A Tale of two Worlds

Prompt: A grown dragon finds a lost - or abandoned - toddler in the forest. Write a fiction story about what happens next.

The trees of the Cedarmist forest were colossal and ancient. Their thick frames stood tall, reaching for the heavens far above, their branches acting like a blanket from the endless sky that weighed down on everything.

Agni, a proud dragon, called the forest his home. He had lived here since he was a hatchling and soon his own hatchlings would call it their home as well. For as long as he lived, the forest was a quiet and peaceful place. Today that peace was broken by the most peculiar of noises. A loud crying filled his ears, causing him to leave the safety of his hollow high in the trees to investigate.

The lilac mist that enveloped the forest caused him to rely on his powerful dragon senses to navigate the winding trails around him. The mist signified the changing of the seasons along with the thin layer of white dust coating the ground beneath his claws. His tongue snaked out tasting the air around him, using it to guide himself toward the source of the disturbance. Upon reaching his destination he discovered the most unusual of sights, a small scaleless creature housed in a pile of broken down wood.

It swaddled itself in rough looking cloth that offered little protection from the elements around it. Taking notice of his massive frame it retreated deeper into its housing. Agni could taste the scent of blood in the air and continued to survey the area. Laid up against a nearby tree he found a much larger version of the tiny, wailing creature. This appeared to have been its mother, lost to the many dangers that lay hidden amongst them. Sighing, he made his way back to the pygmy.

He used his tail to brush away the debris, exposing the scaleless thing underneath. Laying down, he let a gust of hot air escape from his nostrils, warming the small creature from the cold air.

Much like him, the creature had two arms and two legs. Although it lacked wings and where horns would normally grow for his kind, a mass of shaggy black curls filled its head. How curious, he thought. He further inspected it. Its skin was soft and fleshy, giving a rather frail appearance. Standing up, it attempted to walk toward him. Taking only a few steps before falling over. Lacking a tail seemed to also have an impact on its balance. After taking a sharp intake of air, it let out a sound not too dissimilar to that of a frog. Was this how it communicated? It seemed equally as alarmed by the noise as he was.

He lay watching it in silent amusement as it tried to replicate the sound with varying degrees of success. Agni laid out his claw, inviting the creature to climb on. If he left it here it would surely die to the elements. It climbed on and he took care to not harm it as he closed his claw around it. Standing upright, Agni spread out his wings and took flight. Returning to the hollow where his eggs lay in wait.

The cold season that came was one of the harshest Agni had seen in his lifetime, biting winds rocked the tree where he made his hollow. Snow blanketed everything it could touch, but even in such rough conditions new life managed to flourish. Three dragonettes emerged from their eggs. Not much bigger than his newly adopted son. Hard to believe they would one day be as large as he. Celeste with scales of deep blue, Wisteria with scales of gentle purple, and Lumi with scales as white as the falling snow. Two boys and one girl.

Much like him, his sons would one day leave the nest to find their own hollows. Where they would live out their lives. Guarding over their territory and raising hatchlings of their own. His daughter would spend her life traveling from one spot to the next. Nestling with suitable mates until she bore eggs of her own and leaving to repeat the process. Most dragons rarely, if ever met their mothers.

The name he had chosen for his adopted son was Aster. And like his dragonettes, he quickly grew. They integrated well together. Energetic and rambunctious they spent much of their time wrestling and fighting as siblings often do. They were truly growing with the heart of dragons.

Once the cold weather subsided, Agni taught them to hunt. In the beginning, Aster held little to no skill with it. Dragons held a natural predatory instinct and as much made adept hunters. Although, what Aster lacked in proficiency he made up for in ingenuity. Molding tools to make up for his lack of fangs and claws. As time progressed he learned to hunt with as much ferocity as a dragon.

With the return of the warm season, new secrets often revealed themselves in the Cedarmist. Agni lay curled up with his children when he heard a loud commotion from the forest below. Peeking out from his hollow he took notice of a small group traveling with something similar to what he found Aster in. He followed, taking care to stick high in the canopy above to avoid detection. He did not want to risk alarming them. It was some time before they found themselves at the base of a river that ran through one of the largest trees in the forest. It was the only place in the entire forest that held a clear view of the sky above thanks to the ancient tree having toppled over at its base. It was an ideal place for any community.

