Chapter 1: Breaking away

Alduin sprinted through the dark back alleys of New-Europa as fast as her scaled feet could carry her. The echoing sounds of yelling and footsteps spurred her to ignore the searing pain in her legs as the hunters pursued her. Left, right, right again, she didn’t know where she was going or what she was running toward, but all she knew now was that she couldn’t let them catch her. She had seen what they had done to others like her, those who had changed during the great merging, as they called it.

How could this happen? Where did she go wrong? Her mind reflected on the last two years and how everything had changed. In 2123, everything had been normal as it could be. Politicians arguing about the upcoming elections, people living their lives in ignorance and excess. Things had gotten better after the turn of the century. Technology excelled, and Alduin had just graduated, ready to get a job and live her life-

A searing pain in her shoulder cut her out of her thoughts. Glancing at a fresh bullet wound oozing black tinted blood. Alduin felt her vision go hazy, Nausea washing over her senses. She felt her legs buckle underneath her as she turned a corner, struggling to take another step as the pain, aching all over, caught up to her. She collapsed onto the cold, dirty concrete. The distant yelling was getting ever closer. She felt the vibrations of their thundering footsteps getting close. “So.. close.. can’t..”

She almost didn’t notice herself being dragged away as she finally blacked out.

Alduin would come to, finding herself wrapped in warm blankets and with the faint but delicious smell of cooking in the air. She rested for a few moments, enjoying the cosiness for a few moments before the memory of the last few hours caught registered in her brain. Her eyes widened as she shot up into a sitting position, finding herself in a wholly unfamiliar room. Yellow painted walls surrounded this small bedroom she was in, sparsely furnished. With only a bed and locker to the right of it. Alduin attempted to push off the covers but felt a sharp twinge in her arm as she did. Pulling her shirt up revealed that it had been bandaged and cleaned up. Very recently, too, by the cleanliness of the bandages.

Gingerly pulling herself out of the bed. Her legs were still sore, but she could stand, and she hobbled over to the window. This part of the city is completely unfamiliar. Looking down at the streets below. Alduin’s eyes widened as she saw the streets filled with creatures like her. Centaurs, slimes, lizardfolk, satyrs and many more that she couldn’t even name. She stumbled backward and sat on the bed. 

A mix of confusion and joy fogged her brain. She wanted to cry, tears of joy or sadness, she didn’t know. She had finally made it past the walls. The city of Kulvinar, where people like her, that the merging had changed into creatures of myth could live, the fastest constructed city in the world- “. A soft knock on the door snapped her out of her spiralling thoughts yet again. She quickly wiped her eyes and tried to compose herself. Opening her mouth to speak, she quickly shut it again as the door opened. A tall, imposing man walked in. White scales coated his muscled body, his face thinning into a muzzle and sharp horns sprouting from the top of his head, one brown eye, the other red and glowing, gazed at her for a few moments. Before a big smile spread across his maw. “You're awake! Good! I was afraid you would be asleep all day.”

Alduin's lips were dry, her nerves were shot. Questions raced through her mind. “I-. Well. Where.. Where am I? What happened to the Hunters I was.. How-!”

He held up his hand to silence her. He approached her and knelt in front of her. Placed a flask of something on the bedside locker. He gingerly reached out, placing his hand on her good shoulder. He gazed into Alduin’s overwhelmed, watering eyes.

“I found you passed out and bleeding just outside the northern wall. Right now, you are in Big-Home… Were-rats named it.” He chuckled at her perplexed look before continuing “I couldn’t let the hunters take another life. I managed to drag you into a safehouse before they reached you. I know you probably have more questions, but right now, I need you to rest. “ He reached out for the flask, picked it up and gently put it into her hand, closing her fingers around it for her. “This elixir was made by my sister. It will help heal that bullet wound... no promises on the taste, though. “He let out a low chuckle, manoeuvring himself, he sat down next to Alduin on the bed, the resin frame creaking under his weight.

Alduin would gingerly raise the flask to her maw and sniff it. It smelled faintly of strawberries, or at least the artificial ones that were sold in stores. She would raise it to her lips and down it all in one go. An acrid taste filled her mouth as she did. She spluttered and coughed as the dragon next to her chuckled and gently patted her back.

“Ugh, that was horrible!..” She paused as she felt the pain begin to fade “But I’m already feeling a bit better.. Thank you” Alduin tilted her head up to look at the dragon, who returned her gaze with a kind smile, revealing a row of sharp teeth. Even after seeing such kindness, she found that intimidating. She would gingerly reach out her hand to him, which he would take with gusto, his grip tight as he shook her hand. “My name is Octavius.” “A-Alduin.. it’s a pleasure to meet you”

“Glad we’ve gotten introductions out of the way. Now, are you able to stand?” Octavius asked with a tilt of his head. Alduin nodded in return. Demonstrating as she stood up, albeit a bit shakily. She jumped in fright as a sudden crash was heard from outside the door. She saw another dragon laying face down on the floor just outside the door. This dragoness looked similar to Octavius, sharing his white scales, However her eyes were a striking blue and her horns were a different shape entirely.

“Silver! Were you eavesdropping? I told you we needed to give her some space and time before meeting more people.”

The dragoness scoffed before clambering to her feet, brushing off her body. “You're exaggerating again. Her brain isn’t going to explode or anything from seeing another person like herself.” Silver would strut confidently into the room, quickly grabbing Alduin’s good hand and giving it a strong shake with both hands. “Names Silver, I’m Octavius’s big sister You’re Alduin right? Nice name. Sounds intimidating, especially with those black horns and scales of yours. I thi-“

“Silver!” Octavius crossed his arms and gave her a smouldering look, his eyebrows furrowing, a white glow emanating from his maw and a low snarl from his throat. Silver would let go of Alduin’s hand and cross her arms. her voice going low in a warning tone “We have guests Oct, reign it in.. You don’t want to give her a bad impression do you?”

Alduin’s gaze flicked between the siblings. The tension is almost palpable. Long moments passed before Octavius let out a huff and crossed his arms and averted his gaze “Fine, just listen to me next time.”

“You know that's not going to happen.” She said with a smirk before clapping her hands together and spinning on her heel “Now, I'm making some food. Hope you like fish!”  She strode out of the room and could be heard going down stairs. Silence hung in the air for a few moments before Octavius sighed and started toward the door. Taking on a brighter tone “Let’s get you fed then I’ll have Silver show you around.”

“I.. Alright then.” Alduin stuttered out before briskly walking beside him. Outside the room was a cramped hallway, two other rooms and a stairway down. That she would follow Octavius down the stairs.