novelraw Chapter 29: Twin Horns
Chapter 29: Twin Horns
"Raphaëlle, Raphaëlle..."
It felt like Raphaëlle’s soul had been burned to ashes by the terrifying heat. Though her consciousness was still trapped in darkness, she seemed to see a tiny glimmer of light. She reached for it desperately, and the light burst into a gentle glow.
The next second, she blinked open her eyes in confusion—and was met with the sight of a white-haired female Dragonkin, adorned in elaborate ornaments, sitting at her bedside with a warm smile.
It was her mother.
"Mo...Mom..."
She felt as if she had returned to her room in the tribe, filled with trinkets she’d brought back from outside the village—the very room she’d never liked staying in for long.
She was the youngest child, and the most unusual one. She was the only red-scaled Dragonkin in the entire tribe, and it always made her feel different from the other children.
"Ah, Raphaëlle, you really seem to have grown..."
Her gentle Dragonkin mother reached to brush her bangs, right where her glowing red horn had formed, radiating energy unique to Raphaëlle. But on the other side of her face, it looked as if magma had burned deep cracks into her cheek, the violent magic circuits beneath still writhing, making her expression a bit twisted.
Yet for now, Raphaëlle seemed free from pain, basking in the warmth of her mother’s gaze. "But... but I think I failed, Mom... It hurt so much. When the others came of age—Mir and the others—they didn’t go through anything like this. I... Why am I so different from the rest?"
"Oh, you silly girl..."
Her mother smiled, lowering her head to rest her golden horn against Raphaëlle’s newly grown crimson one. They both closed their eyes, yet could feel the warmth and emotions flowing from one to the other. That’s the meaning of Dragonkin touching horns.
"Dragonkin souls are blazing hot, so hot—like the sun. They guide lost Dragonkin back home, or lead them to new tribes where they become family."
"...Am I like that too?"
"Yes, sweetie. Mommy’s the same... Each of our souls has traveled a long journey. And Raphaëlle’s soul must be the brightest of them all. You’re so gifted, and you’re our child. So don’t be afraid, Raphaëlle. You’re destined to become the finest Dragonkin of all..."
Wrapped in that lullaby-like voice, Raphaëlle seemed to melt into her mother’s warm embrace. Everything around her still burned, but she no longer felt the heat—only comfort.
And in that moment, a second crimson horn slowly began to grow, nurtured by her mother’s trust and warmth. Just as blazing, just as beautiful as the first.
The pain slowly faded. Raphaëlle’s consciousness drifted back into her body. She slowly opened her eyes—to see a full, glowing moon above.
She stared blankly at the breathtaking scene. Twin crimson horns now adorned her forehead—slender and elegant. Her flame-colored hair floated in the air like a sea of rose petals.
"Huh..."
Why... is there wind? Why is my hair floating?
She blinked in confusion, then realized—she was falling.
Even more shocking was the warmth she still felt around her. She stiffly turned her head and saw that she was being held—naked—in Fischer’s arms.
"Fi...Fischer?"
"..."
Fischer didn’t answer—he looked just as wrecked. The upper half of his suit had been completely burned, only a few tattered pieces clinging to his scorched skin.
He had rushed to her, using magic to reduce the terrifying heat around her. But he could only hold it for so long. Once her horns had finished growing, she had started to fall, and he’d had no choice but to catch and hold her.
And because of that, Raphaëlle caught a glimpse of the muscular contours beneath his ruined clothes...
So...
Humans are this strong too?
So, that embrace just now... was Fischer’s?
The moment that thought entered her mind, her newly formed scales—tough as armor—seemed to react as if triggered by a passcode. They began to dissolve layer by layer, transforming into smooth, supple texture. Even her long crimson tail went completely rigid, then twitched like she’d been shocked.
"Y-Y-YOU!!"
"...What?"
That was a sign of Tail Acceptance.
In front of a tail mate, an adult Dragonkin’s hardened battle scales would soften—becoming sleek and smooth.
Only when faced with the one they cherished most, the scales meant for war would shed their defenses.
"Mm..."
But before the signal could fully spread through her body, Raphaëlle, her face flushed, slapped a dragon claw over Fischer’s face and squirmed like mad in his arms. Despite her fully matured scales, Fischer hadn’t felt any prickling or pain.
Why was that?
Just as he wondered, they hit the ground.
The suspended lake water—held up by the Gravitational Celestial Rings—now began to fall like rain. But it would take a long, long shower before the lake was filled again.
Raphaëlle immediately leapt off Fischer, clutching her body and stepping back several paces without meeting his eyes. Once she got far enough, her not-yet-dissolved scales returned to their rigid state. But Fischer, clueless about her post-maturity reactions, simply assumed she was still hurting.
"Lady Raphaëlle!"
Raphaëlle turned her head slightly so Fischer couldn’t see her expression. She silently took the clothes offered by Mir and slipped them on.
"Lady Raphaëlle, you’ve got two horns!!" Larr threw herself into Raphaëlle’s arms. As she tried to snuggle against her like before, she scrunched her face and muttered, "Your scales... are poking Larr."
"...You little dummy!"
Raphaëlle gave her a light pat on the back and set her down.
Fassil and the others came over to congratulate her.
"Lady Raphaëlle, you’ve grown two horns. No Dragonkin has ever had that..."
"Maybe in ancient Dragon Court legends, but those are just myths. Lady Raphaëlle is truly one of a kind."
Indeed, ever since those two horns had formed, Raphaëlle could feel it—her strength was bottomless. All the fatigue and weakness had vanished, replaced by surging power.
She was now a full-fledged Dragonkin warrior!
For some reason, she couldn’t stop thinking about that embrace—about Fischer, his shirt all burned away...
Raphaëlle hesitated, gently pushing aside her companions as she searched for Fischer.
This time, she wanted to say thank you.
The rain over the lake grew heavier, now falling like a storm. Through the downpour, her emerald eyes finally caught sight of him—half-naked, holding his staff, walking farther and farther away.
She opened her mouth, but unsure if he could hear her from this distance, she still didn’t say a word.
"Wow, Lady Raphaëlle, look! The lake water’s floating in the sky... Fischer’s magic is amazing! And Fischer’s skin is so red! His clothes are—"
"Larr! Watch your mouth! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Mir, Sis Fassil’s scolding me again!"
That “thank you” she wanted to say was lost in the noise of the rain and the chatter of her companions.
But maybe... it was always meant to stay inside her heart.