As we turned to leave, I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were being watched. The shadowy figure I had glimpsed earlier seemed to have vanished, but I knew that the Shadow Wings were notorious for their stealth and cunning.
My father seemed to sense my unease, and he placed a reassuring claw on my shoulder. "Let's get back to the nest," he said. "We can discuss what just happened and figure out our next move."
I nodded, still scanning our surroundings cautiously. As we made our way back through the ruins, I noticed that Lyriath and Vyraxys were walking ahead of us, their eyes scanning the ground and the surrounding buildings.
Suddenly, Lyriath stopped and raised a claw, signaling for us to be quiet. "Look at this," he whispered, pointing to a small, almost imperceptible mark on the ground.
I peered down at the mark, and my heart skipped a beat as I realized what it was. A Shadow Wing symbol, etched into the stone.
My father's eyes narrowed as he examined the symbol, his expression grim. "This is not good," he whispered. "The Shadow Wings are marking their territory, and it looks like they're getting bolder."
Vyraxys's eyes flashed with anger. "We can't let them get away with this," he growled. "We need to show them that this is our territory, not theirs."
Lyriath placed a calming claw on Vyraxys's shoulder. "Not now, Vyraxys," he whispered. "We need to get back to the nest and come up with a plan. We can't take on the Shadow Wings without being prepared."
My father nodded in agreement. "Lyriath is right. Let's get back to the nest and gather our thoughts. We'll come up with a strategy to deal with the Shadow Wings, but for now, let's just focus on getting home safely."
We all nodded in agreement, our eyes scanning the surrounding area cautiously as we made our way back to the nest. The Shadow Wing symbol seemed to loom over us, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows.
As we walked, the silence between us was palpable. We were all lost in our own thoughts, trying to process the implications of the Shadow Wing symbol. I couldn't help but wonder what they were planning, and why they were getting bolder.
After a while, we finally saw the nest in the distance, its familiar shape a comforting sight. My mother, Thyriatrix, was waiting for us outside the nest, her eyes scanning our faces anxiously.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.
My father filled her in on what we had found, and her expression grew increasingly grim. "This is not good," she said, echoing my father's words. "We need to come up with a plan to deal with the Shadow Wings, and fast."
We all nodded in agreement, and began to discuss our options. But as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. The Shadow Wings were getting bolder, and it was only a matter of time before they made their next move.
As we discussed our options, I could see the worry etched on my parents' faces. They were trying to stay calm and focused, but I could sense the fear lurking beneath the surface.
Lyriath, ever the strategist, was already thinking several steps ahead. "We need to gather more information about the Shadow Wings' plans," he said, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Do we have any allies who might be able to help us?"
Vyraxys nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "I can reach out to the Wind Dancers," he said. "They might have some intel on the Shadow Wings' movements."
My mother nodded, her eyes flicking to each of us in turn. "I'll speak with the elders," she said. "See if they have any wisdom to share."
As we continued to discuss our plan, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for my family. We were in this together, and I knew that we would face whatever challenges came our way as a united front.
But just as we were starting to feel more hopeful, a faint rustling sound came from the edge of the clearing. We all froze, our ears perked up, as a small, shadowy figure emerged from the underbrush... I look at Father "is it possible you can kill them by yourself?"
Father hesitated and nodded and answered, "Yes, I can, but it will take a while long, and I can use my ice elements!"
I looked at my father with a mixture of surprise and concern. "But Father, you're still recovering from your last injury," I said, remembering the pain and worry that had etched on his face just a few days ago.
My father's expression turned grim, and he nodded slowly. "I know, Tharros. But I also know that we can't let the Shadow Wings threaten our family and our territory. If it means putting myself in harm's way to protect you all, then so be it."
Lyriath stepped forward, his eyes flashing with determination. "No, Father. We won't let you do that. We're a family, and we face our enemies together. We'll come up with a plan, and we'll take down the Shadow Wings as a team."
Vyraxys and the others nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. My father looked at us all, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm proud of you all," he said. "Let's do this together, then. Let's show the Shadow Wings that we won't be intimidated."
Father flew off to deal with the shadow wings by himself.
I watched in horror as my father flew off into the distance, determined to face the Shadow Wings alone. "No, Father!" I shouted, spreading my wings to follow him, but Lyriath grabbed my shoulder, holding me back.
"Let him go, Tharros," Lyriath said, his voice firm but worried. "He's made up his mind. We have to trust him."
