Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 716: A Part Right ()

It was hard to tell exactly how long had passed by, but Neveah sensed it the moment the shift in the atmosphere happened.

She listened closely... silence. A few rays of sunlight soon banished the darkness of the cavern and the hum of magic had grown distant.

"It should be safe now. The daylight is back." Ida pointed out the change.

Neveah glanced down at Zephyroth who was now fast asleep on her lap. She waited a moment more before she lifted the child up to her arms and got to her feet.

Neveah led the way out of the cavern, down the tunnel and the closer she got to the main entrance, the pungent smell of blood and that characteristic stench of kobolds flooded Neveah’s nostrils.

Verothrax stood by the main entrance to the cave where they initially had left him. He leaned against the wall, and seemed to be awaiting their arrival.

It had been a long time since Neveah stopped picking up on the growls and snarls of the kobolds. She knew when it had happened, when Verothrax had completely annihilated them but he did not seek them out and had chosen to remain here.

"You guarded the entrance." Neveah said, her words more a statement than a question.

"The boy needed sleep and you are not fond of me." Verothrax replied simply.

Verothrax’s words were not accusing, just noting a fact.

"Thank you." Neveah still expressed her gratitude, though she could not deny Verothrax’s words.

Verothrax shrugged casually and headed out of the cave. The scene outside the cave was sight gory enough to make even the brave squeamish, almost a dozen kobolds torn open, each more gruesome than the other.

While other dragon lords would leave piles of ash in their wake, Verothrax had left a pile of bodies and seemed to have no intentions of rectifying it.

Neveah was not certain if Verothrax did not possess flames due to his other abilities, or he did and just had peculiar tastes and a dislike for cleaning up after himself.

Verothrax’s handwork was indeed befitting of the title ’shadow dragon’, and Neveah suppressed a chill that ran down her spine.

Neveah followed behind him as he navigated through the pile of body parts, gently cradling Zephyroth so her movements did not rouse him to such a sight and Ida was also not far behind.

Zephyroth turned uneasily, his nose twitching, his eyes came open and Neveah glanced down at him.

"We’re going over to your father. You will be back in his arms in just a moment, keep your eyes closed." Neveah instructed.

It was not long before Imagor came into view, supported by Kirgan, he clutched his bleeding side whilst barking orders at a group of keep dragons.

The barrier sealing off the mountain had been lifted and there were almost a dozen keep dragons in human form and many more circling above.

Other than Kirgan, Neveah’s eyes sought out the face she was dying to see but he was nowhere to be seen.

Imagor and Kirgan were yet to notice their arrival and so Neveah closed the distance, making her presence known.

The moment Imagor’s gaze met Neveah’s, relief shown in his eyes and then those eyes immediately drifted down to the small bundle she cradled.

"Is that...?" Kirgan asked, laughing incredulously.

"Look! Zephyroth found his form!" Kirgan announced to the keep dragons around, a delighted laugh shared amongst them.

Imagor was also pleasantly surprised and his gaze was fixed on his son with disbelief.

"Zephyr, you can open your eyes now... go to your father." Neveah said quietly, crouching so the boy could stand on his feet.

Zephyroth did not protest this time, he padded his way over to his father, his movement unsteady as he was not familiar with his human feet.

Imagor knelt, stretching his arms to the boy and pulling him into a tight hug the moment he was within reach.

"Scales! You gave me such a scare!" Imagor scolded, his tone hoarse.

"I... I...sorry papa..." Zephyroth’s tearful voice provided a response.

Neveah blinked in astonishment, it turns out Zephyroth could actually speak and had simply decided to be silent.

All around her, the lord dragons turned their backs in unison, Verothrax included. Neveah blinked in confusion, but understanding dawned as a muffled sob escaped Imagor.

Zephyroth’s words completely broke down Imagor’s composure.

’They allow their superior his moment of weakness... there would be no record of it, or judgement.’ Neveah thought,

For a species whose hierarchy was determined by strength, dragon lords never dared show their weakness in public, and for that, this moment was all the more symbolic. Her respect for the dragon kind grew even deeper.

Kirgan crouched down, placing a hand on Imagor’s shoulder. He was the only one who did not turn his back to Imagor’s sobs and Neveah guessed this was because they were of equal rank.

Imagor composed himself in only a moment, rising to his feet with his son in his arms, he walked over to Neveah.

Neveah’s eyes widened when Imagor pulled her into a hug with his free arm, a nervous chuckle escaped Neveah and she looked to Kirgan for help.

Kirgan nodded slightly, a small smile on his lips and Neveah hesitantly returned the hug.

"Thank you... Neveah. Words cannot express...my gratitude. I owe you a debt of life... once again." Imagor whispered hoarsely.

"There are no debts... amongst family." Neveah replied, her tone also a whisper.

"Family...you should use the word more often." Imagor commented.

Neveah laughed lightly, nodding her head.

"Now, do not look too fast, but the one you seek is right behind you." Imagor informed Neveah as he pulled away.

And Neveah did exactly the opposite of that, she whirled around fast enough to attract a whiplash and there he stood, eyes gleaming and a bright smile on his lips.

"Hello again, my lady." Xenon greeted, inclining his head to a bow.

"You...you cruel bastard!" Neveah hissed in disbelief, rage surged within her and she turned, intent on storming off.

Xenon moved in a flash, his hands encircled her waist, nuzzling her neck tenderly.

"You are mad at me, you have every right to be." Xenon whispered, holding Neveah tighter to himself like he knew if he didn’t, she would crumble. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I swore I would be right back and I failed, there are no excuses. I left you, I’m sorry... I’m sorry my love." Xenon apologized earnestly.

Neveah felt her throat close up, her wrath disappeared and she turned, throwing her arms around him.

Her entire world still spiralled even at this moment, but at least a part of it...a part of it was now right.