Lone Wolves

Flames Under Water

Akuma shook herself awake, blinking in the sunlight. The sun shined brightly in her eyes. She growled.
"Stupid sun."
"Oh, sorry." Keleth shifted his large scaled body, casting the reflection elsewhere. Akuma snorted and moved to rouse Shini. She pressed her cold nose into his belly. He pushed at her with his paws.
"Just a few more minutes." He slurred in his sleep. Akuma rolled her eyes and trotted outside the cave. She stretched her legs, digging her claws into the dirt. Keleth walked out, his scales clinking quietly.
"How'd you sleep?" His dragon accent was stronger today. She almost didn't understand him.
"Your accent is showing." He cleared his throat with a cough of smoke.
"Better?" Akuma nodded and snorted when the smoke passed her nose. He stretched his wings out, bending them and looking to see if his scales where straight then yawned. His long, snake-like canines gleamed in the sun. He ran his forked tongue over each pointed tooth in turn then tasted the air, turning towards the wolf packs.
"Akuma. There are scents like yours approaching." Akuma snarled and ran back into the cave, grabbing Shini by his scruff. Shini mumbled something, half turning. Akuma turned, staring at the forest. "I assume they're not friends?" Akuma snarled in response. Keleth stretched his wings impatiently. Smoke trailed out of his slightly open mouth. He twisted his head around and opened his mouth more, a flame sparking to life in his throat. It curled around his sharp teeth for a moment before dying. He rose into the air, his wings sending gusts of winds buffeting into Akuma. He circled over her then towards the packs. Akuma slinked towards the wolves. She saw Keleth swooped lower, roaring at the five wolves. The one in lead had deep blue fur with darker tinges of purple and green. The four others where deep charcoal grey. The warriors of the Pack of the Water. Shini squirmed around in Akuma's mouth. She set him lightly on the ground. He shook himself, sniffing the air.
"Akuma, what's that smell?" Akuma pushed Shini towards some bushes.
"Just stay here and promise me you'll be quiet." The pup whimpered quietly and slunk a little further into the bushes. Keleth landed heavily in front of them. Smoke trailed from his mouth and he growled deeply in his chest. Akuma trotted around Keleth, her lip raised in a snarl.
"What are you doing here." The blue wolf's coat had tinges of silver, showing his age. He took a step closer.
"We deserve answers, Akuma! What is this monster and why does it threaten us?" Akuma looked over at Keleth. He stomped on the ground, sending a burst of green fire into the air. The wolves whined and cowered. Keleth growled, letting his accent take over.
"I am your god! Cower and bow!" Akuma turned and glared at Keleth.
"You are no god, lizard. Do not pretend to be so." She turned to the wolves. "Keleth is a dragon, one of the only true dragons left." The blue wolf turned to the others. Akuma looked at him closer. I've met him before. I can't remember his name. The wolves cracked up laughing. Akuma growled, her eyes turning white.
"A dragon? Fish dung! This is no more a dragon then I am." Akuma pushed her paw into the ground, sending a large tremor through it.
"Mizu, leader of the Pack of the Water, hold your tongue." The wolf glared at Akuma. The flames around her leg roared around her. Keleth laughed darkly.
"If you don't believe me, test me." Akuma calmed down, still breathing heavy. The wolves murmured to each other.
"Alright." The blue wolf turned back to Keleth. "There are tales that only dragon fire can burn underwater. Prove it." Akuma scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. Even I could prove that." The four grey wolves snarled at Akuma. Keleth stepped between them, digging his claws into the ground.
"Take me to the lake and I'll prove it."

Snow coated the ground and crunched under Keleth's scaled feet. Akuma scanned the area, fearing an ambush. The five wolves formed a plow in front of them. The path widened to a stop before the lake. The large mass of water stretched out for a good while, the crystal clear water reflected the puffy clouds above. Akuma glared at the four grey tails and one blue tail in front of her. Keleth lowered his snake-like head.
"Don't worry about them. I can protect you." Akuma growled lowly at him.
"I don't need your protection. I'm only worried about Shini, that's all." The dragon rolled his golden eyes, am amused purr rumbling in his chest. The wolves turned and looked at Keleth expectantly. Mizu gestured for Keleth to continue. The dragon pushed out his scaled chest, raising his snout and looking down on them like scraps of meat stuck under his talons. He spread his sapphire wings, stretching the tips high above him. Akuma had begun to notice his enjoyment in intimidating. She also noticed that the last joint seemed strong enough to support his weight. She shook her head to clear the absurd thought. Keleth took a step into the lake, his taloned foot sinking into the muck. He took a few more steps, barely getting his chest scales wet. He turned to face the gathered wolves. He showed his white fangs, a snarling smile, then pushed up wards. He flew backwards, crashing into the water with a large splash. Akuma ran to the shore, searching the water franticly.
"Keleth!" The water calmed, returning to it's perfect mirror like state. Suddenly, bubbles surfaced. The surface of the lake shifted, parting over Keleth's spined back. His wings where half open, held straight away from his body. Flames spilled from his mouth, through the water and then up to float on the surface for a moment before dying down. He raised his entire head from the lake, water dripping from each spine and scale. The wolves cowered, pressing their bellies to the ground then rolling over to expose themselves in submissive behavior. Keleth chuckled darkly, snapping his mouth shut with a snap. A small poof of smoke escaped before he walked from the lake. He shook himself, scales clinking like chainmail. Akuma snorted disdainfully and walked away from the lake.