Lost You (in the Snow) and Found You (in the Flames) [1/3]
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Chanyeol/Kris
Length: 20.8k
Disclaimer: I don't own EXO nor Kris
Warning: Minor character deaths, arson, blood, self harm
Summary: Chanyeol never felt like he belonged anywhere. He finds home in the dragon he has to slay and he wants to stay, even if it burns him.
Author's note: First of all, I never expected to be able to write anything past 10,000 words, let alone 20,000, but my love for my OTP and the urge to finish this and make this perfect (also because OTP) proved me wrong. I never experienced such a strong emotional attachment to a fic I wrote before, until now. This fic is my baby <3
Of course, I wouldn't have been able to complete this if not for my two angel beta readers, Lee (levitationist) and Camille (yuraxchan), who have held my hand and never let go despite my whinings and screamings. They've been so helpful to me throughout this whole writing process, throwing suggestions and correcting my terrible mistakes. Also thank you to my tlist, who had to listen to me whining and screaming about this as well XP
Last but not least, I hope you will enjoy this fic as much as I enjoyed writing this ^^ (Despite the trigger warnings, this fic has a happy ending)
Written for the first round of exoments.
P/S: the third part is friend-locked because it's where the smut scene is ^^
It's been eleven full moons since the last attack and it won't be long until the next one- just two more weeks. Enough time for Chanyeol to find it, but not enough time for him to defeat it. But that's what he's supposed to do; it's what he was born to do. With that thought in mind, Chanyeol slips his newly forged helm over his head and stands at the doorway of his quarters- the one he's been living in for as long as he can remember.
Now that he's finally leaving, after seventeen years of longing and training, he feels a sense of nostalgia washing over him. He takes in the sight of his small bed, and remembers how he used to take up only half of it. Now, his legs peek over the edge whenever he sleeps- not that he ever finds it hard to sleep like that; he's usually too exhausted after training to care about his sleeping position.
He makes sure that the blanket he seldom uses is neatly folded, along with what few change of clothes he has, so that when he comes back, if he comes back, he'd be greeted with a sight of a tidy room. If he does come back though, he won't be living in this small room; he'd be up there, in the palace, and be treated akin to royalty. It’s a nice thought to look forward to, even though the reward of being wined and dined like a king is not why he's doing this.
With one final sweep of eyes over his room, he sighs and closes the door. No turning back now, Park, he says to himself.
He walks down the narrow, humid hallway, barely illuminated by torches placed on the walls, towards the flight of stairs at the end. With each resounding step, he feels both dread and excitement coursing through his body, causing the adrenaline to pump into his veins, and it's not because of his task. Instead, it's because he's finally stepping out of these four walls that separate him from the rest of the kingdom. All those days of being punished with laps around the training grounds from trying to climb over the walls would pay off today.
With a renewed vigor, his tightly pressed lips melt into a tiny smile and he opens the door at the end of the staircase, his eyes squinting against the sudden brightness. Blinking rapidly, his smile widens at the sight of his black steed, fully equipped with armour matching his own. His horse looks majestic in titanium, he notes. The grey metal shines brilliantly under the light of the afternoon sun, making the red phoenix on it gleam.
Chanyeol sets down his shield, also adorned with the kingdom's emblem, and makes his way to his horse, cooing over it and stroking its flank. "Guess you're stuck with me, huh?" he says in a teasing tone and receives a whinny in return.
"Chanyeol."
He turns with his hand at the hilt of his sword before his name is even fully mentioned, a reflex ingrained into him from the countless harsh trainings he had endured, but relaxes when he sees who it is.
"Sir Minseok," he breathes out, the smile reappearing on his face. He's very fond of Minseok, even though the older's training methods were unforgiving, and sometimes even painful. He knows Minseok only wants the best for him, for the kingdom- he sees it in his eyes. Chanyeol thinks he would be nowhere close to being ready for this task if it wasn’t for Minseok.
"Don't get lost out there. Don't forget why you're doing this," Minseok says, his tone serious, but eyes giving away his concern. "I have faith in you."
Chanyeol feels warmth flood his chest at those words. He's always admired Minseok, as a teacher, as a war general, and as a person, and to be trusted by someone so important means a lot to him. He nods and points to the top of his sternum, his grin obscured by the helm covering his face. "As long as I have this, I'll be fine."
Minseok nods, and the silence that ensues tells Chanyeol that he should get going. He mounts his horse and Minseok hands him his shield. "Chanyeol, if you fail the task," Minseok starts slowly, a hint of hesitation in his voice, before he finishes in a tone that allows no disagreement, "don't come back."
Chanyeol’s eyes widen. He knows that there will be consequences if he fails this task, but being disgraced by his teacher is another thing altogether. Doesn't he have faith in me?, he thinks.
"Don't come back if you fail, I mean it," Minseok repeats, and Chanyeol gulps, trying to swallow the lump lodged in his throat. He cannot fail.
"In fact, don't come back at all, Chanyeol," Minseok continues, causing Chanyeol to blink in confusion. Minseok must have sensed his confusion, already so attuned to the younger's emotions from years of training, because he steps closer to whisper in an urgent tone, his face contorted into an expression Chanyeol's never seen on his face- worry. "Run away, Chanyeol. Don't come back."
Chanyeol bites his tongue; he's never been allowed to question Minseok’s words, and now is not the time to start disobeying, so he nods. "Farewell, Sir Minseok," he greets, nodding his head slightly in respect before kicking his horse.
"Farewell, Chanyeol," he hears when his horse is already cantering.
He feels his throat constrict, because even though Minseok's tone is one of indifference, he can still sense the finality. This is a real farewell.
He gallops out of the compound and into the town, not looking back. This is what he's wanted his whole life, to finally be free, to be out of the training compounds, to explore the small but festive town, but somehow, Chanyeol thinks, this doesn't feel right. He completely ignores the awed looks of the townsfolk, the bright smiles on the children's faces, the cheerful chatter of the women, the people who look at him like he's a hero. This is not what he wants.
As his horse gallops out of the town and past the gates, he doesn't cast a backward glance, even though he was so curious about it for years, as Minseok's words ring in his ears.
"Run away, Chanyeol. Don't come back".
↭
Chanyeol doesn't stop on any of the towns he passes by because he doesn't think he can sleep this night, not with his conversation with Minseok still echoing in his mind. He shakes his head and kicks his horse's flank, spurring it to go faster.
He only decides to stop when his horse's movements have become sluggish and its breathing laboured. Guilt crawls up into his throat for burdening his horse for his own selfish reasons. He's been pushing it since midday and it's already sundown. The young moon, almost a crescent, is already noticeable in the darkening sky, and once again he is reminded of what he's supposed to do and how little time he has.
After removing his armour, he stretches his limbs and sits on the roots of a tree, resting his back against its bark as his horse drinks from a nearby pond. His hand rummages into one of his bags, a pouch filled with bread and cheese, and procures a piece of both. He tears them up into smaller pieces and throws some of the bread into the pond, a tiny smile making its way onto his face when the fishes come up to nibble on it.
He falls asleep just after the sun sets, his horse by his side. He doesn't sleep well that night, and for the first time in years, he doesn’t dream of glory, triumph, or freedom.
The cycle goes on for days. He continues his journey to the end of the kingdom during the daytime, only stopping when it's almost sundown, and occasionally pauses at midday to let his horse recover, but that's it. He doesn't allow himself to rest much, even at night, for fear of being robbed or assaulted in his sleep- even if at the back of his mind, he knows there's no one in the near vicinity. He passed the last town yesterday, so it won't be long till he reaches it..
On the last day, he stops when he sees a crudely written sign.
"BEWARE,
DANGER AHEAD"
It's only a few hours after midday, but he unsaddles his horse and removes his armour, setting it carefully on the grass. On the horizon, he can see the hill he's been told about so many times. So he's not lost. A tiny part of his heart had hoped he was, so that he could run away, but he can't back out now. He has people to protect, a duty to carry out, and Sir Minseok's reputation to uphold.
