Week Nine: Trying Again

 “How about this picture?” Dana asked as she surfed the web. Mikey was getting quite restless about this lack of information about himself. Dana was a friend of his that loved to read about any fictional animal. She was the sister of Terry, who was in the same grade as Mikey. One day, he had come over to play video games with Terry. His club soccer team was playing that same day and Terry didn’t realize it. Mikey had just gotten off his winning game and was hoping to relax. Terry shrugged and Dana offered to stay home and watch over Mikey.

  She read a story. One that he enjoyed. It was about mythical creatures. She said that she liked to draw and imagine herself with the creatures she drew. Her favorite was a Pegasus. “To fly above the clouds and see the valleys of many.” She dreamed often and would dreamily sigh. “That would be the best.”

  He had gone over to Terry’s many times after he found out about the dragon inside him. Every time he would see Dana he would have to turn away or hold his tongue because he didn’t want to ask her how it was ‘dreamy’ to see different colored squares from the skies. He guessed that she wanted to see the world from the air but not from a high altitude because everything became so vague after a certain height.

  Normally, he’d ask her questions about any fantasy just to get her to talk. He liked her voice. She was really interesting. Her brother thought she was crazy but Terry didn’t mind the other creatures that she liked. As long as she liked dragons that’s all that Terry care about.

“So what got you interested in Wyvern’s specifically all the sudden?” She wondered.

  Mikey smiled. “Well, seeing that you like mythical creatures I thought I might as well give you an assignment!” He grinned.

  “An assignment?” She asked with a hidden smile. “Well…” She paused. “Thank you.” Her grin showed this time.

  Mikey nodded. He could probably tell her. But. If he didn’t tell Terry, who he had known for years, he couldn’t tell his sister because that was unfair and didn’t feel right. As much as it hurt him, he had to let it go.

  The description says, “A formidable hunter, the Norwegian Wyvern is somewhat similar to the Hungarian Wyvern.”

  Mikey frowned as Dana’s voice stepped away from him for a moment. Different types of Wyvern? He sighed. None of them had much information that told him about himself.

  “…The Wyvern of rough, green pine scales replaces the metallic spikes by black plates along its back, and is arched. It walks on land which leaves him with a somewhat scary aspect. Very strong. There are records of North Sea navigators seeing adult dragons carrying young whale of three tons in midair. Harsh and agile flight, this dragon usually hunts both eels and fish in both rocky coast of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as well as large mammals such as elk and wild boar in the pine forest.

  Even being voracious, this Wyvern has problem to be receptive among breeders and riders both today and in historical records, especially from Vikings, who may have seen in his ancestors the European Wyvern. Their property of even as a flight mounts, something rare for continental Europe at the time.

  For their resilience to cold and harsh winter, there dragonlogist speculate the Norwegian Wyverns would reproduce in subarctic islands such as Svalbard but none have been sighted in archipelago doing something besides challenging the polar bear hunting territories. His temper shows tolerance, but the fact of being strong and independent left him off the list of dragon recommended for beginners.”

  A sigh escaped Mikey’s lips. “So much for trying.”

  Dana turned in confusion. “Hey sport. I’m not done! They’re ten meters long and have a wingspan of twenty-two meters. They weight four hundred and sixty kilograms and were first spotted or said to be spotted around ninety-three AD.”

  Oh yea? Mikey thought to himself with a hidden eye roll. I’m small compared to Xeq and Vile. So what if I’m ten meters long and have a wingspan of twenty-two meters? Xeq is easily twice my wingspan and is probably even bigger. But the real question is the history behind the Wyvern. Am I looking in the wrong place? He wondered.

  “Mikey?” Dana’s voice finally reached him after his own inner rant.

  Mikey smirked. “Oh. what?” Mikey said in confusion. “Yea, Dana?”

  Dana frowned as she poked at Mikey’s mask. “Since when did you starting wearing this?”

  Like. A week ago. Mikey thought to himself.

  “Oh.” Mikey nervously laughed. “You mean this thing?” He said tapping it?

  Dana nodded with her hands on her hips now. “Yea..! Isn’t that what I just pointed at?”

  Mikey smirked. “I thought I’d make a fashion statement.” Mikey laughed as he thought to himself. You know… Not slobber and dissolve everything?

  Dana shook her head. “By wearing a mask to cover that handsome face of yours?” She said confused.

  Mikey was happy he was wearing the mask now. He didn’t want Dana to see the smile that it hid and the drool that he for some reason felt seeping out of the corner of his lips.

  “It’s to bring out my lime green eyes!” Mikey explained as he pointed to them and made them glow. He could see an array of colors now, ones that he wouldn’t normally be able to see with his non-glowing lime green eyes.

  Dana raised and eyebrow and jumped back in surprise. “Oh? They do have a glow to them.” She smiled. “Neat!”

  Mikey sighed. At least he knew that Dana was easily amused. Terry. Get back here soon.  Mikey frowned. She helped but she didn’t do anything that Mikey himself couldn’t have done himself.  
--

(4.11.15) Consider this chapter not important to the actual plot line. What's important is Dana, what she draws, and Terry. 

Week Eight:Research Project

  Mikey smiled under the mask of his. No one knew why he started to wear this green cover but no one questioned it since he was audible. His mother was concerned but understood there were some struggles that he couldn’t muster to tell her yet. Ever since he had can been convicted he had not been taking the rehab classes all that well. He would come home after hanging out with his friend, the ones he had left, and then he’d go out with his other friends from America. She didn’t know how they came so quickly but it was none of her concern since they treated her son like a human being unlike some others.

  He wasn’t perfect at school. Classes were getting harder since he couldn’t speak up freely like he wanted. He was forced to sit at the table that was assigned. To the teachers, it made no difference to his social status. In some classes, he was lucky. In others, not so much.

  On all his test he had received an above average grade. When he asked for help from his two idols, Vile and Xeq, they tried but in the end there was not much that either could do. In America Xeq was in college while Vile was a senior in high school. If Mikey were an American student he’d be an eighth grade while Vile in twelfth.

  The urge to learn about his true self was high. He found a video about a movie called “Wyvern” but didn’t decided to watch it. He could watch PG-13 movies now. He was happy. However, not happy enough. From a video he watch he found out that Wyverns were of many cultures but the one in video was from Norway. He couldn't possibly leave to go there without  permission. Well…. He could but as a thirteen year old out on his own he’d be scared.

