Chapter 29 — A Little Help Doesn't Hurt
Razan was standing in front of a curve on a quiet street, thinking whether to go right or left. The asun filtered through the branches of tall trees, casting dappled shadows across the smooth pavement. The city around him was calm, a rare tranquility that seemed almost unnatural for a place with so much hidden power. Just as he was about to go right, a small, high-pitched voice broke his contemplation:
— Brother, can you help me with something?
Razan turned slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, and spotted a little imp girl standing a few steps behind him. Her tiny horns glinted in the sunlight, and her small wings fluttered nervously as she looked up at him.
— What is it, little one? — he asked gently, his voice a low rumble that seemed far too powerful for someone from him.
— Yes, I need your help — she said, her eyes wide and earnest.
Razan's lips curved into a slight smirk.
— You're in luck today. You got my help. So, what do you want? Do you need help with a demon or an angel? You can count on me to take care of them — he said, clearly showing off, though there was a hint of genuine amusement in his tone.
The little girl pointed toward a massive, tree in the center of a small park. Its trunk was thick, gnarled, and twisted with age, and its leaves shimmered faintly as if brushing against an unseen wind.
— I want to get my kitty.
Razan glanced at the tree and then knelt on the ground, exhaling in mock despair. He thought to himself: I, a being powerful enough to destroy entire cities with a roar, have been reduced to rescuing a cat from a tree. His thoughts were heavy, yet there was a faint amusement under his frustration.
— What's wrong, brother? — asked the little girl, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Razan stood up slowly, brushing off his pants, and offered a small, reassuring smile.
— Nothing, little one.
— Then where is your kitty? — she asked, tilting her head.
The girl led Razan across the park, past benches occupied by chatting citizens, a fountain that glimmered in the sunlight, and a few scattered flowers swaying gently in the breeze. At the top of the towering tree, a black three-eyed kitten perched, watching them cautiously. Razan leapt into the air with effortless grace, landing on a sturdy branch. The wind tugged at his hair and clothes, but he maintained perfect balance.
— Come here, little one.
The kitten jumped on him and scratched his face. Razan looked at the kitten, annoyed for no reason, and sighed, knowing his aura, which radiated from his body, was intimidating to more sensitive animals. He then picked up the kitten and gently landed on the ground.
The little girl ran toward him, her laughter ringing like chimes, and shouted:
— Big brother, you got the Bone Crusher!
Razan felt the corner of his mouth twitch at the sound of the kitten's grandiose name and thought wryly: Sometimes I forget this is the Underworld; you can't expect cute names like Fluffy for a cat here. A faint chuckle escaped his lips.
— Here's your kitty.
He handed the kitten back to the little girl, who clutched it tightly, and asked:
— Well, tell me, little one, why did you ask for my help? Didn't your parents warn you not to go near strangers?
— Well, they did say that, but they also said if I needed help, I could ask the older brothers who wear clothes with a sleeping black dragon on a giant tree — she replied earnestly.
— Big brother, that black dragon is lazy, right? He's always sleeping in all the clothes I see! — she asked curiously, tilting her head.
Razan laughed out loud and said.
— Yes, he's the laziest in the world, but also the luckiest, because he has many friends who take care of everything so he can sleep well.
The little girl's eyes sparkled.
— I want to have a lot of friends too, to help me sleep well.
Razan reached out and ruffled her hair gently.
— Yes, you really will.
— Little one, I have to go. A friend of mine needs some medicine from the hospital, and I need to take it to her — he said, glancing toward the streets beyond the park, where sunlight danced on the rooftops.
— My mom works at the hospital. I'll help the big brother get there, just like he helped me. So you can count on me, big brother — she said proudly.
Razan nodded.
— Very well, this important mission I'll count on you.
Together, they walked toward the hospital, Sara skipping beside him, occasionally glancing up at the sky as if expecting a dragon to appear overhead. The city seemed calmer than usual, almost as if it a city with no one noise Razan's , though no one nearby suspected the true identity of the boy who passed among them.
Meanwhile, Charlie was pacing frantically on the other side of town, inspecting the decorations.
— There, put the table there! That vase goes on that wall, no, not there, move it! — she barked orders.
Loona and Carla arrived with boxes, summoning the maids to help. Loona placed a giant ice cream cake on the table and asked:
— Why are you so stressed?
Charlie's eyes darted between the decorations and the cake.
— It's just that Razan could arrive any moment, and there's still a little more to do.
Her gaze fell on the cake.
— Is that… an ice cream cake?!
Loona smiled knowingly.
— Well, don't think about it. I know Razan left your palate to human sweets, but you have to control yourself until the party.
Charlie groaned, tearing her eyes away from the cake, and returned to her work.
Meanwhile, Razan, having collected the potions, said goodbye to Sara. He gently took a strand of her blue hair, concentrating, and transformed it into a deep blue flower, reminiscent of his starry night in the human world.
— Here, this flower is your reward for helping me on this super important mission.
Sara's mother looked at him, hesitant to accept, but Razan's calm, authoritative tone left no room for objection:
— This is the reward for completing an important mission, and it will protect you when you are in danger.
Understanding, she finally nodded.
Razan gave one last wave and took flight, his wings cutting through the air effortlessly. He landed in the mansion yard, cautious because he no longer trusted his sense of direction fully. Upon entering, the lights flicked on, and everyone shouted in unison:
— Surprise!
Razan smiled, genuinely pleased at the gesture, and said:
— Well, you really did fool me!