.
Chapter 38: The decision of a dark blue dragoness
It has been a while since Darkstalker has been doing exercises with the magical dragoness always leading. Akhanta's support has been a great thing during all this time, helping the little one get back up from a failure, motivating him when he needs it and trying to explain in details the actions he is asked to do despite her words being useless to communicate with him.
But the best thing the dark blue giant brought to the nightwing was a very good distraction, something that would draw his attention away from what hides beneath the surface of his teacher's mind, from her wilder and more dangerous sides he easily speculates over now that he recently saw her acting in a more terrifying manner, despite her posing no threat at all that time…
- "Iole ajek wulen prita ofemyl, uthu tunis konles toijyl." Says Ayirn as her young "pupil" regains his stance, needing to catch his breath for the last movement and all the efforts he did.
Seeing him trying to recover, the dark blue dragoness leans even closer to him, her extending talon holding the star shaped gem tainted by the essences of all, to offer him a way to at least refill his core if she can not erase his tiredness… Feeling the energy replenishing his very being for a moment, Darkstalker puts down the precious stone, somewhat ready for anything the future may have in store for him…
But then, the feathered giant approaches him, breaking his distant attitude as he has in mind something for him. Halting in front of his dark blue kin and her little one, Kraydirn speaks, his voice lowered for the one his kinder eyes point to.
- "Ghyt heia mesita toijyl, heij uthu eiuf ghyt nestoq ythe ajek aljkalup nolmuihan."
Seeing the little seer taking some time to understand his intent as he is still mentally altered from the long suite of exercises he has done, the dragon of black feathers turns away after casting a quick glance at his caring kin, walking toward the shelves he remained at when the young nightwing awoke.
Turning at the great dragoness, Darkstalker stares at her, a bit confused by the situation…
- "Kraydirn velnup ognut sif ruzti alesh uqeuriz azeiw, ysil tho yafin sif wilute sim uthu azeiw iole." Says Akhanta in response, her mind picturing the black and white kin settled in the middle of so many scrolls, reading and reorganizing them, as well as noting down the most important parts of what they tell.
Returning to the very large table, the two dragoness push aside the scrolls and other elements of it to make space while the little hybrid waits there, watching the feathered kin managing scrolls and tablets with his paws before putting all the ones he needs in large bag, then coming back after a long moment.
Settling near the others in no time, Kraydirn lays the bag and retrieve all the items inside to put them on the table, which hopefully has its surface free to receive all these new objects that tell of a history… Staying silent as he glances once more at all that he brought, the great dragon prepares himself for what is to follow, his mind having so many thoughts and memories to retain whose majority get pushed back to focus on what is left, the concept of the Five's identity.
- "Toijyl, ofemyl ajek yl mylmyl uthu lioshes kalup azeiw Zye." Says the feathered dragon, his voice deep, neutral, and informal as he stares at Darkstalker's eyes, asking for his full attention.
Taking a moment to redefine his stance, recoiling slightly with all of his body in one half step, now appearing more imposing but also prone to act far more personally, with folded wings no longer falling but under his will, Kraydirn continues.
"Uthu kenib ythetias tekelu. Akhanta, Kraydirn, Ayirn, Xamirh, Azykan, uthu hute moxon almu ust ythe, uthu hute moxon ythetias tumok…"
Leaning back under the watch of anyone, the dragon of black feathers lays his talon over the table, his claws touching a scroll picturing five dragons, their colours and features matching pretty well with that of the great ones… Staring at the piece, the nightwing then looks at Akhanta, a few seconds is all it takes to confirm what he thought.
- "Ko Darkstalker, th ajek ythe zait yl iute." Says the dragoness to the young one, while Ayirn remains silent and somewhat distant with her watchful gaze.
"Oje uthu moxon, ythe hute surh salren dolmukarane." Adds the dark blue kin, with old memories of herself and her kins living in their kingdom coming to her mind.
- "Salren dolmukarane, iti tefiku dolmukarane iole hute tunis ashek egernahen wein leaqisu." Says Ayirn, her talon raised and glowing with power, and having in mind the time she was an apprentice, when some were better than her at magic.
