Taking advantage of Ferrum's hesitation, Charon once more spread his wings and appeared before the metal dragon. He took the other's hands in his own. He was lust. As far as the hydra went, he was pretty much the only ones whom could make others feel so... horny. At least, by a poison. His aphrodisiacs were the best! Excluding Edge, he didn't know of anyone that was immune to them.

"Relax... Let me take real good care of you, you sexy beast." Charon whispered directly into the other's ear as he tried to tug he gun free. "It'll feel really good, I promise."

---

Edge squeaked as he was pushed away, and started to cry in spite of himself. So that was it. Path didn't love him, either. Violet eyes narrowed at the white dragon's request. The hydra was about to respond to the glowing male, but was interrupted by none other than Beelzebub. If Edge knew what was going to happen, he never would have allowed it. It all felt like a nightmare.

Edge wanted to go back to the warm days he shared with his Path-Path...

Eyes widening as the crystal began to flower around his mate, Edge got as close as he could. He wasn't angry with Bel. Edge should have been the one to protect him. At Path's last words, Edge began to sob bitterly. "It would have worked out! It would! It would! I love you so much..." Path's words began to way at him.

Never would have worked out...

Edge began to feel a throbbing in his chest, and he knew his heart was breaking. "Damn!" He screamed, the shout echoing all throughout the maze. He reached out to break a piece from Path's prison. "I was never lying about loving you, Path." He chuckled bitterly as he was about to die. His tears began to mingle with the blue blood on he floor. It dilated it, and made it lighter.

How did it turn out this way...?

Edge was nothing but a human when he met Path. By then, the dragon was eating mutants and Edge was hated. He was hated when they met, and hated when they had to say farewell. He coughed painfully. His time... was almost up.

---

Skylark smiled. "What did you hear, boy?" He asked joyously before his eyes widened in terror. He heard his Daddy's scream. And it horrified him. "DADDY!" He wailed, before screaming. "Leo, take US there NOWWWWWWWW!"

Leo was quick to turn on command, rushing around the corner with Skylark and Sleipnir. Well, with Skylark because Sleipnir had practically flung himself off of Leo and towards his Daddy. Tears streaming down his face as he ran across the growing puddle of blood. His socks soaked completely deep blue as he hugged Edge. Wrapping his arms around the hydra, he shouted, "Daddy! Daddy! What's wrong?!" He shook his arm frantically, chocking on his cries and then his gaze fell down to the dank floor, discovering it's source as his eyes fell upon Path. The dead dragon's eyes staring up blankly and Sleipnir screamed loudly, "Father! Father!" He cried, pulling away from Edge. He shook Father's limp arm, trying to rouse him. His skin was stained blue from kneeling down in the blood and there smudges of blue along his face where he rubbed at his tears. "Father! Father! Wake up! Wake up!" He screamed shaking him, why wasn't he moving? Why wasn't father waking up? "Stop playing this joke! Father, wake up! Daddy's crying! Father wake up."

The toddler's gaze flitted up to the crystal protruding out of his chest and he reached towardsvit, wanting to throw the offensive thing away. Then maybe Father would stop pretending and wake up..

---

Ferrum felt his body heat as the hydra approached him and he stared up into those eyes. Pupils wide blown, but rather than relax, he tightened his grip on the gun. He pressed the barrel against Charon's neck, growling, "Love, if you think you can relax me you've got another thing coming.." With that, he pushed Charon up against a wall, yanking his hands up above his head and keeping them there with one solid claw. The other grasped his gun, locked and loaded. The cool metallic barrel pressing against Charon's bare stomach as he pushed it under his shirt. His voice low and husky, he leaned forward to nip and whisper into his ear, "I wonder how good you are on your knees...."

Edge sobbed bitterly, unable to think or act. It felt like Path would perk back up anytime soon, but he was dead. It didn't feel real. It couldn't have been real, not his big strong knight! What kind of a king was he, what kind of god couldn't protect the single white dragon he ever cared about? He was stuck in a rut, only feeling sorry for himself. However, something else was going to happen.

All of a sudden, Edge was being hugged by warm tiny arms. Though his heart was breaking, it suddenly felt... better? Had this other male saved him? The hydra took a deep breath of air and sighed in relief, before crying again because of his mate. His newly dead mate that lay before him... Edge couldn't bear to look. As he did finally raise his gaze, the boy's eyes widened in shock. "Sleipnir !" He screamed. He then turned to the other boy hugging him. "Skylark!" He then locked ryes with the tall hydra who had brought his kids to the battlefield- Leo.

His eyes were burning with anger and malice; Edge wouldn't hesitate to torture Leo until he wished he had never been made into a hydra. Before he could, though, Skylark commanded his subordinate. "Leo, come and kiss me!" Edge gasped in surprise as Leo obeyed and his son had the nerve to command. Edge was wise enough to know not to correct his son; for he could just as easily be turned into a puppet. Skylark didn't seem to see Path yet, too busy with giggling with his new toy.

"Look, Daddy! I made a slave!" He sang, and Edge would be lying if he wasn't at least a little happy. He knew Leo was lazy, so maybe he handed himself over.

"Good for you, baby! Make more once your strings,r but we have bigger problems,.." He didn't ask irrlelvant questions like how or why they were here. Sleipnir had mended his heart for a reason; so he could potentially save his Path-Path. Brushing Sleipnir to the side, Edge kissed the top of his head, "Everything will be alright. I know how to fix this. Do not be afraid, my love."

With that, the hydra placed a single hand on Path's wound, where the crystal was. It began to darken until it was black. It then encased the dragon's corpse. "This is called the theory of light, boys. If we manage to amplify enough light, we can restore Father's life energy." He hugged both his sons. Skylark, began to cry as he saw Father's body for the first time.

Edge snickered at Leo. "Are you happy being my son's little puppy?" Skylark hugged his Daddy,

"Leo, you are becoming a cute puppy... feel your mind drifting away... Come give me some love!" He sang,.

---

Charon shivered. "I'm real good on my knees, what do you plan to do...?"

Leo seemed unfazed by Edge's angry glare; one of the few hydras that dared to look Edge in the eye though maybe it was because he was just too lazy to be pressured into looking away. Though, this time, there was the slightest bit of worry at the back of his mind, maybe because he knew that if Edge wanted to, he could probably keep he and Skylark separate for who knows how long and who knew how much Skylark would listen to his father. Leo might be just cut off on command. So it was with a uncharacterist urgency that he walked over to Skylark and pressed a kiss smack on his lips. Pulling back, he sighed relieved that Edge seemed to approve of their sudden relationship. Though, he glossed over how Edge encouraged his son to have more slaves. Ah well, if he was replaced, then at least Skylark was happy and he wouldn't need to run around so much.

Watching his king and his sons go to work, kneeling down to rub circles on Skylark's back a he began to cry. Meeting Edge's eye in answer, "Well, he makes me run around far less then you do. And it's easier to carry him than you, I'm happy." He turned back to his Master and kissed him soundly on the lips again, leaning down to mutter in his ear, "Of course, when we're somewhere we don't have to stand."

