22.2
Velerion stood in silence as the bickering among the Ancient Dragons about their exuperent expenses faded away from his peripheral hearing.
Lord Consignor?
His mind was clouded by a thick fog of gray, his confusion made worse when John stepping out from everyone as he left everything into the Elder Dragon’s hands.
Velerion had thought that John wanted to extort the Ancient Dragons and reprimand them for their spending with the paperwork he brought. Ephinelyth had brought up that he once was a scribe, but the Magma Dragon did not expect such a thing from the human.
Sure. John had implied the work of ruler was tedious on their few interactions before today.
Velerion had brushed it off as John’s human way of making light of the situation that he was in.
Never in a million years he thought that the human he previously tried to kill would relinquish absolute power back to him.
As for how he managed to convince the stubborn Eastern Dragon, Velerion could hardly believe his eye.
The Eastern Dragon who had contradicted Velerion’s rule ever since his father’s passing, an Ancient Dragons who existed before his father, Lord Kharston, agreed with John.
It was impossible.
John Sarvod who consigned Velerion’s defeat, removed him of his right eyesight instead of taking his life. He, who shall guide Velerion to his duty of preserving this world, against the impending doom that came for all worlds.
Entropy.
The immutable force Velerion sought to resist against, the unnatural law that consumed dragons that came before his ancestors. This was the name coined by the greatest minds of the dragons from prehistoric times, yet, despite their vast knowledge and power, they too, were consumed by it.
Perhaps, the distant future was closer than what his mother had told him. If Velerion could continue to mature as the human did, his destiny shall be fulfilled.
T-that time is not here yet…
Discarding the thought of the grim future, Velerion ordered the Ancient Dragons to their seats before rushing after John and his sister.
“My Lord! Lord Consignor!”
It took Velerion no time to catch up to John, who had started to climb onto a transformed Ephinelyth, halting him mid climb with a raised, unamused brow.
“How many times do I have to tell you to not use that title, Velerion? It’s embarrassing…”
“My apologies, Lord Sarvod. I had to get your attention, I need to know why have you granted me this position when you are far more suited.”
“What do you mean? Your rightful position is to lead dragon kind, our original deal that Ephinelyth would be mine and Zondrac to be spared. Those idiots—” John silenced himself as he made contact with Evie, seemingly communicating silently without Velerion’s knowledge. “My point is, it was unfair that they treated you as disposable, Velerion. You did the work and cared for the other dragons. And now I am supposed to replace you? The fuck is that messed up logic?”
“My Lord, I am not deserving of—”
“It is decided, I am merely the ruler in title. But you, Velerion, are the true leader of the dragons. I can never do something as to personally finance an entire race’s major expenses, hell, I barely have money, hahaha!”
John drowned in his own joke as Evie giggled along.
“But!” snapping from his laughter, John pointed a finger at Velerion. “If you wish to repay me or whatever the hell you want, do a good job as your parents would like you to, not to blindly serve me, got it?”
“My Lord—”
John smacked the back of his palm to his head. “Just listen, Velerion. I am too lazy and don’t have enough time in the world to do what I want, do me a favor and return to your job. I will step in if needed be, but I assume you can hold on your own well enough.”
“I… understand.” Velerion’s insistence faltered at John’s honesty. “Thank you for your w-words, my Lord.”
“No worries.” John quickly climbed himself onto Evie’s back. “I have something to ask you before I go.”
“Ask me anything.”
“Have you seen my sword, Convictus? I think it shattered into pieces… Last I remembered it entered your eye… If possible I was hoping to get it reforged,” scratching his cheek as his eyes glanced towards the distance. “That sword is dear to me.”
Hearing John’s request brought a surge of energy in Velerion, lighting a sense of excitement in the Elder Dragon’s eyes. “Yes, it is in my possession! Leave the matter in my capable hands!”
“I— Very well. Until next time.”
Woosh!
John took off with Ephinelyth without another word.
