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When darkness first flooded our world, there was nothing to stop it, every living creature became twisted and dark like they came straight from the abyss, it wasn't until a light shone in the night that the creatures that had survived had returned to them.

Dragon Proverb

The chilly wind flowed along Cyndrithil's wings and scales. He soared above the mountains, the clouds stretched below him. The moon just reached its apex and cast its white light upon the snow-covered peaks.

Cyndrithil flew, his gaze cast downwards searching for any signs of movement below the trees. A bush moved suddenly, catching his eye, and with a flap of his wings and lift of his tail, he dove through the canopy. His nictitating membranes lowered, allowing him to see, the winds roaring around him.

A split-second before colliding with the treetops, he unfolded his wings, jolting his body backward before steadying him. Through the thick leaves, two deer scattered.

As if that would save them, he thought with a twitch of his lips.

He dug his claws into the first one, slitting its throat with a single swipe, opening a river of blood through tawny fur. In routine, he slung the deerto his hind legs, mechanically moving to the next animal when--

"What the hell?"

He crashed into the dirt, the fresh meat slipping into a wet heap on the soil. He shoved himself upright with a hot breath and was met with a sight that turned his stomach.

It shouldn't be possible.

Xithris stood before him in the dusky forest, wings outstretched, head low--yet a shell of who he should be. Ashy scales and inky eyes held steady, empty. It was a ghastly sight. The stuff of nightmares, not a routine hunt in the woods.

Xithris moved, a low snarl escaping his teeth. A warning?

His lips curled back to reveal vicious red seeping between them, spilling down his chin. A threat?

Cyndrithil sucked in a sharp breath. "Xithris? What happened to you?"

For a moment, he didn't answer. Cyndrithil wondered if his words reached his friend.

"Cyndrithil," he spoke at last. Cyndrithil shivered at the unnatural sound of his voice. "Nice to see you again. Tell me, how is the dear hatchling? I hear he's recovering."

Not Xithris.

Xithris--whatever or whoever was pretending to be Xithris--tilted his head, inspecting, assessing. "I suppose I'll have to remedy that."

They collided. Cyndrithil didn't have time to process Xithris lunging at him, throwing his body against him.

"Stop!"

Xithris swiped at Cyndrithil's throat without hesitation. Cyndrithil rose on hindlegs, narrowly missing, still close enough to feel the cold rush of wind between their movements. Xithris instead found purchase across Cyndrithil's chest, drawing his claw away with fresh blood.

"And why would I stop?" Xithris brushed his lips with a bloodied claw. "I've acquired limitless power. All I need is that damn hatchling to maintain it. A small sacrifice, really. The storm--he doesn't know what he's messing with--" he smacked his lips. "He's the only one who could stop it."

"What has gotten into you?" Cyndrithil snapped. "This isn't you! Come back, Xithris! I don't want to harm you!"

Those words seemed to anger him even more.

Xithris grunts. "You are _weak,_Cyndrithil. Pain is all that matters. The world is divided into two parts: those who deal pain and those who take it."

Xithris roared before charging again. They clashed in a tangle of fist and claw.

"Wake up!" he hissed. "This isn't you. We were raised together! I know you--you would never let power control you!" Power was only a cheap temptation.

"Then I guess you don't know me very well at all." Xithris snarled before taking the opening and latching onto Cyndrithil's throat with his jaws.

Cyndrithil roared into the night before fury overtook him; he fought back on instinct. Cyndrithil whispered an apology before he whipped his tail, striking Xithris in the head. With Xithris stunned, Cyndrithil wrangled free from his grasp, pivoting to pin Xithris to the ground.

"Remember our promise," Cyndrithil growled. "Say it! Repeat the promise we made that day!"

But Xithris answered, "Our promise means nothing," with teeth bared inches from Cyndrithil's neck.

"If you truly mean that, then why did you save me?"

