Bill actually has feelings? Wow.

The first and last parts of this chapter are important and relevant, but the stuff in between is just random weird shit.

August 17th

Mabel and I have officially lost all Enchiridion privileges today. Last night, I couldn't sleep and I kept thinking about that mysterious green dragon. Suddenly, the Enchiridion started going crazy, flipping through all of its pages and glowing before it snapped shut. It said after that it was collecting new knowledge. I wonder how often that happens? Anyways, it already knew that I wanted to ask about that dragon and agreed to show us. Thing is, that apparently involved it showing us some stuff from Bill's childhood. At least, I think he was a child…

It was some scene where he accidentally hit the "core" of their world with his magic and it caused their world to, quite literally, flip upside-down. Personally, I thought it was pretty impressive, but the other residents of that world did not. They were probably really mad about it.

Next, the Enchiridion skipped a bit and showed us Bill being scolded by his mother. Well, it was a bit more than scolding… She was very harsh and verbally abusive. Her voice was so familiar, and it turns out that the reason for that is because she is literally the mysterious green dragon we met! Her name is Esmeray. I don't know why the book didn't just tell us by writing it out, but maybe it had a reason for showing us all of that? It did call me nosy, though…

We tried to tell Bill, but the moment we mentioned his mom's name, he totally lost it. He was yelling and so mad that this wave of energy came from him and knocked some of us and the table over. It even caused the glass of the big fish tank to crack! He even yelled at Amy. Poor Amy. I feel guilty about that. She held her ground though and didn't argue or raise her voice at him. He seemed to realize suddenly and apologized to her.

There was blood coming from that scary black and red eye hidden beneath his eyepatch…

It was then that Amy told us to return the Enchiridion to the place I had found it and not to use it again. She wasn't angry at us or anything though. Even now, hours later, she hasn't brought it up or changed the way she interacts with us. That's a relief.

When Mabel and I went back to our room, Rawly showed up to ask about Esmeray. He wanted us to finish learning the truth of it and even encouraged us to go find and talk to her. He also wanted to go with us. Rawly doesn't strike me as the nosy or snooping type, so it was kind of weird. Still, we went anyway and Zephyr agreed to fly us there if Rawly agreed to deliver a message for him.

We found Esmeray alone in a big den carved into a rock wall. I couldn't tell if she was surprised to see us or not; she's hard to read. She was noticeably surprised when we told her that Atë was dead, though, but she wasn't upset. In fact, she said that it was "for the best". You've got to be pretty awful if your own mom isn't upset about finding out that you're dead… Or the other way around, but this wasn't the case. Esmeray admitted that she is, in fact, not really a dragon and is the mother of both Atë and Bill. She also explained how things worked in their world.

So, apparently, the monsters of their world were born without love, kindness, compassion, and all the nice stuff. They were basically just bred to conquer and destroy. They did not marry or anything like that and only reproduced if and when it was necessary. Every now and then, one of them would be born…opposite of what the others were. With the ability to feel all those good and nice things. But those were the ones considered weak and unworthy of existing. They either got attacked verbally and physically or even killed… Esmeray said that she was one of those opposites, but she was able to put up a façade her whole life to keep herself safe. Atë, her firstborn, was born "perfect" and horrible and evil, so she fit right in. But Bill was like their mom. Hard to believe, honestly. Thinking back on our first summer knowing Bill, I can't really imagine anyone worse. But according to his mom, he wasn't always like that. He only turned into that because of all the things he went through. Even his own kind consider him to have lost his mind because, one day, he attacked and killed them and destroyed their entire dimension. How, exactly, is unclear to me.

Anyways, Esmeray told us that she secretly always cared for and loved Bill, but never said or showed it because it would get them killed. Instead, she tried to get him to close off that better side of himself by treating him like the others did. Though, despite her harsh words towards him that we learned from the Enchiridion, I have a feeling that maybe she was never as harsh with him as the others were. I don't actually think she ever even physically harmed him like his sister did. Either way, she admitted that she regrets her choice of going about it all.

