Kean and Fuji's story

"Sometimes I don't understand why the Abyss always tried to reach your palace."

Kean's words brought Han Zhong out of his thoughts. After ten minutes he squatted next to Kean who was busy loosening the soil and watering the new seeds he had planted, Han Zhong was happy to see the activity.

"Hm, there's a war that the Abysses have stirred for a long time. In the past, our world was almost annihilated by them, but because the God of Light sent down the Dragon Trixon, this land was saved."

The shovel that was being spooned into the ground suddenly stopped. Kean turned to look at Han Zhong. "Gee, isn't that some kind of secret you shouldn't be telling anyone?"

"Who said that?"

Ken approached. The boy had pale green eyes and thick wavy hair. His body smells slightly of sweat mixed with the smell of wet soil. He squinted and whispered slowly, "My mother and father said, we must not hear anything from the magical world. Because we might die too."

"Hmm… I don't know about that. But you won't die. The Shield of Light guarding this settlement was enough to restrain the Abyss. All of you are lucky to live in Severe mountain valley. My grandfather said, many humans have to fight in other parts of the Abyss raid."

"Speaking of the Abyss, have you ever met one of them?"

Han Zhong was silent for a moment. He often saw Folix lurking quietly from behind the Barewoods forest. Or sometimes by the river where he's getting some air with Finux. But he couldn't tell that. Because if Han Zhong told him there was a Folix around the settlement—Kean might even be afraid.

"Once," replied Han Zhong, "in a history book."

Kean smiled. "It would be better if you didn't see it. But, you're a dragon child, you will see it soon or later."

Right. Even Han Zhong, who was destined to become a dragon, would forever meet other creatures. He didn't know if he would live as long as grandpa but thinking about how many creatures out there could be tortured and killed by the Abyss made Han Zhong unwilling.

It felt like he wanted to grow up to save everyone.

"Ah yes, is Fuji coming here?" asked Han Zhong, remembering the cute girl. Talking about Fuji sometimes made Han Zhong's heart beat irregularly. Grandpa said they were attracted to each other. Like humans who then give birth to children. But unfortunately, the dragon clan was not gifted with such a thing.

"Should be a minute. She was sick yesterday."

Han Zhong always stopped by once a week to this settlement. Besides being busy learning sword techniques and fighting skills, he had to study other energies in the library. So he doesn't know how his friends are if he doesn't go down the mountain himself.

"Sick? What happened?"

"The charcoal shop next door makes smoke and irritates Fuji's breathing. I think his father is guarding there now. Would you like to visit her cottage?"

"I've never been to her cottage. Fuji said I can't go there." Han Zhong and Fuji's relationship could be said to be a little complicated. Sometimes Fuji can be a sweet cheerful girl. Sometimes she can also be very secretive and mysterious. Kean said it was financial problems at home that made Fuji's emotions unstable.

Han Zhong didn't really understand the financial matters. Humans sometimes have other problems that actually seem trivial. But Han Zhong understood that it was all due to differences in lifestyle.

"Is that why the sculpture shop is no longer popular in the market?"

"Hmm, you could say that. People near the market say that the owner of the charcoal is the most needed person. Charcoal is a substitute for wood which is easier to burn because people cook a lot, so all the customers always go to his place. Even worse, sometimes, people say that stones are a source of life, not entertainment instead of making sculptures."

"But the statue in the middle of the market that was carved by Fuji's great-grandfather is already proof that they should worship dragons. Don't they feel respect for Fuji in that?"

"Does not seem that way. Only some people defend Fuji's father. The rest of them are busy chattering here and there."

Poor Fuji, Han Zhong muttered. Fuji's grandfather was a stone sculptor who worked with other sculptors in the center of the settlement to build the 1st Trixon Dragon statue. As a form of gratitude for helping them and allowing them to live at the bottom of the mountain.

Times had changed, it was natural for Han Zhong to understand the situation if they didn't understand it. The war was long ago and the settlement stretched further and further into the riverbanks of the Barewoods forest.

Han Zhong and Kean went to visit Fuji's cottage which is behind the market. After putting all the equipment and fruit seeds into his cottage, Kean said goodbye to his mother. Together with Han Zhong who was also given a small kiss from Kean's warm mother, the two boys re-entered the bustling residential area.

The path leading to the market is bustling with several busy people working. Han Zhong walked with his spear, aiming for the narrow blocks. Past the noisy carpenter with his saw, the chicken butcher with various meat hangers on the chopper. Kitchen knife sellers, cloth sellers, and past various other shops in the market. Life in the settlements is getting busier day by day. People who cultivate crops can be traders as well as businesses.

Life in the settlements is very different from that on the edge of the forest.

After passing through many shops and down the alley leading to the outskirts of the settlement, Han Zhong and Kean arrived at a small cottage whose walls were built of dead wood. The roof of the triangular house was covered again with some thick thatch. Han Zhong was waiting for someone to open the door when Kean knocked.

The smell of smoke from the funnel of the cottage separates the hustle and bustle of the settlement from the edge of the forest.

Someone opened the door. But not Fuji.

"Ah, Uncle Fuji. You're home. We wanted to visit Fuji and bring her some fruit from my garden. If you could—"

The eyes of the man with a thick mustache and slightly large stature narrowed. He didn't open the door wide, just left a small gap open there. Han Zhong was silent for a moment, looking at Uncle Fuji's odd behavior.

Usually, Uncle Fuji wasn't very friendly. Not because he was fierce. But because he is quiet and rarely reprimanded. His life was busy taking care of the stones behind the cottage and then carrying them in a truck load to sell in the market. But this time, the cold impression that had been present on the man seemed even more frightening.

"Thank you. But we don't need someone to visit my niece. Especially with dragon cubs. Please don't come here again, and better yet, don't play with my niece anymore."

After saying that, the door thudded shut. Blowing the coldest and most uncomfortable wind for Han Zhong and Kean.

***