The candlelight flickered in the cave, casting dancing shadows in their dorm at Jade Mountain Academy. Qibli lay beside Winter, his wings draped protectively over Winter's body, watching his peaceful breathing. Winter was safe in his arms, and Qibli allowed himself to relax momentarily.
The cave was their sanctuary, a private escape from the demands of the School. The cool walls, crisp air, and distant hum of dragon conversations created a peaceful atmosphere where Qibli cherished his time with Winter. It was the peace he had always craved, found in ways he never expected.
Even in the safety of their dorm, Qibli couldn't shake the tension gripping his heart. That familiar possessive feeling stirred deep within him. From the moment they met, Qibli had felt an unshakable need to protect Winter and keep him safe. Winter had always seemed cold and distant, but Qibli had cracked through that icy shell, and now Winter was his. His Winty.
Qibli's thoughts drifted back to when they first grew close. He never expected to feel this way about Winter. Initially, Winter's aloofness and sharp words pushed Qibli away, making him doubt if Winter could trust anyone. However, as they grew closer, Qibli began to see cracks in Winter's armor. Fleeting moments revealed Winter's loneliness and desire to be understood.
Qibli saw through Winter's cold exterior to the dragon underneath, the one who had been hurt and rejected. He vowed to be Winter's protector and fell in love with Winter's vulnerability and strength.
He needed to keep Winter safe. It wasn't just about love—it was a responsibility he had taken on, a promise he intended to keep no matter what. Winter might not ask for it, but Qibli would give it anyway. That was just who he was.
"Idiot, you don't have to worry so much," Winter had whispered to him once, his voice soft, with just a hint of playful frustration. They had been lying together like this, the cave bathed in soft light, and Winter had given him one of those rare, gentle smiles—the kind that made Qibli's heart flutter.
But Qibli couldn't stop. He had chuckled at Winter's words, brushing his tail lightly against Winter's. "Of course I worry, Winty. You need someone to look after you."
Winter rolled his eyes, but deep down, he knew Qibli would never stop. Winter allowed Qibli to be his protector, even if he pretended to resist. Qibli loved the way Winter trusted him, even when he didn't say it out loud.
Winter appeared strong and capable, but Qibli knew his vulnerabilities well. He understood the pain hidden beneath Winter's icy exterior, the scars left by family rejection, the burden of impossible standards, and the constant struggle to prove himself. Qibli saw these scars clearer than anyone else, and it made him hold Winter tighter.
Winter had a soft side that only Qibli saw. Despite projecting cold indifference to the world, Winter melted in Qibli's presence. Only Qibli could call him "Win" and "Winty" and see Winter's eyes soften in response. It was a part of Winter that no one else could touch, and Qibli held onto that fiercely.
There was a time when Qibli wasn't sure if Winter would ever open up to him. Winter had always been guarded, but as time passed, his walls crumbled bit by bit. Winter trusted Qibli with his heart, and that was a gift Qibli would never take for granted.
Even as Winter slept peacefully, Qibli's mind buzzed with worrisome thoughts. What if something happened to him? What if Winter was taken? The thought gnawed at his heart, making his claws curl tighter around Winter. No, he wouldn't allow it. He had sworn to protect Winter and was determined to keep that promise, whatever the cost.
At Jade Mountain, supposed to be safe, Qibli couldn't shake thoughts of past obstacles and lurking threats. The world had a way of taking what you loved most, and Qibli couldn't bear the thought of losing Winter.
But for now, Winter was here. Safe. Warm in his embrace, his breath steady and calm. Qibli pressed a gentle kiss to Winter's brow, his heart swelling with a deep, protective love. He wasn't going to let anything happen to him. Not ever.
"I've got you, win," he whispered into the quiet cave, his voice barely audible. "I'll always have you."
The weeks in the Sand Kingdom had been a blur.
Queen Thorn's letter had been direct and filled with urgency, but it carried no hesitation. She trusted Qibli completely. Sunny had fallen ill, and Thorn wanted Qibli to personally ensure her daughter's safe return to the Sand Kingdom. No other dragon would do.
As soon as Qibli had arrived, the air in the palace had been thick with tension. Sunny's condition had worsened—her golden scales had dulled, and her normally vibrant eyes were clouded with pain.