…
…
…
It had taken no more than a few minutes for Evie to arrive at a mountain’s top that vaguely resembled to the one John had envisioned.
These were mountains to the east of the Empire, a place where the natural landscape remains to be untouched by the Imperial forces of the Empire nor the harsh conditions of the Demon Desert further to its east.
With a firm grip on his hand—having returned to her human form—Evie brought John to the grassy meadows before placing her head against his chest.
Allowing John to coddle her as he promised earlier, stirring up a gentle warmth in Ephinelyth’s heart as his fingers ran across her face and hair with a gentle expression.
“Did you notice it?”
John was the one to break the silence as he caressed her silver hair in the gentle light of the sun.
“Notice what, my love?”
“Just before we left the Ancient Dragons, there was this unease…”
“It may be from those who were unhappy with your statement. Should they try something, my magic will protect you, my love.”
“That, I am not worried.”
John inched towards her face, giving Evie a kiss on her lips as he gently rubbed his cheeks against hers.
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“Ufufufu. More, John,” she giggled as she pressed her body closer to his lips.
John proceeded to lift Evie’s body closer to him, wrapped his arms around her as he coddled her on top of his lap, nuzzling as much as Evie wanted as she giggled at his adoration towards her.
While Evie initiated intimacy the most between them, John was the one who went the extra mile into giving her the affection that she longed from him. He had mastered the art of loving Ephinelyth so much so that his techniques left his wife wanting more.
Gently, he squeezed her in his arms, kissed her face as Evie squealed in delight at his affection.
“Ufufu, ufufu~”
Her joyful giggles were the entrancing melody that captivated his heart. For he knew, as long Ephinleyth was around, he had a home.
“Still…” his eyes drifted into the distance as he continued, “Even before Eastern Dragon tried something, the moment we stepped foot in there, something was off.”
“Would that not be Eastern Dragon? He did try to attack you. No doubt he was planning to do it before you said anything.”
“He wouldn’t, rather, he can’t. I have you, Evie.”
John smiled as he watched Ephinelyth’s hardened expression melted at his gaze.
“The thing is, when Eastern Dragon came for me, I felt his displeasure, I knew why he was angry at me, it was a sort of disdain that is directed at someone heretical. The unease I felt when I walked into the room however…was different, it almost seems…concealed. Like it was masked by an unseen veil.”
“Concealed? I probed into the minds of all 8 Ancient Dragons, none of them seem to have hostility, if there was anything, Velerion or I would have noticed it.”
“I’m not doubting you, Evie. It was just…” John squinted his eyes. “How do I explain it… You know how betrayal comes from people you least expect?”
“Yes,” she answered as she pushed herself closer into his arms, blue eyes focusing on him as he pampered her.
“I— Well… Uh…. You know… Back in A’vetheas, back when I was living among the Elves, I had this ‘friend’ named Alwin. For the longest time I knew him, he never once discriminated me like the other elves.
“Back when I was trialed for using taboo magic, I thought he would be the very first one to testify for my innocence ...the rest is what I’ve told and shown you.”
Evie placed her hand on his face, prompting his face to relax so slightly.
His dark eyes gazed deeply into hers, akin to a void that sought to pull all of her into him with the promise of filling her up with more love than she could ever need.
Even when John contemplated on grim matters, she knew that his love for her was what anchored him to the realm of sanity.
“He never liked me and just wanted to use me to get close to the princess.” John shook his head still unable to comprehend the elf who Velerion vanquished on that fated day. “I had doubts that he truly hated me or solely wanted to use me. I like to think…that like Alwin, maybe some of the Ancient Dragons bear evil thoughts, perhaps not against me as an individual, but against dragon kind. Perhaps that is why neither you or Velerion sensed anything off.”
“…”
“I am not saying dissenting thoughts are forbidden, in fact I know I am someone who is considered odd by normal standards. The thing is, maybe, just like Alwin, the Ancient Dragons have the tendency to give into evil if shown the opportunity. Or maybe…”
“...they are waiting for one.” Evie completed his sentence.
