The Dragon Children
A girl with long platinum hair and light watery aquamarine eyes
wandered down a long corridor. A lamp clenched tightly in one hand
held out in front of her. "There has to be something valuable in here."
she said. After somehow making her way past the rooms with
monsters she found an Althena statue which she prayed at to restore
her strength. Beyond the statue was a large sealed door. "Hm... This
is easy enough." she said breaking the magic seal causing the door to
swing open. She was taken aback by a beautiful garden full of fairies.
The fairies dashed for cover when they saw her. "I must look pretty
bad." she said walking to the pond and staring at herself. "I'm a
mess." she mumbled straightening her cream colored shirt and dusting
off her olive green shorts before getting a drink. Just as she stood
back up she heard a sound and whirled to see a man standing behind
her. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" the point eared man
asked her. "Well my name's Archaia Valky but most just call me
Chaia. I'm a ruin explorer looking for treasure." she said grinning.
"How did you get past my seals?" he asked curiously, while fixing a
glare on her. "Easy. I've had much experience unsealing ruins. Plus I
have a spell book that has unsealing spells. Much needed being lots of
ruins are sealed magically." she explained, holding up a spell book.
"Humph... Well you aren't welcome here. Now be gone!" he ordered.
"Yeah, right... Well listen here who ever the heck you are. I'm not
finished exploring around here." Chaia replied. "My name is Ghaleon...
Now get out." he ordered in an icy tone. She shot a glare back at him.
"No." she said. Ghaleon narrowed his eyes, obviously not amused. A
fairy flew from it's hiding place and whispered something to him. He
sighed deeply. "Look, I don't want to kill you, because of the fairies,
just leave." he said. "All right." she replied. As she turned and walked
absentmindedly down a corridor she was surrounded by mirror and
wolf monsters. "Uh oh... Trapped." she said. She couldn't fight them
off. Next thing she knew she was being attacked from all sides.
Wolves teeth tearing into her flesh and attacks from the mirror
creatures injured her more. She did the only thing she could think of...
"Ghaleon! Please Ghaleon help!" she yelled. She fell to the ground
trying to protect her head and neck from injury. She heard the
monsters let out a whimper and then the attack stopped. She sat up to
see Ghaleon. He had turned the monsters to ashes with an extremely
powerful fire spell. "You are extremely troublesome." he said glaring.
"There's an easier way to get out." he said, leading her back to the
garden, stopping at the Althena statue so she could heal. "Over there.
Now, for the last time, get out." he said pointing to another door. She
walked out and it shut abruptly behind her. "He sure wasn't a very
pleasant person." she mumbled. The sun was setting so she set up
camp right outside. As she waited for her meal to cool she pulled a
history book out of her bag and rifled through it. "I know I've heard the
name Ghaleon before." she said. She spotted his name and read an
article concerning him. "Wow." she said as she shut the book. After
dinner, while she was star gazing an idea struck her. Maybe he'd
teach her magic. He had fascinated her the moment she saw him. As
she thought soft music sounded from behind the door. "Music? It
must be Ghaleon. Now's as good a time as any for me to ask him if I
can stay with him as a student." she said, putting out the fire and
gathering her things. She broke the seal easily and strode in. Ghaleon
stopped playing, and rested his lute on the bench he sat on. "What do
you want?" he asked in a viciously icy tone. "I'd like to be a student
to you and for you to teach me magic." she asked, bowing slightly.
"No, be gone. I want no students. If you want to learn magic go to
Vane." he said. "I don't want to go to Vane. I want you to teach me."
she replied. "Well, I won't." he said, glaring. She totally ignored the
glare and took a step closer, setting down her backpack. "Please... I'm
not leaving. You have to agree." she said. He still glared but she
glared back. His glare turned to a quiet frown. He sighed, then spoke,
"I see... Fine, you may stay." he said. "Thank you." she said, reaching
to shake his hand. He knocked her hand away, then picked up his lute.
"As long as you stay here you do as I say." he said without making eye
contact. She sat in the grass watching the fairies. A small red haired
fairy landed on her shoulder. "You're pretty brave to argue with
Ghaleon." it said into her ear. "What's your name?" Chaia asked.
"Amyrilis." the fairy said. "Pretty name." Chaia replied. Amyrilis
giggled then flitted off. "Follow me." Ghaleon said, finishing playing
and rising to his feet. "where are we going?" she asked, picking up
her backpack. "I'll show you where you'll be staying." he said, leading
her to another room. Bookshelves lined the walls and a few magic
torches illuminated the walls, along with a fireplace with magical fire
flaring in it. Rugs covered the marble floor and there was a tall four
posted bed. "You'll sleep here." he said. She started to stride for the
bed. "On the floor. " he said. "Fine... On the floor." she mumbled,
walking around the bed, sitting on a rug and digging out her sleeping
bag. He lifted his heavy shoulder guards off his shoulders and let them
and his cloak drop to the floor with a heavy crash, then kicked off his
boots. Chaia laid down. "Thanks again Ghaleon." Chaia said. He
"Humphed." and laid down. "It's odd... She looks similar to me. Her
pale skin, the shape of her eyes, her hair... Even the way she carries
herself, moves, speaks is just different. Not to mention she talks back
to me." he thought, rolling onto his side and closing his eyes. The
next morning Chaia got quite a rude awakening. She felt something
cold touching her face and opened her eyes to see a boot next to her
face. "Get up. You have work to do." he ordered. She got up. "What
kind of work?" she asked. "Well, this isn't a sleep over. You have to
work if you are to stay here. The floors could use a good scrubbing,
the books in here need alphabetizing, the trees in the garden need
watering, and when you're finished I can find more for you to do. "
Ghaleon said. "Oh, so I'm doing house work then." she replied. "Yes. I
have to see if your worth keeping around." he retorted. "Fine." she
said. "Fine." he replied. "Fine!" Chaia yelled. "Fine!" Ghaleon shouted
back with a glare. They both "Humphed." and then turned away. She
scrubbed the floor angrily and stopped a moment. "Do this, do that,
blah, blah, blah." she mumbled, rolling her eyes and then continued to
scrub the floor. Alphabetizing the books was much more entertaining
than floor scrubbing because it meant she could see what books he
had. It wasn't so bad after she finished and he could find nothing else
for her to do, so he allowed her to wander around. She sat in the
garden talking with the fairies. Ghaleon walked in, sitting down. "So,
am I worth keeping?" she asked. "Well, I suppose so." he smugly
replied. She rolled her eyes. In the next days that followed it went
that way, with little bits of magic training. Within a couple weeks she
learned how to teleport. Chaia sat listening to the music Ghaleon
played and watched the fairies dance about. Now and then since she
now knew how to teleport, Ghaleon would send her out on errands for
him. She looked over at him. He seemed deeply absorbed in his
music. A fairy flew to him and he laughed as it danced on the edge of
his lute. Chaia smiled and then went back to her own thoughts. One
morning she awoke to find Ghaleon gone. He returned later that day
with a few new fairies. She mused but didn't look up from the book
she was reading. "What book is that?" he asked. "Nothing." she said.
He walked over and took it from her. "Oh, one of the spell books." he
said, handing it back. After he came back from a bath he found Chaia
still in the garden. He sat down with the lute and played. Chaia
sighed and tilted her head back, her long hair draping over the bench.
It was unusual for her to have her hair down. It was usually braided.
She yawned and laid back on the bench. Ghaleon looked over at her
but the moment she noticed him watching she sat up. There had been
less controversy lately, but they still quarreled. "Ghaleon, where did
you learn to play?" Chaia asked. He intentionally ignored her, not
wishing to talk. She shrugged it off and went to lay down. He walked
in. "Tomorrow I need you to go to the black dragon's cave. I need a
dragon diamond. " he said. "Sure." she said. She woke up early and
teleported to the black dragon cave. After finding a diamond just as
she turned to leave she saw something. An egg. She walked over
examining it. "A black dragon egg? Well, I can't abandon it here, but
Ghaleon will kill me if he finds out about it... I'll just have to keep it a
secret." she said, hiding the egg in her backpack. She teleported
back to the tower, dragon diamond in hand. "Here." she said giving it
to Ghaleon. "Tomorrow take it to Meribia and sell it." Ghaleon said,
handing it back. "Okay." she said, absentmindedly walking away, while
trying to think of how to hide the egg As she walked toward the
bedroom she got an idea. There was a storage room Ghaleon never
went in. Taking a spell book with an incubation spell and went to the
room. Setting the egg on a soft blanket she cast the incubation spell,
then left it. If she was gone too long Ghaleon would be suspicious. The
next day after selling the diamond in Meribia she came back, making
sure to check on the egg. As she walked back into the garden she
noticed Ghaleon's gaze fixed on her. "What?!" she asked, playing
nervously with one of her ears. "I was just wondering... If you'd like to
come with me when I go out looking for fairies to bring here?" he
asked. She sighed in relief. "Sure, I'd love it." Chaia replied. "Goldleaf
will come with us. She helps and convinces them." Ghaleon added. The
next morning they left with Goldleaf to find some fairies. "Where
exactly are we going?" she asked. "The Starlight woods." Ghaleon
said. "It's close to Star Dragon Tower." Goldleaf added in excitedly,
doing a backflip in the air. Ghaleon smiled slightly. The trip to the
Starlight woods was fairly easy. As they made it to Star Dragon Tower
a man confronted them. "Hang on a minute." the man said. "What?"
Ghaleon asked. "I'm the great adventurer, Mike! You're Ghaleon... The
hated Magic Emperor. I shall slay you!" the man shouted. "This is
pointless. Go home. I could kill you in an an instant, but it would be a
waste of energy." Ghaleon said. As Ghaleon turned to leave the man
drew his weapon. Goldleaf, seeing this, flew in front of the man,
forming a shield spell around Ghaleon, leaving her open. "Goldleaf, no
don't!" Chaia shouted. "Stupid thing!" the supposed adventurer shouted
hitting the fairy with the club he carried. Ghaleon had turned just in
time to see this and as Goldleaf fell dead to the ground Ghaleon's eyes
lit with a deadly fire. "You Die!" Ghaleon screamed. He skewered the
man with multiple ice spears and as the man fell Ghaleon incenerated
him with a powerful fire spell. Ghaleon's gaze shifted to the dead fairy.
He dropped to his knees, picking up Goldleaf's limp body in his hands.
He began to cry hard. "Ghaleon... I.." Chaia began to say. "Shut up!
Silence!" he hissed in a viciously deadly tone. This was one time when
Chaia knew not to snap back at him because he WOULD kill her. She
sat down watching him. He stood up with Goldleaf in his hands after
about an hour or so and teleported away. "He must have gone home."
Chaia whispered, wiping the tears from her face. She teleported back
to the tower. "Ghaleon?" she called softly. "Ghaleon came through
here. He was crying and after burying Goldleaf he went to his room."
