Chapter 6: Dragon and Princess
ONCE upon a time in a land past the forests, past the lakes, and past the ocean to the far, far south of Reverfeat was the Winterless Kingdom.
What the heck is this?
The sun’s rays were blindingly bright and the shimmering ocean was a striking deep-blue. Blessed by an abundance of fresh water along with the seas, the land’s air was deeply humid. All the people who lived there possessed ebony skin, black hair, and amber eyes.
I get it. This is his memories. I’m in Dragon’s head right now.
The kingdom was ruled by a beautiful and benevolent queen, and the princess, her heir, grew quickly, showered with unfettered love.
This girl! The color of her hair and eyes are different, but it’s gotta be her. The Spider-tamer Witch who kidnapped Princess…!
The world I’m seeing through Dragon’s eyes is incredibly vivid and detailed, it’s flooding me with an overload of information. I’m so dizzy. What’s going on? It’s like he’s inexperienced? He lacks the same calm he has now.
One day, a red dragon who had embarked on a journey from the Northern Woods alighted in this land. He entered the forest and admired the flowers blooming in profusion. He savored the sweet tastes of unfamiliar fruits and berries growing there.
It was in this forest that he unexpectedly came across the raven-skinned princess who snuck out of the castle. So different were her features from those of the land he came, that she immediately drew his attention. Just as the flowers were different in this land, so too were the bipeds.
“Where did you come from, pretty red scale dragon?”
Since ancient times, the people of the Winterless Kingdom had lived as friends of the dragons.
“I came from a freezing kingdom to the far north, adorable little hatchling.”
Wow, I knew it. He’s green with inexperience—even though he’s a red dragon.
“I’m Inez Mou. My name means the blessing of the sun.”
“You may address me as Spike Scale. My name comes from my spiked, sharp scales.”
“Are you jesting me? Your scales are silky smooth. They’re very nice to touch.”
“Only because I’m with you, Princess Inez Mou.”
Thus, Princess and Dragon became friends. The dragon let the princess ride on his back as he flew over the forests and ocean.
“It’s pretty. Very pretty. You always get to see this view?”
In time, the day came for the dragon to embark on his journey once again. The young dragon wanted to fly all around the world. He wanted to see and learn about many things out in the vast wide world.
So he was born the intellectual type.
“Don’t leave, Spike. Stay with me forever.”
“You have my word, Inez Mou. I will return to you without fail once this journey comes to an end.”
The words of promise they exchanged were undeniably true—at least at the time. As proof, the dragon gifted the princess with one of his very own scales.
“Keep this on you, Princess. By doing so, you and I will be connected no matter how far apart we are.”
“Thank you oh mighty dragon. I’ll treasure it as the dear gift it is.”
Thus, the dragon embarked once again toward the distant horizon. The princess wasn’t the least bit lonely or sad. For through the scale, they were always connected.
“Your scale is very thick and I couldn’t put a hole in it.” The princess had inlaid the dragon’s scale into a golden pendant. “It’s the same color as your eyes.”
“I’m pleased to hear that, Inez.”
The seasons changed during the dragon’s journey.
Then a time came when invaders crossed the ocean to arrive at the Winterless Kingdom. The invaders were ingenious. At first, they pretended to be friendly. But after gaining the queen and her people’s trust, they abruptly bared their fangs.
“Help me, Spike!” Inez Mou sought help from the dragon. “A war has broken out. Someone is watching me carefully from the other side of the dark night.”
“Wait for me, Inez Mou. I’ll be at your side soon, my wings will carry me at my fastest!”
The dragon took flight. Forgetting to sleep and eat, he continued to fly. But where he flew from was simply too far away. Meanwhile, violent, intense skirmishes were taking place within the Winterless Kingdom. And then the queen’s life was shattered by her enemy’s blade.
“I’m so sad, Spike. Mother died.”
“Do not cry, Inez Mou. I’m heading to you now.”
“Come faster. Please. Someone’s watching me. They’re slowly coming closer. I’m sure it’s nothing good.”
Before long, the enemy toppled the castle and the princess’ knight escaped with her.
I’ve heard this story before. These hackneyed events have taken place throughout the world hundreds of thousands of times. Even so…it’s the greatest tragedy to my princess. And to this princess too.
“I’m scared, Spike. Someone’s calling to me. They watch me from the dark of night and whisper to me.”
“I’m almost there, Inez Mou! Do not lose hope, my wings carry me at my fastest. I shall not rest until I arrive!”
The dragon flew with desperation. He continued his flight though his scales fell shredded from his worn exhausted body. Without resting his wounded wings, they grew weaker by the day. Time and time again, he nearly fell into the ocean below. Still he flew on regardless.
It is unfortunate, but even with his great strength of body and mind he didn’t make it in time to save his dearest friend.
“Princess, we should move on to a new hiding spot. I am confident it’s safe there.”
Yet what awaited her at the location her knight had suggested, of all things, was the very enemy that was hunting them down.
“Here, I’ve brought you a present. You’ll keep your word and spare my life now, yeah?”
“Why?! Why did you do this?! Why did you betray me, my knight?!”
“I ain’t your knight anymore.”
“Ah…aah…”
Beaten down to the point of no return by her despair, the princess heard it. She accidentally listened to it—to the voice that had forever been calling her from the darkness of night.
“Come here, Inez Mou. Princess blessed by the sun. Let me inside you.”
“You mustn’t listen to its voice! It is a siren that will bring you nothing but misery! Do not be deceived, Inez Mou!” Dragon warned her through the scale, his voice and the darkness fought inside her head.
“I can’t trust anyone anymore!” The princess ripped off her golden pendant and threw it aside. And in that moment she was swallowed by the darkness through her own choice and became one with it. Into her, she accepted the evil thing wriggling in the darkness of night.
“I won’t forgive them!”
When the exhausted dragon finally arrived, his honey eyes were filled with the sight of his princess dyed in the blood of her enemies and the knight who had betrayed her. Her black hair lost all its color and had turned silver. Blackness of the abyss colored her eyes instead, and her pupils shone red. Shedding jet-black tears, the witch cackled loudly.
“I won’t trust anyone anymore! Knights or dragons! No good exists in this world!”