Silver Dragon Breath - fantasy writings by Syrobe and members.

    It started long ago about three thousand years when everything was pure and sweet. The lands were green and lush and the air was clean and crisp. And the animals and living creatures were in perfect harmony and balance. ‘Twas the time of dragons that had arose. A great time it was too for these giant beasts roamed the countryside free flying and careless. Every year the dragons would gather to talk amongst one another and dwell on history that had been passed down generations and of new ability and breed coming. Thousands upon thousands would visit this location each year never fearing any threat and more appearing by the decade. For only the ones strong enough and brave enough to seek the knowledge had the ability to know it. I was born of a beautiful mother; a pure white one called Seraneth. My father was of the stronger breed; Odisiun was king of dragons. I was an egg being sheltered for the first decade, and then to be left to hatch on my own. Two hundred years later, I had been born opening my eyes to the world not knowing the dangers. For when you’re a dracling curiosity overrules fear.
    The first thing I realized when I awoke was I was hungry. So I looked around and yes there were a few carcasses around for me to munch on so much in fact it took three days to eat it all (Being son to the king of dragons isn’t too bad). I tore the flesh and it was a few days old but the taste of blood inside my mouth was ever too sweet. I began to munch to my hearts content after three days of eating I began to hunt on my own. Being the size of a medium sized dog didn’t help things much. I began on small prey like fire lizards and small animals. I began to tone my hunting skills.
    It wasn’t ‘til I was not eight months old ‘til I met my first danger. An eagle of giant stature was heading toward me. Being a dracling, I was also stupid and faced it in defensive position. I had no clue what to do but I kept on track. The eagle dived; I evaded and slashed with my claws. We fought like that for about an hour ‘til I was tired then the eagle swooped down and grasped me in its claws.
    In a sudden panic, I thought {flame} I didn’t know how but somehow did a small white and orange ball of flame hit the grasping eagle before it took off frying it. The smell was wonderful! That night I had my fill and rested. The next day I realized that I needed to find shelter because outside was now apparently not safe. So I found a bear cave and flamed and roared scaring the bear off. I practiced my flaming skills and went outside to hunt. I kept trekking a little further each day to keep territory and hunt; I kept this up for about four years without any mishaps. A few eagles’ lions and carnivores here and there but we seemed to get along fairly well. As long as we minded each other and had no business to settle, we kept separate paths.
    I was one of the few things that was avoided because who would mess with a dragon. I had encountered during spring of my fifth year a fellow dracling. I had run up and flamed and growled showing it this was my territory. This was because sure he was of my kin but that doesn’t mean he gets to stay on my land. He understood bowed and sat down looking at me. I asked him where he came from and he told me that he had traveled from a nest and was chased by a furry dog thing. I told him it was a wolf. He asked me questions about the animals and how I knew them, I replied and told him of my exploits. His name was {Byrn} he had told me. I told him I didn’t have a name and he said, “Maybe you’ll find it some day”. I said, “I hope so”. I had invited him to stay with me as long as we split each other’s kills and watched over one another. It was the making of a pack.
    I had a great time during a period of fifty years I had encountered a number of dragons and the pack was strong and we were now bigger, stronger, faster, agile, smarter, and we had become a family caring about each other. The group after fifty years consisted of ten dragons: Byrn, Singe, Pyro, Flame, Scold, Sting, Bolt, Icy, Gust, and me. We were a team sharing helping surviving. Oh and it was an inter-sexual group it had males and females. The females swift quick and fast the males’ strong ready and willing. I had become a great leader and Byrn a great friend. And another benefit was I learned everyone was different. Sure, color and scale size was obvious. But I meant attitude and breath. Like I had a white flame while Icy breathed ice so strong it froze creatures instantly.
    Also Bolt had an amazing gift she could breathe lightning it was awesome. No creature ever came near our kin, they feared frost, flame or bolt but each had a reason to fear us. Most of us had gotten along pretty well but I had noticed the fellow fire breathers Pyro Singe and Flame were kind of mean and uptight with scold and gust. You see scold is a stem dragon no flame or ice nor bolt just steam really really hot steam and gust may not have anything hot but it sure helps when it comes to summer and eagles, his breath is pure wind it is like a hurricane in his mouth.
    However, the one thing I disliked was that the fire-breathers were being discriminates. I talked with them and explained that everyone in this group has a purpose and right to be here just as any other to pass the trial. Sure, they can’t hunt or fight but still they protect us with their lives and their ability. They seemed to understand that.

