A Painful Acceptance

Chapter 15: A Painful Acceptance

The crimson light faded, and the portal behind them vanished. Tatsuo and Elira stepped back into the palace of Zaraotheis. Waiting for them were two familiar faces—Zaraotheis himself, and a breathless, eager Velmox.

Velmox rushed toward them. "What happened?! Tell me quickly!" His voice trembled with both fear and excitement.

Tatsuo looked tired but calm. "Nineshin… wasn't evil. He was just trapped. He only wanted freedom."

Elira added softly, "And today, I truly understood the meaning of peace and what it costs."

As they began explaining everything—about Nineshin's parents, the dragons, the betrayal, and the war—Velmox's eyes widened with every word.

"All of that… really happened?" he whispered. "We were so wrong about Nineshin…"

Zaraotheis folded his arms and looked away, guilt crossing his face. "My father… he wasn't entirely evil either. But he poisoned my thoughts for years. I've only now begun to heal from it."

Velmox clenched his fists, his voice now filled with quiet strength. "I thought my goal was power… vengeance… but now I realize—what I want is freedom. Peace. Unity."

Tatsuo nodded. "Nineshin didn't just change the world… he changed us too."

Elira smiled. "Exactly."

She turned to Tatsuo then, her eyes softer than ever before. "I've made a decision."

Tatsuo looked confused. "What decision?"

"I want to go to Earth… and live like a normal person," Elira said gently. "To find what freedom truly feels like. I want to understand love, bonds, and peace in their truest forms. That's something I can't find here."

Velmox stepped beside her. "And I'm going with her. I've had enough of jungle monsters. I want a new adventure."

Tatsuo took a step forward, his voice rising. "You're putting her in danger just for fun?!"

Elira shook her head, her voice steady. "No, Tatsuo. This is my choice. I want this."

"But…" Tatsuo's voice cracked. "But I…"

Zaraotheis suddenly spoke up. "Tatsuo, the Crimson Zone needs a leader now more than ever. Someone strong… someone fair. Someone with a heart. That person is you."

Tatsuo looked down, his thoughts spinning. He was about to lose the one person he trusted the most.

Elira gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "You were never meant to follow, Tatsuo. You were born to lead. Don't worry about me. I'll be alright. This is what I want."

There was silence for a long moment.

Finally, Tatsuo nodded slowly, though his eyes were filled with sorrow. "If this is your wish, Elira… then I'll stay. I'll protect the Crimson Zone."

Elira smiled with teary eyes. "Thank you… I knew you'd understand."

They all stepped outside together. The sun above the Crimson Zone was bright. Maybe… a little too bright.

Later, Tatsuo stood beside his dragon, Sethyrosis.

"I know the truth now," Tatsuo said. "I know who you really are."

Sethyrosis lowered his head. "So… what now?"

"You were the dragon who escaped the battle… the one who tore open a dimension to reach Earth."

"Yes," Sethyrosis said, calmly. "I waited for centuries. I needed someone with Moon powers… someone with a kind heart. That was you."

Tatsuo climbed on the dragon's back. "Tell me your side of the story. I want to know everything… from the dragons' view."

Sethyrosis took a deep breath. "Long ago, when dragons flourished, I was born. My mother, Caraex, named me Sethyrosis. She was powerful, but she died when I was just 45 years old."

"But there was one who cared for me like a parent," he continued. "Moon Goddess Noctira herself. She loved all dragons equally. She gave us hope, guidance… peace."

Tatsuo listened quietly, the wind brushing past them as they flew.

"But one day… it all changed," Sethyrosis said bitterly. "Caraos, the immortal dragon, twisted our thoughts. He made us believe that gods had abandoned us, and our world, Cravion, was dying."

"We followed him blindly. We killed the humans in Crimson Zone. We thought we were saving ourselves…"

He paused. "But when they all died, and the dragons were defeated… I realized the truth. I couldn't face Nineshin. I fled to Earth… and waited for someone like you."

Tatsuo's heart ached at the words. "That war… it changed everything."

Sethyrosis nodded. "No matter how much people say they want peace… they always find reasons to fight."

As they flew higher into the skies, Tatsuo whispered, "But maybe… just maybe… I can change that."

—

Days passed.

The time had come for Velmox and Elira to leave for Earth.

Elira stood at the portal, her eyes watery. She turned to Tatsuo.

"You were the first person… who accepted me. Who looked past my powers and saw me as Elira."

She stepped closer, tears rolling down her cheeks. "If it weren't for you… I don't know what would've happened to me."

Tatsuo didn't speak. His throat was tight. His chest ached.

Velmox walked forward and placed a hand on Tatsuo's shoulder. "Everything… all of this… it was possible because of you. And we'll never forget that."

Elira reached out and pulled Tatsuo into one final, tight embrace.

"I'll find my own path," she whispered. "But I'll carry you in my heart wherever I go."

Tatsuo held back his tears as she stepped away.

"Don't take too long," he finally said, his voice low. "I'll be waiting."

Elira nodded, wiping her tears. Then she took Velmox's hand. Together, they stepped into the portal and vanished toward Earth.

Tatsuo stood still, his fists clenched, his heart heavy.

He looked up at the sky.

"I'll protect this world… for you."

End of Chapter 15: A Painful Acceptance