Emerald Flame

Was it still following me? It must have stopped by now.

I glanced over my shoulder. The persistent creatures’ amber eyes flashed with fury as it struggled to keep up with me. For once I had no clue as to why it continued to chase me. It had kept within pursuit of me for quite a long while. Personally, I had hoped it would have turned and fled at the mere sight of me, but as usual, no such luck. I beat my slender wings effort fully, darting this way and that, trying to lose the creature, but to my bewilderment, it always managed to regain control and follow behind.

What was it about me that kept this creature from stopping?

I was nearly out of breath. My muscles ached. I knew I must be rid of it.

What was its weak spot?

I could hear its snarls and gasps grow nearer. I quickened my pace, but I was tiring quickly. The fear of slowing down was the only thing keeping me going.

In the distance, I could make out a forest, thick with trees and underbrush. It was the White Wood, a vast region of skeleton-like trees that had clawed their way out of the earth. It truly was a godforsaken place. Perhaps I could lose it in there.

My slim body would easily be able to wind through those trees, and I knew the creature wouldn’t be able to. I had spotted it long before it had even glimpsed me. Its body was much too immense to dodge all of that forestry. With the last of my energy, I flew as hard as I possibly could. Without looking back, I flung myself toward the edge of the tree line. I folded my wings and dove into the underbrush, desperate to conceal myself within the thick forest.

I braved a glance back at the entrance to the wood and I could see the creature begin to falter. To my astonishment, it came to a complete stop, just inches away from the bushes. It attempted to peer in through the underbrush, trying to locate me. I ducked lower in the shrubbery, careful to keep my unnecessarily long tail from view. My wings lay loosely at my sides. I was completely covered in the dense undergrowth, shivering like a newborn fawn in the grass.

From a small space between two branches, I could make out the creatures stubby feet, pacing. After what seemed like an hour, its eyes never leaving the forest, it began to back away. Its eyes glowed with rage, its hands tightened into fists. After a brief glance back at the forest, it let out a shriek of frustration and rose to air, its wings clashing together as it flew away in a flurry of anger.

I let out a sigh of relief, slowly rising to my feet. My eyes trailed after the creature, now nothing but a speck on the horizon. A little uncertain about leaving the safety of the forest, I slunk out from under the bushes and into the open. I stretched my stiff wings and flexed my pained muscles. My snakelike body felt as if it had been tied into a tight knot.

My throat was dry and craved water. I spied a small lake just a short walk from the squat hill I was perched on. Stretching my limbs as I walked, I slowly but surely made my way to the minute lake, all the while thinking of the mysterious creature. I approached the water’s edge, and allowed my parched lips to touch the soothing, coolness of the lake. I could feel the rush of energy spread through my veins. I could already feel my strength returning. After a long, well-earned drink, I lay down by the water’s edge and dozed.

But then, there it was. That stench of decay. A foul odor, almost toxic as I pushed it through my nostrils.

I awoke with a start, my body tensed in the cool autumn breeze. I could feel it on every inch of me: That creature was somewhere out there, searching for me.

Still drained, muscles screaming at me not to wake them, I rose to my feet, spread my wings and took flight. I soared into the air, letting out a low rumble of satisfaction. My scales dried off from the morning dew in the bright sunlight, the warmth sending a slight chill down my spine. I gazed down at the trees, the fields, the plains that stretched out to greet the rising sun. And as I stared toward the horizon, there it was. There was no mistaking it. A small, angry silhouette, growing steadily larger.

Even from a distance, I could tell it was the creature I had so narrowly escaped from the previous day. The same pitch-black scales engulfing its immense figure, the same weathered wings beating together like bludgeons. What it was and what it wanted from me, I had no idea. But I knew it was not something to be reasoned with.

In an instant, I dove down into the thick trees, trying to conceal myself in the entangled branches. Careful to avoid the scrawny trunks, I desperately searched for a hiding place—no easy feat for a dragon of twelve feet with blushing violet scales, shimmering in the sunlight. I was dazzling and simply couldn't help it if I tried.

Lost in my thoughts, I narrowly dodged a bolt of light tearing through the branches, leaving behind singed leaves in its wake. I glanced up through the gnarled limbs spotting the creature, its eyes gleaming in red irritation at the realization it had not hit its rightful target.

It let out a deafening screech and lunged toward me, wings beating fiercely and its mouth curling into a devilish grin.

My mind was awhirl. I knew in seconds, I’d be dead. My vision blurred, the world growing dark.

I'm not sure what happened next.

All I remember is a terrible sting that vibrated throughout my body. There was a flash of bright, green light, illuminating my scales, that blasted out in all directions. No sound, no noise, nothing but bright, blinding light that seemed to ignite the forest around me.

Then all was still.

I opened my eyes, but there was no creature. No movement of any kind, not even the ripple of a nearby leaf in the wind. As if time had stopped, the forest dared not breathe.

The only sign of life was a solitary black feather that brushed past my face as it drifted down to the singed earth below. It touched down gently, kissing the dirt with the faintest crunch.

And right there lying beside it, the remains of the creature. Reduced to nothing but a shriveled, burned skeleton, staring up at me through lifeless pits for eyes.