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Having met a couple Drakeins that Sam actually considered 'friends' on the way home somehow made him even more loathsome to return to his cave anytime soon. That was despite the way his mind nagged at him, of course. Surely if he hadn't decided what to do about his clan mates by now, then he never would... He shook the thought away with a huff, tossing his long golden hair over his shoulder as he did so. Maybe he should just... stop worrying about it? There were other things he could enjoy today! The sun was out, the sand was warm beneath his claws, a pleasant breeze curled past, soothing his scales and tousling his locks. Yes, it was a fine day. Too fine to be concerned about what he should do when he returned home, or if he should return home at all, or all the awful things that could happen while he was away if he wasn't there to prevent them...

The Gaili groaned pitifully, pausing in his steps to drop his head in his palms. He was utterly hopeless. Too afraid of being restrained to return home, but concerned enough about his family that it was all he thought about. In this state, he'd never be able to make any useful decisions about his feelings... Feelings that were more jarbled now then they'd ever been before! And not just feelings of concern for his clan, but feelings toward... A certain Diabi... What about Levi? How was he even supposed to begin to feel about that guy...?

Sam was pretty sure the feathered Diabi was just amused by the degree of strength he'd displayed in the cave, but then why in Abronaxus's name would he offer to stand by and babysit while Sam went off gallivanting? He'd seemed to do a well enough job the first time. Not to mention those scathing looks the Alikein sent him pretty much whever Sam was within sight. Despite how nervous they made the Gaili, there was also something deep, deep, way down in his gut that felt kind of... appreciative. Appreciative of those heated, teasing (longing?) glances that roamed across his body no matter the form he took. Of course, Levi was still male, and Sam had never even thought twice about... erm... intimacies with someone of his own gender... No matter how sleek and soft and lovely his feathers may be...

Samael turned his green gaze to the sky overhead. When had things become so complicated...? Before his only concerns were catching a pet for Crowell and becoming strong enough to attempt the ritual. He'd been concerned that once he'd successfully accomplished those things, he wouldn't have anything else to do. How wrong he'd been... He swept a golden windblown strand from his face. He certainly had more power now than he'd had as a Drakein... But more problems to boot, too! But if he really thought about it, he wasn't interested in a calm, sated life. If there wasn't some turbulence, it wouldn't be any fun. He smiled softly. Carrion, Levi, and his clan... Well, they were definitely sources of turbulence.

The Gaili grinned and let his spectral wings unfurl. Home was where he needed to be! He couldn't waste anymore time! With a powerful kick off from the ground, he launched himself into the air. The sound of the earth cracking beneath him accented his ascent. Hn. The excitement must really be getting to him. He hadn't thought he'd pushed quite that hard... Sam paused overhead to inspect his handiwork. It was difficult to see through the layer of dust and dirt that sprang up, but it sounded like he'd made more than just the sand shift...

Curiously, Sam hovered a bit closer. The earth still rumbled warningly. He considered maybe landing again, just to make sure he hadn't done any permanent damage, but when he glided down into the dust, a heavy weight crashed into him. Sam yelped loudly as a body at least ten times his size smashed into him, sending him sailing out of dust for just a brief moment, only to shove him back under again. He landed with a heavy 'umph!' against the sand. He couldn't see what was atop him, but nor did he have any doubts that it had to be a dragon. Surely only dragons had this much weight to them...! He writhed pitifully for a few moments, unsure how else to break free.

'You smell of the earth, two-legger.' A voice hissed out to him.

Sam stilled himself, doing his best to quell his hammering heart. "I'm not a two-legger!" He scoffed. "I'm...! A Drakein!" He shouted, caving the earth in around just his frame and sinking down into it. The dragon growled a warning, but with a bit more freedom to move and direct his attacks, Sam summoned a column from the earth that jetted out to crash into the beast's forearm. It shrieked in agony as the bones shattered, and Sam instantly slunk out from beneath the ruined appendage. He could honor this beast by finishing it quickly, so while it still howled in pain, the Gaili dove toward the sound of its cries and lashed out with his claws, tearing through scale and flesh until the gurgles of a dying beast were all he could hear. He was still shrouded by the dust cloud, but a simple wave of his arms had the earthy mist settling to land once again. Sam sighed in contentment.

At least until he looked up.

There were more of the beasts. 'Brother!' One of them hissed out in surprise as it stared down at the spot where another Dragon had been only seconds before. Sam blinked. He needed to dispatch of them before things got ugly. Gaili against Gaili would not be an easy victory for him. One of them roared in sorrow and charged at him, teeth bared. Sam held his ground. This beast was giving him the perfect opportunity, so long as he was careful enough to take it...! It dove forward, ready to land a killing blow. It's maw opened, revealing gleaming, pointed teeth. As they prepared to snap around him, Sam summoned a spire from the ground, jutting up to impale the beast through the roof of its mouth. But not before its fangs had the opportunity to sink deep into his shoulder.

Sam gasped in pain and surprise as the fangs vanished from his flesh, leaving behind only an orb. He staggered backward a bit, hand reaching up to run into the deep gash in his shoulder. It burned. he winced, then let his gaze travel up to the next beast. It bared its fangs as their eyes met, and instantly, Sam knew he wouldn't be able to take it without more serious injuries. He could already feel his pulse echoing down the length of his arm, and doubted it would be much more use. He'd have to flee. He launched into the air hard, sending up a single spire to give him an extra push in the direction of his mountains.

The dragon's roars followed him, but as Sam glanced back, he saw that the beast did not. It instead opted to stay behind and mourn the loss of its family...