.

Chapter 50: A little one and two guardians left with him

Leading the path, the yellow great one watches over the group, his gaze so focused it becomes piercing, like the one of his magical follower, though his mind feels far more... oppressing in its cold and calculating thoughts while the grand dragoness is thinking more of her duty than anything…

Halting when he judges himself close enough, Xamirh's eyes points at Akhanta, and he begins to speak.

- "Ythias ryna, uthu pyteya surik nestoq yth, yth okutes sif vecik uthu ust aftomer tiulm alkary."

Hearing his serious and unbendable voice clearly, the dark blue kin steps forward, casting a quick glance at her companions and the young seer before facing the speaker and his yellow eyes.

- "Lieju eximn?"

- "Ko, kes yth okutes uthu sif surik ylfuz." Answers Xamirh, his voice unchanging while his companion silently agrees as she stares at the others, her gaze far from joyful.

Instinctively looking down, the great dragoness begins to think deeply, but before she can make a decision, Darkstalker walks to her side again, worry being clear on his face.

- "Akhanta… what is…"

Immediately, the eyes of others are on him, and feeling smaller than ever, the nightwing remains silent. But still, the dark blue kin is not satisfied with that situation, and so, turning to him and even lowering herself, she utters some words in her most reassuring voice, her mind trying to comfort him fully.

- "Toij Darkstalker, yth surh nelkemu, ikul yth eiuf heia surh nestoq uthu prita u mylmyl. Pelyle kovtur buei nestoq Kraydirn kes Azykan..."

Finally, Akhanta turns back fully and joins Xamirh and Ayirn with only her tail swinging behind, and walking away with them in silence, she leaves him with the pair of great dragons who do not seem to appreciate what just happened…

A moment passes for the trio of great ones to reach the open entrance, and when they exit, disappearing behind the gloriously decorated walls of the vast place, the nightwing finds himself staring at nothing, his eyes ignoring the epic drawings and beautiful symbols, while he utters no word, moving not a single claw, and thinking of nothing but the one that left him.

- "Toijyl, heia surh menyu, Akhanta eiuf jernup." Says a deep and considerate voice to the unmoving one, its owner even bringing himself to his side.

Turning only his head, the young seer watches Kraydirn settling his massive body down, his face and stance welcoming as he extends a wing above, covering him with black and cold but harmless feathers. And at the same time, Azykan joins the pair, though he still ends farther from the little hybrid, choosing to move to his kin's side, his orange eyes too shy to really cross the other's gaze for now.

- "Iole surh smena, ikul prita ofemyl… Heij geyt ythe ghyt?" Asks the fire kin, the doubt in his voice and gaze quite explicit, but not too serious.

- "Iole… ajek u ovelmaten xeito." Answers the feathered dragon, honestly lost as what they planned together no longer hold without the dark blue dragoness.

Looking back at the young seer, Kraydirn sees him with a bent neck, his head partially down as he remains silent, and is probably too deep in thoughts to pay attention to anything around. So in response to such a sight, the great dragon leans closer with his head, bringing himself closer to his level as his snout almost touches the marked floor of the immense room...

- "You want to know why Kraydirn?"

To his the surprise, the nightwing turns to face him, his expression and stance no longer as pitiful.

"I never thought I would feel that way…"

- "Toijyl?"

Shifting of focus, Darkstalker suddenly stands up, his body tensing a bit as a new will animate him.

- "I'll follow you, it's not like I have the idea of another path in this maze." Declares the little hybrid as he steps forward, moving to the giant's front, only to stare back, his eyes waiting for him and his next action.

Observing him for a moment, the great dragon finally stands up, but instead of moving forward like Darkstalker expected, he begins to rise and unfold his gigantic wings, his mind restraining his own essences a bit less as his raw will guides them.

- "Ashek lihotu prita ythias olmukara sif ofeldy uthu kes almeku osmev toijyl." Tells the kin of ice and snow, his aura reminiscent of winter becoming gradually stronger as the white of his body begins to cover more than his featherless underside.

