Several Years Ago

It's been a year ago when I confessed my feelings toward Eric and he returned them as well.

So basically not very long after we did all that, we told our friends in the dragon city that we're heading back to Eric's house to start our life together.

I even had to say goodbye to my best friend that I've grew up with. He really was happy that me and Eric are together at last. Also my uncle.

Course my uncle made me promise him to come visit him with Eric every once in a while, and I promised him that we'll do that.

I wouldn't want to stay away from my home that I grew up from forever. Eric likes it there too, but he misses his home, so that's why we're living here now.

So far right now everything's great! I get to live outside the city and not feel crowded. I get to be with the human that I love. And also there hasn't been a problem ever since we've started a life together.

Telling Eric how I've felt is the best thing that could've ever happen to me, I've never been so happy in my life! And knowing that he loved me as well was also the best thing for him.

We were both meant to find each other and be together. No one else, but us.

Still a part of me wonders what he would be like if he was a dragon like me. But that doesn't matter, I do love him for who he is. In fact, if anyone in the dragon city had a problem with me having a intimate relationship with a human, they can just go screw themselves! Because I love him and no one else will stop me.

And I would bet if any human had a problem with Eric being with me, he would tell them to go screw themselves as well!

Pretty funny when I think about it. I could imagine Eric saying that.

I giggled to myself. Ancestors I really crack myself up!

Now here I am laying on my stomach in the barn outside Eric's house. Of course Eric wished that the house was large enough for me to live in. But he didn't mind to sleep by me in this barn during the night. We always cuddled together.

Mother...Father...If you're watching me right now, I hope you know that I'm happy. That I've finally found someone who loves me, for who I am. Not what I am.

No asshole drakes who treat me like I'm just a toy to them. No asshole drakes who treat me like I'm their bitch. NO ASSHOLE DRAKES who tell me to change for what they want. Because I would never change for them.

I heard footsteps in the barn and smiled when I saw Eric coming toward me. I said, "Hey Eric, having a nice morning?"

Eric grinned at me and said, "Pretty grand morning as I would say!"

I giggled and lowered my head to his level. He put his hands to both sides of my face and he planted a kiss directly at my mouth. He pulled away and I returned the affection by having a lick on his nose. He giggled when I did that.

Eric backed away and said, "So uh...You want to go somewhere in the woods today?"

I raised my head and gave him a devilish grin, "Want to get naked again and swim in the lake with me? I wouldn't mind it."

Eric laughed and then he petted my nose, "Maybe I do, you horny dragon."

I said, "Not as horny as you are." Then we both laughed. I got up on all fours and stretched, my wings stretching as well. I let out a big yawn.

Eric tilted his head and giggled, "What's up with you? You're acting like you haven't slept all night."

I groaned, "Lets just say that some cricket keeps waking me up all night. Honestly Eric, I hate crickets."

He laughed, "Well then why don't you tell them to be quiet?"

I rolled my eyes, "You try telling them to be quiet, I'm sure they would listen to you."

Eric shrugged, "Highly doubtful, they would probably listen to a big beautiful scaly blue dragoness like you."

I shot up my head proudly, "I AM BEAUTIFUL, aren't I?"

Eric laughed again, "Well it's better than calling you ugly, only a mother could love that face."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Shut up you little bastard."

Eric giggled and gave a rub on my leg, "Oh I'm kidding. You're not ugly. You're beautiful."

I grinned at him, "You damn right I'm beautiful."

I lowered my head to his level gain and he gave me a kiss on the nose and said, "Hey listen I'm going to head to the village today. So I'll be back later. Just hold that thought about swimming in the woods today." He winked at me.

I gave him a concerned look, "Eric, are you sure? What if the king that you've used to work for finds you there? He could still be looking for you."

Eric shook his head, "Doubt it. Everyone that I've worked with probably think I'm dead. I've only been gone for three years. No one hasn't found me yet."

Then I reached out my paw and gave Eric a rub on his back, "Well still...I'm still afraid you might get hurt. Assholes like your king don't let go of things just like that. Once you cross a egomaniac, there's no stopping him."

Eric smiled, "Sierra, don't worry. I'll be fine. I know how to fight back. After all I used to be a knight."

I cocked my head, "Yeah, but what happens if there are like TWENTY men that'll come after you?"

Eric said, "Then I'll run away. I'm not THAT stupid."

I reached my head forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and I looked into his eyes and said, "Just...Be careful."

He gave me a comforting smile, "Don't worry my love. I will." He backed away from me and said, "Be back later!" Then he whirled around and walked out of the barn.