I struggled against Lyriath's grip, feeling a mix of anger, fear, and helplessness. Why was Father doing this? Didn't he know that we were stronger together?
As I watched, Father's figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance, until he was just a tiny speck on the horizon. I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. What if something happened to him? What if he didn't come back?
My ears folded from the side because of the worried.
My ears folded back against my head, a subconscious gesture of worry and anxiety. I could feel my heart racing with fear for my father's safety. Why had he insisted on going alone?
Lyriath placed a reassuring claw on my shoulder. "He'll be okay, Tharros," he said softly. "Father can take care of himself."
But I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Something didn't feel right. I looked up at Lyriath, my eyes searching for reassurance. "What if something happens to him?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lyriath's expression turned serious, and he pulled me into a tight hug. "We'll face whatever happens together, as a family," he said. "We always do."
Mother sighed "Lyriath just know that Tharros has a very strong bond towards his father it is normal for him, you know, worried and anxious!"
Lyriath nodded understandingly, his expression softening as he looked at me. "I know, Mother," he said. "Tharros and Father have always been close. I just want to make sure he's okay."
Mother nodded, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "I know, Lyriath. We all want to make sure Aetherius is safe. But Tharros's bond with his father is special. He's always been very attuned to his father's emotions and well-being."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my mother, her words touching a deep chord within me. I did have a strong bond with Father, and the thought of anything happening to him was unbearable.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. My mother's words had reminded me of just how much Father meant to me, and the thought of losing him was almost too much to bear.
Lyriath placed a gentle claw on my shoulder, his eyes filled with compassion. "Hey, Tharros, it's going to be okay," he said softly. "Father will be back soon, and he'll be fine."
I nodded, trying to muster up a smile, but it felt forced. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach.
Just then, Nyxoria, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "I'll go scout ahead and see if I can find any sign of Father," she said, her voice determined.
I felt a surge of gratitude towards my sister. At least someone was taking action, trying to do something to help Father.
I look at Nyxoria "Nyxoria I'm your oldest brother, and I can't let you do something dangerous, and besides, we're 7 years old!"
Nyxoria's face scrunched up in a determined expression, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't care if we're 7 years old, Tharros!" she said, her voice firm. "I can take care of myself, and besides, someone has to help Father!"
Lyriath chuckled and ruffled Nyxoria's scales with his claw. "Nyxoria, you're as fierce as a dragon twice your age," he said, smiling. "But Tharros is right, it's not safe for you to go scouting ahead by yourself."
Nyxoria's face fell, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine," she said. "But we have to do something to help Father! We can't just sit here and wait!"
I nodded in agreement with Nyxoria. "You're right, we can't just sit here and wait. But we need to come up with a plan that's safe for everyone."
Lyriath's expression turned thoughtful. "I think I might have an idea," he said. "We can work together to create a search party. We'll split up into pairs and search the surrounding area for any sign of Father."
Vyraxys's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's a great idea, Lyriath! I'll pair up with Nyxoria."
Nyxoria grinned, looking pleased that she got to be part of the search party. "I'll make sure to keep Vyraxys out of trouble," she said, winking.
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief that we were finally doing something to help Father. "Alright, let's get moving. We'll meet back here in an hour and compare notes."
With a determined nod, we all set off in our respective pairs, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.
As we searched the surrounding area, the silence was only broken by the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet. Lyriath and I had paired up, and we were making our way through a dense thicket of bushes.
Lyriath suddenly stopped, his ears perked up. "Do you hear that?" he whispered.
I listened carefully, and soon I picked up the faint sound of rushing water. "It sounds like a stream," I said, my curiosity piqued.
Lyriath nodded. "Let's go check it out. Maybe we'll find some sign of Father."
We made our way towards the sound, our hearts pounding with excitement and a hint of fear. As we emerged from the thicket, we saw a fast-moving stream running through the center of a small clearing. And on the other side of the stream, we saw something that made our hearts skip a beat...
...a figure, lying motionless on the ground. My heart sank as I realized that it was Father, his white scales stained with dirt and debris. Lyriath and I exchanged a worried glance, and then we rushed towards the stream, our wings spread wide as we prepared to jump over the water.
As we landed on the other side, I could see that Father was injured, his scales battered and bruised. But to my relief, he was still breathing, his chest rising and falling with a slow, steady rhythm.
