co- parents

Akari woke up four days later, her head pounding faintly as the sunlight filtered through the window. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she was disoriented, unsure of where she was. The sterile yet ornate room of the elf castle brought her back to reality, and memories of her collapse in the garden rushed back to her. She felt heavy, as though the burden she carried had only grown in her unconsciousness.

Arnold and Kuro had taken turns staying by her side the entire time. The agreement with the elf queen had been finalized, but neither of them could focus completely, their concern for Akari outweighing everything else.

When Arnold wasn't present, Kuro stayed alone in the room. He sat by her bedside, his gaze fixed on her peaceful face. Yet his mind was far from peaceful. He tried to hold back the emotions clawing at him, but it was no use. His hand clutched Akari's limp one, and his vision blurred with tears.

"Hey, Akari," Kuro murmured, his voice barely audible, as though speaking louder would shatter the fragile moment. "Wake up, please. I can't stand seeing you like this. I promise... I won't be jealous anymore. I won't think those stupid thoughts about Arnold. Just...just come back, okay?"

He wiped at his eyes hastily, but the tears wouldn't stop. It wasn't the first time Kuro had felt powerless, but it was the first time it hurt this much. He wasn't sure if it was because he couldn't help her, or because he couldn't be what she needed.

That evening, Akari stirred awake. Arnold was the first to notice, his voice a mix of relief and excitement as he called for the healers. Kuro rushed into the room shortly after, his face showing the strain of days of worry.

"You're awake," Kuro said, his voice trembling slightly. He tried to mask his emotions with a small, relieved smile, but his red-rimmed eyes betrayed him.

Akari's gaze moved between the two of them. "I...how long was I out?"

"Four days," Arnold answered, moving closer to check on her. "You gave us quite the scare."

Akari's lips curled into a faint smile. "Sorry for worrying you two...I guess I really overdid it, huh?"

Before either could respond, the door opened, and Orpheus walked in. He didn't say a word as he approached Akari's bedside, his expression unreadable. He stopped a few steps away, his gaze locked onto hers. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of his presence adding to the tension.

Akari opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. There was something in Orpheus's eyes—a mixture of familiarity and confusion—that froze her in place.

He stared at her for what felt like an eternity, then turned and left without a single word, the echo of his footsteps fading down the hall.

"Well, that was...dramatic," Arnold said, trying to lighten the mood. But his joke fell flat as Akari's eyes remained glued to the doorway where Orpheus had disappeared.

Kuro and Arnold exchanged a glance, both knowing that whatever connection Akari had with Orpheus, it was far from ordinary. And for now, neither of them could do anything but support her as she unraveled the mysteries surrounding her past.

The next morning, the day of their departure from the elf kingdom had arrived. The castle grounds were bustling with activity as servants prepared their horses and supplies for the journey back. Akari, still a little pale but recovering, stood alongside Kuro and Arnold as they bid farewell to the queen and her children.

The queen approached Akari with a warm smile. "It was a pleasure having you here. I hope your journey home is safe, and may you find the answers you seek."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Akari replied, bowing respectfully. "And thank you for the kindness you've shown us during our stay."

As they made their way to the gates, Akari's gaze swept across the crowd of elves who had gathered to see them off. Her eyes caught a familiar figure lingering on the outskirts, partially hidden by the shadows of a tree. Orpheus. He was watching her again, his expression unreadable, his gaze piercing as though he were trying to solve a puzzle only he could see.

Akari froze for a moment, her eyes locking with his. It wasn't just his presence that unsettled her; it was the way her heart seemed to tighten, as if she were looking at a fragment of herself that she didn't yet understand. Her feet almost moved toward him, but Kuro's voice gently pulled her back.

"Akari, everything alright?" Kuro asked, his concern evident.

She blinked, realizing how long she had been staring. "Yeah... I'm fine." Her voice was quiet, almost distracted.

Arnold glanced at Orpheus, then back at Akari. "Seems like you have an admirer," he said in a teasing tone, trying to lighten the mood. But the way he looked at her showed he was still watching her closely, ready to intervene if needed.

