User blog:ExdeathsBagel/Ashes and Cinders (WWYD by Cyl3ss)

WWYD by Cyl3ss: http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:810200

A chill runs through me as I move through the burnt remains of a once a thriving town, the home of my ancestors. Time and nature had long since did away with the ash that supposedly fell like snow, yet true to the legends still, no grass has grown here since. Instead, dirt, blacker than the moonlit night sky is all that remains of a once fertile ground.

Even by today’s standards, this town was a thriving sanctuary for humans and mamonos, built with such stone masonry that even the Cyclops would stare in awe, and yet here I walk through crumbling remains of buildings whose purposes I struggle to identify. The flames of this terrible dragon of legend supposedly melted the stone, and as if with a life of their own, sought wood, iron, and flesh to satiate its hunger. I shiver once more as the wind blows, sounding like the screams of those my grandmother tearfully recalled as a child.

As I walk through these remains, I honestly don’t know why I came here, or why I brought my family’s heirloom sword. This place wasn’t exactly off limits, and some wandered it during the day out of curiosity, but very few wandered at night, and those who did claimed to hear the flapping of large, leathery wings. For the sake of everyone, people assured them it was just the wind.

Yet still some went during the night without fear, and with swords of their own, hoping to find the dragon of legend, or more likely, its children for revenge. For ever since the town burned down, the people have maintained hospitality to all mamonos, except to dragons and their kind.

We were told since we were children that out of all the mamono that exist, none are so terrible or frightful as the dragon or its kind. For they were arrogant, cruel, and sought only destruction. Men were never taken as loving husbands, but as mere mates solely for the purpose of offspring, whom they ate when the man finished his duty.

Most families took it with a grain of salt, simply wanting nothing to do with the dragon mamonos again after what happened, but others fully embraced such a message, and occasionally, a party of men and women would traverse this town and hunt for the supposed dragon that stalked this shell of a town. I pitied them, blinded by hatred to seek something that was surely not real.

Yet I was force to doubt that assertion as I stepped into what was once a town hall, a now empty, black, circular clearing dotted with the remains of buildings. At its center was once a well, though now in front of that, was a mamono. Her pale blue scales seemingly glowed in the moonlit, long white hair shimmered a shade only slightly darker than her skin. Though her wings were unfolded, she was kneeling in front of the well, and over the wind carried her voice.

I approached with caution, the moon now covered by clouds hid my shadow.

“So our forbearers sinned? Why must we bear the weight? Will it be forever? God, it’s not fair.” She said, sorrow lining her voice.

I was close to her when the moon broke free of the clouds, its light casting my shadow on top of her. As she sharply turned her head to me, I noticed the two horns peaking from her forehead, and two brown eyes gazing into mine then to my sword.

“You are not the first hunter sent to kill me, and you won’t be the last!” Her tail lashed out at me causing me to step back as she quickly stood up.

I had no time to say anything, only to pull out my sword and meet her claws if I didn’t want to be eviscerated. As steel met scales, blood coated the edge of my blade, but she was undeterred. Rearing her head back and driving it to mine, I could only vainly brace for a devastating head butt from her horns, one that would surely crack my skull open.

But the impact only dazed me as I stumbled back as she charged. I swung my sword, but with no intent on killing her, I flipped it at the last moment to hit her with its flat. It still connected with a sickening smack that caused her to stumble away from me. I stood where I was as she turned to face me, a red mark on her check as she spat out some blood.

“How little did one of the families pay you to do such a shoddy job, assassin? Or are you merely a man from one of the families, seeking some sort of glory?!”

She lunges toward me, her unfurled wings giving her the extra moment to send us tumbling through the foul smelling dirt at disorientating speeds. Self-preservation triumphs any mercy I have, and in a tumble I kick her off and quickly stand up.

I charge as she stands up, claws once more meeting steel, not to catch the blade, but to clash. As if her claws too are steel, sparks fly on impact and we recoil off each other’s swings, but as her second claw swipes I barley manage to parry it. From the corner of my eye I see it mark the otherwise spotless blade.

<p class="MsoNormal">I lunge the blade forward and she leaps back, wings kicking up dust, I charge through it rather than around it, and the shock of her face says it all. In that moment I do not think, charging, I raise my sword over my head and bring it down with all the force I can muster. She raises her arms, hoping her scales can protect her from the blow.

