Dawn of the Scorching
Risen from the Ground, the Dragons have come.
They Burn the World, they Burn the Peace.
They all must Learn, be Scolded for the Truth.
Peace between Tribes, the Difference will Not Matter.
Only the Dragonets know True Peace.
Darkness. Once again, she awakened to darkness. Always shadow, always pitch, this kind of light never changed, it never went away. She sat up in her bed, sighing, then stretching. She lit a candle with her fire - the only source of light in the small room. There was nothing much here; a bed made of moss, a desk, a small pile of food, and nothing more. The SkyWing trudged over to her desk, and sat down. Once more, she took her feather, dabbed it in the ink, and wanted to continue writing on her papers, but had the sudden urge to do something other than that. She didn't feel like writing at this time, she didn't feel like doing anything. To make herself entertained, she decided to write on the wall instead. Not any pictures or words, only scribbles on the stone wall to wake herself up.
After a few moments of doing this, she finally had the energy to walk out of her home, and into the larger part of the caves . . . where the entire city lied. Dragons of all breeds traveled with smiles on their faces with either themselves, friends, children, siblings, or family . . . but the SkyWing did not feel the pleasantness of these caves anymore.
For as long as she can remember, they were always here. She was hatched in darkness, raised in darkness, learned how to do everything in darkness . . . she watched her family pass away in these shadows, now she was alone. Torches were all they had to see, otherwise they might end up in darkness forever, and descend into a madness they cannot escape from. That was the fear. The fear of going mad, killing other dragons because of the lack of light.
She walked up to the lake for her first meal, where she once again met a long time SeaWing friend. She sat down beside him.
"Hello, Aethra," the SeaWing said.
"Hi, Cuan," Aethra said. Like most SkyWings, she had red scales; brown horns; and bone white under scales and wings.
"I'm trying to look for some muck, want to help me?"
"Sure thing."
Aethra and Cuan scanned the water. When they had found some muck, they dug their claws into the sludge, and lifted it out of the water, placing them on the ground and began to eat. Aethra watched her friend feast with a smile on his face, while she stared at her food, remembering the hundreds of times she had eaten this stuff day after day. She dug her hand into the sludge, and placed it in her mouth. Aethra winced, shivered, then began to chew.
Cuan noticed her expression, and asked: "You look sad. Something on your mind?"
Aethra stopped and stared at her food, then asked: "Cuan . . . you have always been nice to me. We have been friends ever since we were young. Why do you live in a place like this?"
"Why do I live here? Well, where else would I go?"
"I don't know. But, don't you ever feel like we're forced to live here? As if we're not allowed to go anywhere else?"
"No . . . not really. Aethra, has something been bothering you lately?"
" . . . I'm tired of living in darkness . . . I want to see some light."
"We do have light. The torches help us see."
"No . . . I want to see a huge source of light, not this."
"Uh, I don't understand what you're trying to say." Cuan waited for an answer, but never received one. Then he thought of something: "Hey, I'm not doing anything later. Maybe we could hang out somewhere?"
" . . . That sounds nice. I'll think about it." Aethra took one last bite of her food, and pushed the rest back in the lake. "Bye, Cuan." She stood up, and walked off without saying anything else.
As she walked, she contemplated whether she would hang out with her friend or not. She decided against it, and chose to head back to her home, and stay there until she was tired again.
The walk back to her cave seemed longer than usual. She passed by other dragons, not bothering to say hello or give a nod. She realized though that every dragon she walked by had a friend by their side. Either that, or spouses, siblings, children, or entire families, enjoying their lives. Aethra had long lost the feeling of happiness, only depression soothed her emotions now, because her parents had passed away far too early. She was seventeen now, and was two when her parents died. The cause was a disease, but Aethra never caught it. She would always remember her parents being by her side all the time. Her mother would comfort her, protect her, and her father would tell her interesting stories about the caves. She would ask at the end of every story why dragons lived here. "There is nothing outside or beyond the caves," her father would say, and that was the response she received every time.