Kuro, who had also noticed the unspoken tension, didn't say anything. He chose to let the moment pass, understanding that calling attention to it might only make things harder for her.

As they mounted their horses, Akari couldn't help but steal one last glance at Orpheus. He hadn't moved an inch, still staring at her with that same intensity. Her chest felt heavy again, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the road ahead.

With a final wave to the gathered elves, the trio rode off into the forest. Akari couldn't shake the feeling that something was left unfinished, but she didn't say a word. Kuro and Arnold, sensing her mood, rode quietly beside her, offering silent support.

The image of Orpheus standing in the shadows stayed with her for the first few miles of their journey, his eyes a mystery she couldn't yet unravel.

Ten days had passed since they left the elf kingdom, and now only half the journey remained. They were camping beside a serene lake under the starry sky. The gentle ripples in the water reflected the moonlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Kuro sat silently behind a massive tree, leaning against its trunk with his knees pulled up, lost in his thoughts. Akari, on the other hand, was near the water, splashing and playing like a carefree child. Her laughter echoed through the night as Arnold approached her from behind, a playful smirk on his face.

He leaned in close and placed a quick kiss on her ear. "Caught you off guard," he teased.

Akari's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she whipped around to face him. "Arnold!" she exclaimed, flustered but laughing. To retaliate, she splashed water at him, drenching his face.

"Oh, you're in for it now!" Arnold said, leaping into the water to splash her back. The two continued their playful antics, laughing and enjoying the moment, completely immersed in their little water fight.

Kuro, however, stayed behind the tree, his heart heavy as he listened to their laughter. Tears began to roll down his cheeks, unnoticed in the shadows. He wiped at his eyes hastily, trying to mask his pain, but the weight of everything was too much to bear. Akari had been his world, his anchor, and now, it felt as though he was drifting further and further away from her.

Eventually, Akari noticed his absence. Concerned, she excused herself from Arnold, wiping her hands dry on her tunic, and walked over to the tree. She peered around the trunk and found Kuro sitting there, his face turned away from her.

"Hey, why are you crying? Is everything okay? You've been down for days," Akari asked, crouching beside him.

Kuro didn't look at her. "It's nothing. Just... some dirt got in my eyes, that's all," he said, his voice low.

Akari frowned. "Stop lying, Kuro. I've known you for 18 years. I can tell when something's wrong, you idiot."

Kuro finally looked at her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Ha. You think you know me, Akari? You don't. Not really."

Akari's heart clenched at his words. "What are you saying? Of course I know you! What's going on?"

But before Kuro could respond, a strange melody filled the air. It was hauntingly beautiful, a song unlike any they had heard before. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. The moment the melody began, Arnold, who was still near the lake, slumped to the ground, fast asleep. The chirping birds fell silent, and even the gentle rustling of the wind ceased.

Akari looked around, alarmed. "What's happening? Why is everyone asleep?"

Kuro's voice was tense. "I don't know... but this sound—it feels like it's pulling at me. Like it wants us to follow it."

Akari nodded, a strange glint in her eyes. "Yeah... I feel it too. But we can't just leave Arnold unprotected."

"Of course not," Kuro agreed, though there was a faint sadness in his voice as he glanced at Arnold.

Akari quickly knelt beside Arnold and placed a protective spell over him, forming a faint golden barrier that shimmered softly in the moonlight. "This should keep him safe from any attacks while we're gone," she said, standing back up.

"Good. Let's figure out what's causing this melody," Kuro said, his determination cutting through his earlier sadness.

Together, they turned and followed the alluring sound into the dense forest, leaving behind the safety of their camp. The song grew louder as they ventured further, pulling them into the unknown.

As Akari and Kuro ventured deeper into the forest, following the mesmerizing melody, they soon found themselves standing before an awe-inspiring sight—a massive cave, illuminated by an ethereal glow that seemed to pulse from within. The entrance was framed by towering stone columns, and the air around it was thick with an unexplainable energy.

