Maizich

Maizich once was a dragon of pure heart. He had been born from a lost egg in the deep of Foxfire Bramble. Opening his eyes to a world of gloom and murk, light a complete absence in his start to life. However dreary his first moments had been there was a spark in his heart. Alone, Maizich wandered. Having no one to show him the way didn't stop him from enjoying every moment. He'd hop along with the arrow toad and watch the darktide jellyfish bob when he went for a swim in the darkened pools of Wispwillow Grove. His first memories were that of nature around him. Deep down he held a knowledge for every creature he encountered, knowing many details of life he might not have known in his loneliness. Still small and gentle he was when he happened to stumble upon his first dragon.

The dragon was as small as he was and curled into a ball, pressed against the roots of a dying tree. He was a light toned green dragon, his face hidden within beautiful feathers of vibrant blues and stunning greens. Hovering over him was a beast of bone and decay. Its hooded veil over its sunken face, a bony wing that kept its rickety body from toppling. The creature hadn't heard nor scented him yet, all senses focused upon the frightened small dragon. Whimpers escaped the trapped dragon as it cowered beneath the approaching creature. Maizich's eyes were wide but it only took a split second for him to realize what to do. He let out a high pitched noise, all the whilst trying to stop the trembling in his short legs. The fiend froze and suddenly whipped its head around, revealing the fullness of his bare boned face. A sickly mist dripping from its mouth and surrounding its body, its long tongue lolling out of its skull. The spirit like structure of bones cackled and decided it'd prefer a meal with backbone. It began gliding towards him, hunger seeming to fill the creature's boned limbs as it began gliding towards him. Maizich's stomach flipped and he glanced around. This part of the forest wasn't familiar to him but he wasn't going to let that stop him. He jumped out of the way, still unable to use his own feathered wings to fly, just moments before teeth closed in by his tail. The smell of decay engulfed him and he had to fight the bile that rose in his throat. He climbed a moss covered tree as fast as he could and hovered on a lower branch, watching the spirit look around with annoyance. a low rickety growl came from the creature and it glanced up, spotting him. However it was too late and Maizich plunged down, falling on top of the decayed bones. The creature seemed to collapse, the wisp of smoke controlling it vanishing into thin air as if only held by the bony skeleton. Maizich sat panting for a second. He had only seen a couple of these vile creatures but had always given them wide berths. After a moment to regain his breath, he turned around to look at the dragon he had helped. He blinked in shock when the dragon was starring at him with big eyes of a brilliant, pale blue.

"You saved me.." The voice was beautiful. Like the cascade of a thunderous waterfall whilst simultaneously resembling the soft beat of a spectral bat's wings. The dragon's slick short fur was of a paler, lush green and his bright wings seemed to reflect what he saw when he looked up to witness the skylights. Those vibrant and bright flashes when water would fall from the thick and dark sky. The dragon seemed to be like him. short legs, head adorned with the same long feathers as his wings ending with a rather longer tail. His belly was a blinding white. Maizich stared for a while, almost taken aback from the beauty of this new encounter. To him, in the darkness of his realm, he was the brightest and most colourful creature.

"Yes.." He hadnt practiced speaking out loud much. talking to the creatures around him but most would flatten their ears or run away as if the sounds he were making to speak weren't appreciated. Instead of reacting that way, the other dragon seemed to perk up a little.

"You really did, thank you! I got lost and must of wandered into its territory." The other dragon gave a small nod and a soft smile. Maizich was a little speechless. So much had happened and he was still trying to process it until he finally spoke up.

"Of course.. I couldnt leave someone who needed help like that." The other dragon was still smilling until he gave a little sigh and looked around.

"I have no idea how i got seperated from my clan though.. I miss my mother." The little green dragon whimpered while brigning his tail around his short legs. Maizich felt complete sympathy for the other little dragon and walked up to him, putting a tender paw on the other's head.


"Don't worry. Ill help you find your clan of course, i couldnt leave you here those things like to hang around in small groups and some might come back" That seemed to rile a little fear in the green coatl and he stood up to follow him. They walked in silence for a bit , Maizich taking the lead. He hadnt ever seen other dragons but he hadnt strayed very far from his birthplace.

"Do you have an idea of which way to go?" Maizich asked suddenly. The green dragon gave a small hum and caught up to Maizich to walk beside him as he spoke.

