Natsuki was there thinking about the dragons proposition about eating its heart, disgust and horror were the main things going through his mind.
Horror subsiding from the fact that he was actually considering the proposal.
Then the dragon talked once more.
"Do it and whatever is left of my power will become yours if you survive, not only that but if you manage to cultivate it, one day you
might even reach the strength I reached."
Power was everything he ever wanted, no more bullying, no more being useless and now that his body was healed he could become an adventurer like he always dreamed.
There was no other option, in life it was either you were strong or weak and the weak were always looked down upon.
Weak was what he was but now everything could change.
His doubt completely went.
Slowly and involuntarily his body began to move towards the dragons heart.
If what it was saying is true then he could finally manifest a mantra core.
It was what produced mana that could give someone the ability to use magic.
"What's the catch."
He said looking at the heart as it beat rhythmically.
The coronary arteries and veins still pulsing as if it were in a living being.
"Nothing I can assure you, but you won't know if I'm saying the truth unless you try."
Finally giving in he moved in to take a bite his morals still hindering him a bit but he quickly brushed it aside.
Finally sinking his teeth in he experienced an internal rollercoaster.
Blood splattered out covering his face completely and began to run down his body.
Expecting the taste of raw, slightly decayed meat he braced himself.
But instead he was met with one of the tastiest things he had ever eaten.
His mind turned blank from this and pure primal instinct kicked in.
He hadn't eaten anything since he arrived here and this was probably the best thing he'll ever taste.
Consumed by the taste he ate with no restraint.
Each bite, each mouthful edging him on.
When he finished his mouth and body were completely soaked in the blood the heart produced.
Confusing enough the blood was black.
Not paying much attention to this he began to search the room with his eyes as if he could see the thing he was talking to.
Slowly he could feel the presence slowly begin to fade away.
Then voice began to laugh as on his chest it began to glow a deep fiery orange, his veins were visible and bulging.
Shortly he fell to the ground convulsing in pain, holding his chest as smoke began to escape through his mouth as he screamed.
The pain increased drastically as he felt a lump begin to form in his chest.
"What's happening to me!" He screamed through his cries, tears were evaporating at the base of his eyes and the dragons laughter was not helping.
"My heart is now reforming in your body and my spirit shall ascend in you with it," the formerly calm voice was now turning menacing.
"And then I'll consume your soul and take control of your body! I'll begin my reign on this pitiful shit home you weaklings call home!"
Natsuki began to wheeze, he felt as if all the air in his lungs was gone completely but he was just forcing them to work with an empty tank.
His vision and other senses began to blur, he could feel his life slipping away slowly.
'I can't die now, I never even got to say goodbye to my family, I never even got to say goodbye to Aeola–,' there was a pause, 'or tell her how I actually felt.'
Taking his final breaths he cursed the dragon.
"I swear I'll find a way to kill you! I won't let you take over my body so easily!"
And with that he went into a coma like state, no breathing, no movement and no sign of life.
– –
Inside his mind they found themselves in a black room.
"Your soul is darker than I anticipated," said a giant dragon, it had red skin covered in black scales.
Horns twisted back but curved inward towards the top, frightening blue eyes and a tail the length of an olympic swimming pool.
It was massive in size, bigger than anything Natsuki had ever seen.
"I can't wait to replace it...," it began to chuckle again, "any last words before I erase you from existence."
Natsuki just stared, rage boiling his blood, his vision turning red and he clenched his hands into fists.
The power he used turning his knuckles white.
"I won't die here!"
"Ah brave as you are foolish, how do you expect to defeat a figure the size of me," its laugh shifted to a taunting one, "come try your luck maybe you'll get lucky."
Natsuki was about to rush forward not willing to give up without a fight
But unexpectedly they began to feel another presence in the room.
It was even more ancient and frightening but familiar like he had encountered it recently.
"What is this! What is this presence doing here!"
The dragon was shaking, trying to fly away but was confined in the space around them.
Realisation struck it like a bat.
"This isn't your soul is it! You tricked me! You're him! You've returned! Why now and why in this wretched place–"
Then it froze, the next few words stuck in its throat as it began to choke on the presence of what was approaching.
But surprisingly Natsuki was now completely calm like he'd felt this presence his whole life.
It confused him as he stared at the terrified dragon infront of him.
Then a voice echoed.
It was a clear commanding, deep, sinister voice that only ancient beings in movies had but it was also filled with contempt, annoyance and hatred.
"Silence!"
A single word and the dragon fell to the ground.
Seeing the creature Natsuki was completely stunned.
It was the same creature that had eaten him in his dream.
"And you mortal, leave this place. You aren't supposed to be here."
And with that Natsuki began to fade slowly.
"But remember this, don't take the west path if you wish to continue living."
Natsuki stared blankly.
Then he disappeared into nothing leaving the two alone.
The creature walked up to it slowly.
Mouths slowly coming together to form one huge mouth that he used to devour the dragon in one go.
The sound of bones and flesh being grinded together echoed through the space.
But then the more it chewed the more it began to shrink in size.
It's body began to change.
And the space also began to shift as random things began to form slowly.
– –
Back in the real world Natsuki's body began to stir.
Slowly his heart began to beat, then shortly after another one followed.
The two synchronising at the same pace but it wasn't a normal heart beat, it was much faster.
All his senses began to return.
The colour returned to his skin as blood began to recirculate around his body.
And lastly his injuries began to heal.
On its own the joint popped back into place, the pain almost instantly faded away.
Opening his eyes he was dazed completely.
Everything was blurry.
But what the creature said still echoed through his mind.
'What did he mean by don't go west, I barely know which of the four I'm facing right now.'