Waddling through the halls Rin stumbled across an odd stone. Transparent and glowing red certainly stood out amongst the dull stone.

Cracking his jaw open he slid the rock into his mouth, he began bounding back to Lucifer's den to boast about his newest find. Cool little trinkets like this were hard to find but Rin still mangled to find one on occasion.

Little bits and pieces of treasure always managed to slip out of the lord's dens as they moved along the corridors. The little fraction of their wealth meant practically nothing but Rin it was the entire world, and it was better he found it and hoard it rather than some random dragon.

He was three molds into his teen body and had grown significantly already, still, he was only about the size of Samael's skull and his scales were far too soft to provide any significant protection against any dragon larger than himself.

For now, he would remain a scavenger and practice hunting as well as flying inside the cave system under the watchful eyes of Lucifer, Azazel, and Samael. Well, it was more Lucifer than anyone else; Azazel spent most of his time with humans and Samael had gotten rather active with mates crawling in and out of his cave each and every night.

They never stayed for too long but he still managed to have a constant flow of fully matured dragons, making it far more dangerous for Rin to reside in Samael's cave for the nights or even evening.

Approaching the mouth of the cave Rin froze, Samael's tail darted across each side in a territory stance and a daring bellow escaped from his jaws.

"I am not telling you to stop looking for a mate, I am telling you to stop prioritizing it above all else. You have been getting rather lax on your duties as a dragon lord and Azazel and I are tired of your constant laziness," Lucifer snarled as Rin sunk against the wall and began moving closer with his catch.

Amaimon was scouting and Iblis was sleeping so there wasn't anyone else he could go to in order to wait out this current conflict. So he stood, pressed against the wall listening to the beating hearts and echoing growls as he clung to the glowing rock.

"I have been doing my fair share of work, I have not delayed a single one of our advancements. I don't understand why you two are making such a big deal about my private life,"

"Because of how you are acting, you never show up to meetings anymore you have skipped several scouting missions, and not to mention you don't even care to eat with us anymore," Azazel stepped in wind rushing past his wings as they shot open fanning out making him look more an of a threat than he claimed to be.

"You don't care to invite me to meetings anymore, I have only missed scouting because you overscheduled yourselves and decided last moment to pawn it off to me. You are mad because I have priorities as well, and so what if I don't care to eat with you. My eating habits do not affect you,"

"It makes all the difference Samael. You are acting like you don't even know us like you don't even care. You have even been ignoring Rin for the selfish goods of your pleasure," Lucifer's claws prickled into the gold sending mounds crushing under his constrictive grasp.

"It's rather bold of you to assume I even care about that sparkly brat," Samael seethed through his fangs, sending fragments through fire through his strong-worded language.

A noisy clatter sounded through the corridors as the stone came crashing onto the floor shattering as the fracture point succumbed to gravity. Rin stood above the gem watching as it all unraveled to shambles, just a mickey of parts of a jewel.

Samael didn't care about him? They are brothers, he loves and cares about him. Or was that just a lie? Endless moments, spent sleeping, playing, practicing, and even eating all meant nothing to him. The entire world which Samael had handcrafted was just getting in the way.

Further alterations halted as the resounding noises indicated the wretched mistake made mid-conversation.

Shaking, tears pooled into his eyes, jaw cracked he couldn't even manage to whimper as the intoxicating reality settled in a thick blanket of flaming misery. Rin's soft belly stung as his boney legs collapsed. The cold seeped into his claws and along his scales trapping his wings against his back, creating an unscratchable itch a feeling he could not shake buried within his newfound depressive mood.

Fangs clamped onto the gentle fold of Rin's scales, paralyzing the small body for a successful as safe pick up. Amaimon without further cue walked to his den with Rin in the jaw, his claws narrowly avoided the shards of the crimson crystal spread about the floor. Someone would clean the mess up eventually but for the time being, it was better to store Rin somewhere safe as Lucifer, Azazel and Samael worked out their issues.

