Heart starts to wonder more about the dragon part of herself she didn't get to learn. Now her curiosity seems to be getting the better of her.
Ch 10: Who Am I?
After another three days, Heart's paw was completely healed and she was back to normal. Unfortunately for her, that meant that Alastor was off doing his own thing again and he wasn't going to be taking care of her. He wouldn't sleep with her in her den anymore. To watch over her in the night. She enjoyed the deer's company more than she thought and it honestly saddened her to see him leave to do his duties and then not come back to her den to check on her.
That first night he wasn't there, she felt so...alone. Cold. Scared. She couldn't sleep that night. Heart stayed awake...wondering if he would come check on her anyway. He didn't. It broke her heart more than she thought it would. She cried a little that night, just wanting him to return. She knew it wouldn't happen though. She eventually did fall asleep but she didn't wake up till late about noon.
The wolf tried to get back into the rhythm of what she was in before the accident. Before Alastor came to help her. Luckily her hunting skills were still intact. She missed him eating with her too. When she caught her first kill on her own again, she sat there and ate alone. Missing his presence. Missing his voice. The conversations. She ate so slow, lost in thought, that the day had gotten away from her. Before she knew it, it was dark and she was on her way back to her den to rest.
Again, the hybrid couldn't get to sleep. She laid on top of her den, on the big rock and looked at the sky. It was a beautiful, quiet night. She was still sad and ended up crying up there. Eventually she started to howl. It was unintentional but her emotions couldn't help themselves. She let out a long and sad sounding howl before just crying and putting her head on her paws.
Eventually the girl fell asleep on top of the den. Unknown to her that a certain demon heard her howl. He heard how sad it was and came to her as soon as he could. When he saw her asleep on top of her den, her fur on her face was still wet with tears. The deer ended up lying next to her for a little bit that night, cuddled up beside her. His face rubbed into her neck. Whispering apologies to her as she slept.
He watched over her that night, leaving in the morning before she woke up. Walking up to her den as she woke up to seem like he was just arriving to see her. That made the wolf happy to see him greet her in the morning. Since that day, the deer always came to see her in the mornings when she was waking up. Some nights sneaking into her den and laying with her. Then doing the same thing every morning, waking up before her and 'arriving' to see her.
A month went by with this happening. Heart never realized a thing. All she knew was that the deer came to see her every day and it just made her morning start off in the best way she could think of. Unknown to the two that they had feelings for each other. It was all so new for both of them that they were blind to it. Even though other demons were slowly starting to notice.
At the next full moon meeting, Alastor talked about the attack on Heart from the snake demon that was terrorizing his land. How Alastor was able to get rid of the enemy finally from his territory. Then the trespassing wolf that passed by as well. How, with Heart's help, was able to drive the wolf out. The hybrid felt she wasn't much help with that one. Both battles she realized that she was still a weak demon. Wondering how she got this far. It was all because of the Deer Lord.
Heart then tried to think back to what that wolf had told her. That and what he said about the dragons. The territory next door basically and over that mountain. How close were the dragons from her? Part of her started to want to learn the part of herself that was still a mystery. She always grew up as a wolf. In a pack. With other wolves. What about dragons? How different were they. She started to want to find out more. The hybrid was determined to know more.
Heart was walking around the forest. Looking for Chicka. The bird was nowhere to be found. She started to call out for her. "Chicka?" She stopped for a moment to listen. "Chicka?" She continued to trot forward. She thought she knew where the chickadee's nest was so she tried to look for it.
Heart heard the flapping of wings not far off. "Chicka?"
Soon a voice called out from up above her. "Heart?"
Heart looked around and soon spotted the bird in a nest in the tree not far away. "There you are Chicka, I was looking for you." She said with a wag of her tail.
The bird flew down and landed on a branch nearby. "Alastor gave me a day to myself, so I've been catching up on some sleep."
"Oh, sorry if I woke you." Heart quickly apologized.
Chicka shook her head. "You're fine. I was just waking up anyway. What can I do for you?"
They hybrid paused for a moment and then sat down, remembering why she was looking for the bird in the first place. "So Chicka, do you...know about dragons?"
