Abomination Of The East

Long ago before Elves and humans and Orcs ruled the world, there were dragons. They were the kings and queens of this world. Known as Lords of the sky, sea, and land. Nothing dared to stand up against them. Everyone bowed before their glory. It wasn’t until the great war of the East and West that the dragons were brought to their knees. Within this war, two brothers destroyed more than half the world and that upset mother Gyia. So, she pulled them down from the sky and imprisoned them in the deepest part of the sea. 

“It is said that if we do not take care of Gyia as she does us she will unleash the monstrous dragons once more,” 

“Aaahhh!” 

“So they may swallow us up.” 

The children screamed while being eaten by the blanket monster. One asked. “What did these dragons look like? And why only the two brothers? Why not all of them?” 

Zafira got more into character. “They were giants compared to some. They were longer than the longest river. They had antlers like deer, the head of a camel, the piercing eyes of a demon, the body of a snake. The belly of a clam, scales of a fish. Eagle claws. They had the paws of a tiger and ears of an ox, as for the brothers-” She was interrupted. 

“Come on Zafira, it’s time to go.” 

“Aww, don’t go. We want more stories!” The children shouted together. 

“I’m sorry little lovelies, but you know how my older brother gets.” She left on a good note with smiles and laughs. 

“Why do you tell these children stories? You should be taking care of your own inst-” With the halt of his voice, he knew he shouldn’t have said that. 

“Brother it’s ok. Maybe the Gods and Gyia have something else planned for me. And you never know, I might just adopt one for myself.” Zafira said jokingly. 

Making their way back to the ocean front, he spoke again. “That’s not funny, don’t say that around mom or dad. You know how they get.” 

“Yeah, yeah. It was just a joke” Their feet hit the sand and they continued to argue as they always did. 

“Oh here we go. You know why we can’t do it. Just go west sister, they still hold those weaker than them under their claws.” 

“Yes but we’re different. We can bring the battle to them, set those creatures free. We can rule.”

“It isn’t about who rules, sister, there shouldn’t be one. That is the point. That is what we protect here.” 

“Are we really, brother? Or are we just using it as an excuse? We know of those that suffer and we do nothing while having the power to change it.” 

With a wave of his hand, she looked away, scanning the area. “Yeah, yeah we’re all clear.” 

Hitting the body of water, they let their bodies be overtaken by the waves and pulled deeper and deeper into the ocean. The glow of their bodies slowly transformed them into the sea serpents, the dragons of the east. As they stretched their long bodies and flowed with the water, Zafira noticed a raft of some sort floating above their head on the break of the ocean. “Brother, do you see that?” 

“Yes. Oh, wow a ship, quit acting like you’ve never seen one.” Always with his smart attitude.

“No brother, look at where we are. It is too deep. No sailor comes this far, they know what happens.” She’s cut off as a crash was heard. Before she knew it, the raft was in pieces. Her brother had done what they always had done. Destroyed the creatures that came on their turf. A cry is heard, it sounded like it’s coming from a baby. “Brother do you hear that?” 

“Let the baby die by the waves.” 

“My god, brother, have a heart. Even if it is a creature from hate, it doesn’t mean it has to be one.” She grabbed hold of the toddler. As she analyzed it, she noticed it’s not just of one creature of hate, but two. It held the blood of both elves and orcs. “By Gyia brother, tell mother and father to meet us on the coast.” As she swam to the coast, the toddler in hand, her brother swam deeper to tell mother and father of what had happened. 

Going past all the caverns of the sea and straight to the kingdom of Sea Serpents, the Bermuda triangle, he lowered his head as he spoke. “Mother, father. We must leave quickly, Zafira is on the surface with a child.” With that, the water was sucked from that room and all the Lords were escorted out, only leaving the King and Queen with their son. “Boy, what do you speak of? Your sister can have no children, this is not a funny joke.” 

“No father, we found a toddler on a boat we destroyed and instead of letting the waves finish the job, she took him.” 