"We had made camp in some old ruins recently. All I remember was eating my meal and suddenly waking up around here. Then that thing came out of nowhere and chased me so I sort of lost my way... " He went quiet for a second, staring at the trail until he glanced up again.

"Im Azruah, whats your name?" Maizich had thought of a couple names for himself already but had settled on the one he now was most proud of. He puffed out his little chest as he boasted

"Im Maizich! the wandering, magnificent, awesome, super great ruler of the darkness!" The purple dragon glanced at Azruah for a reaction and was not dissapointed. the green dragon burst in a fit of laughter. Good humoured laughing and he playfully nudged Maizich once he regained some breath.

"You are really awesome! i bet your family must love having you around." Maizich blinked and shook his head. He hadnt realized how nice it was to actually speak with another dragon until he had met Azruah. Being alone and raising himself in his early years had taught him so much. He didnt mind being alone but sometimes the silence drove him deeper into the void of loneliness that gathered at the bottom of his heart.

"I dont have anyone. Youre actually the first dragon ive ever met." Azruah's Aqua eyes widened.

"You mean youve been all alone youre entire life? You're so small like me! Must of been hard.." Maizich shrugged. It hadnt been all that bad. he had many of nature's creatures as his friends and he could eat whenever and go to sleep whenever he felt like it.

"I guess it was hard to try and get the hang of fishing. Everything else i ate made me sick. Learning to speak came pretty naturally to me for some reason." He hadnt thought about the ease he had with knowledge in the world around him as well as speech. He shook the confusing theories from his mind and glanced ahead. Even he hadnt travelled this far into the forest. He wasnt sure where he was but having someone with him seemed to make his hopes flare.

"Oh i love seafood too! Thats all my clan could eat. We are all coatls too so you'd fit right in!" Azruah's tail shimmered at the thought and it seemed to not be such a bad idea to Maizich, even though somehow Azruah's stor left him wondering how he had gotten out here all alone. Could a clan that truly care simply misplace someone?


After travelling for the rest of the day they had set up camp and fallen asleep rather quickly after a good meal. Maizich had traveled father than he ever had for Azruah yet every step was a fun new adventure with his new friend. He had learned so much about what kind of dragon he was and more about the world around him which was a lot bigger than he ever could have imagined. The next day they had traveled until the sun had passed the highest point in the sky when they stopped for a drink in a small stream. When Azruah was done he looked around with a squint in his eyes. suddenly he perked up, excitement making him rigid. When Maizich followed his gaze he could hardly believe it. Ahead of him was a hoard of bigger coatls, all of brilliant colours he hadn't ever seen. The same colours as Azruah's eyes, some reflecting when the sun dimmed behind the trees. It was mesmerizing.

"My clan! i can't believe we've found it!" He looked at Maizich with such happiness it made the violet dragon a little bashful.

"I told you id do it.. you taught me so much im so happy to have met you Azruah." The sincerity in his words almost made him emotional. He glanced back at the clan ahead of them, going about their business, unaware of the two dragons in the cover of some darkened fronds.

"Maizich it doesnt hae to end! My clan would welcome you im sure and then we can be together for ever!" The excitment in his voice made Maizich smile happily. It hadnt occured to him that hed ever find a clan of his own but now he couldnt see himself ever leaving Azruah. He gave a curt nod, not giving it anymore thought.

"Only if youre sure they'll have me. I dont want to be a burd-" Azruah tackled Maizich before he could finish his sentence and licked the other's cheek.

"You'll meet my mother and my two siblings and my father oh im so excited!" He jumped off and began to run for his clan, Maizich close behind. When they neared the first dragon, a brilliant dazzling blue coatl, she saw the two running towards her and gasped, letting out a shrill, angry call. Azruah stopped dead in his tracks as she glared at him with hostility, not the welcoming gaze of a clanmate.

"You wretched creature how did you find your way back!" Azruah visibly flinched as a taller male coatl, one sporting wings of flames came up in front of the female and growled down at the two young dragons.

"Azruah.. You shouldnt be here..." Azruah shook his head in disbelief and Maizich watched in utter confusion. were they not happy to have their small clanmate back?