  “Tame your strongest fear.” Mikey remembered Vile saying. Vile said that he imagined Mikey be one for panic. That’s what the mask was for. It shimmered when he unconsciously slobbered poison. It absorbed it. His friends thought it was cool. He went with, “I felt like being different for a change” verses “I found out that I’m a Wyvern guys and this human body of mine can’t handle it on its own without the will of my own to sooth it.”

  His friends accepted that. They were all thirteen to fourteen year olds waiting for adventure. In London, the mall was his friends’ favorite place to hang. Mikey decided not to tell of his dragon story until he knew for sure that he could transform and retransform easily. These were his waking hours and he still wasn’t fully awake.

  When he glanced online for information about himself he couldn’t find much. In England he was a known mascot and a fantasy of a variety of video games but that wasn’t enough for him. He found that there were different spellings on his dragon. The spelling of Wyvern as W-Y-V-E-R-N wasn’t dated before the seventeenth century. He found that another spelling was W-Y-V-E-R and that changed in Middle England. In Old French he came across the spelling W-I-V-R-E. Another that he found was spelled W-I-V-E-R-N and lastly, the Latin version which was V-ī-P-E-R-A meaning viper.

  There wasn’t much that he could figure out about himself. According to online statuses, he was supposed to be able to use fire but have a poisonous bite. He, however, could only subconsciously drool his acid and cover it up with a mask made from his skin. He wanted to tell his mother but he didn’t know how she would take it.

  How were dragons even born? Was his mother one? Did Vile and Xeq’s parents have this trait? Vile was different from Xeq. Xeq was a fire based dragon but somehow changed and was now able to use this inner stream of light that he called a Hyper Beam. Mikey laughed the first time Xeq told him. The two brothers scheduled times with Mikey. However, there were some times where they would say that they’d be ‘at the mall’ or ‘at a friend’s house’ when really, they’d be with Mikey. It made him feel important. Although, it also made him wonder why the two bothers seemed so close but distant.

  Vile and Xeq both told Mikey secrets that they hadn’t told each other. He was an only child so he didn’t understand why there was any need to hide something from someone like a sibling. He understood that his parents didn’t have to know everything and the more time he spent over the sea and adventuring with the two the more he understood the meaning of secret.

  He hadn’t told his friends, he hadn’t told his mother, he didn’t even think twice about telling his father. There were individual secrets between him and Vile while there were other secrets between him and Xeq. Vile knew about Xeq’s hyper beam but what he didn’t know was that Xeq came without Vile one early morning and spoke to him in his bedroom. He warned him that he might not be able to see him in the next couple of days. Vile didn’t know that Mikey knew about the Hydra’s heart. However, Xeq didn’t know about the missing dream that Vile so longed for. He knew that he had a dream that played every other night. It wasn’t a nightmare. It was the same dream. It became a nightmare because he let it become a nightmare through stress. He didn’t know what happened to the dream. All he knew was that the dream vanished one day and on nights where he was supposed to have the dream he’d lie awake for hours.

  Mikey found a one hundred and sixteen year old vessel in Norway called the Wyvern. It was a well-known and historical boat. It participated in the 2013 Tail Ships Races and was alerted in an emergency at 5:21 a.m. There were ten people on board that July eleventh. They were found at 6:42 a.m and rescued by 8 a.m. The vessel sunk at 9:37a.m according to rumors.

  It was name Wyvern after the mythological dragon that was featured on Frederick Croft’s family shield. Mikey sighed as he read over the information. It was named after the dragon not before. Norway had to have something. Anything else! He needed to know more about himself and sadly, Vile and Xeq would do their best but even they didn’t understand the concept completely. They made it clear to each other not to tell Mikey. However, both brothers appeared admitted to their fault. Xeq, a nineteen year old junior in college and Vile an eighteen year old senior in high school. And now, there was Mikey, a thirteen year old Londoner, a Wyvern they knew. Together they would search and find but teither way Mikey knew that this new life of Dragons would slowly take flight. .  

Week Four: The Trick

  Vile would fly over after he finished his homework and made sure that Xeq would be okay on his own. Mikey would wait for him outside every day so they could head out. Being the only child wasn’t so bad but having Vile and Xeq around was even better. For now, he would have Vile because Xeq was going through his own transformation. As long as he didn’t have to go through this pain alone he was happy.

  When they arrived, Vile hurried to the place. They raced to the designated area. Mikey was surprised how fast Vile was. Determined, Mikey cheated and partly turned into his true self just so he could beat Vile. It surprised Vile to see Mikey fly past him. Somehow, when he changed the structure of his legs to match the Wyvern's he was lighter on his feet. This made Vile proud and laugh after he heard what Mikey had done.

  “It’s a start.” Vile explained. “Being able to switch partly into you true self is a skill that comes in handy. It also gets your reflection self to accept that it has more than a regular soul occupying it.”

  Vile took Mikey flying over the ocean. They finally made it to Maine and back after a week of training. It was the farthest Mikey could go but that was still more distance than before. Vile assured him the whole way. It made him happy. It was almost like they were real brothers. Even though Vile was seventeen while he was thirteen it was still cool to have him around. Mikey would doubt the friendship at times but even his family loved Vile and Xeq. They weren’t from London but they did know a thing or two about Doctor Who and that was enough to make Mikey ecstatic.

  After school, Mikey would run at the track and then he’d spend time with his friends. Vile and Xeq kept suggested that he try to be as social as possible to keep himself from thinking too much about his true self and then save it for when they got there. It had worked for the most part. Only sometimes did Mikey have to put on his mask so he wouldn’t poison anyone. It was a little harder on him knowing that he had killed someone and for the most part a lot of people were afraid of him but for the few friends that stuck around he realized he didn’t need thousands of people’s attention. All he needed was a few.

  Keeping the Wyvern true self secret was harder than he thought but it was simple. Stay away from water. He already did that. He wanted to tell his friends but Xeq and Vile, mainly Xeq, told him to not say anything. They would find out in time and transformation time wasn’t the time to find out even though it was the easiest.

  The main emotion he had to keep down was anger and panic. Fear set him to his instinctive mode and that’s what he needed to avoid. It needs to be natural. Like Xeq said. It wasn’t. That was for sure but with the help of Vile and Xeq he could do anything.

  “Xeq mentioned that there are different kinds of poisons that I could use.” Mikey said as he walked with Vile down a path in the forest. “Can you tell me a thing or two?”

