Xyenn and Gridd strode through the heart of Malgorn Village, the largest settlement Xyenn had seen in Vördrheim. The village sprawled out in all directions, nestled within a valley surrounded by sharp, ice-covered cliffs. Wooden structures lined the narrow streets, their roofs buried beneath thick layers of snow, with smoke curling from chimneys into the frigid sky. The buildings, though humble, were sturdy and well-constructed, made to withstand the biting cold. The air smelled of burning wood and animal fat, and the villagers were busy with their daily tasks, their breath visible in the cold air.
As they walked, Xyenn noticed the unique architecture—stone foundations, wooden beams reinforced with iron, and intricate carvings of beasts and ancient symbols that adorned the walls of nearly every building. Despite the harsh conditions, the people of Malgorn moved with purpose, their faces weathered but strong. They wore thick furs and leathers, some of which were dyed in bright colors, standing out against the otherwise muted tones of the village.
Xyenn broke the silence as they passed a group of villagers repairing a cart. "This place is huge… I didn't expect a village this size in a land like Vördrheim."
Gridd grunted in agreement, his heavy boots crunching through the snow. "Aye, it's one of the biggest villages in Vördrheim, but it's still not as strong as it needs to be. This here is the Malgorn Tribe—they've been around for centuries, but they're barely tied to any of the ancient lore. They're distantly related to the old stories of Kragvyr, but not enough to be of any real importance."
Xyenn glanced around, listening as villagers spoke to one another in low voices, their language thick with the local dialect. "So, they're not under Kragvyr's protection...they don't worship Kragvyr, do they?"
Gridd shook his head. "No. Majority of tribes don't. Nomads if ye say, lad. Like dear Mertha. Kragvyr's influence is strong here, even remembered in the carvings and old tales. The real power of this village lies in its people's resilience. But even with all that, they don't have the weapons or armor to defend themselves if somethin' big came knockin'. That's why I set up my forge nearby. These folks need proper gear if they're gonna survive what's comin'."
Xyenn could hear the pride in Gridd's voice, and it made sense. The dwarves of the Iron Beard Clan were known for their craftsmanship, and Gridd was no exception. He had seen firsthand the quality of the armor he wore, and now it made more sense why Gridd was so protective of the forge they were building.
Gridd's voice softened as they continued through the village. "I used to hate helpin' outsiders, ye know. If ye weren't part of my clan, ye didn't get a thing from me. But after helpin' Yuuna, well… things changed. She's the draconic goddess of darkness, and she earned my respect. I figured if I could help her, then maybe those in need deserved a little help as well."
"So you're actually a good guy?"
"Nope. Never."
Xyenn nodded, watching the villagers as they went about their day. Some were working on harvesting the thick ice that clung to the cliffs, while others were busy tanning hides from large, furred beasts. Children ran across the snow, their laughter echoing through the streets as they threw snowballs at each other. It wasn't bustling, but there was a quiet energy to the place that felt alive, despite the harshness of the environment.
As they passed a group of villagers gathered around a fire, Xyenn heard snippets of conversation that caught his attention.
"Did ye hear about the dragon deity of rain? They say he died in front of his whole kingdom—fell right there on the steps of his own palace in Draes'thar. Lack of worship, they say."
"Aye, I heard. But he was reborn a few days later, like nothin' happened. You know how it goes."
As they walked deeper into the village, the buildings grew more spaced out, and the streets widened. Larger structures stood here, likely homes for the village leaders or communal halls. The people of the Marlborn Tribe continued to move with purpose, some gathering in small groups to barter or trade goods. Xyenn noticed that instead of coins, they exchanged furs, meat, and tools. It was a village deeply rooted in nature and survival, relying on what the land provided rather than currency.
Xyenn asked Gridd, "So what do you think the others think of me?"
"Why should ye care?"
Xyenn scratched the back of his head, "Well, uh..ya know. Things."
"Like?"
"I want to make a good impression on them, I never had friends before so I wanna know how I'm doing."
"Aye. Talk to em'."
"Yeah I should. But I'm not talking to that psycho Gorran."
"Gorran is a wild lad, harbors a deep hatred for the dragon gods."
"Yuuna told me each Tyrant of hers has a reason for being with her here."
"All got their own stories, lad. And ye do too."
Gridd reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, metallic cube that seemed to shimmer in the pale light. He held it out in front of him, muttering something under his breath. The cube expanded, unfolding into a series of intricate plates that hovered in the air, glowing with a faint, magical light.