<p class="MsoNormal">They do not. My sword sinks into her arms, and as crimson blood pools at her feet, she does not cry, she does not even looked pained, only tired. In this sight, I let go of the sword, slowly stumbling back as she falls to her knees, her arms stuck hanging above her due to the sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m sorry-I-” I mutter.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t be.” She says with a calm smile, not moving, “I’ll bleed out soon. You’ve had your vengeance.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“N-no! I-I didn’t…” I cried out.

<p class="MsoNormal">Even in her weakening expression, she smirked, “Then why did you bring such a decorated sword? Even if you truly did not want to, my death will hopefully satiate your family’s thirst for vengeance.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“What?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I come here every year to grieve for those lost due to my grandmother, and while my mother and sisters chose to do the same, many were driven away when you hunters arrived, and even when they fled they were followed. I’m not sure how many of us are left, but I’ve accepted my fate. With my death, perhaps your families will be one step closer to peace.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No. Stop saying that.” I say, “It was your grandmother that did it, not you. You don’t deserve this, and I’m not about to let you die.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“But if I die, it will bring your people one step closer to peace.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, it will just make things worse! If you truly want to help and bring peace to everyone, show people that you aren’t like your grandmother.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Her calm façade fades, and if it didn’t look like she was about to pass out, she would’ve worn a shocked expression, “And how do you suppose I do that?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Coming with me, back to town. You want to make a difference? You can put many of the families at peace, and maybe even lift the bans on dragons.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“But I’m about to die.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I won’t let you.” I say as I approach her. I grab the sword, and we meet each other’s eyes, wordlessly agreeing on what is about to be done.

<p class="MsoNormal">With a yank the sword comes out, and a piercing scream escapes the dragon’s lips. I quickly take off my shirt to wrap it around her arms, and although it’s soaked through in seconds, it’s better than nothing. Much to my surprise, she manages to get up on her own, if on very shaking feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">We walk through the ruins, though her pace begins to slow, the reason undoubtedly answered by the trail of blood she’s leaving behind.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This is nothing.” She says weakly, “Come on, why slow down? In fact, shouldn’t we be speeding up?” She tries to walk faster, only to stumble and fall, but like before she gets up on her own, “I will make it there. I will show the village that dragons aren’t monsters.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I admire her determination, yet eventually, a sudden thump and the sight of her face down in the dirt brings to my attention that the reality of the situation has triumphed over her pride.

<p class="MsoNormal">I swear under my breath and try to lift her, my intentions only hastened by the sound of approaching hoof beats.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Dragon!” A voice shouts, a voice I immediately recognize.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Uncle Kevin.” I say as I look up, seeing my uncle and other members of the village approaching on horseback.

<p class="MsoNormal">Uncle Kevin looks down at the bleeding mamono, then to me. He, like I, were of the members of the village that simply wanted nothing to do with dragons. His looked, mixed with shock and disappointment, assumed the worst.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You didn’t…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No. I mean, she struck first-”

<p class="MsoNormal">The other members quickly unsheathed their swords.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wait! She wants to show us dragons aren’t monsters!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We’ve known that for years,” my uncle said sadly, “We now simply want nothing to do with them. You know this.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Then what about the dragons other people of the village hunt down? She said her family has been hunted for the since her grandmother committed, the one that burned down this town.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re going to believe what this beast says?” One of the women says as she moves closer to us, “Oh, I get it. She’s gotten inside your head, gotten inside your pants too. What, did she say if you would fix her up, she’d reward you? Step aside while I bury my blade into this creature’s wretched skull.”

<p class="MsoNormal">As she towered over us, intimidated as I was, I leaned over the dragon, “Can’t we at least help her and send her on her way? I told her I wouldn’t let her die. I’ll pay for the medicine, I’ll-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Idiot! Like hell are we wasting supplies on this monster! Now move aside, I don’t want to tell your parents you died protection an abomination!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The woman reached for her sword, only for my uncle’s blade to be pressed against her throat. From his horse, his eyes remained lock onto to me and the dragon, but he spoke to the woman next to him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You even think of drawing you blade at my nephew again, and you’ll lose more than just your hands. Understand?” He spoke softly, but each word held harsh intent.

