Chapter Seven

City of Trênt - House of Vjorn's Manor

Skye was meditating in his room, trying to breakthrough from the peak of the fifteenth spiritual realm. As he expected it was never easy breaking through. "It might take me more than a week to break through, why is it so hard cultivating?" he said in frustration. "I think you're progessing just fine" the serpentine dragon coiled around his arms like a good snake.

"You think so?"

"The main reason why you reached the tenth spiritual realm so fast is because of my prowess. It takes time to learn all my techniques and it requires lots of essence As I have told you.."

"Never rush your cultivation. Slowly but surely to have a good foundatin. I know, I know" Skye continued Dejvra's sentence. It's funny if you think of it. A year ago they have been competing for control now the beast is coiling around him like a good pet. He couldn't help but rush since reaching the sixteenth spiritual realm means he could choose one of the tomes for his cultivation path. After calming down he went back to his meditation.

City of Trênt - One year ago

A boy enveloped by darkness suddenly appeared at Skye's room. The boy was coughing blood as blood drips from both his ears and eyes.

"I told you, you're body cannot sustain both of us at the same time" Dejvra told the young Skye.

"And risk you killing everyone I saved?" the boy glared at himself at the mirror.

"Just saying. It would be best if you woud let me take control for now as you try to grow in strength". Skye let water run from the sink and washed the blood dripping from both his eyes and ears. Skye's black hair turned back to it's normal platinum blonde while his eyes retained its darkness. "What is happening?"

"Our deal is in exchange for my help, I can materialize myself in the reality right? There it is"

"Are you dumb? Do you think no one will notice when my eye's color suddenly changed?"

"I didn't know you have problems revealing our true identity nor our real strength. Together we can conquer the Herald and unite it once more!"

"As long as im in control we will never do that"

"You can try, but one can only try to resist his fate. You were chosen the moment you passed the Tribulation"

"I don't know about your deal but you're one angry dragon are you?"

"What?" Dejvra asked, confused by the boy's statement.

"I don't know if all dragons are angry creatures but I guess I will also be too considering being alone and exiled for a millenia"

"....." the dragon cannot find a proper response.

"Anyway get out of my eyes, be like a tatoo or something"

"You're quite calm considering you were nearly dying a while ago"

"We are one. We share your regeneration except mines way inferior but it works" Skye replied as he washed the remainin blood in his face.

"Give me one of your favorite cloaks" Dejvra demanded. Skye then went to his closet and picked a fluffy white cloak made from a frost wolf's pelt. The top side part was the fluffiest part as the wolf's tail adorned it. A horned serpentine dragon sigil is marked at the back of the cloak. Couple of enchantments were added to the cloak but it was definitely not suited for combat.

"Kids." the dragon mocked as he blended with the cloak. The white appearance of the frost wolf's pelt turned to an abyss black hue. While the enchantments were broken to be replaced by unknown runes. The cloak was now like darkness itself. Then it turned back to its black frost wolf pelt's appearance.

"Woah! That was so cool" Skye muttered.

"You're not so bad afterall." Silence filled the room as Skye recovered from his state.

"I thought about what you told me. Meditated on it for months actually and it just breaks my heart thinking about it. How people feared you just because of your element. How people despised you just because you're different. I wanna liberate the whole world with knowledge so that we can learn how to live with each other. Equally"

"What a childish dream" the dragon retorted.

"I am indeed a child and that's my goal not my dream. I'll make people accept you.. no. Us" Skye said with resolution

"Such a bright child, I can't help but want to support him" Dejvra thought to himself. "Maybe he could do what I was not able to finish"

"What?"

"Nothing child, go cultivate so you can utilize more of our powers"

"Whatever. Sooner or later you'll be loyal to me"

"We'll see, we'll see" the dragon answered.

* * *

City of Trênt

"Why do I have to do this again?" Skye asked Lord Grey once more.

