The sun shone down on his body filling him with warmth, he smiled laughter dancing all around him as he basked in the sunlight…he couldn't help but feel like something was important. But… What was it? The laughter continued, mocking him for forgetting. Raising his head he gazed towards the trees, eyes catching on a small hole near one of them.
The ground around it was shredded, dirt and grass strewn across the clearing.
THE NIGHTWING. Shooting to his feet he looked around for any sign of the monster. It didn't take long.
The Nightwing was rolling on the ground, chest heaving violently from laughter. The dragon had black-blue scales over most of his body. Sparkling, scattered silver stars spread throughout his wings like an arctic night sky.
Something glinted in the sunlight, squinting he saw a metal disk poking from a pouch around the Nightwings neck. He frowned slightly. Out of all the dragon tribes, it's the Nightwings who have caused the most pain. Well, them and the Icewings, the noted. Thinking of Foeslayer. What was done to her… maybe they did deserve to be wiped out. He caught himself. Woah there Evan, they're not all bad it would be stupid of me to hate an entire tribe just because of what a few individuals did. ( what too many people do these days)
The Icewings have more of a militarized, top-down government and their organization makes them a lot stronger than most of the tribes, But they also don't seem to care much about the other tribes. The Nightwings on the other hand seemed more disorganized and desperate, But still tortured Innocent Rainwings and planned to take over the rain forest. Although If I was raised on that island… he shuddered, Still thinking he turned back to the familiar Nightwing.
"HAHAHAHA I can't believe I was ever scared of you things AHA HA," The dragon cackled, still rolling in the grass. I CAN UNDERSTAND HIM?! He thought! Eyebrows creasing, He studied the idiot dragon. It's amazing I can understand him but, Is that? He smiled as he recognized the dark figure.
"Deathbringer?" he asked, grinning. Deathbringer shot to his feet, disk in hand, all signs of laughter wiped from his face.
Evan blinked. He never would have guessed the dragon in front of him was laughing on the ground moments before, He was faster than he expected.
Deathbringer didn't make a sound as he searched for the supposed dragon, his eyes briefly landing on Evan.
Dismissing the idea, Deathbringer continued searching. . .
Giving up, Deathbringer sat down sighing. "It's probably just a rainwing trying to mess with me" he muttered. " Listen," he shouted. "If you come out I'll give you a few mangoes."
( Note: For those who don't know, Rainwings can turn invisible, have magical death spits, and are vegans. They also love fruit and are primarily lazy. )
After receiving no response Deathbringer cursed quietly, stumped.
It's incredible that I can understand him, Evan thought dumbstruck. that or dragons speak English, he remarked. Whatever magical portal voodoo brought me here must have either allowed me to understand him or the dragons here already used English, which would make sense because of the books. He could hardly contain his excitement, sure it sucked to be here but now that he was actually meeting Deathbringer, One of the characters he's read about so many times… The excitement seemed to be the only emotion he could feel, all fear gone, at least for the moment. What should I do? Do I introduce myself? Do I bow? Run? No, Evan just play it cool you got this. He began to slowly walk over.
Deathbringer slumped, looking up in defeat. Completely ignoring the scavenger ( human) next to him. "Glory is that you?" Deathbringer asked, still gazing upward.
Drumming up his courage, Evan stood next to Deathbringer. Just play it cool. Just play it cool. "Hey been a wh-"
Deathbringer leaped toward the voice, claws outstretched to catch the invisible dragon that should have been standing in the direction of his voice.
Instead, his claws came crashing down on a wriggling, easily crushable Scavenger.
"GET DA FU- OFF!" Evan yelled, struggling to push the massive claw off his chest. Deathbringer screamed, (surprisingly high-pitched,) and released him, backing up rapidly, his back slamming against the tree. He stared at him, fear dancing in his dark eyes. Face whiter than an Icewing.
Struggling to breathe, Evan staggered to his feet, watching the terrified dragon. Wow, he's still that afraid of scavengers? he thought, surprised. He hesitantly approached, arms raised, trying to appear friendly.
"Hey Deathy, it's been a while," he chuckled, grinning. His grin grew wider as he watched Deathbringer try and fail to maintain his tough facade. Meeting fictional characters is so much better than just reading about them. Especially when the said character is much more scared of you than you are of it. Makes it much less likely that they will kill you, or does it? he pondered.
