《[OLD] Failed Gift》


 Chapter: Prologue

    _¡ª_


    NAME: Jack N Rosemary


    LEVEL: 86


    TITLES:


    Worlds Gift


    Bloody Jack


    Legendary Bandit


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] !Error Unknown Skill!


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    None


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] Physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch nor render you unconscious.


    [Sword Mastery Max]


    [Poison Resistance 7]


    [Dodge Max]


    [Danger Sense]


    [Slight of Hand Max]


    SKILLS:


    [Illusion: Flash] Creates a blindingly bright flash of light.


    [Blood Siphon] Harvest a victim''s blood to heal your injuries.


    [Flash Step] Move at the speed of light for a short distance.


    ¨C__¨C


    "There it is¡­" Alonzo, Jack''s right hand man, mutters and Jack closes his stat menu. A lone merchant wagon rolled into view around a bend.


    Jack and the other 10 of his men hid in the bushes on both sides of the dirt road. They had been waiting here for the past 8 hours since after Alonzo came back from town, telling them a merchant stacked with ale kegs was going to leave.


    So here they were, crouched behind some bushes on a cold day.


    As the merchant got closer he saw there were no mercs guarding the wagon. This was going to be their easiest haul!


    Once the wagon was getting close he and his merry bandit men walked out of their hiding and stood to block the path.


    The wagon came to a stop in front of them and he could see the merchant sitting in the driver''s seat.


    He was an old fellow. Not young and new like Jack had expected from a traveling wagon without any guards. Something felt off about this.


    [Danger Sense] was lightly going off but wasn''t blaring any real warnings. Odd¡­


    "Can i help you boys out?" The old man croaked out.


    This made Jack frown. The man didn''t even sound surprised to see them like he was used to hearing. He did sound worried though.


    "You sure can, old man. Why don''t you let go of the reins and step off the wagon?" Jack half expected the elder to send the wagon full speed at them. Its happened before, usually the older ones would do it.


    Without any argument he releases the reins and steps off the wagon. Dirt crunches under his boots.


    Jack approaches and the his men follow behind him before splitting up, they''ve done this many times before and know what their positions were.


    One stands next to the horse pulling the wagon. One sits in the driver''s seat with the reins. Two climbs into the cart to take stock and the rest stand guard around the wagon.


    Jack stops in front of the old merchant and grips the handle of his sword. "Empty your pockets, old man."


    "I know who you are, Jack. No need for the threats." The old man tells him and does as told. A small coin purse was all he had.


    "Oh? We''ve robbed you before?" He takes the purse from him and pockets it.


    "No but your wanted poster is all over the town. Bloody Jack, wanted dead, 1,500,000 gold."


    Jack quirks an eyebrow at the old man. "So you decided to pull your wagon out of town without any hired guard?"


    The merchant shrugs. "Hired help costs have gone up and it''s hard keeping business like that here when a legendary bandit is nearby. Its either move to another town to work or stay here and die on the job if they run into you."


    "Jack! The ales all here! Nothing else back here!" Jack glances over as his men yell as they hop out of the back of the wagon.


    As he breaks eye contact with the merchant the old man reaches into the sleeve of his coat.


    In a flash Jack''s sword is held off to the side and the man''s head falls to the ground. Blood sprays from the stump of the neck before the body slumps to the floor.


    *Clink!*


    A metal flask hits the dirt at the body''s feet.


    "Damn. Sorry about that. Twitchy sword arm." Jack says to the bloody corpse as he crouches down and picks up the flask. It looked well made and might be worth something. Shaking it next to his ear he could hear it was half full.


    Pocketing the flask he cleans his sword on the man''s pants leg. Standing up he sheaths it and catches sight of Alonzo.


    His right hand man''s fists were clenched white with a scowl on his face and looking at the dead body. Just as he saw it Alonzo looks away as if nothing happened and returns to keeping watch.


    What was that? Usually Alonzo doesn''t care about the people they rob. Did he know the merchant? Jack shakes his head. Doesn''t matter. The man was dead, the best he can do is apologize to Alonzo later. The old man shouldn''t have reached into his sleeve as his attention was elsewhere anyways.


    Damn he had a few more questions for the old man too¡­


    "Alright, James. Start leading the wagon home. Got some celebrating to do!" Jack tells the bandit on the driver''s seat who grins ear to ear.


    "Yes sir!"


    A few of his men hopped into the back of the wagon as it started moving and the rest followed it on foot.


    Jack''s [Danger Sense] was still lightly nagging him, keeping him on edge even though nothing seemed wrong. He scanned the forest around them for any danger and listened for anything abnormal. But nothing was off. Nothing in the trees and the sound of nature. What was making it act this way?


    The wagon soon turns into the woods and around trees on its way to their hideout.


    The body they left behind had been moved off the road by one of his men.


    About an hour into their trip back, Jack goes to walk next to Alonzo.


    "Did you know him?" Alonzo looked unbothered by the question and uninterested.


    "Wasn''t anybody i know nor care about. Don''t worry about it, old friend."


    That''s not what it looked like when he killed him. But if Alonzo didn''t want to talk about it then he wasn''t going to push it.


    Jack nods and the two walk in silence.


    -


    Back at their hideout, a cave in the middle of the woods, they unloaded the wagon of the ale kegs. A few of his men that were left to watch the hideout came out to help. The sun had begun to set by now.


    Barrel after barrel were carried in. Some were too big and had to be rolled in.


    They left the empty cart and horse outside.


    Tonight was going to be the best night of their banditing careers!


    The kegs were stacked in the corner of the cave, torches were lit, tables were set and mugs were passed around.


    Jack had one of his men who happened to have poison detection inspect the kegs and barrels. Finding them all clear mugs were filled.


    Jack raises up his mug of ale after everyone had theirs.


    "To the life of a bandit! No laws can stop us from living free and may we line our pockets with endless stolen riches!" Jack declared and they all lifted their mugs with a cheer before downing their contents. The first drink of many tonight.


    One of the newest members of their merry band, a teenager, spluttered and spit his ale out in disgust at the taste. A few others laughed merrily at this and another patted the boy''s back.


    Good men. Aint afraid to kill and steal but see each other as family. Each and every one of them have different reasons for joining but their pasts didn''t matter. Family took care of the family.


    For the next few hours they cheered and joked and laughed and drank. A few of the light drinkers were carried off to their cots. A group started a small drunken fight. Ale was spilt by the tipsy. And Alonzo was¡­


    Jacks eyes searched the faces of his men again.


    Not here¡­


    He should have been here celebrating with them. Maybe he stepped out to piss?


    Jack stood up and he had to catch himself as his world tilted. Finding his feet again he stepped out of the cave.


    He could barely feel the cold night air through the ale heating his blood. The moon was high and crickets chirped as he looked around.


    His right hand man wasn''t outside the cave entrance either. Maybe he could just be behind a tree or bush?


    "Alonzo?"


    ¡­


    No answer.


    His [Danger Sense] is starting to build up. That light alarm is getting a little louder.


    Something felt wrong about tonight. Maybe he should have listened to his Passive and not drank.


    He had to find Alonzo.


    He tried to sober up as he followed a hidden trail that would lead to a nearby stream.


    It wasn''t long until he heard voices up ahead in the dark along with the sound of flowing water. One of them he recognized as the man he was looking for.


    "-of the deal!"


    "I don''t make deals with criminals."


    Stumbling out of a bush he saw the stream and Alonzo standing with a man in full plate armor with a big sword on his back. A bounty hunter.


    The two had stopped talking and looked at him.


    "Ah shit, Jack¡­" Alonzo look pained at seeing him. Why?


    "Wh- whats going on here?" Jack reaches for the grip of his sword but misses a few times before finding it.


    The bounty hunter takes a step towards Jack.


    "Bloody Jack! Tonight is your last night alive! Even now your men are being slaughtered!" His voice is deep and gravely. He grips his big greatsword and wields it, taking a fighting stance.


    The pieces came together for Jack.


    The easy robbing of the merchant. There was only ale in the wagon and no other items. Alonzo''s reaction when he killed the man. This bounty hunter Alonzo wasn''t fighting.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    It was a plan that hasn''t gone quite right.


    A drunk target was an easy target.


    He heard a distant explosion and the faint cheers of his men turned to shouts and screams.


    Jacks heart pained to hear it. He wish he could go save them but he wasn''t in the situation to do so. All he could hope was that they could hold out long enough for him.


    A sigh leaves him. That was wishful thinking. They were all drunk and low leveled. They were screwed. The situation didn''t even look good for himself either. Jack might be highly leveled but he is drunk and the guy looked pretty strong.


    "Before i die, Bounty hunter. Might i ask you a question?" Jack asks as his grip on his sheathed sword tightened. He knew what he would see when he died. But he wanted to know if it had anything to do with this.


    The bounty hunter gave a small nod after a second of thought. "Only one."


    "Does 7 heads mean anything to you?"


    The bounty hunter visibly flinches at his question.


    Jack grimaces. "Damn, I was hoping for a no."


    "How do you know of it!? You''ve seen it t-!?" The heavily armored man shoots back several feet when Jack flashes his blade out towards his armored neck. A deep cut is left in the metal of the neck guard. He had some decent quality armor.


    Jack stumbles to catch his own balance as the world spins.


    "Sorry but I don''t plan on meeting World again, you wouldn''t mind telling me what you chose for your gift would you?" Jack says as he rights himself. It was just his luck that he had to fight the new gifted. His chances of survival just dropped.


    Alonzo had run off at some point. Coward.


    Jack would have done the same if he could.


    "No, but im guessing your gift is speed related?" Metal man growled out.


    "Damn, you figured me out." Speed wasn''t his gift, it isn''t even a passive, but keeping him guessing might keep him hesitant to fight. Hopefully.


    The two stared each other down. Waiting for the other to make a move. His poison resistance doesn''t really count alcohol as poison but it was still doing something. It was sure as hell taking its time though. Every moment that passes the more sober he became, they were both aware of that.


    Jack could tell that it would take too long for the alcohol to pass through him before he would die.


    So he took a risk.


    With his sword he cut his wrist. Blood flowed out fast.


    "What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to kill yourself faster?"


    "The alcohol in my blood is what''s keeping me drunk. So bleeding means less in my body."


    "And less blood in your body. Is that even how it works?" The bounty hunter shakes his head. "At least this will make my job easier. I''d like to get more answers out of you but I''d rather not face you sober."


    Jack could already feel himself becoming sober at a faster rate now. But he was losing blood even faster. He would have to end this fight before his blood ran out.


    Quickly coming up with a plan he went for it.


    The bounty hunter lifts his blade ready as Jack rushes at him.


    Swinging his blade it cuts into Jacks side. Up close now Jack''s hand presses against the eye holes of the bounty hunters helmet.


    Casting [Illusion: Flash] a blinding light came from his hand and into the helmet.


    "Aaaahhh!!!" The bounty hunter roared in pain as he is blinded by the light and his greatsword is dropped.


    Jack then activated his gift, [Double Trouble]. Cutting his health and mana in half.


    Suddenly strong metal plate covered arms wrap around his body with crushing force, filling him with dread.


    "W-wait we can talk about this! Ill tell you everything i know!" Jack pleaded as he struggled to escape. But he had all his points in dexterity instead of strength.


    "All out of questions now, asshole!"


    The arms began to squeeze the life out of him. Jack tried to punch the bounty hunters head with his free arm but his fist just glances. His spine pops and bones crackle under the force. Blood dripped from his mouth.


    Then every bone broke with a series of crunches and his organs punctured. The bounty hunters vision began to return just in time to see the life leave Jacks eyes.


    Letting go of the body it falls lifeless to the ground.


