“I…”, he stammered.

You must let go.

He convulsed, coughing up a hock of blood. At the site of blood dripping onto his palm, the sight, the smell, and the taste sent his already beaten body over the edge in fear. His vision blurred, and his stomach churned, as sounds and smells from memories long dormant resurfaced.

My son. Please, you must not let it consume you. You must fight it. Please.

“I can’t”, he wailed, “I can’t. I—“

The dragon came back, this time more ferocious than ever. Opening its giant maw, it swam in the sky like a shark in the ocean before it clamped shut on the youth’s body. He screamed in pain as he felt the dragon’s teeth crunch down even harder upon his flesh.

The young boy wailed in pain, and with all the strength he could muster, punched the upper lip of the dragon. Another bolt of lightning struck, this time aiming for the spot where the boy tapped the dragon. The lightning bolt hit the dragon in the face with an explosion of electricity, causing the creature to wail in pain, yelpingly tossing the youth high into the air as it was launched downward. Recollecting itself, the creature flattened its stomach to stop its descent, using the clouds as a cushion. The youth floated upward before slowing himself down. Blood and skin hanging from his mangled torso, waist, and right arm. His chest heaving, and his breath labored. His vision choppy, he blinked, before looking at his outstretched left hand.

He was shocked to see electricity radiating from the veins in his forearms as the water from the rain began to wash away his scars, healing him.

“The pain”, he said, surprised, “it’s going away.”

This is the power of Those Who Came Before, and Those Who Remain To be. Take it, it is yours by birthright.

Amrielle, my son. Don’t be afraid, claim that which is yours, claim this power, and fight.

“This is power?”, he said, cautious, “but how can I use it? I’m so scared mom.”

It’s alright my baby, this is the power that was used to forge this world, the power of the Creator. Do not fear it, it is a part of you. Now use it, fight back. Tame the beast, and claim you birthright.

Raawwwrrrr!

It’s coming back now, he noted. Using it’s smoky body, the dragon roared causing the area in which they were trapped to expand further, the storm clouds swirling ever faster as its red eyes flared and burning with energy. Another lightning flash echoed in the storm behind the dragon, and for the time since he was trapped in this swirling vortex, he realized he could see portions of the dragon’s true form hidden beneath the dark clouds. The portions he saw were dark azure scales that glistened in the light, and one eye, which was originally flaming red, was now a deep cerulean. The creature roared again, and steaming golden liquid poured out of a gaping wound in its neck, before flashing bright red and being covered again by the storm clouds.

I see it, he thought. This thing is hurt.

You see it don’t you? This creature is in pain, possessed by own its madness and grief. If you want to live, you must fight it, and free it from its suffering.

The creature roared again, as it recollected its anger a turned back to face Amrielle, the mass of clouds that covered frothing in anger and rage. The sight of this monsterous thing caused his heart to skip a beat, and breath to shallow. He was starting to hyperventilate as memories once again flooded mind. Memories of being beaten and cussed at, of having hot metal stuck against him, and being struck with blunt objects.

Steel yourself Amrielle, the voice calmed, you must fight.