Watching as Red hastily grabbed another plate, carrying the dessert back to the couch only to take a seat next to Morgen as she started to read, the rest of the group gathered around her.

  Obsidian eyes watched as Achilles left to talk with Silver and Lupan. While her parents had continued speaking with their guests.

  Lyn only had her gaze pulled away as she felt a tug, bringing her attention down to the blue-eyed bundle of joy who was pulling on her scarlet hair. At the sight, she brought her hand above him and started to dangle her index finger above Roy, causing him to forget about his mother's hair as he reached out trying to grab at her finger.

  "Well, he's quite active, isn't he?" Tastu couldn't help but smile at the actions of the infant.

  "Yeah, I've had a few nights so far where I had to stay up with him because he didn't want to sleep."

  "If you need, I can watch him for a bit so you can get some rest." She tried to put the thought in Lyn's head as she ran a finger through Roy's hair.

  "Thanks, but I'm fine. Honestly compared to Red, taking care of Roy here has been a walk in the park."

  Intrigued by this statement, the draconian had to satisfy this newfound curiosity. "So, how do these two differ?"

  "Well for starters, Roy doesn't need to have me around all the time like Red did. I remember one night when I tried to lay him down, the moment I left the room, he would just cry and would only stop when I picked him back up." Smiling at the memories of all those late nights. Where she ended up staying up, simply watching as he slept in her embrace.

  "Are you telling me Achilles didn't try to help?" The frown that grew made her thoughts clear.

  "No he tried, but no matter what he did, Red just wouldn't stop. Although it was a little funny to see him panic on how to handle the situation." The thought of her beloved, a man who refused to give in. Only to have met his match in the form of a small child.

  "So this is the reason you've been absent from our meetups." A boisterous voice called out, causing the redhead and the draconian to change their focus to a bronze-skinned woman and a white haired zoophain.

  "Ah, Vanessa, Mavis. Are you having a good time?"

  "Why yes, I am, but I keep forgettin' how much warmer them summers here in Ielos are compared to Glacier." Mavis' thick country accent almost seemed unreal for the noble woman.

  "Everything here is warm compared to Glacier."

  "Ya know, Lyn, that's fair."

  "So this is your son..." Vanessa simply started locking eyes with the baby as he stared back unfazed. "HA, this one is definitely your kid. He has that same stubborn look you have."

  "That reminds me, once we heard 'bout your delivery, I made sure to bring this." Reaching into a small black bag, she pulled out a large white fur blanket. Letting Roy grab at it, at the touch of it, a smile grew as he cried happily as he flailed his arm wildly shaking the blanket.

  "Thanks, Mavis, but don't you think it's a little big for him?

  "Course not, he'll grow into it. I wasn't gonna throw out all of the fur, that be wasteful. After all, it's tradition to give a gift like this to the family's firstborn."

  Watching as the red-haired baby seemed to enjoy the gift, Tastu reached out and ran her hand over the fur. It wasn't just soft; even just saying it was soft didn't feel right. It gave off warmth like nothing she felt before.

  "Hum, pardon me, Lady Mavis, please forgive my ignorance, but what is this blanket made of?"

  "That's easy. It's Yeti fur."

  "Yeti fur?"

  Yetis, large beasts known to live in the frigid snowy mountains. They often stood eight feet tall, with the strength to swipe down even the thickest of pine trees. Finding these creatures was no easy feat even for experienced hunters because they blended into the snowy landscape due to their fur, which can be sold for a high amount of Runix.

  "Yep, Yeti fur. Now findin' and killin' the buggers that's the fun part." Her voice picked up when she spoke as her tail started to sway rapidly. "The thrill of the chase, the rush in ya heart, and when you finally make the kill, ya know the feelin' right?"

  The three could only stare at Mavis as she continued to go into detail about how she skinned the monster right on the a lot the moment she made the kill. Going into detail for the best way to skin it, along with what to her were the best cuts of meat the beast could provide. She went into each bloody and gruesome detail with such a happy tone it caused the group to put some distance between her, only for Roy to stare at her happily, not fully understanding what she was saying as he shook the blanket.

  Vanessa soon broke the silence. "Well, I'm happy to see that your boy is healthy." She couldn't help but look at how lively he was as he shook the large blanket. "It will be good for the kids to start getting along with the Riser Heir." Little did she know, she had just sparked a match that would lead to a fire she couldn't put out.

