Chapter 05
Photo: Google
420 Years ago
Southern Lands
It had been precisely five full years since Akito, the fox demon with russet fur that gleamed copper in the sunlight, had been appointed as Princess Kira's personal guard. Throughout those years, he had become her constant shadow, his keen amber eyes never straying far from her delicate form. During her scholarly lessons in the grand library, Akito would curl up in the patch of sunlight by the stained-glass window, one ear perpetually perked to detect any potential threat while appearing to nap. When the princess ventured to the castle gardens to read outside, Akito would watch from beneath the ancient willow tree, his tail swishing contentedly in the fragrant breeze.
The fox demon had grown accustomed to life within the enchanted limestone walls of Castle Luminara, where crystalline spires reached toward the clouds and magic hummed within the very foundation stones. The peaceful routine of court life soothed his once-wild spirit. What Akito failed to recognize—though the castle servants exchanged knowing glances whenever he presented the princess with rare mountain flowers or leapt to fulfill her every whim—was that his devotion had blossomed into something far deeper than mere duty. His heart had become irrevocably entwined with Kira's, though he remained oblivious to his own feelings, mistaking them for the natural protectiveness of a guardian. In the tranquility of this realm, there seemed no reason to question the warmth that spread through his chest whenever the princess blessed him with her bell-like laughter.
The realm of Elyasia had known precious little conflict since the Dragon Wars that had established dual rulership between the Northern and Southern territories. Yet beneath this veneer of harmony, currents of unease occasionally rippled through the land. These subtle disturbances weren't lost on Kue, the ancient black dragon whose scales absorbed light rather than reflected it, creating an impression of depth that mirrored the night sky.
Standing upon the highest western parapet where the wind carried scents from distant lands, Kue's tall human form tensed as he sensed that familiar disquiet once more. His deep crimson eyes—the color of blood garnets—narrowed to slits as he scrutinized the northern skyline, short black hair ruffling in the breeze. The clouds there seemed heavier, darker, carrying an unnatural purple tinge at their edges that spoke of magical interference.
"Kue... Is something wrong?" Yune's melodic voice floated to him on the breeze. The hyper mage of the south approached with energetic yet silent steps, her silver-embroidered azure robes whispering against the stone floor. Her long, silver hair—flowing freely in the wind—cascaded down her back as she drew nearer, golden eyes sparkling with curiosity. With practiced familiarity, she extended a slender hand adorned with enchanted rings and traced the ridge along his spine where his magnificent obsidian wings typically emerged. This gesture had always been their private communication, a way to ground the temperamental man's attention when his mind wandered to darker places—yet today, her touch failed to break his concentration.
After several moments of tense silence, Kue released a rumbling sigh that betrayed his draconic nature despite his human appearance. "It's something with the dragons of the north... It doesn't seem right," he confessed, his usually commanding voice tinged with uncharacteristic uncertainty. The ancient resonance that typically colored his words had faded to a troubled murmur. "The patterns of their migration have changed. They circle their territories like sentinels rather than hunters."
Yune's brow furrowed slightly, creating a small crease between her golden eyes that seemed to dim slightly with concern. She contemplated his words as her fingers absently twisted the protective amulet hanging at her waist, her characteristic energy momentarily subdued. Finally, her expression brightened with typical optimism, her natural exuberance returning. "I'll send word to Rain and ask her to check in. Her water dragons have always maintained good relations with the northern clans," she suggested, referring to the ambassador of the eastern territories whose diplomatic skills were legendary.
Kue turned to regard her, his crimson gaze evaluating her suggestion with unusual seriousness. After a moment's consideration, he shook his head decisively, black hair falling across his forehead with the movement. "No, send word to Lyne instead. Rain would be useless for this..." he stated flatly before turning away, his boots scraping against stone as he descended from the parapet toward the solitude of the underground caverns where he often retreated to meditate.
Yune stood motionless, watching his retreat with widening golden eyes. "This is really odd since Kue isn't this...nice nor quiet," she whispered to herself, one hand rising to her lips in surprise. The notoriously confrontational dragon-man rarely suggested diplomatic alternatives, preferring direct confrontation to solve problems. His restrained reaction and thoughtful suggestion indicated a level of concern that sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine. Nevertheless, she quickly masked her worry with a light giggle and a brave smile, her usual hyperactive demeanor reasserting itself. "Oh well," she said with forced cheerfulness, turning to send the urgent message to Lyne, even as her mind raced with questions about what might be brewing in the supposedly peaceful northern territories.
Northern lands
Mountain region(un-named at this time)
Lyne moved silently towards the origin of the peculiar feeling, her senses heightened and alert, while Yue followed closely behind, his eyes darting around in doubt and uncertainty, as if he were trying to gauge the atmosphere for any hidden threats. The tension in the air was palpable, and the dim light only added to the eerie ambiance surrounding them. Noticing his growing unease, she paused in her tracks and turned to face him, a look of reassurance mingled with curiosity in her eyes.
