I am open for COMMISSIONS! If you want your own, personalized story, Click here  Support me on Patreon for novel chapters, snippets, short stories, and more awesome content+art! You get all the stories before everyone else does, plus various Patreon exclusive content that you can only get by supporting me. I'm also a published author! You can

check out my published works by following this link.

Vharyias and Qyr feel uneasy knowing their hatchlings might not be completely safe if humans ever discovered a way to travel between words. By calling upon the aid of his old friend and trusted companion, Vharyias flies into the heart of the Rakuryian civilization to pledges his cause on the boughs of The World Tree in front of the Great Council. An early incursion seems a much better alternative to all-out warfare, and Vharyias leads his team of dragons to cleanse one of the largest human cities. Threatened by their superior technology and stranded on their bizarre world, Vharyias must find a way to seize advantage. Will the dragons manage to purge the taint of corruption in this last chapter of the Rakura Chronicles? Read and find out!And, as always, please don't forget to: Fav if you read it Vote if you liked it Comment if you're feeling awesome*** Nature always had a way of calming the body and soothing the soul. More so for those who had a deeper connection to the living beings that surrounded them. Those like Vharyias. The emerald dragon breathed in the crisp air of the night and stretched his neck forth. Particles of cold water sprinkled his snout, coating his scales in a thin sheen that reflected the light of the full moon. Vharyias stared at its round, bright shape. It looked almost like the moon from Earth, only slightly bigger and more radiant. During full moon, the night shared more similarities with the morning. Every creature could discern basic colors and see farther than a few meters in front of them. For Vharyias, darkness had never been an issue. His eyes were well adapted to the brightness of the high skies as well as the blackness of the deep reaches of the earth. He never appreciated the sky so much when he was a human. His dulled senses had troubles comprehending what was out of his arms' reach. Back then, Vharyias occupied himself with all manner of activities to just take his mind off flying. He knew what he was at his core, and every time he saw a bird taking flight, his heart yearned for the freedom of the skies. Not any longer. Vharyias turned his head around. His mate had her chin propped on a rock, eyes closed, wings twitching every so often. She looked so amusing when she did that. Vharyias inched his snout closer to her neck, intent on breathing her water soaked scent. "Don't." He stopped. Qyr opened a vermilion eye. Vharyias thought she wanted something until one of her wings pressed against his back. "Oh, so that's how it works," he smiled warmly. "You can put your wing over me, but I can't have the courtesy of licking the water off your scales." "You did that since sunset," Qyr said and shifted her eyes to watch her mate. "How interesting can a few drops of water be?" "It's not the water I want," Vharyias approached. "Then what?" "You," Vharyias curled the tip of his tail around Qyr's. She didn't object nearly as much as she did when he approached her neck. "We mated a dozen times each day, Vharyi. I deserve a little-" "Who said anything about mating?" Vharyias interrupted. Qyr blinked, then let out a confused growl.  Vharyias nuzzled along her neck, licking when he reached her water soaked jaw. "I only want to love you, nothing more." Qyr closed her eyes, allowing Vharyias to lick wherever he wanted. The male was ecstatic to be allowed such privilege. He cleaned her head thoroughly, licking between her curving horns and along the hard plates rising between her eyes. "Done?" "Almost," Vharyias nuzzled around her flaring nostrils. He sneaked his tongue inside her maw, took a quick taste, then snuggled closer to her. "Now I'm done."  Qyr tried to remain serious, but she couldn't maintain her stoic pose for long. Vharyias felt the vibrations along her scales. He pressed his wing under hers, massaging her join with slow, soothing strokes. That made his mate hum and growl softly until her tail lashed out. It shot past Vharyias' front paws, then pushed him hard against Qyr's warm body. "You are infuriatingly lovely, did you know that?" she said with a quick lick along his brow. Vharyias closed his eyes, basking in the warm waves of affection flooding his body. "I only do what any male would for his mate." "You do more, Vharyias. That's why I love you so much." They nuzzled, rubbed, and licked each other while the rapids flowed around their cuddling forms. The rocks below felt wonderful to their clawed paws. Vharyias dug between them every so often, picking the bigger ones and offering them to Qyr. She liked building small dams and playing with the course of the water during these baths.   