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Chapter 26: An unexpected guide to follow
Climbing steadily to the top while wearing many scroll cases on his back, Xamirh arrives at the top to see his dark blue kin and the little one facing the artificial moon, peaceful and relaxed…
Approaching the two, the yellow great dragon puts down from his gigantic body all that he wears carefully behind them, before joining at the dragoness' side, beginning to stare at the celestial body like they do, a shred of fascination clearly apparent on his face.
As Akhanta turns her head, the great dragon retains himself from speaking as he quickly learns from her face that something happened, something bad… She can not hide it that easily, being with her for so long made him very good at getting the slightly differing expression and other hints from his kins. And such a case of her like his other kins hiding bad things happened so many times in his long life...
Reacting to Xamirh's realization, the dark blue giant chooses to speak first, answering him immediately before he can really worry.
- "Darkstalker ajek u ulkir feny, heia velt artufo ust leaqisu."
Her voice lowers quickly, some of her energy leaving as she tells of something she always fear and is ashamed of...
"Yth axumoi yth soumvu tunis ashek yl uforxy kes yfena Zo okutes, ikul..."
To her words, the yellow giant puts his paw on her neck, his look one of growing empathy as he gets closer to her being...
- "Ghyt heia pioltum Zumej, neiatome soumhute tunis konles yl Ervakyr zait yl iute. Ythe tunis zult amokor sif eris u temnyl tumok tey yl tromafun." Says the giant dragon showing his burning desire to achieve a far better future, the hope to restore the world.
But despite his words, Akhanta's doubt stays deep in her mind, not so easily vanquished, and seeing her gazing upon the sea grey and black barely illuminated by their creation, the remains of their world blackened and hardened like ash and stone… It only confirms how tenacious her worry is.
But Xamirh will not give up on her. Taking the dragoness' head into his paw, the yellow great one makes it turn and lean into him with ease, facing no resistance on her part.
Now that they are looking straight into the other, like two beings who need to share more of their life, Xamirh is only waiting for her agreement, making the smaller one dumbfounded by such a turn of event.
Nodding silently, the dark blue kin allows him to surround her neck with the entirety of his own, laying his scales of sand and gold over her own, bringing her the warmth and support she needs each time her anxiety starts to bring her down…
Watching the two great dragons hugging each other, Darkstalker stays where he is, silent and peaceful in front of the two sharing affection, naturally bringing joy into his heart, one more drop of light in his life since he arrived here.
And that light, the young one will not waste it despite the envy his heart starts to feel toward them, remembering him of the beautiful futures he saw and wanted, fought and plunged into darkness for years only to never reach them...
Slowly moving apart, Xamirh and Akhanta look at the nightwing once again, before the great dragoness goes at his side while her kin starts to organize his many scroll cases.
Positioning herself near the young one with her her giant form, the dragoness bears a small smile as she knows she is not alone. And that is not lost for the seer who starts to fully register what she feels, still bearing a little grin he developed before, a side effect of being close enough to happy minds, ones he can accept and take inspiration from despite his heart being in ruin…
Eyeing him while she still faces her yellow kin, Akhanta can not hide her interest to the moon-born nightwing that Darkstalker is. Turning his head instantly in reaction, he then answers her by getting in contact with the side of her belly.
Even if the size difference and his dress make the act a bit awkward, the dark blue giant gets the message Darkstalker is well and ready to follow her, not that he will have to do much as both wait for Xamirh to settle with them again, to present and discuss with scroll full of useful informations, or so they think…
Finally starting to do exactly that, the yellow giant is now at their side, unrolling one full of lines of symbols.
A text I can't read, how wonderful… But more seriously, I hope you have more than just plain text, or else your efforts will be in vain…
Unrolling a second scroll far longer than the first, the object depicts so many dragons of different colours and shapes, it might as well be a recording of all the species that lived in that realm. Being curious, the nightwing stares at all the numerous drawings, gazing upon creatures that always have a tail, four talons, two wings, horns, teeth and claws, but who might wear fins, have strange but more developed ears, or antennas, fur or feathers in some area…
Though the more common and average dragon seems to be closer to the typical skywing, except for the colours which are not a restricted characteristic at all. And that reassures the young one a bit, or at least make him remember of Pyrrhia, even if he have not seen a lot of skywings in the kingdom where he lived.
Laying a third scroll, that one is like the first in containing text without any picture, but still, it draws the attention of the giant dragoness, whose gaze switches between the closest drawing to the nightwing and that.
Unrolling a fourth scroll, Darkstalker gazes upon an image he does not recognizes at first, one of colourful vines growing in the middle of nowhere with again lines of symbols to describe the scene, until it hits him.
That's where I was awakening for the first time in that world… So they found my starting point…
- "Iole ajek uje uthu feltone tey." Says Xamirh while pointing at the scroll, thinking deeply about the nightwing's origin.
