Planning

-the XIII secret tower-

A group of XIII took seated around a table each hooded wearing masks with a numerical insignia. XIII the leader of the group addresses Belial the mage.

"0, might you enlighten me as to why you've presented us those cubs." XIII says menacingly

"Why, well I'd figured we'd use them as conduits for our plans. If we were to sow discord and all, our meager mana wouldn't pull half the stunts you blokes done back in the hayday." Belial says doubling down with a defiant stare of his own

"Sate that tongue of yours 0, or I shall sate it with my dagger." Said X not taking well to Belial's antics

"X could you please stop suckling on XIII's jewels and listen to what Belial has to say, oops I mean 0." Said III as they playfully winked at Belial

"This is a waste of time, with the Queen of Elves gone we've had ample time to tear down those pointed ears yet you'll have us play hide and seek among mortals." IX oozed himself in magical energy threatning to explode as his rage for the elves clouts his judgement

"I'd rather we stay hidden for the years to come, our business deals with the beastmen is pacing out well." Said V

"The adventurer and the Dragon have been alerted about our presence, and we have lost connections to our draconic powers whatever you're planning 0 make it worth the wait." Said II his serious tone eludes no one.

"Zephyr would be alerted either way, subtlety was never an option to begin with I'd hope your scheme doesn't involve more innocent lives." Said VII with a deep sigh , unlike her compatriots she was never the sort to revel in human suffering.

"Silence!." XIII having had enough of the ramblings orders complete silence

"0 what are you planning?." He ordered

"Ahem. As you all know our ancient dragons besides calamity were imprisoned in a parallel dimension following our , i mean your defeat at the hands of zephyr and through meticulous calculations I've uncovered where the souls of the dragons are kept all XIII of them, not only will I use those hatchlings as conduits to the dragon realm I'm also going to free all XIII of them for a price."

"That is?." Says XIII his eyes narrowed

"Let me have Zephyr, provided that none of you lot got the drop before me."

"Don't underestimate me brat." Said IX oozing more of his aura

"I wouldn't dare to do so, after all you've done estimated yourselves." Belial laughs at his remark further angering IX

"IX dear, your face is redder than usual." IIi added to the fire

"*sigh* III and you Belial enough with provoking IX." X looked on unamused at the jestures

"alright then, back to where we left off, so XIII do we have a deal?."

"hmmm, you may have him if the other members fail." Says XIII

"Now then, I'll start freeing the first dragon."

A magic circle formed beneath the 3 hatchlings , mana seeped through the table as a beam took shot at a wall forming a door to a dimension unbeknownst to mankind. Looks of awe showered Belial as he stepped towards the door carrying the 3 hatchling along with him.

"You're all dismissed." Unfazed XIII put the meeting to a close.

-Elfheim Palace-

"Remind me why I've got to meet the monarch when work had piled up in town."

"Her orders not mine , besides its not just you who's invited Salamander with us too."

"In spirit form, I might add." The real Salamander not this miniature lizard is flying through Etherian skies looking for his spawns

"You don't have to come ya know, I could just put in a word for her majesty and resolve the matter on my own."

"Hero, you have done enough and I want to correct my wrongs by thine self." Says Salamander

"We're here, be on your best behaviour." Says the doc

"I'm always on my best ..."

"Its that Zephyr!!!."

"Heeeeh, please don't hurt me!!!."

"We shouldn't have messed with you I'm sorry!!!."

"My best behaviour?." I say intuitively

"*sigh* , did you give half the guards PTSD."

"Look they stood in my way and well the Princess and I get along well you'll see I'm getting absolved out of my charges in a jiffy."

"Hahahahaha, and humans call me short tempered.' you're quite the entertainment hero." Salamander is in a good mood at least.

-moments later-

I stay kneeled over in the throne room to my right is Doc and hovering on my left is Salamander stiffling a chuckle or 2.

"No , you're not forgiven."

"But Princess Salamander admitted his wrongs and he's setting them right."

"I'm not talking about him , I'm talking about 'YOU'. "

"The damages you've done to the city just how much do you think I'm owed."

"the lack of self awareness with this one." Said Dr Flint exasperated

"Ahahaha, a few million gills."

