Seraphiel [TCF X ORV]

I

~A cousin?~

Cale stirred as consciousness slowly reclaimed him, feeling a heavy weight pressing against his chest. This weight, though suffocating, brought him a peculiar comfort—it was his child, Raon. 

Amidst the muffled sounds of heartache, he could discern the soft sobs and occasional sniffles of his kids . The sound struck him with a pang of guilt, making him curse himself in silent despair.

He also felt the icy gaze of Ron beside him, a silent reminder of the perilous nature of his predicament. Cale knew he should keep his eyes closed, yet his resolve faltered as Raon nuzzled against him, his voice tinged with melancholy. 

“Human… did… did you stir? Human?”

He also felt the soft pressure of On and Hong's paws resting on his arm as he slowly opened his eyes. The sight before him was unnerving, as if he were a deer caught in the headlights. Everyone—literally everyone—was staring intently at him. He noticed Choi Han gripping his sword with a tense grip, while Lock, in a state of near panic, tugged desperately at Choi Han.

He heard the soft click of a tongue and saw the ancient dragon, Eruhaben, approaching him with a measured gait. Eruhaben's eyes narrowed as he examined Cale. 

"Truly an unlucky bastard," Eruhaben muttered, his expression one of disapproval. Yet, despite his grumbling, his touch remained surprisingly gentle as he assessed Cale.

Cale felt an instinctive urge to withdraw his hand from Eruhaben's gentle grasp but restrained himself, wary of provoking the ancient dragon.

Raon, with fresh tears threatening to spill, nuzzled into Cale's neck, his voice trembling with fierce determination. "Human... I'll make that God of Death pay for daring to touch you! I won't let him harm my human... Human!"

Hong, pressing against Cale's arm, added his own support with a purring affirmation, "The youngest is right, nya!"

On regarded Cale with a solemn expression, but he noticed a subtle reddish tinge to the fur near her eyes, betraying her concern.

With Ron's assistance, Cale sat up and offered a slight nod of thanks before turning his gaze toward the assembled group.

Choi Han, Rosalyn, Lock, Eruhaben, Ron, Vicross, Hilsman, the wolf children, Cage, Taylor, and countless others—he didn't wish to count—were all staring intently at him, their expectant eyes demanding an explanation.

Cage was the first to break the silence, groaning in frustration. "Young Master, can you tell us what that bastard said? I've been asking him, but he refuses to say a word.”

Cale faked a cough, silently cursing the god in his mind. He glanced at his children, finding them far less intimidating than the others surrounding him. In his usual nonchalant manner, he patted Raon and said, "That bastard said that the next time I sleep, I'll be going to another place."

As he nodded, a small smile tugged at his lips, already thinking of the fortune he would wring from those constellations.

As Cale uttered those words, the room fell into a tense silence. He could feel the atmosphere grow increasingly ominous, with a menacing aura emanating from those around him. Choi Han, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, looked down and spoke in a strained voice, "Cale-nim... do you mean that... you..."

Choi Han couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken implication.

S

lam!

Cale flinched as the nearby table shattered, splintering under the force of Eruhaben's growl, the ancient dragon’s golden dust swirling with a menacing glow.