"Finally found you, Vassirth.." Quietly exclaimed Vincent as he spied into the dwelling's small door window.
"You think now's the time?" Replied the silver bracelet on his hand.
"Hm?"
Glancing at the other occupants who were in a deep sleep, Vincent recognized the boy he met earlier.
"Huh, small world.." He thought as he began to ready himself for combat.
Widening his stance, the bracelet flashed then instantly transformed into a longbow.
"I can't believe she has become this careless! She doesn't even know!"
He loudly whispered as he sent a white fizzling arrow into the star-studded sky above.
The arrow whistled past a shadow that darted overhead.
Ridged violet scales glistened in the moonlight, a row of teeth that reeked of bitter toxins, grinning in pleasure it spoke.
"Hohoho~" heavy laughter took place in the treetops above, seemingly from every direction around Vincent.
"I didn't expect a lacky from the wyvern council to be here.. How amusing.."
Vassirth's eyes quickly opened as she sensed the disturbance outside. She didn't wish for Borris or Arther to get involved, so she silently and swiftly exited the house like a blue glistening ghost.
Upon exiting, she saw Vincent who stood in a nearby clearing with his bow drawn skyward.
With the low visibility, it was easy for her to crawl closer to the skirmish about to take place.
"Hmph!" Vincent let fly a spiraling arrow that seemed to lock on to his target, it eluded his attack with ease.
"Such folly!" The violet beast snarled as he launched a series of scales that resembled barbs in Vincent's direction. He avoided the barbs like he was in a dance, holding his hat to his head while doing so.
After Vincent evaded the attack, he shouted with a teasing smirk. "I could say the same, Only a coward fights with poison."
The dirt was stained black from the barbs that missed him. It almost appeared to be something otherworldly as the black stains fan out like hellish vains creeping forth.
The violet reptile who floated in the sky concurs.
"Says the coward who fights with a ranged weapon."
"Guilty!~" Vincent playfully shrugged as the beast of poison landed before him.
"Listen, lacky of the wyvern council." The toxic being exclaimed as it grinned saliva that sizzled upon hitting the ground.
He hovered to the ground as he explained his intentions with a confident grin.
"I have no qualms with you, I only wish to settle the score with that Arcadian in there. So, if you leave now, you won't have to suffer a fate worse than death."
Vincent held his hand to his chin, then he suddenly erupted with laughter.
"Ehahaha! Do you really think I would stoop to such cowardice!? Or maybe-"
Vincent tilted his hat up, revealing a ice-cold glare with crimson eyes.
"-You are the one who fears ME?"
The beast sensed an overwhelming pressure as he jumped backwards, skidding on the ground.
Vincent smiled.
"Oh? So that's how it is, hm? Then.. How about we dispense with the foreplay!" As Vincent's words fell, he launched a volley of arrows that split on impact. The arrow were made of a bright light that had a mild tinge of green to them.
His attacks couldn't connect with the beast, although regardless, it appeared to be on the ropes.
As a last-resort, it dug one of it's own barbs into one's hand.
"Hm? What this? Have you resorted to suicide?"
Vincent said with a boastful snicker.
The purple reptile cackled maliciously as he suddenly vanished from sight with a displacement of air twisted in place.
"What?"
*Swoosh!*
Narrowly dodging the attack, Vincent performed a back handspring and landed crouching.
"I see.. So you can use you own poison as a physical enhancer of sorts? Hm, Pretty crafty, I must say.."
Regardless of the situation, Vincent remained calm and composed as if he still had the upper hand.
This only infuriated the poison being futher as he clenched the dirt beneath his feet.
"I'M GONNA MELT YOUR BONES!"
____
______________
________________________________
At this moment, Arther nodded awake as his father still stirred in his sleep across the room from him.
Arther noticed that Vassirth was missing. At that very moment as he was about to wake his father, until he heard faint noises outside.
He glanced outside the window, seeing vague shapes dancing in conflict far away.
Throwing his shoes on, he quietly rushed outside to see the commotion taking place.
