Dragon Raja

3 - Best Christmas Ever

Notes
This chapter contains mature/explicit content. Descriptions of blood and death. Please read at your own discretion.

-

Everyone gathered around the tree, smiles curved up on all their faces. Save for Z and his usual unimpressed expression. Children danced and the air was filled with their laughter, the orphans looked up at the tree expectantly, waiting for the director to light it up.

Dr. Herzog stood at the base of the tree. As he watched his children prance about, from afar, he smirked at the sight of Anton. As the orphans pulled at the ends of his coat trying to grasp his attention, Herzog turned his attention back to the tree.

"Merry Christmas, my precious children,"

As the words left his mouth, the tree lit up in a plethora of colors. The Christmas tree shined brighter than the stars that night, but not brighter than the smiles of everyone gathered around it.

Y/N, Renata, and Vera stood close together, the three of them gazing in awe at the tree. Christmas day was a very special day for the orphans at Black Swan Bay, the day where everyone gathered around as a family. Not just that, but also when their supply ship would come with new things for the children. Although they have yet to see the ship, everyone was still focused on the Christmas festivities to notice.

From behind, the girls could hear Anton's strained voice as Khorkina pulled him along. "Wait," Anton said, "I'm not fully recovered,"

Despite his protests for her to slow down, Khorkina did not listen. Her bright red hair flowing with the wind, even she was smiling bigger than anyone had seen before. Christmas day pulled everyone together, even Anton and Khorkina. Even though anyone could hardly stand the two, they were family.

Y/N looked behind her, catching a glimpse of Z with his arms folded across his chest. She pouted when he yawned.

"Boring," he mumbled. Z walked away from the tree.

Y/N watched her friend leave the central plaza to isolate himself near the forest instead. Despite even getting along with Anton and Khorkina on Christmas, Z had no intentions of trying to get along with any of the other orphans.

"Leave him be," Renata's voice brought Y/N's attention back to the tree. They smiled at each other.

Fireworks erupted into the night sky, which both startled and riled the children up. Everyone grinned up at the fireworks with nothing but joy. Vera hid behind Y/N when the booms of the fireworks got too loud, but she still held a smile on her face. Khorkina danced enthusiastically under them, and Y/N was even surprised to see a slight smile on Anton's face.

"This is the best Christmas ever," Vera said quietly, grasping onto Y/N's cape. She smiled down at Vera, who smiled back with her green eyes filled with the stars and the lights of the tree.

The director set up a microphone in front of the tree, all the orphans suddenly shifted their attention to Dr. Herzog. As the laughter died down, Dr. Herzog cleared his through, preparing for a speech.

"My dear children," he began, "Christmas day has always been a special day for us, but today is an even more special day for one of you.

After today's training, I've decided that the lucky person going to the capital this year, is Anton!"

The orphans both congratulated him and gasped in shock. Anton boasted about his victory, Khorkina did the same.

"I knew you'd win!" she said, "Z could never do what you did, he's no match for you,"

Upon hearing the news of the director confirming who was leaving for the capital, Y/N couldn't help but feel embarrassed and uneasy. She was so sure she'd be going to the capital, but all of a sudden, her dream had been crushed. She would've used that opportunity to learn all about the world to satisfy all the questions she had about it. After losing to Anton who had a sudden breakthrough in his skills, Y/N was upset at her own abilities.