“Worse. If they already have one.”
John shook his head the moment those words left his mouth, regretting for voicing out his unwarranted concerns for a hypothetical situation.
“Argh, the fuck am I over thinking this for? This is all base on my gut feeling, I can be the furthest from the truth.”
“John.” Evie placed her hands on his cheeks, focused her eyes on him. “My father dealt with traitors among our own kind during the Great Demon War, this is not far from reality. Gods, Demons or Dragons, they are all capable of both extremes of greatness and despair. If such an event repeats itself, I will raze the whole world should they infringe upon you.”
Thonk!
John landed a chop on Evie’s head, causing her face to scrunch into a cute dorky expression that obviously knew what was coming.
“No, silly girl. We’ve discussed this, haven’t we?” John smiled as his hand that hit her stroked her gently. “I can handle these things, I would ask you for help if I really need it, hahaha! It is very cute that you want to destroy the world for me, but I rather you and I live in an intact one.”
“Y-you don’t have to hit me.”
Evie stuck her a part of her tongue out at John as she poked at him repeatedly for hitting her.
“Heh, how else would I get you to listen? I’ve said many, many times, I love you because of who you are, not your power. To me, you are Evie, the woman who stood by me when I lost everything. I do not need you go into extremes for matters with workable solutions. Leave it to me to deal with the Ancient Dragons, it is the least I could do for by wife.”
John lowered his head, placed a kiss on her neck as he made his way up to her lips, causing Ephinelyth who was in his embrace to giggle like a spoiled child at his loving advances.
“Of course, I love you as Ephinelyth too. I find your womanly side and dragon side both endearing. Don’t think for a second that I think of you as a tool.”
“Not as a tool for power gain, but for sexual purposes— Ahhhh!”
John’s fingers started to run on her sides, tickling her as to bring Evie into a fit of embarrassment as much as she caused him. She squirmed and squirmed but John would not let up until Evie’s face was fully flushed red and panting heavily.
“Hmph…”
Satisfied with his punishment—more of a reward than anything—to Evie, his arms moved to her back as he wrapped his body around her akin to a large pillow, taking solace in her presence as he calmed himself down from teasing her.
“I love you too, John.”
Her voice appeared in his mind, cooing him as she sensed John’s thoughts started to drift into yet somewhere else.
“It’s been a year hasn’t it?”
“Ufufu, so the calendars tell us.”
“That means…
“…it is time to face my past.”
“If you wish to, my love,” Evie replied to his monologue. “I am perfectly happy regardless of what you decide to do about it. As of now, I am a content woman who has the world by her side.”
“What happens if I change after retrieve them, Evie… My memories. I do not want them to change me…alter my love for you.” John’s face darkened. “I… T-the last thing I want to happen is to—”
“It won’t.” Evie’s hands cupped his cheeks as her blue eyes looked deep into him. “You are John, my John, whether you remember your past or no. For in both instances I have loved you, and you have loved me. Back then, and now.”
Shortly after John met Evie’s parents, Lord Kharston and Lady Synthia through the hologram recording, he came up with the notion of having Evie to use her powers to undo the amnesia that he inflicted upon himself.
The amnesia that his younger self had induced as a result of Kahnira’s death.
Yet, to say that his selective memory loss was solely caused by that incident would be incorrect.
The death of his maid was only the final straw that broke the camels back of young John.
There were still plenty of gaps in his knowledge. Many things that he forgotten that could contribute to his younger self’s trauma.
If anything else his past had shown him, he seemed to be responsible for the death of someone’s mother.
Serene.
He was unsure if he had doomed her as well. Was she a cousin? A friend? A rival? Or just an acquaintance? And if she was just a bystander, had he not involved her into his growing madness when he was a child?
He was fairly convinced he was no demon child. Yet, he was not one without sin.
That is why, he hesitated.
John limited himself to a year ignorance before he attempted to restore the suppressed memories.
