Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights, Mineko Ohkami does.

Ch.7 After-effects

Looking down from the sky, a bird's-eye view could be seen of the ground below where a strange procession of people were struggling uphill through a pass between two huge boulders into the heart of the Snowy Mountains, riding on odd dragon-like creatures. The people seemed to be in a great hurry…

Lykuleon was shivering and it wasn't just because of the coldness of the mountain air. Something was wrong-he could feel it. Light, he thought and a sense of emptiness swirled around him. Something was wrong-horribly wrong.

"My Lord!" came a voice, erupting his thoughts, "Up ahead! Something's coming!"

The Dragon Lord's present state of mind vanished and abruptly jerking up his head, he began shouting orders in commanding and regal manner.

"Everyone, behind those two boulders! Tetheus, you take the right one-I'll take the left! We'll ambush it when it passes by! Move now and be quiet!"

The Dragon Fighters leapt to their orders immediately, reigning their Durnas sharply about and scrambling hastily into their positions. The Dragon Lord braced his back against the huge rock and unsheathed his sword stealthily. From across him, he saw the Black Dragon Officer do the same. Tetheus eyes connected with Lykuleon's-they both nodded in acknowledgement… and waited…

Lykuleon could hear whatever it was coming closer, the creature's footsteps crunched noisily on the hard snow.

"Get ready," he whispered softly to the Dragon Fighters. They nodded wordlessly.

The creature was closer-the Dragon Lord saw its shadow on the snow. It was coming upon the two boulders…soon…almost there…the creature coming began to growl-Lykuleon gripped his sword tightly…there!

"NOW!" he yelled giving the signal and leaping out from behind his post and with everyone following his lead, they charged at the mysterious creature.

And halted dead in their tracks-some of the Dragon Fighters toppling over each other in their abrupt stop.

And Lykuleon found himself gaping for the second time that day.

"Kai-stern?"

Kai-stern was feeling weak again. The Star Princess's temporary gift of health had long since tolled away. Now the man was simply striving to focus his mind on carrying Rath down the mountain, which was no easy task. The boy's weight was heavy and that along with the icy weather in which the man had been holding him so long his arms leaden and numb-he no longer had any feeling in them. And the fact the mountainside was steep, so that he had to walk slightly sideways, bracing one foot after the other on the ground for several seconds before he moved on, wasn't helping any either. The Blue Dragon Officer huffed heavily and noticed that his vision was dimming briefly-a sign that showed that his consciousness was leaving him.

Kai-stern cursed under his breath. Gods, if any help were to arrive, this would be the time. The man turned his head towards the demon-dog who was trotting faithfully- if not also weaken and numb-at his side.

"We'll make it, Crewgar," he said turning his vision back towards the direction they were headed-a pass between two huge boulders, "We'll make it."

The man glanced at Rath who was still unconscious in his arms and pressed on more determinely, "We have to."

As they drew closer to the two rocks, the demon-dog began to growl. Kai-stern never had time to prepare for an assault before he was set upon by an army of people who charged out from behind the two large rocks, swords drawn and yelling fiercely. The attack halted as abruptly as it had started. And the man who was in lead lowered his sword, gaped at him in shocked surprise and voiced in bewilderment, "Kai-stern?"

The Dragon Lord stared at his missing Dragon Officer in front of him with an utter loss of words for several moments, taking in the man's scars and bruises and his noticeably ragged form.

"Kai-stern," he said, his voice full of concern, "You're hurt. You-", then his eyes fell upon the small black-haired child who lay in his arms and his temporary daze vanished instantly, "Rath!"

Lykuleon dropped his sword on the ground and leaped forward to where the Dragon Officer stood wearily, holding the boy.

"Oh, Gods!" he cried clutching at the jacket which covered the child, "Rath!RATH!" then when he got no response, he brought his head up sharply and demanded harshly, " KAI-STERN, WHAT HAPPENED!"

The Blue Dragon officer was feeling extremely light-headed. He felt himself sway dangerously where he stood. He was going to black out-he knew it. And now that he knew that Rath would be taken care of, he did not try to stop the inevitable fate. But first…he had something to tell the Dragon Lord…

"Light…" he managed to get out of his chapped, frost-bitten lips, "Light…"

Lykuleon started at the mention of his dragon, "Kai-stern?" he inquired questioningly.

"Light…" Kai-stern repeated as he saw darkness creep in on the corners of his eyes, "There was…nothing I could do…Light…My Lord, Light…"

The darkness of his vision grew wider. He was almost gone-he could feel his strength ebbing away. Leaning forward he pushed Rath into the Dragon Lord's arms breathing heavily, "My Lord…Light…Light…I'm sorry…"then he let the darkness claim him and felt himself falling down…down…down…and from as if it seemed a great distance, he heard his name being called in panic.

"KAI-STERN! KAI-STERN!"

"Kai-stern…Kai-stern can you hear me?"

The Blue Dragon Officer heard his name being called as if from a far end of a tunnel. Following the sound of the voice he felt himself drawing upwards…up…up into someplace bright. Kai-stern slowly opened his eyes which let him look at a blurry world.

Blinking several times, he cleared the last lingering stage of unconsciousness from his sight and looked about at his surroundings.

He was in a room of some sort which had an open terrace where by which glorious warm-hot even!-air blew in. It was a much pleasanter change from the cold. He was lying on a bed whom right next to it stood…the ABSOLUTE LAST person Kai-stern wanted to see first when he woke up.