Sir Minseok, he thinks wistfully as he grabs his sword- a steel blade that was passed down from his teacher, almost twice as long as his arm and a quarter of his own weight. If only Minseok was here to explain the hesitance he’s feeling. Is it fear? What is he scared of? Death? Failure? Going back? A long sigh. He has no one but himself in these woods, and even he doesn’t know what he’s feeling.
He sits down between the roots of a large tree, the canopy providing a welcome shade. His fingers skim over the hilt of his sword, the ornate carvings creating the appearance of a phoenix's head.
"Do it for the kingdom," Sir Minseok had said when Chanyeol had been given this task three moons ago. Chanyeol wonders why he wasn’t told about the task earlier, when it's obvious that it's all he's been trained to do: hacking at targets and blocking sharp lunges. Maybe I wasn't ready, he thinks. His mind wanders to the words he’s been pondering for the past week. Why sacrifice for the kingdom when he can’t even go back? Why can’t he go back?
His hand flies to his collarbones, where the oval-shaped, golden pendant is hanging from a metal chain. He'll be safe; he's always been safe with this. A priest who resides in the castle said this was what his mother gave him before she died from its attack.
He looks up. The hill is right in front of him and the ominous-looking cave is visible even from where he's sitting. He's ready now, he decides with a determined look on his face. Tomorrow, he's going to complete his task.
Tomorrow he's going to slay the dragon once and for all.
↭
The sun rises a few hours after Chanyeol does, the early morning rays glinting across the grey polished armour on the knight's body. He inhales deeply, the fresh morning air providing a calming effect on his frayed nerves.
Before he mounts his horse, his eyes sweep over his surroundings as he takes in the mist, the cool air, the dew formed on the grass, and the peaceful silence of the place. It might be your last time, a voice in his head supplies. He shakes his head to get rid of the voice. It has always worked until now, but not today.
Turn around, boy.
Chanyeol grits his teeth and mounts his horse, ignoring the voice inside his head. Maybe it knows that it's the last time it'll be able to annoy Chanyeol. He smirks when he doesn't hear it anymore and places his hand over the top of his sternum- over the pendant. He recalls all the moments he almost died during training- a misplaced foot, a late dodge, an uncoordinated arm- but didn't. He always ended up unscathed, even when a sword was pressed to his throat with a pressure that could sever others’ heads.
"There's powerful magic in that pendant, Chanyeol. Your mother really loved you."
He's cheated death so many times before. He's definitely getting out of this duel alive.
↭
The hill is fairly easy to ascend, as there are few trees to contend with. As steep as it is, the rocky ledges are solid and very much capable of supporting their weight. Chanyeol only had to dismount his horse when they're almost at the top, a few hundred feet from the ground, as the paths are getting narrower and steeper. He leaves his horse at a ledge wide enough for the stallion to freely move and close enough to another one so it may leave if Chanyeol doesn't come back.
The rest of the way up, Chanyeol is surprised that his heart is not hammering against his chest like it was this morning. However, he has no idea if it's confidence or acceptance. He hopes it's the former, although the hollow feeling in his chest tells him otherwise. He refuses to dwell on it, but the emptiness that he never had to experience before is so overpowering that he feels his breath rattle with each intake, and it has nothing to do with scaling the hill.
Despite his emotional turmoil, he jumps over the remaining ledges with practiced ease, avoiding the falling scree from above. The height doesn't intimidate him in the slightest. He's not scared of heights; he's not scared of anything. When he reaches the brow, Chanyeol looks down and sees his black stallion looking at him, still on the same ledge as he last saw it.
"You're one loyal fellow, aren't you?" Chanyeol asks in a soft voice, a small smile on his face.
The sight of something, albeit the something being a horse, fills Chanyeol with courage and motivation because someone is waiting for him. Before he left the kingdom, he'd considered Sir Minseok his motivation to succeed, always trying his best to make his teacher proud of him. He still remembers the first compliment he'd ever gotten from Minseok when he had avoided an unexpected lunge. It filled him with so much pride that he trained day and night afterwards to perfect his dodging skills.
Now, Chanyeol thinks bitterly, even his teacher doesn't want him back. Suddenly, all the confidence he's mustered over the years, all the courage that's been drilled into his head at such an early age, all the patriotism and love for the kingdom that he's been reciting daily, means nothing to him. Even if he succeeds, it still changes nothing- there's nothing in the kingdom to go back to. The thought itself makes the back of his eyes sting with unshed tears. He shuts his eyes tightly, willing the tears away, but some manages to escape, trailing down his cheeks.
"Should I even do this?" he asks himself, and he's not surprised at how broken his voice sounds. He doesn't even know what he's doing this for. There's nowhere to go after this.
He doesn't want to do this, he decides, but he's already here. And if he doesn't do this, Sir Minseok might be in danger. The attacks get more devastating each year, the effects more damaging, and even though Sir Minseok has been surviving the last ten attacks at the front lines, he doesn't know when it will be his last.
The emptiness in his heart is partly filled. He will do this, not for his dead mother whom he's never laid eyes on, not for the kingdom, not for the King whom he swore upon his life to protect, but for someone who's always been there for him as long as he can remember: someone who's scolded him for every single mistake, someone who's rewarded him with a curt nod and a twinkling eye whenever Chanyeol manages to disarm him, someone who's passed down his most valuable possession to Chanyeol.
Chanyeol grips the hilt of his sword and unsheathes it, the rays of sun glinting off the flat blade.
He's doing this for Minseok.
↭
The cave is hot. Even from where he stands at the mouth of it, Chanyeol can feel the heat radiating towards him in waves, a stark contrast to the cool wind blowing in from behind him. It’s in here, he can tell as much- a fire-breathing mountain dragon’s breath is not cool after all. He places his hand over the pendant and mutters a silent prayer, one the priest had taught him when he was only five years old and forced into training, and steps in.
After twenty feet of walking silently and being careful not to step on rubble, Chanyeol’s tunic is already slightly damp from the beads of sweat trickling down his spine. The further he goes, the hotter it gets. His only comfort is the thought that he’s getting closer to the dragon.
With each careful step taking him further into the dark, seemingly endless cave, Chanyeol slows down- the lack of sunlight proving to be troublesome. In the back of his mind, he’s both relieved and nervous: relieved that the battle is being delayed as much as possible, and increasingly nervous out of fear, not for himself, but of the unknown. Books and lectures can only be so useful in describing a dragon and explaining its behavior, and despite the seventeen attacks he’s survived, Chanyeol has never seen the dragon itself; he’s always locked inside his quarter during the eleventh full moon of the year. He grits his teeth at the memory of pacing his small room for hours, waiting restlessly for Sir Minseok to come back alive every single time. He’s stretched his luck far too long and the fathomless fear for Minseok that comes with every attack spurs him to keep moving forward.
But apparently, the dragon has other plans in store for him, because with each step, his motivation dwindles as the heat rises to the point that it’s almost unbearable. To say he’s uncomfortable is an understatement- his hair is sticking to his temples and the back of his neck, his previously damp tunic is now drenched with sweat, and his vision is starting to cloud. He has no idea if the latter is from the heat or a protective charm casted by the dragon. Chanyeol considers taking off his armour, but decides against it. This must be one of its strategies: to render its enemies defenseless and strike at the most opportune moment, when the enemy is the weakest and most vulnerable.
His resolve comes to a breaking point when his vision blurs even more, the edges of it covered in darkness and his head feeling light. The heaviness of his titanium armour, shield and steel sword has never felt more apparent, weighing down his limbs with every step he takes. He’s now sure that this is more than just heat; this is the dragon working its magic. Even the most grueling training could not make him feel tired of holding up the weight of his own body and armour. With a shaky exhale, he slips the helm off his head and his vision instantly clears by almost tenfold. Although the heat and humidity are still suffocating him, the contrast from before is a huge relief and he gulps in the cooler air, dropping the helm on the cave floor. In his heat-induced haze, he only realises his mistake when he hears the resounding clang echoing throughout the gargantuan cave.
