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Behind the stone wall

Posted by Domi0Gamer

Domichen is a member of the tyrannosaurid family where their Asian ancestors survived the KT extinction event, migrated across Europe and Africa 34 million years ago. Their slender build allows them to reach speed up to 20 MPH, but while not as fast or strong as many other predatory mammals and incapaple of hunting large prey, Domichens are specially adapted to hunt terrestrial primates, such as baboons, chimps, gorillas and even humans. They hunt in packs, but unlike other pack hunting animals capable of taking down large prey, Domichens are mesocarnivores where they mostly feed on small and mid-size prey, mainly primates, and only rely on herding where they use variety of tactics that allows to disorient or isolate their prey, allowing the individuals to pick them off one at a time for food or to give prey to the queen and her offspring. Their snouts are long and narrow with thin serrated teeth where the Domichens go for the prey's throat where they're unable to cry out for other members, and never let go until their prey is dead. They live in thick dense forests where they hide from predators where their mature dominant female nurtures her young while her subordinates keep guard and patrol the area for any intruder they come across. Much like the spotted hyena, Domichens live in a compex social hierarchy where the dominant female is in charge of the slightly smaller and slender subordinates where immature females possess the same anatomy as males to establish dominance until when the matriarch dies, the strongest female would take over where they grew their sizes, molts her crests and deflate their throat sacs. Males of the family, when they become fully grown, they move from their past generation where they seek to find a new colony to mate and become subordinates. Domichens are nocturnal hunters where they spend in forests sleeping during the daytime, and during night time, the hungry clans patrol the plains where they seek for any primate they can find. Domichens possess high intelligence as they can adapt quickly to succeed in their hunt when prey becomes more significant, and when their territory is compromize, the hierarchs would move to another suitable habitat, and even migrate across different continents where they find their unusual prey in this area too. It's no wonder in this universe, humans are unable to overpopulate and overhunt megafauna all over the globe where they become from hunter gatherers to agricultural civilizations where they build fortresses and perimeters to defend themselves, forcing them to become scavengers than predators, and throughout different cultures, they painted them as extremely cunning demons that can't be exterminated and stalk in the night picking off even the most skilled hunters one by one, or serve as cautionary tales of attempt on dominance over nature. In ancient cultures, they were refer to as "Angels of Death". Note: This is the first creature article in Alternate Holocene, and Domichens are not the only creatures added here as I will feature more. Pardon the erased area, it was originally a paleoart of an Acheroraptor I drew when I was a teen before I erase it as I realize it wasn't worth it. Edit: I edit the size to make the animal specifically adapted to hunt primates.