Kai-stern broke out into a heavy sweat feverently wishing he had stayed in his sleep. Whenever Alfeegi paid somebody a visit, you could stake your life on the line that someone was going to be yelled at. Everyone feared being called upon by Alfeegi-mainly because of his frightening rages and his deadly mallet. In any case, the sight of the White Dragon Officer beside him, was enough to make Kai-stern huddle under the blankets.

Alfeegi opened his mouth. Kai-stern winced, bracing himself for a vibrant assault against his ears.

"How are you feeling?"

HUH?

The Blue Dragon Officer opened his eyes and stared at his fellow Officer in shock, "What?" he asked, not believing he had heard correctly.

"How are you feeling?" Alfeegi repeated and his face showed genuine concern, "Do you feel any better?"

"Urm…" Kai-stern stuttered still recovering from the shock, "Yeeees," he said slowly.

"Are you sure?" Alfeegi questioned further, "You're not just putting me on?"

"No," Kai-stern said cautiously coming out from under the covers. Alfeegi was really worried about him! "I really mean it. I feel much better than I did in the mountains."

The man emphasized this point by smiling broadly at the other man who smiled back. What do you know? Kai-stern thought, The guy really does have a heart!

"Oh, that's good!" Alfeegi chirped, "Well, then: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING TAKING A POWERFUL YOKAI LIKE THAT ON YOUR OWN!"

Nope, I was wrong, Kai-stern thought sinking low under the covers once more.

"DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH OR SOMETHING! THAT WAS THE MOST ILL-DECIDED, STUPID, RASH, RECKLESS, SOPHMORIC, FLIPPANT DECISION YOU COULD HAVE EVER MADE! ITS TIMES LIKE THESE WHEN I'VE DISCOVERED WHAT SORT OF SITUATIONS YOU PLACE YOURSELF IN THAT I WONDER 'HOW IN THE NAME OF DUSIS DID YOU EVER BE CHOSEN FOR A DRAGON OFFICER'! NORMAL PEOPLE DO NOT GO INTO BATTLE WHEN THEY KNOW THEY WILL LOSE! NORMAL PEOPLE DO NOT JUST START FIGHTING WITHOUT A STRATEGY! NORMAL PEOPLE DO NOT-"

"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!" the Blue Dragon Officer shouted, interuppting Alfeegi's list of faults, "How do you even KNOW about all that! I blacked out before I could tell anyone!"

Alfeegi halted his verbal attack and folded his arms against his chest and stared down at the man in front of him with an air of superiority, "Because Crewgar told Fire and Fire told us and YOU ARE STILL NOT OFF THE HOOK!"

Kai-stern was in no mood to spend time listening to Alfeegi's accusations of why and how and what he did wrong and what his true vision of Dragon Officer was. Before the other man had time to spout out any more faults, Kai-stern had answered back, "I KNOW WHAT I DID WAS STUPID ALRIGHT? I KNOW I COULD HAVE DIED! BUT I COULDN'T JUST STAND THERE AND WATCH THAT BLOODY DEMON HURT RATH ANY MORE THAN HE ALREADY HAD! I DID WHAT I THOUGHT BEST AT THE MOMENT AND I DON'T REGRET IT! SO DON'T START BERATING ME OVER EVERY LITTLE THING!"

After Kai-stern had finished going off on his own little tangent and all the adrenalin had left his system he began to feel quite foolish. Alfeegi had only been screaming at him because he had been concerned and was trying to conceal it. There had been no need to go off on him like that. Now the man was staring at him with raised eyebrows. Kai-stern turned red. He had to change the subject!

"Where's Rath?" he inquired ,"Is he alright?"

Alfeegi's expression changed swiftly. His face became quite unreadable. Kai-stern held his breath.

"He's awake," came the only response.

Kai-stern could not help but to let out a sigh of relief, "Oh, thank Dusis for that! I was afraid…I thought he might have…I'm glad he's safe."

"Yes," came the curt acknowledgement, "He's safe."

Something about the way the man said it made the Blue Dragon Officer glance up at him. Alfeegi did not meet his eyes-in fact he seemed to be trying to avoid his gaze altogether. Something was wrong.

"What's happened?" Kai-stern asked siting up hurriedly,the now-familiar feeling of fear washing over him again, "What's the matter?"

Alfeegi did not reply. Needless to say, this did not help ease the man's nerves.

"Alfeegi!" he cried, his voice rising in anxiety, "What's wrong? Is it something to do with Rath? TELL ME! WHAT IS-"

"He knows," came the quiet response.

Kai-stern's face crinkled up in non-understanding, "What do mean, Alfeegi? What does he know?"

"He knows," repeated the White Dragon Officer and this time his sight connected with Kai-stern's, "He knows about…him…us…what we did…he knows, Kai-stern, about everything."

Kai-stern felt as if time had stopped. Silence was ringing in his ears. He knew…Rath knew…what they had done to him…what he had been before…what he had done before…Gods, he was carrying all that around in his head…and he was only a child!

"Dusis," the Dragon Officer swore, "How…how is he…doing…with that information?" The man dreaded the answer.

"The Dragon Lord tried to talk to him about why we did what we did," Alfeegi said and his eyes held a pained expression, "He-he didn't react very well."

Flashback-

"Lord Lykuleon, Mister Rath-he's awake!"

