Birds chirped throughout the area, their beautiful sound creating a sort of Symphony. Vibrant blue Luminescent crystals hung from the ceiling of the cave, as well as from the wall, creating enough light for those within the village to live peacefully. Although the light produced from them is not quite as bright as the actual sun, but it was sufficient enough.

A small smile graces my lips as I stare down at my beautiful village from the balcony of my chambers. I had stumbled upon this cave some three hundred years ago when simply wandering. To say I was baffled by my discovery was an understatement.

The cave was large enough that it had its own ecosystem.

Tree's of many species decorated the cave in a sort of kaleidoscope of colours. The dark green of Northern pines, the light greens of Poplars and spruce trees. Here and there you could point out the distinct shape and size of a maple.

My favourite trees consisted of Pines and Cherry blossom trees. I was happy with simply having the pines. Cheery blossoms would be hard to grow will all of the larger trees sucking the nutrients out of the ground.

From where I stood, I could point out the main water supply, a huge lake that connected to an underground river.

Right in the middle of the dense forest of the cave is the village. Took me near fifty years to carve out all the rock, trees, roots, and crystals that sat in the center. Then it simply took me another three to start building all of the homes, shops, and land that would be needed for the village.

Just like how the Hakuryuu has a village that they look after, I have mine.

Although let us be real here.

Mine is better.

Chuckling lowly to myself, I watch the children down below weave in and out of market stands, disturbing the chickens while causing the adults to curse and dodge as the mischievous young children run past.

As the years continued to progress, the people of my village have learned to adapt to the dark. Having only the crystals to light up the way, they have become a rather valuable source that is gathered whenever a new building is built.

Adapting to the dark is not the only thing, they have grown used to mountain climbings, scavenging, escalating.

They were strong.

Far stronger physically than those of the tribes. Even an average woman could hold her own against someone like Hak.

After all, his everyday training is like that of a normal work day for those in the village.

The only advantage that Hak would have against those in the village, is that not everyone is capable of handling a weapon. Sighing, I lean back from the balcony and walk back into my personal chambers.

The only downside to all of this? I have to watch every child, every infant, grown up and have their own children, and then watch them die.

It's a never-ending cycle. Even Kaito will one day leave this world and I'll be forced to grieve all over again. This is the main reason as to why I decided to live alone in my castle. Besides of course the maids, cooks, and security.

Although, the security was truly unnecessary for one who could not die.

Shaking my head, I force any negative thoughts that threatened to overtake my mind, to vanish. There is no need to negativity right now. The dragonets should be arriving soon.

Smiling at the thought of the children coming, I brace myself on the railing of the balcony before throwing myself over.

A loud WHOOSH was heard as my body weight fell through the air. Laughter erupts from my body as air flew through my hair, and around my body, the feeling exhilarating.

With a mere thought, shadows wove themselves around me, the strands caressing me as they slowed my fall, bringing me across the courtyard and towards the front gates. dropping me to the ground, they disappear as I start to run.

My muscles twitch and work over time, as I push myself to run at speeds I would normally not dare to do inside the village.

"Goodmorning Akuma-Sama!"

Shouts a child. Greetings soon are heard where ever I pass, the elders of the village shaking their heads and laughing at my antics, having witnessed them since they themselves were children.

Laughing, I force myself to run harder. A large boulder soon comes into view, which causes a smirk to fall upon my face. This is gonna be fun.

I run up the boulder as if it was nothing, before soon sending myself flying over it. Time seemed to slow as I propelled myself through the air, hair whipping behind me as I smiled. As I neared the ground, my shadows caught me once again, propelling me forwards without missing so much as a beat. The shadows seemed to come alive, having sensed the liveliness in me, they moved faster. Bending my knees, and arms spread to keep my balance. The skirt of my black hanfu flew behind me, showing the trousers that I wore underneath. By the times I arrived at the cave entrance, I was 100% sure that my hair rivalled a bush with all its knots and tangles.

