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Chapter 17: A moment of rest with two great ones

Arriving at the tower they remember creating so long, or maybe they remember creating a different one, it is hard to know since so many of these were made... the pair of great dragons settle near the dark stone of the building, with the dark blue one looking over Darkstalker while the feathered one mostly stares at her, the focus of his mind so hard to shift from his kin and her last battle.

Settling then laying down his dark body, the nightwing finally allows himself to rest, though he still keeps an eye on Kraydirn, now expecting that his powerful feelings kept in check could burst out and push him to act strongly at an inappropriate time.

Not even Akhanta had predicted his "test" until it was too late. Is that sort of drastic action this dragon's version of being helpful?

And yet the great dragoness doesn't seem to be too bothered by that last battle, at least if I wasn't involved… They don't hate each other nor do they see themselves as rivals, yet they fight, maybe it is something deep inside theim, an instinct or a side of their personality… or maybe all of that is in their culture, royalty in Pyrrhia has quite a bloody challenge for a way to determine succession.

I guess the princess never loved their mother that much to begin with…

But conserve such a cultural way when there is only five of them left in this world? That should quickly lead to problems, right?

So much questions and so little answers, maybe I really need to rest after all...

Drifting partially his attention to the very dark stones that compose the ground, the nuances of their nature barely visible even with the close light of the tower, the young hybrid senses a giant moving and approaching. And before even having his eyes gazing upon her, he deduces her identity and feels somewhat comfortable as Akhanta settles her imposing and magnificent form closer to him, her head not strictly pointing at him but that does not stop her from thinking nor speaking to him.

- "Darkstalker, lieju uthu zikos masne?" Says the great dragoness, choosing a moderately more distant voice and attitude voluntarily.

Getting the tone of her voice, Darkstalker feels way less in a hurry to answer or even react, so taking his time, his partially turns toward her before looking down, putting a paw over his chest and rubbing his soft scales.

- "Huko…"

- "Yth gynhim, zait iole tetrumi yth eiuf vecik heij yth hute moxon." Says the draconic giant, slowly twitching her massive tail as she says her words, her mind now focusing on the memories of their last, or first challenge...

"Uthu hute surh uojem, uthu hute ghyt aftomer sif ifyat zait ythias tekra." Adds Akhanta, her thoughts focusing on the moment Kraydirn was hit by the little one's attack, before fully turning to him.

- "I… yth…"

- "Ghyt heia xetis yihe uthu tunis heia, uthu surh heia velgaren sif, oje uthu surh heia velgaren sif opeit zait almu retuhiunu…" Replies the caring dragoness, not expecting him to answer if he can not, while regret is present in her mind, coming back as she remembers how dangerous the fight was for Darkstalker, even if they could heal him.

Curling her tails around the little one and rising a talon, the grand dragoness remains deep in thoughts… until the sound of wings flapping reaches her ears. Turning her head, she sees her feathered circling around the tower, probably inspecting it.

Seeing the nightwing having shifted his attention as well, the dark blue giant speaks again, trying to answer his curiosity by voicing her different thoughts, even if it will not do much.

"Vawrie u ekulna linf u eqerona, cuxt u jykon ruzti ajek heia u rysim dusmil." Says Akhanta, the many image of herself and her kins scrutinizing towers and repairing them coming to her mind.

"Ikul yth ghyt heia hefum iole eiuf surh ulitos wulen toijyl, aqerh uthu soumvu yenuv toeik, uthutias ueris okutes th sylis almu..."

Finishing her words, the great dragoness extends a wing over Darkstalker, while expression invites him to rest, as do her mind. Saying nothing, the young one remains on the somewhat cold stone, the feelings he has taming as time passes… until his eyes are closed.

The Moon shines above the peaceful beach, giving colours as the waves scratches the sand bit by bit… Before the water are two nightwings and a seawing, with only one of the two watching the moon. Behind him, the other nightwing and the sea dragon watch over, their mind full of doubts.

- "Did you know the Moon was more powerful and worthy than dragonkind thought?"

- "Darkstalker?" Says the dragoness of night, still wary of him.

Without turning nor looking at her, the nightwing continues while staring at the Moon in admiration, the sight of it bringing him a familiar happiness, as well as a sense of ambition.

- "To think during millennia, even the ones chosen to be its closest children were utterly lost in this world, our wisdom not being enough to guide them to greatness like they were supposed to..."

Animated by his emotions, the dragon of night stands up on two talons and extends his front ones to the celestial body, as if he is hoping to reach it.

Looking at his friend with suspicions and fear, the seawing gets closer to the dragoness before speaking to him in a tone that does not hide his feelings.

- "Darkstalker, can you please step down?"