---

He was floating, drifting and breaking apart. Everything was starting to dissolve into a White seamless mist. Thoughts...memories..feelings, slipping right through his non-existent fingertips. Even the light was fading from his vision and the darkness was slowly wrapping around him. Like ticklish wriggling pieces of seaweed, they were tangling around him and pulling him down. Down away from the light, getting dimmer and further away. He couldn't really tell if his eyes were open or not without how dark it was now. Dark and numbing. He sighed softly, but he couldn't hear it so maybe he hadn't sighed at all. Oh, what did it matter? What did anything matter? His eyes closed unbeknownst to him and he let himself go and drift apart.

And then, the pain started. It felt like his limbs had been tied to horses and pulled apart in every direction possible. Everything flared up, burning and boiling his flesh. His nerves were on fire and he opened his mouth to scream, but all that came out was a soft groan. The darkness was rapidly becoming constricting. Threatening to crush him, trying to push him away and squeeze him out. Yanking him back into the blinding light.

The dragon's eyes snapped open and he gasped sitting up. The crystal glowed brightly, a single core of light within the dark inky energy Edge had filled it with. Black mist rose like steam where it touched pale flesh, singed with soot. Another bright flash of light and the crystal shard had shrunk and burned away, unfortunately not completely. A shiny black solid chunk was lodged within his chest, where his heart should be. Surrounded by scar tissue and burnt flesh, it emitted a soft light covered up by Path's hands. He panted, pulling his legs up to his chest, palms spread over the front of his chest. Hair hiding his face away from his family and his wings gave a weak flap, torn and tartered at this point.

Very slowly, he inclined his head sideways and stared up at Edge. Golden eyes the colour of ash and cinder. Dull, like a star had burned out and died. He turned his gaze down to the pool of bright blue blood that he sat in, the colours soaking up into scales. Such a pain...

"Father! Daddy, you brought Father back!" Sleipnir cried out, hugging Edge before he scrambled over to Path. Pulling the pebbles free of his sock, "Look! Look! Father has kept his promise!" He cried out excitedly, smiling as Path slowly reached over and plucked a single stone out of his hand. Still smiling as Path brought it close to his eyes and turned it over in his palm. Inspecting the single smooth pebble before he closed his hand around it and grinded the pebble into a pile of dust. His eyes locked on Sleipnir's shocked face and he grinned a grinned that, even in his wildest moments, had never belonged to Path.

"I don't keep promises, dear." He hissed softly as he stood up and brushed himself off, running a hand through his blood caked hair. Unconcerned as Sleipnir began to tear over the minature pile of rubble.

---

"Oh, a lot of things love..." Ferrum growled, pulling back the hammer on his gun with a soft click, rolling the cylinder of it over the flat of Charon's stomach. Cold metal against smooth skin. He grinned, "Very unforgettable things...involving you wishing you'd never tempted me in the first place." He murmured, working a leg inbetween Charon's, thigh pressed up against his crotch. "I'm going to make you scream and-"

"-Wake up everyone in the dead of night with the racket." A voice interrupted and a sudden wind pushed Noire against the wall as Anemoli rounded the corner. Gazing idly at the two tangled against each other, "Because the first romance with a hydra ended wonderfully. Now, release your control on him and step away and I'll kill you, don't and I won't kill you, but you'll wish I did."

Ferrum growled, turning his head to stare at the intruder, muttering something about 'always ruining his fun' before he snapped at the dragon, "Leave me be, Ane. I'm busy, big brother."

Charon shivered a bit. He was a bit unnerved by Ferrum, but found the brutal dragon more than just a little attractive. He seemed very rough, and Charon liked it rough... He was the hydra of lust after all, and lust was... lovemaking. He licked his lips and smirked mischievously, thinking of all the things the Ferrum could do to him and vice versa. However, his grin fell when Anemoli arrived. He nodded once to Noire, as if to say, 'I have this under control.' The female hydra didn't falter as he raised a single hand and slit her own throat, then slumping down in death. Noire then faded to dust and fled.

Charon didn't so much as blink at Anemoli's threat. How annoying. His fallen comrades, Forte and December, were still encased in their crystals. He would have to do this- if he didn't tell Noire to butt out, she would have been caught in this mess as well. He needed to fight, to feel blood on his tongue. He wanted to catch droplets of blood on his tongue like they were snowflakes.

"Look at what's going on, dragon. Your brother's pinning me to a wall. How could I possibly be in control...?" Charon demanded slyly.

---

Edge watched silently. It was an occurrence that surprised him, but the part that was in love with Path- the one that was once human- that part of him was buried under the need for power. He was angry for one reason and one reason only-

That Path would dare do that to his son. Edge was quick to slap Path hard in the face with an audible smack. He then picked up young Sleipnir and kissed away his tears, whispering sweet words. Violet eyes trained on golden ones. "I have returned what I had once taken from you- life. Don't think it was anything more than that, white one." Edge sighed. This hurt, but it hurt more to see his kids cry. His angry and hard expression said something, but his soft, confused eyes said another.

"These are our kids, Path, whether you like it or not. You gave birth to them yourself. I'm sure all they want is to be with you, and I want them o be happy. But if you're going to do shit like that, I'm beginning to wonder who's the 'evil' one here. Path... You said you'd always be there for us." Edge pleaded. What was he doing? It was hopeless. He could just run away. This wasn't... right. Edge felt his eyes dampen. So he turned his back on his enemy.

"If you no longer desire to be my mate, that is fine. But these kids need a Father."

Skylark had been crying the whole time, from when Father crushed and broke his 'promise' to when Daddy slapped him. Why were Daddy and Father acting so odd? Did they forget to take their naps and now they were cranky? For the normally intelligent baby dragon, this was quite a blunderous moment. He held hands with Leo for a bit before letting go after Daddy seemed finished talking.

The grey-haired dragon ran to his Father, trying to wrap his arms around him. "Father..." He sobbed. There was the possibility Path would brushed him off or even strike him, or perhaps just kill his own son, but Skylark didn't think Father would do that. He tried to kiss Father's cheek as he sobbed violently. Quickly, he wiped his eyes to show Father he could be strong. Father... Father didn't like the weak. If Sky was weak, would Father like him? He was just mean to Sleipnir ..,

"Father, don't you love me...?" The baby dragon asked desperately.

Anemoli stared down dully at the hydra, unresponsive to his comment, not even unamused. Feeding huffed and rolled his eyes at his brother, more than used to it. "I know who you are, hydra. I've done my research. And I know my brother is far from the right state of mind." He took a step forward, pushing aside the dust that was once Noire with his foot. Eyes trained on Charon, "I suggest that you follow your companion and leave. Taking advantage of my brother that way is something he and you will probably regret, so for your own sake leave. Or else." He warned, drawing an elerium shard and focusing it on Charon. His silver eyes glowing and chaotic under that calm demeanor of his and Ferrum grinned, grinding against the hydra.

"What's wrong brother? Jealous? Don't worry, you'll always be my big brother. " He teased, trying to incite more shivers from the hydra. Raising his gun he pressed the muzzle to Charon's temple, pulling the trigger. It clicked harmlessly and Ferrum chuckled softly, "Up for a game of Russian Roulette? Winner take all..." He muttered, Anemoli stood by silently, unfazed by Ferrum's attitude. "One last chance hydra, leave my brother alone. Or else."