Qibli had thrown himself into helping Thorn, doing everything he could to support her while Sunny's healers worked tirelessly. For a while, it had been all-consuming—the rush to find the right remedies, the long nights keeping watch by Sunny's side.
But through it all, Qibli's thoughts kept drifting back to Jade Mountain. To Winter.
He'd told himself Winter was fine.
Jade Mountain was safe, wasn't it? Winter could take care of himself—he was strong and capable. But that gnawing feeling of unease had only grown as the days stretched into weeks.
Qibli couldn't shake the image of Winter's cold, distant smile, the way his eyes had flickered with something unspoken before Qibli had left.
What if Winter needed him? What if something had happened while he was away?
The feeling had haunted Qibli in every quiet moment. Even as Sunny's condition improved, and Thorn's worry eased, Qibli's heart had been somewhere else entirely. He had stayed longer than he'd planned, not wanting to leave Thorn until he was certain Sunny was stable. But as soon as she had smiled weakly and reassured him, Qibli had said his goodbyes and flown back to Jade Mountain with a growing sense of dread.
Something wasn't right.
He began asking around, growing more frantic as each student shrugged or gave vague answers about Winter's whereabouts. No one had seen him in a while, but none of them seemed particularly worried.
Qibli, however, felt panic rising in his chest. Winter wouldn't just disappear without saying anything. He'd have to tell him if he was going anywhere.
Finally, a faint clue—a passing MudWing mentioned seeing a dragon who matched Winter's description flying out toward the northern cliffs. There were caves there, caves that were rarely visited.
Qibli's heart hammered in his chest as he flew out toward the cliffs, his mind racing with possibilities. Why would Winter be out there? The cliffs were barren, and few dragons ventured that far from the School unless they were looking for solitude—or hiding something.
As he landed near the cave entrance, a cold gust of wind hit him, chilling him to the bone. The sky was darkening, the sun sinking below the horizon, casting long shadows over the jagged rocks. Qibli stepped cautiously into the mouth of the cave, his claws scraping lightly against the stone. The air inside was damp, carrying a strange, metallic scent that made his heart skip a beat.
"Hey, Winter, where are you? Please, come out," Qibli's voice echoed wearily, tinged with genuine worry as he scoured the cave, his exhaustion palpable. His keen eyes followed a faint trail of blue blood, a troubling sign of something amiss.
Determined, Qibli pressed on, following the trail deeper into the labyrinthine caves. The ominous silence was broken only by his echoing footsteps, each step leading him closer to the source of the foreboding trail.
The trail abruptly ended, revealing the crumpled form of Winter lying in a pool of his blood. Qibli's eyes widened in horror, his body trembling with shock and fear as he rushed to Winter's side, grappling to comprehend the grim scene before him.
"No... No... this can't be happening, Winter!" his anguished cry pierced the oppressive stillness of the cave, a desperate plea for the impossible truth to be overturned.
His arms were wrapped around his cold lover's body, his yellow wings enveloping his boyfriend as if to shield him from the cruel reality of their situation. The SandWing's tears fell onto the blue-blooded floor, each drop echoing through the silent chamber.
"Please... Please... Wake up, Winter, don't leave me like this... Please, I beg you... Win!" The rawness of grief swallowed Qibli whole, his heart aching with each labored breath. His eyes, now clouded with tears, reflected the torment of his soul. As the weight of loss bore down on him, guilt began to seep into his thoughts.
"I should have stayed… I should have protected you… I couldn't keep our promise… It's all my fault."
Qibli's voice cracked, barely audible as he pulled Winter's cold body closer. His wings wrapped around his love, shielding him from the cave's oppressive chill. His tail entwined with Winter's in a desperate knot, as if by holding him tightly enough, he could will the warmth to return.
"No, no, no… Please, don't do this to me!" Qibli cried, shaking Winter gently, panic flooding his voice. "You can't leave me! You promised you'd always be there!" His chest heaved as he wept, the anguish pouring out of him like a tidal wave, filling the cave with his heartbreak.
His claws trembled as he stroked Winter's bloodstained scales, refusing to see the truth etched across his lover's motionless form. The deep blue wounds, the missing talon, the gaping hole in Winter's wing—none of it registered. It couldn't. Because Winter wasn't gone. He couldn't be.
