[Creative Novel] Ilm the Sea Dragon and Reef the Sky-Dweller ②

Chapter 2: From the Blue of the Sea to the Blue of the Sky

Wind. How pleasant it felt.

Ilm the sea dragon was leaping through the sky now. On his back, which shone a vibrant blue under the sunlight, he carried Reef, a young "human" boy who lived in the heavens and was known as a "Sky-Dweller."
Ilm was a blue dragon. He had limbs attached to a long, serpent-like body, scales that beautifully colored his entire form from a deep blue on his back to a sky-blue on his belly, and a lustrous silver mane.
He leaped vigorously from the sea, aiming for the distant land as if to deeply etch the moments of the sea and the sky into his heart. Reef, a Sky-Dweller capable of using magic, seemed unfazed by Ilm's wild movements.
It wouldn't have been a problem to just swim through the sea to reach the land. In fact, that would have been faster and easier.
However, Ilm did it simply because he wanted to. He had been sealed away in a cage on the ocean floor for twenty years.
He just wanted to feel the ocean waves, the sunlight, and the blowing wind.
Before Ilm's massive body descended from the air, colliding with the sea surface to create a loud splash and white waves, Reef called out to him.

"Ilm. It looks like there's a ship of the Earth-Dwellers in the distance. Could you dive and continue from around here?"

It seemed Reef had sensed the movements of the Earth-Dwellers. With his mysterious power, he appeared to have quickly spotted the ship that was aiming for the open ocean.

"I think it's better if they don't see us, because all sorts of troublesome things will surely happen."

If the form of a sea dragon were spotted even from afar, the panicked Earth-Dwellers might attack them.

"Hmm. Understood."

Ilm nodded and submerged his body into the sea. He had followed Reef's suggestion immediately.
Ilm, carrying Reef, was going out of his way to head toward the surface.
In the deep sea, Ilm and Reef had made a "contract."

At the bottom of the sea where light did not reach, when Reef appeared before Ilm.

"Ilm. I'll get you out of here. So, in exchange, will you listen to my wish?"

Inside the invisible magical cage, Reef had asked the imprisoned Ilm.

"Between different living beings, a promise is, in other words, a contract. I will not be moved until I know the details."

Even though he couldn't move his body freely inside the narrow cage, the proud Ilm declared that he would not simply jump at freedom just because it was dangled in front of him.
Proud.
Yes, it was pride. On the name of the blue dragon.
It wasn't that he was holding back out of fear that it might be a trap or a danger; Ilm felt he could not consent unless he was convinced by his own internal standards.
At the same time, he was also gauging the true character of the boy named Reef.

Depending on the answer, he would eat him.

Of course, in his sealed state, Ilm couldn't lift a finger. However, he stared at Reef with a piercing gaze that made his intent clear.
I don't know what he was thinking inside, but Reef showed no signs of fear at all.

"You see, my wish... I want you to help me find my best friend, Marte, who went down to the surface."

"The surface?"

Ilm couldn't help but ask back. Why would he ask a sea dragon like himself to help find a best friend who was apparently on the surface?
Perhaps sensing Ilm's doubt, Reef revealed the reason.

"Even with magic, it's impossible for me alone to search the vast surface. I believe I need an ally. I absolutely do."

I am a sea dragon. I cannot go to the surface, you know...?

Can't you transform, Ilm?

Among monsters, there are those who can freely change their form into humans, animals, or objects.

Ah. There is no need to.

It's okay. I have a special magic. So, please...!

Reef passionately pleaded with Ilm to transform into a human and join him on a journey to find his best friend.

Why me...?

In the first place, how did he know of my existence? Ilm wondered, thinking that if one looked around a bit, there should be plenty of other monsters on the surface, in the sky, or in the sea. More importantly, he was puzzled as to how Reef had found him, trapped in a place so far removed from the lives of the sky-dwellers.

