Cami nodded and patted my scales, but didn’t say anything more.

  We flew on in silence for a while and I didn’t even think about spending my DKP. For some reason, I couldn’t get the image of the orc Tra’vis with his wings out of my mind. The emotions which my ancestor had felt for him made so much more sense to me after my evolution.

  This was only logical; I just didn’t know why it made me so uneasy. It was almost like I’d swallowed some birds and they’d made it all the way to my stomach still intact. It felt like they were now fluttering about inside of me.

  Chapter 36 - City of the Dawn

  I flew hard for the next few hours and we made great time, though I made sure to take a wide detour around Urgoi; I didn’t want to run afoul of the wizards there. After the first few hours, we found ourselves over open farmland for as far as a dragon could see. This was the heartland of the empire, where they raised the food that fed all of their cities—or at least the grain and beef.

  I chuckled to myself, breaking the silence as I looked down through the clouds.

  “What’s so funny?” Cami asked.

  “Just feeling a little hungry after all this flying,” I replied.

  Cami was silent for a second, then she too laughed. “I can’t help but think how different my life would have been if you had been able to control your appetite and hadn’t stopped to eat my Da’s cows.”

  “I was barely a young adult at that point,” I protested.

  “Oh, I know. We’ve both changed a lot since that day.”

  I nodded in silent agreement. After another moment, I added, “This time, I think I’ll eat the Emperor’s cows. I’ll save up a big appetite. He can afford it, and he has some explaining to do about the domestication of dragons.”

  “I thought you’d decided that the current Emperor wasn’t behind this?”

  “It seems unlikely that he is,” I admitted, “but he also has done little to solve the problem or make amends. That is what we shall discuss.”

  “Careful, Nico,” Cami warned. “I know that before meeting you, I didn’t really know anything more about the Empire than you did, but I’ve been doing research in preparation for this. You have to know that the capital city is home to far too many powerful people for you to simply force your way in. Have you thought about how we are going to get into the city?”

  I could always tell when Cami was trying to be careful so as not to upset me. It was part of our bond, I supposed. “I know that I’ll have to take human form again. While I prefer being myself, that form has its uses.”

  “Good,” Cami chuckled, “cause I kinda like it. I mean, not that I think you aren’t magnificent like this, but there is something easier about talking to you as Nico rather than Nicosandumas, the dragon—even if we are bonded.”

  “I’ll always be Nico for you. Just don’t tell the minions. I… I suppose that they can call me Nico, too. I’ve gotten used to the name, but it means something different with you. It wouldn’t be wise though to let the minions see me as soft and emotional. They’d lose their confidence if they thought I was less than their draconic majesty.”

  “Of course. How long until we reach the capital?”

  “I can already see it,” I told her. “It’s still off in the distance, but the city must truly be massive because it is still more than fifty miles away.”

  “We should probably take stock of everything we have with us before we get there,” Cami said. “I know you grabbed a couple of items out of the hoard, but you haven’t even shared what you picked out yet.”

  “I wasn’t keeping a secret from you. We promised not to do that, and I will always honor my word to you. Dragons don’t…”

  “Yes, I know. Dragons don’t lie. Nico, I trust you… with my life…” her mental voice faded off. Under her breath so softly I barely picked it, she added, “And more.”

  “I almost couldn’t make myself take anything from the hoard,” I admitted. “You humans act like gold is meant to be spent, but to a dragon gold has inherent value. It is meant to be collected, looked at, laid on, and protected.”

  Cami was studiously silent, though I could sense her spike of humor across the Bond.

  “What?” I growled, “It is! The longer I stayed with the hoard the stronger the impulse became, so please tell me if I seem to get hoard lock. It’s a condition which affects many dragons—they are so enamored with their hoards that it is almost like they’ve been drugged. In a few cases, dragons have even starved to death because they refused to leave their hoards… even to hunt.”

  “Uh, I know you like loot, Nico, but I never would have expected it to have such a strong effect on you.”

  “I don’t think it has such a strong impact on me,” I grumbled. “But that’s probably because I gained my hoard all in one moment. Just like with my new size and new spells, a hoard takes time to adapt to.”

  Cami didn’t respond, but I sensed understanding from her.

  “Anyway,” I continued, “I brought along 10,000 gold coins in my Soul Space. I also brought two items for you. I know that you have your spear and the Buckler of the Bonded, but I want you to be better protected. I barely use the magical items that I already have and while I definitely want more in the future, I decided to give these two to you so that you’ll be better protected.”

  I felt an appropriate level of awe and appreciation come through the bond. “Hold out your hand,” I instructed, “and let me see if I can summon the items from my Soul Space directly to you.”

