Darin hated to return to the Rumbling Rooms, but he knew that they had been right. At this hour, even if he found the exit, there would be very little of the world he could see. He still had questions he wished to answer, but one more night would change nothing. On the long walk back to the sleeping chambers, he thought on the things he knew. They’d said that the Fire Clan had formed a thousand years after the stars fell. But they’ve never mentioned how long ago that was. It didn’t seem encouraging, but he already knew he’d come from an ancient egg. The diversity of dragons, even amongst the elders, hinted at just how much time had passed.

“So how much has the world changed?” He asked before looking around. Darin was fortunate, no one was near enough to hear the question. As he neared the rumbling rooms, he felt it in the floor this time, well before he heard it. In the real world, he was sure that such vibrations would have long since caused a cave-in. When he finally entered one of the rooms, he was greeted by a chorus of deep breaths and slow snores. Not wanting another battle, he flew up high and chose a small nook with no ground access. The noise was softer up there, sounding more like a heavy rain. Despite the soothing noise, he would have been frowning if his beak allowed it. Why isn’t it morning yet, grumbled in his head. Despite all his fretting, the day had taken it’s toll on his emotions. It was not long, before the noise lulled him to sleep.

* * * * *

Darin found himself walking along a hazy hallway, with no idea how he’d gotten there. It didn’t matter, he felt something pulling at him, drawing him down the hallway. As he walked along, he saw a two headed dragon and a cleaning bot playing cards on a table. Damned slacker, you’re supposed to be cleaning the ship. Still he found it odd, that they were above him on the ceiling. Or am I on the ceiling? Something strange is-.

Darin found himself walking down a hallway, but at least he was on the floor this time. He was further ahead, and the songs and noises were closer. Wait, how did I get here? The thought fled his mind, as the singing grew louder. He ran ahead as fast as he could, on just his hind legs. He didn’t even realize how odd and awkward that should be in Swift Blaze’s body. That song! He took the corner at a run and skidded to a halt. I know this place. It’s the entrance! His heart leapt for joy in his little chest, not even noticing the oddities in the room. The missing hall, the fog, and the warped shape. None of those things mattered to him, not now. Light was streaming in from the open mouth of the cave, blocking his view. He ran into the bright light, and found himself on the small ledge outside.

It was night time now and before him stood the ancient forests, proud, and majestic. A few trees even paused to wave their branches in greetings. Wait, they didn’t do that-. The sky held many of his kin, smaller primal dragons like him, flying happily about. And above them, lighting up the night sky, was death. Hundreds, if not thousands, fireballs hung like decorations. Maybe I can stop it, maybe I can warn them or gather seeds. Or I could- Oh gods no…

As he watched, unable to look away, the first fireball fell to the ground. It dropped in slow motion. Yet when it hit, the ground beneath it rippled like a wave. Fire exploded out from the middle, and anything within range was tossed aside in flames. Bits of trees, plants and stone flew outward leaving burning trails. Where they struck secondary fires started, causing the great trees to writhe and thrash. No. A second piece of flame fell, faster than the first, devastating another chunk of the forest. No, this isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. All around, the other dragons seemed oblivious to the destruction. They sang as they hunted and as they harvested giant berries. Several dragons were killed as more stones fell, yet the survivors seemed unaware.

“Get Inside. Get to safety!” Darin called out, but no one paid him any heed. “Get to the caves. Why aren’t you listening?” He yelled at them, to no avail. They can’t hear me, he realized.

“Of course they can’t hear you. And no, you can’t change what’s already happened.” Ember said, from beside him. He almost jumped in surprise, not having seen her arrive.

“But you’re- You can’t be- Unless, this is a dream?” He asked, as the gears began to turn in his head. She eyed him for a long moment and nodded. As they talked, the sky dropped more and more fire upon the land. “So what can I do to end this?” He asked, looking out across the wounded forest. His chest hurt, he felt pain, true emotional pain at watching such beauty be destroyed.

“You want me to make you wake up?” She asked. He realized she was in her late-life form now, with the faint red glow to her scales. He looked at her for several seconds, not wanting to leave her so soon, but unwilling to stay.

“You never met me, but thank you. And yes, help me wake. I can’t stand to watch the forest burn, even if this may have happened ages ago.” Darin stated, which caused her to stare at him for a long moment. She turned and looked at the woods, or what was left of them and sighed. One of her claws went to her chest, covering where the heart would be and clenching. She didn’t even scratch her scales, but the expression of pain was clear. She understood.

“Let us end this horror then. Though it would have been nice to talk.” She stated, turning back to him.