Arther watched as the two fighters clashing ranged attacks with virosity and majesty. He was terrified, but somehow enchanted by the what was unfolding before his very eyes.
The beast managed to close the gap between them as he let out a laugh of victory.
"Ha! A longbow is useless if your opponent is in your face!"
"So you do have a brain!" Vincent snickered. "Unfortunately.."
In a flash, the bow morphed into a spear, deflecting the attack. As the beast was left dumbfounded and slowly adrift in the air, Vincent readied the killing blow.
Vassirth watched with baited breath as she noticed something Vincent didn't.
A small scratch connected to Vincent's leg. It must've occurred earlier in the fight.
Suddenly Vincent's attack faltered as his eyes widened in disbelief. His blood ran cold and his body shed sweat.
"N-no.."
"Hehe!" Sensing victory in his grasp, the beast readied a killing blow.
*Shing!*
A blue flash that was akin to lightning blitzed past the beast and pulled Vincent away from the poisonous swipe.
A vibrant blue body with effervescence emanating from it's body, Vassirth rested Vincent on the ground as his movements began to seize.
"Vassirth.. you.." Vincent uttered with difficulty as Vassirth returned a calm nod.
"You did well, Vincent. But now I must finish what I started.."
Vassirth turned a piercing gaze at the violet demon who laughed mockingly. "Hehehe! Vassirth of the Silverwing clan! It's about time you came out of hiding! What's it like to have a human fight your battles!?"
Vassirth didn't respond, but instead widened her stance. The poisonous being continued to spout rhetoric.
"Too think, the great Vassirth lowering herself to the level of humans! Even more disgraceful, you hid in a dwelling made by humans while trying to conceal your soul resonance from me!? Pah! useless!"
The demon inhaled, filling his lungs with air. "You may be able to hide your soul resonance, but you cannot hide your smell, especially when it's the work of one of my poisons!"
A slightly puzzled look graced Vassirth's face as the being sniffed it's fingers.
"During our fight last night, I tagged you with tracking poisons! And it worked beautifully!!"
Cackling in exuberance, the beast reveled in pleasure as Vassirth raised her head.
"Are you finished?" She said with cold and empty eyes. "After all, you know your poisons don't effect Arcadians like me. Furthermore, you knew your only chance to kill me was to hunt me while in a wounded state, right?
Grinning from ear-to-ear, the demon opened it's claws with malice.
"Indeed! And when I bring your head back, I will finally be given the respect I deserve! I will tell them that I defeated Vassirth with these talons alone-"
"-However.." Interrupting his platitude, Vassirth said with sharp but calm smile.
"You fail to understand the gap between us. You see, when you fought me, you had the assistance of your associates whom are superior to you in every way. Even in my current state, you are but an insect under my hind foot."
Gritting his dagger teeth in absolute fury, he cursed her as he lunged recklessly towards her. In a brief moment, he spotted a child watching from behind a tree. He launched a series of barbs in multiple directions as Vassirth avoided the attack with ease.
"Fool.."
Vassirth calmly bellowed as she vanished from her current position and appeared as if her body phased through him.
His joints bursted with blood as he fell to the ground.
Vassirth loomed over the blood soaked reptile with a cold and empty glare.
"Ehehehe.." Soft laughter struggled to leave his lips as he was slowly bleeding to death on the ground.
Vassirth assumed he was still in a state of madness as she dismissively remarked whilst turning away.
"As I said, you were no match.."
"M..Maybe so.. but.. I still.. won in the end.." as he laid in a pool of his own blood, he raised his index finger at an area towards the nearby house.
Vassirth turned to see something vaguely hidden within the underbrush.
Her eyes widened as she rushed to see Arther unconscious with a barb stuck into his chest.
The beast laughed uncontrollably. "HEHEHEHE! SCOOOOOOORE! I HIT HIM WITH ONE OF MY MOST TORTUROUS OF POISONS! IF THAT CHILD IS EVEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO SURVIVE, HE WILL LIVE THE REST OF HIS LIFE AS A CRIPPLE! GAHAHAHA!"