"You're just tired, right? You're just resting… that's all," Qibli murmured, his voice shaky but insistent. "I know you've been through a lot, but it's going to be okay. I'm here now. I'll take care of you, I promise. Just wake up when you're ready, Winty…"
His heart pounded against his chest as he pressed his forehead against Winter's, their snouts touching gently, as if in a shared moment of peace. Qibli's eyes fluttered closed, tears still falling but mixed now with a forced, fragile smile. He could feel Winter's warmth, couldn't he? He could hear his breathing—soft, shallow, but there.
Winter was alive. He had to be.
Qibli pressed kisses to Winter's cold scales, muttering reassurances to himself between the sobs that still wracked his body. "See? I can feel it… you're still here. You just need a little more time to wake up, that's all. I'll stay right here, love. I won't leave your side."
His wings tightened protectively around Winter, blocking out the cave's chill.
"You're still with me," Qibli muttered, pressing his snout into Winter's neck, inhaling the familiar scent of his scales. "You're still here… I know you are."
His grip tightened as his tears soaked into Winter's icy skin. Qibli's breathing became more erratic, his body trembling uncontrollably. But still, he refused to see it. Refused to acknowledge the truth.
He kissed Winter's forehead, his voice soft and soothing though edged with a breaking desperation. "I'll stay right here with you, love. Until you wake up. And when you do… we'll go back to Jade Mountain together. You'll see. Everything's going to be okay. Just… wake up…"
The cave around him seemed to fade, the darkness pressing in. But Qibli didn't notice. His entire world had shrunk down to the dragon in his arms, the one he loved more than anything. And as long as he stayed there, holding Winter, speaking softly to him, everything would be okay.
Because Winter wasn't gone. He wasn't.
Qibli's breaths became ragged as anger ignited within him, fury mingling with the tears streaming down his cheeks. "You were supposed to be safe, Winty! I promised to protect you." His voice trembled with emotion, a mix of grief and a growing thirst for vengeance. "I should have been here. I should have done something…"
He roared immensely, his voice tearing through the stillness, sending echoes bouncing off the cave walls. The sound was raw, filled with pain, fury, and heartbreak. His yellow scales, usually warm like the desert sun, now glimmered in the dim light of the cave, burning with the fire of his anger. It felt as though the air itself was vibrating with his rage. The very thought that Winter—his Winter—someone who had only ever been kind, loving, and strong, could be taken like this, was unbearable. Winter, who had been Qibli's anchor, his light, the one who stood by him through everything, now lay broken and lifeless. And for what?
His claws dug into the cave floor, leaving deep grooves in the stone. His mind swirled with dark thoughts, his chest heaving with every breath as pure rage surged through him. Whoever had done this to Winter, whoever had hurt the one dragon who made Qibli feel truly loved.
His heart pounded with every vicious thought. His mind conjured endless ways to make the culprits scream, to break them as they had broken Winter. He saw their agony in his mind, saw them pleading for mercy, and he reveled in the idea.
"They'll wish they had never crossed me," Qibli muttered through gritted teeth, his gaze darkening as his imagination ran wild with revenge. "I'll make them regret every second they laid a claw on you. They'll feel pain like never before… and they'll know it's because of what they did to us."
The bitterness and hatred were a cold and consuming fire in his veins. His tail lashed behind him, and he roared again, the sound reverberating through the cave, the sheer force of his anger shaking the stones beneath his feet.
His eyes flickered with determination as he held Winter's body close again, pressing his snout against Winter's forehead one last time. But this time, it wasn't a gesture of grief—it was a vow.
As Qibli hurriedly made his way through the expansive and elegantly adorned hall of Jade Mountain Academy, he felt the weight of Winter, the unconscious IceWing, slung across his back. The atmosphere buzzed with the chatter of students, their voices a mix of intrigue and judgment, as they cast sidelong glances in their direction.
"Is that Qibli, carrying Winter?" one student whispered, their tone laced with disbelief.
"Wait, is that Winter?" another voice chimed in, tinged with surprise.
"Ahh, that disgrace of an IceWing," a third voice scoffed, dripping with disdain.
Despite the sting of their unkind words, Qibli managed to maintain a bright smile, a mask that hid the anger and hurt simmering beneath the surface. He understood the weight of their judgments, yet he chose to project an air of confidence.
