I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The goddess's plan was unfolding, and I had no choice but to see it through. I thought back to the words she had spoken, trying to find some semblance of comfort in their ambiguity.
"What did she say, exactly?" I wondered, replaying the conversation in my mind. "She said I would be the vessel for the new generation... that I would carry the future of the dragons within me."
I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. It was all so surreal, so unbelievable. And yet, here I was, living proof that the impossible was possible.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I felt a strange sensation in my abdomen. It was a gentle fluttering, like the soft beating of wings. I gasped, my hand flying to my stomach.
"What's happening?" I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe.
I thought,'I know she didn't say something about vessel, but I'm 1000% sure I am a vessel for the future generation'
I nodded to myself, a sense of determination washing over me. "I may not remember her exact words," I thought, "but I know what I feel. I'm a vessel, a carrier, a guardian of the next generation of dragons. And I'll do whatever it takes to see this through."
The memories came flooding back, and I felt a mix of emotions: wonder, fear, and awe. "Yes, that's right," I thought, recalling the goddess's words. "I'm going to carry these baby dragons inside me, like a mammal, and they'll grow at an incredible rate, fed by my own body. And it's going to take so long... over a year and a half. 90 days longer than the normal gestation period for dragons. This is going to be a wild ride..."
I took a deep breath, trying to process the enormity of what lay ahead. "I'm in this for the long haul," I thought, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. "I'll have to eat constantly to support their growth, and deal with the physical and emotional changes that come with carrying a rapidly growing litter of baby dragons."
I shuddered at the thought, but steeled myself for what was to come. "I'll do whatever it takes," I vowed, my determination growing with each passing moment. "I'll be a good vessel, a good mother to these baby dragons. I'll give them the best possible start in life, no matter what challenges I face along the way."
As I stood in the heart of our mountain cave, I felt a sudden surge of hunger. It was as if my body was already preparing itself for the changes that were to come.
"I need to eat," I thought, my stomach growling with anticipation. "And I need to eat a lot."
I made my way to the cave's entrance, where the fresh mountain air filled my lungs. I stretched my wings, feeling the familiar ache in my muscles. As a Western dragon, I was accustomed to the rugged beauty of our mountain home.
I took to the skies, soaring above the peaks as I searched for a worthy meal. The wind ruffled my scales, and I felt alive, free. But deep down, I knew that my life was about to change forever. The goddess's words still echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that my destiny was calling.
I let out a small sigh, my young mind struggling to comprehend the long wait ahead. "Many years" felt like an eternity to a 2-year-old dragon like me. I was still getting used to flying, and playing with the other young dragons in the cave. The thought of having to wait so long to fulfill the goddess's plan seemed daunting. But I knew I had to be patient, and trust in the goddess's wisdom. After all, I was destined for something special... even if it felt like forever away.
I decided to ask Mother on how old a dragon is old enough to reproduction
I approached my mother, Thyriatrix, who was lounging in a sunny spot within the cave, her light green scales glistening in the warm light. I cleared my throat to get her attention, and she turned to me with a gentle smile.
"Mother, can I ask you something?" I said, trying to sound as mature as possible.
"Of course, Tharros," she replied, her voice warm and inviting. "What's on your mind?"
"I was wondering... how old does a dragon have to be before they're old enough to reproduce?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
My mother's expression turned thoughtful, and she nodded slowly. "Ah, that's a good question, Tharros. As Western dragons, we typically reach reproductive maturity around... 43-63 years of age in sub-adult stage"
I listened intently, my eyes wide with wonder. "43 to 63 years old?" I repeated, trying to wrap my head around the enormity of that number. It seemed like an eternity!
My mother nodded, a knowing glint in her eye. "Yes, Tharros. We Western dragons take our time to mature. But trust me, it's worth the wait. You'll understand when you're older."
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was relieved that I didn't have to worry about reproduction just yet. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement and curiosity about what the future held.
I thought, "Elara, hang in there!" Though I wasn't even sure why I was thinking about Elara, or what she was going through that would require her to "hang in there." I shook my head, chuckling to myself. It was just a random thought, after all.
As I stood there, lost in my own little world, I couldn't help but think about my own life. I was still just a young dragon, only 2 years old. I had so much to learn, so much to experience. And yet, at the same time, I felt like I was already being pulled in so many different directions.
My mother had just told me that I wouldn't reach reproductive maturity for another 41-61 years. It was a daunting thought, to say the least. I felt like I was still just a baby, and yet I was already being asked to think about my future, about the role I would play in the continuation of our species.
I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I knew that I had a lot to learn, a lot to experience. And I was excited, truly excited, to see what the future held. But at the same time, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more out there for me, something that I couldn't quite see yet.
I thought back to the goddess's words, to the prophecy that had been laid upon me. I was to carry a litter of baby dragons, to be a vessel for the continuation of our species. It was a heavy responsibility, one that I wasn't even sure I was ready for.
