"That's what we don't know. Every diagnostic spell shows the same thing where the magic in the world is getting less stable."
"Like the basic rules of magic are falling apart." Fredrich's face was serious. "At this rate of decline, the major city barriers will break down in six months."
"When that happens, millions of people will be open to monster attacks..."
"That's where I come in?" Rick wanted to know.
"Yes, according to the prophecy. To fight the darkness, the hero must bring together the powers of the realm. In real life, that means making deals with the seven major powers that don't want to work together right now."
Fredrich pointed, and the map zoomed in on different areas. "The Dragon Queen of the Northern Peaks."
"The Eastern Wastes' Demon General."
"The Elven Matriarch of the Old Forest."
"You already know the High Priestess of the Divine Temple."
"The Southern Marshes' Witch Council."
"The Queen of the Western Seas."
"And the Council of Ancient Mages, which I am a part of."
"Seven strong leaders, all women, all with a long history of grudges and political tensions that make it hard for them to work together."
"The prophecy says that you can bring them together through love and spirit. With your Spirit Bonds."
Rick felt like the weight of other people's expectations was crushing him. "Do you want me to make Spirit Bonds with the seven strongest women in the world?"
"Not what I wanted, but what I needed. If they don't work together, the kingdom and maybe even the world will fall to the darkness that is causing this magical collapse."
"Holy fuck... now that's a lot of pressure." Rick said weakly.
Natasha spoke up, her voice cold and logical. "What proof do you have that Spirit Bonds will really work? At best, the prophecy is unclear."
"None," Fredrich said. "But all other options have failed."
"Diplomatic missions have been turned down. People have ignored military posturing. Magical bargaining hasn't gotten us anywhere."
"These women have been building walls around themselves for hundreds of years. And normal methods can't break through those walls."
He stared right at Rick. "But you, it seems, can."
"In just a few weeks, you've formed deep emotional ties with two strong women."
"You have earned the respect of a High Priestess in just one afternoon. The prophecy says that you are the one who can do the impossible."
A deep rumbling sound shook the tower before Rick could answer. The windows shook, and a few books fell off the shelves. Fredrich's face went from calm authority to alarm in an instant.
"That shouldn't be possible," he said as he walked to the window. "The barrier should stop—"
He stopped talking and looked outside, and his face turned pale. Rick ran to the window next to him and felt his blood freeze.
There was a dragon flying around the capital city. This dragon was huge, easily the size of a building, and its scales shone like polished obsidian in the late afternoon sun. Its wings were wider than the street below, and when it opened its mouth, a stream of fire poured out that set buildings on fire.
"That's not possible," Fredrich said again, but his voice shook. "The barrier should have kept any dragon from getting close! How the hell did it get past?!"
The dragon landed on a tower in the eastern district, and its weight made the tower partially fall down. The roar shook the whole city. It was a sound that spoke of old power and primal rage.
[EMERGENCY QUEST FOUND]
[DRAGON ATTACK: THE CITY IS IN DANGER]
[GOAL: STAY ALIVE AND KEEP CIVILIANS SAFE]
[DIFFICULTY: VERY HARD]
[REWARD: CHANGES BASED ON PERFORMANCE]
[WARNING: DEATH VERY LIKELY]
Sebastian's voice was very serious. "That dragon is not normal."
"That is an Ancient Black Dragon, a mythical creature that shouldn't be around anymore. Someone or something sent it here on purpose."
"Is there a way to fight it?" Carmilla asked, already pulling out her sword.
Sebastian said, "You can try not to die, probably."
"That dragon could destroy this whole city if it wasn't stopped. The best thing to do is get civilians out of the area while stronger forces deal with the dragon."
Fredrich was already on the move, taking magical things out of drawers and shelves. "I'll get the Academy's battle mages together."
"We need to get it away from the civilians."
Rick saw the dragon fly away again through the window after another roar. This time it flew lower, and flames came out of its mouth, setting whole city blocks on fire. People were screaming and running through the streets below in a panic.
Rick felt a pulse of alarm through his spiritual connection to Liora. Even from the Golden Shrine, she knew about the attack. He could tell she was getting ready to help, but she was still hours away.
Rick made up his mind and said, "We need to go. People are dying down there."
Carmilla nodded sadly. "Agreed. We can't fight a dragon, but we can help people get out of the way."
Natasha was already on her way to the door. "Then stop talking and go."
They ran down the spiral staircase, taking two or three steps at a time. Rick could hear Fredrich yelling orders to his staff behind them, getting the Academy's resources ready. Another roar echoed through the city, shaking the building again.
They ran out of the tower and into chaos. Some students were trying to cast protective spells, while others just ran away in a panic. The sky above was dark with smoke from buildings that were on fire, and the dragon's giant body flew around like a nightmare come to life.
"The merchant district," Carmilla yelled over the noise. "That's where the dragon's fire hits the hardest. There will be people who can't get out!"
Rick could feel Natasha's cold focus and her determination through the Spirit Bond. They were afraid, even scared, but they didn't run away. They were going toward the danger because people needed help.
That was what it meant to be partners who were bonded. That was what it meant to be a hero, even a little one.
They ran into the burning streets of the capital, and behind them, the Ancient Black Dragon roared its challenge to the world. Rick could hear buildings falling down in the distance, and the air was full of smoke and fire.
The real test had begun. Rick didn't know whether he was ready for it or not.