- 1 -

Part 2

    After about a week after that talk I started to see improvement, even Pyro was being nice he asked Gust if he wanted to join his hunting party. I stayed behind I wanted to look after our lair and do a little training with Icy and Bolt. We figured out an awesome move we called the Dragons Wrath and were perfecting it. We went outside not to far from the lair and pretended we were asleep. Just as we suspected an eagle came.
    As the eagle approached, we lay still timing and aiming all the while. The eagle got about a good fifty feet away when all three of us sat up and combined all our breaths. When they struck all that was left was the charred remains and feathers of the eagle. I had told my friends well done and a good job they did. They hummed at my praise. We traveled in our lair happy of our accomplishments. Soon Gust entered the cave a little breathless and worried. I asked him what the matter was and he replied that Pyro was in danger. That foolish dragon had tangled with something larger than him again and was cornered. I swooped in front of his foe. Its fangs were barred and its claws sharp. I really disliked his foe when I looked into its face. I was standing face to face with a major adversary, a griffin.
    {Pyro YOU IDIOT} I told him {HOW IS IT YOU CHALLENGE A GRIFFIN?} Pyro responded in his defense {I was just kidding around with it. I was just messing with its tail feathers and it got all-indignant on me} I replied rather harshly {Well if it doesn’t kill you I will} my empty threat made I faced the Griffin. It looked deep into my eyes as if trying to make me afraid of it. I focused my bright red Dragon eye on its body. Perfectly shaped the strong build of lion and razor sharp claws to accompany it. It also had a feathered head, and a sharp beak, to rip prey to shreds. I looked at it and bowed my head. It bowed its and I attempted to communicate with it. {Is it possible for you to spare the fools life?} I had asked. The griffin replied. {We are like you we are very proud creatures and do not like to be made fools. Your friend was being un-dragon like and must pay the price I am sorry but this is the way of things.} I sighed {that is the way things are I guess. Shall we get this over with?} The griffin looked at me quizzically and asked. {But young dracling twas not you that annoyed me why are you challenging me?} I replied rather annoyed {because…because he is of my kin and no matter how annoying or foolish I must fight for him.} the griffin bowed his head. {Then I accept}.
    I took flight and the griffin followed. I had grown a great amount since my birth. Both the griffin and I were about the same size but he was much more adapted to flying and fighting at the same time. I was looking for a spot to hit him and could not. He was just too fast. The griffin swooped and pounced on my back. It was at that moment that gust opened her mouth and blew the griffin off my back. I thanked him and flew with a burst of speed right at his chest. The griffin surprised lost its breath at the impact. Those three seconds were all I needed. I opened my mouth and a burst of flame enveloped the griffin. It fell lifeless to the ground. I landed softly on the earth my eyes fixed on Pyro. He looked up at me and bowed his head staring at the ground. I and the other draclings dragged the carcass to the lair not saying a word. I later took Pyro to a secluded area and scolded him. {Pyro you fool! What would you have done if I had not come? You put not only you in danger but the hunting party also. How could you be so foolish and irresponsible? Next time if you do something like that again I will banish you from our lair and then you will be sorry you ever acted foolish again} Pyro looked at his feet the entire time.
    We faired pretty well for a few weeks after that. I had taken all of the griffin’s wings and spread them neatly in a corner to remind Pyro of his vow. I later lead a hunting party and we were in luck. It was summer and the Buffalo were coming to graze. Thing is buffalo were very hard to catch. They also had the risk of harming us in the process of capture. So, I told the group to crouch down in the long grass and wait for the opportune moment. We waited and about thirty min later, a buffalo appeared right near us grazing on the sweet grass. The group hungrily gazed at it. Loving every single inch of its beautiful meat. I signaled to go now but they were one step ahead of me and pounced on the buffalo. It let out an agonizing cry as my party Byrn, Ember, Ice and I tore through its flesh feeling the sweet taste of blood in our mouths making us try and overcome it even more. We finally tackled it to the ground, clamped its neck in our jaws, in a short burst upward snapped its neck, and killed it. The rest of the buffalo were nowhere to be seen. We each took a limb and flew the buffalo half way home then decided to go for more help. Icy came back with gust, bolt and strangely, Pyro. We all grasped the bleeding buffalo and carried it up to the cave. As soon as we dropped it, the Kyn pounced at it tearing and ripping at the flesh as if there was to be no more. The hunters moved in and the sweet juicy meet was swallowed completely. Buffalo was a rare delicacy. Being sweet grass grazers it tasted sweet too. Their meat was soft and juicy filled with tender moist blood and tasted better than anything we usually ate. After nothing but bones were left. We all rested.
    The summer was plentiful. And so were the buffalo. We had our fill of buffalo, deer, eagle and even elk. We went into winter with less meat than summer but still managed and the years passed on it seems like minutes. Before I knew it, I was two hundred years old. My teen years over and my pre adult ones started. I could hunt anything I wanted now for I was extremely large. In fact, the group grew so big we needed to relocate. We found a bigger cave further up the mountain. It was inhabited by a pack of bears. Instead of shooing them off this time, this time we ate them. I had found two more dragons during the time span. One of which became my mate her name was Xalleah. The other was a lone gold dragon called Sekiku. She was unique in many ways. Her ability was not like ours. She had the ability to read the minds of animals that were not dragon. I asked her from which land she came when they had arrived she did not answer she only shyly bowed and entered our cave. Xalleah was the same way. When we first met, I could not help but fall in love with her. From the tip of her tail to her longest horn she was majestic and beautiful. She had a slender figure for a dragon and was very fit.
    She was also fast. However, none of her outside appearances no matter how attractive and seductive they were got my attention more than the one unusual thing. She was a dragon with blue eyes. I had never seen such a thing my entire life as a dragon, for all of my kyn had either green or red eyes and maybe orange or yellow but never blue. I had green eyes but her eyes were unique. Her eyes were mesmerizing. Her eyes were…beautiful. I could stare at them for days and fall into their spell and not have a care in the world. But as I said, she was shy at first. It wasn’t until that day twenty years ago that she started to communicate.

