AN: Some Characters may be OOC. You can encounter some typographical errors or wrong grammars so deal with me since English is not my first language ^_^
Timeline:
TBOAH : After the Plaza Terror Incident
TOCF : After Cale got water AP
"Cale" Character/s talking.
'Cale' Characters talking in their mind.
[Cale] Scenes/ Chapters shown from the Novel.
"Cale" Nyx/ talking/system warning people.
'Cale' Nyx/someone talking to character's in their mind.
(I updated this so that we won't be confused including me LMAO, hope you enjoy today's chapter!)
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Ever since the Raon decided to follow Cale and his company, he made a lot of progress with his conversation skills, mana and his view for human are now different. He now can differentiate bad intention from good ones and bad people from good ones and clearly, Cale is a good person. The one who saved him from the prison he had been in his four years of life.
At first, he was distant from them and just observing their moves. Completely not letting his guard down in case they did something bad but as time passed by, Cale and his company just let him observe them, acted normally and even gave him food like it was nothing.
He also doesn't understand how the two cat tribe children kept on talking to him even though he clearly expressed that he don't want their company, well atleast that's what he want to show but his actions whenever they talk to him was clearly different.
The way his wings fluttered and he stutter whenever they are talking clearly shows that he was enjoying being with them. They also didn't miss the fact that whenever Cale acted like a father and took care of him in a simple way made him blush and flutter his wings.
Hours, days, months had gone by and now three children's had developed the habit of sleeping next to Cale. Others may think that it's cute well that's indeed cute but the reason behind it was a little sad.
(Please mind that this timeline is before Raon got his name so from this onwards, I'm gonna call Raon as black dragon)
They were originally sleeping in the next room which had a short passage in Cale's room in case something bad happens until one night, Cale woke up with the sound of crying and whimpers from the next room.
He quickly got up from bed and immediately go to the kids room. There he saw the black dragon curled up, eyes filled with tears, whimpering and shivering. It doesn't helped that he keep on whispering things like "Please no more" "Stop.. it hurts.. please" "I didn't do anything wrong so why.." and many more.
The two cats were already awake and trying to wake him up, Cale sighed and walk to their direction.
"We don't know what happened, we just woke up and then he's already crying nyaa" Hong said, his eyes was full of worry.
"I think he's having a nightmare, what should we do?" On then followed, subconsciously tapping Cale with her paw.
Cale didn't reply and instead, sat down beside the black dragon and put him to his lap albeit he somehow had a hard time due to his weak body he still managed to do it. The dragon was now awake but he is still crying and shaking, seeing Cale he looked away from embarrassment.
"It's okay to cry, just let it out. You can't always be strong" Cale whispered, consoling him.
Three children looked at him but Cale's gaze was straight to the wall.
"If you keep telling yourself that you're okay when you are not, you're just fooling yourself. Your emotions will bottle up until it would just explode so cry all you want. Say the things that hurt or bother you. I'm here to listen" He added, his message was not just for the black dragon but for the three of them.
Since he's not looking at them, he didn't manage to see the tears on their face. Hearing those words, they began to destroy their walls and wailed. They cried their eyes out and said their concerns to Cale who's just patiently listening and consoling them.
After they cry, Cale decided to sleep with them tonight to make sure they will be okay which the three agreed to but the problem is that, the children can't sleep.
"Cale.. can you sing us a song?" On whispered, trying not to remember how she acted earlier.
"Song? but my voice is not good, you might not sleep at all" Cale said somehow bothered.
"No, your voice is good human" The black dragon whispered.
"That's right sing for us please.." Hong followed.
Cale sighed before closing his eyes, seeing Cale close his eyes and looked like he's about to sleep made the children sad thinking that he will not do it but they were shocked when words came out on his lips.
+ I see that your confidence is low
Can you try to let it go?
I just want to let you know
That you are loved +
His voice was so good to hear, it made them think of a father singing a lullaby to their child but above all, the lyrics of the song catches their attention. Then they realized, it's for them.
