Contamination

A lone dragon slowly found his way across the grassy plains. His feet sore and tired from how long he'd been travelling. Days? Weeks? Months? Perhaps even years? He'd lost track of time, how many times he saw the sun rise and fall was all a blur. Was he truly even aware where he was heading? The beckoning calls from the earth seemed to drive himself forward. It was screaming for him, the sound so loud he had to cover his ears every so often.

"I need you."

He winced, lowering his wings to the floor. To his surprise, he found nothing greeting him. It was a barren wasteland of nothing. He felt almost betrayed. He made it all this way just to be disappointed? Then what was the voice? Why did it need him of all dragons?
He decided to push forwards as the rain spluttered against his scales. It felt like a dream as he slipped into the shelter of this eerie cavern. It looked long abandoned, cobwebs occupying the smallest spaces of the place. At least it was better than sitting out in the rain, a lot better actually. The least he could do was explore it, perhaps some unattended treasure was nearby he could swipe. Easy pickings would probably be the best for a loner, especially so he didn't have to waltz around another's territory to even have a chance at getting currency.
With the clashing thunder outside, he decided to flee from the entryway, scampering down a deep tunnel that seemingly lead no where. The steps before him were old and cracked, laced with some kind of oose that hurt to touch. He dared not to question where it came from, so he kept silent and made his way down. The further down he got, the more of the disgusting goop he seemed to find. It repulsed him but somehow called to him, almost like the voice that spoke back to him those few nights of travel.
Descending down further and further, he soon found his footing on cold stone. A heart beat thrumming in his eyes as the male slowly turned his head, and there it was. A large hoard of treasure and trinkets, mounting up to almost the ceiling. He couldn't help but gasp at the sight. Finally! He'd done it! He found what he was looking for! After all these years, the legends his father spoke of was true!
But then he realised the gold wasn't the only thing here. It was too. The infection within had already started and there was nothing to reverse it now. Maybe treasure hunting wasn't such a good idea after all. Perhaps meddling with something left abandoned for a reason wasn't the best thing he'd come up with. Perhaps touching old scrolls with mystic markings was the worst thing he'd ever committed.

"We can be together. We need to be together. We need each other. WE ARE EACH OTHER."