The day of the battle had arrived, and the tension in the air was thick. Naruto, though typically confident and composed, couldn't help but feel a slight nervousness. It was the first time he was in a position where the people he cared about were depending on him from the backline, and he was no longer just a warrior but the protector of those he loved. It was an overwhelming feeling, and he needed to calm his mind.
Sitting down on the grass in a lotus pose, he closed his eyes and began to meditate. The world around him seemed distant, and for a brief moment, the weight of his responsibility lifted from his shoulders. But then Gaia's soft voice whispered in his ear, breaking his concentration.
"No need to be so bunched up, we are ready for it," she encouraged, her voice firm but caring. "You should act with confidence like usual or else it will spread to everyone."
Naruto opened his eyes, the clarity of his thoughts restored. Gaia's words had always been direct, and her trust in him was something he couldn't ignore. He nodded, taking a deep breath, and with a confident smile, stood up.
"Thanks. It's a first, so it had me worried," he admitted as he stretched his limbs, feeling the anticipation in the air.
The sky was still dark, the first light of dawn just beginning to break over the horizon. But it wasn't the morning chill that had everyone tense. It was the looming threat of the battle. Everyone gathered around, their eyes trained on Naruto—their hope, their champion. If he failed, many would fall, but as they watched him rise to his full height, flashing a charismatic smile, the stress that had gripped their hearts began to lift.
"Come on, don't be down. The dumb dragon won't know what hit it when the Uzumaki gets a drop on him!" Naruto shouted, his usual cheerfulness ringing through the air.
"Alice and I will combine to fight it; there is no way it can win! So cheer up and show me those smiles. Let's make the world a bright place!" he continued, his energy filling the space around them, lifting everyone's spirits.
The Nymphs, their faces bright with renewed confidence, gathered around Naruto, chanting victory slogans. The atmosphere, once heavy, was now light with hope and determination. Naruto felt his confidence rise, his resolve firming as the support of his friends and allies surrounded him.
"Naruto, everything is ready," Alice called out from behind, her voice cutting through the cheers.
Naruto turned to face her, taking in her appearance. Her form had solidified more than before, thanks to the strength-enhancing pills she had consumed. The wind swirled around her, the air charged with energy, making her features even clearer and more defined. Her presence radiated power, and Naruto couldn't help but admire the way she had grown alongside him.
"Good, let's move out to our positions. We need to take it down away from the park," Naruto said, his voice steady and purposeful.
"Yes," Alice replied confidently. "I've commanded the wind nymphs to cause difficulty for its flight, while the water nymphs are stationed around the lakes to stop any fire. It should fall without any problem with the planned surprise attack."
Her confidence was infectious, but Naruto knew better than to let it cloud his judgment. He smiled at her, appreciative of the effort and the teamwork that had gone into the plan.
"I hope it isn't too powerful, as even on the ground it will be a difficult battle to keep it occupied until the poison does its job. Healing powers can be really annoying when they're helping your enemies," Naruto said with a laugh, trying to ease the tension.
"We will definitely be victorious," Alice insisted, her tone unwavering. "The little ones' support will make us stronger while it's alone."
Gaia, ever watchful, spoke up. "Don't let that power get to your head or you might make mistakes."
Alice blinked, momentarily startled, and quickly regained her composure. "Sorry, if I sounded too arrogant," she apologized, realizing the weight of her words.
"No worries. It happens to everyone. Even I've felt like that more than once," Naruto said, flashing her a reassuring smile. "Confidence is good, but too much can trip you up."
As the team readied themselves, Naruto turned to Ella, who had been perched on a nearby tree, watching the preparations unfold. Her wings fluttered, and she flew towards him, landing with a quiet grace.
"Ella, are you ready?" Naruto asked, his voice soft but serious.
"Ella is ready for combat, so Naruto has no need to be stressed," she replied with a reassuring smile.
Naruto rubbed his head sheepishly, realizing even Ella had sensed his earlier unease. "Good, once we're done, I'll reward you for the achievement."
"Ella looks forward to it," she said, her voice light and filled with anticipation as she took off toward her position, ready for the battle ahead.
With the team in place and spirits high, Naruto could feel the weight of the moment settle in. They were ready, and so was he. Today, they would face the dragon together—victory or defeat, they would fight as one.
The day of the battle had arrived and Naruto, fused with Alice, harnessed their combined strength and power. His senses were heightened, his reflexes sharp, and the winds swirling around him made every movement fluid and precise. The moment the dragon appeared in the sky, Naruto was ready, the energy within him humming with anticipation.
"It's coming," the voice had whispered into his ear, and he had felt the signal—instantly, he surged forward, his body a blur of motion.
The dragon was a massive creature, towering over him with its wings spread wide, but Naruto wasted no time. With the wind flowing around him, he pierced its left wing with ease. The dragon's howl of pain echoed through the sky as Naruto's attack created deep, gaping holes in the membrane of its wings. It flailed desperately, unable to retaliate in time.
