Bonus Chapter: Dakka and Haalfrin's Casual Chat about Felkin

'Why don't you just find one then?' Haalfrin suggests to Dakka.

'A what again?'

'A Felkin wife!'

Dakka sighs, 'As if it's that easy! Felkin aren't native to this world, so good luck finding one.'

'How did Lord Fheldin find Mistress Arla then?' Haalfrin asks.

'Grandpa and his brother used to travel between worlds together, but Felkin are hard to find. They keep to themselves, you see. But me?' Dakka sniffs back a tear. 'I'm too weak to survive the trip through untamed world gates.'

Haalfrin's eyes twitch at Dakka using an unfamiliar term. 'Untamed world gate?'

Dakka's spirit stirs with interest in the bone ax, and he replies enthusiastically, 'Oh yes! Every world is basically lined up in a long chain with world gates connecting them all. That means every world has two world gates somewhere inside!'

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All worlds are like links in a chain, huh?

'Oh? With another World neighboring my own Home, why do I only know about this world?' Haalfrin asks.

After all, if worlds are lined up in a chain, then every world would have TWO World Gates - not one.

'…' Dakka pauses for a second before he keeps talking, 'Most world gates have such badly distorted space that it would rip apart anything less sturdy than a freaking Mythic dragon, like Grandfather. Sometimes, though, some local gods will figure out how to smooth out the chaotic space tunnels and allow safe passage to anyone, like the Gate between your world and mine.'

Indeed, since normal people can't pass through the 2nd World gate, only the Gate in Brancotte is usable.

'Ah. I wonder where the other world gate in my world is?' Haalfrin asks.

'Dunno. You may never find it either. Sometimes, the gates are 10's of thousands of miles beneath the surface, where the earth is molten magma rather than solid rock. Sometimes, they're at the bottom of the ocean. Sometimes, they're so high up in the sky that there's no longer any air to breathe, and the lack of air pressure would kill you.'

'…So we got lucky that the world gate on this side was simply buried in a mountain,' Haalfrin states.

He feels Dakka's spirit nod.

Haalfrin then asks Dakka again, 'So... is your grandmother the only Felkin in this world?'

'Nah. There's also my aunties.'

'Aunties?' Haalfrin queries, 'No uncle phoenix?'

'What are you talking about? Any naturally born dragons are always born male, and phoenixes are born female.'

'Hmm,' Haalfrin wonders, 'I know the dragons have a curse placed on their species to only have male dragons. Do the Felkin have a similar curse placed on them?'

'I don't think so,' Dakka says. 'Grandma says that Felkin are just naturally like that. They don't normally need males in their species, since every couple thousand years, they burst into a pile of flame. Once they burn up, they're reborn as an infant. Every so often, there are two beings born from the ashes instead of one. Outside of interracial breeding, this is how their population grows.'

Talking about the Felkin seems to put Dakka in a good mood, so he keeps talking, 'Yeah! When 2 children are born in the ashes, the child with the phoenix's original ego is treated as the mother, while the brand-new phoenix is the child. Since Felkin generally live solitary lives, can you imagine how funny it is to see two kids living by themselves, and one of them acting like the mother?'

'Yeah… very funny.'

Haalfrin doesn't actually think it's funny; he's worried about how dangerous that must be for the 2 young Felkin. Their entire bodies are treasures, so their situation must be VERY precarious when even the mother is in such a small body.

For a while, there's nothing to talk about, so they stand in silence. However, Haalfrin suddenly recalls the emperor's orders.

'Dakka,' he asks, 'What would your grandfather do if anyone showed any interest in one of his daughters or tried to take them away for whatever reason?'

'Eh heh,' Dakka laughs. 'Why? You interested? I can't blame you. Felkin are gorgeous.'

'NO. It's not that. In fact, I already have a girl I like right now, but that's beside the point. If your grandma is any standard to go by, there's probably a lot of people wanting to marry them.'

'They wouldn't dare!' Dakka roars, 'Anyone who tries to take his daughters away will be immediately killed.'

'So... extreme? What if they fall in love one day?' Haalfrin points out. 'Lord Fheldin can't just keep them locked up their whole lives.'

'Dude…,' Dakka says, 'Dragons are greedy. Greedy creatures don't let go of a treasure once it's in their hands. Since children are a dragon's greatest treasure, then he won't let go of his children.'

Haalfrin nods. 'Oh yes, I remember that strange "growing up" ritual you guys have – the one where you have to escape from home in order to prove yourselves worthy of being independent.'

'It's the same for finding a mate,' Dakka points out. 'You see, if one of my aunties wants to get married, she either has to escape from home like the rest of us brothers, or her husband has to prove he's strong or cunning enough to get away with her without getting eviscerated by Grandfather.'

Indeed, Fheldin certainly wouldn't feel at peace with his daughters living in another home unless he's sure she's either capable enough to protect herself or that her husband can do it for her.

Either way, capability has to be proven!

Dakka then directs Haalfrin's attention to the beautiful phoenix at the front of the table.

'Now you see that? There are actually far more Aunties living at home than uncles. Grandmother said that a Felkin's brain isn't built like a Drakin's. She said that Felkin aren't as competitive, and they're more reclusive. They aren't interested in "being independent" as often. They usually find hobbies and find ways to entertain themselves.'

'Yup,' Haalfrin remarks, 'With such a lack of interest in the outside world, I can see why most of your aunties don't even bother TRYING to escape. I mean, with your father's wealth to support their hobbies, why leave?'

Dakka then goes off into lala land again, 'That's why having a phoenix wife is perfect! They're beautiful, they won't usually run away, and they're essentially immortal like us! What else could you possibly want from a wife?"

'Uh... affection?'

'Meh,' Dakka blurts out, 'You don't understand!'

'Understand what?' Haalfrin is sincerely confused.

'Uncultured heathen.'

'???' ~ Haalfrin