Dragon Rider (Denthris and LilGunner)

[Denthris]

Zelkrith is a dying planet, once a vibrant world, rich and saturated with magic. A world with floating cities, and massive towers that stretches to the skies into the clouds. Animated machinery able to most of the basic work, and nearly every was able to wield magic, along with Dragon's of massive size soaring the skies. Yet then there was the wars, battles that unleashed spells that are still changing the face of the world even years after the battle. Thick forests, grow at accelerate rates and that took over large cities. Vast segments of land simply burn as as an an ever expanding deserts spread endlessly, killing life.

Magic is now feared and stigmatized and mot of the Dragons have fled as their no longer enough Magic for them to safely survive. Yet Magic is still needed, as the fire is needed to halt the growth of the forest, Ice and Water is needed to stop the spread of the deserts, and some Dragons seek to remain here, not willing to watch and let the planet die. Yet those born with Magic are taken to the Dragons. As human and Dragon are paired as a child with a young Dragon. A Bond is formed between them, allowing the Dragon to get needed magic and in return the Human gets to Absorb the Dragon's essence, their life extended. These people have become known as Riders.

The closer the Dragon is Rider the Stronger the bond between the two, the more magic the Dragon can adsorb, allowing it to get older and larger and the stronger the Rider gets, the longer they live.

Yet Dragon and its rider are tested, before they get the official title. They are to enter the forest, find one of the ruins of the former civilization and bring back something from the former age, that might help or aid the survival of the planet. Yet as the forest continue to claim the lands, these forests are teaming with dangerous creature and quite often also claim the lives of the Dragon or the rider. Without a Dragon, the Rider will never make it long enough to get out of the Forest, and without the Rider, the Dragon will run out of magic, and eventually go feral, magic starve will creatures that have simply lost their mind.

Most the the time, if the options are available, they try to match their Dragon and Rider with the same gender, and magic, gifts of Fire to a Red Dragon, or the Gifts of Water to to a Blue. Yet this is not always possible and sometimes challenging pairings are formed. Some succeed despite the odds, most fail to be able to work together.

Zikir a eager and proud, young Red Dragon, was paired and matched with Aira, a child born with the gifts of Ice magic. While both their gifts of magic are badly needed, they have struggled to work together well, and yet they still must go through this test. They are doing their final preparations, to go out and descend into the Forest.

 

[LilGunner]

"Oh come on! It's exciting isn't it? You'll finally have your title," Elise said excitedly, bouncing on her bed. The blond had always been excitable, fun, and friendly. Aira's friend ever since her less than pleasant arrival at the compound. She had never wanted to be there in the first place. Aira had been ten when her magic manifested. Her life had been set and she had been happy about. Learning how to be a proper lady in every aspect, her needlepoint was exquisite, she could sing and dance, play the harp and flute, manage a household. Hell, she had even been betrothed. The young man was, well, perhaps a bit plain, at ten it hardly mattered to her yet. Five years her senior but he was kind, gentle, and often made time to visit her. All of it changed, snatched away in a violent, icy blast. A nightmare had gripped her in the night, unleashing something she wished would have just stayed locked within. A violent storm of ice and snow blasted through the modest keep where she lived. Not just above it, but through every corridor, every room. When she was shaken awake by her handmaid the damage was done. Her hair had turned from buttery yellow to frosty white, green eyes became the icy blue of a clear winter sky. And people had died. It wasn't long until she was packed off to the compound and thrust into a pairing with him.

"Yes, delight of my life," Aira said with a huff. Her white hair was braided back into a painfully simple bun. "Stuck forever with Zikir." She groaned at sat down, rubbing her hands across her face in annoyance. The young noble only let herself have a second before standing again and continuing to pack. A few sets of extra clothing, plenty of socks of course. There was no real way to tell how long they would be gone, how long it would take to find something useful. There was also a real possibility the could die. With their track record that was the more likely option.

Elise watched, pity clouding her dark blue eyes. "It must be weird, paired so oppositely," she said, leaning back on her hands. "And with a male dragon too. Ixral and I get along really well," she said with a smile. Aira glanced over, glaring at first but couldn't help a small smile. Everyone got along with Elise, it was impossible not to. The water mage was, quite possibly, the kindest person Aira had ever known. Ixral was the aggressive one in their bond, but even that was tempered by Elise's nature. Aira would never say it aloud but she was a bit jealous of Elise.

