haven't posted much here in a while. not really sure if this is mature or general but ill put it on general for now.

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A raging roar powerful enough to shake the very earth echoed throughout the vast forest. On the edge of these woods rested a small village. The adults all in the meeting hall wondering what has happened.

Eventually the village elder came delivering most grave news. "She has made her demands quite clear." He looked to one of poor families saying he's sorry, but they were chosen.

The two had little as it was, but what the village was demanding was to far. No one could really say anything, because they too would say the same. The elder appologized again but said it's decided.

The two would not accept it. Even after the offerings were enough to change their lives forever, they still refused. Another roar echoed throughout, another minute without an answer.

The elder insisted that there wasn't time. That they would be annihilated if they refused. The two were furious to say the least, of course it would be them. But as another roar echoed throughout the two finally agreed.

As the elder left the roaring subsided, his return meant that she has accepted. The others rejoiced while the two wept.

As dawn broke the warm light of the sun broke over the horizon. My eyes fluttering open as daylight crept over the trees. Sitting up I was greeted by the run down shack I knew as my home.

A small building with the only room besides the main one being mine. It was a chilly day and sliding into my slippers I wrapped myself in my blanket and approached the door.

As soon as it had been opened I was met with a most unusual sight. The fire pit at the buildings center was alight, with what smelt like some kind of stew in the pot.

A kind voice said good morning as mother was sitting on her and dad's bed. I was confused before asking what's going on? We weren't a particularly wealthy family, barely able to pass each day.

Mom smiled saying my father discovered something in the woods. Something that would change their lives. She gave me the bundle saying to change and eat up. As I took the bundle I found a pair of pants, a shirt, and a heavy jacket. Alongside them she also produced a set of fur boots.

As I changed from the tatters I was wearing before I found it to all be odd. Was this all some kind of dream? As I looked in the mirror I was greeted by a head of messy black hair, emerald green eyes and the face of a smieling ten year old boy. Dream or no, I wasn't going to complain.

As I stepped out my mother cried and hugged me, I guess she was in as much disbelief as me. As we waited for the food to finish dad came home.

He was dressed in his hunters attire. A smile shirt and pants with a quiver on his back and a bow hanging for his shoulder.

Sitting down he smiled saying I look good. I nodded before asking what happened?

He reiterated what mom had said, adding that he found something valuble in the woods. Something he was still getting appraised. "id found a buyer who put up a hefty collateral with the rest being given when it reached its destination in a day or so." He gave a half smile saying soon they'll be able to put up a real roof. I looked up to see the cracks saying that would be nice.

As we ate breakfast mtg parents insisted I have fun today. I got a bit of spending money and was told I could do whatever i wanted with it. I'd never seen so much at one time let alone in my hand. It felt heavy and I wasn't entirely sure about taking it but dad insisted. As we finished eating the two said the day was all mine so have fun.

Wandering around town everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It was a small village, but it was also prosperous. The reason for that was a mix of its location as well as the fact it's protected by a dragon.

The dragon ensures safety in the area in exchange for us giving it some of our livestock. Which was unusual given we know it hunts on its own. But dad says it's a fair price for safety. I never met her, but from what I've been told the dragon is incredibly kind and loving.

As I walked by the elders house I noticed a man in plate armor talking to him. I recognized the man as a dragon slayer who'd come to the area to hunt the village protector. Obviously no one was going to help them. Sense as my dad put it, he's a glory seeking moron with a chip on his shoulder and no common sense.

I wasn't paying much attention to the words but it sounded like the elder was furious with the person. He immediately ceased the conversation when he saw me and gave the man and his group ten minutes to leave town before the village would run them out.

When the man challenged that the guards drew their swords. The slayer withdrew his boast saying very well before walking away. The elder told the guards to make sure it happened. The two nodded and walked away before he shot me a smile and returned to his home.

There was something, off, about the smile but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Shrugging I went on my way.

I'd spent a good bit of time in the market. Most of it just figuring what I actually wanted to buy. I'd been here so many times and saw so much, but right now, I'm not sure.

I'd mostly grabbed some sweets from the different traders. But as i went i noticed the only ones who would look me in the eye were the travelers. Everyone else seemed to be avoiding me.

The last thing I'd bought was a dagger. Just a simple blade with no crafters mark. As I strapped the blade onto my belt I returned home. It was still early so they suggested I go play.

