Chapter 11-The Dragon of Fire
The temple of fire was the last stop. After traveling for so long, Lloyd's energy had begun to wither. As Wu drove their cart forward Lloyd simply laid back, no longer fueled with his usual hyperactivity. All the toddler yearned for was his own bed, his own toys, and most of all, his own father.
So Lloyd had been extremely fussy. He refused to eat at certain times, choosing to throw his food around instead. Wu dealt with it all as best as he could, praying for all the patience he needed to deal with it all. It took most of his strength not to lash out at times, which made him wonder how challenging it would have been for Garmadon to take care of his son. Then again, his older brother seemed to have neverending love and patience when it came to the young green-eyed boy.
"I want to go home!" Lloyd shouted, slamming his small palms against the cart. "Now!"
"Lloyd we've got one more thing to do remember?" Wu muttered through gritted teeth. "No matter how much you shout, we're not going home just yet."
"Yes!"
"No. . ."
"Yes!"
"Don't you want to meet the dragon of fire? I'm sure you'll like him. He kinda reminds me of you at the moment. . ." Wu looked back, knowing he would see Lloyd's eyes wide with curiosity.
"Me?" The toddler questioned, forgetting his desire to head home, at least momentarily.
"Yep," Wu smiled. "He was loud, stubborn and hot-headed. . . Though he was very brave."
"Oh!" Lloyd crawled closer to the edge of the cart, so his small ears would be able to hear better. "Can I know his story?"
"Well. . . we're almost to the temple. . . But you've gotta stop whining deal?"
"Okay okay!" Lloyd smiled, nodding endlessly.
"This is the story of the dragon of fire. . ."
Once upon a time, a small village rested at the roots of a volcano. They were known as the lava-eaters. Their bodies could withstand large amounts of heat, making it easy for them to mine for Kabikes. Kabikes were a powerful gem that were able to rid the body of any disease imaginable.
The problem was that, after hundreds of years, Kabikes were growing scarce. The people had almost depleted all of the ones that lay on the outer layer of the volcano. Without Kabikes, the village's economy would plummet, as they would have nothing else to trade. Many began to pack up, getting ready to find a better place for their respective families.
Azoth belonged to one of these families. He had six younger brothers and five younger sisters. Being the oldest, it was his responsibility to take care of everyone. Azoth's mother was weak, so he was also in charge of her well-being. Everyone depended on him.
This weight did not bother Azoth. In fact, he enjoyed it. The desire to protect all of those weaker than he had been part of his nature for as long as he could remember.
On the day when they had planned to move, Azoth's mother was stricken by disease. She was not able to digest any food, and had lost all control of her body. Azoth's heart was pained at seeing his mother this way.
"There must be more Kabikes," He growled, pacing back and forth before his mother's body. "No one has ever mined within the volcano's heart. There should be hundreds, if not thousands, of them there. Simply waiting to be picked."
"No Azoth," His mother coughed, barely able to open her grey eyes. "The heart of the volcano belongs to the gods. You can not mine there. You need to take your brothers and sisters far away, to where they can lead a happier life."
"I will not leave you mother," Azoth stated, "I will find a way to bring your health back."
Azoth went into the volcano, mining tools in hand. To hell with the gods. He was going to save his mother. If there were Kabikes within the volcano, he would find them, and take them. Azoth began his work. It was a long and tiring process, but he was driven forward with a sense of fiery stubbornness. He would not let his mother die. Azoth could care less about the rules against mining upon sacred ground.
A few days later, when Azoth's body was weak, he finally found a small Kabike. Without hestitating, he took it, and began to run back to the village. With each step however, his feet grew heavier, and heavier, until he was forced to drag himself forward.
"You, Azoth, Have invaded sacred ground," An angry voice shook the tunnel. "I cannot allow you to leave this place."
"To hell with you!" Azoth replied, holding the Kabike close to his heart. "I will save my mother. You can't stop me."
The weight upon his feet grew heavier yet. But Azoth ignored it. The bones of his legs snapped, but still Azoth crawled forward. He managed to reach the end of the mining tunnel. With his last breath, he shouted for his brothers and sisters, throwing the Kabike out of the cave. Azoth's mother was saved.
Azoth, however, was not.
The pain grew too strong, and he succumbed to the darkness. The gods of the volcano felt pity for his young heart. They recognized the sacrifice the boy had gone through in order to save his mother.
So they decided to save his soul.
They turned his soul into a dragon, giving him unlimited powers over fire. They allowed him to reign within the volcano he had once lived in. And from there, Azoth continued to protect all of those who needed it the most.
"I like Azoth." Lloyd smiled. "I'm glad I'm like him! I wanna save everyone!"