Cherreads

Chapter 151 - The Dragon's Heart

As the night wore on, I slept soundly, surrounded by my loving family. Tharros's gentle snores and the warmth of my belly beneath him lulled me into a deep slumber. Thyriatrix's soft breathing and the occasional rustle of scales from the younger ones created a soothing background hum.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed, my belly still slightly heavy from the behemoth feast. Tharros stirred, stretching his 11-meter tall body and yawning widely. "Good morning, Father," he said, his voice groggy from sleep.

I smiled, wrapping my wing tighter around him. "Good morning, Tharros. Sleep well?"

He nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, I did. Thanks for letting me sleep on your belly, Father."

I chuckled, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Anytime, son. You're always welcome to use my belly as a pillow."

Thyriatrix stirred, opening her eyes. "Good morning, everyone. Time to start the day, I think."

The younger ones began to wake up, stretching and yawning. Lyriath and Vyraxys were already up, practicing their flying skills near the cave entrance. Nyxoria and Lyrixa were chatting quietly, while Kaidorix and Kieraxys were busy playing with some rocks. Niamon, the youngest, was babbling excitedly, trying to get everyone's attention.

As the family began to stir, I gently lifted Tharros off my belly and stood up, shaking off the slumber. "Time for breakfast, I think," I said, my stomach growling in anticipation.

Thyriath and Vyraxys flew back into the cave, their scales glistening with dew. "Father, can we go on a hunting expedition today and track some new prey?" Lyriath asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

I smiled, considering the request. "Let's discuss it over breakfast. Thyriatrix, what do you think? Should we go on a hunting expedition today?"

Thyriatrix nodded, her eyes sparkling with agreement. "Sounds like a plan to me. We can take the younger ones with us and show them some advanced hunting strategies."

The family cheered, eager for the adventure ahead. As we made our way to the breakfast gathering, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this life, surrounded by my loving family and the thrill of new adventures.

I smiled "dear you stay here while I bring them to hunt!" Thyriatrix nuzzled me and said "Alright but don't overeat again, or else your belly ends up even bigger!"

I chuckled and looked at her and said, "No promises!"

I smiled, watching Thyriatrix stay behind at the mountain cave. "You stay here and rest, my dear. I'll take the young ones hunting." Thyriatrix nuzzled me and said, "Alright, but don't overeat again, or else your belly ends up even bigger!" I chuckled and looked at her, "No promises!"

With that, I gathered Lyriath, Vyraxys, Nyxoria, Lyrixa, Kaidorix, Kieraxys, Niamon, and Tharros, and we set off towards the hunting grounds. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating, and I couldn't wait to share it with my little ones.

As we soared through the skies, the wind rushing past us, I felt alive. We spotted a herd of prey in the distance, and I gave the signal for the young ones to follow my lead.

Pov Tharros

I followed Father as he led us to the hunting grounds. His massive wings beat the air, creating powerful gusts that sent ripples through the landscape. I felt a rush of excitement as we descended upon our prey. Father took the lead, his claws extended as he swooped down.

I watched in awe as he expertly took down a large beast. The younger ones cheered, eager to try their own hand at hunting. I joined in, using the skills Father had taught me. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating, and I felt proud to be a part of it.

As I swooped down, my claws outstretched, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I targeted a smaller beast, and with a swift motion, I snatched it up. The rush of triumph was exhilarating, and I let out a triumphant cry.

Father smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Well done, Tharros! You're a natural hunter!" The younger ones cheered, and we all gathered around Father, eager to feast on our freshly caught prey.

Father is a 77-meter tall dragon while I'm an average 11-meter tall body, so I flew my prey towards Father Jaw, and Father caught it and began eating it.

I flew my prey towards Father's open jaw, and he effortlessly caught it mid-air. With a swift motion, he swallowed the beast whole, the sound of crunching bones and tearing flesh filling the air. I watched in awe, feeling grateful for the meal he had provided for us.

The younger ones followed suit, bringing their catches to Father, who devoured them with ease. After Father finished eating, we fed on the remaining carcasses, savoring the fresh meat. The hunt was a success, and I felt content, surrounded by my family.

Father smiled. "Thank Tharros, and oh boy, Thyriatrix will be mad, but I don't care. I got very used to being scored by her!" And with that, the rest of my siblings dash to look for more prey to hunt to either eat or to feed Father.

