Chapter 7

Away from United Wings. From the Rainforest Kingdom. Away from the hustle and bustle of Pyrrhia. From the mountains which once belonged to somebody else. Isolated on this vast ocean, a lone island situated away from prying eyes. Cold talons made contact with warm sand, the late afternoon sun gradually sinking further and further down to that distant horizon. It's weakening rays of light landing on hard, tough scales. On amber, fiery eyes. Only bringing out the determination in them even more so, but determined to do what exactly? Large wings folding back, this dragon was tired. Tired, and yet, not making it so obvious. That steely gaze stayed locked over the never-ending ocean, giving the waves permission to come washing over those claws, hitting against a tail, and cascading over it. Soon the tranquillity of the scene was broken, by an all too familiar call from above.

'Kaaa! Kaaa! Kaaa!'

There was no need to look up, for this dragon knew of what the call meant. Of whom it meant was here, on this island. Attention turning away from the awaiting sunset, glancing back at the wild vegetation behind them, the hilt of a dagger protruding out from the sand in between the two. "Through ice and snow, no fire was found. I return with talons empty, and in need of our warmth. The biting cold is unforgiving." Speaking in a calm tone, the voice of a male dragon. And yet, who exactly was he talking to? Some mysterious individual that did not want to show themselves. Concealed in the brush, beneath the canopy of trees overhead. The sun only reflecting off of one single glinting piece of chest armour. "Through rain and leaves, I hope for us. Do not feel shame, for we are all doing our part." In return, a feminine tone would respond, however it didn't hold elegance. Nor a kind of charm to it, that one may expect to hear. No. It sounded rough, and harsh, though the words were not spoken in an unkindly manner.

Again, 'Kaaa! Kaaa! Kaaa!'

"Now go and rest your weary wings Azure, regain the strength to master the sky." She advised; the female dragon still concealed. Turning himself around fully, Azure bows his head as a sign of respect, a low thankful hum rumbling within that scaly throat. "May your dreams be free of storms." Soon after departing, the golden sands of the beach were once again empty, deprived of any draconic life. Keen orange eyes continued to observe, to wait, to not be distracted by the little crabs scuttling about the place. Nor the small island creatures scampering around taloned feet. Concentration. Focus. Patience. These words rang true in her mind, spoken by one whom she trusted with her life. Gaze slowly shifting downward to glance at the hilt of the dagger, a puny thing, the same colour as the sand which engulfed it. Threatened to swallow it whole. The same dagger that she always... 'No! You will not drag me back!' She thought hard to herself, preventing anything that wasn't of any use in this present moment, to flood her thoughts. To cloud her judgement. Thankfully, as if on cue, wingbeats approached the silent sands, and before long another dragon lands. Already facing the direction of the wild vegetation and holding themselves in a rather proud posture. The dying rays of the sun, illuminating the divine crimson shades in those scales, while casting a shadow over that face. Over the strange birthmark this dragon possessed, a 'feather' shaped beige marking, almost appearing painted on across the left eye. Her left.

"Shikra, do you also return with talons empty, or through the rain and leaves, were you able to seek out the fire?" The question hung in the air for several long, silent moments. A lone seagull foolishly flew into the airspace above them, squawking it's loud, irritating squawks. Only for it to be swiftly taken care of in a flurry of feathers, one of which drifted almost peacefully down to lay beside the dagger, before the wind would whisk it away. Earning quite the sickly twisted grin to spread across the maw of Shikra, clearly having something on her mind to share. "In the more literal sense yes, I do return to you with empty talons. However, if you mean it in the more metaphorical aspect then no, my talons are far from empty." Her tone was littered with cockiness, riddled with arrogance. It always managed to elicit a growl from the dragon in the brush and made her sometimes feel uneasy. Shikra was younger than most who dwelled here, and therefore the smallest among them. Whether her size was the reason behind her behaviour or not, it wasn't certain. Or perhaps it was only a simple matter of her status, the youngling, and she felt intimidated by everyone else on this island. Still, she'd need to learn eventually, that in time she will be the dragon she envisions herself as. Rather than a baby bird who hadn't yet truly left the nest.

Quelling the growl that threatened to grow louder, a response would follow. "Then speak. Tell me of your venture." And Shikra was all too happy to oblige, sharing the news she bought with her in an eager fashion.

"Your 'fire' is in the rainforest, and not alone!"