Ep 193.5 (Extra). Midnight Tales
“Serenis!”
As Serenis lifted her gaze, she could soon spot Light standing just outside the window – with one hand knocking on the glass surface, the other holding a large paper bag filled to the brim with food.
Of course, the food didn’t exactly seem to be anything healthy; as far as Serenis was concerned, that entire bag was filled from top to bottom with donuts.
Still, the dragonlord rose from her seat to open the door to greet the half properly.
“Light. I wasn’t expecting you today…Karas isn’t with you?”
“Nope! Just me. Is your brother home?”
“Patrick? He’s been gone for a while.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured…thought I’d ask anyways. Out with that other officer, I bet.”
“…?”
As Serenis quizzically stared at the half, Light soon mirrored the dragonlord’s expression – but after a few seconds, the half quickly realized what the confusion was.
“…Wait a sec. You don’t know what day it is, do you?”
“A Sunday?”
“No, it…well, actually, it is a Sunday, yeah. But it’s also Lover’s Day!”
“Ah, was that today? Patrick has been singing about it all week. I suppose that will finally come to an end.”
“…Wait, he was singing about it?”
“Yes?”
“Why would he…never mind, stupid question. Can I come in?”
“?...Of course. Make yourself comfortable.”
At this point, unannounced visits from Light and Karas weren’t anything out of the ordinary – the two often dropped by to share dinners, tell stories, and most importantly, talk Patrick into helping out at the renewed institute. Though, the last bit mostly concerned Karas exclusively; Light was usually just tagging along with her professor.
Unlike today.
As the half enthusiastically sat herself on the living room area to drop the bag of donuts onto the table, Serenis curiously glanced out the door before closing it, turning her attention back to Light.
“It’s rather rare to see you alone. I assume Karas is occupied?”
“Uh…yep. The professor’s been working out some administrative things to reopen the institute. Usually I’d help, but I didn’t want to spend a Sunday doing papers…and a special Sunday at that! Might as well do something related to it.”
“…I apologize if you were expecting Patrick here. Considering how the day’s named, I don’t see how spending it with me would be of any help.”
Light beamed back a coy smile, wiggling a finger left and right as she clicked her tongue at the dragonlord.
“Tsk tsk tsk, sure it will. You’re not busy, right?”
“Not…particularly?”
“Great! Then you can tell me what your love life was like!”
“…”
“...Come on, please? If you want, you can have some donuts too?”
With a resigning sigh, Serenis seated herself beside the half.
Frankly, it was either this or spend the day by themselves – and while Serenis was perfectly content with being alone, it was quite obvious that Light would be home alone, sulking the entire day.
After a short pause, the dragonlord began to speak.
“…What would you like to hear?”
“Anything, really! I mean, you had a husband and everything, right? You even had children?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then…maybe how you two met? Or how you fell in love? Wait wait wait, actually, how you two got married! Tell me that one!”
“That’s…not particularly an endearing tale. It’s a rather embarrassing one…are you sure you’d like to hear it?”
With a widening smile, Light rapidly nodded her head. A donut was already placed between her lips, swinging up and down with the mouth holding it.
A muffled answer soon followed the nodding.
“That’s what I’m counting on. Spill.”
✧ ✧ ✧
“Serenis.”
“…”
“…Serenis!”
“…”
“Serenis! Rise and shine, your majesty!”
“…Mnn.”
As the dragonlord stirred from her bed – or rather, his bed, inside his house, within his village – Adam let out his usual long sigh.
‘Seems like yesterday when she was just a big old lizard in the middle of nowhere…’
Now, he was waking the same lizard from a bed inside his own home.
Admittedly, Serenis had maintained a humanlike form for years now: ever since she’d morphed herself to accompany Adam to his village, she’d remained this way ever since. It’d allowed the villagers to accept her presence more easily, and for Adam’s bed to support the dragonlord’s weight.
As Serenis lazily squirmed within her blankets, her eyes finally did open – though only halfway.
And, as amusing as it was to observe the half-asleep dragonlord, Adam couldn’t help but let out another sigh.
“…Seriously…how much longer do you expect me to do this? I can’t wake you up every morning. Sooner or later, you’ll have to get up on your own.”
“…”
Before, it would’ve been unthinkable for a human to disturb the lord of dragons in her sleep. In fact, a decade prior and she may have elected to swat him aside like a bug.
But with her body no longer aching as it had before – which, according to Adam, was partially from spending too much time curled up asleep –Serenis was finding it harder and harder to argue against the healer’s words.
And so, with half-closed eyes and a sleepy voice, the dragonlord began to answer him.
“…How come?”
“? How come what?”
“How come you can’t wake me up every morning? I don’t see a problem with our current arrangement.”
“…A…uh…?”
For a moment, Adam’s brain lagged behind as he failed to form a coherent reply.
Truth be told, there were lots of things wrong with their current arrangement: for starters, a demonlord was living within a human household, inside a human village. The house owner was waking her every single morning – at first to survive, but now out of habit. They’d spent years like this without any form of actual agreement.
Then again, neither of them had seriously complained about how things had become.
Soon after, Serenis gently reached out with one hand, pulling Adam right down into her bedside before he could actually return an answer.
“If you’ve grown tired of stirring me awake, then perhaps it’s time you sleep at my side instead.”
“S, Serenis! The sun’s risen!”
“I don’t see what the problem is.”
“…You know Mirha’s son is still sick. I have to go see him for a while, at least.”
“…”
Serenis’ first reaction was pursing her lips in disappointment.
She knew her partner had to leave; after spending years in a village, even a demonlord was wont to grow versed with the life here. As it turned out, Adam had been the only one healer in his entire village, and the only day she could keep him to herself was when absolutely no one was needed treatment.