I chuckled at Father's teasing remark about Mother. The rest of my siblings, fueled by excitement and hunger, eagerly dispersed to hunt for more prey. Lyriath and Vyraxys flew off in one direction, while Nyxoria and Lyrixa headed in another. Kaidorix and Kieraxys worked together, coordinating their attack on a nearby herd. Niamon, the youngest, chased after a small beast, determined to catch it.

I watched them go, feeling proud to be part of this family of skilled hunters. Father settled in, his belly rumbling in anticipation, ready to receive more offerings from his eager offspring. I decided to join in, flying off to hunt for more prey to bring back to Father.

I soared through the skies, scanning the landscape for signs of prey. My stomach growled slightly, but I knew Father's hunger was greater. I spotted a small herd of beasts grazing in the distance and swooped down, using my sharp claws to snatch one from the group.

With my prey clutched tightly in my jaws, I flew back towards Father, eager to see his satisfied smile. As I approached, I saw Lyriath and Vyraxys returning with their own catches, and soon Father's belly would be full. I landed nearby, and Father's eyes lit up as he saw the prey I brought. He opened his jaws, and I dropped the beast into his waiting mouth.

Pov Aetherius

The young ones were bringing back their catches, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. Tharros was the first to return, followed closely by Lyriath and Vyraxys. Each of them dropped their prey into my waiting jaws, and I devoured them with relish.

As I ate, I watched my children work together, their hunting skills improving with each passing day. They were learning to coordinate their attacks and work as a team.

This teamwork was crucial for their survival, and it warmed my heart to see them growing stronger and more confident with each hunt.

The hunt was a success, and soon my belly was full. I let out a contented sigh, feeling grateful for this life and my loving family.

In this moment, surrounded by my children, I felt truly alive.

I sat down in and leaned on the strong tree with my even enormous belly.

The warmth of the sun on my scales felt soothing as I sat down and leaned against the strong tree, my enormous belly a testament to the successful hunt. I closed my eyes, feeling the gentle rustle of the leaves and the distant calls of my children as they played and relaxed after their exertions.

The peacefulness of the moment was a welcome respite, and I let out a deep breath, savoring the tranquility of the surroundings. My belly felt heavy, but it was a pleasant weight, a reminder of the bounty we had enjoyed.

As I rested, I listened to the sounds of my family nearby, their laughter and chirping a gentle accompaniment to the rustling of the leaves in the breeze.

I patted my belly, and it jiggled and bounced a bit.

The motion was quite amusing, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of my belly jiggling and bouncing with each pat. It was a bit of a novelty, having a belly this large, but I'd grown accustomed to it.

I continued to pat it gently, watching as the scales rippled and the flesh wobbled in response. It was almost hypnotic, and I found myself smiling at the simple pleasure of it.

I watched as my little ones played one another and saw Tharros joining to play warm my heart and remembering the time he was very shy and stay near me at all time.

Watching Tharros join in with his siblings, playing and laughing with them, warmed my heart. I remembered the time when he was younger and more reserved, often staying close to me and observing the others from a distance.

It was heartening to see him grow and develop his own personality, becoming more confident and outgoing. His participation in the playtime with his siblings was a testament to his growth, and I felt a sense of pride knowing that he was becoming a well-adjusted and social young dragon.

I slowly go stand on my 4 legs, and it looks like it is touching the ground.

As I slowly stood up on my four legs, my enormous body rose from the resting position, and my legs, though massive, seemed almost delicate as they touched the ground. The weight distribution was perfectly balanced, and I felt a sense of stability and power as I stood there, my scales glistening in the sunlight.

As I stood tall, my eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the vibrant colors of the landscape that stretched out before me. The sunlight danced across my scales, casting a warm glow over everything. My children, still playing, noticed me standing and began to gather around, their curious eyes looking up at me with excitement.

I towered over them, my massive frame casting a long shadow on the ground. The world was full of possibilities, and as their father, it was my duty to ensure their safety and well-being. I looked out at the horizon, my gaze sweeping across the land.

I sighed "Well I can't fly, so I guess I will just teleport all of us back to the mountain cave, and oh boy, your mother will be a mad but I gotten used to her scolding!"

Pov Tharros

I chuckled at Father's words, knowing that Mother's scolding was indeed a familiar sound. Teleporting was likely the most practical option, given Father's size and inability to fly. I watched as Father raised his claws, and a warm, blue glow enveloped us.

The familiar sensation of teleportation washed over me, and in an instant, the landscape around us shifted. The mountain cave materialized before us, its rugged walls and familiar caverns a welcome sight. I knew Mother would indeed be displeased, but Father seemed unperturbed, his grin still evident.