Before he knew it, his parents were off to the surface, leaving the kingdom in the hands of their beloved son. “Take the throne son, your mother and I will go speak with your sister.” 

The water turned a light blue and separated as if welcoming something to their depths. But it was them, her mother and father. They were peak specimens of the goblin species, with their teeth sharper than most, their arms reaching to their calves, having boulders for shoulders and a jawline that can cut a man’s throat, standing well above any other creature. 

“Zafira, why cling to this beast? Why not take your spot on the council? Why not be the mother to all and show the new generation what they are meant to do?” Her mother spoke with a soft tone that would get just about anyone to do anything she said. 

“I can’t, mother. It was like his cries spoke to me, mother. You and everyone else knows I cannot bear children and dryad do not really see me as one of them, even though my two legged form takes their shape. So mother please, let me bring this one home.” She cried and pleaded as her father stated the obvious. 

“He is not a water breather, my daughter. He cannot survive down there with us.” 

“Not yet father but with time and care we both know anything is possible.” From the rising in his voice she knew she had to do something quickly. 

“You do not have that kind of time. And during that time, where will he live and will you live with him?” 

With the sand hugging their feet and the ocean behind them, the tree line in front called to her. She pointed to it. 

With a deep breath, her father knew. “It has been a while since one of us has lived among them.” Her mother said. 

“Is that a yes?” 

“Yes, darling. Go live with our people, teach them like we used to but only if you come to visit.”

“That’s a deal, mom. But only if you come to visit your grandson.” As she held him up for them to see his cuteness, her father grabbed him before the mother could. 

“Alright you listen to me. From this day forward you are one of us. Your blood might run of orc and elf, but your heart and soul is of dragon bound.” And with that, they walked their separate ways. 

12 years later 

Knock, knock. The sound of feet hitting the ground was heard as the young man ran to the door. “Grandpa, you made it!” he said as he went in with their over the top handshake. 

“How can I miss my grandson's birthday?” 

Grandma pushed grandpa out the way as soon as the handshake was done. “Come here my little man.” 

He crashed into her arms for a hug while asking. “Uncle Azrial didn’t want to come?” 

Grandpa hugged his daughter before answering, “Well, as we have retired from being on the high council, he sees now it takes a lot to run the kingdom.” 

“Well maybe soon I can finally see mommy’s home.” 

They all looked at one another with wondering eyes. “Marcellus, why don’t you go show your grandpa your friend in the back.” 

Waving to grandfather for him to follow he led him to the back yard. 

“Mother, he is something special. The runes on his legs that we made allow him to go deeper in the sea than we thought. It’s like the runes require no sacrifice.” 

“That’s not possible. All magic has a sacrifice, he really isn’t one of us and he hasn’t trained to be a sorcerer.” 

“No mother, it isn’t the magic. It’s like the water around him gives itself to the runes which then allows him to move faster under water. As for his breath, well he isn’t human, and that alone allows for longer lung capacity.” 

“Well no offense to the trolls and goblins, but their mystic users aren’t all that good. Have you taken him to a dryad or druid?” 

“I have tried but they do not answer my calls.” 

“A bunch of punks. Only come around when it helps them.”  

Marcellus brought his grandfather to the back and he noticed the view. More than anything, how the sunsets look beautiful. “Yeah I know that look. I think that is why mother chose this spot to build our home. That and well the waves.” 

“What waves do you speak of boy?” And before his grandson could answer, he heard a crash . He slowly walked to the edge and, with a smile on his face, he looked down. 

“Yeah, that is the same thing mother does. She says she misses the island and I ask her when I can go for a visit. She always says the same thing: soon, my love.” As they stood for a second and enjoyed the breeze from the ocean, the grandson tugged on his grandfather. “Look! This is my friend, she isn’t ready but in due time she will be able to think on her own.” 

As his grandfather looked at the homunculus with awe, he was shocked. A boy should not be able to make a homunculus of his own. “My boy, how long have you been carving out this unique specimen?” 

“For about 8 years.” 

As surprise grew on his face, he knew that not only will this homunculus be able to think for oneself, but it will be powerful as ever. “What made you want to make your friend here?” 