- 2 -

Part 3

    It happened so fast I was unprepared. It was Xalleah and Sekiku’s first hunt and they like Pyro when he was young were inexperienced. I sent Bolt to accompany them and help them learn how to stalk and pounce. They exceeded me even when it came to learning but when their hunting day came total chaos erupted. Bolt had hurriedly returned to the cave to report an emergency and told me the newcomers were in danger. I rushed off wings spread and flying hard. It turns out they had traveled a greater distance than our borders were. They were in a foreign land that we never explored. I witnessed as Sekiku was standing between a pair of Bobcats and a wounded Xalleah. I rushed in front of the cats and stared at them. No Creature on this earth harms my kyn and lives to tell about it. I clamped one of the bobcats in my jaws tasting its blood in my mouth and chomped hard killing it instantly. I then threw it against a tree and stared coldly into the other ones eyes daring it to move. The bobcat looked at its former friend, roared at me, and swiped a paw at my nose. Then pounced toward Xalleah. Enraged I grappled it in my claws and flew upward at an accelerated rate. The bobcat in anger and fear started to roar and claw at me but could not reach. When I reached about two hundred feet, I let it go staring at it as it dropped. It roared and hissed knowing full well what was going to happen and landed on the ground with a sickening thud and a bone-snapping crunch. I landed and looked at the lifeless body of the bobcat and then turned toward Xalleah. {Are you all right?} Xalleah responded. {Yeah just a minor leg injury it should heal in about a month or two.} She stared at me. {Why did you go beyond our territory borders?} I said irritably. She bowed her head and mumbled {I wanted to make you proud.} I stared at her and realized why she was so silent. She had felt the same way I did about her. However, I wanted further knowledge before I could confirm it. {What do you mean?} She sighed {well when I first met you I realized that you were very strong and courageous and kind, Values of which I hold high. Today being my first hunting day I wanted to go after a buffalo I saw and well was sidetracked I had no idea where I was. Then the bobcats came and with one thing on their mind. They wanted to eat me. Luckily, Sekiku sensed them and told me but it was too late by then I knew they were a threat so I flamed but they dodged and slashed my leg. Then you came. I am so sorry} she bowed her head and looked down. {You can banish me if you need to.} I looked at her seeing this kind honest and beautiful dragoness in woe and could not even think of banishing such a creature. {Banishment is not required nor will it be adhered. I choose instead for you to rest and relax. When your leg heals we shall test you to see if you’re liable for a scout. I had a feeling hunting wasn’t going to be your thing anyway. I am not disappointed in you in anyway. We all make mistakes but to learn from them makes us wiser. Now let us carry you home. You cannot take off on that leg of yours so that is the only solution.} Xalleah bowed her head further and accepted the assistance.
    After two months, her leg healed and it was time to begin her test. Her leg had gotten better and she was faster than ever. I waited at the plains for her arrival. She flew in at an alarming rate and landed quite hard. {So are you prepared}? I asked. She responded {yes, but what is the challenge? I see no obstacles?}
    I started to laugh. {Silly do you really think there are obstacles big enough for a Dragon? Ha ha ha ha ha you are looking at your obstacle.} She blinked in confusion then asked {you mean you? So, what am I supposed to do?} I started to laugh again {Why beat me of course. We are to race to see how fast you are then perch and see who can find the item first. First one back with their item wins.} She looked quizzically {so, what’s my item?} I responded {It is a Giant white boulder of about a thousand pounds in weight at the end of the plains.} She stared {and yours?} {Mine is this tiny pebble.} She looked at it and got an I can’t believe this kind of look and said {that’s not fair!} I laughed and responded and said {no its not. You know why. Because I have to pick this thing out of hundreds on the bottom of the ocean floor and come back before you do. All you have to do is go get a rock that might be a little heavy to lift.} She stared flabbergasted {Oh? Well never mind then.}. I threw my stone in the water and started {ok. Enough talk lets get started. On your mark, get set. Go}. As I dived into the water I wondered if she had her rock by now. She was quite fast. I chased the path of bubbles left by my rock and found where the rock landed. In the mound of similar rocks, all the same shape size and weight. The difference being this one had a dragon etched in by my claws. Oh boy here I go again. I began to examine the rocks one by one searching for the one I was looking for. After about five minutes I found it and surfaced. Water splashed and cascaded off my scales and I looked around. There was Xalleah waiting by the shore holding a blue pebble with a dragon etched in it. {What are you doing here and where did you find that?} I asked. She laughed and replied {what does it matter I got my boulder there and found the last dragon stone you lost so either way I win.} {That’s impossible I am never beaten!} {Well, you just were.} She giggled as I climbed onto the beach. {I am not beaten ever. Oh, well it doesn’t matter that much but still I DON”T GET BEATEN!} She started to laugh {don’t worry about it ok. I wont tell anybody I promise. But you have to do me a favor in return.} I looked at her curiously {what favor?} she blushed {Come closer} I did. {Closer} I did. Hen she whispered in my ear {you have to kiss me} I was taken aback and stared into her eyes. A fire glowed there I hadn’t seen before. I edged closer until our lips almost met then gave her a small kiss. When I pulled away she had smiled. I actually enjoyed it very much. So much so that I even went further, nuzzled her, and started to purr in my throat. It was the start of our relationship together.
    As we returned the sun sparkled and shimmered green off her emerald scales. I marveled at their beauty. I stared at her and decided to do something I never do. I sang for her. She listened intently not missing a note and nuzzled me thanking me for the song. When we returned to the cave the lair was a buzz. They all knew what happened and how we felt for each other. I didn’t care for she was a magnificent creature. They all agreed that we were a good couple and that we should be mates. I told them that we were and that meant it was forever. For one thing is always true about Dragons. They mate for life. I nuzzled her and retreated to my section of the lair inviting her next to me. She curled up next to me and I put a wing over her. And we slept for the first time together.
    I awoke the next morning to the sound of rain on the outside and looked out. I began to laugh as I witnessed both Xalleah and Sekiku outside dancing and laughing in the rain. I ventured out and let the refreshing drops hit me. I looked as both the dragonesses stared at me as I approached. I gradually went up to Xalleah and asked {may I have this dance?} she bowed and we began to dance in the rain enjoying each other’s company and laughing not caring about how foolish we looked. Xalleah pirouetted and Sekiku rather went left to right doing a kind of shuffle. I grasped Xalleah's claws and began to waltz with her in the rain enjoying the air and energy around us. The others soon awoke and witnessed the spectacle outside. Their leader was actually laughing, smiling, and strangest of all Dancing. They soon joined in themselves and it became a summers rain symphony. We began to start a ritual dance passed down by dragons for generations. The males bowed and the females backed away. The male dragons began to stand and raised their heads. They roared and started to do a kind of circular shuffle. When the circle broke, they bowed to the women and the females came in. It was a magnificent display of clapping and twirling and bowing and dipping and dancing. A more rare sight was never seen, as that of a dragons rain dance. Finally, the clouds as if on cue subsided and parted letting the warm and vibrant sun reflect off our scales. I lay there with Xalleah and kissed her on the cheek basking in the warm sun.
    After the sun had dried me off, I casually got up and stretched, wondering what to do next. Xalleah joined me and I looked around. I saw that Sekiku was talking. She wasn’t shy anymore and she was talking to Pyro. Xalleah and I slowly crept nearer to eavesdrop and see what they were discussing. It turned out Pyro was interested in Sekiku but never got enough nerve to ask her or tell her his feelings. So instead, she came to him. It was an interesting listen until Icy noticed us and started to laugh and told Pyro we were listening. In a way, I guess we had no business doing what we were. Nevertheless, I didn’t see any harm. So, I tackled Icy and told her to keep her trap shut and sneaked up behind Pyro this time without Xalleah. Now being a Dragon and a large one at that places to hide are scarce. Normally we don’t have to. But as I said, I was curious to see if both Sekiku and Pyro had changed. So, they ended up finding a forest to talk in and I followed about one hundred feet behind them so they couldn’t spot me. I hid in the trees and listened. Pyro talked of how he had felt when he first saw her and couldn’t help but love her. She talked of him about the same way that Xalleah talked to me. I witnessed Pyro as he tried to kiss her for the first time and not thinking began to laugh to myself thinking that lucky son of a gun. But not thinking laughed aloud. Pyro looked up and all color drained from his face. Sekiku really wanting that kiss growled and flamed at me shooing me off. I fled chuckling all the while. I told Xalleah about the forest and she began to laugh. {Serves you right! You had no right to be there in the first place.} I began to look down {I was just curious that’s all. Pyro is so immature I needed to see him grow up soon. Anyway, I am glad he is settling down finally.} Xalleah looked at me curiously {and what about you? Are you going to settle down?} I flashed a quick mischievous grin {only one thing on this planet can get me to settle down…}. She eyed me suspiciously {Oh, and what would that be?} I grinned even wider {a warm kiss from you and knowing that you will forever be in my heart.} Xalleah began to blush {I love you.} she giggled and gave me a small kiss on the cheek. Our kyn was beginning to blossom.