But try as she might to keep the villagers well, there really wasn’t much Serenis could do about a little child’s fever.
“…Very well.”
After a reluctant answer, Serenis forced herself to let go of her partner’s warmth.
After slipping out of bed, Adam beamed back an apologetic smile, pulling the crooked ends of Serenis’ lips into a half-forced smile.
“Don’t be too glum. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“…”
Reluctantly, Serenis forced her eyes to remain open, nodding back at the leaving healer.
And with a sheepish smile, Adam briskly turned to leave for his work; another few minutes of watching the dragonlord squirming in bed, and even he would start wanting to stay home.
After a short farewell, Adam headed outside. But even on his way to treat his patient, the healer continued to hum a soft tune to himself.
A sight that someone wasn’t exactly pleased about.
A few minutes passed in silence as they watched Adam leave. With crossed arms and displeased eyes, the individual shook his head in disappointment several times.
And when the healer finally disappeared from sight, they headed inside to see their daughter.
✧ ✧ ✧
Despite still squirming in bed, Serenis wasn’t exactly asleep – partially because Adam had told her not to sleep so much, partially because she didn’t want to be asleep when he’d return.
But when she heard the door creak back open after only a few minutes, her head immediately shot up to look towards the entrance.
“Adam? Did you forget something?”
“Probably not.”
“…?”
It didn’t take very long for the smile on Serenis’ lips to wither away.
In fact, for the first time in a very long while, the dragonlord’s expression twisted into a visible frown.
A white-robed figure soon stepped into the household, closing the door behind them as if it were their own place. His questioning gaze turned left and right as he studied the place he’d come to, and his own frown deepened further when he noticed his eldest daughter squirming within a human’s sheets and blankets.
“What is this place? Serenis, what are you-“
The voice was quickly cut off as Serenis summoned her tail to swing across the air – which soon buried itself into the newcomer, making a visible dent across his lean face.
Unfortunately, he merely stood there with the tail across his visage, unmoving and seemingly unhurt.
“…”
“…”
Even with his face caved in, the First only shook his head.
And when Serenis’ tail finally parted from his skin, he quickly – and literally – molded his face back to shape.
“…Serenis, what are you doing in a human village?”
“I live here now.”
“At a human’s house?”
“It’s better than our caverns and dungeons.”
“…”
After a long sigh, the First stepped closer to the bedside, ripping the sheets away from his daughter.
“Serenis. Do you realize just how much time you’ve wasted? This is not what I meant when I told you to find a mate.”
“…”
With anger and annoyance written all over her face, Serenis reluctantly arose halfway to finally meet her father’s gaze. While he may have been displeased, she was furious; had it been literally anyone else, she would’ve thrown them halfway across the continent.
“…Kelador hasn’t sired children either. Go bother him instead.”
“Do you not realize that’s only because you continue refusing him? How many times do you think he’s asked you to be his partner?”
“I don’t keep count of useless things.”
“…To this day, he climbs onto land at least once every moon to see you. What more do you need?”
“Adam sees me every day of the year.”
“…”
The First shot another glare towards the door. It wasn’t difficult to guess whose name his daughter was referring to.
“…You’re the lord of a demon tribe, Serenis. You’ve only a single opportunity to bond with another soul. For you to choose a human as your mate is beyond ridiculous – what you’re doing is inviting a lifetime of regret for a fleeting toy.”
“…He’s not a toy. You asked me to find a lover, and I’ve found one.”
“Really? And you think he sees you as you see him? You are a demon, Serenis – a lord, no less. Humans see you in fear and contempt, not love.”
“…”
“Learn your place.”
Scoffing at the dragonlord’s attitude, the First quickly turned away, dismissively waving his hand.
“In one week, Kelador will be here to escort you to the summit – where you two will be holding your bonding ceremony. Be thankful he’s willing to come this far for your sake.”
“Bonding ceremony? Are you out of your mind?!”
“No.”
“…I didn’t agree to any of this. I’m not going.”
Hearing his daughter’s adamant refusal, the First turned his head, letting out an exasperated sigh at his daughter.
“Serenis. It’s been a thousand years since I’ve told you to find yourself a mate, to which you’ve nothing to show for. You’ve wasted more than enough time.”
“…What difference does a thousand years make? Neither of us are bound by time. You never even cared about such things before.”
“It may concern us directly, yes – but do you realize just how much your own kin’s grown to distrust you? You’ve hardly done anything for the dragonkin. Every single day, I receive complaints about how they’d prefer having an heir to succeed your position.”
“…I don’t plan on having a successor.”
“And that’s exactly why they’re coming to me. It certainly doesn’t help that you never tell your kin where you’re going.”
“…”
In all fairness, Serenis had done that on purpose; otherwise, her kin would keep waking her in the middle of her slumber.
Though, Adam ended up doing the same anyways…
“Even should you not desire a successor, any children you bear will be a great asset to your kin. And moreover, you are one of the first lords – it’s time that you bore children of your own. You and Kelador both.”
“…”
“One week, Serenis. I expect you to be ready by then.”
“Wait, I-“
As the First swiftly disappeared into the rift he’d opened behind him, Serenis blankly stared into the air.
Her father’s words were nothing short of infuriating. But one thing in particular was angering her far more than anything else.
- ‘And you think he sees you as you see him?’
She didn’t know. She thought she knew, but she’d never mustered the courage to hear an answer from Adam.
…It was one of the few things she was scared of finding out.
✧ ✧ ✧
When Adam arrived at Mirha’s house, he really didn’t expect to see much: he expected the son to still be resting or asleep, and Mirha to be watching over her child.
Instead, Adam arrived to see her son running around healthier than ever; Mirha herself seemed delighted by the apparent miracle.
