Traitor, Traitor: A Dragon Story {Updated 4/8/17}

At the beginning of times recorded, it was only chaos. The creations of the world were at war with each other. With vicious intent, shadows preyed upon the innocent lights. It was always a land bathed in unnecessary blood, it's surface harmed by the battles left in the wake of swirling energies. No one listened to anyone, until he came to be. An egg was laid in the middle of one of the many horrible battles, which lasted for 20,000 years, an seemingly endless massacre. And the egg remained there, yet it grew and grew over the generations into what will soon be called the Father Mountain, so large and still that it had rocks piling over it and plants growing over. As the inhabitant within the egg was exposed to listening to the fighting, it thought, and did not like what it heard. Finally, it had had enough. The great mountainous egg cracked open, giving birth to a full-grown being of intimidating brightness and might. A winding body that stretched, horns scratching the sky, and wings covering a massive area of sky. The fighting energies called it Aou Loong, The Dragon. A powerful being that continued to grow, and he stretched and stretched, cracking his egg in perfect horizontal halves. One half stretched upward, and the other downward, creating the Henge and the Great Gates. The evil energies were locked away in the Henge, and the innocents that had been slaughtered were granted passage to go beyond the Great Gates.


"Let this wound of fighting be healed, and my actions shall be its bandage."


Aou Loong then created the first true planet, unlike the eerie plains before. And all the worthy were allowed to live in the fresh, green world. It was like this for another 1,000 years, but the evil within the Henge managed to poison the souls in the mortal realm. They rose up against Aou Loong, who refused to fight back. As his head reared back in a flail, his tears were slung up into the skies as the stars. Knowing he was going to die, he cut out his eyes as his last gift to the mortals, which ascended to became the sun and moon. And then, he died. His dead body hit the ground, decaying into the second, third, and so on dragons as the mortals left him to become cold. His dragons were angry, and wreaked havoc upon the world, no one able to defend against their so far superior power. Once again, war raged, or more so a slaughter of the original inhabitants. What Aou Loong didn't want had arose again. Realising this, the dragons ceased the warring, but not in everyone's favor. The mortal energies simply would not back down. So, a dragon named Aou Uru, made from one of Aou Loong's ribs, volunteered to take all of their souls to the Henge for punishment and revenge. No one wanted to go through with and agree to the plan though, believing that the mortal energies should still be given a chance. The matter was closed until, one day, all the energies suddenly vanished from the world, and Aou Uru grew very sick. He had taken in their enemies, ripped their souls from the land, convinced he could do it. When his companions tried extracting the souls, he lashed out, instantly killing five of the best warriors around. Convinced that everyone was out to get him, kill him for what he thought was good, he fled, calling them traitors to Aou Loong for wanting to spare the "petty creatures." It was Aou Uru who was the traitor, however, declaring yet another war, upon the whole world. Fashioning his own army, poisoned by the Henge-tainted spirits, he threatened to purge the world with his power, to forge his own creations and make the Father Dragon proud.


The rest of the dragons would not freely let that happen, and a dragoness named Nha'kreen led the dragons against the demonized Aou Uru. Many were killed, the land soaked in blood and hate. Until Nha'kreen killed Aou Uru. His body was vaporized, but the spirits inside escaped, evading detection. Nha'kreen took the reins, with the council of her four closest friends, and helped set the world back in order. Restoring the land, and using ancient magic to craft the final set of inorganic breeds. And as generations went on, and new faces came and went, all was well, and the stars, Aou Loong's tears were happy tears.


But those poisoned souls are still somewhere, doing who knows what, and cannot rest in peace until taken to the Great Gates by a worthy soul.


A white paw ran over the old rock, still reading the writing. Blue eyes glinted in the dim, torch-lit hall. Turning, those blue eyes met gold. Running a black snout along the jaw of the white-scaled figure, the newcomer said "What happened wasn't your fault. Uru was the one who failed. He lacked trust in The Dragon, which was his downfall." It was a sad truth indeed to admit such a decline of a close friend, but it had been necessary to be able to properly fight. In attempt to take her attention off the wall and its depictions, he gently walked in front of her and nudged her to join him by another image.


"I still can't get over it, Tomojak," the white dragon said, stamping a paw before sitting down "If he could not resist the poison, what chance does this whelp Aou Loong speaks of have? It should be you or me!" The black dragon tilted his head, gold eyes blinking once. "If The Dragon speaks of and wills it, so it shall be. We must not question, like Aou Uru did. We must take Aou Loong's word for it, and hope this trial will end in brightness, just as it began." His thick, bumpy tail turned and pointed to one of the images on the wall, of The Dragon curled around a group of mortal energies, souls, smiling down on them as he protected them from the surrounding darkness.


He sighed, seeing she still looked unsure. Gently bumping her shoulder with his, he said "All will be well one day. We must put trust in the new generation. All of them, if they are to succeed." Smiling, he watched her huff and ruffle her four wings, each creating a small, but firm wind before folding neatly against her back. "I just want to know why he wants such a horrible story to repeat itself. Just the idea makes me want to eat Gul'jek's cooking instead!"


