It was horror standing there in the clearing.

Ashes surrounded hide dark as night

as it set fire to everything it touched.

I was a coward; hiding behind bushes 

not yet scorched

by the fire’s ever stretching reach.

Eager flames licking; relentless at the edges

of the forest- once so lush .

Its creator prepared for more.

Memory began stumbling through mind.

Actions returned to view

to remind me of grave mistakes

Heat came searing across my face behind my shield.

No longer was my barricade protecting.

The death toll mounted.

Brave soldiers shouting in the clearing

clothed in armor; armed with steel

stood firm against their enemy.

Only death was awaiting them there,

hidden behind gleaming scales.

They suffered by its hand.

Alone. Suffocating by graves

darkened by hell’s kiss.

I hid no longer.

Fear and rage forcing me to rise

in the destruction of my lost friends.

I made my final stand.

Resignation moved me toward the beast.

Dragon scales dark as hate.

It laughed as I burned.