Erik's POV
It's been days and my decision has come back to bite me. I had put off finding Igneel because I was busy spending time with Moon and Crystal.
Now I stood in front of Merida. She had just returned and was still unaware that Igneel wasn't here.
She looked around with her carefree smile.
"Where is Igneel?" she asked.
I sweatdropped.
"He's probably busy with his studies."
She looked at me like I was a fool.
"Cough, I meant he's probably busy making trouble."
She stared at me for a little longer before Moon ran to her. They hugged.
"How are you doing sweetie?" she smiled.
"Great mama," Moon said happily.
Thanks for the save Moon. That's why you're my favorite.
"Where's your brother?"
I sweatdropped. Ok Moon, this is your moment. Don't fail me now.
"Oh, I haven't seen him for a few days," she replied.
No Moon, that's not what you were supposed to say.
"Is that so," she said, glaring at me.
"When was the last time you saw him?"
Please Moon, don't fail me for the second time.
"Oh, we were on a trip. Me, Crystal, Igneel, and Papa. It was a week ago," she added.
I'm dead.
She went completely silent and just glared at me. I put my hands up.
"Wait, I placed a spell on him. We can see what he's doing," I quickly spoke.
We went to the living room and sat down. I took out an orb that projected a screen. It showed us what Igneel was doing at this very moment.
I went slack-jawed at what I saw. Igneel was shirtless, holding a naked woman. She was wearing his robe. I slowly turned to Merida and she was livid.
"ERIK!!!!"
This bastard son.
Igneel's POV
After seeing Mulan in her tent, I decided to leave and take a bath. Reaching the water, I looked around. Seeing no one, I took off my clothes and jumped in.
As I washed myself, I noticed my reflection and sighed. I looked more feminine than I wanted to. I'd been using makeup to hide my features, but it was becoming useless.
As I grow older, I'm resembling my mother more. I must have inherited it from my father—if he didn't have facial hair, he could easily pass as grandmother's daughter.
I washed away the rest of the makeup and sighed again. Maybe I should ask father for an illusion spell because I'm getting too lazy to apply makeup.
While washing, I sensed someone approaching. It was a familiar energy—Mulan. She hadn't seen me yet since I was behind a rock.
I slowly moved toward shore and put my pants back on. As I prepared to leave, I saw three men running for the water: Yao, Ling, and Chien Po.
I rushed back to the water with my pants on. By now, Mulan had heard the men jumping in. She tried to escape, but being naked, if the light shone on her body, it would reveal her secret.
I appeared behind her and she jumped. I covered her mouth, took out my robe from the storage ring, and put it on her before silently sneaking out with her unnoticed.
After exiting the water, I set her down.
"Next time be more careful."
She blushed.
"Thank you," she said.
I nodded and headed back. She followed slowly behind me. As we walked, she suddenly collapsed.
I turned around to check on her and noticed a snake bite on her calf. My eyes widened.
"What? When was she bitten?"
Looking around, I finally spotted the small snake. I stomped on it, killing it, before picking her up and running back toward camp.
"P-please don't go to the camp. I-if they find out I'm a woman—"
"Shut up, you fool! Your life is in danger and this is all you think about?" I raged.
She just gripped me tighter and went silent. I grit my teeth and changed direction back to my tent.
After arriving, I laid her on the bed and noticed the venom was spreading fast.
"At this rate, we'll have to cut off your leg."
She didn't respond, just breathed heavily. I ruffled my hair, then thought of an idea.
I moved closer and started sucking the venom out.
The Next Day
Mulan slowly woke up. Noticing she was still naked from the night before, she covered herself.
She saw me staring at her while drinking some tea. She bit her lip, trying to recall what happened.
"Don't worry, I didn't see anything."
She sighed with relief before trying to stand. I stopped her.
"Your leg is still stiff. You need to rest a few more hours before it'll go back to normal," I added.
"Training will start soon. I have to get up," she said.
She tried to stand again, but I wrapped her in the blanket and lay down next to her, preventing her from moving.
"W-what are you doing? T-this is very inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman."
"If you keep trying to leave, I'll have no choice."
She stopped struggling.
"Ok, get out," she said.
I slowly let go and got out of the bed. I then headed to her tent to grab some clothes, armor, sword, and underwear for her.
After retrieving everything, I returned and placed the items on the table.
"Your clothes are here when you're better."
She nodded from the bed.
"Thank you."
I nodded and left. Though she was out, I was not. I had to complete my training. When I arrived at the training ground, I searched for Shang. Finding him, I walked up.
"Shang," I called.
"Sigh, please call me commander," he said.
I ignored his words and said what I needed to say.
"Mulan is out. He was bitten by a snake last night, but he's stable now and needs to rest. He will be fine by tomorrow," I explained.