Amyrilis told Chaia. "I should just leave him alone for awhile." Chaia
replied, going to be with her egg. She touched it. "It should hatch
soon..." She mumbled, the scene from earlier playing through her mind
all to clearly. She fell to her knees and sobbed. After recovering she
walked back out to the garden. The fairies were all very quiet. Chaia
slept in the garden that night, not wanting to disturb Ghaleon. Next
morning she sat thinking. "Is this the same Ghaleon who was the hated
Magic Emperor? The Ghaleon who broke down and cried when Goldleaf
was killed. Why, when he despises and hates anyone else why should
he care about simple fairies, there has to be a reason... I must find
out." Chaia thought, getting up. The bedroom was dark. She flicked a
hand and one torch lit. A set of shoulderguards layed on the floor and
she could make out the form of Ghaleon on the bed. She flicked her
hand again, lighting the other torches and the fireplace. He opened his
eyes and stared as she walked over. "Ghaleon... Are you okay?" Chaia
asked. He sat up, staring blankly and sighed. "You have no idea." he
muttered. "Ghaleon tell me. Why do you care about the fairies? I mean,
what happened when you were young, before you were one of the four
heroes?" Chaia asked. His head snapped up. "Why?" He asked. "I just
want to know." Chaia replied. "I'll tell you, but first you have to tell me
about your past." Ghaleon said. "Fair enough." Chaia agreed. "I don't
remember my real parents. y memory goes about to when I was five. I
remember being on a ship. When I arrived they held me for awhile.
While I was held there I remember one of the sailors saying something
about... Well he said, 'So we're selling the dragon child tomorrow?' But
I didn't know what he meant. Any way, I was handed over to a rich
family. They really didn't care for me. I was their showpiece daughter. I
had to dress and talk just a certain way. They wanted me for nothing
more than a status symbol... So, as soon as I was old enough, I
escaped and became a ruin explorer." Chaia said. "So that's all you
remember?" Ghaleon asked, now intrigued. "Yes. Everything else is a
big blank..." she said. "Hm... Well, now I shell tell you of my past."
Ghaleon said. "My mother was killed when I was little or so I was told.
After being sent across seas I was sold as a slave to a wealthy
household. It was horrible. They starved me and worked me day and
night. The lord of the household got angry one day and almost beat me
to death. I escaped into some woods and then some fairies found me.
They saved me, and took care of me. They gave me new hope. Then I
met Dyne and became one of the four heroes. They gained my trust and
made me believe in good people, and I believed in the Goddess
Althena. I was young and full of hope and dreams, but then Dyne and
Althena betrayed me too... I shouldn't have gotten such high hopes... It
only got me more pain when they were shattered. The fairies are were
the only ones who have never betrayed me. As for the household who
made me a slave... I destroyed them." Ghaleon said. "Ghaleon... I am
so sorry." she said, setting her hand on his. He glanced at her but
didn't knock her hand away. "The fairies are all I have." he said, taking
a deep breath before taking his hand away to brush some of his silvery
whiter hair from his face. "Thanks for sharing Ghaleon." Chaia said. He
"humphed" softly and she started giggling. "What could they have
meant by dragon child?" Ghaleon said. That drew Chaia out of her
silliness. "Maybe... Just maybe we could said to the places where we
were born." Chaia said. "Any way, why don't you go get a bath and I'll
fix you some food." Chaia said getting up and walking out. She
checked on the egg which to her surprise was hatching. A small furry
black dragon hauled itself out of the egg. "Who are you?" it asked. "I'm
Chaia." she said. "Can you do something for me? I need you to stay in
here." She said putting it in a new blanket. "Sure ." it said. She walked
out and fixed some food for Ghaleon who soon after walked in. "I was
thinking... Maybe you're right. Maybe we can find our birthplace."
Ghaleon said. Suddenly the little black dragon walked in. Ghaleon
turned after hearing it. "What is that?" he asked in a cool tone. "Well
you see Ghaleon... I found the egg and couldn't abandon it, and I've
been secretly keeping it here." Chaia said as it flew into her lap.
"Please Ghaleon... Can it stay?" Chaia asked. He glared a moment and
then sighed. "Yes, but if it's staying around you should give it a name."
Ghaleon said, almost smiling. "Thanks!" Chaia said, and thought of a
name she could give it. "She's as black as the color of onyx so that's
what her name will be. Your name is Onyx." she told her dragon. It
purred in reply. "What should we do about finding where we cam
from?" Chaia asked Ghaleon. "Maybe I can find a map that will give us
a clue." Ghaleon replied. "I'm in no rush though." Chaia said. Ghaleon
had Chaia help look through some old maps. "What's that?" Chaia
asked, pointing to an island she hadn't seen on any other maps. "I...
Don't know." Ghaleon replied. "Really? Maybe that's it then." Chaia
said. Ghaleon nodded, gathering and putting the other maps away.
Onyx perched on Chaia's shoulder. "When do we leave?" Chaia asked,
looking Ghaleon's way. "Maybe in a few weeks." Ghaleon said. She
nodded. "Would you mind going to Meribia and gathering some
supplies? See if you can find a ship while you're at it." Ghaleon said.
"Oh, I know. I have a friend who I bailed out of trouble and he owes me
a favor. I'll make him let us use his ship." Chaia mentioned. "Another
ruin explorer? What was his name?" Ghaleon asked. "His name was
Leo, but he said he used to be called White Knight Leo." Chaia said.
"You met that arrogant, boorish beastman?" Ghaleon said. Chaia
raised an eyebrow. "You met him?" She asked. "Unfortunately yes."
Ghaleon replied and Chaia burst into laughter. "Well Ghaleon, I'll be
back in a little while." Chaia said disappearing with Onyx. She went by
Meribia first and after shopping she teleported to Nota where Leo
usually frequented. As she guessed he was there. "Leo! Hey Leo!"
Chaia called. "Chaia hey!" Leo called waving. As she walked up he
noticed Onyx flying alongside her. "Chaia, when did you get that?" Leo
asked. "I am not a that!" Onyx said. "Sorry. You're a baby dragon right?
So much like Ruby." Leo said. "Any way, what brings you here?" Leo
asked. "Actually you are what we I came here for. I need you to take
me and a friend somewhere in your ship." Chaia said. "A friend?" Is it
another explorer?" He asked. "Well... Not exactly.." Chaia said a little
softer. "Who?" Leo asked. "His name is... Ghaleon..." She said trailing
off as she said Ghaleon almost inaudibly. "Huh? Excuse me, what? Say
that last part one more time." Leo said. "I said his name is Ghaleon."
she said louder this time. "Ghaleon... You don't mean..." Leo asked.
Chaia nodded. "No way! I will not!" he yelled. "Hey, you still owe me
that favor for bailing you out at Lionhead ruins." Chaia said. "Yeah
well.... Any favor but that." Leo said. "No... That's what I want." Chaia
replied. "Fine, it's all I really can do since I can see you're not going to
let me disagree." Leo sighed. "Cheer up. We're going to a land that
hasn't been explored or mapped for a long time." Chaia said. Leo's
eyes lit up. "Really?" he asked. "Yeah Leo." Chaia said. "Thanks, I've
got to get back to Ghaleon now. Stay here and we'll be back soon."
Chaia said, teleporting away. "Hi." Ghaleon said. "Amazing... You're
friendly..." she joked sarcastically. he shook his head. "I got Leo to
agree after enough hassling." Chaia said. "Well, when ever you're ready
to leave we can." Ghaleon said. Chaia just noticed what Ghaleon was
wearing. A purple shirt and pants with triangular designs and cloth
bound to his arms. "Oh, Ghaleon! You look amazing. This is the first
time I've seen you without that overpowering outfit you usually wear."
Chaia said. "Well I dug it out." Ghaleon said. "I'll go pack my stuff."
Chaia said, walking away. Onyx dashed after her. When Chaia came
back out Ghaleon had some more stuff gathered. "I prefer my other
outfit but I'll be less conspicuous this way." he said. "Let's get
moving!" Onyx called excitedly. The teleported to Nota and found Leo.
Leo eyed Ghaleon. "Well, let's get to the ship." Leo said. He lead them
to the ship and they set off. "Where are my quarters?" Ghaleon asked.
"This way." Leo said leading them to a room below decks. "This is
unsuitable." Ghaleon said, quickly finding Leo's room. "I guess this will
do." Ghaleon said. "That's my room!" Leo yelled. "Too bad." Ghaleon
said, dropping his stuff. "You can not stay in there!" Leo yelled louder.
Chaia set a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. "We don't have
any crew so I'll have to pick up a few people but I have a few people in
mind. Particularly Ronfar." Leo said. "I'll stay in here with Ghaleon."
Chais said. Leo looked from him to her questioningly. "It's not like
that... I'm his student. It'll save cabin space too." Chaia said. She was
right. "Before we get Ronfar we need to stop by Vane and buy some
starlights." Chaia said. They reached Vain fairly quick and bought
some starlights. They suddenly heard someone yelling, "Leo, hey Leo!"
A blond girl ran up smiling. "Hi Leo! Did you come here to join the
Magic Guild?" Lemina asked. She peered around him and saw Ghaleon.
"Ghaleon! What's he doing here?!" Lemina screeched. "I'm escorting
them to a new land." Leo sighed. "Oh really? Ooh, think of all the
money, I mean adventure we'll have." she said, eyes shining with the
ambition of getting money. "Who said you could come?" Ghaleon
asked. "I have to come as the premier of the Vane Magic Guild to
explore foreign land looking for people who would join the guild."
Lemina stated. Leo nodded a little hesitantly. "As long as we're close
why don't we see if Nall wants to come?" Lemina said. Ghaleon acted
annoyed. "Come on Ghaleon." Chaia said, elbowing him. He gave her
an odd look and she quieted. They traveled to Tabens Peak and, thanks
to Leo and Lemina the Dragon Kids let them in. They walked to the
room where Nall spent most of his time. Nall's eyes searched the
group focusing on Ghaleon. "Leo, Lemina. What brings you here ?" Nall
asked. Leo and Lemina walked forward to explain, letting Ghaleon and
Chaia hang back. "I'm escorting Ghaleon, Chaia, and their baby dragon
Onyx to a land marked on an old map." Leo said. Nall looked at Onyx,
then at Chaia, then shifted his gaze back to Leo and Lemina. "Would
you like to come with us? We could really use your help." Lemina
asked. Nall sighed. "I don't know... I mean with Ghaleon around, and
then there's the dragon kids. Ruby's visiting Hiro's grandfather. I can't
leave them alone." Nall said. "Let's just let him be. We still have
Ronfar to get." Chaia said. "That's it, Mauri can watch the dragon kids.
It'll mean she won't be lonely while Ronfar is gone." Leo said. "I
suppose." Nall said. "Ghaleon and I can teleport you there Leo.
Lemina, stay here. Leo, where does Ronfar live?" Chaia asked. Leo
nodded. "Raculi Village." Leo said. "Onyx, stay here." Chaia said.
Ghaleon, Leo, and Chaia teleported to Raculi Village. Leo quickly lead
them to Ronfar and Mauri's house. "Leo is that you?" Ronfar said,
giving his beastman friend a good slap on the back. "Leo!" Mauri
exclaimed, hugging her brother. "Who's your friends?" Ronfar asked.