"Even my vision can't tell why Aou Loong wills this," the male said "So we, like everyone else, must wait and see, Nah'kreen. Now, come. Lighten up and join me on a hunt." Turning away, the dark form left the hall, leading the way out of the ancient, worn structure, the white dragoness following after. Both passed walked out of what was seen to be an old, but grand stone temple, founded in likeness of the Father Mountain. Grass cushioned their pads as they stepped out, wind licking their scales as they inhaled the crisp air. Two sets of wings, one slim and one thick, opened wide, carrying them both into the air with no effort. The white dragoness circled the Mountain once just for fun before following after her companion, off to resume enjoyment of what was beyond the Great Gates. It was indeed best to enjoy it in peace while they could, as both knew matters were about to make them a little more busier.

"Father, I don't want to go! It won't even be all dragons there!"


"Be nice, Uru'gel. There are other nice creatures who aren't dragons. Your mother is a Sleipnir, and I went to school with her, as well as a Cyclops and an elemental. Plus, It is an opportunity to meet new folk!"


The small, black dragon pouted up at the larger figure, still unhappy that he'd have to be attending school. He was fine just working the farm with his parents, Jericho and Cala. "I don't want to go," he repeated, the frill stubs on his jaw twitching "I'm perfectly fine staying here with you and Mama!" The young dragon only received a nuzzle to his head, and Jericho told him "You're going. Your mother and I can't teach you to fly, so you'll just have to start there. You'll be a little behind, but you'll learn." Looking down at his son, he tilted his head, noticing Uru'gel was looking at him funny.


"What is it?"


"How do I look like I do, if you're a green dragon, and Mama is a Sleipnir? A Sleipnir doesn't lay eggs."


He was a black dragon, and looked nothing like a hybrid. Looking up at the older being, he received the answer "You must not have been listening when Cala told you. The Bleeding River gave birth to your egg, and we picked you up. After we saw that no one had come after you, of course. Now, stop stalling. It'll take longer for us to get there, because none of us can fly." Turning, Jericho moved to herd a protesting Uru'gel out of the home, a massive and hollowed out tree. Passing their herd of cows, which actually came to examine them just like any morning, their shepherds walked calmly among them to the thick, oaken fencing. Jericho used his head, horns pushing against the heavy boulder that sat there. After walking out and resetting the boulder, they were on their way.


"WAAAAAAIIIIIT!!!"


The two dragons jumped half out of their skin, whipping around to see something heading toward them. A horse-like figure was running over, carrying something in its jaws. Jumping the fence with ease, they were faced with Cala, who snorted through her nostrils, holding out a satchel that looked too large for her.


"You're not going to school empty-pawed!" she said after letting the satchel go in front of Uru'gel "Especially not on the first day!" The black dragon smiled apologetically, opening the unlatched bag with a claw to look inside. It had a book of blank parchment, a writing sheath (dragons put one on their claw as not to rip their papers while they wrote), and his favorite stuffed toy, Lord Fuzzy, a fluffy little rabbit he liked to cuddle while stressed.


"Mama, I can't take Fuzzy! He'll get dirty!"


"Dirty? Seriously? Fine, fine, just give it here. I'll take him back. Good luck with school!"


Jericho snorted as Uru'gel picked the toy up with his mouth, and gave it back to Cala, who reached and nuzzled the young dragon before turning and heading back to their home. The father helped fasten the satchel on, Uru at first getting confused. Following his father, the two dragons walked to the large, fort-like building. Old stone, with multiple sections and areas to serve as places of learning and freetime. The only thing it lacked was doors. Certain creatures didn't have actual hands, like most dragons, serpents and such, so it was only fair to make it easier for them as well. And, they'd come early, Cala insisting he have time to try and find out where all his classes would be so he wouldn't have trouble the time he needed to get there.


"Well, I should leave you to explore on your own," Jericho said, nudging Uru'gel with a wing "So, get going, have fun, learn, and make new friends. See you later, Uru." The black dragon smiled and nuzzled his father's shoulder before turning and walking across the soft, green grass to head closer to where the students were. The more mature-looking ones would occasionally turn to look at him, scoffing when they saw him looking back. When he'd ask for directions, no one would help out. They'd just say to find someone else.


'Some school. A bunch of rude mush-brains who-'


"Oof!"


Uru'gel stumbled back, having bumped into something. Landing flat on his behind, he blinked in surprise before looking in front of him.


"I-I'm sorry!"


The one who spoke scrambled to collect his things, using a foot to reach out and sweep everything back into his bag. As he did, the dragon took a chance to look him over. The other student looked like some sort of monster rainbow chicken with big, gold eyes. A mass of feathers colored green and blue, muscular and intimidating four-toed legs, and large wings. As Uru'gel was going to ask what he was, he was interrupted when the bird asked "Um... do you know the way to Professor Nimh's class? Or Professor Norbert? I'm trying to locate them so it'll be easier later... and so far no one's been helping me out."


"You're outta luck," Uru'gel said, shaking his head "I'm new too, and no one's even talked to me yet." The bird clucked in disappointment, saying "All right... ooh! Who's class do you have first? If we have the same schedule, maybe we can find them together! Being new, and alone, in such a big place scares me..."


