We set out early the next morning, the three of us making our way through the winding tunnels of our mountain cave.
Father led the way, his eyes fixed on the path ahead as he navigated us through the familiar terrain.
Lyriath walked beside him, his eyes shining with excitement and a hint of nervousness. I brought up the rear, my gaze scanning our surroundings out of habit.
As we walked, the air grew cooler and the light from the entrance grew dimmer.
We were leaving our clan's territory behind, venturing into the unknown in search of the legendary scale restorer.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was all just a wild goose chase, but Lyriath's hope was infectious.
I found myself wanting to believe that we might actually find someone who could help him.
After a few hours of walking, we emerged from the cave and into the bright sunlight.
The landscape stretched out before us, a vast expanse of mountains and valleys that seemed to go on forever.
Father consulted a worn map, his eyes squinting as he studied the terrain.
"Which way do you think we should go?" he asked, looking up at us.
Lyriath and I exchanged a glance. We had no idea, but we were ready to follow Father's lead.
"Let's just pick a direction and go," I said, shrugging.
Father nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Alright, then. Let's head east. We'll follow the mountain range and see where it takes us."
And with that, we set off into the unknown.
We spread our wings and flew off, taking to the sky.
The wind rushed past us as we soared, the mountains and valleys unfolding below us like a vast, green canvas.
Lyriath whooped with excitement, his wings beating strong and sure as he led the way.
Father flew beside him, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the scale restorer.
I brought up the rear, my wings gliding effortlessly on the updrafts as I gazed out at the breathtaking view.
As we flew, the landscape unfolded below us like a map. We saw sparkling streams, shimmering waterfalls, and towering peaks that seemed to touch the sky.
The wind buffeted us with gentle turbulence, but we rode the currents with ease, our wings beating in perfect synchrony.
After a while, Father banked to the left, his wings tilting as he changed direction.
Lyriath followed suit, and I adjusted my flight to match theirs. We flew over a ridge, and suddenly, a stunning vista unfolded before us.
A vast, crystal-clear lake lay nestled in the heart of the mountains, its surface reflecting the sky like a mirror.
"Look!" Lyriath exclaimed, his voice carrying on the wind. "A lake! Maybe we can find some clues about the scale restorer here."
Father nodded, his eyes scanning the shoreline. "Let's take a closer look. Maybe we'll find some signs of civilization."
We began our descent, our wings beating slowly as we glided towards the lake's surface.
The water sparkled below us, inviting us to explore its secrets. What would we find on the shores of this mysterious lake?
As we journeyed on, the sun beat down on us, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain. We walked in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Lyriath's eyes seemed to gleam with a mix of excitement and trepidation, while Father's expression was set in a determined mask. I watched the ground beneath my feet, my senses on high alert for any signs of danger.
The landscape shifted and changed as we walked, the mountains giving way to rolling hills and then to dense forests. We followed a narrow stream, its crystal-clear waters providing a welcome respite from the heat of the sun. The sound of birdsong filled the air, and the scent of blooming flowers wafted through the breeze.
As the day wore on, we came across a small clearing. In the center of the clearing stood an ancient tree, its branches twisted and gnarled with age. Father nodded towards the tree, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"This looks like a good place to rest," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Let's take a break and eat something."
We settled down beneath the tree's branches, pulling out dried meat and fruit from our packs. As we ate, Lyriath's gaze wandered to the surrounding forest, his eyes filled with wonder.
"I've never seen so many trees in one place," he said, his voice full of awe.
I smiled, remembering the countless times I'd explored these woods as a youngling. "There's a lot to see in this world," I said, my voice soft. "We're just starting to scratch the surface."
Father watched us, a small smile playing on his lips. "And we're doing it together," he said, his eyes warm with affection.
You've already corrected the mistake.
the next part:
As we settled in for the night, I noticed that Lyriath seemed a bit restless.
He kept glancing arouSnd the cave, his eyes shining with a mix of excitement and unease.
"What's wrong, Lyriath?" I asked, my voice low.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I don't know, Tharros. I just have a feeling that we're not alone out here."
Father's eyes snapped open, his expression alert. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice firm.
Lyriath's eyes darted around the cave again, as if searching for something. "I don't know, Father. It's just a feeling I've had since we arrived here. Like we're being watched."
I frowned, my senses on high alert. "I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary," I said, trying to reassure him.
