Progenitor of Dragons - Chapter 72

The whirring of the helicopter blades could be heard chopping the air, even from the inside of the building. It was muffled, but there. Background noise. Aurora and I along with our fathers had gathered our bags and were prepared to depart from Volance Manor. Travis and Mr Singford were saying their final goodbyes as businessmen.

Shaking hands, patting each other on the shoulder, “Pleasure doing business with you.” The regular business pleasantries. Aurora and I distanced ourselves from their conversation, just sitting down on the couch, with her in my arms. I felt at peace. However, I couldn’t help but feel an extreme sense of guilt.

I had caused so much trouble for the Volances. I endangered their very lives. I am honestly surprised that Astere hadn’t tried to stab me in the back yet.

“Why so glum?” I heard a male voice call to me. Aurora opened her eyes, her relaxed frame of mine gone in an instant. She whipped around and glared at the 18-year-old boy behind us. He was in much more casual attire, long sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. He wasn’t wearing any protective gear. Even so, his knife was still within arms reach, holstered around his waist.

Astere flinched a little seeing the unbridled anger in Aurora’s eyes. He took a step back, realising that he might have poked the bear. Aurora’s glared was ice cold, unrelenting, like the winters in Russia. I chuckled a little. I could only guess she still doesn’t like Astere because of how he treated me.

I smiled lovingly at Aurora, taking my index finger and rubbing the spot between her brows. Like a musical box, her frown slowly reverted. Confused, she looked at me with a perplexed expression. I only smiled. One of her cheeks puffed up in annoyance as she continue to lie on me, curling up further, almost looking like a ball.

I smiled to Astere, who was now about a metre away from us, he forward glistening slightly with sweat. “I was just thinking about all the trouble I have caused you…” I said a little dejected.

“Oh? How come?” He asked.

“I am a guest here, yet I just showed up and almost wrecked your entire home, I almost killed you guys. I don’t care where you are from… That just ain’t right,” I said, looking out the window towards the helicopter. I felt my shirt scrunch up, looking down to see Aurora with her eyes closed shut and her hand gripping tightly onto my shirt.

“You also helped to repair the damages you have done, in fact, you fixed the whole damn country. I say you more than repaid your debt.” Aster said, however, I still felt a tinge of hostility towards me. Aurora seemed to have felt it too. She started basically clawing at my shirt. I caressed her hair and head gently, causing her to loosen her grip.

“Maybe. But I don’t see it that way…” I said, vaguely, in a condescending manner. The room was silent for a bit. Both of u had nothing more to say to one another, and I thought that was a good thing. At any moment, I could see my head flying off my shoulders. He wants me gone, for what reason, I don’t know, nor do I care.

“Arcanothon…” Astere said abruptly.

“Hmm?” I hummed in a questioning manner.

“You are participating right?”

“Perhaps…” I didn’t feel like answering such a dumb question. He obviously knew.

“Then don’t expect me to be nice to you,” he said threateningly. Honestly, after hearing that, I struggled to contain my laughter. Hilarious! Him? Go easy on me?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

“Yeah. I look forward to seeing you there. ” I promptly got up and escorted Aurora out of the room, noticing that our fathers were done packing up. As we walked past him, I could feel his glare on me. Just before we walked out the door, “Oh! And, remember. No one should know of what you saw over the past few days. Otherwise…”

I turned my head in such a manner that He could see my side profile, only half of my face. My eyes then started slowing a menacing golden. My fists started to have a green mark. Light coalesced from behind me, showing the form of the Jungle Wyvern that I evolved. I stayed with me, as a lesser dragon I can call upon anytime.

Seeing his paralysed facial features, I gave a satisfied smirk, closing the door behind me.

In the room, It was silent. Not a single thing stirred. Then, unknown to me, he smirked at himself. “Nice illusion, can’t believe I actually got scared…”

****

Aurora and I got on the helicopter as the maids and butlers carried out luggage and stored it in the storage compartment. We conducted one final check. Or, more realistically, I stared into space, praying that nothing bad will come of this trip here. Would have been better to stay at home instead? Probably.

