I pointed ahead, while walking alongside Emily with Damon and Rick behind me, "It's just up ahead."

Damon asked from behind us, "What was it that you're showing us?"

Emily replied, looking over her shoulder, "It's this place we both found. We could probably stay in there for a little while instead of sitting around outside."

Rick said with a raised brow, "Place? Well I don't think that you came across a five star hotel in the middle of Avarilan, kiddies." Damon giggled at that, making Rick shoot him a look. A bit of an angry look. All Damon did was have a sheepish smile and clear his throat. I looked back and saw it. Why am I getting a feeling that me and Emily missed something while we were gone?

I'm just getting a feeling that Rick PROBABLY confronted Damon about his theory. That he doesn't trust Damon and told him the reason why. Maybe those two had a conversation while we were gone. But only god knows if they did or not.

I trained my eyes ahead, seeing a big stone structure. We're getting close to the place me and Emily found. Emily pointed away, "There it is."

Rick can see it too, when we're about to step out of the trees and bushes to get a clear view of it, "What is this place?"

All four of us walked out of the woods and stood about ten feet away from the place. It appears, to me, to be some kind of tall stone temple. The roof of the place goes up over the canopy of the wooded area. Close to the edge of the place, is a wide stone staircase that goes about three feet long that leads us to the entrance to go inside the mysterious place.

Judging by how the place looks...It looks pretty old.

Damon muttered with a slight tilt of his head, taking a step towards that place, "It's a temple." He started to pad forward a few more steps, awe evident in his voice, "Of all the times I've travelled out of Wingspan, I haven't even came across a temple. This is the first one."

Rick asked from behind the dragon, "So...What kind of temple is it?"

The dragon answered with a stride towards the stone staircase, "I suppose we're going to find out. Lets check the place out." I nodded and grabbed Emily's hand to catch up to Damon, who began to walk up on the staircase, wings laid against this back. Judging by how the stone steps look, they appear to work well for a dragon to walk on. So it was not a big wonder that Damon hasn't tripped and hurt himself walking on them. We caught up to the dragon, strolling alongside him, taking one step at a time. Rick walking behind us as well, he appeared to have been apprehensive about going in there, but he didn't argue.

The four of us made it to the top, seeing the entrance of the temple in front of us. Even the entrance has the width and height that any dragon can fit through it. I'm thinking that whatever built the place must've been a dragon.

I frowned. I wonder how old this place really is?

From past the entrance, is a bit of darkness that shrouds inside, except there's a trickle of sunlight that floods shortly in there. Damon didn't hesitate to pad his way through the big entrance, us trekking with him. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness as we entered in there with the sunshine behind us. From what I can see, the inside is big and wide, with several very tall stone pillars on each side of the room that hold the very high ceiling above us all. Man, this place is big.

On several of the pillars, are torches embedded on each of them. That gave me an idea, and Damon appeared to have read my mind. He walked up to one of the torches, going to light one of them up with his fire I presume. Damon snaked his head toward the torch, taking a small breath and blew out a small trickle of flame to light it up. The torch started to burn now, making this part of the temple have light.

Soon after he did the first one, Damon went for another torch on another pillar, lighting that one up on fire. Then another, and another on one side of the big room. Then he went to the other end of the big room towards the other set of pillars, doing the same thing he's done with the other torches. Until two minutes later, now the whole place has light. I smiled at his work. That's better.

Rick just whirled around as he walked, looking at all the décor of the place, "Gosh...The architecture seems to be remarkable."

Damon came back after lighting up the last torch, taking a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling, "Did your world have temples like this?"

I answered, turning to the dragon, "We do have temples. But I don't think they're like this place...I'm sure anyways."

Emily giggled, "Honestly hadn't expected to come across this place. I wonder who'd built it?"

Damon replied, eyes drawn onto her, his tail behind him barely scraping one of the pillars, "I'm guessing dragons must've built this place before the war began. And...I believe that was....Fifteen thousand years ago."

Rick's eyes bulged out of his skull in surprise, "Fifteen thousand years. That's such a long time."

Damon chuckled deeply, wings fluttering on his back, "I suppose you can see how dusty the place is, can you? So I'd say the place has stood up for a long time. Not even destroyed by the war that goes on in the world."

Emily stated, "This place is real lucky." She strolled around, her head moved back and forth as she looked around the place.

Rick called out in a stern tone, "Hey, Emily, don't go off too far. We don't know what's in here."

Damon began to catch up to the girl, "I'll stick with you." Emily turned, nodded, and walked off to look around. They were heading off to the wall on one side of the room, so I decided to head towards the wall on the other side of the room, Rick joining me.

With the lit up torches, they helped light up the place, giving us a glance of the things we see on the walls that stretches on. There were depictions on there. Depictions that stretch along the wall. I walked up close, raising my hand to scrub the dust and some cobwebs off of it. I squinted at this particular depiction. From what I can tell, it's a white scaled dragon, flying down through a black raincloud, the sun breaking through it along with the mighty thing. From the color of it's eyes...They were just pure white. I tilted at that. I wonder who's that? And what is this place really?

Rick stood beside me, gazing forth at the depiction in front of me. I gestured to it and asked him when I turned only my head, "What do you think this kind of place is?"

Rick only shook his head, his voice came out as a hushed whisper, "I have no idea."

After his response, I walked along the wall, seeing several depictions that depicted several things. One of them was the white dragon appeared to have greeted several creatures on two legs. They appear to be cheetahs. All smiles at seeing the dragon. I'm guessing those cheetahs are the ones that aren't Lost Souls and they're normal. They do seem to be happy to see that dragon.

After several paces, I saw one in particular that seemed to have caught my interest. I can see the white dragon who flew through the raincloud, standing beside another dragon on it's haunches. Both of them gazing down at their bed where an egg is rested upon. The other dragon was sky blue in scale color. They appeared to be looking fondly at the egg. I'm betting those two must be parents and they're waiting for their child to hatch from the egg. The egg shell color is blue.

