Chapter 7 – Power

So dark, so cold, so lonely. A weak, fragile and sore whisper echoing through my mind.

My surroundings are pure black and void of colour, most unlike my mother’s beautiful shimmering scales.

I try to look around to examine the void, yet find I am unable. I try to understand my predicament, and find that this feeling of weightlessness is most similar to the time spent within my egg, a time where I was able to see without seeing, where I used my mind rather than my eyes.

Understanding my fault, I start to search my surroundings with my mind’s eye. As begin my task of sifting through the dark, I quickly locate a seemingly invisible white light, illuminating the pure black.

I touch the pale light tentatively and recognise it immediately, the power within my core.

I search through the light, familiarising myself with the pulsating power and find a strange inconsistency; throughout the bulk of power, various strands of strange, green light weave throughout it, trying to spring loose from its bulk as it squirms.

I reach out my mind and gently grip the green strands, then gently tug them with enough force to free them, but not enough to snap their seemingly brittle form.

Almost immediately as I do, I feel a familiar sweet fragrance wash over my incorporeal form; the scent of pure, gentle magic; the scent of the Elf.

Memories followed the scent as I remembered how I got here, the Elf was testing my power, trying to break the riddle of it. Perhaps my power somehow reacted to her probing, and for some reason attempted to steal her own. A question for another time however, as I have magic to free.

While gently tugging on the strand, my power obeyed, sensing my will and releasing the trapped Elf’s power.

As the strands quickly snaked off into the darkness, quickly fading into the void, my power started flaring. I tried to reach out to calm it but as soon as I did, light exploded around me.

It took me a few moments to get my bearings but I quickly recalled the Elf’s room, and more importantly my protective mother towering over me, obviously shielding my once unconscious self.

After a few seconds more, sound returned to my array of senses and began to pick up the large room practically shaking from the low growls of Mother.

Lightly chuckling my amusement as her actions, I rose to my feet and lightly tapped on her hide, a broad smile on my face as I did so.

She quickly snaked her head around, bringing a large, ruby eye level with me. With a voice filled with worry she asked, “Are you well again, daughter?”

I gave an exaggerated nod and lightly skipped around her, setting my gaze on the pale faced Elf, who was resting on the other side.

I suppose I would be scared if a giant black dragon was growling at me, as well. I thought.

Concerned that Mother would blame the Elf, I turned my gaze back to Mother and stated, “Not her fault.” My voice soft, but serious.

After almost a full minute’s thought Mother lightly nodded, “Very well.” Seemingly trusting my judgement on the matter, she didn’t argue.

Even though that crisis was contained, the Elf was still outrageously pale, her eyes swimming with guilt. Thinking of only one way to cheer her up I ran over towards her and sat squarely on her lap, as if nothing had ever happened.

Bringing my hand up towards her head and started lightly patting her it, I repeated, “Not your fault.”

The Elf’s eyes still swam with guilt but she began patting my head anyway.

I gave a bright smile once again and let the sweet moment pass us by.

After the Elf seemed to calm down a little, she explained her findings to my mother, “I still don’t fully understand her powers,” she said while still stroking my head, “however from what I understand she is somehow able to steal magic power.”

Mother seemed taken aback, “How?” She asked.

“I haven’t the faintest clue. Perhaps it is a form of Aberrant magic, that she alone possesses.” The Elf paused, “It would not be the first time such a child was born, yet I have yet to meet one so strong, nor unique.” She let out a small smile, “Then again, I wouldn’t have expected anything less from your daughter.”

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Working our way through the halls once again, I noticed various dragons neither nodding nor bowing at our pass; instead they were darting out of Mother’s way, averting their gaze and cowering at our passing.

Curious…perhaps they are so frightened due to Mother’s roar when I passed out? Or perhaps it’s the look of pure fury within her fiery, red eyes?

Either way we quickly reached our room in record time, on account of the lack of dragons essentially prostrating themselves in our path.

As I sat down on the large mat that was our bed, Mother spoke, “Listen well, daughter. For I will not repeat this twice.”

Noticing the seriousness of her tone, I nodded quickly and gave her my full attention.

“It is custom for dragons to seek our education through our dams and sires, learning through our accumulated experience and wisdom as we do so. As such we have become an isolated race, with connections to all but a few outside of dragonkin.”

I sat completely still, absorbed with the newfound knowledge she was presenting me.

Her eyes alit with both amusement and rage with her proceeding words, “We are so isolated that most believe us to be

legends, myths and beasts; beings without a shred of intelligence that smote and destroyed everything in our path.”

Well, looking at Mother, it wouldn’t be hard to understand why. I smirked at the thought.

“However this must change. We have remained in isolation within these mountains for too long, both our hatchlings and elders becoming ignorant of the world beyond.”

Curiosity built up brighter within me, excited at where she was going with this.

“As such we send some of our Broods to break this trend of ignorance. Don’t you agree?”

I gave a nod, still remaining silent. Of course we must expand into the outside world. To be thought as nothing but beasts, myths and legends is, while amusing, an insult to dragon kind.

Mother gave out a sad, but sure smile as she continued, “Good.” After a breath pause she continued, “Because you will be one of them.”

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I found myself wandering the winding halls of my home in my Beast-man form, quickly scurrying along the cold, hard stone.

I noticed the abundance of odd looks I got from various dragons, and the obvious lack of bowing in my presence. It seems Mother, and the rest of those aware of my gifts, have kept quiet about my morphing ability.

While exploring the winding halls I ponder the mandate of my mother, recalling her wishes. After explaining to me the necessity of our return from seclusion, she explained to me just how we would return.

“It is necessary for us to return in earnest, but not to brazenly clutter about beyond our borders, scaring the other races of the land. As such you and your brothers will be attending an academy of sorts, intended to nurture all beings of the land.”

An academy.

From what Mother told me it was open to all races, ages and stations; be it royalty, commoner, or any other form.

She then went on to explain Dragons, Elves and Beast-men were not the only race in existence, detailing the features of a races I have yet to meet. The numerous Humans, the varying Fae, the powerful Demons and the rare Angels.

Not only were there these races, but various forms of life too numerous to explain in but one conversation.

I let my mind sift back to Mother’s explanation of the Academy, “It lies at the centre of the land, surrounded by a large thriving city. The rulers of the Academy reside over naught but the Academy itself, and the city is left to its own governance.”

It is said the Rulers are composed of various races, and open only to a select group of people. They hold tremendous power, and together have the power to rival even the strongest of empires.

However, even they can’t hold a candle to us Dragons; who, while few, have the potential to wipe each race of the face of the land.

After these pondering thoughts I remembered a key question that I asked, “Mother, I have heard many names, but what do we call this land?”

She responded, a prideful smile plastered on her face, “It was named after the strongest beings in the land of course.”

I whisper her response as I turn a corner, mirroring my memories.

“Draconia.”

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Author Note

So, we are finally getting properly into the story. Yay!

I made this chapter a little bigger due to the fact that I actually found a nice stopping point. I also plan to make chapter at least this long now, perhaps a bit bigger depending on my mood. So look forward to that.

Considering so many people dislike it when people edit previous chapters, I thought I would ask if everyone is fine with that? It will change NONE of the story, merely fix various grammar errors, while also clearing up some explanations and sentence structures.

And yeah, let me know what you think. Give me any feedback on grammar, story, characters, etc.