Work Text:
-“and they all lived happily ever after”
As the fireplace crackled, a man sat on the sofa with a storybook laying in his lap. Seeking warmth from the fireplace as well were three rather odd children: a sleepy silver kitten, an already asleep red kitten, and a wide awake black dragon. The kids were huddled up in front of this sickly looking youth, whose face seemed to be depleted of any color in striking contrast to his long red hair. As he finished the story he gently closed the book and set it aside.
“So the kind grandma was just hidden the entire time?” the dragon asked, his blue eyes gleaming curiously.
“Yes, Raon.” the man responded. “After the hunter “ he grimaced before continuing “captured the monster they found out that grandma just locked herself in the attic.”
“Hmph. If I were there I would've found her immediately! And not only that,” he smiled, his black wings fluttering as he leapt off the ground ”a great and mighty dragon like me wouldn't even need hunters help!”
The man chuckled. Silver kitten in front of him looked at Raon as he flew up with a grin on her face.
“You are a dragon Raon, if anything hunter would need your help!” she laughed
As they continued their conversation, the man picked up the sleeping kitten. Raon flew around the room excitedly and started explaining how he would do much better as a protagonist of these stories. Silver kitten agreed with him, nodding her head with an amused smirk, which only contorted in a yawn as they continued to talk.
At first the man was amused as well, but as the little dragon talked, he started using more violent measures, opting to blow up villain lairs and steal their valuables.
‘Who taught this kid to deal with problems like that?’ The man shivered as he placed the red kitten down on the bed. ‘The kids are hanging around too many crazy people, no wonder they are getting ideas like this.’
Making a mental note to limit kids' interactions with dangerous people, the man looked at Raon again, who, without a single care in the world, was zooming around the room, knocking down some books here and there.
“Raon, settle down.” the man sighed, “Don't wake up Hong and go to sleep, I know you're tired too.” He turned to the silver kitten next “You too, On.”
On swiftly got up and jumped on the bed. She laid down next to her brother, closing her eyes.
“Human” Raon started while landing on the bed “Tomorrow I want you to tell me a story again! And with dragons as main characters!”
The man sifted through his memories, failing to recall a story where dragons aren't kidnapping a princess or burning down a village. Their reputation truly branded them as villains, but still, he looked at his little dragon, a dragon who was supposed to burn down cities and spread terror as well, who now was just laying on his bed and allowing a human such as him to pet his scaly head.
“Alright, I have just a story for you. But sleep tight now.” He smiled as he pet him a little more.
The man's hand moved from Raons head to Ons, and then to Hongs.
“Goodnight children.” he wished to all of them as he got up from their bed. “Have sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight Cale.” On responded, her eyes tightly shut.
“Goodnight human!” Raon said too, hoping he would dream of the fairy tales he was so fond of.
Cale glanced at them one last time before exiting the room.
The fireplace crackled as the children fell asleep.
Suddenly a tiny spark from the fire flew out and beelined straight for the dragon child.
‘You think you would do better huh??’ it thought as it circled around Raon. ‘You wouldn't even need the hunter and would blow it all up huuuh?? FINE! Let's see how you do it then!!’
Moments later, the dragon was engulfed in pure white mist, contrasting his black scales. He shifted and turned, almost as if resisting the cloak that was put onto him, but even that stopped as he stilled and fell back into a deep, deep slumber.
The spark revealed its form of a tiny fairy, who had a mischievous grin on her face. ‘Good luck little one, and sweet dreams!’
And the dragon began to dream.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raon Miru could tell that something was very wrong from before he opened his eyes. Still groggy from his sleep, he could tell that the world he fell asleep in and the world he woke up in was an extremely different place.
‘Why is mana fluctuating so weirdly?’ he wondered for a short moment before finally opening his eyes.
What greeted him was… his mother. Raon stilled for a moment paralyzed in shock. Not because he didn't fall asleep in her castle, or because he expected his human and the cat siblings to be next to him. No, what Raon couldn't believe was that his mother was no longer a mirage, but alive.
The once great white dragon Sheritt seemed to be in her best condition right now as she was putting some clothes in his closet. She was breathing. She had a pulse. Raon knew this wouldn't be a mere miracle. He knew that if she, a mother of such a great dragon, couldn't figure out a way to remain alive and was forced to lie down as just a shadow in this corner of the world, then no matter what she or anyone else does now, it would merely be a trick.
He glanced at what seemed to be his mother ‘Is she the reason why everything seems strange?’ he thought, following her every move.
She seemed to hear him shift in his bed, because moments later she turned to face him.
“Oh Raon, good morning!” Sheritt greeted him with a smile on her lips.
Until then, Raon was still assessing and musing over possibilities of this being a dream. But the moment his eyes met his mother's, he knew it was more complicated than that. They were shining so brightly, and were so full of life. So unlike herself.
“It's good that you're awake, I have a task for you.” she said as she left the room.
“Good morning…” Raon responded shortly with an unreadable expression, and followed after Sheritt.