"Your mother has neglected her duties ever since she discovered something in the Library. She had been holed up ever since. Lord Cai is not that well versed in politics and statistics"

"That he is" Skye agreed "So our family really does take control of everything. Snow's just a puppet then"

"My Lord please refrain calling them that. Were out in public"

"Everybody knows it though"

"You've gotten bolder in just a year my Lord" Lord Grey retorted.

"That I did, spent too much time with hunters I guess" Skye said as he continued walking in the city's market. Different kinds of wares are displayed on each merchant stall. A dozen of glowing equipments adorned with high quality metals. Some weapons are glowing with different hues to a normal person they were treasure to Skye's eyes there are no extraordinary items currently on display for the true good items are always hidden waiting for the perfect opportunity to be sold. He first proceeded to a local blacksmith store to check on the current price range of the market. "Hmm the prices went up after city's reconstruction. It went down by a bit for now, but they might rise once more if there is shortage with raw materials" he thought to himself.

"Lord Grey, would you mind telling the City Lord to import more raw materials as soon as possible. If we don't take action now, citizen's might be affected by the inflation rate. Especially when we are still recovering from our losses"

"Duly noted my Lord"

"Did my mother touched the treasury when I was away?" Skye asked

"She took a portion from the city's budget for reconstruction, our treasury remains untouched"

"I see.. And the current position of the Frontier?"

"House of Vjorn is the most affected in the incident. Some of our knights have fallen. Most Houses protected their own"

"The people's support?"

"They are still ours my Lord"

"Hmm.. Everything still seems off to me. Any Houses both major and minor made their move yet?"

"None my Lord"

"I need all records on that in my room later"

"Of course my Lord"

"Has father discovered who did it? And why?"

"Yes and yes except it is classified for now"

"Even for me?" Skye said as he raised one of his eyebrow.

"Even for you" Lord Grey confirmed.

"Tsk" he clicked his tounge. Skye looked at the overall market prices and wasn't impressed on how merchants raised their initial price. I suppose I have to do that then. He sighed as he commanded Lord Grey to arrange a unified meeting for all of the merchants selling their wares in the market.

"What's your plan my Lord?" Lord Grey asked as he felt an ominous smile coming from the young lord.

Heads of different Merchant Houses started to gather at a long table. Drinks were served and small talks are ongoing as Skye entered the room.

"My Lord" the House Heads stood up and bowed to Skye. Looks can truly be deceiving the first time they met Skye was when he attended the meeting with his mother at age ten. They thought that he was just simply observing as her mother discussed the agenda of the meeting. Halfway through the meeting he started to question the current market value and deciding factors for it. He showed talent and knowledge on the subject, truly worthy of being the son of the brightest scholar of Trênt.

"My Lords" Skye bowed then proceeded to sit at the center of the table "Please sit down, we have a lot matters to discuss"

House Heads started sitting down as they heard a sneer at the end of the room.

"We got an asshole in here, makes it more interesting" Skye thought to himself.

"To start off, thank you for agreeing to an emergency meeting. It is utmost important to discuss things that were left unattended as my mother got too engrossed at her research" The statement garnered some laughs and then he continued "Im starting a Merchant Guild, anyone who disagree, you can now leave"

The looks of the House Heads were priceless as they looked at Skye, dumbfounded on what the boy has just stated.

"What?" Lord Grey panicked as he felt the tension inside the room after a moment of thinking from the House Heads.

"What do you mean you'll start a Merchant's Guild? Can you please elaborate further my Lord?" Reij of House Lenon asked.

"It's quite simple, do you know how the Adventurer's Guild's system works?"

"Well we have bits and pieces of information my Lord" he replied.

"The main point is the Guild doesn't control the adventurers, they serve as a connection from the people to the adventurer's. People need help they set a Quest then adventurer's take the job-"

before Skye could continue the explanation a man interrupted him. "Blah. Blah. Blah. Says the kid. You sure hell don't give a fuck that a kid's leading the meeting ain't you?" the man questioned. "Here it goes" Skye thought to himself amused with the situation.

