Chapter Text
Nights in the village of Ryokyuruu were getting bitterly cold as winter deepened. A clinking of chains was heard from within a small rundown hut that was situated out amongst the fields, some distance from the village itself. The cold wind blew through the gaps of the wooden door. Huddled against the back wall was a small figure- chained hand and foot, under a thin blanket and lying on top of an equally thin straw mat. Jae-ha’s eyes darted back and forth in the darkness. He had made numerous attempts and failed to escape this hut, seeking his freedom from the people who planned to keep him chained up forever.
The reason?
85 years ago, Ryokyuruu village was invaded by armed forces who learnt of the mysterious power of those who possessed the dragon blood from the dragon warriors of King Hiyruu. They had somehow discovered the location of the Green Dragon’s village, and their plan had been to capture the dragon, seeking the dragon’s power for themselves. The village had been ransacked, along with many casualties. The survivors were forced to flee, seeking refuge in another part of Kouka Kingdom, hidden away and leaving no trace of their movements.
Since then, multiple Green Dragon Warriors had been born and died young. A never-ending cycle and curse for those who were chosen by the gods to possess that powerful dragon blood. As such, the elders of Ryokyuruu convinced the entire population to do whatever it takes to hide their Green Dragon Warriors, from ever being found out of their existence.
Garou was the Green Dragon before Jae-ha was born. It was now his job to capture Jae-ha and drag him back into the village every time he tried to escape, and dealing out physical punishment as a result. Initially, although already possessing the dragon’s leg, Jae-ha lacked the power to overpower Garou who still for many years maintained the Green Dragon’s power himself. However, things were gradually changing. As the years passed, Jae-hae felt his dragon powers grow in strength, whilst Garou’s powers gradually became weaker.
Jae-ha resented Garou and the abuse he dealt out. Surprisingly though in recent times when he felt his powers grow and Garou’s powers diminish, that the resentment gave way and became empathy which led to kindness. It didn’t make any sense other than perhaps it was because Garou was really the only other human he interacted with, despite being on the receiving end of his abuse. As Garou slowly became a shell of his former self, Jae-ha tried to convince himself that he could extend an olive branch to Garou, even if he didn’t deserve it.
Jae-ha by this time was12 years old. He had persisted each day to escape, sensing his powers growing daily. He rolled onto his back, staring up at the roof.
“There is something strange in the air tonight. It’s cold but the dragon’s blood within me seems restless,” he thought to himself. “I feel myself getting stronger, yet this dragon blood is such a pain in the arse. I just want to leave this place.” As his thoughts drifted and dreamed of what laid beyond the confines of the shack, he closed his eyes and let himself drift into a fitful slumber.
A few days later:
“It’s gone. It’s truly gone.” Garou uttered those words as his body trembled and his legs crumbled beneath him, causing him to fall upon the ground in a heap. His eyes were wide yet dull.
Jae-ha was still chained to the wall inside the hut, watching Garou cowering before him. Clenching his fist tightly, he focused on breaking the chains at his feet first as he always did. This time they snapped with little to no effort at all although his ankles still bore the deep scabs from multiple attempts in the past. He then quickly and efficiently snapped the chains on his wrists. He was determined to make this the last time he would break free from those shackles.
Struggling to his feet, he then looked down at Garou. To his surprise, pity swelled deep inside him, despite him nursing wounds and a tortuous childhood. The one person who had to be cruel, unyielding in capturing and keeping Jae-ha inside that hut, was now a shell of his former self. His eyes Jae-ha noticed were clouded over, dulled by exhaustion and something far heavier.
“I can’t feel it anymore,” Garou cried out. “No strength, nothing. The dragon’s power has left me………and bound itself to you.”
“Is that why you were so cruel towards me?” Jae-ha asked. “Knowing for the past 12 years that my existence was only accelerating your demise?”
“Somewhat,” Garou replied. “Although I had no choice but to do my duty, I still felt a strong connection to you. Despite everything, I was fond of you. I have no-one else in this village that I can truly call family except you.”
“If I was family you wouldn’t have treated me the way you did,” Jae-ha replied. “But……… I know you hurt me only because they told you to. It was the only way you believed you could keep me alive. But it doesn’t have to be like that anymore.”
Garou stared up at him, stunned. “Even now, you are still kind. That is your greatest flaw.” To his further surprise, Jae-ha took a step forward towards him. Then another.
“You don’t have to stay here,” Jae-ha said. “Not anymore. I’m leaving for good and the village can’t stop me now. I can carry you- let’s leave, together.”
“You idiot,” Garou muttered. “After everything I’ve done? You offer me mercy?”
“Yes. We owe nothing to this village. Both of us wanted freedom from this place and now is our chance. I now possess the full power of the Green Dragon and they cannot stop me. Come with me Garou. You don’t owe this village your life.”
Garou exhaled slowly. “Even as I left the dragon’s power getting weaker in me, I knew somehow that you would be the Ryokyuruu that would leave this place. You were never meant to stay here. That strength I once had, it’s yours. You don’t need me anymore. Leave whilst you can and don’t go wasting any more time convincing………….”
His words were cut off as Jae-ha dragged Garou towards the door, and with one powerful kick of his dragon leg sent it flying through the air.
“Garou, you’re coming with me!” Jae-ha cried.
