Lloyd shut himself in his lab for days after they returned from Stiix. Aria shutting herself in another room as well, the two had their own goals set. Lloyd, to experiment with his powers, after being ultimately defeated by Kaname. He knew he was no match to protect the one he loved unless he got stronger. Aria focused on reading her mother and brother's book that they found in Cloud Kingdom.

The young girl, abandoned by her tribe, traveled into the forest in hopes of finding shelter for the night. Unlike her fellow Oni, she found no solace in darkness, she only wished the morning would break soon. The sound of breathing echoed in the forest as she traveled, but she did not know where it was coming from.

It was until she was face to face with a dragon, that she realized she was no longer home. The beast staring down at her with hatred made her stumble backwards and onto the ground. The young girl closed her eyes, expecting to be killed right then and there but nothing happened. She opened her eyes to see the dragon was unable to move.

Curiously, she stood up and took a step towards it. He snarled at her angrily, as if to tell her not to come closer.

"I won't hurt you," she told it "I promise."

The dragon tried to get up as she got closer to it, but fell back onto the ground almost knocking her down with him. She inspected the dragon closer as he kept eyes on her. Upon closer inspection, she found an arrow radiating in darkness stuck in it's leg.

"It's going to hurt for a minute," she looks him in the eyes "but I promise it'll feel better."

The dragon roared as if to say no, but she grabbed the arrow and pulled it out. The dragon whipped his tale and knocked her on the ground. She shouted as the dragon rose onto its feet. She stayed on the ground as the dragon walked up to her.

"See," she smiles to him "it's better isn't it."

The dragon lowers its head before it's body transformed into a man with long black hair.

"Why did you do that?" he asked "You're one of them."

"So dragons.. have a human form." she says in amazement "I've never seen one."

"Woman answer me," the man demanded.

"Oh- well I mean.." she looked at the ground "you were hurt."

"It was your kind that did that." the man stated "You could've killed me easily."

"I didn't want to though," she argued as she got to her feet "to my kind I'm a sinner and not welcome in my home." she smiled again "I figured if I was going to die here, it wouldn't hurt to save another."

"Well.. I suppose I am grateful." the man crossed his arms and looked away with a slight blush on his face.

"Hm?" she tilts her head.

"You're like a little bunny walking up to a beast," the man says "I could've gobbled you up."

"But you didn't did you?" she giggles. "I'm Layla," she holds her hand out to him "thanks for not eating me Mr. dragon."

"Svern," the man mutters.

"Is that your name?" she asks.

"Yes," the man faces her and takes her hand "thank you."

-

"How much further?" Layla questions.

Layla was on the back of Svern in his dragon form as they soared through the sky. He made a rash decision to bring the Oni back to the dragon's nest. His mother surely wouldn't be happy about it. Surely enough, she wasn't.

"What were you thinking Svern?!" the Firstborne questions loudly.

Layla stood beside Svern as the two dragons conversed, not understanding a word. In dragon form, they were able to speak draconian, a language Layla couldn't understand even if she tried.

"She saved me mother," Svern argues "was I supposed to leave her for dead? If the Oni had found where they shot me down before her, I wouldn't be here right now."

"And what if this is a trap?" Firstborne asks "What if they are able to find our home now?"

"Mother please," Svern begs "I-"

"Do you like this woman? Have you been bewitched?" Firstborne took a step toward her son "You know nothing about her!"

"It's not like that," Svern growls "if you refuse to accept this one request of mine then I will no longer be at your beckoned call. Find someone else to command your army, if you're so heartless."

"Svern!" Firstborne shouts "Why must you-"

"This war has ranged far too long," Svern turns away from her "your morals are beginning to falter."

"Wait!" Firstborne stomps her foot "She can stay."

"...thank you." Svern replies.

Svern lowers his head towards Layla and nudges her in a direction.

"Oh, I can stay?" Layla questions.

Svern nods and begins walking towards his room.

"Thank you!" Layla bows quickly to Firstborne before following after Svern.

Firstborne sighs as she turns to her second Son.

"Are you sure about this mom?" her second son asks

"No," Firstborne looks down "not at all."

Layla followed Svern into his room in the dragon's nest, Svern uses his head to move the leaves to cover the entrance.

"Your ruler didn't seem too happy though," Layla says as she fidgets with her hair.

Svern transforms into his human form and Layla blushes, his kimono parted at his chest showing a very muscular figure.

"She's just very overprotective," Svern sighs as his runs his hand through his hair "this war has changed her through the years."

"I-I understand," Layla responds, turning away from him.

"Is something the matter?" Svern asks confused.

"I'm uh, just use to the Oni's very um.. armored attire." Layla responds.

"For us dragons, our form is our armor." Svern replies "To show one their human side, is to show venerability."

"So that's why you didn't transform out there," Layla says as she turns back around to face him "Is the Firstborne really alright with me staying here?"

"My mother has no choice but to accept my request," Svern tells her "After all, I fight all her battles for her."

"Ah I see your mother," Layla laughs before stopping and staring at him "Huh! Your mother?!"

"Yes," Svern sits on his straw bed made for a dragon "I'm my mother's first born son."

"Your- your-" Layla couldn't speak from shock.

"Yes, I'm the Obsidian Leviathan," Svern replies with an amused chuckle "the slaughterer of Oni and Hunters alike."

"You're so cool," Layla squeals as she excitedly sat next to him "I've been told stories about you. You could take out a whole squad of Oni with one blast of your beam."

"You're awfully happy to be face to face with a dragon that's killed your tribe," Svern says with a confused look.

"Oh yeah uh," Layla rubs her head embarrassed "I've always been fascinated by dragons, but because of the war I was raised to kill you."

"Well," Svern leaned towards her "do you want to kill me?"

Layla shook her head as she stared him in the eyes "Of course not, dragons are beautiful creatures."

"Do the rumors do you justice seeing me in person now?" Svern asks.

"No," Layla shakes her head as she stared at him in a trance "you're so much more beautiful in person."

"I'm glad you think so," Svern replies as he stood up.

Layla blushed and looked down at her lap. Svern chuckles.

"I'm off to see my mother," Svern tells her "stay in here and relax little bunny. I'll be back."

"O-Ok," Layla responds.

Svern leaves the room and Layla laid down on Svern's bed staring up at the rock ceiling.

"Oh no," Layla blushes and covers her face as she smiles "I think I'm gonna like it here."