Black Magic

Tangled Webs

Chapter 29: Oh, What Tangled Webs We Weave

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Excerpt from Dragons: A History of Mixed Blood and Magic, Written in the year 611 A.C.

Chapter 13: Blood Bonds

Blood bonds are created when the Life blood of two or more Elementals is mixed and then sealed with Light Magic. These bonds can create a line of telepathic communication between dragons, and though it is always present, the bond is only noticeable when individuals are in dragon form.

Blood bonds do not permit one dragon to intrude into another dragon's mind. To actively communicate through the bond, one dragon must consciously address another dragon that is part of the connection...

Though this type of blood bond has been used quite frequently in the past, there is still much to be learned about the bonds themselves. As a scholar, I am particularly interested in learning whether or not these bonds can be formed between dragons and creatures that are not dragons. A bond between humans and dragons? Yes, that is certainly possible, but what of animals? Can they be a part of blood bonds as well? How would the bond be affected by the addition of Dark Magic, rather than Light Magic? Is it possible that the Darks have managed to obtain the same form of telepathic communication?

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The provisions were packed, the sun had long set, and there were only nine figures standing in the deep shadows of the courtyard.

Joonmyun quickly took stock of who was present and who was not. In one corner, Chanyeol and Yixing were crowded close together, bent over their bulging packs, whispering to each other in hushed tones. A few feet away, Kris, Sehun, Kai, Minseok, and Luhan were crouched in a tight ring, eyes fixed on a paper map that was spread tight beneath Kris's palms. Luhan and Sehun were quietly pointing out landmarks, as the two Air Dragons would be leading the first part of the expedition, having the best knowledge of the Northern mountains.

And to Joonmyun's left stood Chen, his lips curving downward in a barely-there frown. Kyungsoo was the only one missing, and he could sense Chen's growing unease at the Earth Dragon's absence. So Joonmyun reached out and quietly slipped his hand into Chen's, giving a gentle squeeze. The younger male glanced at him, fingers immediately squeezing back.

"Joonmyun—"

The Water Dragon jumped and spun at the sound of his name, instinctively jerking his hand from Chen's and putting distance between them. Kyungsoo was standing just behind them, and Joonmyun had to force himself to calm down.

"Where—," Joonmyun started, his voice breathy and high-pitched. He sounded as though he'd just sprinted across the entire length of the training fields. He cleared his throat. "Where have you bee—"

"I have a favor to ask of you," Kyungsoo interrupted, eyes dark and serious. "And I can't give you all of the details right at the moment, but I really need for you to carry this until we reach our first destination." The Water Dragon tilted his head quizzically, studying the object being held toward him. Whatever it was, it was oddly shaped, wrapped tightly in a dark fabric so that it was impossible to tell what was inside. Kyungsoo extended his other hand as well. "Chen, this one is for you."

The Fire Dragon stepped closer without question, immediately accepting the proffered object. Joonmyun shook away his curiosity and reluctantly did the same, even as he started speaking. "Now that you're here, we can leave and head..toward...," Joonmyun's voice trailed off, his words suddenly caught in his throat.