Aira moved about the room, double checking for anything else she might need. There would be more packs for food and some modicum of gear. The leather of her riding pants creaked as she walked. The scrawny ten year old that was dragged to the compound, kicking and screaming, had grown into a woman of ample curves. Those curves made only more pronounced from riding and training. Magic was powerful, but sometimes a good weapon was all one really needed. All of the riders had some skill with sword, bow, and spear. Aira favored the spear. It gave her the reach she lacked, being a fairly short woman. She was still a pretty terrible shot with a bow. The sword was fine but she lacked the strength to wield one well. Not that any of the mages were made to be warriors. They had magic after all, and their dragon companions.

She could delay only so long. Aira huffed a sigh as she swung her bag over her shoulder. She looked over at Elise who suddenly had tears in her eyes. Leave it to a water mage to be emotional. Aira went over and hugged her friend who sniffled. Even Elise stood a solid four inches taller than Aira. "Come back safe," Elise warbled out.

"I'll do my best," Aira said. With a tight squeeze they released and Aira headed out to the yard to meet up with Zikir and the trainers.

Another hot day. Most of them were pretty warm, it made the riding leathers oh so comfortable. How she missed her lovely dresses, even fifteen years later. The trainers were already assembled, probably happy to be rid of the fire and ice team. They had put together two more packs for them. One with some rations to start them off, the other with gear for pitching a tent and the like.

 

[Denthris]

Zikir paced, as he stretched his wings, his red red scales were striking, he was after all the child of Tikir and Zarin, two fearsomely legendary red Dragons. Yet neither of them would be here, as both of them after a long service together with their riders had chosen to dare the Eldritch pathways needed to leave this planet. Most of the other Dragon greeted him today like it was the last time they would see him. Yet some of the sentiment he could feel was much harsher. Wordlessly they were hoping he would run out of magic in the forests, so they would not have to clean up the mess of a Dragon going feral inside some city.

Yet, now Noble Red Dragon, had to serve the whims of "his lady". That was the term he mockingly referred to the little Noble that had become his rider and partner. Someone who did not appreciate being here, being able to ride a Dragon and see the world below. Even if they did manage to bond, that resentment could be felt even in the bond itself. He needed her for her magic, and even that felt at most days like getting water from a Rock. Yet he knew she was powerful, he knew she had the magic he just was getting very little of his because their bonds were weak. She didn't want to be here, and he didn't care of have some noble on his back.

The other riders and trainers had already readied the saddle on his back, he would carry her and then also be expected to carry everything that was packed. He already was cursing just the thought of how much he would be expect to carry, not that a small little female could carry that much herself. Yet their was something appealing with having a female rider or maybe it was simply her size she herself was not heavy, and when she was on his back, when she was touching him, he could siphon off a portion of her magic and given how much she did have and did not use he doubted it was noticeable. Such actions of course were generally frowned on. Granted it did not help that her magic was Ice, and his was fire and that only made it harder. Yet his stores of magic was always something of concern. Everything he did spent magic, and it always felt like he never had as much as he wanted.

Yet, he was still waiting, for her to arrive.

 

[LilGunner]

Aira's polished boots scuffed on the gravel, crunching as she walked. They were already assembled. Veteran riders, the trainers…and Zikir. She bit the inside of her lip, tasting blood, willing her eye not to twitch. He paced like a restless horse, saddle and bags already fastened to him. Apparently she was a little tardy. A warmth crept up her neck, she hated being late. And she wasn't even fashionably late, which was slightly more acceptable. She sucked in a steeling breath as she approached, her knuckles white on the straps of her bag as it bounced against her back. "Apologies for my lateness," she said with a stiff chagrin. She moved right towards Zikir. "Wanna stop moving?" She huffed at him, slinging her back down.

Aira reached out and laid a hand on the flashing red scales. She would never admit out loud she had always thought they were kind of pretty. Like the last rays of the sun had been captured in each scale. Her hands were always just a little chilly, like someone suffering anemia. She buckled her back to the saddle, letting it rest with the other bags and her spear. Her heart squeezed, seeing the bags lashed to Zikir's saddle made everything feel so final.

"Zikir, Aira," the elder trainer called out. Aira turned, dropping her cool hand from Zikir's side. "As with all young partners you must journey into the depts of the jungle. It will test you, try you, like never before." His hands folded together, leveling a heavy gaze. "It strangles and kills even those with strong bonds. You must work together, find your bond, strengthen it. Through the strength you will bring power and glory back to Zlekrith."

