The White Dragon Chronicles

by Blackshadow999

An ancient legend that fell into oblivion comes to the light once more. The dragon realm has had a fragile peace for two years after the fall of Malefor. Then A human, Saber mysteriously appears in the dragon realm. When things of history thought lost begin to be seen once more; fear grips many, none can choose how events will turn out in the end.

36. Premonitions of the Past and Future

A/n

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted, but life and work have been making that harder admittedly. However, before this chapter, I would like to take a moment and recognize those that are helping against the Covid-19 Virus. Thank you for all that you do, you that help in this while risking yourselves are amazing. Now readers, do enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 36: Premonitions of Past and Future

Dreams, what tends to occur when one sleeps, whether they are recalled afterwards or not. One can sometimes tell us of things we don't know or of issues we don't wish to admit. The interpretation of dreams is as fishing in dark water and not seeing what is contained. But truth can be found within dreams if one looks for them.

-Saber's pov-

I don't know about those of you listening, but the Narrator's musings are getting kind of annoying, but perhaps that's just me thinking that. So, his rant about dreams is an apt way to start this as I was dreaming, though they weren't your normal dreams. Like most nights I was seeing memories that weren't mine which I am getting used to even if they are still weird at times.

So in this instance, I look around to find myself in a place I didn't know which when I think about it isn't all that new or unusual in my life as of late. I was definitely having one of those 'out of body' experiences and though I'm getting used to the memories, still weird when you see it from another's point of view. I assure you, seeing memories that aren't mine can really throw me for a loop in several ways, especially with some of the subjects that are addressed in them. The non-horrifying ones are preferable over the near death or experiences that do end in death I get to see. Still there are times that I would wish to ask do I really have to see this like the intimate things I have little interest in.

This particular memory was in a field of flowers which was some of the better scenery that I've gotten to see. I or whoever this memory belonged to looked around taking in the view in front of them and it was a nice view to tell the truth. The ground was made of a huge array of colors, all those of the rainbow and then some. The varieties of plant life were breathtaking, and the flowers in particular were an amazing sight to behold. When you add that to the smell that I was getting which is odd in dreams I know but let's just say it was amazing. Yes, I get sensory input as I get to experience a memory and that's nice and all, except for the times that I get the not so nice memories. But that's a different idea all together and not relevant at the moment, so anyway.

As I was taking all of the scenery in, something fell from above and landed on my snout. I crossed my eyes to see it was a petal on my nose and I glanced up to see I was under a tree that looked much like a cherry tree in bloom. I faced forward again looking beyond the immediate area and noted that beyond this small field looked grey and fuzzy. It was likely the case due to this being a memory from the distant past. In such memories, only parts or pieces of the scenery would appear like something I knew and be recognizable. The rest would often appear grey and fuzzy or be just black or grey entirely to fill for the absence of substance I would know were I to guess.

The same can be said for some of the dragons and dragonesses in the memories. I mean those who are close to the owner of the memory are clear enough to get an idea what they look like. Yet the rest are blobs or grey shaped outlines, in other words, I'm able to seven times out of ten to tell what species others are in the memory scape other than that I can only guess. It is one of the things that is odd about the memories, but there is nothing I can do about the idea. This particular quality or attempted substitution had taken some getting used to at first, the lack of scenery and other things missing and being filled in. It was obviously that the scenery and people still existed in the memories from the distant past. However, whether it was that I couldn't comprehend what should be there or that it is something else. It doesn't matter really, still the idea of the things that were unfamiliar got filled in to make up for the lack of features with just black or grey had been constant.

I was snapped out of my musing as the memory proceeded forward. This came in the form of a light green dragoness coming prancing up to where 'I' was. The dragoness kind of made me think of what a cross of Cynder and Cyra might look like and that dragoness being a couple of years older than I am myself now. I felt warmth filling me, the emotion of joy spread through me at seeing this young dragoness, or rather the one to who this memory belonged felt joy at seeing the dragoness. I felt the feeling, though I ignored the effects from the emotion as I wasn't really in the mood to deal with it. "Vinya, you are a tad late getting here you know," the dragon's voice said.

The dragoness giggled at the statement, "No, you are just early as you usually are Aires," she replied.

The dragon I was chuckled at the reply clearly showing that he and the dragoness were a couple. Said dragoness's voice pretty I guess it sounded like sweet music, kind of like smooth silk, though I think Lara's is better. So, I put forth effort to keep myself from getting lost in the feelings from the memory so I could learn something. "Well silly me, I was excited at getting to see you so I came early," the dragon returned.

Vinya positioned herself next to me and went down on her haunches and she finished off by leaning up next to me and breathed a contented sigh. She smiled at me before she spoke to me, "Oh, and why would you be so excited about seeing me Aires."

She was staring at me while I was staring at her and words just weren't needed in this anymore. The feelings of happiness just filled the air around us and I can say officially this is getting awkward for me!

The scene changed by taking a sudden turn in contrast in mood and scenery. The field of flowers vanished and with it all the warm and fuzzy feelings. Now as I looked there was impending darkness in front of me, a feeling of foreboding filled me at this place wherever it was. I didn't like it and my intuition told or rather screamed at me to get out of here ASAP if I wanted to be alive for much longer. The only source of light was a dim pale orange glow that was pointed at me like a spotlight. I tried to move, and I noticed that my legs were chained and shackled as I moved my hind legs. I attempted to move other parts of my body, but I had the same results as my hind legs. My feeling of foreboding morphed into deep rooted worry and fear and only proving my intuition was dead on.

That was all I could process as the waves of harrowing pain crashed into me and it wouldn't be ignored. I tried to keep from screaming as it would only encourage some and I don't like that but couldn't stop my maw from opening and howling in pain. Now, pain isn't a new thing to me in any way, shape, or form as bad and horrible as it may sound. However, the pain I was feeling at the moment was harsher and worse than the pain I'm unfortunately used to. For a comparison, it felt like every bone in my body was being snapped, shattered and ground into powder, and then put back together again to repeat the painful process over and over again.

So, definitely not going to be a pleasant memory, but there are more non-nice ones than good I've found. Yet, what made this horrid to me was throughout this I heard someone laughing and it wasn't a good laugh. Nope, the laugh was malicious, vicious and it was so dark the wasn't a shadow of a doubt that the one to whom it belonged was evil. "The screams of pain are lovely, but where is your terror? It would make this so much more amusing," remarked the dark voice.

The voice gave me some of the most serious chills down my spine I have ever had! Sarana's administrations paled in comparison to the vibes I was getting from this guy and that is saying something. Hell, the owner of the voice could give the devil himself a run for his money on how evil one could be! Nonetheless, I felt defiance and the will to resist swell up in me, only to be drained away from me, leaving me with nothing but despair and the wish for the pain to end. The owner of this memory managed to stop screaming for a little time, which impressed me with the levels of pain he was feeling. He managed to ignore the pain enough to say one line, "My brother… will come and… stop you!"

The evil one who I'll refer to as 'dark' laughed again and more evilly, and I hadn't thought that possible to tell the truth. "I am counting on him coming," dark said, "I hope you survive until he does, though it won't matter if you do or not, the result will be the same."

The pain intensified and 'I' continued to scream in agony, and I felt sorry for whomever this memory belonged to! This went on for a while, so long that I lost sight and track of the passing of time as I was blinded by sheer pain. Then there came an explosion and I looked up to see another white dragon standing there. There was now light streaming into this place and now I could see the one to which the evil voice belonged. However, the figure was distorted, so I couldn't get a clear view of them. The pain got to the point that it felt like it was about to break me in two!

"Well, well, how nice of you to show up Shadon! How noble of you to come to rescue your younger brother," dark greeted, "How unfortunate that you are too late to do so."

It was as if there was a snap of something breaking and then the waves of pain faded away. Yet, the feeling of my body was fading as well to be replaced by a cold numbness. I'm well-aware of what this feeling meant as I have experienced it several times in different memories, thankfully, I never have experienced myself and don't plan to any time soon. This feeling was death coming to claim its due and in this case extend mercy to the memory's owner. The body had gone beyond its limit and had given out and now didn't and couldn't recover. I raised my head with the strength I had remaining to gaze at the white dragon in front of me. "Brother… I do not hate you… hurry and… run… away," I said.

The scene around was disappearing and then again the scene changed to something entirely different. I gazed around to take in the place I was now which appeared to be some kind of ruins or at least, some type of set of decrepit buildings. There was writing on the walls and as I stared at the walls dumbly as I found I could read the characters. That was surprising as the only characters I can read here in the Dragon Realm was those in the ancient script.

The dream began moving forward in the form of me walking forward, which I couldn't stop or control the actions of my legs. I walked through these… ruins I think they were as much of these buildings were quite different in their structure than anything I have seen before. So, after going a sizable distance, I found myself at the edge of a cliff. I looked down into a really deep canyon to see an extremely FAST rushing river since I was looking at this sight from the top of the cliff which only made the distance all that more noticeable. Yeah, I'm all for going for a swim and everything for fun, enjoyment and cleaning myself… but there are FAR better and safer ways to go about it than this! The next thing I know, I'd jumped off and was plummeting down into the canyon and the river was coming up at me at break neck speed.

Not wanting to have a literal view from the nose bleed section of my impending crash below, I closed my eyes. It is just a sight I can imagine would be one I wouldn't want to engrave into my mind. Seconds before I believed I would take the plunge into pain I would rather not know, I felt my wings open and had the familiar feeling of pulling out of a dive. My heart was beating at a rapid pace from the dive I had gone through, still I wanted to see where I was now. Opening my eyes, I found I was feet above the river and now I was zooming down the canyon. So, now instead of gazing from the top of a canyon I am near the bottom and flying through said canyon.

[You and your imagination-]

Don't want to hear it Narrator, so cram it and let me tell the story. Back to what I was describing, there is plenty of opportunity in this that freaking screams for my bad luck to strike me down where I glide. If this wasn't a dream, then I would seriously fear for my wellbeing in more ways than one and even in a dream I'm concerned! But lucky me, I was still unable to do anything to control my body, so wherever I was going, I wasn't going to change the destination in any way. My bad luck is no fairer in my dreams than it is during my life, such a stinker isn't it?

So I was sailing down the river at the bottom of the canyon and in front of me, seemingly to appear out of nowhere, loomed the end of the canyon and at that end was a HUGE waterfall with a lot of water pouring down it. And while I have nothing against a shower, there could be a rock wall behind it for me to crash into and with my luck it is likely. It's a pessimistic view point, but one that I have come to count on as it tends to be right more than half the time. So, I tried to close my eyes, but this time I was not able to do so which means I get to watch myself crash, isn't my life nice?

Rarely have I ever had the thought to say this as I don't have any knowledge of the subject, but it seems appropriate to say, that being MOMMY! The falls came rushing at me and I braced myself for the impact, which never came. All that I felt was an immersion in water, and very cold water I might add but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in an underground tunnel. I flew down through this maze of tunnels and as I kept flying onward to wherever this would end. I get absolutely no say in my dreams ever since being turned back into a dragon in the slightest.