Opening his stalky wings, Amaimon took flight; nudging the cusp of the edges of the barrier where the cave met the snowy mountains in which the lords resided. Taking a swift turn Amaimon soared east for his Egyn's, and Astaroth's cave unit.

Although drained from his scouting found enough energy to glide safely over to his cave without dropping or losing the small dragonlet.

Landing on the stone ledge of claws clung to the solid surface, his back talons slid as friction lagged behind. Digging into the icy stone Amaimon pressed his way into his cave system, following the scent of moist molding fungi and yeast.

The humid hit in a wave of warmth adding some spark of comfort along with a soft tingle Rin's nose an unfortunate effect of Astaorth's den or any living space he so happens to inhabit.

With his mouth full Amaimon called out to the tunneled demon, he always dug up his den so he could sleep under the muddy pile he called a nest. The muffled complaints were enough to stir Astaroth from his stupor.

"Amaimon why are you so dead set on bothering me wher-," Astaroth burrowed his way out of the dirt mound to confront the foolish lord who dared wake him only to stop at first sight of the glassy eyes and tear treks across Rin's scales.

"What happened," His once snippy voice became soft to soothe the dragonlet as he approached with a cautious murmur.

"Lucifer, Azazel, and Samael had a spat with Samael being the one defending himself. During their fight, Samael told Lucifer and Azazel he did not care about or for Rin. Rin at the time was holding a rather pricey gem, and it shattered when he dropped it. Wasting a perfectly good gem," Amaimon huffed, tossing the dragonlet down.

"Oh you poor dear," Astaroth cooed, taking Rin into his arms and letting him burrow into his earthy scales.

Although his potent musk stung Rin's eyes and set fire along his nose he burrowed into the comforts of the elder and far larger dragon.

Astaroth was never a stickler for cleanliness or tidiness which collided rather violently with Lucifer's strict rules on keeping his den and sorting his gems and gold. Naturally, Rin picked up on the subtle hints and ticks of proper grooming tactics and overall cleanliness through his living space.

Meetings between Astaroth and him were far and few, it was in the desperate moments like this where he would cling to anyone who offered an ounce of pity for his situation. Amaimon had been someone what of a good playmate although generally, he was far too aggressive of a playful partner, so he was not the most caring when it came to any situation regarding Rin's emotions.

Sniffling a new wave of tears came pouring as Rin felt the unwavering warmth and delicacy seeping from Asatorth with no restraint or drawback, he loved him unconditionally with such ease.

" I understand why he's making such a big deal about this. So what if Samael doesn't love him, he doesn't love anyone," Amaimon growled settling onto the mossy floor of the den.

"Remember when our mothers left? You threw the biggest fit. It's because you imprinted on them, it's the very same reason you were glued to their side for the first four stages of your life. You don't understand what it's like to feel unloved by the dragon you are instinctually told to Love platonically for the rest of your days." Astaroth was clam with his tone as he tried his best to soothe the young dragon in his arms. "Between neglecting him, and prioritizing mates over Rin, it was only a matter of time for something like this occurred,"

Rin's sniffled died down and replace his broken hiccups as Rin tried to scramble together the words to squeak his mind. "W-why doesn't Samm-my love me?"

The cute nickname only added a bitter coating to the already jarring sight. "He does love you Rin, he most likely just irritated and didn't mean it,"

"Of course he meant it, he always means what he says," Amaimon retorted, his tail pressing into the ground as he perked up his chest.

"Amaimon if you aren't going to be helpful you can leave," Astaroth snapped, pulling Rin closer.

"Lying to him isn't going to make things better, playing make-believe that Samael is a kind benevolent being is a straight out lie. It would be far kinder for you to tell him the truth," Amaimon set his head down on a mossy patch.

"Amaimon Astaroth keep Rin safe, Egyn is going to the larger cave system and I am going after Mephisto," Iblis announced swiftly crossing the opening of the cave.

"What's going on?" Astaroth asked fishing for clarity.

