Draikan: The World of Dragons

~ 18 ~

~ Chapter Eighteen ~

The first time I've ever seen a dead animal was by the parking lot in my middle school. My dad had actually parked next to it and pointed it out to me. It was a squirrel and unfortunately it was squashed several times by other cars. My thirteen year old self was so disturbed yet fascinated with the flattened body that I had stayed there for a good five minutes staring at it.

Eventually I had forgotten about it, because to my younger self, it just seemed surreal. The body wasn't recognized as a squirrel so I had just moved on with my day.

Those same surrealistic feelings came to me as I stared at the dead dragon. It's body was laid backwards, wings spread out with punctured holes in them, and his reptile-like eyes were glazed over as they stared up in the sky. I can't believe I'm staring at a dead dragon. I'm trying to process it but I can't. It doesn't even look dead, nor alive. Just like the squirrel. It was simply there, immobile.

The only difference between the squirrel and the dragon, is that I'll remember this moment vividly. I felt horrible for participating in an event that promotes death. This creature didn't have to die. And what's worse is that everyone is cheering for the winner, as well as moving on to the next participant.

Fortunately, the next girl wanted her two choices as her mates so a fight didn't break out. To me, she looked a bit shaken up after seeing the death of that dragon. I wonder if she actually wanted two mates or she only did that as a way to prevent another death?

I think now I'm regretting my choices. Starting with accepting all these dragons as my new home, accepting to be part of them, and the reversal choice method. Because now I've put myself in a position where I'm unable to make decisions of my own. Or change them. I'm backed into a corner.

Xenon slowly guided me to the middle of the platform with his hand. I anxiously stood in front of the small crowd that had settled down. I straightened my back as I nervously grasp my hands together in front of me. My grip tightens as Xenon begins his speech.

"Our last female candidate, Kaida, will not be choosing her mates. She has chosen the reversal option, where the men will volunteer to be a possible mate for her."

The crowd remained silent as they absorbed the information. I tried reading some of their expressions but I kept looking around, jumping from one face to another way too quickly to remember how they looked.

"Those who are interested in becoming Kaida's mate," Xenon continued after the brief pause. "Please step forward."

The moment he finished his words, it remained silent. No one moved or uttered a single noise. Not even the few children who were witnessing this event made any noise.

As I watch no one step up, I wondered whether I should be happy or humiliated. I mean I didn't want this, but I also don't want to be the laughing stock for these dragons.

I looked down and noticed how Libelle's face turned from happy to dread. She looked up at me and tried to give me an encouraging smile before she disappeared into the crowd.

Upon seeing her reaction, it got me thinking. Was this not normal? Is having a guy not volunteer a bad thing? Then it occurred to me. I never really asked what would happen if a man didn't offer themselves up to me. Am I considered useless now since I couldn't appeal to at least one man? Am I going to turn into soup?

My heart began to pump faster and louder as I anxiously watched everyone mumbling to one another. Some even looked at me in a mocking way. Even Xenon looked irritated by me.

The attention I'm receiving isn't all that comfortable. It's making me more anxious and afraid of what's to come.

Xenon walked closer and said, "If no one wishes to beco-"