Ignited Embers

The flame was dying. A fire that had once burned bright with intense illumination was now petering out into little more than glowing embers. It's light had once acted as beacon of kindness, sharing a joy that was rare amongst the cold reptilian hearts. But alas, the time for this life was nearing an end.

A single snort of smoke left the dragon's muzzle. Blood dripped from the gash on her side and collected in the large pool of crimson around her. The dragon's breathing was becoming more and more erratic with each passing moment. Her scales of once forest emerald hue were fading too. From the nature of the engorgement in her side, it was clear the wound she'd procured was inflicted by a rather sharp claw. She opened an eye.

"Torch," she whispered. The horned dragon bent down closer to the female. "Take good care of her. Please don't let your anger and lust for vengeance blind you; our daughter is your priority now." She began to cough.

"Why, Blaze, why?" said Torch, sorrow evident in his voice. For a dragon often considered to be the stoic leader, the distraught male present now seemed to contradict that image. "Surely they must pay for their crimes. How can I live with myself if I don't pursue justice?" A solitary tear dribbled down his cheek. "I can't go on without you by my side."

"You must, for it would not be justice anyway," said Blaze. "Violence to rectify violence will never work. You must care for our daughter. Show her the kindness and love I can't be there to give. She will need your strength to get her through life, just as you need her innocence to help you see the way." The dying dragon heaved a heavy breath. "Bring her to me." From behind Torch's leg stepped a small azure whelp. With tear speckled eyes she looked up at her mother.

"My beautiful darling. I am so sorry I cannot be here for you." Another coughing fit racked the green dragon. Blaze breathed a shallow breath. "My time is short now so listen close. You must be strong for me, like your father. No matter what you have to keep going. But do not let that come at the cost of your kindheartedness and empathy. That was my approach to life; empathy has not failed me until now. Stand above the rest of dragonkind and be the beacon that leads us away from our violent lives."

"But but mummy, why do you have to go?!" the whelp sobbed. "I don't want you to go!" She threw herself onto the elder dragon and buried her head into the soft scales. The mother rested her head atop the whelp.

"Oh Ember darling." Tears were now forming in the mother's eyes. "Everyone has their time and everyone's time passes. I've done my best for you, but it's up to Daddy to take care of you now. Try not to make it too hard for him." A small smile brokered her lips. The rising and falling of the chest began to slow. The spark dimmed in her eyes. "Always remember Ember, I love you."

Ember raised her head, sniffled, and looked her mother in the eye. "I love you too, mummy." But there was no response. "Mummy?" Her eyes began to moisten again. "Mummy? Wake up. Mummy, wake up! I love you, please don't go. I love you! I love you, I love you." She pounded her fists into the corpse's side. "Why won't you wake up?" Her voice cracked with a sob. "I need you."

A comforting paw scooped up the whelp. Torch held his daughter to his chest, rocking back and forth. A waterfall freely flowed down his cheek. Ember buried herself into her father, sobbing into the comforting warmth. He squeezed her tighter in response.

For a long time father and daughter just sat there. Each held on tight to each other, terrified of what might happen should they let go. It had all happened so quick, but now they faced a nightmare. Each of them had lost so much. Right then and there, they needed the love of each other to ease the pain. All of a sudden the future seemed so bleak - how were they supposed to go on without her?

But as with all things, the tears began to slow. In place of the sadness flowed an emptiness; a retreat from the world to hide from the nightmares. They had to keep going.

Torch raised his head. Looking from the whelp to his dead love before him, he breathed in deep. Pure golden flames ensued forth from his mouth. The air around the pair began to sizzle and heat. Flames engulfed the corpse, catching onto the body and surrounding it in its warmth. Under the onslaught of the fire the body began to dissipate. Sparkles twinkled in the smoke as it rose into the air. That smoke seemed to take on a life of its own as it drifted into the cool night. In a single wisp it flew; twisting and twirling like the stars. No ashes remained.

As the star-speckled smoke disappeared into the night, a young dragon gazed up at it. Words repeated themselves in her mind. Be strong and be kind. Be the beacon of hope. In amongst the grief and sorrow, something welled up inside the little whelp. A small spark of determination that gave her strength. The future did not seem so uncertain anymore. She had a mission. It was her mother's wish; it was her job to light the way. The embers of the flame were now ignited, and the fire of passion began to burn.