Keeping his calm, the young seer does not do much except waiting and gazing at the feathered one, the way his essences are slowly freed to alter the environment fascinating him, something he does not fear as such process feels smooth enough to not pose any threat from his perspective…

A moment passes and now, tiny snowflakes begin to fall as the ground surrounding the trio feels much colder, but not uncomfortable. And as the climate change, the little hybrid is starting to get familiar with it, though the soothing feeling of energy being brought all around does help. As for Azykan, the kin of fire is not inconvenienced one bit by the influence of his "opposite", and even finds himself walking closer to the pair indiscriminately.

- "Feshur jyker yl aeisto olyse ust ythias Kraydirn?" Asks the fire dragon, his voice getting more confident as he settles near the young hybrid, bluntly stretching his body while keeping his gaze on him.

Sighing at the interaction unfolding right in front of him, it is the great and feathered dragon who decides to act, no longer staying in place but waking to the pair, bringing with him all the snow his body generates, and especially his belly.

- "Azykan, kulnem. Uthu surh tsekat nestoq yth sif wolnui yl toijyl, cuxt esimte uthumej hajunun." Says Kraydirn in a deeper voice, his blue eyes judging the other kin who suddenly finds it harder to stay in his new position.

Gaining interest in the kins and their sometimes silly behaviour again, Darkstalker watches the great dragon raising himself, reluctance being written all over his face, though his expression fades the moment such kin glances at him.

- "Cuxt heij ajek yl sefrit?"

To Azykan's question, the young hybrid sees Kraydirn moving closer and putting a paw on his own, before answering in a more personal tone.

- "Yl sefrit ajek iole uthu ignum yth zait ythias opeite, esimte heij uthu tunis ghyt, ikul arhu romnut yl toijyl." Hears the little seer in plain sight, now focused on the feathered one's mind and somewhat getting the lesson he tries to instil in the fire kin.

Not knowing what to expect beside a show of the kin's essences, the nightwing watches the great dragons agreeing before the feathered one decides to step forward.

"Muvol ignum yth toijyl." Says the dragon of winter as he begins his march, followed by the fire kin, his behaviour fairly calm, mundane even despite the being's size and power, as well as the cold and snow that never diminished.

Bringing himself at Kraydirn's side, the little hybrid glances at him, still a bit unsure and lost, only for a little smile to form on the kin's snout, his mind becoming a tad better to listen to. As for Azykan, the young seer would be appreciating his presence far more if it was not for the time he mocked him that he does remember, coupled with his slight impatience and energetic personality that makes his imposing and fiery form potentially more dangerous, or that is what the nightwing thinks at least…

Having passed a few minutes "walking" at the great ones' side, their steps gigantic, louder, especially for one caring less like the fire kin, and almost shaking the floor, Darkstalker begins to wonder impatiently. Of course, such a young one grew quite familiar with the feathered one's presence, now fully finding the aura of winter that he brings calm and relaxing, like his mind which despite the raw power that influences it, appears to be oddly pretty in that moment, similar to the time its owner was dancing, but that does entirely push back his "annoyance".

Your march and show of power, it's good and all, but is that really interesting enough? Or maybe it's just a simple activity to spend time until Akhanta return?

Thinking that way, Darkstalker turns to gaze at the entrance by which his great dragoness left, but more than that, he can feel her presence, but it is far weaker.

She is still occupied… I hope that-

- "Feshur ezdum oem aftomer?"

Instantly turning to the feathered speaker, the young seer only makes him snort, before he continues speaking, his voice deep but not so serious, or at least far from intimidating.

"Uthu linf obemi olina, nile ajek aftomer yth gynhim..."

Suddenly, the dragon of winter halts, stopping both of his followers as well. And now being the center of attention, he decides to settle on his spot, his eyes looking mostly at the fire kin.

"Azykan, uthu eiuf owhoij yth itzue, cuxt ashek nulaig." Says Kraydirn to his warm companion, having in mind for them to unfold their forms and for their power to follow.