  "I'm sorry, I think you're forgetting someone."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Red, My Son." A dormant, battle-hardened voice made its return after its slumber.

  "Come on, Lyn don't be like that, you know what I meant." The bronze-skinned woman simply tried to calm the situation.

  "I know what you said and I don't like what you were implying." Her black eyes narrowed at Recia's matriarch.

  "Come on Lyn, you remember the legends of blo—

  "Shut up." She whispered, as a growing aura started to manifest around her.

  "Look, I'm not trying to insult anyone. I just... I mean, is anyone else concerned about having a blood eye here, right?" Posing the question to the draconian and zoophian. The pair only moved away, putting some distance between them, as the atmosphere became tense; they wanted no part in what was to come. Even Roy was staring at her as Lyn's gaze only sharpened.

  That saying, blood eye. She hated it, she hated how that was the first thing people thought when they saw him. Each time she heard that, she wanted to find those who continued to spread such tales and show them what a real calamity looked like.

  "Vanessa, please refrain from saying that in either mine or his presence again."

  "Lyn, it was a slip of the ton—

  "I. Don't. Care. If you say that again, I swear—

  Her declaration was cut short as a foul odor found its way into the senses of the group, and poor Mavis looked green as the smell seemed to affect her the worst, clasping her hands over her nose, trying to stop the nasal assault. All eyes fell on the cause of the odor, who simply smiled and giggled at the attention he was now receiving.

  "Aw, did you make a stinky?" Her voice turned on a dime as she addressed the boy. "I'll be back, someone needs a change."

  Before she left Tastu spoke. "Before you go Lyn, I'll be heading out. I promised Victor and Shauna that I'd have their boys home before nightfall."

  Her gaze changed from draconian to the window, only to see that indeed the sun was setting. "Well, I hope you have a safe walk back. If you want I'm sure Father would be willing to walk you back."

  "Thanks, I think I'll do that, have fun."

  "Yeah right, fun." Lyn couldn't help but roll her eyes at the comment as she left to change the stinky boy.

  ——————————————————

  As the group delved deeper into the cave. They soon found themselves facing a ravine. The lava-filled room was the only source of light. As heat made the floor unbearably hot to the point where their lungs burned when taking a simple breath. However, as they walked along the stone bridge, their eyes were filled with the shine of thousands of diamonds.

  That was until something else stole their attention. Standing before them was a sleeping beast. A great serpent whose skin was as blacker than coal, a beast that tunneled through the earth at high speeds, it was like a hot knife through butter. This serpentine beast has been known by many names, but to many it was called—

  "WHAT IS IT?" The crimson-eyed boy cried, leaping to his feet in his face grinding, and his eyes shone in anticipation as to what the beast was called; it caused everyone, even Morgen, to change their focus from the book to him.

  This newfound attention he revived after his outburst caused his face to grow flush, matching the color of his eyes as he felt the annoyed looks target him. "Sorry." His voice was meek as he took back his seat.

  "You know, you really know how to kill the tension, right?" Hector was the first to respond.

  "Sorry."

  Arthur followed suit."Look, I get stories that are fun and all, but come on, dude you killed the suspense."

  "Sorry." Red felt like he just wanted to sink into the couch. Until he felt a hand run through his hair.

  "It's ok. I'm happy you like the story so far, it shows that I did a good job picking it out. But please try to tone it down." Her smile calmed him as she turned back to the book, trying to find where they left off. "Now, where was I? Ah, here we go... but to many it was called—

  "I'm sorry, I hate to interpret but..." This time, the group turned to face the turquoise-scaled woman. "... it's getting late and I told your parents you'd be home before nightfall."

  "Oh, come on Mom, can't we stay a little longer? Surely their parents wouldn't mind if we stayed longer."

  "Hector, look, if you haven't noticed, it's getting late and Ash here looks half asleep. I think it's time to go." She gestured not only to the night sky but to the ashen-haired boy, trying to fight a losing battle against the unknown force of the coming night. Ash only fully came once the draconian picked him up. "Now let's go, again happy birthday, Red, I hope you sleep well tonight."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Sighing, the two reluctantly got up.

  "Well, it was fun, see ya later."

  "Yeah, don't go having too much fun when we leave."

  Just as they made their leave, Tastu called out to the remaining pair. "By the way, Lady Morgen, your father wanted to speak with you."