---

Path growled as he was slapped, actually growled. Touching his cheek and glaring up at the hydra, a darkness clouding his grey eyes for a moment before it faded away. Merely looking annoyed and, pissed off? At Edge's heartfelt speech berating him for his behavior. He gazed up at the man, no sorrow or anger in his eyes anymore, "You're right." He said softly, the words sounded hollow and flat, "Path did promise you, all of you, unfortunately, Path died a long time ago. You're holding a dead man's children. The bastard young of a dead man." He grinned, biting his forefinger as he restrained his chuckles. Seemingly amused at Edge's attempts to 'turn him round' and 'enlighten him'. Using such phrases made him laugh even more, only stopping when the little brat ran up to him. No point being too mean though..

He kneeled down to his eye level, smiling softly at the toddler. He grasped his chin and tilted his head up, staring down into those wonderful eyes. Such power, but such a weak vessel, "Let me teach you something very important, may it be the last gift from me; there is no such thing as love. There is want, lust and desire, but no such thing as love. So stop being so deluded with it, idiot." His grin returned and he laughed right in Skylark's face before he stood up and strode over to Edge.

Sleipnir clutched the crushed grains of rock, holding as much as he could against his chest. THey were so small that they kept slipping through his fingers. He sniffled, his tears ceasing slowly as Daddy kissed them away. His sobbing slowly fading away as well as he clutched at Daddy's robe, burying his face against him. He didn't understand it, but Father was acting so strange. Even the aura around him was different and his eyes weren't all pretty and shining like before. They looked dead. Father was dead. Like the dragon had said, Path didn't exist anymore. The thought made Sleipnir sob even further and louder, only surprised into stopping when the white dragon hugged Edge from behind, resting his head on his shoulder.

"Edgey..." He whispered by his ear, his tail curling around the other's leg tightly. "I may not be your mate anymore, but I can be what you wanted now. Hm? Isn't it what you wanted, a beautiful strong...sexy..dominant lover. And the best part?" He nipped at his ear gently, "No strings attached." Chuckling softly, he bit down harder, lapping at the blood that welled up from the wound. Delicious.

It was like being kicked out of a moving vehicle by someone you loved most dearly when the white dragon- who used to be Father- said what he did. It was a hard punch in the face, a stab on the heart. Skylark curled up into a ball and cried quietly. He wasn't like Sleipnir , who had a mate in Daddy. Daddy didn't pick him. Was he not handsome enough? Or maybe Father- Stranger was right and there really was no such thing as love.

The only way he would be loved was by using his powers. He could make as many mates as he wanted! He could have anyone he wanted, whenever he wanted. There was a nagging thought; that if was all just an illusion. BT Father had just said that love itself was just an illusion, so why did it matter? Skylark bit his cheek hard. From now on, he would protect his family and not hold back with his powers. He longed to keep his eyes bright, unlike the dead empty of his Father.

Edge bristled in response to him being touched. Path... his beloved Path-Path was gone, and the white dragon had proved that. The king of the hydras turned in disgust to look at the white, who most certainly was not his mate. Edge then cracked a smile at Path's words as he set Sleipnir down with a light kiss. "Let me get you three out of here..." The Hydra murmured before the floor beneath Leo, Sleipnir , and Skylark opened up and the three fell into Leo's bedroom. The floor closed back up and Edge shot a backwards glance to Path.

The hydra's eyes held water, and his mouth began to curl up softly, in a cautious smile. "A... a strong, sexy, dominant, lover...?" He repeated. Tenderly' the king would nuzzlethe other's face with his own. He wanted Path, and a part of him kept saying Path was holding him. But he knew this was a lie. In response, Edge lifted the white tail to his mouth and lapped at it sensually with a sly look. Then, without warning, he sunk his teeth into it, drawing blue blood. As he spit scales out, Edge laughed. "You? Strong and sexy? I beg to differ. Alas, now that I realize you're not my mate, I've no need for you. He, who is cruel to ones I love, can know he is living on stolen time."

He raised a hand and felt war, blood from his ear. Suddenly, Edge's skin was covered in an acid. If Path didn't want to be corroded or discolored' he would let go. Then Edge giggled insanely, free to be as cruel as he wanted now that his offspring were gone. His stream of laughter was unnerving, and he human part of him would never have done it to Path when he made a proposal such as this.

But Edge was not human, and this was not Path.

"I don't give a damn about you anymore, white. I needed you for one reason- be the Father to my kids. Don't wanna? Fine by me. I do have hydras to task with babysitting duty or something like that." Edge grimaced. The whites were so repulsive. How had he found one attractive? Snickering, the king decided to point it out. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I love me a submissive fuck-buddy. Someone I can be rough with without fear that they'll break. You... you're a whore, thinking I'll take you back!" His giggles didn't subside.

"I'm still stronger than you." Edge said with a hearty laugh. How stupid this dragon was! How ugly he was now that Edge had seen his cruel face! Quite honestly, Edge had expected more. "Find yourself a human slut to take advantage of. Because I've no time nor patience or even desire to mate with one so ugly as yourself." Edge then let the acid drip off him, leaving him vulnerable.

"You are nothing but a whore if you don't have a mate. Say what you want, the dragons will reign again." The young man then ran a hand through his spiky ebony locks. "Oh, and there is such thing as love. Edge felt it for Path before their kids were born." He continued to giggle, "We should have killed them before they were born, huh? Maybe I can turn 'em into bacon or something."

---

Charon tensed when the gun was placed on his forehead and a blank was shot. In response, the hydra began grinding back with more intensity. Knowing what Ferrum wanted, Chadon moaned and shook uncontrollably. "Ouh, you're so hot... J-jeh! Mm..." With that, the hydra leaned down and nibbled Ferrum's nubs through his shirt roughly.

He then stared at Anemoli. "I'm not controlling him, I just brought out his lust. It's kind of my trademark." Charon responded honestly. His hands felt Ferrum's muscles, moaning and shiver in all the while. He wrapped his arms around the metal dragon, then slumped to show Ferrum he was more in control than he might have thought. "True, he's pumped with hormones and pheromones and aphrodisiacs, but look how sexy he looks! Yum!"

The dragon grinned, nuzzling against the hydra's neck even as the three outsiders were thrown away. He didn't really care if he had left his young hurt and crying. They didn't matter anymore, actually, they were almost an actual burden now. Though perhaps later, they would prove of use to him, just not now. Stepping back as the hydra turned around, grinning over at him and nodding to his question. Practically purring as Edge nuzzled him, tilting his head to expose his neck to the hydra. His grin widening as his tail was caressed. Damn, he wanted him.

"Edgey...I'd be whatever you want..." He groaned softly, instead of flinching at the viscious bite, he moaned and his tail curled against Edge's hand. Staring up at the king of hydras, grinning madly up at him as he spoke. Something flashed in his grey eyes, but it was far from hurt. Though not quite anger either. That all quickly disappeared as he hissed and pulled away from burning flesh; acid not being one of his turn ons. The acid eating away at his scales, not fully ruining his white scales, but blackening a few of them like burnt flesh. The acid had near completely covered his arms and most of his scales were gone and the flesh beneath themburnt and scarring. He growled, wiping the acid on his shirt. Glaring up at the king of hydras and chuckled, slowly clapping his hands at his little speech.

"Oh Edgey..." He murmured softly and from where the acid burned through flesh, black steam rose in place of blood, "I was a whore the very moment I met you. The moment you decided to fuck me since no one was there to cut off your head. Love me? You wanted more of a little harem. Sleipnir warming your bed enough these nights?" He laughed, licking his lips, "I don't mind, but if you ever want a little fun love, want to break me a little more or let off some steam, then you know where to find me." He grinned, stepping forward and kissing Edge's forehead, grey eyes staring into his, "My wonderful king.." Before he turned and stepped round a corner.

