Kuroko let out a heavy sigh.

His mind was still whirling with all the information he had received.

He closed his eyes, taking in deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself. Then he slowly opened his eyes, silently staring at the grey skies above.

"…I should get going." Kuroko whispered.

"Leaving so soon?" A voice came from behind him, high yet beautifully melodious. Kuroko only managed to turn his head before he was enclosed in a warm hug from behind.

"Come on, stay longer, little prince."

Kuroko stared. The most beautiful face he had ever seen was right next to him. Those perfectly formed lips, cute nose, and large eyes, they all formed a face so perfect that no matter how he looked, there was not a single flaw. Stunningly beautiful. It was like looking at a goddess from the tales of humans.

"P-prince?" Kuroko stuttered.

The lady next to him smiled. "Yes, prince. Little prince. You have grown up into a fine man."

"W-who are you?"

The lady chuckled, and on her back, translucent, delicate wings beat once. Even that simple action was filled with elegance.

"I am the one who rules all the nymphs, you may refer to me as Miysessleia."

Nymphs. This lady was a nymph. Understanding dawned on Kuroko.

"Little prince, why won't you stay a while longer?"

"Why do you refer to me as such?"

"Because you are the one who carries the closest relation to our lord who has passed. In your body, your very heart, flows with his blood."

"But I am not… I'm not someone so noble. I am nothing but a threat to all."

"Oh my, oh my. What's wrong? Has the accursed thing in you been causing you trouble?"

Kuroko snarled. No, it was the dragon within him that was reacting that way.

The nymph only laughed, her laugh was light and filled with such an entrancing melody that even made Kuroko feel like doing anything she asked.

She moved from behind Kuroko, standing in front of him.

She was tall, slim, with gorgeous hair cascading down her back. Her dress shimmered with each movement she made. The softest jingle rang out as her jewelleries lightly tapped against each other.

Her wings fluttered, distracting Kuroko.

"You don't have to listen to that thing." The nymph gently stroked Kuroko's face, "Did you know? I had aided the Dark Elves in protecting you. Seeing you all grown up, I feel like a proud mother."

She softly circled her arms around Kuroko's neck, making him step close to her.

She embraced him as though he was still a young baby that needed protection.

"How special you are, one who stands in the middle. Not human, not Dark Creature either. Hey, won't you come with me? I will protect you, I will give you only the best. So come with me."

Kuroko's eyes felt strangely heavy, and the beautiful voice of the nymph was like a gentle yet bewitching lullaby, luring Kuroko in.

A sharp pain flared in his palm, and Kuroko was awoken from his dazed state with a jolt.

Kuroko quickly stepped back from the nymph, and stared at his palm.

A thin blood trail in the shape of a scale had formed.

"What a pity. That thing interfered with us, my prince. Even though I was suppressing its voice, seems like it had other tricks. Such a pity, really."

"What are you trying to do?" Kuroko frowned, warily watching the nymph.

"Oh, nothing. I just want to be with you, little prince."

Kuroko's eyes narrowed with suspicion as he took a few more steps back.

"Running away from me? That makes me so sad. After all, I did protect you for many years." The nymph's voice was soft and weak, filled with so much sadness that Kuroko barely managed to stop himself from approaching her.

The nymph suddenly asked, "Little prince, how do you feel about your body now? I was listening as the Dark Elf explained things to you, but I want to know how you feel. Do you hate yourself?"

Kuroko paused, and then shook his head.

"You don't? Are you sure? Do you even fully understand what it means for you? Your blood, within it bears a Dark Creature's natural tendency for killing. Though what flows in you is our lord's blood; one known for their immense patience and control, but it does not mean that they don't feel bloodlust.

"On impulse, you may kill everyone around you. Do you think the humans will accept something like you? Your very existence is the most dangerous threat for them, and for us. But on the other hand, you are so pitiful. When you become nothing more than a beautiful yet crazed killing doll, you can even instil fear into the strongest creatures. It is because of that, that you won't be accepted wherever you go, not the humans nor the Dark Creatures."

Kuroko frowned.

What did she mean by 'killing doll'? It sounded dreadful. But for now, Kuroko decided to place that information aside.

"I know. I understand. The white dragon had spelt it out for me; it would have better if something like me never existed." He said.

"So you do know. Despised by the Dark Creatures, and loathed by the humans. You will be alone for as long as you live. So then, why won't you come with me?"

"Aren't you a Dark Creature as well? Don't you hate me?"

The nymph smiled. Her eyes sparkled, as though the night stars had gathered in her eyes, gently flickering.