They entered cautiously, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. Inside, the glow intensified, revealing a stunning sight: a colossal egg, resting on a bed of smooth, glittering stones. Its surface shimmered with an otherworldly light, and there was an aura of majesty surrounding it, making the entire cave feel alive.

"Wow, such a big egg. Means a big omelette!" Kuro joked, trying to ease the tension that hung in the air.

Akari, however, was not in the mood for jokes. She stepped closer to the egg, her eyes narrowing as she noticed something else—an ancient script etched into its surface. "Stop it. This seems important," she said, pointing at the inscriptions.

Kuro walked over to the egg and squinted at the text. It was written in ancient angelic script—something he was familiar with. He gently placed his hand on the egg, focusing as he began to translate the inscriptions aloud.

"'Only those destined by the gods above, whose union weaves the threads of fate with the loom of wisdom and strength, may dare to awaken the Dragon of Angels—a colossal beast, a divine sentinel, roused but once in a century. Of the chosen pair, one must bear the sacred mantle of temporal dominion, wielding the power of time itself, for only then shall the heavens deem them worthy to tame the celestial guardian.'"

Akari stared at Kuro, her expression a mixture of confusion and awe. "What does it mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Kuro let out a long sigh, adjusting his posture as he prepared to explain. "I know it. You know I'm an expert in ancient mythology. According to this, it's talking about the Dragon of Angels. It's a divine being, a colossal celestial guardian. But the key part is that only a couple—a destined pair—can awaken it. They're the ones who weave the threads of fate and have the strength and wisdom to tame it."

Akari frowned. "But do we have to tame and babysit it?" she asked sarcastically, though a flicker of unease crossed her face.

Kuro shrugged. "I suppose so," he said, a little uncertain himself. "The dragon ensures peace and loyalty. It's said to awaken once every century, and when it does, it chooses a couple—those who are destined to control it, to ensure balance."

Akari raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "But isn't it a couple thing? Then why are we the chosen ones?" Her voice carried a hint of disbelief as she looked at Kuro, clearly confused.

Kuro paused for a moment, pondering the question. "That's the part I don't know. It's strange, isn't it? It's supposed to be a pair, and yet, here we are—just you and me, standing in front of it. Maybe it's because we're both connected to powerful forces, or maybe the prophecy means something more than just a literal couple."

Akari glanced at Kuro, her mind racing as she tried to piece everything together. "This... is a lot to take in. So, we're supposed to awaken this dragon, tame it, and somehow ensure peace? It's like a celestial guardian... but we don't even know what it's going to be like once it's awake."

Kuro nodded solemnly. "Yeah, and whatever happens next, we're in this together. We have to be the ones to handle it."

Akari stood there, the weight of the situation sinking in. The strange pull of destiny was undeniable, but the idea of taming such a forceful being—especially one tied to ancient myths and prophecies—was overwhelming. Still, she knew one thing for sure: whatever came next, she couldn't face it alone.

Kuro and Akari stood before the ancient egg, its surface glowing faintly in the dim light of the cave, and the weight of the prophecy hung heavily in the air. As Kuro considered the words he'd translated from the egg, a thought struck him with unease.

"But we don't have time control power," Kuro said, voice filled with uncertainty. "How are we supposed to awaken the Dragon of Angels without that?"

Akari's gaze softened for a moment before she looked at him seriously. "Actually, I do."

Kuro blinked in surprise, his eyebrows furrowing as he processed her words. "What? Akari, how much are you hiding from me?" His voice carried a mix of concern and disbelief.

Akari's lips curled into a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Hey, I just awakened it yesterday... as Lior," she admitted, her voice quiet but firm.

Kuro's eyes widened as the shock of her confession settled in. "Haha, you are something else, Akari," he muttered under his breath, trying to process the fact that she had kept something this important from him. She had awakened the power of time, one of the most dangerous abilities, and had hidden it from everyone—even him, her closest friend.

Akari's expression turned serious again. "But I can't use it without a disadvantage. It costs me a lot of pain," she explained, her voice low, as though remembering the toll it had taken on her. She glanced away, a faint wince crossing her face as if the memory still stung.

