Hexaphobia

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia was named after the phobia, the fear, of the number 666, in honor of his mother, Triskadekaphobia, a descendant of the terror of Naomi.
Hexaphobia was sent off early in his life; just like almost every other Night Warrior hatchling from his former clan.

Hexaphobia, before he gained his name, lived in the Sky Praise clan. There was never a question of if he'd get to stay in the clan; if he had a chance, he probably would have been given a name when he was hatched. A while after his hatching, when he could walk and run on his own, a large banescale visited the Sky Praise clan. Curiosity got the better of all the hatchlings, who ran up to inspect the large ancient beast. He was friendly enough, as far as Hexaphobia was concerned. The banescale just laughed as the small dragons climbed all over him, inspecting the underside of his wings, amazed by his lack of forelegs. He entertained the hatchlings until Triskadekaphobia approached him. She motioned towards Hexaphobia.

"This is the hatchling Princess Agion requested. He is ready to travel." She glanced at the hatchling before focusing on the banescale once again. "Thank you, Daichi, for taking him to your clan."

Daichi dipped his head respectfully. "I will do everything in my power to protect him, and he will receive the best training in all of Dragonhome," he responded. Hexaphobia looked up at the massive dragon, tilting his head curiously, gaining Daichi's attention.

"Why are your eyes black?" Hexaphobia questioned, his own eyes large with childish curiosity. Daichi hesitated before responding.

"I was infected by the Shade, a long time ago. Our clan's healer helped me," he explained. Hexaphobia's curiosity wasn't settled though.

"How were you infected?" Hexaphobia asked next. Daichi glanced at the other hatchlings, then Triskadekaphobia, before opening a wing to the hatchling.

"Why don't we discuss this while we walk? I'm taking you to my clan," Daichi suggested. Hexaphobia pouted but agreed, ducking under Daichi's wing obediently. Daichi said his thanks and goodbyes before leading the hatchling out of the Sky Praise clan's territory.

As he'd promised, Daichi told Hexaphobia the story of his life; how he was infected by the Shade, how he'd gotten into enough fights to gain Agion's attention, how he saved his mate, Casper's, life, and everything in between. At least it kept the young hatchling from running off and getting into trouble.

Since Hexaphobia was so little, he wasn't able to fly just yet, meaning they would have to walk through the Tangled Wood.

About 3/4 of the way through the Wood, Daichi sensed something... off. Without a second thought, he shoved Hexaphobia into a hollow tree, warning him to stay put. Daichi stalked off silently through the tangled brush. Hexaphobia stayed put. Daichi had been so nice to him so far; he wouldn't just leave him alone, right?

Screeches of fury broke out. Hexaphobia felt his heart race as he recognized Daichi's voice, despite the pain in his scream. Hexaphobia's instincts took control. He stayed close to the ground, speeding through the Wood until he came across Daichi, bleeding a terrible black blood-like substance, holding his ground and fighting off the horrible creatures, each one with a dark aura surrounding them. Hexaphobia watched the scene, watching Daichi weaken, before bolting out.

Without a second thought, he used what claws and teeth he had to tear into one of the smaller creatures. Daichi shouted at him, but it didn't make sense; the adrenaline was blocking out all of Hexaphobia's senses, forcing him to simply act. He didn't notice the deep bite on his flank, the blood from his scratches turning darker and darker until it was black.

Daichi felt a wave of terror course through him before he raced to the hatchling, grabbing him up in his talons and taking to the air, forcing his way through the branches and flying as fast as he could towards his home.

Hexaphobia was furiously fighting against Daichi's hold when they landed. He dug his claws into the hard dirt, fighting to get away, but Daichi didn't let him up. Without any hesitation, the first dragons to see them called upon Oaku, the clan healer. She showed up shortly after with a variety of herbs and pastes.

"What happened, Daichi?" She asked. Hexaphobia didn't stop struggling during Daichi's explanation, which made Oaku's work difficult. Eventually, she gave in, using one of her herbs, forcing it into the young spiral's mouth and down his throat, until he fell asleep.

After another moment's hesitation, Daichi stepped off Hexaphobia, watching patiently as Oaku did her best to heal Hexaphobia. Once the wounds were clotted with the herbs she'd used, herbs he recognized as the tea he had to drink every day to keep his sanity, Oaku turned to Daichi, who shook his head.

"Thank you, but I'm fine. A couple of scratches, that's all..." Daichi trailed off when he realized a majority of the clan had gathered at some point, but there was one dragon in particular he knew wasn't there. "Where is Casper?"

Oaku frowned, looking over the crowd. "I don't know. He was reading to the hatchlings earlier. Maybe he's in your den," she suggests. Daichi nods slowly, his pupils narrowing slightly.
"Will you need him to stay with you?" He asks, leaning down to nudge the still-asleep spiral on the ground. Oaku shook her head.

"No. Deilzrus is ill, it's best the hatchling stays out. I can find someone to take him in until he heals." Daichi shook his head back.

"He'll stay with me. I can handle him best," Daichi decided. Oaku hesitated before nodding.
"Very well. In that case, I'd better get back to Deilzrus. If I see Casper, I'll let him know you're home," Oaku murmured. Daichi nodded before gently lifting the hatchling up between his teeth, careful not to close his jaws too much, and carried Hexaphobia back to his den.

Hexaphobia woke days later, settled into a warm nest in a deep cave. Mild fear crept into his body, fear that he was trapped underground. His fears were quelled when a pale yellow banescale walked down the path towards him. The dragon was walking with a bag of some sort, which he dropped near Hexaphobia with a warm look.

"You've woken up. Daichi will be happy," the banescale commented. Hexaphobia stayed silent. "My name is Casper. Daichi's mate."

Hexaphobia stayed silent yet again.

Casper frowned slightly, tilting his head curiously. The two dragons stared at each other in silence until the sound of firm footsteps echoed down the tunnels, the clicking of claws on the cold stone. Casper's eyes lit up with excitement as he turned towards the entrance, where Daichi had appeared, his shoulders tense.

"Daichi!" Casper walked over to his mate quickly, grinning. Daichi shook his head slightly, his mouth moving, but no audible words coming out. Casper hesitated, his excitement fading, concern taking over. "Daichi?"

Daichi finally looked up, shaking his head with a hum. "Sorry, there was some... Interesting, information at today's meeting. I see Hexaphobia woke up."

Casper nodded happily. "He did! And he seems to be all healed up now, too."

Daichi walked over to the spiral, tilting his head curiously. "How are you feeling, Hexaphobia?"

Confusion washed over Hexaphobia until he realized he'd been named while he slept. "I... I'm fine," he muttered, exhausted. Daichi nodded before settling down next to him.

"Good."

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As time passed, Hexaphobia learned about his magic, and he learned how to use his Shade powers as well, under the close eye of Agion and Daichi. He wasn't allowed to practice with anyone but Daichi, being told that if he practiced with someone else, he might make them shade-touched too. Everyone was shocked by the intensity of his magical prowess, which he claimed was due to his lineage.

After his training, Hexaphobia continued to stay near Daichi and Casper. They'd raised him after all. They were his parents now. He enjoyed spending time with Argentum, learning as much as he could from her until he was proficient enough to help teach the hatchlings.

He began telling stories to the hatchlings in his free time, making them up based on his own experiences. One true story the hatchings liked to have him tell them time and time again was the story of his travel to the Crystalline Shadows clan. That was easily their favorite, and oftentimes even the adults would stop what they were doing nearby to listen.

Hexaphobia made a good life for himself in his new clan, despite his rough beginnings. Daichi made sure he was a strong warrior and Casper made sure he became a good person.

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End

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