The forest filled with his maniacal laughter as a flash of light violently exploded his head, silencing him permanently.
Vassirth appeared over the decimated beast with a cold and empty glare.
After this occurred, Vincent slowly stood to his feet as he regained some movement.
"Damn.. I didn't expect he would've aimed his attack away from you during his final moments.." he said as he staggered closer to the unconscious child.
Vassirth turned back to the paralyzed child with guilt overwhelming her once stern expression.
At this very moment, Borris appeared over their shoulders with an equally paralyzed stare. His eyes were frozen in fear upon seeing his child in a miserable state.
He was left in shock, unable to fathom what he was witnessing. He believed he was walking in some kind of nightmare realm, seeing his deepest and darkest fears becoming real.
Rushing to Arther, Borris shouted while shaking the boy in a desperate attempt to wake him. Unbeknownst to him, the child was at the brink of death, barely breathing.
"Wake up!" He pleaded. "Wake up! You're just sleeping! This is all a nightmare! You can wake up now!"
Completely delirious and mortified, he collapsed to his knees, weeping in shock and dismay.
"I caused this.." Vassirth lamented as she approached. "If I never showed up, he wouldn't of-"
"-SHUT UP!" Borris raised his voice, completely losing his composure. "DON'T YOU DARE SUGGEST THAT YOU WERE RESPONSIBLE! If you manage to convince me that you were.. Then I would make it my life goal to find a way to kill you.."
Vincent let out a sigh as he leaned back against a tree, tilting his head back. "Well, this is a fine mess we found ourselves in.."
Vassirth glanced at the child who barely breathed as a father hung his head in hopelessness.
"There's a way to save him." She said as Vincent and Borris's eyes opened in response.
Borris became cautiously hopeful, whereas Vincent became curiously uneasy. "Wait.. Vassirth, you don't mean to.."
Vassirth turned back to Borris as she explained. "I do have a method, but be warned, it is unlikely to work. See, Arcadians like me are immune to poisons due to our unique body chemistry and fast recovery rates."
"What are you saying?" Borris asked with anxiety entering his voice.
"I will conduct a ritual that will transfer my blood into his body. If successful, we could prevent the poison before it reeks havoc on his body, thus curing him."
Borris clenched his fist, psyching himself up with agitation in his voice. "Then what are you waiting for!? Do the damn ritu!-"
"-However there's a catch." Vassirth calmly parenthesized as she continued to walked closer on all fours, looking sharply with her lilac eyes.
"If successful, his humanity will be forgone and he will spend the rest of his life as a dragon."
Borris fell into complete and utter disbelief. "Such magic's exist!?"
Vincent approached as he elucidated the herbalist. "Such magic's are strictly taboo and are punished thoroughly and harshly. If the wyvern council found out that this ritual took place, they would be forced to eliminate the ritualist AND the victim of said ritual."
Vassirth apologized as she sat across from him.
"It's your son, so it's your decision."
Borris calmly looked up at the starry sky with anguish. "Do I even have a choice?.. He's all I have left of my late wife. I cannot bare the thought of him dying.."
A moment passed as Borris lowered his head back down to earth. He looked at the azure reptile with a look of heartache. Incidentally, she shared the same look, although it was actually a look of shame.
Deep down, she knew, she was responsible.
However Borris saw it differently.
"That boy is reckless.." Borris exclaimed as he glanced down at his son. "He's always venturing out on these ridiculous explorations. Everytime he comes back with cuts and bruises, my heart sinks and my mind wanders. I fear what could happen to him, being such an adventurous kid.."
Vassirth crossed her arms with a soft smile. "Takes after his father, no doubt."
"Yes.." Borris huffed with an uneasy smile. "Perhaps this could be better for him. With his adventurous heart and reckless spirit, he could finally chase his dream with the wings of a dragon."
Vassirth understood Borris as she nodded in return. "Very well.. If I'm to do this, I would suggest we take him inside."
Borris picked up Arther and carried him towards the small house.
Vincent followed, walking next to Vassirth as he whispered. "Are you sure about this? What if it fails?"
