FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

At the end--when our life is about to run out--will we look back and regret that journey? Or will we find joy in each day?

--Dragon Proverb

Chapter Twenty-One

Arapha peered through the tiny hole in the wall of fallen boulders, watching as the monster named Draconus killed her mother. Grief burned through her chest; and here, she vowed revenge.

She sprinted, weaving through the tunnels, careful to avoid triggering any traps. She practiced this run many times before and could make this journey blind. Even now, hate and adrenaline pumping through her veins, she didn't hesitate when she came across splitting paths that would ultimately lead to a dead end or a fatal trap.

Warm tears streamed down her cheeks as she sprinted through the tunnels, the heavy sound of her footfalls ricocheting off the cold, unfeeling walls. How she wished to be like them--senseless in this moment, her grief sending her plummeting into a pit so dark, she feared she would never escape.

When the winding tunnel abruptly stopped, Arapha swiftly rolled the stone away, a heavy weight off setting the rock and doing the rest of the work for her as soon as it was set in motion. She beheld the soft sunset through bleary eyes, an orange so soft it caressed the sky with its warm embrace. Arapha, who would generally marvel at the setting sun, felt nothing except the heaviness of her heart that dragged her into a bottomless dark lake.

Collapsing, she heard the distant sound of claws clicking on the stone before a small voice announced they would fetch help.

Help from who? No one could drag her from her dark and lonely prison.

The sound of wingbeats signaled their exit.

Eventually, she was dragged into a deep sleep, her mind going blank as her heart sent her spiraling into nightmares of her parent's death.

When she came too, she heard the sounds of a fight. Her mind, still drowsy, had forgotten all about her mother's murder. In front of her was Reryth's daughter about to kill Ymerc. Without thinking, she whipped her tail at Fira, knocking her off Ymerc. Arapha heard the snap of bones and realized she should have held back. Reryth arrived none too pleased. After checking Ymerc over, Arapha's memories quickly returned, hitting her like a bolt of lightning.

The hatred for Draconus washed over her in a violent wave, threatening to consume her. The only thing holding her back was Reryth handing Ymerc over to her while she went to talk with her daughter near the mouth of the den. Arapha draped her wing over his back, lending him warmth while he slept as she became lost in the torrent of her thoughts.

Ymerc

When I came too, Arapha explained what had happened with Fira, and while I hated her for what she did, it wasn't unlike Arlya. I enslaved her without a thought, blaming her for my life's circumstances, yet she forgave me and even continued to help me. To honor her memory, it only felt right to forgive Fira. Forgiving her wouldn't instantly make the pain disappear, but it was the right thing to do.

"Fira?" I asked as I approached them. Reryth turned her golden eyes.

With her mother's beckoning claw, Fira turned to me. Her eyes refused to meet me, instead searching for anywhere else but here.

"Fira, I forgive you."

Just saying it out loud, I immediately felt lighter. And while the anger still persisted, this was something I wouldn't come to regret in the long term. This much I knew.

Fira's eyes darted up, the blacks of her pupils growing, jaw gaping wide.

I didn't wait for a response. I didn't need one. I returned to Arapha, her eyes stormy and distant, not even registering my nearing form. Laying down, I pressed into her front paw, trying to lend her any warmth. As soon as our scales touched, she stood, her eyes crystal clear.

She stalked to the mouth of the den, every muscle in her body tensed, a dangerous aura surrounding her body.

"Where are you going?" Reryth asked as Arapha strode past, not stopping, her wings opening wide as she perched on the edge.

"I am going to kill Draconus."

She said it so quietly I barely heard it, her voice a whisper in the wind. Yet that one sentence filled me with a powerful hatred that threatened to sweep me away. Something that was always boiling beneath the surface, ready to explode, and it did.

Arapha sprang into the air, heading towards the forest below, and I gave chase. I wouldn't let her get away.

But I was snatched to the rock again by a large paw. I hit the cliff's edge, my chin cracking against the stone. I expected the impact to cause more pain, but I only felt a dull throb.

"You are not going. You are much too young," Reryth commanded behind me, her firm grip on my tail dragging me back into the den. A sharp pain spiraling up my spine at the rough treatment of my tail.

"I have to kill him at any cost!" I bellowed through the den.

"What is he to you?" Fira asked, her head tilted as she followed my helpless form.