"I had protected you for a long time, so I guess I may feel a little attachment towards you. You see, I am a nymph. Our entire race lies on the border between humans and Dark Creatures. Born in this forest, we are accepted. With our appearances so close to that of a human's, we are readily accepted by them as well. Unlike you, we have a place to belong.

"As the one who leads the entire race of the nymphs, if I were to agree, no other nymph can challenge my words. I will give it to you; a place to belong, where you won't have to be alone until your death."

Kuroko shook his head.

It would be easier to believe in the words of the lying human emperor than those of a nymph's!

"I am fine."

"No, you aren't. Being alone until your life ends is a very painful thing."

"I know."

The nymph giggled. Her laugh sounded mocking and strangely evil to Kuroko's ears even with its beautiful melody.

"No, you don't. Halfway through your journey, you will break."

Kuroko gritted his teeth.

Forcing the words through clenched teeth, he said, "I will be fine."

The nymph smiled warmly, but her eyes were cold.

"How stubborn you are, little prince."

"I have to go now."

The nymph frowned, seemingly reluctant to let Kuroko go. "To the palace? What are you doing to do there?"

"I have a promise to fulfil."

"Is that so? To kill the human emperor?"

"…If that's what it takes, then yes."

The nymph hummed, her melodious voice echoing in the forest.

"Such a pity. Alright then, I will let you go. Goodbye, little prince."

x

"Kise!"

"Mido-chin, behind you!"

"Damn. Kise, can you hold on for a little longer?"

"I'm fine, Midorimacchi."

"Like hell you are!"

"I'm fine, really. You shouldn't take your eyes off that."

"That's not what someone with a sword piercing through their stomach would say!"

"Murasakibara, form a stronger shield around Kise!"

"Okay."

"Hey, hey. Aren't you glad that I'm the one that found you guys? If it was the other guy who came, I bet your poor hearts will be in pain as soon as you meet him. He used to be one of you after all. Too bad that the emperor took him, huh? But you should be happy, because I'll be sure to bring all of you back to the emperor, all nice and mostly intact. You can have a touching reunion then."

"Tsk. Damn, to be intercepted by the emperor's aide so close to our base…"

"Oh, of course. We were always watching you. Our emperor likes having a rebel group, you see. You guys provide the best entertainment. But it seems our information needs some updating."

"Watch out, Midorimacchi!"

"Damn–!"

"What, Midorima. You can actually dodge that? I knew it. Somehow, you got stronger. Your physical and magic abilities have improved a lot since we last fought. But that's not the problem, the thing I'm curious about is how unnatural it is. It's as though you jumped from being 'mediocre' to 'advanced' way too quickly. Hey, you. What did you do?"

"Unfortunately for you, you won't be getting any answers out of me."

"Oi, emperor's aide. If you don't move out of my way, I'll crush you."

"Oh, really? Why don't you try it then, Murasakibara?"

"Kise! I'm pulling out the sword!"

"Urgh – !"

"Here, the healing charms. Use them."

"That… really hurts a lot. I'm fine now, Midorimacchi."

"Oh? All healed already? Well, I suppose it's expected since you guys are the only ones able to go against the emperor for so long. Midorima Shintarou, one who excels at healing magic. Murasakibara Atsushi, the betrayer who holds the best defensive magic ever seen. And you, Kise Ryouta. You seem like nothing spectacular. But that can't be, right? If you're in this rebel group, surely you must be hiding some talent?"

"That's none of your business, you puppet of the emperor."

"How mean, you really need to watch that mouth. You should respect your seniors!"

"Hah. No way in hell, at least, not to you."

"Insolent. Then, I'll start with you, Kise Ryouta! You better show me all that you're hiding or you can just perish here!"

"What? Not going to obey the words of your precious master anymore?"

"I'm sure the emperor would be better off not having to deal with you, Kise Ryouta!"

"Kise-chin!"

"Woah, that was close! Thanks, Murasakibaracchi."

"Idiot! Pay more attention!"

"Yes, sorry, Midorimacchi!"

"Damn that agile bastard. Watch your back, Kise."

"Mido-chin, he's starting to really annoy me. I want to crush him."

"Murasakibara, can you catch him?"

"Hm, I can try. He's so fast that it's becoming tiring to defend three people at once."

"Midorimacchi, should we bring 'him' out? If we make enough of a commotion, 'he' will come forward, right?"

"You're right, Kise. That's our best choice now. We can't afford to clash with the emperor this early. He will probably retreat once 'he' comes, because he knows he won't be able to win."

"Then…"

"Murasakibara, Kise. Cause as much of a commotion as you can, to draw 'him' out."

"Understood!"

x

Kuroko tripped, falling face first to the ground.

"…"

He silently stood up, dusting himself off.

"…Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"You should rest. You have not been sleeping well for the past three days."

