Legend of the Misfit

HHRRGH!!—FFFhh—!!

Killian teeth shattered the stick, and his skin paled as rashes spread across it.

"Sorry… sorry. Just relax." Raiden said, placing the arrow on the ground.

A sharp pain shot through Killian's head, and a piercing sensation spread through his skull.

His vision blurred, and he was out cold.

Killian was out for a long while in Raiden's hut. As soon as he woke up, his eyes darted around in confusion. 

There, Raiden stood preparing a potion, and next to his left was a tankard filled with green tea. Killian's head instinctively tilted to his leg.

The wound was perfectly patched, and his legs weren't in much pain.

[Haa, my head hurts.]

"Hey, I'm glad you're up." Raiden smiled, "How are you feeling?"

Killian tried to sit upright. Raiden immediately rushed in. "Let me help." He kneeled and leaned over to help Killian up. Killian tried to move out of the way, but a sharp pain shot through his leg. It was obvious—he needed help.

He sat Killian down comfortably on the mat, with his back leaning against the wall.

"How long was I out for?"

Risden reached for the green tea. "Almost two days, I guess." He brought the tankard to Killian's lips, but he snatched it and took a deep sip of the tea.

[No one is usually this kind. What's his endgame?]

He began inspecting Killian's wound and applied the potion he had prepared.

Killian placed the tankard on the ground, as Raiden nursed him. "Uhm… I appreciate the hospitality, but can you let me know what it is that you want? Who are you anyway?"

Raiden's expression changed, and he got off his knees. With a serious tone, "Come on, I know it's weird. A dragon on the mountains, marked with red ink, and allegedly trying to 'socialize'?" 

He turned to the entrance of the hut and forcefully cheered himself up. "I just saw the upper demons take the mountain, and moments later, I caught the scent of blood. I rushed over and found you all—instinct took over, and I stepped in to help."

He stood there with his back against Killian. 

Killian was grateful. 

[He just helped me, but I can't just give in.]

"What is a dragon doing in the wildlands anyway? I mean, you are a dragon."

"I don't know. I've been thinking about it ever since I woke up weeks ago." He turned to Killian with his expression softened.

All Raiden could remember was waking up deep within the mountains, his head pounding and his memory hazy. But one thing was clear—he was a dragon, and his name was Raiden.

"I've saved a few demons from the upper demons, but they all fled after realizing I was a dragon."

[I bet they would.]

"I want to know about my past," he knelt by Killian, tears suddenly streaming down his cheeks. "Killian, can you help me?"

[Are those tears?]

"Uhm… Why me?" 

He sat on the floor and began playing with his fingers, "Because, you are my only friend?"

[Friends? I guess taking this much care of someone automatically makes you friends, huh?] Killian tilted his head towards the wall and wondered.

"Wait…What? Friends?"

"Aren't we?" Raiden murmured.

"I mean, aren't we supposed to know each other forever before this?"

Raiden's face was etched with disappointment, "Like seriously? Is that how you think friendship works?"

"How would I know? I've never had a friend before."

Raiden slapped his forehead and offered Killian a handshake. "Will you be my friend, Killian?"

[Where did this sudden maturity come from? Does he think I'm too dumb to make friends?]

Killian slapped his hand off and tilted his head toward the wall, blushing. "Tsk…I'm only going to be your friend because you helped me."

Raiden grinned.

"How old are you?"

"Uhm… I don't know, but I think I will be around your age." Raiden said with his fingers touching his chin.

"Since I am taller than you, that means I am older. Show me some respect."

Raiden laughed.

[This might be a pain though. I heard of dragons and their bonds.]

Raiden awkwardly sat near Killian, "Uhm… Are the rumors about dragons and their bonds true? Do you remember anything about it?"

Raiden tilted his head towards Killian. His face was softened and his jaw rested calmly. "I don't know what you were told, but it is more of a feeling, not something to forget." He tilted his head. "Will it be a problem?"

Killian waved his hand with an awkward smile, "No, no, I was just curious."

Clearly, he didn't want to be bound bytheir friendship forever.

Killian grew up believing dragons went extinct eons ago, and the few that remained reside within the circuit. It was said that they are so powerful that they could go decades without a kill, yet their ink remains black.

Dragons are fiercely loyal. To them, friendship is an unbreakable bond, but once betrayed, their resentment lasts forever.

Having such a powerful folk was a privilege, but the thought of bonding felt overwhelming to Killian.

The dark moon was as lifeless as ever. Almost a week had passed since Killian and Raiden met.

[With Raiden, I can survive and become the strongest.] Killian gazed at the ceiling.

Raiden left for the mountains to find them something to eat. Killian let his body relax as he sat, the thick air brushing against his skin.

Before long, his eyelids grew heavy, and he began to doze off.

"Kill, Killian…" Raiden scream in panic. His drowsiness vanished instantly.

[Is he being chased by a bull?]