"Then I'll have yet another headhunter chasing me till the ends of the earth. Nothing would change, really."
"As much as I truly adore~ sarcasm, this isn't the time, Vassirth!" Vincent whispered loudly as they walked.
The bracelet on Vincent's wrist pulsed as it freely spoke to Vassirth.
"Oh, and there's something you should know about this kid."
Vassirth listened as the bracelet continued. "That child can hear my voice!"
This news caused Vassirth to stagger in her steps slightly. She was left baffled after such strange news.
Detecting soul resonance wasn't an easy feet for any human. Dragons have a natural affinity for detection of soul resonance after maturity. Humans on the other hand, have to learn and understand what soul resonance even is.
Energy that resides in every being on Yordraan has this energy and it pulses like one's breath or rather, the beating of a heart. Learning how to sense it is one thing, but to utilize in combat is another..
*Slam!*
Slamming the door shut after everyone entered the dwelling, Borris made his way to place Arther on the bed.
"I wouldn't do that." Vassirth said, halting Borris's movement as she clarified.
"The ritual is rather messy and it would be a shame to ruin such a comfortable resting place. Put him on floor, it would be much easier to clean afterwards."
Borris was a bit uneasy and uncomfortable, but he nevertheless acquiesced to her order.
After placing Arther on the floor, Vassirth approached next to Borris and began to speak.
"It would probably be within your best interest to leave me alone with him. It could be a quite overwhelming for you to witness what's about to happen."
Borris glanced at Vincent who shadowed the entryway.
"What about him?" Borris asked as he pointed at Vincent.
Vincent answered immediately while adjusting his hat. "I'll leave just after I have some words wiith Vassirth. There's a lot to unpack after what transpired today."
Borris was didn't necessarily understand what Vincent and Vassirth's relationship entails. But he somehow got the feeling that there was a history between them.
Nevertheless, he gave a halfhearted nod and made his way out the door with a heavy heart.
After leaving, Vincent turned to Vassirth who was setting the stage for the ritual.
"Vassirth.. Do you really think this is a wise move? You can't expect me to continue covering up these failed rituals you perform."
Vassirth remained silent as she continued to etch a circular pattern of archaic symbols around the child with her own blood.
Vincent became flustered as he continued to lecture her.
"Listen to me! How many times has this failed miserably? What would happen if someone found out about!-"
"-Don't remind me." Vassirth cut in as she continued her scribbles. "I know of the repercussions of such actions, and I'm willing suffer the consequences for them. Even if I'm to suffer a fate worse than death, I would do it a million times over to experience motherhood for a fraction of a second.. Even if said motherhood is a lie.."
Vincent bit his lip, somewhat troubled. "You certainly are a determined fool, Vassirth.."
"I appreciate your confidence in me." Vassirth calmly retorted as Vincent smirked and left the house.
Vassirth focused as she extended her finger with vibrant rainbow colored symbols of foreign tongue twisting in glorious splendor to the tip. As these symbols met her finger tip, it gave off a brilliant white light.
She then focused with intensity, aiming her finger square at Arther's chest.
It was like watching a surgeon carefully planning the next move before lowering down the scalpel upon the patient.
Vassirth huffed a deep breath as the blood from her wrist ran down to the tip of her vibrant finger.
Suddenly she felt something different take place in her mind. Like a pulling sensation that guided sharp clawed hand in the right direction.
"What's this feeling?.." She mumbled as her ridged talon hovered over the unconscious child. Vassirth didn't necessarily understand what was occurring as of right now. But one thing was for certain, she became hesitant.
Hesitant to continue venturing into the unknown. Hesitant to what cruel future the soul before her could suffer if she continues this next move.
After a moment of deep thoughts passed, she decided to commit to what she set out to do.
In a passing breath, Vassirth plunged her finger into the child's chest.
"GRAAAAAAW!"
A bone-chilling scream took place as Arther awakened from a deep slumber.
However. he awoke in a strange realm that seemed to be shrouded in pure darkness. However one thing was visible in the distance.