“I made some jam and apple pies,” she said as she took the basket from the table and handed it to Raon who accepted it wordlessly. “Take these through the forest and give them to Cale, but be careful on your way and don't talk to any strangers or get lost! Also look on both sides of the road even if it's an old one, you never know when something might pop up.” She said, worry painting her face for a brief moment.
“And before you leave have this breakfast with me, I saved one apple pie just for you to eat now." She pulled him to a chair at the table, showing him to his seat in front of which was a nice and warm apple pie just waiting to be eaten.
However, as soon as she said Cales name, Raon stopped listening. ‘Of course! Human would definitely know why suddenly everything changed, and why my..mom is real.’
He swiped the basket in a hurry, not even giving his seat a glance “Alright then, I'll be off!”
“Wait Raon, your breakfast!” She whipped her head and followed him to the door.
“I'll eat with human!” Raon responded, deciding that meeting Cale right now is a number one priority, he can always eat after they figure out what is going on.
Sheritt sighed “Alright, but promise me you'll be careful. I love you, bye!” She said as she looked at his small backs getting farther and farther away.
“...I love you too mom!” Raon quickly responded, and flew away even quicker, not waiting to see her reaction. Lord Sheritt waved, with a small blush on her cheeks and a huge smile. She went back inside, still worried if her child would get hungry on the way to Cale.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as he was out of the castle, Raon looked around the forest. The castle's position was a bit different than it was before, but fortunately he knew the way back to rock villa from here as well. Although the journey would have him pass through the entire forest of darkness, Raon wasn't afraid of the dangers his mother warned him about as he would simply fly away.
He took notice of the basket he was handed. A picnic basket, with a blanket covering it, making sure everything inside it was safe and sound. Raon raised up the blanket to check what was inside: indeed, just as his mother said two freshly baked apple pies and some jam greeted him. The great dragon lord was exceptionally skilled in making jam, so its color made him want to take a taste. From plum jam to rosehip jam, Raon knew how tasty they all were and only was able to hold back from eating them because he knew Cale liked them too.
However, just as he was about to cover the basket with the blanket again, he noticed a little sparkle behind one of the jams. He swiftly moved the jar and behind it found a tiny winged… elf? He could look at it only for a second before it dashed behind another jar.
Raon took this as a challenge and started playing hide and seek with the little elf thing “I won't hurt you so come out” he said in a calm voice. “Here, you can even have some of the apple pie, I'm sure my human won't mind!” He said as he raised another jar.
“Ugh enough.” The sparkle flew out of the basket. “I planned to observe you for a little longer but you just had to check the basket.”
“Why would you observe me?” Raon asked before coming to a realization “Oh i get it,” he smiled “you wish to admire a great and mighty dragon such as myself. I've seen how amazed elves are at me so I won't stop you then” he raised his chin up, and closed his eyes, smirk not leaving his proud figure.
“You foolish child, I'm not just an elf, I'm a fairy!” newly identified being pouted “and if anyone should be admiring it should be you! Look at this world, isn't it a perfect replica of the real one?”
‘foolish child…’ Raon stood still before the other words slowly registered in his brain. “Wait, replica? So you're the reason the things are so weird all of a sudden”
“No I'm not, you are! You just had to run your mouth that you would reach the story's conclusion faster than the protagonist.” fairies eyebrows furrowed. “Lets see you do it then dragon, I expect you to blitz through saving the princesses and slaying the monsters with ease.”
“Hmph” now it was Raons turn to pout “I still don't get what your point is but don't underestimate me little elf, I am great and mighty Raon Miru, and I've seen worse than anything you can try. Also, aren't you unfair? Just because I'm better than your ‘protagonists’ doesn't mean you have to trap me in… wherever this is.”
“Its your dream technically but I'm in charge, which means I'm cooler than you by default” Raon rolled his eyes. “Oh, we'll see if you'll have that attitude until the end” the fairy flashed a mischievous grin “and don't expect me to go easy on you, since ‘you've seen worse’ you won't encounter little harmless wolves. I'm leaving now, I have a feeling it would be too annoying to follow you. See you at grandma's house,if you make it.” the little light shook as the sounds of snickering escaped from it.
The fairy was pleased with what it achieved and started vanishing in the air, before remembering to correct Raon one final time “AND FOR THE LAST TIME I'M NOT AN ELF!” With those words the light finally got extinguished, leaving the black dragon alone in the forest.
“Mean little elf.” Raon stuck out his tongue to the place the fairy was previously in.
The meeting with the fairy was valuable for him, because he finally had some understanding of what was going on. He angered the fairy and now he had to live as a fairytale protagonist? Maybe he should anger fairies more often if this is the result.
Still, he had to restart his journey, but this time not just to get out, but to see what sort of challenges the fairy would throw at him. He excitedly fluttered his wings and flew towards the rock villa, rushing to get to the story that fairy promised he would experience.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An old tower sat on the clearing of the forest of darkness. Even though it was the only building in the vicinity, it somehow completely matched the scenery it was put in, with its old stone construction and gloomy look matching the overall ambiance of the forest. The tower was overgrown with thorns and had no visible entry, except a little window on the top. It was completely unapproachable and overall impossible for anyone to live in it.
