Then slowly, the figure walked out towards him and reached out, only for the sun to hit the figure's hand resulting it to retreat. Remembering that the being opposite it was a vampire, Amadeus slowly walked into the cave, deeply staring at the figure. Looking at the figure's ash grey/blondish hair, he looked at her,

"Do you have anywhere to go?"

The figure tried to speak but found difficulty in doing so. The figure was barely able to bring out a sound after opening her mouth before it started coughing. Realising that she wasn't able to talk that much, she just shook her head.

"Do you want to come with me?"

She seemed hesitant in doing so, as she looked back at the light outside and Amadeus. Amadeus saw this and smiled, easing the figure. He then reached out and grabbed the figure's hand causing the figure's eyes to widen in shock. Dragging the figure out, Amadeus allowed her to bask within the sun. The figure was at first scared remembering the stinging pain, but instead of the familiar pain returning, it was a warm feeling that touched her skin. Opening her eyes, she looked around and found that the pain was never coming back.

With a happy smile, the figure spread out their arms and felt the warm feeling of the sun when few large figures appeared and blocked it. The figure opened its eyes and ran behind Amadeus with a scared expression. Amadeus didn't look at the figure but at the giant dragon that was descending in front of him. Although it was the first time seeing the red dragon, he knew exactly who it was. Being a western dragon and with the length of, well he couldn't count it, he needed something like a ruler, but it was really big. But he knew exactly who it was.

"Mother!!"

As soon as he said that Lily turned into her human form and hugged Amadeus while tears started pouring out her eyes.

"Oh, my baby."

Pulling out of the hug, she instantly saw the missing hand of Amadeus and it killed her within. Her child was hurt really badly, and she wasn't able to do anything. She could tell that it was in the middle of regenerating seeing that the whole sleeve had been sliced off. Reigning down kisses, she then noticed the horns on his forehead and a happy expression masked her face,

"You've gone through a second awakening?"

Amadeus nodded as he saw Lily's expression change,

"Who did this?"

"They're dead mum, I killed them."

"But-"

"Leave it Lily, the boy needs to rest."

"Grandfather!"

Amadeus saw his grandfather appear from behind the trees with his normal nonchalant look.

"But before that, tell us what happened."

Amadeus started narrating the events all in order and Lily noticed his sadness upon mentioning an elf named Arrow and a human named Samuel. She started patting his head and by the time Amadeus was finished, he felt his eyelids become heavier before he fell asleep in his mother's arms. Lily pat his head and carried him in her arms while getting up. She then looked at the figure that was hiding behind her son,

"Who are you?"

Seeing the tears in the little one's eyes, her motherly instincts kicked in and remembering her holding Amadeus' hand she indicated for her to follow. A group of Blades appeared surrounding them while a few more elders appeared next to Caesar.

"Let's go see the place my grandson explained."

With Caesar leading the group of old and middle-aged men they entered the cave.

Back with Amadeus, he kept replaying the part where Arrow was killed. Remembering the arrow in slow motion, seeing It puncture her throat, seeing the tears in her eyes, her slowly fall, it all kept replaying in his dreams. With a sudden gasp for air, he immediately shot up sweating like no tomorrow. Touching his head, he realised that his arm had fully healed he started moving his fingers around, once he was done, he looked around only to realise that he was back in his room within the Palace.

The sun had barely peeked it head over the horizon when Amadeus got out the bed. Instead of signalling that he was awake, he moved towards the bedroom's mirror. Amadeus took off his top, which he had difficulties in doing so due to the new horns. Now he was just a person hopping back and forth having difficulties taking a t-s.h.i.+rt off. Standing in front, he realised that the scars were still there, from the fight. He didn't want them to regenerate so he kept the scars. Each scar was a reminder for him, reminding him the time he failed to protect something he wanted to protect.

The especially large ones were right in the middle where he was pierced twice. Another was from the bottom of his cheek to his neck. The rest were here and there. The smaller nicks were the ones that he had regenerated but the larger ones he kept.

Looking up, he saw the tears in his eyes as he quickly wiped it off. It was the first time, someone he knew was killed right in front of him, and it was as if a giant had crushed his heart. Arrow and Samuel were people that he was starting to get to know but he thought of them as companions, nevertheless.

He never would've thought of them dying so easily, everything was like a flick of a finger, how easily they lost their lives. It was also a hit to Amadeus remembering how fragile life was. He could've also been one of the dead bodies back in the cave.

While Amadeus trailed his scars with his fingers, Baldrik walked in, clearly surprised seeing Amadeus awake. A smile found his face as he went and patted Amadeus' head,

"So, you're not getting rid of them, are you?"

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Amadeus shook his head,

"It's fine but remember not to get hung up on this one. You have to move on, I'm pretty sure that the two wouldn't want you to stay hung up on them."

Baldrik saw Amadeus' mood dampen as he crouched down his eye level,

"I'm not trying to be cruel, but you should know, I will be leaving this empire in your hands."

