Serpens slowly regained consciousness in the hospital bed, his body heavy and his mind clouded with dizziness. The sterile scent of antiseptic and the distant hum of medical equipment filled the room. As he opened his eyes, they felt leaden, and a wave of fatigue washed over him. He tried to sit up but winced at the lingering pain from his injuries.Moments of his encounter with Winter flashed before his eyes, a reawakening of the brutal fate he had suffered in the hands of Winter. Not in his wildest dreams had he expected to be so humiliated by Winter. He wished he could undo everything, but he couldn't. He had lost to Winter and it was just a bitter pill that he had to endure swallowing.Dr. Sun noticed his movement and quickly approached, her face lighting up with relief. "You're awake," she said warmly, checking his vitals. "How are you feeling?"She had checked up on him a couple of times already and each time she did, it always left her in awe. Serpens's wounds healing by them
Serpens was discharged from the hospital on the evening of that same day. Before the end of the day, all his wounds had healed up and there was no need to keep him in the hospital.“Thank you so much, Dr. Sun,” he greeted as Serena led him out of the hospital.“You're always welcome.” Dr. Sun replied, smiling back at him.He reminded her to always look after Rose, assuring her that he'd do everything within his power to find the draconic gem and make sure Rose regains consciousness.Dr. Sun gave him the assurance that he had nothing to worry about. “I'll always watch over your girlfriend,” she teased.Serpens couldn't help but smile, wondering how he and Dr. Sun had become so close over night. Even if his secret was gradually becoming known to everyone, he felt confident that those who knew about his powers were those whom he could trust to keep his secrets safe.Serena led him towards the road where they hailed a cab that took them home.Getting to the house, they saw inspector Lui a
“I think Winter is hiding something from us?” Cheong was the first to speak up. “I agree with you,” Yul concurred. Tiara was quiet. She didn't know what to say but at the same time, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something strange with Winter.Ever since that night that they stopped Serpens on the road, he had suddenly become withdrawn from the rest of the team. He doesn't attend their meetings anymore and wouldn't even call to ask for permission prior to the meeting stating the reasons why he'll not be able to attend.“Cheong,..., I want you to pay him a visit on our behalf and find out what the reason for his recent conduct was.” Yul instructed, his voice authoritative.Turning to Tiara,” Babe, I might not be able to take you home. I have a meeting with the board of directors.” He said as the meeting came to an end.Cheong had to leave with Tiara while Yul went ahead to attend the meeting with that board of directors. His father had called to let him know that h
“Welcome sirs,” the young waiter greeted as Old Serpens and Mr. Leonardo walked into the restaurant. It's been a while since they both saw each other but Old Serpens had to call for this meeting after he heard what Yul Brynner had done when Serpens had brought a highly priced Anrowana for him to buy.Now, hearing of the recent setback facing Brynner's holdings, Old Serpens thought it wise to strengthen his business strategy and ensure that Brynner's holdings never got to the point where his company was getting to.As they say to discuss, their conversation punctuated by the clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of other diners. Old Serpens wore a tailored suit and an air of seasoned sophistication. “So you were saying something about Brynner's holdings facing some business challenges.” Leonardo began, as he took a sip from the glass of wine which stood in front of him on the table.“What's that?” Leonardo pressed further.“It’s concerning,” Old Serpens said, his voice gravelly w
Inspector Lui stood up, a warm smile tugging at the corner of his lips as Dr. Sun approached him. He extended a hand, his eyes beaming with blessedness."Thanks for coming," Inspector Lui said, pulling out a chair for her.It'll be the first time in a very long time that inspector Lui has asked a lady out. He's been so busy with his job as a CIA agent that he had forgotten that there comes a time in a man's life when he'll need to find the perfect woman for him.His recent encounters with Dr. Sun at the hospital over Serpens's case had made him realize that there was indeed a heart within him that also yearned for love and affection."Of course," Dr. Sun replied, taking a seat. "I’ve been sulking all day in the house and I really needed something to take me out of the house,” she admitted, a playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Really?” Inspector Lui's surprise was palpable.“Yeah, yeah,” Dr. Sun smiled. “So what are we having?” She went further to ask.“Let's see what t
It's been exactly two weeks since Serpens fought with Winter and got badly beaten up. Rose was still in the hospital as her only chance of ever waking up to see the light of a new day rested on Serpens finding the draconic gem.School had been hectic that fateful day. They've had a lot of practicals and new projects to attend to. Professor Layton had gone on a sabbatical leave to meet his wife and daughter who stayed in another city.As Serpens walked home from class one fateful evening after a stressful day, his mind was only preoccupied with the day's lessons and upcoming assignments. Coming close to the corner of his street, he heard loud screams.“Help! Help!!” Came the scream.He quickly rushed to see what was happening.“A strange creature had set the place on fire.” He heard the people say as his attention was suddenly drawn to a chaotic scene. A house, engulfed in flames, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. The acrid smell of burning wood and the frantic sho
As Serpens lay on his bed that night, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that gnawed within him. He had no idea that Winter would go to such lengths to show off his powers. He missed his own powers and wondered if the day will ever come when he'll have them fully back again.Just then, his phone buzzed and it was a call from Mr. Leonardo. They've been waiting for him to call and tell them how his fishing expedition had gone.Mr. Xian had been waiting for his delivery and Serpens was their only hope.“Hello, Serpens,” Mr. Leonardo began. “What about the fish you promised to deliver yesterday? The client is waiting.” He stressed.Serpens eyes opened wide. He didn't know how to tell him that he had failed to catch the fish because he was unable to transform to his dragonic form.But, all the same, he knew he had no choice but to tell him that he was unable to get the prided catch and they should possibly look for someone else to help them with it.“I'm sorry Mr. Leonardo,” Serpen
