Wars, and Unexpected Outcomes

warning: past character death, war and violence, PTSD, mild dubious consent, family, developing relationship, mpreg

Another day, another time of living in a world without future. The war had gone for too long, taken too much out of everything until no one who survived had any memories of ever living in a time where there was peace. In time, mankind’s heart and souls grew weary and barren - as barren as the lands that they have ravaged to the grounds. Justice was merely a word, a glorified ideal to mask the greed that was the real core of the conflict. For every time a war starts, another tried to end it. But at the end of the day, it never stops. Someway, somehow, a war will break out again. And then the cycle will simply repeat itself.

He too was caught up, raised, moulded by the war that he had lived through. From an unfortunate bystander to one strong enough to wage war and win. He, like any others, no longer had much memories of the past, of a time where it could be called peaceful. Even more so that he had lived much longer than average humans. His kinds took it both as a blessing and a curse. Living longer in this kind of world would mean more suffering and more loss. By the tail end of their lives, they have lost so much that one couldn't even make out what they themselves really are anymore.

The dragonkinds are a powerful race - blessed with both longevity and resilience, they have existed for as long as the world have. Yet, with all those powers in their grasp, they chose to live in peace, they had chosen symbiosis with both their world and the other inhabitants. Especially humans as they are fellow intelligent beings capable of high thinking and sound judgment. And they had, as it lasted for centuries ahead. How they wished it had stayed that way, but alas comfort can last for just so long.

The first crisis broke out long before he was born. Much of what told to him by the older folks have more or less fade to the winds. In between wars, nobody had the luxury to sit down and reminisce. Of those old tales only one thing remained clear in his memory.

The war was started by the humans.

How pitiful. They were given clear mind and conscience, yet they lost to their desire and greed. They waged wars among themselves, and then they brought it upon us as well.

At first their involvement was as minimal as normal civilians, seeing as how they really were not more than that. It wasn't until the birth of their first warrior that their true strength came to light under the human’s scrutiny. And that warrior had meant no more than just to protect the ones around him. Human rulers then began to incorporate dragonkinds into their forces. Initially it was said to be to the benefit of both species - protecting each other, like family - they say. He wasn't going to criticise anything; his time is wildly different than theirs. It wasn't their fault they had believed in such foolish ideals.

That had gone for quite a while too. Their ancestors actually managed to somehow preserve the balance. And then it breaks, as everyone had expected.

It doesn't take long until the humans succeeded in controlling them enough to convince them to kill one another. For the sake of their people.

Tch.

For the sake of no one but the conceited bastards that grew to become powerful enough to call themselves king.

They're too blinded by their ego they didn't even see him coming. Of course, they'd never expect their esteemed knight would come up with a coup. It was so easy it had felt rather unsatisfying. He preferred more for them to at least retaliate a bit; give him more fight for him to enjoy. But they wouldn't even give him that. Worthless as ever. He had taken their kingdom overnight, knock them off their thrones, expanded his reach beyond what they once had dreamt of.

Silently, a part of him wished he could have made it happen much earlier, before things turned out this way.

Sometimes during the period of war, the humans had produced a terrible weapon. The resulting casualties were horrible. The worst part being the weapon was specifically made to neutralise the dragons – a plague, to reduce their numbers, to control them. It was the fruits of desperation when at some point the dragonkinds came together to fight them back. Most were killed with remaining numbers scattered across the map to keep themselves safe. Yet the humans still didn't stop. They'd chase after the dragons to the end of the earth. The ones captured were in turn made into weapons.

They thought they can control him. Look what it cost them. Well at least now they know not to mess with the dragons so easily.

And now here he is, sitting face to face with another one of these dirty creatures in an attempt for a negotiation. Not that he has any hope for success to begin with. Well it's not a bad thing to entertain them once in a while. He simply preferred the battlefields more than meaningless talks. His generation had grown to become violent, all thanks to you people. Doesn't mean he couldn't sit down and talk.

They had come to him to plead for a peaceful negotiation, and he accepted. But that was not before they came bearing swords and cannon to take him down. Though that wasn't the worst thing they did.

They dared to challenge him; brought one of his own kinds into the battlefield against him.

It was shocking, however beneath the white-hot rage an unmistakeable excitement rushed through his veins. Just who? He had heard things about this one kingdom, the so call 'one last standing' among the larger kingdoms in this region. They'd won multiple wars, taken even more cities and not once they ran into any difficulties. Their army are practically invincible, so what he had heard.

He knows a dragon when he sees one.

Dragons are scarce nowadays, having been pushed to the brink of extinction. He hasn’t found any more of them other than the ones he has in his ranks. And he had found gold in the battlefield.

No one had seen a gold in ages. The plague hit them the worse out of all species. They were the gentlest out of them all. Unlike blacks like him who tend to be rougher.

He was younger than him too, from how he appeared. Eyes the shade of burning embers, his armour made in the same shade as his scales. His presence in the field is immense, like that of a commander. But he didn't command any of them, he simply rushed through, taking down as many as he can. Virtually undefeatable.

They clashed head on and he hadn't missed the shock on the other man's face. Suppose it's been a long time since he last saw a fellow dragon as well. The man fought back as hard as the hits he gave out. And after so long, he had enjoyed the fight quite a bit. Maybe a little too much, he had hard time getting off his high. Still he had come out on top, but not because the man breaks or yielded. His side of the war decided to surrender. He would've fought until he died, that's what the man had seemed to him at the time.

He needs to pull that man over. He's too much for the humans. Too precious.

Throughout the discussion his mind was elsewhere. It wasn't anything worth paying mind over, he can guess what their business is. Now they're suggesting tributes in return of a peaceful relationship.

Tributes. Sacrifice, they mean. Never fails to disgust. They'd sell their own people if it meant saving their own asses.

"Tributes eh? I might consider. In return your kingdom will be integrated into my territory and thus fall under my rule. I hope you are clear about that." Tilting his head to the side, he regarded the humans sitting opposite to him with contempt. The little humans can do nothing but nervously wring their hands together.

"-Yes, yes, it is crystal clear. If so then, may we ask what might be of interest to you, my lord?"

His gaze turned away from them, what, eh?

 

Ah, that would be perfect.

 

Slowly he brought his eyes back onto the two men, deliberately taking his time. "I see that you have a dragon in your ranks." The two men faces simultaneously paled at his words. Didn't see that coming did you? So afraid, cowardly as ever. Of course, he'd want to take his kinds back.

"A-ah yes, we do. What of him?"

"Well seeing as there's nothing else of interest here, he would be perfect."

They glanced towards each other silently discussing their next step. It took them quite some time to make their mind up on the matter, but it's fine. He's feeling a little patient today.

"Very well. We agree to your conditions. We would inform him of the updates. Preparation for transfer could be completed tonight..-"

He raised an eyebrow at the odd pause in the sentence. "-And?"

"If I might inform you; he's capable of carrying."

Oh. So that's why they were so unwilling. "Then that'll be even better." Future prospects start to seem slightly better now.

"Would you like to meet him first, my lord? I am aware that you two had clashed in battle yesterday, but wouldn't it be more..appropriate if you do?"

Ah, he knows this play. But it never works anyway.

"Hm, I suppose I can,-" The two men visibly flinched under his gaze, "-in private. So, I can get to know him better." His lips pulled into a smile at the end of his sentence, nevertheless the message got through loud and clear seeing as the men practically shrank at it. "I do not want any interference."

"Understood."

 

They had scurried away afterward, no longer willing to be in his presence. Better for him though, the air inside the room had turned quite stuffy after a while. Everywhere he goes the situation is the same; the rulers are bloody rich while the common folk hardly lives. He can see them hiding behind broken walls as he passed through the place. It's not strange for them to come to fear the dragons, they had a reputation. There's still some time before the meeting, so he made his way back to the temporary settlement erected by his men just outside the walls of the kingdom.

A carrier - what the dragons call the ones among them who are capable of bearing offspring. Even within a stable community they are hard to come by, which is why their numbers doesn't increase much, besides other mating issues.

He tried, once. He thinks. The memory was exceptionally blurry, he can only pull a vague semblance of one. Something happened then, he guesses. Probably. What was it again? Did it work? He felt like it did. Then what? He doesn't know, the memory eluded him.

Whatever, it's useless trying to bring up things of the past, there's nothing he can do about it.

 

Stepping into the tent he is greeted by one of his men.

 

"Welcome back." The man turns towards him, his usual stern look set on his face. A tall silver, the glint of his glasses adds to the sharpness of his eyes. Still quite young, but he's one of the soundest minds within his ranks. "That took you shorter than expected."

Heh, sharp tongued as always.

"You too. You got here faster than I thought."

"There wasn't much resistant down south. They were already too worn out by the continuous fights. I didn't even get to do much. So how did the negotiation go?"

"Uninteresting as usual, though maybe there's one good thing."

The man simply raised one of his eyebrows in question, before sobering up at the silent implication. "Did you find another dragon?"

"Yes. A gold." The man's eyes widen over the news, expression changing with renewed vigour. He knows what it meant for the other dragon; making it even more so of a reason to bring that one in. "I don't know if he is the one you've been looking for, regardless I'm bringing him in."

"..Of course there's no questioning that. Only that it'll be even better if he is. Nevertheless, it's always good to find more of us."

"Also, supposedly he's a carrier. That is if they didn't lie."

"A carrier? So are you going to..?"

"Worth the try, I guess. I did ask them for him in exchange for the treaty. Better not to put too much expectation in it."

He nodded solemnly; he knows, everyone does. Mating is difficult for them. The success rate is already quite low even within the same species, even more so with interspecies breeding. But that is not his primary objective. His aim is to pull the gold one into his fold, and that would be difficult if he's already stuck neck deep in their ideologies.

He had come across several of them who are already too poisoned they can no longer break out of their mind control. He has no idea how the humans achieved that, but he has an inkling. The ones who are like that always turns out to be in a much worse shape than they seem. It is likely abuse had played a large role in the process.

"Kusugami, I won't be back until late tomorrow, maybe. For the time being, I'm leaving you in charge."

A small smirk graced the man's lips before nodding in affirmation. "Understood. Take your time."

 

It felt like night came faster than he expected. The wide expanse of the night sky is dotted with stars across the heavens. The night air is quite cold in this region following the seasonal change. However, a little drop in temperature wouldn't bother him - dragons naturally have high core body temperature and can resist very low temperature, enabling them survival even in extreme conditions. All parts of the resilience given to them.

His escort met him mid-way into the city. They had been waiting in advance at the main entrance.

"I was sent to guide you to the place of meeting."

"Lead the way."

The journey goes on in silence with neither of them finding it necessary to speak. They first traversed through the town centre, now bustling with people busy with their own business. In a way it's easier to move stealthily since no one's paying close attention. But it's always good to be careful; with that he had gone out in his cloak. Surely his armour would have attracted unwanted attentions regardless of the time. To think it's less of a hassle to hide his horns and wings compared to this. The dragonkinds had been born with a magic that allows them to take on a more normal human guise, no doubt as a way to blend in and survive within the community. Their true form is often threatening to humans and sometimes even a hazard to themselves.

They took a left turn just beyond the crowd. There on their course became a lot quieter. The string of people thins out further away from the city centre, occasionally seeing one hanging around by the river that runs along the road from the direction of the castle situated high on the mountain. There's quite a potential to this kingdom in the east, if it weren't so controlled by the royal families.

They have been climbing for some while after passing beside one of the main rivers. The vibe gradually changes the higher they go; there aren't as much life here as there was at the lower area. How unfortunate. The living condition seem to be much better here compared to there yet they don't look like they're alive. Perhaps that is how things goes, you gain one and you lose another. They reap what they have sown, they took more than they need and in turn they lost their life. Fitting.

It's one of the things he made particularly clear when he took over the government. Naturally since it was previously helmed by human, there still remained many of them in the ministry. Some he rid of in time - he has no need for greedy folks - while some other that appears to be more cooperative are kept in service for the time being. Thankfully, he wasn't met with much resistant from the rest of them. Either out of fear or simple respect, he doesn't know and honestly, he doesn't care. Less trouble to face.