"He tortured me for eight years! I will kill him if it's the last thing I do!" I roared with all the ferocity I held, forgetting all about forgiving Fira moments ago and being consumed by rage.

"You are going nowhere. And where did your parents go? They should be here to keep an eye on you," Reryth commented, looking back outside as she finished dragging me to the back of the den, my scales burning from the friction of scale on stone.

"Mother left a while ago to find Father. Didn't say when she would be back. She was pretty panicked too."

I hoped for Reryth and Fira to leave so I could pursue Arapha and finally kill Draconus, with or without magic. I quickly realized Britosa's threat she kept bringing up was, in fact, Draconus--something she hid from me.

She lied and kept secrets from me. I once thought I would be okay if she did, but I realized now I was wrong. She purposely led me by my tail towards Draconus, blinding me, pretending she never knew who the real enemy was. If I saw her again, she wouldn't get away unscathed for her deception.

"We will stay until they get back. I am not about to leave you alone to get into Vulneara knows what trouble."

To my surprise and frustration, Reryth settled down, her eyes pinned on the entrance. Fira snuggled up against her chest. Reryth's paw wrapped around her side in a tight embrace.

I needed them to leave. No, if they stayed, I would find a way out of here and finally end this once and for all.

I bided my time, watching as the moon slowly rose through half-closed eyes. I steadied my breathing as much as possible, hoping Reryth would follow suit.

As the night wore on, it became apparent Reryth wasn't going to sleep any time soon. Her gaze remained fixed on the mouth of the den.

When the moon's white light finally cast its eyes into the den, I watched as Reryth's eyes finally closed. I waited a while longer before making my escape.

I curled my claws inward so far it hurt. Holding my breath, I strode onto the cliff, the moon's gaze caressing my scarred hide as the wind rushed along my scales in a cool embrace. After tonight, these scars wouldn't affect me anymore. They wouldn't be anything but memories. Opening my wings, I dove off the cliff, gaining speed before straightening out and going in the direction Arapha had left.

I willed my nose to get stronger. It felt like my nose had become weaker. I could no longer smell anything except the strongest of scents. Casting my snout in every direction, frantically searching for Arapha's scent before finally finding it--something so weak I was starting to believe my sense of smell had gotten worse, but that was impossible. I followed it far into the forest.

Eventually, the trees and plants began to die, and their green life turned ash. When the scent dived, I turned back, landing a short way away, Zyrapha's words echoing in my head.

"Start thinking rationally, not with your heart."

I was going to do this; differently. The last time Draconus found me, this time, I would surprise him and go straight for his neck.

I came across a small tunnel leading down into the gray dirt. Following it, I found a large cave above a pool of thick liquid suspended in the air, not a drop falling. I clung to the darkest parts of the cave, searching for Draconus, my body tensed and ready to move at a moment's notice.

"I can't believe we ever loved that pathetic hatchling."

A torch lit up on the opposite side of the cavern. Mother and Father sat with their backs facing me. In front of them slept a tiny hatchling with a small piece of eggshell covering one of its wings, its body a blend of red and blue scales with blue fins running down its spine.

"Especially now that we have our own hatchling, this one is much better behaved too. It won't run away from us."

Mother leaned down, giving the hatchling a soft lick on the nose.

"Even better, this one is our own flesh and blood."

I couldn't believe what I heard. After all, they had done for me.

No!

I refused to believe it. Mother healed my wing. Father kept me fed,. They let me sleep with them, sharing their warmth. They came for me after Anirin kidnapped me when no one else would. This wasn't them. It was just another one of Draconus's sick illusions.

The torch faded, and the forms of my parents went with it. What replaced them was the cause of my nightmares and the cause of all my pain.

"Draconus!"

So much for surprising him. I guess it's too late now.

"Maybe you weren't so dumb after all," his low voice emerged from the darkness. "I am impressed. You saw right through my illusion. You keep surprising me every time I think I have seen it all. If I was a different dragon, I would keep you around just to make life more interesting."

I crouched when Draconus took a step closer, a growl emanating from my throat.

"Come now. After everything we have been through together, is that how you treat your papa?"

I took another step back, surveying my surroundings.

"You have no right to call yourself my 'father.' You tortured me for eight years straight! You are nothing but a monster."

