I wake up in the morning and jab on Father's side to wake him up.
Father lifted his wings a bit and smiled. "Good morning, Tharros. I'll go somewhere like an adventure. I'll be back in the afternoon!" I nodded.
I sprinted to the clearing, Vyraxys tossing a bronze pebble, Kieraxys darting between stones. Kaidorix rolled a small boulder, laughing as it cracked a shallow ditch. We chased each other's shadows, wings brushing, laughter echoing off the cliffs.
Father watched, smiling, then called, "Ready?" I nodded, feeling the rush of play still humming.
A soft tremor under Kaidorix's paws nothing yet, just the earth humming.
I go outside and see a female dragon about a bit younger than me, and I walk towards her and ask, "Who are you?"
The young dragon answered me with a worried explanation, "My name is Auralynxis."
I feel the wind ruffle my scales, my wings tighten a fraction. A low rumble rolls over the ridge, the blue ore on the cliff flickers faintly.
Auralynxis trembles, her eyes wide, a thin plume of smoke escaping her nostrils.
"I… I got separated from my clan. I heard a call…"
I step closer, lowering my head, voice steady.
"It's okay, I'll help you find them."
A crack snaps beneath us, a shadow darts overhead. "Hold on," I shout, spreading my wings.
I went back to the mountains cave and found Lyriath and said "Lyriath I found a young dragon name Auralynxis, and she is loose!"
Lyriath eyes widened. "That is actually my friend, and how did she get lost?!" I ask him in confusion "wait you know her? Since when and where?"
Lyriath answer with the most a bit annoyed expression ever "um I met her at the starlight gathering on where all dragon in the clan meet and make new friends and enemies while you hide under Father wings because you are scared and shy!"
I felt the cold stone of the cave bite my claws as Lyriath's glare burned into me. "while you hide under Father's wings because you're scared and shy!" he snapped, his voice echoing off the jagged walls.
My heart hammered, wings trembling just enough to stir a faint draft. "Lyriath, I… I didn't know," I whispered, trying to steady my breath.
He turned his head, the fire in his eyes dimming to a reluctant concern. "We have to find her before it get dark, and the storming wind carries her off the ridge. The storm's already getting louder."
A distant rumble rolled through the cavern, shaking loose a few shards of crystal.
"Take the left tunnel," he ordered, his tail brushing the ground. "I'll check the ridge path. If you see any sign of her smoke, a flicker of blue call out."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his expectation and my own fear lift just enough to move. "Got it," I said, stepping toward the darkness, the echo of our words fading behind us.
As we were looking for her and while looking for her, Lyriath ask "why did you leave her out here and not you know, roar or use anything to signal me to find and get to you?"
I look at Lyriath in annoyance. "HEY! I didn't think she was wandering off!"
Then we heard a roar and me and Lyriath and I bolted to where the roar came from, and we saw Auralynxis conerd into a tree as a big orc ready to attack her.
Me and Lyriath began to fight as we used our power, mine fire spear and Lyriath with his darkness beam with mine fire spear it surrounded my fire spear and strick it in it stomach.
It roar in so much pain The orc's massive club whistled, the wind it created hitting my scales, but I thrust the fire spear forward, the flames licking the blade, driving deeper into its gut. Lyriath's darkness beam twisted around the spear, coiling like a shadow snake, draining the beast's strength. It let out a guttural howl, stumbling back, its armor cracking from the heat.
Auralynxis, trembling, managed to scramble out from behind the tree, her eyes wide with fear but also a flicker of hope. She whispered, "Help…"
Lyriath snarled, "Finish it!" and unleashed a second burst of darkness that slammed into the orc's chest, shattering its ribcage. The creature collapsed, a thunderous thud shaking the ground, smoke and ash rising.
I pulled the fire spear out, the flames dying as the orc's life faded. Breathing hard, I turned to Auralynxis, who was now shaking, her wings folded protectively.
"Are you okay?" I asked, voice rough from the battle.
Lyriath lowered his head, the darkness receding, his eyes softer. "We need to get her back to the cave. The storm's coming."
Auralynxis nodded weakly, smoke curling from her nostrils, and we moved to shield her, the forest echoing with the last cries of the fallen orc.
I smiled pridefully "well Auralynxis you can thank me later because I save you!"