Slowly they are nearing the castle grounds. The high walls surrounding the castle separate it from the housing areas. There are multiple smaller gates through the wall with the larger main one situated in the centre, opening towards the main street. They passed through one of the other gates to the west of the castle. From there they took a narrow path into the deeper part of it. As they go through, a particular scent caught his attention; the scent of a flower - strong, sweet and heavy. The pleasant fragrant floats in the cool night air. It's unfamiliar to him. Looking around he can see clusters of small white flowers in full bloom.

"What are these flowers?"

"These are tuberose. They bloom late in the night from when the dew starts to form. We use them both as ornaments and in fragrance making."

He hummed in response. There are still much to discover.

Strangely the scent reminded him of the young golden. In what way, he couldn't tell. Probably just a loose association given his current business. The scent followed him all the way to his destination in an odd welcoming way.

At the end of the path is an archway leading to a domed structure; a hall of sorts, perhaps.

"My guidance shall end here, my lord. The one you requested should be waiting inside. The guards would stand here at the entrance as well as at the outer area but would not be in the inner one as per your order."

"Very well."

"One more thing, this is to be handed to you."

The man handed him a small key however said nothing more. He bowed deeply before stepping aside, giving way to him to pass through.

 

Now, how should he do this?

This far from the masses and from the main castle, there shouldn't be any problem for them to do whatever. It's entirely up to him however he wants to approach this matter. The measure of success is in regard to how well he can convince the other person to switch side in this war, mating can be a matter of another time. Though, he might just mix both altogether. It might help. Back to what at hand, he rolled around the little golden key that was handed to him. He eyed the item with questions. He looks towards the large door to the dome and noted that the shape of the keyhole does not match the key in his hand. So, what is this for?

Pushing the thoughts aside he made his way into the structure. He doesn't know what he was expecting to see but it's probably not what he's seeing right now. The hall was not empty; although rather than a hall, it feels more like a sacred temple. Under the flickering light of the candles along the hallway he can see ornate carvings along the edges of the ceiling and the walls. There seem to be writings as well, one he hasn't seen in a very long time; the writings are in ancient dragonic language. They're a relic of the past now and not many of them are fluent in it anymore. He recognizes the letters but he couldn't really read them. It's a surprise that this temple still stands here. Most of the old temples were destroyed in the wars or otherwise taken down by humans when they built their settlement over the land. Treading along the path he traced the patterns on the wall with his fingertips.

He should bring the scholars down here, maybe they can interpret these ancient characters. The place is quite well maintained despite the apparent age.

At the end of the hallway is a wide entrance blocked off with red silk curtains; looks like he reached his destination. Red, like blood. Ironically it matches the red on his scales.

The same red cloth cascades down from the high ceiling of the inner chamber and courses down from the altar at the centre. Following the trail of red, he found the one he's looking for right at the centre, silently kneeling on the altar.

His golden scales glitters in the flickering candle lights, large black wings wrap around his form in a protective way, his long black tail similarly curls around his legs. Sensing that he's no longer alone in the room he slowly opens his eyes and directed his gaze towards his visitor.

"Are you here just to stare?"

The clear snide in the other's voice amused him. First proper meeting and he's already throwing punches. Wouldn't ask for anything else.

"It's been long since the last I see one in full released form. At least let me enjoy the view for a while." The other man released an exasperated sigh before momentarily removing his gaze. Slowly he unfurls his wing to reveal his naked form.

"Then I suppose I should just let you do that."

He's not even slightly perturbed by the situation. As expected of a seasoned warrior; he's a force to be reckoned with in and out of battle. But he sure is a sight to look at - the gold against the soft tan of his bare skin makes a good contrast. They're quite close in term of built with only slight difference in height, still the hard muscles don’t negate his natural curves. A characteristic of carriers, the variation in structure allow them to cope with the process better, in turn it also gives them more lower body power. His attack speed was certainly no joke.

"By the way, I probably won't be able to do much with my hands tied up." He gestured towards the issue with his head. Now that he mentioned it, there's a long golden chain trailing behind him.

Ah, so that's what it's about.

"And I thought by tribute they meant it figuratively. You definitely look a lot more like a sacrifice now." Really, strip him bare and chain him down on an altar no less. Oh yeah, and leave him in a sacred temple too. He's technically a virgin sacrifice.

"They probably don't want me running away..," He look thoughtful for a second, "-Or fight back."

"Well, I never minded my partners being feisty.."

"Sure you do." The man made a derisive snort. Sassy.

"I guess I should get myself ready then."

"So, you're done staring?"

He hummed in reply as he begins to take off his armours. It sure feels easier to breathe once the hard and heavy plating are off of him. Cracking his neck and rolling his shoulder to rid of the soreness in his joints; nowadays he wears his armour more often than not, running from battlefields to battlefields. But if he's not, he wouldn't have anything else to do.

Taking in deep breath, he lets the masking magic down and unfolds his wings. Testing his range of motion, his extra limbs had grown somewhat stiff after long period of disuse. Glancing towards the other he caught him staring wide-eyed.

"See something good?" So, this man can be quite cute too.

Quickly the other man shifts his eyes away, looking a little sheepish after being caught. "Seems like this place matched you more than me."

He stepped in closer, close enough to touch. He bends down to catch the other's chin in his claws, forcing the other man to look up at him.

"..I'd say you stand out just fine in here." He kneels down to join the other man on the altar. Peeking over his shoulder, indeed his hands are cuffed behind him, linked together to the gold chain. "You can just break away you know."

The man shakes his head in the negative. "The gold is only the surface, these are made of special alloy. Not even I can break these. Trust me, I've tried."

That doesn't sound good; an alloy that even a dragon could not break.

"Then I guess you'll have to endure this as it is." The discomfort coming from the other man does not escape his notice. "How much idea do you have about this?" Slowly he starts to trail his claws up from the man's arms to his shoulders.

"Nothing, didn't have the chance to learn about anything else other than how to cut enemies down."

"Meaning you have a lot to cover. It's fine, leave it to me. You don't have to do anything." Literally a virgin sacrifice. He's definitely uncomfortable, most likely due to being completely vulnerable in a wildly unfamiliar situation.

"Relax, I won't hurt you."

"-Tough request." He can see why; they're the same after all.

"Say, how do you feel?"

"About what? This?"

"About the humans."

A slight pause follows. "I'm not sure."

"Do you think it's fair? They've used our kinds - us - for their own gain." He appeared conflicted. He's arguing with himself.

He lightly presses over the other man's pulse line in his neck resulting in a mild twitch. Suddenly it occurs to him that he has yet to get the other's name. "-Excuse me, it seems like I haven't gotten your name yet."

The random question broke him out of his internal conflict. "..Ryuga. And you?"

He'd be lying if that didn't surprise him a little. He's not lying about having no time for anything else. "Jinga."

"-I don't really know what to say. The rulers..," The grimace that follows is all too familiar. "- But the people need help and protection. They're getting just as bad, if not worse than me."

A gold is always a gold; they never change no matter how long, no matter how bad things turn out for them. Always putting others before them. Even when that became their downfall. Trailing his hand down the other man's chest, red claw flicking across one nipple, earning him sharp inhale from the other. Glancing upward, the colour had risen quite a bit. Pulse quickening, breathing gradually becoming more rapid. He's more affected than he thinks.

"I can break you out of your bondage."

"How can I trust you to not put me in a different one after that?" Well, he got a point.

Moving downwards over his abdomen, Ryuga had started to unconsciously leans into the touch. "My objective is to free our kinds of these greedy creatures. It'll do you good if you learn how to trust me."

The temperature inside the room rose that the air around them seem to crackle with unreleased energy. It's been too long since the last he did this, there's much that even he could not recall about it. It might be dangerous to overcharge the other man.

Eh, who cares?

Down over his thighs, then back around the curve of his ass, giving it a squeeze. A soft gasp escapes his lips.

"Just let it out, no one else can hear you but me."

"..-No." He sounds breathless. Still so stubborn.

"Suits yourself."

"..Are there really more of us around?"

"In fact, yes. Took me years to collect them up. And that wasn't even all of them."

Something changed in the other's expression then; a light akin to hope seem to glimmer in those flame-coloured orbs.

"But the fact that we're thinning out is undeniable."

"Is that why we're doing this? Will it even work?"

"I don't know. Even successful mating in between the same type is hard enough. We can only try." Edging in, he traces his claws along the sensory nodes at the base of the tail.

"Nh-!" Back arching and tail twitching from the sudden stimulation. "What did you just-?"

"Sensitive, are you? Don't worry, it's perfectly normal. Now relax or you could end up getting hurt."

"What -Aah!" Ryuga momentarily tensed as he pushes a finger in.

"That's why I told you."

"How am I supposed to-?" The man somehow still manages to sound incredulous despite the situation.

"Come on, breathe for me."

He took a shuddering inhale. They're more or less pressed against each other with Ryuga using him as a support. Doesn't matter, the position makes it easier for him. He continues to work his finger in, gradually loosening the passage.

"..Is it supposed to feel like this?"

"Like how?"

"..Burning.. Can't you-?"

"Not enough?" The man made a curt, impatient sound. "Just say so." Soft grumble replied his amused chuckles. He is burning. Ryuga made another demanding noise when he slightly withdraws his finger. "Patience." Perhaps he's enjoying this a bit too much, making the other all needy like this.

Trailing the fluttering pulse along Ryuga's neck with his lips, alternating with bites hard enough to mark the heated skin. A smug satisfaction spread through over the answering gasps and shiver that coursed down the length of his partner's body. The little noises turn into breathless moans when a second digit joins the first, thrusting in deep.

He's close. The other man trembles in his hold under his ministrations. That should be good enough.

He pulls out, steadfastly ignoring the following whine. Pushing away slightly he carefully wraps his tail around Ryuga's waist to avoid the man from falling backwards.

"..-Wh..at-?" Face flushed, lips parted, eyes dark with desire. He looks good. Brows drawing, teeth grinding as a sudden wave of pain overtook him. The mating drive. "..-Please.."

"I know." He can barely hold himself too. Taking hold of both thighs, unfolding them from their previous position before lifting the other man onto his lap. "This'll hurt, so don't struggle too much."

"-Nnh!" Ryuga tensed upon being entered; a foreign sensation of something between pain and pleasure clouding his senses.

That much and he's still so damn tight.

It's unlike him to put this much care in anything, and Ryuga isn't one he'd call delicate. Still, there's a little voice at the corner of his mind telling him to be gentle, he had gone through enough. Keeping his grip steady, he slowly, gently lowers the other man until he's fully settled. He waited for a while for Ryuga calmed down and loosen up before he starts moving. The quiet, restrained moans progressively become less restrained along with the increasing pace.

He can feel his self-control slipping away each passing second.

This will be a long night.

 

---

 

He woke up feeling strangely weightless. He didn't even realise he had fallen asleep sometimes after...-

Shaking his head, he tried to clear the image away. It's not the time.

"..Are you awake?"

The question shook him out of his reverie. But the voice sounds really close..

It took him a few seconds to realise he's being held by someone; the end of a long, red tail caught the corner of his eyes. Pushing himself upright, he turns around to properly meet the person, only to blink in surprise.

"..-Jinga?" But why does he sounds, feels..

"-different..?" He couldn't help the confused shock when his thoughts were picked up by the other. "In a way, we're the same, but also not."

"How?"

"I'm not sure myself. Probably a temporary mental link was established after your - our - union." The man before him had shifted his gaze away and some blush had tinged his cheeks at the mention of their activities.

Ryuga's mind working miles per hour at the revelation. There's too much to process within just the first few seconds. Here he is somewhere in a weird plane facing a wildly different version of the one he just laid with.

"So how long am I going to be stuck here?"

"Until you wake up, I guess." Well, of course. He can feel his tail twitching in uncertainty.

"I'm sorry that your first meeting with him is in that manner."