Yet, a person sat right on that tiny window, and gazed down from the tower. She had red hair, which greatly resembled a rose, both in texture and color. Her face was one with gentle features, contrasting her expression which was cold and contorted into something between apathy and boredom. Behind her, in the tower, lay an array of papers and notes, all having some sort of calculations and formulas on them.
“I wouldn't survive that jump.” She sighed and turned back around to her papers.
“Will I ever be able to leave?” She whispered coldly as she clumpered a paper and threw it in a bin. “They didn't forget me did they?” She laughed before turning to her food rations, which seemed to never run out, even though she's been here for a long, long time.
She couldn't know if anyone would save her or if she was forgotten. However, the fiery haired youth knew one thing for certain.
‘I’ll burn this place to the ground.’
This person wasn't in this tower for being a criminal or anything of the sort. She was imprisoned simply because she started showing more interest in mana and magic than her duties as a princess. The solution to her change was to send her away until she was ready to become a proper princess. It only backfired for the most part, because the woman started idealizing everything around her burning in flames as she spent every waking thought thinking of how to make her dreams a reality.
However, today she realized once again how far her escape was. She was always a detail away from succeeding and right at this moment, that detail cost her so many hours of planning and calculating, leaving her drained of all energy.
‘I'll rest for today, there is always a tomorrow.’ she sighed, sitting down at her paper filled desk.
There was always a tommorow..
But just as she was about to put her head on the table and close her eyes, something she could never even imagine happening happened.
“Hello?”
Rosalyn shivered as a childish voice rang through her tower.
‘Oh great, now I'm hearing things,’ she thought as the voice carried over to her.
“Smart Rosalyn? Is that you?” The voice continued a bit more excitedly.
Rosalyns head whipped up and her eyes scanned the room. Indeed, there was nothing that could make such noise around nor was there magically a child with her. She laughed at herself for a moment before turning to the window and finally noticing the source of the sound.
“Hello!!” Raon zoomed happily in the room.
‘A dragon…’ Rosalyn sat down again. A dragon, a small black dragon was flying in front of her window. She couldn't believe her eyes. “Hello, great and mighty dragon.” She greeted sheepishly, unsure if she had to bow or not.
Rosalyn has always felt deep admiration and love for these beings, and as a wannabe mage they were a great source of intrigue and wonder for her. She found it ironic that she would meet one in the place which was supposed to make her abandon magic. Still, a dragon! There was hardly any place a person could meet one. Even mages who live for a century can only fantasize about meeting one, so right now Rosalyn felt like the luckiest person in the world. ‘Maybe being imprisoned here was secretly a blessing. ‘
‘That elf bastard, how could he make smart Rosalyn not remember me!’ Meanwhile, Raon didn't hear her thoughts, only thing he knew was that Rosalyn was in front of him and that she was somehow involved in that wicked elfs ploy. Raon pouted, ‘so everyone I meet will be a different person. That elf is truly the worst.’
Raon scanned her room ‘This tower… I guess she's supposed to get out from here. The princess in the story was saved by a prince’ Raon remembered ‘but thats not how Rosalyn should be saved! She is the type to blow it all up and never turn around!!’ Raon started swifting through his stuff and looking for something that could help. He only had the two pies though and jams, nothing like a mana stone she would need. The elf wasn't in the basket either like it was the last time. That's when he came to another realization ‘...or would she blow it up?’
Was this Rosalyn the smart Rosalyn he knew? Could her temper have changed because of the elf? He thought back on his mother, indeed she went through changes too, so who's to say Rosalyn didn't.
While he looked around Rosalyn stayed in place unsure what to do. He started flying around her room, so she moved to the side ‘It’s really small’ she thought.
The crimson princess also noted how the dragon called her by the name and shook at its intelligence. She didn't even want to question how she got on the dragon's radar, but being called “smart” by such a being brought a smile to her face.
“Smart Rosalyn” Rosalyn sharply looked up hearing the nickname “why are you here?”
Rosalyn closed her eyes and chuckled. “Well, let's just say some people aren't fans of how I do things so they had to send me away.”
“How you do things?” He asked.
“How a princess like me is interested in magic and such” Rosalyn answered more confidently. “I'm meant to stay here until I become a proper princess and forget about ever becoming a mage.”
“That's wrong of them!” Raon flew towards her “You are one… you're supposed to be one of the best mages around!” he ranted “keeping you away is unreasonable! I'll go and have a talk with the elf, how could he do this to you!” he yelled, fluttering his wings as if getting ready to leave.
“An elf? I don't think I've ever wronged any elves?” She mused.
“This elf is wronged just by breathing! It's an unreasonable little thing… and i don't know where it's hiding now.” Raon slumped down.
Rosalyn took a step towards him. This dragon had a diffrent… vision of her situation. She didn't know what anything had to do with elves but she was happy that he seemed like he wanted to help her. Rosalyn saw in this dragon a child who wished to assist her in his own little way, but just his company now was more than she needed.
