Growth!

In the hushed caverns of the dragon's nest, the Dragon Mother, her scales shimmering like emerald in the dim light, sensed something amiss. Two of her young, usually bustling with energy, were conspicuously absent.

With practiced ease, she reined in her formidable presence, allowing her draconic senses to extend outward. To her relief, she found the two young dragons, enveloped in the soothing embrace of sleep amidst the acidic pool. Their rapid entry into slumber was a promising sign of their burgeoning talent.

Her gaze then shifted from Bruce, a young dragon of unique stature, to the location of the sleeping dragons. An unexpected discovery awaited her there. The two-headed rhinoceros meat, a substantial feast she had provided, was significantly diminished, less than a thousand kilograms remaining. The acid pool's level, too, had mysteriously dropped.

Such consumption was beyond the capability of three young dragons. The Dragon Mother entertained the possibility of an outsider's intrusion, but her keen senses found no trace of foreign presence. The only scents and energies belonged to her young. An intruder would have faced the wrath of the satiated dragon lying within the nest, whose calm demeanor suggested no such encounter.

The Dragon Mother, a daunting figure of strength and wisdom, concluded that no external threat had taken the prey. Yet, a lingering, overpowering odor caught her attention. Upon inspection, she discovered the source near the cliff's edge: droppings unmistakably from a young dragon, yet the odor was remarkably intense.

Raising her head in distaste, she eyed Bruce, who was deliberately avoiding her piercing gaze. His evasive manner seemed to silently accuse his siblings, Torenço and Carona, of being the culprits.

Bruce, growing rapidly, exuded a strength surpassing his peers. In him, the Dragon Mother saw not just physical prowess but a cunning intellect, a stark contrast to the more straightforward nature of the others.

Her first impression of Bruce was a mix of curiosity and slight disdain. Dragons of their lineage, unable to speak their true names, were often seen as lesser, driven by instinct rather than the wisdom of their heritage. Bruce, though capable of uttering parts of his name, seemed perilously close to this lesser status.

With a stern growl, the Dragon Mother issued a warning. "Next time you defile near the nest, I'll cast you off the cliff myself. Tread carefully," she bellowed at Bruce, who maintained an air of nonchalance.

Spreading her vast wings, the Dragon Mother took to the skies, seeking a new resting place atop the mountain. Here, she enveloped the peak with her wings, her head resting gently as she succumbed to sleep. Her slumber would be light, ready to awaken at any sign of danger to her domain.

After her departure, Bruce exhaled deeply. The tension in the air, thick during their interaction, began to dissipate. He reflected on the odd mix of pain and intrigue in relating to his kin, a strange blend of heartache and fear that was uniquely theirs.

As dawn broke, casting golden beams through the cavern, Bruce awoke to a new day. The sun's rays painted the primitive jungle below in vibrant hues, its shadow confirming the absence of the Dragon Mother from the mountain's summit.

She was likely patrolling her territory, hunting, or perhaps seeking treasures, Bruce mused, unable to fathom the full extent of her daily pursuits.

With hunger gnawing at him and no sign of the Dragon Mother nearby, Bruce could freely feast on the two-headed rhinoceros and even indulge in the acidic concoction she had created.

For a week, the Dragon Mother stayed away from the nest, only returning each evening to rest atop the mountain, vigilantly guarding their home. During this time, Bruce had consumed all the meat and bones of the rhinoceros, and the acid pool's level had decreased by a third.

The two young dragons, Carona and Torenço, finally stirred from their deep sleep, emerging from the acidic embrace.

That evening, the Dragon Mother, in a rare visit, came to check on them. Her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the three young dragons. She had expected Carona and Torenço, nurtured by their slumber, to surpass Bruce in size and strength. However, the reality was startlingly different.

Bruce now towered over half a meter taller than his siblings, his chest broader and more muscular. The Dragon Mother sensed his strength, not just mere bulk, but a powerful, explosive force. His stature was comparable to an adult horse, while Carona and Torenço were merely the size of young foals.

The difference was starkly evident as they stood side by side. Carona and Torenço, emerging from the acid, gazed at Bruce with a mix of envy and disbelief. Despite not entering a deep sleep like them, Bruce had outgrown them significantly.

In dragon society, physical strength was paramount. The strongest was the leader, and the weak followed. The siblings consoled themselves, believing their future magical abilities would eventually give them an edge over Bruce.

The Dragon Mother's shock extended beyond Bruce's unexpected growth. She was equally astonished by the rapid consumption of the two-headed rhinoceros meat and the acid in the pool.

"Hey..." she sighed, rendered speechless.

Initially, Bruce's impressive physique had slightly altered her perception of him, but the vanishing food and acid reaffirmed her disdain. Bruce, accustomed to such looks, paid no mind and settled down for a restful sleep in the nest.

Meanwhile, Carona and Torenço, ravenous from their week-long slumber, were infuriated to find their share of the feast devoured by Bruce.

Torenco even approached the Dragon Mother to complain. "Big brother has eaten all our food," he lamented.

Bruce, overhearing this, narrowed his eyes slightly, issuing a silent warning, then returned to his restful state.

The Dragon Mother, indifferent to Torenço's grievance, believed it unnecessary to intervene in the squabbles of the young dragons, as long as Bruce's actions weren't excessive.

With a snort, emitting two large puffs of chlorine gas, she turned, powerful legs propelling her skyward as she spread her majestic wings, soaring into the distance.