Ovolara: Claws of Darkness

Chapter 7: Dependence

Nightwalkers. As their name suggests, they're often seen walking around at night due to having the opposite sleep cycle to other dragons. Or that's what humans assumed.

The real reason as to why they mostly walk around at night is that they can go days at a time without sleep, allowing them to survive and hunt more in harsh environments like the Forest of Death. But when they do need to sleep, they do so during the day.

But even while knowing all of that, Hope was still concerned for Abyss who hasn't slept since they left the forest...

It was daytime, they just landed on top of a hill full of trees.

Upon making sure they were hidden, Hope slid down his wing looking worried. "Are you sure you're okay? You haven't slept for four days now..." She asked.

Abyss slowly turned his head, looking a little tired. "I'm fine. Nightwalkers don't need that much sleep, remember?" He said, trying to comfort her. But it didn't seem to do much.

"I know, but... it won't hurt to sleep for one day and regain your energy." She argued. "This seems like a good place to rest right?"

Abyss looked around, getting her hopes up. But his expression didn't change. "No. we should take this chance to keep moving after we eat." He explained, grabbing his meat basket that was now almost empty.

Hope didn't argue further. She knew how much his destiny meant for him and how much he thinks people depend on him. But was this the right way to go about it? Alas, she couldn't find a way to persuade him and sat down to eat before moving again.

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The next day...

They were eating out in the open this time. Abyss couldn't find a place to hide them from the sky and he refused to fly during the day no matter how much nagging he received from Hope.

Abyss closed his basket after finishing whatever meat was left in the basket. "I need to hunt for food starting tomorrow." He said, grabbing Hope's attention.

Hope still had a lot more food, for a human that is. but she agreed that they had to hunt eventually. "Yeah, I think I've seen some rabbits around a few times." She pointed out.

"But don't you think you're pushing yourself a bit too much?" She said, looking more concerned than the previous day. "Can't you just sleep for a bit?"

Abyss knew she was genuinely concerned, but... "I can rest after we've reached the meeting point." He explained. "Don't worry! I'm still full of energy!" He said, puffing his chest and trying to sound cheerful.

"Well alright, if you say so..." She didn't push it any longer, and the two moved on.

A while later...

The two were walking in the day as usual, when all of a sudden. "Oof-" Abyss blurted after a heavy, painful looking fall.

"Woah- You okay?" Hope asked, holding his side, worried about her friend. But Abyss stopped her with his talon.

"I'm okay, I just tripped." He said, slowly getting back up.

But Hope only got more concerned seeing as there was nothing to trip on in these open plains. but they continued on their way.

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The next day...

They once again landed after flying through the night. The new area had strange giant rocks as big as several dragons as far as the eye can see. Some were in the rough shapes of spikes that a human could climb, and others were slightly shorter round boulders, all of which had holes and cracks all around.