"A hundred!!!!."

"hahahahahaha." Salamander burst out laughing i guess he couldn't hold it in.

"I can't pay that!!!."

"I know you can't and hehehe you don't have to."

"You mean?."

"I figured to play the mean queen just to unwind on you."

"You're despicable."

"And you're a nuisance."

A rare smile from Reifa eluded me leaving me speechless , the young beautiful princess risen from her throne to be walks gracefully towards my humble self she looks down and kneels facing myself. Our eyes look and for the 1st time I see warmth in her eyes.

At this moment as cliche as it sounds I fell in love.

"Hero Zephyr, though you look 'different' your mettle remains unchanged, and for that for saving the lives of my subjects I give you my overwhelming gratitude." She says as she holds my hands in hers pulling both of us up.

"A-and I'm considering your friendship offer." She says blushing only for my ears to pick up.

"Ahem, now onto business Dr. Tyrel it pains me to say our response for Marsche had been lack luster and for that I apologize for not routing out the problem."

"No your highness the help you sent us in the form of Zephyr proved to be right I should be the one to thank you for providing monetary, relief and construction support to our ailing town."

"mm rise Dr. Tyrel, i did only as expected of me as a monarch."

"Yes your highness."

"Salamander, of the ancient fire I heard about your circumstances and as the reigning ruler of Elfheim I pledge full support in finding your spawn."

"Thou would help a miscreant such as I, have I not wreaked havoc upon your subjects?."

"Indeed you have that however I understand your plight , my mother the Queen bless be her soul pursued me to the end of the earth and had it not been for the hero I'd naught been among the living. I do not shun you infact I want to help you just as he helped me." Said Reifa as she smiled my way.

"See I told you the Princess and I were tight."

" thank you humans, ah I'm afraid my time is coming to an end lets retire here. If you have need of me take this soul sigil and summon me." Salamander said before vanishing

I hold the sigil in my hand, ever since coming to this world I lacked access to my summons so having Salamander provide me a part of his soul was a welcomed gesture , it made me realize that Lithea had well truly died ahaha i miss her already.

"Dr Tyrel you've recieved my letter regarding the banquet , have you not."

"I did your highness and so did Lady Kayla , shes looking forward to meeting your esteened self and you as well Zephyr." Said Tyrel winking..

"Uh...y-yes." I flinched at his words , pathetic as it is I look forward to meeting Kayla again why wouldn't I Shes gorgeous b-but that doesn't change that Reifa still number 1.

"I have nothing more to say, Dr. Tyrel feel free to use one of the guest rooms as we await the banquet day and as for you hero. I'd like to have a word with you."

"Yes your majesty."

"Is something wrong Princess?."

"No everything's going great."

"Then why have you asked for me?."

"I wanted to apologize and... also thank you."

"Apologize for what?."

"For doubting your identity, for you see I admire Zephyr ever since he saved me from an unwanted marriage."

"Oh that was an intense opposite, don't want to experience it again though if the situation asked for it I'd come save you whenever and wherever as clichè as it sounds i mean it."

"And i believe you, its a pleasure to get to meet you again however I was sure of you being Elven the last time, just how'd you grow horns....and scales."

"Its a long story, let's just say I had a phase."

An edgelord phase that is Can't break the 4th wall , telling her i changed characters doesn't feel right.

"A phase? , i don't think I follow however out of respect and for saving my subjects i will refrain from asking."

"Thank you, besides I did this mostly for your sake you run yourself ragged and you looked on edge when we met in the cells."

"Ah, I have indeed and I'm sorry for that."

Her smile mesmerized me to no end, screw geting back to the real world i'm remaining here

"Enough sitting around we got a party coming up so.....

Lets go."

I hold out my hand for the princess she graciously accept as I led her out the halls.

the hallroom ball-

"I know we're in a formal setting and all but do I really have to wear this suit, its around the thighs and my tail is needs breathing room!."

"Endure hero, this is necessary for her highness."

"Listen to the words of that good fellow Mr. Zephyr."

A voice cut in our conversation, didn't take long for the owner of that snobby accent to show his face.

