The next day Jack wanted to hang out with Kaila wanting to have a tour of the palace, and dragon's nest. Kaila happily gave him the full tour seeing the people of her village came to decorate the palace with silk patterns, flowers and so much more. The two pass by the training room to check on their friends. Chase gave a small wave at Jack, who's mood look much better.
The redhead happily wave at him having to giggle at Chase's hair growing back. "He must be so glad that my maids were able to help his head." Kaila smiles seeing the hair growing faster from last night.
"Oh yes, that little magic did help." Jack giggles, "Now, he wants to make sure his hair is all perfect."
"It might grow all back tonight." The princess smiles as they went to the halls.
"It will be good for him. He hated that hairstyle." The redhead grins widely as they laugh together. Jack felt chipper with his new outfit; a red and gold long sleeve with white silk pants. It's so comfy, and very light on his body unlike his old robes. The two walk out of the palace to look at the warriors training with their dragons.
Jack gasp with joy, "Kaila, are you going to show me the nests?"
"Oh yes! You are super lucky. The hatching will start soon. I wonder if Loniani-Nui, will be there. She always wanted to be a mother." Kaila spoke softly making sure no one was around to talk about this.
"Really? Why doesn't she?" The redhead ask a bit confused.
Kaila stood stiff for a moment giving a small frown. The two walk in a long path seeing this large garden that lead to the dragons' nest. "I know you've noticed she's with Eon."
"Yes, I thought they were together." Jack's red eyebrow arched giving a questionable look.
"Exactly. Eon and Loniani-Nui are sort of a couple, and" The Princess made sure no dragon was around to hear her, "it's forbidden."
"What?"
"They cannot wed. They are meant to protect the Xiaolin way, and the world. They are warrior and dragon." Kaila began explaining, "Eon and Loniani-Nui had fallen in love when they first met, but they are forbidden to ever be lovers. To have children. I see the look on Loniani-Nui's eyes, the hurt of never becoming a mother. This is why she always tries to get close to the eggs from her fellow dragon tribe. She loves watching the baby dragons being born and being with their mother. It's what she long for."
Little did the two know, Eon was listening on them behind one of the trees. He was meditating for a moment until he heard their voices. When they mention his beautiful mate, it made him alarm. Kaila kept talking, "It's a great shame. She sacrifice so much to be with Eon only for their love to be nothing more than warrior and dragon."
"Oh…" Jack stood in shock unsure how to react, "wow… that's awful. Why couldn't they just…" He tilted his head side to side interrupting sexual activity toward the princess. "I mean, have there's ever been such a thing."
"No! That's forbidden!" The Princess almost shock before controlling her voice, "Sorry." She sighs, looking away being serious in this situation. "There has always been tales… myths of humans and dragon being nothing more than friends? If that's the right word. Dragons always known to have great powers in natural, space and immortality that humans could never achieve, but at the same time, humans have free-will, knowledge, our minds are always growing. We were never able to reach nirvana- now, we could. Master Monks like Dashi had proved the arts of Xiaolin magic with his own searches and studying, unlike dragons that were given at birth." She finally face Jack in a serious expression, "If the two beings combine, who knows what will happen."
"Hmm, so if they did it… there's a possibility of creating a new being that could hold much power?"
"Yes, it's very dangerous, because with such power, they can break boundaries in this world and our world."
"Humans are meant for earth and dragons are for spiritual aspect?" The redhead rubs his chin, "I understand now." Having a child of two different beings could result them into being quite powerful. To be able with stand powerful environmental climax, unlimited boundaries between human and spiritual realities, and the endless immortality. Yes, that is something quite dangerous. "But have there ever been…"
"Yes, it happened long ago." Kaili merely sighs, "My father told me of this story that a human fallen for his dragon and they had their affair. Once the village found out, they had beheaded the dragon by the request of her clan, and burn her body into front of him. It was one of the most cruelest punishment I ever heard."
"That's…" Jack had no words, "That's terrible! How can they do that!"
"A medium had told the Emperor- my ancestor… about the horrors the child will bring." The princess merely bites her bottom lip, "Later on it became law between humans and dragons so that would never happen to anyone ever again."