For a moment, everything is silent. Even his heart is still, he realises. When he doesn’t feel the usual telltale hammering against his ribcage, his breath is caught halfway in his throat.
Chanyeol refuses to either move or exhale, and it makes his lightheadedness worse, the dark spots clouding his vision again. Even so, his refusal is adamant, as if by doing so, he can undo his actions and stop the incoming waves of suffocating heat.
But the mistake has already been made.
The breath he’s been holding whooshes out of his lungs when he sees electric blue- the eye. Even from a distance of a hundred feet, Chanyeol can guess that the size of the eye is almost half the length of his own body. The gears in his mind whir as he hurriedly calculates the approximate size of the dragon. In the books he’s seen, this mountain dragon, Yifan the Destroyer, is gigantic. Its wingspan is said to cover half of the castle in the kingdom. And if he doubted it before, now he knows for a fact that the books speak the truth.
His first instinct is to find cover- he knows his armour won't stand a chance against a dragon, and even though he's protected by the pendant, having another layer of protection never hurts. Chanyeol darts behind the stalagmite he had walked past a few feet before, his hands gripping his longsword to the point that his knuckles turn white. He's ready for battle.
He doesn’t hear the dragon coming, doesn’t hear the telltale boom of large feet, doesn’t hear the harsh breathing or hissing. Instead, he feels the waves of heat get increasingly hot and suffocating with each passing second, but he still can’t gauge how far it is from him. Not until he hears the sound of air being sliced just a split second before his instinct spur him to roll to his right, and for good reason. The stalagmite he’s been using as a cover is reduced to mere dust and rubble, leaving the uninjured knight exposed.
From this position, a meager five feet away from the dragon, he can see it in perfect clarity, the haze not enough to hide the magnificence of the creature. To say it's huge is an understatement. The books don’t do it justice, despite the drawings and illustrations by well-known painters. The dragon is easily the biggest creature he's ever seen, so tall that Chanyeol has to crane his neck at an unbelievable angle just to see the head. He’s surprised a cave, even as large as this one, could house such a gigantic creature. His breath sticks in his throat as he marvels at how majestic the beast looks; shimmering black scales adorning its whole body, and electric blue eyes glinting and even glowing in the dark.
The first roar jolts him out of his stupor and into action, excitement coursing through his veins. Even while darting through its legs, he feels his limbs jitter with anticipation. The creature is so breathtaking that he feels the immense urge to just stop and watch, but the logical part of his mind berates himself, it's one of its spells again. Dragons are, after all, ancient, magical creatures.
Now, in a real battle, he feels the adrenaline rush into his bloodstream and it helps him focus, even with the overbearing heat. Everything is crystal clear; he can see the faint light reflected off the pitch black scales, and his limbs are cooperating perfectly as he weaves his way between the dragon's huge legs, so big that it takes two of his long strides to get around each one. His sword is slicing through air as he hacks at whichever parts he can reach, mostly the soft flesh behind the knees. With every screech and roar, Chanyeol is filled with pride, knowing that Minseok would be proud of his student for having such an effect on this legendary creature.
However, it doesn't last long. Chanyeol, although very spontaneous, unconsciously attacks in a pattern that Minseok has warned him about. Three strides, a jab, two steps to the right, a slash, three strides, another jab.
The dragon is smart, Chanyeol. He'll learn all your moves within seconds.
Minseok is right, yet again, Chanyeol realises a bit too late when he's knocked off his feet by the dragon's tail, the force enough to land him on the cave wall. He’s never felt more thankful for his shield as it takes the brunt of the hit.
He cries out in pain at the impact on his skull and immediately drops his sword on the floor, letting it clatter feebly against the cave floor as he clutches the back of his head. He's kneeling on the ground, and he knows it looks pathetic to submit so early into a battle, but he honestly couldn’t care less, never having felt such immense pain before. He's never even been injured, not with the pendant.
Panicked and in pain, he places a hand on his neck to see if the pendant is still there, for reassurance- it is, and he's hit with confusion. He opens his eyes, expecting another blow from the dragon, but it's not poised for another attack. Instead, its head is lowered and Chanyeol knows he should feel scared, kneeling in front of a dragon, and at its mercy, but the gaze that lands on him tells him that he's not going to be attacked. It's curious, Chanyeol notices, and it's judging him.
Inwardly, he scoffs with a wry smile on his face; he's probably the first knight to ever give up so easily in a battle, just because of a bleeding hea- His eyes widen when he realizes he is bleeding and brings his hand in front of his face, the small amount of sunlight pouring in through the mouth of the cave illuminating the crimson liquid on his hand. He is stunned into silence and apparently the dragon is as well, because not even a breath or a hiss escapes its large mouth, one that could easily swallow Chanyeol whole. It's so silent that he can hear the sound of the blood dripping onto the cave floor.
He blinks and immediately scrambles onto his feet, crawling to the cave wall as his eyes desperately look for cover, his hand clutching the shield to his chest. The pendant is no longer protecting him. He's not safe anymore. He's going to die. In his seventeen years of life, the thought of dying had never crossed his mind, until now. He'd always been so protected by the invisible magic that even Minseok's harsh, rigorous training couldn't land a mark on him.
Minseok. If Chanyeol dies, Minseok will most likely die too- dragons get stronger over time. His heart sinks. He could have prevented this. If only he heeded his teacher’s words and advice instead of attacking purely based on instinct. If only he could turn back time, just a few minutes. If only. Sadly, he can’t, and he’s paying the price.
He gets to the wall and scolds himself for being cornered by the dragon who's crawling forward, its snout so close to Chanyeol that he's getting cross eyed just looking at the creature. Slowly, its mouth opens and Chanyeol’s heart jumps in his chest at the sight of rows of white, jagged teeth and a forked tongue. No amount of training could have prepared him for this, he thinks as he feels his skin break out into a cold sweat. All thoughts of Minseok fly out of his mind, the fear for his own life overpowering everything else. He holds his breath, closes his eyes and waits, ready for his inevitable death.
But it never comes, and he opens his eyes to see the dragon no longer in sight. In its place is a man, donned in an armour that's even more impressive than his own: spikes at the shoulders, icy blue jewels encrusted around the gorget, and breastplate engraved with the symbol of the dragon: fire. Judging from the immaculate and unmarred steel surface, he knows that it’s just for show and has never been worn to battle. Chanyeol's eyes rake over the man's form, taking in the broad shoulders, the impressive height, the thick eyebrows, and the majestic look on his face, framed by pitch black hair and his breath hitches when he sees the eyes- electric blue.
The man picks up the sword Chanyeol had dropped a few moments ago in his haste to escape and the knight's eyes widen further at the sight of his heavy sword being lifted and swung like it’s a mere stick. Defeated, Chanyeol gulps and lowers his head, clearly acknowledging the strength of the man in front of him.
He feels the point of the blade on his cheek and the slight pressure before it's cutting into his cheek, not deep enough to maim, but enough to draw blood. He catches his bottom lip between his teeth, refusing to show how badly he is affected by a simple cut. The blade is lowered to his neck, pressing at his Adam's apple and Chanyeol would be lying if he says he's not scared. He's terrified, even though just a few moments ago he was filled to the brim with confidence. He's too scared to even gulp, for fear the sharp point would puncture his skin again.
The point of the sword is raised and he is forced to lift his chin, brown eyes immediately locking onto the electric blue ones that are staring at him with a gaze so sharp it feels like holes are being bored into his face. He's not ready to die yet, he really isn't, but the fear locks his limbs into place and he has nowhere to go. He's about to close his eyes again, accepting his death for the second time that day when he hears a sharp command.
