Dragon's Archon - Ch. 3 - A New Beginning - Alpha (Patreon)

I didn’t open my eyes. Later I would come to think it was because part of me was scared of what I would see. Something deep down inside of me feared that all the time spent with Heluna was a cruel ruse before I started smelling sulfur and my body burst into flames. Luckily for me, it wasn’t my end. It was a new beginning.

“Look at him!” the bright voice shouted. “He’s here! He’s here.”

The second voice was feminine as well, but it was deeper and sounded like she couldn’t be bothered. “Huh…”

“That’s all you can say? After all that we’ve been through.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know. How about… you were right Yda. I’m sorry for doubting you Yda. You’re not some crazed psycho Yda.”

“I never thought you were crazy…”

Yda was clearly angry, but it caused her voice to reach an almost comical pitch. “Don’t lie to me! I can tell when you’re lying.”

“All right. I’m sorry. There. You feel better?”

“Yes,” Yda huffed. “As a matter of fact, I do.” The two shared a small laugh before turning their attention back to me. “Just look at him, Cartha. Isn’t he perfect?”

“He’s… uh… big. He’s built bigger than a minotaur. Definitely the biggest human I’ve ever seen.”

“Just like an Archon is supposed to be!”

“So he’s here. What do we do now?”

“I assume we wake him.”

“And how do we do that?”

“I—I don’t know.”

Cartha let out a nefarious chuckle. “Why don’t you flick him in his balls? I bet that would get him up.”

“Cartha!” Yda shouted in disdain.

“What? I saw you staring at it.”

“I was not!”

“Now who’s the liar?”

As two women argued back and forth, I realized two things. The first was that Cartha was an asshole. The second was that I was pretty confident I was naked again. And the thought of someone like Cartha deciding how to wake me up was enough for me to conclude my oscar winning performance for a coma patient.

I shifted my weight and raised my arms. I wanted to rub my eyes. Instead, I delivered a double punch that nearly left me dazed.

“Ow, fuck,” I shouted.

“My Archon, are you okay?” the acute voice asked.

My stomach sank, and I froze. For whatever reason, I’d expected the reincarnation into a new body to work flawlessly. That I could punch walls and leap over canyons without a simple thought. As my arms jerked when I tried to raise them, I realized I was very wrong.

I concentrated on lowering them as slow as I could and looked up. My blurry vision focused on two pairs of eyes, one red and the other purple. I assumed the one to my right was Yda because the dress she wore was something that looked more like what a priestess would wear. It was white and flowing. The top fabric connected from her neck, across her enormous breasts and down to her waist. It split along the sides, exposing her wide hips.

I could see why Heluna chose Yda as her Head Priestess. Her beauty was second to none. She had a soft, youthful face with perfectly tanned skin. Her white wavy hair matched her dress. Two curved horns sprouted out of the sides of her head, giving her a sheepish look. A cute button nose complimented her warm smile.

Cartha had the look of a seasoned hunter. Her armor was a mix of leather, fur, and steel. It had a more fantastical design rather than protection, with her fit stomach exposed along with the top of her thighs. Her skin was a dark blue that reminded me of moonlight reflecting off of ocean waves. A white head of hair fell from her hooded cloak. Unlike the warmth from Yda, all I felt from her glowing purple eyes was coldness. She looked down at me with crossed arms and an uplifted nose. I wasn’t sure what I did to deserve her scorn, but I ignored it for the time being.

I turned my gaze back to my contact. “Yda?”

The priestess nodded, eyes full of tears. She dove her head into my chest and sobbed. I wanted to comfort her, but I was so worried about hurting her, I decided it would be best if I didn’t move.

“Uh… are you okay?” I asked.

Yda sat up, voice squealed in between each heavy breath. “I’m just so happy. All the trials. All the hardships. You are proof that everything was real, and that I am not some crazed blasphemer. Praise Heluna for all that is good.”

“Yes… praise be,” Cartha said sarcastically off into the distance.

“Don’t mind her,” Yda said, wiping the tears from her face. “She’s not quite a believer, but she means well.”

“It’s fine,” I said, smiling. “I’m sure my visit might have come as a surprise.”

“To be honest… yes. That’s not to say I’ve ever lost my faith, but we did not know your arrival. The last time the goddess spoke with me was over six months ago. She told me to keep faith. That your arrival was imminent. However, the last few weeks have been… challenging.”

“Well, I’m here now and between the two of us, I’m sure we can turn things around.”

Yda giggled and nodded. “I believe you.”

There was a sparkle in her red eyes that wasn’t there before. I was confident there was an immediate attraction for us both. We stared into each other's eyes for what felt like a full minute, only breaking our gaze when Cartha returned.

“Are you two just going to lay there or are you going to fuck?” the huntress asked.

