This is it.
Claws grabbed at the sand below them, anxious to start.
It's happening.
Growls and hisses rose up from the quiet, hoping to begin early.
I can do this.
The banner raised, ready to swing down to start everyone off. More hisses and warning declarations snaked through the air.
Just don't mess up.
"Wyverens!" The masses tensed in anticipation, ready for what was coming.
C'mon already!

The Wyveren to my right shook off an unfortunate bug. Their thick metallic scales glimmered in the light as she smashed the little hopper. The bronze horn lining had yet to catch the sun just right. Her build was mostly like mine, only slightly more bulky. The pumpkin orange wings were thinner than mine, but they had an extra layer between the webbing. The silver claws had scorch, burn, and fresh bug marks, with thick tiger-orange scales padding her feet. This was the basic build of a one of Metal. Her bronzen tail wacked against my tan, making both the harden clubs ring out.

"Sorry about that. You got first time jitters?" They asked, wiping insect guts off her claw.
"Y-Yes." I stuttered.
"Well, don't worry. You'll get at least one." The female perked.

"At your start!" The line surged a step and prepared to spring off the sand as the flag bearer announced.

Oh crap.
I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for this.

"Stop the chit-chat, and Drop the flag already! And don't either of you two think you can steal Veraninium from me." Demanded the Wyveren to my left. I turned to the one of Water.

Her scales shone deep blue, and her horn lining was that cerulean shade. Her jaw was longer than most, but only by a claw. She sported the little horn that all the Wyverens had since hatch on her small nose. Her underside of the jaw was a brighter blue, much like a river. Moving down past the green gills to her front and midsection, the wings were wide with thicker webbing. A slim chest kept two long front legs apart. Small sea-green fins marked her upper and lower leg. At the elbow was another horn that all Lastrians had. The four-fingered hands were shared as well, but only those of the Water had webbing. The webbing was seaweed-green, which was outdone by the shiny silver claws and the end of each finger.
Her large fin flared up and down across her spine, ready to start the match. The tail reacted the same, flaring its fins this way and that. The teal bioluminescent swirls on her midsection's underside lit up.

"Don't worry, I don't want him."
She snarled as the flag bearer tensed.
"Neither do I. I have my sights on Jermanious. Who are you hoping for, one of Earth?"
"Eh, I don't know. I'll take what I can get."
"Alright, and guess who's got their snout pointed your way?" She asked slyly.
"Who?" I responded, now curious.
She laughed," You'll just have to wait and SeEe!"
"What's your name?"
"Oh me? I'm Ironivium. What's yours?"
One of Water interrupted," Well if were getting all nice and friendly for a competitive event, then my name is Avuadius. Good luck, Verens."
"Well, that's rude. And by the way, I'm Aulsyphite."
"Nice to meet you, even though I might not see you again."
"Thanks, and I hope you impress Jermanious."
"Welcome, and I hope your secret lover finds you."

The flag came down with a dragon roar. The team of 10 Wyverens all left the line to start the first challenge: Running.

I always hated running, mainly because I was more suited for digging and carrying boulders. Crawling and climbing I can do, just not running.
My claws grabbed at the sand, desperate for traction. Sliding through the sand, I quickly lost my position. Avuadius was the first to charge by, then a one of Light. Then a one from the Bleak, the Pits, the Towers, the Forest, and Ironivium from the Forge. I fought with the one of Metal before the sand gave way again. She trekked ahead, tieing me with a one of Shadow. She hissed at me, her purple-void stripes lighting up.
C'mon. I can't be last. Not until we reach the wall.
I looked ahead, chest heaving, and saw one from the Highlands beat Avuadius to the rock wall.
Of course one of Air would get there the quickest. But I am amazed by Avuadius, she really wants to impress her wanna-be mate. Wonder where he's from?
I came up to leaping distance from the face. Doing so, I grabbed ahold of the vertical rock and began climbing. The poor one of Fire and one of Ice; they had a hard time finding the sturdy grip spots. I, on the other claw, immediately found and plotted a route up the face.