  Vile took a second to think. It wasn’t something he even understood completely but he took a shot at it even though he wasn’t that great at basketball. “When I use a different level of fire it feels different. It even taste different. You can only know how ‘acidic’ you are when you take control of your emotions. When you’re your strongest. Take Xeq, he’s a pretty fearless and calm guy who has a long fuse. Anger isn’t his strongest emotion. He can get that way which will represent a certain level of fire but he doesn’t lose himself to his fire when he’s angry. When he enhances his abilitiesthough angry he can manage to stay conscious.

  However, if you frustrate him or annoy him he’ll start to break. He loses control of his strength and can easily break someone’s limb. He gets frustration to take the best of him because he ignores problems sometimes. You know, he makes someone else deal with it instead of himself and when he finally can’t take it anymore, he starts to show the frustration on others wondering why they haven’t fixed the problem.

  I’m thinking you might be one for panic, Mikey. If you are then your most vulnerability to finding how acidic your poison can be is through anxiety or fear depending on which is more effective. You’d have to be able to tame your strongest fear to find how strong you poison can be.”

  “Kind of like…” He thought for a second and then continued. “Heights?”

  Vile laughed. “Well, you’re not afraid of heights but yes that is an example.”

  Mikey smirked. “Well, I was but it’s so fun flying with you guys that I tend to forget that I was ever scared and then when you get to see things no one else can see because you can fly? Now that’s something.”

  Vile nodded. “Indeed. Indeed.”

  “How about you?” Mikey asked as they sat down in the grass looking out at the sea.

  “What about me?” Vile wondered as he raised an eyebrow.

  “What’s your strongest emotion?” Mikey was tilting his head now.

  “Oh.” Vile said and then sat in silence. Finally, when he came to terms with figuring that Mikey would rather be warned than find out first hand he spoke. “It’s my anger.” Vile shrugged.

  “Figures.” Mikey commented while laughing.

  “Ay.” Vile said and punched Mikey lightly in the arm. “My fire’s in the core at least.”

  Mikey shrugged. “Does my venom have to do with bees?”

  Vile raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

  “Bees.” Mikey said again. “For the most part they only attack you because you scare them.”

  Vile laughed. “No. Most animals attack you because you scare them. It’s not always the same for bees. Sometimes they’re protecting the hive so they have to go on the defense.”

  “Aren’t most animals like that too?” Mikey was tilting his head again.

  Vile smirked. “No. Just you.” He winked and they both laughed and smiled. 

Week Three: The Tranformation

  Xeq ran his hand up her skirt. Their lips were pressed together and her arms were around his neck again. She loved him. There was no way that anyone could break their love. It was something even they didn’t know how to control.

  “Zamer.” Xeq breathed out as she let out a moan.

  “Yes, my love?” She muttered, with their lips barely apart.

  Xeq’s eyes were wild. Partly because of her but also because of something he had done days before. Zamer kissed him and pulled him closer, he was on top of her and on his elbows.

  “It doesn’t hurt does it?” She said softly and soothingly.

  His breath was rough at first but as she placed her hand on his chest and showed her luminous amber eyes he calmed down.

  “You did something you shouldn’t have.” She quietly remarked as she could feel the different substance’s aura in his stomach.

  “They almost killed, Vile. How could I not?” He muttered.

  “Your experimenting may hurt you, Xeq.” She said with a kiss. As she let go she smirked. “Don’t be so reckless.”

  Laying his head on the pillow and breath on her neck, Xeq let Zamer do the best of her abilities to heal him. He couldn’t believe he was hurting now. Not in this middle of this. Even if she was the only one that could heal him. He didn’t want to stop.

  Vile sat on the roof and closed his eyes.

Zamer? He didn’t want to interrupt.

Vile? She responded quickly. There seemed to be no hint of another trail of thoughts.

 I’m going to England. Mikey needs help again. I tried to get a hold of Xeq. What’s wrong with him?

 She took a second to answer but Vile didn’t mind. It was a nice night, the wind seemed to complement his face as it touched.

  The Hydra’s heart. She started and he frowned. It’s still trying to digest.

  Tell him I’m sorry and that I’m worried for him but I really have to go. He didn’t really.

  Will do.

  Getting up, Vile jumped and transformed in the air. He loved doing that. He felt bad for making his brother deal with the Hydra. He didn’t want him to but as always he couldn’t do it alone. Helping Mikey was the only thing he could do alone. Soaring through the air he hoped that his brother’s body would accept the Hydra’s heart. It was only a myth that it would give him power.

  A Hydra. Five heads and a regenerating ability. They weren’t immortal. The only way to kill them was to destroy their heart, the source of regeneration. Not all Hydra’s had five heads. Some had even more but the regular format was five heads.

  Each head was a different persona as a human form. Some Hydra’s had wings and others didn’t. The same went for other dragons. Not all of them had wings. Luckily, Vile and Xeq did. Mikey was a thirteen year old Wyvern, a Londoner. The kid loved Doctor Who and futball, or as Vile thought of it 'soccer'. Sometimes though, he would transform in the middle of a game and was forced to call it quits to take care of the problem.

  Vile and Xeq met Mikey two weeks before the Hydra incident. Thankfully, Xeq had warmed up to Mikey and actually thought that the kid had a chance. The attacks on Zamer had lowered since the two had met Mikey then suddenly this Hydra appeared. 

  Transforming, Vile approached the door and knocked. Mikey embraced him hard and in tears. Vile smirked and took the keys in hand ushering Mikey into the back seat in order to drive them to the place where they could resolve the problem.

  “I didn’t mean to. I don’t like killing.” Mikey stammered. “It’s just. He threatened to hurt my best friend and I don’t know what came over me. I punched him. His whole cheek corroded and my other friends held me back. He died the next morning in the hospital because they didn’t know how to cure it and neither did I.”

  Vile nodded as he listened to the specific details. He wasn’t sure if his experience was considered worse than Mikey’s. He burned down his ex’s house because he found out she was cheating. He wasn’t planning on burning it down. He was overtaken by anger. She claimed that the guy had raped her but he knew the difference rape and sex. He beat the guy, breaking half of his ribs and both his arms. Then, he almost attacked her. Instead, he yelled at her and then, he let out and uncontrollable screech, transforming in the house demolishing the interior. He broke through the roof and breathed flames of the highest intensity that he could muster. He was knocked out for days.

  He awoke to Zamer at the foot of his bed. Xeq had paid off the damage and informed him later that he wasn’t allowed to date until he got his fire under control. Zamer and Xaq weren’t going out at the time. Luckily, she was a good friend but still. Vile sighed. He didn’t kill anyone.