"Torrent where is my mother.. where is Star!" As if summoned, a beautful coatl walked out of the shade of a tree with a thicker trunk. She had the same vivid blue gaze as Azruah but instead of the pale green of his feathers she was a dazzling pink colour. Brighter than any hed ever seen. Azruah sighed in relief but as he took a step forward, Star's pupils slitted and the feathers along her neck flattened. She looked extremely vicious. Azruah stopped mid step, looking around at his now viciously angry clan glaring down at him. Maizich came up and put his tail gently over the other's back. He wasnt sure what was happening but he knew it wasnt the welcoming party they had hopped for. Star showed her fangs but before she could say anything an older, battle scarred dragon walked up, almost shaking the earth as he did so. He seemed to show an air of authority and it was easy to see he was the leader of this pack of hostile coatls.

"Azruah, you are a plague to our clan and we had told Star to end it. Clearly she wasnt strong enough to do so.." He shot a vicious glare, eyes of red that matched his vibrant feathery body. Star flinched but returned the stare.

"You were sent to die yet you come back with another with colours of brooding unluck and sickly illness. This must be a sign that you are deserving of a better..end..." Azruah was shaking as he stood as if rooted to the ground.

"Sorren please i didnt mean to be born with these colours! We arent sick! He saved me! We're good!" There was an edge of desperation as Azruah noticed no one was defending him. Maizich didnt understand. What did his colours have to do with illeness? He had never even gotten a cold!

"You're making a mistake...Azruah is an amazing and caring dragon this is all nonsens-"

"SILENCE! Sorren's voice boomed loud in the clearing and even Azruah's whimpers stopped.

"You know nothing of our ways! those who are born with sickness colours are to be sacrificed for the wellbeing of the clan as a whole! Azruah should be proud! He will be helping his siblings grow bright and beautiful it is an honour! You on the other do not belong here and i cannot let you leave or your plague upon or land will soak through." Maizich's eyes widened in fury.

"Youre all crazy! Let's go Azruah.." He walked over to Azruah and tried to nudge him but the poor coatl was stunned, his head shaking slowly and staring at the ground.

"Im sorry we cannot let you leave. We must finish what Star was too weak to do. From her weakness we will have to take this opportunity as it presents itself..Two for the price of one, Shadowbinder will be pleased" with a flick of his tail and before either young coatls could make a move the were grabbed by two bigger dragons, one of purple hues with a blue body and the other was Torrent. It was futile to struggle, the paws of Torrent easily wrapping around Maizich's neck. They were then bound with brambles so they were unable to do anything but walk along on two legs whilst being shoved and pushed to follow. Maizich kept glancing at Azruah but the poor coatl's face was blank in disbelief. Fury bubbled inside him. How could they do this to his poor friend. He tried to struggle against his restraints but they didnt budge. He sighed and walked closer to Azruah.

"Maizich... im sorry...Im so sorry.. im sorry.." He began trembling and tried to stop walking only to be pushed onwards. He wasnt sure where they were being brought to but he knew it wasnt good.

"Azruah don't worry itll be ok im here with you.. this clan is awful we can build our own clan just me and you ok!" He tried not to let the panic show in his voice. Deep down he wasnt afraid for himself but for his friend. Even in the short time they had been together he knew they had a special connection and he felt fiercely protective. Maizich glanced at Star who was walking beside Torrent. She wouldnt look at him or her son, keeping her head down.

"You were supposed to kill him but you couldnt! Yet now you're just going to let him die!" She flinched but didnt look up. It was Torrent who answered, the bigger red coatl growled under his breath.

"You wouldnt understand. We have to look out for our future and our children's future. Having coatls like you and Azruah bring plague and sickness. We cant be allowed to have them in our clans. Star needs to have faith or she will lose all three of her children" Maizich frowned. That reasoning made him shutter. Sacrificing your child for such a stupid thing like the colour of their fur.

"Shadowbinder wouldnt bring hatchlings into the world with colours like ours simply for them to be re given to her.." He growled and Torrent's shadow eyes widened even Star who was listening looked up with shock reflected on her face. The air had gotten thicker, the skies above darker than Maizich had ever seen before. they were going up a crumbling drak path rittled with lichen and shrooms that crawled with grubby insects. It was as if all things dark came from this place. He had managed to get his paw a little untangled and reached out to hold Azruah's. The young coatl looked up at him, his eyes seeming to focus on his face. In the light his pretty green short fur glowed and his wings were just breathtaking. He had never met anyone so bright, regardless of what the other clan told him.

