The enemy of the divine dragons are the demonic dragons. They are the corrupted versions of the divine dragons. The demonic dragons are born from a corrupted divine beast that has evolved to be equal to the divine dragons. They seek to corrupt everything. They target divine beasts and humans alike.

  Tae had been a little sad to leave the Seong clan and head back to the capital. They’d stayed for a fortnight before heading out. He scanned the forest using Qi, his eyes, and his ears to look for a place they could make camp tonight.

  There was a clearing not far from some water up ahead. From the feel of it, it would be big enough to make a camp in rather comfortably. Tae steered his horse in the direction of the clearing, Min followed without him needing to say anything.

  Moments later they had dismounted and were tying the horses up. Tae gathered the bags they’d need and set them in the center of the clearing. He placed his hand on the grass and focused on what he wanted. There was a small rumbling sound but there was an indented section free of greenery big enough for a fire. Min joined him, carrying some sticks.

  Tae turned hearing a rustling in the bushes that was definitely not wildlife. He drew his sword and Min followed his lead. The horses were too far away for them to make a run for it. How he hadn’t noticed the murderous Qi that surrounded them he didn’t know.

  “I told you there was no point trying to sneak up on him.” a male voice grumbled. It was familiar in a way that had Tae’s hair standing on end.

  “Just because you knew him over a decade ago doesn’t mean a thing.” another voice replied.

  The first speaker had stood, but Tae couldn’t quite make out the man’s face. Tae glanced about, his instincts telling him they were surrounded. Min’s must have been telling him the same because his lover quickly moved so that they could cover each other’s backs.

  “Weren’t we supposed to deal with the pretty one before approaching him?” a third voice asked.

  “Those were the client’s orders, not Master’s.” the first voice said.

  “He said if we made things too familiar we’d all end up dead.” the second voice replied.

  The memory clicked and Tae growled in warning.

  “Guess you remember me afterall.” the first voice laughed as he stepped into view.

  Tae’s vision went red. Oh he knew who it was alright. The problem was, he was supposed to be dead.

  “How…?” Tae asked, gripping his sword a bit tighter, knowing he’d have a fraction of a moment to react.

  “For once being on a mission actually saved my ass.” Jeong said laughing. The laughter held no mirth. It was cold and bitter, just like the man himself. He stepped forward again.

  “Back it up Jeong.” the second voice said. “If you don’t want to risk actually losing your eye this time that is.”

  Tae glanced to the side. He didn’t recognize the speaker, but the man looked vaguely familiar. Everyone from that hellscape carried themselves the same way after all. A hellscape he’d thought he’d destroyed.

  “Now, Tae-Hwan,” the man continued. “If you don’t want to repeat the past you’ll leave the pretty little prince here and come with us.”

  “What’s to stop you from killing him once you have me?” Tae asked. They clearly knew who Min was, and from what they’d said Min was as much their target as he was.

  “Simple, Master’s orders.” the man said.

  “But the client…” the third man began.

  “Shut it Hak.” The man who was clearly in charge ordered. “Master doesn’t give a damn about the client’s wants.”

  They didn’t have Min, not yet, but the similarity to the past sent a chill down Tae’s spine.

  “How about you bastards walk away now and you live to see another day.” Min said.

  “You sure have a thing for mouthy and pretty little shackles don’t you.” Jeong said.

  Tae didn’t think. He launched himself at Jeong. His sword buried deep in Jeong’s stomach before the others could react.

  “Kill the pet.”

  Tae turned to see Hak and another man closing in on Min. His vision blurred and he felt his body shift, power flooding his system. A familiar laugh echoed in his mind, dead tightened in a knot in his gut. Tae launched himself at one of the men, trusting Min to handle the other. Tae made quick work of his target and turned. He felt the blood drain from his face as he saw Min in the grasp of one of the men, a dagger at his throat.

  A familiar laughter caused Tae to whip around, dread tightened in a knot in his gut. A horribly familiar figure held a knife to Hyuk’s throat. Tae took a step forward, his hand reaching out to his lover. Yun-Seo’s grip on Hyuk tightened, the knife digging into the exposed skin on Hyuk’s neck, a small trail of blood spilled from the edge of the knife and down Hyuk’s neck.

