Northern Mountain Region of the Void
18 years since the famine began
Ohm trudged through the snow with Chester close at his flank. The hefty Metal Rift Dragon was alert as ever, watching the dark sky with glaring, red eyes. Ohm could feel how on-edge he was, and understood it completely. The both of them stood out in the frozen, white wasteland like two stains on a new rug. It was nerve-wracking, thinking of the strong possibility one of the raiders would find them.
They'd taken a back road, leading far and away from their base (a clever idea of Buzz's.) Ohm couldn't help but shudder at Icy's reaction when he heard they were leaving to go on a search. The young Cold Rift was already a short wing, yet he still acted like the same infant Ohm had rescued some 5 years ago. The young teen was so upset, so distraught, so worried Ohm or Chester wouldn't return.
To be fair, it was a real fear to have. But, Ohm trusted Buzz's judgement. He had scouted the northern region for weeks, and there was no sign of the raiders. Regardless of those observations, though, this was something only Ohm could do. He had to do it. He had to find out if there was any hope left for his broken world. And, that hope might reside in the village of Snowslide, up ahead.
Ohm had never been to the secluded village before, and his hope was that the raiders hadn't either. It was a secretive place, practically untouched by anyone other than the stubborn natives. It was a long hike, and the frigid cold made it impossible to fly, so he and Chester had to risk leaving footprints in the heavy snow.
"There. Up ahead." Chester announced, pointing to some mountain peaks rising over the snowy slope they were marching up.
"You sure about that?" Ohm asked, not trying to doubt his close friend, but wanting a bit more affirmation.
"Positive" his deep voice answered (sounding not unlike the grinding of metal (pretty normal for his rare breed)), "All the stories say Snowslide is nestled in the peaks of the northern mountains."
"I thought they were just exaggerating."
"For a northern dragon, you sure don't seem to know how we operate."
"Well, I never said I was a quick learner when I moved here. We westerners are used to tall tales."
The two continued to joke with one another as they hiked up the rest of the slope. Ohm had to grip onto Chester's sturdy body to make it over the hill's summit (he was far better built for such conditions.) The two dragons trudged their way over the snowy highlands, towards the imposing black mountains that marked the Void's borders. Past this range was nothing but infinity, a sea of blackness and miasma as far as the eye could see.
The cold had grown ever more bitter, causing Ohm to start shivering, but he dare not turn around, not when they'd made it this far. After a long while of marching through the mountains, he was almost ready to give up, until he saw something that nearly made his eyes bulge from his head. Smoke. Smoke! Actual smoke rising from a deep crevice in the mountain.
"Chester!" Ohm shouted in shock.
"I see it. Let's go!" He answered with more veiled excitement.
Ohm quickly straddled Chester's side as he began charging toward the crater before them. Closer and closer the sight of small buildings came. And, from one of those chimneys, rose the hope of survivors just like them; dragons that could help rebuild their world. Chester charged right through the village's entrance gate before slowing. Ohm dismounted and gazed around at the town.
"Hello?" He called, "Anyone here!? Do not be afraid! We are friends!"
No answer. The village was completely silent. Chester mulled around, prodding at the doors to see if any were locked. He pushing one open, and his face immediately fell.
"Ohm" he called solemnly.
The Lightning Rift Dragon waddled over to the cottage he was addressing. He had a good idea of what Chester had found: the same thing they always found on these trips. Lying in the doorway was the body of a Cold Rift Dragon. Her scales were dim and lifeless, not a drop of fire sprang from her wings or tail, and (the smoking gun) there was a deep bite wound on her neck, indicating exactly who was responsible for her death.
Ohm couldn't help but shed a tear. It didn't matter how many bodies he saw, it always made him sick with despair.
"Dammit..." he mumbled, biting back more tears.
Chester only gave him a solemn gaze and closed the door gently, "It seems we were too late, yet again."
"Monsters. To think they got this place as well..."
"There's still the matter of the smoking chimney" Chester pointed to the smoke still billowing across the village.
Ohm wiped away his single tear and put on a face of courage (his usual visage when he was feeling depressed), "You're right. We must investigate. Even if it's a trap, we must find out if there's still hope here."
Ohm rushed off toward the cabin, Chester close behind. The building was little more than a shack at the edge of town, shackled together by loose boards and adhesive. Whoever lived here probably didn't have the best grasp on construction, and village clearly didn't help him out (or, perhaps, they weren't able to.) A skinny pillar of white smoke slowly rose from its shoddy, brick chimney, the only thing that looked somewhat competent.
Ohm knocked lightly on the door, hoping the structure wouldn't collapse from the force.
"Hello?" He called.
No answer. Ohm gently opened the door into the dark interior. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust, but, once they did, he was greeted by a pretty sorry sight. The only occupant, as far as Ohm could see, was a dead Earth Rift Dragon. He was seated firmly in a chair overlooking a dwindling fireplace. Chester came closer to inspect him, feeling his body for a possible cause of death. He looked around at all the empty harvest baskets.
"I see no bite wound. I think it's safe to say he survived any initial attack" Chester described; he had a knack for figuring these things out, "Unfortunately, seems the poor man starved to death. I'd say he died maybe a few days ago."
"I see... then... we really are too late..." Ohm said, his voice low and full of sadness.
"It would seem so, my friend."
The Metal Rift Dragon started to march out of the shed. Ohm took a few more moments to stare at the scene before him. They had been so close. Just a few more days, and they could've saved one more dragon. But, it was too late now. Another dragon, another Voidian had been snuffed from the world. He turned slowly away, but paused and gazed back at the corpse of the old Earth Rift Dragon.
He noticed his empty gaze staring directly at a spot in the floor. Ohm tightened his gaze and approached the body.
"Ohm? What's the matter?" Chester asked from the doorway.
"This dragon... I think he's looking at something..."
"Can't look at much in his condition."
"Just look at his eyes. See the way they're staring at the floor here?"
Chester came up to him and examining the body once again, this time paying closer attention to the body's line of sight.
"Hmm... You may be onto something, friend" Chester observed, "But, what would he be staring at?"
Ohm looked to the floorboards between the chair and fireplace. Then, it dawned on him.
"Chester, I need you to break these boards" Ohm commanded.
Without a second thought, Chester smashed the boards in with his blade-like wings. The boards collapsed instantly into what appeared to be a small cache beneath the hut.
"Just as I thought!" Ohm announced.
He began clearing the wreckage, and, as soon as he did, both his and Chester's jaws dropped.
"No way..." Chester muttered in disbelief.
"Yes way, my friend"
Ohm reached into the hole and pulled free a dimly-glowing egg of an Earth Rift Dragon. Ohm felt it gently, caressing the swirling brown shell in utmost excitement.
"I-i-i-it's warm... Chester! It's warm! It's alive! It's alive, and it's healthy!" Ohm cried out in joy.
Chester couldn't help but be overcome, as well, "There really is hope here... there's still a chance..."
"Yes, friend. With this egg, there's still a chance the Voidians will survive. There's still hope for the Void."
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Cover Credits
Ohm & Snacorn - DragonVale