It perfectly suit their situation and for some reason they felt like they would tear up again but this time, from happiness.
+ Are you crying again?
Thinking when will this end
Don't worry, love
'Cause things will be alright
People may let you down,
but I am telling you this now. +
The children suddenly reminisce the past. Those moments they felt weak, lost hope and on their lowest where all they can do is cry because what can they do? They are just a child, weak and fragile.
On and Hong could still clearly remember how the elders of their tribe ridicule them. How they trample and step over their frail body with On trying to protect her little brother from getting hit; how they feed them foods that even a beggar wouldn't eat because of the rotting smell; and how they almost lost their lives as they tried to escape from that hellhole.
Yet, even after all those hardships, it seems futile as they were grasping at straws just to get food to relieve their hunger. It was not until they met Cale, their savior, hero, and father.
On the other hand, the black dragon remembered how the whip painfully struck his body and the stench of his own blood filling the place while Venion watch him, eyes full of madness and contentment of what he is seeing. Then, he ordered his men to "do it better" while eating a feast, ridiculing and enjoying how "lowly" the dragon looked.
No matter how much he cried and do silent prayers, nothing happened. The pain continued, no it even worsened as time passed by.
After years of being tortured, revenge came to his mind but most importantly the plan to get out of that place.
He carefully planned everything. Studying their language, the time they come and go, their behaviour and more. And finally, days before his plan, Cale, the weak human came and saved him.
+ You are valued, you are worth it
You deserve nothing but the best
You are appreciated
So focus on yourself, and don't mind the rest +
Meeting the man in front of them changed their lives. He gave them everything that they thought they wouldn't experience or have. From foods, clean clothes, home and even love.
They thought they were unlucky, but meeting him was the luckiest and the best day of their life.
+ You are stronger, you are braver
I'm happy that you are your own warrior
You stand for yourself, I'm lucky to tell
That you are doing, oh so well +
Cale sang that part while looking at them, seemingly saying how proud he was at them for being strong despite every hardships they went through.
How they perceived, stood strong and courageous despite the struggle that those horrible people made them experience.
Seeing that look, the three couldn't help but be proud at themselves too. They are proud and thankful that they did not give up because if they did, they will not meet Cale, Choi Han, Ron, Hans, and others nor experience good things with them.
+ I'm glad they you're here and you made it
I'm so proud of you for being strong
Whatever you're going through you'll overcome it
Because I'm with you all along
So dear my child, remember that you are loved +
This time the three couldn't help but to tear up. The words that Cale sang was delivered to their heart.
After a long time of being silenced, they felt heard.
The long time of being handcuffed, they are freed.
The feelings of helplessness are long gone and are now filled with feeling of securement and happiness by person who is singing them this song.
Cale who saw their tears gently wipe it for them before smiling gently.
+ (Here are just some few reminders)
You don't need their validation
You don't need their recognition,
You don't need others opinions to feel loved +
Cale, who sang this part unknowingly made his two siblings who were outside the room secretly listening because of their brother's voice lost in thoughts especially Basen.
Basen remembered the first sentence his brother said to him;
"Basen. You are part of the Henituse household. Remember that. No matter where you go, your family name is Henituse. Got it? Don't you remember what father said? Listen to me unless you are an idiot. Tell people that the Henituse blood flows through you. Tell them that no matter what."
Indifferent it may sound, but it consist of words that is worried of his wellbeing. How his hyung cared for him and loved their family despite not showing it directly.
+ You don't need to mind what they say,
Just let it all away,
Always keep this in mind everyday,
You are fearfully and wonderfully made +
Lily, remembered how her 5 year old self innocently said that she will be a knight while her cousins and other people laughed at her taking her words as a joke.
"Hah! A knight? Do you think a girl like you is fit to a be a knight?"