Power a glory, sure. More like a corpse and a mad dragon. The thought was etched across the faces of all the trainers. Even Aira couldn't disagree. She nodded and turned to climb up into the saddle. At least she didn't scrabble and kick like some, she was light and graceful as she settled onto Zikir's back. No reins like with a horse, just a handle on the saddle to hold on. The dragons were sapient beings after all. "I trust you don't need instruction," she said with a snort, clutching the handle of the saddle. Oh she well remembered the first time on Zikir's back. Ever since she gripped the handle like a life line.

 

[Denthris]

His eyes glared at her as she arrived, finally stopping his irritable pacing at her "request". Lowering himself down to the ground. Still a relatively young dragon, he was not much bigger than a horse as the Dragons around them varying in size but only got bigger as they grew older. His fiery red scales bristled to her touch, if he didn't know any better, she had made his hands colder on purpose. Yet she mounted and he rose back up on all of his leg. Stretching his wings, as the crowds open a pathway for them, the compound they lived in, was a fortress built into a mountain in ancient times, yet it gave plenty of room for the Dragons and the humans.

Growling at her comment "And I trust you have studied the maps of the area we are to explore" he grumbled back. Most of the maps of the areas covered by the forests were severely outdated, and other than stopping their approach, few dragons outside of their trials flew over them, as their was many threats even in the sky. Yet even knowing the area they were to go to, what had been their, might help them, gathering speed her sprinted to the edge of the cliff, knowing it would give her a bit of a fright, he deliberately hug a little close to the side of the mountain as he enjoyed the dive, the speed of the air, only later as he sends and updraft, extend and stretched out his wing out, as he took off into the sky. The land now passed beneath them rapidly, as they approached the edge of the forest. Even flying over it, it was intimidating, to simply see forest, in every direction he could see. Yet he was a Dragon and a Fire Dragon at that, no forest was going to stop him.

In the far distance, almost to small to be perceived, something else emerges from the dense forest to sky.

 

[LilGunner]

Aira clung tightly to the handle as Zikir ran towards the cliff. This part never got easier. She reminded herself to breathe. Zikir dove right off the cliff. Aira's stomach leapt into her throat as the wind whipped and thrashed her. Her legs clamped around his sides, thighs squeezing tight to the saddle. Blue eyes watered as they dove down and down. Most riders found it thrilling, exhilarating. Aira was annoyed by Zikir's antics. She knew he did this shit on purpose to bug her. At least she also knew he wouldn't smash them on the ground below.

The opening of his wings halted their speeding fall, jerking her body. This was at least a more pleasant part. Even Aira might admit she enjoyed the steadier, horizontal flight. Her body relaxed, though she still gripped the handle. She could hardly trust Zikir to not do something stupid, even if just in the name of pissing her off on purpose. Aira sat back, surveying the wide world. The forest that stretched in every direction, well beyond the line of the horizon.

As they flew Aira caught sight of something. Far away, barely a speck. Her eyes narrowed but she looked away. Probably nothing. When she looked back the speck was bigger. Whatever it was was heading towards them. She gave Zikir's neck a sharp tap to get his attention. "040," she said, signaling the direction of the object. They'd been trained that, assuming the dragon's body from snout to tail, was a clock. 000 was the snout, 160 was the tail. The numbers indicated where, in relation to the dragon, something was approaching. While dragons had good sight, their riders had an easy and full view of their surroundings. They watched around and above, the dragons below.

Aira tucked her knees into metal hooks, it made it easier to hold on when the hands were occupied but didn't strap them fully into the saddle. The object was growing closer and closer, clearly locked on to them.

 

[Denthris]

Turnining in the direction she mentioned, he noticed it, yet as they got closer the single object was a dozen or so smaller objects that spread out. Even as he angle his course to meet this threat head on he racked his brain. These were a known threat... yet a chill ran up his spine as he remembered. Each object was perhaps no bigger than a large first. They had single purpose, and that was to drain a Dragon of its magic. Their single eye, would shoot lancing beams of simple pain, that would also drain magic, and they would then use that magic to continue their assault. Fire, was not effective against these things, he could swat them out of the sky easily enough but hardly without getting stung. His eyes were already scanning for a place to land. "Freeze as many of them as you can. They won't be as effective at flight if they are weighed down by your ice." he hollered out as he took in a breath, yet knowing from a past fight during their training where his fire only free something that she HAD managed to freeze.

