Sitting alone in the empty cabin, Kai let out a pain filled sigh, not for the first wishing things were different. He had been back on his ship for couple of weeks now, but it felt like years. When he returned Kai wasn't surprised to learn that two months had passed since he left. He knew how time worked differently in Nero. He discovered that years ago, the time he had saved Zach. Speaking of which. Zach was gone too and that had left a void in Kai's heart. But fortunately before Kai could panic, he had found the message left my his familiar, not to worry about him. Kai knew where he went. Though Kai didn't blame him, but he didn't like the feeling of not having Zach around.  He understood Zach yearned to be with Lyla, it was a feeling he could relate to. Though not really certain, however he had a suspicion that Lyla might be Zach's mate, after all not many Horas were left in the whole galaxy, especially females. When Kai had found Zach deep in the forest of Nero, the Hora was barely alive. Many thought he wouldn't survive, wouldn't make it through the night. However the stubborn bastard proved them all wrong, refused to leave the world of the living. With Kai's help he was able to get back on his paws, however at the cause of his existing mating bond severed. Ufortunately– or in Kai's case fortunately, Zach couldn't remember his past, not even what his name was, or Kai was certain the Hora wouldn't have been able to survive being away from his mate. Kai had found a friend, a family in Zach. But to Zach Kai wasn't enough. He knew that, they both did. Zach would eventually need someone to complete him. If only things were different, In way for the two people and Horas to be with together. Zach and Lyla, as well as Kai and Sehun, living as one happy family. Don't delude yourself Kai. It would never happen. A compression in his heart, had him placing a hand rubbing his chest, willing it to go away. But it didn't appear to be helping. Not when the two beings that could ease his throbbing heart were millons light years away. Without Zach and Sehun the cabin– the whole ship felt hollow, just like his chest. No matter how much Kai wanted the elf close by, not having Sehun that way was for the best. Being in Sehun's life would only result in the pirate's pain. Things had gotten even more complicated. His father was mad about a lot of things. Kai shuddered as his mind went back to the events that occured in Nero after Sehun's escape. Heechul had down right accused Kai of having a hand in Sehun's escape and Kai didn't even have it in him to deny it. As anticipated, his father was enraged, and had took it out on Kai. Pain which Kai gratefully welcome, and had allowed his father to hit him until all the fight had left him. "I don't know why you care for the elf. However I will turn a blind eye if you get me back the bracelet. God-damned it. I underestimated him. Didn't know he was that powerful." Heechul had been carrying the bracelet with him when they were in the wagon. But was no where to be seen after that. The bracelet was missing. The same dangerous bracelet that could be catastrophic in the wrong hands. The bracelet would use a person's deepest desire to lure them into unlocking it. It was said, the bracelet belonged to the previous dark elf, with his souls trapped in it. Because he died with excessive resentment, his light soul had blackened too, not even an ounce of lightness left. He didn't have reasoning nor empathy. And would slay for the person that knew how to activate the bracelet. However If not correctly activated, it could release the dark soul into the land of the living unbounded to a master. And that would be very, very nasty, having a powerful being with no remorse that could kill with a mere glance.  That wasn't the only thing the bracelet was capable of. It could also be used to drain a person's magic completely and have said magic transferred into another being. Especially elves.  Kai had an idea what Heechul intended to do with it. Heechul had been extremely mad to lose the artifact. His father suspected Sehun had it, and Kai hoped he was right. Sehun was the only one strong enough to resist the bracelet temptations or had a chance if it came to fighting another dark soul. If the bracelet was taken by someone else, Kai knew it was only a matter of time before they fell into temptations and release the trapped dark soul. "I do not plan to associate myself with Sehun again." Kai told his father. If Heechul needed someone to do his dirty work he could find anyone, but Kai wasn't going to be the one. "You know I can end him any moment I wish." Heechul threatened. Kai laughed at that, he couldn't help when he knew his father was bluffing."No you wouldn't, you needed him alive." "Well you might be right, but I could still hurt him." "If you do, I will never forgive you. You'll have me to face." Heechul looked taken aback, almost shocked, he probably never