"He is not a god..." The dragon muttered softly, eyes fixed on the ground, "If anything, he is more like us than he is not. I will bear full responsibility for his mistakes, but I will always put our kind first. Give me a chance, should anything go wrong, I will be sure to right it at once. Just give me a chance...give him a chance, us." He said softly, the closest that the dragon would ever come to pleading. Looking up as the elders shared looks with one another. Then all turning to their leader for guidance, a stern white, eyes of molten gold and mouth set in a stern tight line, surely, he appealed to him. The white dragons, a powerful breed, had been...dwindling in number. As had all races as the humans started to coat the earth, however, none had been so greatly affected than the whites. They had been the first to give up their natural homes, first to travel half way across the world to seek sanctuary. Their young were fragile, their more human forms were unnatural to the humans, making them targets for witchcraft or demon spawn. The idea was laughable, but the humans were afraid of the unknown. He knew for a fact that the leader was a family orientated dragon, there were rumors that he was training his daughter to be the next leader of the elders. Having lost his own mate, perhaps he would look down more kindly on Regnum. "Very well...but should he step out of line, for even he has a place, you are to make sure that he is taken care of." The fire dragon lifted his head, meeting the elder's gaze, "Thank you." He said, sincerely, "I will not let you down." ------- The cup sloshed as he brought it up to his lips, feeling it run coolly down his throat, whilst the water dragoness put back the bell jar, turning to face him. He sort of dreaded this conversation, wondering why he had pulled her into his problems. He had asked her for her advise, so he might as well just get this over with, "I don't know anymore Sanare. I thought I had it under control, but..the hydras..the humans, I don't even know him anymore. He's...different. The same. How can he be the same after all that's happened? How can he talk about our wedding when the world's falling apart?" "He is your fiancée Regnum." "But he's not...." "-the one you fell for?" "Yes!" "Well, Regnum, it's your decision what you wish to do, after all, you are an elder now." "We are." "Yes, and I will support you in whatever decision you wish to bring up to the council." "That's not very good advice...I just..I don't know how we ever got into 'this' in the first place. How I could...love someone like that. All caught up with his hydras, too busy to see what he's caused. I have to..do something about it." "Whatever choice Regnum, we trust you." ------ [i] "You're out of control Edge! You don't see it!"[/i] ---- "It's because of you! He went out looking for you! He left the haven! Look what happened! This is all your fault!" "Echo please! I...I didn't know! Please, don't go..we have to stick together. Near wouldn't want us to fig-" "NEAR IS DEAD! Because of you!" "Echo! Don't-don't do anything rash, we..we can find the others, we..." "This is all your fault!" "Echo!" It's warm against his hands, flowing freely. Sickly. His stomach growled, watching the large flies start to settle. He shooed them away, depriving them of a meal. He was so hungry...how long had he gone without food? Without water?...Warm past his lips, clean..sweet...It rushed back up like rotting meat making him turn and puke out his guts. Not good, he couldn't lose nutrients..Mama had wanted him to stay fed. Stay strong and survive. Mama would tell him to be strong and do what had to be done. Mama.."I'm so sorry Echo." ------ "What's wrong Relin? What is there to worry? Don't believe the lies. You've always been king." ------ "Will we see Daddy?" Sleipnir pipped up excitedly and Relin pressed a finger against the tip of his nose. He caught Father's...pretty gaze and fell silent. The white dragon smiled and carried his children forth. ------ "Aren't you a pretty kitty." A voice hissed softly in Charon's ear. "It would be a shame to let you suffer like the rest, come. Awake now and serve your king." Ferrum's eyes snapped open, staring up blankly at the goggled man before him. Attired in a white coat and protective gear, then tent overly reached out a hand. The dragon stared blankly at it, oblivious to the others around him. Gently, he was petted, inciting a happy noise from the dragon. Blind to the hand that moved lower and plucked out a few loose scales. Like a playful pet, he gazed up adoringly at his owner. ----- "Will you take care of the oracle? Away from the others." "Off course my king." "I am sure she shall have a lot to give you. Take her right one will you? I think the left one was blinded." "Yes my king, the others have been prepped for surgery." "And the anesthetic?" "Reserved for the hydra." "Good, you may go now." He ward off the white clad human who saluted before marching out of his room. Turning away from the large observation deck he called a window, the shiny metal curtain unfolded over it and the artificial lights came on, brightly illuminating his bed chamber. He walked over to the large queensized bed, smiling at the two bundled up sleeping dragons wrapped in the sheets. He reached for them, "Path-path." He paused, "Why are you doing this?" The voice asked softly and he peeked over his shoulder at the boy pressed up in the mirrored walls, "Why?" "Pitiful." The dragon muttered annoyed and banished the illusion, "You think you can trick me so easily? I am king." He said out loud, he wouldn't believe the lies.