Yda turned and shouted. “Cartha!”

“What? I don’t know how your sect works. I’ve heard some crazy stories about giant sect orgies.”

Yda froze. When she looked back down at me, her face was a bright red. She crawled forward, her heavy breasts threatening to slip from the thin cloth of her dress. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke. “Well… I’m here to serve you as needed, your Holiness. I’ll do whatever you require of me.”

You’re Holiness, I thought. I could get used to that.

Before my demise, It’d been almost a year since my last relationship. And it was ugly enough that the year was something I needed. However, having such an attractive woman lying on top of me, basically offering herself to me, made Yda’s offer difficult to deny.

Everything inside of me wanted to say yes. However, the lack of control of my body was a major concern. I didn’t even know if I could without hurting her. Then there was the fact that Cartha was there, and I still had no idea where I was. There were too many variables against us. When I knew we were safe, then I swore I’d answer differently. For now, I had to let her down gently.

“Yda, you’re beautiful,” I said, watching her turn a shade brighter. “But I think for now, it would be best if we get to know each other better. Would you mind helping me up and assist me in getting my bearings?”

“Oh, of course, your Holiness,” Yda said as she scrambled to her feet. “I’m so sorry. I feel so embarrassed. I just realized I haven’t even asked you your name.”

I chuckled as I tilted my head up. “It’s Devon Blackthorn. And no need to be embarrassed. If I can be honest, I’m having a little hard time controlling my body.”

“What did you say?” Cartha asked, sauntering over with a cocked brow.

“I said I’m having a hard time controlling my body. Heluna blessed me with a new form. Each movement is more exaggerated than I’m trying to do. I think it’s going to take me some time before I get used to it.”

“No… not that. Your name.”

“Devon?”

“Your family name.”

“Blackthorn.”

Cartha rolled her lips under her teeth and shook her head. “Nope. Nuh uh. Yda, I don’t like this.”

“Hush, Cartha,” Yda said with a furrowed brow. “You’re embarrassing me.”

“Did you hear what he just said?” Cartha whispered loud enough to where I could hear her.

“Yes. Ignore it.”

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

Yda let out a nervous laugh. “No, not at all. Now, let’s help you up.” She turned to her companion. “Cartha, can you please come help me?”

The bodyguard eyed me with a mixture of curiosity and fear. “What do you need me to do?”

“Help me lift him up.”

Yda and Cartha gripped around my wrist and pulled my arm taut. I slid my hand behind my back and prepared to push.

“Are you ready?” Yda asked.

“Yeah, just got slow,” I said.

“Okay, on three. One, two, three!”

Both women grunted as they struggled to lift my weight. I tried to push myself off the ground lightly, but like with every other movement, I pushed too hard. They both screamed as I barreled forward and fell on them.

“Get off me, you brute!” Cartha strained.

I shoved my hands into the ground that sent me flying upward. With my arms braced behind me, I sat upright. The flex of my abdomen gave me the stability I needed to maintain sitting upright. Yda and Cartha coughed as they gathered their breaths.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, worried I’d hurt them. “Are you both all right?”

“Is this a joke, Yda?” Cartha shouted as she jumped to her feet. “Out of all the Archons, your goddess could have chosen, she gives us one that’s broken?”

I clenched my jaw as her words got underneath my skin. “I’m not broken. As I said, this is a new body. I just need some time to get acclimated.”

“You nearly crushed both of us! What happens when you try to shake someone's hand and crush it?” Cartha turned to help her ally to her feet. “Yda, I know what I said before, but all of this just feels wrong. I know what I said before, but this isn’t it. We’ve been on the run since you made your declaration as Heluna’s High Priestess. I believed in you and still do. But I didn’t sign up to take care of two people.”

“I’ve always appreciated that you have protected me. From the bottom of my heart I thank you. However, I did not ask you to.”

“If I didn’t, you’d be dead ten times over!”

Yda lowered her head briefly before stepping toward her friend and gripping her hand. “I know, and I thank you for it. But if you’re asking me to make some hypothetical choice between you and the Archon, you already know what my answer is going to be.”

Cartha’s eyes widened and jerked back. “So that’s it? You’re just going to throw our years of friendship away? Over him?”

“This isn’t just about him, Cartha. This is about my faith. I pledged my entire existence to my goddess. You know what I’ve been through. What I’ve had to endure. You may not see it, yet, but with the Archon’s help, I will spread Heluna’s grace all over Talis. This is my destiny. One that I’d love for you to be a part of. However, I will not force you to stay.”

Cartha’s eyes darted from side to side before her lips curled over her pointed fangs. “Fine! If this is your choice, then I won’t stand in your way.”