"Look at me," the man instructs, his chin raised in a manner that Chanyeol feels is imposing, and he knows just by the posture and aura that this is not a mere man. He feels strong, stronger than the knights back in the kingdom, stronger than Sir Minseok, and his presence demands submission and obedience, permeating the air more than the king’s. Chanyeol doesn't want to look up, but the commanding tone forces him to, and he has no idea if it's from the years of training or the demeanor of the man, but he obeys nevertheless.
"What are you?" the tall man asks, his head tilted slightly to the left, and Chanyeol feels the sword press further into his throat. He would back away if not for the fact that he's already pinned against the wall. He winces when he gulps, feeling the tip pierce his skin just slightly. A wetness trickles down his neck and he's quite sure that it's not sweat.
"A knight," Chanyeol chokes out and at the raised eyebrow he gets in response, he continues, "From the kingdom of Ferelden."
"Don't lie," the tall man hisses, his eyes flaring in anger. The edges of his irises crackle akin to lightning and Chanyeol holds his breath, hyperconscious of the tip of his own sword that's about to take his own life. He looks into the man's eyes, trying to muster every fragment of courage he has to project sincerity into his words.
"I came from Ferelden with a task to kill you," he says, his eyes unwavering, although the same cannot be said for his voice.
At this, the man's eyes widen and he looks puzzled, his thick eyebrows furrowing. He lowers the sword, apparently sensing Chanyeol's sincerity, and the knight gulps in the much needed air despite wanting to appear composed in front of the man. He’s struggling to catch his breath when he hears the man inhale deeply before saying, "You don't smell like a knight."
It comes out like an insult and Chanyeol's never felt more offended. He bites back the sharp reply he has on his tongue, knowing that a slip will cost him his life. Instead, he looks up at the man, a challenging look on his face.
Either the man is oblivious or he is not intimidated in the least by Chanyeol, because he continues, "Ferelden knights are human, no?"
A nod. Chanyeol is slightly confused.
"You're not human," the man says resolutely, his determined eyes piercing Chanyeol's confused ones.
At that comment, Chanyeol feels the confusion morph into anger and he immediately rises to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain at the back of his head. “Not human, you say? Do you think I’m some kind of beast like you?” he spits, his voice rising with every word he utters. The resolution he had to not put himself in a dangerous situation flies out of his mind as the words spew out of his mouth. He’s never been good at hiding his emotions; he excels in voicing out his unnecessary thoughts, which usually lands him in trouble.
Your fatal flaw, Minseok had once said when an eleven-year old Chanyeol had sat panting on the ground after ten laps around the training grounds- punishment for the ‘why do you still have puffy cheeks, don’t you train a lot?’ comment- is that you never keep your mouth shut.
The man quirks an eyebrow and he has the audacity to smirk, aggravating Chanyeol even further. “A beast?” he asks, his voice laced with amusement, “You’d be honoured to be called a beast, with your sloppy footwork and predictable pattern.” Chanyeol winces inwardly at the last phrase.
“You look more like a troll to me,” the man continues, “perfect height for one. Although I must admit, I thought you were half elf.” While he says this, the man motions to his own ear and Chanyeol swears he could feel the vein on his forehead pop. He could handle being called a troll, the least bright of all creatures in the kingdom, but no one makes fun of his ears and gets away alive, legendary dragon or no.
"Fight me and I will show you my worth as a Ferelden knight, you foul beast," he says through gritted teeth as he holds out his hand for the sword, his sword. Even if he ends up losing this battle, or worse, dying, he won’t go down without a fight. A knight’s pride lies in his honour and right now, both his pride and Sir Minseok’s honour is at stake.
“Didn’t that already happen, troll?” the man asks in that infuriating tone again and all thoughts of coherence fade away in an instant. Chanyeol charges forward with an outraged cry, barrelling into the man, or at least attempting to. The man swerves right just before Chanyeol could manage to do so, slashing the back of Chanyeol’s armour in the process. The metal barely yields, but the pressure is enough to cause pain. He thinks that it’s probably enough to bruise him. The man throws the sword from his right hand to his left like it weighs close to nothing, a show of strength which manages to make the fear seep back into him.
But Chanyeol, despite the tremor in his heart, pays no heed and almost snaps at the man. Before he can do so, the man throws his sword towards him and Chanyeol catches it by the hilt, but not without a slight dip in his posture, the weight pulling him down. He readjusts his grip on the hilt and holds it in front of him, poised to attack.
"Fight me, then, like the true human knight you are," the man says, before pulling out a sword from his scabbard, which Chanyeol had failed to notice beforehand. For the nth time that day, he finds himself awestruck, this time at the sword. The metal, obsidian if Chanyeol’s assumption is correct, glows in the dark, a blue aura encompassing it. He feels the air thrum from the change in energy. Even the best sword in the kingdom, the one he’s holding, cannot match its beauty and strength.
He shakes his head to dispel the thoughts of not being able to defeat this man, and tries to focus on the fact that he needs to reclaim his honour. He fixes his gaze on the man’s stance, which looks relaxed to the naked eye, but Chanyeol notices the veins protruding from his large, pale hands and the hardened gaze aimed at him. This is no longer child’s play; he’s in for a true fight.
Chanyeol doesn’t even wait for the man to strike, knowing that given the chance, the man would defeat him before the battle even begins and knock him to the floor in an instant. He charges, this time without so much as a peep, let alone roar, and the man parries it with his own sword, a loud clang resounding through the large cave. He’s forced eye to eye with the man, and from here he can see that something akin to electricity coursing through the man’s blue irises, eliciting a shiver down his spine. Never before has he seen such a legendary creature up close. Even though the man isn’t pushing him off, Chanyeol can feel his strength from how unyielding the parry is, showing how unaffected the man is from his strongest blow yet.
He backtracks, swinging his sword before slashing again and again, his efforts futile as his attacks are parried excellently. He repeats his predictable pattern as his eyes dart around to find a blind spot- a vulnerable point- before pulling back to lunge immediately at the man’s throat. He did not expect it to hit, but it never crossed his mind that his surprise attack would be intercepted so easily, and his eyes widen as his gaze snaps onto the man’s smirking face.
Infuriated, he attacks again with lunges, slashes and stabs, which are all blocked. The sound of clangs are the only noise in the cave aside from Chanyeol’s harsh breathing. Their swords, obsidian and steel, scrape against each other, causing sparks to form. But that doesn’t deter Chanyeol, not even when some manage to slightly burn his hand, as he continues to attack for quite some time. It seems like hours to him and he’s gasping as he fights. The man, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be affected in the least, his face still composed. He’s not even sweating, despite the numerous movements he’s made in blocking the enraged knight’s attacks.
Chanyeol can feel the sweat beading on his own forehead and trailing down his temples and neck, worsening the heat. Even so, he will persevere; he refuses to give up just because he’s tired- he’s supposed to either win or die fighting, not stop just because he’s tired. So he continues his attacks, albeit being slower and weaker, the blood trickling out of the wound at the back of his head intensifying his fatigue. His arms and legs quiver with each impact, the force too much for his muscles. He’s forced to remember his mock duels with Minseok and he regrets that Minseok didn’t push him harder than that, didn’t push him to his breaking point. He regrets faking his own stamina, insisting that a one strike duel- which ended in only ten minutes- was enough. This battle has far exceeded ten minutes, and he hasn’t even managed to land one single strike.
Just before he reaches his breaking point, when dark spots are clouding his vision, the man twists his sword and hits Chanyeol’s chest with its hilt, effectively knocking him back to the cave wall. A sharp pain at the back of his head courses down his spine and an anguished and pained scream rips out of his parched throat.
The last thing he registers before his consciousness fades away completely is the feeling of liquid trickling down his neck and the sight of the man sheathing his sword.