Vharyias assisted her, watching with interest how she placed the stones in an uneven circle. "What do you think?" Vharyias moved his head around. "I don't know. Would help to know what I'm looking at." Poor choice of words. A weight crashed just behind his head, then sent his snout straight into the water. Coldness seeped into his sensitive nostrils, itching fiercely. Vharyias gurgled and flapped his wings with desperation. It barely did something against the dragoness' resilient grip. Vharyias lashed with his tail and paws, grabbing on whatever he could. Qyr didn't relent. She allowed his claws to slide harmlessly along her scales while her strong paw kept his head submerged. "Grrawrrrr!" Vharyias burst out of the water, shaking the pesky liquid with vigorous jerks of his neck. "It was a nest, my dear mate. Care to share your thoughts now?" Qyr hissed. "Y-yes. It's...exquisite," Vharyias said as he slid his tongue over hi dripping lips. "Big enough for three hatchlings, I'd say. Unless you give me more," Qyr nuzzled into his shivering neck. It was somewhat odd how she switched from vengeful to loving so quickly, but Vharyias did not question her reactions. A tongue felt much better than water when it slid inside his nostrils, and he was just happy to have this version of Qyr caring for him. "How many do you think we'll have?" she asked soothingly, rubbing her head on Vharyias' neck until she laid her head on the precious nest. "As many as your womb allows," Vharyias laid his head on top of her, watching the spectacle unfolding before him. The crashing sound of the waterfall felt so soothing. So calm. "Five then," Qyr growled happily. "A bit more than we can handle, isn't it?" "They'll be quite small, Vharyias. We had bigger clutches before we were separated." Vharyias knew what she meant. He pressed his jaws shut, keeping that particular question concealed until a better one crossed his mind. "Males or females?" "You know I don't care," Qyr tugged his tail gently. "What about you?" "More females," Vharyias answered. "I want every one of them to share their mother's scales, her paws, well curved horns, and especially her temper." "I don't have a temper!" Qyr hissed. "You don't?" Vharyias challenged with a growl. "So dipping my snout into the water was what. A playful attempt?" "Love," Qyr said. "I am sorry to disappoint, but it felt a bit more frigid than your touch." "That is exactly the point, my mate," Qyr flapped her wings, allowing a bit of air to wash the heat away. "The cold amplified the warmth I offered." "I won't argue with your logic," Vharyias tucked his wings. "You can try," Qyr said smugly. The two remained silent, enjoying the song of the surrounding nature. Vharyias thought about their hatchlings. What features they had, what colors, and what personalities. He felt warm and fulfilled whenever he imagined them jumping around him or snuggling under his wings to rest. It felt so good to be a dragon again. StarShard offered safety and bounty compared to Earth. Earth...the mere thought of that place sent a cold shiver up Vharyias' spine. Nature no longer ruled that place. Its air was thick with noxious fumes, its forests cut and withered, and animals suffered and died with each passing day. Vharyias felt their suffering and anguish as his own. As a human, he could bear the pain, but as a dragon the situation was a bit more different. His connection with nature amplified several times. There was no telling how potent that emptiness would get if he returned. Vharyias shook his head, dispersing the dark thought with a growl. "What troubles you?" "Nothing," he pressed against Qyr's neck. "Just rest, my love." "I was resting until I felt your scales tremble." "It's the cold. Nothing else." Unfortunately for him, Qyr was quite adept at catching lies. She rolled on her side and pushed all her paws, sending Vharyias splashing into the shallow waters of the river. He flapped his wings and kicked his legs to get up. No use. Qyr was upon him in an instant. Her paws subdued his, and her tail slammed Vharyias' into the ground. "You can tell me willingly, or I can force it out of your maw." "Why should I burden you with my problems, my mate?" "Because we are mates! We share everything!" Qyr growled in his face.                                                               Vharyias closed his eyes. "Everything that has worth, yes. Pain should be kept out of that." Qyr's lips pulled up, revealing her pristine fangs. Saliva dribbled down their sharp edges, latching onto Vharyias' emerald scales. "Your seed took roots. I have a part of you already inside me, Vharyias. One thing I do not want from the father of my hatchlings is to face his problems alone." She dashed a quick lick along his snout. "We are a pair. Let us solve our issues like one." Vharyias latched his paws around her head and pulled her snout right into his neck. A long growl escaped his throat as he assaulted her with a frenzy of licks. Qyr's jaws trembled softly, nibbling on the scales of his neck. Vharyias melted into the waves of affection. With his mate pressed tight against his belly, he felt loved and cared for. He grabbed her hungrily and hugged her with everything he had, letting out his passion through a soft roar. Qyr responded in kind and slapped the water with her wings. Her tongue danced all over Vharyias' neck, sliding lower until it met the cold water's surface. Once their affection was spent, the two retreated on the stony shore. Qyr lifted a wing, making her desire known through a gentle growl. Vharyias wasted no time in cleaning the water off her dripping scales. He started with her neck, followed along her wings, then descended her muscular legs until he met her fingers. "What was troubling you, Vharyi?" Vharyias remained silent, allowing only the quick slurps of his tongue to fill the silence besides the flowing water. He pushed his snout under her forepaw, curled his tongue around her fingers, and traced the claws all the way to their sharp tips. "Earth," he said, looking into Qyr's eyes. "I remembered how it was to live as a human in that... place. That..." "Wasteland," Qyr continued. Vharyias dipped his head in acknowledgement. "It's a dead world, Qyr. The humans bent the rules, and everything suffered from their carelessness." "I know," Qyr looked towards the moon. "I've been there only