Lyriath and I exchanged a relieved glance, and then we began to examine Father's injuries more closely. We had to get him back to the nest, and fast. But as we began to lift him up, I heard a faint rustling sound coming from the underbrush nearby...
I look around and see multiple shadows' wings dead bodies everywhere.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I took in the sight of the multiple Shadow Wings' dead bodies scattered around us. It was clear that Father had put up a fierce fight, but at what cost?
Lyriath's eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene. "By the ancient ones," he whispered. "Father must have taken on the entire Shadow Wings clan."
I nodded, my mind racing with the implications. If Father had taken on the Shadow Wings alone, it was no wonder he was injured. But where were the rest of the Shadow Wings? Had Father really managed to defeat them all?
As I looked around, I noticed that the Shadow Wings' bodies seemed to be arranged in a strange pattern, as if they had been placed there deliberately. And then, I saw it. A symbol, etched into the ground in a dark, crimson liquid. The symbol of the Shadow Wings...
As I gently nudged my father's head with my own, I felt a faint stir beneath his scales. It was a small movement, but it was enough to give me hope.
I pulled back and looked at my father's face, searching for any sign of consciousness. His eyes were still closed, but I could see a faint flicker of movement beneath his eyelids.
Lyriath, who had been watching anxiously, let out a soft breath of relief. "He's alive," he whispered.
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. Father was alive, and that was all that mattered. I gently nudged him again, trying to rouse him from his unconscious state.
Slowly, Father's eyes began to open, his gaze unfocused at first, but gradually sharpening as he took in his surroundings. He looked up at me, and I could see a faint glimmer of recognition in his eyes...
...and then his eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a spark of awareness ignite within them. "Tharros?" he whispered, his voice weak but unmistakable.
I felt a surge of joy and relief at hearing my father's voice. "Father!" I exclaimed, nuzzling him gently with my head. "You're awake!"
Lyriath let out a soft sigh of relief and knelt down beside us. "We were worried sick about you, Father," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Father's gaze drifted to Lyriath, and then to the surrounding area, taking in the sight of the dead Shadow Wings. His expression turned grim, and he struggled to sit up, wincing in pain as he did so...
As Father struggled to sit up, I could see the exhaustion and pain etched on his face. But then, his eyes flashed with determination, and he raised a claw, focusing his energy. The air around us began to shimmer and distort, and I felt a familiar sensation wash over me - the sensation of teleportation.
In an instant, we vanished from the clearing, leaving behind the carnage of the Shadow Wings' dead bodies. When we reappeared, I found myself standing in the middle of our nest, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of home.
But what caught my attention was the fact that Father had brought the Shadow Wings' dead bodies with us. They lay scattered around the nest, their dark forms a stark contrast to the warm, golden light of our home.
Mother and the others stared at us in shock, their eyes wide with a mix of relief and horror. "Aetherius, what happened?" Mother asked, rushing to Father's side.
Father leaned heavily on her, his chest heaving with exhaustion. "The Shadow Wings," he whispered. "They ambushed me. But I took care of them."
I looked around at the sea of dead Shadow Wings, and a sense of pride swelled up in my chest. Father had protected us, had kept us safe from harm. But at what cost?
Mother's expression turned from shock to concern as she helped Father settle onto a nearby ledge. "We need to tend to your wounds, Aetherius," she said, her voice firm but gentle.
Father nodded, wincing in pain as he moved. "I'll be fine, my love," he whispered. "Just...give me a moment."
I watched as Mother began to examine Father's injuries, her claws deftly probing the wounds. I felt a surge of worry, seeing Father like this. He was always so strong, so invincible. But now...now he looked vulnerable, fragile.
Lyriath stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Father. "What can we do to help, Father?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Father's gaze drifted to Lyriath, and then to me and Nyxoria. "I want you all to stay close to home for now," he said, his voice weak but firm. "The Shadow Wings may have had allies...we can't be too careful."
I nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within me. I would do whatever it took to protect my family, to keep them safe from harm.
As Father finished speaking, I glanced around the nest, taking in the eerie sight of the dead Shadow Wings. Their dark, iridescent scales seemed to absorb the light around them, casting an unsettling gloom over the entire area.
Mother's eyes followed mine, and I could see the concern etched on her face. "We need to...do something with them," she said, her voice hesitant.
But none of us knew what to do. We had never dealt with so many dead bodies before, especially not ones as ominous as the Shadow Wings. The silence that followed was oppressive, filled with unspoken questions and worries.
