We came to a halt atop a towering building, the vast city sprawled beneath us like a glimmering tapestry. Sil 01, with his unwavering stance, steadied himself against the brisk wind that howled around us, threatening to tip me over the edge at any moment. I struggled to find my balance, my heart racing as the gusts whipped through the night air. Just then, Sil 01 placed his firm, reassuring hand on my shoulder—his iron grip grounding me and dispelling the fear of spiraling down into the darkness below.
With the tension easing, I turned my gaze to the expanse of the night sky, where stars twinkled like distant diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas. The faint glow of streetlights flickered beneath us, illuminating the streets and casting long shadows that danced in the cool night breeze. We stood together in awe, embraced by the enchanting view.
"Flying is exhilarating," I finally admitted, my eyes tracing his face as he briefly looked my way. He had a thoughtful expression, his gaze flickering to the sky before he returned his attention to me, casually tucking his hands into the pockets of his pants. "You must know since you've been up there your entire life" I added and then let out a long sigh as I enjoyed the view.
"Not my entire life," Sil 01's voice cut through the silence, "I became a beast after reaching twenty," He said.
"Isn't eighteen the normal age when mystical creatures transform?" I inquired, my brow furrowed with curiosity. I quickly added, "But I don't know much about it; Master knows."
A hint of amusement danced in the corners of his masked lips as he replied, drawing from what seemed like an infinite reservoir of knowledge. "Eighteen, yes. But most people tend to transform later in life," he said, and I nodded thoughtfully.
"I never would have thought that such extraordinary beings existed. No, I never truly believed in them," I admitted honestly, "but seeing you, it makes me think there might be other mystical creatures."
"Indeed," Sil 01 affirmed, his voice rich with conviction. "There are vampires, werewolves, titans, fairies, elves..." He began to list them, but I couldn't contain my excitement and interrupted him. For a brief moment, I caught the subtle knitting of his brows before they relaxed.
"All in this world we live in?" I asked, my voice tinged with wonder. He nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in.
"Just because you haven't encountered other creatures doesn't mean they aren't real. You yourself are perched upon the dragons' land—a forbidden territory, at that, that is why you encounter dragons. The memories of history have faded as countless inventions and innovations have emerged," he explained, his crimson eyes piercing into mine as he gauged my growing curiosity about this fantastical world unfolding before me.
"What's the history of this forbidden land?" I pressed, intrigued.
"Have you ever heard of Nexus... the great dragon?" he inquired, and I frowned, realizing that the name rang a faint bell.
"I think I have... he was said to be the protector of humans against various evils, but due to human greed, they turned against the dragon clan and even killed its heir... things like that. Please tell me it isn't true," I exclaimed, my eyes widening as I met Sil 01's intense gaze.
"It is true. And everyone is doing everything they can to prevent his return; he is seething with rage. He is sealed in this very land, where the Crown has been erected," he revealed, the weight of his words heavy with significance.
Wow, I thought inwardly, realizing how little I truly knew about the world around me. Our regular history lessons focused only on how our nation triumphed over other superior powers, emphasizing our successes in economics and trade. Never once was there mention of this realm of fantasy, which was rapidly becoming my reality.
"What do you think about Nexus? Is it just for him to demand those things, I know some humans may be foolish but sacrificing so very much of them isn't fair" I asked, my voice low and thoughtful. The thought of how I'd narrowly escaped death resurfaced and I shivered.
Sil 01's posture shifted, his back straightening as he replied, "Dragons are instinctively protective of their young, whether they breathe fire, wield ice, command the skies, or navigate the seas. While his actions may not bring his pup back, at the very least, he makes them pay for their transgressions." I sensed a deep-seated tension surrounding the topic of Nexus, as though it stirred something unresolved within him, despite the dragons' alliance against common enemies.
"Do fire and ice dragons coexist in the same clan?" I ventured.
"Never. That conflict runs deep within the dragon clans. Fire and ice cannot coexist; one extinguishes the other," he stated firmly.
