Chapter 2

INFANCY

It had been about a month since Val hatched from his egg and it was definitely not getting any easier for Filia. She was unaccustomed to the new lifestyle she had been thrust into with the birth of Val. She had never raised a baby before, none the less, an ancient dragon. The constant crying, poops, and general fussing was taking a toll on her. Of course, it was no walk in the park for Jillas and Gavros either, who had to deal with both a temperamental one-month-old and a very stressed Filia.

Currently, Filia was attempting to stop Val from crying, again. Val had a tendency to wake up after only a few hours of sleep at night, and it was absolutely exhausting everyone. He would cry and cry until he had just no energy to cry anymore. Since he was a baby dragon, his wailing was ten times more potent, making his screams nearly radiate throughout the entire town. It was already a couple hours in, and Val seemed nowhere near stopping his wails.

"Shhhhh, Val, shhhhhh." Filia hushed as she rocked Val softly in her arms. "Ohhhhh! Why won't you stop crying?" Filia cried, completing exhausted from the countless sleepless nights. I've heard that babies cry all the time, but I didn't realize it would be this much! Filia thought to herself with a sigh.

Jillas walked into Val's bedroom holding a warm bottle of milk and some extra blankets. "Here Boss! Maybe this will help." Jillas said hopefully.

"Arrg! It never helps Jillas!" Filia snapped. "Every night we do the same things, but nothing ever seems to work!"

Jillas, also worn out from all the late-night crying, placed the bottle and blankets on the bedside table. He took a glance at the little ancient dragon and then back at Filia, "We have to try something, Boss. Maybe we can use some knockout gas, or something?"

Filia gasped at Jillas' suggestion, "Jillas! He's a baby! You can't knock him out the same way you would a common thug. You run the risk of him never waking up!" Filia yelled, frustrated both with Jillas and her own incompetence. Maybe I wasn't suited for taking care of a baby, none the less, an ancient dragon. Filia thought doubtingly. What's known about the ancient dragons are already limited, I have to just raise him like any other dragon, hoping it's the same. He is going to be even more difficult once he is able to fly; my parents always told me I was a handful the moment I could take to the air.

"Sorry Boss," Jillas said somberly, "I'm just trying to help." Jillas hung his head and walked over to the window to get some air in, as Val continued to cry.

Filia sighed, understanding that Jillas was also under pressure, and it was mostly due to her frustration. "I know Jillas, this is just…, just so overwhelming." Filia walked towards the window with Val in tow. "I don't know what I was thinking trying to raise a baby, when I have never even taken care of child before this." I like children, so I though this would be easier, but raising one is completely different. Filia thought quietly to herself.

At the window, Val seemed to calm down a bit. Still crying, but not with the same intensity. Filia peered through the open window and into the dark courtyard. Down below she could see Gavros leaning against a tree, quite a way from the shop. He's probably trying to get away from all this racket. Filia thought. He always seemed to have a particularly difficult time with crying babies. I've even noticed it when mothers would bring their infants into the store. He would tense visibly, even at a slight sniffle. He would often be in a poor mood after, as well. How odd…

Filia took her eyes away from Gavros and into the night sky. She could feel Jillas come closer, and start to rub Val's little feathery head, calming him down more. The darken sky felt peaceful, and she wondered if someone was watching over her. She was no longer a priestess of the Fire Dragon King, however she still felt that someone was there looking out for her, but whether it was a god or something else entirely, she didn't know anymore.

Lost in her thoughts, Filia barely noticed that Val had finally fell back asleep. Jilas moved next to her, bringing her back to reality. She saw him mouth that he was heading back to bed. Filia nodded and took one last look outside to enjoy the cool night breeze before putting Val to bed. She could see that Gavros was heading back to the shop, however looking in a particularly ill mood. Filia then strolled to Val's bed and gently placed him inside. Finally, peace and quiet, she thought to herself with a sigh.