Our fathers boarding the helicopter broke my train of thought. I looked over and saw Mr Travis Volance waving at us with a smile on his face. We waved at him as well as I tried to produce a courteous smile.

The door slid closed as we finally stopped waving. The whirring of the helicopter propellers could still be heard through the headphones. We ascended gently, beginning our journey home.

I leaned back and stared longingly at the vast ocean. Though Ourannos was one big nation, it was more like 4 big countries united as one. In the middle, where central Ourannos is, is a man-made island. One meant to act as the governing body of the giant country. It is also where scientific research and development is usually conducted.

The 5 divisions were not connected by any type of road, or highway. Air transport was necessary to travel from one place to another. Honestly, it’s quite a hassle.

“You look troubled Kaler.” A familiar, deep male voice called out to me. I broke out of my daze and saw my dad sitting across from me, looking at me with concern in his eyes. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah. Thanks, dad.” I said casually, giving him a wry smile. Probably the most unconvincing smile he has ever seen in his life.

“You know… Just cause you have the power of a god, doesn’t mean you are one. You are still my son. At least let me do a half-decent job as a father and protect you.” He said, seeming almost desperate. It was then that I realised that I have actually been putting a lot of stress on my parents. Going into battle so many times, putting my life on the line…

That is definitely not something I should do. I have been worrying him the whole time, and my mom would probably react the same way.

I looked at him and smiled again. This time, with much more conviction and honesty. “Dad. You are doing wonderfully, both you and mom. I shouldn’t have worried you so much. I wasn’t thinking about how you felt. Sorry…” I said sincerely. My father’s eyes lit up when he heard what I said, looking so much happier, much less pitiful than his state before.

“As for how I’m feeling. Well… I was wondering if coming here was the right decision.” I said, looking at the ever-expanding horizon of the ocean.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“I caused so much trouble, for both you and the people at Volance Manor. Sometimes I can’t help but think that this could have all been avoided if I had just simply stayed home and studied or something like that,” I said

“Son, there are many decisions that we would come to regret. Both immediate, and in the future. While you might feel the pain from it. I can only tell you that what’s done is done. You can’t go back to change it. Even if you could, something just shouldn’t be changed. These are all valuable experiences. What’s important is how you will act to move forward.” I was speechless hearing my father’s words. He sounded more like a wise hundred-year-old sage right, rather than, well, my dad.

Everyone in the helicopter was silent, just as stunned as me. They couldn’t believe what they just heard. My dad started looking around nervously, his eyes darting around in their sockets. “What? Did I say something wrong?” He asked no in particular.

I chuckled a little and lightly shook my head. I gave him a warm smile. “Nah. Thanks, dad. Love you.” I said sincerely. My father’s expression changed into one of surprise, his cheeks flushed a little bit. Honestly, it was kinda cute. You got yourself a good man, mom!

He started looking down in embarrassment, twiddling his thumbs idly. Suddenly, a loud smack sound was heard. Mr Thomas Singford punched his friend’s shoulder, laughing loudly, without a care in the world. “HAHA! Look at you, wise man! HAHA! Is this the goofball Jackson Dakrun I have known for 14 years?! Who are you!?” He asked jokingly.

“Shut up, idiot!” My dad retorted.

I laughed inwardly, the interaction between them just never gets old…

Suddenly, I felt warmth envelope my hand. I looked down in surprise to see Aurora’s hand intertwined with mine. She smiled at me lovingly, looking desperate for my attention. I smiled at her, letting her lean on my shoulder.

The commotion in the helicopter stopped abruptly. Our fathers were watching us. I knew they were. But, I didn’t really care.. I just couldn’t wait to get back what semblance of a normal life I had before, with the girl I love.