Phoenix:
Watching Ellie fly through the sky with ease, her real smile illuminated her features. Resting on the worn brown saddle, my old man walked out next to me. Zooming over our heads, my wife had become a real natural. Holding on as they swirled through the sky, her hands letting go. Attempting to go catch her, my father held me back. Letting out a cry of joy, White Lightning caught her. Grabbing the horns in the right spot, White Lightning let out a ball of lightning into the clouds. Dancing in the clouds, a crowd watched from the cliff lining the town. Landing next to us, she leapt off and into my arms. Flickers ran up to her with Vera on her back, Ellie's petting making her purr loudly.
"I can't wait to have you ride him." She announced proudly, spinning around. Bowing to us, she was in one of her rare good moods. The past month had been kind to us, our bar cart doing well whenever it was open. That wasn't the only thing growing, her bump had doubled in size since last week. Estimating that she was halfway through with the pregnancy, her breasts made me grow hard at the deepening cleavage. Rubbing her large bump, Vera and her began to chat pleasantly. Pulling her off, she tugged off her boots. Vera did the same, the two of them ran into the water. Tossing her into the air, their laughter twinkled in the air. All my breath left me at her looking so naturally beautiful in the moment, my jaw dropping. A finger shut my jaw, my father shook his head with a light chuckle.
"Someone is trapped in someone's spell." He teased with a sly grin, Ellie waving at us. Her wet hair clung to her face, Vera seemed to be having the time of her life. A black envelope fluttered into my hand, her face falling. Coming out of the water, she had a small conversation with Vera. Kissing the top of her head, her slender hands squeezed the water out. Turning towards Flicker, a serious conversation passed between them, her hand pressing against her paw. A portal swirled to life underneath them, her hand pulling me in. Seconds before the flames sent us somewhere else, a broken loose Midnight skidded into the circle. The beach faded to a village of cloaked figures, her fingers snapping in my ears. Silky scarlet cloaks floated onto us, our appearance matching the villagers. Midnight whinnied next to me, slight terror burning in her eyes. If Ellie trusted us this place enough, our nerves needed to settle down.
"These are the elusive Earthmovers. No corruption has touched them and their respect is hard to earn." She explained calmly, her gentle smile made my heart flutter. "All of them have animal familiars like ours. They were responsible for creating the mountains of our kingdom. Much like me, they had to hide away. If my plan works out, they could be out among the rest of us." Walking right up to a person, she presented them with our black envelope. Not one word was said between them, the cloaked person pointed to a dark brown rock hut. Catching up to her, she paused in front of the worn wooden door. Pushing it open, a pale skinned elderly mage struggled to sit up. Dropping her hood, she rushed over to the worn man. Sitting down next to him, her hands cupped his. Speaking in his language, he pointed to the shovel on the wall. Picking it up, his weary eyes fell on me. Focusing back on her, his family came in with their giant brown bears. Flickers sat next to them while watching her sing one of their songs, Midnight relaxing a bit as one of them dropped a bale of hay in front of my hungry friend. These people were kind as one could be, my dream for them was to come out of hiding. Sniffing it for poison, the sound of hay crunching soon mixed in with her song. Knowing that reaper's assistance, understanding languages wasn't a power permitted to me. Finishing up the song, his last breath left his body. Speaking solemnly to them, they all bowed their heads. A bear slid the man onto its back as they all pulled wooden bear masks over their faces. Following them up to a lush green hill that overlooked icy mountains, a couple of them pulled out shovels. Helping them dig a grave, the afternoon sun soon became a sea of inky black with a golden moon. The bear holding the man carried him down into the six foot deep hole, a sad roar bursting from its lips as he climbed back out. Taking a place in the back with me, Ellie explained the heart wrenching ceremony with tears streaming from her eyes. Wiping away the tears, they all gathered around the hole. Getting on their knees, their palms pressed against the grass. Wonder twinkled in my eyes at clear crystal preserving his body. Catching his soul as it floated out, they thanked her with pure gracious but sad smiles. Promising to watch our familiars while we delivered his soul, the usual door appeared in front of us. Stepping into the boat, his soul grew into a handsome young man with wild chocolate curls and bright emerald eyes. A silky emerald robe floated over his muscular body, Ellie taking her place. Smiling warmly at him, her first words in our language hit my ears.