↭
Part 2 out of 3
Pairing: Chanyeol/Kris
Length: 20.8k
Disclaimer: I don't own EXO nor Kris
Warning: Minor character deaths, arson, blood, self harm
Summary: Chanyeol never felt like he belonged anywhere. He finds home in the dragon he has to slay and he wants to stay, even if it burns him.
Author's note: First of all, I never expected to be able to write anything past 10,000 words, let alone 20,000, but my love for my OTP and the urge to finish this and make this perfect (also because OTP) proved me wrong. I never experienced such a strong emotional attachment to a fic I wrote before, until now. This fic is my baby <3
Of course, I wouldn't have been able to complete this if not for my two angel beta readers, Lee (levitationist) and Camille (yuraxchan), who have held my hand and never let go despite my whinings and screamings. They've been so helpful to me throughout this whole writing process, throwing suggestions and correcting my terrible mistakes. Also thank you to my tlist, who had to listen to me whining and screaming about this as well XP
Last but not least, I hope you will enjoy this fic as much as I enjoyed writing this ^^ (Despite the trigger warnings, this fic has a happy ending)
Written for the first round of exoments.
P/S: the third part is friend-locked because it's where the smut scene is ^^
It's been eleven full moons since the last attack and it won't be long until the next one- just two more weeks. Enough time for Chanyeol to find it, but not enough time for him to defeat it. But that's what he's supposed to do; it's what he was born to do. With that thought in mind, Chanyeol slips his newly forged helm over his head and stands at the doorway of his quarters- the one he's been living in for as long as he can remember.
Now that he's finally leaving, after seventeen years of longing and training, he feels a sense of nostalgia washing over him. He takes in the sight of his small bed, and remembers how he used to take up only half of it. Now, his legs peek over the edge whenever he sleeps- not that he ever finds it hard to sleep like that; he's usually too exhausted after training to care about his sleeping position.
He makes sure that the blanket he seldom uses is neatly folded, along with what few change of clothes he has, so that when he comes back, if he comes back, he'd be greeted with a sight of a tidy room. If he does come back though, he won't be living in this small room; he'd be up there, in the palace, and be treated akin to royalty. It’s a nice thought to look forward to, even though the reward of being wined and dined like a king is not why he's doing this.
With one final sweep of eyes over his room, he sighs and closes the door. No turning back now, Park, he says to himself.
He walks down the narrow, humid hallway, barely illuminated by torches placed on the walls, towards the flight of stairs at the end. With each resounding step, he feels both dread and excitement coursing through his body, causing the adrenaline to pump into his veins, and it's not because of his task. Instead, it's because he's finally stepping out of these four walls that separate him from the rest of the kingdom. All those days of being punished with laps around the training grounds from trying to climb over the walls would pay off today.
With a renewed vigor, his tightly pressed lips melt into a tiny smile and he opens the door at the end of the staircase, his eyes squinting against the sudden brightness. Blinking rapidly, his smile widens at the sight of his black steed, fully equipped with armour matching his own. His horse looks majestic in titanium, he notes. The grey metal shines brilliantly under the light of the afternoon sun, making the red phoenix on it gleam.
Chanyeol sets down his shield, also adorned with the kingdom's emblem, and makes his way to his horse, cooing over it and stroking its flank. "Guess you're stuck with me, huh?" he says in a teasing tone and receives a whinny in return.
"Chanyeol."
He turns with his hand at the hilt of his sword before his name is even fully mentioned, a reflex ingrained into him from the countless harsh trainings he had endured, but relaxes when he sees who it is.
"Sir Minseok," he breathes out, the smile reappearing on his face. He's very fond of Minseok, even though the older's training methods were unforgiving, and sometimes even painful. He knows Minseok only wants the best for him, for the kingdom- he sees it in his eyes. Chanyeol thinks he would be nowhere close to being ready for this task if it wasn’t for Minseok.
"Don't get lost out there. Don't forget why you're doing this," Minseok says, his tone serious, but eyes giving away his concern. "I have faith in you."
Chanyeol feels warmth flood his chest at those words. He's always admired Minseok, as a teacher, as a war general, and as a person, and to be trusted by someone so important means a lot to him. He nods and points to the top of his sternum, his grin obscured by the helm covering his face. "As long as I have this, I'll be fine."
Minseok nods, and the silence that ensues tells Chanyeol that he should get going. He mounts his horse and Minseok hands him his shield. "Chanyeol, if you fail the task," Minseok starts slowly, a hint of hesitation in his voice, before he finishes in a tone that allows no disagreement, "don't come back."
Chanyeol’s eyes widen. He knows that there will be consequences if he fails this task, but being disgraced by his teacher is another thing altogether. Doesn't he have faith in me?, he thinks.
"Don't come back if you fail, I mean it," Minseok repeats, and Chanyeol gulps, trying to swallow the lump lodged in his throat. He cannot fail.
"In fact, don't come back at all, Chanyeol," Minseok continues, causing Chanyeol to blink in confusion. Minseok must have sensed his confusion, already so attuned to the younger's emotions from years of training, because he steps closer to whisper in an urgent tone, his face contorted into an expression Chanyeol's never seen on his face- worry. "Run away, Chanyeol. Don't come back."
Chanyeol bites his tongue; he's never been allowed to question Minseok’s words, and now is not the time to start disobeying, so he nods. "Farewell, Sir Minseok," he greets, nodding his head slightly in respect before kicking his horse.
"Farewell, Chanyeol," he hears when his horse is already cantering.
He feels his throat constrict, because even though Minseok's tone is one of indifference, he can still sense the finality. This is a real farewell.
He gallops out of the compound and into the town, not looking back. This is what he's wanted his whole life, to finally be free, to be out of the training compounds, to explore the small but festive town, but somehow, Chanyeol thinks, this doesn't feel right. He completely ignores the awed looks of the townsfolk, the bright smiles on the children's faces, the cheerful chatter of the women, the people who look at him like he's a hero. This is not what he wants.
As his horse gallops out of the town and past the gates, he doesn't cast a backward glance, even though he was so curious about it for years, as Minseok's words ring in his ears.
"Run away, Chanyeol. Don't come back".
↭
Chanyeol doesn't stop on any of the towns he passes by because he doesn't think he can sleep this night, not with his conversation with Minseok still echoing in his mind. He shakes his head and kicks his horse's flank, spurring it to go faster.
He only decides to stop when his horse's movements have become sluggish and its breathing laboured. Guilt crawls up into his throat for burdening his horse for his own selfish reasons. He's been pushing it since midday and it's already sundown. The young moon, almost a crescent, is already noticeable in the darkening sky, and once again he is reminded of what he's supposed to do and how little time he has.
After removing his armour, he stretches his limbs and sits on the roots of a tree, resting his back against its bark as his horse drinks from a nearby pond. His hand rummages into one of his bags, a pouch filled with bread and cheese, and procures a piece of both. He tears them up into smaller pieces and throws some of the bread into the pond, a tiny smile making its way onto his face when the fishes come up to nibble on it.
He falls asleep just after the sun sets, his horse by his side. He doesn't sleep well that night, and for the first time in years, he doesn’t dream of glory, triumph, or freedom.
The cycle goes on for days. He continues his journey to the end of the kingdom during the daytime, only stopping when it's almost sundown, and occasionally pauses at midday to let his horse recover, but that's it. He doesn't allow himself to rest much, even at night, for fear of being robbed or assaulted in his sleep- even if at the back of his mind, he knows there's no one in the near vicinity. He passed the last town yesterday, so it won't be long till he reaches it..
On the last day, he stops when he sees a crudely written sign.
"BEWARE,
DANGER AHEAD"
It's only a few hours after midday, but he unsaddles his horse and removes his armour, setting it carefully on the grass. On the horizon, he can see the hill he's been told about so many times. So he's not lost. A tiny part of his heart had hoped he was, so that he could run away, but he can't back out now. He has people to protect, a duty to carry out, and Sir Minseok's reputation to uphold.