"Lucifer attacked Samael, and now Samael flew off but he didn't realize he was flying directly into a snowstorm. Beelzebub and I will track him and heal whatever wounds he may have. Egyn and Azazel are calming Lucifer down.

Can you two just keep an eye on Rin and keep him happy. Once Lucifer is calm he will want Rin back, and it would be best if Rin were happy by then," Flustered Iblis tumbled over her words as she managed to explain the scenario the dragons had managed to find themselves in.

"Of course, do what you must," Astaroth was the first to formally reply, sending Iblis off with a nod.

The scarlet dragon sped off down through the tunnels after the violet scaled beast that was currently on the brink of a radge.

"Are they fighting because of me?" Rin squeaked pain racking through his voice.

"No, they never get along. But you being around them has got them to agree for a bit," Amaimon hummed scooting closer.

"They are like fire and ice; they can't exist together for too long until one of them get irritable," Astaroth tried to use a complementary metaphor to guide his speech in properly soothing the dragonlet.

"But why do they argue?" Rin's tail flicked softly as he raised his head to meet Astaroth's eyes.

"They don't play nice,"

Why did the sunset and rise every day? Why did the wind blow? Why did people live and die? It was just part of nature, something that was not to be questioned. Lucifer and Mephisto always bickered and argued over small things but rarely had hurt or harmed Mephisto.

The lack of controversy may have been a catalyst for such an extreme reaction; years of unspoken conflict finally cracked the surface and snapped the tolerance Lucifer and Samael had held. It all boiled over and Rin was unfortunate enough to witness it first hand.

"I wonder what business Azazel had with them to be discussing with them," Amaimon dug small circles into the loose substrate with his claws as the weak-willed conversation continued on.

"He was most likely there to moderate but held certain biases," Astaroth let his mouth fall as exhaustion swept by him nearly drowning out his better judgment to the point of nearly dropping Rin.

"That does sound like him," Amaimon shifted his wings as he rolled onto his back, twisting his body in a rhythm of dramatic motion to create a small dent in the soft floored den.

"Well it seems we are all tired," Rin sunk into a limbo, his body going limp as gave into the sweet embrace of sleep.

It was odd, holding Rin and feeling all his muscles loosen and eyes close the thought of losing the dragonlet in the caves was already a fearful thought. But to consider losing Rin to a far crueler being, if Rin were to die no one would be the same.

Rin was a pivotal point in their lives; he kept a steady but chaotic balance in their lives, being both an inspiration and bother.

Digging his own nest Astaroth unearthed a small bed of fresh moss and warm moist dirt to settle the delicate dragon upon. Rin lay motionless as Astaroth settled around his, wrapping a tail around the general area surrounding Rin and adding another layer of protection in the form of his torn wing. Beads of light slipped through the various piercing and puncture wounds in the wings making the blanketing wing a bit more breathable and freeing.

As night settled in around the horizon the soft roar of the storm just a few paces from the mouth of the cave went unheard as the damp atmosphere stayed steady through both day in and day out. For years Astaroth had kept this cave the perfect mix of warmth and water in order to spawn his so desired fungi, mosses, and other various decomposers.

Gasing from a distance Amaimon's stomach began to ache. After all the chaos and mindless work of today had finally gotten to him and drew him to feel rather bizarre. Lusting for an ounce of affection Amaimon trudged through the rotting domain over to Astaroth, minding the small growths of mushrooms as he moved.

Finally arriving at his desired location, just out of reach Amaimon sat, making a newer but small indent with his body weight. He didn't want to go through the process of rolling a new bed for himself to rest in and risk waking Rin and Astaroth.

So there he sat, just a claw grasp away from true comforting warmth as his tail dug into the ground searching for some entertainment to enrapture him or lead him to the dream world he felt so disconnected with.

"Come here tsundere," Astaroth dug his other wing from under his torso and wrapped it around the small green dragon, not minding as the emerald scales collided with the soft-toned brown scales he possessed.

"I am not," Amaimon couldn't even manage to utter a word in his defense before he was rudely cut off.