    Then before his very eyes the body faded away. Leaving nothing behind but the blood on his armor and the ground.


    "So thats his gift?! Dammit the stories of his signature move made it sound like he was just really fast!!"


    He looks around for any signs of Bloody Jack.


    _


    Jack ran through the forest, leaving his body double behind to distract the bounty hunter.


    He is mostly sober now and can clearly think but he felt so weak from losing a lot of blood.


    He spots Alonzo leaning against a tree up ahead. He slows to a walk.


    The traitor notices his approach and looks surprised. Tears stained his cheeks and his eyes were red. Had he been crying? Grieving? Had he expected to see the bounty hunter holding his severed head?


    "J-Jack! Your ali/!"


    Half his face is cut off like his sentence when his sword flashes out from its sheath like with the old merchant. The body of his brother falls to the ground.


    Dropping his sword to the ground he practically leaped onto the body. His teeth tore a chunk from Alonzo''s neck. Spitting the chunk of bloody meat out his lips wrap around the bleeding neck wound.


    [Blood Siphon]


    The blood flowing into his mouth is absorbed into his body. His bleeding wrist and cut side slowly closes themselves and the missing half of his health begins to regenerate.


    His own brother betrayed him. Not a brother like the bandits he calls family. Alonzo had been his older brother. He had been there from the very start. Been through all the things he had gone through.


    Alonzo wasn''t a brother now. He betrayed him. He betrayed the crew, their family.


    Heavy metal steps approach from behind.


    Jack lets go of the body and stands up wiping the blood from his lips. Picking up his sword he faces the bounty hunter.


    "Sorry about that. Where were we?" Jack casually asks, brushing his long brown hair from his face. He felt better now. No longer being held back. "Actually, i don''t think i got your name."


    "Brayrd. And I wasn''t informed you were a vampire."


    "Nice to meet you, Brayrd. And no, I''m not a vampire. But that was a trick I learned from one."


    Several more sets of footsteps come from the direction of the cave. And four more bounty hunters entered the clearing. Jack glances back to see a ranger, rogue, paladin and a white mage.


    "Sir! Our side of the job is finished!" A female ranger shouted to brayrd as Jack stood between them.


    His heart dropped at her words. "I guess that means I''m the last one of my crew?"


    "He''s sober now!" Brayrd could tell by the way he was acting. Or the criminal just has a really good poker face. One of his teammates cursed and they looked nervous. Sure this was a 5 vs 1 but he could still kill them all if they weren''t careful. Brayrd didn''t like their chances.


    Jack wipes the blood of his sword off on the body of his brother at his feet. Sheathing his sword a cold night breeze passes through the clearing. He smiled to himself. One night. All it took was one mistake for every member of his men to die. His gray eyes looked to Brayrd.


    "Normally id let an attempt on my life slide. But you killed my men. My Family." His grip on his sheathed sword tightens. "Forgiveness isn''t an option anymore."


    [Double Trouble]


    Once more his health and mana is halved. His mind splits and he sees the world and feels it as two people. A second Jack casually walks out of him and stands in the same way as him.


    "This is my gift if you are still wondering, Brayrd."


    Instead of having to face one Bloody Jack they had to face two.


    Nobody moved. Nobody wanted to fight him.


    "Too bad. Cuz'' I wanna kill all of y''all."


    Jack rushed at Brayrd and his double did the same towards his other party members. Weapons were raised in fear. What had been an easy slaughter for then now was a fight for survival.


    Their healer was the slowest one and so was the first to die.


    Brayrd was put on the defensive as Jack''s blade rapidly flashed, scoring deep cuts in his armor and greatsword.


    Brayrd drives his greatsword forwards to skewer him but Jack just leans moves around it.


    Jack steps closer and his sword tip finds a hole in his armor. Grunting in pain, Brayrd swung again at Jack who is already just out of his reach.


    "This would be faster if you weren''t wearing all that armor. It looks very nice. Where''d you get it?" Jack asked him to which the bounty hunter swung his greatsword at him a few more times. Each one missing.


    "Thought you would have noticed by now." Brayrd growled as his attacks miss.


    "Noticed what by now? What does that have to do with what i asked?" Jack left several more deep cuts in his armor.


    "Look at my armor closer."


    "Like i''m getting close to you again. Wasn''t pleasant what happened last time." Jack looked over Brayrd''s armor again. Perfect, clean and nothing was wrong with its perfection.


    Wait¡­


    Nothing was wrong with it. Not even a single cut marked its crafted surface.


    "Your armor is repairing itself. Where the hell did you get the money to buy that armor?"


    "Does 7 heads mean anything to you?"


    "You chose a self-repairing suit of armor over literally anything else!?"


    "I was 6."


    "I was 6 when I chose mine!"


    Brayrd saw the ranger of his team aiming at his Jack while the others were distracting theirs. Swinging his sword at Jack forces him to dodge back. As he does this the arrow is loosed.


    *Thunk!*


    Jack stumbles forward as an arrow sticks itself into his back grazing his spin. Brayrd''s blade comes again but Jack ducks under it. His legs lock up for a second against his will but he gets control back in time to dodge again.


    "Fuck."


    The other Jack had been busy. The rogue and healer were dead. Leaving the ranger and paladin left.


    He had kept brayrd distracted since he was the hardest one to kill here dust to the gifted armor.


    He might have been fast but the paladin had kept him distracted too. Giving the ranger a chance to fire an arrow at his other self. His [Danger Sense] had warned him but he was already dodging an attack and had to take the hit.


    He had then killed the ranger, cutting her head in four pieces. Leaving it to be just him and the paladin now.


    The paladin had a look of pure fury on his face. Behind jack he could hear brayrd''s grunt and this otherselfs quick footwork.


    "Any last words, Paladin? Your friends didnt last as long as i tho-." Jacks words were cut off.


    "Quiet, heathen! Your next move shall be your last! My life is not for you to take!" He lifts his weapon and holds his shield in front of himself. A large circle of blue fire appears around him, trapping Jack in. "I''ve been preparing this as you killed my friends."


    He then shouts out to Brayrd. "Brayrd! I''m sorry but the rest is up to you! We did what we could do!"


    "Michael! No! Don''t!!" Brayrd shouts back from past the flames.


    Jack flashed forwards to stop him. He stops behind the paladin and runs his sword through his heart.


    "Grrhhkk!!" After a few seconds a low chuckles the paladin. "You think killing me can stop this, demon? Your fate is sealed."


    The blue fire rises and the circle starts shrinking. He pulls his sword from the paladin who falls dead.


    Jack scowls at the predicament this puts him in. He had hoped that he would take care of them all and double team Brayrd. But looks like that wasn''t going to happen.


    This Jack is fine but doomed the other Jack has an arrow scratching his spine, possibly doomed too.


    Nothing ever goes right for him.


    This Jack''s body fades away.


    The other Jack dodges another swing of the greatsword.


    "Th-their all dead! Those were my friends! My only family!" Brayrd is enraged now. His greatsword came faster and thanks to the arrow in his back he is having difficulty dodging, earning himself a few nicks from the tip of the blade.


    "Hurts, doesn''t it?"


    "I can see why it wants you dead. It gave you its gift and instead of using it for good you use it for your own selfishness!"


    "You have no idea why I refuse to follow its orders."


    "It doesn''t matter what your reason is. What matters is you have killed innocent people, you are nothing but a heartless killer who needs to be put down."


    Releasing on one of his hands from the grip of his sword Brayrd reaches behind himself and into the backpack at his back. Then he pulls out a second greatsword. A twin of the first one.


    "I should have used my gift at its fullest from the start. My friends might still be alive if I had." Wielding two greatswords with ease he stands ready. "You better hope World is merciful, Jack."


    Jack cursed under his breath. Neither he nor Brayrd were going to run until the other was dead. He''s staying here to avenge his family and so is Brayrd.


    Jack silently hoped that World would show him mercy too.


    He couldn''t just pull the arrow out. With where it is pulling it out would make his locking up issue worse.


    Brayrd came at him heavily. Big greatswords swinging hard enough to create wind that flapped his clothes.


    One crashed into the ground when he dodged and the other came next, almost getting him.


    Jumping back a sword missed. He goes to dodge again but his legs lock up before he fully evade.


    The incoming greatsword severs his arm at the shoulder. The arm hits the ground limply and Jack stumbles the other way from the imbalance. It hurts like hell but his head is still clean.


    The next sword is coming down, aiming for his skull. He could see it coming a mile away. Could easily dodge it.


    But his legs lock up again.


    The blade comes down and his vision turns in two different angles.


    -


    Jack found himself in a place he hadn''t seen in a long time.


    A black void of nothing.


    Alone in this place with the thing.


    The World.


    A colossal monster lay before him.


    Twisted body parts of flesh melded together.


    Fourteen arms.


    Fourteen legs.


    Seven heads.


    He recognised each of those faces. They used to be the 7 different gods of this world. As in they used to be 7 SEPARATE beings. Jack has no ideas how or why they become like this.


    "Jack¡­"


    All 7 heads spoke his name at once.


    One of the lengthy thin arms moved and gently gripped him around the neck. Its strength is otherworldly yet gentle. It lifts him up high up till it is eye level with them. 7 heads stare at him with wonder.


    "A gift that refuses to become ripe is a failed gift."

 Chapter: 1

    Darkness.


    A black void.


    Was he alive?


    Everything hurts.


    His body and his mind ached with waves of pain.


    He must still be alive, that''s what pain means.


    "..."


    Muffled voices.


    His chest hurt more.


    Why? Was he not breathing?


    No. He wasn''t.


    His lungs burned for air.


    Suffocating walls surrounded him. How did he get in here, this tight space that trapped him? He pressed against it and wiggled the best he could but his body felt so weak and wrong. He felt more limbs than he was used to, a different shape and length.


    The walls were as strong as his need for air.


    Jack could feel himself fading. Slowly dying again.


    *Crack*


    A thin jagged broke along the side of his prison. He couldn''t see it but he could feel it. He presses his face against it and pushed as hard as he could.


    Several more cracking noises and his nose pushed through. Air filled his lungs and brought him back from the edge of death.


    His face felt longer than normal as he rested and breathed. Waiting for his aching and tired muscles to calm down.


    "...!"


    "..."


    More muffled voices he couldn''t make out.


    It wasn''t World. Thank goodness.


    What did World even do to him? Jack wasn''t sure. But he knew he had been thrown away. Like a foul snack thrown into the trash where it would never be seen again. It had opened a tear in between realities and tossed him in. At least that''s what it had looked like. Millions of realities passing by in seconds.


    And World had dropped him into it.


    Was there a way back? Did he want to go back?


    Where did he end up? Why did he feel wrong?


    He pushed against his prison and struggled. Pressing all he had against the walls.


    *Crack! Klk!*


    The walls broke around him and he fell over limply in a mess of limbs. He felt air on his body. He could barely move under the weight of his own body.


    A gust of wind flowed over him and something big and warm gently nudged him.


    He couldn''t even open his eyes. Had he ever been this weak before?


    Once a long time ago when he had grown ill. But he felt weaker than even then. It felt like his body wanted to give out on him. He had to make himself breath. Short, rapid breaths was the best he could do. Any attempts to take bigger longer breaths made his lungs panic and try to give out on him.


    A series of big deep growls of odd patterns rumbled above him. Followed by a different one from another creature.


    Where was he?! Was he in danger? His [Danger Sense] wasn''t blaring him any warnings.


    He felt so tired. The need to sleep was strong but he fought against it. He knew what would happen if he didnt. Sleeping would kill him.


    -


    Selen looked down with worry at her two hatchlings. The first one hatched and looked healthy. A healthy male dragon with beautiful snow white scales like its father and bright blue eyes like hers that looked up at her in wonder. He looked so small and cute.


