Before her…
The little girl collapsed to the ground, her wide eyes reflecting utter despair.
The elder black dragon bared its fangs once more,
its pristine white wings unfurling to their full span.
Dark energy, as if drawn from the abyss itself,
coiled and gathered within its maw, devouring the light around it.
In an instant, the once-brilliant sky was swallowed by darkness.
Storm clouds converged into a singular, swirling mass.
Thunder roared, as though the world was breaking apart.
Crimson lightning rent the heavens, tearing through the churning black clouds.
A spear of wrath streaked downward, striking true at the colossal dragon's skull.
CRACK! An explosion, twisting the heavens and shattering the sky into fragments.
Its anguished scream rent the air, sinking deep to the marrow.
The little girl squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for death’s cold embrace — yet it never came.
Instead, she felt something else — someone standing between her and oblivion.
"Are you... alright?"
She gasped, her trembling gaze slowly lifting to see the figure of a young man.
Her heart pounded wildly. The world blurred. The deafening noise faded into silence.
A chilling sensation seeped through her body, as though she had been plunged into the
depths of a long-buried memory...
"Are you... alright?"
The voice — familiar, yet distant — cut through the haze.
Alice's eyes flew open, her breath catching, as if her very soul trembled.
Her body froze, cold as ice.
Her heart raced as a figure from the past seemed to merge with the person before her.
As though he had taken her hand, gently pulling her from the depths of her reverie…
Tears fell softly, each drop descending to the ground, as her body continued to tremble.
Alice stepped closer, slowly, before her hand grasped Amiri's sleeve, gripping it tightly.
A chilling sensation ran down her spine, sending a shiver through her entire body.
Her hand trembled as it clutched Amiri's sleeve — like if she were to let go, he would fade away, like someone from her past.
"You won’t disappear, will you…?"
The words lingered in the air, soft as a whisper from her heart.
As if everything stood still...
for a brief moment...
before the hand of the clock began to… move once more.
"We… need to get out of here. Can you walk?"
Her voice was hoarse as she spoke, as if it were caught between two realms of time...
Amiri blinked, glancing down at the small, trembling hand clutching his sleeve.
He wasn’t sure why she was crying, but he chose not to ask.
The soft glow of candlelight flickered, casting gentle shadows across the rows of colorful herbal medicine bottles neatly arranged on an old wooden shelf. A worktable in the corner was cluttered with open medical tomes, their pages dog-eared, a sign of repeated use.
A faint, soothing scent of herbs mingled with the light aroma of antiseptic in the air. On the simple wooden bed, the little girl lay still, her breaths shallow, her tiny hands clutching the blanket tightly, as though grasping at something unseen.
Standing beside her, the child’s mother, her hands trembling, held onto her daughter’s delicate hand. Her eyes welled with tears as she spoke, her voice quivering,
“Doctor... please... save my child... ”
The doctor, who stood at the bedside, didn’t speak immediately. His gaze lingered on the girl’s face — so pale that it seemed devoid of life. Even with her eyes closed, a faint tremor in her lashes betrayed the struggle beneath.
His hand hesitated for a moment before reaching for a small vial filled with a soft crimson herbal extract. Closing his eyes briefly, he spoke in a voice both calm and firm,
“Rest assured, ma’am. Mia... can still be saved.”
The mother almost spoke again, but the words caught in her throat.
“Please wait outside, madam,” the assistant nurse gently urged, guiding her away from the treatment area.
Reluctantly, the mother stepped outside, her heart heavy with worry.
Inside, the doctor worked swiftly. He drew blood and mixed it with the red herbal extract. His hands were steady, moving with practiced precision as he cleaned and treated the wound, staunching the bleeding with swift expertise. The treatment continued — quick, decisive, yet tender, as he worked to save the fragile life before him.
The assistant, a young woman, ever attentive, wiped the sweat from the doctor’s brow, handing him the necessary tools, and coordinated the next steps.
“The antibiotic is ready, Dr. Theo.”
Theo nodded, speaking matter-of-factly,
“Good thing she arrived when she did. Any later, and the infection might have spread to her vital organs... ”
As the treatment continued, the assistant worked without pause, preparing the next tool, anticipating each need. In the corner of the room, a little blood-stained teddy bear lay forgotten, its frayed stitching catching the candlelight softly — a silent testament to the life it represented.
Finally, the door opened, and the mother rushed inside, her voice filled with concern,
“Mia — how is she?”
“She’s safe now,” Theo reassured her with a calm smile. “We’ll monitor her for a while, but she should be able to go home soon.”
The assistant stepped forward, adding,
“We’ll prepare a room for her to rest, and Dr. Theo will continue to check her condition regularly.”
