Eternal Struggle

There are days when I fight, tooth and nail and every scale. I snap and roar and bellow my flames. I fight against the horde with an incurable rage. I don't pay attention to the arrows and spears as they sink into my skin. The fury is burning my soul and I must fight.

I don't stop until I'm forced. The blood loss is heavy. My wings are torn and my body aches. The fires still burn within, but my body cannot continue.

I retreat, limping away to recover from the battle in what little solace I can find.

My scales are dull, marred by blood and scars. But I do not have the energy to tend to my wounds. There is too much pain, and the unreleased rage turns inward. It curls upon itself and dissolves into agony and confusion.

Why do they fight me? Why do they attack? Why do I retaliate?

Perhaps I should just let them kill me. It's been so long and I can't fight forever.

My sides heave for air and my body starts to shake. My vision blurs. Is it tears or fatigue? I cannot tell as my eyelids grow too heavy to keep open.

Something stirs me. I don't know how much time has passed. My awakening is warm and tender. My body feels like a mountain, but I no longer struggle for breath.

My eyes open slowly and tiredly. I have to blink away the fog.

There's a small, warm hand on my snout. As I come to, I recognise the figure kneeling at my head. The hand is familiar, the touch somehow re-energising.

It's a young boy, one of the few humans in my life who is kind and understanding. He smiles as our eyes meet. I know it's a forced one, one that masks sadness.

I was too close to giving up today. He was too close to losing me. And I know for certain that he is not alone in his feelings.


Why do I retaliate? Why do I fight?


The power to stand surges through me, and I rise, dragging my heavy body upright. The boy steps back and smiles, wider and truer. He knows I will live another day.

I will keep living. For this boy. For the ones who depend on and love me. I will recover my strength, and when the horde comes howling again, I will fight it again. Because I will not fall, no matter how many times I may falter. I cannot afford to.