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Chapter 32: A long way to be brought to sleep by another
Finishing his last exercise, the young one feels far more tired now that he is not in the action anymore. Laying down a bit, Darkstalker catches his breath and lets his body relax, relieving his talons which he thought would handle the training session far better.
It was predictable, I didn't do a lot of physical activity since I came here, and my healing (or reforming?) body isn't something that helps at all.
Looking at one paw, the nightwing spots some veins that still glow, reminiscent of the constant usage of his power before, and reminding him of how much his body has changed. He is not a normal nightwing anymore, he is a magical being whose great power is now in tandem and developing with his very being, whatever he wants it or not.
Seeing a shadow coming, the young one turns to face the great dragoness, who bearing an attentive expression, ends up presenting him her giant paw. Accepting her, the nightwing is now having his back rubbed by the dragoness, who to his annoyance, makes sure to feel every scales of his body's half with her own…
Concluding from her gesture that the little one is just tired, his body showing no sign of real change after the session, Akhanta turns to her yellow kin before telling words that confirm what he thought while the seer is still refocusing, his talons still shaking a bit from his longer physical efforts.
- "Toijyl, surik." Says Xamirh, surprising Darkstalker for a second before he accepts to come, stepping at the dark blue dragoness' side.
Walking out of the room, the nightwing quickly realizes from both of his sights that the yellow kin is keeping an eye on him, recently thinking more about his state of being.
I guess my training session was a way to analyse me, even if what I did wasn't nearly sufficient to collect enough data on my being… Whatever, I'm not obligated to be utterly focused on him each time he thinks like that…
Passing through the large entrance, the two great beings and the young one walk in the corridor to reach the room they were in before... Passing near a lot of beds on each side, the three dragons finally arrive close to the end of the room, where the bed that the giant dragoness hastily "upgraded" stand.
- "Uthu tunis toeik tsekat" Says the dragoness, having the little one's tiredness in mind.
Not finding anything better to do, the nightwing quickly climbs on it before laying down his body, trying to relax his talons over the soft fabric, all under the watch of Akhanta and Xamirh, the first wondering more about his comfort than the second who still thinks about his… developing being.
For a moment, Darkstalker stays on the bed, still and silent, not really having that much thoughts about anything, until he decides to look at the table on his side. Grabbing the tablet least filled with symbols, the nightwing starts to write useless words, only testing testing his ability to write…
Putting down his object, the young one fully extends his front talons and lays there for a while, not caring that he look more like a sleepy dragonet with that careless attitude.
Taking some scrolls and reading them once again, the great dragoness is interrupted by her kin pretty quickly.
- "Pemku feshur hefum azeiw iolez?"
Akhanta turns to face his curious eyes, before answering with what might be nostalgia in her heart.
- "Ko, the vecik ust yl uyli iole hute ouery tsekat."
- "Lieju uthu hute kenib thee?" Asks Xamirh, genuinely interested by his kin's past and this place now that he thinks about it.
- "Heia eximn, yth zult avsekon thee u anetet elzurtu kes hute oscit azeiw thee." Answers the dragoness pointing at the scrolls she holds.
Surprised by this answer, the great dragon turns his back to face the shelves full of scrolls and tablets, almost contemplating them before looking down, now so deep in thoughts about the past.
Turning her giant neck back to face the little one, Akhanta watches over him in silence, laying down a bit as time passes and as she is reminded more and more of her ancient role, the pictures of all the young ones she had to guide in the worthy temple coming to her mind...
- "I make you think of them, right?" Says Darkstalker, his head turning to face the dark blue dragoness.
The great being was about to express incomprehension, when she remembers of the seer's capability. Now that things make sense for her, the great dragoness has a new idea in mind, one that she has to try.
- "Darkstalker, lieju uthu velkat oij alest uthu ghyt yth feldim?"
The little one rises a bit as Akhanta approaches him, her thoughts about the past becoming gradually clearer.
"Temylt, iole tunis eximn ziarak, ikul yth ghyt heia valkurn Zu, th ajek ythias iute… Istek, yth okutes sif feldim, cuxt yth tunis teluryk yl oknytu ust ythomej yth hute jukin."
Regrets still generates pain in the dark blue giant, the feelings toward her past still having some... perils despite how many times the ancient dragoness has seen them. But in the end, her face still bears a smile as her eyes reflects on the one she chose to come to. And the seer? He seems to get the feelings that appears in her mind along with the many times she took care of them for numerous cycles.