"Iole ajek eijastu, pratus neiatome iole soumvu khutey eris Zu, heia jivun yl olmukara abelnu tsekat." Adds the great dragon, incapable of explaining it, still not understanding why so much essences appeared when the lost place was sterile and ordinary like the rest of the lands.
Thinking as well, Akhanta's mind becomes flooded with memories since they found the otherworldly dragon, trying to find a clue somewhere in all the times she was with him, whatever he was conscious, wounded or in good shape, as well as in the many discussions she had with all of her kins.
Then, an idea comes to her mind…
- "Uthu hute zaptoe Ayirn hute pleosim tho, aqerh ythe soumvu yenuv xeit tha..."
To that proposal, the yellow giant agrees and goes to put his scrolls back in their cases while Darkstalker remains thoughtful, but shifting his mind to the dragoness they have spoken of, and that he still despises greatly and fears even if he does not want to really admit the latter.
Keeping his calm, the nightwing reduces these sudden feelings that he knows will not make his situation any better. And preparing himself well enough, the young one, wearing his dress, follows Xamirh as he dives into the great pyramid that is their house, walking steadily with the titanic and caring dragoness at side…
.
Marching once more inside the somewhat moist and cold corridor made for giants to go through, the smaller nightwing sometimes gazes at the walls, seeing one more time the drawings of a past he starts to understand, well understand is more of an exaggeration than anything.
How could someone not knowing a language really understand a scene composed of drawings and lines of text explaining elements in said language?
So, inevitably, despite how many depicting pieces come into view for Darkstalker, it becomes kind of boring for a dragon such as him, who is eager to speculate and learn more about another world, to solve mysteries and occupy his mind, and to distract himself from his still pitiful situation.
If only he could decipher their language, if only…
.
Descending some very familiar stairs, the two great dragons and their nightwing approaches what he calls the Laboratory, not really having a better name for it… Coming back to that place, the young dragon starts to be accustomed to the radiating and tremendous power residing at the end of its depths. But he is not stupid, he knows well that what he feels at the beginning of it is very different and tame compared to what he will feel should he finds himself near that titanic crystal…
Better not to dwell on it, at least I don't want be near that Nexus and its… life until I am ready...
Stepping inside the grand entrance, the three dragons have to go farther if they want to meet their kin, who is certainly in the almost ridiculously long corridor of the underground. Even the little seer can feel her presence to be relatively close, as well as that of Azykan being not so distant from her...
Walking around the central pool and near the gigantic scroll-shelves, the pair of great dragons go through the end of the room in total indifference, only interested in reaching the magical dragoness.
Stepping inside the left entrance, the group finds itself in the incredibly long tunnel that should be conquered by the darkness if not for the glowing crystals present on each wall, which to the surprise of Darkstalker now that he really looks at them, contain their fair share of power.
I guess they must not only serve to light the room…
While the nightwing wonders about how easy it might be to draw essences from such sources, Xamirh and Akhanta get closer and closer to the one they seek until the group arrives at a door not so different from the others, with the same size and proportions…
If only I could read these symbols, maybe I'll be sure that what is behind this one is "totally different and unique".
Its content will surely be unique if they dump their… wonderful objects… There is only one simple way to fill that many rooms below the surface after all…
Wait… does that mean the night Palace has dumping rooms somewhere, preferably far away from from its prestigious parts?
As the young one is thinking that maybe, the palace of his kingdom is not without flaws and a messier side, the yellow great one pushes the door, revealing the dragoness of blue and green he was searching for and brings the nightwing back to reality.
- "Woukoshei Ayirn." Says the giant dragon politely.
- "Woukoshei Xamirh, heij ajek yl kehusit ust uthutias surikun?" Asks Ayirn, surprised as she puts down a crystal to face her guests.
- "Yth muka u alkary xeito prita uthu." Declares Xamirh, his tone becoming more serious.
"Lieju uthu kenib uje Darkstalker lemeltuf tey?"
To such a question, Ayirn starts to think of the past, of the time she encountered the young one, frail and lost in the middle of their ruined realm. Casting a quick glance at him instinctively, her minds becomes distracted as she sees his unwelcoming face, reminding her of his disdain and disturbing behaviour each time she was near him.
Seeing that, Akhanta, followed by her yellow kin turns to face the smaller one, who despite his internal anger and hatred, behaves relatively correctly. But still, it will not stop the great dragon from sighing while the Ayirn begins to be annoyed without really hiding it…
"Akhanta, lieju uthu tunis emruti yl toijyl iufosa cuxt alkanyl tunis ashek sulma?" Says Xamirh in a calm voice, having turned to face his dark blue kin.
