---
Cendric: (Massaging his backbone where he was punched) Hss… that was severely hard. (To Xylon) You alright?
Xylon: (Lost in a trance, admiring Cendric).
Cendric: Hey.
Xylon: (Snaps back to his senses) Hm…
Jaxton: Who are you?
Cendric: (Head lowered) Cendric Zagaba'd, son of Imuël Zagaba'd. I'm just a nobody.
Jaxton's Peer: How dare you speak to your seniors with your back turned?!
Saeed: (Approaching) Bain'bën Jaxton, here's what you asked for.
Jaxton: Very well. (To Cendric) Back to you. What is your concern in this?
Cendric: [Nothing, nothing, nothing 😱!!] (Straightens) Encounter no evil, Bain'bën. Though we may come from poor homes, determination is our priority. (Turns to them) So, in honour of our dignity, I kindly ask— (raises his head) —that henceforth you do not make things hard for us.
The students gasp.
Jaxton: [(Stunned) He's enchanting.]
Jaxton's Peer 2: (Whispers) He's surely about to be beaten now.
Jaxton gradually stretches his hand towards Cendric.
Cendric: [(Panicking) 😱 What did I do? What did I do?! I cannot let my identity be discovered.]
To everyone's surprise, Jaxton pats Cendric's left cheek.
Jaxton: (Murmurs) It's soft.
Cendric: [Huh? What's he doing?]
The minds of his peers practically explode. Jaxton's hand slides to Cendric's throat.
Jaxton: (Murmurs) And smooth… (He caresses the middle of Cendric's throat with his thumb).
Cendric becomes agitated.
Cendric: (Slaps Jaxton's hand away) On what authority do you have to do this?!
Jaxton: (Snaps back to his senses) I—
Saeed: Bain'bën Jaxton, this is the fellow I had a draw with.
Jaxton: (Glances at Cendric) Him? He doesn't look like one with combat skills.
Saeed: (Calm gaze meeting Cendric's) Not until you fight him.
Cendric looks away from Saeed's nonchalant eyes.
Jaxton: (Folds his arms) If that is the case, I would like to duel him.
Xylon immediately steps in front of Cendric to shield him—someone he does not even know.
Xylon: Nõr, plasõu wël-thee dukhan, Bain'bën. He is no match for your strength.
Jaxton: Era lum sũ leth'un? (Glances from Cendric back to Xylon) Since you insist.
NOTE:
"Nõr, plasõu wël-thee dukhan, Bain'bën" in FõLa translates to "No, please, we beg thee, Senior."
"Era lum sũ leth'un?" translates to "Did you have to step in?"
Jaxton turns to leave, then stops and slightly tilts his head back.
Jaxton: Looking at you now, Xylon, I think you are tolerable—and interesting.
The jaws of Jaxton's peers drop.
Jaxton's cool predator eyes meet Cendric's. Cendric flinches.
Cendric: [Great. As if schooling among dazzling knights wasn't enough—those Senior's eyes are terrifyingly hot.] (Exhales).
Xylon: (To Jaxton) H—
Jaxton does not let him finish and simply walks away.
Cendric: [(Clenched teeth) Peace to this careless dragon of mine.]
Xylon: (Lowers his arms) Why did you help me?
Cendric: There was no reason. Besides, we are all brothers here, so 'tis—
Xylon: Really? (Silent for two seconds).
Without warning, Xylon embraces Cendric.
Cendric: (Stunned) What in the—?
Gradually, Cendric feels the warmth of the hug. He almost returns it.
Cendric: [Apart from Aunt Brielle, I haven't felt an embrace like this in a long time.] (Almost hugs back) [I really want to… No.] (Withdraws his arms) [I cannot do as I please.]
---
At the Red Valley
Beneath the Deepen Ravine — Abode of the Red Shamans
The rock entrance to the Red Shaman's study rolls open.
Madame Raphaela: Who is—? 😃 My daughter… (Notices Raina's devastated expression) …What's wrong?
---
Secret Paths and Passages
In a gloomy, deserted rocky land, sorcerers under the command—bewitchment—of Duke Balin (or rather, Villainous Balin) gather alongside captured, wounded knights. Ahead of them, a massive Energy Wall beams violently as heavy impacts crash against it.
A hand resembling Balin's—though far more miasmatic—presses against the Wall.
Hans: I do not reason that you can pass it. Unless you use a stronger force—one stronger than you and—
A loud groan erupts as Balin yells, the ground beginning to rumble.
Hans: (Glances at the ground, then back at Balin in disapproval) What are you doing?!
THUD! BOOM! BANG!
Different slashes and impacts slam against the Wall.
Hans: You well know that forcing your way through will damage your—
Hans is abruptly gagged by Energy.
Hans: (Muffled, trying to warn Balin).
Reflected on the Energy Wall, normal hands twist into claws, scratching furiously. The scratches deepen—dragon claws tear into the surface. Finally, the face of the Villainous Aglad-Lókë appears in the reflection.
---
A Day Later
Alväin-Central
Rumours spread rapidly following the return of the three Dragon Successors.
Come—let us listen.
Ælfen 1: Did you hear?
Elf 1: What is it now, cousin?
Ælfen 1: Shut it! The Elflord is the true Yin. Isn't the Black Draga believed to be the Disastrous Lókë?
Male 2: Shh, lower your tone. No one is certain yet.
Ælfen 2: If you say so. Still, His Majesty
has been acting strange since his return.
Male 1: Not really. That has always been his nature—only now, it has grown more solid.
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