“I was lonely for forever. Mother wouldn’t take me into town so I made my own friend.” 

Kaw, kaw. “What is that?” 

“It is my other friend, the little birdie.” A phoenix came by, dropping a feather for his little friend. “Thank you little birdie!!” Grabbing the phoenix’s feather that fell, he put it inside the growing homunculus. 

“Marcellus, what are you doing?” 

“I always put the feather inside her to keep it safe. Also, she always glows when I do.” 

With a smile on his face, he didn’t have the heart to tell him how important a phoenix feather was and so he let the boy put the feather inside the homunculus and just like that, she lit up like a sun. “By Gyia boy, you are right. Some day she will think for herself but, not only that, she will have the powers of a hundred exploding suns.” 

Speaking to his friend, the homunculus, “Did you hear that, Amaterasu? You’ll be powerful too. It has to be true because grandfather said it.”

Coming out to the backyard, cake in hand, “Are you ready to blow out the candles?” his mother asked. 

“Come on grandpa, it’s cake time!!” As they sang happy birthday to the young man there was only one thing left to do. “Presents!!” 

“Your mother said your magic is second to none, however you haven’t been able to find the weapon that matches your soul.” 

As they pulled the present from the air, he exclaimed, “Wow, it is amazing. I can hit a lot with this stick.” The grown-ups laughed at this innocent idea. 

“My boy, it is not a stick. Look at the runes,” Grandmother said softly. “Look, the runes are like what you put on your legs. They bring the water from around you, even from the air, and make the weapon of your desire.” 

“Damn grandma, that is sick. It’s like a living weapon.” Slowly turning to his mother he asked, “So do I get my present from you now?” Worried of getting another mystic arts book he kept a smile on his face as always to keep his mother happy. 

“Well I was thinking of giving you what you have been asking for all these years.” Before she even finished, he was running to the door and putting his shoes on. 

“To the town it is then.” He spoke. Both grandparents gave each other a worried look. “You’re not leaving are you? This is going to be the best, to finally see the town meet kids my own age.” 

“My grandson, we would never miss something like this for you.” 

Walking down the cliff and breaking through the treeline, his eyes widened. His pupils dilated as he was shown something new. Kids run around kicking a ball. A big giant dragon statue in the middle of the yard had flowers surrounding it like a little garden. People walked everywhere. Rode their bikes everywhere else. Before he knew it, he was opening up a door to the smell he had followed in, which he thought was candles. Which, technically, it was, but it wasn’t just candles. 

“Your mystic aura smells beautiful.” 

With that, the older female laughed “Thank you little boy.” And before she knew it, she was jumping back, the magic stopped and kids were afraid. 

“I’m sorry, ma’am, we did not mean any harm here.”

As the young lady reached out to who she expected the mother to be. “It is alrig-,” Just like that she froze. “You do not remember me, do you?” 

As Zafria stared a little harder, recognition came over her. “Oh my gosh, Kami!” They both embraced in a hug. “I haven’t seen you in years. They say you went off to school.” The institution of The Mystic’s.

“Yeah, just got back last week, but how about you? Are you still telling those fabulous stories?” 

“Not like I used to. I try to get some in every now and then but I’ve been busy raising this little rascal.” She pulled her son to her side. “Say hello,” 

“Hi Miss Kami, how are you?” 

“I was unaware you had a son, but if he is yours then he is welcome whenever.” With open arms, she invited him to stay for class. 

“No offense, but I think my mother already beat you to anything you can teach me.” Laughter filled the room. Bang, bang,  like a crane hitting the floor. 

“My, my, don’t we have a confident one here?” an old man said as he entered. 

“It is not cockiness, sir, it is just fact. The smell of her magic. It is good, pure. She takes the time, makes the right sacrifices but her smell also says she hasn’t fought anyone stronger than her. Anyone that has pushed her.” 

“You know all this from the smell, young one?” 

“Yes I do mister...” 

“You may call me Rin.” 