    Her attention turns to the other one that had a difficult time hatching. Her heart clenched in worry.


    Frail, thin, weak and fighting to live.


    Black scales covered every inch of its body. Neither her nor her husband had black scales.


    She nudged the frail one and then the healthy one. The second one let out happy and curious chirps, nuzzling her in return. The first one didn''t make a noise and didn''t even twitch. Just breathing short breaths.


    Hearing the front door close she looks to see her husband walk in with his brother who is a doctor. Selen was thankful that Galerus''s brother Kemok was their neighbor. Galerus had run out of the house in a panic when he saw the black hatchling come out of its egg.


    Both Galerus and Kemok have white scales and green eyes. Almost looking like twins but their horns gave them away.


    "How is he?" Galerus asked as he laid with her. The hatchlings between their bodies.


    "Hasn''t moved but he''s still breathing." Selen tells him and looks to Kemok.


    Galerus''s brother is examining the black hatching without stepping too close. Green eyes taking in its condition.


    "Do what you need to, Kemok. I''ll allow it." Selen gave him permission. Her base instincts whispered at her to attack Kemok since he was near her hatchlings. But they were just base instincts that wouldn''t help her right now.


    Kemok nods and steps closer, a bit nervous considering she could still bite him. Mothers protective instincts.


    He gently touched the hatchling with his muzzle and smelled it. Moving back he sat down before the two new parents.


    "Scales are soft, shallow breathing, no reactions to probing and frail body. I''ve seen hatchlings in similar conditions before. It''s rare and they never make it past the first night." Kemok knew that wasn''t what they wanted to hear but he wasn''t going to lie to them or sugar coat it. They needed to know else it could crush them harder when it died.


    "Isn''t there anything we could do to save him?" Galerus asked as his claws dug into the bed they laid on.


    As they talked the white hatchling would try to get to his brother to play. Whenever he''d get close one of his parents'' tails would gently push him back.


    Kemok shakes his head at the question. "Healing potions could give it time but even then its chances of survival are low. But to save you the heart ache i coul-" kemok stops talking when Selen gives a threatening growl.


    "We are not putting him down! We''ll do whatever it takes to give him a chance!"


    Kemok nods in understanding. "I don''t like the thought either, I''m sorry for mentioning it but its mandatory to ask in these cases." His gaze turns to the other hatchling making squeaks and growls of protest from under its fathers paw. A thought nagged him as he looked between the two hatchlings. "I''ve seen hatchlings have varying degrees of color but never like this. One has the scales of his father and eyes of his mother while the others color is not even close. Id check to see if his eye color matches but i dont want to risk damaging his eyes if they are underdeveloped."


    Selen narrows her eyes at him due to what it sounded like he was insinuating.


    "I dont mean that, Selen. If it was that then something like his horns or scale patterns would be different. Its just his colors that are wrong." Kemok corrected. "If its okay with you maybe i could bring a scanner from work and give them a more thorough check on them. It can pick up health issues that even we can''t pick up."


    Selen looked to her husband and he nodded. "I think it would be best to be thorough." He tells her and nuzzles her.


    "Bring it tomorrow then. And maybe you should stay over just in case anything happens. If you don''t mind." Selen tells him.


    Kemok smiles and lets out a small laugh. "What kind of brother would I be if I didn''t?"


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "You can use the guest room. You know where it is, right?" Galerus goes to stand up but his brother waves at him with a paw.


    "Second door down the hall. I know. I''m going to go raid your fridge later, want anything?" Kemok goes to the open doorway and looks back.


    Galerus sighs and Selen smiles as she rests her head between her two hatchlings. One gave her joy as it excitedly nuzzled her muzzle and the other filled her heart with worry as it still hasn''t moved.


    "No, we are fine. But maybe you could donate a healing potion to your dear brother?"


    Kemok smiled and nodded. "I was going to give you one even if you didn''t ask. Ill be back soon." He leaves to head back to his house to get that potion.


    -


    Jack could tell there were big creatures around him. Three of them? One of them was higher pitched and kept getting closer and further. No there were four of them. There was a small one.


    He had nothing else to do other than focus on living. It felt like there were fifty different things wrong with him.


    How did he get here?


    Right. World.


    One of the creatures left. He heard it leave.


    One of the creatures moved right next to him.


    After a minute the two creatures starting growling at each other. It sounded weird how they would growl at the other. It wasn''t like how normal animals would like he had seen, growling threatening at the same time. They sounded like they were replying. One would growl and after a second the other would growl back. It reminded him of two people talking.


    A language of some kind? What were these animals?


    Soon the one that had left came back and the one resting next to him moves away.


    More growls and replies.


    Then one of them lifts his head up and opens his mouth with claws. He tries to fight away but he couldn''t move.


    Liquid floods his mouth and down his throat without warning. He chokes, wanting to spit it out as it went down both pipes. Air! Breathe!


    Jack panics as he feels himself fading again.


    Suddenly the liquid stops and his mouth closes.


    He tries to squeeze the liquid out of his lungs by breathing out.


    Suddenly the liquid is absorbed by his body.


    His lungs were clear again and he returned to breathing rapidly.


    Was that a healing potion? It acted like one but it tasted different. It must have been since his body hurt a little less. It helped but not by much.


    More! Pour me more!


    He would open his mouth if he could. Or open his eyes. Or vocally demand more. Or do anything if he could.


    The growls continued and the one that came back left again.


    Jack focused back to himself. His body.


    The best he could do is twitch. Small ones.


    Head? Check.


    Arms? Check.


    Legs? Check.


    Spine? Che- wait.


    Jack felt something was wrong about his spine. The upper half. He twitched his spine again and felt two other things twitch too.


    Two extra limbs? They felt wide in a weird way.


    He moves on to the rest of himself. Specifically the other part that he could already feel connected to his lower spine. It felt like his spine continued far more than he was used to.


    A tail maybe?


    What the hell happened to me?


    After a while he felt just enough strength come back to him thanks to the potion.


    Opening an eye the best he could he manages to open it a crack.


    Bright light flooded his vision but it soon dims enough to see.


    Yellow scales and white scales. Big bodies. Sharp claws. Big wings. Curled around him.


    Dragons!


    Fear filled him.


    He''s seen a dragon once. It had burned a whole village down and ate people. It had taken a whole army to take it down!


    Next to him in the corner of his vision he could see a baby dragon. White scales, blue eyes looking at him in curiosity.


    He nearly jumped out of his skin if he could when it started moving towards him.


    A yellow tail suddenly scoops the hatchling up and moves it back. The hatchling lets out a whine of protest.


    Why did one of the dragons save him from its hatchling? He was weak and easy food. Was there something wrong with him that could affect the hatchling? It certainly felt like something was wrong with him. Many wrong things.


    White catches his eye. Down on the ground where he lay was broken bits of white.


    Egg shells?


    Around him and mostly under him. He could feel the bits under him.


    Over where the hatchling is is a broken egg.


    Two eggs? If there were two then where is the other hatchling?


    A thought crossed his mind.


    Killed. World holding his soul. His soul being cast out into the unknown.


    His body was lost. Yet here he is with another body with many things wrong with its shape.


    Did¡­ did he have the body of a dragon? Did he hatch from an egg? Their egg? Like that baby dragon staring at him?


    Is that why they won''t let it near him?


    He hatched as their child and won''t let their other kid near because it would hurt him while he was so weak?


    Jack processed this but didnt know how to understand it.


    His soul took the body of a dragon in its egg. Was that even how it worked?


    Why is he so weak while the other hatchlings looked healthy?


    Was he defective or something?


    Both of the parent dragons were looking down at him. When did they do that?


    -


    Kyn.


    That is the name they decided to name the black one.


    And for the white one? His name is Kaid.


    Selen had almost tried to attack Kemok when he gave some of the healing potion to Kyn. The hatchling choked and she tensed up. Kemok quick stopped and stepped back before things could escalate. The hatchling returned to breathing and all was forgiven.


    After Kemok left, she and Galerus came up with their hatchlings'' names.


    Naming a hatchling that could die before morning might be a bad idea but something told her that wasn''t going to happen. She would make sure kyn would survive.


    It wasn''t till they felt fear come from Kyn did they return their focus on him.


    Why was it scared? Did something happen to it?


    She felt her stomach drop. Was it dying? Is something happening to it?


    She noticed that one of its eyes was open. Only barely, not enough to see its eyes but it could probably see them.


    Kain started moving towards Kyn so she moved the White hatchling back with her tail.


    "Maybe its sees us and is intimidated?" Galerus mutters to her as he looks closer.


    The fear radiating from Kyn rose as his muzzle got close. He smiled and moves his head back, looking at his wife.


    "He''s fine."


    Kyn''s eye closed and she frowns. Was that progress? It didn''t open its eye before. She hoped Kyn was getting better¡­


    Galderus''s smile falters at her worried look and gets up. "I''m going to get the hatchlings something to eat. I bet they are starving."


    "I bet they are too. Thanks honey."


    As Galerus left the room she played with Kain using her tail. The little hatchling let out cute growls and squeaks as he batted and dove for the tail.


    Galerus returns with a chunk of raw meat in his mouth, cold from the kitchen fridge. It was traditional for hatchlings to be fed raw meat before moving them onto cooked food. Like the dragons of old used to eat.


    Laying back down he sets the meat down between them. Kain stopped playing with his mothers tail and instantly jumped for the food. Sharp dragon teeth and claws sunk in and chomped down. Ripping a piece off he scarfed it down.


    "We''re going to have to teach him to eat slower¡­" Galerus mutters and Selen nods in agreement. Eating like that could give him a stomach ache.


    Her attention turns to their other hatchling. Kyn.


    If they fed him would he choke? It''s what happened with the healing potion Kemok gave him¡­


    But he needed to eat to build his strength.


    Taking a bit of the meat she chewed it up until it became mush. Then she lifted Kyns head up and opens his mouth. Takes some of the chewed meat from her mouth she places it in his mouth and closes it, tilting his head up.


    This time went better and she saw him swallow it down. Maybe he just didn''t expect it the first time?


    Selen continues to feed Kyn until he is as fat as Kain is. The white hatchling had eaten his fill, stomach round as he laid there before falling asleep.


    Kyn shallows the last bit of meat so she lowers his head back down on the bed.


    Seeing him eat made her feel somewhat better about his condition.


    Both of them then heard the fridge in the kitchen open.


    "Im going to make sure he doesn''t take all our chocolate chips¡­" Galerus quickly gets up and leaves the room.


    -


    Galerus spotted Kemok with his head in the fridge.


    "The cookies are off limits." Galerus tells him as he walks into the kitchen. Kemok jumps a bit at his voice and takes his head out of the fridge. Leftover meatloaf in his mouth he swallows it whole.


    Galderus spotted some cookie crumbs on the side of Kemoks lip.


    Too late¡­


    "I''ll buy you more tomorrow." Kemok gives him a sheepish smile and sits at the table. Galerus joins him and sits on the other side.


    "It''s fine." He sighs and glances back at the hallway.


    Kemok followed his gaze to the bedroom door down the hall.


    "I''m sorry, Galderus."


    Galerus expression turns dark and he looks to the floor. "Kyn doesn''t have a chance, does he?"


    "His lungs are too underdeveloped. Among all the other issues he has I have a feeling that is what''s going to¡­" He stops from finishing that sentence. "I''ve heard of cases like this being survivable but none of them were dragons. And none of them were to Kyns degree."


    Gladerus''s claws dug into the table at his words.


    [The rest of the chapter is missing sadly. But it ends the same way as the rewrites chapter end. I''ll fix this as soon as i can find where this end went lol.]

