"All this time I kept thinking my control over aura was lacking when in reality it was my control over emotions that was the problem..."
Leo said quietly, disappointment weighing on his voice as Moltherak’s golden eyes softened slightly.
There was something about Leo that reminded the ancient dragon of the rarest kind of mortal, the kind worth remembering, which was why he treated him with a gentleness usually reserved only for his long-lost queens.
"Do not be so disappointed, for someone of your cultivation tier your power is already extraordinary, if this were the primordial era and you belonged to one of my rival clans, I would have sought you out myself just to end you before you became a threat."
Moltherak said with a faint smile, his voice carrying both amusement and pride, as Leo chuckled softly at the remark though the sound faded quickly into quiet reflection.
The universe had evolved beyond recognition since Moltherak’s reign, yet Leo wasn’t sure whether that evolution had truly been for the better.
For even today, rival prodigies remained a target for jealous factions in power.
"Do you miss it?"
Leo asked eventually, his voice melancholic.
"Having a body, waging wars, feeling the weight of victory and defeat, or are you content with having an indestructible soul and being trapped here for eternity?"
He asked, as Moltherak turned his gaze away, the molten light of his body flickering faintly as he pondered about the question for a while, before turning to look towards Leo again.
"Yes, I miss it, every moment of it, if given the chance I would start over from the lowest tier without hesitation.
I miss the thrill of battle, the rush of chaos, the feeling of being alive, but with my soul bound here and no living God foolish enough to step into this realm, this fate is one I will likely endure forever,"
He said, as his words carried the weight of endless time, calm on the surface yet hollow within, as Leo could feel the centuries of solitude pressing behind that steady tone
"What if" Leo began, his eyes narrowing slightly "A God was foolish enough to enter this realm, what would happen then"
He asked in an oddly conspiring voice, as Moltherak tilted his head and then let out a booming laugh that echoed through the chamber.
"HAHAHAHA—"
"If a living God ever wandered into this place" he repeated, amusement lacing his voice "Then I would seize the opportunity to wrest control of his body, for the only vessel that can contain the power of a divine soul is a divine body—"
He began, as the shine of his golden eyes became brighter.
"If such a God were to appear, even for a moment, I would merge with his vessel, and from that instant a dangerous game would begin.
His body would not be strong enough to bear the weight of two divine souls, and hence it would begin to collapse under its own power, melting from within as divine wounds tore through it faster than his divinity could heal.
At which point, only two outcomes will be possible....
First, the host abandons his body, becoming a wandering soul like me.
Or second, where he fights me for control until the end, in which case both of our souls risk destruction.
Either way, it is not a battle I would lose, for unlike any living god, I no longer fear death, in fact I would welcome it.
If I perish, I shall finally find peace, or if he runs away, I will finally live again.
But either way, I will not come out of that scenario a loser."
Moltherak concluded, his deep voice steady and absolute, as Leo nodded slowly, the gravity of the dragon’s words sinking deep into his mind.
"So, if hypothetically, I help you gain a new body, how will you repay that debt?
Will you lend me your power for my cause?
Or will you forget all about me, and treat me like an ant?"
Leo asked, as Moltherak’s expression turned serious.
He looked straight into Leo’s eyes as if gauging as to what the young boy was planning as he felt his non-existent heart clench at this moment.
"Just what are you planning here, boy? For the golden intent threads around us are increasing every passing second."
Moltherak asked, as Leo looked at them too, his expression unchanged even though he felt surprised as well.
Never before in his entire life had he seen more golden intent threads gather around him.
As at this moment, there were more than a hundred around him.
Most of them connected him to Moltherak, while a few shot up straight into the cosmos.
"This could be a turning point in history, old friend.
Your decision here can either bring us both prosperity, or doom.
But the ball is in your court now."
Leo said, as suddenly another 50 golden intent lines appeared, making both him and Moltherak shudder.
"HA....HAHAHAHAHAHA—"
The ancient Red Dragon laughed, as he couldn’t believe that after living for over 5000 years, a simple interaction with a mortal would bring him so much joy.
However, the fact that it did, made him feel more reckless than he would usually have been.
"Let’s say you manage to bring a living God here, and that I do manage to take over his body.
Then from that moment onwards.
I solemnly swear that I, King Moltherak, will owe you a lifelong debt of gratitude.
For as long as I live. I will live as your Ally and come to your aid when you call.
Your enemies will become my enemies.
While my friends will become your worshippers.
If this Red Dragon ever walks the cosmos again.
He will be both your sword and shield,
And he will ensure that you walk your path to divinity with minimal complications."
Moltherak said, a giant smile forming on his face, as Leo grinned right back.
He knew there was no need to formalize his promise with a contract, for Moltherak’s words were as good as a binding contract, as that was the character of this simple yet magnificent beast.