Kirishima's PoV

Crack.

I flinched, but the pressure around my neck had diminished. Then the painful roar of Mashimo filled the arena and the cheers of those present died. Completely confused I opened my eyes.

I did not immediately understand what I saw, the pain was still present in my side and I could hardly concentrate. Directly in front of me Mashimo wound himself. Blood ran out of his mouth and he seemed to be in a lot of pain. Then he roared again, quieter and more like a howl. And then I saw it: My opponent's sharp long fangs were broken. The sharp edges had pierced his gums. It looked terrible and a wave of compassion overcame me.

But how did that happen? There wasn't much that could get through the scales of a dragon, but the sharp fangs would normally have definitely managed. A little confused, I looked down at myself and froze.

My scales had changed. They were no longer smooth, red and shiny. Instead they were rough, raised and looked as hard as stone. Astonished, I stared at my legs before turning my head to look at the rest of my body. My whole body had turned into a rock-hard, impenetrable fortress. No wonder Mashimo had literally broke his fangs off while biting me.

I felt that by now all eyes were on me. Uncertainly I looked up to the grandstand and looked for Kurini. But when I caught his gaze, I did not see the soothing calmness that had become so familiar. I saw shock. Disbelief. Awe.

Then my vision blurred. The pain in my side became unbearable when my scales turned back with a shiver. My field of vision started to turn red at the edges. Then I became unconscious.

---

A dull humming sound escaped my throat as I slowly regained consciousness. When I moved a little, I felt how exhausted my body was. I expected the burning pain at my side, but it didn't come. Somewhat reluctantly I opened my eyes. I was incredibly tired and would have loved to sleep on, but the longer I was awake the more curiosity gnawed at me. What had happened?

The light dazzled me briefly and I blinked several times to get used to it. Then my surroundings slowly took shape again. I didn't know the room. It was big and bright. I lay on a nest-like bed that resembled the one I knew from my room.

When I turned my head, I looked into Kurini's warm red eyes. The clan leader looked at me gently and worried. Carefully I straightened up. I stood opposite my leader and it felt a little disrespectful to just lie there.

But Kurini seemed to see it differently. You should stay down. Your body has used up a lot of energy and needs its rest. I tried to help you heal your wounds, but I didn't have much success. Although my self-healing powers are enormous, I can count the times where I have tried to transfer them to others on one paw. I don't know if you ever tried.

I had laid back into the soft nest again and hesitated now a little with the answer. Yes. Once. My mate almost died in a fight and I healed him. I remember that it took an incredible amount of strength. But I had to fly almost one whole day afterwards to get us to safety. The thought of the pure despair that had come over me on the battlefield at that time made me shudder.

Kurini closed his eyes for a moment. You are strong, Eijirou, he said quietly.

My thoughts drifted back to the fight. How did the duel end? Is Mashimo okay?

The clan leader tilted his head thoughtfully. He is not well. Although his mouth injuries have already healed, his teeth will not grow back easily. The duel was broken off. But after what happened, there was no need for a winner anyway.

I frowned. Even though I didn't like Mashimo and the dragon had been hostile towards me from the first second on, he didn't deserve something like that. And it was my fault. What exactly happened, Kurini? I asked carefully. I still couldn't make any sense of it.

You really don't know, do you? he asked quietly and looked at me piercingly. Confused I shook my head. You are a Kirishima to the core. You can heal like all of us. But half humans usually manifest more than one ability. Especially if you descend from such a powerful family like you.

I nodded. Yes, that's how the order explained it to me. Since no other ability had ever been shown, they assumed that I had inherited the long life span of the dragons.

That would have been quite likely if you hadn't shown another ability in the arena. I'm sorry Eijirou. Unfortunately, you only have the life span of a human being. Full of compassion the warm eyes of the dragon looked at me.

But I felt nothing but relief. I could grow old with Katsuki and that put a smile on my lips. Deep inside I had already accepted that I would not be allowed to do that, but to be honest it had scared me incredibly much. The idea had never been quite tangible and desirable for me.

No, that's good, I finally said smiling.

A small fold had formed between the eyes of the clan leader. You are the first who celebrates his mortality, he noticed shaking his head. But even more important than your clearly human span of life is the ability you have shown.

Frowning, I tilted my head. I didn't know what he was trying to imply.

Kurini hesitated a little. Do you know why the Kirishima have been trying so hard for so long to procreate the half humans? I shook my head. As I have already mentioned, half humans from such noble blood usually inherit two abilities of the dragons. But to really understand it you have to know one thing: Although our clan structure is very strict nowadays, it has not always been. There used to be a lot more mixed blood. Many abilities have been lost as a result. But when we found out that our half human descendants would most likely inherit two abilities, what do you think we asked ourselves?

It didn't take me long to think. Which is the second ability? The first ability is clear. But if your blood has been much more mixed in the past, there is probably as good as any ability hidden in any dragon. Even if only one dominant ability - that of their clan - prevails, another could be inherited to a half dragon.

That's right, Kurini confirmed. And we have not hoped for any ability. You have to understand that we were all very much affected when our royal family was exterminated. We hoped to find in one of our descendants the abilities of the royal ruling clan. But we gave it up. It was too painful to know that all our children died in the realm of humans.

I tried to understand what he was trying to tell me. But my mind refused to believe what he had just hinted at. I needed certainty. Kurini. What is my second heritage? I asked carefully.

The old dragon looked at me for a long time before he answered with a voice pregnant with meaning. Your second heritage is the royal family's armor scales. Eijirou, you are the first royal dragon prince since their extermination.

I swallowed. Dragon Prince. The idea was almost absurd. What does that mean for me? I asked in a trembling voice.

Kurini smiled softly. You are under no obligation. The last time we met, you said you weren't particularly interested in reign and you only accepted the duel against Mashimo because it served your mission. You don't have to rule unless you want to. But it's certain that there won't be a dragon that won't submit to your will. Our royal family stood above everything at that time and that also applies to you.

It took me a moment to realize that. No matter what I did, the dragons would follow me. The blind trust they would have in me was scary. No, Kurini was right. I had never been interested in reign and I still was not. What interested me was my mission. Peace between humans and dragons.

My mission... I started, but Kurini interrupted me with a wink.

You can do your mission by yourself. YOU are the one who should negotiate with the people. You are the highest authority here. You don't need to convince the other clans of your mission. They will follow your judgement.

I got up suddenly. I must return to the realm of humans, I said quietly, with my eyes wide open.

You should get some rest first.

No, I said smiling. My heart happily hammered against my ribs. There is someone I want to see again as soon as possible.