  Red waved his goodbye as they walked off, reaching the front door only to be met by his grandfather who held the door open for them as he escorted them home. Only to be pulled back as he felt the weight of the couch change, as Morgen came to face the birthday boy.

  "I'll be right back,ok. So don't you go reading ahead without me." Leaving the book by his side, her glare turned evil. "Because if you do, I'll make you beg for mercy." Her fingers shock sporadically as if trying to cast a spell on the boy, only for her to flash a smile before poking his nose as she ran off.

  Left alone, he just sat there as his gaze wandered the room before reverting to the book Morgen had left behind. The suspense as to the identity of the creature still lingered in the boy's mind. His immigration was filled with thoughts of the group led by a blue-haired human as they approached the creature. His battle against the temptation didn't last as he snatched the book from its resting place and opened it, finding his way back to where they had left off.

  "As the group approached the beast, their echoing steps where only masked by the bubbling magma that surrounded them as hundreds of titles that serpentine beast had been given rushed to the groups collective thoughts from but the title this monster was most famous for became clear as the beasts diamond black crown came in to view. The Abyssal Python. A monster hundreds of feet long, with monstrous strength able to crush mountains in its coils. With fangs as tall as trees as beast said to have—

  "Hey!"

  "Aahh!" The out voice caused him to almost leap from his set as the book flew before landing on his head. "Ow."

  This only made the voice laugh, causing Red to face the laughter source. Only see the wild dark orange hair and the chill of silver eyes that belonged to none other than Raiden. "So, looks like the stray is all alone again."

  That word stray, he hated it when Raiden addressed him that way. "Hey, stop calling me a stray. I'm not some lost poppy."

  "Maybe, but it's hard not to see you that way, given how Morgen carries you around." The mocking tone only continued.

  "It's not like I let her." Puffing out his cheeks as he poured.

  His reaction led to more laughter from Raiden. "Come on, you think the people in those stories pouted like a baby? If you act like that, there's no way you'll reach their standing."

  "How did you know about that? Wait, are you spying on me? The red-eyed boy hurled the accusation at his elder, who was simply caught off guard by this statement.

  "What? No, but it isn't hard to make that guess based on the fact that all you seem to do is read those legends."

  "So you think I can b—

  "Sadly but the role of a hero could never be passed onto you." A different voice joined, watching as Katlin made his way over with the rest of the group behind him.

  Pouting at his quick draw response, he kept going. "What, why not?"

  "Because those people were born destined for greatness. For them, they had it written for them the moment they were born, not a blood-eyed orphan." Her voice held a false sympathetic tone, almost to the point of mockery.

  The moment that phase left the high elf, the group froze. Perseus came to a halt, Iris' face looked as if he was summoning death, and Lycan started coughing and slamming his fist against his chest.

  "Hey, don't call me that!" He barked back, before proudly stating. "I'll have you know my Mom tells me my eyes are brighter than polished rubies."

  "I should have known, he doesn't know. It's sad, honestly, a foolish blood-eye unaware of his fate."

  While the others held a look of dread, Red only grew curious. "Destiny? Wait Raiden, do my eyes mean I'll be important one day?"

  The burning gleam in his eyes changed from the elf, now piercing icy silver as he waited for an answer. "Well you see... The thing is... You're not wrong."

  "So I can be a hero right?" That gleam only grew brighter as he looked not just to Raiden but to the others, only to find them avoiding his gaze.

  That was until he met jade. "Your gaze is no prophet of greatness if anything they're a harbinger of disaster."

  "Wha... You're lying. You're just saying that to mess with me."

  She has to be lying, there's no way that's right.'

  "She's just messing with me... Right?"

  Lycan and Perseus once again both avoided meeting his gaze.

  Iris only shrugged with an uncaring smirk. "Sorry kid, thats reality."

  Slowly that brightness that seemed to shine from him started to fade.

  "It was only a matter of time until you found out, might as well accept the reality of your situation."

  "Katlin, we've gone all day without causing any trouble. Let's not end tonight with a mistake."

  "Raiden... what's she talking about, what's a blood-eye?"

  His reaction was the same as the others, but Red's crimson gaze forced him to speak. "A blood-eye–

  "A blood-eye are those who mark approaching tragedies." Katlin spoke over We've all know the truth after all it's how Lyn found you and sadly how Raiden's—

  "Katlin, if you dare compare that bastard to him, I will throw you down that crater myself." His anger came to a boil, but taking a breath to calm himself, he kept speaking. "We're dropping this subject right now." His agitated voice did little to stop Katlin.

