Elder brother

Resting for a bit while eating the fruits, as they sit beside the bonfire in the moonlit night-- it sure was peaceful.

In the air there was a strange tension, while August was struggling whether he should ask the young dragon about his past to satisfy the curiosity within himself or let the things be as he doesn't know what wound of the young dragon he might poke unknowingly.

but it wasn't late when, Noir himself cleared the air and said,

" I - I am sorry that you got dragged into my mess again. "

" Why do you keep apologizing? That was.... my decision you know. " Letting out a Chuckle he said,

" Besides who knows which calamity might befall you if it weren't for me huh? "

" Agh... You know you would be a pretty decent guy if it weren't for this smug attitude of yours," Noir replied with a smirk.

" Agreed! " Nodding gently he replied with a smile. In that light mood he chose to ask him and said,

" So can I ask you a question? "

Closing his eyes as Noir frowned saying,

" I know what you might be thinking, since you saved me twice now. It would not be right for me to keep secrets from you.

It's not that long of a story because I don't know his motive behind all this. I could just never comprehend what he might gain from all this. "

" By he, you mean your elder brother?, right?" August asked.

Holding his weighing heart the boy replied,

" Yes, his name is Darious. He was born with an underdeveloped wing. Therefore, father never let him do anything that might hurt him or he was uncomfortable with. He wasn't fit for flight and even his transformation into the draconic form was pretty late.

He was an independent child, both father and mother loved him dearly, or so I was told by father since our mother died a few months after I was born.

He never showed any interest in talking to me, looking back I can even say that he never cared for me.

I don't know if he resents me for mother's death or being declared as his successor by our father.

The fact that our father consulted him before doing so and he even agreed, his betrayal becomes much more confusing.

No matter how much I keep looking for reason, the only thing that I can remember is the traitorous face of his, hiding behind that Wyvern king, on the day our kingdom fell.

Aghhhh..... I don't know what to do anymore. I can't even save myself let alone leading the survivors of the dragon clan. "

At this time while looking at the young dragon August doesn't feel like he was seeing the usual, positive and energetic boy but the look on his face seemed like a mature person burdened with a lot of things like, a role of leader as well as guilt. Clearing his throat August said trying to bring up his morale,

" Don't you think you're too harsh on yourself?

Everything is fine until you are, right? and it's not like you are alone. And for the leader thing, let me ask you something first. "

" W- what's that? " Asked Noir with a hint of curiosity.

He said as he frowned letting out a deep voice, " what do you think about revenge? Do you wanna kill your enemies? "

Watching the seriousness on his face, somewhat frightened. It wasn't very long since he knew August but the look he saw on the face of the human boy talking seriously about revenge, was something he'd never seen before.

Turning his gaze away, the young dragon gulped and said, " I - I am not sure. Well I would like to, but how can I possibly kill those bastards I am not strong enough..... besides it's not like I can order them to march towards their deaths when my people's daily lives are threatened. Seriously if I have the chance to avoid conflict on the condition to give my people a better life I'd take that. "

The determination in his expressions as well as the words he spoke were enough to make August imagine the situation where he had to choose between the revenge and to move on. The thought of how that emotion might feel lingered in his consciousness for a while. Shortly after the righteousness of a young heart took over.

' Revenge? That's right. It's not a good thing. What would one even gain by taking revenge?

An eye for an eye, the whole world would be blind soon. '

In order to connect with the emotions of the boy in front August tried but he was unable to even visualise the painful situation.

Imagining his loving family die? -- this wasn't something a child or anyone should be thinking about.

The thought of reuniting with his parents soon made him forget all of the pain he had gone through the past of the days or months in other words.

He replied as he smiled proudly at the young boy saying,

" Yep! That's there, a good leader always prioritizes his people over his own emotions. One has to let go of his personal agendas over the betterment of his people in order to become a good and respected leader.

and judging by it, you will make a fine leader. So cheer up, kiddo! " he said while gently slapping Noir's back.

" And also revenge isn't a good thing to desire for a boy like your calibre, you have the potential to achieve greater heights."

" I don't know about me but you sure are good at consoling people huh! Big bro " said the young dragon with a chuckle.

In that moment of light heartedness the young dragon gritting his teeth said,

" only if my traitor brother was like you, the only thing weighing my heart down is that bastard betraying us.

I want to give him a good smack in the face and ask him....