“There’s no place safer than here... not for a Grim... ” the mother murmured softly, a trace of despair in her voice.
The relief was palpable as tears filled her eyes — not only from the knowledge that her daughter had survived, but also because, for the first time in a long while, she felt hope stir within her.
Theo picked up the little teddy bear and gently placed it beside Mia before looking down at her peaceful face. His smile, soft but resolute, was a quiet promise — he would protect her, no matter what. He would not let anything harm her — not now, not ever.
The door creaked open once more, and the flickering light of candle lanterns spilled into the dimly lit infirmary.
Alice gently supported Amiri, who had lost so much blood that he was nearly drained of all strength. Theo assisted in helping him lie down on the bed. The young man was unable to move, unable even to speak. All he could do was breathe, and with each breath, the overwhelming pain coursed through him, a constant reminder of his suffering.
A young man, appearing to be around Alice’s age, swiftly stepped forward, his gaze scanning the wound with clinical precision.
"Could you please step outside for a moment?" he said politely.
Before she could respond, the curtain was swiftly drawn shut, leaving Alice standing there, confusion and worry etched across her face.
Amiri’s wound, which had been deep just moments ago, gradually ceased bleeding on its own — without the young man having lifted a finger. Yet, there was not even a flicker of surprise in his expression. With quiet efficiency, he reached for a piece of linen and a vial of herb-distilled antiseptic, then turned away to prepare a glass syringe.
Alice paced back and forth, her anxiety evident in every restless step. The soft sound of her footsteps cut through the quiet atmosphere, drawing Theo’s gaze upward. He took in the unease written across her face, the tension in her every movement.
Amidst the stillness, the occasional clink of medical instruments echoed through the room, a subtle yet persistent interruption to the silence.
Before long, the pristine curtain was drawn aside.
“How is he… Theo?”
The young woman’s voice quivered ever so slightly, betraying the worry etched upon her face. Her eyes, filled with unspoken concern, searched his for reassurance.
"He’s safe now. He just needs rest. I’ll continue to monitor him," Theo said with a relaxed smile, showing no hint of worry.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The door to the patient’s room closed behind them. The two stood together, talking like longtime friends.
"How have you been, Theo? The clinic’s been packed lately."
The young man with jet-black hair let out a soft sigh.
"Yeah… but hopefully, it won’t get any worse."
"When I first met you, I never would have guessed you’d become a doctor.
He chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Did you really think I was destined to be a baron?”
Their laughter rang out, bright and carefree, until it slowly faded away.
Then, in a quieter voice tinged with curiosity, Alice asked, “Do you know… what he really is?”
There was something unreadable in her gaze, as if she held secrets she wasn’t ready to share. A moment of silence stretched between them.
“The medical records of my patients are confidential,” Theo said evenly, his gaze steady and unyielding, as though he could see right through her
Theo walked quietly back to his office, his footsteps barely making a sound. He opened a drawer with great care, as if he were touching the most precious thing in his life.
His fingers closed around a small wooden carving of a little fox, resting in his palm. He gazed at it for a long moment. It was a gift from a time that once felt sacred — one filled with warmth, yet tinged with sorrow.
Sometimes, pain felt like a scar carved deep into the soul. But over time, even scars became part of something meaningful, something beautiful.
Looking back, he could see how every moment — both the beautiful and the painful — had shaped him, teaching him the meaning of growth.
The breathtaking natural landscape stretched out before them, as the children sat upon the soft grassy knoll, gazing out at the vast sea. The great waves rolled slowly toward the shore in a rhythmic dance. The stillness and serenity of the place felt like an escape from the chaos and madness of the world. The weary evening sunlight bathed the ocean in a golden glow, turning the view before them into something so magnificent, so unreal, that it left them almost breathless, unable to tear their eyes away..
Alice smiled softly as she watched Elle, running playfully around. The little girl's small figure darted back and forth with boundless energy, her laughter echoing with joy. Alice's eyes shimmered with warmth and memories.
“Theo, what do you dream of becoming?” Alice asked softly, her voice barely a whisper, as the cool breeze swept through, sending her long, flowing blonde hair gently swaying in the wind.
Theo smiled at the owner of the most gentle eyes.
"I dream of becoming a baron, ruling over a small, peaceful town... and what about you?"
Alice turned her gaze to the distant sea, her eyes filled with hope.
"Then I shall be a diplomat, bringing peace far beyond the kingdom’s borders, led by the art of negotiation."
The boy and the girl sat upon the soft, gentle hillside, inhaling the fresh, crisp air that lingered around them. The sound of the gentle breeze stirred the meadow and flowers, making them sway and flutter slowly, like a delicate dance between the princess and the prince. As their gaze drifted toward the edge of the sky, where the land gracefully met the water’s edge, the pale blue sky seamlessly blended with the crystal-clear sea. They smiled and laughed together, their hearts at ease, as though everything in this world had transformed into an endless dream.