"Dragons?" The bird made sure she heard correctly as she tilted her head.
Heart nodded. "I've...been wondering more about my dragon's side. I don't know anything about it. I don't know what I'm capable of. So, I want to go around asking to see what demons know."
The bird hummed in thought. "Unfortunately, I've never seen a dragon up close so I wouldn't know. From what I've heard, there are more than one species of dragon."
"More than one?" Heart wondered.
The bird nodded. "Yea, some dragons don't have wings. There are some that don't even have feet. At least, that's what I've heard."
"Interesting." They hybrid hummed.
"Maybe Lord Alastor knows more. You should ask him." Chicka suggested.
"Ask Alastor? Well, I guess it won't hurt." Heart said as her ears got hot.
The bird laughed. "Don't worry. Right now, Alastor should be in his den. If you need me, I'm probably going to be here and sleep a little more."
"Thanks my friend. If I need you again, I know where you are." Heart says as she turns around. "Have a good rest."
"Thanks. Good luck." She said and flew back up into her nest.
Heart walked off then to find Alastor. She was becoming more familiar with the land so she knew which way to go to get to the deer's den. He mind went racing on trying to think of questions. She was so lost in thought, her paws just taking her when they wanted. She hoped Alastor had some answers for her. He has been here longer than her. He was older than her and his land was next to the dragons. She was sure he knew something.
Soon she arrived by the creek in front of Alastor's cave. She looked at the cave and took a deep breath. "Alastor?" She called out softly. "Alastor? Are you in?"
There was silence a moment before the deer came trotting out of the cave. "Ah, little wolf, what can I do for you?" He asked as he came down to the other side of the creek.
Heart was nervous a moment as she looked down at her paws a moment. "Um, well, I had some...questions." She managed to get out.
"Questions? Well, I might have some answers! Fire away darling, I have time." The Lord said with his ears flicking forward at her.
Heart looked up at the deer and she stared into his eyes. She paused, her heart fluttered and she seemed lost in a small trance from his gaze. She took some breaths just looking at him. Why, now, did she have to lose her mind over this deer? She didn't understand. What was weird is that he almost looked to be doing the same. His red eyes burned into her purple ones.
Eventually Heart snapped out of the gaze, looking away and shaking her head. She cleared her throat a moment later. "I was wondering if you knew much about...dragons?"
The deer tilted his head a moment at that question. "Dragons? Why do you want to know about them dear?"
"Because...it's a part of myself I know nothing about." Heart told him. "Ever since that wolf from before, I've been lost in thought about them. The part of myself I know nothing about. I grew up a wolf, but...what is it like, being a dragon?"
Alastor was silent for a moment. Heart couldn't read his expression but she could almost see that he seemed angry. His eyes glowed a moment. "Dragons...are not nice demons. They have given me problems for years." He finally said. "They aren't negotiable, that is for sure. I've tried for years to get peace with them, but nothing satisfies them. This is honestly the longest in a while since they've tried to attack. It's been calm. I wish it could stay that way."
Heart's ears went back flat against her head. "I see. So... they can be dangerous?"
"Very much so." Alastor quickly answered. "Dangerous, mean, heartless beings they are." He gave out a huff of anger.
Heart looked down at the creek. Her mind was lost in thought. She figured that the deer had problems with his neighbors but like this she would have never thought. Could they be so cruel as he says. Did he find all dragons to be like this?
"So...do you think of me in that way to?" She asked softly.
The deer demon's ears went back slightly and he didn't realize that his words would hurt her. "No no no darling. Of course, I don't think of you that way. Not one bit. You act nothing like those brutes."
Heart sits down on her haunches and just keeps her gaze on the creek. "I wish I knew my real mother. I wish I knew about the dragons. How different would I be if I was raised by dragons?" She spoke softly.
Alastor frowned slightly and went across the creek and sat down next to Heart, their sides touching. "Darling, look at me." He said low.
The hybrid did as told and looked up at the deer. "Why did I have to be born so different?"
"Little wolf, you are unique, yes but in your own way. You are caring and loving. Not many demons are like that. People seem to love you. Plus, no matter how you were raised, it doesn't matter. You are you. You are special." The deer paused for a moment. "You're special to me."
