The Dragon's Scale [COMPLETE]

11.4 || Aftermath

Josh arrived to a mostly silent Sanctum.  A few other dragons moved quietly through the forest while Josh followed his internal sense of Boomer. He glanced around as he proceeded forward. Were any of these Cale's dragon? Ezraim, if he recalled correctly.

He felt Boomer a moment before the dragon leapt from behind a tree and dragged his rough tongue across Josh's face.

Took you long enough. Boomer slunk around Josh, rubbing against him like a gigantic cat. He nuzzled Josh's cheek and licked it again.

Boomer. When his dragon didn't stop, Josh laughed and shoved against his head. "I missed you too, you giant lizard, but saliva is gross and sticky."

With a huff, Boomer pulled his head back. I am far superior to any stupid lizard. He paused for a moment, then rubbed up against Josh, much gentler this time. I was afraid you wouldn't come back...

His true meaning sent goosebumps along Josh's flesh. Death. He'd been so close to death while fighting the ogre.

"It's okay, Boomer." He put a hand on either side of Boomer's head and placed his forehead against the dragon's snout. "I'm right here. I'm alive."

Boomer curled tighter around him, the excited gesture from before becoming one of comfort and affection. His feelings surged through the bond: fear of what almost happened, relief that it didn't, and a deep-seated pain that splintered through the two emotions.

When the image of the two crumpled dragons flashed through Josh's mind, he wasn't sure if it was from his own thoughts or Boomer's. Josh pressed his lips into a thin line to keep back the question the image brought with it.

You know you can't keep stuff from me. Boomer pulled away, his eyes averted. You want to know what happened.

Josh shrugged. "I mean, yeah, sure I do. But you don't have to tell me."

I know.

Boomer unfurled from around Josh and lay down in front of a tree. The wing facing Josh twitched inward, a gesture he had learned meant to approach. He walked over and sat against Boomer's side.

Boomer watched Josh for a moment before resting his head on his forelegs. I didn't always live up here. I used to live in another Sanctum down on the ground. It's been a while. Hisato wasn't even here yet, Boomer said. Sanctums are supposed to be safe. Only Paladins and Sages know where they are, but a Sage fell to darkness. He became a Shadow Knight and his dragon a Phoenix Dragon.

Josh closed his eyes. A weight pressed against his chest, growing heavier with every word Boomer spoke. He could see where this was going. He had lived the night Boomer spoke of more times than he could count.

He only knew where one Sanctum was. My Sanctum. My home... They waited until there was a breach of an ogre group, gathered up those ogres, and then attacked us. It was bad. I know some Paladins died in the fight. And the dragons... There were nine of us when it happened. Now...

The wave of loneliness and loss spoke louder than any other words Boomer could have said.

Josh clenched his fists. The instinct to protect screamed through his veins, but there was nothing for Josh to fight off or let hit him. Just scars from a time maybe before he was born. All he could do was whisper, "I'm sorry, Boomer."

Boomer craned his neck to bump his snout against Josh's leg. It's okay. I'm not alone anymore.

Patting Boomer's head, Josh gave a small grin. "And I'll make sure you never are again."

They stayed like that for a few moments, relishing in the other's presence, and then Josh rose to his feet. He smirked. "So, you big lizard, want to see if you can catch me?"