---

Leo pulled Skylark onto his lap, rocking him back and forth and stroking his head. "Hush Master, Don't believe his words, I am here for you. Don't cry..." He whispered wiping away Skylark'sctears while Sleipnir curled up on the blankets and dropped the remaining pebble and grains of rock he still had into his sock. Tying it up at the end and clutching the blood soaked cotton to his chest. It was what was left of Father, when he wascstill their Father. When he bathed and cleaned them, put them to bed and smiled at them gently before letting Daddy hold them. Then he'd get them all food, even if it was bad, when they woke up. Father, who had saved Daddy when he was trapped and had gotten angry when he was hurt. Father had taken care of all of them. Now, without Father, who was gonna look after them and Daddy?

---

The dragon chuckled and ran his hand tgrough Charon's hair as he leaned forward. The gun never dar from his head though. Ferrum liked dangerous, preferred it. Hitting him near playfully when he bit down too hard. Leaning the man against the wall, he bit roughly at his neck. Sucking to leave bright red marks on pale skin. Pulling his leg up to hook around his waist, he waved Anemoli off. The wind dragon sighed softly, turning his back on the two, "Do not say I didn't warn you..."

"Fuck of-" Ferrum was about to say when the walls came down and he fell over ontop of Charon as their support was gone. Towering over him, the dragon grinned, cocking his gun again, "This isn't so bad either..."

Grey was such a colorless color. In fact, it wasn't a color, really. It was a tint, not unlike black or white. Grey was the indecisive cross between two extremes, and as soon as he saw it in his mate's eyes, Edge knew he hated it. He could deal with black and white, because his hair was black and Path's was white.Sleipnir had two toned hair. Skylark, on the other hand, had horrid blueish grey hair.

Edge was stationary for a little while. He watched the white dragon walk away. Then, it hit him: something WAS wrong with his beloved. But at one point, Edge was a scientist, so he knew now to find a solution even when others could not. Perhaps he was being far too optimistic, but.... What if he could bring his mate back? Bring back the Father his kids needed? With a grunt of resolution, Edge nodded once and the walla became transparent. The labyrinth was coming to an end soon...

He ran after Path, easily tracking him. When he caught up, Edge flung himself at the white dragon and hugged him tightly. He wanted Path... even if this wasn't Path, it looked a lot like him. "I'm not lying. I want you." Edge whispered as his Nuzzled the dragon's back warmly. Even if the chance was small... if there was even half a percent that Path could be brought back, Edge would take it. "If you are not Path, what would you like me to call you? Other than sexy, of course..."

---

Skylark's sobs began to sound more like hiccups than tears. He clung like an infant to Leonides. He knew he needed to be strong for himself, his Daddy, and Sleipnir . He knew Gather didn't love him, and that was enough to make him hateful. The impressionable baby dragon ground his teeth and shook his head to stop the tears. He then scooted over to Sleipnir .

Skylarl caught his brother in a warm embrace. "I love you, Sleipnir . Do you think there is such a thing as love?" He asked curiously as he kissed his brother's cheek. Nuzzling his brother's neck, Skylark tried to wipe away is tears the way a grownup could. "Father will come back to us, someday. Until then we have to be strong so we can protect Daddy." Skylark reasoned.

---

"Not bad at all," Charon agreed with a grin. He hadn't been responsible for the wall tumbling down in the castle that he loved, but it didn't matter. Roughly, the hydra of lust squeezed Ferrum's arms, enjoying the firm muscles. "Mm... how'd you get to be so athletic, dragon?"

Charon snickered as he licked and bit at Ferrum's cheek roughly. "My name is Charon, dragon. How are you feeling...?" The hydra asked experimentally. At the same time, the hydra was busy making Fereum's nubs harder than his metal scales. It was a very painful pleasure.

He had not gotten farther than a few steps before he felt the hydra hug him from behind. Grinning, he whispered softly, "You reject me, then a few seconds later you're 'wanting' me. Tell me my king, who is the whore here?" He laughed, the sound like glass chimes breaking, sharp and painful, "If I wasn't such a slut for you, I wouldn't say yes." He turned to face Edge, bringing his hands up to tangle and grip his night colored hair. Grey eyes invading Edge's gaze, "My wonderful mad king," He muttered almost affectionately though the tonecwas sly as well. Pushing his hips against the hydras, his tail came around too. Wrapping tightly around Edge's thigh like an anaconda. Leaning down, he purred as he nuzzled against and bit the hydra's neck.

Pulling away ever so slightly only to laugh at Edge's question, "Yes, Path is long gone and so is Relin." He stared up at Edge, his grin smug rather than maniacal now, "If you wish to call me a name, call me yours. Your shadow, your darkness. Your favorite slut if you want. I do not care." He went back to nipping at the blood rushibg beneath the hydra's skin. The burns and new scars forgotten as he leaned against Edge. The cool surface of the shard in his chest pressed against Edge's skin, coldand unyielding. Taunting as it glowed white.

"The bed, my king?" He asked softly, leaning up to bite at Edge's lower lip, drawing a sinful droplet of blood, "Or would you rather have me here, where all your subjects can see the king satisfy himself?" He grinned, eyes blazing as if he loved the idea that Path would have been shameful to agree to.

---

Leo held him tightly, but let him go when he wanted to, not wanting to risk hurting the young dragon in restraining him. He stayed close, hovering nearby and watching the two siblings interact. Hopefully, this would blow over soon and he and Skylark could take a good long nap together. Maybe even sleep within their dreams. Such a thing wasn't impossible. The dreamscape was just another plane to transverse though not many could navigate through it.

Sleipnir sniffled, more tears following where Skykark wiped away. He clutched the sock tightly and wiped at his scales with another hand. He was filthy, stained with the blood of his Father and clutching broken promises. He really wanted a bath and Daddy to sing him to sleep, but the warmth of his brother was more than enough and he held him back tightly, "I love you lots! And Daddy too! Even if Father has broken his promise, I wont forget mine! I'll take care of all of us now that Father....Father is...not here yet." Pulling away, he kissed his brother's forehead llike Path used to.

---

"Well," He began, "It wasn't easy. I had to go through alot of, 'vigorous' exercises and a lot of 'practice' to be in the position I am today." He growled softly, the sound deep and rumbling as he pushed the gun down lower, the weapon suddenly down Charon's pants, cool metal against hot flesh. The sound of the gun being cocked again and another blank fired. There were only so many empty chambers though...

"Ferrum, great to meet you. Feeling wonderful, now, not to rush, but I'd rather screw you in a bedroom than on the cold as fuck floor."

Edge had never really been masochistic. He did like it rough sometimes, but pain wasn't something he was fond of. In the past, he had been tortured and as a result, being pricked so much was enough to make him fidget uncomfortably. Ignoring it, the hydra took a deep breath. He needed to get his mate back, no matter the cost.