I had enough of looking at that one and continued onward, another depiction catching my gaze. I see the white dragon walking close with...A little blue dragon. Possibly it's child. My eyes were drawn to another depiction next to that one and I strode to stand in front of it. This one is about a blue dragon flying over a city, which I believe is Wingspan, and it hovered over it with wings spread out showing it's magnificence. I see underneath the wings that they appeared to have sparkles in them. My eyes went wide. Wow...It looks beautiful. I see it loud out a roar, announcing itself over the dragon city. I think that must be the little blue dragon who's all grown up. I walked on, glancing at Rick for a sec, who appeared to have just stopped and stared at the one with the parents watching over their egg.

I saw another depiction and saw the grown up blue dragon, standing in the middle of a circular room with it's parent, the white dragon, nearby. The blue one is blowing...Not fire out of it's maw, but ice by the looks of it. Yikes. I went on, seeing another depiction showing the same dragon firing....I stared intently, wondering what it's blowing out of it's mouth. The color is yellow, and it appears to be a spark. It must be electricity. I paced along the wall and the next one seems to be odd to me. I think the blue dragon has a concentrated gaze on something. An object, that appears to be a large rock. And it was...Floating off the ground! I internally gasped. What? ...Is the blue dragon lifting that rock without touching it? Does it have...Telekinetic powers? Possibly.

Gosh...A dragon with telekinetic powers. That's new even for me!

I hollered for Rick, waving him over, "Hey, Rick. Look at this."

Rick came over, seeing the depiction and his eyes went wide, "What...The hell is it doing?"

I said, waving my hand towards the levitated rock on the wall, "I think that thing is lifting that rock with it's mind."

Rick whistled, "That's a surprise."

I nodded and moved on, towards the end of the wall that held the last depiction. This one is showing the blue dragon...Socializing with a few other dragons. Happy and all. I hummed to myself. This was interesting. But...Who were those dragons? The white parent one and the blue child? Who are they?

Me and Rick heard Emily's voice, "Scott, dad, over here!" That made us jump a bit, both of us letting out a giggle. Then we both whirled around and walked out in between both sections of pillars, seeing Emily and Damon standing at the far end of the room. They were looking at something. Rick and I jogged to where they were, and saw they were looking at a statue of a dragon, that statue about the size of Damon, sitting on it's haunches on a big round pedestal, looking regal. I see another statue nearby, the other statue was also a dragon, but it appeared to have flared it's wings with an open maw. Gosh...What detail put into the them.

As I stood beside Emily, my eyes were drawn to the pedestal this statue's standing on. It has one word that's carved in stone in big capital letters. I think it's a name of the statue. It says: ILLUMINUS

I tilted my head. Illuminus? What a...Strange name.

I heard Damon muttering that name, settling down on his own haunches with wings curled upon his back, "Illuminus."

Me and Emily turned our eyes, my girlfriend asked, "You know it?"

Damon looked down at us beside him, "Him, to be exact." His eyes went back to the statue, "He's actually the Great One."

I gasped, "Wait." My head turned fast toward the huge thing, "That dragon is the Great One? Illuminus?"

Damon responded, "Illuminus is actually his real name." He rose his snout to the ceiling, realization hitting him apparently, "I think I've heard of this place. This place is called The Temple of Prophecies."

Rick asked with a curious frown, hands on his waist, "Temple of Prophecies?"

He looked down at us and explained, "This temple was built a long time ago by my ancestors. Showing who ever came here to see the prophecies depicted on the walls."

Emily asked, "So that's what me and you saw just now? Prophecies?" Damon nodded and she asked another question with a quirked brow, "Boy, that explains it, but who made up these prophecies?"

Damon used a talon to point at the statue of Illuminus, "He did."

My jaw dropped, "HE DID?!" I shook my head, "So then...Wait? If he made them up, then-"

Damon giggled and cut me off with a explanation, "Lets just say he was here when the temple was built. Telling the ancestors what those prophecies are and what he'd saw. The Great One was smarter and wiser than you think. He really wasn't a normal dragon. He's pretty special."

Emily mentioned all wide eyed, "So Illuminus...How old is he? You said the temple was built a long time ago. So...Is he old?"

Damon got up off his butt, turning his body to us, "A lot old than you could imagine. He's been around for thousands of years."

I muttered, "God, he'd lived for that long?"

Rick replied with a shrug, "So what, is he immortal?"

The green dragon said, with awe in his eyes, "I've heard of stories about Illuminus. How he has this...Special blood that he was born with, that'd made him live for a very, very long time. How he'd flew down from the skies one day after Wingspan was built by my ancestors. Created by the gods in the skies. How his white scales shined off by the sun after making his appearance, making him look like a light above the sky. He's a legend. He was loved by everyone, and everything. He has used powers that are way beyond what us dragons can do. So many elements that he has taught so many dragons to use. That was why he was given the title 'The Great One'."

Emily gestured to his chest, "You said before that The Great One taught you, right?"

The dragon smiled and nodded, "Oh yes. He taught me how to breathe fire and electricity."

Me and Emily chuckled, me only responded, "God...If he'd lived for a long time, then he must've been teaching a lot."

"From generation to next generation, to next generation. Believe me, human, he has taught us dragons a lot. Taught me a lot and I did the best I could with what I can let out of my maw."

I placed a hand to my chin, putting the pieces together. Mmm, I'm thinking the white dragon on the walls must be Illuminus. And from what I saw on that wall over there, he must've had found a wife to be with and they had a child together. Now I'm thinking that his child is like it's father. I mean, that blue dragon levitated a rock without touching it!

Damon brushed past the three of us, heading towards the other big statue, "And I think I know who that is over there." We trekked along with him, until we all stood in front of that statue. And on it's pedestal, one word was carved on it, like Illuminus's. It said: ABRAISIA

Damon muttered quietly after reading the name, grim look shown on his face, "I knew it."

Rick asked, looking up at him, "Who's that?"

"That...Is Illuminus's son. Abraisia."

My brain clicked. So that's the name of The Great One's son. The blue dragon on the walls. The one who's like his father.