Amadeus saw a serious expression mask his father's face as he deeply looked at him,

"As an emperor, you would have to hide your emotions, not show them to anyone else lest they take it as your weakness. This is the first of many of your future losses and there will be certain times when you would have to choose a hard decision where it will be the better of two evils, so steel your heart…"

Baldrik picked Amadeus up and went to the window where they could see a portion of the capital city,

"…all those people in your sight are only a portion of the people you have to protect. They all have families, loved ones and friends. We are royalty and it is our duty to protect them. Eat when you know your people are fed and rest when you know your people are safe."

Amadeus nodded as Baldrik pat his back,

"However, for now, you aren't the emperor so let loose."

This triggered something in Amadeus and a dam had been burst. Tears involuntarily poured out as he started to silently cry. As if her motherly instincts rang, Lily burst into the room,

"Amadeus! You…"

Calming down, she saw Baldrik holding up a crying Amadeus and she raised her eyebrow. She then came forward while Baldrik invited her in for a hug. What he wasn't expecting was a whisper from the death G.o.d herself,

"You made Amadeus cry…"

Baldrik gulped slightly as a small voice interrupted the little moment,

"Momma, papa."

The three looked at the door and saw a little Arius walk in with a golden dragon plus.h.i.+e toy in hands dragging behind him. The cute little guy was still in his pyjamas and was rubbing his eyes, instantly melting the three's hearts. This sight bought a smile back on Amadeus as the Baldrik put him on the ground. The latter then ran up to his little brother and picked him up, and threw him in the air, earning a giggle form Arius.

"Hahahaha, oni-tan, stahhp, ahahahaha."

Baldrik and Lily watched on with a smile, as Baldrik's eye twitched.

'Does she have to pinch so hard.'

As the family, made their way downstairs, a voice was heard behind them,

"Your highness."

All four of them turned around only to see Eriko and Velia look at Amadeus with happiness. Amadeus suddenly disappearing had a really deep impact on the two as they were the closest. Seeing the two, Amadeus gave a smile,

"It's been sometime, Erika, Velia."

"Ye*sniff*ah"

The two really wanted to hug Amadeus but seeing the emperor there, they had to restrain themselves. But Amadeus turned to Baldrik, who gave a nod and left with Lily and Arius. Baldrik nodded at the two girls as they leaped in his arms. Right now, what the two maids shared were not feeling of love but meeting someone important to themselves after thinking they had lost them.

Amadeus fell backwards while the two girls cried, as he patted both their heads. He then saw the figure he met back in the cave, walk behind them wearing a maid outfit. Gone was the tattered clothing and hair, what was now present was a little doll with golden hair and red eyes. Her pale skin was almost white but had a healthy rosiness on her cheeks, while her lips were blood red.

The two maids finally finished crying and stood up,

"It's great to have you back, your highness."

Amadeus nodded while he looked at the vampire,

"Oh right…"

Eriko went back and brought the vampire in front of Amadeus,

"This is Emily. The empress gave her the name. She will be part of your highness' maid order."

Emily gave a small elegant bow.

"She still has troubles talking, but she gets the work done in an efficient manner as soon as she sees how it's done."

Velia chimed in and Amadeus could see that she regarded the latter with a bit of rivalry considering that the two joined around the same time and that they looked to be around the same age. Amadeus just shook his head as bade them farewell, he was going to spend some time with his family. He could tell that his mother was currently really attached to him with the previous event. While walking towards his family, Amadeus looked at his stats,

---------------------------------

Name: Amadeus Drakos

Age: 8

Race: Golden Dragon

t.i.tle: Crown Prince of the Drakonis Empire, Celestial Dragon of the Eclipse, One who harbours the sun and moon, Admired by all of the G.o.ddesses, Loved by the G.o.ddess of Faith and Luck

Cla.s.s: Sovereign (20% increase in all stats)

Mana: 3600 (5400) *

Strength: 600 (650) *

Agility: 610 (650) *

Vitality: 1200 (2700) *

Phys. Resistance: 2400 (4800) *

Mag. Resistance: 2400 (4800) *

Active Skills:

Sovereign's Eyes of the Truth

Dragon-Human Transformation

Flight

Dragon Sovereign's roar

Flames of the Sun

Ice of the Moon

Pa.s.sive Skills:

Dragon Sovereign's natural s.h.i.+eld

Dragon Sovereign's regeneration

Dragon Sovereign's aura

All elements apt.i.tude

Weapons expert*

Halberd expert

CQC expert*

Etiquette

Leaders.h.i.+p

…

---------------------------------

Amadeus had arrived at the inner palace where only the royalty was allowed. There was now an extra chair where Arius sat at the dining room. One by one, Lily put on more and more delicious food as the rest started digging in. During the meal, there was small talk here and there, but it was mainly Arius talking about his training. Nothing about the kingdom's matters, it was just like a normal family.

After the meal, the parents saw Arius drag Amadeus away, as the child wanted his elder brother to see his training. On their way, Luna and Solaris made their way next to Amadeus' feet and shoulder respectively. It turned out; they weren't pets but rather spirits for Amadeus' weapons. While Luna inhabited his armour, Solaris inhabited his halberd.