  “Let him go.” Tae commanded. He knew pleading would get him nowhere.

  Tae did not bother talking this time, he knew it wouldn’t work. It hadn’t saved Hyuk and it wouldn’t save Min. Instead he threw his sword aiming for the head of the man who held Min. He hit his mark and charged. His talons sinking into flesh.

  Yun-Seo’s tongue clucked as if scolding a naughty child. “Now, now boy. Don’t pretend to power you don’t have.”

  He had power now and he was going to use it. He would not let Min die.

  “Just tell me what you want.” Tae said. “You obviously want something or else you’d have killed him already.”

  “True.” Yun-Seo replied. His voice was far too calm for Tae’s liking. It was like he was toying with them. “Drop your sword and come with me.”

  “I drop my sword, you let him go, and then I go with you.” Tae countered.

  The man laughed. “You have no room to negotiate with me boy. Now be a good boy and drop that sword of yours.”

  “Not until you promise to release him.” Tae replied. He knew tension filled his voice. He couldn’t help it.

  He killed them, one after the other. His vision tinted red, the edges dark as the dragon exalted in their deaths.

  “You really like this one don’t you.” Yun-Seo said his head cocked to the side as he pondered that. “That’s why WooJin failed isn’t it. No need for an old companion when you have your current bed mate handy. I’ll admit he’s far prettier than WooJin.”

  Tae held his sword out to the side. He hadn’t dropped it yet, but he was showing that he was willing to. Tae fought internally to keep himself outwardly calm. It was a battle to keep his breath from hitching, his hands from shaking. The man before him knew him all too well.

  “You won’t get what you want until I know you’ll release him.” Tae said. His voice was firmer than he’d expected it to be. He couldn’t help but glance at Hyuk. There was no fear in his lover’s eyes. Hyuk trusted him completely.

  “You drop your sword and I’ll even shove this boy at you. You then leave him and come with me and submit to me again.”

  Hyuk’s eyes widened with panic as he realized what this meant. What Tae was going to do. Who it was that held him hostage.

  Tae threw another body aside. These idiots should have listened to Jeong. If they’d negotiated properly with him they’d still be alive. Hell, he’d have probably done exactly what they’d wanted. He didn’t love Min any less than he’d loved Hyuk. If he’d thought it’d work he’d have given himself up without a second thought in order to save Min.

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  Tae lifted a hand to catch the sword that was being swung at him. He held it, using it to pull his target towards him, before sinking his talons in his chest, ripping out his heart and tossing it to the ground.

  “Alright.” Tae told his former master.

  “One last question for you. I’ll even take a step backwards without pretty boy here.” Yun-Seo said.

  Tae tensed.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll even agree to free you later.”

  “Fine.” Tae said. He spat the word and dropped his sword.

  “How did it feel when you slit WooJin’s throat?” Yun-Seo asked. He smiled and Tae’s mind screamed at him in horror. “Freeing wasn’t it.”

  Tae had shown WooJin mercy. He’d killed him cleanly. These men didn’t deserve his mercy. Tae jumped aiming for a cluster of the men. His former comrades. Men who’d gone through the same brutal hellish training he had. Except he’d had other training. They had set their humanity aside to survive, Tae had strength beyond that. He was no longer human anymore after all.

  The knife moved quickly across Hyuk’s throat in a single motion. Yun-Seo raised his hands and took a step back, just as he’d promised.

  “No!” Tae cried as Hyuk’s body slumped to the ground. Tae half fell as he lunged to grab Hyuk. He held the limp body in his arms. Staring into the face of his love, his life, his world, knowing there was nothing he could do to save him. Hyuk’s eyes held his own. He mouthed the words that he couldn’t speak and Tae shook his head, tears overflowing as blood spilled out from the corner of Hyuk’s mouth and the light faded from his once warm eyes. “No, no, no, no, no…”

  Vicious laughter pulled Tae’s attention from the lifeless body in his arms. Yun-Seo stood just out of reach. His eyes glinted with his victory over Tae. His lips pulled in a hideous smile. The edges of Tae’s vision turned red. He laid Hyuk’s body down on the slightly muddy ground. Gently closing Hyuk’s lifeless eyes. Only then did he stand to face his former master.

