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Waking up in places he didn’t fall asleep was a familiarity for Cale. After all, with his tendency to pass out in the midst of or after a battle, he did end up having to be moved constantly. So, no, it wasn’t unusual for him to wake up in places he didn’t fall asleep.
Though, all things considered, this time it was very unusual. The first thing he noticed was the lack of paws in his face, attempting to wake him up, as well as the lack of dragon splayed across his stomach. Both were constants in the morning, and for them to not be there was rather panic inducing for him.
The second thing was the room he was in. While familiar, it was also the bedroom of someone who lived a very ostentatious lifestyle. Not to mention, it wasn’t the place he fell asleep. In fact, he fell asleep several miles away, relatively deep into the Forest of Darkness.
The third and final thing he noticed immediately was the silence in his head. The ancient powers were constantly squabbling in his thoughts, even first thing in the morning. The unusual silence, even as he attempted to contact them, raised the final red flag in his mind.
His head was feeling rather fuzzy, but even he could comprehend what, exactly, just happened. He was sent back in time. It was a commonly used trope in novels centered around revenge, and one of the things he was hoping didn’t happen. But he couldn’t deny it any longer.
Fuck, he thought, here we go again.
Having already gone through all this once, going through it a second time was far easier. Getting the Unbreakable Shield, feeding two cats and a swordmaster, bringing those two cats and a swordmaster home, and being told he would be the one going to the capital… It was all fairly simple.
As he rode in the carriage, sat with one leg crossed over the other neatly across Choi Han, he quickly remembered everything that would happen next. Cale was very excited at the idea of being able to see Raon again, even if the dragon wouldn’t remember him, but his skin crawled at the thought of having to see Venion Stan again. As well as having to see the damned conditions Raon was kept in.
The thought sent a burning rage seething through his gut, making him feel unusually vicious. He could see Choi Han looking at him with concern, but Cale waved him off when he noticed Choi Han was about to speak up.
“It’s fine,” Cale told him, “Nothing you need to worry about for now.”
“For now?” Choi Han questioned.
“We’re going to take care of it right now.”
“Take care of what?”
Cale sighed. “A son of a bitch who thinks he can control a dragon.” He paused momentarily, before deciding to add on. “A dumb son of a bitch.” Choi Han nodded in agreement at the latter statement. Hans, sitting beside him, looked at Cale in growing horror and cuddled the two kittens in his lap closer.
There’s a method to this madness, Cale thought dryly, pitifully staring at the loyal servant, Hang in there, Deputy Butler Hans.
Cale internally huffed a laugh, watching the red cat tribe member snuggle closer to Hans. Or should I say Hong in there?
He was just trying to humor himself. Although, internally, he was still trying to figure out just what the hell is going on. Transmigration, he supposed, is one thing, but time travel is a whole ‘nother issue.
Mostly, he was worried about some sort of butterfly effect bullshit taking place. Cale was sure he’d not done much different from his “first run,” so to speak, but any haste or delay could potentially ruin everything he’d previously built in two years.
No, I’m pretty sure I got it all right. Right?
He bit his lip, looking out the window. The moon was relatively high in the sky, stars spotting the night like fireflies. Normally, the sight would be nice and calming. However, he was feeling anything but calm.
Suddenly, Choi Han sprung up, sticking his head out the window. There was a glowing red hue ahead of them, and the distinct smell of smoke. A large billow of dark clouds rose into the sky, visible even as far away as they were and as dark as it was.
“Shit,” Choi Han whispered under his breath, almost incoherent to Cale’s ears. “Cale-nim, stay here.”
Cale swallowed a lump in his throat. No, this can’t be happening. What did I do differently?
He grabbed Choi Han’s arm before he could go any further. “No. It’s better to go as a group. Tell the coachman to go faster.”
I have to make sure. He has to be okay. Cale grit his teeth, anxious. Panic wouldn’t do him any good, he knew, but he couldn’t help but feel his heart start racing faster.
They drew close in record time, the horses drawing the carriage working overtime. A few hundred meters from the village where the summer home was, Cale stopped the carriage. “Let’s go the rest of the way by foot. Hans, stay here with On and Hong. Choi Han and I will go alone.”
“But-”
“Let’s go, Choi Han.” Cale jumped from the carriage, breaking into a sprint. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he drew closer to the heat, Choi Han matching his pace and going just slightly ahead of him. He could hear screams and cries as his heart dropped to the floor and hope diminished.
Shit. Fuck. This can’t be happening. He heard a roar, sounding distinctly close, as they came upon the burning village. Choi Han was quick to jump into action, but Cale couldn’t help but root his feet to the ground.
Right there, now battling Choi Han, was a large black dragon who was so clearly mad and in such distress. It sent despair flaring through Cale’s veins. Fire fled his mouth, singing Choi Han’s cape.
His legs felt weak. His vision was fuzzy. Cale was pretty sure he might’ve been trembling, too. Sweat dripped down his forehead, but he couldn’t really feel it. All his concentration was focused on the scene before him.
Raon?
Was he breathing anymore? Was there any reason to breathe? When he’d first saved the dragon, Raon, his kid, Raon, it had just been another disaster averted. Another disaster he wouldn’t have to deal with. But then he became an irreplaceable companion. Cale could barely imagine life without the dragon. My kid. Raon.
Was it sweat or tears dripping down his face? Cale couldn’t tell anymore. He felt like fainting. Could I do this without him?
Would it be better to die?
There was no way to recover a dragon gone mad. It would be more merciful to kill him. More logical. Prevent more deaths that way. Some part of Cale, though, the one that knew all that Raon had gone through, the one who comforted the dragon when he awoke with nightmares, that side wanted to let him rampage. Let him take revenge on the world that hurt him.
He stood still throughout the entire fight, and he watched. His head felt so very fuzzy, as though he weren’t entirely there. Had it been minutes? Hours? Days? He wasn’t sure. It was like he had tunnel vision, only being able to see in front of him and nothing around him.
And then, when Choi Han eventually struck down the dragon, no, not the dragon, Raon, just as he had in the novel, Cale allowed himself to topple to the floor, darkness filling his vision.
…He shot up in his bed, where he was before. His eyes darted around, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. His lap held a familiar weight, and his eyes slid over to the three figures occupying space on the bed.
Yes, of course. Cale panted slightly, still trying to recover. Just a dream. Of course it was just a dream. Why wouldn’t it be?
But tears still blurred his vision, as he choked down what might have been a sob. It still woke up Raon, his kid, his great, fantastic kid with great hearing, who looked up at him with concern.
–Are you alright, human?
Cale opened his arms to him, beckoning the dragon closer, if only to make sure he was real. Raon obediently sank into his chest as Cale wrapped his arms around him, making sure he could really hear his heartbeat.
“I’ll always save you, okay?” Cale whispered. “Always. You’re never allowed to die, okay?”
–I’ll never die! And neither will you. Why are you sad?
Cale hummed, still feeling down. “Just… Just a nightmare. It was just a nightmare. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
–I love you, weak human.
He chuckled slightly, hugging Raon closer. “I love you, too.” Thank the gods it was just a dream.