"You know what? Be a good lad and walk away while the adults talk"

"May I know whom im speaking with?" asked Skye.

"See, you don't even know who you're talking to. Why the fuck should we listen to you?"

"House Clover, House Lenon, House Aoki, House Trek, House Byrnn, House Kiel, House Fig and House Winter" Skye pointed at each House Head while stating their House name.

"I think the last time there were only eight Merchant Houses on Trênt, would you please answer my question?"

"It is a new House my Lord" answered by the Head of House Clover "House Nile subsidiary House of House Snow. House Snow decided they want to earn more money"

"I see" Skye mused.

"Lord Nile, from this moment forward your House is abolished all assets will be given back to House Snow and you can leave the City by dawn" he stated.

"What?" Lord Nile was so shocked he didn't know how to respond.

"Do I have to repeat myself?" he asked

"You cannot do that! Your House no longer holds power. Your father is crippled, the Vjorns of Dragon is now weaker militia against our own and we have much more resources now!" Lord Nile recovered.

"Are you speaking for yourself or your House, I do believe that a subsidiary family answers to the main one. Which means House Snow plans to eradicate House Vjorn. Oh my! Oh my! How the people might react on this news"

"I didn't say that" Lord Nile panicked once more.

"You hinted it and even threatened me the representative of House Vjorn. Disrespected me during an official meeting. On top of that insubordination. You know that I outrank you by a hundred times right?" The man didn't answer.

"Article VII Clause IX of the Code of Conduct: Official Meeting will be presided by the guiding members of the Government, any act of misconduct will be held as treason. Article X Clause II of the Crimes and their Penalty, Any act of treason shall be sentenced by either death or exile so long as a trial will be held. Article I Clause V of the Reformed Government Law, A trial can be held at anytime so long as a representative of one of the Founding Houses guides it while four House Heads serve as witness. Did you understand that or will I have to make it simple for you?"

Lord Nile just stared at Skye silently.

"Thought so. You disrespected me a representative of the Government and one of the Founding Houses of Trênt, an act of treason. I held a trial and decided to abolish your house and exile you. Would you like me to continue on what the charges are for not complying the terms of the trial?" Skye spoke in a cold manner "Or would you abolish your House and leave the city at dawn?"

Lord Nile froze in his place not knowing what to do. The kid had him and he have no ways around the law even if he was under the City Lord's protection.

"You may now leave human, you're no Lord now and you're not supposed to be in this meeting" Skye said and looked at Lord Grey, everyone but him was shocked on what just transpired before them "Please escort this man out"

"And let the City Lord know about the result of the trial" he added as Lord Grey escorted the man out of the room.

"Sorry for the rude interruption. So going back to our discussion about the Merchant's guild anyone else wanna leave" he asked once more "Don't worry I wont exile you"

"Please continue with the terms my Lord" Lord Clover answered. The meeting progressed and soon a Merchant's Guild was created.

* * *

"So basically we just regulate the market prices and in turn we help merchant's with selling their wares" Ahria asked Skye about the huge reform his son moved in just a day.

"That's the tip of the iceberg. The guild means unity. Think of it like this House Clover is the main supplier of wheat and flour in the country. Eighty percent of their profit comes from it. House Winter on the other hand supplies the bread for the entire city. Ninety percent of their profit comes from it." Skye answered.

"Partnership is here long before you were born"

"You're not seeing the big picture yet mother. Let me explain further. House Trek's main business is tabacco. Ninety percent of their income comes from it.Meanwhile House Kiel's main business is furnitures and woodworks. Eighty five percent income from furnitures. Used to be ninety you know why it dropped to eighty five?" Skye asked his mother once more. Before his mother could answer he continued.

