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Lucina
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The Sanctuary's Shadow
I pressed a hand against my chest, the intricate gold necklace feeling cold against my skin. My thoughts raced, each one sharper than the last, mirrored in the wide, pale blue of my eyes.
Come to think of it… I remembered something unsettling. Wasn't there a time when Hakan was injured by a black arrow, but it healed overnight?
Turan stood nearby, his expression grave, his large frame blocking the light. "Pardon?" he asked, misinterpreting my murmur.
"Even the clerics from Brion would find it challenging… to heal injuries caused by black arrows," I murmured, letting the implication hang in the air. How are you planning to—
Turan inhaled sharply, a small gasp escaping him. His strong profile, framed by grey braids, was etched with concern. Could that have been her doing? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
He cleared his throat, pushing the dark thoughts aside. "Alright, please ride behind me." His voice was firm—a command rather than a request. "I'll take you to the sanctuary."
I looked past him, seeing the guards and the horses, the lush greenery outside contrasting sharply with the harsh reality of our mission. But Turan… only certain people are allowed inside the sanctuary!
He turned his head, gaze intensely serious. "But Turan, even Lucina cannot be permitted to enter… Lucina will soon become the official Queen of Tayar."
He dismissed my concern with a curt, powerful retort. "Who else could we trust to look after our Great King?"
He swung his leg over the saddle of the massive brown horse, the movement fluid and precise, the metal pauldron on his shoulder catching the light. "Let's go," he said.
I mounted behind him quickly, my simple white dress stark against his warrior attire. The horse moved forward, another guard leading the way.
We traveled swiftly, cutting through winding paths until we reached a towering stone fortress carved into the mountainside, surrounded by ethereal blue shapes—Dragons. They hovered and twisted in the air, icy apparitions guarding the entrance.
Turan stopped near the dark mouth of the cave and helped me down. "This is the most sacred sanctuary," he said, confirming the weight of the place. The blue glow of the dragons illuminated the hidden entrance, and I stared into the darkness, knowing that beyond this threshold lay our only hope for King Hakan.
---
The Dragon's Cave
I stood at the mouth of the sanctuary, the guardian dragons swirling in ghostly arcs around us. The entrance yawned before me, dark and cold.
"But he chose to trust me and brought me here," I said softly, glancing at Turan. "Thank you."
I turned to rush into the shadowed cavern, driven by the desperate need to find Hakan. I have to find him… I have to help him.
Turan's hand rested lightly on my shoulder, stopping me. "One moment, My Lady." He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "I forgot to tell you… the King has reverted… to his original form." His words trembled slightly. "I hope she doesn't get a shock when she sees him."
My breath caught. Original form? The weight of that phrase hit me, but my focus remained on him—the man I loved.
I stepped into the sanctuary, the air suddenly shifting. Cool shadows gave way to an intense, searing heat. A red glow spread across the cavern, flickering along the jagged rocks. I pressed a hand to my chest, a low gulp escaping me.
The heat… it feels familiar. I took a step forward, letting the light guide me, shadows dancing across the cavern floor. Something told me… if I follow this energy, I'll find him.
I moved faster, sandals kicking up dust—DASH. I whispered his name: "Hakan."
The heat led me to a massive inner cavern. And then… my heart stopped.
In the center, lying wounded, vast and magnificent, was a creature of legend. Its scales burned the color of blood and fire; its white horns curved menacingly, sharp as blades. The cavern rumbled with its deep, guttural growl—GRRRR.
I thought I'd find Hakan… and yet I stared at the Red Dragon, realizing Turan's words were not a warning—they were the truth. This was Hakan's original form.
---
"I thought I'd find Hakan…" The deep, resonant GRRRR echoed in the cavern, vibrating through my very bones. Before me lay the magnificent, colossal Red Dragon, its scales like polished rubies, its white horns stark against the fiery glow, and its body tragically injured. This was the King, the man I loved, reverted to his original, powerful form.
Shock gripped me for only a moment before a surge of fierce determination pushed me forward. I ignored the blistering heat radiating from the dragon's massive body, ignoring the enormity of the creature before me. I had to help him. My hands trembled slightly as I reached the dragon's snout, barely spanning its width.