"You remember Ghaleon? And this is and aquiantance of mine, Chaia. "
Leo said. "Ghaleon huh." Ronfar said. "Yeah, I came here here to ask a
favor of both you and Mauri. Ronfar, would you travel with me on my
ship? I'm escorting them somewhere. Mauri, can you watch the dragon
kids for Nall so he can come with us?" Leo requested. They both
agreed. "Hey, as long as we're traveling let's get Jean. They teleported
to Horam, finding the blue dragon dojo. Jean was standing right
outside. "Leo! Guys, hello!" she happily greeted them, then noticing
Ghaleon and Chaia. "Hi." she said. Leo explained the situation to Jean.
"Well, sure." Jean easily agreed. They teleported back to Taben's Peak
and had a happy reunion among friends. Ghaleon, Chaia, and Onyx
stood to one side. After everything was arranged they teleported back
to the ship and set sail again. They went below decks to pick out
rooms. "Where's my room?" Lemina asked. "In here." Jean called. "This
isn't first class..." Lemina said. "Sorry, we have to share the rooms.
This isn't a luxury cruise Lemina." Jean said. "I'll take the room way
down there. The farther away from Ghaleon the better." Nall said,
stalking down the hall. "Awfully rude." Onyx said. Chaia peeked above
decks to see Ghaleon and Leo arguing. "We should head through this
pass." Leo said. "No, that won't work, we should go through the pass
near Horam." Ghaleon said. "It's my boat." Leo growled. "It's my map."
Ghaleon replied. Chaia shook her head and went to her and Ghaleon's
quarters. She came out later when Jean alerted her that it was dinner
time. An unsaid tension spread among them. Nall eyes Ghaleon. "Hey!
Ronfar took the larger half of the bread!" Lemina hollered. "You weren't
eating it." Ronfar said laughing. Leo joined them. The one good thing
was Leo was getting to see friends he hadn't seen since Hiro went to
the Blue Star. Ghaleon finished and left for his quarters. "Thank the
goddess Althena. I was feeling sick having to sit at the same table as
Ghaleon." Nall said. "He is a little creepy to have around." Lemina said.
"Creepy? Nah, he's downright evil." Nall said with a laugh. Chaia stood
up, slamming her hands on the table. "Stop it! I can't stand the way
you talk about Ghaleon!" Chaia yelled. "Well, it's the truth!" Nall yelled
back, standing up. Chaia grabbed Nall by the collar and drug him
across the table, holding him in the air. "You don't know Ghaleon. Not
like I do." She shouted. She pulled him closer so her mouth was next to
his ear. "Things aren't always what they seem, Nall." She whispered,
then set him down. "Don't you think I know that!" he yelled. "Out of
anyone here I thought you would've known... I guess you don't." Chaia
said, turning and leaving. Onyx looked at everyone in the room and
then flew out after Chaia. Nall sat down angrily. "Nall, can I tell you
something?" Jean asked. "What?" Nall snapped. "Remember when you
met me? You didn't trust me, in fact you thought I was one of the
Shadow Dragon cult. When I was in the cult I Killed people, but I'm a
different person now. Maybe Ghaleon has changed." Jean said. "Fat
chance." Nall huffed. "I'm not saying to like him, I'm just saying to give
him a chance." Jean said. "I guess..." Nall said. Chaia strode on deck
and climbed into the crows nest. She pulled her knees to her chest.
Onyx flew up and landed beside her. "They don't know Ghaleon like I
do." Chaia mumbled. Onyx snuggled closer. "It's okay." Onyx said.
"Thanks." Chaia said. She stared at the Blue Star. After calming her
anger she went below decks to her and Ghaleon's room. "Where were
you." Ghaleon asked. "I don't want to talk about it." Chaia said,
shutting the door behind herself. Ghaleon didn't prod any further, he
too had known that feeling many times before. "Ghaleon, did you bring
your lute?" Chaia asked. "Would you play it for me. It'll remind me of
home." Chaia said. "We don't know if our home is there." Ghaleon
replied. "You know what I mean. Back at the tower, with the fairies.
My real home with you." Chaia said, sitting on the floor. Ghaleon
almost seemed surprised by her statement. He began to play and
Chaia thought of the garden and the fairies. Ghaleon's own thoughts
strayed there. "Even if we never find our birthplace, we have each
other." Chaia said. Ghaleon nodded ever so slightly. Chaia sighed "Why
did Nall have to be such a jerk." Chaia thought. After a couple hours
she fell asleep and Ghaleon went to bed. Chaia woke up early. She
glanced at Ghaleon and Onyx who both slept and then went above
decks. Leo was steering the ship and Jean, unexpectedly, was
practicing her dancing skills. Chaia went and stood at the railing ,
watching the water. "Chaia." Leo called, motioning to her. "Need
something?" Chaia asked. "Sorry about Nall." Leo said. "It's okay."
Chaia replied. "Why are you traveling to this land?" Leo asked. "I can't
say..." Chaia said. "Oh..." Leo said, knowing to back off. The sun rose
slowly over the horizon. Chaia turned, walking toward Jean. "Jean, you
look so pretty." Chaia said. Jean stopped. "You think so?" Jean asked.
"Oh yes!" Chaia confirmed. Jean smiled, wiping the sweat off her brow.
"I should stop now. Why don't we go get something to eat." Jean said.
Chaia nodded happily. Chaia looked up at Jean from her early
breakfast. "Jean, why are you and Leo nice to me and Ghaleon." Chaia
asked. "Let's just say I know there's more to a person then meets the
eye. I think Leo feels the same way." Jean said, winking. Chaia
laughed. The trip seemed to be going good aside from the occasional
tensions. "Are you coming to dinner?" Chaia asked Ghaleon. "No...
Have that magic guild girl bring it." Ghaleon said. "You mean Lemina?"
Chaia asked. Ghaleon absently waved her off while reaching for his
lute with one hand. Chaia went to the dining hall, sitting down.
"Where's Ghaleon?" Leo asked. "He's in his room. Oh yeah, by the way,
Lemina could you take Ghaleon his meal, he doesn't feel like coming
out? It would be a big favor." Chaia asked. "It'll cost him." Lemina said.
"So his royal highness wants room service." Nall mocked. Chaia sighed
then sat a moment before muttering an inaudible ,"Humph!" "Maybe I
should just take it to him." Chaia said taking the plate. Chaia went to
his room and set it beside him. "Chaia, didn't I say to have the magic
guild girl bring it?" Ghaleon asked, still playing his lute. "They were a
little hesitant so I brought it. I'll be back in a little while." Chaia said,
leaving. "How was his royal highness?" Nall joked. "Oh hush." she
said, sitting down. After dinner Chaia followed Leo on deck. She took
her long platinum hair out of a braid and let it blow in the wind. "How
many more days until we reach land?" Chaia asked. "According to the
map, about two days." Leo said. The two days went fairly quick. "I see
land!" Leo called to Chaia who was in the crows nest. She was so
excited she almost fell as she scrambled to get down, Onyx flying in
circles. She ran below decks to Ghaleon's room. "Ghaleon, it's land!"
Chaia gasped. Ghaleon stood up following Chaia up on deck. His
crimson eyes studied the horizon. The others came above decks to
see. As they drew close they noticed something odd. "What is that?!"
Ronfar yelled, seeing a huge dome. They landed and began to conduct
a search of it. As they regrouped they had come up with nothing. "No
door, no nothing." Ronfar said. "There seems to be no way in." Leo
said. Chaia leaned, disappointed, against the wall. It suddenly turned
to liquid. She backed away and it returned to normal. She touched it
and it again became clear liquid. "As long as I touch this it becomes
unstable, go on through." Chaia said as they went in and she followed.
They were confronted by a group of people who look similar to Ghaleon
and Chaia but not exactly. They had pale skin and white hair. Their
ears were normal though and their eyes were a pale gray. "What is
this?" Chaia asked. "You must see the elder." one said and led them
through the city. Among the people were some who looked like Chaia
and Ghaleon with slight differences in hair colors and different eye
colors. "You notice they're staring at us more than Ghaleon or Chaia."
Ronfar said. They reached a fancy looking temple and were told to go
inside. A woman stood before them. She looked almost exactly like
Chaia and Ghaleon on she was very old and weathered. There was no
saying how old she was. "So, this is your home town, eh, Ghaleon?"
Ronfar asked, slapping Ghaleon on the back. Ghaleon glared at Ronfar.
"I've never been here before." Ghaleon growled. "So the two dragon
children have returned." The old woman said. "My name is Lyra Aquila,
I am the first dragon child." Lyra introduced. Lyra strode up to Chaia
and looked her over. "It's good to see you again Chaia" she said, then
walked over Ghaleon, standing close to his face. "Back off." Ghaleon
hissed, glaring. "I remember you too." Lyra said, glaring back at him
before stepping back. She glanced at Nall a moment then back at
Chaia and Ghaleon. "Lyra, what are dragon children." Chaia asked.
"You all must be very tired. Right now the people will be holding a
festival." Lyra said. "You old witch, explain now!" Ghaleon demanded.
Lyra turned away and waved them off with one hand. A child about
twelve or thirteen walked out from a side room, touching Lyra's sleeve.
"Grandmother mustn't tire herself out." He said. The boy had pointed
ears with golden eyes and streaks of red through his otherwise white
hair. Chaia set a hand on Ghaleon's shoulder, shaking her head. They
were escorted to a large area later that day for dinner. Nall for some
reason had been separated and given all gold dinnerware. A group of
women crowded around him as he ate. Ghaleon ate without speaking.
A woman walked up to Leo, tapping him on the shoulder. "Yes?" he
said, turning to her. "Would you like to shave all that unsightly hair off
your body?" She asked. Jean, Chaia, Lemina, and Ronfar all started
laughing. "No thanks... I'm a beast man, I naturally look this way." Leo
said. "Oh, I'm very sorry." she said, leaving him. "What's so funny?"
Leo asked crinkling his nose. "I'm sorry." Jean said. When they settled
down Jean thought of something. "I know why they asked you that
Leo." Jean grabbed Chaia's arm holding it out. "See, no body hair. Our
appearances are much more odd." Jean explained, and released
Chaia's arm. "That make sense." Leo agreed. Nall walked over looking
nervous. "I've got to go to my room, I have to have some privacy." Nall
said, trodding off. Ghaleon stood up. "I'm going to my room." he said.
"I'll come with you." Chaia replied. Onyx flew after her. "I'm not tired.
How about you guys?" Ronfar asked. "Nope!" the others agreed. "Nall
sat in his room thinking. "This is all too weird. All these women asking
me to favor their daughters. I just don't get it." Nall thought. Onyx sat
looking out the window. "Ghaleon?" Chaia murmured. Ghaleon ignored
her, not wishing to talk. Chaia sighed leaning against a wall. "If this is
my homeland why was I sold into slavery? Did they betray me too?"
Ghaleon thought. Chaia slid to the floor, sitting with her back against
the wall. She shut her eyes. "Where are my parents? This is such a
bewildering place. Why am I even here? I wonder how Ghaleon feels
about all this." Chaia thought, her eyes remaining shut. Ghaleon looked
over at her. "If they betrayed me there's no telling that they didn't
betray her too." Ghaleon thought, clenching a fist at the very thought.