Xyenn, amazed, said, "Whoa…that's awesome. What is that?"
"Ye see this?" Gridd said, holding the cube up for Xyenn to see. "This is a Valkor's Prism, a handy little tool for us dwarves. It's enchanted to hold more than it should, like a bottomless chest if ye know how t' use it."
With a flick of his wrist, Gridd reached into the cube, his hand disappearing into the shimmering light. After a moment, he pulled out a set of armor—a dark, gleaming suit crafted from blackened steel with streaks of deep pink and crimson running along the edges. The breastplate was smooth but reinforced with intricate etching along the chest, and the pauldrons were sharp, angular, giving the whole suit a menacing yet refined appearance. The armor also came with a black cape, its fabric shimmering like shadows caught in the wind, and a pair of gloves that seemed to hum with faint magical energy.
"This," Gridd said, holding the armor up to Xyenn, "was made just for ye. The colors match yer aura, and the enchantments on it will help suppress those thoughts ye keep havin'—the ones that make ye go insane."
Xyenn's eyes widened as he took in the craftsmanship. "I… don't know what to say. This is incredible."
Gridd grunted, crossing his arms. "Aye, it is. But ye'll need it, lad. I've heard about yer little run-in with Haldrek—how ye died over and over again fer Yuuna's sake. Ye're a brat, Xyenn. No experience, no idea what ye're doin' half the time. But that? Dying over and over fer the woman ye love? That's what a real man does."
Xyenn felt a surge of pride swell in his chest. He had always been seen as a kid in the eyes of those around him, someone inexperienced and naïve. But hearing this from Gridd—a dwarf who rarely gave compliments—meant more than he could put into words. Without thinking, Xyenn threw his arms around Gridd in a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I knew it! Haha! Now I want you to say to—."
Gridd's eyes widened in surprise before he let out a growl and shoved Xyenn off with enough force to send him rolling into the snow. "Get off me, ye fool! I ain't here fer hugs!"
Xyenn landed in the snow, holding his stomach saying, "Owwww why did you do that?"
Gridd muttered something under his breath, clearly embarrassed by the display. "Aye, well, don't go makin' a habit of gettin' super excited around me. Especially after ye had sensual relations with Yuuna—."
"I had to prove myself! I had to show her I'm not some scared kid…anymore. After that fight with Haldrek, I learned not to be as reckless as I was before. I learned to take certain seriously."
"Tch. Bein' a man doesn't just mean growin' from thing. All yer issues must be dealt with, controlled, lad. I don't expect ye to know this anyway, since you probably had no real father figure, no offense."
"It's alright."
"Ye been fending for yourself?"
"For years yeah."
"And how do ye feel now?"
"…Great. Even after all the shit I went through."
Xyenn remembered how he killed those bandits, how he battled the urge to enjoy killing, how he almost allowed himself to be consumed by his own darkness that day. It wasn't Yuuna's darkness, but his own internal impulses that triggered his emotions to be unstable at that moment.
Xyenn continued, "Yuuna…being around her makes me happy in general. I know it sounds super corny—."
"It does."
"H-Hey! I know!" Xyenn growled with a flustered face. "But she's the one who showed me more love than even my parents. I latched onto her fast. Including Mertha. She trained me a little, and she was worried about me after everything. She's like a mother to me. I won't take any of this for granted."
"As long as ye keep that in mind, ye'll be alright."
"Thanks. Guess you're not so bad—."
"Don't get used to it, brat."
"D-Damn you!"
As they moved through the market, Gridd began gathering the ingredients they needed for Yuuna's upcoming labor. He traded with the villagers, pulling out animal skins, carcasses, and other goods from the Valkor's Prism. Each time, the villagers accepted the trade without question, clearly accustomed to dealing in such materials.
"This village," Gridd explained, "doesn't accept gold coin. They deal in nature—animal skins, bones, meat. It's how they survive in these parts. Vördrheim's a harsh land, and every village is different. Over in Thornyell, they deal in iron and ore, while the folks in Keplok prefer enchanted trinkets and magical artifacts. Then ye've got places like Hevmek where the only thing they'll trade for is knowledge—maps, books, things that hold value to the mind."
Xyenn nodded, absorbing the information. "It's amazing how different each place is."
"Aye," Gridd said, handing over the last of the animal carcasses to a trader. "In Vördrheim, ye either adapt or ye die. Every village has its own way o' doin' things, and ye'd best learn 'em quick if ye want to survive."