The dragon blinked, hesitating. He didn't want to be the one weirdo who was friends with monster chickens... but then he remembered what his mother and father would tell him. What if it was him who was in the victim's place? Sighing, he twitched his wings, saying "Sure, if you have Miss Malachite first?"


"I do! I've been practicing my flying! What about you? I hear she's real strict!"


As they walked, deciding to look for someone who worked there, Uru'gel felt his cheeks warm from embarrassment, mumbling something.


"What was that? I didn't hear you."


"Can't..."


"Can't what?"


Uru'gel hung his head, grumbling "I can't fly."


"But... how old are you? You look at least fifteen!"


"Seventeen..."


Uru'gel was homeschooled up until Jericho was finally able to send him to a school, the one he actually went to when he was young. Galesteri's top school; Fort Crystalhart. His father made a deal with the headmaster of the school, who was also Jericho's brother, Jackaal. As long as Uru'gel proved he could fit into the advanced classes of his year by the halfway mark of the year, then he could stay until he graduated. It was a good thing his parents kept him well educated. Except for flight.


"Professor Malachite teaches advanced and competitive flying,..." The bird trailed off, silently asking for a name.


"Uru'gel."


"Uru? You mean like Aou Uru?"


"Yeah."

The feathered male tilted his head a little as they walked, like he was thinking. In the end though, he smiled, and chirped happily.


"Well, I'm Adhei. Anyway, how are you seventeen and you can't even fly? You'll get laughed at in her class!"


"Well, there's no other class for it!"


"There's beginners classes?"


Uru'gel snorted, and didn't respond to that. After finding a professor to direct them to their first class, they were brought to one of the open field on the school grounds, decorated with berry paint, propped up hoops, and other objects to help with learning the class. And then there was Miss Malachite. A gigantic Griffin that looked too burly to be a female. And, like some others, she wore accessories. Silver, plated back armor and a sharp helmet of the same material, and a heavy-looking necklace made of rope and a ruby in the middle. Sharp gold eyes stared down the class of a little over twenty.


"Well!" she began, voice booming and intimidating as she looked "Let me take role, and then today will just be free flight, so I can see what I am working with! Let me see..." She looked at a role of parchment she held open with thick, hand-like paws, sitting back on her haunches. "Adhei!"


"Here!"


"Avorus!"


"Here!"


"Bacchus!"


And so on and so on until all the students were called. "Get going!" the Griffin called loudly "Up into the air!"


Adhei glanced at Uru'gel before turning to join the others. He almost screeched in terror when Malachite stopped him though, a large foot of talons grasping his shoulder. "It's so good to see a Thunderbird. You know, I've got Thunderbird in my blood! It's why I'm larger than most of my kind! I hope you're in Norbert's class? A fine combatant you could make with that lightning of yours!" Uru'gel snorted laughter as Adhei nodded quickly. Malachite then removed her paw and watched the other bird take flight. Adhei had a little bit of a running start, large feet moving quickly, then he was up in the air with a few quick sweeps. "You'll be able to have stationary takeoff by the time you're out of my class!" Malachite called up. Then, she finally noticed there was still one less shape in the sky. Whipping her feathery head around, her gold eyes trained on the young dragon nearby, questioning "What are you doing? Get to flying!"


"...."


Her eyes narrowed as he mumbled. "Speak louder!"


"I..."


"You...?"


"... can't... fly..."


Malachite stared at Uru'gel, who watched as she put her face in her eagle foot in a faceplant. "What is my class called?"


"Advanced and competitive flying...?"


"And how old are you?"


"Seventee-"


"THEN HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU NOT FLY, YET YOU'RE PUT IN MY CLASS?!"


The sound of her loud voice caused a few students flying around to stagger in flight, looking down as they corrected themselves. Uru'gel looked down at his paws as the Griffin huffed. "Didn't you learn from your parents??"


"I was adopted," the dragon explained "My father doesn't have wings, and my mother is a Sleipnir."


Malachite snorted, wings ruffling for a moment before deciding "Ugh. Just... just go over there. That's where Mora teaches the challenged fliers. Use that to start. Ooh, look! There's already someone there!"


She pointed a talon to another figure in the distance where Uru'gel was supposed to go. The "challenged flier" area was just a large spot with soft bedding for landings, and almost stupidly simple obstacles. And, sitting in the bedding, trying to flap her wings hard enough, was a female dragon who looked very overweight. Bright pink scales, lime-green eyes and wings that looked a little too small for her. She let out a loud huff as she plopped onto her side, looking as Uru'gel came to join her.


"Um... hi," he greeted, sitting down nearby. The female tried to sit up, but failed and rolled onto her back. "... can you help out?" Uru'gel blinked before nodding. Walking over, he used his front paws and head to help the female up, who whooped before saying "Great! Thanks, um... what's your name?"


"Uru'gel."


"Nice to meet you!" she said happily "I'm Ganta. So, what's wrong with you? You look real fit."


"I can't fly."


"You mean... at all?"


She blinked when he nodded, saying "Well, Uru, tell you what. Since we know squat about flight, we're going to learn together. And-... what?"


Ganta looked at Uru'gel, who had an unsure look on his face. He was looking over her... figure, and tilted his head.


