The meeting

I felt my mind stir, as my eyes fluttered open. The pain from my battle was gone, but I soon realized that it was because I was not currently inside my body. I glanced downward at my body and only saw a dull black light emanating from a form that resembled my own.

Looking around I was within a bright white space that had no features to speak of. When I took a step forward it was almost as if I hadn't move at all.

Suddenly I heard a voice from behind me "You are not going to die this day young Valorian you have much to do." the voice boomed. I could feel that it was originating from within my mind, as it continued. I went to turn around to look at who was speaking to me, but my instincts told me that if I did my mind would not be able to withstand what I saw.

"When you have passed your final rite I will speak to you again for now you are to weak."

And with that I could feel the darkness of slumber creeping back in on me. The voice leaving me with on final remark not quite making it all out.

"Good luck ----------"

When I returned to my sleep I had a dream where it appeared that I was looking at the formation of a planet. Volcanoes and molten rock covered its ever changing surface, then suddenly as I stayed in place time moved on. I saw the planet's atmosphere form, whole continents turn green and oceans cover vast swaths of the surface. It all happened in the blink of an eye and just as my form started to close in on the planet.

I woke up.

As my eyes opened I a groan escaped my lips and my shoulder was racked with pain. As I looked over I saw that the wound had mostly closed leaving only a little more healing. I looked back to see the vestiges of a new tail forming as if I was still forming in my egg.

Just then I realized that asleep next to me where my two sibling with their snouts positioned pointed towards me. I inwardly gave them thanks for moving my unconscious body further back into the cave.

Seeing mother had still not returned I felt another wave of fatigue rush over me as my body seemed to want to continue its healing slumber.

I awoke what seemed like weeks later, the pain from my should only a faint impression of what it once was. Looking back it seemed my tail had reformed but the spikes that adorned it had not finished regrowing.

Just as I finished the once over of myself I felt two figure smash into me with surprising speed.

"Rawr! (We were so worried brother!)" I looked over to see Apollonia affectionately rubbing the side of her head on my left shoulder and Coretine right next to her.

"I am sorry to have worried you." I responded. 'I wonder when these two got so attached to me? Perhaps since I risked my life for them they stopped seeing me as competition for food but rather another protector like Mother.'

Looking up I saw Mother slowly walking closer shaking the cave with ever footstep. As she approached I bowed by head slightly awaiting her what would come next.

"Share with me your memories of the battle that took place. All you must do is will them to the forefront of your mind and I will do the rest." Mother said I could hear rage lingering in every word.

Doing as she commanded I put my memory of the battle in my mind as she gently placed the tip of her enormous claw on the space between my eyes. Immediately I felt a link form and my memories flooded into her, it was strange it felt as if our minds were one, though I could not feel anything flowing into my own.

After a few seconds Mothers eyes flashed open and with them came a wave of blood lust. Mother let out a earth shaking roar that left my ears ringing. "They dare enter our home to kill my young! They will pay! I will turn their so called empire to ash!" after she finished she quickly withdrew her aura seeing us on the verge of passing out.

"Mother if you would allow it, I would like to be the one to do this task." I said recovering from the heavy aura she had unleashed.

"You are far to weak my child. Look at what only fifty of their dragon slayers did to you." she responded

"Not now Mother but when I have grown. I wish to right the wrong they have done to our lineage. For father and this slight I will make them pay in blood." I said with determination in my eyes

My sisters looked up at me with pleading gazes that held a urge for revenge, Apollonia saying "Rawr (Brother if you are to fight then this time I will join you.)" she said Corentine nodding along.

"Very well I will leave it to you. But only once you have passed the first two trials to become recognized as an adult. Only then will the task be within your power to achieve." Mother responded after thinking for a moment. "As of now we must leave this place. They will soon be back in greater numbers."

I bowed my head in recognition and gratitude, turning to my sisters saying "When I face this challenge I would welcome your assistance with open arms." I could feel both of my sisters happiness at my acceptance.

Mother looked out of the cave entrance clearly deep in thought, then turning back to us she said "Tomorrow we leave, they know of our location and will not stay idle for long."

"But where will we go Mother?" I responded

Without response mother simply walked back to her platform and went back to sleep.