 Chapter: 2

    !WARNING!


    !HOST IS DECEASED!


    !AFFLICTED IS NOW STAGE: 0!


    !WARNING!


    !AFFLICTED STAGE: 0 HAS ALTERED [Bad Genetics]!


    !AFFLICTED STAGE: 0 IS REVIVING HOST!


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    I jolt awake with a deep gasp of air. My body felt like it was on fire from the inside! Every muscle, organ and bone burned hot.


    Where am i?!


    I could see that I was in a giant dark room on a giant bed. Two big dragons slumbered on either side of me. To my left next to me is a sleeping hatchling.


    Reaching for my sword all I feel are scales.


    The burning began to quickly fade away and memories came back.


    Bandits.


    Dying.


    Meeting World again.


    Dragons.


    Falling asleep.


    "D-did I die in my sleep?" I whispered to myself.


    The system messages are still there in his vision.


    Afflicted? What the hell is that?!


    I will open my stats.


    _¡ª_


    NAME: Kyn Kere (Jack N Rosemary)


    LEVEL: 0


    TITLES:


    None


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] You don''t deserve this. Be thankful I can''t take it away.


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    [!AFFLICTED! Stage: 0] A parting gift for a failed gift.


    [Bad Genetics] Your body has the disadvantage of being physically weak in many ways. Being weak might not be the only thing physically wrong with you.


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch or knock you out. You''re not afraid of pain either.


    [Danger Sense]


    SKILLS:


    None


    ¨C__¨C


    What in the hell is afflicted?! What has World done to me?!


    Most of my stuff had been removed too. But at least I still had the useful ones.


    [Double Trouble] is his gift given to him by World. Not even World could remove it as it is a part of his soul and World doesn''t kill its gifts.


    Of course World wouldn''t be satisfied with just removing him from their reality.


    "System, what is reality?" I whisper. Hoping for some kind of explanation.


    !ERROR!


    !UNKNOWN ACTIVE EFFECT!


    It had been given to me by World. Of course the system wouldn''t have a damn clue.


    And [Bad Genetics]? Of course he would lose the genetic lottery. Did World have anything to do with this too or was it just my bad luck?


    Taking in a deep breath i then sighed in annoyance.


    Wait.


    *Inhale*


    *Exhale*


    I can breathe normally now?


    I can breathe again!


    I didn''t feel like I was at the edge of death anymore and I can stand up now!


    Standing on all four legs felt wrong and right at the same time. My brain doesn''t like it but my dragon body felt comfortable.


    I might be feeling better now but my body is still being affected by [Bad Genetics]. Thin, frail and weak. Even as I stood my weak stick legs shook from their use.


    I hope exercising will fix this¡­


    I then noticed something.


    I felt hungry.


    Very hungry.


    Looking to the door I could see that it is open a bit. For the second time in my life a take my first steps.


    Stumbling several times and falling over I slowly made my way to the door.


    I hope they dont mind me raiding their food.


    Parents. That''s what they were. But were they his parents?


    No came first and them maybe followed. Technically yes.


    I never thought id ever be in a situation of thought like this. Shaking my head i decide to question it later. Food first.


    Making it to the door i sat on my butt and grabbed the door with my claws to open it. It wasn''t as awkward as I had expected it to be. I thought i was going to have to use my face, get it through the opening between the dorr and the doorway, and push it open.


    Opening it with my claws, the door let out a low creak in the room. I freeze and look over to the dragons to see if they hadn''t been woken by the noise.


    My heart nearly jumps out of my chest when I see one of them had their head raised, looking at me.


    The dragon suddenly stands up and slowly approaches.


    The first thought was to run, make a break for it to escape the deadly predator. His second thought was why wasn''t [Danger Sense] ringing its bells at him.


    And then the last thought was recalling that he was their hatchling. It wouldn''t attack him, would it?


    But what if it did?


    Pushing the door more open he went through. He moved as fast as he could down the hall, which isn''t fast at all. It was more like he was walking fast and stumbling on himself.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    The dragon followed him out, its eyes stayed on him. Behind him it moved slowly as it didn''t need to do much to keep up.


    No, it wasn''t going to attack. It is curious. Curious about him.


    I could see it in its eyes when I glance back.


    It is kind of disturbing, it showed human-like emotions on its face.


    Curiosity, joy and a bit of fear? Worry?


    What kind of dragon had emotions? The one he saw years ago did not have any.


    This dragon is the yellow one. It let out small quiet growls as if it was talking to itself.


    It had its own language too. The growls sounded too specific and varied in its lengths and pitches.


    It sounds like it is talking to itself but maybe it was talking to me?


    The hallway ends with a big room. On the left is a kitchen and the right a living room. Both looked eerily human except looked altered to fit a dragon. Chairs were instead cushions on the floor among other things.


    My claws met glossy hard tiles as i enter the kitchen.


    *ssshhh*


    My world goes white and my eyes burn.


    Staying still so i didn''t fall over my vision eventually returned slowly.


    A light had turned on, removing the darkness.


    Looking back i saw that the dragon following me is yellow with blue eyes. It has a claw lifted and next to a weird panel on the wall with what looked like a rune on it.


    Magic lights?


    Aren''t those expensive?


    Actually this whole place looked expensive. None of it looked run down or cheaply made. Is this a nobles house? Why were these dragons here? Why aren''t they destroying the building like dragons usually do?


    *Grumble*


    Food. Right.


    I knew what a refrigerator was. Ive raided a nobles house before. But this refrigerator looked way better made than what I''d seen. Metal with a fancy texture on it with a silver color. And it is pretty big too.


    Like with the door i put my claws on it and tried to open it. It doesn''t budge. Was it locked? No, it''s because I''m weak.


    A yelp escaped me when claws gently grab me and I am lifted up. Being set on the table the yellow dragon lets me go, growls non-words at me and then opens the fridge.


    I didn''t like this. I''m a grown ass man, I don''t need to be taken care of! I''m 28! I''m a legendary bandit! Bloody Jack! I''ve kil-!


    A plate of raw meat is placed in front of me and I sink my teeth into it.


    The dragon closes the fridge and watches me eat.


    Raw meat. I had once been squeamish at the idea of eating it. But that had been a long time ago. I had been forced to eat it several times before for survival, and intimidation once, but it''s gotten me sick most of the time.


    This time it tasted pretty good and my teeth made it easier to eat. I''ve never had cold meat before, usually it would be fresh.


    My body ached from the movements he had made but that is progress.


    Eating my fill I flop down next to the plate of half eaten meat. I feel like my body is all out of stamina for today.


    Why am I suddenly so tired?


    I guess this time would be fine to not fight it. I wasn''t struggling to live anymore.


    I let my eyes closer and i slipped into unconsciousness.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    -


    Coming back to the land of the conscious, I opened my eyes and stared into a much bigger pair of green eyes with a white muzzle up close.


    Startled, my body reacted out of reflex. My paw shot forwards and bapped the big dragon''s face. My legs tangle when I jump back and I fall over.


    The dragon moved its face back from my attack that didnt even affect it. But it did look very surprised. This dragon has white scales, green eyes and wavy horns.


    A very human-like laugh came from behind me. When I look back, I see the yellow dragon sitting there, it has short thin horns. Next to that dragon is the other white dragon with green eyes. This one has antler-like horns.


    I''m in the living room now. Had I been moved while I slept? I am on a cushion and next to me is another with the other hatchling. Untangling myself, I sit down.


    Sunlight shone in from a window. How long have I been asleep?


    The big white dragon is still looking at me. Or more like looking at my eyes. Why is it looking at my eyes? I stare back into its eyes.


    Green irises and black half slited/half rounded pupils.


    The dragon says a series of growls, sounds like a question but not directed to me. The dragons behind me give growling replies.


    "Grr. Rrr ruh, rrrrf."


    "Rrg. Ruh. Grr."


    Growls like that.


    This reminds me of why I don''t deal with foreigners. Not being able to understand what someone is saying always gave me a headache.


    Eye contact is broken when the dragon looks to the other two behind me. It talks more and then moves an odd black square cube with runes on it. It had been in front of the other hatchling but is slid in front of me now.


    The dragon taps it with a claw and the runes light up.


    _¡ª_


    NAME: Kyn Kere (Jack N Rosemary)


    LEVEL: 0


    TITLES:


    None


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] You don''t deserve this. Be thankful I can''t take it away.


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    [!AFFLICTED! Stage: 0] A parting gift for a failed gift.


    [Bad Genetics] Your body has the disadvantage of being physically weak in many ways. Being weak might not be the only thing physically wrong with you.


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch or knock you out. You''re not afraid of pain either.


    [Danger Sense]


    SKILLS:


    None


    ¨C__¨C


    My system stats appear before me and above the cube.


    Is the dragon looking at my stuff?


    Closing my menu the one above the cube stays as the dragon reads it. A confused look appears on its face as it reads my two separate names and the confusion grew at everything under it.


    Concern. Confusion. Curiosity?


    Its eyes look over it again and again and would glance at me. Like it is looking at something it had never seen before.


    It then looks to the two other dragons behind me and says dragon words. It then slides my menu closer to them and turns it around so they could read it too.


    I had never heard of a baby being born with passives, skills or anything before. All that stuff is learned through life. From the way they were looking, it''s not normal for baby dragons either.


    Worry builds up in me. They could see the [!AFFLICTED!] Effect and World''s comments.


    Wait.


    I look at the words in it. Most of it is in a different language I can''t read but [!AFFLICTED!] and [Double Trouble] are in english. More than likely because those two were made by World. Could they read english? I assume the other language is theirs.


    It didnt look like they could read it as they were looking at it pretty hard with frowns. The dragon with wavy horns is looking at me with an expression.


    More curiosity but this time like I''m some sort of puzzle.


    I didn''t like it so standing up I make my way to the edge of the table to jump down. But before I can make it to the edge a yellow scaled tail scoops me up and puts me back on the cushion.


    Normally I would be spitting insults and threats of death but these were big dragons so I stayed quiet.


    The dragon that activated the cube deactivates it and gets up. With a few growls it then leaves out the front door.


    When the door closes with a click the two other dragon look at me. They talk to each other and the white one gets up and goes to another room in the house. When it comes back it has paper cards in its mouth.


    Sitting down again but on the other side of the table in front of the other hatchling.


    What is it doing?


    The dragon sets the cards on the table and passes half of it between me and the yellow dragon. I look down at them and see several cards with random pictures of objects and furniture.


    I turn to the yellow dragon as it picks up a card with a claw and points at it. A short growl leaves its mouth, sounding like a statement. On the card is a glass cup. It gives the short growls at me again and looking expectantly at me.


    Oh you have to be kidding me¡­


    The dragon is trying to teach me to understand dragon growls. This would be useful to learn but i didn''t like how it is trying to teach me.


    Its fine, Jack. Just put up with it for now. Its not like you can just leave and return to being a bandit. You''re a dragon now and nobody would want to start another bandit crew with you. Or could i? I can still speak english since this dragon mouth i have can handle it fine so maybe i could convince people.


    But that would have to be later. Right now I needed to learn the basics of my dragon body first.


    So for now I would have to play along and learn what I can.


    I try to copy the dragon''s growl but it came out wrong. Yellow does the growl again and I try again.


    I glance at the other hatchling and see the white dragon is trying to do the same as Yellow. But the hatchling keeps trying to play and bite the card.


    "Grghf."


    Yellow looks pleased and lifts up another card. This one has a picture of an apple.


    "Rrg. Rrg.


    "Rrrrghh."


    Yellow shakes its head and repeats.


    I''ve never tried learning another language before. It feels very weird to see something you know but have to call it something different.


