Caden though went right over to him. He lightly touched Illarion’s shoulder, which had the Green Dragon King tensing at first.
“You stayed. You came back,” Caden said.
“For a little while. Like I said--”
“I know what you said, but you could have flown yourself to wherever your plane is,” Caden pointed out gently.
“I have clothes here. Men. I cannot just leave them.” Illarion though would not meet Caden’s gaze.
“Okay, I understand,” Caden said, and Valerius wondered how much he did.
I am surprised, Caden. You truly have reached him. For Illarion to come back, so soon… Valerius paused. He wasn’t sure what to think of it.
He feels our need to be together. He knows it's safer.
Safe. Perhaps, Valerius agreed.
“So now instead of one Behemoth, we have hundreds of them,” Illarion said as he observed the stream of individuals in the Below as Caden went back to Valerius’ side. “All those people. Lots of trouble. Lots of bombs, I still think.”
“Could bombs survive whatever this process is that they went through?” Mei gestured towards the now completely smooth wall.
“I do not know how flesh and blood could survive it,” Tez whispered.
Kaila put an arm around him and rubbed his back. “It will be okay.”
“Will it?” Tez asked. “Do you think… think they are still them and the Behemoth or just the Behemoth?”
“Who can know? And who cares?” Illarion growled, not liking that Tez was showing fear.
Mephous was, undoubtedly, blowing out great gouts of green, poisonous smoke as it searched for an enemy to vanquish. Tez and Eldoron’s uncertainty if there was an enemy they could strike down was causing Illarion and his Dragon Spirit’s own anxiety to spike. But while Tez dealt with things by seeking comfort in others, it made Illarion want to smash things. He and Raziel were more in Illarion’s quarter in this.
“If they are still themselves they might go home. Or maybe if they’re not in control, the Behemoth could make them go home,” Caden said and he straightened. “Landry and her brothers… What if they go to their parents’ place? What if the Behemoth wants to destroy their mom and dad?”
“Let us go there,” Valerius stated suddenly.
He did not know if such an act was likely, but it was something for them to do. He couldn’t wait patiently until Wally followed all of the people and then met up with his other rat selves before finding a phone! Valerius had to move. And, more importantly, Caden needed to do something. So they were going.
“Thanks, Valerius,” Caden breathed.
“Marban, can you manage things here?” Valerius asked.
Marban nodded and held up his phone. “My people are tracking some of the Behemoth’s minions. I’m sure Wally has the rest. Go do what you must. I will keep you informed.”
“Good.”
“And what should the rest of us do? Sit on our asses?” Illarion snarled.
Valerius thought of a million things he could tell Illarion to do with pleasure, but he said instead, “Come with us. But keep a low profile.”
Illarion blinked, but then grinned. He slapped Valerius’ shoulder. “You need my backup. The little Dragon will not be enough against the Behemoth.”
“The little Dragon kicked your ass,” Caden reminded the Green Dragon King.
Illarion ruffled Caden’s hair. “I know. I know. You are so proud of that!”
“You and Mephous are big and bad so I am proud of that,” Caden told him.
And in that moment, there was something--some emotion--on Illarion’s face that Valerius hadn’t thought the Green Dragon King capable of: true affection. Caden had taken out the sting of Illarion and Mephous’ defeat by acknowledging what a big deal it was to have beaten him.