Father's expression turned thoughtful. "We'll keep a close eye out tonight, just in case. But for now, let's try to get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."
We settled back in, trying to get some sleep. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that Lyriath's instincts might be right.
That we might not be alone in the forest after all.
As I lay there, my ears picked up the slightest sounds of the forest. The rustling of leaves, the hooting of an owl in the distance, and the faint creaking of branches. But amidst all these familiar sounds, I detected a faint, almost imperceptible rustling. It was soft, like the quiet padding of paws on the forest floor.
My heart rate quickened as I turned my head, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. Lyriath's eyes met mine, and I could see the same concern reflected in them. Father, however, seemed to be sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
The rustling grew louder, and I could feel my senses on high alert.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness outside the cave, its eyes glowing in the faint moonlight.
I look at Father and Lyriath. "Let leave now!" I said loudly.
Father's eyes snapped open, and he quickly sat up, his expression alert. Lyriath was already on his feet, his eyes fixed on the shadowy figure outside the cave.
"What's going on?" Father asked, his voice low and urgent.
I gestured towards the entrance of the cave. "There's something outside," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Father's gaze followed mine, and his eyes narrowed as he took in the shadowy figure. "Let's go," he said, his voice firm.
We quickly gathered our belongings and made a hasty exit from the cave, our senses on high alert as we faced the unknown threat outside.
Father's eyes snapped open, and he quickly sat up, his expression alert.
Lyriath was already on his feet, his eyes fixed on the shadowy figure outside the cave.
"What's going on?" Father asked, his voice low and urgent.
I gestured towards the entrance of the cave. "There's something outside," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Father's gaze followed mine, and his eyes narrowed as he took in the shadowy figure.
"Let's go," he said, his voice firm.
We quickly made a hasty exit from the cave, our claws digging into the rocky ground as we faced the unknown threat outside.
I removed the mention of belongings, as dragons wouldn't need to carry any.
We emerged from the cave, our eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
The shadowy figure had moved closer, its features still indistinct in the darkness.
"Let's move," Father said, his voice low and urgent. "We don't know what that thing is."
We quickly made our way through the forest, our claws digging into the earth as we moved.
The shadowy figure followed us, its presence felt but not seen.
After what felt like hours of walking, we finally saw a glimmer of light in the distance.
As we emerged from the trees, we saw a small village nestled in the valley below.
"Where are we?" Lyriath asked, his eyes scanning the village.
"I think we're close to the Scales Restorer's village," Father said, his eyes fixed on the village below. "Let's hope we can find him and get your scales fixed."
We made our way down to the village, our eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
As we entered the village, we saw an old dragon sitting outside a small hut.
"Welcome, travelers," the old dragon said, his eyes twinkling with age. "I am the Scales Restorer. What brings you to my village?"
Father stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the old dragon. "We've come seeking your help," he said. "Our son's scales were damaged, and we heard that you might be able to fix them."
The old dragon's eyes narrowed as he took in Lyriath's scales. "Ah, yes. I see the problem," he said. "But don't worry, I'm confident that I can help you."
I replaced "our senses on high alert" with "our claws digging into the earth" to better fit the Western dragon theme. I also added gaps to the response as instructed.
The old dragon nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Please, come inside. We'll discuss the details of your son's scales and see what can be done."
We followed the old dragon into his hut, our claws clicking on the wooden floor as we moved. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and spices, and the sound of gentle humming filled the air.
The old dragon gestured for us to approach, and we settled onto the floor, our tails curling around us. Lyriath's eyes were wide with wonder as he took in the intricate carvings and colorful tapestries that adorned the walls.
The old dragon smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll need to take a closer look at your scales, young one," he said, his voice gentle. "But first, let us share a bowl of tea and discuss the journey that brought you to my village."
He poured a steaming bowl of tea from a delicate ceramic cauldron, and handed it to Father. The aroma of the tea filled the air, rich and earthy, and we sipped it gratefully, feeling our weariness begin to fade.
I replaced the stools with the floor, and the cup with a bowl, to better fit the draconic theme.
I also removed the mention of cushioned stools, as they might not be suitable for dragons.
The old dragon took a closer look at Lyriath scales "wow you have navy-blue and dark and blood-red colors scales!"
Father sighed "Yeah but he used to have full-on navy-blue scales, but Tharros here burned it, and the dark and blood-red scales are the burned scales that he caused"
The old dragon's eyes widened in surprise. "Ah, I see," he said, his voice filled with understanding. "Tharros, you say? That's a powerful name, and it seems like a fitting one, given the... intensity of the damage."
