Ermnzik: First to Fly (Chapter 1)

Salaei 1

I swam through the firaqua* and turned flips in it, churring happily. I shot out of the fire-water, and with two thrusts of my wings, I launched myself into the sky. I looked off towards the horizon instinctively and saw what looked like a enormous ball of fire hurtling towards the ground. I called to mother afraid and a bit confused and flew towards the cave to warn her. I saw the firaqua vibrating from the impact, I saw a large wave forming, threatening to swipe me out of the air and onto the rocks of the cliff face. I knew I didn't have much time left, I called to mother again and dived into the firaqua, I swam as deep as I could and lay still, the firaqua vibrating still around me. I knew I was safe here, I was and had always been safe here, I slowly drifted off to sleep, the flames of the water lapping against my body, comforting me as I fell asleep... 2

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*firaqua- The elemental water for fire, having a consistently warm temperature and heals the creatures of the flame element (such as dragons).
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Later I woke to find the firaqua calm once more. I swam to the surface and found the cave gone, buried beneath stones from the cliff face crumbling from the shaking caused by the impact. I called out for my mother, terrified, not knowing where she was. I called mentally, knowing it would get farther, not wanting to panic, telling myself she was going to come out soon and tell me everything was alright. 4

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I received a weak reply from mother, I couldn't understand what she had said though, she repeated it once and I strained to hear but still found that I could not, and then the silence I knew to be death came. I lay near the rubble from our no longer existent cave and whimpered, not knowing what to do now without mother around to guide me, terrified and alone. Even in my panicked state I couldn't help falling asleep once again, desperately hoping that the morning would bring some sort of hope... 5

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Tachaeil 6

I dug a way out of the rubble that had covered me, unable to believe how fortunate I had been, finding the Zelik that had surrounded me all crushed beneath the heavier rubble surrounding the cliff. I crawled out onto the pile and flexed my wings a bit, glad to find that I was merely a little scratched up and sore. 7

I extended my wings to their full length before launching myself into the air. I flew up in the air and began to look around for something to eat. I found an young nayyi* in a field of ground plants nearby and dived for it, snapping its neck and flying with it back to my cave before feasting upon the carcass. 8

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*Nayyi- horse like creatures with slightly rounded ears and greenish stripes across their face, of the ground element, they are primarally herbivores. 9

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Zeil 11

I jump and snaps. Bones crunching in mouth. I eat the dragon's flesh, tastes good to Zeil. Big rock hit near dragon home. Many die. Big feast for I and clan. I finishes piece of dragon and gnaws on bones. Zeil hears dragon cry and raises head to listens. Is young dragon, frightened, alone. I open mouth, blood drip down Zeil chin. Dragon sound too young to defend self, no fire breath yet. Easy food, soft flesh. Makes I hungry to thinks of it. 12

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Salaei 13

I woke as the stars rose in the sky and I flew up into the air. I called out once for another dragon and begged for them to reply. I however, received no reply once more. I flew around and spotted a sarrik* munching on some ground plants. 14

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*sarrik- a cabbit like creature of the ground element, they are also primally herbivores.
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I swooped down and caught it in my claws, snapping its neck quickly. I threw it into the air and caught it in my jaws. I chewed for a moment and swallowed the mouthful gladly, not sure when I'd eat again. I flew around in circle examining my glistening scales as I had shed my scales just before Mother had died. 16

I did a couple flips and called out happily, momentarily forgetting my predicament. I flew to the lake of firaqua and dived into it. I popped back up and blew the fire-water out of my mouth. I churred happily and shot to the sky calling out joyfully. I nearly fell from the air in shock as I finally received a reply, stopping mid-flip "Hello?" I asked, curious. The reply came instantly 'Who are you, why do you cry so?' the dragon asked. 17