Xithris faltered. "Save you? I didn't save you! I--"

"Lies!" Cyndrithil roared. "You saved me from death! Now wake up and save yourself--repeat our promise! Tell me it wasn't a lie, Xithris!"

Xithris grew quiet for a moment before the darkness covering his eyes retreated.

"I will go through hell and high water to save you," he said at last.

"Same here, brother."

"Cyndrithil, it is coming back stronger than ever. It wants the hatchling. Protect him at all costs."

Upon those words, Xithris collapsed.

The hatchling entered Cyndrithil's life like an omen, yet all Cyndrithil wanted was to protect him--to protect Xithris, and the ones he loves.

At the Mount of Life, Cyndrithil was greeted by one of the attendants. She rushed toward him, helping to support Xithris's weight as they entered. In a blink, they were surrounded by healers.

In the end, Cyndrithil returned to his mate empty-handed, only the ghost of what happened in the woods hanging over him.

"What happened? You look like you fought another dragon." Ymithia didn't greet him. She cut straight to questioning. Cyndrithil must look worse than he imagined.

"Xithris attacked me."

"He attacked you?"

"He wasn't himself. I've never seen anything like it. It was almost as if he was possessed or something."

Ymithia frowned. "That's not possible."

Anyone knows it's outside of the realm of dark magic. Even dark magic had limits to bending another to its will. But Cyndrithil knows what he saw. Possession is the only thing that could explain what happened to his friend.

He recounted the story as Ymithia bandaged his chest wounds. The moment the pads of her palm brushed against him, magic seeping through his skin, he felt at ease.

when a healer burst into the doorway of Cyndrithil's domain, he felt all peace rush out of him.

"He doesn't have long," the pink-scaled healer explained. "Whatever happened to him is killing him. It's sapping his life away."

Xithris lay sprawled on a stone slab in the heart of the Mount, his chest pitching in an uneven rhythm.

"What do you mean?" Cyndrithil asked, unable to look away from the horrible sight. His friend--his brother--was wasting away before his eyes.

"Our magic--it isn't working."

"Then try something else!" Cyndrithil snapped. "I will not lose my brother!"

The healer frowned. "I'm sorry." How many times had she helplessly apologized? Did it even matter to her anymore?

Cyndrithil rested his paw on his brother's neck. "Xithris, please. You can't die. I still need you." His words softened. "I've always needed you. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. You can't--I still have a debt to repay"

Ymithia wrapped her wing around her mate. Cyndrithil had almost forgotten she was there. Somehow, now, her touch didn't offer comfort. Comfort would be offered by his brother's heart beating strong in his chest.

"Say your final words," Furest announced upon entry. "His heart has nearly stopped."

Cyndrithil turned. "Furest, please! There must be something we can do. I'll do anything!"

"I wouldn't say such things so lightly," Furest growled. "You have a mate to take care of. She needs you, and now so does the hatchling. There is nothing beyond a miracle--"

"Damn you! You're supposed to be the best healers on the planet! You say you can do nothing?"

"Cyndrithil, please," Ymithia urged, moving against her mate. "It's not her fault."

Xithris's breathing slowed--a fire running out of oxygen to consume. Orange fading to yellow.

"Please! I would give my own life if it meant he would live!"

Furest's eyes sparked. "That is dark magic you are swearing on! Mind your words or death will come for you next!"

As anger fizzled out, giving way to somber silence, a strange presence broke the tension.

The hatchling.

He appeared at the room they were in, moving unevenly through the space. His eyes were closed, his body moving without regard for its surroundings.

"Ymerc?" Ymithia spoke using the hatchling's name they agreed not to use.

"That's impossible! He shouldn't be able to move!" Furest snapped.

Without speaking, the hatchling closed the distance between him and Xithris's body. Snout forward, he extended a paw outward, light seeming to fill and emanate from his scales. The hatchling touched Xithris's forehead, the darkness in his brother recoiling at his touch. His scales returned to their familiar white color as the darkness was eradicated.