- 3 -

Part 4

    Throughout the years, our kyn had become more grown up more advanced. We had started to know love, honor, dignity, and respect. We were no longer immature adolescents. We had become mature young dragons. It was a beautiful transition. A transition that took a long time and many years but it was accomplished. We were here again at our most prestiged ritual, the Summer Rain Symphony. I as usual courted Xalleah. And the others their partners, Pyro with Sekiku, Singe with Flame, Bolt with Icy, and Sting with Gust. However, all of us felt bad for Scold and Byrn. They never had the chance of finding a mate. Not until that fateful day when they came.
    It was the same day 50 years in advance at our Summer Rain Symphony; a strange group of dragons led by another leader had arrived at our encampment. I bowed, much more courteous than I was in my former years. I asked what brought them to our home and they responded. {We heard talk from the Griffins that you were here. They said you fought nobly against one of their kyn and that we should see you.} I looked at them curiously {for what reason?}. The Griffins did not want us to harm you only to see you. For what reason we do not know. I guess because we told them we were the only dragons here but I see now I was wrong. I asked them {so would you like to join us in our dance?} they looked at me funny {Out here in the Rain?} I laughed {of course. It’s called the Summer Rain Symphony for a reason. It is a dance we only do during this time of the month when it rains. It is a tradition and a courting.} The Dragon looked at me impressed {A Courting! We shall then we shall join you. But first introductions must be made. } I agreed. I shared the names of my kyn and the new additions that had arrived over the fifty years. My kyn are as such our Females are Xalleah, Sekiku, Icy, Singe, Flame, Bolt, Ember, Firefly and Flare. Our Males are Byrn, Pyro, Me, Scold and Gust. {So, what is your name then?} I blushed {I am sorry but I haven’t found my real name yet. I plan to search for it when the time comes. For now you can all me White Dragon of Summer as I cannot find my real name.} She looked at me. {Fine with me.} She announced her Dragonesses. {My Dragonesses are as such. Scorch, Sear, tinder, warmth, Char, Blaze and Glow. I myself am called Fire. My males are only two. Holocaust and my mate is Brimstone.} I began to chuckle at that last part. She turned sharply and asked, “what’s so funny?” and I told her that is the end of the world. She snapped “and you better believe it.” I got serious {Ok. I apologize and give my word we shall be courteous to your every need while you are with us.} {Shall we begin?}. The Dance had started. I courted Xalleah, Fire courted Brimstone, Pyro Courted Sekiku, Bolt courted Icy, Singe courted Flame, and Sting courted Gust. And it was then I witnessed a cool rarity. Scold had courted Warmth. Then Byrn seeing Scold do it courted Blaze. I was taken aback. Then I witnessed one of our newcomers court Holocaust. I believe it was flare. The rest of the females just watched or joined in with a friend or two depending on how they felt. I noticed ember was a little shy and just watched. The ritual came and went without a problem and before I knew it, our family had grown. Fire and Brimstone told their clan that if they wished to remain here that they would be more than welcome to and that she wouldn’t hold it against them. With that said our family had inherited all of those who had been courted. Fire bid me fare well and said she would be back and that if she was to lose all her dragons to us she herself might come with us.
    The next day was a lot more interesting than any other was. We had an unexpected Dragon drop in. A Big Ancient with White Scales and a Large Sun Scar around his eye. He came into my cave and looked straight at me. I bowed my head but he did not his. I asked his name and he replied. {You cannot even recognize your own father?} I was startled and taken aback. I gathered the clan and had asked him why he decided to visit now of all times. He replied being the king of dragons keeps one busy and that he was sorry for not coming sooner. But he was watching over me and loved that I was becoming a great leader. I beamed at his praise. He had told me of what we were to be doing next as a tradition of the old dragons. We were to migrate to the Summer Mountains and rest for a few years and that I was to receive my coronation for my name. It was at this I asked why he never named me? He only responded that because my name was more special and magical than any other was and for it to be used early would be disastrous. I understood and bowed. It was then I heard a nostalgic song; it crept over the mountains in a low hum then grew louder. It called to me as if the planet were speaking I understood fully at that moment what I had to do. I told the group we must go to the Summer Mountains on the other side of the planet. It was to be a long journey and only those who thought they could take it should come. My entire Clan stood by my side. I then flew a few leagues to tell Fire and Brimstone and they did the same with their tribe. All but one came with us. Glow stayed behind telling us that with her hurt leg and small body she wouldn’t be able to make it. I told her I would leave her with a friend of mine for protection. I summoned Ryukishi a wolf I had befriended long ago when he was a young pup starving and alone. I fed him and saved him so he stayed by my side when I called him. I explained and he understood. I faced the North and let the air breeze past my face. I concentrated on the sound and let it envelop me. As I spread my wings, my father looked at me and said good luck son I shall see you there. I took off with a burst of speed and my entire clan followed. It was as if the sky was dotted with Large Birds, but we were not birds, we were dragons.
    As we had passed over trees and fields, we noticed many animals we never encountered before. We landed in a plain just about fifty miles away from where we were. Dusk was setting and I realized that we trekked this distance in eighteen hours. I was impressed. The group was tired and hungry so we settled and looked around for some food. We saw this gopher like thing and some Bulls grazing so being the hungry dragons we were we hunted the Bulls. We were careful not to be gored or crunched but these were a lot faster than Buffalo and a lot stronger. I decided that this was taking too long so I flamed it killing it instantly. The other dragons moaned at the action but I didn’t care I was hungry. We ate the Bull and enjoyed its meat. My flame had grown a lot stronger I realized as the fur and skin had melted and the meat was cooked. It tasted better that way actually but not much blood. So, after we ate we noticed Fire and Brimstone with their entire clan circled around two bulls and pounced. We laughed as a few of the Dragonesses were obviously confused as the bulls were screaming and the dragons tearing. We went to a section of the field and slept ready and full for the day ahead.
    I awoke the next morning with two things staring at me. The first was quite odd and unpleasant. I was awake and looking eye to eye with a gopher. It rather tilted its head looked very close then popped back in the ground before I could chomp it. The second was more than pleasant. After the gopher went down, I saw Xalleah looking straight at me and smiling. I smiled back and looked deep into her eyes. I rolled next to her, nuzzled her, and wrapped my neck around hers. We stayed that way for a while. I then walked a few feet away from the crowd and sat down looking towards the mountains. The sun began to rise and Xalleah joined me. We both sat there mesmerized by the amazing display of color and light the sunrise was giving. The clan began to rise but left us alone. Finally, the sunrise ended and I nuzzled Xalleah again. I then walked back to the encampment with Xalleah tail with tail. We finished preparations and whereabouts and headed off.
    Our Next journey had taken us over the Beor Mountains and to tell you the truth it was very chilly. The frigid and fierce winds were anything but nice. We fought with the winds about 3o min before the storm came. A snowstorm had come and it was powerful. We found an empty cave and made shelter for the night. It was dismal. We were cold wet and hungry. Nevertheless, nothing to eat was in sight and we could not brave the storm. So, we sat there hungry and cold until the storm subsided. It took a week for the storm to pass and by then we were famished. We took off a little slow but finally maid it to the pass of Gorgoroth. It was filled with rams and mountain sheep. We hunted until our stomachs were full. I looked on the horizon and realized we had a long way to go. We had only traveled a good one hundred and fifty miles and there was still about ten thousand three hundred and fifty left. So, we decided to pull a nightshift to get there sooner. The group had excellent sight at night it seemed because we could make out objects as if they were in daylight. We learned that this knowledge might come in handy later in life so we experimented a bit. We dived, swooped, and flew in between each other. It was then that we found the bad part of flying in the dark. There were other dragons.
    First, they came gradually and slow but then they came faster and faster and larger and larger until there were about the same amount as ours. The first thing I attempted was to be friendly. I had asked where they were from and where they were going. They responded most harshly. They attacked us. We didn’t know what happened or what hit us. All we heard was we did not belong here and that we should go back that this was Black Winter Dragon territory. I pondered this for a moment then realized this was a completely different species of dragon totally opposite to my kyn and I. These were the night dwellers. They preferred Dark Cold damp places and hated light. I told my kyn to flee and flee we did. Soon we were flying well away from their territory. I vowed that day that we only fly at sunrise and that the next time one of the Dark Dragons attacked me it would be their last time doing it.

