Rise of The Hellkite

( The original story (as it had been on here for awhile) I had removed from this section because I am now working on the rewritten version.  ^^ that's right I am working on it now (with much better skill than back when I started the original) and will be posting it here. )

Prolog:

The mountains cast out a long shadow from the silvery glow of the moon, stretching out over the land like a claw of darkness.  Indeed the mountains seemed like some gigantic claw reaching out from the earth, reaching up to grasp the very moon that shined down upon it.  Four taloned peaks aimed at the sky, each unnaturally curved to seem like the fingers, three tall for the fingers and one shorter for the thumb.
The mountains were mostly covered in forest, though the growing stopped near the icy tops.  The trees around the earth giant were black, they were scorched dark as if a great fire had spread through the mountain, though is stopped at the mountain’s base, just the sudden change where the Black and Green trees were separated.  Even the leaves on the trees were black in color, though the trees themselves were healthy enough as were their leaves.
In the center of the claw, in it’s palm was a small lake, the water seemed to be completely undisturbed by the wind in this clearing for the trees and tall mountain peeks around it.  Scattered around the lake you could find what seemed to be the stone ruins of what have once been buildings, it looked to be carved by human hands but as long as anyone could remember there had been no humans on this mountain, and the current inhabiters of the mountain had a very long memory, for they lived for a very long time indeed…
The night was empty, the nocturnal predators were stalking their territory, territory that belonged to much more powerful predators during the day.  The daytime predators had all retreated into their homes, into the caverns of the mountain, into the labyrinth that spread within and below their great mountain home.  Each entrance was large, big enough that a full grown elephant bull could walk inside easily enough, not that elephants lived in this area.
The true top of the mountain’s food chain were deep inside the caverns, some asleep, most were preparing for the night, spending their time with their families and nests.  The creatures in the mountains here were fairly social, indeed a whole clan spread throughout the mountain, no less than 60 full grown adults inhabited the caves and easily twice that many in hatchlings.
The creatures that inhabited the mountains were no less than one of the oldest living species on the planet.  Large scaled creatures, the dragons were one of the most adaptable and dangerous races known to the planet, only challenged by humans in their ability to survive and destroy.  A dragon appeared catlike in body shape, though it’s whole body was covered in scales.  It had a longish neck with a reptilian head, the head was more like a crocodile than a lizard, though it’s snout didn’t stretch out as long, and even then a dragon’s face was unlike any other living creature.  They had long reptilian tales, usually a set of softer scales on their belly, and most importantly they had large powerful wings.  The wings being powered by the strongest muscles, next to the heart, it was still wondered how such large creatures could master flight as they did.
Though they were capable of great feats of carnage and destruction, like humans each dragon was different individually.  A dragon was a sentient creature as smart as a human and very often smarter because of the long age a dragon could hope to live for.  They reach adulthood at 50 years of age and can live to be over a thousand if not killed by violence or disease, both of which they are highly resistant towards.  Dragons also differentiated physically too, though those of the same bloodline would be similar, none are exactly the same.  Humans would likely not notice the difference between two dragons of the same clan and scale, though it was mutual for the dragons as they could hardly see the difference between two pink skinned hairless apes.
This clan was one known as the Blood Dragons, renowned to most other clans in the area, though the name of the clan was lost upon the minds of humans who were ignorant of the ways of Dragon Kind, except for maybe a few Scholars or Mages who were in Draconic History.  This clan was known for their loyalty, their strength, and their powerful magic known only to their kind.  They resided in what in their language was known as ‘Black Claw Mountain’.
Some distance away, though hardly any real distance to the flight of a dragon, was the sister clan to the Blood Dragons.  Their allies for countless ages, the two clans were very closely linked in all including blood, for it was often that a dragon in one clan would find a mate among the other.  The Moon Dragons were the Blood Dragons greatest allies, another clan with powerful magic, the masters of healing magic to coexist with the Battle Magic of the Blood Dragons. Fang Claw Mountain was their home, it was a close pair to that of Black Claw.

Night is one of the best times to plan a raid, to execute one.  Most are asleep and you can slip in undetected, among the confusion of the attack they will have no time for any proper preparations.  An attack like that was a slaughter more than a proper battle, but sometimes a slaughter was what was needed even if it was not an honorable fight.  Sometimes a slaughter was preferred, sometimes the one who planned it preferred to see his enemies drop like flies.  Indeed just as many humans were cruel and hateful creatures, some dragons were exactly the same, and a dragon with that cruel and hateful nature was more dangerous than one human with the same, especially with the power a dragon had, it was even worse when that dragon possessed power above even that of his peers.
Slowly and unnoticed by the clans of the twin mountains, who were underground and not in sight of the sky, slowly the silvery glow of the room changed, it was perverted into that of a shade darker.  The silvery moon warped, the light of the moon grew dark and into a deep shade of red.  The red moon blotted out the light of the stars, in the pitch black sky the moon was like a Blood Red Jewel, spreading its red glow all over these two mountains.
The Red Moon was the sign of the attack, an attack the defenders were not ready for.  Silently and swiftly each mountain was surrounded, surrounded by winged invaders.  The gentle drum of their wing beats went unnoticed, altogether there were a couple hundred of them, these hissing shadowy beasts grew closer to the mountains, landed upon the surface and waiting for the sign that they could begin their attack.

On Black Claw Mountain before one of the few entrances to the caves the creatures slowly edged towards.  Though they resembled dragons they were in fact another species altogether.  Close cousins of the dragons, wyverns were a twisted and misshapen kin.  They were shaped more like a bird than a cat unlike their cousins, with only two black legs they did not have the front legs, and their wings were the only other limbs they controlled.  Their long tails were tipped with the stinger of a scorpion, it even dripped from time to time with the deadly venom hiding inside.  They were dark scaled, though it was never a shade of black it was more gray or brown usually, they lowly hissed at one another, hissing with impatience as they waited outside, waiting for the bloodshed they knew was to come.  A full grown wyvern on average was smaller than a dragon, though they were vicious creatures that small minds were mostly controlled by instinct, though smarter than the average animal, they were not much more than excitable and violent wolves.  They also bred much faster than dragons, more wyverns existed on average than their kin, Dragon clans did not like having their aggressive kin nearby and so they often chased them out of their territory, the reason why the two races had so much contempt towards each other.
Then outside the circle of wyverns a new creatures landed from the sky, this one over twice as big as the wyverns, it created a much large thump upon contact with the ground.  The Wyverns seemed to flinch and edge away from this Black Scaled Dragon, judging from the sheer size of the creature it was old and powerful, though unlike with Humans, age brought only strength to a dragon, never weakness.  The dragon’s scales were pitch black, though they didn’t shine and were dull, almost dusty.  The scales also seemed twisted in a way, as in most scales didn’t have the same shape as the others, there was no real pattern towards them.  The dragons claws were ended were large powerful talons, sharp and deadly looking, a swing from this creature’s claws could very easily slay one of the wyverns, and even a dragon if that dragon was not careful.  The black dragon’s wings were large, with the inner membrane being a dark green, the ‘thumb’ to the dragon’s wings looked just as deadly as the talons on it’s claws.  Its tail was long and thick like a tree stump, it was powerful enough to knock over a real tree and even the more deadly by the scythe like blade that tipped it.  The dragon’s face made his appearance all the more terrifying, the flesh seemed to have started to pull back, making it’s face almost seem like that of a skull.  Twisting out of either side of its head and point forward was thick horns, like that of a Bull’s though scaled to that of the dragon and larger still.  The dragon, as it was a male, had eyes deep red, a burning red like that of molten fire.  There were no pupils in these eyes, only the swirling chaos that reflected his thoughts, the destructive and evil thoughts of the Dark Dragon.
He looked over the gathering Wyverns, who still kept some amount of distance from him, though were even on the edge because of the wait before they could flood into the mountain.  The dark dragon leaned his head over to a Silver Wyvern to his right, he knew this wyvern to be one of the Pack leaders and one of the older ones, therefore one of the more intelligent.  “Klizzeth Thrumass…”  He hissed in whisper to the wyvern.  Now is the time.
The Wyvern let out a similar hiss to the rest of those around him and it soon spread, then the Blood Thirsty beasts were pouring into the mountain, in a flood of Claws and Scales.
The Dark Dragon chuckled to himself lowly as he stood tall.  His mind spread far and wide, searching out the thoughts of the wyvern leaders at other entrances into the mountain, hissing the same message.
Then he spread that message to those was Fang Claw Mountain, when he was sure the message had been fully spread he searched out the thoughts of his strongest minion, the one he had charged with making sure Fang Claw Mountain was properly killed while he was at the other one.  ~Not a single dragon alive, even unhatched eggs are to be smashed.~  He sent darkly.
It took a moment and then the reply came, a reply into his own thoughts.  ~It will be done my lord.~
He smirked, ~I put all my trust into you to have this done, Lady Sheakria.~
The Dark Dragon then turned and entered the mountain himself, a low growl was all it took for the hissing wyverns to get out of the way as best as they could, crushing themselves against the wall if necessary, they knew their life would be forfeit should they slow their lord down.
The Dark Dragon had come here for more than mindless slaughter, he was looking for something specific, he would find it first, and unlike the Moon Dragon clan there would be one Blood Dragon to survive this attack as he planned.  This one Blood Dragon was the whole reason for the entire attack.  Getting to slaughter the rest of them was only a bonus in the dark dragon’s eyes.

