'I am sure that I am not just hallucinating. My mind is ok...' Dean was trying to convince himself about that. If he really had guessed right, they would be able to defeat such a powerful monster.
However, he was stuck in a dilemma.
'I can run away now and get my freedom back if I want. Rick imposed a lot of rules that I must follow when casting the spell Emperor's touch on me. However, even so, there are many gaps in his orders that I could find as the days passed. I can't lie to him, but I don't need to say everything that is passing on my mind. I need to help him when he is in danger, but it won't make my useless body do anything. I am out of the reach of Emperor's touch now.
'That's my chance to let this idiot die right on the spot and free myself from his spell. If Rick isn't alive anymore, there is nothing holding me. The chains that he attached to me and that keep me submissive will be broken once his heart stops, I am sure of it. Nonetheless, there is a problem with this plan...'
Dean narrowed his eyes to that giant Stone Gorilla of the 5th generation.
That Dread wouldn't be satisfied just killing Rick. He already knew that Dean was there, but he decided to deal with Rick first because he wasn't harmed and his "Willpower" was far stronger than the boy's.
'This Dread will come after me after he finishes with Rick, for sure. He knows that I am here. I am filled with "Willpower" these days, and it is getting gradually stronger, so it is a good meal for any Dread out there.
'With my body as weak and wounded as it is right now, how am I supposed to let Rick die and then run away? I won't be able to do so. Also, even if I can outwit him, there will be another entire pack of Dreads to pursue me.'
Those points made Dean reconsider his decision of letting Rick fight alone and not say what he discovered about the Dread.
He was cornered there. Even if that way wasn't the one that he would like to take, the situation demanded that he left his pride behind and looked to the future.
Dean made up his mind and opened his mouth, trying to make any sound come out. At first, no sound came. He coughed, instead, feeling in pain.
'Go! Go! If you delay too much, who knows what will happen to him? You don't have for granted that he will keep pushing forever!'
Dean shook his head as strongly as he could, trying to awake his mind and his body. He began to breathe faster, making his blood rush in his veins.
"HEY!!" He shouted, feeling that his lungs and abdomen nearly exploded once he did so.
He knew that it drew Rick's attention. The guy was too experienced in fighting against Dreads to take his eyes off the Gorilla, but he was conscious of his surroundings.
"HE ISN'T LIKE THE OTHERS! HIS MIND...!" Before Dean could finish talking, he began to cough again. His abdomen contracted too hard for him to say something else.
He kneeled on the ground, hugging his own belly while gritting his teeth in pain.
Rick shot his chain in the direction of another tree while running, pulling his body there once it attached tightly.
He avoided another punch of the Stone Gorilla by inches. That one was the seventh consecutive that he nearly got caught.
'I see...' He thought, smiling.
Dean couldn't state his entire phrase, but it was enough for him to figure out what he needed to do.
'So, you are playing dumb, but actually have something inside your mind, big monkey? I hate tricky animals like you. I am feeling an idiot for not noticing it beforehand.'
Rick shot his chain again, but this time not in a tree, but against the gorilla. He aimed at his throat, but the Dread put his arm in front of it, making the chain attached to his forearm.
'Good enough!' A golden aura began to spread through the chain as Rick jumped from the tree and landed on the gorilla's shoulder.
"It won't take too long, buddy, so just wait patiently. This battle is coming to an end." He mocked, giving light kicks its head.
The Stone Gorilla glanced at him with fury and raised his big hands, aiming to smash him.
"10..." Rick began to count.
Before the gorilla could smack him, he jumped off his shoulder, using his chain to swing around his body.
"9..."
The gorilla began to shake his right arm, trying to stop Rick and launch him to the ground. The man was swift though, and even with the chain swinging to all sides in a crazy pattern, he could maintain his cool and prevent to be thrown away.
The count continued until it came to zero. At this time, not just the chains in its entire extension were covered with that golden aura, but the Dread's body as well.
The eyes of that Dread began to get cloudy and his movements, slower. He lost steadiness on his legs but didn't fall.
Rick landed on the ground, looking with a smirk at his opponent. He was sure of his victory.
"Emperor's touch." He chanted, his smirk getting wider.
The Stone Gorilla moaned in response.
"Why don't you... just die?"
The hands of that Dread moved to his own head, grabbing it tightly.
"Oh, well. It won't be a beautiful thing to look at. I will take Dean." He turned his back to the monster. His chain began to attach to his right arm again.
Soon, he heard a crack sound behind him, followed by a loud thud that shook the ground.
"If I knew that it would be easy like this since the start, I would have had played a bit more." He muttered.
Rick got near Dean.
"Good job, scum. You helped the man that slaved you. You are learning to be useful, after all."