I held Hickory close, and took to the air and started flying. We can finally go home, and relax. The wind blew over me as I held Hickory a bit further from my body so he could see the ground we flew through the sky. I smiled at this. After so much I have Hickory, and on my way home.

“Hey, Lost. What was that?” Hickory asked.

“What was what?” I asked curiously, to what he ment.

“In that fight, you seemed different. Not quite yourself. Are you okay?” He asked me.

I thought about it. I think I know what he is talking about, and admittedly I am not sure how to respond. I know it has to do with the abyss, but how would I even explain something like that. Thinking about it, I barely remember the fight. The moments I remember were more like I was watching myself fight then be in real control.

“I was a little upset that people had attacked our home.” I admitted, hoping leaving the details out might be fine.

He seemed to go back to thinking, not quite satisfied with my answer, but I wasn't going to go into details. Thinking about it I couldn't really describe how it felt. I try to keep my mind at ease. I don't need to excite the abyss or think it can have its way with my mind.

Flying over the mountains I took a big break and relaxed. At this point I don't think anything can stop us from getting home. I was surprised when I saw that shade, I didn't feel it till I was at the castle. I wonder if it knew hiding in the castle would stop me from detecting it. I have seen the ancients, I know how strong shades can get, but I haven't really heard of shades being really smart when they are not ancients. Seeing the mountain coming up dragged me from my thoughts.

“We are almost home Hickory, how are you holding up?” I asked him.

“Tired. I have not yet been able to go to bed.” He noted.

“That's fair, maybe we can sleep in my cave today.” I pointed out.

“As long as I get some wood for a fire.” He countered with.

I nodded and lowered down. I grabbed up a tree, and pulled it out of the ground. I flew back up higher with Hickory in my front paws, and clinging to the tree with my hind claws. With everything ready I take us up into my cave, so we might finally rest. I land at the entrance to the cave, setting the tree down first, before properly landing, then setting Hickory down gently.

“So, how are you doing, Hickory?” I asked, as I grabbed up the tree and started breaking it apart into usable bits for him.

“I am just glad to see you home, and both of us make it back safe right now.” He admitted.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Did you use fire mana?” I asked.

“Yes, it's different from how you described it. I still use mana, but I can't use water. I only do fire though.” He explained, to me.

I nodded, I won't pretend to understand how mana might work differently in other creatures, as mine is already. I can force it to act more normal than before the serpents, but I definitely feel a lot more narrow than I was before. I also tend to use mana like serpents. I wonder if I can get away with subtle uses of mana. Little serpents. I am not sure what I could do with that, but it's an idea.

“Okay, so that makes sense. Dragons only tend to use one mana. There are dragons which can use two, I have heard of three, but really most dragons really specialize in which they get from birth. Like mine is water. Though a dragon may specialize in one aspect, they can develop specific abilities. Like mine is Ice. I heard some dragons try to brag about theirs.” I explained it to him.

“I see, well that sounds nice being born with it, rather than what I had to go through.” He chuckled.

“You must’ve done it while I was gone. Oh! I met the remnants of a really cool dragon! He helped me a lot, and I found really cool things I can do. I found some cool mana’s. Like this glowy one.” I excitedly exclaimed, as my scales started to glow.

I watched his eyes widen as he seemed to really think, wondering how I started glowing. When I started glowing the light casted glittering sparkles across all the walls. It created spectacular lights, shining. Hickory came over to me with some wood and set it on fire, before leaning against me and sitting down in the cave.

I wrapped myself around him and the fire, before closing my eyes, and letting a smile slowly spread across my face. I was happy and content. If nothing else changed from now, I would be happy. Slowly the darkness of slumber took me away from such a peaceful place.

I opened my eyes to discover this will not be a peaceful rest. I found myself far from home and my body, as I found myself in some weird place. I looked around and I found myself standing on a strange road. Around me are statues of grand dragons that seem to stretch in two directions. One leading to a mountain, and the other way seems to go one for so long I can't see the end.

I looked at the statue in front of me. It seems to be a really detailed dragoness. She stood proudly looking into the distance, a plaque under the statue mentions her mate being Cataegis. I was shocked that this is a statue of his mate! I wonder if she is around so I can tell her I found him!

I looked around again only to remember that I am alone. I nodded at that realization. Maybe I will just save it for later. Though I wonder if it's an earth dragon making such detailed dragons, it's like she is standing in front of me. I looked to the mountain building and started wondering in that direction. Maybe there I can get some answers.