The chaos was all that had been planned, by the time all adult dragons were up and capable of fighting the Wyverns were already upon them.  The Blood Dragons gathered, trying to create defenses to hold off the floods of enemies coming into the mountains, trying to prevent the wyverns from getting further into the caves, to keep them away from their loved ones.  The Blood Dragons fought to protect their home, their mates and their Children.
They fought ferociously, with the same zeal as the Wyverns they faced, though instead of primal Bloodshed they fought for all that was at stake.  Here and there fires burst through the tunnels of the mountain, whether coming forth from the gullets of the dragons themselves or conjured from magic.  Either way Wyverns were bathed in the inferno, and though many score of Wyverns died in these displays of burning destruction, there was always more to follow.
Serrion watched with terror as Wyverns charged headfirst at the defenders of the mountains, easily being cut down by the fire or claws of the dragons, but more piling in behind and soon they were swarmed by sheer weight of numbers.
Serrion was a blood dragon, very young and only in his 22nd year, which was very young by the standards his race.  Only the size of a dog, he hid within a crack of the tunnels so to speak, a small fissure in the stone pathways he curled up in the furthest spot to keep out sight and reach.  He was only a child, even though a dragon child of this age had already hunted and killed his first deer some time ago, the sight of seeing those that had been his family killed before him was still too much.
His heart stopped as one of the terrifying creatures, a Wyvern, stopped before the crack, peering in at him the wyvern hissed, its head bobbing back and forth knowing its prey was completely trapped.  After a moment it would realize that its prey was out of reach from it, it would have gotten bored and went off to find something that it could kill, but it didn’t have that chance.
A claw came from out of Serrion’s sight, catching the Wyvern along the side of the neck, the creature let out a painful hiss as its head was nearly torn off entirely.  The wyvern was dragged with the momentum of the swing and was thrown off to the side, dead instantly.
Something that gave Serrion hope stepped into sight, this being much larger and more intimidating than a wyvern.  This dragon’s golden scales shined in brilliance of the dull lights that came off of the dark blue crystals that hung from the ceiling of the tunnels, in fact they magnified the light, you almost had to squint to look at the Blood Dragon Elder.
Shavron’s golden scales were unlike any of others in the mountains, and he was the oldest Dragon in the mountains so he was easily the most powerful and experienced.  He looked down at the mass of Wyverns with molted red eyes, blocking their path.  The Wyverns hissed in anger at this dragon blocking their path, but were hesitant to actually fight such a grand creature.  The spines running down his back went all the way to the end of his tail, where a sharp blade came out of.  Shavron spread his wings and his tail slammed into the ground hard, he roared a challenge at the wyverns.  They hissed in reply but hesitated to step forward to meet it.
The golden dragon snorted at the cowardice of the Wyverns, Serrion knew Shavron was one who always believed that you shouldn’t back down from a challenge, not to give into fear.  Shavron’s head lowered and for a moment his scales seemed even brighter, then his jaws open and the burst of golden flame shot out, engulfing the tunnel ahead of him in fire.
From his hiding spot Serrion could see the wyverns blotted out by the burst of fire, he could even hear them and the ones further back hissing and crying out in pain as they were eaten away by the fire of the Blood Dragon Elder.
Serrion felt his hopes rise as he saw Shavron standing there in all his glory.  Shavron was the most powerful of all the living Blood Dragons, Serrion has heard tales of the great golden dragon facing armies, fighting the strongest of demons and prevailing.  Surely these Wyverns were not a great a challenge as that.
But as easily as hope had come, it was dragged away again, there was something worse than Wyverns waiting back there, something worse than the darkest demons…
Walking through the flames, as if the tunnel still burning with Shavron’s fire had been perfectly normal, as if the flames licking up at his clawed feet were not even there, the great black dragon came into sight.
Serrion was baffled, this dragon was just as large as Shavron, and even a small bit larger maybe.  Shavron had been the largest Dragon Serrion has seen in his short life, Shavron was larger than any of the Moon Dragons he had seen either.  But this dragon…  This terrifying demonic dragon, it was even bigger, it was scarier then Shavron.  Although Serrion had never had anything to fear of the Golden Elder, he knew that as an opponent this Black Dragon would be all the more to fear…
He saw Shavron stiffen upon the Black Dragon’s approach, though Shavron stood his ground and his eyes burned all the more fiercely.  The Black Dragon crossed the line of burning wyvern carcasses, his face was that of an amused smirk.
“Gaulroach.”  Shavron’s voice boomed, his head rose up higher.  “I could have expected as much.  But why are you here, why are you doing this?”
“You know exactly why I am here.”  The Black dragon boomed back, his voice was followed by a low hiss after each word.  “What would the point of explaining it to you be?”  The dark dragon’s smirk still held, though because of his pupiless eyes you could not tell which way he was looking, Serrion could almost feel that the Dark Dragon’s gaze had slid for a moment from Shavron to him.
“The Hellkite’s Power is not for you to control Gaulroach.”  Shavron hissed angrily.  “I’ve fought beside you as an ally, I have loved you as my Brother and as a friend, but I know your mind is being twisted.  The magics you play with are slowly warping your brain.  Remember what happened Gaulroach, remember Crimson, remember the destruction he caused using such a power.  We fought against him, you fought against the evil he had directed towards the world.  What would you do with such strength?  The way I see you, you would do the very same.”
The Dark Dragon, Gaulroach paused for a moment, his smirk faded away and he seemed deep in thought.  A moment passed in silence, the only sound the crackle of the fire and the screams and roars from elsewhere in the cavern.  Then Gaulroach’s smirk came back, and in a second he boomed into laughter.  “I am a different dragon than the one that fought alongside you in the war, Shavron.  I can control the power, I am smarter and more in control than Crimson was, he was unbalanced, it was his own self-destructive nature that killed him. Now, are you going to stand against me?  It is not too late to hand the child over, I can call off my Wyverns and those Blood Dragons and Moon Dragons still alive will be able to continue leaving.”
Shavron’s eyes narrowed, burning anger flooding through his eyes.  “Neither of our clans, Blood Dragon and Moon Dragon, would betray another of our clans.”
Gaulroach’s chuckle became lower.  “Very well, you’ve made your choice and I respect that.  But know that every choice has its consequences.  Die fool!”  The Black Dragon roared and with a snap of his head a burst of green liquid shot out from his jaws at the Elder Dragon.
Shavron hissed and sidestepped out of the way, the liquid splashed the ground, hissing and bubbling.  It was acid, Serrion had heard of Dragons that would breathe acid instead of flames.  The golden dragon then rushed forward, Gaulroach steadied himself and the titans collided.
Shavron collided with the Black dragon, his shoulder smashed into the chest of the Black Dragon, knocking them both over in a rolling ball of claws and fangs.
Shavron landed on top of Gaulroach, he hissed and aimed his fangs for the Dark Dragon’s throat.  Gaulroach growled and smacked the side of Shavron’s face with a claw, knocking the Golden Dragon off of himself.  Both of them rose to their feet, heads lowered with back arched and ready to strike.  Both waited for a moment, judging the other’s capabilities, trying to decide what moves the other will make and how to counteract that.
Shavron was first to move this time, he jumped forward and swung a claw at his opponent, Gaulroach stepped back to avoid it, his face had returned to a smirk again.  “You know I am the stronger of us Shavron, I was the strongest before and my power has grown even more since then.”  He hissed.
Shavron snorted, he twisted off to the side as the Black Dragon lunged at him, he slashed forward with his claw at Gaulroach’s shoulder.  The Black Dragon hissed as the long rending talons ripped through scales and flesh.  Gaulroach tore himself free, the wound looked nasty but he put weight on it all the same.  He stepped forward and twisted, smacking Shavron across the face with his wing.
Shavron backed away, the black dragon stepped forward to close the distance.  Shavron’s eyes flashed and flames burst out, catching Gaulroach in the center of the chest and knocking him over on his back.  “This is senseless Gaulroach, there was so much hope for the world if only you hadn’t gone the way you have.  Why has your heart gone so dark, I know you had a heart once, I had seen you and Ebony.”
“Do not speak of Ebony!”  Gaulroach roared as he twisted onto his side, he faced Shavron, spitting a gob of acid it hit Shavron in the face.  The golden dragon roared and tried to shake it off, the burning liquid temporarily blinding him.  The Black Dragon lunged at Shavron, knocking him down Gaulroach pinned the golden dragon.  They struggled for a little while, but Gaulroach took the advantage and bit down into Shavron’s throat.  The struggle grew more frantic and then Gaulroach tore away from Shavron, and the golden dragon went limp.
Serrion’s warm blood chilled like ice, horror filled his mind, he felt weak and that if he had to he wouldn’t be able to move.  He saw the Black Dragon approach his hiding place, approach until all he could see was his legs.  Then stopping right before it the Black Dragon’s head lowered down to his level, red eyes focusing on the small red dragon trying to hide.  Gaulroach smirked, an evil and amused look.  “There you are.  Rest easy young Blood Dragon, you will survive this night.  I’ll be back for you later.”