Damon went on with that look still on his face, letting out a drawn out sigh, "He was made by his father to do great things. Illuminus...Found a female a long time ago and he'd mated her. She was the only one whom he'd ever loved. She was the love of his life. But...Sad part about it, she wasn't made to live like he was and she died like any normal dragon would. Her name was Sarasyn. From...What he told me about her...She was beautiful and kind. They had a hatchling together, and they both loved their hatchling so much." Damon giggled a bit, "And the big funny part about it, Abraisia was like his father. Had so many powers and elements like he did. He was welcomed and admired like his father."

Emily asked, noticing that grim look upon the dragon's face, "So, what happened to his son? You never did mention about The Great One having a son."

I added with a nod, "Yeah, what happened to him? Is he dead too? Did he not live long like his father as well?"

Damon just hung his head and shook it softly, "No....He's alive."

Rick asked, "So where is he now?"

Damon sighed, eyes now trained on the name of the statue, "Abraisia....Was kind and sincere years ago, his father described that to me. But...About seven hundred years ago....He changed."

Emily tilted her head, all confusion in her eyes, "What do you mean changed?"

"That dragon years ago just changed back then, without explanation. How he'd went from being kind, to cruel and uncaring. How he wished destruction on the world. His father...Had to banish his son out of Winsgpan, cause he was given a choice to kill him, because he was causing so much trouble." The green dragon let out another sigh, holding a sad, pity look, "Abraisia just...Didn't stop his actions. So Illuminus told him to fly off, because he was ashamed of his only son he'd made with the love of his life. Abraisia was supposed to do great things like his own father has, like he'd prophesied and every creature in Avarilan trusted him. But...He wasn't what they'd thought he was. Abraisia was very different than what the prophecies foretold. Not very long after Abraisia left the city...He began using his powers to create...Dark things. He'd found a home for himself, according to what Illuminus told me, and began to create an army...To start a war that's been going on for a long time." He turned his snout to us, grim look showing back up, "And I think you know what war I'm talking about."

My heart thudded in my chest, coming to realize what he's talking about. I turned to stare at the statue, "So...He started the war?" The dragon nodded and my eyes went wide. Holy...Crap.

Emily's face went wide, "Wait, this war has went on for seven hundred years? That LONG?"

Damon muttered, "Told you he doesn't stop his actions. He was the one who'd created The Lost Souls and The Dark Dragons, creating a war that never stopped. His forces, kept coming. It's like there was no end to it. They do get stronger too and sometimes my kind's end in the war...Lose hope. But...Illuminus always kept us all in check. And he has went against his son for hundreds of years."

Rick replied to all that with a wave of his hand, "Now wait a minute! You said the dragon who started the war wasn't named Abraisia, but it was Abyss."

Damon said with a small nod, "Abyss is actually the new name for The Great One's son. He gave himself that name."

Emily held a hand to her mouth, feeling sorry by the look in her eyes, "Oh...Poor Illuminus...That's horrible."

Damon said, "The Great One had one accomplishment that he was proud of, and his accomplishment has done terrible things and turned his back on his father. He never stopped his actions and doesn't want to. And nobody has never been able to stop Abyss. Because of how manipulative his powers are and how powerful he really is. His power has grown stronger for years."

I asked with my shrugged shoulders, "So why did he do it? Why did he just...Change?"

Damon sighed and shook his head, "That we don't know. Perhaps it's because...He had a lot of power than everyone else and it went into his head. That's what me and Illuminus think. He is more powerful than his father, by the way."

Rick rolled his eyes and shook his head a little, "Jesus."

The green dragon growled within his throat and looked back at the very statue in front of us, "He started this war and...I believe he has somehow gotten you three and your kind involved in it." Me, Emily and Rick looked at the Abraisia's statue. Looking how happy he was, judging by the expression. Now my imagination was taking form in my brain. Showing me that Abraisia was now showing only hate and darkness in his eyes. That he looks completely different than the depictions shown of him on the wall.

God...This is horrible.

*****

Emily blinked her eyes open, hearing the night making noises outside the temple. Scott laying close to her against one of the pillars in there. Her father Rick was across from them, his back pressed against another pillar. Sounding asleep and his mouth hanging open. Emily stretched her arms, moaned a bit with her mouth closed. Can't even sleep anymore. She gazed around the inside of the temple of prophecies, the torches that lit up by Damon are still having their orange glow. Lighting up the whole place. She sighed. At least she doesn't have to be afraid of the dark here.

It's been about several hours after their arrival in the temple, learning a couple more things about The Great One and the evil dragon Abyss, and since they all decided to stay in the temple for a little while. They plan on leaving the place tomorrow morning and continue their journey.

The young girl hung her head, remembering what she was dreaming about. Her dream was about her and the others, including Damon the dragon, being attacked and slaughtered by Lost Souls and possibly even Dark Dragons joining in with their little companions. It was a horrible nightmare. And she was shaken by it. It felt real to her. The screams, the blood, everything. Her eyes now turned to Scott. Even his death felt real and she was holding him in her dream too. Begging him not to die. Right before one Lost Soul casually strolled to her, bringing those long sharp claws down to her, before she woke up. That kind of dream, wasn't the first one she had. She really hates these dreams.

Emily decided to get up from the pillar, wanting to walk around a bit, so that way she can go back to sleep. She tiptoed away from her boyfriend, seeing Damon curled up on the floor. Breathing deeply with each snore he had. Emily grinned at him, thinking that he'd looked cute sleeping like that. Then she started to turn and walk off to the entrance of the temple. Just wanting to get some fresh air. She made each step with her shoes, softly tapping against the hard stone floor. Until the cool night outside greeted her when she emerged out there. A small breeze blew from the sky and caressed her hair and face. She sighed and let the cool breeze relax her.

Emily took a couple more steps, until she was standing real close to the stone staircase, looking up at the night sky. The stars were twinkling and the moon was shining above her too. She let out a relaxed breath, actually feeling relieved that her dream was not coming true. She doesn't want to think that it'll happen, but she can't help it. Those dreams just come and go.