I made up most of the ground I lost during the sprint. Ironivium didn't however. She slipped several times, and used her hammer-like tail to bash out new grips.
Not a Bad strategy, but your wasting more energy.
I glanced at the placement holder in the middle of the arena.
5th place. Come'on! Just need to pass Miss Lightning over here.
I quickly passed the bright yellow Wyveren, and was now tailing the sandstone-tan Light.
Crap. She is in my way. Ok then.
Glancing around, I found a more unsturdy path.
But it would take me to the top.
Taking the risk, I took the path on the left of the Wyveren. Quickly ascending, I passed her before getting back on the main route.
Ok, 3rd place. Keep it up, unless I can pass Avuadius or the Highlands Wyveren.
But, Avuadius wouldn't be too happy if I pass her, but third place isn't last.
I neared the top of the face, and unfolded my wings to prepare for the third challenge of the 7.

The face leveled out to a small take-off strip. Once my hindlegs were on the horizontal rock, I charged towards the edge. I fully unfolded my wings as my forelegs has nowhere else to go. My hindlegs gave me a small boost as I climbed up.
The Highlands Wyveren was already through the fifth ring, leaving Avuadius at the halfway point between the third and the fourth rings.
She'll pass her once we dive for the fourth challenge, then the fifth I can pass Air.

The rings were held up by either air sacs or propellers. They were wide enough for two Lastrians to dive through side by side, just not one gliding through it. I came up to the first ring.
Ok, tuck your wings and aim your horn towards the center.
No.
I'm too high.
Crap.
I had aimed a little farther up than what should've worked, and I had to slow my approach enough to fall.
Losing speed, the slim shadow scanned me.

Once through the silver ring I snapped my wings back open to prepare for the next one.
The rings kept climbing higher and higher. At a point where you can't dive through, there are lower bronze rings as an alternative path. It does take longer, but it works if you aren't used to being this high up.
Like the parts of Earth.
Like the Canyon dwellers.
Like me.

Avuadius fought her way up to the apex of the climb, and from where I was on the third ring I could see her chest heave and her gills flare. Highlands was just finishing up with the seventh ring and was heading for the dive zone.
She is freaking determined. That water is going to feel so good.
I had made my way to the fourth ring when I heard a crash behind me.
Do I look down and help?
Or keep going?

What if it's Ironivium?
No, it has to be the last two Wyverens you passed.

But what if something went wrong?
Obviously, the meds will be quick to assert the crash. Just don't look down.

Steeling my vertigo of heights, I climbed higher.
Through the fifth.
Through the sixth.
And finally,
Through the seventh.
I approached the dive site, and that did me in.
Seeing the pool so small, all the spectators smaller than ants. And the air stealing my breath.
My wings froze, along with my heart.

Oh no. Oh nononononono.
I'm too high up.
I'll crash. No,
I'll die from this height.
I lost control of my wings, and plummeted like the rocks I eat.
Nononononononononononononononononononono!I'm panicking! I'm panicking! I'm going to die any second!
I free-fell for over half the dive space.
Where's the water? How close is the water!?
I pulled myself out of my thoughts long enough to see where I was.

Just a few seconds from hitting the dark pool.

I pulled my wings in, poised like a torpedo, and took a deep breath despite my lungs not cooperating.

I sliced through the water flawlessly. In fact, I didn't know if I still had momentum or was just sinking.
Guess it didn't matter, because I passed the pale purple who was struggling to swim down.
Great for floating on a breeze, not so much for diving.
I landed on the bottom and began swimming for my favorite challenge: Digging.
The tunnel I was now in curved upward towards an underground cave. Surfacing and turning towards the stone bank, I found Avuadius already clawing her way at the rock. Her chest was heaving more than I've seen any other Wyveren need to do. And there was a small puddle of sweat around her, that or it was water.
Good luck digging through bedrock.
But those webbed hands don't do much for crumbling something.