A long beat of silence followed. Cyndrithil was afraid to speak.

Had Xithris been cured?

The hatchling turned around, unaffected, and returned from whence he came.

"Furest?" Ymithia prodded.

Furest blinked. "What just happened?"

"I--I don't know." Furest's silence spoke volumes.

"He will heal," Furest told Cyndrithil later that evening. "I cannot explain it, but he will recover."

His brother will live. Cyndrithil could hardly care about the circumstances.

"And you now owe the hatchling a great debt."

Cyndrithil nodded. "I know"

Furest left shortly after.

"What do you think that was?" Ymithia asked.

"I have no idea, there are legends spoken about dragons being able to create miracles, but none of them would explain the light."

"Do you think Ymerc has Inherent healing capabilities? Perhaps that was what happened." She said grasping at ideas.

"In all of time, what we just witnessed has never happened, it belongs more to the realm of supernatural abilities, that which we cannot entirely grasp."

"There has to be more, it can't all be explained as "supernatural"

"Do you have any other ideas?"

"no. sorry to change the subject, but I think it would be wise to apologize to Furest, you did yell at her and all."

"I know, tomorrow, after Ymerc wakes, I will find her and apologize, it is the least I could do."

"Good, now get some rest" Ymithia said as she laid down, Cyndrithil following along.

The air was cold on my scales, the sunlight just beginning to peek through the window, casting long shadows on the walls. My body was still exhausted. It felt worse than when I had fallen asleep. Pots filled with different plants hung from chains attached to the ceiling. I recognized a few as the ones Furest fed me before I fell asleep, others I had never seen before. Except for the pots, the walls were barren, a mix of grey and brown--lifeless.

On either side of me lay two of the dragons I met before.

What were their names again? Ymatha? Ymitha? Ymithia! The other was... Cyndrithil! His name was easy to remember after all I had made fun of it.

I chuckled softly at the memory.

The clicking of claws on stone echoed from the hallway before a green dragon appeared, limping past.

Arlya was also green. Her feathers shone beautifully in the sunlight.

"Silly dragon." I could still hear her voice from the first time we met. I remembered her calling me a stubborn dragon the day she died.

Draconus took her from me. My first and only friend. I would have my revenge. No doubt he believes I'm dead. Once again, I would have the element of surprise.

I swear to never use dark magic again.

It is an atrocity, taking freedom and life from everything it touches.

"Good morning, little one," came a light, warm voice from beside me.

Cyndrithil woke a moment later, raising his head and giving me a soft lick with his tongue.

"Eww! Gross." I didn't mean to say it aloud, but apparently, they found it funny.

"What is your name?" Cyndrithil asked.

Why should I tell them my name?

"Ymerc." It slipped. My mouth taking on a mind of its own.

Damn it! Why did I say that?

"Nice to meet you, Ymerc. You already know our names, but in case you forgot, I'm Ymithia. My mate over there is Cyndrithil."

Wait a second. Why are you guys lying next to me like I'm your child? What is going on? Did something happen while I was out?

Although, to be perfectly honest, I did enjoy the attention a little. They were warm. They brought back the good memories of mom and dad.

My stomach let out a loud gurgle. My cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

Ymithia chuckled.

"I guess that would be my cue. I'll come back with some food," Cyndrithil said as he stood.

As long as he returned with anything other than a rabbit, I would be satisfied.

"Don't forget the other thing you need to do." Ymithia told him.

"How could I forget? I'll be back shortly," he said lightly before turning his back and leaving.

Ymithia rested her head next to mine, rubbing her scales along my own.

Neither of them seemed to have any respect for boundaries.

"It might be a while before he gets back, you should try to sleep," Ymithia said softly.

_ _ As if I could rest on a stranger's neck.

