The gang starts off their adventure and soon it seems they might be in for more than they bargained for.
I just want to apologize to my readers for not updating as much as i would like to. I don't have much time to write and sometimes my mind wonders and i start writing other things as well. So i have been doing a lot of small personal one-shots. Even so im going to try and update more!
Enjoy the next chapter :)
Ch 11: Dragon Territory
Alastor was going to visit Heart in the middle of the night like he always did. He was excited to see the little wolf again. He was thinking about her all day since he saw her earlier today. The deer felt bad about what he said to the girl though. Saying that stuff about dragons when she wanted to just know stuff. Probably wasn't best to say how bad they were.
He gave a sigh and was getting close to the wolf's den. "Hopefully she is still asleep." He says as he gets to the small clearing.
The deer walks up to the den, automatically he doesn't see her on top of the rock that overhung the home. He tilted his head and then when he got closer, he noticed the flowers. It was in the shape of a...heart. That made him confused and he flicked his tail. He leaned down and sniffed the flowers, he could smell her scent on them. He looked around and didn't see the wolf.
"What is this?" He wondered aloud.
The deer stuck his head inside the den and looked around. He didn't see her there. He brought his head back out and looked around. He went around the den then stood on top of the rock that lay above it.
"Heart...where are you?" He said a little sadly.
Alastor bent his head down and sniffed the surrounding area of the den. Starting at the top, he went down. He lifted his head up and looked around.
"The scent is old. At least a few hours old. Heart hasn't been here in a while." His ears went back. "But why?"
The deer lord felt his heart constrict a moment. What if she left? Gone and left forever? Why would she do that though? She wouldn't, he knows she wouldn't. She enjoyed being here, the hybrid always told him how wonderful it was to be here. How wonderful it was to be with him as well. She wouldn't just...leave.
Alastor had to get to the bottom of it. He snorted and then tried to follow the old trail the hybrid left behind. He tracked it the best he could. Following her scent he knew so well. The deer had memorized her scent in case he ever needed to find her. In case she needed help.
Soon the trail led to the bottom of the mountain. There were other scents there too. "She isn't alone." Alastor whispered as he sniffed around. "Chicka?" He knew the birds smell well since she was his advisor on almost everything.
He also smelled Veronica, Jazz and Olivia mixed in with all the smells. He followed the scents up the path of the mountain. He then reached the end of the border...but the scent went on. Alastor looked up and saw the stretch of land that went on before him. "No." He whispered to himself. He remembered what Heart had talked to him earlier about in the day and now...as he stood there...it all made sense. "Dragon territory."
There wasn't much the lord could do. He couldn't leave his land. He had to stay there to protect it from others or anyone that wanted to take it from him. He was at a loss. All he had to do was trust Heart would be ok with the others that went with her. She was out of his hooves now and it broke him more than he thought. That is when he finally made the decision. As soon as she gets home...if she does, he is going to tell her how he feels about her.
Alastor sat down on his hunches as he looked out into the horizon with his ears back and he was actually frowning a bit. "Please come home safe, my little wolf. I'll be here waiting for you."
The deer let out a bellow that echoed a little through the mountain tops.
Heart and the group trudged along the almost snow-covered tops of the mountains. Since it was still the summer months the mountains were not as bad. They followed a path that seemed to go along the terrain. They just had to trust things would be ok as they went.
Heart was at the front, Veronica behind her, then Jazz and Olivia. Chicka still sat on top of the hybrid's head and would go and stretch her wings by checking out the area. The bird didn't want to give away their position so she didn't want to fly too much.
The group was tired though, they traveled all night into the morning. Their paws hurt slightly and they wanted to rest. Even take a nap.
"When can we stop? I'm falling asleep back here." Olivia said with annoyance.
Heart looked back at the group and her brows went together with worry. She wanted to stop, she just wasn't sure when or even where. They were out in unknown territory with God knows what. Hell was a dangerous place and luckily, they didn't run into anybody just yet.
"We can. Just need to find a place." Heart answered finally. She looked up to the bird on her head. "Chicka, you think you can scout around and find us a place to rest?"
"Can do!" The chickadee cheered and flew off the wolf's head and went to look around.
