Chapter 34

The Tunnel

Minho is on the roof of the Palace. The Baby Princess Sulli is now sleeping. And then Minho felt that dark energy.

He followed it and reached the farthest area of the palace near the forrest. He felt something hollowed below the ground. He kicked the ground and it gave way.

Minho landed on an underground dungeon.

And then he saw it…red eyes looking at him.

“Who are you?” asked Minho “You are a black dragon...” said Minho

In the moonlight, Minho can see enchanted chains all over the dragon and then he recognized it as the dragon the soldiers captured back when he was small.

“They did not kill you yet.” Said Minho

“They can’t kill me.” Said the Dragon “Not yet.”

“Who are you?” asked Minho

“Who are you?” asked the Dragon

 “I am Minho…I used to be called Han of the Black Dragon clan.” Said Minho

“I do not remember you.” Said Dragon “Ahh….perhaps you’re a young one. So someone from our kind survived other than me the elimination.” Said the dragon

“Why can’t they kill you when they wanted to kill everyone 80 years ago?” asked Minho

“They tried…but they can’t.” said the dragon

“Are you immortal?” asked Minho

“No. I’m cursed.” Said the dragon

“All black dragons are cursed. That is why we are never free dragons.” Said Minho

“No….Of course I know that curse…how can I forget…how can I forget…But I’m cursed to suffer more than just that…or should I treat it as blessing? I’m cursed to see the second curse’ fulfillment.” Said the dragon

“Second curse? I thought that’s only a heresay.” Said Minho

“No. It’s not just a heresay…it’s real.” Said the dragon.

“How can you say it’s real? What does the second curse say?” asked Minho

“You’re curious?” asked the dragon

“Yes. Is it true that the second curse holds the freedom of black dragons from the first curse?” asked Minho “Or does it say the doom of black dragons?”

“Yes…and Yes.” Said the dragon “It said on the 8th of my generation, a dragon would be born of the black. One that blows blue fire. His fire is strong…poison to all of its kind. He will be strongest among the blacks. On the seventh year of his life, massive destruction will befall black dragons. He will be put to sleep for years. And when he opens his eyes he will find she who holds Zaruum’s hope by her heart. And once their hearts are one…the first curse will slowly fade making all other blacks recede in strength. And then once that is done, it is said that I will receive the sorcerer’s forgiveness through son who does not bear the first curse. Forgiveness is bestowed through marriage with the sorcerer’s 20th generation…and the first curse will be totally eliminated by then.”

Minho can’t believe everything he heard though He is confused and does not understand all of it.

“You are the Black Dragon ancestor.” Said Minho “You are he who is the cause of the Curse that imprisoned black dragons to Masters.”

The dragon looked up to the sky.

“I am he.” Said the dragon

“And I am cursed to live this long…that no death shall befall me…until the day the second curse comes to light.” Said the dragon

 Minho released blue fire on his hand.

The dragon’s eyes widen in surprise.

“I don’t suppose I’m the only one who can do this right?” asked Minho

“It’s true! You have the blue fire! It’s true! For thousands of years I have waited! It has finally come!” said the dragon

“So what the Elders said was true…I am the dragon of the second curse.” Said Minho

“Then it’s not a long wait anymore.” Said the dragon

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Minho walked the hallways of the palace. The king is asleep. Minho will just ask the King about Ger tomorrow.

“You will send Princess Shuliah away?”

Minho heard a voice form inside the palace.

“Yes…if the clues I have seen is correct…it means the Anhate prophesy has started to happen…it means I am the last of my bloodline…”

Minho recognized that voice…it’s the King and Cha Seungwon talking.

“My wife’s health has not been good. Since Sulli has been born…we have doubts that she can still get pregnant…with my two daughters…we know very well that Sulli got being a Faerie from her mother…A stone ahs also started to grow on my daughter’s chest….it’s the new core.” Said the King

“Your Highness…I can’t believe this…” said Seungwon

“I need to send Sulli out…she has a big mission ahead of her once I die. She needs to call the circle and gather them. If she stays here in the palace not knowing what real life is…my daughter will never succeed. I will ask a sorcerer to transform my daughter into a normal human so that no one can trace her.” Said the King

Minho clenched his hand.

“But Master…If we let the Princess out…the black dragon will follow her for sure. We can’t allow the black dragon to follow the princess outside of your shield, your highness. If it is true that he is not alone…and that there are still evil black dragons around…they will feel his presence…and they will definitely know where the princess is.” Said Seungwon

Minho closed his eyes. He can’t be separated from the Princess…He can’t…but he knows what has been said is true.

“The black dragon will be the Princess’ demise.” Said the King

Minho appeared at the center of the room.