once, and I'm afraid to step into that world again. If your life had not been at stake, I wouldn't have been strong enough to endure all the pain and the suffering of the tormented land." "We're safe now," Vharyias resumed his grooming duties, licking along her belly. "That is all that matters." Qyr shifted on her side, paws held aloft to allow her mate enough space to maneuver. "We are. But what about our hatchlings? Will they be safe too?" Vharyias thought about that while he licked along the digits of a hind paw. "We'll leave StarShard, and build our nest in the forests of a core world." "And if the humans follow?" Qyr asked. Vharyias shook his head. "They cannot travel between worlds like us. Earth was already hard to find. It took ages for even the wisest of our kin to find it." "The humans are cruel and cunning. They will find a way to cross through the portal. It's still there, Vharyi. Still in the valley where they chased me." "It's been closed. You told me Arjirr shut it down." "Only temporarily," Qyr pawed at his chest, allowing her claws to slide down his glimmering hide. "If humans found ways to destroy their own world, they can also find ways to breach the fabric between worlds." Vharyias pushed her paw away and settled next to her. "What do you suggest, my mate?" She looked around, then settled her eyes on Vharyias. "Fleeing is a temporary solution. If we want the human threat to perish, we have to deal with them in their own world." "Through means of invasion?" Vharyias growled. "No. Not an invasion. That sounds too harsh even for me," Qyr licked his snout once and placed a paw on top of his. "Think of it as a cleansing. We return life to their dead world, Vharyi. Through us, they will learn how to live instead of destroying everything." Vharyias had a lot to think that night. As an offensive Guardian, Qyr had a straightforward manner to deal with threats. She cleansed corruption before it took hold. That worked well with demons and creatures of pure darkness, but humans were living beings too, in their own, twisted way. Rakura respected life. They could not discriminate or punish an entire species based on their judgement alone. No. The cleansing of an entire world had to be made known to the high council of the Elder Worlds. Vharyias had to go into the heart of the Rakuryian civilization, sit upon the great boughs of the Nevah, and explain his matter before the wisest and oldest of beings. Yet talking was one thing. If he wanted to convince tens of other souls of his plight, Vharyias needed allies. He talked almost all night with Qyr, sharing thoughts and possibilities. By morning, they both agreed they needed a Rakur that had an even deeper connection to life. A Lord of Life whose flame was so pure, it could wipe out the thickest of corruptions. They needed Rykaran. So when the sun blazed in the sky, the two dragons made their way towards one of the many portals spread throughout StarShard. Rykaran made his nest in one of the jungle worlds. Warm climate meant a greater diversity of life, and that in turn pointed at one of the core worlds. Vharyias and Qyr traveled for days, exchanging portals and stepping on the grounds of tens of other worlds until they found Rykaran's home. It was a verdant place, with trees as high as mountains and leaves broad like dragon wings. "Where should we start?" Qyr asked, tail swishing eagerly. "Spread your senses," Vharyias said. "Feel the life of this world seep into you." "All I can feel is heat, scented air and the warmth of the sun upon my scales." "Then allow me to lead, my mate." Qyr bowed her head in acknowledgement, only to bite on Vharyias' tail once he prepared to take to the air. He yelped and jumped higher than intended, wings flapping with distress. "You little trickster!" "Fly quick, else that tail will find its way inside my maw again!" Vharyias did just that. He soared above the thick canopies of the lush trees and opened himself to the surrounding life. He felt the pulses of the animals and vegetation alike, all thrumming in a warm, perfect balance. Vharyias allowed the heat of life to fill him. He surrendered his senses to its soothing touch until he felt every individual creature. He focused on the animals. Then, he turned his attention to predators, and isolated his own race from the rest. Little flames spread around him like raindrops on a sunny day. There were a lot more dragons on this world than his eyes or ears could perceive. Vharyias searched for the brightest flame. He opened his eyes, growled, and pointed a paw towards the sun. "There." "You found him?" Qyr appeared at his side. "That's what we are about to see," Vharyias pushed his wings and darted forward. At least half a day of flying stretched before him, and he planned no breaks. The sun set on the horizon, streaking the sky with crimson veils. Vharyias dived towards the ground. He passed through the red leaves of the trees and slid between their branches until his numb paws found the ground under them. Another thump followed. Qyr folded her golden wings at her sides and brushed against her mate. Vharyias said nothing, He looked around, sniffed the air, then roared. Two other roars answered him, one stronger than the other. Vharyias smiled and settled on the ground. Sure enough, Rykaran appeared from the thick leaves above. And he was not alone. Another dragon followed him. A female, judging by her softer fragrance. Vharyias and Qyr got up and greeted the two with neck rubs and touches of their wings, as was the custom between friends. "Vharyias and Qyr. I can't say this visit comes as expected," Rykaran dipped is head in respect. "What brings you two to my nest?"