Chapter 1:  Escape and Confusion

It was the type of night most people, Dragon or otherwise, wouldn’t be able to sleep through.  Not many slept easily after seeing friends and loved ones killed before them, the blood of so many spilled upon the very floor you’ve walked on your whole life…  But even if Serrion was more scared than he had ever been in his life, he was still very young and so sleep came in due time.  The dreams were in a mass of confusion, not nightmares but nothing reassuring, nothing that made any sense to a rational mind.
The small dragon slept in the cold dark hole, the type of area was nothing new to him, Serrion and most dragons would fall asleep comfortably on stone ground.  Serrion would sometimes sleep just on the ground, sometimes sleep next to the warm bodies of his parents, and even find a small spot like this to curl up in.  The circumstances meant nothing when you were asleep, except when it created haunting nightmares.  This was only the first night after the massacre, he didn’t even know just how bad it was yet…  Though later nights, maybe not the next one but probably further in time, the nightmares would come and they would cloud his thoughts.
The young Blood Dragon woke the next morning, though it was hard to tell the exact time of day, Serrion had grown used to waking up at a certain point of time, meaning it must have been some time around six in the morning.  He stayed curled up in a ball there for some time longer, sleepiness wearing off and hopelessness was sinking in to replace it.  A dragon in general was smarter than a human, Serrion being a dragon was smarter than a small human child would be.  Emotions were frantic and came in bursts as did their energy, but their minds could put two things together and get an answer out of it.
He knew that the clan had been attacked, that Wyverns had killed the dragons…  He knew that Shavron was dead, killed by that Dark Dragon…  He knew that if Shavron had been killed, that Dragon would have almost no trouble with the rest of the clan…  He knew that all the others were probably already dead, otherwise there would be dragons wandering the halls looking for more survivors…  Shavron’s corpse would have been dragged to the place where the Elders were laid to rest…  Not just laying there to rot in the hallway.  He knew his family was probably dead, his Brothers and Sisters, his parents…  Probably all killed by the wyverns…  The Wyverns were probably still in the labyrinth, desecrating what had belonged to the Blood Dragons for centuries.  Wyverns didn’t eat killed dragons, which was one thing to be thankful for, but they killed them on sight, and had no qualms about smashing eggs and killing hatchlings.
Serrion also knew that he couldn’t just stay here, he’d starve or dehydrate, his best chance of survival was to brave the threat that Wyverns may be about, and try to escape his home…  But first he needed to see one thing, he needed to find his parents.
The Blood Dragon sniffed the air, it was heavy with the scent of blood, and that could mask a lot easily…  Especially the almost scentless musk of Wyverns…  But after hearing not a sound he crawled out into the hall.  It was littered with the bodies of Wyverns and Dragons alike, right in the center Shavron’s lifeless corpse still laid where he had been killed…
The small red dragon wasted no time and went down the hallway that was the shortest path to his family’s cave.  The halls to the caverns had been carved long before anyone alive…  That had been alive the night before, could remember, they were older than Shavron and most likely older than many Elders before.  It was carved by dragons, which was the only thing certain.  The stone had been carved by Dragon claws, dragons themselves were very capable diggers, though it was not well known by humans who presumed the Flying ‘Reptiles’ just found naturally made caves.  Though Dragons were capable of seeing in the dark, placed all through the tunnels were gems imbedded into the walls, these gems of many colors, though usually one color for an area, gave off a glow just bright enough to light up the room, and never stopped glowing.  The Blood Dragons themselves had held the secret to the spell that made these gems glow, though Serrion did not know the spell himself so it might very well be lost…
He stepped out of the way of a dead Wyvern, its head was torn nearly half off so Serrion guessed a dragon had used its claws to tear it like that, and he recalled what Shavron had done to the Wyvern that had found Serrion hidden in the small hole.  Serrion continued forward, he was getting closer to his parents caves and he had not seen any living Wyvern, though not any living Dragons either…
He came to a cross in the halls and nearly walked right into the path of four wyverns, but he heard them before he saw them.  He hid behind the body of an adult dragon, hidden down between it and the wall.  He could then hear the three wyverns walking past him, hissing at each other.  Serrion was glad the scent of blood filling the whole underground caverns was masking his own from these three, it would be all to easy for three grown Wyverns to kill one hatchling…  He moved quickly one they were out of range of sound, not running but moving at a quick pace.
He came across the cave and his expectations had been met…  There was not one alive…  He found his Father’s corpse just outside the hallway, Serrion knew he had fought to prevent the Wyverns access inside.  He walked past the dead Green Dragon and found his Mother amidst five Wyvern corpses…  When Serrion’s father fell she would have went into a rage, there was almost no fury on the planet greater than that of a Mother Dragon defending her young…  She had taken down five of them before they overwhelmed her.  Then Serrion found his Brothers and Sisters, scattered about the room they had probably fled from the Wyverns only to be brought down one by one. He wandered around the room and found three of his siblings…  Two were missing, he wondered if they had escaped the room or had been elsewhere during the attack like he had been.  He found his brother Aazireer, his sister Dirinze, and his other sister Llassine.  His brother Daigmar and his Sister Talana were the ones missing.
Eventually seeing his family dead here, and even the lack of seeing his other two siblings became too much for the small Blood Dragon.  He curled up beside the cold body of his mother…  His head hidden under his wing and he fell into a sleep, more comfortable than last night…  He found some amount of comfort being so close to his family even if they were dead.  He forgot all about the threat of Wyverns being about, that they might kill him too.  He was just a young dragon amidst a dreadful massacre.

The young Blood Dragon’s sleep was not disturbed, it was planned to not be disturbed.  His survival of the massacre, his leaving of the caverns and into the light was to happen.  He was not to die this night, he was not to die until he left the cavern, even after he was meant to live.
The small dragon didn’t know it, but during the night a Wyvern had come across that hallway, it had noticed Serrion in the cave and entered to investigate, and kill.  The Wyvern had entered the room and before it could even hiss it found the blade of her tail right through its throat.  Then the Emerald Female dragged the corpse out into the hallway and returned to her silent watch over the sleeping Blood Dragon.
After her slaughter of the moon dragon clan she had been recalled here by her lord, to watch over the hatchling and make sure it leaved the mountain alive.  Wyverns were unreliable and her lord had known they would not know the difference between one small dragon from another, that was why she was here, to make sure they didn’t end up the ones screwing it up.
Although the Emerald female didn’t understand why her lord was so interested in this particular hatchling, she would never question his orders and follow them to the exact way he wanted them followed.  She was her lord’s strongest and most reliable follower, she followed his commands to the letter and with much zeal.  She was feared almost as much as he was and for good reason.
Though she felt a little amount of annoyance from the lack of sleep she was able to get, she knew she would be permitted rest after this was over, the hatchling would be in her lord’s claws and not in danger any more.  She would watch this sleeping hatchling, she would do her duty and keep any harm from reaching him, there was no safer place in the world right now for this dragon, other than under the eye of the greatest killer.

Serrion woke, his dreams had been more pleasant, being curled up next to his mother had given some amount of comfort.  There had been no nightmares, or the confusion, there had not been any dreams at all, but that was comforting knowing the situation he was in.  It dawned on him how reckless last night had been, he had even been sleeping on the side of his mother that was facing the door.  He moved quickly again, going to the closest path to the exit out of the tunnels, out into the sunlight and fresh air.
He didn’t run, but again he didn’t hesitate much as he went down the hallways, being careful when he came across intersecting paths or a turn in the hall.  As he went and saw all the death and blood, he recalled his past and what was now gone…  He remembered his life, the short time he had been alive and all that had happened within it.
Hardly over twenty years he had been alive, a short time by dragon standards, though if a human he would have been a full adult…  To a dragon he had still been very small and innocent…  He spent most of his days in play, running about the halls of the caverns and outside within the forest.  Playing with his siblings and others close to his age, very similar to Wolves or other predatory animals they would play by practicing hunting and fighting with each other…  They would chase rabbits and other small animals.  They would even play with the actual wolves that inhabited the mountains, the young Dragons were just as big as the wolves and the Canines recognized them as friendly and not enemies or prey.
They would take lessons, though there was no real ‘school’ among the clan, they would take hunting lessons by their parents or other dragons.  They would be taught in groups combat and simple magic even at a young age, usually by one of the older Dragons or even the Elder Shavron himself.
They made trips through or over the forest to the Moon Dragons’ clan.  In fact there was usually at least one of a clan visiting the other during the day, if not several meeting part way which was true for both the children and the adults.  The two clans were very close and would aid each other in any situation…
Which made Serrion wonder, where had the Moon Dragons been?  Why didn’t they come to help…?  Certainly Shavron would have sent a mental message to them for help, they would have needed the Moon Dragons for Healing if not just fighting…  Serrion didn’t think they would have refused to help, even if the odds seemed almost hopeless they would have come to the Blood Dragon’s aid.  The Moon Dragons were their closest allies and friends…  Not to mention they were related in Blood as well from the Dragons who changed clans to take mates…  Something must have happened to them, something bad or else they would have been here to help.
He thought and shivered as it made more sense, they definitely would have been here by now if any had survived…  They would have finished searching for survivors among their own clan and come here to aid his…  Meaning they were dead as well…
The more he pondered over the matter, the more he came to realize that he might very well be the last living Blood Dragon…  The last living Dragon out of either of their clans.  There might have been survivors, ones who escaped the slaughter, but he could only hope.  If they had found a way out of the maze the Wyverns would have chased after them, chased them down and killed them.
Now that he had an understanding of what had happened, he began to wonder why the clan had been attacked…  He knew Wyverns attacked dragons on sight usually, but Wyverns didn’t come together in such large amounts, and they never attacked such a large group of Dragons…  The Black Dragon must have been the one who caused it, Serrion had never seen him before.  He was the one who killed Shavron, who spoke to Serrion…  Why had the Black Dragon not kill him though?  He had known where Serrion was…  Looked right at him and spoke to him, why had he not killed him, was the Black Dragon going to come back after him later?
These thoughts scared him, it caused him to move faster, now going at a run.  He wanted to be out of here…  He wanted to be some distance from here before the Black Dragon, Gaulroach, came back for him.  He bolted down the hallways thinking of how this Dragon had been able to kill Shavron…  The wisest and most powerful Dragon Serrion had ever known.  Shavron had always been kind, polite and treated others as equals, but it was known that he was easily stronger than the Elder of the Moon Dragon clan.
Serrion knew he would stand no chance against such a dragon, he wasn’t even an adult let alone a Dragon of Shavron’s size and power…
The young Blood Dragon turned a corner and his blood froze, standing right in front of him, coming the opposite direction was a Wyvern, only one Wyvern, but still blocking the very last hallway to out of the Mountain.  The Wyvern jumped back equally as surprised to see the small Dragon standing there.  In it’s small mind the Wyvern had thought all the Dragons were dead, that the halls were empty except for themselves.  The creature hissed and stepped forward, the shock didn’t last long and it was already preparing to kill.  It did not understand the desperation of the small dragon.
Serrion knew right away he’d never make it if he tried to run away, he’d be caught before making it to another exit, if not caught while just trying to lose the Wyvern.  As a Blood Dragon he had always been taught how to fight, even at a young age, against the enemies a Dragon may have to face in life.  Serrion knew that without front claws the Wyverns couldn’t easily attack anything in front of them.  Their tails could only strike to their front at a certain distance, meaning there was a large blind spot to the creature.
The small red dragon sprung from where he was, right at the Wyvern.  The beast wasn’t expecting such a small thing to fight back, and so it didn’t even move when the Small Dragon jumped at it.  Serrion’s jaws clamped onto the throat of the Wyvern, his claws digging into the scales of its chest and taking hold.
The Wyvern screeched in surprise, flailing about as the tiny Dragon’s fangs tore into the vulnerable spot of its throat, in that small area it couldn’t reach with its jaws or tail.  The Wyvern shook violently, it’s only method of getting the clinging dragon off of it.
Serrion’s eyes closed tight, as did the pressure of his jaws, hanging onto dear life his claws dug in deeper to help brace himself.  The Wyvern bashed against a wall in its mad attempt to get Serrion off of it, it was losing breath, it’s lungs filling with blood, it was choking.  It couldn’t breath, this small creature had attacked it in a way it never could have expected, a way it could not figure out how to get out of.
With his eyes still clutched he felt the spasms of the Wyvern grow more violent, then start to slow down.  Eventually he felt as if the whole world was tipping over…  Then there was a bang and he fell off of the creature.  He rolled and jumped to his feet, ready to run for the exit if he could, but he stopped and knew that the Wyvern was no longer a threat…
Looking at it he was no less afraid, but knew it was no longer a danger to him.  It laid down on its side, tongue hanging out with blood dripping out of the open wound of where Serring had bit into, and then flesh had been torn away when Serrion had been forceful dislodged as the Wyvern hit the ground.  Serrion felt blood in his mouth…  A gross blood that he spat away instantly, he had killed the Wyvern…  It was dead and wouldn’t be chasing after him…  Serrion wasted no more time and once again bolted for the way out.  He was almost free…  Almost free…

