//------------------------------// // Purity Of Flame // Story: Apex Predator // by DarthRevan //------------------------------// Stephanie looked out the window of the truck. A small shop was besides them. "John Joe's Jewels." She read. "Getting hungry?" She asked to the dragon beside her. "Not yet but it would be wise to stock up." Gray answered. The two grabbed duffel bags, loot from a grocery they had robbed to replace all the food Gray ate, and entered the store. Rows upon rows of jewelry laid before them. Stephanie giggled. "Might want to mop up that drool, smart guy." The pegasus said. Blood somehow showing through his cheeks, Gray wiped his snout. "Grab anything with gems. Considering how long it took me to grow hungry for jewels I won't need any of this for a few days. Still, I'd rather not risk it." He ordered. "Expensive tastes, scales, claws, a useful tail, and you stayed the same height?" Stephanie said. "Some dragons get all the luck." She said as she began dragging racks of rings into her bag. Gray chuckled. "And his companion, the pretty pegasus pony in a nurse's uniform." He flashed a grin. "I'd say it's a fair trade." His eyes particularly sparked when he saw a multi jeweled necklace. "A snack to hold me over." He explained to his friend as he popped the necklace into his mouth. His powerful jaw, along with sharp teeth, easily crushed the metal and gem. Stephanie went into the back, looking for the real expensive items. The pegasus opened the door and gasped. The office was a wreck. The desk was littered with paper, much of it nonsense. A crude bed, made of cardboard, laid on the ground. A drawing of a flame filled an entire wall. Due to freshness of the paint, Stephanie knew it was fresh. "Gray!" She called out, worried. Said dragon was busy shoving jewels into his near full duffel bag. "I'm almost done, Rivers!" He called back. "You can go back to sleep soon enough." He added. "I found something, come here!" Stephanie called back. Gray rolled his eyes. It couldn't be that important. Before he could reply a shadow fell over him. "You would do best to follow your friend's advice." A deep and thickly accented voice said. Gray's eyes went wide as he turned around. Standing over even he was a twelve foot monster. Immediately noticeable was it's black fur. After that, it's bull head. While his head was bovine his torso was more comparable to that of a professional wrestler. Albeit covered in fur. It's legs were incredibly shaggy and ended in hooves. "A minotaur." Gray whispered, remembering his Greek mythology. The minotaur scoffed. "Da. And I see a dragon jewel thief." The minotaur crossed his huge arms. "One would think that jewelry wouldn't be important after The End." He said. Gray's throat had gone dry. "I-I didn't realize they were owned." He eventually said. "I came here because dragons need to eat gems." Gray explained. The minotaur nodded. "It is difficult not eating meat." He said. He glanced down at Gray. "I am Sokolov. Pyrotechnician turned bastard son of ox and man." Sokolov introduced. "I am Doctor Evelyn Gray. Engineer." He said. "Stephanie Rivers. Certified Nurse." Stephanie called out from the door she was cowering behind. Sokolov turned towards her and scoffed once more. "Minotaur. Pegasus. Dragon." He said. "European Myths replace Mankind and inherit the Earth." He added. "I do not suppose you know what has occurred?" Sokolov asked. "I'm afraid not." Gray replied. "Still, is good to find others. Loneliness will kill faster than a bullet." Sokolov said. "This is my home now. A filthy store filled with cheap gems." "And you've been surviving here?" Stephanie asked. "I am...new to this country." Sokolov said. "I did not agree with one of Putin's view so I left Russia. The outskirts of LA are all I know." "We're headed to New York City ourselves." Gray said. "I'm going home to my wife and my work." He added. Sokolov laughed. "Do not expect to find your loved one, Evelyn. Most have disappeared." He responded. "I won't give up hope until I get there." Gray immediately replied, a little harsh sounding. "You have fire within you, Evelyn. Appropriate for a dragon." Sokolov chuckled. "Fan that fire until it flows out of control. The purity of it will guide your path." He added. "Purity?" Gray asked. "Da. Purity. All fire is pure. The most basic form of energy. Even our Sun is made of it. Fire guided Man when Prometheus gifted it to us and it will guide you now." Sokolov answered. "Fire burns most away, leaving only the most basic elements. When fire burns paper, it leaves behind ash. When life burns people, it leaves behind their true self." He elaborated. "Tragedy shows people who you really are." Stephanie said. "Saw a Hell of a lot of that in the Hospital." She added. "I am sure this new challenge is a purity burn from the gods." Sokolov said. "Possessions, presentation, and people have ruined Man. So Man was remade. Into Bovine, Equine, and Drake." He continued. "If this is a test we must be failing." Gray remarked. Sokolov shook his gigantic head. "Despite your changes you go to your wife. Your lover. The flames burned away your fake and Loyalty remained." He grinned. "Sounds like passing to me." Stephanie laughed. "I always loved philosophy. Wanna come with?" The pegasus asked, having edged closer to the group. "A cross-country trip for love? Starring a dragon, a pegasus, and a minotaur? Sounds mythical enough." Sokolov said. Gray grinned. "The more the merrier when it comes to the apocalypse. Pack your things, we're burning daylight." ------------------------ A silver haired unicorn laid in a box, surrounded by luxury items such as clothes and books. Things not likely to be touched for quite some time. She had known the moment she spotted the dragon. He was who she was looking for. Who she needed. Soon, she thought to herself. Soon she shall reveal herself. They would be in awe of her magic and would clamor for her advice. A smirk crossed her lips as she thought this. They would follow her. Was there ever any doubt?