In the heart of the feast, Ragnar felt an unfamiliar sensation, being famous like a celebrity.
Parents and children alike turned to him with curious stares, some even granting him a nod of respect for his strength or simply because he was a genuine dragon.
He felt a thrill he'd never known before.
"Seems like you're enjoying yourself," Jiayi's voice echoed from behind him.
Ragnar, caught off guard, spat out his drink and put a hand to his chest, feeling his heart pound. "How did you get so close?" he asked, turning to face her with a bewildered look. His enhanced senses as a dragon should have alerted him to her presence.
Jiayi simply smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she observed the bustling crowd. "So, you and your family intend to stay in Ta Lo, is that it?" she inquired.
Ragnar raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Did my Mom and Dad already talk to you?" he asked tentatively.
"No," Jiayi replied, her gaze drifting towards Ragnar's family. "But they didn't need to. Your family's intentions are quite clear."
Ragnar's gaze followed hers. The children, seated at a nearby table, were quietly eating, yet their eyes darted longingly towards the Ta Lo children at play.
Ororo, alongside Sethos and Akila, sat with Ying Li and Ying Nan, their conversations punctuated by bursts of laughter.
Even Sicilia was engaged in lively conversation with the villagers, a smile playing on her lips as Elliot nodded along, oblivious to the nuances of their exchange.
"Come with me for a moment," Jiayi said, her head shaking slightly as she turned towards a spacious hall.
Ragnar drained his juice, waving a farewell to his parents before trailing behind Jiayi.
While Elliot gave him a thumbs-up in silent encouragement.
As they entered the hall, Ragnar's gaze fell upon intricately carved wooden statues lining the walls.
They depicted scenes from Ta Lo's history, narrating the epic tale of the Great Protector's valiant battle against the Soul Eaters. Though he had seen these statues in the films, Ragnar felt a fresh wave of curiosity wash over him.
But he also realized Jiayi might have brought him here to reveal more about Ta Lo's past. And he was right.
Jiayi, her voice imbued with a hint of melancholy, began to recount Ta Lo's history, "Long ago, our civilization surpassed anything in your world. We lived in prosperity and peace..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes reflecting a profound sadness.
"Until the Dweller of Darkness emerged, his army of soul-devouring creatures sweeping across the land, growing stronger with each soul they consumed," Jiayi continued, pausing before a statue depicting winged beings attacking humans.
"We were on the brink of defeat when she arrived," she whispered, a small smile gracing her lips as she gazed upon the statue of the Great Protector. "She saved us, sealing the soul eaters within the Dark Gate."
Jiayi turned to face Ragnar, her expression devoid of emotion. "If you choose to stay here, you are welcome. The Great Protector desires it, and we will honor her wish."
Ragnar was right, Jiayi had brought him here not just to showcase Ta Lo's history, but to plant a seed of connection within him. She hoped that by understanding the village's past, Ragnar would feel a deeper kinship with Ta Lo and its people, perhaps even choosing to make it his home.
"However, if you truly wish to be embraced with sincerity, you must immerse yourselves in our history and culture," Jiayi explained, her gaze fixed on Ragnar's attentive face. A gentle smile played on her lips. "Go back and enjoy the feast. Think carefully about your decision."
"I'll speak with my family as well," Ragnar replied, nodding obediently. He knew that in this situation, regardless of his true feelings, it was important to maintain a respectful demeanor.
Ragnar turned to leave, but before he could take a step, a gust of wind swept past him. Looking back, he saw that Jiayi had vanished. "Oh, come on, you got to teach me that." he grumbled.
As Ragnar made his way back to the feast, Jiayi's words echoed in his mind. 'She's right,' he mused, 'If we want them to truly accept us, we need to learn their ways.' The thought settled in his gut, a knot of both apprehension and understanding. It wouldn't be fair, wouldn't be respectful, to simply drop into their lives and expect them to welcome him with open arms.
Ragnar realized, with a jolt, that just by being here dragon, he had already altered the fabric of Ta Lo, the rhythm of their lives and their destinies.
'Adjusting to their ways might be the best thing for us, too,' Ragnar mused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He tilted his head, considering another possibility. 'Or, maybe we could find a place a little further out, somewhere outside the village itself.' His mind was already churning with backup plans, his cautious instinct kicking in.
