Wings of Destiny
Chapter 3: Survival
Elysia's mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. The prospect of a one or two-day journey filled her with anxiety.
What if something went wrong during that time? What if they got separated and she ended up lost? The questions echoed in her mind, causing her step to falter.
"You're overthinking the situation."
She desperately scanned her surroundings, searching for the source of a voice she had just heard. Regardless, she found nothing and realized that the voice couldn't have come from Cynder. With a dismissive shake of her head, Elysia attributed the voice to her growing exhaustion. She silently hoped that they would find a place to rest for the night soon; she had never been fond of long-distance travel.
But her earlier concerns soon resurfaced and taunted her.
Suddenly, Cynder came to a sudden halt, her head jerking up and her eyes widening with alertness. She scanned their surroundings, assuming a battle-ready stance without crouching down. Then, in a swift movement, the black-scaled dragoness leaped backward as a mass of shadow landed where she had stood just moments before. The mass then swiftly darted past Cynder, unfazed by its failed attempt.
"Run," Cynder commanded without looking at Elysia.
Without wasting a moment, Cynder charged after their ambusher. Elysia obeyed, turning and sprinting in a direction of her own. As she ran, she couldn't help but worry about Cynder's safety and felt a tinge of guilt for leaving her behind, even though she knew she wouldn't have been much help.
As Elysia darted away in her own direction, Cynder pursued their ambusher with unyielding determination. The forest seemed to come alive around her, twigs and leaves whipping at her as she sprinted past. A low, threatening snarl reverberated in her throat, serving as a warning to the one she pursued. Her eyes remained fixed on the enigmatic figure ahead, resolute in her pursuit. They would not elude her so easily.
The chase persisted for what seemed like an eternity, both predator and prey pushing the limits of their endurance. But eventually, the figure abruptly halted, pivoting to face Cynder, a smirk etched across their face. There was an air of confidence about the figure, a sense of assurance that intrigued Cynder even amidst the frenzied pursuit.
With a tilt of her ram horned head, the figure, feminine in appearance, observed Cynder with eyes that sparkled with knowledge and understanding. Cynder gradually slowed her pace, eventually coming to a stop, her gaze fixed upon the enigmatic female before her. There was an undeniable ease and comfort in the figure's presence, a familiarity that resonated with Cynder.
"What took you so long?" the female inquired, her voice carrying a hint of playful reproach.
Cynder couldn't help but roll her eyes, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You don't exactly make it easy, you know?" she retorted, her tone laced with a mixture of exasperation and fondness.
The female stood tall, radiating an unyielding pride, her smile beaming at Cynder. "That's the point!" she declared, her words resonating with a touch of mischief.
A moment of silence was shared between the two before Cynder elected to shake her head softly in disbelief.
"How about we circle back to Warfang before Elysia gets there ahead of us?" Cynder proposed, a soft chuckle escaping her. With an unspoken agreement, the two figures began making their way toward the Dragon City, their steps infused with a sense of purpose.
Elysia eventually slowed to a stop, leaning against a tree to catch her breath. Each breath came as a labored gasp, accompanied by a slight wheeze.
Once her breathing returned to normal, a single question echoed in her mind: What was she supposed to do now?
"It is a test," a voice suddenly rang out in Elysia's mind, startling her. She jerked her head up sharply, only to bump it against the tree. Rubbing the back of her head, she looked around, searching for the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" she called out, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution.
"Not out there, try within," the voice replied.
It finally dawned on Elysia that the voice was coming from within her, within her own mind. The sensation was strange and unsettling, but realizing that she wasn't in immediate danger, she cautiously rose to her feet.
"Who are you?" Elysia asked aloud, addressing the voice within.
"I am your dragon spirit, and I am known as Navaqua," the voice responded.
Elysia vaguely recalled the name Navaqua from her encounters with Cynder, her enigmatic teacher. Cynder had mentioned the name in conjunction with some other language, and now the pieces were falling into place. It seemed that Cynder had awakened Elysia's dormant dragon half to a greater extent than before.
"You mentioned something about surviving," Elysia inquired, seeking clarification.
Navaqua acknowledged the question with an internal nod, an experience that felt peculiar to Elysia. "Yes, all dragons and half-dragons undertake a trial of survival. Dragons are more aware of this, whereas half-dragons only become aware if their draconic half informs them."
Curiosity piqued, Elysia continued, "How does this survival trial work?"
Navaqua explained, "It is easier for dragons than for half-dragons. The latter must learn to integrate and utilize the skills of both halves, working together in harmony."
Elysia deflated slightly, worrying that her lack of inherent skills would make her useless in this trial. She hesitated, not wanting to disappoint Navaqua or make herself appear inadequate.
"I'm useless. I don't have any skills that could really help," Elysia sighed, her voice tinged with sadness.
Navaqua's chuckle gradually transformed into a warm laugh, assuaging Elysia's confusion. It was evident that the laughter wasn't meant to be mean-spirited or belittling.
"You say that, but you need only reach within yourself to discover your skills. Who do you think defended yourself in the moments you did?" Navaqua reassured Elysia.
Elysia asked uncertainly, "You?"
Navaqua replied, "No, you did. You were acting on instinct, on your draconian instinct to protect yourself. A dragon's instinct is a powerful force that should not be underestimated. I had no influence in those moments. With time, you will realize the extent of your abilities. Believe in yourself, Elysia. Trust me, there is so much you can do, and I will be there to support you."
Trusting anyone in her current situation seemed challenging to Elysia. No one had adequately explained what was happening to her or why she found herself in this strange new world. However, Navaqua had shown nothing but kindness and care, making Elysia consider the possibility of trusting her.