"Hey! Just because I'm a little chubby doesn't mean I won't learn as fast, or even faster, than you!"


"At least he'll be able to fly faster in the end!" a voice called. Both dragons looked over to see a small group of students walking past to another training area nearby. The one who'd spoken was a wolf-like creature that stood on two legs. Shaggy brown fur that was almost like a mane around his head, a thick tail, wearing leather gauntlets and neck armor. With him was a Cyclops and another dragon. "How about you lose a ton or two first before trying to fly?"


"You know," Ganta called back "When a boy bullies a girl, it means he likes her!"


"Like I'd ever see you that way!" the wolf called back "I like a female who's a pillar, not a pile!" He snickered before continuing on his way with his friends.


"Who was that?" Uru'gel asked, wings twitching.


"That was Ahade. He's a werewolf," Ganta explained, testily opening her wings "I've gone to school with him since we were little, and he's always teased me."


"Tell him to stop?"


"He can slice me to ribbons!"


Uru'gel rolled his eyes, sighing "Fine. Let's just get to practicing. Miss Malachite has already sent glares our way."


Ganta nodded and set herself on all fours, puffing out a breath. Her wings started flapping slowly, then gained speed, like a hummingbird. Her body lifted up slightly, but she wasn't even close to getting off the ground. "Stop watching me and try too!" she decided, trying again. Uru'gel sighed, and opened his wings before flapping them sloppily. The two dragons would practice until Malachite ended the class session, both of them exhausted and nowhere near close to being excellent fliers yet.

Three more classes had passed before Uru'gel was able to go to lunch. He'd had combat training, blacksmithing and foreign language (he'd decided to learn the Orcish language.) At least he'd gotten to see someone he knew again though. Ganta had been taking the same foreign language class as him. Sighing, he left the class within the massive building, among the herd of students that walked down the stone stairs to wherever they needed to be next. The pink dragon followed after him, saying as she walked with him "Professor Bul'hek was looking at you funny. Are you absolutely new to the Orc language? Why are you put in advanced classes if you suck at them?" Everyone had at least something under their belt before taking a class.


"My dad made a deal with the headmaster," Uru'gel explained "And, what about you? I didn't see you shine either."


Ganta blinked her green eyes, and started speaking what seemed to be fluent Orc.


"The females in my family don't how to keep their legs crossed when it comes to Orcs," she said with a shrug "It's where I got my teeth and hands from, or at least that was my mama says." She held up her paws, which looked like stubby hands. "My grandpa is one, a Chief actually, and I learn from him." She snickered at Uru'gel's face, which was wide-eyed. He spoke as they reached the end of the stairs "Can you tutor me? I'm afraid to ask Hol'durr, and I need to be good at my classes by mid-term, or else I'll be kicked out!" Ganta looked like she was considering it. Then, her eyes lit up, and she gave her answer.


"I will, if you do something for me."


"What? What is it?"


"Get Ahade off my back. Make him stop teasing me!"


Uru'gel choked and fell over, faceplanting. Ganta squeaked and moved to help him up as best she could, questioning "What?" The male sat up, answering "He looks almost twice my size, and he looks experienced in combat! I'm a shepherd!"


Ganta groaned as they entered the dining hall, looking up at the grand room, with sections serving certain foods for certain creatures and/or diets. And there were different tables set about, where students could sit wherever. From small to large tables, the students of that lunch shift were pooling in. "Hey, Uru'gel!" a voice called from somewhere. Both dragons turned their heads to see Adhei, who clucked happily from a table, waving a wing. "You and Ganta come sit here!" Uru'gel looked over at Ganta, who nodded, yet looked uneasy. Both had gone to grab their lunch first before going to sit with the Thunderbird. Others had already joined him as well. "Please tell me no one invited her?" Ahade growled, annoyed as he saw Ganta.


"I invited them both," Adhei said simply, watching them both sit down, unable to talk until they set their meal on the table. Ahade huffed, saying nothing as he ran a hand through his head fur, saying "So, new guy, what's your story?" Uru'gel had been about to start eating the cow leg he'd collected, but paused. Straightening up, he looked at the werewolf, who looked unimpressed.


"Um... my name's Uru'gel," the dragon started "I was homeschooled until this year."


"Why can't you fly?" Ahade questioned lazily "Adhei tells me you can't."


"I never needed to learn," the black dragon answered, brow bending.


"I'm not even your species, but I already know more about it," the werewolf snorted "Didn't your parents ever tell you? A downed dragon is a dead dragon. I guess that skull of yours never housed a brain?" If a dragon that had wings couldn't fly, then they were sitting ducks every moment of their lives. Those that didn't have wings, like Jericho, were meant for ground combat, so his son grew annoyed. Uru'gel snorted "My father doesn't have wings, and he does great in keeping mutts like you from our cows and sheep." Everyone at the table went quiet. Calling a werewolf a mutt was one of the worst things you could call them, in their opinion. Ahade stood up, gold eyes glaring down at Uru'gel, questioning "What did you just call me, dung heap?" Uru'gel stood up too, watching as the Cyclops from earlier moved to grab his weapon, a mean looking warhammer. Ahade held up a hand to him, and his friend sat back down. The werewolf leaned toward Uru'gel, who refused to look away or run off. Even though he really wanted to.