“No!” Garou hissed between his teeth. “Flee now, whilst you still can! Please I beg of you!”
Unfortunately for them, the sound of the door being kicked down drew the attention of some villagers nearby, who noticed them both outside the hut. Horns began to blow to signal the soldiers of the village that a commotion needed to be dealt with swiftly.
“Run, just run!” Garou shouted. You won’t get another chance like this. Go!!”
Jae-ha still hesitated, standing on the spot where he was. His twelve-year old body was still maturing and a little scrawny looking despite now possessing the dragon’s power. Before long, cries and yells of soldiers were heard as they bore down the path that led from the main village to the rundown hut.
“There they are! Seize them! Don’t let them get away!!”
“Archers! Fire a warning shot!”
A series of arrows screamed through the air towards them.
Garou shoved Jae-ha aside, as they struck the ground where he had been standing.
With his last cry he screamed “Fly Ryokyuruu!! FLY!!!!!”
He ran towards the approaching soldiers and let himself be captured.
Realising he had no choice, Jae-ha pushed off the ground with his right leg and flew high into the air, towards the trees in the forest that bordered their village. Arrows flew towards him but he dodged them easily as he disappeared at last from that hut, that village whom he so desperately wanted to escape from. His heart though knew that Garou would not long survive the day.
Jae-ha glanced over his shoulder one last time.
Their eyes met- Jae-he and Garou’s.
Garou smiled weakly as his was bound up in chains. Although Jae-ha couldn’t hear it, Garou whispered “You’re free Ryokyuruu. Live the life that I could never have.”
Turning back towards the forest, Jae-ha flew further than he had ever done before- the village shrinking behind him until it was nothing but a line on the horizon.
“I’m free,” he whispered.
And for the first time in his life, the words didn’t hurt.
Jae-ha didn’t know how long he initially spent leaping from tree to tree through the vast forest. He had no sense of direction or where he was headed. When he first plunged into the darkness on the first day, the first sense he got was that the forest didn’t welcome him.
It seemed to swallow him.
The trees rose tall and unfamiliar, their leaves seemingly holding secrets as the wind blew that he didn’t understand. Without the protection of the village (which he had so desperately wanted to escape from), the world before him became vast and directionless.
On that first night, he fell asleep under an overhang outcrop of rocks that jutted out at the base of a high cliff. The wind had died down and the forest noises of small wild animals and birds filled the air. But he didn’t hear them. For the first time in his life, he felt he could sleep unafraid, unchained and free.
Despite his age, Jae-ha learned that he quickly needed a water source to stem dehydration. He learned to listen- to the forest, using his dragon blood instincts. He managed to find streams where he could drink his fill, but hunting for food was still a developing skill.
Surviving on wild berries he foraged amongst the bushes, and the occasional apple or melon that had obviously fallen from a passing farmer’s cart, he leaped his way through Kouka Kingdom, enjoying the open and unexplored spaces before him. It wasn’t long before his body craved meat and more sustenance, leading him to find villages and townships wherever he ended up.
The smell of fires being used for cooking and smoke from taverns was like the heavens opened up to him.
Jae-ha would first survey the place from the nearby trees. He got used to picking out the government officials who wore distinctive gear, cloaks and sheathed weapons.
Some places were open and friendly enough. Others were not. Jae-ha not having any money would resort to thievery and absconding with food by sneaking into the kitchens through the back door.
After a few months sojourning through the lands, he found himself back in Earth tribe territory (although he wasn’t sure as to where within the land at this point).
Entering the nearest village, more wary than usual, Jae-ha made a beeline for the tavern and then ducked into the back alley.
Luck wasn’t on his side that night, as just when he reached to open the back door, it was flung open forcefully, sending Jae-ha flying backwards and crashing into some nearby crates.
A woman, roughly middle-aged was the culprit, carrying a large tray stacked with empty sake wine skins to be collected by merchants arriving the next day.
“You little brat! I suspect you are up to no good, lurking about in the dark alleyway!”
She was broad-shouldered, hair tied back, eyes sharp but not unkind. However, she did not apologise for knocking him over.
Jae-ha let his lips curl into a sly grin as he struggled to his feet. He probably should have made a run for it, however considering the situation he decided to sweet talk his way into a free meal.
“Who, me? Don’t be absurd. How can a handsome boy like me be labelled a brat? You hurt my poor little heart!”
“What are you lurking about for? You look like a homeless street urchin, seeking free food no doubt, even going so far as to steal!”
This woman is sharp, Jae-ha thought.
“Uhhhh, well my life so far has been rather miserable I must say. Surely you wouldn’t turn away a handsome boy like me into the dark without at least some sort of refreshment?”
“Ha! I doubt you’ve ever worked a day in your short life. I don’t give things out for free, especially for brats like you. If you’re willing to work for me then you can have a hot meal. 3 meals a day in fact!”
Jae-ha looked shocked. Him? Work?
“Uh, I beg your pardon?”
“That’s what I said. Work for 3 guaranteed hot meals a day. There is a bunch of things around here that would suit a ratbag like you perfectly!! But I’m not offering anything for free without you offering something in return. Your choice!”
Jae-ha’s hunger eventually won over him. He followed the woman through the door as the offer of 3 daily meals was just too irresistible.
It turned into a two month stay.