Having said that, the feathered kin refocuses, and after catching a "little" breath, begins to fold his talons and back, bringing himself lower while his wings gradually unfold and stretch, a gesture that develops as the great one's aura becomes stronger.

Watching this, Darkstalker is once again impressed to see such power being exposed, and also unconsciously glad such power remains harmless, the grand dragon being the one to control it despite its raw nature…

A moment passes, and more than snowflakes are altering the surroundings, with a thin layer of ice forming on the floor, adding an enchanting aspect to the markings and earthly appearance of it. And in the middle of it, the nightwing can feel it all, like the fire kin who takes a little sidestep, initiating a swing of his long and finned tail, all the while Kraydirn stares at the both of them, though his expression is not hostile nor even tense, in fact the elder dragon appears to be relaxing as his wings fall a little, bringing his countless feathers closer to the ground he is shaping.

- "Th almunh zikos jykon sif ostakra jteos ust uthutias olmukara, lieju yth surh smena ythias ryna?" Asks Azykan in a warmer voice, his little chuckle proving to the little seer he is far from serious.

- "Iole surh aeisto, ikul ythias ekiunt surh almylt alunejurh..."

Having responded honestly and with that personal gaze destined to his kin, the dragon of winter approaches him, and after bringing a colder wing over him, speaks to him with words clearly concerning him.

"Cuxt th surh ofemyl uthutias fefmyl Azykan, esimte heij kasarh kes tunis esimte sim yl toijyl."

Staying still and observant, Darkstalker watches the fiery dragon nodding firmly before moving to the side, his march an exaggerated mix of refined and eager as he fluidly but hastily dances with his imposing talons the time he reaches his mundane spot. Once there, the great dragon settles, prepares himself and takes that little breath like his kin did before, only to execute a similar shift of stance, with essences coming out, especially on the wings that are extending, though that aura is warm, almost a complete opposite to the other and older one.

Showing your powers? Seems you two agreed on that…

But more seriously, that way your own essences are freed, generating an aura concrete enough to visibly alter your surroundings… If it works like I think it does, then all five of you should be able to do that powerful trick…

When it is obvious that Azykan's aura increases no more, the little hybrid feels a bit… surprised to see to see such kin freeing less power than his partner, despite the feathered dragon having not shifted in mind and essences flows since his amplified aura had stabilized.

Maybe Kraydirn's mindset, his drive at the time his stronger, like an animus dragon who has an idea and is not afraid of being bold in his or her endeavour… But Azykan is bold and even impatient, why would he not take the opportunity to show me his power? He doesn't seem to restrain himself...

Indeed, focusing for longer on the fire kin, the young seer spots nothing close to a mental restraint, at least not at a surface's level, a configuration too similar to the dragon of winter despite all their differences, but the nightwing can not think solely of that any longer as blue and orange eyes are on him now…

- "Vawrie u toij vulnekon..."

- "Vezkit, kes ofemyl, tho pyteya surh gystisen." Adds Kraydirn to his fiery partner's words, his eyes and tone getting more serious as they turn to the young hybrid.

Taking a step toward his little companion, the winter dragon appears to be exceptionally calm, at least in the eyes of the one he faces, with the ice and snow he bring with his being taming down until such a presence is more than rivalled by the red and orange kin.

"Toijyl, th ajek elzurt uthu moneos sif surh oje ythe." Tells Kraydirn, his voice firm and resonating, his tone and gaze leaving nothing for the young hybrid to escape.

But settling down his imposing and feathered body with serenity, the great dragon's behaviour quickly makes the stress of the nightwing fade, and when he extends his big front talons to calmly cross them in front of him, Darkstalker makes the choice to step closer as he gets from his mind a sense of duty, a feeling linked to him who is pictured doing the same freeing move as the kins.

