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The Emblem rings were powerful artifacts, containing the power of otherworldly warriors with the intention to bring peace. Their power wasn’t something that could be used so recklessly. Alear, herself, knew that more than others. Perhaps it can explain why she’s so emotional when people get hurt because of the Emblem’s power.
“Alear, you worry too much… I’m feeling fine! I feel right as rain!”
“You’re not fine, Yunaka!” Alear raised her voice, pulling the injured thief away from the battlefield. “That was far too reckless… The backlash is too much to be used so often. I thought I told you and Micaiah to be careful!”
“Please, Alear… You shouldn’t be too harsh on Yunaka,” Micaiah appeared at Yunaka’s left, helping the thief stand. “It’s my fault at the end of the day.”
“C’mon, you two… No one’s at fault here,” Yunaka sighed as she leaned on Alear’s shoulder. “Goodness, the Divine Dragon is worried about me… You really love putting me on the spot.”
“Of course, I’m worried!” Alear huffed. “I thought you were going to die…!”
“You’re such a worrywart, Alear… I know how to handle Micaiah’s power,” Yunaka closed her eyes. “I don’t plan on dying anytime sooner… Not like a certain Emblem.”
“Ah…”
Alear’s cheeks burned red with embarrassment; her anger dissipated. She went silent as she pulled the Emblem wielder into the medical tent.
“Yunaka should make a sound recovery,” Micaiah helped the girl into the cot. “Still, we should find Jean or Hortensia to heal her wounds…”
“I’ll go do that. Micaiah, you can𑁋”
“No, I’ll find our healers,” Micaiah shook her head. “You, on the other hand, should rest as well.”
“I… Wait…”
Alear stammered as the Emblem left the two girls in the tent. The Divine Dragon stood there in silence before clearing her throat.
“Yunaka, I…”
“What? You’re still worried about little old me,” Yunaka chuckled, raising her head. “Well, I think you now know how I felt after that little stunt you pulled at Lythos castle.”
“Yeah, I realized that I’m the last person to talk about such things… I imagine that I might have upset you back then.”
“Oh, definitely,” Yunaka said without hesitation. “I was pretty upset back then. I mean, it’s pretty obvious that people would be upset if they saw their friend die twice in a day…”
“You have a point there… I never did apologize for that, did I?” Alear fidgeted. “I feel terrible for what I’ve done to you and the others.”
“Oh, Alear…”
Yunaka gestured for the multicolored dragon to come closer. Alear tilted her head, walking towards the cot.
“No, come closer… Don’t worry, I won’t bite!”
She frowned before leaning her face in closer.
“Is this good𑁋? Gah!”
Yunaka, without hesitation, grabbed Alear’s face and began stretching her cheeks.
“Geez, Alear… I thought I was the gloomy one here!”
“Sowwy…”
“You’re the Divine Dragon… You’re not supposed to upset yourself over a trained killer like me,” Yunaka chuckled. “Now, give your best smile!”
Alear attempted to smile while at the mercy of her partner’s pinching.
“There we go,” Yunaka smiled, letting go of the poor dragon. “You’re not you without your smile…”
“Really? I would say the same for you,” Alear pulled back, sitting beside the cot. “I can’t imagine Yunaka without your infectious smile… There’s also your manner of speaking…”
“Aw, geez… You’re such a smooth talker, you…”
Yunaka scratched her cheek, averting her gaze.
“Keep that up, and I might have to steal another Emblem.”
“Huh? Why would you do that? Yunaka, I thought you said that you’re going to stop that line of𑁋Mmph?!”
Alear’s eyes widened as a pair of lips silenced her. Time slowed to a crawl for the dragon girl, her thoughts becoming a jumbled mess. Yunaka held the kiss for a few moments before pulling back, her face red as the couple’s hair.
“Look at me now… I stole an Emblem ring, and now I stole a kiss from the thirteenth emblem,” Yunaka smiled sheepishly. “Haha… That sounded better in my head.”
“Ah… T-That’s what you mean,” Alear stammered out. “...I think I’ve fallen in love with you again…”
“Oh, hush… You’re not going to get me with your cheesy lines! Don’t need to polish my knives when you already won my heart!” Yunaka lightly shoved her. “At least, you’re feeling better. Sheesh, Alear… I’m supposed to be one down in the dumps about being injured…”
“Ah, that’s right! Shall I fetch anything for you? Jean or Hortensia should be here any minute now, so I…!”
“Just stay here, okay?” Yunaka placed a hand on Alear’s shoulder. “I just want you here by my side…”
“...Okay,” Alear exhaled deeply before relaxing in her chair. “I can do that.”
The two sat in silence, enjoying the rare moment of peace, despite the ongoing war. Alear closed her eyes, grabbing Yunaka’s hand and squeezing it softly. It was because of these rare moments that Alear regained the resolve to continue fighting for the world her mother loved.
“Sorry about the Great Sacrifice,” Yunaka broke the silence. “I know that we should only use the ability in emergencies as a last resort…”
“It’s fine… I shouldn’t have yelled at you,” Alear nodded, squeezing Yunaka’s hand again. “Just… don’t do that again.”
“Ehh… I’ll make no promises. I still don’t regret my actions. After all, we don’t want a repeat of Lythos Castle…”
Alear blinked, turning back to Yunaka.
“Wait, you used Micaiah to…?”
“Yeah… I used her to save your life. I saw how badly you were hurting after facing the Corrupted. When I saw you struggling to stand, I just…”
Yunaka sighed, removing all pretense.
“I went for it, just like that. My life doesn’t matter as much as the Divine Dragon’s, so I didn't hesitate...”
“Yunaka, that’s not true… Your life matters.”
“I’m flattered, but it’s the truth. I mean, you’re the daughter of Queen Lumera and a legendary hero! Compared to you, I’m just𑁋 Mmph!?”
Alear decided to take a page from Yunaka’s book and use it against her. She silenced the former thief with a kiss. She wasn’t too familiar with romantic gestures, which could explain why she almost headbutted her partner by accident. She held the kiss for as long as she could, pulling away to finally breathe.
“Alear… I… Golly, Divine One… You’re…”
Yunaka’s lips curled into a grin.
“You’re a terrible kisser…”
“W-Well, I just had my first one a few minutes ago,” Alear averted her gaze. “Yunaka, I’m just a Fell Dragon who got lucky. I’m not as special as the people make me out to be. You may see yourself as just a trained killer, but you’re much more than that. You’re a great actress and performer. You keep your weapons and belongings in top shape. You’re also in great shape and have𑁋”
“Alright, alright… I get it. No more self-loathing. I can’t have my partner upset with me, huh?” Yunaka chuckled before patting Alear on the head. “I’ll hold you to that same promise, too! It doesn’t matter what kind of dragon you are… You’re still the same innocent and goofy girl I fell in love with.”
“Alright, I won’t talk about my background like that again,” Alear smiled softly. “We’ll greet the next chapter in our lives with positive thinking.”
“Zappy! That’s what I like to hear! Gosh, I could jump into your arms if I weren’t in pain… It’s kinda hard to move… or do anything… Ow…”
“T-This is why I said I should leave!” Alear shot up, running out of the tent. “Micaiah! Jean?! Framme?! Hortensia?! Where are you guys?! Healer! We need a healer! This is an emergency!!”
Alear, later on, had to apologize to her army for causing a panic throughout the campsite.