Rushing back to his hollow, he sought to release care of Aster to them. They appeared to be species similar to his of course, who else better than to raise him? As he flew back a million thoughts raced through his mind. Dragons were protective of their own, and for all intents and reasoning Aster had come to be his own son. Could he truly relinquish care of him? Yes, he must he thought. Arriving at the hollow, Agni roused his children. Directing his attention to Aster, he bent down low and touched his snout to Aster’s brow. It was one of the only ways they found they could communicate, and let the images of what he saw flow from his mind.

Aster’s response wasn’t what Agni had expected. The child seemed as curious as he to meet members of his own kind. With that, Agni took Aster into his claw and flew back to the tree where the people were making their home.

The reception Agni received was much of what he expected. Fear and panic spread across everyone as he made his unexpected landing. He kept his distance, showing them he meant no harm or ill intent. Opening his claw, he released Aster who hid behind his adoptive father. Fear quickly turned to confusion as the people took notice of the small boy hiding behind the dragon's leg. Sensing no danger, the oldest looking member took a few brave steps toward them. He spoke in a tongue unfamiliar to Agni, but he stood stoic as the man made his approach.

Aster’s uneasiness died down as the man got closer. Taking note of the similarities between the two of them. Neither Agni nor Aster had ever seen another as similar to the boy, save for his mother, but Agni suspected Aster was too young to remember her.

Agni found himself face to face with the small creature, he bowed his head low as it recoiled away in fear. Perhaps he felt this was simply a ruse to get him to lower his guard? Agni touched the tip of his snout to the elder creature's head, much like he would do with Aster and let the memories and images flood into its mind. With an expression of shock it looked from Agni to Aster as it understood. Aster was being released into their care. Kneeling low, it motioned for Aster to come to it. Hesitantly the young boy obliged and the elder scooped him into his arms.

For dragons, hatchlings leaving the nest was a common occurrence. But, even so he couldn't help but feel a twinge of emotion. Aster was not a dragon, and through he grew fond of him he needed to be with his own kind. With that Agni took off. Returning to his hollow, ignoring the cries of Aster as he left.

12 years later

What they say about raising a child really is true, it truly does take a village. Aster was a prime example of that. He had spent a small portion of his childhood raised with dragons. Great and ferocious beasts, and because of that he was as wild as they came. For a long while he was unable to pick up on his people's spoken language. Using mainly grunts and gestures. It wasn't until he was much older that he learned how to formulate proper words and sentences.

He was rough when it came to playing with other children, having an unusual strength for any human, especially at his young. This led to the other children fearing him, all but one that is.

Nox was a child who found companionship in Aster, both boys were around a similar age and were orphans. Because of this Nox went out of his way to always try and play with Aster, even if he ended up hurt in the process. He played a pivotal role in Aster's adjustment to the village and as such the two became as close as brothers.

The day started off like any other, with Nox parading into Aster’s tent to arouse him, although this particular morning there was a much greater sense of urgency. “Aster! Aster!” Nox rocked Aster’s hammock, causing him to sheepishly swat him away. “Not now, can’t a guy sleep in once in a while?” Aster turned away. “We need you, we have dragons circling around the village!”

While dragons scouring around the village wasn’t anything unusual, considering Aster’s three adopted siblings still made frequent visits to him, he obliged Nox and followed. Once outside Aster could see what Nox had been describing. Three dragons of blue, white and purple soared overhead. As he made his way into the clearing they dove down, landing gracefully on their feet. Joyous, he approached them but quickly noticed something was off, the three of them hunched down low and paired their fangs at him.

Alarmed, Aster took a step back. The other villages always felt uneasy anytime the young dragons made their way near the village and they certainly were very endearing to them in this moment. Getting down on all fours, Aster bared his palms upward and tucked his head as tightly into his body as he could. A gesture that showed them he was remorseful for whatever action caused them distress. Hesitantly, his adoptive sister Wisteria inched toward him. She kept her wings flared out, letting him know she would take any unnecessary action as hostile.

The other villagers kept their distance, with Nox being the only one to stand with Aster. Wisteria quickly placed her head against Aster’s and the images she wanted him to see played themselves throughout his mind. A pack of hunters brutally captured their father. He could see the scene play out as clearly as if he were there watching it himself. A dozen men stood armed with spears and nets. Firing bolts into the large dragons hide as it roared, signaling his children to flee, lest they share his fate.

