A LONELY WORLD OF WONDER: An Anthology ✓

Echo

I awoke to the smell of blood.

The taste in the air was enriching and sweet on my snout, and it roused me from this decent slumber into the strangest moment possible. I, of course, never questioned waking up since it was quite normal, but to come to in the dark of the night was odd. While confused all at once from the stench's origin and this sudden waking, I felt a sting of worry grow nearby upon noticing an emptiness at my side.

"Aenon?"

I shifted slightly, pausing only when remembering the litter of eggs beneath my after belly. It had been only a week since I laid, the feeling still numb upon my nether region, yet the joy of it all ceased such discomfort.

They were beautiful.

They were alive.

And they were mine.

Their warm, speckled shells glowed like lightning bugs within the night, and I could only purr upon gazing at their beautiful hides. But when the scent of blood returned yet again, I twisted my head toward the entrance of our cave, a wave of concern growing upon me. Why was it so profound? So empowering? So...familiar?

Out of the darkness, a black draconic silhouette skidded into the cavern, jolting my heart and writhing my insides with a mighty twist. The creature's landing wasn't very grand, if anything it was broken and unjust. His body struck the cavern hard, rocking the soil beneath me, and as the scent final hint struck my snout, I was only able to utter one name.

"Aenon!"

"N-Nova..." The male dragon whimpered upon the earth, wheezing heavily as dark crimson blood pooled all around him, "We're out of time..."

I shook my head, beginning to stand up, "N-No...it's too early! We did everything right to hide, they-"

"They're coming!" He rasped, straining to stand upward, "All of them! Hundreds strong, a whole army! I saw them...their smug, happy faces, their torches and cheering. Every last one of those fleshbags are marching toward this place right now..."

"How? The others-"

"We're all that's left, Nova," He squawked softly, a tear rolling down his scaled cheek, "They killed them, I saw their remains. 

"Then we have to go-"

"No!" He grasped my arm and shook his head. "Don't. There's nowhere left to run."

I stepped away, fear consuming me entirely. It was hard to imagine such a fact being true. I swore I saw more than just us. There were many if I wasn't mistaken, hundreds even. How could they all be dead so quickly? So suddenly? It felt even worse to consider that we were indeed next to perish from such malicious acts. As I stared at the eggs within the nest we made together, a rolling rumble echoed the cavern, the mountain shivering from the mighty blow of an explosion. Another soon followed, and my eyes slammed shut as dust sprinkled upon us all.

"Nova..."

"I just laid them..." I whimpered, nuzzling the eggs as the tears ruled me, "I just... started... living..."

Aenon stared at me, whimpering along with me as another boom shook the cavern. All of these dreams and wishes we held, hopes and happiness too died almost instantly and were replaced with a hollow broken shell that would torment us until the very end. I would lose them now. I would lose him. And sooner or later, my own life too. Aenon noticed such pain welling in my heart and with a heavy swallow he limped toward my side, stroking my neck and licking the soft flesh beneath my chin.

"Aenon..."

"I'm so sorry Nova..." He trembled against my scales, purring quietly, "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the life you wanted. I'm sorry it had to end this way...I-I couldn't-"