“Don't worry, great dragon,” she patted his head, and through respect and fear managed to look at him with fire in her eyes “I will get strong enough to leave one day and burn this entire place to the ground” she said.
The little dragon looked at her back ‘this is Rosalyn! The smart Rosalyn i know!’
He looked at her with a grin “Why ‘one day’? You're getting out now. I wish I had some mana stones to give you with me right now but I'll go find…” just as Raon was about to finish his sentence, he noticed his basket getting heavier. He opened it and, among the jams and pies, found some of the highest quality mana stones. Raon stood confused for a moment before noticing Rosalyns gaze on him “... I must've had some, here you go.”
Even more confused than him however was Rosalyn. “Mana stones… MANA STONES?”
“Yes, here you go!” Raon shoved the stones in her hands.
Rosalyn awkwardly juggled the stones. “I… I only read about this sort of thing, I don't know how to actually use them.”
“Well at least you know the theory, once you start using them you'll get the feel for it, trust me you have it in you! Try it!” he smiled so brilliantly, she couldn't tell him no.
All of this happened so quickly. A random dragon came to her window and offered her a way out. She would be damned not to take this opportunity though “Alright. Let's blow this shit up.” She smirked “Would you mind keeping me in check though? I'm still not sure if I'll do it right.”
Raon wagged his tail “Of course I'll stay!! Now come on!”
“Don't be so impatient.” She chuckled and gave a cold look to mana stones and placed them into a bag. She took one stone in her hands.
As she held the stone Rosalyn tried to reach deep in her stagnant mana. She felt like mana stone was reaching deeply in her soul, but found only a bottomless pit. Beads of sweat started forming on her forehead as she struggled to use the stone.
However, a small paw landed on her shoulder and suddenly it felt so… easy. Until that moment she had been constantly repeating theory, how to activate a stone and how to activate her own magic. But now… it felt so pointless and stupid.
She really did have it in her, she felt her mana pouring in a magic stone like a raging torrent, pouring out uncontrollably, and finally, she crushed it.
The tower. She crushed the tower. A huge explosion occured right in front of her and a side part of the tower was demolished. Rosalyn raced down the makeshift staircase and jumped down on the grass.
She looked towards the tower. She laughed. She laughed maniacally. “Finally, FINALLY!” She yelled through her joy and she took another mana stone. She charged it again, but this time she didn't need Raons help. Rosalyn blew up the other side of the tower too, and she kept firing at it and smiting it until there was nothing but smoke and dust left.
She turned to the dragon, who she couldn't focus on until then and handed him the rest of the mana stones “Thank you great dragon. I haven't asked for your name yet.”, she looked at him expectantly.
“Keep the mana stones, i got them just for you anyway. And my name is…” He looked at her somberly, “My name is Raon.”
“That's a good name Raon” she stored the stones in the bag “Thank you. I'll never forget this! And I swear to you, I'll become the best mage in the world and blow up every tower that exists.” She vowed, the smoke from the tower not faltering for a second.
“I don't doubt you.” Raon chuckled. “Well, my human is waiting for me, smart Rosalyn, so I have to leave. But I'll remember what you promised! Goodbye!”
Rosalyn didn't want to keep such a great and powerful being away longer than necessary. Still she felt sad seeing his figure become smaller and smaller “Goodbye Raon!”
Raon turned back one last time and looked at the bag with mana stones. His expression turned serious. ‘I didn't have any before that moment, I'm sure of it. I even checked if the elf planted something but…’
However, Cale waited for him and that elf was at his house, so he couldn't dwell longer on it than necessary. Raon continued his journey and flew straight to his next adventure.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In an old villa at the end of the forest, rested a red haired youth. The man was asleep with a book opened on his lap. The book looked peculiar however, as a little light was lazing around between its words and lines. The light, however, dimmed only for a moment, as if it tried to match sleeping man's breaths with its glow, before it continued to shine just as it had before.
However, the light flew up in panic at that moment and checked its body.
“No way, that dumb dragon figured it out already.” The fairy was bewildered. “Maybe it was just an accident. Yeah.” It flew around the room in panic “Yeah, he's too dumb to do it on purpose. Besides, it was just one, small thing, I bet he didn't even notice.”
It waited a couple seconds more, and when nothing happened it finally let out a sigh of relief. The fairy returned to its place on the book.
Suddenly, the grand doors creaked and boots carefully stepped on the wooden floor, their footsteps announcing their presence throughout the house. The sleeping man was completely oblivious to the intruder, but the fairy smiled.
“The monster is here.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raon continued flying for a while longer before he encountered anything of interest. He was still thinking about the elfs games and who he could encounter next and what story they could bring him. He also worried about Cale, who had a role of a helpless grandma and could be attacked by the monster from the story. He shivered ‘I can't let my human get hurt’. Raon rushed forward towards the villa. However, he couldn't fly for much longer because he suddenly noticed something below him. Between the withered bushes and dead trees walked two familiar figures, gray and red hair resting on heads of two scrawny looking children.
Raon felt immense relief recognizing the figures and shouted out “Hyung!! Noona!!”
