The human soul is finite in quantity, yet infinite in its formation. Its shape is ironically similar to that of a galaxy with a mass at the centre, their “existence”, holding together many, many orbitals, namely “their emotions”. Some galaxies are more erratic, others were much calmer. Khalia had seen countless souls in her comparatively minuscule lifetime of seventeen years. It was her life after all. She was a soulstress; an existence with no background, no heritage and nowhere to call home. Born from the treacherous inter-racial love between a human and a Narskian, she was an unwelcome half-caste capable of communicating with such spirits.

From the beginning of her life there had never been love or tenderness. Oh she had acquaintances, certainly, but only when in need of her assistance did they greet her with honest vigour. She was at the young age of thirteen when finally she had left the village of her birth, disgusted by the two-faced nature of its inhabitants. From then on she wondered the continent of Alexstrasia, growing strong on her journey to search for an unknown past. But four years of lonesome travelling had begun to wear thin her hopes of a better future. Thoughts of connecting with her heritage had long left her mind. For now the stranded girl desperately wanted something to call her own, just a little something to hold the emotions that broiled aimlessly in her incomplete soul.

Khalia looked at the menacing lights of the city before her. According to her map it was the famous Dragonkeep of Brikard, but to her it was yet another meaningless town of pain and hatred.

She disliked even the idea of entering such a human cesspool, but there was no choice. Not coming into contact with humans may have been a want of magnitude, but food and water for her journey was in no doubt a need.

However, as she made way towards the twinkling lights of Brikard’s night market, her face grew sullen. She was still indecisive, it happens every time. For a moment she even stopped and took a step back. Perhaps a smaller town would be better, she thought. If she rationed it well, her supplies could still last the week.

Standing right at the brink of retreat only a single thought pushed her forward. A single powerful thought to whom only she could relate.

That perhaps…

…Perhaps here in the heart of her enemies, she might finally find a story to call her own.

Her thoughts still conflicted; she faced herself towards the city and stared at its extravagance.

As the clock tower struck twelve promising a night of good food, excellent prices and unmatched bargains, an extra pair of resolved footsteps began their solemn journey towards the bustling city of Brikard.

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“A human is but his impact on the world around him.” Hail smirked, “Going by that definition, you’d be quite dismal.”

I winced at the pain of his claws digging deep into my back and pat the floor in submission. He laughed heartily at my pathetic surrender then in a single elegant motion, swept himself off and back to his original stance.

“You’ve definitely improved.” He said, dusting off little petals of snow that had gathered on his back with his wings.

 “For chipping so many of my prized scales…you could perhaps finally pass off for an A.”

Nodding tiredly I laid back into the snow, letting its cool touch heal the burning welts on my well- worn skin.

“But as the Legend you make yourself to be?” Hail laughed again, “You’ll have to try a little harder than that child.”

“Okay, okay I get it.”

Chuckling a little, I glanced at the glimmering blade that Hail had preserved for us to duel. I was grateful for his meticulous selection. Certainly, the hefty item was a treasure trove of memories.

I still remember the day I first met this weapon.

‘It’s called a sword breaker.’ He had said.

At the beginning of my journey, I was resistant to the idea of killing fellow humans, but having no form of self-protection was inconceivable. So as suggested I settled to master a form of combat focused around disarming and forcing surrender. It was a foolish sentiment, but somehow I had made it work.

That, however, is not to say this sharpened blade had not seen its fair share of opposing blood.

Smiling with the memories of a past adventure, I sat up crossed legged, placed the weapon upon my legs and made sure to face the serrated edge towards me in case Hail made any sudden moves to “Test” my reaction.

Looking at the reflection within the experienced metal, I glided my fingers along the second edge, a smooth blade.

A unique weapon called for a unique set of skills. This weapon particularly was made for the purpose of lightning quick disarmament using the serrated edge. The second, sharper edge acted as an offensive tool when necessary. This combination of trap and slice had saved my life too many times to remember. It was also the manoeuvre that had initially made us famous.

“The Two Step” it was called.  