And that scar on her face where her right eye should be? Turns out that the higher-ups of their world attacked her and tore out her eye because she defended Bill to them. Now, she doesn't have that weird "sight" that Bill has. Or had (he's steadily getting it back). I guess damage is permanent when another powerful immortal causes it? Interestingly, she called her omnipotent sight a "curse".

When we asked how she and some of the others of their kind survived when Bill turned on them, she explained that the ones who survived only did so because they were stronger. He still did a real number on them, though. As for Esmeray herself, she told us that Bill chose not to kill her. He didn't even attack her. I wonder why? Did he secretly care about her, too? Did he realize that she had treated him differently from everyone else? I can't figure it out. When we mentioned her, Bill became furious and told us that she was dead. Mabel thinks he must have mixed feelings about his mom. I'm inclined to agree.

When we got back home, Rawly went to tell Crusade something. Crusade looked surprised then very excited before turning into a dragon and flying away somewhere. Then, Rawly went upstairs for some reason. He never goes up there…

Ford got back a little after us and we had to explain everything that happened while he was gone. Oh, uh, he had gone to "take care of something" with the gnomes in the forest. I think one of them owed him money or something.

…

Amy stood up and went over to the door at the sound of light knocking. She had remained in her room to keep an eye on Bill since that morning, only leaving once to get something for lunch and quickly check on the animals.

"Rawly," she said as she opened the door for him. "Do you need something?"

"Er, yes. Well, I need to talk to Bill, I mean."

She looked back at Bill, who was sitting on her bed. "Fine," he said quietly. Amy stepped aside to allow Rawly in before closing the door again.

"What is it?" Bill asked as Rawly approached.

He stopped a few feet away from the bed and began to tap his fingertips together. "Well, you see… Um, please forgive me for this, but I had Mabel and Dipper take me with them to visit…her."

Bill's eye widened slightly and he stared at him in silence.

"Truthfully," Rawly said quickly, "I coaxed them into doing so!"

Bill continued to stare. Amy stood nearby with one hand on her hip as she listened.

"You see," he continued, "I remembered something you had told me once, a-and I wanted to perhaps confirm something about it. And it turns out, I was right! Your mother, she –"

"Stop," he said at last.

"But she –"

"Stop," he said more firmly. "Rawly, don't." He turned away from him.

Rawly kept quiet for a minute, tapping his fingers. "Bill, I think –"

"Stop it!"

"No!"

Bill was stunned, caught off-guard by Rawly raising his voice. Even Amy looked surprised. "Rawly…" Bill said dangerously.

"I will not," Rawly stated firmly, dropping his hands down to his sides in fists. "There is something you need to know, so you are going to be quiet and listen!"

Bill stared at him, surprised, then seemed to relax and turned away. "Fine. Say whatever you have to say, kid. Then get out."

"Very well… You told me once, when I was younger, that you always thought your mother was somewhat…different. You said that she was the only one you could not bring yourself to attack that day, but you still believed her to have died with your world."

"What is your point?"

"When asked about it all, she told us that she was one of those of your kind born different. Incorrect in the eyes of your species. But she hid it to avoid punishment or worse. The way she treated you was only her attempt to protect you."

Bill shot him a leer. "Protect me?" he growled.

"I believe she could not think of any other way, but she said that she wished she had."

He scoffed. "And you believe her?"

"Yes," Rawly said firmly. "She took punishment in your place, you know. The defining feature of your kind's power was torn out of her, and she doesn't even regret that! She hates what happened to you. She hates herself, even, and secludes herself away from others only because she does not believe she deserves forgiveness or companionship. From anyone!"

"She doesn't!"

"Stop that!"

Bill suddenly stood up, the difference in his and the teenager's height suddenly more obvious. "What do you want from me, Rawly? You want me to forgive her? What for!?"

