Only two charged at her.
Only two? How arrogant.
Underestimating your enemy is the greatest mistake in battle.
Three more hunters headed toward the eggs.
"Not on my watch."
They collapsed instantly.
The rest took defensive positions, panic spreading among them.
"You fools," Celea smirked. "Didn't I give you a chance to leave alive?"
Fear filled their faces. A child with an eerie smile and unknown power—death was the only thing that smirk promised.
They dropped their swords, clutching their throats as if the air had vanished.
Bang.
They fell lifeless to the ground.
Celea lifted the eggs into the air—her small arms weren't long enough to carry them. She glanced between the dragon's corpse and the eggs.
"You tried desperately to protect your children," she whispered. "Seeing you like this brings back painful memories. You're just like him…"
A soft, sorrowful smile crossed her face.
"Rest in peace, warrior. I'll protect them now."
Three Days Later
Celea sat by the fireplace, reading a book on dragons she had stolen from the Mystical Library Realm.
"It says dragon eggs need to stay in a volcano for a week…" she muttered. "Well, I don't have a volcano."
She looked at the eggs.
"I guess my fire will have to do."
She placed them in the fireplace and released blue flames—hotter and stronger than normal fire.
"Please work."
Three days later, Celea returned home after robbing five banks. Thirty bags of money floated behind her as she paid the taxi driver and walked inside.
She stored the money away and went straight to the fireplace.
Sitting down, she watched the eggs.
Eventually, she fell asleep.
Crack. Crack.
Her eyes fluttered open.
"What the—"
The eggs were breaking.
"What do I do? What do I do?" she panicked, pacing in circles.
Then it happened.
A small dragon broke free, followed seconds later by the other two.
Celea dropped to her knees.
The baby dragons crawled toward her, trying to climb into her lap.
A single tear slid down her cheek as she pulled them into a gentle embrace.
"I would give my life for you at any time," Celea said proudly, gazing at her three babies—who had now taken human form.
All mythical creatures were shapeshifters, after all.
They were eating together, and Celea couldn't stop smiling at how adorable they were. Chubby little bodies, black hair like hers, and big, dark eyes filled with curiosity.
"I could eat you right now."
"Goo goo."
"Aah—if you don't stop being so cute, I really might end up eating you."
She laughed softly before her expression turned distant.
"I wonder when the last time was that I felt this happy… Ah—back then."
Her smile softened. "I really wish he could see you too."
She stood up gently.
"Let's go outside, shall we?"
Taking the three babies in her arms, she headed into the garden, where she had already prepared a small playground. She set them down and watched them play, her gaze growing thoughtful.
"What should I call you?"
"What names would suit you best?"
After putting the babies to sleep, Celea spent the night researching names.
Chirp, chirp.
"…Is it already morning?"
She went to the kitchen and prepared milk for her three chubby little dragons.
Waaah.
"You're already awake?"
She levitated the babies into the kitchen, placed them gently in their baby chairs, and handed them their bottles.
"How can someone be this cute?" she murmured, watching them eat. Then she smiled.
"I found the perfect names for you."
"Draco," she said, pointing at the eldest.
"Azar," she continued, pointing to the middle one.
"And Kai," she finished, smiling at the youngest.
"What do you think? Pretty, right?"
The babies giggled as Celea lifted them into the air.
15 Years Later
Ring. Ring.
"Why did I even buy a phone?" Celea muttered.
"Oh—right. I have three troublemakers."
She glanced at the screen.
"The school's calling. Not even surprised. How many times has it been this week?"
She answered.
"What's up? How's my favorite director doing?" she said cheerfully. "At this point, we should be best friends—no one calls me as often as you do."
"They got into a fight again. They keep causing trouble."
"Well, they cause trouble at home too, but you don't see me calling to give you reports, do you?"
"Miss Celea, please just come and take your troublemakers."
"I will, if you sound that desperate," she giggled.
Click.
At School
The director hung up and sighed deeply.
"So… how did it go?" Kai asked innocently.
"You three have the right to remain silent right now," the director snapped.
"I want a lawyer," Azar said.
"Oh, don't worry, brother," Draco replied. "Our lawyer is already on the way."
Giggle.
"You three are really—huff—your family is going to put me in an early grave," the director groaned.
"Don't worry, Director," Draco smiled. "We'll bring you flowers."
"We'll take good care of your grave too," Kai added.
"And if you're lucky," Azar chimed in, "and big sis is nearby when you have a heart attack, she might even save you."
Stare.
The director threw his pens at them.
"YOU LITTLE BRATS!"
The brothers bolted down the hallway.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!"