As she flew, she looked around the main area where they were. She saw a small path that seemed to lead out of the mountains and down into a small group of trees. Maybe something lived in there and they could eat as well. It seemed like a good place to rest. She looked further out and saw the mountains get smaller and a rocky area seemed to be ahead of them. The dragons shouldn't be much further.
The bird flew back to the group and flapped in front of them. "There is a small group of trees up ahead. We can rest there. Maybe find something to eat." She told them.
Heart nodded. "Lead the way Chicka."
She flew ahead and everyone followed her and then followed the path down the mountain and they saw the small huddle of trees ahead. The small group was tired from walking all night. They hoped they could find some food and take a nap. Soon enough they reached the edge of the trees and started to look around.
"Keep an eye out for something we can eat." Olivia said to the group.
Everyone nodded and separated a little bit. Chicka flew through the trees while everyone was in a spread-out line. Soon there was a snapping of a branch and they all stopped. There was a sound ahead and Heart sneaked forward. She peaked around a bush as saw a honey badger. It was big and it would probably help with feeding everyone. Only problem was trying not to get hurt by the animal.
Heart went backwards and then looked at Jazz to her left. "There is a badger. It can probably feed us all. Just have to surround it." Then turned to Olivia and said the same thing.
The black cats nodded and they started to spread around the small clearing. Olivia, Jazz and even Veronica went around the small area and tried to take up four points. Heart looked around and saw everyone in position. She crouched down and went forward. They would all try one at a time if they missed the attack.
Jazz was first. The jaguar shifted on her paws a moment and then she pounced. The badger didn't expect her so she was able to get on top of it and deliver the killing blow to the badger.
"Nice one Jazz." Chicka cheered.
"Yea way to go!" Veronica added.
Heart heard a rustle behind her and saw a bunny pop out of a bush. She was quick to turn around and then chase the rabbit. She ran after it for a moment and then she managed to jump onto it and break its neck to kill it. She felt proud and went back to the group.
Heart dropped the bunny to the ground in the clearing. "I found a bunny too. So, there is a little extra."
"Perfect!" Veronica cheered.
"Now let's dig in. I'm wasting away here." Olivia said and went over to the dead badger.
Heart went and took the bunny over to the group and set it down. They all circled around the prey and started to dig into it. Chicka stayed up in the trees and managed to find some seeds, berries as well as some worms to eat for herself. As everyone ate, Heart smiled and looked around. It brought her heart joy to see all her friends with her. To go on this journey with her. She couldn't have asked for better friends.
The group ate in silence. They were all so hungry. They finished the badger and were pretty full so they decided to save the bunny after they woke up. Heart hid the prey and the group all huddled together to sleep and rest. Chicka rested on Veronica's head.
"Rest well guys. We shouldn't have too much longer." The hybrid said as she yawned.
That caused the others to yawn.
Before they all knew it, they were out like lights and sleeping.
Heart woke up before the others. She opened her eyes and gave a yawn. Looking behind her she saw everyone asleep still. Looking up at the sky she assumed it was starting to turn to late morning. She was going to put her head back down for more shuteye but then something white caught the corner of her eye. She turned and saw nothing and got confused.
The hybrid brushed it off and went to put her head back down. As she did though she heard the sound of what sounded like a snake. She froze, keeping her eyes shut. Afraid that the snake that had attacked her not too long ago had returned. Soon she felt something near her as it brushed lightly over her fur and was even more afraid now.
"Such a weird pack you have, young hybrid." She heard a voice say.
Heart cracked open her eyes and looked to see. There was a very big white snake in front of her. Silver seemed to glimmer in the white scales and its eyes were yellow with black slit pupils. She had never seen a snake so big. She lifted her head and looked at the giant serpent in front of her. The wolf just stared at it with wide eyes. Who was this and why was he there and talking to her?
"W-Who are you?" Heart asked softly, her eyes not leaving the serpents.
The snake stuck its tongue out a few times. "You are a hell born and new to the world I see. Not many know me or get to see me. So, consider yourself lucky." The snake made himself go up above the wolf a little bit. "I am Lucifer. King and ruler of hell itself."
Heart's eyes went wide. "M-my king, I do apologize for not knowing. I will ask for your apologies." She said as she bowed her head.
"Apology accepted young one." The king said with a nod of his head. "You wouldn't have known."
"Thank you, sir. If I may ask, why are you here?" Heart wandered curiously.
