Darkmatter Mahar
They say his name was Abend, the evening.
You wander into a dark cave, eerie silence pervading the air and a feeling as though something was watching. Strange rock formations line the inside of the cavern, hardened crystals forming off the sides after many years of exposure to the elements. You touch one and it's surprisingly warm as it starts to glow faintly. And then you hear it; a low thudding of something big moving towards you, a rumbling of an enormous beast. You quickly turn tail and run out of the cave before you have the pleasure of seeing what it was...
Abend heard the ring of the crystal - his crystal - as it was touched by something other than himself and he erupted into a gallop towards the front of his home to deal with the culprit. A huff of hot air was sent out his nostrils that flared, eyes blown wide and glowing dangerously. His whole body hummed with the call of the crystal, muscles tightening and taut; poised and ready to attack if need be. Not many ventured this far into the Sacred Lands, especially not where he had chosen to make his home.
It was duty to protect what was his, to drive unwelcome visitors from here or else he'd be no force to be reckoned with at all. Abend was solemn, much preferred to remain on his own and away from others than to be social. Perhaps that was why no one knew much about him. Just the stories of those who had maybe come a little too close to his cave or had seen him outside of it on the rare occasions that he ventured out.
Finally, the Mahar touched his scaled nose gently to the calling gem and it settled, calmed by it's protector. He rumbled deep in his broad and heavy chest, pleased that it had been unharmed, just a little frightened. The crystals were sentient, of course. They had minds, feelings and emotions just like any other being - they just weren't able to voice themselves in a language everyone could understand. That's why Abend was special... because he could understand them.
It was quiet suddenly, you noted. Whatever beast had been there before sounded like it was gone - or maybe it was just a figment of your panicked imagination. You hesitate for a moment, unsure if you should go back to see if anything was there. You had heard the stories of a dragon but nothing lived this far out in the Sacred Lands... right?
The crystal was whispering to him now, telling him the short tale of a stranger who had touched it's cool, smooth surface. Abend rumbled in response, unaware that the trespasser was lingering just outside the mouth of the cave. He settled on his smooth belly, long tail curled around himself. The color of his scales was, as people described them, like the evening sky and with the darkness inside the cave, he was nothing but a pair of orange glowing eyes. Perhaps if the stranger returned, he would be able to warn them off for good. There was nothing of interest for them here, and Abend had claimed the cave and the crystals several decades ago.
You waited a moment or so longer, the only sound was your rapidly beating heart in your chest. Creeping to the open lip of the cave, you ducked your head inside and saw - nothing. The light from outside hardly reached three feet into the cavern and even if you squinted it didn't help. The gems inside were still glowing faintly, although you hadn't noticed any orange ones where you had entered before. You suddenly feel your stomach drop to your feet and you're frozen in fear. Those weren't beautiful gems but horrifyingly open eyes, watching you and occasionally blinking. The rumors were true after all.
The beast moved like a snake ready to strike, rising to an impossibly enormous height that had your knees knocking together. It stepped into the dull light at the entrance of which you stood. A dragon-type creature, wingless and with scales that were the deepest blue and seemed to be growing the very same crystals and gems that surrounded the inside of the cave.
Eyes locked onto the human with obvious curiosity. Had this been the one that had trespassed in his home and touched his possessions? Abend stepped closer to examine the creature, nostrils flaring as he scented the air and sensed a confirmation. A rumble started in his chest, the gems responding to his call and flaring up, lighting the dim cave. How dare they! This was his own sacred ground, his home, and to have it so rudely invaded!
Oh no, he was obviously mad that you had ventured upon his cave and touched his possessions. The sudden surge of light had you squinting, raising an arm to shield yourself from the brightness. The Mahar wasn't moving, but rather the ground did when he growled at you. Steady, threatening vibrations. You suddenly realize that he was giving you a chance to leave of your own accord, and you take it.
With the stranger gone, Abend calmed immediately and the crystals did too. They were like a part of him, an extension of his mind, body and soul. His collection would continue to grow over the many years it would take the gems to grow and develop, including the ones forming between his scales. Perhaps humans were more intelligent than he gave them credit for... then again, it had been decades since he had actually had such close contact with them.
Several quiet minutes passed and the trespasser did not return. Abend lifted his heavy body and maneuvered himself to turn around and head back into the deeper parts of the cave where the light couldn't possibly hope to reach.
You had quickly run out of the cave (again) only you didn't stick around this time. You had done it! You had seen the rumored Abend and lived to tell the tale! Of course, no one would ever believe that you had seen him so close, much less that you had made it out alive. You shrug. Fame and fortune was never your intention, anyway.
credits:
coding by User not found: hiccup.
profile & story by
north free cave vector from here.
crystal vector from here.
icon by User not found: mcbeast
headshot by
Trauma reference by User not found: judge.