Disappointed, the nightwing turns his head to fully express his disagreement.

- "Fathom, how many times must I say it to you? Our blood does not lie, our light doesn't lie, just listen to them, free yourself from these old words that still restrain you to this very day."

- "He won't." Replies the dragoness, halting Darkstalker's act as she stands determined against him.

"Because our fear is truer than whatever empty promises you think will come true. Let it go."

- "Is that so Clearsight?" Asks the nightwing, annoyed by such opposition from the dragoness supposed to live with him and bring happiness in the futures.

- "Yes."

To the cold answer, the dragon starts to become angry before ending up laughing more and more. After catching his breath, he spreads his front talons wide, as if to present the glory of his form.

- "Then go on! You can tell all the words you want, I know you don't believe any of them yourself."

- "Your overconfidence will be your downfall… is all that I have say." Replies the dragoness, standing in opposition to her mate.

- "Hypocrite! You never have faith in the essences, except in your own, you never give up Moonlight. Your powers are parts of you, and you love them, embrace them like I do."

Crossing his talons, Darkstalker lowers his voice, but stays as serious as he can.

"I am less different from you than you think, my dear."

- "I do not share your ambitions, that alone makes me different enough."

Turning his back to her like she is a dragonet ignorant of the world's complexity, the nightwing stares back at the Moon.

- "Half bastard is what you are, there is no denying of it. You may reject our own glorious destiny, but at the same time you live with the divine essences like a lover. You deny ambition and yet… You alter the world as much as you can, for it to be one day in your image."

- "Darkstalker, stop!"

Not even dignifying Fathom with a look, the night dragon replies as if his friend could never stop him.

- "And you, my friend, are the biggest coward of all! You always run away from your powers, from the light, from the Moon, and… from your loved one."

Darkstalker finally stands down on four legs as his tone becomes tainted by regrets and pity.

"You have been beaten into submission, your mind taken away from the hopes and dreams each day could give you, until you had nothing but mere scraps. You don't fear your powers, you fear the Moon."

Do you realize what they did to you, Fathom?

Thinking things have gone too far, the dragoness takes a step forward and puts a claw on the night dragon, who pushes her paw away, turning hastily to face her. As soon as his eyes look at her, Clearsight speaks in a confrontational tone.

- "Your best friend isn't submitting to anything, he is just far more cautious and hold stronger values and moral, that's all."

- "So you're saying Fathom is fine as he is now?"

To this question, the dragoness takes a moment to think of the answer, not wanting to make a mistake by being reckless.

- "He has his problems and flaws, but he is a good dragon at heart. Just because he is very fearful does not mean you can ignore his virtues."

At these words, the seawing feels a little bit better, but worry takes over his mind as sees clearly how the tension between his two friends is increasing.

- "How can you say that, how can you look at him fearing his powers so much he thinks of himself as a living hazard and a burden for anyone, and think it is only mildly problematic! How can you conclude that a dragon who believes the world would be a better place if he died is a good dragon!"

Turning his back to his supposed lover before she can reply, Darkstalker continues his speech in cold anger.

"Whatever virtues he has… are completely outweighed by such a poor view of his own being. What good is selflessness if it leads to self destruction? I'll told you, none!"

Turning dramatically to face his friend and lover again, Darkstalker looks down at them, especially at her mate, who has failed an important test in his mind...

Waking up with the two great dragons watching him, Darkstalker feels good enough, with his sun still burning a bit more in him than before. That warmth, mystical and captivating, the light of his very being…

Sensing the two great entities, the seer is surprised to feel their aura, still powerful and dangerous, having a calmer side. Akhanta's essences are ones he is becoming familiar with, a potent but predictable mass that can be harsh or welcoming depending on the dragoness' wish, but Kraydirn's ones… That chilly atmosphere, that dormant blizzard, he did not imagined he would find his aura peaceful after seeing all the might of his emotions and essences in the Test, and yet…

Slowly standing up, the young one is now ready to fly, his mind now clearer and far less burdened by feelings raw or complex relating to shame, fear, and anger. Seeing the two draconic giants awaking easily, standing with their imposing and powerful form, he supposes they are ready like him, as seems to be their mind, though their appears to be far lighter than his…

Exchanging a few words in a tongue he still knows almost nothing about, Darkstalker watches Akhanta and Kraydirn concluding and agreeing to each other, before turning to him.

Taking a step forward to show he is ready like them, it only take a moments for the three dragons to ascend in the air and start the flight to their home, abandoning the tower that shed enough light over its dark and lifeless land… While the dark blue one keeping herself close to him, the other watches over them, silently judging and focusing on what bond the two begins to develop, with a bit of pride and joy colouring his mind as he thinks of such a concept, like he remembers how good his kin was in the past...