Unrolling a few scrolls, Kraydirn draws the young one's attention on the images of a glorious kingdom, of its temples and monuments, of the ones that lived during its time… before speaking again, the great one's voice a nostalgic one.
- "Iole hute ajek ythetias vynorditiu, ythetias alkelluvio, ythetias zelloha, almeku ythe hute muka..."
Turning his gaze to the part of a scroll depicting a temple great enough to be respected by even the highest dragons of Pyrrhia, the feathered giant makes a faint grin as the memories of a similar place come to his mind, a place he probably lived in.
"Uthu moxon iole ilpenam? Th hute ajek zait uyl ust iolez aluh ust ythe hute ouery..." Says Kraydirn, remembering very well how him and the others spent their life there, or at least had to took these into account despite the rank and work they had being in appearance so different...
- "Vezkit, vawrie u ilpenam hute ajek uje ythe hute ouery kes hute uceixt. Ythe hute kenib ythetias zelloha kes thee almylt hute oxtup prita oxeminan." Adds the magical dragoness, thinking of herself and her two kins working and having a lot of responsibilities in such places, with the people often asking for guidance, though their roles were different.
Seeing Darkstalker's gaze switching back and forth between them and the scroll, Akhanta turns to him, the new focus of her mind shifting his attention as she thinks about her past, and of him thinking in the past.
- "Lieju uthu hute moxon ythetias iute zait ythetias kumistaz?"
- "Aqerh, ikul tho okutes kalup olbeiz." Replies Kraydirn to her kin before shifting his attention, his blue eyes seeking the right scroll over the table.
Halting his paw over one that was on the far edge, the feathered kin unrolls it, revealing the detailed image of a temple, decorated by many motifs and symbols drawn well enough so one can distinguish any of them if him or her pays enough attention… As the great ones let Darkstalker a long moment for him to focus on such a picture to analyse it, it is Ayirn who breaks the silence, deciding that her words and mind are worthy of being heard by him despite his disdain and fear of her.
- "Oje uthu tunis moxon, vawrie u ilpenam hute surh ust ejurh alkaryte. Th hute nomirt u alkara stune zait ythetias zellohina, hute emruti aluh tomers kes hute uwite aluh okuti."
Pointing at the temple's front door picturing the divine figure, the dragoness continues, leaning a bit closer and shifting tone as she confirms the faith of everyone she knew in the dragon god.
"Ko, ythetias azyrtu aulufy Ankonalmirh, kes kalup peuj iole, ythe trimarn kes hefum thu pemku oxemin ythe."
Faced with Ayirn's voice and memories, Darkstalker turns first to the dark blue giant, his face asking confirmation from her point, and she nods, colouring her mind with the concept of such a mythological figure and the many thoughts and feelings she has for that. Hope is of course one of these, and the name of such a being is never far from the concept of her heart, her "sun" and all the power and feelings it entails…
- "Yth hute hefum th soumeiuf sif ghyt uthu lioshes ust thu, ikul emio uthu tunis moxon ythetias kumistaz…" Says the dragoness to herself, a pleasant feeling appearing in her mind as she thinks of the young one's ability to read others' thoughts, to see their memories and feelings.
Suddenly rolling the scroll and putting aside to make space for another one, the feathered one opens another one in plain sight, revealed with his giant paws the great drawing of a titanic palace. But before the nightwing can totally shift his mind, Kraydirn unrolls another piece, adding the images of peculiar dragons to the table.
- "Iole hute ajek yl vynurte, yl uyli hyj hute reitup yl Vynorditiu." Says the great dragon, his voice no longer nostalgic as his eyes focus on the second scroll, not finding these few dragons worthy of much despite them probably being royals with such prestigious clothing.
Somewhat surprised by such thoughts, the seer turns to Ayirn, then to Akhanta, only to find the great dragoness shares a similar opinion with their kin.
- "Feshur feldim? Lieju uthu khutey moxon eitis fushoz ust vynurte iti astutomer owhur?" Asks the dark blue one, her gaze switching between Darkstalker and the royal ones' image, while her mind wonders if he knows of that concept.
