Jin landed, feet first, on the dragon's back. He immediately buckled onto his side. The creature was soft, its scales more a blanket than living steel.
It forced a need to recalibrate, focus, breathe.
Bad assed Paige's plan worked; he didn't exist.
Up on his feet, his gaze washed up and down the dragon's back.
Looking for…?
He ran, legs wide…
Looking for…
Near its front legs was a man, grey haired, maybe in his fifties. Broad shouldered, thick neck, smooth flowing movements, despite the heat. The man took care of himself. Asian too but something made Jin wonder if he was Japanese.
Aramas roared; Paige screamed.
Shit!
Something dormant roared, latching onto his fury, every muscle ignited.
He sprinted right up to the old man.
Black suit, woollen against the light. It screamed military command. Maybe the posture, or efficiency, a bend or lean when needed.
Maybe it was the mother of a neck…
It didn't' slow Jin for a second.
His foot pulled back like a bow notched before kicking for gold, connecting with the man's back leg. It turned him into a Ferris Wheel, dropping him on that thick neck. The mist flopped free.
The plan failed, along with any understanding of the mist and what Paige wanted. The dragon continued its chase. The old man tried to stand, only to receive Jin's shoulder against his face, killing both their balance. They rolled and stumbled over.
Jin hit the brakes, spreading arm and leg only for the man to grab a fist full of his shirt and drag him along, off the dragon's back.