Unto the Rising Sun
He knelt at his Master's side, and looked long towards the quietly rising sun.
Gazing long upon the sun, felt the heat as it touched upon his thin torso, and felt the light creep up across his long, sensual wings. Upon his face, he wore a veil as his Master had directed him to, but for why, he did not know. His body was clad steadfast by the outfit of a member of a harem, though he was untouched, both mental and physical, his Master had seen well to that.
"The sun rises quietly, and in it, the day begins anew for your people so far below. The sun rises, can you not feel its heat upon your body, calling you to spread your wings and to let yourself greet the new world?"
The Dragon Master's voice was a soft, sibilant his, and it sent a light quiver down her back, as she watched as the sunrise painted the desert below a quiet shade of red and pink. In the distance, the slaves eyes took in the smoke of the great fire pit, and down, he could almost hear the sounds of the young awakening with a sigh, the sound of the adults in their quiet conversations. He could almost hear it, but for the great silence of the cavern.
"The sun rises. Are you sad for your sacrifice for them? For your gift to me? Are you sad, that you must stay with the great dragon of the desert, and be forced to watch the changing world below? Are you sad, because you can never be a part of them again?"
He, the small and thin slave, looked down towards the sands and gave a sound halfway between a sigh, and halfway between a whimper, but neither one would come completely to the surface. He would have spoken, but the clasp about his throat removed that option, perhaps for his benefit, perhaps for his submission, a sign of his sacrifice. He felt a hand across the base of his neck, and then its lid down to stroke across the long wings, which were most unmarked, and most very beautiful. By contrast, the dragon was a sharp gold and red blend, making him appear as the sunset from a distance.
"Of course you are; you are sad, and you are afraid of me, my dear pet. You are sad, for you know that your people can not come to you, or rescue you from the evil dragon. And you are very sad, for you know, no matter what, you will always be mine. Now, for ever, for always, and in all ways..."
His claw tips turned his pets head towards him, and he smiled softly, seeing the eyes beneath the leathery beak. And with a smile, his fingers grazed softly acros the long head crest, and helped to sooth it down from its angry red to a calm hazel. The slaves heart raced, and its mouth was dry, trying to formulate a way to communicate to his Master. The slave shivered when the fingers were softly traced down the back of his neck. The slave's eyes went downcast, and he understood that it was his curse and fate, but, he accepted it, his...position was of noble sacrifice.
"My slave, my boy, you are a good soul, and your sacrifice is good. You will not be forgotten for it, either; for no one who goes willingly to the scaled death ever truly dies, for they live on, in memory, in song. In me, when I finally tire of you, my pet."
Another quake ran through the thin, svelte slave, but he looked up with a quiet whine to his throat. Maybe he was learning to accept the strange humor of the dragon Master, or perhaps he was learning to understand that this beast did not want to harm him unnecessarily. The Master's fingers stroked the back of the neck, before he gripped tightly, and pulled his slave up, and then turned the others face to the distant east. The fingers were strong, and the arms were well muscled, yet carefully toned, and hinted at the weaves of magic inside.
"Your body is beautiful, and the full of you is a sensual heat. I called you of all the others, because of your inner fire. Your beauty will fade in time, your magic will wane, as all your people are; wont to do, but of all of them, you have the strength to face me, and to face my terrible darkness. You of all, are someone of whom I can understand. I desired you, since I first saw you and heard your sirens all."
The slave looked up upon him through his soft, gentle eyes, and the long silken cloak fell softly across his form, one which covered him as well as the harems outfit. The slave looked back up, questioningly to his Master, who was standing strong beside. He was quite interested, all things considered.
"I know of your gift to your people. When the great hordes came to drive you out, you alone stood, and stopped them, as others ran and hid. I watched you from upon the mount as you faced them with spear and crossbow, no one else would even consider the risk. You show bravery, a trait which my kind values above all others."
He hissed softly, and the tips of his fingers traced across the slaves shoulders, then down, softly, against the strong length of the strongly muscled torso. The slave gave a plaintive whine, again wishing that the Master would let him go, to no avail. The Master's fingertips brushed the length of his long, supple throat, to show dominance, before he tilted his head down, and a bite became most painfully felt. The teeth pierced, but did not break the windpipe behind.
"When you danced for your people, you showed an unbelievable want to do please other peoples. In your beauty, you have shown you are talented and well trained in the arts of pleasing the senses. You are a beautiful creature, since you began dancing, I have found you to be nothing but enticing."