The moment they stepped beyond the bustling main halls and into a quieter corridor, the forced smile faded away, giving way to the raw emotions he had been desperately trying to suppress. The relief of solitude allowed his true feelings to surface, unguarded and vulnerable.
He finally burst into the healing cave, his talons skidding against the stone floor. The sudden motion nearly caused him to collapse, but he held steady, gently lowering Winter onto the nearest bed with trembling claws.
"Please…" Qibli's voice cracked, his words choked by sobs he hadn't even realized were forming. "Please, someone—heal him. Please save him."
Thankfully, a RainWing healer swiftly arrived, alerted by the desperate cries of the SandWing. Her eyes widened when she saw the state Winter was in—deep wounds, ice-cold scales, barely any sign of life. But she quickly collected herself, stepping forward with a steadying presence.
"I will take it from here, dear. Rest assured that your friend will be in good hands," the healer assured Qibli, offering a sympathetic smile that provided little comfort to his aching heart.
While the healer expertly prepared the life-saving medicine, Qibli couldn't help but gaze at Winter's deep and life-threatening wounds, his frustration and helplessness growing with each passing moment.
The healer's soft voice broke through his daze. "Dear, I think it would be best if you stepped back for a moment. This is… hard to watch, I know. But sometimes it's better not to see the process. It'll help you, too."
Qibli growled softly, not in anger but in frustration. How could he leave Winter now, after everything? "I can't," he whispered, his voice tight. "I can't leave him again. Not after what happened." His throat felt raw as if he had screamed his helplessness to the winds on his flight back.
As the healer finished applying the medicine to Winter's wounds, she carefully placed medicinal plants and leaves on Winter's other injury.
The healer sighed sympathetically but didn't push further. Instead, she focused on applying the medicinal poultices, wrapping Winter's injuries with care."He is currently unconscious. I am not very experienced with treating IceWings, so I'm sorry to say that he won't be able to receive proper treatment right now. The treatment I can provide will only do so much, I'm afraid. I'm going to send someone to a healing center. But don't worry, I will try to get help as fast as possible," she said with a sympathetic expression.
Qibli nodded, though the words felt hollow in his ears. He wanted to believe that help was on the way, that Winter would wake up and everything would be fine again. But deep down, a darker part of him was growing restless—angry.
The healer must have sensed his rising tension, for she spoke again, this time more insistently. "You need to rest, dear. You look like you haven't slept in days. Trust me, you're no good to him if you collapse yourself."
Qibli opened his mouth to argue, but the healer held up a talon. "I mean it. You have to go. Get some sleep, and I promise I'll come find you if anything changes. Winter will need you when he wakes up, and you need to be strong enough for that moment."
Reluctantly, Qibli bowed his head in defeat. He cast one last glance at Winter's still form, his heart aching with every step as he turned away and walked out of the cave.
Back in his dorm, the emptiness felt unbearable. Qibli tossed and turned, unable to find any comfort in his cold, empty bed. His thoughts kept drifting back to Winter, to the horrifying image of him lying broken and bloody in that cave. How had it come to this? The question gnawed at him, poisoning his every thought.
Tears welled up again, unbidden. "I miss you, Win," he whispered into the darkness, his voice hoarse. "I'm scared without you… I miss your cold, even the way you'd roll your eyes at me for being too warm." He managed a small, bittersweet smile through his tears. "We used to joke about it, didn't we? How we balanced each other out… Your cold and my warmth."
Feeling restless without Winter by his side, he finally got up and made his way to Winter's icy bed.
As he lay down on his boyfriend's bed, the chill of the sheets brought a sense of solace, reminding him of Winter's presence. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into a deep slumber, where he found himself dreaming of embracing Winter once again. At that moment, the overwhelming emotions of anger and sadness seemed to fade into the background, if only for a little while.
The serene meadow surrounded them, a sanctuary of peace where the warm sunlight kissed their scales, and the air smelled sweet with the scent of flowers. Qibli sat close to Winter, their talons intertwined in a gesture of quiet intimacy. Winter's usual stoic expression softened, his pale blue eyes reflecting the light in a way that made Qibli's heart swell. A faint blue blush tinted Winter's cheeks, a rare glimpse of vulnerability that made Qibli smile.