Not wanting to feel weird I curled my neck around my side being careful not to touch any of her scales, I took it over falling asleep on her neck, but Ymithia wouldn't have any of it because she moved her neck and forced her way undermine, like what the heck! This is weird, this is really really weird, did I wake up in another world or something cause my parents never did this and it's starting to get bizarre, I hardly know her and here she is trying to snuggle with me.

_ "Cyndrithil, I think your mate needs a little help in the head."_

A laugh resounded from a short way down the hall, it reminded me slightly of when Furest chuckled back when Xithris was questioning me.

A curse came to mind when I remembered they knew I used dark magic, maybe this is like a secret form of dragon torture right before they kill me?

Another laugh came again this time louder, ricocheting of the stone walls.

" What is so funny? I know! I bet they are watching me, making me feel uncomfortable was just the first step of their plan. I bet Cyndrithil didn't actually go get food, I bet he is watching me somewhere from a small crevice before he kills me."

The dragon from down the hall broke out in riotous laughter.

Ymithia raised her head, her gaze focused on the hallway where the laughter was coming from.

"I'm going to be right back." she said before standing and walking out into the hallway.

"Thank you mysterious laughing dragon!"

Now to get out of here before they kill me, my wing was still bandaged, so it wasn't like I was gonna be flying out of here, and I certainly refused to be killed after coming this far.

My bones ached as I stood on shaking limbs, my stance wider than usual.

My legs were very weak, almost as if I hadn't moved in over a week. Wait a second, how long have I been here? It couldn't have been more than a few days; it didn't feel longer than that.

I slowly made my way on shaking limbs to the doorway where a quick look revealed nothing but long shadows cast by red and yellow fire torches.

I curled my claws inwards wanting to be as quiet as possible. I wasn't going to die here, I needed to live in order to get revenge, not for myself but for Arlya.

Besides Arlya did say they kill anyone who uses dark magic, well I used it and they found out, I have no idea why they haven't killed me yet, maybe it had something to do with Xithris and the questions he asked, either way I wasn't gonna stick around to find out.

My progress was slow but steady and my legs were regaining their strength with every step. Around the corner I saw a light. I just had to make it there and I'd be free.

I'd nearly made it to the outside when a dragon landed in front of me, two deer clasped in his claws.

" And where do you think you're going huh?" Cyndrithil said after landing.

A curse escaped my mouth.

" I was so damn close too."

" And where did you learn such foul language?" he asked. His eyes zeroing in on me.

I kept silent as I planned what to do next.

I could escape around the side if I was quick enough, but with my depleted strength, I doubted that I'd make it.

"Come, little one. Food is here. Let's go back." He tucked his snout under my belly and hoisted me onto his back. The jolt rang like a thousand claws biting into my scales, piercing my bones.

"Oh sorry, didn't mean to hurt you." he said apologetically. He seemed sincere. Shortly after he flung one of the deer up next to me.

The smell of fresh blood reached my nostrils making me nearly drool on to Cyndrithil's pristine scales.

Deer--I'd nearly forgotten what that smelled like, let alone tasted. It had been so long since I had anything other than rabbit. It might as well have been a three-course meal. My stomach gurgled even louder at the smell of deer.

"After we eat, we have a few things to talk about," Cyndrithil said.

_ _ I nearly trembled. I was going back into the dragon's den where I may not come back out alive, but the smell of blood took all strength from my body as my brain shifted. I only wanted food.

The walk back felt much shorter than my failed escape.

When we returned, Ymithia's eyes were dilated. She darted to the window and back to the doorway again before she saw us.

"And where do you think you went?"

"I think he was trying to escape. Though, I don't know why," Cyndrithil answered.

"You know why," I hissed. "After you feed me, you're gonna kill me. Or perhaps the food is poisoned, and I will die anyway."

Cyndrithil turned his head. They looked disgusted at such an idea.

"If we wanted to kill you, we would have done it while you were asleep. Or fed you herbs that would take your life," Ymithia responded. At least they were honest.