 

[LilGunner]

When the thing drew closer Aira's eyes widened, realizing it wasn't a single entity but a small swarm of them. She recognized them from lectures, "damn." Not everything out there was known, but at least they had some kind of heads up on a few of the dangers in the world. Those things drained magic, turning it back on anyone who dared to fly their skies. Her thighs tightened against the saddle when Zikir called out. "Yeah yeah I got it. Just keep your mouth closed for this," she shouted back. A cold weight settled in her stomach. She didn't care to use her abilities much. Still, she wasn't keen on dying or getting bombarded by painful little spikes.

The tips of her fingers frosted as she drew on the magic in her. Not too much. When they drew close she pointed fingers towards the enemies. Lances of ice shot out. Pitiful little icicles that bounced off their bodies. "Shit shit…" she panicked a little, trying to let out more magic without letting it spill over. She hit one with a shot that looked like a cloud, streaking through the sky with a trail of frost. The cloud it one and it iced over, slowly losing altitude. "Yeah," she whispered in triumph, way too early though. The swarm came on quick. Aira's hand swung this way and that, trying to hit them as they came. She wasn't quite quick enough for all of them and yelped at the lance of pain. They came at Zikir as well, lancing at his flanks and haunches.

"We can get out of-ah! Mother fucker!" She yelped, stung again. "Get out of here any time now!"

 

[Denthris]

Growling back at her comment, he was a far larger target. He did not need to hear this from her right now, he knew the danger they were in all to well. Yet smirking to himself briefly, as snap of the jaws managed to catch one of them. Yet the thing was made out of stone, and even to his strong jaws it took a moment to crush it, not before the thing was able to shoot the inside of his mouth, before a "crunch" and the thing crumbled.

Yet he would not get that lucky again, as he dove, the things always just out reach, as he swing with his claws, and tail, snapping with his jaws, just not using fire.

Flight had become hard, he felt heavier, he knew instinctively that they had to flee. The ground would be the only option, yet that thick and dense forest almost felt impossible to see beyond the bright green leafy treetops. Just focusing on flying, trying to get some distance, trying to spot someting, anything that would let him get away. Some nagging in the back of his mind, that he was going to die here.

As despair crept in, his the swarm catching up to him, he saw it, he saw the actual ground, a spot of thinning trees, he could land, without flying straight into a tree, it would still be painful. Yet, so was remaining here.

"Brace yourself" he shouted as he angled his flight towards the path he saw. Using simple gravity to get away from the swarm as he dove down towards the tree. She would not like this landing, yet he only could hope he would take the brunt of the damage.

Then for a moment, all he could see is just a blur of green and brown, barley flying now, and more crashing, as leafs, wood, the sound of tree limb breaking, the spray of dirt and splinters, as massive bows of the tree cat one of his legs, causing him to almost spiral, and then finally the hard and painful crash on the ground.

Eveything hurt, groaning, he was on the ground, all four feet, no more falling, exhausted as he collapsed down to his belly. They had survive, but at what cost?

Only after a few moments of stunned silence do he check.. "Are you alright?" only now realizing during his tumble that his wings had curled up to protect her, though his wings, had paid the price.

 

[LilGunner]

Aira swung this way and that in the saddle, her thighs and knees clutching hard to hold on. Her neck prickled from sweat, though it dripped like cold beads of ice down her back. It wasn't just from the exertion too, the fight was proving difficult. They were so high up and she could only shoot them so fast. Besides, all her ice seemed to do was slow them down rather than anything else. She felt their altitude drop, she couldn't focus on it in the moment. Flying was Zikir's job, she needed to keep the orbs off them as best as she could. Was it really her best though.

She heard his shout as she hit another of the terrible orbs. A little squeak leapt from her throat as she turned and latched her chilly hands to the handle of the saddle. No longer just losing altitude, they were nearly in a full dive. Aira glanced back at the swarm, watching them disappear rapidly, but it was brief and she turned back as the yawning arms of the trees reached up to swallow them. Her breath hitched and she hunkered down, nearly wrapping her arms around the handle as they simply plummeted. The sky seemed to darken but her eyes were squeezed shut.