The long, supple fingertips of the dragon slid down to cup the taunt rear of his pet, who let out a sound halfway between a gasp and a whimper. But the fingers held fast for a moment, before he smiled wickedly, and gave a long, soothing his. Then he tilted his head down, and lifted his slaves head up, to very softly kiss him upon his lips. The two bodies shifted, and the dragon clasped hard and sweet, to curl him against his own.
"I shall teach you how to be as Master o the arts, you shall be my students, and dance for me, as you dance for the gods. For I am your god, your Master, and your lord."
The fingertips of the dragon dug in, and the long claw tips pinched into the well curved flesh of the fine clad rump. The long tail flicked and shifted rapidly and the Master held tight, hissing, and his breath but a scarlet inch against the others face. The scent was of freshly eaten meat, of freshly killed food. The lizard gave another sound, half between a sigh and a whimper.
"Do not worry, Slave, I shall be gentle unto you. You are mine to do with, as I please."
He smiled again, the great dragon did, and he lead his fingers down the length of his pets backside, to squeeze, and tighten upon the shapely backside again. But he sighed, his evident interest growing forth visibly. His slave gazed up, shivering. But his Master nodded, and a claw tip ran across the length of his throat, digging sweetly against the scales, and leaving a mark that would someday become a scar. The slave rumbled, whimpering. The Master growled, his head lowered, and he reached for his slave, to draw his body towards him.
"Submit to me, and it will not hurt. But I like it when you fight me, I love the feel of your sharp thrashing, the feel of your body as you tremble. This shall be our first time, and I want it to be worth remembering, at least, something I can remember, my little scaled bitch."
The dragon gave a chuckling, laughing his, as he began to turn, force his slave over and against the wall, so he could be used most properly. The slave's claws tightened, and his wings gripped as he felt the other shove his tail up, out of the way. He wanted to scream, to cry out, but his voice, as it had always been, was heavily muted by the chain which clasped the vocal chords.
"Yes, scream for me. Because I can't hear it, I don't care. Scream for me, let the world know y our fear, your pain. It doesn't matter, slave, no one can help you."
The dragon pressed sharp, claws reaching, when he paused, a sound catching to his senses. A sound that was both unwelcome, and surprising, a sound which made him snarl. An intruder was present, and his head turned, to gaze in the direction of the opened cavern wall, to gaze long upon the single metal clad form, one which looked terrible and frightening. A hunter of the Dragons.
"Release the slave, and surrender yourself to justice."
A long, well forged blade was drawn out, and directed at the dragon who had neither arm nor armor. The scent that filled the room was halfway between fear, and halfway between terrible excitement. The slave was shoved away, and the dragon turned, teeth showing sharp, in a snarl.
"Those who hunt dragons in the dragon's lair is a fool! For this, you shall face wrath which you have not felt before!"
The growls came heavily and terrible as the two great and terrible beasts ran at each other. They snarled, and hissed, claws against claws, blade against had scale they began their long fight together. The slave could do nothing but watch as blades of claws and blades of metal met. And then the fight was over, the hunter standing strong over the body of his fallen foe. And with a his, the helmet was taken down, and the hunter stood, with a velvet sigh coming from his lips.
"A fool fights a hunter unprepared."
The hunter gazed long upon the fearful slave, before trailing a hand down to stroke the crest, for a few moments. The slave's body dripped blood, which looked fresh and hot, compared to the now cooling corpse of the dragon master. Then quietly, he stroked a hand down to the base of the neck, and felt upon the chain there, before sighing and shaking his head.
"Sold by your own people, hmm? A shame, but I suppose you had no choice, and neither do you now. "
The savior smiled most seductively, before a hand stroked. The long horns of the creature were quite visible now, the triad horns of the Trikes. Bu the stroked a hand against the crest, and then turned the head to the side, then tilted the head back to gaze into the beak, while looking for any infections or scars that would cause a drop in value. There were none visible, and the small teeth looked blunted, perfect for the consumption of vegetables.
"Come. Your part of my reward, and you will be sold like the rest of the objects here. And don't say a word."
He gave a feral grin while a hand stroked the suppression collar, a finger lightly tracing against the digging hooks that were used to keep the vocal cord from vibrating. It seemed just right for him. He took a few more moments to look the new possession over, and he had to admire the framework of the well muscled, lean body, as well as the shapeliness of his curves. He'd sell well in the slave markets to the west.