"Ahade, he didn't mean-," Ganta tried to talk, but sucked in a breath when the wolf snapped "Shut up, cow!" Nearby students turned and watched as the werewolf left his spot and walked over. Slowly, and Uru'gel followed his movement with his eyes. "You dragons don't have a sense of manners," the larger being spoke "So maybe I should just write some notes on your face with my claw?"


"You can't fight on the grounds unless a professor is present," Ahdei insisted, Ganta nodding "Just leave him be, Ahade. You weren't nice either." The werewolf fisted his hands, then turned to leave.


"Don't call him that ever again," the Cyclops spoke simply, large eye staring at Uru'gel "It's a trigger word for him, plus he's a dominant wolf, and grown ones will kill you for insulting them." Uru'gel only looked down as the Cyclops moved to follow after Ahade. The dragon looked around at the others there, then blinked as Adhei started laughing. "I haven't seen Ahade that angry in a long time," he chirped "You keep an eye out for him, Uru'gel."


"Keep an eye out so you can boot him aside again," Ganta decided "I still want him off my back!"


Uru'gel rolled his eyes. Soon, they were back to their food, finishing quickly. They talked for the little time left before it was time to head back to classes. Ganta and Adhei had history with him, so he felt a little better. Soon, they were walking to their history class, taught by a female Orc named Mak'jen. She had tanned brown skin, a mane of thick, brown hair that she had in large braids. Animal skin clothing and decorated with bone and gem jewelry. And her tusks were large for her gender. Jutting up from her bottom lip, small, sharp and thick. She watched them all take seats, which were big cushions set in rows. Mak'jen didn't have desks or tables, because that would encourage note-taking. She only talked. Only spoke her references to images that were in the library books they'd need.


"Good afternoon to all of you," she spoke, words slurred slightly from her tusks "You gain my favor if you listen, so try and do so." At first she called role, then she continued "Good, good. Now we'll get right to it. Who knows the story of the Father Mountain? To many, it is the very first chapter of our history." At that, Uru'gel rolled his eyes again. The class was supposed to be history, not religion. Ganta raised her paw, along with a few other students. Mak'jen pointed a claw at Ganta, who said "The Father Mountain was, is, what's left of Aou Loong's egg after he emerged and created the Henge and the Great Gates." The Orc nodded, and asked Ganta if she could tell everyone the story, as it was what was the beginning of most versions of history. Uru'gel listened to Ganta retell the story. As she went into the part about Aou Uru stealing the souls, the teacher interrupted politely and said "Alright, who believes in the tale so far, hm? Raise your paws, or flippers, or whatever you have as appendages."


Everyone raised their appendages except two individuals. Uru'gel, and another Orc, who was also in Uru'gel's blacksmithing class. Mak'jen turned her brown gaze toward them both, and said casually "I always have a few with each new class. So, why is that you don't believe?" She watched as the Orc spoke up, answering "We haven't seen any trace of any gods or whatever except for old, crusty books. All we have is a few rock shards we gave a name to. If they existed, we should've seen signs by now." Uru'gel nodded I'm agreement, adding "Plus, wouldn't they help us with what's going on? My papa tells me that the Crown is still fighting the Iron Darkness." The Iron Darkness is a gang made up of figures covered in iron armor so well that no one has seen what they actually look like. The Crown, which was what everyone called the royalty of Galesteri, have been keeping them away from the middle ring, which was where Uru lived, of the land and deeper, where the "upper" class and such lived. The young dragon listened as the teacher sighed softly, saying "They all left us so we could work things out ourselves. We would still be living under rocks if they still babied us." Looking around at the class, she decided "Tell you what. I save this for eight weeks after knowing you all, but we'll do it at the end of next week. . My tribe and I will escort you all to the Father Mountain. A field trip. The catch for this early reward though, is that I want a seven page essay on your thoughts of today's story, Aou Loong and his legacy. Before you leave for the trip. Deal?"


"Deal!" the class spoke.


"Wait," a blue dragon spoke "Why does your tribe need to come?"


"Protection," Mak'jen answered "It is beyond the outer ring of Galesteri, so anyone who goes out is walking into unsafe lands. Anyone could be lurking out there." Everyone went quiet, hesitating and looking uncomfortable. The teacher, to move on, continued talking.


"Okay," Mak'jen said with a nod "So, Ganta, you may continue. And then I will talk about the early records of how living was before Aou Loong." Ganta picked up where she left off, and the class listened. Uru'gel and the other Orc exchanged a look, and shook their heads slightly before looking back at the female. After, the teacher went about her lecture, everyone making sure to listen. Uru'gel was bored though, and a little annoyed that he had to be listening to most of the lecture. When the class finally ended, Mak'jen reminded them "Remember, three page essay! I'll go easy on grading since it's the first assignment of the year!" Adhei walked out with Uru'gel, while Ganta had walked off to the library to get started on her essay. "So, are you staying in the dorms they have here?" Adhei asked curiously, looking over at Uru'gel "I know a small collection of students don't, so it wouldn't be a surprise if you didn't." The dragon shook his head, saying "My parents said I can't until after mid-term, because there's risk I'll be kicked out." The Thunderbird clucked, deciding "Well, I hope you get to stay! I bet it'll be real fun." Uru'gel smiled happily and nodded. The rest of the walk was quiet, but Adhei eventually saying goodbye and parting ways to head to his room. The dragon said goodbye in return and continued on his way outside, looking as Jericho showed up, smiling as his son ran over.


