Drakonis

Final Goodbyes

I watched my brothers pack their bags, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on us. It was clear this wasn't just a temporary move; we were leaving base for good. Mother and father had given us the news early this morning, and now, with night falling, we were preparing to depart.

"Mama, are the mountains where people get eaten by dragons?" Olympia asked, her voice trembling with a mix of curiosity and fear. Our mother sighed, her eyes reflecting a deep sadness.

"No, honey," she said gently, trying to reassure Olympia, who nodded slowly but still seemed uneasy.

"Come on, kids, pack up and say goodbye to your friends," father instructed. The command hung in the air, heavy with the weight of our collective sorrow. We all sighed in response. I didn't have any close friends to say farewell to, but I could see how deeply Elia and Uhroh were struggling with the impending departure.

"Why must we leave, Papa? What about Grandmother?" Elia's voice cracked with desperation as he looked up at our parents. Their own expressions were full of weariness.

"Eli, it's not safe for any of us here. Grandmother is taking the clan to Olha while we head to the mountains," my mother explained gently, her tone firm but kind. Eli nodded slowly, his eyes still brimming with tears.

"Uncle and Auntie, I wish to join you," Ashley suddenly shouted, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and heartbreak. We all stared at her, surprised by her outburst.

"Ashley, your mother won't allow that," her father interjected, but then Aunt Luna stepped in.

"I've approved it," she laughed, glancing at all of us.

"Luna, are you sure?" my mother asked sincerely, looking at our aunt.

"Yes, yes, Ashley has been begging to join the boys on all their hunts anyways. She's just like her father in that sense," Aunt Luna smiled. I jumped with joy, knowing Ashley would join us.

"Alright, you can ride with Uhroh," my mother smiled as we went to saddle our creatures. The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the village. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the weight of our mission pressing down on us.

Ashely walked over to Uhroh, who stood tall and imposing, his eyes sharp for the journey. He offered her a hand, helping her mount the creature with a gentle yet firm grip. Uhroh's scales shimmered in the fading light, a testament to his strength and resilience. The rest of us followed suit, mounting our own creatures, hearts pounding with anticipation and fear.

We all began to run towards the exit, the sound of our creatures' powerful strides echoing through the village. My father paused for a moment, turning to face the clan that had gathered to see us off. "Eldrith will take my place until I return," he shouted, his voice carrying authority and resolve. "You all are in good hands." The clan members knelt in unison, murmuring prayers and sending their hopes with us.

As we passed through the gates, I could feel the eyes of the villagers on us, their faith wavering. I knew that many of them did not expect us to return alive. The Drakonis were known for their brutality and their unwavering hostility towards outsiders. My father, always the first to lead, plunged into the forest without hesitation, the rest of us following close behind.

The forest was dense, the thick canopy above us blocking out the remaining light. The air was cool and damp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and leaves. The sound of our passage was muffled by the soft forest floor, but every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves seemed magnified in the stillness.

We moved swiftly, our creatures navigating the undergrowth with ease. The deeper we ventured, the more the forest seemed to close in around us. I glanced back at Ashley, who rode with a determined expression, her eyes scanning our surroundings for any sign of danger. Uhroh moved with a silent grace, his eyes constantly flicking from side to side, alert and ready.