Of cores I did, spending most of the day with my friends until night came and we had to part. Returning home we had a big dinner before I went to bed.

As I slept I felt somone pick me up. I was half awake at the time as something was thrown over my head. I was blind and began to panic. My struggles did little as I was taken away somewhere. When I was put down I tore the sack off my head to find i was somewhere in the forest. Whoever had grabbed me was long gone.

I was confused but that confusion turned into terror as I felt the wind pick up. A powerful gust blowing me to the ground as a massive shadow tore through the moonlight. Darkness enveloped me as a massive figure landed in front of me.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness the moonlight revealed the figure to be a dragon. A massive, four legged dragon stood before me with its wings slowly folding. The creature easily towered over me eclipsing the moon overhead when standing up.

To say I was terrified would be an understatement. So was the fear that I didn't move a muscle until I felt it grab me with its front claws. As the razor sharp claws surrounded me I finally tried to get away. Eventually drawing the knife on my belt and stabbing it into the soft of the dragons foot.

The blade must have hit a nerve, because the dragon dropped me and roared. I didn't stick around to figure out if that was a good idea or not. I hit the ground and ran as fast as I could.

I ran blindly through the forest for what felt like forever. Until the ground fell out from underneath me and I tumbled down a steep drop. Hitting my head on a tree everything was hazy as I tried to move. Only to find id twisted my leg on the way down.

I cried out in pain for my only answer to come in the form of the sane beast I'd run from. This time, I wouldn't be getting away. As the dragon took off I blacked out.

When next I woke everything was hazy for a few seconds. When my senses came to me i found myself in a dark, wet, and humid place. A strange liquid covered my entire body which I found was no longer clothed. And the walls of this place seemed to pulse and move. A distant thumping sound made it hard to stay awake.

My movements didn't go unnoticed though. Suddenly everything began to vibrate and a humming sound echoed all around me. "Wha…" it was all to much and I soon found myself lulled back into slumber.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed sense I'd fallen into sleep. But as my eyes began to open I found it all wasn't a dream. Waking up fully I found myself being held against the dragon's chest as it lay on its side. The grip was firm but oddly gentel.

"Ah, awake at last." The voice was soft and kind, almost like mothers. Looking up the beautiful emerald eyes of a red scaled dragon stared down at me.

The dragon released me pointing to my clothes saying I might want to get dressed. I was still damp and the warmth of the liquid faded quickly. As I slipped into the last of my clothing I looked at the dragon. She smiled saying she's glad I'm alright, "you gave me quite the scare last night."

I gave her a scare? She dose realize i was terrified for a reason right? She, as the dragons voice meant it to be a she, appologized for that. "But I was unsure I could trust your people."

My p… "are you the village's protector?" She scoffed and said that title is hanging on by the barest of threads right now. "But my name is delihla sweetheart, call me that." She followed this by asking my name.

I was stunned for a few moments but eventually spoke. "My name is Hirom, miss."

Her gaze was soft and her voice was soothing as she told me to relax. "I know you're confused, I doubt any of those spineless villagers would have said anything given how they just dumped you for me to find."

When I asked what she means she said my village through porpouse or negligence, allowed a group of dragon hunters into the woods. "These hunters proceeded to kill my child and nearly killed me." There was a sudden chill down my spine as her gaze turned cold. "I was tempted to simply raze the village to ashes, but the elder said it wasn't their doing." She wasn't so enraged she didn't understand that, but a price had to be paid.

She told me that the price of their negligence was her child. So to make it right they were to give her one of their own. Her gaze softened on me before saying that I was chosen.

I suddenly felt my heart growing heavy. "You didn't choose did you?" She shook her head saying she did not. she she left that to the villagers.

I didn't believe it, I didn't want to believe it. My parents would never have agreed to it. But as the words came out, I found it hard to stand by them. Everything looked so much like they'd been bribed to do it. Give me up, get some money, everyone else moves on with their lives. The more I thought about it the more painful the thoughts became until I broke down crying.

Delihla frowned and pulled me into a hug. Humming as she did in an attempt to calm me. Her efforts did help but I found my tears wouldn't stop.

Delihla appologised, she doesn't know if that's true. The only one she'd dealt with was the elder. "But it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't given much of a choice. If your weasel of an elder is any indication, the majority of them would probably have just wanted the issue resolved." Adding that she doubted any parents would willingly give up a sweetheart like me.