With their supplies gathered, Xyenn and Gridd began the walk back toward the forge, the snow crunching beneath their feet once again. Xyenn's thoughts drifted to Yuuna, wondering how she was faring. The idea of becoming a father still felt surreal, and the weight of it settled on his chest as they made their way through the village.
As they neared the outskirts, Gridd gave him a sideways glance. "Yer nervous, lad."
Xyenn nodded. "Yeah. I just… I don't know what to expect."
Gridd grunted. "Ye'll figure it out. If ye can die fer the woman ye love, ye can handle bein' a father."
Xyenn got flustered again, "Love?! That's a strong word."
"It is, isn't it?"
'I never felt real love before, is this what it feels like? To really care about someone this much? To want to protect them and even die for them? I was actually willing to die for that crazy goddess against Haldrek..'
With the village of Marlgorn fading behind them, they made their way back to where Yuuna waited, the forge still under construction, and the snow falling softly around them.
The snow crunched beneath Xyenn and Gridd's boots as they returned to the forge, both carrying bags filled with the ingredients needed to help Yuuna through her labor. The dwarves had been quick to gather the materials from the Amalborn Villa, and now they were ready. As they approached the partially built area of the forge, the air was thick with tension and the sound of Yuuna's heavy breathing could be heard even from outside.
Gridd barked orders as soon as they stepped inside. "Everyone, clear out! Give us space! Last thing we need is a crowd of ye gawkin' around while the lass brings a new life into this world."
The other dwarves quickly shuffled out of the area, leaving only the female dwarves who had experience with childbirth. They began preparing the herbs and magical ingredients they'd gathered, mixing the snowroot leaves into a calming elixir and grinding the glimmerberry pulp into a paste. The moonstone dust sparkled in a small bowl, ready to be mixed with water for its soothing effects.
Gridd turned to Xyenn, his eyes narrowing. "Lad, ye sure ye've got the stomach for this? Might not be what ye expect. Childbirth's no game, and it's not pretty."
Xyenn, determined, squared his shoulders. "I'm not a kid, Gridd. I can handle it."
Before Gridd could respond, a black-scaled tail suddenly whipped out from the side of the makeshift bed where Yuuna was lying. The tail coiled around Xyenn's neck like a serpent and yanked him forward with surprising strength. He stumbled, nearly dropping the supplies, as Yuuna grinned at him, her face flushed but still full of her usual chaotic energy.
"Xyenn's mine," she growled playfully, her grip tightening on his throat as she pulled him close.
Xyenn gasped for air, his face turning red both from the lack of oxygen and his embarrassment. "AGH! Someone save me!"
Gridd let out a gruff laugh. "Looks like ye're in for more than ye bargained for, lad."
The dwarves laughed as well, Draeven gave a small chuckleoff to the side, then stopped when Sethrak looked at him.
Sethrak said, "Hmm, did I just catch you giggling?"
"N-No…"
The female dwarves bustled around Yuuna, laying out the ingredients and preparing for the next stage of the labor. Yuuna winced, feeling the first intense waves of pain, but the elixirs and herbs began to work almost immediately. The snowroot eased her tension, and the glimmerberry paste was applied to keep her strength up. Still, her tail remained wrapped around Xyenn's neck as she squeezed tighter with each contraction.
"Yuuna," Xyenn wheezed. "Are you trying to kill me?!! Let go of me!"
But Yuuna only grinned, her eyes gleaming. "Not a chance, darling! You're staying right here with me!"
"I won't run! I swear!"
"Nahhh, you got that look in your eye, darling."
Outside the forge, the rest of the group—Mertha, the Tyrants, and the other dwarves—waited in tense silence. Ilyana sat on a stone nearby, her grimoire open as glowing chains of light extended from it, holding Gorran securely in place. The massive warrior was still fuming after his earlier outburst, his black sword Xenith buried in the ground next to him.
Ilyana smiled gently, trying to keep the mood calm. "Breathe, Gorran. Everything is going to be fine. Yuuna's strong, and she has help. Xyenn is such a fine young man, isn't he?"
Gorran growled, his eyes fixed on the forge. "I don't like this. I don't like any of this. And don't ever say that again…"
Zyphira, swaying slightly with a flask in her hand, laughed and clapped Gorran on the back. "Don't be such a grump! It's not every day you get to see something like this. Cheer up! I get to witness more crazy shit!"
Sethrak, standing off to the side, crossed his arms and smirked. "It's amusing, isn't it? The great Yuuna, reduced to the pains of childbirth. It's almost poetic. And with a human by her side at that..who would've thought?"