    After a few more cards Yellow places them in a neat square formation on the table with a few others mixed it.


    Yellow then gives a short growl, one of the ones it was teaching me.


    It quickly clicked what the dragon wanted.


    I point at a card with a picture of a loaf of bread and return the same short growl. Yellow nods in approval before giving another one of the taught growls.


    I look over at the hatchling. The white dragon has managed to get it to sit still and is actively trying to teach it to say hay. Already moved on from 4 other cards.


    A deep hum like noise comes from Yellow who re-catches my attention. Like a mother trying to get their child to focus. It sounded peaceful and patient.


    With my attention back on Yellow it lets out another short word.

 Chapter: 3

    !WARNING!


    !HOST IS DECEASED!


    !AFFLICTED IS NOW STAGE: 0!


    !WARNING!


    !AFFLICTED STAGE: 0 HAS ALTERED [Bad Genetics]!


    !AFFLICTED STAGE: 0 IS REVIVING HOST!


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    I jolt awake with a deep gasp of air. My body felt like it was on fire from the inside! Every muscle, organ and bone burned hot.


    Where am i?!


    I could see that I was in a giant dark room on a giant bed. Two big dragons slumbered on either side of me. To my left next to me is a sleeping hatchling.


    Reaching for my sword all I feel are scales.


    The burning began to quickly fade away and memories came back.


    Bandits.


    Dying.


    Meeting World again.


    Dragons.


    Falling asleep.


    "D-did I die in my sleep?" I whispered to myself.


    The system messages are still there in his vision.


    Afflicted? What the hell is that?!


    I will open my stats.


    _¡ª_


    NAME: Kyn Kere (Jack N Rosemary)


    LEVEL: 0


    TITLES:


    None


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] You don''t deserve this. Be thankful I can''t take it away.


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    [!AFFLICTED! Stage: 0] A parting gift for a failed gift.


    [Bad Genetics] Your body has the disadvantage of being physically weak in many ways. Being weak might not be the only thing physically wrong with you.


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch or knock you out. You''re not afraid of pain either.


    [Danger Sense]


    SKILLS:


    None


    ¨C__¨C


    What in the hell is afflicted?! What has World done to me?!


    Most of my stuff had been removed too. But at least I still had the useful ones.


    [Double Trouble] is his gift given to him by World. Not even World could remove it as it is a part of his soul and World doesn''t kill its gifts.


    Of course World wouldn''t be satisfied with just removing him from their reality.


    "System, what is reality?" I whisper. Hoping for some kind of explanation.


    !ERROR!


    !UNKNOWN ACTIVE EFFECT!


    It had been given to me by World. Of course the system wouldn''t have a damn clue.


    And [Bad Genetics]? Of course he would lose the genetic lottery. Did World have anything to do with this too or was it just my bad luck?


    Taking in a deep breath i then sighed in annoyance.


    Wait.


    *Inhale*


    *Exhale*


    I can breathe normally now?


    I can breathe again!


    I didn''t feel like I was at the edge of death anymore and I can stand up now!


    Standing on all four legs felt wrong and right at the same time. My brain doesn''t like it but my dragon body felt comfortable.


    I might be feeling better now but my body is still being affected by [Bad Genetics]. Thin, frail and weak. Even as I stood my weak stick legs shook from their use.


    I hope exercising will fix this¡­


    I then noticed something.


    I felt hungry.


    Very hungry.


    Looking to the door I could see that it is open a bit. For the second time in my life a take my first steps.


    Stumbling several times and falling over I slowly made my way to the door.


    I hope they dont mind me raiding their food.


    Parents. That''s what they were. But were they his parents?


    No came first and them maybe followed. Technically yes.


    I never thought id ever be in a situation of thought like this. Shaking my head i decide to question it later. Food first.


    Making it to the door i sat on my butt and grabbed the door with my claws to open it. It wasn''t as awkward as I had expected it to be. I thought i was going to have to use my face, get it through the opening between the dorr and the doorway, and push it open.


    Opening it with my claws, the door let out a low creak in the room. I freeze and look over to the dragons to see if they hadn''t been woken by the noise.


    My heart nearly jumps out of my chest when I see one of them had their head raised, looking at me.


    The dragon suddenly stands up and slowly approaches.


    The first thought was to run, make a break for it to escape the deadly predator. His second thought was why wasn''t [Danger Sense] ringing its bells at him.


    And then the last thought was recalling that he was their hatchling. It wouldn''t attack him, would it?


    But what if it did?


    Pushing the door more open he went through. He moved as fast as he could down the hall, which isn''t fast at all. It was more like he was walking fast and stumbling on himself.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The dragon followed him out, its eyes stayed on him. Behind him it moved slowly as it didn''t need to do much to keep up.


    No, it wasn''t going to attack. It is curious. Curious about him.


    I could see it in its eyes when I glance back.


    It is kind of disturbing, it showed human-like emotions on its face.


    Curiosity, joy and a bit of fear? Worry?


    What kind of dragon had emotions? The one he saw years ago did not have any.


    This dragon is the yellow one. It let out small quiet growls as if it was talking to itself.


    It had its own language too. The growls sounded too specific and varied in its lengths and pitches.


    It sounds like it is talking to itself but maybe it was talking to me?


    The hallway ends with a big room. On the left is a kitchen and the right a living room. Both looked eerily human except looked altered to fit a dragon. Chairs were instead cushions on the floor among other things.


    My claws met glossy hard tiles as i enter the kitchen.


    *ssshhh*


    My world goes white and my eyes burn.


    Staying still so i didn''t fall over my vision eventually returned slowly.


    A light had turned on, removing the darkness.


    Looking back i saw that the dragon following me is yellow with blue eyes. It has a claw lifted and next to a weird panel on the wall with what looked like a rune on it.


    Magic lights?


    Aren''t those expensive?


    Actually this whole place looked expensive. None of it looked run down or cheaply made. Is this a nobles house? Why were these dragons here? Why aren''t they destroying the building like dragons usually do?


    *Grumble*


    Food. Right.


    I knew what a refrigerator was. Ive raided a nobles house before. But this refrigerator looked way better made than what I''d seen. Metal with a fancy texture on it with a silver color. And it is pretty big too.


    Like with the door i put my claws on it and tried to open it. It doesn''t budge. Was it locked? No, it''s because I''m weak.


    A yelp escaped me when claws gently grab me and I am lifted up. Being set on the table the yellow dragon lets me go, growls non-words at me and then opens the fridge.


    I didn''t like this. I''m a grown ass man, I don''t need to be taken care of! I''m 28! I''m a legendary bandit! Bloody Jack! I''ve kil-!


    A plate of raw meat is placed in front of me and I sink my teeth into it.


    The dragon closes the fridge and watches me eat.


    Raw meat. I had once been squeamish at the idea of eating it. But that had been a long time ago. I had been forced to eat it several times before for survival, and intimidation once, but it''s gotten me sick most of the time.


    This time it tasted pretty good and my teeth made it easier to eat. I''ve never had cold meat before, usually it would be fresh.


    My body ached from the movements he had made but that is progress.


    Eating my fill I flop down next to the plate of half eaten meat. I feel like my body is all out of stamina for today.


    Why am I suddenly so tired?


    I guess this time would be fine to not fight it. I wasn''t struggling to live anymore.


    I let my eyes closer and i slipped into unconsciousness.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    -


    Coming back to the land of the conscious, I opened my eyes and stared into a much bigger pair of green eyes with a white muzzle up close.


    Startled, my body reacted out of reflex. My paw shot forwards and bapped the big dragon''s face. My legs tangle when I jump back and I fall over.


    The dragon moved its face back from my attack that didnt even affect it. But it did look very surprised. This dragon has white scales, green eyes and wavy horns.


    A very human-like laugh came from behind me. When I look back, I see the yellow dragon sitting there, it has short thin horns. Next to that dragon is the other white dragon with green eyes. This one has antler-like horns.


    I''m in the living room now. Had I been moved while I slept? I am on a cushion and next to me is another with the other hatchling. Untangling myself, I sit down.


    Sunlight shone in from a window. How long have I been asleep?


    The big white dragon is still looking at me. Or more like looking at my eyes. Why is it looking at my eyes? I stare back into its eyes.


    Green irises and black half slited/half rounded pupils.


    The dragon says a series of growls, sounds like a question but not directed to me. The dragons behind me give growling replies.


    "Grr. Rrr ruh, rrrrf."


    "Rrg. Ruh. Grr."


    Growls like that.


    This reminds me of why I don''t deal with foreigners. Not being able to understand what someone is saying always gave me a headache.


    Eye contact is broken when the dragon looks to the other two behind me. It talks more and then moves an odd black square cube with runes on it. It had been in front of the other hatchling but is slid in front of me now.


    The dragon taps it with a claw and the runes light up.


    _¡ª_


    NAME: Kyn Kere (Jack N Rosemary)


    LEVEL: 0


    TITLES:


    None


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] You don''t deserve this. Be thankful I can''t take it away.


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    [!AFFLICTED! Stage: 0] A parting gift for a failed gift.


    [Bad Genetics] Your body has the disadvantage of being physically weak in many ways. Being weak might not be the only thing physically wrong with you.


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch or knock you out. You''re not afraid of pain either.


    [Danger Sense]


    SKILLS:


    None


    ¨C__¨C


    My system stats appear before me and above the cube.


    Is the dragon looking at my stuff?


    Closing my menu the one above the cube stays as the dragon reads it. A confused look appears on its face as it reads my two separate names and the confusion grew at everything under it.


    Concern. Confusion. Curiosity?


    Its eyes look over it again and again and would glance at me. Like it is looking at something it had never seen before.


    It then looks to the two other dragons behind me and says dragon words. It then slides my menu closer to them and turns it around so they could read it too.


    I had never heard of a baby being born with passives, skills or anything before. All that stuff is learned through life. From the way they were looking, it''s not normal for baby dragons either.


    Worry builds up in me. They could see the [!AFFLICTED!] Effect and World''s comments.


    Wait.


    I look at the words in it. Most of it is in a different language I can''t read but [!AFFLICTED!] and [Double Trouble] are in english. More than likely because those two were made by World. Could they read english? I assume the other language is theirs.


    It didnt look like they could read it as they were looking at it pretty hard with frowns. The dragon with wavy horns is looking at me with an expression.


    More curiosity but this time like I''m some sort of puzzle.


    I didn''t like it so standing up I make my way to the edge of the table to jump down. But before I can make it to the edge a yellow scaled tail scoops me up and puts me back on the cushion.


    Normally I would be spitting insults and threats of death but these were big dragons so I stayed quiet.


    The dragon that activated the cube deactivates it and gets up. With a few growls it then leaves out the front door.


    When the door closes with a click the two other dragon look at me. They talk to each other and the white one gets up and goes to another room in the house. When it comes back it has paper cards in its mouth.


    Sitting down again but on the other side of the table in front of the other hatchling.


    What is it doing?


    The dragon sets the cards on the table and passes half of it between me and the yellow dragon. I look down at them and see several cards with random pictures of objects and furniture.


    I turn to the yellow dragon as it picks up a card with a claw and points at it. A short growl leaves its mouth, sounding like a statement. On the card is a glass cup. It gives the short growls at me again and looking expectantly at me.


    Oh you have to be kidding me¡­


    The dragon is trying to teach me to understand dragon growls. This would be useful to learn but i didn''t like how it is trying to teach me.


    Its fine, Jack. Just put up with it for now. Its not like you can just leave and return to being a bandit. You''re a dragon now and nobody would want to start another bandit crew with you. Or could i? I can still speak english since this dragon mouth i have can handle it fine so maybe i could convince people.


    But that would have to be later. Right now I needed to learn the basics of my dragon body first.