"That's not right, even if there was consequences… how can you really know?" The redhead scowls, "I'm known to be an abomination in most places…"
"No one is never ready for change and to experience something new. I agree with you, it's not right to do such a thing. The world always has its way bringing punishment and rewards." The Princess said softly. The two were still unaware of Eon listening to them having an upsetting stare.
His own heart aches for this reality. The love for his dragon, his soul mate would never be easy for him to explain. The fact he cannot give her, what she always wanted. It hurts him to see her envious stares at the other soon to be mother dragons, the longing for wanting a child and realization she could never had. Sometimes he regrets his own selfish love for her, if he wasn't greedy maybe his mate could be with another dragon, have her own eggs. It was all unfair just for them to be together. This is why he had still to the Xiaolin warrior in this world to be able to have a purpose with Loniani-Nui.
"So, what happen to the man…" Jack's voice broke Eons though process.
The Princess merely spoke, "He was known to be a very famous warrior at the time. Before my people move to the Planet of the Dragons and the mountains, there was many tales of this man fighting for our village at the time. He was known to be the strongest, powerful warrior only using his sword to kill his enemies. After, the affair, the murder of his beloved; the Emperor wanted to ease a punishment. Since, it was humans turn to give the punishment toward the warrior. He lash out trying to kill my very great grandfather, cursing him and begging to be killed. The Emperor could only pity him, having to give his punishment."
"What was his punishment?"
"To be imprison till the day he die." The two felt a gust of cold wing passing through them making them shudder.
"Seriously? But he was a hero to your people?"
"Right, but he try to kill my ancestor. My very great grandfather wanted to give him an easy punishment because of his heroic duties, but seeing someone you love being killed… you rather want death."
"He's a hero? Surely you guys have some sort of temple?"
"No temple, but we have his burial to pay our respects." Kaili explains, "We pray to him for his thanks, to have his bravery, confidence, pride. This hero saves hundreds, protecting his home, his people."
"What was his name?" Jack asked wondering for his name for such a powerful hero.
"His name is Jong."
Eon follows them from behind as they were busy talking, he wanted to see his mate from afar. Just to see how well she was taking. He had heard of Jong many times in the village, about the many lives he save, but the awful affairs have tainted it. Still there are many that pray to him for his power, courage, bringing peace to the land. It wasn't uncommon to pray to their heroes for saving their village for a long time, and his tale for loving a dragon brough many lessons to the Xiaolin monk way. Especially, in taking on vows for being a Monk Master. Luckily, Eon chosen to be a Dragon Rider/Xiaolin Warrior, it felt like it was yesterday when he first lay eyes on his beloved.
"Loniani-Nui!" Speaking of his beloved. Eon stood in the forest watching his mate in the large nesting ground.
The Princess and redhead enters a secure location where there was large boulders spread out, and fenced around, then an invisible magical barrier protecting the fence from any predators. Jack noticed a few monks, and healers coming about around the fence having to make sure the barrier stay put. The female healers had check on the eggs with the mother dragons, who are turned to humans to be checked on. As the princess walks in many had bowed to them, as she walks to show Jack around the eggs.
"First rule, you must never get to close without the mother's permission. Dragons are very territory of their surroundings, especially mother dragons that recently given birth to their eggs." Princess Kaili took her friend's arms having him close to her, "Due to female dragons smaller bodies, they often contain spikes filled with venom. Be careful. They will strike if they feel an unfamiliar male to their nesting grounds."
The two saw how each mother dragons resting with their own pile of eggs having to be in peace. They were all spread out trying to be in their own bubble with their eggs. One healer came with a male monk to one of the female dragon, once the healer let out a small whistle then sort of a chirp sound at the end, having to surprise Jack. The redhead stood wanting to watch the female dragon letting her tail unwind against her eggs allowing the two to check her and her eggs. Princess Kaili softly spoke, "It's important for the healers to check on the eggs and dragons. They have to care for the weaken mothers trying to give them as much care to maintain their eggs. The eggs intake their mother's warmth, and magical powers in the process. Not many dragons are powerful to maintain that, and it caused the species to become extinct."