Kivorn, rubbing his eyes, asked Sethrak, "..Are you finally surprised?"
"Yes. And I'm surprised you just approached me without my permission."
"..That doesn't make sense."
Draeven, pacing nervously, wrung his hands. "W-what if something goes wrong? I mean, what if the baby is—"
"Relax," Mertha cut in putting Draeven in a headlock. "Gridd knows what he's doing. Besides, Yuuna can handle herself."
Inside, Yuuna's labor continued, the tension rising with each moment. Her face twisted in pain, but she gritted her teeth and kept her focus. The female dwarves worked quickly and efficiently, their hands moving with the precision of centuries of experience. The soothing elixirs dulled the sharpest of her pains, but Yuuna's tail remained tightly coiled around Xyenn's neck, tightening each time she felt a contraction.
Xyenn, nearly choking, tried to breathe through the pressure. "Yuuna, I'm... I'm right here! Could you maybe loosen up a little?"
Yuuna let out a strained laugh. "Nope! You're not going anywhere. You're mine, remember?"
"You're enjoying this?!"
"Mhm!"
Gridd, standing back but overseeing the process, shook his head in amusement. "Lad, ye look like yer about to faint. Maybe ye should have stayed outside."
"I'm... fine!" Xyenn croaked, his face red but determined to stay by Yuuna's side. "I'm a man!"
The dwarves laughed at him again, and Xyenn scoffed, "Pfft! I'll show you all.."
The final stage of the labor arrived swiftly. With one final, intense push, the baby emerged into the world, and the dwarves quickly wrapped the newborn in a soft woolen cloth. The tiny infant let out a small, sharp cry, its voice surprisingly strong for such a small creature.
"He's beautiful.."
"He looked better than I expected him to look—."
Gridd shoved her arm, making her say, "Ow, what? It's true."
The dwarves handed the baby to Yuuna, who looked down at her child with wide, amazed eyes.
The baby was unlike anything they had ever seen. Its hair was a striking combination of white and black, streaked through with natural patterns that seemed almost too perfect to be random. Its eyes were a deep, vivid red, with slit-thin pupils that glowed faintly in the dim light of the forge. The baby's skin was smooth but slightly scaled in places, hinting at its draconic heritage. Its tiny fingernails were sharp, almost like claws, and when it opened its mouth to yawn, they could see small sharp teeth already forming.
Xyenn stared at the baby in awe.
'No way…I'm actually…a dad? That fast? Fuck I feel old. I wanna hold him. Will she let me hold him? Of course she would.'
The newborn turned its head toward him and let out a small burp—a puff of smoke escaping its lips and drifting into Xyenn's face.
Gridd chuckled. "Looks like the little one's already got some fire in 'em."
Xyenn took the baby in his arms, feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest. His eyes began to well up, but this wasn't just from the miracle of birth. As he looked down at the child, memories of his own childhood surfaced—memories of cold rain and loneliness. He had never been held like this. No one had cradled him with love or care. His earliest memories were of abandonment, of being left out in the elements to fend for himself.
But now, here he was, holding his own child, and the warmth of the baby's tiny body against his chest filled him with a sense of belonging he had never known.
The baby blinked up at him with those red, slit-pupil eyes. Then, as if sensing Xyenn's emotions, the baby reached out a tiny hand and touched Xyenn's face.
'Agh! Too much cute shit is happening! I really am some dad now, no way this is really happening. What should I name him? How will I take care of him in the middle of this mess?'
Gridd asked, "Let me hold em' now. I'm technically the uncle."
"Oh here you go."
Gridd held the baby, thinking, 'Gross. Cuteness.'
The area was silent for a moment, everyone watching this tender moment… until Yuuna's voice broke the quiet, her tone confused and almost… distant.
"Who the hell are you?"
Xyenn's heart dropped. He stared at her, frozen in place. "What?"
Yuuna blinked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him with complete unfamiliarity. "I said, who the hell are you?"
Xyenn, panic rising in his chest, tried to laugh it off. "Yuuna... come on, stop kidding around. It's me,."
But Yuuna's face remained blank. "Never heard of you. Never heard of a Xyenn.."
The room went deathly silent. The female dwarves exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do. The Tyrants, outside, felt the shift in the atmosphere and began to edge closer to the entrance.
Gridd sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "The lass was afraid o' this…"
Xyenn turned to him, his voice a mix of fury and desperation. "Afraid of what?"