The Dragon Lord sprang up from where he had been seated in his chair in his office and at once began inquiring anxiously of the excited maid-servant.

"What? When? Is he well? Can he tell us what the Yokai did to him? How is he?"

The maid-servant was looking rather flustered, "I'm sorry, Sire, but I don't know all those answers. Cernozurna just told me to come get you the moment you he woke up."

Lykuleon nodded distractedly, "Yes, yes, Can you take me to him?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," the maid said bustling out the door, "Right this way."

The Dragon Lord followed the maid-servant down corridors and hallways, taking several turns around corners before finally arriving at closed door surrounded by Alfeegi, Ruwalk, Cernozurna, and a small group of servants.

Alfeegi spotted Lykuleon at once and made his way towards him, "Your Highness, Rath-

"Yes, I know, Alfeegi," the Dragon Lord said and pushed his way through the small crowd until he reached the door. Turning to Cernozurna he asked her, "Has he been recuperating well?"

The head maid-servant looked a bit sad, "I don't know, My Lord. He won't talk or eat anything and all he does is stare out the window."

Lykuleon tried to ease the woman's worrying, though he was feeling a bit troubled himself, "Don't fret too much, Cernozurna, I'm sure it's just the shock of all that's happened. I'll try and speak to him and find out what's wrong. I'm sure he'll be alright."

The woman smiled hopefully. The Dragon Lord turned to open the door and Ruwalk stepped forward, "My Lord, perhaps we should go in as well?" he asked issuing to himself and Alfeegi.

"No, Ruwalk," Lykuleon said, "I think it would be best if I went in alone. Too many people might overwhelm him at first."

The Yellow Dragon Officer nodded and stepped back, and the Dragon Lord pushed the door open and entered the room.

Lykuleon closed the door behind him and rested his eyes upon the scene which greeted his vision. A small black-haired child was sitting upright on a bed staring down at his hands which lay clasped in his lap. The boy seemed not to have heard the entering of someone through the door nor did he show any sign that he noticed that another person was in the room.

"Rath?" the Dragon Lord inquired questioningly, making his way over to the boy so that he was standing beside the bed.

The child did not respond.

Lykuleon sat down on the edge of the bed and cautiously reached out his hand and placed it on the boy hesitantly, "Rath?"

The child flinched away from the touch automatically and turned his head towards the open window, drawing his knees under the covers up to his chest. Folding his arms around them, he placed his head sideways on the top and kept his gaze out towards the window, ignoring Lykuleon completely.

The Dragon Lord drew back his hand and felt an overpowering guilt of not being able to find Rath more quickly than they had. The man looked about the room wondering what he should say. An untouched bowl of steaming soup caught his eye.

"You haven't eaten your soup, Rath. Aren't you hungry?" he said for the lack of a better topic. The boy didn't stir from his obvious ignoring of the Dragon Lord.

Lykuleon sighed, lowering his head and spoke, "I'm sorry we weren't able to locate you any more faster than we did; and I'm sorry that we caused you to run away in the first place. Rath," the man continued when the child still didn't reply, "We want to help you, but how can we do that if you won't tell us what's wrong? We care about you-we don't want to see you suffering. Won't you please let us know what's troubling you?"

The black-haired boy did not move his head from the position he had it in and the Dragon Lord stood up resignedly, "Well, if you change your mind about talking…you'll know where we'll be." And the man began moving towards the door.

"The only reason you;re worried about me, is because you're afraid you might lose an important tool."

Lykuleon's receding back froze at the small outraged voice. Turning slowly around and staring at the boy with an expression of shock, the man asked in a low whisper, "What?"

Rath's head was now facing this direction and his golden-yellow eyes were boring straight into Lykuleon's simmering in a smoldering fury.

"I know what you did," he spoke in a deadly hiss-one that sounded quite unnatural for a child of his age, "I know what you did to me."

The Dragon Lord's mind was reeling as he stared at the boy who was glaring daggers at him. Only one thought was coursing through his brain at the moment, How does he know? How does he know? "Rath," he began not really knowing what he was going to say.

Rath interrupted him, leaping up on his knees yelling louding, "HOW COULD YOU! HOW COULD YOU STILL LET ME LIVE! I KILLED ALL THOSE PEOPLE! YOU CHANGED ME! YOU CHANGED ME SO I WOULDN'T REMEMBER ALL THOSE THINGS I DID! SO I WOULD TRUST YOU! SO I WOULD DO ANYTHING YOU SAID WITHOUT WONDERING! SO YOU COULD USE ME TO YOUR OWN ADVANTAGE!"

"No…Rath," Lykuleon said, trying to calm the frenzied child, "That's not why I-"

The bowl of steaming hot soup was flung at the Dragon Lord's head. Lykuleon ducked and the container shattered against the door, letting the escaping liquid run down the wooden frame.

"GET OUT!" Rath screamed, an odd overpowering feeling rising in him, "GET OUT! I'M NOT YOUR TOY!"

"RATH!" Lykuleon cried above the boy's loud demure, trying to get through to child's reason.

But the Rath's reason had totally vanished. The boy began to see red before his vision; he felt strangely hot…and as his rage reached its peak, several small flickering flames appeared abruptly around him.

Time seemed to stop. Both child and man stared shocked at them, before Rath reassumed his present action.