    So for now I would have to play along and learn what I can.


    I try to copy the dragon''s growl but it came out wrong. Yellow does the growl again and I try again.


    I glance at the other hatchling and see the white dragon is trying to do the same as Yellow. But the hatchling keeps trying to play and bite the card.


    "Grghf."


    Yellow looks pleased and lifts up another card. This one has a picture of an apple.


    "Rrg. Rrg.


    "Rrrrghh."


    Yellow shakes its head and repeats.


    I''ve never tried learning another language before. It feels very weird to see something you know but have to call it something different.


    After a few more cards Yellow places them in a neat square formation on the table with a few others mixed it.


    Yellow then gives a short growl, one of the ones it was teaching me.


    It quickly clicked what the dragon wanted.


    I point at a card with a picture of a loaf of bread and return the same short growl. Yellow nods in approval before giving another one of the taught growls.


    I look over at the hatchling. The white dragon has managed to get it to sit still and is actively trying to teach it to say hay. Already moved on from 4 other cards.


    A deep hum like noise comes from Yellow who re-catches my attention. Like a mother trying to get their child to focus. It sounded peaceful and patient.


    With my attention back on Yellow it lets out another short word.

 Chapter: 4

    The box had chocolate chip cookies in it.


    My brother and I were given one. They tasted freshly made and wonderful. He tore into his like an animal while I ate mine slowly.


    When he finished his he licks up the crumbs on the table his way of eating dropped.


    That white dragon, who I assume is my dad''s brother based on appearance, who I will call uncle, is watching us. Or more like watching me.


    He is looking like i''m some sort of puzzle as he sits at the kitchen island with my parents.


    My brother nuzzles my side and I could tell what he wanted. My half eaten cookie. I give it to him and he takes it, eating it greedily.


    I make eye contact with my uncle again and stare. If he is going to be weird like this then two can play at this game.


    .


    .


    .


    Uncle''s puzzled expression begins to change into confusion.


    Is he onto me? I can tell I''m not acting like I should. A clueless and carefree hatchling. I can tell what he is thinking, "why is this hatchling showing so much awareness?".


    But I''d never tell him why. He will just have to assume I just hatched smart or something.


    .


    .


    .


    His expression changes from confusion to discomfort. What? Why? Is it a dragon thing?


    He looks away and returns to the conversation with my parents.


    Maybe that was an animal thing. I''ve heard about how eye contact was a way to show dominance or something. At least I think that''s what I heard. I could be wrong.


    I turn my stare to my brother to see if it would effect him.


    My brother just looks at me and then nuzzles my face. I put a paw on his face and gently push his muzzle away.


    No touching the merchandise, brother.


    My brother growls lightly and I quickly let go. I didn''t want to have him think I wanted to play right now.


    My body still hurts¡­


    -


    Our parents fed us and then we had another round of learning.


    "Apple."


    Its my mom this time. She points at the card she had already taught me earlier. Did she forget we did this one or is she seeing if I remembered?


    Should I say the wrong thing just to mess with her?


    Hmmmmm¡­


    No. But maybe i can get something out of doing something like it. I don''t know what my parents names are so maybe i can get them to tell me.


    I point at my mom. "Apple."


    She shakes her head and points at the card. "Grff, grrf. Apple."


    I point and say apple again. Come on.


    "Apple."


    Pointing at mom still. "Chair."


    She huffs and points to herself to correct me.


    "Gerllfggh."


    Victory!


    "Gerffgg." Like usual I screw it up but after a few more times I pronounce it correctly. I''m not sure if it means mom or her real name but either will work fine. I''ll just assume it means mom.


    I then point at dad who is busy teaching my brother.


    "Mom."


    She smiles at me calling him that and points to him.


    "Hggllrrf."


    Uncle is sitting on the couch and has been looking at an odd black glass rectangle making quiet noises in his claw. Now he is looking at me and what is going on with that puzzled look again. Is me wanting to learn my parents names really that abnormal?


    After a few tries I get it right. Once again assuming its dad.


    "Dad."


    I then get my brother and my uncle.


    To confirm I got their names right I point at them and repeat what I learn.


    "Dad, mom, brother, uncle."


    My mom looks surprised but very proud of me and my uncle is looking utterly bewildered at me.


    He then says something that makes my mom look at him with a frown.


    Old man needs to learn to not curse in front of kids. Im tempted to make a guess at which one of his words was the curse and say it but I''ll let is slide. Not next time if it happens again.


    "Firrggff!"


    My brother exclaims something. He had all his attention on dad but now he is looking at uncle.  Now my dad is looking at my uncle with a frown. Mom looks less happy than before.


    How do kids do that? They always end up hearing the one word you didn''t want them to hear.


    I give uncle a look as if saying ''you messed up.''.


    -


    After a bit longer of learning, my mothers tail wraps around me and I am lifted up. I can see my dad do the same with my brother and follow. Mom brings me to the hallway and into the bathroom.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She puts me down into the tub and dad sets my brother next to me. Mom then turns a metal lever on the wall and water starts flowing out of a spout.


    This stuff just keeps surprising me. I''ve never seen working water pipes before. It had been such a rare thing that only the rich had. Is this normal for this world or is my family just rich?


    Water slowly begins to rise under our paws and dad adds soap to it. Bubbles form and my brother bites at one as it floats by his claws. He spits it out at the taste.


    The water is turned off when it gets halfway up our legs.


    Then came the brush.


    Mom, with a soapy brush in her claws, scrubs the top of my head. I close my eyes so the soap doesn''t get in them. The brush feels nice against my scales and I could feel the dirtiness of egg hatching come off.


    I hear my brother letting out little growls as he gets a scrubbing from dad. Our parents giving little laughs and talking as they scrub us clean.


    Then the laughs and talking suddenly sounded worried just after pain flared from my side from the brushes scrubbing.


    Mom quickly stops scrubbing and I look at what happened. Some of my scales had come off of my side. Some blood is coming from my side and dripping into the water.


    I know my body is weak due to [Bad Genetics] but I didn''t think my scales would be so soft and easy to pull out. Its not like its because I had recently hatched either since my brother''s scales are hard.


    I don''t think exercising is going to fix the toughness of my scales.


    Mom picks me up again and quickly carries me out into the hall. Knocking on the door uncle went in he opens it.


    The two speak a few words and he lets her in.


    It''s a guest bedroom? Or its uncle''s room, except it isn''t decorated  or had any belongings other than some piled next to the bed. It feels more like a guest room than a bedroom, so uncle is just staying over?


    I am set on the table and my uncle comes over with a white bag with a red cross on it.


    Knowing how this works I turn to let him see my side, damage to him. Mom looks worried even though I feel fine. Sure I''m in pain but I''ve had much worse.


    White scaled muzzle comes close as he assesses the damage. Feeling the need to hold him back I put a paw on the front between his nostrils. Is uncle a doctor? He''s got that look that doctors have, very clean and sharp.


    After a moment I feel myself start to growl at him. You''re a little too close to my personal space, doc. I don''t say it out loud of course.


    He moves his face away once done examining the damage and my paw returns under me. Uncle tells my mom something and she nods before coming closer.


    Her large yellow paw with white claws reaches for me. I felt the need to jump or dodge or run but i stay still. If I wanted to live my new life with these dragons then I''m going to have to trust them. I''m going to have to love them just as much as they love me.


    Mom''s paw comes close and grabs me by the chest before moving me to lay on my side. Her claws hold me down, not rough but just enough to do it without hurting me.


    I lift my head to watch them.


    I already know what he was going to pull out of the bag he is digging in. Uncle pulls out a disinfectant spray and approaches. Pointing it at my wound he looks to mom.


    Do they think I''m going to freak out? I mean i am a kid to them so it made s-


    *Tsshhhhh*


    Stinging pain like electricity shot through the wound and I watched as it foams up. I didn''t flinch or anything because of my [Tough as Nails] passive.


    Uncle did not look like he found it good that I didn''t react and mom looked worried. He puts the spray down and puts the cube from before in front of me. It had been on the desk im on.


    _¡ª_


    NAME: Kyn Kere (Jack N Rosemary)


    LEVEL: 0


    TITLES:


    None


    ABILITIES:


    [Double Trouble] You don''t deserve this. Be thankful I can''t take it away.


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    [!AFFLICTED! Stage: 0] A parting gift for a failed gift.


    [Bad Genetics] Your body has the disadvantage of being physically weak in many ways. Being weak might not be the only thing physically wrong with you.


    PASSIVES:


    [Injury Unhinderance] physical pain no longer gets in your way.


    [Tough as Nails] physical damage cannot confuse, daze, flinch or knock you out. You''re not afraid of pain either.


    [Danger Sense]


    SKILLS:


    None


    ¨C__¨C


    I close my menu when it is forced open. They talk about my passives and uncle even points at them.


    Mom lets me go and I sit up.


    Uncle slides the cube to the side and wraps gauze around my middle, to cover the wound. Once done i jump clumsily to the floor and leave the room.


    Out in the hall I could see the living room window. Night. Has it been that long? I then realize how tired and sore I felt. Maybe I should go sleep? The beds meant for me and my brother pops into my head and my legs carried me in that direction.


    The door is open, inside is dad laying my brother down on the left bed.


    Dad heard me come in and he looks at me with a smile that turns into less of a smile at the sight of the gauze.


    Dad says something to me as i get on my bed and lay down. It feels so comfy.


    Mom is in the doorway now and dad joins her out in the hall. They look at us lovingly before turning off the light. The room goes dark and dad closes the door.


    I lay my head on the bed and relax. Thoughts of what happened today go through my head.


    This all feels so different from what im used to.


    I don''t have to watch my own back anymore. No more worrying what the people around me could try against me.


    I feel like a broken record. Realizing the same things over and over again. But I can''t help it. It''s been ingrained into my brain not to trust or feel safe, how could I just drop all that like it is nothing?


    I lay there for a while. I feel so tired but i had on my mind.


    Looking over I see my brother. He''s looking at me. Suddenly I feel something come from him.


    It feels like fear.


    How do I know that that is what it is? Is this a dragon thing again? It had a taste. How could it have a taste? I don''t know how to describe what it tasted like but it tasted¡­ good?


    No. It does taste good but it also tasted very wrong. I don''t like this. I don''t like tasting my brother''s fear.


    I get up and the fear coming from him rises. I can see he is frozen in place from it.


    Why is he scared of me? Why not before then? What changed? Maybe he is just afraid of the dark?


    He shouldn''t be afraid. I won''t let anything hurt him on my watch.


    I make my way towards him.


    His fear rises the closer I get. By the time I''m standing over him, looking down at him, he is whimpering and shaking.


    "Geez¡­ am I really that scary? I promise I''ll make sure nothing hurts you. Not while I''m still breathing."


    I am alone with my brother so I didn''t feel the need to stay quiet. I feel like I can trust my brother not to tell anyone that I can speak english. Is he even aware I''m speaking a language? Would he even remember by tomorrow? When he grows up would he think about it?


    He couldn''t stay scared of me every night. He had to face his fear and realize there is no danger.


    I nuzzle his side, making him flinch and shiver more.


    I then lay on top of him. Nuzzling his neck i feel him twitch and they fear starts to rapidly fade away.


    Giggling. He starts to giggle at my tickling.


    The fear is gone now and he isn''t looking at me with fear anymore. Instead there is curiosity. Why is everyone so curious about me? Am I really that weird?


    I get off him and lay with him. Sides touching.


    I watch him slowly fall asleep. And soon i follow him in the realm of dreams.

 Chapter: 5

    Two weeks has passed since I first hatched. Nothing different had happened other than uncle leaving and dad going out to work every day except for weekends.


