Kai knew he looked comical, eyes wide and mouth hanging open as he looked between Sehun and the silver dragon. He was stunned to say the least. He wanted for Yixing to put it off as jest, but no, the healer had a serious look on his face that showed he was far from joking."He was pregnant?" Kai managed when his brain finally hit the right gear.  Yixing nodded, gesturing at liquid staining Sehun's white gown and thighs. It was a strange mixture of blood and yolk like substance. "Are you sure that's not waste?" The doctor shook his head vigorously."Elves don't pass out waste the way we do, their biology is different. Their digestive tract is not connected to their… reproductive organs. While ours has one chamber–A long, tubular organ that fills our lower cavity, winding around until it connects with our rectum that continue into our abdomen– in the form of a channel.  His has two. The first connected from his rectum to womb. The other where broken-down nutrients pass from the second chamber into his bloodstream, directing all nutrients solely to his bladder. Meaning he only passes waste in form of urine and sweat. So no general it's not what you think." "How is he pregnant? He's a male" the moment the words left his mouth, Kai knew it was stupid of him to say so. Of course different male species could carry a child.  "An elf." The doctor reminded patiently. "From Lyfe." Which was to say the least. Lyfe didn't have any female, every organism in the planet was male. The dominant and the bearer. That had affected the dragons as well. Though in the past, they did have male bearers but were rare, and only become a norm when they took over Lyfe. However, Kai never expected Sehun to be a bearer, he looked nothing like one. The bearers were usually delicate in nature, and mostly tiny like his brother Taehyung. But Sehun was far from both. He seemed more on the dominant male side,like Kai himself. Truth be told, Kai was a little surprised Sehun had allowed himself to be dominated. "What surprised me is how he agreed to lie with a dragon." Yixing said, and that had Kai's attention. "W-what do you mean?" Kai didn't know why he was stammering. Yixing glanced at him, with a frown. "Because he was carrying a dragon's clutch. Not more than two–three weeks old." Breath left him, as he pitifully tried to drag a lungful. It was like it had been punch out of him in one swift motion. "Dragon? He was carrying a dragon–" he couldn't finish that sentence, as realization dawned on him. Sehun would never lie with a dragon. The only dragon he slept with was Kai and even so, without the knowledge of whom Kai really was. And if was he carrying dragon babies, with no doubt they must be Kai's. Those weeks, matched the exact time they had slept together.  If it were up to me, I would burn the whole ship down right now and avenge what is lost. His dragon had said. His dragon had known Sehun was carrying Kai's children, children that were no longer here. Had been lost. Kai didn't realize he was on his knees gasping for breath, until Yixing was hovering over him, asking him to breath in and out. One day you shall understand, why. It didn't even take a day to do that. Now that Kai knew, his dragon's anger, losing control, and killing one of his own in cold blood made sense. It hadn't been just about Sehun being its treasure. It had been more. The dragon had been grieving for what was lost. For the whelps he would never get meet. The whelps snatched away and was powerless to stop. Hadn't been there to protect his family.  Kai now understood. Desperately he tried to reach out, but the dragons refused, unwilling to merge, none were willing to answer Kai's call. Not even the black dragon at the surface. They all ignored him– his dragon, the master was ignoring him. Something that had never happened before. But Kai would excuse him. He had lost a clutch. Something very precious, more precious than any pretty in a dragon's hoard. He didn't know how long he had been that way, but eventually he was helped to his feet, and offered a cup of water that he gratefully and greedy gulped down his dry throat. When he looked over, Yixing was watching him. Curious. But he didn't ask questions. "Are you going to tell him? I bet he didn't know he was carrying a clutch." The reminder sent a pang to Kai's human heart. Was he also grieving? Kai didn't know, but he was sure as hell didn't like the tightness in his chest. "I don't know." And really didn't. Should he spare Sehun the heartache of losing his children? Or should he tell him? Would Sehun even care? After all it had been Kai's children. A dragon. Maybe he would be relieved he lost the clutch. If only things were different, if only Kai wasn't a Drake things would have been perfect between him and Sehun. In the future maybe they could have another clutch. If only– "I think he should know, so that he will be aware of his body, and be careful not get pregnant in the future." Yixing said. Kai nodded absentmindedly. His eyes strained on the stain he now knew where his children essence, which caused another jolt to his heart. "Change his clothes, and let me know when he stirs he will need blood." Chest still tight, Kai turned around and made for the exit. He didn't want to say any longer. Watching Sehun would only make his heart ache even more. A reminder of what he lost. He had things to do, a lot to see to, punishment to carry out and explanations to hear . But he would allow himself a moment, a moment for the tightness in his chest to ease. Inside the safety of his cabin, with no one to bear witness but Zach, Kai allowed his tears to fall freely. He allowed himself to take comfort from his familiar, even though he was mad at him for letting Sehun out in the first place.  