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The world is full of stories, be it of bygone times or made completely from someone’s mind. Some are older, others are newer. Some are clearly remembered; others have been lost. But this one, this tale is one of the oldest of them all. But despite the time that has passed since its creation, we can still hear it being sung at taverns or spoken around campfires.
And it revolves around one question.
Have you ever wondered how the dragon and phoenix became the symbols of eternal love?
Long, long ago, there was a dragon who lived in the mountains. He was a stoic sort, but he was not one to wreak havoc. In fact, he did just the opposite. The dragon instead kept watch over the people of the land, his amber gaze always alert, always keeping an eye out for threats both actual and potential. He had made it his duty to protect the ones who lived in the land, the little humans.
The dragon had maintained his duty as an ever-vigilant guardian for many, many years. But while he was constantly kept busy, if he were to pause for a few moments, he would realize that he felt that there was something missing. He did not know the reason for the emptiness’ existence, and he didn’t know how to fix it. Or if it was even possible to fix it.
Yet the dragon would always dismiss it. It was not something he needed to complete his duties, and it was not something that hindered him. So why would he give it such attention?
Thus, the dragon continued his role as a guardian, be it to take care of threats in battles or to offer wisdom. He continued this role for a long, long time. It was a familiar routine, one that he thought would be the same for possibly an eternity.
But of course, fate is something that not even the great dragon could control.
It was a mid-summer night; the air was warm and the stars shined bright. The dragon found himself approached by young boy who gazed up at him in awe. When the dragon asked what had brought the boy to his home, he was told that the boy’s village had sent him to deliver a message.
According to the boy, the people of his village had come across scorched land and trees within the forest that had not existed the day before. It would not have been of much concern as pyro slimes and flaming flowers were common enough in the forest. But the extent of the damage as well as the sheer amount of scorched land was far too much to be caused by only slimes and flowers.
The boy told the dragon that the flames had not reached anywhere that would have threatened the village’s livelihood, but the elders were concerned that it was only a matter of time until they reached the village and ravaged everything.
The dragon dipped his head low, telling the young boy that he would see to the matter. He told the boy that when the sun began to rise, he must head back to his home and tell the elders of his village that their requests for help have been heard.
He watched over the boy that night, contemplating what could be the source behind flames that could cause such damage but at the same time be so controlled so as to not destroy everything within their path.
As the sun rose and the boy set off to return to his village, the dragon continued to try and think of what could be causing the land to be scorched. And whether or not he might need be prepared for a battle which would require caution on his part. He would need to act carefully so as to not have the people be swept up in any chaos that might occur.
Eventually, the clear blue of the sky transitioned to soft pastels until Night finally pulled her veil over the world. The dragon emerged from his abode and took off, flying silently through the night towards the little village that called for his aid.
For a human, the trip would take a day. But for him, it took only an hour or so.
When his claws touched the ground, the dragon decided to switch his form into that of a young man. He thought that if there was a threat, it would be better to initially be underestimated. Surprise was always a handy thing to have in such matters.
He began to walk through the forest, his amber eyes piercing through the darkness. However, he did not need to search for long as soon enough he saw a crimson light through the trees.
Silently, he made his way to the source, deciding to observe first in order to calculate his next actions.
When he finally reached where the flames were, a large clearing in the middle of the dense forest, the dragon couldn’t help but freeze in place.
There, fighting off different types of monsters who all growled low into the night, was a man.
His movements looked like they were for a graceful, yet deadly and brutally effective, dance with his partners being a large sword and flames that flickered across the sword’s blade.
But the thing that caught the dragon’s eyes were the wild crimson locks atop the man’s head. They moved in a manner similar to the flames that the man wielded, but to the dragon, they were infinitely more vibrant.
Everything about the man was captivating, so much so that the dragon forgot to hide himself until all of the monsters laid dead at the man’s feet.
“If you’re going to be here, at least let me be able to clearly see you.”
The dragon was startled, although it did not show. He didn’t think that the man would’ve noticed his presence so quickly.
And how embarrassing! Being caught gazing at another.
But at the same time, any shock or embarrassment the dragon found himself feeling was eclipsed by the fascination he felt towards the crimson haired man.
Something that only grew when he heard the other speak.
For the voice from the flame wielder was something that the dragon could only describe as incredibly pleasant. It was not a low baritone, but it was still of a lower octave with a slight rasp to it.
Oh, how he would like to hear that voice even more.
But the dragon pushed those thoughts aside. Even if he did not interact with many and would possibly need to fight the person before him, he still had manners that he liked to maintain and uphold.
Fully stepping into the clearing, he slowly approached the mysterious man. The dragon was ready to take action if needed, but the crimson haired individual remained relaxed, his expression neutral but overall non-threatening.
“I’ve never seen you before, if I had I would remember you.”
The mysterious man walked up and met the dragon halfway.
“I would remember someone with amber eyes such as yours.”
The dragon felt a warmth begin to spread on his cheeks and ears, yet even with the stranger’s word, the dragon couldn’t help but think that he was not the one who had eyes worth remembering. Instead, he could argue the stranger standing in front of him was the one with eyes that were impossible to forget.
They were bright and sharp, looking as if someone had decided that the other’s eyes should be made from the most vibrant of rubies. They glittered and shined as well, burning bright with flames that reminded the dragon of the ones he had just seen the stranger fight with.
They were, simply put, absolutely enchanting.
But he could not dwell on those thoughts for much longer. For the dragon feared that if he continued to remain silent then the atmosphere and situation could both quickly turn sour.
