To which I would reply: There will always be wars.
Their children will fight them. Those beautiful, innocent souls building sandcastles on the beach will face those battles.
But, by the dark saints, those wars will not happen for as long as I can stop them.
I wait for the creatures of the light to dismiss my statements, but…
They don’t.
A tension I didn’t realize I was feeling eases.
“I ask now that you acknowledge my purpose and respect my position,” I say, knowing that what I say next will be much less palatable to them. “If there is a problem among dark creatures, I will deal with it.”
I allow my teeth to sharpen and my claws to descend.
“If a dark creature steps outside the boundaries I have placed around them,Iwill mete out justice. As is my right and responsibility. You will stand aside. You will respect my ability to deal with my people.”
Once more, I expect them to object.
Instead, I’m met with quiet.
I allow my teeth and my claws to retract. “I will take your silence as agreement.” Then, I let a small smile touch my lips. “Of course, you don’t have to worry. You won’t be idle. My justice only extends to dark magic creatures. You will be busy enough managing your own kind.”
And now I expect them to bristle.
But still, they don’t.
So I finish with, “If you ever need my help, ask and I will give it.”
Now, I’m met with a wash of surprise.
So that’s what it takes to startle powerful beings.
Well, I’ll take it.
I give Ryuji another nod. I’m done. My message was delivered. Only time will tell if they heard me.
With that, the dragon masters spread farther out around me, and the powerful beings in the trees must be dispersing because the heaviness in the air lifts.
Within minutes, a sense of peace descends again.
“I’ve said what I could,” I murmur, flexing my fingers and rolling my shoulders to ease the tension in them.
I’m surprised when Miku speaks first. “You’re welcome to stay for the night.”
She glances at Riot, who hasn’t taken his eyes off her, probably not even while he was supposed to be watching my back.
“Perhaps you might even enjoy a run through the jungle?” she asks.
“We would be honored to share a meal and stay until morning,” I reply, thinking quickly. “But I’m a little tired for running right now. With respect, I will stay here on the beach to rest.”
Anarchy, Rumble, and Strife all suddenly appear very busy, muttering about helping me rest.
“A run would be good,” Riot says to Miku.
She breaks into a smile and inclines her head toward the jungle.
They set off together and within seconds, they’ve disappeared into the wilderness.
