The battlefield had long since cooled. The dust had settled, the blood had dried, and the ruins of their epic clash stood silent in the aftermath. Yet, amidst the eerie calm of the stone ruins, something far less serious—far less epic—was happening.
Yuuna, hair still wild from the recent fight, was wrestling Xyenn to the ground. Her voice rang out, loud and unapologetic, as she straddled him with a mischievous grin plastered across her face.
"Come on, Xyenn!" she laughed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Whip it out already! Show me your human snake!"
Xyenn, his face flushed with both indignation and restrained anger, scowled up at her. "What the hell are you on about, crazy woman?! Get off me! I'm not whipping anything out here!" He flustered.
Yuuna was relentless, her hands darting toward his waist, trying to pull at his pants like an overexcited child. "What do you call it? Your dragon dagger? No, no—your serpent staff? C'mon, why are you so shy? Maybe it'll make me remember something!"
Xyenn, as always, played the delinquent perfectly, his brows furrowed in frustration. He grabbed her wrists to stop her, his voice dripping with annoyance. "No! You wanna end up in a grave?!" He twisted, trying to shove her off him, but Yuuna was surprisingly strong, and she was having none of it.
"How did you know I like being grabbed by the wrists?," Yuuna teased, her voice sing-songy. "Come on, let's see what you're working with. Maybe it'll jog my memory!"
Xyenn's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "W-Why the hell would showing you my dick help you remember anything?!"
"Because," Yuuna said, pushing her forehead against his, her eyes wide and wild, "maybe you've got a memorable package! Something special! You know—like a dragon's jewel or something! Since we already have a child together, you wouldn't mind showing me, right?!"
Xyenn thought, 'She's gone mad! I'm not whipping my junk out in front of all these people!'
Not far away, the other Tyrants watched the ridiculous scene unfold, their expressions ranging from amusement to disbelief.
Kivorn, as usual, was leaning lazily against a nearby pillar, his eyes half-lidded. He yawned, scratching his head. "I swear, she's gonna kill him one of these days. I'm too tired for this. Even when she's lost her memories…she is still attached to him."
Zyphira, the ever-drunken party queen, was already halfway through a jug of ale. She raised it in a mock toast, a grin splitting her face. "I'll drink to that! Hell, I'll drink to anything. But hey, at least it's entertaining, right?"
"Hey…where did you get that from?"
"I always have one on me! Duh. You know me, and you always ask that."
Her twin brother, Sethrak, stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, watching the chaos with a smirk of elegant disdain. "Entertaining? More like pathetic. Honestly, even if her memories are tied to that, she's beyond saving." He chuckled coldly, his words cutting like a knife. "But then again, I suppose it would be fitting for her if Xyenn's only contribution was, well…" He trailed off, his smirk widening as Zyphira punched him in the arm.
Ilyana, ever the peaceful one, clapped her hands together, her smile serene. "Sethrak. Let them have their fun. It's all in good spirits, right? Maybe it's their way of bonding."
Mertha, the battle-hungry warrior, stood with her arms crossed, her muscular frame towering over the others. Her face remained stoic, but her lips twitched as if trying to hold back a grin. "Bonding? This is just Yuuna trying to wrestle him into submission. I'd wager she's already won. And knowing Xyenn, it's too adorable to watch!"
Draeven, as expected, was a wreck, nervously glancing between Yuuna and Xyenn, his hands fidgeting. "Uh, should we… um… should we stop them? I mean, isn't this a bit too… personal? What if he really pulls it out—."
Mertha put Draeven in a headlock, "Yeah that's not happening! Look at him!"
Gorran, leaning against a tree on the far edge of the clearing, was silent. His eyes, narrowed and cold, remained fixed in the distance. He said nothing, brooding as always, clearly uninterested in the antics of the others. His hand rested on the hilt of Xenith, the spiraling red eyes on the blade occasionally flickering as if in response to his emotions.
'How could they act like this after what happened…? They never take anything seriously. Tch, it's that damn woman Illyana. It always happens, whenever she's around, she's doing something to keep everyone sane..but I won't let her fuck with my head. Her light magic, it's not brainwashing, or possession, it's soothing the soul, is that she called it. She can't stand to see division, as she experienced. She doesn't wanna go through that again. But she's still annoying like everyone else. She'll be the main one getting in my way if I try and get my revenge on that brat Xyenn.'