"What did the healer do?"
"It's a whistle that helps the mother dragons respond while in deep slumber. The chirp is to inform them a male is near them, and they are aware of them. If the mother dragons is alright for the new checkup, her first movement is to lower her tail to allow them to check her."
"If she doesn't?"
"She will give a low growl, and some of them like to rattle their scales, too." Kaili explains, "If you want to learn how to. I will inform the healers and monks to teach you."
"Really? I always wanted to! Dojo is… well he doesn't really teach me anything about dragons."
Princess Kaili giggles, "I know. Come, the hatchlings are over here." The two went a bit in the other side seeing how there were female dragons more active, some in their human form walking about. "Once their eggs comes close to the hatching stage, many of the mothers will begin to distant themselves to observe their eggs. They were often go with their mate to bring in more items for their nest, their scent becomes unique for their babies to know." The two watch the mothers bringing random flowers, rocks, branches, all sorts of items for their nest. Some would turn to their dragon form to shake their scales releasing their scent onto their eggs. "Beautiful, isn't?"
"Yes, it is." Jack's eyes widen with gleam. "Are other female dragons allowed with the eggs?"
"Oh yes, for protection. Dragons like our village often work in a community, while some prefer to be distant." Kaili took his arm leading him to the other spot filled with mothers close to their eggs having healers and monks next to them. "Often times, their mothers want to go with their mate to bring in fresh food as a gift to their babies to the new world."
From a nesting ground Loniani-Nui sat near the eggs in her human form, watching them closely. She had left the nesting area the way the newly mother had. "Loniani-Nui!" Kaili said with a wave having Jack with her.
The human form dragon merely wave at them with joy. "Are you watching Mia's eggs?" Princess Kaili knew the new mother's name.
Loniani-Nui nodded having to sign the two, "Yes, she went with her mate to bring fish for her hatchlings." The three watch the eggs beginning to wiggle a bit.
"Oh, that's the first wiggle." One of the healers stood by to record it. "Hopefully Mia and her mate comes to see their hatchlings."
Loniani-Nui sign, "Oh I hope. Missing their children would be a great shame. I know I would be upset." Her eyes merely gleam a sight of realization she would never be able to have one. Jack merely frown at Eon's mate, the chance to never experience this must be torture. "Why does she do this?" He thought to himself.
As the eggs begin to wiggle, there was a gust of wind from the sky showing two large dragons coming down. One is a beautiful red dragon with golden eyes landing next to her eggs, "Sorry, I'm late." Her voice in a high pitch filled with joy. "Me and my mate found beautiful fish, and we got hungry, hehe." She hold a basket of fresh blue fishes as her mate, a beautiful sky blue dragon with purple eyes merely circle around them in air.
"What's he doing?" Jack asked.
Princess Kaili said, "When the eggs are about to hatch, the mother will be prepare to help them welcome the world and feed them. The father's must protect the two from any predators, or hunters or other male dragons that threaten them. He will also give his scent to his hatchlings." Then she turns to Mia with her hands clasp together, "Is it alright me and my friend can watch the hatching? It's his first time, and we promise we won't make a fuse."
"It is fine. I never seen a human with such rare hair color and eyes?" The red dragon saw the male albino, "and skin so white?"
"I get that a lot… heh." Jack said with a smile.
Loniani-Nui sat next to Mia having to guide the new mother for preparation. "You want to first let the little dragons break out of their shell. They must learn how to get out of their own, then once they come out they will go to you for food. You will help them if you see them struggle a bit."
The eggs began wiggling, shifting side to side having their first cracks. The two parents of the hatchlings began to watch with awe, and surprise. Mia had her scent spread as the hatching began more aggressive; soon one broke the shell having to pop out it's tiny red head. Then, another with light blue, and another with light blue one. Soon all had their own patterns, multi colors and eye colors. Mia helped her babies slowly come out of their shells having her mate spread his scent onto them.