I couldn't even see my paws in the pitch-black cave. I silently cursed my poor eyesight again.

"Oh, you mean when I shed your blood on that table?" his deep laugh filled the shadows.

"That table brought you back to perfect health every time, just so I could keep stealing your life. After all, you are the reason I am so powerful!" He bellowed, his scales beginning to glow a dark purple as the skeleton dropped down behind him, its bloodied form straight from a nightmare.

Fear rose swiftly through my body, freezing me in place.

"I suppose it would be nice to have an audience for our dramatic finale."

The skeleton behind Draconus opened its jaws, and the dense shadows retreated, revealing four dragons: Mother, Father, Arapha, and Britosa. Each of them stood stock still, their eyes empty.

"Oops, forgot one. It's so easy to do with her." The shadows retreated to the walls, revealing one final dragon, a bright red scaled dragon just like me. My blood mother was in the same position as the others.

"Now that we have our audience together, shall we continue?"

I had wondered where my parents went. At least now I knew. It explained why Mother was frantically looking for Father. I bet Draconus had taken him.

"Not quite, you see. Your father had taken it upon himself to kill me. Underestimating my strength, he went down rather quickly, and the rest fell like dominoes. As for Britosa... I stole her from you earlier," he declared with a toothy grin.

Britosa, Mother, Father--they all fought him and lost?

No, I wouldn't get discouraged.

His responses sounded like he had telepathy, something I don't remember him having. Did he somehow gain that power?

I shook myself out of my thoughts, reminding myself why I was doing this. It wasn't only for revenge, but to keep the future. The time spent with my parents had been absolutely blissful. I wanted more.

First, Draconus must die.

"Before you attack me, let me give you some vital information about your well-being." He sauntered closer. I tried to retreat, but my tail struck a cold wall.

"For eight long years, I sucked your long life dry. Do you understand what that means?"

What was he getting at?

"I suppose not. It means you have very little time before you die. With what I stole from you, I estimate about two months before your time...is up."

No, that's impossible.

"Not impossible. Surely, you've noticed it? Your senses dulling, your smell weak, your eyes no longer able to see in the dark, all signs of impending death."

No.

I thought about earlier when I thought my smell was getting weaker. Is this the end of my life?

My strength failed. What was the point of fighting when I was just going to die anyway?

"I win," he declared. All the shadows in the room coalesced on Draconus, his wide grin slowly failing before his body slumped to the ground in a loud thump.

A thin line of darkness shot out from his body and aimed at me. Something colder than ice swarmed my mind, freezing my thoughts before I lost everything.

Fira

That stupid hatchling was creeping from the den. Fira knew he was gonna try something like this.

As soon as he took off, Fira woke her mother.

"We have to go after him and make sure he doesn't hurt himself," her mother explained.

Fira leaped into the sky alongside her mother as they followed Ymerc.

When he turned back, Fira was afraid he was going to see them, but he didn't, diving below the lifeless trees.

"Fira, I want you to stay behind me," Mother commanded before diving below the dead trees with Fira in tow.

Fira did as she was told, staying as close to her mother's tail as possible without stepping on it, brown leaves crinkling beneath her paws. Her gut was screaming at her to flee, to run and never look back, body quaking so bad it took all her concentration to keep moving. The only reason she didn't was her mother continuing on until they found a tunnel leading beneath the ground. The scent of death was so dense in the air that it forced Fira to breathe through her mouth.

"For eight years, I sucked your long life dry. Do you understand what that means?"

A deep voice emerged, sending shivers down Fira's spine. All she wanted to do was flee as far as she could, beyond any known territory and never come back, staying as far away from this "thing" as she could.

"I suppose not. It means you have very little time before you die. I estimate about two months before your time is up with what I stole from you."

It continued talking, its voice freezing her in place. Who was it talking to? Mother looked around the lip of the tunnel, her tail dragging Fira up beside her, where she got a good look at what was going on.

Five dragons, including Britosa, were there, their eyes lifeless yet unwavering gaze locked on Ymerc. In front of him stood a dragon Fira hoped to never see again. He was so shrouded in dark magic she couldn't even see his scales or eyes. He was just a mass of moving shadows. She had first seen him when he came to the clan ages ago, claiming he was there to help with another dragon who looked very similar to Ymerc.

"Surely, you've noticed it? Your senses dulling, your smell weak, your eyesight blurry, all signs of impending death."

