Smolder sighed sadly as she continued to rub Ocellus's back. Last night her friend had just latched onto her and refused to let go. She really couldn't blame the poor changeling. After all last night she had killed another living creature. Last night she had taken the life of a Timberwolf. Last night was the night she had made her first kill. And, she hated it and herself for it. Smolder knew the feeling of it all too well. “The first kill is the hardest.”. Those words floated in her mind and stayed with her. Her grandmother had told them to her; the first time she had killed another living creature.

“Ocellus?” Smolder spoke to her friend only to have silence answer her back, “Ocellus, please, just say something.” She spoke again to her; receiving silence as an answer again.

She frowned as she continued to comfort her friend. Although, she was a dragoness and seen as an uncaring brute half the time. She cared deeply for her friends. A trait she had learned thanks to the school. She looked up from her friend and gazed at the others. Silverstream, Yona, and Sandbar were currently playing a game of cards. Gallus was currently helping Razor in his forge. All of them were doing something to keep their minds off one certain subject. All seven of them were being hunted. And, the only thing stopping the hunters was just a simple camouflage spell. A spell that could be broken just by walking through it.

“Bahamut, damn that mare!” Smolder growled quietly.

She sighed heavily as she leaned back against the wall. Her mind racing with many thoughts and outcomes. Everyone here was vulnerable to attacks. None of them, except for her, Gallus, Razor, and possibly Yona. Had experience in an actual fight. And, right now her friends mind is possibly shattered from the guilt. That comes when another creature ends another creatures life. All of it was too much for her mind. And, soon she found herself falling into the arms of sleep. A nap may be just what her mind needed.

Smolder found herself walking up in the middle of a black void. She gasped in fear as she stood up and began to look around. She called out only to hear her own voice back at her. Fear began to set itself into her mind. Her body began to shake a little in fear. Wondering and imaging what was possibly about to happen to her.

“Calm yourself, my descendant.” A calm feminine voice spoke to her. It caused her to turn around; allowing her to see Zobens slowly walking towards her.

“Zobens?” She asked clearly confused at what she was seeing, “What? How are you?” She was stopped by the dragoness slowly lifting up her right paw.

“You called out to me,” Zobens explained, “You're worried about your friend, Ocellus, right?” She asked.

Smolder could only nod as the area around them suddenly transformed. She saw them standing in the middle of a large room. She saw Lamina resting on a bed; a pillow was hugged close to her chest. As tears slowly fell from her eyes. Smolder wondered what was going on; until she heard the door open. She turned and saw a concerned Zobens walk in. She walked towards Lamina and gently sat herself on the bedside. Before placing a caring claw on her shoulder.

“This is the day Lamina made her first kill,” The voice of Zobens spoke from behind Smolder. Smolder turned and looked at Zobens who stood beside her, “I remember it almost like it was yesterday.” She finished.

Smolder watched as Lamina looked up at Zobens. Who face stained with dried tears; she was looking up into the gentle and caring eyes of Zobens. Who gave her a caring smile. With a small whimper; Lamina sat up and hugged her. Zobens hugged her back.

“What happened?” Smolder asked.

“As I said this was the day Lamina made her first kill,” Zobens answered, “I knew what it was like already. Just, like you do,” She then looked down at Smolder, “But, Lamina was afraid.” She finished.

Smolder grew confused, “Afraid?” She asked, “Afraid of what?” She finished.

Zobens sighed, “She afraid of becoming her parents.” She answered.

“Her parents?” Smolder asked.

Zobens nodded, “Yes,” she began in a voice that was filled with slight sadness, “You see her parents were Fang and Talon.” She finished.

Smolder gasped at that; Fang and Talon were a mated couple that terrorized the early dragon kingdom. Apparently, the two had murdered a total of fifty dragons; before they were eventually executed for their crimes. It was never written in the old stones; that the two had a child. But, apparently Lamina was that child. Zobens then turned towards her.

“Your friend Ocellus is a lot like her.” She said as the area around them shifted; showing the inside of the castle they were in. Ocellus was resting her head on Smolders lap. While Smolder was propped against the wall. Her claw gently placed on her sleeping friends shoulder.

Smolder grew confused again, “What do you mean?” She asked.

“As I recall your friend is technically a child of Chrysalis,” Zobens replied, “Am I correct?” She asked.

Smolders eyes went wide; she had completely forgotten that fact. Ocellus was a descendant of Queen Chrysalis. Like in the caves under the school. She was afraid of becoming the changelings old queen. Ocellus hardly spoke about their old queen. But, seeing how she reacted after killing the timberwolf. She figured it was the “First time” guilt. She felt it when she made her first kill. But, now, now she realized this wasn't that guilt. No, this was fear of becoming someone. She felt Zobens touch her shoulder. It caused her to jump as she looked up at her.

“Take care of your friends,” She said as she began to fade away along with everything else, “Take care of them, like I took care of Lamina.” She finished as everything faded away into black.

Smolder woke with a start as she looked around. She saw still inside the castle with the others; the only one who was absent was Yona. She looked down; Ocellus was still asleep. But, she could see a small amount of tears falling from her eyes. She sighed and gently rubbed the side of her friends head. Ocellus released a small groan as she began to slowly wake from her slumber.

“Ocellus?” Smolder talked.

“Hmm?” Ocellus replied as she released a gentle yawn.

Smolder sighed, “Ocellus,” She began, “I know you think that you'll turn into, Chrysalis,” She could feel her friend shift a little, “But, Ocellus believe me when I say. You won't become like her.” She then gently held her friend closer, “You're kind, you think about others, you worry about us,” She then sighed one final time, “You're nothing like your old queen. And, you never will be. You are Ocellus nobody else.” She finished.

Ocellus slowly got up and looked at her; tears were still falling from her eyes. But, they were tears of happiness. She then gently hugged Smolder. Who smiled and gently hugged her back. As they hugged Yona had walked back and sat down. Everyone noticed the stunned look and blush on her face.

“Um, Yona?” Sandbar began, “Is everything okay at the forge?” He asked.

Yona was silent only for a moment. Everyone stared at her waiting for an answer. The answer was not something they expected though.

“Yes, everything is fine,” She answered as her mind tried to process, “Yak, just didn't know gryphons could bend like that.” She finished.

Author's Note

Chapter 13 finally got it cranked out. serious writers block. please review and hopefully I made you all laugh at the end.