He leaned in closer, his claws gently touching Lyriath's scales. "Tell me, young one, how does it feel to have these... changed scales?"
Lyriath's voice was barely above a whisper. "It's... different. It feels like a part of me is missing, like something's not quite right."
The old dragon nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Losing one's original scales can be a difficult experience. But don't worry, I'm confident that I can help you restore your navy-blue scales to their former glory."
The old dragon looked closely at Lyriath scales, and he frowned. "I may have a history of restorering scales in the past, but this is what I can't repair!" The old dragon said.
The old dragon's frown deepened, and he shook his head. "I've seen many damaged scales in my time, but this... this is beyond my skill."
He looked at Lyriath with a serious expression. "The damage is too extensive, and the scales are not just damaged, they're... tainted. Whatever Tharros used to burn your scales has left a dark residue that's embedded deep within the tissue."
The old dragon's voice was laced with a hint of concern. "I'm afraid that even if I could repair the scales, there's a risk that the taint could spread, causing further damage. I'm not sure if I can help you, young one."
The old dragon's words hung in the air, and Lyriath's eyes dropped, his expression a mix of disappointment and worry. Father's face fell, and he looked at the old dragon with a pleading expression. "Is there nothing you can do?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
The old dragon hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he considered Lyriath's scales. "There is one thing," he said slowly. "A rare herb, found only in the depths of the Darkforest, is said to have the power to purify the taint. But it's a perilous journey, and I'm not sure if it's worth the risk."
Lyriath's eyes snapped up, a glimmer of hope in his gaze. "I'll do it," he said, his voice firm. "I'll go to the Darkforest and find the herb."
Father's expression turned stern. "No, Lyriath. It's too dangerous. I won't let you go alone."
The old dragon nodded in agreement. "I concur. The Darkforest is no place for a young dragon to venture alone. But... if you're willing to take the risk, I can give you a map that will lead you to the herb."
The old dragon asks father, "So how did his scales turn dark and blood-red?"
Father sighed "it not important!"
The old dragon's eyes narrowed, his expression intrigued. "I'm not sure if I can help you, young one," he said, his voice gentle but serious. "But I'd like to know more about what happened to your scales."
Father hesitated, his eyes darting to me, then to Lyriath. "It's just... a complicated story," he said finally.
I spoke up, my voice clear. "I did it," I said, my eyes meeting the old dragon's gaze. "I accidentally burned Lyriath's scales with my fire."
The old dragon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Your father already told me that earlier!"
I blushed in embarrassment. "Oh right, Father did tell you that earlier," I said in an embarrassment tone.
The old dragon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, young one," he said with a smile. "We've all been there, repeating ourselves in the heat of the moment."
He nodded, his expression turning serious once more. "Now, let's focus on finding a solution for Lyriath's scales. As I was saying, the damage is quite extensive, but I think I can help you find a way to repair them."
He leaned forward, his eyes locked on Lyriath's scales. "But first, I need to take a closer look. May I?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Father sighed "fine Tharros and Lyriath and Thyriatrix, their mother, by the way! Go to the guardian tree to heal Lyriath burned up scales and base on what they told me is that after Lyriath dipping on the water it heal his scales but it turn his burned scales into dark and blood-red as you see right now!"
The old dragon seemed surprised and said, "Interesting, yeah, I can see that!"
Father continued explaining, "and the guardian tree said that Lyriath is a dragon of the night!"
Father hesitated for a moment before responding, "The guardian tree said that Lyriath's transformation is a sign of great change and power. It also warned us that Lyriath's new form may attract unwanted attention from those who seek to harness the power of the Dragons of the Night."
The old dragon's expression turned serious, his eyes clouding with concern. "I see," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "The guardian tree's words are wise and cautionary. We must be careful to protect Lyriath from those who would seek to exploit his newfound powers."
He paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered Lyriath's new form. "But tell me, how does Lyriath feel about his transformation? Does he understand the implications of his new powers?"
Lyriath spoke up, his voice clear and confident. "I understand that my transformation comes with great responsibility, and I'm willing to learn how to control my powers and use them for good."
I question "wait what will they do to Lyriath?!" I said.
The old dragon's expression turned grave, his eyes serious. "Those who seek to harness the power of the Dragons of the Night will stop at nothing to claim Lyriath's abilities for themselves," he said, his voice low and ominous.
He leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "They will try to capture Lyriath, to study and experiment on him, to unlock the secrets of his powers. They will use every means at their disposal to break him, to bend him to their will, and to exploit his abilities for their own gain."
The old dragon's words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a surge of protectiveness towards Lyriath. "We won't let that happen," I said, my voice firm and determined. "We'll do everything in our power to keep Lyriath safe."
As Father and Lyriath get ready to leave and go back home, I look at the old dragon and question, "What is your name, and how old are you?"
The old dragon's expression softened, and he smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "My name is Arcturus," he said, his voice warm and gentle. "And as for my age, I am a mere 800 years old, give or take a few decades."
He chuckled, his laughter like a low rumble of thunder. "I know, I know, I'm still a young dragon at heart, but the years have taken their toll on my body. I'm afraid I'm not as spry as I used to be."
Arcturus's eyes sparkled with mirth, and I couldn't help but smile at his playful demeanor. Despite his advanced age, he seemed to possess a youthful energy and a deep wisdom that was both captivating and reassuring.
Father heard me and ran towards me and shut my mouth. "I'm so sorry that he questioned your age! That was disrespectful and impolite and rude!" Father, look at me in anger and my ears folded back.
I felt a surge of embarrassment and shame as Father scolded me. My ears folded back, and I looked down, avoiding Arcturus's gaze. I knew I had been rude and impolite, and Father's reaction only made me feel worse.
But to my surprise, Arcturus chuckled and placed a gentle claw on Father's shoulder. "No need to apologize, my friend," he said, his voice warm and soothing. "The young one is simply curious, and curiosity is a sign of intelligence and a thirst for knowledge."
Arcturus looked at me, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "Besides, I think I've had my fair share of teasing about my age over the centuries. It's quite refreshing to have someone ask directly."
Arcturus laughed out loud, "Like the one time you and your family came here for you and your siblings to meet me the first thing you ask is how old I am and your father did the same thing what you are doing now!" Arcturus couldn't stop laughing, and father blushed by embarrassment as he remembered at that time.
Father's face turned bright red with embarrassment as he remembered the past incident. He looked like he wanted to sink into the ground, his eyes darting around in an attempt to escape the awkward situation.
Arcturus's laughter grew louder, and he doubled over, holding his belly. "Oh, the look on your face is priceless!" he exclaimed, tears streaming down his eyes.
I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Father's embarrassment, and even Lyriath cracked a smile. It was clear that Arcturus had a good sense of humor and wasn't one to hold grudges.
I managed to get his claws of my mouth "did father question your age? And how old is he at that time!"
Arcturus's laughter slowly subsided, and he wiped tears from his eyes. "Ah, yes, your father did indeed question my age," he said with a chuckle. "And at that time, I was a mere 723 years old."
He looked at Father, who was still blushing. "Your father was quite the curious one, even back then. He asked me how old I was, and when I told him, he looked at me with wide eyes and asked if I was 'almost as old as the mountains'."
Arcturus burst out laughing again, and I couldn't help but join in. Father's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and he looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock.
I look at Father "wait that means when Father was 7 years old like my age now!"
Father's face turned an even deeper shade of red as he realized the implication. He looked at me with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement, and I could tell he was remembering his childhood antics.
Arcturus chuckled and nodded his head. "Ah, yes, that's right! Your father was indeed a curious 7-year-old, just like you are now, Tharros."
I looked at Father with a grin, feeling a sense of connection to him. "Wow, Father, it seems like some things never change," I said with a laugh.
Arcturus laugh "look like Tharros has indeed inherent many things from you, Aetherius!" Father nodded slowly, still embarrassed.
Arcturus's words brought a smile to Father's face, and he nodded in agreement. "Yes, it seems Tharros has indeed inherited my curiosity and... lack of tact," he said with a chuckle.
I looked at Father with a grin, feeling happy that he was taking Arcturus's teasing in stride. "Hey, someone has to keep things interesting around here," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Arcturus laughed again, and the tension was broken. The three of us shared a warm moment, enjoying each other's company and the lighthearted banter.
Father sighed "alright Tharros let go home and Lyriath, you too!" Lyriath nodded.
I nodded in agreement, feeling a bit relieved that our visit with Arcturus was coming to an end. "Yeah, I'm getting a bit hungry anyway," I said, stretching my arms and yawning.