"I'm looking for my husband," I said clearly, tilting my head up to meet the giant golden eye. A wave of sorrow—and confusion—flickered in its gaze. "I'll treat your injury… so please help me." A soft, encouraging smile eased the tension in my chest.
The dragon's eye narrowed slightly, intelligent and assessing. Recognition dawned—so that little girl from long ago… that was me.
A soft smile spread across my lips as I met its gaze. "Do you remember me? We met ten years ago."
The dragon shifted slightly, its colossal claws sliding against the cavern floor—SLIDE. She was by my side the whole time… and I had no idea.
Fierce, protective love surged through me. If we met ten years ago… then I must be… I placed my hands gently against the injured scales. A brilliant blue energy began to pulse from my palms—GLOOOW.
The dragon's heat was intense, but my cool, healing magic countered it. FSSSHHHH—the sound of energy meeting flesh and scale echoed through the cavern. I focused every ounce of my will into the flow, channeling everything I had into healing him.
Then, the world tilted. The crimson glow vanished, replaced by a blinding white light. A sharp, surprised voice pierced through the brilliance: "Lucina!"
I blinked, the white light fading. Gone was the cavern, the colossal dragon, and the searing heat. Standing before me, powerful and unharmed, was Hakan—in his human form, with dark, wavy hair and concerned eyes. His hand held mine where I had been channeling the magic into the dragon's wound.
"Hakan?" I whispered, utterly bewildered, my expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
A new voice cut through the air. "Um… what's going on?"
I turned to see Turan, a few feet away, equally perplexed. He scanned the empty space, eyes wide—SCAN.
"Wasn't there a dragon here a moment ago…?" he asked, scratching his cheek, utterly confused.
Hakan didn't answer Turan. He pulled me forward with a strong, urgent motion, enveloping me in a tight HUG. I leaned into his chest, feeling the warmth of his human body and realizing that, finally, he was safe.
"You saved me. Just like you did ten years ago," Hakan murmured, his voice low and steady.
"So that dragon… was you?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Yes," he replied simply.
"You've saved me twice now, but… I almost hurt you while under the influence of that malevolent black magic. You might not be able to forgive me, but… please give me a chance to redeem myself."
Tears welled in my eyes as understanding bloomed within me. Now I knew the truth—that Hakan hadn't been himself when he had been avoiding me. And now… now that I knew him…
I leaned into Hakan's tight HUG, the warmth of his human body confirming he was safe.
"You saved me. Just like you did ten years ago," Hakan murmured, his voice deep and relieved.
"So that dragon… was you?" I asked, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes.
"Yes." He nodded once, the motion slow and solemn.
His expression clouded with self-reproach. "You've saved me twice now, but… I almost hurt you while I was under the influence of that malevolent black magic. You might not be able to forgive me, but please give me a chance to redeem myself."
My heart ached, understanding the depth of his struggle. So Hakan wasn't himself when he had been avoiding me all this time. Now that I knew the truth… I placed a hand on his cheek, offering a soft smile.
"I'm fine. It's not your fault that you were under the influence of black magic." My smile brightened, pure happiness bubbling up. "I can't believe I was able to heal you again. It's as if we were destined to be together."
Hakan looked down at me, his eyes filled with emotion. "Destiny, huh?" He let out a small, warm breath.
"I'm so glad I was able to heal you." I squeezed his hand. "Since I have the power to heal, you don't have to hold back for my sake anymore."
He searched my expression, his gaze intense. "Are you… really fine with that?"
I nodded, my smile unwavering—NOD.
"I love you, I."
He didn't wait for my response. His hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His eyes closed, and his lips met mine in a kiss that was both desperate and tender—a seal on the promise of our future—KISS.
Turan, who had been witnessing this entire emotional rollercoaster, rushed forward, clearly distraught. "YOUR MAJESTY!" he cried, relief and confusion mingling—RUSH.
Hakan, pulling away from me only slightly, smiled, perfectly content. He gave Turan a brief NOD.
"Your injury is fully healed! That must mean…!" Turan trailed off, finally understanding the scope of what had just happened.