Course Emily believes that they won't come true, Damon's with her, Scott and her father now and will protect them to the end. But she can also remember how Lost Souls just surrounded the dragon in her dream and just drove all those long claws into his hide repeatedly. Stabbing him over and over again, his screams showing total anguish and pain. And when he fell to the ground on his stomach, that was when one of those monstrous evil cheetahs brought down one swipe of his claws and decapitated the poor dragon. Killing him instantly. Emily shuddered at the terrifying image. It grossed her out. She didn't understand where she'd gotten that kind of image from, not to mention imagining all that blood. She doesn't like blood at all.

She held herself tight, her form shaking a bit. Her mother's face came to the picture. Emily sighed with a sad look on her face. She wants to try to talk to her again. She wanted to try. The determined girl pulled out her cellphone from her pocket, turning it on and then dialed Hilary's phone number. When Emily brought it to her ear, she hears that she can't get a signal here. Which it wasn't a no surprise to her. The girl has tried to call home over and over again and it still won't work.

Emily sighed in disappointment. Oh, how she wants to call her mother. She shoved the phone back into her pocket and heard a voice, "What are you doing?" She jumped in a quiet gasp and whirled around, seeing Damon right behind her with his head tilted to the side, "Are you ok?" He chuckled, wagging his tail behind him, "Hope I didn't scare you."

Emily giggled in relief and nodded a bit, "Sorry to say this, but you did."

He had a guilty look on his face, "Oh." He lowered his head to her level, "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to-"

She waved him off, "Oh, don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm just...A little jumpy."

Damon showed a smile across his muzzle, "Did you think I was a monster coming up behind you? I'm certain that monsters don't start casual conversations."

Emily found herself giggling at that, reaching out to rub his nose, "Oh I know that for certain." Now her head was hung, "It's just...I just had a dream and it scared me. Actually scared me to death, and god, my heart was pounding from it."

Damon nodded slowly, as she pulled her hand away from him, "Oh....That kind of dream?"

"Exactly. I mean...I don't know why I had that dream at all. I mean, it's ridiculous."

Damon giggled deep in his throat, "Dreams are pretty mysterious. We usually don't have control over them." He cocked his head, "Are you sure you're ok?"

She nodded at his question, "I'm alright, really I am."

Damon muttered, when he rose his head above her, "I'm actually surprised that you're not with Scott. I can imagine he would soothe you from that dream."

"I just needed to walk around and have some fresh air." She gazed out towards the forest that's away from the temple, "But I'm seriously not gonna stroll out to the woods for air, I'm just gonna stand right here. Don't exactly want to get attacked by another wolfir."

Damon settled down on his haunches and said, "I wouldn't worry about encountering another wolfir anyways."

She turned her eyes back to him, "Why?"

"Cause there aren't many wolfirs in Avarilan. I think they're just rare."

Emily smiled at that, "Well I guess it's no wonder we haven't seen another one for the past couple days. Very lucky I get to deal with ONE wolfir during this trip."

He rose a talon, adding, "Well I don't really know for sure, so I could be wrong."

She rolled her eyes, voice full of sarcasm, "Why did you have to say that?"

He shrugged his shoulder with a giggle, "Because I did." He just winked, trying to stifle a laugh with a closed snout.

She gestured to him, as he curled his long tail around his green body, "Well at least you'll protect me from another fangy monster in the dark."

He shot up his head, "Got that right." Then he patted a spot close to him with a paw, "So uh, do you want to stand and watch the night with me? I can't exactly sleep either."

Emily held her concern in her eyes, "Why? Did you have a nightmare too?"

Damon shook his head, "I did have a dream, but it wasn't anything like that. I just go up from napping." He was giving her a bit of a smile, "Do you?"

Emily nodded slowly at him, "Sure." She took a couple steps and stood beside the dragon, his wing draped down to cover the little girl near him. She gasped and giggled at what he did. The dragon did too. When she huddled close to him, the wing did as well and she was feeling the warmth coming from it. It felt warmer than a blanket. She still couldn't believe that a dragon could actually feel warm at all. She was just content with the dragon, feeling safe and warm with him. They both stood outside and watched the stars twinkle over and over again.

The silence was broken by Emily, "Hey Damon?" He turned his snout to her, gazing curiously at her, "About what happened nights ago...I really want to thank you. You know, for saving my life. And the others. It really was kind of you."

Damon brought the smile back on his snout, "Someone had to, and there was no one else around. I'm just surprised that somehow by fate, that I was hearing your screams and I flew down and saved you all. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before."

She remarked, "So it was my screams that brought you to save us. I guess I outa thank my high pitch screaming for saving us all."

He brought his gaze close to hers, "You kidding me? I'm the real savior."

Emily giggled, "Yeah, I know. You're the savior, big guy."

He let out a pleased snort, smacking her face with his air and blew a few strands of her hair away, "Better get that right. Don't want to confuse anyone that we come across about what's the real savior."

Emily only smiled at him, rubbing his nose again, "I still do want to thank you, though."

He licked her hand, making her gasp and sharply drew back her hand. He giggled, "Well you three had been through so much. Someone had to help you out." He held a sad look and rose his head away from her, "But I don't think everyone is as enthusiastic as you are."

Emily had a feeling that he's talking about her father. figuring that he must've talked to Damon about his distrust towards the dragon. A bit of anger boiled deep within her, knowing that it wasn't fair for Damon to be treated with the feeling of distrust. She rose her hand and rubbed his scales soothingly, "I'm sorry about my dad's behavior. He's just so stubborn."

Damon chuckled when she figured it out, "Pretty much figured it out?"

Emily strolled out of his wing and walked to his front, looking up at him, "I know dad, so it was obvious that he'd showed his distrust towards you. Actually, Scott told me about it before you did."

Damon responded with a wide look, "Well goodness, your father's not really good at hiding his emotions. I could do better than him."

The human girl replied trying to stifle a laugh with her wrist to her mouth, "Oh, I'm sure." Then she held a guilty look mixed with pity for him, "Damon, I'm sorry about dad. I'm thinking he's just not used to the fact that we're traveling with a dragon of all things. Also he's probably still worked up about me almost getting killed by Dark Dragons and is afraid of-"

"What I might do to you?" Emily nodded and he snorted with a shake of his head, "I know that's probably what he's worried about. He said a lot of accusing things towards me and none of them were close to being true. I'm nothing like that."

