Chapter 3: The First Hunt

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John took a cautious step out of the cavern, his small claws scraping against the rocky ground. The entrance to the cave was a narrow slit between towering stone formations, and as he emerged, he was greeted by the brilliant light of the outside world. The sun, although high in the sky, was filtered through the thick canopy of the forest that surrounded the cavern. The air was fresh and carried with it the earthy scent of the wilderness.

John blinked, his draconic eyes adjusting to the light. The forest was lush and vibrant, with trees that stretched high into the sky and a ground covered in a blanket of green. The sounds of nature filled his ears—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional distant roar of a larger predator.

He made his way toward a small puddle of water that had formed in a depression in the ground. As he approached, he was curious to see his reflection. The surface of the puddle was calm, and as he bent down to look, he saw his own image for the first time.

The dragon staring back at him was small, with dark, glossy scales that shimmered with an almost metallic sheen. His scales were primarily black, but there was a faint tint of white that gave them an iridescent quality. The effect was striking—his scales gleamed in the light, a mix of shadows and glints that spoke of power and mystery.

"Wow," John murmured, marveling at his new form. "I've got to say, I make a pretty impressive dragon."

He extended his small wings and flexed his claws, watching as the puddle rippled with the movements. Despite his size, the potential for greatness was evident in his appearance. The black scales and the faint white tint were a testament to the destructive power he had inherited.

As he admired himself, his stomach growled. The hunger was a gnawing reminder that even a dragon hatchling needed sustenance. John had heard that dragons required large amounts of food, especially when they were young and growing.

"Alright, time to find something to eat," he said, his voice rumbling softly. "But first, where is my mother?"

John had expected to find a protective figure or mentor, but the system's previous explanation came back to him.

[Black Dragons are known for their solitary nature. It is common for Black Dragon hatchlings to be left to fend for themselves. This is why Black Dragons are rare and often grow up to be powerful individuals.]

John frowned, feeling a twinge of unease. "Left to fend for myself, huh? Great. Well, I guess that means I need to get used to this on my own."

He began to explore the area surrounding the puddle, sniffing the air for any signs of prey. The forest was teeming with life, and he could hear the faint rustling of creatures moving through the underbrush. His keen senses detected the scent of an animal nearby—a faint, musky odor that indicated a herbivore.

Following the scent, he moved silently through the forest, his small claws making minimal noise on the forest floor. The undergrowth was dense, and he had to navigate carefully to avoid making too much noise. After a few moments, he spotted a small, deer-like creature grazing near a cluster of bushes. It was about the size of a large dog, with a tawny coat and delicate, slender legs.

John crouched behind a bush, his eyes locked onto his target. The animal was oblivious to his presence, its head down as it nibbled on the leaves. John's stomach growled again, urging him to act quickly.

"Okay, time to test out my abilities," he muttered, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had to catch this prey if he wanted to satisfy his hunger.

He decided to start with his claws. John slowly crept closer, positioning himself for an ambush. He bared his claws, which were sharp and deadly, even in their current small size. His wings twitched with anticipation as he prepared to pounce.

With a sudden burst of speed, John leapt from the bushes, his claws extended. He slashed at the deer-like creature, his claws raking through its soft fur and leaving deep gashes. The creature let out a startled cry and attempted to flee, but John was quick.

He followed up with a blast of flame, his breath igniting with a surprising intensity. The small flame, though not as powerful as it would become, was enough to catch the creature off guard. The fire singed its fur, and the animal stumbled, disoriented and in pain.

John pressed his advantage. He used his claws to deliver a swift, decisive strike, bringing the creature down. It struggled weakly for a moment before going still. John stood over his prey, panting slightly from the exertion. The hunt had been successful, and he felt a surge of satisfaction.

"Not bad for a first hunt," he said, inspecting the fallen creature. "I guess this is how it's going to be for a while. Gotta eat to grow, and grow to get stronger."

He bent down and began to feed, his instincts guiding him as he tore into the meat. The taste was rich and satisfying, and he could feel his strength returning with each bite. As he ate, he couldn't help but think about the journey ahead. The world of Terraxos was vast and filled with challenges, but he was determined to make the most of his new life.

As he finished his meal, he licked his claws clean and looked around the forest. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The once bright and vibrant forest was now shrouded in a more mysterious, twilight ambiance.

"Well," John said, stretching his wings. "That was a good start. I've got to keep moving, learn more about this place, and find out what it means to truly be a Black Dragon."

He set off once again, his senses alert and his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The forest of Terraxos was full of opportunities and dangers, and he was ready to face them head-on.

As he ventured deeper into the forest, he couldn't shake the feeling of excitement and anticipation. He was no longer just a fan of fantasy worlds—he was living in one, with all the challenges and adventures that came with it.

The journey of the Black Dragon had just begun, and John was determined to make his mark on the world of Terraxos, one step, one hunt, and one victory at a time.