Heart smiled a little, even though her eyes were filled with tears. "You're a good leader Al. I can see this. You're strong and you know your purpose. Me... I don't know mine yet." She stood up. "I need to find that purpose."
"Heart wait I-" Alastor started but she interrupted him.
"Thanks Al, I'll try and find some more answers" Was all she said before turning around and trotting off in a direction.
When she was gone Alastor sighed and hung his head. "Your purpose is to be by my side. I know it is." Alastor whispered sadly as he stomped a hoof on the ground. He sighed again. "I don't know how I'm going to ask her."
Heart wondered off into the woods, where she didn't know. She just started walking. She wasn't even paying attention, because of this she ended up running into Jazz. Literally. Her head bumped into the side of the big cat and that caused them both to jump in surprise.
"Ah hey!" Jazz growled but when she saw it was Heart she stopped. "Oh, it's you. Heart? Funny running into you. Literally." She chuckled.
"Jazz? Oh man, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to run into you. My mind was lost in thought." Heart apologized.
The jaguar just took a paw and patted Heart's shoulder. "It's alright. You want to talk about it? You know you can tell me stuff if it's bugging you."
Heart sat down and just looked at the ground for a moment. "Well...I guess I can ask you as too." The wolf picked up her head to look at the cat. "Do you know anything about dragons?"
"Dragons? Hmm." The jaguar hummed in thought. "Well not really. I've never seen one to be honest with you. The closest I've been to a dragon is you."
Heart's ears went back slightly in disappointment. "Oh, I see."
"Why the sudden interest in dragons?" Jazz wondered. "If you don't mind me asking."
Heart was silent a moment as she thought of what to say to the big cat. Eventually she said, "I want to know about my real mother. About dragons. It's a part of myself I don't know anything about. I figured, maybe, if I can learn more about that part of myself...I can find my place."
Jazz tilted her head but said nothing as she looked at her friend sadly. Although she did have an idea. "You know who might know more about dragons?"
"Who?" Heart wondered.
"Veronica? Let's go see her." Jazz answered.
Heart's ears went up in surprise. She then felt a little stupid in a way. The arctic fox lived right on the mountain next to the dragon's border. She must know something. The wolf talked to the fox a lot and she didn't even think to ask her.
"I honestly forgot." Heart said, a little embarrassed. "You'll come with me?"
The cat nodded, "Of course. Let's take this journey together?"
The hybrid stood up with her tail wagging. "If you're ok with that, then let's get going!"
The cat smiled and the two headed off towards the west side of the territory. Towards the tall mountain that bordered the dragon's land. Heart felt her heart pound in her ears. She was excited and hoped Veronica had some answers for her.
On their way to the mountain, the flapping of wings caught their attention. Heart looked around a moment before something landed on her head.
"Chicka?" Heart wondered, surprised.
"The one and only! I saw you when flying by. Are you still on your mission to answer your questions about dragons?" The bird wondered.
"Yes, I talked to Alastor and he didn't have much to tell me. I then ran into Jazz and she wasn't sure. She did have the idea to talk to Veronica so we are on our way to see her." They hybrid informed the Chickadee.
"Oh, that is a good idea." The bird put a wing under her beak. "Why didn't I think of that?" She said to herself.
Heart chuckled. "Don't worry my feathered friend. We are doing it now at least. Would you like to join us?"
"Absolutely!" She chirped and got comfortable on the hybrids head.
"Off we go then!" Heart said as they started to walk again.
Soon enough they reached the base of the mountain and they looked up. Heart took a deep breath and then walked forward.
"Veronica?" Heart called out. She made sure to not be too loud as she yelled.
They waited a few moments but heard nothing.
"Let me see if I can find her." Chicka said and then flew up from Heart's head.
The bird flew around a moment before she dived down and landed behind some rocks. There were a few moments of silence and eventually the bird flew back to the group and Veronica poked her head out from behind the rocks and started to trot down to them.
"Good evening Veronica. Sorry for disturbing you." Heart greeted the fox.