Naruto didn't pause. As the dragon struggled in mid-air, he launched himself forward, leaping with the wind behind him, and struck the beast's head with a powerful blow. His attack was enough to disrupt its balance and cause it to plummet to the ground. The dragon let out a roar as it hit the earth, the impact causing shockwaves that rattled the ground.
Without wasting a second, Ella dove in, her claws covered in Gorgon poison. She struck at the wounds Naruto had created, further weakening the dragon. "Good job, Ella!" Naruto's voice carried to her through the wind.
With the dragon grounded, it was only a matter of time before the poison took full effect. But Naruto knew the hardest part was just beginning—he had to keep the creature occupied until it succumbed. He grabbed his oversized axes, feeling their weight in his hands.
He moved like a blur, darting around the dragon with uncanny agility, his axes enhanced by the wind. Every strike was met with resistance, the dragon's scales proving tough, but the force behind Naruto's blows was enough to make its movements erratic. He launched wind blasts from multiple angles to further disorient it, keeping the beast off balance.
The dragon retaliated with a fiery breath, its mouth opening wide as flames roared toward him. In an instant, Naruto kicked off with full force, propelled by the wind, and struck the dragon's jaw. The impact shifted its maw upward, causing the flames to go astray, harmlessly into the sky.
Ella followed suit, cutting at the dragon's eye, causing it to screech in pain and thrash about, now completely enraged. It was in a frenzy, its body lashing out at anything in range. Naruto could see the wounds he and Ella had inflicted healing, but he didn't back down. Seizing the opportunity, he moved in with lightning speed, both axes at the ready, and slashed deeply at the dragon's throat.
The dragon howled in agony, and Naruto's attack cleaved through its magical scales, drawing blood. The creature staggered back, flapping its useless wings, trying to create some distance.
"Fucking pests, you will pay for this insult. Making me do something so humiliating." The dragon's thoughts seethed with rage, and in a burst of power, it transformed. Its massive form shrank, and it became a humanoid figure with scaled hands, legs, and a long tail. The dragon's voice echoed as it sneered at Naruto and Ella.
"Be honored that you made it this far."
Before Naruto could react, the dragon rushed at Ella, who narrowly avoided the attack. But it was a close call—her right wing was struck, and she let out a scream of pain as she struggled to maintain flight with her left wing. The dragon moved in to strike again, but Naruto wasn't going to let that happen.
With his axes in hand, he intercepted the dragon's attack, clashing with it in a powerful blow. The dragon used its tail to strike from the side, but Naruto, with his armor activated, barely flinched. The tail's attack was absorbed by his defenses.
"Interesting." The dragon muttered as it prepared another flame attack, its mouth boiling with molten fire.
Naruto wasted no time. He jumped up, propelled by the wind, and dodged the fiery breath that scorched the earth below. The flames raged across the trees, and the intense heat made Naruto's arms and hands feel as though they had been burned, but his determination kept him moving forward. The nymphs were already hard at work dousing the flames, and the wind nymphs helped amplify his power, providing him the support he needed to push forward.
The dragon, now humanoid in form, was slower than before. It had no real experience fighting in this shape, and Naruto quickly took advantage of that. Dodging its wild flailing, he slammed his wind-charged fist into the dragon's face, sending it tumbling sideways.
"Boom!" The impact left the dragon disoriented, blood dripping from its broken teeth. Without hesitation, Naruto followed up with an axe kick, burying it deep into the dragon's body and sending it crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.
Naruto took a deep breath, feeling the exhaustion begin to settle in. The battle was taking its toll on him, but he knew they couldn't stop yet. The poison was working faster now, especially since the dragon had transformed into a humanoid form. The dragon's strength was waning, and Naruto felt the satisfaction of seeing it falter.
He walked toward the fallen creature, sitting on its battered body, and began punching it relentlessly. Each blow rained down with precision and fury, accumulating damage with every strike. The dragon's resistance was fading, and Naruto knew it wouldn't be long before the poison finished its work.
The battle was almost over, but Naruto wasn't about to let up until the dragon was completely defeated.
Naruto sat on the ground, his body battered and exhausted from the intense battle. His muscles ached, his breath was labored, and the lingering fatigue from the fusion with Alice weighed heavily on him. But the job was done. The dragon was defeated, and though it was still alive, its resistance had been broken. The poison coursing through its veins was relentless, slowly wearing down the creature as it realized its situation.
"I know you can feel it—the poison inside you," Naruto muttered, his voice low and filled with cold intent. His eyes gleamed with a deadly light as he approached the dragon, still struggling on the ground, its scales tarnished by the wounds. "It's Gorgon poison. So if you think you can get rid of it by dying, you're really naïve."
The dragon's eyes flickered with pain, the poison's effect growing more intense. It had regained some of its consciousness after the brutal beating it had taken, but the constant agony in its body was wearing it down. It gritted its teeth, trying to resist, but the poison's grasp was tightening around its very soul. The dragon's pride was wounded, and it fought against the inevitable, but it was clear that its will was faltering.
"Showing resistance is pointless," Naruto continued, his voice calm yet sharp. "The pain will only increase, and even when you die, the poison will follow you unless you get the antidote."