Fira almost gasped. Her friend she had made what seemed like so long ago was dying. Now she truly regretted her earlier actions and seeing Britosa here not doing anything only weakened her already low opinion of Fira's heroine.

"I win," the shadow declared before disappearing, the sound of falling bones clattering as the skeleton drenched in blood fell motionless to the ground, bones scattering on the cold damp stone. Ymerc's body became completely covered in the same shadows. Behind a dragon slumped to the ground, his scales changing from a dark blue to a light brown, breath raspy. Fira could tell he was on death's door.

"Agh, so much better," Ymerc's voice was no longer his own but the same deep voice that sent Fira's scales crawling.

"Alright, the two spectators can come out now."

Ymerc--no the thing inhabiting Ymerc's body--turned toward us.

Mother stepped out, dragging Fira's struggling form with her tail.

After seeing whatever Fira just saw, she wanted to flee as fast as her legs and wings could carry her.

"Isn't that better? No longer hiding but out in the open for everyone to see. Nod your heads, everyone."

With his command, the frozen group of dragons all nodded their heads like puppets on a string.

"Don't you just love their obedience?" he asked. "Truly perfect."

"Let them go," Reryth commanded, her voice like a shockwave through the room, making even the thing in Ymerc flinch.

"Wow, such power! How about this?" He replied before retaliating with a swift beat of his wings almost too fast for Fira's eyes to follow, sending a dense wave of the wind speeding toward Mother and Fira.

"Get behind me, now!" Mother commanded as her tail swept Fira up and behind her before rearing up on her hind legs and flapping her wings as fast as she could.

The dense wave of air collided with Mother sending her to her back. Fira scrambled out of the way to avoid being crushed.

Reryth was back on her feet in moments, her chest glowing yellow before pure golden flames erupted from her jaws.

This was Mother's ability, her golden flames destroying any darkness they came into contact with. Fira recalled how Reryth used them on a couple shrouded in dark illusion magic a while back when they were visiting Dravawynn. This was Reryth's ace.

Fira expected the flames to make contact and shred the darkness to bits; instead, Ymerc swatted them aside with a simple flap of his wings.

"I have missed this," Ymerc said joyfully. Fira imagined him smiling but couldn't actually see his body. "This is my domain. No one has power here but me!" he roared, the shadows covering his body shaking with an almost gleeful movement.

"Ymerc! Wake up. You have to fight back!" Fira bellowed, hoping she could get to him, that he could somehow fight back and give her mother a fighting chance.

"He isn't here anymore. He is dead, his soul is now wandering the lands of the spirit realm, and soon they will be eviscerated," Ymerc said gleefully, his voice lilting several octaves higher.

Fira watched in horror as her mother charged forth, jumping into the air and using her wings to spin, gaining momentum before slamming her tail powerfully down on Ymerc, who angled his wings down, causing Reryth's rear to slide harmfully off him.

Mother did not wait, switching to her claws while guiding the same momentum to her paws. Ymerc dodged effortlessly, less than a claw's width from touching.

Fira looked forward to her mother teaching her this if they did not perish here.

Mother didn't stop, continuing with the momentum of her previous attack and continuing the onslaught, using her tail, paws, and wings to attack, yet they had no effect. Ymerc dodged them effortlessly as if he was just playing with her.

When Mother stopped, she was out of breath, her chest heaving for air.

"That's it? Lame. My turn," he declared before jumping, using his tail, and swatting Mother across the head. Her head whipped back, seeping from her wound, casting her scales a deep scarlet.

Fira watched as her mother continued her losing battle. She watched in horror as Ymerc continued to dodge her attacks before retaliating with a ferocity a dragon his size shouldn't have. Before long, Reryth was covered in minor scrapes and bruises. Fira couldn't imagine how worse those wounds would have been if Ymerc was a full-grown dragon.

"This was fun, but I have things to do," he stated.

Fira leapt into action just before he was about to kill Reryth, clinging onto Ymerc's back and biting into his neck. Fira used all the strength she had but barely managed to pierce the scales, his blood tasting of ash and rotten flesh.

"I forgot about you. Bad habit of mine," he stated as if he was talking to himself.

Fira was dislodged from his back when his tail slammed into her side.