  “It’s alright.” Vile finally said as they walked quite a ways. "We all went through this. Trust me.” He emphasized.

  “I do.” Mikey sighed. "What helped you get through the fire?”

  Vile rolled his eyes. Mikey wasn’t intending a pun but he did make one. “Let’s just say I had my brother and his current girlfriend by my side.”

  Mikey nodded.

  “The trick is to get used to your reflection body and your true self. Let’s go by the water side you can see who you really are.” Vile lead the way this time.

  “I hate looking into the water.” Mikey muttered. “It makes me think that I’m a monster.”

  Vile shuddered as the house reappeared into his mind. “You’re only a monster if you think you are.” He quoted.

  “Really?” Mikey said as he stood next to Vile. Vile nodded and pointed to the still water. “Now, look.”

  Halfheartedly he looked into his reflection.

  “What do you see?” Vile asked.

  Mikey frowned but then touched his face. “The only thing that could scare me more than death.”

  Vile looked at Mikey through his reflection. They could both see each other’s true selves.

  “Learn to fear but learn to control.” Vile said as he could remember the times he destroyed buildings and even lives because of his fire. His brother was the same way.

  The hazel blue eyes shined back at him, the snout of his true self revealed. His brother didn’t have horns but he had two, both symmetrically lining his fin like ears.

  Mikey looked in amusement as he caught Vile observing his own reflection.

  “So, you do it too.” He observed. Vile nodded.

  “We’re not exactly the same. My brother is the faster flyer out of us three. You are a Wyvern and I am a dragon of both air and sea.”

  Mikey stared in amazement as he realized the alignment of the gills were on the neck of the dragon staring back at Vile.

  “I would try to suffocate sometimes. I had tried to drown myself many times but it never worked. I then realized that I was one with the sea. It wasn’t a place of suicide, it was a place of remedy. Wyverns like caves. Maybe if you go into a secluded place you may figure out what your true self is really trying to tell you.”

  Mikey coughed up poison again and spit it to the side.

  “This coughing up poison isn’t as bad, I can’t just spit where ever I want.” Mikey frowned. “Have something I could turn to?”

  “I could say you could spit on yourself but that would sound weird.” Vile laughed.

  “You could make something out of your skin to spit into but it would hurt and would take a few minutes to heal.” Vile shrugged.

  “Ew.” Mikey said but then changed his palms into scales to spit on. The spit sizzled but then disappeared. “You’re right though.” He said as he watched it dissolve into his Wyvern scales.

  “See?” Vile said with a smirk. “You’re useful after all.”

  Mikey sighed. “Thank, Vile. You are too.” He said and hugged him. Smiling, Vile patted his back, "Sometimes, all we need is a little reminder." He smirked. 

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. 

II. Week Fifteen: For The Best

  Cloak falling to the ground, the boy snarled. After all this time, he had finally managed to confirm the presence and his master was treating him like this? The next generation of dragons was to arise! He was to have a purpose in life! Why ruin it now?

  Slamming his fist into the wall the boy exclaimed in anger. Sitting on the other side of the room with his arms and legs crossed was his master who sat patiently for the time to pass. He knew the boy wanted to slay this dragon. There was no doubt that the dragon had not been born recently. But if his old sense were still correct he knew there was more than one that had come to the land and that, he couldn't allow his pupil to stumble upon. Dragons were fearless and wanted nothing more than bloodshed. The only time a dragon didn't was in its waking. The moment it awoke fully, there would be no stopping it.

  Huffing heavily,the boy turned to face his master with bruised fist and rage flowing through his veins. He knew his master wouldn't talk unless he calmed down but the man knew why he was angry. How could he? After all these years? Frustrated, the boy turned his back in annoyance.

  "Our conversation shall not happen with eyes." He said simply, opening up the curtains to stare out his window.

  "Of course." His master shrugged. "But tell me. Have you sensed any more dragons since that day?"

  Fumbling with his fingers, the boy shook his head. "No, Sir."

  Nodding, the master stood. Reaching the boy's bed side he smirked. "That is why I cannot allow you to go, Bahram. Need I remind you who you are named after?"

  "He slayed a nameless dragon in India. Though this may be my destiny through my name I have yet to go to India because again..." He clutched his fist. "There are no dragons." He spat.

  Bahram's master shook his head. "I never said that there were none."

  "But you think I can't handle killing my first dragon." He cursed. "Saint George, please!" He growled. "I may be young but now's my chance!" He exclaimed. "Before the dragon is fully developed."

  Saint George shook his head. "Yes, but you do know that you too are also not prepared so you both are at a disadvantage. However, there are peace making dragon slayers who only slay when the dragon has done something wrong. So far, this dragon you have felt has not."

  "How are you so sure about that?"! Bahram gritted his teeth. "I sensed a death." He shook his head. "This one has already murdered."

  Shaking his head, Saint George frowned. "Open up that window of yours, Bahram."

  Doing as was told, Bahram unlatched his window, letting in the resonance of a dragon roar. Holding onto the window pane, Bahram felt his blood boil. Gripping the pane, Bahram shook his head again. "It's on the move." He growled.

  "Your anger clouds your ears." Saint George shook his head. "Listen and when you hear it. Tell me." He sighed, turning towards the door.

  "Wait." Bahram turned in a rush. "Where are you going?"

  "I'll be down stairs, it's light young one. We have yet to have diner." He smirked, closing the door behind him.

  Sighing, Bahram let out a slow breath. Focusing all his attention on his surroundings he listened. As minutes passes, Bahram felt himself losing his judgement. Gasping, Bahram opened his eyes thrusting his first in the air. How did he not notice?! Another dragon. A dragon of the sky. It was also here. Not only that. It was near his dragon. The crying had silenced, and his own blood has calmed. There was another dragon near but he could tell of its skill. If he hadn't concentrated as he did he would have never caught it. Rather, he hadn't until now. There were dragons. No only were they in Europe, they had started to generate all around the world.
--

  Dröfn held Mikey at bay the best she could. Struggling to keep him under control, she began to cry. Feeling the wind rush from above, Dröfn eyed Xeq in a helpless manner. Hearing his command to let Mikey go, she did. Disappearing under the water, she watched in the distance.

Thrashing and roaring, Mikey screamed. The pain was to great, the anger was too much. His blood boiled inside him. Anger wasn't his resort but he couldn't calm down. Seeing Xeq made him even more brutal. Why was he here? What did he want? As if Dröfn wasn't enough.