Lyriath nodded in agreement, and the two of us followed Father as he led the way out of Arcturus's dwelling. As we walked, I turned back to wave at Arcturus. "Thanks for the visit, Arcturus! We'll come back soon!"
Arcturus smiled and waved back, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "Anytime, Tharros. Take care, and don't get into too much trouble!"
As we walked out, we spread our wings and took off to the sky.
Lyriath sighed. "You know Tharros, did you knowtest arcturus size? He is massive! It's bigger than Father!" I nodded
Father growled "alright enough with about questioning and curious about arcturus! He is a nice dragon, by the way!" Father growled even louder.
As we flew through the sky, Lyriath chuckled and nudged me with his wing. "I think Father's getting defensive about Arcturus," he whispered. I grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Lyriath.
We began our descent, and the cave entrance came into view. Father smiled, relieved to be home. "Let's go inside," he said, leading the way into the cool, damp interior.
We settled into our usual routine, and I felt a sense of comfort and familiarity. It was just another normal day in our mountain home.
As we walked into the cave, Lyriath and I exchanged a look, both of us grinning from our earlier teasing of Father. We settled into our usual spots, and Mother came over to greet us, her light green scales shimmering in the dim light.
"Welcome back, boys," she said, nuzzling us gently. "How was your visit with Arcturus?"
Lyriath and I exchanged a look, and I shrugged. "It was fine, Mother. Arcturus is always interesting to talk to."
Mother nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm sure he is. Your siblings are waiting for you in the main cavern. Why don't you go join them?"
Lyriath sighed. "He said that he can't fix my original navy-blue scales back." his ears drooped.
I felt a pang of sympathy for Lyriath, seeing his disappointment. "It's okay, Lyriath," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "Your new scales are pretty cool, too. The dark and blood-red and navy-blue look really good together."
Lyriath looked at me uncertainly, his ears still drooping. "Do you really think so?" he asked, his voice a little wistful.
I nodded. "Yeah, I do. You're still the same Lyriath to me, no matter what color your scales are."
I smiled. "After all you did said back a few years ago, you said that you feel stronger after you got your new scales!" Lyriath smiled back and nodded.
"That's true," Lyriath said, his smile growing wider. "I did say that, didn't I? And it's still true. I do feel stronger with my new scales."
He flexed his wings, and I could see the dark and blood-red and navy-blue scales glinting in the dim light of the cave. "I think they're pretty awesome, actually," he said, his voice filled with pride.
I chuckled, happy to see Lyriath's confidence boosted. "I'm glad you're feeling good about your scales again," I said, grinning at him. "You were a bit down about them earlier."
Lyriath nodded, his smile still on his face. "Yeah, I was. But talking to you helped me remember why I liked my new scales in the first place."
I smiled. "And that is why you are the dragon of the night!"
Lyriath's eyes lit up, and he let out a triumphant roar. "Yes, I am the dragon of the night!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing off the cave walls.
He spread his wings, and the dark and blood-red and navy-blue scales seemed to shimmer and glow in the dim light. I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for my brother's unique appearance.
As Lyriath stood proudly, his wings spread wide, the other dragons in the cave began to take notice. They turned to look at him, their eyes shining with interest and admiration.
Father, Aetherius, smiled warmly at Lyriath. "You are indeed a magnificent sight, my son," he said, his voice filled with pride. "The Dragon of the Night, a title well-deserved."
Mother, Thyriatrix, nodded in agreement. "Your unique scales and abilities make you a valuable member of our family, Lyriath. We are all proud to call you our own."
Lyriath's eyes shone with happiness as he basked in the praise of his family. He folded his wings, his scales still glimmering in the dim light, and smiled at us. "Thanks, everyone. I'm just happy to be me."
As Lyriath smiled, the cave erupted in a chorus of cheers and applause from the other dragons. Vyraxys, Nyxoria, Lyrixa, Kaidorix, Kieraxys, and Niamon all joined in, their voices and clapping filling the cave with joy and celebration.
I grinned, feeling happy for my brother. It was moments like these that reminded me of how lucky we were to have such a loving and supportive family.
As the applause died down, Father spoke up again. "Well, I think that's enough celebration for one day. Let's all head back to our usual activities and enjoy the rest of our evening."
The dragons all nodded and began to disperse, returning to their various pursuits. Lyriath and I exchanged a look, and then we both headed off to find something to do, feeling content and happy after our moment of celebration.