"She always seems so confident, even now yet at the same time her
spirits seem to have a damper put on them since we arrived here." he
thought, studying her with his crimson eyes. "Maybe Lyra can make
everything clear... I'll just have to wait and see." Chaia thought
solemnly, a somber look on her face. "I hope Chaia and Ghaleon can
take whatever it is that they find out tomorrow." Jean said. "Especially
Chaia." Leo said. "Maybe I can convince Nall to hand over that gold
goblet they have him." Lemina said, her mind on nothing other than
money. "What an odd place, but they sure can cook!" Ronfar said. "I
can't deny that, my friend." Leo said. Jean nodded in agreement. Leo's
look changed to one of seriousness. "This is all very puzzling." Leo
said. They also went to their rooms to go to sleep. Leo awoke to a loud
knocking on his door. He got up and opened it. Nall burst into the room
slamming the door behind him. "Hide me Leo! I've got to get some
rest!" Nall demanded. "Woah, woah... What is it Nall?" Leo asked. "All
those women won't leave me alone. I can't get a wink of sleep with
them banging my door down." Nall said. "You can stay." Leo said
grinning. "Thanks man!" Nall said, curling up on the couch. Night faded
quickly and it was soon morning. Onyx slept beside Chaia. Chaia
opened an eye to see Ghaleon looking out a window. "Ghaleon?" she
asked, sitting up. He glanced at her then back outside. "You should get
dressed.." he said. She woke Onyx up then changed. They gathered at
the temple. "I shall explain everything to you." Lyra said. "First of all
I'll explain what dragon children are, since neither of you remember
your time as children here. Dragon children are the offspring of one of
the four dragons, and one of our people. Every so many years a dragon
would come in human form and choose a mate to bear it's child." Lyra
said. "How can that be?" Nall said. "Listen and you will understand. I,
Lyra the first dragon child have been around long before any of you,
since Althena came to Lunar. Now Chaia, I will tell you of your past."
Lyra said. Chaia nodded, swallowing hard. Ghaleon glanced at her for a
split second. Onyx looked up at her from the floor. "Your mother is
Saria Valky." Lyra said.. "Well, where is she?" Chaia asked. "She died
two years ago from a broken heart. She had been torn apart by your
kidnapping when you were five. I'm surprised she lived that long. I'm
sorry." Lyra said. Chaia was shaking now and she sank to the floor.
"Two years? Two years and I could've seen her... If only I had known. If
I had known I would've come. Damn it!" Chaia sobbed, slamming her
fist hard on the floor. Ghaleon looked sadly at her. He would've done
something but he didn't know what to do. "What of my father?" Chaia
choked. "Your father, the blue dragon, still lives." Lyra answered "The
blue dragon..." She mumbled staring at the floor. "Now Ghaleon." Lyra
said getting Ghaleon to focus his attention on him. "Your mother is
Cassia Urusai." Lyra announced. "What happened to her? I was told
she was killed when I was captured and sold into slavery." Ghaleon
asked. "Everyone in the room other than Lyra, Onyx, and Chaia gasped.
"On the contrary Ghaleon. She wasn't killed at all, she always believe
you'd come back. She died of natural causes many years ago." Lyra
said. Ghaleon shut his eyes in thought and then looked back up at her.
"I see, what of my father?" Chaia now looked up at him. "The white
dragon Quark is your father. He unfortunately died about a little over a
thousand years ago." Lyra said. Ghaleon stared at his own hands.
"Quark was my...." Ghaleon muttered. "Liar! There's no way I'm half
brother to a murderer like you!" Nall yelled, running out of the temple.
Ghaleon fell to his knees. "What did Nall mean by that?" Lyra asked.
"Ask him!" Ghaleon yelled. Chaia now began to cry again, seeing
Ghaleon in such pain. Ghaleon stood up and walked away. "That's all I
can tell you." Lyra said. Jean kneeled by Chaia. "Come on, let's get you
something to eat. Then maybe you can talk to Ghaleon." Jean said.
Chaia nodded. Onyx flew and landed on Chaia's shoulder. Nall ran
angrily until he reached a garden. A girl he hadn't seen before sat
there. Nall sat down. "You look sad. Care to talk about it?" she asked.
He explained his frustrations. "Why do the dragons do that... Quark
never told me." Nall said, propping his head in his hand. "I asked Lyra
that once too. She said that, that is the was things have always been
since Althena came to Lunar and that's how it would always be." The
girl said. "I haven't seen you around. What's your name?" he asked.
"Rhiana." She answered. Nall was in an odd way attracted to her. He
didn't know but it's an instinct all dragons are given, to favor one of
these people. Chaia had calmed down and now walked to Ghaleon's
room. She knocked on the the door. "Ghaleon, it's me, Chaia." Chaia
called. "Go away!" he yelled. Chaia tried to open the door but he'd
placed and extremely powerful seal on it. She sighed and walked off.
As Nall passed by he noticed Chaia standing near the edge of the city.
"Chaia, what are you doing way out here?" Nall asked. "Ghaleon's
locked himself in his room... I want to see father, I mean the blue
dragon. I can't teleport there since I've never been there... Ghaleon
has, but that won't do me any good with him locked up. I can't take the
ship leaving everyone stranded." Chaia paused, looking at Nall. "You
can become a full sized dragon right... Would you fly me there? I know
you have no reason to trust me, or Ghaleon, or any of these people, but
you can trust the blue dragon though, right? Maybe he can answer your
questions." Chaia said. Nall thought about this. "I'll do it." Nall agreed,
becoming a dragon. She climbed onto his back and Onyx landed in her
lap. Nall flew off toward the blue dragon cave. Lyra stopped at
Ghaleon's room, breaking the seal he places with extreme ease. She
strode in and Ghaleon quickly turned to see her. "Oh, it's you." he said,
in a flat sounding voice. She walked over to him. "Your mother made
me promise to give this to you." Lyra said, holding out her hand. He
took what she offered him and studied it closely. A necklace with a
crystal pendant and a locket. He gingerly opened the locket. On one
side a photo of a woman with long hair and pale gray eyes, a soft smile
on her face. On the other side a picture of a man who looked
remarkably like himself. Ghaleon quickly deduced that it was quarks
human form. "Lyra, I killed Quark." Ghaleon said. "It's understandable.
You didn't know." Lyra replied. Ghaleon's head snapped up. "I hold no
malice against you. I have also fulfilled my promise to your mother."
Lyra said, turning to leave. "Have you seen Chaia ?" Ghaleon asked.
"No. Maybe you should go find her." Lyra replied. Ghaleon shut the
locket and put the necklace on, getting up to find Chaia. Nall led Chaia
through the cave to where the blue dragon stayed. As they walked in
thay saw him there sleeping. His eyes opened and he raised his head
smelling the air. He looked at Chaia. "My daughter, Chaia...." He said.
"Father, you recognize me." Chaia said, tears filling her eyes. He
lowered his face so she could lean on him. After a moment he raised
his head. "Why have you come here Nall?" it asked. Nall explained and
the blue dragon answered the questions no one else could. Nall then
understood. After Chaia said farewell to her father Nall led her out of
the cave and transformed so he could fly her back. Ghaleon burst into
the temple panting. "Lyra, I can't find Chaia!" Ghaleon said, gasping for
breath. "Don't worry, she'll be coming back soon. There is something I
need to speak to you about." Lyra said, instructing him to sit.
"Ghaleon, I'm old... Very soon now I will die. Someone must lead and
protect our people. You are the one who should do it. I heard how you
care and protect those fairies." Lyra said. "But I can't leave my fairies
either." Ghaleon said. "You don't have to. They may stay here, and by
law, no one may hurt them." Lyra said. Ghaleon sat silent for several
moments, thinking. "I will." he said. Lyra smiled. "Thank you Ghaleon.
Chaia should be arriving any minute now." Lyra said. Ghaleon's eyes
widened and he stood up to leave. "Tell her how you feel when you get
the chance." Lyra said. Ghaleon stopped mid-step and looked back
smiling. "Right." he said, leaving. Ghaleon stood waiting as Chaia
waiting as Chaia landed. She jumped off, letting Nall become human
again, Onyx followed Chaia. "Ghaleon?" Chaia said almost in disbelief.
"Where have you been?' he asked glaring. "I went to see father." Chaia
said, glaring back. A smile played across his lips. "That's good." he
said. He walked forward, wrapping his lean arms around her. She stood
totally still, in shock. "Ghaleon, what happened to you?" she asked. He
shook his head, then stepped back. He explained what Lyra had asked
him to do. "Let me bring the fairies." Chaia said, disappearing. A
couple of minutes later she reappearing, with all the fairies. They flew
off to explore their new home after greeting Ghaleon. Nall walked up to
Ghaleon. "Look Ghaleon, this is hard for me to say... I can forgive you,
just give me time." Nall said. "Thank you." Ghaleon said. Jean, Lemina,
Ronfar, and Leo walked up. "Where in Lunar have you all been?" Ronfar
asked. "Tell us." Jean said. Ghaleon explained to them too. "So you're
the next leader of this place." Leo said. "Yes." Ghaleon said. "I have to
do something." Nall said, walking away. He walked into the temple
approaching Lyra. "So you finally understand?" Lyra asked. "Yes and I
have decided to favor Rhiana." Nall said. "You have, have you? I will
let her family know and we will hold a ceremony tonight." Lyra said.
Nall sat with the others and Rhiana. They had sworn the vows of
dragon and human. "Come Rhiana." Nall said, standing. "Ooh... Nall!"
Lemina teased. "I'm not even going to acknowledge that remark
Lemina." Nall said, walking off with Rhiana. "Nall's so lucky... If I
wasn't a one girl man how I'd love to be a dragon." Ronfar said. "Feel
lucky that you are because I'd kill you if Mauri didn't first." Leo said.
"Any way, you aren't a dragon, Ronfar." Jean added in. Ghaleon looked
over at Chaia, reaching over the table to tap her on the shoulder.
"Yes?" she said, looking at him. Ghaleon sighed, looking away to one
side. "I just want you to know... That I want you to stay here with me
and help me take care of these people. Of course you'll continue your
magic training with me." he said, glancing at Chaia. Lemina motioned
for Ronfar, Leo, and Jean to lean closer. "Let me translate for Ghaleon.
What he's trying to say is, I love you." Lemina whispered. "What's that
Lemina?" Ghaleon asked, shooting her a glare. "Nothing..." Lemina said
in a melodic tone.
"I'll come back in about a years time, before the child is born."
Nall said to Rhiana. "Ooh, Nall..." Lemina once again teased. "That
reminds me... Lemina, Ronfar, and you too Leo. Don't any of you ever
tell Ruby, or anyone else for that matter about this because I'm still
one of Althena's dragons and I will kill you." Nall said. Nall became a
dragon and flew back to Tabens Peak. "You did what!?" Ruby screams
at Nall from deep within the dragon kids hideout. "I'd love to stay but
mother will want me home and I still have Vane to restore." Lemina
said. "You know Ronfar, this is just the kind of place I've been looking
for to settle down." Leo said. "Well, then why don't Mauri and I move
here too. She'd never forgive me if she couldn't see you." Ronfar said.
"I have to get back to the carnival but I'll be sure to visit." Jean said.
Leo, Lemina, Jean, and Ronfar left also, and Ghaleon, Chaia, and Onyx
turned and headed back to the city.