Leaning in closer, Qibli touched his snout to Winter's, a soft, affectionate nuzzle that deepened into a kiss. Their lips met gently at first, but as they pressed into each other, the kiss grew more passionate. Winter hesitated, resisting for just a moment as if to assert his control. But even in resistance, there was tenderness. Their tails intertwined, curling around each other in a silent promise of closeness.
After what felt like forever, they broke apart, gasping softly for breath. Qibli gazed at Winter with dreamy affection, his eyes filled with unspoken words. He smiled, his voice gentle but filled with a fierce kind of love. "I love you, Winty... I love you so much. I'll never leave you—we won't leave each other, I promise."
Winter's cold exterior cracked, and for a brief moment, his usual guardedness gave way to something softer. Qibli's talon caressed Winter's chin, lifting it slightly so their eyes met once more. His gaze was tender, filled with desire and the need to express just how much he cherished every part of Winter. "We could stay here forever," Qibli whispered. "Just us. I want to be with you... always. You're mine, and I'm yours."
Winter's resistance melted as Qibli kissed him again, this time slower, savoring every second as if the world outside didn't exist. Qibli blinked and noticed that Winter's body was covered with blue scars. His boyfriend's eyes were filled with fear as he looked at him.
The jolting transition from the picturesque expanse of the sky and the colorful meadow to the eerie depths of the cave left Qibli with a haunting impression that would stay with him for a lifetime.
Winter pulled away, his eyes wide with fear. Qibli stared in shock, realizing that Winter's body was covered in deep blue scars, wounds that hadn't been there moments ago. His beautiful, strong Winter was marred with blood and pain, his gaze filled not with love, but with terror.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME! DON'T HURT ME!" Winter's desperate plea echoed through the air, aimed at the Sand dragon.
"Winter! It's me!" Qibli shouted, panic rising in his chest. He took a step toward his love, but Winter flinched, retreating further into the dark corner of the cave.
Despite his plea, when Qibli stepped forward, Winter only cried harder, deepening Qibli's sense of helplessness.
"Please, stop! Don't... don't hurt me anymore!" Winter sobbed, his body trembling as he shrank away from Qibli, as though the SandWing were some kind of monster.
Qibli's heart broke at the sight, a sharp, agonizing pain slicing through him. "Winter, no! I would never hurt you!" he cried, stepping forward, reaching out, but each step only made Winter's panic worse.
Tears streamed down Winter's face, his body visibly trembling as he struggled to escape, only to find himself cornered by the cold, jagged walls of the cave. "Stop, stop, stop! Please, it hurts—make it stop!"
Qibli's heart raced as he witnessed Winter's body becoming increasingly marked with scars, his wings instinctively wrapping around his wounded body for protection. The sight fueled Qibli's anger, intensifying his desperation to shield Winter from further harm.
Winter's wings folded tight against his body, shielding himself, as though trying to disappear. Blood dripped down from the deep gashes across his side, and when his left wing was slashed by an invisible force, it sprayed onto the floor with a sickening splatter.
"STOP HURTING MY WINTER!" Qibli roared, his chest heaving with an intense mixture of rage and despair. He realized with a sinking feeling that the assailant remained unseen, adding a chilling layer of uncertainty to the unfolding situation.
Winter screamed as his right wing was pierced, a jagged hole leaving him unable to fly, grounded, helpless. Qibli rushed forward, desperation clawing at him, trying to shield Winter with his own body, but no matter what he did, he couldn't stop it.
"STOP HURTING WINTER! PLEASE, STOP HURTING HIM!" Qibli's desperate plea reverberated through the room, a mix of fear and anger evident in his voice.
Winter's once pristine scales were now marred with scars, each a painful reminder of the torment he had endured. His usually gentle cries had turned into muted whimpers, occasionally escalating into agonizing screeches when the pain became unbearable. Even the slightest touch in the wrong place would cause him to writhe in distress, a heartbreaking sight that tore at Qibli's heart.
Qibli, still yelling, was now crying. Seeing his boyfriend getting hurt and not being able to put a stop to it, made his heart hurt awfully.
As the sound of Whips hitting the air stops. Qibli looks over to Winter. His body was covered with blue blood. Winter's eyes are flowing with tears.
Before Qibli could even move to protect him, a cloaked figure appeared out of the shadows and grabbed Winter's right talon. The grip was merciless, and Qibli's mind snapped.
"LET GO OF HIM NOW!" His voice ripped through the air, filled with unrestrained fury, as he launched himself at the figure.
