Pandora, The Vainglory Dragon (I)

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Takauji's eyelids slowly started to give way. Allowing his pupils to meet with the perplexing terrain he had been greeted with upon his awakening. 

Where is this place? Where am I? Did I survive? Did I die? 

Questions plagued his disorientated mind, nothing his sense of touch, sight, hearing, smell, or taste came in contact with made sense to him. Everything felt alien, his own body, his thoughts, even the way he breathed in and out. 

Confusion. There was only confusion, and he desperately wanted a way out. 

He found himself within the confines of what could only be described as an endless void, the only comprehensible substance being a mix of iridescent colors as far as the eye could see. Like he was looking through a kaleidoscope. 

My face. My body. My everything, they do not feel as if they belong to me. 

No, they do in fact belong to me. But they have never belonged to me before, rather, this is the first time they could be considered my possession. 

He looked down, and where there should have been hands were claws. Claws covered in golden scales, sharp enough to tear through the very fabric of space itself. Designed for nothing but bloodshed, indignation, and conquest. 

This body, these scales, this size. Ah, this is the form of a Dragon isn't it? That is what I am. But that is not what I always have been. It is what I have become. 

It was strange, the moment he made that realization he felt all the unease leave his mind. Replaced with the soothing sensation of comprehension and understanding. He was a Dragon. 

Takauji assumed the appearance of a Western Dragon, standing at least 10 meters tall with golden scales all over his form. A horn on the tip of his nose, and wings made entirely of Darkness Mana. Flowing like the everpresent night. 

He opened his maw, black flames leaving the sides of his mouth as he started to move his tongue around. His sense of taste returned, even though there was nothing for him to taste but his own saliva and bodily fluids. 

Then his sense of touch. Even though there was nothing to feel but a distinct sticky wetness that covered the entirety of his body, as if someone had been licking him all over. 

Takauji continued to look around, carefully scanning his surroundings in hopes of locating any signs of life besides himself. But his efforts proved to be in vain. 

Until he felt a soft membrane coat the top of his body, furthering the wetness he felt. Something had indeed licked him. 

"So you have awoken, Pandora. Congratulations on your birth." 

The voice was deep, aged, and mysterious. It was a voice that commanded respect, reverence, and submission. A voice one could not disobey, a voice that had never been disobeyed ever since it could perceive its own existence. 

Good lord. 

He looked up, stunned to see a Draconic figure so large that the words to describe it hadn't been invented. The entirety of its body was covered in deep crimson scales in contrast to his gold, it too took the form of a Western Dragon.

It had to be at least 100 meters in length, an enormous horn on its snout that radiated power unlike anything his eyes had experienced the honor of witnessing. 

Like a God. 

"Who are you? Why am I here? Or more importantly, where exactly is here?" He asked the towering creature in quick succession, eager to uncover the secrets of his current predicament. 

"I have told you why haven't I? You are Pandora. The Vainglory Dragon. The Dragon of Delusions." 

The Dragon didn't explain a thing, but for some reason Takauji believed every word it spoke. Understanding them as if they were an undeniable truth. He remembered the name Ashikaga Takauji, he had all the memories the name came with. However, he was Pandora. Just as the voice had told him. 

"My name is Red. You are in my home at the moment, or more accurately your mind is in my home. Your body remains sound, do not fret young one." 

Red? Don't tell me. 

"You mean to tell me this is not my body? Even though I can feel every aspect of it in full detail? I do not understand." 

"Do not misunderstand me. This is indeed a body you can assume whenever you please, but you are not using it at the moment. Merely imagining it, imagining yourself." 

Again, the way the Dragon spoke remained cryptic and painfully brief. However, he understood every last word of it. More than he had understood anything throughout his entire life. 

"You told me that this is your home, but I still do not understand this place. No, I do not believe this is a place that can be understood to begin with." 

"You are sharp. That is a good quality for one such as yourself. I believe you would know this place as the Dimensional Gap, am I wrong?" 

His comprehension furthered, although it could not be completed. Not at his level. His surroundings reminded him of his technique [Vacio]. Nothingness given form. Nothingness given purpose. 

"Why am I here?" 

"You were in need of help. You tried to be born, but your success was not to become a truth. So I turned it into one for you. You are welcome, and you needn't thank me. I did so out of my own volition, not obligation." 

Fafnir had replaced his entire body with that of a Dragon's. However, the 85% chance of failure that came with the procedure had struck. Which would have left him dead, if not for the help of the mighty being before him. 

"Tell me, child. What is the difference between dreams and delusions?"

When it asked him a question, his mind instantly ceased all other trains of thought. Focusing all his efforts on bringing it a proper answer. An answer he had known for a long time, but never been given the opportunity to utter in the wake of the proper question. 