Nonetheless, after a period of time, I ascended up an incline and came to land on a plateau. When I had landed, I looked around to see that I was in some kind of crystal cavern. The crystals were of every hue and color, they were beautiful as they shimmered and sparkled. Yet what caught my eye was a seemingly blank section of the cave wall, it felt out of place with the rest of the crystal cavern for a reason I couldn't explain. As I stared at the wall it began to glow, the glow shown brighter and then died down, when I gazed upon the wall it was no longer blank. Now there was now an intricately decorated door that was certainly not there before.

I began to make my way to the door and as I did there was a loud click and the door opened in the middle and two doors swung back. In the doorway there was white, and it kind of reminded me of my experience in the ruins of Carona. I approached the doorway and was going to walk through, but everything faded into nothingness.

…

I woke up suddenly lying on my bed breathing heavily from what I had just experienced. The dreams of the night had been like most nights; random, unsettling, somewhat disturbing, and confusing as they usually run together from one to another. The random I'm getting used to, unfortunately, and when I say random I mean really out in the far left field. Some things still weird me out and that's not easy to do with me, but I'm learning to deal with it.

However, the last part of the dream this last night was new to me and that catches my notice. It felt different than the memories and I know how those feel, that said the oddity seems important. The place it had been, I can't recall ever having never been there, yet the writing that had been on the walls there were unmistakably of the ancient script. The language is rare I was finding and it makes me wonder if such a place still exists and if so, where is it? I have more than a nagging feeling on this and I long ago found it is best to not ignore those. Heck, this vision wouldn't leave my mind, like something was shouting at me to say this was important. So, I filed the information in my mind for later thinking and research.

I used techniques I've learned to slow my breathing back to the normal pace which also helped me calm down. With a calm mind, the dreams and nightmares of the night that had visited and plagued me alike faded to the depths of my mind. Once that was done, I perceived I was very warm while I was laying in the bed, which was something I was still getting used to. This was followed by me feeling something or rather it would be more accurate to say someone moving as they cuddled me. I glanced down to see as you might suspect Lara cuddled up to me like she seems to do every night. It makes me wonder if she likes to use me as some sort of body pillow.

She was snuggling and cuddling with me with a firm grip, which I won't exactly complain about as I found the feeling to be very pleasant. Now, even if I'm getting used to Lara cuddling with me, there was something about her warmth that stirs feelings within me. I would've never thought that would be the case more than a few weeks ago and if someone had told me I would be in this position I would laugh at them. Yet, recent events had changed my view and understanding of the subject of having a companion around me that is more than a friend. Anyway, this had become the normal sight I would wake up to since I had become mates with Lara. I'm still left to wonder how I had landed myself a dragoness like her as I looked down at her. My Ancestors whoever they were, how did I get lucky enough to have a girl like Lara?! It is the opposite of what my luck does regularly, so what's the deal here?! I suppose that it doesn't really matter at this point and questioning it would lead to endless and pointless debate.

So, I laid there on my bed thinking of events that had occurred recently as with Lara snuggling prevented me from leaving. It had been around two weeks since we had gotten back to Warfang and things were settling into a respectable routine. The interesting thing was the guardians apparently had no clue that Lara and I were mates or at least they had shown no signs that they knew anything about our relationship. Yet, I'm willing to give them a break as they are dealing with the rising ape problem and I don't want to wade into that mess if I don't have to. Even I am nice enough to know they need a break with that kind of crap to deal with.

I felt Lara shift again and moved her head against my jaw in a nuzzling motion which felt nice truthfully. She began to caress my chin while she slept, yet there was a slight smile that she had grown a bit as she did so. Hmm, if this is what I get to wake up to by having Lara as a mate, I think I could get used to waking up to this in the morning… oh yeah, I think I could easily do so. Where did that thought come from! … Oh um, I will just go with it for now.

Back to the point at hand, for sleeping arrangements at night Lara tended to come to my room a little early and wasn't seen. She invites herself in, not to say I exactly say no to her, so I guess I let her into my room as much as she just comes in. Although I don't know how she's missed when she comes, she is a purple dragoness for ancestor's sakes! She is the only one, and then I am the singular white dragon that most have heard about now, so how our relationship has stayed quiet, is beyond me. But enough about the standing with Lara and me for now I think, that is a private matter in the end between us.

I still had a wonderful laugh when I would recall what happened when Sen had met the Guardians. I mean when I met the guardians for the first time, it was rather amusing for me, though I don't think the guardians would agree with me. Yet they rarely if ever agree with me now that I reflect upon the past though I don't make much effort to change that either. In Sen's case, it went differently than it did with me and that doesn't say it well. Allow me to put it this way, if you listening thought I was rude and had a tendency to insult those in charge, then you'll shortly learn that Sen is worse in a different way than I am.

It took place a day shy of two weeks ago and a day after Lara and I had returned to Warfang with Sen in tow. We had upon the next morning that we had been summoned to meet with the guardians. I could see trouble coming my way with that event in my schedule as there hadn't been a good meeting between me and the Guardians. I became disinterested almost instantly as I wanted to avoid unneeded trouble as I'd had enough to last me for a time. As I have stated a couple of times before, many of the guardians, mostly the males and I don't get along and I am perfectly fine with that standing. I have no reason or interest in changing my standing with them anytime in the near future. If they don't like me the way I am, then tough luck for them!

Anyways, to me, this was just something I was being forced to do to kill time even if others see it otherwise. This is just one of the ways of killing time I don't like doing unless I need a desperate boost in my mood and I didn't require such right now. However, it wasn't just me they called, it was all of my friends as well as Sen. This is as fun as a barrel of rabid monkeys… actually, that is a bad comparison given my experience with monkeys. The point of this I guess I am getting at is misery does enjoy company and this will be a miserable event.

So, I endeavor that either this will be short or I will make the atmosphere in the chamber that makes hell feel comfortable! If the guardians haven't learned by now that I express displeasure and disinterest about things by in the beginning by being as disrespectful as I can and that becomes worse as time goes on, then I will remind them just how abrasive and unpleasant I can be! I will be as derisive, insolent, and sarcastic as I need to be to get my meaning across and I can do those three ideas extremely well when I have a reason. How much a degree I do this is up to the guardians, we'll see how long they can tolerate me and my behavior.

Then there was Sen with us and that changed the board in how things would go down. If it wasn't obvious already, Sen is usually laid back and easy going which annoys as it is doesn't cause a lot of trouble normally. But he has a 'quirk' with authority figures or rather it is better to say, he gets along with them as well as a fish does when it is out of water. So, this meeting will be intriguing, to say the least even if it is just to me. I highly doubt he will get along with the Guardians any better than I do, it will just be different than my disagreements that I have.

As we walked Sen came up next to me, he spoke, "So bro, what is the dealo?"

I turned my neck to look at Sen in response with slight confusion on my face. I'm made to wonder if he had been told he would be meeting the guardians? Or was he told and he just not listen, it wouldn't be the first time it has happened if that is the case. "Um," I started, "what were you told about this that you can remember?"

Sen appeared to think for a moment, "Well bro, I remember something being said about meetin some guardians or whatnot," he began, "but it like didn't make a whole lot of sense dude. What the other dragon was sayin just went over my head like a totally awesome killer wave does when it wipes you out, ya know." Sen sighed, "But he had some seriously bland vibes dude, really a bummer man."

In other words, as I had suspected, Sen didn't really listen all that well to what he had been told by the dragon that had talked to him. But then, he has always learned by doing things rather than listening or something to that effect. I thought about telling him what we were about to go into, yet I stopped myself. I say, why not let the guardians try handling this and we can see just how good they are at dealing with resistance to authority? After all, they did such an "exemplary job" with me, it makes me want to see how they do with Sen's attitude towards authority here. I mean what better way to see if they have improved since meeting me? So, I turned my head to look at my 'friend', "Sen, just be yourself and everything will work out," I replied.

Sen plastered his signature cheesy grin on his face, which looked as sad as it did on his human face. "Radical bro, I'm like totally amazing at being myself, thanks for the shaka advice dude."

I didn't know whether to sigh or laugh at Sen's predictable reaction, but I managed to hold in both at this reply. When we had all got to the top floor with the room that the guardians were assumedly waiting for us in, we knocked and were let in. Inside were all eight guardians, which I hadn't exactly expected. But we took our places across from them, Sen had sat down on my left side and Lara took her customary position on my right. My mate sat in such a way that had her pressing her body lightly against my own body, but none in the room seemed to notice.

Now no matter who I come in here with I swear, it feels like I am coming into a courtroom to go on trial for something every time I come in here. As Terrador began by telling Lara and I how our actions were the wrong choice, he quickly started droned on from there in my view. I automatically put on my 'poker face' of me paying attention, but not really paying attention. Dragons didn't seem to know about poker faces or what they were used for, which worked out for me really. It is one of the select few times that dragons not understanding something about humans doesn't frustrate me.

So, Terrador's lecture kept going as he pretty much criticized Lara and me, which I was getting used to and I'm getting the brunt of it to tell the truth. From the times I've been in front of the Guardians more Terrador, you would think he has something against me with the way he talks about me specifically. Like I'm the absolutely perfect example of how a dragon shouldn't act or be, which I disagree with. However, it was when Terrador pause to let the other guardians comment that things actually got interesting. Why some would ask? Well, Sen took the pause as his cue to say something, "Dude, if we're like here for is to get a seriously bummer of a totally tedious lecture, then why are we here listening man? It's like a real burn out dude, there are far more righteous things that we can do bro."

It was very hard not to burst out laughing at Sen's comment, at least I was having difficulty not laughing at this. The guardians stared at Sen with looks of confusion most likely due to Sen's manner of speech. The expression on their faces was one that I'm used to getting as I tend to argue with them as well as insulting them in ways they don't always understand. Oh, I saw this coming the moment the meeting was called and Sen was involved since he is just good at killing a mood. He just outdid my normal expectations, bless him! We may get out of here faster than I thought we would however, I have a part to play in this that only I can to move things along you understand. "Now Sen, you know that we have to listen to reproaching lectures sometimes, it is 'mandatory' as some might say. Heck, we got them often enough back at the dojo, supposedly it does us good to get them by helping us shape up or something like that," I iterated to the surfing goofball.

Sen rolled his eyes at me, "Yeah I get that bro, but Master Kai's lectures were helpful and had good critics plus, he usually kept them like short and sweet. So then dude, how can you take all this man? I mean like, I know that you totally have a sick streak of patience bro, ya show it off like a total boss. But dude, all these dragons have been dishin is like total bad vibes about you by saying how you do things wrong bro. It's starting to drag me down like a strong riptide dude, surprised you're taking this man."

I thought about my reply knowing that the Guardians could hear our exchange and probably weren't appreciating it. The question is should I be mean and slap them in the face, figuratively speaking of course? And after a moment, I decided why the hell not, "That is a lesson that you should learn Sen."

"What you sayin bro," asked Sen.

I kept my face blank and relaxed, "I am talking about the art of putting up a poker face and pretending to do something in a way that makes you look like you are doing what others expect you to do." I paused and then jabbed a paw in the Guardians' direction, "You think I listen to a lecture like this? Honestly, I have no reason to since the basic overall message is that I should change and shape up. It is a stupid message if you ask me as I am fine the way I am, so I do not see the reason to change anything and shape up as others imply. Plus, some of these dragons can really keep going if you know what I mean," I said. I stole a glance at Terrador after saying what I had, and the green dragon was looking pretty peeved right now. Okay, I think my work is done in this 'meeting'!

