by Noah Harris
Barry gasped as the dragon roared closer, throwing himself into the ocean just seconds before he surely would have been snatched up by the gaping mouth. Gasping for air as he surfaced, he kept his eyes on the enormous dragon that flew through the darkened sky. It flew several yards past him only to turn back sharply for another pass, aiming directly at the churning water where Barry struggled to stay afloat. Huge waves parted as the dragon skimmed the surface of the ocean, open-mouthed once more. Barry scrambled onto the raft, nearly flipping it as it was tossed by the waves. The dragon swooped by once more, just barely missing its target.
Flying upwards it looked down at Barry with cold hatred in its blue eyes. Barry clung to the mast, shouting in horror as some of his food stores tumbled into the ocean below. He reached out for it, but to no avail. In the dark of the stormy night, it would never be found. With the screeching of the Brass Dragon overhead, Barry knew he had bigger problems.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” Barry cried against the howling winds at the very top of his ragged voice. The dragon held himself aloft in the air and let his mighty wings continue to flap, purposely making the waves churn and toss with each powerful beat. The skin around his face pulled up as he looked down at Barry, bearing a wicked, haughty grin filled with angular teeth, just waiting to tear him to tiny shreds. Barry gulped with anticipation, his body shivering from cold and fear.
“You, a mere human, calling out to me?” the dragon’s voice boomed like thunder, but his tone was a piercing tenor that matched the sneer on his face. He swooped down again, extending his wing to let it skid on the surface of the water as he flew in circles around the tiny raft. As the waves were stirred, the raft began to spin and bob, flinging more of his supplies over the side, and leaving Barry to cling desperately to the mast as the world spun around him.
“You dare to challenge me and my excellency?”
More spray doused Barry in a deluge of cold, salty water. Breathing heavily he fought to keep his composure, spitting out the water that hit him.
“Challenge you? No! I didn’t even know you existed!” Barry cried out in protest, a shiver in his voice.
“Didn’t know I existed!?” the dragon echoed, a flare of anger in his voice. He swooped back up from the ocean’s waves, looking down at Barry with hatred in his eyes. “I have existed for eons, carving my territory in my own image! You are but a worthless speck in the stream of time, and yet you have the gall to say that I don’t exist?”
“I...I...Look, whatever I did, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you—”
“Only I may fly over these waters! You sealed your fate the moment you defied my will!”
“I’m not even flying, I—”
“Oh, but you have,” he taunted, as he arched back his head. “I never forget the face of one that defies me! You may have hidden from me, but in the end, I always catch my game!”
Before Barry could say another word, the dragon let out an ear-splitting screech that made the seas rumble and toss, shooting huge waves towards the raft that bobbed precariously on the churning black waters. Barry braced himself as his heart raced in his chest, waiting for the dragon to grow closer. As he felt the impact coming, he ducked down on the raft. The wind from the dragon tore him off of the deck, but before he could go tumbling into the water, he took a lucky grab at the tail that swung about behind the beast, and hung on. He wrapped his arms and legs around the long tail as he inched his way up, holding on with every ounce of strength he had left in his body.
The dragon stopped in mid-air as he realized his mouth was still empty, and he was feeling a weight on his enormous tail. He felt something crawling up his tail and now on his back. With his mouth empty and the raft now bobbing about without a soul on board, he thrashed wildly in the air as he felt the body crawling up his back. Barry clung to the bony spines, bucking and arching his body ducking his head and moving to a new spine as the dragon’s tail swatted in an ill-fated attempt to reach him. Barry did everything he could to hold on as the dragon fought to shed him, flustered as the tiny man hung on in his blind spot.
Tilting his head back, the dragon tossed and turned, even spiraling through the water trying to wash him off. But Barry hung on tight, through the sheer strength of his own determination.