Jack and Kaili watches with awe and excitement at the cute dragons hearing them sneeze, growl, or whine for their parents. Then, the redhead looks down noticing a small baby dragon staring at him with their golden eyes being intrigue by him. "Kaili…" Jack whispers. "Kaili…"
"Hmph?" The Princess looks over the redhead.
"Why is that one looking at me?"
The Princess tilted her head at the dragon, "That means they like you." She giggles pointing at one of the little dragons going to Loniani-Nui for comfort. "See. It's normal. Like all babies, they want attention."
"Really?" Jack look at the red dragon noticing it's small body slither out, then jumps into the redhead's arm, "Ohhphff!" Having the redhead fall on his back from the strike.
"Hehehehe, she must gotten from my mate." Mia giggles at her hatchlings' attitude. Her mate settle down next to her trying to help her with her hatchlings feeding.
Jack felt more of baby dragons crawling over him having to hear the little red one making sounds to her siblings. "Wait? What's going on?" Being toppled by baby dragons.
"They must see something in you that they like." Princess Kaili giggles, "That's a good sign. You must have very innocent, good energy in you."
"I… guess." Jack felt the tiny red dragon crawl on his head having to settle in it. "I never knew."
Mia giggles, "Do not worry it's pretty common. Sometimes they like to bother the healers." She pointed at the other hatchlings crawling on the healers and monks.
Princess Kaili giggles feeling some of the dragon crawling on her. "See? Good energy."
Loniani-Nui watches in joy having a smile on her face, then as she turns to the side there was a slight gloss of sadness. Feeling those small dragons in her arms made her heart ache, then her eyes caught her mate in the forest watching her. He too, felt her pain as he watch her, he could only looks down in shame then retrieve into the forest. Her eyes went back to the dragon trying to avoid this conversation with her mate.
"Princess, don't you think you should practice your ceremony?" One of the monks came by with bottles of fresh herbal milk for the new dragons.
"That can wait. It's only a short practice." Kaili merely said wanting to play with the small dragons, "They are important now."
Jack fed fish to two baby dragons having to see them playing tug of war. Mia's mate went to cut it in half giving them a stern growl. Their children merely whine before crawling onto their father with protest. Mia laughs having her babies being ready for their herbal, medicine that the healers made for them. It was best for their immune system to get ready for the new world.
"But Princess… your father will-" Kaili merely hums, "You never saw me." She smiles having to help fed the hatchlings with fresh milk.
The tiny red one went down to Jack's arm pushing her siblings away for her to enjoy her feeding. "See, just like my mate." Mia sighs watching her troublesome hatchling.
"Me?" Her mate huffed having to help fed his hatchling in disbelief.
"Do wish to name our child?" Mia asked Jack.
"Me?" The redhead having his eyes widen having the bottle in his hand to feed the small dragon. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, me and my mate didn't expect many children, and our list are running short. Please, by all means name our daughter." The mother of the hatchlings giggles feeding her children.
Jack looks down at the red dragon, who's busy drinking her milk in peace. "It's such an honor, Jack. You will never had another chance." The Princess said with joy. "Go on."
"Ummm…" This wasn't something he expected, "How about Lou?"
The tiny red dragon tilted it's head to the side having to hear her name. "Lou?" Her mother asked.
"Well, I was thinking Zippy Lou… Zippy since she's so fast and Lou in the Eastern country side means renowned warrior. I think it fits her." He tries to explain her name.
The tiny dragon nodded in approval before going back to her feeding. Mia said slowly, "Zippy… Zippy Lou… hmm, I love it. It's cute."
"If our child is happy with it. Then it's okay for us." Her mate merely said. The two adult dragons turning into their human form revealing their dark skinned tone with dark hair. The light blue dragon had turned into a brown skin tone with his dark brown hair having his purple eyes staring at his children. Of course, he had his traditional tribe clothing with the wind symbol on his necklace. Mia's had a tanned dark skinned tone with pitch black long wavy hair with her golden eyes, her outfit almost close to Loniani-Nui's outfit, but it's a one piece white dress with a large gold necklace with a fire symbol. Jack noticed the symbols look close like the Xiaolin element signs, side note to ask Kaili later about it.