- 4 -

Part 5

    Two weeks had passed and we had trekked eight hundred and fifty miles we were far away from the mountains now and winter seemed to avoid this land. In fact, it seemed to attract the sun so much the land was dry and sandy. We were hot and parched we had stumbled into a desert. Now being dragons we are flying in the air but flying over a desert is awkward there are weird updrafts that lifted us uncontrollably upward and then we sank down. It was as if you were flying bird caught in a storm not knowing which way to go or what to do. Finally, we needed to rest and spotted an oasis. We drank heartily. The water here seemed more sweet and pure than any we had tasted before. We loved the taste so much in fact that we searched around and found some rhinos. Now these massive beasts were not easy prey they looked as if none in their kingdom would mess with them. But then again we were not from their animal kingdom. So three others and I surrounded one of the males. He charged at each of us. Each of us just lifting when he did, for a strong species it wasn’t really that intelligent. Finally, we wore it out and pounced on it. We were careful this time to preserve the skin. Out of its hide, we made makeshift water skins. We then gave one to each of the group and took off. We were becoming intelligent. Another week had passed and we had finally escaped the scorching desert. Now we faced the strangest land we had ever encountered. A stifling wet marshland filled with insects. We flew by it the stench was appalling and horrid. We eventually had to land. The experience was unforgettable. The vegetation seemed to take on a life of its own and the animals seemed either poisonous or lethal or a combination of both. The encampment wasn’t pretty either. The Dragons did not like this environment at all. We had no dry land to sit on. Instead, we had to sleep in the marsh with our heads in the trees. It was most uncomfortable. The insects kept buzzing and trying to bite us but our hides were too thick. The Animals seemed to circle us unafraid. The snakes thought of biting us then stopped when they realized how alike we were. I actually just to get my mind off things ended up talking to one. {How can you live in such a place?} The snake just laughed and replied {Quite easily actually. I am much smaller than you are and prey is abundant for me here. As for the insects, they do not bother me much. I mostly eat all the small things that will not kill me and stay away from things bigger than me. That is unless they are invading my territory or startling me.} I smiled {Sorry about that. But we don’t want to be here anymore than you want us to be.} The snake looked at me and then replied {I actually think you guys are pretty interesting. Once I got to know you, you weren’t so bad. It is the crocs that are annoyed.} {Crocs?} The snake laughed a little {crocodiles. Those things with the sharp teeth, big mouths, and swim in the water, kind of have scales like you those are crocodiles.} I laughed and told him oh I thought they were giant lizards. He joined in my laughter and agreed that they were. Soon Xalleah came over to ask why I was laughing and saw the snake. {Oh, hello.} The snake said hello back and they had chatted about miscellaneous things until the snake had to leave. No one had received much sleep that day and was pretty groggy.
    Finally the next morning came. The sun shone and the trees seemed to breath. We took off and I said farewell to my snake friend. After about six hours of flying, we had finally got to the border of the marshes. And came to a land we would soon grow to love. We were staring at a forest.
    As we neared the outer region of the forest we landed t look at the spectacle before us. It was breath taking. Trees and mountains far as our eyes could see. Nature’s beauty surrounding us, Animals, Birds and Prey surrounded us. It was a good land filled with everything a dragon could want. We looked at it and didn’t want to leave. We instead of flying decided to stroll in the forest to absorb its beauty. We walked through the forest the sunlight filtered through the trees the air filled with cleanliness and pureness. We enjoyed the scents sights and smells surrounding us. We felt like we were home. We trekked on and found a beauty beyond any we had ever seen. A great waterfall cascading off a humongous mountain range far bigger than the one we lived at formerly. It looked as it could suit a whole three generations of dragons. We immediately flew up to the mountains and examined them. It was intertwined and honeycombed with caves of all shapes and sizes. We had found our perfect home. We decided to claim this mountain and therefore deemed it its name. Aglasiea City of the Summer Dragons. We explored its many chasms for hours until we seemed content with where each would live.
    After the examination, we continued once again on our long journey. It was a beautiful sight indeed. We passed over towering treetops. It contained many different animals and natural wonders. The forest was so vast and large that it could easily conceal a dragon. We landed near a lake and most of the group went for a swim. I sat there staring at the sunlight’s rays reflecting off the water. And enjoying the warmth, it was giving. Xalleah sat next to me and then got an idea. She asked if I wanted to go swimming with her. I replied that I would be more than happy to. And decided to enter, as a dragon should, with a huge drop. I rose about 40 or 50 feet and plunged straight at the water. I knew full well how deep the water was and rose to the top water glistening off my scales and cascading off my breastplate. I looked at Xalleah daring her to top it. She smiled and rose 50 feet and did a double somersault and a perfect dive. The group applauded when she arose. She smiled and bowed, beaming at the attention. I looked at her and realized the way the sun glistened off her scales was magnificent and the glimmer in her deep blue eyes was mesmerizing. I was falling for her all over again. I think she realized it also because she came up to me and kissed me on the cheek. I decided to go back on land and dry off. Actually, it was to be alone with Xalleah but I told the group otherwise. As I sat there, I decided that I was not going to be nervous anymore. So, I whispered in her ear as I held her close to me. Xalleah no matter what I will be with you always through thick and thin. Good or bad lovely or sad. I will always be yours no matter what. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I will never let you go. And at that she held me tighter and looked into my eyes and she knew it was true. It wasn’t soon after that that the group came on shore to dry off. They asked when we leave. I replied as soon as you’re dry. But to Xalleah I whispered as soon as I can catch my breath and slow my heart.
    After the group had dried, we took off. We were yet again flying over beautiful trees and in the bluest of clouds. What was really fun is the birds did not fear us. We raced with the short winged beings and had a blast. There I was racing with a formidable opponent a peregrine falcon. It was very fast for such a small bird. I had a nice time with her; she was very nice. I had asked her how she loved life here and told her we might be neighbors. She replied that it was great and there were plenty of prey. As to the neighbor part, she said that that would be great and that she would love to race me again. I told her the mountains where we were to live. She said she had seen them and will visit when we go there. I bid her adieu and she left for her nest to feed her young. I felt like I could float without having to fly. The feeling was mutual amongst the group. We loved every minute of our experience here. Finally nightfall had come and we needed to camp. I realized as I calculated in my head that we had traveled twelve hundred miles. We were becoming faster and stronger yet. Even with the delays. I was quite impressed we only had nine thousand more miles to go and we would be amongst our parents and grandparents. As night came, the group and I fell asleep. However, late that night something awoke me. It was a snapping and crunching sound as if something or someone was stepping on logs or twigs. I adjusted my eyes to night vision and saw the culprit. It was a Night dragon. It didn’t seem like it was with a group. It seemed abandoned. I walked over to it and asked it its name. He replied that it did not have one so it was kicked off the clan. I replied that’s horrible and that he could join my clan. He looked at me to see if I was serious and smiled when he realized I was. He said that he did have a title though. I asked it and was amazed. He said his name was Black Dragon of Winter. I had met my counterpart.
    I had spent that night asking him of the leaders and people of the Night clan. He had told me that Dark Dragon was their leader and that the others were mostly like him arrogant cocky and mean. He also stated they like him were black and hated light. He said he could adjust to the light and used to live in it but preferred the dark. Morning finally came and I could see all of him, as could the group when they awoke. Pyro as soon as he saw him pounced on him at once and started to scratch and claw until I ripped him off him. I explained to everyone what had happened to him and that he was one of us now. They were hesitant but accepted him. Pyro didn’t trust him for a second. Xalleah greeted him very friendly and we began our journey once more Black Dragon of Winter accompanying us side by side. We finally reached the border of the forest to come upon a vast array of hills that spread about ten miles then connected with a beach. As we approached the beach, I realized we had to cross the ocean the hundreds of miles of forest we had passed earlier seemed minimal to the vast distance this ocean challenged. There was to be no shelter here for days it seemed. Or so I thought.