The dark purple skinned elf stomped her way back to a nearby pillar. She picked up a quiver, a bow, and a bag. After sorting them on her back, she marched toward a dark hallway on the farthest wall. She paused only a moment to look back. Her eyes were heavy with sorrow until they darted to mine. She snarled before ascending a set of stairs.

“Wow, she really didn’t like me,” I said. “I understand her concern with my sudden arrival and my current situation, but she seemed overly hostile.”

“Please don’t blame her, your Holiness. She and I have just been through a lot together. If I’m honest, that frustration had been building as of late. I think she just used you as an excuse to vent it all out and tell me how she really felt.”

“Do you think she’s really going to leave?”

“Maybe for a day or two, but she’ll be back. There was this one time in Muckbrooke that she left me in a tavern for a week. I was so worried I was going to get tossed out for not being able to pay for our stay. However, I learned later in the day that she paid while she left.”

“She sounds like a good friend.”

“She is. Cartha’s my best friend, which is why I know she’ll eventually be back. Now… How about I get you some warm clothes? You must be freezing sitting on that cold stone.”

“It’s actually not too bad, but I do feel a bit exposed here,” I laughed.

As Yda stepped off to the side, it finally gave me a chance to look around the room. I assumed we were underground somewhere, given the lack of windows and the stone arches that lined every ten feet. Lit candles sat in sconces mounted to the walls. Cobblestone lined the floor from end to end.

The furniture was minimal. I was sitting on some sort of gray stone altar the size of a king-sized bed. Red curtains hung for a bit of privacy where Yda stood off to the side. A small pallet of blankets and pillows sat by a chest. The lit fireplace filled the room with warmth.

“Where are we, by the way?” I asked.

Yda answered as she continued to rummage in her things. “We’re in an abandoned temple of Abetha, Dragon Goddess of Life. We’re minutes outside of Marcourt, a small farming town in the Dupont Holy Empire territory.”

“Is Abetha, Heluna’s mother?”

Yda paused when she heard my question. When Yda turned around, she was holding folded green and gold clothes and a brown belt. She approached with befuddled eyes. “Yes, she is. Do you not know the members of the pantheon?”

“Not completely. Heluna and I didn’t get a lot of time to speak. I think she told me about Xenith and Dragarus. But that’s pretty much it. Heluna said that you could be my guide in helping me learn about this world.”

“You speak as though you are not from Talis.”

I paused before I opened my mouth again. Part of me wanted to tell her the truth. That I wasn’t from this world. However, I wasn’t sure how Yda would take it. After seeing her completely break down earlier, I erred on the side of caution.

“I think my ascension has caused some significant memory loss.”

“Huh. I’ve never heard that happening to an Archon before. This is… completely unorthodox. I don’t know of another Archon with such a unique condition. I should grab some parchment and document this for our historical records. Do you think you’ll be okay to dress yourself?”

“I’m honestly not sure.”

“I’ll assist you, then,” Yda said with a chipper beat. She set the clothes next to me and began separating them. “I want to apologize for the quality of the fabric. Given we are a new sect, we unfortunately lack the funds needed for anything deserving of your stature.”

“No need to apologize. That kind of stuff doesn’t matter to me at this moment. Heluna told me that we’re starting from the ground up. I want to focus on us gaining capital quickly. If we want to build this sect into something large that rivals the others, we’re going to need money and lots of it.”

“I agree. With you finally here. I feel like we can finally take the first steps into growing.”

“And we will. Together.”

We both shared another smile before she reached down and started tying knots into the clothes.

“What are you doing?” I asked, pointing to the fabric.

“Since I didn’t know how large you were going to be, I was limited in what I could buy for you. The bottom layer is a decent quality cotton with golden edging. I’m tying this together. You’ll loop this over your collar and then fold it around you. The top layer is a thick woolen cloak which you can tie around you with this leather woven belt.”

“Sounds perfect. I was also told you have Heluna’s gifts for me? A set of gauntlets and a necklace.”

“Of course!” Yda ran back to her nook before returning with the items. “Here they are.”

When I saw the gauntlets in person, I was concerned they wouldn’t fit. However, Yda extended them in front of my arms. I concentrated on minimizing my movement as much as I could, holding outward. As the armor inched closer to my fingertips, it expanded in size.

With a subtle thrust, my hands slipped easily inside. It was as Heluna said. My mind opened to the magic contained inside. I immediately became aware of the spell contained within and understood how to wield it. It was like a long-lost memory I had suddenly could recall on a moment's notice. But that wasn’t the only effect.

Something about the armor also gave me a better understanding of my own body. I rotated my wrists and flexed my hands with ease and finesse. Unlike before, I had almost perfect control over my movements. The crystal on the top of my left hand glowed a crimson red.