"It's no worries at all sugar. Chicka found me when I was taking a quick cat nap but it's no worries at all." The arctic fox chuckled. "What can I do for ya?" She wondered.
Heart paused for a moment before taking a breath. "I'm trying to learn more about dragons and... you live closest to the border. So, I was wondering...do you know anything about dragons?"
Veronica tilted her head. "Dragons?" She sat down. "Well, I know a little bit but not everything."
"Tell me what you do know." Heart said with an excited tone.
The fox hummed in thought for a moment. "Well, I know they can come in different shapes and sizes. Most dragons don't look alike. Some are big, some are small, some can have big wings, some and have none."
"Wow, I didn't know that." Chicka squealed out.
"Do all these kinds of dragons live together?" Heart asked.
Veronica shook her head. "No, most dragons live in colonies of their own kind all around hell. Like on the other side of this mountain. It is home to the western dragons."
"So...is that what I am?" Heart wondered with a tilt of her head.
"Given the wing type you have, I'd say yes." She answered the wolf with a nod.
Heart's tail wagged with excitement.
"What other dragons are there?" Chicka queried.
"Further east are the Lung dragons. The oceans are filled with Sea Serpents and Wyrm's. Just to give a few examples." The fox informed them.
"So, dragons are everywhere?" Jazz wondered.
"Pretty much. They are all around hell and it's amazing to know how many there are."
"So how do you know all this?" Heart questioned.
"I actually use to travel when I first fell." Veronica answered.
The hybrid's eyes went wide with surprise. "You're a fallen human?"
"I am." The fox nodded. "I wondered about hell for a while. I was looking for a home but at the same time I wanted to see what all there was. So, I was exploring. I've seen a lot of demons. Many different shapes and sizes. A handful of dragons too."
"Wow, you're really amazing Veronica." Jazz said
The fox then got a small, dreamy look in her eyes, "I even fell in love with a dragon once."
"You did?" They all asked.
Veronica nodded with a small chuckle because of their reaction, "Yea, but it wasn't meant to be. I realized just how bad dragons can be, very controlling and manipulative. Plus, it just started to not work out, but that's ok. I knew I could move on. Find someone better."
"Good thing you got out when you did." Heart voiced.
The white pelted vixen smiled. "Yes, but that's all I know unfortunately."
Heart looked at the arctic fox a moment before looking up at the mountain. She sat there in thought. Wondering what to do. She knew a little more about dragons now then she did before. At the same time there was still something she felt that she needed to do. Find her real mother. Ask her questions. See if she can live as a dragon. To find her purpose. Her place.
"I think I've made a decision." Heart finally said after a few moments and stood up.
"Decision? What decision?" Chicka wondered, confused.
Heart looked to her friends and then back at the mountain. "I'm going to go find my real mother. See if I can learn to be a dragon."
"What!?" A voice called out from behind them.
They all turned and looked to see Olivia there at the edge of the trees. The panther looked in shock at Heart's words. The others were surprised that the big cat was even there.
"Olivia?" Jazz wondered as she and the others turned to face her.
"How long have you been here?" Chicka asked her.
The black cat gave a small sigh, "Since the beginning. I followed you all, but I stayed a little behind."
"Aw you do care." Heart said happily as her tail wagged.
"Shh." The panther looked annoyed. "I do not. Anyway, I was questioning why you want to go to the dragons?"
Heart still smiled at the big cat. "I feel it's something I need to do. If I learn more about my dragon side, then maybe I'll find my place." She explained.
Olivia tilted her head with confusion. "Place? What? You belong here. You are Heart and you are fine just the way you are."
"I don't want to change who I am." Heart told her. "I just want to learn more about the side of myself I know nothing about. I feel traveling the dragon's territory will help me understand. Maybe find my real mother."
"Heart you don't need to do that. Not right now. Maybe think about this first?" Chicka said to her with a slightly worried tone.
"I agree with Chicka, please think about it." Jazz added.
Then everyone else also nodded.
Heart looked around at her friends a moment and put her ears back. She understood their concern but at the same time she knew what she wanted. Although to make her friends happy, then she would take a day to think about it.