She nodded, "I know. You really saved us. Dad outa be proud of you."

"Or thank me, but whatever. He can think what he wants about me. That doesn't mean that I'm gonna go away and leave you guys alone." He gazed intently at the girl and smiled, "I'm helping you guys, no matter what. So I'm gonna put up with it."

Emily strolled up and kissed his chest, giving it a rub afterward, "That's good. I don't want the savior to get driven away by my overprotective father."

Damon cocked his head, "I can see your father means well, but I won't let his attitude make me stop being with you." He waved a dismissive paw, "Besides, he'll know what's real sooner or later, anyways."

She grinned at that, "And I can't wait to see his face filled with shock that he's wrong about you."

"Me too." They both shared a giggle, looking into each other's eyes. Emily backed away from him a bit, until she backed into the first step of the stone staircase.

After staring at each other for another moment, Emily's eyes were filled with curiosity, "Damon...I want to ask you something. It's...Kinda been bothering me for awhile."

Damon's face made a frown, his yellow eyes were showing the same curiosity as well, "What is it?"

She held her hands behind her back, not taking her eyes off his, "Well...I do know that you've...Travelled from Wingspan. Away from home for...Days, maybe weeks, all alone without anyone with you. And...You just shown up all alone and saved me too. I know that you're not looking for a home to live outside Wingspan. You said you love living in your city. So...Why are you out here? What's your purpose? Are...Are you...Looking for something?"

Damon seemed to have held a pity look and hung his head, sighing, "....Something like that. I'm...Actually looking for...Someone. I've...Been searching for her for a long time."

She tilted her head, "Her? ....Who?"

Damon brought his gaze back to her, "My best friend, when I was younger. She's...Been through a lot before she was gone. She has been gone for years and...I can feel that she's still alive. I don't know why, I just do. I'm just...Searching for her."

Emily took a step toward him, "Why? Why was she gone?"

Damon let out a loud yawn and shook his head afterward, "Well...It's a long story and I'm tired now. So...I think we should go to bed." He got up on all fours, and started turning his back to her.

Emily caught his yawn and she was now yawning herself, letting out a small laugh, "Well I'm sleepy too now." She started to follow him back in the temple, walking quietly on the floor. She can hear Damon's claws clicking on the stone floor with each padded step and her shoes only made short, quiet scrapes on the floor. Emily turned her eyes and saw that Scott and Rick are still asleep, which it was a relief to her. She didn't want to wake neither of them up. She followed Damon to the spot he was laying on and flopped down on his stomach.

The young girl was wrinkling her face. Curious about his best friend he's searching for. Wondering what her name is. Wondering why she'd left his home. But she held herself back from asking him all those questions bubbling in her mind. She figured there would be time for explanations. They're both just tired. She strode to the dragon's chest and patted it twice, Damon giving her some fondness with his eyes from her patting. She whispered to him, quiet enough not to wake up her father and boyfriend, "Thanks for keeping me company."

He snaked his snout towards her face, his nose almost touching hers, "Yeah, you're welcome. Don't want a little girl like you all alone outside."

She narrowed her eyes at his, "Don't call me little girl. I'm a woman."

He bumped his nose at her chest, "Look little to me." She playfully smacked his cheek and he giggled at that.

Then Emily began to smile at the dragon, planting a kiss on his nose, "Well again, thank you. And...Goodnight."

He started to lie the underside of his head on top of his paws, "You too. See you in the morning." She gave him a small wave and walked away from his green form, all the way back to Scott still lying against the pillar. She smoothly sat down beside him, laying her back against the pillar herself. Her eyes caught Damon's from a distance and she saw that he gave her a wink. She internally chuckled at that and he closed his eyes, big tail curled around himself. Emily began to lean her head against Scott's shoulder, hearing him snoring a bit. She tried to get comfortable and after several minutes, started to close her eyes so she can get some sleep too.

Then the words coming from Damon, about him searching for his best friend, came to her thoughts. Then internally she felt sorry for him. Hoping that he'll find his best friend one day.

A moment after that, she fell into a deep slumber.

*****

I asked Luna this, who laid across the fire she'd made from me on her stomach, as the crickets sang with their chirps with all their might in the night, "So...You were taught how to use the sight by Illuminus?"

She nodded with a big grin, "Well yeah, who else would teach me?"

I shrugged my shoulders, giving her a teasing grin, "Oh gee, I don't know. Another dragon who was taught by The Great One."

She rose a brow, "You don't have to be a smart ass."

I laughed at her comment, "Well you don't have to be one either."

The black dragoness let out a giggle, "Funny, cause I wasn't being one. You were."

I replied, "I maybe a smart ass, but at least I'm not an idiot that you kept calling me today."

Luna reared back her head and laughed, "I told you before, I THOUGHT you were an idiot. Not CALLED you one. There's a difference!"

I rolled my eyes at her, "Whatever. You were calling me an idiot today with your big mouth."

"First of all, I don't have a big mouth." She pointed a talon to me, "Second, I'm not the one who's a smart ass."

I spread out my arms and proclaimed, "I'm proud to be one! Better than being what you'd call an idiot."

"And you're proud of it. Which means...I'm not travelling with an idiot, but a smart ass."

I made a proud nod with my arms crossed, "That's right."

Now she had a devious grin on her snout, "Actually, I think you're both a smart ass AND an idiot."

I held up my chin in a smug way, "Not letting you get under my skin again by calling me one."

She made a playful growl in her throat, "Ooo, we'll see. We'll see, my little friend."

"Not gonna give up calling me an idiot, are you?"

"What if I wasn't?"

I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "That's what I thought. You're gonna keep calling me an idiot." She deviously giggled in response to my comment.

About several hours have passed since me and Luna have started walking on the rolling fields, and the night has finally arrived. Both of us have walked on and on, after taking a break under that tree. I had to say, these fields really go on for miles. While walking, I have used the sight a couple of times to try to find Scott, but I didn't. Only a few times I've seen through Luna's viewpoint, and one time a bird flying above us. I didn't see any viewpoints through any enemies though, so that was a good thing. We weren't about to run into trouble. Not to mention being spotted on open ground from up in the air by a Dark Dragon.