First, The Trap - Step in, trap your opponent’s blade in serrated edge. When caught, quick step to the right, switch to stab grip, twist down. Blade Broken.

Second, The Finish – Crouch step left, stabilize your stance. Swipe left across abdominals. Enemy Incapacitated.

“It’s a shame I’ll never personally experience it.” Hail frowned.

“Experience what?” I raised an eyebrow.

“The infamous two step.” He flapped, doing his best to imitate the act, “You were thinking of it just then, were you not?”

I sighed nostalgically.

“Yes. The “infamous” two step indeed.”  

“You’re easy to read my friend.” He laughed, “We might have to work on that when you inevitably return from limbo.”

“Indeed we might.”

Hail and I had discussed my plans ahead extensively while we fought and refreshed my basics. Two whole days of planning in fact, that’s not counting the first day of negotiations to reach an agreement. It was a rather impressive period of alone time with a dragon most would say. I even had to go out and hunt for dinner twice, something Hail heavily opposed but fortunately couldn’t stop. Finally, before I began my return trip to Brikard we decided to have a final bout to settle our differences. Unsurprisingly I had lost, but the satisfaction of chipping twenty or so of his scales, then immediately seeing his rather childish complaining was totally worth it.

“Hail.” I stood up and returned the blade to its sheath, “You don’t mind if I take some of the graveyard scales do you?”

The dragon snorted at my suggestion.

“Of course I do.” He grumbled, “Those are the scales of my ancestors that you’re always taking without permission.”

I chuckled. “You act as though I wasn’t in jail for 10 years.”

Hail paused then grumbled back, “Alright…Take them.  Anything else before you go? Oh-virtuous-human.”  

“No. No. That is all. My Oh-so-icy Overlord.”

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Now I’m not much of a nature guy, but when an over-sized pebble starts trembling really hard; that probably means something nasty is about to occur right? Right?

“Uh…” I gestured in Hail’s general direction.

“Hail! I think you might want to take a look!? “

I glanced at Hail then back at the shivering stone to confirm its existence then suddenly ‘SPLAT’ - a huge wet slop could be heard as an unidentified mass of disturbingly viscous goo slapped into my face.

I could hear Hail’s voice swirling in my mind as I shook my head of its assailant and blinked the stars away.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“What is it your imbecil…” was what he seemed to say at first, quickly followed by a regretful “ah.”

“What the hell!?” I swiped at the clear liquid as it threatened to invade every crevice of my body.

“I thought you were going to let me!” I spat out a piece of shale, and kicked at the rock in anger.

“Not my doing…” The reflective edges of Hail’s jaw pulled up as he smiled apologetically.

“Then who?” I grimaced.

Not even mentioning my current appearance, the sensation of this alien substance was utterly queasifying. Was that even a word? Heck I couldn’t care less at the time.

“Who would even do this?” I asked again.

Hail flapped his wing awkwardly as he responded. “Maybe a recently deceased Drakoni…?”

I frowned momentarily then gasped as I realised the gravity of his suggestion. The term Drakon was rarely used, but I for one knew what it meant.

“No way…” I shook my head, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Backing away from the EGG I searched frantically for any signs of newborn life, only to find its eyes locked to mine. The little animal’s eyes were a startling purple. They glared at me with wisdom that a hatchling should by no means have acquired, but I could almost feel them pry deep into my mind, seeking my identity, bonding with my being. That image of omnipotence, however, was quickly shattered when finally it was done searching, yawned at the exertion and quite literally dropped into a peaceful slumber.

I was released from its magic as soon as it fell to sleep, but it nonetheless left me with an unforgiving head ache. Hail watched on with a bemused smile, probably thankful that he wasn’t the one to discover this cradle of responsibility. What has been done could not be undone. Whether I liked it or not this dragonling was now mine to look after.

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The Drakon is less of a name or species, but more of a tier. Dragons are generally just called Dragons, well because nobody knows any better. However in actuality, there are five levels of dragons; of which Drakon is one and Ascended is another.

