Chapter 30: Natural Selection

Predators stalk their prey in the shadows.

They watch from a distance, observe their target's movement, before they go in for the kill. They want to study, and form a plan of attack before making a move.

And that's what the shadows do. They dance, they twist, hide in plain sight to pick them apart. He already captured three. He needed one more, before he could go for his true target.

It was not possible for them to retrieve the flower. They had no guide and certainly no knowledge of the world they were in. Dreulara was a home for Dragons, and mere creatures as they had no place.

Those were his true feelings, his true thoughts. The Mystics' arrival put a halt to his plans, and since Garuga and Porrelth's return, moving about from within high ranks was impossible. It was a blessing that Garuga developed the Scale Curse however, as well as Porrelth being too traumatized to set foot in these mountains.

It meant these kids were alone.

For a Dragon of Shadow, unsuspecting targets were all he needed to be effective in the dark. His scent, his presence, everything that was physical about him blended into the black of trees and vegetation so perfectly.

As Takabi and Kairas passed over a log, he stuck his head out from the shadows. There was a mask over his face, blank and bare, black in color. No mouth, nose or ears. Just two eyes that glowed with a mix of darkness and red. In his vision, he could see their heat signatures, their breathing and movements.

Yet they have yet to notice him.

They shall.

In due time, they shall be met with the face of grief.