"A-another one?" Deathbringer asked, more to himself than to the scavenger in front of him.
"Three moons you guys are popping up like weeds. " Deathbringer peeled himself off of the tree, Jeez, he's looking at me like I'm a live dragon flame cactus." He knew that Deathbringer had a fear of scavengers. He didn't account for how strong it was.
"Who are you?" Deathbringer asked skeptically, still staring at him. Starting to regain his confidence, his wiry grace returned.
"I'm Evan," he explained. He decided to go with a more jokeish-friendly approach similar to Deathbringer's style. "I am either dreaming of you, which is the most likely outcome, or-"
Deathbringer scoffed, "I don't know whether to be honored or offended that I show up in scavenger dreams."
" The other option is somehow I was magicked here by animus magic."
Deathbringer frowned " That's not possible…" his brow furrowed, he slowly paced back and forth studying him.
" But since that's impossible," Evan continued. " Then yes, you, my friend, are just a figment of my imagination." Unfortunately. He concluded.
Deathbringer smirked. Fully regaining his smug demeanor, "Sorry to break it to you, but I am bigger, smarter, and more handsome than you. Therefore, I am dreaming, and you. You freaky little demo"-
"WAIT." Evan interrupted. "So you're the greatest assassin turned bodyguard in all of Pyrrhia and yet you're STILL this afraid of scavengers?" he pressed, smiling.
Some things never change, he thought, thinking about his own fear of spiders. "I wonder if he's still afraid of Wren," he muttered.
"HEY wait," Deathbringer's voice grew cold, eyes hardening." how do you know about Wren?" the smile and glow were gone from his eyes.."
Evan gulped, suddenly feeling how easily Deathbringer could kill him. I forgot how scary Deathbringer can be. I need to remember that this is actually happening I'm not in some book where I have plot armor. (trying to keep that to a minimum) "
"Well, that's the easy part," he replied. His mouth dry, trying to maintain his confident tone. " how do I explain this without breaking your brain…"
"My brain is quite capable, " Deathbringer growled.
" I…I come from a place where you guys are very well known, and we can follow your adventures, your stories."
Deathbringer snorted, disbelieving. " Prove it."
Dangit, what could I say… Evan thought for a moment and remembered a certain story of Lightning and Death. But how do I tell him I know? He took a deep breath, staring at Deathbringer sadly.
" Quickstrike wasn't your fault"
Pain flashed in Deathbringers eyes, and he faltered. Voice quivering, "H-how I-I never told anyone, not even Glory" he swayed unsteadily.
" I'm sorry," Evan said " It was the only thing that I could think of-"
Leaves crunched nearby followed by a muffled curse.
Deathbringer collapsed to the ground.
Did what I say hurt him that badly? Evan thought nervously. Unless… he smiled, turning his attention back to the trees around them.
"Looks like that tiny brain of his finally gave out," a new voice said. A dragon materialized beside Deathbringer. She was a beautiful Rainwing with elegant colors swirling through her scales, a flowery crown resting on her head seemingly dancing in the light along with the rest of her body, As the colors changed.
Incredible… Evan had always heard about the beauty of Rainwings but he never imagined how truly colorful and vibrant one would be up close. Let alone Queen Glory herself. The entire world seemed dull in comparison. The dragon's scales evened out to a vibrant green, with blue and orange scattered throughout her face and wings.
"Wow, your entrances are getting so much better. '' Deathbringer said with a cheekish grin returning to his face as he stared up at the newcomer.
"Wooooow so that was all an act to draw me out. Clever!" quipped the Rainwing. She looked down at Deathbringer, Smiling she leaned over and slapped the dragon hard across the face.
"OWWW" Deathbringer Jumped to his feet rubbing the growing welt on his cheek. "I know I deserved that but did you need to hit me that hard?., " he demanded, still clutching his injured face.
The "mysterious dragon" rolled her eyes, "oh pipe down, even Sunny could've hit you harder" she said.
"Well, it still freakin hurts,'' Deathbringer muttered.
Beware those who are the most beautiful. Even reasoned'' They are often the most deadly. He smiled at the dragon's stunning face exclaiming, "Hello Glory '' It's nice to meet you again"...