Well, since I am trapped, perhaps it is easier to negotiate with the condition of releasing me. But why did he know of me?

Reef stared into Ilm's eyes for a while, then confessed as if he had made up his mind.

Actually, it was my father who trapped you here.

What? Ilm shouted, involuntarily moving his long tail. Many large and small bubbles rose to the surface.

I see, so that's why he looks like that brat...!

I'm sorry. Are you angry?

Reef looked up at Ilm timidly and apologized.

I see, twenty years... So this child is that brat's son, then...

Ilm let out a sigh.

...Your father is not you. I have no anger toward you.

This was his true feeling. And incidentally, even toward Reef's father, the one who had sealed him away, while he felt simple anger, he did not harbor deep-seated emotions like resentment. As a creature different from humans, Ilm did not experience the transition of the heart from anger to resentment.
Hearing Ilm's words, Reef seemed relieved and his face brightened.

My father used to talk about how he often hunted monsters when he was young. He said he traveled to many places and defeated them. It seems he defeated all the monsters other than you on the spot. Because my father kept getting stronger. That's why you were the only one I could ask. Besides...

Besides?

Ever since I heard about you from my father, I've wanted to set you free. After all, you're not a bad monster, are you?

Ilm stared down at Reef.

...What is your definition of good and evil?

Ilm's question seemed to catch Reef off guard. He stumbled over his words, his large eyes widening even further.

Um... A bad monster is one that goes on a rampage and eats lots of humans, right?

Is your father, who goes on rampages and slays many monsters, not a bad human?

Ilm thought to himself that it might have been a mean question. To Ilm, things like 'good and evil' were meaningless and of no interest. But he couldn't help but say it. He knew that humans used such things to justify their own actions.

...Maybe he is bad.

Reef bit his lip and looked down. It must have been frustrating and painful for him to admit his own father's faults.

Whether he is good or bad, it makes no difference to me. Those other so-called monsters have nothing to do with me, either. I feel anger toward your father for taking away my freedom, but that is all. Besides, good and evil are things judged from one's own perspective. If you can think he is good, then your father is 'good'.

You're saying he's a good father...?

Reef looked up.

As a sea dragon, I wouldn't know. That must be a human rule. But if you want to believe that, then believe it. Because both you and I can only see the world through our own senses.

U-um...? I will believe it!

Reef didn't seem to fully understand what Ilm was saying, so he tilted his head for a moment before nodding energetically.

...So, what kind of person is your best friend, anyway?

Well, you see...!

At Ilm's question, Reef's eyes sparkled and his cheeks flushed.

They're so kind...! They love flowers and animals, and they sing the songs of the wind... Oh, and they're great at racing! They run across the vast meadows as far as they can go, and I barely manage to keep up... And then, after the race, we lie down on the grass and dirt together and laugh.

Ilm's eyes went wide. By 'what kind of person,' he had meant to ask for features like height or facial appearance to help find them, but Reef's answer was different. Reef's blue eyes looked as if they were seeing the vast, endless meadows where he had run with his best friend.

Earth... flowers, meadows...

Ilm had only ever seen the earth from afar. And as for someone he could call a best friend—

Reef.

Ilm called Reef's name once more.

Y-yes?

You said you wanted to save your best friend. That person must be very precious to you.

Reef looked up at Ilm with clear eyes.

Yes—!

Understood. Let us make a pact. Reef, use my power to save your best friend.

Ilm...!

A look of joy spread across Reef's face.

Set me free.

At the bottom of the dark sea, a light flashed. The blue dragon began to ascend.
A school of small fish scattered in a panic.

I will save them. This little one's friend. And then—.

A warmth like the gentle sun lit up in Ilm's chest.

Grass and earth... What does it feel like to walk, I wonder...?

He accepted his own trembling anticipation and joy, even while feeling bewildered.
He could see a shimmering light. Soon, he would go from the blue of the sea to the blue of the sky.

Published on Shousetsuka ni Narou