Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar leaned back in his chair, admiring the giant sea monster that lingered outside. He hadn't felt anything apart from curiosity about the beast that prompted him to discover what it was.

''It's not as threatening as it looks,'' he continued. ''The Kraken's been a fixture here since Drakenwood's first days. It doesn't attack, just watches. I've come to think of it as… a guardian of sorts, though I'll admit it's an unnerving one.''

Drusilla, still pressed close to him, loosened her grip slightly but kept her gaze fixed on the window. ''A guardian?'' she asked fearfully. ''That thing's eye was bigger than all three of us combined.''

She pulled him closer and nervously whispered. ''How do you know it's not biding its time, waiting to drag this whole place into the abyss?''

''It's a peaceful creature who likes to watch me ever since taking this dorm room,'' he answered, chuckling. ''The thing is hundreds of years old, maybe even older than Drakenwood. This is just his home, I assume.''

When the two women heard this, they nodded before Valentina approached and hugged him. ''I'm going to get going, I'll send some letters,'' she revealed.

After all that, the older woman slipped out of the room, her departure as quiet as a shadow fading into dusk as she made her way back to the Northern Courtyard. The Dark Fairy now stood in her full form, her gaze locked on the ocean beyond the window.

The waves churned relentlessly, mirroring the unspoken tension that hung heavily between them. He noticed her silhouette, framed against the deep sea's glow, making her look like she came straight from a movie.

Raegar, drawn to her like a moth to a flame, crossed the room. His hands found her waist, fingers brushing against the delicate fabric of her gown as he pulled her close. He leaned in, his lips grazing the curve of her neck, planting soft, deliberate kisses along her skin.

The sensation sent a shiver cascading through Drusilla's body, her breath catching as she melted into his embrace. Her fingers instinctively reached for his short, tousled hair, threading through it with a gentle touch.

''That feels so good, Rae,'' she whispered, her tone a low, velvety murmur that carried a hint of vulnerability.

Raegar paused, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest, warm and teasing. He stepped back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes glinting with mischief. With a playful grin, he produced a bottle of sake, the liquid catching the dim light as he held it up.

''Care for a drink?'' he asked, grinning.

He settled onto a nearby chair, sinking into the soft cushions as he took a slow sip from the bottle, savoring the warmth of the sake as it slid down his throat. Drusilla's gaze followed him, her curiosity piqued.

Without a thought, she glided over and lowered herself onto his lap. She plucked the bottle from his hand, her fingers brushing against his with a fleeting, electric touch. ''Sharing is caring, you know, my love,'' the blonde teased.

Her lips curving into a sly smile as she took a sip, her big blue orbs never leaving his. The sake flowed freely between them, the bottle passing from hand to hand as laughter and warmth filled the room.

They drank deeply, the amber liquid loosening their inhibitions with each sip. An hour later, the couple were tipsy thanks to all the drinking, and the ocean's distant murmur seemed to fade entirely, becoming a background noise.

The beautiful Fairy's eyes glinted with love and something deeper, locked onto his as she shifted closer in his lap. Without warning, she leaned in, her lips brushing his neck before her teeth grazed the sensitive skin.

A sharp, playful nip drew a low groan from him, his hands tightening briefly on her waist as a shiver ran through his body. Drusilla's fingers wandered, tracing his muscular chest, her touch both curious and bold, lingering over the hard planes beneath his shirt.

''Doesn't it bother you?'' he asked suddenly, his voice rough but tinged with vulnerability. ''The scars, I mean.''

The words hung in the air, a quiet confession of the insecurities that had plagued him since his first fight with the Devil Lord. The marks of the battle fought still lingered all across his body.

Drusilla pulled back, her expression unreadable, a flicker of something dancing in her gaze. She swayed slightly thanks to the sake's effect, and Raegar couldn't help but let out a laugh at the sight.

But before he could tease her, she leaned forward again, her lips brushing the left side of his face, where the scars were jagged and raw. He felt her kiss along the damaged skin with a tenderness that put him at ease, each touch deliberate and unhurried.

''Your scars are nothing to me,'' she murmured against his jaw.

Moments later, her lips lingered, tracing the rough edges with affection that made his breath hitch as her words hit deep. ''I don't care about them, Rae, because I see you, the real you. And when you heal, we five will be the ones by your side. Every other girl in this school will flock to you, but we'll be the ones who stay.''

Her words, laced with fierce loyalty and a hint of possessiveness, settled into him like embers, warm and unyielding. She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes burning with conviction, daring him to believe her.

''Thank you, Dru,'' Raegar responded. ''It means a lot.''

As the moment intensified, he gently drew the Dark Fairy closer, their bodies brushing against each other with a magnetic pull. The air around them seemed to hum with unspoken anticipation, charged with the weight of their growing connection.

Their lips met in a slow kiss, a spark igniting into a flame that warmed the space between them. The world faded, leaving only the rhythm of their breaths and the soft press of their bodies, each touch a silent promise of something deeper.

Her hands began to explore, gliding down his chest with a teasing slowness that sent shivers through him. The heat between them surged, a current of desire threatening to sweep them away.

But just as her fingers traced halfway down his torso, she paused, her touch lingering as if caught in a moment of hesitation. The air grew still, the intensity of their closeness hanging like a delicate thread.

The blonde pulled back, her eyes searching his with a mix of longing and restraint as she held herself back from going any further. Her lips, still slightly parted, curved into a soft smile.

''I'll honor Yuki's place in your heart,'' she said, her tone low. ''I want this to be right. So I'll wait until the time is ready for us to take that next step.''

Raegar smiled but nodded. ''Thank you, Dru. She wouldn't mind, but Yuki allowed me to have a harem, so I'm thankful to her,'' he revealed.

''So am I,'' she added. ''I doubt you would have looked at me if she wanted to be greedy.''

Drusilla nestled comfortably into Raegar's lap, radiating warmth as they continued sipping their drinks, the evening unfolding in quiet companionship. The clink of glasses and soft murmurs filled the air, lulling them into a shared serenity.

As the hours slipped by, their laughter faded into contented silence, and they drifted into sleep, entwined in the stillness of the night. Outside, the night sky blazed with a canopy of stars, casting a silvery glow that bathed the world in ethereal light.

When morning broke, soft rays of dawn filtered through the window, stirring Raegar from his slumber. He blinked awake, immediately aware of the delicate weight of Drusilla, still in her fairy form, nestled against his shoulder.

Her gentle breathing confirmed she was fast asleep. A quiet realization struck him. 'She must have transformed in the night, her magic settling into this fragile guise as she rested.'

Careful not to disturb her, Raegar shifted upright. As he stretched, his joints protested with a series of sharp cracks, echoing in the tranquil room. He paused, glancing down at the sleeping fairy, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He gently lifted Drusilla, her tiny form still curled in slumber, and placed her delicately on the nearby bed, tucking a soft blanket around her to keep her comfortable. With a quiet glance to ensure she was settled, he slipped into the bathroom.

The warm water of the shower cascaded over him, washing away the lingering haze of the previous night's revelry. Steam filled the air, and as he scrubbed, the tension in his muscles eased, leaving him refreshed and clear-headed.

After drying off, he pulled on a crisp shirt and jeans, the familiar routine grounding him further. Stepping back into his room, Raegar was greeted by the sight of Drusilla, now awake and was flying around.

Her movements were slightly sluggish, but her face lit up when she spotted him. ''Just stretching my wings,'' she revealed cheerfully. ''I'm still feeling a bit slow, thanks to that sake we overdid last night!''