Two hours later...
I stood atop the Rumblehorn, gazing down at the secluded tower nestled within a ring of stone. With my heightened senses, I could hear faint voices drifting up from below. I leaned forward slightly, issuing a silent command to the dragon beneath me. The creature growled low, then descended, wings stirring the wind as we neared a narrow window.
Suddenly, the voices inside went silent.
I leapt from the Rumblehorn and slipped through the window soundlessly. Inside, the air was dim and smelled faintly of flowers and dust. My gaze fell instantly on a man tied to a chair, bound not by rope, but by long strands of golden hair. My eyes narrowed. He was the same man from the wanted posters—Flynn Rider.
Of course, I had already noticed the person lurking in my blind spot. But their presence was unthreatening, so I ignored them.
Until they attacked.
A clang rang out as a cast-iron pan slammed into the back of my head. The metal warped around my skull, bending unnaturally from the force. I didn't flinch.
Flynn's jaw dropped.
I slowly turned to face my attacker—a young woman, now frozen in fear, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide. I could sense her panic, feel the spike of adrenaline rising in her chest. She began to retreat, each step bringing her closer to the corner of the room.
She was terrified. As she should be.
At six foot seven, built like a seasoned warrior, my muscles strained subtly against my dark, travel-worn clothing. I exuded presence—deliberate, calm, and dangerous.
I walked toward her slowly, my eyes narrowing as I reached out and took hold of the glowing golden strands that bound Flynn.
The sensation was strange.
"Hmm. Magic hair. What an odd thing," I murmured, fingers trailing along its length.
"M-Mother was right," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes. "People from the outside are evil… and they want my hair."
I gently let the strands fall from my fingers.
"You misunderstand. Your hair is… curious, yes, but I have no interest in taking it."
Her expression faltered.
I turned my gaze back to Flynn Rider, who was watching the exchange silently, his brow furrowed in both confusion and caution.
"You. Flynn Rider," I said, voice hardening. "You've taken something that belongs to my people. Where is it?"
He tried to deflect with a smirk. "What could I possibly have taken from someone as… impressive as you?"
I stepped closer. "Don't play games. I'm talking about the tiara—the Tiara of the Princess of Corona."
The color drained from his face. "I… don't have it anymore."
My eyes narrowed further. "Then where is it?"
I let a small sliver of my aura leak out—just enough to make him sweat.
He clamped his mouth shut, eyes flicking sideways. He wasn't going to talk, but his gaze gave him away.
I followed his line of sight.
Back to her.
"You," I said, turning fully to the girl. "Where is the tiara?"
"I—I have it," she admitted, her voice small.
"Where is it now?" I asked, stepping forward again.
She hesitated, then met my gaze with more defiance than I expected. "I won't tell you… unless you do something for me."
I sighed. "And what is it you want?"
"I want to leave this tower," she said, eyes lighting up with hope. "And see the lantern festival."
I frowned. "Then why haven't you left already?"
"B-Because… I've never left this place," she replied, glancing at the window. "I don't know what's out there. But you… you're strong. I want someone like you to protect me while I see the world."
I looked at her for a long moment. The fear had not entirely vanished from her eyes—but there was something more behind it now.
Curiosity. Determination.
"…Fine," I said at last.
Her eyes widened.
"But if you're lying about the tiara," I added, voice low and sharp, "I will know. And I will come back."
She nodded quickly. "I'm not lying. I promise."
Flynn let out a long breath. "Well, this is turning out to be more interesting than I thought."
I turned my back to them both and looked out the window at the waiting Rumblehorn.
"Alright, let's go," I said, my voice firm but calm.
She nodded and carefully untied the rope securing her to Flynn.
I paused, eyeing her long golden hair that trailed nearly to the floor. "But before we go, you need to cut your hair. It'll get in the way during flight."
Her eyes flashed with something between fear and defiance. "Impossible."
"Why not?" I asked, already guessing the answer.
"Because if I cut it," she said slowly, "the magic will disappear."
I sighed, rubbing my temple. Of course it would. "Fine. Keep it. Just… stay close. And you too, Flynn Rider."
Without another word, I wrapped one arm around her waist and carried her toward the window. The cold wind rushed in as I whistled, and the beat of massive wings approached.
A dark shape rose from the shadows below—the Rumblehorn. It hovered just outside the tower, snorting smoke through its nostrils. I leapt, landing smoothly on its broad back with her still in my grasp.