Lyriath, look at me with a hir of anger. "WHAT?! I THE ONE SAFE HER YOU ONLY HELP!"
Auralynxis shrank back, her wings trembling as a thin veil of smoke rose from her nostrils, eyes flickering between us.
"Th—thank you," she whispered, voice barely audible over the dying crackle of the orc's armor.
Lyriath's claws dug into the mossy stone, dark scales shimmering with suppressed fury. He snarled, "You think this ends here? The storm's still coming, and the thunder echo louder. We can't stay here."
I felt the heat of my fire spear dim, the ember at its tip sputtering. "We need to get her to the cave, fast. If the wind carries the Rift's dust, it'll poison her lungs."
Auralynxis tried to stand, legs shaking, then collapsed against a jagged root. I slipped an arm under her, feeling her cold scales. "Hold on, Aury," I murmured.
Lyriath, still glaring, let out a low, reluctant growl, then spread his massive wings, the darkness at their edges swirling. "Fine. Follow me. Keep her shielded."
The sky cracked with distant thunder as we moved, the forest groaning under an unseen pressure.
As we ran back to the mountains, then Auralynxis slipped on a river and flowed away and me and Lyriath and I ran to save her.
As we were trying to catch up, Lyriath shouted, "Why did you just let her slip! I told you to shield her!"
I defend myself "well you weren't even trying to save her either, and also, she just slipped. I didn't have much time to grab her! And why am I the shield while you are like her knight and shining armor!"
Lyriath growled but didn't argue his mind kept saying to save her, and as we kept running, Lyriath let out, declaring out loud, "Auralynxis! I know we only know each other a few times! But I want us to be together for thousands of years. Auralynxis! I want us to have as many children as our ancestors Tenrakys!"
I look at him with a 'what did I say' kind of face, but I stay quiet, and we see a big rock that Auralynxis can hold on to.
Lyriath lunged forward, his dark wings flaring, and slammed his claw onto the rock, steadying it. "Auralynxis! Grab it!" he roared, the echo bouncing off the canyon walls.
I dove into the icy river, the current slamming against my scales, but managed to hook my fire‑spear into the rock's edge, forming a makeshift bridge. "Hold on, Aury!" I shouted, feeling the water surge around my legs.
Auralynxis, half‑submerged, clutched the rock with trembling talons. Her eyes locked onto Lyriath, then flicked to me, a mix of fear and gratitude flashing through her violet iridescence.
Lyriath's breath came out in ragged puffs of shadow smoke. "If we lose her now… I-" He cut himself off, the anger melting into desperation. "We pull her up together."
I nodded, tightening my grip on the spear, the fire at its tip flaring just enough to melt a thin line of ice on the rock, giving her better footing. With a coordinated heave, we hauled her onto the ledge. She coughed water, wings shaking, but stood, leaning against the stone.
"Thanks," she rasped, voice hoarse. "Both of you…"
Lyriath lowered his head, his dark eyes softening. "We're not done yet. The storm's still coming. We need to get back to the cave before the river swells."
I glanced at the sky, clouds swirling black and violet, lightning flickering far off. "Then let's move. No more slipping."
We wrapped Auralynxis in our wings, forming a protective barrier, and began the climb back toward the mountain's entrance, the river's roar fading behind us.
I look at Lyriath with a grin, "and what you say about you want as many children as many children, as many children as Tenrakys, despite he have like over 500 children!"
Lyriath looks at me in annoyed "Be quiet, and she is mine!"
I try to calm him down "look I not into a romantic thing, and I'm not interested in having my own mate!"
Lyriath's eyes flashed a stormy red, his jaw tightening as a low growl rumbled from his throat. "You think this is a joke?" he snapped, the darkness around his wings flickering with restrained fury. "She's my responsibility, my… my future. Not a game."
I raised my hands, the fire spear still humming faintly, and stepped a little closer, voice softer. "Hey, I'm not trying to undermine anything. I just… wanted to lighten the tension. Auralynxis is hurt, we need to get her safe first."
Auralynxis, still shivering against the rock, lifted her head weakly, eyes darting between us. "Please… stop fighting. I… I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me." Her voice was a thin whisper, barely cutting through the rushing water and distant thunder.
Lyriath's anger melted into a reluctant concern. He lowered his massive wing, letting a protective shade fall over her. "Fine. We move. The storm's breaking, the river's rising. If we don't reach the cave in minutes, the flood will sweep us all away."
