Reincarnated as a Phoenix

Chapter 121 – Distant Past

"Urgh... my head... what the hell happened last night?"

"*Yawnnn*... morning Ikarus... heh, why are you naked?"

Waking up inside the parents' cave, I'm completely naked in the nest on top of Petra using her like a freaking mattress! We didn't do anything not safe for work in front of all the dragons, right? I seriously doubt it but why the hell am I naked though?

Okay... I remember a little after drinking that first demonic liquor, that was a lot of jokes and laughs. Then, it goes blank for a little but I definitely remember catching the goat and hanging upside down from a tree by my leg at some point... Jesus Christ Ikarus! Stop recapping last night's events with the pissed-up dragons and get off Petra already!

"I don't know! We wouldn't have done anything like that in front of everyone, right?"

"Heh... doubt it Ikarus but my memory is a little fuzzy too, do remember you getting jealous at a tree for looking at me and burning it down though"

Oh, even Petra got smashed up too, I could definitely see myself burning down a tree that tried to hit on my girlfriend... am I still drunk even now?

Holding onto my banging head, I get off the most comfortable body pillow around and start searching for my clothing. Crap, it's got to be here somewhere, there's too many passed out dragons though.

"Ah shit! Where is my fucking dress!?"

Here's a sight for you, the nest is surrounded by collapsed dragons all around and I'm in human form butt naked after sleeping on top of Petra now scurrying around trying to find some clothing! Thankfully, none of them have woken up yet but I'd rather them still not see me like this... damn, my head hurts.

"Heh, it's over here Ikarus... do a little dance for me and I'll give it to you"

Petra still on the nest floor holds up the dress, I doubt she was hiding it but you can never be too sure with her.

"That's not even funny, give it then"

Of course, Petra does pass it back since it's not exactly the perfect time to be playing around. Right as I'm no longer wearing my birthday suit and am clothed, one of the dragons finally joins us awakened.

<*Yawn*... oh Ikarus and Petra... you two are already awake? Argh... my head>

You know, witnessing your absolutely pissed up dragon mother waking up with a hangover is something that makes me smile greatly deep inside, it's so ironic how much she moans about it all yet was willing to drink with us all last night... screw it, I was going to be nice but sometimes, evil prospers.

"You know mother... alcohol is pretty bad for you and yet, here you are looking like absolute shit"

Petra facepalms from my scolding of mother but I'm justified... right?

<Argh, keep it down please Ikarus... this is why we only do this sort of thing every few hundred years or so and try not to drink in-between... by the way, don't feel like you have to say goodbye to everyone. Last time we did this, Aardavar and Cyclorak didn't wake up till two mornings after... your father would've liked this but someone had to look after Minos after all>

Ohhh... this is the main reason why father isn't here then, obviously having Minos at a pissed-up dragon party really isn't the best idea for him growing up. I do kinda like how it went from father dying to everyone having a blast though, really weird party twist then.

"We'll probably leave in a little while Kellearzar, Ikarus isn't really one for waiting around"

Huh... I guess I'm not really, I always like to be doing something and there's no chance I'm going to be waiting here for another day for everyone to awaken just to say a quick goodbye. I'd stay to mock them all but I'm pretty hungover too, obviously not as bad as mother though.

"Well regardless, thanks for having us mother! Last night was epic... I think? I'm still struggling to remember most of it"

Did we play tug of war with an animal's body as well at some point? I think that was just before I started getting hot and decided to take my clothes off but last night was really blurry. Ah, I remember everyone laughing after they found out I killed the white dragon who would've been my aunt as well which is kinda weird but I guess even she was hated by all dragons then. Despite the obvious memory loss, I'm definitely doing this again next time around.

<That would've been the demonic drinks Ikarus... you can see yourself out when you fancy leaving, I'm really not feeling great and you two can really outdrink any dragon it seems. Looks like my concern was unneeded and your father, he'd probably praise you... need more sleep now...>

Poor drunk mother, I really hold no sympathy for anyone who can't hold their drink. The fact we managed to outdrink this many dragons and can still walk straight is a mystery in its own right, I love this system and the perks I get with it.

[<-Ikarus- should reserve the word love only for target -Petra->]

'You know what I mean... and hungover right now so don't talk for a while, please?'

[<...>]

'Thank you Aesa'

Now that we've got the treacherous task of trying to climb around any sleeping dragons, turns out there's less than first thought. The funny thing is, both the pink and the silent dragon are gone, didn't notice that at first glance but there's definitely only four sleeping dragons here after all... Say, Petra didn't decide to kill the pink one in the end after all? I'm hoping she didn't but if I'm being honest, it's not like I'd tell her off for it...

"Petra... we didn't end up killing pinky as well... right?"