And lastly, a white-robed stranger was standing amongst them, turning to face Adam as he’d arrived.
“…Mirha? What’s going on?”
“Oh, Adam! You won’t believe it – this gentleman wove his hand once, and my boy was better in moments!”
“…?? That’s…great?”
In his confused, awkward celebration, Adam finally turned to meet the stranger’s gaze.
And with a resolute nod, the man briefly turned to Mirha to excuse himself out.
“I’ll be on my way, then. I’ve matters to discuss with…Adam.”
“Oh, yes, of course! Thank you so much again!”
“My pleasure.”
As the robed figure approached him, Adam could now see just how strange the man before him seemed to be – they were dressed in white from head to toe, and their gleaming white hair didn’t exactly help make things seem any more natural. In fact, up so close, he could now see that even their eyes were white.
But seemingly uncaring for their own unusual appearance, the figure looked to Adam, gesturing towards outside.
“Adam, yes? If you’ll come with me for a moment.”
“…I’m sorry, have…have we met before?”
“No.”
“…?”
Adam’s confusion only piled on as he followed the strange figure outside. It doubled when they wove their hand to erect a dome-like barrier around them, preventing any sound from leaking out.
And finally, the figure turned to speak their mind.
“I believe a formal apology is due. My daughter’s been quite the burden on your shoulders.”
“Your…daughter?”
“Serenis. She’s been with you these past few years, yes?”
“…Then…you are…”
No reply came from the figure to confirm Adam’s sentence – but the healer could quite easily guess at who was standing before him.
After all, Serenis had mentioned her father in passing then and there. And in all fairness, the figure’s name was quite – QUITE well-known.
…Then again, ‘the First’ wasn’t exactly a proper name.
“…Surely you aren’t here just to deliver an unwarranted apology. May I ask what this is about?”
“…”
The First crossed his arms at the question. Even though their expression remained relatively indifferent, Adam couldn’t help but feel pressured before a literal divinity standing right in front of him.
And soon, the next question was thrown rather abruptly at his face.
“Do you love Serenis?”
“…Uh?”
If Adam had a mirror, he could see that his eyes were having a small earthquake of their own.
Turning away in embarrassment, the healer gave a small chuckle, unsure of how to the sudden question.
“…Haha, I…I do, but…I’m…not sure if I deserve to…”
“Good. You do not.”
“…?”
Humility goes a long way. Or so Adam had learned throughout his life.
This time, it might’ve gone too far.
Afterwards, the First let out what sounded like a sigh of relief.
“You and Serenis are far too different. Your status, race, even lifespan…none are suitable to serve as a demonlord’s spouse. You’re a mere human.”
“….That…I am…”
“You are nothing but a fleeting memory in our eyes – a short-lived toy, if that. She may be blinded in the moment, but her own foolishness will soon become apparent after your passing. Surely, even a human like you would understand.”
“…”
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Adam remained quiet, only nodding his head then and there as the First continued to speak.
It wasn’t that he felt pressured to agree due to the First’s status as divinity – ironically, the healer was genuinely in agreement with what was being said.
The First’s concerns were the exact same ones he’d had in his own mind: ones he’d never spoken out loud, fearing that Serenis would confirm his worries.
“…In one week, Serenis will be bonded to a fellow demonlord – as is proper.”
“Bonded?...She’s being wed?”
“That’s correct – to an individual far more suited to serve the role of her spouse than you. Both share the same background, the same responsibilities – and neither are bound by time. If you truly wish for her well-being, then I expect you to behave accordingly.”
“…”
“Of course, I will personally see to it that your efforts thus far are rewarded. Once Serenis finds her place, you’ll be granted the most fulfilling life a human could live – everything you wish for shall become yours.”
Soon, the First snapped his fingers, doing away with the dome that surrounded them to signal the end of their short meeting.
But even as the divinity took his leave, Adam stood frozen for a while longer.
Or, to be accurate, he found it impossible to continue his way home.
A long sigh escaped the healer’s lips. He blankly raised his gaze, staring into the sky far above.
‘…He’s right. That’s where you belong.’
That was where Serenis belonged. Figuratively and literally, the dragonlord was far too different from the mere human that he was.
Soon, Adam sunk to the ground, letting out another chuckle. And this time, it wasn’t out of mirth or humility.
This was where he belonged. Within this small village, planted to the ground beneath.
He didn’t need a divinity telling him to know that.
✧ ✧ ✧
A dreary atmosphere loomed over as Serenis remained sitting on the bed, hugging her knees as she leaned onto the wall behind her.
Contrary to her expectations, the mood didn’t become any lighter when Adam stepped through the door.
“…Adam!”
“…”
Instead of his usual enthusiastic greeting, the healer slowly raised his gaze, returning only a meek, forced smile back towards the dragonlord.
“…Serenis. You’re awake?”
When Serenis noticed the healer’s the exhaustion-ridden face, she hurriedly rose to her feet.
She rushed to his side, her hands frantically brushing over his cheeks to examine him.
“What happened? You seem much more tired than usual…are you unwell?”
“No. No, nothing like that…nothing at all.”
“…”
Even as Adam brushed away the dragonlord’s hands, her worried gaze didn’t die down one bit.
And before Adam could even put down his belongings, Serenis reached out with both her hands to grasp the healer’s wrist.
“Adam, wait. There’s…something I’ve been meaning to ask…”
“…Yes?”
For almost an entire minute, the dragonlord’s mouth opened and closed in silence as she hesitated to string the words together.
A demon can only be bonded once.
In one week, she’d be bonded to another demonlord – but in turn, that also meant that she had a week’s time to prevent it from happening.
Steeling herself within a mix of fear and embarrassment, Serenis struggled to keep her gaze on her partner, finally letting the words escape her lips.