Now she was alone. Always alone, never company. They had no leader, no sovereign to rule over them, tell them how they should live their lives, or give rules on how to live. They all did whatever they wanted, and nothing about that changed for better or worse. Aethra felt as if she was forced to live here by a command from a parent that she had to obey. She never felt like doing anything, never wanted to go anywhere, only wanting to stay in her home, on her bed, alone, because nothing could ever be different. Nothing was beyond the caves. They were their home. Darkness is where they lived and thrived, and will continue to do so, forever - that's what everyone said.
At last, she reached her home, greeted by the everlasting silence as she walked through the small entryway. As soon as she entered however, Aethra noticed something off. There was something in the seat at her desk. At first, she thought it was only her imagination, but soon realized it was someone in her home.
"Hey!" Aethra said. "Who are you?" No response. "What are you doing here?" Still no answer. "Leave my home, now."
After a moment of hesitation, the dragon finally set something down - it was the feather she uses to write. Aethra realized that the end of the feather was covered in ink, indicating that whoever this was was writing something on the desk. But the thing that frightened Aethra the most was the dragon's arm. It looked to have no scales, nothing but the dark red muscle, blood, veins popping out, and bone was seen as well.
It spoke, in a tone that compared to a whisper, yet at the same time was loud enough to be a regular pitch, and set off a feeling of uncomfortableness . . . and helplessness: " . . . Why dost thou be alarmed by thy presence? . . . I am herest to help thee."
"Wh-Who are you?" Aethra demanded.
" . . . I hast been called many names before . . . it doth not matter who I am . . . only my intention at this moment."
Aethra tried to hide her fear the best she could while saying: "Listen, I don't have anything to give you, or anything valuable. . . . All I have is that bed, that desk, papers, little jar of ink, a feather . . . what could you possibly want from me?"
" . . . Dost I say I am herest because I want something from thee? I am herest to help thee."
"Help me with what?"
"Thy problems. To help thee rid of them . . . permanently."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly whast I say. I understand that thou hast gone through pain thy whole life . . . thou livest in misery . . . thy parents are gone . . . thy wish for things to change. . . . I canst help thee make those changes."
Fear stayed in place, but a hint of anger rose in Aethra's emotions. " . . . How do you know about my parents?"
" . . . I knowest much more than thy will ever discover. I am a traveler . . . learner . . . teacher . . . discoverer . . . explorer . . . aiding everyone with life's problems . . . now I wish to help thou."
" . . . You can't help me."
" . . . Can't?"
"No one understands what I feel . . . what makes you think you know anything different?"
The dragon sat there, motionless for a while, then slid away from the desk, stood up, and faced Aethra. She saw its face, at least half of it. The dragon wore a midnight black cloak; her theory about it having no scales proved to be correct: the mouth had no scales, dry lips, cracked bones, and fire burned inside the maw - that was the only part of its face she was able to see, along with the eyes. . . . The glowing, blood red eyes.
" . . . I knowest everyone is afflicted. I endure it, I embrace it . . . to feel sympathy for all. . . . Aethra . . . I knowest what pain thou art experiencing, and feeling everyday of thy life . . . let me help thou."
" . . . How do you know my name?" Aethra asked, a hint of rage building up in her voice.
" . . . I hast known thou for a long time . . . longer than thy egg was hatched."
" . . . What?"
"Aethra . . . thou art tired of living in these caves . . . thou art tired of thy way of life. Thy wish to leave this place . . . liveth somewhere better . . . I can help thee get to a better place . . . along with all dragons."
"What are you saying? Y-You're not making any sense."
"Knowest that what I am trying to do will be great for thy future, and the future of every dragon in these caves. I encourage thee to consider my offer. If thou cometh to an agreement," the dragon pointed to the desk, " . . . say these words . . . thou shalt knowest them well . . . I shall appear before thou . . . ."
Aethra stared at the cloaked dragon, then walked over to her desk to see the writing. She turned back, only to find that the dragon was gone.