"Earth," Vharyias said. "And the means to cleanse it." Rykaran's wings fluttered. He looked at the violet dragoness, then pointed his snout towards the sky. "A heavy topic. Lets talk about this in my nest. The travel made you weary, and you will find my perch most accommodating." Vharyias and Qyr followed him all the way up. Rykaran built his nest on the fringes of the high canopies, where the vegetation was scarcer and the sky wide open. Qyr retreated with the violet female to a lower branch, playing and talking about future offspring while the males perched on a thin branch. Their sleek, serpentine constitution and lighter weight allowed them perfect balance upon anything smaller than their bulk. Vharyias tightened his grip on the hard wood below his paws and looked towards the setting sun. "It's a beautiful home you chose, Rykaran." Rykaran scratched his left wing with the tip of his black scaled snout, then looked at Vharyias, pupils tightening as light entered his eyes. "Every world is beautiful in its own way." "Not Earth," Vharyias growled. "That world lost its allure when humans first turned their blades upon the forest and cut it for their own purposes." "That they did. Even so, it is not beyond our reach," Rykaran said. "Humans are misguided. Left to their own devices, they turn to plunder and destroy to sate their greed." "And if we nudge them in the right direction?" Vharyias asked. "They might just learn," Rykaran flapped his broad wings once. "I have thought about a cleansing the first time I visited Earth." "What stopped you?" The red dragon waited a bit before answering. "I don't know. It could have been fear, or disgust towards the lives took by the humans." "I felt the same thing," Vharyias pressed his jaws, fighting his urge to snarl. "Even as a human, I was appalled by how selfish and inconsiderate they are with everything. They cheat, beat and kill their own species over nothing!" "I know," Rykaran said. "That is why it falls to us to teach them the value of life, Vharyias. No hatchling learns to fly on his own." "Then we'll help them," Vharyias growled with determination. "Where do we start?" "The high council. Even with my help, the four of us cannot stand against an entire race," Rykaran wrapped his tail around himself and licked around the tip.  "Agreed," Vharyias stood up. "When do we fly?" "As soon as possible." Vharyias returned to the nest along with Rykaran, where the females offered them a warm welcome. They wanted to play and rest a bit more, yet the weight of the task pressed hard upon the wielders of the flame of life. Rykaran and Vharyias kindly declined their playful requests and told them about the decision to visit the Nevah. The females were overjoyed. None of them had the pleasure of visiting the capital world until now. The group rallied behind Rykaran, each dragon growling their agreement. Once they were ready, they flew into the high skies and sailed upon the warm winds. Portal after portal they changed. They stepped onto fluorescent grass, flew across arid and fertile lands alike, and soared above mountains until they reached the final portal. Once they entered, they traveled through the veil of the worlds and stepped onto the fertile soil of the capital world of their great race. The ground itself teemed with life. Insects whirled all around them, landing onto grasses and plants that were almost as tall as them. "This is not something you see every day," Vharyias pushed his snout into a flower. It turned away, petals clutched in a protective shield around the sensitive center. "Indeed. We can explore after our task is done," Rykaran said. "Can't we stop for a bit? We've been flying ceaselessly since morning." "The sun is still above us, Qyr," Rykaran growled with amusement. "Only on this world," she lifted her tail, admiring a small bird that just perched on her shiny tip. "I agree with her, Rykaran. My wings do ache a fair bit, and my paws feel numb. Let us pause and rest." Lelyana rubbed enticingly around her mate. Rykaran sighed and turned his head towards the great shadow rising in the distance. "We're so close to the Nevah. Endure a bit more, and we will rest upon the branches of the World Tree itself." None of the dragons was too pleased with that decision. None aside from Vharyias. He flew ahead with Rykaran. As life Wardens, they both understood the pain suffered by the denizens of Earth on a deeper level. The helplessness that came along with it was even worse, and they wanted to use their powers to heal the world back to its natural state as soon as possible. The dragons flapped their wings, glimmering like flames in the skies. Others joined them, flying around, greeting with a growl or a touch, or simply traveling in the same direction. Vharyias joined them, as did the rest of his group. They performed loops and aerial acrobatics, delighting in the warm breeze of the carrying winds. It all stopped when they approached the Nevah. One by one, the dragons descended. There was a ritual each had to pass before flying onto the sacred branches of the World Tree. Vharyias landed with a short growl and looked upon the living dragons rising ahead of him. They were at least ten times larger than him and several times more impressive. Vines and flowers mated in a continuous pattern that gave shape to the two dragons. One symbolized life. The flowers were all bearing different shades of red, like the blood that gave life to many of the living creatures that walked the earth. Its mate had only the purity of white woven around its exquisite form. The flowers that blossomed symbolized tranquility and peace, a lasting rest compared to the frenzy of life. "The Gate of Eternity stood here for Eons. Pass, and we will be granted permission to fly towards the higher reaches of the Nevah." The dragons bowed their heads at Rykaran's words and followed him one by one. Vharyias walked slowly as he passed beneath the paws of the great dragons. He looked around, admiring the intricate shapes of the vines until he emerged into one of the most beautiful corridors he ever encountered. Plants of all shapes and sizes grew around the vibrant corridor, filling the air with a plethora of alluring scents. "The Garden of Life offers a brief sample of the life