Epilogue

Pyro was approaching his nest. It was a tall mountain several miles from the ocean. It was surrounded by smaller hills and plenty of greenery. Dragons buzzed around it casually. Pyro had been flying for a week. He was happy to be home but also nervous. His alpha wasn't going to be happy about him taking off like he did. He figured he'd find her and apologize first thing. He flew into the mountain. The center of it was hallow and very spacious. Smaller caves and tunnels branched off the center at various levels. There was plenty of room for many dragon to fly around. Pyro suspected the mountain used to be a volcano. He flew to the alpha's cave and landed at the entrance. He announced his arrival. The alpha dragon approached him. She was a Night Fury, bigger then the one Pyro had seen back at Dragon's Edge. She had honey golden eyes, she did not look happy.

"Pyro, where in Draco's name have you been?" she snapped.

"I am sorry Windwalker," Pyro said. "My rival's mate laid eggs and I..."

"Enough," Windwalker interrupted. "I don't need to hear the rest. I didn't unlock your titan wing just so you could attack the first helpless dragons you meet."

"Yes ma'am," said Pyro. "I won't happen again."

"If it does don't even think about coming back," Windwalker said. Pyro nodded in understanding. Just then Windwalker's rider, Chris, came up to see what the argument was about.

Chris was a young man that had been with dragons since he was a baby. He had short black hair, tan skin, large ears, and brown eyes. He wore a dark colored shirt, black trousers, black leather boots, and a black leather trench coat with seal fur on the sleeve cuffs. On his waist were his twin swords. Windwalker had brought him to her nest when he was twelve years old. The two of them had met while trapped in a prison camp. They had helped each other, and countless other prisoners, escape. While on route to the mountain, Chris told Windwalker he had been separated from his family by the stormy sea. He had been rescued by sea dragons, then left all alone. That night still haunted him. He made a deal with Windwalker; if he helped her nest defeat a powerful enemy, then she would take him back to his family.

"Hey, Pyro," Chris said.

"Hello Chris," Pyro said.

"Where were you all this time?" Chis asked. Windwalker sat on her haunches, calming down.

"I was on an island in the archipelago where the vikings live," said Pyro.

"Vikings?" said Windwalker. "I've heard of vikings, they're not friendly to dragons."

"The ones on that island were," Pyro said. "They rode dragons just like you Chris." Both Chris and Windwalker lit up at this news. They exchanged a glance.

"There are other dragon riders?" Chris asked. Pyro nodded.

"Come in and tell us all about them," said Windwalker said. The three of them went into the cave, which was the largest in the nest. They sat around the campfire.

"Well, there were seven dragon riders on that island," Pyro began. "I don't know their names. There was a blond girl on a blue Nadder, a husky boy on a brown Gronkle, two identical humans on a Zippleback, a black haired boy on a red-orange Monstrous Nightmare, and a shaggy boy with one leg on a Night Fury." Windwalker's ears perked up.

"A Night Fury?" she said.

"Yes," said Pyro. "Male, slightly younger than you ma'am. The seventh rider was very different. She told her name but I can't remember for some reason. She looked older than the others. Wow, was she beautiful. I remember her the most."

"Describe her," said Windwalker.

"Well she was slightly shorter than Chris," Pyro said. "Light golden brown hair, emerald green eyes, wore green and blue and a black hat. She had a thin scar on her cheek, barely visible." Chris sat up with a furrowed brow.

"She sounds familiar," he said. "What else can you remember about her?" Pyro racked his memory.

"Well her skin was very soft," he said. "Oh yeah, and she could speak Dragontongue like you Chris." Chris looked surprised.

"Serenity," he said almost to himself.

"Yeah that's right," Pyro said remembering suddenly. "Wait, you know her?" Both dragons looked at him.

"She's my childhood friend," Chris said. "It's been several years since I saw her last."

"Oh, this is the girl you talk about all the time," said Windwalker. Chris nodded.

"Well, if she's yours I would consider you very lucky," said Pyro.

"What was she like?" Chris asked.

"She was very kind," Pyro said. "Very sweet, and so gentle."

"She hasn't changed very much then," Chris said. "She always was very lovely. She's all grown up now I bet." Pyro nodded with a smile.

"Do you think you could find that island again?" Chris asked.

"No, sorry," said Pyro. "I don't even remember the direction to go." Chris's face fell. Windwalker nuzzled him sympathetically.

"Thank you Pyro, you may go," she said. Pyro nodded once then left the cave. Chris's mind was in the past with Serenity. He could remember everyday he spent with her, and longing to see her again.

"You okay?" Windwalker asked. Chris sighed.

"I wish she was here," he said.

"I know you do," said Windwalker said. "But this place is too dangerous for her."

"Do you think she misses me?" Chris said.

"I know she does," Windwalker said. "At least you know she's alive."

"That's true," Chris agreed. "But the problem is that she doesn't know that I'm alive." He closed his eyes and let his mind going back in time. Windwalker knew what he was thinking.

"You're going to see her again," she said strongly. "I promise you that. You'll see all your family again." Chris laid down on his pile of animal furs. Windwalker warmed her spot and laid next to him. The cave became silent. Chris soon fell asleep, hoping to at least see Serenity in his dreams. He was out in seconds.

When he opened his eyes he was in a dark room. It was large and round. Moonlight streamed in through the windows. Chris didn't recognize the room. He looked around. His eyes rested on a bed next to the wall. There was a window next to it. The light from the moon illuminated the person in the bed. It was Serenity, Chris would know her anywhere. She was laying on her back. Her face was washed with silver light. Chris remembered one of the fairy tales they used to read when they were kids, Sleeping Beauty. He remembered reading about the prince finding the fair maiden in her enchanted sleep and waking her up with true love's kiss. Chris approached her and sat on the side of the bed. He gently touched her face, she felt so real. He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to hers. He pulled back slightly after a few minuets. She didn't wake but she was still breathing.

"Don't lose hope Serenity," he whispered. "We'll be together again, someday. I love you." He kissed her one last time. Then he got up and left.

He woke up back in Windwalker's cave. He sat up thinking about the dream. Windwalker woke up and saw him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I saw her," Chris said. "She was sleeping. She was very beautiful." Windwalker nuzzled him. He hugged her head.

"She must be some girl," Windwalker said. "You've been dreaming about here ever since I brought you here."

"She is," Chris said. "I love her."

"You'll see her again," Windwalker said. "Before you know it." They were quiet as they went back to sleep.

"Good night, Serenity," Chris whispered as he drifted off.

Back on Dragon's Edge, Serenity woke up in her yurt. It was dark except for beams of moonlight coming through the windows. She looked over at Tenor. He had decided to sleep that night instead of hunting and fishing.

"Tenor," she called to him. Tenor opened his eyes and sat up.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I saw him Tenor," Serenity said. "He was sitting here on the bed." She put her hand on the spot where Chris had been. Tenor got to his feet and went up to her.

"What did he do?" he asked. Serenity thought back.

"He kissed me," she said. "Like in Sleeping Beauty." Tenor nuzzled her face. She stroked his snout.

"You miss him," he said. Serenity nodded. "And I'm sure he misses you."

"I love him," Serenity said.

"I'm sure he's watching you right now," Tenor said. "And you'll one day join him in the Dragon's Heaven."

"That's something to look forward to," Serenity said. "But for now, You'll have to do." Tenor chuckled.

"You should go back to sleep," he said. "It'll be good for you." Serenity smiled at him and kissed his snout. He laid down next to the bed. Serenity laid back down. Tenor fell asleep before she did. She slowly drifted off.

"Good night, Chris," she whispered as her eyes closed.