Alternate Holocene: Domichen

Posted by Universe_Andromeda

[CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT! DO NOT READ IF TRIGGERED BY DEATH, SUFFERING, BLOOD, MURDER!!!!] I. (Written Jun 2, 2024, just back posting to make my profile less empty :3) II. For better quality/backstory/info, please visit my site <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed">https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed</a> III. Writing commissions and requests are open! Dm me on my main site or my insta; https://www.instagram.com/lanalightspeed/ “It’s a deal.” A devilish smile flickered across his dark stubbled face; he was a walking, talking slot machine. Dangling a carrot in front of their faces in the form of an attractive sum of money - he lured them in to play his game. A game only he could win. A game only he knew how to play. He had agreed so quickly- his refined skills gave him no reason for pause. The pulsing bass from the nightclub throbbed in his head, drowning out any noise of the cards being shuffled; masking out the noise of his opponent’s fate being sealed. Powerful, radiating flashes of light illuminated each crevice and scar along his mouth- bouncing off a gold tooth lodged in his jaw. White smoke, from a cigar between his teeth, curled up into the stuffy air, which was thick with anticipation. A black, pin-striped fedora, cast a well-placed shadow over the man’s cold eyes- his calculating stare never wavered for a second. Nothing went unnoticed, nothing slipped by him. Women stuck, chirping and chattering, to his side- attracted to the addictive thrill of the game and the even better reward. Young men clapped each other on the back, exchanging notes and fat wads of cash in the shadows. Purposeful, trained hands dealt the cards to the other 4 men sitting around the dark, mahogany table. All hats, shades and shadows- no faces, no mercy. The man flicked a silver lighter open and closed, the flame flickering to life before suddenly being smothered. “You know the rules, boys- you’ve seen enough of these games.” Wavers were tossed onto the table, each man reached in to grab one- hastily signing away anything they had for the most beautiful prize in the club; money. A knowing grin cracked across his face- the beat resinating like adrenaline coursing through his veins. They were on his turf; they were going to play by his rules. Not that he had made the rules this time; they were trying to dethrone him. They had upped the stakes- were willing to pay any price to see his reign end. It’s too bad they wouldn’t live long enough. Hesitancy rippled through the four men as their hands danced over the cards that lay face down on the round table top. See the cards: no backing out. The man however took his hand without so much as a cautionary thought, flicking through his luck of the draw with no fear. Electrifying waves of powerful bass worked their way through the thin walls to the high-stakes room as slowly, one by one, the men picked up their hand. The game began; drawing and exchanging cards in an elaborate dance of mind and strategy. The anthem of the club beat was like a drug. Egging them on- whispering in their ears. Stay a little longer, dance a little harder… But tonight the club was singing a different song; one much more sinister and foreboding. One that served as a constant reminder of all that could be lost in a simple game… With each card dropped and drawn, intensity grew- yet the man’s smile never left his face. He knew every move they were going to make before they made it; a rigged mental game. Tossing his cards down with a casual flick of his wrist, he felt the eyes of the four men drop to the table where his ‘royal flush’ was neatly arrayed. They looked as if they had seen death- they might as well have; they knew what was coming. The man reached out, taking an arm around the pile of money and dragging it towards him. The men’s eyes were glued to the wads of cash and collapsing stacks of coins being slid slowly from their possession. In truth, the money was all a distraction. The real game was to come, and he was the end prize. With a triumphant grin on his face, the man held out his hands; to which a young pup eagerly delivered a hefty shotgun. “It’s nothing personal… But,” he grinned, lifting the shotgun to aim the muzzle at the chest of the boy to his left, swinging the barrel around to point at each man in turn, “Rules are rules.” He set the brown double barrelled weapon on the round, dark table and spun it. A hushed silence fell upon the group yet the man only laughed as the gun spun, pivoting on the forend slider. As the winner; he was the only one safe from this twisted little gamble. The men watched in dread as the gun spun round like the spinning rimmed basin of a roulette table. They suddenly yearned to be there; at the green curved bench that so many had pored over and their money into- shifting tokens around the chequered board. How they wished to be gambling with betting chips instead of their lives. But that wasn’t the version of roulette they had all vouched to play. They liked the idea of the 19th century Russian twist on the game; but with just a little less luck involved. Winner of cards gained immunity; it seemed so simple. Their chances of ridding themselves of the victory-stealing, smugly grinning man seemed so high. Now they watched their luck going round, drowning in self-pity and remorse- their hope diminishing with each rotation of the slowing gun. The shotgun came to a slow stop, tip facing the smallest man with rat-like yellowing teeth and a crooked nose. He turned as white as a sheet of paper. With shaking legs he began to casually stand, but instead made a lunge for the gun. The man was too fast; snatching the stock from the rat-like man’s reach and whipping the muzzle around to face him, finger stroking the trigger. “C-come on… It- It’s just a game.” The small man reasoned, trying to keep his voice steady- hands in the air in a sign of pause. He slicked his sweat-coated hair back against his head, trying to give the impression that he wasn’t concerned. The room was quiet from the upbeat chatter that had been present just prior to the face-off. The thundering beat of the nightclub suddenly seemed so quiet. “I suppose it is ‘just a game’…A game that you lost, Nathaniel.” “H-how do you know my name?” The rat-like man stuttered- unable to hide the shock on his face. Even the other men at the table looked surprised. “I know a lot of things…” The man grinned, drumming his ringed fingers on the firearm. “I also know that I could let this one slide,” he contemplated- letting the recognition and hope bloom on Nathaniel’s face. “I’m so very grateful- I’ll-“ “-But I won’t.” The man laughed- yet there was no joy in his voice. He took a moment for the dread to register on the rat’s face. He looked desperately to the others for help- each avoided his gaze or met it with an icy glare of resent. The man squeezed the trigger and a heavy slug spat from the muzzle. A crack like a whip with the force of a jet engine seemed to almost rock the room. The crowd cried and dove for cover unanimously. On impact; Nathaniel’s head jerked backward violently. Whatever expression of horror had been frozen on his face was masked by the devastating mess of tissue, bone and blood. Like over-used wallpaper in a bedroom, the man’s facial remains rained over the crowd and the table. His head took the rest of the body with it- as if pulled; he tipped backwards and crumpled with a heavy thud on the monochrome, chequered floor; blood exploding out onto the polished finish. “So!” The man announced, tucking the still-smoking shotgun under his arm and clasping his hands together in a dismissive way. The crowd slowly rose to their feet, hesitant and rattled; as if none of them had expected what they had all ignorantly had known was coming. He checked his watch as if concerned about the hands, which were sitting decidedly in the top right half of the face, “Anyone up for another game?” The men glanced at the corpse, different emotions playing out over their faces. The man sighed and pushed his recently won money back into the middle of the table. The men exchanged glances before, one by one, they returned to their seats. Vibrant, powerful lights washed over the table. Tapping his ringed knuckle onto the hard mahogany table, he shuffled a new set of cards and dealt them casually. The throbbing base of the club beats echoing in his ears. Every man slowly retrieved their wallet, tossing in whatever was left. The man chuckled, taking a long draw off his cigarette; Greedy bastards.

