Hello again! I finally hit my 10th chapter on this story, which I thought wouldn't happen for a while because I'm so slow with updates. But since I'm on break, I'm going to be uploading the chapters I do have finished to kill time. Anyway, this chapter is short and focuses on Pterano. Hope you guys like it, and have a good week!
Kyra stretched out her muscles as she stirred, a contented smile adorning her features upon seeing her very first sunrise in the Great Valley. The gleaming orange rays didn't nearly blind her, as most valley residents complained. To her, it was like a ray of hope after a dark time. After so many days of struggling, and having to fend for herself, she couldn't have been more grateful to see the bright circle rise again with all it's glory.
But there was a thought that lingered at the back of her mind. That flyer she'd seen. It was Pterano, unmistakably. He looked more worn out, but Kyra still recognized her mate. She would recognize him anywhere. She already knew that the other flyer she'd ran into was Tress, because she recognized Kyra. Unfortunately, Kyra did not bother to stick around to speak to them. As usual, she was running away from her problems.
This was all wrong. She had traveled here for a fresh start, a chance to forget everything from her past and start anew. But now, her past had come back to her. She could hide from it as long as she liked, but she knew, she would have to explain herself eventually.
She flew downwards towards the stream, leaning in to take a morning drink. Her joints ached from her tiresome voyage, but her fatigue left her with a feeling of accomplishment. As she sipped from the stream, Kyra peered at her reflection, which suddenly turned into a reflection of her and Tress.
"Tress?"
"Kyra, please don't fly away," Tress begged, squeezing the other's hand. "We need to talk."
Kyra scoffed. "What is there to talk about?"
"Kyra.." Tress scolded, looking her in the eye. "…First of all, it's good to see you. Second of all, what happened? We all took you for dead!"
Kyra's eyes were wild and desperate. She looked down, wanting to avoid the question posed by the other flyer.
"I ran away," she admitted. "I couldn't stay there anymore. The herd was falling apart…and I didn't want to be around when it did."
Tress knew she was telling the truth, but not the whole truth. "I know there's more to it than that, and I won't push you for answers. But you need to see Pterano."
A fierce and indescribable emotion came over Kyra, and she snatched her hand away from Tress's grasp.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"You can't run away forever!"
Kyra became angrier, a burning fire raging underneath her. "Tress, stop it!"
She couldn't understand why she found it so difficult to think with a clear mind, and no matter how well intentioned Tress's words were, they were only met with anger.
"He deserves to know," Tress shot back, unfazed by Kyra's fury. "He may have done many questionable things, but he deserves to know what happened to the flyer he loves. He should know why he had to spend so many days and nights without you, and why you never came back…but he should only hear it from you."
Kyra frowned, averting her watering eyes. "Why can't you just leave me be?"
"Because," said Tress, "you both need closure. And now that you both are living in the valley, you need it more than ever. You can get angry and hate me, that's your choice to make. But if you don't talk to him about this, you two will grow apart. And soon, there really won't be anything left to talk about."
She flew off without another word, leaving Kyra to ponder on her words. She held no resentment for the flyer, for she had been through a lot, but there were still cracks inflicted by Kyra that needed to be mended by her.
Kyra avoided the issue for as long as she could, until sunset. When the bright circle began to go below the ridge and turn it the color of fire, she flew over to Tress's place. As she landed, a pleased grin appeared on Tress's face.
"Pterano!" The little blue flyer called. There's someone here to see you." She placed a hand on Kyra's shoulder. "Good luck," she said before taking to the sky once more.
Pterano had been spending a majority of the day sleeping, regaining his strength. He kept one hand on the wall for support as he yawned, a faint feeling briefly coming over him. "Mm…yes? Who is it?"
Kyra's voice seemed to have left her. It felt as if it had been kicked out of her.
Pterano looked up, and Kyra could see every emotion he felt in that moment. Shock, disbelief, sadness…and anger.
"Pterano…" she wasn't sure what to say, so she said the most seemingly logical thing. "Please, let me explain." How was she going to explain? She could hardly gather her thoughts.
"Why did you leave?" The hurt in his voice pained Kyra more than anything.
"I…It's a long story. And I'm not ready."
"So…you can't explain."
Kyra held her head in shame. "Not yet."
There was a shimmer of doubting hope on Pterano's exhausted face. "Is it really…?"
Kyra nodded her head in confirmation. "Yes. It is me."
Pterano reached out to her, as if to make a first attempt to rekindle their relationship, but she shriveled away from him.
"Kyra…?"
"I'm sorry to say this," she sighed and rubbed her arm. "…Please don't touch me." She hoped she didn't sound too cold.
Pterano's dark eyes were sad and disappointed. "But it's me.."
"I know. And I would never have it be anyone else."
"But…?"
"I need time for myself, as do you. How do you think I'm going to love you if I can't even love myself?"
Her words struck a chord in Pterano. He'd struggled with his self esteem for as long as he could remember, and he'd destroyed it while ultimately trying to get it back. He understood what his long lost love was trying to say, and agreed. They both needed time to find themselves.
"I'm sorry," continued Kyra. "I know it looks bad, and I—"
"Shh," silenced Pterano, extending a shaky hand towards her shoulder as he looked to her eyes for permission to proceed. When she smiled, he briefly clasped a hand around her shoulder before allowing it to fall by his side.
"That will be all, my dear."