Nodding, the huge dragoness makes sign for Darkstalker to follow as she leaves the room… Bringing the nightwing a few doors before the one they were at, the great entity stops and says two words before heading back to her kins.
- "Kovtur tsekat."
Understanding what she said, the young one stays where he is, allowing her to join the others as she does not see nor feel him doing anything suspicious…
.
Now with no one in that somewhat cold, ominous and way too long corridor, the seer can think alone, not that he hated being accompanied, at least as long as Ayirn, and maybe Azykan are not there. Which makes him think as he turns to where he feels the last one is.
You are definitely there Azykan, and that boring door won't hide you, not that it was your intention, at least I hope so…
Looking back at where the three others great dragons are, Darkstalker focuses on their mind, trying to get the answer a question he has.
So they think a lot about anything in touch with my origin, and the way I see it, they seem to be in a very long discussions, maybe they have even settled to better speak and explain their hypothesises, which gives me more time…
Staring back at Azykan's door, the nightwing utters some words in a very low voice.
- "I wonder…"
Taking a step in that direction, the young dragon thinks more than ever.
They can feel the essences radiating from me, so they'll realize it if I distance myself from them. But if I stay close to another, far more powerful being, maybe his aura can cover mine…
Adjusting his dress, the nightwing prepares himself to reach the door he is looking at. It may not be that far, for a giant at least, but reaching it mights be an act they can spot.
Taking a deep breath, Darkstalker's confidence returns, and a moment later, he starts to walk slowly but surely, the sound of his steps echoing through the place, but for one to hear them, one would have to be quiet or expecting something potentially moving there, especially for an enormous dragon. The nightwing grins…
Arriving at the great one's door, the young one stops, remaining quiet and focused the time to check the mind of his target.
Seeing the detailed image of many flasks over some shelves and a scroll in his mind, the seer deduces the giant being must be utterly focused on them. Casting a quick glance at the other door, the young one learns the three giants are still discussing meticulously, totally unaware of his little trip.
Good…
Positioning himself to be the closest to Azykan despite the door, the nightwing closes his eyes to better feel his aura.
Becoming calm enough after a moment of tranquillity, the young and far smaller dragon can not deny the great one's aura is superior in intensity to his own despite the large door that hides him, superior enough it eclipses his own for a distant watcher.
But as he fully feels and compares his radiating presence with the other, the seer sees a shift in his mind, the giant is seeking something, some essences often presented as unique and almost miraculous, sometimes bearing a silver colour…
It might not take long until he thinks of me.
Stepping back, Darkstalker starts to walk at normal speed toward his original spot, trying not to arise suspicion. But a quick gaze reassures him, the three great ones are still very deep in their conversation...
Around a minute later, the heavy door opens not without a loud and continuous noise, allowing the draconic titan to show his red and orange scales for anyone who might be in the corridor… Moving the head of his imposing form, Azykan quickly spots the smaller one, laying near a door not far from him nor its kins, and seeing him in that dark green dress of his, the giant dragon's surprise turns to an "of course!" attitude.
Approaching the young one to satisfy his curiosity, the great dragon sees him flinch despite his best efforts to stay still and not looking directly at him.
Chuckling, Azykan makes a big step, almost jumping with his enormous form and inevitably shaking the ground, forcing Darkstalker to put an end to his facade. Now that the nightwing is starting at him, even if he still does not look into his eyes, the great one speaks in a voice he could have lowered.
- "Heij ajek uthu feshur ghyt tsekat?"
But before he can even answer, the draconic titan continues.
"Th heia elyvarq."
As he leans his huge head, the smaller one recoils instinctively before stepping to the side, his gaze and the pair of fang at the end of it screaming danger.
Now staring straight into the eyes of the giant, the seer stays on his guard, ready to dodge if necessary. And examining his mind, he does not find anything to make him less suspicious, only amusement and curiosity that will quickly translate into direct actions...
Retrieving his head, Azykan's smile falls a moment later, just before he speaks again, in a serious tone this time.
"Ikul heij elyvarq… ajek Zu, Darkstalker. Ythe hute myleias hefum sylis i-suneiz ust osmylut, ythe soumeiuf uzethu vawrie u ueris iole Zu ajek"
The giant of red and orange lays down, but his seriousness stays the same, even as admiration starts to colour his mind.
"Zu eiotif yth, yl alkara iole alomu fouit Zu… Zu surh kell eiuf pemku ashek ineuj pacius ythe, ikul ajek u ofrenyv, kes ythe heia eiuf eqark iole."
- "Shut up!"
Silence falls just after Darkstalker's words, after he was on verge of screaming to halt the giant in his track. He may not know what the words that have been said mean exactly, but the seer saw enough in his mind the moment before to be disgusted.
