun out and felt it elongate and it's barrels multiply after a few moments she held a large minigun in her hands and just before firing she imagined using armor piercing rounds meant to pierce cement walls.

Before Nataly opened fire Val used her front claws to grab the elder rasque by the neck and push it onto it's side where she bit into the rasque neck, the rasque used its back leg to shove Val away and caused her to fall onto her side, the rasque stood and turned it's body in a full circle and slashed Val across her side with it's tail Val roar in pain before unleashing a ray of ice to it's face.

As the rasque backed away from the breath Nataly aimed and fired at the rasque and groaned as the bullets made of mana barely punctured it's flesh but bounced off the armor plating, Nataly increased the mana consumption so the bullets did more damage, the elder rasque turned around and opened it's mouth towards Nataly and as the beast started to ready it's breath attack Nataly fired into it's mouth causing it's throat to tear, flames erupted forward as it head was pulled back and upwards by Val causing the flames to become useless.

Nataly ceased fire to let her mana recover from the quarter mark in her soul ocean, once the flames ended Val grabbed it's lover jaw and head and held it's mouth open to unleash her own icy breath into the beast mouth, before any severe damage was done the beast moved it's tail and caused it to wrap around Val's throat and pulled her back a bit letting the rasque free it's mouth then smash it's head into Vals chest knocking her back.

As Nataly watched she changed the minigun into a high power fifty caliber rifle and ran around the fight carefully watching for an opening in the fight, as Nataly ran around Val squatted and then launched herself at the elder rasque knocking it down onto it's side then held it's head down with one arm and it's arms with her other arm she moved her body sideways and used her tail to pin it's tail and one leg to pin one of it's legs while the other rested on the elder rasques hip, once she spotted Nataly she yelled, "HURRY AND SHOOT IT!"