Gridd met his gaze, his face grim. "Draconic deities can't fall in love with humans. It's one o' their oldest rules. Ye're a human, and she's... well, ye know what she is. When she pulled ye close earlier, it must've been the moment she fell in love with ye. She was afraid somethin' like this might happen, but didn't know exactly what it'd be."
Xyenn's fists clenched, his body trembling. "What do you mean she was afraid?"
Gridd sighed again, his eyes dark. "She didn't know what the consequences would be, lad. But it looks like the cost was her memory of ye—of the one she fell in love with."
Outside, Kivorn said, "No way…"
Sethrak said nothing.
Before Xyenn could process what Gridd had said, the sound of flapping wings and a sudden gust of wind filled the air. The light dimmed as a figure descended from the sky, his presence casting a long shadow over the forge.
King Haldrek, his ice-cold aura palpable, landed with a thud, his snow armor shimmering in the dim light. His expression was serene, his face unreadable as he approached.
"Draconic deities cannot fall in love with humans," he said in a calm, almost soothing voice. "It is an ancient law, one that transcends even my own reign. The reason is simple: when a deity's heart is given to a mortal, the balance of power is disrupted. Love is a force too powerful for mortals and deities to share."
Xyenn's anger flared at the sight of Haldrek. His hatred for the king, already deep-seated from past encounters, now boiled to the surface. "You," Xyenn growled, his voice low and dangerous. "How do we fix this?"
"….Let me ask you this, whepling. Are you willing to sacrifice a piece of yourself?"
"I did it over and over, remember?"
Haldrek's icy blue eyes flickered with a hint of hesitation. "A witch."
Mertha stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Where is this witch?"
Haldrek turned his gaze toward her, his expression unchanging. "She resides in a place known as Soulcaris." Haldrek's eyes gleamed with a cold, deadly light. "But that is outside of Vördrheim. If you leave, I cannot protect you. You know I cannot allow darkness in my kingdom. But outside of here, I have no business meddling in a dragon gods affairs…unless I'm aiming to kill them. Soulcaris is a deserted barren continent, only the dragon god of the sun resides there, with no vessel."
The weight of his words hung in the air, the menace in his calm, emotionless tone chilling everyone present.
Xyenn said, "I don't care about any of that! Take me to her!"
"Why should I help you when you haven't decided to help me cleanse this world of war?"
"Whatever…fine we'll do it. I need to restore her memory of me now! We'll help you kill Ezrael, the dragon god of war."
Everyone looked at him in shock, this boy just made a group decision, of helping someone as vile as king Haldrek.
Gorran exclaimed, "You bastard…that isn't your decision to make!"
He turned to Zyphira, Sethrak, Mertha, Illyana, Kivorn, Draeven, and Gridd, and continued, "We're seriously gonna let some weak brat make our decisions?!"
Illyana, her fingers shook, saying, "It's…the only way. I like seeing others happy, and when Yuuna is happy—."
"—No! You're wrong. This kid just got here, we've known each other for years! He can't make any decision for us! Keep in mind…this wouldn't be happening if he weren't here! He's a nuisance."
Mertha replied, "Xyenn is not a nuisance. Do not say that about him. Unlike you, he knows where he messes up and tries to conquer his own fear and struggles, but you…you still cling onto the past. Xyenn has a heart."
"You traitor…"
Kivorn added, "…But we're Tyrants for a reason…we need to kill the dragon gods who aim to kill Yuuna for her heart…that's what we're here for."
"So what?! Other things are important! How do we know Yuuna was going to agree anyway?! Bunch of fools!"
Sethrak stepped up, saying, "Though I do not agree with this boy making decisions for us, even if we said no, he would make his own way for helping Yuuna. He's strange indeed."
Draeven didn't say anything, he was too fearful of Gorran.
'I can't say anything…Gorran might really let loose on me, knowing how I am! I'll stay quiet, but I'll side with Xyenn. He has the bravery I wish I had. Maybe if I stick with him..'
Zyphira, serious this time, said, "Gorran, buddy. You're talking as if you're leading this group."
"I was the first Tyrant! She chose me first! I still don't know why she didn't make me her vessel…but chose some brat over me! A little kid who died over and over for nothing."
Yuuna was confused, and she asked, "I don't even know who that kid is, why are we arguing about some random guy? Did he just come up claiming to be our friend or something?"
Gridd said to her, "Ye fell in love with a human, lass. And this was yer fate."
"Huhhh? Me? Fall in love with some human?! Yeah that's a lie! Haha! I would never!"