growing on our other worlds." "There are so many of them," Vharyias said, resisting the temptation to touch the frail looking plants. "As many as scales on a dragon, Vharyias. Come. There is more yet to see," Rykaran walked forward, tail swishing behind him. Vharyias followed him in complete silence. He was too distracted by the burst of life to think of a reply. He saw bushes, berries, fruit bearing trees and insect eating plants. Everywhere he looked, there was a species he never encountered during the length of his generous life. With glee and excitement, the group made their way across the blooming garden until the arches of two trees led them towards one of the giant roots of the World Tree. It deserved its name. Its roots alone stood as big as a hill. The trunk was thicker than a mountain and stretched farther than the eyes could see. Not that its shape was visible. The thick branches were leaden with leaves bigger than a grown up dragon. Vharyias breathlessly watched the immense canopy of the Nevah, then turned his eyes towards the ground. While few dragons perched on the branches above, many made their homes along the roots. Living alcoves were built on top or around the brown roots of the Nevah, offering shelter for the creatures resting inside. Vharyias saw dragons, along with gryphons, flying serpents, phoenixes and all manner of other denizens. Each had its shelter built from the curving branches of a tree, vines or wild flowers, depending on their preferences. "This is beyond what words can express," Vharyias growled softly. "Don't talk. Look," Qyr said. "Feel," Rykaran added. "There is no greater serenity than the shadow of the Great Tree." Vharyias agreed with a dip of his head and followed Rykaran towards an alcove. A phoenix emerged from the twisting shelter of vines. It had emerald feathers, sparkling blue eyes, and a black beak to envy. "Aawk Rawk! Visitors?" the avian asked. "More or less," Rykaran walked forward to nuzzle the bird's beak with the tip of his snout. "We're here to talk to the High Council." "Awk! Many have come today, and your wings look weary. I can lead you to an unoccupied alcove to rest," the phoenix said. Qyr walked forward, but Ryrakan stopped her with his tail. "That will not be necessary. Lead us to the Branch of Aspiration, Life Bearer." "Rawk!" The phoenix cawed and unfolded its majestic wings. With a mighty flap, he flew into the air, and the dragons followed. They pushed between the broad leaves and flew between branches until the phoenix landed on the edge of an amber branch. Many flowers grew from the bark, each bearing a shade of yellow. "I will inform the council of your arrival." "Thank you," Rykaran bowed his head, then turned his head towards the group once the phoenix flew to the upper reaches. "The Branch of Aspiration is where cases are discussed. We can talk while we rest, and present this issue before the high council once we are ready." "When will we?" Qyr asked. "You'll know," Rykaran said, then walked towards his mate. The two nuzzled their necks, licked their snouts and cuddled in a pile. Vharyias moved to do the same when teeth gently pressed around his paw. "You can join us. We don't mind," Lelyana said, looking at her mate for approval. "The climate of this world is a bit colder than my homeworld. I certainly don't mind extra warmth," the red eyed dragon said warmly. Qyr and Vharyias shared a glance and crawled towards the pair with excited growls. The dragons took the opportunity to sniff and explore each other a bit better. Snouts were licked, paws were explored, and wings were thoroughly massaged. Vharyias growled with relief as stiffness was washed away from his joints by two snouts at once. Living in a group had its advantages, and he wondered how the future looked like if his hatchlings remained around the nest until they fully matured. Talk of Earth was briefly discussed between rubs. Physical contact was far more rewarding than words, and every dragon found new interest in the shape of a tail or the curving of a horn. The phoenix returned during such display, poking its brilliant head under several wings before finding Rykaran. "The council is ready to hear your plea, Life Bringer." "Very well," Rykaran disentangled himself from the mass of paws and tails. "Lead us to the Branch of Wisdom, and we'll follow shortly." The phoenix cawed and took flight. The dragons followed him through the thick leaves. He landed on a white flowered branch, screeching towards the group of creatures relaxing in their alcoves. Vharyias noticed a blue phoenix, an onyx gryphon, and several other dragons resting in the shadows of similarly colored vegetation. Rykaran walked towards them. Vharyias kept his eyes ahead, but he couldn't help noticing the white tablets spread throughout the walkway. He stretched his neck towards one, noticing the head of a gryphon scratched in the stone, just above a row of words. They spoke of discoveries and deeds, along with many other teachings. It was a fitting name for a fitting place. Wisdom was being kept here for the betterment of all races. Renowned creatures had their names forever engraved upon the stone to be admired and remembered throughout the ages. "Welcome, all four of you," the black gryphon spoke. "Step forth, and tell us what manner of task stiffens your wings and burdens your paws." Rykaran looked back towards his group of three. "It's better if you allow me to speak in your stead." Vharyias bowed his head, as did Qyr and Lelyana. They left Rykaran to discuss plans and theories while they walked around the huge branch. It was so big and wide, that it was difficult to tell what it was without looking around. Vharyias admired the broad leaves, poking his head between them any chance he got. Qyr chastised him for that, only to have Lelyana pounce her. The two females temporarily engaged in a game of speed and skill, with Vharyias watching the heated display. He declared a draw, then walked between the females to make sure they behaved. The trio wandered around, reading tablets and sharing past adventures until Rykaran joined them. "They understood my plight. Now all we need to do is talk about the strategy of the assault and the number of volunteers." "Shall we leave you to it?" Vharyias