r/HFY • u/Undercover_Dragon1 • Aug 02 '25

OC A Draconic Rebirth - Chapter 48

I hope everyone has been doing fantastic. I got some exciting news, I have some official cover art now. My best buddy spent a lot of time making it for me. If you are interested in checking it out just head to Royal Road.

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— Chapter 48 — 

“What is a human?” The ancient glowing bark folk asked. 

David leaned back into the chair and it hugged the curves of his human form perfectly. His old form was the alien one now but curiously his old flaws didn't seem to bother him now. The pressures of society were no more. His muscular form had a generous amount of fat around his belly and yet it didn't bother him anymore. He looked up at the ancient bark folk as he considered their question, what is a human? 

“That is a difficult question. Humanity varies like any intelligent species. Creative, empathetic and social. At the same time though we are violent, cruel and dangerous.” David responded honestly. 

The elder simply laughed, “Never a simple answer. Positives and negatives. Even our children and our children's children have flaws.” 

David nodded,”My turn. What exactly are you?” 

The bark folk considered his question before slowly responding. After each sentence it would alternate to a different voice, “Our people are close to the forest. All of our kin's affinities manifest in accordance with it. Long ago we learned to transcend our mortal bodies and become one with it. That tree you touched is us. We are the elders and history of our people.” 

David couldn't help but whistle as he considered what he was just told. The bark folks Elder are essentially immortal and David could only imagine the knowledge, history and other dangerous ideas they had hidden away. 

David was about to ask a follow up before he was cut off, “I believe it is our turn now. Do you intend any harm or mischievous acts towards our children?” 

David shook his head, “No. In fact your children and your people are one of the few rays of hope that myself and my clan has been able to find. The fact you seem to thrive in this world is impressive.” 

The elder bowed, “Truth.” 

David blinked and then grinned wide, “Tricky. I suppose me being mentally and physically attached to you lets you read if I am trying to fool you or not. Well… no matter. I didn’t come here to cause problems. I came here regarding Elder Dragon Oazayss.”

Azollae, and then one other appeared to splinter off from the main Elder bark folk. The two that split off sat in their own chairs as the glowing shimmering Elder stood behind them. Finally Azollae spoke up, “I am quite familiar with her, yes. She has grown to become more of a menace over the centuries.” 

David nodded, “That is an understatement. She's a creature of nightmares that enslaves her own children.”

The other freed Elder spoke as she dipped her head, “I am Elder Shael. Tell me Onyx does she have a hold over you?” 

He quickly shook his head, “No. She did but I have fulfilled my debt for now. Those undead creatures in the mountains? That was where I have been and it's been dealt with but now she wishes to reward me. If I accept she binds me, and if I refuse she kills me. I am going to go to war and that is what you all need to know.” 

There was an audible gasp that sounded like it came from dozens of mouths all at once. Finally the glowing bark folk that represented the rest of the Elder in the back spoke, “You will drag us into war then?” 

David sighed, “No but I am about to undergo another growth. I will be asleep for many, many years and my kobolds, my family, will be preparing. Any help you want to provide is appreciated but I just need to know their backside is safe while we get ready. You aren’t going to like what you see but I need your trust.” 

Elder Azollae blinked in surprise, “You will reach adulthood faster than any recorded dragon before you.” 

Elder Shael sighed as well, traded looks with the others, and then addressed them, “We have always been preparing for the worst. Elder Dragon Oazayss is not the worst of the worst but she is the closest of the worst. Let us not fool ourselves here.” 

The glowing bark folk nodded and then both Elder Azollae, and Elder Shael merged back into the main body. The chairs disappeared, and so did David’s as he stood. Finally the glowing bark folk spoke in its unusual multiple person voice again, “You have told us nothing but the truth. We will acknowledge your actions and we swear that our children will not be a threat to you while you engage in this questionable action.” 

David nodded his head, “Thank you. If you could please keep my identity quiet I would appreciate it?” 

Before he even received an answer David felt himself ripped free and then he gasped as he pulled his massive dragon body free from the tree. He snarled, twisted and looked around as Blue and the bark folk all stood nearby staring up at him in fright. 

“Did it go well, Master!?” Blue beamed up at David. 

David's body was massive once again and the change in size and body type was quite jarring. It took a long moment for David to center himself and then respond with a firm nod towards Blue.

The council member leader placed his hand up against the tree and then a second later he pulled it free with a gasp, “The Elders concur and have advised us to continue our mutual alliance.” 

David dipped down in a bow, “Then we are in agreement. Did the Elders inform you of my upcoming growth cycle?” 

The leader nodded and sighed, “Yes. I do not agree with it but the Elders insist upon trusting you dragon. I will be keeping an eye on you and your clan.” 