"Now, the--"

Ymerc froze, his body going still. Fira watched in wonder with wide eyes as the darkness was repelled and replaced with a golden light very similar to Reryths flames, only much more intense.

Ymerc

"Ymerc! Wake up. You have to fight back!"

Who said that? I had heard that voice before, but where?

I tried to recall those memories, but all that came were shadows that clouded my thoughts, making it impossible to think of anything.

I was tired from the freezing cold that surrounded me. All I wanted was to sleep, yet that voice kept waking me up.

"That is your friend."

A warm golden light shone through the darkness, revealing a red dragon with a dark blue underbelly, her wings going from red at the humerus to dark blue at the phalanx. Her eyes were golden red.

"My name is Nekarra," she said. "Britosa was my mother. Like you, I gifted her with light to fend off my father and hopefully return him to who he once was. Where she failed, I hope you will succeed."

With her words came back the memories of my life, and just like Britosa, Nekarra was forcing me into this. It wasn't my battle. It was Britosa's.

"This is your battle as much as it is mine." Her voice was sweet like honey, calm, and collected.

The golden light around me shifted, turning into a scene, no, a battle.

All sorts of creatures fighting together against creatures of blood and bone.

"Through my death, Father raised my body but failed to bring my soul with it as I had already passed on. After Mother burned my remains, Father came back. His goal is to take the world's freedom away, their choices, everything they like, everyone they love will be gone, mindless beings forced to do his bidding."

The scene changed as she talked, revealing ashy remains of what I guessed was her body, Draconus emerging, radiating power.

"Won't that be a good thing? There will not be any killing or torture."

Nekarra shook her head as she came close, wrapping a warm wing around my back.

"No. While there is darkness in the world through others' actions, there is also a profound beauty." The light around us shifted to a scene where creatures of every species were helping each other out, rebuilding the forests and lands that had been lost in the war, bringing life back to a lifeless world.

"Even now, there is beauty to be found."

The light changed to show Xithris accompanied by a dragoness whose scales were pitch black, light gray eyes radiating love back at Xithris. He wrapped his wings around her tightly, nuzzling her cheek.

"This world is capable of dark acts, torture, murder, sickness, and so much more. But behind all that evil, there is joy, love, and beauty. My father wishes to take it all away. Over the years, he manipulated everyone so they would no longer work together. Yes, my death was unfortunate, and I hated to leave this world and my parents behind, but I knew I would get to see them again in Vulneara. If everyone worked together, sicknesses like mine wouldn't be a problem, but his actions have divided everyone."

Nekarra's eyes shone with unshed tears. I watched as they fell from her face.

"When you were comatose in Dravawynn, Mother took control of you and used your light to heal others, something I hope you do. This light is yours to do with however you please."

She turned to me, her eyes glistening with tears.

"This power given to you can save not only my father but everyone if you willed it. It can restore what was lost and fix what is broken. Most of all, it can free those bound by chains."

She paused for a moment, taking in a shaky breath.

"While my death started all this, let your life end it. My father refuses to let go of me, fighting for me to this day. His reasons are twisted yet understandable; he is my father, and I love him with all my heart. I have done nothing for you, Ymerc, but would you grant me this one favor?"

She was right, a favor when she hasn't done anything for me, yet, if I only did something for others while expecting something in return, then what was the point of doing it in the first place? I realize genuine kindness is doing something for others without expecting anything. Kindness is something this world needs more of.

"What would you have me do?"

"Save my father. Free him from the shackles of darkness. Will you do this for me?"

She wanted me to free the very one who tortured and killed me?

"I know it is not an easy thing to do, but I miss my father, and I can't wait to see both my parents in Vulneara. I love them so very dearly." Tears flowed like a broken dam down her scales, body quaking,

She loves them the same way I love Cyndrithil and Ymithia. I couldn't imagine losing them, let alone being unable to see them in Vulneara the way Nekarra couldn't be with her father, yet here she is watching her father tear the world apart, and she still loves him.

"I will save him," I blurted without thinking, but I found I meant those words, and I would do everything I could to free Draconus of his shackles. Her love for Draconus was the same as mine for Cyndrithil and Ymithia. It felt wrong to take that away.

"Thank you."Ttears flowed freely down her scales, her wing pulling me in close.

