Narrator (Sai's thoughts):
Where... where am I?
Narrator:
As Sai slowly opened his eyes, he realized he was no longer in the royal infirmary. Instead, he found himself back in the hauntingly familiar setting of the Forest of Darkness—the place where he had first met Zaroth. The dense, blackened trees loomed over him, casting ominous shadows across the forest floor, while a cold wind howled through the branches.
Sai (groaning, frustrated):
"Haaah, not again with this shit."
Narrator:
The air crackled with energy as the unmistakable presence of Zaroth, the black dragon, filled the space. A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the forest.
Zaroth:
"So, you've obtained the artifact I left behind."
Sai (rolling his eyes, clearly annoyed):
"Yeah, and it was fucking painful, by the way. Care to explain why that thing nearly killed me?"
Zaroth (chuckling darkly):
"Power comes with a price, Sai. But you survived, and that means you're worthy."
Sai (crossing his arms, impatient):
"Fine. So, what exactly does this artifact do?"
Zaroth (his voice calm, yet cryptic):
"It will become whatever you desire it to be."
Sai (raising an eyebrow, confused):
"What the hell does that even mean?"
Zaroth:
"Focus your mind. If you wish for a sword, simply think of it, and it shall be."
Narrator:
Sai furrowed his brow and held up his hand, focusing his thoughts on summoning a weapon—a sword, sleek and sharp. But nothing happened. His hand remained empty.
Sai (frowning, frustrated):
"Uh, yeah… why isn't it working? I thought I just had to imagine it?"
Zaroth (with a low growl):
"Because it's lost its cores."
Sai (shocked):
"Lost them?! How the hell did that happen?"
Zaroth:
"During my final battle with the Dragon King. The artifact's cores were scattered, lost to time."
Sai (sighing, rubbing his temples):
"Great, so how am I supposed to find these cores?"
Zaroth (in a tone as if it's the simplest thing in the world):
"Simple. Defeat the five Great Curses."
Sai (sarcastic, throwing his hands up in exasperation):
"Oh, of course, simple. Defeat the five Great Curses. Why didn't I think of that? And how exactly do I find them?"
Zaroth (his voice echoing like a distant storm):
"You will learn their locations in time. They are drawn to power—just as you are."
Narrator (Sai's thoughts, skeptical):
That's helpful…
Zaroth:
"Listen closely, Sai. This is the last time we will meet."
Sai (his frustration turning to surprise):
"Wait, what? Why?"
Zaroth (his voice softening, yet still powerful):
"I've used the last of my mana to maintain this form. I can no longer guide you."
Sai (frowning):
"So, that's it? You're leaving me without any answers? How the hell am I supposed to get my full power back?"
Zaroth:
"Other dragons will help you. But before I go, I will give you one final gift."
Narrator:
Suddenly, Sai felt a strange sensation wash over him. His vision blurred, and a pulse of energy surged through his eyes, causing him to blink rapidly as his sight sharpened beyond what he had ever known.
Zaroth (his voice becoming distant):
"I give you my eyes, Sai. They will show you what is truly important... They will help you grow stronger."
Narrator:
Sai's vision swirled with strange colors and patterns, his surroundings taking on a new, enhanced clarity. But just as quickly as it had begun, Zaroth's presence started to fade.
Sai (panicking slightly):
"Wait! What do you mean by 'truly important'? How do these eyes work? Zaroth—!"
Narrator (Sai's thoughts, frustrated):
Damn it, he always leaves right when he's about to explain something!
Zaroth (his voice barely audible now, fading into the void):
"Farewell… Sai…"
Narrator:
And with that, the black dragon's presence disappeared completely, leaving Sai alone in the eerie silence of the Forest of Darkness. His chest heaved with a mix of frustration and curiosity, his new eyes still adjusting to their strange, heightened sensitivity.
Sai (gritting his teeth):
"Great. Just… great. Now I've got some cryptic dragon eyes and no idea how to find these damn Great Curses."
Narrator:
The scene began to blur and shift as Sai's consciousness faded, the forest dissolving around him as he was pulled back to reality.
Narrator:
Sai stirred awake, his body aching from the recent events. As his eyes slowly fluttered open, he found himself lying in a lavish room, unfamiliar but clearly part of the royal palace. The soft silk sheets and elegant decor were in stark contrast to the chaos he had just experienced.
Sai (groggily, scanning the room):
Where… am I?
Narrator:
His gaze swept across the room until it landed on a mysterious figure standing near the doorway. A woman, dressed in a maid's uniform, stood silently, watching him with an unreadable expression.
Sai (sitting up, slightly on edge):
"Who are you?"
Maid (bowing slightly, her voice soft and calm):
"I am the one assigned to care for you, sir. By the king's orders. I shall inform His Majesty that you have awakened."
Sai (nodding absently):
"Alright…"
Narrator:
As the maid turned to leave, Sai's memory snapped back to the dream—the encounter with Zaroth, the dragon's final words, and the gift of his eyes.
Sai (suddenly alert, cursing under his breath):
"Oh, fuck—my eyes! Right, Zaroth's eyes…"
Narrator:
Scrambling out of bed, he rushed over to a nearby mirror. His heart pounded in his chest as he leaned in close, his reflection staring back at him. His once black eyes had completely changed. Now, his irises gleamed a brilliant gold, shimmering with an otherworldly glow, while his pupils had morphed into slitted dragon-like shapes—sharp and predatory.
Sai (muttering to himself, both fascinated and uneasy):
"So… this is what he meant…"
Narrator:
The reflection was both mesmerizing and unnerving. Sai could feel the raw power behind his new eyes, like they held secrets beyond comprehension. But before he could dwell on it further, the maid returned, her presence pulling him out of his thoughts.
Maid (with a gentle nod):
"Sir, His Majesty is awaiting you in the garden."
Sai (still staring at his reflection, trying to process the change):
"Right… the king."
Narrator:
Sai took one last glance at his golden eyes, the weight of Zaroth's final gift still sinking in. With a deep breath, he turned away from the mirror, following the maid toward the garden where the king awaited.