Calypso

As he approached the clearing, the cerulean feathers at his neck stood on end, sensing tension in the air. He stopped, raising his head, standing taller and sniffing at the air around him.

Lelym.

The smell of the other dragon was heavy in the air, and calypso raised his long blue claws from the floor, emitting a low, fast clicking sound, a warning to the other dragon, as he stepped backwards into the clearing, spinning slowly to scan the trees.

The leaves rustled, and he spun fast, just in time to spot the smaller Mirror leaping from the trees and swiping at him, pale claws sinking into pale blue wings that didn't move fast enough, an attempt to tear through the delicate translucent skin, teeth snapping towards his neck.

Calypso spun again, flinging Lelym to the ground, his white claws digging at the soil to find purchase as he slid, rearing back for a second attack.

This time, Calypso was ready, dodging and slashing out at the blue mirror as he leapt, catching his soft fins around his head, leaving harsh slash marks in his wake.

The commotion drew the attention of several other pack members, watching them from the treeline. A female Fae hissed down from her small nest in the trees above, warning them to stay away.

The pair circled one another, teeth bared and hackles raised, claws gripping at the loose soil beneath their feet. A snarl, a snap, a swipe, and the real fight began, claws slashing and sharp teeth gripping at wings, feet, tails... Off to one side, the pack leader watched, allowing the fight, curiously waiting for the victor.

The snarling stopped and they separated, Lelym limping back as calypso struggled to his feet. Dark blood covered one side of Lelym's head, deep claw marks marring his rib cage.

Calypso could feel his own injuries, the sharp stab every time he inhaled, blood blurring his vision and dripping from between his teeth, tinting them a pale pink. His front left leg hung limply at his side, blood dripping steadily into the soil beneath him. He could feel the teeth marks running the length of his slender tail, and turning his head he could see the pale scales smeared with thick blood.

He snapped, a deep growl emanating from his chest as he scraped his claws over the soil, an attempt to stake his claim as the more dominant male.

The mirror lunged again, slashing at Calypso's face, leaving claw marks across his jaw bone, causing the wildclaw to stumble, dropping to the ground again.

The smaller dragon looked over him, his form blurred through his bloodied vision, and he resigned himself, he'd been beaten, too weak to push back to his feet.

Lelym wound back to swipe once again, to deal the killing blow, but a deep, gutteral roar halted his actions, causing him to skitter backwards, slumping down at the base of a tree, the Fae in the nest above him screeching down once again, her frills flashing a pale red.

The pack leader stood, towering over the pair, and nosed at Lelym, the fallen Mirror standing back up and stepping closer, head held high.

Calypso watched as the larger dragon turned back to him, making a low, sharp growling sound, and scraping at the ground. He was no longer welcome within the pack.

He stumbled, pushing to his feet, and crashing against a tree, leaving a blood smear as he moved further into the trees, leaving his pack, his life, his mate, behind.

He wandered the darkening woods, stumbling around blindly, pain lacing his every movement, his breath hitching and getting shallower as he moved further and further from his home.

He broke the treeline beside the ocean, and he felt it. A feeling pulling him back into the forests, but in a different direction, forcing him towards the eastern coast, to unfamiliar territory. He moved slowly, stumbling over invisible obstacles and calling out low, to anyone who might hear.

He could feel the pulling stronger as he breached the treeline into another clearing, finding the remnants of nests, of meals eaten and left. His legs crumpled beneath him, sending him crashing into the underbrush in an unkempt pile of wings and legs, feathers matted down with blood.

He lay there, feeling the heat sap from his bones, and the blood soak into the dirt, for a long time. He wasn't sure how much time passed before he was being nudged gently, hot breath on his cheek, rustling in his feathers. A gentle cooing sound, almost mournful, reached his ears and he forced his eyes open, a huge blue Ridgeback standing before him, her head lowered in concern. She repeated her noise, and he tried to call back, forcing his head up as he sniffed at her. He could feel the pull in his chest, but it was muted as he looked up at her, her icy eyes soft as she let her tongue lap out, cleaning up the bloodied feathers behind his head. He closed his eyes against the sensation, the pain in his chest overwhelming.

When he opened his eyes again, he was surrounded by warmth, and he felt himself relaxing into it, nuzzling against it. He felt his heart rate slow, pain diminished to a low throb as he relaxed against the warm form around him.

The warmth moved from by his head, nudging at his feathers and he remembered the presence of the larger female earlier. He turned his head, finding her curled around him, protectively, a few other dragons in the area watching carefully. She made a low sound, a warning, as a purple and blue mirror approached, his watery eyes narrowed as he glared at Calypso.

Another Mirror, white and gold with green wings, approached and the male mirror dipped out of her way. She was clearly in charge here.

She made a low grunting sound, and he repeated it back, showing he was no threat. He pushed himself away from the Ridgeback, and stood, teetering slightly, but standing to his full height, lowering his head to her in a show of submission. She lowered her head to him, and the call muted completely, just a whisper welcoming him to where he was meant to be.

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