Picking up the lamp on his bedside table, and aiming it at the Dragon Lord, he said in a low gravelly voice, "GO…AWAY.. ."

Lykuleon stood there not knowing what he should do when the boy hurled it at him. The man turned the doorknob behind him and ducked out into the worried and puzzled faces of Ruwalk and Alfeegi.

"I HATE YOU!" Rath screamed and the flames around him grew larger, "I HATE YOU ALL!"

The Dragon Lord closed the door in time for a second object to break and crash against it.

The black-haired child buried his face in his hands and the flickering flames disappeared. He was a monster. Emotions of utter misery washed over him. And though as hard as he tried…he couldn't cry.

"Alfeegi?" came a voice through the White Dragon Officer's thoughts. The man looked down to see Kai-stern glancing up at him perplexed.

The strawberry-haired man forced himself to smile, "Perhaps it would be better for you to talk to him, Kai-stern. He might listen to you."

"Me?" the Blue Dragon Officer was skeptical, "If he won't listen to His Highness then what makes you so sure he will listen to me?"

"Well," Alfeegi said crossing his arms, "You did save his life. I think anybody would show some respect-if not gratitude-towards the one who rescued them, don't you?"

Kai-stern was about to reply that Rath wasn't just anybody, when the door to the room opened and the Dragon Lord himself entered.

"My Lord-" they both said, Kai-stern starting to sit up again, but Lykuleon issued him to lay back down.

"I just wanted to see if you were awake yet," he stated, his eyes showing obvious relief, "Has Alfeegi told you-?"

"Yes," Kai-stern said tiredly, "He thinks I should talk to Rath."

"Oh, excellent," the Dragon Lord said smiling, "I was going to ask you that myself."

The Blue Dragon Officer sighed in defeat, "Alright, I'll try, but don't hope for any miracles."

"No," Lykuleon's face grew saddened and detached and his voice sounded very distant, "I think all our miracles have run out."

Quite suddenly Kai-stern remembered the Light Dragon and his sacrifice and sat upright in a hurry, "My Lord, Light! Do you know-"

"Yes, Kai-stern," the golden-haired man's voice held a great loss in it, "I sent you and Rath ahead to the palace and took a few of the Dragon Fighters up the mountain. Crewgar… showed us the way."

Once again, Kai-stern felt guilt for not being able to do anything about what had happened, "My Lord, I'm sorry," he began but the Dragon Lord cut him off.

"There was nothing you could have done, Kai-stern. Do not trouble yourself over matters you had no control over," Lykuleon was quiet for a moment, then said with a revered smile, "He transformed…he transformed for Rath…"

"You do know what this means, My Lord?" Alfeegi inquired delicately.

"Of course, Alfeegi," the Dragon Lord stated and he seemed almost happy, "It was what I hoped would eventually occur when I transformed him into his present form. My wish being granted however, would be more joyous if things did not stand as they did now."

"Perhaps I can change that, My Lord," Kai-stern said determined, feeling that since he hadn't been able to help the Light Dragon, he was sure as hell going to try and help both Rath and his lord.

Lykuleon smiled, but it was not a real smile, "Then do so, Kai-stern. But as you yourself said, 'Don't hope for any miracles'."

Kai-stern stood outside Rath's room glad no one was there to see him-especially Alfeegi. Dusis, all he needed was for the man to see that a grown man was too afraid to go in and speak to a child and he would never hear the end of his 'I-Can't-Believe-You-Ever-Became-A-Dragon-Officer' speech.

O.K., he thought, straightening his shoulders, I'm going in. Grasping the doorknob, the man twisted the handle and went into the room.

 he thought, straightening his shoulders, . Grasping the doorknob, the man twisted the handle and went into the room.

Kai-stern closed the door behind and viewed the small black-haired child before him who was curled up, facedown on a pillow on the bed. The young boy was awake in an instant when the door clicked in place and different expressions wafted swiftly across his face, when he saw the man standing there. Kai-stern braced himself for an object to come flying at his head any moment-Alfeegi had told him what had happened with Lykuleon.

Nothing came. The swiftly changing expressions had stopped. Rath was now staring at him in mild curiosity and was it…questioning?

"You…" he whispered and it sounded as if he were surprised, "I saw you…"

"Saw me?" Kai-stern was confused, "Saw me where?"

"You were on the mountain with me…after that…light…went away…"

The Dragon Officer started. Rath remembered the light? But he had been unconscious…

"You saved me," the child stated.

"Yes, I did," Kai-stern said wondering why the boy hadn't sounded more happy.

"Why?" came the soft question.

"WHY?" Kai-stern practically cried, his mind reeling. Sometimes children were quite hard to understand, "How could I not save you?"

The boy lowered his black-haired head and did not look at the man, "You should have let me die," he whispered.

Now it was the Dragon Officer's turn to ask 'why'.

"WHY IN DUSIS SHOULD I HAVE DONE THAT?" Kai-stern asked not bothering to keep his voice down. The child's odd questions were starting to unnerve him.

"I don't deserve to live," Rath said, hugging the pillow to his chest, "Not after…what I…did…" and the boy buried his head into the soft cushion.

"That's not true, Rath," Kai-stern said moving forward and squatting down beside the bed so he could lay his hand on his shoulder, "You do deserve to live! What you did was in the past! Everyone deserves a second chance anyway! They-"

"Even Kharl?" came the child's question as he lifted his head from the pillow to look at the man searchingly.