“I was merely wondering what the light in the middle of the forest was. I did not expect to encounter one who could fight with flames such as you.”
The stranger remained silent, looking into the dragon’s amber eyes as if knowing that the dragon wasn’t being entirely truthful.
But in the end, he let it go, instead casting his eyes towards the damage he had caused.
“Monsters have been appearing more frequently in these parts. I’ve made it my nightly job to fend them off before harm can befall the village nearby.”
The dragon nodded, looking at the monsters whose bodies were blackened beyond recognition.
“Would you perhaps consider telling the people of your activities? They are quite concerned that your flames could put them in danger.”
Ruby eyes flicked back to pin the dragon under their gaze, their owner tilting his head slightly before shaking it, a mild look of disdain on his face.
“They would then come to me for every issue they had, thinking that I can magically solve their problems. I am not the guardian of the entire land, so they would see me as being more ‘accessible’. It is not something I wish to happen.”
The ruby gaze changed focus once again, this time looking over at the corpses. The stranger held up his hand, and with a simple snap of his fingers, the corpses were set ablaze so that they may turn to ash.
“Or they would deem me as to be nothing but a threat. A man whose hair color is unusual who can also control the flames that have been causing the damage that’s made them concerned to begin with? Not the best mixture of things if you ask me.”
The stranger let out a huff, his gaze focused on the flames in question.
“There is fear in things that are strange. There is fear in things that can also be seen as dangerous. A combination of both can only lead down an awful path.”
The dragon could only nod, understanding where the stranger was coming from. After all, who else would so intimately know of the double-edged nature that came with power as well as being different from humans than the dragon who guarded the land?
“Would you be averse to me telling them that the fires come from one who wants to protect them? As a way to assuage their fears.”
Rubies flicked back towards the dragon, the fire making them and the stranger’s wild locks glow gold.
“That is acceptable. Do what you must, but you must promise to not identify me. Be it by my appearance or anything else, use none of them to possibly hint towards the fact that I am the one behind those actions.”
An easy enough task.
“I shall do my best to make them worry less, and in the process, I swear to not mention you in any way that could make you identifiable.”
The dragon looked at the stranger, who nodded to his words. And thus, the promise between them was sealed.
The fires soon died away, leaving nothing but ash that was quickly scattered by the wind. The stranger looked at the sky, the dragon soon copying his action. There was a silence between them, both gazing up at the stars until the dragon spoke again.
“If the people are still scared, would you be against to having me tell them that I would go out every night to make sure that the flames do not become dangerous?”
The stranger was quiet for a bit, his mind picking over the dragon’s words for a bit before he again nodded.
“That is acceptable.”
The dragon gave his own nod, relieved at the others words. Humans, after all, could be difficult to reassure.
The stranger looked at the dragon, shaking his head for a bit before turning to walk into the woods.
“My tasks here are done, there are no other monsters that I need to deal with tonight. If I am to see you again and again, do not get in my way.”
Before the dragon could get any words out for a reply, the stranger had completely vanished, the combined darkness of night and dense trees being able to hide away every part of him.
Even his vibrant hair.
The dragon stared at where the stranger had vanished for a few moments longer. He placed his hand over his chest, feeling an unfamiliar warmth there. Despite the other’s words, he couldn’t help but…look forward to seeing him again.
Looking once more at the sky, the dragon changed his form again before taking off, making his way back to his home.
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The dragon had ended up telling the townspeople that he was a person assigned by the guardian of the land to ensure that the flames at night would not reach the village and harm it in any possible way.
He had shown them an amulet he had made that had his symbol engraved into it. It was enough to convince the village that he had a connection to the guardian of the land. And that, in turn, allowed him to gain their trust.
And what further gained their trust was his agreement to let them see him leave at night and return in the morning.
It was that final act that let the dragon win the people’s trust entirely.
And with it, the dragon found himself free to enter the forest at night without concern of being seen as suspicious.
And it also meant that he could meet the stranger freely without having to worry about anyone following him.
He could go and meet the stranger as nothing more than a human who happened to find him one night. Not as the guardian of the land or any other lofty titles that he had managed to gain over the years.
And it was something that the dragon couldn’t help but find nice, even if they were both nothing more than strangers.
And the first few nights they met, that fact was painfully obvious.
Initially, they would be silent, no words exchanged between them as the crimson haired stranger went about his work of clearing out monsters.
They wouldn’t spend a lot of time together, the stranger only nodding to acknowledge the dragon’s presence before he would again walk away, vanishing into the forest.
But, as time went on and many nights had passed, the dragon and the stranger slowly started to spend more time together. The stranger would stay for more and more time, no longer leaving as soon as he was finished with his nightly responsibilities.
And the dragon wasn’t entirely sure when it happened, but they eventually went from standing apart to sitting together on the grass.
They didn’t always talk, in fact most of the time they didn’t. Instead, they would look around or, most often, they would gaze up at the stars.
The dragon didn’t know if the stranger found his presence pleasant, but he had a feeling that the stranger at least enjoyed the peace.
The dragon, for his part, found himself enjoying the stranger’s silent company quite a bit. As more and more nights passed, he started to anticipate his visits with the stranger more and more.
And he looked forward to their meetings even more when the silence began to be filled with conversation.
They found themselves talking about anything but also nothing, be it about places they’ve been to or stories that they heard from their respective travels.
And the dragon soon came to the conclusion that his absolute favorite moments with the crimson haired stranger were when they would both lie on their backs and look up at the stars.
