Chronicles of the Star-King

Chapter 3: The Talk

"Why did you take so long, Brother?"

.

.

.

...What?

My mind seemed to freeze for a few seconds, taking in what Veldora had said in disbelief. I blinked, once, twice, thrice, as my mind began to process the information that had just blown me away.

This guy, Nova, is Veldora's brother. The True Dragons regard each other as siblings and there are only 4 of them. There is also only one male True Dragon other than Veldora. That was Veldanava, so this guy, Nova, is....

Shit.

I looked at Nova, no, Veldanava apprehensively. I now could certainly see the similarities between Nova and Veldanava. Looking at them, I wanted to interject but decided against it. Punching this guy comes after their 'reunion'.

"Long?", Veldanava said startled, before his ever-smiling lips quickly curled down into a frown, "How long? Tell me, Veldora. How long did my reincarnation take?"

To be truly honest, seeing that face one way or another sent an arcane chill down my spine, making me have second thoughts about my decision to punch him in the face.

Veldora averted his eyes, looking at the floor, "Two"

"Decades?", Veldanava asked, but Veldora responded by shaking his head. Veldanava's eyes furrowed.

"Centuries?" Veldanava's tone now became evident with concern, but he still received a no from Veldora.

"It's been 2000 years since you died", Veldora said, downcast. I looked at Veldanava, whose eyes seemed to widen as he jolted in shock.

I thought that he didn't return for whatever selfish reason, but seeing him like this... It kinda makes me a bit sad for him. It seems like he couldn't reincarnate before, not that he did not want to. He reincarnated 2000 years later, and his daughter should not even remember his face, seeing as how he died when she was just a baby. I hope she is happy.

As my thoughts continued, Milim's face kept popping up in my head, which I brushed off repeatedly. This did 'not' concern her after all. So why did she keep popping up whenever I thought about Veldanava's daughter? Meh, maybe I am missing her, this situation is really tense after all, her nature would be refreshing.

Veldanava looked... upset. That seemed a bit too underwhelming of a reaction, but seeing his facial expressions which were always like a sculpture with a smile carved on it, this one made it almost certain that Veldanava was actually really distraught.

Veldanava gave out a deep sigh before opening his mouth, "I... I see"

Veldora also seemed to share a similar look, one I had never seen or expected to see on him.

"So what happened while I was...gone?"

Should I leave? They seem to be having some important personal talk. And I'd rather not get involved in family matters.

"Alright, I'll excuse myself"

"Stop"

I was stopped from leaving by a low voice, one that seemingly came from Veldanava. I turned, only to see him looking at me with a downcast mien.

"I... may need your help in this"

His voice cracked a bit, and I could not bring myself to deny his request, so I slowly sat down on the sofa again, while waiting for Veldora to explain whatever he was going to.

"Here..."

Huh?... What? —Veldora just extended his arm to Veldanava who... nodded?

Wasn't he going to tell him what had happened? What the hell is going on?