So me and Luna walked, until the sunset came. Luna said it was about time we'd spent the night out in the fields and so, with a little bit of luck found some wood for the camp with Luna starting it, and we both sat down basking in the warmth she'd created.

While we were sitting around, Luna got to telling me who taught her how she'd used the sight, and it was The Great One. Which I sorta somewhat figured it was, but I sorta thought it was another dragon who did. Heck, even before she told me it was him who was the teacher, she told me a little bit about him. Telling me that he was one of her two friends from home and that his real name was Illuminus.

Which was...Yikes, quite a name. Makes me wonder who gave him that name in the first place. And then before I could ask her who gave him that name, she mentioned that he was created from the gods above the clouds and he descended down from the sky one day about thousands of years ago after Wingspan was built. And when she brought that up, that meant that Illuminus is fucking old! I mean, holy crap, no wonder he's not really a normal dragon. Apparently he and her gotten along together back then. I can tell by the look in her eyes that she likes being with him. And...The Great One...or Illuminus, was the one who broke Abyss's influence off of her years ago and brought her back to normal. I outa really commend the old wise dragon for his actions.

I commend you, old man. I commend you.

After some silence went by, after watching Luna's form being in the glare of the burning flames in front of her, I rose my hand, "Hey, since I'm just a smart ass, I can think of a couple of dragons who'd teach you how to use the sight."

Luna was rolling her eyes and giggling, "Oh, give it a rest. We already been over the fact that Illuminus taught me how to use it."

I asked with a small tilt of my head, "What? Now you don't want to hear it?"

"Pfft, alright fine." She gestured to me across the fire, the wood being popped by the flames, "Share with me who you'd thought taught me how to use the sight. I'm gonna love to hear this."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Hey, there can only be one smart ass in this dragon and human partnership, so don't act like one."

She thumped her tail behind her and snorted, "Fine. Go ahead."

I pretended to be deep in thought, by gazing upward and tapping my chin with a finger, "Mmmm...Lets see..." I let out a mock gasp, "Oh! Yes, I know who it is....Your momma."

She had a wide look, and then she dipped her snout to laugh, "What? What in the ancestors are you talking about?"

I gestured to her, "Well if your mother knew how to use it, then she would teach you how."

Luna replied, "Well you're wrong about that part. So...Ok....Who else would it be?" Then before I could answer, she perked up her head and shouted out, "Wait! I know who!" She held up her head, "My papa!"

I laughed at that one, "Hahahaha, you got it right!" We were sharing our laugh together.

Luna composed herself, curling her wings behind her back and asked with a gesture of her snout toward me, "Alright, anybody else? I doubt you'll know anybody else. You haven't been to Wignspan and met other dragons yet."

I sheepishly shook my head, "Yeah...I got nothing now."

She shot up her head, "Knew it."

I gestured towards her, "Ok, then who else do you think would've taught you how to use the sight?"

She shook her head, "Nobody could be a better teacher like Illuminus, that's for sure!"

I made a mock expression with my jaw dropped a bit, "What? You taught me how to use it today and I did well! ...Well after failing on the first try, but nevertheless, second times a charm!" I was grinning at her, "So in hindsight, you're the good teacher."

She giggled at that, "I wouldn't be THAT great on the same level as my own teacher. I'm not the legend, he is....But thanks anyways."

I nodded at her, "You know...I'd think Illuminus be proud of you, if he knew."

Luna let out a pleasant sigh and looked up toward the stars, "He would've. And I'd think he would say..." She looked back at me, rose a talon and deepened her voice so it'd sound like an old man, "'My word, young dragon. You taught this creature from another world how to use the sight! That's quite remarkable of you! You should be taking the mantle of being a teacher to the young ones'!"

I laughed at her imitation, "Gosh. That's what he sounds like?"

She laid her forepaw over the other one, "Well, I do try to put on a good imitation of him."

I lowered my gaze to my lap, "I'll tell you this much...When you put it that I'm the first other creature to use the sight, you really do make it sound like we both made history in the making."

Luna remarked with a proud smile and a swish across the grass with her tail, "We have. And this story will be told for generations."

I nodded slowly at that, "....Yeah, if we both live to tell about it. Hell, if I live to tell about it."

She rolled her eyes and waved her paw in a dismissive way, "I hardly ever die anyways." She motioned her snout to me, "You're still breathing."

"Yeah, so far."

She shook her head, "Don't worry about it. You'll live to tell the tale and it'll be a story to remember for generations."

I chuckled a bit, "Heh, alright. Not gonna doubt it again."

She closed her eyes with a proud smirk, "Good." Then she sighed and looked out to her left, out to the vast landscape of the rolling fields, "Illuminus...I really miss him."

I smiled at her, "You really were close to him, huh?"

Luna turned her eyes back to me with a nod, "Honestly, yeah. We were pretty much friends. Other than me being his student. He's...Personally like a father figure to me. I care about him." She trilled in thought, "How he has always been with me, keeping me company when he wasn't busy and all, how he tells me stories about what Avarilan's past was like. He's amazing. And I'm friends with a legend. I...Really am his favorite student."

I remarked, "And he was the one who rescued you from Abyss's influence. I have to say, you were real lucky to have had him."

She held a guilty look and sighed when she hung her head, "Yeah...But I remember almost hurting him. If he didn't use his powers on me in time, I...I would've made the killing blow to The Great One. I would've been the only dragon in this world to have ever killed him. To murder the legend who has lived for thousands of years. The legend who'd taught many dragons how to use their powers. And I, one of his students, was about to murder him."

My heart felt some worry for her. Seeing her a bit depressed about what she's done before. I know she can never truly get over it really. It really is hard to forget these things. That I can imagine. I slowly got up off the grass and said in a soft voice, "But you didn't Luna. He's still alive. He'd saved you from that kind of torture. He brought you back from Abyss." She turned her head away from me and now I was holding a concern look, "Luna? ...What are you thinking about?"

She held her breath and let it out, "Like what we're talking about now....My past. What I've done."