Understanding the core principle demanded of him that is imitation, the young hybrid chooses to act right now, gradually folding his limbs while his wings extends and he wishes for his very essences to sublime his stance and spread, but such energy only comes late, colouring mostly the tips of his black and dark wings with shades of blue as they unfold fully…

Seeing the scene, Kraydirn thinks more than anything, his mind focused on his little apprentice and the flows of his power to the point nothing remains hidden in that aspect of his being, but still, such a sight is insufficient to understand the failure and correct it, so it is with a slow and authoritative, but kind voice that the feathered one speaks to his student.

"Uthu geyt heia obemi yl ospyk sif ghyt yl opeit, ikul yl keibyr toijyl..." Concludes the dragon of winter, his gaze both on him and nowhere as he still thinks intensely.

At the same moment, the fiery kin that none really looked at steps closer, placing himself in front of Kraydirn, his gaze hinting at his impatience.

- "Astemilu yl toijyl soumeiuf heia kenib, ikul yth linf muka u earta ijtuman…" Declares Azykan as he glances at the young seer, poking at the floor with his claws before doubt taints the end of his sentence.

In an instant, the great dragon rises, his body unfolding to what seems to be a battle stance with his slightly bent neck, tense talons and curled tail all covered by his warmer aura, a change that can only surprise the nightwing, even if no eyes are fully on him.

- "U tekranas? Azykan, uthu kenib yl toijyl tunis zult jukin, kes iole eiuf ajek u rysim ojinue prita tho…" Replies the coldest of kins in a disappointed voice, his form bringing itself the other side so he can lay a paw near his own, while he looks at him in the eyes, only casting a quick glance at the young watcher once.

- "Ikul uthu kenib yth tunis otefron ythomej. Yth mopeus ythias olmukara ojr almuyl." Says Azykan, surprised enough by his kin doubting of him to recoil his head slightly, while his voice tries to sound more certain than ever.

To such words, Kraydirn sighs, his long neck curling as he thinks, his head gradually pointing at the icy and reflecting floor before turning to the little hybrid… Approaching him, the bringer of ice and snow halts far closer to him, and settles peacefully though not without a bit of tiredness as he folds the talons of his imposing body and his black tail falls.

- "Toijyl, oij geyt uthu zikos?"

To that simple question, Darkstalker looks at the winter dragon honestly in the eyes, and simply stays that way, knowing the giant of black and ice can get his answer without any word being said.

Still curious, the fire kin is also watching over the young seer, though his eyes remain more focused on his partner, who he is waiting for his decision, the red and orange one still being in his antagonistic stance…

"Uthu surh pemku masne, ikul… Lieju uthu muka aftomer sif zaptoe? Yihe uthu muka iole, pelyle zaptoe th." Tells Kraydirn to the little hybrid, his voice no longer holding much power and authority, while his gaze is considerate, almost wanting for him to act.

What do you want of me exactly? That I simply… speak?

Hesitating in silence, Darkstalker does not look away, though that would bring him a bit of relief if he did, but such a dragon can stand to look at his close and gigantic caring figure, especially as what pressures him is not hostility nor a feeling of danger of any kind…

- "Vawrie u ushi temylkos…" Says a kin who does not mind being heard.

- "Azykan, you really are annoying."

The great dragon snorts as the nightwing turns to him, forcing the feathered kin to face him as well, though when he speaks his voice is that of a dragon far less inconvenienced.

- "Tho surh, ikul ajek surh sif surh ojteahen. Lieju yth pyteya iuseq uthu ust oij temylkose hute usholp jyin thee hute strom ythe, abesun ythetias feny?" Asks the dragon of winter with an almost teasing voice, his mind picturing very young dragons of a distant past getting far quieter the moment his eyes or that of his kin focused on them, especially the ones he took care of the most.

To his words, the fiery dragon chuckles and laughs, his tail swinging vividly as his mind remembers of the many times dragonets would try by any manner to come closer to him, often when he left one of these vast arena, only to shake and even cower behind their parents' talons once he gazed at them for too long.

- "It's good and all to laugh, but please, can we focus on more… appropriate matters?"