I nodded, tightening the grip on my fire spear, the flames licking the shaft just enough to cast a warm glow on the slick path. "Then let's get her up. I'll carry her weight, you lead the way."
Lyriath gave a curt, "Aye," and turned his gaze to the jagged trail that twisted up the mountain. With a sudden surge, he lifted Auralynxis onto his back, his dark scales absorbing the cold spray of the river. I followed, keeping the fire spear angled to melt a thin line of ice on the path, making each step steadier.
The wind howled louder, clouds swirling faster, but the three of us pressed on, the mountain looming ahead like a silent guardian.
As we bring her to our home in the mountains cave our mother lights green, notices her, and gets up and ask "oh hello, Auralynxis, how did you find our home?"
Before Lyriath gets to say anything, I spoke first. "She told me she was lost, and we bring her here to keep her safe!"
Mother looked at her and said, "Don't worry, Auralynxis Aetherius can contact your parents!"
Mother's blue‑glowing eyes widened a fraction, the soft luminescence of the cave's crystal walls flickering in rhythm with her calm breath. "Auralynxis," she whispered, voice echoing gently, "you're safe now. Aetherius—Tharros—will be back by afternoon. He'll know how to reach your parents."
Lyriath stepped forward, his wings half‑folded, a mix of relief and lingering irritation flashing across his face. "Mother, she slipped in the river. We barely pulled her out. She-"
I cut in, still grinning a little despite the exhaustion, "-and we thought the cave was the best place to keep her from the storm. Didn't want her wandering back into the Rift's wind."
Mother smiled, a warm, knowing curve, and placed a gentle hand on Auralynxis's trembling wing. "Rest, child. My light Elements magic will soothe you. Aetherius will return soon, and we'll send word to her parents."
Auralynxis, eyes half‑closed, managed a weak, grateful nod. The cave's amber light wrapped around her like a blanket, the crackle of the hearth echoing softly.
Lyriath let out a low, resigned sigh, his anger fading into protectiveness. "We'll stand watch. No more slipping."
I chuckled lightly, leaning against the stone wall. "And no more dramatic love confessions until after dinner, huh?"
Mother laughed softly, the sound resonating through the cavern. "Children, always with the drama. Rest now. We'll talk more when Tharros returns."
The three of us settled near the fire, the storm raging outside muted by the mountain's stone, and the cave felt if only for a moment like a safe harbor.
As hours passed and finally father returned and saw Auralynxis and was surprised and after we explained what happened, Father said with a calm tone "I'll go contact them so you should wait here for a while okay!"
Auralynxis nodded. "Thank you, sir." I looked at her and said, "You can play with your knight and shining armor if you want?"
Lyriath looks at me with death glare as he guides her away, and I go to Father and ask, "You done send the message?"
Father looked at me and answered "yes they said they be here when the moon is in it high peak!"
Later, when the moon it high peak, Auralynxis parents arrive, and they also bring their son that seem a bit younger than me.
Auralynxis ran and hugged her father right front leg, and the big dragon said, "I'm glad you are OK, my daughter and Also, thanks you, Tharros and Lyriath for saving her twice"
I bow my head in a respectful way. "It is my pressure, and who is this young dragon yo bring?"
The big dragon smiled and introduced this new dragon I met. "This is..... Kareth, he is 2 years younger than you, and he is our eldest and says hi Kareth!"
Kareth stepped forward, his scales a soft teal that caught the moonlight spilling through the cave's high fissure. He tilted his head, eyes bright with curiosity, and gave a shy, "Hi…" that sounded more like a gentle chime.
Kareth stepped forward, his scales blackened crimson, streaked with lines of magma that glowed between the plates, and patches of darker black mixed with flecks of red and brown. The moonlight spilling through the cave's high fissure caught the molten sheen, making his skin look like smoldering coals. He tilted his head, eyes bright with curiosity, and gave a shy, "Hi…" that sounded more like a gentle chime.
I placed my claw on his shoulder, pride flickering in my amber gaze. "Kareth's still learning to control his flame. He's been training with his mother, but he's eager to meet new friends."
Lyriath, still a bit stiff from the earlier glare, moved beside Auralynxis's parents, his wings half‑raised in a protective stance. "Welcome," he said, voice low but respectful. "We'll make sure the cave stays safe for you all."
