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Decaffeinated Here we go!
The world has never been kind to the dragon that waits in the cold, damp dungeon that he was left shackled in. Never did a day go by that he wasn't reminded of the cruelty of the mistress called life. Only anguish, misery, and desperation wrapped around him like a blanket to keep him warm on dark, lonely nights.
He recalled the time when he thought he had everything. He had a home, a love, family, riches; what more could a person ask for. He was a regal and amazing imperial who never let his head lower before the commonfolk. He kept his friends close, and enemies closer. He used them as he pleased, and enjoyed the delicious taste that life gave him.
Then, with a snap of a dragon's talons, everything was dragged from under his feet. He barely remembers what caused it. Something about his father's transgressions- money laundering, fraud. It seems that identity theft was on his list as well, as the name on everything? Was of his son, the great, arrogant noble Estabon.
The punishment was lessened due to him still being just a hatchling in the judge's eyes. So instead, he was sentenced to forced breed changing. It's a process he would never wish upon his worst enemy. However, he would take it before the death sentence known as becoming a part of the emperor project.
Ever since, he scavenged on the streets. His family disowned him, and no friends knew of his fate. In the end, he wished for death. Which is what lead him to commit an act that couldn't be lessened. It lead him to gain his vengance on his father, and he knew that he would accept his fate with a smile.
As the guards came to retrieve him, he was at peace. He had no regrets, and wished to meet the one who guards heaven's gates. However, when he was escorted, he saw a glow down a hallway. It was an odd glow, and he couldn't help but notice something crawling through the darkness. Were those... vines?
The execution was to take place in front of a large crowd. As the chained fae was brought out to the clearing, all that could be heard was the booing and jeers of dragons thirsty for death. He had to all but close his eyes to keep from looking around at the witnesses for his nightmare's end. As they prepared for him to face his punishment, the executor asked if the fae had any last words.
The audiance went quiet at that moment, waiting on baited breath to see if he would apologize for the act he had committed. Esteban debated on letting them wait for nothing, but he felt compelled to leave one thing on their minds.
"I curse the day that I was born into a world so black with hate. I'll gladly leave this life, and seek my peace beyond the light of heavens gate."
The audiance stayed quiet for only a moment. Angered and disgusted voices rose into a crescendo, proclaiming their excitement for the dragon's death. Esteban was lead to the center of the clearing, and he couldn't help but close his eyes, not wanting to see how they would go through with this punishment.
Only, no punishment came. He slowly opened his eyes as the voices had suddenly hushed, gasps and cries of surprise ripping themselves from the mouths of the audiance. Esteban took a look to see what took these dragons by surprise. The executioner was above his knealt form, an axe in his hands and above his head- ready to strike. However, he was now covered in thick thorn covered vines, rendering him immobile.
Esteban sat up, watching in shock as he saw the guards that were holding him be pulled off by these vines. As his eyes followed the length of the vines, he was soon met with the sight of a young looking, beautiful fae. She looked angered at the scene.
"How dare you try to hurt him, when he is truly the innocent one in this. The GladesKeeper shall hear of this, and you will rue the day you angered her prophet!"
When Esteban stood, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the spritely girl. And as she smiled at him and lead him away, he knew what had happened.
He had been met by an angel, and as the two headed for the Twisting Crescendo, he knew he would never feel the cruel hands of life around his neck again.
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Mentioned in the story: the mate I plan on giving him, my nature prophet Persephone