"Whoa!" she cried, gripping my arm tightly as the dragon began to descend. Her eyes sparkling with wonder. "This is awesome! What kind of lizard is this? It looks so cool!"
The Rumblehorn growled low in its throat, clearly offended.
I chuckled. "Not a lizard. A dragon."
Her eyes widened. "Like… the fire-breathing kind? From the old stories?"
"Exactly."
She laughed, half in disbelief. "By the way, I'm Rapunzel. And this little guy is Pascal." She tilted her shoulder, and a tiny green chameleon peeked out, blinking slowly at me.
My brows furrowed. Rapunzel… That name. It stirred something deep, like a half-forgotten dream. I shook my head. And her face it's similar to the queen of corona. Probably just a coincidence.
"I'm Erik Horrendous Haddock. But you can call me Erik," I replied, keeping my tone light.
"Wow. That's a long name," she said with a grin, as if savoring every syllable.
The Rumblehorn touched down in a small clearing below. I jumped off, gently setting Rapunzel down beside me. Then I turned back to the dragon, giving a short nod. "Go get Flynn."
The dragon huffed and soared back into the sky with a thunderous beat of its wings.
We stood in silence for a few moments. Rapunzel looked around, wide-eyed at the towering trees and strange glowing plants that lined the edges of the clearing.
"It's beautiful out here," she murmured.
I nodded. "It is. But don't let the beauty fool you. This continent hides more danger than peace."
A moment later, the Rumblehorn descended once more with Flynn clinging tightly to its saddle, looking a little greener than usual. He dismounted with a grunt.
"I'm not made for this," he muttered. "Flying beasts, a girl stuck in a tower… I was just looking for treasure."
I smirked. "Well, now you're leading us. You know more about this land than I do. Where do we go from here?"
Flynn exhaled and looked toward the horizon. The sky had begun to lighten with the first hints of dawn.
"There's an old path east of here," he said. "It leads through the Whispering Woods… then to the edge of the kingdom."
I nodded. "Then that's where we go. Stay alert."
A Few Hours Later
"Woohoo!" Rapunzel cheered, twirling under the open sky, hair whipping around her like a golden ribbon of joy.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. This might just be the longest day of my life.
She was a walking storm of emotions. One second she was euphoric, marveling at a flower or a frog, the next she was curled into herself, muttering guilt-ridden confessions.
"I'm the worst," she mumbled now, sitting cross-legged in the grass, eyes cast down. "How could I betray my mother like that…?"
Tch.
A vein throbbed at my temple.
"Would you stop that already?" I snapped, louder than intended.
"Y-Yelp!" she squeaked, nearly leaping out of her skin. "I'm sorry," she whispered, blinking away tears that shimmered like glass.
I pinched the bridge of my nose again. Great. She's crying.
"Tch. Let's just move on. What else do you want to do?" I asked, trying to rein in my irritation.
"Well… the lantern festival," she said hesitantly. "That's the main reason I left the tower. I've dreamed of seeing it my whole life."
Another sigh escaped me, less annoyed this time. "Fine. Flynn Rider, lead the way to the kingdom."
"Okay," he replied with an easy grin.
But I didn't follow right away. My ears caught a faint rustle, and my body stilled, instincts flaring. My eyes narrowed toward a dense patch of shrubbery.
The others noticed and turned to follow my gaze.
Rustle… rustle…
The bush trembled.
Then, in one swift bound, a horse leapt out. Pristine white coat, regal posture—and eyes that gleamed with intelligence. It locked eyes with Flynn, snorted, and charged.
"Maximus," Flynn groaned, barely dodging a flying hoof.
Rapunzel squealed and scrambled behind me, climbing onto my back like a panicked cat. I frowned, but let her stay there.
The clash that followed was absurd. Flynn ducked and weaved, but the horse was relentless, slamming him down and pinning him with a hoof on his chest.
"Stop," I said, my voice low but firm.
The horse froze, muscles tense. It turned to me, head tilting slightly, eyes scanning mine.
"You're quite intelligent, aren't you?" I said with a faint smirk.
"Neigh," it replied, lifting its head proudly.
Rapunzel peeked out from behind me, wonder lighting her face. "Is that… a horse?" she asked in awe.
"Yes," I replied dryly.