Bewildered, Aster looked into his sister's lizard-like eyes and gently caressed her face as he poured his own thoughts into hers. He never knew how this worked, their way of communication was always so much different than their spoken language. But even so he whispered to her. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you all.” he voice broke, holding back tears at the thought of what happened to his adoptive father. Nox placed a sympathetic hand to his shoulder. “What is it?” he asked.

Aster turned to him, “they anger because a group of hunter’s attacked our father and have taken him captive.” Astonished, Nox took a step back. “ I think I know who and where they are!”

His statement left Aster feeling incredulous. “How?” “Early this morning I saw a group of men hauling something off into the forest, unfortunately I didn’t think anything of it at the time!” Hunters weren't an uncommon sight, the forest was home to a plethora of game and Nox was an expert tracker. The boy held an unusual talent for it that seemed to exceed even his own.

Hurriedly, Aster shared the news with his three siblings. At this point Lumi and Celeste’s agitation had died down. The dragonettes were still much too young to risk going to save their father on their own. From what he had learned of them, dragons seemed to age only a year for every decade of a human life. Leaving these three little more than infants for their size. Even if they were born with a natural tenacity to hunt. A large group of hunters could easily injure or kill them. It would be much safer for him to sneak in unnoticed.

Rushing to his tent, Aster quickly gathered the materials he would near. Without having to look, he knew Nox was standing at the entrance. “Guess there’s no talking you out of coming, is there?’ Nox laughed. “Someone has to be there to keep you grounded, dragonboy.” he smiled in spite of himself, thankful to have someone like Nox at his back. “Well then, let’s be off.”

It didn’t take long to track the group hauling the great dragon. Once they located where Nox had originally spotted them. It was about a day's journey out from their village, in areas where the trail went cold Aster was able to use his enhanced senses to pick it up again. The two boys finally found them at rest in a large clearing where a makeshift fort was being erected. Highwalls stand partly finished and half hearted barriers lay askew in the field. It certainly wasn't a form of permanent protection, but just enough to allow troops to mobilize should they be alerted to any intruders.

Crouching just behind the forest line, Nox motioned for Aster to stay back while he scouted the area. They both knew Aster wouldn't remain level headed should he discover where his adoptive father was being held. It was just after sundown that Nox returned to find Aster laid back against a tree, drawing tally marks in the dirt. Nox sat down next to him, taking a swig of his waterskin before he spoke. “There’s roughly two dozen men guarding and patrolling the camp. Sneaking in won’t be a problem, but getting out…” he trailed off. “Getting out won’t be an issue once we free my father. I don’t know what trickery they used to capture him, but they will learn first hand the wrath of a dragon.”

They waited until the unseen creatures of the forest started their nightly song before taking off for the fortress. The sounds would mask their footsteps and avoid alerting anyone to their presence. They moved like shadows along the perimeter of the forest. Making way toward a small gap Nox had spotted in his scouting trip earlier. It was just big enough for them to squeeze through. Once inside, Aster took note of the tents and crates sporadically located around the encampment. The largest of which had multiple guards entering and exiting on a constant rotation. That had to be where the chieftain made his quarters.

Taking care to stick to the shadows they made their way to the large cage that held their target. From a distance the cage seemed much bigger, but up close they could see it was much too small for the inhabitat inside. “Father! Father!” Aster attempted to rouse the dragon inside to no avail. It sheepishly lifted its head and dropped back against the metal bars. Aster’s vision turned red as he placed his hand against his snout and a myriad of images filled his mind. “they drugged him!” Nox placed a sympathetic hand to his shoulder. “Calm down, if we raise suspicion now there's nothing we can do. Let me get to work on the lock. If I can undo it, it’ll give him a chance to escape once the effects wear off.” Nodding understandingly, Aster turned to keep watch.

Much to his dismay, three guards made their way up to them as both Aster and Nox turned to face them, their backs pressed against the cold steel. “Well Well Well, seems like we’ve a little bit of a rodent problem on our hands.” laughed the first guard. Things took a turn from bad to worse as the second of the three guards blew into his signaling horn. Alerting the camp to their presence. With the element of surprise now out the window Aster looked toward Nox as he drew his hunting knife. In a few moments the entirety of the camp would be on them. Crouching low, Aster took to the hunting position he was all too accustomed too.