The blue Wyveren has barely made a dent in the wall, and that webbing didn't help anything. Though the worst part was that the rock would close back up after being dug through to prevent anyone behind using a previously made tunnel.
Avuadius banged her head on the wall in frustration.
She's going to go from first all the way to last in a single challenge.
Oh well.
"Hey, Avuadius?" I asked tentatively.
"WHAT! This stupid rock here won't break!" She snapped back, shooting me a glare.
"That might be because your scrapping your claws against bedrock."
"How would you know?" She remarked as she turned back towards the wall, her attacks already erased from it.
"Well, us in the Canyon have a way of determining different types of rocks apart from each other; so it's easier when digging." I noted, stepping closer to her and the wall.
"What are you suggesting then, other than bragging?" Avuadius said, trying to hold back fury.
"Follow me as I dig through it to the surface. You've pushed yourself harder than I've seen any other Lastrian from the Ocean, and you deserve Veraninium after all this." I offered, already within touching distance from the stone.
"Mm, fine. Thank you." She replied, a hint of sarcasm peppering the words.
I faced a section of sandstone, "Your very welcome, and stay close behind me."

I placed my wideset claws on the wall, and began digging. Within a minute I was already fully in the tunnel, with Avuadius keeping a hold on my clubbed tail. I snaked my way around some hard spots of bedrock, and kept to the sandstone. I did make sure to at least taste the sandstone and granite as we went by.

"Are. Are you Eating the rocks?" I heard from behind, probably wondering about the extra empty crevices I have been leaving in my wake.
"Why yes. They're very nutritious." I simply replied, choking down another rock as I kept digging. My wings and hind legs were pressing all the dirt and smaller rock into the walls of the tunnel.
"Gross, But, then again, I can filter water for vitamins and live off of that. Every type is different.
Now I understand how you guys can stay underground for a week without supplies." Avuadius connected the dots.
"Yep. And we're almost there."
My claw broke through the surface and sunlight poured in, momentarily blinding me. I finished crawling through, with Avuadius right on my rear. As soon as my back legs were on level ground, the blue Wyveren scampered up while pushing me forward.
"Hey, uh Aulsyphite? Thanks. For, helping me through." The Wyveren showed a hint of weakness and gratefulness.
"Anytime, We Wyverens need to stick together." I grinned, already not pleased about what laid ahead of us.

The sixth challenge loomed at us. There were three separate paths, all laid with black stone. Polished sandstone separated the paths.
"You ready?"
"Unfortunately."
We both approached a path. The Ocean Wyveren took the most right one while I approached the middle.

Ok.
Ok.
I got this.
This is the worst one.
Just get through this, then a dash to the finish.

I raised my claws over the stone, unaware that Avuadius had already started.

Block out the scream, just block it out.

Just before I set down my raised claws, I kicked off with my hind legs.

Make it fast, make it quick.

The solid rock became lighter than air, and took me up with it. Reaching the height of the seventh ring, the obsidian black stone broke apart.

I hate the one rule to the sixth challenge.

No flying.

My claws dug into the rock as the remaining pieces floated into position.
True, I was tempted to look over the side, but I was too frozen in place for that.

Ok.
Ok.
Alright.
Alright.
Your fine.
Your alright, Aulsyphite.
Just think, get through this I'll have a strong mate. I'll go through Pirovy and have eggs, then I'll have beautiful Yearlings.
Yearlings.
They're so cute with their short limbs and playful expressions.
That's it.
Just focus on your future Yearlings.

I kept my thoughts occupied while my legs did their own thing.
Leap.
Grab.
Position.
Repeat.
This cycle kept going all the while I was thinking of names.