- "Akhanta… surik." Says finally Darkstalker, trying to say out loud she can do what her heart wants.
The great dragoness stares at him, almost surprised, and then truly surprised at how she did not expect what she really wanted to be seen and granted. Shaking her big head a bit to refocus, Akhanta leans fully at the young one's side, putting her paw on the bed and laying her head above it.
Now she is close enough, with her blue eyes gazing upon him like she always does, and with the same hidden attraction that burns somewhere in her heart, even if the dragoness' expression is a tame one compared to that of a very passionate one.
If you want to see me as your lost child… I can allow it...
.
Watching the scene from a distance, Xamirh thinks deeply about the situation, of himself, of his kin and of the little one. Staying still, back talons folded and wings touching the ground for a moment, the great dragon finally takes his decision. Standing up and making a few steps toward his peaceful and satisfied kin, the yellow giant has some words to tell.
- "Yth moxon uthue surh ejurh ymiltu, cuxt yth eiuf litysen uthue prita u fefmyl, sif mulys uthue almu yl mylmyl uthue okutes." Says the ancient dragon as he starts to turn his back.
Hearing her kin, Akhanta rises her head to face him better, her expression one confusion.
- "Lieju uthu eximn okutes sif?" Asks the dragoness, almost worried at the thought of Xamirh leaving them now.
- "Uthu ghyt heia okutes yth, kes th ajek sulma iole tho oulnav omus uthu. Istek, pratus jteos uceixt yth tunis ghyt zait ythias dezfue." Answers the yellow kin, thinking of a room dear to him but also of having scrolls that he needs to solve.
After a moment of thinking, the dark blue dragoness stands up, partially leaving the little one as she approaches her kin to tell her thoughts.
- "Ythe tunis surik nestoq uthu."
Xamirh blinks in surprise, his mind shifting as he begins to think about having the two dragons in his room. But before he can thinks for long enough, his kin continues.
"Iole soumeiuf surh u jykon fujetu sif muka Darkstalker moxon kalup ust uthu kes yl jienum. Lieju uthu kones?"
After a few seconds of silence, the yellow ancient nods, Akhanta and the little one will come with him…
Leaving the fairly large room together, the three dragons walk once more through the corridors of the house, quitting this section of the mythological building to go to the room Xamirh has in mind...
.
Passing near many scenes colourfully drawn on the stone, the nightwing sees things that are not very new, be it a kingdom at peace or in conflict, be it with content and healthy citizens or with varying misery brought to them, be it with a clear sky or with the smoke of fires covering the terror of some...
Deep inside him, the young one knows these are important scenes and he will probably come back to them, but ignorant of their tongue, he can hardly see them as something more than the pieces of an intriguing story made to entertain, like the scrolls telling of adventure and mysteries during his dragonethood.
They did bring me joy despite not being the best I could get. I suppose I can give credit to them for having united my sister and I under the same feeling of curiosity… We could almost forget about our parents arguing again for a few, ordinary nights.
…
I miss you dear Whiteout… I know you were left alone and… I hope I can come back to compensate for the life that was taken from us by… everything.
Continuing to gaze at numerous pictures with a slower pace, the seer is internally shocked the moment his eyes point at the watchful form of Xamirh and of his cautious mind, like he grew wary of him during the time they walked.
How… It doesn't matter, Akhanta is with me and that problem will solve itself soon enough…
Continuing his steady steps alongside the great ones, the nightwing does his best to ignore the yellow kin who silently watches his every moves, who has a burning but not so kind curiosity in his firm mind…
.
Arriving in the last corridor, Darkstalker still silent looks over the decorated walls of the new path's end, of what might give hints on the place they are about to enter.
Lines of glyphs are more present than ever on the depicted scene, surrounding the numerous dragons, both the ones standing and the ones falling and laying down, and at the center, a door guarding the entrance of their destination, with a drawing of two dragons facing each other, their expression firm but regretful as they each hold their tainted halberd…
His attention caught by the image, the nightwing can not stop himself from thinking about them in relation to where they are now.
So you made sure to remember the ones you had promised to save? Does it really matter now? How much time did pass between the Kingdom's fall and… now. You have the answer, right? You should have the answer...
Shifting his attention from his room to the young one, Xamirh stares at him, his face cold and merciless, as if he was facing a judge who knows too much about his life, and he is right as the seer can see clearly the many memories flashing into his mind. Memories of violence both against the mind and the body of too many, the one he led suffering like the one he fought, compared to the moment of Now, the result.