That helped a little, honestly im not sure what to think of it.

Delihla understood this is a lot for me at once. "But it's what it is." I asked if I'll be able to go back to visit. She shook her head saying no. "Let me be clear, you will not be going back." I frowned but sighed saying it's not like I've much of a choice.

Delihla smiled saying that's a good boy. She cradled me for some time before setting me down. "Well, now that your awake I'm going to hunt." She gave me a half smile before saying she won't be gone long and to stay inside. "Trust me, it's a long way down." Lighting a fire she parted for a time.

Now alone I could take in my surroundings. The cavern was massive with what appeared to be some branching tunnels. Most of which were dead ends or collapsed.

The only place left was the exit. Eventually I came to find what delihla meant by a long way down.

the cave was near the top of one of the mountains overlooking the forest. One of the ones that had a constant snow at it's peak.

Slipping back inside I returned to the warmth of the flame. Sitting in front of the crackling light waiting for the dragon's return.

That wasn't too long, eventually returning with a large deer in one of her claws.

As I ate I may have gotten a bit messy. Delihla laughed saying I only needed to be a dragon and I'd have inhaled my food. But as soon as the joke came out she paused. When I asked what was wrong she said it was nothing.

After eating he let out a full sigh. Delihla smiled asking if he's full? To which he nodded, saying yes. She smiled saying that's good, before picking him up. "Hey!"

Suddenly the kindness in her eyes was replaced by hunger. That scared me a bit asking why she's looking at me like that.

"Oh your so cute, I could just eat you up." A second later I was tossed into her mouth and closed in.

I was absolutely terrified, i mean she's freaking eating me.

As the tounge snaked around my body i felt the wet appendage explore and drench every inch of my form. When I was sufficiently tasted I felt my world tilting towards her throat.

Considering my size it took but one gulp to pull me in. The trip down felt like an eternity, but in reality it was only a minute.

Eventually I slid into what i guessed was her stomach and began to cry. The dragon rubbed the area trying to calm me, saying I'll be alright and to relax.

With everything else then this i snapped saying I'm sitting in a dragons stomach. "If you were just going to eat me then why not just do it before?"

She chuckled saying it's a fair point, "but your actually not in my stomach. Well not the one your thinking of at least."

She explained that dragons have a secondary stomach for moving their young. "It has other uses as well, uses im sure you'd be quite familiar with having spent the night in there."

The night? Feeling around it did feel familiar. "I guess I'll just have to take your word for it then." But then the question of why came to mind.

Delihla explained that she and I are actually going somewhere for a time. "Its safer for you in there rather than on my back." Made sense, but then I asked why she didn't say something like that BEFORE scaring the hell out of me.

To that she said I tasted sweet, plus she likes a squirming meal. Adding that she won't do it again, "promise. Now then, time to get going."

I felt my entire world begin moving. The slippery walls making standing nearly impossible. Delihla chuckled saying I'm free to do what I'd like, but she recommended sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Delihla felt him settle and headed for the exit. Spreading her wings she ran out of the cave and flew off into the distance.

As she flew she felt him moving for a bit before going still. Must have fallen asleep, she thought fondly of when she was young.

Her mother would put her in there whenever they went somewhere. It was always warm and comfy and she'd just fall asleep.

Of course after a while she found it boring and wanted to fly herself. A point her mother would just laugh at. before picking her up and setting her on her towering back. The little dragon would get dizzy and slide right off her. Her mother would just laugh at whatever face she made before pulling her close saying not to rush.

A deep sadness washed over her. Knowing that she never got the chance with her own little one. But the weight in her gut reminded her of him. Reminded her that she dose have another chance.

She shook her head and looked forwards. She needed to keep her mind on flying. Despite having healed quickly, she was still uneasy in the air.

Eventually she would reach her destination. An empty cave far in a distant mountain range.

Stepping inside she entered a titanic cavern going deep into the mountains. Eventually coming to a open area.

Standing tall she examined the area around her. The large cavern was dotted with numerous nests. Some with broken eggshells and others with bones. She frowned knowing this place to be a graveyard of her kind. Slain completely for what lay within it's depths.

Delving deeper she saw a dull light emenating from a chamber. Entering she found what she was looking for. A circular room where a waterfall pooled. The waters were quite shallow at the start, but got knee high to her near the waterfall itself.