A small glade with emerald green grass lit by an unknown light source from above. As he approached this small meadow, a featureless shadow emerged from the ground before him.
Purple eyes glowed back at Arther who stood amidst the creature of the void. It grinned white rows of sharp teeth as words echoed out it's being.
"So.. This is my new vessel? Such a weak creature is not worthy of my blood."
Arther backed away with confusion and fear emerging on his face.
"W-what are you?" He asked as the vague shape stepped closer.
"What am I? Are you a fool? Do you not know your reflection when you see it?"
"?" Arther silently stood as the being's head extended and twisted around his body like a snake.
"I can tell you are unaware of what I mean. Isn't it obvious?"
Arther backed away from the being as it's neck snapped back to it's shoulders.
"I-I still don't know what you mean! Also, what is this place?"
"A reflection of your soul." The quadruped shadow answered. "Rather barren, don't you think?"
The shadow dejectedly huffed. "I've spent my whole existence dwelling in this desolate realm, waiting for the opportunity to take over. Now I have it! Hehehehe!"
The cackle of the shape was as if it was carrying from the darkest corners of hell. It's eyes locked with Arther's, ensnaring him, freezing him with fear as the scent of blood filled his lungs.
The realm became red with blood as Arther fled into the void. The pain of deep wounds overwhelmed his senses as if it felt like his inners were being pulverized by a ravenous animal that fed on his remains as he laid in wake.
"A nightmare!.." He screamed as he rushed in the darkness.
"This is all a nightmare!"
He fell to his knees, begging to wake up from this seemingly endless torment as a pinhole of light settled on his hand.
His eyes focused on it until the light widened, saturating his vision into pure white.
His eyes strained from the brightness until moments passed as his vision cleared.
He awoke into an unfamiliar room with pearl wood walls and blue molding around the door and a spacious patio that overlooks a hillside.
Arther was still uncertain if he was still dreaming or not. However he felt relieved to no longer be in that horrendous place anymore. He caught his breath and sighed deeply.
Even though he was no longer in that place anymore, his body felt.. different.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it..
He then realized he was settled in a rather comfortable bed. Probably the most comfortable bed he's ever rested in. It was akin to lying in a pile of soft and elegant feathers.
His surroundings was also comprised of a polished cherry dresser with a stumpy table placed in the room's center.
He glanced about in this room for a bit then decided to slide out of the bed he found himself in.
*THUD!*
It was as if his legs had failed him as he fell forward onto the floor.
"Gah!"
He caught himself with his hands, preventing his face from connecting to the floor.
When he did this, his eyes widened in terror.
His arms were clad in dark blue scales that glistened like a hundred sapphires. Opening his hand that hand five fingers with short but sharp black nails that were fairly sharp.
His palm was a slightly lighter blue with a softer layer of flesh leading up to the underside of his elbow.
He panicked and proceeded to fall to his side, seeing the reason why his legs continued to failed him. His legs were more like the hind legs of what one would see on a quadruped animal's body.
Clumsily falling back, he kicked backwards until he was against the bed's mattress. He glared down in disbelief as his mind rushed for answers.
All he could conclude is that he was still in a nightmare.
Closing his eyes in a feeble effort to wake up, he thrusted his palms against his head.
"!?"
He felt the odd shape of his head and fell silent as he thus looked over his shoulder.
A vanity mirror that was angled his way showed the being that mimicked his movements.
Struggling to crawl closer, he locked eyes with the amethyst that looked back in terror.
Rows of sharp teeth revealed themselves upon his mouth gaping open when seeing this reflection.
Reaching over his shoulder, he felt leathery wings that were folded. He also glanced at a tail that stemmed out from his flank with an uncontrollable twitch to it's movements.
He wasn't sure what to make of this. For a dream, this felt so real. Without any direction, he made his way to the door.
He attempted to reach the doorknob as he clumsily struggled to even do that.
Eventually he managed to twist the knob and opened the door that led him to a hallway with two other doors to the left and right. Straight ahead seemed to lead to a stairway going downstairs.