And it was during one of those moments that the dragon discovered something about the stranger that made the dragon feel even more drawn to him.
It was after a particularly difficult fight for the stranger, he won but he didn’t walk away from it as unscathed as usual. The dragon had tended to his wounds, silence between them even when he had finished and they were both looking up at the stars.
But then something broke the silence that had fallen between them.
It started softly, so much so that the dragon would have easily missed it if he were a human.
A rich, melodious voice made itself known, steadily growing louder and louder until it was the perfect volume for a lullaby to be sung at.
The dragon closed his eyes. He could easily listen to that voice for hours.
The song itself wasn’t anything that the dragon had ever heard. Be it while wandering through city streets or the occasional tavern he would visit from time to time, nowhere had he heard the song before.
As the stranger’s voice trailed off when the song came to an end, the dragon and the stranger remained silent for a few more moments until once again, the stranger’s voice broke it.
“That song…someone whom I deeply cherished used to sing it to me. It’s been a long time since I’ve personally sung it, and an even longer time since I heard it. But it’s always going to be in my memories.”
The dragon heard the other shift on the grass, and he in turn shifted as well until they were both on their sides, directly facing each other.
“It’s a song that’s always managed to bring me comfort and make me feel safe, even when I have been faced with rather dire situations.”
The stranger paused, his ruby eyes moving as if analyzing the dragon’s face. The dragon, in turn, remained silent. He knew that this was something important to the stranger, so he would let the other think for as long as he needed.
“I…I wanted to share it with you. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time with anyone. And even if we only meet at night, the time we spend together has come to mean a lot to me.”
A scarlet blush bloomed across the stranger’s pale cheeks, and he did his best to look anywhere except at the dragon even if the way he was lying down made such a thing rather difficult to do.
The dragon, for his part, was stunned. It had been quite some time since anyone had admitted to enjoying his company. Feeling his own ears begin to warm, the dragon let his lips curl into a small smile.
“I, too, have come to deeply cherish the time we spend together every night. Thank you for sharing something so dear to you with me.”
The dragon watched as the stranger finally looked back up, his blush having faded ever so slightly.
The stranger looked at the dragon, and he graced the other with his own smile.
And what a smile it was. It was small for sure. But it was so incredibly bright and warm that the dragon couldn’t help but be mesmerized by it. He wished he could see that smile all the time.
“Since you have shared something so precious to you with me, it is only fair that I do the same.”
The stranger’s eyes widened, and it looked as if he was about to speak, to try and tell the dragon that it was not necessary. But one look from piercing amber eyes made him remain silent, instead waiting to for the dragon to speak again.
Humming part of a song from his own memories, the dragon told the stranger about a young woman who had billowing sleeves and loved to sing to the glaze lilies. He told the stranger how she was the first person he could’ve ever called his friend. And he told the stranger of how someone with a soul such as hers, kind and gentle, was not one that was made for the harsh place that the world had become.
Despite the dragon not going into full detail, the stranger could take a pretty good guess as to what had happened to that kind soul. Silence fell between them again, and the dragon found himself lost in his own thoughts. So lost, in fact, that he didn’t notice that the stranger had become closer until he felt a warm hand placed over his own.
Eyes refocusing, the dragon looked at the stranger’s ruby eyes, usually so strong and sharp, looking much softer.
“Thank you for telling me about her, I can tell how much it pains you to do so. She…it seems like she was wonderful.”
The dragon let out a chuckle, but it sounded closer to a sob, “She was. She would’ve loved to have met you. She wanted to see so many things, do so many things…”
The warm hand was removed from its place on the dragon’s hand, but it was back in the form of lightly resting against the dragon’s cheek. The stranger’s thumb moved to gently wipe away tears that had formed outside of the dragon’s control. Outside of his awareness even.
“I can’t bring her back. And I’m sorry that her life was cut short. But think of it this way.”
The stranger placed stopped moving his thumb, instead making it so that his hand completely cupped the dragon’s cheek.
“When you do those things she wished to do, think of it like she’s there with you. When you see the glaze lilies that she adored, think of it like she’s there to look at them with you. When you drink tea, think of it like she’s there with you, be it to talk for hours on end about the tea itself or to just sit and enjoy the silence with you. And when you see the people of the land prospering, think of it like she’s there with you to also enjoy seeing the people finally be able to live in peace. Think of it like she’s there with you, so very happy to see her great wish coming true. And think of it as how thankful she would be towards you, for finally making it possible for that wish to be a reality.”
Rubies stared directly into amber.
“She might not be here physically, but she’ll always shine within your memories.”
There was silence again, the dragon looking at the stranger, completely stunned.
She’ll always shine within your memories.
This time, dragon felt the tears form. Except this time, they fell faster than before. He found himself slightly curling up as silent sobs began to shake his frame. He felt that warm hand on his cheek move again, this time feeling it be placed upon his head where the stranger began to gently run his fingers through the dragon’s raven locks. And the dragon heard as the stranger’s beautiful voice began to softly hum a tune, different from before but comforting all the same.
The dragon didn’t know how long it had been since he cried, but he couldn’t find the strength to hold back his emotions. And thus, he continued to let the tears fall. He cried for the simpler, happier times that he could never go back to. He cried for the exhaustion he felt from having lived for so long. He cried for his first friend; her life cruelly cut short when she still had so much that she wanted to do.
The dragon didn’t know how much time had passed. It could’ve been a few minutes; it could’ve been a couple of hours. But he found himself unable to care, he just let himself continue to weep.