Zippy Lou's tail wags to tap Jack's hand having him focus on her. "Oh sorry," He said helping her feed the bottle of herbal milk.
The tiny dragon merely let out a purring please with this. Loniani-Nui merely laugh at the tiny dragon being so demanding with the redhead.
Once the little dragons slowly fell asleep from their meal, Mia turned back to her dragon form to rest with them. Her large body had her babies close to her chest for warmth, while her tail wrap around them to hide them from sight. Jack noticed Zippy Lou was the last one to crawl into her mother's curl having to look back at Jack then back where her siblings were in. Her father merely use his tail to suggest her to go to sleep. She merely whine before going in to sleep with her siblings.
"That's cute." Princess Kaili giggles, "Now, they will sleep for the rest of the day. The father will protect his mate and children from danger, while his partner sleeps along with her children to maintain warmth." The two got up to give a bow at the two dragons, "Thank you for allowing us to see your beautiful hatchlings, and best wishes for you two." The two dragons merely nodded with pleasure.
"Loniani-Nui, are you coming with us?" The Princess asked seeing the female human form dragon nodding at her.
As the three got up to leave from the nesting grounds, Loniani-Nui merely walk in silence. Jack looks over the female then said, "The hatchlings were cute. I can see why people would love to watch them hatch. It's something beautiful."
"Right, it's always amazing no matter how many times you see them." Princess Kaili responded with a smile on her face.
"Yes, I love watching them whenever I have the chance to." Loniani-Nui signed with her hands.
"I got a question," Jack ask the two, "I notice the dragons wearing symbols of element around their neck. What does it mean?"
"It represents the dragons born from an element group. Mia was born in the Xiaolin Dragons of fire unlike her mate, who was born in the Wind element." Princess Kaili explains.
"I was born in the Xiaolin dragon of Balance. The Yin and Yang represents all the elements must remain balance, one cannot survive without the other." Loniani-Nui explains. "We are a much smaller group, because we have such large tasks to maintain in our community."
"Often times, the dragons are born with the elements, but not limited to it." Princess Kaili said to Jack, "They can be born with other forms of their element like a dragon born of fire can have a hatchling born the ability to withstand living in volcanos."
"I get it. So the necklace helps recognize themselves?"
"Our people create them their necklace, and place them when they start to show signs. It's important for the healers to notice, because if the hatchling ever get sick or an injured dragon comes in, we would know what element will help them."
"Their community will come to help their take to the sky preparing their own healing ceremony." Loniani-Nui signs in response. "The Dragon of Yin-Yang will come in to prepare for their ritual, and one leader from the community of the five elements must come to give their power to them if the injuries are greatly terrible for just their community to help."
"Amazing." Jack said with surprise.
Later the three went to the Temple of Jong to show the redhead around. There were a few of the villagers giving their prayers to the statue. "So this is Jong?" Jack asked having to look up the huge statue of the male. He stood proud, tall, having broad chest with long wavy hair, built just like the warriors around these lands.
"Yes, they say he had very tanned skin with tribal tattoos over his arm to his right chest," Loniani-Nui signs from the stories her kind told. "He carried his own specially made shark tooth club weapon, and had the strength of ten men"
"I heard he was able to take down this big tree with just his hands and break those thick branches in half." Princess Kaili agrees.
"Wow, he must had won many hearts." Jack said with a wash of amazement over his pale face, "Because that's so cool."
"He was able to fight dangerous predators with his hands and club." Loniani-Nui explains through her sign, "He was truly an inspiration of courage."
"He's handsome too." Jack gawks at the statue, "So is this where he's buried?"
The Princess said, "His body is here at the temple, but it's buried where all the monks are at. It's a large tombstone of his name on it." She lead them to the way having to see many people coming by to pray and send their blessings to the temple.
As they head to the monks' grave, there was a huge tombstone of Jong, the grave was cover in flowers, offerings with incense placed around the tomb. The three pay their respects by having their head bow with their hands in prayer position giving their blessing and thanks to the warrior.
"Some say if you are quiet enough, you will still hear his heart beating…" The Princess spoke quietly.
Loniani-Nui and Jack stood surprise by this. "What? I never heard of that?" The dragon hybrid signed at the Princess.