Hearing these foreign words, Kraydirn immediately turns to the young hybrid, while Azykan takes a moment to fully calm down. And with his analytic but polite blue eyes, the feathered kin becomes aware of the little one's plea.

- "Surik nestoq yth." Says simply the feathered dragon as he begins to stand up, unfolding the talons of his huge body.

Somewhat getting his instruction, Darkstalker regains a proper stance and moves to his side, while the fire kin gives them a wondering look, almost impressed by that sudden shift.

"Azykan, ignum yth okarn, yth hefum yth muka u jykon dusmil ust heij yl toijyl okutes." Declares Kraydirn, his voice firm and sure in tone as he begins to walk directly toward the closest exist of such a place.

Seeing his unquestionable march, the red and orange one does not wait to follow him, and to voice his uncertainty.

- "Cuxt uje ythe surh feshur teneij ythias ryna?"

- "Sim yl ulven ust ythetias jienum, uje yl feoyum tunis delkran kes heij tho tyron "moon" vulnem!" Responds the feathered kin, his wings rising as he ends his sentence with enthusiasm.

Remaining silent, Azykan seems to agree with his colder companion as the group exits the ancient and glorious room, and so the trio begins to wander in the corridors once again, with the young seer content as he knows they are going to see the sky again…

.

Having walked at quite a fast pace for a while, the two giants and their nightwing finally arrive near their destination, the pale light of from above beginning to be seen on the floor, such a sight relieving the young seer who grew more than a little tired to keep up with his guardians.

Reaching the huge metallic cylinder ending up at the stage above, Azykan does not wait to climb on it, using the raw strength of his powerful talon to bring himself on the next floor, making of himself the first to bath in the moonlight. As for Kraydirn, such dragon stands up imposingly, and putting his paw on the shinning surface, begins to climb it.

"Kraydirn!"

Hearing the voice of the little hybrid, the dragon of winter looks back and stares at him for a moment, his mind thinking about the situation… Remembering the times Akhanta took the young seer with her each time they arrived at that element of their house, the great dragon decides to have his tail moved in front of him, his expression inviting.

Understanding the gesture's purpose, Darkstalker accepts and brings himself on that part of the feathered giant, embracing it tightly so he does not fall as the two ascend to the top of the mythic Pyramid... Finally, Kraydirn is fully on the final stage where the glorious beacon still shines, and lays down his whole body so the young one can separate and stand on his own.

- "Th almunh zikos jykon sif fykos yl yukyu yfushka vaieb… Heij geyt uthu hefum ust th ythias ryna?"

Hearing his kin's words, Azykan does not answer right away, preferring to rise his long neck and partially stand up, his proud and fiery wings unfolding at the same time, until his head points at the celestial sphere so evoking for everyone. Though for the fire kin, that radiant mass of essences, beside making him feel good by virtue of its potent aura, reminds him of the times he worked with others as they discovered such otherworldly essences, how they were and remain incredible, and that makes him smile.

Remaining at the feathered one's side, quite close to his talon as if he was now the one he could count on to be supported, Darkstalker watches the draconic giant of warm colours stand down, his gaze slowly descending as his mind is obviously fascinated by the moon…

And when finally he is staring at the dark lands below that extend to the horizon where only numerous but little lights are, Azykan stays almost passive for a moment, wondering about the idea, the vivid image of Light from above restoring a world of nothing, bringing life and essences that finally give colours to the dark and inert stones… Until he turns back, and answers with a clear and determined voice, his orange eyes gazing into the ones of the other kin.

- "Iole yfushka ajek yl feny ust Zyetias iujash."

Observing the fire kin and seeing such clarity, such passion in his voice and mind, the young seer looks at Kraydirn, his face reflecting mild surprise and incomplete understanding. And to that sight of him, the great dragon extends a wing to cover the space behind him, and after casting a friendly glance to his kin, he begins to gently walk as he stares straight into the horizon that is in front of him, advancing and pushing the nightwing with each step until both end up close to the edge, but not to the point of falling down in an instant should that be their desire...

