The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 127

He must have gotten into a fight.

Aiden's gaze shifted to the side, landing on... hmm. It looked like a water container, fashioned from a thick, bamboo-like reed. He’s in this state, and he still won’t give up?

He stared at the gnoll. A closer look revealed small maggots writhing on the gnoll's supposedly 'strong' chest.

Tch. What an annoyingly tenacious creature.

"Gnoll. Go gather a pile of dry wood."

Garruk's body shuddered, an image of the red dragon roasting meat flashing in his mind. "Your will be done, great Red Lord." Bowing his head, Garruk grit his teeth, forced himself up, and stumbled into the jungle.

He drew his dagger with his right hand and began hacking at a sapling.

As he swung the blade, his eyes darted toward the deep jungle.

Run, a voice whispered in his mind. Run, he's going to kill you. He'll roast you on that fire, just like all the other meat. Run. Run!

He bit down hard. Blood trickled from his muzzle. The pain snapped his green eyes back into focus. No. Running is death. In this condition, he could never outrun the dragon. He’d felt himself growing weaker every day.

He replayed the dragon's gaze in his mind. He hadn't seen... hunger. Maybe he wasn't about to be eaten.

He sheathed the dagger and grabbed the bundle of wood with his good hand, dragging it.

It was a struggle. His head spun. He used to be able to run while carrying this much. Not anymore. Garruk's head hung low. He knew his body was failing.

He dragged the bundle before the red dragon and let it go, sinking to his knees. "Great Red Lord, Garruk has done as you commanded."

Aiden watched the bowing gnoll. Impressive mettle. He didn't even try to run. Not that he would have gotten far.

His maw opened.

Whoosh!

A stream of red fire shot over the gnoll's head and struck the wood pile. FWOOM! It instantly erupted in flames. Garruk's body went rigid as he felt the intense heat.

"Now, gnoll, do exactly as I say," came the young, cold voice.

"Yes, great Red Lord." Garruk resigned himself to his fate. Whatever this dragon wants... so be it.

"Put your dagger in the fire until it glows red."

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Garruk drew his dagger and did as commanded, thrusting it into the blaze. After a couple of minutes, the blade began to glow.

"Use it to cut the rot from your chest."

His hand paused, but he retrieved the dagger. Doing this... maybe he'd live. Refusing... was certain death.

Tsss! The glowing blade hissed as it touched the dead flesh. Garruk's green eyes instantly flooded with bloodshot veins.

A piece of rotten meat slapped onto the grass.

"Heat the blade. Continue," the cold, young voice commanded.

Gritting his teeth, his hand shaking, Garruk put the dagger back in the fire. In less than two minutes, it was glowing again. He grit his teeth and resumed his task.

This time, Garruk was ruthless. He aimed the blade at two large flaps of putrid flesh and sliced.

The stench of burnt, rotten meat filled the air.

Thud. As the flesh fell, the gnoll collapsed face-first onto the ground.

His long, red tail nudged the gnoll over, turning him face-up. The cauterized, blackened chest was still rising and falling. Still breathing. Not dead yet.

Aiden looked at the seared wound. No bleeding. Good.

His tail wrapped around the gnoll's ankle and lifted him, dragging him. He lifted his head and began walking toward the cliff face.

SMACK!

A sharp crack echoed from behind. He paused, turning his head to look at his tail. The gnoll's forehead was split open. His gaze flicked to a large rock on the ground. Oops. Must have hit that.

His tail lifted the inverted gnoll up to his face. Blood was trickling from the new gash, but his breathing was steady. Should be fine. He won't die from it. So, not a problem.

Yes. That's right.

His tail lifted higher, and he continued to the cliff. He rose onto his hind legs, and with a few rakes of his claws, he tore a small alcove, about ten feet deep, into the rock face.

He deposited the unconscious gnoll into the hole, letting him drop. His red tail uncoiled and retracted. His eyes lingered on the sleeping creature. Tch. Such a detestable, persistent creature.

He flared his red wings with a single, powerful WHOMP. The gust of wind ruffled the gnoll's fur.

Whoosh. He landed softly inside the lair, his red wings folding. He padded over and stopped in front of Bianca.

She had rolled over. Her two thick hind legs were splayed out stiffly, and her head was curled, resting on her front paws.

Looking at her round head, Aiden extended a red claw. A cool, smooth sensation. He rubbed her scales a few times, satisfied, then retracted his claw and lay down between her and the blue dragon.

His heavy eyelids drooped, the pink inner lids closing.

Alright, time to go... 'enlighten' that short-lived species. A commission from Providence is still a job that needs doing.

His consciousness sank, activating the fire Dominion. Following the link of the sigil, he easily invaded the short-lived species' mind.

He found himself in a familiar space. A void. Devoid of color.

Hmm. Did I take a wrong turn? Shouldn't a mortal's mind be filled with colors and memories?

He looked at the figure floating silently in the air. Golden hair, and atop it, a pure white crown.

Nope, this is the place. This is definitely my short-lived species contractor. A colorless mind... Heh heh heh... Seems my contractor isn't very happy with her life.

Right, time to start the show.

A red light bloomed in the void. Flames began to coalesce, slowly constructing a towering, imposing throne of fire. If you're going to put on a performance, you have to make it impressive.

Wait. The contractor has seen my dragon form.

His body began to shrink, and soon, the red-haired young boy with the fiery crown appeared.

There. She'll never recognize me like this.

Ugh, but this human form is so uncomfortable. And weak. Whatever. I'll just have to tolerate it.

He looked at the throne and started walking on his short little legs. He stopped in front of it, tilted his head back, and looked up... and up.

The seat alone was sixteen feet high.

Damn it. Too high.