"Heh, doubtful Ikarus but you never know"

Nah, I think we're alright. I do remember her being around until we all passed out on the floor but Petra could've woken up in the middle of the night and done the deed. No idea how she'd move or even hide the body but I'm just purposely making Petra into a cold blooded justified murderer at this point.

Arriving at the entrance finally staggering over the sleeping dragon bodies, I quickly switch form while still trying to be quiet and Petra hops up onto my back, just before we're about to make haste flying off in the opposite direction of the sunrise.

Now in the skies about to head home, something almost immediately gives me a big fright as I'm trying to get into a relaxing flight rhythm.

<Did you enjoy yourself little one?>

It's of course the dinosaur... who is nowhere to be seen.

'Ack! You do understand doing that while I'm flying recovering from a hangover is a bad idea old lizard, right? Where even are you?'

<Directly above with littlest one, don't bother trying to find us since I'm giving him some training right now and you won't be able to get up this high. Hope you have fun little one, those lot can be insufferable but they never fail to disappoint on the drink they bring, I'm hoping your mother hid me a bottle or two>

I mean, I still look directly up and see a black dot way up high. I'm surprised they can even breath up there.

'Yeah, it was alright thanks but why are you even up there? You trying to descend the heavens and meet with the Gods or something? I swear Minos can fly fine already'

<Don't be absurd little one, that idea is ludicrous. I'm trying to help improve littlest one's flight speed and the difficult conditions can help keep the mind in focus, I'd have done the same for you but you went on your own journey after all>

Ah, I guess he isn't a completely incompetent father after all then, he's been having a bad streak recently so I'm sometimes forget he did teach me how to fly and can sometimes even be reasonable. I'm a little confused how low oxygen flying could be good to train Minos but there's no point questioning a dragon when it comes to something like flying, I'm the complete novice on that side of things.

'I'll say bye then and see you whenever, say hi to Minos for me as well!'

<Of course little one, do the same to your partner to>

"Heh, you're also communicating with me as well big guy"

Petra actually chuckles at that, I'm guessing the old dinosaur didn't realize he had been using telekinesis on both of us... or telepathy, I'm long past caring what they call it now.

<Oh, the darkened phoenix heard that too? I really am getting old... see you both soon as well>

And just like that, we continue flying with the sunrise still on our backs. This is going to be a torturous flight with my head right now but I'd rather just get back already...

__________

"Ikarus... think we've got a tail"

"Funny... have I got a feather or something in a weird position?"

"No, I'm being serious, something gloomy has been following us for a little while and it's slowly closing the gap"

We've been flying for half a day and something's following us? Last time this happened, it was way back when I ended up killing my aunt so if something is able to keep up with us, it's got to be a dragon, right? Could be a wyvern as well but why would a wyvern be following us? The same question applies to a dragon but at least it would make more sense. 

"You think it's a dragon or something?"

"I'm not sure but it's definitely flying, the aura feels familiar yet it's still too far away to be sure"

"Aerial fighting while still hungover... the Gods really like to kick you in the groin sometimes"

"Heh, didn't say it was an aggressive aura Ikarus... Funny that now that you've stopped, the aura has too. Think you've got a stalker, not someone looking for a fight"

Sighhh... if anything having a stalker makes it worse. At least with a fight, we could just deal with it and begone but now I'm going to have to find the stalking dragon, then talk to it! This really isn't the day for this sort of thing, the chances are it's going to be the silent or pink dragon.

"*Sighhh*... I'm going to have to chase this person down now, aren't I?"

"Heh, you might have to fly fast, they might be a little shy... or try it on with you again"

At least Petra thinks it's one of those two as well. At times I hate my life... I need to stop using that now, I actually love it especially every second with Petra but still...

'I could kill a coffee right now...'

__________

Flying at maximum speed with Petra guiding me towards the retreating aura, I'm apparently making progress but it's very slow since this person can definitely fly pretty fast. It's good having a tracker like Petra but having one of those dragons randomly following me is a little weird feeling. It's probably one of the two who weren't at the nest but it really could be anything, dragons do fly faster than me so it might not even be one in the first place. Or, it's just purposely not trying to retreat that fast but enough speculating, I'm getting closer so this stalker is about to get moaned at or attacked.

"You see that now Ikarus? It should be in sight but I'm unable to confirm if it is"

Off in the distance is a tiny and mostly unnoticeable dark spec, it's a good thing it's stopped flying away now. This has been an unnecessary waste of time so I'm going to have a right go at this person in a second. Just give it a second and I'll be able to confirm fully... yep, it's a dragon alright.

