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Description
The cave mouth towered over me, completely in darkness except for the few torches that littered the tunnel walls, leading deep into the mountain. I stood motionless for a few heartbeats, sensing the eyes watching me from behind, waiting for me to begin my trial. Before I could think too much of what I was doing, I steeled myself, and stepped in, not looking back.

“There may be dwarves inside, Ghebaas, trying to disrupt the trial. You’ll hear them before seeing them.”
I remembered my mother’s words as the darkness swallowed me. I tried not to focus on following the burning torches, as they could lead you astray. My sword hung heavy at my side. Fargo, my mother’s dragon, would be communicating with her telepathically on my progress. If anything happened in the tunnels, he would know, and so would they, sending help. It made me wonder if I would welcome a dwarf attack or not.

“There is no straight path to the central chamber where the dragons reside, you must always follow the heat.”
I could feel the slight rise in temperature as I came to a fork in the tunnels. It came form the right, so I turned away from the burning torch of the left tunnel and entered into darkness. This was what I had been waiting for, what I had been trying so hard to achieve since I joined the Iukan army, so I could not let my nerves desert me. I stopped the thought of what if I fail before even thinking it, not letting my mind trick me into giving up. It may happen on other occasions, but not now. I would get my dragon.

“Do not enter that chamber with any fear. The dragons will sense it and know you for a coward.”
When she told me not to fear, I was immediately afraid. I could tell she noticed this, as her expression softened, reminding me that she was my mother, not just the General in charge of the trials. My father gave me no words of advice. He didn’t show up to send me off. What I thought, what he and my mother would never admit, was even though he drilled me again and again, preparing me for this day, he would never be proud as a father should because he never got the courage to take the trial. A General in only name, he contented himself with training the recruits and having a voice in Iukan affairs. I took some solace in the fact that once I bonded, I will have gone farther than he ever could.

“I do not fear for your safety, Ghebaas. You are a dragon by blood. There is nothing to fear.”
Better than any advice she could have given me. A calm came over me as those words went through my head. I was Iukan, a dragon. I was meant for this. What came after was of no consequence. This is what I want, this is all I want, after a dragon chooses me, whichever way I go in life does not matter.

A slight fluttering of wings snapped me out of my thoughts, causing me to freeze, my hand going to my sword. I remained motionless in the darkness for what could have been hours or a few minutes, then relaxed as the noise was put down to a bat flying overhead. I continued on, having to feel through the tunnel with my hands.

Then, rounding a bend, I stopped. A red glow could be seen again, and that sudden fear came back as I knew this was the dragons’ den. No dwarves had attacked; this was the last part of a very lucky trial. And yet I hesitated. All I need was to walk forward, to stand before the dragons to be judged. Perhaps that was the worst part for me, being judged. If I wasn’t found worthy which a large part of me knew would happen, then I would never leave this mountain. I may wander as a ghost, watching as other Iukans underwent the trial, watching and unable to do anything, confined to this darkness.

No. I don’t believe in ghosts. Once we’re dead, that it’s. My mother said we may be reborn as dragons, but for every ten elves that die, only one dragon is born. I pressed my fingers to my temples, willing myself to stop. If I failed and no dragon showed, I would be dead anyway. There is nothing for me if I fail, one way or another. I took a step, then another, then entered the dragons’ lair.

The heat assaulted me like a wave, causing me to stumble. I stared at the lava, immediately feeling sweat going down my face. The ledge stretched out before me, seeming to taunt the cowardice that still assaulted me. I scanned the walls for any dragons that maybe watching, but saw nothing, only holes in the walls, and only tunnels leading back into the mountain. I looked up and saw the far above opening. I would fly out through that, or die. I would not leave this mountain if I fail.

I forced my legs to walk, the fumes from the flames stifling. Step by step I walked across the bridge leading to the center, lava splurging upwards. I didn’t think, just walked, the center coming nearer and nearer. I stepped onto the circular ledge, a metal fence closing it in. Only the sound of the burning lava below was heard as a dared not look up. I felt eyes all around me, whether real or imagined. They would know I was afraid. Maybe it would be best if a dragon just didn’t show.