“I…I never…formally bonded with a partner, you see.”
“…Right.”
“…I realize we’re different, but…we’ve known each other long enough, haven’t we? You were…you were kind enough to accept me here. You taught me how to live with others. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d…still be sleeping my days away in that forest…alone.”
“…”
“So…if you’d be willing, then…I’d like for you…to…”
As Serenis hesitated on the final bit, Adam gently placed his own hand above hers.
But when Serenis raised her eyes full of hope, she only saw Adam with dreading eyes, slowly shaking his head.
“…I’m sorry, Serenis.”
“…”
As Serenis would later recall, those were the longest few seconds of her life.
When she couldn’t bear to see the look on her partner’s face any longer, the dragonlord abruptly let go of him, turning away to hide her face.
“Of…of course! I’m not a human like you, after all. I…I understand.”
“…”
Still with her back turned against Adam, Serenis briskly walked past him to the door to swing the door open. Her wings soon showed themselves behind her back, spreading out widely to take their owner into the air.
“Wait, where’re you going? It’s getting late-“
“I…I’m just stepping out for some air. I’ll be where I’m usually at, so…you needn’t worry.”
“…”
It only took a handful of seconds for her figure to shrink in the distance, disappearing into the distant skies towards the forest they’d met.
Adam watched in silence as the dragonlord’s figure disappeared from sight. Despite his conscience aching in guilt, he couldn’t bear to bring himself to stop Serenis from leaving.
And soon enough, Adam closed the door once more.
For quite time, the door would remain firmly closed.
✧ ✧ ✧
“…”
As Serenis unfurled her wings, sunlight seeped into her vision unabated.
For the first time in years, Serenis greeted the morning sun without a roof over her head.
Disappointment welled within her as the familiar forest clearing filled her vision.
Nothing had changed here: the surrounding greenery, the leafy forest floors. It was still the same peaceful place it had been when the dragonlord had been on her own, sleeping her years away at this very spot.
‘No. One thing has changed…’
No one was here to tell her it was time to rise.
No one was there to stir her awake.
She’d awoken of her own accord – out of pure habit she’d developed over the past few years.
‘…And I thought it’d all have been a dream.’
Unlike the unchanging environment around her, Serenis herself had changed.
The clearing was so much bigger in her morphed form. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d taken her original form anymore.
The feeling of having fabric over her skin no longer felt alien. Uncomfortable perhaps, but she’d grown more than accustomed to wearing at least something over the past few years.
And, lastly…
“…”
“Up already? I expected you to sleep until I woke you.”
The sight of her fellow demonkin felt more alien than seeing another human person.
So, when she found Kelador in his own morphed form sitting cross-legged at her side, the dragonlord had nothing but disdain to show the velklord.
“Long time no see, Serenis. How’ve you been?”
“…”
“…Serenis?”
“…”
There weren’t too many things Kelador was scared of in this world; in fact, he could probably count them all with five fingers.
Sadly, a pissed-off dragonlord was one of them.
As Kelador stared at her in unease, an exasperated sigh escaped the dragonlord’s lips.
The entire week had slipped by uneventfully: every morning she’d hoped to find the healer waking her, and every morning she’d found the clearing devoid of anyone else.
And just when she finally thought that Adam had returned to see her, she only found some old turtle at her side.
It wasn’t like Adam was obligated to come see her, of course; in fact, after what had gone down between them, it might even be natural that he wasn’t coming to wake her anymore.
But knowing that didn’t help Serenis feel any better about the situation at hand.
“…Kelador.”
“Huh? Yeah? What’s up? Say something. Anything!”
“Shut your mouth. You smell like salt.”
“…”
‘…What did I do?...’
The velklord quietly sealed his lips…and eyes. Lips because he was told to, eyes because he felt like he’d start crying if he didn’t.
Then again, Kelador was perfectly aware that Serenis didn’t see him as a future partner – if she did, then they would’ve been bonded centuries ago. With the First practically forcing the arrangement to happen, the velklord was well-aware of how annoyed Serenis may be.
Soon, the anger in Serenis’ eyes soon died out. A longing gaze quickly replaced the anger as she looked towards the direction of the village, gripping her hands into a tight fist.
If the First was truly set on marrying the two lords, there wasn’t really a realistic way to stop it from happening.
But again, knowing that didn’t really help her feel any better about the arrangement.
“…What’s keeping him so busy?”
“…”
Kelador quietly peeked from the corners of his eyes.
It was an odd experience, to say the least: his bride-to-be staring into the distance without even an ounce of attention on him, muttering under her breath about someone that probably wasn’t himself.
After a careful study of the air, the velklord cautiously opened his mouth again.
“…If you’re talking about that Adam guy, I might have an idea.”
“…?”
Serenis had spoken her question out loud with no intention of receiving an answer.
But when the velklord so kindly offered her one, the dragonlord’s glare immediately fell upon Kelador once more – as if she’d forgotten how she’d told him to shut up mere moments ago.
“…What did you do to Adam?”
“Huh? Nothing! I mean, I didn’t do anything, but…”
“But what?!”
“…Well…you see…”
In the few seconds that Kelador took to answer her, Serenis brandished her claws, holding them inches away from the velklord’s throat.
…And despite knowing that the claws were of little threat to him, the burning resentment in Serenis’ eyes was more than intimidating enough to make him speak a lot quicker than usual.
“Uh, father went to see him.”
“Father did?...What for?”
“No idea. All he told me was that he had business with the guy…”
“…”
Thousands of disturbing images suffocated the dragonlord’s mind. It didn’t take long for her to imagine some of the worst possible outcomes that could result from a meeting between a man and divinity.
And in her creeping gloom, Serenis soundlessly summoned her wings to bolt across the air.