"And don't worry, I'll make sure to take good care of you."
The slave, looking to his dead master, then the hunter's great blade, felt a sigh escape his lips, and then followed behind, as the body was left to rot. The slave's fingertips, from the length of his great wings, brushed the body, at least there, here, he knew his fate. A single scale flecked loose, and he, without a thought, took it. Moments later, he forgot about it, and walked to the west, towards the great desert beyond.
They walked together towards the great city of Kur-Kultai, with its stone walls standing strong facing the desert, and its great oasis trees stood strong in face of the great heat, the water was very rich. Eyes watched and gazed long towards the crystal spire that stood, jutting up from the very center of the desert lake, and as some believed, it was the source of its water. The great crystal tower gleaned with the morning sunlight, and acros its tip, the great point reflected all of the light back upon the city below. It felt hotter in this area of the city, but it was for the best.
"They say this place was blessed by the God's, and that they have built the great crystal tower to protect the village, in its greatest troubles. I truly believe it, as well, this tower has stood since before the oasis, and only once did it open. But, I would not worry, its nothing to trouble your beautiful head about."
They walked past the great fields of desert grains and the long lines of cacti, which each produced the fruits this region was well famed for. The slave and hunter walked long through the page roadway, and the slaves eyes watched the expressions of the young and old, who regarded him as though he were a nothing, maybe it was the a collar about his throat that had something to do with it. He held close to the muscular trike, who gazed over with a gentle smile.
"Do not worry, pet, they will not harm you when in my retinue, though I am sure a few are admiring your form. Even with the thin cuts, you're very desirable. I might have sold you back to your tribe, but they look a bit too poor to even pique my interest. But, no matter, the market here is far better for those like you."
The trike stroked a hand along the great crimson crest, which was bright in embarrassment because of the open, public display of affection. But the winged reptile did not do anything to draw away for fear of upsetting his master, or for fear of provoking the wrath of others about this place by being unruly. His master smiled once more, then stepped through the gates, and towards the open slave market, which looked to be busy and excited with new activity.
"You shall fetch me a high price, and I maybe can retire, so you had best be n your best behavior, because if not, I'll discipline you, and you wont like it at all. But I know you'll be a good boy, and you wont cause me any undue trouble at all, will you? I didn't think s."
The great market opened up first with the bazaar, and then second to the long platform which showed the several slaves upon it, both young and old all of them. The crowd that watched was almost entirely reptilian, though a few of the Naga were very visible, in their long, flowing ribbons of clothing and the golden clasps about their long throats to denote their status. They were the perpetual rulers of this land, held fast by long lineages of kings and emperors. Their attention, one and both, was shifted as a well armored guardian stepped forward, with a studying, eyeing look.
"Are you here to sell your slave? If you are, that is good news, because we have had those quite interested in the winged beasts of the far desert. From the looks of him, he is well presented and bares few scars, he has had a well lived, but not lazy. This is good, lazy slaves do note sell at all. Will you have him present himself? Stripped, accordingly, so that we can see the full of his flaws and perfections?"
The slave looked up towards his master, his eyes questioning, but the suppression collar continued to keep him from making a sound. His breath came out as a his, while the trike began to unlace the back of the silk garments, and to let it fall from his chest and neck, to reveal the length of his strong, lean body. The guardian stepped back, his long neck shifting as he gazed long over the others lean, sensual body. The trike drew a hand up and clasped the arms, then pulled them open to reveal the long wings, and the lovely musculature of his limb. The other hummed, and nodded approvingly.
"You have taken very good care of him. Are you sure you wish to sell this slave? But I suppose you could make a good sale with him. From the look, he's easily worth two hundred Golden Naga's, but the make of this clothing, alone, could fetch you a good five Naga's for its workmanship. You have a good sell here, and we are going to love this business. Anyway, the rules are simple. You give him to us, and you take the offered price, no matter how high or low it is. We take two coins per ten, and he may not injure the other slaves, or you loose him via forfeit to the others owner. But I suppose you knew that already."