"Just go to sleep," Astaroth ordered having enough of the backtalk he had endured.

The night passed rather quickly for the trio as the rest of the lords scrambled to create some mangled balance in their relationships once more. Everyone wished for peace but that wasn't an option for them and it would never be. It was the big drawn-out fights like these that kept everyone on their toes.

Life had settled in a bit too nicely for the universe to handle so of course things had to be shaken up, poor Rin just happened to stumble into the middle of it. He was far too young to understand the true weight of the conflict Lucifer and Samael had; or why resolving this issue was useless, as they would only latch onto another thing to bicker about.

Stirred by a cool gust of wind Astaroth's own shivered awoke him. Something was amiss in his damp den if cold air had seeped in sometime during the night, fearfully Astraroth snapped to the beds of moss and fungi he was harboring. He would be damned if he let hundreds of years of work fly out of the window so easily. Egyn continued adding a small layer of frost along Astaroth's wing to stir him from his sleep, unbeknownst to the fact Astaroth was already soundly awake.

"What are you doing?" Astaroth curled his tail around Rin fearing for Egyn's response, he knew why Egyn was here and what prize he wanted to claim.

But for the moment Rin was under his sole protection and would remain that way.

"L-lucifer wants Rin back. I knew taking him from you while you were sleeping would upset you... so I decided to wake you," Egyn responded drawing his head back from the frozen wing.

"And?" Astaroth pursued the topic, knowing eventually he would have to give Rin up, but it was far more fun to see Egyn squirm at the moment.

Egyn's point seemingly fell on deaf ears, unwillingly he bluntly rephrased his point. "So... Give him to me so I can take him to Lucifer,"

"No," Asatorth was always a pain the ass especially when he wanted to be the worst behaved he could but there was a limit Egyn would tolerate.

"Astaroth don't be stubborn, we all have to share," However sharing was not in their truest nature, they were born and raised selfish and gladly hoarded all they could

"Yeah and Lucifer can share Rin for a bit longer, it's been years since I have gotten to spend time with him," Astaroth snarled, biting back his own fangs.

A groggily groan erupted from Rin as he pawed his way out from Astaroth's wing. "Egyn? Is that you?" Rin slipped out of Astaroth's grasp, his small muzzle poking out into the musky air.

"Yes, Rin. Lucifer wants to see you," Egyn scooted closer to where the calls echoed from under the wing.

"Is Samael back yet?" Rin drew his head from the icy sheet to face Egyn.

"I think so," Egyn stuttered, oddly caught off guard by the question.

"Good, I need to have a talk with him," Rin was always so bold in his actions and direct with his intentions. It was rather cute such a small thing could do any real harm to Samael so it was most likely best to keep Rin away from Samael just to avoid a conflict if it were to arise.

"Alright but first you get to see Lucifer," Egyn muttered typing to bargain his way to victory.

Thankfully Rin decided to play nice and slid out from under the wing, stumbling his way to Egyn with unbidden failure. Nonetheless, he was able to scrape himself off the floor and find his way to the similar colored dragon.

Blue seemed to be an inherited theme with their scales every one of them had a small dash or shade of either blue or black; though that could possibly just be attributed to their breed as a whole.

Grabbing the scruff of Rin, Egyn placed the dragonlet upon his back as stood, preparing for his flight. For the most part, Egyn prepared to linger in the darker depths of the sea but it was nice to stretch his wings in the open air. Just in general his wings were far weaker and less prepared for normal flight but occasionally he would use them in their traditional purpose.

With the small addition of weight, it was a bit more taxing to lift off the ground. Faltering on his thin wings Egyn drove himself from the ground and took flight, flapping his way out from the cave system and into the briskly chilled air with feathery clouds dancing against the horizon promising a small dusting of snow later on in the day.

It wasn't too far of a distance from the main cave system so Rin couldn't stay long enough to complain about the sudden discomfort as the frost-bitten air collided with the moisture still damp against his scales. He would have to visit Astaorths cave sometime soon, it was rather earthy and comfortable.