Ever so slightly leaning into the nightwing, the yellow giant amplifies that attitude of utter focus, of this specific mix of emotions and thoughts that makes him act like an ancient and ominous statue. Against that, Darkstalker can do little, taken by surprised but still sane enough to realize he does not stand a chance against the great dragon.
Trying to show no weakness, the young one is gradually pushed to the edge as time passes, his body starting to flinch and his eyes blinking a few times at Xamirh's piercing gaze and ominous breath…
- "Xam-"
The ancient dragon recoils, retracting his head and extending his wing to interrupt Akhanta, his expression changes to that of a neutral one, devoid of any tension while his mind lets the emotionally charged memories be put back farther in its depth, making place for thoughts about his initial goal.
Turning serenely like a normal individual, the great dragon pushes the door alone, opening it before his kin can intervene. Stepping inside without delay, the dragon's steps are followed by that of the dragoness who sees the little one sticking closer to her, showing fear despite his will to not flinch against adversity.
Finally inside, Xamirh is the first one to settle, moving to the central pool and laying down, but still keeping his head up as he turns his attention to scrolls that decorate his desk on the left. Second, the dark blue giant lays herself on the right, guiding Darkstalker and using wings, talons and tail to comfort him while she looks away, focused on her silent partner.
Taking a few steps forward, the great dragoness watches the scrolls on the brown desk, then her eyes turn to her kin with annoyed expression.
- "Xamirh, ghyt heia elkop yl retuhiun." Says Akhanta judgementally, her voice firm to let no break for him.
As the ancient one turns to face the dragoness, she herself takes one more step and puts a claw on the hard surface, making sure he faces her despite his more avoiding attitude that she does not like one bit.
"Ythe hute erune azeiw yl iute wulen elzurtu, Darkstalker soumvu yenuv heia ghyt uthu turep oje iole."
To these new words, the yellow kin grows irritated for a moment, his attention switching between the attentive young one and his confrontational kin while he has to suppress other thoughts and memories or else his mind will be harder to control…
After a moment, Xamirh looks down, his wings and tail falling further as his talons folds a bit more while his breath gets weaker, more peaceful... Rising his head, the great dragon stares at Akhanta's eyes, no longer having the desire to avoid nor oppose her. And seeing him making progress, the great dragoness calls out the nightwing, who puts himself very close to her talon, allowing him to better see the yellow giant as he can see him.
- "Uthu surh smena." Finally admits Xamirh, ashamed of himself even if he is really good at not showing it.
Hearing the words she was waiting for, the dark blue dragoness immediately drops her antagonistic attitude, her expression becoming one of sympathy as she thinks of him still struggling with the past, like herself...
Laying down in front of him, Akhanta partially curls her body around the great dragon, bringing herself closer to him without difficulty and moving the little one to her tail, between the both of them.
- "Cuxt moxon oem yl toijyl… kes zaptoe uthu surh nelkemu, th eiuf ghyt tomerz moliame." Says the dragoness, surprising for an instant Xamirh before he starts to reflect on the young one.
After a moment deep in thoughts, the great dragon looks at the nightwing directly, lowers and leans his head into him, and with an expression hinting a bit at shame and regret, says a few words.
- "Yth surh nelkemu toijyl..."
Surprised by such a shift in the great one's mind, the seer do not know how to react appropriately, but casting a quick glance at the dragoness, he may have something to say.
- "..."
Staring at him no more than a second, the yellow kin turns away to reach a large shelf decorated with what could be copper and silver mixed with crude coal. Opening it in silence and totally focused, the giant watches only over two things, a broken rod and a scroll, both appearing to be as ancient as the war relics Azykan had shown before.
For a long moment, Xamirh seems disconnected from reality, only reflecting on a past that the young one could just vaguely understand or so he thinks…
Dark blue talons enter his sight as the great dragoness grabs the two relics under his silent watching. Now holding the two ancient artefacts, the dragoness stares at him, her expression a pleading one.
Casting a quick glance at the ground, she puts back the large scroll and only keeps the still shining rod, her stance now closer to that of a follower or a soldier firmly holding the weapon like a statue.
Letting her do all of her act, the great dragon can not remain unchanged forever, his mind going in more direction than before. Casting a quick glance at the little one, who stays still like a naked child and almost looking at them like they were two parents whose behaviour broke the mundane life, Xamirh finally utters some words in a serious and personal voice, his tone as reflecting of his feelings as he can.
- "Yth okutes mylmyl. Iole ajek almu uthu okutes sif kenib." Says the dragon, almost tired but acting like these words needed to be said.