“Fool! You’re only delaying the inevitable by avoiding me!” the dragon screeched in frustration. He tilted back his head ready to let out another howling screech, releasing a pillar of blazing light from the back of his mouth up into the sky. It shot through the dark clouds leaving Barry momentarily blinded. The dragon continued to thrash and shake, swatting at himself and spraying the surrounding sky with blinding beams of hot light. Barry felt himself growing weaker the longer he held onto the bucking dragon. His arms began to tremble as they wrapped around one of the spines. They grew weak, shaking with cold and fear, he could feel all the energy leaving his body. He felt a glimmer of pride that he had delayed it as long as he had. If he had to die this way, he could at least say he went out fighting…a dragon nonetheless. His arms went limp and he began to slip.
A booming roar echoed through the air, followed by a swift jolt coursing through the dragon, pushing Barry from its back to fall freely to the ocean below. As he fell his eyes widened as he saw the scene being played out above him. The brass dragon winced in pain, folding over himself, bent like a protractor as Xanathen’s head bashed into his soft underbelly.
“Xanathen!” Barry cried out weakly as he plummeted towards the sea. Xanathen glanced behind the brass dragon and dived down as his foe recomposed himself. Still falling, Barry landed on a familiar snout with a harsh thud. Looking around, Barry was completely stunned as he found himself looking into Xanathen’s bright golden eyes. He slid down the middle of his face and to the back of his neck, holding on as tight as he could.
“Oh, what’s this?” the brass dragon, fully composed now and towering over the both of them, chuckled. “A little wyrmling wants to help the human? I thought your clan was disposed of years ago! No matter. If you wish to die with this human, I can adjust my plans.”
The brass dragon’s eyes narrowed at Xanathen, and his mouth opened wide, releasing another bolt of searing hot fire in their direction. Xanathen dodged it, the flames only barely touching the scales on his hide. Barry felt the heat and winced in fear. He had never thought of Xanathen as small before, until he saw the brass dragon and his colossal wingspan.
The two dragons sailed through the open skies, circling each other as they each let out roars of their own until the sky was nothing more than chaotic winds and howling shrieks. Barry couldn’t make out the world below them. All the sounds and the winds had deafened and blinded him. He could feel the diving and swooping, and the intensity of the surroundings made it nearly unbearable. He still felt the need to continue watching as he hung on as best he could.
They tore into each other, jousting in the skies, racing past one another, each lunge barely making a dent in the other. Their claws dug in, scraping against hides and into whatever soft spots they had exposed. Blood began to trickle down their bodies, splattering on their claws, drenching them both in a dark red sheen. Sharp teeth were bared as they clamped onto each other, shaking each other viciously. The intensity of the combat shook the two dragons violently, loosening the grip Barry had on Xanathen. He felt his hands moisten and shake as every part of him began to fail. He couldn’t hold on for much longer. His entire body went limp and, losing his hold on Xanathen, he fell from the sky once again.
Xanathen turned back when he felt Barry fall, gasping in panic. The brass dragon smirked at his chance, letting the ball of fire form at the back of his mouth, he charged, setting his sights on Barry. Xanathen tore downwards, diving for his falling lover as fast as his wings would allow him in the hectic storm. His jaws reached out for Barry, attempting to get himself closer and hold him. He grasped him gently in his jaw just as he was about to hit the water.
The gray dragon felt a white-hot pain sear over his body in a
flash of blinding light. He felt his entire body sizzle from the inside out, as if all of his organs were on fire and melting their way out of his body. His scales even felt fried to the core, ready to peel off in a matter of seconds. He winced in agony, his jaw dropping as Barry tumbled out of his care with a plop into the water. Xanathen grimaced as his breathing became labored and his blood poured into the ocean. His eyes closed as his wings went limp, and he fell into the ocean with a thunderous splash.
The brass dragon laughed as he looked down at the two of them lying weakly in the water below. An easy kill for him now, no doubt. He hadn’t expected this much of a fight, but it was still no challenge to one of his prowess.
Barry tiredly swam over to Xanathen, rocking in the waves and nudging him pleadingly.
“Xanathen, wake up. You gotta wake up! Please!”