"I must warn you...of something." She paused with a shaky breath before continuing. "My father would never have found his power had it not been for someone who aided him. While my father is a threat to the world, the real evil still lurks in the shadows. Be careful from now on, you have a target on your back, and he won't stop till you're dead."

Her words sent a cold shiver up my spine, but her warm wing soon replaced it.

"When you get back, tell my parents I miss them."

"I will."

Her body began to fade away, the cold shadows replacing her golden radiance, which I could use. I recalled her warmth and called upon it, a bright light chasing away the darkness and filling me with its warmth. It was only then I realized what it was: love for my parents and this cruel, beautiful world.

I love my parents. I loved Furest. I loved Arlya. The light chased away the darkness, my body once again becoming mine.

Reryth lay on her side comatose. Fira was nearby, staring in wonder, her jaw dropping as low as it would go.

My scales were glowing with a warm, golden light filling the room, but already I could feel my control slipping. I needed to finish this fast.

"Draconus, I have a message from your daughter Nekarra. She says she misses you." I declared loud enough I knew he heard me even amidst his shadowy form.

I spun around, looking at each of my parents.

"Wake up!" I declared with as much power as I could. Everyone's eyes cleared up, their bodies no longer frozen, and everyone looked around in confusion.

With my grip on my power nearly gone, I had to end this now.

"Draconus, after everything you have done, all the pain you have put me through...I forgive you."

It was hard to say those words, but everything he did to me felt so pointless once I did. Holding onto that anger, I realized I didn't want it anymore and let it go.

I could have killed Draconus here; instead, I stripped him of the dark powers that held his heart, twisting his thoughts into ones that were not entirely his own.

Even as the strength I gained dissipated, I didn't find it difficult to enter his mind at this time. He didn't fight back. It was almost as if he let me in, allowed me penetrate that barrier long ago put up around his soul.

And the light I carried, from Nekarra, from my parents, From Arlya and Furest, from all those that paved a path into the future for me, I pulled the darkness away from Draconus. I forced away the shadows, the magic bending him, misshaping him before letting his soul drift off to what I hoped to be Vulneara. He didn't fight back the way I expected him too, instead he embraced his newfound freedom, drifting off to the spirit realm.

With Draconus gone, and his actions forgiven I had never felt so weightless as if I was a cloud drifting in the sapphire sky, if only I wasn't so exhausted.

Mother rushed to my side as I collapsed, drained. I knew using this power would take time to get used to, but it was very tiring.

"Are you okay?" Mother said hurriedly, turning me around as she looked me over.

"I am fine. Check up on Reryth and Xolta." I knew Reryth was injured by her brief skirmish, and Xolta... seemed worse, lifeless, as if all spirit had been drained away.

I looked around for anyone else who might need healing, but Arapha seemed fine, though I knew grieving took time. Father looked exhausted but otherwise fine as he slowly strode over, looking at me the same way Mother had, if not more forcefully, ignoring my protests as he moved my wings and paws, checking me for any injuries.

As Mother cared for Reryth and Xolta, Britosa approached.

"Is it true...about my little Nekarra?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Yes, she misses you and Draconus dearly and can't wait to see you in Vulneara."

Britosa rushed me. Her shaking form simply passed through me. Realizing she couldn't touch me, she let her held-back tears finally fall.

As soon as everyone was looked over, I asked if we could head home. I was tired and in very much need of some sleep.

One by one, we filed out of the grotesque cavern. Ymithia was carrying the body that Draconus had possessed. His breathing while fading meant he could be saved. When I asked Ymithia what was wrong with him. She explained that over time Beldrirs soul became weak, unable to use his body the way we can, as Draconus trapped him inside his own body he also changed Beldrirs form to match more of Draconus's preferences, which explained why his scales were slowly fading from dark blue to a light brown, this weakened his body as well as his soul. Meanwhile,[KL2] Xolta looked... dead inside. There was no life or signal that her mind was there as she silently trudged behind us. The pool of blood, having lost its power, fell in a big splash of scarlet, spreading through the den as it began to collapse.

"Is it done then? Is it all over?"

If what Nekarra said was true, this was only the beginning.

"No, what's coming next is much worse. Nekarra said I would have a target on my back, that what loomed on the horizon would be worse than Draconus."