"House Trek decided to expand their business to woodwork like the other Houses did and they did gain a bit from it. Maybe a percent of income. House Kiel decided to rebut by expanding to tabacco business too. A percent of income to lower your competitors income. Business as usual. But what if all your competitors stop making products the same as yours?" Skye asked but continued explaining "House Trek will now supply the tobacco to to all other Merchant Houses and other Merchant Houses will add an extra ten percent to the original value as a fee for selling their wares. House Kiel will do the same as other Houses will. One hundred percent income from tobaccos and additional for selling other House's wares. They get to expand their territory too for their products will be sold in every corner of the city"

Ahria just looked at her son and said "Tip of the iceberg indeed"."He is indeed my son" she thought to herself.

"How did you get them to agree with this?" Ahria wondered.

"I abolished one of the Merchant Houses" Skye answered nonchantly.

"You, what?" Ahria's eyes widened in surprise.

"Exiled him too. No worries it's a new House it won't be missed" Skye answered as he made his way to the door.

* * *

Wolves of Winter Martial School is one of the top if not the top Martial School in the entirety of Nies. The organization develops youth ages starting from twelve onwards in their martial arts whether it is armed or unarmed combat. The school is well known for not forcing their discples to inherit their cultivation path instead they adjust their martial arts to their student's path accordingly. For Great Houses who have their unique cultivation path , it is a win, win situation. The prestigous school has one of the hardest entrance exam in Herald. They want to help kids who can use their minds and not all just about strength meaning, no brain all brawn youths will likely drop before they could enter the school. The school also has unique graduation system. As long as they think the student learned the reason they entered the school for then they would allow them to graduate early. In the contrary unless you meet your goal, the school will hold you back until you reach it unless you decide to give up halfway to the goal.

"Interesting" Skye said to his father as he explained his former school.

"How long did it take you to graduate?"

"Four years till I mastered my art"

"The art of the Sword right?"

"What if I don't want to master anything yet?" Skye asked.

"Then don't, tell them your goal and they will help you reach it" Cai answered "I know you already planned this before you came home. Now that your a hunter who can hit a target for God knows what distance, your glaring weakness is melee combat. You came home to learn right? Or else you won't come home at all"

"You really think I hate you that much?"

"No, but I feel it" Cai answered honestly

"You know I can sense your fear. I've hunted enough to know what fear smells like. I can smell it from you Father"

Cai just looked at his son for a minute.

"I love you father, you were my hero, I wanted to be like you when I grow up. But your not my father. Atleast not right now"

Skye said as he looked at his father in the eyes. Then he stood up and made his way to the door.

"I'll send the letter of application later" Cai said as guilt flooded his system.

"You don't have to. I can send one on my own" Skye answered.

"Please that's the least I could do"

"If you insist" Skye muttered as he left the room shutting the door behind him.

* * *

"You know there's a good place inside you that's good for meditation. Time is slow there too" Dejvra whispered to Skye's ear as he was meditating to reach the sixteenth rank. "Last time I trusted you, you nearly killed Queen and Prince. That took a lot of explaining and lying to do" Skye said with a glare.

"Come on, that was half a year ago"

"Exactly, half a year ago and you think you could fool me into this again. This early"

"Hmmpph" Dejvra then curled around Skye to help his cultivation even further.

"You're almost there, seems like you don't need our soul realm's help at all." Dejvra then took a peek at how Skye's cultivation is doing.

"But no matter how hard you push yourself to the limit, you won't advance anytime soon"

"What? Why?" Skye queried.

"You do not have a complete understanding of yourself. Unless you understand yourself completely, the foundations will not be completed. So let me ask you question, what is your race child?"

"A demi-human. Half dragon half human?"

"I thought so... Let me give you a hint. Talk to your mother"

The Library was a busy place as ever. Scholars bustling and hustling through the place even at night. His mother hired all scholars available in Trênt to assist in her research. A research so classified, she was not allowed inside the Library. He knocked on the large doors and waited for a response. A minute later a girl opened the doors. A beautiful one at that. She has the same hair color as Skye but her eyes were crimson red. She is probably in the same age as him but you can never tell with an elf. He stared at the girl for a minute before his thoughts were interrupted.

"It's rude to stare at someone like that" the girl said in an arrogant tone.