expected Kai to talk back the way he did. "What is he to you?" He asked after a moment. "You act like he's your treasure." Kai didn't deny nor agree, he had a feeling Heechul already knew what Sehun meant to him. He wouldn't have threaten Kai with Sehun otherwise. "Touch him and you shall face my wrath." Was the last thing Kai said before leaving the room. And he hadn't seen or heard from his father since. However he was certain Heechul was up to something, was just bidding his time. Whatever Heechul was planning Kai vowed to step in between his father and goal. Letting out another sigh, Kai let himself lay on the bed, he needed to get some sleep or he might not be able to function properly the next morning. Fortunately It didn't take long for sleep to come. However even in his sleep, he was restless. In today's dream it was his golden dragon, which was unusual. His other dragons did appear, sulking over their treasure's absence, and the human usually ignored them. But it was hard to ignore the golden dragon. His might was undeniable. His shiny scales almost blinding in the sunlight.  "I've been waiting for you to grace me with your presence." The dragon said, tone laced with sarcasm. Not to be outdone, the human snorted, bowing sarcastically as well. "Here I am. Your majesty." The dragon regarded the human as he would to a churlish child. The same gaze that the human didn't appreciate, however there was nothing he could to do about it. "Do you perhaps think you've succeeded in sealing me?" The dragon asked. "Can't blame a man for trying." He had known the golden dragon was very strong, and had willingly allowed himself to be sperated. But that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to surface If he had wanted to. The modified bracelet might have done some help, but it wouldn't have been enough to stop the golden dragon. That was how powerful the bastard was. "It is good that you know." The dragon said with an air of superiority, pointing a claw at the human. "Which means I can take control whenever I wish. However I did not, because I want you to have faith in me like i have faith in you. We are not separate entities, but one, no matter how you might wish otherwise. I cannot be without you, likewise you cannot be without me" He paused, sharp eyes on the human.  "I know we are one." The human said with a frown. He knew he didn't trust the golden dragon when Sehun was involved, but other than that, the human have faith in his dragon. "Get on with what you want to say."  The dragon was letting the human know he didn't have a choice but to do what the dragon wanted. Satisfied that his message had gotten across, the dragon said. "I wish to let you know you've done wrong by sending our treasure away, even though I do understand why you had to." The human hummed, it wasn't surprising to hear that. "However he needs us at this crucial moment." "What are taking about? Is Sehun in danger?" His heart pounded at the thought, thinking back to the conversation he had with Heechul. Did his father really hurt Sehun? "Not yet but he will be if we do not act fast." "Huh?" Confused, he tilted his head as he waited. "He will soon birth our whelps. And you know what happens to a bearer without the sire close. He could lose the whelps or worse his life." The human laughed, watching the dragon like he had suddenly grown another head. "Stop joking around. We both know he had lost the pregnancy. You said so yourself." "Did i now?" The dragon said, mischief in his tone, when the human glared, he quickly added. "I did not say such thing." "Are you deliberately messing with me?" His voice was barely a whisper.  "No, human I am not." The dragon sighed. "It was my mistake for not specifying things. Sehun was carrying five whelps, two were lost while three had survived." "Yixing had confirmed it." "That he did" the dragon agreed with nod. "However I assure you our whelps are yet to be born." The human felt as though he had been slapped right across his face, not just once but multiple times."No, I don't believe you I–" he began to shake his head, his breath coming out in a short pant. "I do not need you to believe me. I just want to let you know, we need to go to him, the whelps would be coming anytime now." The dragon didn't add more he allowed the human to decide for himself as he watched him closely with keen eyes. One proper look at the dragon's face, had the human reeling. His counterpart was telling the truth. He knew better than to doubt his dragon no matter how unbelievable it seem. Sehun was truly carrying their whelps. With the realization came memories of the time he had seen Sehun in Nero. The slight bump in Sehun's abdomen hadn't been what the human might have thought. And now that Sehun was no longer in Nero, his pregnancy gestation would have reverted to normal speed, which meant he–  "I have to wake up now, we must go to Coaster Z." His whole body was practically vibrating" "Not