Lucifer took a pause and looked at her for a moment before answering. "I saw your little 'pack' sleeping here as I made my rounds around hell. I travel all around to check on my subjects. I was curious about you, young hybrid and your strange pack."
Heart looked back to her sleeping friends and then back to the snake. "Well, they aren't my pack so to say. They are just my friends. We are on a journey to dragon territory. So, I can learn more about that side of myself."
The king didn't answer right away, his eyes just staring at Heart, like he was looking into her soul or something. "Are you sure that is what you want?"
The wolf tilted her head. "What do you mean sir?"
"I can see deep in your soul, young hybrid." Lucifer said as he got closer to Heart and almost started to circle around her. "In your mind you have this thought that you must know. The knowledge of how to be a dragon for you grew up a wolf. Though your soul tells me differently. Your soul is attached to your heart and with that I see a lingering love that you have been denying." The king was still circling the girl as he said this. He then gave a chuckle. "That is a handsome buck you have your eyes set on by the way. He has been a wonderful leader in his own way."
Heart was silent as the snake said these words. Was he telling the truth? Did he mean what he said about seeing her soul? Also was he talking about...Alastor. It made her worried. Was this the wrong decision? Was she putting her friends in danger? She was questioning things now. Although she still had the gut feeling to keep going.
Lucifer stopped back in front of the hybrid. "I must go. I still have many sights to see. Just be warned, young wolf, of the path you wish to take. The actions you decide. Think not only of yourself, but your friends and loved ones as well. If you go forward to the dragons...tread lightly." He warned.
"Tread lightly?" She repeated softly.
Before she knew it though, the king was untangling himself from the wolf and the group and was going off to the south. Heart was confused for a moment but didn't stop the serpent as he went off. She was sure he was busy sometimes. Heart gave a yawn though and laid her head back down. She wanted to get more rest. At the same time her brain was now thinking of what the king had said. Tread lightly.
When Heart woke up again it was to someone trying to wake her. A paw in her shoulder and her name being called.
"Heart? Heart get up. We should head out again." Heart soon recognized it as Olivia.
Heart blinked her eyes open and yawned, "Huh? Oh. Yea. I guess." She said a little sleepy.
"We should eat that rabbit so it doesn't go to waste." Jazz added.
"Good idea. We can each take a small bite so we can keep our strength." Veronica said.
Heart stood up and stretched before shaking herself to puff out her fur. She went to where she hid the rabbit and pulled it out. She dragged it over to the middle of them and they all started to take bites from it. Except for Chicka, who had collected some nuts to eat. At least after a nap and some food they would be all set to continue their journey.
They walked out of the small patch of trees and headed towards the rocky field that laid ahead. Heart was trying to think of how to tell her friends how she saw Lucifer. Or if they would even believe her. Maybe she will leave it out for now. She just wasn't sure if it was important or not.
"What's that up ahead?" Jazz pointed out and it caused Heart to knock out of her thoughts.
The hybrid looked up and saw some strange glow up ahead. They padded slowly up to it and soon were met with a small cliff face but down below. Was lava. The small group stood on the edge and looked down at the boiling river below them. They had never actually seen lava before. They could feel the heat radiating off the area.
"Be careful of the lava. It's not fun to get burned by it." There was a voice behind them.
They all quickly turned around and were soon face to face with a purple furred Caribou with long dark yellow hair on its head that flowed down its neck. It was surprising to them that they had seen another demon out here.
"W-Who are you?" Heart asked.
"You can call me, Violet. I can tell that you are outsiders. New around here?" The Cervidae wondered.
"Well, more like we are on a journey." Heart told her. "To go see the dragons."
"The dragons? Well luckily for you, you're heading the right way." Violet told them.
"We are? Oh, that is wonderful." Chicka chirped.
"You just have to get through part of this lava field and you'll be good to go." She spoke. The group just looked at her and then back behind them. The caribou then added, "Luckily for you! I know the perfectly safe path to go. I've lived here ever since I fell so I know it like the back of my hoof. I can also lead you to where the dragons are. Unfortunately, it's a little closer to the volcano. So, I hope you don't mind being a little toasty." She chuckled.
"Think you can help us?" Jazz asked.
The antlered animal tapped its hoof a moment, "I can, but there has to be something in it for me."
