"Summing Kills" by Asfand Yar Warraich

“It is veiled within the countless parapets of the mountains, its roars thunder in the caverns. It is an entity much feared, a great fiend, a beast of impenetrable might. It stands in the shadows, whispering lies, its fumes issuing from the skies and no man has yet been able to confront it and return, unscathed.”

“Its eye is a slit of evil, dark and cold and deadly. It wings span over the seven heavens and its skin is sparkling silver. It twists through the shadows, the darkness its only friend. Beware; it is not to be meddled with.”

“The beast hides in the thirteen hills, awaiting the one man that may challenge it. Its wisdom is great, so is the lore it has gathered over its eternal life. Defeating it is impossible, unachievable and a step into the cold abyss of death …”

* * *

Feet stepped upon the dark floor of the cavern and I felt a shadowed presence as I emerged from slumber. Though deep in the realm, my sharp eyes caught flickering shadows approaching. I felt myself tighten, ferocious instincts surfacing. I breathed, a cloud of smoke emanating from my nostrils, and lifting myself off the ground, began making my way deeper into the caves.

Hoping that the presence would soon leave, I settled myself in a corner, cowering in the shadows. I felt anger arise from within the cautious fear, ears picking out the slightest sound. The intruder was near; I could hear its shuffling feet.

I let out a low, deep growl, the sound - magnified by the hollow caves - returned to my ears. I felt the footsteps continue still. Soon, the familiar sound of clumsy human feet became clearer. I heard a sword being drawn – how well I knew that sound!

Moments went by, the silenced time passing, and at length a figure came into the inner cave. It was slender and agile, clad in bronze armor. It could not see me, for human eyes are blind in darkness, yet by its vigilant movements, I knew it felt I was near.

I shifted, feeling satisfied as the sword swung fruitlessly at hearing my sound. It had to be done, I thought. I let out a thin flame whip through the air, kissing the armor of the figure. It jumped, swinging the thin blade as it saw me.

The speed of its movements surprised me; I let out a terrible roar as I felt its blade pierce through my wing. I turned to face the metal silhouette, my mouth closing on its shoulder but the sword moved again, plunging into my eye.

I issued a roar, fire blazing through my throat. I tried lifting myself off the ground, but the wounded wing did not support me. I felt frightened, for the first time in my life, though not for myself. I crashed my tail onto the walls of the cavern, shaking the mountain in my fury.

The human stood by, eyes searching. I saw its weapon swing through the air, meeting my scales and the weapon broke asunder. The figure darted backwards, its confidence failing. I rounded upon it, breathing fire, letting the orange flame roar through the air.

The figure ran, feet pounding on the stones. The entire cave was lightened; some dead branches had caught fire, emitting a cackling sound. Being able to see me, the figure turned. I saw a hand being raised, and a silver light shone before my eyes.

I swept myself away, unable to bear the intensity. I did not understand why the humans hated me, I was beginning to hate them too. I roared once again, and the lighting disappeared. Turning I saw the figure raise its hand once more. Instantly, a deep burning sensation erupted in my chest. I could feel a clawing creature inside. I began to writhe in pain and the human stopped, its deep voice echoing in the caverns.

“Foul beast!” It cried. “For too long have you wasted these lands, for too many years have we lived in fear! Your world has come to an end, the dragons are no more, and you are the last piece of that filth.”

I roared, the sound of her voice unbearable. I did not understand what it said, yet I felt a deep fear inside me – it was going to kill me.

The figure reached its hand inside and pulled out an object, wrapped in fabrics. She took out a vial, with a silver substance swirling inside. She opened the vial and the liquid arose into the air, as shimmering grains. The poison smeared itself onto the wound in my wings. I cried, the pain impenetrable in its might. I froze, my organs stiffening as the poison worked through my body.

I fell to the cavern floor. Stinging pain exploded in my skin, the poison spreading in an instance. I could feel it inside.

I closed my eyes, embracing the cold, stupor of death as it clawed around me.

* * *

She lifted the red helm from her head, her eyes fixed at the silver creature before her. She felt the hatred inside die, she felt satisfied yet, rather burdened with guilt. She reached across, plunging a thin, silver weapon into the dragon’s eye. A crimson essence trickled downwards. The liquid dripped into a vial, and she pocketed it.

Fresh, nice, it’ll be worth hundreds, she thought. She turned her back towards the dragon, and exited the cave. Just as she left, two small dragons emerged from within the caves, their clumsy feet frantically moving over their mother’s body.

Small painful roars issued from the caves as the babies snuggled under their mother’s wings, casting fearful looks and moaning as they nipped at her claws in the hope that she will awake, but all ... in vain --