The branches of the trees groaned and snapped, crying out their fury as Zikir broke through. A horrible cacophony that, likely, could be heard for miles. With a hard thud, her chest slamming into the handle, they stopped. Only the sound of labored breathing and gentle fluttering of leaves whispered through the clearing. Aira finally opened her eyes and looked up to see the shield of wings over her, the tearing of the delicate membrane. Her heart gave an odd, heavy, thud at the sight. She looked down at Zikir's neck then back up at his wings. Guilt. Hot and uncomfortable. "Uh…yeah, I am," she said in a strained voice. "You?" She asked. A stupid question. He'd been hit plenty by those things and his wings…she wondered if he'd even be able to fly with that damage.

After a moment she slid down off the saddle, her legs wobbling a moment until they figured out how to hold her weight. All around them the forest was dense, so little sunlight managed to filter down from the canopy. "I think you're going to have trouble getting through here like that…" she said as she looked around.

 

[Denthris]

Zikir, just shook his head, he was not alright. His scales were not warm to the touch, the normal heat that radiated from his scales was simply not their. He tried to focus still breathing heavy. Gazing around, at his wings, and the forest around them. "I'm quite tired.." It hurt just to look at his wings, and he knew it would not be easy to move between the trees in his current form, yet his lack of ability to change his shape... "I am not entirely certain I can go on.. I need to rest.... I need magic." Minor scars, and wound should of been able to heal, and in time his wings should mend, yet that all required magic.

Gazing around, as he looks straight at her, his eyes were dull, completely lacking the fiery glow he had only hours earlier before they took off. She had magic, even after that fight, she had tones of magic, and yet the trickle the came from the bond felt entirely insufficient. He wanted to be angry, his wings were damaged, she failed to be able to destroy more of those sphere, and she was not giving him enough magic. "I guess they were right.... we were doomed to fail" as collapsed down to the ground. If he could transform, like other Dragons he could conserve his magic, yet ultimately he had never been able to get enough Magic to be able to experiment with transforming, if he were to try now, it would simply push him over the brink into madness. That was his fate after all, to go mad, to turn on everything that was around you.

"I am not certain you should stay." he would be shocked that those word left his mouth. "I don't think you can give me the magic I need." Yet as he focused on her, feeling the magic inside her, he should know better, yet the thought of a single bite, would give him the magic she needed. Still knowing, at the back of his head that most of the magic left a corpse after it died, making such a thought pure lunacy. If she touched him, that might help, or her Ice Magic could simply just put an end to him now.

Struggling with his thoughts, "Can you remove these packs? .... We should setup Camp, we want this place for later, when I can fly...."

It was hard not to focus on magic, on his lack of it, and her untapped surplus. She might not like this request. "We should rest... I should recover enough by the morning. ....When, you setup your bedroll, can you sleep so you will be touching me" He had never been this drained, this close to the edge, never had the threat of madness been so real to him and it terrified the once proud Dragon.

 

[LilGunner]

Aira looked to Zikir as he spoke. Her head canted at him curiously. She had never heard him so tired, so weak so…defeated? He always had something stupid and snippy to say. Always more balls than brains. Her white brows raised in surprise at how he was responding. Aira turned fully towards the weak and injured dragon as he collapsed. He was muttering complete nonsense. First basically begging for magic, then saying she should just leave him. Her temper flared when he goaded her about the magic.

Her mouth opened for a sharp retort but she stopped when he asked if she could remove the packs and set camp. Aira's icy eyes twitched in annoyance. After a moment she heaved a sigh and went to his side to remove everything from his back. This was a strange and uncomfortable turn of events. Her hand brushed across his scales. An unfamiliar chill crept her arm. He was cold, far colder than he should be. Aira's teeth squeaked from being clenched so hard. "Just hang in there…" she grumbled quietly.

Aira worked quickly to get the packs and saddle off Zikir. It could simply be chalked up to self-preservation but, for once, she was actually worried about him. That attack had taken a lot out of him. If he died so, too, would she. It made her tense and annoyed. Aira gathered wood and worked at getting a fire going. It'd be easier if Zikir could just use his breath but she wasn't holding out on him being able to. Instead she built it up slowly. There wasn't a whole lot of deadfall so the fire smoked a bit initially. She had built it close to where Zikir had collapsed so he could feel the warmth on his cold scales. Once the fire was built up she set up the small shelter, in case rain came, setting out the bedrolls.