Shaking his head, Xeq shot at some trees and took them in his claws. Touching Mikey was out of the question. Everywhere he stepped dissolved along with anything he came in contact with. Though Xeq was immortal he still didn't want to risk the test since he hadn't done much fighting since immortality.

Slamming tree trunks into Mikey, he growled. Now that he knew there were dragon slayers about, who knew if there were any in Europe. He hadn't thought of the rise of another war but if Mikey couldn't grab a hold of himself, who knew what he would run into. Xi had told him that not all dragons are civil. His kind especially. Xeq didn't know what to consider his kind but he did know that American dragons didn't exactly exist. He was a sky dragon but now a born again greek. So did he count as an Western or modern dragon? Pushing the contemplation away, Xeq made one aspect clear. Mikey was a Western dragon, a Wyvern. Hostile by history but that didn't mean he had to be that way now. If what Xi said was true then there obviously had to be dragon slayers in Europe. Considering most Eastern dragons were praised so there was hardly any reason for slaying them. Frustrated, Xeq shot out a beam of light at Mikey's footing, making him fall into the hole that he had also assisted with.

Shimmering back to his reflectioned form, Mikey huddled in the dark and quivered in fear. He had never felt so angry in hid life. This sensation was worse than the time he killed the first time. At least then only part of him changed. Holding his knees to his chest Mikey cried in silence. Finally, when he thought he had this dragon side of him tamed, he lost control. Dröfn even tried to help even though he was her slave. Letting the acid seep out of his fingers to trickle down his bare legs he held himself tighter. All but his mask had been dissolved. Thankfully, he wasn't wearing his uniform.

Jumping down into the hole, Xeq sighed in relief in seeing Mikey back in his reflectioned form. Taking off his jacket, he shook his head. Sitting down beside him, Xeq put his arm around Mikey as he wrapped the jacket around him. Vile had done many times before. Smirking, Xeq thought of his breakthroughs. Thankfully since he was a strong flyer he managed to avoid hurting as many people but he too had his list of regrets while changing.

Slipping down into the whole that had been created, Dröfn resurfaced and held some of Mikey's clothes in her arms. Glancing at Xeq for approval and receiving one, Xeq took his arm away from Mikey, making him look up into Dröfn's eyes. Giving a watery smile, she held out his clothes and gavea deep blue blush.

"I don't think we've gone that far yet." She laughed softly.

Astonished, Mikey stared at Dröfn for a moment before looking at Xeq in horror. Grinning, Xeq put up in arms, "I know when I'm not needed." He said putting his hand on one of the sides of the hole to climb out.

"No!" Mikey exclaimed, looking back at Dröfn while blushing as well. "Dröfn, Hey. Could you please?"

Smiling, Dröfn stepped closer, Making Mikey push his back against the walls of the hole that had been made. Frowning, Dröfn crossed her arms. "You should be thanking me for those." She pouted.

Looking away in embarrassment, Mikey continued to blush. "Yes. Thank you. Please. I need to talk to Xeq."

Laughing, Xeq waved from above the hole they made. "You can thank me when you get finished," He shouted. "Now, take your time. I don't mind waiting."

Shocked, Mikey growled. "Xeq!" He exclaimed in anger.

Smiling in joy, Dröfn placed her hand on Mikey's cheek. "Don't worry. I won't go any farther with you." She chuckled, giving him a kiss.

Tensing up, Mikey gripped Dröfn's hand feeling the cool water against his fingers he sighed and held the kiss. Letting go, Dröfn stuck her tongue out and laughed. "Now hurry, it's getting late and you'll be late for dinner."

Watching her dissolve, Mikey smirked. Dripping away the dirt he had managed to collect on his body. He put on the clothes that Dröfn had retrieved for him. Looking over her choice, Mikey smiled. He seriously did not need to get used to this. Setting his hand on the wall, his fingers continued to slip. By the time he had reached the top, he was doused in muck. Laughing, Xeq shook his head. "Looks like you need to work on your climbing skills, Wyvern."

Shrugging, Mikey sighed. "It's almost dinner time, I'm tired. I used up my energy for the day. I don't mind." He smirked.

"Uh!" Dröfn shook her head. "But I do!" She exclaimed. "How could you be so careless?"! She grunted, cleaning him off.

Grinning, Xeq nodded. "Now that, is handy." He chucked to himself.

Looking away as if he didn't know what Xeq meant, Mikey hid a smirk. Glancing from Xeq to Mikey Dröfn crossed her arms. "Now what is this about?" She questioned.

Mikey shrugged. "Wouldn't know." He said giving her kiss and placing his hands in his pockets. "Can I talk to Xeq alone now?" He asked looking into her eyes. "Please?" He said giving her another kiss.

Blushing, Dröfn took a few steps away from Mikey in disbelief. "What have you done with Mikey?"! She exclaimed with wide eyes then disappeared into the dew of the forest.

Confused, Mikey looked over at Xeq. "Okay... I don't know what she's freaking out about but anyways." He grinned. "Thanks, she couldn't have held me like that forever."

"Thank you for throwing trees at me and making me fall into a hole that I contributed too." Xeq nodded. "I think I can dig that."

Squinting his eyes, Mikey took a good look at Xeq. "Oh, you think you're funny aren't you."

"Indeed, you are correct young sir." Grinned Xeq. "And by the way. Your girl there left because you did what she wanted you to do."

"I did what?" Mikey replied in confusion.

"Never mind." Xeq laughed. "When's dinner?"

Glancing down for his watch, Mikey grunted. "Looks like I need a new phone and mp3...." He muttered. "Again."

Xeq laughed. "It's alright." He smirked. "You can have my watch. I can always get another one."

Watching him take the silver watch off, Mikey shook his head. "I can't." Mikey frowned. "That's too valuable."

Nodding, Xeq held it out. "Oh yea, I know. But it's special. Don't worry. Like I said, I can always get another one."

Smirking, Mikey nodded. "Alright then." He frowned. "What happened to me today." Mikey asked, feeling the weight of the question in his voice.

"You're changing." Xeq smiled. "We all go through the change, Mikey. Don't worry, me and Vile and your new girlfriend will take care of you."

"Right." Mikey nodded. "My girlfriend." He shook his head. "I don't know." He shrugged. "I guess that's what she is. I mean, I'm going to be working for her sisters and then her mother."

"Working?" Xeq smiled. "Looks like you have a couple of years ahead of you."

"A couple?" Mikey laughed loudly. "Oh yea... I sure do."

Glancing at his clock, Xeq sighed. "I need to hit off in the morning, we should head back to your place."