Surely, Ephinelyth deserved to enjoy her life with him without his past baggage, even if it was brief.
“You do not have to worry about me, John. I am yours,” a harmonious melody from Ephinelyth voice entered his ears, shaking away the unease that gathered in his vision.
“It’s my nature, how can I not when you are all that my heart beats for?”
“Ufufu. Should you decide to take another woman as your own in this moment, I would not be jealous—”
“In addition to you, that is,” John corrected. “An impossible situation because no one can outdo my Evie!”
“Of course, it is in addition to me, my love, ufufu.” Sounding very pleased at the prospect of being his first wife Evie chest rose with pride. “Even in such a scenario, I would not be opposed or be jealous, so long the other woman’s love is as pure as mine.”
“Bah! This is just silly talk.” John gave Evie’s stomach a gentle tap. “I doubt anyone can come close to you. Come on, my Evie is one and only, she is here for me when I wished for my own death. No one else…”
“What of that Angeline girl?” Evie teased, her face in delight as she watched John, once again made a series of unnatural expressions. “She does fawn over you like a…” her voice trailed off she noticed the heavy gaze that dawned on him.
“It’s not like I don’t like her, Evie. The thing is, I can never lay my hands on the life she has already made for herself.”
“Yet he laid his hands on me however he wished.”
“Yes, yes, I am a sucker for your beauty and love, Evie. God knows how much your blue eyes drive me mad!!!”
John snatched her and squeezed his wife tightly, causing her to wriggle in joy from his affection.
“Point is… Angeline has a life she carved for herself. I can only keep my distance and respect her for all that she has done for me. I cannot, I am unable to uproot all that she has built, to do that is akin to destroying her for my selfish purpose...”
Angeline was on a path to do greater things, to serve her people with the rest of the hero’s party. John who never belonged anywhere would only hinder them.
It was by the hands of fate that a woman like Ephinelyth came into his life. Had the dragon girl not been persistent in her love for him throughout his life, he surely would not have found his conviction to surpass his flaws.
“I’ll leave whether I see her again up to whatever the future has in store for me, who knows…”
“Ufufu, ever so noble, even in his love,” Evie poked a finger at his cheek. “I suppose, she shall miss out from your intense love, a shame indeed.”
“What shame, Evie?” John got up from her. “Are you telling me you want me to get another wife other than you?”
“I know what goes on in your mind, my love.”
“I-I…”
A haughty glint appeared in her blue eyes, “I have seen everything that is encompassed in you and have kept it dear in my heart. I understand all your thoughts and emotions. I know you care deeply for her, that is why I do not fault you if such a future comes to be.”
“I… I know you mean well. But I can’t. Even if the circumstances were right, I am not suited for that. You know how it is with me and love. If not for Kahnira and her Three Raisons… I don’t think I’ll even be here, my maid who I barely remember… s-she…” John’s voice trailed off as a wave of heavy emotions washed over him.
“…”
“I’m sorry, Evie. As much as I have been through, there are somethings I am not ready for…”
Pomfp.
Evie had John pressed up against her chest, hugging him tightly as she comforted him.
“No, it is my fault. I got a little excited at teasing you.”
John shook his head in response, placing no blame on her.
“Kahnira means as much to me as she does to you, my love.” Evie spoke softly. “Without her, I would not have you as you are. If anything I owe her everything I have.”
“You owe…her?”
She nodded firmly, “It is because of her, I have you, my love. She was the one who instilled the Three Raisons in you, was she not? The very Three Raisons that granted you courage and hope to push past your inner demons. That alone, in my eyes, made her a noble woman deserving of your love.”
“Is that why you are fine with me having multiple…”
“In some ways, I was hoping to repay her who instilled everything that is great about you into you, John. But we both know she is no longer here… That is why, if she so desired, Angeline whose intentions are pure have my approval.”
John placed his head against Evie’s.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Ufufu. Fret not, my love. You may leave everything to me.”