The End...For now.
A girl with long platinum hair and light watery aquamarine eyes
wandered down a long corridor. A lamp clenched tightly in one hand
held out in front of her. "There has to be something valuable in here."
she said. After somehow making her way past the rooms with
monsters she found an Althena statue which she prayed at to restore
her strength. Beyond the statue was a large sealed door. "Hm... This
is easy enough." she said breaking the magic seal causing the door to
swing open. She was taken aback by a beautiful garden full of fairies.
The fairies dashed for cover when they saw her. "I must look pretty
bad." she said walking to the pond and staring at herself. "I'm a
mess." she mumbled straightening her cream colored shirt and dusting
off her olive green shorts before getting a drink. Just as she stood
back up she heard a sound and whirled to see a man standing behind
her. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" the point eared man
asked her. "Well my name's Archaia Valky but most just call me
Chaia. I'm a ruin explorer looking for treasure." she said grinning.
"How did you get past my seals?" he asked curiously, while fixing a
glare on her. "Easy. I've had much experience unsealing ruins. Plus I
have a spell book that has unsealing spells. Much needed being lots of
ruins are sealed magically." she explained, holding up a spell book.
"Humph... Well you aren't welcome here. Now be gone!" he ordered.
"Yeah, right... Well listen here who ever the heck you are. I'm not
finished exploring around here." Chaia replied. "My name is Ghaleon...
Now get out." he ordered in an icy tone. She shot a glare back at him.
"No." she said. Ghaleon narrowed his eyes, obviously not amused. A
fairy flew from it's hiding place and whispered something to him. He
sighed deeply. "Look, I don't want to kill you, because of the fairies,
just leave." he said. "All right." she replied. As she turned and walked
absentmindedly down a corridor she was surrounded by mirror and
wolf monsters. "Uh oh... Trapped." she said. She couldn't fight them
off. Next thing she knew she was being attacked from all sides.
Wolves teeth tearing into her flesh and attacks from the mirror
creatures injured her more. She did the only thing she could think of...
"Ghaleon! Please Ghaleon help!" she yelled. She fell to the ground
trying to protect her head and neck from injury. She heard the
monsters let out a whimper and then the attack stopped. She sat up to
see Ghaleon. He had turned the monsters to ashes with an extremely
powerful fire spell. "You are extremely troublesome." he said glaring.
"There's an easier way to get out." he said, leading her back to the
garden, stopping at the Althena statue so she could heal. "Over there.
Now, for the last time, get out." he said pointing to another door. She
walked out and it shut abruptly behind her. "He sure wasn't a very
pleasant person." she mumbled. The sun was setting so she set up
camp right outside. As she waited for her meal to cool she pulled a
history book out of her bag and rifled through it. "I know I've heard the
name Ghaleon before." she said. She spotted his name and read an
article concerning him. "Wow." she said as she shut the book. After
dinner, while she was star gazing an idea struck her. Maybe he'd
teach her magic. He had fascinated her the moment she saw him. As
she thought soft music sounded from behind the door. "Music? It
must be Ghaleon. Now's as good a time as any for me to ask him if I
can stay with him as a student." she said, putting out the fire and
gathering her things. She broke the seal easily and strode in. Ghaleon
stopped playing, and rested his lute on the bench he sat on. "What do
you want?" he asked in a viciously icy tone. "I'd like to be a student
to you and for you to teach me magic." she asked, bowing slightly.
"No, be gone. I want no students. If you want to learn magic go to
Vane." he said. "I don't want to go to Vane. I want you to teach me."
she replied. "Well, I won't." he said, glaring. She totally ignored the
glare and took a step closer, setting down her backpack. "Please... I'm
not leaving. You have to agree." she said. He still glared but she
glared back. His glare turned to a quiet frown. He sighed, then spoke,
"I see... Fine, you may stay." he said. "Thank you." she said, reaching
to shake his hand. He knocked her hand away, then picked up his lute.
"As long as you stay here you do as I say." he said without making eye
contact. She sat in the grass watching the fairies. A small red haired
fairy landed on her shoulder. "You're pretty brave to argue with
Ghaleon." it said into her ear. "What's your name?" Chaia asked.
"Amyrilis." the fairy said. "Pretty name." Chaia replied. Amyrilis
giggled then flitted off. "Follow me." Ghaleon said, finishing playing
and rising to his feet. "where are we going?" she asked, picking up
her backpack. "I'll show you where you'll be staying." he said, leading
her to another room. Bookshelves lined the walls and a few magic
torches illuminated the walls, along with a fireplace with magical fire
flaring in it. Rugs covered the marble floor and there was a tall four
posted bed. "You'll sleep here." he said. She started to stride for the
bed. "On the floor. " he said. "Fine... On the floor." she mumbled,
walking around the bed, sitting on a rug and digging out her sleeping
bag. He lifted his heavy shoulder guards off his shoulders and let them
and his cloak drop to the floor with a heavy crash, then kicked off his
boots. Chaia laid down. "Thanks again Ghaleon." Chaia said. He
"Humphed." and laid down. "It's odd... She looks similar to me. Her
pale skin, the shape of her eyes, her hair... Even the way she carries
herself, moves, speaks is just different. Not to mention she talks back
to me." he thought, rolling onto his side and closing his eyes. The
next morning Chaia got quite a rude awakening. She felt something
cold touching her face and opened her eyes to see a boot next to her
face. "Get up. You have work to do." he ordered. She got up. "What
kind of work?" she asked. "Well, this isn't a sleep over. You have to
work if you are to stay here. The floors could use a good scrubbing,
the books in here need alphabetizing, the trees in the garden need
watering, and when you're finished I can find more for you to do. "
Ghaleon said. "Oh, so I'm doing house work then." she replied. "Yes. I
have to see if your worth keeping around." he retorted. "Fine." she
said. "Fine." he replied. "Fine!" Chaia yelled. "Fine!" Ghaleon shouted
back with a glare. They both "Humphed." and then turned away. She
scrubbed the floor angrily and stopped a moment. "Do this, do that,
blah, blah, blah." she mumbled, rolling her eyes and then continued to
scrub the floor. Alphabetizing the books was much more entertaining
than floor scrubbing because it meant she could see what books he
had. It wasn't so bad after she finished and he could find nothing else
for her to do, so he allowed her to wander around. She sat in the
garden talking with the fairies. Ghaleon walked in, sitting down. "So,
am I worth keeping?" she asked. "Well, I suppose so." he smugly
replied. She rolled her eyes. In the next days that followed it went
that way, with little bits of magic training. Within a couple weeks she
learned how to teleport. Chaia sat listening to the music Ghaleon
played and watched the fairies dance about. Now and then since she
now knew how to teleport, Ghaleon would send her out on errands for
him. She looked over at him. He seemed deeply absorbed in his
music. A fairy flew to him and he laughed as it danced on the edge of
his lute. Chaia smiled and then went back to her own thoughts. One
morning she awoke to find Ghaleon gone. He returned later that day
with a few new fairies. She mused but didn't look up from the book
she was reading. "What book is that?" he asked. "Nothing." she said.
He walked over and took it from her. "Oh, one of the spell books." he
said, handing it back. After he came back from a bath he found Chaia
still in the garden. He sat down with the lute and played. Chaia
sighed and tilted her head back, her long hair draping over the bench.
It was unusual for her to have her hair down. It was usually braided.
She yawned and laid back on the bench. Ghaleon looked over at her
but the moment she noticed him watching she sat up. There had been
less controversy lately, but they still quarreled. "Ghaleon, where did
you learn to play?" Chaia asked. He intentionally ignored her, not
wishing to talk. She shrugged it off and went to lay down. He walked
in. "Tomorrow I need you to go to the black dragon's cave. I need a
dragon diamond. " he said. "Sure." she said. She woke up early and
teleported to the black dragon cave. After finding a diamond just as
she turned to leave she saw something. An egg. She walked over
examining it. "A black dragon egg? Well, I can't abandon it here, but
Ghaleon will kill me if he finds out about it... I'll just have to keep it a
secret." she said, hiding the egg in her backpack. She teleported
back to the tower, dragon diamond in hand. "Here." she said giving it
to Ghaleon. "Tomorrow take it to Meribia and sell it." Ghaleon said,
handing it back. "Okay." she said, absentmindedly walking away, while
trying to think of how to hide the egg As she walked toward the
bedroom she got an idea. There was a storage room Ghaleon never
went in. Taking a spell book with an incubation spell and went to the
room. Setting the egg on a soft blanket she cast the incubation spell,
then left it. If she was gone too long Ghaleon would be suspicious. The
next day after selling the diamond in Meribia she came back, making
sure to check on the egg. As she walked back into the garden she
noticed Ghaleon's gaze fixed on her. "What?!" she asked, playing
nervously with one of her ears. "I was just wondering... If you'd like to
come with me when I go out looking for fairies to bring here?" he
asked. She sighed in relief. "Sure, I'd love it." Chaia replied. "Goldleaf
will come with us. She helps and convinces them." Ghaleon added. The
next morning they left with Goldleaf to find some fairies. "Where
exactly are we going?" she asked. "The Starlight woods." Ghaleon
said. "It's close to Star Dragon Tower." Goldleaf added in excitedly,
doing a backflip in the air. Ghaleon smiled slightly. The trip to the
Starlight woods was fairly easy. As they made it to Star Dragon Tower
a man confronted them. "Hang on a minute." the man said. "What?"
Ghaleon asked. "I'm the great adventurer, Mike! You're Ghaleon... The
hated Magic Emperor. I shall slay you!" the man shouted. "This is
pointless. Go home. I could kill you in an an instant, but it would be a
waste of energy." Ghaleon said. As Ghaleon turned to leave the man
drew his weapon. Goldleaf, seeing this, flew in front of the man,
forming a shield spell around Ghaleon, leaving her open. "Goldleaf, no
don't!" Chaia shouted. "Stupid thing!" the supposed adventurer shouted
hitting the fairy with the club he carried. Ghaleon had turned just in
time to see this and as Goldleaf fell dead to the ground Ghaleon's eyes
lit with a deadly fire. "You Die!" Ghaleon screamed. He skewered the
man with multiple ice spears and as the man fell Ghaleon incenerated
him with a powerful fire spell. Ghaleon's gaze shifted to the dead fairy.
He dropped to his knees, picking up Goldleaf's limp body in his hands.
He began to cry hard. "Ghaleon... I.." Chaia began to say. "Shut up!
Silence!" he hissed in a viciously deadly tone. This was one time when
Chaia knew not to snap back at him because he WOULD kill her. She
sat down watching him. He stood up with Goldleaf in his hands after
about an hour or so and teleported away. "He must have gone home."
Chaia whispered, wiping the tears from her face. She teleported back
to the tower. "Ghaleon?" she called softly. "Ghaleon came through
here. He was crying and after burying Goldleaf he went to his room."