It was dark out when he emerged from the Dark Tunnels of the Mountain, the moon was up in the sky, the only light being the moon for all the stars were hidden behind the clouds.  He was surprised, he had thought it had been much earlier…  He either had woken much later or earlier the last night.
The small Blood Dragon walked down the slope of the Thumb of the claw, he did not risk flying because even in the dark of night his Red scales would stand out too easily in the dark sky.  It was also safer among the trees and rocks, he was small so he could hide, and Wyverns usually avoided heavily wooded areas, preferring to hunt where there was not too much for creatures to hide in.
Serrion crawled down, darting between trees and rocks, not stopping unless he was completely hidden from the sky.  He suddenly realized that he was hungry and thirsty…  He had been in the mountain for over a day without any food or water…  He would have to hunt something small and get a drink in the small lake of the mountains palm.

A few minutes later he had killed three rabbits, they were hard to catch, but they would be enough to give him some energy.  He was still hungry, but in the morning he would be able to kill a deer and that would be more than enough for a dragon of his size.
He sat hidden behind the bushes, looking at the perfect waters of the lake, not a ripple upon its surface, it was protected by any amount of wind.  But it was also in open view of the sky and it would not be hard for a flying Wyvern to spot him by its surface, this was one of the best places to hunt deer as it was, for they normally remained hidden in the trees, avoiding any open areas.
Serrion saw no Wyverns…  He couldn’t see them in the sky either, though then again their dull scales didn’t stand out so much as his did…  He didn’t hear them which was the most troubling part, meaning they were all on the hunt and none were resting…
Eventually thirst out weighed fear and he moved cautiously over to the dark waters, moving his head up to take several large gulps of the cool water.  Someone had been waiting for him though…  Someone knew he was to come here.
“Congratulations on your escape from the mountain.”  Spoke a deep amused voice, Serrion recognized it immediately from that night…  He jumped to face the large Black Dragon that had been in the trees just barely off to the side to where Serrion had been hidden.  His glowing red eyes were looking down at the young Dragon as he walked closer, stopping just a bit off.  The great Black Dragon lowered his head to get a better look at the cowering Blood Dragon.  “I was impressed to hear of your kill, your first real fight.  Even the one I had follow you was impressed that you killed a Wyvern at such a young age.”
Serrion felt his legs turn to ice again, he felt frozen in the spot…  The hot breath of the Black Dragon sent a burning feeling through his body, he could see a drip of acid fall from between the Dragon’s jaws…  It hissed and bubbled when it touched the dirt of the ground.
“It pleases me to know that you are so capable, Serrion.”  Gaulroach chuckled and rose his head up again, Serrion felt another wave of cold spread over him when he heard his own name spoken.  “Then again, you are destined to come to great power, that is should fate work in your favor.  You are destined to be capable of feats never seen on the face of the planet.  No, that is wrong.  They have been seen before, but only by those like you.”
The Black Dragon walked around the small dragon in a half circle, examining him.  “You even resemble Crimson, young as you are.  I imagine you’ll look much more like him in the future, maybe even become more powerful than he was.”
Serrion watched Gaulroach with wide golden eyes, he did not speak, only watched…  He was not dead yet…  What did the Black Dragon want?
“You can rest easy Serrion.”  Gaulroach said as he stopped walking.  “I’m not going to kill you.  It was planned for you to not be killed in the attack, no, you were destined to survive the attack one way or another.  In fact, I come to offer you safety.”
Serrion hardly blinked.  “Safety?  You…  You killed my clan.”
Gaulroach nodded.  “The Wyverns are my Minions, that is true.  But all this, the attack, it was all necessary Serrion, it was all necessary so I could get to you.”
Serrion wanted to ask ‘Why’ but he couldn’t get the words out of his mouth.
“I don’t mean any danger to you.  I never meant any danger to your family and clan, but it was necessary because of the foolishness of your Elder.  It was his own fault that he died by my claws.  You heard me in there that night, you heard me tell him it was not too late for me to call off the attack.”  Gaulroach hissed lowly to him.
Then the Dark Dragon smirked again.  “You can understand when things are necessary can’t you?  Like when you kill a deer, you do it because you need the meat to survive.  This is like that in a way.”  The Dark Dragon lowered his head to Serrion’s level again, forcing Serrion to look right into those chaotic red orbs.  “I want to help you Serrion, I am offering you safety, shelter.  I am offering you the chance to be away from here, away from the danger of the Wyverns, where you won’t be one small dragon on your own.  You will have a family again, I will see that you grow to be powerful and respected.  Come with me Serrion.”
The red Dragon felt all this come so fast at him…  This dragon…  This dragon that had killed Shavron was offering him safety…  Serrion knew that what this dragon had done was wrong, but he knew that war and killing was a part of the world…  This dragon was the most powerful Serrion had ever met, if anyone would be able to keep him safe…
“Ignore his words Serrion.  Gaulroach only does what feeds his ego and power.  He will twist you into something as horrible as himself.”  Shouted a powerful voice.  A sudden light seemed to flow out from the lake, Serrion heard the Black Dragon growl.
Serrion looked over at the gathering mist over the lake, at the glowing dragon that seemed to be walking across its surface towards him.  The golden Dragon was Shavron, his shape was all misty and partially see-through, but Serrion could see Shavron and he knew Gaulroach could as well.
The Black Dragon stood tall, burning eyes looking upon the ghostly dragon.  “Will you constantly be a thorn in my side Shavron?  Even in death you refuse to just lay still.”
The Golden Dragon glared at Gaulroach and then turned his attention over to Serrion.  “Do not listen to his words Serrion, he would offer you safety at the cost of your very soul and the souls of countless others.  He only seeks for mass death and suffering, and seeks to use you as a tool for it.”
“Shavron…”  Serrion murmured quietly, taking a few steps into the water towards the dead elder.  He had heard of the Elders of the clan coming back to speak to chosen members of the clan…  But Serrion had never heard of it happening to others than the current living Elder.
Shavron looked over at Gaulroach.  “You know he would never trust you over me.  Leave Gaulroach, you will not turn this child into a Demon.”
Gaulroach smirked and shook his head.  “A bad decision on your part Shavron, he would have learned so much more under my wing.”
The great black dragon spread his wings and stood up on his hind legs.  “Very well, I can see Serrion has made up his mind. I will not bother him for a time, I trust you can keep him alive until my return.  I will be back, 50 years seems a suitable amount of time, don’t you agree?  You can have him for now, make him a strong and powerful Blood Dragon, but I will get my way some day.”  The Black Dragon smirked and beat his wings and took off into the air.  Serrion flinched under the force of the wind beating against him, but relaxed when the Dark Dragon was out of sight.
Shavron looked down at Serrion and smiled kindly, somehow Serrion felt safe with the Ghostly Dragon…  “Now Serrion, let us find someplace safe for you to rest for the night.”