To her words, the young one can only nod and surprise her in return, making her speculate once again on his part, and so do the other kins. Though after a short moment, Ayirn breaks the silence with a question, genuinely trying to understand him more as negative feelings are put aside.
- "Cuxt… hyj hute ajek iolez vynure uthu hute holcu zait uthutias ikei toijyl?"
To that, the little hybrid can not really answer, so the great dragoness opens another piece depicting… dragons who do not wear nor are shown like ones of royalty would, but their importance is not naught either. Though seeing that will be insufficient, she leaves the table, having in mind more images about the old monarchy of their kind…
Being left with the two giants, Darkstalker stares at the characters wearing ceremonial clothes, with some being similar to the ones watching far above the arena in Azykan's memory, standing in the same manner as they are about to celebrate the conclusion of a grand challenge.
- "Uthu hute holcu aftomer owhur?" Asks Kraydirn, his curious and distant voice drawing the young one's attention.
- "Ko, Azykan hute esimte sim tho jteos emelnit ust thotias iute… kes aqerh yl toijyl hute dweshi u kopoun azeiw iole." Answers Akhanta, having in mind the moment her and the little one got into the kin's room, the moment her kin handed to the other a staff so big he could barely walk.
- "Yth… Ko, uthu hute vecik yth azeiw th, soumhute yen-"
- "Yth hefum iolez eiuf mulys kalup dusmilt…" Says the one bearing green and blue scales as she returns to the table, settling at Kraydirn's side and putting three new scrolls on the surface for all to see.
Casting a quick glance at her, the young one now gazes upon the many images about the royal family of their world, about kings and queens but also princes and princesses, be it old or young... The first thing Darkstalker realizes when looking at these pieces is how diverse these dragons were, with sometimes feathers on theirs skin, vastly different colours and shapes of the head, length of neck and tail, size and features of the wings, and more…
So these dragons were definitely not divided into tribes, or maybe their kingdom was a result of all them being unified… How would it be if it was the same in Pyrrhia? Would our rulers be as… exotic? I doubt it…
But casting a quick glance at his body, the little hybrid is proven wrong as his eyes see no pitch black scales anymore, and that's not even talking about all the essences he possesses. Admitting defeat, Darkstalker continues…
- "Uthu uzethu aftomer… ejurh zait thee? Yth gynhim, thee muka aftomer iole ghyt thee oluge yl leaqisu." Says Akhanta in understanding of the young one's interest before her kin speaks in reaction.
- "Ikul iole surh heia wulen. Istek, thee hute surh amukuser tey ashek yl sulmy… Thee heia oleshi sif ashek feldimun oje ejurh dolmukarane."
To Ayirn's words, the little seer partially turns toward her, listening to her somewhat heated mind and realizing she does not respect the ones that led her kind in the past, to the point that she seems completely fine with their misfortune even when the concept and images of their demise appears in her mind…
"Heij, uthu hute feshur ojtea aftomer leaqis toijyl?" Adds the magical dragoness, leaning her head and hardening her voice, not questioning her own stance on the matter.
Blinking at the situation, it is the feathered one who speaks before his kin, leaning closer and using a calmer voice to cool down the scene, drawing the attention of the nightwing immediately.
- "Th ajek aeisto iole yl vynure hute somul vuyahe astimare, jteos ythe tunis heia onumel..."
Clearly hearing the kin's words and his mind somewhat agreeing with Ayirn, though there seems to be something far deeper, Darkstalker turns toward the dark blue giant, his expression silently asking of what she thinks of them… Sighing, the dragoness, still staring into his eyes, lowers her head and moves her talon toward the scrolls before glancing at them, inviting him to do the same.
- "Yth surh nelkemu uthu pyteya moxon vawrie zikosenu, ikul uthu pyteya gynhim yl vynure hute surh heia jykon dolmukarane, kes ythe almu muka ythetias kehusitu sif hefum iole." Says Akhanta, her voice lower and a little regretful, though in her mind it is certain the members that run their kingdom were not good ones, they failed to much.