In the following gust below, Kelador watched his bride-to-be whizzing into the distance.
And soon, he found himself likewise muttering to himself under his breath.
“…Atta boy, Kelador. Send your bride as far away as you can…yep.”
✧ ✧ ✧
When Serenis rushed into the house, a familiar figure greeted her arrival.
The First stood before the entrance with his back turned against her, as if he’d just come in himself. And Adam was standing in front of the divinity, holding both his hands out towards the First.
But when the door unexpectantly bashed open, both of them turned to face the dragonlord that had invited herself in.
“…Serenis.”
“Adam? What are you…holding…”
Much to the dragonlord’s dismay, held within Adam’s hands was a basket filled with pieces of gold – treasures that Adam couldn’t afford, even if he were to work his entire lifetime.
And before his daughter could say anything further, the First turned to address the dragonlord’s arrival.
“I see you’ve come to me of your own accord. Perhaps you’ve finally made up your mind? I was just about finished with this young man here, anyhow.”
“…Business? What business would you have with Adam?”
“You’ve been a burden to him for years. It’s only right that he be compensated for his hard work.”
“Burden?...Work?”
With her eyes filled with disbelief, Serenis slowly turned to face Adam.
Even now, she trusted him to deny her father’s words – that the years she’d spent at his side couldn’t possibly have been just ‘work.’
But instead, the healer himself met the dragonlord’s eyes with only an agonized, avoidant gaze.
“…I’m sorry, Serenis. But I’m sure you’d be happier with another demon than a human like myself.”
“That’s not true! You know that’s not true. I…I truly…“
“Enough.”
The First swiftly cut off his daughter’s protest, gripping her wrist thereafter.
And soon, another rift would tear open beside them – and beyond it, the summit that would bond the two lords to each other.
For a moment, Adam himself seemed to panic – he reflexively stepped forward towards the dragonlord with a pain-stricken expression, as if he’d stop her from leaving in this very moment.
But immediately after, the First’s pressuring glare would stop the healer in place.
“Adam. Despite all I’ve said – if you still truly believe yourself to be the dragonlord’s ideal mate – then you need but step forward to stop me. And I will leave you two be.”
“…”
As Adam remained silent in place, Serenis clawed at her father’s grip to break free of his hold.
But when her efforts failed to do any good, she then turned to her partner in desperation.
She reached towards Adam with her only free hand, pulling at his sleeve with teary eyes. She desperately wished that he’d do something – anything – to stop her from going.
So, when she beheld her lover’s cold gaze, her heart sank in despair.
“Let go, Serenis.”
“Adam, I-”
“…Please.”
“…”
Her fingers soon lost their strength. Her gaze fell to the floor in resignation.
And as the two reached their closure, the First silently turned forward to leave for the summit with his daughter.
✧ ✧ ✧
“Lord Serenis! We haven’t seen you in forever!”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Haha, it’s alright! The kin thought you were just off somewhere asleep again…but I guess you were actually keeping busy with the velklord, huh? Good for you!”
“…”
A handful of her own kin busily went about within the chamber the First had prepared for them. Elected to service their lord before the ceremony, they busily went about, adorning their lord in ceremonial attires.
Many had been overjoyed to receive the First’s invitation to the summit to celebrate their lord’s bonding – to another demonlord at that. Almost the entire dragonkin had gathered to celebrate the occasion, a new beginning that would mark the end of their lord’s continued absence.
Things would be different from hereon, they thought. With their lord finally having a suitable partner to settle down with, she wouldn’t be the free-spirited soul who was disappearing all the time.
“…”
The atmosphere was about the same among the velks: although Kelador usually remained within their domain in the waters, his tribe had been concerned for quite some time about their stubborn king who simply refused to find a mate other than the dragonlord. And, truth be told, many thought that his efforts would never bear fruit.
But now that the day had finally come, a wave of relief had washed over them.
No more would their king waste time chasing after Serenis; no more would they have to take care of everything in his frequent absences. The two lords would return to where they should be, in the company of their own kind and kin.
…But even so, a handful of attendants weren’t too keen on celebrating the occasion. Including Serenis herself.
It also included the velklord who’d snuck out – again – from the company of his kin.
Instead, he was leaning outside the chamber Serenis was in with her kin, eavesdropping on what was happening inside.
As he stared into the bleak ceiling of the world summit, the velklord crossed his arms, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
“…Goddamn it. I can’t believe father’s forcing this thing. I didn’t want it to happen like this….”
“Be careful what you say, my lord. You’re damning your own father.”
“…”
Kelador turned to see another velk walking towards him, rolling her eyes as disrespectfully as she possibly could at her king.
“So…how’s your eavesdropping going, Lord Kelador? Care to spend a little less time being eccentric yet?”
“…Oh, gimme a break, Skana. I’ve heard enough of what a bad king I am all life…I don’t need you guys nagging at me on my bonding day.”
“If you hate the arrangement so much, why didn’t you stop your father?”
“You think I can stop him?! Besides, I don’t hate the arrangement! I just…”
“Are you sad because your bride doesn’t love you and she’d never bond with you unless it’s forced?”
“…I don’t know. Maybe.”
“…”
Skana rolled her eyes once more. Sometimes, it was almost unbelievable how stupid her king was.
Thankfully, Kelador was much too busy ruminating on the situation to notice his subject’s attitude.
‘Ugh, none of this would be happening if that Adam guy just stopped the thing…the hell’s wrong with him anyways? I can’t even bring him here anymore, can I? If I take a single step outside, father’s going to cook me alive…’
“…Lord Kelador. As your advisor, I advise you to stop thinking. It usually doesn’t go well.”
“…”
“…Hello? Turtle king?”
Before Skana could throw another snarky comment, a keen glint flashed into Kelador’s eyes.