But he was aware of one thing.
And that was the stranger’s constant presence.
Throughout it all, the stranger kept running his fingers through the dragon’s hair, his voice continuing to hum tune after tune. He was a grounding presence, one that the dragon was incredibly grateful for.
They stayed like that until the sun was soon to rise, and by then the dragon’s tears had finally stopped. They said nothing as they slowly stood up. Nothing about the words exchanged. Nothing about how much the dragon cried. They just didn’t say anything.
And that was okay.
They looked at each other briefly, the stranger nodding in farewell which the dragon returned.
The dragon watched again as the stranger vanished into the forest before he himself turned away to head back to the village.
And despite there being no words exchanged, they both knew that there was a change in their relationship.
They both knew that after that night, things wouldn’t be the same. How could anything be the same after sharing such precious information?
But they both found that truly, they didn’t mind that the other knew such information.
They didn’t know why, but they both had a feeling that if there was anyone who could keep their precious memories safe, it was each other.
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There came a night where the dragon noticed that there weren’t any bright flames throughout the forest. Curiously, he walked towards the clearing where he had first met the stranger, wondering what was happening. But once he emerged from the dense forest to enter the clearing, he was immediately met with having the stranger nearly shove a flower into his face.
Raising a brow, the dragon curiously looked at the stranger who in turn was looking away from the other's curious amber gaze.
“I found one of these, I thought you would like to have it.
There, held delicately with deft fingers, was a glaze lily.
The dragon stared at it, where had the stranger managed to find the blossom? The flower had been all but wiped out from the battles that ravaged the land, and he was sure that there were none anywhere near the village.
Reaching out, the dragon took the flower and held it as if it were made of glass. Its petals were open, basking in the soft moonlight. The dragon studied it, and the more he looked, the more surprised he became.
“This lily…it seems to have bloomed due to the affections one feels for another.”
Amber eyes flickered towards the stranger, who was still pointedly looking away as a blush dusted his cheeks.
“Well…I-I think you can probably guess what that means.”
Could he?
The dragon wasn’t the most perceptive when it came to emotions, something he was keenly aware of. Perhaps it was due to his default form being one that made many run away in fear. Perhaps it was due to his habit of remaining distant from the people of the land. Perhaps it was simply how he was.
Either way, as he looked at the lily in his hand, the dragon found himself more resentful towards his emotional ineptitude than usual.
It could be merely a gift a friend gives to another due to caring about them, something that the dragon found himself leaning towards as a conclusion.
But a part of him wondered, could it possibly mean more?
Deciding to not answer such a question, the dragon instead reached up towards the clasp on his cloak. He deftly unclipped the brooch that was there, not minding how its absence made the clothing slightly slip from his form.
He held it out to the stranger, looking at him expectantly.
“A gift given with another in mind should be reciprocated in some form.”
The stranger looked at him, his expression unreadable. But he still reached to take the gift all the same.
The brooch wasn’t a complicated one, merely a piece of cor lapis shaped like a diamond and nestled in gold. But it was one that he had had since the word “young” could be used to describe him. It had been with him through a lot, so it meant a great deal to him.
And he wanted the crimson haired person in front of him to have it.
Pale fingers tightly wrapped around the brooch, the stranger looking at the dragon.
“Thank you…”
The dragon merely smiled, the warmth that had taken residence within his chest since meeting the stranger growing stronger.
“You’re welcome.”
The night continued on in their usual comfortable atmosphere, sharing tales or merely sitting in silence. It was nice, that warmth remaining steady within the dragon’s chest.
And when he saw the stranger the next night, that warmth somehow became even stronger when he saw a familiar brooch clipped onto the stranger’s chest.
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The wind blew through the forest, the seasons changing to welcome autumn. The leaves had changed from their typical greens to the fiery colors of the season. And when the dragon met with the stranger, he couldn’t help but think that he embodied autumn itself.
The stranger stood amongst the trees, gazing up at their colorful leaves. With his crimson hair moving in the wind and his ruby eyes locked onto the bright leaves above, the dragon felt like he was witnessing the spirit of autumn admire their work in bringing forth the seasonal change for the world.
As the dragon stood next to the stranger, the other spoke as he was twirling a scarlet leaf between his thumb and forefinger.
“The monsters have started to become more aggressive as of late, most likely from the fact that with the weather getting colder, resources have begun to dwindle.”
The leaf stopped spinning, and those ruby eyes finally tore their gaze from the leaves above, redirecting their focus to the dragon.
“I ask that if you must keep coming to see me that you please be careful. I…would not react well if you were to be injured in the process.”
The dragon couldn’t help but smile at the other, affection swelling within his chest. He could easily handle a few monsters, and the stranger didn’t have to express any concern for him. But he did, and it was enough to make that warmth in the dragon’s chest thrum.
“Thank you for your concern. I will do my best to remain safe.”
The stranger kept a critical gaze on the dragon, most likely trying to detect any lies as well as acting as a silent way to drive home the importance of what he was asking the dragon to do.
After some time, the stranger merely sighed, shaking his head for a few moments before his attention was again on the dragon.
But this time, his eyes were slightly up, and he reached a hand out towards the dragon. As for the dragon, he could only stay rooted in place from surprise and uncertainty as to what the stranger was doing.
It was if the dragon had turned into a stone statue.
Warm fingers lightly brushed the crown of the dragon’s head, but they quickly retracted and clasped within them was a small golden leaf.