Though he had been hugging the other male contentedly, what he finally said was enough to make the hydra look up in slight surprise. His violet eyes sparkled in mischief and amusement. He began to firmly caress the white dragon's tail as Edge stood on his tiptoes to get on the other's level. "Well then, White, let's go right now. Right here. Allow me to strip you of any honor you have left. "

---

Skylark blinked cutely as Sleipnir kissed his forehead. He stared blankly at his brother for a few moments, remembering he promised to take care of him. They were both pretty grimy, but Skylark already had an idea. "Hey, Sleipnir , why don't you try to clean us off with your mist?" He asked experimentally.

Sometimes it didn't feel like he was the big brother and Sleipnir was the little brother. Perhaps Skylark needed to be more responsible and protective. With a huff, he hugged his brother even tighter. Daddy and Father weren't with them, so he needed to hold on to whatever he had left.

---

Charon giggled and grabbed the gun, pointed it in Ferrum's mouth, and fired a blank. The situation was so dangerous and so heated. The hydra loved it. He was only slightly afraid of Anemoli, as he realized Ferrum most likely wouldn't kill him, but Anemoli most certainly wouldn't kill his brother. Would he? Charon was unfamiliar with some dragon customs, even though he was one at a time.

"Heh... Didn't think you were the picky type." Charon made a move to get up. "Then we had better hurry and find a way out of here, eh?"

"All my honour, it is yours to take." The dragon grinned as he stared up at Edge, his dull eyes gleamed dangerously, but even then the light within them was malicious and cruel. Lustful. Wanting, like how Charon may look at his king and desire his bed or Beezlebub would give him envious little glances and crave his power. All of these reflected clearly in the dragon's grey eyes as he took his king's hand and began to lead him toward the huge doors away from the maze. "Lead me, my king." He said softly, letting Edge guide him to where ever he may want. The white dragon wasn't picky.

Along the way, they passed the library where Anemoli sat idly flipping through one of the books. Glancing up as the dragon lookedin. Grey and silver eyes met for a brief moment, acknowledging each other before the white dragon pulled Edge along, not wishing to dwell and waste more time.

---

Sleipnir was quiet for a moment, before his eyebrows furrowed and he tried; concentrating hard. Very slowly, a mist began to seep from his scales, white and cleansing. It ate away at the grime before it suddenly dissipated and Sleipnir friwned, trying and failing to conjor it up again. "I can't do it anymore, it doesn't wanna work." He said softly, disappointed in himself. He hugged Skylark back, Leo joining in the hug a moment later. Their family was growing in the weirdest ways, for better or for worse. They had lost a parent, but gained more brother and sisters in arms, at least Sleipnir liked to think so. The hydras were trustworthy enough with Daddy in charge.

Daddy...he wondered how hydra was fairing...

---

"Well, it's your castle, lead on." He grinned, flipoing the gun back round and hins hands trembled before he fired the gun. Angled onky slightly up, the bullet missed Charon's head by a literal mere hair. Ferrum grinned, standing and reloading his gun. A wonderful end to that and a way to another. He kissed the muzzle of his gun, "Lead on, love. Lead on."

(Insert long pm session here)

He stood, watching the elegant black scales beast slide agilely out of the room, the sound of his wings heard flapping. With light steps, the white dragon picked his way over the knocked over furniture and pottery, gracefully pulling away the curtains to watch his king fly away. A smile lighting on his lips as he gazed out at the barren landscape and the distant fading black bird. The dust dancing in the dim light as grey eyes flashed and the dragon collapsed onto the ground, hitting his head on the window sill along the way.

Wh-...What did you do?" The dragon spoke, voice raspy and choked. Though it lost all those qualities as he laughed in answer, the sound carefree and untainted. The dragon reared his head back, leaning against the wall as he answere himself in smooth satin silk, "Oh my dearest Relin. Go back to sleep won't you? There is nothing for you to worry about. Look, when you wake up, the world will be just as you remembered it. Perhaps even better..." "But...I heard a.. "Your imagination. Go back to sleep Relin, I have a show to catch.[/i] The dragon closed his eyes.

Then he stood, gripping onto the window sill for support as he began to stumble whilst trying to regain his balance. Finally, the dragon opened his eyes and stared out holloway at the hallway stretched before him. Then a grin spread on his face and the dragon touched his torn wings. Useless, dead things. Torn beyond repair. They wouldn't serve much purpose other than to drag him down. The light dragon would thank him for getting rid of such burdens. Humming a tune to himself, he sharpened his claws and gazed out of the window down at the overgrown weed downstairs. A minor implication. Slipping out, he balanced himself precariously on the window's edge and pulled his wing down closer to his body.

---

Slepnir just sobbed and wailed, letting himself be comforted by his brother. Even if his soothing words were drowned out by his cries and his touches and kisses did little to soothe the burning pain in his cheek, it just felt nice to know that his brother would always care for him. Even when Father and Daddy were gone, Skylark would always love him. His sobs dwindling into hiccups, he once again reached up to touch his torn away cheek, stained deep blue and only just starting to heal. He whimpered and sniffled as Leo sat next to them and very tenderly touched him on the head. Wrapping a deep blue cloth around his cheek. It did little to help, but the gesture felt nice anyway.

The hydra gathered them both up, rocking them in a way that was awkwardly motherly for him. "We're going away from here." He murmured softly, standing up and making his way to the window, "We're going to leave Daddy and Father?" Slepnir whimpered softly and Leo nodded, ready to move when the young dragon cried out again, "Wait! My sock! My sock!" He cried out and flailed his arms until Leo let him down and he stumbled before resorting to crawling towards the bed and picking up the woolen sock that Daddy had out on him when they first started this whole nightmare. In it, he kept the two pebbles, well one pebble and the dust of another. It was soaked blue, stained deeply with Father's blood, but Sleipnir didn't care. He gripped it tightly and held it close to his chest, allowing Leo to pick him up again.

"Alright..." The hydra placed one foot on the window sill and took in a deep breath. Out of everyone, he was one of the fewest who didn't bother to disobey Edge. Now though, this was probably the biggest thing that he could do. His dark wings spread out wide behind him and he stared down at the two toddlers. Slepnir still cuddled up to Skylark closely as he stared down at the ground below him.

---

"Terra!" He recognized that voice. Immediately bolting from where he stood, he threw open the door and dashed off, leaving Charon by himself as he raced down the stupid annoying large maze of stair cases that met him along the way. Near falling numerous times as he followed the fading sound of Terra's scream. Adrenaline running through his veins at the cry of his fellow Elder. Gritting his teeth, he decided to forgo the stairs completely, running towards an open window. He made a leap, bursting out of the window, he spread his wings, then folded them close to his body. The ground rising up to meet him, he tucked himself in and rolled out onto the floor, opening his mouth then quickly shutting it at the sight before him.

Regnum....was...oh god. He gazed up at the gigantic tree, then whipped his head around at the sound of a son, "Terra..." He whispered softly, "What....What is this?"

Nuzzling against Leo and Sleipnir, he tried to feign a sense of safety. If only he could fool himself so completely, into thinking everything would be okay. He wished he could go back to the few days when Daddy and Father loved, if not each other, them. It felt like a dream, but he also felt his heart maturing. Maybe one day, he imagined, he would meet another dragon and find a real mate. One day he would be happy. It wasn't a maybe in his mind. From now on, he would have to protect his brother.