He then darted his gaze towards his advisor, his smile widening by the second.
“Wait, that’s it! Skana, you’re my advisor!”
“Wow, I’m so glad you remembered it after four hundred years. What an honor.”
“No, I mean, you know exactly where I’ve been to! You keep track of all that, don’t you?”
“Against my will, yes. Why?”
“Great! You can go in my stead, then. Get him in here, will ya?”
“...Get who? From where?”
“The Adam-guy! From that little human village by the forest! I was just there before coming here!”
“…You want me to go fetch a human to attend your ceremony? Now?”
“Attend, crash, whatever. Just bring him here. And make it quick, yeah? Before it’s too late.”
“…Lord Kelador, with all due respect…”
“Hm?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“…Come on, please? We really don’t have that much time.”
“…”
It wasn’t like Skana could refuse; an order was an order. As Kelador’s subject, she was obligated to carry it out.
But as his advisor, it was also her duty to let her king know how stupid most of his orders were.
…Usually in the form of complaints and snarky comments bordering on verbal abuse.
✧ ✧ ✧
Hundreds of demons gathered into the summit to celebrate the occasion – most were velks and dragons, but a handful of other tribe members were also present, standing together with their own lords.
Despite the massive number of demons that were present, the surreal space that housed them was even more massive: with a brilliant sky beneath and a dreamlike ceiling of stars and water above, the entire summit had been transformed into a wonderous wedding hall for the two lords.
“Looks like our eldest is the last to go, huh?”
“…It’s about time.”
At the end of the central aisle stood Kelador and Serenis, standing side by side before the First.
Though, unbeknownst to the gathered crowd, neither of them were looking too happy.
But the First continued with the proceedings regardless, seemingly uncaring for either of the two lords before him.
“Rejoice. Today, the very heavens become one with the boundless ocean.”
“…”
“…”
One of them literally could not care less. And it was quite plain on her face.
The other continued to glance from the corners of his eyes, right towards the summit’s entrance in the distance behind him. His unease was growing by the second as he waited for his advisor to arrive, hopefully with the only person that could wipe the gloom off his bride’s face.
The First briefly looked to the both of them, giving a quiet sigh afterwards.
“Kelador. Serenis. In preparation of the ceremony, you are both to undo your morphs and assume your proper forms.”
“Huh? Uh, sure. Uh…”
While Kelador was hesitating on purpose to buy time, a brief glance to his right soon made it apparent that he didn’t need to.
Following the First’s order, Serenis’ drowned eyes raised themselves in defiance as she answered her father.
“…I refuse. This is my proper form.”
Even the First widened his eyes in surprise at the dragonlord’s reply.
Of course, it didn’t take very long for Kelador – and the rest of the crowd – to follow suit.
“…What’s she saying?”
“Pfah! She sleeps so much, I wouldn’t be surprised if she forgot how to undo her morph.”
“I heard she’s been living with humans. Perhaps she actually forgot who she is…”
“…”
Even as the gathered crowd began murmuring about the dragonlord’s unexpected attitude, Serenis soon lowered her gaze once more.
‘…Adam.’
Even now, she couldn’t think of anything else besides the healer she’d left behind.
Even now, she felt as if he’d soon shake her awake from this nightmare.
‘Please…come find me again. Just once more…’
✧ ✧ ✧
With a heavy heart, Adam slumped down by the fire outside his home.
It was one of his lifelong rituals: whenever he was weighed with heavy thoughts, he’d eat by a fire outside, hoping it would burn away his worries as well.
After running the skewer through the dinner he’d brought along, Adam quietly stuck it into the fire, waiting for it to cook.
…But when a passing elder noticed that their village healer was trying to eat a literal piece of burnt gold, she quickly made her way over, using her cane to slap the metal out of Adam’s grip before he could bite down.
“Adam! What are you doing?”
“…Oh…Mrs. Barlow…”
“Why are you eating a rock by yourself? Where’s the dragon lady you’re always with?”
“…”
At the mention of Serenis, Adam burst into tears without even realizing.
In a parched voice, he croaked out his next answer to the elder.
“At…her wedding ceremony…”
“Wedding ceremony? Why aren’t you with her, then? And where was my invitation?”
“…It’s…not ours…her father’s found her a perfect groom. Someone far better suited for her than me…”
As the elder finally began to realize what was going on, she clicked her tongue several times at the news.
Shaking her head, the elder looked down at Adam with a sympathetic gaze.
“…But you two loved each other. Even with my olden eyes, I could see that much – the entire village could see that much.”
“…Haha…did we? I’m not so sure anymore…”
“Well, did she love this groom? More than you?”
“…”
“How did she seem in your eyes, Adam? Did she want to leave?”
Despite wanting to answer ‘yes’ right away, Adam’s conscience stopped himself from answering reflexively.
When Serenis had wanted to ask him to take her hand, he hadn’t even let her finish.
When the First had made their verdict, Adam didn’t bother to stop him from taking the dragonlord away.
…In fact, even when Serenis turned to him to stop her father, the only thing he’d done was to send her away.
So, if someone were to ask him if Serenis had wanted to leave, his answer would be…
“…I…don’t think so…”
Again, the elder would click her tongue repeatedly.
“…Adam. A heartless marriage can never last.”
“…”
“No matter how right someone may seem for their partner…if there’s no heart in it, then that bond can never last. But, if your hearts are together…then, nothing can tear those apart. Not even death, Adam.”
“…Not even…death?”
“No. Not even death.”
The elder beamed back at Adam. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she looked into the distance.
“I haven’t seen my dearest in years. But that doesn’t mean I’m alone, Adam. I still love him dearly, just as he does from the beyond. It’s something I’m looking forward to hearing again once I join him.”