Rawly had prevented himself from cowering beneath him. He has no intention of hurting me, he thought to himself, he never did. "No! I mean, I just…" He sighed. "I am not trying to convince you to forgive her. Or anyone, for that matter. I… I just don't want you to hurt or suffer…"

Bill winced, looking surprised for a second before backing off. "Tch. I've never understood you, Rawly. I only looked after you to keep you from destroying the Nightmare Realm. I never had any intention of growing attached to you…" He let out a false laugh. "But here we are."

"…I just want you to know the truth, so that, maybe, you could let some things go. For your own sake, of course. You've bounced back and forth between good deeds and terrible ones for years and years. Many fear and even hate you, but for others it's quite the opposite. You are capable of so much good. You know this, and you have enjoyed it. I know you have. But awful memories and a fear you refuse to admit keep you from being what you want to be. What you secretly, truly want to be."

"Hmph. And what would that be, then?"

"Happy. Truly happy."

Bill stared at him, his expression now unreadable. After a long silence, he turned away completely. "Are you done?"

"Yes. Bill…" Rawly hesitated a moment before saying, "No matter what your reasons were originally… I want to thank you for having always been kind to me, despite what you grew up with. I always felt somewhat better and calmer with you around." And, with that, he left the room, closing the door behind himself.

Amy turned to look at Bill; he was facing the other way. She could not see his expression, but he moved his hand up to the left side of his face and wiped at it. "Damn nosy kids," he muttered.

"Hm. I agree with him," Amy said before walking over to sit on her bed. "For something considered a demon, you sure have a lot of emotions inside, don't you?" she teased lightly.

He let out a short laugh. "Demon is a subjective term."

…

"Oh, Ghooost," Crusade called as he flew up and landed on the ledge jutting out from the hidden tether tree's mountain. "Dearest brother, where are youuuu?"

The form of the white dragon materialized before him and fixed his emerald eyes upon him. "What do you want?"

Crusade placed a hand on his chest, mocking offense. "Huh! Can't I just call my big brother for the sake of it?"

"You could," Ghost said as he eyed him, "but you wouldn't." He flicked his tail. "Out with it then. What do you want?"

"Well, since you asked… I know I'm your beta and I'm supposed to remain relatively near the tether tree or at least in Avas…"

"…"

"But, you know, since nearly every creature that lives in this realm doesn't even know the tree exists, and very few of those creatures have magic, and none of the ones that do have magic are strong enough to defy us, meaning the tether tree is very safe in general, especially since you keep it hidden from sight, and since the creatures of this realm do their own things and most don't even know of our existence, we don't really need to sit around all the time waiting for anyone to show up or –"

"Breathe, Crusade!"

He took a huge gasp in. "Phew…"

"If you want to go somewhere for something, then just say that and go. There is no need for such a ridiculously extended excuse. I do not care so long as you do not cause trouble."

"Oh… Great! Well, I have plans in Telmak this evening and probably won't be back until sometime tomorrow. That is, if all goes well."

Ghost sighed. "What is that last part supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing for you to worry about, brother. Truly. I'm just going to meet up with my little Zephy."

"Oh. Is that all?" Ghost was secretly relieved. "Fine then."

"Great! I'll see you later! Or tomorrow; I have no idea yet!" He began flapping his wings and took to the air.

Ghost laid down on his belly and watched his brother fly down into the trees of the vast forest below. "Hmph. Silence, at last." He laid his head down on his arms and sat in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds he could hear were birds chirping below. "… Perhaps I should get a hobby. …Or a pet."

…

Shade was standing over a large cauldron with a fire lit beneath it outside of the old barn. While he hovered over it, stirring the boiling liquid within, Ford and Dipper were closely studying him.

"At first, I thought he was covered in feathers, like that Zephyr dragon or Icarus," Ford was saying as he wrote in a book. Dipper was also writing something in his own book. "However, like a moth, they appear to be soft, feathery, scales."