“Mister Rin, it’s like you, the way you filled this room. Old like tree bark. Been in battle but wants it to stop, wants peace and silence.” 

With a chuckle he looked up at Zafria and her parents. “You sure do have an interesting son.” 

“Thank you, and my apologies, it is his first time in town.” 

“Why don’t we test your skills? See if you have the power to learn from the pixies and goblins and dryads.” 

“Uncle, if you’d like, I can examine his skill set.” Kami said with a little too much glee. 

As Mister Rin motioned to the door, Kami led Marcellus to the beach. Passing through the town, he saw the shops and diners and the pub in which he did not want to go into just yet. 

Reaching the beach, he said, “I love the feel of the sand in my toes.” 

“You know for such a young guy, you got grit. But I apologize in advance for what I have to do.” 

“It’s ok, take your best shot.” As he stood there with his arms wide, like he was looking for a hug, she pulled out her wand. “Oh, you're a wizard. I was kind of expecting a witch.” 

Before he knew it, a spell was hurled at him. “Llacxineohp!” With that, a fire tornado shot out of her wand. Everyone thought he got swallowed up, but no one noticed the tidal wave he had called in. 

“You know, wizards don’t have to make sacrifices for fast magic. That is why most people are wary of them. But do you know the biggest weakness of them all?” Marcellus says with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. 

She was shocked by how he survived the fire. “Man, for a twelve year old you talk way too much.” 

“Hey I just turned 14 for your information.” 

“Ratsgnillaf!” 

Looking to the sky, it was like comets coming down aiming just for him, it was time to put his gift to use. “Thank you, grandpa.” As the steam cleared, the boy stood under a water umbrella. 

“Not bad kid, but I think it is time to end it.” 

“You got that right.” 

“Ka-,” Before she could finish, a middle finger pointed at the side of her throat as Marcellus stood behind her. 

“You were better than what I thought, but way too slow.” 

“How? We didn’t even see you move?” 

“It’s because you were looking at the wrong thing. Do you understand now, the weakness of a wizard?” Looking over at where he stood was his water umbrella in the air with no one under it. 

“The biggest weakness is the wand.” 

As the kids stood with confused looks on their faces, he continued, “Correct, it is the focal point of your power, it has to come out the wand. If I avoid the wand, I avoid the magic.” Kami holstered her wand knowing she has been bested, Mr. Rin with a smile on his face. 

As the crowd went back up to town, Zafria took the kids for some pie.

“Marcellus, where are you going?” Zafria asked with her motherly tone. 

“It’s alright ma’am, he is getting a private tour.” Kami shared a small part of the town’s history. “This isn’t the biggest town, it's more of a small harbor town. Most creatures here ran from the west looking for a more peaceful life.” 

“Is that why they looked at me terrified because I am new?” 

“Well….kind of. It is more like your people were oppressors of a kind. Not the worst but not the best as well.” His mind started working and she could tell. “Hey, hey don’t break your brain. Seeing who your mother is, the town will warm up too.” 

“Why is it that I never knew my mom was so famous?” 

“Let’s just say she was like the town mother for some time. Always telling stories, buying us sweet snacks, and taking care of us when our parents couldn’t.” 

“Man, she never gives me sweets like that. Only on special events like today, but what happened? Why’d you say it was only for some time?” Marcellus asked without knowing the difficulties of motherhood.

“Well, she stopped coming around, as much, but we all see why now.” She said, pointing at Marcellus like he was up for auction. 

“Well I’m sorry I will share her again with the town. I think she wants to come down more anyways, but she always kept me up in the house and I think for the reason you said. People would be scared.” As they continued to walk, something caught Marcellus’ eye. “What is that?” 

Looking back, Kami stopped and followed his eye line. “Not a what, but a who.” 

“Who is that?” 

“She is Drifa, the next dragon knight.” 

With shock on his face he asked. “What is a dragon knight, she doesn’t look like one?” 

“No silly. Not really a dragon. She is the best at fusing magic and weaponry into one. We call them dragon knights after the most furious creatures ever.” 