Suddenly he caught the scent of sizzling spiced meat being cooked. It sounded like it was being tended to by the hum of a female voice.
It was a soft and compelling hum that somehow calmed the turmoil in Arther's heart. He then shuffled slowly down the flight of stairs that spiraled down, grabbing hold of the smooth banister on the way down.
Yes, he was still trying to walk upright like a human would. He tried not to disturb the unknown voice since he didn't necessarily understand his situation at this very moment. As he slowly made his descent, he lost his footing and began to roll down the stairs with a crashing sound.
*THUD!*
This understandably drew the attention of the female voice as it remarked at the foolish reptile who laid on its back.
"Oh? So he finally awoke after two weeks of sleep?"
Arther rolled and flopped upright, rubbing the back of his head in mild pain from the fall.
Turning his attention towards the voice nearby, he saw the back of a reptile with brilliant cobalt scales. With ridged wings folded comfortably behind her. She looked over her shoulder back at Arther who returned a dumbfounded expression.
"Vassirth?" He said while struggling to stand up on his own four feet. "What's going on? Am I having a dream?"
He said with bewilderment as Vassirth returned a soft chuckle. "Oh? I see, you more than likely don't recall what happened that night."
Vassirth turned her attention away from the stove that was sizzling meat and said with a solemn tone. "Two weeks ago, you died."
As her words fell, Arther's heart raced, remembering the battle that took place that night. He recalled watching Vassirth go toe to toe with the Dragon of bitter poisons.
Remembering at that moment when he locked eyes with him as a grin aimed his way for a brief second. As if his visage was a poison aswell, Arther's world then turned black.
Dipping his head in remembrance, he then raised it back at Vassirth who quietly observed him.
"Then.. How am I alive? And why.. do I look like.."
"-a dragon?" Vassirth answered astutely. "That's when the story gets complicated. Long story short, you suffered a lethal injury that would've surely claimed your life. And in order to save you - and at your father's behest ofcourse. I gifted you with the blood of an Arcadian, a blood that has a resistance to poisons and a quick recovery rate to boot."
Vassirth gestured to herself as she followed up by exclaiming.
"MY blood. So technically this makes us biologically related now."
Arther was taken aback by her rather blunt explanation. He was about to open his mouth to speak as Vassirth suddenly spun her attention back to the stovetop with a yelp.
"Oh! I mustn't forget about the meat on the stove! Don't want to burn it now, do we?"
Arther aimed a puzzled look at Vassirth who causally returned to the stove, humming an angelic tune like everything is right in the world.
Arther couldn't help but urgently probe for answers while he hobbled closer to her. "But! What about my father!? Is he alright!? If so, where is he!? And why isn't he around here!? Isn't he worried about me!?"
Vassirth shook her head with a calm smile, responding with flawless amethyst of the purest kind. "My, my, aren't we full of questions. Arther, things have gotten a bit complicated while you were taking a nap."
Her mother-like demeanor wavered as she spoke with a serious expression upon her azure face.
"You are now known as a forbidden being. If the wyvern council finds out about your drastic changes, they will kill you and the others involved, including your father."
Her words were both sharp and cold like a razor blade as she extrapolated further with Arther falling into a sinking countenance.
"Sorry to say, but you can't continue to live with your father. It's far too great of a risk."
Arther fell backwards onto his rear, overwhelmed by what he just heard. He angled his eyes upward like a saddened dog. "Then.. I can't see him again?.."
Vassirth doused the fire under the metal stove as she spoke over her shoulder, answering his question in a crestfallen manner. "The risk is too high, and the consequences are dire."
Arther's head sunk into his arms as he laid on the floor in defeat. Burying his head with sadness as Vassirth turned to see his sorry state.
Her comforting behavior fled as she approached Arther with a stern voice. "Enough of that! I will not stand for a sulking drakling in this dwelling!"
"!?" Arther pulled his depressed head up as Vassirth grabbed him by the shoulders and spoke directly to his face with stern certainty.
"Listen Arther, you should feel honored to be a member of the Arcadian race! Our kind goes back into ancient times, far further then many species of dragons!"