Greed

Posted by Lanalightspeed

I. (Written May 22, 2024, just back posting to make my profile less empty :3) II. For better quality/backstory/info, please visit my site <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed">https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed</a> III. Writing commissions and requests are open! Dm me on my main site or my insta; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lanalightspeed/">https://www.instagram.com/lanalightspeed/</a> A little 'fanart' of a story concept my friend wrote: Phoenix's Toyhouse: <a href="https://toyhou.se/17903704.phoenix-c-sona">https://toyhou.se/17903704.phoenix-c-sona</a> And Fox was based off a friend's oc: <a class="_3Bkfb _19Iz5 _1lsz7" href="https://toyhou.se/17698142.shade" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow ugc">https://toyhou.se/17698142.shade</a> Pain radiated, like a tremor, through her body- the wind knocked from her lungs. Fox lay helplessly on her side, taking shallow cautioning breaths. The earthy smell of rain lingered in the air, bringing back memories from Fox’s childhood that hung of the edge of being forgotten. Dancing shadows drifted across the carpet of brown fallen leaves as the light sifts, like sand, through the ever-flowing canopy far above her head. It seemed so untouched by the cruel, destructive hands of humanity. Yet, the stinging scent of copper and iron still hung on the breeze. The same smell that coated the facility; inside and out, clinging to the armor the soldiers wore as they valiantly stood guard for a cause they believed to be noble. The smell was a bitter reminder that though the facilities electric bars and concrete walls no longer held them; they weren’t free. The ringing in her ears was slowly replaced by desperate cries for help and screams of terror belonging to the pursuing guards. Dragging her lower body like a soldier crawling through trenches, Fox dragged herself to the shelter of a rocky overhang where she permitted herself a short rest to baby the mutated, foxlike leg that was sending white hot pain up through her body.    Tears threatened at her eyes. She could hear the birds, quietly cautioning to each other, as silence rippled through the forest. Something was off. A crack followed by a cry of agony, echoed through the forest, originating somewhere above her. Birds took panicked flight into the bright azure abyss. They wouldn’t shoot her… would they? Imagine; their unstoppable war machine ruined by a few gunshots. The thundering of something massive tearing through the canopy sent vibrations through the cliff wall behind her back. A heavy, earth rocking thud pulsed through Fox’s body, inducing more pain to her growing agony. That could have only been one person. “Phoenix…” Fox whispered, trying to drag herself out of under the overhang. The giant bird-like human pushed herself up with a mangled groan and climbed to her feet, trying to untangle her knot of tattered wings, broken netting and angry, bleeding limbs. Her once-powerful demeanor an exhausted hunch as Phoenix rested, hands on knees, trying to catch her breath. “Phoenix,” Fox whimpered, managing into the patchy sunlight. Their eyes met and relief washed over Phoenix’s face as if her pain has melted into the ground; “You’re okay!” Stumbling over to where her friend lay, Phoenix dropped to her knees, taking Fox’s face in her hands. “I didn’t think you’d survive the fall… They grabbed me; right out of the air…” “I… know-“, Fox breathed “-but It’s okay… we’re okay…” Holding Phoenix’s hand to her face, she tried to let go of the returning terror that had gripped her, only minutes ago, as she had watched Phoenix and the facility soldiers rapidly fly upwards and the nauseating feeling of freefall. As they crouched, time seemed to stop for a moment… But only a moment, as the whoosh of a flare gun being fired broke the silence. Phoenix swore under her breath. She was exhausted- Fox could tell. They’d been on the run from the facility for days. That was until she had hurt her ankle and Phoenix had carried her for the rest. Not that the powerful, beast of a person would admit fatigue. Phoenix was far too proud. “We have to keep moving, they know where we are now.” Phoenix declared, pushing herself to her feet to throw off the last of the singed netting that clung to her magnificent, yet tattered, wings of red, orange and gold. Phoenix gave the cliff face, and just beyond; the ledge which sat just beyond the canopy, a blistering glare of deep rooted loathing. “The longer we’re here-“ “No…. I-, I can’t.” “What?” Fox pushed herself onto her side with a gasp of agony. “I can’t, Phoenix…” She begged, tears running down her grimy, dirt covered skin. “Please, let’s just stay here-…“ “N-no; are you serious? They’ll catch you and you won’t be able to get away again. I won’t be able to help you-…” Phoenix’s voice was slowly rising, laced with concern and utter disbelief. “I can’t keep going…” Fox whispered; words choked and dry. Phoenix looked as if she was about to punch something or break down in an exhausted mess. “You can’t-” She forced through gritted teeth, “I can’t- I can’t leave you…” “I’ll be oka-“ “YOU WON’T!” Suddenly; silence- heavy silence. Phoenix crouched, bringing her hands up to her face to bite down onto her knuckle. “They’ll get you.” She whispered, “And, they’ll turn you into a monster. They’ll do to you, what they did to me. They can’t have mutations running free- they won’t stop until they get you… I can’t… I-I can’t let them… I can’t lose you.” For the first time since being taken into the facility, 6 years ago; Fox saw tears rolling down Phoenix’s unnaturally hot skin. Steam danced off her tan complexion and curled elegantly up into the air, fading into the breeze. “You won’t lose me… I promise.” Fox whispered, taking Phoenix’s hand and pressing her cracked lips to the bird’s bloodied knuckles. With a reassuring glance, Phoenix lifted Fox onto her back, cradling her with her outstretched wings to prevent her from slipping. The heat radiating off the bird’s body made Fox sleepy and she wrapped her arms around Phoenix’s neck. Like a titan, Phoenix slowly rose to her feet and began the grueling hike, away from the cliff face, into the valley below. Maybe, just maybe, they could find somewhere to hide.

