Life can be cruel as a Dragon | Rio's Story

Chapter 18 an unpredictable ending

Lordie returned late in the afternoon from his exploration. He found Rio sleeping beneath the great tree. Rio murmured in his sleep, tossing and turning. Uncertain of what to do, Lordie settled beside Rio, embracing him tightly. Soon, Rio relaxed, finding his peaceful slumber again. Wrapped in each other's embrace, they slept until the early morning. As the first rays of sun blinded Rio, he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and attempted to rise, noticing Lordie's arm draped around him. Confused, he gently moved it aside, stood up, and stretched. Heading toward the pond, he noticed numerous beetles scattered about—perhaps the handiwork of Gale or Master Pho. They still cared for Rio as lovingly as they did when he was young, despite the trouble he caused. It was a true family. Rio had come to appreciate this deeply. A strong wind tore through the trees, then suddenly directed itself toward Rio. However, before colliding, it manifested into Gale. Gale rushed into Rio's arms. "Rio! I've missed you, yes, yes! I have!" he pressed his face against Rio's. "I'm sorry for what happened to you. Yes, yes," he said compassionately. Rio embraced the little wind spirit. "Thank you, Gale. I'm glad to see you again, even under these circumstances... Could you summon Master Pho and wait for me here? I'll get my companion, Lordie, so we can begin." Gale saluted and floated toward the water. Meanwhile, Rio returned to the great tree to wake up Lordie. "Hey, psst, wake up! It's time. Get ready; we'll meet at the pond," said Rio. "Alright," replied Lordie, still half-asleep. Arriving at the pond, Lordie was astonished. He had never seen a water spirit or a wind spirit before. He was captivated. "There will be time for introductions later. Let's start the ceremony," suggested Rio. Gale tenderly took little Stargaze, and likewise, Lordie held Fen. Side by side, they walked to the graves. Rio followed behind with his head bowed. Both were gently placed in their resting places. Not far away, Master Pho stood ready to deliver a brief eulogy. Rio and Lordie bid their farewells. Gale signaled to Master Pho to begin, while he slowly began to cover the graves with earth as Pho spoke. Rio collapsed in sorrow, Lordie catching him, trying to console him. Yet even he couldn't maintain his composure, and both wept in each other's arms. After Gale had finished covering the graves, he silently flew over to Lordie and Rio, gazed at them sadly, then flew back to Master Pho. "Rio, do you want to say something?" asked Lordie, sniffing. Rio nodded and stepped closer to the grave. "Fen, you showed me true love. I didn't even know I was capable of feeling something like love," he smiled briefly. "But you showed me that even the hardest heart can love. I thank you for never giving up on me, even when I had long given up on myself. I'll never forget our time together. I love you so much... and Stargaze, my little girl. At first, I was unsure if I was up for fatherhood, but in truth, I had been ready for it for a long time. You enriched my world and made it better. I'm sorry I let you down, especially when you needed me the most. I hope you can forgive me. And I hope my little star can now fly through the skies, just as she always dreamed." Rio burst into tears once more and returned to his place. Lordie placed his paw on Rio's shoulder and then went to their graves to say his goodbye. Afterwards, they all gathered back at the pond to share stories about the two departed souls and reminisce. Rio and Lordie remained there for the time being, neither wanted to return to the place where it all happened. Master Pho offered to let them stay until they were ready to find a new home. Months passed, and during this time, Rio and Lordie got to know each other better and better. One day, they sat together on a hill near the pond, chatting about various things. "Hey Rio, I'm curious, what did you promise Fen before she passed away? If you want to tell me, of course. You don't have to," said Lordie. "No, it's okay. It's been a while, and we know each other better now. So, I'll tell you. She said, 'Promise me to look after Lordie. He helped us a lot. Maybe he can help you too.' Although I didn't trust you at first and thought you wanted to take my family away, I now realize what a good friend you are. You just wanted to help. Just like you're helping me now," said Rio, looking at Lordie. Lordie met his gaze and said, "Rio, I confess I loved Fen. But I knew she had you, so I held back. However, I couldn't leave the two of them alone. I loved them like my own family, but I always knew that if you returned, I would have to give them up again and leave. I wish things had turned out differently, that they were still alive, and we could all just be a family... Would you have wanted that?" Lordie asked Rio, looking puzzled. "Would I have wanted that?" he grinned. "I want it." said Rio, placing his paw on Lordie's. Lordie looked down at their paws and noticed how warm Rio was. Lordie blushed. "Um, Rio? Do you know what connects us?" "What?" Rio asked. "Our love for Fen and Stargaze. We've grown so close lately, closer than I've ever been with anyone. I... I have such a wonderful feeling in my stomach when we see each other, talk, or do something together. You know, I..." Lordie paused. Rio listened attentively, smiled at him, and when Lordie stopped speaking, Rio looked at him confusedly, tilting his head. Lordie hesitated, then closed his eyes and kissed Rio. At first, Rio was surprised, but then he returned the kiss. Both looked at each other with wide eyes, simultaneously apologized, and laughed about it. "What does this mean now?" asked Rio. "It means: Do you want to be my boyfriend?" asked Lordie hesitantly. Rio grinned widely, embraced him, and nodded. That's what Master Pho had meant. That was his rosy future. Rio and Lordie were both very happy. Soon after, they moved to the great tree by the lake near the "Guardian" mountain. They often returned to visit Fen's and Stargaze's graves, and of course, to see Master Pho and Gale. And so, Rio's story came to its end at the lakeside, the waves singing the last verses of his past. Yet, while one chapter closed, a new one unfolded—an empty book ready to be filled by two souls.

- The End -