Meanwhile, a group of dwarves had gathered around Xyenn and Yuuna's newborn hybrid son. The baby, a strange but adorable mix of human and dragon features, giggled and flailed his tiny arms, coughing out puffs of smoke with each laugh. His dark pink eyes gleamed with joy as the dwarves showered him with affection.
"Look at 'im!" one of the dwarves exclaimed, his beard shaking as he laughed. "Strong lungs on this one! Already spittin' smoke like a proper dragon!"
Another dwarf handed the baby a small carved toy, shaped like a dragon. The baby grabbed it eagerly, chewing on it with his tiny fangs. "Aye, he'll be a fierce one, no doubt. Just like his mother—."
"Don't let Yuuna hear us! She's deranged.."
The dwarves slowly turned their heads to Yuuna, and Yuuna was staring at them with a malicious smile and staggered away in fear.
The baby's laughter filled the air again, followed by another puff of smoke that sent the dwarves into fits of laughter. "Hah! We'll spoil ya rotten, lad. Don't worry about a thing!"
Suddenly, the air shifted. A familiar presence made itself known as Haldrek, the old strategist with the sharp mind and sharper tongue, appeared at the edge of the clearing. His dark cloak billowed in the wind as he walked toward the group, his eyes sharp as ever, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips at the sight of Yuuna still wrestling Xyenn.
"Well, now that the savages have finished their little scuffle," Haldrek said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "perhaps we can move on to more important matters."
Yuuna, still sitting on top of Xyenn, waved a hand dismissively. "What's the rush, old man? We're just getting started!"
Ignoring the banter, Haldrek stepped forward, his tone turning serious. "Listen closely. Now that your little brawl is over, we need to move quickly. Yuuna's memories must be restored as soon as possible. Once they return, we will pave the way to attack Ezrael, the Dragon God of War. Our window of opportunity is closing."
The mention of Ezrael caused a ripple of silence to pass through the group. Even Gorran, leaning against his tree, shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"But before any of that happens," Haldrek continued, his voice taking on a more thoughtful tone, "we must talk about Gabriel's Ladder."
Haldrek paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. His eyes scanned the group, making sure he had everyone's attention, especially Xyenn, who had never heard of Gabriel's Ladder before.
"Gabriel's Ladder," Haldrek began, "is how the Dragon Gods travel from one continent to another in Kyrrin. It is an ancient, mystical structure that predates even the gods themselves. Each Ladder is a massive, towering mechanism, built into the very bones of the world. Think of it as a grand elevator, but not one for mortals to use. It's said to stretch into the heavens and deep into the earth, connecting the realms beyond our comprehension."
He gestured to the sky. "The Ladders are scattered all over Kyrrin, on the fringes of the next continent's borders, hidden in places mortals cannot locate. They are impossible to locate unless one possesses the guidance of the gods themselves. Mortals travel by foot, magic, or horse, but the gods travel differently, but if a mortal can travel through Gabriel's ladder, then he can choose whatever continent they want to go through with ease, and land anywhere in that continent. It's beneficial for a mortal, heavily."
Haldrek's voice became darker, more ominous. "The Dragon Gods use these Ladders to travel between continents, to wage war, to conquer. And for Ezrael, we certainly will use one."
There was a heavy silence as Haldrek finished, the weight of his words settling on everyone's shoulders. Even the ever-lazy Kivorn looked more awake now, his eyes widening slightly.
"So," Haldrek said, breaking the silence, "now that you understand, we must restore Yuuna's memories and prepare. We are on a time limit."
Xyenn sat there, thinking, 'Gabriel's Ladder. I've heard of those. Like some sort of portals to other continents, how the dragon gods travel. But for someone like a human to find one and use it, it's a time saver once someone finds every ladders location. Adventurer guilds sometimes spend most of their lives looking for these ladders, they could land on pretty cool shit when using one, it's like they can navigate through Kyrrin with ease. Knowing how dangerous the waters are or traveling by land, I wouldn't blame anyone for spending their life looking for Gabriel's Ladders. Being able to be an adventurer and in a guild, searching for the ladders could mean easier and faster travel through the world, even some explorers live and die for it.'