The trike nodded his head visibly, and his hand lead down to touch upon his slaves tail, to play his fingertips up towards the tip. In his mind, he was truly questioning if he should sell this pretty little gem. But with a shrug, he turned away and motioned for the slave to follow, while scooping up the clothing which was dropped upon the well layered sand. The slave felt a hand upon his shoulder, the Brontosaurus leading him towards the slave pens for this, possibly one of the biggest days of his life; probably soon to be short life. But the slave sighed, and felt the hooks in his throat tighten against his voice box when he opened his mouth to say something, he knew what'd happen, he knew, very much so, what would happen. He'd felt it before, six months prior, when it'd been put on him the first time.
"Ah, what do we have here? A Pterodactyl, yes? One of the winged beasts of the deep desert? Good, good, we have had many looking for them. The owner will get a good amount for this piece of meat; but, no matter. He is perfect in his condition, yes? Good. Now then, put him up on the auction block, behind the twin dragons, we need to let the people get the chance to look him over, we don't want him to not be worth his price, yes?"
The guardian lead the great beauty of a pterodactyl forward, to quietly chain him to one of the wooden posts nearest the stage, and was lead to kneel there, wearing only his wings about himself for cover. But the markets attention remained upon the two dragon twins, whom were being sold, at pre sent, for a goodly two hundred nagas each. The pitch of the bid was lackluster, but the twins looked to be interested in who was bidding the highest. Their long, sleek bodies were softly undulating as they danced upon the stage, giving a good view of their long, flowing hips, and their beautifully gentle faces showing smiles. Perhaps they did this sort of thing for fun, but, from the way their bodies were moving, it was something deeper. The Pterodactyl felt sick.
"Final bids at three hundred, I see. A modest price for the slaves, not the best, of course, but this pair has been around for a while. Now then, ladies and gentleman, we have had a recent arrival that many of you are going to be interested in, especially the Naga crowd who has been wanting one for a while. Yes, we have our very own Winged Beast from the Deep, a Pterodactyl, who is untouched, and unmarked. Fresh in arrival, and already with his suppression collar in place, we are glad to have him here. Come, take a look at him. Slave, open your wings."
The great, winged reptile gazed across the many creatures, as his arms lifted, and he showed the beautiful, well framed expanse of his wings. Their eyes fell across every detail and marking to his form, and he watched as they began their bidding, and they began the great market for flesh and blood. He shook a bit, afraid now, as he had not been before, but the sharp strike of the slave merchant brought his attention forward, then down to his knees. He didn't want to face the world out there, he just wanted to go home. Then moments later, he was sold.
"A good price, Lord Naga, at Four Hundred Nagas, and with no other bidders, he is sold to the great gold and hazel Naga with the silver pendant. Now, we have other auctions to get to, would you like him delivered immediately or set aside till you can collect him? Now? Alright, guardians, please escort our beautiful slave towards the Naga, and make sure to outfit him with the clothing the Naga requested. At the price he paid, he gets one suit free."
The pterodactyl felt a weight about his throat, and the suppression collar was tugged sharply. He gazed up at the guard, who jerked again, and tugged him towards the Naga who had bid, and indeed, the Naga who bid was impressive, if anything, for his size alone. He stood a head and then some over his newly purchased pet, and his pet was lean and tall as it was. The Naga looked at him appraisingly, paid with a heavy satchel of coin, and then took a grip upon the leash and pulled him, sharply, to his side. The slave stood and stood close. Then his master spoke, in a deep, sibilating voice.
"So good to see you pet, not often does one of your kind come up. We leave soon, but I can see you are untrained. This is no bother, but I shall try and see to your needs, but make sure you see to mine. Come now, we head for home, and you shall like it, I am sure. And do not worry of clothing, your body is made to be admired."
Only then did he understand the looks others gave her, and the wide berth this beautifully scaled beast had been given. She was female, the red markings across her jaw line hinted at such, and the dullness of her seen was too a good, pointed sign. But not given much time to think this over, he walked behind her as she slithered towards her home, which proved to be a great dome nearest the spire and lake, a beautiful dome with only one entrance, which was massive enough to let six of his kind through, wing to wing.
"This is home, my pet. Welcome to where you shall spend the rest of your life. You shall not need to leave this place, either, so count yourself as very blessed. This is my domain, I am your Mistress, that is all you must know. So enjoy your stay, and I shall enjoy you."