"Don't joke with us, the moment you train you will just cry your eyes out,"
"Pftt knight? A girl like you? Don't joke with me,"
She thought it would be cool for a woman to be a knight but seems like people underestimate girls because they are much better suited to do "girly" stuff such as dress ups, attend tea parties and more.
Despite that Lily continued to train. This is what she wants to do and her family supports her with it.
Now, with the strength that she has, she wishes to protect her family.
"Sing with me" said Cale to the children before singing the next lines
+ I am valued
I am worth it
I deserve nothing but the best
I am appreciated
So I focus on myself and don't mind the rest +
Cale and the children sang the next part as if to remind themselves that their past will not dictate their future.
What they experienced will serve as a lesson and reason for them to be stronger and braver.
To be greater than what they are right now.
They will not let themselves be stuck at the past nor move to what other people want them to.
They will continue to move forward with the resolve to be happy.
They will live for themselves and for the people who love them.
+ I am stronger
I am braver
I'm happy that I am my own warrior
I stand for myself,
I'm lucky to tell that I am doing oh so well +
Their past self is no more, what's left is today and the future.
They may be far from being safe due to unprecedented events, but they are already far from the person that they were in the past.
The past where they are their own warrior who fought for their freedom and happiness.
And right now, they are indeed doing well.
+I'm glad that I'm here and I made it
I'm so thankful that I am strong
Whatever I'm going through I'll overcome it
Because I'm with you (you're with us) all along
Dear myself,
I remember that I am loved +
And finally, after a long time of being lost On, Hong and the black dragon are found.
They found the place to call home.
The place where they could be themselves.
The people who love and care for them.
And the person who will never judge and mistreat them.
They felt loved.
With that in mind, they didn't notice that they fell in deep slumber.
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After the song, Lily and Basen decided to go to their respective rooms with their bloodshot eyes.
Cale on the other hand decided to stay in the room while reminiscing who and how he first heard it.
With that, a record/memory unknowingly played in his mind.
"Hey Kim Rok Soo! Don't just sit there doing works until you pass out. Let's find the team leader and tease him"
Kim Rok Soo sighed as Choi Jung Soo suddenly came to his desk and was helplessly pulled to their team leader's office without the chance to talk.
"He must be busy" KRS said seeing how nobody answered no matter how long they knocked.
"Meh, I'm sure he's there and just sleeping. Here, I have some spare key" CJS said while waving a key in his hands surprising KRS
"How did you have that?" He asked.
"Well, I secretly made a copy when I borrowed the original ones, aren't I smart?" CJS playfully said as he opened the door.
The moment the door opened, a gentle melody was heard and LSH is seen peacefully sleeping at his desk. His eyes are puffed that indicated that he cried.
"Team Leade--!?" KRS covered CJS's lips before he finished his sentence.
"Shh, he's sleeping. Let's just go" KRS said while pulling CJS outside while the latter was confused .
"I am not asleep just enter," They halted when they heard LSH's voice.
"Woah team leader! I didn't know that you like songs like this huh. Are you sad? Don't lock yourself here and let's just drink instead!" CJS said upon noticing the music and LSH's face and playfully put his arm on LSH's shoulder.
"Hah, you really- nevermind fine let's go after work" LSH shook his head.
KRS just stood there because he knew that even though he said he won't go, they will make him go regardless.
With that, Cale got back to reality as he heard the soft snore of the children.
"Hah, to think I would remember that" Cale just shook his head before closing his eyes and forced himself to sleep not wanting to remember other things that would make him vulnerable.
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A/N: I am back! I can't believe it has been months since I updated this. I am sorry for the late late update everyone! I am busy with studies and other personal matters are but at least here we are!
Thank you so much for waiting and your suggestions, comments and votes guys! I really appreciate it.
I am sorry if there are some events here that are not that good since it is honestly rushed T.T but I will edit it after I have time but please don't judge me.
Thank you for reading and see you in the next chapter! If you want to suggest some chapters, Wiki, AU, or Song Fics feel free to do so and I'll take note of it. Thank you for reading!