The Tyrant of Old Port! Hikigaeru

Old Port was nothing like Aldric had imagined. From a distance, the town looked like it should have been bustling. It had a harbor, a marketplace, even several taverns, and rows of wooden houses built along the coastline.

But as Aldric and Elena approached atop their new dragon companion, something felt wrong. The streets were nearly empty. A handful of villagers hurried from one building to another, carrying baskets or crates, but none stopped to talk. Those who noticed the dragon immediately looked away. Others disappeared inside their homes.

Elena frowned. “Why is everyone acting so strangely?”

Aldric looked around.

“I don’t know.”

The little dragon beneath them gave a quiet growl.

“Even he thinks something is wrong.”

Elena looked down. “You understand him?”

“No…Well, kinda.”

“Then how do you know?” Elena inquired.

“He growled.”

“That doesn’t mean he agreed with you.”

Aldric shrugged. “It sounded like he did.”

They reached the center of town and Aldric slid from the dragons back.

“We should split up.”

Elena looked at him. “Why?”

“We’ll cover more ground. I’ll find out if there's a ship coming into the harbor.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” Elena retorted.

“Look around.”

“By myself?”

Aldric pointed toward the dragon. “He’ll stay with you.”

Elena crossed her arms. “I can protect myself.”

“I know.”

“Then why do I need him?”

“Because my grandmother told me to protect you.”

Elena opened her mouth to respond but found herself unable to respond and instead blushing at the thought of Aldric valiantly defending her from danger. Then she turned around to walk in the opposite direction. There was no arguing with that.

“Fine.”

Aldric turned toward his dragon. “Stay with her let me know if their is any trouble.”

The dragon chirped and Elena sighed.

“I suppose having a dragon following me isn’t the worst thing.”

Aldric grinned before darting off.

“See you later.”

“Be careful.” Elena said, surprised she even uttered the words.

“You too.” Aldric replied then darted toward the nearest tavern.

The tavern door creaked open and Aldric stepped inside. He barely had time to look around before a sword came swinging down toward his head.

“Whoa!”

Aldric drew his grandfather's sword just in time.”

CLANG!

The attacking blade shattered and everyone in the tavern froze. Aldric stared at the broken weapon then looked at the man still holding the hilt.

“Hey!” He raised his voice.

“What’s the big idea, sneak attacking-me like that?!”

The man stumbled backward. "You broke my sword!"

"You attacked me!"

"You broke it!"

"Because you attacked me!" Aldric looked around.

There had to be nearly thirty people packed into the tavern. Every single one looked angry, some had swords, others had axes. One man was holding a chair as though he intended to use it as a weapon. Then the door burst open.

"Aldric!" Elena rushed inside.

"What happened?"

Aldric pointed toward the broken sword. "He attacked me."

The tavern erupted. "We've had enough! You tell Hikigaeru we're not paying anymore!"

Another man shouted: "And we're not giving any of our women to his bridal selections either!"

The entire tavern erupted into shouting. "Hikigaeru! No more!"

"We're done with him!"

"Enough!"

Aldric and Elena stared at one another.

Aldric leaned toward her. "Who's Hiki-Girl?"

Elena frowned. "Hikigaeru."

"That's what I said."

"No, you said Hiki-Girl."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

"I was close."

Elena sighed. "Do you know him?"

"No." Aldric looked toward the crowd.

"Do you?"

Elena shook her head. "No."

A woman dressed in the robes of a nun suddenly stepped through the crowd. "Enough!"

Her voice silenced the room she looked at Aldric and Elena, then at the broken sword.

"Oh dear." She sighed. "These two clearly aren't Hikigaeru's men."

One of the villagers lowered his weapon. "You sure?"

The nun nodded. "If they were his men, they wouldn't have looked so confused when you

mentioned his name."

Aldric raised his hand. "That's true."

Elena looked at him. "You don't need to defend yourself like that."

The nun gestured toward a table. "Sit down."

Aldric and Elena obeyed.

"Eat."

A small bowl of stew was placed in front of each of them.Aldric immediately began eating, but Elena hesitated.

"We don't wish to impose."

The nun smiled sadly. "You aren't imposing."

She looked around the tavern. "We have little left because Hikigaeru's men take most of what we produce."

Aldric's spoon stopped. "Why?"

The nun sighed. "Hikigaeru controls the town."

"Why doesn't anyone fight him?"

"We have." She glanced at Aldric's sword.

"And we've lost."

She explained that Hikigaeru had gathered several of the strongest men in the region around him. Some had joined willingly, hoping to become wealthy. Others had been forced into serving him, but the worst part wasn't his followers. It was Hikigaeru himself.

"He possesses magic," the nun explained.

"What kind?"

"No one knows."

"That's helpful."

"He can change his form. He has tremendous strength. Some say he can command the elements."

Aldric leaned forward.

"How many people live here?"

"Enough to make him powerful."

The nun's expression darkened. "He takes food, money, supplies” she hesitated."And every few months, he demands that families offer young women from the village as brides."

Elena's expression hardened. "That's horrible."

"Yes."

Aldric looked toward the window.

"Are there ships?"

The nun blinked. "Ships?"