I sighed. I know Eric's confident that the king disbanded the search for him and I know Eric sometimes goes to the village to get some bread.

But even I've had a bad feeling that something terrible will happen to him...Maybe.

I shook my head. No, Eric won't die.

He's stronger than everyone thinks.

I know everything will be alright.

*****

Me and Eric are sitting on the grass outside his house, staring at the stars.

I could really picture my parents and Eric's mate are up in the stars, watching over us. I really could imagine they would be happy to see us together.

Eric sat close to my body and he sighed.

I looked down at him and asked, "Something wrong?"

He looked up at me and smiled, "No nothing's wrong. Why?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. You haven't talked much ever since we've sat out here."

Eric looked away from me and stared straight ahead, "Yeah."

The way he talked kinda concerned me. I lowered my head to his level and pressed him, "Eric...Please talk to me. What's wrong?"

Eric knew I wouldn't let it go and without looking at me, he sighed again, "Well....Sierra, can I ask you something?"

I nodded, and nudged my snout into his neck, "Yes of course."

He asked, "...Sierra...Are you happy here, with me?"

My face went wide when he asked that. What? Why would he ask me that? What's the matter with him? I said, "Yes, I am. Why?"

He sighed once more and finally turned his head to face me, "Sierra I don't know what I'm thinking anymore. To be honest...A part of me thinks this is wrong."

My heart sank a bit. He...Thinks it's wrong? He thinks it's wrong that me and Eric are together like this? Why? I asked, "Eric...I don't understand. Why would you think now it's wrong? I thought you love me."

Eric shook his head and assured, "No Sierra, I do! It's just..." He trailed off.

I cocked my head at him, "What?"

He reached his hand out and touched my nose, "Sierra...I had a dream last night."

I asked, "What dream?"

"About Sierra, my girl. The girl that I was with before she died. The girl I've named you after. I was dreaming about her."

I asked, "What...Was it about?"

Eric groaned and got up on his feet and said, "Sierra I'm a human! To be honest I can't compete being what I'm not. A...Dragon. I mean, it's not that I don't love you as a lover, I do. But I'm just... I don't know anymore. I mean, what would my girl think if she was still alive right now? She would...Never speak to me again."

I shook my head, "Eric, you know that it's just a dream. Whatever it was she said to you, it wasn't real."

Eric had a sad look on his face, "But it LOOKED real. I mean, I could even feel it. I mean, you just don't get it."

I cocked my head, "Eric what...Did she say to you? In your dream?"

He answered, "That I was disgusting. That I was a freak. That I don't deserve to be with anyone. Not even a human female. She...Said she hated me."

My face went wide and then I had a pity look for him, "Eric..."

He had a guilty look on his face, "Sierra, please don't take this the wrong way. I mean, I just don't know anymore. I mean, we've been together for a year already and now...Now..."

I knew what he was trying to say, "You're having second thoughts? About us?"

He sighed, "Sierra, I know you remind me of her. And that's why I love you. But now it...It..." He groaned again.

I shook my head, "Eric, I don't think your mate would hate you. I think she would be happy that you've found someone who loves you like she did. You deserve happiness. And for the record, I don't find this wrong at all. I don't care really. I love you."

Eric stared into my eyes and said, "Well let me ask you something, don't you feel like you want something more?"

I cocked my head, "What do you mean?"

He said, "I mean....Don't you think you REALLY want something more than this? I mean...Don't you want to be with someone who's on four legs? Not someone who is on two legs?"

Now that question got to me and then I narrowed my eyes at him, "Eric, that's not fair. You know I've told you about the drakes that I've been with. They don't love me like you do. They're just assholes."

He had an intense look on his face, "But what more a human like me, can I give you? How much more can I give you?"

I asked, "Eric...What are you implying?"

Eric rubbed the back of his neck, "Sierra..." He trailed off again.

I pressed him, "What is it? Tell me."

Eric sighed and just hesitated for a second, "Have you...Have you ever thought about...Having hatchlings?"

My eyes went wide, "What?"

He said, "You know hatchlings, children, babies! You know become a mother."

My mouth was kinda open. He...Wants to have a family? Is that what this is about? Is this more than just that dream? I only muttered, "Eric."

Eric had a sad and frustrated look on his face, "I mean look at us! I can't compete with THIS! Nothing ever changes. Not even us. I mean...We can't have a family together and we never will be. You'll...Never have my children."

I put on a sad face as well. Oh poor Eric. He's right. We're just too...Different.

