Sirab looked at Mizuchi, his expression soft yet strong. "You're not alone anymore," he said, reaching out and gently holding her hand. For a moment, Mizuchi turned her face away, a little shy, but didn't pull back.
Sirab then looked at her and asked, "What's the story behind that dragon mark on your brother's body?"
Mizuchi nodded slowly and began to speak, her voice filled with both pride and sorrow. "The Mizuam family has been fighting for this land for more than a hundred years. My grandfather, the great Mizuam, once faced a powerful red dragon in battle. He won. But when he raised his sword to finish the dragon, the beast spoke. It said, 'If you spare me, I will dwell inside your body and grant you the eternal power of the Fire Dragon. And after you, I will pass to your descendants.'"
She paused, her eyes glistening with old pain. "My grandfather made that deal. Since then, the dragon's mark has been passed down through the generations. Each time a mark-bearer dies, the next in line inherits it. Now, it lives inside Minzu."
"At first, it was a gift. Minzu was a proud protector, beloved by the people of our small country. He was strong, wise, and the king trusted him deeply. But then, for the first time in decades, the red dragon began to stir again. When signs of it appeared in the mountain, the king sent Minzu and his most trusted friends to investigate. They made a careful plan... but they failed."
"No one knows exactly what happened. All we know is that his friends were found dead, and Minzu was discovered barely alive, his body covered in deep wounds. The villagers brought him back, and he survived. But the loss cost him everything. His reputation, our family's name, our honor—it all crumbled."
"When my brother regained consciousness and learned the truth, he couldn't handle it. He went to the king, begging for a second chance, but the king refused. He said, 'We don't need you anymore.' So my brother left—he traveled to your country. When he returned, you were with him. I had never seen him so happy. He said he found a way to defeat the dragon... and that way was you."
Sirab stood quietly, absorbing the weight of her words. But before he could respond, Mizuchi gasped, "My brother is waking up."
Sirab turned. Minzu was opening his eyes. His voice was faint but clear: "Sister, are you there?"
Mizuchi rushed to his side and wrapped her arms around him. "Brother! Why do you always do these crazy things? I have no one else but you!"
Sirab stood silently, still staring at Minzu with an intense, unreadable look.
Minzu saw his expression and chuckled weakly. "Sirab, you're looking at me like you're going to throw me off the mountain. If you want, I'll explain everything."
"Please do," Sirab said, arms crossed. "Explain. Before I actually throw you off the mountain."
Minzu smiled and took a breath. "Mizuchi already told you why I brought you here, right?"
Sirab nodded. "Yes. But that doesn't excuse what you did. You became reckless."
Minzu raised his hand. "There was another reason. After my friends and I failed to defeat the dragon, I made a desperate decision. The red dragon within me was growing stronger, harder to control. But if I could find someone strong enough to challenge me, someone who could make me truly angry, then the dragon would fully awaken. Only then could I speak to it inside my body. That someone... was you."
Sirab's face hardened. "So that's why you pushed me so far. But your sister's life was in danger because of you."
Minzu nodded solemnly. "I knew. That's why I created a sacred white circle before our battle. A protection spell that no evil magic could enter. You were the only one truly at risk. Mizuchi was safe."
Sirab took a step forward. "If I had really wanted to kill you in that fight, I could have. But I spared your life—for your sister... and your people."
Minzu smiled. "You're stronger than you realize, Sirab. You don't need more training. Now we must return to the village and prepare for the real fight—against the dragon. If you still want to fight me after that, we can."
Sirab smirked. "Good. I've had enough of this freezing mountain. I spent every night using magic just to keep from becoming an ice block."
Minzu chuckled and raised his hand. A glowing portal opened in the air beside them. Mizuchi grabbed Sirab's hand. Minzu reached out too.
Together, the three of them stepped into the magic portal, leaving the mountain behind—When they stepped out of the portal, they arrived back at Minzu's home. All three of them—Sirab, Minzu, and Mizuchi—were completely drained. The intense battle had left their bodies sore and their minds exhausted. The house felt warm compared to the freezing mountain winds, and silence filled the air.
Minzu stretched his arms and sighed, "We should rest for today. We all need sleep after everything."
Sirab nodded. "Yes… we definitely need some sleep."
Mizuchi looked over at her brother with concern. "I think I shouldn't sleep tonight. I want to stay awake and keep an eye on you."
Minzu gave her a tired smile. "I'm fine, sister. I just need to rest. You should sleep too. You'll need your strength if you're going to fight beside us when we face the White Dragon."
Mizuchi hesitated but nodded.
Sirab walked slowly to his room, dragging his feet like someone carrying the weight of the world. The moment he reached the floor, he collapsed on it, too tired to even reach his bed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep within seconds, the sound of the wind outside now just a soft lullaby.
Some hours passed. The sun began to rise.
Mizuchi stood near the doorway and gently called out, "Sirab-jan… wake up."
Sirab groaned and slowly opened one eye. "Can I sleep just a little more?"
She chuckled. "No, not today. My brother wants to give you something."
That caught Sirab's attention. He sat up and washed his face quickly. When he stepped out of the room, he saw Minzu sitting on the floor near an old wooden box.
Minzu looked up and smiled. "How are you feeling now, Sirab?"
"Good," Sirab replied with a yawn. "As you can see, still alive. What's in the old box?"
Minzu placed a hand on the lid and said, "Some old clothes and weapons… from a time long before us."
Sirab's eyes lit up. "Can I see them?"
Minzu opened the box carefully. Inside were folded black garments, their fabric still sharp and noble, even after all these years. Resting next to them was a beautiful sword—simple but elegant, with a slightly curved blade. It shined like moonlight.
Sirab gently picked up the sword. "This is amazing. One of the elders in my village used to speak of a sword like this."
Minzu nodded. "It's called Khtan. A weapon once wielded by some of the greatest warriors in history. It chooses its owner not by blood, but by will."
Sirab held the sword firmly. "Can I keep it?"
Minzu smiled. "It's yours now. Wear the clothes too. We're about to begin our hunt for the White Dragon."
Sirab didn't hesitate. He took the black armor-like outfit from the box. It was stitched with metal threads for light protection, and yet it felt comfortable and flexible. Once he was dressed, he stepped outside, his figure now fully transformed—he looked like a real warrior, a shadow of vengeance and strength.
He wasn't alone.
Mizuchi stood waiting, also dressed in dark armor, ready for the war that lay ahead.
Sirab gave a small smile. "You look… really nice."
She glanced at him, a faint smile on her lips. "Thanks."
Together, without another word, they stepped out of the house—toward the path that would lead them to the White Dragon.