The Dragon Under my Bed

A passion for dragons

As the days went on, I found myself absorbed in learning about dragons, which was never a topic I thought I would ever get into, let alone be taught about by a juvenile dragon, But having one under your bed leads to these things happening. It makes me worried about what will happen when Zagem leaves, and I would no longer have someone to educate me on their race, but I tried not to think about that.

10:30 hit, I had fallen asleep after Zagem told me the story about the legendary war between the dragons and elves and awoke to the light tapping on my shoulder.

"Jesus Christ, Zagem you almost gave me a heart attack!" I said, laughing.

Zagem's head popped out from under the bed. "I thought you'd want to hear about this fascinating concept about elders, you seemed to be interested in them."

"I'm listening..." I said interested.

"You see, We dragons go through several various events throughout our lives. Hatching, our first fire, our first flight, and the last thing, what do you think it is?"

"um... Death?" I said, half-joking.

"Not quite, Its the Grand release. A legendary event elders undergo. Very few get to participate."

"How come?" I asked.

"Not many dragons can achieve it," Zagem said. "During the Grand Release, Dragons would seal themselves in a cave or mountain, and stay there for 100 years. The catch is that they cannot leave for any reason. Once you start the Grand Release, You cannot stop until you either die or last 100 years."

"Is it like a game?"

"No, It's technically like hibernating, but you're awake half of the time," Zagem explained

"That seems impossible, How are you supposed to eat or drink?" I asked. "And how the heck do you take care of other needs?"

"That is a question I cannot answer, for I have not participated in the Grand Release, But according to legend, The gods will give you food and water in spirit, You cannot taste it, but you can feel it within."

"Well, what do you do in those hundred years?" I asked.

Zagem chuckled. "You ask too many questions, Young one."

"You can't blame me, Zagem!" I said. "I'm new to all of this!"

"Well, If you were trapped in a cave for 100 years, with nobody else but your endless questions to keep you company, what would you do?" Zagem said.

I thought about it for a moment. "Probably go insane," I said simply.

Zagem nodded. "Indeed, Many dragons lose their minds during the release, or some die of blood loss from purposefully hurting themselves. Or at least, I've heard this happens."

"So... What's the reward for surviving 100 years?" I asked. "Or... The purpose of doing it?"

Zagem snorted. "There is no reward for doing the grand release. However, there is a purpose for all of it. A long time ago, A legendary elder known as Grikoirth stayed in a sealed cave for one hundred years, as a tribute to the gods. This is story is very well known to dragon kind, but nobody knows if it's true or not. But anyway, it's still a practice"

"I got it." I said, "Wow, You dragons are certainly a very interesting race."

"Well so are humans," Zagem said. "I mean, Your kind did slaughter thousands of our kinda long time ago, but still, Humans are fascinating."

"I don't understand why we would try to kill dragons, it's not like you're a threat to us..."

"Actually we are!" Zagem said. "But we're still animals, just like you."

"I think when I grow up, Ill study dragons and start a foundation dedicated to the protection of dragons," I said.

Zagem smiled. "I bet you will, you have quite the passion for our race. It almost makes me think you're one of us."

"Well I can guarantee that I'm no dragon, but you're right about the first thing," I said.

"Indeed." Zagem agreed. "By the end of my stay, you'll probably know 80% of the stories I know!"

"Well, Who knows?" I said. "Your stories might help shape the future of my foundation!"