"We need one."

Elena nodded.

"I was shipwrecked on the island. I am Princess Elena of Lumière, and I must make my way to Niflheim."

The tavern fell silent and the nun stared at her.

"A princess?"

Elena nodded. "We need passage."

The nun sighed. "There are ships."

Elena's face brightened. "Then we can leave."

"Normally."

The brightness vanished.

"But Hikigaeru scares them away."

Aldric frowned. "Why?"

"Because he watches the harbor." The nun shook her head.

"Any captain who attempts to dock is threatened. Some have been attacked."

Elena looked down. "So even if we find a ship… It may never reach us." Elena's shoulders sank. "If we can't get a ship, we can't leave the island."

Aldric stared at the floor. His grandmother's words echoed in his mind. If that girl truly is a princess, her disappearance will not remain a secret. Wars could start. You have to get her Niflheim.

Aldric slowly stood. "Then I'll deal with Hikigaeru."

Everyone stared.

"What?"

Aldric rested his hand on his sword. "I'll defeat him."

The tavern erupted in nervous laughter. "You? You're just a boy! You don't even know where he lives!"

Aldric frowned. "Where does he live?"

Silence…then the nun sighed. "Only his closest guards know."

Elena suddenly looked thoughtful. "What if we make him come to us?"

Aldric looked at her. "How?"

She looked toward the tavern window. "You said he chooses brides."

The nun nodded.

Elena smiled.

"Then perhaps he'll come if he believes there is someone here he'd want."

Aldric's eyes widened.

"You mean..."

Elena nodded. "Me."

The next morning, Aldric nearly fell over when he saw Elena; she stood poised with the confidence of someone born to command attention. A delicate royal crown of gold and sapphires rests on her head, catching the light with every slight tilt, its intricate filigree framing her face without overshadowing the rest of her look.

Her outfit is deliberately revealing. A sheer, gauzy blue skirt clings and flows around her hips and thighs, the fabric so fine it becomes nearly transparent in motion or against brighter light, hinting at the shape of her legs and the curve of her backside while still offering the faintest suggestion of coverage. It sits low on her waist, leaving her midsection completely exposed—a smooth, toned stomach that the high-cut design of her top only emphasizes. The top itself is a structured yet minimal piece, cut to hug her figure tightly. It lifts and frames her breasts, the fabric stretching across them in a way that accentuates their fullness and creates a pronounced silhouette, with a plunging neckline that draws the eye downward. The combination of the sheer skirt, the cropped top, and the crown creates a striking contrast: fantasy royalty rendered in something far more intimate and scantily clad than any traditional gown. The overall effect is one of elegant provocation—regal from the neck up, unmistakably sensual from the shoulders down.

Aldric stared and blushed. "Is this how Princesses normally look?"

Elena glared and adjusted her crown.

"The point is to make sure Hikigaeru notices me.

Aldric nodded. "Good plan."

"Don't sound so surprised."

The villagers hid behind windows and doorways. The nun watched from the steps as everyone waited. Nothing happened, ten minutes, twenty, thirty.

Aldric scratched his head. "Maybe he isn't coming."

Elena sighed. "Perhaps this was foolish."

Then—

THOOM.

The ground trembled. Everyone froze. Another step.

THOOM.

Aldric reached for his sword. A massive shadow appeared at the end of the street and the villagers all gasped as a giant figure entered the town square. He was enormous, towering over every person present with red skin and large horns broad shoulders and a wicked grin.

The giant laughed. "Well, well!" His eyes locked onto Elena. "What a beautiful offering!"

Elena's face reddened and the giant spread his arms. "I suppose I can forgive this town for its past insolence if they are finally offering me someone of such royal beauty!"

Elena's eyes narrowed. This was a mistake.

The giant laughed. "You will make a fine addition to my palace!"

Aldric stepped forward. "Hey!"

The giant looked down. "Who are you?"

Aldric drew his sword. "Her knight."

Elena blinked. Idiot you're not a knight yet.

"How amusing."

Blue light began swirling around his body and a glittering smoke spiraled upward enveloping his body the giant's form began changing. His enormous body shrank though his horns remained, his red skin remained, but his features became refined. His clothes transformed into elegant robes and his voice became smooth and aristocratic.

He bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself properly." He smiled. "I am Hikigaeru."

He extended his hand toward Elena. "Princess, perhaps you would honor me by accompanying me to my estate."

Elena stepped backward. "Absolutely not."

"Oh, I think you will." He moved suddenly. His arm wrapped around Elena's waist.

"Hey!"

Before he could carry her away—

CLANG!

A sword struck between them and Aldric stood before him his grandfather's blade gleaming.

"Let her go."

Hikigaeru stared as Aldric raised his sword.

"You've bullied this town long enough." He took his stance. "Your reign of terror ends today!"

Hikigaeru's smile slowly disappeared. "Very well." He released Elena and his eyes narrowed.

"Show me what you've got, little knight."

Aldric tightened his grip. "I may not be a knight yet." He lowered his stance.

"But I'm working on it."

The villagers watched in stunned silence and Elena realized that Aldric's first real battle as a would-be knight was about to begin.