"I apologize my Lady, its my first time seeing an elf with my own eyes" he replied.

"Drop the formalities im no Lady. There are no statuses like that in my country. How may I help you then?"

"I need to speak with my mother, something important came"

"Who's your mother so I can have the servants call for her"

"Lady Vjorn" he said as the elf's pointy ears blushed red all of a sudden.

"Im sorry for my attitude earlier, I didn't know you are Lady Vjorn's child"

"No need to be sorry, I didn't intend to stare at you but I apologize if I offended you" he said.

"Uhmm. Please wait a minute here" she said while attempting to close the door.

"Wait! Can I atleast have your name please?" he asked.

"Selena" she said in a whispery tone as she closed the door.

"Selena huh" he thought to himself as he recalled the girl's image. "Hmmm. Isn't our body growing. You're starting to develop sexual desires" Dejvra said inside his head.

"I don't have sexual desires for her, I just thought she was beautiful" he retorted.

"If you say so. We are twelve, yet what? You have yet to please ourselves didn't we?"

"Please ourselves?" Skye asked.

"I hate your father for not giving you the birds and bees talk"

"What?"

"I will not discuss this. Go find out for yourself, for this discussion is over!" the dragon said as he delved back to his own realm. The door opened as his mother looked at him with a concerned face.

"What is it my child?" Ahria queried.

"Can we find a more private place to discuss this?"

"Of course, lets go to your room"

The mother and son duo slowly walked in the dimly lit hallways, enjoying each other company. Making small talks about what Skye has been up to and his journey on being a hunter. They talked about his childhood days and they had a good laugh. They held hands for her mother knew what was coming next. They entered the room and Ahria sat on the chair at the study table while Skye just stood there looking at his mother.

"I know you wanted to go to the Winter Wolves and I respect that decision. When you left home to be a hunter, I already prepared myself for occasional visits and more time away from home" Ahria opened up to her child. "You used to be this young kid who would always smile on whatever you do. Even when you were upset. You would always hide all those emotions with a smile and it worried me. I wondered when you will show your real emotions and here you are. Now you no longer wore the same smile and I hate it. I hate that we took that smile away from you and replaced it with a burden a child should not carry. I always taught you to think on whatever you do. But now I hoped that I told you to enjoy whatever you wanted to do so I can always see that smile. Because it makes me more than happy" Ahria exclaimed as tears welled up in her eyes. "Now you're here because of the bottleneck to breakthrough the sixteenth realm so like the old times let me tell you a story"

Once there was child who excelled in every field of studies that even the other Gods were jealous of. She worked hard, harder than anyone else so she could be of help to her parents. She spent all of her time doing research and compiling all the knowledge of all worlds so that she can please her father yet when she did. Her father told her "As expected of the daughter of Goddess of Wisdom". The effort it took to finish the research made her cry almost day and night. But the accomplishment she had was all credited to the Goddess of Wisdom herself. She hated it, she was young and reckless and wanted recognition. And that place will never do that. So she searched every way possible to escape from that place. And when she did, she paid a price that she regretted for a lifetime. But then a man came and rescued her from that miserable place and she was free. She fell in love with the man and decided to marry him. As a proof of their love, they. had a son who she was so proud of. Not because he was a son of a Goddess but because he is what he think he is. The son of Cai Vjorn the half dragon half human Lord and Ahria Vjorn the Goddess of Wisdom's daughter.

As the story ended a light filled up the room to indicate the sudden breakthrough of Skye. Finally, he was complete so was his foundation.

* * *

The following morning Skye looked around his room and noticed that he fell asleep after breaking through the sixteenth spiritual realm. Skye then meditated to look at his cultivation level and was surprised to the vast emptiness that will be soon filled up by his cultivation path.

"So you always knew huh?" he asked no one but received an answer.

"Of course, you learn too quickly even for a genius. Then I saw your mother. Add two and two together and I figured out what you are"

"So how do I proceed from now?"

"So what if your a demi-god. Im a dragon did you even hear me bragging about it?"

