“The ‘veracious’ Kargryxmor, speaking his ever-wishing ideal,” Eltharion, in a quite insulting way, agreed with Kramps! “To watch over us and speak his mind; all in hopes of guiding the one he planted into my child to become his avatar. A representation of his mighty will and promise to the foreign goddess who usurped the role of Primarch of the Holy Element. His opinion might be reasonable about your dancing, but to express his dismaying thoughts on this musical performance is rather unbecoming of someone so desperate to groom a child from birth to become his Champion.”
Yyyeeeaaaaah… the mood might have been awkward between us, but the chills started to settle in the moment I relayed Kramps’s words.
Eltharion couldn’t hide his sadness and annoyance when he spoke to Hikari and me, but he was trying. Trying for the sake of Mom, probably, but at least he tried not to be an asshole as he conveyed his thoughts to us. He opened up even, though it wasn’t enough to consider it a father-daughter bonding moment. It was awkward, but I appreciated his attempt to make peace despite his apprehension.
Yet, that boiling rage kept simmering until that anger’s actual target appeared. He saw past me, and maybe even accepted the fact that I wasn’t at fault for our familial situation, and directed his nauseating fury at the god in the sky. His hatred for his father was impalpable to—no, I could very much understand a fury that would consume one’s rationality.
I had felt it. I have had plenty of moments where I wanted to strangle my enemies, clawing on their flesh with my sickle-like claws to subdue my emotional outburst. Anger was normal to us Kargryxmors, yet we were expected to throttle the rage—the frenzy. We were expected to act as the rulers of the dragons and drakes, yet we were also expected to be calm in mind to mediate between them to keep the empire intact.
Eltharion… well, he represented those two aspects pretty well. He was composed and attempted to be understanding with me, but he showed the fury of a dragonkin clan betrayed by their very own ancestor.
<… Let him speak,> Kramps asserted.
“Relay his answer to me, Hestia: why my child? Why our child? Why not choose a wild spawn like how you were born? Mold the perfect avatar with your own hand, and have them become strong to overwhelm everything. Why choose this?”
… Because for Aurena’s and Kramps’s plan to work, they needed the influence of the draconic imperial family. They needed a dragonkin born as a rank C to expedite the process of developing a Champion strong enough and in time for the threat of the demonkin. It had to be a Kargryxmor child. I thought, answering his question in Kramp’s stead, but Eltharion didn’t want to hear from me.
This was a family therapy session for Kramps and Eltharion to make up. Interfering when I Kramps has to answer would solve nothing. It would, most likely, only worsen my relationship with Eltharion if he believed I was a brainwashed blessed who would always support her patron gods. His distrust and dislike of the Pantheon of Light made it clear to me that to argue as a Champion in this situation would be… hazardous to any future father-daughter attempts.
The family would never become better with this path. “Speech is silver, but silence is golden.”
I relayed the message word-for-word to Eltharion, leaving nothing behind as Eltharion had wanted. Father bellowed in uncontrollable laughter as he relaxed in his seat, shaking his head in disbelief to the point he completely ignored the fact that his horns were poking his seat.
He might be smiling, but his enraged eyes said otherwise. “I do understand the worry. The Adulthood Pilgrimage might have been our idea, and we implemented it in hopes of allowing true dragonkin to understand the humanoids. It did help. We have plenty of young scales who have become talented in more than fighting, working under elder scales who have grown a passion for non-combative, economical professions.”
And without a warning, that smile waned into a frown. “Yet, I was overwhelmed with worry when Kahalameet was sent out. All alone. I had wished to watch over him as a robed figure, following him on his journey to keep him safe, but Gyadiosa stopped me, arguing that if I were to do that, the reputation of the clan would fall. I guess that same trepidation followed you while you watched over us in the heavens, Father. You despised everything… yet you did not attempt such solidarity when Kahalameet proved ‘inadequate.’ You expressed your disapproval to Phsothophus, and you withdrew your originally positive outlook on Wendriosa. Hehe…”
Eltharion brushed his brows before stroking his ears as his face tensed up. “As a father myself, I understand you cannot keep your grown children under your wings. They must fly themselves. Maybe my continued annoyance could be seen as immature, but my children are still my children. Whether it be the gods or you, Father, none may deem them unfit to be a Kargryxmor! That is my choice. I am Black Tyrant of the Skies in this era. You ask me to become rank SSS to join you and Mother, and maybe I should do that to remind both of you to keep your snouts out of the family… but it would be foolish to let my [Battle Frenzy] rampage for two already departed beings. I thank you for the truth, Father, but only because it reinforced every reason I had to push Miononbolax towards a godless path. Your religion will be tolerated, but the faith you imagined when you took the role of god will forever remain impossible.”