Mikey nodded. "But wait." He frowned. "Tell me something."

"We have a couple of minutes before we get out of this forest." Xeq nodded. "Come on."

Following, Mikey sighed. "Well..." He frowned again. "Do... Dragon Slayers exist?"

Stopping, Xeq turned to Mikey in concern. "Where'd you hear that?"Xeq asked with an eyebrow raised.

"I asked The Goddess of Wisdom." Mikey replied, eyes not leaving Xeq's. "That and Ægir sort of had enough heart to warn Dröfn."

"You talked to Athena?" Xeq said in surprise. "Nice..." He shrugged. "I guess." He smirked. "And hey, at least the old geezer's looking out for you."

Silent, Mikey waited for the uproar. Surprised, he raised an eyebrow.

"Athena?" Mikey replied in a daze. "No! Vör." Mikey corrected.

"Vör?" Xeq questioned. "Oh wait. Wyvern. Wrong mythology." He laughed. "My apologies."

Mikey laughed. "I'm not offended." He smirked. "Besides, she wasn't much help anyway..." He paused and waited for a comment. No receiving one he smirked. "I'll probably regret that later." He grinned. "It was a thought though." Mikey smirked.

Xeq nodded. "They do." Xeq sighed. "And hopefully we won't have to battle again, like they did in 2001."

"2001?" Mikey wondered. "What happened then?"

Shaking his head, Xeq ushered, Mikey to follow. "If you're awake in the morning I'll tell you but I won't wake you up."

Mikey frowned. "At least tell me if I'm in danger." He sighed.

Xeq sighed and shook his head. "Can't say I know the terms here in Europe, mate. But I can say that dragons aren't as welcomed here as they are in China."

"China." Mikey repeated in amusement. "What's it like there?"

Nodding, Xeq smiled. "They have some awesome exotic food that might creep you out. But it's cool." He grinned. "Didn't do much. I got this robe outfit I decided to leave there because it was..." He shook his head. "Not my style." He laughed and Mikey joined in trying to imagine it.

II. Week Ten: The Bright Side

  Coughing up the last bit of water in his lungs, Mikey’s breathes were shallow. Holding onto his arm was Dröfn. Looking out at the ocean, Mikey collapsed into her grasp and she laughed.

  “Tired already?” Dröfn smiled giving him a warm kiss that lit up Mikey’s insides. If only the kisses didn’t come with blackouts and practically drowning, Mikey would be okay with them.

  “Am I going to have to pass out every time I go fight one of your ex’s?” Mikey groaned.

  “It means you’ll get stronger!” She said cuddling up with him. “Now let’s get back to your room before your parents get mad about missing dinner.” She said with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll hide.”

  Hobbling into the shower, Mikey’s mother knocked on his door. “Mikey, Dinner’s ready! Please come down here and eat with us. If you want I’ll bring the food to you.”

  Too tired to yell back, Mikey suddenly awoke to an icy cold on his back. Crossing her arms, was Dröfn.

  “You’re dinner’s going to get cold. You’re clean get going!” She exclaimed.

  “Fin…?” Mikey replied groggily. Flushing a red he cleared his throat. “Could you at least?”

  Rolling her eyes, Dröfn disappeared and Mikey stepped out of the shower. Drying his hair he quickly grabbed the first pair of clothes he saw and headed downstairs with his hair still damp.

  Toying with her food, his mother looked up from the table. With a small smile she got up to fix him a plate.

  “Long day, son?” Mikey’s father gestured to him, seeing the clear tiresome look.

  “Yea.” Mikey said. “School might get the best of me.” He sighed.

  Mikey’s father nodded. “Ah, it’s all those pretty ladies out there isn’t it? You’ve finally reached that stage.”

  Mikey looked at his father confused for a moment and then aggravated. “Dad! What? No.” He replied in annoyance.

  Mikey’s father smiled. “Oh don’t worry son, it happens to all of us.”

  Sighing, Mikey took the plate from his mother and picked up a fork, dropping iy clumsily.

  “I’ll get you a new one.” Mikey’s mother smiled and got up to do so.

  Mikey rolled his eyes at this father. “Thanks, mom.” He said as she handed him another fork, this time he held it tighter in his grasp.

  “It’s not girls dad.” Mikey sighed. “In fact, I don’t want another girlfriend ever if I can help it.”

  “Another?” Mikey’s father asked in amazement. Mikey’s mom looked at Mikey anxiously.

  “No.!” Mikey sighed. “I meant I don’t want one. I don’t have one.” Mikey groaned. “Attracted to any of the girls at my school? As if!” He replied.

  “There’s that girl you walked home today.” His father pointed out.

  Mikey rolled his eyes. “She’d be the last ‘girlfriend’ choice on my list.

  Mikey’s father laughed. ”Oh! Don’t say that, lad. Or else she’ll be your first!”

  Mikey stared at his father in amusement. “Is that how it works?”

  Mikey’s father smiled. “The first isn’t always the best son! Know that much at least.” He smiled again, nudging his wife.

  Mikey’s mother paid no attention to the gesture. “You know you can tell us if you’re having trouble with your grades or anything as such, Mikey. Tutoring isn’t always bad but if you need it you need it.”

  A sigh left Mikey’s lips. At least his mother took the school work approach to this. Whereas his father was completely right but Mikey didn’t want to admit it. At least his mother tried to think of the other possibility.

  “Okay so if I say it is her.” Mikey sighed. “Then what do you say? How do I get rid of her dad? She thinks we’re together and we’re not. I’m only nice to her because…” Mikey shrugged. “She can help me with some of my classes.”

  “Ah, is that it?”! Mikey’s father laughed louder than he intended. “You’ll have to tell the girl your true feelings at some point, son.” He warned. “Never use a woman. Men don’t like it either.” He points out. “It only makes the relationship crash and those are the worst I hear.”

  Understanding, Mikey gave a nod. “What about you, mom?” He said turning to her, she was playing with her food again. Even though he was the son sometimes he wondered if his mother really knew what she was doing at times like this.

  Looking up, started, Mikey’s mother blinked in confusion and then plastered a smile on her face. “What is it ,son?”

  “How do I get rid of a girl that I don’t want to be around but have to be around…” Mikey shrugged. “If that makes sense.”

  “Well, you can play your part.” Mikey’s mother shrugged. “And then next year when you don’t have classes with her you can ignore her.”