Of course more than once we've thought about mating each other, but a part of me is saying then what would happen? Nothing really. That's our lives our gods have chosen us to be. A dragon and a human.

But now since this is happening, I hate the gods now! Eric really deserves to be happy. And I will make him happy.

I lowered my head to his level and said, "Eric...If you want us to have a family together, I...I can just mate with a drake while I'm in heat and have an egg."

His face went wide and he shook his head, "No, Sierra! Don't do that!"

I was taken back by that statement, "What? Why?"

"Because I won't let you do that to yourself. Letting a drake that you don't love do that to you."

I cocked my head, "But...I thought you want to have a family?"

He said, "I...I don't know what I want."

I asked, "So then which is it? Family or no family?"

Eric sighed and he walked to my face, "I'm sorry, Sierra. About everything."

I nodded, "It's ok."

Eric shook his head, "No, it's not ok. I...Realize I'm putting you through pain than I thought."

I shook my head, "No Eric. You're not."

His face went wide, "What?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You heard me. You would never hurt me. Not even with harsh words, you would never hurt me."

He stuttered, "But...But don't you want to have a family? Don't you want to be...Normal?"

I said, "Eric, let me tell you something. Normalcy is crap. I don't care what anyone would think. Not even your mate. And you shouldn't either."

Eric lips parted, "But-"

I shouted, "I don't care!" My shout made him back away a bit and then I said in a calm voice, "Eric please don't do this to yourself. We both love each other, and you know it. I love you for who you are, not as a dragon but YOU."

Eric said, "Sierra-"

I shook my head, "And about this tiny part inside you that's telling you it's wrong, tell it to shut the hell up. Your feelings is what matters to you. Don't let anyone tell you, not even the tiny part inside you tell you otherwise. Because you are what matters."

I got up on my feet and said, "And about your dream, that's crap too. That dream is about you doubting yourself about us, if we can be together. I know it. But you shouldn't let the dream get you so down. Sierra, your mate would love you for being happy and we have been happy together!"

Eric said, "But...What about wanting a family?"

I frowned, "Isn't that what you wanted?"

Eric thought about it and then he shook his head, "No...Well a part of me does and to be honest, I only want to have a family for your sake."

I asked, "You wanted to have a family, for me?"

He nodded, "I was only thinking about what you would want. That's why I was asking."

I shook my head, "Eric, I don't want to have a family."

Eric frowned, "Are...Are you sure?"

I nodded, "Of course I'm sure! I never even thought about having a family. I know we can't have hatchlings together. I KNOW it that much. But...That doesn't mean you should worry about it. I only want US, that's it. Only me and you. I don't care."

Eric asked, "WHY Sierra, why?"

My face was close to his and I said this without hesitation, "Because I love you."

Eric suddenly had a sad look on his face and he turned his back on me.

My face went wide. Wait...Did he want a family after all? What's he thinking about? "Eric?"

Without turning around to face me, he said, "I...I don't know how long it'll last."

I groaned, "Eric we've just talked about this! Normalcy is crap, what everyone would think including your mate would be crap, worrying about not having a family EVER in our lives is crap as well. Nothing has to change Eric! I only want us, that's it! I only want you."

He finally whirled around and he already had tears in his face, "But still did you ever think about how long our LOVE would last?"

I smiled at him, "I know it'll last forever."

He shook his head, "No it won't."

I shouted, "I don't care what anyone thinks!"

He shot back, "That's not what I'm talking about! I...I'm talking about...Your age."

I cocked my head, "Now what are you talking about?"

He took a deep breath and said, "You've told me that dragons age a lot more longer than humans do. Your kind lived longer lives. You'll outlive me. I'll die and you'll live on without me. I...I don't want to hurt you, not when the time comes. I...I don't want you to feel sad and alone because of me. Sierra...I've felt that fear ever since we've been together."

My face went wide. I get it now. Humans live shorter lives. Dragons live longer lives, than humans do. Before I grow old, he'll die first, because he's a human. I'll outlive him. He'll...Die of old age. I'll watch him grow old and die.

Now this part of the conversation makes sense. Why he says he's putting me through pain than he thought. He doesn't want me to feel the pain when he dies. He doesn't want to hurt me. He wants to live longer like me, but he can't. He's worried about me.

I only stared at him. Maybe I should leave him. Maybe he-

I shook my head. No, I love Eric. I don't care what would happen to him in the future. I will be with him until he dies. He has suffered enough living alone in this world. He lost his parents and his mate. I'm all he's got. I love him and he loves me as well. And I won't let him suffer anymore. We'll share our love together until he dies.