Once the camp was mostly set up she took up a bit of their food stores and moved over to Zikir. She seemed hesitant as she stood there, her body tight, her spirit disquieted. After a moment of staring at the weak dragon she removed her armor, stripping down to just her undershirt. Aira settled down, leaning against Zikir's side, trying to let as much of her skin contact his scaled as possible. In the position she took out a bit of dried meat, cheese, and bread. The warmth from the fire set glistening beads of sweat to dot across her brow. Aira tried to relax, to let those reserves of magic flow. The beads of sweat cooled, slipping off as small chunks of ice.

 

[Denthris]

The effect would be subtle at first, a small drawing on her magic, yet the results would be near immediate. The warmth trickled back into his scales, his body relaxed, as he let out a sign of relief, as his mind cleared. One of somewhat torn wings, would stretch out and wrap around her, "Thankyou." he spoke out finally as he could feel that spark burning inside him again. It would take a few moments, shifting to his side, letting her lean against his softer underbelly. A small chuckle could be felt, "One could think you almost cared about me. But.. I truley will not forget about this." Letting out a sign, as settled down over the ground, his mind clear, as he slowly let her willing contact feed him magic, and not drain her. Another small chuckle, but he kept it to himself, he did not think he realized how much magic she was able to hold.

Yet as the Magic flowed from her to him, magic that perhaps had been restrained for most of her life, would start to flow, like the unthawing of ice that was her magic. Zikir could feel and sense this as he grinned even as he let sleep overtake him. "I might let you take the next fight, you really are quite powerful". As his tail curled around them both, "Do make sure you do get some sleep yourself, you probably need it as much as I do." as he would go silent, his only movement are now in his lungs, as his chest, rises and falls rhythmically.

Zikir, knew just how close to that edge he had been. Feeling that magic return, was both balm to him as a Dragon as and his Spirit. He did not want to go back to that point, not for another couple thousand years and even then it would perhaps be far to soon. So he would have to do a better job as keeping his little partner safe.

 

[LilGunner]

Aira snorted at Zikir's quip. "I care about surviving this," she said a little more snippily than she had really meant. She leaned against the soft scales of his underbelly after her shifted around a bit. While she had to know he was siphoning her magic it didn't feel like much. Perhaps similar to the loosening of muscles when sinking into a hot bath after training. She felt her body relax even as he would feel her sink into him. Aira munched at the small meal she had brought out, feeling herself relax more and more. It didn't take long for her to notice the warmth emanating from him. At least he was getting better.

She turned to look at Zikir with his last comment, brows quirked. "Sure sure, just go to sleep," she said with a huff. Powerful. She didn't want to be powerful. Hell, she didn't want magic at all. His tail and wing curled around her and she felt her back prickle with sweat. It was far too warm. Initially anyways. As he fell asleep, her magic still trickling into him, she felt the heat less and less. It didn't bother her as much. In fact, after a time, it started to feel nice. She wouldn't be able to see it, or even sense it, but her white hair started to streak with red. A bit of paprika in her salt. She began to feel sleepy, the fire dying down a little. So relaxed.

Eventually her head lolled back. She stared up at the dark canopy. Zikir's rythmatic breathing was a gentle lullaby. Her icy blue eyes, now flecked with green, grew heavier and heavier. Eventually she couldn't keep them open anymore and drifted off to sleep.

Sometime in the night she had slumped off of Zikir to lay beside him in the grass. The tight, coiled, braided, bun worked loose leaving her hair down and curled from the braiding. Without as much contact with Zikir's body her reserves rebuilt. Through the night the paprika in her hair changed back to salt. Behind her eyelids the bright, icy color of her eyes fully returned.

Morning dawned, thought light was spares under the dense canopy. The fire had fizzled out, only a few coals remained. Aira lay in the grass, her white hair spread around her in an icy halo, her head pillowed on her bicep. The light crept in and she gave a long, languid yawn and a stretch. Well Zikir had been right, she'd definitely needed some sleep.

 

[Denthris]

Zikir, dreamt as he settled down, yet Dragon's dreams are connected, and they rarely dream without a purpose a message. Yet he dreamt of the massive Dragons that were his parents, the proud and powerful Red Dragons. Yet not as Dragons, as Dragonkin, or Draconian. Still standing proud, still defiant as they stood beside their partners, not as Dragon and Rider, but as a partner, companion, friend. He was not sure if was deliberately sent to him, or just simply a reminder that however distance his dreams still connected to other Dragons. Yet he focus on the form, the Draconian, two arms, two legs, upright, tall and proud. Even without Aira no longer touching him, yet had the Magic. He could spare the focus even in his dreams to seize on the image.

