"Filth... and shit?" Maverick cluelessly blinked at Crimson who seemed annoyed and disgusted with a nation full of humans.
Shyrlonay slapped her son across the head, pulling him to the side, "Crimson Argonaut, you will not speak that way in another person's home! Let alone in front of the Queen of Ottenmore herself!"
Crimson crossed his arms and looked to the side, grunting, "I'm only saying what's true. The smell of humans is disgusting, they leave a bad taste in my mouth." Muttered the Dragon.
Shyrlonay slapped his arm, pointing directly into his face, "Do you want a spanking?! I'll give you one in my Dragon Form and see how you like that!"
"I'm too old for spankings… mom…" Crimson cringed at the thought, even tensing up his body.
"Mom…" Muttered Maverick, "What's going on?!"
Amelia and he could only stare cluelessly at the commotion as she shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm unsure, but I guess this is how Dragons usually act." Responded Amelia.
Shyrlonay continued arguing with her delinquent son until he learned his lesson, now walking back over toward the two. Crimson followed her, this time slightly nervous in his eyes.
Shyrlonay bowed, showing her utmost respect. "Apologies, Lady Amelia, my son is like his father. He speaks his mind even if they're harsh words. He needs to learn when to keep negative things to himself."
"It's fine, Shyrlonay, and no need to call me Lady. You're a queen yourself, aren't you?"
"Negative things? So are you saying humans really do stink?" Maverick asked, which caused the Mother Dragon to lift her head, "O-Oh… well… no, not exactly."
"Maverick." Amelia sat down on the bed, placing her hand against his shoulder, "Dragons cannot stand the stench of chaos. Humans emit vile energy, even more so than other races. Even I'm uncertain why that is the case, but it's led to hatred against us for many years."
Maverick listened closely to his mother, humming to himself afterward. He was thinking about something… it was those people who talked to him inside his head.
"Is that why they want me to protect them so badly?"
Amelia lifted her brow, questioning her son, "Hm? Protect? Protect who, Maverick?"
"O-Oh… it's nothing Mom, just talking to myself."
"What is it that you're hiding from me? I can tell when you're lying. I am your mother after all!" Amelia leaned into his face, frowning at his visage.
Maverick backed away, lifting up his hands, "I-It's nothing Mom, I swear it!"
"If I found out that you're lying to me, I'm taking away your magic studies."
"Wait, no! Don't do something like that!!"
Crimson tilted his head to the side, "Who in their right mind loves to study? Mom. This kid is weird, why did you want me to meet him so badly? I'm outta here." The Dragon Boy turned around, heading towards the door.
"Oh dear…" Shyrlonay sighed, and bowed her head, "I'm truly sorry for my son…"
Crimson opened the door, walking outside of the room until he bumped into someone.
"Huh? Watch where you're going-" But opening his eyes, he realized it was another child, around his age, "Woah… you have horns, could you be some type of demon?"
The one standing in front of Crimson was Emerald Lionheart… she was enraged, balling up her fists.
"H-Hey, what's with that look in your eyes?!"
"You called my brother weird… and then you disrespected him!"
"Ehhh? Brother?! You two look nothing alike!"
THOOM!
A loud boom echoed beyond the castle itself as Crimson flew across the room, slamming into the wall.
"Guaaack!!"
"E-Emerald?!" Maverick realized what had happened, calling out his sister's name.
She punched Crimson right in the gut and knocked him out cold the moment he bounced off the wall, and fell flat onto his face.
"C-Crimson!" Shyrlonay called out her son's name, running to pick him up.
"Lady Shyrlonay, I think it's time for you and your son to leave." Emerald walked into the room, standing next to Maverick's bedside.
Amelia nor Maverick said a thing, they only watched.
"Leave? Oh… right, I'm truly sorry for what had happened. My son doesn't know any manners." She picked Crimson up from the ground like a baby, cuddling him in her arms, "He means no harm, Amelia."
The Ottenmore Queen nodded her head, snickering, "I'm sure he doesn't, Shyrlonay. I understand plenty of children's behavior, I used to be a teacher long ago."
"Yes. Crimson has been… depressed, and angry at the world after I told him about his father's sacrifice. He swore an Oath, to Avalon himself, to always protect those he holds dear to his heart, so he would never have to deal with anyone sacrificing their life again."
Amelia widened her eyes, even dropping her jaw, "An Oath to Avalon? At such a young age?"