Giggling to myself, I ignore the looks that I received from the guards as I approached them.

"Any activity for today?"

The older man, who I Identified to be Uda turned to me. I laugh slightly at the memory of the man before me, when he was nothing but a waddling toddler, falling face first into puddles.

"Nothing as of yet, Akuma-Sama, as always-"

Uda cut off as soon as the war horn sounded. Fear pricked at me for only a second before I turn towards the guards.

"Get the children inside! All Men and Woman are to take battle positions!-"

They nod instantly, before taking off towards the village. Growling lowly to myself, I pull the shadows from the trees and use them to cover up the entrance towards the cave.

These bastards will not be getting near it, but it doesn't hurt to be safe.

The war horn sounded again, causing the once happy feelings in my body to be replaced with rage. Who dares to attack my village.

Shadows wrap themselves around my body like a blanket, concealing everything about me except for my eyes. I was a writhing mass of darkness with nothing but glowing eyes.

I'm sure I looked like a monster.

"Yamiryuu-Chan!"

I'd recognize that that voice from everywhere. The rage in my body increased tenfold as I watched my closest friend run towards me with an army of Fire tribe warriors chasing after them. Behind Zeno ran Hak, Yona, and the dragonets, only fueling my anger.

An inhuman screech left my throat, the sound and feeling being out of place, having not made such a noise in hundreds of years.

"Zeno, are you sure-" I charged without so much as a second thought. Twin snake rope darts form in my hands, the cold blades bringing a sense of peace to my mind.

Suspending myself in the air, I land in the middle of the crowd, unleashing my blades without a second thought. Blood flies through the air in seconds, the screams of those dying ringing through my ears and fueling me with even more energy.

Scream all you want. Your all going to die regardless.

"Kill them all," I whisper, my voice laced with malice and disgust. Shadows raised around me like tentacles before descending on the crowd of soldiers. Screams were cut off as the wisps of darkness pierced through their bodies without so much as pausing.

Bodies begin to fall one by one, to the point where bodies lay around me within seconds. If a soldier so much as twitched, my shadows made sure that they never moved again.

Blood covered my body from head to toe, not having cared this time around.

Blood is easy enough to come off.

My body quivered and my breathing came out slow and laboured, the rage still seeping through my veins without mercy. "Akuma?"

My head whipped up only to come face to face with a familiar pair of blue eyes. "Z-Zeno?"

He smiled at me sadly, his hands coming up to clasp my face, the shadows dissipating as he wiped the blood away from my eyes. Albeit, it may have been a tad bit difficult considering I was so much taller than him.

"Are the dragonets safe? Yona, Hak?" Zeno shakes his head at me, his voice soft as he continued to wipe the blood away.

"Yes, we all are. Just breathe." Leaning forward, I lean down and rest my head on his shoulder. Regulating my breathing, I close my eyes and just stay there.

"I missed you," I say lowly.

"And I, you," He replies, his hand running through my hair in a comforting manner. We were always there for one another. I was there for the death of his wife Kaya, and he there for the death of my family. I'm happy that he's back.

The sound of cautious footprints nearing us bringing me back to reality. Pulling away from Zeno, I make the shadows cover my face again, hiding my identity from view. Looking towards the approaching figures, I noticed that the guards from the village surrounded them threatening, making sure they didn't so much as take so much as a step out of place

I look at them and raise a hand, giving them a subtle nod in their direction.

They all give me a slight nod in affirmation before backing off and heading back towards the village to check on the others.

Before I let the last one leave, I spoke up.

"Get someone to bring Kaito, and tell him to bring a torch. We don't need bodies just laying around." I purposefully make my voice deeper than it actually was, preventing Hak, Yona and the dragonets from detecting who I was.