"Wow…" she whispered, sliding off my back and approaching with reverence. She reached out slowly, and the horse lowered its head, meeting her hand with surprising gentleness.
"This is the best day of my life," she murmured.
I watched the exchange in silence, a rare smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
But then—something caught my nose. A metallic scent.
Blood.
My eyes dropped to the ground. Red patches stained the grass, trailing to Rapunzel's bare feet.
I walked forward and stopped behind her.
She turned, startled by the shadow that fell over her. "Huh?"
Without a word, I scooped her up and carried her to a fallen log. I set her down, knelt, and took her foot gently into my hand.
"Tch… Why didn't you tell anyone you were bleeding?" I asked, voice sharp.
"I… I don't know what 'bleeding' is," she said, fidgeting with her fingers. "I felt something, but I was just… too happy. I didn't want to stop."
I stared at her. "How could you not know what this is? Have you lived under a rock?"
She flinched. "I… I've never been outside. Ever. I've always been in the tower. Mother never let me leave."
Tears rolled down her cheeks, hot and silent.
"You idiot," I muttered, anger rising. "Is a person like that really a mother?"
"Hicc… Hicc… Don't say that!" she cried. "Mother was right! The outside world is dangerous! People are cruel!"
"You—!" I stopped myself. My hands trembled. I breathed out slowly.
This woman… she's been locked away her entire life.
I said nothing more. Instead, I reached into my satchel and pulled out herbs and bandages. I worked in silence, wrapping her wounds. She winced at the sting of the salve but didn't pull away.
When I finished, I looked up. Her tears had stopped. She was just… watching me.
I stood and gently lifted her once more, calling for Rumblehorn. The dragon landed with a thud of wind and earth. I hoisted Rapunzel onto his back.
System. Get me a pair of shoes that fit her.Confirmed, Host. Item delivered to inventory.
I pulled them out and slipped them on her feet. She looked at them in amazement, then tried to dismount—but I stopped her with a glare.
"You're staying up there. Your feet need time to heal."
She blinked, then nodded quickly, lips pressed in a small smile.
The sky blushed with hues of orange and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. I glanced up, noting the dimming light, then turned to Rapunzel and Flynn.
"We'll make camp here for the night," I said firmly.
Flynn gave a short nod, already stretching his arms. "Got it."
"Gather branches for a fire," I added.
As he walked off toward the edge of the clearing, I turned to Rapunzel. She was still atop the Rumblehorn, her feet too injured to walk. Gently, I reached up and lifted her down, careful not to let her feet touch the ground. From my inventory, I pulled out a chair — not just any chair, but a rocking chair carved from rich mahogany, cushioned with enchanted fibers for unparalleled comfort. It was absurdly luxurious for a campsite, but I'd learned long ago that a little comfort could ease even the most stubborn pain.
She sat down slowly, and the moment she leaned back and the chair began to rock, her eyes widened in surprise. The tension in her shoulders eased, and a small, dazed smile crept onto her lips.
I turned away, letting her enjoy the moment, and sat against a nearby tree. From beneath my shirt, I pulled out a silver locket — old, worn, but cherished. I opened it, letting my fingers glide across the tiny painting inside. Merida. Her fiery red curls and fierce eyes captured in delicate strokes. Just this morning, I arrived on this land… and not even an hour later, I'd already conquered a kingdom.
The world will fall next.
And when it does, I'll have the power to bring you back, Merida.
"Hey… what's that?" Rapunzel asked softly, peering over from her chair.
I closed the locket with a quiet click and tucked it back into my shirt. "It's a locket," I replied, my tone distant.
She tilted her head. "What's a locket?"
"It's something that holds sentimental value," I explained. "Usually with a portrait or a strand of hair inside. Something… important."
"So what's inside yours?"
I paused, eyes falling to the firewood Flynn had yet to bring. "…It's not something I talk about."
Before she could press further, a loud crack of twigs snapped through the silence.
"Hey! I'm back," Flynn called, his arms full of branches. "Got plenty."
He stopped short, noticing the sudden quiet. "Uh… did I interrupt something?"
I raised a hand and snapped my fingers. Instantly, the pile of wood caught flame, a small but steady fire springing to life.
Flynn blinked. "How the hell did you do that?"
"Magic," I said simply.
Rapunzel gasped in awe, her eyes lighting up. "That was amazing! Can you teach me?"