He didn't know how long had passed before he pushed himself up and existed the cabin. The ship was quite, like there was no one on board. Kai had two destinations in mind. He wanted to see Taemin, and hear his explanations on the event that occurred. Then he would gather the people involved and deal with them according to their crime. While passing, he couldn't help pausing to look at the space Lucas had been burnt to dead and unlike before Kai didn't feel the sadness or guilt for taking the life of one of his people. His action were in accordance to the law. Anyone that harmed one's mate or child without tangible reason was punishable by death. He took pride in his dragon for doing something the human had failed to do. The place had been cleaned, not even a trace of what occured could be seen. Seeing the sight brought up unpleasant feeling in him. Once again a reminder of what he had lost "I am sorry." He sent to his dragon, hoping he would receive a response. "You did well." He added, but no matter how he tried none of them answered him. Letting out a pain filled sigh, he made his way to the predators cage. It wasn't one of the places he intended to visit. However now that he was here he couldn't help peeking inside. Unlike the corridor the cage was bloody, even form where he stood Kai could make out pieces of flesh scattered on the floor. Confused, he made his way further and came to an abrupt halt at sight before him. Athena– the serpent panther was laying in a pool of blood, letting out harsh pants as though it pained her to breath, it was expected considering she was in a bad shape. Beside her were dead bodies of the hounds, or what was left of them. A head, two limbs, and some parts of their internal organs. It didn't take long to understand what happened. Athena had killed them, had avenged Sehun in the only way she could. She was a sentient being like Zach, only less intelligent. She was given as a gift to Kai, by his sister Taeyeon, three years ago. And Kai had brought her on board with him, hoping she would form a bond with his soldiers. However that had proven difficult. She didn't allow anyone close to her, only Kai and occasionally Yixing. Athena was a guardian of the young. A species known for their overt protective instinct to defend the young, it didn't matter what species, human, animal or something in between. Kai knew without a doubt Athena hadn't been one of Sehun's attackers. Not when she had sensed the tiny souls in him. And when it had been lost, the only way to make herself feel a little better was to hunt down those that harmed Sehun's young.  If she would have her way, anyone that had a hand in harming Sehun would meet the same fate as these hounds. Kai crouched down in front of her, and she lifted her head to look at him. Sorry me. She said, her speech distorted. "It's okay." Kai felt a fresh wave of tears, as he reached out to pet her. "Do not feel guilty, I will make sure those involved get what they deserve." He noticed a gaping hole in her stomach and his heart ached for her. "Let me heal you?" She had the ability to heal herself, but it would take a while considering the shape she was in. Grateful. She said again, allowing him access to her injuries. Kai called to his silver dragon and surprisingly, the other answered instantly. Once done, he stood up, and smiled at her, while wiping away his tears, that he didn't know when they had began falling. "I will get you away, to a place where you'll meet someone and have a family." In his sister's house, they were several types of sentient animals. His sister had a thing for exotic animals. She loved them, and had a pack of them. And a few were Athena's species. There she would find a mate and hopefully have a blissful life. At least she deserve that much. Kai didn't expect her to refuse.  No, I stay. Mate and whelps protection need. "You don't have to. Sehun had lost the whelps. You've done your part." He assured her. No mate and whelps protection. She insisted. Though Kai didn't really understand what she meant, he nodded nevertheless. "Do not worry I would protect Sehun." He bet that was what she was meaning to tell him. "You can protect Taeyeon and her eggs instead." She looked at him for a moment, and let out a sigh as if he was a lost child that she didn't have the patience to entertain. 'What you wish'. She stood from where she'd been laying and walked further into her cage. 'Here clean.' She threw at him before turning to lay down again, her face watching him, with what he assumed was a frown. He wasn't an elf and didn't have the ability to read animals expression, in any case he might be wrong. With a nod, Kai made his way out, only to come face to face with Taemin kneeling on the ground with his head down the moment he rounded the corner. "The nerve of you to show up in front of me?" Rage flaring, Kai grabbed Taemin by the neck and slammed him against a wall. Hard. "Where the have you been? I left the ship for a while and I came back to find my treasure mate at the brink of death, my whelps no more" Kai shouted, he was certain everyone in the ship heard him, but he didn't care.  