He felt a hand stroked his neck, and then push him forward, inside. The great doors closed behind as she slithered in a different direction, while leaving his cha in to dangle freely, limp against his belly. Thee was no one inside, the scent of the place was empty, devoid of anything but the smell of worked stone and dust. Did she truly live alone? There were none to feel about, to see about this place. It was a bit discomforting at best; so he spent his time wandering the grand tower, before a voice made him turn, and his attention shifted to gaze at his Mistress, veiled in silk and satin.
"Good evening to you, good pet. I am glad to see you are curious about this place. It is good, for you shall be spending many days here, before being allowed to see the sunlight again. But, do not worry, you shall not be abused by me, for I do not wish to see a mark upon your beautiful form. So, come with me, it is time for you to see what you shall be doing for me."
His stomach dropped, as his eyes went wide, afraid now of what that could be. He had heard of the terrors of the Naga, of their experimentation and tortures upon their pets, and even worse, what they did when they tired of them. But the Naga drew him forth, and lead him up the long slithering ramp, and towards the upper levels, for a time. And there, he saw what made his eyes go wide, and body tremble slightly. She smiled to him, and lead him forward into her den, and the door closed behind at a gesture of her tail.
"You are now within my private sanctuary, where few have been before but for my most loyal servants. You have an honor few will experience, as well, if you come to me. Good, follow to me, like that. Now, I want you to dance for me, before you sit upon my bed, I want to see how graceful you are, and how beautiful your body is. Yes. Like that. Good, you have done this before. Good. That's enough, I want to see your wings. Come to me, and lay upon the bed. Like that, yes. Now, close your eyes. And no matter what you feel, don't move."
The day came quickly, and his eyes open, breathing hot and heavy, while feeling her weight draped acros his body. His fingers trailed and traced the length of her back, while he trembled and shivered, and did his best to try and not wake her. But her body was soft and supple, and even though it was so very gentle, he felt ever so violated from the night before. He shivered, and his hands gripped upon the sheets. But he couldn't move, her venom still held him still. She stirred, and murmured soft to his ear.
"You need training, but your not half bad. Now, I want you to just rest there, the venom will wear off, and then you will go, and get us something to eat. But right now, I want to feel how beautiful you are. And thank you, for you have filled my heart again with the thoughts of my missing husband. Thank you, dear pet, for giving me this gift."
He had not choice, but her words were a bit soothing, even if it was unintentional for him to hear. But she stroked her soft hands across his torso, before she pulled herself up, and slithered her way away from the bed. He hissed, and felt his body began to relax after a time, giving him enough movement to pull his body up from where he had been laying for the past four hours. He shifted, and sat himself up again, to watch the path she left, the trail of her tail over the floor. And he watched, and then let himself have a little sigh. Could he be learning to love her? His throat felt dry, and his fingertips lifted up to caress along the throat, where his collar was found to be missing.
"She removed my collar? That shouldn't happen."
His throat felt sore, and he fingered the small holes in his flesh that lead towards his vocal cords that were ever so taunt from the continual stretching. His fingertips touched the small holes, and he winced, before reaching down for a strip of cloth, and tied it about his neck, both for the close comfort and feel, and for the chance to keep him from bleeding everywhere. His breathing felt heavy, and his lungs hurt ever so.
"I need to get out of here."
The tips of his fingers touched together as he shifted his great wings, and he followed her path through the twisting citadel, her fragrance, her sweet, silky scent, leaving a most innocent path for him to find. She would know the way out, though he did not want to harm the woman whom he was growing to care for, even if it was a little. His steps traced and he came across her in a room, arguing with another Naga, a Naga king from the view of his crown.
"He is rightfully mine. You bid to spite me, as you always do, Sister. You took from me what I have earned and what is my right to have, you have taken it away, you scaled bitch. I am ashamed of you, you are a coward and a thief, how dare you! I should strike you, but for fact you are a cowardly female, I will not."
The two stood, if one could say such of a snake. The two stood and yelled at one another, an argument about him that made him feel sick, feel angry, and feel worthless. His hands gripped the wall as he saw the king lift a bottle and threaten her with it, an dhis body shuddered, if he hit... His breath caught in his throat as she quietly lifted a knife, and held it against her palm.
"Hit me, and I will remove your masculinity. Now, sit down, and let yourself relax. I bought him because I wanted him, not because you did, ok, Brother? He is handsome, and he will be used in the ritual, he may just be the one we have been seeking. But, regardless, I want you to sit down, relax, and trust me. If he is not the one we seek, he shall still be useful, he is very talented."