However, contrary to his expectations the figures didn't open their arms to him. Instead, the taller of the two stood in front and got in a defensive position, looking at Raon with a terrified gaze.
“Go away, we don't have anything to give you!” She shouted.
“On-noona, it's me, Raon!” Raon argued as he stopped in his tracks, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
On looked at him with distrust, her brother shying away behind her in fear. “We don't care who you are, leave us alone!”
Raon backed away. Of course, the encounter with Rosalyn should've prepared him for this. It should've but… his siblings had to be different. He wanted them to know him, just like his mom knew who he was.
Raon met On’s eyes, distrust still clouding them. He looked at his reflection in those clouded eyes. She really did see him, and he looked exactly the same, but she still couldn't recognize him. What if Cale couldn't recognize him either? What if no one recognizes him ever again and he stays forever trapped in this dream with his fake mom, no siblings and a stupid elf.
His basket fell to the ground, pies and jam falling out of it.
‘The basket…’
How did the mana stones appear in his basket?
“Just leave already, you monster!” On yelled, having backed up far away without Raon noticing.
“This is my dream.” Raon looked at the destroyed jars of jam and mush the pies created. “I wish the pies and jam were back in the basket.”
And just like magic, the basket was back in his hands, without Raon even picking it up from the ground. He looked inside, two pies and jars of jam were back in their place.
“Haha… this is MY dream you stupid elf. You underestimated a dragon, of course I'll be able to control my own dream.” Raon laughed.
On and Hong looked at him like he was crazy but they didn't realize the euphoria Raon went through now. “Who says I have to play this by your rules? Just wait, I’ll be sure to hit you in the back of your head.” he said. Naturally, he can do whatever he wants here, it's his dream. He can make everyone remember him, he can summon as many mana stones and as many apple pies as he wants. He's just dreaming.
“Now.” he glanced at terrified On and Hong.
“Go away!” On tried one last time, sensing that Raon was about to do something.
“I wish they remembered we are siblings!”
…
A second.
Two. Three seconds passed.
Raon’s breath hitched as On and Hong stared blankly ahead.
“Noona?” He called sheepishly.
“... Raon, what's the hold up?” She looked at him, a bit annoyed. “Come on, we have to find a place to stay before nightfall.”
Raons smile finally returned on his face “Yes, I'm coming!”
“I hope we can find a shelter soon.” Hong chimed in. “I had enough of staying out.”
“Camping isn't that bad.” On argued.
“It wouldn't be bad if it was camping, but we are just walking in a forest looking for a cave, it's not fun. I want to eat something other than mushrooms and sleep in a bed.” Hong whined.
“I could eat some bread now.” On agreed.
“Or a cookie!” Hong continued
Raon listened in on their mundane conversation. On was mad again, but this time not at him, her brother, but their situation. Hong didn't look at him with fear either, and the siblings continued on their way as Raon watched over them.
Raon noticed something in the distance “Oh isn't that a…”
Hong jumped up “I smell something nice nearby!” He transformed in his cat form and ran in the direction Raon looked at.
“Someone is baking cookies!!” On followed soon after, with her keen sense of smell following the road.
“Hyung, noona wait!” Raon called after them. If he was right, a witch should wait for them in this house and attempt to eat them. “Noona at least spread the mist for us to hide in it.”
“Hurry up Raon! And what mist, just what do you think I am? Don't talk nonsense” They both rushed him.
Indeed, Raon was right. When they approached the building from which the smell was spreading, it was entirely made of gingerbread. However mist being nonsense was a shock to him. It seemed that in the dream, On couldnt spread the mist from her body like she could in reality. That was not something he could never imagine his Noona, and with extension Hyung be stripped off.
‘When I get that damn elf,’ Raon mumbled once again.
“Wow” Hong, clueless to his brother's problems, approached the house, completely mesmerized. “So much food!”
“It looks so tasty!” On followed. Both of them ran to the house and started nibbling on sweats that decorated the walls, doors and windows.
Raon flew towards them but after thinking things over he came to a different conclusion. ‘Oh well they should just eat, what's a little witch gonna do to them?’ he thought ‘I probably won't even have to act here, my siblings are too tough for witches, with or without their abilities.’
“Hmmm, and what do we have here?” An old voice called out. Unfortunately, Raon knew this voice very well.
‘It can't be..’ Raon turned around and oh it could be.
There in front of him, with a benign smile on face and a lemonade in hand, stood a very, very familiar man.
“Lemon gramps.”
“Hmm?” He responded with a hum. In front of the children was a man with gray hair and old features, but his eyes were sharp, akin those of a huntsman. The man was Cales butler, old Ron Molan, who was much more skilled than any butler should be.
‘It was supposed to be a witch?? Why is lemon gramps here, his profession doesn't match at all??’ Raon shuddered.
“Well children” Ron called “if you would be so kind and stop eating my house. My son and I will prepare a nice meal for you instead.”
“Deal!” Exclaimed Hong after stuffing his mouth with a doorknob.
Ron blinked twice at the scene and turned around, acting as if nothing happened.