“It stood out too much against your dark hair for me to ignore.”
The dragon could only nod, not entirely sure how to react.
But before he could say anything, the stranger turned his attention back to the trees, adopting a more solemn, pensive gaze.
“I’m not sure how long these monsters will continue to threaten the village, but I will continue to stop them in their tracks.”
Another sigh, the stranger’s eyes closing this time.
“You must have a life to get back to, perhaps work to do or a family to see. I’m not sure, but…you do not have to keep coming here every night if you do not wish to.”
The dragon felt his amber eyes widen as he looked at the stranger. He…had honestly not thought about the fact that there might be a time where he could no longer spend his nights seeing the stranger.
But at the same time, if he were to be completely honest with himself, he knew that their nightly meetings ending was inevitable.
He was the guardian of the land, he had duties that he had to attend to. He had to be there for the people, to guide them and help them move towards the future. Not just in the matters of trade and bureaucracy, but also from danger.
The monsters that kept appearing near the village was already a hint, but the dragon knew that despite the wars having ended, the world was still not entirely at peace. There were still threats to the land, and it was his responsibility to make sure that they did not harm his people.
His duties were ones he chose to do and that he did without a second thought, he truly cared for his people and he wanted to see them succeed.
Both for himself, and also so that he could have Guizhong’s dearest wish finally be true.
But it was at times like these, when he wished to merely be nothing more than a nameless face, that he remembered that his duties were also chains.
He carried them out, but they still kept him bound.
Ironic, wasn’t it? A being who many feared and dared not cross was unable to simply go and meet someone he had come to cherish.
He knew that there would be a time where he had to leave, where he could no longer spend all of his nights with the crimson haired stranger.
And it hurt him more than he ever thought it could.
“If…if I were to leave, would you still be willing to welcome me back?”
The dragon immediately clicked his mouth shut as soon as those words slipped from his lips. He hadn’t expected them to be said. He didn’t even know if he wanted them to be said.
They were words that showed his vulnerability, something that he tried to keep behind lock-and-key. Part of him was essentially screaming at him, berating at him for letting his walls slip down.
But another part of him, a quieter part, was of the opposite opinion. It was telling him that it was okay. That it was okay to let himself be vulnerable with someone, that everyone needed a person to lean on. That one could only be strong for so long.
And the dragon realized that the answer to that question was something he desperately wanted to hear. And that even if the stranger’s reply wasn’t the one that he wanted to hear; it was still something he wished to know.
Even if he wasn’t entirely sure what exactly was the answer he wanted, the dragon wished to hear one all the same.
For his own part, the stranger, apparently, also didn’t expect such a question to be asked as he turned to the dragon with a look of surprise on his face.
The dragon was not one to cower or fall apart from nerves, but he would be lying if he said that he didn’t feel some form of anxiousness as he waited for the other’s answer.
He watched as stranger’s expression softened, a strange tightness that had formed in the dragon’s chest loosening just a bit. The stranger wasn’t smiling, but a look of gentleness replaced the typical sharpness that could be found within his ruby gaze.
“You could be gone for days, weeks, months, or even years. But I can promise you that no matter how much time passes between your departure and return, I will always welcome you back with open arms.”
The dragon let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He looked at the stranger, a warm smile gracing his lip as that tightness in his chest vanished.
“Thank you.”
The stranger only nodded, and by then his lips had curled up into their own smile. They both directed their gazes back to the trees, watching the leaves slowly drift to the ground as the moonlight made their colors softer, gentler and more muted.
But the stranger’s hair and eyes, they remained as bright as ever.
Truly, if the other said that he was the personification of autumn, the dragon would believe him immediately.
As the night continued, the dragon knew that even if there were years between the time he had to leave and when they might meet again, he would never forget the vibrant red of the stranger’s wild hair and sharp eyes.
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The seasons changed again, the fiery colors of autumn giving way to the more muted palette of winter. Snow came to cover the world, changing the world to make it seem much quieter. The dragon had never been bothered by weather, but he found that the weather of the winter season was one he could enjoy quite a bit.
And it was something that the stranger also seemed to enjoy quite a bit. It was something that the dragon had not expected, especially since he assumed that he would like warmer weather of summer due to him being able to wield flames. When he inquired about such a thing, the stranger had merely given a huff of laughter.
“I do enjoy warmer weather, that much is true. But my flames make my body warmer than that of most others. The cold weather is a nice reprieve from the heat of the summer. In all honesty, I would even say that I like the colder weather more. But it would seem odd for someone connected with fire to be unable to handle the heat.”
The dragon in turn gave his own chuckle, apparently the stranger was able to see the reasons behind why he made his inquiry rather easily.
He watched as the stranger reached up, catching some snowflakes in his palm.
“Snow in particular is my favorite part, the way it makes the world seem so new and peaceful, I can’t help but admire it.”
He turned, and the dragon couldn’t help but think that the snowflakes that were dusted along the stranger’s hair combined with the moonlight made the already beautiful crimson locks even more captivating.
The stranger walked over, taking the dragon’s hand in his own. He ran a warm thumb over the back of the dragon’s hand, humming for a bit.
The dragon wished that they could stay like that for a while longer, enjoying the other’s presence. But he knew that that wasn’t an option.
“I…I have to leave first thing in the morning. There are matters I must attend to.”
The stranger didn’t stop running his thumb over the dragon’s knuckles, nor did he stop humming. If anything, he seemed rather relaxed.