  A notification popped up as I tried to do that, but I ignored it. There was some resistance, but I kept pushing. When my soul space wouldn’t do as I wanted it to, I kept straining and even began to growl.

  “Is something wrong, Nico?”

  “My Soul Space isn’t doing what I want to,” I growled. “The system doesn’t want to cooperate.”

  “That’s fine, you can just show me when we land.”

  “No! I will not let this system rule over me. Dragons are the lords of this world. I will make the rules.” I clenched my jaw and then added, “Even if it costs me a ridiculous number of DKP, I will not be restrained.”

  This time, I read the notification.

  Your Soul Space must be upgraded in order to accomplish your objective.

  Hmm… if that was all…

  Do you wish to upgrade your Soul Space to level 2?

  Cost: 5 DKP

  I triggered yes, but now that I knew what I was looking for, I realized that it wouldn’t be enough. So I spent 10, 20, 40, 80, and finally 160 DKP to reach level 7 with my Soul Space.

  Soul Space 7: at this level you are able to influence the passage of time for objects or beings within your soul space.

  This can be set to:

  Stasis: no time passage

  Slowed: One half normal time passage

  Normal: Standard time passage

  Accelerated: Double normal time passage

  Now, nothing inside it may be detected by any being below full god status, even then a god may only detect anything only if they make direct physical contact with you. The protections of the Pact still apply.

  You may now share your soul space with one other being. Once this decision is made, it is irreversible. Variable results may occur depending upon the nature of your relationship with that being.

  You may place up to four living beings inside the soul space at a time given that said being is willing, and there is available space. Should you die, all objects within your soul space will be shunted to a random place in the universe

  Current space: 128,000 cubic feet.

  That was significantly bigger than the original 1000 cubic feet, though it damn well better be for more than 315 DKP! Now it could hold four living beings, rather than just one. It also had the time control element, although I wasn’t sure yet how that might be beneficial. The big point was that I wanted to be able to send items from my soul space directly to Cami.

  I had grown frustrated with the system’s lack of cooperation and, as a result, I had spent 315 DKP on this stupid ability. I don’t know what had come over me. Maybe there was something to all this introspection—I was less rational than I’d thought I was.

  Did this affect other dragons? That would explain many things. But then, another notification popped up.

  Cami Westfork, your bonded companion has accepted your invitation to share your soul space with her. It is now a joint soul space which is connected to both of your souls.

  This is an unprecedented decision by a dragon in the history of Ileria. While your motivation may have been defiance of the system, rather than your desire to form a deeper connection with your bonded, the result is the same. In keeping with the dragon way of living, intents are nice to discuss, but actions are what matter.

  Your bond has reached level 20.

  Benefits gained:

  Cami Westfork: You have gained two levels in your class, Soul Forger. You may now use either your soul or Nico’s in your forging. This will provide you with significant benefits in terms of power, as a dragon’s soul is simply beyond those of other mortal races.

  You gain a one-time class bonus of +10 to Durability and +10 to Mind.

  The range of your bonded telepathy has increased to 100 miles.

  You will now gain 10% of your bond’s stats as your own.

  Due to the nature of your bond, you have gained two more levels in Dragon Knight, as your bond has increased so dramatically.

  Stat gains:

  Strength: +2

  Agility: +2

  Durability: +4

  Mind: +4

  Free: +18

  Dragon Jousting is increased to level 2.

  You gain the ability Bond’s Shield.

  Bond’s Shield - If your dragon is endangered, you may teleport to them so long as they are within telepathic range. You will be placed immediately between your bond and whatever threatens your dragon.

  Due to the soul aspect of the new shared ability, Soul Space, you have gained two levels in Elemental Valkyrie.

  Stat gains:

  Strength: +6

  Agility: +6

  Durability: +6

  Mind: +14

  Free: +10

  Your Vigil for the Dying Ability has reached level 2. All benefits are increased by 25%.

  All current XP has been expended to reach these new levels.

  Nico Sandumas: Due to your bonded gaining four class levels in their combat classes, you gain +40% age category growth. You are now Elder (10% to Ancient).

  The range of your bonded telepathy has increased to 100 miles.

  You have grown. New size: Length: 90’1” Weight: 52,887 lbs.

  Stat gains:

  Strength: +72

  Agility: +11

  Durability: +100

  Mind: +49

  Your max spell Tier has increased to 7th.

  Your base Magic Resistance has increased to 55%.

  Your base Physical Damage Resistance has increased to 35%.

  You have gained the talent Soul Seer.