As everyone began to prepare for departure, the group gathered near the dwarves and the hybrid baby. Gridd, the leader of the dwarves, stepped forward, his gruff but kind face looking down at the tiny child in his arms.
"I'll watch over the lad," Gridd said, his voice full of sincerity. "He'll be safe here. Trust us."
Yuuna, her usual chaotic energy momentarily softened, nodded. "Thank you, Gridd. Keep him safe. STILL can't believe he's mine, butttt I'll roll with it. Damn human probably touched me in my sleep—."
Xyenn dashed up to her, "—No I didn't! That's horrible!"
"Haha! I'm kidding! Look at your wittle face awww.."
Xyenn, face red, looked away, "Tch. Whatever."
Gridd grinned. "Don't worry, lass. He'll be spoiled rotten by the time ye return."
Xyenn, standing beside Yuuna, peered down at their child, still in shock that they had a baby together. "I still don't get how this even happened," he muttered, scratching his head. "And you don't even remember…"
Yuuna leaned down, poking the baby's cheeks gently. "He's got your eyes," she said, her voice soft for once.
Xyenn smirked. "Yeah, and your attitude."
The baby giggled, coughing out another puff of smoke.
Yuuna suddenly grabbed Xyenn by the ear, pulling hard. "Are you TRYING to poke a hole in my child's face?! Savage human…"
Xyenn yelped, swatting her hand away. "Eh?! Buzz off, crazy goddess! I'm not gonna hurt him! And he's mine too!"
Yuuna grinned wickedly, letting go of his ear. "You better not, or I'll make you regret it."
Xyenn rubbed his ear, glaring at her. "Tch. You're the one who's gonna regret it if you keep pulling that crap."
"I don't know you, yet, I feel like you love me."
"That's because I do." Xyenn flustered.
Yuuna was shocked to hear that, her breaths came in ragged, and she said, "Crazy..how do I not know you, but I feel something between us."
"Because—."
Without warning, Yuuna lunged at him again, and the two started wrestling, rolling around on the ground like children. The other Tyrants watched, shaking their heads.
As the group began to leave, they said their goodbyes to the dwarves, and Gridd gave one last parting promise to keep the child safe.
Yuuna and Xyenn, still bickering and wrestling, trailed behind the rest of the group as they set off on their journey once more.
"This has to be a joke! Tell me more about myself!" Yuuna yelled.
"Get off me and I will!"
As the group made their final preparations to leave, Gridd, the stout and gruff leader of the dwarves, stood off to the side, his arms crossed over his barrel-like chest. The baby hybrid still cooed in its makeshift crib, surrounded by the dwarves who had taken it upon themselves to spoil him. But Gridd's sharp eyes were fixed on Xyenn as the dragon hybrid prepared to board the ship.
"Oi, Xyenn!" Gridd called out, his thick, assertive dwarven accent cutting through the noise like a hammer striking an anvil. He stomped his way over, his heavy boots thudding against the ground with each step.
Xyenn, who had just finished wrestling Yuuna to the ground for the fifth time, looked up, rubbing his neck. "What?" he muttered, though there was a flicker of respect in his tone as he straightened up.
Gridd came to a stop in front of Xyenn, his eyes narrowing as he stared up at the much taller dragon hybrid. The air grew thick with tension, and for a moment, it seemed like Gridd was about to impart some ancient dwarven wisdom—something profound, something that would spark a change in Xyenn's rebellious heart.
Gridd cleared his throat, his serious expression unwavering. "Lad, listen well," he began, his tone deep and solemn. "I've seen many warriors come and go through the ages. Some fell to their own arrogance, some to the blades of their enemies, and some... to the curse of their own blood. But ye..." He paused dramatically, letting the weight of his words hang in the air.
Xyenn blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Yeah...?"
Gridd continued, his voice growing even more somber. "Ye've got a long road ahead, filled with danger and deceit. The path yer about to walk will test ye in ways ye've never imagined. It'll tear at yer soul, challenge yer mind, and force ye to confront truths about yerself that ye may not be ready to face."
