An empty cigarette pack rested in the aged palms of a man. The clenching in his chest pinched at the muscle in his arm, expecting that maybe if he crushed the box, he would feel better. Nonsensical, that train of thought. Reality didn’t care about how he felt. Whether he was tired of defeat, the world would not relent. Circled him were not so familiar faces that were still recognizable enough to make them all allies. They rounded up like a council, though the plans they could take tallied down to two. They arranged those with the most influence in a triangle: the elderly man, a corporate man, and a tactful mother.

“I have decided.” The man’s voice was calm and collected, yet unsteady and low. Much so that one would not tell the man feared for his life. “As the elder of the group, I believe it would be best for us to remain put. Given this is only the second time the session has brought on the discussion, we will not act on it yet and continue to bide our time until fleeing is our best possible option.” With the situation as dire as it was, he believed it to be the best way forward. However, in the back of his mind, he knew another would come to oppose: The corporate man of the triangle. His shredded business suit gave the impression that before they’d crossed into this world, he was the type to demand results and settle them himself if he had to.

“You’re putting our lives at risk, Amagi!” a cooperate man said in disagreement of his opinion. “Time is the last thing we have here. The longer we stay, the more opportunity there is for anyone to lose their life. Doors have opened up. We’ve found flaws in their lookout methods. We only need to take them.”

“Did you really find them?” Amagi asked. “Or did they show them to you?” The man gulped in response. The answer read clearly in his eyes. “They want us to slip. Show disobedience. I doubt their leader would have given us the hospitality of having beds to sleep on and food to eat otherwise.”

“Deception, clearly. Their leader hopes to win us to their side. Then use us like the others have. With the wildfire of stories we’ve heard from people. Innocent folks who lived a simple life in Japan without so much as a criminal record to their name being rounded up like cattle. Staying here with demons will be the same. Ending with our deaths, fool.”

Every road has its risks. Life is never that simple. Now untethered from the land they formerly called home; a gradual decay of culture showered over them. Like a rotting tooth, it would spread from one to the next until, ultimately, they all dissolved. Respect for elders has always been powerful. Now elsewhere, it faded day by day.

“Consider the women and children.” Amagi said. “Do you believe they can elude the monsters if we run? Say some escape, but they recaptured the rest. Then we all lose credibility. Punishment, or worse, is the fate of those who they bring back.” Sound logic he’d like to believe, but the scowl on the man’s face disagreed.

“Can’t you get it through your head? We either die here doing nothing or we die fighting for our lives! We’re bargaining chips to these things. Fuck credibility. This is survival. The longer we wait, the less valuable we become, and eventually we all die. We’re dispensable!”

“Mitsunobu-Kun, I understand your frustration.” Another tossed themselves into the fray. The mother, Ohatsu, her glasses barely holding with a damaged lens and a toddler clasped in her arms. “But we’re strangers in a strange land. What good will it do us being stranded with no way to make food or water? Do you know how to make a fire? Does anyone these days? Amagi-San is right. The best chance at our survival is to stay put where we are. To survive… I’m sure that’s what everyone from Japan is thinking. We cannot risk any harm coming to the youth, either.”

Mitsunobu jumped, kicking his rickety chair to the side. “Like I mentioned, gathering up their chips! Something to do with these fucking crystals lodged in our hands! I know that’s what it is!” He clawed at the gem as if he could pull it from his hand. The rough grinding of his nails on the crystalline surface made a grating noise. After a pause, he swiveled around, facing Amagi with his entire body. “How can we ensure that we’re safe here? Would you like to go talk to that brute with the leader and persuade him? Others who tried… well, we’ve scattered them on the bottom of our shoes in this ruined city.”

Amagi saw the same fire burning in several other’s eyes. Which prompted him to question if it was passion or paranoia? Or perhaps a mix of the two.

“We should be sensible and calm.” Amagi said. “They’ve given us food, water. Yes, we’ve been kept like prisoners, but how else would we survive when an entire world is against us? They may have appeared as demons, but they’ve not crossed a solid line for us to choose defiance.”

“You sound like you want us all to kiss their boots, Amagi.”

“If it’s what we have to do to get through,” Amagi said, “then so be it.”

The Ash of Ebon cut through the sky, yawing as it weaved through the clouds. From its wings, the red essence ceased as it came swooping low before the ruined city of Morath. Red liquid ran between its stained teeth before turning upward and spewing fire into the sky. Soon after, the chime of a bell echoed from the wrecked church building. A sound all of them recognized was a call to assembly. Mitsunobu scowled at Amagi, rising with frustration and knocking his chair over.

“Old Idiot!”

