Chapter Text
When we get old, no matter how dear some pieces of memories are to us… Time leaves an indelible mark on our soul.
To be honest he didn’t remember his smile or the sound of his voice. Questions like if he had a dimple or two, all of this… It was impossible for him to give a proper answer now. He guessed that was one of the drawbacks of having a lifespan as long as a dragon, the fate of a single-lifer.
“Now that you have returned to nature Raon… Does it mean it will be soon my turn?”
The old man hidden in his cape left an apple pie and a little bag full of gold coins on a large familiar bed from the fifth floor of an equally familiar villa, then gently closed the door behind him. He stood silently for a moment, staring at his feet before looking through the hallway window.
How funny, after all this time, there was still this nostalgic scent that he could not quite describe, filling the walls of this house.
<What are you doing? Daydreaming as soon as the suns out. Everyone is waiting for you. >
He knew that this was surely only an auditory hallucination, nevertheless his steps followed this misty silhouette with vermillion hair instinctively.
<Have you eaten yet? >
Yes, of course.
<That’s good, do you remember what I said? Being al—>
He stifled a laugh and murmured:
“Being alive is the best.”
The mirage before him danced slightly as if it were acquiescing.
<Exactly, that’s why… >
The man stopped on his tracks.
<Have you been living well Han-ah? >
...
He bit on his lower lip and nodded weakly. If there were words to describe the emotions swirling in his chest, he would like someone to tell him so that he can answer much more truthfully. After all, he had always been a bad liar.
<Don’t say anything. I know.
You’ve been brave. >
The old man wondered if it were only his imagination that created things he wished to hear or was it really “that person” whispering sweet words to him noticing that his final hour drew near. He kneeled down slowly, however, with difficulty by a grave covered with ivy and wild flowers. Then, he laid his head on the piece of stone and looked up to gaze at the “azure-blue sky” above him. The small black dragon had definitely left behind a haven of peace that corresponded well to “his” wish. It reminded him of the first time he discovered the dragon hunters’ village: a serene tranquility, one that whispered to him that he was indeed back home.
Yes… “Their home”.
It had always been like this. He just hadn’t been back here in ages. Nothing had changed, yet it was somehow different. He wondered if it was because of the field of flowers which stretched as far as the eye could see or because it was strangely quiet.
No sound of swords clashing against each other, or even laughter echoing in the garden. No boiling pots on the stove or explosions in the basement lab.
No young master with a book in hands sleeping peacefully on a bench…
ᴬʰ… ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉⁿᵈ, ʰᵉ ʷᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵒⁿᵉ ˡᵉᶠᵗ.
“Cale-nim… I kept my promise, therefore don’t be too upset when you will see me.”
The man sketched an innocent smile and closed his eyes.