The Drake Blood Tales

"Hey, Fallion, wake up! Mom says she's going to the capital. Don't you want anything?"

A young human boy shook his brother awake. From under the blanket, a boy with identical features to the other stirred, though his body was more daemon than human. Razor-sharp claws and a pair of horns crowned his head.

"Fordragon, for the last time, don't wake me up until sunrise. It's literally 3 in the morning. Even ghosts and undead are still asleep."

From the hallway, a gentle, ghastly voice replied, "I'm quite awake, actually."

This was followed by a goblin's irritated grumble: "Josul, be quiet, or I swear I'll call the paladins to exorcise you in the morning!"

Fordragon whispered with a grin, "See? Everyone's in good spirits."

Fallion muttered, "What a surprise—almost like we have undead, ghosts, mutants, and at least eight nocturnal races living in this mansion."

In the hallway, Katherine approached her sons' bedroom. Leaning against the doorframe, she smiled. "Yeah, what a surprise. Even a human like me stays awake this late."

Both boys scrambled up and hugged their mother.

"Well, boys, I'm heading to the capital soon. Is there anything you'd like?"

Fordragon hesitated shyly. "Mom, when will we be allowed to go outside? Is it because Fallion is secretly an arsonist?"

"That's rich coming from someone who actually burned our garden," Fallion retorted.

Katherine interjected, laughing, "Alright, that's enough. No need to bring up old wounds. Fallion, I know you taunted him back then. And Fordragon, you knew exactly how it would play out but went through with it anyway because you wanted to burn your brother's laundry."

The three burst into laughter, but their joy was interrupted by a goblin servant alerting Katherine. "Mistress, cavalry paladins are approaching the mansion."

Katherine's expression turned serious. She mumbled, "This is more urgent than I thought."

She carried her children to bed, kissed them goodnight, and whispered, "No sneaking out of the mansion after this. I'll bring you both toys later. For now, Mommy has work to do."

Outside, Katherine greeted the arriving cavalry. "The Loyal Sword and Forgiven Shield are involved? I was contacted by the Makaroth family, but even I can't believe my own eyes."

Their leader dismounted, replying, "Yes, ma'am. After the Arch Duke disappeared, the Spear of Justice tried to keep you uninvolved. But if our intel is correct, we need everyone on board."

Katherine summoned her steed, a brown unicorn, and rode off with the paladins.

In the morning, Fallion and Fordragon trained in combat and strategy under the watchful eye of their daemon servant, Samhain.

Samhain observed the twins with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "A unique pair of half-breeds, yet potentially unchained by their parents. You two are surely a recipe for disaster."

Fallion smirked. "Not that I want to start any disasters. Fordragon, on the other hand..."

Fordragon rolled his eyes. "Nah, I look human. I don't think I'll be the cause of anything big."

Samhain scratched his head, looking bemused. "I... I don't even know how to explain this."

Fallion pressed him, grinning. "Just tell him."

Samhain sighed. "Well, young lord, four out of ten massive wars in history were started by humans."

Fordragon's jaw dropped. "For real?"

Samhain nodded. "Yeah, but no worries. I already checked both of your souls. Turns out, you, Fordragon, are actually more demon than your brother."

Fallion snickered. "See? I'm the normal one."

Not long after, Katherine returned home, her presence filling the mansion with warmth. She entered the training hall and called out with a cheerful voice, "Well, look who's got new toys!"

The twins abandoned their training and ran to hug their mother.

Moments later, another group of cavalry paladins arrived at the mansion. One of them dismounted and approached the family. The paladin greeted the twins with a friendly smile. "Hello there, young lords. I've been sent to help train you."

The twins instinctively hid behind Katherine, their curiosity mixed with shyness.

Katherine chuckled, gently reassuring them. "I know you're both a bit nervous, but this is Dofan. He's here to teach you how to properly wield a blade."

Samhain stepped forward, grinning. "Ah, finally, someone other than me to serve as the young lords' punching bag."

The daemon gave the paladin a firm handshake. "Believe me, good sir, don't hold back. Our young lords are as powerful as dragons—literally."

Dofan raised an eyebrow but smiled. "Good to know. Don't worry, I'm only here to teach the basics. I'm well aware of their potential—especially if they manage to survive the beatings from my aunt."

Katherine smirked. "Calm down, Dofan. I only broke your hands once."

Dofan gave her a sarcastic look. "Twice."

Katherine laughed awkwardly. "Well... four times, maybe."

Samhain couldn't resist chiming in. "I'd bet that's only counting the hands."

Dofan shook his head and smirked. "Left one only, to be precise."