- 5 -

Part 6

    We looked out upon the horizon and saw a beautiful sunrise. The sight was spectacular. The day officially began. We decided we were to rest and eat today to prep for tomorrow. I took Xalleah and Blackie with me. He hated when I called him that but didn’t really care all that much. We needed food for the group for we had a long perilous journey ahead. It wasn’t long before I spotted some perfect prey for us. Now being on a beach, you would think there wasn’t much prey but we weren’t really hunting on the beach. We were swimming. I had found a Giant squid and decided to give chase. There were two difficulties here. One the group and I were not adept or able to move easily in water. Two the squid wasn’t afraid of us. I stared in shock as I witnessed the squid turn around and come after me with a blinding rage. My group also stunned didn’t know what to do. In addition, to top it all off my flame was unable to be performed here. I never thought that I would ever run from anything but this squid was intent on eating my kyn and me. I swam as fast as I could to try to get away but the thing kept chasing me as if in a mad frenzy. I was slowing down with fatigue and it was at that moment the squid caught hold of my leg in one of its tentacles. I saw my kyn were captured as well. I looked at the others knowing what was soon to follow. Black looked as if he was having fun and I looked at him as if he had gone insane. But I was on the contrary. He opened his mouth and a dark concentration of energy started to develop. He Shot it straight at the squids eyes blinding it momentarily. That gave us just enough time to bite its tentacles. However, in doing so the squid became even more enraged. It rose to the surface berserk and insane. We rose with it and breached the surface of the ocean. It was at this time the group witnessed its leader and newfound friend were in trouble. The immediately took flight Bolt was the first to arrive and good thing she was she opened her mouth and out came an electric shock deadly enough to fry a whale. The squid saw it coming and dodged it. It impacted the water though and increased the voltage even more the water carried the electricity and in a flash the squid had died. Its grip released and we floated to the beach. The group gathered around us to see if we were ok. I looked over a little tired and weak to see Pyro. Pyro was still tearing and slashing away at this monster as if he was saddened he wasn’t there for me. I was moved by this act of determination and loyalty to me. I from then on gave Pyro more respect than I used to. I never knew he felt that way. Tired from the experience I immediately fell asleep.
    The next morning I awoke to the group huddled in a circle around me, all of them staring at my face. I wondered why so I strolled up to the shore of the ocean and looked at my reflection. I had a sun shaped scar around my eye. I looked at Xalleah she had one too hers was of a Star. I then looked at Blackie he had a crescent moon around his eye and I knew that from this day forward we were unique, special, eternal. I wondered how we had received these marks and then thought back to yesterday. The voltage had traveled through the limbs of the squid into us. It was a wonder we weren’t dead. I looked around and decided. We had to move. From the looks of things, the group feasted already on the squid’s carcass. Its black blood soaking the earth, I swirled some in my claws and decided to mark this spot. In a boulder by the ocean I engraved with my claw a message, only my kind could understand. It read:
    To all dragons that venture here, you stand on the ground of the old kings and the new. It has been cast down and judged that all who stand here have been chosen or will be to become the new leaders and kings of our kind. Go now fulfill your destiny and may you find peace when you do as we have for centuries.
    When I had finished the group looked upon it and engraved their names. I engraved my entire paw. When we finally lined up on the beach I had looked back one last time to look at the history we had just made. The new era of dragons had begun.
    We took off of the beach and began to fly. Fly towards the stars, the moon, and the sun, whatever guided us we flew towards it hoping to reach our destination at its end. I was getting tired we had been flying for three days straight without anywhere to land. We had traveled five thousand miles. Finally, we found a place to stay. A small island big enough to suit all of us, we landed thankful for the place to rest and slept for three days. We awoke on the fourth to find a horror beyond all we had ever encountered. It was a Hurricane. We looked as far as we could see and witnessed huge tidal waves flashes of lighting and thunder and whipping winds with the ability to tear us to shreds. It was every dragon’s nightmare. A hurricane to a dragon meant certain death and to us it meant the same.
    I sat there stunned trying to come up with a solution to this newly faced problem. We could not stay on the island the water was slowly raising and soon there would be no island. We couldn’t fly that would be suicide. I tried to think than it came to me. Our only chance was to swim, but there was a big risk involved we didn’t know how long or large this storm was and could only hold our breath for and hour. That gave us only enough time if we were fast enough to get seventy-two miles away. It was a last ditch effort but it was the only way. I instructed the group to dive and dive fast. We each took a deep breath and plunged deep into the oceans depth past the storms influence. We then began our last effort to evade the storm.
    That hour was the longest we had experienced. Periodically I would rise to check to see if the water was affected by the storm and it was so it meant we had further to go. Thirty minutes had passed and we were still swimming. We were running low on air and it seemed that the storm was not receding. I looked back just in time to see Singe start to collapse from the lack of air. I told the others to move on. They understood and I dived for singe. I looked at her she was still holding her breath but unconscious. I knew that wouldn’t last and that if I didn’t surface her soon she would die. I Sped up my pace causing me to need oxygen even more. I tried and tried I burst for five minutes. It was to no avail. I looked at Singe and with my bursts of energy and lack of oxygen started to fade out and get dizzy. I slowly fell and the last thing I remember seeing was my group above me carrying me to the surface. I awoke from my state of unconsciousness and looked about. We were on a beach about the size of a volcano it seemed. I looked about beauty surrounded me. I stood up a little shaken and then my memories started flooding my mind. I desperately looked about and spotted her. Singe was lying there still unconscious. I looked at her lifeless body and put my ear next to her. She was still breathing but very weak and silently. I looked about even more. Xalleah, Sekiku, Byrn, Flame, Ember, Firefly, Flare, Scold, Gust, Pyro, Singe, Bolt, Icy, Fire, Brimstone, Scorch, Sear, Tinder, Warmth, Char, Blaze, Holocaust. All were here thankfully. Then I realized not all were here. I forgot about Blackie. I looked about desperately. Then I saw him he surfaced from the water and seemed as if he were tired. I went over to him and asked if he were all right. He said he was fine just a little winded. I looked even harder this time and realized six of our group was either unconscious or close to being dead. I realized we needed to rest for a while. And we did, for three days we rested and relaxed.