"You ready to go, Emmis?" She asked politely, the boat creaking out of the dock. Nodding once with a smile, he regaled her with the tales of his land. Pausing for a minute to watch me sit down next to him, his kind gaze fell on me. Offering me his smooth hand, my fingers curled around it. What was he up to? Curiosity twinkled in my eyes, this interaction putting me on edge.
"She has done so much for our people. When she could manage to get away from her job, she would bring us the seeds and items we needed to survive. No matter how much punishment she would experience, she always stepped up." He gushed warmly, shrugging his shoulders. "Who else would I want to deliver my soul? I have never heard of a husband being an assistant. What happened to her father?" A sad smile dimmed her features, silent tears flooded from her quivering eyes. Massaging my forehead, this question could break her in mere seconds.
"He is on the other side now." She whispered brokenly, her ears pinning back. "I miss him but I can visit anytime I get permission." Tucking her tail in between her legs, Emmis rose to his feet. Hugging her from behind, a long purr escaped her lips. Fighting the urge to yank him down, they had to just be friends.
"You know as well as anyone else that cycle of life has to run its course." He comforted her in a fatherly manner, his hand patting the top of her head. "You have this thing called life. May I touch this miracle of life?" Smiling sweetly at him, their relationship had always been a mentor and student type. Holding her bump, hearty laughter burst from his lips. A bewildered look dawned on her face, his kind smile melted away a bit of her stress. Placing his hand on his hips, he danced around.
"Nice to see you look like the first time I met you." She teased playfully, jealousy flashing in my eyes. "I remember your wife almost killed me when you brought me home for dinner." Fits of laughter burst from their lips, the two of them leaned onto each other. Looking like two old friends, a quiet sadness hid beneath her bright smile. Letting them talk the rest of the way, it was nice to see that my wife did indeed have friends in a sort of way. Pulling into the docks, the fog curling off the water obscuring the rocks towering over us. Stepping out, she helped him out. Pausing at the door to Heaven, her hands crossed. Quiet sobs wracked her body, she couldn't stop wiping away her tears. Fishing around his pocket, he dropped a pocket watch into her shaking palm. Yanking him into a desperate embrace, her emotions soaked his shoulder. Tears welled up in my eyes at the sight, his hands cupping her bump.
"This is your future." He commented serenely, his palms rubbing the surface. "Having children was the best thing I could have ever done. You have this and I am sorry about your father. Good luck with life and remember that I love you like you were my daughter. I am so proud of you. I have to go now. My wife is waiting for me." Dancing into the door, a deep sadness paralyzed her in her spot. Sinking to her knees, her forehead met the ice cold rock. A tortured scream burst from her lips, her twitching fingers dug at the rock. Immortality had its downfall and this was one of them. Watching your friends die around you tore you apart every single time, her body quaking with each sob. Time didn't heal such wounds, the depression of all always having their claws digging into your very veins. Taking a deep breath, I sat down next to her. Crawling onto my lap, her wet eyes met mine. Clutching her close to my chest, her ears tickled my chest. Gripping the pocket watch with a busted expression, the scene shifted around me to the day they met.
A bruised up Ellie skidded into the village, blood dripped from her cuts. Emmis rushed up to her, his wild curls bouncing with each step. Noting her skinny appearance, his gentle tone did little to win her over. Trust probably wasn't her strong suit at this point, my heart breaking for her.
"Are you okay? Do you want dinner?" He offered sincerely, his hand hovering in front of her face. Pinning her ears back, the crack of her slapping his hand away stunned them both. Taking a step back, guards shouted in the distance. Turning to run, he hid her behind him. Clearing his throat, the one soldier in charge of her shouted at him to point in the direction that she went. Pointing in the opposite direction, his boots clicked away. Waiting for him to disappear deeper into the forest, she sulked out from behind him. Placing her hands on her hips, her white hair danced in the breeze.
"What gives! I don't need any h-" She began, her body falling into his arms. Tossing her over her shoulder, his wife nearly stabbed her with a knife. Her wild onyx waves danced in the breeze of her hot stove, a quiet conversation calming her down. Laying her down on their ragged couch, they went to work on her cuts. Stirring awake, she attempted to run. Tripping with her with his foot, her face hit the worn wooden floor. Glaring venomously up at him, low growls rumbled in her throat.
"Leave me alone!" She snapped hotly, cursing under her breath. "I need to get back before you get in trouble." Struggling to stand, his brow cocked. Shaking his head, he forced her into a chair at the table with a frustration filled laugh. Placing a plate of potatoes and carrots in front of her, her shaking hands were not able to pick up her fork. Shit! How did they let her get that bad?