Let's see. If I get Earth and Fire, then he will be Sorochus.
But what if he's a girl?
How about Provious.
Nah.
Sheilias? More of a Earth and Water.
Ok, what about Earth and Plant? Fronius?
Doesn't sound right.
Oh! Why couldn't Ironivium tell me who was looking at me?!
Wait, what if my mate-to-be is a metal base?
Then one of them could be Nitrogenius!
Ah, it's too perfect.
But how many?

My body was 2/3 of the way done, but my mind was off somewhere. The odd material behind be sank back to the ground to go into 'sleep mode' again.

Six eggs. Three boys and three girls. Oh they'll be the cutest little Yearlings! And once they lose their first frill- Ahhh!
Too perfect! Too perfect!

My fantasy ended when I reached the last floating rock. This one was marked white to indicate the challenge over.
Still high on my future family, my vertigo didn't bother me as I glided back down.
Avuadius was already at the end, collapsed on the first podium. Ironivium had made a comeback and was running for the second podium.
I can take third easy, but I can also take second.
Ah! My mate will be so happy if I get second!
Ironivium! Here I come!
Tucking in my wings, I streamlined for the second podium. My angle made me come up short, so I shot out my legs and began running once my wings folded in.
I came up right besides the Forge Wyveren. Ironivium noticed me, and picked up her pace. I followed suit.
The Quickfall Komodos at the end were cheering us on.

Charging for the finish, we each gave new bursts of energy. The line was only a few more strides away.
C'mon!
Almost there!
I leaped at the same time my running buddy did.

The momentum and the awkward leaps led to tumbling on the sand.
"TIE! Congrats you two! Your one of the first Wyverens to tie for second place. Both of ya get up on the second podium please."
Tie?
Well, goods news for both of us.
I stood up and walked with my friend to the podium. Quickly hopping up, we collapsed onto the podium.
"Hey. *pant pant* Good job." The orange-scaled female complemented.
"*pant pant* You too Iron." I slowly spat out between breaths.
"I am amazed, *pant* at you two. It was cool to watch you, *pant* push each other." Avuadius gasped from her higher podium.
"You did *pant* awesome *pant* out there. Which Komodo should I *pant* be looking at for Veraninium, Avua?" I asked, wondering who each were after.

The red Pits Wyveren crossed the line, followed by the tan Panel one.
"Veraninium is from the Current. Look for base lightning blue, undertone dark blue, and bright yellow bolts. Another key feature are scars crisscrossing his jaw and ridge." The dark blue-scaled female explained.
"*pant pant* Sounds like you've known each other before-hand." I halfway joked.
"No, not really. I chatted with him before coming down here. What about yours Ironivium?" She answered, rhictocheing the question towards the other Wyveren.

It was almost a photo finish between the off-white Bleak and the dark-green Forest Wyverens, but the purple/black Caverns female beat them both to it.

"Jermanious. We've known each other before this match. He grew up in the Overgrown, but he's willing to move to the Forge with me. The base is leaf green, copper undertone with freckles along his spine." She explained, having fully caught her breath.
"Good to know. I always liked how they set this up. You can go in and not be picky, or you can go in with a mate already chosen." Avuadius nodded.
"Yep. Speaking of, anyone you have your eyes set on Aulsyphite?" The Purebred Metal asked towards me.
"Nah, not really. Mainly came in to see what I could get." I explained, curling my club tail close to my body.

The pale purple Highlands Wyveren came in, and the Finale Tower Wyveren carried on strong through the finish. The poor bright yellow female collapsed on the ninth pedestal, seeing that it was vacant.
The Quickfall pair from earlier walked over to us.
"Wyverens! Are you ready to select your mate?" They demanded in a loud and joyous tone.
I nodded, along with the blue and orange Lastrians besides me.

One of the pair called out to the small crowd in the center. They had been there the entire race and watched us; determining who to battle for.

"Whom of you young Komodos wish to fight for the first place Wyveren: Avuadius of the Ocean?" he called out to the cluster.