Not knowing what to say, the nightwing stays a bit hesitant and appears somewhat confused, but when the dragoness' expression becomes tainted by guilt, the young one speaks, taking on a confident stance with a worthy voice.
- "No need to be sorry Akhanta, I understand what you try to told me about these individuals, and that does not disturb me. In fact, I think I might agree with you, because… I kind of had an unworthy queen myself."
To his words, the great dragoness recoils in surprise, while the feathered one moves his talon and the magical one blinks before smiling a little.
- "Yth… Ykane uthu prita uthutias xetiso Darkstalker. Yth linf heia gynhim uthutias ifultu, ikul the surh veafulpen." Tells Kraydirn with a softer voice, looking at the little hybrid in a welcoming manner, his giant form relaxing a bit while the nightwing nods.
- "Cuxt lieju uthu kasarh sif surh alceimi sim tho? Yl toijyl muka vuya sif lioshes kes… yihe uthu soumvu tunis moneos sif moxon tho oje uthutias feny oje yth…" Asks the dark blue dragoness, her voice getting more unsure as she continues to speak, as she has in mind the concept of her kin becoming far closer to the little one than he is now.
Blinking and recoiling slightly, the feathered great one stays silent for a moment, thinking deeply about her idea while Ayirn watches the scene, not surprised one bit by such a proposal but growing a bit… irritated. Gradually turning to her, Darkstalker's eyes immediately look out there when the her green ones points at him, shifting his caretaker's attention.
- "Ayirn…" Says Akhanta, staring straight into her as she almost faces her kin, her mind coming back to a relatively recent discussion she had with her about the young one, a discussion that did not end well.
- "…"
Watching both of his kins more like he was spectator, the dragon of black feathers says no words for a short moment, his eyes casting quick glances everywhere while he makes no moves, until he decides to stand up, breaking the silence with the noise of his giant talons unfolding as he starts to close the scroll nearest to the magical dragoness.
- "Heij ajek uthu feshur ghyt?" Asks Ayirn moderately startled, her thoughts suddenly vastly different.
- "Yth feshur usuniel yl uqeuriz sim uje the hute surh." Answers Kraydirn in a more formal tone with bits of tiredness and irritation as he begins the task of taking and putting back all the scroll on the table.
Saying nothing, the great dragoness stands up before stepping back, staying still and watching the scene unfold like her other kin, leaving Darkstalker to wonder about the meaning of all of that…
Am I dividing them? Does the focus Akhanta has on me and her desire to... make me her child makes Ayirn uneasy? It could be…
- "Darkstalker, ignum yth."
To her words, the nightwing turns fully to her, hesitating for a moment with Ayirn's glance before accepting, standing up and leaving the table with the great dragoness, all the while the feathered one has some pieces left to take…
Walking to the entrance, the steps of the dark blue one remains steady as she looks only at what is in front of her, not casting a glance back to see the reaction of her kins nor turning her head at least a little to gaze upon the unsure Darkstalker, who can only imagine what happened between them when he was asleep… Arriving close to her destination, the dragoness turns back for a short moment to gaze upon an almost shocked Ayirn, and a somewhat regretful Kraydirn before pushing the doors open.
- "Akhanta… What are you doing?"
The grand dragoness turns to look at him, her firm eyes softening a bit before she steps forward in silence, leaving the nightwing with no choice but to follow despite his thoughts… Going outside, the dark blue giant begins to walk outside, moving around the titanic house and gazing at the polished chunks of stone, at the remains of what once was so long ago to distract herself…
Staying close to her side, the young hybrid can not stop his eyes from returning to her like his mind, from thinking about the last events and her behaviour. Delving into her mind without restrain, the seer starts to see the inner turmoil she tries to hide, the growing want in her heart to become a guardian again, to be who she was in the past, despite her doubts of not being enough, of having forgotten that way, and the threat such a strong desire could pose to her kins and even herself.