.....Why? "

--------

" Traitor huh? Now! Now! That's not how you should address your elder brother, Dear Noir! "

Said a distant shadow- like figure as it was slowly approaching them.

August and Noir immediately stood up alert and kept their guards up.

" what? How? I didn't sense anyone nearby... So how come he? " August said with a worry some expression.

" It's not your fault, he is always like this... his mana levels aren't much to be sensed " Noir replied as though knowing the identity of the intruder.

The moment that shadow came in light of the bonfire as soon as he recognised him and said,

" w- why? you traitor....

----why did you do it ?

---why did you betray our father? ....Darious? "

With that it became obvious for August who the boy standing before him was....

Smiling wickedly, as he removed the part of the black robe covering his head, he said,

" like i would tell you everything if you keep asking like that. "

Before them, stood a boy of a small stature , about a year or so older than August. Sparkling brown eyes of his, the blonde silky hair up to the shoulder.

The more his eyes were shining the more they seemed hollow, With a smile conflicting with the expressions he was carrying on his face.

As he watched the two siblings shooting the gazes filled with anger at each other August, suddenly felt the presence of soldiers, surrounding them in that instant hiding in the darkness.

' five, No eight of them. And they aren't any regular soldiers... Judging from the mana pressure this place now is exuding these may be specially combat mages, Wyverns on top of that. Noir isn't ready and I'm not fully recovered yet. It would be difficult to escape from here. So what should I do? '

" Are you done asking questions? Then hurry up! Come with me and do as i say little bro. "

Darious said to Noir as a strong wind passed by him leaving his right arm that was underdeveloped from birth, exposed. Without wasting a second he quickly covered the lacking part of his strength in the cluster of that cloth.

Looking at August as he received a smirk of confidence from the human boy raised his morale and with that replying to the intruder Noir said with the unwavering confidence emanating in his voice,

" If you think you can order me around like that, then you are heavily mistaken. "

With that, the surroundings grew silent for a moment.

Breaking that moment of calmness Darious replied as his voice grew deeper,

" I see, so you have no intention to surrender huh?

I was just hoping that you'd come with me if you want to remain unharmed, that is. "

Making himself more serious and clearer he said,

" For what happens next, do not blame me---- "

As the two of them talked, more like giving warnings to each other, August stood quietly as he observed the intruder before him.

" Pardon, I am in no position to speak between you brothers I know but can you tell me why you are dead set on killing your own flesh and blood? ", August asked interrupting the conversation.

Being interrupted Darious lashed out,

" what? Who the hell even are you? Or why should I tell you anything huh? ..... Scram already, you filthy human scum---- "

" Enough! Don't dare to badmouth the person who saved me Darious! -- if you want to live, that is. "

Noir replied with a fierce gaze.

" What? Really? You brat! You dare to stand against me, over a lesser being like him... " Darious said as he was surprised.

The young dragon holding himself back a lot to his older brother said, " he did for me what you should have done "

Enraged by the words, throwing his left hand Darious said, " Enough! Noir, don't compare me -- to that lowly creature, what could he possibly do that I can't? "

Coming out from the shadows one of the soldiers-- dressed in all black -- he looked more like an assassin than a soldier----putting a hand on Darious' shoulder said, " that's enough dragon, we gave you -- your chance to talk with your brother but you were unable to make him surrender. "

" No-- wait I ---- " Darious retaliated.

" I said that's enough! " Giving a hand signal to the rest of his comrades, the soldier pushing Darious back, drawing two shiny daggers, which he imbued with mana --made them even more dangerous. Heading the signal sounds of withdrawing blades echoed from all around.

The foe standing before August wasn't someone beginner or ill co-ordinated like Valmunt, well he was a commander but his attacks weren't as polished in his human form. He was more confident in his dragonfire so that he let his guard down too much. That was the reason for him to die.

But the soldier in front of them was like a professional judging from his stance. An assassin sent to eliminate the target, trained and Wyvern on top of that. And the most difficult part was that, there were seven others like him waiting in the darkness for a perfect chance to strike them down.

Making his killing intent to be seen directed towards the young dragon made the boy tremble. When Noir was about to fall backwards by that pressure, a hand supported him from behind making him regain his morale as the human boy stepped up in between the assassin's gaze protecting the young dragon.

To the surprise, Darious' eyes widened watching the human protecting his brother.