I had a determined look on my face and said, "Eric, I won't leave you. I won't. And you can't make me."

Eric said, "Sierra, I'm trying to protect you. Don't you get it? I won't live long like you. I'll grow old and there will be no turning back. Do you still want me despite that?"

I nodded, "Yes, I do. I won't leave you alone Eric. You've suffered enough in this world. There is a reason why your mate died, so you would be with me. You've been given a second chance at love and you're looking at that chance. I will share your love until you grow old and die. I care about you and your feelings." Then I gave him a smile, "I will be with you no matter what, even when you're old."

Eric still had tears falling down his face and finally he grew a smile, "Sierra...Do you really mean it? Despite that, you don't want to leave me?"

I nodded, "I'll take my chances."

Eric then wrapped his arms around my neck, pulled himself close to my chest and started sobbing. I cried along with him. My paw rubbing his back, comforting him.

We both cried for a long time until he finally pulled and backed himself away from me. He smiled at me, "Thank you, Sierra."

I smiled back, "Eric, I would do anything for you. Even that means staying with you until you die. I don't care what happens."

He asked, "What would happen to you when I die?" 

I shook my head, "I don't know. But I guess I'll wait and see what kind of future holds for me."

Eric grinned, "You know...I hope it'll be a good future without me."

I shrugged, "I don't know Eric."

Eric pleaded, "Sierra, I want you to promise me something."

I cocked my head and he went on, "Promise me that when I die, you let me go. That you will find happiness. That you'll find someone else to love and be with. Promise me that you won't let my death affect you forever. Promise me that...Please. Just for me."

I stared into his eyes and thought about his promise. I don't know if I can find someone else who's like him. I mean, I know he'll want me to move on and yes I would be sad because of his death...But let him go...I don't know.

I will do whatever I can for his promise. I will do anything for him.

Eric pressed me, "Sierra?" Then he placed his hand on my chest. My heart beating against his hand.

I smiled and said, "I promise."

Eric beamed at me, "Thank you Sierra. Thank you. I know you can do it."

I nodded. Then I leaned my head to his mouth and kissed him. Tilting my head slightly. My lips adjusting to his small mouth. Eric put his hands on both sides of my face and kissed me back.

We pulled away after a minute of kissing and we both smiled at each other. Then he asked, "You ready to go to bed?"

I nodded and asked, "You gonna be ok?"

Eric nodded, "Yeah, I think I will. And you're right about everything. I won't let my tiny part inside me tell me otherwise about us. I know my mate would want me to be happy and she knows I'm happy with you. I won't let that dream I've had get to me and I won't let the fear of hurting you when I die get to me anymore."

I licked his face, "Good."

I smiled at him and then we walked to the barn near his house. We went inside and when we walked in the middle of the barn, I laid down on my stomach and Eric sat down and laid his back against my chest. Ready to sleep together.

Eric giggled and muttered, "Your heart always soothed me. I can hear it beating when my head's close to your chest."

I smiled when I curled my legs around him, "I'm glad it does, Eric."

Then I lowered my neck to his level and twisted my neck to look at him, "Eric."

He turned his head, "Yeah?"

I happily said, "I love you, Eric."

Eric smiled at me, "I love you too, Sierra. I love you too."

Then our faces got closer and we kissed each other on the lips. I pulled away and I laid my head close to him. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

Eric...I know we'll be happy together, until the day you die. You can count on it.

Your promise...I won't let go of that promise. I will do it for you.

I won't let it go.

I won't.

*****

It was already morning and I was out hunting in the woods. Thought I get something for me and Eric. He hasn't had cooked deer meat in a while.

For some reason he likes cooked deer meat. Well he doesn't eat anything RAW like I do, so why argue with him? Cooked meat is good as well.

Speaking of deer, I already managed to kill a deer and I'm dragging its carcass across the damn woods.

I would've flown away with the deer, but these part of the woods are kinda too thick for me to fly through the trees. So I'm just dragging the body until I'm at the edge of the forest.

I dragged on and dragged on. I hope I won't do this everyday. Next time I'll see a deer out in the meadow and just hunt it there instead of these thick woods.

I could see that I'm almost at the edge of the woods and giggled. It's about damn time. I hate all this dragging shit!

I dragged until I came out of the woods. I looked back in the direction of Eric's house. And I frowned.

I could see smoke in the distance.

I cocked my head. That's weird. What could be burning?

Then I gasped. Eric...