Filia made her way to the window to shut it closed, but before she could, she saw someone materialize in front of her building. Hair stood up on the back of her neck. She knew who it was almost immediately. She was about to scream, but clasped her hands around her mouth at the last second; there was no way she was going to deal with another crying Val tonight – she was just too exhausted. So much for my peace and quiet.

She stared angrily out the window, where the figure was happily waving at her down below. She angrily, but softly, shut the window and silently stormed downstairs. What is HE doing here! Filia angrily thought as she made her way through the foyer and out the front door. He better not be here to take Val from me. Over my dead body!

Once outside, Filia drew her mace and stared daggers into the innocent-looking Xellos standing before her. I haven't seen him and years, and he shows up now that Val is born. Filia angrily thought, I doubt this is a coincidence.

"Xellos! Why are you here!?" She shouted and walked right up into his personal space. Xellos did not move a muscle, as if moving even back a step would be a sign of weakness.

"That's how you greet an old friend?" Xellos remarked callously with a smirk, "Shouldn't a good dragon hostess invite their guests in for tea? I thought better of you Filia."

"Oh no you don't!" Filia shouted angrily, nearly pushing her nose against his, "I know you're here up to no good! So, let it out. Why are you here? You better not touch one hair on Val's head!" She raised her mace so that it was aligned with her face. "Answer me Xellos!"

"My, my Filia. Always quick to violence." Xellos chuckled, with a very amused expression on his face. "I was going to tell you why I was here, but I don't know if I should now." He opened his usually closed eyes to stare deeply into Filia's, still grinning.

His eyes, suddenly making Filia nervous, made her take a step back. "Now look here!" she remarked waving a finger in his direction, "I have a duty to protect Val, so tell me why you are here or go away!"

"Not even a please?" Xellos noted, with an obviously fake pained expression on his face, "I thought priestesses, oh sorry, former priestesses of the Fire Dragon King were supposed to be polite." Filia gaped at him. He was about to continue when Filia cut him off.

"Don't lecture me Namagomi!" Filia shouted, definitely not amused. The daggers in her eyes were still being thrown into his direction. How dare he try to make me beg him with a "please" to get answers. Its obviously he is up to no good! I don't care if he helped Lina and everyone save the world from Darkstar. He always has ulterior motives…

"Filia, you hurt me." Xellos replied in a still fake-hurt expression. "But alright, I guess I can tell you, since you are my favourite dragon after all." Xellos paused for a moment, admiring Filia's angered expression. It both fueled and amused him greatly to see such a sight from an exasperated Filia. He could tell that his prolonged pause was just agitating her even more, but surprisingly she said nothing and kept her gaze.

"Well of course I'm here to see how Val is doing!" Xellos could see Filia flinch slightly. "And from your reaction, I am assuming I was right and little Val has finally hatched." Xellos stepped back, and gave a wry smile as he closed his eyes once again. "Just a…"

Filia, who was definitely not amused cut him off, "No! You are not going to see him, especially at his time of night." She took a step forward, feeling more confident now his eyes were back closed. Waving her mace up to his face she continued, "First off, I don't trust you around Val. And secondly, it already took me hours to make Val fall back asleep again – I am NOT going through that again tonight."

Filia stared intently at Xellos, waiting for his response, but he just smiled and phased out. What!? No annoying comeback? He would never… unless…oh no, don't tell me he phased into… Filia's mouth flew open as she realized where he had gone. I have to get to Val! She thought as she quickly made her way inside, up the stairs and into Val's room, still trying to be as quietly as possible.

When she made it into the room, still fuming, she noticed that nothing was amiss. Val was still peacefully sleeping where she had left him and no one seemed to be stirring in the house. Filia visibly relaxed and put away her mace. She looked down at the sleeping ancient dragon, his black feathered wings curling up and covering his face – he looked so tranquil, lying there like he had not just been crying for 3 straight hours. I wish he could always be this quiet, Filia thought to herself before remembering her encounter with Xellos.