Kuro's worry deepened, and he stepped closer to her. "You won't be using it," he said firmly, his tone betraying his concern. "If it causes you pain, I can't let you. You're already carrying so much, Akari."

Akari's face softened with a mixture of appreciation and determination. "Hey, don't worry so much. I won't use it unless I have to." Her voice regained its usual lightness as she shifted the topic. "Come on, let's awaken the dragon. We must put our Noor inside, I think."

Kuro looked at her, still concerned but also realizing the weight of the situation. He wasn't sure about the specifics of the ritual or the dangers involved, but he knew one thing for sure—if Akari was willing to go this far, he would stand by her, no matter the consequences.

The two of them stood in front of the egg, ready to carry out the task ahead, their thoughts swirling with the gravity of what they were about to do. The ritual had already begun, whether they fully understood it or not. The prophecy had chosen them. They had no choice but to follow through, and in doing so, perhaps change the course of fate itself.

As Akari and Kuro placed their Noor into the egg, the glow intensified, lighting up the entire cave. Their eyes began to glow with the same ethereal energy as they felt an overwhelming connection, something deep and primal, far beyond what they could understand.

"It's like we're connected," Kuro said, his voice almost reverent, but still full of his usual teasing tone.

Akari's eyes narrowed, a faint blush creeping up her face. "Idiot, we were always connected. Remember, our souls are connected," she said, though the power coursing through them felt different now—more intense. "It's just... strengthening the bond. But this is overwhelming."

The light from the egg flared brighter, and suddenly, the energy of the dragon surged. Their Noor overwhelmed them, and before they knew it, massive tattoos began to appear, starting from their necks and spiraling down their bodies, covering them from head to toe. The designs were intricate, symbolizing the dragon's power and their newly forged bond.

Kuro blinked, staring at the tattoos that now adorned his body. He looked over at Akari, then burst into a grin. "Wow, we look like a couple now," he joked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm sure your boyfriend's gonna be jealous."

Akari froze, a deep red blush spreading across her face. She shot him a glare, but there was no hiding the embarrassment. "Shut up, Kuro!" she said quickly, trying to suppress a smile. "You look like a walking tattoo shop!"

Kuro just laughed, shrugging with exaggerated nonchalance. "Hey, I'm just saying—if we ever need to make things official, we've got the matching tattoos already."

Akari rolled her eyes, her embarrassment now mixing with amusement. "Yeah, great, let me just add 'couple goals' to the list of things I never wanted to be associated with."

"Don't worry," Kuro grinned, "I'm sure Arnold won't mind... or maybe he'll just have to start looking for someone else with matching tattoos."

Akari groaned, a little mortified by the thought. "Please don't even joke about that," she muttered, feeling the weight of the connection in more ways than one. But despite her annoyance, she couldn't help but laugh.

As the egg cracked open with a soft, echoing sound, the glowing light around them finally faded, revealing a tiny dragon, its scales a blend of white and black, resembling a perfect mixture of light and darkness. The dragon blinked its big, curious eyes and let out the most innocent, adorable words.

"Mama... Baba..." it said in a high-pitched, childlike voice.

Akari's heart immediately melted. Her eyes widened, and she almost swooned at the cuteness. "Now we're parents," she said, completely taken by surprise but also overjoyed.

Kuro, though still reeling from the whole 'dragon awakening' thing, couldn't help but grin like a proud parent. "Mama, Baba, name me!" the little dragon chirped, its tiny wings fluttering excitedly.

Akari, still weak to cute things, leaned down, eyes shining with affection. "Omg, it's so cute," she said, her voice practically turning into mush. "We have to name it."

Kuro smirked, feeling uncharacteristically sentimental. "Let's name it," he said, his voice warmer than usual as he carefully considered. "How about 'Kuri'?"

Akari blinked. "Kuri? Why Kuri?"

"'Ku' from my name, and 'ri' from yours," Kuro explained with a smug little smile.

Akari's eyes softened as she looked at the baby dragon, now playfully fluttering around them. "Kuri… that's actually perfect."

