Yep, back to me. Nice build up of tension there Claymor. ;) Thanks for participating by the way. It's great to finally have you with us. :) STORY---------- Bubbles and froth began oozing slowly from the gash. Everyone stood stunned and red-faced as the cocoon then emitted a loud, disconcerting, fart-like noise as it deflated quickly to the size of an orange. It shook violently from side to side causing the earth to tremble and a strong wind to blow. Surrounding rooftops began to shudder, doors clattered and crashed to and fro, and villagers were lifted up and tossed around in the air like paper dolls. Arathorn and Mayata held each other tight, grasping hold of a nearby tree branch for anchorage. Suddenly from within the cocoon a single shaft of bright, white light burst forth into the night sky, forming a large, glowing mass at its peak. From within, a tangle of sharp-clawed limbs and scaly wings emerged, thrashing and flailing in anger. Villagers ran about screaming, clutching their ears in agony as the creature let out a deafening, spine-chilling squeal. The light diminished, revealing a hideous three-headed dragon of immense proportions, batting its massive wings against the air. Its fiery, green eyes glared down at the villagers as they fled in terror. Mayata, determined to regain her courage, released her safe grip from Arathorn and promptly charged towards the beast, her sword drawn. "Miyata, nooooo!", cried Arathorn, but it was too late. Before Miyata could react, the dragon swooped down, snatched her up in one of its great claws and flew off into the darkness, its squeals echoing into the night. ----------STORY Sorry, I thought I'd better squeeze those echoes in there somewhere. ;) Ok, dialyn, over to you. :)

Drekinn
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"Let words be your palette."