Diving further, Darkstalker can gaze upon recent memories being somewhat pushed aside, thoughts about important discussions she had with her kins, especially Ayirn. While the group accepted to see the little one as more than an object, they still do not see his conscious being as much, and his exotic essences being so... useful does not make things better…
I see… So if it continues, maybe I won't be safe and protected anymore... Without Akhanta, I'm being left with Kraydirn who seems to be alright, at least as long as he doesn't act on his strongest… emotions, Ayirn who… yeah, avoid her at all cost. As for Azykan, he might like me but he can be far too problematic if he wants to and there is no one else.
And finally there is Xamirh who… it's complicated as he wants to teach me but sometimes doesn't want to be with me or anyone else… Yeah, that's not a great situation to be in…
Halting a mass of rock tainted by a brown shade, The great dragoness settles here, laying down her massive form and inviting the nightwing to do the same… Doing as expected, Darkstalker stops and folds his talons, facing Akhanta with a gaze coloured by worry.
- "Uthu mesita azeiw uthutias retuhiun? Uthu surh smena zait iole toijyl." Says finally the great dragoness, easily finding reasons behind the night dragon's feelings.
Moving her tail to circle him, the draconic giant sighs, extending a talon and scratching the ground with her claws while he stays silent, looking partially around the both of them but keeping an eye on her…
Rising her head, Akhanta turns and looks at landscape, first focusing on what is close to her like the bare remains, the memories of the town that was there appearing in her mind for a moment, all before she gazes farther and farther until she has the horizon in plain sight, where only four little lights are visible, with one of them being owned by the greater tower they visited on their travel…
"Yihe zult… tomerz hute surh alolinmyl, yihe zult yl ofrenyv iole uthu ajek ghyt heia ythe eiaholcan nestoq ythetias ulkeranyz." Says the dragoness to herself, guilt and disappointment for herself and her kins colouring her mind as she thinks of how much the otherworldly one's coming changed them.
Glancing once again at Darkstalker, the giant sees him staring at her with that still worried face, understanding and accepting her enough to be affected by her feelings. To such a sight, the great dragoness lowers her head, slowly making herself even closer before speaking to him this time, her voice still tainted by her tiring attitude but becoming far softer and personal in tone.
"Toijyl, uthu soumvu yenuv heia mesita prita yth… Yth surh yl uyl hyj pyteya detsou uthu, uthutias xefnuit kes kumista kes oerym."
Hearing her words, the young one is touched by her affection, by her worry he begins to understand so well despite the language barrier it makes him want to help her fully, to reach to her, but knowing so little, hesitation sets in... Looking away for a moment despite both dragons knowing he still thinks about her, the nightwing finally answers, mustering his confidence to tell his words with a voice a bit too refined and showing like he was used to.
- "So what do we do Akhanta? Tell me, and I'm sure I can follow and help."
To his words, Akhanta is first accepting of him, then moderately surprised, then finds herself chuckling a bit at the barely fitting voice he chose.
"Hey! I do my best, and it's more than enough considering who I can talk to in this world."
Calming herself quickly, the great dragoness regains her normal attitude, refocusing on their situation and what to do. Gazing once again at the horizon where only a few stars burn so far away, the dragoness uncurls her finned tail and stands up, rising her giant but folded wings, having in mind to return to the Pyramid. Making her first step, Akhanta tells a few words.
- "Lieju uthu surh lihotu prita ythetias almylodiu toijyl?"
- "Akhanta, kion!" Shouts a voice from behind.
Turning back as does the nightwing, the great dragoness gazes upon her feathered kin just outside of the building, with Ayirn following at his side. To such a sight, the dark blue one looks down for a short moment, hesitating, before speaking again with a louder voice to be heard clearly.
- "Kraydirn, Ayirn, yth litysen nestoq yl toijyl. Yihe uthue kasarh sif ignum yth, ghyt th, yth eiuf heia konles uthue."
To such words, both great dragons look at each other, appearing regretful and beginning to think... But before they can really reply, their kin takes Darkstalker in her paw, holding the young one tightly against her chest before unfolding her talons and soaring into the sky with a powerful beat of her wings, leaving the two to decide…