With her neck falling, Akhanta looks down for moment, rethinking the decisions she took since they were together, and even before. Doubt starts to creep in as she questions if it was best to always follow this set of feelings and thoughts since she encountered Darkstalker, if she did not make a mistake and has to cut her losses…
- "Akhanta, lieju uthu surh masne?"
He said it, the question she told him before, not understanding clearly what it meant, but now it feels so appropriate to say when the dark blue dragoness is in need.
Blinking in confusion, Akhanta immediately turns her long neck to the little one, wondering if he truly meant what he asked.
"Surik." Says the nightwing simply, extending his far smaller talon for her to reach.
Seeing her too hesitant, the young one puts a talon on the dragoness' paw, his expression one of genuine worry that she faces for a short moment before looking back at her yellow kin, a new decision in mind.
- "Zait iole tetrumi, yth eiuf litysen uthu. Ikul yth yenuv jernup."
- "Uthu eiuf." Replies Xamirh, accepting his kin's proposition and returning to his desk while the dragoness puts the broken rod back in its spot.
Turning her head to Darkstalker, the dark blue giant intends to leave the room with him. So casting one last glance at the still enigmatic kin who now bears a little grin at thought of the dragoness regaining confidence, the seer exits the personal room with Akhanta, looking at her with that still lost expression.
- "Muvol ignum yth." Tells the dragoness, thinking of her room for a short moment before the image of a vastly different place appears in her mind.
Walking in silence, and with the steady steps of a dark blue giant at his side, the young one can not stop himself from focusing the most on her, ignoring the markings and drawings on each surfaces they encounter, including those depicting new scenes or scenes he did not have the chance to really look at the first time.
Looking at her more than anything else, it does not take long for the nightwing to be stared back by the great dragoness. And while both do not find any word to say to the other at first, the two continue to look partially at the other as they go through their titanic house, with the dragoness is thinking in a more relaxed manner, putting aside the event like her problem will be solved while the seer makes sure to not forget Xamirh's marking behaviour and that of Akhanta…
It seems that each of these dragons have more darkness in them than I though… Were did I ever guessed someone right on that matter? Almost never.
Few things are truer than that fact. During his time in the night palace and even at school, the war weighted on everyone, making them all uncertain about the future. It did not matter if some tried hide that with a cheerful or proud facade, or even hatred for the enemy and faith in the tribe's superiority. In the end, all felt the pressure of the war, no matter how far they were from it.
I guess I have a little more in common with others than I thought...
.
As time passes, Darkstalker starts to be really good at seeing the details of the great dragoness' most dominant thought for now. Their destination seems to be a place worthy of royalty, with far more more decorations, markings and drawings made with colours that are far more vivid, almost flashy compared to anything else he saw, expect maybe for the clean metals that some objects here are made of.
But despite the room's capacity to draw his attention, even if it is in the mind of another, the little one knows that it is not the most important thing he can make out of her mind…
Keeping that content face with a small grin, the young one silently watches the great one's doubt, each darker spot and shadow made by passing thoughts in her brighter mind. Of course, Akhanta's mental realm has changed quite a bit since she understood that the little one is a seer, and that is reflected by a more intense thinking about all the things she could focus on for him to see and learn, to make him understand.
The thoughts are sometimes so numerous and fast the nightwing has problem following them, but behind all of that… Doubt, doubt at the back of each corner, but not just about Xamirh who stopped her in her plan quite quickly, but about the three other kins as well.
But Darkstalker can not really find a way to focus on a memory, be it about a discussion or an action of her, as the dragoness' mind is just not focused enough on these for him to make out something concrete, something more than shattered pictures and words told in the void.
Seems like you really don't want to face your darker side… We will see how long you can keep up like that…
Not changing his attitude, Darkstalker continues to walk in silent bearing the same face. And for that, the dark blue giant can not find anything worthy of suspicion nor worry, even if a doubt about him persist in her mind...
.
Arriving at the last corridor, the young one can not stop himself from feeling he has penetrated a higher place with the floor being larger than necessary, the shining surface being smoother than anywhere else, the small but numerous furnitures filling the place, each being a detailed piece that would have taken hours to make by a passionate and skilled one, and the ceiling depicting an epic scene that stand far more than the rest.
Spotting the pair of great doors tainted by silver and blue, the young one knows as they step forward that their destination is here.
It seems royalty can never disappoint on luxury, but this kingdom couldn't fail, it was just too big for that. One unifying all dragons in this world, compared to Pyrrhia where our kind is shattered into seven chunks.