asked. Rykaran shook his head. "Not this time. My viewpoint as a protector of life is singular, but you, Qyr, and you, Lelyana, can have different perceptions on how to handle this threat." "We sure do," the females smiled and nuzzled each other. "Good. Let us return to the Council." Although it was customary for all living beings to voice their opinions, the council changed over the ages. Small meetings went faster and covered more ground than large gatherings. Every sentient creature could express its concern about anything, and depending on the request, it was assigned to a certain council on a certain Branch. The High Council dealt with the most important threats, and always changed its members. Ancalgon the Black Gryphon and Renyrath the Blue Phoenix were Wielders of the Flame, just like Rykaran, and flew from the lower branches to heed his proposal. Now, Vharyias too got a chance to join the discussion. He talked about his life as a human and shared the insights he learned from the humans themselves. He gave the council much thought. Peaceful ways were favored over strength, as Qyr and Lelyana suggested. They wanted to protect Earth by robbing humans of their technology and devices. Yet that meant pain and additional suffering that none of the Life Guardians was willing to inflict. Ultimately, Rykaran came up with a much better solution. A thorough, truthful cleansing using the Flame of Life as the catalyst. Wielders could soar above the city, breathing their life giving flames upon the corruption below. If attuned right, the life giving fires could return every non-living construct back to its natural form. Buildings and metals became stone, while bacteria and seeds developed into fungi, flowers or trees. The council approved immediately, yet even they were not ready to launch an all out offensive. They needed time to prepare, and testing to do before that. Rykaran and his group provided the perfect opportunity. With two Wardens of Life and two offensive flame shapers to protect them, they made quite an effective team. Ancalgon and Renyrath left to their alcoves, then returned with two glimmering seeds held between their beaks. They placed them before Rykaran and Vharyias, then looked into their eyes. "These are seeds from the World Tree itself," the gryphon said. "May its enduring life provide strength and light where there is none," the phoenix added. "They will empower your Flame too. Fly swiftly, and never linger more than necessary." Rykaran and Vharyias waited as the two grabbed stalks of vine and tied the glowing seeds around their necks. "Thank you," they said at the same time. "Not yet," the gryphon turned around. "Sernard. Bring the ointment." "It's not needed. Truly," Rykaran shook his head. Renyrath poked his snout with her beak, sealing it shut. "If these humans are as dangerous as you say, you will need every aid you can get." And she was right about that. Every dragon was smeared with Nevahryian sap along the wings, snout, and the other unprotected areas. While it did not provide the protection of dragon scales, the ointment accelerated healing and energized the muscles. Vharyias felt his wings lighter just by keeping flaring them to the sides. "These are all the blessings we can offer. Fly true, strike quick, and spread life where none grows," the gryphon said. The rest of the council spoke their own farewells, then turned to a golden dragon that just arrived upon the Branch of Wisdom. Rykaran and his group growled their goodbyes and walked along the branch until they reached its very edge. The leaves were still too thick to see through, yet glimmers of fiery light still managed to break through. "Sunset." "It seems a fitting time for humanity to fall." "Fall?" Rykaran nudged Qyr's neck. "We are returning them to their roots, nothing else." "That makes it quite the big fall, Life Bringer. Last time I visited Earth, there was not a single human that lived outside its precious city." "We will teach them how to do that," Lelyana said. "And after we are through with them, they will learn the errors of their ways and live in harmony, just as nature intended," Vharyias said. "Well said," Rykaran growled happily. The dragons nuzzled and cuddled into each other once again. A difficult task lay ahead of them, yet a bit of rest never hurt too much. They traveled between worlds, saw the Nevah in its entire splendor, and had the pleasure to talk to the greatest Life Bringers that walked the planes of existence. It was a good day, one that Vharyias intended to repeat once he brought humanity back to its roots. The group relaxed for the remainder of the day. They spent their night perched atop the World Tree, watching the stars twinkle between the broad leaves. It was such a beautiful and serene night, filled with the cheerful roars of dragons, the crying of gryphons and the screech of the phoenixes. Rykaran started laying out the plan for the cleansing when the full moon rose in the sky. He proposed a swift and decisive strike into the heart of the human civilization. Vharyias was surprised to know the city he lived in was a small establishment compared to the things Rykaran witnessed. He talked with great pain about buildings so tall, they touched the clouds with their tips, and of grey, barren lands that stretched as far as the eyes could see. None of the dragons was eager to venture in such a dreary place, but Rykaran placed a paw on the glowing seed at his chest and spoke a few verses from The Essence of Life, a song written when the world was still young by one of the first dragons, Nhervir. He created life from bare stone, and protected it until age claimed his frail body. There was a lot to learn from his determination, and Vharyias felt more at ease with each word slipping from Rykaran's tongue. They slept cuddled into each other, and woke when the sun blazed in the sky. Together, they flew towards the Origin and traveled straight to earth through a series of interconnected portals. Foul air greeted them as soon as they dropped on the golden fields of a farmland. "This isn't where I first arrived," Qyr noticed as she looked around. Vharyias agreed with her. The mountains, the trees, the vegetation. It was all gone, replaced by long fields of strange smelling wheat.