Kuro watched as Akari bent down to the dragon's level, practically glowing with happiness. "At least one of my dreams is complete," he thought to himself, his chest swelling with an odd mix of pride and sadness. "We may not be a couple, but we can be parents… to this cute little Kuri."

Akari suddenly looked at Kuro with intense seriousness, her tone matching the gravity of her words. "We're gonna raise you, Kuri. Call me Mama once more, and I'll spoil you rotten."

The tiny dragon chirped, fluttering excitedly in approval. "Mama!" it squeaked, wagging its little tail.

Kuro, whose face was still plastered with an uncontainable grin, looked at Akari with mock horror. "Oh no… I'm gonna be the bad cop, aren't I? I can already see it. You're gonna let it eat as many snacks as it wants, and I'll be the one who has to tell it 'no' every time."

Akari gave him a playful side-eye. "You bet. You're gonna be the 'no' parent, and I'm the 'yes, sweetie, have all the cake you want' one."

Kuro raised his hands in surrender. "Well, if that's the case, I guess I'll just have to teach Kuri how to be a responsible dragon, even if I have to do it all alone."

The baby dragon immediately flew up to Kuro's face and sniffed around, clearly confused by the 'no' parent's serious demeanor. "Mama! Baba!" it chirped, eager for attention.

Akari giggled, "Looks like we both have our work cut out for us."

Kuro sighed dramatically. "I didn't sign up for this level of cuteness. I thought I was just here for the dragon-slaying. Turns out, I'm raising a tiny fluffy menace."

But despite his complaints, the grin never left his face. It was impossible to be annoyed when there was a cute little dragon flying around them, its wings barely able to support its tiny frame.

Akari raised an eyebrow. "You do realize, Kuro, that now you're officially a parent. You can't back out."

Kuro threw his hands up. "I'm too young for this! I'm still figuring out how to handle my own feelings! But… alright, I'm in."

The dragon zipped back to Akari and nuzzled her cheek. "Mama!" it demanded, making Kuro roll his eyes.

"Okay, okay, Kuri," Akari said with a smile. "We're gonna have the best time ever. But first, we need to teach you how to not eat everything in sight, especially my snacks!"

"Yeah, good luck with that," Kuro muttered, as the baby dragon eagerly zoomed toward Akari's snack pouch.

"See?" Kuro said with a grin, "I told you I'd be the bad cop."

Akari cradled the tiny dragon, Kuri, in her arms as she adjusted her torn clothes, still reeling from the aftermath of the Noor ritual. "I think we should wake Arnold up," she said, her voice a mix of concern and humor. "We need to explain everything to him. I mean, looking at our condition—clothes torn and covered in Noor energy—it's gonna look pretty suspicious to anyone who doesn't know what actually happened. They might think we were, you know... doing other things instead of awakening a dragon."

Kuro raised an eyebrow, clearly trying to suppress a smirk. "Yeah, I'm sure Arnold will appreciate that misunderstanding." He scratched his chin thoughtfully before his grin widened. "But hey, since you're 'Mama' and I'm 'Papa' to this little dragon, then what does that make us, huh?" he teased.

Akari blinked, confused for a moment before the realization hit her. Her face flushed slightly, and she gave him a playful shove. "You're seriously asking that now?" she said, trying to keep her composure. "We're not—uh—that kind of couple, Kuro. We're just parents to Kuri."

But Kuro, ever the tease, leaned in closer and wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. "Oh, come on. I'm just saying, we've got a kid now. We're practically a family. If we're not a couple, then we're... what, just 'co-parents'?"

Akari rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "You're impossible," she said, holding Kuri up in front of her. The little dragon yawned and nuzzled into her arms, clearly content. "Fine, we're co-parents. Happy now?"

Kuro gave her a mock salute. "Co-parents it is," he said with a grin. "But don't blame me if Kuri starts calling me 'Daddy' instead of you."

Akari shot him a mock glare. "Try it, and I'll ground you from all the snacks for a week."

"Touché," Kuro chuckled. "Alright, alright. Let's go wake up Arnold and explain this before anyone else gets any other ideas."