Chapter 2:  Last of Their Clan

Fifty years went past, the Dark Dragon kept his promise and didn’t appear anywhere within the Blood Dragon territory.  Though Serrion and Shavron both knew that he was watching…  Gaulroach was always watching…
It was funny to call it the Blood Dragon’s territory, when the clan truly was dead.  But as Shavron explained to him, the Clan will never be dead so long as a Dragon of the Clan’s blood still lived.  Serrion was still alive, he was the last living Blood dragon, but so long as he took breath the clan would never be gone, it would never be forgotten.
The territory that once belonged to a strong and thriving clan was now under Serrion’s guard, it was contested with the Wyverns that had infested the former caves of the Blood Dragons clan.  Though the Wyverns had made their home within the Bone scattered caverns, they were in constant fear of the red dragon that ruthlessly hunted them down.  Indeed the night was the only safe time for them to leave for during the day the last Blood Dragon watched over his mountain home, hunting down the ancestors of those Wyverns that had long ago killed his people.  And if he couldn’t find them in the open during the day he would travel into the caverns to spill their Blood in the same way they had killed his family…
Though Serrion had two rules when he hunted in the caverns or even in the open, he wouldn’t kill them when they were asleep.  He knew that if he just looked longer he would find more that were awake.  Secondly he wouldn’t kill hatchlings, he knew that they had not shown any such mercy to his own siblings that day all those years ago, but Serrion would not go down to their level.
He sat there on the peak of the thumb, where the air was comfortable without it being too cold.  Fifty years was not that much to Dragons, though Serrion was still young so those were the years he would grow the most.  Size had been the change that was most noticeable, he had grown much larger than he had been before.  Once the size of a large dog, he was now well bigger than the largest War horse, if he laid stretched out from head to the tip of his tail he would be over thirty feet long.  His scales had not dulled yet, indeed he would be much older by the time they lost their shine.  Each deep blood red scale reflected the sun’s rays, and as well as growing in size they had hardened to stronger than the best of Plate Armor, they would as easily reflect blows as sun.  The scales on his belly though softer were still much stronger than bare flesh, the golden scales were larger and smoother in overlapping rows and they went down the bottom of his tail and his neck up to his chin.
Running down Serrion’s back were dark golden spines, long and sharp they were the largest on his back, and smaller as they went down his tail to the tip or up his head to the back of his skull.  The two horns pointing back from his head were the same color as the spines, and although they were not pointed the right direction for fighting, they were no less sharp.  His claws had grown sharper, each claw ended in four sharp talons, one being on the Dragon’s opposable thumb.  Like humans and apes Dragons came with thumbs like such, they could manipulate tools if necessary.
His face was of a fierce grown dragon, one who had spent his life growing up mostly on his own, having to hunt and thrive on his own abilities.  His face was strong, but like all Blood Dragons it never was one of a monster, it was one noble and proud.  He had ear frills like his father had, his being a dark orangeish in color.  On the bottom of his chin there was a slight growth of spike like bone, growing in the same way a male human would grow facial hair.  Serrion’s eyes were golden, though they had become sharper with age, there was the growing intelligence and wisdom watching from behind it.
Serrion was of his Seventy Second year of age, an adult by Dragon standards but still very young.  If his clan had been alive, or he had decided to leave these lands to join a new one, he would have been of age to take a mate, possibly already having taken one.  But Serrion had decided to stay within his clan’s grounds, he wouldn’t have left his clans grounds, feeling as though it was his duty to stay here and protect it…  He would never abandon his clan name either, so long as it was in this wrecked state.  He hadn’t had any interaction with other dragons at all since the massacre really, he talked and trained with the Spirit of his Clan Elder…  But no other living dragons.  He had seen them on occasion flying in the distance, but they avoided the area mostly, for the land was heavy with the scent of Wyverns living there for so long.
So Serrion spent most of his days hunting and training, though Shavron was not alive and could not actually interact with the world other than through his voice and sight, he had done all he could to make sure Serrion went through his training, the same training all Blood Dragons had used to once take.  Serrion was taught to fight, most of it he picked up hunting the Wyverns of the mountains.  He had gone through major growth spurts, though he had no interactions with other living dragons, from what Shavron had told him he was larger than most other dragons of his age, giving him the advantage of sheer strength.
The most valuable thing he had learned from Shavron’s teachings was magic.  Through his own abilities, being an adult Dragon he could breath fire, and Serrion had flames stronger than what was natural.  Through Shavron’s magic Serrion could create and manipulate flames, even that which he could breath out.  Shavron told Serrion that he had a strange strength when it came to fire, and that he had the potential to be one of the most powerful Pyro Mages ever seen in the clan.
Serrion also learned a few other magics, small things to which were not as important, but were necessary to get a good understanding of the powers he could control.  Healing magics were the second most important under the flame, though Serrion had not been very good at them.  Shavron told him that he had a strange mental block that was preventing him from being able to get stronger in that field of magic.  He could channel healing energy, he could heal the wounds of hurt animals he had found in the forests, but something was blocking him from being able to channel the healing energies on himself, something Shavron couldn’t give him a clear answer on.
Serrion knew how to speak mentally with others, his mind was capable of opening itself up and connecting to the minds of others, but Shavron was the only one he could test it on.  He learned how to defend his mind, to put up mental barriers against those who would know how to strike at his thoughts.  He didn’t bother learning to attack mentally himself, Shavron explained that it was tricky attacking and defending at the same time mentally, that attacking would lower his own defenses and leave him vulnerable.
~You don’t think I can beat him, do you?~  Serrion asked the spirit of his dead Elder.  Although he couldn’t see Shavron, Serrion knew that the Elder was there, with him.  They had gotten into the habit of speaking mentally so as Gaulroach or his spies, as Shavron said the Dark Dragon was always watching, could not listen in on their conversations.
~My Half Brother is strong Serrion.~  Came Shavron’s answer with only a second of wait.  ~You have grown strong yourself, but Gaulroach is much older than you and has seen many more battles.  I know that you aren’t strong enough to beat him in a fair battle, you still have more to learn, you need more time to learn your own capabilities and grow stronger.  Gaulroach will come today, it is exactly 50 years since the day he promised too, and knowing my Half Brother he will be here at the exact time he promised to be, so later this night he will be waiting by the lake.~
~Then what are we supposed to do?~  Serrion asked, his blood was heating at hatred of the Dragon that had slaughtered his clan.  ~If I cannot beat him then why are we waiting for him to just show up?~
He heard a soft sigh from the spirit.  ~We have gone over this before, try to understand that I know how my Half Brother’s mind works.  I do not think he would just forcefully take you to his tower, not if he knows you are an independent spirit who will oppose you.  He’ll want to have you under his control willingly, for he knows that without your willing submission that he’ll never truly control you.  Gaulroach likes to play like a cat taunting a mouse, he’ll want to slowly break you rather than just strike to kill.~
Serrion’s eyes flashed as he looked out into the distance of the mountainous terrain that surrounded his clan’s home, off in the distance he could see Fang Claw Mountain.  ~And why does Gaulroach want me under his control?~
Again Shavron sighed, the Elder had always avoided answering Serrion that question.  ~The best I can explain it to you right now…  Is that Gaulroach believes…  Many believe that you possess amazing potential, enough to directly manipulate fate itself.  We are nowhere near the end of this Serrion, our clan and most importantly you yourself has much hardship in the future, you need to keep a strong resolve.~
Serrion spread his wings and looked at his mountain home, in the palm of the claw he could see the break in the trees that marked where the lake was, he could see the glimmer of its clear water.  ~How do we prepare?~
~We have always been preparing Serrion.~  Shavron answered him, mist gathered beside Serrion and the golden dragon formed in the air.  His kind but strong eyes were focused on Serrion, Serrion who had grown so much while he stayed the same in death.  ~Everything up to this point has been preparing for today as much as what is beyond it.  You need to convince yourself that you are ready.~
Serrion nodded.  ~I understand that, but specifically how to we prepare from this point until tonight?~
~Avoid hunting Wyverns, we cannot risk injury.  I suggest meditating, and resting to keep up your strength.  Whether you choose to challenge Gaulroach in claw or magic he has the advantage.  We only need to impress him, not beat him, that will come someday.~
Serrion nodded again and beat his wings, lifting off from the mountain peek.  He had an understanding of Shavron’s plan, but even still he felt the rage fill his soul.  For fifty years he had waited to face the Dragon who had killed his clan, even if he was only supposed to impress Gaulroach…  He would aim for higher than that, he wanted to hurt Gaulroach, if he couldn’t kill the Dark Dragon tonight he would settle for injuring him, and he would kill him another day.

