The dragon closed his eyes and, in a strenuous effort, managed to help push his long, serpentine body toward the lake. With the combined effort, he began to move closer toward the dreary lake.
It smelled putrid, unexplainably horrid. Though the smell revolted him, Lyvos pushed harder, determined strongly to reach its murky edge- and he did. Reaching a stiff arm towards the water, he gripped a large stone hidden beneath the surface and heaved himself forward. With a clumsy splash, he landed in its depths, the amount of grime in the water concealing anything beneath it. Grabbing another large rock, he pulled himself inward further, until his head vanished beneath the water. Like a snake he wriggled forward, disappearing into the lake's depths.
The forest was silent. The slight breeze that had earlier ruffled the trees was gone. No birds chirped, no squirrels chattered. But within the center of the lake, a pure, sky blue light shone. Then, the air around the area was sucked inward- and exploded outward.
A ripple shot outward from the light within the lake, extending along the water's entire body and sending water shooting towards he sky, as if a colossal rock had been dropped upon it. The world seemed to freeze a moment... before the water rained back down into the lake.
Under the moonlight, the lake seemed to glow. Its surface was completely devoid of any signs of the murkiness that had inhabited it only moments before. Rather, it shone as clearly as any precious gem, revealing an abundance of colourful fish and tall weeds. Only a large patch in the center of the lake along the floor remained hidden by a strange darkness.
Before the water could so much as settle, a long, white body rose from the lake towards the sky. Slithering upon the air as though swimming, Lyvos twisted and curled his way over to the human, the horse, and the hawk. With a surreal elegance, he slowed and landed upon the water's surface before them, standing on the waves as though they were ice.
..Thank you. I was willing to give my life to heal this lake; but you have saved mine, enabling me to protect it for years to come. He bowed his head. The long, ivory horns had reappeared on his heads, though the scar on his neck was still visible. My home.. is now your home.