Yet, the sound of the girl's mother's call gradually made the scene fade away.
"Elle, Alice, it's time for us to leave."
The voice caused the children to turn and see their mother standing at a distance, with their father beside her, both smiling warmly.
Alice slowly rose to her feet, her movements gentle, and gazed at Theo with eyes full of emotions, reluctant to part.
"I have to go home now, Theo. Let’s meet again someday."
Theo nodded slightly, offering her a warm smile. Though the weight of their parting tugged at his heart, he understood that their paths would diverge today.
The city of Syrin lies at the farthest western edge of the Myriel Kingdom, a luxurious, majestic, and prosperous port city. With its modern urban planning and striking innovations, Syrin blends seamlessly with a flourishing industry, rivaling even the capital, Aidengaard — which is considerably smaller. Syrin is not only a hub for maritime trade, boasting advantages over other cities, but it also draws travelers from all corners of the world, captivated by its stunning scenery and rich, diverse culture. Furthermore, Syrin holds unique resources that are found nowhere else in the kingdom, fortifying its economy and cementing its undeniable position as the kingdom’s central trading nexus.
The dimly lit room, dominated by a large table, was surrounded by numerous people. In the center of the table was a map resembling a chessboard and piles of papers.
“We need to raise the import and export taxes from Aidengaard a little more,” said the middle-aged man at the head of the table, his voice low and curt, his eyes filled with disdain.
“Sir... If we do that... The King will never agree,” a young nobleman at the center of the table interjected, his frame trembling slightly.
“This city has more than enough potential to no longer depend on the capital… We should govern ourselves!” he replied firmly, each word laced with a raw intensity that seemed to emanate from his every breath.
Whispers gradually began to seep through the room, spreading like wildfire across a field.
“But the King... He never concedes, not even when we’ve gone so far as to sell raw iron at a price lower than the market value, only for him to bargain for silver ore at an even lower price… ”
“If we continue selling our goods to the capital at such a loss... Soon, other cities will follow suit, forcing us to accept their terms as well… ”
“We’ve expanded the roads into the city with our own funds… So why does the King fail to see its worth?”
The whispers began to swell... growing louder and overlapping, their voices rising in intensity with every passing moment until the room erupted into chaos. Frustration rippled through the gathered council members. Some raised their voices in rebuttal, others pounded their fists upon the table in dissatisfaction, while some nodded solemnly, troubled by the growing tension in the air.
BAM!
The man who had been seated at the head of the table immediately rose to his feet,
slamming his fist down upon the table,
THE SOUND ECHOING ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR!
"FOOLS! CAN'T YOU THINK?"
He shouted, his voice trembling on the edge of madness, his frustration bursting forth in waves.
"NO ONE HERE CAN FIX THIS!"
"NO ONE CAN BARGAIN?"
The room fell into a heavy silence, as if the air itself had frozen.
All eyes turned towards him, some nervous, some avoiding direct contact, no one daring to utter another word.
“Sir... ” A cold voice broke the stillness from the corner of the room.
“WHAT?” He snapped back sharply.
“Do you think... we should start establishing our own kingdom?”
The middle-aged man fell silent for a moment before turning to face him. “Finally, someone thinks of it... Speak up then.” His hands tightened into fists on the table, struggling to hold back his fury.
The young nobleman stood, organized the papers on the table, and placed four or five differently colored chess pieces on the map surrounding Syrin.
“Although our city is prosperous, in order to stand independently without relying on external factors, we need to expand further, Count Vorden,” he spoke with conviction.
“To the west, adjacent to the city wall, we can build additional housing for laborers.”
“To the east, in the industrial district, we will expand the metal processing plants.”
“To the south, we’ll establish new farms and livestock areas, and in the northeast, we’ll enhance our military training. As for the roads we’ve already expanded, we’ll extend them further if we can secure enough labor and resources.”
“Why are you all just sitting there like fools? Write down what Casper has said!” Vorden shouted, his frustration bubbling over.
The nobles quickly straightened up, hastily grabbing their papers to take notes on the plans the young man had outlined.
"And what about labor, Casper? We don’t have enough people to expand this much." Vorden pointed to the industrial district, raising an eyebrow.
"We will need your authority to implement new policies," the young noble replied in an even tone, his gaze locked onto Vorden without so much as a blink.
“Policy?” Vorden asked, puzzled.
Achieving unity doesn’t require everyone to be of the same race. As long as they stand firm in shared ideals, we can build a kingdom of our own.
