Questioning

A Dragon flew down from the top of the mountain with blue flames still blazing between his mouths. The flapping of his wings creates a huge wind that blows the leaves into the air. His eyes are blue with a sharp gaze. King of Dragons Erick, his gaze and prestige as a King is evident in his Dragon form. Arriving at the place, Erick immediately changed his original form and showed the key he had managed to get. A key with Aquamarine gemstones, the signature stone of Asteria. The fifth key is now in hand.

"Eric? What explosion just now?? Are you okay??" Andrew asked worriedly.

“Yeah.. no problem.. I just exploded blue flames to burn the storm that was blocking me earlier.. oh yeah Nathanael, that Snow ghost you said.. It is the spirit that guards this key.. It was created by the Alicorn and now It’s job finished. The snow peak has now become an ordinary peak now.." While combing his white hair with his fingers, Erick looked at Nathanael gently and told his experience.

"Is that true?! You met It?" Nathanael asked again.

"Yes.. that's how it is.. the shimmer of the sun when the black clouds fade.. so beautiful.. reflects between the icebergs, you have to stop by there with your people later huh.."

“..of course..” Nathanael turned his gaze to the top of the ice. There is another secret about it that he wants to reveal. Thousands of years of secrets about the clan as well as the land.

“cough cough... using blue fire takes a lot of energy. Now I'm so tired. Can we take a rest for a while..??" Erick's face looked pale even though his skin was white. His eyes also looked tired. He just lay down on the grass, under the shadow of the tree where Adryan sat leaning.

Kkrrr…..

"Whose stomach was that?" Ask Joseph.

"hehe.. hee.." Adryan laughed softly while holding his stomach.

Peter looked at him tensely. Then drag himself... slowly shift where he sat.

"Are you scared?? Yaa..?? whaa I'm hungry.. graaa..!!!!” Adryan joked as he hugged Peter tightly and stroked his hair.

"AAAAAAAAAAAA...!!!!! GET AWAY..!!! SHOO SHOO GET AWAYYY..!!!!” Peter got panic when teased by Adryan so he curled up and covered his face.

"Eyy.. you’re having fun huh.." Erick gently smacked Adryan’s head, asking him to stop.

"Tch..”

"Are you guys hungry too? Or is it just me and Adryan?” Damian asked. Finally he was honest after a while holding his rumbling stomach.

"Gosh.. why didn't you tell me..." the Skystar jewel in Nathanael's crown shone. As whispered He casts spells, summons…

Shhoooo…. Several Pegasus descended from the sky and landed in front of them. Bring each a bag of red apples, oranges, melons and honey which is still complete with the honeycomb. The sweet aroma of ripe fruit is quite tempting. The 8 kings there were amazed because they had never seen Pegasus up close. Their entire body and wings are pure white with a dark blue mane and tail.

“Thank you…” Nathanael bowed to the Pegasus in gratitude. After neighing in answer to their King the celestial horses were back in the air.

Andrew took the initiative...

"Blue indigo turquoise,green white.. Our god Neptune, bless us with Your grace.. An abundance of fresh and soothing water.." Andrew chanted a spell as if praying to his God. Drops of water slowly appeared, gradually becoming a lot of lumps in the air.

Erick smiled as he fiddled with his wrist. He created a large teapot and 9 glasses made of crystal. Andrew understood and placed the water he had collected into the teapot that Erick had just made. Now they have got fruit to eat and water to quench their thirst.

“… ngh... but the fruit isn't enough to fill my Magia…” Ryota was lethargic, the Fox also ate the fruit but his tiredness after moving around made him want to eat meat.

"What do you think about me? I can't even eat fruit..” Adryan stood up and went down to the river below where they had gathered.

“Oii Dragon, do you want to come or not? Can you really eat fruit and honey?”

"Oh, uhm... I can, but I'm not in the mood.. I'll just go with you." Erick followed Adryan's steps. Ryota also joined but Adryan stopped him.

"Oi Fox, you don't need to come, make a bonfire and wait for us there, okay?"

"I don't have to come? Okay.." Ryota tilted his head and agreed with Adryan's suggestion. He then collect dry wood to make a bon fire. Cyrus and Damian accompanied him because they didn't want the Fox to work alone.

"So..tell me, Adryan Dawson..

How did you hunt them?” while perched on a low tree branch by the river, Erick asked Adryan.