If the soldiers knowing Sehun was his treasure was what would keep him safe, then so be it. Taemin more than anyone should understand what a treasure mate was. He had found one himself."Tell me Taemin, what should I do your mate? Or should I kill your whelps as well? I think that would make us even" Taemin's eyes widen in horror, body trembling. "Why? A life for a life. That's the law." Tears began spilling from his eyes as he shook his head in despair."I beg you Kai, please. I didn't know he's your treasure mate, none of them did–." "I gave you one order, one ing order. I trusted you to keep the men in check. Your husband more than anyone. But you couldn't do that simple task? Be grateful my golden dragon is grieving and refusing to come out, or I swear to Gods we wouldn't be having this conversation." Kai slammed him again before dropping him violently on the floor. He lifted a foot and pressed it on Taemin's neck sufficiently cutting off his source of air. The dragon struggled, uselessly, eyes reddening. "Kai please no." He heard Minho's voice from behind "It was all me, If you're going hurt anyone, it should be me. I drugged Taemin knowing he would try to stop us, I had no idea the elf was with child and your treasure–" "You shall get your wish." Like a feral animal, Kai jerked away from the dragon and grabbed the mage instead. Kai wasn't holding back when he punched and kicked him, that resulted in Minho coughing up a mouthful of blood. He didn't give the mage the time to gather his wits, when he yanked him to his feet, and land another punch to his face. He heard the satisfying crack of bones. Which meant he had done some damage. However it wasn't enough. He wanted to see Minho unmoving and bloodied like Sehun had been. "Please Kai, i–" Taemin grabbed Kai's leg, begging. In response, Kai kicked him to the wall, before returning his attention to Minho. With a savage smirk, Black shadow left Kai's hand and entered Minho's chest. The mage screamed in agony, body twitching uselessly as Kai dropped him to the floor. This was an ability Kai rarely use. An ability of his black dragon. It was said, the pain Inflicted was undescribable and down right unbearable. Many had died from such torture, or had lots their senses, or even the ability to reproduce in the past before it was outlawed. But at moment, Kai had the right to deal with Minho however he wanted. "Oh Gods no." Taemin wailed, the fear evident in his voice, however unable to move from where he had been kicked "Not that Kai please. You're destroying him." "How does it feel to see the life living your treasure and you're powerless to stop it?" Kai knew he had a crazed look at the moment. For the first time in his life he was enjoying a person's misery. He watched with satisfaction as Minho continued to writhed in pain When Minho was no longer moving– probably fainted from the intense pain– he withdraw the shadow and turned to Taemin. "Gather everyone involved, and send them to the punishment camp. Send them as S level criminals. Your husband included." "You might as well just kill us all." Minho's soft voice came from the floor. Looking down at the mage that was barely moving, Kai sneered."No, I rather you suffer in the most agonizing way possible, and wouldn't be allowed to die easily." "Kai please I beg of you. Have mercy."Minho begged, eyes unfocused. "Mercy? Did you have an ounce when you threw Sehun to be devoured?" Kai let out soft laughter when Minho kept mum. "You'll have none from me." He turned to Taemin. "I want them off my ship as soon as possible." He said. "And keep in mind, I might need to return the favor anytime I feel like it. Your whelps might not be safe. It all depends on Sehun's recovery– I will have to find out how big was the clutch you killed in other to know how many of your whelps to kill too." He added before walking away. His heart was hurting at the reminder of his treasure being in more pain. And he wouldn't let himself show weakness at the moment. 
***
Where was he? Sehun wondered looking around his surrounding. The outer veil between the living and dead. A voice supplied from somewhere. It was a narrowed corridor, brightly lit and decorated with flowers in different shapes, and color. A door sat ahead of the corridor, giving a soft hum. But that wasn't what caught his attention. Two tiny glowing figures, hovered by the door. The victims were innocents in every sense and hadn’t been dead long enough to create the semblance of a physical form. Their vaguely humanoid shape, appeared as if tiny hands were holding each other's as though they were afraid. Sehun ached to reach them, to hold them and assure them everything would be alright. But when he made to take the first step, he realized he couldn't move, like his legs were glued to the floor.  Cursing, he struggled to make his legs move, his eyes never leaving the two figures. "Don't! It is not your time yet." One of the tiny figures spoke. Their voice soothing. "What are you?" Sehun tilted his head, trying to understand. Deep down he knew the answer but his mind was too chaotic to work. "A part of you, that sadly won't be able to meet you now." The voice was barely audible, filled with sadness. His heart ached for some reason hearing those words, even though they didn't make sense."What do you mean?" He felt his voice cracked, accompanied by a wetness on his face. He was crying. "Don't be sad." It said, it took a s