The Dragon's Triangle

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Response to non-signed in reviewers:

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NOTE:

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Warnings:

None just yet

-X-…Secret…-X-

He gently nudged the purple fruit to the right side of his plate.

"Yuri?"

That left the yellow vegetables too spaced out on the left side.

"Yuri…!"

The double black blinked at his breakfast and suddenly recognized Greta's pouting voice ringing in the back of his head. "Oh, huh?" Yuri asked, meeting his daughter's wide eyes.

She was ogling him curiously as she said, "I was asking how long you'd be gone."

"Gone?" repeated Yuri, eyes flicking to where Wolfram sat across from him and on Greta's other side—she tended to like sitting at the head of the table lately, probably an influence spawned by Anissina's female-empowering stories.

Before Yuri has the opportunity to study the blonde, Conrad caught his gaze. "The Lands of Bachmeier, Your Highness?" he reminded gently, eyes lingering longer on his godson. Yuri quickly broke their eye contact, aware that Conrad had detected his concern of Wolfram.

Wolfram sensed eyes on him but when he glanced away from Greta, he found no one looking. He mentally waved aside the thought and answered back to his to-be-daughter, "No, Gunter wasn't hurt permanently from the fire. He's too dramatic to let anything take him down."

Greta giggled but her eyes showed hesitance. "I can't believe such a thing happened. I'm so glad no one got too hurt," she mumbled.

Gently stroking back a strand of her hair, Wolfram smiled in assurance but his own mind wandered back to the strange events. His eyes cast down to his half eaten breakfast as he grappled to remember the dreams he had last night. But when he reached out for them, they scurried away, hiding deeper inside his mind.

Again, he felt a gaze on him and quickly he flicked his eyes up, at first suspecting it to be another admiring soldier. Instead, he caught Yuri's concerned look turn into a plastered expression of embarrassment.

"Um, so Wolfram," Yuri blabbered quickly to brush aside the fact of his staring. "You feeling alright from last night?"

"Of course I am," Wolfram returned, straightening his back and adjusting his form to something more proper. Thinking it best to shift the subject, he asked, "Are we ready to leave yet?"

Defeated, Yuri glanced back down at his food and hid the nervousness he had while Conrad took the liberty to answer.

"Yes," the brunette confirmed, letting only the kindness in his eyes show. "We want to arrive by evening time if possible."

"I don't see why we can't have the ceremony here," Wolfram retorted with a scoff, popping a slice of bread into his mouth.

Yuri returned to the conversation, feeling more at ease with the change in subject and behavior typical of Wolfram. "I thought it normally took less than a few hours to reach those lands."

Wolfram seemed to realize this as well and shared a curious look with Yuri at Conrad. The soldier smiled and elaborated with caution, "Well, the normal route was along the river. But you can see how that would be problematic with the current situation."

"Water is going everywhere!" Greta chirped, nodding to her fathers. "It's not going to get us, is it, Yuri?"

Quick to respond, Yuri smiled widely—more than he internally wanted to—and pushed a few fingers through her curls. "Of course not."

Greta smiled and nuzzled the hand, adding on, "It's because Yuri has water magic, isn't it? You can stop it!"

Wolfram tensed and glanced at Conrad, realizing the possible connection between Yuri and the watery events. It was a probably theory considering how many strides Yuri accomplished with magic progress. It was still only a seedling of a thought but it proved enough of a threat to keep the King away from bodies of water for his own safety.

"I'll always protect you!" Yuri cheered on, earning a delighted grin from his daughter. "You be good while we're gone, okay? I'm sorry we have to leave already."

A frown pursed out Greta's lips but she nodded in understanding, mumbling in disappointment.

Wolfram nodded to soothe Greta's concern. "We…best get ready to head off," he advised and scooted back from his seat, accepting Greta's eager embrace. "I'll meet you out front,"

With a pleased countenance at the sight, Yuri saw Wolfram retreat from Greta when the hug loosened. "Wolfram," he began to call out but stopped his voice short, allowing the form to get smaller as it faded down the hall.

