Josh dreams of dragons.
He thinks it's just a welcome escape from everyday life. Until one morning, he wakes up with scales, wings, and a tail.
Josh faces a harsh new reality: he has become something that shouldn't exist outside the pages of his fan...
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The truth was a punch in the gut. For a moment, I couldn't breathe and just stared blankly. Wes looked back at me, shame in his eyes.
"I'm sorry I..." he whimpered. "I didn't remember any of it. I don't know w-what happened."
"Oh, Wes," I choked out. My limbs suddenly responded, and I leaped out to embrace the surprised little dragon. My paws and wings surrounded his small form securely; I held him close to me as he cried softly. Silent tears of my own hit the dark earth, lost in the night.
Time flowed by interminably. Nothing felt real outside my huddled self and the fragile body I held against me. Air, thick with tears and memories of another life, eddied around us, two beings as one. And the realization swept over me that I was nothing, powerless; I let my grip on the little dragon loosen.
Wes blinked and rubbed the shining streaks on his snout. "There's...fire," he said, "in my dreams. S-so hot...and..."
"Nothing can hurt you now, I promise." The words slipped out without thought. My throat tightened as I remembered all the past promises I had made. Maybe I could keep this one, given a second chance.
"I want to sleep. But I'm scared he will be there."
His distress cut deep into me. "I'll be right here. You can sleep right here next to me. It'll be alright; don't be afraid."
He peered up at me. "Mom's not here, is she?" It was a question, but his thin voice held no hope of getting the answer he wanted.
"No."
I could barely discern the reaction. A small exhale. A shiver.
"I'm sorry, Wes. I'm so...so sorry." Whatever I could offer, it wouldn't be enough.
"Can you call me Ferenor?" the little dragon asked quietly. "I like it. It helps me not think about...before."
For some reason, this broke my heart most of all. I could only nod, choking on words.
"Thanks," he whispered. "I'm glad you're here."
The blue dragon cuddled up close to my side and finally looked like he might sleep. I extended a wing over him protectively. The little heartbeat seemed louder than my own. A weak smile was on my muzzle as I closed my eyes. "Goodnight," I whispered.
"Goodnight," was the soft reply.
I woke early, laying still for a long while and feeling the reassuring presence curled up next to me. Heavy, deep breaths came from my companion.
Pink skies, peaceful and lazy, brightened overhead. Sunlight blossomed, throwing honey-colored shafts down upon the fog nestled in valleys down below. In the distance, black ash still poured from the volcano, a scar on the serene landscape.
Ares sat in the same spot from the night before, watching. I couldn't tell if he'd moved at all. Careful not to disturb the sleeping dragon at my side, I got up and padded over to the Vrost leader. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear me coming until I scuffed a couple noisy footsteps just a few feet away.