  "If he wants to go down a path of some pointless dream that will only bring him pain and reducal, I'm simply playing my role as one of his elder and informing him of the consequences."

  Watching as two argued they started to get blurry as it became hard to see. Reaching up, palming his eyes, feeling his hands grow wet. His vision soon matched a window on a rainy day. The beating in his chest only grew as he felt them.

  The only thing to pull him away was the return of a soft, concerned voice. "Red, hey what's with those tears? Today is ment be a happy day." Morgen couldn't even get the chance to say another word to him, the only thing she saw was his tear flushed face before he ran off towards the stairs drawing the attention of those present.

  "What happened." Gone was the kind caring voice that was synonymous with her, as her hazel green eyes sharpened into a piercing glare.

  No one answered as hazel eyes marked them, until they realigned on silver. "Raiden, tell me what happened."

  Still, she went unanswered.

  "I'm getting Lyn." Grabbing the book, she started to make her way to where Lyn was, only for her to pause.

  As she left, someone else took her place as a deadly, suffocating presence grew, reaching out as if trying to strangle its target. Their blood ran cold, the group moved like rusted gears only to see that their actions had caused not just one demon to awaken from her slumber, but the anger of the blue-eyed father.

  ——————————————————

  Running down the halls, Morgen led a calm Lyn carrying a confused Roy who only seemed to enjoy the speed at which he traveled with his mother. Lyn's expression reflected the opposite of her son as concern painted her face over what she had learned about what happened in her absence. "So what happened Morgen?"

  "I don't know, I leave for a moment and the next thing I know Red was upset and ran off."

  As the half-elf pulled the redhead, the boy's bedroom door came into view.

  "Hey Morgen, how about you head back down. I think your parents might be getting ready to leave."

  "But Lyn, what about Red?"

  "Don't worry. I'll take care of it, after all, I'm his mother."

  "But—

  "Morgen, it's my role to look after him. But I'm grateful for your concern, now get goin."

  "Alright."

  Watching as Morgen took her leave, Lyn returned to the door before she entered.

  There was nothing that lit up the room, but the stars shone past the windows in the clear, dark sky where the moon was hidden from sight.

  Running her hand across the wall, Lyn soon found the light switch. Flipping the switch caused the light stone in the center of the ceiling to light up, removing the darkness, illuminating the room. Her black gaze looked over the room's white walls, to the wooden dresser and a bookshelf that was littered with books ranging in size and color. Toys were scattered about, turning the gray carpet into a land mine waiting for an unsuspecting entrant to make a misstep. The bed was a mess, pillows sloppily lay about, and the comforter blanket was barely hanging onto the bed.

  Her eyes soon came to the gray closet door. Navigating her way through the land mine mess, she finally made it to her destination, only to hear low, muffled whimpering, a sound that Roy picked up on as he grew excited. Pulling the door open, there in the back corner, hidden under a dark green blanket, was the source of the noise. Like a cloak, the blanket prevented her from seeing the boy's face.

  "Hey, is everything ok?" Her voice was as calm as a meadow's breeze. But the only answer she got was that the green cover grew smaller as the one underneath scrunched it closer.

  "Morgen told me you ran off. Do you want to tell me about it?" The blacket shook from side to side.

  "Is it ok if I sit down?" There was a pause, but eventually, the blanket nodded. Having gained permission, Lyn entered the closet, sitting next to him, she wrapped her left arm around the boy, pulling his head to her side.

  Taking the moment she had, she pulled the blanket back, revealing his flushed, tear-stained face. Looking at the sight, Lyn could feel her heartbreak, while Roy just happily thrashed about, reaching out to his brother.

  "Well, someone's excited to see you again." She couldn't help but smile at the young redhead's actions.

  "But... what if my eyes cause him trouble?"

  "Now, what would cause my little Red to think that? After all, your eyes are just one of the many things I love about you. The way they shine when you get excited and how they dart around when you lie." Her hold on him only grew tighter.

  "Mom... what's a bloodeye?"

  "They're people." Her words were quick, but still soft. "They're just people, no different than you or I, they just happen to be marked by superstition."

  But, why am I the only one in our family with eyes this this? My hair isn't red like your's and no one else shares my eye color. Am I even—

  "No, don't you even think about finishing that thought. You are my son, he is your brother, Achilles is your father, Igneel and Hellia are your grandparents, understand me." Her voice remained soft, but it was stern as she smiled at him.

