I will be your reaper...

Humans and history, what a facade.

Noros' POV

I'd be a bare-faced liar if I said I was beyond excited to meet the twins. I'd been waiting months, always pestering Mum for just a quick trip in the jet to the Crescent Lake Pack. Of course, she told me 'no' and to 'leave the babies alone'. I grew up surrounded by people, so you could say I'm one of the most loved kids in the world. But the reality is, they don't love me. They love my name and everything attached to it; The fame, the money, the freedom. It's been this way for as long as I can remember. My nannies loved me and cared for me tenderly because they knew that the better they did at their job, the more they were paid. At any social events I attended, people of all ages approached me in hopes of buttering me up. Kids my age thought they'd be on their way to fame if they bragged they were friends with me, adults thought getting into my good graces would open up paths for them with my parents and I'd put in a good word. However, they're all sorely mistaken. In the age we live in, you'd think people had let go of old-fashioned traditions - Especially ones like arranged marriages. It was disgusting and an utter disgrace that women would offer up their sons to me like a piece of meat and hope I'd accept a proposal from someone I'd met for the first time based on looks and impression alone.

I'm eleven now, but I've mentally matured fast in this world. If I had to pick between all of the creatures I knew of and met, I'd say humans were the worst. Their hearts and minds are so narrow and ugly. My parents told me from a very young age that in the world of humans, I had to be alert at all times. I wished I had taken them seriously the first time they told me...Because at age seven, my ego as a literal Dragon among humans got the better of me and I was drugged at a social event my parents were holding at one of our many mansions. Thankfully, being a Dragon, the drugs wore off much quicker than they would have. But I was still drugged and dragged to a bedroom by a slimy middle-aged man hoping to score a position in my family. Can you believe it? I was seven. He was old enough to be my father. I thank the creators every day for being Dragon-born. Even at seven, I managed to overwhelm the man with sheer force. In doing so, I attracted the attention of the guests who came rushing into the room. The scene before them was of a half-naked man and a child who was so woozy from being drugged she couldn't stand straight.

Of course, you can imagine the reaction of my parents. My father beat the man within a half inch of his life before allowing the police to take him away. My mother used her connections to make sure he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. My parents are honestly the only people who loved me for being me. After that day, I was cold and stoic. I never accepted drinks or food that weren't prepared by hand that I personally hadn't vetted and trusted. So much so that I bring my own sealed drinks to social events now and have safety caps on them that I designed, so only I know how to get them off. But, just before Christmas...I saw them. The most gorgeous children I had ever seen. I mean it literally. Even Angels and Fae, known for their beauty, didn't hold a candle. Their silver-white hair was like literal silk, their skin smooth and milky. They both had different eyes, the girls looking like a vast turquoise ocean that illuminated in the darkness to guide you safely to the shore. The boy's eyes were golden, glistening like someone had melted only the purest and shiniest gold to make them. They were only made more gorgeous by their matching outfits. But what had my breath hitching in my lungs the most...Was not only their unconditional love for each other...But the unconditional love everyone in that room had for them. They didn't love them for their looks, their abilities, what or who they knew and what they could do to benefit others. They were loved for being...Loveable. They were kind, empathetic, and curious. I truthfully heard absolutely nothing that day, because I was so caught up in the twins. They were what my world revolved around. When the call ended, I stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror just...Staring at myself. My parents asked me what was wrong. For some reason, what came out of my mouth was 'Am I unloveable? What do they have that I don't?'. It wasn't meant or said maliciously. My parents knew that. I was genuinely curious as to why they were loved so much for being themselves, while I was not. My mother took my hands with a gentle smile "My precious egg, each person is different. Each individual is loved for something. Your father and I love you because you're our baby, but also because you're smart, beautiful, talented and you're so so kind and outgoing. There are people in the world who look at you and ask themselves the same question; 'What does Noros have that I don't?' But the reality is that we're all individuals. Take me. I'm a bada$s girl boss and your father...Well, he's a jobless punk who plays in a band." She rolled her eyes and my father cleared his throat in embarrassment while I giggled. I understood. I have things that they don't have and they have things that I don't have. It's a balance. I liked it. I've never been one to be jealous and I doubt I ever would be. As soon as I saw the twins, I knew. I knew that we were tied together in some way, I could feel it.