I began to think no one would as time stretched on. I was soaked in sweat, my back and legs aching. I wondered if Fargo was watching, relating all that was happening, or not happening to my mother. She would be disappointed, but still understand, while my father’s opinion of me would just be assured. Anger flickered at the thought as my hands clenched. I would get a dragon. I am Iukan, there is no doubt that this is what I was made for. I looked up, and then a plume of lava shot into the air.

I stepped back with a gasp as lava splattered all around the ledge, and a large form erupted from the flames. It’s head was larger than my chest, it’s wings enveloping the ledge. I stood frozen to the spot as its hind claws scrapped against the stone ledge, the ground shaking with the impact of it land, lava dripping harmlessly off it’s scales. Black as night, its eyes bored into mine, deep black holes that I felt were pulling me in. It remained motionless, then a growl began forming in its throat and it’s snout wrinkled in distaste.

It’s jaws stretched opened and released a deafening roar. I crouched down, the need to rip out my sword and defend myself overwhelming. My breath was uneven as the wings flapped, sending gusts that whipped at me, tugging at my clothes and hair. The terror clouded my mind and I looked up, not able to take my eyes away from the dragon. It’s scales gleamed, the black looking a deep red. The dragon stared down, the black coals of its eyes burning. Its mouth opened and I could see the flames building in its long neck. I had no time to think as bright dragon fire engulfed me.

My scream was lost as fire swirled all around me, burning away my hair, my eyes, my skin. Fire filled me, my insides burning with unnatural heat to the point where I was only fire, a burning inferno searching for something to consume.

Morvin. I know that name.

I turned my head to see who’s voice it was, but saw only fire.

You want to prove your worth, that you are not nothing. But we are all nothing.

I could feel my legs, the floor under my feet. I opened my eyes, not realizing they had closed. The dragon was standing in front of me, its wings folded at its sides.

Ghebaas. I like that name.

I legs moved as if on their own and I reached out, grabbing hold of one of the spikes on his neck and vaulted over, a space between the spikes perfect for me to sit. “Bororg…” I murmured, his name coming to me as if it had been my own.

Come.

His wings stretched out, his muscled bunched, then we were flying. The cool air of the outside washed over me, soothing every aching muscle, banishing every crippling thought. Bororg’s wings beat rhythmically under me and I closed me eyes.
Yes, this is what I was made for.

Description
The cave mouth towered over me, completely in darkness except for the few torches that littered the tunnel walls, leading deep into the mountain. I stood motionless for a few heartbeats, sensing the eyes watching me from behind, waiting for me to begin my trial. Before I could think too much of what I was doing, I steeled myself, and stepped in, not looking back.

“There may be dwarves inside, Ghebaas, trying to disrupt the trial. You’ll hear them before seeing them.”
I remembered my mother’s words as the darkness swallowed me. I tried not to focus on following the burning torches, as they could lead you astray. My sword hung heavy at my side. Fargo, my mother’s dragon, would be communicating with her telepathically on my progress. If anything happened in the tunnels, he would know, and so would they, sending help. It made me wonder if I would welcome a dwarf attack or not.

“There is no straight path to the central chamber where the dragons reside, you must always follow the heat.”
I could feel the slight rise in temperature as I came to a fork in the tunnels. It came form the right, so I turned away from the burning torch of the left tunnel and entered into darkness. This was what I had been waiting for, what I had been trying so hard to achieve since I joined the Iukan army, so I could not let my nerves desert me. I stopped the thought of what if I fail before even thinking it, not letting my mind trick me into giving up. It may happen on other occasions, but not now. I would get my dragon.

“Do not enter that chamber with any fear. The dragons will sense it and know you for a coward.”
When she told me not to fear, I was immediately afraid. I could tell she noticed this, as her expression softened, reminding me that she was my mother, not just the General in charge of the trials. My father gave me no words of advice. He didn’t show up to send me off. What I thought, what he and my mother would never admit, was even though he drilled me again and again, preparing me for this day, he would never be proud as a father should because he never got the courage to take the trial. A General in only name, he contented himself with training the recruits and having a voice in Iukan affairs. I took some solace in the fact that once I bonded, I will have gone farther than he ever could.

“I do not fear for your safety, Ghebaas. You are a dragon by blood. There is nothing to fear.”
Better than any advice she could have given me. A calm came over me as those words went through my head. I was Iukan, a dragon. I was meant for this. What came after was of no consequence. This is what I want, this is all I want, after a dragon chooses me, whichever way I go in life does not matter.

