Nari stared at the endless dark in front of her. The events of the day still played through her head. It had only been a test.

"Hey Nari?" a voice calls lightly behind her.

"Yes, Jin-jun?" Nari responds, not looking back. Jin-Jun comes to sit beside her.

"I'm sorry about my dad. He can be a bit... Difficult sometimes," Jin-jun started. "And I'm sorry for not telling you."

"It's fine," Nari sighed, leaning back to stare up at the sky. It was a beautiful night out. The two sat in the grass behind Jae-ha's house. The others were inside, occasional shouts could be heard from the house. "Your dad had a point. The others don't know anything about me. I just wish he didn't set up this whole fake invasion thing just for a test. I really was terrified."

"He did go to the extreme there... My dad has changed since my mom's death. He pretends that he hasn't, but I really think he has. I mean my mom fell sick shortly after Queen Yona's death. He lost his close friends and his love. Apparently we stayed on Awa while he recovered, but I heard that he was nothing but a ghost."

"I know what you mean..."

"Huh?! You do?!"

"I lost my mother when I was really young. I have no absolutely no memories of her. Sometimes I hear whispers that my father is like a ghost compared to how he used to be."

"You just don't recover from those kinds of things, do you? Ah! But my point is that please don't blame my dad too much! He's different than how he used to be! If he travels with you I'm sure he won't pull any more tests like that!"

"Jin-jun, I don't blame him. I've done a lot of thinking today and I think I really understand why he did that. My home was taken by Kai soldiers. Saving my father means fighting Kai and taking back my hometown. If I tried running away from the soldiers then it shows that when the time comes I'll be relying purely on the dragons. And you said it yourself, your dad doesn't like being chained down. I'd just be a nuisance to everybody."

"Nari..."

"I think there's a lot I need to improve on. I won't be able to get Jae-ha's approval so I'm going to gather the other dragons. Then I'm going to come back! It may be a while, but when I come back we should go get sweets like you promised!"

"Ok! Please don't give up on my dad! When he's around Yoon and Kija, he seems happier."

"Happier?"

"Yup! He always told stories with a nostalgic smile on his face. I'm glad he's going to see those friends he often spoke about."

"Stories? Did he tell any good ones?"

"Hm... Let's see... There was this one time that Yoon went shopping in the next town over and left the Four Dragons alone for the evening. Long story short dad had to fight a bear and fell asleep afterwards. When he woke up dinner was made, but the other dragons left the fire unattended and the tent caught on fire! Yoon was really angry!"

"I can imagine!"

"Oh! This one was shortly after my dad started traveling. Apparently Yoon was given a love potion called the Scale of Hakuryuu for free. My dad licked it and became infatuated with Kija for a moment. He ran off with the potion, but spilled it all over Seiryuu! He spent the rest of the day avoiding him. Turns out the potion was from Kija's village! Then another time-"

"Are you two telling stories about me?" the two girls turn around to find Jae-ha and a slightly embarrassed Kija.

"Dad! Kija!"

"Please don't mention that day..." Kija hid his face in his hands. "Jae-ha left it laying around and I accidentally drank it and acted improperly in front of the queen..."

"I knew that potion would be good for something," Jae-ha grinned satisfied, even though the event was years in the past.

"Jae-ha! I was about to find you!" Nari jumped up. "I've been thinking a lot today. I don't think I passed your test."

"Oh?"

"Before the soldiers came, I was terrified. And when Shi-woo was in trouble, I lost myself. I have a lot to improve on. So I decided that I'm going to get Seiryuu and Ouryuu. While I'm doing that I'm going to improve in any way I can! That way when I come back here with the other dragons I'll be able to take your test again and confidently say that I've passed!"

"Hmm... That plan is going to be a bit hard..."

"I know that! But I'm still gonna try-"

"No, I mean because I've already decided that I'd go with you."

"Really?!"

"You are?!" Jin-jun jumped up happily.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Kija asked.

"Don't know," Jae-ha shrugged. "I like her confidence and will. You were right, she is like somebody we knew."


Rays of early morning sunshine bounced off of rooftops. Its beautiful glow forecasted a beautiful day for traveling. Jin-jun stood by the door of her house, she rubbed her eyes and yawned for the nth time that morning. Nari and Shi-woo stood in front of her, bags on their backs.

"We never got sweets, did we," Nari pouted.

"There's always next time," Jin-jun suggested. "I'll make sure to save up so that we can have a feast!"

"A feast of sweets! That sounds fun!"

"Already planning for when you next meet?" Yoon exited the house. Kija emerged a few moments later.

"Jae-ha is almost ready," he announced.

"Alright!" Nari chirped.

"Do you guys really need to leave this early?" Jin-jun yawned again.

"Seiryuu is quite far from here so we need to set out as early as we can," Nari explained.

"I'm ready!" Jae-ha announced. "Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"

"I'll be fine dad!" Jin-jun giggled when Jae-ha planted a kiss on her head.

"I'll be back before you know it."

"I told you, I'll be fine! Now go find the rest of your friends!" Jin-jun smiled.

"Bye Jin-jun! Hope to see you soon!" Nari waved as the group started to walk.

"Bye Nari! Make sure to tell me some stories when you get back!" Jin-jun waved back. Soon the five bodies disappeared into the morning sun. Jin-jun finally put her hand down and went back into the house. "Well then, I better start the day."