They looked as frail and tiny as a human, honestly. But the strength that shone in their eyes was that of a mighty Dragon in my own eyes. In the human world, they write books for all ages on all different creatures. For wolves, they call them vicious shifters that are either born or bitten. Vampires are nothing but mindless creatures of the dark that live and breathe blood and sleep during the day, only able to come out at night. Demons are the scourge of the Earth who tempt humans into doing bad things and love contracts. Barbarians are nothing but war-crazed and hold no intellect. Dwarves are basically only good for being alcoholics and blacksmiths. Druids are weird freaks of nature that seclude themselves from the world, probably because they feel they're better than everyone else. Angels are the beloved messengers of God and represent all that is good in the world. Fae is the size of an average pinky, revels in vanity and likes to play tricks. Elves are timid creatures that only know how to use a bow and arrow and refuse to leave their space in the forest, lest they hurt their pretty selves. And Dragons? Malicious, evil creatures greed for all that is shiny, but mostly gold.

Can you believe the cheek of the humans? They act like they don't kill people in cold blood while they write about wolves. Of course, wolves can be vicious and are no stranger to death. But from what I know and have seen of the wolf world, the number one cause of death is the rogues who attack even their own kind and no longer have the state of mind to know right from wrong. Other than that, there are sometimes old-world rules in place where, for example, if the current Alpha is unfit to lead the pack, their children can challenge them. The challenges can be to the death. Humans act like they don't say 'Jeez dude, you look like a vampire' in regards to someone who sleeps during the day and is active at night. There are also humans who parade themselves around and tell others that they're vampires who drink blood and sleep in a coffin...Excuse me, for a start, Vampires sleep in a bed like everyone else...My Mum says that Queen Claudia loves her custom-sized wall-to-wall bed that is fitted with silk sheets. They do drink blood but are capable of eating and drinking regular food as well. They can walk in the sun - The blessing of light they receive makes sure of it. And, they're not. Freaking. Undead. Creatures. Humans act like they haven't based their writings of Demons on the actions and thoughts of humans because they've never actually met a Demon. They're actually very nice people. Princess Cheth is quite timid and kind and loves animals and shopping. She's very sweet. My Dad's bandmate, Uncle Yaddon, is a Demon. He's always bringing me sweets and cakes because his wife is a very successful baker and she appreciates my sweet tooth, so often asks me to test new desserts for her. They do like a good contract, but that's only due to deep-rooted trust issues in their history and they don't tempt humans at all, humans already have that darkness within them and blame it on otherworldly forces to skip out on responsibility; 'The Demons in my head' yeah, okay, Karen. The only Demons that can enter 'your head' are those such as Succubi and Incubi and that's only via dreams. They can't influence human nature.