Frowning deeply, Skylark wanted to grab the sock and throw it, but at the same time he didn't want to hurt Sleipnir , so he just kept his hands to himself, "You aren't keeping that, are you?" Skylark snorted a little meaner than intended. Wrapping tiny wings around his brother, the grey-haired dragon's thin skin felt strangely sensitive. It was most likely because he never really spread his wings around Edge. Well, when Edge was human. It was sad Path wouldn't teach him to fly. That was a tradition among many dragons, that the father would teach his sons to soar.

Nodding once to Leo, Skylark let him know they were ready.

---

Sighing as he was once again left alone, Charon collapsed onto his bed. Ferrum had left, and he didn't feel like dressing or running around the castle naked. He had done it before, but it was just so tiring... After all, half of them had been imprisoned. Was Edge planning on doing anything about it? He bit his lip in thought. His king cared, right?

They couldn't just make more dragons. They needed the hydra they already had. And just how many of them had survived? He and Noire, probably Beelzebub and most certainly Edge. December and Forte were goners, though, and who knows who else. He hadn't heard from Leo or Blizzard... sighing in defeat, the hydra of lust lied down and tried to fall asleep.

---

"I... never would I have thought I'd be seeing it alive. And in such a... dubious place, no less. This is the Ygdrassil, Ferrum. The great world tree." The earth beneath them tremored as he leaned down to gently stroke the surface of Regnum's prison. "I... didn't make these to be temporary. You know that." She whispered.

"Do you know Relin?" The white dragon murmured to himself, watching the thin paper light material float down to the ground. "I think, that your part in this is coming to a much needed closure. It is high time that I find a new vessel, don't you think? As much as your body is suited to mine, your power or rather lack of it, pales in comparison to your wayward mate or even to your own sons...and like everyone else, I'll be leaving you for that, but for you, one last parting gift to seal this." He turned his head and watched the figure over in the next window take off, two bundles pressed close against it's chest. The corners of his lips turned up into a bitter smile and he reached down to pluck a single leathery parchment from the ground. Turning and heading towards the door, down the maze of staircases until he found a window that faced the other way.

With a simple bound, he leaped out, landing gracefully on the ground. Straightening himself, he closed his eyes and let the parchment be lifted away by the wind, the pearl white scales glistening in the dim light, "Look Relin." "Huh..?" "A dream is floating away, catch it." "A dream?"

He opened his eyes and caught sight of the parchment breezing away. A dream. He sped after it, reaching out and trying to grasp what always so minutely evaded his grasp. He had forgotten though, that Edge's palace stood at the edge of the world. The ground gave way under him and he was surrounded by only the rush of air. The dream flying further away, muddy waters and jagged rocks awaiting him below. Nothing to worry about. He could just spread his wings and...fly away. He could...just...

The dark mud black waters drowned out the deep golden glow, his landing lost amongst the crash of the waves against the bottom of the cliff.

---

"Yes. It's..." Slepnir responded, staring down at the sorry soaked sock. It wasn't very much, but...he didn't have very much left, if anything, of Daddy and Father when they were both happy. He clutched it close to his chest and buried his head against his brother, murmuring, "Daddy and Father broke their promises, but I'm gonna keep mine."

He flew, holding them tightly. Where they were going, he didn't exactly know. He just kept flying until the castle was no longer in side and even the green leaves of Ygdrassil was a faded memory. The ground below them littered with the familiar debris and piles of twisted rotting roots. Eventually, it looked decent enough that he flew down low and folded his wings, landing a little shakily from his two passengers, "Eh, well....We're here." He panted softly, unused to the complete physical assertion. "We're here..." He repeated, looking around the area, everything looked genuinely the same to him. Now that they were here though, he had no idea what they were meant to do now.

---

"I thought...they told me it was a myth.." He whispered softly, pulling away from the prisons. The eerie frozen shapes of terror enough to give even the fearsome dragon chills, "I know, we made sure that you didn't. " he turned to look at her, "Why are they here...geez, where have I been? Ah, where's Anemoli?"

There was a loud crash and Charon instinctively shrank into his bed, teeth chattering nervously. Then there was Edge's giggles and the hydra sighed. "Oh, it's just you, Edge. You scared me." He mumbled dumbly, wondering when his king would materialize. "Uh, are you happy with how the war turned out?" He inquired gently, scratching behind his ear absently and picking at his teeth with his claws. "I mean we lost some of our own, but no one died really so- AAh!"

Edge pressed the sharp point of his tail deep into Charon's neck, nearly splicing the other. "Don't. You. Dare. Say. That. I lost my mate today." The young boy said through gritted teeth, trails of tears sparkling on his cheeks, seemingly really out of it. Edge... was really on the edge. Charon swallowed deeply, afraid for his king's mental health. His violet eyes had never looked so... full. It was like there was more than one person in him.

And then Charon felt Edge hugging him and froze before returning the embrace. "Are you okay?" With a sniffle, Edge shook his head. "N-No. I... I am not... I can't.... Can't remember what it was like... to-to be human or hydra, I-I-I.... I don't know what's going on...! " He sobbed ballistically, in such a way one might think that he wasn't a total psychopath. "I-I harmed my son, a-a-a-and I can't remember fighting, and the Ygdrassil.... I don't even know if it'll work, and... and.. And December and Blizzard and Forte are -dead- and and and and-!" Edge broke down crying once more, loudly and without regret. Who was he?

"Where are Beelzebub, Leo, and Noire? They- I don't know what to-to do..."

---

Terra bit her lip and ran a hand over the tree. "This tree... legend talks about medicinal purposes. What could the hydra want of tonics and medicines? They have immortality. And they burned down entire forests, so why?" The dragoness' eyes were filled with uncertainty. There was something very sinister about the whole ordeal.

For the first time, she took a good look at Ferrum and her eyes went wide. "You... Ferrum, you didn't....!" She said, mouth agape. His hair was to use led, he was breathing quickly, and... were those... those bite marks weren't from the war, so they were love marks. Eyes and nostrils flaring, the dragon blushed profusely. "You mated with a hydra?!? Ferrum, how could you?!? And after yelling and chastising Relin, no less!" Obviously it was not one of their allies. She frowned deeply, clearly not happy in the slightest.

"Tell me everything, mister." She screeched.

---

The earth unfolded like a disgusting swamp of broken dreams. As Leo finally stopped and landed, Skylark was able to realize it was because the tall hydra was tired. That was alright, then... Skylark hugged his slave. "Thanks, Leo. You can take a break once we find... uhm... shelter." He nodded before clasping his brother's hand.

"Ugh, it smells so bad here...! Maybe we can find somewhere, or make someplace?" The baby dragon suggested.

"Uh....I...." The metal dragon stuttered in face of the stern earth dragon, scratching the back of his head as he tried to slowly back away. Terra was terra-fying when she was angry, he was just greatful that he could survive being crushed in the earth seeing as he had done it for so long. Still, the thought was a rather uncomfortable end to his previous estacy, "Y-you see...There was the hydra of lust and..he had some kind of aphro-ah...aphrodisiac and he...ah, it's not my fault and technically it wasn't really mating? I mean neither of us fully claimed the other...I-Er..think.." He finished off with a sheepish smile, trying to appear smaller before Terra when a pale silvery white claw enclosed around his neck and he found his back pressed against his brother's.

"I shall be responsible for whatever punishment is dealt out to my brother and I shall see it fit that he no longer be such a hypocrite of others." The wind dragon said stoutly, monotonous voice somehow capable of being stern and draconian. Ferrum sighed, unsure who he should be more wary of. "Still..." Anemoli added, "Till this war is over, then we shall decide on a suitable punishment. For now let us focus on what is at hand, Terra, what can you make light of from this situation?"