Night came across the sky, the moon changing the blue sky into the shadowy darkness.  The dark dragon smirked as he watched the silvery celestial being rise up high, it wasn’t full that night but it was getting close, hence the reason that it was shading silver glow, instead of the red haze over the wasteland.
Gaulroach waited on his balcony, waited for the perfect time, when the moon was at that specific spot in the sky…  He had always been good at noticing slight details, and had always been a bit of a perfectionist.  He was good at keeping track of time and had since that day been counting away the days before he went back to Black Claw Mountain.  Though years were a much shorter time to that of a dragon, 50 years was still some wait, though that was well within Gaulroach’s rate of patience.
There was a knock at the large double doors of this room of the tower and Gaulroach turned to look at them.  The doors were huge, big enough even for even Gaulroach to enter, and made of black iron.  They opened either way, no knob as they could be pushed in with a bit of force, that is the force of one as strong as a dragon.  Gaulroach could lock it from the inside should he wish.
“You may enter Reroku.”  Gaulroach said as he walked towards the door, he already knew who it was on the other side of the door.  He had called for Reroku to come to him, for he had requested her presence only moments ago.  The room Gaulroach stayed in while inside his tower was large and round, it took up the entire level of the tower.  The room itself, and indeed his entire tower, was made by a mysterious black marble, magical in nature and harder than any normal stone or metal.  The entire tower had been crafted to his tastes by his own powerful magic.
He walked around the side of the large statue in the center of the room, a statue even larger than Gaulroach himself.  It was in the form of a bestial humanoid being, fur covered body it had the face of some twisted monster, similar to a canine, with large curving horns twisting back.  It was muscular in appearance, wearing armor and carrying a huge skull ornamented axe in the right hand and a similar sword in the left.  Its tail resembled that of a Bull’s  and it had a pair of large bat like wings.  Its feet were hoofed and surely this monster was only that of what existed in nightmares.  It was based off of a demon to be exact, a living demon.
The white scaled dragon pushed open the door with her shoulder, her scales were pure white, even her horns and talons, except for a small tip of red at the end of each horn and talon  Her body was longer than most others by a small bit, but not enough to make her seem serpent like.  Her tail was covered by dark black feathery fur, the end of a spike just barely seen past the fur.  Her eyes were a bright golden with slight red marks below her eyelids.
She moved into the room and bowed deeply to the dark dragon, a dragon bow being one lowering themselves on their front legs, as well as lowering their head to the ground.  She rose her head again, keeping it at normal level, if Gaulroach had not been so much larger than her she would have had to keep her head a little lower so that it was always below the height of his.  “You called for me my lord?”  She asked softly.
Gaulroach nodded and beckoned her over with a talon to the small raised platform just sitting in front of the demon statue.  On the platform was a silver bowl filled with water, on the surface of the water was the image of a mountain.  The white dragon looked into the bowl and looked up at her lord.  “Fang Claw Mountain?”  She asked, there was a slight hint of longing in her voice.
Gaulroach nodded again.  “Yes, you are to travel there Rero.  You are to find Fury and lure her back here.”  He explained waving a claw towards the image in the bowl.
“Fury is alive?”  Rero asked, it was true surprise in her voice, mixed with a variety of other emotions.
Gaulroach nodded with a smirk, “Yes, Fury survived the massacre, she is the reason Sheakria takes so many frequent trips out of the tower.”
“Because she knew Fury was still alive the whole time…”  Rero hissed lowly in understanding.  “She wants to kill Fury and finish the job she had been ordered to all those years ago.”
“Precisely.  I’ve decided it would be more valuable to have Fury alive, it is in my interests to see her brought to the tower.  She will recognize you as a friend and not an enemy, so it will be easy for you.”  The great dragon’s eyes flashed, they examined Rero for a moment,  she was silently watching the image of the mountain.  “Does this mission sit well with you?”
Reroku seemed to snap back into attention and nodded to her lord, making it a small bow.  “Of course lord Gaulroach, I will do it at once.”
“Very well, you are dismissed.”  He said with a satisfied nod, Rero bowed once more and made her way out of the room.  Gaulroach knew she would waste no time getting there, most likely using her own magic to make the trip all the shorter.  The dark dragon had everything already planned out, if things went the way he predicted all would come together at the precise time.
He turned from looking into the doorway to the silver bowl sitting before the statue.  He waved a claw and the surface of the water went an inky black, a moment later the black faded away and revealed the image of Black Claw Mountain, and the red dragon.
Gaulroach smirked and examined the image carefully, if he didn’t know better he would have mistaken Serrion for…  Well that was the thing, he was the same person and wasn’t at the same time.  There was no doubt that this Blood Dragon was who Gaulroach was after, he had been sure before and if it was possible he was even more sure.
The Dark Dragon walked around the statue and over to the open balcony, the wasteland was peaceful and at rest for the moment, it would become a little more chaotic when the creatures hiding just out of sight sensed that the tower’s lord was gone, but Gaulroach had no fear that they would ravage his creation, after all the tower was very well defended.
The Dark Dragon slashed at air and his claws seemed to tear through the previously empty space as if it was paper, as if he had revealed a secret passage way.  The glowing gateway grew to a size that could accommodate him and he stepped through, his magic taking him within seconds to a place that would have taken several days of flight to reach otherwise.  The time had come.

Serrion felt the wind change and with it came the sent of another dragon.  Though it had been years since Serrion had last sensed this dragon’s presence, he knew without a doubt who it was.
The red dragon turned on the spot to face the section of forest he could sense the dark dragon approaching from, his back was to the moonlit lake with his tail just lightly swaying in the shallow water.  A growl hung low in his throat, thoughts of his dead clan and family filling his head.  He felt the spirit of Shavron reach out and try to calm his soul, but Serrion could feel even in the old Elder’s mind a hint of rage and anger, so it did little for the golden dragon to try and calm Serrion.
The great black dragon stepped out of the trees, though Serrion was bigger than he had been when he first saw Gaulroach, the Dark Dragon was still twice his size.  Though Serrion had been younger when he first saw Gaulroach, the Dark Dragon seemed all the more terrifying, Serrion was completely aware on just how dangerous his foe truly was.
Gaulroach was smirking just as evil as the day he had ended Shavron’s life, the day he had killed all but one of the Blood Dragon clan.  His red eyes were focused on Serrion, the Blood Dragon could see his own reflection in those burning chaotic orbs.  Gaulroach blinked and it reminded Serrion on how easily Gaulroach could end his life as he could blink.
Serrion’s growling grew louder and he fought away all hints of despair, he would not allow himself to fall for something like that.  He was strong in body and soul, he had grown stronger and would use that strength to avenge his clan’s death.
“Calm yourself Serrion, this does not need to become a fight.”  The great dragon spoke quietly, his calm and emotionless voice insulted Serrion, this it was like Gaulroach didn’t even realize just what he had done.
“It does.”  Serrion hissed back at him, flame licked from between his teeth, this was the angriest Serrion had even been.  “You slaughtered my clan and you expect this encounter to pass peacefully?”
The great black dragon laughed, more rage rose in Serrion’s heart.  “Yes, that is true.  I would be ready to strike out at anything that moves myself.”  He lowered his head to Serrion’s level, his smirk grew.  “But just because you are angry does not mean you have to be stupid, yes?  Consider my words carefully Serrion, I may be your enemy through what I have done to others, but I am giving you the chance to make me your greatest ally.”
“I don’t want anything you have to offer.”  Serrion snapped, he rose his own head up higher, his claws were digging into the dirt.
“Consider it Serrion, Shavron trained you as best as he could, but there is so much more powerful magic that even the Blood Dragons don’t know.  I could teach you so much more powerful spells, you can be trained in combat much better than a Dragon that doesn’t even exist in the physical word.”  His words were hissing and low, coated in honey and Serrion was amazed on how such a terrible creature could be so persuasive, but he would have none of it.
“I stand by my decision.”  Serrion growled, he held his body and head low now, a sign of aggression among their kind.  “I will have nothing to do with scum such as you.”
Gaulroach’s smirk didn’t falter, but his eyes had the slightest hint of annoyance.  “Very well Serrion, you have made your choice.  But I will persuade you one way or another.”  Gaulroach started to turn to leave.
Serrion hissed and rushed forward, he was not going to let Gaulroach leave so easily.
The Dark Dragon turned to see Serrion charging at him, his smirk faded this time.  He twisted and his massive tail smashed out at Serrion, hitting the attacking dragon and sending him way off course.
Serrion flew into a tree by his side, pain sprung through him and he slumped to the ground, still growling lowly.  The Great Dark Dragon snorted and looked over at the fallen Blood Dragon.  “That was foolish Serrion, I would have thought Shavron taught you common sense.”  Gaulroach then turned to leave and Serrion’s sight went black, the pain faded into sleep.

