Chapter Text
For someone named after snow, Yukine truly valued the less-than-three months of summer. It made the tiny island- attractively named Oki- that much nicer to wander around. Thick pine swayed in the breeze above tall grass and rocks as Yukine continued his daily climb up one of the local mountains. His metal helmet combined with the sun's heat caused sweat to bead his brow and made his blonde hair stick to his forehead. He imagined a pair of horns would make his mother's breast plate heavier but his father had yet to vanquish or ride a dragon, so Yukine's head was significantly lighter than the other ten year olds.
Speaking of dragons, Yukine huffed as he sat himself on a boulder. He faced west of the island and was seated right above the large beach where dragon training was held. Spiked logs crisscrossed out of the sand to form an arena where children ages ten to fifteen were being taught how to ride and fight dragons. Yukine swallowed down his envy and turned his attention to the book on his lap. During the cold season, Yukine preferred to spend his time in Oki's library. Given his island was sister to the main-land, Takamagahara, the information there tended to be pretty up to date and the books were rotated out at least once a season. The last shipment from the mainland landed on Oki's shores last month and Yukine was finally on the last new book.
This last book, covering the boy's entire lap, was the newest Book of Dragons. Magnificent beasts that have always fascinated Yukine, this series remained his favorite since the local fishermen taught him to read. He marveled at their ability to fly, their power, their strength. They had freedom to roam and obeyed no one. Yukine made an effort to memorize all the different species and their classes, dreaming of which kind he would have. Some of the students below him were training with the dragons in this book and Yukine found it easier to study when he watched the real thing. Afterall, if he couldn't join the training, he would learn another way. Hours ticked by as Yukine absorbed all the new discoveries from each of the classes, even after the sun dipped in the sky and the class mounted their dragons and practiced air drills. Finally, Yukine hit an empty page with only one word painted in the center: Gods.
Most dragons, like the ones used in training, are just big lizards. Born from eggs with varying intelligence below humans and dying from age. But the gods were different, they were immortal dragons that were the only ones of their kind. No one knows how gods are formed, a secret kept to themselves, but their might and power exceed any other living thing on Earth. They have at least one ability from each of the dragon classes but we're still under one. Humans and dragons alike acknowledge their strength so most gods tend to keep hoards of dragons or riders, usually both.
In another book, Yukine read about the olden days where the gods ruled with terrible violence. If humans or dragons weren't in a hoard they would be slaughtered. Those who were, were constantly forced into war all for the name of their gods. This dark age stretched on for centuries before the majority of gods settled on Takamagahara and started to work towards order. It was later decided that if a god wanted to have a hoard, they would have to claim an island and be charged with the habitants' protection. In exchange, the humans and dragons would worship the god as well as fight to protect their home. Nowadays, dragon riders were trained to be the god's army, despite the fact that wars have been minimal. There was one more law: the gods' would pick a guide, a dragon rider that stands above the rest and is selected to be the god's partner. The only human that can hope to steer the god and strap them with a sattel. Their job was to keep relations between humans and dragons, and ensure their god never turns violent once again. A job they have for life, no matter how short that may be.
There was one more ability that separated gods from dragons, Yukine peaked over the ledge at the school's teacher. The gods themselves have both a human and dragon form, allowing them to mingle among both sides of their hoards. Oki's god was currently barking orders at a girl slightly older than Yukine, his guide by his side. Takemikazuchi, The God of Lightning, better known as Take. He's considered to be in the Strike Class and has a personality rivaling the thunderstorms he causes. The god wore his usual black pants and knee-high boots, complete with a striking purple long-sleeve dress and thick golden belt. He apparently forwent the cape he trapes around in to allow his long black hair to whip around as he shouted at his riders.
Yukine wrinkled his nose as the echoes of Take's nagging reached his perch. The boy's hazel eyes drifted over to the island's guide, Kiun. A young man with long blonde hair even lighter than Yukine's. He wore a dirty white outfit and was yawning like he just got out of bed. Yukine scowled and directed his attention back on the book, skipping over Take's page. It was every child's dream to be a guide. To be as high ranking as a chief and be allowed to ride a god. Yukine just wanted to be liked and respected. But Take has made it clear Yukine was not welcome into dragon training, not until he or his father have slain an enemy.
The edges of the pages crinkled as Yukine's hands clenched. His father was the village coward and drunk that turns tail and runs at the first sight of danger. Yukine himself was a hiccup, a runt of a human being who couldn't swing a sword to save his life. They were both outcasts. Looking down again, Yukine felt tears well up in his eyes as the school practiced fighting their dragon partners. They swung around weapons heavier than the book Yukine heaved up the hill with such ease. He quickly sniffed and whipped any tears away. Vikings do not cry or show pain, his father and Take repeated this often. The next page had the word "Calamity" on it, but remained blank so Yukine skipped it. Sounds of dragons and kids fighting continued to echo up the mountain as Yukine's thoughts drifted. Considering the dwindling numbers of students Take has compared to other islands, he would have to accept Yukine if he just kept asking.
