Chapter 15: rest of the redhead
The room was quiet except for the soft rustling of paper as Choi Han leafed through yet another record detailing Cale’s endless exploits. Each page felt heavier than the last.
“Unlucky Bastard,” Eruhaben had once joked, yet the title carried a deeper truth than anyone cared to admit.
Ron’s voice echoed in his memory, smooth yet teasing: “Puppy Young Master.” It was a nickname meant to downplay Cale’s cunning, but Ron knew better. They all did. Behind that disarming smile was someone who bore the weight of the world.
Raon’s words, however, were the most piercing. “Weak human.” The young dragon often said it with love, a title meant to provoke Cale or cheer him up. But deep down, even Raon knew it was a lie. Cale Henituse was anything but weak. The small, fragile human he adored was the strongest being Raon had ever known—not because of power, but because of everything he endured while protecting others.
They all called him different things: "Cale-nim," "Young Master Cale."
Cale stood at the edge of his room, gazing out at the moonlit fields beyond. His hands gripped the balcony railing tightly, his knuckles white.
(I’ve done enough, haven’t I? So why… why can’t I rest?)
The nightmares had been relentless, tugging him back to moments he’d rather forget. Faces of enemies and friends alike haunted him, their voices a cacophony in his head.
---
|Nightmare|
The dream began the same way as it always did: a wide, endless battlefield stretched before him. Smoke and ash filled the air, obscuring the faces of those around him. But he didn’t need to see them to know who they were.
The White Star. Armies of the past. The allies who had fallen along the way.
And in the center stood Cale, alone, holding a broken shield.
The voices began as a whisper but quickly grew deafening.
“You failed me.”
“Why didn’t you save them?”
“Isn’t this what you wanted? To protect everyone?”
His knees buckled under the weight of the accusations. The shield shattered, and he fell to the ground, hands trembling as he tried to block out the voices.
"[Close your eyes, you'll be here soon. One, two, three, four, five minutes.]"
Cale clenched his eyes shut, desperate to escape, to find even a moment of peace in the chaos. But the voices wouldn’t stop.
“Rest? Someone like you doesn’t deserve rest.”
“You’ll never be free. There will always be another battle, another life to save.”
Choi Han’s voice, sharp and panicked, cut through the dream. “Cale-nim! You’re not alone! Don’t listen to them!” But his voice seemed so far away.
Raon appeared next, his golden eyes wide with desperation. “Cale Henituse! My mighty human, get up!” The little dragon stomped his paws, his small form radiating protective fury. “You’re not weak. You’ve never been weak. I won’t let anyone say that about you—not even you!”
Cale shook his head, clutching his chest. (I can’t stop. If I rest, who will protect them?)
Ron’s calm, steady voice sliced through the nightmare like a blade. “Young master, you’ve carried enough. Let us carry you for once.”
Raon’s tone softened, tinged with sadness. “You always say I’m strong because I’m a dragon. But you… you’re stronger than anyone, human. Don’t you see? You’re our shield.”
The voices of his friends surrounded him, battling the whispers in his head. For a moment, the dream flickered, and Cale caught a glimpse of them standing together, reaching out to him.
---
|Reality|
The nightmare broke as Cale’s body jerked upright in bed, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He pressed a trembling hand to his chest, trying to steady the rapid beating of his heart.
The door burst open, and Choi Han, Ron, and Raon rushed in. Rosalyn and Lock followed close behind.
“Cale-nim!” Choi Han was at his side in an instant, his hands hovering as if afraid to touch him, afraid to add to his burdens.
Raon climbed onto the bed, nudging Cale with his nose. “Cale Henituse, you’re awake!” the little dragon exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and determination. “I told you, didn’t I? You’re not weak. You’re my human, and I’ll protect you!”
Ron said nothing at first, his sharp gaze scanning Cale’s pale face. Then, in a rare display of warmth, he placed a steady hand on Cale’s shoulder. “You’re allowed to be tired, young master. Even shields need to rest.”
Cale shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not a hero. I’m just… me.”
Rosalyn knelt beside him, her eyes filled with worry. “And that’s enough, Cale-nim. It’s always been enough.”
Raon snuggled closer to Cale, his tail wrapping protectively around him. “You’ve done so much, weak human. But you’re not alone anymore. You have us.”
"[Goodnight, goodnight. Close your eyes and you'll leave this dream. Goodnight.]"
The room fell silent as Cale’s breathing evened out, his friends staying by his side, their presence a silent reassurance.
For the first time in weeks, Cale felt the weight on his chest ease ever so slightly. He wasn’t alone. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to keep going.
YOU ARE READING
The redhead endless sufferings
Fanfictionsongfic, where they have to react to songs describing the person true feelings. Tcf have to react to Cale henituse nightmares, because being their family and all... Cale, has not woken up from his endless sleep...he has been sleeping for 2 weekings...