Raiden dashed into the room, panting as he held his knee. "They…They…" 

"Relax, Raid."

"The upper demons… They are coming, and I'm sure they are looking for us." He said, barely catching his breath.

"Holy shit. I didn't think of that."

He bent over and gestured to Killian to get on his back. Killian instinctively hopped on. [That was quick. I never knew I didn't want to die this much.]

Raiden dashed through the woods.

[This would have been much easier if it weren't for my stupid leg.]

Yet, Raiden moved with surprising ease, each step landing firmly on the ground, as though Killian's weight meant nothing to him.

"I can hear them—their feet. They are running after us." Killian's eyes widened as he listened. A great sensation rushed through his body, and his eyes sparkled. "Have I awakened? I couldn't hear this before."

"I hear them—we must hurry," Raiden said, barely catching his breath.

Killian relaxed on Raiden's back; a faint smile etched his face. Oblivious to the danger they were in, his mind pondered what his affinity would be.

The upper demons closed in, and Raiden's pace was no longer enough. Killian suddenly came to his senses.

Before they knew it, an arm struck at them. Raiden did his best to evade, but he wasn't fast enough. They were sent crashing through the bushes, and Killan's wounded leg slammed into a tree. He screamed—the pain was unbearable.

For a moment, all he could think about was his wounded leg. A piercing sensation spread through his leg as he clutched it, screaming in agony. Raiden rushed over, his eyes filled with concern.

One of the upper demons strode forward, cracking his knuckles. "Are you sure these two killed them?" He tilted back toward a comrade. The other demon gave a firm nod.

"How weak were they? These are kids—red ink at that."

"Hang in there for a moment," Raiden said, slowly rising to face the upper demon.

"Oh…you are a dragon, huh?" He smirked.

Without hesitation, Raiden dashed towards the upper demon, sparks of hellfire flickering around his fingers. 

With a single swing of his hand, Raiden was sent crashing into the ground. The upper demon flicked his fingers, and a thread coiled tightly around Raiden's neck, locking him in place.

"You move, you die." He said firmly. Raiden clenched his fist as he knelt down. 

He leaned over and signaled to one of his comrades to finish them off. A blade extended from the demon's hand as he advanced toward Raiden.

[I know him. He was one of them.] Killian clenched his fist. 

"You little…" He forced himself up and attempted to limp towards him. He was instantly ensnared in threads and collapsed to the ground.

Killian watched as the upper demon closed in on Raiden, his eyes were blazing with fury.

Raiden remained still—any slight movement could result in his death.

[Come on, I just made my first friend. It can't end now.] 

He inspected the threads, searching for a way out.

[Shouldn't my awakened ability be kicking in at a time like this?]

Raiden bowed his head in defeat, his breath steady as his arms rested on his thighs.

Killian clenched his eyes shut, [come on, come on…]

Yet, he felt nothing. With a heavy sigh, he opened his eyes in defeat.

[Yes, it worked.]

The upper demons lay lifeless on the ground, blood trickling from their noses. Raiden's head remained bowed.

"Yes! But how?" Killian yelled. Raiden's head shot up in shock.

"Are you kids okay?" A voice from behind.

Killian turned towards him. "What is that?"

A young demon with thick black hair, a sharp jawline, cunning features, and a blinding aura loomed over him.

His aura was powerful enough to crush him into liquid from a distance, yet he somehow controlled it.

He knelt beside Killian and carefully began unwrapping the threads.

[Who's this? This aura? Wait, why can I see aura now, though?] His brain wondered.

After untying Killian, he helped him sit gently. 

Raiden, with a steady hand, removed the thread around his neck. He remained calm—not as confused as Killian was.

"I was passing by and saw those demons trying to kill you," he said, taking a good look at Killian's wound. "That's a deep one." 

Killian tried to pull his leg away from his grip, but then he took a second look—his wound was gone. 

His jaw dropped. "Huh?"

"I'm Lucid." He said with a smirk.

Raiden suddenly bowed. "I am forever in your debt, Master Lucid."

"Huh? What's going on?" His mind wondered, trying to make sense out of everything.

Killian took a long look at Lucid as he gently motioned for Raiden to rise. 

"What? There isn't an ink?"

Killian immediately got up and shoved Lucid from Raiden, "Don't touch him. Who are you? Where's your ink?"

Raiden's expression shifted. "What are you doing, Killian? Is this how to treat the person who just saved your life?"

Killian's face twisted with confusion, "No, but—"

He hesitated as understanding dawned on him. The incident had affected Raiden more than Killian realized—he just wanted to be grateful. 

Lowering his gaze, Killian bowed to Lucid, "I'm sorry, forgive me."

He laughed. This was to be expected, after all—I just met you.

"Aren't you kids hungry? Let's find something to eat at my place." He led the way.

Raiden immediately followed. [What? Isn't he even a little bit curious?]

Killian followed them, but his heartbeat kept rising, and his head tilted repeatedly.