Amyrilis told Chaia. "I should just leave him alone for awhile." Chaia
replied, going to be with her egg. She touched it. "It should hatch
soon..." She mumbled, the scene from earlier playing through her mind
all to clearly. She fell to her knees and sobbed. After recovering she
walked back out to the garden. The fairies were all very quiet. Chaia
slept in the garden that night, not wanting to disturb Ghaleon. Next
morning she sat thinking. "Is this the same Ghaleon who was the hated
Magic Emperor? The Ghaleon who broke down and cried when Goldleaf
was killed. Why, when he despises and hates anyone else why should
he care about simple fairies, there has to be a reason... I must find
out." Chaia thought, getting up. The bedroom was dark. She flicked a
hand and one torch lit. A set of shoulderguards layed on the floor and
she could make out the form of Ghaleon on the bed. She flicked her
hand again, lighting the other torches and the fireplace. He opened his
eyes and stared as she walked over. "Ghaleon... Are you okay?" Chaia
asked. He sat up, staring blankly and sighed. "You have no idea." he
muttered. "Ghaleon tell me. Why do you care about the fairies? I mean,
what happened when you were young, before you were one of the four
heroes?" Chaia asked. His head snapped up. "Why?" He asked. "I just
want to know." Chaia replied. "I'll tell you, but first you have to tell me
about your past." Ghaleon said. "Fair enough." Chaia agreed. "I don't
remember my real parents. y memory goes about to when I was five. I
remember being on a ship. When I arrived they held me for awhile.
While I was held there I remember one of the sailors saying something
about... Well he said, 'So we're selling the dragon child tomorrow?' But
I didn't know what he meant. Any way, I was handed over to a rich
family. They really didn't care for me. I was their showpiece daughter. I
had to dress and talk just a certain way. They wanted me for nothing
more than a status symbol... So, as soon as I was old enough, I
escaped and became a ruin explorer." Chaia said. "So that's all you
remember?" Ghaleon asked, now intrigued. "Yes. Everything else is a
big blank..." she said. "Hm... Well, now I shell tell you of my past."
Ghaleon said. "My mother was killed when I was little or so I was told.
After being sent across seas I was sold as a slave to a wealthy
household. It was horrible. They starved me and worked me day and
night. The lord of the household got angry one day and almost beat me
to death. I escaped into some woods and then some fairies found me.
They saved me, and took care of me. They gave me new hope. Then I
met Dyne and became one of the four heroes. They gained my trust and
made me believe in good people, and I believed in the Goddess
Althena. I was young and full of hope and dreams, but then Dyne and
Althena betrayed me too... I shouldn't have gotten such high hopes... It
only got me more pain when they were shattered. The fairies are were
the only ones who have never betrayed me. As for the household who
made me a slave... I destroyed them." Ghaleon said. "Ghaleon... I am
so sorry." she said, setting her hand on his. He glanced at her but
didn't knock her hand away. "The fairies are all I have." he said, taking
a deep breath before taking his hand away to brush some of his silvery
whiter hair from his face. "Thanks for sharing Ghaleon." Chaia said. He
"humphed" softly and she started giggling. "What could they have
meant by dragon child?" Ghaleon said. That drew Chaia out of her
silliness. "Maybe... Just maybe we could said to the places where we
were born." Chaia said. "Any way, why don't you go get a bath and I'll
fix you some food." Chaia said getting up and walking out. She
checked on the egg which to her surprise was hatching. A small furry
black dragon hauled itself out of the egg. "Who are you?" it asked. "I'm
Chaia." she said. "Can you do something for me? I need you to stay in
here." She said putting it in a new blanket. "Sure ." it said. She walked
out and fixed some food for Ghaleon who soon after walked in. "I was
thinking... Maybe you're right. Maybe we can find our birthplace."
Ghaleon said. Suddenly the little black dragon walked in. Ghaleon
turned after hearing it. "What is that?" he asked in a cool tone. "Well
you see Ghaleon... I found the egg and couldn't abandon it, and I've
been secretly keeping it here." Chaia said as it flew into her lap.
"Please Ghaleon... Can it stay?" Chaia asked. He glared a moment and
then sighed. "Yes, but if it's staying around you should give it a name."
Ghaleon said, almost smiling. "Thanks!" Chaia said, and thought of a
name she could give it. "She's as black as the color of onyx so that's
what her name will be. Your name is Onyx." she told her dragon. It
purred in reply. "What should we do about finding where we cam
from?" Chaia asked Ghaleon. "Maybe I can find a map that will give us
a clue." Ghaleon replied. "I'm in no rush though." Chaia said. Ghaleon
had Chaia help look through some old maps. "What's that?" Chaia
asked, pointing to an island she hadn't seen on any other maps. "I...
Don't know." Ghaleon replied. "Really? Maybe that's it then." Chaia
said. Ghaleon nodded, gathering and putting the other maps away.
Onyx perched on Chaia's shoulder. "When do we leave?" Chaia asked,
looking Ghaleon's way. "Maybe in a few weeks." Ghaleon said. She
nodded. "Would you mind going to Meribia and gathering some
supplies? See if you can find a ship while you're at it." Ghaleon said.
"Oh, I know. I have a friend who I bailed out of trouble and he owes me
a favor. I'll make him let us use his ship." Chaia mentioned. "Another
ruin explorer? What was his name?" Ghaleon asked. "His name was
Leo, but he said he used to be called White Knight Leo." Chaia said.
"You met that arrogant, boorish beastman?" Ghaleon said. Chaia
raised an eyebrow. "You met him?" She asked. "Unfortunately yes."
Ghaleon replied and Chaia burst into laughter. "Well Ghaleon, I'll be
back in a little while." Chaia said disappearing with Onyx. She went by
Meribia first and after shopping she teleported to Nota where Leo
usually frequented. As she guessed he was there. "Leo! Hey Leo!"
Chaia called. "Chaia hey!" Leo called waving. As she walked up he
noticed Onyx flying alongside her. "Chaia, when did you get that?" Leo
asked. "I am not a that!" Onyx said. "Sorry. You're a baby dragon right?
So much like Ruby." Leo said. "Any way, what brings you here?" Leo
asked. "Actually you are what we I came here for. I need you to take
me and a friend somewhere in your ship." Chaia said. "A friend?" Is it
another explorer?" He asked. "Well... Not exactly.." Chaia said a little
softer. "Who?" Leo asked. "His name is... Ghaleon..." She said trailing
off as she said Ghaleon almost inaudibly. "Huh? Excuse me, what? Say
that last part one more time." Leo said. "I said his name is Ghaleon."
she said louder this time. "Ghaleon... You don't mean..." Leo asked.
Chaia nodded. "No way! I will not!" he yelled. "Hey, you still owe me
that favor for bailing you out at Lionhead ruins." Chaia said. "Yeah
well.... Any favor but that." Leo said. "No... That's what I want." Chaia
replied. "Fine, it's all I really can do since I can see you're not going to
let me disagree." Leo sighed. "Cheer up. We're going to a land that
hasn't been explored or mapped for a long time." Chaia said. Leo's
eyes lit up. "Really?" he asked. "Yeah Leo." Chaia said. "Thanks, I've
got to get back to Ghaleon now. Stay here and we'll be back soon."
Chaia said, teleporting away. "Hi." Ghaleon said. "Amazing... You're
friendly..." she joked sarcastically. he shook his head. "I got Leo to
agree after enough hassling." Chaia said. "Well, when ever you're ready
to leave we can." Ghaleon said. Chaia just noticed what Ghaleon was
wearing. A purple shirt and pants with triangular designs and cloth
bound to his arms. "Oh, Ghaleon! You look amazing. This is the first
time I've seen you without that overpowering outfit you usually wear."
Chaia said. "Well I dug it out." Ghaleon said. "I'll go pack my stuff."
Chaia said, walking away. Onyx dashed after her. When Chaia came
back out Ghaleon had some more stuff gathered. "I prefer my other
outfit but I'll be less conspicuous this way." he said. "Let's get
moving!" Onyx called excitedly. The teleported to Nota and found Leo.
Leo eyed Ghaleon. "Well, let's get to the ship." Leo said. He lead them
to the ship and they set off. "Where are my quarters?" Ghaleon asked.
"This way." Leo said leading them to a room below decks. "This is
unsuitable." Ghaleon said, quickly finding Leo's room. "I guess this will
do." Ghaleon said. "That's my room!" Leo yelled. "Too bad." Ghaleon
said, dropping his stuff. "You can not stay in there!" Leo yelled louder.
Chaia set a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. "We don't have
any crew so I'll have to pick up a few people but I have a few people in
mind. Particularly Ronfar." Leo said. "I'll stay in here with Ghaleon."
Chais said. Leo looked from him to her questioningly. "It's not like
that... I'm his student. It'll save cabin space too." Chaia said. She was
right. "Before we get Ronfar we need to stop by Vane and buy some
starlights." Chaia said. They reached Vain fairly quick and bought
some starlights. They suddenly heard someone yelling, "Leo, hey Leo!"
A blond girl ran up smiling. "Hi Leo! Did you come here to join the
Magic Guild?" Lemina asked. She peered around him and saw Ghaleon.
"Ghaleon! What's he doing here?!" Lemina screeched. "I'm escorting
them to a new land." Leo sighed. "Oh really? Ooh, think of all the
money, I mean adventure we'll have." she said, eyes shining with the
ambition of getting money. "Who said you could come?" Ghaleon
asked. "I have to come as the premier of the Vane Magic Guild to
explore foreign land looking for people who would join the guild."
Lemina stated. Leo nodded a little hesitantly. "As long as we're close
why don't we see if Nall wants to come?" Lemina said. Ghaleon acted
annoyed. "Come on Ghaleon." Chaia said, elbowing him. He gave her
an odd look and she quieted. They traveled to Tabens Peak and, thanks
to Leo and Lemina the Dragon Kids let them in. They walked to the
room where Nall spent most of his time. Nall's eyes searched the
group focusing on Ghaleon. "Leo, Lemina. What brings you here ?" Nall
asked. Leo and Lemina walked forward to explain, letting Ghaleon and
Chaia hang back. "I'm escorting Ghaleon, Chaia, and their baby dragon
Onyx to a land marked on an old map." Leo said. Nall looked at Onyx,
then at Chaia, then shifted his gaze back to Leo and Lemina. "Would
you like to come with us? We could really use your help." Lemina
asked. Nall sighed. "I don't know... I mean with Ghaleon around, and
then there's the dragon kids. Ruby's visiting Hiro's grandfather. I can't
leave them alone." Nall said. "Let's just let him be. We still have
Ronfar to get." Chaia said. "That's it, Mauri can watch the dragon kids.
It'll mean she won't be lonely while Ronfar is gone." Leo said. "I
suppose." Nall said. "Ghaleon and I can teleport you there Leo.
Lemina, stay here. Leo, where does Ronfar live?" Chaia asked. Leo
nodded. "Raculi Village." Leo said. "Onyx, stay here." Chaia said.
Ghaleon, Leo, and Chaia teleported to Raculi Village. Leo quickly lead
them to Ronfar and Mauri's house. "Leo is that you?" Ronfar said,
giving his beastman friend a good slap on the back. "Leo!" Mauri
exclaimed, hugging her brother. "Who's your friends?" Ronfar asked.