Struggling Egyn collided with the floor of the cave as he landed rather clumsily but safely he delivered Rin.

"Thank you Egyn," The dragon lord, as powerful and strong as he was, deserved some praise and Rin was not one to shy away from such a gracious act. Everyone needs a little sympathy and kindness.

he wouldn't get onto Lucifer just yet, though soon they would have a talk about Lucifer's actions.... Sure what he had said was mean but Samael didn't deserve to be scratched for it! Besides, he could have seriously hurt Samael if he wasn't careful.

Rin didn't get to walk for much further as Lucifer paced along the halls his sunlight golden scales glimmering as streams of length refracted off his glimmering coat. His nervous lime eyes seemed to glaze over Rin as he was trapped in his world of hurt and worry. Wings hovering in a half-open and half-closed position almost as if Lucifer was bound to set off in his own path of flight.

Samael was foolish regardless of how he tried to act omnipotent; he failed in the most basic ways of true grace and elegance. He was a sad cover-up for a weak-willed coward who could not even manage to have enough dignity to care about one of their own.

He was the one who hatched Rin and possessed over him for those first few months it seems he did not realize the longevity of Rin. He would live for thousands of years alongside the rest of the lords and one day once he has grown he will take his rightful place beside them in caring for and destroying humanity keeping an unbalanced balance of true chaotic peace.

It was the only way this world would serve to host all of them for the rest of eternity. But when the mortality day of the human's earth arrived the dragon lords would happily assist them to a safer domain.

Humans cannot exist without dragons and dragons need humans in order to thrive as well. Prey needs the monsters in order to not have overpopulation and keep life interesting, monsters need the prey to fuel them and to fight over keeping a balance within their population as well.

They had a neutral unit a balance that was not to be disrupted or destroyed. This was part of the reason why it is so imperative the young egg survived and made it to hatching and enough stages to the point where Rin could hunt and eat for himself.

Rin still had plenty of growing to do but fate would make sure to care for the dragonlet where ever he found himself.

"Lucifer?" Rin chirped approaching with an urge of caution.

"Oh Rin, it's nice to see you safe and sound," Lucifer cooed, his head turned to face the dragonlet who sat ever so patiently on the unmarked stone.

"Why wouldn't I be safe?" Rin inquired shifting on the stone.

"I wasn't worried about your physical safety Rin, I trust you and our brother enough to know better than to worry about that. It's your mental state that bothers me however, Samael said some rather hurtful thing I just want to make sure you are feeling well." Lucifer crooned his eyes holding delicate care for the dragonlet.

The overly sweet baby talk sparked a foul taste in Rin's mouth that lulled over his tongue and lurked into the depths of his throat as words shot against the newfound barrier. He was still a baby by all means so the soft-toned talk was only to be expected, he didn't feel like a baby.

He was the eldest he had ever been, the most mature, and the most strong; he didn't feel like a hatchling anymore and he did not appreciate being talked down to like one either.

With a sweet smile, Rin rolled onto his back exposing his fragile underbelly in an adorable show of weakness. "Hey Lucifer, it's been a while since you have taken me flying. Can we go fly?"

"You don't need to do that anymore to get me to agree Rin," Lucifer slithered closer taking the small dragonlet into his claws, standing by as Rin twisted and flopped around in his palm so he could comfortably be adjusted against the cage of claws he had become far too familiar with. Unintentionally or not but by his size alone Lucifer's palm was the perfect place for Rin to be contained.

Thousands of years of keeping made the claws impossible to break through as all the weakened spots had been filed or cut down and thousands of protective coats had been applied adding unnecessary protection to the keratin as a whole. The thick golden scales made any hopes of biting or scratching his way to the nerve ending buried within the strengthened bio armor a ludicrous idea.

"Um... Lucifer?" Rin's concern did not waver or tamper as the palm flinched against his words.

"Yes, Rin?" The palm did not relent, trapping Rin in a temporary prison.