It was easy to keep his stance erect and proper since Wolfram was exposed to formality at such a young age. His shoulders pulled back and chin raised to keep his gaze directly ahead, Wolfram turned through the halls like clockwork until he approached the privacy of his own room.

Securing himself inside, Wolfram exhaled and rested a hand against his forehead to keep his wits collected. He pushed himself off the door and began unbuttoning the front of his uniform while he neared the full length mirror pressed against a wall. His hands trembled ever slightly as he pulled out his white button down out from his pants and exposed his right side.

"Still there," he murmured quietly, eyes narrowing on the marred skin.

Yuri was right, as always when it came to matters concerning Wolfram. He had not been completely fine and the mark was testament to it. The water had struck Wolfram hard but what he had yet to admit that it had burned when it had touched his skin. When he had first removed his clothing in private after the incident, the mark had been splashed beneath his ribs and curled down to his thigh.

The pattern was not arbitrary but rather, coiled and stretched in a uniquely fashioned pattern. Wolfram had wondered if it was a foreign tongue or ancient text but he had not found the time to research it.

The boy quickly tugged his shirt back into his blue pants and began buttoning up once more. Of course, the thought of telling someone had probed his conscience but with the ambiguity of the situation, he was sure Gwendel or Conrad find him a threat to Yuri and isolate him or even perform testing on him.

It's not like I feel different, Wolfram convinced himself, only skipping over the thought when he thought about finding himself last night in the garden in Murata's arm. "Pervert," he growled at the thought.

He had to protect Yuri from whatever force was behind the problem, he reminded himself.

If I do feel something is wrong with me, then I'll talk about it.

Eventually.

-X-

"We are just about there, Your Highness."

Ahead of Conrad, Yuri rolled his eyes while a sigh left him at the proper name. He only chuckled the habit away and said, "Well, good. Frankly, I'm tired of having half my days on a horse"-he patted his dark steed to declare his love for the animal was still strong though.

"Your riding is beyond improved since you first started though, Your Highness," Gunter complimented in awe from where he rode in front of the double black and blonde.

Wolfram crinkled his nose at the man but then shifted his attention to Yuri, his earlier nervousness about his secret concealed away. "Remember, Yuri, Lord Bachmeier is hopeful of being put in charge of the celebration's activities and theme."

Yuri stared at the sky, forgetful. "Celebration?"

"Yuri!" Wolfram scolded, tugging the reigns of his horse so the white creature trotted closer to Yuri's. "The Year of the White Dragon! How could you forget? Surely you've been told about it."

Sheepishly, Yuri glanced away from Wolfram to resist his wrath and offered Murata a pleading look. The Great Sage smiled sympathetically and filled in, "It's the celebration about the great White Dragon that came to the Demon Kingdom's aid in a monumental battle ages ago."

Grinning at the notion of such a creature, Yuri ran his lessons through his head to remember any lecture on such a matter. "Oh, is that the one with er…the one that happened 150 years after the battle against the Originators?"

"Very good, Your Highness!" Gunter cheered, nodding proudly. "See, Wolfram? He knows."

Gwendel grunted at their behavior and caught their attention. "Nevertheless, Mother is there now and it seems they're eager to please."

"Lady Celi is good at getting men to do what she wants, isn't she?" laughed Yuri, glancing once at Wolfram to remind himself of the beautiful ex-Queen. "It's interesting how you look a lot like her, Wolfram."

Almost flushing at the comment, Wolfram cleared his throat and stuck his nose high up. "Mother was an excellent Queen regardless. I just hope her quest for true love doesn't end with Lord Bachmeier becoming my new stepfather…"

Conrad laughed gently, almost nervously, at the idea and assured the blonde, "I'm sure it won't come to such a thing. Lord Bachmeier is quite…How to put it…"

"Old," Wolfram blurted out.

"Well, I'm sure it'll be a great celebration," Yuri squeezed his voice in, easing the tension of the potential for a new stepfather. "All this talk of dragons makes me think of Pochi. He was big last time we saw him! Maybe he can come to the party."