"You remember Ghaleon? And this is and aquiantance of mine, Chaia. "
Leo said. "Ghaleon huh." Ronfar said. "Yeah, I came here here to ask a
favor of both you and Mauri. Ronfar, would you travel with me on my
ship? I'm escorting them somewhere. Mauri, can you watch the dragon
kids for Nall so he can come with us?" Leo requested. They both
agreed. "Hey, as long as we're traveling let's get Jean. They teleported
to Horam, finding the blue dragon dojo. Jean was standing right
outside. "Leo! Guys, hello!" she happily greeted them, then noticing
Ghaleon and Chaia. "Hi." she said. Leo explained the situation to Jean.
"Well, sure." Jean easily agreed. They teleported back to Taben's Peak
and had a happy reunion among friends. Ghaleon, Chaia, and Onyx
stood to one side. After everything was arranged they teleported back
to the ship and set sail again. They went below decks to pick out
rooms. "Where's my room?" Lemina asked. "In here." Jean called. "This
isn't first class..." Lemina said. "Sorry, we have to share the rooms.
This isn't a luxury cruise Lemina." Jean said. "I'll take the room way
down there. The farther away from Ghaleon the better." Nall said,
stalking down the hall. "Awfully rude." Onyx said. Chaia peeked above
decks to see Ghaleon and Leo arguing. "We should head through this
pass." Leo said. "No, that won't work, we should go through the pass
near Horam." Ghaleon said. "It's my boat." Leo growled. "It's my map."
Ghaleon replied. Chaia shook her head and went to her and Ghaleon's
quarters. She came out later when Jean alerted her that it was dinner
time. An unsaid tension spread among them. Nall eyes Ghaleon. "Hey!
Ronfar took the larger half of the bread!" Lemina hollered. "You weren't
eating it." Ronfar said laughing. Leo joined them. The one good thing
was Leo was getting to see friends he hadn't seen since Hiro went to
the Blue Star. Ghaleon finished and left for his quarters. "Thank the
goddess Althena. I was feeling sick having to sit at the same table as
Ghaleon." Nall said. "He is a little creepy to have around." Lemina said.
"Creepy? Nah, he's downright evil." Nall said with a laugh. Chaia stood
up, slamming her hands on the table. "Stop it! I can't stand the way
you talk about Ghaleon!" Chaia yelled. "Well, it's the truth!" Nall yelled
back, standing up. Chaia grabbed Nall by the collar and drug him
across the table, holding him in the air. "You don't know Ghaleon. Not
like I do." She shouted. She pulled him closer so her mouth was next to
his ear. "Things aren't always what they seem, Nall." She whispered,
then set him down. "Don't you think I know that!" he yelled. "Out of
anyone here I thought you would've known... I guess you don't." Chaia
said, turning and leaving. Onyx looked at everyone in the room and
then flew out after Chaia. Nall sat down angrily. "Nall, can I tell you
something?" Jean asked. "What?" Nall snapped. "Remember when you
met me? You didn't trust me, in fact you thought I was one of the
Shadow Dragon cult. When I was in the cult I Killed people, but I'm a
different person now. Maybe Ghaleon has changed." Jean said. "Fat
chance." Nall huffed. "I'm not saying to like him, I'm just saying to give
him a chance." Jean said. "I guess..." Nall said. Chaia strode on deck
and climbed into the crows nest. She pulled her knees to her chest.
Onyx flew up and landed beside her. "They don't know Ghaleon like I
do." Chaia mumbled. Onyx snuggled closer. "It's okay." Onyx said.
"Thanks." Chaia said. She stared at the Blue Star. After calming her
anger she went below decks to her and Ghaleon's room. "Where were
you." Ghaleon asked. "I don't want to talk about it." Chaia said,
shutting the door behind herself. Ghaleon didn't prod any further, he
too had known that feeling many times before. "Ghaleon, did you bring
your lute?" Chaia asked. "Would you play it for me. It'll remind me of
home." Chaia said. "We don't know if our home is there." Ghaleon
replied. "You know what I mean. Back at the tower, with the fairies.
My real home with you." Chaia said, sitting on the floor. Ghaleon
almost seemed surprised by her statement. He began to play and
Chaia thought of the garden and the fairies. Ghaleon's own thoughts
strayed there. "Even if we never find our birthplace, we have each
other." Chaia said. Ghaleon nodded ever so slightly. Chaia sighed "Why
did Nall have to be such a jerk." Chaia thought. After a couple hours
she fell asleep and Ghaleon went to bed. Chaia woke up early. She
glanced at Ghaleon and Onyx who both slept and then went above
decks. Leo was steering the ship and Jean, unexpectedly, was
practicing her dancing skills. Chaia went and stood at the railing ,
watching the water. "Chaia." Leo called, motioning to her. "Need
something?" Chaia asked. "Sorry about Nall." Leo said. "It's okay."
Chaia replied. "Why are you traveling to this land?" Leo asked. "I can't
say..." Chaia said. "Oh..." Leo said, knowing to back off. The sun rose
slowly over the horizon. Chaia turned, walking toward Jean. "Jean, you
look so pretty." Chaia said. Jean stopped. "You think so?" Jean asked.
"Oh yes!" Chaia confirmed. Jean smiled, wiping the sweat off her brow.
"I should stop now. Why don't we go get something to eat." Jean said.
Chaia nodded happily. Chaia looked up at Jean from her early
breakfast. "Jean, why are you and Leo nice to me and Ghaleon." Chaia
asked. "Let's just say I know there's more to a person then meets the
eye. I think Leo feels the same way." Jean said, winking. Chaia
laughed. The trip seemed to be going good aside from the occasional
tensions. "Are you coming to dinner?" Chaia asked Ghaleon. "No...
Have that magic guild girl bring it." Ghaleon said. "You mean Lemina?"
Chaia asked. Ghaleon absently waved her off while reaching for his
lute with one hand. Chaia went to the dining hall, sitting down.
"Where's Ghaleon?" Leo asked. "He's in his room. Oh yeah, by the way,
Lemina could you take Ghaleon his meal, he doesn't feel like coming
out? It would be a big favor." Chaia asked. "It'll cost him." Lemina said.
"So his royal highness wants room service." Nall mocked. Chaia sighed
then sat a moment before muttering an inaudible ,"Humph!" "Maybe I
should just take it to him." Chaia said taking the plate. Chaia went to
his room and set it beside him. "Chaia, didn't I say to have the magic
guild girl bring it?" Ghaleon asked, still playing his lute. "They were a
little hesitant so I brought it. I'll be back in a little while." Chaia said,
leaving. "How was his royal highness?" Nall joked. "Oh hush." she
said, sitting down. After dinner Chaia followed Leo on deck. She took
her long platinum hair out of a braid and let it blow in the wind. "How
many more days until we reach land?" Chaia asked. "According to the
map, about two days." Leo said. The two days went fairly quick. "I see
land!" Leo called to Chaia who was in the crows nest. She was so
excited she almost fell as she scrambled to get down, Onyx flying in
circles. She ran below decks to Ghaleon's room. "Ghaleon, it's land!"
Chaia gasped. Ghaleon stood up following Chaia up on deck. His
crimson eyes studied the horizon. The others came above decks to
see. As they drew close they noticed something odd. "What is that?!"
Ronfar yelled, seeing a huge dome. They landed and began to conduct
a search of it. As they regrouped they had come up with nothing. "No
door, no nothing." Ronfar said. "There seems to be no way in." Leo
said. Chaia leaned, disappointed, against the wall. It suddenly turned
to liquid. She backed away and it returned to normal. She touched it
and it again became clear liquid. "As long as I touch this it becomes
unstable, go on through." Chaia said as they went in and she followed.
They were confronted by a group of people who look similar to Ghaleon
and Chaia but not exactly. They had pale skin and white hair. Their
ears were normal though and their eyes were a pale gray. "What is
this?" Chaia asked. "You must see the elder." one said and led them
through the city. Among the people were some who looked like Chaia
and Ghaleon with slight differences in hair colors and different eye
colors. "You notice they're staring at us more than Ghaleon or Chaia."
Ronfar said. They reached a fancy looking temple and were told to go
inside. A woman stood before them. She looked almost exactly like
Chaia and Ghaleon on she was very old and weathered. There was no
saying how old she was. "So, this is your home town, eh, Ghaleon?"
Ronfar asked, slapping Ghaleon on the back. Ghaleon glared at Ronfar.
"I've never been here before." Ghaleon growled. "So the two dragon
children have returned." The old woman said. "My name is Lyra Aquila,
I am the first dragon child." Lyra introduced. Lyra strode up to Chaia
and looked her over. "It's good to see you again Chaia" she said, then
walked over Ghaleon, standing close to his face. "Back off." Ghaleon
hissed, glaring. "I remember you too." Lyra said, glaring back at him
before stepping back. She glanced at Nall a moment then back at
Chaia and Ghaleon. "Lyra, what are dragon children." Chaia asked.
"You all must be very tired. Right now the people will be holding a
festival." Lyra said. "You old witch, explain now!" Ghaleon demanded.
Lyra turned away and waved them off with one hand. A child about
twelve or thirteen walked out from a side room, touching Lyra's sleeve.
"Grandmother mustn't tire herself out." He said. The boy had pointed
ears with golden eyes and streaks of red through his otherwise white
hair. Chaia set a hand on Ghaleon's shoulder, shaking her head. They
were escorted to a large area later that day for dinner. Nall for some
reason had been separated and given all gold dinnerware. A group of
women crowded around him as he ate. Ghaleon ate without speaking.
A woman walked up to Leo, tapping him on the shoulder. "Yes?" he
said, turning to her. "Would you like to shave all that unsightly hair off
your body?" She asked. Jean, Chaia, Lemina, and Ronfar all started
laughing. "No thanks... I'm a beast man, I naturally look this way." Leo
said. "Oh, I'm very sorry." she said, leaving him. "What's so funny?"
Leo asked crinkling his nose. "I'm sorry." Jean said. When they settled
down Jean thought of something. "I know why they asked you that
Leo." Jean grabbed Chaia's arm holding it out. "See, no body hair. Our
appearances are much more odd." Jean explained, and released
Chaia's arm. "That make sense." Leo agreed. Nall walked over looking
nervous. "I've got to go to my room, I have to have some privacy." Nall
said, trodding off. Ghaleon stood up. "I'm going to my room." he said.
"I'll come with you." Chaia replied. Onyx flew after her. "I'm not tired.
How about you guys?" Ronfar asked. "Nope!" the others agreed. "Nall
sat in his room thinking. "This is all too weird. All these women asking
me to favor their daughters. I just don't get it." Nall thought. Onyx sat
looking out the window. "Ghaleon?" Chaia murmured. Ghaleon ignored
her, not wishing to talk. Chaia sighed leaning against a wall. "If this is
my homeland why was I sold into slavery? Did they betray me too?"
Ghaleon thought. Chaia slid to the floor, sitting with her back against
the wall. She shut her eyes. "Where are my parents? This is such a
bewildering place. Why am I even here? I wonder how Ghaleon feels
about all this." Chaia thought, her eyes remaining shut. Ghaleon looked
over at her. "If they betrayed me there's no telling that they didn't
betray her too." Ghaleon thought, clenching a fist at the very thought.
