• Chapter 3: My Pain

    Another couple years have passed and gone. Good news is, I’m finally a fully matured European dragon. Bad news, it’s getting more and more difficult for Syor to hide me. Why does she keep me, I’m just a nuisance to her and Tsuki. It cost more to feed me now that it was when I was a chick, I crave more food. It’s so sad that my once peaceful life is now becoming hell. It won’t stay like this for long, she won’t be able to hide me forever. So much pain those two go through just to keep me safe. Why do they do it? Why do they do this for me? What good am I? I’m just an extra piece of burden they carry on their long perilous journey through life. What will happen to me if I am found by the villagers? Where will I go if I don’t have Syor and her drooling beast, Tsuki? What will I do?

    “Memory!” Syor called my name, knocking me out of my trance.

    I looked down at her, her face full of life and joy…like always. It never leaves, that smile of hers. It always stays and tries to bring comfort to others, but doesn’t she ever get tired of smiling, of never showing any other emotion. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll see this side of her.

    “What’s wrong, Memory? You’ve been deadly quite for some time now.”

    I shook my head, smiling warmly.

    “Nothing, Lady Syor.” I answered, my voice calm and gentle but powerful at the same time.

    “You seem to be getting a hang of the talking thing, your voice is better than before also.” She said, proud of my new ability.

    “Yes, it is better than that squeaky child voice I had. It seems that as the days pass my voice sounds like the proper age I am.”

    “It seems to be that way.”

    Tsuki’s barking attracted their attention to the outside world. But it was strange, the smell of smoke filled the air and the sound of screams echoed through the barn.

    “What’s going on?” Syor question and walked out.

    What’s happening? Wait! What’s that smell? Is it…..blood? My eyes widden as my ear perked up to the sound of Syor’s scream. I can’t stay here, I have to get out. I banged my head against the barn door, watching as it swung open. I looked around noticing in the distance the village being consumed in flames and a mortal man riding a horse with Syor along with him.

    I gave a loud roar not caring any more that villagers will now know I’m here. I flapped my wings and took flight towards the mortal man. I hovered above him, his horse and Syor, who was knocked out. His armor clanked together with every gallop, but it was strange. I’ve noticed he wasn’t going back to the village, he was heading some where else. I shook my head and got my mind back on the main important thing, help Syor. I lower more closer to the horse and mortal man. He horse suddenly came to a halt and I accidentally flew past them, leaving me open.

    “s**t!” The man swore.

    I made a quick turn and landed in front of him, roaring loudly. His horse stood on its hind legs, frighten by my roar. The man quickly grabbed Syor and jumped off, watching as his horse took off in fear and than looked at me. I gave a low growl as a warning but he just sighed, gently laying Syor down.

    “I don’t know what a dragon is doing in a village like this, but I can’t let you have this woman.” He said, drawing his sword.

    His sword was bigger than him, standing at least 6 feet, and was the color of blood as if it has been forged and dipped into the blood by a dragon. His dragon armor covered his eyes as he took deep breaths to calm himself down. He let out a long breath and got into a fighting position.

    “Come at me foul beast!” He snapped.

    I snorted, fire blowing out of my nostrils. I looked at the mortal man and notice he wasn’t like Syor. He was not of Syor’s kind, he wasn’t human.

    “You do not smell like a human.” I muttered to myself.

    “That is because I’m not a human! I’m a NightElf!” The knight yelled, obviously hearing me.

    “You also seem like you do not wish to fight me.” I took a few steps towards him.

    “But I must unless to save this woman.” He readies his weapon for attack.

    “I will not harm you as long as you give Lady Syor back.”

    “And why should I do that, beast?”

    I chuckled and shook my head. Such an ignorant elf, he just doesn’t know what he is in for when he messes with a dragon’s master. I quickly stop my laughing and gave a loud roar, charging towards Syor for a quick grab. The elf threw himself in front of her, making me grab him instead. I growled and began flying towards the sky.

    “Do you know what it is like to fall thousands of feet from the air, elf? Let’s just say it won’t be pretty.” I roared out of anger. “I can end this here, what will stop me?”

    “Memory! Don’t do it!” A familiar voice called.

    I froze and looked down to see Syor, awake and unharmed. She looked like she always did, smiling, not a care in the world.

    “Syor.” I whispered.