What if complete integration proved too difficult for his family?
The thought of leaving Ta Lo altogether crossed his mind, but as Ragnar emerged from the hall, his gaze fell upon the Shishi sleeping peacefully on the grass. Shaking his head, he whispered, "Yeah, definitely not leaving until I have one of those."
•-----•-----•-----•-----•
"Ragnar!" "Ragnar!" "Ragnar!" "Ragnar!"
The next day, Ragnar lay peacefully in his bed, dreaming of the villagers cheering him on as he effortlessly vanquished Soul Eaters in his dragon form.
"Yesh~bow down to me~" he murmured in his sleep, a blissful smile gracing his lips as he drooled.
As he drifted through his dream, a persistent knocking on his door began to intrude, disrupting his fantasy.
Knock Knock
Hearing no response, Dalia pushed the door open and snuck inside, stifling a giggle with her hand.
She climbed onto the bed, slowly creeping closer to Ragnar before standing up with a mischievous grin. Leaping over him, she expected to land on the other side, but instead found herself suspended in mid-air.
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen again," Ragnar yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes as he stretched. He chuckled, "You got me once, little guy, but it ain't gonna happen again." He playfully pinched Dalia's cheek.
"It's unfair! I want powers too!" Dalia whined, floating beside him as he rose from the bed
"You'll get your powers when you grow up," Ragnar said nonchalantly, ignoring her pleas. He wasn't in the mood to deal with a child's wild imagination first thing in the morning.
Ragnar climbed the stairs leading to the small shack, emerging into the fields. "Mom! Did you ask Dalia to wake me up?" he shouted, heading towards the long table where his family was already gathered.
"I did," Sicilia replied, her gaze fixed on her plate as she ate. "Jiayi and the dragon are waiting for you. Eat, before you leave. You can't learn anything on an empty stomach." She didn't even glance at her son, knowing his impatience all too well. "Oh, and put the child down."
Ragnar, about to turn and leave, stopped and took a seat at the table. He placed an egg on the plate prepared for him, then gently levitated Dalia onto Otis's back.
"Where's Ororo and the kids?" Ragnar asked, looking around. He noticed the absence of his siblings, only his parents and a cow sharing the table. Which is completely normal.
"The kids are probably still asleep. But Ororo, Sethos, and Akila joined Ying Li and Ying Nan for their training," Elliot explained, taking a bite of his food. He looked at Ragnar with a playful twinkle in his eye. "I think it's because someone showed off a bit too much yesterday, making the little ones motivated."
Ragnar, rolled his eyes and began to devour the eggs in large bites. He stood up from his seat. "I'll go first, Mom." He gave her a quick hug before rushing back to the shack.
Sicilia chuckled, "Don't you think a shower might be a good idea first?" Her brow furrowed slightly at his haste, she added, "At least clean yourself with your magic."
Ragnar continued running, muttering a series of cleansing spells under his breath. As he stepped out of the suitcase, he couldn't find Jiayi waiting for him. So he could race towards the lake by himself while giving the villagers a greeting as he passed by.
Meanwhile, at the training ground, surrounded by bamboo, Ororo stood beside Ying Li and Ying Nan, watching Jiayi manipulate the wind with effortless grace. Her eyes were wide with awe.
"Does everyone here control the wind like that?" Ororo whispered to Ying Li, her curiosity evident.
"No, only those blessed by the Great Protector can control the wind and water," Ying Li shook her head, her gaze fixed on Jiayi's movements as she tried to memorize them. "But Master is confident we can receive the Great Protector's blessing in the future." She puffed up her chest, showing off slightly knowing Ororo's powers.
"Do you think your Master would teach me how to control the wind like that?" Ororo asked, her voice barely a whisper. She felt that if she were stronger, she could have helped Ragnar during the fight.
At the same time, Ororo wanted to prove herself worthy of Sicilia and Elliot's acceptance, so they wouldn't regret taking them in.
"Oh," Jiayi, who had been practicing, heard Ororo's whisper. A glint of calculation flickered in her eyes. She knew Ororo's potential was far greater than simply controlling the wind. "If you wish to learn, I can teach you," Jiayi stated, pausing her practice. For her, it was simply another form of investment in the future.
______________
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