He nodded.
"Send my regards."
I nodded.
"So what are we doing today?" I asked.
"The usual."
I sighed. It was pretty boring. The training was necessary for these guys since their core was terrible, but for someone like me it was a nuisance. I wouldn't gain anything, especially after mastering the balancing exercises.
As we trained, I couldn't help but sigh again. I wondered how Dad was doing—hopefully he hadn't told Mom what I was up to. But there was a nagging feeling in my mind. I felt like I was being watched, though I couldn't understand how since my senses were currently at their maximum.
Erik's POV
As we watched Igneel from the projection, I gulped.
I glanced at Merida. She was unusually quiet—and that's what made this terrifying.
"Dear," I started to say.
She raised her hand, cutting me off.
"I don't want to hear a single word from you," she said coldly.
I sighed and turned away. That's when I noticed Moon eating as if nothing was happening. Veins popped on my head.
I should never have trusted her. She caught me staring and looked at me with confusion.
"Is something wrong, Daddy?" she asked.
My mouth twitched.
Back with Igneel
After training, I headed back to my tent. Mulan was already up and dressed.
She noticed me.
"Thank you again," she said, walking past me.
I stopped her.
"Where are you going with my blanket?" I asked.
She tried to struggle like a mouse caught in a trap.
"Let go, I'll return it after I clean it."
"Oh, but it seems to be in perfect condition," I smiled. "Is it because your smell is on it, or maybe because you slept naked with it? Or maybe it could be both," I joked.
She blushed. I laughed and let her go.
"I'm joking."
She ran back to her tent and stayed there. I shook my head and took out another blanket from my storage ring.
I then went to the pond from last night and took a bath. I washed off my makeup again and this time just swam around for an hour.
After I was done, I put on a new mask since I was too lazy to apply makeup. When I returned, I noticed Mulan was training. She was probably trying to catch up after missing practice.
I walked up to her and surprised her. She yelped and turned to me.
"What was that for and what's with the mask?" she asked.
"Oh, you want to see?"
She nodded.
"How about a kiss?"
She blushed and got angry.
"What's there to be embarrassed about? I've already seen everything."
She fumed and prepared to attack.
"Whoa, whoa, I'm joking."
She breathed heavily but calmed herself down. I couldn't help but smile to myself. This was fun. What did my father call this again? Oh yes, he called it "ragebaiting."
She turned around and headed back to her tent. I quickly followed and she stopped.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"You know, just want to see what's going on since you've seen my tent already."
She turned around and poked a finger at my chest.
"What's there to see? You've already been inside before."
I put my hands up.
"Okay, okay," I smiled.
She headed back into her tent. A moment later she poked her head out.
"What are you still doing here? Get out."
I smiled, put my hands up, and walked away. As I left, I wondered what to do next since I had nothing planned.
"I might as well try making medicine," I muttered, heading back to my tent.
I entered and sat down at my table. Taking out multiple vials from my storage ring along with herbs and rare flowers, I began to work.
I selected a herb, crushed it to powder, then grabbed a rare flower and removed its petals to add to the mixture. After combining the two, I took out my remaining jar of honey from the storage ring.
I used a spoon to mix everything together. Looking at the mixture, I felt something was missing. Searching through my storage ring, I found exactly what I needed.
It was a beautiful glowing gold flower, different from the magical flower that gave healing capabilities. That one was extremely rare and out of my reach. This one, however, was rare but I had plenty since it grows around fireworms.
I occasionally ventured into nests to collect flowers like this, though the superior ones typically grow near the queen.
I crushed it into powder and added it to my mixture. As I prepared to test the medicine by cutting myself, I paused.
My unique body gave me superior healing abilities. I needed a test subject. I stored everything and left my tent.
I walked toward Mulan's tent.
"Are you still awake?" I called.
She stirred inside, then poked her head out.
"What is it?"
"I made some medicine and want to try it out," I explained.
She narrowed her eyes and held out her hands.
"I want to see if it works," I added.
She paused.
"A lady's body is very sacred. I can't just let you see it, even if it's just my calf."
I paused, then smiled.
"You know I sucked out the venom, right?"
Her eyes widened.
"W-what?" she blushed.
"That's right. How else did you think I removed the venom?"
"Y-you," she stuttered.
"Calm down. Besides, if you're that embarrassed, how about we make it even? I don't think you saw my body that night," I said.
"What?"
I didn't let her finish and revealed my chest, taking off my shirt and striking a pose.
"What do you think?" I asked suggestively.
She blushed.
"Get out, you pervert!" she screamed.
I covered my ears in surprise and laughed.
"Ok, ok," I said, taking out the concoction.