  Soul Seer - Just as you can see Magic, so too can you now see the raw substance of Souls. This ability must be leveled in order to increase its ease of use and your aptitude with it.

  You now gain access to any Meta-magic Abilities which your bonded possesses. If you possess the same ability, then they will stack.

  Current meta-magic abilities:

  Rapid Spell 2

  Empower Spell 1

  Elevate Spell 2

  I was barely able to continue flying as the changes took effect. My body had never grown spontaneously while in the air before, and we fell far enough that we were below the clouds before I managed to catch myself. The pain was intense, but was over in seconds. When I was able to take stock of what I had gained, I smiled.

  Once I felt like I was in control of myself again, I tried to talk to Cami, but she said, “Just one second. I need to apply my free stat points. They aren’t like gold. They don’t do anything if we just let them lie around.”

  Her joke made me laugh. I supposed that was a good sign. The worst of the changes must be over if I could laugh.

  Humans didn’t laugh when they were in pain, did they? Hmm… I wondered. It seemed logical, but something seemed off about that. I couldn’t quite put my claw on it.

  “Okay,” Cami finally responded, “I had to dump most of my free stat points into Agility to try to balance it with Strength. You’re so incredibly strong, that it was making me feel out of whack. I put sixty into Agility and the last three into Durability to make it an even 200.”

  “Good girl, anything to make you better able to survive makes me happy.”

  I pushed that thought aside and then willed the first of the two items I had brought for Cami into her hand. She gasped when she suddenly held it, but she shouldn’t have been shocked, as her connection to our Soul Space would have told her that it was coming.

  “Oh, Nico, it’s beautiful. Are you sure you want to share it with me?” she asked.

  I felt pleasure suffuse her body; she was clearly thrilled. I thought it was rather shiny and pretty, too, but her level of enjoyment seemed disconnected from the actual glitz of the item. It was an amulet with a large square cut citrine which practically glowed like a small sun was captured within it.

  “It should give you another attack in a bind, but has a long recharge period,” I said. I didn’t want her to think too much of it. I just wanted her to be safe.

  Amulet of the Bound Sun Rarity: Epic

  Durability: 30/30

  A masterwork quality piece of jewelry created by an elven enchanter and jeweler. It is meant to hold the power of the sun around your neck.

  Passive: +250 mana

  Active: Solar Flare - Triggers a potent beam of light. The wielder can make it wide and reduce the damage while increasing the blinding effect or can make it narrow, increasing the damage and penetrating power, but limiting the area affected.

  Maximum Damage: 1000-3000 dmg

  Maximum Range: 3000 feet

  Recharge Period: 7 days in the sunlight

  Note: Cloudy day or being stored inside will slow the rate of recharge

  “Wow, just.. wow!” Cami was gushing about how much she liked the amulet.

  That made me happy for some reason.

  “I know that you felt when we were fighting the baloth that you couldn’t contribute enough damage,” I explained. “You’ve done a lot of work to shore that up, but this should hopefully help even more.”

  She nodded. “For sure, but that isn’t what I’m so excited about. You gave me the first piece of your hoard, and you’ve only had it for a short time. That means more to me than even the power of this amulet, but I swear to use it to fight at your side or on your back, as the case may be.”

  I nodded; she was right. “Maybe don’t dwell on that too much. I’m still a dragon, after all.”

  She chuckled and patted the back of my neck. “No matter what, thank you, Nico.”

  “There’s more. I know that’s a lot and all, but I think this next item will help you even more.”

  In her hand, a small ring appeared. Woven wires of black onyx, mithril, and some strange luminescent metal formed a ring that gave off a low glow when mana was fed into it.

  “A… a ring?” Cami gasped.

  “Yes. It will do more good on your finger than in my hoard,” I rumbled.

  Ring of Ethereal Bliss Quality: Epic

  Durability: 50/50

  A ring crafted by a legendary dark-elf blacksmith who imbued his split nature into the ring.

  Passive: This ring slowly breaks down any mind control or emotional debuff affecting the wearer. It will work even on legendary effects, but more slowly.

  Active: Distortion Field - Channel 1 mana per second into the ring and it will cause you to appear to be in just a slightly different position than you are. Non-AoE attacks have a 35% chance of missing when this field is active.

  Active: Ethereal Jaunt - Channel 50 mana into the ring, plus 10 per second to enter the ethereal plane. You will be out of phase and immune to physical and elemental attacks during that time. Additionally, the passive effect will become much more powerful and if you are not currently under the effect of a negative mental or emotional debuff, then you will gain the buffed status: Exuberance.