And yet, at the same time, I felt a sense of pride, of purpose. I was being asked to play a crucial role in the future of our species, and I was determined to do everything in my power to make sure that I succeeded.
I took another deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve wash over me. I was ready, truly ready, to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Bring it on, I thought, a fierce determination burning within me.
As I stood there, feeling the weight of my destiny settling upon me, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I be a good parent to the baby dragons I was to carry? Would I be able to provide for them, to protect them, to teach them everything they needed to know?
I thought about my own parents, about the way they had always been there for me, supporting me, guiding me. My mother, Thyriatrix, with her wise and gentle heart. My father with his strong and steadfast presence.
I knew that I had big shoes to fill, that I had a lot to live up to. But I was determined to do my best, to be the best parent I could be. I took another deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.
As I stood there, lost in my own thoughts, I heard a rustling in the corner of the cave. I turned to see my siblings, Lyriath, Vyraxys, Nyxoria, Lyrixa, and Kaidorix, all staring at me with curious eyes.
"Tharros, what's wrong?" Lyriath asked, his navy blue and dark red scales glinting in the dim light of the cave.
I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I didn't want to worry my siblings, but at the same time, I didn't want to keep them in the dark.
"I'm just thinking about the future," I said finally, trying to sound casual.
My siblings all nodded, seeming to understand. We all knew that we had big roles to play in the future of our species, and that it wasn't always going to be easy.
But for now, at least, we had each other. And that was all that mattered.
We all stood there for a moment, enjoying the comfortable silence that only comes with being surrounded by family. Then, Lyriath spoke up, his voice breaking the spell.
"Hey, Tharros, want to go exploring with us?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was in the mood. But then I looked at my siblings, all of whom were staring at me with hopeful eyes. I couldn't resist.
"Sure," I said finally, a grin spreading across my face.
We all cheered, and then set off into the depths of the cave, our scales glinting in the dim light. We spent the rest of the day exploring, laughing, and playing, our worries forgotten in the joy of the moment.
As the sun began to set, we made our way back to our nesting area, tired but happy. My mother and father were waiting for us, their eyes warm with welcome.
"How was your day, my little ones?" my mother asked, her voice soft and gentle.
We all chorused our answers, eager to share our adventures with our parents. They listened, smiling, their eyes shining with pride.
As we settled in for the night, our bellies full and our hearts content, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew that I still had a long way to go, that I still had many challenges to face. But with my family by my side, I knew that I could overcome anything.
I spoke, "Me and Father and Lyriath went to a human city!"
My mother's eyes widened in surprise, and my siblings all leaned in, their eyes shining with excitement.
"Really?" my mother asked, her voice full of curiosity. "What took you to the human city?"
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "I wanted to talk to a human," I said simply.
My mother raised an eyebrow. "Just one human?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yes. I wanted to have a private conversation with them."
Lyriath spoke up, his voice filled with amusement. "Tharros was being really mysterious about it, too," he said with a grin.
My mother's expression turned thoughtful. "I see," she said. "And what did you discuss with this human?"
I hesitated again, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about my mother's gentle expression put me at ease. "I just wanted to ask them some questions," I said. "And I wanted to do it in private."
My mother nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "I'm glad you're curious about the world, Tharros," she said. "Just remember to always be careful when interacting with humans."
I spoke sadly, "and that human was a very old lady that died while I was talking to her alone"
My mother's expression changed from curiosity to shock and sadness. She took a step closer to me, her eyes filled with compassion.
"Oh, Tharros," she said softly. "I'm so sorry. That must have been very difficult for you."
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I had been trying to process my emotions since it happened, but it was still hard to accept.
Lyriath and the others looked on in silence, their eyes filled with sympathy. They didn't know what to say, and I didn't expect them to.
My mother wrapped a comforting wing around me, holding me close. "It's okay, Tharros," she said. "You didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes these things just happen."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. My mother's words helped, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness and loss. I had never experienced death before, and it was a harsh reality to face.
I spoke, "I'm going to the top of the mountain alone." Mother nodded and said, "I be here talking your younger siblings about how they day going. " I thank her by bowling my head
I bowed my head in respect, my scales catching the dim light of the cave. "Thank you, Mother," I said, my voice low and sincere.
My mother smiled, her eyes warm with understanding. "Be careful, Tharros," she said. "The mountain can be treacherous, especially for a young dragon like you."
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. I needed some time alone to process my thoughts and emotions, and the top of the mountain seemed like the perfect place to do so.
With a final nod, I turned and made my way out of the cave, my wings unfolding as I stepped into the bright sunlight. The wind ruffled my scales as I began to climb, the sound of my mother's voice fading into the distance as I ascended higher and higher.
I just realized I'm a western dragon. I can fly by using my wings
I spread my wings wide, feeling the familiar rush of excitement as I prepared to take to the skies. As a Western dragon, I was blessed with the gift of flight, and I reveled in the freedom and power it brought.