  "But Mom, are my eyes really that bad?

  A thin quiet fell on the boy's mother as she thought. "Can you hold out your hand for me?"

  "Why?"

  "Just do it. I think it will help."

  Doing as he was told, his right hand rose with his palm facing the ceiling. Then her arm left the boy's side and gently wrapped her hand around his wrist. This act, for some unknown reason, made him feel warm. "Now, try and imagine a flame, ok?"

  Doing as he was told, he tried to imagine a flame in his hand, but nothing happened. "Mom, I can't."

  "No, you can. Just close your eyes and let it come to you."

  So as his eyes fell, he tried to imagine a flame in his hand. Standing amidst the darkness of his mind, he focused all of his efforts on the palm of his hand.

  "That good Red. Now search all over your body and find a source of power emanating from the core of your body, and once you feel its warmth, bring it into the palm of your hand."

  The more he looked, the more he felt his body strain; that warmth made itself known to him. At first, it was a light feeling, hidden deep within his belly, but slowly, he managed to pull it up to his hand. Small sparks started to appear in the dark void until a speckle of warm light appeared above him as it fell. Soon, the large single ember became two, and those two multiplied until the black void of his mind was filled with hundreds upon thousands of embers painted his mindscape. Red could only watch as the falling embers danced as they descended from an unknown origin.

  But as the small glimpses of lights started to become more numerous, a cascade of horrifying screams and the ringing of clashing metal invaded his mind; these sounds blew the falling embers out. The darkness took the opportunity to reclaim the void. The warmth of his hand disappeared, as fear took over. The beating of his heart raced as fear washed over him; he wanted to scream.

  "It's ok, I know it's hard, just think of me as your lighter. All you need to do is make a spark." Lyn's calm voice, her comforting touch, pushed away those intrusive sounds as the warmth returned to his hands. He wanted to open them. "That's good, now open your eyes."

  Leaving the darkness of his mind, returning to his mother's comfort. There in front of him, burning in his hand, was a small reddish-orange flame. The flickering flame danced in his not just eyes, but it reflected in the blue eyes of his brother. The movement left them mesmerized, but as Lyn removed her hand, the flame slowly shrank down, growing smaller and smaller until it too went out.

  "Your eyes are like fire." Turning to meet her words, he was only met with being tapped on his nose.

  "Only you can decide what they mean because it's your actions that decide who you become, but to me, your eyes are the brightest of rubies that reflect a flame's warmth, so that makes you my little Fire Gem."

  Her words only improved his mood as she cupped his cheek and ran her thumb across his face, trying to remove the remaining tears. "Hey Mom," a yawn escaped from Red, "you think I can be strong like you and Dad?"

  "I don't think, I know you'll be better. After all, as your mother, I have to make sure you turn out like the little hero you wished to be, right? That way, Roy here will have someone he'll want to be like."

  Crimson eyes changed their view from his mother to his now sleeping brother, as his hand reached out taking that of his younger, before he realized what she had said.

  "Wait, how did you know?"

  "That's simple. Because I'm your mother and mother knows best." Smiling as she got up. "Now it's time for bed, I'll be back to tuck you in, but first I'm going to lay your brother down, ok?"

  "Ok, but can you read me a story?"

  "Of course, 'Golden Light', right?"

  The answer shocked her as he shook his head. "No, could you read 'Like A Fairy' this time?"

  Her smile only grew. "Ok, now get ready for bed. I'll be back in just a moment."

  -----

  Sleeping peacefully tucked in under the covers, Red was in the midst of a soothing dream as an entity, dressed in black seemed to appear in the boy's room. The intruder's face was hidden in the dark of night, with the only thing visible was a pair of heterochromia eyes that seemed to glow in the dark room.

  Slowly this person approached. Each step was as quiet and graceful as an ambush predator. The eyes only observed the gentle rise and fall of his blanket covered chest. Looking over him a slim hand reached out as it caressed his face, only for Red to nuzzle into the visitor's hand. Reaching behind with their spare hand, the individual took grasp on an object and slowly brought it to the boy. Only to back away disappearing back into the night as if they never existed.

  Red slept none the wiser as he continued to sleep, now gripping a stuffed animal in the shape of an orange lizard with a flame on its tail.