"What is it you want? We can try our best." Heart said.
The caribou's ears went back a moment and she answered in a soft voice, "Help me find a new home."
"A new...home?" Olivia wondered with a raised brow in confusion.
"Yes. As much as I love it here...I want to find somewhere...more." Violet tried to explain to them. "I live in the little forest back there where you all left from. I want more of that. I want more forest over my head and grass on my hooves. Not...hard or hot rocks."
The group was silent for a moment. They all looked at each other before looking back to the Cervidae. They wanted to trust her but didn't know since they had just met. Even so, they had no choice at the moment. She said she knew how to get through the lava field, so they had to do what they thought would be right.
"Once you get us through the lava field then we will keep our end of the deal." Olivia answered.
"I'm ok with that. I can accept these terms." Violet agreed.
The group nodded.
"Lead the way then." Heart said happily with a smile.
The Caribou nodded. "Just stay close together in a line. I'll get you through."
She then led the group down a path that went over the lava river below them. They tried not to look down and followed behind the taller animal. Heart was behind her, with Chicka still on her head. Veronica was behind her, Jazz and Olivia brought up the rear.
The group walked through the hot land with Violet leading them around pits, cracks in the ground, holes, and past hot air vents. The group was quiet but were also focused to make sure they wouldn't fall in or get taken off the path. They walked for about a half hour. It was slow and tedious but soon they had reached another river of lava.
"The dragons are just up ahead. We just have to follow this lava." Violet told them.
"Thank you for the help." Chicka said happily.
"Yes, you can stick with us if you want?" Heart said. "To keep up our end of the deal, I have the perfect place for you to stay. You just have to follow us when we head back home." The hybrid flapped her wings.
"Thank you so much. I appreciate it a lot. I don't mind joining you on your journey." The Cervidae nodded and her tail flicked happily.
"We won't mind at all." Chicka says happily.
The group then headed on, following the lava and soon the land seemed to change. Up head they started to notice shapes of what looked like homes? They weren't sure. A dark shadow then loomed over them and it caused them to stop in their tracks. Soon the shadow landed in front of them, making the ground shake a moment.
The group stopped and were face to face with a large orange dragon. Its wings spread out to intimidate and smoke exited its nostrils. "Who are you and why are you in dragon territory!?" The dragon asked with a growl.
Everyone was frozen by the dragon and just looked up at him with wide eyes. Eventually Heart went forward and front of the group and extended her wings out. She wanted to seem big as well, even though she was small compared to the dragon.
"We are here because I am in search of my true mother. I want to learn about the ways of dragons. I was raised as a wolf, but I want to know more about the side I was abandoned by." Heart explained to the dragon and tried to puff out her chest and not seem scared.
The orange dragon growled and then snorted. "Learn about dragons huh? I don't see why you should care about that puny hybrid."
Heart stood her ground, "Because I want to know my place in life and I want to learn about dragons so I can learn and understand myself."
"A self-finding journey?" The dragon then huffed. "Fine, I'll let you in. Cause any trouble and I will report you to our Lady."
"We understand. We will follow your rules." Jazz answered.
"I'll escort you. So, I'll be watching over you to make sure you don't go where you're not supposed to." The dragon told her with slanted eyes.
"We accept these terms." Olivia said.
The dragon nodded. "Very well. You can enter."
"I hope it's ok to ask, but what is your name?" Heart wondered.
The dragon paused for a moment at the question and just looked at her. He almost looked surprised. Like no one has ever asked before. "Molten." He answered finally.
"Thank you Molten, for being our watchful eye." Heart smiled at him and then walked past the giant beast and went further into the land.
Molten was still surprised by the thank you. He has never been thanked before. Dragons could not be nice sometimes so those are words not spoken, if at all. Even with the hybrid being part dragon he was surprised she had such manors. He said nothing and just followed behind the small group to watch over them.
The group walked on and saw even more dragons as they went. It was amazing what colors, shapes, and sizes they all came in. There was some swimming in pools of lava and it was honestly interesting. Heart questioned if she could do that, but she wasn't going to try.
Some seemed to sleep in a cliff face while others slept in dens underground. They walked and then Heart was wondering, how could she tell what dragon would be her mother? She stopped walking for a moment and just looked at the ground.
"Heart? What's wrong?" Chicka asked.