“How can I not be a harm to her?” asked Minho

“You heard…everything?” asked the King

“Yes…tell me how I can protect her.” Said Minho

“We can’t ask you to stay here without searching for Sulli isn’t it?” asked the King

“As long as I know she’s my Master…I will be tied to her.” said Minho.

Minho stopped for a second. “Unless I don’t know she’s my master…” said Minho

Minho remembered his sister…she will definitely take revenge on Zaruum…and Sulli will be a good target considering she’s a Faerie…he can never allow that…never. He’ll protect Sulli to his last breath.

“Block my memory. Make something that will make me stay here. My kind will not feel me here inside your shield, isn’t it? So I need to stay here.” said Minho

“Your highness…I think the dragon is right. We need to block his memory…and make something in there to make him stay here.” said Seungwon

“Loyalty will make you stay…then I will ask the sorcerer to change your memory. You will remember pledging your loyalty to Dhara instead.” Said the King

“Yes…Princess Dhara will never leave the palace since she inherited the King’s ability of shielding the center of the Kingdom. If you pledge your loyalty to her…you will stay here.” said Seungwon

“Do what you must.” Said Minho

Minho went to the princess’ room before the spell was casted on his memory. As mInho watched the baby sleep her caressed its cheek.

“We will be apart for a while, My Princess…But I will look for you…and you will look for me…there is no other way but to find each other again…and be together…I belong to you, My Master. And you belong to me forever.” Said Minho

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Dhara slowly opened her eyes….The blue dust is gone…Dhara felt hot tears flowing from her eyes…

“So…Minho’s Master…wasn’t me…but Sulli?” asked Dhara

The Seer nodded. “It was all done to protect Zaruum, Princess. It was all done to protect the next bloodline. Everyone had to do sacrifices…Princess Sulli had not known her family from the time she can already think. The Dark warrior was deprived of his Master for so long. And you…”

“I had to believe a lie.” Said Dhara “I had to be Minho’s Master to make him stay in the palace…in the end…Minho will find Sulli again through the Circle…What happens to me then?”

“You will find your sister again.” Said the Seer “Isn’t that enough? To regain the sister you lost for a long time?”

“And in so doing…lose the man…” Dhara stopped herself from talking. “I need to go.” And then she stepped out of the room.

“The battle of the hearts has started. I pity you young man.” said the Seer

“I am not young.” Said Minho

“Oh…yes…that’s right.” Said the Seer

“I have caused Princess Dhara pain by wanting to protect Sulli.” Said Minho

“Do you regret it?” asked the Seer

“No…that was the only way I can make sure Sulli was safe.” Said Minho “But hurting Princess Dhara is not part of the plan.”

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Sulli can’t sleep. Her mind keeps thinking of where Minho is…what is he doing….is he with Princess Dhara…Now that he saw her after so long what does he feel…is he still drawn to her sister…does he still…love her?

Sulli felt a swoosh of wind by her window and she closed her eyes.

“Stop pretending like you’re sleeping.” Said Minho “I know it by the way you breathe.”

Sulli opened her eyes.

“You just came back?” asked Sulli

“yes.” Answered Minho walking towards the bed.

“I thought you’d be sleeping by now.” Said Minho

“I can’t sleep.” Said Sulli

“You’re tired. You should be falling asleep as soon as you lay down…what are you thinking?” asked Minho

“Hmm… a lot of things.” Said Sulli

“Like what?” asked Minho

“Hmm…like…my sister.” Said Sulli “She’s so beautiful…elegant…she’s a real princess…while I’m just this dirty girl from the forest.”

Minho looked at Sulli. Even in the dark he can see her clearly. She’s pouting now making Minho want to take her lips to his.

“You’re also beautiful Sulli…Remember when I saw you bathing on the pond?” asked Minho

“Hmmm..oh! that…” Sulli blushed instantly

“That was the first time I felt my heart beat that fast…” said Minho “You’re a lovely woman Sulli…no amount of beautiful clothes…or crown can outshine that.”

Sulli smiled. Minho really has a way of making her feel happy.

Minho noticed Sulli’s faint smile.

“What were you really thinking?” asked Minho

Sulli looked up to Minho.

“You have seen my sister again…ummm…what did you feel…I mean…she’s your master right and you have given her your loyalty…I mean…when we first met you have been hurrying to get back to her…and you are so dedicated to her…I even think you might be in love with her-“

Minho kissed Sulli on the lips unable to control himself anymore. It wasn’t a deep kiss but he made sure it lingered.

“I think that I have only loved one woman in my entire life…and that’s you Sulli.” Said Minho