Xyenn raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued. "Alright... And?"
'He's gonna pour some good advice, I already know! Man I need it. I'm a young father, and I'm dealing with a bunch of other stuff—.'
Gridd took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Xyenn's. "So I've got one piece of advice for ye, lad. One thing ye need to take to heart if ye wanna survive what's comin'."
Xyenn leaned in slightly, waiting for the grand revelation.
'This is it…'
Gridd's eyes narrowed further, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he finally delivered his wisdom. "Don't fuckin' die. I don't like kids."
Xyenn blinked, his face caught somewhere between disbelief and confusion and an awkward smile, "Huh?"
Gridd jabbed a thick finger into Xyenn's chest. "That's right. Ye come back and take care of yer seed. I've got no time to be changin' diapers and teachin' a dragon whelp how to swing a hammer. That's yer job."
Xyenn stared at him for a long moment, then snorted. "You did all that build-up just to say that?!"
Gridd grinned, his beard twitching as he chuckled. "Aye. That's all ye need to hear." He gave Xyenn a hearty slap on the back, nearly knocking the dragon hybrid off balance. "Now go on. And keep that armor on at all times, eh? Ye look like the type to get skewered for fun."
Xyenn shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck, chuckling, "Fine. Fine. And thanks Gridd."
"Yep. Don't forget, keep Yuuna sane."
"Her?"
"Ye know what I mean, lad."
Haldrek approached Xyenn with his usual cold, unwavering presence. He was a figure that made Xyenn's scales itch—a man of icy control and unreadable intentions. The two had never liked each other, not since their first encounter, and the tension between them was palpable. Haldrek's pale eyes, frigid as the peaks of Vördrheim, studied Xyenn as he handed over a scroll—a map, bound in silver-threaded leather and crackling faintly with magic.
"This is your route," Haldrek said, his voice as cold as the wind that swept through the fjords. "It will guide you to Gabriel's Ladder." He held the scroll out to Xyenn, but there was something in the way he did it—something that made it seem like he didn't expect Xyenn to return.
Xyenn eyed the map suspiciously before taking it. The parchment was old, crackling faintly as if it held the weight of centuries. Etched onto its surface was not only the terrain but a series of glyphs—arcane symbols that shifted in the light, alive with latent power. An enchantment, no doubt, to guide them.
"An enchanted map, huh? You really want me dead, don't you?" Xyenn sneered, tucking the scroll into his belt. "Bastard…"
Haldrek's lips tightened, but his voice remained calm, almost patronizing. "If you think I'd waste my time plotting your demise, you give yourself too much credit. If I wanted you dead, I would've done it when I beat you. The Ladder is not something you find without aid."
Xyenn rolled his eyes, "What else?"
Haldrek's gaze flicked over him, cold and assessing, before he turned toward the horizon. "You'll reach the Ladder by the Third Veil of Morningrise tomorrow." His tone was matter-of-fact, as though he were stating the time of a routine meeting. "The moons will have already passed their zenith, and the Veil will part with the first light of dawn."
The words were familiar to Xyenn. The time system in Kyrrin—across all its continents—was marked by the movements of the celestial bodies. Unlike other worlds, Kyrrin's time was not governed by hours, but by the phases of the sun and moons as they passed through Veils. There were Four Veils that marked each segment of the day: Morningrise, Sunsfall, Eventide, and Duskveil. The Third Veil of Morningrise was just before the sun fully broke the horizon—a time when the sky was still veiled in twilight, and the air was thick with the lingering chill of night.
Xyenn didn't need Haldrek to explain it. He knew the system well enough. The Third Veil meant they'd be arriving just before full dawn.
"I get it," Xyenn said, already turning away.
Haldrek's icy stare followed him. "If the winds are in your favor," he added, almost as an afterthought, "and if you don't upset the Veils."
Xyenn paused for a moment, his hand tightening on the map, but he didn't look back. "Leave me alone now, I got what I need from you." he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. He had no patience for Haldrek period.
Without another word, Xyenn walked back to the group, leaving Haldrek standing in the cold, his pale eyes glinting with something unreadable.
Haldrek and Gridd stood side by side, and Haldrek said, "Such a horrid baby. An abomination."