Inside of the house was nice and cozy, carefully decorated from rugs to tables and couches, everything matched and stood in sync. However, the only non cozy part was the kitchen, and its inhabitant. The kitchen was also completely white, which made the sparkles clash with the rest of the hut. A cook stood above those sparkling appliances and surfaces. He seemed too rigid and his bloodshot eyes were too bloodthirsty for a simple cook.
Of course, Raon knew this man as Beacrox, son of Ron Molan, and he knew how talented this man was in the kitchen. He also knew that most puny humans wouldn't stand a chance in a fight with the father and son for they were incredibly skilled fighters.
“Ah this is my son, he will prepare your meals.” Ron flashed his benign smile once again.
‘If human were here, he would fall unconscious from the fear’ Raon mused.
They saw Beacrox signal Ron something, which prompted the old man to speak up once again “Oh, he has something for you already!”
He brought out a tray full of cookies and put them down in front of the children. On and Hong drooling over the quantity and the beauty of the cookies, so they could hardly wait for the taste.
However, Raon already knew something was wrong. The butler watched them too closely and they had no way of knowing if food had been tampered with. That's why, as a precaution, he mumbled under the table “I wish my Hyung and Noona had their abilities along with the one of turning into a cat.”
There was a pause once again in everyone's movements, before they continued what they were doing. Hong was the quickest, and as soon as he could, he grabbed a cookie and quickly shoved it in his mouth. Then he took another one and another.
“This is delicious.” He said as Ron met his gaze. Moments later, Hong shied away from eye contact and turned to his sister “You shouldn't eat it On, your stomach would get upset.”
Raon and On exchanged a glance before On raised up her voice. “Really? Would you mind showing me what exactly would upset my stomach?”
As she finished her sentence Raon dashed upwards and readied his wings. Without missing a beat, thick fog released from the gray headed figure.
“Oh. Sure.” Hong smiled at his sister and released the poison they were fed in the just created fog. Raon fluttered his wings towards lemon gramps and Beacrox, who until now only watched in shock and awe.
Of course, they dodged the cloud of poison and moved out of the way with incredible ease.
“Hmm. You children have potential.” Ron started “would you like to become my proteges? I can teach you how to use your gifts even better.” he smiled in his warm-hearted way.
“Why would we trust you? You tried to kill us!” On yelled.
“Ah, we can't be too kind to someone who eats our doorknobs can we?” he chuckled. “But still, you kids could be extremely… valuable and we could teach you to get even more in tune with your abilities” Beacrox nodded behind his father, his gaze sizing up the children once more, before going back to kitchen.
“What do you say?” Ron offered his hand. On looked at her brothers and she could see Raon smiling. She was oblivious as to why though, for Raon only thought about his victory.
‘Heh, isnt this easier?’ he smirked ‘instead of fighting befriend the witch1 or better yet, become one yourself!’
However, he could never anticipate the answer which was offered to this invitation.
“I say NO. WAY.”
It wasn't On or Hong who rejected the offer. Raon flew in towards the source of the voice “You damn elf, why are you interfering?” he called out.
“You stupid dragon! What do you think you're doing?? How dare you change my setting this much? You shouldn't HAVE control!” The elf shouted back. “I'm setting things right again. Butler. Cook.” The fairy addressed Ron and Beacrox. “Play your damn role right and capture the siblings!”
A second passed. Ron and Beacrox turned towards the children. “Ah, rules are rules. You shouldn't have eaten our house.” Ron said, pulling out a scalpel, it's reflection hitting Hong right in the eyes.
“Hmph. Who are you to underestimate me, you crazy, extremely below average size elf” Raon snickered, with an evil plan hatching in his mind, he had a perfect antidote to the problem called Molans. “I wish that one of On, Hongs and mine siblings was a man named Choi Han.”
To introduce Choi Han as a genius swordsman would be an understatement. He was always considered as one of the craziest and strongest, but also most trustworthy allies of Cale.
This strong Choi Han also had a particularly ill relationship with the Molans, so even though they were on the same side, they would pick fights and often spar with the intention of killing the other.
That was Choi Han Raon summoned. And that Choi Han saw Ron Molan threatening the lives of his new siblings.
Choi Han only said one thing “Heh. Some people really have a death wish. Who am I not to grant them one?”
In a second the older Molan was disarmed, with Choi Han traveling as quick as a shadow. However, his son guarded his back and cleaved at where the shadow left, which they managed to land a blow or two on. However, none of them were lethal or enough to end someone's life.
Meanwhile, the fairy was left speechless. It turned to Raon and flew directly in front of his face. “You… you… you evil dumb dragon…”
“Just what do you want from me? You asked me to show you how I would change the story and I did. What,” Raon laughed “are you not a fan of witches making apprentices of their victims.”
The elf was mad “Just shut up!” it yelled.
Through its yell, however, the entire sky turned white, soon after walls, trees and leaves turned pale as well. Moments later, Molans, siblings and Choi Han blended in the background.
“What did you do now?” Raon shouted.