I left the deer's body behind and I flapped my wings and took to the skies. I flew high into the sky. Flying off back to Eric's house.

I don't like this feeling. Eric, I hope you're ok.

I flapped hard and flew fast. Until I'm sure I'll be over Eric's house soon. The smoke was getting closer. Until my face went wide, when I saw where the smoke is coming from.

Eric's house is on fire!

I flew over his house, in the smoke. I flew past the smoke and I circled around. Trying to see what started it. I don't see anything other than the house on fire.

My heart and mind sank into fear. No...Eric.

No gods no...This can't be happening! It can't!

Please, it can't be happening!

I glided myself down to the ground and walked to the house. The fire still in a burning fury.

I just stared at it. I have to save Eric.

I screamed for him, "Eric!" No answer, no sound but the flames.

I hollered again, "Eric! ERIC!!!!"

Hours later, the fire finally burned the whole house down and now it's in a smoking heap. After I ran around outside trying to find Eric. I couldn't find him. So I waited for the fire to go away. Until it was safe to wonder in the aftermath.

Eric, please don't die. Please for me.

I wondered in the smokey ruins of the burned down house. Hoping I won't find Eric's body. I looked around the corner until I saw it. I gasped.

I saw the burnt corpse of Eric on the floor.

I cried out, "Eric!!" Then I ran to the body and slowly slid my paw under his body and I carried it outside. When I was outside the burned ruins, I laid the body down on the ground. I stared down at it and I turned my head away. No...Eric.

I...Left you alone. This is my fault! I..Didn't save you.

My eyes were full of tears and I started to cry.

Eric...I..I loved you. This is all my fault.

Then I growled and dug my claw into the earth in anger.

Who did this to you? WHO?

I will make whoever did this, pay for it!

Then I saw a glint in the grass nearby, near the barn. I walked until I saw the object. I sucked in a breath when I saw that Eric's crystal pendant is on the ground. I grabbed the pendant off the ground and stared at it. He gave that to me. On the day we've first confessed our love for each other. At the cavern with all the light crystals.

I closed my eyes tight. No...

I opened my eyes and saw something else on the ground. It's a shield of some sort. I lowered my head to look at it and my eyes went wide.

That insignia, I've seen that before. Eric had a shield just like this one, he showed me that shield. That insignia belongs to the king he used to work for.

I growled in anger when I now know who killed Eric.

That bastard. That cold hearted bastard.

He'll pay for it. They'll all pay for it!

Eric's death won't go unpunished!

Then I reared back my head and I let out a very loud roar. A roar of sadness. A roar of vengeance.

*****

Nighttime came when I flew and I could see the village that Eric used to live in before his mate died. Where he used to work for the king. I could see the castle in the distance.

I growled angrily at it as I flew toward it. There it is.

I flew over the village as quietly as my wings would help it. No one in the village would know of my arrival since it's the dark of the night. They would be sleeping by now. The castle would be a different story.

I know what I'm doing is crazy, and I've should have came back to the dragon city and told my best friend about what happened and knew who did it.

But Eric's death won't go unpunished. I won't rest until that bastard king dies. I won't rest until they ALL die!

I flew over the castle, until I could hear someone hollering at his comrades. Knights are now gathering around on the courtyard of the castle.

I growled in anger. I'll kill them all!

I dove to the ground and landed right in front of them. The knights all wore shocked faces. I stood my ground glaring at all of them. Several of them had swords in their hands and several others have spears.

They won't kill me, I'll make sure of it.

One of the knights screamed, "Dragon!" Another knight screamed, "Dragon!"

I roared at them in fury.

Another knight said, "Kill it!" Then they all charged at me.

I stood up on my hind feet and then I lunged at one of them with my paw. My paw swung one knight so hard, the force of the swipe made the knight fly to a wall real hard. His body hit the wall hard and died.

Before the rest of the knights could get to me, I breathed in and let out a burst of flame out of my mouth. Several knights were caught on fire and they screamed in agony. The other knights who were not on fire all scattered.

One knight came at me with a sword and I used my right paw and swung at him. Knocking him away.

I looked over my shoulder and saw one knight in time to see that he's coming at me with a spear. I used my tail to strike at him hard. My tail knocking him about thirty feet away. He didn't get up afterwards.

One knight came at me at the front and I bared my fangs and  snatched him off the ground with my jaws. Hearing him screaming in fright and pain. I threw him away hard at a wall really hard and died.

Three more knights came at me at my right and I breathed fire at them. They screamed in agony until they are burned to death.