I snapped my head up when Kramps said that.
With a grimace, I relayed those exact words.
Eltharion sighed, turning around to look at me. “‘In the lower cavern underneath the black stone, we saw the rise of the orange glowing tulips. Your eyes glowed like the core of the planet; a brilliant red as all of you swore with your tails locked together.’ I haven’t been able to thank you, Hestia. Thank you for relaying my mother’s words to me.”
I tilted my head. “Y-you’re welcome?”
“Would you like to know where those words come from?”
I nodded.
“There is a ‘flower garden’ under the black citadel. My mother and my six other dragon siblings—we used to plant ‘flowers’ in that cavern using the loyalty scales of those who swore allegiance to Kargryxmor. There, we made a promise to each other when we were all quite young. While their wishes were quite precious and childlike, as you would expect from fledglings and whelplings, mine fitted the fact that I had been the only Kargryxmor child for nearly two centuries. I was the only adult amongst my siblings; even the second eldest was barely 90 at that time. I had sworn to protect my siblings and their happiness.”
“O-oh…” My brows furrowed, knowing what happened after, prompting Eltharion to nod.
“I had forgotten about the promise I made in that garden. My childhood memories were long gone when I slew my last sibling. I had repressed them to not further torment myself; if I hadn’t, then I would have never been able to do the deed. Just like Kahalameet, Phsothophus, and Wendriosa, I took care of my younger siblings with all my might. I taught them how to fight, reason, cast spells, and helped them, with Father’s help, to control their [Battle Frenzy]. I walked alongside them for the majority of their lives, until I left them for the demon war. Such a minuscule amount of time for us, true dragons, yet I still was the one to plunge them from the skies I lifted them to. I feared Kahalameet would end up just like them… I feared that my absence would lead to the ruin of my children and wives.”
I nodded, able to sympathize with him. I knew that creeping feeling in your chest that I had to be everywhere for my friends. I could rely on them now, but before Saori evolved into a rank B, I always felt insecure whenever I brought my party into danger. I even felt my mere presence could threaten them due to [Battle Frenzy].
My experience couldn’t be compared to Eltharion’s and his tragic history, but I knew where Eltharion’s heart swayed. My siblings were right. Our father loved his family with all his being.
“It was then that I understood that my life held more worth alive. I thought it would have been better if I had died to allow Kahalameet and Wendriosa to resolve their differences. Kargryxmor did help me to come to my current resolution, but I shouldn’t have needed him. I shouldn’t have needed a reminder to remember why I started a civil war in the first place. If I had merely accepted Inrikk’s decision to usurp the crown, then Kargryx would have truly fallen due to fractured loyalty. I ignored my promise in the flower garden to pursue my promise to my father—to become an emperor who would protect and guide his legacy to the future.”
He sighed once again, looking like he had finished his explanation. “Two promises that should have been easy to uphold in a different time were quickly destroyed after we dragons ‘rescued’ the world. I chose what was needed to defend the empire and maintain it for over 2500 years as its emperor, yet my father imposes ridiculous requirements as our ‘patron’ god. This is why I still have trouble seeing you as anything more than Kargryxmor’s pawn, Hestia. I cannot see you as anything more than his blessed. His only way to revive his religion on Kargryx. And what he just said further reinforced my disdain for… our relationship.”
I nodded, lowering my head a bit. He said what he told me during our initial meeting in a far more polite manner.
“I did promise to help him out,” I said, earning me another sigh from Eltharion.
“I know. Kargryxmor would not have chosen a mortal who would treat oaths and promises like coins to be traded with. He, I, and you—we understand that our words mean something. To break them is to forfeit our ideals,” Eltharion replied. “Do what you must, but expect no support from the clan, Hestia. I cannot support Kargryxmor’s religion with a sound mind.”
“That’s all right. I had hoped it wouldn’t end up like this, but I already knew I couldn’t bridge over 2500 years of hostility between the two of you. However, there is still another method to support Kargryxmor’s faith than merely subsidizing his religion,” I rebuked. “I learned this when I was in Yeos, the city founded by God Yeostar. His bloodline is traced through the royal family and its branch. While his role as the god of knights does grant him faith, as well, trust in the ruling family of Yeos does empower him as well.”
