Over the next couple days, Viliant cared for Fia as best he could. He lugged her to get water whenever another animal sacrificed itself to the alligatoise. When he hunted for them, he brought the best cuts of meat directly to her nose. In his spare time, he even gathered the coarse grasses and crinkly leaves to make a bed for her. Despite this opportunity for Fia to rest at the oasis, her condition continued to worsen. The telepathic connection between their minds slipped away, ultimately leaving behind an ominous silence.

"Fia," he whispered dolefully. Their vocal languages were different, so if Viliant wanted to talk to her, he could only meaningfully say her name. "Fia…." He scratched pitifully at her sickbed.

"Viliant," she uttered weakly with what little strength she had to acknowledge him. Her blue eyes flickered open. Each time that she did so, it was possibly the last glimpse that she would have of her friend. Those eyes which had once been welling with constant excitement now looked empty and dull.

"You're doing just fine. You're getting better," Viliant said in a language which only he could understand. The reassurances were for his own benefit, not hers.

"Hm," Fia hummed without reopening her eyes.

Between their cautious trips to the pond's shore, Viliant tried to make himself useful. Animals of all kinds emerged from the wasteland, attracted by the reservoir. If the dragons needed more water, then the newcomers were permitted to pass by the lurking, black dragon. If an animal looked like particularly easy prey, then Viliant intercepted it long before it could reach the alligatoise. Beyond the meat, the oasis had plentiful plant life which he took great interest in.

Viliant scavenged among the short, leafy plants. Occasionally, he sniffed and licked them in an attempt to discern their usefulness. I doubt I can make her condition any worse, he figured. The black dragon set to grazing, plucking and chewing everything which passed his rudimentary screening. Once he had a mouthful, he went back to Fia and spit the pulpy pile onto her oozing, infected shoulder.

With his mouth free, he said, "Fia." Viliant lowered his head against hers so that the organ which encoded their telepathy would be closer. He strengthened his end of the exchange and tried to mentally shout, Fia! I made my special blend of herbs. This will help you get better.

Though she said nothing in reply, Viliant could faintly feel her amusement and appreciation. Her tearful eyes opened, shedding tears with every blink. Her throat constricted with some hiccups, and her whole body trembled as she cried silently.

It's gonna be okay, Viliant said. Keep fighting it. Awkwardness consumed the older dragon because he did not know how to console an inconsolable situation, but he was not callous enough to walk away. His muscles constricted with a constant tension. Though he tried to stay calm for her sake, his elevated heart-rate gave away the distress caused by caring for his deteriorating friend. Viliant tilted his head back to the bright sky, moving their telepathy receptors away from each other. I'm so worried about her….

Once Fia had tuckered herself out and resumed her nap, Viliant was able to wander around again. Restlessly pacing helped ease his nerves. Plus, the previous days of patrolling the area gave him more confidence to venture farther away. Viliant wandered among the patchy grasses at the fringes of the oasis. Something soft tickled the bottoms of his feet, so he glanced down to see some small, hardy blossoms crushed beneath his claws. Flowers? he lifted his foot gingerly as he realized, I bet Fia would like these. Viliant tore up their stems and carried a crumpled bouquet back to her bed, planning to give her these the next time that she woke up.

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Fia rested so much, it was hard to tell the difference between a sound slumber and a wakeful period. After a successful trip to get water, he hoisted her back onto the nest of leaves. "Fia. Fia!" he chirped, nuzzling at her face to make sure that she did not go right back to sleep. Viliant fetched the bouquet and stood in front of her proudly at first.

The stems flopped over from his previous, rough treatment. Some petals scattered to the breeze, making him feel foolish for presenting her with such a ratty looking thing. Nevertheless, he laid it across her claws delicately. Since he was exhausted too, Viliant settled down next to her limp body and pressed the sides of their heads together. You like flowers. Get well soon.

Though it was doubtful that she understood him, Fia could feel the presence of her friend regardless. She leaned into him and snuggled beneath one of his wings. Much to his astonishment, the flimsy sound of her mental voice whispered in his head. You're my best friend, Viliant.

If the cold-blooded, cold-hearted dragon could feel his blood run any colder, then he surely would have. He nudged her back and said, You're my best friend too, Fia. The pink dragoness would likely keep that title forever because Viliant had no intentions to make any more friends after she passed.

The young dragon kept his eyes trained upwards, always watching for the adult to fly by. We need help, he was finally willing to admit.

***

Providence came the next day in the form of the dragon's silhouette in the sky. The protruding and slithering tail made it distinct from the vultures which liked to monitor Fia's progress.

Look, Fia! The adult's back! Viliant said as he flung his wing off her and jumped up from excitement. However, his positive reaction was muddled with apprehension. While the adult's reappearance was an unequivocal, good thing for Fia, it posed an unnecessary risk for Viliant. He still wanted nothing to do with this since he would survive on his own, but that did not prevent Fia from calling for help on her own.

Get up, Fia! He shook her vigorously to gain her attention. She needed to wake up, so that way, Fia could plead to the adult while Viliant hid in the bushes. You need to call for help!

"Huh?" Fia vocalized at first. She cracked open her eyes and lifted her head, but she was not alert enough or strong enough to do anything herself. When Viliant would not stop shaking her, she squealed and growled for him to knock it off.

If you want their help, you have to act now! Viliant yelled with the side of his head shoved against hers.

Can't you do it? Please?

When he pulled away slowly, he saw the begging, hopeful eyes of his best friend. Maybe gambling his own welfare would be worth a chance to save her precious life. "Tsk. Fine," he barked.

Viliant launched himself out in the open and landed with a wide stance to brace himself. Adrenaline was coursing through his veins. His instincts screamed at him to do anything but this. His throat even tightened up. Despite all this, Viliant let his chest swell with a big breath and tipped back his head. A piercing whistle peeled from his windpipe, the loudest, highest note that he could produce in hopes that it would carry. Between the pitiful cries, he hollered, "Help! Help us! Please!"

His mouth turned dry, and his voice turned hoarse. Viliant watched with his doubtful eyes watering from the effort as the dragon descended towards the oasis. Oh no. This is it. Please be half as outgoing as Fia….

At the risk of his own life, Viliant had called down the adult dragon for a chance at saving Fia.