Sir Minseok, he thinks wistfully as he grabs his sword- a steel blade that was passed down from his teacher, almost twice as long as his arm and a quarter of his own weight. If only Minseok was here to explain the hesitance he’s feeling. Is it fear? What is he scared of? Death? Failure? Going back? A long sigh. He has no one but himself in these woods, and even he doesn’t know what he’s feeling.
He sits down between the roots of a large tree, the canopy providing a welcome shade. His fingers skim over the hilt of his sword, the ornate carvings creating the appearance of a phoenix's head.
"Do it for the kingdom," Sir Minseok had said when Chanyeol had been given this task three moons ago. Chanyeol wonders why he wasn’t told about the task earlier, when it's obvious that it's all he's been trained to do: hacking at targets and blocking sharp lunges. Maybe I wasn't ready, he thinks. His mind wanders to the words he’s been pondering for the past week. Why sacrifice for the kingdom when he can’t even go back? Why can’t he go back?
His hand flies to his collarbones, where the oval-shaped, golden pendant is hanging from a metal chain. He'll be safe; he's always been safe with this. A priest who resides in the castle said this was what his mother gave him before she died from its attack.
He looks up. The hill is right in front of him and the ominous-looking cave is visible even from where he's sitting. He's ready now, he decides with a determined look on his face. Tomorrow, he's going to complete his task.
Tomorrow he's going to slay the dragon once and for all.
↭
The sun rises a few hours after Chanyeol does, the early morning rays glinting across the grey polished armour on the knight's body. He inhales deeply, the fresh morning air providing a calming effect on his frayed nerves.
Before he mounts his horse, his eyes sweep over his surroundings as he takes in the mist, the cool air, the dew formed on the grass, and the peaceful silence of the place. It might be your last time, a voice in his head supplies. He shakes his head to get rid of the voice. It has always worked until now, but not today.
Turn around, boy.
Chanyeol grits his teeth and mounts his horse, ignoring the voice inside his head. Maybe it knows that it's the last time it'll be able to annoy Chanyeol. He smirks when he doesn't hear it anymore and places his hand over the top of his sternum- over the pendant. He recalls all the moments he almost died during training- a misplaced foot, a late dodge, an uncoordinated arm- but didn't. He always ended up unscathed, even when a sword was pressed to his throat with a pressure that could sever others’ heads.
"There's powerful magic in that pendant, Chanyeol. Your mother really loved you."
He's cheated death so many times before. He's definitely getting out of this duel alive.
↭
The hill is fairly easy to ascend, as there are few trees to contend with. As steep as it is, the rocky ledges are solid and very much capable of supporting their weight. Chanyeol only had to dismount his horse when they're almost at the top, a few hundred feet from the ground, as the paths are getting narrower and steeper. He leaves his horse at a ledge wide enough for the stallion to freely move and close enough to another one so it may leave if Chanyeol doesn't come back.
The rest of the way up, Chanyeol is surprised that his heart is not hammering against his chest like it was this morning. However, he has no idea if it's confidence or acceptance. He hopes it's the former, although the hollow feeling in his chest tells him otherwise. He refuses to dwell on it, but the emptiness that he never had to experience before is so overpowering that he feels his breath rattle with each intake, and it has nothing to do with scaling the hill.
Despite his emotional turmoil, he jumps over the remaining ledges with practiced ease, avoiding the falling scree from above. The height doesn't intimidate him in the slightest. He's not scared of heights; he's not scared of anything. When he reaches the brow, Chanyeol looks down and sees his black stallion looking at him, still on the same ledge as he last saw it.
"You're one loyal fellow, aren't you?" Chanyeol asks in a soft voice, a small smile on his face.
The sight of something, albeit the something being a horse, fills Chanyeol with courage and motivation because someone is waiting for him. Before he left the kingdom, he'd considered Sir Minseok his motivation to succeed, always trying his best to make his teacher proud of him. He still remembers the first compliment he'd ever gotten from Minseok when he had avoided an unexpected lunge. It filled him with so much pride that he trained day and night afterwards to perfect his dodging skills.
Now, Chanyeol thinks bitterly, even his teacher doesn't want him back. Suddenly, all the confidence he's mustered over the years, all the courage that's been drilled into his head at such an early age, all the patriotism and love for the kingdom that he's been reciting daily, means nothing to him. Even if he succeeds, it still changes nothing- there's nothing in the kingdom to go back to. The thought itself makes the back of his eyes sting with unshed tears. He shuts his eyes tightly, willing the tears away, but some manages to escape, trailing down his cheeks.
"Should I even do this?" he asks himself, and he's not surprised at how broken his voice sounds. He doesn't even know what he's doing this for. There's nowhere to go after this.
He doesn't want to do this, he decides, but he's already here. And if he doesn't do this, Sir Minseok might be in danger. The attacks get more devastating each year, the effects more damaging, and even though Sir Minseok has been surviving the last ten attacks at the front lines, he doesn't know when it will be his last.
The emptiness in his heart is partly filled. He will do this, not for his dead mother whom he's never laid eyes on, not for the kingdom, not for the King whom he swore upon his life to protect, but for someone who's always been there for him as long as he can remember: someone who's scolded him for every single mistake, someone who's rewarded him with a curt nod and a twinkling eye whenever Chanyeol manages to disarm him, someone who's passed down his most valuable possession to Chanyeol.
Chanyeol grips the hilt of his sword and unsheathes it, the rays of sun glinting off the flat blade.
He's doing this for Minseok.
↭
The cave is hot. Even from where he stands at the mouth of it, Chanyeol can feel the heat radiating towards him in waves, a stark contrast to the cool wind blowing in from behind him. It’s in here, he can tell as much- a fire-breathing mountain dragon’s breath is not cool after all. He places his hand over the pendant and mutters a silent prayer, one the priest had taught him when he was only five years old and forced into training, and steps in.
After twenty feet of walking silently and being careful not to step on rubble, Chanyeol’s tunic is already slightly damp from the beads of sweat trickling down his spine. The further he goes, the hotter it gets. His only comfort is the thought that he’s getting closer to the dragon.
With each careful step taking him further into the dark, seemingly endless cave, Chanyeol slows down- the lack of sunlight proving to be troublesome. In the back of his mind, he’s both relieved and nervous: relieved that the battle is being delayed as much as possible, and increasingly nervous out of fear, not for himself, but of the unknown. Books and lectures can only be so useful in describing a dragon and explaining its behavior, and despite the seventeen attacks he’s survived, Chanyeol has never seen the dragon itself; he’s always locked inside his quarter during the eleventh full moon of the year. He grits his teeth at the memory of pacing his small room for hours, waiting restlessly for Sir Minseok to come back alive every single time. He’s stretched his luck far too long and the fathomless fear for Minseok that comes with every attack spurs him to keep moving forward.
But apparently, the dragon has other plans in store for him, because with each step, his motivation dwindles as the heat rises to the point that it’s almost unbearable. To say he’s uncomfortable is an understatement- his hair is sticking to his temples and the back of his neck, his previously damp tunic is now drenched with sweat, and his vision is starting to cloud. He has no idea if the latter is from the heat or a protective charm casted by the dragon. Chanyeol considers taking off his armour, but decides against it. This must be one of its strategies: to render its enemies defenseless and strike at the most opportune moment, when the enemy is the weakest and most vulnerable.
His resolve comes to a breaking point when his vision blurs even more, the edges of it covered in darkness and his head feeling light. The heaviness of his titanium armour, shield and steel sword has never felt more apparent, weighing down his limbs with every step he takes. He’s now sure that this is more than just heat; this is the dragon working its magic. Even the most grueling training could not make him feel tired of holding up the weight of his own body and armour. With a shaky exhale, he slips the helm off his head and his vision instantly clears by almost tenfold. Although the heat and humidity are still suffocating him, the contrast from before is a huge relief and he gulps in the cooler air, dropping the helm on the cave floor. In his heat-induced haze, he only realises his mistake when he hears the resounding clang echoing throughout the gargantuan cave.
