Smoke filled his nostrils, and heat coiled in the back of his throat. Glancing at the boulder to his left, Mike opened his mouth, hoping to see a wave of fire erupt.
Nothing happened.
But the heat remained tight and tangible.
Focusing on the sensation, he concentrated on the burning point in his throat. Flames flickered in his mouth, dripping out and hitting the ground.
He pushed harder.
A small burst of fire shot from his jaws.
Encouraged, Mike kept practicing. With each attempt, he gained more control, though his throat began to ache from the effort. Still, he was improving.
Eventually, he paused, glancing around before continuing his exploration. Each step now felt heavier, his thicker muscles and dense scales gave weight to every movement. As he climbed over a ridge of stone, he spotted another red lizard walking between two boulders. Smaller than the last one, but Mike wasn't interested in another brutal battle. He wanted a clean kill.
Sneaking quietly across the rocks proved difficult. Before he could close the distance, the lizard turned, teeth bared, and growled.
As Mike advanced, the creature reared back and spat a stream of flame. Mike dodged to the side, circling behind the rocks before launching his counterattack.
He lunged with momentum, ramming the lizard's side. His snout horn drove under its body, flipping it over. The flames had singed his scales, but the damage was minor compared to before.
The lizard snapped at his face and kicked wildly with short, muscular limbs. Mike blocked one leg with his left arm and pinned the creature's jaws shut with the other. Finding an opening, he bit down hard on its throat, ending the fight swiftly.
After feeding, he could feel it again, his body growing. The scales along his sides thickened, and he now felt roughly the size of a small car.
Better this time, he thought. The fire didn't cause much damage, and I didn't take any hits from its claws or teeth.
He continued up the mountain, exploring for several more hours before returning to the dome. Satisfied with his gains, he headed for his chamber and carved another mark into the wall.
Ten days.
Ten claw marks scored the ancient stone.
His mind drifted. He thought of Kelsey, what she might be doing right now. What it must have felt like for her when he vanished. The pain his parents must be carrying. These thoughts cycled in his mind, each loop stoking a deeper rage. Grief burned behind his eyes.
He charged out of the stone room and smashed one of the fallen columns with his claws, roaring silently in his mind.
I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE! WHY AM I HERE?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!
His roar echoed through the dome.
Then silence.
The helplessness crept back in. He slumped against the rough surface of the stone room, collapsing onto the floor.
Days turned into weeks.
Mike continued exploring the lands around the dome. His new strength and hardened scales made each hunt easier. He had finally learned to summon a steady stream of flame by focusing on the heat in his throat and breathing through it.
The tally of claw marks grew across the wall.
But the statues remained unchanged. The cryptic symbols carved into stone offered no answers.
Each day brought more dread. No clues. No way home. He was beginning to accept what he feared most: he might never see his family again.
That acceptance twisted into rage.
I'll find whoever did this to me, he thought. And I'll kill them for destroying my life. I'll eat every creature on this planet if that's what it takes to tear it down.
And so the days went on carried by thoughts of vengeance.