Zeno looked at me from the corner of his eye, a silent scolding being passed my way. Huffing, I turn away from him and look towards the others. Hak, Kija, Jae-Ha, and Shin-ah all looked at me aggressively. Yona surprisingly didn't look scared as she stared me down, her now rather short hair flying in the wind.

"Are you the Yamiryuu?" Shock rippled through me at the confidence that came off of Yona's voice in waves, her tone unwavering and fearless. Let's see just how much this Fiery red dragon has changed.

I lifted off the ground only slightly, my feet just hovering above the ground. Gliding over to Yona, I put a hand to her face and rise it.

"How dare you touch!-"

I snap my head over to Kija and silence him with a simple look. "You will remain silent, young dragonet."

"Dragonet?.." Questions the white-haired boy. Ignoring him, I turn my gaze back towards Yona.

"What's it to you, young princess?"

"I need your help."

"..." Silence elapses over me. Maybe she hasn't changed, still needed help from other people I see. Shaking my head, I pull away from her and begin walking towards the Cave entrance.

Will a lazy wave of my hand, I motion for them to follow me. Zeno was the only one excited to follow me, a bounce to his step when he reached my side. With a flick of my hand, shadows laced through Zeno's shoes, bringing him up in the air so that he didn't need to walk.

Zeno looks at me and pouts.

"Are you making fun of my height again?"

I laugh and shake my head, my voice momentarily going back to normal.

"I would never."

Zeno simply lets out a huff.

* * * * * * *

As we travelled through the village, it was eerie quiet, the villagers themselves looking towards the newcomers with caution and hostility.

We don't get visitors often, and when we do...they are less than pleasant. However, a few do notice Zeno, and lots of cheerful greetings are thrown his way.

"Oh! Zeno-Sama, Welcome back!"

"Zeno-Sama, I hope your travels were safe ones!"

The confusion within the little group that trailed behind me was prominent. On our way to the main castle, I watched Kaito walk past me, a torch in his hand, and a grim look on his face.

I look at him sadly before continuing to walk forward. Behind me, I briefly heard Hak mumbling to himself.

"You'll find me in a place that shines but has no sun, where darkness rules but there is nothing but peace, a place where a dragon calls home but still, there is no fear to be found....a place that is hidden from the rest of the world, yet still lies in plain sight." His voice was soft, trying not to let anyone else hear, but seemed to fail miserably because Yona ran up to me and tried to tug on my clothing.

Shadows lashed out at her, pushing her back towards the direction of Hak.

"Please, Yamiryuu-san! Do you know where our friend Akuma is!?" Yona's voice was thick with worry, causing Shin-ah, Jae-Ha, and Kija to turn in her direction.

"Yes, is she here? I'd like to meet the girl Hak and Yona won't stop talking about." Inputs Jae-Ha. I laugh silently to myself, the irony too much to bear. If only these dragonets knew.

As we approached the gates of the castle, I address them.

"I do not know an Akuma."

"Are you sure!? These crystals-" I whip around, staring down at her relentlessly. She still has that Necklace I gave her? Yona pulls them out and shows them to me, the blue crystals glowing a beautiful colour.

"They're the same as the ones that grow from the walls! She has to have passed here if not once." Yona's face was twisting into one of determination her eyes burning with a type of fire I never knew she could exist. A hand comes to rest on my shoulder, causing me to look over.

Zeno's eyes briefly flicker over towards the crystals before looking at me silently.

I understood his message perfectly. "Tell her."

I give him a slight nod before turning and walking faster towards the throne room. When we enter the hall, we were instantly submerged into darkness save for the few spots that held the crystals. I was at my most powerful here in my throne room.

Walking slowly over to my throne, I walk past rows of peace lilies, their beautiful petals and the darkness of the room putting me at ease. Sitting down on my throne, the shadows dissipate, seeing at throne area help no light what so ever. All they could see was my glowing eyes.

My voice was lethal as the ones I cared for stood in the centre of the room, the only area that was lit. Time to put on a show.

"Now tell me again, why you're here."