The hidden Dragon: Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the dawn) fan fiction [ON HOLD]

Chapter 23: Seiryū

THIRD PERSON P.O.V

"I can't believe people would actually live here..." Kira said as the bunch arrived at the cave village situated on the rocky mountain border of the Fire Tribe.

"Yeah, at first glance, it just looks like a mountain." Yoon who stood next to Kira, said. It was true, since the village blended within the mountain itself, it was hard to distinguish the place from afar, or even consider it as a place for living for outsiders. "I think Ik-Soo mentioned a story about a group who hid in the mountains to escape the war."

Yona looked to Kija who stood to her right. "Are you sure, Kija?" She asked. He nodded with a satisfied smile on his face. "Yes. The Seiryū is here."

The five then proceed to the entrance. Once they were inside, they began looking around. The place that looked like the main lobby was situated near the entrance. In the center of this place, a cave pillar was decorated with fire lanterns beneath while hidden behind curtains, and some banners on top. Just as they were about to take a step further, masked people appeared from behind closed curtains. The people gathered around the troupe but they made way for someone who seemed to be their elder. "Do we have guests?" He asked.

"Bring the Blue Dragon here!" Kija flatly demanded.

"That's too direct." Yoon deadpaned.

"Blue Dragon?" The elder repeated. He seemed genuinely confused as he raised his eyebrow. "No one by that name lives here."

"It's not a name. He is a man who possess a Dragon's blood." Kija explained. "There is no need to hide him. Tell him this person is waiting for him." He finished as he gestured his hand to Yona. The man's eyes turned to Yona but he didn't seem to care who she was. "I don't know what you're talking about. Perhaps you came to the wrong place. This is a small, simple settlement. We don't want a lot of commotion." Kira couldn't help but feel uneasy as she saw everyone, including the children wearing masks.

"I'm sorry." Yona apologized to the man. "We were traveling in search of someone, but it seems he isn't here. But we're exhausted from our long journey, and some of us are injured.." Walking over to Kira and Hak, Yona gestured to their injuries. Hak exposed his chest while Kira raised her sleeve to expose her almost healed arm which was still bandaged. "Do you think we could..." Yona started but Kira finished the sentence for her. "rest for a while?"

The villagers turned to each, contemplating whether to let them stay for a while or not. "Your journey must have been difficult. As you can see, we're poor. We cannot offer you anything." The village elder stated. Kira was so thankful that she still had some food leftover from today's breakfast or she wouldn't have been fine with the situation. "That's fine. Thank you." Yona reassured. The elder nodded and told the bunch to follow him.

"What are those masks?" Yona asked as she followed the man.

"They're traditional. We discourage unmarried villagers from showing their faces to others." The elder responded.

"That's an interesting tradition." Yona commented.

Kira sighed. "It feels like Halloween minus the candy." Hak and Yoon couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

"You can rest here." They reached a room that resembled the rest. It had an arched entrance that was covered by thick curtains, and the only light source on the hallways was the fire from torches.

"Ah, miss.." The elder called, stopping the bunch from entering the room. "This place is like a maze. Do not wander too much. We will not be held responsible for anything that happens to you." The warning was visible in his tone.