"So, how was the first day?" His father asked, reaching a paw to hug Uru'gel to him. The black dragon grumbled, saying "I made friends, but I met a rude werewolf who almost attacked me." He looked up as his father removed his paw to begin the walk home, saying with a smile "You'll have to tell me more about that, but let's try to keep it from Cala. She'd go crazy if she found out. Not on you though. I don't need a prison mate who's reputation is a werewolf flattener." Uru'gel laughed softly, walking with Jericho back home, to their tree and cows and sheep and quiet. Yet, he had to admit that he'd somewhat liked his first day. While they did, he went into detail about his first, quick, eventful day. Once he got the hang of dealing with social ties, he decided he'd be just fine. Another smile crossed his features, and he felt better about going to school for a second day.


The two weeks that had gone by were rather quick quick. The biggest assignment for the fourteen suns (days) had been Professor Mak'jen's essay. The other professors, for the first two weeks, had been giving small, in-class assignments, so the students were lucky. Except for Malachite. She booted Uru'gel to the challenged flier area every day, where he and Ganta worked on their flying. Uru'gel was able to get off the ground, sloppily, and move around at a slow pace. Ganta still wasn't able to get far, and decided to take time to try and lose some weight. Not all of it though, the pink dragoness declaring that she liked to have some weight on her and that it made her unique. And then there was Ahade. He and Uru had been butting heads the past week through mean glares and a few growls. On the day before the trip, the werewolf even threatened to begin a hunt for Uru with his pack, knowing the dragon wouldn't be able to get away. In return, the dragon set his furry tail on fire after he'd turned to leave, a firey spurt of flames. Ahade's friends had to basically drag his furious self away.


The last class of the day was Mak'jen's, everyone in her class going to one of the courtyards the day of the trip after they turned in their essay. Other students from other sessions of the day were invited as well. Waiting for them was a full tribe of Orc warriors, some wearing dark green armor and some wearing black. Like armored giants, bearing weapons as well. And to carry them, were large, bull-like creatures with shaggy fur, tusks and sharp teeth. Ganta wasn't phased though, trotting up and starting conversation with one of the warriors. The largest Orc, another female, dismounted, walked up and pulled Mak'jen into a hug that was held for a long time.


'I thought Orcs didn't like any who left their tribes?' Uru'gel thought curiously 'Mak'jen said she left...'


"They're mates," the other Orc from Uru'gel's class, Hol'durr, said as he sat by the dragon, as if he could read his mind. The dragon blinked slowly, looking over at the young Orc.


"But they're both-"


"Yup."


"And that's-"


"Yes."


Which explained why a tribe even bothered to show up, and not kill their teacher. Hol'durr waggled his thick brows before turning to see Adhei show up, having shown up late and left the group to turn in his essay to Mak'jen's room. He settled by Uru'gel as the two Orcs parted from their hug, exchanging words in their native tongue before Mak'jen addressed her class "Everyone's here? Good, good. Now, let's get going. It's a long trip indeed, so I sure hope you talked to your teachers for anything you won't be around for for the three school days we'll be missing next week." All the students had also brought some supplies that Mak'jen said they might need, just in case. For food, the students could catch their own if they wanted, but the Orcs would be happy to share what they caught with the students as well. The warriors were currently in a large circle around the students, even though they weren't close to danger yet. Most of the students talked among themselves, but Ganta insisted that Uru'gel take the chance to talk with and learn from the Orcs. So, he had come in pace with one of the older ones, who politely and patiently tutored him as they walked, talking to him in simple conversation in the language, and correcting the dragon if he got anything wrong, explaining it as well.


"This is me getting you help," Ganta whispered in his ear "You never would've thought of it, so I still expect you t help me with Ahade!" Uru'gel snorted, then playfully pushed the female away with his wing, glancing as she rolled once, settling on her paws. She released a puff of air before getting back up, with some struggles, and followed after him. The group stopped a few hours later for a break. Settling in a thickly wooded area, the students were guarded by some of the Orc tribe. About half, the other half leaving to hunt. Hol'durr even got to go, borrowing one of the mounts and following after the older Orcs.


"Adhei," Uru'gel spoke, walking over to the bird, who was settled down by himself. Standing in front of him, the dragon continued "Will you go hunting with me? You said you're a fast runner, right?" He'd gotten permission from Mak'jen, so long as he took someone else to go with him.


