//------------------------------//
// Wonders 
// Story: A (Not So) Normal Family 
// by Shroomkin 
//------------------------------//

Soft was the wind that blows and light were the snowflakes that fell onto the ground. The silence of winter brings forth a wonderous feeling, a nostalgic sense of calm composure. That silence though, doesn't always last, and that nostalgic feeling no longer lingers as a scream can be heard from miles away.

"Noo!" the voice cried out. A little girl, no older than 5, rushed through the fields right next to a forest. She was running for her life, chased by a dreaded monster. A terrifying beast as tall as the mountains with wings as long as a tree, claws as sharp as swords, and scales as tough as iron. It was quickly gaining on her. She ran and ran, evading, even hiding from the beast, but to no avail, for the beast had such great senses. 

She ran and ran, desperate to escape her pursuer. She ran through the thick forest, she ran to the riverbanks; she ran as far as her little feet can go, but it was for naught. However, as if by some miracle, at long last, it seemed as though it had lost interest, and she can finally calm down. She caught her breath behind a rock, thankful that the beast is no longer chasing her. She had managed the impossible. She cheered, raising both arms in the air, victory upon the little girl, only, she wasn't alone. The best never left, and for the beast to appear right in front of her, she was struck with defeat. Fear struck her as she cried one last time. "No!" she screamed, and finally, the beast's maws were upon her. It chomped, and everything stopped. There was no noise that followed, only the calm winds of winter. The beast snorted as smoke came out of its nostrils, and upon its maw held by the scruff of her coat was the girl. It seemed that all hope is lost.

"Noo! I don't wanna! I wanna play!" 

"And you would AFTER the bath," a stern tone came from someone on the ground, rather, from someone who had just landed. It was a woman, tall and fair, her misty brown her flowed freely in the wind along with her cloak. She had what appear to be a staff, repurposed to be a broom. She motioned something to the beast and the beast followed. The beast then lowered the child towards the ground, however, he did not let go. "But mom! I'm perfectly clean!" Her mother grabbed hold of the child as she carried her. Doing so, the beast chuckled. "Nasty little hairball," said the massive beast. She pouted and stuck her tongue out to the beast, who did the same. The beast kissed her cheek, to which she rubbed it off. "Eww! Dad, I'm already a big girl, I don't need kisses!" 

The beast once again chuckled. "If that is how you call 'big', then I fear what you would call 'small'," the beast said as he laid down next to the both of them. "Besides, you need a bath... Lots of it." Fear once again struck the little girl, but she already accepted her defeat. "Fine! But if I die, it would be your fault!" Her parents chuckled as her mother floated towards the saddle that her father was wearing. "Are you both ready?" 

Her eyes twinkled. "Yes!" she excitedly said. However, they did not fly, rather, her father walked. "Why not... you not... momma help!" Her mother chuckled as she hugged her even tighter. "Yes, dear, why are you walking?" 

"Because," her father said as he looked back, "I want to take in the scenery." Noticing that this was her chance to ask more, she quickly got away from her mother's embrace and raced towards her father's giant head. She immediately looked down towards one of his eyes and spoke, "Dad! Dad! You promised to tell me about the different dra- dora- big yous! Tell me please!" 

"Oh alright, if you insist," he said, smiling at his daughter's enthusiasm. "Well, we're known as dragons, Luna," he said as he purposefully took the longer route back home. Her mother seemed annoyed by this, though she didn't express it as much. "We are the kings of the skies, the sea, and the lands! Our might and power has no equal-" he said as he was interrupted by a scoff. "Except for a tiny arrow," she said as he rolled his eyes from his sarcastic wife. "Us powerful and mighty dragons have three different factions, and within those factions are dragons from different tribes!" 

"Woah! Tell me more!" Luna giggled as she continued to smack her father's head. "Ow, you're hurting me, Lulu," he said in a sad voice. As if a mere child can hurt him. "Sowwy," she muttered as she looked at his eye. 

"Well, the three factions are as follows: The Erednor, the Palag Nuins, and lastly, the Sernos." Of course, with such big words, Luna found herself confused. Luckily, her mother was there to help as she scooped Luna and brought her into a hug. Her mother sat on top of her father's head where she once was. "It's of dragontongue Lulu, but what it means is simply the good faction, the bad faction, and the neutral faction." 

"N... Nue... Neutral?" Her mother booped her nose as she got the word right. "Yes, that's right! Neutral. The good faction is the Erednor. They are the ones who protect those in need! The bad guys are the Palag Nuins, you don't want to mess with them!" She said as she mimicked a tiny roar, making Luna giggle at the sight. "And lastly, the neutral faction are those who simply don't act." 

"So what fa... uhh... facshun are you in dad?" Both parents cringed as she asked that question. Without missing a beat, her father quickly changed the topic. "Anyways, us dragons have our own tongue for our own kin. Deep in the forests they wander, the Kir'Ithir, or the long necks. Peaceful are they but terrifying when angered. Far in the mountains they slumber, the Kurskon, or the spiked backs. Their love of gold could rival any cursed king." 

"Woah..." Luna mumbled, her eyes sparkling as her father continued to describe different dragons. "And then there are dragons like me, Karrad'Sun, or the great winged. We soar above the clouds and over cities." 

"I imagine it's quite the view, too bad us mere humans can't go up there," her mother said, wiping a fake tear as Luna rushed towards her mother for a hug. "It's okay momma, we'll fly together!" Luna giggled in her mother's arms, nuzzling her chest as her mother reciprocated the gesture. Her mother laughed as she nuzzled her hair. They were funny like that. 

Although, it still hurts her a bit that she can't go outside and meet other children her age. Perhaps, in time, she may be free to roam like her parents. Perhaps even learn great magics from that wizard who keeps on visiting them. Ackno... Ack... Or whatever that school's name is. Maybe then, her parents would stop doting on her, but for now, this is what she loves the most.

Nuzzles and free cookies. Although... there seems to be something... missing.