Rise of the Darkness

Dream Vision

Oculeera

Three Months Later

    One thing I have come to enjoy about human civilization more than anything is their invention of the air conditioner. No more sweating in the intense heat or the oppressive humidity. Me and my five siblings have lived in this same house in Belle Isle, south of Orlando, for over two months now. They all think the same. Even with an outdoor temperature far exceeding any comfort level, the air conditioning system, however it does its magic, lowers the indoor temperature to a nice fall day, and removes some of the humidity while it is at it.

    Three dragons own this house: siblings Lerigor and Hophan, both sons of Naleeg, and Kulka son of Tusde. Successful dragons in the human world that own various properties throughout the central part of this state of Florida. Mostly they rent out these houses for vacationers wanting something other than a hotel, but they also make them available for free for any dragon to stay at, especially those without much of a human identity. Like me and my sisters.

    Before leaving for here, Master taught me some of the mannerisms of humans in this particular society so I do not attract attention. Ten thousand years since the Joining has humanized dragon kind to some extent but not enough that we can just decide to merge into their society. At the time I did not understand much and still I default to some dragon habits, but it helps that this area receives many out-of-towners with various languages and habits, so blending in would be easier as we visit the parks and malls and other places humans like to gather. So far none of us have had any sort of incident, but none of us have found a more powerful Lakis.

    I look through this horizontally slatted window obstruction Hophan called a blind to the yard behind this house. Shikalo and Gali stood on opposite sides of the yard, throwing an oddly shaped brown ball. It had white stripes and an oblong shape. Someone called it a football, though they also said that the proper game did not involve kicking the ball very often. Shikalo misses the ball half the time and cannot throw it straight. It is as funny to watch up here from a second-floor window as it is scary to watch down there. Already I have been hit a few times trying to play with her.

    I turn away from the window to the desk I share with Gali and Truseni. On it sit hand written lessons and instructions from Master and their masters. Every week a dragon makes their way from Kucho to here with these papers for all of us, covering topics like history, math, science, and human culture, but never magic. Too dangerous to teach us magic in such a densely populated area, they say.

    On top of the pile sit my unfinished lessons for this week, to be done by tomorrow. The history of how one dragon long ago used her knowledge to determine which plants on this continent were edible. Another lesson on the basics of electricity. I have not looked at the others. The electricity lesson actually was interesting, which is why it is already finished. I frown at the others. Tonight will be rough.

    Part of me thinks this is all pointless. Whoever else is mentioned in the prophecy could be anywhere in the world. Only adult dragons have the freedom to roam such a wide area. But the one who finds them must be a young dragon. And the lines mention that one of us chances upon them. How can you chance upon someone if you are purposely searching for them?

    I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the kitchen. The new food is nothing special; I'm not picky. If I can eat anything from smoked snake meat to whole oranges, skin and all, then I can accept various cooked meats and seasonings and cheeses and all the other stuff that humans decide to cook with. I grab an orange from the fruit basket at the eating table and sit down.

    Making a mess on the table and not caring, I eat the fruit without the skin, and spit out the seeds. Certain foods will strengthen a Lakis' magic reserves, and the various citrus fruits are among them.