But as if for good measure, Sen was nodding his head in agreement, "You said it bro! I have only been here for a little bit and I'm bored as watching a kook showing they don't know how to surf. I was like hoping to learn how to breathe fire, do you feel what I'm saying dude?"

Oh how I have missed this, being able to talk to someone and have them understand me without having to explain things to them! Maybe having Sen around won't be so bad. "Oh I feel you on that," I returned

Well long story short, the guardians were quick to dismiss us due to me and Sen. It was still funny how some of the guardians are so easy to prod in certain ways! Anyway, when we were let go or rather when the guardians had enough of Sen and me, I got Sen aside. I was still dead curious about how he had gotten to the Dragon Realm and then had been somehow changed from human to dragon.

It was all a tad hard to swallow that he just got here without further explanation from him even if it would be unspecific. I mean the way I got here was according to him, it was well, crazy doesn't quite say it, yet I was still human for some time while in the Dragon Realm. Sen was a dragon when I saw him again clear as day from the moment of his arrival! When we got to a place where it was just him and me I decided to ask about the subject. "Okay Sen we need to have a talk, you and me," I questioned.

Sen looked at me with a blank expression, "Dude, this is totally unlike you bro, to start a conversation with another to know something. Usually, you get your answer by watching."

I sighed at that reply as true as it tended to be, "Yes I know that I normally do, still I can't with this."

Sen nodded, "Sure bro," he began, "what do you want to talk about?"

I held in the sigh and replied, "Well for starters, how did you get here?"

Sen thought a moment, then he began talking about the day he had gotten here. He told me of how the Saturday had started much like most of his weekends did which had him going that morning the hour journey to the ocean and go surfing. By noon he had gotten back to town and had gone home to get ready to go to the dojo the next day. However, while he had been on the beach, he had found an 'odd shell' as he described it. The object sounded more like a kind of crystal to me, but that isn't the issue. Back to Sen's story, he had been getting ready to go to sleep when the 'shell' began to glow and quickly shined brightly. The light coming from the 'shell' ended in a flash. Sen says he remembers hearing a voice saying that he had a great work to do elsewhere. The next thing he knew, he was waking up to see Lara and me.

It was little to go on to understand the reasons why he is here though it does at least say a little bit of the how he got here. "So there was a flash and then you were here," I inquired.

"That's totally what it seems like bro, isn't like righteous," he shot back.

My eyes rolled involuntarily at Sen's attitude even after the years I've tolerated the idea. I know he is easy going and everything, yet how can he be so laid back in a situation like this? He has been brought to a completely different world, with different creatures, many of which are things of legend and others a hundred and eighty-degree type of picture difference of what they are on Earth. Nonetheless, the surfing idiot takes this as if there is nothing wrong with the current situation, in fact, he sees this as an amazing happenstance. This is one of the times that I question Sen's mental state, but this is how he's normally. It is hard to rock his world, even if he is in a different one and it reminds me of fudging draconic mentality. "Sen, I wonder sometimes if you take anything seriously," I said.

"Oh of course I do bro. I'm totally focused in this dude," he returned.

"Well," I started, "you could have fooled me with the way you act." I shook my head before I looked back at Sen deciding to ask the other part of this problem. "And you have no clue how you became a dragon?"

"Nope bro," he said shaking his head, "but it's like surfing on top of a sweet wave dude, so I won't complain."

Yes, Sen would fit in with the dragon race's mentality, accept things as they are and it irks me! Perhaps it is my views of logic and my intelligence which pit me so much against the dragon mentality, I don't know. Still, I would tolerate it as I try to do for others and ancestors help me in this! I'm already getting a horrid headache from trying to see the logic of all of this.

Still, as the current morning is going for me, I felt the need to get out of bed and get to my morning routines. I require familiarity and morning routine to calm the chaos in my mind that came from the memories. It is such an ingrained habit, it was like an itch that you can't help but scratch. So, to my slight displeasure, as the current position feels comfortable, to tell the truth, I extricated myself from Lara's embrace. It took me some time to get out of her hold, she is clingy to me when she sleeps. But when I managed it, I left the room and made my way down to the training room.

After I finished my morning exercises, I began to wander around the temple just for the sake of my own wish to have time to myself. These early morning walks were solely peaceful and relaxing for me, which is what I needed. during this time, there's no one gawking at me being different from the rest and that has become common, unfortunately. Honestly, I've dealt with that type of crap back in the human world more than enough to last me. There's no one whispering things behind my back that they think I can't hear that I actually can, which is very annoying to have others whisper random stuff about me. No guardians wanting me to tell them things that they don't listen to or believe or lecture me on how I should change. Just peace and quiet for me to enjoy and it is times like this that life isn't so bad.

"Ah it would appear that I am not the only one up this early it would seem," said a voice from behind me.

I turned to see who had spoken and was astonished as no one is usually up at this time. Yet, I found none other than Arkanis coming up to where I was. I hadn't seen him for months now as he tended to stay in Carona rather than being in Warfang, likely to keep the residents calm and from going into a panic, so what is he doing here? "Hello Arkanis," I greeted, "I am rather bewildered to see you here in Warfang. So what brings you here?"

Arkanis smiled at me, "Ah we meet again Saber," he replied, "I am here to check on some things."

Okay, if Arkanis says that he's here to check on things, I'm inclined to believe him. The old dragon didn't seem the type to mince words or say them needlessly from what I've observed, so I'll take it. Although a moment later, I recalled one of the questions that I had planned to ask Arkanis when I next saw the dragon. Unfortunately, I had learned from the meetings I have had with the guardians, history isn't what the dragon race thinks it is if the memories are to be believed. Perhaps Arkanis could help clear up the things I know and have learned that contradicted what accepted draconic history says. "Um Arkanis," I began, "I had a question to ask you." Surprisingly, Arkanis gave me his full attention at this which I'm not used to getting from others. So, I did continue, "Well two questions actually, though both questions are related to one another in a way. The first one would be about history."

Arkanis smiled at my inquiry, "It is nice to learn you have an interest in history, please continue."

I took a moment to consider how to word my inquiry as it could be taken a few ways by some. I already had my second question basically formed, which was about my own origins which I had always been curious about. I don't have any memories that are relevant to perhaps explain where I came from or who might have been my sires. Yet the first question was a bit more of immediate importance really like the point of history is a subject that I will come up soon enough. I needed to know if I would have to convince others of the truth I knew or if the truth already was written down somewhere. If it was written down, then it would make things a little easier to get others to believe me, that's the prospect I have at least.

So, where do I begin? "Um, you see I have been doing some looking into the books in the temple library here at Warfang," I started, "and I have noticed that history kind of goes back around three thousand years or so. And I was wondering if there was anything farther back than that."

It wasn't exactly a lie, I try to avoid lying whenever possible, personal value of mine that I hold myself to. That said, by saying I have been searching for the library, which is completely true, I wasn't stating my true aim. Plus, I haven't had any real success in finding much as I can't read the books in the said library. The information I had was from the guardians and things that I have heard from others. But I see no real need to get into the specifics of how I acquired my information as it doesn't make much of a difference.

Arkanis seemed to think about my inquiry for a few minutes, "The answer to your question is yes," yet he hesitated, "however I doubt that many books if any that would have such information still exist. Why do you ask?"

So yes… but no, in the end, is the answer I get to my first question, well that kind of puts me in a… hard position. That does mean that there have been records of times farther back than the time of Malefor and slightly before that. they just don't exist anymore. That doesn't help me all that much which points to me having to convince others in the future. Plus now, Arkanis is asking me why I am curious about this subject and that is a delicate thing for me. The big question is can I really trust Arkanis? If I do so, then how much should I tell him and not have him think I off my rocker? Well, it is worth a shot I guess, I think I could trust Arkanis… at least far more than I could the guardians and that is saying a bit. I took a deep breath hoping I wouldn't come to regret this. "Um well," I said, "the reason I am asking is to confirm an idea I have."

"I see," he replied, "and what is this idea that you have young one? Or is it something you would rather not say?"

I felt a bit dazed at the reply Arkanis had given me as it was something unexpected by me since getting here to the Dragon Realm. He didn't demand to know, he gave me the choice to decline? The guardians have never done that for me, I simply chose to not answer them when 'asked' thing by them. Maybe this is a sign for me, Arkanis could understand my position to an extent. Well maybe, I could tell him some things then, "It is not that I do not want to say the idea, it is just most would likely find it ridiculous. I have observed that dragons are not exactly the most open-minded when it comes to things that contradict what they believe to be fact and truth. Honestly, I stick out enough as I am, and I do not need to be noticed more by such activity as talking about events that others will not believe."

Arkanis chuckled a bit at my statement, "Indeed, Malefor made the same observation long ago as I recall. In fact, he was convinced that some force was laying out history as it was for malicious reasons. A very bright-minded dragon Malefor was," he paused, "indeed very bright."

It felt like I was slammed to the ground at this one comment as it answered some standing questions. Specifically, three huge previously unknown facts have come to light in my view. The first was that Malefor has seen the long developed ignorance of dragons like I have myself. Second and probably the most astounding fact, he had seen some of the signs of the work the Ancient Enemy has done in their manipulation of history. He may have been the last one before me to see this idea of others being involved. The third fact I figure comes from the two before, it was likely Malefor knowing those two things that made him a target for the Ancient Enemy.

The only fact I can't seem to discern in this is why corrupt Malefor rather than simply killing him. It would've been so much easier and I assume less time consuming to just kill Malefor by what I can see, yet he was corrupted and used instead. The Ancient Enemy was many things, but one quality I have seen in almost everything they do is that they're meticulous to the point that makes someone with serious OCD comfortable with complete chaos! Then they clean up the mess if there is one, and make it look undeniable spotless by any standard! Malefor has been the only oddity in this methodology, I don't see the reason to change the normal MO for a purple dragon. They have killed a couple of purple dragons and dragonesses over the time that had passed, I knew that. So then, why do differently with Malefor, what makes him different?

The more information I seem to learn and acquire on the Ancient Enemy, the more questions that come up. They had a goal in mind that was plain, yet I can't see or even guess the goal that they are working towards at all. I mean by the information I have now, they desire only the destruction of everyone and everything! If that was their aim, then they were doing serious overkill to make sure of the goal's success. The Ancient Enemy is powerful, I have many examples of this fact which I don't like. But I think their goal is something else other than just complete destruction with all the work they are putting into this. Destruction is most likely just one of the results that come with the goal they are after. Yet, I wanted to be sure, "Arkanis, you are sure that was what Malefor thought before he changed right?"

Arkanis looked at me slightly confused, still, he nodded slowly, "Yes, he came to me and two of the other masters with the theory that someone or something had been manipulating history," Arkanis stated, "He had some very interesting examples to prove his idea and point."