“In Draecorona you prey on them too right? I'm also curious how you hunt..

For us.. HUP..!!” Adryan ignited electricity from his fingers and then shot a carp that was hiding behind a rock.

Bztt.. CEPYAKK.. CEPYAKK.. the fish that was electrocuted died and Adryan picked it up easily.

"I thought you would use the traditional method..

Fuuu….” Erick exhaled his cold breath, freezing the river water so that the fish in it were trapped and easily caught.

"if there is an easy way why use the hard one"

In just a short time the carnivorous pair collected their prey. The average fish caught were carp and salmon.

Smoke rises as the half-beasts grill the fishes they catch. The water and fat dripping from the grilled fish produce a hissing sound as they fall into the fire. The more cooked, the more tantalizing aroma spreads. Peter split and peeled the fruit with his silver knife. Nathanael, who doesn't like apple skins, peeled the apple he wanted to eat himself. The clean leaves that Joseph collected contained the sweet honeycomb fragments. Andrew poured water into each of the glasses for them to drink. The peaceful atmosphere at that time made them seem to forget that they were in the middle of an important mission to prevent the destruction of the world.

"Yum.. Yum.."" Ryota voraciously chewed the carp meat that Adryan and Erick had hunted.

"Eat a lot, okay.. if it's not enough, I'll going hunt again" as usual Adryan's tail wagged, He was happy to see Ryota happy.

"Hm hm" Ryota answered briefly without turning his head. The sweet meat of fresh carp was delicious enough. Especially it comes from a clear river.

Kress.. kress.. the honeycomb given by Pegasus is crisp and very sweet. Joseph and Cyrus happily ate it.

“Sometimes, you guys must visit back Nereida huh.. let’s meet at Stadcentra park. There, the fragrance of blooming flowers can be smelled and is very refreshing, you know .. " said Cyrus. The rest of the honey that was stuck at the corner of his lips seemed sparkling.

"ng.. when autumn comes I will take you on a picnic in the Shakumori forest, near my shrine.. the reddish yellow leaves are stunning you know.. drinking jasmine tea and red bean bread feels very good when we sit relaxed under it.." Ryota didn't lost enthusiasm to tell his country. He had forgotten the horrors of the Illusionary Hill and its contents.

"also guys, Asteria has many interesting places to visit you know.. from waterfalls to amusement park.. I guarantee you won't be bored" replied Nathanael who was still chewing the peeled apple.

“.. after this will it started?” Andrew said quietly.

"what started?" Damian asked because Andrew's words were not clear.

“9 clan relations, will it improve that the clans are no longer hostile to each other like before? I don't know why I feel comfortable you know... spending time with you guys like this..."

Everyone was silent, there was truth in what Andrew said. For 2000 years, their generation is hostile and afraid of each other. The scars after the Gate of South war seem to never fade. In their hearts the 9 clans hated each other and avoided meeting each other. But now, the 9 kings gather to eat together and even invite each other to stop by to see the beauty of their respective countries.

“Andrew..

I know from the start you are not afraid of me and Adryan .. because there is nothing to be afraid of us. During the war everyone rages and kills each other regardless of friend or foe. Not only Dragons, Beasts, or Kitsune... even the sacred Demigods use their magic to attack the mind and soul of their opponent right?

It all depends on ourselves and our clan.. whether we want to accept each other or stay hidden in the shadows of fear.. right now I, Adryan and Ryota are proving that we are not that vicious. We are the same as all of you, we all have our own roles in this world to maintain balance.. peace will never be obtained if there is still a speck of hatred in our hearts.. " Erick's explanation was long but explained the truth clearly. Everyone there was silent without interrupting because they acknowledged what Erick said.

"Uhm.. yeah.. sorry Erick, Adryan.. if I was afraid of you guys.. even though you guys are this good .." Peter scratched his head feeling bad. Adryan was mischievous from the start but mischievous who proved that he was not evil.

"No you’re wrong, I'm a big bad Beast you know ... whaa ..." Adryan brought his face, idly at Peter, again.

"UHM your breath smells like fish..!!" Peter pinched his nose away from Adryan's face.

"hahahahaha..." Seeing their abstract behavior the other Kings laughed.

The sun is rising, the sign of the day is getting late in Asteria. They had to immediately continue their journey to the next country. Heading to the west of Arc Chaestra or the northern part of Asteria is Mavr Lykos, the land ruled by Damian.