She jumped up, excitement overpowering caution.
I narrowed my eyes. "Didn't I tell you to rest? Your feet still need time to heal."
Her enthusiasm wilted. She gulped, nodding, and returned obediently to the rocking chair, wincing as she sat back down.
Sigh.
She's a handful. But at least she's not asking the wrong kind of questions.
Then came the familiar gurgle of hunger.
I turned to see Rapunzel clutching her stomach with a sheepish look. "I'm hungry…"
I nodded, retrieving a set of neatly wrapped meals from my inventory and handing one each to her and Flynn — warm meat pies, roasted vegetables, and sweet bread. Nothing fancy, but satisfying.
I called the Rumblehorn over and fed him a mix of fruits and raw meat. He snorted in contentment. From the edge of the camp, Maximus the horse trotted closer, his curiosity plainly visible.
I tossed him a few apples.
He sniffed, then took a bite — and his eyes widened with delight. With a happy neigh, he nudged my shoulder before retreating to a comfortable patch of grass.
I allowed myself a small smile. Then I turned to the two humans in my temporary company.
"Eat, then get some sleep. Tomorrow, we head for the Kingdom of Corona."
They both nodded silently, the fire crackling between us as the stars began to twinkle overhead.
The Next Morning
The sun had risen, casting long golden rays across the forest clearing. I sat beneath the tree, silent and still. Sleep wasn't something I needed unless my mind demanded rest. Physically, my stamina was more than enough to carry me through the night without fatigue.
I turned my head slightly to glance at the others. Rapunzel was curled up in a rocking chair, her head tilted to the side as she drooled onto her shoulder. Flynn lay nearby, snoring and giggling in his sleep, muttering nonsense about gold and castles.
With a thought, I gave a mental command to the Rumblehorn.
A thunderous "ROAR" shook the clearing.
The effect was immediate.
Flynn sprang up like a startled cat, eyes wild, hand reaching for a non-existent sword. Maximus reared back, snorting, while Pascal tumbled off his perch with a squeak.
Everyone woke in a flurry of panic.
Everyone… except Rapunzel.
She merely grumbled and rolled over, tugging her cloak tighter around her shoulders, mumbling something unintelligible.
A vein pulsed in my temple.
Seriously? Even the lizard was awake.
I stood and strode over to her. Flynn, now laughing at his own reaction, gave me a sheepish look before dusting himself off. The rest were settling down, realizing it had only been the dragon.
I stopped in front of Rapunzel. Still asleep. Still mumbling.
I crouched beside her and leaned in, holding my hand just beneath her nose. With a flick of thought, I summoned a small, delicate vial from my inventory—a rare brew of honey, crafted personally from the nectar of thousands of exotic flowers harvested across three regions.
She sniffed.
Her nose twitched.
Her eyes snapped open. "What's that smell?"
I withdrew the vial, letting it vanish back into my inventory. "Honey."
"'Honey'?" she echoed, frowning groggily.
"It's something sweet made by bees. The kind you just smelled is one I created myself, infused with rare blossoms and enhanced for flavor."
Her eyes lit up. "Can I try some? Please?"
"No," I said flatly.
She blinked. Then tried to rise from her bedroll, but I fixed her with a stare sharp enough to freeze lava.
She slowly sat back down, lips pressed in a pout. "Erik, please?" she said again, this time with eyes sparkling like an actress begging for one last encore.
I turned away to avoid the look—only to find every other pair of eyes locked on me.
Drooling.
Even Maximus.
I sighed loudly. "Fine."
With a reluctant motion, I retrieved the honey again and brought out five pieces of freshly baked bread from my inventory. I spread a generous dollop of the golden liquid onto each piece and handed them out.
They took them reverently, as though accepting an offering from a god.
Then they bit in—together.
And froze.
Seconds passed.
Then a minute.
Then two.
I narrowed my eyes. "You've got to be kidding me."
Still no movement—just wide eyes, silent stares, and slack jaws.
"Wake up!" I snapped.
They jerked like they'd been hit by lightning and began devouring the bread like ravenous wolves. Crumbs flew. Pascal clung to his slice like a dragon guarding treasure.
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Finish eating. Flynn, lead the way to the Kingdom of Corona."
Flynn, his face still smeared with honey, gave a thumbs-up. "Aye, aye, captain!"