"I know I came here to see my mother, but...I don't know what she looks like. I don't remember. I was only a few hours old when she gave me to Alpha. So, the memory of her isn't there."
"Maybe don't go off looks. Go off smell." Oliva suggested.
"Smell?" Heart questioned. "Do dragons have different smells?"
Molten then butted in. "Dragons will always be able to tell who their mothers are." He informed the small group. "Their smell is embedded into us right as we are born. Our mother's smell is imprinted. Seems like you weren't born from an egg most likely, so she carried you like a normal wolf pup. So that smell is deep inside you somewhere. You just have to find it."
Heart hummed in thought. "Deep inside me huh?" She repeated softly to herself. "I guess I should concentrate." She said out loud.
"Why don't I take you to the center of the horde and you can see if you can smell her from there?" Molten suggested.
"That might be a good idea! Lead the way Molten." Heart said.
The dragon nodded and took the front of the group to lead them to the center of the dragon's territory. The land was big but the dragons all seemed to stay together for the most part. Hopefully she could find her mother if what Molten said was true. Her scent was deep in her mind somewhere. It had to be there. Soon they got to the center and Molten rested his paws in the water. The ground was hot sometimes and cooling the paws helped with the heat.
"Try sniffing her out here. All dragons pass through the fountain so it's possible she was here." The orange dragon told her.
Heart did as told and sat down on the ground. She looked around a moment before closing her eyes. She had to concentrate. She took in a big sniff of the air. There were so many new smells that were something she never experienced before. Things out of the woods were different and it was a little scary. She took another sniff, trying to smell the dragons. She could tell her friends were there beside her. Molten was back at the fountain. Many other different smells hit her and some of them were not as pleasant.
Soon she got something. It made her heart almost jump and she could feel it quicken. She locked onto the smell and just let it linger in her mind a moment. Then a memory started to play in her head. It must have been one she forgot or just locked away, but the land looked familiar to her now. It was dark, and she barely had her eyes open. Her little self looked around as she saw she was flying through the air. Where was she going? She looked up and saw a dark red almost black dragon carrying her. Was this her? Her mother?
Heart sniffed. The scent now in her mind. It almost smelled of raspberries. She put her nose to the ground and started to sniff around. This had to be her. This had to be it. Once she found her...hopefully her questions would be answered. The smell hit her stronger so she followed. Her eyes now open. She had an idea that maybe her mother was a red or dark red dragon. She had to find her.
"I think I found it." Heart announced. She turned back to Molten. "Do you know of any red or dark red dragons that smell like raspberries?" She asked him.
Molten raised an eyebrow at her. "Raspberries?" He repeated out loud. Then he hummed in thought. "I know of a dark red dragon that lives close to the tree line of another forest. Maybe it's her. If you have the scent just follow it." The orange dragon told her.
Heart then started to follow the smell. The group followed behind her. She had it tracking now, there was no way she would lose it. The orange dragon still followed behind them. They went through a small market the dragons had, then past a few dens underground. Then they followed the cliff face and Heart could see the tops of trees not far away.
The smell was stronger and Heart had slowed her pace. Now that she was closer to her true mother, it made her a little scared. At the same time her heart was pounding in her chest. She didn't know how this interaction would go. Meeting her true mother, the demon who gave her up in the first place, the demon who left her to be raised by a father who never called her his own. She took another deep breath before getting closer to a den at the end of the cliff.
There was a humming being heard from inside the den and Heart slowly went around the corner of the entrance. Her friends stayed behind and Molten stayed behind them. They hybrid looked into the semi dark cavern that went semi deep into the rock face. There stood a female dragon, her dark red scales looked almost black in the dim light. Red webbed wings laid against her back as she had grey horns on her head and spikes down her back. The end of her tail looked like a spear.
Heart held her breath. This had to be her, this dragon...was her mother. The smell in her nose was starting to be familiar. The den itself started to almost smell the same. Safe. Warm. A small memory came back to when she was still small. Crawling around on the cavern floor crying but was picked up and put back into a warm nest. She felt the warmth of something next to her and she curled up to it.
Finally, the hybrid cleared her throat and called out, "Hello? Someone home?"
The humming stopped and Heart saw the dragon in the back of the den stop. She slowly turned around and looked at the wolf. "May I ask why someone is disturbing me?" The dragon hissed.
