It was time to go. Time to complete and move on. I had a reason, a million reasons to do so, least of all I always finished anything I started. I had the tools, and I had reasons, both here and back in my dimension, to ensure I would be victorious.
I looked at the dragon and rubbed his muzzle.
“Tor-Soor-bai, thank you. Words are never easy when saying farewell, but somehow I know we shall keep in touch, maybe via the celestial dragons, or via Master Weng-Choo.”
For now, I hugged him and felt him nuzzle into me.
“I will miss you, Nee-shar-tar. You never asked me what the private news was that I found in your heart. It was seeing my children reunited with their mother. Yes, the little ones who the Goddess bought as pearls are my children, and if I never get to see them grow, that picture will stay in my heart for eternity.”
I heard him sniff, and I did not show any sign of hearing that, allowing my arms to remain around his neck a little longer.
“Yes, well. Humph. We had better get you off and to finishing this challenge so you can return to your own work, and your dragon. I will get word to him via my contacts, tell him what has happened. Tell him what we have done.”
Now there was silence.
Yes, it was time to go. Time to complete and move on. I had a reason, a million reasons to do so, least of all, I always finished anything I started. I had the tools, and I had reasons, both here and back in my own dimension, to ensure I would be victorious. We would leave at the same time, the innermost secret space being left open for emergency transmissions. He would travel underground in his realm, and I would go first to the tower, then from there translocate directly to her home below the snow, but I would wait by the entrance and be ready. I would call her out to a one-on-one challenge, which I hoped she would accept. One way or another, it felt as if an end of a chapter, a beginning of a new one, was about to take place. I centred and nodded before moving. The sun was high in the sky now as I stood on the lakeside below the rubble of the tower. As a passing gesture, I reached into my pocket and withdrew the tin with the selenite shards, removed a couple and threw them far out into the lake, with a silent but heart-centred message for the Pang-long and her baby, if I made it, she would know.
As I turned to leave, I swore that in my mind, I heard the voice of the one who you never disobey tell me to get on with it, believe in myself and stop procrastinating.
Suddenly I saw humour in all of this. Now I laughed, I laughed out loud and as I translocated I heard the echo travel with me. I was letting her know I was coming. Now, fear and nervousness were replaced as my training came into play. I knew I would complete this.