The male scoffed, and he set the bottle down, to just coil himself up and stare at her. The length of his body was a soft hazel sheen, perfect for the desert late at night though at noon, where the sun burned bright, it looked to be better for reflecting the light than attracting it in. His crown was a light golden hue, and he was dressed even better than his sister was. The pterodactyl continued to watch, with his fingers gripping the wall. Heaven forbid she be struck. She slithered close, and touched a hand to his cheek.
"Come brother, let us rest. My slave sleeps, and I shall query him upon his knowledge. But for now, it is for us to relax. Come, loosen your body, let us be as family again."
Then she kissed him, and the pterodactyl fell back, silently. A hand to his beak, he watched in horror as she began to ungarb, and he turned, fleeing away from couple that made his stomach twitch, and groin go numb. Backing away, he let them alone, and ran from the hall, and searched long and hard, through his nostrils, through his eyes, for the door.
"Oh, brother... I have missed your touch... Oh, like that..."
The sound made him shudder, and he burst through the half open door, to face the balcony on the other side. He caught and nearly fell over the edge, his wings tightened and his heart raced. He had not remembered it being so high up, nor had the city seemed quite so large to him. His eyes gazed long, and he watched out towards the great crystal tower, from which water circled forever and ever. His hands tightened, before he heard a voice, a voice inhuman, forgotten from time.
"Come to me, child, and set me free. Come to me, Youngling, let me hear a voice, friendly, again. I have waited for you, for several decades, and I need you here. Come, child, come to me. Come to me, and set me free.."
A high pitch whistle was the last thing he heard, and the sense of being brought forth through power not his own -
-And he awoke with a start, inside of the crystal prism that felt like a prison. Inside of the crystal prison, his eyes gazed towards the colorful and twisting lights, which looked to lead him in a path, across a bridge that was clear and glowing, that was without ridge or grip, or bars to keep him from walking off the edge. But he walked slowly and carefully, and inhaled a deep breath to watch the lights trace and lead him on.
"I have been alone, for many years, and I have felt the cold of the world outside grow, as the sun outside gets hotter. My children have betrayed their trust, betrayed their own people into a life of hedonistic revelry, and worthless existence. They have forgotten their noble path, in a way that none other could. My children make me weep."
The voice came from all around, and he felt the light caress him, as though someone's touch. But he walked, bare and open, across the bridge of light, towards where darkness had made ground, to a place where a shadow could rest, where none other could be. He touched upon the soft, crystal walls while approaching, needing the balance of a sudden. His eyes gazed upon the shadow, then up, towards the figure bound by chains, by collar, by muzzle and blindfold, a figure unable to move, for the wards of magic surrounding its wrists and legs. Genderless, it was a Naga, one beautiful, if old and abused.
"My tears dry the land, and the salt from them make the land empty and hollow, where nothing can grow. They have weakened me, and tied me, and forgotten me. They leave me here to die, though that immortal will always be. My pet, please, listen to my story. Maybe you can help them set me free."
The pterodactyl gazed upon the well limbed Naga, who hissed softly, and breathed in deep while speaking through cracked lips. He looked malnourished, he looked abused and twisted, torn in ways that he could not begin to explain. The Pterodactyl watched, with a hand moving to reach for the chains, but he could not find a way to break them, or a way to even come close. The pit beneath was long, and deep below, water trickled from the weeping god.
"Many eons ago, I was alone in the desert and in my image, I made the species of sand, and first, I began with the most innocent, most cherished children, the base reptiles you see, those which you hear about, which serve the most menial, degrading tasks now. The ones who never leave the mines alive, or at all. I made them first, and their beautiful forms I gifted with scales, and their minds, I gave free choice. They are the simplest of you, but they are the most loving and most caring of their people. They were first, and I love them."
The lights of the crystal prison changed, and he saw the image below, of the sand forming into the shape of two lizards, male and female, who cowered before the god. And here, he touched them with a kiss, and awoke in them the first thoughts of life, of love. And they multiplied and became many within so short a time. Simple, they were caring and generous in gifts.
"But they were only the beginnings, and I could see in through time, that the desert would come beneath a great disaster, that they could not survive it alone. So I brought form the cacti the shape of two more, those larger, broader, and with thin spikes upon their sharp scales. From them, their minds were formed with a focus upon combat, with an aggression that was tempered by the need to defend. From them, I gave them the base species, and from the base species, I gave the guardians. And together, they stood strong. But it was not enough, for though in good standings, they were still slow, and their land was drying and dying. They needed those who could see far and long into the sand."