“Hmm, fitting name I suppose. But she favors one side and is slow on the follow up.” Opening up the door it was like a waterfall of magic. “Whoa, there are so many magic users in here.” 

“You didn’t read the name of this building did you?” 

“No I did not.” 

“It read latrop ot loohcs.” The portal to school. 

“This is portal magic?” 

“Yeah most people can’t do it and traveling by yourself is dangerous and most don’t have griffins.” An alarm sounded. “Shit I forgot.” 

“What is th-,” Before he could finish, he was surrounded by trolls and goblins ready to take his throat. 

“Lebbub!” Just like that, a shield was put around them. “Take a chill pill, people. He is my guest.” 

Whispering to his only friend there, “This is what my mother was afraid of.” 

One goblin stepped forward. “I THINK IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE.” 

Making eye contact with one another, Marcellus slowly walked back to the door, “I guess it is time to leave.” 

Kami said “Already ahead of you.” She noticed he was already by the door, they both exited. 

“Do you think that little bubble of yours would have stopped all that?” 

“Oh heavens no. But it would have given me time to walk out the door and that’s all I needed.” 

Heading back to the heart of town, they stopped for frozen yogurt. “My mom always just brings ice cream, but this is amazing.” 

“Calm down there, sport. It is just frozen yogurt.” 

With a jingle by the door, he noticed his grandfather and waved him over. “Grandfather, try this. It is frozen yogurt and it might be better than ice cream.” 

“It is time to go, your uncle is waiting.” 

“Oh, he’s here?” 

“No, it is time for you to see the island.” 

Giving Kami a bow. “It was nice to meet you, Miss Kami. Word of advice, time is the greatest strength for any mystic user.” With that, they turn to leave. 

Watching them leave, Kami thought to herself. “Just like his mother, weird as usual. But a good weird.” 

Meeting up with his mother, she noticed the yogurt. “What is that, young man?” 

“Frozen yogurt. I mean it is my birthday.” 

“Just for today, I’ll let it slide.” Headed to the beach, he asked no questions. “My son, I know you wonder why we live on the cliff but it is easier access for me.” 

Holding his hand up for her to stop, he said, “Mother, I know you are a sea serpent. The saviors of the people. The dragons of the east.” 

As their jaws fell to the sand, the grandfather did nothing but laugh. “Told you he was smart.” 

“But how, my son?” 

“Mom, you make me swim for hours. I can hold my breath like no other two legged creature and the runes on my legs make me swim faster and farther within minutes. Plus, I’ve seen you jump off the cliff and I got scared. When I ran over, I saw you were a dragon.” 

“And you never said anything?” 

“I knew you had a good reason not to tell me.” 

Scanning the area they slowly descended into the ocean, and with a glow of sky blue, they all changed to the dragons. “Now that is awesome.” 

“Ok your brother will meet us at the border.” With the help of his mother he didn’t have to stop to take a breath. A giant sea serpent came blazing like a torpedo. Silver scales and bigger than mother. He stopped in front of them with heavy breaths rippling the water around them. 

Uncle popped up from around mother. “Uncle, I can’t believe you almost missed my birthday.” 

“Well my nephew, I wanted to be the first to show our home.” Before Marcellus could make it through, he noticed the smell of magic. It was like a wall waiting for him to walk through.  As they broke the wall of magic, it was like seeing a city under the water. 

It was bright but peaceful. Little sea dragons swam so free, but it was the palace that caught his eye. Mother gave this all up for him. She gave up leading these people so she could care for him. With that, he turned to give her the biggest hug any son could give. “What is this for?” 

“Just being the best mother ever.” But with that he felt it. The hate that was coming to him, swimming faster than even he could feel and before he knew it, a beast was in his face. 

“He doesn’t belong here!!” 

Before Marcellus could say anything, his mother was in between them like darkness eating light. “He is my son. This is our home, you should know better!!” With that mother bear voice, the young dragon eased off but Marcellus did not feel welcomed. This may have been his mother’s home and uncle's kingdom, but these were not his people. 