"I am fine. I want to hurry and finish this."

Using the trees to support him, Kuroko carefully began walking once more. He watched his feet, overstepping upturned roots and sharp rocks.

He tilted his head up, staring at the grey skies.

"As long as the skies are still this dark, it means that I have yet to leave this forbidden forest, right?"

"Yes. I would not say that we are lost, but it is extremely difficult to find our way back. From the start, the Dark Elves were guiding you, so it was not too bad. But now, the illusionary magic is a frustrating annoyance."

Kuroko hummed.

The soft crunch of dried leaves being stepped on rang out in the deadly silent forest, easily telling others of his presence here.

He had seen shadows moving around the past few days, making it difficult for him to enter a deep slumber. He constantly felt as though he was being watched, and if he were to let down his guard, there was a chance that he would be attacked.

He walked on for what seemed like hours. With each step, exhaustion weighed down on his tired, heavy body.

Reaching a fallen log, Kuroko sighed and decided to rest.

Seating himself down on the log, he buried his head into the makeshift pillow he made with his arms. The more he stayed in the forest, the harder it was to breathe. It felt like he was stuck in a sealed room, with oxygen steadily running out. Even the wind magic he called forth barely helped.

"I think I understand why this forest is deemed as forbidden." Kuroko mumbled. "If an ordinary human were to step into this place, they would mostly like suffocate within a few hours. I can feel it. I can feel my inhuman blood reacting to the environment. It must be because of that, that I am able to last this long. But now…"

Kuroko shifted, laying down on the log.

He closed his eyes.

"If I don't leave this place soon, even the blood within me cannot save me anymore."

He suddenly smiled. "Though it's a dangerous situation for me, I am feeling rather happy."

"Happy? Even though you may die?"

"Yes. It's not the thought of dying that makes me happy. But this, this feeling. This exhaustion, the way my body refuses to move as I wish. For the first time, I feel like a true human."

"I suppose that is true. During the past war, I have seen certain Dark Creatures exploding into pieces without warning, even though no one was attacking them. And how unfortunate it is that you carry the same characteristics."

"This inhuman body is too cruel. I am not completely cut off from all sensations; I feel pain like a normal person. Yet, when I'm fighting or when there's a threat to this life of mine, all my senses melt away. Some people might be envious of such an ability, but to me, I would rather choose to suffer…"

Kuroko's voice trailed off momentarily.

And then he continued in a soft, hushed tone, "Because if I do, then maybe, just maybe, I can experience what it's like to be an actual human."

Kuroko exhaled heavily.

A near suffocating silence filled the eerie atmosphere of the forest as the sound of his voice faded away.

A couple of minutes passed before he spoke again.

"While the magic of this forest is intriguing, I still have to somehow leave this place."

"You can use your magic to get yourself out."

"No. If I do, there will be a gap in the illusion magic that is protecting the creatures. I don't want to harm this place. This is their sanctuary, I cannot take it away from them."

"Then rest for now. I will wake you in an hour. Your body is too tired."

Kuroko made a soft sound of acknowledgement as he entered another fitful sleep.

"…"

"…What? Why are you staring at me?"

"The sight of you all tensed and cowering is amusing me."

"Hah?"

"The plan's almost complete now. I was wondering if you would be willing to do something for me."

"…What's with that? It's not like I can reject you anyway. You're the emperor, after all."

"Haha. That's not true, isn't it? The one who you fear is not me, but the owner of this body I'm using, right?"

"Like hell! I don– !"

"Now, now. Watch your words. I have seen all the memories the owner of this body had when I took over. I know that you can't win against him. And since you can't win, you kneel before him and wag your tail. What a despicable dog you are."

"Damn you! Hurry up and say whatever it is that you want!"

"Splendid response. Alright. Go and bring me the new kid that joined our cute rebel group."

"There's a new one?"

"Yes. Somehow, he had managed to escape from me. I am curious as to how he did it, because I've been monitoring the rebel leader and I do not believe they have ever met."

"Are you going to use him?"

"If he fits, then yes. He has guts to enter the forbidden forest, so I am assuming he is hiding a different kind of power. And it seems to be a really strong one. It would be good if I can use it."

"A strong power?"

"A really strong power."

"…Fine. It seems interesting so I'll go. How do you want him?"

"Alive, obviously."

"I don't mean that, it's a given that he has to be alive."

"Ah. Well, the lesser wounds there are, the better. Though if you have to break a few bones, that's fine too. I can easily fix something like that."

"And? You said that he entered that forest? What if he never returns?"

"Then that's just too bad for me. But I will take a chance. Go and camp out in the forest, wait for him to return."

"Tch, fine."

T.B.C