But then again, he knew that his day was going to come, so the dragon supposed that the anticipation was enough to make him accept the fact that their nights together were, at the very least, coming to an end for a little while.
They stood in silence for a bit longer until the stranger brought his other hand up, now using both to clasp the dragon’s own hand between them.
“Then I shall wait for your return.”
He placed something within the dragon’s palm before gently closing the hands long fingers around it.
“I shall keep the brooch you gave me safe, and in turn, I give you this. Think of it as a way of remembering me.”
And with that, he let go of the dragon’s hands, his ruby eyes glittering in the moonlight as he leaned closer.
Warm, soft lips lightly touched the dragon’s cheek. Amber eyes widened, of all the possible ways his farewell could’ve gone, this was not something that the dragon had even thought of being a possibility.
“I’ll always welcome you back. But do me a favor?”
The dragon could only nod, watching as the stranger’s gaze seemed to burn even more than usual, seemingly boring holes into the dragon’s soul.
“Take care of yourself.”
Again, the dragon found that all he could do was nod, looking at the other. But he managed to eventually find his voice.
“I will do my best to return as quickly as possible. You, too, must also take care of yourself.”
The stranger gave a smile and oh, it was one that the dragon had never seen before. He was used to the stranger’s small smiles, the ones that only slightly quirked his lips upwards.
But this smile? This was one that lit up the stranger’s face, one that made his eyes crinkle in delight. One that made the warmth in the dragon’s chest grow so strong that he couldn’t feel the chill of winter whatsoever. He wished he could see that smile more, but the night was drawing to a close and thus, they had to part ways. The stranger’s dazzling smile slowly turned into one of those familiar smaller ones.
“I will.”
And with those parting words, the stranger turned around and made his way to the forest. Even with the world being blanketed in white, he still managed to vanish within the shadows.
The dragon stood there for a bit longer, gaze fixed upon where the stranger had disappeared. He wondered when he would see him again.
Looking back down at the hand the stranger had placed his gift in, the dragon slowly uncurled it and a smile of his own found its way to his lips.
There, sitting in his palm, was an earring. It was a simple one, a white tassel attached to a piece of cor lapis with a black stone supporting it all. It was not the fanciest piece of jewelry the dragon had ever seen, but it was one that had evidently been crafted with great care.
Brushing his hair behind his ear, the dragon carefully placed it there. The weight was slight, but he found it comforting all the same. It was something to remember the other by while he was away.
The dragon left the clearing, making his way back to the village.
He found himself thinking that even if he had to leave for years, it would be fine. The stranger’s gift was enough to keep that wonderful warmth within his chest.
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But the dragon soon discovered that he did not need to wait for long. It was in the middle of winter, the winds particularly harsh that night. They howled incessantly, snow accompanying it to further cover the world. The dragon paid it no mind, his home was warm and completely sheltered him. And he had tasks that needed his full attention, something as minor as worrying over the weather wasn’t worth his energy.
Spread before him were stacks and stacks of papers. Some were reports, be it from the city on the harbor or from elsewhere in the land. But a vast majority of the papers pertained to records regarding trade, business, and laws that the dragon planned to enact.
His peace, however, was not to last as he heard the sound of footsteps near the entrance of his home. Gently placing down the brush he had been writing with, the dragon shed his more human form in favor of his divine one. He made his way to the entrance, claws clicking against the stone floor as he did so.
When he saw the one responsible for the noise, the dragon felt a seed of worry take place within the pit of his stomach.
There, shivering with nothing but a cloak for warmth, was the boy who had come to him all those months ago that summer night.
“Child, why have you returned here, and in such harsh weather as well?”
The boy shook his head, his shivers having lessened slightly now that he was no longer directly within the snowstorm that raged outside.
“M-monsters a-attacked the v-village. We were e-evacuated by a man who could control f-fire. Everyone is safe b-but there were s-so many enemies. Th-they told me not to come here, but I c-c-couldn’t just w-watch him fall. Please, p-please help him…”
The boy words trailed off; his body fatigued from its battle to keep him warm. The dragon only allowed himself a single moment of shock before he began to take action. He went over to the boy, lowering his head.
“I shall go there at once. I will keep you warm along the way, do not worry about that.”
The boy looked at him, only briefly confused before he nodded. Clambering onto the dragon’s back, he clasped his hands tightly around curling golden horns.
The dragon, once certain that the boy was secure, took off into the sky. He cut through the air as if the storm was non-existent. He eventually managed to land by where the townspeople were, letting the boy go ahead of them to tell them that more help was had arrived.
He took on the form that the villagers knew, and he made his way to the town. And the closer the village became, the more and more destruction he was met with.
There were patches of melted snow, scorched trees, and a seemingly endless amount of monster corpses. If the situation weren’t so dire, the dragon would have been impressed by the fact that the stranger had been able to ensure everyone was safe despite having to fend off so many attackers.
Soon enough, the dragon entered the actual town. He was greeted with even more corpses and scorch marks, and adding the snow and howling winds into the scene made everything seem fit for a nightmare. But the dragon didn’t have any time to stop and stare. Looking through the snow, he saw the familiar sight of flames lighting up the night.
Summoning a spear, he grasped it tightly as the dragon swiftly made his way towards the flames.
As he continued to go further into the town, he was met with several monsters that were either still alive or reinforcements.
He made easy work of them. They were merely nuisances compared to the dragon.
They were nothing more than a minor inconvenience for the one who managed to emerge victorious from a war that had devastated the land.