I furrowed my brow and strode around the fire to get to her. When I did, I planted a hand upon her shoulder, saying in a soothing voice, "I know you can't forget what happened. But...You know it's over. It's all in the past now."

"Now to everyone it isn't." She sighed, "Illuminus tried to convince everyone that I'm just a innocent girl who was influenced by Abyss, but no one never bought it. Everyone has blamed me for what happened before and they have every right to hate me or fear me. Everything that I did was my fault."

I let out a sigh, "Luna we'd been through this last night. I told you, it's not your fault, it was Abyss's. He did this to you."

She turned her eyes to me, guilt within them, "But this is MY body's fault. I still did all those things." She groaned and got up on all fours, making me back away from her. She didn't do anything, except to look down at the burning flames of the campfire, "I was the one who did those horrible things, not Abyss, ME. I...I didn't stop myself."

I asked with my arms shrugged, "Well how could you have stopped it? I mean, it was obvious that Abyss's influence was more powerful than your own will. I mean, how could you really stop it? That was why you couldn't stop it and it was his fault for that. He used you for his own plans and he didn't care about how you would feel. And...It's all his fault. Not yours." I shook my head slowly at her, "You shouldn't say that it was and accept it. It wasn't, girl. I know you, Luna...I know it wasn't."

Luna turned her body to face me, lowering her eyes to me, "Mike....There's something that I want to tell you. I...Didn't tell you this last night."

I frowned, "What?" I walked up and took her chin in my hands, "What is it?"

She was taking a deep, shuddering breath and let it out, "It's...Mike, I...I'm afraid of something."

I asked, peering deeply in her eyes, that did show fear and concern, "What are you talking about? What's there to be afraid of?"

"....Myself."

I shook my head at her, "Now, Luna, I doubt you'll hurt anyone again and it wouldn't be your fault. Abyss can't control you anymore." I softly caressed her cheek with one of my hands, "You're free."

But she had words that were filled with worry, "But...What if I don't need Abyss's influence to hurt you or anybody? What if...What if I'll hurt you without it at all?"

I drew back my head with a big curious frown. Huh? ....What do you mean? I said out loud, "Luna, what the hell are you talking about?" Her eyes rolled away to not look at me, but I insisted her to look at me, "Luna, look at me and tell me what are you talking about? I'll listen to you, now tell me."

Luna rolled her eyes back to me and answered with a bit of hesitation in her voice, "I....I can...Feel her."

"Huh? Feel who?"

"The one who looks like me right now. The one...Who's not who I am. I can feel her, Mike, and it scares me."

I was shock at her words. She can...Feel somebody? That's pretty...Bizarre. I replied, "You're talking about...Dark Storm?"

She blinked twice in response, "I think Abyss, when he brought his magic and influence on me, woke up something within me. Something that was evil. Something that I didn't know about. I'm sure that was another reason why I was having a tough time stopping myself....Before Illuminus brought me back. Because...I have a monster inside of me, and it's still in there." She tapped her chest with a claw, "I feel her, Mike. And...It was because of her that I've felt pleasure in blood and murder. I couldn't stop myself before, because she's a part of me. And...I'm afraid she'll take control of me and hurt you and...It'll be my fault."

I don't believe that. I shook my head twice, "Luna, that's bullshit. There's no one inside you. It's just your imagination. Hell, I seriously doubt that's the case."

Luna yanked her snout out of my hands and rose it fast above me, "But everyone is fearful and hateful of me, Mike. They never trusted me! And it's because of her that it's my fault! She's a part of me, Mike! They all have the right to have those emotions towards me! Why else do you think I left my home? It was more than just feeling guilty and also trying to find my own destiny. I'm...Afraid I'll hurt someone again. Hurt you and have...Pleasure in doing it. I...I've felt that sick pleasure in my limbs, Mike. I won't forgive myself, if I hurt you. I don't want the pleasure of killing you, or anyone else, but she's a part of me that won't go away. I..I can feel her in my chest." She shut her eyes tight, lip quivered a bit, "Honestly...A part of me told me to leave you alone, to just leave you behind so it wouldn't have come to it. But...I couldn't. But now...I wonder if I'm doing the right thing...Staying with you."

I stared at her for several moments letting all her words sink in. God...She really does feel that way. And...She's worried that something terrible will happen to me or someone else. Worried that she'll somehow lose control over herself. And it's not gonna be because of Abyss's influence, it'll be something else deep within her.

That's when I mentally brushed the thought away. She's not going to hurt me. Luna's stronger than that. If there was this so called part inside that's still alive, then she'd fight it. I sternly shook my head, "You won't hurt me, Luna. I know you won't. You're kind, you care about everyone else."

"But it's my fault, Mike, because of her it was. Everything I did was my fault. And-"

That was when I snapped, "Stop beating yourself up over it!" She backed away one step in surprise and I went on, "Stop blaming it all on yourself. What happened to you back then wasn't your fault! It never was. Abyss was behind that influence, he did this to you, and if that part inside of you is real, if Dark Storm is real, then it was her fault too! None of this was your fault, but theirs! And I know you're stronger than you think! You tried to fight her back then when it all happened, but she's gone now."

"That's right, I couldn't fight her back then, only Illuminus has beaten her. I'm...Afraid she'll take control of me again, and-"

"You're in control now! Not her! She doesn't control you, only YOU control her! You have your life back. She can't take you over anymore. You're powerful than her, and I know that you can beat her if something happens. Her hatred won't win over your heart. I believe in you, Luna." I waved a hand, "In fact, don't even say, NO, don't even THINK that it's your fault ever again. Because it's not fair of you to treat yourself that way. You're a kind, decent girl, who had a screwed up life and it all started with Abyss and Dark Storm. I said last night, I couldn't blame you for those things, You're Lunasin! The girl who rescued me up on the mountain. And...I became your friend after eleven years of isolation away from everybody else."

I took a deep breath and let it out, "As for everyone else, the ones who still think of you as Dark Storm, the bitch who'd ruined your reputation and your life, they're all wrong about you. You're not Dark Storm. You're the Radiant Night."

Luna cocked her head, "The...Radiant Night?"

