Blackstone

The Journey to Azor

I blinked and suddenly I was flying through space, riding on the back of Joseph, careening through the stars. I looked back and saw the Earth. It looked so beautiful, a shining blue and white orb suspended in the heavens. I should have been terrified, but instead I was exhilarated. I shouted a fierce war cry and held on to Joseph for dear life. How could this be possible? Was I having another vision like when I was in the Gray Domain and met the Guardian? I didn't know. Everything seemed so real. Of course, I knew it couldn't be real. I was flying a Dragon through space and we were flying fast. Planets zipped by us: mighty Jupiter, the cold majesty of Saturn, the ice giants of Uranus and Neptune and finally little Pluto.

Soon, we were heading into deep space. Joseph's wings beat faster and I struggled to hold on. I didn't want to fall off. Who knows where I would end up? I was having so much fun that I didn't want the ride to end.

Just then, a planet loomed in front of us. It was the size of Earth, green and lush with immense white clouds and majestic blue oceans. The planet possessed a certain aura of command. It dominated the heavens like an imperial ruler. I could tell this was a place of importance. A place that commanded respect.

Joseph dove into the atmosphere. Flames roared around us and I put my hands up to protect myself. For a moment, I couldn't see anything. I clenched my knees tightly around Joseph and buried my face into his scaly skin.

And then it was over. We sailed into a blue sky that was filled with giant cloud formations that reminded me of the Summerland. Joseph stretched out his wings and we glided through the sky with the only sound being the whistle of the wind streaming through my hair.

"What is this place, Joseph?" I asked and then felt immediately felt stupid. As far as I know Dragons couldn't talk.

But then, I felt something. It was like an answer was slipped into my head, almost like a whisper on the breeze.

"Azor," I said to myself. "This is where you come from isn't it, Joseph? This is your home world."

The dragon said nothing, but I got a feeling again. It was a warm feeling of contentment and pride. I knew that I was right. Joseph was home.

I breathed in deep. The air was so clean and fresh here. I hadn't realized how polluted the Earth was until now. I closed my eyes and basked in the warmth of the sun.

A terrifying roar shook me out of my daydream, and I almost slipped off Joseph.

I looked around. The sky was full of dragons. They dove and swooped beside me, flying in perfect formation. Riding on their backs were tall Dra Khanian warriors carrying long golden power staffs. One of them pulled alongside me.

"Human, you will follow us," he shouted and dove through the clouds.

Joseph followed and we plunged through the thick cloud bank. For a few seconds, I couldn't see anything but then the clouds gave way and stretched out before us was a spectacular metropolis. It was the most beautiful city, I'd ever seen. It even put New York to shame. Tall graceful skyscrapers stretched into the heavens. They were fall taller than anything on Earth. I looked below me and saw thousands of Dra Khanian citizens going about their business. Sky trains connected the various parts of the city that seemed to go on forever.

The dragon welcoming committee, at least that's what I thought of them as, flew towards a magnificent temple complex that was situated in what looked to be the center of the city. I saw tall trees and beautiful gardens that surrounded a pyramid that looked like it was built by the Mayans. The dragons flew down and landed on the top of temple.

Joseph stretched out his wings and made a graceful landing on top of the temple. I slide down the side of his back and landed on my feet.

"Is this a vision," I asked Joseph who just looked at me wisely.