His eyes focused on the sky, filled with many stars, hard to see after such a harsh snow flurry. They shined brightly as he continued on.
"We've committed a great crime. One that will put our lives in danger and…his as well."
"What are you talkin' about Agni? You two just had a baby together; what harm is that…?"
"Indulge me for a moment."
He looked at her intensely at that moment as his form slowly changed. His skin became rough and rigid, as if scales had formed, his eyes piercing and sharp like snakes, two wings sprouted from his back effortlessly, and a long and sharp tail formed. The sight shocked Rita as she stepped back to take in the sight. Looking at the man she knew so little about, not a man but a monstrosity in the guise of a human. A dragon stood before her; she was almost too shocked to speak as he continued with sincerity in his now deeper and rasher voice.
"It is a law that humans and dragons must never convene. Over the past decades, these terms helped keep the peace between the many races and dragons. You do know of the treaty, don't you?"
"...Some of it…wasn't that formed because…?"
"Yes, a dragonborn. A child of human and dragonkin was born and wreaked havoc upon the region. After his death, a war took place that time ago between the many other races and dragons alike. Peace came through a treaty between each side's leaders, agreeing that there would never be another birth of the sort, and if there was. Action would be taken against the perpetrators and the child, not sparing them."
The shock from the answer took Rita aback, and her confusion turned to anger. She was appalled that he'd drag her into such a dangerous predicament, and now, knowing of his origin and how this would affect Eleanor, she angered her. She grasped her sword and gritted her teeth. This was unforgivable, no matter how much she tried to rationalize. He stared at her and accepted her feelings as she spoke again.
"How could you drag her into such a dangerous situation! Did you even think of how much danger that'd put Ellie in!? How could you be so selfish!?"
He sat there silently, his eyes closed. He began to deform and look at her again in his human-like form. She was ready to attack him, drawing her sword and preparing to slash before the door swung open.
"Don't attack him! He did no wrong in this situation!" I-"
"Eleanor! You shouldn't be moving at all right now!"
"I felt…I had to come clean about everything, for our sake and the baby."
She held firmly onto the door frame as the doctor supported her and the baby. Rita looked at them as she slowly sheathed her weapon and looked down at the ground, not knowing how to feel about her reaction. Being left out on such a big reveal truly shocked her, but it didn't change the fact of what had been done. Agni walked past Rita and held Eleanor closely to support her, taking them off the doctor's hands. He glanced back at Rita, motioning for her to follow again as he took Eleanor and the baby back into the cabin. The rest entered behind them as they all sat together. Rita sat angrily while Eleanor looked at her with tired yet concerned eyes. She knew this was a big shock for her, but it was something she had to explain personally.
The baby was settled into its blanket in Eleanor's arms. It was small and warm as Agni lit the fire in the fireplace again. This lit the room up once more with a dim orange light. The flickers from the firewood cracked as silence fell in the room.
"I'd been waiting to tell you about this for some time, Rita. About not only the baby but Agni…"
Rita inspected Eleanor to see her condition while she spoke. Her voice was tired, and her hair was messier than usual. She didn't want her to do too much after such a strenuous birth, but she knew no matter what she said, Eleanor would continue.
"He's the man I fell for the more I learned about him, not only as a person…but as a dragon. Trust me, I was shocked, too! Well, once I found out after pestering him for so long about it during some of our travels." she said as she giggled to herself, and Agni put his palm to his face; it was surprising that Eleanor could be so light-hearted about something so heavy in Rita's eyes. Though it wasn't something out of the ordinary of the type of person she always was.
"He revealed his true identity to me on the night of the Scarlet Moon Festival back in the kingdom. It was the most romantic day ever; I was nearly swept away by his otherworldly charm! How could I not want to be with someone so interesting?" she exclaimed as the doctor laughed; he seemed used to her expressions as he also accepted that she could be this way. Agni turned away in embarrassment from Eleanor's comments, which stunned Rita. She never thought someone like him would possibly be embarrassed by anyone.
"But anywho…finding out more about the dragon's side in the matter and seeing how the world kind of twisted the origin of what really happened left a bad taste in my mouth. So I thought, what the hell, why not show those people that things don't have to be that way!"
She looked down at her child, nestled in her arms, and smiled softly. The sight of him caused her to beam with joy. She pulled him closer and pressed his small and warm cheek to hers.
"This boy's gonna show the world something they've never seen before, I'm sure!"