"That the king is insane..." A husky voice whispered lowly and Ferrum whipped around to see the..."Relin?"

The white dragon stood tall, scales gleaming as if they had just been polished. Eyes the colour of liquid gold and wings full and still. There was not a single scratch on him, nor any hint to as what might've happened to him in the interval, but his expression was grim. Eyes deadset and serious, the aura around him radiated authority. He turned to look at the prisons of their companions, "Regnum is gone now, leadership passes onto me. " He said softly, and not even Ferrum argued against it, "Today, we kill the king.

"Perhaps though, the hydras are not all vile, why would they have Ygdrassil here? Why bring up such a powerful being over the fallen?" Anemoli interjected, silenced by Relin's stare, "Because....the king wishes to..restore this world, bring about peace and repent, at least, that's what he used to preach." "Then-" "We stop him, because he can help the world all he wants, but you've seen how unstable he is. How he tried to 'help' before. He can do miracles, but it is only a matter of time before he destroys the whole world again."

A silence hung over the crowd, it was a few moments before Anemoli affixed Relin with a stare again and mouthed, "Your children though?" "Safe. Far away from this by now." They all stared at him, wondered where the scared clueless child had gone, replace by this...warrior. With the same fire of Regnum's eyes, the same hardness. Then they turned their heads to look at where their enemie's sobs echoed loudly from within the castle. They could only wonder.

---

Sleipnir pressed a hand over his nose and nodded in agreement, little puffs of white most leaving his body to try and purify the air around them, "Urgh...Can't we go back to our home? The one underground..." He asked softly. It was perhaps the best option they had even with it's depleted resources. At the very least, it was clean.

"Where is this...home of yours?" Leo asked inbetween pants.

Edge continued sobbing for a good five minutes before he squeaked as he was shaken roughly. Were he still human, he could suffer serious internal bleeding. "Come on, Edge, pull it together! I can't feel any other hydra in the castle, but the dragons are still -here- and we need to be prepared for anything! You know I... I can't protect you as well as the others might, so you need to snap out of it!" Between sniffles, the king prodded, "How are you so sure? That there are dragons in the castle?!?"

"...Because I just finished mating with one, until he ran off on me. Without me... baiting him he'll raise hell. And I don't know... I can feel others in here, but we're alone. Edge, you can still fight, right?" Charon asked slowly. Edge was... not okay, and it was taking everything he had just to keep his stutter in check. He needed to give his king the support he needed.... Even then, he was scared. The past thousand years or so, Edge had always been unstable, but he could fight, and that was important.

Charon recalled fondly, that their king wasn't... always... a monster. Charon had been with him through thick and thin, but he didn't even know what could have caused such a massive change in is heart. Maybe dying too much takes it's toll. After all, Edge never even got to grow up, really. As Charon stroked the seemingly younger boy's hair, he wondered how any council of dragons could kill a 'savior' when he was this young.

It was why Edge never got any older, because he was killed when he was in such a young form. His king had told him the story of his friendship with dragon kind, and it wasn't a fairy tale. Edge... Charon held him closely as he sobbed, quietly now, brokenly. And Charon thought he had it bad. Even now, he could remember... what it was like to comfort others, when he was still a water dragon.

---

When the oceans were still clear, they had a term for dragons who turned the water ugly. They were called 'bastards'. Water dragons exiled them from their colonies, not wanting to have such a thing around their beautiful kingdom. Well, kingdoms. The water dragons spread themselves out like a parasite, and had underwater habitats everywhere in the ocean.

Charon had bright blue eyes and Navy blue hair back then. Even in his humanoid form, he had gills on his neck. He was a warrior, though in their language it was translated to 'kiramme' or protector. A prodigy, they called him, not for his ability to fight or be strong, but because he was skilled... at sleeping with others. Based on appearances, he was quite a prize. It was how he could get everything he wanted in life.

And then one day, he made a mistake. On the battlefield, he was captured by a 'bastard' one of the dirtied ones. But instead of getting killed, Charon managed to mate with the stranger instead, buying his life. But when he got back, his skin was tainted blue with the blood of his comrades, and as I'd the bastard had cursed him, they would not wash out. So he was exiled as well, until he met Edge drowning himself in the waters of his beach, and saved him... That was how Charon... how he became one of the first hydra. Beelzebub, of course, was the first after Edge.

---

Violet eyes perked up as Edge shurgged off his robe and threw off his crown, leaving him in a hoodie and sweats he must have just put on an hour ago. "I can't be king, Charon... I need to... get out of here, they're gonna get me, and in this state I..." With a cry, Edge clutched his sternum. "I can feel it... my... my heart, it's..." With a resounding cry that was haunting but frightening in the same time, Edge willed his soul to be strong. Then, staring up at the confused and scared Charon, bit his lip and...

...kissed the other passionately. Bewildered by his King's behavior, but not wanting t get him mad, Charon happily returned the kiss. Eventually Edge came up for air. He was broken still, Charon could see it in his tears. "Come on, don't cry over that... dragon. Sure, some are pretty hot, but yours was okay at best. Plus, he's not even strong, so why bother? Trust me on this, Edgey, you'll feel better. Just be careful... a broken heart IS the only way we can die." The smaller boy nodded slowly, as if he had forgotten. But the pain in his chest... that was gone.

"We have to go."

"Go? B-But you just came back!"

"We're no match for the dragons. I can't fight, and if they're still in the castle then..." Charon nodded, then frowned at Edge's fully human form. "Are we going to fly, or..,"

"Uh... carry me?" He pointed out like it was obvious. Only his king...

"But Edge, I thought you said you were going to break the rocks that our allies are trapped in." Edge's eyes got wide and he drew back.

"I... I did? I... I can't remember anything..." Charon 'tsked' and put his king on his lap. "Ah, Edge, that's why you have me. Now come on, we're gong somewhere we can't be cornered."

"The ballroom?"

"Uh-huh. Hey you remember the castle!"

"N-No, I... just kinda guessed." The boy admitted.

---

Gritting her teeth at Ferrum's unsatisfactory response, Terra inched closer and closer, going to close the gap between them and dish out a few blows. That is, into, Anemoli came, and she was calmed. But only slightly. "Ferrum, do not think for one second you will ever be redeemed in my eyes. Ah, what is it you said to Relin? 'You may fight alongside us, but you are a traitor in our eyes?' You should be ashamed." She spat, evidently angry when Relin came.

Terra was silent, wanting to hear everything before she made a choice. Relin was willing to kill the father of his sons. She couldn't take the chance of swaying him now, but even then... something felt wrong. She could hear him crying like a lost child, and from the key the sound resonated from, she could tell it was real. She was about to say something, when the hydra, who seemed to be somewhere above them, started yelling and they could make out words.

"Ow! What the hell, Edge?!?"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!!!"
"Why would you do that?! I thought... Aaaah! I thought we were friends!"
"Leave me the fuck alone! I don't know you!"
"Edge, you're being stupid!"
"Hyaaah!"
"Ngggh... Edge, please, just tell me what you want... ugh! Tell me... tell me what you want and I'll give it to you... I'll search the whole world, walk for eons... you... you know that, right? I-I'd do anything..."
"I don't fucking know!!"
"Augh! Nn... It's alright, I'm.... no, can't die here... it'll take... days.... Edge, you... you'll die, without me, so just... just heal me, okay? Just... just..." With another battlecry followed by a scream, Terra heard the flapping of wings and then the king grunt in what must have been pain as something knocked t the floor.

