FSE

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Another year of intense training went by in the blink of an eye. In this short year, I could feel myself getting stronger by the minute. I was even strong enough to not only lift up boulders that were 10 times my size, but I could also lift up my father. I felt like the happiest dragon on the planet. ...or so I thought.

As months and months went by, my mother was getting very ill lately. How did this occur, I have no idea. Mostly, she's been working non-stop around the house and outside of the village, providing back-up as the nurse for the Hawk Warriors, cooking and cleaning around the house and assisting me with my training. I'm amazed that she could endure of all this manual labor.

One day, she was in the kitchen making dinner, when she suddenly collapsed on the floor. My father rushed over to her and picked her up, realizing that she was running a terrible fever. We had immediately taken her to her bed where she could rest. We had hoped it was just a dizzy spell for she has been working so much lately.

We have done everything we could to nurse her back to health: Breakfast in bed, taking her place in cleaning and cooking, etc. but she was not getting any better. Quite the opposite. She was getting worse. She was coughing so much that it kept the neighbors up for hours. I was getting very worried.

She kept saying that she didn't have much time left...she was feeling something crawl around inside of her, like a virus. We all thought she was delusional at that moment, but when she looked over at us, she started saying that we meant everything to her and she apologized for making us go through all of us... She loves us all and she wants all of us to...keep moving forward. Then, she closed her eyes and she went to sleep...eternally.

The next day, we stood at my mother's grave and we bid our farewells. Many of her friends had attended the funeral and said their notes about her. My mother will be missed...by all of us, but she will always remain in our hearts for as long as we shall live. I haven't cried this much since I was forced to watch Titanic with my sister.

Things weren't the same back home. It was...quieter. We lost one of the most precious members of the family. Everyone had to pick up where Mom had left off: Making different herbs, cleaning, cooking, even book clubs. The book club was a living nightmare. God, how I despise Sisters of the Traveling Pants.

A week later after that horrific book club meeting, my father had gotten word from outside of the village by one of his closest friends that The Masked Eagles are planning an invasion on the town. He had infiltrated their stronghold to learn what were they planning, then he was compromised and managed to send a letter to my Dad before they...you know. It was then that my father was getting more serious with the training. We had to be ready. For anything.

As I trained my body, my mind, and my soul, I slowly grew taller, more built, a bit more muscular, and stronger. My father wasn't showing any mercy during training, making me push myself over my limit. Normal kids wouldn't tolerate this, but I didn't mind at all. I wanted to get stronger. I wanted to make my father proud.

I would train by myself, day and night, for my father. I even ended up in the hospital twice because I sometimes overdo it. Now, that's determination. Even though he says he's proud, but I know I can do more. A lot more. Much to my surprise, my father tells me that I could use...a gun. A simple handgun. And it was just my size, too. My father had set up dummies for me to practice my shooting. Shooting arms and legs were getting dull, so I was focusing on pulling off epic headshots.

My older brother, Gull, taught me how to use a bow. This is a pretty cool weapon. He took me out to the forest where some deer and warthogs reside. I spotted a deer and drew my bow. I watched carefully as I pulled the string back, preparing the arrow. The biggest tip he gave me was to hold my breath and concentrate. As I did, I got a good view of the deer leaning its head down to eat. Then, I released the arrow, watching it soar through the air, piercing the winds, penetrating the bushes and then, BAM! The fierce arrow punctured the flesh of the deer's side and it fell over. Gull was very impressed by this result. He was proud that I could handle a dangerous weapon.

Unfortunately,Galenawas too busy with her school life to spend some time with me and I could tell she feels really bad about it. It didn't really bother me. The last training that I had was with Varin. Now that he's a dragon, he could unleash his flying skills he had tucked away. Before that, he taught me how to shift between my human form and my dragon form. There were complications but I was getting the hang of it. Also, my wings were now big enough to be stretched out and flap. My big brother tutored me on fancy acrobatics, like twists, loops, and dives. He also showed me different wing and flying attacks.

I was prepared. The Masked Eagles could strike at any minute. I had to be patient. I mustn't let my guard down. Although, it was pretty boring. I could be out there kicking some butt right now with my new skills. I was growing more agitated by the minute as I sat in the house waiting for something to happen. Every time I would think about it, I would groan loudly, disturbing others around me.

Varin, Gull,Galena, and I were flopped out on the living room couch, bored as ever. Even the corny shows on television didn't satisfy us. It just made it worse. I was starting to fall asleep but I didn't want to be the first one.

