[The Above] Home

“I AM the god of MISCHIEF!”

The lone drake screams into the distance. All other drakes within the vicinity stuffed their ears with cotton balls conveniently located close to them, as it is a commonly used item around the area. Those that have just moved in cringed, for they do not yet have a supply of cotton balls.

“He is at it again huh?” said on drake.

“When is he not at it,” replied another.

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Out in the wild lived a lonely drake, with no flight to call his own, and no companion to keep him company. Others often see him to be too wild, and too crazy to befriend. No one wanted to be dragged into uncontrollable shenanigans that that lone drake was capable of. However, under that mischievous mask is a very timid soul.

He was not always a very lonely and timid drake. There was once a time when he belonged to a flight and was simply shy. He had always had a difficult time making friends, but he still had a few, all flight mates, with whom he would play games with. Then slowly, things began to change.

His flight organizes a coming of age trial for all drakes that is eligible once a year. The exact tasks are different year-to-year, but are often complex tasks that take several days to complete. During his first participation he, and several others, unfortunately fell into a strange world below. He have no memory of the events that have taken place since the fall; all he remember is falling and then waking up in his nest back at the flight. Needless to say he failed his trial. What is even more devastating is that he began to find his friends drawing further and further away from him. Whenever he approached them, they would tremor uncontrollably, however slight. Soon, he was truly alone.

He left his flight voluntarily, for he thought he might have a better luck with drakes elsewhere. However, his efforts were futile. It appears that his physical presence made all creatures, not only drake, uncomfortable. Stronger creatures like elder drakes would simply frown, but lesser creatures like squirrels and birds would be immobilized.

Since becoming a loner drake, he had been chased by other drakes for his unpleasant physical presence. Tired of travelling around without a home, he settled in the cliffs of a nearly deserted land. To his surprise, there is a narrow pathway down from the cliff that leads to a hole buried with ancient text inscribed on tablets and scrolls. To avoid discovery of his treasure, and to protect himself, he began to act to the eyes of other drakes, a crazy lunatic.

His efforts have been successful. No drake ever came by, to say hi or otherwise. However, every other full moon, the drake would sit on the tip of the cliff watching the moon all night. He would gently lead out a long sigh to express his sorrows.

One night of the full moon, like many that had come before, changed his life.

“Let’s go home,” the man said.

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Word count: 517