Cyndrithil unfolded his wing, letting it touch the ground in a makeshift slide. Then, with his snout, he shoved me down his wing, the deer in tow.

"Gentle, honey. He is still wounded," Ymithia told her mate.

"That was gentle. You should have seen what happened earlier." Cyndrithil winded as he realized his mistake.

"And what happened earlier?" Ymithia growled.

Cyndrithil stuttered at a loss for words.

"Tell me, dear, what happened earlier?"

With a defeated look Cyndrithil explained finding me trying to leave and then flinging me onto his back.

"Oh, the audacity! How could you have been so stupid? You could have made his injuries worse. Ymerc, don't move. Let me check your wounds."

Cyndrithil stepped back as Ymithia walked around me several times, her eyes looking at every bandaged scrape or bruise on my scaled hide.

"He doesn't seem to be any worse for wear. You're lucky, Cyndrithil. That and you would make a terrible healer," she said with a smirk.

"That is why I have you," he said. "The most wonderful healer and mate this world has ever seen."

"Ah, you're sweet. Come let's eat. I think our child here is famished."

"Child?! I'm not your child!" I roared. "What kind of delusion are you two living?"

"Now you've done it!" Cyndrithil said to her.

"At least I wasn't the one who flipped him onto my back," she retorted.

"Oh, you are never gonna let me live that down, are you?"

"Never."

"First off, I'm not your child. Second, are you two crazy?"

They shared a brief moment before responding. But by the time they looked back, I was gone, halfway down the hallway, my claws clicking loudly on the dark stone.

I passed a doorway that Furest was just starting to come out of, her brows rose in curiosity as she saw me pass.

Just like the forest when I was fleeing from Draconus, I did my best to ignore the pain in my limbs and wing.

"Wait, Ymerc! Come back! Let us explain!" Ymithia yelled down the hallway.

Oh, hell no. I wanted out of here.

I approached the cliff I was at earlier and quickly realized my mistake. The cliff was high. The wall was a steep decline. With my wing bandaged, there was no way I was going to fly out of here.

I still had time. I could turn back and find another way out of here.

But before I had even entered the mountain again, three dragons were there blocking me.

"Calm down and let us explain," called Ymithia.

"Why should I? You know I used dark magic. I don't belong here anyway. You'll just kill me."

"No one is going to kill you. Yes, we know you used dark magic, but we also believe you aren't going to use it again." Cyndrithil took a step forward. I mirrored his movement, feeling my paw slip dangerously close to the cliff's edge.

"Damn right I'm not!"

" If we were going to kill you, why would we heal you only to kill you later? It makes no sense. Yes, we called you, our child. We want you to be our child. You're too young to take care of yourself and it's clear you know hardly anything about being a dragon. We have always wanted a child of our own, but we never had the time for one until now," Ymithia explained.

"While you were asleep, we have come to love you as our own. You may not be our flesh and blood, but we love you as if you are," Cyndrithil added.

"Why? Why me?"

"Ymerc. You are the dragon we saved. You are the dragon we have come to love, there is no other reason. Please do us the privilege of becoming your parents."

A soft breeze blew by bringing with it dandelion seeds. Her words--I didn't know what to say. She called it a privilege. Not her right. They are giving me a choice. I recalled waking up between them both--the warmth I felt and the love in my heart. I desperately wanted that again: to wake up every morning next to them.

I didn't know what to say. The choice was mine, just as Arlya gave me the choice to go with her. They are giving me the choice to live with them as their hatchling.

I realized, yes, I wanted to be their hatchling, to call them my parents, but "yes" seemed so lame in the grand scheme of it all. So, all I did was nod my head which may have been worse.

Nevertheless, their eyes lit up like the sun. They didn't waste a second before running towards me and wrapping me in their wings. It felt good--really good. While I still had many questions, they could wait until later, for now I was content to be here at this moment with them.

"I love you."

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