"In not bragging im a demigod. I just don't know how to proceed from here?"

"Does being a demigod change anything?"

"No! I-" Skye was cutoff as Dejvra interrupted him.

"Then nothing changes. We get stronger and we protect ourselves and the city if thats what you want"

"That's what we'll do then" Skye resolved himself as he finished his meditation.

"Get our cultivation path then" Dejvra said as he vanished to his own realm.

* * *

Skye and Cai arrived at their family treasury. The treasury looked like a normal pagoda except that it is etched with what seems like runes that are glowing in broadlight. He is sure that those are enchantments to protect the treasury.

Hundreds of guards are posted outside to ensure safety. As the father and son walked in front of the door, Cai flashed a sigil of their House in front of a crystal and the doors automatically opened. He expected the treasury to be a sea of gold and jewels like a dragon's hoard but what he's seeing is beyond imaginable. Hundreds if not thousands of epic class weapons are displayed and encased in glass compartment. Beyond it was cupboards and chest with God knows how much gold. "Nice hoard" he heard the dragon speak to him. "That's not our hoard, it's the family's" Skye told the dragon off.

"Come the real treasures are up in the third floor" Cai said as he sensed Skye's mind wandering off. They then ascended up the stairs till they reached the third floor. As Cai opened the door, hundreds of cultivation path tomes greeted them. He sensed power calling him to read each and everyone of them, the funny thing is he might just do that. Cai might have sense what he is thinking and immediately shot the idea down. "You can only choose one path to take and reading them means you have chosen that path. Don't ever trying to read them if you are not sure if thats the one. Did your mother already discussed about the tomes?"

"Yes" he confirmed.

"What's your spiritual essence form?"

"An abyss serpentine dragon"

"Hmmm. An epic if not a legendary one" Cai said as he tried to remember the records "Your elemental affinity?"

"Darkness to Ice and then Water and Wind"

"How is the ratio for that?"

"Hundred percent of hundred for Darkness and Ice. Ninety for Wind and Water" Skye answered.

"How about the other elements?"

"Didn't even bother trying them"

"Then try, to make sure we don't miss something important"

"Try Herald then Wood"

Skye tried to conjure his spiritual essence to form a chunk of herald and had difficulties on doing so. "I give it a fifty out of a hundred" then he tried forming wood and got a bit easier "Seventy-five".

"Ok try Fire then Magma to Lightning". Skye then tried forming his essence to fire but as expected he was not able to do so. Same results with magma. He tried lightning next and to his surprise he was able to conjure a bit "Fifty" he said. His father just nodded. "I don't remeber any tome that mentions darkness but I believe it would be best if you will stick to your main element"

"I agree" Skye said as he started browsing at the titles.

"Lightning Sparrow, Sea Serpent, Hell Hound....." Skye read as he walked down the aisle of tomes. He was about to check the next row when a familiar feeling returned to him. The same feeling he had during the Tribulation. Skye then let his intuition lead himself once more and found himself at the end of the room, four tomes were glowing indifferently from the other tomes in the room. "Now which was one is which" he asked himself. He tried to comprehend the tomes but was badly rejected. Like her mother told her the tomes need a certain understanding of Draconic Language to comprehend the tomes. Cai then looked at his son "You chose a peculiar bunch, those four are incomprehensible. They do not belong to the simple nor the rare tomes"

"I cannot comprehend them but I can feel a sense of familiarity with this runes" Cai replied as he touched the glowing tome.

"Then I suggest picking others, these are no value to you since you cannot comprehend them" Cai suggested but as Skye's hand left the tome. The tome's light suddenly blinked rapidly.

"I don't know but it seems like it has chosen me for some reason"

"Then let me help you" an other-worldly voice echoed through the room as a mini serpentine dragon came out of nowhere. Cai who heard the voice before was alarmed but didn't show his fear.

"To think this ancient tome exists till this day" Dejvra gave a hearty laugh.

