After breakfast I headed straight out to see the Elder. For some reason my Mom insisted on me keeping my sword on my back at all times. She said something like "You never know when you might need it." It's understandable especially since Tayrn mentioned the world not being on the best of terms with Dragons at the moment. He may have become a complete jerk towards the end but at least I got some handy information out of him. For example we live for nearly an eon. It almost seems unbulievable that we could live for that long. You would think we would have a much larger population since it's that long. There must be something he left out.

"Oi Cyril!"-???

Now this is a voice I didn't want to hear today. Though I suppose it was inevitable seeing him when getting this close to the Elder's home. Turning to the person who called my name I see Uncle Atlas motioning for me to come over.

"Ugh"

Dragging my feet I walk over. That stuff Tayrn said really messed with my head. I know he's only trying to manipulate me. I just can't deny the fact that he wasn't too keen on the idea of bringing me to play with Tide the other day.

"Come with me. I've got someone who wants to talk with you."-Atlas

"Is it the Elder?"

I already guessed this would happen. Elder could tell there was no longer any negative energy that he had to keep sealed away, so he became curious.

"..."-Atlas

Hitting the nail on the head, Uncle keeps silent whilst walking away. He didn't motion for me, but it was obvious he still wanted me to follow. For someone who always keeps a straight face he's surprisingly easy to read. Maybe it's just me though.

Arriving at Elder's house, Uncle takes into the the giant library. I am never not amazed with this place. Admiring my surroundings with an open jaw I barely noticed Elder sipping tea at the very same couch I sat at the day before. Only this time he's wearing a blue robe with nothing speacial on it.

"Just as curious as your father was at that age."-Elder

"Ah..Sorry."

"No need to apologize. Come sit."-Elder

Taking my seat on the fancy couch I notice that Uncle is now gone. He must know that Elder wanted this to be a private talk so he left. I don't actually know what he does. I think Tide mentioned something about him being a super strong elite or whatever.

*clanck*

Elder sets his plate and cup down making a clanking sound. You can hear it pretty well in this huge place making it a little nerve racking.

"Has anything...weird happened since yesterday?"-Elder

Looking me right in the eyes now he asks this question. His peircing blue eyes feel coupled with this serious vibe I am getting from him make me feel like I just blew someone's brains out and now I'm in a police station.

"I-I did sorta have this...weird dream last night."

"Tell me."-Elder

Just getting straight to the point huh? I don't want to tell him everything because if he finds out about the deal I made with Tayrn, he will most definitely either kill me or lock me away for the rest of my life. Truly there is no telling what such a powerful person could do if he found out. Honestly, there's no telling what Tayrn might have me do as well. I am sure I'll get over whatever it is he'll make me do.

"Flames...Lot's of flames."

"Child, I do not feel like playing games. Describe it accurately."-Elder

Why is he so suspicous? I know an Evil God has his eye on me and everything but he still thinks I'm just a kid. Using the fact that he thinks I'm still a child to my advantage, I force myself to cry. Pretending to be truamatized by the event. My old parents even forced me to be perfect at acting so this trick really comes in handy.

"I....It was *sob* so painful E-Elder! It hur..Hurt so much. And *sniff* And the laughing! It wouldn't stop!"

Clearly feeling guilty after seeing such a reaction he was no longer attempting to see through me. Avoiding eye contact and sweating like a fat man in August. I got to admit, being two years old has its perks. Although the cons out weigh them.

"Sorry! Please don't cry!"-Elder

Breaking the silence, Elder apologizes and begs me to stop crying. I comply.

"Good thing we're in my pocket dimension or else Cassandra would of heard you crying. Surely that would be the end of this Old Dragon's life."-Elder

I know she's also really strong like Dad but is her hearing really that good? This house is about one hundred yards away from mine. Well it doesn't really seem that unlikely for a Dragon.

"I was just wondering because....You no longer have any negative evergy coming off of you."-Elder

"Really?! So I can be as strong as Big Bro now?"

Got to keep up the act...

"Well I don't see why not. Looks like you really will be a real Dragon."-Elder

So if I really did stay that way, I would have been considered a failure. Just like Tayrn said.

"Let me call for your parents now and we can tell them the good news together. Atlas!"-Elder

Appearing out of thin air is Uncle. Instead of his usually expressionless face he seems happy. Completely delighted in fact. I had thought he left on the contrary he was here the whole time. Never thought he would care about me enough to be that happy.

"Right away, Elder. Congratulations kid."-Atlas

A few moments later and all of my parents walk through the door being led in by Uncle. Uncle still has the same look on his face as he did when he left, in contrast everyone else looks a bit worried.

"Is something wrong, Elder?"-Cassandra

Mom was the first to speak up. It seem like they're still on edge from the other day.

"Yes, I have good news to share with you all. Come have a seat."-Elder

Mom and Dad no longer have the same troubled face as they did before. Instead, it's like they have seen a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Like they were saved from certain death. I never knew they were this unsettled by the whole thing. Anyways, Atlas dissapeares again and every one else takes a seat.