Coaster Z, he is on Black Pearl." "How did you know he's not in Coaster Z?" The dragon seem offended by such question, however he patiently explained something the human should have known."With the whelps and our partially formed bond, I can track his whereabouts anywhere in the vast galaxy." Nodding, the human, scrubbed his face with both hands. "Doesn't matter, we have to go to him." "That's more like it." The dragon smiled agreeing, waving a claw as though that would wake the human up. "You should not waste time." However that wasn't what woke Kai. It was the consistent pounding on his cabin door that had him jerking awake, instinctively reaching for his weapon, only to realize he didn't usually carry one to bed. He didn't have a reason to. Groaning he went to get the door. Taemin was stood, hand raised midair clearly to knock again. "It better be important." Kai frowned, his mind still reeling from the information his dragon part had shared with the human. Gods he just wanted to leave quickly. Taemin had lost quite significant amount of weight. He was unlike his usual cheerful self, it was expected considering his treasure had been away for long and only recently re Kai's order. It was a miracle how the blue dragon held it together all those while. It was like living in hell for a dragon to be separated from his bond mate. And some dragons would even die by taking their own lives. By sending Minho away, Kai wasn't just punishing the mage but the dragon as well. Kai wouldn't lie, he was worried for his friend and had asked a few soldiers to keep an eye on him. Luckily Taemin didn't give up, till the moment he had his mate back."Yes it is important. Your uncle Minseok and five clan leaders are requesting permission to dock." "What? Why?" His uncle coming to visit was understandable, however Kai didn't have business with any clan leader, that was something his father and brother handled.  "I have no idea, but there's no hostility. Minho confirmed it." With Minseok Kai was assured they came in peace. No one would dare think to harm Kai in Minseok's presence.  "In that case let them in." Saying so, he made to change his clothes before exiting the cabin. He needed to leave for Black Pearl right away, but he also had to hear what brought not just one clan leader but five to his ship.  Am I in trouble? He wondered, walking briskly. We're not.  His dragon supplied, he sounded almost amused. For what it's worth I hope you're right. Reaching the dock, Kai came to an abrupt halt. Because the moment the leaders spotted him, they wordlessly all went to their knees, like one would do when pledging loyalty. Only Minseok was stood, watching Kai as though waiting for something. There was also pride in those eyes. Confused, Kai glanced at Taemin, then to his uncle, hoping for an explanation they both shrugged in response. "What is the meaning of this?" He decided to find out himself. "Your majesty, we are here to pledge allegiance to you." Blue clan leader said. Kai knew him, he was one of the six generals with almost a thousand soldiers under his command. While Kai was a four star general, this clan leader had three star despite being much older. He was a huge male, with a deep scar running from his forehead to his chin. Dragons have great regenerative ability, which let Kai to believe the clan leader deliberately let this scar to form, probably to showcase his achievements in battles. "You're mistaken, I am not Heechul nor the crown prince." He let his eyes wander around the leaders, noting the absence of black, copper and red clan. It was expected. "No you're not. You're our true leader. The golden dragon." "How..." Kai trailed off, heart hammering, as his body shook slightly. If these five leaders knew about his secret, then it was only a matter of time before Heechul find out, or he might already have. Kai didn't fear for himself. He could hold his own against Heechul. But he feared what his father might do to his family, just to prove a point. Especially his whelps. Heechul mustn't know about them. "It didn't matter– but If you must know, we received an anonymous message." "Anonymous message?" Kai had no doubt where that message came from. If there was anyone wanting to see him take the lead, it would be none other than his baby brother. Taehyung. Ah the idiot. Kai didn't know whether to applaud him or curse him. "We were skeptical at first, but his lordship Minseok confirmed it." At that, Kai turned sharply to glare at Minseok. The red warrior gave him a small smile with another shrug. Kai wasn't even surprise Minseok knew. Kai bet on two of his dragons that his uncle had known for a while, probably since he was a child."And you believe him?" Minseok had the nerve to look offend. "He's a man of honor, that would never lie about things like that." "Right." Kai nodded, giving his uncle another glare, which he tactically ignored. "Now that you're here what do you expect m