The warm voice of the unseen Great King Mahar sounded in Elric's mind.
"This is the Soul Refining Pearl that I have hidden in my little turtle's soul. Take it as it is my reward for your help in saving my people. Swallow it and you will earn the absolute body
perfectly in tune with your mind. I know that you are under the curse of a powerful energy inside you."
Elric's eyes dilated in gladness. This is just the thing he needs right now as the pressure of the corruption inside him is slowly growing. Despite him gaining a powerful body and mind, the mere pressure of the Dark Room inside him is strong enough to turn even an Angel into a demon.
Once it grabs hold of your senses, the only thing that will occupy your mind will be chaos. You will hate life, you will hate everybody and you will crave blood.
After all, the Ancestral Dragon's essence was an accumulation of a thousand years old Dragon's rage. Pure dominant and wild nature has grown embued with it. Unless your body is fully constituted to its formula does one gets more control over it. At the very least, only Dragon King or Queens has the foundation good enough for slight chances of controlling such a powerful essence.
Still, the danger of corruption is there.
But for some unexplained turn of events, Elric - a human, survived the God Reckoning Tribulation and even learned to control the power of the Ancestral Dragon's essence, albeit not in its full might.
The only explanation he could muster at the moment is that he was fated to have it. For whatever reason, Elric firmly believed that his acquiring such power is not a coincidence. Truly, the God's in heaven must have plans for him.
With this in his thought, Elric learned to tackle each struggle with a positive attitude.
However, consuming a Dragon's essence is also considered a cheat by the heavens, hence, its corruptive nature. The more powerful the essence, the more powerful its corruptive force.
With great power comes great corruption indeed. Elric learned to accept the truth that the power he posses is something he should truly respect and he must not underestimate it or risk falling to another deadly Black Dragon rampage.
Simply speaking, Elric is incompatible with the Ancestral Dragon's essence since he was only half Dragon when he absorbed it. Despite having a full body of a Dragon, his soul will always be of a human.
Elric scanned through his Knowledge of the world which is like a mental Library to him. Quickly, he found the information about the Soul Refining Pearl.
"A legendary pearl made from an accumulated water essence over five hundred years inside the shell of a rare golden clam. Only the lord of the Water Realm has the authority to get or transfer this certain pearl out from the shell or else, it dissipates into dust. Consuming one will help in cleansing one's soul and body; giving one a more refined control over his mind and body."
Elric read the description in his mind and murmured in satisfaction.
"Not bad. I guess this is just perfect for my current affliction."
He nodded for a while as he continued.
"The body will undergo a water tribulation that will test one's resilience, purity, and intention. Pass the tribulation and you will acquire complete water compatibility and possibly evolve into a higher being."
"It helps one to evolve?!" Elric could finally not contain his excitement. An opportunity to give him another evolution form with a bonus of cleansing his body and soul is currently resting in his palm.
With this legendary pearl, it is indeed wise to keep it inside the Elemental Realm or else, the Dragon Tribes back at the human realm would not hesitate to raise war against the water realm just to acquire this pearl.
"It is one of the rarest treasure and the reason it is not allowed to be brought out the human realm as Dragon's and Powerful Ancient Humans are more than willing to kill just to get their hands on one. hmmm, just as I expected."
"Now I have one more favor to ask before I finally go." King Mahar's voice resounded again in Elric's mind.
"Dash is the new lord of the water realm but he still needs time to learn on becoming more accustomed to his new power and responsibility."
Elric gave the sleeping little turtle who is currently comfortably pulled in his shell.
The voice continued, "I do not know the possible danger that lies ahead of your journey but one thing I know, you are bound for greatness. Until then, I hope that I can count on your help in protecting the water realm and the water in the human world."
"You can count on me. " Elric gave a quick reply in his mind.
"And also..."
"what?"
"You see... Ummm... Do you mind marrying my daughters?"
"What do you mean marrying your daughters?!"
"So it's a no then?"
"I already have a girlfriend!" Elric lied. He is already in the late '20s but failed to find a girl that he likes. He got no time for romance as he is too busy working and playing Dota during his free time.
"not in the water realm though." The king insisted.
"Just rest in peace old man. Let the girls decide for themselves."
Elric sighed a good relief. No matter how legendary this late King is, he is still, after all, a father. Looking after his daughter is still one of his priorities.
" And besides, I am not completely in control of my power," Elric added. "As much as possible, I avoid people or risk another rampage. Who knows, I might lose it again."
"All right, I understand. But just in case you change your mind. You are always welcome in the water realm."
"Thank you for your kind gestures."
"Thank you too human. May the elements be with you."
With these parting words, the voice of the late King Mahar has finally left and Elric is now left with a bright little pearl in his hand a sleeping little turtle on his shoulders.
Just when Elric was about to leave and find a place to consume the pearl and do the water tribulation, another insisted voice came back.
"Annnd don't forget to marry my daughters or I will hunt you."
"Go to sleep old man."
***