Yda climbed on the altar behind me and secured the amulet around my neck. A tingle sensation rolled down the back of my neck as the use of the spell flooded my mind. Every ounce of knowledge came with it the tools I needed to better understand my own magic, like a baker understanding what the result of combining certain ingredients would produce.

Yda stepped down to my side and glanced down at my clothing. “Do you think you’re ready to try to stand?”

“I think so,” I said.

Since I felt like I had better control over my upper body, I turned around and bent over as if I was going to do a pushup. I moved my legs underneath me to brace for my weight. With a soft press, I push myself upward.

The movement in my legs had the same delay I experienced before. As I fell backward, I tried to correct them quicker than I could react to. I stumbled backward until I crashed on the ground.

When I looked up, Yda stood over me, covering her mouth. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, more annoyed than anything. “Just give me a minute. I’m still trying to figure this out.”

I turned back over and tried to push myself up. Once I got to my knees, I looked down. The fibers in my thighs twitched with each micro-movement I was unaware I was doing. This was going to take some time to get used to. While I had better control over my upper half, my lower half still felt like I was piloting a video character that was connected to a server halfway on the other side of the world.

I glanced around the room, looking for anything that could help. Each archway had two pillars on each side. I figured I could use them to help stabilize myself. Unashamedly, I crawled on my hands and knees to the closest one.

I used my upper body to pull myself up as if I was climbing rope. Once I was high enough to get my feet underneath me, I set my feet flat and tried to put some pressure on. I had to use my upper body to restrict the power coming from my legs. They wanted to send me headfirst into the ceiling. Once I had my feet stable enough, I turned around and leaned on the pillar.

“You did it!” Yda shouted.

My smile hid the pain I felt in my pride. I pointed to the clothes. “Now let’s see if I can get some clothes on.”

Yda handed me the first knot. “Just slide this over your head.” After I did, she pulled up the ends around my feet and tied them around my waist. She returned with the cloak. I could tell it was thicker, but it was an odd sensation. I barely felt any weight, given my new strength. After I slipped it on, I pulled the sides tight across my chest and fastened the middle with the braided leather belt she gave me.

The hellish metal gauntlets looked out of place, paired with the robe and cloak, but it wasn’t terrible. I looked down at Yda. “So, how do I look?”

She tapped on her cheek. “Hmm… like a very tall human.”

I chuckled. “Well, that’s because I am a very tall human.”

“We definitely need to get you properly tailored clothes. Some that hug to your form and show your status as an Archon.”

“It sounds like you want to treat me as a showpiece.”

“That’s because you are. As the Archon, you should represent everything we have to offer. Women should desire to be with you and men should desire to want to be you. You have the looks and body. We just need to get the clothes to match.”

“And that requires money we don’t have. Speaking of, how much money do we have?”

“I’d have to double check my coin purse, but maybe eight silver and a few pieces of copper? I’m not including anything Cartha would have. Her money is not mine to spend.”

“So little…” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “How much would that afford us to properly sustain ourselves for food and drink?”

“At the cheapest tavern, maybe a few weeks if we stretched it?”

“Only a few weeks is not enough. We need a way to earn a large sum of coin quickly. I also would like to find a place for information. Something like a library?”

“Then we should probably head to a nearby kingdom. There’s going to be more opportunities there. There are temples and merchants that would offer the information you seek.”

“I would assume cities pose a larger threat, though. Are there any cities where we might be safe?”

“Not completely. There are some kingdoms like Nubia that are a little more tolerant of other sects than others, but we’re always going to have a target on us.”

“But how would they know we’re from the Sect of Rebirth? Is there some magical way for them to tell who we are? I know I’m likely to stick out, but I could hunch and keep my head down.”

Yda fumbled with her hands. “Well… as the Head Priestess, I have to use every opportunity to spread Heluna’s tenets to those that would listen.”

“What does that mean? Would you just start shouting out her word into the streets?” When Yda nodded, I couldn’t help but snort. “But what if you… didn’t?”

Yda clutched her chest and shouted, “But that goes against my very existence!”

Her outburst felt a little overdramatic, but I tried to be sympathetic. “I’m not asking you to forgo doing it forever. But a bit of tact would go a long way. There are plenty of people who want to see us dead. It would behoove us to keep a low profile until we’re in a position where we can start to build.”

Yda lowered her head as her eyes darted back and forth. It was clear she was uncertain of my direction, but when she looked back up at me, she nodded. “I will do as you command, my Archon.”

“Thank you Yda. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated.”

Frantic footsteps interrupted our shared smile rushing down the nearby stairs. Cartha stopped at the doorway, panting. Sweat matted her white hair.

“Yda, we have to go now!” the huntress shouted.

“Why?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Inquisitors!”