"Why?" He's acutely aware of how the man is referring to his counterpart as if he's a separate person. Why?

He seems a little sheepish at the question. "..Just felt appropriate. He doesn't have much self-restraint, even more so when he's set on something." And Ryuga had barely realised that the red on his scales are of a deeper shade; crimson to the other's scarlet. His expression is softer, even his hair is slightly longer. More like an identical twin rather than a mirror image.

"..I suppose identical twin is a way to explain-" His sentence came to an abrupt pause at Ryuga's startled expression. "I'm sorry, I can somewhat hear your thoughts. Can I continue?" Ryuga simply nodded.

"The one you met isn't the original him - us."

"What do you mean?"

"We were a single personality, entity. But something terrible happened a long time ago and we broke. There are three of us - him, Desire; myself, Mind, and Heart. We survived the tragedy but we lost Heart, and I lost control over him. He became the dominant one among us."

What was it terrible enough to break a person? He almost broke down, once. So, he has some inkling over the possibility. Surely nothing could be more horrible than losing a family.

Looking up towards the other, his grim expression silently confirms Ryuga's suspicion. "Is that why he - you resent the humans so much?"

"Yes." The answer was barely louder than a whisper, yet the force is strong enough to rip through his heart.

Despite his current situation he dares to say his experience with humans aren't all bad. For every despicable human he came across, somehow there are always another better one. True, he resent the rulers to a degree, but the one's taking care of him are genuinely nice to him. And he had come to see that they're being treated harshly by the rulers as well.

"I'm..sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault."

"But is there something I can do for him..?"

He looks away, unsure. "I'm not sure how readily will you accept him considering...everything. I suppose you would have to find that out yourself. Although I would very much like it if you stay."

Stay. And he didn't even specify any further. Simply stay.

"..I'll try."

The other's expression softens into a smile. "Thank you."

Before he could say anything more, everything fades into white.

 

---

 

Ryuga had (really) woken up shortly after, feeling extremely sluggish and exhausted. His limbs heavy like lead; the most he can do to move them are only the barest of twitch. Experimentally trying to move a bit more had him noticing that his hands are now free. When did-? Apparently not just that, he also noted the black and red clawed arm slung across his midsection in a possessive hold. Silently he narrowed his eyes towards the offending limb. No wonder I can barely move.

An annoyed groan came from his companion, now currently curled around his form with both of their legs and tails tangled together. Ryuga has absolutely no idea what to make off their current arrangement, he must've passed out sometime after (or even during) their exceptionally strenuous activity last night. It's amazing how the altar actually manages to fit both of them, wings and tails and everything else.

Finding no way to untangle himself out of it he opted to lightly bury his face into the crook of the other's neck. His attempts had him fully awake and now memories of his strange encounter began to resurface.

He..still couldn't wrap his head around whatever that was - he literally just spoke with a different part of another person. Never before he'd thought of it. Even now he still doubted that it actually, truly happened; maybe it was a fever dream instead. It could have been that if it wasn't so lucid. He wanted to ask more but he didn't get the chance to, it ended too fast for him. And he's sure there won't be another time.

How am I supposed to find it out myself?

Another groan came, though oddly it sounds more like a rough mumbling. Is he sleep-talking? And he thought the one he met is strange enough. He finds the little quirk somewhat amusing.

Maybe he can think more of the complicated stuffs at a later time and simply indulge himself in this moment of rest. After spending so long fighting, he'd forgotten how to really rest; lay down and stretch his limbs (in which he unfortunately cannot do at the moment). He wonders what will happen now - he's more or less released from his prior duties as a knight now that he's no longer associated with them. What is he supposed to do if he's no longer on the battlefield?

Tentatively he looked down on himself, towards his still flat abdomen. Apparently, he can...carry. He only has a very vague idea about that, the last he remembered seeing a carrying mother was during his childhood. Sure, he grew up with his mother, but he had been an only child, and had never expected that he could be one himself. Then he'd gone out for training and everything else is history. From then onwards, the only thing he have in mind is to survive. Can he do it? Like how his mother did for him? The chances of success are slim, but not impossible.

The hold around him tighten just a little bit followed by a soft grumble. Looking up towards the other man catching him with a faint frown. Wonder if he's talking with the other person. Arguing? After a short while the frown loosen before the man blearily blinks open his eyes. He looks downward to catch Ryuga staring at him with a strange expression.

"..-You're up?"

"Yeah, or rather, that's my line."

"Huh-.." He's definitely not a morning person, judging by how annoyed he looks. After all Ryuga had seen until now, it's hard to think that this is the same person he'd fought so damn hard against a few days ago; the undefeated warlord that lives in the battlefield. "-What time..?"

"I don't know, can't tell." There's no window here to see whether the sun has risen or not. The weight on his waist momentarily shifted only to settle a few inches lower. The clawed hand is back on his still naked ass, squeezing.

Ryuga's eye twitched at the gesture. "You're still not done with that?"

"Shut up, it feels nice." The reply came in a sleepy drawl accompanied by another squeeze. "You didn't complain last night."

"I hardly even remember what happened last night." True enough, but now he can't help feeling a little curious. "..How long did it goes?"

"Don't know, lost track after the third time."

My God. "..No wonder I feel like I just ran through 5 wars in a single day." Not to mention the very obvious ache in his lower back and below.

"Sounds like you've had experience."

"3 wars at most, but never 5."

"Crazy stamina. I don't think anyone else could've handled you." He just barely survived it by a hairline.

"Was that a compliment?" A concomitant hum answers. "..Do you intend to stay like this until tomorrow?" He's feeling very uncomfortable right now; staying unmoved for hours combined with the body aches, and he's also leaking from someplace he refuses to say.

"*groans*"

"You have an empire to run."

The man reluctantly removes his limbs from Ryuga, and he's finally able to shift his position. He gradually sits up, mindful of his overworked and aching lower half, wincing when a particularly hard twinge of pain flares. A soft snicker turned his attention towards the other man who's watching him with an exceptionally smug face. "-What?"

"Nothing." The smirk got wider. Bastard.

Opting to ignore him, Ryuga turns his focus elsewhere and reconfigures the masking magic, 'tucking' away his extra parts. He can somewhat feel the other man moving and doing the same beside him. Now, if he remembers it right there's supposed to be an inner chamber next to this hall with running water. Standing up proves to be just as much of a challenge but he managed.

"Going already?"

"Yes. Also, there's a running pool somewhere next door. Feel free to join, I guess." He gave a half shrug at the end, which probably would have more impact if he didn't wobble on the first step. Shit-

Luckily an arm caught him before he topples over, keeping him steady. Glancing up only to come face-to-face with Jinga looking even smugger than he previously did. "You were saying something?"

"I swear I should've lopped your head off that time."

"Then who'll put that baby in you?"

"I'd rather die childless."

"Sure you do." He decided to make the trip easier by picking Ryuga into his arms bridal style. It is certainly a good thing that it's not that far away from where they are; any longer and Ryuga probably would've literally popped a vessel.

The inner chamber is placed just next to the main hall, connected via an archway hidden behind the cascading silk curtains. It's quite smaller compared to the previous room but large enough for its intended purpose. The indoor pool of sorts is formed by a stream that flows in from a nearby river branch providing a constantly running supply of fresh water.

"You seem to know this place quite well."

"I've been here before a few times, and I used to live near one back home. The structure is familiar to me."

"Oh? Were you brought up as a priest?"

"No, but my mother was. Never really got to learn much of anything about this, unfortunately."

The conversation falls at that as they made way into the pool. They opted to not take too long in the process in case it's already late in the day - in which in Ryuga's opinion probably would've taken even faster had Jinga kept his hands to himself (he, Mind was right about this man being uncontrollable). Thus, he ends up staying in the water for a little longer due to mounting exhaustion, both physically and mentally for having to deal with the smug bastard. Glaring towards the walkway he sees said man standing there clad in full armour.

"Chill, take your time. Meanwhile I'll go sort out the essentials." To which he responds with a low, tired grunt.

"..Do I have to deal with him for the rest of my life now?"

 

---

 

It gets noticeably stuffier back in his armour after spending the entire night without it. That and the fatigue that slowly starts to seep in - not sure whether it's the result of intense physical training or just how he is, Ryuga is heavy duty. Any other person likely would have been knocked out for the entire day after that. He certainly gave him a run for his money. He refuses to accept otherwise, though. There's a subtly blooming glee in him over the prospect of getting a sparring partner that could give him a good fight.

"It wasn't such a bad idea after all."

Exiting the temple, he is immediately greeted by one of the king's men standing wait in front of the gateway. The man simply bowed his head in acknowledgement. The golden stray beam of sunlight reflecting off of the man's armour had him reflexively looking skyward. It is already quite late in the day - the sun is gradually slipping down the western corner of the heavens.

"How fast can you get him ready?"

"Preparation for transfer is completed. He's ready to depart whenever you are, my lord."

Though naturally travelling in the dark is not favourable in any way, but at least he can keep the man out of this place until then.

"Tell him to wait at the main entrance when he's done."

"Yes."

The walk back to the camp feels shorter than the way in. Despite passing by the same route as last night, the scenery reflected is vastly different; the lack of bustling and crowd from before gave way to a more serene environment.

Situation in the camp however doesn't see much change regardless the time of the day, filled in with overenergetic young folks who never knows what it means to chill out. Loud voices and random crashing are part of the norm with these people around 24/7. It's just his luck that his main battalion is also the most disorderly (to which Kusugami coughed at when he mentioned about it, once).

"Welcome back, I see you really took your time." Speak of the devil and he shall come. The first thing he see when he steps into the tent is said general eyeing him with judgmental look.

"I did say so. Are you going somewhere?" Unlike yesterday, the man seems to be preparing for something. There's a faint sense of urgency lining his posture.

"Uprising in one of the settlements in the northern region. Apparently, they've been at a stalemate for 3 days, the message just got here earlier."

"More fighting?"

"Can't deny the possibility, though I prefer if it could be settled diplomatically. There's no need for meaningless sacrifice."

As much as it is customary for them at this point to don an armour, his general rarely does wear his. For once in a long while today he is in his asymmetrical silver blue armour with his long bow secured on his back. "You're flying there?"

"Yes, faster than on land. That said I've informed the soldiers to be ready to return to base whenever you're done with your business. There shouldn't be any more troubles here for the time being."

"I guess I'll move out early tomorrow morning seeing as it's already starting to get dark. Be careful on your way there."

"Will do." The man looked back and throw him a little smile before transforming and bolting up to the sky.

"Well then, let's get things going."

 

*

 

By the time he finished dressing and stepped out of the temple the sun was already hanging low over the western corner. He was standing just outside the gateway when one of the soldiers greeted him.

"I was told to inform you to wait at the main gate after you have done packing."

"I see. Thank you, I won't be too long."

The two of them made way towards the army quarters situated behind the castle complex. Tracing the familiar winding road in comfortable silence, it occurs to him that he likely won't be seeing it anymore in the future.

"..You're really leaving?"

A question from his companion breaks his attention away from the thought. Looking beside him, the man wears a somewhat melancholic expression; one of the little things that he suspects only he get to see. The soldiers are all trained to keep their emotions and expression unseen, no doubt the man beside him had gone through the same education. In fact, they tried to do the same to him when he was first instated as a knight.

"Yeah, I am." He's just starting to feel it too. The king and his ruling council may be bad people, but the ones below them are genuine. He managed to get by thanks to them.

"Will we see you again?"

He sorely wanted to say yes, but he couldn't bring himself to give out false hope. They're all soldiers. "I hope so, and in a more peaceful time."

The small smile that came in return made him feel that even stronger. He can never be used to it - to being depended on, sought after as a leader. His position technically made him one but he never felt any bigger than the rest of them. Sure, they listened to him and expect him to give out orders, which he did from time to time. One of the things he made clear to them earlier on is that he is not their leader regardless of his position. Though he admits that then he has yet to come to trust them as he does now. But eventually they came to simply accept things as they are, and learned to live together.

