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"I’m so worried about Erald though! He’s strong and all, but he always feels lonely and gets really sad when he’s alone too, so I worry more than I should..." Ahia sighed. "Erald always needs our help as well! He needs ... and I need him too."
"I agree, we should find him first if we can," Tyrannus nodded, looking around. "I’ve been wondering for a while now, can Fuyu move through this place though? It’s a gigantic castle made of wood and paper. What strange architecture..."
"Well, this is what the Zipangu people like for so reason..." Ruby said, glancing around. "And yes, it’s quite odd and impractical. Why would anyone make walls and doors of thin wood and paper? It’s obvious anyone could get inside easily..."
"I don’t think we should be discussing this right now..." Fuyu sighed, facepalming.
"Forgive my daughter. I think she just wanted to unwind by talking about sothing off-topic," Carmilla explained. "Anyway, does anyone have directions? Like, where to go? What to do? Should we follow Drake?"
"What about Surtr?" Mina asked.
"I’d prefer if we could search for Erald..." Ahia said.
"Honestly, I’m quite worried about that brat, Triton. He’s not exactly the sharpest knife out there, and well, the boy is the youngest of the dragons," Aegir said.
"But what about Celene and Hydra? They were just recruited! It would be awful if sothing happened to them..." Hector said.
"I’m worried about Athyst..." Jord said.
"Alright, alright, calm down, everyone, calm down," Logi said. "I know you’re all worried about your friends and family, but we won’t get anywhere if we keep going like this. Everyone wants to find their preferred friend or family mber, but you’re forgetting we’re a team. We can’t just prioritize one person, you know?"
"Umm... Hm, you’re right," Ruby nodded. "Logi’s correct. We can’t just choose one person to go after, and splitting up isn’t possible in this place. If you’re not close to , the miasma will get you, and you’ll get really sick..."
"So what do we do then?" Tisha asked. "Damn it, this is the first ti I’ve felt so lost... Drake always knew where to go or what to do."
"I agree, we’re without a proper leader now," Pekora sighed. "I never realized how necessary he was, but he’s truly the one who gets things moving."
"I agree..." Kraxka nodded. "I wish he were here, but wherever he is, he’s likely prioritizing his family mbers, which is completely understandable."
"Indeed, we shouldn’t burden him by getting into danger..." Hector said. "But if we don’t help, we’ll just be useless, re burdens."
"We’re in... quite a complicated situation," Larzak said, rubbing his scaled chin.
Ruby watched everyone discuss, lanting the lack of a clear leader. Logi tried to ease their minds, but he wasn’t skilled at leading people. Although his plans were often sound, his spatial magic was crippled here, leaving him as little more than a giant made of fire.
In fact, the only ones unaffected were Ruby and Rakasha... both Vampires. And Ruby was the strongest among them.
Frustrated, Ruby clenched her fists tightly. She hadn’t fallen unconscious, she had protected everyone, and she was there to wake them up.
As the strongest, she knew she had to lead. She had tried.
Yet it was difficult, far more challenging than she imagined. They wouldn’t listen to her. They kept debating among themselves, disagreeing, and making things more confusing and frustrating.
She began to realize just how talented Drake was as a leader. Confident, kind, and wise, he always set clear goals and stayed a step ahead, guiding everyone toward the right path.
With him, no one ever felt lost, no one felt sothing was missing, and no one was confused. They always knew where to go. He was their leader, after all.
But now... What could Ruby do?
"Damn it... Drake, you’re truly an amazing person..." Ruby sighed, blushing slightly as she recalled his confident smile.
Lately, she couldn’t stop thinking about him more than ever. Her heart, usually cold as a vampire’s, grew warm and beat faster.
And she blushed, which was strikingly noticeable against her skin, pale as candlewax.
"Why aren’t you here?" she murmured. "Did you really have to leave everyone with ? Can I truly lead them like you do?"
"You’re always guiding everyone to the next goal. You’re reckless, but you’re also a great person... and... damn it... I wish you were here," Ruby sighed, realizing how much Drake’s presence soothed her, making her feel better, happier, safer.
"Ruby?" Carmilla asked. "Dear, are you alright?"
"I-I... I’m fine..." Ruby said, trying to cover her face with her long red hair, embarrassed by her blushing.
"Are you blushing, dear?" her mother giggled. "What’s gotten into you? Wait, were you thinking about him again?"
"W-What are you talking about?" Ruby asked, feigning confusion.
"I’m talking about him, Drake," Carmilla said, smiling teasingly. "You miss him, don’t you?"
"W-Well... of course... everyone does... right?" Ruby said, fidgeting with her hair.
"Yeah, but you clearly miss him in another way too," Rakasha sighed, patting her head.
"Y-You too, Uncle?" Ruby gasped.
"It’s been quite obvious, ever since we defeated Chaos... and he helped you get your mom back..." Rakasha said, smiling lightly. "Well, even before, there were hints of it... there wasn’t really any other man up to your high standards anyway, right?"
"T-That’s not... true..." Ruby muttered, feeling more embarrassed than ever.
"You keep denying it..." Carmilla sighed. "Why? Dear, it’s completely normal."
"I know, but it’s foolish..." Ruby sighed. "It’s just a platonic thing, okay? It’s not like he’ll ever notice . I an, he’s got, like, four girls already. I bet he’s overwheld with them, and they’re all wonderful won too... I’m clumsy and shy and... too young."
"I believe you’re older than him..." Rakasha said.
"T-That’s not... the point I’m trying to make..." Ruby said, rolling her eyes. "I just... I wish he were here. I never noticed it before, but... I really need him."
"Aw," Carmilla said, giggling. "You’re so in love..."
"I’m not!" Ruby said, her face growing even redder as she denied it.
"Carmilla, I think that’s enough," Rakasha said. "We shouldn’t tease the girl."
"I know, dear, sorry. She’s just too cute," Carmilla giggled. "I’m happy to be here with her... even in this dire situation, I’m so lucky."
"Mom..." Ruby said, smiling. "Wait a second! Did you just call him ’dear’?"
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