“… Our clan isn’t fractured just yet, but I understand what you mean. Essentially, renewing the clan’s unity and reminding the empire of our worth can help you as well.”
I nodded. “Kramps still wants me to revive his religion, nonetheless, but having a united family will bring prestige, and through us, he can become stronger as a god. Though that does entail that we, his descendants, actually respect him. Only our dragonewt side does, so that is still a hindrance.”
“The majority of your siblings share my opinion—we dislike him. That will be hard, but to unite the family is a different matter. I understand that has been your goal all this time. Your song might not have ‘empowered my soul’ as I heard you wished to do, but your words did, so consider that fulfilled. I do not think I can afford to die any time soon,” Eltharion said. “At least, not until I am sure that whoever becomes the heir apparent will have a safe foundation to rule once I am gone. I will not repeat what my father and mother did.”
My hand snapped him, showing Eltharion a thumbs up as I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s awesome then. Thank you, Father.”
“Mhmm… though, speaking of words, I do have one last question for Kargryxmor before we speak. I ask him this: was there a soul in the unborn’s body when you placed Hestia’s in it?”
From a mindful understanding, to serious antagonism, and then back to a chillax moment between father and daughter; this meeting I was having with Eltharion was a rollercoaster, all right. It felt like he was allowing me to breathe out here and there, but the topics were flip-flopping from one end to the next.
It all depended on what Kramps would say next.
Stolen story; please report.
<… Time moves differently in the heavenly realm. A moment for you would be enough time for us to formulate a plan, though this difference in time can cause misunderstandings, as we gods are not physically in the mortal realm. We can only watch everything through the eyes of our followers. Everything must follow through proper processes, unless we wish for the wrath of the lead goddess,> Kramps explained, forcing me to regurgitate all of that instead of just answering the question.
“… A fool,” Eltharion mumbled as he looked away from me, staring at the harbor and how the festivities were starting to die down as night had fully returned to the city. My [Ruby Star] and [Sun, Consume All] had disappeared without a trace at this point. “After Fargryneill’s return festival settles, your birthday celebration will begin. Before you go enjoy it, arrive in the black citadel, all right?”
“For what?”
“For what?” He turned back to me, giving me a look as if I was being dense. “We are a clan. You should celebrate your birthday with your direct family before anything else. Even if it is late, I should correct myself on how I have been acting as a father. Go. Thank you for your time, Daughter.”
… He said it. In private.
“I believe my connection with Kargryxmor has improved again. I can hear his voice in the back of my mind. The rest, well, it might be better if a Champion of Kargryxmor does not hear everything.”
Although it still felt awkward to truly think of this man as my father, I could see that he was trying to make the first step, but was either too shy or prideful to take a wide step forward. Fine then. This should be enough for my family, right?
I stood up and curtsied. “Have a fine evening, Father.”
“Yes.” He nodded, keeping his eyes on the horizon. “Rest well.”
Yeah, yeah… I let out a sigh once I was outside the theatre, feeling like I had to scream to release this pent-up stress from speaking with Eltharion. The rollercoaster was too wild, and it didn’t feel like I managed to finish things on a good note. Then again, it wasn’t terrible like how I initially met him.
At the very least, I managed to hear him call me ‘daughter’ as if he wasn’t saying it purely for lip service. He said my songs didn’t manage to help him, but I had the feeling my dancing did, even if I wasn’t planning to be that provocative for a dragonkin. Well, whatever, it did feel good to see that Eltharion won’t kick the bucket any time soon. Whether he would actually treat me as his child was a different matter.
“And what he just said further reinforced my disdain for… our relationship.” That stung, even if it wasn’t my fault. Haaa, thinking about that made it feel like he did just say “daughter” as lip service. Though being truthful to each other was the only way to improve our relationship. One step at a time, especially with an ancient dragon fighting his own demons.
“Haaaa, why can’t I stop si—”
“You little skink!” I heard somebody cry out as they pounced at me, but I already knew somebody was there from [Detection Sensor], so instead of accepting the tackle, I took a step back.
“Yeah, and you, too, Nei—” But before I could address my attacker, [Detection Sensor] rang out again as another signal came charging in, but unlike the one I just dodged, this one was very fast.
“Scamp!”
Neill was fast, but if I knew her presence, I could anticipate her next move. It was different for Nong. Bro could turn supersonic with [Battle Frenzy], so his normal speed was a tad too much for me to react to.