"Well," Dipper said, "he is called a moth dragon."

"Indeed. Could you spread your wings, please?"

Without saying anything or turning to look at them, Shade spread his wings out and continued to oversee his boiling concoction. Every now and again, he sprinkled or tossed something into it.

"The wings greatly resemble those of the female automeris io with some differences. However, the scales do not appear to come off very easily like a moth's." He carefully dragged his fingertip down one of Shade's bottom wings then rubbed his finger and thumb together. "Hm… Are moth dragons a common type?"

"Technically," Shade said, "I am what is called a beast dragon. There are many types of beast dragons. They all have features and qualities of some kind of animal other than a bird, reptile, fish, or amphibian. All dragons have features comparable to those."

Ford continued writing. "I see. Interesting. Tell me about your exterior anatomy, if you don't mind."

"Okay. You are right about my scales. And no, they do not shed like an actual moth's scales do. They are waterproof, though, so I can fly in the rain. My wings are delicate, however, and can tear easily. I cannot fly well in harsh weather conditions or strong winds. I also cannot fly very fast. I flutter. I have a long, thin, black tongue curled up in my mouth like a hummingbird, which is why I speak oddly. I use it to drink nectar from flowers. I do not have eyelids, but I have eye capsules like a snake to protect my eyes. I am smaller than most dragons, so I am nimble and can easily slip through tight spaces as long as I am cautious of my wings. If my wings are torn or damaged or even if they break off completely, they will regrow with time. My feathery antennas can sense the slightest of vibrations from quite a distance. That is why I keep them curled tightly when not intending to use them."

"Fascinating! Do your extra arms help or hinder you?"

"Help. Especially with cooking!" He grabbed four different ingredients and added them to the cauldron.

"What are you making?" Dipper asked, catching the scent of something good.

"A hearty meat and vegetable soup!"

…

Zephyr sat looking out at the water of the big lake that surrounded Telmak's tether tree. Above, Starpelt's eye was a crescent of light getting thinner and thinner by the minute, allowing the stars of past spirits to shine brighter. The still water reflected the starlight like a perfect pane of glass. Finally, Starpelt had fully closed its eye, leaving the world in the soft-hued light of sparkling stars.

"You may go home now, Zephyr," Gaia said behind him.

He turned to face her and bowed deeply. "Yes. Thank you, Great Mother Gaia. Goodnight."

She nodded. "And goodnight to you, too. Enjoy your day off tomorrow."

With a flap of his feathered wings, he lifted himself high off the ground and with another flew upwards. He followed the tall trunk of the colossal tree all the way up into the branches and leaves where the dragon village called Hyal-Wun o Gaelflor was hidden. He flew over and under wooden bridges, around glowing lantern-like plants that hung from vines, past round homes made from wood, vines, and leaves, and all the way over to his own humble abode situated away from the others. He landed on the porch and turned to look out at the village. It was dark, the only lights coming from the lantern plants and the windows of dragon homes, along with the odd fairy or two. Over on a large circular platform in the center of the village, many dragons gathered to talk or play and dance with fairies. He watched them for a moment before turning to go inside of his home.

Inside, he shut the door behind him, the sounds of laughter and chatter now dulled by the solid wooden walls, and he picked up a fancy metal and glass lantern, blew fire into it, then hung it up on a hook located in the center of the ceiling. He went over to a window and nosed the curtain aside to look out for another moment before letting the curtain fall back into place and moving to the center of the room. He fluffed his feathers out, shook himself, then smoothed his feathers and sat down to stare silently at a strange device on the wall that greatly resembled an analog clock with six hands and several moving disks. Hardly a full two minutes had passed before there was a knock outside his door.

"Come in," he called and turned to face the door.

"Zephy!" Crusade burst through the door and into the once quiet home.

"Crusade… So, you showed up."