Now that everyone is sitting down, Elder tells them the good news.

"I can finally take the seal off of Cyril."-Elder

"Really?!"-Corwin.

"Then you mean..."-Cassandra

"Yes. It seems like Tayrn has left Cyril alone for the moment."-Elder

Indeed, only for the moment. It's obvious to even an idiot Tayrn has no intention of letting me off the hook so easily based on what I said about my dream.

"Isn't that great, Sweetie? You'll grow to be strong like Daddy!"-Cassandra

"Now Dad can teach me magic!"

Really wanting to get this seal off of me already, I play along and agree that I want to be as strong as him. It's not that I don't like the thought of being like him but I need to become far stronger than that if I want to kill Tayrn before he makes me do whatever it is he has in store. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

"Hell yeah I can! Elder, hurry up and take the seal away so that we can start his training already!"-Corwin

He seems way too pumped for this than he should. He even put his foot on the coffee table whilste pointing at the Elder.

"Err....s-sure. I just have a few more things to discuss regarding the current topic, so if you could remove your foot from my antique coffee table."-Elder

"....Oh sorry. I was a little excited is all. My apologize once again."-Corwin

Removing his boot one could clearly see where his foot had been due to the dirt at the bottom. However, Elder didn't make a big deal out of it. With the snap of his fingers the foot print dissapeared. That's extremely convenient.

"First, Cyril has lost nearly all of his dark resistance has nearly fallen to zero. Originally it was near seventy percent."-Elder

That high? Oh well, I'm sure I can live without it.

"Secondly, he has lost the [Berserk] ability. This is not necessarily a bad thing either. It has proven to many to be hard to control and extremely draining. Third, Cyril seems to have kept his mental resistance which means he is naturally gifted in that area. Last of all he has kept his ability [God's Toungue]."-Elder

I thought that came with the blessing. Maybe Tayrn decided to let me keep that one? Whatever the case it's a good thing he did. Otherwise I wouldn't even know what the hell these people were talking about.

"I am sure we won't be missing that ability. As long as that monster has leftour son alone."-Cassandra

To this, Elder makes a complex expression.

"I would not count on it. There is no garuntee that Tayrn will just leave him be forever."-Elder

"What are you trying to say? I thought you said he-"-Corwin

"I know exactly what I said. I did not mention he would be completely left alone. If it were not for what Cyril has told me, I too would have thought this problem was all in the past."-Elder

I cover my face with both hands, making it seem like I remembered something awful. I can still remember the scent of my own skin burning off. Although I'm already over it, I still have to keep up appearances. Now that I think of it, this must be what Tayrn was talking about when he said my ability to stay sane was incredible.

"What exactly happened? Cyril looks horrible after you brought that up."-Corwin

"Ahem yes....well he uh....hm."-Elder

"It's okay Elder. You can say it."

Keeping my face in my hands I assure Elder that I won't tell them.

"He says he had a horrible dream last night. Appearentlly he was...burning alive and that the only thing he could hear was laughter."-Elder

Surely that laughter would haunt anyone else. It even muffled out my screams of pain.

"That is not all. Cyril says he could actually feel what was happening."-Elder

"Poor baby."-Cassandra

Next thing I know my Mom wraps her hands around me, pulling me in close. Ah it's nice to have someone who cares about me this much. No longer with my face in my hands a plesant smile makes its way onto my face as I hug her.

"I'm surprised you're not going ballistic."-Corwin

"Not in front of Cyril! He's been through so much."-Cassandra

"Shall I take the seal off now?"-Elder

"Yes!"-Cassandra&Corwin

Without even getting up Elder lifts his index finger. finger. Out of this finger shoots what could only look like a blue laser. It hits me right in the solar plexus. I couldn't even feel it but I can tell! I can tell the seal has been removed!

"Done."-Elder

I can feel the mana flowing through my body. It's such an amazing feeling. I don't even know how to explain it. I just feel like something heavy has been lifted off of me.

"Don't get too overwhelmed son." I know it's a lot to take in so-"-Corwin

"[Fireball]!"

I couldn't help but try it. Pushing as much mana as possible into my palm I cast the spell [Fireball] straight up into the air. Out comes a giant ball of fire. Totally not what I was expecting...Oops.

"Crap!"-Corwin

"Cyril!"-Cassandra

"[Gate]"-Elder

Above the giant fireball appeares a rip in space. Just like when I was teleported into the library the other day. The rip in space is bigger than the fireball so it has no problem going through.

"Someone seem enthusiastic to get started."-Elder

"Yes...He still needs to learn how to control how much mana he puts into an attack."-Corwin

"Where did you teleport it to?"-Cassandra

"...I don't know?"-Elder

That seems dangerous. Anyways, I think that really drained me. I must have used a bit too much mana.

"Great, now look at him. He needs to rest for a little. And when he is finished with his nap he gets a good spanking."-Cassandra

All I can say is, at least they never use a belt.