If what Arkanis says is true and I wouldn't doubt it is I began to think about this new knowledge I had. And as I, unfortunately, have a bit of a habit of I began to talk out loud as I went over my thoughts. In other words, I had become so focused that I forgot Arkanis was even there in the room with me and likely listening to me in my monologuing to myself. "Then he saw some of the signs I do and came to the same conclusions as well. Of course, I'm not foolish enough to think I am the only one not to be completely blind to what they have done. Past experience, proves that fact beyond a shadow of a doubt even if others have not a clue. After all, with all the unexplained disappearances and so-called 'mysterious accidents' which was, in reality, someone getting killed by their pawns, there is no way that it would go utterly unnoticed."

I began pacing as I kept going in this tangent of logic as I felt the need to layout the information I had in hopes of understanding the facts better. At the same time, I was reading between the lines to see the events that had gone unrecorded and unsaid. "Still, Malefor had to have been attacked by others even if no one else knew about it. That is the way the enemy does the work they do, yet the question that is nagging me is why corrupt Malefor instead of killing him as they have done? It is a conundrum I cannot seem to fathom," I continued my monolog.

Yet, I stopped pacing for a moment as I thought about a possibility. It was a slim possibility, but it was still one that could be an explanation in this. "Unless they needed him to do something only Malefor himself could do," I remarked. "If that is the case it would make sense to corrupt him rather than kill him. But what could that task have been that none other at the time could have done?" I gave it some thought but couldn't come up with anything that would fit the bill of my supposition. "Something to think about another time I suppose," I said and moved on.

"Back to how this can relate to me, I have been attacked by them in some way, shape, or form two times now and both attempts failed." To say I was worried was an understatement, but racking my brains wasn't helping me at all. "If the Ancient Enemy does things as they have in the past, then it is likely that they will begin to try to kill me themselves personally as their pawns have failed. That is what worries me the most, they are going to be coming for me and I still know so little about them! What do I do to not be killed?!"

This tangent wasn't very helpful to me at this time since it just made me worry more and more. I think it is more than I have little control over the issue and as my life is at stake and that is a huge deal to me. Like most, I would really prefer to live to a ripe old age and enjoy the years of living. However, if things go unchanged, then in the not too distant future that could be violently ended. "I would say you have learned quite a bit about this," Arkanis remarked, pausing for a moment, "Ancient Enemy as you called them."

The sound of Arkanis's voice snapped me back from my thoughts and back to the present. I realized that I had been so focused, I had totally forgotten that Arkanis was here and had heard my tangent I had gone through. Oh dear ancestors, not even my friends have heard my thoughts and ideas on the Ancient Enemy! Hell, I haven't even mentioned the Ancient Enemy to them at all. Arkanis is the first to even know other than me that they even exist that I know of currently since I have been trying to not involve anyone else. I looked over at Arkanis to see an unreadable expression on his face, "Um, Arkanis," I started, "I," I hesitated, "I do not…"

Arkanis shook his head slightly before he replied, "You need not explain yourself Saber. Actually, that is a very interesting explanation and one that fits the chain of events. It even fills in some holes that I could not understand with the events that befell Malefor. This Ancient Enemy you spoke of must have been the ones that Malefor was so convinced were controlling the flow of events." Arkanis paused seeming to be thinking, "Very fascinating indeed."

I nodded slowly still reeling that another actually believed what I was saying during a rant. My rants and tangents tend to be odd at the bare minimum to the really out there in the subject matter. So, for someone to believe what I'm saying is rare, "Hold on Arkanis," I began, "you believe me?!" He nodded in answer to me but said nothing, "Well, yes, he was right," I began, "what I do not think Malefor understood was the magnitude or the length of time that this group has been doing it."

Arkanis looked at me with interest, "And you do," he posed.

Well, I didn't technically know the exact timeframe, but I had a ballpark guess which is better than nothing I suppose. My information came from the memories of course, and I can't say how accurate they are, but they have been right so far as I've can tell. At least, they have explained several things that I couldn't with history and the Ancient Enemy. So, I shook my head and gave the honest answer I had, "Not specifically no. But my best estimation would be in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand years, give or take an unknown margin either way as a bare minimum."

Arkanis was silent at my reply to which I don't blame him for being surprised at my claim. I know the timeframe sounds ridiculous, heck it sounds outright ludicrous to me too and I won't deny that. Yet that's the best estimation I have from the memories and thus far they have proven correct. Anyway, I decided it was time to change the subject, "Back to the other question I have," I couldn't help but stop for a moment, "I was wondering…" I didn't know how to even ask this question in a way that wouldn't say I was desperate however, the words simply came out in a rush. "Did I have anyone who raised me while I was a dragonet? I mean did I have p-parents?!"

It was a question I have always wondered off and on during my life normally during hard times which were unfortunately common. The story I was told about my parents dying in an accident which I had accepted when I was young. But looking back, it could be a lie and I found out later it was, so I was still curious as to who brought me into the world. Arkanis smiled at me once more, "Ah yes, you did," he stated, "I take it that you do not remember?"

I shook my head slowly ashamed at the fact I couldn't remember such a thing as so many knew their parents. Granted, it isn't my fault completely, but still, it hurt not to be able to remember anything about one's sires. However, I was as I said dead curious about what my 'parents' had been like if there had been any at all. I assume there had to have been at some point as biologically there had to have been for me to exist at all. "What were they like," I asked soberly. I didn't mean for the question to come out as an almost desperate plea though it did.

Arkanis took a moment to think and that moment was very long to me as I waited for the answer. "As I recall, your father's name was Tetras and your mother was named Umbra," he said.

Arkanis began to tell me about the dragon and dragoness that had raised me for the short time I had been in the Dragon Realm before going to earth. My father, Tetras had been an earth dragon with light brown scales. His underbelly and wing membranes had been a rich green color. He had been apparently a very kind dragon often going out of his way to help others. While my mother, Umbra had been a shadow dragoness and she had scales the color of the night sky and her underbelly and wing membranes had been a royal purple. Umbra had been a caring dragoness who by what Arkanis said very rarely let me out of her sight. As I was told by Arkanis, Umbra had a bit of a habit of spoiling me to an extent.

It's hard for me to imagine having the ones that Arkanis described being in the position of parents for me. And as I listened to this I felt many things many foreign to me since the idea of parents was strange to me. I've never had any experience with two caring that much about me that I can remember since I don't even think about what I had to deal with growing up! Uncle Douchebag hadn't made it easy for me to put it mildly, that's for sure. I wonder as I have from time to time, how I would have turned out if I had parents as Arkanis had just described to me. "I wish I could meet them," I said wistfully, "Do you know where they are? Are they in Carona?"

Arkanis frowned at my inquiry, "Unfortunately no, not long after your disappearance they left Carona and I have not seen them since then," he replied.

Dang it, that wasn't what I wanted to hear. Well, so much for meeting them, that's a mood dampener. I suppose it is possible that I could come across them somewhere while on a trek of some sort, who knows? I was thinking about how to move on to other things, but Arkanis kept going, "Although they raised you Saber, you are not their offspring."

I glanced over at Arkanis at that one line since it was out of the blue, "What do you mean I am not their offspring," I asked. I mean, if I wasn't their kid, then why would they have been around me at all? I know it sounds like I'm looking down on myself, but I'm not the easiest to be around and I'll admit that. "Did Umbra not lay my egg," I posed, "Did they not raise me after I hatched from an egg?"

"Yes they did, however, Umbra was not able to lay any eggs," Arkanis returned. I had a doubletake at the reply for it didn't make sense to me as it implied Umbra was barren or something. It left me to wonder how my egg could have come to them in the first place as it didn't seem like a random event. Before I had a chance to ask about what Arkanis was implying, he spoke again, "Umbra found your egg on a particular night as it happens."

I was forced to pause at that as I couldn't come up with a 'different' night for the Dragon Realm. "Okay," I began, "what kind of night are we talking about in this instance?"

Arkanis began to explain how every couple of centuries there is a phenomenon where there's a night when the moon which is usually yellow here, turns silver. This night is called "Silver Lumina" and on the night of this occurrence, magic in the general sense as Arkanis put it becomes stronger than it normally is for the night. The odd thing was that on the night in question there wasn't supposed to be this event. The timeframe and length of time specifically between the event's occurrences were off by a huge margin! The event wasn't supposed to occur for another century or more. Yet, on the night my egg was found, the moon changed to look like the Silver Lumina moon without any explanation. Coincidence? I find that as likely as me being like those around me before I came to the Dragon Realm, so not a random event. I have no clue how the appearance of my egg and the event of a Silver Lumina moon could be related, but I'm not fool enough to think there is no correlation between the two.

Nonetheless, that's a dilemma for later to debate about, there are more pressing things to talk about. Umbra that night affirmed by Tetras had been walking in the forest to deal with the sorrow of not being able to lay eggs of her own. As Arkanis had said, Umbra and Tetras wanted a dragonet for a while and she had been not taking the fact of not being able to lay eggs well at all. While she had been out walking Umbra had seen a flash of some kind from a clearing ahead of where she had been and gone to investigate. Upon entering the clearing Umbra had found my egg sitting in the clearing alone. After finding that there was no one else around there, she took my egg with her and returned to Carona. She brought the egg to Arkanis and when no one had claimed ownership of the egg, Tetras and Umbra asked to take responsibility for it. Then not more than a month later I hatched from the said egg and come into the world. I swear the more I learn about my origins the more confusing it becomes.

After the talk with Arkanis, I headed back to my room to check if Lara was awake yet as she isn't as much of a morning person as I am. When I got to my room I saw that Lara was as I suspected still asleep in my bed. However, she had rolled around the bed, presumably trying to find me, but having failed as I wasn't there. Honestly, she looked cute when she slept, why I don't know but I can't deny she looked that way in my eyes. I walked to the bed and took some time to just look down at Lara.

I have begun to see Lara in a different light lately and I say to those that would comment, shut it thank you. I found the more I would stare at Lara, the more beautiful she seems to become and I can't explain why. And it isn't just when shea's sleeping, it's almost any time I look in her direction, I just keep the thoughts to myself. Admittedly, it could be due to my draconic instincts that I see her like this and I don't doubt they play a part in this, I don't know. Lately, I don't think the feelings I have when it comes to Lara was completely because of my draconic instincts. Despite if those instincts may have somehow 'hooked' me on or made me 'dependent to' Lara in a way I can't comprehend. I can't say that's all that these feelings are, but the emotion that comes to me the most is not a familiar one.

To be absolutely honest, I care about Lara plain and simple, I'll not deny such a feeling I know I have for her. I just don't know to what extent or length that care goes to as relationships are rocky territory for me. Yes, I… enjoy Lara's company, more than I did before we became mates though I can't describe what changed. I was snapped out of my thoughts as I heard noises from below me on the bed and so, refocused on the occupant of the bed to see Lara was stirring. Lara's breathing deepened as she began to come fully awake and aware and she stretched while she was lying in the bed.

I felt a small smile form on my face of its own accord at this sight and couldn't help its appearance.

[There is nothing wrong with your reaction Saber.]

Can it Narrator and mind your own business punk! To save face, I went over to the window so that Lara wouldn't see my face. Once at the window, I proceeded to throw the curtain aside to let the light of sunlight pour into the room. The second I moved the curtain from covering the window, light poured into the room and it seemed to brighten immediately. "So Lara," I greeted, "do you intend to lie in bed all day or are you going to get up and begin it?"