"Im sorry.." Azruah whispered once more and Maizich shook his head.

"Dont ever say that. No matter what ill be waiting for you and we will be together forever.. We dont need anyone else." They finally stopped and peering around the coatls in front of him he could see a giant pit radiating a strong, dark aura. The air was now insufferably stuffy and it was hard to breath. Black smoke wafted from what looked like a dark pit of tar. It bubbled and swirled and looked as if it could swallow the world up. He gripped Azruah's paw tighter, feeling the other begin to tremble but just as he did so they were seperated harshly. Thrown to the ground in front of the pool of darkness. Maizich groaned and shook his head clear of the dirt. He looked up to Sorren who had brought his paws up and speaking in his loud voice.

"Clan Tornith, we are here to pay homage to lady Shadowbinder, she who brings us all life and wellness and good fishing. We are here to purge our sins with these offerings! Take them as a token of our forever loyalty!" Maizich noticed the coatls around him ow their heads and start to mumble a chant. Azruah cried out in turn and Maizich snapped his head to see one of the coatls yank him by his confines.

"Maizich!" He reached out a paw but Azruah was too far. The violet dragon began to panic, heart thudding in his chest. He struggled and looked around in hysterics. He couldnt let the only dragon he cared for die in front of his eyes.

"P-Please! Sorren! Sorren take me first! Spare Azruah! Take me first or i swear ill bring down the wraths of the gods upon you i swear you monster!" At that, Sorren liffted a clawed finger and the coatl holding Azruah stopped in his tracks. Azruah let out a small squeak and was staring at Maizich with terror in his eyes. Maizich burned a stare that would have scorched a river. Sorren slowly turned, a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth.

"Well Torrent, I see we have a volunteer. Shadowbinder will enjoy a feisty treat..." His voice was dripping with cold fury but Maizich simply returned a hard glare. Torrent picked the small dragon up. He didnt struggle against the bigger coatl but as he neared the edge of the pool, smelling the insuffurable stench he tried to squirm.

"We will see which sides the goddess is on, insufurable pest.. drop him" All Maizich could hear was Azruah's scream when he hit the black tar. Everything went quiet. Everything went dark. He felt his soul try to struggle with his material body, as if there really was a goddess stripping him of his sanity. Maizich felt the black gunk fill his mouth and nose and when he tried opening his eyes the sheer pain of the ooze made his reality fade quickly...

He cracked open an eye. The pain was gone. In fact he couldnt feel anything. he was surrounded in a forrest of trees taller than he had ever seen. Bark marked by claws and fungi that grew between the roots. There was no harsh light just a low eerie, green glow. The air was thick with smoke and he looked around when he heard a tail slide over the rocks of the forest floor.

"Courageous young one..." Maizich froze. This dragon was massive. Vivid dark purples endorned its slick body. Ooze was steadily dripping from its mouth and its eyes seemed souless. He had no doubt in his mind who he was staring at. He remained rigid.

"Courageous when i had no other choice... What kind of goddess lets her people walk her earth with such evil in their hearts?" The goddess tilted her head slghtly, almost in shock to be talked to in such a manner.

"Young Maizich. This has always been the way. I have no say in how my dragons will behave. evil is in us all, even you. A heart of purity can still feel my claws once you have a taste of darkness. I can simply watch and not interfere." Maizich rolled his eyes and scored the earth with his sharp claws.

"Then the gods favour the evil ones. I just wanted to live a life with happiness and hopefully stay by Azruah's side.." His voice went quiet and Shadowbinder shook her head, splattering ooze from her mouth.

"Maizich... You were never meant to die..." Maizich looked up, confusion gracing his features. Shadowbinder passed a long tongue over her fangs as she continued.

"You sacrificed your life for the sake of another multiple times. You had never cursed your loneliness and you have always been true to yourself. You have a destiny and yet you still died. Do you see how life always has a way without my meddling. However you have seen the evil of this world and it has changed you. I need your help and in return I shall grant you your life back." Maizich could hardly believe it. Why him? Why now?

"N-Need MY help? But youre...Youre a goddess cant you just do it by yourself?" Shadowbinder sighed.