Giving away a last warning like a formality the man said, " human! You have no business being here, step aside and we will allow you to keep your life. "

" I've heard that line a thousand times now, you bastard " August said with a mocking smirk.

The man chuckled saying, " well it doesn't matter, you are going to die anyway. "

Tapping on to him from behind Noir said, " what are we going to do? "

August replied to him with a whisper, " when I give you the signal, Run "

With that unfinished or rather no plan August jumped on a fight that he knew he'll never win, not when there were scars from his previous fight.

His wounds were healed or regenerated but the pain was still there more than the injuries there were surges of backlash from using that unknown power too much.

*****

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO :

PYRAXIA CITY : CAPITAL OF KINGDOM DRAGONIA

The sun was about to set after a warm day, looking at the sky above anyone could say that this was a rather calm and peaceful day but for the people below, it was nothing more than a nightmare. for the soldiers of Draconic kingdom, which was at war with the kingdom of Wyverns at that time.

' The Legion ' -- an assembly of five superior races which included dragons and Wyverns excluding humans, had agreed to not fight among themselves despite having generational friction between most of the clans/races.

But the most aggressive one that was also settled by the longest set of rules and regulations was between Dragons and Wyverns.

Wyverns, as they received support from the kingdom of Pearlheart, a human kingdom, gave them the push they required to stand up against the dragons.

While it was forbidden to involve outsiders into legion ( including both dragons and Wyverns ) affairs, Wyverns broke the treaty regardless of the rules and waged war on the Draconic kingdom.

As the two great kingdoms fought to the ruins of one another, the rest of the clans stood by and watched them meddle among themselves because it was more amusing and profitable to them this way.

After twenty days of continuous battle, the war came to an end and the results weren't in the favour of dragons.

The last day :

The dragon forces have fallen.

The capital is burning with the flames as high as though trying to reach the gentle, calm sky. The smoke and dust covering the corpses of dead soldiers. The essence of death as life was being sucked with the last breath of fallen dragons still lingers in the space above. The smell of burning wood, flesh and blood as there was no building or structure that remains unharmed.

Primals or sentients, Wyverns or dragons, friend or foe, there was no difference between the lifeless corpses of giant creatures fallen to the inevitable. Destruction followed the gazes of living, darkness of death still lingers, haunting the ones left behind.

A tragedy, that should've kept its distance from the living, a depthless groove of destruction that never should've unraveled itself. Poets, warriors and even the greatest minds aligned with this one thought,

' this should've never happened '

The Dragon King Aurelion with two spears being pierced in his chest and with a lost hand continues to stand against the enemy with the tip of his sharp double edged sword pressed against the ground, supporting him to stand proud even in the face of death.

As he successfully managed to send his younger son somewhere far from the battlefield ensuring the future of the dragonkind.

The Wyvern king Verothyx looking at the smiling face of his respected foe, he said enraged,

" still smiling huh? Why are you like this, wicked dragon? Don't you understand you lost the battle, your people died and you-- yourself are going to die.

You might be wondering who gave us all your military secrets huh? It was your son Aurelion, your own son.

Your own blood betrayed you, your people abandoned you, those who stayed, died beside you, so what is that huh? What is that you are still proud of?

You always looked down on us, on me. Like we were inferior to you, but now you look at that. The winner who's that huh? Who came on the top killing the real inferior ones? "

Closing his eyes with the last rays of sunlight falling on his face the dragon king smiled politely,

" Verothyx! You're saying that you won huh? What took you to win this fight. A large number of your forces died because of your thoughtless decisions, on the other hand I didn't lose anything. You started the war because of your inferiority complex but I fought it to save my people.

I succeeded, open your eyes and see for yourself. "

The Wyvern leader clicked his tongue and turned his gaze away, since there was a doubt in his mind that the words of the dying dragon were true.

Locking gazes with Darious the dragon king said, " so this is the path you've chosen, take care, my son " .

With the last ray of sunlight gone, the dragon king died standing with his smile of satisfaction intact.

As his lifeless corpse fell on the knees, with him even being surrounded by enemies there was no-one who felt good watching a respected prideful leader like him die like this.

Even, Verothyx inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he acknowledged the gravity of the deeds he had done.

That day he became the personality of admiration for generations to come, not only for the dragon kind but for the wyverns present there as well.

A being to be respected, who stood tall and smiled back at death.

—————