The large bird blinked, then chirped happily "Of course!" He stood up, about a head taller than Uru'gel. Both moved to leave the area, taking in the scents. Yet, Adhei was more of a watcher, and Uru'gel tended to go on sound. After ten minutes of walking, they both stopped at the dragon raising his tail. Looking around, they both saw a large buck walking softly through the trees. Adhei nudged Uru'gel, whispering "I'll circle to his other side, and drive him to you." The dragon nodded, whispering back as he glanced at Adhei "Remember, no lightning or fire. The best hunts are the ones completed by yourself." The bird nodded before slinking off into the trees, large legs carrying him quietly, his green feathers aiding in blending him in. Uru'gel waited patiently, eyes watchful of the animal. His head lowered as he suddenly crouched as he saw the buck rear and turn, running to the left. Yet, Adhei was there to meet him, opening his wings and puffing his feathers to drive the animal back toward Uru'gel. The buck ran rather quickly, but the large bird did too. At first, Adhei ran at a sort of gallop, both legs lunging forward at the same time to carry him after the prey. As he sped up, his legs broke sync, and started moving one in front of the other. A green blur raced after the buck, who almost screamed when Uru'gel popped up, jaws snapping. The larger being swung his sharp antlers, catching the dragon by surprise. Feeling his scales tear, he was thrown back.


Adhei quickly caught up, and skidded to a stop in front of Uru'gel just as the buck tried to charge him, causing the prey to stop, and turn to change direction. Uru'gel hissed in pain, but shook his head when his friend insisted they go back. "No!" the dragon snapped "I want to catch it! Let's go!" He sat up, putting his left paw on his right shoulder to feel the split flesh. It really did hurt, but there was no fun in quitting. Getting back on his paws, he said "Come on, we can still catch it!" Beginning to run, he felt throbbing in his shoulder, but he still moved quickly. Adhei was nearby, splitting off a little as they located the buck and began closing in on it. Uru'gel, when close enough, started snapping at the animal's side, causing it to stumble and kick at the pursuers. The dragon caught its leg in his teeth. The moment his fangs tasted the flesh though, time seemed to slow down. Suddenly, he was seeing something. The buck, dead on the ground, blood pooling around it and its skull dented severely. Then, the vision disappeared, and time resumed its normal pace. Just in time for Uru'gel to see Adhei swoop in, and grab the animal by its back. It was a whirl of feathers and talons as the prey cried out and stumbled around, only to get its face smacked into a large face of rock. Uru'gel watched as the buck crumpled, and died. Adhei hovered above it for a moment before moving to touch down beside his friend. They both agree down at the dead animal, blood spilling from its wounds, and its skull dented horribly.


"You did great!" Adhei chirped, nudging Uru'gel's good shoulder "Let's get this back to the camp." It was just him dragging it back though, not letting the dragon help and stress his shoulder anymore. When they arrived, those who were still there blinked and came to investigate. "What in the world happened to you?" Ganta questioned, puffing air as she trotted over. As the two males recalled their story, one of the Orc females came over, speaking something in her native tongue. "Dra'ak says she can take a look at you," Ganta translated, ear frills twitching. Uru'gel hesitated, but nodded. The Orc simply brought forth a large sack she had, opening it to dig through it, bringing out all kinds of herbs that had been surprisingly intact. Uru'gel didn't need stitches or anything, only getting a smear of paste on his wound and a cloth-like bandage wrapped around his shoulder. The dragon managed to translate "thank you" into the Orcish language, Dra'ak smiling and moving to collect her things. "So...," Ganta spoke, sniffing at their buck "Are you gonna share with me?"


"Nope," Adhei said casually, smiling at her as he settled down with Uru'gel again, feathers brushing scales. Ganta stuck her tongue out at the bird before going and sitting with some of the other students, who happily shared. "Everything besides your injury was awesome," Adhei clucked before turning his focus on the meat. The two shared their kill in silence, looking around and watching the other members of the group. "I think this trip is already doing things to me," Uru'gel grumbled after swallowing more food, causing his friend to look over and asked "How?" After hesitation, the dragon explained his little future vision, and how it had been set in motion with Adhei, who went silent.


"A long time ago," the bird explained, using a wing to wipe his beak "Dragons had powers besides their breath weapons. One exclusive to Aou Uru was the ability to see the possible deaths of others before they happened. He usually wasn't one to save them though, because it meant more souls to add to his collection." Uru'gel stared down at the buck they'd been tearing into, only looking up when someone called that they'd be leaving soon after the Orcs out hunting returned. He'd zoned out though, lost in his own thoughts. Maybe it was because they were getting close to the weird spirit rock or something? They were still about a day away from it though. So it was probably something nearby? He didn't feel off about anything though. Sighing, he nudged Adhei and said "I'm done, so you can leave it when you're done, or see if anyone wants to salvage from it." Getting up, he stretched as the hunters returned, multiple Orcs carrying their shared kills. Parts had already been removed, where they'd eaten from. The rest would be carried on their mounts until their next stop. "Pack up, everyone!" Mak'jen spoke to them all. As everyone moved to pack up their things, Hol'durr ran over to Uru'gel and Adhei, saying proudly "I heard you two were out on a hunt? I helped take down one of the oxen when I went with the tribe! A shame it wasn't my own tribe though." The three males exchanged what strategy they used as they collected their things.