In the first year after the conquest, the first Blue King drove the dragons to near extinction and elevated humanity above all else, forcing the beasts into hiding.
"Based on the data I’ve gathered, the taxes we collect from our citizens don’t align with the actual population of our city. In other words... there are many unregistered inhabitants. If we integrate the beasts hiding among us into the workforce, we will not only increase tax revenue but also accelerate the city’s growth."
“The beasts... This might not be possible,” Vorden shook his head.
“If they’ve been living with us for so long, why not make them pay taxes and live openly in the city?”
If our city prospers, this idea will begin to spread, clashing violently with the principles of the Blue Dynasty's rule. Other cities will start to follow our example, causing the capital to lose its influence.
“You don’t need to implement extreme policies. Just say that the Grim, who live in this city, can work and pay taxes legally. Their children, born in the city, will become citizens. Our city will grow slowly and steadily. They will gradually move in with us.”
“Are Grim and beasts the same thing?” Vorden asked, deep in thought.
“Exactly. Grim is the term that beasts use for each other. If you use this term with them, they’ll feel they aren’t being segregated, and they’ll join your cause,”
“Unity is not just about uniting races... It’s about building collective power so that, in the end, the capital won’t be able to touch us,” the shrewd nobleman said at length, his eyes lighting up with a clear plan.
“By doing so, you will become...
King Vorden I, ‘The Fair,’ of the Heidel Dynasty.”
“As for you, Casper de Holsen, you will be the one to crown me.”
Not long after the new policy was implemented, Syrin blossomed into a boundless hub of prosperity. People from all tribes poured in like a mighty river, transforming the city into a vibrant melting pot of languages and cultures. Life surged through its streets with an energy all its own. Employment rates soared, and the taxes collected were swiftly reinvested into developing the city’s infrastructure. Housing, industrial factories, farms, and livestock spread out across every corner. The wealth that had once been accumulated now flourished and grew each day, to the point where some began to say, "This is the new capital by the sea," or "This city is more prosperous than many others combined."
"Father... do you really think this is a good idea?" The boy asked, his little hand gripped tightly by his father as they walked past what was once a marketplace, now transformed into a grand shopping district.
"Why is that, Theo?" Casper asked the boy, his gaze turning to meet him as they passed by the newly constructed, ornate fountain.
"We never lived alongside the Grims before... but now, there are so many of them?" The boy asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"They are just like us, son. Everyone deserves the chance to live a better life, and we have welcomed them into our fold because we share the same ideals," Casper said, a proud smile spreading across his face as his plan neared its fulfillment.
In the grand hall that stretched deep into the enveloping darkness, an eerie silence heightened the sense of hidden secrets and power lurking within. Only the flickering light of candles remained, accompanied by the cold blue gleam of a thousand stars from above, casting their pale glow through the elegantly carved glass windows. The edges of the glass were adorned with intricate golden patterns, shimmering softly, their light reflecting off the cool stone walls that surrounded the room. The faint rustle of the candle flames made the stillness seem almost tangible, as if everything were frozen, making it nearly impossible to escape the weight of the gaze that seemed to linger in the air.
The young man sat with a relaxed posture, his chin resting on his hand, legs casually crossed upon the throne of unparalleled magnificence — an intricate fusion of grace and authority. A pure platinum crown gleamed under the ethereal cold light, radiating an aura of untouchable majesty. The crown was adorned with sapphires that shone like stars in the dark of night. Above his head, an elder dragon skull loomed proudly, suspended over the hall — slain by the first Blue King, who once ruled both the earth and the skies.
"Your Majesty... we are now beginning to face a severe trade deficit," the visitor said, his voice laced with deep concern. His hand, raised in a gesture of apprehension, betrayed his growing unease.
"And how will it come to pass... " The young king uttered, his gaze fixed firmly ahead. His tone was indifferent, yet it carried a weight far beyond mere words, echoing with the hidden power lurking in the shadows.
"If things continue this way, Syrin will declare its independence," the nobleman said hurriedly, though still striving to maintain his decorum. "They are currently adopting policies that embrace the beasts. I propose that we declare them rebels and march to quell them." His hands trembled slightly as he felt the pressure in each of the king's words.
"Marching an army, you say... What legitimacy do we have?" The shadow above the throne replied evenly, his gaze fixed ahead, as the darkness enveloped the hall.
"Well... " The nobleman trembled, clearly flustered. His hand, which held the important communiqué, felt meaningless in comparison to the calm that pervaded the room.
"I have desired it to be this way... from the very beginning," the shadow spoke, clear yet unhurried.
With just a spoken word, the pressure reverberated, embedding itself deeply in the air, causing the herald to tremble in fear, unable to stop.
"Everything is unfolding as planned... I shall show them who truly holds the reins of this game."