"Who?"

"The Yokai."

"No! Of course not! No second chance for him!"

"But you just said 'Every-'"

"Alright! Most people deserve a second chance!" Kai-stern restated frustratingly, "An you are in the 'most people' group, Rath. Anyway, you were not the same person as you are now, when you did all those things."

"Am I?" the black-haired boy inquired, boring his eyes straight into Kai-stern's, "Am I really?"

The Dragon Officer shivered. It wasn't a child staring back at him. Something…something else was lurking behind those eyes. The man remembered what the white-haired Yokai had told him about him reverting Rath back to what he had been before. Kai-stern had stopped him before he could complete his 'experiment'. But Rath had been in those veins for awhile before he had showed up. Perhaps the former creature within him had-if not woken up completely-roused itself enough to create all this ruckus. Then Kai-stern blinked and the something was gone and only a small, frightened child was looking back at him.

"Kai-stern," the boy asked in a wavering voice, "That light…that light on the mountain…what was it?"

Oh, Dusis, the man thought, How am I going to explain this to him?

"It was," he began slowly, "Light…"

"I know it was a light."

"No, not a light. Light, the dragon Light."

Rath stared for a moment, then said, "Light? The Dragon Lord's Light?"

Kai-stern nodded, watching the boy carefully. The child seemed at first, confused, then acknowledging, then sad, and finally…angry.

"So, he's the one who saved me!" the boy cried, his eyebrows furrowed, "Stupid dragon! Where is he!"

"He's dead."

Rath's expression changed instantly. A look of shock passed over his face and the other expression crumpled from it, "W-What?" he asked unbelievingly.

"He gave all his energy to keep you alive, Rath," Kai-stern said, "His life force flows through you now. Don't you think for that sort of sacrifice, you should put away these thoughts of dying?"

"W-What did they do with…his…his body?" the child asked, swallowing hard.

Kai-stern told him, remembering what the Dragon Lord had told him on the way to Rath's room.

"They put his body on a stretcher and carried him down the mountain. It's in a spare room on the west wing of the castle. The Dragon Lord wanted to bury him here. They'll have the burial tomorrow morning."

Rath did not respond. Kai-stern was silent, not knowing what else to say. Finally the boy looked up again and the Officer saw that his face was full of fury once more.

"He shouldn't have done that!' the child whispered angrily.

Oh, Dusis, Kai-stern thought, Not this again!

"Rath," he said trying to get the point across to the boy, "Light gave his life for you. Don't you realize that since he did that it must mean your life is very important?"

"My life?" Rath voiced and a dangerous rage was in the tone. Before Kai-stern had a chance to cover his ears, the boy was screaming at him, "MY LIFE! MY LIFE IS A LIE! THIS ISN'T WHO I REALLY AM! IT'S JUST THE FORM HE PUT ME IN! AND NOW I'M FORCED TO LIVE IN IT! DON'T CALL IT 'MY LIFE'! IT'S NOT! IT'S not-"

The child's voice broke on the last note and he found himself once again battling with a feeling of utter misery swelling up in him…but still no tears would come.

Kai-stern saw Rath fighting to overcome his emotions, but obviously it wasn't working as the young boy choked on several sobs. The man couldn't sit there and let a child suffer in front of him. He didn't care what Rath thought of him, so he leaned forward and scooped the small boy into his arms.

Rath struggled violently, beating at Kai-stern with his fists, yelling loudly, "LET GO! LET GO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

Kai-stern did not try and stop the attacks, but merely hugged the child to his chest tightly. Soon the blows stopped coming and Rath sagged inward into his chest and whispering weakly, "I hate you…"

The man rubbed the boy's back gently and whispered back, "I know…I know…"

And Kai-stern rocked the child back and forth until he fell asleep.

It was night over Draqueen and Lykuleon stood in front of the still form of the Light Dragon. Though the man knew he had given his life for a good cause, it still hurt realizing he would no longer have the faithful white dragon at his side anymore.

"Light," he whispered, reaching out to touch his head.

"Your Highness?" called a voice from out of the darkness nearby. Ruwalk appeared out of the shadows to go to the Dragon Lord's side, "I thought you'd be here. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting-"

"No, Ruwalk," Lykuleon said smiling sadly, "I'm just saying good-bye to an old friend."

Then turning to his Officer he asked, "Now what was it you came here to tell me?"

"Have you heard about Rath?"

The Dragon Lord's smile grew a bit wider, "Yes, Alfeegi came and told me about him and Kai-stern earlier. Was that what you came here for?"

The Yellow Dragon Officer's face fell and he sighed heavily, "I should just give up on trying to tell people news. Alfeegi always gets there with it faster."

Lykuleon laughed at the sight of his Officer's crestfallen face. Then putting an arm around the man he lead them away from the still dragon to the far side of the room, "Come now, Ruwalk, don't give up so easily. One day, you will beat Alfeegi at spreading the news."

The red-haired man's face lit up, "Really?"

The Dragon Lord was about to laugh again when a movement in the room caught his eye. Following Lykuleon's gaze Ruwalk squinted trying to see what he was looking at, "What is-"

"Shh," the Dragon Lord said and drew them both back into the shadows, "Someone's in here."

Keeping very quiet, the two men watched the shadows carefully. For a long while there was nothing, then a small figure emerged from the darkness and crept softly along until it had reached the dragon which lay spread out over several long tables.