  Tae was far taller than the man in front of him now. A stark difference from how things had been only a few years ago. The change did not intimidate the man in the slightest. If anything his smile grew.

  Tae growled with the familiar anger. He let it take over, let himself go. None of them would survive. He would kill them all.

  “Angry boy?” Yun-Seo asked his voice filled with a dark joy. “I merely freed you from the bonds you’d shackled yourself with.”

  The fact that Hyuk was nothing but an obstacle, an object, a mild annoyance, to this man enraged Tae. The joy he took in killing yet another person Tae loved caused something inside him to snap. His vision now entirely red, Tae launched himself at the monster in front of him.

  His sword clashed against his enemy’s so hard sparks flew. Tae snarled as he attacked again. Once again his blow was blocked. His former master laughed. His eyes lit with clear enjoyment. Tae shoved with his sword. He completely opened the paths and channels inside him, allowing his Qi to flow freely. He shoved again and Yun-Seo stumbled backwards a few steps. Tae’s lips twitched into a brief smirk as the smile faded from Yun-Seo’s lips.

  Tae gloried in the fear in their eyes. They couldn’t all take him on at once, some of them were focused on Min. One of them went for Min from behind and Tae ripped his arm off. The man fell screaming. Tae ripped out his throat, the sound irritated him.

  Tae let his rage, pain, and pure anguish flow through him, empowering his movements. As he did so a black haze narrowed his vision. He locked swords with his opponent. In two moves his sword was knocked out of his hands. Tae let the weapon go and lunged for his enemy. Yun-Seo’s face paled, his eyes widening in shock. Tae pulled on the power that slept inside him in the deepest parts of himself. The power his mother had told him to never touch.

  He’d listened to her and she’d died. He’d kept that worthless promise and now Hyuk was dead. There was no point in continuing to keep that promise. He didn’t care if it cost him his life. As the power began to stir something else flooded his system. His fully opened channels allowed the foreign power to flood his system. Tae felt the strength it offered and took it. Something darker and more destructive than rage burned inside of him. He screamed as the power ripped it’s way through him, taking over. His vision faded to black.

  No one would threaten those he loved. Not now, not ever. Tae looked for another target only to realize that the only person still standing was Min. They were surrounded by mutilated bodies. Tae roared in pain and rage. The demon inside him was not satisfied yet. Tae sunk his claws into the nearest tree as he fought it.

  Pain flooded his body and Tae screamed falling to the ground, tearing a chunk out of the tree as he did so. He looked at his hands, the black scales and talons soaked in blood. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t breathe! Tae struggled trying to get air only to realize he was still screaming.

  “Tae, Tae!” Min called. Tae looked up towards the sound, thinking Min was still across the clearing from him. He was surprised to find Min right in front of him. “We’re okay, they’re dead now.”

  Tae shook his head. His eyes scanning Min, looking for any sign they’d hurt him. A gash on his arm had Tae seeing red again. They’d hurt Min. They’d hurt him. Tae gasped for air, fighting against the desire to tear apart the bodies of their attackers. He must have said something because Min gripped his shoulders.

  “I’m okay, Tae, I’m okay.” Min said. “It’s a small cut, nothing that can’t quickly be patched up. None of their blades were laced with poison.”

  Poison wasn’t their way.

  “Seems not.” Min replied and Tae realized he’d spoken the thought out loud.

  Min was okay.

  “Yes, I’m okay. I’m here, I’m okay.”

  He’d won this time. He had succeeded. He’d managed to protect that which he loved more than life itself.

  “Tae,” Min said, the concern clear in his voice. Tae didn’t wait for his lover to continue the thought.

  Tae stood and tucked a bloody talon under Min’s chin, lifting his lover’s head up so his eyes met his own. Tae looked deep into those golden eyes. He growled and pulled Min to him. He lowered his own head and kissed him. The warmth of Min’s body against his own reassuring. Min was his and no one could touch what was his. He’d proved that by killing everyone who had tried and he’d do it again as many times as he needed to.

  ***

  Min did not pull away. He didn’t dare. Tae was so clearly not okay. If Tae needed physical reassurance then he was going to give it to him. Tae eventually pulled away and Min slumped against him trying to catch his breath.