“…”
With a faint smile, Adam finally raised his head to meet the elder’s gaze.
“…Please. That’s not for another twenty years, at least. Mirha still needs your help raising her son.”
Seeing the gloom lifting from Adam’s face, the elder returned a satisfied nod towards the healer.
But even then, the heaviness in his heart refused to lift.
“But…I suppose it’s too late now. Even if I want to go see her again, I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking…”
It wasn’t like he could go back in time and prevent Serenis from leaving; and now, he didn’t even know where she was.
But just when the elder was about to offer another word of comfort, the nearby river literally exploded upwards – followed by a drizzle of water that washed over them.
With his fire whittling away, Adam turned around to see a gigantic, shelled monstrosity looming over him, staring down at his tiny figure with their enormous eyes.
“…Ha…haha.”
Faced with what he could only perceive as imminent death, Adam let out an empty laughter at the sight.
If Serenis had been here still, then she would’ve doubtlessly stepped forth to protect him and the village. She would’ve told him that there was nothing to worry about, that he’d always be safe at her side.
But before the healer finish ruminating on how he’d drove away the village’s most trusted guardian, the looming monstrosity began to speak to him in her rumbling voice.
“Too late, you say? It better not be.”
“…Huh?”
“King’s orders.”
Immediately after, the velk’s jaw opened. An enormous tongue rolled out from within her maw, dropping down to where Adam was as she spoke.
“If you haven’t given up yet…then get on. I’ll take you to your precious dragonlord right now.”
✧ ✧ ✧
As Kelador held out his trembling hand, the First wove his own across the air: a red string then formed to being, tying itself around the velklord’s index finger.
Then, the First repeated the process once more on Serenis.
“And this marks the end of the ceremony.”
Soon the tied red strings lifted both lords’ arms into the air. The loose ends began to float towards each other, beginning to wrap around one another to mark the completion of their bonding.
‘SKANA…WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!’
Kelador’s panicked expression was now beginning to be noticed by the onlookers; the velklord’s entire body lightly trembled, as if he was suffering from a severe cold.
But soon, another distraction would quickly divert the crowd’s attention.
One of the summit’s gates flung open. A torrent of water briefly washed into the halls, and trudging inside was the velklord’s advisor, panting for breath.
She then lifted the load off her shoulder, muttering into his ear as she readied to throw him across the distance.
“Hah…there, we made it. The rest is up to you, human.”
“Wait wait wait, what do you mean-“
“JUST GO!!”
Before Adam could finish his sentence, Skana threw the healer across the aisle, sending him straight down towards the other end – fortunately (?) right towards where he should be.
“…Adam?”
For the first time throughout the entire ceremony, a speck of light returned to Serenis’ eyes.
She then reached her arms outwards, catching Adam effortlessly in her arms – and snapping her string before it could finish tying around Kelador’s.
Even in his daze, Adam struggled to keep his mind straight, speaking to the dragonlord in a slurred, hurried voice.
“S, Serenis…! I, I’m sorry I’m late, I’m really sorry I interrupted your ceremony. But, I had to…I never wanted you to leave, I never-”
“It’s alright.”
Without waiting for another word, Serenis pulled Adam closer to hold him in her arms.
And this time, she had no intention of letting go.
“…It’s alright. You needn’t say more.”
A wave of silence soon filled the summit.
Most were confused; a few were laughing quietly, wondering what else would happen to make this event more interesting. The First was seemingly infuriated by the sudden interruption, while Kelador was beaming the widest smile towards his advisor, holding up a thumb in secret.
And, after the long silence, Serenis finally took note of the snapped red string that was now hanging loose beneath her finger.
“…”
Grinning, she loosened her hold on Adam to allow him to stand proper.
After making a little room between them, she pointed towards her lover’s hand.
“…Adam. Hold out your hand.”
“Huh?...Like this?”
“Mhm.”
Serenis gently held the loose end of the red string, tying the other end around Adam’s finger.
Once it was done, she then closed her eyes, clasping her hands above Adam’s.
And following suit, she began to recite what should’ve been for Kelador.
“…From this moment on, I, Serenis, promise my soul to my bonded partner. Until the day this soul withers to dust, until the very end of time…I swear to forever remain at his side.”
When Serenis opened her eyes this time, she really did see her loved one – with his eyes brimming in happiness.
However, there was also a hint of panic that betrayed Adam’s expression – having rushed here with hardly any preparation, he had the least idea what he was supposed to do.
And so, with a soft smile, Serenis closed her eyes and continued – this time a little louder than before, so that everyone else present would hear her voice.
“And also…as the first lord of the dragonkin, I declare: that from this moment on, you too, as my bonded half, are now a part of the dragonkin. Until the day your life is no more…you are to forever remain at my side as well.”
Looking up to meet her lover’s gaze again, Serenis gave a reassuring smile towards Adam.
And that was all the confirmation he needed to know what to do.
“Do you swear?”
“…Yes. Yes, I do!”
Surprised gasps surged throughout the gathered crowd – some were even beginning to step away, fearing that Kelador would burst in anger from having the ceremony interrupted, and quite literally, stolen.
But to their dismay, the velklord didn’t seem bothered one bit; if anything, he seemed the happiest individual around next to Serenis and Adam.
“…What the absolute fucking hell?”
Having seen enough of the ridiculous display, another demonlord began to step forward, ready to rip Adam out of Serenis’ embrace.
But before they could, Kelador himself stepped in, holding an arm out to block their passage.
“Woah there, Lucid. That’s as far as you go.”
“What? Why are YOU of all people stopping me?!”
“Because I can.”
“Do you not realize what just happened, you blockhead?! And what the hell are you smiling about?!”
“Well, you know…I’m just not as selfish the rest of you. If bonding with someone else makes her happier than bonding with me, then I’m all for it.”