"Perhaps," Conrad agreed with a broader smile, heart lifted at Yuri's excited face.

"You know there are legends of dragons on Earth too," Murata informed, sharing a nostalgic look with Yuri.

Wolfram tilted back to look at the Great Sage. "There is?" he pressed.

Yuri nodded, eager to clarify to the demon tribesmen. "Yeah, especially in Chinese and Japanese legends. Some people still say they live at the bottom of the ocean or, even in other places. But it's not like here where it's more than legend."

With an enigmatic coil of his lips, Murata only smiled.

"How curious!" Gunter exclaimed. "I'd like to learn more about your dragons, Your Highness."

"Another time," Gwendel interjected with a gruff tone, gesturing with his head. "We've arrived."

The east trail into the Lands of Bachmeier, void of most bodies of water, looked alike to the path they had taken all day. Over the short hill they had finally crossed was the wide expansion of curling hills of the Bachmeier land. Borderless, cobble stone provided the only distinction where the town began. Hoisted up in tents were merchants and beyond them cozy homes that all led the eye to the large structure at the center of it all; Lord Bachmeier's court.

It was smaller than Covenant Castle but what the Lands lacked in a large nucleus, it compensated with an expansion of villages.

"It's so…cozy," Yuri breathed, hurrying his horse down the hill. "So much grass! And look at all the trees!"

"Careful, Yuri," Wolfram grumbled, trailing up behind him.

The group were quickly greeted by three men in colored suits (Yuri attributed them to be soldiers) riding upon brown horses. After a short introduction, the soldiers led them through the humble streets of their lands, allowing Yuri to pause periodically when the boy caught they work of a master artist at work.

"It's so neat how they're sharing the land basically. I guess that's why a lot of artists came from here? Nature inspired?" he chuckled, moving his horse along, greedy to see more.

"Most of the art and literature is certainly inspired by our unique lands," a soldier clarified, guiding the group past the large archway that signified entrance into the outer court of the small castle.

"Wolfram!"

A bombardment of breasts and blonde locks had Wolfram dragged off his horse and smothered in familiarly warm skin. "Ack…! Mother!" he pleaded quietly, gasping as she only clung harder to her son.

Lady Celi nuzzled her son's gorgeous hair, tugging him until he was completely dismounted. "Oh, my boys!" she cooed, holding Wolfram's hand as she squeezed Gwendel's arm then accepted a kissed hand from her middle child. "I missed you all so much!"

Yuri and Murata repressed the urge to grin at Wolfram's flushed state as his mother primped him up again before they both stiffened when her eyes caught theirs.

"Oh, Your Majesty, Your Eminence!" she purred, happily swaying over to the two. "It's so good to see you both well."

"You're as lively as ever, Lady Celi," Yuri claimed with a smile, allowing himself to accept an embrace. Luckily, it was far more docile than what Wolfram endured.

Conrad dismounted and handed the reigns of his and Wolfram's horse to a stable boy. "You're looking well, Mother."

"Of course she is!"

From above the steps of the court a heavy man waddled down, grinning through a curious curl of whiskers. "Lady Celi was well treated here in my home!" the Lord declared with a hearty laugh and pat of his belly.

Lady Celi smiled gratefully and gently rested a hand on Yuri's shoulder. "This is his honorable Demon King," she introduced, then clasping her hands delightfully. "And His Eminence, The Great Sage."

"Welcome, Your Highness!" the Lord greeted, bowing respectfully. "And of course, Your Eminence."

Yuri smiled nervously, never having adjusted to the formalities tagged to being a King. He accepted the respect though and returned it. "Thank you for allowing us to come. I hear many great things about Bachmeier."

From beside Yuri, and after a quick adjustment to his clothing, Wolfram cast a quick glance around the area, taking an appreciative moment for the curling and rounded architecture typical of Bachmeier. To the east of the open court, a light-weight seeming fountain stood but no water shot out from it.

Conrad and the others noted it just moments before Wolfram but it was Gwendel he spoke up, "The water is shut off."