Father sighed. "How about we use their bodies as food!"
Mother looks at Father in shock. "AETHERIUS! HAVE YOU JUST THICK WHAT HAPPENED TO WHEN SOMEONE EAT A DEAD SHADOW WINGS?!" she shouted
Father shook his head "no but if no one wanted, then I ate it myself, but first I should heal from their resent ambush!"
Mother's eyes widened in alarm, her voice trembling with urgency. "Aetherius, you can't be serious! Consuming a Shadow Wing's body could have catastrophic consequences! We don't know what kind of dark energy they possess, or how it could affect us."
Father's expression turned grim, his eyes clouding over with pain and exhaustion. "I know it's a risk, but we need to consider our options. We can't just leave their bodies here, and we need to replenish our strength. I'll take the risk, if no one else will."
Mother's face set in a determined expression. "You're not going to eat anything until you're healed, Aetherius. Your injuries are too severe, and I won't let you take any more risks." She raised her claws, and a soft, light green glow began to emanate from them, illuminating the darkening nest.
Father sighed, and he healed himself.
As the soft, light green glow from my father's body enveloped him, his wounds began to close, and his exhausted expression slowly gave way to a look of relief.
He took a deep breath, and his eyes, which had been sunken with pain, brightened with renewed vitality.
"Thank you," he said to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, as he stretched his newly healed wings.
Father, look at the shadow wings dead bodies and ready to eat it.
Father's gaze fell upon the lifeless bodies of the Shadow Wings, their dark, iridescent scales seeming to absorb the faint light around them. He took a deep breath, his expression resolute.
With a swift motion, Father bent down and grasped one of the Shadow Wings' bodies in his jaws. He paused for a moment, as if steeling himself for what was to come.
Then, with a sudden, decisive movement, Father swallowed the Shadow Wing's body whole.
Father smiled "Wow it really good!" He kept eating the many shadow wings dead bodies.
As Father continued to devour the Shadow Wings' bodies, his smile grew wider, and his eyes seemed to gleam with a mix of satisfaction and hunger. The sound of crunching scales and tearing flesh filled the air, accompanied by Father's contented sighs.
Mother watched him with a mixture of concern and disgust, her eyes fixed on the gruesome scene. "Aetherius, perhaps you should slow down," she said, her voice laced with caution.
Father shook his head and said "no I'm fine. I just need to finish devouring them!"
Father's words were punctuated by the sound of him tearing into another Shadow Wing's body. His eyes had taken on a frenzied glint, and his scales seemed to be absorbing the dark, iridescent colors of the Shadow Wings.
Mother's expression turned from concern to alarm as she realized Father was no longer in control. "Aetherius, stop!" she cried, her voice sharp with urgency. "You're going to make yourself sick!"
Father swallowed and looked at Mother "look I'm fine!" And continued eating.
Mother's alarm turned to horror as Father continued to devour the Shadow Wings' bodies with reckless abandon. She took a step forward, her claws extended in a futile attempt to stop him.
"Aetherius, please!" she begged, her voice trembling with fear. "You're going to poison yourself! Stop, before it's too late!"
Father has already finished all the shadow wings' bodies, and he burp a little.
Father let out a satisfied belch, his chest heaving with contentment. He wiped his mouth with the back of his claw, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
Mother stared at him, her eyes wide with a mix of shock, disgust, and fear. "Aetherius, what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling with dread.
Pov Aetherius
I gazed back at Thyriatrix, my smile faltering for a moment as I took in her horrified expression. I couldn't understand why she was reacting this way. I had simply eaten the Shadow Wings to regain my strength.
"What's wrong, my love?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion. "I just needed to replenish my energy. We have to keep our children safe."
Thyriatrix's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if searching for something. "Aetherius, you don't understand what you've done," she whispered, her voice laced with a mix of fear and urgency. "Consuming a Shadow Wing... it's not just a matter of regaining strength. It's... it's darkness, Aetherius. You've invited darkness into your body."
I chuckled, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, my love. I'm fine. I just feel... invigorated." But as I spoke, I began to feel a strange, creeping sensation within me. It was as if the Shadow Wings' darkness was spreading, seeping into my veins like a chill.
I shook my head, trying to clear the feeling. But it only seemed to intensify, growing stronger with each passing moment.