For a moment, everything is silent. Even his heart is still, he realises. When he doesn’t feel the usual telltale hammering against his ribcage, his breath is caught halfway in his throat.
Chanyeol refuses to either move or exhale, and it makes his lightheadedness worse, the dark spots clouding his vision again. Even so, his refusal is adamant, as if by doing so, he can undo his actions and stop the incoming waves of suffocating heat.
But the mistake has already been made.
The breath he’s been holding whooshes out of his lungs when he sees electric blue- the eye. Even from a distance of a hundred feet, Chanyeol can guess that the size of the eye is almost half the length of his own body. The gears in his mind whir as he hurriedly calculates the approximate size of the dragon. In the books he’s seen, this mountain dragon, Yifan the Destroyer, is gigantic. Its wingspan is said to cover half of the castle in the kingdom. And if he doubted it before, now he knows for a fact that the books speak the truth.
His first instinct is to find cover- he knows his armour won't stand a chance against a dragon, and even though he's protected by the pendant, having another layer of protection never hurts. Chanyeol darts behind the stalagmite he had walked past a few feet before, his hands gripping his longsword to the point that his knuckles turn white. He's ready for battle.
He doesn’t hear the dragon coming, doesn’t hear the telltale boom of large feet, doesn’t hear the harsh breathing or hissing. Instead, he feels the waves of heat get increasingly hot and suffocating with each passing second, but he still can’t gauge how far it is from him. Not until he hears the sound of air being sliced just a split second before his instinct spur him to roll to his right, and for good reason. The stalagmite he’s been using as a cover is reduced to mere dust and rubble, leaving the uninjured knight exposed.
From this position, a meager five feet away from the dragon, he can see it in perfect clarity, the haze not enough to hide the magnificence of the creature. To say it's huge is an understatement. The books don’t do it justice, despite the drawings and illustrations by well-known painters. The dragon is easily the biggest creature he's ever seen, so tall that Chanyeol has to crane his neck at an unbelievable angle just to see the head. He’s surprised a cave, even as large as this one, could house such a gigantic creature. His breath sticks in his throat as he marvels at how majestic the beast looks; shimmering black scales adorning its whole body, and electric blue eyes glinting and even glowing in the dark.
The first roar jolts him out of his stupor and into action, excitement coursing through his veins. Even while darting through its legs, he feels his limbs jitter with anticipation. The creature is so breathtaking that he feels the immense urge to just stop and watch, but the logical part of his mind berates himself, it's one of its spells again. Dragons are, after all, ancient, magical creatures.
Now, in a real battle, he feels the adrenaline rush into his bloodstream and it helps him focus, even with the overbearing heat. Everything is crystal clear; he can see the faint light reflected off the pitch black scales, and his limbs are cooperating perfectly as he weaves his way between the dragon's huge legs, so big that it takes two of his long strides to get around each one. His sword is slicing through air as he hacks at whichever parts he can reach, mostly the soft flesh behind the knees. With every screech and roar, Chanyeol is filled with pride, knowing that Minseok would be proud of his student for having such an effect on this legendary creature.
However, it doesn't last long. Chanyeol, although very spontaneous, unconsciously attacks in a pattern that Minseok has warned him about. Three strides, a jab, two steps to the right, a slash, three strides, another jab.
The dragon is smart, Chanyeol. He'll learn all your moves within seconds.
Minseok is right, yet again, Chanyeol realises a bit too late when he's knocked off his feet by the dragon's tail, the force enough to land him on the cave wall. He’s never felt more thankful for his shield as it takes the brunt of the hit.
He cries out in pain at the impact on his skull and immediately drops his sword on the floor, letting it clatter feebly against the cave floor as he clutches the back of his head. He's kneeling on the ground, and he knows it looks pathetic to submit so early into a battle, but he honestly couldn’t care less, never having felt such immense pain before. He's never even been injured, not with the pendant.
Panicked and in pain, he places a hand on his neck to see if the pendant is still there, for reassurance- it is, and he's hit with confusion. He opens his eyes, expecting another blow from the dragon, but it's not poised for another attack. Instead, its head is lowered and Chanyeol knows he should feel scared, kneeling in front of a dragon, and at its mercy, but the gaze that lands on him tells him that he's not going to be attacked. It's curious, Chanyeol notices, and it's judging him.
Inwardly, he scoffs with a wry smile on his face; he's probably the first knight to ever give up so easily in a battle, just because of a bleeding hea- His eyes widen when he realizes he is bleeding and brings his hand in front of his face, the small amount of sunlight pouring in through the mouth of the cave illuminating the crimson liquid on his hand. He is stunned into silence and apparently the dragon is as well, because not even a breath or a hiss escapes its large mouth, one that could easily swallow Chanyeol whole. It's so silent that he can hear the sound of the blood dripping onto the cave floor.
He blinks and immediately scrambles onto his feet, crawling to the cave wall as his eyes desperately look for cover, his hand clutching the shield to his chest. The pendant is no longer protecting him. He's not safe anymore. He's going to die. In his seventeen years of life, the thought of dying had never crossed his mind, until now. He'd always been so protected by the invisible magic that even Minseok's harsh, rigorous training couldn't land a mark on him.
Minseok. If Chanyeol dies, Minseok will most likely die too- dragons get stronger over time. His heart sinks. He could have prevented this. If only he heeded his teacher’s words and advice instead of attacking purely based on instinct. If only he could turn back time, just a few minutes. If only. Sadly, he can’t, and he’s paying the price.
He gets to the wall and scolds himself for being cornered by the dragon who's crawling forward, its snout so close to Chanyeol that he's getting cross eyed just looking at the creature. Slowly, its mouth opens and Chanyeol’s heart jumps in his chest at the sight of rows of white, jagged teeth and a forked tongue. No amount of training could have prepared him for this, he thinks as he feels his skin break out into a cold sweat. All thoughts of Minseok fly out of his mind, the fear for his own life overpowering everything else. He holds his breath, closes his eyes and waits, ready for his inevitable death.
But it never comes, and he opens his eyes to see the dragon no longer in sight. In its place is a man, donned in an armour that's even more impressive than his own: spikes at the shoulders, icy blue jewels encrusted around the gorget, and breastplate engraved with the symbol of the dragon: fire. Judging from the immaculate and unmarred steel surface, he knows that it’s just for show and has never been worn to battle. Chanyeol's eyes rake over the man's form, taking in the broad shoulders, the impressive height, the thick eyebrows, and the majestic look on his face, framed by pitch black hair and his breath hitches when he sees the eyes- electric blue.
The man picks up the sword Chanyeol had dropped a few moments ago in his haste to escape and the knight's eyes widen further at the sight of his heavy sword being lifted and swung like it’s a mere stick. Defeated, Chanyeol gulps and lowers his head, clearly acknowledging the strength of the man in front of him.
He feels the point of the blade on his cheek and the slight pressure before it's cutting into his cheek, not deep enough to maim, but enough to draw blood. He catches his bottom lip between his teeth, refusing to show how badly he is affected by a simple cut. The blade is lowered to his neck, pressing at his Adam's apple and Chanyeol would be lying if he says he's not scared. He's terrified, even though just a few moments ago he was filled to the brim with confidence. He's too scared to even gulp, for fear the sharp point would puncture his skin again.
The point of the sword is raised and he is forced to lift his chin, brown eyes immediately locking onto the electric blue ones that are staring at him with a gaze so sharp it feels like holes are being bored into his face. He's not ready to die yet, he really isn't, but the fear locks his limbs into place and he has nowhere to go. He's about to close his eyes again, accepting his death for the second time that day when he hears a sharp command.