The Fox and the Phoenix

Posted by Lanalightspeed

I. (Written May 10, 2024, just back posting to make my profile less empty :3) II. For better quality/backstory/info, please visit my site <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed">https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed</a> III. Writing commissions and requests are open! Dm me on my main site or my insta; https://www.instagram.com/lanalightspeed/ I don’t think you realise. How could you? Every hint I drop, every move I make- it’s all part of the act, a move in the elaborate game that we’re playing. I gaze into your eyes as you laugh. I’m your loyal shadow, going wherever you please; silent and obeying. You have a beautiful crinkle on the sides of your eyes when you smile. The warmth of your hand; your delicate, gentle hand, makes my arm feel like it’s on fire. I must look so deeply in love with you, but it’s probably because I am. If this doesn’t make someone jealous, I don’t know what will. You’re talking to one of your friends, but we both know why we’re really here. I can see him, sitting across the hall from us; shooting daggers with his eyes. I should be thanking him, really. He’s the reason I get to hold your beautiful hand and run my fingers through your silky brown hair. Except, he’s also the source of my pain; because I know, no matter how many times you say you’re over him, or how much you brush off his cold-hearted mistreatment, you’re not. Whenever we walk past; you hold my hand a little tighter, laugh a little louder. Just to show that you’ve moved on, you don’t care- but I know you do. I didn’t expect, until you told me about this little plan of yours, how far I would go for you. At first I thought that there was nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and now I’m here realising that there’s not enough that I’m doing for you. What kind of friend watches someone they love lie to themselves over and over. You say it’s good for you, to help you let go- to heal. This isn’t healing; it’s covering the cracks with gold paper. It looks beautiful but it doesn’t stop the water, slowly soaking through. Your face is so beautiful, but your skin is creased with lines of worry. I’m not surprised. I dragged you away from your conversation for a ‘quick word’. You’re lying to yourself… But so am I. I can’t keep pretending. Pretending that I’m happy, pretending I have everything I want… I’m just so tired of playing pretend. It’s only fair that you want to know why I’m quitting just when the plan is working, but it’s not an answer I’m ready to give yet. Lies will save you, but only for a little bit. The more you live them, the more your old life starts to fade away, until you can’t go back- you can never go back. I reach for your hand, but you snatch it back. The mask is off, there’s no point for you to act like you care anymore. You’re confused and hurt and you can’t seem to understand that I’m doing it for the both of us.   The roles have reversed. He’s by your side, standing tall and proud like a boy with a trophy, and I’m in the corner of the hall, watching. It’s always the same- this must be the 6th time you’ve got back together after weeks of fighting and lying awake at night, convincing yourself that you’re okay. It always starts the same, and will always finish the same. He seems okay, maybe he’s changed- but, I thought that last time as well. It’s a tragedy- but for what reason, I’m not sure. Because it’s always going to be like this- or because it didn’t always have to be like this? It could have been different, whispers my heart.   It’s the 4th week in a row you’ve called me. Long after everyone has gone to bed, you’re up- sobbing your heart out while I listen, helpless, a prisoner in my own body. I grip the phone tighter to my ear. Maybe it’s my deep rooted jealousy that makes everything he does seem so villainous, or maybe it’s my head cautioning what my heart already knows. I wasn’t sure you would forgive me after I ‘left you’, but you bitterly came around to the idea that maybe I didn’t want to live a lie. What type of lie I was living, you still don’t know. I thought what I was doing would help- that you would open up your eyes to the pain you’re causing yourself, but all I did was left you without a lifeline; a lifeline that he extended to you. One so tattered and torn that it was unthreading itself in the middle, but you didn’t have anything else to cling onto; better a broken rope than going under in a bitter ocean of lonely self-loathing. You won’t hear any of my advice. You’re so sure of yourself- of him, of your future that you can’t see it any other way. He’s calling you, barefoot and helpless, to him over rough ground while he stands in shoes. I can’t stand it. I wonder if this is the way it’ll always be for us. You call me, we fight, and you hang up. You call me, we fight, and I hang up. Playing on repeat like a broken record in a room nobody ever bothers to visit. You’re back at my side, though I wish you weren’t. I’d rather see you with him, clinging to his arm, surrounded by his friends than next to me, trying to fix your running mascara. Mascara you don’t need. It feels like a prison visit. You only spend time with me until you’re back under his arm with him whispering in your ear to stay away from me. I don’t think you realise. How could you? Sometimes I wonder if you’ll ever know how much I love you…