Heart's ears went back a moment but put them back up and stood up straight. "I don't know if you remember me or if you would know me, but I have been looking for my true mother." She told her. The dragon inside the den turned to face her more. Heart continued. "She abandoned me as a small pup to a pack of wolves, thinking it would be better for me." Heart sighed. "I wish she hadn't. I wasn't treated well in my pack and all my life I wondered what I had done to deserve such a fate. I almost died the night she left me there because Alpha would not accept me. If it wasn't for another wolf to take me in as her own, I wouldn't be here."
The dragon listened to the hybrid speak and slowly walked up to her from the inner part of her den. She got closer and Heart now realized how small the dragon was. Was still twice her size but the dragon was smaller than Molten.
The female finally asked. "How do you know I am your true mother?"
"Molten told me a dragon never forgets their mother. I am part dragon. I dug into myself and I found the smell. I followed it and it led me here...to you." Heart answered.
The female dragon was silent and looked away from Heart. The hybrid was right, a mother's scent is never forgotten by her young. Eventually the dark red dragon sighed. "I'm sorry...for what I did. I had to." She said softly.
Heart thought she was going to cry. "Why?" Was all she asked softly.
The female dragon looked at her softly, "Hybrids are killed when they are born. The Lady of the dragons does not accept demon hybrids. I took you to your father thinking he would protect you. He promised me he would." The dragon took a clawed paw and gently put it around Heart. "I'm sorry he was heartless to you. To the wolf who raised you, I will one day thank them."
"Can I at least know your name?" Heart asked as she had a few tears fall now.
"Dorothy." The dragon answered with a smile. "What name did they give you?"
"Heart, I earned my name after a year. Alpha didn't accept my name but thanks to my adopted mother, he changed his mind." She explained. "In the end it didn't matter since I had to fight to stay in the pack but lost to my half-sister."
"That didn't sound like a fair fight." Dorothy said sadly.
"It wasn't. I lost. Then I was outcast. No one in the pack wanted me around anyway. They were happy I was gone." Heart put her ears back. "I've been on my own." But slowly her ears went back up. "But I found a new home. A place where I can be free from pack rule. The Lord of the land makes sure I am well protected. I even made friends now, they even joined me on this journey." She then looked over to the small group of friends that now sat down and had smiled at the two. The hybrid also then introduced them all to her mother as well.
Dorothy looked over at the small group. "You have your own little band of misfits. I like it." She gave a chuckle. "I knew you'd be a special pup."
"I've been wanting to meet you for a long time and now that I have...I... I want to get to know you." Heart said with a smile.
The dragon smiled and nuzzled her snout with Heart's. "I'm sorry I had to do what I did. I wanted to keep you but I was afraid of someone killing you."
Heart's tail wagged happily. "I understand it was for my safety. Now that I know that...I don't feel so abandoned anymore." She nuzzled the dragon back. "There is another part of my journey I wish to talk about." Heart stated as she pulled away. "I want to live like a dragon. I've been taught how to live like a wolf...but now I want to learn how to be a dragon."
The dark red dragon gave her a sad look. "That is something I can't decide for you, hatchling. This is something the Lady will have to give an ok to. You're a hybrid, which makes it less likely to happen."
"But I still want to try." Heart said as she puffed out her chest.
"So can we meet your Lady?" Olivia asked.
"Yea, we want Heart to be happy and to know who she is." Veronica said.
Molten then stepped in. "We may go see her, but I don't know the kind of mood she will be in."
Heart looked up at the orange dragon. "Please Molten, can you take us to her?"
"I can take you, but I make no promises." The male dragon said.
Heart turned to her mother. "Will you come with us?"
"Me? Oh, well, I guess I could, yes." The female dragon answered.
Heart smiled and jumped for joy. "This is exciting. I can't wait. Plus, I can talk to you along the way."
Dorothy chuckled. "Yes, I agree. I can't wait to hear what you have been up to hatchling."
"Let's be on our way then." Molten turned around and headed back into the colony of dragons.
Heart was nervous to meet the leader of this dragon territory, but she had some confidence. With her friends by her side and now having her mother as well. She knew she could do it.
How will meeting the Lady of the dragons go? Guess we will wait and find out!
I will try to work harder on getting these chapters out for you guys :)
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