"Ok. I'll think about it first." She finally told them.
They all gave a sigh of relief.
"Thank you." Olivia said.
Heart looked at the panther and smiled. "I'm glad to see you coming around Olivia. It's nice to have you as a friend."
The cat felt her ears get hot with a blush. "I... I am just worried about a demons wellbeing...nothing else." She said a little embarrassed.
Heart giggled. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret." She then turned to everyone else. "Thank you all as well. I appreciate you as friends so much."
"Same to you." Jazz smiled.
The hybrid nodded. "I must be off then. I'm going to go to my den to relax and... think things over. I'll see you all later."
"Ok my wolfie friend. We'll see you soon." Chicka said.
Heart gave a smile to all of them before taking off into the woods and back to her den.
As night came along and it was getting late. The moon rises higher into the sky. Heart peaked her head out from her den. She made sure to rest before heading out. She was going to the dragon territory and nothing was stopping her. She had to go. She knew she had to.
They hybrid got out and stretched a little and looked at the moon above. It was a beautiful night. Usually, she wasn't up this late but she had a mission. The only thing that was plaguing her mind was Alastor. How can she tell him she is gone? She had a small idea then.
She ran to the side of her den where there were some flowers and started to pick them between her jaws. Then went back to the front of her den and started to put the flowers in the shape of a heart. It wasn't much but it was what she could do for now.
Nodding at her work she then padded off towards the western mountain. She was enjoying the night air. The sounds around her were wonderful and it was nice and cool. Heart soon got to the bottom of the mountain and looked up. "It's now or never." She says and starts her way up.
She didn't get to far before she was stopped. A white mass now stands in front of her, Veronica. "Hello Heart." She greeted the wolf.
They hybrid jumped and made a screech of surprise. "Veronica!"
"The one and only." The arctic fox giggled. "What are you doing up here?" She brought her tail forward to wrap around her front paws.
"Um...moonlit walk?" The wolf tried to lie.
The little vixen giggled. "You're such a bad liar sweetie. I know why you're up here."
Heart's ears went back and she looked away. "You can't stop me."
"I'm not. I don't plan to." Veronica said and the hybrid gave a sigh of relief. "That's why I'm going with you instead." The fox said as she stood up with a smile.
The wolf looked back at the fox in shock and just had wide eyes. "W-What?"
Veronica nodded. "Yep. No ifs, ands, or buts. I'm going with you honey."
Heart was left speechless from her words. Her jaw opened and closed a moment as she tried to find words. It wasn't easy considering what was happening. Eventually she said, "B-but...why though?"
"Because you're my friend silly." The vixen chuckled. "We have to stick together. You can't go all alone."
The hybrid smiled and her tail wagged. "Well, I guess I can't change your mind."
Veronica shook her head. "I'm stuck to you like glue, sweet pea."
"Well don't forget about us." A voice behind Heart said.
Heart's ears went up and her fur stood on end. She slowly turned around and behind her were her other friends. Jazz, Olivia and even Chicka were all behind her as they stood on the path. Heart turned around fully and was in shock to see them all there. It honestly made her feel a flutter in her heart at seeing them. It made her realize that...there are demons that do care about her.
Chicka was on Jazz's head, she flew off and down in front of Heart. "You aren't going on an adventure without friends by your side."
"We knew you were dead set on going." Jazz chuckled.
"And when you have your mind set, there is no way to change it." Olivia added.
Heart honestly felt like crying. She honestly started to feel tears. "Thank you. Thank you to everyone. It means so much to me."
"What are friends for?" They all said simultaneously.
Heart smiled. "You guys are amazing. Guess this is turning into a group adventure."
"Well, shall we get started?" Chicka said excitedly.
The wolf nodded. "Let's head out everyone."
"Yay! An adventure! This will be so much fun!" Chicka jumped up and landed on Heart's head. "Onward!"
Everyone chuckled and Heart turned around to face the mountain again. She took a deep breath and started to pad up the path. She was leading herself as well as her friends now into a land unfamiliar to them. A place that was mysterious. Probably full of danger. She knew though, that if they stick together...they can do anything.
The adventure begins!