Chapter 3: Sheakria Anacria

She walked through the halls of the dark tower, not moving at a hurried pace but not delaying either, she knew her lord would not want to come too late.  He had called for her while she had been sleeping in her room, it was a little annoying being woken up in the middle of her sleep, but she had been about to wake up as it was.
The Emerald Female was well muscled, she was not the biggest from head to tail and height per say, but she definitely weighed as much as many a bit larger than her.  She was strong and she was beautiful, if it was not for her reputation as a merciless killer she would have been ogled by more males than any female in the tower and for miles around.  Those who knew who she was kept their eyes to the ground, those who didn’t know who she was soon learned of their mistake, some weren’t around long enough to make any mistake ever again.
Even those on the highest parts of the ladder of importance kept their eyes and minds to themselves, because no matter how valuable they were to their lord Gaulroach, she was always the more valuable.  She was the most valuable asset to Gaulroach’s followers, she took orders from only her lord and it was her zealous loyalty to him that made her who she was today.  That, and the fact she was really good at what she liked to do the most.
Sheakria Anacria was Gaulroach’s strongest and most valuable follower, she was the best fighter in the whole tower and when something needed to be carried out she was always trusted to have it be done.  Since she was a youngling she had served Gaulroach, growing stronger and faster all the time, now at her Hundredth and Fifth year she was feared not only within the tower but by those near the wasteland and those who were foolish enough to make themselves enemies of her lord.
The had brilliant Emerald green scales, each one shined brightly and were much unlike the usual dark and dull scales of Gaulroach’s other followers.  The horns on her head swept back and curve upwards, on the side of her head was a set of ear frills that ended in slight spikes.  The scales on her belly were larger and softer than those of the rest of her body, they were in a general V shape and were a lighter olive green in color.  This shade of green was also shared by her horns, the spines running down her back and the membrane of her ear frills and wings.  Her long tail ended in a deadly scythe-blade shaped spike, a naturally grown weapon that she used to tear and rend just as much as she did with claws and teeth.  Sheakria’s own natural weapons were only part of the reason she was the best killer around, her quick reacting mind and urge to shed blood made up the rest of it.
She stopped before the doors of her Lord Gaulroach’s chamber, watching the dark gateway with golden eyes she could sense the powerful dragon waiting in the room just beyond her.  Her lord Gaulroach was the only dragon she considered to be stronger than herself, he was the only one she would ever bow to in her life.  She took serving him much more seriously than any other, for his word was law in her mind and she would never even dream of betraying him.
She entered the room after that moments wait, she didn’t bother knocking for she knew he would have sensed her presence by now.  A dragon’s mind was much more open than that of a human, Dragons were naturally telepathic creatures, some more than others.  Most clans in this area were naturally telepathic, able to communicate with others over short or even long distances, some like her lord Gaulroach could communicate with others over much longer distances or even crush the minds of his enemies.  Sheakria was not to that level, she had never bothered learning to strike at another inside their own thoughts, preferring the feel of flesh and scale rending apart beneath her claws.  But she was not stupid and had practiced on defending her mind from such attacks, she could resist the mental attacks of a foe and then simply tear them apart by her strength and speed.
The room was dark as always, her lord Gaulroach had even better sight in the dark than she did and to her understanding could see things to small details with no light at all.  She glanced through the room to the strange objects lining the walls, they were dark metal and all spiked and oddly shaped.  They were gateways to other realms of existence, Sheakria suspected her lord had tuned them to reach different Demonic Planes, her Lord was capable of creating things beyond the scope of human structures.  She understood none of it herself, but knew better than to meddle with things her lord had created, for her own safety.  Some actually looked like gateways, and some not so much, they were of different sizes and she was not sure how her lord could actually fit through some of them, he would spend periods of time in the darker demonic realms.  It was his playing with the darker magics that made the wasteland around here such the dangerous place it was.
Gaulroach was sitting by the large statue of the demon lord Jernabbezzulle that stood in the center.  He was looking into the bowl of water he used for scrying on places and people, though he turned his head to look at her when she entered.  Sheakria lowered herself into a bow before him.  “My Lord Gaulroach?”
Gaulroach smiled and nodded to her.  “Lady Sheakria.  I trust I didn’t interrupt your nap too early?”  He asked, his voice was sincere, Sheakria was one of the only dragons that he would act this kind towards.  He valued her service after all.
“It was satisfactory, I knew whatever you woke me for would be the more important.”  She rose into a stand again.  Gaulroach would never have woken her if it had been something trivial.
“Yes, this is a matter of importance which I am trusting only you to.”  He motioned her over to the scrying bowl with a nod of his head.  Sheakria complied and stepped over to stand by the raised platform opposite of her lord.
Sheakria looked in, she saw a red male dragon laying unconscious by a small lake.  He looked young, probably not even in his first hundred yet, she saw the dent in the tree and judged why he was laying there.  He was still breathing.  “My lord, you want me to kill this Male?”  She asked looking up at the Dark Dragon.
Gaulroach shook his head.  “No, this time I don’t need someone dead.  I need someone brought alive, this Dragon ‘Serrion’ defied my will and then attacked me foolishly.  That was the result of his folly.”  His voice was low and rumbling, Sheakria didn’t detect anger in his voice which surprised her.  He was usually in a fit when a dragon was dumb enough to try and fight him.
“My Lord.”  She started.  “If this Dragon dared to defy your will and was stupid enough to attack you then allow me to end his life.  A dragon this stupid cannot be of any real value to you.”
“You are wrong Sheakria.”  Gaulroach hissed lowly, he smirked and his eyes seemed to flash.  “He is of value to me and his attacking me was understandable.  He has no greed and so my promises of power had no effect when weighed to his hatred of me for killing his clan.”
Sheakria nodded in understanding, her eyes dulled for a moment as her own memories came to mind.  “That is understandable.  He likely had nothing left and risking his own life fighting one as powerful as you meant nothing.”
“Precisely.”  Her lord mused with a nod.  “It is important in my plans that Serrion be brought here to the tower to be captured.  That’s why I need you to do this Sheakria, he does not know who you are and your lack of…  Physical changes more common to the rest of my followers will not alert him to the fact you serve his enemy.”
Sheakria smirked slightly herself.  “So I play nice, and trick him into thinking I’m a friend so I can lure him into your grasp?”  She asked softly.
“I trust your abilities in acting Sheakria.  You will be able to achieve this?”  He asked raising an eyebrow, or rather the ridge that it would be on if Dragons had hair or fur.  He asked this of her but she knew it was only for show, her lord had never doubted her ability to get things done and for good reason.
“Of course.”  She purred and bowed once more to her lord.  “Where is this Male?”
Gaulroach turned to the silver bowl and his eyes flashed, the image zoomed out to the point where Sheakria could see the mountains.  They stretched on long and far joining with forest, the one the view was focused on was the joining of multiple peaks, the claw of a dragon reaching up to grasp at the sky.  There was only two mountains like that in all the known world.
“Black Claw Mountain…”  She whispered to herself quietly, examining the image carefully, she could see Fang Claw Mountain in the distance.  She looked up at her lord.
Gaulroach nodded, an amused look on his face..  “Yes, you’ve met him before some Fifty years ago.  My plans have been in motion since before that day.”
Sheakria nodded, though she didn’t understand why her lord needed this Dragon, she knew it was of much importance because of that day he sent her there to protect that red dragon as a youngling…  “He will be safe under my watch.”  She told him, the exact same thing she had said years ago.  She would not fail her lord just as she hadn’t failed him those years ago, there had only been one failure in all her years of service to her lord…  A failure she was still working to fix.
“Good.”  Gaulroach turned to the open balcony and the tear in reality all ready open and waiting for her.  “This will take you close to the spot.  I cannot wait the two days it would take for you to fly there.  Take your time coming back, I expect you will know when is appropriate.”  That last part was more of a soft warning.
She nodded and gave her third bow since entering the room, “You will not be disappointed Lord Gaulroach.”  Sheakria assured him and then turned to the open portal, she took a deep breath and then stepped through.

All time and space seemed to change, the wasteland was no more and green forest was all around her.  She sniffed the air, catching no scent of dragon or anything important.  It was hard to say where she was right now, likely somewhere close to Black Claw Mountain…
The Emerald Female spread her wings out fully, then with a few beats of the powerful limbs and a springing jump from her strong legs she had pulled herself into the air and crashed through the forest canopy.  She beat her wings hard to gain height and once she was high enough she could use the updrafts of warm air to carry her higher.
She spiraled in the sun for a moment, getting a good look of her surroundings.  It was sunny out and the rays of light warmed her scales even at this altitude.  She looked and found Black Claw Mountain easily, she was in the air just in between Black Claw and its sister.  She spiraled once more and then took off in the direction of the mountain.  The lake the red Dragon had been resting by was the one just in the palm of the claw, the only lake near the mountain.
The image of the red dragon, Serrion, was stuck in her mind now, when she was sent to kill someone she made sure she knew exactly who she was looking for.  Sheakria had to an extent she could even pick faces out among humans, most dragons never saw the differences in humans, they all looked the same in their minds.  She was not sure why Gaulroach wanted this dragon so badly, she also didn’t understand why her lord simply hadn’t taken the dragon by force earlier or back when he was only a hatchling.
Sheakria snorted as these thoughts continued, it would have been easy enough to just ask Sheakria to take the hatchling from the mountain and bring it to him herself all those years ago, instead of just ‘escorting’ him out of the mountain.
Her lord must be playing a game, Dragons were very catlike in behavior and Gaulroach even more in that he liked to taunt and play with his prey before striking.  Was this all just to play with this dragons head?  It still seemed less efficient than just taking him by force, which would be easy enough for Sheakria, let alone her Lord.
She came closer to the mountain, in flight she hardly beat her wings at all but was gliding comfortably on the updrafts.  Every once and awhile her powerful wings would beat once to carry her just a little higher, the wind passing her face came softer as she slowed down and had to beat her wings more regularly in order to stay in flight.  She lowered in altitude and eventually was beating her wings hard to just keep above the sea of trees, she angled herself carefully and then stopped her wings and crashed through the leafy floor to land on the ground below it to land on her clawed feet gently.
Birds stirred when she disturbed their resting spots, but didn’t take long to settle down into song again when they realized the Emerald Dragon was moving on and wouldn’t disturb them again.  All of Sheakria’s senses were alert, the lake was just a small walk off through the heavily forested base of the mountain.  She could smell the water and every other creature nearby, she could smell that of the dragon as well.  There was no doubt it was the same dragon as the youngling she had protected before, it was harder to forget scents then faces for her.
She padded softly so as not to disturb any of the creatures also inhabiting the forest right now, and to not disturb this male if he was still asleep.  He had taken a hard blow from her lord, she had seen the dent in the trees side, and if it had not been so thick the tree might have crashed over.  This dragon would most likely still be knocked out, though hopefully it wouldn’t be too hard to wake him.  She also hoped her lord had not hurt the dragon too badly, a blow like that could crack ribs and that would make traveling to the tower all the more difficult…  And Sheakria was not one for healing magic, ‘healing’ had never been a concept easy for her, hurting on the other hand…
Sheakria stopped and sniffed the air once again, the wind had changed and his scent was blowing right too her, he was not moving and that most likely meant he was laying in the same spot as the vision.  She kept the same pace as before, her golden eyes watching forward.  She smirked slightly to herself and thought of how easy this would be to trick the unsuspecting dragon.  It would likely be fun.