As the teleportation dissipated, Father's grin faltered for a moment as he caught sight of Mother standing at the entrance of the cave, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face. "And just what have you all been up to?" she asked, her voice dripping with a mix of concern and annoyance.

Father's grin returned, though it seemed a bit more sheepish this time. "Just a little hunting trip, my dear," he said, attempting to sound nonchalant despite the obvious bulge of his belly. "The young ones did wonderfully, and we brought back plenty of food."

Mother's gaze swept over us, her eyes lingering on the various scrapes and scratches some of us had accumulated. "I'll bet you did," she said dryly, though a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. "Let's get cleaned up, and then we'll discuss the details of this little adventure of yours."

Mother looked at Father even an enormous belly and said, "I can clearly see the little ones fed you, and you allowed that! Am I right?" Father nodded.

Mother's expression turned stern again, though a hint of exasperation flickered in her eyes. "Aetherius, you know better than to let the young ones feed you like that. You're going to turn into a permanent fixture on the cave floor if you keep this up."

Father chuckled, his belly jiggling slightly at the motion. "Ah, my dear, a father-sons-daughters hunt is a tradition, and I'm not about to change the rules now. Besides, they're learning to hunt and provide. It's all part of their growth."

Mother sighed, shaking her head. "I'll make sure to have a talk with them about boundaries and your... dietary habits, and by the way, this is the 2nd time you allowed them to do this, and the 1st one was when you made them hunt to feed your gluttonous stomach!" She yelled.

Father's grin faltered slightly under Mother's stern gaze, and he looked somewhat sheepish. "Well, when you put it that way, my dear... perhaps I did get a bit carried away. But they're growing strong and confident, and it's wonderful to see."

Mother's expression didn't soften, her voice still firm. "Aetherius, you're not listening. This isn't just about them; it's about your own self-control. You know you can't fly anymore, and your size is becoming more of a liability than an asset. You need to think about your own well-being, not just indulge your appetite."

Father looked down, his voice taking on a slightly more subdued tone. "You're right, as always. I'll try to be more mindful of my limits."

Mother sighed in frustration "let just wait for your stomach to digest the food so it will turn into muscle!" Father nodded and lay on his side and rest.

Mother shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face. "I'll go prepare some more food for the young ones. They must be famished after that hunt." She turned to leave, muttering under her breath, "And I'll make sure to prepare something light for you, Aetherius. Maybe some broth to help with digestion."

As she walked away, I whispered to my siblings, "I think Father's in trouble again." Lyriath giggled softly, while Vyraxys just rolled her eyes, whispering back, "Father's always in trouble." I couldn't help but chuckle at that. It was true, after all. Father's antics often landed him in hot water with Mother.

As Mother walked away, my siblings and I began to stir, our eyes fixed on Father as he rested. I watched Father rest, his massive belly rising and falling with each breath. I felt a pang of affection for him. Despite his flaws, he was a good father, and I knew he only wanted the best for us. I glanced over at Lyriath and Vyraxys, and we shared a knowing look. We'd have to make sure to help Father out next time, so he wouldn't get into too much trouble.

As I gazed at Father, I couldn't help but think about the many times he'd gotten into trouble. Despite his size and strength, he was a gentle giant, always looking out for us, even if it meant putting himself in precarious situations. Mother, on the other hand, was the voice of reason, keeping us all in line with her sharp wit and stern expressions.

I stood up, stretching my legs and shaking off the stiffness from the hunt. Lyriath and Vyraxys followed suit, and together we approached Father, who was still resting. We nudged him gently with our snouts, trying to rouse him from his slumber.

Father stirred, opening one eye lazily. "Ah, my little ones," he rumbled, his deep voice sending vibrations through the air. "How are you all doing?"

"We're fine, Father," I replied, nudging him with my snout. "But maybe you should take it easy for a while. Mother's preparing something light for you."

Father chuckled, his belly jiggling with the motion. "Ah, yes. Your mother's broth. I'm sure it'll be just what I need to feel better."

Just then, Mother returned with a steaming, hollowed-out rock filled with the fragrant broth. She presented it to Father, who gratefully accepted the offering. He leaned forward, his massive tongue lapping up the warm liquid with relish.

"Ah, this is wonderful," he murmured, his eyes closing in appreciation. "You always know just what to make for me, my dear."

Mother nuzzled Father's massive body, her scales gently touching his as she checked on him. Satisfied that he was comfortable, she turned to us and nudged us gently towards the pile of fresh meat she had brought back for us.