From the clouds the god lifted his hands, and he drew them, and held them into the shape of an egg, three young, just laid eggs. The god held a hand upon them, and murmured words he could not fathom, and they hatched, and out came three fully formed winged beasts. The first was male, the second female, and the third, the third was a mix of the two, subtly masculine and feminine, yet beautiful all the same. The look was familiar, a way he could not recall. His stomach ached, and he felt... kinship.
"hese three became many, and from their loins spawned your people, my flying love. They were airy and light, they could fl y where the others could not, and I made their eyes to see long into the dark night. It is they who found this place, my crystal throne, and lead the children t it. But worry not, my child, that is not for now. For now, listen."
The winged one watched, as he felt a hand upon his chest, and felt the smoothness of it, land he felt his beak, and felt the subtly soft crest, not fully developed as a male should have. He watched carefully, and inhaled a long, deep breath towards him. The images swirled as he did this, and showed the fourth great race. The dragon, who came from the very rock.
"Ancient and wise, I gave unto your people the planners and thinkers, those who could comprehend the might of the world, and not be terrified. My greatest minds came from the people of the dragon kind, and they built and lead the people into the six cities that now dot my land. They lead and built, but their leadership was faulty, they were better built for thinking and planning, than the complex life of a king. It was they, child, who lead to the first war, for they did not care of the people greatly.
From the cities came the first war, where there stood the great and terrible armies against one another, in the past long ago. In the great, golden desert now brown, they fought and spilled blood, while the ancient god wept, trying to stop them to no control of his own. It was hopeless and helpless, they refused to listen and learn. So he created from the sands the fifth race, the Kings, the Naga. Wise, powerful and strong, they united and slew the dragons but for a handful, and made the empire strong, uniting it into a council of six.
"They made the first kingdom which has lasted till now, and they made the empire great and strong, able to face the troubles. But now, a new threat rises against them, and I have not the strength to make the world better for them. So I need you, the one promised. I need you to help them face the threat. I need you to help me help them... I need you to set me free."
The pterodactyl gazed up again, while his head tilted and his wings shifted open quietly, and then he faced upon the maker full forced, full faced. His eyes watched and he breathed in long, before licking his beak tip softly. He gazed and watched the shackled god, and reached for him, to pull himself forth.
"I can say nothing to you, but that you must let go. You have anger, and pain, you must let go, and let yourself drift free. The people of the empire are corrupted, when they turned your people into slaves, they turned themselves inside out. Now, they care of nothing but lovemaking and mastering. What they do is wrong, and is twisted, I need you, child, to change yourself, and become my instrument of vengeance. It will be hard, and you will not survive long, but you can show them I still live."
The former slave gazed upon the speaker, and his hand moved forward to touch upon the bound wrist. His eyes watched and looked, before he knelt and bowed his head unto the god, a god who called to his heart. His eyes beheld the images, the darkness that was following the land of the once holy people. The raids, the slavery, the calls to violence where there had once been peace, and the signs of hunger, in this plentiful, hard land, all of it flashed before his eyes, before he looked up, and nodded to the God, to the Master.
"What will happen to me? How will I fight them, in a city full of them?"
The body of the Pterodactyl began to change, and no comment came out, no question or answer given. His body shifted, and he doubled over as a terrible cramp came across his stomach, and he felt his wings stretch back, and shoulders elongate. His stomach and body hurt ever so much, making him tremble and shudder, and neigh cough blood. He watched and gazed, as the image and light warped about him, turning shades darker and sweeter, the scents of the room felt harder and stronger across his nostrils. His body stretched, as he felt the long gaze of his master.
"Avatar. You shall give me strength, and go forth, do my will, to bring the land back into peace, into holiness. Go now, I must rest what strength I have left, before I too turn to dust."
His fingertips touched upon the crystal floor, before he hissed and drew a breath in, feeling the air hold, and stroke across his body. Then he looked, and about him, his body was as the sunlight, and bright as well. His hands held tight as he roses up, and his great, long wings thundered behind him. He was great in size and stature, and he felt the heat of his body burn through the crystal tower. Then he roared, a sound which shuddered, thundered the crystal roof, and made it crack. And above, he gazed into the black sun.
"Go now..."