  Mikey frowned. ‘Next year when he didn’t have any classes with her’ he’d end up with another one of her sisters. Mikey groaned. “I don’t think it works that way mom…” He sighed taking a bite of his food for the first time. Amazed, looked down to check what it was. On the plate was a small proportion of mother’s homemade English Cuisine. It already tasted amazing to Mikey’s taste buds without him having to me in such a mess.

  Grinning, Mikey ate all that was on his plate and scooted the plate towards his mother. “If it’s not too much to ask. Could I have more, I’m sort of beat up from today’s adventure.” He smiled. “And you’re English Cuisine is always the best, mom” He smiled. “Why would I eat any less of that?”!

  Thanking his mom for the second helping and feeling better about the smile on her face, Mikey gobbled down the second helping and grinned. “You haven’t made this for Xeq and Vile yet!” Mikey said excited. “We can try to plan a day for them to come!” Mikey exclaimed in excitement. “Could we?”!

  Mikey’s mom smiled, seeing the light in her eyes, Mikey smiled back too. “Of course we can honey, but first you have to pull though that trouble you’re going through, okay?” She said with a half-smile.

  Mikey nodded. “If that’s what it takes.” He grinned and asked to be excused from the table. His father nodded and Mikey headed up to his room. Laying on his bed trying to figure out how to work his phone was Dröfn.

  Closing the door behind him, he turned off the light and made sure the window was close before he cuddled up next to her. Engrossed in trying to access the phone Mikey gawked. “Stop!” He exclaimed as he took the phone away from her.

  “What?” She asked innocently, looking at the phone in his hand. “You’ll make it lock forever if you keep getting the password wrong.” He sighed.

  “You don’t trust me?” Dröfn questioned getting closer to him.

  “In all honestly?” Mikey said looking into her eyes. “I don’t see why you’d need access to my cell phone is all. I’m right here.” He smirked and leaned in to kiss her.

  Dröfn pulled away after a moment in surprise. “D-do...” She paused in amusement. “Actually like kissing me?”

  Mikey put his head on her shoulder. “It’s the only thing we do that I don’t mind.” Mikey smirked.

  Kissing him again, sending butterflies to his stomach Mikey held Dröfn in his arms. She would make him fight again tomorrow. And the next day. And probably until the last day but the least he could do was try to have feelings for her and he had to admit. She was a good kisser.  

II. Week Six: Predators from the Primal World

Predators from the Primal World

Original Story Recorded in

The Enchanted World

Water Spirits

  Dröfn spoke of this creature as quick and deceptive. She warned him that slaying this for her honor wouldn’t be the last ‘monster’ in his wake and he continued to take her directions as she road on his back. It was odd, having a rider. He hoped he would never have to have one. Mikey kept glancing back hoping that Dröfn hadn’t fallen but seeing as they were traveling over the sea she wouldn’t really have to worry about the fall. She was a wave. It wouldn’t hurt her. Now, as for her father? He’d probably get angry and curse another year or years upon Mikey’s head so Mikey continued to check despite knowing of her safety.

  Slowing him to a stop, Dröfn pointed at a ship, it had three sail one that towered over the other two holding the birds nest. Below, Mikey could see the crewman and could hear them sing.

We love to hear the voices

Of maddens as they call 

But dread has fill our eyes 

As water begins to fall

Above us rises the waves

Of the God of the sea 

and lurcky waiting for our daze 

Is the serpents who are deadly

We seek to master the ocean 

To drive away the spirits of the sea 

But awaiting our demise is the fate alas to be 

Its eyes glow with vengance 

With blood lust, the only goal 

Waiting for our spirits 

To dull as we grow old 

And snatch us out of our youth

Shall the serpent of the sea 

Attempt to take our lives with 

The true love of our lives, the sea. 

  Mikey wondered if he could talk to the nymph, as he came to find, the same way he talked to her father. Attempting it, he spoke in his head.

  Fin? He questioned hoping that she could hear him.

  “Yes?” She asked aloud.

  You can hear me?

 “Only because you’re wearing me around your neck.” She smiled.

  Oh. Mikey nodded. Well that made sense.

  “What is it, my Wyvern?” She asked again.

  Why are they singing about death as if it’s funny? Mikey asked. Apparently, his heritage seemed to accept death better than he had been taught.

  “They speak of what you hunt.” Dröfn replied simply. “Some Seafarers wish to master tge ocean and drive away the spirits in its wake but thankfully, we have creatures like you around.”

  But. Mikey protested.

  “But?” Dröfn wondered.

  “I thought I was supposed to be killing the creature that’s about to kill them not them before the creature.”

  She nodded. “He’s a quick one. So keep your eyes peeled of the sailors might be singing their daring hearts for the last time.”

  Mikey smirked. Since when did she care about mortals all the sudden?

  Eyes widening, Mikey flew in over the area in which he has seen movement. Sure enough, blended in with the surfaced coral was the creature. It was slim like a snake but had a head of a fish. It had no wings and reminded Mikey of a giant eel but this time, giant eel meant one that could easily wrap around that massive ship and sinking it without any trouble.

  Beginning to worry, Mikey tilted his head to the sound of a voice. It was distant but Mikey could hear it. A whisper. It was a whisper. Then, it went out in a fuzz. Mikey turned to Dröfn in curiosity and asked, “Are you doing that?”

  Dröfn shook head head. “Doing what? Mikey, don’t take your eyes off your prey. I told you, he’s quick. He’ll take down that ship and all the crewmates before you even make it a third way towards the ship.”

  Shaking his head, Mikey tried to communicate.

  Who… who is this?

  A hiss loud and clear replied. What do you think you’re doing here? I’m hunting! Get that piece of trash out of my sight.

 Piece of trash? Mikey looked around only to see Dröfn and looked at her silently before looking away.

  Fin?

  Eh! Whatever you want to call her. I have no business with her, now you two go play slavery somewhere else because I’m starving!

Mikey looked down at the serpent, it seemed to be making eye contact with him despite the distance.

  What did Dröfn do to you?

 WHAT did she do to me? Her father got a hold of me that’s what! The serpent hissed.

  I went out to eat without her and she got all upset! The serpent’s hiss thickened.

  She hated it when I would kill the ‘innocent' sailors one day for a weeks lunch! He expressed. I don’t think we were even together for half a millennia!

  Mikey tilted his head. These two…dated? And now he was supposed to kill the serpent. Mikey knew everything had to eat. He didn’t want the crewman to die but he also knew dealing with Dröfn’s father wasn’t exactly pleasant.