But the monsters did manage to slow the dragon down, something that made him end up sprinting to where he knew the stranger would be.
When he finally reached the area, the town square in fact, he saw the stranger fighting around the fountain that was there. He looked like a streak of red for how quick his movements were, his sword and flames striking enemies down.
But the dragon saw how exhaustion was slowly beginning to take its toll. He knew that the stranger wouldn’t be able to keep fighting in such a way for much longer.
Amber eyes caught a shadow trying to strike the stranger from behind, perfectly in his blind spot. The dragon refused to let that happen.
He quickly moved, covering the stranger’s back as he impaled the monster on his spear. The stranger paused for a bit, his head turning slightly behind him to look at the new presence that his senses had alerted him to. Eyes widening ever so slightly, the stranger fully turned to face the dragon, something that was only possible due to the small lull within the battle.
“You…why are you here?”
The dragon merely scanned the area, twirling his spear in his hand as he spoke.
“I was asked to come and provide assistance. So, here I am.”
The stranger looked at the dragon for a bit longer, ruby eyes full of disbelief. But he eventually merely gave a huff with a somewhat bemused half-smile, turning his gaze towards a street where the sounds of approaching footsteps and other noises could be heard.
“Well then, make it so that I can thank you for actually being of help.”
The dragon gave his own smile before he let his gaze land on a different street that was also full of the sounds of approaching monsters.
“Gladly.”
And with that, their battle had begun.
They made a perfect team. The stranger devastated waves of monsters with his flames and sword, all of his attacks remaining strong as the stranger refused to falter. The dragon, for his part, moved efficiently, quickly taking out anyone who dared approach him. He didn’t waste a single movement.
They covered each other’s weaknesses; they watched each other’s backs. The battle was a dance and they were each other’s partners for it.
Yet just like how a dance can be thrown off by a single mistake, so too can a battle.
There was a moment where the dragon moved to dodge an attack, his spear piercing the heart of the assailant. But when he went to regain his balance, his foot managed to slip ever so slightly in the snow.
It was only by a few inches, but in a situation such as a fight, those few inches meant everything.
Looking up, the dragon saw another monster quickly making its way towards him, brandishing an old, but still very dangerous, sword. Doing his best to regain his balance, the dragon brought his spear up, ready to try his best in blocking the attack.
Though that was not what he should’ve been prepared for as he felt himself being shoved out of the way.
He watched, surprised and then horrified, as the stranger took his place, managing to dodge the attack so that the sword didn’t impale him in his stomach.
But not dodging far enough to avoid the attack all together.
The dragon watched as the stranger quickly took the monster down, only to fall to his knees and lean on his weapon for support, coughing up crimson as he did so.
And it was in that moment that the dragon felt a type of anger he had not felt since he had seen another person dear to him fall.
The next few moments couldn’t be described as anything else besides a massacre. The dragon tore through enemy after enemy; his spear becoming so coated in blood that it left a red streak in the air whenever he swung it. Anything that was within his way was taken down, much more swiftly than before as well as in a much, much more brutal manner.
The rest of the fight only lasted for a few minutes longer until every possible monster that appeared was dead, slain by the one who swore to watch over the land and its people.
But there was no time to relax.
The dragon swiftly made his way towards the stranger, who had managed to make his way towards the fountain. The stranger sat against the structure, his blood steadily dying the snow a shade of red that could rival his hair. As the dragon approached, the stranger’s ruby eyes looked at him, and his lips quirked upwards.
“You have horns.”
The dragon tilted his head in confusion, gingerly bringing a hand up to discover that the stranger was indeed correct.
He had apparently been more caught up in fighting than he had previously thought.
The stranger chuckled, though it was cut short as he coughed, more crimson spilling from his lips.
The dragon rushed forward, pressing a hand against the stranger’s wound.
“Save your energy, please. We need to get you help.”
But the stranger only shook his head, giving the dragon a sad smile as he looked up, his ruby eyes steadily becoming duller and duller.
“There’s no recovering from this wound. But I can confidently say thank you for your help. Without you, the village would have surely been destroyed.”
The dragon shook his head, not wanting to believe the truth even though he knew that the other’s words were correct.
The stranger slowly let out a breath, the sad smile still on his lips.
“I would’ve loved to have been able to spend more time with you. To be able to meet you again under the night sky, to maybe even eventually meet you during the day. I wanted to be able to experience so many things with you. But, sadly, it seems that those times aren’t meant to be.”
The stranger closed his eyes for a moment, and fire appeared behind his back. The dragon’s eyes widened as he saw two beautiful, majestic wings appear once the flames died down and vanished.
Their feathers were the same color as the stranger’s hair, except throughout them were streaks of gold and orange. And even with their owner dying, they still stood tall and proud.
They were absolutely breathtaking.
One of the wings folded forward, allowing for a hand that was slowly growing unnaturally cold to pluck one of its primaries.
Long and sleek, it seemed to shimmer ever so slightly with delicate stripes of gold and orange running through its otherwise crimson color.
“I always thought there was something more to you, your eyes and your general aura spoke of something more than merely being human. But then again, I’m not really one to speak with how I hid my own identity.”
The phoenix took the dragon’s free hand, placing the feather within it.
“I want you to have this. As a symbol of our time together despite it being so brief.”
A frown replaced the smile, the phoenix reaching his hand up to cup the dragon’s cheek.
“You…you’re crying.”
The dragon let out a noise that was between a huff of laughter and a sob.
“How could I not, when the one I’ve come to cherish the most is about to leave?”