Upon that dark, black night, the God gave a roar and thundered through the air and the light. The great thunder of his roar shook the land, and he, silhouetted upon the darkened light. The great heat of the sun wilted the plants and boiled the water, and the great vengeance flew from the shattered tower. And there, with a roar, his body burned as a flame and tore through the great stone towers, setting them to flame. It dove through the ivory dome of the Emperor, and then dove, delved into the great throne room. It was there, he stood before the emperor, and roared his challenge.
"Betrayer of Hope, Betrayer of Just, You have turned your eyes and your empire away from him! You have been given seven signs, the drought, the raids, the wars. You have turned away, and now, justice comes for you. Naga Fallen, Stand before your accuser, and bear forth your family!"
The family stood there, within moments, the great magic bringing them together. Each cousin, each sibling, each child stood strong, though scared. They watched, unable to speak as he had been before, the Avatar. Avatar gazed and roared again at them, calling upon them their sins, watched from the tower. It called to them their failings, their faults, their backstabbing and rapes of justice from young to old. And then it took from them the children, its light blinding them for a time, as it showed them their sins to the express of all. And only one, only one held the look of regret, of fear, not the anger or rage of being challenged.
"Unto each of you, shall a curse be set. Those whom have been your young, those who will come from them, shall forever more be given the shape of the lesser beings, those who you have abused, and tortured. Upon their heads, shall they face your crimes. You shall be forgotten, and you shall now, each, be set impotent and infertile, and an affront to those who have held the faith, though abused and enslaved. And you, the one who shows fear; regret, you shall be given one mercy. Ask it of me, and I shall confer with the Master."
And the fearful one stood back, slithered away from her siblings, from her cousins, as they glared upon her, anger and jealousy in their hearts, fear, only because of they had been caught. But their fingers gripped, reaching for blades to strike, but already it was too late, and the children were twisted in form, until the stood as the slaves did, garbed as slaves would be, if anything. They looked terrified, but neither could or would do anything. Their parents would have been mad.
"And you, twisted children of the Great One... That is your punishment. You shall stay within your domes and palaces, you shall be alone, and until the day you die. So then, go now. And you, the only one who cared and felt guilt; you shall be punished, but to a degree not so high or terrible. You, instead, shall be given one mercy; as your heart has wanted of. You shall be given a child, and from him, the species shall be rebuilt and remade. That is your punishment, and blessing. You shall be the last. And you shall n ever stop having young."
She sobbed quietly, the pain would be terrible, but it would be as was willed. Her hands clutched her belly as she felt the first formation of the egg in her belly and she felt the first pangs of motherly instinct. But the Avatar paid no heed upon her, the mistress he had but a day ago. He watched, hissing quietly. His hand reached, and took her cheek, though it burned away the tears and left a mark that would last for generations to come. He touched her cheek, with a quiet hiss, and fell forward, to brush across her in a fiery kiss, burning away all she had. And then his body turned, and he faced the great dark sunlight.
"Remember this, as the sun sets. For your kind had the chance, and ruined it after seven trials and tribulations. Remember this, forgotten ones, and maybe you will find your redemption."
And the great scaled phoenix of burning light and fire turned away from the forgotten, and stretched his great, terrible wings. From behind, he felt the movement of the forgotten, and the terrible, as they reached to strike and smite down the one forgiven. And his head turned, and from his eyes, the air grew hot. They dared not move to her, as she became swathed in a great light which blinded all who would gaze upon them. And then he turned himself away, and with a cry between a dragons roar and a pterodactyls call, he sang, and flew into the very sun, to join with his Master...
"And they say that, every year, at midyear, the great golden sun turns black, and one can see the great phoenix of flame that grew from the ruins of the tower. His eye is the darkness, keeping watch upon we, the few Naga that live. Remember, keep good and strong in your faith, or I fear he will return. Now children, flex your wings my dears. Your mother is tired, and needs to get some rest, for she must care for her eggs..."
And as they left, she felt a hand upon her belly, and felt the heat behind her again. Her head turned, and the father, swathed in golden flames as a crown, touched her cheek and smiled to her. She felt his touch as it slid down her throat, to cup her breast, for just a moment, nothing more. And then she leaned in, and kissed the burning Avatar, feeling the deep caress upon her.
"You bear my children strong, queen of the Naga. You bear them strong, and forever shall be remembered. As a good and wise que en. But for now, my love, rest, for you have my children to care for..."