I don't think you realise

Posted by Lanalightspeed

I. (Written Apr 15, 2024, just back posting to make my profile less empty :3) II. For better quality/backstory/info, please visit my site <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed">https://www.deviantart.com/lanalightspeed</a> III. Writing commissions and requests are open! Dm me on my main site or my insta; https://www.instagram.com/lanalightspeed/ Wasp sighed; pushing herself awkwardly off the wall in the corner of the cave. As she weaved her way through the crowd, she realised she didn’t recognise anyone. Wasn’t this supposed to be a gathering for the lower-class dragons in the kingdom? Surely, there had to be someone around that she knew from the kitchens or the markets where she bought ingredients. A group of dragons cheered and smashed their drinks together over her head. Wine and party drinks rained down onto her, dripping through her scales. Great. Still, amongst the poorest and most rejected dragons in the kingdom, she still felt like an outcast. A lowly kitchen slave. Wasp shook herself, ridding her scales of the remaining wine and tucked her wings in closer to her. Dropping her head, she continued to weave and push through the crowd; spinning and dodging like an elegant dancer. Sometimes she felt lucky to be so small. The crowd thinned as the warm night air crept into the stuffy rock hollow. She slipped around the entrance to the cave and allowed herself to release the breath that she hadn’t realised that she’d been holding. The grass of the hillside brushed against her scaled legs and the wind whistled under her wings. Outside the cave was a beautiful clearing. Fireflies lit the sky above their heads, and dragons danced in the empty spaces between the trees, while onlookers watched from the tree-line. There was no music, yet everyone was in time. In perfect sync as if everyone could sense the rhythm, pulsing through them. It was electrifying; dangerous. Yet so beautiful, and passionate. “Why aren’t you dancing with them?” A deep voice asked out of the dark. Wasp spun around, her little heart racing, wings outspread- ready to take flight. “Oh,” She exhaled, relieved. “Falcon. Hey.” A large brown dragon, with hints of orange or yellow rippling across his perfect scales emerged slowly from the shadows. The light danced across his body, catching his amber eyes as he stared down at the little wyvern. “Why aren’t you dancing?” He repeated, turning his head to look at the dancers. Wasp followed his gaze with a longing in her eyes. “I don’t belong here.” She admitted sadly, “They wouldn’t want me dancing.” Falcon only smiled, “And why not?” “Because... I just… I don’t know…” Wasp sighed, looking down and fidgeting in the grass with her toe claws. She didn’t have a reason; Falcon knew that just as well as she did. “I can’t dance in front of other dragons.” She admitted, looking sheepishly up to meet the gaze of the larger dragon. “But you’re fantastic…” He whispered passionately, as if reliving the rare occasion of watching the smaller dragon dance and spin. Bending his elegant neck, he nuzzled the side of her face affectionately. Wasp turned away. “If they thought I was fantastic I wouldn’t be in the kitchens, day after day…” The little dragon sighed. She watched the dancers for another moment. “Wait…” Wasp whipped her head around to study Falcon’s innocent face carefully, “Why are you here?” The large wyvern smiled a beautiful grin that made her heart blossom and butterflies take flight. “Can’t I enjoy a party too?” “A lowly commoner’s party.” Wasp corrected him, “You’re so highly ranked among the guards, and you’re invited to all the big parties… Yet you come to this one- to be among the people that serve you?” Falcon chuckled quietly and walked slowly out of the trees, past Wasp and out toward the clearing. “You know what I love about these parties?” Wasp had to jog to be able to keep up with his long stride. “No?” Falcon grinned, slowing his pace to stop at the edge of the tree-line to watch the dragons dance. “Status doesn’t matter here.” “Oh.” Wasp sighed, a little out of breath. Catching up to Falcon, she stopped by his side. “At the fancy parties, you can have the biggest title or be the most respected, yet everything you do will be judged. On display for everyone. You can’t have fun because you’re constantly wearing a mask to hide who you truly are.” Falcon draped a wing over Wasp’s back before she had time to reply, and guided her slowly into the clearing. “W-wait! Where are we going?” She asked, alarm in her voice, her wings bristling. Falcon grinned, looking down at Wasp. “Dancing.”