Three Hours Later
We stood at the edge of the great stone bridge leading into the Kingdom of Corona.
The towering walls loomed in the distance, sunlight gleaming off the city's golden rooftops and spires. It was the kind of view that made poets cry and painters go blind from the urge to capture it all.
I walked at the front of the group, Flynn casually striding beside me with a cocky grin. The Rumblehorn lumbered behind us, each footstep echoing through the valley like distant thunder. Rapunzel rode atop his back, hair braided and fluttering in the wind as she looked ahead with wide, eager eyes.
Maximus followed with steady steps, his gaze locked on Flynn with unflinching suspicion.
As we approached the outer gates, the guards stationed there stiffened at the sight of us. One of them turned and bolted toward the city without a word.
The other stepped forward, saluting.
"Sir Erik," he said, voice respectful but slightly uncertain. "Welcome back. I'll inform your fleet of your return at once."
I nodded.
The guard hesitated, then rushed off.
Flynn whistled low. "You've got a bit of a reputation, huh?"
I didn't answer.
We entered the village as the civilians paused their work to watch us pass. Their eyes followed with curiosity, murmurs rippling through the crowd like wind across tall grass.
"Erik, look! The kids are playing something," Rapunzel said, her voice bright with excitement.
I followed her gaze and saw a group of children chasing each other around in a circle, laughing as they tossed a ball between them. I turned to her and nodded.
"Do you want to join them?"
"Yes!" she answered, her eyes sparkling.
I walked to the Rumblehorn's side and gently lifted her from its back, setting her down carefully on the grass.
"Just don't push yourself too hard. Try not to stress your feet."
"Okay! I promise!" she called over her shoulder as she ran toward the children, her laughter joining theirs.
I let her go, then looked around the square. A small, elegant fountain stood in the center, its gentle trickle of water somehow calming amidst the buzz of village life. I walked toward it and stood still for a moment, staring at the water's shimmering surface.
Merida would've loved this.
With a thought, I summoned a chair, an easel, a canvas, and a small set of brushes and paints. During the long, lonely days, I had found solace in creating—sculpting and painting Merida's likeness over and over until my hands memorized every curve of her smile, every strand of her wild hair. Eventually, I'd earned a skill for it—[Artist]—though I had grown frustrated at my inability to capture her perfectly. In desperation, I'd used gacha tickets to max out the skill.
Now, it came easily.
Children gathered slowly around me as I painted. I ignored their whispers and curious eyes, letting myself fall into the rhythm of each stroke. The sky came first, wide and clear. Then the walls of the city square. The fountain, delicate and stone-gray under sunlight.
And finally, them.
Merida, with her wild red hair, untamable as flame. Her dress, the one she had worn in my dreams—a deep forest green adorned with gold. Her smile, the one that always managed to silence the storm inside me. Her eyes, wide and full of wonder.
Next to her, Moon—our daughter. I painted her small hand in Merida's, her expression innocent and bright. Hair silver as snowfall, eyes gentle. The dress she wore was one I'd sewn myself, each thread woven with care and longing.
Last came me.
Golden-brown hair tied back, shoulders broad, frame tall. I painted myself in what I would've worn on our wedding day. But when it came to the face, I hesitated. My brush hovered over the canvas. I took a breath—and then began. Bright eyes. An excited smile.
But as I worked, my own expression didn't change.
When the final stroke was complete, I stepped back and looked at it. The painting was nearly perfect.
But not real.
Not yet. One day, though. Soon.
"Wow," Rapunzel whispered beside me.
I hadn't heard her return. I gave a small nod, then silently stored the painting in my inventory. As I turned, I noticed a crowd had formed. Dozens of eyes watched me, wide with awe.
Then I heard a voice cut through the murmur.
"My lord."
I turned.
It was Viggo Grimborn.
I nodded once. "Within a week, I want the men ready. We march for the next kingdom."
He bowed low. "Yes, my lord," he said, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Rapunzel tugged on my sleeve. "Who was that?"
"Viggo Grimborn. One of my generals."
"Wow… What's a general?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I summoned the Rumblehorn with a thought. It rumbled obediently through the kingdom's gate.
I lifted Rapunzel and placed her gently on its back. She clung to the saddle with ease, used to the motion by now. I took the reins and led the beast toward the castle, Maximus and Flynn falling in behind us.