He went into his living quarters only to retrieve his sword - a longsword forged from a special alloy made tough enough to withstand and cut through a dragon's scale, given the same colours as his own natural plating. Irony. And he trained himself hard enough to deal adequate damage without killing any dragons that he came across in battle. Looking around the room; looks like they've settled everything for him. Strapping the sword to his back, he turns around and made his exit.

He bid farewell to the soldier, opting to walk all the way to the main gate alone. Let's meet again in a peaceful time.

 

The sun is setting as he walks through the usually busy neighbourhood and even busier town centre. There aren't many people out at this time safe for the children playing around their houses. Silently watching them as they play brought peace to him; a society should be stable and safe enough for children to be able to play without worry - it is one thing that he feels very strongly about. There's no meaning to building a society if it couldn't provide that safety. The thought brought back to mind the small discussion from last night.

The dragons had always regarded a child as the greatest blessing, hope for the future. While they are strong and live for a long time, offspring doesn't come easy for them. One may only see a dragon's young a few times throughout their lifespan. Very rarely a compatible pair emerges successful.

He stopped by a wide field near the wall, watching a group of children in their nature. Should he or should he not..?

Just as he's contemplating it, they noticed him and broke into a run towards where he's standing.

"- Ryu-niichan!" With a shriek, one of them practically launch himself.

"-Oh, hey, that's dangerous you know."

Said child simply beamed back at him. "But you caught me!"

Shortly after, the rest of the group joins forming a small crowd around him, all radiating the same gleeful energy. "Hey, how are you doing?"

"We're fine! It's much better now that the fighting has stopped." Answered one of the older children, followed by the rest of them nodding enthusiastically.

"Is this your sword? Is it heavy?" One curious child poke around the sword, asking out of curiosity. They've been around him a lot but they never saw him carrying it before.

"Yes, it is. I'm not sure, it's probably heavy but I'm already used to it." Two more joined the curious child in his discovery.

A small tug on his sleeve had him turning towards it facing a timid little girl looking up at him. "..Are you leaving? I heard dad talking about it.." The others also faced him at her questions, staring with wide eyes. So, they heard about it too.

Slowly he crouches down to her level. "..Yes. For reasons, I have to leave. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Are we going to see you again?" Deja vu washed over him; he didn't realise there's this many people attached to him. And he thought he's the only one feeling reluctant.

"I can't really say for sure, but I do hope so. I believe after this the living would be much better than before for all of you. So perhaps I could come visit without having to fight with anyone." The children’s eyes had started to become watery, and he'd be lying to say he's not feeling the same. The children were among the ones to voluntarily approach him at a time when no one else would. They'd readily accept him and he in turn come to care for them like they're his own. There were times when he feels lonely, but they had effortlessly kicked that away.

"..Promise?" The little girl softly asked him while holding her little finger out.

How can he say no to that? "I promise." And he linked his to complete the gesture. They all had jumped him for a group hug at that, silently burying their faces into his chest. His reach is just enough to circle around the little group, hugging them closer.

 

"And here I was wondering what took you so long." The moment was unceremoniously broken by another voice, turning all of their attentions to the speaker.

"-Jinga.." The other man is standing not so far from them, watching with a strange expression (unsure whether it's a play of light, but there seem to be a hint of longing). "I should at least say goodbye to them."

"I'm not saying you can't."

In a split second, one of the children broke away from the group and ran towards him.

"Are you the one taking niichan away?" The little boy looked up - glared up at him and shouted the question. He's so tiny it's ridiculous, and Jinga would've paid no mind had Ryuga not sent him one as well. It's the worst, deadliest glare he ever seen coming from anyone - harm the boy and I will murder you.

"Yes, why?"

"Promise you'll take good care of him!" His right eye twitched. The rest of the children are also now glaring at him.

"Fine." He answers with great reluctance. The boy responds by sticking out his right pinkie. What else now? He can see Ryuga's eyes narrowing from the corner of his own and he can swear the air around him starts to crackle. Sighing in defeat he reached down to complete the pinkie promise.

"If you break the promise, you will receive divine punishment." It was said with absolute seriousness that he can feel mild goose bumps prickling the back of his neck.

Right as he was pulling away, he was unexpectedly attacked by the group of children, knocking him over to the ground. Ryuga came around a while later to hover above him with a cheeky smirk. "Do you need a hand, my lord?" And he begrudgingly accepts the hand extended to him.

Ryuga had lingered a bit more afterward, giving the children another round of hugs, before finally pulling away and moving on with a parting wave.

 

---

 

His first night with the new crew is...enlightening at best. They are rowdy, noisy and energetic - a wild contrast to the ones he's used to. And there are a few other dragons beside him too; a wholly welcomed change. Here both humans and dragons mix together, work together, and fight together. While the concept isn’t too different from his own previously, the dynamic greatly differs.

Naturally, they had turned his arrival into a celebration. Thankfully there were no alcohols thrown into the mix (because battles and stuff), that would've been disastrous. Having been away from the crowd and entirely not used to the abnormally high energy, he politely excused himself and slipped away from the party.

"Got out so early?"

"I just..- It's too overwhelming. Are they always like that?"

"Yeah. In and out of battles." Jinga turns around just in time to see Ryuga shaking his head in distress.

"It'll take some time to get used to."

The inside of the tent is pleasantly warm and cosy, not too spacious but it fits both of them just fine. Here it's far enough from the crowd so it's not as noisy. Though in some way, the rowdiness of the crowd seems to remind him of someone from long ago.

Odd silence falls in between the two occupants of the tent.

"..So what's next? With us I mean."

"Well, technically you're my consort now considering everything." Sitting down on the mattress, facing Ryuga whose eyeing him in confusion. "You know - like a queen to the king, sort of."

"I know that." A short pause follows. "You don't do this every time you pick up a new dragon, right?"

"No I don't. They usually surrender willingly after the battle, which is unfortunately was not the case with you. The ministers were hell bent on not letting you go so I had to improvise. It was a lucky chance that you turned out to be a carrier. Why, are you feeling jealous?" Ryuga is now side-eyeing him with an annoyed face.

"Just so you know I'm not putting my sword down. The humans may have been the one to make me a knight, but I have pride in being one. I will not surrender that to anybody, including you."

"Very well. I won't have it be otherwise too even if you didn't make it clear yourself." A mild shock crossed his features, taken aback by the response. Clearly Ryuga had expected the opposite.

Of course, he can't have anyone be defenceless on a battlefield, even more so for one to stand close to him. They're there to fight, not to die. And to take the fight away from a warrior is the same as taking away his life. Killing him would be considered mercy. The burning fire in the other's eyes was what drawn him in in the first place - it cannot be extinguished.

A short pause follows as Ryuga processes the situation, staring off ahead. Breaking it off, he scratches the back of his head in slight frustration. "'Guess I need more time to think about this." Heaving a sigh, he decided to change the topic. "So, what's in for tomorrow? I figured we won't be going straight home..?"

Directly into business. "There's a place we need to visit first beforehand. I guess tomorrow would be your first official mission."

His expression took a sharper edge, nodding in affirmation. "So, what'd I need to do?"

 

---

 

Tomorrow rolls in and they made their move together with the rising sun. By the time the sun peeks out over the horizon, the temporary settlements are all cleared up, packed and ready to go. Ryuga throws back a glance towards the walled city that he has grown to be quite attached to, and thought of the people that became his friends. Then he turned around and moves on.

Their next destination is a city southeast to this one - somewhere along the coastal region. It has recently survived a coup and is currently under a new ruler. The unfortunate thing is, said new ruler is apparently worse than the old one and the reason the coup succeeded was because the person managed to thoroughly fool the desperate masses.

The city was previously affiliated with Makai and maintained a rather good relationship despite being a human city. Still the previous government had their issues, and while affiliated, their issues are their own to handle. Things took turn for the worst and the coup happened. It was instigated by one of its most influential ministers. The turnover was quick and powerful (after going on in the background for god knows how long). One could say the propaganda (lies) thrown were highly convincing and gave more than enough push for the people to riot. However, the people's victory was short lived; the minister turned king swiftly dropped his act and then they finally see his true colours.

It's been well half a year since the new government take charge when the call for help came. It was relayed to them via a sleeper agent placed within the government itself. The agent had close contact with the masses and so had volunteered to help. It was written in the letter that the people had begun to form a resistance group in the underground and is currently gearing up for a revolution. No doubt bloods would be spilled if that come true. Being a separate government, they cannot interfere without a strong enough reason (such as a direct declaration of war) so they couldn't response immediately. And for about two months they've been exchanging information and providing updates over the situation.

Then one day recently, a chance fall. An official letter from the new government came, detailing the various demands made by their new king. Now, simple demands wouldn't have garnered this kind of attention, if it didn't include a thinly veiled threat of war had they refuse to comply. To which Ryuga saw a crazed slasher smile broke across Jinga's face as he recounts the story ("Arrogant fleshling thought he could cross me."). Hence, their little visit.

The city is a tad smaller than the one he lived in, situated along the coastline and stacked upward along the valley. He can see ships moving in and out of the main port from afar carrying various cargos.

The air tastes a little salty, too.

The land border of the city is marked by high walls lined with cannon and soldiers at the ready.

"The security is tighter than before." Ryuga glanced towards the other man as he mumbled the words. He's right, it is, like they're preparing to intercept an enemy rather than receive a guest. Rude.

The guards tried to deny access to the troops up ahead, though expectedly cowers when the warlord himself made way to the front. Rolling his shoulders to pop out cumulated stress; prolonged travel by horse is exhausting. After a few more seconds of delay finally they are permitted entry.

The air inside the city is noticeably more tense than outside - the common people staring with barely concealed agitation. Jinga, along with Ryuga and few other men entered the city while the rest of the troop are set on standby outside the gate. The two of them will be going straight to the castle for an audience with the head of the government, while the men will be meeting with the agent to discuss their plans of actions.

Jinga, in his suit of armour as per usual, blood red cape trailing behind him. On the contrary Ryuga opted to stay in his uniform and kept his cloak on. He can fight just fine in his uniform, and he carries his sword with him in case he may need it. Judging by the light in the other man's eyes he high key suspect that he will need it. Hopefully it won't be too messy.

It's well past noon by the time they set foot into the city; bright sunlight casting long shadows on the ground, vast blue sea glitters under the light. It's a beautiful place, and it'll be better if the people are living well too.

The processes afterward are settled in quick procession. Considering how their king was the one that sent the threat, and the warlord himself dropped by today to discuss, no one dares to delay another second. They all understood their king's blunder and the implication of everything. Silently, Ryuga follows along. Honestly, he's not used to this - all these protocols and stuff. It's kind of stuffy and restrictive, if not downright unnecessary. However, considering his sudden change in status, he supposes he should get used to this. For a while he's been noticing the glances thrown his way from the guards, probably wondering who he is and why is he involved in this thing.

Not at all strange, though. His reputation may be known wide but no one else knows how he really looks like safe for his comrades.

They were led to the inner part of the winding castle where stood a great carved wooden door as the last barrier. The guarding soldiers opens the door upon command to allow them passage. The place they're led to is a wide hall likely intended to be a conference room of sort, with its long table and multiple chairs set around it. There the king sat at the head of the table together with a few other people; ministers maybe. But the pressure is even greater here and the room feels tight despite the wideness thanks to the presence of soldiers inside, standing at ready in case a fight breaks out.

Grossly unbalanced in number, but what do they expect?

He'd at least commend them for trying.

The king stands up as a show of courtesy to greet his supposed guests. "Welcome to my humble city, Lord Jinga. Please, do make yourself comfortable."

The addressed man simply made a concomitant noise of acknowledgement before sitting down on the opposite end of the table. Ryuga automatically stops to stand beside him, facing the same direction towards their host.

"So, what would be your business here today?"

Jinga eyes the man with disinterest. "Really? I thought you would know the best about it."

"-Ah, about the request that I sent last time, is it? Forgive my forgetfulness, I had too many things on my hands lately." The smile on the man's face is too devious for Ryuga's liking. Excuses, then they come invading saying that we failed to respond in time.