- "Toijyl, pratus aftomer uthu soumvu yenuv kenib… Yihe zult yth soumvu tunis ghyt uthu gynhim…" Says the feathered one as he faces the young hybrid and settles down, folding his massive talons to be brought on a level closer to that of his little companion, his gaze more humble and personal.

Unbothered by the coming of Azykan whose curiosity is quite easy to spot, the great one continues.

"Uthu pyteya hute surh olnamrahen yl fefmyl uthu hute pleosim ythetias tumok…" Tells the dragon of winter as he turns to look once again as the vast but lifeless and meaningless lands that surround him, his mind remembering of the time they found an unknown little one in a the middle of nowhere.

- "Vezkit, kes yth surh nelkemu uthu soumvu tunis heia gutre, siuje kes xymri zait sulma trufenz." Tells the fiery kin to the surprise of both, his voice honest despite its less than usual partial tone, while his eyes face the same lands as the feathered one, and he has in mind past memories of a world that was still alive.

Deciding to move to the young hybrid's other side, Azykan makes sure he is surrounded by greater beings, and settles down serenely on the cold floor, a manner which is unlike his more usual temper, but one that allows the little seer to doubt less of him.

"Ikul ofemyl yth bastot, lieju uthu moxon aftomer iole uthu iumin toijyl?"

To the fire kin's question and his direct focus on him, the nightwing recoils slightly, a gesture the speaker recognizes and colours his mind with doubt and a bit of regret, before his gaze drifts away, letting the other elder speak again.

- "Yth geyt heia kenib yihe uthu hute gynhim th, ikul iole xeito hute surh uilmosun..."

Saying that, Kraydirn resumes the trail of thoughts he had before, pushing his recent thoughts in the back of his mind, probably for later.

"Oje yth zaptoe, almeku tsekat surh heia prita uthu, kes iole uniel u saqei omus uthutias kumista." Says the dragon of black and ice as he looks once again at all the lands surrounding him, his wings rising and extending as if he wanted others to see what sees.

A bit taken aback by such gesture like the fire kin, Darkstalker senses in the great one's mind a vague but deep feeling of regret, the concept of failure innate to the realm they are in, or more accurately its ruined state.

"Toijyl, yth pyteya wilute uthu iole yl tumok ythe muka ofemyl surh omku feshur saqei omus Zye."

With his gaze returning to the young seer, Kraydirn's voice becomes deeper, slower, while his mind is beginning to generate such feelings and memories it might as well sinker deeper and deeper. But despite seeing all of that, the other kin only offers his stare, his orange eyes silently watching...

- "Kraydirn?" But the little hybrid's voice does nothing to break the trend of the elder's mind, except to fuel it even further as both look into the other, their faces altering themselves.

- "Ikul Zye pyteya ienum" Says a voice as fierce as fire, the mind behind nothing but serious as its owner approaches, bringing himself closer to both dragons, close enough that his head, his piercing eyes, the four horns and fins that complete his determined face can not be ignored.

- "Ko, Zye pyteya ienum…" Replies the feathered one, his voice still keep such a low and resonating tone as he faces the fire kin, his mind plunging in memories of him that the young seer can do little but watch.

"Zye pyteya ienum snuveo u sulma, u aeisto tumok surh uje Zye itegu. Th ajek muvol..."

Seeing his kin regaining the will to fully stand against everything, his memories of him fighting while the dragon Kingdom was collapsing completely surging back, only to halt, Azykan bluntly decides to stand up, extending his powerful talons to make his warm and magnificent form rise, a move that instils uncertainty, doubt in the young hybrid's mind, but what could he do? And what should he do?

Following the kin of fire with his gaze, Kraydirn barely rises, his head obligated to look above so the focus on his kin's eyes is not lost, so he can continue to face him and his feelings as such kin begins to speak, the wilfulness of his voice clearer than ever.

- "Zye tunis zult tekran sif kovtur ueryk, pratus heia leaqis meykan ofemyl iole Almuceytne surh ryneia, kes Zy eiuf ghyt Zu feldim iole!"