Let's Dance

Posted by Lanalightspeed

The crowd loudly gathered in front of the large building, waiting for the great door to be opened. Beyond it, there were three dragons, about to meet them one by one for an audition for something that used to be possible only in daydreams: turning into one of them. Only one month before, after centuries of hiding themselves, dragons had revealed their existence. In front of a shocked audience, three of them, the same now standing behind the door, told their story: long time ago, when their kind was persecuted, they hibernated for centuries to come, in the depths of the planet, waiting for the mankind to become less aggressive and more understanding of the world they inhabited. "But now we decided times are mature, and we want to help you re-building our beautiful world," announced Galdevan, a golden male dragon, talking to dozens of TV cameras in an European national park; surprisingly, he could speak in perfect English, albeit sometimes some archaic words escaped from his mouth. Then, he announced something even more spectacular. "Still, we are too few in numbers to have good chances to make a living again, and that's another reason for our returning. We are looking for humans to join and become one of us." "What do you mean?" asked the journalists as one. "I'll show you." After looking around the grass for a while, he caught a mouse under his forepaw. Galdevan, holding the tiny creature, looked at it intensely, and after a while the mouse began changing shape, becoming larger. The reporters took photos with the fury of a buffalo herd as a small, gray dragon appeared where previously there was a mouse. "I want to alert you," continued Galdevan in a harsher voice, "we are looking for people whose desire is strong and motivated. Becoming another being means forgetting all you have learned in your first years of life, and then learning them again; it means completely leaving your old lives behind, including your dearest loved ones. Think about it very carefully. We'll begin recruiting people starting from tomorrow." One month had passed since then, and the three dragons had found some suitable people, but it would be a long time before they’d get a sufficient number to repopulate the planet again. Now, they lay on the floor of a big audience room, waiting for the first candidate to come in. After some minutes a young man entered. Galdevan instantly noticed the t-shirt he wore, with a green cartoon dragon in it. Not a good sign. "Welcome," the dragon greeted the newcomer, "what's your name?" "J...James. James Campbell." His face showed high excitement and Galdevan could smell some sweat from nervousness. "I am Galdevan. These are Veldavel and Shen." He pointed at the two females beside him. Shen, who was silver-scaled, was the next to talk. "So, what is your motivation to become one of us?" The young man seemed to hardly find the words, and in the end he talked in a trembling, yet high, voice. "I...I love dragons. I've been loving them for all my life. Seeing you live in TV one month ago was a dream come true, and when you said about you looking for people to become...well, I felt in heaven. It would be the best thing in my life." Galdevan showed no expression, but mentally he had already understood the kind of person they were interviewing, and it was unlikely to be who they were looking for. "If you were elected," Veldavel asked, "you would be forced to leave your house, your family and your job, and never come back to human society again. Do you feel ready for it?" "Well...yes." His tone had become less excited and his eyebrows had raised up their angles. He hadn't thought about it enough. "Moreover, your life would be subjected to nature. You would need to hunt for eating, have to fly great distances to do it. Living in nature is harsh. Do you understand?" "Y...yes...yes of course..." he was blabbing. No, thought Galdevan, this is not a good candidate. He loves only our appearance, but he has never reflected on what being a dragon is. They had met a lot of humans like him; after centuries of conflicts and persecution it was still an amazing improvement, but they were looking for someone who could - and want - to understand them in depth. After some seconds of silence, Galdevan understood none of them had questions to ask. "Well, I think it's enough. Thank you, James. We need your address in order to trace you in case you're selected." The second candidate was a woman in her thirties. Luckily, she wore no weird clothes. The three dragons introduced themselves again; the woman introduced herself as Theresa Brown and when she was asked why she desired to become a dragon she seemed determined. "Because I want to help the others, those who suffer for injustices." "And how would you?" Shen asked. "With my dragon powers," the candidate answered, fiercely. "This world is rotten and corrupted. You have come back to improve it, and my desire is to help you." "Well," Galdevan said, "we would have come back sooner or later, when we would feel we'd be safe again...but are you saying you want to intervene in all