Dreams were restless and confusing, though they were not strong enough to cause Serrion to move in the physical world.  The most common vision was that of flames, fire everywhere and all around him.  They did not burn him but still they worried him, there was something strange about this fire…  He reached out for it but it defied his control, these flames were under the command of another mind, one more powerful than he was.
This time he saw in the flames off in the distance, an area where they seemed to gather more thickly, they rose up higher than he stood and equally as long on each side.  He saw something moving in the flames, it was as big as he was and was thrashing about.  He took a step towards the mass of fire and more flames rose up in front of him.  They made a wall in his path and he stepped back, this flame gave off real heat and would burn him if he got too close.
They faded again when he stepped away from him, so his best sight of the thing in the fire was actually easier to see from here, the flames around it were moving violently and offering him a better view of the creature within.  It looked like another dragon from what he could tell, one of red scales.
All the flame around it seemed to gather together, flowing over and one again covering every scale of it’s body from view.  As Serrion watched in amazement the flames fit to its body and took the shape of that of a dragon.  The creature’s body was all blazing fire, but there was no doubt it was in the shape of a dragon.  Standing on four taloned legs, it had a long tail, burning wings and its head even had an occasionally opening set of jaws.  The flames on the ground between Serrion and the Fire Dragon disappeared, leaving an open path between the two.  It walked towards Serrion, two piercing bright golden areas of flame marked where the creatures eyes were.
Serrion forced himself to hold his ground as the burning dragon slowly walked towards him, the other was about his size…  Though Serrion did not feel a malevolent presence coming from this creature, its head was at about midpoint, not low down which would be a sign of aggression.
Serrion forced himself to raise his head higher, not in submission or anger which would be low to the ground.  It was more to defy the Fire Dragon, that he would deny the other any leverage.  The fire dragon kept its head at Serrion’s level, moving it higher when Serrion did.
The Fire Dragon stopped before getting too close to Serrion, it’s eyes stayed on him always and Serrion refused to look away from the burning flames that made its eyes.
Then surprisingly there was laughter.  A low chuckle that Serrion judged came from the fire dragon, the flames even seemed to move in a way that matched the sound of its laughter.  It was not a mocking tone, but more mild amusement, like it was from some small inside joke.
The flames seemed to die away all around them, except for the fire dragon itself.  Then he heard a voice echo through the area.  ~Hey.~  It called out, ~Are you all right?~  The voice did not match that of the laughter from before, it sounded female actually.  The fire dragon looked him in the eyes one more time and then slowly turned around, as it did the flames around it died away.  Once there was no more flames everything went dark again….

“Are you all right?”  She asked again, giving him a slight nudge on the neck with her muzzle, this time the red dragon groaned and started to stir.  She smiled glad he had finally woken and stepped back a bit to give him room.  The Emerald female sat down and watched him slowly roll onto his belly.
The red dragon opened his eyes with his head laying on the ground, golden eyes blinking and adjusting to the light, they had been closed for some and Sheakria suspected had gotten used to hiding under his eye lids.  His golden eyes looked up from the ground in front of his nose to up at her, they blinked again this time in surprise and he weakly rose his head off the ground.
Sheakria smiled kindly, she rose onto all four legs and then lowered her head so it was more or less on the level of his.  “Hey, are you all right?  You looked pretty beat up.”  Her voice was sincere, she sounded as she wanted to sound, a bit worried but in a gentle voice that made the situation not seem all that terrible.
The red dragon nodded at her weakly, but didn’t find words until a little later.  “I’m fine…”  He spoke quietly, maybe even a bit nervously.  Sheakria couldn’t help it but her fake smile wasn’t so fake any more, she judged it was because the red Dragon had noticed her beauty.  “Just a little beat up.”  He said softly, his claws scraped on the ground and he seemed to be trying to get leverage.
“Let me help you up.”  She offered stepping a bit closer.
“No, it’s all right.”  He declined softly, he found balance on his front legs and started to push himself up onto all four.  It was slow doing and it looked like he was trying to hide the pain, Sheakria admired silently his resolve, most would have been begging for help.
Eventually he was standing unsteadily on all four legs, his tail was resting on the ground behind him in order to keep balance.  Sheakria saw how he swayed on his legs, ~A gust of wind would blow him over right now…~  She moved over to stand beside him, head to tail matching the direction he was.  He watched her but didn’t protest at all when she let him rest against her gently to keep his balance.  She smiled at him, watching him through one eye.  “I’m guessing you’re not in the condition to fly?”  She asked raising an eyebrow.
He shook his head, “Not today.”  The male said in agreement with her.
She nodded back, she kept up her smile, trying to get him to smile back.  “Perhaps there is somewhere we can rest for the night?  I don’t want to leave you on your own like this of course so I’ll accompany you.”
The red male blinked and looked up at the mountain, “I have a cave in the mountain.”  He told her, “It’s big enough for the two of us.”
Sheakria looked up at the mountain, understanding that he wouldn’t live inside the labyrinth of his old home, it was likely Wyvern infested.  “I wonder, considering you live in this territory.  Years ago a clan known as the blood dragons lived here until they were wiped out by the Dark Lord Gaulroach.  You wouldn’t be blood of the clan are you?  Or were you just passing through their territory?”
He looked over at her, as if she had said something that had surprised him.  “I am the last of the Blood Dragons.”  He told her, he spoke quietly and almost in a whisper.  “And it was Gaulroach that damaged me like this.”
“Gaulroach was here?”  She asked in complete lie, though she didn’t give off the slightest hint of it.  Sheakria glanced around, Serrion would see it as if she was looking to see if Gaulroach was still there.  “You are lucky to be alive, thousands have fallen to Gaulroach.”  She smiled as she looked back at him.  “I come from a group that’s fighting against him, trying to stop him from continuing the slaughter.  It could help having a Blood Dragon among us, you’d have much to offer for our cause.”
Serrion blinked, his gaze went from her to being directed on nothing in particular, Sheakria  guess that was because he was thinking over what she had said.
She laughed pleasantly and that seemed to draw Serrion’s attention back towards her. “But that’s your choice.  I just realized, I still haven’t asked what your name is Blood Dragon.  I am Sheakria Anacria.”  She nodded her head as best as she could, it was hard doing a proper greeting while he was right next to her, leaning on her to keep standing, but she knew she got her message across.
He nodded back to her, “I’m Serrion.”  He replied to her, he paused for a moment, seeming to be deciding what he was going to say next.  “I don’t really have another after name, our clan just used first ones to avoid confusion, no one was to name their child the same as another living dragon in the clan.”
She nodded in understanding.  “Well you don’t have a common name in the world, so I don’t think it will be a problem.  Even so you can just be called by Serrion of the Blood Dragons.”  She looked up at the mountains, her golden eyes reflecting the image of the oddly shaped titan.  “Now, you can lead us up to your cave.  With how badly beat up you are we shouldn’t just be standing around.”
Serrion nodded in agreement to her, though stayed where he was.  Sheakria took the first step and then allowed him to set the pace up towards the mountains edge.

With how slow Serrion was going it took a little while before they reached the cave, about 2 hours to be exact.  Dragons were known for their stamina whether for flying or traveling over land, but with how beaten up he was she was surprised he was keeping it up, he hadn’t asked to stop and take a break even once.
“So where are you hurt?”  Sheakria asked as they approached  the entrance to the cave, it was located in the side of the mountain, dug into stone.  It didn’t look entirely natural. “And how badly?”
“I think I have a few ribs broken.’  He answered her, confirming Sheakria’s suspicion.  “Other than that I think I’m just bruised up.”
“Well if that’s the case it should not take too long until your back on your feet.”  She said with a satisfied nod.  Their kind was held down as long as others, they healed at a much faster rate than most natural creatures and Serrion would likely be able to walk by tomorrow even if he’d still be really weak.
They stopped in front of the cave and Serrion broke off from Sheakria, she watched has he went ahead towards the entrance of the cave.  It wasn’t large enough for the both of them to walk side by side but she wondered if it was a god idea to let him walk on his own.  The red male managed to make it into the entrance of the cave without falling down and Sheakria followed him in without hesitation.
The cave was large enough to fit the both of them and still offer some space for movement.  Much of the stone walls and floor seemed to be black as though scorched by fire.  Carved into the walls as though by a talon were various runes and symbols.  Sheakria could read some of them as being of the Draconic alphabet, recognized some other being of the human scripture, and there was a few being in runes unrecognizable to her.  Her feet padded on the floor softly as she circled the room and examined the walls.
“What’s all this?”  She asked examining the walls.
“Studying.”  He answered her softly, Serrion had curled up in the far end of the cave.  He watched her from his head resting on a paw.  “A lot of it’s old from when I was younger and learning our own runes, but I’ve also been learning human and some other forms of writing.  Some of it is also magic practice, how to use the spells.”
She assumed he was speaking of the odd gathering of words in places, most of the words she understood but they were mixed in with other runes unknown to her and put in a way that just made no sense to her.  ~Then again, I don’t understand the Blood Dragon’s magic.~  She thought to herself.  Sheakria looked back over at the red male.  “How did you learn all this?  Is there someone else on the mountain?”
“Not really…”  He answered her, the red dragon shifted in his place on the floor.  His claws lightly clicked against the stone in the way a human would fidget his fingers.  “I have a teacher but he’s not here as a person, it’s really hard to explain…”
She nodded, only partially paying attention to his explanation, spending more interest in reading the walls.  What she did understand was very well written, he was excellent in scripture.  What she understood of the spells, or at least partially understood, made her wonder just how complicated Blood Dragon magic really was.  It was so different from anything she knew, she had no doubt it was power.  It was no wonder the Blood Dragons had guarded the secret of their magic so zealously, it probably meant that Serrion was the last of anyone who knew the magics.  Not even the moon dragons were taught the full extent of their battle magic..
Sheakria smiled and looked back at him, she stretched lightly and then laid down herself, off to the side of the room from him but kept her head raised.  “You should get to sleep, it wouldn’t hurt sleeping for the rest of the day and for the night.”
Serrion nodded to her and lowered his head off of his paw and onto the ground, his golden eyes closed, and soon his slow breathing became more regular.
Sheakria smirked slightly and laid her own head down on her paws, watching him.  So far it had been easy, Serrion seemed reluctant in opening out his feelings but that was understandable, Sheakria assumed he hadn’t had much contact with other dragons for awhile.  But she believed he trusted her now, which was exactly what she needed.  ~All is going to plan my lord.~  She thought to herself softly.  ~I will deliver him into your claws.~