Three dragons unraveled themselves from the group. The first was an apple red with a sky blue undertone. Looking at him, I noticed dark blue swirls and stripes lining all of his build and webbing. The same blue covered his horns, leaving the maple red lining prominent. Heading to the claws, the blue hands made it seem like he was wearing gloves.
He swished his six-spiked tail at the other two- not noticing what they were.

A Geyser Komodo. Defiantly cocky.

The second Komodo was a sea blue with a red undertone. Surprisingly, I didn't see any large noticable patterns on him but I did see a red/purple fin crown his head. Another fin the same color as the head's crawled along his spine to the base of his two sided tail. Some dark blue swirls marked the fins and the spine. Looking back up to the wings, I noticed an autumn red line marking the spine and the front of his limbs. The wing webbing was an ombré; starting at a dark pink to a bright red.
This one snapped at the flicked tail of the first, and adjusted his stance to seem more dominant.

Another Geyser. He won't be on top with the one trailing them.

The third and finale was a base lightning blue with an undertone of dark blue. Bright bolts of yellow marked his body and frame. The horns were a blue so dark they were nearly black, making the gold lining a shock of brightness. The webbing has the same concept as well; a stormy blue with blinding bolts. For fins he had one midsection fin and a spear-like tail fin. Both of which were a lightning blue to a stormy, with bolts and cerulean swirls interrupting.
He seemed very confident, and was very clearly the dominant of the three.

That must be Veraninium. I understand why Avuadius wanted to impress him. Those ridge scars are worth fighting for. I wonder what he fought?

From where I was on the second podium, I could clearly hear them as they approached Avuadius's spot.

"Ocean Wyveren! I am Skrrrrillius of the Geyserrr, and I would be thrrrrrilled to have you as my mate." The first one cried before he bowed, rolling the r's.
The second one hollared,"Purebred! I am Finnius of the Geyser. Pay no attention to my cousin, for he is not worthy of your claw. I would happily have you as my mate instead."

From where I was near my blue friend, I could hear her quietly growling at the names they called her.
Just because she's from the Ocean, doesn't mean she's a full on pure. But then again, the three of us are all purebreds.
Now it was Veraninium's turn.
"Great Avuadius. I am Veraninium of the Current, and I stand before you today for your claw. You have shown strength, cunning, and determination for your match, and it would be the highest honor to have you as my future mate." He bowed his head, still keeping his Herculean position. The two cousins looked shocked to have a Komodo like the clash-bred compete with them.
"The three have stated their claim for the claw of Avuadius. M'lady, have you decided?"
The accused Wyveren replied yes.

The cousins were shocked again, and reluctantly got into line by Veraninium, trapping him between them. Avuadius jumped down from her position, and walked to the center Komodo.
"Veraninium. I choose you."

A deep rumble escaped the future Covian's throat as Avuadius rubbed her snout around his. Walking side by side, the pair went over to the waiting area. Avuadius shot us a smile as she and her mate laid down in the soft, silky sand underneath the decorated tarp. The other two were guided back to the group to try again.

"Komodos! We have a tie for second place. Aulsyphite of the Canyon has tied with Ironivium of the Forge. Wyverens, who wishes to go first?"
I looked to the orange female.
"You go ahead, I want to see what Jermanious looks like." I offered.
"Ok. Quickfall Komodo, I will go first." She called out, flashing me a wide toothy smile. As of now she had her barbed fangs halfway down.
"Very well. Whom of you young Males wish to compete for the claw of Ironivium?" The pale green and faded yellow Komodo asked towards the male.

This time, only two Lastrians left the crowd.
The first was a Rust Komodo. Waves of dark blue ran across his fox orange scales, leaving the underside a teal shade. More rivers of blue covered the webbings on his frame and between his claws. The tail thinned out to a five point fin layout, with the outermost having a hard lining. He seemed a little hyped up, but was otherwise ok. He began slightly bouncing back and forth on his claws.
"Miss Ironi-vi-vi-vium. I am Jodonian of the Rust, and I would like to have you as my partner. Man, I shouldn't have had that basket of sugarcane before this. Woo!" He shook his head as though to clear out the hype.