Sensing her distrust, Navaqua pressed further by sharing some encouragement: "If you can find it within yourself to do so, then it can be done. Do not fear, Elysia, I will be with you every step of the way. Let us begin with survival."
Elysia's fears were eased, even if only a little. As such, she pressed onwards.
It seemed that when Elysia had fled from their unknown assailant earlier, she had been roughly heading in the direction of Warfang, the Dragon City. Navaqua guided Elysia on various navigation techniques, allowing her to gain a rough understanding of their location by observing the stars. Once Elysia relinquished control of her body to Navaqua, she demonstrated the cues using her own arms, showing Elysia how to read the signs.
Navaqua took charge of the hunting, temporarily assuming control of Elysia's body. Elysia found the experience disconcerting, feeling like a mere spectator trapped within her own flesh. Navaqua guided her through the intricacies of hunting, emphasizing the importance of patience. Elysia aimed to replicate these lessons when it was her turn.
Though she knew she wouldn't be as skilled as Navaqua, Elysia considered it a starting point. "Even if it's not perfect, it is a step in the right direction," she thought.
As their journey continued, Navaqua guided Elysia through the intricacies of flight. Their practice sessions became moments of profound connection and learning, as Navaqua patiently imparted her wisdom to the young girl.
"Focus your thoughts on the freedom of flight, Elysia," Navaqua's soothing voice resonated in Elysia's mind. "Feel the air beneath your wings."
Elysia closed her eyes, immersing herself in the moment. She extended her arms, envisioning the vastness of the heavens. Her mind willed her wings to unfurl, eager to taste the boundless possibilities that flight held.
"Remember, Elysia, it is the harmony of body and spirit that unlocks the true potential of flight," Navaqua's voice gently urged, guiding her every step of the way.
A hushed silence fell upon the surroundings as Elysia prepared to embark on her first flight. She could feel the anticipation thrumming through her veins, the weight of uncertainty mingled with excitement, her heart pounding in her chest. As she took a deep breath, the world seemed to hold its breath alongside her. With a surge of determination, Elysia flexed her wings, their powerful strokes displacing the air beneath her. It was a tentative push, an uncertain attempt to defy gravity. She felt a faint sense of weightlessness as her body gradually left the security of the solid ground beneath her.
Hovering in the air, suspended between the earth and sky, Elysia marveled at the sensation coursing through her body. It was a delicate dance of balance and control, a fragile equilibrium she struggled to maintain. Her ascent was slow, unsteady, a fragile flicker of her potential. But it was a start, a very promising start.
Navaqua's voice resonated with encouragement and pride. "You're doing splendidly, Elysia. With time and practice, you'll be soaring the skies in no time."
As the days wore on, Elysia continued to walk in the general direction of Warfang, occasionally guided by Navaqua whenever she veered off course. They paused at intervals for short breaks, during which Elysia practiced her flight techniques, albeit with no more success than before. Nevertheless, she could feel herself gaining height with each attempt, and Navaqua expressed confidence in her progress.
Nightfall arrived one last time, and Elysia prepared a small clearing for their campsite, creating a sheltered area for a fire. With the darkness enveloping the forest, Elysia ventured out in search of prey, her senses heightened by Navaqua's enhanced abilities. A symphony of scents and sounds overwhelmed her, granting her the perception of a dragon. Among the myriad scents, the aroma of deer caught her attention, albeit faintly, indicating its distance from her.
Crouching low, Elysia stealthily maneuvered through the darkened forest, striving to make no sound. Her senses led her closer to the source of the deer's scent, and when she was confident of its proximity, she concealed herself behind a bush. It was time to employ her enhanced sense of sight, allowing her to maintain visual contact with the deer.
With bated breath, Elysia positioned herself, her hands ready on either side of her as she crouched low, her arms bent at the elbows for added propulsion. She prepared to move closer, but Navaqua hissed a warning in her mind, cautioning her not to approach any closer lest the deer detect her presence. Suppressing her eagerness, Elysia heeded Navaqua's advice, restraining herself from closing the gap. She understood that losing the deer due to impatience would be counterproductive. Yet, she couldn't help but question why the act of hunting affected her so deeply in this new world compared to her experiences on Earth.
Drawing in a deep breath to steady herself, Elysia focused intently on the deer. Ready to strike, Elysia propelled herself forward with all her strength aiming her claws at the juglar of the cervine. The deer swiftly evaded her outstretched claws, darting past her with agility. Undeterred, Elysia pivoted, chasing after the elusive creature.
The pursuit intensified as Elysia and the deer maintained their distance, neither gaining nor losing ground. Yet, Elysia knew that her stamina would wane, and the deer would ultimately elude her if she didn't act swiftly. Navaqua's voice echoed in her mind, urging her to employ her wings. She hesitated momentarily, uncertain about embracing her draconic abilities fully. However, the urgency of the situation compelled her to push past her reservations. With a surge of determination, Elysia propelled herself into the air, flapping her wings with all her might. She landed on the deer's back, her claws sinking into its neck.
The deer's pace slowed, its life force ebbing away until it finally succumbed, collapsing to the ground with Elysia still perched on its back. She carefully withdrew her claws, contemplating the reality of what she had just done. The weight of taking a life, even that of an animal, bore heavily upon her.
"Do not fear, Elysia. It will get easier," Navaqua reassured her, sensing her inner turmoil.
But would it truly become easier? Elysia wondered if she could handle the responsibility of hunting for survival, of taking lives to sustain her own. The contrast between her past experiences on Earth and her current situation in this unfamiliar world troubled her.
EDIT 10/07/2023