Don't get me started on how humans talk about Barbarians like they're stupid. Barbarians are warriors and strategists, most have an IQ of over 120. Dwarves are indeed great blacksmiths, but that's not all they're good for. They have a brilliant ability to focus and their creativity is out of this world. A few of the human historical art pieces that are listed as national treasures were made by Dwarves! And just like humans, they do indeed like Alcohol and having a good time, as does everyone. They're not alcoholics. Druids don't seclude themselves from the world and they're very humble. It's in their being that they are one with nature, so why would they live anywhere but with nature? The humans don't even realise that some of the best Doctors in their world are druids who came to experience their world and no, they're not all bald with face markings. My personal Doctor is a Druid. He uses the human name 'Daniel' and married a human woman who knows what he is. They have a cute little daughter who is very gifted at healing. She wants to be a Doctor like her 'pop pop'. Angels are not the messengers of God. They are indeed all the light and goodness and serve justice, but just like everywhere else, they are also capable of being corrupt, evil beings. Fae are naturally beautiful creatures. They're not the size of a pinky and their heights vary like humans. They're not vain and even if they were, I wouldn't blame them. They're widely known in all worlds for their beauty and they most certainly don't have a trickster bone in their body. Elves are fantastic hunters and trackers who protect forest areas. They are indeed pretty, but they have very little use or care for their own looks. They're far from timid and more often than not, they can be very blunt and they don't sugarcoat anything at all. Elves have never shied away from confrontation. Dragons...Personally, I feel humans twist things they're jealous of. Dragons have always been powerful, majestic creatures. Do you know those books about a heroic person who needs to slay a Dragon? Yeah...History is indeed written by the victors. The only reason those humans slayed so many of our kind was because we swore an oath to the creators that we would protect those weaker than us who don't have the means to protect themselves. So naturally, when we were minding our own business and humans came to slay the 'evil Dragon', we had no choice but to show our belly and give up our lives. It's one of the reasons I'm not all that fond of the creators. I don't have hatred just...They probably didn't see the evil of humankind. The only way we can break the oath is if the creators allow it. But...They're long gone. We aren't greedy for shiny things or gold, we just have a very good ability to attract wealth. It's a natural affinity, a blessing of Harithroa.

I sighed, brushing away the thoughts of humankind and their twisted versions of beings they didn't understand. My mother came to collect me, as it was time to get on the jet. I was finally meeting the twins. When it was time to pick them up, they were both fast asleep in their parent's arms and I had to admit, they were so much more beautiful in real life. They were placed on a tilted back chair, their mother thinking they'd wake up soon. I sat across from them and watched them sleep. About fifteen minutes into the flight, the girl's face began to scrunch up so of course, concerned, I asked my Mum what was wrong. She explained that the twins had a painful past that they didn't remember but were probably having bad dreams based on the underlying trauma. My heart twisted. How horrible that such kind children had to suffer such a terrible thing.

The girl began to shift in her sleep, clearly uncomfortable. I patted her head gently, hoping to give her comfort. She soon settled and I smiled brightly at being able to provide the intended comfort to her. About ten minutes later, her beautiful white eyelashes fluttered open and she stared at me, taking in my features. I was absolutely beaming at her, but as she shifted and winced, my brows furrowed and I tilted my head to the left in confusion "Are you okay, button?" A nickname I'd decided for her, given her cute little button nose. She attempted to move her stiff arm, trying to point. I took a second to realise where she was pointing but when I did, I scrambled to help her forward. Given that she was pointing to her back, I checked. My eyes were filled with pure horror. My mother came over to see what we were doing, helping the girl to her feet. She lifted the back of the little buttons shirt and silence fell over the jet. "How the hell...Are they abusing her?" I broke the silence. But I had to ask. I was so angry. They didn't look like the type to abuse children or partake in abuse at all, they loved her so much, didn't they? My mother shook her head "Not possible, Noros. I'm not sure how it happened. She was fine when she got on the plane. I think it would be best to lay her on her stomach and apply some medicine until we reach Diagda. He'll know what to do." I was reassured by my mother's words but the anger was still there. My mother carried the girl in her arms, belly down. She carried her to the back of the jet and I opened the door, my mother entering and placing the girl belly down on a bed. I was so focused on the girl I didn't even hear her mother come in, but she sounded so angry and upset. My mother explained the situation and they both stepped outside.

The child watched me and I smiled, "It's okay button. Just think of me as your big sister, I'll protect you, alright? I'll breathe fire on any that even look at you wrong!" I nodded firmly to reassure her I was telling the truth. She smiled at me, looking as if she wanted to laugh but was unable to. I covered her eyes, telling her to go to sleep. When I removed my hand, her eyes were closed. I began to apply medicine to the wounds on her back. They looked like...Whip marks...