“I wish my real family, had been as caring as you and Shadow.” He confessed, though he knew it was pointless. To his surprise she smiled at him. Darin didn’t know how she made a beak smile, but she did. Another fireball fell, far closer to them, and much louder. She looked at the destruction, then back at him with one last sad glace. He was about to speak again, when she opened her beak and shot flames into his face. Darin jerked back out of reflexes and felt pain.

* * * * *

Darin opened his eyes and the room still seemed to be spinning. The fires had disappeared but the pain had not. After a few breaths he was able to make sense of the world around him. He was still in the little alcove, the one he’d fallen asleep in. And he seemed to be laying on his back. “That explains the pain.” He grumbled as he righted himself, taking care not to abuse his wings further. A quick look at his status told him that he hadn’t taken much damage, nor had he injured his wings. “What a horrid dream.” He grumbled, but no one was close enough to care. He wanted a stiff drink, but he’d yet to see a bar or a drunkard amongst the dragons. Stupid cultural values. The noise in the room had not abated, as it was still late in the night and most of the dragons were asleep. He wanted to go outside already, but he was more afraid now than he’d been before. The worst of it, was that there was no blue mists when he woke. That nightmare had been his own. His mind betraying him, and voicing his growing fears. Darin sighed and laid down. After a few minutes he closed his bloodshot eyes, a long while later, sleep claimed him once again.

* * * * *

When he woke in the morning, he felt physically refreshed, but not mentally. His nightmare and the sleepless time after it, had taken their toll on his disposition. The room was much quieter as many dragons had left, to see to their daily tasks. With a sigh and a few muttered curses he stretched and took flight. He focused on the Dining Room and glided down towards the exit. A few minutes and a few odd stares later, he found his way to food. Perhaps you aren’t supposed to fly in the halls, but that never stopped Shadow. The only table that was his height had a mostly devoured mole beast. Darin wasn’t in the mood to eat several pounds of the carrots it tasted like. So he went to peruse the larger tables. He’d found something tempting on one table, but was interrupted before he could start in.

“Shouldn’t you be at the small table, youngling?” An iron-gray dragoness asked, her tone was as much a suggestion as a reprimand. He looked at her for a moment, identified her and sighed. She wasn’t an elder, so she wouldn’t have been at the rite yesterday. So to her, I look like a stray whelp.

Razor Claw, Level 51 Dragon.

“By size, that table fits me. True. But I would think I’ve at least earned some choice in what I eat. And the moles are not much to my liking.” He replied, doing his best to keep his voice level.

“Well yes, I imaging there is some brave tale behind those blood shot eyes, little one. But hatchlings and whelps are at the bottom of the order. They take what they are given, and eat without complaint. You should know that the Mother does not like fussy children.” She stated, as if she’d taken it upon herself to play den mother. He was doing well to restrain himself, but he heard the edges of his beak grind together as she talked.

“I would imaging that the Mother does not.” He agreed, with some dark trace of mirth. “But as I am a dragon, I’d like to enjoy my meal today.” Darin stated, hoping that she might take the hint. Yesterday had caused him stress enough, he didn’t need more grief.

“You would do well to learn the way of things young whelp. And you’d also do well to learn your place.” She growled at him. Her polite reprimands of before, were quick to give way to threats it seemed. Darin just shook his little beaked head at her.

“Do you lack the ability to identify someone? Or do you lack the sense to use it Razor Claw?” He asked, causing her to blink then show her fangs. After a few seconds, she grumbled and muttered something under her breath.

“You. You have a name?” She asked, her eyes going wide. Man, you can almost watch the gears turn, he mused. A moment later she blinked and looked away in embarrassment. When she did look back at him, she lowered head out of respect. “Forgive me Swift Blaze, I did not intend to be rude to a fellow dragon.” She offered in apology. He was about to accept, when she added another line. “Even if I am surprised to see one so small, even at level 4.”

“Mistakes as such, are bound to occur.” He said, trying to be somewhat diplomatic. She nodded in agreement. Am I to get that for life here? “Perhaps you’d be so kind as to carve off a small slab of the bison there?” He asked, glancing at the delicious smelling meal on the table. She glanced at him a moment and nodded. It may have been an odd request, but it was an easy one to make. Especially while she still felt guilty. In less than a minute a slab of bison a quarter of his size, lay at the edge of the table. Well now, we can’t let that go to waste.

- - - - -

Author’s Note: Hey all, sorry it took me an extra day to post. Yesterday, sleep seemed to be very important. So important in fact, that I tried for a whole 8 hours of it. I wont say I succeeded, but *gasp* luxury. Back on topic, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. As well, I hope you’ve been enjoying the story thus far. Today I hit 25 reviews and 100 favorites, so don’t mind me celebrating those small milestones. Yes, I know the Mature+Harem stories get 10x the views. But for my humble little story, I’m glad to see so many people like it. As ever, thank you for the support and thank you for pointing out any errors. Night!