"Of course I did! Did you honestly think that I would not show up when my future king sends a message for me to show up? Ha! So," he went over to Zephyr and pressed himself against his side, "have you finally decided to admit your undying love for me and will now allow me to conquer and make you my king?"

Zephyr's feathers bristled. "Stop that! You're much too forward! I cannot believe that my potential soulmate is someone like you!"

"Ouch," Crusade said with a grin.

Zephyr looked away quickly. "Sorry… I…didn't mean it like that."

He shrugged. "I mean, I'm not really offended."

"You're not?"

"Pfft! No. 'Cause I know you like me." He leaned closer to growl softly in his ear, "You want me as much as I want you, don't you, Zephyr?"

Zephyr's feathers could not possibly stick up any more than they did at that. "You –!"

"I'm not hearing a no." Crusade laughed then craned his head around behind Zephyr to carefully nip and nibble at his shoulders.

Zephyr's feathers bristled then settled a few times, and he let out a growl that greatly resembled a purr. "So, it seems you do know some traditional dragon courting behaviors…"

Crusade trailed up Zephyr's neck to his jawbone, where he let out a huff of warm air into his feathers, grinning when Zephyr shuddered. "Of course. Isn't that only natural? Like instinct?"

"I…suppose…"

Zephyr lowered his head to Crusade's chest, mimicking the courting behavior of nipping and nuzzling while Crusade returned to his shoulders to do the same. Their tails curled and twined together as they teased and enjoyed each other.

"I suppose," Zephyr breathed, "that I do quite like you, Crusade…"

…

Gaia had smiled to herself upon seeing Crusade fly high overhead and into the leaves of the tether tree. After, she had spread her own butterfly-like wings of golden light. Each flap of her large wings was nearly silent but was accompanied by a soft sound not unlike that of a bunch of tiny silver bells as twinkling magic scales fell from them and disappeared. As she flew, her eyes flashed and a vortex suddenly appeared in the sky, which she flew into and vanished, the vortex closing behind her without a trace.

On the other side, she soared through a tiny realm of blue swathed with white starlike lights all around, then landed gracefully on the flat top of a huge white column as it suddenly materialized into being. She sat in silence, staring up at swirling stars. As the stars swirled faster and faster, they began to collide into each other and, with a strange yet fascinating sound, suddenly burst into a vortex from which came the feathery serpentine figure of her brother Ouroboros.

She nodded to him. "Greetings."

He returned the greeting then joined her at her side to watch the stars settle back into place. "It becomes clearer as the time draws closer," he said after a minute or two.

"They appear to agree with us on our suggestion for Druunire's new guardian," Gaia said.

"Hmph! I still do not fully like the idea, but what other choice do we have? No one else is strong enough. And you. Why have you not determined a new beta yet? It has been years since your last one."

"Do you expect me to perish someday?"

He ruffled his feathers indignantly. "Absurd! But a beta is good for other things, you know!"

"I suppose you are correct. But, like you said, there is currently no one strong enough."

They sat in silence for a moment longer and continued to read the lights before them.

"…Tomorrow," Ouroboros said at last. "They say that it will officially begin tomorrow. The rifts in space currently located in Telmak will begin to tear wide open and unleash far more troublesome shadows. This may turn into another Shadow War."

Gaia snorted smoke from her nostrils. "Sometimes I curse the unbreakable law of passiveness that I, as a fairy dragon, am bound to against my will. Dragons are not meant to die!"

"And I am bound to Sava to never leave it for very long… Let us hope that the help we have gathered will be enough. Hm… It appears that our young sibling will be making his grand return by colliding Necronire with Telmak and Avas."

"I will have to hold fast to my tether tree when it occurs…"

Her brother nodded. "I will come to assist in the fight when I sense the collision. Until then, I must return to Sava. I feel my ethereal world pulling my soul back to it."

Gaia nodded. "Farewell, then, brother."

"Farewell."

To be continued…