Once in this deeper water she laid down so that it covered her back. Slowly she felt her lingering pain beginning to fade away. As she rose from the cool water she felt much better.

The reason for this, was because this was a healing spring. The waters flowed with a powerful magic that could heal almost any wound.

She smiled, feeling much now. Stepping out of the water she dripped down the hall.

I slowly began to stir, finding myself no longer in delihla's gut. Now resting on top of some kind of nest. Delihla sitting beside me with a smile. "Awake at last." She smiled asking if he was comfortable.

As I sat up I nodded saying very. "So," I look around before asking where we are exactly?

Delihla said somewhere special. "Do you remember when I joked with you, about being a dragon?" I nodded saying vaugely, I'm still waking up.

"Well, I wasn't entirely joking." She stared down at me intently before posing me a question. "If I told you that I could turn you into a dragon, what would you say?"

I gave the question some thought, Eventually saying I'm not really sure. "The thought of becoming a dragon is both awesome and a little scary." I frowned realizing this wasn't a hypothetical question.

Delihla noticed and asked me what was wrong. I was quite before saying she wants to turn me into a dragon, "right?" The dragon sighed saying yes.

There was an aqward silence between the two. Delihla was worried until he gave her a half-hearted smile. "You think I'd make a good dragon?"

I smiled as I saw delihla just staring at me dumbfounded. "Would you…" her surprise turned into a big grin as she pulled me to her chest and hugged me saying of course I would.

After a loving and slightly squishingly tight hug, she set me back down. I smiled but asked her how exactly she plans on doing this?

Delihla smiled saying I'll find out soon enough. Standing she set me on her back and headed deeper into the caves. Eventually coming to a glowing chamber with deep waters at the end. "What is this?"

Delihla explained it to be a healing spring. I knew of them, magical waters capable of healing almost any wound. She smiled saying thats right, "want to hop in?"

I shook my head saying I can't swim. A light giggle sounded as she opened one of her palms offering to hold me. "Just be careful climbing down." I nodded slipping into her grasp.

The waters felt cool but oddly comforting. I felt what little pain lingered from my leg leaving me.

Delihla asked how I felt and smiled when I said amazing. Lifting me out of the water she looked me over. "Show me your arms please." I nodded and pulled up my sleeves. What I saw amazed and slightly scared me. My skin was covered in dull white scales.

"How?"

Delihla explained that this particular spring was… corrupted.

A long time ago a clan of dragons lived here. Using the spring their young grew strong and healthy. But a human lord sought the spring and it's powers to live forever. They killed every dragon here and stories say that the once pure spring ran red with there blood.

When the human lord entered the corrupt spring it healed him. But also cursed him with dragon blight.

An incurable disease where dragon blood is introduced to a human. Forcing transformations that the body cannot handle. Usually killing the afflicted, the rare few who survive receive varying degrees of change. But most just die.

My eyes widened, panicking I asked if that's what just happened!? I was just infected with something that could very well kill me!? "Why!?"

Delihla responded by telling me to relax. "I won't let that happen." She asked me if I trust her? I nodded saying I don't really have much choice. She accepted that before lowering me into the water again.

She told me I needed to soak just a bit longer. I needed to take in more of the springs magic for this to work.

As she took me out this time I felt the scales hardening and my chest felt as if it were burning. I began to cry saying that it hurts. Moving quickly delihla told me to hold on for just a little while.

Returning to the nest area she sat down with me in her grasp. Now out of the water everything hurt even more. I felt like I was burning inside.

Delihla had to hurry, she knew with the amount of magic he'd soaked in his transformation would begin almost immediately.

Gentely and Carefully she moved him down to the entrance to her womb. Despite the situation she blushed a bit at the thought of the boy seeing this.

Using her open claw she parted the entrance and slowly slid him inside. As his form slipped inside she couldn't help but shutter at the feeling. Her muscles immediately began to pull him down in. A gentle tug that would deliver him to his new life. Every ripple causing a shudder throughout the dragon's form.

Despite the pain I felt myself blushing a deep shade of crimson when I saw what she was doing. I didn't have a voice at this point, but I think I'd have yelped as I sank into the confines of the fleshy tunnel.

The walls gently kneeded me deeper and deeper. My senses becoming overwhelmed by a powerful scent all around me.

Eventually A momentary pause halted my dessent. A pause that was followed by me being deposited into what I guessed to be her womb.

