Ho'Rus lay back against the stone, chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. After a moment of silence, words tumbled out of him in a rush.
"Do you think…" he panted, then swallowed before continuing, "do you think I'll ever be as good as Mother?"
The man... Alister's golden eyes flickered faintly, his expression calm but unreadable. He didn't answer right away, instead kneeling down so he was level with his son.
His white dragon tail curled once behind him, brushing aside a scatter of petals.
"Your mother... is unmatched. She carried the grace of ten lifetimes, her strikes faster than thought, her presence heavier than storms. To compare yourself to her now is… premature."
Ho'Rus's pointy ears drooped slightly, his silver tail flicking against the ground in frustration. "So… I'll never reach her level?"