“…Are fucking insane?”
“Ha! My advisor does say that a lot.”
While Lucid and Kelador continued to bicker in the background, Serenis turned to face her father once more.
And, with a brimming smile, she lowered her head apologetically.
“I’m sorry, father. But this is the partner I’ve chosen – and I refuse to have it any other way.”
“…”
The First drew a deep breath, sighing it out thereafter to maintain his composure.
He then offered his hand outward, as if to invite Serenis to return to him once more.
“It isn’t too late, Serenis. This once, I’ll allow you to reverse what you’ve just done.”
“There’s no need. There never will.”
“…You’re inviting your own tragedy. You know just as well as I that this bond cannot last. You’ll be alone again before you know it.”
“…”
Even as Serenis tightened her grip around Adam’s hand, she failed to refute the First’s final remark – for she knew all too well how short her lover’s life was compared to her own.
But in her stead, Adam finally mustered the courage to speak, raising his gaze to meet the divine’s.
“…That’s not true.”
“Hm?”
“That’s not true. She’ll never be alone. I will…”
Adam couldn’t tell what it was that was bolstering his courage– perhaps the dragonlord’s hand that held him, or perhaps the words of his village elder.
But whatever it was, it was allowing him to retort against the most divine being that existed.
“…I will always be with her. For not even death will do us apart.”
“…”
If a human crashing the wedding of two demonlords wasn’t shocking enough, then a human talking back to the First certainly was.
But to everyone’s surprise, the First snorted in amusement – as if he was somehow pleased by the healer’s answer.
“Adam…this is your final decision?”
“…It is.”
Nodding his head, the First turned to face his daughter – for the final time in this overdue ceremony.
“And Serenis…this is your final decision as well?”
“It is.”
With a resolute nod, the First finally relaxed his composure.
It wasn’t exactly an ideal outcome, by any means.
But it was an outcome he could accept nonetheless.
✧ ✧ ✧
As the world summit was gradually emptied of its crowd, Kelador finally found the time to address his advisor properly.
With a half-torn attire and a snapped red string still hanging on his finger, the velklord casually made his way to Skana with a foolish grin on his face.
“Haha, good job out there, Skana! Perfect timing!”
“…”
At first, the velk advisor only returned a scowl at her king.
And soon enough, she turned away with a tired groan, making her way towards the gate she’d come through.
“…Ugh. Why do I bother.”
“Huh?! Wait, what’s wrong?!”
“I don’t know! Just shut up!”
“Aw come on, I’m sorry! Here, I’ll catch you a kraken, you can have it all to yourself!”
“You think a kraken is going to make up for all the crap you put me through?!”
“Um…two krakens?”
“…”
After a heavy pause, the velk glanced back at her king, muttering her next phrase just barely loud enough for Kelador to hear.
“…A hundred.”
“Wait, hundred? Even if I search the entire ocean, there’s not gonna be that many!...Skana? Hey!”
As the two velks disappeared into the ocean gate, the First lightly shook his head, closing the door shut with a single snap afterwards.
But once the summit was completely emptied of everyone else, Lucid finally floated over from behind the First’s back, studying their father’s indifferent expression.
“…Father, you knew that Kelador was bringing that human here, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“So you let it happen.”
“…”
“…You knew this would happen, didn’t you? You weren’t even planning to bond Kelador and Serenis at all.”
“…An outcome is an outcome. And this is an acceptable one.”
Spinning idly in the air, Lucid shrugged back at the First’s incredulous answer.
“You couldn’t just tell Serenis to get on with it, could you? Had to make a whole fuss over it?”
“A human barely lasts a century. They couldn’t afford to continue wasting time.”
“So you decided that you’d make them crash Kelador’s wedding? My, how thoughtful of you.”
Snorting, the First eyed Lucid with a curious gaze.
Despite being his own creation, he could never quite understand what was going through the dreamlord’s head anymore.
“…I don’t recall you being this sarcastic when you were born.”
“And I don’t recall my elder sister being head over heels for a lesser creature. Yet, here we are.”
“…Hmph.”
Despite being the first of his creations, the demonlords never quite behaved according to the First’s wishes; no matter how careful he was in nurturing their growth, something unexpected would always influence their being, jeopardizing the outcome of everything he’d strived to build.
But at the end of the day, it was impossible to control every possible outcome.
So, really…more often than not…
‘…I’ll have to accept this outcome as well.’
✧ ✧ ✧
“…And that’s what happened. Though, we did move out of the village shortly afterwards.”
“…”
“Light?”
“…”
Despite the dragonlord’s repeated calling, Light was still struggling to find her way back to reality – her mind still lost somewhere between a crashed wedding and an angry god.
Though, eventually, the half did slap herself back awake.
“…Hold on. When I asked you about it before, you said you didn’t have anything interesting to tell about your past life…and then you come and tell me THIS?!”
“…Again, it’s…not particularly an endearing tale…”
“Uh huh. Sure.”
With her eyes sparkling in anticipation, Light cupped her chin with both hands, eyes fixed on the dragonlord before her.
“Tell me another one.”
“Another one?...About what?”
“I don’t know, anything! You’re practically a living book.”
“…It’s getting late, Light. And I’m sure Patrick will be home soon. Perhaps you should head back as well…”
“Oh, please. Your brother’s not coming back home tonight.”
“…? How would you know that?”
“It’s a…it’s a custom. Once you go out, you…uh, don’t come home on Lover’s Day.”
“That’s an actual custom?”
“…Sure it is. You can ask your brother when he’s back.”
Admittedly, Light was right about the first part – Patrick really didn’t come home until late next morning.
…But it took a few days after that for Serenis to learn what this ‘custom’ exactly was.