Chapter 14

"Walking takes a long time," came the complaint from the sweaty child. "I wish I had a dragon to ride on. Then I wouldn't have to do any work. Not like any of the dragons here would let me ride them though."

What? Kao's whiny words received a quizzical look from the spirit dragon walking next to him. Ride dragons? Why would you ever do something like that?

Ugh, Sensei, you're old. You should know that people used to ride dragons.

Sorry, I do not know anything about the old world. I was merely a weapon. My father did not love me, so I did not learn anything under his care.

Oh. Kao grew silent, regretting his words. His eyes wandered towards the setting sun, reminding him of so many setting suns in the past. The past… it seemed so long ago! How long had he been walking away from a life that could have shielded him from the world, one that could have kept Destiny away? He sighed as memories flooded in, regret filling his heart. Destiny, why must you be so cruel to me? I'm so young!

You left today, Kao. And my aunt is the kindest of the Council you will ever find. Most are cruel and heartless. She sympathizes with the humans. Otherwise they would never find a new home.

"Augh!" Au snorted as Kao growled. "Stop it! Just stay out of my thoughts, okay?!"

Silence filled both Kao's ears and thoughts as the golden mist that formed the dragon disappeared. He pursed his lips and shook his head, treading forward in the dirt without Au. His rough hand slid onto the leather satchel his father had handed to him. Why had he kept it when he had been so angry at his father? Maybe it was important.

"I've never opened it…" Kao whispered as he undid the silver latch keeping the satchel closed. Hands carefully fell into the brown inside, landing on something cold. Curious, Kao wrapped his fingers around the handle and brought it out of the bag. What he held in front of his face shocked him as he lifted the brown sheathe carefully off the top. He was clutching a shiny cold golden handle with a long sharp golden blade to match the handle. A note written on thick browned parchment was tied to the handle with thick string. Shaking hands untied the rough string and placed it in the bag before unfolding the note and bringing it up to his face. The faded words written in his father's handwriting stood out to him clearly.

Kao,

If you are in possession of this letter, you are most likely in possession of the gold-dipped diamond knife, and also most likely in possession of my leather satchel. If you are in possession of the leather satchel, then something bad has probably happened. You see, I created this satchel in case of an emergency. In here you will find things to help you survive on your own. Right after you were born, I started having weird dreams in which you were still a child, but facing things that no children had to face. I knew it was Destiny, and that I could not stop it. I hope you don't hate me for anything that I do. I just don't want to- well, can't mess with Destiny.

With Love,

Your Father

Tears sprung to his blue eyes as he finished the letter. This piece of parchment explained what had been gnawing at his heart for the last few years: why did his parents do nothing? The pale light of the setting sun shone on his wet face as he stared forward, a weak smile sneaking its way onto his face.

"Father… Mother… you are forgiven. I love you." His soft voice grew stronger as confident words flew from his mouth, and for a moment, his high-pitched young voice sounded deep, old and wise. "I love you! And I will not let you down! Platana, here I come!"