Yue momentarily blinked, his gaze lingering on her for a moment as he came to a stop beside her, the tension in the air palpable. “Is there something the matter that’s troubling you?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly in concern.
She shook her head, her curly hair swirling slightly as she moved, and extended her left hand toward him, palm up, as if offering a lifeline. “No, I just want to help ease your nerves a bit,” she said, her voice soft but firm, the warmth of her touch promising comfort amidst his anxiety. The dim light in the room flickered, casting gentle shadows on their faces, accentuating the sincerity in her deep-set eyes.
He nodded and gently took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers in a delicate embrace. In that tranquil moment, silence enveloped them, a soft cocoon that seemed to mute the chaos of the world outside. Though he couldn’t fully grasp the complexity of the feelings swirling within him, her touch ignited an unexpected wave of serenity that washed over him like a warm breeze, stirring a deep sense of peace that felt strangely foreign yet achingly familiar.
She smiled gently, her delicate fingers weaving with his in a tender embrace, as they ambled forth, drawn together by an unseen bond.
After a leisurely passage of ten minutes, Lyne and Yue found themselves at the heart of the peculiar sensation that had beckoned them. Before them loomed a grand cave entrance, its mouth dark and foreboding, steadfastly guarded by a clutch of ebony dragons, their scales glinting ominously in the fading light. One of these majestic creatures, with eyes like molten gold, turned its gaze upon the intruders, and with a disdainful flick of its tail, retreated into the shadows of the cavern. Moments later, a youthful male emerged, his presence striking—a vision of strength tempered by an air of mystery, as if the very essence of the cave had breathed life into him.
Lyne and Yue inclined their heads with a reverent grace befitting their station, and as they straightened, a tension filled the air—a prelude to words unspoken. Lyne, her fingers reluctantly relinquishing the warmth of Yue's hand, advanced towards the young lord with an air of determined resolve. “Lord Ran... I have come at the behest of one whose words carry great weight...”
Ran stepped forward, the ethereal elegance of his movements marred only by the chill of his demeanor. He nodded imperceptibly, yet his gaze, sharp and unyielding, cut through the soft lamplight. “It is proper that you have appeared... but pray, what brings the southern dragon into our midst?” His voice dripped with a coldness that matched the pallor of his long, raven hair and the fierce crimson of his discerning eyes. Draped in flowing black robes that whispered of shadow and mystery, accented with threads of gold that glimmered with a deceptive warmth, he embodied the somber majesty of the northern Black Dragon clan—a name whispered in both reverence and fear, for he was the last elder of a lineage shrouded in legend.
She sighed softly, a delicate sound that barely disturbed the heavy air around them. “He is my protector and mate,” she replied, her gaze flitting to the shadowy figure that loomed beside her. “Please, overlook his formidable presence, for it was his brother who graciously invited me to visit you and your clan.”
He nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in like stones in a still pond. “So, what brings you here?” he inquired, his voice a quiet murmur that seemed to tremble in the thick atmosphere.
"There is a strange sensation coming from this place. It affects both the southern dragons and myself."
The Elder thought for a time. "It may be related to the recent birth..."
Lyne and Yue exchanged astonished glances, their eyes widening with disbelief. "A baby?" they both inquired simultaneously, their voices echoing across the mountainside clearing.
The ancient dragon elder, Ran, stood before them in his human form. He shook his head slowly, his expression solemn beneath the morning light. "No. Twins."
Lyne breathed in sharply, her slender fingers instinctively rising to conceal her mouth. The emerald rings adorning her left hand caught the sunlight as she processed this revelation. "That is quite unusual... even in Elyasia..." Her voice trailed off as she contemplated the implications. Twins were rare enough among humans in their magical realm, but among dragons—almost unheard of.
"Yes... but even more uncommon for us dragons..." Ran's voice rumbled like distant thunder as his gaze drifted toward the cave entrance where several dragon sentinels lay curled, their scaled bodies gleaming under the sun. He contemplated briefly, his brow furrowing with unspoken concerns, before turning away abruptly. "Stay here." With that command hanging in the air, Ran walked back into the shadowy depths of the cave, his footsteps echoing against stone while the massive dragons outside yawned lazily, steam curling from their nostrils as they lowered their heads, seemingly disinterested in the visitors.
The clearing fell silent save for the whisper of wind through the mountain pines and the occasional scrape of dragon scales against stone. The enormous creatures—some emerald, others sapphire or ruby-hued—watched them with ancient, half-lidded eyes.
Lyne turned to Yue, noting the tension in his shoulders. Her apprentice had never been this close to so many dragons before. She reached out to him, her palm open in reassurance. "It will be alright. They seem indifferent now." Her voice carried the quiet confidence that had made her one of Elyasia's most respected mages.
Yue glanced nervously at her outstretched hand, then at the dragons observing them through slitted pupils, and back at her hand. His scholarly robes fluttered in the mountain breeze as he hesitated, uncertainty written across his youthful features. Slowly, he stepped forward and took her hand, his grip betraying his anxiety as he cautiously eyed one particularly large dragon whose scales shimmered with an opalescent blue.