"Who-" Ruwalk started, edging forward trying to see better, but Lykuleon stopped him, "Look," he said issuing to the figure.

The small form went around the tables until it stood directly in front of the Light Dragon. With it's front to them, and the moonlight behind it illuminating its appearance, the figure was easily recognizable.

It was Rath.

Rath had woken up tucked snugly in bed, an almost peaceful feeling drifting about him. The boy had laid there awhile trying to figure out why then did he have another feeling of restlessness, before remembering about Kai-stern…and the Light Dragon. What had Kai-stern said about it? It was in room in the West wing and would be buried tomorrow. The child tried to tell himself that it didn't matter to him in the slightest what they were going to do with the dragon. It was dead anyway. But the thought of the dragon all alone in the room at night would not go away and the boy couldn't get to sleep again.

Fine, Rath thought throwing back his covers and scooting off the bed, I'll go and see it, but it doesn't mean anything. I'm just giving the usual farewell everyone does when someone dies. Then slipping on his slippers and pulling on his robe, the child exited out the door.

The black-haired boy padded down the quiet darkened hallways, making his way through the palace until he reached the West wing. Then he peeked through each door until he found one ajar and saw a large bulk laying in the room. Rath edged forward trying not to make noise and then stopped abruptly because he was sure he had heard something. But as he waited to hear it again, nothing happened so he crept forward around several long tables until he stood in front of the still dragon's form.

Rath stared at the dragon trying to comprehend why he had done what he did. Why should Light have cared about him? He had been the Dragon Lord's, not his. But a dim forgotten message surfaced to the top of his head and he remembered what Ruwalk had told him when he had gotten Fire a long time ago.

"Dragons transform only for their masters, remember that, Rath. They are to never leave their masters side no matter what. They are there to protect him under any circumstances. That is the duty of a dragon."

So that was it, then. That was why Light had given his life for him. That was why he had left Lykuleon. He had been his, not the Dragon Lord's. And now that Rath knew the truth about his past, that explained why it had been Light and not Fire who had rescued him. He was a fake Fire Dragon Knight living in a fake form.

A lump rose up in the child's throat and shakily he put out his hand and touched the white dragon's forehead. He was going to be buried tomorrow. Somehow that didn't seem right. Light should not be buried in a loud raucous funeral. He should be buried quietly and in secret.

I wish I could bury you, Rath thought placing his head against the dragon's, It would be in a secret place where you could rest in peace.

, Rath thought placing his head against the dragon's, .

Though the boy wished it, he knew he would not be able to do it. The dragon was far too big for him to carry. And then, suddenly, as if someone out there had heard his wish, the dragon began to shrink. Rath watched in awe, gazing at the rapidly receding dragon's form. The Light Dragon shrunk until it was the size that Fire usually was.

The black-haired child stared at the small figure for awhile, then slowly reaching down, he picked up the dragon, and held it tightly to his chest. Then silently thanking whoever had granted his wish, the boy started to leave the dark room, the dragon clasped to him closely.

Ruwalk could scarcely believe what he had just seen. Rath-the child who had been actively violent a few hours before-had gazed down at the Light Dragon almost sadly and then had placed his head against its. And then, wonders of wonders, the Light Dragon had began to shrink until it was small enough for the young boy to pick up. And when Rath actually did, he had held it to him tightly, before starting to exit the room.

The Yellow Dragon Officer started forward intent on making the child return the Light Dragon to its resting place, when he was stopped by Lykuleon.

"Don't," he said, grabbing the man's arm, "Let him go."

"But, My Lord," Ruwalk began, unbelievingly, "Light-"

"Would have wanted whatever Rath wishes to do right now," the Dragon Lord said watching the child with a sad sort of longing, "He was his dragon in the end. Remember that."

And the pair watched the boy exit the room and disappear from view.

Rath carved the finishing touches to his work and then sat back on his knees to view it. He had worked the rest of the night on it and now he was finally done. So with the light of the gray early morning shining down, he let his eyes rove over his work.

A large mass of freshly packed dirt lay pounded firmly into the ground. Near it lay a small shovel, which now had hard dirt and roots clinging to it. And above the packed earth stood a large rock, on which the words were engraved deeply on it:

"The shell of the Light Dragon…

Illuser's soul…

And the many humans, Faeries and other Dragon Knights that have been killed."

The child stared at it for some time, before gathering up his tools and turning to leave. He was on the grounds of the Dragon Palace still, but since the lands were rather large, it was always best to head back as quickly as possible so one would get there faster. The young boy was headed towards the surrounding thicket's exit, when the thick foliage began to rustle loudly. Someone was coming.

Rath froze. He didn't want anyone to see this place ever.

The twigs and bramble crackled loudly once more and a familiar white shape entered into view.

The black-haired child sighed with relief and voiced hesitantly, "Crewgar?"

The white demon-dog went up to the boy and nuzzled his chest, whining at him questioningly. Rath threw his arms around the dog, while Crewgar made little snuffling sounds of contentment in his ear.

Then pulling away, the child looked deep in the animal's eyes stating, "You knew, didn't you, boy? You always knew what I was."

Crewgar whined and hung his head apologetically. Rath hugged him again, "That's O.K., boy, it's alright. We're two of a kind aren't we?"

The thicket behind them rustled loudly again for a second time. Both boy and dog tensed. Then a small red-colored dragon flew out and perched on a near-by, overhanging branch.

