Memory Registry

[backstory]

Memories Received
Memories are arranged chronologically, despite the order in which he experiences them.

- Kija | Chapter 70.5 - Four year old Kija witnesses his father's passing
- Upon That Back | Chapter 70.5 - Onsen shenangians with his brothers
- Hidden Village of the Dragon & An Expectant Waiting | Chapter 16-17 - Meets his master for the first time
- The Dragon's Claw | Chapter 18 Kija has just recently set off with his companions
- Here and There | Chapter 19 - The search for Seiryuu
- The Boy From Another Land & Dark Clouds Chapter 95 & 96 - Becomes ill and dragon lifespans are discussed
- A Red Star Ascends | Chapter 105 - Four year old Kija meets Zeno
- We Apologize for our Incompetience | Chapter 105.5 - The dragons are ridiculous and can't exist without mom.
- The Forest Lushing Green 1 | Chapter 106 - Seiryuu returns to camp, but isn't himself...?
- The Forest Lushing Green 2 & 3 | Chapter 107-108 The team works to get Seiryuu back
- I Swore and Oath to Myself | Chapter 117 - Kija confronts Soo-Won for the first time.
- Pursuers & Confrontation | Chapter 126 & 127 - The HHB travels to Xing to meet the princess
- The Five Stars & Proof | Chapter 132 & 133 - Discovered as monsters outside Kouka.
- Awe | Chapter 146 - The dragons are roped in Xing

Comments

Memory 5

[backstory]

Memory Five
Part One - Part Two
(Chapter 95 & 96 )

Things to Note:

- All names have been redacted, but dragon titles are intact, so people can hear "Seiryuu" and Hakuryuu", etc.
- Kalgan's name is known, however.
- Everything should be from Leviathan's perspective. Any scene that he is not in should be considered absent from the memoy.

Summary:

- They have been resting. A child seems to be accompanying the band of friends but he's exhausted from apparent travel. It's because he's young and so Hakuryuu picks him up and carries him. It seems that Ryokuryuu is tired from the previous day and so this is the best arrangement. He then asks that Seiryuu carry Ryokuryuu, and he's willing to acquiesce to the request but Ryokoryuu assures them that he is fine.

- The child apologizes for the apparent trouble he has been causing the group but Hakuryuu assures him that he is easy to carry and it is fine. The child then reveals that he isn't from their country, Kouka, but that he had fun while he had been over there. His parents hadn't allowed him to at all, but that they must have been wrong because he was able to meet such good people. Hakuryuu is glad that he seems pleased with the country and happy that it will be a good memory for him, however, he goes on to explain that he should not ignore the words of his parents due to the fact that they will not be around to scold him forever, and so he should treasure the time he has with them.

- They travel for some distance more, time blurring, but as the travel continues Hakuryuu begins to slow. The path goes up and down and is full of hills so by the time they are near their destination he seems to be wearing down... so much so that he hands the child (named Kalgan, apparently) and hands him to Seiryuu. The others seem surprised by this, cracking a joke, even that he doesn't seem to have much stamina. The words don't seem to register, however. Because nearly as soon as he passes the child over, his vision fades and Hakuryuu passes out.

- He can't register much, time passing by in a slight blur. He hears the others fretting over him and remarking that he has a fever. He gets a sense of movement... and he's upon Rykuryuu's back, he thinks. Eventually, he is within someone's home, a cool cloth pressed to his head but he is in and out of sleep.

- Eventually, he gains his consciousness again though he is worn out and feeling warm and miserable. He feels ashamed and apologizes for causing the princess and everyone else so much trouble. The others suggest that the princess keep her distance so that she doesn't get sick, and Ryokuryuu assures her that Hakuryuu has the vitality of a cockroach, much to his annoyance. During all of this their squirrel companion is trying to shove acorns down his throat.

- For all their banter, it seems clear that the dragons are trying to get rid of the princess and Raijuu so that they can talk privately. And it is only once the four dragons are all that are left in the room that an inquiry rises. Ryokuryuu asks how is dragon arm is... and if he can put his strength into it. Hakuryuu admits that he cannot make it go as normal, and Ryokuryuu asks a question then that makes all the dragons freeze momentarily. He asks... if a new Hakuryuu has been born. The others look worried for a moment, before Hakuryuu denies that any such thing has happened. He would be able to feel it, apparently. It is not that kind of illness. He seems relieved that this is the fact.

- Hakuryuu is surprised that the green dragon had decided to bring up such a sensitive subject. It seems that... the dragons have incredibly short lives. This is something he already learned in another memory but is reinforced, here. Ryokuryuu says that it is not so strange to think about, due to the fact that his own predecessor had died at the age of 27 and that soon he will be that age. A new dragon will be born sooner or later, and when that happens... those powers will wither up and they will die. Such a thing is not so strange for the dragons it appears.

- Rather than be concerned, Hakuryuu seems...relieved. He finds it rare that the other would bring up such important matters, and somehow that makes him feel better. Ryokuruu says that's why he's annoying because he likes to bring up these kinds of topics.

- Hakuryuu explains that it is true that the four dragons do not live long. However, he explains, he is always ready to give up his life for 'that person'-- the princess. How long he lives is not important. Ryokuryuu sighs... but admits that this is definitely something that he would say.

- Suddenly, the somber conversation is broken up by the clatter of a basin of water falling to the ground. They look up to find the mother-like boy of their group. He's shaken and asks them if it is true... that they have a short lifespan. They are quiet for a moment before asking for him to come over. He is reassured that it is not something that he should have to pity and that no one can know when they will die.

- Because the boy still seems upset, Hakuryuu goes on to reassure him that even if another dragon is born he will not die immediately after. Ryokuryuu chimes in to tell him that his own predecessor had lived for twelve years after his own death, though this seems unheard of to Hakuryuu. In a demonstration to prove that his powers are not fading, he punches Ryokuryuu to show him that his strength is still there even if his claw doesn't want to expand properly! He'd told that he's really not the type to die even when someone kills him and he confidently exclaims that of course that is the case.

- Their mother-like friend begins to cry. He tells them that it is fine but begs that the stubborn monsters live. They smile gently and simply ask that he not tell the others about it.

Commentary:

- Reinforced that the dragons don't live long
- How did Ryokuryuu's predecessor live so long after his birth???
- Getting sick sucks
- Getting sick when away from Kouka sucks
- Dragon powers are strongest when near the castle
- Seems they were traveling outside Kouka for some reason.

Effects: It's fine. Everyone dies some time. May wonder what their presence means in hell, will this prompt another dragon to be born back home...?