"I never heard of that period!" Jack said with shock. "The guy is dead… ho-how?"
"I know it sounds creepy," Princess Kaili giggles, "but it's a little haunting tale of the villagers and monks. It's only when you are alone, you will hear his heart."
"Why his heart?" Jack asked.
"Yes, why?" The female dragon signed.
"Well..." The Princess took a moment to speak until one of her servants and ladies of the palace came interrupting her, "Princess, you are needed for the fitting. Your father had the head seamstress with her staff for your celebration."
"Oh, is it time. Oh my," She turns to the two, "I'm sorry to cut it short, but I am needed. Perhaps we shall continue later… after dinner perhaps. Oh maybe late at night in the library."
"That'll be fun." Loniani-Nui smiles as she nodded.
"Yeah, that'll be fine. I'm always stuck at the library anyway." Jack said with agreement.
"Wonderful. Then I will see you two later." She smiles having to hug her two friends, then went off with her servants and ladies of the palace.
Jack merely turn to the female dragon hybrid, "Um… Loniani-Nui, do you know what she was going to say about Jong's heart?" He spoke as he tries to sign giving his best effort.
The female dragon could only laugh at his vague signing, then responded with her movements, "No, I only heard about his tragedy."
"I see, hmm. I wonder." He said wanting to talk to her more, but the two were interruptive by Eon.
"Longiani-Nui, glad I found you. We need to start our training!" The tall male said to her having to see her smile. It was a code for spending time together like taking walks alongside holding hands, possibly kissing one another.
"Okay." She said with agreement with a sign.
"Ah, there you are. I was looking for you, my fellow warrior." The Grand Master Dashi appears with his hands together being covered by his grey robe sleeves, walking in a slow pace. He appear the opposite direction facing Eon, "I see, you all are paying your respects to our most Honorable warrior?" His eyes turned to Chase's older brother with a small smile, "right, Eon?"
"Hahaha, I just got here, Master Dashi." The tall male spoke, "Let's pay our respects then." He rub his neck going to the grand master to give their prayers to the warrior's tomb.
Then, Dashi merely whisper softly for Eon, and possibly Loniani-Nui to hear, "You two should be careful in the forest. I heard the Emperor send his troops for any assassins for his daughter's birthday. They don't want to find out a human and dragon intimate, wouldn't you agree, Eon?" His eyes became sharp with a serious tone of his voice causing Eon to wince in shock. Lonaini-Nui's eyes merely widen from shock. How did he know?
"Master… you are surely joking?" Eon asked giving a nervous chuckle.
Jack looking at the two confused then surprise at the way Dashi stare down at Eon so seriously with a straight face. "Huh? What's going on?"
"Nothing… just warning my fellow student the dangers of the forest," The Xiaolin Master place his hand on Eon's shoulder with a strong grip, "The Emperor send his troops out for the princess' safety."
"Oh that does sound serious." The redhead's eyes look at the female hybrid dragon staring down in fear, and almost shaken. "Lonaini-Nui, are you okay? Is this making you nervous?"
"No, I'm fine… just cold." She sign with a lie having to force a smile on her face.
Dashi continues, "She should be nervous. If anything were to happen, there will be bloodshed, right Eon? But please, by all means go without warn." The Grand Master knew that the two had a close relationship, especially with a man like Eon. Dashi can easily read the male monk's next move. "You two should train somewhere else. Somewhere in the east mountains. Anyway, Jack, I got something to show you, it's for your training."
"Training, wow. Really," Jack focus on his Master instead of the other two with excitement on his eyes. "What we're going to do?"
"I'll show you. Come." Dashi said as he begins walking out of the burial grounds toward the pathway that lead to the palace.
"Alright!" Jack turns to the two, "See you guys later."
"Bye." Lonaini-Nui merely sign and wave goodbye to him. Eon merely looks away looking nervous for a bit.
The redhead gave a concerned look but turn away to follow his Master. "I wonder why they're acting like this?" He thought before his red eyes stare at the back of his Master, "I wonder what did he say to them…" He silently follows him.