    Mom is always here. She kept teaching us the dragon language. Or we would watch what mom called the "tv" in the living room. There is one of those in me and my brother''s room too.


    Good news is I can finally understand what everyone is saying now. As long as it isn''t big words I can have a full conversation.


    Selen.


    That''s moms name.


    Galderus is my dad, Kemok is my uncle and Kain is my brother.


    And my name is Kyn.


    Kyn.


    Not Jack.


    Not Jack N Rosemary.


    Now it''s Kyn Kere.


    Yesterday mom and my brother had called me by that name and it didn''t register that they meant me. But now I know.


    "Mom?"


    It feels good being able to speak to someone again. Even if it''s in a different language. I''m surprised we learned to talk in just two weeks. Maybe it''s another dragon thing again?


    Mom looks down at me. She is in the kitchen cleaning the island top with a wet rag.


    My brother is in our room watching the tv and playing with toys.


    "Yes, Kyn? Is something the matter?"


    I pause at her words. No. There was nothing wrong.


    Sure, Kain is rough when he plays but that was fine. I had worries that I can''t share with anyone even if I wanted to, but that is fine too.


    I didn''t really have any reason. I just wanted to see mom again, hear her voice.


    "I love you."


    Mom smiles at my words before coming down and rubbing the front of her muzzle against mine affectionately. Like an eskimo kiss.


    "I love you too, sweety." She returns to cleaning, with a smile on her face.


    Warmth blossoms inside and I smile from her words. An alien feeling that I love. I watch her clean for a few seconds before looking around at the kitchen. She and dad made food earlier before he had to leave for work.


    Seeing a broom leaning against a wall I take it and starts sweeping the kitchen floor. Ilthe broom is much bigger than me but i''m careful with it.


    Mom giggles when she sees me trying to help.


    "Why don''t you go play with your brother, Kyn? I can take care of a little mess." She reaches out to take the broom but I sweep out of her reach.


    "I want to sweep. It never hurts to help, even if it''s unnecessary, mom."


    She nods and her smile grew a little more. "That''s very sweet of you, Kyn. Thank you."


    I smile too and we cleaned the kitchen together.


    As I am cleaning I look over at mom. Yellow scales, brown short branchy horns and green eyes. Imperfections dot her scales. Scars. In the center of her back is a big scar where no scales would grow back. It looked like what had hit her was big and powerful.


    I felt the need to ask about it but I stopped myself. Not all scars are meant to be remembered, I''d know. I didn''t want to risk ruining her mood, she looks happy and is quietly humming to herself.


    So ill ask her a different question.


    "Why do you have a room full of gold and stuff?"


    She washes the rage and cleans the front of the cabinets. "You''ll understand when you are an adult. But it''s your fathers and I''s hoard. It''s instinctual for us dragons to have one."


    "Why? Does it give you anything out of having one?" I am really curious. Does it give dragons a buff or something?


    "Mmmm, no. It''s just the natural feeling of needing one. To collect things that have value, gold also just tastes good." She finishes cleaning and I had already finished sweeping. I had gotten stronger these past two weeks but the progress is slow, my limbs ache from the sweeping.


    "We can eat gold?" Im surprised. I never had the though to eat gold since doing so would probably kill a human. At least I assume it could kill one since i never tried it or heard of it. But im a dragon now so i guess it can be done?


    "Adult dragons can since our bodies can handle it. But not hatchlings so don''t get any ideas, Kyn, else i''ll have to rush you to the hospital." Mom picks me up and she carries me to the couch in the living room. Looking down at me she frowns. "Has Kain been rough with you again? Your scales are damaged. I thought I told him to be gentle with you."


    Kain hadn''t but it didn''t bother me, he is just a kid after all and doesn''t know his strength. "Its okay, mom. He doesn''t do it on purpose."


    "That doesn''t make it okay, Kyn. He can permanently damage your scales." She lays on the couch and sets me infront of her on the table on a cushion. "I''ll have to give him another stern talk later."


    Theres nothing i can do to stop her and it would be nice if my brother would calm down. So i tried to change subjects.


    "When do I get to be an adult?" I hope ita like human years and ill be an adult in 18 years. Its going to take a while to be 28 again¡­


    "You will be an adult in 300 years. So you have a lot of growing up to do."


    My eyes widened in horror and mom laughs. Im going to be stuck a kid for 300 years!? I''ve never would have lived for that long before as a human!


    Oh god i''m not going to be allowed to make my own life decisions for the next 300 years.


    "H-how old are you, mom?"


    "I''m 6,000. I went and got my breeding license as soon as I reached the age of elder."


    "6,000 years old? Breeding license?"


    Mom laughs again and nuzzles me. "Don''t worry about it sweety. You don''t need to worry about that sort of stuff for a long time. And you won''t be bringing in females till you are 70. At least you better not, young man."


    Oh god. Oh dear god. 70 years without fun? I bet i''d have to wait just as long before I can drink alcohol too. Can dragons drink alcohol?


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Mom looks very amused at the face I am making. She then turns on the tv with a remote and we end up watching a tv show.


    "Mom?"


    "Yes, sweety?"


    "Why do i look nothing like you or dad?"


    Its a question that keeps popping up in my head. I cant tell if its because of my two issues or if its something else. I might as well see if she knows anything just in case.


    "Im¡­ not sure. Kemok confirmed that there isn''t any reason why you are the way you are. But you do have a few odd things about your stats that confuse us. His best guess is your [Bad Genetics] but it could be the other two things that we can''t even read."


    "Why can''t you read them?" Its because its stuck in English, its things World made, not the system. But this tells me English does not exist here.


    "Kemok found out they are written in an ancient forgotten language. There''s no way to translate it as a it hasn''t been discovered how to yet."


    Ancient language? As in english had at some point existed? Does this mean humans had existed here or that it just used to be used. Do humans exist right now and i just hadnt seen one out the window? Theres so much of this world i had no way of discovering yet. All I have to go by is what shows on tv or what my parents tell me.


    Kemok knows its in the ancient language. Does that mean he could end up sharing my existence with others? What would other people think if they hear that a hatchling is born with unknown stats written in the ancient language?


    I hope Kemok keeps this quiet¡­


    Mom can see that i''m in deep contemplation and puts her paw on me. "Don''t worry so much about it, Kyn. We will figure it out together. Until then why dont we go to the park tomorrow? Maybe you ans Kain will see other hatchlings you can play with?"


    Outside? Where I can see more of this world? I don''t want to lose a chance like this. I nod vigorously at the offer and mom giggles.


    "Then we will go tomorrow."


    She blinks and looks down at me.


    "Oh and I almost forgot. Kemok is going to be giving you check ups once a week. I''m not worried about Kain since he had a healthy hatching but we can''t risk you developing something and finding out too late."


    "I understand. If it makes you feel better I feel perfectly fine." I am only half lying, I''m pretty sure i have bruises from Kain but it''s nothing dangerous and my body could use the beating to get stronger. I''m pretty sure that''s how it works, it did for me when I was human.


    Her eyes narrow at me in suspicion. "Are you sure? Or is this like that time two weeks ago when Kemok sprayed your wound with disinfectant? You didn''t even twitch when it happened." She then pauses as a thought occurs. She looks at me with worry. "Kyn? Did you feel any pain then? Can you feel any right now?"


    I roll my eyes at her worry. "I can feel pain, mom. Its because of [Tough as Nails]."


    "I know, it still worries me. I still don''t understand how you were born with any stats¡­"


    Should I tell her?


    The thought scared me. The idea of telling Selen why I have stats. Of telling her who I am.


    A killer. A bandit. A criminal.


    Bloody Jack.


    I shake my head clear of those thoughts. If I told her, or anyone, of who i am then everything could, would, change. It would ruin my chance to live the life I never got.


    Tell her! Don''t lie to her!


    I bite my front right leg and my teeth sink through scales and in. I needed to escape the sudden wave of emotion that went through me and force it back wherever it came from. Those were dangerous thoughts it had given me that would destroy my chances. The pain made it all go away as blood flowed into my mouth.


    "Kyn!? What are you doing!?" My mom panics as I remove my leg from my mouth. Blood drips from the newly made holes.


    "Sorry, mom. I don''t know what came over me."


    She is on her feet and gets the first aid box from the kitchen. As she bandages my leg she looks torn.


    My heart clenches at her expression.


    "We can go to the park another day. Tomorrow I''m taking you to Kemok at the hospital and he is going to give you a thorough check up." She speaks with an air of finality. "There''s something wrong you aren''t telling me."


    Damn. I messed up. I shouldn''t have let my old habits get to me. Now we''re not going to the park¡­


    "Alright. I''m sorry, mom."


    "You can''t just hurt yourself like that, Kyn. You are too young to be getting hurt. Especially like this. No hatchling should have scars."


    "I''m sorry."


    She sighs and finishes bandaging up my leg with gauze. The bandage Kemok had put on me had been removed a week ago and I''m already having another put on.


    Mom puts the aid kit back in the kitchen. She comes back and looks at me with a frown. "What am I going to do with you¡­"


    "Maybe we can still go to the park after we visit Uncle Kemok?" It couldn''t hurt to try and fix it.


    She sighs and nods. "Fine. We can go to the park after Kemok."


    She lays back down and pulls me close to her chest. Warmth presses against my scaly side.


    "Why did you bite yourself, Kyn?"


    "I don''t know."


    "You''re lying, Kyn."


    Could she really tell I''m lying? I''ve heard mothers know when their children lie but I didn''t think it was true. "I had a muscle spasm."


    She sighs in mild annoyance. "Kyn."


    I''m starting to think it''s true. But what do I tell her? Force of habit? To make the bad ideas go away?


    "Just¡­ promise me you wont hurt yourself again." Her voice shakes as she says it and a wave of emotion goes through me. Regret.


    "I promise I won''t do it again, mom." Old habits die hard but i did not want to hear her voice sound like that again.


    -


    I walk into my room, leaving mom to let her watch tv in peace. Toys are scattered around the floor, both mine and my brothers, not that I consider any of the toys mine. He can have them.


    Kain is laying on his bed and drawing on a sheet of paper. On the tv is his favorite cartoon.


    I go to the window and poke my head between the curtains to look out. At the right angle I could get a good view of the populated streets just outside the alley. Our home is just outside the busy markets.


    "Are you watching that old dragon at the fruit stall again, Kyn?"


    I still feel amazed that my brother and I learned to talk so fast. Dragons are so weird.


    "Maybe."


    I was. For the past week ive been peeking on the dragon and trying to see if I could read his lips.


    Was there a good reason for trying to learn to do that? No. I just don''t have anything else to do.


    This time instead of seeing the old dragon there is just an empty stall. Maybe he is running late? Or he is taking the day off?


    "Wanna see what im drawing?"


    I look away from the window.


    "Sure." I go and sit on his bed with him.


    Kain holds up his drawing in his mouth by its corner, showing a black squiggly mess with two red dots. Next to it is white squiggles with blue dots. Messy clouds dot around the paper.


    "It''s you and me?"


    "It''s us flying together in the sky!" He exclaims proudly. "It''s going to be so cool when we learn to!"


    Kains wings open and flap out of sync.


    Flying. Honestly the thought both excited and scared the hell out of me. The thought of flying high and the only thing below you is a drop that can kill. Thank goodness we weren''t going to be able to till we are in our teens.


    "That''s cool, Kain. I can''t wait till we can do that together."


    "Uh huh! We can be better at it than mom and dad!" He then gets up and speedily runs around the room with his wings open. "I can''t wait to fly!"


    "I can''t wait either. But maybe you should calm down before you trip and break a wing?" I''m sure that even if he did fall he would be fine. Dragons are made of tough stuff. Except for me. I''m brittle.