Gull noticed this when I yawned and smiled down at me.

"Go ahead and sleep, little brother."

I shook my head in response.

"He's just like our father: stubborn,"Galenasaid, smirking at me.

"Nuh-uh!"

He giggles and she picked up the remote, lowering the volume.

"Hey, why you doing that?"

I got my answer when she started to sing a lullaby that our mother used to sing to us when we were either having trouble sleeping or we refused to go to sleep when it was our bedtime.

"N-No fair! She taught you her famous lullaby..." I could feel my eyes droop and then I curled up on the couch and started to drift off to sleep. I remember Gull lifting me up on his back, making me use him as a bed and then, I went to sleep.

The next thing I know, I woke to the sound of an explosion and everyone was gone and the door was wide open. I looked around in confusion as I suddenly heard explosions and people screaming. It was them! The Masked Eagles! They've arrived sooner than I thought. As I looked out the door, I saw men charging out into the battlefield, ready to fend off the intruders. It was time for some action.

Looking around making sure the coast was clear, I made my way out and into an alley that was across from my house. The village was engulfed in flames as the villagers tried to run to safety or evacuate the town. There were also growling and snarling mixed with the screams of men, women, and children screaming; most of them got tackled by dogs and wolves and were either dragged off somewhere or they were eaten alive right there on the spot. I nearly gagged at the sight of the gore as I couldn't exactly stomach all of the death and violence happening at my age.

The feral beasts ran past the alley that I was hiding in. Luckily, they didn't see me. This gave me more chances for a surprise. I sighed to myself as I took a few steps back. Just when I thought I was in the clear...

POUNCE! Something tackled me from behind. That rabid dog must've picked up my scent and went around back. The sneaky mutt. It pinned me to the ground, snapping at me, drooling and snarling. I held it up by my arm so that it wouldn't have the opportunity to sink its teeth into my face. As I struggled with the beast, I used one free hand to reach for my dagger I had grabbed and hoisted on the right side of my belt before leaving the house. It was a bit difficult to get it out since my back was against the earth. My arm was getting tired as the dog's teeth drew closer within each snap and lunge at me. Finally, I removed the dagger and jammed the blade deep into its fur, penetrating its skin under it. It yelped and howled its panting beginning to cease as it flopped down on me, dead as a doornail. I pushed it off of me and I quickly got up to a horrible surprise a few seconds later.

That yelp and howling it did before it died was a call for help. Its friends came rushing down, barking and snarling, toward the alley. I looked around and saw a door next to me. Conveniently, it was unlocked and I showed no hesitation for going in. Once I made my way inside, I barricaded the door so they don't break it down. I sighed to myself as I looked around, recognizing the place.

This was Hawktown's own Cottage Industry, where they make the softest and warmest clothes and armor around. My father once worked on the conveyer line for about 20 years until he was promoted to a captain for the Hawk Warriors. I think the clothes that I'm wearing are made from this factory. I can't believe this is abandoned now. And, to make it worse, these creeps are destroying it, along with the rest of the town.

I heard voices outside. I decided to check it out by crawling over to a nearby window and I rose up to see who was out there. There they were. A few Masked Eagles with what looked like an M16 and the other was an AK with a flamethrower attached to it. I tried to hone in on what they were saying.

"The mutts keep barking and scratching at this empty factory," one of them said.

"You sure it's empty?" the other asked.

"It looks empty, why?"

"Looks can be deceiving, bro. Didn't you learn anything at the academy?"

It sounds like they don't know I'm in here...yet. As I was observing them, I accidentally kicked an empty Mountain Dew can. They looked over and I quickly ducked my head. Too slow! They saw me!

"What the hell?! There's a kid in there!"

"I'll draw him out! Keep an eye out. The minute he runs past, you unleash hell! Understand?!"

"Yes, sir!"

Oh God! What were they planning? I got my answer when a sudden burst of flames came crashing through the window. He was using the flamethrower! I had no choice! I had to run! The whole building was now in a blaze as the wood was giving way and collapsing. I saw a door on the other side of the room. As I was running, dodging burning wood as it broke from the upper level, the other had opened fire, sending bullets my way as they ricocheted all over the place. A few nearly got me in the leg.

