Serialised Speculation

My fifteenth artwork for Inktober 2024 !

Got sneezed on by the cow.

Clara Klinghoffer (British-American, 1900 - 1970)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Klinghoffer

Hydras are a highly elusive drake found primarily deep within cave systems. 

Known across the globe for their multi venomous heads the true nature of the Hydra is a bit more complex. 

Much of it’s life the hydra will live solitarily, and living within labyrinthian cave systems makes that quite easy. Males and Females of the species are quite dimorphic, rarely coming across one another. However it is upon maturity the the Hydra will undergo it’s task of metamorphism. The multi headed dragon of legend is in fact a bonded and mated pair.  Females develop a bioluminescent lure, that both attracts prey but also a potential mate. Upon finding a suitable sire, the male will adhere to his mate’s back. This process is not immediate and full adhesion will take years to complete. An enzyme is released from his underbelly allowing for the fusing process. However females have a counter enzyme allowing for females to reject potential males should better stock be found. Upon full adhesion the males body nearly fully absorbs into his mate, even their brain chemistry will intertwine. His wings, however, will remain fully functional and as such will allow for the pair to venture beyond the cave for greater feeding opportunity. Why most hydra are double headed, there are cases where multiple males will adhere to a single female. The most dominate male remaining most intact. This typically only happens to larger more dominant females.

Very Normal Houses in science fiction and fantasy.

The first of the spooky stories Ben read out on the G.O.B.L.I.N.S fundraiser stream was Sister Snips by Imogen Cassidy.