    I looked at the elf in my claw and sighed. He looked at me amazed at how loyal I was to her and that the fact I was actually sparing him. I flew down to the ground, landing in front of Syor and putting down the elf. He quickly took a few steps back than collapsed to his knees, holding opened wounds. Syor went to his side quickly, questioning if he was okay. The elf shoved her help away and stood back up, glaring at me.

    “Memory is your name, beast?” The elf asked.

    I nodded.

    “It is the name Lady Syor has blessed me with.” I said.

    He looked at Syor and looked away. He put two fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle. The horse from before galloped towards him. He jumped on the horse’s back, quickly, not even letting the poor beast stop. He waved us off and continued riding towards the burning village. I quickly looked at Syor, anger flaring in my eyes.

    “Why did you want me to spare that evil creature?” I snapped, clearly angry about her command.

    “He wasn’t trying to attack me, he was trying to help me.” She answered.

    “Help you! You were knocked out on the back of his horse!”

    “It was a mistake, Memory. He came to me and warned me about the rampage of his people, but he came a little too late. One of his people came out of the house, bow and arrow ready and fired.”

    “So that scream was from you getting shot.” I questioned.

    “Yes.”

    I sighed out of relief and regret. I attacked the NightElf with out knowing he was actually trying to help Syor. If only I could apologize. I suddenly felt a pain hit my back. I looked behind me to see rows and rows of NightElfs, ready to kill and I was the one they wanted.

    “Lady Syor, leave these creatures to me.” I said, turning around and spreading my wings wide.

    “Don’t you dare die on me.” She muttered and ran back into the house.

    The elves ready their arrows and fired. I took in a deep breath and fired my emerald green flames, burning the arrows to a crisp. The leader, drew his sword and pointed at me to single attack. I gave a loud roar and charged towards them. I felt arrows and spears pierce my body, I could feel blood trickle down my body. I was pain, but I had to protect my family. I grabbed the nearest elf and threw at another, watching them fly, I felt so alive. Why am I in joying this? Their agonizing screams, the sound of their bones crushing. It sounded so good, it feels so…good.

    I took in a big breath and blew, burning the elves in front of me to a crisp. Their cries of pain echoed through out the dark night. I felt more stabs come from behind me, feeling more blood pour out. I stretched out my wings and quickly spun around, sending a huge a gust of wind towards the elves.

    “Capture the beast! If I find out you men killed it, it’ll be your heads” The leader barked.

    The elves gave out a battle cry, and began to climb on me, determined to win. I gave out a roar, but it was silenced by ropes being thrown over my mouth and neck. I tugged at the ropes and saw only that they were lifted only a bit off the ground. I was growing weak, I’ve lost too much of blood. More and more ropes began to wrap around my body. They continued to pull. All of their eyes held determination, they were all willing to give their lives, and they were ready to do what ever it takes to make their leader happy. The elves’ cries grew louder as the started bring out the chains and started throwing them onto my body. But to my surprise, I felt spikes from the chains dig into my body. I tried to cry out, but the ropes held me back.

    I continued to thrash around, continuing to try to escape from the ropes and chains. The elves began to pull on the chains and ropes, pulling me into a cage. I continued to fight, but it was useless. I’ve lost and I know it. I can’t accept that thought! I have to continue to protect Syor. I could feel a tear fall from my eye, mixing in with my blood. I felt the metal prison become closer and defeat was ever drawing. I bowed my head in defeat. I’ve failed. They slammed the door shut, tying the ropes to the bars. I was lucky enough to get the ropes on my mouth off and I had a chance to catch my breath.

    The elves around me cheered at their victory, they all patted each others backs and cheered for their leader who held his sword proudly.

    “Alright, men! Let’s take this victory home!” He yelled, kicking the side of his horse and pushed forward.

    The NightElves cheered and followed their leader. They pulled the horses, that was carrying my cage, forward. I sighed, my head hanging low. I glanced to the side and noticed one of the elves riding towards me. I gave off a low growl, warning him to get away.

    “Why didn’t you run away?” He questioned.

    I recognized his voice right away and turned my head from him quickly.

    “I had to protect Syor.” I said, my voice weak and sad.

    The NightElf shook his head.

    “Foolish dragon.” He muttered, kicking his horse to catch up with his leader.

    What is in store for me now?