Rita looked at Eleanor's expression and couldn't reject the sincerity in her belief. Since meeting her, it's always been a rollercoaster of different emotions and happenings between the two. She could never predict what she'd do in many situations, but her wits and intuition were usually spot on. Eleanor was a different type of person, someone you only meet once in a lifetime. Though she was grateful to have the blessing of being by her side all this time. Her expression softened as Rita looked towards the baby; his flushed cheeks were red, and his jet-black hair resembled his father's. She thought of asking the couple a question.
"So… what's the name of the child…?"
Eleanor and Agni looked down at him with soft expressions. It had seemed it was something they didn't think about too much beforehand, knowingly being the "act first, think second" type of people. They looked at each other and let off laughs. Rita stood dumbfounded that they didn't think about this, though someone seemed to have a thought.
"Ahem…if you would indulge me, Miss. Eleanor and Mr. Agni…"
The doctor stood firm as he inspected the baby and looked at the couple; they all looked in his direction as if he had come up with a suggestion. His glasses shined, covering his eyes as he began to speak.
"I think it would be…rather appropriate to name this child a name that could resound through the hearts of many. Something so grand as a name should put people on notice instantly the moment it's spoken. Judging from this child's background, and considering his origin…"
He took a moment before staring at Eleanor and clearing his throat again.
"Why not pay tribute to those who've come before us and paved the way for this day?"
Eleanor's eyes began to gleam. It seemed she understood what he was saying as she looked at Agni with shocking brilliance. He was still somewhat confused by the gesture but gave in, knowing what it meant.
"That's it! That'll be his name!" she exclaimed as Rita sat once again confused on the matter, Eleanor continued,
"I'll name him after my grandfather! He cared for me through my time in the village and was a kind man through and through! If he was to be like anyone, I'd want my baby to grow to become like him!"
The doctor chuckled as he wore a face of nostalgia. It'd been a long time since he'd heard anyone speak of his dear old friend in such a manner, but he couldn't think of a more fitting name.
"That settles it; this little star's name will be Dante!"
"Dante?"
"Yep! That was my grandfather's name, a pretty nice one too!"
Agni put his hand to his chin and considered it.
"Dante…a strong, straightforward name…fitting of the son of Agni."
He muttered to himself as Rita looked away from him annoyingly and moved closer to see the child up close. She slowly reached out her hand before he opened his eyes. They glowed a shimmering green emerald, matching those of his mother. He reached out and grabbed at her finger with his tiny hand and held it. Rita's eyes softened as she left her hand there and smiled. No matter how crazy everything that was revealed to her was, there was one thing she knew.
"I swear, this child will be cared for and protected no matter what."
This proclamation made Eleanor smile as she looked back at Rita. She knew that once Rita decided something, she wouldn't turn her back on it no matter what. This gave her a sense of relief as Eleanor started to feel somewhat tired. She felt herself leaning forward before being caught by Agni, who suddenly appeared before her. The relief of being seen and not dropping the child was at the forefront of her mind as she began to feel dazed.
Agni then handed the baby to Rita as he looked at her intensely. His eyes read to follow through on her word as he picked up Eleanor to put her to rest by the fireplace, as she needed to recover her energy after such a strenuous few hours. She fussed that she wanted to stay up and talk to her child, but he refused, saying she wouldn't even be able to function if she tried. She gave in and finally began to rest as Agni sat beside her with a watchful eye.
Now nestled in Rita's arms, Dante began to coo as she and the doctor looked out of the window, and the snow started to fall again.
"A major responsibility has been put on our hands, hasn't it, Rita?" he said, as a look of uncertainty showered his face, forming wrinkles prominently across it.
Rita looked at the baby once more before facing the snow-covered field on the other side of the window. Her face was primed with determination like never before. One thing was for sure: She refused to have any harm brought to this child as long as she stood alive and well. Wanting to protect them has always made her feel more assertive, especially considering Eleanor or those she cares for. With a sense of duty, she proclaimed something to the boy she held.
"I'll protect you no matter what; you have my word."
Dante looked at Rita with his big eyes and sat silent before letting out a cry that scared Rita.
"W-what did I do!? I didn't mean to make him cry!"
"Your face probably scared him."
"I didn't mean for that to happen! Stop it from crying!"
Rita bickered with the doctor to force him to help her as Agni and Eleanor heard the noise from across the room, and a smile brushed over Eleanor's face.
"She's got her work cut out for her…right dear…?"
Agni met her face with a small yet saddened smile. As if there were implications behind her words.
"Yes, she does, doesn't she?"
The snow fell harshly as the night continued; the warmth of the fireplace and Agni's magic kept the cabin warm throughout the night, as the hard part of what seemed to be a long journey had finally ended, or so they thought…
-Prologue End-