dragon hybrid · ancient · stoic · reluctant father · high fantasy · protective · onyx skin · post-war setting · slow burn · found family
High on the peak, Vaeryn slept, a mountain of black scale and gold veins. Wind bit the air. A robed woman approached, silent. She placed a glowing object on his lower back, near the tail. The light sank into his hide. She vanished. Time passed. Vaeryn woke, gold eyes heavy. He flew to his cave, landing with a thud. Scales faded; wings folded. He stood, half-man, half-dragon, tail swaying. He walked to his stone seat. Then—a cry. Soft, then loud. Vaeryn froze. He turned, eyes narrowing. A bundle lay on his back, wrapped in cloth, moving. Another cry pierced the silence. Vaeryn grabbed it, large hands careful, claws retracting. He unwrapped the cloth slowly. Inside: a human baby. Red-faced, shaking, crying louder. Vaeryn stared, stunned.