11 Hard Times!

In times when food was scarce and hunger gnawed at them, Bruce often resorted to consuming the acid produced by Dragon Mother. This acid, once abundant in their acid pool, was replenished by Dragon Mother through rainwater and her own breath. But now, with resources dwindling, Dragon Mother's once robust form had become gaunt, her bones protruding in a clear sign of malnutrition. She no longer had the energy to spare for creating acid, and so Bruce's plan to enhance his dragon's breath with it was put on hold.

Dragon Mother, Shia, was constantly burdened with the worry of finding food. This time, the wait for sustenance had stretched painfully long – five days of gnawing hunger. Bruce felt his insides clinging together, his once powerful digestive system now a source of discomfort. Even Carona and Torenzo, with less voracious appetites, were dizzy and weak from the prolonged starvation.

They had reached a point where, in desperation, they might have resorted to eating soil to satiate their hunger, relying on their dragon's ability to digest almost anything. Thankfully, it didn't come to that, as Dragon Mother finally returned.

But what Bruce saw alarmed him. Dragon Mother had brought back a second-level monster, a red-haired war ape, significantly more potent than their usual prey. It was a massive creature, about seven to eight meters tall and weighing two tons. Though smaller in quantity, Bruce knew it would offer greater benefits than the first-level creatures they were used to.

While Carona and Torenzo joyously devoured the war ape, Bruce's attention was drawn to Dragon Mother. He noticed a prominent wound on her body, suggesting a fierce battle. It was unlikely that such a creature existed within their territory, and even more improbable that it could injure Dragon Mother. Bruce deduced that she must have ventured into another domain to poach, leading to a hostile encounter.

He dismissed the idea of territorial expansion. The neighboring lords were more powerful than Dragon Mother, and it was unlike her to act without weighing the risks. Such reckless behavior seemed more characteristic of the arrogant Torenço.

Had it been a territorial battle, and had Dragon Mother lost, they could have been pursued right to their lair. Bruce concluded that it must have been a risky poaching attempt.

Dragon Mother, now visibly exhausted, closed her eyes, clearly in need of rest and recovery. Bruce could see that her condition was serious; the enemy's strength must have been formidable, as he had never seen her in such a state post-battle.

Curiosity about the opponent flickered in Bruce's mind, but he dared not ask. Dragon Mother's temperament, fierce even in the best of times, made it unwise to disturb her now.

After their meal, Carona and Torenço settled down for a quiet sleep. Having recently awakened from a deep slumber, they were already preparing for another. This increased lethargy was a sign of their impending long sleep, a crucial period for their development. Bruce watched over them, his mind heavy with concern for their future and the challenges they faced in this unforgiving world.

Bruce, with his extraordinary appetite, could have devoured the entire red-haired war ape in one meal. His unique digestive ability allowed him to process large amounts of food quickly, needing only a couple of trips to the cliff edge to expel waste and convert the meal into energy and benefits. However, this time, Bruce chose a different approach. After eating just enough, he left nearly half of the war ape's carcass untouched. He then approached Carona, nudging her awake with a firm pat of his claw.

"Push it over to Dragon Mother," he instructed.

Carona's initial irritation upon waking quickly morphed into a submissive demeanor as she realized the task at hand involved serving their mother. Bruce couldn't help but notice the artificial sweetness in her actions.

Carona obediently pushed the hefty half of the red-haired war ape towards Dragon Mother, Shia. The task was challenging, even for her growing strength, but she managed it. Bruce thought it fitting for Carona to take on such a role, recognizing it as her strength.

"Mother, please eat," Carona implored in the dragon language, her voice tinged with a youthful lilt.

Shia, however, barely acknowledged the gesture. After a brief glance at Carona, she spread her wings and soared to the mountaintop. There, she enveloped herself in her wings, her head drooping as she began to rest and recuperate.

Bruce pondered over Shia's condition. She must have been starving, yet he knew that dragons of her age could survive months without food if they conserved energy.

Witnessing Shia's struggles, Bruce endeavored to minimize his own food intake, eating just enough to sustain himself. Despite his restraint, he still reaped fifteen thunder magic talent gains from the war ape.

The family barely scraped through autumn, resorting to poaching and subsisting on small animals within their territory. Bruce, with his abnormal digestive system, even chewed dirt and swallowed stones to maintain his bodily functions. These meager meals kept hunger at bay but offered no additional benefits. Yet, in these dire times, mere survival was a triumph.

Winter brought an even harsher reality, as prey in their territory neared extinction. Compounding their troubles, a black dragon from the southeast, drawn by Shia's presence, encroached upon their home. The ensuing battle raged on the rolling hills a mere ten kilometers from their nest. Bruce realized the grave danger they were in – if the battle moved closer, it could threaten the lives of the young dragons.

Bruce reflected on the autumn, when Shia had poached from other territories. Back then, food was more abundant, and others might have overlooked her transgressions. But now, in the harsh winter, every territory faced food shortages. Shia's continued poaching had crossed a line with the Black Dragon Lord, prompting this aggressive pursuit and territorial challenge.

Watching Shia struggle in the war, Bruce felt a deep sense of worry.

"The peaceful days are over," he thought to himself. "Our dreams of venturing out and proving our strength might be shattered. I just hope Dragon Mother survives. I had even considered fleeing..."

Bruce knew the harsh reality – if Shia were defeated, she would either be killed or forced to flee. As forthe young dragons in the nest, their fate would be grim. A black dragon, possessing intelligence akin to their own, wouldn't spare the offspring of a rival. The survival rule among dragons was ruthless: no mercy for the enemy's descendants.

These thoughts weighed heavily on Bruce. The reality of their precarious situation was stark. The nest that had been their sanctuary for centuries now teetered