“I wish to go home mother.” All of them turned towards Marcellus in surprise. 

“But we just got here, my son, this is your home.” 

“No mother, this is yours. Not mine, my own family doesn’t want me here.” 

“Nephew, I swear to you the people and your cousins want you here.” 

Saying goodbye to his uncle and grandparents, he faced his cousins before leaving, “Maybe one day you’ll see me as family.” 

Making it back, Marcellus went to sleep knowing just a little bit more of the world, but woke up to stamping feet. Jumping out of bed and grabbing his weapon, he shouted, “Who comes so swift so light to our home?” 

“I’m surprised you didn’t know my scent.” Just like that he knew who it was. “You remember the school that we visited yesterday?” 

With a smile on his face, Marcellus said, “Yes I do and they asked me to leave, what of it?” 

With the twist in her, she slowly walked over, “It's my birthday gift to you. I talked to the head master, well, uncle did. Just to note he is overwhelming.” 

I’ve met dragons. How overwhelming can he be? Marcellus thought. “So when do we leave?” They went to the beast forest. 

In such cases, most do not survive; only the unlucky few choose to travel this way. “Why did we come here, I thought you said the school?” 

“Well…you wanted to see the school but they wouldn’t let you in so I proposed a field trip of sorts. We were due for some field training anyway.” Breaking the tree line, they were met with a few of the students. Most of them smelt like nothing. Others smelt like death and very few were pretty. The man that stood at the pinnacle must have been the headmaster. A smaller man than what he thought, but his aura was something. “I didn’t need my nose, hell, I felt the mystic energy coming off of him.” 

The headmaster's stern voice took over. “At last, our final guest has arrived.” With those words the students turned only to be on high alert and just like that, they were ready to kill Marcellus. Hell, some even stepped forward, however with a raised hand they stopped in their tracks. “That’s enough, he is here with a friend.” Headmaster said, while pointing at Marcellus. “We want to see if he is worth our school.” What is this big field trip? “Now, I bring you here because each of you is the top of the class. Yes some first years are here. However, in battle the enemy will not care how old you are, only that you stand between him and his goal!!” 

Marcellus raised his hand “Yes, mister Marcellus?” Whispers begin among them. What is the west doing here? An abomination he is, the east would never mix blood. This was the first he heard of how people thought of him but then why was Kami so sweet? 

Shocked he knew his name, but Kami must have told him. “What is our goal exactly?”

With a smirk on his face, he replied, “Survive two nights.” Just like that, the headmaster and the professors disappeared in thin air. 

“So, you brought me on a camping trip.” 

“Something like that.”

“Just watch for the lower dragons.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“This forest is filled with the basilisk, drake, wyrm. Coatyl, lindrum, they share the dragon gene. Some can even breathe fire but most are just the little cousins.” Looking around, it seemed most people had already jetted off into the woods. He had another idea. 

“Let’s head to the mountains.” Kami said before Marcellus could mutter a word. 

“Same thought I had, it has the vantage point and one way in or out for monsters.” 

“Well, mostly thinking because the coatyl would be the only beast there.” 

“Nope, the mountain is too high, that is griffin and wyvern space but wyvern won’t attack without permission and griffins are nice.” 

Running to the mountain, so far so good. As they collected water and food on the way to the mountains, they run into the drake, stopping them in their tracks. He could feel the tremble of Kami’s legs. “Stay back and use projectiles.” 

“What about the fire?” 

“No need, he is lower class. No smell of smoke, plus his scales are softer.” It dashed toward them, he jumped to the tree in a 3 o’clock position. As for Kami, she was too slow, and as the drake swiped, it took her legs from under her. 

Crawling to the base of the tree, she had moved left. “Naievball fo noitactcetorp!” Just like that, the roots of the tree came to her aid, covering her up from the claws that came down. As the roots came flying apart Marcellus could no longer stand this monstrosity.

No need for magic on this little guy. Jumping to the ground and grabbing its tail, he could see it still doesn’t see any of them as a threat. 