  The God almost starved me to death! He exclaimed. Then when I was at my weakest he sent me out of prison to live alongside her, where I’m only allowed to attack one ship every two weeks. I’ve had to eat my own kin because of that God!

  Mikey turned to Dröfn in confusion. Are you sure I have to do this?

  Dröfn looked at Mikey in amusement. “Do you want them to die?”

  Well… No. Mikey sighed. But it seems to me that this is more personal for you than it is for me.

  A flash of anger gleamed in Dröfn’s eyes. “You are to kill that scoundrel. You understand me? He’s not the only one of his kind so at least you are making him go extinct.

  I didn’t think your father kept track of the creatures, mythic or not, in his waters.

  “Are you kidding? Of course he does!” She exclaimed. “But this serpent in particular deserves his death, you’re only ending his misery.

  Is that what she calls it?! The serpent yelled from below. Come here, Wyvern. Let me smack her around a couple of times. She’ll learn to mess with me every again.

  Mikey looked down at the serpent noting that the ship was starting to vanish from view. The sailors had sung the song a good ten times by now.

  I won’t do that for your sake, friend. Mikey said hoping he could get out the situation clean. All he had to do was distract the serpent long enough and then convince Dröfn that since the serpent didn’t eat he wouldn’t be feeding on his meal this coming week.

  Friend. The serpent spat. My kind don’t speak of such and neither should yours Wyvern. You are from the West not the East, I do not see a shrine praising you, asking you for rain.

  He wasn’t sure what amused him more, fact that this serpent could actually be considering him as a friend, or that fact that he was having to kill again. Even if the creature wasn’t mortal. That only made it worse. She said there were more of his kind which was supposed to make him feel better but Mikey knew Ægir wasn’t the happiest customer on the planet and no one should be held under his wrath.

  East? There’s a difference between the dragons from the west and dragons from the east?

The serpents cackle was a raspy and huffy sort of laugh. You must be new to your powers to be helping her and to not know about the different types of dragons. Even I’m not a dragon but I know.

  Mikey shook his head, Making Dröfn grasp his shoulders. He apologies to her and ignored her comment.

  I have two dragon friends. One can swim and fly while the other can cause beams of light to shoot out his mouth! They’re both hydras. One’s immortal and thr other one, I’m not sure really, I would think so but if someone takes his heart too then I guess he wouldn’t be.

  Ah, the Lernaean  Hydra’s reincarnation finally decided to show his face huh? Interesting.

  Mikey didn’t know why he even bothered.

  Look, I don’t want to kill you.

 And before Mikey could finish the serprent let out another laugh. You kill me? Classc. His laughing continued until finally Mikey had enough.

 Listen! You already lost your lunch, now go, pretend like you’re going to wait till the next shipment comes it. This time it was Mikey’s turn to hiss.

  The serpent thrashed and dove into the water, if Mikey had been born of the ocean he would have died that moment. A few seconds later, the serpent reappeared, far from the island in which it had laid in.

  Looks like we’ve got company.

 Company? Mikey asked and almost spoke, lucky his Wyvern self squawked and Dröfn looked at him with curious eyes not bothering to ask.

  Yea, you’re with Dröfn and word has spread she has a new sex slave aka you buddy.

  What?! Mikey exclaimed to the serpent. Sex save? This is nonsense! I’m only thirteen!

  The serpent chuckled. In mortal years?

  There are other kind of years?!  Mikey asked in panic.

  Again, the serpent laughed. Looks like you have time to prove yourself. Tell you what. Go ahead and pick a fight with me. Leave her on the island and come fight to the death with me as a token of friendship.

  Friendship?! Mikey didn’t know what kind of friends this serpent had but apparently ones that didn’t live very long because he was still kicking, or swimming in this case.

  Quickly, Mikey headed towards the island and Dröfn let out a scream. “What do you think you’re doing?! Don’t put me down there!”

  Mikey shook his head. It’ll be safer for you there, at least you have your father to protect you. I’ll be back. I promise.

  Gasping, Mikey reverted to his reflectioned form. Lookng at his hand, he then looked up at Dröfn.

  “Did you do this?” He questioned.

  “Only for a moment.” She said, meeting his lips and embracing him. For a water nymph she was warm. She felt solid, she felt mortal.

  Letting go of the kiss, she met his dazed eyes. “Come back to me.”

  Mikey’s heart did a flip and abruptly landed as the serpent spoke in his head.

  She’s the worst you could fall upon. Out of all her sisters, she wanted the ‘real’ monsters and that’s what got me at first but I was wrong. Even if you have the slightest chance of winning against me, make sure you don’t actually fall in love with that woman. She is a wave. A wave of catastrophe.

  The moment Mikey would hit the water would mean Game Over for him so he had to think of something he could without having to touch the water. Serpent darting at him from behind, Mikey dodge and found the serpents tail speeding right at him, letting out a roar, Mikey watched in amazement tail of the serpent began popped like a bubbled and oozed out, exclaiming in pain, the serpent complimented Mikey but Mikey didn’t bother to respond. Not out of rudeness of course, he like the serpent. The only problem was they were fighting to the death and this wasn’t the serpent’s first match. Darting over Mikey, Mikey rose, the serpent was trying to get him closer to the water and that, Mikey knew he couldn’t do.

  As he flew up higher and fast, Mikey let out a wind of air, falling toward the sea. His back numbed, the serpent must have hit him between the wings somehow. Feeling the serpent coil around him, Mikey waited for the imaginary light that people spoke of before they died. It was only a movie concept in his mind but something had to be true after all he had been through.

  Suddenly, he felt the grip of the serpent loosen. Quickly, Mikey returned to his reflectioned form and surfaced the water. There, he found the serpent exclaiming in pain, the places where the serpent had squeezed him were burning. Burning? Mikey looked closer in amazement. That was it! He was acidic! He knew that. But he forgot that his skin was the same way.

  Emerging out of the water as his trueself, Mikey darted for the serpents head. Hissing, it opened its mouth wide to snap at Mikey, swerving, Mikey attached himseld to the head of the serpent, Giving more of a scratchy screech, the serpent tried to hit Mikey off but couldn’t since Mikey had touched his eyes to blind him. Now, the serpent’s tail trashed about and when the tail did finally slam into Mikey, the rest of the tail started to bubble.

  Mikey breathed hard. Why must you have fun this way? Mikey muttered and fought himself to stay conscious, the serpent hit him hard regardless of the recoil.

  With no reply, Mikey’s vision blurred. The screaming of the serpent became distant and fuzzy until everything went black.