    Kain slowed down and closes his wings, a sheepish grin on his face. He then lays with me on his bed.


    I lean over and pull a book closer that is on his bed. Its a dictionary. It''s pretty boring but we made a game out of it to make it not.


    "What happened to your leg?" Kain just now notices the wet red gauze on my front left leg.


    "Oh uh. I bit myself."


    "That''s pretty hardcore. I don''t think I''d be able to do that to myself."


    "Well, mom was pretty unhappy when I did it. So don''t do it."


    "I wasn''t going to."


    "You copy everything I do."


    "Fine I won''t."


    I crack open the dictionary on a random page and I find a random word.


    "Preoccupation."


    My brother leans his side against me to read with me.

 Chapter: 6

    The room is dark and it is night outside the window. Kyn is lying with Kain in his bed.


    "Kyn?"


    "Mm¡­?"


    "I can''t sleep."


    Grumbling, I lay a wing over his face. "Just close your eyes."


    Dad had come back home with sweets for us. Of course I gave my brother most of my share and of course he wouldn''t be able to sleep. It''s been an hour since we had gone to bed and I hadn''t fallen asleep either. Kain wouldn''t lay still so I couldn''t fall asleep in peace.


    Kain stops moving and I relax. Maybe I can get some sleep now.


    .


    .


    .


    "I still can''t sleep¡­"


    I groan out loud and grab the tv remote. With a click of a button the tv turns on and I turn down the volume.


    "What do you wanna watch? Cartoons? A TV show?" Skipping through channels on tv i stop on a cartoon.


    "I dont wanna watch anything, Kyn." He sits up, looking tired but can''t sleep. "Maybe we could do something else?"


    "Like what?" I stay laying on the bed. Just let me sleep.


    Kain looks to be in thought as to what to do. Then an idea came to him. "Oh! Maybe we could go to mom and dads hoard? We could check out the weird things they got in there!"


    I couldn''t help let out a sigh. It''s not a bad idea since i''ve been curious about the stuff in there and it might get him to go to sleep sooner. "Sure, but we aren''t touching anything that looks dangerous." I get up and he smiles happily.


    We leave the room and into the hall. Like our room it''s dark but I could see fine, everything is in greyscale. Kain is squinting his eyes and his steps are cautious.


    "Are you okay? Why are you walking like that?" I walk beside him. The carpeted hallway feels nice and scratchy under my paws.


    "I can''t see anything, it''s so dark." He then looks to me and we make eye contact, his eyes narrow. "Can you see with your magic eyes?"


    "I can see fine but what do you mean magic eyes?"


    "Your eyes, they glow in the dark. You didn''t know?"


    My eyes glow? Why? Is it another dragon thing? His eyes aren''t glowing and i haven''t seen our parents eyes glow either. "No, I didn''t know. What do they look like?"


    "The red of your eyes glow. It''s kinda creepy. I''d be scared if i didn''t know it was just you."


    The first night we slept in our room popped in my mind. How Kain had looked at me in fear. Is that why? All he saw was a red glowing pair of eyes staring at him in the dark?


    "I''m sorry, Kain. For scaring you the first night in our room."


    Kain rolls his eyes as we stop at the hoard room door. "You didn''t know, Kyn. And it doesn''t scare me anymore after realizing it was just you." He then faces his side to me and leans against the door. "Now hop on and open the door."


    Nodding, I climb onto his back and stand onto my back legs. My front paws reach for the doorknob and grab it. Turning it, I tell him I''m ready. Kain starts moving away and the door opens with a soft creak.


    "Oh shi-!"


    My paws slip from the doorknob and I fall on Kain who doesn''t even budge from me slumping on his back. He looks back at me even if he can''t see me.


    "Are you okay? You''re really light."


    "Yah. I''m fine."


    "What was that you said when you fell? It sounded like gibberish."


    My eyes widen a bit. Had I said that in english?


    "I don''t know, I just panicked and those noises came out." I get off of him and we walk into the hoard room. He tries to copy the english words to tease me but he just mangles it.


    Curious, I go to the mirror and look at my reflection. Everything is still grayscale but I could see my glowing red eyes since they were their own little lights. I looked a bit frightening and evil.


    Kain pushes a stool under the light button and climbs on. The room turns white and I close my eyes. Slowly I open them as Kain comes over to sit next to me and look at our reflections.


    "I bet you''re going to look scary when you get as old as mom and dad."


    "And you''re going to attract all the females in the city."


    "Eww! Don''t joke about that, Kyn!"


    I laugh as my brother quickly leaves my side heading to one of the low shelves.


    Weirdly, ever since I hatched I hadn''t had any dirty thoughts about women like I used to. No wants or urges. I can only assume it''s because my now young body doesn''t have any of those chemicals in my brain yet. My body isn''t mature yet and wont be for¡­ 300 years¡­


    "Hey take a look at this!" Kain calls to me, he''s looking down at something on the floor.


    Coming over I slip a little on a small pile of gold.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    On the floor in Kains paws is a small glass ball. Inside is a constantly moving cloud of dust. He moves it closer to me. "Listen¡­" As he moves it I could hear the sound of flowing sand come from it and the cloud inside would shift faster and change color.


    "What is it?" The words slip out of my mouth as i listen to the pleasant sound.


    "I have no idea."


    I look to the shelves in the room. It looks like most of the dangerous stuff is on the higher shelves and all the lower stuff looks relatively innocent. On the shelf next to us is a plethora of junk. I take hold of an item.


    Its a thick old book. I set it on the floor and open it.


    A ship unfolds from the page. It looks real, its on a stormy sea and water falls out from the waves. There are different non human races manning the ship on the dark stormy night.


    Turning the page reveals a dragon covered in rags walking through a hot dessert. Sand for miles. The dragon seems to notice me and changes directions, now walking towards me. As it got closer I see that it has black scales and glowing red eyes. Everything else about it is hidden under the rags.


    Closing the book I look at Kain who has a small metal stick that moved like a inch worm around on the floor.


    "I wonder where mom and dad got all these things?" Kain says in wonder.


    "Maybe they traveled a lot before they had us?"


    "Maybe. We can ask them in the morning."


    I look at another item on the shelf. Its an hour glass but all the sand is upside down and stuck to the top. Flipping it over all the sand now at the bottom defies gravity and flows up.


    "Do you think we could travel when we grow up? Together?" Kain asks out of the blue.


    "Well that depends."


    "On what?"


    "On if you will still feel that way when we get old enough."


    "So if I did then you will travel with me?"


    "Of course. I want to see the world just as much as you do."


    Kain looks very happy at my answer. I really did want to travel and see whats out there. Never did i get the chance to do it in my past life since i was wanted. Sure I had to move around the country but I never got to enjoy any of it.


    I flex my wings. With these and this new life I can actually achieve my dream. Sure the thought of flying scares but I could get over it.


    "Yes! The adventures of Kyn and Kain will happen! Fending off dangers and exploring lost cities together!" Kain exclaimed, shouting like in one of those cheesy cartoons he watches.


    He then grows a tired look and yawns.


    "I think we should go to bed now." I tell him and he nods in agreement.


    We turn off the light and close the door before returning to our room. Laying down together in bed, Kain rests his head on my back. I turn the tv of and the room goes dark.


    "Kyn?"


    "Yes, Kain?"


    "I can''t wait to grow up and explore the world with you."


    "I can''t wait either, Kain."


    He fell asleep after that. Breathing softly on me.


    Traveling the world. I had thought that i was going to do that alone. Leave my family behind and then bring back stories of my experiences.


    But now I might not be doing it alone. Kain wants to do the same. He wants to do it together. I won''t have to experience the world alone. I could have my brother right there with me through it all.


    But thats if he still feels that way when we grow up.


    300 years is a long time and a lot can happen in that amount of time. People can change a lot.


    Slowly the land of dreams drags me in and i fall asleep too.


    -


    The smell of breakfast woke both of us up. Sneaking in from our left open door.


    Eggs, bacon, grits and eggs. There is even little sausages!


    I still find it crazy that the dragons here lived like humans and ate the same food.


    The more things that changed the more they stayed the same.


    We both feel a little tired from staying up longer than we should have, but we get up and walk together to the kitchen.


    "How are my two boys this morning?" Mom is just finishing up cooking and putting it all on plates on the kitchen island. Dad is sitting on the living room couch watching the news on the tv. He looks over at us as we walk in.


    "We went to bed later than we wanted but we got enough sleep." I spoke up as Kain leans sleepily against me. Mom can see I am lying just a bit.


    "You two didn''t stay up all night did you?"


    "No, only maybe an hour. We played in the hoard room." Kain spoke this time as we split up and sit at the island.


    Mom and dad shared a worried look.


    "The two of you didn''t touch anything on the higher shelves, right?" Dad asks as he comes over and puts us on the island top so we can reach our food before sitting with us.


    "No, we just messed with everything on the bottom shelves since the top ones looked like they were dangerous." I tell my dad as mom places the last bowl on the table. She sits with us and we start eating.


    "That''s good. Just stay away from the top shelves and you''ll be fine." Dad tells us and me and my brother nod in understanding.


    After a minute of eating in silence mom speaks up.


    "I called Kemok and he will be expecting us in a few hours. Make sure the both of you bathe before then, okay?"


    "Yes, mom." We both say at the same time.


    "And after that we can go to the park. Your father has the day off from work so he will be with us today."


    We perk up at this. We''re going to the park AND dad will be with us? The day just got better.


    Dad smiles at how happy we look at the news. He''s the only one who goes to work. I don''t know what his job is but he works most days while mom stays at home, cooking and cleaning. Honestly mom looks out of place doing what she does, with how many scars she has and how well built she is she looks like she should be out fighting or something. Dad is built much thinner, not at all built for fighting of any kind and looks like he spends most of his time around papers. He even wears glasses. I never thought I''d see a dragon wearing glasses but he wears a pair. He takes them off when he''s home.


    Once we finish breakfast both my brother and I went to take a bath with the help of our mom. We cant turn the water on ourselves.


    Our parents had got me a special brush. Its bristles are soft and its suction cupped to the inside wall of the tub so I can scrub myself without getting hurt. Didn''t want a repeat of our first bath.


    "Why are we visiting Uncle Kemok, mom?"


    Kain asks her as she turns the water off.


    "Kyn hurt himself so I want your uncle to check on him."


    Kain narrows his eyes at me. "Don''t hurt yourself, Kyn. If you do that then we can''t do fun stuff."


    "Sorry, won''t happen again." I say as I rub my head against the brush.


    "Make sure it doesn''t, sweetie." Mom grabs a brush and starts using it on Kain.


    "Pfff! Mom! Why can''t I clean myself like Kyn?" He whines and leans away from her brush. The brush advances on him again and scrubs his chest.


    "Hm. Ill get you a brush like Kyn''s then. Two weeks and my boys are already wanting to bathe by themselves. You two are growing up too fast."


    -


    Later we are gathered at the front door. Mom has some kind of front pouch thing strapped to her chest. She picks us up and puts us in the pouch.


    "Both of you stay in here, outside is too dangerous for hatchlings to be running around."


    Kain and I stick our heads out next to each other. It feels comfy and warm in the pouch.

 Chapter: not 7

    I''m sorry but this isn''t actually a new chapter. I''m letting you know that I''m reverting this story back to its old chapters and leaving this story as it is and labeling it as the old version.


    Im making a second version that will be the new chapters where the story will be continued.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The reason I''m doing this is because I want all the comments to match the chapters so that a reader wouldn¡¯t read the story and be confused by what the comments are talking about. Plus I think it would be fun to be able to come back to this old version and see what my first attempt looked like.


    Feel free to unfollow this version if you want!