Gridd replied, "Worry about keepin' yer kingdom safe, ye bastard."
"If it wasn't for the fact that Yuuna and her Tyrants and Vessel are helping me, I would kill you and your clan of dwarves."
"Ye know you can't beat full powered Yuuna and her Tyrants all at once, they'll hunt ye down."
"…I am stronger than them." Haldrek's snow covered dragon wings spread, and he took off.
Minutes later, the Tyrants, Xyenn, and Yuuna were aboard a large, ornately designed wooden boat that had once belonged to Haldrek. The ship was covered in intricate carvings of frost and snowflakes, its hull glistening as if it were made of ice itself. Haldrek's soldiers, clad in gleaming snow-white armor, stood stoically along the deck, their gazes fixed on the horizon.
Zyphira, the ever-reckless alcoholic, wasn't about to let the soldiers off easy. She sauntered up to one of them, a large bottle of Frokell Mead from the northern regions in one hand. The liquid inside the bottle shimmered with a strange blue hue, as if it were alive with frozen flames. She sloshed the bottle toward the nearest soldier, grinning.
"Hey, you! Armor-boy! Have a drink with me, huh? Don't be so stiff! You're on a boat! We're on an adventure! Live a little!"
The soldier didn't even glance at her, his posture remaining rigid. "I'm on duty, ma'am."
"Duty, shmooty!" Zyphira slurred, waving the bottle in his face. "This is a party boat now! Don't be so boring!"
Sethrak, her ever-sarcastic twin brother, stood nearby, leaning lazily against the mast with a smirk on his face. "You're wasting your time, Zyphira. These soldiers have more discipline in their pinky fingers than you've got in your entire body."
Zyphira narrowed her eyes at him. "Shut it. You're just mad because no one wants to drink with you."
Sethrak's smirk widened. "On the contrary, I prefer my company to be a bit more... refined. Unlike yours."
As Zyphira continued to harass the soldiers, Ilyana, the ever-peaceful and tranquil Tyrant, approached Xyenn and Yuuna, her hands full of a tray of treats she had baked herself. Her soft smile never wavered as she held up the tray.
"Xyenn, Yuuna," she said in her sweet, smiling, melodic voice, "I made these for everyone. Would you like to try?"
The treats were unlike anything Xyenn had seen before. They were delicate, wrapped in translucent leaves that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. Inside, the dough was a deep, glistening golden color, like honey trapped in amber. Each treat was infused with subtle, swirling colors—blues, silvers, and greens—as if they had been crafted from the very essence of the northern lights. They smelled of wintermint, spiced berries, and something else—something ancient, like the scent of an old forest touched by frost.
Xyenn barely had time to respond before Yuuna tackled him from behind, locking him in a headlock. "Tell me more about me!" she demanded, tightening her grip around his neck. "You've been holding out on me, dragon boy! Spill the beans!"
Xyenn grunted, trying to pry her arms off him. "Would you stop attacking me every five minutes?! And I already told you everything I know!"
Ilyana, still smiling peacefully, held out one of the glowing treats to Xyenn, who was currently half-choking from Yuuna's grip. "Here, try a homemade biscuit. It's made with the essence of the **Lunarbloom** flower, which only grows under the twin moons. It's said to restore clarity and focus."
*I don't need clarity, I need her hands off my neck,* Xyenn thought, finally managing to twist out of Yuuna's hold. "I'm not hungry," he muttered, rubbing his neck.
Yuuna, grinning like a cat, ignored his protests. "Come on! There's gotta be more! Tell me some embarrassing stuff! Did I ever do anything stupid? When we were doing it, what was it like?"
"It was…"
Xyenn remembered that night, that night he thought he had become a man by engaging with Yuuna sexually. Xyenn easily shook his head, saying, "It was great."
'It was the best day ever actually. I'm such a lewd person..' Xyenn covered his face. 'But would I do it again? Yep.'
Ilyana patiently kept holding out the biscuit, her smile never faltering. "It also helps with stress. Try some."