Mother didn't look too pleased with that, but instead of dwelling on it, she plucked me from the ground and took off, ignoring my squirming. The weight of carrying two dragons must have been hard on her, but Mother didn't show any signs of exhaustion even as we landed outside what must have been the healer's mountain.

Slowly Mother deposited the brown dragon onto the ground, sliding his body along her lowered wing until a green dragon caught him and slowly lowered him onto solid ground. Xolta stayed with the brown dragon as we left, though I wasn't sure if she even understood where she was at the moment. Xolta gave no indication if she did.

Back home, my parents explained why I still smelled of dark magic. I carried it in my veins, the first creature to ever be born with it running through their veins. I would likely be unable to use magic for good.

While I wasn't happy with the news, there was nothing I could do to change it, and blaming Draconus for it would have defeated the point of forgiving him and letting it all go. The anger felt pointless anyway amid my dying life.

They also explained their recent events and knowledge with Britosa, how Draconus had possessed Beldrir's body and used him for his own gains before the most recent events starting with my torture, began to make sense. Finally, the worst part of it all.

I let Mother inspect my body. After a thorough exam, her words were not what I wanted to hear.

"Draconus was right. At most...you have two months to live."

I see, was there nothing I could do?

"Looking at your organs, it is very likely you will start exhibiting symptoms within the next week."

"What would those be?" I was afraid, not of death itself, but of never seeing my parents again, never getting to make amends with Fira. I longed for more time.

"Extreme fatigue to start."

I remembered how exhausted I felt after fighting Draconus and how tired I still was. It apparently wasn't because of my "ability" but because I was dying.

"After that... it gets much worse."

I was thankful Mother did not continue. I wasn't sure I could handle it right now.

I was still tired, so pushing those thoughts to the side, I curled up in the back of the den, my parents snuggling up close to me, covering me with their wings and drowning me in their warmth. Britosa had disappeared a while ago, saying she needed time alone. Arapha--who had awoken just before we left that horrid cavern, had vanished. For now, I hoped she wasn't alone.

Grief shouldn't be taken on alone, but with someone by your side through all of it.

Looking back, with everything that had happened, I didn't regret any of it. I was glad all of it had happened. Without it, I would never have met my parents. With Arlya's death, I would never have forgiven Fira or Draconus, something that not only healed my heart but freed my soul, which had felt heavy for so long but now I felt weightless. It was as simple as that. I knew that the only regret I would have would be not having more time when I died.

Until then, I would live everyday spending time with those I love.

Britosa

Throughout her time in Vulneara, Britosa never got to see her daughter. For some reason, Nekarra didn't want to be found just yet. Britosa hoped after the recent message from Ymerc, she could finally see her daughter, and since Draconus had passed, perhaps they could finally be reunited as a family.

Britosa said goodbye to Ymerc for the moment. Eventually, she would be back. Nekarra's warning about having a target on his back worried her, especially talk of the figure that gave her mate power in the first place. Things were not done here, and Britosa felt obligated to see things through.

Returning to Vulneara was quick and easy. A single thought, and she was back in the warm home of her heart. When one wanted to see another, all they had to do was think of them and invite them. Britosa had asked her daughter to see her so many times with no response from her. Hopefully, this time will be different.

Britosa waited for a response. She continued waiting as the sun set, casting a perfect blend of pinks and oranges across the brilliant sapphire sky. The night passed, and Britosa waited until her patience ran out somewhere in the early morning. Next, she tried Draconus but didn't get a response from him either. Britosa feared never being able to see her family again, that was until she was dragged from Vulneara.

When a deceased soul passes into Vulneara, all they need is a single thought to return to their loved ones and watch over them, enjoying life with them even though the living can't see their passed loved ones. Britosa had never had the need to do that before, all her friends and family were already in Vulneara, with the exception of Draconus, but since he was sealed away, there was little point in watching over him.

Britosa found herself in the wasteland of the southern clan, a pure flatland covered in dead grass and sparse trees. Britosa's attention was brought to a tall spire that rose from the ground, something that shouldn't have been there. Flying up to it, she saw her mate.

Epilogue

Draconus awoke, his power sucked dry, his body weaker than ever. He remembered possessing his son's body, something he couldn't have done right away. Every creature has a wall around its soul, protecting them from what he just did. Those walls only lowered when something drastic happened, such as the realization of one's impending doom. Long ago, he had to manipulate Beldrir into the same position.