The brass dragon continued to look down at the two, and while it looked like the end, only he would decide when it was over. With eyes shining with a fevered bloodlust, he fanned out his wings and began to tear towards the two.
“Xanathen, I’m sorry. If I have to go, I’m happy it’s with you. I love you,” Barry said softly.
The big dragon swooped lower and lower, ready to tear the two apart. Barry closed his eyes as he held onto Xanathen, bracing himself for the end. A wave of peace rushed over him as he ran his tired, tingling fingers over his lover’s scales. It was a familiar feeling that he had come to associate with happiness and peace. With Xanathen at his side, an end like this was better than dying alone in the sea. He took a deep final breath as he awaited the impact.
There was a pause in the air. No pain or endless darkness surrounded him. Only a loud howl and the sloshing of the water around him. He cautiously opened an eye, then stopped in awe as he looked before him. The brass dragon’s eyes bugged out in shock and pain, barely able to make a sound other than pained retching. Xanathen’s neck extended as he bit down and clamped his sharp teeth around the throat of the brass dragon, engulfing the neck in his mouth. Blood pooled from the wounded dragon’s throat and filled Xanathen’s mouth as he continued to bite down and tear. The brass dragon thrashed trying to ignore the pain of his neck being pierced or snapped in two. Xanathen’s eyes burned with fury as he dragged his head under water, bringing the long neck down with him. The brass dragon’s eyes went wide with panic as he sunk into the water, still desperately thrashing about. Barry swam backwards as he watched bubbles of air reach the surface. He watched in panic as the bubbles stopped. Holding his breath as he waited for the victor to arise from the murky deep.
Suddenly, he felt himself begin to rise from the water, a hard body under him holding him above the surface. Xanathen’s head emerged from the water, and held Barry up as high as he could, his wings pushing him through the water. He tried desperately to calm his ragged breathing. Every bit of him was either burning or aching to the bone, but he continued to push onwards until Barry tumbled safely onto the raft.
Xanathen gave a final gasp and sank into the ocean. Barry reached in after him with his exhausted arms, trying to cling onto something, anything. Finally a wet hand reached out, grasping his and held tight. Barry pulled with all his might and Xanathen was pulled limply onto the raft as a man, coughing out salt water and holding his hand over his wounds. The two lay limply, side by side, as they caught their breath. Their hands continued to hold onto each other’s as the storm began to die down.
“Xanathen. You...you came for me,” Barry breathed.
“I couldn’t lose you. The island was emptier than ever with you gone. Besides…you were right,” Xanathen said, wincing in pain. “Gotta...gotta try new things.”
“What about your clan? And their legacy?”
“Heh...Heh...I just defeated the elder of our rival clan, didn’t I?” a pained smirk spread on his face. “I think...I think my ancestors will let me go for that one.”
“I...”
“I love you too,” Xanathen said, rolling himself over onto his side.
“I kinda gathered that from you coming to save me,” Barry chuckled, as he pulled Xanathen’s head to rest on his lap.
Barry looked down lovingly at Xanathen. A brilliant white grin forced its way through the pain as he looked up at Barry with affection. Barry’s fingers combed through Xanathen’s wet hair as he stroked him gently. Their eyes locked and the rest of the world seemed to melt away. Barry leaned in and pressed his lips to Xanathen’s, cupping his face tenderly as he kissed him. Xanathen, tired and weak as he was, held Barry as tightly as he could, letting his hand run down his back. All felt right with the world as they shared a kiss.
As they separated their lips, Xanathen guided Barry to his lap with a trembling arm. Barry carefully straddled his crotch and kept eye contact, looking adoringly at him.
“Much better,” Xanathen chuckled, as his hand drifted to Barry’s chin and led him to his face.
“I mean...are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Just go easy on me,” he smiled pleasantly, looking up at Barry as he pulled him in for another kiss.