The Ash turned to a stop before Talion, who stood atop a building with one of his arms opened broadly as he spun toward the converging crowd. “A dragon tailored by a timeworn rage with an instinct to consume everything linked to mankind. The Tarragon call it The Ash of Ebon, which would not be wrong in a way. Where they experienced a dragon, I saw a god returned to life to end the conflict.” The crowd gawked on, trembling as his arm lowered. “Then there is you. Men and women of a world beyond. I would be the one to bear you a harmonious future, different from the ones of your potential captors. As you all have seen, the individuals of this world can’t be trusted. They would oppress you, rejecting your god given right to freedom as living beings. A sentiment I understand better than most. Despite my appearance, my very nature would make me bizarre, propelling them to seize me at all costs. Much like the glow in your hands makes you different.” Men and women looked at their hands, reminded of the newly attached gem that’d been infused within. As they did, Talion’s scrutiny fell on Amagi. His attire was dirty and his mane rampant. “There are a few of you who’ve accepted our aid with open arms. I would like to clarify that we are not your heroes. You, the man or woman next to you, and myself are equals.”

N-No! Doubt had set into Amagi’s mind. Not in his decision, but in how much Talion knew about their considerations of freedom. A nudge on his arm diverted his attention from Talion, and Mitsunobu returned a stern glare, nodding his head toward a building.

“Amagi, this is your last chance!” He said in a hushed tone. “You pass on this opportunity, and we leave you and the other traitors behind.”

The decision was no shock, but how quickly they’d plan to act came as one. Now privy to the knowledge that they’d been speaking about this for longer than a few conventions. “No.” Amagi muttered. “It’s not time!” He stepped closer to Talion, shoving himself toward the front of the crowd.

“Amagi!” Mitsunobu reached out to him, hand grazing his shoulder. “They will not turn me into some demon! You’re a traitor to your own people!” A scorching wind seared the Mitsunobu’s neck, causing him to jerk back. Talion appeared next to him with a pleased smile and widened eyes.

“And so it begins. Descent. Tell me, human, before today, what would you have given to become larger than your ordinary life? The power to face anyone without opposition? With the influence of making the masses love you? Or perhaps even worse, to force yourself upon them? The women… or even the men. Because… Who could stop you?”

Fear covered Mitsunobu’s face in a burst, switching like a mask. He stood as if Talion’s words paralyzed him. For a split second, he looked defeated. Then that defeat turned into passion. “I-I would never! Anyone who would do such a thing has no morals and hardly deserves the right to be called human!”

Talion laughed, his smooth voice flowing like a leaf in the wind. “Morals are your excuse? Morals are what the powerless use to judge the powerful. If I have all this strength, what good does it do me to play by your rules? Who are you to make me think otherwise? Nothing.” Talion’s rebuttal left the man in silence. Mouth dropping open, yet empty of words. Talion placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Through me, you could have far more than you ever dreamed of. Transcend the restrictions of mortal flesh and become something much, much more. However, we have one slight problem.” From Talion’s hand ignited a flame that swallowed the man whole. Amagi and the others shielding their faces from the heat. “I offered you my hand and you spat in it.” Talion pulled his hand away, the fire withdrawing from Mitsunobu’s body.

A roasted corpse lay in their presence, startling the crowd and a dreadful stench. Shrieks filled the air, as the people looked on at what they had just witnessed until The Ash roared, silencing their cries.

Talion clapped his palms, pacing in a circle and looking at every person who surrounded him. “I ask for nothing more than your cooperation. Jointly, we can establish something unique in this world.” Talion’s attention turned to Amagi, who broke eye contact, urging Talion to walk closer to him. “You all can become better than this. Above these mortal morals and realize what you were all meant to be. Are there any who feel someone destined them for something more?” Silence followed, and he heard not so much as a sniffle. Talion’s confidence remained sturdy, the creases of his lips jumping at the sound of someone stepping forward. Ohatsu with the child in her arms.

“S-Sir! I think I can… No, I know I can be better! Arriving here has been the worst thing to happen to any of us. The people of this world have no sympathy. I want to protect our children by any means. They’re more of a threat to us than you seem to be. If I can be better than them, I want you to show me!”

Talion’s crimson eyes fell onto her, extending his arms and allowing her to place the child in his hands. The baby opened its eyes and gazed at his grin. It smiled, surprising those around. “Excellent.” After the woman, another stepped forward with a bow, followed by another. Soon, those who accepted Talion bowed their heads before him. He pulled the child to his chest and held out his palm, gathering a ball of fire that held a deep red aura in its center. “To those that reject this gift, understand that death is not your fate. Not everyone has a reason to fight, nor should they. A new order of fairness for all humans, dragons, and others is what I strive for. The warriors who step forward can only achieve that order. Accepting this gift will make you an elite of the elite, the spearhead we will need to make that world come true. You will be my Dahlia, and when we establish ourselves, I grant you all free rein to find your missing family members and return them here to return your life to what it once was. For what is a kingdom without its people? I, Talion, Ebonwing, promise you my Dahlia.” They met his speech with stares of appeasement, washing a feeling over him he believed he deserved. “Come, whoever is ready. Step forward and receive my gift.”