Despicable.

"So, it was a request. I had thought it sounded more like a threat so I came today with company. Looks like I've misunderstood the message." The smile wavered for a split second before steadying itself. Unfortunately, arrogance won't save you.

"Let's not be so rash in this matter. There are plenty of time to discuss." He's definitely flustered; he most likely didn't even anticipate this turn of event. Eye's flitting around looking for a distraction, before finally settling on Ryuga.

"I see you have a companion today though he seems rather unfamiliar. A new face?" Ryuga glanced to the side and for a moment their eyes met.

"Yes. A recent addition to my force. It's hard to come by fellow dragons nowadays."

"There are rumours saying that you've taken a consort recently. Perhaps he is the one in question? If so then it wouldn't hurt to properly introduce him as well." It's barely a week since then and it's already reached this far. News travels fast. Jinga's eyes visibly narrowed at the obvious leer directed his way.

"I guess it would be better if he introduces himself." The man turns slightly to face him. "If you would-"

"If you say so." Swiftly he unlatches his sword from the harness around his waist and roughly slammed it down onto the wooden table. "I guess this should be enough."

Shocked gasps can be heard resounding in the wide hall coming from both the king and his men. "The Golden Knight?! The undefeated beast of the battlefield?!" He can see Jinga's questioning look from the corner of his eyes and he shrugged in response.

"How?"

"Well let's just say that things flowed my way. And I think you already get the rest of this very clearly." The smile that he gave is absolutely sinister. But again, he's right. The two of them is enough to take on the king's whole army. And more. Whatever haughtiness that the king had has now more or less disintegrated to thin air. Looks like the negotiation is done.

And it really had ended at that. They had met up with the other men and resistance leader after that and informed him of the turn in events. Sometimes later, the king also held an audience with resistance to discuss more pressing matter regarding the state of their kingdom and the people's wellbeing. Fortunately, the king had listened well to their dissatisfaction and look towards addressing them as fast as possible.

Ryuga aren't too sure whether this is the right way to do things but at least it got the job down quick. Any way to end a conflict without spilling unnecessary blood is acceptable, he guesses.

Stretching his limbs; well, mission accomplished.

 

*

 

The happy news of success effectively launches yet another celebration by the troops. The loud cheer of triumph soon transforms into wild party and somehow, they manage to sweep Ryuga off of his feet and started throwing him into the air. Even the city's guard soon drifts along with the merry mood and end up joining the troops; their initial animosity and anxiety having melted away once the situation diffuses. All well ends well.

 

"You're okay over there?" Words of concern spoken with barely concealed amusement. Jinga is standing off to one corner of the tent, busying himself with his body armour.

Ryuga, who just managed to get himself out of the crowd, sat on the bed with his head in his hands. "Oh God, they were like toddlers on a sugar rush."

The other only laughed at his apparent misery. "Hang on. You'll have to live with them from now on."

He had stayed away from the hustle and bustle of life for too long he couldn't even begin to handle that level of energy. He thought nothing could top what he had gone through some days ago; how wrong he was. Nevertheless, they meant good, and he knows it's partly due to the kind of live they lived. War is never fun and each battle are wrought with losses. So, for them, even a small happiness is worth to be celebrated.

"..But it sure is nice to see humans and dragons so close together. They feel more like a family than just comrades."

Low humming reaches his ears. "The kingdom was originally ruled by human before I took over, it's natural that there are many human soldiers. Though I suppose it's like what you said - not all humans are bad."

"Figured there're more of them where they came from?"

"Of course. Good thing they're not all hyperactive."

And now he's laughing in return. "Good to now." Can't help feeling a little eager to see how it's like there. His new home. "How long it takes to get there?"

"Mm, about 2 days, if we take it really easy. There's no need to rush." The last of his armours came off in a loud clutter, promptly rolling his muscles to relief the tension. After setting them in an acceptable pile he moves towards the bed.

Ryuga looks his way, silently judging. "You really like sleeping bare, don't you?"

"Sometime it gets warm at night. Can't help it."

An eyebrow shot up to the hairline. "And yet you stick to me like a barnacle."

"Shut up." How can he not? The other man is the perfect shape and consistency.

Ryuga's eyes follows him as he comes closer to slide around his form, hands reaching out to squeeze. The man's eyes narrow in warning, one he's not keen to heed. In the end Ryuga heaves a sigh signifying his victory.

"You don't have anything to say about earlier?"

"About what?"

"The 'Golden Knight' thing. And the 'Undefeated beast of the battlefield' thing."

"Ah, that. Golden Knight is what they call me, kind of like a nickname or a title of sorts. The other one I'm not really sure myself. First time hearing that too." His attention then shifted down towards the hands actively trying to shove themselves under his clothing. Looking to the side, facing their owner in annoyance. "Can't you at least wait until we get there."

Grumbles. "Two days a long wait. Besides no one cares."

"They can hear us!"

Ryuga's ears tinged red in rising embarrassment. So cute. "So, you're worried about that?"

"Of course I am." Ryuga now have the urge to punch the smug look off of the other's face. This bastard, I swear-

"Then I'll guess you'll have to keep your voice down." The other man opened his mouth to protest but it never came as Jinga swiftly flip him down onto the bed and make a quick work of everything else.

 

---

 

The following day passed uneventfully; since most of the existing kingdoms are either affiliates or otherwise absorbed into Makai, conflicts are no longer the norm in this region. There's still the occasional quarrels and stuffs but they never escalate into anything worse. Not anymore. And it is certainly something that everyone is thankful of.

Ryuga absentmindedly stares of into the distance; life has suddenly taken a mundane turn for him. It's just a little over a week since then and yet it felt like it was so long ago. He can feel the excess energy buzzing under his skin, itching to burst out. He can't lie about it. A part of him do hunger for battle, as much as he despises feeling this way.

He discreetly turns his attention to the man riding beside him. For some reason the other man doesn't feel too foreign to him. They're quite similar in a way, though not completely, of course. Mind's request from that time crosses his thoughts.

Stay.

But to do that, he needs to know the other man properly first, and only then he can judge and decide. So far what he found out was merely the surface; the mask.

The mask that had stayed on for far too long the man forgot how to be himself again.

(Again, Mind did warn him. And it was painfully obvious to him the extent of the trauma, the severity of it.)

 

"You keep doing this so frequently I swear I'd really end up getting pregnant."

"Then that'll be a success. That's good, right?"

Ryuga stared at the other man long and hard, studying his expression. Then he came to realise the odd feeling that he had been getting from the other.

"Yes, and you will be the father."

And at that moment he stunned; like his brain grinded to a halt. His face blanked out and so did his eyes, darting to the side, as if looking for something invisible. Ryuga, worried, raised himself to sit beside him.

"..Jinga?"

At the call of his name, he blinked, and finally the flickering light returned to them.

"Yeah?"

"Are you..alright?"

He's back, but not yet fully. A part of him is still stuck in the loop. Ryuga reaches out to grab his hand, trying to drag him out of it.

"I'm..- fine."  A few more seconds, and he returned the grip.

He's fine, for now.

 

Ryuga can't help feeling like if he didn't pull him back last night, he'll forever be lost in the loop, unable to connect the frayed ends, losing his way.

He had lost his family.

He knows how it feels, and he's silently grateful he had just enough support and strength to made it out whole. He wants to reach out to the other man, but that is all that he can do. He knows next to nothing on the matters of the mind.

Some wounds are invisible, yet they are deadlier than any wounds sustained physically.

He'd heard it from someone, once.

A mental scar.

Unseen, but horribly disabling.

He'd seen common people, even fellow soldiers sustained that kind of injury, and each time he's left feeling powerless over his inability to help.

Therefore, he cannot be rash with his actions; he'd be dealing with something extremely delicate and he needs to be as gentle as he possibly could with this matter. So how to approach it without having the other man close off too fast?

He's mildly aware that he is now full on staring at the other. He is also aware that he's strangely focused; never felt this way out of a battlefield before, it shocked him quite a bit.

It feels like one. His brain is treating it as one. He'd do better if it is one, though. But it's no longer the same as before. He suspects that he'd need to learn how to fight in a different field with a different kind of weapon, like the one a few days ago. From what he gathered, a consort tends to deal with diplomatic issues and strategic matter. He for one, isn't really sure if he can do verbal negotiation. Though Jinga did mention in passing that he left those stuffs to one of his generals. Apparently said general excels at them.

If so then what else is he supposed to do? Stand around and look pretty? Ryuga internally cringed at the idea. Probably not. He'd skin the man if he has to do that.

(Again, probably not. The man seems to have a possessive streak from what he saw last time.)

"How much longer until we get there?" Itching with excess energy from being still for far too long, he decided to break the atmosphere.

"Shouldn't be too long. We'll be there before sunset."

Looking off skyward, the sky is a wide expanse of clear blue. The sun had slipped over to the west; sunset won't be in another few hours. Cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders, just need to endure this for a little while more.

Just as he was letting it down, an unfamiliar scent floats in the air, together with the loud blaring of his internal alarms.

 

---

 

The attack was almost faster than his senses. Almost. One can only wish to catch him off guard, not when he's surrounded by all these exceptionally sharp people. Though he has to admit that Ryuga is certainly exceptional in that part. The enemy might have a bit more chance to surprise him had Ryuga not sensed them first.

The minute change in his demeanor was glaring - something is not right. He had suddenly turned around towards the highlands lining the route with urgency in his features.

"Enemies are coming." It was only that, and there was no space for argument for the enemies did came shortly after. Nevertheless, it was enough time for them to prepare. Alas, their group was quite spread out so some still got caught a little off guard, but they won't be taken down so easily. There's no need for him to give the command; they already know what they need to do. Soon enough, the previously calm valley turns into a raging battlefield.

It's unfortunate that a battle erupts so close to their home ground. Though at the same time, he's feeling quite excited over the prospect of being able to witness the other man fighting unrestrained. Last time, it was such a sight to behold. He's looking forward to see more of it.

"My lord, I have dispatched one of the men back to the city to notify the rest of our people." So one of his generals told him within the chaos. He simply nodded in return. He's sure they won't need backup, but the notification is needed for the ones left in the city, so they can fortify their defenses in the case the enemies might split and attack the city directly. Looking at the situation, it doesn't feel unlikely.

"Who are these people? They don't seem like regular thugs." Ryuga came around to his side.

"They're the land pirates, infamous for sneak attacks onto travelling parties. They never cared who their targets are, only their possessions. Resulting damage and mortality is always high."

"I see. -" Ryuga glanced his way for a few seconds. His intentions were crystal clear in those amber irises. "I guess I don't have to hold back?"

His lips pulled into a vicious smirk. "Why should you?"

The smirk that accompanied the sharp glint in the other's eyes is such a great look. Ryuga turned around, then took off into the heart of the storm.

"Is he going to be fine without his armors?" Asks one of his men out of concern.

"Don't worry, this much won't kill him."

 

*

 

Ryuga sped through the crowd, striking down enemies left and right. The enemies' number is quite massive for a rogue group of pirates. And they are noticeably violent, even more so than common soldiers. To these people, anyone else are simply resources to be taken.

They have no regard for other's lives.

Inhaling deeply, he concentrates his energy inside. Slowly he summons his natural armors out - a partial transformation. It's not something commonly done considering the time and effort needed to master the magic. Unlike their full release form, they need to control the metamorphoses to somewhere right in between the two states.

Folding his wing and posterior plating around his shoulders and down his backside, similarly his tail plating is reconfigured to cover his lower body. An attack from his left is blocked by his now clawed left arm; a twist to parry the attack, followed by a strike of his blade. His natural plating is considerably harder than the forged one.

There's nothing to worry about.

The enemies are starting to notice his presence; they're pulling over to his position.

Good, let them come.

Keeping his pace, intercepting every hostile that came his way. Turning around he can see the incoming swarm. But there are also some of his comrades mixed in the fray. He needs to divert the focus away from them, or else they might get caught in his attack.