"I cannot leave this place. I can simply watch. However it is time something be done about the curses of my land. You are brave and smart. I want you to go back and i want you to devote your life to me and help my cause and i shall give you life." Maizich thought for a second. He had always lived by his own code, his own solitude and he had never even known of gods and evil until now. How could he suddenly live under someone's elses will? He hadnt ever known about the evils of this world and now he almost grew to hate dragonkind. However when he thought of this hatred he could only see Azruah's beautiful, innocent eyes and realize there was still good to protect.

"Maizich I do not make this offer lightly, a god should not mess with the ways of life however life has become doomed at the hands of so many monsters. I need you to do something simple. Be there for other dragons. Set right which has been going wrong. It is not an easy task but you are the dragon who can pull this through. There is also one condition..." Maizich swallowed heavily but met her gaze with the same intensity.

"You must sacrifice something in order to come back to life. That is a rule i cannot change." Maizich wondered. He was already dead, a chance to come ack and live his life with Azruah was too hard to pass.

"What do i need to give up?" The creature before him shifted and she stalked towards the small dragon who did everything in his power to to flinch away. She lifted a paw, dark black slime trailing from her claws and aimed them at his eyes.

"Welcome to the void.." She whispered and suddenly felt a searring pain flash in his head. His eyes felt like they were melting out of his skull but before he could utter a cry of agony his senses went dead. He found himself in a pool as if of thick, slimmy water. He couldnt breath or see but an instinct told him to swim upwards where he gasped loudly. Though the air was grimmey it filled his screaming lungs with much needed air. He couldnt see anything but heard the gasps and cries of dragons around him. The scent of Azruah made his heaert skip. He knew he was back. Time must have slowed down since they hadnt even attempted to drop Azruah yet. He felt relief flood over him.He went to speak but coughed up black tar that stung his throat.

"I-Impossible! how...how are you still alive!?" Sorren's voice quivered as he spoke and empowerment filled Maizich, givig his limbs new strength.

"Didn't i tell you.. The gods favour me.." His voice sounded deeper than he had ever thought possible and he outstretched his wings, hoping to appear taller. Azruah's cried out as he was dropped by the coatl that held him and panicked voices rose around him.

"How did he do that?"
"No ones ever survived the pit!"
"It was her! Its a sign!"

Maizich revelled in the cries of fear that began to emmit from around him. He could feel Shadowbinder's presence. He could feel new power throughout himself as he raised his voice as loud as he could.

"You shall no longer discard dragons in the name of Shadowbinder! She will no longer watch her children suffer you WILL follow her commands and never again commit acts of such horror! Now BE GONE!" He could feel the tar around him dry up however he could still feel it leak from his eyes. He could feel its murkiness slide down his face but at that moment, even if he had sight, he couldnt have enjoyed this moment more. He could hear them turn tail and run and eventually silence. All except for his and Azruah's heavy breathing. Once he felt like they were alone he climbed out of the tar pit and collapsed beside Azruah. Together they lay, breathing the air of freedom they had gained. Once the silence was too thick to bear he reached over and attempted to unravel his friend. He finally got him loose and Azruah sighed in relief.

"Maizich... Im sor-" He pressed his paw gently against Azruah's snout, silencing what he knew was yet another appology.

"This world is wicked.. however it still has innocence that must be preserved.. Azruah.. help me help others.. without my eyes i cant fulfill Shadowbinder's request.." Azruah paused as Maizich withdrew his paw.

"Request? So you met her?" Maizich nodded solemnly. It had been a very heafty price to come back but he would have done it again in a heartbeat if it meant being with his friend again.

"We shall save the ones who have been abondonned. We need to correct the wicked and help the ones in need.. will you help me?" In answer, Azruah jumped against Maizich and hugged the other dragon who gladly returned it.

"Lets do this together.. Like you said, we will start our own clan but not just you and me, for any other coatl that has been made an outcast..." Maizich pulled away and gave a small nod.

"We need a name!" Azruah exclaimed as they got to their paws and made way away from the bubbling pit. At that Maizich remembered when he first met Azruah. The pure colours of his wings that made him so dazzling.

"Clan.. Clan Skylight..."

Together the two friends set out on their quest to help as many as they could and welcome any into the new clan, travelling around until they settled in the venerable lair of the lightning farm, a home to all coatls who want to abandon their roots, creating their own families.

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