"Look at me," the man instructs, his chin raised in a manner that Chanyeol feels is imposing, and he knows just by the posture and aura that this is not a mere man. He feels strong, stronger than the knights back in the kingdom, stronger than Sir Minseok, and his presence demands submission and obedience, permeating the air more than the king’s. Chanyeol doesn't want to look up, but the commanding tone forces him to, and he has no idea if it's from the years of training or the demeanor of the man, but he obeys nevertheless.
"What are you?" the tall man asks, his head tilted slightly to the left, and Chanyeol feels the sword press further into his throat. He would back away if not for the fact that he's already pinned against the wall. He winces when he gulps, feeling the tip pierce his skin just slightly. A wetness trickles down his neck and he's quite sure that it's not sweat.
"A knight," Chanyeol chokes out and at the raised eyebrow he gets in response, he continues, "From the kingdom of Ferelden."
"Don't lie," the tall man hisses, his eyes flaring in anger. The edges of his irises crackle akin to lightning and Chanyeol holds his breath, hyperconscious of the tip of his own sword that's about to take his own life. He looks into the man's eyes, trying to muster every fragment of courage he has to project sincerity into his words.
"I came from Ferelden with a task to kill you," he says, his eyes unwavering, although the same cannot be said for his voice.
At this, the man's eyes widen and he looks puzzled, his thick eyebrows furrowing. He lowers the sword, apparently sensing Chanyeol's sincerity, and the knight gulps in the much needed air despite wanting to appear composed in front of the man. He’s struggling to catch his breath when he hears the man inhale deeply before saying, "You don't smell like a knight."
It comes out like an insult and Chanyeol's never felt more offended. He bites back the sharp reply he has on his tongue, knowing that a slip will cost him his life. Instead, he looks up at the man, a challenging look on his face.
Either the man is oblivious or he is not intimidated in the least by Chanyeol, because he continues, "Ferelden knights are human, no?"
A nod. Chanyeol is slightly confused.
"You're not human," the man says resolutely, his determined eyes piercing Chanyeol's confused ones.
At that comment, Chanyeol feels the confusion morph into anger and he immediately rises to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain at the back of his head. “Not human, you say? Do you think I’m some kind of beast like you?” he spits, his voice rising with every word he utters. The resolution he had to not put himself in a dangerous situation flies out of his mind as the words spew out of his mouth. He’s never been good at hiding his emotions; he excels in voicing out his unnecessary thoughts, which usually lands him in trouble.
Your fatal flaw, Minseok had once said when an eleven-year old Chanyeol had sat panting on the ground after ten laps around the training grounds- punishment for the ‘why do you still have puffy cheeks, don’t you train a lot?’ comment- is that you never keep your mouth shut.
The man quirks an eyebrow and he has the audacity to smirk, aggravating Chanyeol even further. “A beast?” he asks, his voice laced with amusement, “You’d be honoured to be called a beast, with your sloppy footwork and predictable pattern.” Chanyeol winces inwardly at the last phrase.
“You look more like a troll to me,” the man continues, “perfect height for one. Although I must admit, I thought you were half elf.” While he says this, the man motions to his own ear and Chanyeol swears he could feel the vein on his forehead pop. He could handle being called a troll, the least bright of all creatures in the kingdom, but no one makes fun of his ears and gets away alive, legendary dragon or no.
"Fight me and I will show you my worth as a Ferelden knight, you foul beast," he says through gritted teeth as he holds out his hand for the sword, his sword. Even if he ends up losing this battle, or worse, dying, he won’t go down without a fight. A knight’s pride lies in his honour and right now, both his pride and Sir Minseok’s honour is at stake.
“Didn’t that already happen, troll?” the man asks in that infuriating tone again and all thoughts of coherence fade away in an instant. Chanyeol charges forward with an outraged cry, barrelling into the man, or at least attempting to. The man swerves right just before Chanyeol could manage to do so, slashing the back of Chanyeol’s armour in the process. The metal barely yields, but the pressure is enough to cause pain. He thinks that it’s probably enough to bruise him. The man throws the sword from his right hand to his left like it weighs close to nothing, a show of strength which manages to make the fear seep back into him.
But Chanyeol, despite the tremor in his heart, pays no heed and almost snaps at the man. Before he can do so, the man throws his sword towards him and Chanyeol catches it by the hilt, but not without a slight dip in his posture, the weight pulling him down. He readjusts his grip on the hilt and holds it in front of him, poised to attack.
"Fight me, then, like the true human knight you are," the man says, before pulling out a sword from his scabbard, which Chanyeol had failed to notice beforehand. For the nth time that day, he finds himself awestruck, this time at the sword. The metal, obsidian if Chanyeol’s assumption is correct, glows in the dark, a blue aura encompassing it. He feels the air thrum from the change in energy. Even the best sword in the kingdom, the one he’s holding, cannot match its beauty and strength.
He shakes his head to dispel the thoughts of not being able to defeat this man, and tries to focus on the fact that he needs to reclaim his honour. He fixes his gaze on the man’s stance, which looks relaxed to the naked eye, but Chanyeol notices the veins protruding from his large, pale hands and the hardened gaze aimed at him. This is no longer child’s play; he’s in for a true fight.
Chanyeol doesn’t even wait for the man to strike, knowing that given the chance, the man would defeat him before the battle even begins and knock him to the floor in an instant. He charges, this time without so much as a peep, let alone roar, and the man parries it with his own sword, a loud clang resounding through the large cave. He’s forced eye to eye with the man, and from here he can see that something akin to electricity coursing through the man’s blue irises, eliciting a shiver down his spine. Never before has he seen such a legendary creature up close. Even though the man isn’t pushing him off, Chanyeol can feel his strength from how unyielding the parry is, showing how unaffected the man is from his strongest blow yet.
He backtracks, swinging his sword before slashing again and again, his efforts futile as his attacks are parried excellently. He repeats his predictable pattern as his eyes dart around to find a blind spot- a vulnerable point- before pulling back to lunge immediately at the man’s throat. He did not expect it to hit, but it never crossed his mind that his surprise attack would be intercepted so easily, and his eyes widen as his gaze snaps onto the man’s smirking face.
Infuriated, he attacks again with lunges, slashes and stabs, which are all blocked. The sound of clangs are the only noise in the cave aside from Chanyeol’s harsh breathing. Their swords, obsidian and steel, scrape against each other, causing sparks to form. But that doesn’t deter Chanyeol, not even when some manage to slightly burn his hand, as he continues to attack for quite some time. It seems like hours to him and he’s gasping as he fights. The man, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be affected in the least, his face still composed. He’s not even sweating, despite the numerous movements he’s made in blocking the enraged knight’s attacks.
Chanyeol can feel the sweat beading on his own forehead and trailing down his temples and neck, worsening the heat. Even so, he will persevere; he refuses to give up just because he’s tired- he’s supposed to either win or die fighting, not stop just because he’s tired. So he continues his attacks, albeit being slower and weaker, the blood trickling out of the wound at the back of his head intensifying his fatigue. His arms and legs quiver with each impact, the force too much for his muscles. He’s forced to remember his mock duels with Minseok and he regrets that Minseok didn’t push him harder than that, didn’t push him to his breaking point. He regrets faking his own stamina, insisting that a one strike duel- which ended in only ten minutes- was enough. This battle has far exceeded ten minutes, and he hasn’t even managed to land one single strike.
Just before he reaches his breaking point, when dark spots are clouding his vision, the man twists his sword and hits Chanyeol’s chest with its hilt, effectively knocking him back to the cave wall. A sharp pain at the back of his head courses down his spine and an anguished and pained scream rips out of his parched throat.
The last thing he registers before his consciousness fades away completely is the feeling of liquid trickling down his neck and the sight of the man sheathing his sword.
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Part 2 out of 3