Week Two: Wyvern

  Xeq sat silently at the table. His brother, Vile, next to him. The young spirit contacted them both individually the moment he heard of their existence. It wasn’t Xeq’s idea to show but his brother finally convinced him after perusing the fact that the young spirit was more than another dragon, he didn't have anyone and was afraid. He was changing and needed guidance. 

  After the scolding from Xeq, and the apology from Vile, the boy started off slow. “Look, I’ve been able to do this for quite some time. When I visited my grandmothers in America I was surprised to sense you two around. Later, I asked my grandmother if she knew of your type in town. She pointed a finger at you two. I just wanted to see if you could tell me about this. I don’t know how to handle it. Sometimes I have to run away because I don’t know how to control it. Help me.”

  Vile’s eyes have stayed a constant luminous blue. The boy didn’t know that he was checking the auras and scent of any other creatures around. For once, the boy is clear. For now. He assurance Xeq silently to stay and listen 

  “Show us.” Vile says before Xeq manages.

  The boy nods. Mikey Vaughn. His parents didn’t know of this occurrence. He never spoke of it. Around the preadolescence stage defines one's strength. This boy, he couldn’t hold in his true self any longer.

  Xeq and Vile follow him outside. Handing Xeq the keys, Xeq sighs.American drivers drive on the right side of the road not the left. Although, due to the young spirit's faith, Xeq takes the wheel wishing that he they could fly to their destination instead of drive.Entering the 'passanger's' side, Xeq sits at the wheel in confusion. Luckily for the kid, Xeq notes his skills of being ambidextrous. Vile on the other hand takes the 'driver's' side in bewilderment noting that they are technically stealing Mikey's parents' car.

  Following the directions, Vile and Xeq find themselves arriving at a forest.  It is dark. As dragons, Xeq and Vile have night vision so it doesn’t occur to either that there is much of a difference. Stepping out, Mikey leads the way to a secluded place. There are no unfamiliar scents here that Xeq or Vile would pursue so the young spirit has passed their trust test.

  His eyes meet Xeq's is disdain. “You won’t judge me will you?”

  Xeq shake his head. The boy does not know how to control his reflectioned self. It’s fine. Everyone starts out like that if new to the other world.

  He lets out an uncontrollable screech and then starts to panic. His eyes are now a glowing lime green and are fixed on Xeq's silver ones.

  What… What do I do now? He stammers without realizing he is no longer speaking.

  “A Wyvern.” Vile says impressed by the child not bothering to communicate through the brother's shared connection.

  Xeq nods. You’re fine. The trick is to stay calm. He tell him. The more he continues to panic the less conscious he will be. Xeq explain this and he clams down. His wings are smaller than the brothers'. He has a beak instead of snout and he unconsciously drips poison from his break. He is new to this. Very new and luckily he managed to find us in the nick of time. He’s dangerous. Fire can be put out. Poison? Not so much.

  Now, I’ll show you what we look like. Xeq says to him calmly. We are not that same.

  Mikey nods. His head thrust into motion clumsily and splatters more poison to the ground.

  Control your spit. Xeq says with a shake of his head before he changes. Reluctantly, he swallows and the poison is restrained. For now.

  Xeq emerge from his reflected self. The silver skin reflects in the moonlight. First, Xeq look at Vile. Nodding, Vile stands back in understanding. There is no need to transform them both. Vile still needs to be on look out. The boy watches in amazement and horror as Xeq's wings stretch out and take a swoop then two for takeoff.

  Try it. Xeq says to him as he fly a few feet off the ground.

  Stunned, he jumps. And lands abruptly back on the ground. Xeq laugh on the inside. Cute. He forgot what it was like being a beginner. Your wings. Your shoulders. It’s natural. Don’t force it.

  He nods again, this time, concentrating on his back. The expression that he makes with his eyes are stern. Xeq enforce it again. Relax.

  Finally, he does and lifts off the ground faster than he expects. Xeq approachs him and make sure that he understand that he is lighter than he thinks and has less stamina since he this is his first time. If he’s not careful he could return to reflectioned form without a moments notice and fall thousands of feet to his doom.

  Keep a steady mind. Relax. Don’t concentrate too hard.

  Why are we different? He finally ask.

  We are both dragons of the west. You, however, are called a Wyvern. No arms, just two feet. You have two wings, and have a beak for a mouth while I have a snout. You use poison while I can use fire. I am bigger than you not because of my age but because I am a different species of dragon. The poison is seeping through your mouth again.

  Embarrassed, he spits it out and it lands on some nearby trees. They dissolve in seconds and his eyes widen.

  Your poison is weak but it’s still strong. I can’t teach you how to control the levels of that but I can get you to control it better.

  He nods and asks Xeq about why he changes randomly at times.

  Your ‘human’ body is called your refletioned self. Ever look into the water and see what your true self looks like?

  He flutters in amusement. No! In fact… I stayed away from water because of that! I got scared every time I saw this… He pauses and observes himself. This thing in the water…

  Xeq nods. Welcome to the family. I’m sure you’ll have fun taking flight.