- 6 -

Part 7

    It was dawn of the fourth day. I awoke and saw that most of the group had recovered, all but one in fact. Singe lay there almost dead and still on the edge of her lifespan. I took off with Singe upon my back Xalleah helping me all the while. I realized what a caring and loving mate she was and realized I had not given her much attention in the past few days. I knew I would have to change that. I flew for a good thousand miles that day dusk started to settle and the group was still a little tired. Nevertheless, we had to persevere. We could not give up now that all hope was within our grasp. I decided to do something rash. Something that might either kill or save me. I flew up. Up higher than any dragon dared go. To the area where air was thin but drafts were plenty. I spread my wings and found that the draft was so swift and strong that it carried me. There I was a Three thousand pound dragon gliding on an updraft as I did in my youth. I laughed wholeheartedly and told my kyn of this amazing feat. There was however a risk. As with everything up here air was thin. Therefore, we had to constantly dip and rise. The problem being it took a great amount of energy to rise. With every rise, we became weaker. Finally, night settled and we were extremely fatigued. We dived and found a small island. I mean really small. There was only enough room on the island itself for about six of my kyn. The rest lay either on its shallow reef or in the air taking shifts. It was an uncomfortable but necessary procedure.
    When the sun had reached noon. I looked up I could see it. It was faint but it was there. A tiny speck in the distance but there it was. Land Beautiful wonderful land. I estimated. We had flown all but about two thousand miles away from our destination. I awoke the group and we took off immediately. Intent on reaching our goal was invigorated with a new boost of excitement and energy. I flew fast and hard awaiting to see my ancestors and most of all, my mother, and a beautiful and most beloved dragon. She was the fairest in the land. We neared the land about four hours later and finally landed we looked about at the beauty of the land around us. It was a celestial plain of green and gold and we absorbed every inch of it. We had made it; the land of our forefathers was achieved. I breathed in the air and looked upon the vast beauty that surrounded us. This land was perfectly fit for a meeting of dragons. I gathered my group and we rested for the night determined to reach our meeting place the following day.
    We awoke energized and ready to see what awaited us today. The day we end of our journey. We took off intent on reaching the canyon upon which we were to meet our ancestors. We flew over hills and meadows, Lakes and streams, Mountains and forests. It was a beautiful land indeed. We had no more than traveled for a few hours when it was there in plain sight the canyon of or fore fathers. We landed and looked about. There was no one in sight no one was here. Not even my father. Enraged I roared loudly. I noticed a head pop up then quickly shrink back down. I burst toward it and glared A scout Dragon had been sent to spy on us and I realized what had happened. The Black Dragons had attacked and taken our kyn hostage. I was furious now and seeing the black scout told him to tell his master I would hunt him down and rip his throat. He ran off whimpering and tail between its legs. I flew down to my kyn and told them to prepare for war. Tonight we were to defend our honor. Tonight we were to fight for ourselves. Tonight we were what we had become. Tonight we were neither dracling nor draken. Tonight we became Grand Dragons.
    I found some berries and clays onto which I made into paints. I painted my colors on my scales the sun symbols lining my body. The Black Sun around my eye burned. I looked at the tracks of my enemy and estimated. They were about twenty miles fro here. I immediately took off. It wasn’t long before I spotted them. I stayed high in the clouds so as they couldn’t see. Their leader laughing and staring at my father, my father who was unfairly bound by three strong dragons of immense size was preparing to chomp his head off. I realized that if I didn’t act soon my father would die. I knew exactly what to do. I indicated my group to circle around the Black dragons and get ready for my signal. It was to be our finest moment. To be our doom or not was to be decided by fate, or the gods if they existed. I looked upon the enemy one last time. He had his jaw open ready to chomp my father’s head off. I gave the signal and the battle began.
    My Kyn and I swept over the land like a plague taking the black dragons completely by surprise. The leader looked up from his position and his mouth opened in surprise. There we were twenty-three dragons flying at full speed painted and ready for combat completely in tune with our emotions and surroundings. The leader recovered and pushed off with a powerful force. He headed straight for me. I easily dodged his maneuver and knew my fight was with him so I flew up and twisted around to face him. He maneuvered very well in the air and turned to face me. I looked straight at him cold and blackness in my eyes a vengeful evil glare in his. I Flew full stream at him and gave a forceful head butt straight in his gut. He wheezed at this attack but recovered before I could flame. He flew behind me and turned about. I turned around to face him and could not find him he had disappeared. In a quick second I heard a very faint but audible sound. A rush of air and a tearing of atmosphere he was preparing to flame. I quickly sped forward all the while knowing the intense heat gaining on me. Finally, I whirled around safe and secure. The flame dissipated I had outrun it. I looked through the smoke and saw him laughing. Laughing at me. I grew tired of these games and flew with amazing speed straight towards his location. Instead of going for him, I went under him and Barrel rolled him from behind. The force of the blow pushed him forward and made him lose his composure. He began to fall for a good ten feet then regained his flight. It was at this moment I looked on the battle below me. I saw carnage as flesh and blood spilled the land Dragons dropping left and right some dead some dying. It ripped and shred at my heart to see such pain. I knew I had to end this soon. I looked about the battle to find Xalleah and found her. She was side by side with Sekiku fighting off the Black dragons. I knew she would be fine for the moment. I turned to look at my rival and noticed he too saw the carnage before him. There was one difference though. He was smiling.

