Chapter 9: A Day of Simple Joys

The golden rays of the morning sun streamed through the high windows of Peverell Castle, casting a warm, inviting light across the ancient stone floors. For once, the castle's usual air of mystery and solemnity seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of lightheartedness that had been absent for too long.

Damian, still only six years old but wise beyond his years, had awoken that morning with a different kind of energy—one not born of determination or the need to learn, but of simple, childlike excitement. Today was a day without training, without the weight of his destiny pressing on his shoulders. Today, he was just a boy, and Azreal was just his companion, and they had a world of play at their feet.

"Come on, Azreal!" Damian called, his voice echoing through the hall as he ran down the corridor, his footsteps light and quick. Behind him, the dragon, currently in his smaller, cat-like form, scampered after him, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

They burst out of the castle and into the sprawling gardens, where the flowers were in full bloom and the air was filled with the sweet scent of summer. The sky was a brilliant blue, unbroken by clouds, and the gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the ancient trees that lined the garden paths.

Damian skidded to a stop near a small pond, the surface of which reflected the sky like a mirror. He dropped to his knees, peering into the water as small fish darted about just below the surface. Azreal joined him, leaning over the edge and swiping playfully at the water with one clawed paw, sending ripples across the pond.

"Look at that one!" Damian pointed to a particularly large fish that swam lazily near the bottom. "Bet you can't catch it, Azreal."

The dragon narrowed his eyes in determination, his tail flicking back and forth as he focused on the fish. With a quick, decisive movement, he plunged his paw into the water. The fish, startled, darted away, leaving Azreal's paw dripping and empty.

Damian burst out laughing, the sound bright and carefree. "You almost had it!"

Azreal gave him a mock glare, then shook the water from his paw, sending droplets flying in every direction. Damian yelped as the cold water splashed him, but his laughter only grew louder.

With a playful growl, Azreal leaped onto Damian, knocking him gently onto his back. They rolled together in the soft grass, the dragon's tail swishing back and forth as he nuzzled Damian's cheek, both of them reveling in the simple joy of play.

"Alright, alright, you win!" Damian said, still laughing as he pushed Azreal off him. He lay back in the grass, gazing up at the clear sky, his breath coming in happy gasps. Azreal settled beside him, curling up with his head resting on Damian's chest, the dragon's purr vibrating through him like a soothing melody.

For a long while, they simply lay there, basking in the warmth of the sun, their breaths falling into a synchronized rhythm. The world was quiet, peaceful, as if time itself had slowed to allow them this moment of perfect contentment.

After a while, Damian turned his head to look at Azreal. "You know, Azreal, sometimes I forget that we're just kids. I mean, look at us—living in this huge castle, training with magic, learning about things most people never even dream of. But days like this… they remind me that we're still allowed to have fun, to just be ourselves."

Azreal's eyes gleamed with understanding, and he nudged Damian's hand with his snout, a gesture that said, "I feel the same."

With a contented sigh, Damian closed his eyes, letting the gentle hum of Azreal's purr lull him into a state of complete relaxation. For the first time in what felt like forever, his mind was free of the thoughts that usually occupied it—the future, his responsibilities, the mysteries of his family's past. Today, none of that mattered. Today, he was just a boy enjoying a beautiful summer day with his best friend.

The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by a soft rustling in the bushes nearby. Damian opened one eye, peering in the direction of the sound, and was met with a sight that made his heart swell with warmth.

Mortem, in his more corporeal, human-like form, stepped out from behind the trees, his usually imposing presence softened by the light of the sun filtering through the leaves. He was dressed in dark, elegant robes, his long hair flowing around his shoulders, but there was a gentleness in his expression that Damian had rarely seen before.

"Mortem!" Damian called out, sitting up and waving him over.

The figure of Death, who had often seemed more shadow than man, approached with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Enjoying yourself, I see," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that was usually reserved for their more private moments.

Damian grinned. "We're taking a break from all the serious stuff. Just… having fun."

Mortem nodded, his gaze softening further as he looked down at the pair. "That's good. You both deserve it. Even the most powerful wizards—and dragons—need time to simply be."

Damian couldn't help but notice how Mortem's presence, usually so commanding and enigmatic, had a comforting quality today. It was as if, for this moment, Mortem wasn't the embodiment of Death, but rather a guardian, a father figure, watching over them with quiet affection.

"Why don't you join us?" Damian suggested, a hopeful note in his voice. He had never thought to invite Mortem to participate in their play, but today felt different—more open, more relaxed.

For a moment, Mortem's expression was unreadable, as if he was considering the offer. Then, with a surprising swiftness, he sat down on the grass beside them, folding his legs under him and leaning back on his hands. "Alright," he said, his tone light. "What shall we do?"

Damian beamed, delighted that Mortem had accepted the invitation. "We could race!" he suggested, glancing at Azreal, who perked up at the idea. "You too, Azreal. Let's see who's fastest."

Mortem chuckled, a sound that Damian realized he had never heard before—deep and rich, with a hint of amusement. "A race, you say? Very well. But be warned, I have certain… advantages."

With that, Damian, Azreal, and Mortem lined up at the edge of the garden, the starting line marked by a large stone. The finish line was at the far end of the garden, near the old oak tree that had stood there for centuries.

"Ready… set… go!" Damian shouted, and they all took off, laughing as they sprinted across the grass.

Azreal darted ahead, his smaller form giving him the agility to weave between the bushes and trees with ease. Damian ran as fast as he could, his feet barely touching the ground, the wind whipping through his hair. And Mortem… well, Mortem moved with a speed that seemed almost unnatural, his form blurring as he raced beside them.

But in the end, it was Azreal who crossed the finish line first, his triumphant roar echoing through the garden as he skidded to a stop by the oak tree. Damian arrived shortly after, breathless and grinning, with Mortem close behind, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and amusement.

"You win, Azreal!" Damian panted, dropping to the ground beside the dragon, who was now back in his full size, his wings fluttering with excitement.

Mortem joined them, his smile still in place. "It seems the young dragon has bested us both," he said, his tone light. "Well done, Azreal."

Azreal nudged Damian affectionately, his purr rumbling in his chest like a contented cat. Damian wrapped his arms around the dragon's neck, his heart full of joy. He had never imagined that a day like this—so simple, so full of laughter and love—could be possible in a place as grand and mysterious as Peverell Castle.

They spent the rest of the afternoon lying in the shade of the oak tree, talking and laughing, with Mortem sharing stories of ancient times and distant lands. Damian listened with rapt attention, but today, the stories were not lessons to be learned or burdens to be carried—they were simply stories, meant to entertain and to bring them closer together.

And as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Damian realized that these moments—these simple, joyful moments—were just as important as all the training and studying in the world. They were what made life worth living, what gave him the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Because in the end, no matter what his destiny held, Damian knew that he was not alone. He had Azreal, he had Mortem, and he had the simple joys of childhood to carry with him, to remind him of who he was, and of the love and laughter that would always be a part of his life.

And as they made their way back to the castle, the stars beginning to twinkle in the night sky, Damian felt a deep sense of contentment settle over him. For today, he had been just a boy, with his best friend and his guardian by his side.

And that, he knew, was more than enough.