With Hail as an example of the revered Ascended strain, the Drakon is also extremely powerful, sitting at second highest, just one level below.  Most Drakons are candidates for the position of Ascended and thus have a bad relationship with Hail. That’s also probably why the deceased body of a Drakon was here, a foreigner in the graveyard of the Ice Drakes.

Drakoni are the females of the tier. Unlike their male counterparts they suffer immensely for their power. As I like to say, “With great power, comes great offspring.” And thus Drakoni have the horrid fate of carrying their eggs until death. What does that mean? That means Drakoni eggs can only be hatched after the death of its mother. It’s a rather depressing responsibility.

“Why was she here?” I asked anyway, the goo still dripping off my chin.

“What do you think?” Hail sighed, “She was trying to get Ascended or find a place to die perhaps.”

Gently, he picked up the heated body of the Drakon hatchling and inspected its scales.

“I don’t blame her.” He looked the young dragon up and down, “I would want to see my children as well, if I had any.”

Oh right. Ascended Drakoni don’t have to die upon giving birth. That’s probably why she was here.

“I see you have grown some real empathy.” I smiled at the gentle giant.

“Well she was a real beauty you know?” Hail grinned royally, “It was fun playing tussle before it all got serious.”

“Playing…tussle?”

Hail paused. “She was totally trying to seduce me.”

“Ah. I see.”

Appalled, I snatched the little bundle of scales from his claws.

“So. What can you tell me about it?” I asked, “Gender? Species? Food Preferences? Human Amicability?”

Hail nodded and bent down to tickle the dragonlings head.

“You, my friend, currently have the honour of holding a Keep Drakon.” He smiled nonchalantly, “It’s a she by the way.”

“Huh. Then call it a Drakoni.”

“The official name doesn’t include the female counterparts.”

“Oh.”

 “She’s special though.” Hail pointed out, “Her neck scales clearly show an aptitude for magic despite Keep Dragons usually being uncultured physical beasts.”  

He opened his wings like a man would open his palms. “What type? I don’t know. Her mother was just rather physical.”

“Stop the jokes. You’ll ruin her future with your unwashed mind.”

Hail flapped his wings repeatedly in embarrassment at my retort, creating a chilling draft in the cavern.

“I have a perfectly pure mind.” He growled, “It is you uneducated monkeys who take things in unwarranted directions.”

I waved off the accusations and continued to ask questions.

“Okay, okay. What about food preferences then? Presumed growth?”

“Well aren’t you a hypocrite Kastri? Asking for a young lady’s prospective three sizes?” Hail scoffed.

The baby dragon’s eye lids fluttered at the mention of ‘three sizes’ but eventually returned to rest. Deciding to take no chances, we sat quietly for a few moments before returning to our conversation.

“Food preferences… I would say caviar. Or gold.” He said.

 “Caviar? Gold?” I frowned, “That’s a huge leap from one to the other Hail… Are you making this up?”

The dragon turned to face the cavern walls.

“Are you serious right now?” I sighed, “I have to take care of this dragon and somehow convince him to do the same. There’s no space for your jaunts Hail.”

For a while Hail remained unmoved, but gradually he turned back and shrugged honestly.

“I don’t know the food preferences of a Keep Dragon, though I assume it’ll be high class human foods.” He said, “Keep Dragons are usually found in vaults or dungeons guarding their treasures, so that’s my best guess.”

“Really? Gold?” I laughed, “Your best guess was a dragon that eats gold?”

His tail twitched at my laughter, and he tried desperately to remain composed.

When all was done and I had finally completed my actual task, I began my return journey home.

Certainly the trip was a lot livelier with the company of a child. There was a certain joy in collecting food for the both of us during the two weeks that I relished immensely. It felt good to be back, to have a purpose again and for the first time in a long time, I embraced this feeling of contentment.

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ERMERGHERD THE DROUGHT ENDS. HAVE FUN READ YOUR CHAPTER! I'M OFF TO GAMING. FINALLY THE EXAMS END!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH WAIT FOR ME GAMESSSS!!! If you want to see more ridiculous text like this then visit my website here! ->https://aspiringnewbie.wordpress.com/ <- I've recently opened a blog and maybe you might take an interest in my boring writer life :D 

Beeps out.