- 7 -

Part 8

    I was not sure what set me off. Whether it was that smile or the desperateness to end this battle but either way Dark Dragon regretted ever threatening my kind. I flew with rage and anger at his smile and had a pain in my heart that needed cleansing. I no longer cared about sparing this insignificant speck of a dragon. I wanted his head on a stake. I was but five feet away when he noticed me and not a moment too soon. He flew up to dodge me but I countered and followed him. He tried to dodge me again and again I countered. He knew I meant death and no longer tried to flee. I looked at him hatred in my eyes. I flew right up to him and slashed his face blood dripping off my claws from the blow. He looked at me face bleeding and charged. He tackled me in one fell swoop and pinned my wings to the ground. I clamped my jaw around his leg and twisted. His Right front leg was broken and he roared in pain. In that moment, he let go of me. I shot up instantly the taste of his blood encouraging me more. I swept by him and dug one of my claws in his wing. I ripped it as if it were tree bark. He roared in agony and anger. He took his claw and slashed my leg. I didn’t care about the pain. I was in a blinding fury. We began to swap blows fiercely and forcefully. Claw to claw Tooth to tooth. Blow to blow. The climax of the battle had neared he hit me with a claw to the head. I fell to the ground stunned. He pounced on me and was about to chomp my head off when I reached up and grasped his throat with my claws. I began to squeeze and he could not reach far enough to stop me. I squeezed tighter feeling his life drain away slowly from him. I took one final look into his eyes and clasped my jaw around his neck. I released my hands and chomped. His head rolled off and his body collapsed. The great leader was vanquished.
    At their leaders death the black dragons fled afraid of what was to be their fate. Their leader lay their lifeless and a mere shadow of his former self. I limped to my father. Wounded fiercely but not to terribly. I looked out upon the horizon the ground was soaked red with blood and the carcasses of many black dragons and a few of my own littered the ground. I looked about looking for Xalleah I saw she was crying and I changed direction and limped towards her. I wanted to console her, but nothing I could say would ease the pain she had suffered. Among our dead, her most beloved friend had died Sekiku lay there lifeless. As she buried her head on my shoulder and began to sob I looked about to see the rest of our dead. Out of our twenty-three dragons, we only lost five Tinder, Sear, Sekiku, Firefly and one of my original kyn Singe. I would miss her most of all she was a good friend. At first I thought we had lost six, this was because I could not find Pyro. Then I did, he lay on the battlefield staring at the blood and carnage that surrounded him. I let Xalleah cry a bit longer then eventually went up to him to ask what was wrong. He had the usual after war emotions, he questioned his actions and tried to justify them. He had asked me what had we done and was this really necessary and that why did it have to come to this. I merely replied that this was the way of war there is no fairness no justice no moral for it. It only causes pain and anguish and solves nothing. It is something we must stoop to only when we need to not when we feel it is necessary. It wasn’t until that moment that I found out that Pyro was not sad about the war. His heart was torn to shreds. His love, his mate lay there amongst dead and it was killing him from the inside. I walked over to him once again and explained that some burdens and losses are too harsh to bear. And that we must not avoid them or trap them inside ourselves the only solution was to let it out. At that, Pyro began to roar most sorrowfully. It was that day that we marked in dragon history. The war of Night and Day. We put our Dead and the dead of our enemy in burial chambers and each breathed our fire until they were cremated. We then spread the ashes of each dragon across the sky and let them drift off into the sea. Pyro did not want Sekiku Incinerated but rather made a tomb for her himself. He made it in an amazing period of time. It took him only three days. Once it was finished, he put the lifeless body of his love inside and shut the chamber door. On the stone door he inscribed: No matter where the skies take you. Or how far you go. Love will take you to the highest clouds and the deepest oceans. I will never forget your love for me and I will never stop loving you even now. May your soul rest in peace dear mate and may the heavens smile upon you. Below it was my loves inscription. It read: You were a great friend and a loving mate. I will forever remember the times we had when we were draclings. My memories of us will always be happy not sad. I will remember you in life and the way you were while with me. I shall mourn for now but rejoice later once your soul has found its way to the Blue havens we imagined. Forever I shall remember you Sekiku and hold you in my heart. I promise you. Above them, I inscribed Rest in Peace Sekiku. She shall forever be remembered. I stepped back and bowed my head. The other dragons joined in the moment of silence. Then we slowly walked away.
    My father looked at me and walked up. I had asked him why did this happen? Why am I placed with this burden? He looked at me and responded. It is because you were born to be a king. In addition, a king has a great many burdens. The death of his kyn is just one of many Solstice my son. It was that last bit of information that took me aback. I asked him what was that you called me. He replied yes son your name you had searched for so long is solstice. Xalleah you were also chosen. However, we needed to know which dragoness was our new queen so we told you your name early. It seems fate had been with us when choosing you. You two are the next King and Queen. I am sorry for this loss. Nevertheless, more will come. I know they will never replace those that were lost. However, it will give you hope for a brighter tomorrow. I hope this day does not weigh on you too heavily in the future but rather educates you. I want you to enjoy your lives not mourn them. I think your friend would have felt the same. I looked at him and understood. We went with the others and mourned our friend. And while we cried, the weather did too. The clouds began to rain. Washing away the blood and carnage that had taken place. It always rained after the death of a dragon. But not any rain it was a special rain that only occurred on a dragons death grounds. It was Carabini rain, made of special liquid that turns into magic that we dragons were made of. In this way, the dragons that died would forever be apart of us. I accepted the rain I my body and curled my neck around Xalleah. Our era had begun and we had become Dragons. Fully and mature and ready to Continue on as our forefathers did.
    Moreover, as my father had predicted a new batch of dragon eggs had been born. My son and daughter were amongst the first. We had laid them in the Summer Mountains where we first originated. Then left enough carcasses to feed them for a few days. Pyro even hunted for the young. It turned out

- 8 -

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