Lara opened those gorgeous azure blue eyes of hers which are so hard for me to resist and she sat up. While she was waking up, I came around to the side of the bed that faced the door and as I did Lara turned to face me. "That depends," she began, "if you are with me, then being in bed most of the day sounds good to me~"

Her tone hooked my attention for a few seconds as it was seductive and Lara can really deliver a tempting seductive tone I've found. Due to that, my mind wandered for seemingly a long moment and I began turning towards Lara without thinking. Yet, then my self-control came in and got everything back on task and in order which I'm thankful for.

[Saber, many a guy would very much like the offer you just got from your girl.]

Narrator, what goes on between Lara and me is none of your fudging business, get that through your head! I'm well-aware that Lara is blatantly telling me she's interested in mating with me again even if indirectly. And I don't know if it's that or that she's not embarrassed at all about saying the point since it's quite bold for her to do.

To tell the truth, I'm not against mating with her again exactly, to have such an experience again is more than just tempting. Were I completely honest, the things I would be willing to do for the chance of experiencing what came from mating with her… No, unwise to go along those tangents as I'm starting to wonder exactly what kind of effects our mating two weeks ago had on her along with myself. I mean, I'm not stupid enough to think I was the only one to be affected by what mating does to those involved. I've learned from some of the dragons I trust that the act of mating virtually fuels our draconic instincts spurring them to highs unattained until that point.

She had cohered me into getting together with her two more times since our first mating. Although, I can't deny that the activity wasn't pleasurable for me and she made sure of that and I know it. I'm still unable to explain why it feels the way it does with Lara since I feel that if I did it with another it wouldn't be the same. But somehow the dragoness… I suppose I should say my dragoness could convince me to do things I thought I wouldn't do in my life, she can defy my logical mind somehow.

And I am only beginning to see some of the things that Lara's draconic instincts have likely changed. It wasn't anything huge or personality altering… yet that I have seen at least. No, it had been the smaller things that were changing. From the way she held herself around me to show the little signs of affection she does. All of it seemed to be done to make me look uh, more presentable or something like that I think. I mean, it can be a little creepy sometimes yet at the same time nice, I don't know. Humans wouldn't do anything like this for a spouse that I have ever seen, nothing like it really.

Back to the matter at paw, in all the cases other than mine so far that I have observed, dragons and dragonesses will let instinct take charge over intelligence. So, I really can't say just how Lara was affected by our union in the long term at this point. I prefer my intelligence to do the driving as I know what I'm getting with it where I don't with instinct. I'm more just worried at the possibilities with her, Lara wants to move much faster than I do which is far too quick for me. "A tempting offer I grant you, Lara," I replied, "but I will have to be polite and decline by saying no thanks. There is a need for us to show self-restraint and that tends to fall to me."

-Lara's pov-

I was dreaming of Saber like I normally do now and how I enjoy the dreams with him. In my dreams, Saber was more willing and took the lead more than he would himself. However, I believe that he could be given some time and motivation that will change. As my dream was ending I moved in the bed and found that I was by myself. Next thing I knew, light and warmth bathed the bed, "So Lara," Saber's voice announced. "Do you intend to lie in bed all day or are you going to get up and begin it?"

I opened my eyes slowly letting them adjust to the sunlight before I sat up in the bed and looked around. Saber was by the window, but he was making his way towards the bed as I watched him. He is so handsome and I'm so happy that he is my mate, words cannot say how much I love him. I smiled, "That depends," I started, "if you are with me, then being in bed most of the day sounds good to me," I cooed.

I was kind of in the mood to mate with Saber and there was nothing that either of us needed to do that I know of. Seducing him came so naturally to me as he is my mate, even if I am not in my mating cycle right now. Plus, it was fun to tease him a bit as his reactions were out of character for him and it was funny to me. My invitation made Saber pause and then a moment later turn towards me and I thought I had him interested. But then he stopped himself, "A tempting offer I grant you, Lara," he said, "but I will have to be polite and decline by saying no thanks. There is a need for us to show self-restraint and that tends to fall to me."

That got my mood to fall a bit as I believed I had Saber interested and I was hoping I had him. However, if Saber is not up for mating I can accept it for the time being and we can bond that way later. After a bit, I got off the bed and came up to be next to him and nuzzled his cheek lovingly which he leaned into gently. As Saber was up, he had likely been around doing things, I asked the question on my mind, "So, what have you been doing this morning?"

"Well," Saber started, "I took a walk and wandered around the temple. I do that lately as it helps me to," he hesitated for a moment, "keep calm with the things that have been happening recently."

I could tell that he was trying to be kind of vague as he does when he does not want to say the truth. It is nice he does not lie, but not telling me things like this is not much nicer. He should know he can trust me with anything by this point. I believe I have made it clear that I will believe what Saber says even if it may sound outlandish. So, he is hiding something, yet I have figured out a way to get Saber to tell me when he is avoiding a subject. I drew back from nuzzling his cheek and looked at him with a slight smile, "So what did you see that was interesting this morning," I asked.

Saber flinched a bit at my question, "Wha," he uttered, "what makes you think I saw or did anything out of the ordinary?"

My smile became a smirk since he should know by now that he cannot fool me like he can others, "You are avoiding looking at me directly in the eyes, which says you are not saying something to me. Then you asking that question is enough for me to tell that I'm right."

[A very good eye Lara, though Saber will not like me telling you that.]

Thank you Mr. Narrator, I am just trying to get Saber to open up more to me. So, I kept staring at my mate as his mouth moved a bit before his voice worked, thinking how cute he was when is like this. "How…"

I just kept smiling at him, "I learned to make an observation like that from watching you," I replied simply.

Saber looked away from me after I answered him which caused me to giggle a bit at how he reacts. I have found that Saber does not like others to see him show much emotion, why I do not know. I assume it has to do with something to do with his time in the human realm, but he does not talk about that time much. So, I stopped giggling and moved forward to be in front of my mate and then tried to get him to look at me. Saber kept twisting and turning for a few minutes as I worked, yet I was patient and did not give up. My efforts were rewarded when I managed to press my snout to his and kissed him which got him to stop avoiding me.

As our kiss ended, Saber blinked and after a moment shook his head slightly, "Well," he started, "if you must know." He gazed at me for a second and I smiled back as he continued, "and the look on your face says you believe you do." Saber will learn that mates share everything about one another, even if it takes years of me showing him that. "I came across Arkanis. He and I had a nice chat and that is all."

That was not what I had expected to hear, Arkanis rarely left Carona as far as I knew, not just due to his age. "Oh, I did not know that Arkanis was here," I remarked, "So what was your chat about?"

Saber did not say anything immediately, which had me thinking that the subject was not a normal one. It made me wonder what they talked about, especially with Saber not looking at me. "The subject of our conversation is not for other ears," Saber finally said. "In other words, I do not see a reason to discuss or recount what we talked about right now." I was going to say that as mate there should be no secrets between us, but Saber kept going before I could. "So do not bring up being my mate means you need to know everything. You do not, no offense intended."

I was kind of disappointed at Saber's firmness of not talking about whatever it was he discussed with Arkanis. However, I would be patient and wait for Saber to tell me himself what it was that he did not want to say. It was then I noticed there was a change in Saber's expression which had become softer and showed almost a longing. It was an expression that I have only seen a few times with him, "Hey Lara," he said in the form of a question.

"Yes," I responded without thinking much.

"This may sound like an odd question," he began, "but do you remember my parents, Tetras, and Umbra?"

That was a surprise that I had never seen coming as it said many things about Saber that I had not known. Him asking the question implied that he did not remember either Tetras or Umbra ho raised him. That in itself was really sad as Umbra especially loved and spoiled Saber a great deal when he was a dragonet. And so, my face gained an expression of sorrow as Saber's parents were wonderful. "You mean," I started, but hesitated, "you do not remember them?"

Saber showed shame as he lowered his gaze to the floor, "No I," Saber paused, "I do not remember them. I have tried since Arkanis mentioned them, but there is just nothing there for me to recall anymore."

I felt so sorry for Saber not being able to remember those that raised him. Umbra and Tetras had always been nice to me and my mom, they had kept an eye on me when they were around. They helped my mother practically raise me as my father had vanished not too long after I hatched. So, I had come to see them as family of sorts as they were around my mother and me so often. I admit Umbra rarely let Saber out of her sights since she was very protective of him. Saber was clearly sad at the prospect of not being able to remember them and his tone is kind of desperate, which I have never heard before.

An urge came to me and I followed it without hesitation moving my head to rub the crest of Saber's head. I wanted to comfort him the best I was able since when he is unhappy so am I. Saber did not pull away from me, if anything, then he leaned into my caress which was pleasing. I let out a hum, "Yes, I can remember them very well. It is kind of hard to forget parents that were as nice as yours were."

I started to describe how kind Umbra was to me when I was around her from the many memories I had from my early days. Talking about my days being a dragonet was nice as most do not listen or care about my past. The days when Saber, Koren, and I would play and spend time together before the time I trained for defeating Malefor were treasures to me. Then they disappeared and I was told to forget they had ever existed as they were said to be gone forever. I summed up my recountings by saying how I felt that Saber had two parents as I had never had that. "I was kind of jealous that you had two parents sometimes actually."

Saber pulled out from under my head and looked at me, "Wait, you did not have both parents," he asked.

I shook my head, "No, it was just me and my mom, my father was not ever around that I can recall." I looked away from him, "Mom did not like to talk about him," I muttered.

"Sorry, I should have not asked," Saber returned.

"It is okay," I said nuzzling his jaw.

I continued telling Saber about Tetras and Umbra, of how they had helped my mom look after me, so often I would be watched by them along with Saber and Koren. Tetras were like a father to me during those early days since mine was absent. I know now that the qualities I wanted in a male came from watching and being around Tetras. That is just a credit to Saber on being like Tetras even if he does not remember him.

-Saber's pov-

Lara and I had a lengthy discussion on my parents, which lasted until around lunchtime. By the things that Lara had said, I had what sounded like awesome parents. Knowing that just makes it all the more painful to understand what I could have had but was denied for whatever reason. When we realized the time of day we decided to get something to eat and after we had lunch we ran into the rest of our friends. "So bro, where have ya been all morning dude? Were you getting some sweet action," posed Sen, "Righteous bro, didn't know you had it in ya!"

I stared at Sen with incredulity at his statement as he just implies that I spent my morning doing the deep with Lara. Now, doing that activity with Lara is amazing don't get me wrong, but that is private business. I glanced around at my friends hoping they didn't hear Sen's comment or if they did, not understand what the idiot is implying. To my relief, I was met with blank looks of confusion from everyone else. It's one of those few times I am glad dragons don't get inference, a wonderful benefit to my reputation! I glared at Sen with cold controlled frustration, "Sen," I stated firmly, "I have said it before, but you really need to think about what you say before you open your mouth. Some might misconstrue what you're implying you know."

Sen seemingly ignored my glare and smiled instead, "So you were then, awesome bro, you're so lucky man," he replied.