"Its you again...." i cant say i'm shocked to see him rather i wish i'd go by unnoticed alas such thing is impossible for a renowned hero such as myself both in looks(dragonkin) and physique i tend to stand out.

"Zephyr, do you know this man?."

"Oh apologies, where have my manners gone ahahaha seeing an old 'friend' i'd insolently forgot to introduce myself to you good fellow."

"My name's Lord Hubert von Anderson. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"I'm Dr. Tyrel running into the famous Count family's wizard heir is an honour I'm most undeserved to have."

"Don't be modest , Marsche Dr and Mayor your name holds as much weight if not more than that brute next to you!."

Pompous and obnoxiously annoying

"This brute saved your behind from a world ending calamity , better remember that."

"The aristocracy are full aware of your feats neither they or I deny that begrudgingly."

"Oh , the aristocracy sure is a pain anyways where is she ?"

"Speaking of the devil herself, here comes the Queen of Elfheim Reifa of House Grünewald."

"All hail the heiress of Elfheim Princess Reifa of House Grünewald."

Trumpets were blown and a red carpet rolled following the announcement

In that moment i ignored every murmur and whisperings focusing my entire being solely focused on the mesmerizing unrivaled beauty so divine it made me gulp my mouth dry, wearing gown dyed in nature's green her long hair braided falling down to her hip swaying as she walks gracefully down the isle surrounded by fair maidens on either side she shines brightest

She waved smiling at everyone of her royal subject as she walked over to where I was standing.

"Are you enjoying this evening Dr. Tyrel and Mr.Zephyr?"

"It has been an enjoyable evening so far your highness." Tyrel said without missing queue

"It was alright other than the suffocating suit you had me wear , at least the food made up for it."

"Ahahaha, I do understand where you're coming from I'd like to be away from such an event as well alas this is my life now."

"Umm Princess what about me?"

"And you are?."

"Its me Hubert , we went to the academy together!!."

"Ah, Hubert excuse me I've been meeting all sort of people lately you've fizzled out from my memory out of the many faces."

"Ahahaha, she called you generic Hubert."

"N-no surely the princess is jesting."

"What about the other guest Princess?." Dr Tyrel said ignoring Hubert and Zephyr

"Oh she's here." Said Reifa smirk adorned her face

"Who's that guest?." I say confused

"U-um good evening e-everyone."

"Kayla..."

The scarred turned beautiful elf appeared before me wearing a beautiful white gown that matched her fairly skin, she but near matched rather rivaled Reifa in everything from her long illustrious hair to her perky lips glazed in red lipstick.

"Its good to see you hero."

"Y-you as well, you're looking exceptionally beautiful." Ofcourse i had to say it.

"Really?."

She's asking me this question when she damn pried everyone's eyes away from Reifa, her self-esteem issues still persisting.

"Yes I think no one here save for the princess that could match you."

"It means alot coming from the person who's saved my life."

Her smile's so bright , I can't its shining o-oh Reifa is standing right next to me looking at her made me flush for some reason wonder why's she looking at me like that.

"Y-you're quite the flatterer Zephyr, you spared me none when I arrived here. I take that I'm not to your appeal."

"Not you too Princess!!."

Thoust in trouble hero gahahaha!

Salamander adds to the conveesation via our telepathic link.

"Not you too!! Salamander."

"If it means anything to you your highness I think you looked lovely tonight."

"Uh, thank you Hubert i appreciate your compliment.

at least someone here is versed in common etiquette."

"What do you want me to say??!!, that my jaw dropped the moment I saw you."

"Oh my." Said Kayla flabbergasted

"Oh my indeed." Tyrel followed

"Quite a bold statement Zephyr." Added Hubert

'Hero, best to holdst thy tongue at times.' Salamander chimed

"Hahaha, I see so you've been enthralled." said Reifa cheeks flushing

The music played as if queued just to save me from the embarrassment, and to serve as revenge for whats to come.

I hold out my hand to the princess as the instruments played and said

"May I have this dance."

"You may escort my royal self." Reifa smiled bewitchedly as she took my hand in hers.

I see she's used to this , it made absolute sense considering her position in the realm. If this didn't faze her , I've got more tricks up my sleeve.

To be continued