I smiled at her finally, "That's right. And...You want to know why I'm calling you that?" She nodded with curiousness shone in her eyes. "Your short version of the name, 'Luna', it's short for Lunar. Which means, the moon." I gazed up to the stars and the moon in the sky and gestured to them, "That's one thing why, and the other reason...You're like the night. A beautiful one." I gazed back at her and saw she slowly formed a smile across her snout as I went on, "You're like the night, Luna. You're like the moon, the stars, all of it. You'd fly up in the sky in the night like a shooting star. Everybody staring at you in awe. That the moonlight shines on your black scales, sparkling you with radiance. That makes me think that you're lunar in some way. You're the beauty of the night, you're...The Radiant Night. You're not some evil storm in the sky, you're the calm, blissful, starry night that everyone can look up at. That's what you are. And...You're beautiful as the night. I don't see any dark storms or anything like that."

She muttered with her lit up eyes, "That was...Beautiful, Mike. And....Do you...Really think that I'm...Beautiful?"

I nodded and said in all honesty, "Yes."

Luna remarked after staring at me a moment, "That's...Very sweet of you."

I walked up to her and placed a hand on her chest, "You're the one who's sweet. You're not Dark Storm, hell...You think she's alive, but...I think she's dead. Hell, if she is alive, then you can control her. You CAN beat her. And for every dragon and creature in this world, you'll prove them wrong and I'll help you. And...Luna lower your head please." She did and I cradled her chin again, looking deeply into her eyes, "I know you won't kill me, nor anyone else ever again. I trust you. And...I want you to promise me something too, ok?"

"What is it?"

"Promise me that....You won't blame yourself of the past again. Because it really wasn't your fault. You just couldn't control what happened before. It was someone else's, not yours. Promise me, Luna. Please...Promise me you won't do that again....Please."

We were locking our gazes for a long time, until Luna took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh, forming a small hint of a smile, "I....I....I promise."

I kissed her nose, "Good. And don't forget that promise. For me, don't forget it."

She shook her head, "I won't. And...I want to make a promise to you too." Her eyes changed to full on determination, "I promise, that if someone takes control of me and if I'm being forced to hurt you...I'll fight it. I won't take your life. I'll fight it until I regain control again. That's a promise I'm willing to make to myself." She licked my nose after that, "I will never hurt you...Mike. I won't. I promise."

I just made a smirk, then hugged her snout close to my chest, "Thank you, girl."

Luna was just basking in my comfort, I could almost feel her feeling that happiness building up in her. I don't think she can think of what she was fearing ever again. I know she won't do anything like before ever again too. She's stronger than she believes. Luna softly shook away from my grasp and asked with a bit of a pleading look, "Hey Mike...Could you scratch my ear again?"

I laughed and nodded, "Sure." I raised my hand to her ear and began to scratch behind it. Making her moan, close her eyes and lean deeper into my fingers. Wanting to not let it end yet. I giggled at her face, and then I could hear her starting to rumble deeply in her throat, making her start purring. Man, if my mother was here....She'd find this pretty cute. I'm petting a dragon behind the ear and she's purring like a cat!

She cooed and pressed her head harder into my fingers, "Oh, Mike." Her purring came back and it was louder than before.

I did that for five minutes, until I pulled my fingers off her ear, letting my hand drop to my side, "There. That's it for tonight." She opened her eyes and they were now showing disappointment. I laughed at her expression and reassured, "Don't worry, there will be plenty of time for another scratch behind the ear section." I gave her a wink.

Luna replied with a hint of a smile, "You better give me another one later. I love your fingers." She rose her head and said, "You know something? ....You're like this other friend that cares about me, other than Illuminus. He's a green dragon. Always did seem pretty funny, pretty curious about the world, real playful, and he's caring too."

I said, "Oh? What's his name?"

She answered, "His name was Damonen. Or Damon for short."

I chuckled at that. Well another dragon name that's foreign to me. But at least he'd shortened it to Damon.

Damon...Nice name.

Luna twisted her neck to look off to the north. The direction of Wingspan, "It's been so long since I've last seen him. I really miss him. And I'm sure he misses me too, I just feel it." She giggled, "He's probably all grown up like me. I wonder what he looks like? Probably looks very handsome right now, I'm sure."

I replied to that, "When we get there, you'll see him again."

She turned her eyes back to me with a big grin, "He would like you. Also, he'd be curious about what you are and the world you came from."

I nodded, "Speaking of which, I really need to tell you more about my world. Who knows? Maybe you'll learn something interesting from it."

Luna turned her body and paced away from the fire a bit, before laying down on her stomach, "That sounds good. And I'll tell you about Damon some more later." She let out a pleasant croon when her stomach touched the grass.

I let out a yawn and muttered, "Well I'm going to sleep now, so you have a goodnight."

Before I could lay down for a spot to sleep, Luna's voice called to me, "Mike." I turned to her with a quizzical expression, seeing her eyes on me, "Do you...Want to sleep close to me? I...I wouldn't mind cuddling with you."

I haven't done that with her before. The past couple of nights, I've slept near her, not real close to her. Now she's...Offering me to do so. I stared at her eyes, giving me a look that seemed to want to insist me doing it. I shrugged my arms and grinned, "Sure, why not. You feel warm anyways." I paced up to her, bent down to crawl up towards her and then laid by her, pressing my body against her soft, warm scales. She began to curl herself around me, laying her head on the soft grass. When I laid close to her belly, I looked at her eyes and said, "Goodnight, Luna."

She smiled and began to close her eyes, "Goodnight, Mike." She shifted her body a bit on the ground, trying to get comfortable and so was I. After I laid against her, I let out a comforting sigh and started to close my eyes too, letting the crickets of the night and the popping sound in the fire near us drove me to sleep.

Luna's face came to me before I was in too much of a deep sleep. Making me form a smile with my eyes closed. I know you'll keep your promise, Luna.

I know you. I know you can beat anything. If someone takes control of you, you can beat it without anyone's help. Illuminus helped you, but I think this time you're stronger and you can beat it.

You're not Dark Storm. You're Radiant Night.

You'll keep your promise.

No matter what, I know you will.