“I don't like what you did with this story. Next!” the fairy snapped its fingers.
“What are you-” was all the young dragon managed to muster before getting transported to a castle.
“Heh, change her story! I bet you can't because it's already over.”
Raon looked at the woman the fairy pointed at. He knew her from just a glance, it was kind Mary, a girl cursed with black markings on her skin, but incredibly gifted with dead mana.
That was the real Mary. This Mary was an impoverished girl who was given an expensive dazzling blue dress and glass slippers. She looked uncomfortable though, as she knew all eyes would be on her.
Raon gave the fairy a simple glance and flew to Mary. In a few moments Mary ran outside. The fairy followed in her tracks, but after finding her, it wished it hadn't ever done this scenario. Mary's dress changed owners in those brief seconds as Raon arranged for a buyer to appear. The girl was now donning a black robe, with a hood hiding her face. She held the pouch full of coins close to her chest and smiled as she spoke to herself “I can finally open my own mortuary with this.”
The fairy tsked and snapped its fingers impatiently, as if it's seen too much.
This time they were in the sea, since in the dream they had no need for staying strictly on land. As Raon looked around, he saw their friend and ally, a whale named Witira. She was swimming towards a rather large mermaid, in hopes to exchange her whip and authority for a piece between their two nations. She would also get a permanent human form, and could live and fall in love on land.
However, before she reached the mermaid, Raon wished for Witira to gain a letter full of predictions and details on how the mermaids would use their authority and chase out the whales. Witira snapped reading this, and immediately brought out her whip. She captured the mermaid, who, when pressed for details, confessed the grand mutiny they planned.
“Hmph, as if I would ever allow you to trample on my kind, human or not.” Witira sized up the captured mermaid with a cold gaze.
The fairy was now fuming. It snapped its fingers before completely breaking down in front of Raon.
“You…you… you must hate good story telling!!!” The fairy cried. “How did you manage to ruin every. Single. One. I thought you would follow at least one plot but nooo.”
“What are you talking about? How is it fun to just follow the story blindly and not add your own twist?” He blinked “you're just a tiny winged elf anyway, why is this so important to you that you would mess with a dragon?”
“Because I'm forced to listen to your made up tales and stories. I needed to teach you a lesson,” a tear escaped the faries eyes. “But you just… destroy everything you touch! All the stories got messed up because of you!”
“I'm a mighty dragon! What did you expect, that I would just cower away from you?” Raon shot back, but immediately regretted after seeing where the fairy tore up even more and started sobbing.
Raon felt like he truly didn't do anything wrong. But still, there was no need for someone to cry, even in a dream “Hey. I'm sorr-”
“Just go!” The elf snapped its fingers again.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The scenery switched. The villa, Cales rock villa. Raon noticed the doors were opened all the way and bravely took the step inside.
‘...’ Raon walked the halls in silence, not knowing what was waiting for him. He reached the living room. He was still thinking about how he made the little elf cry, but he couldn't dwell on it too long. He took a deep breath and moved forward
‘Who could be the big bad monster?’ Raon wondered. He could only come to one conclusion, however, he didn't want to get ahead of himself, the elf has pulled many tricks until now.
However, on the table of the living room lay an answer to his question. A jar of cookies, best cookies Raon has ever tasted, was open and ready to be eaten. Raon approached them cautiously. He took a cookie and placed it in his mouth.
“It really is him! White radish!!” Raon yelled with his mouth full..
Raon took the jar with him and went back in the hallway. He continued walking through the hallway. His steps deliberate and heavy, a small dragon walked without fear. He knew the enemy. This was no silly monster or someone he knew. It wasn't a tower or a grandpa. It was a beast, a beast who took everything from him and his family, and continued to try and take even more.
He opened the doors to the bedroom. Cales bedroom. Bedroom where he fell asleep last night and woke up in here. He would finally strike down this evil and be done with elfs nonsense. He walked in. And in waited the White Star.
…In a nightgown.
“Ah child you're finally here.” The terrifying monster spoke… in an obviously faked grandmother voice “come closer so i can see you better.”
Raon was speechless for what felt like the hundredth time in this dream.
“Ah, I see you took the cookies! How are they?” He said, his eyes behind the mask… smiling?
‘Humans and elfs are weird…’ he glanced around the room and looked for the light the fairy usually emitted.
Indeed, the fairy was in the corner of the room and it had a pout on its face, almost as if waiting for Raon to mess up its story again and release him from the dream.
‘What is there to pout about? I didn't ask for you to do any of this, you silly elf.’ Raon briefly thought before finally answering the White Star.
“Yes, I liked the cookies.” Raon responded with a serious tone.
He looked at the fairy again. Then at White Star. Then at the still mad fairy. Then at the obviously-not-Cale-or-a-grandma-White-Star. Raon remembered the fairies' tears and its insistence of Raon having “destroyed everything”. Those words tugged at his heart and he looked at the fairy again. ‘Am I really about to do this?’ Had the show he was experiencing now not been so… pathetic… he would never even reconsider doing what he's about to do.