A few long moments after that, she sat on the bed, staring at her desk with her claws folded. Whatever that dragon was saying is true, then maybe, just maybe, it could help see a new form of happiness, begin a new life . . . but what kind of life, was the question plaguing her mind.
After she had slept, Aethra sat at her desk, staring at the ink on her table. It was in a language unknown to her, words she had never seen before . . . but somehow . . . she knew what they were saying. It was not in the dragon language, yet she could understand what they meant: . . . A calling. An incantation. . . . A summoning.
She considered the dragon was messing with her, that it wanted to make her look like a fool. That face however . . . how it had no scales . . . what if that was fake as well? Even still, this all seemed too real to forget about, or even consider it to be a hoax. If so, why? Who was that dragon? Why did it look so strange? Why did it talk in that tone of voice? Where did it come from? Why did it want to talk to her? What exactly was it offering? . . . What did these words mean, and how could she understand them?
Then Aethra thought about the offer. If she accepted it, maybe things could change. Her life could be better. She and all the dragons would not have to live in darkness for the rest of their lives.
Aethra stared at the writing for a long while, thinking if by reading it would really bring that dragon to her. That seemed impossible, but she had to try. Aethra stood up, held her arms out, and spoke the words, seeming as if she were saying them at the top of her lungs. Afterwards . . . silence fell.
She looked around. Nothing had changed. Was all of this a lie? Is it for nothing? . . . Then she heard talonsteps.
Aethra turned to her left, and listened, staring at the home's entrance engulfed in complete darkness. All the while, fear began to take over, and it felt as if all sound had drowned out of her life.
She couldn't stand to hear it anymore. She couldn't handle the fear she felt inside. Aethra turned, placing her claws on her desk, eyes shut tightly, breathing heavily until she managed to zone out the noise. Silence fell. Aethra cautiously opened her eyes, paused, and waited with a face filled with terror.
" . . . Hast thou cometh to a conclusion?"
Aethra jumped, turned, and there it stood, eyes burning into her soul. " . . . Y-Yes . . . but, what world do you know is outside of the caves?"
"A place similar to the one thy parents are now."
"What?"
"It is beautiful in every way. Thou shalt frolic in peace and freedom for the rest of thy life. Thou shalt never be overcometh with hatred or disgust. Instead, thou shalt liveth in everlasting peace."
"Where can I find it?"
"I shalt giveth it to thou when thou hast receiveth aid from other dragons."
"Other dragons?"
"Doth thou wish to liveth in this world? In the darkness forever?"
"No. I want to see the light. I want to live in happiness. Give it to me."
"I shall. I shall tell thee about the dragons thou needeth to reach the world of peace." The dragon held out its claw. "We haveth a deal."
" . . . Yes . . . we do."
Aethra shook claws with the cloaked dragon, and it proceeded to tell her the dragons she needed to find in order to reach the world of light.
Aethra stormed out of her home, almost running into a family of four on the way out, but did not acknowledge them as she headed straight to her friend. Cuan was sitting by the lake again, looking for food as he always did.
Aethra walked right up to him. "Cuan."
The SeaWing jumped and turned around to meet eyes with his friend. "Aethra! You startled me. What's wrong?"
"I need you to come with me, right now."
"What? No, I can't. I have other stuff to do. Where were you anyway? I was waiting for you."
"I need you for something."
"For what?"
"There is no time to talk about it right now, we need to go."
She grabbed his arm, and pulled him away from the lake, running through the cavern.
After a few paces, Cuan pulled himself away. "Aethra, what is wrong?"
"I can not talk right now," Aethra pleaded, "we need to go, a new world awaits us."
"You're not making sense."
"I don't need to. I'll explain later."
"Aethra, just stop for a moment." Cuan stopped and stared, gasped. "Woah, where did you get that bruise on your leg?"
"Bruise?" Aethra examined her leg, and saw a large, black and purple bruise on her right leg. "Where did that come from?"
"Where did that come from? Aethra, whatever is going on, let me help you."
