In an Instant

10: In which some hide, while some fight (and they can't reconcile)(31-32)

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Lock looks at her, totally non-judgmentally.

Rosalyn still feels judged, so much.

-

At that moment, the voice of the Black Dragon, that must be somewhere inside of this shield, filled Cale's ear.

"You are very weak. That is why you need protection."

Ohn and Hong were excited to realize it was the dragon, but looked at Cale with pity after hearing what the dragon had to say. They seemed to agree with the dragon's assessment.

-

"That is correct, human," Raon declares, earlier confidence suddenly evaporating, "You should have retreated, since you're so weak."

You should have retreated.

I would have burned down the world for you, if only so you could be safe.

(And something inside of him knows that his human would do the same, if only so Raon could be safe, too.)

Raon knows why his dumbo human had made that decision, back then.

Raon is still too weak.

"I'm putting my life on the line, today," that Bear had said, disgustingly proud of how much of a bastard he was being.

Raon had been helpless against such determination. His human had taken on hundreds of Bears himself, just to clear the path for him, and Raon had been less than useless.

He had failed, and Cale had paid the price. His human had paid, bloodily, painfully, because Raon is neither great nor mighty.

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Raon carefully presses the smooth scales of his face against Cale's pale cheek, snout twitching something uncomfortable.

-

Cale ignored their gazes, and casually answered back.

"Do whatever you want."

"I do not know why you are not using that power."

"You don't need to know."

The power. The Black Dragon quickly realized that Cale did not want to show that ancient power to other people, and left it vague. Cale shrugged his shoulders and, in the end, a third shield was created for a total of a three-layered shield.

-

"Woah," Rosalyn* lightly breathes. She has never seen a Dragon in action before, and it is as amazing as she always thinks it is.

-

'His skill is growing exponentially.'

-

Ohn, who has noticed Raon's downturned mood, paddles closer to him.

"Hear that, youngest?" She taps him gently, "Cale is praising you."

Raon looks up at her, blue eyes wide and vulnerable and so, so young.

Her youngest brother is just six.

Inwardly, she seethes. Her brother should live as freely and happily as he wants. He shouldn't have to see Cale like this.

Cale shouldn't have to be like this.

Ohn wants to destroy something. Preferably whoever it is that had landed Cale here in this state, but at this point, she's not discriminating.