Both the dragon and child stared at each other for several moments, then Rath broke the silence.

"Fire," he said and it was odd now that he knew who his real dragon was, "I know you're not my true dragon. And you know that I'm not your real master. So, to make things easier, I'm releasing you from your duty to me. It's the best thing for both of us."

The boy bowed his head and swallowed a lump in his throat. He hadn't realized how close a bond he shared with the dragon, even though he wasn't really his. It would be hard without him.

A soft tap on the head brought the child's gaze up to see the red dragon fluttering in front of him holding out a sign:

:Remember, a dragon chooses its master, not the other way around. So its my say whether or not to release myself from you. And I say, you're stuck with me, Master Rath, whether you like it or not:

The child tried not to let a small smile break through his face. Pretending to frown, he scowled, "Darn! Can't you ever leave me alone?"

Nope : came the smug reply.

"You're so annoying!"

:Spoiled: came the retort.

"Lazy!"

:Whiny:

"Tattle-tale!"

:Brat:

Grinning to himself, Crewgar followed the bickering pair out of the thicket towards the Dragon Palace, knowing both of them didn't mean a word they said.

It was after lunch time and Kai-stern's stomach was growling loudly. The man went to the dining room to see if the food was being served yet. He wondered who else would be eating with him or if he was going to be the only one today. Since everyone at the Dragon Castle was on different schedules it was difficult to set a time on which everyone could eat together. So everyone just came and went when they had time to eat-it caused more work for the cooks of course, but it kept everyone happy.

The Blue Dragon Officer walked into the dining area-and froze.

"Hello, Kai-stern," said a strawberry-blond haired man seated at the table as he sipped his coffee.

WHY! Kai-stern thought in agony, WHY DO I ALWAYS END UP WITH ALFEEGI!

! Kai-stern thought in agony, WHY DO I ALWAYS END UP WITH !

Well, he couldn't very well turn and walk away-as much as he wanted to. He didn't want to let the man think he was intimidating him-which he wasn't! So, against his better judgment, he went to the table and seated himself across from him.

"Er…where is the Lord and Ruwalk?" he asked nervously, hoping he wouldn't be stuck with just Alfeegi for lunch.

"A meeting came up unexpectedly. His Highness had to attend and took Ruwalk with him for a second opinion. I don't think Ruwalk will enjoy it, though. Two of his 'favorite' nobles are there-this time their fighting over a box of chocolates that was ransacked. Both blames the other for doing it, and each denies the fault."

"Oh," Kai-stern said weakly. Quite suddenly he had lost his appetite, "And Tetheus?" he asked hopefully.

"Some demons are kicking up a ruckus over in Chantel, so he took a squad of Dragon Fighters and went there to settle things down."

Drat! That meant it was just going to be him and Alfeegi eating. Curses! Well, perhaps he could excuse himself after a drink and come back later.

Cernozurna appeared suddenly, as if bidden, and greeted them cheerfully, "Good Afternoon, Alfeegi. Kai-stern. What would you all like?"

"Some wings," Alfeegi said, "and some stuffing."

"I'll take a strong drink," the Blue Dragon Officer said glancing fleetingly at the strawberry-haired man, "A very strong drink."

"Alright," the head maid smiled and turned to someone behind her, "Did you get all that, Rath?"

Both men started at the name of the child and strained their heads to see him. There, behind the maid's wide skirts a small black-haired boy stood writing down their orders on a pad.

"Rath?" Kai-stern said increduously, voicing his surprise out loud.

"Isn't he sweet?" Cernozurna said, as she smiled adoringly down at the child and brushed his bangs back, "He's been my little helper all day."

Alfeegi made a gruff harrumph in the back of his throat indicating clearly his own impression of Rath being 'sweet'. Kai-stern who was still in shock, merely nodded.

Rath, finishing his hurried scribbling, stuck the pen in his pocket and looked up at Cernozurna expectantly. The maid beamed down at him once more, "Ready to get everything done?" The child nodded.

"O.K., let's go, then," Cernozurna said, turning around and heading back to the kitchens.

Rath did not go immediately, though. The black-haired boy stayed behind and cast his eyes over the two Dragon Officers seated at the table; he looked at Alfeegi first, his face unreadable, then let his eyes move on to Kai-stern. The child gazed upon the man for several moments and slowly the corners of his mouth turned upwards slightly. Then without warning, he turned and dashed after the receding maid's form.

Kai-stern blinked. Had Rath just smiled at him? The man's train of thoughts was interrupted by Alfeegi.

"Gods, that little terror is helping cook the meals? Uh…I shudder to think how my food will turn out. Well," Alfeegi said shrugging nonchalantly as he took another sip of his coffee, "At least he's doing something."

"What?" Kai-stern asked turning to his fellow Officer.

Alfeegi looked at Kai-stern a moment, then set down his mug, "Oh, that's right, you wouldn't know. You've been gone on that trip between Miratte and Chezarre as ambassador of the Dragon Lord to settle their trade system route, haven't you?"

Kai-stern nodded. It had been several weeks since Rath had ran away and been found, and everone had been falling back into their regular routines…or so he had thought.

Alfeegi sighed, rubbing his knuckles against his forehead, "Rath…hasn't been the same since he woke up after you rescued him. All he's been doing is sidling around everyone like a little ghost-darting in and out of our sight. Almost like he's ashamed of showing himself to us. The only time we get to see him is at meal times and he's as silent and still as a statue. Honestly, today was the first time I've seen him smile."