"They are both illusions. Dreams are an illusion we cast on ourselves, and so are delusions. However our dreams seek to take us forward, and our delusions seek to drag us down." 

"Good. And what do you think you embody? Dreams? Or delusions?" 

He thought again. Thinking deeper than he ever had. 

"I do not know why, but you smell of dreams to me. And my own scent gives me the impression of delusions." 

"You are only half-correct. My representation of dreams is indeed stronger, and the same applies to yours of delusion. However we possess both, they are interchangeable concepts. And what are Dragons?" 

"Dragons are concepts." 

"Yes. We are concepts. You have already used your concept on others, though you have not done so consciously. Rather you allowed your words to give life to your concept without your knowing. That is why you are here now, before me." 

"I have?" This time comprehension did not flow into his mind, he needed the great being's assistance. 

"The Fallen Angel child. Ddraig's possessor. The Knight. The hybrid. And now Albion's possessor. You have formed a connection with each of them to some extent, figure out the rest." 

These were all individuals he had pushed forward, whether it be intentionally or unintentionally. His words and actions inspired them to further themselves, to attain more and stand on the same ground he stood on. 

"So that was my power? You are implying that my concept existed before I became a concept myself. How is that possible?" 

"You misunderstand. You have always had that concept, becoming a concept yourself just gave life to that. Do you feel what you embody now is any different from what you did before? You even wielded this power many times before, have you not?" 

Illusions. He had been capable of illusions long before he arrived at this point. That was an undeniable fact. 

"If you were not of Vainglory, then you would not become the Dragon of Vainglory. But rather something else. Dragons can be born through many ways child, it doesn't matter what path is taken to get there. As long as you get there in the end." 

"Then what is to become of me now? I have stepped on the path. What do I do to proceed down it?" 

The Dragon remained silent for a moment, its unbearably radiant pupils locking with his. 

"Continue. Continue as you have, allow those around you to bask in your light and embolden their spirits. It matters not how many people you feel like you need to strengthen, I will remain here in waiting. When the day comes that you feel like your duty is finished, then you may rest with me in my home. My doors will stay open in anticipation for that day." 

He was Pandora. The Dragon of Vainglory. The Dragon of Delusions. He understood that now. Ashikaga Takauji did exist, and his memories remained with Pandora. However, the two identities were not one. Nor did they exist in the same mind. 

"I can really just continue as is? My goal of trying to understand nothing but myself is adequate? Even with what I've become now?" 

"You may. Rather, I encourage you to. As long as you remain true to what you are, your concept will continue to serve you to the best of its abilities. So that one day you may become the dreams of not just those you hold close, but the dreams of every sentient being that lives beneath, and beside you." 

"I am to become an icon? A belief even? Wait, that is what you are isn't it? That is what you've been trying to tell me this whole time." 

What he stood before was not just a Dragon, it was not just a God to be revered. It was dreams themselves, the hope everyone filled themselves with when they aspired to something they truly desired with all their hearts. The being in front of him is what allowed that to be so. 

And he was its counterpart, he was the delusions of people. The despair people placed upon themselves when they aspired to something about desperation, rather than hope. 

"Remember child, regardless of what you are labeled. You are Pandora, you will always be Pandora. In name, in spirit, in essence. I shall watch over you with interest, and await your arrival with bated breath. My last companion detested my presence, I hope you will not be the same." 

Such power, such solace, it came at a price. And that price was the unbearable solitude the creature had endured for an indescribable amount of time. 

"Your last companion?" 

"Indeed. I once shared this space with Infinity, but it did not wish to be accompanied by another. You have already heard what plans it has started to enact have you not?" 

"You mean Ophis? The Infinity Dragon?" He could think of no one else. 

"Yes. Please do not resent Infinity, its mind is clouded. The years have confused it, it struggles to distinguish its desires with delusions. I believe if anyone can help it, it would be you." 

Takauji was stunned. 

"You wish for me to help Ophis? The leader of the Khaos Brigade?" 

"In fairness, I have helped you have I not? I believe it's just that you do this service for me in turn." 

"Even if I am willing to attempt such a thing, what makes you believe I am capable? I have never met with Ophis before, nor do I understand him in the same way you seem to." 

"You will meet with Infinity in time, and then you will understand." 

The Dragon seemed too confident for him to refute his claim, and had too much faith in his abilities for him to shoot its expectations down. 

"I cannot promise success, however I can promise an attempt." 

"That is more than enough Pandora. You have my thanks." 

It was now time to return to his home. His meeting with Great Red, the Dragon of Dreams had come to its end. He had been taught his name, his existence, and his purpose. Now it was time to put it into practice. 

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His current Dragon form is basically the same as Fafnir's, but it isn't his final one. People on patreon will probably have that revealed soon, but please don't spoil it if you're also reading the webnovel for some reason. 

10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14

Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x

Word Count: 2113