Inspector Lui's drove to Dr. Sun's house that evening, a feeling of excitement washing over him. The steets were quiet that evening, the street lights casting a warm glow along path.As he neared Dr. Sun's house, a flutter of nervousness filled his stomach. He hadn't felt that way in a long time, and the anticipation of seeing her made his heart race.He just couldn't deny the fact that Dr. Sun had touched a part of him that he never really believed he had. It was like, the mere thought of her was enough to put a smile on his face. He pulled up to her driveway taking a moment to recollect himself before stepping out of the car. Walking up to the door, he knocked gently. “I'm coming,” the voice from inside responded. It was Dr. Sun, her beautiful feminine voice resonating with the gentle hum of cicadas providing a soothing background melody.Within moments, the door opened and there stood Dr. Sun, looking radiant in her elegant evening dress. Her smile was warm, her eyes sparkling wi
The priest stood solemnly at the edge of the grave, his weathered hands clasped around a simple wooden cross. His voice, steady and calm, reverberated through the air as he spoke the final prayers, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of the moment. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound as Rose was laid to rest, the earth slowly covering her.Serpens stood nearby, tears silently welling up in his eyes, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony ended, people began to approach him one by one. Xin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his face solemn. Lan, always reserved, offered a quiet nod of respect. Serena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered her condolences. Dr. Sun, with a grave expression, grasped Serpens' hand in solidarity, while Inspector Lui, ever the stoic, simply said, "I'm sorry." Finally, Tiara approached, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy, and she gave him a brief, supportive hug.After everything was said and done, as the crowd disper
In an instant, Rose disappeared into the portal, her figure merging with the energy of the Dragon Stone. There was a flash of blinding light, and the portal sealed shut, its power absorbed into Rose’s being. The energy of the Dragon Stone flowed through her, and the stone itself crumbled to dust, its dark power dissipating into the air.Serpens and Xin watched in awe, their hearts heavy with the sacrifice that had just been made. Rose had given herself to save the world, her courage and selflessness breaking the cycle of darkness that had threatened to engulf them all.For a moment, all was quiet, and then, from the stillness, a gentle breeze began to blow, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn."No!" Serpens cried as he rushed towards her. Rose fell on his arms, her form as cold as ice. "Don't leave me, Rose," Serpens cried. "Please come back," The strange lady spoke, "This was bound to happen, greet dragon. She's your fourth sage, the one who would help you win the war agains
Serpens struggled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and frustration. Winter was too strong, even with the combined might of the dragon lords. They couldn’t overpower him—not like this. But what frightened him more was the sight of Xin, now standing on the rock, her hand trembling as she raised the dragon stone toward the point where the sunlight met the sea."No!" Serpens cried out, his voice breaking with the weight of his despair. But his words fell on deaf ears. Xin, lost in Winter’s spell, placed the stone on the rock. The moment the stone touched the surface, the sunlight intensified, its beams converging on the stone and then spreading outwards, enveloping Bahamut in a blinding light.The light was quickly swallowed by a sudden darkness, a pitch-black void that seemed to emanate from Bahamut himself. The last chain around the dragon’s neck glowed fiercely for a brief moment before shattering into a thousand pieces. The sound of the chain breaking echoed like thunder acro
The Third World Sea stretched endlessly before Serpens, a vast expanse of shimmering waters that reflected the dark, starless sky above. The air was thick with a mystical energy, a sensation both familiar and foreign, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. As he stood on the shore, the quiet lapping of waves against the rocks was the only sound, but Serpens could feel the presence of something ancient and powerful nearby.From the depths of the sea, a massive form began to rise, the water cascading off its scales like liquid silver. Doromu emerged with a grace that belied his immense size. His golden eyes, warm and wise, fixed upon Serpens with a gaze that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a soft, radiant light, contrasting the dark waters around him."Welcome, Serpens," Doromu said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing across the stillness of the sea. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow. "Great Dragon, it is an honour to
The uproar in Draketwon that night increased people ran to find safety from the threats of the dragons which descended upon the city like a flock of birds.It wasn't long after that the armed forces of Draketwon set into action. Helicopters, their blades slicing through the night air, emerged from the darkness. It was a show down of the humans versus the dragons, as fire bathed the entire city like a flood.The roar of the engines filled the cockpit as Captain Marcus Rourke, the seasoned leader of the air force squadron, adjusted his headset. His eyes were steely, focused on the horizon where plumes of smoke rose from the city below. The once-vibrant metropolis was now a war zone, engulfed in chaos as dragons soared through the sky, their fiery breath raining destruction upon the streets.“Echo Squadron, this is Captain Rourke,” he spoke into the radio, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “We’ve got eyes on the target. Multiple dragons are engaged, laying waste to the city. They’re
Tiara sat at her usual spot in the school courtyard, the sun dipping lower in the sky as the hours ticked by. The news of the Zorvath's going through Serpens' locker in school, had become the news of the day, but that wasn't her problem.Her concern was in the fact that Serpens whom he had called to tell what had happened didn't show up in school. She couldn't help but wonder why he didn't show up after he told her he was already on his way when she called him earlier that day.After the first set of classes of the day, she decided to go to the courtyard and hoped that before the afternoon classes would commence, Serpens would show up.Her gaze flicked anxiously toward the school gates every few minutes, hoping to see Serpens' familiar figure stride through. But as the shadows lengthened and the students trickled out in groups, laughing and chatting, there was no sign of him.By now, the courtyard was almost empty, save for a few stragglers. Tiara’s worry had shifted to a gnawing unea
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n