"That's because we took the quickest path, Qyr," Rykaran said.  "The portal you used before tied StarShard to Earth, while this one leads straight to the Origin." "Isn't that a bit risky? What if the humans find it?" Rykaran shook his horned head. "It is a one way path. The portal closed as soon as we arrived." He demonstrated that by breathing his flame around the air. They were immediately drawn to the surrounding life, healing every disease or corruption. "Good choice." "Never leave yourself exposed, Qyr. Even the smallest life form can have an impact on the biggest of predators." She agreed with a curt growl. They walked across the field, familiarizing themselves with the nuances of this world. Vharyias felt the suffering of the land poking at his mind with every heartbeat. So much pain resided here. It was thick and oppressive, like a patch of clouds too heavy to shed their burden. The seed of the Nevah provided relief from the onslaught, yet Vharyias realized he could never feel at home in this place. Not until it was fully cleansed. He took to the air, following Rykaran above the clouds. He did not plan on just curing a city. The cleansing was about sending a message to the humans as well. If they saw one of their biggest cities converted into a dome of life, they would think twice about opposing the Rakura. So Vharyias flew, flapping his wings and tensing his claws with determination. He encountered a few of the human fliers, and quickly banked out of their way. The mission relied on discretion, and the dragons did their best to remain out of sight until they reached their destination. "Ready?" Rykaran asked. "As ready as we can be," Qyr said. "Fly fast, my mate, and know that my flames will keep harm at bay," Lelyana added. Vharyias remained silent. He did not know what lay below. The clouds blocked him from seeing much, despite the lingering sense of dread welling inside him. A nudge distracted him. He looked to his right, straight into Rykaran's amber eyes. "Don't hold anything back once we descend upon the city." "I won't," Vharyias said. "Your tension speaks otherwise," Rykaran touched one of his curved claw tips. Vharyias growled softly. "This world feels empty. Almost dead. What if my power cannot-" "They can, and they will," Rykaran nuzzled along Vharyias' head, offering a warm and comforting touch. "The seeds we hold carry the life force of hundred of fertile words, Vharyias. Your strength will not falter." "I hope you're right." "You will know I am right once we descend upon them," Rykaran growled encouragingly and flapped away. "Strike fast, and leave no room for doubt. Show these humans that pain, torment and despair exist only in their world. A world we are about to cleanse!" The dragons growled their approval and tucked their wings, descending like living flames upon the city below. As soon as they broke through the clouds, the nature of their task revealed itself. A true desolation expanded below. There was not a single speck of green amidst the oppressive greys.  A haze of sickly smoke hung over a city drowned by noise and pollution. Vharyias gritted his teeth and kept his emotions in check. He had to focus on the cleansing. Nothing else. He kept his wings at his sides, waited until he passed between the corridors formed by the buildings, then unfurled his wings. He caught the wind under them and opened his maw, unleashing his verdant flames in a wide arc. The effect was immediate. Seeds germinated from the ground, sprouting trees and a plethora of life. The buildings were covered with fast growing vines that spread along their surface. The glass became stone, a fertile ground for the vines to crawl over. Rykaran too expelled his flame. He shaped it like a great wave that engulfed everything in its path. It bathed humans and their creations alike, returning them to the earth. Metal corroded and became nutrient for the ground, while objects broke down into minerals and other simple elements. "Faster. We have to cover the ground level before their warriors are alerted to our presence." Vharyias dipped his head and continued his work. It was so satisfying to see life bloom in such a horrid place. A touch of green was most welcome, even if the humans screamed and wailed like the end of the world was upon them. They ran and sheltered themselves inside their buildings, almost scared that their life was soon going to get a lot better. Rykaran and Vharyias continued their work, passing through corridors and turning the city into a fertile environment bit by bit. It all went too well, and too easy until Qyr returned from her scouting mission. "They're coming," she said, pointing at a few dark shapes descending from the sky. "I'll take care of those," Lelyana surged forward. "And I will make sure no threats lay hiding beneath these roads," Qyr growled, flying closer towards the ground. Vharyias continued his task, breathing his healing flames until an explosion shattered the silence. The projectile