Dragon- Hero

Chapter 15: Graduation

                **A few hours ago**

     The rain this morning was rough but what was happing in the Shadow forest was more exciting. Running through the forest was a horned rabbit. It was fast and nimble jumping around and dodging claws by landing and leaping from tree trunks and logs. Jumping around while avoiding the predators that chased it seemed hard but not for the 3 shadowy figures that that were in pursuit. Breaking down trees as if they weren't even there.

     The horned rabbit made it's way out of the forest and into a clearing the leads to a dead end of a cliff. The rabbit comes to a halt and faces the forest, it's adrenaline pumping looking at its surroundings it searches in an attack position. No sound, no wind, nothing, it was complete silence. Then a quake rumbling below it's feet. The rabbit jump to the right. It land to 2 shadowy figures. It was trapped.

     "STOP!!!" Shouted Gloria.

     "Man, that was close." Wiping the sweat from its hairy forehead. "You three have really have grown."

     "Thank you, Stuart. You really gave us a run for our lives." Said Mei stood next to Gloria. Mei had grown too, she grew to the size of a small horse. Her claws were as sharp as ever. Her scales more greenish than before but she still had her mixture of blue still left. She also fully developed wings as well. They had a leathery feel to it and it stretched out to the size of Torren. Speaking of which.

     "Yeah, but it was thanks to me that we caught you I mean I am the strongest of us all." Arrogantly stated by Torren. Torren was still heavy built. He still didn't grow any wings but his swollen tip tail changed drastically. The swollen tip of his tail was covered in harden rock and soil and so was his body though he was now shorter compared to the others. His look reminded me of a tank character from the Warrior Road. It was dragon born (half-human/half-dragon) and he was fully armored in rocks bound together. In the crafting of this armor me and Mei asked why is he doing this. He said" I feel like I have to."

     Word for word. Even after so many years as a dragon I still can't understand physiology.

     "What!?" Someone shouted loudly.

     Inside the burrow where Stuart stood. The 3rd shadowy figure burst out of the ground shaking off the rocks and rubble off my body. It was me, Ty. I was a little bigger than Mei but my scales still remain black. My wings were just as long but unfortunately for both Mei and me, we can only hover.

     "It was my plan from the beginning. You can't take credit. You newt."

     "Runt." Torren in retaliation.

     "Stop calling me that." I pounced on Torren. We began to fight. Just like we always do, just wrestling.

     "They're at it again. Want me to break them apart again." Said Mei.

     "No, let them be this one time. Today is finally the day. It's the end of your cycle. Your Graduation day. Your father would be proud." Gloria said. Torren and I immediately stopped fight.

     Our father was killed by a human 3 years ago. He sacrificed his life to save Gloria and his children. I love my father not once but twice, my lives really does did suck. "Your 15 years of training in your first cycle is over. Your now adults in the dragon realm and this afternoon you will lead your own lives." She started to sniffle, we comfort her in her time of need and prepared for our departure.

     It didn't take long. What were we going to take? Bags? The ceremony commenced. All creatures were there to show the dragons for respect and the friendship they all shared. From the sprites from the Miltar lake, to the horn rabbit the lived as our neighbors, even Stuart. There were also bears, sparrow and the ordinary animal that could be found by of Earth. Torren, Mei, and I sat in front of Gloria in a line waiting. Below us was a magic circle with runes in the smaller circles.

     "Friends, family. We are gathered here today to witness the dragon finish their first cycle . In the ancient hymns of the Dragon laws each dragon must speak their true names and with that their true magical abilities will surface. Torren step inside the circle."

     Torren did as he was told. Gloria placed one of her claws on his chest and closing her eyes. Her claw began to glow. Infusing magic in her hand Torren felt pleasantly calm and happy. It must have felt great. Gloria took her hand away and the Torren spoke.

     "My name is Torren: The Unmovable Mountain." The circle lit in a blue light surrounding Torren. Drawing in the magic that surround him. He stood proud and true. The magical pressure of his aura was more intimidating more powerful than ever before. Mei and I nearly fainted from it. Torren step away and Mei's was up next.

     She followed the same process. Gloria placed her claw on Mei's chest and she did the same thing. After Gloria removed her hand, Mei stated her name: "My name is The Empress of the Water."

     Her choice in names confused me but even more so it confused Torren. Looking at his confused face reminded me of a funny video I saw on YouTube. It had a monkey and Torren was liked the monkey. It was too funny I laughed uncontrollably; then I stopped when I notice Mei' and Gloria ' death stare.

     It was now my turn. Mei sat next to Torren, their magical pressure combined made some the non-magical creature either run or passout. But the magical animals stood their ground and stayed calm. I stepped into the circle and mother placed her claw of my chest and it began to glow. The feeling was amazing. It was like the Cortex was more than a power source it was a bright, warm feeling of life. To be honest it was hard to describe. Gloria removed her hand. "What is your name?"

     My name suddenly came to me it wasn't something I picked it's what the Cortex and I picked together. Does that mean that it is something more to it than just what we think it is? "My name is Tysurien: Defender of the All." Again the magic circle light to a bright blue and the surrounded me. It then entered me, it was a rush; to experience a power-up like that was almost like a new found high. The power felt new and breath-taking. Almost like I'm beginning anew. Then it subsided almost immediately.

     I walked next to my brother and sister and then waited. Our magical pressure all together made all the animals flee, the power was too great. Then Gloria stepped in front of us, bringing both her claws up she chants a spell and our enormous pressure was contained within our bodies. I've never felt more powerful in all my life.

     The ceremony was over.

     "This ends your dragon training. Now with our custom, you must now journey to your new home." Gloria announced.

     "Our new home?! Why must we find a new home? How are we supposed to find it?" Mei bellowed.

"You already know. Dragons have always had an internal compass to point their way to a more suitable land in their nature. Your no different." Mei hanged her head in disappointment. "This sucks unicorn droppings."

     I totally agreed but it made sense. We will be getting bigger and as far as living space is concern there is a more likely hood we will be spotted and hunted. We would have to leave soon.

     Gloria pointed us in a different direction. Gloria pointed to the West toward the ocean. Torren headed North toward the mountains in the horizon. It was going to be maybe the last time I will ever see them. We all said our goodbyes  I was told to go through the forest. Little did I know at the time in 3 hours I will become public enemy number 1.