The phoenix’s gaze was soft but sad as he slowly wiped away the tears that were falling.
“I do not know when, but I can promise you that we will meet again.”
He shifted a bit, biting his lip in pain as he aggravated his wound.
“Will you wait for me until then?”
The dragon nodded, tears still steadily falling from his eyes as he saw those radiant rubies continue to lose their luster.
Another exhale, the phoenix looking at the dragon with adoration.
“That song I shared with you, could you maybe sing it for me?”
The dragon nodded, doing his best to not break on the spot.
“Of course. Of course I can sing for you.”
“Thank you.”
Slowly, the dragon’s deep, rich voice began the song. It started softly, but it soon grew in volume. He poured his entire being into the lyrics, trying to convey how much the other meant to him. He did his best to keep his voice steady, but it was becoming more and more difficult as the phoenix’s eyes slowly began to drift closed and as the hand still on his cheek became colder and colder.
Eventually, that hand fell away. But the dragon quickly grasped it, holding it tightly in his own bloodstained hand as he leaned forward. Right before the warmth completely vanished from the being of fire, the dragon placed a sweet kiss on the other’s forehead.
“Goodnight my phoenix.”
The warmth finally faded and the phoenix stopped breathing, his chest still and his eyes now forever closed.
But the dragon continued to hold the phoenix’s hand, his shoulders shaking and his eyes shut as sobs wracked his entire form.
But he soon snapped his eyes back open as he felt the hand he was holding break apart. Startled, the dragon watched as cracks slowly began to form along the phoenix’s body, having been turned to ash upon his death.
The dragon watched as, for the second time in his life, he saw someone who he had come to hold close to his heart dissolve into nothing, carried away by the wind. All that was left were the phoenix’s blood that stained the snow and the dragon’s hand, the feather that he still held within his hand, and…and the brooch that had been a gift that night that felt like a lifetime ago.
The dragon reached out, taking the brooch that was originally his. He wasn’t sure why it of all things remained. It could’ve been because he was the one who made it and thus it was not a normal piece of jewelry. It could be because it was not in direct contact with the phoenix’s skin.
The dragon did not know, but as he placed it once again on his cloak, he knew that he was going to keep it safe until he could give it back to the one it rightfully belonged to.
He would wait, even if it meant waiting for an eternity.
And the dragon knew that when they met again, he was definitely going to once again give it to the person who had won his affections.
He stood up, and his eyes made their way to the phoenix’s fallen sword. He carefully picked it up, admiring the craftsmanship that went into the weapon. But he felt that it was not his to keep.
The dragon eventually made his way back to the villagers, his horns still present and his expression stoic. He told them about the fate of the person who came to their aid and presented them the sword as a way to remember the flame-wielding stranger who had come to save them all.
The dragon didn’t linger for much longer, but he did make it a point to thank the young boy who had essentially been the catalyst for the dragon and phoenix to meet.
With the parting words of telling the boy that he was always welcome to visit him and his home, the dragon turned on the heel of his boot and left.
And if anyone noticed how red his eyes were or the brilliant, flame colored feather carefully placed in his hair, no one commented on it.
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Centuries passed, the dragon fully dedicating himself to his work. He did everything he could to make sure that the people would prosper, that they would continue to grow and thus be given the chance to have a bright future.
He buried himself in his work in a futile attempt to ignore the gaping emptiness in his chest that had returned.
Before, he hadn’t known what it was, but that was before he knew what it felt like to have warmth there.
That was before he knew what it felt like to have the company of someone who he had come to love.
He hadn’t known what should be in place of that emptiness until it was taken from him.
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The dragon continued to work and work and work until one day, he didn’t.
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Have you ever seen a man with amber eyes walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor? They say that he has a most strange sense of fashion. That he wears but a single white tassel earring that was made with a small piece of cor lapis and black stone. That over the knot of his tie was a brooch, made simply of a piece of cor lapis placed in gold.
Strange indeed! But there was something else that truly caught the eye.
Have you heard of the amber eyed man walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor? The man who has a feather the color of fire attached to his jacket lapel?
They say that he carries an air of melancholy to him. How even when he smiles, there’s a sadness that weighs upon him.
No one knows why it weighed so heavily upon his shoulders, but many have wished to see that sadness lifted.
No one should remain that sad for so long.
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Have you heard of the man with amber eyes who wanders the streets of Liyue Harbor? Have you seen him of late? It is said that he no longer walks through the city’s many streets alone.
That he now has a companion whose eyes are said to be made of rubies, that they shine from a fire that burns behind them.
Have you seen the amber eyed man with his companion, a companion who’s said to have wild crimson locks for hair?
Have you seen how the feather on the amber eyed man’s lapel matches his companion’s crimson curls?
Have you seen how now, that crimson haired companion wears the brooch that used to rest over the amber eyed man’s tie?
Have you seen how the heavy sadness that used to weigh upon the amber eyed man’s shoulders is no longer there?
Have you seen those two wandering the harbor?
Have you seen how they look to be perfectly identical in appearance to the dragon and phoenix in the tale from long ago?
If you have seen them, then you should know how much they adore each other.
How much they love each other.
Have you seen them?
If you have, then maybe, you might be able to understand a little better why the dragon and the phoenix are the symbols for eternal love.
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Oh, and who am I? Who am I to claim to know these stories of old? These stories from a land that is not my own? I am no one of importance, merely a travelling bard who happened to be passing by. But if you must have something in order to address me, then please, I like to go by Venti.