Soon, everyone was on their way, back to walking, but Uru'gel was having a little more trouble. As he looked at various things, he started receiving their possible ends. Plants wilting, a squirrel falling, one of the students being nabbed by other animals. Each one caused his head to throb more, like a pounding drum. And every time they had their last moment, the brightness that was the life grew blinding before going out and taking him back to the real world. Groaning, he fell over on his side, Hol'durr catching him so he wouldn't hit his head. The last thing he saw was the sky, the gray clouds bending upward to reveal a pitch black area, and a pair of dark, sunken in eyes looking down at him just above the blackened area as he faded out of consciousness.
 

It was complete darkness. So thick that he couldn't see right in front of him. Well, he could see the blackness. Uru'gel took a hesitant step forward, but stopped when he heard cackling and snickering as he moved. Deciding to stay where he was, he huddled into himself, wings creating a dome around him. It wasn't pleasant, listening to laughs, like something was circling him. Hearing the barely there sound of steps, his head lifted slightly. Then, he heard a voice. Just as it spoke, the laughing stopped.


"You're afraid."


Uru'gel looked around, but still saw nothing. After, something washed over him. Air, in a rolling puff. Like a breath, so large an area that it indeed made him afraid, of whatever breathed on him. Hesitating, it took a long moment before he spoke, saying "I-I wouldn't be if I could see anything..." A light, an ember, anything would be nice to give off some light. He felt like a sitting duck, expecting something to nab him at any second.


"There is no light here," the voice said, a semi-baritone "You should be able to fine your way around though... in time." Uru'gel tilted his head up, as if he'd see something, but it was still only the plain blackness. He took another step forward, just as the voice asked "Where are you going?" The dragon stopped after another step, honestly unsure about what he was even trying to do. "I don't know," he answered, but he didn't sit down or anything. "Someone so young should not be here," the voice said thoughtfully "It can prove to be rather dangerous."


"Why?" Uru'gel asked, wings twitching nervously.


"There are very old, malevolent things here," the voice answered "So vile and vicious. I am the only thing keeping them from devouring your consciousness. And spirit." The dragon was growing more and more scared, asking "W-Where am I anyway?"


"You can't tell? Here, let me make it clearer..."


Suddenly, the skies opened up, the darkness retracting to reveal dull gray view and pale clouds. He was in a forest, but not the one Mak'jen had been leading them through. It looked dreary, old and decayed. And the voice was right. There was no true light. Just... gray. No sun or moon. No stars. Just... plain, and unease. And nearby, just watching, were shapes he couldn't make out, shifting and moving around impatiently. That wasn't what he was worried about though. Uru'gel looked around, seeing the darkness fold into gray wings, which decorated a truly colossal figure. Hundreds of feet tall, casting a shadow down across the land. And, it bent down, looking at the small dragon through the sunken sockets it had. Horns erupted from its skull, jutting out in mild curves within the skies, glinting with movement. "What do you see?"


Uru'gel didn't answer at first, too busy staring at the god before him, remembering what his father had said as he read him bedtime stories.


"He who drank oceans in one sitting. He who squashed mountains under his paw. The Dark Sun could cast darkness upon the land just by spreading his wings."


"So, you finally recognize me?"


The young dragon whirled around, looking at everything and taking in the sights. He wasn't a bad dragon though! Only bad souls came here! Well, he did steal Hol'durr's cookie two days ago, but other than that he'd never done anything seriously bad! Uru'gel looked down, and Aou Uru tilted his massive head, sighing "You are here because you are not some petty whelp. No normal creature could remain sane while venturing into my presence. You are special, Uru'gel." The tiny dragon looked up, having to tilt his head a good deal. Was this what dragons looked like at first? So large? He then remembered that Aou Uru had been formed out of one of Aou Loong's ribs, which was probably very large. Or that's what he assumed anyway. Licking his lips nervously, he asked "Um... why am I with you?" Aou Uru straightened up to nearly his full height, saying "You are the only one who is not fooled by fairytales. Glorifications of one soul who claimed himself the first god. That means you are able to see the truth, and help me."


"Why would I help you?"


"I was stopped from saving the world," Aou Uru insisted "If my former companions had just listened and given me more time, I would've succeeded and brought about a great cleansing. You... you can help me though. Show them that they don't need to bow to someone who created places like this. The Henge."


Uru'gel opened his mouth to speak, but found that he couldn't. His thoughts were jarred by a loud booming noise, like a heartbeat. "I..." he tried saying, but found himself unable to go beyond that. "Just lend me access to your conscious," Aou Uru spoke, leaning over the younger dragon "So that we may work togeth-" He was stopped in mid sentence, head quickly lifting upward as the pulse rang out again. The third time, it was accompanied by a wave of light. "Urgh...!" the giant growled, paws reaching to grab at the ground as he was slid back by the light "Uru'gel, you must help me!" Aou Uru insisted, a dark wing shielding himself from the light, another pulse causing his wing to smoke. Uru'gel looked at the large dragon, but jumped back as his dark form suddenly lunged at his consciousness, reaching for him in a desperate swipe. However, the light suddenly grew so bright, too bright as Aou Uru roared out in anger, disappearing in the whiteness. Then, he heard another voice, bright and familiar.


"Now you owe me more than just dealing with Ahade, stupid."