The Lord rubbed his belly sadly and sighed in effect. "Yes. We've been fortunate enough to not have any situation with water but we heard of the problems and thought it best to keep it off, especially with Your Highness coming over."

Yuri's smile softened slightly as he glanced over where the Lord gestured. "Oh, well," he began, "I appreciate it but I'm sure it'll be okay."

"It's a strong concentration of water beneath though granted that it's one of the largest fountain displays around," the Lord laughed proudly, but quickly quieted down at the severity of the situation. "We're in the process of lowering it immediately."

"Hey, Lord von Bielefeld!"

At the sudden cheery call out, Yuri glanced back to Murata who was moving his hand toward Wolfram, who, at some point, had taken a few steps toward the fountain. The blonde tensed and blinked, realizing he had been scooting closer to the fountain, as if longing to look into the still water that had yet to be removed.

What was I doing? Wolfram scolded himself, turning on his heels and feigning a scowl. "I was just inspecting it."

There was short and awkward from a few of Yuri's party members, particularly from the two eldest sons of Celi and Murata. The Great Sage maintained his familiar smile and smoothly pushed a chuckle out.

The sound distracted the Lord from the silence and he matched the chuckle with one of his own. "Ah, well, I can assure you it's safe. Why don't you all come inside and make yourselves comfortable?"

Wolfram waited, allowing the others to move forward but the sensation in the back of his mind would not ebb. He felt a strange tug against his hips, drawing him back to the fountain despite resistance. His eyes trailed over Yuri's body in an effort to focus his attention but when he tried to step forward, his leg slipped back.

Ah…!

With a faint gasp, Wolfram glanced back at the fountain and swore the liquid was rippling, trying to coax him closer. A breathy sound shot through Wolfram's mind and panic struck. The blonde tore his gaze away from the fountain, struggled to find his voice as the mark on his side tingled.

Yuri…! Yuri!

"Yuri!"

Yuri stopped ascending the third step and turned to the source of the cry. His lips parted in a gasp as Wolfram's knees bumped into the fountain and the water from the structure swirled loudly for all to hear. "Wolfram!" he bellowed and leapt off the steps, dashing and snatching the boy's wrist.

"No, Your Highness!"

Gwendel's voice was muffled by the sound of roaring water as Yuri and Wolfram met gazes, understanding that they were doomed to fall into its mouth. But Yuri only narrowed his eyes despite his own state of fear, tightening his arm on Wolfram, refusing to let go.

"Yuri," Wolfram whispered before shouting in protest as he was swallowed by the water.

The last visual Wolfram had was of Conrad and Gwendel's blurred faces behind Yuri's.

-X-

Something potentially soft rested beneath Wolfram's body and something draped over his legs as he came to consciousness. His visions hazed slightly at the bright lights shining above them but he thought he made out the form of a pole of some sort wedged between two opposite walls.

The soft item beneath him quietly groaned and Wolfram realized that it was shifting with every breath it took. Panicked, Wolfram bolted up and gasped, finding Conrad lying beneath him.

"Conrart?" he growled, shaking the man's shoulder as he glanced around, finding Yuri the heavy weight on his legs. "Yuri!"

"Oh man," Yuri was moaning, shaking his head and pushing back onto his heels. "What happened?"

Wolfram rested a hand on Yuri's shoulder but found him unharmed and Gwendel sitting up nearby. Behind Yuri and pressed against a wall, Murata was murmuring in discomfort at the squished position.

"This looks like..." Conrad began, not minding the flushed and irritated look Wolfram shot him when he helped the blonde off of him.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Five heads turned toward the booming voice and found a familiar face gawking at them.

Yuri stared and blurted out, "Shori!"

Yuri's older brother ogled them in shock, clinging to a towel around his hips as if having prepared to take a bath. With a quick glance around, the others discovered themselves indeed in a bathroom.

They had been sent back to Earth.

-X-...TBC?...-X-

So, keep pushing forward?

Thank you again for reading!

Mirai Kurosaki