Katherine pulled Samhain aside for a private conversation as the twins continued their swordsmanship training.

She spoke with a solemn tone. "Samhain, can you confirm what you've gathered?"

The daemon's usually sharp features softened, and he sighed deeply. "Yes, milady. I know you're determined to go, and nothing I say will change your mind. But, please, at least consider your children."

Katherine's expression grew wistful. "I wish I could stay. But if we don't stop this, no one will. I need you to go to the Daemon King, Abasur. This is a selfish request—and a dangerous one. They won't like it, but for once, we need to see the bigger picture. For thousands of years, the daemon clans and the Paladin Order have been at odds. But this time, it's not about our differences. It's about survival. The damage this world could suffer would be unthinkable."

Samhain inhaled deeply, then gave a resolute nod. "I understand." Without another word, he spread his wings and flew south, disappearing into the sky.

Meanwhile, Dofan continued training the twins. He watched with growing amazement as both children displayed complete immunity to light magic despite their daemon heritage—and even showed proficiency in using it. Furthermore, neither child was affected by dark magic; they were immune to it as well.

Realizing there wasn't much left for him to teach, Dofan approached Katherine later that day. "Well, it seems there's not much I can teach them," he said, shaking his head with a small smile.

Katherine exhaled slowly, her expression weary yet firm. "Yes, I expected as much. When you return, tell them to wait for me until tomorrow night. I want to spend some time with my children."

That evening, Katherine gently tucked her sons into bed before gathering all the servants in the mansion. Standing before them, her voice carried a rare vulnerability.

"Everyone, listen," she began. "I know I'm not as close to you as my husband was, but I ask all of you a favor." She paused, taking a deep breath as the crowd leaned in to hear her words. "I may not return from what lies ahead. Please, take care of my children. I won't force anyone, but I hope this mansion will continue to live, no matter what happens. This home that my husband built wasn't just a residence—it was a refuge, a family for those who needed one."

One of the elven servants stepped forward. "Ma'am, what's going to happen? Can't we do something to help?"

Katherine shook her head. "No. Bringing unnecessary men would only lead to unnecessary casualties. What we're facing isn't just a threat—it's a living outer god, manifest in flesh. He's exploiting this warring era, rising in power amidst the chaos. We can't ask any nation for troops or champions to assist us. But that doesn't mean we are without options."

At that moment, Samhain burst into the room, his expression dark with anger. "Damn those cowards! Milady, I have bad news."

Katherine closed her eyes briefly, already knowing what he would say. "It's alright," she replied calmly. "Not unexpected."

She understood this mission was a one-way trip. Resolute, she left the gathering and returned to her children.

As she lay beside them, watching them sleep peacefully, she noticed a small blade and book tucked under their pillows. Smiling faintly, she said aloud, "Well, these didn't just appear here on their own."

Fordragon stirred awake and pointed. "It's Fallion's idea, Mom!"

Fallion bolted upright in surprise. "What?! No—it... was my idea."

Katherine chuckled softly, pulling them both into a warm embrace. "You two," she murmured fondly. She then told them a story about legendary heroes who had freed their people from tyranny. As her voice softened, the twins drifted back to sleep.

That night, Katherine lay awake, thinking of her children's future and the challenges they would face.

At 3 a.m., she gently woke them. They groggily rubbed their eyes, seeing their mother fully dressed in her paladin armor—gleaming gold plates trimmed with blue. She handed each of them a ring, her voice soft yet resolute.

"Fordragon, Fallion, listen to me," she began. "You both will have long lives. You will see the world differently than others, and people will see you differently as well. Some will fear you. Some will misunderstand you. But don't let that stop you from being who you are. It will take time, but trust in your true calling. Sons, I wish I could savor every day with you. But never falter—none of us are meant to face the world alone."

The twins, still too young to fully grasp her words, nodded in confusion. Katherine hurried them to a secret safe room deep within the mansion—a refuge designed to ensure their survival if the worst were to come.

As the first light of dawn approached, Katherine rode out with the paladins toward Qa'stur, prepared to confront the horrors born of cosmic depths.

One week later

News reached the mansion that shattered hearts.

The paladins had been ambushed by cultists disguised as soldiers from rival nations. The ambush was devastating, resulting in the deaths of 90% of the order. Among the fallen was Katherine.

The servants mourned deeply, as did the twins, whose grief was palpable. The loss marked a turning point in history. Shortly after, the rise of Artyam—a nation devoted to worshipping the outer gods—plunged the world into chaos. Conflicts erupted across the land, claiming countless lives while simultaneously giving rise to many legendary heroes destined to shape the future.