Chapter 1 - The Pale Egg

I feel so warm within my shell. Nothing can harm me, nothing can touch me, and nothing can judge me.

Yet, I feel the presence of power outside of my sanctuary. A presence that screams age and authority, yet beautiful affection. This presence curls around me and holds me, soothing my every thought and worry.

I know this presence to be my mother. Logic does not play a part in this but rather instinct. My body knows it even if my mind does not.

My mind wanders through the safety of my hard shell and interestingly enough allows me to scour my surroundings, like an eye accompanying my wishes.

The area around me is surrounded by gems that glow a faint red; heat radiating through them to ensure our eggs stay warm.

Eggs. Yes, it seems I have two siblings. One the colour of extravagant violet, the other of radiant gold. They sit beside me on our bed of heat.

I have trouble seeing my own egg, unable to determine what colour I belong to. Unfortunate, but not entirely important.

I look forward, past our bed, and fixate my gaze upon our Mother.

Our mother is a beautiful creature of jet black, with the eyes of pure dark red. She towers in comparison to us, with hard scales, leathery muscled hide, folded wings and a long tail to match her dark appearance.

I focus on her for a seemingly endless amount of time, and after a while she gets up and leaves through the giant polished gates of our room; leaving my siblings and I alone.

With nothing to fixate on I sleep, content to dream, grow and wait for her next arrival.

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I awake again after our mother returns, her presence once again gently snaring me with its overwhelming force.

She merely approached our eggs and lies down, examining us.

While she does so I inspect myself.

It must have been some time since I slept. I notice for the first time I have a body.

It is scaleless, small and frail. I examine myself a bit further.

My hide is a beautiful, silver white. With developing claws on both my fore and back legs. A growing stub, one which is sure to be develop into a tail like my mother's, sits upon my rear as well.

After my examination I return my gaze outwards to see our mother's seemingly knowing gaze upon my egg, to which I now assume to be silvery white.

Is she aware of my gaze? Do my siblings share my ability? I wonder…

While I ponder this I grow weary and tired. I attempt to fight this sudden fatigue but I eventually succumb to its call. I fall into yet another deep slumber.

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I awake again to more than our mother's presence. My mind’s eye immediately extends towards, much to my shock, a crowd. Hundreds of then litter the hall. They all mirror Mother’s appearance but, at the same time, do not.

They all appear large but not nearly the size of our mother. All strong and muscled, but not as much as her. Their colours vary between a mixtures of shades, from greens, reds, and blues tp yellows, browns and dull greys. Yet, I see no colours matching either my mother or my siblings. Even the yellow dragons do not show a shade even close to matching my golden sibling's egg.

Before I can even begin to wonder why a crowd has gathered, they begin to do something strange.

With their deep booming voices they begin to chant. Their rich voices seep into me, filling me with vigour, urging me to break my shell. I lose track of time, overwhelmed by the power they sing.

When I regain my senses I return to my mind’s eye to see my siblings out of their shells, with scales and hides that match the colour of their eggs.

However, my attention upon them is fleeting as something far bigger looms over me affectionately.

My Mother.

Whispers and chatter loom through the hall. Obviously wondering why I am the only one yet to hatch.

But soon it all stops, silenced by my Mother’s rumbling voice, and then soothing singing. It gently coaxes me from my fright. Nudging me to an objective I must complete.

The feeling of vigour returns to me, just as strong, but less overwhelming.

Returning to myself I lunge at my egg, letting my hard scales atop my head slam against it.

The song continues.

I hit it again.

The song encourages.

I hit it again, rejoicing at the resounding crack.

The song rejoices.

I hit it again, breaking free from my cage.

My mother, along with the entirety of the crowd, including my siblings, roar in triumph.

A new dragon is born.

The Pale Dragon.

After the last of the roars die down I feel extraordinarily weary. My legs, once invigorated by the song of my mother grow weary and tired.

I vaguely register Mother saying something to me, but my ears refuse to hear her.

My legs hear my plea to move, but stagger and fall.

My voice attempts to call out but refuses to sound.

Everything grows red and blurry.

Enemies.

Blood.

Fire.

Death.

I manage to let out a weak growl before my eyes grow heavy, and everything goes dark.