You know, I could take that as a serious insult or something entirely different with my luck. "Grr," I growled before taking a moment to calm down a bit, "Listen Sen and listen well, what I do in MY room behind closed doors is considered my private life. I like most do different things while in private that I do not do in public, neither of which are your concern or topic of discussion. My life is nobody's business other than my own and those I choose to involve, you got that?" My expression hardened, "So, if you like your face the way it is right now, then drop the subject and do not bring it up again. As to my luck, there is a great number that would disagree with you on many different levels and I am one of them."

Sen took a couple of steps back from me, "Okay I get it! Dude you need to chill out bro, I was just teasing."

I narrowed my glare at him as Sen should know better than to toe that particular line since he has flirted with it one or two times before now. "Teasing me is dangerous business Sen, you should know that by now," I snapped.

"Um, what are you two talking about," asked Spyro.

I was trying to think of a way to explain this when I felt an extremely strong shiver go down my spine. I froze on the spot at the feeling as it had been my danger sense and that isn't something to ignore. It had been a while since it had gone off and right now, alarms were blaring! This was more than a tingle and it definitely placed among the top stronger times my danger sense had gone off and that wasn't a good thing in the slightest!

"Saber what is wrong," question Lara, "You look off."

I stood still, though I heard Lara ask if I was all right and I began to look around trying to find the cause of the loud alarms clanging in my head warning me of danger approaching me. The sooner I identify what is setting off my sense, the better I can figure out what to do. "Bro, you're acting weird… even for you, what is it dude," Sen piped up.

"It very well may sound cliché, but my danger sense is tingling," I stated. "And when I say tingling I mean it is going off really bad!"

Seconds after I said what I did, I happen to catch sight of one of the moles running towards the temple. The glimpse I caught of their face wasn't goo as they weren't smiling at all, they were in a panic. I'm hoping this isn't an omen of which my danger sense is warning me about, but it likely is knowing my luck. My bad luck hasn't hit me good for a time now and that isn't a good thing, so I'm due for an unhealthy shot. So, with that in mind, I guess it would be a fair idea to see what I might be in for. "Um, excuse me my good mole," I said loudly enough that is got the mole to turn to look at me. "What is the problem that has you hurrying like you are?"

If I had made a bet on if I was right about my luck showing up and hitting me, then I would've won the earlier mentioned bet hands down. That doesn't comfort me in any way, more makes me curse that my luck and I know each other so well that I can predict it as I can. The mole took a moment to catch their breath, "It is horrible," the mole started, "they came out of the forest without any warning, and are now…"

The mole wasn't able to finish his sentence before what appeared to be a large ball of fire came flying over the wall with the gate. The fireball went over the city and didn't hit the ground inside the city walls, poor aim if you ask me, but expected from apes for a bit. The sight of the flaming object was more than enough for me to confirm that the trouble that had set off my danger sense was very likely responsible for the flaming object. I think it is time to get a look at who is having fun with the makeshift pyrotechnics, though I believe I already have a very educated guess.

Without further hesitation, I took off from where my friends and I were, not really hearing their questions or protest at me leaving so abruptly. I made my way through Warfang quickly taking to the rooftops as the streets were crowded. My destination was the ramparts to get a view of those attacking mostly to get a view of how deep the trouble was I would soon be in. Along my way, I noticed those inhabitants were staring dumbfounded at the objects flying over the wall. You would think they would be moving away or looking for cover with flaming objects flying overhead, but no, they stand staring. However, as I kept moving, some of the fireballs landed in the city, and from where the object had landed in came screams got some moving.

After a couple of minutes, I got to the ramparts and got an eye full of a sight I didn't want to see! Apes and a whole massive sea or legions of apes were marching across the plain in droves towards Warfang. I didn't even think to count them, there had to be thousands of them and that was being very optimistic. Among the rear part of the ape army were the catapults and other similar war machines were flinging the flaming objects being hurled from to rain down on Warfang. And I knew the Apes would likely attack Warfang at some point keeping in mind how badly they lost the last time among other factors. But they had done so much sooner than I had expected using the element of surprise to great effect.

A noise to my left said I wasn't alone looking over what was coming, "Got to say bro," piped up Sen. "That's like a lot of," he paused and when I looked over at him, I saw he was gazing over the sea of Apes below, "dude, are those apes or monkeys?"

"Um," I began, "mostly apes I would guess, though I would surmise there are a few monkeys mixed in and are probably the ones giving the orders. There is a difference between the two Sen and here. monkeys are more dangerous than apes are."

There was a moment of 'silence' which was merely Sen and I not talking, but there is still noise all around. "So then bro, like where do we stand on the board in the waves," he asked, "or is it better not to ask in this dude?"

I sighed at his question as he should be well-aware of the answer to his question, "What do you think Sen?"

Sen nodded as he looked out over the plains in front of Warfang, "better not to ask, got it dude."

I couldn't help the eye roll that happened at his answer, it wasn't as weird as I thought it would be. Standing here and staring wouldn't help the current situation at all so time to do something else more productive. Of course, fighting the apes was never simple, but that was the best way to solve the standing issue. But that helped in having my decision made, I turned and glanced over the city below. The view of panic and pretty much pandemonium wasn't nice to witness, even with some dragons trying to restore order and calm, they were failing.

"Bro," posed Sen in an air of question, "are we going to help here or what dude?"

Sen's question snapped me away from the view of the city as I was forced to ponder the question. The pandemonium was too widespread to contain or deal with at this time, and I wouldn't make any difference with it. The second option was to just go out and fight the apes as crazy as that sounds the sanest people including myself. However, since when something being crazy did stop me or even slow me down when the chips are being put down on the table I would ask.

[Rarely if ever Saber.]

Thank you for chiming in Narrator, don't mind it as much right now, but don't get used to that. I turned my attention back to my 'friend' and smiled grimly as I decided on my answer. "Sen, how close to insane do you feel at the moment," I questioned in a flat tone of voice. "If you still feel sane, then prepare to lose the marbles you got, you can find and pick them up later if you feel inclined." I paused, "Because we are about to do something that many would see as downright stupid and possibly suicidal. Anyway, follow my lead, there is work to do!"

Without further hesitation, I leaped into the air and flapped my wings hard as I soared out from Warfang's outer wall. I heard Sen a short distance behind me, which answers my question if he would follow and he normally did. After we flew out from the wall we landed in a small area that didn't have apes swarming it for the moment. "So bro, like how are we going to do here," Sen posed.

There was the screeching of apes from no doubt seeing the two of us on the field which I ignored for the moment. Instead, I gave Sen a look like he was asking something that should be absolutely obvious. "What do you think Captain Obvious," I snapped, "We whip apes like there is no tomorrow until either we drop or all of them do!"

I had just got that line out before apes quickly began surrounding us and forcing Sen and me into fighting against them. As you can imagine, we fought with everything and anything we could to stem the tide of apes. We did okay for a little while, yet the endless numbers just kept coming which was wearing the two of us down. Granted, I knew this was a fatal venture from the second I got my first look at the army of apes, but still. If Sen and I to get out of this alive, we would need an honest non-unlucky effected kind of miracle! The problem with that wish would be me or rather my bad luck not allowing that often, so my hopes weren't high. I was using elemental shots and attacks so I was doing some damage to the apes, but Sen unfortunately has yet to figure out how using an element works.

After a time, I heard roars and many of them, which had me hoping that help would be coming as apes would soon overwhelm us down here. I glanced up to see dragons flying out of Warfang and counter-attacking the apes. I did hold in the urge to yell 'about time' since one shouldn't complain about help in situations like this. Amazingly, Sen and I were still within view of each other as we fought the apes, which with their numbers is kind of surprising. Our only complaint in this dilemma about the other dragons is all the help is going around us and not to us.

Now if my friend could work with fire, maybe then we could be in slightly better standing and that would help even if a little. Then the point that fire had reacted to anger with me came to mind and it was worth a shot to see if it would be the same for Sen. "Say bro, things ain't looking so good for us at the moment, man," Sen stated as we came close to each other.

I was well-aware of the issue since the numbers of apes were quite a bit higher than the two of us. It was time to see if my idea would work in any way, "Sen I think it is time you learn to breathe fire," I replied.

Sen gazed at me with slight confusion, "Bro what are you going on about," he questioned, "I know you're like not that bad at reading the vibe dude."

The apes began to move in on us all at once closing the circle they had formed around us tighter. It was either all or nothing now, "Sen you remember the time that we took the last challenge from Katey," I said

Sen instantly stiffened at my question as it was a sore subject with the two of us from the past. "Dude... bro... you like said you wouldn't ever bring that up again," he snapped back.

It wasn't like I wished to bring this past event up as it was an embarrassing one to me as well. But I just knew that it would set Sen's temper off and that is the best way I can think of on the fly. At least I was hoping would happen from this as we are screwed if things don't change and fast. So, I ignored Sen's protest, "She really pulled a mean trick on us, remember, then after she did, we had to clean up the huge mess she made. I still never got those stains out of that shirt and I did like that one. And she didn't get into any trouble at all from anyone, instead, the blame fell squarely on us."

Sen was shaking with fury at what I had been talking about since it wasn't a fond memory for either of us. The experience I was mentioning took place years ago when we were between twelve and thirteen and happened on a day that had started like most did back at that time. I had gone to the dojo and Sen had been there as well. We had been sparring with each other when a girl came up to us. We had been practicing like we should have, not bothering anyone that I had known of. Then we had been interrupted and unbeknownst to us at the time, set up for a prank that even I had to admit from a professional standpoint well-done.

The girl whose name and been Katey Voss had been a thin girl the same general age as Sen and myself back at the time. She'd had medium length black hair and brown eyes and was an inch shorter than Sen and he was two inches shorter than me. I'd been going through a growth spurt, anyway, the girl had for lack of a better term challenged us. It was normal for me, being one of Master Kai's personal students and everything. That said, I would ignore and wave off such normally back then as they were pointless to me. However, Sen had taken the bait and that had started the unpleasant experience.

Well, long story short, she had goaded us into a fight with her which I should have known better and really had back then. But Sen had jumped in headfirst without thinking as he sometimes does and I was pulled along. In the said fight which was just outside the dojo, she had used a substance that blinded us for a short period. The liquid had exploded out of the can she had painted the wall of the dojo rather heavily. That period was long enough to get in cheap shots and so we lost that fight. The mess that the liquid bomb made was huge and by the time Sen and I were able to rise and understand what was happening we were being lectured by one of the instructors about the mess and were told to clean it up.

Katey was nowhere to be found and all the evidence of the mess and the cause thereof pointed to us, so we were blamed. Master Kai had not been there that day since I would have explained things to him and I'm sure he would have believed me. Still, we ended out having to clean the walls of the staining liquid for the rest of the day which had sucked. Cleaning said wall was tiring and painful work I can tell you and had made us quite angry! Katey had since apologized to us about the stunt years later, but neither Sen nor I forgot how things played out. Although I forgave her as I can understand a prank, I don't think Sen has completely let it go.

And by what I was seeing, his anger that was showing my assumption was indeed correct, "She didn't just do a cheap shot as a Kook would," Sen spat. "Then she got off scot-free and like got us roped into clean up HER MESS!"