Gridd sighed, "It's worse than we thought."
'That Xyenn…he really did change her.'
Xyenn just stood there, soaking it all in. His fists were clenched, Gorran was bringing him over the edge.
Gorran snapped. His rage, barely contained until now, bubbled over. He broke free from Ilyana's light chains, his eyes burning with fury as he pointed his massive sword Xenith at Xyenn.
"You should have never been her vessel!" Gorran roared, his voice shaking the ground. "You took advantage of her! You don't deserve to live after this!"
Before anyone could react, Gorran moved with blinding speed, his jagged blade swinging toward Xyenn in a deadly arc.
Kivorn exclaimed, "Stop him!"
But Xyenn, already consumed by his own fury, dodged the attack with ease, his body moving faster than anyone expected. He grabbed Gorran by the face in one swift motion and slammed his head into the ground with a deafening thoom.
The earth shook, and a crater formed where Gorran's body hit. The other Tyrants gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"What the—?!" Yuuna said, trying to stand, but Gridd held her still.
"Do not get involved. This has to happen."
"I don't know what's going on…Gridd.." Yuuna she's a tear, and she looked at her own baby, adding, "Is he..mine?"
"Yes, he is. Ye had him with that human over there."
"…Impossible.."
Xyenn stood over Gorran, his body trembling with rage. His teeth had sharpened into fangs, and his breath came out in visible steaming clouds. His skin began to change, patches of black dragon scales emerging along his arms and neck. A single black wing sprouted from his back, unfurling with a menacing hiss. And he grew a black dragon horn on the corner of his head, and he grew a dragon tail.
"I wasn't able to do this before," Xyenn growled, his voice deepening with draconic power. "When you kept killing me over and over, Haldrek. But now... I can finally let loose."
Gridd, handing the baby to Yuuna, rushed forward, his face pale. "Lad! Put on the armor, now!"
Xyenn glanced at him, his eyes glowing with fiery intensity. "No."
Gorran, dazed but not beaten, slowly rose to his feet, his grip tightening on Xenith. His face was twisted with rage, but also with a hint of admiration at Xyenn's newfound power.
Xyenn continued, "I don't want Yuuna forgetting about me. She's the one who found me when I was at my lowest, she gave me a chance to feel important. I won't let that go to waste, not after all the fucking shit I've been through in these past days."
"I'm gonna kill you," Gorran snarled, lifting his massive blade. "Your efforts will be in vain. Those who attack me with killing intent never live."
Xyenn smiled, his lips curling into a malicious grin. "Try it….i've been waiting for this. I just met you, and you already make me sick."
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The other Tyrants, the dwarves, and even Mertha stood frozen, unsure of what to do. She wanted to reach out for him, she didn't want him losing himself again like before, she was already missing that brat smile and laugh and train hard with her. After seeing her son and husband die, she didn't want to lose what reminded her of them, what kept her from lashing out on the world. She noticed how it wasn't Yuuna's darkness that made him go berserk, it was all his pent up emotions. The fact that Xyenn is allowing those emotions to tie in with Yuuna's darkness, willingly.
'Xyenn..'
The sheer power radiating from Xyenn was overwhelming, and for the first time, they realized just how much he had been holding back.
Yuuna, still lying on the makeshift bed, looked at Xyenn with wide, confused eyes. Her voice was softer now, almost vulnerable. "Why... does he share my power?"
There was a long moment of silence.
Sethrak, usually the one to make a cutting remark, said nothing. His face was drawn, eyes narrowed, as he watched the exchange between Xyenn and Gorran in stunned silence. Draeven's hands shook, his nervous energy now replaced with cold fear. Zyphira, who had never been one to hold her tongue, simply stared, her flask halfway to her mouth, forgotten.
Gorran exclaimed, "No one interferes! I'll show Yuuna I'm the only true vessel. I deserve it more than him. He hasn't suffered as much as I have. My battle scars are created new everyday, he can't compare to that."
Zyphira said to Kivorn, "We need to stop them.."
"…Can't. It'll make it worse."
Gridd said to Illyana, "Be ready with yer chains of light, Illyana. If Xyenn gets too out of control, only ye can contain them."
Illyana, nervous, nodded peacefully.
Haldrek was gone as well, and Gridd noticed, saying to Mertha, "He dipped."
Mertha responded, "No. That asshole is still watching from afar."
Gorran dashed towards Xyenn again, saying, "That bloodlust coming from you—."
"Yes…" Xyenn grinned. "I'm going to kill you."