Where did that Namagomi phase off to? It doesn't make sense that he would appear just to irritate me. I doubt I actually convinced him to leave us be. Filia remembered last time Xellos came to visit and how she had to literally jam herself between him and the unhatched Val in an effort to keep Xellos away from the unborn dragon. That was a little too close for comfort for her liking. He is here because he wants to recruit to Val to the side of the monsters again – since he is young and impressionable; his master probably wants Xellos to subliminally push him to the side of darkness. I won't let that happen! I will give Val a happy childhood and raise him into a kind and caring young dragon. And I definitely will not allow Xellos to corrupt him!

Filia backed away from where Val was sleeping. No point worrying about it now, though. Val is probably going to wake up in a few hours, and I need as much sleep as I can get. As Filia turned around, she slammed face first into Xellos who just happened to phase in the room just at that moment. She was about to scream at him, but remembered that Val was still sleeping. She rubbed her bruised nose and saw Xellos smiling mischievously at her.

"Xellos!" she angrily whispered, "Didn't I tell you to leave?"

"Filia, when have I ever listen to you." Xellos responded in a hushed tone with a slight chuckle. That's besides the point! Filia screamed in her mind. But, at least he had the decency not to wake up the baby. All I need is both an annoying Xellos and a wailing infant.

"Just tell me what you want." Filia hissed quietly, still uncomfortably close to Xellos.

"I already told you. I am here to see little Val," with that, Xellos pushed Filia aside with one arm and walked towards the sleeping baby dragon. How dare he push me out of the way! Filia thought angrily as she darted in front of Xellos.

"And I told YOU" Filia said, jabbing a finger into his chest, " that I wouldn't let you touch even a hair on his head!" Filia huffed, still trying to be as quiet as possible. Xellos looked somewhat amused and continued to ignore her as he pushed her aside again, this time, nearly knocking Filia over. Filia gaped at him as he peered down at the sleeping dragon. How dare he ignore me! Xellos, that Namagomi! He deserves a mace to the face. He's lucky Val is sleeping right now. Filia glared at him as he continued to stare intently at the sleeping Val.

Xellos stepped back and turned to Filia. "See Filia, that wasn't that hard," he remarked with a grin. "No harm done." The way he looked at Filia, she could tell he was trying to rile her up, but before she could say anything, he phased out. Filia sighed. Good riddance. What a… Before she could finish her thought, Xellos phased back in the room, scaring her half to death

"How rude of me," Xellos started as Filia stared angrily. "I forgot to say Goodbye." Filia looked at him confused. Why would he come back to say goodbye? He's a heartless… Her thoughts were interrupted by Xellos staring at her, making her very uncomfortable and oddly self conscious. He sent her a mischievous smile, before shouting "Goodbye Filia!" and phasing off.

That son of a…

Val's wails were once again heard throughout the town.

Xellos floated above Filia's quaint little shop and could hear Val's tantrum echo throughout the town. Xellos grinned remembering Filia's face before he phased off; it was so priceless. He could feel her negative emotions radiating even from all the way up in the air.

Last time he had seen her was about a month ago – the day Val was born. Filia did not know it, but Xellos would check in on her and Val every month or so. Ever since that incident 2 years prior, he had direct orders not to be seen if he was to check up on them, even if he really wanted to. Val would not be any priority to the Monster race until he hatched, only then he would be allowed to interact with Filia again.

On the day Val was born, he wanted to phase in then and there, but something pulled at him deep inside, urging him that this was not the appropriate time. He did not quite understand this foreign feeling, but it was almost like it was saying, they need this.

Xellos knew Val was way too young to influence yet, but he convinced his master that it was better to get involved in Val's life very early on to maximize his attempts later when Val was at an age where could be useful. As an added bonus, Xellos had the striking suspicion that his master had no faith in Filia's nurturing skills, making it pretty easy to convince her. Val was FIlia's adopted child after all and she had no prior experience raising a child. And with her temper, well this was just a recipe for disaster. Xellos grinned at the thought.

I wish I had more time to spare to tease Filia, but alas, I must go report to Mistress Beastmaster. With that last thought, he phased off, leaving Val's cries to be heard by all.