I finally got to the door, but when I went to grab the knob, I got burned immediately. It was too late to turn back as I had to think of something, fast! There was a window next to the door. Looks like an exit to me. I took a few steps back to get a running start. I high-tailed it to the window and jumped, covering myself as I went through the glass, landing flat on the surface while the building burns behind me.

"Well, that could've gone better..." I groaned to myself, getting up, coughing. I suddenly had a sharp pain in my side. Emphasis on the word "sharp". I looked down at my stomach to see a tiny piece of glass in it. Just my luck. I pulled it out slowly and held my side so not a lot of blood would come out of my little body. I then heard a gun cock above me as I looked up and they pointed their weapons at me. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. They had their fingers on the trigger with their mutts surrounding me so I don't get any funny ideas.

Suddenly, the earth begins to vibrate under us softly. Was it an earthquake? I wasn't entirely sure. It grew quiet as we looked around. All of a sudden, a smack upside the head sent the Eagle who had the AK flying up against the burning wall. The other, who had the M16, turned away and pointed the gun at what killed his partner. It was a red dragon. And that red dragon is my father. He quickly grabbed the gun, snapping it in two and breathed fire onto the soldier; he also watched the pups run away in fear.

My father looked over at me with his golden eyes.

"Where are you hurt?" he asked.

"M-My side..." I replied weakly. "But...this is nothing..." I slowly got up, clutching my side.

"Did they hurt you?"

"N-No... It was...a piece of glass... I'm fine... Really..." I tried my best not to make my father worry about me, but he didn't buy it. At least I tried.

He trotted over to me and lowered himself to the ground. "Get on. Quickly."

I blinked for a second, but nodded and climbed onto his back. I rode on my father's back plenty of times. The first time was a bit scary for me when he took me flying around the land and such. The next couple of times were over oceans and volcanoes that were nearby.

He looked over at me from over his shoulder. "I'm going to get you out of here as fast as I can. Hold on tight and stay low. Understand?"

"Y-Yes sir..." I could feel the pain in my side get worse as he started running toward the exit. I held my side as best I could. He kept asking was I going to be okay and I replied back with the same answer. "By the way, father, where are Varin, Gull, andGalena?"

"They're outside of the village helping with the evacuation and fending off the Masked Eagles. I take it they left you behind?"

"Yeah, I was still sleeping..."

"Well, that wasn't very smart of them..."

"No, it wasn't. But hopefully, they'll have a reason for it."

"They better..."

We were almost there. The exit is 15 meters away. All of a sudden, something tackled us. It knocked my father over on his side and I toppled over. I yelped out in pain due to the wound as I could hardly get up. I only looked up and I saw another black dragon. He looked like Grazar, but it wasn't him. It was...someone else. It grabbed my dad up by the horns and held him up. It raised its claw up and, before my father could retaliate, sent its claw through my Dad's chest, his blood covering and soaking the dragon's claws. No... Not my father...

The dragon suddenly looked over at me, tossing my father to the ground. I was too scared to move. It trotted over to me and lowered its head so that its snout was 3 inches away from my face. It glared at me with its red and white eyes, breathing heavily onto me. I could've sworn it said something but I was too afraid to notice. After staring at me for a few more seconds, it took off into the air.

I laid there in shock and fear. I have not seen anything that...monstrous before.

"G-Guil..." my father said weakly, calling out to me.

I blinked and looked over at him, crawling over to his aid.

"D-Dad...!"

He smiled and rubbed my head with his paw.

"Do not worry, my son... You're growing up to be a fine, young man, just like I raised you to be..."

"Father, you're gonna be okay..."

"No... I don't think I will...but...it's alright... I'll be with your mother."

I started to cry. "Please! Father! Don't leave me!"

"Son..." He pulls me closer to him. "I'll always be with you." He points to my chest. "In here. In your heart." He started to cry as well. "Guilbert... I love you with all my heart. Do not ever forget that." He was holding on as hard as he could. "Never give up, my boy. Stay strong... I just wish I could...walk with you longer...but...I can still...watch you...from the heavens...watch you grow..." He starts to close his eyes. "F-Farewell...my son..." They were now closed shut. He was gone.

I couldn't stop crying... I wiped them off my face and stared at my father's lifeless body. I had to be strong. I looked around at the burning wasteland that was once my home. I got up, took one last look at my Dad, and then started walking. As I was walking, I could see my vision was starting to fade. The pain in my side had gotten worse and my hand was covered with my blood. I toppled over and I passed out. Was it...my turn to die?