With a mighty beat of my wings, I lifted off the ground, soaring upwards towards the mountain peak. The wind rushed past me, whipping my scales and sending my wings rippling with turbulence. I laughed, feeling alive and exhilarated, as I banked and turned, riding the currents of air with ease.
The mountain peak loomed ahead, its rugged summit calling to me like a siren's song. I flew towards it, my wings beating steadily, until I landed with a gentle thud on the rocky outcropping.
Since it is a flat and big, I can wander around in this place
I began to wander around the mountain peak, my claws clicking on the rocky surface. The flat expanse stretched out before me, offering a sense of freedom and openness that I rarely experienced in the confines of our cave.
I walked for a while, taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The wind whipped through my scales, carrying the scent of distant forests and sparkling waterfalls. I breathed deeply, feeling the cool air fill my lungs, and listened to the silence.
As I walked, I stumbled upon a cluster of boulders, their weathered surfaces worn smooth by the elements. I climbed up onto one of the rocks, settling into a comfortable spot as I gazed out at the stunning vista.
For a while, I simply sat there, lost in thought as the wind rustled my scales and the sun beat down upon my back. It was a moment of perfect peace, one that I savored deeply.
I thought,'When I become a sub-adult dragon, I can carry the baby dragons inside my womb about 553 days, and they are growing very fast and big, and none of them will have Elara soul but in the 2nd pregnancy I hope that she be one of them'
I smiled wistfully to myself, my mind wandering to the future. Becoming a sub-adult dragon seemed like a distant dream, but I knew it would arrive sooner or later. And with it, the responsibility of carrying on our species.
I thought about the baby dragons growing inside my womb, their tiny hearts beating rapidly as they developed at an incredible pace. It was a daunting yet exciting prospect, knowing that I would be nurturing the next generation of Western dragons.
But amidst all the excitement, my thoughts turned to Elara. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, hoping that somehow, someway, her soul would find its way into one of my future hatchlings. It was a slim chance, but I couldn't help but hold onto the hope.
I gazed out at the horizon, my eyes lost in the distance as I whispered a silent prayer. "Please, let Elara's soul find its way back to me. Let her be one of mine, someday."
I smiled wistfully to myself, my mind wandering to the future. Becoming a sub-adult dragon seemed like a distant dream, but I knew it would arrive sooner or later. And with it, the responsibility of carrying on our species.
I thought about the baby dragons growing inside my womb, their tiny hearts beating rapidly as they developed at an incredible pace. It was a daunting yet exciting prospect, knowing that I would be nurturing the next generation of Western dragons.
But amidst all the excitement, my thoughts turned to Elara. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, hoping that somehow, someway, her soul would find its way into one of my future hatchlings. It was a slim chance, but I couldn't help but hold onto the hope.
I gazed out at the horizon, my eyes lost in the distance as I whispered a silent prayer. "Please, let Elara's soul find its way back to me. Let her be one of mine, someday." I thought,'she can be my daughter again in this life'
A warm feeling spread through my chest as I thought about the possibility. Elara, my dear Elara, could be my daughter again in this life. The thought filled me with a sense of joy and longing.
I imagined what it would be like to have Elara by my side once more, to watch her grow and thrive as a young dragon. I pictured us soaring through the skies together, exploring the world and sharing secrets.
A gentle smile spread across my face as I thought about the possibilities. Maybe, just maybe, fate would bring us together again. And if it did, I vowed to cherish every moment with my dear Elara, to make the most of our time together and create memories that would last a lifetime.
As I sat on the mountain peak, lost in thought, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. I watched, mesmerized, as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky.
My thoughts remained with Elara, and I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Would we be reunited in this life? Would she be my daughter again?
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs. I knew that I had to be patient, to trust in the natural course of things. But it was hard to wait, hard to not know what the future held.
As the night wore on, I settled into a comfortable spot on the rocky outcropping, my wings folded tightly around me. I closed my eyes, letting the peacefulness of the mountain wash over me.
And as I drifted off to sleep, I whispered a soft prayer to the universe: "Let Elara's soul find its way back to me. Let us be together again, in this life or the next."
As I entered the cave, I saw my father waiting for me, his eyes warm and welcoming. He stretched out his magnificent wings, inviting me to snuggle up beneath them, just like I always did.
I smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and security wash over me. I curled up beneath his wing, feeling the warmth and protection of his presence. It was a familiar and reassuring feeling, one that I had grown up with.
My father wrapped his wing around me, holding me close as he began to hum a soft, rumbling melody. The vibrations of his hum resonated deep within my chest, soothing my worries and calming my mind.
I closed my eyes, feeling my eyelids grow heavy as the warmth and security of my father's presence enveloped me. I knew that I was safe, that I was loved, and that everything would be okay.