Slamming the book shut, Yukine took one last look at the students as they waved goodbye, then made his way back down the mountain. Dragon training went from dawn till dusk but Yukine knew Oki's forests like the back of his hand. As he stepped through the tree line, light from the massive torches flared in his vision. Yukine swerved around drunken vikings and walked determinedly through the wooden huts with carvings along their sides. Horses pulled carts along flattened dirt paths as sheep talked in the background. Yukine walked past the grand stone shine, dedicated to Take, and made a right towards the ocean. Stone steps lead along the cliffside until his fur boots meet wood. The boardwalks were empty with only a couple ships swaying in the tides. Some of the school students walked by, chatting about dinner plans and future training. They quieted when Yukine walked by, his head down. He could hear their whispers of both mock and pity, their giggling making his ears burn. This was a daily occurrence, Yukine was just happy he stopped trying to beg Take during class.
"Takemikazuchi," Kiun tapped the god when he noticed the child. Yukine narrowed his eyes at Kiun's of sympathy, squaring his shoulders in the way Take once commented on.
"You again?" Take said with his permanent scowl, "I told you my answer is no. I don't like to repeat myself." He looked down at the child of the woman who fled the island and the man who wouldn't leave. Yukine was still just a hiccup.
"But I've gotten bigger!" Yukine insisted, gesturing to himself, "and you don't need to be strong when you're riding a dragon!"
"If you truly feel that way then you are not fit for training," Kiun spoke carefully. His words went ignored as Take and Yukine glared at each other.
"This is my island and you are my people. My word is law. I say you are unfit to join my riders and that is final!" Take shoved past the boy to continue up the boardwalk. Yukine marched after him while Kiun decided to bring up the rear.
"Just give me a chance! I know more about dragons than anyone in your class, that's gotta count for something!" Yukine felt his face grow hot as it often did during this conversation, "What's the harm in letting me learn? All I can do is help!"
"See that's where you're wrong," Take whirled around just at the edge of town. Dark eyes like obsidian gazed down at the tiny child. Yukine's cheeks were blotchy and he was heaving with anger and frustration, tears gathering at the corners of his glare. Take took a moment to consider again, as he often did, but knew that no dragon would yield to such a small human. Especially one that gets so easily panicked and frustrated. If he acted this was in the air, or worse during a battle, the entire team would suffer.
"Give me a chance to prove myself." Yukine spoke after a calming breath. Take shared a look with Kiun, despite being a hiccup the kid was certainly maturing in some ways. Plus, he liked Yukine's passion.
"It has always been a rule that one must prove themselves by slaying an enemy," Take spoke low, "if and when that day comes, what happens after is up to you." With that, Take walked into town with Kiun at his side. Yukine stayed where he was, fists clenched at his side as he glared at the sea water between the wood slats. His chest felt heavy and painful, squeezing when he tried to take a breath in.
"Does my father count as an enemy?" Yukine asked no one. He kept his head down as he walked back through town. By now the sky was pink and music drifted from the main hall as most of the town gorged themselves or talked about their recent trip. Avoiding faces filled with condolence, Yukine didn't look up as he walked out of Oki. The sound of laughter and merriment faded out behind him as Yukine shuffled through the trees. Less than a mile in, far away from the rest of town, sat a sad shack. Yukine's home had long since needed upkeep, the wood was rotting in some places and holes allowed for flies to move in and out. There was a sorry excuse for a garden to the left that Yukine gave water to and an ox with no name. It mooed for food but Yukine ignored it as he clenched his own empty stomach. A door with chipped red paint stood before him and Yukine paused, listening. After a couple beats of silence, a deep snore echoed from inside the hut and Yukine breathed and pushed in the door.
Inside, the house had a small counter on the left, a straw bed next to it, and a stone fireplace in the back. The floor was littered with glass bottles, discarded bread, and clothes. A large man in a ripped nightgown and boots laid snoring on the bed, the smell of alcohol surrounding him. Yukine squeezed his arms tighter around his lean frame and walked over to a pile of blankets in the far right coroner. The sight of the blankets made Yukine relax and he let himself collapse into them. To his left, the man snorted and groaned, causing Yukine to flinch. Luckily, his father didn't spring up and go on his drunken rage. Instead, he lifted his head up and moved aside wisps of blonde hair, snorting at the sight of his son.
"Oh, yer back finally?" the man let out a sort of growl and rolled over, "if you're goin to come back at least to it quietly, hiccup." His breathing evened out again and Yukine glared at his backside. Normally, he would cry and clutch his helmet, trying to imagine where the boat took his mother and sister. But his body felt tired and his eyes were dry. Yukine placed the helmet quietly on the floor next to the book and instead toyed with the idea of escaping on a trade boat as well.