Talion motioned his hand to Ohatsu, who took hold of it with no hesitation. A shaky sigh slipped from under her breath when he spun her around. The goosebumps on her neck gave her a tingly sensation eased by the warmth from Talion’s large hands. His nails made her jump, but the smoothness of his skin calmed her when he pressed along with hers. A shift occurred in her eyes; from the chestnut brown they were to a crimson matching Talion’s.

***

From a distance, Fraym and Naago watched Talion’s efforts from the top of a still standing house. Naago held an indifferent expression. His turning away was a revealing sign of disgust. Fraym leaned backward, stretching her arms in the air until her back lay flat on the building. Still uncomfortable with her longer limbs, she searched for a place to relax her hands.

“What’s the matter, Naago?” Fraym asked. “After a display like that, I can’t imagine who’d want to turn down Talion’s offer.” Her hands shifted to the back of her head. “Which makes me wonder. Will they be like us?” She pointed at The Ash of Ebon. “Or like him?”

“Talion is a dragon, and we’re just wyvern. They’ll be like him. No doubt.” Naago said, crossing his arms. “And nothing’s the matter. Talion just said something that reminded me a bit of what Lord Nomu spoke to me before I became like this. I hope they keep their memories. More drones around here will keep things as boring as they have been. Whether they will remember their lives as humans will be up in the air. Mine was hazy after transforming. Or maybe it’s just that time has caught up to me.”

“I have nothing to remember because I was a baby!”

Naago glanced at her. It had been some time since he’d really studied her. A few things stood out. She was taller, had longer hair. Oddly, her bangs were longer on one side than the other. Her physical features changed. Time did nothing to her personality, however. “Hm, that’s right. You’re aging fast for being about a year old.” Naago scratched his head. “Well, lucky you, I guess.”

“Yeah! I guess you could call me that!” A glint appeared in her eyes, and she dug into her pocket. “Oh, I just remembered!” In her hand were several colorful balls. “Some creepy old men gave me these in town! They call them gumballs.”

“Ugh…” His shoulders fell and his eyes closed while he groaned. “Nomu forbid you from going off without orders, yet every time I find you with new junk food or new terms that make no sense.”

“Humans say funny things. They’re so strange yet so cool!” Fraym’s hand circled over her stomach. “It’s not my fault that I get the urge to disobey! I get a rumbling in my tummy, then go looking for food. Hunting is a waste of time and with all this ether in the air, it’s hard to find prey that’s alive. Easiest way I’ve found is to show up in villages, get called pretty by all the old humans, and get free stuff! You should try it!” Naago appeared unenthused. “Also! Their customs are so different. There are brothers and sisters, but also moms and dads. Then I thunk, who are my mom and dad? Would Lord Nomu be our dad?”

Caressing the bridge of his nose, Naago muttered to himself. “If only your brain aged as hastily. Lord Nomu is our brother. He’s said it himself many times. Infernus is the creator. By that logic, it would make him our father. Far as I know, we have no mother figure.”

“Hm, so he’s our dad.” Fraym said, reading Naago’s expressionless face. “Why are you always so unhappy?” She sat up, pressing the gumballs closer to his face. “Try one!” She ignored his irritation, knowing she’d won when he plucked a ball from her hand and placed it on his tongue.

“Hmm...?” It easily crushed under his bite, then changed into something he didn’t expect. The sticky texture surprised him, causing him to shift his nonchalant expression with a wiggle of his eyebrow. “Not bad.”

“See! They’re pretty cool! You can stick them to places and people too! Just try not to get them in your hair. I had to cut a part of mine off because of it.”

Realizing that’d been the reason for her hairstyle, Naago chuckled. “Right.” He went back to studying the crowd, The Ash of Ebon abruptly thrashing its wings and flying into the air. “Lord Nomu hasn’t contacted us in some time. Instead of waiting for orders, I’d rather be doing something. Anything other than watching Talion plot and scheme. Talion’s mentioned before that the dragon and a specific someone run into each other regularly. If we trail him, I may have my chance to fight.” Adjusting his weapon, he eagerly stepped in the dragon's direction. “How about we see where it’s heading?”

Fraym twirled on her toes, locating The Ash in the sky. “It’s going to see dad? Great, we should definitely follow!” She hopped with excitement. “All the human children would get gifts from their parents now sometimes. Maybe he’ll have gifts for us this time!”

Naago exhaled slowly. “I wouldn’t count on it. And don’t call him that… Let’s go before it gets too far to sense. And Fraym.”

“Yeah?!”

“Don’t forget your weapon this time.”