He was not aware of the change in his dreams, it was only as he awoke, and stood up. Realizing things were different. He stumbled at first step, unused to two feet over four, yet it took only moments for it to feel natural. His red scales seemed a bit more red as he examined his body. As he felt for his wings, they were their as he folder them around him so he could see them. Similarly to his Dragon form, they still bore the damage of his landing, yet he could feel them mending, healing even if it was happening slowly. He still would not be able to fly, but flight would not be as easy in this form. Yet look down at his arms, and legs, his clawed but digitigrade feet. He was still missing something, as he held his hand out as if grasping something imaginary, his mind focused on a shape, a weapon, his own scales, a long handle, then a blade at the end, with a point at the tip. A fearsome looking halberd, fashion from his own scales, the blade sharpened down to an edge. This a weapon that suited him.

As he moved around a bit, the form felt lighter than the Dragon, easier to fit into. He was not that he felt weak, or vulnerable, it was simply it was easier to wear this form than the Dragon. He could use far more of his strength in this, and he realized that he simply would not need to rely on the Magic from Aira to simply survive, it still flowed, perhaps even a little more than before, but in this form he did not have to worry about each and every action using that supply, and he could safely store it for when he needed it.

Yet a moment of hesitation, Could he Switch back? Yet he could feel that form, their available to him. Perhaps as easy as it was to change clothes. Gazing around at the forest around them, this form would suit them better for now. As his eyes turned back now to her partner. Seeing her stir as she just started to wake. Such a small little figure, with so much magic, yet so reluctant to use it. She did look different now that they shared the same shape, even if he did still tower above her. Yet the thought echoed in his mind, if she did not want to use her magic, he could simply take it, what was the point of such a huge supply of Magic if she did not want to use it. Yet taking that much required much different methods as part of his body stirred at the thought, sleeping she did look so vulnerable.

He pushed that thought from his head. He did owe her his life and he did respect her for it, even care for it, yet she would have to accept her Magic or accept giving it to him, but that was hardly now.

 

[LilGunner]

As shame for the light, Aira felt like she could sleep for so many more hours. She barely registered that the wing that had been her blanket was gone. Honestly she was a little thankful for that. She could feel the dampness of her back from sweating through the night. Zikir was far too warm for the icy mage. Aira hadn't looked up yet, hadn't even opened her eyes. She ruffled her hair as she slowly sat up, her other hand rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as she opened them. Zikir was…gone? Her gaze fell on some creature standing above her.

Panic. Her heart gave a painful, sudden thud. Ice whipped through her, a strange feeling given being so used to cold. If she wasn't awake before she was fully awake now. A shock of adrenaline rushed her system as she gave a surprised shriek. All in one motion a hand flung out at the monster that loomed over her. A sharp javelin of ice launched at the creature as she kicked her legs up and rolled backwards and up onto her feet. Her white hair flew out like a banner. A cloud of ice seemed to writhe around her, as if the very air was freezing. He had said she was powerful. In a moment of absolute shock and surprise she tapped into that vast reservoir of magic.

Her eyes flit around, mere seconds had passed since seeing the creature. Where in the hell was Zikir?! Had he just run off on her? Big fucking surprise where. "You stay back!" She shouted at the creature. Both hands swept out, spikes of ice grew up from the ground, pointed at the creature. A short wall of icy pain. Her breath came in short, sharp, pants as she still scanned around for Zikir. Occasionally settling on the creature before her. It looked dragonish, but dragons didn't look like that. They sure as hell didn't walk on two legs and hold a weapon. Maybe some mutated monster, a relic from ages past.

 

[Denthris]

Seeing her look at him, and then suddenly feeling her pull on her magic. Just as the ice Javelin was launched at him a last minute. Leaping backwards as that Ice Javelin narrowly missed him. Keeping his distance, as he muttered a curse in Draconic. Seeing what this form could do would of impressed him, if his partner was not threating to kill him at the moment. He could feel her summon more magic, pulling on more magic than he felt she had ever summoned.

"Aira, its me Zikir!" while he was impressed by her use of ice magic not entirely certain why she was seeing him as a threat. This way was definitely troubling. Could she not of remember that Dragons could transform to this form from training? True this was the first time she will have seen him like this, and most Dragons thought of this as the lesser of three forms, but he finally was able to change. He could change back, but that would leave him vulnerable for a moment, or he could turn on her. He could close the distance, granted he would have to time it well after she launched her next attack.