"You need to eat before you leave or I will be forced to kidnap you." He threatened thunderously, her expression softening. "I want you to actually get some damn food in you. You have been hurt and I can't turn a person away from my help. Will you spend the night and get some much needed sleep?" Bowing her head in shame, tears splashed onto the worn table.
"Fine, but you have let me repay you for your kindness. I will bring you guys new seeds and crops. Write to me what you guys need and I will find a way to get it to you. Believe it or not, I can usually get a couple of days off. You do know that I am a r-" She began, his hand raising. Clearing his throat, her fingers picked up a piece of potato.
"Sounds great to me. You can spend your days off here if you wish. Now let's eat." He announced cheerfully, his wife taking a seat next to him. The scenes sped up with her always visiting him with her father on her lap. Her smile got brighter over time, their conversations got happier. A sudden cold gust whisked all the memories back into the worn pocket watch, her sad smile telling a tale of bitter acceptance. Clutching it close to her chest, a fever burned on her cheek. The curse was taking its toll on her, her body collapsing into my arms. Panic twisted my face, a bit of snow caught my eyes. A white pathway glowed to life, a tail appeared around the corner. Scooping her up, my foot crunched through the increasing snow. Walking through a new oak door, the door swung open. Stepping into the reaper's village, her parents met me immediately. Guiding me to his home, they watched with concerned eyes the moment I laid her down on their bed. Crying out in her sleep, a liquid pooled around her legs. Panic twisted my face, her body tensed up with a contraction. Cursing under my breath, the ice blue moon shifted to one of flames. This was the middle of dragon flame season, the month being Janos. Checking the calendar, the date read thirteen. Our child was to come on Janos Thirteen, a day us dragon species celebrated with the highest honor. Why the hell was this fucking happening? My hands trembled wildly, a bead of sweat dripping off of my brow.
"She is supposed to have a couple of more months." I blurted out in disbelief, her father leaping out the open window. Snapping awake with a scream bursting from her lips, her mother comforted her as a pale faced reaper in a white cloak rushed in with worn leather gloves on his hands with a couple of assistants. Pushing me out of the way, his steel gray eyes did little to ease my fraying nerves.
"The curse placed on her has sped up the pregnancy with each flare up." He explained sternly with a warm smile on his thin lips. Running his hands through his slicked back snow white hair, his short stature did little to calm me down. His father leapt onto my shoulder, his tail swinging with anxiety. Petting him on the top of his head, his head rubbed against my palm. Howling with each contraction, clammy sweat poured from her face. Reaching for me, her grip threatened to break my hand. Stay strong for your wife, our offspring was about to make his entrance.
"You can do this, Ellie." I whispered with doubt in my voice, her wet angry eyes meeting mine. "Think about it, we are going to have our baby boy." Passing out, inky blood stained the blanket. Calling out orders, silent tears cascaded down my cheeks. Knowing that she couldn't die gave me a small bit of relief. Jamming a needle into her neck, a long breath escaped her lips the moment she snapped awake. Breathing through each contraction, the hours of anxiety and impatience passed slowly. Her quietness had been offsetting, her expression shifting to pure frustration. Crying out in pain, the doctor's words sent chills up my spine.
"It is time to push him out. Ride the contraction." He ordered gently, her head nodding. Screaming out with each push, every breath grew shorter. Her voice cracked as a wail pierced the air, the doctor offering me a pair of scissors. The room began to spin, my trembling fingers taking them. Guiding my hand where to cut, the scissors cut through the cord with ease. Seconds from fainting, the tears flowing from her eyes snapped me back to reality. A blacked eared cat reaper boy with a fiery colored full head of hair. Orange scales sparkled from his chin to his ears, his fiery dragon eyes meeting mine. Our son had been born, her body five pounds skinnier than when she began the pregnancy. Her engorged breasts didn't shrink back down, her hips having become slightly wider. My heart fluttered at his inky lips curling into a smile, her lips brushing against the top of his head.