Azykan's view of him is one that reminds the nightwing of Vigilance when she was caught up in her thoughts about her glorious future, that he would make possible. The way the great dragon congratulates him without him having to do anything is nothing to be proud about. He saw theses patterns of thinking in enough minds of the night palace to know it is not a good thing…
Focusing on the draconic giant, the nightwing's anger is growing each second as the one he faces dares to keep that attitude, theses thoughts about him, prolonging the humiliating memory of the young one being forced to collapse and then brought to the altar as a sacrifice.
The fact Azykan does not show any remorse but instead seems to be indirectly celebrating that act makes Darkstalker boil to the point where he extends a talon and loads it with power.
If you continue like that, I won't hesitate.
The great dragon rolls his eyes, before standing up and beginning his march through the corridor, but not before swinging his giant tail above the nightwing's head, an obvious warning despite not looking behind him.
- "Ignum yth."
Hesitating for a moment, Darkstalker finally begins to follow the giant, whose red and orange scales really makes him think of a skywing, except for the line of fins he has from head to tail, and these rainwings fangs.
Remaining thoughtful about the situation, the nightwing tries to regain his calm as he walks at the great dragon's side toward the end of the tunnel, where the final doors await them. Azykan could be going through a room just being deeper in the corridor, and it is, the ones he wants to go to are the last before the final door, and what they contain is...
So not all corpses are just "stored" around that big crystal?
But despite the worst being avoided, it does not reassure him completely. It is very close to the final room they are going, to the source of the tremendous power he again starts to have his mind affected by its sole aura, and the "living" entity behind, or maybe they are one and the same…
Better not to dwell too much on it…
Of course, Darkstalker could just return to his old spot and wait for Akhanta, Xamirh, and Ayirn to finish their discussion… However, he knows deep inside himself he wants to learn more about what secrets the Pyramid and its owners have. If he does not take the opportunity with Azykan, who knows how much time he will have to wait to return to the corridor's end again?
The nightwing is a curious one at heart, along with his sun that whispers to come closer to the Power. But even without that, there is still a good reason for him to continue in Azykan's path…
I need more power and knowledge to get out of that ruined world. What is behind the final doors might not be enough as the Five are still stuck here, but the more I learn, the closer I get to my goal…
Beside, even if the great dragons have for project to make me far more powerful, they will still control my life indirectly as they will surely predict and stimulate my growth. And I bet they are already doing it here and now.
So I need to takes things in my own claws. Who knows, maybe I'll learn how to control some of this place…
Progressing through the giant tunnel and animated by the powerful desire to learn more, Darkstalker examines the great one's mind carefully, trying to know more about his plan. But Azykan's thoughts are not that elaborate, like the feelings he has now, nor does he thinks of the future except for the closest one.
In the ancient dragon's head is simple curiosity for the smaller one and the corpses of his kind, for what would happen if they were to be close again. If his essences could do something... more.
His kins told him about the nightwing's reactional behaviour to such a place, about what happened as he looked at his unconscious body. Since then, a desire awoke in him as he took the nightwing more seriously, no matter his failure...
But he never truly got it, he never really asked some questions, his pity for the "little" one stays too simple, easily smothered by justifications. And justifications, the nightwing's essences and potential give a lot of them…
.
Approaching the end where stand the pair of titanic doors, the greatest one he ever saw in his life, the young one now feels truly uneasy, the powerful Entity behind having a strong and "loud" pulsations that sway his very being regularly like the sea does to a beach.
It even starts to alter the flow of his essences.
With each step toward it, the nightwing gets a sensation akin to a headache, diminishing his capacity to think, like the last time he came here, but it seems to be more intense. And being diminished in mind is something the seer never takes well, especially now that it is the best thing he has left.
Still, Darkstalker finds the strength to continue despite that obstacle scratching his sanity, but how long can he still stands is a good question…
Arriving at the closed entrance of a room so close to the final room, Azykan stops his giant body, halting the smaller one as well.
Wasting no time, the draconic titan stands up and puts his paws against the still imposing door. Taking a moment to prepare himself, the giant begins to push what is essentially a massive slab of stone, though his size helps him a lot.
But as the content of the room begins to be revealed, the tainted wings and tail of a fallen being come to light, the fleshy matter and somewhat silky tendrils become visible while the scent of such a place tells of a morbid but fascinating little world, Azykan halts to the surprise of the nightwing.
After a moment of utter silence, the great dragon retrieves his talons from the final doors and turns away from them.
Casting one quick glance at the young one, the great dragon walks back in his track with a new idea in mind. And it does not take long for the seer to understand said dragon wants to leave the Laboratory, to go outside of the building, or at its top, where the "moon" shines above.
Catching his breath as he is relieved from all the stress that weighted on him, Darkstalker follows the giant whose scales are reminiscent of fire not without caution, as he realizes the noise produced by a door may have saved him from something truly beyond him...