The air here wasn't air.
It was ash, smoke, and something sharp clawing at my lungs, even through the mask.
"Perfect. Just perfect," I muttered, tightening my grip on my "From math homework to warzone tourism in under ten minutes. New record, Nobita. Truly impressive."
Below me, the city stretched like a nightmare. The world… was wrong, like someone had copied ours and let a child crumple it. Plus the dragon.
…And cyborgs.
And in the middle of that broken skyline, fire bloomed.
The beast roared again, its voice shaking the steel skeletons of fallen towers. It wasn't just loud. It vibrated in my chest, rattling my teeth. My Hopter almost gave up right there.
"Okay. Stay calm," I muttered, gripping the Air Cannon like it was worth more than my life. "Rule one: don't fight monsters the size of your GPA gap. Rule two: absolutely do not get noticed."
The beast's head rose above the fire, eyes glowing red like molten glass. And then… against every law of probability and bad luck I'd learned to expect, its gaze locked onto me.
"…Ah. Rule three," I croaked, my stomach free-falling.
"Run."
I shot forward, hugging the ground. Who'd want to annoy a 50-foot giant in the middle of his destruction hobby? Only wished he shared that opinion.
"Whoaaa!"
Flames from its mouth roared past me. I ducked under dense forest trees, trying to find cover.
"I'm so… fucked. So-AHHH!"
A human-sized eyeball stared at me like Satan incarnate. I froze midair.
"Attack!"
The Air Cannon made it blink. That tiny moment of distraction was enough to dodge its next breath.
"Tch. Now I'm getting pissed, you know?"
The dragon surged higher, wings pumping, fury pouring from its eyes. Its lungs swelled for another breath attack.
"Now!"
I gripped the red cloth, covering my hand.
-FLOOOOM-
The flame that escaped its mouth redirected back at its owner.
"GRAAAAAAAAHHHH—!!!"
The dragon screamed in agony, earsplitting and fierce. My own ears nearly bled, but I couldn't stop. I had to stay alive.
I flew down, and escaped the eyes if any force roaming around by hiding into the forest further.
"Fuck.fuck. FUCCCCCKKKKK-!"
My eyes twitched. I knew it! Why would I come here?! Now I'm, obviously, stuck in the war zone! What next?! Return of ODOROME HIMSELF?!
"Sigh~It's too much after all-BLURGGHHH!"
Shit. Obviously I get a bad stomach in this situation.
No.
I didn't realize, but my hands had been trembling for a while now. I can hear my heartbeat to my ears. It's getting louder. Shit. I'm feeling dizzy. Water... I need. I can't-
"I've decided"
Words spilled out my mouth before I could process them myself. My body knew more than my stupid brain did. I can't risk this. I need to go back. Immediately.
"Sorry, riruru...."
I turned back, ready to get back to the lake.
I'm going ba-
-BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!-
.....
The world went bright. Too bright in fact.
My ears beeping. I was on ground.But.... Why? Huh?
"ahh... "
What's this wet feeling? Huh...
"ahhhhhh...."
Blood?
My eyes widened, looking at my finger tips.
What just happened?
It's too hot here... Water. I need... Wait no.
My eyes widened.
The lake.... The forest... The hill was burning in front of my eyes.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"
Tch. I'm too busy looking around. Will this fucker stop screaming already?
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
It's too damn loud! Stop it! Shut it! Where the hell is that bastard anyway?!
My eyes scanned around, looking for finding the culprit. Yet there was none to be found.
Wait.... Ah. I see....It makes sense. The one screaming... Was me.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! AHH! AHHHHHHHH! GHHHHAAAAAAAAA! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
My left leg was bleeding like a fountain. Yet it was the only part of my body i couldn't feel pain in.
My skin, my back, my hands, my eyes. All of them felt to be getting crushed, burnt, roasted and sliced at once.
I wanted to scream for help.
I wanted to get up.
I wanted to stop screaming as it hurt my neck.
I wanted to give up.
I wanted to go back.
But all I could do... Was lie on the ground. And scream.
And so I did.
Until I finally feel unconscious. Perhaps screaming even then.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Time: 7:35 pm.
Location:NEW odorore castle, shinjuku.
A menacing, giant crow flew to the castle's top. There, it spoke, it's head bowed to a figure clad in dark.
"Kaw-kaw-kaw-. I bring good news to the dark king."
The giant figure, with Humanoid frame and animal head comes to light. It's body clad in ornaments and a wizard stick in right hand.
"So he lives, after all"
"Yes, my king. He's been successfully trapped in the new dark kingdom. The path of escape has been broken off as per your command."
"I see. Good work."
The dark creature slams his stick on the ground. The area lighting up in purple flames.
"I had waited half a decade, preparing for my revenge against my disrespect!"
The castle shakes. Black clouds starts covering the sky, lighting up the city.
"I shall take revenge on nobita-nia. I'LL MAKE HIS VERY SOUL CRUMBLE IN FEAR AS HE BEGS FOR A PAINLESS DEATH! ONLY THEN WILL MY THIRST FOR VENGEANCE SHALL BE QUENCHED!"
The world shook at his declaration. His Voice echoing trought the city.
"Kaw-kaw-kaw~. I'm looking forward to it,my king."