went straight through Qyr's wing, unleashing a hail of rock and flame behind Vharyias. "Qyr!" "I'm fine," she roared, sending a beam of concentrated light upon the tanks below. The air became warm, yet not hot enough to kill. Vharyias bathed the constructs in a wave of verdant flames, turning them into boulders. "We make a good team," Qyr said, flapping closer to him. Vharyias moved to inspect her wing, only to have his snout slapped by her tail. "I told you I'm fine." "I smelled blood." "It's just a scratch, Vharyias. Focus on your task, and I will care for mine." What that, she surged ahead, blinding the aggressive humans with bursts of pure light. Vharyias shook his head and joined Rykaran again. Together, the two scoured the city. Nothing in their path stood against their combined might. Metal shattered, humans fled, and arid stone became a fertile ground for vegetation when the life giving flames touched its surface. Humans tried to stop them. Oh, they came from both the air and the ground, intent of stopping the cleansing with their hate and violence. They shot their weapons and sought to do harm, failing time and time again. No matter how many times their wings were harmed, the dragons pressed on. From the lowest tunnel to the highest building, they soared and cleansed. The ground became pure and fertile, the water lost its sludge infested ooze, and the smoke was all but gone, eaten by the Flames of Life. In a single day, four dragons turned the smoke filled city into a bastion of clean air and thrumming life. "That should be all," Rykaran said, flying around his group. The dragons looked upon the land below and hardly recognized it. Instead of a grey desolation stood a veritable garden. It almost looked like a jungle, with its own weird shaped trees and dense vegetation. "Went easier than expected," Qyr said smugly. "Quite right, Qyr. Yet even the seeds of the Nevah have their limit. We owe everything to them," Rykaran said. "Without their aid, our powers would have healed only a fraction of the city." "Then let us go back and get more!" Lelyana said. "It doesn't work like that," Rykaran licked his mate. "Each wielder of the Flame is assigned a single seed. Once they get it, they keep it with them for the rest of their lives." "But it can recharge, right?" Vharyias inquired. "With time." "I don't want to wait," Vharyias growled. "We may have healed a city, but there is an entire ecosystem out there that needs our help!" "One task at a time, Vharyias. For now, we earned a bit of a break," Rykaran said as he flew towards the tallest tower. He settled on the edge, sneaking his claws between verdant roots. It felt good to rest inside a patch of vegetation. The rich smell of flora and the song of birds slowly replaced the wails of the city as the sun set on the horizon. It shone beautifully over the forest below, and the dragons rejoiced their success through games of skill, jokes, and open displays of affection. One task was done, yet there were many other cities out there left to convert. Vharyias pondered on that on the way back to the capital. He flew to StarShard, then began the laborious process of finding the core world through the maze of portals. A day was spent flying back to the Nevah, but it was a day spent with happiness and joy. Night fell when the group reached the Nevah. They flew straight to the Branch of Wisdom. Dragons flooded the walkways, along with gryphons, phoenixes, and more serpents than they could count. The group landed and made their way through the cheerful crowd until they reached the council. "Why is our entire population of Wielders here, Ancalgon?" "You know why, Life Bringer," the gryphon clacked his beak. "News of your success travels fast," his phoenix companion added. "Too fast," Rykaran said. "We have encountered a few hostiles, but even I am unsure if the humans attacked us with all their might." "Let them try. They will find that their petty hate and weapons of killing are hardly a match for our determination." "It is settled then? Are we going to launch an all out cleansing upon the Earth?" Rykaran asked softly. "It is," the gryphon and the phoenix flared their wings and screeched at the same time. "Justice dawns upon the world of men. Guardians will spread to all corners of their festering world and bring back the balance of nature upon the land." As soon as he spoke, Ancalgon took flight. Renyrath the Blue followed, singing out one of her majestic tunes. The flapping of wings overwhelmed the surge of growls as each winged being took flight to follow the greatest of Guardians upon an all out assault. "I guess rest can wait a bit longer," Rykaran joked and readied his wings. His party quickly joined him. They roared in unison and took flight, following the rainbow of scales and feathers that flew ahead of them.  They looked different and some flapped slower than others, but all those wings were bound by a single purpose. To bring life to a world that forgot its meaning.