Auralynxis, still clinging to her father's foreleg, turned to me with a grin that melted the lingering tension. "Thanks for… the joke earlier. And for saving me."
I chuckled, bowing my head again, my fire spear resting against the stone floor. "Just doing what's needed. I'm glad you're okay, and hey—now we have a new little brother in the mix."
Kareth shuffled closer, sniffing the lingering scent of fire and river water. "Can… can I see the spear?" he asked, voice trembling with excitement.
I lifted the fire spear, the flame dancing at its tip, and let him watch the ember glow. "Careful, it's hot. But you can feel the heat if you want."
Kareth reached out a tentative claw, feeling the warmth, his eyes widening. "Whoa…"
I laughed, a deep rumble that resonated through the cavern. "Looks like we'll have a lot of stories to share when the night ends."
The moon hung at its peak, silver light bathing the gathered dragons, and for a moment the cave felt like a gathering of old friends and new allies, united under the same sky.
I nudged Lyriath shoulder with my hip and said teasingly, "And Kareth, what do you think of having a brother-in-law?"
Kareth looks at me in confusion "um what?" And suddenly Lyriath gave me a tail slash at my face, and I landed on my face and let out "OW!"
Lyriath looks at Kareth with a bit of panic "it nothing Kareth, and hey, want to meet again next time?"
Lyriath's turn back at me, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Don't push it," he growled, the darkness around his wings flickering briefly.
Kareth stepped back, his blackened‑crimson scales shimmering faintly as the magma lines pulsed with unease. "I… I don't understand what's happening," he whispered, glancing at Auralynxis's parents for reassurance.
Auralynxis's mother, her silver scales catching the moonlight, placed a gentle claw on Kareth's shoulder. "It's okay, little one. They're just… intense."
I pushed myself up, wiping dust from my cheek, the sting of the tail‑slash still sharp. "Sorry, Lyriath. Didn't mean to cross the line."
Lyriath let out a low, reluctant sigh, his tail coiling back. "I overreacted. Kareth, forget the joke. You're welcome here anytime."
Kareth's eyes softened, a faint ember of trust glowing within. "I… I'd like that. Maybe we can train together later?"
Father chuckled, the rumble echoing through the cavern. "Sounds like a plan. Tonight, we rest. Tomorrow, we train."
The fire crackled, the moon still high, and the tension eased into a quiet camaraderie.
Later, they prepare to leave, and before they leave, Auralynxis go and walk towards Lyriath and give him a little kiss on the cheek but thank fully no one but me and Lyriath and Auralynxis saw it.
Lyriath blushed and said nervously, "See you too, Auralynxis, so see you later. Auralynxis"
She smiled, and her and her family spread their wings and fried off.
Our father looked at us and said, "So I took some adventures and let say I have hunted a pray and" before Father got to finish his word, I finish it, "and you got fat and now thank to your power to turn fat into muscle mass! And you ate the pray for yourself because you are some gluttonous dragon I have ever met!"
Lyriath stared at the fading silhouettes of Auralynxis and her family as their wings cut through the night sky, the moonlight glimmering on their scales. He brushed his cheek where the kiss had landed, a faint blush spreading across his dark plumage.
Father let out a low, amused rumble, his eyes crinkling. "Careful, son. One day you'll inherit that appetite."
Lyriath chuckled, the tension from earlier melting away, and nudged me with his elbow. "You never change, always the quick tongue."
We settled back around the fire, the night wind whispering through the mountain passes, the cave feeling both empty and full of lingering memories.
Father let out sighed "look I can't help it, son, and how about we get some rest!" I nodded, and as father settled down and spread one wing and I go under it since I always do this when I get ready to sleep.
Father, look at Lyriath, who is still looking at the sky "Lyriath ain't you going to sleep with your siblings in the nest?"
Lyriath looked at his siblings and looked at Father and said, "I can sleep with you, Father!"
Father's eyes warmed, his wing wrapping a little tighter around me. "Alright then. Let's all get some sleep. Tomorrow, the mountain will still be here, and the next adventure will wait."
The fire dimmed, the cavern fell quiet, and the both of us nestled so close to father with me under his wing and Lyriath curled around father tail, the night wind humming outside.
Father said one last time before we rest a bit. "My little hatchlings, just know I'll be with you even if you will become an adult!" Then we sleep.