<p class="MsoNormal">The woman glared at me, but wordlessly obeyed as she sheathed her sword and had her horse turn around, heading to the village. My uncle looked to the other men.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What are you waiting for? Help him take the dragon back to the village.” He looked back at me, “I’m only doing this because I don’t want dragon’s blood on your hands. Drake hunting is something that scars the soul, and the village should abolish. It turns men,” he looked to the woman who threatened me, “and women into to bloodthirsty shells.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you Uncle Kevin. Maybe…maybe with the dragon’s help we can put an end dragon hunting.”

<p class="MsoNormal">He scoffed, “It’ll take more than a single dragon to make the villagers see dragon hunting is wrong. Sure many might not relish it in, but indifference to it is just as bad, if not worse.”

<p class="MsoNormal">We made it back to the village in the middle of the night, but the dragon’s screams had awakened most of the village, and had brought my uncle and his party to me. Villager stared in shock the dragon I and a two other men helped to a nearby Inn, some taking their children inside, others spitting at the dragon’s feet. The men had their heads low, but I kept mine up, staring straight ahead for the Inn. I was grateful I did not see my parents in the crowd.

<p class="MsoNormal">By the time we had found a spare bed, the dragon’s skin was a very sickly white, with breathing that was barely audible, granted it was a miracle in and of itself that she made it this far. It only made me more determined to keep her alive, and although the doctor was annoyed by my initial instance on helping, he did soon seem grateful for the speed at which I provided bandages and ingredients, though soon he did demand me to leave and not come back until morning so he could focus, and I begrudgingly obeyed.

<p class="MsoNormal">I slept in the room a few doors down, not only out of concern for the dragon, but also because I was worried about facing my parents. My uncle told me he tell them of the situation, assuring me that while they would probably not be mad at helping a dragon, they would certainly be upset at me going out alone to the ruins at night, and that I should a stern punishment when this was all over.

<p class="MsoNormal">I struggle to sleep that night, and when I awoke sunlight was already pouring through the windows. I rushed out the door to the dragon’s room. Only to hear a voice from behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal">“She made it out fine. Dragons are resilient, as I’m sure you are aware.” My uncle said, “She spoke to me this morning, something about how you are going to help her show the village dragons aren’t beast.” He put a hand on my shoulder and I turned to face him, “You know I have faith in you, but if only for her safety, you’re better off just telling her to spread her wings and take off as far as she can.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“But what about putting an end to drake hunting?” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s just it. Speaking frankly, even if you two do somehow soften the villager’s hearts and let dragons back into our walls, the hunts won’t end. And imagine how the dragons will react to scent of their sisters wafting from hunters, drunk on blood, singing about their victory?”

<p class="MsoNormal">His grip on my shoulder tightened, “A war. The likes of which will reduce this village to ash, just like the village of our ancestors, but worse. One dragon was enough to bring that prosperous town to its knees, with not many survivors to tell the tale. Can you imagine what a group of them could do to a simply town such as this?”

<p class="MsoNormal">I shivered as I stared into his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That won’t happen.” A voice spoke, I turned and saw that it was the dragon. I felt relief as I saw her, for though her arms were bandaged, she otherwise seemed fine. “I will make sure of it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’ll be able to hold back your fellow sisters when they smell the blood of their kind?” My uncle asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“As much as I can hold back myself.” She said as she wrinkled her face, “I can already smell it, but in order to prove we are not savages, we must endure it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So you make yourself indifferent to it and let them parade around?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, this is where you’ll come in.” She said as she turned to, her face softened, “I’d hate to ask of you further, as you’ve saved my life, but you need to convince the people of this village to cease drake hunting.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t mind helping. I want to see this through too.” I say. The dragon smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Then count me in, I and a few other villagers have been looking to put an end to drake hunting too. It drives people mad, but more importantly, it’s non-profitable.” My uncle said. The dragon and I give him an inquisitive look. “You two have much to learn, when people’s hearts and ears harden, it money that tends to be the first thing that cracks them.”

<p class="MsoNormal">We set out soon after that, though progress was slow at first. Dragons that were accepted into the village initially had a hard time resisting the drake hunters harassment, but with the aid of my uncle and I, the village began to see how useless drake hunting was. As time went on, the dragon, whose name I son learned was Claire, could begin the breathe and relax around others as opposed to just me, allowing our soon formed relationship to blossom with ease.