Kicking, he rode off. "Go, Goten!" Both of them shot off towards the advancing enemies. Rushing past, the air around him starts to crackle with unreleased energy; bright sparks visible from thin air. His comrades reflexively retreat from the area - he already told them beforehand, so there's no worry.

He stopped right at the center of the hostile crowd. Either the enemy is truly fearless or they're simply a bunch of idiots, he doesn't know. Regardless, it's none of his business.

Some of them reached him before he's done charging; doesn't matter. The sparks grew stronger, flying from one point to another then to his golden plating.

Inhale -

Then with a swing of his hand, the radius around him exploded in bright green flame.

 

*

 

Throughout the ordeal, his eyes never left the other man. The hordes of enemies swarming him blurs into the background, too insignificant to pay any mind to. He's already too used to fighting that the motions had ingrained itself into his muscle memory. Are the enemy that weak? Maybe. It's hard to come across a strong opponent when you're already standing at the top. Except for the other man.

A swing from the right. Block, parry. Cut. Another tried to catch him from behind. Duck. He shot his left hand out. Grab and throw. Never once he shifts his attention elsewhere.

And never once the other man got caught. He really makes good use of his speed.

Oh-

He can do that. The last time he saw a partial morph was from one of the elders a long time ago.

(Before he himself mastered the technique. Such a pain the training was.)

The bright gold of his scales glittered under the late afternoon sun. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who noticed the other man. The enemies rushed his way like insects to a candle flame. And naturally they died like one too. Memories of that night came to mind; the soft golden glow, the heated tanned skin, burning amber eyes.

Another poor soul dead for thinking that he's being distracted. And one more.

Bright sparks start to materialize around the other. That was-

The spark grows, bolts of electric charge flew.

Then a great explosion erupts. The impact shook the ground they stand on. The resulting blast easily wipes out a part of the enemy's troop.

His eyes widened by a fraction in mild shock. So that's what it was-

Then a different memory float. And he realized that he almost blew himself up, twice.

..Maybe I should pay more attention next time. Another thing crosses his mind and his eyes narrows in response. But why didn't he tell me?

(Somewhere ahead, Ryuga sneezed. Perhaps it was the dusts in the air.)

Growing shadows on the ground pulls him away from his thoughts. Looking behind, he can see the sun falling behind the tall mountains. A smile tugs at his lips. Looking across the field, he made eye contact with one of his generals, silently alerting him. Said man nodded in response.

"Soldiers! Fall back!"

Ryuga who's fighting not far from them seems startled by the call, eyes darting around.

The shadow that stretched over the battlefield is sufficient enough to cover his attack range.

The sight of his army falling back confused the enemy. They must've thought that he's yielding. Hah, not in the wildest dream. He waited just until his men are out of his radius.

Inhale; gradually channeling his energy out.

Flicker of blue-purple fire sparks rise from the shadows. Some of the incoming enemies seem to notice and begin to pull away in response. Too late.

He put out his left hand. In between this moment and the next, his eyes found Ryuga staring his way in naked anticipation. His lips quirked into a smirk.

Then with a flick of his wrist, the area shrouded in shadows erupt into bright purple flame.

Their enemies are easily taken over by chaos. It never gets old; and for some reason they never seem to quite get what caught them. Too bad.

His armies are slowly regrouping, rounding up the remaining hostiles after the combined effect of his and Ryuga's attacks took down a large number of them. Neither of them used much of their flame despite the sheer fire power (the downside being long charging period). Besides, using their flame would drain their stamina faster. Might as well just take it easy since there's not many of them left--

"-The enemies got back up!"

Ah, more pests are coming.

 

*

 

Ryuga couldn't help but stop and stare in anticipation over what the other is trying to do. He was surprised when the soldier called for them to fall back. The first thing to cross his mind was 'Are we surrendering?'. Then he sobered up and concluded that it couldn't be that. It was after that he saw the flickering spark and it clicked.

Wow.

No wonder he reigned supreme.

Looking at how far they've fallen back, the man's attack radius is easily wider than his own (that is, not counting his blast range). He'd seen quite a variety of dragon flames throughout his life but he'd never came across one that ignites from the shadow. Sure enough - a dragon's flame is unique to each of them, though there are shared characteristics within the same family tree.

In between the two of them, they absolutely can take on an entire army. And more. Somehow the thought feels both comforting and worrying.

He had rejoined the fray following the blast attack, cleaning off the remaining hostile forces. They were rather shaken after that; not quite making sense of what hit them. Their line of defense is badly affected making it easy to break their formation.

But then-

Something's not right.

"There's more of them coming." He told the one closest to his left. And shortly after another one of the soldiers came running down from the hillside in great urgency.

"-The enemies got back up!"

Damn. Looking westward; the sun is gradually setting. The dragons can last long in battles, but their human comrades would get exhausted the longer this drags out. Though something nags at him.

For a group of pirates, they sure are rather persistent. To think, they'd probably would have retreated after the second blast. Unless..-

At that moment, he immediately turned around and sped over towards the other man. He intercepted an incoming attack just as fast as it came, overthrowing the enemy. He pulled to an abrupt stop right beside the man, close enough to converse without being overheard.

The man simply raised a brow at his sudden arrival without any pause in his motion.

"-Hey, don't you think this feels weird?"

"Like how?"

"Don't you think it feels like a diversion?"

It's with his question that the man starts to see it too.

"Now that you say it..-" An enemy came flying in, only to be beaten down by both of them. "-It does. Question is, for who?"

"Won't we need to rush back? The city could really be under attack now!"

"No worries. The folks back home are more than strong enough to handle that."

He was going to berate the man for being too nonchalant but another one interfered. Twist, smack, and a kick to send him away.

"In fact, now I'm counting on them to drive the intruders this way so that I can deal with the perpetrator myself."

The slasher smile made a comeback towards the end of his sentence and Ryuga already pities the poor soul who dared doing this. "Or better yet-"

Without a warning, he shot his left hand out to grab the incoming hostile, holding them by the collar of their under suit.

"-Who are you working for?!"

The man visibly flinches at the sudden assault though he tried to keep it down. "Why should I tell you anything?!" Moments after he said that, bright green sparks appear around him.

"Because there won't be anything left of you if you don't."

Jinga half listened to the exchange while busy hacking down the swarm of enemies around them (while also smirking to himself in approval). The threat sure works wonder though. The man instantly pales before start pleading for his life.

Ah, it really sucks to be them.

"-It-It's the southern ki-kingdom! Th-the king struck a deal with us to keep the main battalion busy!!"

Heh, should've seen that one coming.

"Why? Wasn't they an allied kingdom?"

"I don't know! I don't know anything more than that!"

The person was then unceremoniously chucked away afterward. "What the hell is going on?"

"The southern he said? If it's that old fart then, yeah, this seems like the kind of thing he'd pull." Ryuga wore an expression of disbelief. "What? He's a pain to deal with."

"So you let him be?"

Jinga seemed to have half a thought on that. "I thought he would at least realize he can't win against me anyway so-" A shrug follows.

Ryuga, thoroughly exasperated, shook his head in disapproval. He was going to say something more but the incoming hostiles beg to differ, forcing him away from the conversation.

"Didn't think you'd be the one to comment on that. You liked them more than I do after all."

"This and that are different things! He's clearly a threat, you know! You can't just let them be just because they're 'a pain to deal with'."

"Hoo, we're not even official yet and you're already nagging. Clearly I made the correct choice."

Ryuga's left eye twitched in response. This bastard, I swear- "-You better wish I don't accidentally cut you down as well."

At that exact moment, three enemy soldiers decided to jump him. It was definitely an attempt to catch him while he's distracted. Likely would've worked if he really is distracted. He turned around swiftly and raises his sword to intercept, only for the incoming hostile to be shot down by blue flaming arrows.

His eyes widened at the sight while at the same time he can hear faint mumbling from the other man somewhere behind him.

"--And, there he comes."

Ryuga turned towards the direction the arrows came from, seeing a man (dragon) clad in asymmetrical silvery light blue armor armed with a long bow. And the man is also someone he hasn't seen in a long, long time. Slowly, the man's eyes widen as their gaze meet in the middle.

"-..Aguri?"

But before either of them can say anything more, they were unfortunately hoarded by the enemies.

Their number almost doubled compared to before with the addition of the attacking battalion redirected from their home ground. Now, among the rugged thugs are armored soldiers mixing in the crowd. And came the realization that he had seen the armor patterns and the flag before.

"Ah, I've fought against them sometimes ago."

"You have?"

"Though I don't really remember much of it save for the armors and flag."

"What happened then?"

"They retreated, I think." A derisive sound came from the other man. To think, they used a similar strategy too back then. "Anyways, we need to get to the other side."

Two, three more taken down. "Let's go." And they both kicked off ahead.

"You know him?" He can see the other man gesturing towards the one fighting in front of them.

"I do. Haven't seen him in a long time. We got separated during one of the great wars." Not just him, there are a few others beside him. His family - the people closest to a family he ever had after he lost his mother.

The attacking party are knocked over by their momentum, unable to land a solid hit.

"I found him on an expedition soon after I rose to power. There had been quite a handful of dragons with him at the time. He told me that one of them was separated then; a gold. And they had been looking for that one for a long time."

The little news that came right in the middle of this chaotic battle gave him comfort and joy. They survived, and never before he felt so glad that he took up the sword. The great war is something of the past yet it's still quite fresh in his memories. Then, they were still just civilians, common people who unfortunately got involved in the horrors that have overtaken their world.

True, he was trained to fight since a very young age. But it was never to battle; it had been taught as a way for them to defense themselves. Despite being born with magic and armor plating, they are not unkillable, and time has proven enough that the humans are capable of making the impossible possible. And he had been protecting for as long as he can remember. It's natural for a gold, they say. He never really understood that; he never met any gold other than himself. Nevertheless, he never hesitated to protect.

Maybe that is what they meant.

That time too.

They were not the only ones in danger, there were humans in the fray as well. And some of them had sought for help. The war was a horrible one. The enemy killed indiscriminately. He was not the only fighter then, but he had been the one with more advantage in that kind of situation. The blasts took out a fair number of soldiers but there was too many of them. The longer they stay in the field the less chance they have to get out of it alive. So, he stayed behind.

It was a simple solution.

 

"-But then you would -!"

"-It's fine! I'll be fine. Just go! Any longer and you'd lose your chance."

One they didn't agree to. It's fine, as long as they lived.

 

 

"BURN YOU FUCKERS!"

That sounds like..-

Suddenly a dragon clad in flames zoomed overhead.

 

"That's your friend too?"

"Well.."

The soldiers didn't even stand a chance; they can't even get in close enough without risking getting burned. He turned around towards the newcomer, calling for him.

"Takeru?" The man jolted when he heard the call. Immediately he spun around to face Ryuga, gradually breaking into a wide grin.

"Ryuga? 'S that you? You're alive! OI, AGURI! HE'S ALIVE!!" He called out to the other while flailing around in between swatting down his enemies. The only respond he got was a barrage of blue fire arrows shooting a handful out of his way.

He never expected for things to turn out this way for him, but he is thankful that it did.

 

*

 

The battle had slowly ceased out with the timely appearance of their reinforcements. Not even the main enemy battalion combined with the pirates could do much against their entire force (though not exactly, this is still just a small fraction of it, according to Jinga). Regardless, the fight eventually came to an end just as the sun sets.

Immediately after the chaos settled, Ryuga found himself yet again getting picked up and thrown into the air (they have taken a liking to that, somehow), only that this time, Takeru was the one to start. He had unmounted his horse to run over where the other man is at, was then tackled into a rough equivalent of a hug, and unceremoniously swept off of his feet and thrown into the air with the rest of the troops promptly joining in. Within the loud cheers and bustle, he managed to catch sight of Aguri standing off to the side with Jinga, wearing his usual part exasperated part relieved smile.

And they really weren't that far from the kingdom at all when they were ambushed; wasn't even two hours away. They reached their destination in no time.