"I would like to fly on my own this time around. I need to work on my flying," Rin peaked his head out through a small opening to see the reaction to his suggestion.

"Alright just hover around me. If you start to feel fatigued don't hesitate to land on me," The claws gave in giving Rin the desired space he so craved.

"I know. I remember the rules," Rin whined at the pestering remark as he began a persistent strut to the cave opening.

"Why do you even want to fly so badly?" Lucifer's wings unfolded as he prepared to take flight once they met the lip of the cave.

"Most dragonlets my age are leaving the nest. And here I am moping around finding rocks all day," More complaining followed Lucifer's remark.

"Most dragonlets in your stage haven't even started walking or even hunting for themselves. Still, your age doesn't matter, what matters is your current mold stage. Every dragon species grows at a different rate and you have a lot more growing to do in the next centuries," Lucifer coyly reminded.

"Well, I have been early to everything else, besides most dragonlets aren't like me,"

"That's exactly my point Rin. You are trying to speed up your growing process and you are just going to end up hurt or worse," A sight paused Lucifer's lecture. "Many dragons and humans would be more than happy to kill you Rin. Your scales are worth more than thousands of common dragon eggs,"

"Why? What makes me so valuable?" Tripping over a small stone Rin's grace was ruined.

A small chuckle ran past Lucifer's lips as he watched the small dragon stumble to his feet.

"You are quite literally one in a trillion, not to mention your scale can resist the full pressure of your own jaws making it rather durable and useful to both humans and dragons. Although the full strength isn't there yet seeing as you are still growing and your average bite force is no greater than one of a dog,"

There was no arguing with the viable point provided so Rin kept his jaw shut and went along with Lucifer's point. It took no time for their wings to graze the air as they took off in flight.

Flying although it was somewhat fun felt drained of purpose, soaring along the light clouds creating soft wisps of displaced water vapor as they flew, fragmenting the collective bodies of mist that had collected.

Rin felt so light but empty, he was missing something. There was an empty cavity in his chest where a heart once seemed to beat and leap at the very idea of flying. Everything seems to lack color; from the once cheery blue sky which has faded to a dull slate, to the proudly glowing sun which was no more than a ghostly hue of its full vibrance. It was all a melancholy washed domain once host to a steady flow of all saturation and joyous life.

It didn't take long for Lucifer to notice the sudden drop of Rin's head or the peculiar way Rin's wings unnaturally curved inwards towards his chest. "Rin is something wrong?"

"I. I think I am just tired or hungry," Rin yawned swaying in his flight.

"We can head back to the caves if you want," It was only normal for Rin to tap out around this point, so nothing was thought of the small tease in his suggestion.

"Yeah... That seems like a good idea," Rin glided onto his back and quickly grabbed onto the scales as he was trained to.

Shaking off the suspicions Lucifer made a sharp turn back to his den. The rest of the day would be spent sorting the freshly scattered treasure from the scuffle from before. The dull tones carried on through the day. It was all so numb, no pain or joy could hide the softly growing hole.

"Lucifer?"

"Yes, Egyn?"

"Sam..ael has announced his mate with eggs,"

Silence over fell the soft clinks of golden trinkets benign sorted into various piles.

So what was it? Samael was replacing him. Is that all he was, just a thing that needed to be replaced when no longer entertaining? A fun toy to play with only to be thrown to the side once no longer deemed useful. The rest of the day all merged in a migraine of misery and desperation.

It was only that night when memories properly formed.

A cold breeze carried songs and whispers of something far more linger just beyond the edge of the cave. A hum awoke Rin calling his legs to stretch and carry him to the lip of the cave was something greater. Just the promise of fulfillment blocked out any notice of punishment or danger that laid beyond. Slipping out of Lucifer's protective hold Rin let his claws lead him through the murky night.

Snow drifted into the edges of the cave but the temperature difference did not even stir common sense within Rin. He just kept walking.

How he got off the mountain or even into the snowy bed he had no clue, but one thing rang true. Scales black as the night sky and glowing green eyes was the last thing he laid his upon that night.