If I were a normal girl, his tackle would probably cause me to explode into an unspeakable glob of meat and blood, but his little sister could take a punch to the face and shrug it off, so I took his tackle like a true, dignified lady!
“Buuuwaaaaaah!” … I screamed as the air was forced out of my lungs, before Nong started giving me a bear hug. “SOMEBODY HELP ME! I’M BEING TORMENTED BY THE BIG EVIL DRAGON AT THE END OF A STORY!”
“Ha, you mean your big, evil brother, little sister! You little scamp, you really caused Father to shout at you again! Hahaha, you are the worst brat ever, but you’re our damn treasure, all right!” Nong cheered, tightening his embrace.
“Sure enough. The moment you arrived, our entire family situation was overturned. The worst brat ever, but still our brat.”
A voice came from behind the same corner Neill and Nong jumped out from, revealing that all of my siblings had been eavesdropping on my discussion with Eltharion. The one who just spoke, Taim, chuckled slightly as he showed me a smile.
“Good work. Hopefully, that settled the difference you two had.”
“Father better does!” Neill interjected. “This little skink’s ability to summon the worst kind of luck is already a problem. She doesn’t need more from her own family. Good work, Hestia! Hikari!”
“Not like we overheard everything,” Wendriosa stated, pulling Neill back from teasing me. “We kindly covered our ears after Kargryxmor, ahem, noted your dancing techniques. As your sister, I have to commend you for the entertainment. As your eldest sister, I have to agree with Father and Grandfather that you might have to tone down those types of movements for your next performance. We don’t want more young males from learning why it isn’t smart to approach the Kargryxmor clan so leisurely, right?”
Ahahaha…
“Though it was hard to ignore all the shouting and emotional ranting Father gave you, so do forgive us for listening in on your private discussion with him, Hestia,” Phso said, as if he was trying to ask for my forgiveness in place of the entire family, while Ryra gave me a thumbs up with a smile. “And I think to show that earnestness, I think you should stop crushing her in your arms, Nongramos.”
“Nonsense! In a few days, I will have to depart from Kargryx! I’ll only be able to see our little skink for a few more days, and then I will only be able to see her through a subspace. I will enjoy this little moment just a bit more!”
“YOU CAN JUST ENTER THE DAMN SUBSPACE! LET ME GO ALREADY, YOU DAMN PEACOCK!” I shouted, trying to weasel my way out of his grip, but my gosh, the strength difference was too much to overcome. It made me feel like I was a normal person, again.
However, just like how I had to feel the superiority of my older sibling, Nong had to feel the same as Kahalameet came over and easily pried Nong’s arms off me. Those two were rank A, but it looked like our eldest had the advantage when it came to pure strength value.
After I was let go, Kahalameet only showed me a smile as he pointed elsewhere.
“Tired? Let’s go home, little sister.”
“Yes!”
Our family was quite peculiar, but I loved them nonetheless.
Will it start soon?
Once Eltharion felt that his children had finally departed, the ancient dragon continued his talk with the God of Dragons and Oaths, Kargryxmor. Although his faith in his father hadn’t fully returned, Eltharion had little wish to have this information enter the ears of his children this soon. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.
Knowing that his youngest daughter’s birthday celebration was soon, he did not wish for any ill news to reach their ears until they had had their fun. The world was about to turn once again, and this time with Kargryx.
For Kargryx and Caedhul. I’ve heard what’s going on in their aquapolis. All these hostilities, sabotages, and the fact that they wormed into Wendriosa’s factions are about to reveal themselves. I welcome the change, Eltharion thought, speaking to Kargryxmor.
At least you learned that after so long, Father. But, no, this issue also includes Wendriosa now. Sending Nongramos with her is my way to help her remove the tumor in Caedhul, but if it escalates even further, then Kargryx’s dragonkin and Caedhul’s seakin will inevitably clash. We fear a civil war between us dragons and drakes, but one against the leviathans and adamantoises would be a true draconic civil war.
… Where?
What is with Danterno?
And with that, the discussion quickly ended. Eltharion let out another sigh, touching his beard and grooming it with his hand as he stared at Loatryx’s capital city. His mind wandered as the cool breeze of the night brushed against his elven ears, causing him to be drawn to the liveliness of the festival.
As emperor, he couldn’t casually join his citizens and guests. His mere scent would drive most dragonkin into a fluster, making them lower their tail. Even if he asked everybody to calm down, who wouldn’t be restless if the strongest living mortal was walking amongst them, and he was the dragon emperor as well?