She stared at him for a moment, then calmed herself down, and confessed: "Alright . . . listen: . . . I am tired of living in these caves. I am tired of living in misery, and I am tired of living in darkness. I want a new life . . . and I know how to get it."
"What life? I don't know what you're saying."
"I'm saying exactly what I mean."
"But what do you mean?"
" . . . I'm going to get help from someone who can help us go to a better place, and live better lives. Don't you understand? Aren't you tired of living like this?"
"No. I'm happy where I am. Why would you want to leave your home?"
"This isn't my home . . . and I know where a better one is."
Cuan stared at her, then sighed. "Fine. Whatever you're planning on doing, I'm only coming with you to make sure you're safe."
Aethra smiled. "Thank you, Cuan."
"Where are we going?"
She put a hand on his shoulder. "Cuan, you've journeyed through these caves before, right?"
"Yeah? I've gone as far as five caverns. Why?
"Have you ever heard of a dragon named Nostradamus?"
"Nostradamus? . . . No, I've never heard a name like that before. Do you know him?"
"No, but we need to find him, now. Come on." Aethra grabbed his arm, and they trudged through the caves.
They asked around about the name, but never received any information. At one point, they decided that they had no other choice but to go to another cave system. They traveled to the next cavern, and continued to ask around. Exactly like the last however, no one had ever heard the name Nostradamus. It felt to last forever, searching for the dragon, coming up with nothing, but Aethra insisted that they can't give up.
The two ran into someone in a corridor, asked about the name . . . and the dragon recognized it. He said that Nostradamus was a NightWing, adding that he was a fool. He would announce himself to a crowd, and talk about the dreams he had . . . saying they were visions of the future. The NightWing also claimed he could read minds. As the residents described it, all of that was nothing but a nonsense tale made up by the old fool Nostradamus. The dragon laughed, and walked off. Aethra and Cuan looked at each other - they found him.
They soon entered the cave system, and found that it was much more dim than the previous ones, and very quiet as well. The only sound that emanated were the talonsteps of dragons wandering around the place.
Aethra and Cuan once again asked about the name, in hopes they will get information about the NightWing's whereabouts. Dragons laughed, made jokes, and talked about how much of a fool Nostradamus was, and could not believe someone was looking for him. The two were fortunate enough that the residents were able to tell them where he lived. They pointed to a cave, the highest in the system. Aethra stared, then she and Cuan made their way towards it.
The entrance was blocked by a cloth nailed to the stone wall. Aethra pushed it aside, and knocked on the wall.
"Hello?" She called out. "Anyone here?" There was no answer . . . at least for a moment.
At the end of the hallway, a NightWing's head peaked around the corner.
"Who's there?" The dragon asked.
"We're looking for a NightWing named Nostradamus," Aethra said.
The dragon stared at them. "Who is asking?"
"My name is Aethra. This is my friend, Cuan.."
" . . . What is it that you want?"
"We were told that Nostradamus can see the future, and read minds."
"Read minds? See the future? That would be ridiculous. It is impossible to do those things. Only a fool would believe something like that."
"But I was told he can help me."
"Help you with what?"
" . . . I am wanting to find a better world, live in a place that will be filled with freedom, and light, away from the darkness. . . . I was told Nostradamus could help me."
The dragon stared at them. " . . . Come closer."
Aethra and Cuan were hesitant for a moment, then entered the corridor. Once they came into the room, they saw that it was much bigger than it looked from the outside. There was a bed to the right; a red carpet; two desks; and a rather large bookshelf.
The NightWing sat at the desk next to the entrance. He wore a dark green robe, and his eyes looked like slits rather than pupils.
"You said you're looking for Nostradamus," the dragon said, " . . . I am him."
Aethra examined the NightWing, then said: "I've heard about your great ability. Is it true that you can read minds and see the future?"
" . . . Yes . . . I can."
"How!?"
" . . . That is a long story."
"How many predictions have you made?"
Before he could answer her question, Cuan interrupted by saying: "Hold on, Aethra, don't you think this is kind of odd?"
"Odd? What do you mean?"