"Time to eat, little ones," she said, her voice warm and encouraging. "Let's fuel up for the rest of the day."

Lyriath, Vyraxys, and I eagerly descended upon the meat, our hunger and excitement driving us to tear into the fresh flesh with relish. The taste was rich and satisfying, and we ate with abandon, our growls and gentle roar filling the cave.

As we ate, Father watched us with a contented smile, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. Despite his own struggles with digestion, he seemed happy to see us thriving.

As we ate, the sound of our happy growls and satisfied roars echoed off the cave walls, mingling with the scent of fresh meat and the warmth of the sunbeams that filtered through the entrance. Father's contented smile broadened, and he settled back into his resting position, his eyes never leaving us as we devoured our meal.

Mother watched us with a keen eye, ensuring we ate our fill without overindulging. She nudged Lyriath gently when she tried to take too large a bite, and Vyraxys earned a proud glance when he skillfully tore apart a particularly tough piece of meat. I received a warm nuzzle when I looked up, my jaws full, and gave Mother a happy growl.

With our hunger sated, we lounged around the cave, our bellies full and our energy replenished. Father's eyes began to droop, and he let out a gentle snore, his massive body relaxing into a well-deserved rest. Mother settled beside him, her watchful gaze never wavering, ensuring her family's safety and comfort. Lyriath, Vyraxys, and I exchanged glances, our eyes shining with contentment, and we too began to relax, our bodies basking in the warmth and security of our cave home.

As the warmth of the sunbeams and the comfort of our full bellies lulled us into a relaxed state, Lyriath, Vyraxys, and I began to engage in a lazy game of chase, our claws clicking softly on the cave floor. Mother watched us with a gentle smile, her eyes never leaving Father, who was now snoring peacefully. The cave was filled with a sense of peace and contentment, and I felt grateful for this moment of tranquility with my family.

As the game of chase continued, Vyraxys suddenly darted towards the cave entrance, her ears perked up. "What's that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Lyriath and I followed her gaze, and we too heard the faint sound of rushing water. "It sounds like the river is swollen from the recent rains," Mother said, her voice low and thoughtful. "Perhaps it's time for us to go and check on the fishing spots."

I smiled. "Can I stay with Father?" Mother nodded "Alright but we will be back as soon as possible, and his stomach will fully digest the food soon and his belly back being flat again!"

They left, and I stayed next to Father as he slept peacefully, feeling calm and comforted and safe when I ever around him.

I settled down beside Father, my body relaxed and my mind at ease. I watched him sleep, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. The sound of his snores was soothing, and I felt my own eyes growing heavy as I gazed at him.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about how much I loved my family. They were always there for me, supporting me and keeping me safe. And Father, despite his occasional mishaps, was a kind and gentle giant who would do anything to protect us.

I leaned forward, my snout touching Father's scales, and I let out a soft sigh. The warmth of his body and the sound of his breathing were comforting, and I felt my eyelids drooping as I drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the peacefulness of the cave and the security of my father's presence.

A few minutes later, his belly came back flat again.

I smiled, knowing that Father's digestive issues had been resolved. His belly, once bloated and uncomfortable, was now back to its normal flat shape. I gently nudged him with my snout, and he stirred, opening his eyes lazily.

"Ah, feeling better," he rumbled, his deep voice filled with relief. He stretched his massive body, his scales glinting in the dim light of the cave. "Your mother's broth is truly magical."

I chuckled, happy to see Father in good spirits. We sat together in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company in the peaceful cave.

I smiled. "Mother and my siblings are going to the river it had swallowed from the resent rain, and they are checking the fishing spot!"

"Ah, the river's swelling must be making the fish more active," Father said, his eyes lighting up with interest. "I'm sure they'll catch plenty. Your mother is an expert fisher, and your siblings are learning quickly." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Perhaps when they return, we can have a nice fish dinner. I'm feeling much better now, and I'm sure I can help with cooking it."

I grinned, excited at the prospect of a delicious fish dinner. "That sounds wonderful, Father," I said, my stomach rumbling in anticipation. Father chuckled and nudged me gently with his snout.

"I'm glad you're looking forward to it," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "Family dinners are always special, and I'm grateful to have such a wonderful family."

As we waited for Mother and my siblings to return, the cave grew quiet once more, filled with the gentle sound of Father's contented sighs and the soft rustling of my scales as I shifted positions. The peacefulness of the moment was a perfect ending to a lovely day, and I felt grateful for this time with Father.

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