All around him, everything was far too warm. Just beyond the hard surface he was encased within, warm and tender, there was the unpleasant sensation of heat. Across his squirming body, deep beneath his surface- it was all encompassing. It was hateful.

  Then, for a time after, it was all he knew. At times, the very world seemed to tremble, settling into a different, equally as uncomfortable position before once again going still. Heat, change, stillness. Curling inwards against himself, for there was no other motion, a strange thing occurred.

  There must be more than this. He thought, the still tender appendages across his shoulders twitching. It seemed… What was the word? Dull? Here, there was nothing. For the first time, he felt his eyes draw back, witness the warm darkness of the enclosed space. It did not stimulate the want for more as he had expected- but that was alright.

  Just a little bit longer, and then- well, he wasn’t entirely sure what would happen. All around, the space seemed to shrink, until the very edges of his form pressed against the walls, threatening to either suffocate or give way. A change would

  happen, but after…

  What then? He thought, wearily making a noise that earned a frantic noise from beyond where he remained. High pitched in nature, something tapped along the outside.

  You get out or you die. The thought itself was strange, stirring fear within his tiny heart. However, it was the most logical. He could not remain here, within this enclosed space, forever.

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  He did not want to, which was an odd notion. There was nothing familiar beyond this- beyond the enclosed space, but he yearned for it.

  Drawing back his long soundly neck, the insides of the enclosure cracked with a slight peck, the sounds outside growing more and more frantic. When the tapping pressed along the newly made fracture, he had considered drawing back. Something else is out there. It wishes to welcome me.

  Desperate in its hope, he trilled; I’m here! I’m here! Welcome Me. Hold me. It was a desire not felt before, but as light filtered in through the growing gap in the shell, such a thing was entirely welcome.

  The world would be cruel, it would be scary- did he not deserve a chance? To be protected? To be loved?

  He thought he did. Such a thing was obvious.

  More and more, the egg splintered, until his tiny head freed itself from the egg and-

  “ Rejoice! It is born! “ The king exclaimed, pushing his daughter forward onto the grandiose pedestal. Irene had hardly noticed a change in the Great artefact in the previous months, save for a garish crack along its pale white surface- but she had been told by a lady in waiting that it was simply how reptiles hatched.

  Beyond their mother’s womb she thought, looking ahead blankly and wondering if such a practice would’ve saved countless to be mothers. Still, Mankind had nothing but pride for one another, and such thoughts were rather silly for a Heir to the throne to have.

  Her father would be mad, if he knew that she was thinking on subjects that were not the hatching of their fated great Drake; he would not notice, too busy coping at the pale hatchling, but staring into its deep blue eyes…

  Had it known, somehow? Babies, in her option, were quite useless and dim witted. However, even with only part of it free from its egg, the beast stared straight at her.

  I know what you are It seemed to say, pupils narrowed into slits. Which was impossible, but Irene had once dreamt of being a storyteller to all. Even now, being prepared to take the throne, it had seemed that such experiences did not leave.

  He has his dragon, now. No one else will underestimate us.