Raon sighed “Ugh. What different colored eyes from usual you have, human.” He said, dragging out each word showing just how much he didn't want to do this.
The fairy however, peeked at him from the corner. Its expression changed from a pout to one of gratefulness, even showcasing a tear in its eyes.
“It's to see you better, as you're dark and lighter colored eyes help me.” White star smiled again behind his mask.
Raon pretended he didn't hear that reason and continued “And what uhh… different…” he looked at the fairy for help. It however, was enjoying the moment and not paying attention to Raon. ‘Whatever, I won't prolong this anymore.’
“What shiny mask do you have?” he finally said.
“So I can take ancient powers better!” he stopped with the grandma act and dropped his voice several octaves, jumping out in his nightgown towards Raon.
“Oh nooo, I hope a brave hunter saves me.” Raon said, his voice still beyond bored.
Moments later, the doors were broken down. The fairy, enjoying the show, turned to look at the hunter Raon summoned with glee on its face.
It's face fell almost immediately. A man with golden hair and shining blue eyes entered the room. He wore pajamas… and had some sort of contraption in his hands.
‘That's right’ Raon smirked. ‘No one better to end this story than the scammy prince’ he chuckled.
The scammy prince in question was none other than crown prince of the nation, Alberu Crossman.
“Well, don't you look dangerous?” Alberu said before blasting at the White Star.
White Star dodged in his nightgown “Back off your highness, you don't interest me.”
“What does interest you then? My dongsaeng? Where did you even put him?” Alberu shot at him again, his pajama fluttering behind him.
The fairy looked at the scene in horror. ‘Monster masquerading as grandma IS supposed to be in nightgown, but what's with the hunter? Is stupid dragon messing with me again?’
The crown prince and White Star danced around the room for a bit more, knocking things around the room and making huge noise. Raon just watched. He knew “the hunter” would win anyway.
There was, however, someone who couldn't ignore this situation.
“Who's making a ruckus in my bedroom?” Cales voice came from the doorway. Seconds after seeing his hateful doppelganger, Cale activated his shield and blocked his way, making it easier for the crown prince to blast at him. This time he didn't miss.
White Star turned into white dust right away. Raon and the fairy looked at each other. Raon just flashed a smirk ‘heh, you don't know my human, no matter if it's just a dream, he will always go beyond expectations.’
Cale turned his gaze to the dust, then to Alberu and asked with a tired expression “What was that about? Your highness, the light of our nation, likes having pajama parties with the immortal enemy? In my house nonetheless?”
Alberu smiled with his signature scamming smirk “I'm not sure what happened, but I'm equally as shocked that young master silver shield would let someone like that fellow in his bedroom. It's almost like…”
However, suddenly interrupting his speech, Raon rushed into Cales arms. “Human!!!!!”
Cake staggered a bit “Hello Raon, how was your trip?” he glanced at the basket and then at the jar of cookies “Is this all from lord Sherrit?”
“Oh, no, that's what White Radish left behind.” Raon explained.
“You were smart to take them, he does make the best cookies around. Shame these will be the last ones we'll try from him.” he looked deeply in the cookie jar, his look almost regretting getting rid of the White Star.
Crown prince grimaced in the background “... I swear you people will be the death of me.”
Cale chuckled and turned to Raon who patiently waited his turn to speak of his adventures. “Could you hand me the basket please?”
Raon handed him the basket nonchalantly “Yes, there are apple pies. But anyway, human I had an experience only worthy of a great dragon like me. You see when I woke up I…” Raon looked at Cale who took the basket. He seemed to have frozen in the moment he received the basket. “Human?”
A slow clap resonated throughout the room “Good job!” the fairy said with an angry expression and sarcasm in its voice. “You beat my challenge. You are free to exit the dream realm. I guess.”
Raon looked around and noticed everything started vanishing in the same white dust that engulfed White Star. “Wait! What will happen to them?”
“To who? They're just figments of your… well out imagination, they were never alive. They were just characters anyway.” The fairy replied lazily.
“You're a mean elf, you know that?” Raon faced the fairy angirly.
“And you're one…. just leave! And take your crazy stories elsewhere!” the fairy turned away from Raon.
“... You had fun didn't you? Even though I tried to follow your plotline in the end it changed some minor elements, and it became something even better didn't it?” Raon teased, and inwardly counted the seconds backwards to when the fairy would lose its cool. ‘Three, two, one’
“...fun. heh. FUN? WHAT HUNTER HUNTS THE MONSTER IN A PAJAMA? And what GRANDMA helps defeat the monster. What monster and hunter have a.. a COOKIE rivalry??? That's not changing ‘minor’ elements, that's destroying the story!” The fairy raged.
As it wanted to rant longer, Raon interrupted it “But it was fun!”
The fairy looked at Raon in shock before turning its head “... Stupid Raon.”
Next thing Raon knew was that he was back in his bed.
It was morning. The cat's siblings slept next to him and the fireplace was put out. Raon saw Cale sleeping on the rocking chair next to the fireplace.
Raon turned to the bookshelf and saw a faint light going dim.
“Heh. Stupid fairy.”