Hakan gently caressed my face, looking at me with overwhelming love. "I… I should be able to bear your child safely…"
The roses decorating the cave seemed to blush in the aftermath of our embrace, finally affirming the fate that bound the Dragon King and his Bride.
My hand pressed against my chest, the cold necklace a stark contrast to the sudden, unsettling thought that came to me. Come to think of it, wasn't there a time when Hakan was injured by a black arrow, but it healed overnight?
Turan looked at me, perplexed. "Pardon?"
"Even the clerics from Brion would find it challenging… to heal injuries caused by black arrows," I explained, the implication heavy.
Turan inhaled sharply, his mind racing. Could that have been her doing?
He shook off the thought. "Alright, please ride behind me." He was taking me to the sanctuary.
"But Turan," I protested, "only certain people are allowed inside the sanctuary! Even I cannot be permitted to enter… I will soon become the official Queen of Tayar."
Turan's gaze was resolute. "Who else could we trust to look after our Great King?" He mounted his horse. "Let's go."
We arrived at the towering sanctuary entrance, guarded by swirling blue dragon spirits. "This is the most sacred sanctuary…" Turan confirmed.
After helping me dismount, Turan paused. "But he chose to trust me and brought me here," I said, offering him my thanks. "Thank you, Turan. I knew I had to go quickly. I have to find him quickly and treat him."
Turan stopped me. "One moment, My Lady. I forgot to tell you that the King has reverted… to his… original form…" He scratched his neck nervously. "I hope she doesn't get a shock when she sees him."
I stepped into the dark entrance, whispering, "Hakan." A low GULP escaped me as a wave of intense red heat rushed out—WHOOSH.
For some reason… this heat feels familiar. I feel like I'll find Hakan if I follow the flow of this energy. I ran deeper—DASH.
I entered the massive inner cavern. I thought I'd find Hakan… A colossal Red Dragon, magnificent and injured, lay there—GRRRR.
I approached the beast. "I'm looking for my husband. I'll treat your injury, so please help me."
The dragon's eye narrowed in recognition. So that little girl was I all along.
"Do you remember me? We met ten years ago," I said, smiling with certainty. If we met ten years ago… then I must be…
The dragon shifted—SLIDE. She was by my side the whole time and I had no idea.
I placed my hands on the wound, and a brilliant blue light began to GLOOOW. The healing energy hissed against the massive scales—FSSSHHHH.
Suddenly, Hakan was there, pulling me into a hug as the blue energy pulsed from my hands. "Hakan?" I questioned, completely confused.
Turan rushed in, perplexed. "Um… what's going on? Wasn't there a dragon here a moment ago…?"
"You saved me. Just like you did ten years ago," Hakan murmured.
"So that dragon… was you?" I asked, looking up.
"Yes," Hakan confirmed. He looked away sadly. "You've saved me twice now, but… I almost hurt you while I was under the influence of that malevolent black magic. You might not be able to forgive me, but please give me a chance to redeem myself."
So Hakan wasn't himself when he was trying to avoid me all this time. Now that I knew…
"I'm fine. It's not your fault that you were under the influence of black magic," I reassured him. "I can't believe I was able to heal you again. It's as if we were destined to be together."
Hakan smiled gently. "Destiny, huh?"
"I'm so glad I was able to heal you. Since I have the power to heal, you don't have to hold back for my sake anymore."
"Are you… really fine with that?" he asked, searching my eyes.
I smiled and gave a slight NOD.
"I love you, I." He closed the distance, pulling me into a fervent KISS.
Turan rushed forward again. "YOUR MAJESTY!"
Hakan broke the kiss and gave Turan a brief NOD. "Your injury is fully healed! That must mean…!" Turan exclaimed, finally grasping the gravity of my healing power.
Hakan looked lovingly at me. "I… I should be able to bear your child safely…" He picked me up in his arms.
Turan realized the implications. If I have the power to heal… then we have no reason to fear the black arrows like we did in the past. I might even be able to create a new barrier around the fortress!
Hakan smiled warmly. "Yes. I have some unfinished business to take care of."
I felt a sudden BLUSH, stars and a small crown appearing around my head—POOF.