As he yelled his last two words, fire jetted out of his maw which is what I was really hoping for. I smiled at the sight of Sen losing his temper and barbecuing a couple of apes as he did. Yet in all of this Sen was apparently oblivious to what he was doing. "Sen you might want to watch where you point your mouth as you are breathing out fire," I said trying not to laugh.

Sen heard me and then took notice of the fire coming out of his mouth, "Whoa dude I am breathing fire Bro," he exclaimed.

Sen was turning towards me as he was talking which had said jet of fire aimed at me and that wasn't appreciated. True, fire doesn't do much to me, but the smell isn't nice though not as bad as my fire breath can be. "Yay, whoopty doo for you Sen," I returned, "Now would you point your flame-throwing maw away from me and at the apes PLEASE! I am toasty enough thank you without you heating things up for me and your breath is not nice!"

Sen did as I said and boy did he begin broiling the apes which I have to say is amusing to see. Yes, he lost his temper, yet Sen still had enough mental discipline to not lose it completely. I did help by taking down many apes as well, but I am not about to let a healthy exercise being handed to me on a platter go to waste! And for a time, the battle at first seemingly was going well for our side, however, the numbers of the apes didn't thin or stop. When one ape fell one or more would take their place annoying as it was. Even as I looked over the plain in front of Warfang and saw the endless legions of apes marching forward and it didn't take a genius to know this was going badly. We needed a way to mow down apes quickly and heavily and we needed the method freaking yesterday!

However, the circle of apes closed in around Sen and me, though we were dropping them at the same rate as they could replace the fallen. That didn't reduce the speed that the ring was shrinking at much to my irritation. When the circle closed, Sen and I were lost sight of each other and got separated which didn't bode well. I found myself facing many apes, yet I could see more than half of them were shaking as the approached me. This was likely due to the fact I shortly lost count of that apes had fallen because of me after this battle had started and that was a decent amount of time ago.

The next thing I register, something hit me hard on my right side towards the front of my body and said object whatever it was knocked the wind out of me. I staggered a couple of steps wheezing and gasping, attempting to get oxygen in my lungs so my body could get it to use. As I staggered and swayed, I turned hoping to see the one who had responsible for attacking me and what had hit me. Unfortunately, I was struck again by the same object as it had the same feel as the first blow making my search harder. The difference between the first strike and the second was the second landed square on the base of my neck. This blow was more than just painful since it also seemed to change my legs into a jelly-like substance and so I sunk to the ground.

As this was happening, I failed to notice the masses of apes charging forward and bearing down upon me. My popularity with the apes doesn't help me as they want to kill me slowly I wouldn't doubt for the things I've done to them. And where I may be very good at fighting, even I have limitations as to how much I can do. Needless to say, the apes began to overwhelm me and pin me down and as the many apes piled on me I struggled against them. I managed to raise my head to look around in hopes of getting someone to give me assistance.

However, the sight that I got was one of horror to me far more than my own position currently is. There was a group of apes that had Lara pinned and now had her in the position where they were in control. She couldn't do anything about it and that was trouble with a bold capital "T". I could see her struggling against the apes that had a hold over her but were having little luck on freeing herself. I was a sizable distance away from Lara and was dealing with my own issues with many apes. I may not care as much about my life as I've accepted that I won't be dying of old age, but I have come to care about what happens to Lara.

Even as the apes that were trying to keep me down memories began to come to the front of my mind. I couldn't stop flashes of memory going through my head and the memories that weren't mine and ones that reflected the pain of loss and regret. Those were bad enough to see, my own memories of Koren's last moments also flashed through in front of me were worse. As I saw these memories and horrible ideas they depicted, one clear thought asserted itself that countered the memories, 'Never again will I let that happen!'

I struggled harder against the apes that were fighting me. I used horns, talons, and tail to injury and maim the apes that were trying to hold me down by piling on top of me. I was beginning to be pinned down by the increasing numbers of apes that were going against me. Yes indeed, the apes were out to kill me still and they were trying to use numbers to overwhelm me. I thrashed around my tail as it was one of the few parts of my body that weren't being held down. My tail's freedom wasn't due to the lack of trying on the part of the apes to hold it down. No the reason was I have been impaling and slicing the apes that got the nerve or were forced to try to get a grip on my tail. So, as you might assume, most of the apes were terrified to approach my tail and rightly so thank you!

The continuing problem with these apes was the one they were listening to which as you would guess was a fudging monkey. The said 'one' came into my view and the frantic drive of the apes now became clear to me. I believe this monkey was one that they fear slightly more than me and understandably so. The only unexpected thing to me was this silent killer was one I haven't met before now. Dang monkeys are coming out of who knows where like freaking unwanted clockwork I tell you! "Your struggling is impressive, I will admit," stated the monkey, "Still abnormal dragon, you will meet your death today."

The monkey's voice was cold, grating, and extremely deadpan toned could give Exis a run for her money. It was certainly not one that was nice to be forced to listen to, but most voices one is forced to hear are ones that you don't tend to like anyways. I glared coldly at the monkey a short distance in front of me as he came into view. In this battle, it would seem I get the unfortunate displeasure of meeting another member of the silent killers, yay for me. I liked this one as much as the other four of the silent killers, I'd met previously… actually, I like him slightly less than the others, so he goes to the bottom of the ranking list. This one was another male like Shiek and he had fur that was black as coal while his eyes were a dark purple. He was the same height as Mara was, though his personality was rather different I was quickly learned. He much like Exis was one of the 'silent but deadly' type and very dangerous.

Now with things as they were currently, an idea to bail me out did spring to mind, but pulling it off would be tricky. But I had to reply to his comment or I wouldn't be able to live with myself easily for a while. "You would be wise not to underestimate me punk, especially when I am working with violent and suicidal tendencies," I snarled.

The monkey merely scoffed at me, whereas my main issue other than him trying to kill me which is nothing new to me is that I still haven't got a name from him. I mean all the silent killers try to kill me, so I am kind of used to that, but I would prefer to have a name to go with the face. How can I criticizes and condemn him into the ground enough to consider the job of putting the monkey to rest in his grave permanently, if I can't do it by name?! If you can't insult someone by name it just doesn't drive the painful stake in effectively, tis true.

I observed a quick movement from the monkey and the next thing I register I felt a chain wrapping and tightening around my neck. This brings me to his weapon of choice, a kind of ball and chain combo even if it is smaller than you generally think of for the idea. And he was good with throwing that chain and the small ball was heavy enough to direct the chain effectively to nail his target. Now having a hard time breathing effectively due to the chain around my neck wasn't helping my plight. This is turning into one of those 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' type of dilemmas, isn't it?

[Indeed it is Saber, a poor choice of words on your part.]

Thanks Narrator, no need to rub it in thanks well-aware of my problem I'm dealing with. Okay as I was saying, I was getting desperate by this point as I wouldn't doubt most would understand. So, I thrashed my tail around harder as I felt the chain around my neck tighten, "Any last words you care to say," posed the monkey.

I was going to say for him to rot in hell which would be fitting but wouldn't help me much in this. But then I felt my rear bomb bay prime itself for the use which gave me an option to work with that I didn't hesitate in taking. That said, I decided to go with something else to say, "Oh," I choked, "I got four words for you and the rabble, FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

After saying those words, my rear let rip and I mean seriously unloaded for a good near ten seconds! And where I normally don't discuss how effective my rear end can be at certain things, mostly as others would scream denials, I think an exception should be made in this. Now, I'm proud of the performance my rear bomb bay can do, it tends to be epic or beyond if you ask me. But this time, oh it was awesome the effect my action had! Not only did the ammo rip out with gusto and pronounced sound that I wouldn't doubt could be heard a fair distance away, which is cool in itself. The concoctions that the ammo was made of was nasty, toxic, and a crowd disperser for sure. The coughing I was hearing told me I had scored with a seriously dirty shot and I have no issue with that at all. With the apes hacking, including the monkey for the moment due to the use of my… other option, that changed the playing field.

[You should just say you used your nuclear option, it is pretty much the truth.]

Yeah yeah, keep your opinions and comments to yourself Narrator, I did what I saw as the most effective option. Not my fault that my rear bomb bay is beyond amazing at its job, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Anyway, the chain loosened and I was unrestrained and I wasn't going to waste that kind of opportunity. Also, I felt something in my tail change and it started with a click which the more that I can get going my way the better. I don't know what was happening with my tail blade, yet I can say that something is changing and that will do something to my current situation. The next thing I know I hear something spring out and a lot of apes scream/hack in terror.

With apes now off of me, I rose to my paws, breathing slowly as there are now toxic fumes in the air thanks to me. I glanced around to get a view of my tail and was kind of surprised to see what I did. I found that the blades on my tail were now two and a half times the length they were before putting them at a length of seventeen and a half inches or so. The blades were thinner and sharper looking than they were before and I like that at the current moment! The hexagon section appeared to have changed and was now slightly closer to the blade on my tail. All in all, my tail blade had somehow improved in length and sharpness.

I focused forward again and caught sight of the monkey who was recovering from my bomb I gave him. I spun around and the little furball managed to jump just at the last second and my tail blade missed him directly at least. No one can deny that I gave the monkey a close shave on his backside with my sweep. When he landed he seemed to note that I had gotten very close to slicing him. He then faced me and bowed to me, "It would seem that I have indeed underestimated you in more ways than one. Your advice is wise and I will take it into consideration in the future," he said. "You are different than the other dragons, much more intelligent, though fascinating how you have become a dragon though, human. Until our paths cross again."

After he finished his statement he vanished into the smoke that came from the battle. To say I was shocked a bit that he had not just guessed I had been human but stated it as if it was a commonly known fact is an understatement. That likely implied that all the monkeys knew I was now a dragon and I couldn't use that as a trump card later on. Once again, I very much dislike those silent killers, they are nothing but problems. There were four the last time I went against them, now there are five of them to have to deal with, just great.

I pushed those thoughts aside as I remembered that my mate was in trouble and I'm not losing her. She's way too good for me and one of the few good things going in my life so I hold onto what I can. I caught sight of Lara again and unfortunately, her situation had become worse as more apes were surrounding her now than before. Well, you readers should know me by now, I'm not going to let her get hurt if there is anything I can do about it. "OVER MY DEAD BODY," I screeched.

I opened my maw and pointed it at the apes that were going to hurt Lara. I felt fury, yet it wasn't just heated or burning anger, I think it is what many might call 'righteous anger'. Anyway, you might think I was the man with a plan and knew what I would do to save Lara? Well, I haven't a clue at the moment, but with my luck normally, I would worry that it would hit me. Yet, as my luck had shown as of late when my life is in real danger, it tends to switch to hit everyone else other than me. That's what I am counting on and I began to feel a feeling that I think I have felt before and it was a moment later that I recognized it. The next thing I know, I shot a beam of light out of my maw directly at the apes which made them disappear.

Now, one doesn't like to blow their own trump as the phrase goes but come on, I just shot light from my maw again! Let others deny that I can't use the light and that light is an element after seeing that, I dare them. There is no way that what I had just done could have been missed by everyone! The beam I produced had carved a four to five foot wide and two-foot deep trench and said trench went forward for a good hundred meters by my personal guess. You might as well say I use a sci-fi-like highly overpowered laser for it produced the basic same results and it is cool. It vaporized them in seconds… I will have to remind myself to be careful where I aim this type of shot from now on. It could be as dangerous as it is indiscriminating on the damage it causes!