A slight fluttering of wings snapped me out of my thoughts, causing me to freeze, my hand going to my sword. I remained motionless in the darkness for what could have been hours or a few minutes, then relaxed as the noise was put down to a bat flying overhead. I continued on, having to feel through the tunnel with my hands.

Then, rounding a bend, I stopped. A red glow could be seen again, and that sudden fear came back as I knew this was the dragons’ den. No dwarves had attacked; this was the last part of a very lucky trial. And yet I hesitated. All I need was to walk forward, to stand before the dragons to be judged. Perhaps that was the worst part for me, being judged. If I wasn’t found worthy which a large part of me knew would happen, then I would never leave this mountain. I may wander as a ghost, watching as other Iukans underwent the trial, watching and unable to do anything, confined to this darkness.

No. I don’t believe in ghosts. Once we’re dead, that it’s. My mother said we may be reborn as dragons, but for every ten elves that die, only one dragon is born. I pressed my fingers to my temples, willing myself to stop. If I failed and no dragon showed, I would be dead anyway. There is nothing for me if I fail, one way or another. I took a step, then another, then entered the dragons’ lair.

The heat assaulted me like a wave, causing me to stumble. I stared at the lava, immediately feeling sweat going down my face. The ledge stretched out before me, seeming to taunt the cowardice that still assaulted me. I scanned the walls for any dragons that maybe watching, but saw nothing, only holes in the walls, and only tunnels leading back into the mountain. I looked up and saw the far above opening. I would fly out through that, or die. I would not leave this mountain if I fail.

I forced my legs to walk, the fumes from the flames stifling. Step by step I walked across the bridge leading to the center, lava splurging upwards. I didn’t think, just walked, the center coming nearer and nearer. I stepped onto the circular ledge, a metal fence closing it in. Only the sound of the burning lava below was heard as a dared not look up. I felt eyes all around me, whether real or imagined. They would know I was afraid. Maybe it would be best if a dragon just didn’t show.

I began to think no one would as time stretched on. I was soaked in sweat, my back and legs aching. I wondered if Fargo was watching, relating all that was happening, or not happening to my mother. She would be disappointed, but still understand, while my father’s opinion of me would just be assured. Anger flickered at the thought as my hands clenched. I would get a dragon. I am Iukan, there is no doubt that this is what I was made for. I looked up, and then a plume of lava shot into the air.

I stepped back with a gasp as lava splattered all around the ledge, and a large form erupted from the flames. It’s head was larger than my chest, it’s wings enveloping the ledge. I stood frozen to the spot as its hind claws scrapped against the stone ledge, the ground shaking with the impact of it land, lava dripping harmlessly off it’s scales. Black as night, its eyes bored into mine, deep black holes that I felt were pulling me in. It remained motionless, then a growl began forming in its throat and it’s snout wrinkled in distaste.

It’s jaws stretched opened and released a deafening roar. I crouched down, the need to rip out my sword and defend myself overwhelming. My breath was uneven as the wings flapped, sending gusts that whipped at me, tugging at my clothes and hair. The terror clouded my mind and I looked up, not able to take my eyes away from the dragon. It’s scales gleamed, the black looking a deep red. The dragon stared down, the black coals of its eyes burning. Its mouth opened and I could see the flames building in its long neck. I had no time to think as bright dragon fire engulfed me.

My scream was lost as fire swirled all around me, burning away my hair, my eyes, my skin. Fire filled me, my insides burning with unnatural heat to the point where I was only fire, a burning inferno searching for something to consume.

Morvin. I know that name.

I turned my head to see who’s voice it was, but saw only fire.

You want to prove your worth, that you are not nothing. But we are all nothing.

I could feel my legs, the floor under my feet. I opened my eyes, not realizing they had closed. The dragon was standing in front of me, its wings folded at its sides.

Ghebaas. I like that name.

I legs moved as if on their own and I reached out, grabbing hold of one of the spikes on his neck and vaulted over, a space between the spikes perfect for me to sit. “Bororg…” I murmured, his name coming to me as if it had been my own.

Come.

His wings stretched out, his muscled bunched, then we were flying. The cool air of the outside washed over me, soothing every aching muscle, banishing every crippling thought. Bororg’s wings beat rhythmically under me and I closed me eyes.
Yes, this is what I was made for.