Kingdoms of Ohm: The Dark Inferno #2

Homeward

There is something sweet that builds within our bones when we think of home. No matter the species, no matter the age, we're all tied to a primal instinct that we cannot ignore even if we try.

You've felt it before, dear reader, have you not?

That relieving sensation when the sweet fragrance of normalcy enters your lungs. You let out a sigh of relief as you sink into the comfort of your bed, fiddling with your magic boxes, or scrolling the words I now speak. Or study the endless collection of food you mammals hide away behind shelves and doors. Dragons are no different. We hunger for the warmth of our chambers after a long day's work, waiting to snuzzle into a mossy embrace and wish the world away. Our tails would wag. Our hearts beam and burst with anticipation. We're able to connect with the ones we love -- to talk, to listen. And, somehow, somewhere, we feel safe again.

But the moment I landed at the cavern entrance of Az'hark, the dormant volcano that protected my species for thousands of years, that feeling disappeared. And in its place was exactly what I found my home to be: nothing.

Both wings squeezed into my side, and my cerulean eyes widened in lieu of the darkness ahead. I expected more than dead silence. From what I remembered, Az'hark used to quiver with the rumbles of cheerful dragons, spiteful guards, and bustling workers. Its glow of orange flame and magma could've been mistaken for the morning sun. And, even from afar, you could hear its livelihood split the skies like lightning in a storm and scare the forest creatures with a roar of thunder.

Now it was still. Empty. And quiet... so horribly quiet.

I looked to my talons, watching the howling winds turn its tail in the shadows and rush toward me, urging me to walk away. I couldn't move. I didn't want to move. It was times like these where I wished I had my flames to guide me. Or, better yet, another dragon.

    But I had no choice. Even here, halfway between the sky and the sea, my nose reminded me of my mission; the sickled odor of ill-fated vampires and werewolves quickly wafted into my lungs and forced me to growl. Luna's image followed after; I reimagined her limp body lying before me, twitching as magic black tendrils coursed through her fur and into her brain. They were all running out of time.

    My head lifted back into the darkness of Az'hark. I couldn't keep away from this nightmare anymore. No matter how cruel or how terrifying it may be, lives were on the line. And that mattered more than a sheer memory.

    Kantar, guide me, I thought hoarsely.

    Fighting back a pained whimper, I puffed out my scaly chest, narrowed both eyes at the challenge ahead...

    And entered.

~ ▬ι═══════ﺤ ~

    Drip.

Drip.

Drip... went the drooling stalactites above me. I paced myself underneath their fangs, keeping my fins flared and my sights on high alert. My talons were trying not to graze the limestone above and below; each scratch echoed off into the tunnels. And, when they did, I'd grimace with a hiss of resentment. It wasn't so fun to hear, especially in a place as quiet as this. After traveling deep enough to lose all natural light my body began to luminescence; a faint bloom of light blue began to coat the walls surrounding me. It wasn't bright enough to detail everything, but the memories were there to help paint a clearer picture. Though it was the Sight that did most of the work for me, illuminating the darkness without the need to give myself away to any watchful eyes. Thank Kantar for this extra slither of magic.