Shortly after letting off the shot of light at the apes and sweeping them away. I made my way over to Lara mowing over apes that were leftover and were foolish enough to try to delay me along the way. When I finally made my way to Lara, I began to check her over and she didn't look good at all. "Lara are you okay," I asked hoping she would give me a response.

Lara was breathing be it shallowly, still, she was breathing and that was a good sign and I would take that for the moment. My check over had only shown how bad those apes had hurt her as she had cuts and color developing bruises all over her body. Nothing thankfully appeared to be broken or seriously injured but that she was hurt didn't sit well with me at all. Lara didn't answer me as now I saw she was apparently unconscious, and I felt the righteous anger grow in me at seeing Lara like this. "If those apes think that what they have seen how I am when I'm ticked off, then they haven't seen a freaking dang thing yet," I growled.

I faced the sea of apes still pouring out on to the plain from the forest that bordered it glaring with growing fury. Those who were dying didn't deserve to, they had plans to do other things today and yet that's what was happening. That wouldn't do and I would not allow this to continue, so it is time they see what it is like to be on the dying end of this crap. "Prepare yourselves apes," I shouted, "Today is your day of reckoning!"

With my challenge made, I charged forward opening my maw and charging light once more. I barreled into the closest horde of apes and began the process of whipping and killing them since I was officially mad. And when I get truly made what is acceptable and not change drastically, extreme measures and possible capital punishment are on the table and reasonable.

So, without having to regale you with all the gruesome details of what happened in what turned into a battle of attrition between the apes and myself. To help understand the event at least, I will give some of the notable highlights of this battle. As I attacked the apes with violent intent at the forefront of my mind it didn't take long for some of the catapults to aim at me. The other thing I proved before this battle royal was using the light element was indeed like using an overpowered laser which as it turns out can't effectively be blocked. With that in mind, it wasn't exactly a surprise that I literally slaughtered and massacred hundreds of apes with every shot of the light element from my maw.

Still, even with their numbers plummeting like they were from my actions, the apes were managing somehow to keep up with the drop. How the apes were doing the task was beyond my comprehension, their numbers not changing didn't make a lot of sense. It didn't take a whole lot of time for me to see blasting the apes alone won't obtain the desired outcome. And as I've learned and the phrase tends to go, 'if something ain't working don't keep doing it' so a change in strategy is in order. I suppose trying to see if being human would make a difference, that form possesses better mobility than my draconic form does after all.

Then the other point I would bring up is the elements have different effects and capabilities with my human form as well. To say I was curious about what the light element would do was not accurate, I was itching to see what would come out. I mean, who knows, I might be able t fire beams from a part of my body or something. Heck, imagine what possibilities there are with combining the light element with my weapons, which gives me shivers thinking about it. And let's say I still keep the sci-fi type laser, then it would work better with me being able to move faster would it not?

[There really is only one way to satisfy that curiosity of yours you know.]

Finally, you're talking in a way that aligns with my way of thinking Narrator, it's about time! So, back to the present, I landed on the ground and switched over to be human without further delay. I took out Yubashiri and the new blade I still haven't given a name yet, then focused and used the light element waiting to see what would happen. And I kid you not, Yubashiri morphed into a fudging lightsaber from that movie "Star Wars" even glowed blueish and humming a bit. The other blade turned into an awesome and lethal-looking chainsaw that I estimate to be about five feet long and a shade under a foot wide. The "chain" appeared to be made of light or some kind of laser blades but still, I believe would work like you typical chainsaw.

I was certainly blown away from the morphing ability that the light element gave to my weapons, it was neat. A smile crept onto my face as I gaze forward and my weapons lowered to sweep ready position. There isn't a doubt in my mind this will be hysterical and downright ridiculous, but I'm cool with that. I doubt I really need to say that I had them running before too long in minutes were I to guess. My lightsaber made a hot knife through butter look sad, there was like no resistance when I sliced through an ape or multiple ones. The chainsaw was a tad different, it ripped rather than sliced, but other than that, much the same idea. Put simply, I carved crimson paths through their ranks at speeds that even shocked me and I was the one doing the path making.

Once the blood started becoming a river from the piles of apes I downed, the majority of the apes began running away. Anyways, I effectively turned the tides of the battle with my actions and that's what can be taken from this. It took the next two hours getting the injured to the healer wing and get them taken care of. The dragons there would be working overtime from this that's for sure and you have to feel sorry for them as well as appreciate what they do. Of course, I was among those who helped carry the injured to the wing since I was okay myself. After that, the majority of us went our separate ways to get some downtime.

When evening came, I was left to contemplate the event of the day which was unusual to me if no one else. The battle had been a somewhat long affair today which was something you figured with those and also, it had been a messy thing which again is expected. However, it had come without much warning and that for the apes is odd from what I have learned about them. Apes aren't the stealthiest by nature, and I don't include monkeys when I talk about apes as a race. And with the numbers that came, a quiet approach should have been close to impossible if you ask me.

Then the second part that came from the first, due to the lack of warning, there had been a lot of chaos among the dragons at first and that had caused problems. Those said problems ended up being solved mostly by my friends and me and yes, that included Sen who had gotten better with at least using the fire element. He isn't able to control the element really, but that will come in time, I hope. A more personal point to me would be that Lara could have been seriously injured even if she only ended up getting an array of scratches and several bruises, but still. The point that bothered me was the lack of reason for the apes' attack, at least I couldn't come up with one. I couldn't figure any logical benefits or takeaways that the apes could have gotten from the attack. They definitely suffered more losses on their side than the dragons did which I can't see why they did, unless they want to get rid of some, and that's possible.

I was wondering the halls lost in my thoughts trying to figure out things, maybe to take my mind off what happened to Lara. Honestly, I did this fairly often to try to relieve the stress I had been racking up. The keyword being trying since the night walks didn't always work, more like only half the time and tonight wasn't doing much for me. "Yo bro, how goes," asked Sen.

I turned around to see the owner of the voice and saw Sen approaching me. Yet truthfully, I was not really in the mood to be around Sen right now, not with my stress levels being as high as they were now. "Sen, not right now please, I am not really in the mood for anything like that," I replied flatly.

Sen gazed at me for a moment, "Dude bro, you sound really down man, what is bumming your mellow man?"

I gave Sen a look that said 'no duh', "No craping duh Sherlock! Now, do you have anything of value to say or not Sen," I snapped in not a bellow, but it had been close.

Sen didn't flinch, but he heard the tone I was using, "Whoa Bro, I haven't seen you in this kind of vibe for a long while." Sen gave me a bit of a smile, "You need to like unwind and chill dude." As much as I know Sen was right about unwinding, I don't want to admit it as that would have me saying my issues couldn't be handled by me alone. My problem is I can't think of an effective way to 'unwind' that doesn't make a mess I would have to clean up later. I sighed in frustration and didn't answer him, "Bro, you are keeping in too much stress dude, you got to let it out man."

It was getting harder to keep a lid on my frustration and anger as Sen wasn't helping me in my plight. I spun around to face Sen trying to control my stress levels, "And how would you suggest I do that Sen," I growled. "I have been trying to think of something to do to release this stress, but I can't come up with anything I wouldn't have to clean up later and/or regret doing at the same time!"

Sen didn't flinch at my tirade like most others would since I don't often lose my temper like I was right now. It is one of the reasons that I don't show such things while I am around others, emotions aren't good with me most of the time. Sen had been around me during the few times I had blown up like this. He seemed to be thinking about an answer to my demand, "Well bro, you could like always go with your old reliable MO for stress relief," he suggested, "it was very good at-"

I was well-aware of what activity that Sen was talking about and it was one that I stopped doing a long while ago for good reason. I would have been convicted of assault though it would have been difficult to prove I had actually done such. "Stop right there Sen," I cutover, "I swore that I wouldn't do such things intentionally to someone else." I paused for a moment then continued, "When I did so before, some got seriously hurt and there were other close calls on that."

Sen smiled back at me, "Dude, I know that, but still," he stopped then kept going, "there has got to be someone here you have been wanting to get back at." Sen was so not helping my resolve of not doing what I promised not to as I just continued to stare at him. "I know you like turning over a new leaf on this bro and you are a shaka boss for that. Yet I don't doubt there is a Quimby who has gotten to you, whether they annoyed you or something else man. You need serious stress relief bro and you always felt better after doing someone good dude."

What Sen had said made sense and I really did need to let out tension at the current moment as much as I don't want to admit it. And the second line had struck me in the heart and mind since it described someone I knew far too well! With time to think about it, I have been a tad too nice to him lately and that had been giving him the idea he can get away with a substantial amount. And with the relationship we had established that wouldn't do at all to let him believe he can get away with things. So, while I may have promised myself that I wouldn't intentionally set up or plan to prank another and follow-through, in his case I feel I can make an exception and not need to feel guilty about what happens.

The only point I will have to keep in mind is to keep things in perspective enough not to kill him, that's all. I had promised Spyro I wouldn't kill his brother, and so, I can get as close as I want to that if I don't cross that line. I felt a smile grow on my face as a plan came to mind, "You know Sen," I began, "you make a very valid point. I really have let this stress build up and that isn't healthy for me."

My smile grew wider and morphed into a smile that those who know me with either cause them to run or follow me into whatever I would go into. In short, I was planning something big and it would be amazing before I was finished. "Bro, I haven't seen you smile like that for years and I have like so missed those days. So then, what kook are you pranking and like how bad dude," Sen asked.

I chuckled low as I anticipated what I was going to do, "The who is someone stupid enough to tick me off multiple times," I said. "The how bad, I will prank this guy as much as I can get away with."

"Shaka bro, count me in dude," Sen replied. "So, what is the plan man?" Sen came up to walk beside me as I considered how to answer him, "And do you like know where he is then?"

I laughed softly, "Oh, indeed I know where he sleeps at night, unbeknownst to him!"

"So bro what are we going to do," inquired Sen.

"Oh, I will explain on the way," I replied, "He doesn't seem to understand how dangerous it is to tick me off, but he will know after this!"

"Righteous bro, this is one of the things I missed doing with you! If only the whole gang was here. then it would be just like the good old days dude," Sen remarked.

Chapter End

A/n

Okay, this chapter took me longer than I liked, but I think the work put in makes it better even if the flow overall didn't change. So on to the points of interest from this chapter that weren't there before. First, taking out the flashback and just incorporating them, I figured the flow worked better if I just remove the flashbacks, they felt out of place to me. Then honestly, the way this chapter is written now, the flow of the two parts I did flashbacks for feel better than before.

Next, the addition of Lara's pov when Saber comes back after talking with Arkanis. As in previous chapters, I've wanted to add other characters' points of view for it adds more depth. In this instance, it shows Lara can read Saber more than he personally likes and that she cares. Plus, it gives a hint of how Lara knows Umbra and Tetras now rather than in later chapters. Finally, the changes I made to the battle scene were due to wanting to make it better and some comments. I hope you readers enjoyed the chapter, I'll try and get the next one out sooner, no promises. Until the next time, be safe!