Arther's sobbing halted as she firmly gripped his shoulders. "Therefore, stop sobbing like a weak human! Especially one who has my blood in his veins!"
Arther's expression froze with a slight pressure on his chest from Vassirth's words. It was a somehow compelling enough to touch his heart, leaving him speechless.
Vassirth loosened her grip and gave Arther a pat on the back with a stoic huff.
"That being said, we certainly can't keep calling you Arther. That name is too.. human."
Vassirth said playfully as she quietly observed Arther. He strongly resembled herself in physical appearance.
His blue scales were like shadowy sapphires that glistened brilliantly in the sunlight that entered the rather stunning dining room. His eyes were like a set of fresh plums that shared the vigor in both youth and sweetness.
His slick tail had a similar uniqueness to Vassirth's, a ridged webbed fin that flattened horizontally to the tip.
Vassirth thought for a moment as a epiphany struck her.
"I know! How about, Auron!"
Arther protested with restlessness in his voice as he sprung upwards.
"H-hold on! Time out! Did you just decide to change my name on the fly without even asking me!?"
"Did you have a choice when you were born?" Vassirth said mischievously.
"N-no.."
"Then, it's settled. Till this day forward you'll be known as Auron of the Silverwing clan! Has a nice ring to it, right?"
While Vassirth spoke, Auron's head became hazy as shooting pains followed afterwards. He visibly was bothered by these unexpected head throbs that pounded his skull viciously.
Clasping his head with moans, Vassirth misinterpreted it with disagreement to her decree.
"Hey, it's not THAT bad!" She responded to his moans as he fell forward onto his face.
"!?" Suddenly reacting to his fall, Vassirth rushed to his aid.
"What's wrong!?"
In moments, the throbbing pain began to dissipate with heavy breaths following.
Vassirth rested her hand upon the back of his head. "It seems that you may still be undergoing some physical pains after such extensive changes to your body."
Auron's breaths relaxed as he felt the large creature's hand gently stoke his head.
Auron closed his eyes in comfort, he couldn't explain the feeling of this very moment. He wondered if this is the sensation of what a mother's touch is like.
Vassirth caressed the small doppelganger of herself with her heart filling with warmth. Her eyes narrowed as her head slowly tilted to the side.
"Are you okay, Arther?" She asked as Auron staggered back, awkwardly escaping her grasp.
"Y-yeah.. It was brief but felt like a knives were stabbing my head.."
Vassirth nodded to Auron's statement. "Good. Now, feel free to help yourself to the food I made. It should help you recover and restore your strength."
"Alright.." Gathering himself, Auron approached the table that was actually low to the ground. He looked under, noticing that the legs were cut halfway down. Not to mention there seems to be a lack of chairs anywhere in sight. Instead, pillows rested in their place.
He looked about as he began to notice similar things were lowered by similar methods.
"What's up with the furniture?" Auron asked as Vassirth prepared the food with her back facing him.
"I had them adjusted to meet our physical needs. We can't necessarily use chairs like humans do, therefore the height of the tables had to be lowered to a more comfortable level."
Auron somewhat figured that was the reason, but he figured he'd ask anyways to make conversation. He then decided to ask something as he glanced out a nearby window.
"Are we still in Domville?"
"Yup." She answered. "We're actually situated on a hillside property with roughly 8 acres worth of land."
Auron halted for a moment then responded with anxiety in his voice. "Wait, what? How did you manage to convince mayor Dom to live here? On top of that, how can you afford a place like this?"
Auron was somewhat aware of the value of such a decent plot of land. On top of the quality of such decorative furnishings that sat within the house itself. This is something he picked up from his father who regularly spoke in a begrudged manner of the price of such luxurious things.
Vassirth found mild amusement in such a question as she let out a carefree chuckle.
"Hehehe! Do not concern yourself of such things. This house only costed me twenty hundred gold scepters, so you needn't feel guilty about my expenses."
Auron felt like he was going to throw up after hearing Vassirth blissfully disregard that price as nearly nothing.
"ONLY~ twenty hundred GOLD scepters!? How rich are you, Vassirth!?"