I may be proud of my tribe, but even I must recognize that we represent only a fraction of the continent. So a fraction, no matter how good it is, will never surpass the whole. Though I wonder how big that dragon kingdom was, and was it really that unified?
Not finding any answer for these questions, Darkstalker reaches the end of the corridor with the great dragoness. Casting one last glance at him, the draconic giant stands up, and mustering all her strength, she pushes the noble doors who have no choice but to quickly open with such powerful talons against them.
Entering in the royal for the first time, the young one could not speak even if he was asked to, too focused on discovering the place and gazing upon its many elements to give some of his attention on something else…
Staying still, the dark blue dragoness lets him contemplate the numerous details of a room made for royal to live in, even if it surprises her that the nightwing is not impressed enough, at least not as impressed as an ordinary dragon would.
'Aqerh tho ajek vynurte.'
Impressed by the detailed statues of what might be the ones that ruled the kingdom through its life, by the throne of crimson and gold extending all around to be far larger than the altar venerating the moons and the night that queens would sat on, or even the large pool whose water is just deep enough so anyone can see all the motifs that have been drawn on its edges, the young one then gets a question that brings him out of his attitude.
Why are there beds in the middle of the throne room? And why is there portrait of the Five there… They must have rearranged the place, but…
Still feeling weird about the place, the nightwing follows the great dragoness to the excessively large bed, or maybe not so excessive as giants live here... Now in front of the blue and green fabric, the young one climbs on like Akhanta wants, putting his talon and the weight of his body on the silky surface that is bigger than him even with wings unfolded.
- "Jykon, ofemyl uthu tunis toeik." Says the dark blue giant with a serene voice, her coloured eyes looking at him like he was one of the dragonet that used to live in her temple.
A bit confused, the little one does not completely lay down, still not tired enough and having some remaining expectations, but he will get the desire to sleep sooner than he thinks... Seeing that, the dragoness silently puts her paw above him, encouraging him to fold his talons progressively until he is in position to rest.
Now with his four talons folded and tail curled, Darkstalker still maintains his head higher, staring at her as he is not totally satisfied. In response, Akhanta settles on his side, bringing her warm breath near his black scales tainted by blue while she watches over him like the child he is. Seeing in her mind how she analyses his very being, the seer gets the idea to do the same.
Moving one part of his body after another, turning his head to better see it, touching it with his paw, the young one takes the time to discover once again his changing body.
Despite how many events have happened today, there just wasn't enough time to grow, so it is not surprising for the nightwing to see his body has not really changed since the last time he really looked at it. Still, it does feel strange to retain softer scales for now, a skin that gets tainted blue and that is covered by veins, to have a new pair of growing horn and a sun deep inside that seems bring him a lot of "life" should he be in need.
To think I'll probably grow into a great dragon, and that they have planed for it. But I have not made it here just to give up… Beside, I'll need this power and I am sure that I'll enjoy it as it seems to bring eternal health and vitality…
"Lezeron?" Asks Akhanta imagining how the young one must feel with his very being changing.
Darkstalker simply nods, making the great dragoness stand up and put a paw on her chest to designate her heart and sun that he can sense without difficulty.
"Iole ajek heij ghyt uthu alomu." Says the dragoness, with a mix of pride and healthy feeling as she thinks of his core and growth, quickly followed by a bit of doubt.
Lowering her body, the great dragoness slowly gets as close as she can to him, her giant snout finally stopping right in front of him, almost in contact with his little scales...
"Lieju iole ziarak." The question is genuine and personal, intimate even, with doubt about his state as strong as it can be in her mind without being irrational.
Thinking for a moment, the young one closes his eyes, focusing on all that is happening inside himself even if Akhanta's closeness and strong aura alters the flow of his essences considerably. Despite that, the nightwing can still answers her question. Counting all the feelings that his flesh and the energy generate, he has to conclude.
Am I in the opposite of harmony? Do I feel bad deep inside me, because of my power?
No.
- "Hie." Answers the little one simply.
To that confirmation of her happier thoughts, the draconic giant recoils her head slightly before extending a talon that reaches past his neck. Touching him with the skin of his fingers, the dragoness gently lowers the head of the little one until it touches the delicate royal fabric.
- "Uthu tunis votale ofemyl." Whispers Akhanta with a tender voice.
Following her will despite not totally agreeing, the young one closes his eyes and begins to truly rest, realizing he was more tired than he thought, and that he really missed a good day of sleeping, surrounded by the presence of one having affection for him...