The dragon, struggling with its rapidly declining strength, glared at Naruto through clenched jaws, but the prospect of death loomed ever closer. The flames of fury in its eyes were replaced by the cold realization that its survival depended on submission. "What do you want?" it asked, the question heavy with defeat.
Naruto smiled, his tone deadly serious. "I want you to serve me as my mount."
The dragon's pride flared at the suggestion, its muscles tensing in a final act of defiance. "Preposterous…" it hissed. "I would never serve you."
But Naruto was unyielding. He had already secured his victory, and his words had the weight of inevitability behind them. "Did you forget the poison?" he reminded it, his voice cutting through the dragon's resistance like a knife.
The dragon hesitated, the toll of the poison taking its toll. It had never imagined such a humiliating defeat, but its pride couldn't save it now. With a strained grunt, it finally gave in. "I accept," it muttered begrudgingly, unable to continue the fight.
Naruto chuckled darkly. "That's not enough," he said, stepping closer. "Swear on the Styx."
The dragon's scaled eyes narrowed in reluctant acceptance. It had no choice. "Fine," it spat, though its voice was thick with disdain. The oath was made, and Naruto's smile widened. He knew he had already won. The dragon's pride was shattered, and its fate was sealed.
Naruto took out the antidote and administered it to the dragon, ensuring that the healing process began. However, he knew that the creature's healing would be faster in its humanoid form, so he made sure the dragon remained in that state. Slowly, the effects of the poison started to reverse, and the dragon's pain lessened.
"You're lucky to serve me," Naruto said with a confident grin. "If I'm happy with your service, you'll be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams." Despite the weariness creeping through his body, he hid his fatigue well, standing tall as though unaffected.
Albion, the dragon's new name, sat on the ground, still recovering from the damage. His serpentine eyes glowed with suspicion, but he didn't dare resist the healing. His thoughts swirled in anger and disbelief. Like I would believe this unknown being. Master Porphyrion is the one with the true power, not this pathetic excuse for a mortal. You'll die soon enough, and then I'll be free.
"What's your name?" Naruto asked, breaking through Albion's thoughts.
"Albion," the dragon responded, his voice still laced with resentment.
"That's a nice name, I guess," Naruto said casually, turning away from the defeated creature and walking toward Ella. She was being attended to by the dryads, her injuries being carefully treated.
"You did well, Ella," Naruto said with a smile, kneeling beside her. "Rest for now." He gently poured some of his energy into her to help heal the damage. She smiled drowsily as the energy flowed through her, her eyelids growing heavier with exhaustion.
"Ella did good, hehe," she murmured before succumbing to the fatigue and falling asleep.
Naruto, too, couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. The toll of the battle, the constant fusion with Alice, and the strain of keeping the dragon under control had drained him. He collapsed to the ground, his body finally giving out. Alice fell unconscious beside him, her own body unable to continue after absorbing too much damage during the battle.
Gaia, who had been observing the entire scene, landed on Naruto's head and sighed. "That was very unexpected. I don't remember dragons taking on humanoid forms. Things have started to change without my knowledge," she said, her tone tinged with regret.
Naruto's eyes barely opened as he looked at her, his body too exhausted to speak. His gaze, however, communicated his understanding. I don't blame you, Gaia. It happens to everyone.
Gaia could see the exhaustion in his eyes, but she also saw his determination. She smiled softly. "You're sweet, even when you're falling apart," she whispered, brushing her hand gently over his forehead. "But you can be proud now, Naruto. You're a dragon rider now. That's a higher title than slayer." She flew down and kissed his cheek softly. "You've done well, my Champion. Now is the time to rest. Let it go."
Her words were like a lullaby, and Naruto's heavy eyelids finally closed, the last remnants of consciousness slipping away as Gaia took her post, sitting gently on his chest to watch over him. The nymphs, meanwhile, continued their work, healing the fighters and clearing the battlefield of any lingering dangers.
Gaia, ever observant, felt a nagging suspicion about Albion. She flew over to him, her eyes narrowed with cold intent. "Albion," she said, her voice chilling. "Are there more of your kind in the region? Will they come if you are not back?"
Albion, despite the conditions set by Naruto and the antidote still working through his system, couldn't ignore Gaia's gaze. His instincts screamed at him, but the compulsion to comply with Naruto's wishes was stronger. He glared at Gaia, his serpentine eyes full of hate, but he answered truthfully, "Yes, there are three more of my kind in the region. They will come if they sense me here."
Gaia's eyes narrowed further, her tone growing colder. "What was the point of attacking the nymphs?"
"They are the ones who served the Olympians," Albion replied, his voice thick with contempt. "And all who do so must die by the command of my master."
Gaia's expression hardened. "I advise you to stop trying to be smart. Naruto is a being beyond your comprehension," she warned, her wings fluttering as she turned toward Naruto to wake him up.
You've gone too far, Porphyrion, Gaia thought bitterly, her anger rising. I will not save you again. You've let me down too many times. It's time for me to clean up this mess.