Locke & Bond

Prologue

She dropped to the ground, numbing to the pain as her body slowly succumbs to death's plea at her heart's door.

At her fall, he ran as fast as he could to stab his opponent. But it was too late. The man was gone. He rushed to her side and held her head in the palm of his hand while he held her hand with the other. She faintly smiled at him and brushed her other hand against his cheek, softly sighing in relief. She protected him successfully. Even at the cost of her own life.

"Take this," She took off her necklace and placed it in his hand. "I will always be with you."

All of a sudden, she spat out blood. It was time. He had to leave. Embark on a dangerous journey to the human world, save his people, and avenge her... the woman he loves.

"Don't fight..." She told him. "Your father —"

"They will pay..." He cried, tears pouring on her face. "I promise. I —"

"Ssshhh..." She shushed him with a finger on his lips. "Live, my love. Don't let revenge rule your heart. I know you'll do fine. Do it for me."

She gave him one last smile as her body turned to bright orange-colored ashes, flying away to the rhythm of the wind and onto the sunset. He clutched to the necklace she gave him and wore it around his neck as he silently cried one last time...

"Now," Mr. Yu asks. "Can anyone tell me what this legend is really all about?"

Arkeon lazily raises his hand, full of the same three things that tell me he will not get the answer right: ignorance, foolishness, and pride.

"Yes," He plays along. "What is the answer oh sweet, dear child?"

"It is..." He stops, chewing his gum. He looks at me and grins as if he knows his response is right. "It is the sad-a*s love story of a prince and his lover."

"Yes, yes. Interesting take, Mr. Reyals." Mr. Yu smiles, slightly impressed. "But what about you, Mr. Beckett?"

I glare at him with my laser-beam kind of eyes, uninterested to further participate in this insanity. He smirks and looks into mine as if he's challenging me to something. Arkeon opens his mouth and shows his gum, waiting for me to respond. So, I take a deep breath and compose myself.

"The story most likely occurred, during the 16th century... which was many, many years ago. In the average lifespan of a human, I mean." I began.

"Booorrriiinnnggg..." Arkeon stretches his hand and yawns, pretending to fall asleep at my very words. If only he knew what I was, maybe he wouldn't dare to behave like that. That pesky, little — 

"Go on, Beckett." Our advisor emphasizes my surname.

Arkeon rolls his eyes. I collect myself and continue. "Anyhow, the myth is about the bravery of a human princess who fell in love with a... dragon prince."

"Tsk, tsk." He grunts. "How can dragons fall in love? They're basically monsters."

"Reyals," Mr. Yu boomed and focused his eyes on him. "I know you think that you deserve special treatment because you are the first Dragon Slayer in years. But let me tell you something. It doesn't mean you can cut someone off. Now, if you think you know better, I can always throw you off the top floor of this building myself. Do you wanna see if you can still slay the ground?"

"N-No..." Arkeon hesitantly replies, most likely pissing in his pants because he knows he pushed it too far. Serves him right.

"Continue, Mr. Beckett." Mr. Yu points his palm toward me. I nod my head and go on.

"But the main problem, according to the myth was not that they cannot love each other. The dragon prince and his younger brother must fight for the right to the throne." I resumed.

"I don't get it," Arkeon shoots me a confused look. "What's the big deal? So they fight. Don't all siblings do that? It's not like they're gonna kill each other..."

"It's not what you think, pes— err, Arkeon. One of them had to die. That was the rule of their father, the king. Either one of them lives or they don't. If they don't fight, their kingdom will pay for it." I tell him.

"Oh." He can only say, shocked just like the rest of my classmates at the revelation.

"Their father, the dragon king, would not let them rest. He wanted an heir at once. As quick as the wind blew and passed." I carry on. "He forced them to fight even when they could no longer fight. He forced them to fight even when they loved each other. He forced them to fight even when they made a pact... to stay as brothers and have each others' backs."

I turn my head to the window next to me as the sky slowly turns grey. Lightning strikes. Thunder follows. "Then one day, the older prince's wife-to-be tried to stop them... only to end up dead. She saved both brothers, anyhow."

I look back at the class. They stare at me in awe. If only they knew how real it was, the distance I traveled to go to their world to save my people, the sacrifice she made... for me. But now, I have a mission to accomplish. I must find him and save our world.