"I want to name him Argon Ivan Dragonsmith." She announced with a proud smile, her troubles going away for a second. "Are you okay with that, Fireboy?" Hearing my nickname caused a tender blush to rise to my cheeks, her father leaping off of my shoulder. Mouthing a silent spell, the bleeding slowed to a stop. Yawning groggily, her slender hand lowered our seven pound boy to her nipple. Sucking away, a sense of accomplishment coursed through me. Humming a reaper's lullaby, mixed emotions flashed on her face. Passing him to me, his little body felt like a rock in my arms. Struggling to sit up, she watched me look upon him with all the wonder in the world. How did I create something so adorable but fierce at the same time? Embracing her parents with a broken smile, all of us were crying. Salty teardrops hit his forehead, my fear of screwing up smacking me in my face. Never wanting to be like my father, the memories of him hitting my mother and me flashed in my mind. A gentle touch on my arms snapped me back to reality, her real smile did little to send that fear away. How did she know how to calm me down?
"You aren't going to be your father." She assured me lovingly, the fire moon bathing her gorgeous features. A tinge of sadness lay underneath her eyes, her father and mother wiping away her tears with their paws. Shaking in her spot, a tremendous amount of fear glowed to life in her eyes. Becoming a mother a second time had her shaking in her boots but another darkness lay underneath the surface emotion.
"I wish I could take you guys back home with me." She wept dejectedly, her ears pinning back with fresh hurt in her eyes. "Alas, my selfish wish shall never be granted. At least I can always visit you." Smiling brokenly, her hands pressed their paws together. Blowing out an ice sculpture of the two of them with our son, ruby painted the translucent figurine. Landing on her lap, their paws thudded against the bed. Presenting it to them with a wistful expression, teardrops hit their paws.
"I may not be able to be around but you can have my gift to you. Know that I will always come around with my family. I love you all with all of my heart." She gushed with a bright smile, her heart shattering beneath it. Setting it on the nightstand for them, they leapt into her arms. Exhaustion hung on her eyelids, sweet slumber stole her away. Cuddling with her parents, I thought it best to plop into the chair near the roaring fire. Rocking Argon in my arms, his snores echoed in my ear. Watching him sleep in my arms, we had done it. Our son was born, his eyes matching mine. Living in the morning, the doctor reaper paused in front of me.
"Her body was damaged in the birth." He warned me with regret dripping in his voice, his hands crossing. "It will take some time to heal. The one part that was impacted the most was her control of her powers. You need to find a way to reign her in if they become too strong. You don't want to see a corrupted reaper. Now if you excuse me, I have to get some rest." Leaving me with the horrid news, my heart sank for her. Tension built in my face at the sheer amount of effort I was about to go through with keeping her within her limits, all I wanted to do was go home. Grumbling under my breath, this place began to feel like a prison. Waiting patiently for the next two days to pass, we had a bag of special herbs for her. Stepping into the boat, her lips kissed the top of Argon's head before taking her place. Taking my seat in the new plush bench next to her, her real smile wouldn't leave her eyes. Leaning on her scythe, the boat turned around slowly. Saying nothing the whole ride home, her legs kept shaking. Pulling into the dock, she sank to her knees. Her scythe shrank back down to its ax form, her loving gaze watching me put it away. Throwing her onto my back, the last few days had been hard on her. Walking through the open door, the bright morning sun blinded us. Shirking back, a ball of lightning whizzed by our heads. A furious Flickers bounced up to her, her expression softening at the newest addition to the family. Shit, I had forgotten to get Midnight. Midnight trotted up to me, a sigh of relief pouring from my lips. Someone had sent them home, Ellie hopping off my back. Spinning around like she wasn't in pain, purrs collided with the waves the moment Ellie buried her face into Flickers' fur while she scratched White Lightning behind his horn. Standing up straight, her arms scooped up Argon. Showing him off, they both spoke in high praise of their new master. Commotion shattered the peaceful moment, my parents skidding onto the sand to meet their grandson. Fawning over him, the only thing I wanted was my own bed and a serious nap. Passing him into my mother's arms, her silky orange robe made his ears stand out. Fussing over him, Ellie opened her arms up for Vera, her muscles shaking as she spun her around. Embracing her in a motherly manner, she set her down on Flickers.
"This is your little brother Argon." She introduced our son warmly, her real smile never leaving her face. "What do you think?" Vera kissed Argon's forehead, excitement buzzing in her eyes. Ellie fainting darkened the tender moment, my strong arms catching her. Holding her in one of my arms, my parents' voices faded in and out. The world spun around, the lack of sleep in the past two days catching up to me. Passing Ellie to my father, White Lightning's claw caught me the moment the exhaustion stole me away.