Years of hunting and fighting with his adoptive siblings took precedent as Aster barreled forward toward the first of the three guards. With inhuman speed, Aster vaulted over him and kicked his legs out, knocking back the two other guards. Sinking his nails deep into the first guard's shoulders Aster flipped him down to the ground as he landed effortlessly on his feet. The guard wasn’t as lucky, hitting the earth underneath him with a bone shattering thud. He turned back to Nox. “Get to work on that lock, I can handle this.” Turning his attention back to the remaining men, Aster moved like lightning to subdue them. Dipping and ducking between swings and blows.

He felt something hard connect with the back of his skull and fell to the ground, dazed he struggled to regain his senses as a large and burly man hoisted him up in a tight bear hug. Nox too appeared to have been taken captive by two other guards. A man with an ornate headpiece came into view. He grinned from ear to ear as he addressed Aster. “ I see we have a formidable warrior here to claim our prize.”

Hearing his adoptive father referred to as some kind of object to be won angered Aster, mustering his strength he slammed the back of his head into the burly guard's nose who promptly dropped him. “He's not some prize to be bought and claimed.” Aster growled.

More and more men started to surround them, forming a circle around the two of them. Aster eyed the one still holding Nox captive. “Although I am not unreasonable. I know strength when i see it, I will permit you the rite of proving for your freedom.” Murmurs filled the camp.

‘Silence!” his voice filled the night air. “So what say you?”

Aster looked toward Nix, his eyes held no sign of fear as he nodded approvingly. “Let’s do this”

The Chieftain was large and imposing, but he wasn't anything Aster couldn’t handle. He beat his chest as his men removed his headdress and chanted their war cries. Crouching low, Aster let his more animalistic senses take hold of him. They would learn what it meant to challenge a child of dragons.

The chieftain was certainly an experienced fighter and hunter. Aster slowly stalked around him, moving in a small tight circle. His opponent made sure to leave him no openings, taking the first move, Aster started the hunt. He blitzed forward, expecting to take out the man's legs, but he was quick. With a sudden snap of his leg he caught Aster square in the chest. Gasping, he was sure he felt a few of his ribs crack, but still he tried again. This time when the chieftains leg shot out, Aster made sure to use his body weight to throw them both down as he held on tightly. Sprawling to get over top, he let blow after wild blow unravel.

Feeling knuckles harder than stone, Aster’s vision blurred as he stumbled back, having caught a fist straight to the face. He blinked away the moisture just in time to watch someone from the crowd toss the Chieftain a large battle ax. “This isn't a game boy! You’re fighting to live.” he said between clenched teeth. Things turned into a deadly dance as Aster dodged swing after wild swing. One wrong move would prove disastrous for him. Suddenly a loud bellow took the crowd's attention away from their fight. The heavy metal door to the cage came flying into the crowd. Those who weren’t immediately crushed were caught in a torrent of fire as they tried to make their escape.

Seeing this as an opportunity, the chieftain sent Aster tumbling back with a swift strike from the pommel of his ax and prepared to deal the killing blow. Until he was violently tossed into the air and came down between the jaws of Aster's adoptive father, Agni.

The relief in his eyes was instant as he hugged his father, thanking him. Aster rushed over to the spot where the metal doors had come crashing down to find Nox injured, but alive. Agni lifted the door off of him, and nuzzled him in the same manner he would his own dragon kin.

Aster helped him to his feet, “Are you alright?” he asked. Nox grimaced as he tried to put weight on his injured leg. “I think I may have sprained my ankle, but I’ll live.” Aster threw his arm around his shoulder to help ease the weight. “Let’s get home.”

The journey back home was unlike anything Nox had experienced in his life. To ride on the back of a dragon was exhilarating. The wind caused his hair to flail out behind him like an inkly black tendril. Never before had he been so high in the trees before. Everything in the Cedarmist below laid out before him. He could easily understand what Aster enjoyed about it. Aster spent the entire ride home looking more alive than Nox had ever seen him. And for a few brief moments, he truly envied his experience and bond with such a beautiful creature.

Upon landing they were greeted by the villagers who appeared happy and relieved to see them return home safely. Agni’s dragonettes ran up to him and attacked him with a vicious assortment of hugs and playful bites. Helping Nox down, the two of them were given the same welcome by the three dragons.

Agni eyed the two of them before pressing the tip of his snout to their heads. They felt the warmth of the dragons thanks before he gathered up the dragonettes and took off. Aster turned to embrace Nox like a brother. “I couldnt have done that without you.” Nox rolled his eyes and then laughed. Returning the embrace. “ I'd never leave you by yourself, my brother.