"At least it ain't the pink dragon you hate Petra, it's just that silent blue one called Mute"

"Heh, don't hate anyone Ikarus... that's actually a lie but it's extremely rare"

"Sure sure... let's find out what this dragon wants then"

We finally arrive to where this dragon is flying stationary and the navy-blue coloured Mute looks a little concerned about something once we're up close. Normally, I would have a go but I feel like I could make this dragon cry if I do that. Maybe that's a little farfetched but this dragon was following us for a reason.

(Ikarus) "What do you want Mute?"

<...>

Ah, this is going to be a pain in the arse, she understands speech but obviously her communicating is going to be difficult. Thankfully, the dragon starts trying to communicate but in quite the simple and odd way.

Mute points her paw at Petra up on my back, then tries to mimic drawing something in the air, then points at herself... the hell was that?

"Erm... you have any idea what she's trying to say Petra?"

The only thing I can think of is maybe she has a thing for Petra? I'm trying to give Mute the benefit of the doubt though, I can't see two dragons both trying to split up our lovebird duo. She did point at Petra and herself though.

"Hang on Ikarus... continue Mute, are you saying there's something between us?"

The navy-blue dragon nods her head, then does something else with her paws. She now keeps placing them together like putting your hands and fingers together.

"A connection? Romantically?"

Mute shakes her hand with slight concern, then tries to mimic a hugging action? I haven't got the perception stat for this obviously. All I can see is a dragon flying in the air doing weird shit with her hands and shaking her head.

"Friendship? No not that... family?"

Mute immediately nods her head and looks happy from Petra understanding what she was getting at

"Are you saying we're family Mute?"

Once again, the happy looking dragon nods her head. I'm a little confused right now, I thought Petra had no family that's alive? Are we both finding out we have more family than we first realized? If so, this trip has been quite the surprise.

"You think she's saying you two could be sisters Petra?"

Heck, even I get a nod from the dragon this time around.

"Maybe Ikarus... oh... that disgusting vermin of a mother who raised me, hope she's rotting in a place worse than hell right now"

Jesus Christ Petra! Where the hell did that come from? I still remember everything Petra's told me about her but it was never much except the prophecy and that they never got on. 

"You okay Petra?"

"No Ikarus... my mother, remember the whole prophecy thing way back when we first met? She was always purposely fond of hiding or removing bits of important information since she always wanted the best future for herself. This must've been one of those situations, I knew that aura felt familiar..."

Throughout all this, Petra doesn't actually sound sad, it's more anger than anything else.

"...The thing is, there was a dragon she used for testing purposes to see and change glimpses of the future, that dragon must've been Mute. Always thought she was discarded or killed when mother grew tired of her but here she is in the flesh, still alive after surviving that hell. Would've been fully blind back then with no way to use the system sight so it's not surprising I didn't recognize her"

Every time I hear of Petra's past, it just gets worse and worse. The strange thing is, Mute is smiling and nodding along like that history was no big deal, looks like they both are pretty mentally strong then. This Mute was treated like shit by her mother and apparently humans cut out her tongue and beat her, her past is as tragic as Petra's. I almost want to give her a hug but this world has a tendency of selecting certain people and giving them hell to experience.

I can tell this is going to be difficult for Petra but if she's also got a sister with a troubled past, then couldn't they get on pretty well? Sure, she struggles sharing her past with me but with someone who was also there with her, I could see this working pretty well.

"So... what are we going to do with you Mute? You fancy coming with us back to our settlement? Ah, should probably ask Petra first but it'll be nice for you to get to know each other, right?"

I bet Petra's a little shocked from my invitation but the settlement already knows about one dragon visit, another should be fine. Mute probably has a human form too so it should be alright, I think?

"Heh, you invited her Ikarus, not me. You really think I'd be fussed either way?"

"No but-... forget it... you up for staying for a while then Mute?"

The odd thing is, the dragon seems a little unsure about it, I should've probably asked Petra before I actually said but I still feel like it would be a good way for her to cope with her past. Sure, she holds a load of mental strength but it's got to help to have someone who also experienced it. As much as I'm good at cheering Petra up, it's not like I'm perfect at it, I just do something dumb and hope she finds it funny and that normally works like a charm.

Anyways, Mute does find an answer but does another action with her paws. This puts them together but then pulls the back apart leaving a small gap in-between.

"Heh, would you rather stay for a short time Mute? You can stay as long or as little as you want, just you'll have to be friendly to the humans around though"

Then, an immediate happy nod follows from the dragon at perceptive Petra understanding what she's getting at. She'll be the fourth dragon to visit the islands now, we should be alright and people won't be bringing out torches and pitchforks to kill the dragon, right? What am I saying, the people wouldn't do shit...

'Looks like we're bringing another dragon home with us, what's the worst that can happen...'