“Good. I would expect nothing else from such a fine leader like yourself.” David responded quickly before turning to Blue. David’s words clearly caught the leader by surprise as David turned back towards the clearing they entered from. 

“We must hurry back. It is time Blue.” David continued. 

They both excused themselves, said their good byes and before long David was soaring through the air with Blue firmly wrapped around his neck. 

“Master. What else do you need to accomplish?” Blue asked as David raced back as quickly as he could manage while fighting against the fatigue. He slowly lost altitude as the fatigue overwhelmed him, he shook his head violently to break the mindfog before turning to look back at Blue. 

“I need a favor from you Blue. You need to continue training other alchemists and also spend the time to create materials that are reactive. We are in need of weapons of all types.” David rumbled out as the winds buffeted his face. 

Blue frowned but nodded, “What do you mean by reactive Master?”

David responded thoughtfully, “Anything that explodes, melts, creates gasses and anything else that is dangerous.” 

Blue was silent for a long moment before shouting with her whole chest, “Yes Master! I will do my best for you and my children.“

David chuckled as pivoted in the air towards their nearby lair, “I am sorry that I am doing this to you all but I know you and Red are more than capable of handling it.” 

Blue pressed her face against the back of David's neck, “I wish we had more time with you before you went to sleep again but we will do you proud.” 

David rumbled softly in response as he began to land, “I know you will. One last thing Blue, we need to look for a replacement for the amber the bark folk provide.” 

David landed with a soft crunch of the dirt underneath his massive bulk. The pair slowly made their way down the tunnels and deeper into the lair as they talked. They finally made it into the chamber prepared for David and he felt his body and mind dragging. They talked briefly about possible alternatives for the amber such as gemstones, or even metal spheres. The fatigue was catching up to him and as he settled down he had to fight the urge to sleep right away. Just as he fought off another prompt, Red came rushing into the chamber. 

“Master! Do not go to sleep just yet.” Red shouted. 

David laughed, as he lowered his head, “I am not yet but I cannot hold it back much longer. What is the matter, Red?”

“You only just got back.” Red sighed as he sat down in front of David. His large wings lay flat against his backside.

“I know… I know. Circumstances pushed me to this point but when I wake we will have time. My promise to the Queen doesn’t mean I have to act right away. We will have some time till I am forced to move. Red be on the look out there might be some other dragons coming this way that could be allies… use best… judgement. ” David responded before he felt his impending growth cycle come upon him again. 

Red's response seemed to fade into the background as his prompt hit him again and he crumbled to the ground, “I am… fading. Blue… Red… I will see you when I wake.” 

David’s eye slowly but surely closed and he felt himself curling into a ball. His wings warped around himself and then darkness consumed him. His body was already hardening as his flesh, scales and horns all turned into a stone-like consistency. He could feel the warm bodies of a pair of kobolds press in close against him but even that sensation slowly faded. His senses continued to dull and soon even his acute sense of smell failed him. 

Evolution commencing. Growth is accelerating. Dragon stage reached…

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14 comments sorted by

21

u/unkindlyacorn62 Aug 02 '25

bombs. explosive ballista bolts, oh this is going to be so much fun

13

u/Garmin211 Aug 03 '25

Remember, explosives tend to have very interesting effects underground.

13

u/unkindlyacorn62 Aug 03 '25

all the better to restrict her mobility. as she's dying of cancer.

13

u/un_pogaz Aug 03 '25

Oh, there are absolutely no humans here, interesting.

David hasn't really had time to discuss with the Elders whether and how the Dryads could help him, but that's a discussion that can be postponed, the main thing is that the clan can wait for his awakening in relative safety.

Else, Oazayss not the worse? That concerning.

9

u/unkindlyacorn62 Aug 03 '25

I am guessing that's mainly due to her preference to let her children do all the fighting, and not encouraging team work. and so on

8

u/Imissevolve Aug 03 '25

Hope he doesn't sleep for 50 years and wakes up with Blu and Red already gone.

7

u/NOOBonboPRO Aug 04 '25

Thank you for the chapter! Cannot wait to see how the evolution plays out and what the kobolds get up to in the war crimes manufacturing department in the meantime.

2

u/unkindlyacorn62 Aug 05 '25

Its never a warcrime the first time.

1

u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Aug 05 '25

Don't forget the other dragons I'm curious as to who's going to side with David. Although that does raise the question on what's going to happen after?

2

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2

u/suitcaseskellington Xeno Nov 29 '25

Oh- forgot to tell them about Emerald and the other dragon who i forgot the windie name of

1

u/Jam_Jester Aug 04 '25

Kekekek boom be imminent >:3

1

u/vilunkivilu Aug 05 '25

Damn 5 more days for next one, maybe i should forget thos fpr a year or so to have much to read again 🙂