Their lips met once again and their drenched bodies warmed each other. They held each other close, letting their hands freely, yet softly, explore each other’s familiar bodies, as if to reassure themselves the reunion was real. Xanathen’s firm body felt like it was in the perfect position as it pressed against Barry’s soft, smooth skin. Their lips parted and their tongues began to gently intertwine, slowly at first, then more passionately. They warmly touched and massaged each other as their hands moved to hold each other.
Xanathen’s finger tenderly went down Barry’s chin to his throat and etched down his chest, until he finally reached Barry’s waist. He held on and began to push and pull, guiding his lover to grind into his now-swelling manhood. Barry flushed as he felt the hard bulge pushing against him. Remembering Xanathen flying through the sky to save his life sent a pulse of lust through his body. He felt himself tingle with desire as he looked down at Xanathen, so sweet and loving. His golden eyes seemed to say there was nowhere on earth he would rather be than with him.
Barry pushed Xanathen down on the raft, kissing the side of his face and neck repeatedly as Xanathen firmly gripped his supple buttocks. Barry whispered in his ear, “You don’t need to move. Tonight, let me please you.”
Xanathen’s eyes widened a bit, then softened with intrigue as he let Barry do the work from on top. They continued to let their warm tongues sensually graze down their bodies, teasing each other with sweet nothings. Barry’s body grew warm with desire as Xanathen continued to grab his butt, smacking it firmly. With each slap, he felt his want grow more intense. Barry wanted nothing more than to please him as they rocked atop the little raft.
Barry arranged himself, turning away and sitting on Xanathen’s large penis until the tip of his dick slipped into his waiting ass. He felt a familiar sensation of pleasure flow through his body. Slowly, he rocked back and forth on Xanathen, moving rhythmically with the motion of the sweeping waves below them. As he looked back he could see Xanathen’s face burning with pleasure and passion. Though weak from the fight, he still craved more of Barry and was willing to give whatever he could.
Barry thrust against Xanathen, burying his big cock deeper. He felt himself building more and more with an intense internal heat, only to momentarily cool down as the raft rocked on the now calm seas. Salt water splashed and sprayed across their hot bodies as they moved harder against each other. The chill of the water didn’t slow them down, instead it stimulated their bodies as the cold cooled the piping hot lovers. Xanathen’s manhood began to engorge with desire as his entire body drew closer until he erupted inside Barry with a loud roar. His hands desperately clung to Barry’s sides, holding him in place as he climaxed. He weakly loosened his hold, content with the feeling of satisfaction.
Barry thrust back as long as Xanathen remained hard, and finally burst with his own climax. All the feelings of pleasure joined together as one and overcame his entire body, leavi
ng him spent and complete. He joined Xanathen who lay by his side and nestled in his arms.
The ocean rocked beneath them and lulled their tired bodies. Their bodies fused together until they became one. Their heartbeats seemed to synchronize into a single, steady beat. While the world ahead held many things for them to address, this moment was just for the two of them. They would face those troubles another day. For this night, the world was theirs as they rested wearily in each other's arms.
They rose with the sun the next day on their small raft with only each other and the glimmering promise of a new day. The sun beat down on the sparkling blue waters as if with a promise for the two of them. Xanathen and Barry rose to their feet and examined the horizon hopefully as they considered the potential future that lay ahead. They only nodded, gave each other a quick kiss and released their hands.
Xanathen’s wings spread wide as he turned back to his enormous scaly self and began to glide against the water’s surface. Barry placed himself on his back and held on tight as they skidded across the water’s surface, letting the salty spray fly past them as they flew towards the shore and whatever lay ahead. They would soon have to give up Xanathen’s shape and wash ashore as ordinary men, but for the time being they were flying.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bright sun beat down on the brilliant saffron shore as the crowds of people wandered aimlessly about. The air was filled with the busy sound of people living their daily lives. Bits of conversations were interspersed with the sounds of the waves, and occasional bursts of laughter mixed with the sounds of traffic that tore by on the black asphalt. The world seemed alive and vibrant, buzzing with activity.