the issues of the world?" "Sort of. We must re-build our world, you said so." "We did. On the other hand, I didn't mean acting like a hero all the time. If we did, we'd risk to cause some incidents, and be persecuted again. You see, we are strong creatures; it takes years to learn how to control dragon strength. One could say our strength has been a curse." "When we talked about re-building our world," Veldavel continued, "we meant helping you understanding the world we live in. We saw you've become sorry for damaging it, and that's good, but without guidance, you may take even worse decisions while trying to fix those damages. It's not scorn," she added, "we're sure you men have a lot to teach us, too. That is also why we're looking for men to join us. To collaborate, we need to know each other, but we can't visit your towns too often." Theresa nodded. For what Galdevan could see in her eyes, there was a little disappointment. "Do you still wish to become one of us?" demanded Shen. "Well...yes, if this can make the world better." "And are you aware that living as a dragon has far less commodities than living as a human, and that you would have to leave all the ones you love?" "Oh..." she suddenly turned uncertain. "No one?" "No one," she confirmed. "Is there anyone your heart is bonded to?" "Actually...actually there is one." "Whoever this is, did he...or she...apply for being a dragon too?" "Yes." "What's their name?" Theresa told them the name. "We haven't met him yet," Veldavel announced, "if we think he's a good candidate, you two could join us together. What about everything else, though? Would you be comfortable about leaving your previous life behind?" "I think so...I know first time would be harsh, but you would help me, wouldn't you?" "Of course we would. Nobody will be left alone after such a great change," Galdevan smiled. "Well, I think your motivation is quite good, although it came from a little misunderstanding, and we're glad to see you're not scared about leaving human society. Unless you're now having second choices." "I’m not. I have few contacts with my family. They're so retrograde. They were training me to be a housewife and nothing else...I couldn't stand it. My love has helped me leaving them out. He always encouraged me to continue my studies and being independent. I owe him what I am today." "That explains a lot," he commented. In fact, many candidates came from dysfunctional families. Maybe, he thought, after being prevented from fulfilling themselves as humans, they wanted to fulfill themselves as dragons? Whatever was the reason, choosing such people could lead to bad, even evil, consequences. "Anyway, we understood it's important for you to have him beside you, so it's crucial for you two to be both good enough. Tell us your address so that we can contact you in case you can join us." One hour later, after several disappointing candidates, they interviewed her boyfriend, but his attitude wasn’t strong enough; that meant no possibility for that woman to join them. Now it was the turn of a black-haired man in his mid-forties. "Nice to meet you. My name is Sean Walker." "I am Galdevan. These are Shen and Veldavel. Please, tell your motivation for becoming one of us." “Before that, there's something I must alert you about." "Tell us." "Our government is planning a national park where to confine you," explained the man. "You wouldn't be allowed to leave it. Also, it's completely covered with forests. That environment is not suited for you, but they seem not to care." Galdevan was surprised. "How do you know about our needs?" "I'm a dragonologist. My occupation had been looking for your traces until last month." "Had you found any previously?" Shen asked. "Some. It was nearly impossible, but I managed to. I could get some information about you, for example your habitat, and I know in a forest you’d have a harsh time hunting due to your size; or worse, you may accidentally burn everything." The three dragons became sincerely interested: had they never encountered a man like that. “You’re right,” commented Galdevan. “Do you mind if we interrogate you about some other facts about us, just to be sure?” “No problem.” After some more questions, the three dragons agreed that the man had an exceptional knowledge of dragons: from dietary habits, to their behavior, and much more. “Impressive. Absolutely impressive,” Shen said. “Apart from some forgivable mistakes, you seem to know dragons very well. Your skills must be very high if you could figure all of this out only from traces.” “Now, tell us about what your government is planning, please,” Galdevan asked. “Since you came out last month,” the man began, “the world has gone crazy, both in good and bad terms. The problem is, usually the bad terms are stronger, especially when it comes to creatures as big and powerful as you. A lot of people are sure your true intention is prevaricating over our society and exterminate us all. What’s worse, many among them are in governments. Here, in order to find a compromise with those that instead support you, they decided the best thing