To be a god amongst mortals is similar to being a god watching over mortals. My time and era are over. I should rest and hand the current generation the future. That is my role as an elder scale… and yet—
His eyes moved towards the floating island on which Hestia performed today, seeing the silhouettes of Hikari and her dancers during their second dance. He repeated the silver dragon’s dance moves, feeling both enjoyment and anger at the young idol’s efforts. He couldn’t rid himself of that sight, repeating the entire song over and over again until he started to hum.
“Oh no, oh no, there are so many-many ?
Too many are here to seek my poor tail-t ?—Uuurgh, couldn’t she have written lyrics more fitting for an imperial dragon child?”
“Oh, really, I believe it was quite charming.”
Eltharion did not jerk as he felt no sense of hostility, only a loving gaze followed by a cold, sweet scent he could never mix up. He turned his head, looking up to the approaching dragoness.
“You are her mother, Melloxtressa. Of course, you would ignore the issues with the way she moved,” Eltharion said, causing the silver dragonkin to giggle.
She wrapped her arms around his chair, placing her hands on his shoulders as she began to nuzzle her horns against his. “Really? I wasn’t the one who just mumbled the lyrics of the song. Maybe you were more invested in her than I was?”
“You may believe whatever you wish, my love.”
Melloxtressa smiled and lowered her back, putting her lips close to his ears as she whispered, “Hikari or Hestia; who do you like more?”
“Is that a question that you should pose as a mother? In fact, those two are the same person.”
“They are, yes, but even you, the Dragon Emperor of Kargryx, are prone to appearances. You like Hikari’s silver dragon scale more, right?” Melloxtressa teased. “As their mother, I do believe I should scold you. You are not allowed to do that as their father.”
Eltharion stayed silent as he agreed. Even if it was impossible, parents must remain impartial to ensure all children receive the same amount of love. At least, that was what he concluded when his second son, Phsothophus, was born. He had six wives, and that meant juggling their affection and their children’s affection.
“Though I will forgive you for this evening.” Melloxtressa raised her head before she forced Eltharion off his chair, grabbing his hand as she wrapped her tail around his. “Come.”
Eltharion gulped, causing Melloxtressa’s face to lighten up even further as she could see emotions in her husband’s eyes. Those dull, near-lifeless eyes he showed yesterday were finally gone. She could feel the tension in his heart, causing her own to pump even faster. Her grip on his hands tightened, becoming strong enough to crush the bones of an adult dragon.
“Formi—”
“Shhh.” She pressed her finger on his lips. “Even her screams can’t stop me now. She won’t know a thing if we continue in our dragonewt forms, right?”
“M-Melloxtressa, please, not—”
“You want it, too. No? So—”
“YOU SILVER-SCALED SKINK!”
Melloxtressa froze up as she turned her head around, grimacing as she saw Yuilengreill pointing at her with a wide smirk, while the lich dragon, Forminaxtrass, was oozing black smog from her jelly-like body parts. Her bones clattered as she ground her teeth.
“Outside. NOW!”
Sighing, Melloxtressa turned back to Eltharion and caressed his cheeks. “I was too greedy. Enjoy your night with Formi, love!”
And without hearing his last words, Melloxtressa launched herself into the sky to escape, prompting Forminaxtrass to chase after her, leaving Yuilengreill and Eltharion all alone… Well, until Gyadiosa, Gaistrus, and Virrflax arrived to stop her from attempting anything.
The queue had to be respected, and now that Melloxtressa had given birth, it was time for the queue to resume where it left off before Melloxtressa was added to the family. Forminaxtrass dearly wished for a second child.
… I should return to the nest to prepare.
An emperor had made duties, after all.
“… So this is what she wanted me to see? Hehe, quite amusing, Princess Hestia,” Uriahn, only son of the Dragon Ruler of Light, Galiladrak, stated to himself as he returned to his mansion in Coral Beard. “I can see why you would be the one to bring a change to this world. Whether positive or negative, you will be the one to surely break the stagnant river flowing through this world’s history. Yes. And my role is to ensure that change happens.”
Uriahn closed his eyes as his attendant dragonewts guided him into the home, preparing his meal and evening bath. He enjoyed the luxuries of his home, thanking the people working here for their effort, though everything that came out of his mouth felt hollow, as if he was simply regurgitating the etiquette lessons his clan had taught him.
“Your music was fine, but you presumed wrong,” he spoke to himself, directing those words at Hestia and Hikari. “My father pursues our marriage. I do not, but you just made me far more interested in you and what you will do in the future, Princess.”
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