I tried to move, to pull myself against the wall. But my body wasn't responding anymore. As I lay there I felt my senses being completely overwhelmed by the womb. Even worse, I found myself slipping in and out of consciousness. I was finally pushed over the edge when my surroundings began to vibrate. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and fell into slumber.

Delihla moaned as she felt the boy reach his destination. Looking down at her belly she placed a palm over where she knew he'd be and cooed. Humming a gentle lullaby hoping to put him out quickly. She sat there for a time. Making absolutely sure that she was safe to move before doing so.

With him inside her womb threads will slowly form an egg around him. The egg will feed his body the nessesary nutrients as well as enable a much safer, and complete, transformation.

Delihla slowly moved so that she could rest. She wouldn't be moving for a few days.

Several days later…

A faint glimmer of consciousness touched the edges of my mind. I felt like I was floating in a sea, an endless sea of blackness. Slowly I began to feel sensations the most prominent of which being an all encompassing wetness. It was all around me.

I tried to move but as I did I found something was stopping me. My eyes were still shut, no, I'm sure their open. Where am I?

As my sense senses returned more fully I tried again to move. This time feeling the alien muscles near my back and rear. This time my world shook.

An instinct told me I needed to get out. That I needed to break free of whatever held me so. And so I fought with all the strength I could muster. Every fiber of my being focused on this one task.

At first I was afraid, afraid that I wasn't strong enough. But a gentle cracking sound rang all around me, Hope.

Reinvigorated I continued my struggle. And soon, cracks formed in the world around me. Faint slivers of light teasing me with freedom.

Struggling even harder I heared more and more cracks. Until I finally broke through, my prison shattering all around as I fell flat on my back. My wings flapping around uselessly as I tumbled against something.

Slowly my eyes adjusted to the world around me. The haze slowly clearing up to reveal a familiar face staring down at me. "Momma?"

Delihla giggled saying yes sweety. The little dragon was covered in diamond colored scales. His green eyes glowed like emeralds against the firelight.

All in all, the transformation was a perfect success. She smiled watching him try to move his new limbs. Even tripping on his tail as he attempted to walk.

But there was one thing she needed to check now. "Do you remember me?" His memories were a little fuzzy but he caught glimpses of his old life amongst the flood of new thoughts and instincts rushing through his mind.

"De del ilha?" He said finding the words difficult. They were like a distant memory to him right now. The large dragon smiled and told him not to strain himself. "Your name will be Azuriel little one." If he chose to go back to his old one, he was welcome to. But the nod he gave told her he was fine with his new name.

A loud growl emenated from his belly, he was hungry. A soft smile crossed delihla's maw as she roasted a deer she'd caught the day prior.

He was a messy eater, but delihla couldn't help but laugh. She could tell his memories were intact. The fact he could speak telling her that much. As he finished he let out a cute burp before cuddling up next to her.

A few days later...

"It is done, I will continue to protect this village." Delihla sat tall in the field before the entire village.

She'd given her little one a few days to settle into his new form. As well as ensure he would be ok when they left. Now a dragon true, he could safely use the spring if anything came up. When nothing did she felt it best to not linger longer than nessesary. A graveyard being no place for the young dragon.

After settling him in she chose to stop by the village to deliver her verdict personally. The child was sufficient, their bargin will be upheld.

"But let me make this clear, there will be no more second chances." her eyes narrowing on the crowd. Many looked on afraid of her after what had happened prior. That was good, while she didn't want to be feared by them she wanted the gravity of their failure to settle in. That what happened was unacceptable and could not be allowed again.

She wanted to make sure that fact was known to all of them, not just the elder. Another reason for her coming here personally.

But there was one final matter before she departed. "Bring me the parents." The parents stepped up. A mixture of emotions clear on their faces.

Delihla's gaze softened on them. Looking at them now, she could see for herself who they were. She lowered her head to their level saying she will not apologize to them. "But I do offer my gratitude, and the promise that I will care for him as I would my own." Standing tall once more she bid the village farewell.

Many years later…

The two would be seen together from time to time. The little dragon would even visit the village when he was big enough to go on his own. Playing with the children and often getting into harmless trouble. A gentle roar would always call him home.

He'd vanish into the woods right before a much larger dragon would emerge.

Dragon hunters were warned against going after the two. The new elder as well as guards were quite familiar and fond of the little guy. And very much didn't want to anger his mother.

Whatever will come later, who knows.