The second one fit the bill for Jermanious. His base was a dark leafy green, a copper undertone with copper freckles to suit. They did look amusing on his face however. His webbing started out a bushy green, transitioning to copper midway. The tail looked like a leaf in autumn, all pretty orange. Thick bright copper scales lined his back and the fronts of his legs; the freckles following them.

"M'lady Ironivium. I am Jermanious from the Overgrown, and it would be a splendid honor to have you as mine." He started to bow, but he trapped one of his claws and ended up falling instead. Quickly getting back up, he tried again: successful.

The Quickfall Komodo called again," The two have stated their claim for the claw of Ironivium. Young lady, have you decided?"
"Yes."
My orange friend got up and leaped down as the two stood next to each other.
"Jermanious, I choose you."
Joy spreading across his snout, Jermanious happily twined his leafy tail with her rhombus club. They both walked over to where the blue pair were. Upon sitting down, the two Wyverens gave me a digits-up.

Ok, here we go.

The yellow and green Komodo called again, and three appeared from the crowd. Skrillius and Finnius reappeared, and repeated their previous claims. The third however, was different. He was a deep tone of rich purple along his scales, leaving the undertone a night black. Streaks of more obsidian lined his frame and build. Looking at the pale magenta wings, black stars dotted them. Fins of sensitive blue webbing lined his back and the top of his ridge. They led down to a feathery pale pink tail, which was twitching back and forth.
"Aulsyphite! I am Caradonius of the Rays, and I will happily claim your claw." He proudly exclaimed, trying to keep his front knees from shaking.

The announcing dragon called again if I had made my decision, and my response:
"No."
"We will have the Komodos battle eachother in a challenge of your choosing." They announced again, mainly towards the group.

Hmm.
They need to be at least able to dig themselves out if a rockslide occurs.

"Digging." I answered.

Skrillius and Finnius looked at eachother before turning to their webbed claws.
"Nope."
"I'm sorry, I'm out."
The two went back to the group, leaving me with the lone dragon.
"Hehe, well. Since I'm the only one there's no competition for the challenge. Happy to have you Aulsyphite!
Eh. That is, if you'll accept me." He stated boldly at first before shrinking back into a shell.

Crap.
I liked Skrillius, but I wanted to see who actually could.
Oh well. I got a good mate anyways.

An nervous smile spread across his snout as I jumped down, his claws rubbing against each other.

He seems nice. And definitely stressed about this whole situation. Meeting a random Wyveren and being mated for life the instant they say yes? Of course he would be nervous.

"Caradonious, I choose you."

A flood of relief instantly came over his face, slowly but still bravely trying to twine his feathered tail around my club. As we walked to my new friends I could feel a few shakes come from his end, eventually calming down.
We sat down in the grass by the four, the orange and blue shooting me encouraging looks. I watched the remaining Wyverens choose their mates.

Caradonious, just one thing you must know about me, but it must wait.
For now.

An: Thanks for reading! And some quick things to clear the mud about the names.
Forge Wyveren.
* Where that dragon is from based on appearance.
EX) Forge, Ocean, Canyon, Quickfall, Current, Rust, Geyser, Overgrown, Rays.
* The status of that dragon.
EX) Wyveren, Komodo.

For a full list of vocab, there is another book(yes, there is another) called Dragon-pedia part 1, written by me, Kracka13.
Plus I have no idea how many times I have read and reread and wrote and rewrote this chapter. Being as it's my own world, I want to do my best to get a clear image of this universe across.
If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.
But, you may not always get an answer in the comments 😉.

Word count: 4728

Note:  Aulsyphite does indeed get her wish, but not without consequences. Stay tuned!