Carloa blinked open his eyes, his brain foggy as he struggled to remember where he was. As his vision cleared, he gasped, pulling himself backwards into a corner, as if he was a child caught stealing candy. The moonlight was blocked by a silhouette, a cloaked figure. Squinting, he was unable to determine who, or what, this was. Just a dream...All just a dream. Right...? He self consciously pinched himself, Ow–definitely not a dream! Finally, he forced himself to look at the figure, whom pulled down her hooded cloak, revealing her striking blue eyes. "What they did to you, is wrong. You want revenge, you feel anger, pain; regret. It's all normal, it's a part of being human. I have watched you suffer throughout the years; no friends? Until your dragon." How does she, how did she?–What? Thoughts swirled throughout his head as his gaze widened, he offered a slight nod. "Yes. I do. But it's not their fault..." he answered earnestly. "Correct. But–this "war" as you call it; isn't just because of the dragons. A powerful being, as I call it. Plans to destroy both human and dragon kind all together. You kid, are the first to attempt this. To attempt to bring both kinds together."

She's attempting to make me feel better... "No! I screwed everything up! Altostratus has been captured, I've been disowned, considered a "traitor"! Is this really what you think I am? A hero? I am no hero! I haven't done anything right!" He looked away; crossing his arms the best he could. "No. You've made a few mistakes, but you're pure hearted." "Pure hearted"? Pffft. He rolled his eyes; disbelieving. "Go, save your dragon. Before it's too late." With that; the figure left the cell; and the sound of wing beats followed. Carloa sat, utterly stunned, he was...Free? But he was a prisoner in his own home! An outcast! Could he really save his dragon? How could he? He was only one, against hundreds? The whole island? He would be slaughtered.

Unless, Altostratus met him halfway. He froze at the entrance; poking his head around the corner. The guard. A single guard; lay sprawled across the dirt; his helmet bent as his chest rose repeatedly. Wow. Not bright. At all. He smirked, stepping out of his former prison; and looked to the woods. Altostratus would find him. She always did. He was still nervous; his hands were trembling. He hated the dark. Absolutely hated it. But the woods made it worse. He took a deep breath; focused on placing one foot in front of the other; repeating the process. He paused as a twig snapped; heavy footsteps behind him. Fearing his life, he ran, the thing followed; pinning him to the ground, and opening its jaws. To give him a slobbering kiss? He fell back in relief; staring up at the grey dragon. "She freed you too, didn't she?" Altostratus nodded; her blue eyes searching his own brown ones; backing off of him. "You're still hurt..." "It doesn't matter. It can always be fixed later." She shrugged her shoulders; limping in a circle around him, before flopping down. Now what? Cloaked figure freed us both... She mused; resting her chin on her paws as Carloa leaned against her flank. Gingerly, she wrapped her tail around him; shutting her eyes as she drifted off. Carloa smiled. Looking through the crowns of the trees. A powerful being, as I call it. Plans to destroy both human and dragon kind all together. You kid, are the first to attempt this. To attempt to bring both kinds together... Carloa repeatedly muttered the figures words, before he too, drifted to sleep.

. . .

Hey! Happy 4oJ! It's a big thing where I am!!! So, enjoy your 4oJ! Even if it isn't important to you, I hope you enjoy your day/night anyway! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!