The drake railed on Kami, by the time the drake knew what happened it was flying thirty feet in the air.

“Knock, knock. Anybody home?” Marcellus said, slowly looking through the vines and roots of the tree for Kami. 

“How did you get rid of him?” 

Flexing his muscles oh so confidently, he said, “I just showed him who is boss.” 

She hit him on the arm. “Alright, come on let’s move.” 

Making it to the mountain, they found a cavern up top. “Now that is a nice smell. What is it?” 

“What do you smell?” 

Taking her hand in his, he slowly led her inside. He knew she would be awed. “Holy shit, I have never seen one up close.” 

“You see that one in the back just sleeping?” 

“Yeah.” 

“He is the alpha. This is his pride, his nest. No one does nothing without his say so.” 

“HEYYY!” He tried to cover her mouth with his hand, only he was too slow. The beasts were up and ready to feast. He grabbed her hand and led her outside, only to come to a halt. 

“I thought you said they were nice?” 

“They are nice but you just woke them up from a nap and I am pretty sure they are hungry.” And before he knew it, the alpha was at her feet, cozying up to her. A beyond confused look was on Marcellus’ face. 

“Oh, did I forget to tell you my major is in magical creatures?” 

“Wait, wait what?” 

“Yep, when I was kid I got bullied so I ran into the forest as fast as I could. The biggest mistake of my life. That same night, it was cold and scary and a basilisk found me. Thinking it was the end for me, this little guy,” She looked back down at the alpha. “Well he was littler back then. He jumped in front, ready to try and fight this thing but before I knew it his father was really the one behind me and he picked me up in his mouth and just flew me back to the tree line where my parents had been calling for me.” 

Interrupting her story, Marcellus asked, “Wait, wait So you knew this whole time they were up here?” “Well not exactly. After that night, he would come and visit me every now and then at the very edge inside the tree line and play. I never knew where his nest was, but I could never forget his marking right on his ears.” She pulled down his ear to show the crest of the moon. “That was a dumb chance to take.” Marcellus said.

“Well, so long as we’re guests, I say we spend the nights with them then head down.” 

With that, they took their belongings back inside the cavern but Kami went back out to see the stars. 

“You know, one day I want to see the stars. See what they offer us.” 

“Our ancestors lived in the stars and it brought nothing but pain.”

“Maybe the wrong ones just found the stars first.” 

“Maybe.” And before he knew it, he was waking up to the sound of rain pitter pattering. 

Shooting up like he was rising from the dead, he said, “Something is wrong.” 

Kami was startled awake and ran outside the cavern. “Come back before you get soaking wet,” she yelled, but he stood in the grasp of the rain, arms raised. 

“No, something is wrong.” 

“Why, because the rain doesn’t smell right?” she said jokingly. 

“No, it is because it is off.” He could sense the weird look she was giving him. “The rain, the dragons bring us the rain as good fortune for us to harvest the earth and our bodies. But this rain, this storm, it is off.” 

“How? It looks like regular rain, plus the dragons are all dead, they’re just myths.” 

“No my friend, they are very much alive but you see the sky, there are no rain clouds, just rain.” Just like that, he air walked, running and running as fast as he could back to his mother except he could feel the heat before he could see his home. Something had attacked them and he knew something was really wrong. 

Rushing home, all his breath was pushed out of him and he crashed to the earth, only to fall next to his mother. The woman who raised him had no life in her eyes. He picked up her lifeless body and yelled to the gods. To Gyia. To anyone listening and with those screams came a crackling thunderstorm with a tsunami on its tail end as his grandparents appeared from the cliff view. It wasn’t until he felt the softest hands ever placed on his shoulder and by the smell he thought he knew who it was, but she was unrecognizable.

“My master, this is not what mother would have wanted.” And with those words, he knew who it was. He knew why the smell was so familiar. 

“And how would you know?!” he yelled to her. His only friend who was always there for him. 

“Because her final gift to you was me.” She pointed to her heart. “And she wanted you to know she will always be by your side.”