2182. Promise
Noah followed the old rulers' indication and left the pit to fly toward one of the areas around the orange city. He could instinctively recognize the environment influenced by the dragons' auras, so he soon landed in front of three huge figures.
The time dragon and the space dragon had their eyes closed as growls left their mouths. Those cries had no specific meaning, but Noah could sense the knowledge that they carried.
The odd dark dragon was among them, and it also kept its eyes closed as that knowledge echoed in its ears. The creature appeared completely immersed in the process, and Noah didn't dare disturb it.
Noah's gaze fell on the environment while he waited for the dragons to complete that passage of knowledge. He could sense the many formations hidden under the dark ground that had covered the area. They stretched everywhere and naturally fused with the various features of the lair.
A series of mountains were growing all around Noah. They were still too short to host the entirety of the dragon pack, but the auras that filled the environment slowly made them stretch upward.
The formations were also caught in the process. They were part of the environment, so they stretched inside the mountains and adapted to all the changes that the dragons' auras caused.
Noah knew that similar scenes were happening everywhere on the landmass. His creation was turning into a proper higher plane capable of becoming a home for an endless number of species. It only needed time to reach a perfect state.
The pack of magical beasts, the hybrids, and the various human forces would be free to thrive on that immense landmass. The area wouldn't ever suffer from a shortage of resources due to the Foolery.
Daniel would probably find it hard to handle everything due to the immense size of his new home, but the experience would definitely benefit his world. He wouldn't even be alone in the process, so Noah could feel at ease.
"I must thank you, Defying Demon," The time dragon eventually spoke and claimed Noah's attention. "I never thought I would be able to witness something so amazing after everything the higher plane went through."
"It's funny how a selfish desire is helping so many packs," Noah exclaimed. "I really have a soft spot for magical beasts."
"You can't deny your nature," The time dragon responded. "You radiate the pride of a leader. Guiding your underlings toward a better future is part of your instincts."
Noah sighed as his consciousness
It was all coming together now. Noah's initial interest in the magical beasts' field had turned him into the creator of a world that those creatures could populate. It almost felt fated, but Noah didn't dare to think in those terms due to Caesar's existence.
"I wonder how much of this will remain after the final battle," Noah said. "No matter the outcome, I won't be here to rebuild the landmass."
"Worlds have died and reborn countless times before your rise to power," The time dragon declared. "They will continue to do so even without you. Maybe this plane won't survive the final battle, but that's not the point, am I right?"
"Freedom is the point," Noah stated. "We must open the path toward the depths of the universe, the path past the ninth rank."
"Our existences have always suffered from heavy limitations," The time dragon sighed. "The magical beasts can't evolve as fast as cultivators. We are children of a desperate attempt to oppose Heaven and Earth. Don't forget us when you claim your victory."
"You might survive the final battle," Noah laughed. "There is no need to be so pessimistic."
"My companion and I are different from the other magical beasts," The time dragon explained. "We are avatars of a past system clinging desperately to life. Our nature will die even before Heaven and Earth's awakening."
Noah immediately connected those words with the nature of the two dragons. They had inherited their personalities, power, and overall existence from the past world, but those features would change once the old rulers improved their species.
The transformation would affect the two dragons differently from the other magical beasts. Their existences were too deep, so the improvements would transform their characters as a whole.
"When are you going to go through the procedure?" Noah asked.
"After your departure," The time dragon revealed. "I'm afraid this is goodbye."
"I see," Noah whispered before falling silent.
Words were pointless in that situation. Noah didn't want the two dragons to lose themselves, but he knew that their transformation was necessary. They had to become valuable assets that Heaven and Earth's Cancer could deploy during the final battle.
"Don't feel bad for us," The time dragon continued. "In one way or another, we will fulfill our purpose."
"The world will remember us," Noah announced.
"We don't care about memories," The time dragon growled as it raised its head to glance at a random spot in the distance. "You said that freedom is the point. Make sure that your words don't apply only to the cultivators. This is my last request."
Deep thoughts surged in Noah's mind. Ideas appeared and shattered as the time dragon's words echoed inside his consciousness. He felt a profound respect for the upper tier creature. It had lived its whole life for the magical beasts' sake, and that won't change even in death.
"I'll pave a path for them," Noah promised.
"That's good," The time dragon nodded while the space dragon opened its strange eyes and set off to fly toward the rest of the pack.
The odd dragon also opened its eyes after the event. The creature's aura exploded outward and revealed its middle tier level. It had grown stronger during the last period, but its power couldn't surprise Noah.
"Leader," The odd dragon exclaimed when it saw Noah.
"Did the other dragons teach you some manners?" Noah joked.
"I have grown past my unwillingness," The odd dragon replied. "Do you need me to defeat Heaven and Earth?"
"Something close to that," Noah declared. "Follow me. I'll explain the mission along the way."
The odd dragon nodded and set off before hovering above the lair. The creature expected Noah to join it right away, but the heavy atmosphere on the ground told it that it would have to wait a bit.
"Goodbye then," Noah growled while performing a polite bow. "Thank you for everything you have done for me and the world."
"Hurry up and leave," The time dragon laughed. "Don't waste time losing yourself among memories. That's a privilege that only those about to die can seize."
Noah didn't add anything else. He gently kicked the ground and shot in the sky. Still, a faint growl reached his ears during the flight.. The time dragon's cry resounded inside his mental sphere and translated into a clear "I leave the rest to you, Defying Demon, strongest dragon".