"Ice," I repeated, letting the syllable linger in the air. "Does that mean you're scared of any ice dragon?" I teased, my lips curling upwards as I sought to draw out a reaction, hoping to glimpse even a hint of fear in his eyes. Instead, I found a flicker of malice directed at ice dragons, leaving me puzzled. Why would they unite against a common foe when old rivalries ran so deep?
"You seem to be enjoying yourself," he remarked, the shift in his demeanor visible as tension radiated from him. A chill raced through my body as I met his gaze; perhaps I had overstepped a boundary. Why did I feel so at ease in the presence of this stranger?
"Listening to bedtime stories for free," I mused, turning my head to hide the irritation simmering beneath the surface.
"These are not mere bedtime stories; they will inevitably unfold, and you will regret your flippant words, servant," he shot back, his tone low and menacing. I bit my lower lip, averting my gaze to the sky, letting its peace and magnificence wash over me.
As long as everyday remained tranquil, I felt detached from the chaos that might threaten to arise; the distant future, filled with threats, could unfold a millennium from now, and I would gladly leave it for my descendants to confront.
Biting my lower lip in an attempt to quell the nerves swirling within me, I turned to face Sil 01. His expression was serene. A question formed on my lips, but I hesitated, wondering if my curiosity would come across as naive or, worse, provoke his ire.
"Since your common foe is the likes of me, why haven't you attempted to harm me? You've been kind?" I ventured, my voice a mix of uncertainty and intrigue.
His gaze shifted, and in an instant, he closed the distance between us, his crimson eyes piercing through the darkness and locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. With a gloved finger, he gently tilted my chin upward, forcing me to confront the overwhelming depth of his gaze.
"You've been a fun companion, servant," he remarked, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his lips, as if sharing a private joke. "I'm not going to get rid of you that quickly."
I swallowed hard, a knot of apprehension twisting in my stomach as my fingers gripped the fabric of my sides. I couldn't shake the question swirling in my mind—what did his piercing gaze truly convey? Something was unsettling yet compelling about the emotions he was evoking within me, feelings I desperately wanted to dismiss.
He was so nonchalant, exuding a calm confidence that only deepened my admiration for his subtle art of persuasion. My breath hitched as I noticed his gaze flitting between my eyes and my lips, a silent dance that sent shivers down my spine and made me tremble even more.
I found myself drawn to those who radiated warmth and kindness, cherishing the gentle souls who approached life with understanding and compassion. But he was a stark contrast, an enigma wrapped in a shroud of shadows that sent a chill down my spine.
His presence was suffused with an intense darkness that seemed to cloak him, a mysterious aura that made every instinct scream for me to retreat. The unsettling energy that surrounded him was almost palpable, urging me to escape the unsettling gravity of his being.
"Can I borrow your lips?" I heard him ask and my eyes widened in the process.
"Huh?"
"Your lips, servant," He advanced with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine, drawing perilously close. My heart raced as I sensed his intentions shifting; panic surged within me. I instinctively turned my head to the side, the cool air brushing against my skin, and I took deep, unsteady breaths, trying to steady my trembling nerves.
Sil 01 took a step back, releasing his grip on my chin, creating a distance between us as he resumed his earlier stance. His gaze bore into me, curiosity laced in his voice as he asked, "Are you saving yourself for someone?"
I felt my frown deepen, almost as if it were a physical manifestation of my discomfort. "Why would I share anything about my private life with you?" I replied softly, my words wrapped in a mix of defiance and vulnerability.
He chuckled softly, the sound somewhat muted by his mask, yet it held a warmth that wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, stirring butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I felt my heart skip a beat, a flutter of excitement at the unexpected charm of his laughter. "That's right, I don't need to know," he continued with a playful glimmer in his eyes.
"Let's head back," he suggested gently, glancing up at the darkening sky. "Time has slipped away, and you really need to get some rest."