After a few tense moments filled only by the sound of their breathing and the distant cry of a mountain hawk, movement stirred at the cave entrance. A young female emerged, her human form graceful despite the precious burden she carried. In her arms were two infants, swaddled in cloth woven with ancient dragon sigils. Ran followed closely behind her, his protective stance making it clear she was under his care. They halted before Lyne and Yue, the morning light casting long shadows behind them.
The female looked at Ran uncertainly and then at the two visitors. Her face bore the subtle marks of recent grief—hollow cheeks and eyes that had shed too many tears. "These are the twins..." she said softly, her voice gentle and low like a lullaby carried on the wind. She had short black hair that framed her face like raven's wings and icy blue eyes that held both sorrow and fierce protection. She was dressed in a long, flowing black gown with billowing sleeves adorned with silver thread that caught the light with every movement.
Lyne stared at the boys, blinking a few times as she extended her magical senses toward them. The twins slept peacefully, unaware of the scrutiny, their tiny faces serene and identical—both with wisps of midnight hair and features that seemed almost ethereal. There was an unusual magical aura surrounding them—a shimmering presence that pulsed with potential, different from the steady, ancient power that typically emanated from dragonkind. But they were just dragons, right? She was uncertain, her magical intuition raising questions she couldn't yet answer. "May I ask who their father is?" she inquired delicately.
The female's eyes clouded with fresh pain as she held the infants closer to her chest. She hesitated before shaking her head, a tear threatening to spill down her cheek. "I do not know... My mate passed away a year ago..." Her voice broke slightly on the final word.
"I'm sorry to hear that..." the mage replied gently, genuine compassion in her tone. The bond between dragon mates was legendary—forged through centuries and often deeper than humans could comprehend. "I wasn't aware of any dragon deaths... but the twins are... emanating an unusual energy for dragons..." She chose her words carefully, not wanting to alarm the grieving mother.
Ran shot her a curious look, his eyes intensifying. "How unusual?" His question carried an edge of concern that hadn't been there before.
Lyne tilted her head slightly, her mage-trained senses probing deeper at the magical signature surrounding the infants. She considered her words carefully, then sighed as she realized she should speak plainly among dragons who valued truth. "The boys are radiating magical auras that are different from what is typical for dragons. There's something... more elemental about it. Raw, unformed potential rather than the ancient, established magic your kind typically possesses."
The elder nodded slowly, confirming her suspicions. "That is indeed the case. They were born in the human way... unlike other dragons." His admission hung heavy in the air between them.
She blinked in surprise, her scholarly mind racing with implications. "They weren't... hatched from eggs?" The question seemed almost too obvious to ask, but the confirmation would change everything they understood about dragon physiology.
The female dragon shook her head, her gaze dropping to her children. "No... I have been human since you gave that order... so..." She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear. The royal decree that had forced dragons to maintain human form within certain territories had unexpected consequences.
"I see..." This revelation prompted Lyne to reflect as she gazed at the sleeping twins, their faces peaceful and oblivious to the mystery surrounding their existence. Then she blinked, her eyes brightening as she formulated an idea that might bring comfort. "What if they are a wish from your deceased mate?"
The female dragon blinked in surprise, hope flickering briefly across her features. She turned to Ran, who appeared equally astonished by this suggestion. They exchanged meaningful glances before looking back at Lyne. "Can the dead do that?" the Elder asked, skepticism and hope warring in his voice.
Lyne nodded, her expression thoughtful as she recalled ancient texts from the Great Library. "It's rare, but it can happen if the deceased loved their mate deeply. The magic in this realm can manifest pure wishes, especially in places where the veil between worlds is thin." She gestured toward the mountains around them. "These ancient heights have always been places of power."
The mother looked down at her children with new wonder, as if seeing them differently. Then anxiety crossed her face as she glanced back at Lyne. "Are you going to take them...?" Fear edged her voice—the fear that these unusual infants might be deemed too magical, too different to remain among dragonkind.
The mage shook her head firmly, understanding the mother's fear. "No, but please raise them to the best of your ability. Their dual nature may present challenges as they grow." She smiled reassuringly. "Reach out to me or one of the princesses if you need assistance. We will help guide their magical development when the time comes."
Relief washed over the female dragon's face as she nodded gratefully and slowly made her way back into the cave, the twins still sleeping peacefully in her protective embrace. The other dragons moved aside respectfully as she passed, some extending their snouts to catch the scent of the unusual infants.
Ran remained behind, watching her go with a pensive expression. He sighed softly, the sound carrying the weight of his centuries. "Thank you, Lyne. However, once the twins exhibit any magic, I will send them to you..." His eyes met hers, conveying the seriousness of his promise.
Lyne sighed in response, her gaze still on the cave entrance where the young mother had disappeared. "I don't want to cause her any more pain... but very well." She understood the necessity—if these children truly were something new, something between dragon and human with unpredictable magic, they would need guidance only the royal mages could provide. "When the time comes, we will be ready."