Wait, body? Suddenly Draconus realized he had his own body back. For once, his mind, body, and soul were united, whole.

He felt his own scales for the first time in over a thousand years, running his paws over his wings and arms before touching the stony ground underneath his own feet.

Draconus looked around, realizing he was in the ruins of the South Clan, a place as lifeless as his domain. After its destruction, no one wanted to live or reinhabit the area, so it was left in ruins.

I should be dead. How am I alive?

Draconus felt the tremendous warmth crash into him, something he had not felt since before Nekarra died. He welcomed it with open arms as he finally entered eternal rest... or so he thought.

How am I here?

"I can answer that," came a menacing voice.

Turning his head, he looked at the same creature that had given him power so long ago. Only now did he realize the cost of that power was his free will.

He strode with perfect confidence, a body that walked on two legs, black feathered wings sprouting from his back, two horns curled backward from his head, face flat like that of a harpy but without the beak. Arms thinner than any creature Draconus had seen, skin pitch black that seemed to scatter the light as it poured through a break in the dark clouds above, eyes like smoldering coals.

"It has been a long time since we last spoke, and you were doing such a wonderful job. But yet... you failed!" he bellowed, the ground quaking with its fury. "You were supposed to take freedom away, destroy their choice, and that insolent whelp had to get in the way."

It paused for a second, looking out across the lifeless territory.

"From now on, you do as I say. Follow my direct orders. No longer do you follow your own plan." His voice turned so cold that Draconus feared for his life.

Draconus realized his mistake all these years. Now, all he wanted was to be beside his daughter and mate and ask for their forgiveness, though he certainly didn't deserve it after all he had done. As it approached, Draconus tried to scoot away before it waved a hand, and Draconus froze in the same way he stole Britosa and the others' movement.

The creature leaned down and plucked a loose scale instantly. Draconus felt cold chains wrap around his soul, constricting his breathing before they faded away.

"Get up," it commanded. Draconus felt the same cold chains wrap around his soul. He hurried to his feet, waiting for the cold chains wrapped around his heart to fade.

"Now, how should I begin destroying freedom?" it thought out loud.

Draconus tried to speak but was silenced by his new master.

"Silence, slave! You will not talk unless spoken to. You will do everything I say, or torture awaits you. Unlike the torture with your hatchling, mine will be... much more horrific."

His voice turned to a whisper as he leaned in, eyes piercing Draconus's soul down to the deepest darkest depths.

Draconus feared for his life. All he wanted now was to see Britosa and Nekarra. Why was fate so cruel to him? Why couldn't he rest?

Draconus never wanted to destroy the world. He just wanted to make it painless. Only now was he realizing his plan would have indeed destroyed it, killing the precious balance that it had. Draconus feared that he would never be able to see his daughter or mate. He wondered if this was his punishment for all he did, all the lives he had taken and destroyed in the process.

"Slave, go down into the world and gather the ores infused with dark magic... oh, I do so hate that dreadful name. Gather them and bring them to me."

Draconus did as he commanded, jumping off the spire he was on, descending on his wings, and landing in the forest below.

Atop the rocky spire sat the creature eyeing him with those dreadful coals he used for eyes.

Draconus began his work. Digging for the ores his master needed, hoping he could one day reunite with his family.

Acknowledgments

First, thank you all for reading this and staying with me to the end. It has meant so much to me. I love you all, and it has truly been a fantastic journey.

The person who goes by the username C4LC, thank you. Thank you for your constant questions that kept me going, especially when I wanted to give up.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, even those who wish to remain nameless. Thank you.

When I first started writing this, I never meant for it to go far, not even past chapter five, yet I found I couldn't stop developing the story as the days went by, always thinking about it even as I was working, which made for some distracting days.

In the beginning, I was in a very dark place hence the torture. I found it nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning. I carried so much anger and resentment towards those who had hurt me--no, towards everyone. When I was prepared to end it, someone saved my life, replacing all my anger and bitterness with a warmth I had never known.

I wouldn't be here today if it were not for Jesus Christ and His unending mercy and love. Even now, writing this, if it hadn't been for Him, I never would have forgiven those who had hurt me, wallowing in my anger and self-pity. But as time passed, and I got to know Jesus better, I learned to forgive and eventually love those who had tortured me in the past.

Praise be to Him who makes all things possible.