"She always seems so confident, even now yet at the same time her
spirits seem to have a damper put on them since we arrived here." he
thought, studying her with his crimson eyes. "Maybe Lyra can make
everything clear... I'll just have to wait and see." Chaia thought
solemnly, a somber look on her face. "I hope Chaia and Ghaleon can
take whatever it is that they find out tomorrow." Jean said. "Especially
Chaia." Leo said. "Maybe I can convince Nall to hand over that gold
goblet they have him." Lemina said, her mind on nothing other than
money. "What an odd place, but they sure can cook!" Ronfar said. "I
can't deny that, my friend." Leo said. Jean nodded in agreement. Leo's
look changed to one of seriousness. "This is all very puzzling." Leo
said. They also went to their rooms to go to sleep. Leo awoke to a loud
knocking on his door. He got up and opened it. Nall burst into the room
slamming the door behind him. "Hide me Leo! I've got to get some
rest!" Nall demanded. "Woah, woah... What is it Nall?" Leo asked. "All
those women won't leave me alone. I can't get a wink of sleep with
them banging my door down." Nall said. "You can stay." Leo said
grinning. "Thanks man!" Nall said, curling up on the couch. Night faded
quickly and it was soon morning. Onyx slept beside Chaia. Chaia
opened an eye to see Ghaleon looking out a window. "Ghaleon?" she
asked, sitting up. He glanced at her then back outside. "You should get
dressed.." he said. She woke Onyx up then changed. They gathered at
the temple. "I shall explain everything to you." Lyra said. "First of all
I'll explain what dragon children are, since neither of you remember
your time as children here. Dragon children are the offspring of one of
the four dragons, and one of our people. Every so many years a dragon
would come in human form and choose a mate to bear it's child." Lyra
said. "How can that be?" Nall said. "Listen and you will understand. I,
Lyra the first dragon child have been around long before any of you,
since Althena came to Lunar. Now Chaia, I will tell you of your past."
Lyra said. Chaia nodded, swallowing hard. Ghaleon glanced at her for a
split second. Onyx looked up at her from the floor. "Your mother is
Saria Valky." Lyra said.. "Well, where is she?" Chaia asked. "She died
two years ago from a broken heart. She had been torn apart by your
kidnapping when you were five. I'm surprised she lived that long. I'm
sorry." Lyra said. Chaia was shaking now and she sank to the floor.
"Two years? Two years and I could've seen her... If only I had known. If
I had known I would've come. Damn it!" Chaia sobbed, slamming her
fist hard on the floor. Ghaleon looked sadly at her. He would've done
something but he didn't know what to do. "What of my father?" Chaia
choked. "Your father, the blue dragon, still lives." Lyra answered "The
blue dragon..." She mumbled staring at the floor. "Now Ghaleon." Lyra
said getting Ghaleon to focus his attention on him. "Your mother is
Cassia Urusai." Lyra announced. "What happened to her? I was told
she was killed when I was captured and sold into slavery." Ghaleon
asked. "Everyone in the room other than Lyra, Onyx, and Chaia gasped.
"On the contrary Ghaleon. She wasn't killed at all, she always believe
you'd come back. She died of natural causes many years ago." Lyra
said. Ghaleon shut his eyes in thought and then looked back up at her.
"I see, what of my father?" Chaia now looked up at him. "The white
dragon Quark is your father. He unfortunately died about a little over a
thousand years ago." Lyra said. Ghaleon stared at his own hands.
"Quark was my...." Ghaleon muttered. "Liar! There's no way I'm half
brother to a murderer like you!" Nall yelled, running out of the temple.
Ghaleon fell to his knees. "What did Nall mean by that?" Lyra asked.
"Ask him!" Ghaleon yelled. Chaia now began to cry again, seeing
Ghaleon in such pain. Ghaleon stood up and walked away. "That's all I
can tell you." Lyra said. Jean kneeled by Chaia. "Come on, let's get you
something to eat. Then maybe you can talk to Ghaleon." Jean said.
Chaia nodded. Onyx flew and landed on Chaia's shoulder. Nall ran
angrily until he reached a garden. A girl he hadn't seen before sat
there. Nall sat down. "You look sad. Care to talk about it?" she asked.
He explained his frustrations. "Why do the dragons do that... Quark
never told me." Nall said, propping his head in his hand. "I asked Lyra
that once too. She said that, that is the was things have always been
since Althena came to Lunar and that's how it would always be." The
girl said. "I haven't seen you around. What's your name?" he asked.
"Rhiana." She answered. Nall was in an odd way attracted to her. He
didn't know but it's an instinct all dragons are given, to favor one of
these people. Chaia had calmed down and now walked to Ghaleon's
room. She knocked on the the door. "Ghaleon, it's me, Chaia." Chaia
called. "Go away!" he yelled. Chaia tried to open the door but he'd
placed and extremely powerful seal on it. She sighed and walked off.
As Nall passed by he noticed Chaia standing near the edge of the city.
"Chaia, what are you doing way out here?" Nall asked. "Ghaleon's
locked himself in his room... I want to see father, I mean the blue
dragon. I can't teleport there since I've never been there... Ghaleon
has, but that won't do me any good with him locked up. I can't take the
ship leaving everyone stranded." Chaia paused, looking at Nall. "You
can become a full sized dragon right... Would you fly me there? I know
you have no reason to trust me, or Ghaleon, or any of these people, but
you can trust the blue dragon though, right? Maybe he can answer your
questions." Chaia said. Nall thought about this. "I'll do it." Nall agreed,
becoming a dragon. She climbed onto his back and Onyx landed in her
lap. Nall flew off toward the blue dragon cave. Lyra stopped at
Ghaleon's room, breaking the seal he places with extreme ease. She
strode in and Ghaleon quickly turned to see her. "Oh, it's you." he said,
in a flat sounding voice. She walked over to him. "Your mother made
me promise to give this to you." Lyra said, holding out her hand. He
took what she offered him and studied it closely. A necklace with a
crystal pendant and a locket. He gingerly opened the locket. On one
side a photo of a woman with long hair and pale gray eyes, a soft smile
on her face. On the other side a picture of a man who looked
remarkably like himself. Ghaleon quickly deduced that it was quarks
human form. "Lyra, I killed Quark." Ghaleon said. "It's understandable.
You didn't know." Lyra replied. Ghaleon's head snapped up. "I hold no
malice against you. I have also fulfilled my promise to your mother."
Lyra said, turning to leave. "Have you seen Chaia ?" Ghaleon asked.
"No. Maybe you should go find her." Lyra replied. Ghaleon shut the
locket and put the necklace on, getting up to find Chaia. Nall led Chaia
through the cave to where the blue dragon stayed. As they walked in
thay saw him there sleeping. His eyes opened and he raised his head
smelling the air. He looked at Chaia. "My daughter, Chaia...." He said.
"Father, you recognize me." Chaia said, tears filling her eyes. He
lowered his face so she could lean on him. After a moment he raised
his head. "Why have you come here Nall?" it asked. Nall explained and
the blue dragon answered the questions no one else could. Nall then
understood. After Chaia said farewell to her father Nall led her out of
the cave and transformed so he could fly her back. Ghaleon burst into
the temple panting. "Lyra, I can't find Chaia!" Ghaleon said, gasping for
breath. "Don't worry, she'll be coming back soon. There is something I
need to speak to you about." Lyra said, instructing him to sit.
"Ghaleon, I'm old... Very soon now I will die. Someone must lead and
protect our people. You are the one who should do it. I heard how you
care and protect those fairies." Lyra said. "But I can't leave my fairies
either." Ghaleon said. "You don't have to. They may stay here, and by
law, no one may hurt them." Lyra said. Ghaleon sat silent for several
moments, thinking. "I will." he said. Lyra smiled. "Thank you Ghaleon.
Chaia should be arriving any minute now." Lyra said. Ghaleon's eyes
widened and he stood up to leave. "Tell her how you feel when you get
the chance." Lyra said. Ghaleon stopped mid-step and looked back
smiling. "Right." he said, leaving. Ghaleon stood waiting as Chaia
waiting as Chaia landed. She jumped off, letting Nall become human
again, Onyx followed Chaia. "Ghaleon?" Chaia said almost in disbelief.
"Where have you been?' he asked glaring. "I went to see father." Chaia
said, glaring back. A smile played across his lips. "That's good." he
said. He walked forward, wrapping his lean arms around her. She stood
totally still, in shock. "Ghaleon, what happened to you?" she asked. He
shook his head, then stepped back. He explained what Lyra had asked
him to do. "Let me bring the fairies." Chaia said, disappearing. A
couple of minutes later she reappearing, with all the fairies. They flew
off to explore their new home after greeting Ghaleon. Nall walked up to
Ghaleon. "Look Ghaleon, this is hard for me to say... I can forgive you,
just give me time." Nall said. "Thank you." Ghaleon said. Jean, Lemina,
Ronfar, and Leo walked up. "Where in Lunar have you all been?" Ronfar
asked. "Tell us." Jean said. Ghaleon explained to them too. "So you're
the next leader of this place." Leo said. "Yes." Ghaleon said. "I have to
do something." Nall said, walking away. He walked into the temple
approaching Lyra. "So you finally understand?" Lyra asked. "Yes and I
have decided to favor Rhiana." Nall said. "You have, have you? I will
let her family know and we will hold a ceremony tonight." Lyra said.
Nall sat with the others and Rhiana. They had sworn the vows of
dragon and human. "Come Rhiana." Nall said, standing. "Ooh... Nall!"
Lemina teased. "I'm not even going to acknowledge that remark
Lemina." Nall said, walking off with Rhiana. "Nall's so lucky... If I
wasn't a one girl man how I'd love to be a dragon." Ronfar said. "Feel
lucky that you are because I'd kill you if Mauri didn't first." Leo said.
"Any way, you aren't a dragon, Ronfar." Jean added in. Ghaleon looked
over at Chaia, reaching over the table to tap her on the shoulder.
"Yes?" she said, looking at him. Ghaleon sighed, looking away to one
side. "I just want you to know... That I want you to stay here with me
and help me take care of these people. Of course you'll continue your
magic training with me." he said, glancing at Chaia. Lemina motioned
for Ronfar, Leo, and Jean to lean closer. "Let me translate for Ghaleon.
What he's trying to say is, I love you." Lemina whispered. "What's that
Lemina?" Ghaleon asked, shooting her a glare. "Nothing..." Lemina said
in a melodic tone.
"I'll come back in about a years time, before the child is born."
Nall said to Rhiana. "Ooh, Nall..." Lemina once again teased. "That
reminds me... Lemina, Ronfar, and you too Leo. Don't any of you ever
tell Ruby, or anyone else for that matter about this because I'm still
one of Althena's dragons and I will kill you." Nall said. Nall became a
dragon and flew back to Tabens Peak. "You did what!?" Ruby screams
at Nall from deep within the dragon kids hideout. "I'd love to stay but
mother will want me home and I still have Vane to restore." Lemina
said. "You know Ronfar, this is just the kind of place I've been looking
for to settle down." Leo said. "Well, then why don't Mauri and I move
here too. She'd never forgive me if she couldn't see you." Ronfar said.
"I have to get back to the carnival but I'll be sure to visit." Jean said.
Leo, Lemina, Jean, and Ronfar left also, and Ghaleon, Chaia, and Onyx
turned and headed back to the city.
The End...For now.