"What do I mean!? Aethra, there is no possible way that this dragon could read minds, or see the future for that matter." Cuan turned to the NightWing. "If you say you can . . . then why don't you prove it?"
" . . . Prove it?" Nostradamus said, putting a claw to his chin. " . . . Do you remember those rumbling noises in the caves a long while ago?"
"Yes?"
" . . . I knew that was coming, and I know what was causing it."
"You do?" Aethra asked.
"Yes. . . . There were avalanches taking place outside of the caves."
"You mean a rock slide?" Cuan asked. "Or a cave in?"
"Something like that."
"So it's true," Aethra said. "There is a place beyond the caves."
"Aethra, that doesn't prove anything," Cuan said. "He's just making that up to force you to believe it."
"I can see that you do not want to stay here, Cuan," Nostradamus suddenly said, and the SeaWing turned towards him. "You are also worried that you will be dehydrated from the lack of submerging in water for a long period. Do not worry, you will not go mad in the next few moments."
" . . . How did you-"
"I also foresaw that two dragons will come to my cave, one a SkyWing, and the other a SeaWing - I guess you could say I was expecting you. Aethra, you are anxious about something as well . . . what is it you worry so much about?"
Aethra stared at him with a hint of shock and happiness, then all that faded when she explained why she and her friend were here: " . . . I was told about a place beyond the caves. A place that allows freedom, and choices for all dragons. I was told that place can be found away from the caves, but I do not know how to get there. I was told you can help me gather every dragon in the caves to help us reach that place."
Nostradamus stared at her, thinking, then after a while said: " . . . If you are wanting to gather every dragon in these caves to travel to this place . . . then you are asking for the impossible. But . . . if you could get enough help to travel to this new world . . . then you might have a chance at convincing everyone to come with you to that place. Tell me . . . how much do you know of this world?"
" . . . I was only told that it holds light."
" . . . Who told you about this place?"
Aethra's eyes edged towards the ceiling. "Well . . . I guess you could say . . . I heard someone talk about it?"
" . . . Hm . . . interesting. Tell me, how have you heard of me?"
"Word gets around."
" . . . Alright . . . ."
"How is it possible that you can read minds?" Cuan asked.
"As I have said, that is a long story, and I would suggest that we may talk about it some other time."
"Okay then, I'll ask this: You say you can see the future . . . what outcome do you see next?"
" . . . I saw a dragon in a black cloak that lives among other dragons, and gives them gifts unknown to us. He turns his head towards us . . . I can not see its face."
The mentioning of the cloaked dragon made Aethra's eyes go wide, and sent a shiver down her spine - could he also know about the dragon with no scales as well?
"Do you know what kind of dragon that is?" Cuan asked.
Nostradamus replied: "I do not know the breed, yet I have a strong feeling that we will meet it soon."
Fear covered Aethra's body. " . . . Do you know where we meet it?"
" . . . In the lowest part of the caves."
Both of their eyes went wide.
"H-How do you know we will meet him soon?" Cuan asked.
"Aethra, you said you want to go to the new world, and that you need help. I have heard of a dragon that holds a great power. A power beyond any potential . . . a power that none have ever known before . . . a power that almost has no limit. . . . If you want to get to the new world, then we must find that dragon."
"In the lowest part of the caves!?"
" . . . That is the only place where we will be able to find it."
The two were allowed to sleep in the home for a while, and as Nostradamus sat at his second desk reading a book until he was weary, Aethra lied awake on the floor, thinking about the cloaked dragon that he had mentioned. Could it be the same one she met? If so, then, why would it send her to find this NightWing just to find the cloaked dragon again? Why did it live in the lowest part of the caves, the abandoned cavern? Or most importantly: What power did it own? What made the power so great? . . . What potential did this power have? These questions and thoughts eventually led Aethra to slumber, and the dream she had that night frightened her to her core, enough that she should have woken up screaming, but something compelled her to stay.
She saw only one thing: The real face of the cloaked dragon. Somehow, the image escaped her and left a scar of fear on her face once she had awakened.