 

It's already fairly dark when they get there. He can see that the streetlights are steadily burning from where he is, though the front gate is decidedly brighter than all of them combined. Quite a lot of them went out and waited in front of the main gate - of course, their lord has just returned.

(And for some reason, the term feels sarcastic in his mind. Probably because of his experience with the man within the past week or so. He is undeniably one, though.)

He had been reunited with his long-lost friends in the battle; to him, it felt a lot like he had found his way home after being lost for so long. And it felt to him that the other two felt the same way, that they have found the missing part of their life. And they had clicked in place.

Dragons had always lived in close communities, considering how life had taken a turn for them. But even before that, they were always close to each other. Families were never just limited to ones that are related by blood; anyone and everyone that lives in the community is a family. They valued peace and harmony more than anyone else. It does come off as strange, especially towards the human (and he only finally knows that after staying with them for a long time). They did ask him - why? And naturally there are those who relate it with their immense powers, that they don't really have anything to fear.

"..But we lost most of us due to the plague that you humans made."

And that person never said anything more, ever.

There's no special reason. There was no need for conflicts. Why? When you can simply live in peace without causing damage to anyone and anything. Isn't that the life that everyone wanted? And it was never applied only among the dragons. They wouldn't want to hurt the humans too.

So the thought had naturally came to him as they gets closer to the brightly lit entrance. The crowd is a mixture of dragons and humans, simply living together in harmony. He looked off to his right; it's clear to him from the get go that Jinga basically detests humans. The man himself never outright explained why, but after coming this far, he knows it already.

(What Mind told him was the biggest hint, and he had come to that conclusion because it was also something that he himself had experienced.)

But the fact that it had affected the other man to that extent is something very saddening to him. And he doesn't know if there’s still a chance to be mend. He would try nonetheless, more so if the man wished to make this work.

(He probably does though Ryuga knows he won’t say it. It was something that happened out of the blue for him too, but Ryuga sincerely does wish for it to work.)

 

Getting off his horse, he opted to walk the rest of the way there, giving his longtime companion a gentle pat to his side.

"..-Ryuga?" Another voice called out for him. A clear, female voice. He looked around in the crowd trying to locate the source when his eyes fall onto a lady with light brown hair standing not far from his spot.

"Rian..?" And before he could say anything more, he was engulfed in a tight hug with the force of all the years they spent separated from each other.

"Where have you been, you idiot!" She had greeted him in a watery voice. He had broken into an equally watery laugh as he returned her hug, and as they were joined by both Takeru and Aguri in a huddle.

 

"It looks like you are the one coming home." The jibe came from the other man a while after they settled in, though it definitely lacks any kind of venom.

"I guess I can say I do feels like that." He had wanted to talk to them more but they ushered him away, telling (read: threatened) him to go get his long due rest first and they can catch up from tomorrow onwards. It feels familiar and it feels like home. "I suppose it's all thanks to you."

A sudden loud clang had snapped his attention towards the other man, catching him with a mildly shocked expression, and an equally mild reddish tint over his cheeks. The man promptly clears his throat in response acting like nothing strange happened.

"Well, of course." It doesn't seem like he noticed, so Ryuga just smiled to himself.

 

*

 

The sun rose giving way to a new dawn. He had habitually woken up right at sunrise despite the fatigue from the day before still weighing him down. That and the fact that the other man is literally keeping him down with their limbs tangled not unlike that time. Though this time, Ryuga had steadfastly ignored the annoyed grumble that came from the other as he rolls out of the bed.

The place is huge, which is a given seeing that it's a castle. So much Ryuga had to stop and blink for a few times while standing in front of the bedroom's door. The guards are really helpful, though, and he's sure he'll be needing their assistance for at least a month.

The air in here is different from his old place; somewhat damper, and entirely very fresh. Makai is more or less situated in and surrounded by lush green forests so it's rather natural to be that way. He can hear various birds chirping while flying around the place in their morning search for food. To think of it, the place he grew up in used to be somewhere similar too.

It didn't take him long to find his way out. He didn't sneak out of it; there's no need to. Though his escape was certainly not smooth with the maids catching him on his way and hauling him off to feed him first.

On his way in yesterday, they had passed through a wide garden. In between the crowd and tiredness, he couldn't really keep track of which way they took, but he does have a bit of an idea. Nevertheless, he's not in any rush, and there's nothing to be worried off here. Turns out it wasn't at all that hard to locate.

It's still fairly early in the day when he got there with only some other people sitting and walking around the place. Taking in a deep breath and a big stretch, he hasn't gotten this kind of rest in ages. It still feels surreal to him - just until early last week he's still deep in his duties, jumping around from one battle ground to another. And suddenly now he's somewhere else drastically different, with all the time and space for himself that he hadn't expected to have in this lifetime. For the meantime, there won't be much to do. From what he was told, Makai don't wage war as much as one expected them to (for which he didn't blame anyone for thinking that way considering how their warlord is), and most of the time it is not handled by the main battalion.

Apparently, his case was wholly a coincidence and technically a stroke of luck (probably for both of them). And according to Aguri - who turned out to be the person responsible for diplomatic anything - it only happened because Jinga got bored. Plus, the case of threats of wars from that one allying kingdom.

Eh, suppose you can say its fate.

 

"-Ryuga, g'morning~" Came a cheery voice from somewhere behind him. He turns around, seeing Rian slowly making her way over with a tiny companion.

"Morning to you too. Having a walk?" She stopped beside him as he returns her greeting.

"Just an everyday morning routine with her." She gestured towards her companion, now hiding behind her. He ducks a little to face her more properly.

"Hello, there. I am Ryuga. Nice to meet you." The little girl gave him a small nod in reply.

"She is Hibana. She's...terribly shy, and fearful of strangers. So, this is a sort of therapy to get her used to people again."

He looks up, questioning. "Is she yours?"

She gave a soft shake in the negative. "Well, she's not mine mine. But I'm taking care of her with my mate." She paused to look towards the aforementioned person, currently standing a short distance away from them. A tough, stern looking woman, leaning under one of the tall trees in the area. She gave him a nod in lieu of a greeting when their eyes met.

"We had taken her in after she lost her parents."

"Ah, so she's a human child." To his surprise, she shook her head.

"The thing is, her parent was a human and a dragon. She's a hybrid. She's the first one we came across. Outwardly she looks more like a human, but her growth pattern seems to be more of a dragon. She looks like this but she's actually already about six years old."

Surprising indeed, he had never thought that could be possible. And sure enough the little girl looks about two to three years old physically.

"What about you? I've heard a bit from Aguri last night about that."

He straightens back up in contemplation. "It was on a sudden, pretty short notice but.., honestly I don't think it's a bad idea. Though if it does work then I'll be out of commission for quite a while." He would have to stay away from battles for the duration of it, cannot risk getting in harm's way.

She hummed in return, then seem to light up with something. "Ah, but the child would be a hybrid too, right?"

"So it looks like. Then she'll have a friend similar to her." He finishes while peeking around Rian to look at the little girl. "I hope you could be their friend when that time comes."

She looks upward imploringly though still somewhat hesitant. "It's okay." Rian nodded, giving her permission. Then she looked back towards him, giving him a small nod with a hint of a smile.

"Thank you."

 

*

 

He had spent a bit longer outside after that, simply enjoying the nature while making an impromptu tour around the place. Cracking his somehow stiff joints; he really can't rest for too long, he'd get rusty in no time.

Definitely needs to get back to routine as soon as possible. Preferably tomorrow. Ah, but the doctors told him to stay put for the time being. He winces slightly as he got reminded of the warning. There's the officiating ceremony too. But that won't be until they've settled everything else first.

"What are you doing out here making weird faces in the middle of the street?" He reflexively turns towards the voice to come face to face with Jinga standing a few inches away from him with narrowed eyes.

"Well, what are you doing here? Don't you have work to attend to?"

"What? Can't I at least spend some time away from work? The others can manage the complicated stuffs well enough."

"Some time away from work, eh? Aguri told me you barely work as it is. How can you even run an entire kingdom like this?"

"Tch, damn you Kusugami."

"Excuse me, did you call, my lord?" Suddenly said man materialized behind them without any warning. He's smiling but the glint of his bespectacled eyes means a wildly different thing.

"You have paperwork to fill, therefore I implore you to return to your office immediately." So he said as he (not so) figuratively drags the other man away. "You come too, Ryuga."

"Me too? Why?"

"The Elder Priest wants to meet you."

And off they go.

But an Elder Priest, eh? Haven't heard of one in a really, really long time. There were still some active priests when he was younger, and his mother had been one as well. Rian and some others were training to be one too back then. Though it has since fallen out of practice after most of the temples were destroyed. Hence why he was quite surprised to find one preserved in good condition back at his old place.

 

"So, you are Ryuga? I've heard some things about you!" He had to blink his eyes several times to clear his vision up, but no matter how much he does it, the image doesn't change. He looks towards Takeru (who happens to be there) in sheer confusion. To which said man only gave him a slow nod in return.

"Ah, you must've thought I look quite young, don't you? But don't worry, I'm not as young as you think."

"She's at least a millennium old, and super strong to boot." Takeru nudged him from the side, telling him in a low voice. "She's basically a grandma." More like ultra grandma but he'll take that just fine. They generally live longer than humans do but even a thousand years is long to them.

"Come here, Ryuga. Let me give you my blessing." She called for him like how a grandma would to small children. He supposes he is to her, considering her age.

His unplanned visit to the old temple had been...enlightening, for lack of better words. Though it's great to know that another portion of their past still survived to this day despite the ongoing destruction.

By the time he got back to the castle it was already quite late into the day. Here it wasn't that much different from the previous one, but it's noticeably less stressful compared to that. Even in an almost entirely human community, the previous kingdom was wrought with injustice and social imbalance. However strange it is; it's almost jarring how a mixed one like here manage to build a healthier environment.

Guess it was the hearts of the people and not the difference in species that had wedged them apart.

Having come this far, he's still not quite sure how to handle his new post and responsibilities. His scope of duty had considerably expanded as opposed to before, and despite what he told the man, he would be dealing more with verbal negotiations now compared to physical fights. Maybe he should go learn more about that with Aguri later. He's certainly the more (most) viable option in this matter.

Walking around the place aimlessly, he ends up right outside the man's office. He probably stood there for some minutes when a guard came up to him.

"If you're looking for the lord, I think he's still in there. He hasn’t got out since morning. That is if he didn't--"

 

"I heard you often jumps out of the window in the middle of your duty."

"What else did they told you." The man replies while uninterestedly going through the pile of paperwork on his table.

"Not much yet, so far. Likely going to be hearing more in the future." A flat hum reached him. The other man's eyes flick up to meet his.

"In contrast, you're looking relaxed."

"Too relaxed. Don't know what to do." As if on cue, the documents left open on his table are flipped close. He raised from his chair shortly after. "You're done already?"

"Mostly. The rest can be left for tomorrow."

How irresponsible. Ryuga kept his eyes on the other man as he moves in closer, surreptitiously sliding his arm around Ryuga's waist. He can see where this is going.

"How about we drop off early instead?" The growing smile on the man's face readily confirms his assumption. He raises a hand, placing it against the other's chest, lightly pushing.

"Before that, I need to ask you something."

"What?"

"Are you serious about doing this? And by this I mean the mating thing." As expected, a hint of hesitation flitted across the other's face though he now knows why. A blink and it's gone as fast as it came.

"Yes. Why?" For some reason he can hear two voices overlapping the same answer.

"I know you have a problem that you refused to tell me just yet. So, I need to make sure." The eyes flick away, darting around for a moment. Like he's having a brief internal discussion with the other one. "I need to know you're willing to put in work into mending that issue, and more. Just so you know, I will be around to deal with it together with you." And the eyes are back on him, slightly widened. He didn't miss how the grip on him tightens by a small fraction.

"I..will." First step taken. That's good enough for now.

His hand resting on the other's chest crept up towards his shirt collar, tugging him closer.

"Good. Now fuck me like you mean it."