is to isolate you completely, in selected wildlife sanctuaries. All full of forests. Without asking for your opinion.” The three dragons looked at each other, worried. “No one told us…” trembled Galdevan. Shen turned suddenly to the man. “What do you suggest to do?” “I have tried to earn some funds to stare an association for the improvement of human-dragon relationships. For now, I have succeeded in finding a quite large group of men to discuss this decision with the government; but we need you, the dragons.” “If it’s how you say it is, we’ll come immediately when we’re done here,” Galdevan announced. “But did you come here only for alerting us?” asked Veldavel. “Or do you really want to become a dragon?” “I’ve thought about it a lot. I asked myself if I was able to sacrifice my human nature for your cause. Yes, human society isn’t very appealing to me, but wouldn’t I miss reading, listening to music, drink wine and so on, I kept thinking? But in the end I told myself I knew the truth. The most important thing for me are dragons. And if they need help, I am ready. It will be harsh, I know it, but I assure you, I’ll do my best to find my new mental balance as a dragon.” “Well, we got pleasant activities, too,” Galdevan said, “we love to narrate stories and play, even when we become adults. Most of all, flying is the greatest pleasure of all. I myself love to travel. Anyway, does your family know of your choice?” “I’ve already informed them. They were expecting me to do this, although they have never had a high opinion of my job, even after you have revealed yourselves.” “So your family won’t be a big problem. What about your association? Will it stand up?” “In the association, there will be dragon and human members. This is the only way to make it work. Listen, I can understand why you prefer to remain separated, and you’re absolutely right; but simply ignoring human society is something that would lead to incomprehension and bad decisions, like the one the government in this country is doing. We should at least meet together once in a while to take the best ways for both of our species, and to support the men that will have become dragons.” Galdevan, Veldavel and Shen stayed silent for a long time. Eventually, the first one said: “I must admit you’re right. We’ll soon join your group. As for you, thank you kindly for informing us. You’re the best candidate we’ve had since we’ve started and you’ll join us for sure. Just don’t tell the other candidates, for now.” Sean was looking at the sun going down behind the mountains. In front of his yellow eyes was a beautiful scene of dragons flying freely among the peaks. He spread his new wings and joined them, not actually Sean anymore, but Seanork, the turquoise dragon. The transformation happened only yesterday; it was very painful, and he felt like he wanted to die, but then, all ceased and the pain became a strange sensation, the sensation of being in a completely different body. When everyone transformed, Galdevan, Veldavel and Shen showed them how to move their paws and wings, and Sean immediately felt confident. In few hours, all the men who had turned into dragons learned to do the basic movements. Still, they had to learn how to hunt and all the rest, but they were not alone. The days before that, he had taken care of protecting the dragons. After the interview, together with the three dragons and his association, he had managed to discuss with the government their infamous plan. Without Galdevan, Veldavel and Shen, it would have been impossible. Too many economic and political interests were behind, from businessmen wanting to confine dragons to expose them to the public like animals in a zoo, to demagogues constantly in search of easy approvals by the people. But when the three dragons appeared, their arrogance had disappeared, even though the trio had been gentle as always. The result had been this: the dragons would not be subjected to local governments, but at the same time the association started by Sean became international, and managed by both species in order to promote and develop friendship between humans and dragons. So it had ended in the best way possible. Tomorrow there would be the first international meeting of the association, organized among those mountains, and Seanork would be the ambassador of the dracomos (so the men turned into dragons were now called); Galdevan would represent pure dragons, and a close friend of Seanork humans. That meeting would sign the beginning of a world of peace. For now, the turquoise dracomo enjoyed the air around his body while flying, thankful for his new life. -------------------------------------------------------   This story has a great importance for me. Not only is it the first short story that launched me back on DA, but it is most of all the story from which the idea of Dragon-Human Association was born (will talk more about it next days). Although years later we dropped transformation out of the lore. Originally published on DeviantArt on 2016/08/03, reviewed on 2022/12/06.

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