"He... He is insane... I almost feel sorry for that other hydra. Such loyalty, even in the darkest of places."

---

"Sleipnir , I don't know where that is." The hybrid looked at Leo. "I... can't remember. Sleipnir ? I don't know how to find it or anything...." Skykark whispered, knowing that he couldn't take care of his brother.

"Misplaced.." Relin hissed softly, not even bothering to look towards the source of the commotion. Whatever the white dragon had been through, it did not show in the smooth unscarred shiny scales that enveloped his body, a white gleaming knight compared to the veterans he stood by, but there was something within the golden gaze that Anemoli could not completely place. The dragon even more cold than before and it seemed less of an improvement when he was not brooding or moping over all that he had been through. It was normal to be sad or even angry over something terrible, but for one to be so evasive and unfeeling, something had to be wrong, but there was really no time to confront that.

Relin had never been close to any of them. Why he was still here was perhaps a combination of luck and a mother's love, if not the fate of his name. How he had grown so much was another mystery seeing as he had only hidden from the horrors of the truth that had plagued the earth. To be honest, most of them had believed that the dragon might be the first to go if any had to go. Now though....

"The windows, they are unguarded. We avoid the conventional way because that was how we were trapped the last time. Once we're in, we just have to follow the stairs down till we find them. We get rid of whoever sides with him, if we have to kill them, we kill, we can pick them off later. For now, our aim is the king...if anything...let me have him."

"And what makes you think that you can take him on? He's not gonna just roll over an let you stab him because you let him fuck you." Ferrum interjected with a growl, glaring up at the white dragon who met him with a dull stare. That of which eventually won the staring contest when the elder looked away and grumbled while Relin let out a breath, "If I can't take him down, then feel free to try yourself." He muttered softly, earning Anemoli's slight nod of approval.

"Alright then." He drew a single crystal, the likes of which glowed darkly for a moment before it glistened clearly. No one seeming to want to question exactly what he had done to it or maybe he made it so that nobody saw. "Ferrum, go with Terra. We can find them faster if we split, Anemoli with me. We find them, we fight. No waiting." He commanded, turning on his heel. Anemoli placed a hand on Terra's shoulder before letting go of his brother and following after the white dragon. Stopping abruptly when his leader halted just out of sight of the others. Turning to face the wind dragon, he stared at him with dimming eyes.

"I need a favor..."

---

"Then...should we go back?" Sleipnir asked in a small voice, looking over at his brother. Scooting over, he hugged him in Leo's arms. "Maybe...maybe we can find someone else to take care of us there besides Daddy or Father...We already have Leo..so what about...what about Father's friends? The elders, they weren't bad." He whispered softly, holding tightly onto his brother. They would make it work, everything would be alright. He just knew it in his heart. Leo watched then both, then stared back at the horizon stretched before them.

They were clearly in over their head, but was the possible abuse by his king worth staying somewhere warm and sheltered? He wasn't sure. He was supposed to protect his ward, but ultimately, the young dragon had the last say. "So then...what should we do?" He asked softl to the twins. Sleipnir staring worriedly over at his brother for an answer.

---

"I don't like this. Something feels wrong." The metal dragon growled as he was left alone with Terra. It was more to break the ice between them than voice his all too real concerns. The dragoness was probably still miffed if not completely enraged at the fact that he had been seduced by the enemy, then again, he knew the old age water dragon had always been a sore spot to the current water elder so maybe Terra felt the same. He hadn't seemed so bad though when he had....with his...Urgh, focus Ferrum. Lust spores or whatever. He had been tricked, infected. Still, he had to give that what the hydra was shit for in battle, he made up for with a romp in the sack.

Spreading his wings, he glanced at Terra, then signaled to a window up high above them, deciding to keep it quiet that he had been in that room mere moments ago. Well, if she smelled his presence there, he could always say that they didn't have time for interrogation.

---

"You know where to go?" "I assume you would've considering the time I've spent studying the layout." "In the library?" "Very much so." The two of them lapsed into a heavy silence as they continued down the various hallways and stairs. Relin following Anemoli more than the other way round. It helped that the king's broken sobs echoed loudly through the castle, drawing moths closer to the flame. Eventually, all there was where thin walls keeping them away from their goal.

"Do you plan to rush in blindly?" The wind dragon muttered softly, receiving no answer from the white dragon. Instead he was blinded by a crystal digging into his arm and his own yanked out of his hand. Knocked back by the force, he stared up at the grinning white dragon. "This won't stop me, you know." "I know, but it will delay you." The dragon muttered whilst the wind dragon began to draw back his power, the crystal growth starting to slow before it got too dangerous, with no power to feed on. The wind dragon breathed slowly, having to slow his mind and heart rate. Comatose. He closed his eyes...one chance...the last he saw was the white dragon go through a solid oak door.

Skylark bit his lip, but shook his head. "No. We... we have nothing to go back to." His voice cracked as he started crying. "It... it hurts too much to think of Father or Daddy, s-so I don't wanna see them ever again!" The baby dragon hybrid sniffled sadly. To think, he was just so happy a few days ago. Father loved him, Daddy loved him, and he loved everyone. Then they left their home, and everything went wrong.

"Leo.... I don't... What do you think is best? Right now, I'll let you decide, okay?" Skylark whispered, trying to consider the pros and coins of each outcome but could only think of Daddy.

---

Hissing, the hydra of lust gripped his stomach, where Edge had scratched deep wounds. They would go away in a while, but he needed to catch up to his king... Blood bubbling in his throat, the male tried to be strong, to run with his wounds the way he saw everyone else do. But he couldn't. He could only press a hand to his stomach and hope none of his guts fell out. Even in a human form, Edge was... dangerous. But, didn't some people like dangerous? Maybe he should be more dangerous, too.

Slowly hobbling, the hydra eventually felt too tired to go on. Grumbling, he curled up and rested against the wall. He didn't care about dying' at least the pain would stop. But being frozen in his pain, in his suffering, all the while not knowing what happened outside of his view, was something he could not deal with. With a cough, Charon got on all fours. Now which way did his king run?

---

"What feels wrong, sweetie? Feel empty when you're not being used by your little mate?" Terra retorted angrily. Spreading her copper wings, the girl sighed and held her breath as she ascended into the air and kicked open the window, making sure to stomp on the pieces of broken glass once inside. Her eyes panned around, seeing the tousled bed and smelling Ferrum's musk. Shameful.

"I still cannot believe you were taken by a hydra," Terra continued, not dropping the subject. "Mating is sacred, Ferrum, to all dragons. To my kind it means children. To yours it is a competition, but an honor nonetheless. To give it to a hydra... With the likes you have just met, no less!"

---

Sobbing and clutching a hand to his body, Edge tried to wipe away the blood under his fingernails. It smelled of iron. The blood was a dark blue, nearly black. The boy was huddled in a bookshelf. The library shelves were large, and the confused male was able to tear out a few books to hide inside a shelf. He could feel something was after him. And, poor little human, not knowing what he had done, just curled himself into a tinier ball.