  He should probably be scared of Tae. The man wasn’t sane right now, and the thoughts he’d spoken out loud without realizing it should be concerning. But he wasn’t. He knew without a doubt that Tae would never hurt him. Even in this form he had been very careful with how he held Min. The talons didn’t hurt, Min knew they were there, and how easy it would be for Tae to hurt him, for those talons to cut him. But he knew that they wouldn’t. Tae may not be in his right mind at the moment, but he was very gentle with those talons. If anything it had sent a thrill through him when Tae had used one to guide his chin upwards earlier.

  Min regained his strength and stood up, being careful as he did so. He didn’t want him to think he was pulling away from him. It hadn’t taken much for Min to figure out that the men they’d fought were from that hellhole where Tae had lost his mother. Tae was fighting demons inside him far darker than Min had ever experienced.

  Tae shuddered and slumped to the ground. Min tried to catch him, but only managed to slow his lover’s fall. Min lay Tae down carefully. He was about to sit as well, thinking of pulling Tae’s head into his lap when he heard rustling and sprang to his feet.

  Min faced the direction the sound had come from, daggers drawn. He was not prepared for what he saw. A manlike beast emerged from the trees and stepped into the clearing. His face mostly human, eyes like a cat’s, his body both fur and human skin. Min lowered his daggers. The being was surrounded by white Qi. The ears and tail made it clear just what this being was. Min swallowed, unsure of what to do.

  “Is he injured?” the divine tiger asked.

  “No, but I think he’s in shock of some kind.” Min replied. He put his daggers away and turned back to Tae, kneeling to check his lover’s condition.

  “I see.” The divine tiger said. Min blinked in shock, the beast was kneeling beside him. Min hadn’t heard or felt him move.

  “I apologize for my rudeness, but what brought you here?” Min asked. “What is your interest in him?”

  “If I’m not mistaken little princeling, you brought me here.” The divine tiger told him. “My interest in him was to confirm if he was who we thought he was, but there’s no more need to check that now.”

  Min watched the divine tiger as he placed a hand on Tae’s chest and another on his forehead. The flow of Qi showed Min that the divine beast was trying to do something akin to healing.

  “You’re safe now child.” The divine beast murmured. Tae’s Qi responded to the divine beast’s, the light would have been blinding if it functioned like normal light. Once the light cleared Min blinked trying to recover. With each blink the image before him changed. The black seemed to recede from Tae’s scales and horns, before the scales, horns, and talons faded. Min bit his lip at the sight of his blood covered lover back in his human form. He was covered in wounds Min hadn’t been able to see before. It showed him just how recklessly Tae had fought earlier.

  “From what I was told you are his partner, correct?” the divine beast turned to Min as he asked the question.

  Min nodded.

  “You’ll be coming with us then.” The divine tiger said.

  Min looked up in shock. The divine tiger scooped Tae up as if he were a child. No easy feat considering he wasn’t any bigger than Tae was. Though he wasn’t bigger than Tae he was a good bit taller and larger than Min was.

  “Where are you taking him?” Min asked.

  “I’m taking you both.” The divine beast corrected.

  “Where.” Min repeated.

  “To this child’s home.” The divine beast replied. “Your horses still alive?”

  Min realized he didn’t actually know. He scrambled to his feet and rushed over to where they’d kept the horses. The horses were oddly calm considering everything that had happened.

  “Hmm…” the divine tiger said. “I don’t think they can carry double and this boy isn’t going to wake up any time soon.”

  “Should we wait, or leave them?” Min asked.

  “Neither. You get on yours and I’ll tell the others to follow us.” the divine beast said.

  Min untied the horses, unhooking the reigns of Tae’s horse before climbing up into the saddle of his own. The divine tiger led the way into the forest and Min followed. The divine beast moved at a speed Min would never have been able to keep up with on foot with an ease that was almost terrifying.

  As he followed along behind Min put the pieces of the puzzle together in his mind. Tae wasn’t human. The Qi of the divine beast had told him exactly where they were going. There was only one way that beings could have white Qi like that. They were headed for a place few were allowed to enter, the White Jade Mountains. Home to the celestial White Jade Dragon.

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