Itzli

It is the first day of the Trickmurk Circus, and you and your clan have decided to join in the festivities taking place in the Tangled Wood. It's odd, being in a place so dark and different from your own. After all, you are used the sun, lighting the way wherever you go.
Some in your clan were hesitant to leave, claiming the Woods were seething with hideous monsters. And nobody wanted to take that first step, out of the light and into the darkness. But you stepped up! You volunteered to be the scout, bravely marching ahead and keeping your clanmates safe. It's something you've done your whole life; it seems only natural you do it now.

'But maybe it wasn't such a good idea,' you think to yourself. You've left your clanmates far behind, and you're starting to regret you left your familiar with the hatchlings. It is pretty unsettling out, here after all.
And all the noises, from the slow, ghostly moans, to the skittering of rodents has really worn down your bravado. You've started to jump at every unexpected occurance, even if it is just one of those odd amphibians turning to look at you from the shadows.

So it's a relief when everything goes silent, and you finally get some peace and quiet. But you do wonder, what would cause the animals to fall silent like that? Well, not entirely silent. There's a strange bird watching you from the trees... Wait a minute, that's no bird! It's strange, bipedal animal, although it does sport some clearly avian features, such as wings and a beak. Could this be one of those Beastclan Warriors you've heard so much about? Perhaps. It's cloaked in a dark purple robe, which acts as near-perfect camouflage in the dark and misty Woods. It's also got something in its claws, but you can't really make it out. You squint, and then you realize. It's holding a scythe, poised as if to attack you. You can't suppress it, a small laugh escapes your mouth. This puny creature wants to take you on with that? Ridiculous. You've spent ages battling monsters three times its size!

The creature nods its head, and takes to the air on silent wings. You think about following it, but dismiss the idea. You've got better things to do.

Thump.

What was that? It sounded like a tree fell. 'Yes, that's it.' You think to yourself. 'Only another dragon could have made a sound like that, and there's nobody here but me.'

Thump.

There it is again! Two trees falling one after another? Now you know for sure, there's something out there. It probably wants to eat you! But... where is it?

Thump.

The thuds are even louder now, and you think it's coming from your left. You whirl around, fangs bared and claws raised, ready to unleash a ferocious battle cry.

There's nothing there. You scan the area, paying special attention to the previous place you heard the noises from. Again, you find nothing. Just the dank trees, glowing mushrooms, and the brambles that seem to cover everything. You wait a moment more, before continuing to walk. Still no noise. It's almost creepier than the earlier ambiance.

You swing around for one last check, and freeze on the spot. Two small, pale dots, no, they're eyes, are emerging from the darkness between the trees, followed by a massive Imperial dragon. Large, twisted brambles have covered his body and wings, piercing them in multiple places. A dark, viscous liquid is leaking form the wounds, and his eyes are full of pain and sorrow. The bird like creature from before lands on his shoulder, chittering quietly to itself. It seems to be... Arguing with itself?

It violently slaps itself with one talon, before refocusing its attention on the dragon it's perched upon. Surveying the brambles, it nods approvingly before pointing at you with its scythe. The massive dragon in front of you shudders, throwing his head back and wailing, begging, and above all, screaming for you to run, to fly, to get away. You're shaking in fear, but you turn and bolt. The last thing you see before your vision is encompassed by the Wood is the creature, shaking its head in silent disapproval. Seconds later, agony filled cries echo through the air, interspersed with the Imperial begging and pleading. However, the sounds quickly stop before being replaced with the awful thumping that signifies the Imperial has begun to chase you. You run faster, but the sounds never quite fade away. With a sickening feeling in your gut, you realize you've the path far behind.

You're so tired. So very, very tired. Wings drooping, eyes half shut, with legs that feel like lead, you collapse. You can hear the sounds of the approaching Imperial though, and you force yourself to your feet. You stumble forward, praying to all eleven of the deities to come save you, to take you back to your clanmates, to take you home. You just want to be safe.

There's no way to tell how long you've been here, evading the Imperial. But now it's over. After all, no dragon can run with a broken leg. The thuds get louder and louder, stopping right in front of you. You slowly, tiredly, turn and stare at the Imperial. The brambles have encompassed more of the dragon's body, even pulling his mouth into an unnatural, toothy grin. A beautiful blue flower has bloomed over his chest, the luminescence it's emitting highlighting his features. Tears streak down his face, and you realize he's whispering over and over, 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.'

The cloaked figure has once again landed on the Imperial. It glides down to the new flower, uttering a throaty chuckle. It reaches down, plucking a few seeds from the flower's center. Stepping over to you, it examines your broken leg. Gripping the broken limb tightly in its talon, it places the seeds into the wound. They sprout, brambles quickly encompassing the entirety of your leg, and quickly spreading over the rest of your lower body. The thorns attach to your scales, slicing through them like a knife through butter. As they do, a fog drifts over your mind, and you feel your control over your body slipping away. You realize you can stand now, as your new brambles have supported your leg, allowing you to move. A strange laugh bubbles up in your throat. 'They're just here to 'help' me!' You know how wrong that is. And you know what the rest of your life is going to be under the control of this... This demon.

You realize that you're standing in front of the Imperial. Fresh tears are falling from his eyes.
You realize you're both crying. The demon chitters, and you realize you understand it now. It's urging you to kill the Imperial. Without hesitation, you raise your claws. The eyes of the Imperial widen. He looks... Happy. As your claws slowly descend, you shudder, attempting to resist. The demon sighs. It places another seed on you, this time on your wing. It sticks to you, and brambles cover your wing almost instantly. All of the plants tighten in unison, and you feel the first of the strange, dark liquid running down your side. As the fog in your mind thickens, you wonder how long the Imperial had been controlled before. Maybe he had a family, friends and loved ones who never knew what happened. You wonder just how long he's been here, and as you ponder, you don't even notice you're moving until it's far too late. You see you're standing over the Imperial's body, his last breathe escaping his lungs as he crashes to the ground.

He looks peaceful; relaxed and happy in a way you think -- you know-- he hasn't been in a very, very long time. In a way you know you won't be until the next dragon comes wandering, curious and happy and so very, very alone.


Well! This was written in honor of Trickmurk and Lady Shadowbinder, though I'm sure her domain is much nicer than this.
I've always thought that my dragon Itzli, the Imperial in my story above, would be a great scary story dragon. And then I get this wonderful skin along with the Ghostlight Ruins? Well, this was just begging to be written! Thanks to all of you who stuck around long enough to read this far, and may your Trickmurk be an enjoyable one!