A Dragons Mate

18

WARNING: This chapter will deal with that of someone passing on. Please read at your own risk and care.

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The wind blew throughout the forest and Dalias wings kept her flying towards the camp where the Dark Reigns had inhabited. She paused and slowed her flying until she came upon a tree branch high above the hill and rocks that the town was built on. What she saw was a sight, but not a good one at all. 

Green fire and lights lit the streets and walkway. On every stone and wooden house was a lantern and fireflies flew throughout the city from what she could see. Futher on was the castle, and in front of it lay a big heap of black dragon, and the shallow breaths and slow rising body, had her feeling more down than the slight chill throughout. Next to him, she could see the royal family leaning over their friend. Dalia flew down and looked at the shallow breathing that he was having.

No one knew what to expect, and while they knew what was going on, it still was sad. Dalia looked towards the royal family and bowed her head in respect. Within the forest, a lot of animals that had dark colors within their coats and feathers  stayed in the forest, easy to hide, especially when it comes to the dark and the fog itself.

She looked up towards the sky, the fog swirling around the rest of them. What the Dragonlights didn't know was once a dragon had died, the sky took their soul, and spread it throughout until it landed back into the ancestors graveyard. The body iteself was placed in a certain part of the forest, where it would be given back to the earth.

The graveard itself had headstones, but here was only one body within and it belonged to the first shapeshifting dragon. The first ancestor of Maddie and her family and people.

The fog itself started to swirl, it was almost time. Green lightning glowed throughout the sky and started to touch the pillers of the village. Dalia turned and noticed animals throughout the forest entering the town, landing on pillars, not all of them where friendly with each other, but each respected the death of one of their own.

Those that shifted did, others stayed put. The Dark Reigns of the town stood tall and proud, some with tears in their eyes.

Rondelle looked at the families, confused at first of why he was there. Last he had remembered he was at his cave, but knowing the people, they had carried him o in front of the castle, so he could go in peace and the people could mourn.

"My dear Dark Reigns, I hope that you will all remember me and be there for each other. Sweet, Sweet Maddie," He said. Maddie's parents turned towards her as she slowly walked towards them and felt her tears just coming down.

Her mother ran a hand down her back as Maddie kneeled towards the great dragon, who had been her friend for years. He was practically family.

"Please don't leave us" She begged. She knew that wasn't how it worked, but she still wished it would. her face watched as his breathing became staggered and more irregular.

"My dear Maddie, do not fret. All will be well soon. Remember to always be yourself, and never let others tell you what is important to you, or what must be done," He said. To some that may seem out of the ordinary to speak, but she understood what was meant by that.

She just didn't know whatelse to do. Dalia flew down and knelt by Maddie. She bowed her head to Rondelle. You could see he was smiling in the end.

The rest of the town, and those who had gathered, watched and heard him take his last breath. Looking up to the sky, the clouds and fog swirled like a cyclone, engulfing Rondelle. His soul emerged as a green dragon. The cyclone went up the sky and dispersed his soul. Wind and clouds burst from that one spot in the sky.

Thunder clapped outside of the castle in the Dragonlights home. No one knew what was going on. Kyle looked up and noticed a bit of green in the sky, but he didn't know what to make of it.

As the wind calmed down in the villiage, the tears flowed and everyone looked towards the dragons body, the green fire grew and glowed throughout, lighting the town.

"It's time," Dalia said. Maddie nodded her head. Standing up, she watched as several Dark Reigns picked up Rondelle's body and carried it to it's spot.

"Farwell old friend, we won't forget you, we will remember you," She said. Maddie stood in front of everyone.

"A guardian of the dark woods has passed on, but we will forever remember him. While we don't usually do this, Rondelle asked that in honor of his memory, we hold a feast, for all he protected," She said. All the shifters in the dark forest looked and imagined.

She nodded her head and held her hand over to the castle. "Please," She said. Everyone nodded and followed into the castle.

"I promise, don't you worry," She said before following the last of the shifters in.