Splashing echoed as three creatures swam around in the small pond beside a well deep in the glowing forest.
It wouldn't take long for another being to recognize them as Seadragons, gentle creatures with big hearts.
There were three, all seemingly from the same pack as they splashed each other. The smallest one was sitting a little ways off from the other two who were jumping around with loud clicks and whistles of excitement.
Then another joined the group, settling down beside the smaller one with a soft smile. Kindly licking his boyfriend's soaking wet fur to try and get him dry.
I'm fine, Seonghwa. We're only going to get wet again anyway when we go back home.
The smallest trilled out, turning his head to look at the kind boy beside him with another incoherent trill.
I know, Joong. I just don't want you to catch a cold while out here in the forest resting.
Seonghwa trilled back, a slight purring noise erupting from the sea dragon as he went back to licking the other boy's head.
Meanwhile, the two giants had shifted into their human forms. Letting out loud trills and throwing water spheres at each other with burst of laughter in between.
" That's what you get Mingi! " The tallest yelled with a loud laugh, his tail wagging as he stuck his younger out.
" That's not fair! I wasn't looking! " Mingi whined, ears falling back in a pout as he plopped into the water and crossed his arms.
The two continued to argue back and forth until Seonghwa's stern trilling made its way through the air.
To non sea dragons, or people who simply don't know the language, it would sound like just simple cat trillings.
However, to the two getting scolded, it was way more than that.
We're getting ready to leave, I don't want to hear another smart comment until we make it out of the forest.
Seonghwa trilled, ending it with a small hiss before he rose to his paws and nudged his mate up with his snout.
The glowing of the forest reflected beautifully on their iridescent fur, making them easy to find in the dark incase the others got lost.
Seonghwa's fur shined just slightly more simply because of the royals blood he had. It came in handy seeing as the royals were in more danger than not.
It made Hongjoong purr at the sight, rubbing against his mate before swaying his tail and running ahead with a smile.
The younger two lagged behind, Yunho huffing as he stared at his paws while they walked and Mingi gazing around them in curiosity.
They kept walking like that, Hongjoong far ahead by now making the others slightly worried.
Despite the calm and authoritative aura the smallest gave off, he was actually quite oblivious and just overall innocent with the world around him. Never seeing the bad in people because he always remained in a safe environment.
He never experienced anything like what the others have.
Seonghwa froze, sensing something was wrong when there was a sudden silence circling the forest.
Hwa- Something's wrong with Hongjoong.
Yunho's clicking filled the air, yet the older boy stayed frozen in his spot.
I just need a sign from Joong. Just one.
Mingi whimpered, flattening his ears as they stood still for a long moment.
And then, a piercing screech filled the air.
••• ••• •••
" San! San stop it! " Yeosang's shout sounded as he talked the dragon off the small creature, shifting in the process.
A large twin tailed fox glared down at the dragon, claws pinning him to his spot before he looked over his shoulder back at a fellow camper.
Felix, Jeonghan's fairy companion, was already trying to tend to the cowering creature.
San, what is wrong with you?!
Yeosang growled, tails lashing as he stood on the boy's wings to keep him from flying away.
Felix on the other hand was trying to help the unknown creature up, yet the dragon wouldn't let him touch it.
And the second Felix finally made contact, it screeched. An ear piercing trill that made even San flinch and try to curl in on himself.
Yeosang grumbled as he watched Felix flinch back because of the noise and cover his ears in pain.
Not long after, Yeosang heard paws thumping against the earth and loud hisses coming from the bushes.
A much larger creature, similar to the small one, jumped out and made an attempt to tackle Felix.
Yeosang noticed this and intersected the creature and knocked him away.
Hisses sounded from the creature as he stood in front of the cowardly one with his fur rising along his spine.
Yeosang growled back, taking a step with his tails lashing and eyes narrowed.
" Wait! " Felix yelled, holding up a hand and catching both attacker's attention.
" We really didn't harm him, he crossed the border to our territory and that dragon over there simply scared him with an unnecessary tackle to the ground. " The fairy explained, wings twinkling as he sighed.
You had to have hurt him, our kind never makes such loud noises like those. Something had to have happened, he's terrified of you three.
The creature hisses out, his fin-like tail lashing in suspicion.
We really didn't hurt him, he was spooked by San. I will admit that he was tackled quite roughly to the ground though.
Yeosang barked back, slowly calming down as he stared at the dragon in front of him.
The dragon gave him a hesitant look before walking over to his mate with a quick pace. Trills echoed as well as various clicks before the taller seemed to calm down completely.
" I would recommend coming to our place, just to make sure he isn't in shock or anything. " Felix said, bowing slightly to the newcomers.
He noticed two others in their human forms, standing protectively over the smallest.
Clicks sounded before the tallest spoke up. " He said we'll come along, but there has to be a pond in the territory. " Yunho translated.
Yeosang looked confused, tilting his head before a bark sounded back.
A pond?
The fox asked, looking at Felix in question.
What would they need that for?
Felix shrugged in response, " Um...Yeah we have one, just follow us. "
The fairy started walking along with a small skip to his stride, San dragging his feet behind him.
What exactly are these creatures....
••• ••• •••