I stared angrily at the bodies. When I was done I went to walk through the courtyard to search for the king. While I was walking a arrow went flying at me and scrapped my shoulder. I roared in pain. And then I looked and saw who shot it at me. A knight is on top of the castle wall firing crossbows at me.

I growled in anger and I held my breath until I built enough pressure to make a fireball. I blew the fireball at the assailant and the knight screamed before the fireball hit him. The fireball exploded in flame, killing the bastard.

After I killed him, I went back to walking. Until I could see the person who looked like the king coming out of the passageway to the inside of the castle. He gasped when he saw me.

I glared at him, "You." Then I breathed fire at him. Surprisingly, he dodged my flames and ran away, the flames impacting the passageway. I roared at him. The king ran like a deer. He's my prey now.

I ran after him. For a little guy he can run fast. He was making a run for the main gate to the castle, possibly opened while I was fighting the knights.

I jumped at the opening of the gate. Right in front of the king, blocking his way of escape. I turned my head and hissed him. The king's eyes went wide with fright and he fell on his ass. He scooted and then he crawled away from me fast, trying to get away. But he knows he can't escape from me. I advanced toward him slowly while he crawled away from me.

For being an idiot that he is, he got himself cornered at a corner of the courtyard. He then turned around to face me and he just sat there with his back against the wall. Fear in his eyes.

I stopped in front of him, still glaring at him. The king had a pleading face and he pleaded, "No...Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me."

Then I said to him, "Do you know why I'm here?"

The king's face went wide when he heard my voice, surprised that something like me could speak, "You...You can talk?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, repeating the question, "Do you know why I'm here?"

The king shook his head, "No! I don't! What do you want from me?!"

I hissed at him, "Eric O'Connell."

The king had a shocked look on his face, "Eric O'Connell? You mean one of my knights who used to work for me? How do you know about him?"

I shouted, "You son of a bitch! You've killed him! He was a kind soul and you've killed him! Not only you ruined his life, you made him do your dirty work that wasn't his at all! You've made him murder innocent people and you've sent your men to rape and murder his mate! He was so alone and it's your fault!! You ruined his life and now you've killed him!"

He held out his hand trying to calm me down, "Now dragon listen to me, listen."

I snarled, "No you listen! He told me that you are just a dark, heartless, cruel man! That you only care about only yourself! You did this you bastard! YOU MONSTER!"

The king pleaded, "I'm sorry about everything. I'm trying to rectify all that!"

I sneered, "Shut up! You deserve to die!!"

The king pleaded once more, "No listen. Don't hurt me! I'll do anything, ANYTHING!"

I wasn't going to let him go, not by a long shot. I shouted, "You're too late! You murdered him! The only one I've ever loved!"

The king finally got the idea why I'm doing it and he shook his head, pleading for his life, "No, no, no."

I snarled, "Enough! Now die!" I was getting ready to blow fire at the bastard.

The king looked at me and pleaded, "No...Please...Don't kill me! Please! NO!"

That's when I hesitated. Should I kill him? Should I really kill him? Should I give him mercy? Maybe he already learned his lesson.

No, he dies now!

I said, "This is for Eric." That's when the smoke started to come out of my mouth.

The king shouted, "No! No! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

I finally blew fire at the king and he screamed in total agony. Suffering the same fate as Eric did. The screams faded away and he finally died.

I was breathing heavily and I finally regained my composure. My wings folding behind me.

It's over. It's over.

I backed away from the king's corpse, seeing that my vengeance is completed. I whirled around and I flapped my wings and took to the skies.

I flew high into the sky over the castle and I flew forward away from it. Flew over the village until I was away from it. I was flying for a long time and then my wings were getting tired and I landed somewhere in the woods.

I trotted to a stop after I landed to the ground. And all I did was stand there. Registering what I've done.

I killed the king who murdered Eric. Trying to wash away the guilt. But...It didn't. It only made it worse.

I...Became a monster. I didn't give the king any mercy. I know he killed Eric, but...What I've just done, it's...It's...Not me.

I wasn't myself at all. I was a monster.

I raised my paw and looked at the object in my paw. I've been carrying it with me the whole time, after Eric died. 

Eric's crystal pendant.

My eyes started to water. I didn't save you Eric. You're dead and it's my fault.

I've avenged you and it still doesn't go away.

The guilt doesn't go away!

Finally I broke down in tears and started to sob. I reared back my head and let out a loud roar. A roar of agony and sorrow.

I'm sorry Eric. I'm so sorry.