"This is one of the God artifacts and it chose you Skye. It might be incomprehensible by now, but as you grow stronger you will be able to understand it piece by piece. It suits you too. The only downside is it's twin is lost. Together and you'll achieve what I have once achieved"

"What do you mean it's twin"

"This path actually has a counterpart, if both cultivators cultivate near each other the rate of progression will be doubled if not tripled"

"Oh! Like the Tigress of Snow and Tiger of Hell?"

"Yes something like that minus the sexual intercourse needed." the dragon said with a hint of disgust "To see this artifact survive all this years it is truly a blessing. I can't say for it's twin though"

"If I may ask what does the tome do then" Cai suddenly interrupted.

"It focuses on merging the Darkness and Ice element to get the true form of Ice. A bit of Time and Space magics too. It truly looks like it was made for you all along" the dragon said as he looked to the boy in front of him. "What kind of good deeds did he do in his past life to earn this much luck?" the dragon wondered to himself.

"But still it is wasted if Skye cannot comprehend it" Cai interrupted the dragon's train of thoughts.

"Not in this form" the dragon said as Cai tried to figure out the meaning of his statement.

"Are you ready? The last time we did this you nearly died" Dejvra said with a bit of worry in his voice.

"Are you worrying about me? That is so touching. "Skye said with a bit of sarcasm. "So what's the catch?" Skye asked as he knew the dragon won't help him without any benifits for himself.

"Do not die and i'll be more than happy. Im just getting used to this loyalty crap afterall" the dragon said in all seriousness he could muster. Skye was shocked at the dragon's change of attitude and then he smiled with happiness. "When was the last time I smiled again?" he asked himself. I almost forgot its such a lovely feeling. Her mother's words might have affected him better than he thought as he shaked his head oblivious to the fact that he was still smiling.

"So you can make that face too?" the dragon asked, as for the first time in his journey with Skye the boy finally smiled. The boy didn't smile when he first hit a prey from a mile away nor when he was served a delicious meal or even at Prince's hilarious jokes. He liked his stoic appearance but with his smile he looked like an angel. And boy, did he like it way better than the previous one.

Cai looked at his son smile again, memories of the past came back like it was just yesterday. He remembered the first time he cradled the boy in his arms. His first cry. His first walk. His first words. His first smile. He remembered Skye smiled even when he had his knee bruised. He taught Skye that it was okay to cry but it was better to smile for it lessens the pain both for yourself and others who will see it. He failed to see it all this time. He failed to notice that Skye never did change, he was still his boy. He was still Skye and he loved his son more than anything else in the world including his wife. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the realization hit him.

"Im sorry. I don't know why I feared you but I just did. Im really sorry my son" Cai cried as he was lightly sobbing. Skye wondered on what brought this up but then he looked at his father. He sensed no fear coming from him. In fact he felt love. The love was so overwhelming that his eyes also welled up in tears. And for the first time in many years he hugged his father as both of them cried. "I missed you father, I missed you everyday of my life then and now. I wanted to get stronger for you and mother." Skye said in between sobs. "I know, I know" Cai acknowledge his son. For a couple more of minutes both boys just sobbed their hearts out as Cai held his boy in his arms.

"I hate to ruin your reunion but were kinda in the middle of something here" Dejvra interrupted.

"You ruined the moment" Skye looked at the dragon and smiled cheekily.

"I know, not the first time and wouldn't be my last" the dragon retorted back.

"Shall we begin?" Skye asked.

"Whenever you are" Dejvra answered.

"Take care my son" Cai told his son.

"Of course father, I dislike dying like this. Worked the first time, should work the second time" Cai just nodded as he felt immense power from his son's body. Darkness started to envelop Skye as his hair turned to abyss black. His eyes slowly opened as his eyes were the void itself. His clothes were ripped apart by the unknown force as his whole body was now covered in darkness acting like clothes then his favorite cloak appeared out of nowhere except that it's the same color as everything else in his body.

"Ther'nak Laum-achl" he read the tome in front of him. "Eternal Ice"