Through wisps of snow and over jagged rock, the traveler pushed on. Coming to a rest at an overhang, the lone man kicked a few sticks into a pile, and with a deep breath, blew into his outstretched palm. Sparks and a wave of heat eminated from his palm and strike the sticks, igniting with a soft phwoom, casting soft shadows across the overhang walls. The traveler shrugged off his backpack and began to dig in it, pulling out a few crackers and a tin of dried fruits. He then drove another stick into the deep into the ground next to the crackling fire, a slab of meat hanging from its end.

​

"Damn, I miss Taco Tuesdays." the traveler muttered, taking a seat on a frozen rock. Through the crunch of his crackers and the popping of the flame, the traveler heard a beating of wings in the soft snowfall. Without hesitation, the traveler kicked a snowy mix of sand and pebbles onto the small flame, extinguishing it as easily as it was ignited. The beating stopped with the creaking of a branch, and smoke filled the cavity of the overhang.

A moment passed, the smoke burning the traveler's eyes and irritating his nose. He can feel the itch coming on; unable to hold it in, he sneezed.

​

A quiet beat passed, to his relief. The silence was broken as a ball of ice impacted the ground before him, shattering into hundreds of frozen shards. Immediately after, a winged claw reached through the mouth of the overhang, barely missing the traveler with a swipe, but tore his backpack and caused the contents to spill.

The traveler recoiled, and after gaining his footing, inhaled a deep breath. With his exhale, a stream of flames roared from his mouth toward the opening of the overhang. A terrifying shriek ensued, rattling his bones and splitting his ears.

​

This is my chance, the traveler thought, and leapt out from under the overhang, landing with a roll. Turning towards the overhang, taking in another deep inhale, he locked eyes with the creature. A drake leered over him, clinging to the top of the overhang. The drake let loose an intimidating shriek, its face enveloped in a soft magical glow as it readied another blast of ice.

The two launched their attacks. One with a yell, the other with a shriek, the stream of fire met and melted the incoming ball of ice. The drake was quick to follow with a series of swipes, using its reach and positioning to its advantage. The traveler expertly danced around the first flurry of swipes, preparing his next offensive with a deep nasal snort, but was met with a solid blow to his chest from the final swipe in creature's onslaught.

Reeling back, the stream of fire escaped the traveler's mouth, singeing the shoulder and wing of the drake. The drake launched another flurry of swipes, tearing flesh from the traveler's left arm, and readied another ball of ice, the soft glow casting grotesque shadows upon its face.

​

Oh, this is bad, flickered across the traveler's mind, regaining his footing, instinctively entering into a broad, braced stance. He crossed his arms, blood flowing from his wound, staining the snow beneath him a deep red. The ball of ice launched from the drake's mouth, and met his arms with a solid crack!, his wide stance preventing him from tumbling with the force of the impact. The drake crept down from the overhang, snarling as it circled and closed the distance between it and the man, waiting for him to telegraph his next move.

The traveler's mind was racing. It's do or die, no need for holding back now.

Holding his stance, the traveler took a long, slow, deep breath. He could feel his chest expanding, the heat within burning his lungs, his arms aching and pulsing with pain. He tensed his legs, ready to charge when the moment was right.

The drake inched closer, its cold gaze and otherworldly snarls sending shivers down the traveler's spine. It hesitated as it noticed him complete his breath.

The words exploded from his mouth, a river of flame in its wake."Let's do this! LEEEEEROOOOYYYYY JEEEENNKIIINNNSSSS!"

​

The flames hit their mark. The drake, burned and recoiling, skittered back up to its perch on the overhang. The traveler rushed towards it, preparing another inhale, his lungs screaming from the heat within. As he closed the distance, he noticed the drake was not preparing another attack. He unleashed another exhale of brilliant flame, which the drake dodged with a beat of its wings, climbing into the air. It then settled back down, gripping onto the overhang.

The traveler, wary but curious, re-entered his defensive stance, meeting the gaze of the drake once more. Its cold gaze was replaced with a mournful look. It raised its clawed hand, and gestured between itself and the traveler, before pointing upwards, accompanied by a solemn howl. It then sat on its hindquarters, wrapped its winged arms around itself, its tail wriggling at its feet.

Slowly, the realization hit the traveler.

"You... and I..." he groaned through gritted teeth, "are not so different after all, huh?

"The traveler broke his stance, and fell to his knees, waves of pain and exhaustion rolling over him. After a moment, he gained his composure, and sat cross-legged on the frozen ground.

"So, uh, what now?" he said, contemplating openly with the drake. A rumble from his stomach sounded out. The two locked eyes once more.

"You know, I think I have an idea."

​

Under the overhang, the sound of crackling fire complimented the silence of falling snow. The soft light illuminated both man and beast, bandaged and snoring, exhausted from their battle and full from the meal they had just shared.