Chapter 2-Beginning the Descent

What is your name? Verdra snarled as the male had not answered her the first time.

It's Uria, the former Guardian of Tronay Nekita. The male muttered the last part, trying to not drag up harsh memories of his owner's death.

I've never heard of her. She was human, correct? Verdra asked.

She was, Uria growled softly. She was my rider, my partner. Even after everything we went through, she still gave up on me, gave up on life. I loathe myself for not trying harder to save her, to make her want to live.

He sighed, lowering his snout as his black eyes softened, near to the point that Verdra thought she could see the faintness of tears as she turned to gaze fully upon him. Verdra paused, unsure of what she could do to give him comfort. She had never met him before, never heard of him until now.

I just want to feel important again, the red dragon hummed. I want to feel like I have a purpose for being here, a reason for my continued existence.

Do you have a mate? Verdra questioned.

I do, Uria sighed. Her name is Makiar, she's a red dragon like I am.

Then you have something worth living for, the black dragoness hummed pleasantly as Uria figured out what she had meant.

I understand, he snorted. You want me to have a reason to go on, to want to live. That way I don't end up like my rider did. The emotion in his voice rang clearly in the last few words he spoke as he lifted his black eyes to meet with her own purple eyes.

There was a clear sense of loss that Verdra got when she looked at Uria. From what he had said, his own rider had been taken from him. Had it been an accident? A sudden death? She would probably never know as he didn't seem to be one who would reveal such painful information to a lone stranger like herself.

You knew my name when you walked up, how? Verdra asked as she found herself staring into Uria's black pools that were his eyes.

I know much of you, little one. Your mother was lucky to survive after what she endured, but I am not here to speak of her in such a open place. The red dragon swept his neck to the left, indicating that he wanted them to go into the forest behind her. Your very survival and growth is certainly rare in these times but I am glad to finally meet you.

Without waiting for a response from her, Uria walked on ahead. He limped slightly as he moved, something Verdra picked up on with precision. She thought of questioning it but decided against bringing that up and merely followed without hesitation.

Traveling through the dense forest underbrush was simple and rather painless, or so Verdra had thought when she had looked down upon it in her flight. It wasn't as easy as she had once imagined it would be. The thick roots of trees and the broad outreaching under leaves of numerous plants held her back, so much so that Uria had to cut much of the vegetation from her.

You are like a child, he hissed angrily after she had gotten herself somehow upside down with a thick vine wrapped around her tail and wings, even though her wings lay flat against her body.

Snarling softly, he cut her down and then lifted his tail to where the rather muscular part ran over her neck. Verdra trembled, unsure of if it was nerves or the fact that he could easily kill her if he so desired.

Come, he growled gently, or as gently as he could. It's not much farther now.

With that tiny bit of confidence from the words of the older dragon, Verdra nodded and quickly caught up with him. Her eyes watched his movements as he seemed to pass through every tree root and leaf and she did her best to follow his steps as well as she could.

Uria? She asked as they avoided a small overcasting branch. Where are we going?

The red dragon hummed from a moment before responding. His voice was as even as ever, although Verdra could detect a strain of sorrow in his words as he spoke.

I suppose I never did tell you. This place is the only safe haven we have from the monster that is Arxa. He glanced at her for a moment. I assume you've been told who Arxa is, am I correct?

Taurus spoke little on it, Verdra answered, her gaze drifting up to meet the black eyes of Uria.

Of course, my mistake. Arxa is . . . well you'll see soon enough.

You mean? You mean she's been captured by . . . ?

My mate did an excellent job of taking her down. Of course, she won't speak to any of us. Monsters she calls us, all of us. It's draining me, Verdra. Uria tried to seem calm but Verdra knew it was only an act. If she felt, he thought, that he was worried then it would affect her as well.

Verdra plodded slowly after Uria and then halted as he came to a large grey stone pushed against the thick trunk of a massive tree. How the tree had gotten so big she knew not but if it were to lead to an underground collection of surviving dragons then she was happy nonetheless.

Uria pushed against the stone and scraped it with his right clawed forepaw before taking a step back and growling softly. It is open, follow me.

With eagerness did Verdra follow the older dragon and the two descended into the darkness as the stone rolled to the side and allowed them entrance . . .