Chapter Fifty-Four: Give and Take
As Yozora descended into the Obsidian Dragon’s lair, the air thickened, each step drawing him deeper into the cavern where shadows clung to every crevice like something alive. The jagged, gleaming stone was dark as night, streaked with purples and charcoals, catching light from the molten veins that snaked through the ground and cast an eerie glow across the floor. The weight of the place pressing on him.
Moving slowly, Yozora’s gaze traveled to the clutch of obsidian eggs nestled in his bag. Each one glistened like polished gemstones, soft pulses of warmth radiating from them. He exhaled deeply, guilt pooling in his chest as he murmured, "Guess I got lucky they’re unharmed... but I’m sorry for what happened to your brother. I don’t expect forgiveness, but I’ll accept any beating you throw my way."
He carefully wrapped the eggs in a cloth, nestling them close with the kind of precision normally reserved for handling something irreplaceable. Even though they were only eggs, they seemed to pulse faintly, almost like a heartbeat, as he moved deeper into the cavern.
It was then he felt it, a presence, ancient and powerful, watching him. And then he saw her.
At first glance, she seemed small, human-like in form, curled among a pile of treasure and broken stone, her silver-gray skin reflecting faintly in the dim light. Obsidian scales traced delicately up her arms, almost like jewelry, glinting softly as her molten golden eyes locked onto his. She had horns, elegantly curved, that emerged from a cascade of midnight hair, giving her an ethereal, otherworldly appearance. She sat quietly, her clawed hands resting on fragments of broken egg shards.
Yozora blinked, his surprise so genuine he couldn’t hide it. “You know,” he started, scratching the back of his neck as if he’d missed some memo, “I thought you’d be... bigger. And, I don’t know—angrier-looking? Instead, you’re... a chick.”He raised an eyebrow. “Well, who’d have thought.”
Her expression, once stoic, shifted to a scowl of mild indignation. “Disrespectful child,” she replied, her voice both soft and laced with a deadly calm. “I am Umbra’Dar, the last of my lineage. I assume you’ve come to return my offspring.”
Yozora couldn’t help the sarcasm that bubbled up as he held the eggs just out of reach. “You’re calling me a child? You look younger than me! Are you sure these are your eggs?” He grinned, holding them protectively as though teasing a little sibling.
Umbra'Dar’s expression softened, almost pouting. “Give them back,” she muttered, her voice wavering slightly. “They’re all I have left.”
Immediately, Yozora’s grin vanished, and he sighed. “Sorry… I’ve already done enough harm to your family.” Lowering himself to one knee, he held the eggs toward her, face solemn. “If you need to punish me, go ahead. I’ll take whatever you’ve got, even if it costs my life.”
Umbra’Dar observed him closely, her molten eyes softening. “You… knew he was looking for his siblings, didn’t you?” Her tone was more curious than accusatory, as if probing the depths of his remorse.
Yozora’s face fell. “I have no excuse,” he admitted. “I should’ve known.”
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Her sharp gaze held him for a moment, and then, to his surprise, she relaxed. “You may call me Umbra.” She nodded. “And I forgive you. Thank you for returning my children. You were deceived by Mordrin as much as anyone.”
A flicker of relief crossed his face, and he hesitated, then asked, “Umbra, I have to know… why was the village slaughtered?”
A shadow of sadness crossed her features as she let out a weary sigh. “I would never harm innocent women or children,”she said quietly. “When I sensed my son’s heartbeat fade, I went to investigate. By then, it was too late; Mordrin had already poisoned the village and framed me for his crime.” Her eyes hardened. “If I ever see that bastard again, he won’t leave alive.”
“Well,” Yozora said with a faint, dark chuckle, “no need to worry about that. I’ve already taken care of him. Let’s just say he’s resting under a nice blanket of ice.”
Umbra tilted her head, golden eyes brightening with interest. “Then, for your actions, you’ve earned my gratitude.” Her gaze narrowed slightly as she leaned closer. “But there’s something… different about you. You don’t carry the usual scent of a Tuner.” Her hand lifted, and before he could react, she cupped his face gently. “Oh, such sad, starry eyes. So deep, so cold—like the endless void.”
Releasing him, she took a step back. “For taking my son, I will give you something precious, a piece of me, so to speak.”
Yozora looked around, spinning on his heel. “I don’t see anything. Where’s this gift you’re talking about?”
Umbra’s face flushed with an almost embarrassed smile. “Ah… it’s not something you can see right away.” She cleared her throat. “When dragons make contact with another being, sometimes it creates a... connection. Our DNA intertwines.”
Yozora’s eyes widened in horror. “Wait just a minute,” he protested, waving his hands frantically. “I didn’t sign up for this! I don’t want kids yet!”
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head in mock annoyance. “And I didn’t ask for my son to be killed, either. You said you’d accept any consequence, so… this is what I want. I don’t expect anything from you, but consider it my gift. Just… act like it didn’t happen.”
He groaned. “Right… a little heads-up next time wouldn’t hurt.” Sighing, he straightened. “Well, if that’s all, I’ve got a meeting with the Lord of this realm.”
Her eyes brightened, and she grinned. “A meeting with the Lord? Oh, then I’m coming with you.”
Securing her eggs, she joined him, and together they left the dark cavern behind, flying across the volcanic and Icy landscape toward the realm’s heart. The harsh beauty of Ember’s Depths spread out before them, rivers of lava weaving like veins through the charred earth, casting a faint glow against the dim red sky. The oppressive heat swirled around them, but Umbra seemed to delight in it, her laughter soft and warm.
They landed on the plateau before the lord’s stronghold, a castle built directly into the blackened rock, its towering obsidian spires scraping against the sky. Umbra nudged him as they approached. “You look too serious. Lighten up! You’re about to meet one of the most powerful beings in the realm. You wouldn’t want him to think you’re… nervous?”
Yozora scoffed. “Nervous? Please. I just came from dealing with a psychotic snake-man who thought he was untouchable. Compared to him, I think I’ll be fine.”
Umbra snickered. “We’ll see. Lord Ignarok doesn’t suffer fools lightly. He’s been known to incinerate those who waste his time.”
“Sounds charming,” Yozora replied dryly, striding up to the massive doors. With a casual wave of his hand, he knocked, letting his hindo flare enough to announce his presence.
The heavy doors groaned open, and they stepped inside, entering a grand hall where lava flowed along channels in the walls, bathing the room in a fiery glow. At the far end, a towering figure awaited them, draped in regal obsidian armor. His eyes, like burning coals, watched them with a calm intensity, and his voice rumbled through the hall like an earthquake.
“So, this is the boy who’s caused such a ruckus,” Lord Ignarok intoned, his gaze narrowing on Yozora.