A/N: This is a collaborative story between myself and Serenpuppy16!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

A soft golden light slowly takes over the forest, signalling the beginning of the sun's ascent. Animals began to stir, birds chirping happily in the new warmth of the early morning. Reluctantly, you blink your eyes open, quickly shutting them in protest at the light that stung them mercilessly. With a groan, you roll onto your side, your cheek meeting with the cool earth beneath you. Pulling yourself into a sitting position with your back to the sun, you recall the previous night's events.

You had run away from home after someone in your tribe had discovered your secret. However, you weren't exactly sure how you ended up here. As far as you remembered of last night, you had been on your home island. One glance at the trees around you told you that you were no longer 'home'. You wracked your brain, trying to find the answer to this quizzical puzzle. With a defeated sigh, you grab onto a low, rather weak looking branch of the pine and try to pull yourself up. Nearly on your feet, the branch snaps and sends you tumbling backwards. Seconds later, a sharp pain shoots up your spine as you collide with a hard surface, a sharp cry in pain slipping from your lips.

Wincing, you rock forward onto your hands and knees, taking in small breaths. As the pain slowly eases off, you straighten your figure and stand. Curious as to what the hell you had hit, you turn your head slightly to gaze over your shoulder. Your eyes widen as they take in the object. Before you was an old ship, though the hull was still firmly held together. The sails were torn and burned, barely clinging to the broken masts that been blackened by fire. The shadows seemed to extend and reach out towards you, sending a chill down your spine.

Taking a step closer, a strong, musty smell mixed with charred wood hits you, causing you to step back in retreat. Coughing, you cover your nose and mouth, trying to filter fresh oxygen into your lungs. Upon closer inspection, you could see faint traces of smoke rising from the mast. Your body tensed instantly, an eerie feeling coating you like a blanket. Every nerve in your body was screaming at you to run, but your curiosity compelled you to move your feet forward.

As you approached the gaping hole in the side of the boat, you try to peer inside. Broken boards littered the ground, one snapping under your weight and setting you off balance. Steadying yourself, you place a hand onto the ship to help you inside the lower deck. As your foot makes contact with the floor, the mast falls completely and scatters dust and ash, earning a scream from your startled figure. Your body jerked as the floorboards above creaked and groaned under the weight of the mast.

All noise seemed to cease, the silence heavy and suffocating. The suspicious feeling of being watched gnawed at your conscious. Venturing closer to the broken staircase, an intense heat choked the air. Gasping at the loss of oxygen, you step back and inhale desperately. Beads of sweat formed on your forehead and neck, and breathing became laborious. Leaning against the wall of the ship, you took slow, deep breaths and tried to relax.

Eyes scanning the remnants of the room, they fall upon a gleaming blade embedded in the wood. Walking over, and with quite a bit of effort, you manage to pull the sword free. The hilt was two winged dragons, their tails intertwined with a crescent moon above them. Between them, a human infant was swaddled in torn cloth. A wing from each dragon appeared to hold the child up, keeping it safe from danger. Looking at the dragons, you noticed they were looking at the child lovingly rather than the menacing look they appeared to be at first glance.

'What the hell was going through this person's mind...?' You thought quietly. Moving your attention to the blade, you noticed it was double edged. On the blade, in a language you had never seen but strangely understood, was the inscription "Only through trust can peace be achieved." Tilting your head in slight confusion, you look to the other side of the blade where more words were etched in. This time, it read "Soul of a dragon, heart of a human." Staring at the sword, you looked around for a sheath to conceal it. Only finding a torn piece of leather, you kneeled down and grasped it in your hand.

Curious as to how sharp the blade had been, you lightly ran your fingers along one side. Instantaneously, blood began to drip from your fingertips. Blinking, you stared at your hand for a moment before it registered in your mind that you had been cut. Shaking your hand, you dress the blade in the leather carefully, using an old rope to secure the weapon against your back. Mumbling a string of curse words under your breath, you scan the charred room for something to wrap your hand with, not noticing the glowing, slitted eyes watching you from the shadows.

With your focus trained on finding a bandage for your hand, the eyes follow your every move. Finding nothing in the area below, you make your way back towards the wooden steps. Getting a good breath before advancing towards the heat, you ready yourself and step forward. Concentrating on getting to the upper deck, you cautiously take the stairs two at a time. Breaching the surface, a cooled breeze brushes your cheeks. Inhaling deeply, you welcome the fresh air and gaze around.

The mast that had snapped and fallen lay only feet away, the heat from the charred wood drifting towards you. The upper deck was covered with strips of the torn sail, the remnants of what you assumed to be weapons, and splatters of dark stains which you knew to be blood. Bodies lay scattered around, all completely unrecognizable. You shudder at the grim sight, the air soon tainted with the smell of decay and blood. Getting to your feet, you step over the mutilated corpses and make your way towards the remains of the sail. Now closer, you could see blood also stained the thick cloth, the red liquid splattered across it. Gripping a torn section, you rip off a piece and wrap your hand.

Taking one last look at the carnage, you walk towards the bow of the ship. Thoughts raced through your mind, each one about how the ship could have ended up in the forest. Seconds pass by as you look out at the forest, lost in your own mind. Consumed in the mystery of the ship, you fail to notice a shadow overtaking your own. Once the sensation of being watched washes over your body, you glance up and take note of the larger silhouette. Your body quickly tenses, feeling a heated breath hit the nape of your neck, followed by a low growl. Ever so slowly, you glance over your shoulder, meeting slitted eyes staring down at you. You were now face to face with a very large creature; a dragon.