 

*

 

The time passes by almost unnoticed here; in between newly added routine and other important duties, there wasn't much space to stop and watch. For which he was quite thankful for. Being on the motion almost constantly helps him burn away the excess energy that otherwise would get burned out in battles.

They had more or less actively started trying since then, though of course they still don't have a method of knowing it early. The most accurate way would be to wait until it started showing itself. The doctor did ask for conditions during their mother's pregnancy; to no avail, unfortunately.

("What makes you think I even remember growing up?"

Had been Jinga's answer while looking at said person like they had offended his ancestors.)

He at least remembers some stuff (vaguely, however) that his mother told him. So to say, her symptoms were mild at best so there's likely nothing much to worry about. But naturally, they both know that it won't work easily for them. Nevertheless, they try in between everything. Life work balance they say.

Unfortunately, he forgot the part where his mother was not the one who got the morning sickness. It was his father. Though he thinks it was fair because he has no memories of his father.

 

"Why am I the one suffering?" Groaned the man while lying face down on the bed, unmoving.

"Tough luck."

Thank goodness it didn't last that long.

And things had somewhat returned to normal after that, except now he has to go for scheduled follow ups at the hospital every now and then. There's still a long time to go before it starts showing so for now, he mostly needs to put extra care into his diets and activities.

He'll miss his physical workouts very much.

He's already starting to miss it. Sigh.

 

*

 

"So, I heard it worked out for you two. Congratulations." The man's note was so flat it couldn't have been anything else but an insult. The audacity.

"The gall you have for dragging me out in this..- spinny as hell world and say that to my face."

"Well as far as I know, Ryuga is the one carrying. Therefore, you have no excuse to ditch your duties."

"Damn, that's harsh." Jakuzure chimed in from the side not even bothering to hide his wide grin.

"I hate all of you."

"We know." And now he's doubling over in loud cackles.

Almost a minute passed before he could regain his self-control. "That was a good laugh. Ok, so anyways, here's the reports from the patrol unit."

"Anything weird?"

"So far, nothing out of the usual. Though we're still keeping an eye on that problem." Sounds good enough. But he's itching for something more. Anything to curb these horrible spins. "Y'know they have drugs for morning sickness, right?" The grin on the man's face is grating on his nerves.

"Apparently he doesn't like medicine." Kusugami replied without looking away from the papers he's currently working on. He can swear these two are out for his blood.

"Seriously?"

Before he could interject, the door abruptly opens.

"It's rather lively in here." In came Ryuga who looks almost annoyingly bright in this kind of time.

"Ey, how's it going?"

"Good. Nothing much to see yet, though. By the way, here's the written report in case you might want to check it out." And he casually drops said reports onto the cluttered work table along with something else.

"What is this?"

Ryuga raised an eyebrow in response. "Medicine, for your morning sickness." Followed by a cheeky smirk. "Please don't make me get Akizuki to help you with that." He certainly does not mean the please part, but he certainly does with the other one. There's no way he'll allow the combat instructor to come anywhere near him. He does not want to deal with that man in any way.

"Oh, and Fusa sent you her regards." Damn.

 

*

 

It was a small blessing that the horrible, terrible problem did not persist any longer than two weeks. And he was more than elated that things returned to normal afterward.

The peace continued for several more months before suddenly things took an acute turn. Again.

He was really just working with absolutely nothing out of place that day. Really, it was so normal it's kind of lacking. He would've wished there was some kind of conflict somewhere that he could go deal with then at least the shock would've been lessened.

So, the day had started as it always been; Ryuga woke up at sunrise as he always does, leaving him behind, alone. His follow ups are getting more frequent the further into the pregnancy. And he's getting more visible too.

 

("Won't you stop poking?"

"Why? It's squishy. And nice.")

 

Can't help that it feels nice to poke at. He's sure the baby won't mind.

Baby, yeah.

He didn't expect anything at all when suddenly Ryuga walks into his office room with a strangely wide grin.

And then, with the calmest, most unassuming voice, he dropped the news.

 

"So, how's the progress?"

"Good, as always. And there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"It's not one, but two."

 

A beat. Pause.

 

Birds chirping merrily outside the window. Gentle breeze swaying the tall tree branches. Cat screaming from one of the branches after getting caught unable to climb down.

 

"--Two?"

"Iyep!" He can swear the smile got even wider.

Then he abruptly lost track of what was happening.

 

~

 

"Huh, you're back so soon?" Fusa looks at him in surprise. Well, yes, considering he just left here not an hour ago. Things come to be this way.

He simply gestured towards the man currently out cold in the med bay. "Wow. That was certainly effective. Then again, with his track records regarding family anything, it's not that surprising."

"So it is that bad?

"It's an old trauma. And yes, it is bad. But at least he's working on it now, so I guess that's good."

If his longtime friend slash personal doctor said so, then he guesses it is. He did urge the man to do something about it.

The discovery wasn't unexpected in his case, thanks to a certain mother-daughter pair that had taken to keeping an exceptionally close eyes on him ever since the start of the period. And it was Hibana who noticed first.

(He was somewhat staring off into space when he felt little tugs on his sleeve. He looks down to the side towards the little girl, now facing him with wide eyes.

"..-There's two."

"Eh?"

"What's up?" Rian came not a second after.

"She says there's two--" And exactly as he said that, it made sense. Then the two of them just stared at each other in shared shock.)

It was a happy news, in his opinion. But he certainly did not expect for the man to literally blacks out after hearing it.

Okay, so, he admits that two might be a bit too much to handle on the get go. But they can manage, somehow. Probably. Hopefully. Anyways, it won't be any more of an issue for another several more months. Their pregnancy typically lasts about 10 months. And until he got into the last stretch, he still can keep his usual routine.

All is well.

 

*

 

"You're strangely frowning deep this morning." A stern voice came from somewhere beside him making him acutely aware of the aforementioned matter.

"Must've been mulling over that tussle with Ryuga then. It couldn't have been this glaring issue we have at hand." Jibed another, accompanied by the bright glint of his spectacles seen from the corner of his eyes.

"Hah, tough luck then. Pregnant mothers are terrifying." A third addition that provides no comfort whatsoever.

Just his luck being stuck here with these three men out for his blood, again. Same old, same old.

"Though honestly, I would appreciate it if you could pay some attention to our current strategical discussion."

And oh yeah, they also happen to be his strategic advisors. The greatest ones to boot.

"I am listening. Then, what'd be our attack plan?"

 

Why are they talking strategies and attack plans in this kind of time? Well because it's in the middle of a war, of course.

Just a few weeks back, things were still in its normal, mundane rhythm. Then suddenly, one of the neighbouring kingdom decided it was high-time they declare war onto Makai. For whatever reason, honestly, he doesn’t give a damn. It's likely the same few reasons as the previous ones. Maybe they think he'd let it by since his, quote, beloved consort, unquote, is currently heavily carrying. What they don't know is, he's simply out here just so that said man doesn't come out here himself to personally deal with this problem.

For real, Ryuga was thisclose to coming out here himself. He (and some other soldiers) had to physically wrestle him out of his decision. Jakuzure was right.

Therefore, in order to keep the man as far away as possible from battles, they had intercepted the incoming party in the middle of their way. And hopefully keep it like this.

"Just one thing though, they ain't gonna just march straight into the city, right? I mean, our main battalion is out here. They could send a separate group direct to the heart."

"Indeed, the possibility is there. But we still have most of our forces back at the city; that should be adequate to fend them off."

"However, that would defeat the primary objective of keeping the fight away from Dougai. There's no way he'll sit quietly in the castle with a war on his doorstep."

Ah, yes. Sometimes he forgot that the man is officially still a knight (he's even formally addressed as Sir). Of course.

"Well, let's hope that it doesn't go that way.

 

 

"--All of these is merely a distraction, a decoy! Even as we're fighting, my troops would have overrun your kingdom!"

Sigh.

"Well yeah, good luck to that!" Jakuzure hollers back without missing a beat. "Damn, we failed." And added that afterward under his breath.

"Whatever, let's just wrap this up."

 

By the time they got back, there are soldiers in various states of injuries scattered near the entrance. Though notably, most of the casualties are from the enemy troops, not theirs. And judging from the obvious explosion marks they can easily make out the conclusion themselves.

 

"The fighting was fairly brief thanks to Sir Ryuga. But he went into labour shortly after." Said the soldier in an exceedingly calm tone.

He what.

 

And that's how he ends up pacing in the hospital's garden behind the maternity ward. According to the accompanying soldier, the labour starts soon after the fighting ceased, and about a handful of hours before he got back. It's been several more hours since then and the day had turned into night.

Fusa had given him a crash course over the entire thing, but he still doesn't know how to feel about it. Apparently (according to her) he had gone through this whole process once. Though there's not much he can comment on that since the memory is as good as gone.

 

[Hopefully, he'll get through it without any complications.]

It'll be more likely of he didn't get involved with the fighting.

[You, of all people would know he'd never let anyone else fight for him. We even fought him once.]

He knows, doesn't mean he acknowledges it.

"-My lord-!" A voice coming from behind broke him out of his internal discussion. Turning around he sees one of the nurses coming his way appearing slightly out of breath from walking too fast. "The delivery process is finished and all post-op managements are done as well. We have sent him back to your personal suite to rest. Future managements and follow ups would be taken there as well."

"..-Then, how's the--" The nurse simply smiles at his hesitation.

"Both babies are fine and healthy. We sent them over along with the mother seeing as there are no other complications. Now quick, go back to your mate. He would need all the comforts you could give." And she gently ushers him away.

The distance to the suite feels oddly short; felt like it wasn't even a few steps away and suddenly he's already standing outside the room. The door is just right there, but what is this feeling?

How do we do this again?

He looks off to the side facing the other him; both of them wearing the same expression of uncertainty.

[I'm just as unsure as you are. Let's...go in first. We'll work it out, somehow.]

Everything seems to blur out of focus, insignificant as they are. A blink and now he's standing beside the wide bed. There's Ryuga, in his released form, sleeping. And then there are two smaller (tiny) forms lying close in his embrace. A pair. And they look like..-

[--You. Us. And him.]

Like them; mixed, and then split into two equal parts.

Are they-?

[Ours? Yes. Yes they are.]

The strange feeling grows. It resonated between both halves (thirds) of him.

A soft sound from somewhere pulls him towards it. There he saw another person. But it wasn't anyone new, just one they haven't seen for ages. Someone they haven't had contact with since then. The same black scales, the same red accent. But the hair is of a darker shade.

[Will you be coming back?]

He only smiles, and softly shook his head.

Why?

《 ..-There's no need to. And you already found someone that could fill in the space. 》

Reflexively he turns towards the sleeping man.

《 It's your life, your future. And just let me stay here in the past. 》

 

The past. The time that he lost. The time that used to be important to him. Still is, even when he couldn't remember anything.

 

"What're you doing? Standing right there with a strange face."

Blinking out of his stupor, he sees the man looking at him with a raised eyebrow and a tiny smirk.

"Nothing, just..-" Ryuga cuts him before he could say anything more.

"Then come here. Rest, get some sleep first. We can deal with the complicated stuffs later." So he said while patting the empty space opposite to him.

It's then he realised that he really hasn't properly rested yet since coming back from the battle (and he's still decked in his armor even). Seeing no reason to delay, he simply follows. Taking his armors off with utmost care, subconsciously trying to make as little sound as possible. Then releasing the masking magic, lightly stretching his extra limbs out before promptly climbing in to the designated spot. And now he doesn't know what to do with his arm.

"You can just put that here." Ryuga grabs his hovering arm and puts it down around the pair. As if sensing him nearby, the one closer to him instinctively snuggles in. A soft snicker from the other pulls him away. "That one seems to take after you a lot."

Looking down again - yes, he does. His twin sister looks more like Ryuga. Sleeps like him too.

And just now the fatigue is slowly seeping in; weighing him down, with the comfort lulling him.

Warm.

 

 

And now the future no longer feels as bleak as he used to think.