I giggled "well I did eat some females shadow wings here, and they may be carrying their offspring, so whatever!" I smiled proudly, and Thyriatrix face turned into horror.
Thyriatrix's eyes widened in terror as she stumbled backward, her claws grasping at the air as if searching for something to hold onto. "Aetherius, no... what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
I chuckled again, still feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. "What's the big deal? I just ate some Shadow Wings. It's not like I haven't done it before."
But Thyriatrix's expression only grew more horrified. "You don't understand, Aetherius. If those Shadow Wings were pregnant... their offspring will be inside you now. And they will grow, and they will change you..."
I laughed again, but this time, a hint of unease crept into my voice. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm a dragon. I can handle a few Shadow Wing offspring."
But as I spoke, I felt a strange, squirming sensation in my belly. It was as if something was moving inside me, twisting and turning in ways that seemed impossible.
I gave a force smile "huh I wonder why I feel something squirming inside my belly?!"
Thyriatrix's face contorted in a mix of fear and disgust. "Aetherius, it's the Shadow Wing offspring," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "They're growing inside you. Oh, gods, what have you done?"
I tried to laugh again, but it came out forced and unnatural. The squirming sensation in my belly was growing stronger, and I could feel a creeping sense of dread spreading through my veins.
I question, "So how long will they develop and grow?" I said nervously.
Thyriatrix's eyes seemed to cloud over, as if she was gazing into a dark and foreboding future. "It won't take long," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Shadow Wing offspring develop rapidly, especially when they're inside a host. You could start to feel the effects within hours, maybe even sooner."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I processed her words. Hours? Sooner? The squirming sensation in my belly seemed to intensify, as if the offspring were responding to our conversation.
Thyriatrix take a deep breath "but their has been reported it will take about 10-25 weeks, But they will be big!"
I stared at Thyriatrix, my mind reeling with the implications. "10-25 weeks?" I repeated, my voice shaking slightly. "And they'll be big?"
Thyriatrix nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with a deep concern. "Yes, Aetherius. Shadow Wing offspring grow rapidly, and they'll be fully formed dragons by the time they're ready to emerge. And when they do..."
She trailed off, leaving the unspoken consequences hanging in the air like a dark and foreboding cloud. I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine as I realized the true extent of what I had done.
I took a step back, my eyes wide with horror. "What do you mean 'when they emerge'?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Thyriatrix's expression was grim. "They'll tear their way out of your body, Aetherius. It's a violent and painful process. And once they're free..."
She hesitated, as if unsure of how to continue. But I knew. I knew exactly what she was thinking. The Shadow Wing offspring would be a threat to our entire family, to our very way of life.
I felt a wave of panic wash over me, followed by a cold, hard realization. I had made a terrible mistake. One that might cost me everything.
I stumbled backward, my mind reeling with the consequences of my actions. Thyriatrix's words echoed in my mind like a death sentence: "They'll tear their way out of your body..." I could feel a cold sweat trickling down my scales as I imagined the horror that was to come.
Thyriatrix took a step forward, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Aetherius, I'm so sorry. I don't know how to help you." Her voice cracked with emotion, and I could see the fear and uncertainty etched on her face.
I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. I had to think, had to find a way out of this nightmare. But my mind was a jumble of panic and dread, and I couldn't seem to focus. All I could think about was the terror that was growing inside me, waiting to tear its way out.
Tharros, look at me in horror. "Father?" He said, and I know he had a very strong bond towards me, and I know he is very scared.
Tharros began to wimpper and his ears folded from the side.
I gazed at Tharros, my heart aching at the sight of my child's distress. His eyes, once bright and full of wonder, were now wide with fear and uncertainty. The way he whispered "Father?" was like a dagger to my heart.
I tried to reach out to him, to comfort him, but my own fear and panic held me back. I didn't know how to reassure him, how to make him feel safe again. All I could do was stand there, frozen in my own horror, as Tharros's whimpering grew louder and his ears folded back in distress.
Thyriatrix stepped forward, her eyes filled with a deep sadness as she gazed at Tharros. She gently nudged him with her snout, trying to comfort him. "Tharros, it's okay. We'll figure this out. We'll find a way to make Father better."
But Tharros just whimpered louder, his eyes fixed on me with a desperate plea for reassurance. I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized I had let him down, that I had put him and our entire family in danger.
The weight of my mistake crushed me, and I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I stood there, frozen in anguish, as Tharros's terrified cry echoed through the air: "FATHER!"