"Hehehe!" As Vassirth laughed, Auron pondered what Vassirth just lightly brushed off.
A single gold scepter would've been able to cover him and his dad's shopping expenses for half a year. For Vassirth to think lightly of freely spending twenty hundred gold scepters, left Auron nothing short of astonished.
Vassirth elaborated on the mayor's approval of her living here.
"As for the other question, the mayor saw this as an opportunity to get the townspeople to be more accepting of dragon kind. That, and the amount I was willing to pay was enough to sway the stubborn landlord who protested the whole arrangement."
"..oh."
Auron was somewhat disturbed by how money was able to change peoples minds so easily. He vaguely recalled the greed that occasionally took place in the marketplace when he tagged along with his father. How often they wished to overcharge him with a deceptive smile written on their faces. His dad often struggled with these shysters to meet a reasonable agreement so they could eat the next day.
"~Anyway!" Vassirth cheerfully retorted as she broke Auron's wandering thoughts.
"Hm?"
Auron turned his attention back to a blue reptile who placed a plate of cooked steak on the table before him. It was garnished and garlic and other spices that stimulated Auron's nostrils.
The smell enticed his stomach to growl, pleading for sustenance.
Vassirth huffed with pride and she sat across from Auron, watching with baited breath.
"So, what are you waiting for? Dig in!"
As much as he desired such a feast, Auron found himself hesitant. "I-it smells delicious, but I don't have any money to pay you back for it.."
Auron lowered his head in shame as Vassirth bursted into laughter. "Hahaha! Silly child! I have no intention of charging you for this! What kind of mother would do such a thing!?"
Auron still had difficulty accepting this new reality of his. He looked down at his five digit talons that he rested on the table.
"Mother.." He thought to himself, wondering if his mother was alive today, would she be like Vassirth? He knew little of either, but nevertheless Vassirth indeed seemed to have a soft side amongst her tough scaly smile.
Vassirth quietly observed Auron as he viciously devoured the plate of cooked steak right before her eyes.
Regardless of him brutally wolfing down the meal, Vassirth calmly watched with a look of amusement on her face. She strangely found entertainment in watching him eat.
"So, this must be what it feels like to feed a hungry child. Somehow fulfilling.." Vassirth thought to herself as Auron finished with a nourished gasp, reeling backwards onto his back.
"Ah! That really hit the spot!"
Vassirth felt humbled by Auron's gesture, thus returning a chuckle.
"Hehe, glad you liked it!"
Auron's mind wondered momentarily as he stared at the ceiling.
"So.. what exactly happened while I was unconscious?" Auron asked as Vassirth bluntly responded.
"We held your funeral. We excluded the details in regards of the dragon who was responsible. We didn't want the townspeople to become anymore hostile towards our kind. It was mostly at your father's behest."
"Dad.." Auron sadly sighed. "How is he?"
Vassirth fell silent momentarily until she spoke with hesitance in her voice. "He's a tough man - for a human. I wouldn't worry about him."
"Oh.. And Crislye?"
"She didn't take the news well.. Needless to say, she was in an unbearable amount of heartache. That girl supposedly cried for days."
Auron's heart sank. His thoughts began to race as he thought of how she must've felt. He then realized how Neirlylth must've felt, and knowing her, she's not the type to cry like Crislye.
In a way, he was fearful of how Neirlylth will react. Her type of anguish might be far more.. destructive..
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Elsewhere, A father sat alone at the table in his home. Staring across the table at the empty space in the chair.
"Any regrets?" Exclaimed a deep voice through the entryway.
He calmly looked over to see Vincent leaning against the wall in his usual red coat.
"You really should learn to knock.." Borris said with melancholy in his voice.
Vincent shrugged. "I was never one for manners, so why start now?"
"Hm.. Nevertheless, you should at least attempt to make an effort." Borris remarked bitterly.
Vincent glanced over to see Borris gripping a red scarf in his hands. Borris then turned his attention back to Vincent.
"Hey, Vincent was it? Could you do me a favor?"