Johansson continued talking to David about other things. He tried to avoid touching upon the subject of any ‘mysterious creature’ as much as possible, in an attempt to gain David’s trust.
“So, how has it been back at the lab?” Johansson asked while he served David some food from his inventory.
“Oh, thank you. I haven’t eaten anything hot in quite a while.” David took a bite of the Roast Beef. “Well, it has been good. The lab is busy as always.”
“Really? I kind of miss the University environment, you know? Everyone is constantly looking for new discoveries and trying to come up with crazy inventions. Those were the days.”
“Yes, everyone misses you. You left quite the impression at the University, Johansson. In fact, some people believed you would become the Dean one day,” David said.
“Yeah, I actually planned to achieve that. But eventually, I had to move on. I realized I had other goals in life, and those goals were incompatible with a Professor’s life.”
“It’s a shame but I hope you’re happy where you are.”
“I am for sure. Beatriz shares some of her time with me at the lab. I’m also looking forward to seeing her success as a Professor at the University,” Johansson said.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll make you proud,” she said.
“You already have, honey.”
David finished his meal and seemed much better than the previous day.
“Oh, thanks again. That was marvelous. I guess I needed to eat something other than carrots for a change.”
“Do you usually carry carrots when going on trips?” I asked.
“Yes. I prefer Golden Carrots actually, but those are more difficult to find. Gold is not exactly easy to find in the Overworld.”
“You should come to the Nether for an exploration one of these days. This place is full of Golden Nugget veins.” Johansson said.
“Yeah, I might once I finish my mission.”
Johansson looked at us. I knew it was time to approach the subject and get as much info from David as possible.
“So, are you feeling well enough now to talk about what happened here in the Nether?” Johansson asked.
“Yes sort of.” David seemed reluctant, but he wanted to help. “I do apologize for causing so much trouble to all of you, but I simply couldn’t return by myself to the portal. It’s too dangerous.”
“Why is it so dangerous?” Peter asked him.
“I have spent the last few months studying Ancient Dragon bones, after Johansson took the bones to the lab. I was restless after seeing those bones in person. They were magnificent, truly superb evidence of a long lost creature. I knew there was more to it than met the eyes, so I started studying them. I realized the creatures emit a sound similar to the Ender Dragon simply by analyzing the bones of the jaw, head, mouth, and neck.”
“Really? That’s incredible, David,” Johansson said.
“Thanks. I developed a machine to imitate the sound of this fallen creature.”
“Why would you develop a machine for that purpose?” Peter asked.
“Because I wanted to see if the creature still exists,” David said.
Everyone remained silent.
“That creature is prehistoric, David. The bones indicate that the specimen died many centuries ago.”
“Yes, you are correct. The samples brought back to the lab clearly indicate that the Dragon perished many years ago. However, upon closer inspection, I concluded that some of them might be alive today,” David concluded.
“Are you implying that Dragons still live in the Nether?” Beatriz asked.
“Yes, I know it for a fact because I saw the creature with my own eyes. The Nether Dragon exists!”
I was shocked by the revelation.
“No. You probably saw something else,” Johansson said. “It is impossible. I have been in the Nether countless times and have never seen anything like that.”
“He’s right. I was born here. No one has ever seen a Dragon or anything similar to a Dragon,” I said.
“I know what I saw, okay? I know it exists. It is here. It has been following me ever since I activated that wretched machine. I should never have tested that machine all by myself. It was a mistake.”
“Why did you bring that machine with you?” Johansson asked.
“Well, isn’t it obvious, Johansson? Can you imagine how much money I would get for bringing a Nether Dragon to the Overworld, or at least evidence of its existence? When I first realized that the Nether Dragon could be real, I kept the information to myself and secretly started working on that machine. I call it the ‘Echolocator.’ In fact, it is not an echolocator at all – it’s used to attract dragons by imitating their cries.”
“Incredible. The machine was still on when we found it at the mountain, but there was nothing else there,” Johansson said.
“Yes, I know. I had to leave the mountain in a hurry when the beast showed up out of nowhere. I had to run for my life,” David said. “I had my sword and bow in hands, ready to battle the beast. I thought it would be just like facing the Ender Dragon, which most of us know how to handle. Boy, I was wrong.”
“What happened next?” Beatriz asked him.
“I ran from it, but the Dragon captured me with his claws. I grabbed my sword and hit him – thankfully, that worked. It dropped me on the ground and I crawled to this cave. I heard it flying over the cave for a few hours. I was petrified. I didn’t know what to do,” David said.
“It’s alright, David. We’re here for you. Like I said, we won’t rest until we have taken you back safe and sound,” Johansson said. “Now, let’s go. Let’s return to the Overworld.”
“I won’t leave this cave until I’m sure it’s safe,” David said.
“Okay, as you wish. We will check the area for you,” I replied.