Xyenn, still catching his breath, sighed and took the pastry, biting into it with a grunt. The second it hit his tongue, his eyes widened. The biscuit melted in his mouth, releasing a cool, soothing sweetness that spread through his entire body. It was like eating a piece of the moon itself—ethereal, calming, and just a little bit magical. He hated to admit it, but it was *delicious.*
"Alright," Xyenn muttered through a mouthful of pastry, "this is actually really good."
Ilyana's smile brightened. "I'm glad you think so."
While the chaos unfolded on one side of the boat, Draeven, Sethrak, and Kivorn stood near the ship's railing, discussing Gabriel's Ladder with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"I've never actually seen it," Draeven said, his voice shaky as he fidgeted nervously. "I mean, I've heard the stories, but no one really knows what it looks like, right?"
Sethrak, ever the arrogant scholar, scoffed. "Of course no one's seen it. It's a divine artifact, beyond mortal comprehension. Only the most foolish would dare try to find it. Wandering forever."
"Yeah, well, people have tried, they always try.." Kivorn murmured, his eyes half-lidded as usual. "Adventurers, bandits, even kings. They all end up dead or missing. Some say the Ladder pulls them into another dimension, others say they're just crushed by its weight." He yawned, stretching lazily. "Soooo many rumors about Gabriel's Ladder a scattered across Kyrrin, no one knows the truth about them once they get there. So excited…yay."
High above them all, Gorran stood in the crow's nest of the ship, his eyes fixed on the horizon. His hand rested on the hilt of Xenith, the cursed blade's red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. He scowled as he watched the antics of the other Tyrants below, his disdain for their nonsense palpable.
"They're all fools," he muttered to himself, his grip tightening on his sword. "Every single one of them."
He had no time for their games, no patience for their banter. His mind was fixed on one thing: revenge. He would have his vengeance on Xyenn, no matter how long it took.
Even Mertha was by herself, at the other end of the ship, leaning against edge, deep in thought.
Xyenn, finally having a chance to relax, looked at everyone the boat carry on, and even saw Yuuna bombard Mertha and ask her how she met Xyenn, and Mertha laughed hysterically and started to reply on her.
Xyenn began to think about what the Light Born said to him, the Lysfødt. The beings of radiance who wanted him to kill Yuuna to save the world.
'I'm really gonna not be alone anymore, all these people around me…I don't wanna throw it away. I Can't kill Yuuna. I just can't. Looking at her, she's happy to be alive. I'm fighting myself a lot, if I'm a monster, like these dragon gods. If I don't save the world, if everyone dies because of me, will I really be a monster? The day I killed those bandits, the time I laughed and enjoyed killing them, made me question my own morality for the first time ever. Those Light Born. They don't know what it's like to be me. Even if I do what they told, the Tyrants will leave me, and I won't have Yuuna. I'll be alone again..I can't go though that anymore. I refuse to. But I don't want to become what I seek to destroy. I don't wanna be a monster—'
Illyana kneeled in front of him at that moment, offering him a steel cup of steaming liquid, saying, "Drink. It's not good to be sad."
"What's this?"
"Something to help you calm down."
Xyenn immediately drank it, trusting Illyana as she was too peaceful with that tranquil smile. Illyana smiled as she asked, "How does it taste?"
"Hmm, it tastes good—."
THOOM.
Inside, Xyenn immediately felt like he was having a buzz, his eyesight and head woozy, everything swirling around him.
"What…what did you do to me? Ahhh my head.."
Illyana smiled as she continued, "Alchemy. A potion made for sedating. You ponder on your sadness too much, that's not good. And I don't like it. I can feel it. I hate that feeling, it reminds me of too much."
"You…you drugged me?"
"Yes. I drugged you."
"…You traitor.."
Illyana walked away continuing with that same peaceful smile, "I really, really hate sadness, Xyenn. And it's okay, nothing bad will happen. It's the good stuff."
"Goodness..I got drugged by a priestess..I'm doomed."
"If you're sad again, just know, I'll murder you." Illyana chuckled, finally walking away.
'KILL?! SHE CAN'T BE A PRIESTESS! SHE'S EVIL. I have to JUMP OFF THIS BOAT NOW! Wait, I can't even swim. Damn. Fine. I'll try to stop thinking so much about my issues, that too is distracting. Weird ass priestess, thanks I guess.'