Kai-stern started. So, Rath had smiled at him! "But what about the tricks he usually plays?" he inquired worriedly, "Hasn't he wreaked any havoc at all?"

Alfeegi looked at him agitatedly, "Like I've told you, nothing! It's almost as if he's a different child altogether. I almost wish he'd cut my hair again."

Kai-stern gave a wry smile at the man, "Almost."

Alfeegi nodded, "Almost."

The strawberry-haired man cast searching eyes over his fellow Officer, "If you want to know why Rath is doing better today, I think it's because you're back, Kai-stern."

"What?" Kai-stern said startled, and Alfeegi smiled slightly, "Well, the only time when I've actually heard him speak is when he asks us, 'When is Kai-stern coming back?'."

The Blue Dragon Officer blinked. Rath had missed him? Alfeegi noticed his confusion.

"Look," he said leaning forward to the other man, "I don't know what occurred when you went into his room the other day, but he's obviously has a close bond with you, now."

Now Kai-stern was really shocked. Rath was something else. The last words he had heard from the child before he was sent on his mission, had been, 'I hate you'. And now, when he came back, Rath acted as if he was a long-lost friend. Children were quite odd, he decided. But he didn't mind in the least.

"Here's your meal," came a cheerful voice. Cernozurna appeared with a tray of steaming, delicious smelling food. Setting the tray down she gave each man what they had ordered.

Picking the platter up, she was just leaving when Rath came up to her with Crewgar following him.

"Crewgar's hungry too," he said, "Can he have something to eat?" He stared at her wide-eyed.

The maid smiled again and chirped, "Of course, he can have something to eat. Nobody goes hungry here. Give him some of the wet dog-meat we bought for him," she said issuing to the kitchens. Rath scurried off with Crewgar lolloping off behind him, tail wagging behind him.

Cernozurna turned back to the two men who were happily enjoying their meals. "Would you like any desert when you're done?" she asked them smiling.

"No, thank you," Kai-stern said but Alfeegi who had a sweet tooth nodded and said, "Chocolate."

"Yes?" Cernozurna questioned, "Chocolate what?"

"Chocolate truffles," Alfeegi said without looking up, stuffing his face with wings.

The smile was wiped off Cernozurna's face instantly, "Truffles?" she said dangerously.

Alfeegi nodded again not realizing he was on dangerous ground.

"Truffles?" the maid said again this time more loudly and Alfeegi glanced up and gulped hard realizing.

Cernozurna leaned forward towards the man and bracing her weight against the table yelled, "DO YOU REALLY WANT TRUFFLES!"

"N-No," Alfeegi stuttered sinking low in his chair, breaking out into a nervous sweat.

"GOOD!" the maid screeched, then leaning back up smiled again and said calmly, "You're coffee's running low. I'll bring you some more." Then she turned and left.

Kai-stern stared at Alfeegi, who was still cowering in his seat, in amazement. So there was someone out there who could get the better of him. Interesting.

The White Dragon Officer caught Kai-stern smirking at him and sat himself upright again, starting on his stuffing ignoring the other man.

Rath came out of the kitchen carrying a dish of brown food and set in on the floor, where Crewgar dove vigorously into it. The black-haired boy slowly petted the happy demon-dog in silence, his face quite blank.

Kai-stern sighed. The old Rath would be laughing at the over-excited antics of Crewgar's and would have been chattering non-stop to them, bugging the daylights out of Alfeegi. He would never have been as quiet and meloncholy as this new Rath was.

Things would never be the same again.

Cernozurna came out with a pot of steaming coffee and poured into Alfegi's mug. The Dragon Officer looked up at the maid and said, "You know, Cernozurna, this stuffing is delicious!"

"Why thank you!" she said beaming at him.

"I don't remember it tasting quite this way before, but it has a rather unique taste to it. I especially like the chunks of meat spiced with bacon flavor."

The maid frowned, "Bacon flavor? I don't remember putting bacon in it."

Alfeegi popped another spoonful into his mouth, " Well maybe you put some in hurriedly when you served it in the bowl."

"I didn't put the stuffing into the bowl. I let Rath do that."

"Well, what do you know?" Alfeegi said chewing, "The kid has a knack for cooking. Who would have thought that?"

"Alfeegi," Cernozurna said peering closer at the bowl he was eating from, "I don't think that's my stuffing."

"What?" the man said, " Don't be silly. What else could it-"

A loud joyous bark came from Crewgar as he swallowed the brown food in his dish. All people turned slowly towards him and stared hard. The demon-dog looked up at them grinningly and went back to his eating.

Alfeegi stared down at the few remaining bits of food left in his bowl and swallowed. Hard. And rose slowly from his seat, his eyebrow twitching slightly.

"Alfeegi, calm down," Kai-stern said as Cernozurna clapped her hands to her mouth in horror, "I'm sure he didn't mean to. The two foods look alike-he could have easily mistaken them for each other."

But by the way a small black-haired child was trying to tip-toe sneakily out of the room unnoticed, Kai-stern highly doubted it was an accident.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTHHHHH!"

Well, perhaps some things would remain the same.

Finis!

A/N: THANK YOU, YOU WONDERFUL REVIEWERS OUT THERE!