"Remember OUR training, heck remember the bond, you should be able to tell its me instantly." grumbling a bit to himself, that she called him impulsive. He had wished he had been able to take this form earlier, so she was familar with it, and he could probably understand in part, yet he was not attacking her. Yet he would need to end this quickly, if she refused to realize it was him. So he stood ready, waiting to see if she would launch that attack or listen to him. Yet their was the fear, she was more powerful.

"Did I just not tell you last night, as you lay against me, giving giving me your Magic. That you had powerful Magic? The same magic that your now trying to use against me right now? Why in the heck could you not be willing to use it against against those stupid magic leaches, and we would not be in this silly position we are in today. And I really don't like that I owe you my life because of what you did." he anger flared, that was he was hoping on, that them getting into angry arguments, was common. That she would recognize him easier to way.

 

[LilGunner]

The shout from the creature made Aira blink. She stood upright, suddenly dropping her fighting stance. The wall of ice spike around her melted away as rapidly as she blinked. She reached up and scrubbed her eyes, hard enough she saw bursts of spots and colors, as the shouting continued. More so the lecture. Satisfied that the sleep was well brushed away she dropped her hands, bleary eyes clearing. Even before her vision settled she knew it was Zikir. He was right, she could feel the bond, however faint it was. More than that, it was his obnoxious voice and tone.

"Well you scared the shit out of me!" Aira was quick enough to snap back, folding her arms across her chest. "Just…just looming there above me while I slept. That's creepy. So creepy. And I've never seen you like…like this," she unfolded her arms and gesticulated wildly at him and his new shape. "Yeah I remember that you could do that but not when I'm still sleeping! Sheesh." Her hands went to her hips as she glared at him. Ice blue eyes flicked up and down the new form. Well she had groused the day prior that they'd have a hard time getting through trying to fly. This would make it a little bit easier.

Aira dusted herself off, straightening her white undershirt and cleared her throat. Every bit the put together non-heiress she was supposed to be. "We should eat breakfast. Get the fire going would you?" She asked, gesturing to the remains of the fire she had gotten going the day before. He'd surely be able to get a better one going, even with the wet wood around them. "I'll start making breakfast." She headed to their packs and dug around to find rations. Aira wouldn't call herself a great cook, but a simple meal of oats was easy enough. Perhaps with a little of the dried meat in them.

Once the fire was crackling away she took out a small pot and her waterskin. She had to empty the whole skin to fill the pot, but it would be worth it for some breakfast. "We'll need to find some water sooner rather than later," she said as she added oats to the water. "And, you know, figure out where we need to go."

 

[Denthris]

Zikir groans as he rolled his eyes grumbling. "You do realize I was just resting myself, and you were right beside me. You go to sleep with four legs and wake up with two for the first time, and see how quickly you move around. And BEFORE you shot Ice at me, I did want to thankyou, cause I did nearly go Feral...." he was not finishing that thought as he did not feel like thanking her anymore than he just had. "You've never seen me like this cause up until last night you've never been able to give me that magic at a rate I needed." All the Dragon he could think of could take this form already, granted you didn't not see many use the form because it was a lesser form. For saving magic, the Human form was superior, that was still not something he could do, so this form was still needed. Typically this form was used mostly by the Half Breeds, human Children with Dragon blood, as this was the most Dragon they could become. But it was not like their was many of those around. Yet as he knelt down by the fire, taking a deep breath as he summon the flames from the spark burning inside him. Letting a steam of fire flow out of his mouth, and not a ball of fire that might destroy any built up fire before it set it ablaze.

Adding more wood, he would shortly have a fire going. "Those things that attacked us. They were used to prevent Dragon attacks from the air. That means they are their to protect something against a Dragon attack. If the defenses are still intact, then it is quite likely that we will be the first pair to explore it. And the simply truth is, I simply want to shut that down. I don't have to want to experiment with seeing how far we have to be away when I am able to fly again."

Gazing around the forest, "Granted our bearing are going to be a little bit harder in this dense forest. Heck its hard to know how long we had even been sleeping. "When we get travel on foot, I will be better able to get a sense of what in the forest I can hunt, and what in the Forest can hunt us. Granted if we find more active defenses, that will mean we are heading in the right direction.