"Yes. Avalon heard his will and decided to speak with Crimson. He claimed that his will, and intentions to protect those he loved were good enough for him to receive the Blessing of Avalon himself."
"Well, I still don't feel bad for punching him." Despite all of that, Emerald was still furious, crossing her arms and saying, "Anyone who insults my brother or family without apologizing will only suffer dire consequences. I hope you know that from now on. It's best to keep Crimson away from Maverick."
Amelia lifted her head back as she chuckled, "My daughter has always been overprotective of her brother. She tends to hold grudges against anyone who treats him wrong—it's a common thing here, so sorry if I'm not so excessive about her punching Crimson."
Shyrlonay laughed, "Hahaha, no, it's fine. He deserved that punch if I say so myself. He's always been spoiled and could get what he wanted. Maybe I need to be more strict on him."
"You think?" Whispered Maverick, as if what she said wasn't obvious enough.
"I'll take my leave, Amelia. And it's nice to see you doing well, Maverick. The same for you, Emerald."
The Fallen Angel smiled, saying, "Thank you Ms. Shyrlonay, I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm grateful for you trying to take care of my brother."
"Of course." She nodded.
Amelia approached the Mother Dragon, hugging her. "Thank you so much, Shyrlonay. It means a lot for what you did."
"Anytime, Amelia." She used her one arm to hug the Ottenmore Queen before bowing and taking her leave, "Until we meet again."
"Until next time." Said Amelia.
The Mother Dragon left the room and made her way outside of the castle. Maverick merely sat there in bed, glancing at Emerald.
"Hey… sis."
"Hm? What is it?" She turned around and climbed into bed with her brother, sitting crisscrossed.
"Where the heck did you get that strength from?! I never saw you use your physical capabilities until now!!" Shouted Maverick.
Amelia turned to face them, "Oh, Fallen Angels are naturally strong in physical strength. They're known for their overwhelming physicality outside of magic battles."
"Mhm." Emerald nodded at her mother's words, "I take a lot of my physiology and appearance from my father. He was also another Fallen Angel… but he died long before I was born."
Maverick crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side, "So my stepfather? I never heard much about him… since I came from the Lionheart bloodline."
"He has a long story," Said Amelia as she butted in, "But we shouldn't talk about it. Right now, it's time for lunch. Maverick, are you feeling well enough to get out of bed, or do you need the servants to bring you your platter?"
"Uhh… I'll just take my platter in bed if that's fine."
"Of course. What about you, Emerald? Are you staying here with Maverick?"
"Yes, mam." She responded without any second thoughts.
"Alright then, I'll leave you two alone. And don't get into any more trouble with yourselves, or your magic studies will be removed. Do you get that?"
They both shook their head.
"Good." Amelia walked outside the room, closing the door behind her.
"Wuzeb!" Emerald stretched her hand forward, creating a separate space around the door to make it soundproof.
"It worked! That means Mother can't hear us!"
Maverick stared at his sister in disbelief, asking, "That magic you used just now, isn't that Origin Magic?!"
"Yeah." Emerald lifted a single digit into the air, conjuring a miniature flame above her fingertip, "I learned it at Gelfendor Academy. I thought you learned it as well, but I guess not."
Maverick shook his head in denial, "No, it didn't interest me. I was learning about the other Magic types like Necromancy, Defensive, Elemental, Debuff, and Celestial."
"So the inborn magic types?"
Inborn magic types are something everyone was born with. Some people were born with Celestial Magic, others were born with Debuff Magic, and most were born with Elemental Magic.
Inborn magic types are usually genetic, depending on one's bloodline.
Though, Origin Magic was different overall.
Origin magic is the basic magic of the world, separate from General Magic.
Inborn magic usually has its own separate spells that are divided into categories, but Origin magic is different. It's a type of magic that everyone can use in the world, and if they train hard enough, they can learn a certain spell they desire. Everyone could learn a fire spell from Origin magic if they train hard enough, but people usually focus on their inborn magic instead, since it's what they are, naturally.
"Yeah… inborn magic. Though, mine is different from the others."
"Really? What makes yours different?" Asked Emerald.
"I don't know… but some are calling my inborn magic an anomaly."
Emerald tittered, "You're just full of surprises, aren't you brother?"
"I am?!"
The two of them talked the day away, spending time with each other until nightfall. Their bond was unbreakable, and so was their family.
…..However, good things don't last forever.