But then came the sickening crack.
The cloaked dragon twisted Winter's talons, and a ghastly spray of blood splattered across the cave floor. Winter's agonized scream shattered the air, a sound so full of torment that it made Qibli's heart twist violently in his chest.
"WINTER!" he screamed, his voice breaking. His world narrowed down to Winter's scream—and then the silence that followed. A sickening, unbearable silence, broken only by the sound of Winter's limp body hitting the ground, unconscious, defenseless.
"YOU SICKFUCK I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" In a surge of unbridled rage, he lunged at the cloaked dragon, only to pass through it, leaving him bewildered and consumed by fury. Undeterred, he charged at the dragon again, every step accompanied by a torrent of curses.
Qibli snarled, his breath ragged, his entire body trembling with fury and frustration. He charged again, swiping at the figure, but again… nothing. It was like the dragon wasn't even real, just a phantom there to torment him.
The cloaked dragon drew nearer to Winter's lifeless form, its ominous presence sending shivers down Qibli's spine.
"STAY AWAY FROM HIM! GET AWAY FROM HIM RIGHT NOW!" Qibli's voice cracked with panic, every fiber of his being screaming to protect Winter. He rushed to his lover's body, frantically trying to shield him, to pull him away, to save him from this nightmare.
"STAY AWAY! DON'T HURT HIM ANYMORE. GO AWAY!" His words were hoarse, pleading, his desperation intensifying with each step the cloaked dragon took.
"PLEASE! GO AWAY! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" His voice wavered, on the verge of breaking entirely. He couldn't lose Winter. Not like this. Not in front of him.
Tears streamed down Qibli's face as he positioned himself over Winter's body, trying to shield him, but knowing deep down how futile it was. His wings folded around Winter, but the cold, gnawing dread in his heart told him it wasn't enough.
"PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU!" Qibli's sobs cut through the air, tears running freely down his face. "HE'S EVERYTHING TO ME! I'LL DO ANYTHING! JUST... JUST SPARE HIM! DON'T TAKE HIM FROM ME!"
The cloaked figure didn't stop. It moved closer, its presence suffocating, as if it was feeding off Qibli's fear and anguish. Qibli's entire body shook as he looked down at Winter's still form, his chest tight with grief and helplessness.
"WINTER!" His scream was a final, desperate cry, filled with all the love and agony that coursed through him. But there was nothing he could do.
Qibli awoke with tears streaming down his face, his tail tightly wrapped around his talons. His whole body trembled with guilt as he held himself in a tight embrace. The remnants of the nightmare clung to him, and he could still hear Winter's cries echoing in his ears.
Moon stood before him, her normally composed expression softened with concern, her dark eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Qibli, are you alright?" she asked, her voice gentle, cautious, as if afraid he might break at any moment.
"Qibli, are you alright?" Moon asked softly.
"I messed up... I messed up everything..." Qibli choked out between sobs.
Moon knelt beside him, her talons resting gently on his shoulder. "Qibli, this isn't your fault. Winter is going to be okay," she whispered, her words laced with comfort, though even she couldn't fully hide the worry in her eyes.
"No!" Qibli shouted, pulling away from her touch, his body trembling with anger and self-loathing. "He isn't fine!" His voice cracked, filled with the weight of his guilt. He hadn't found Winter in time. Winter had been tortured and hurt because Qibli wasn't there to save him. That truth suffocated him, pulling him deeper into despair.
Qibli buried his face in his talons, his sobs growing louder. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, love. I couldn't be there to protect you... His thoughts were a torrent of apologies and self-recrimination, each one stabbing at his heart like a blade. Winty… I broke our promise. I promised I'd protect you, and I failed…
Moon's heart ached as she held him tighter, feeling his anguish seep into her soul. "You won't lose him, Qibli. Winter is strong. You've seen him fight through worse before. He's going to wake up, and he'll need you by his side. You haven't lost him."
But Qibli didn't believe her. His world had collapsed the moment Winter had been taken from him, and now, the weight of that failure crushed him. The pain was too much. What if Winter doesn't wake up? What if he lost him forever?
"Qibli, calm down. You still haven't broken Winter's promise. You left Jade Mountain to bring a sick Sunny to the Sand Kingdom by orders of Queen Thorn. It's not your fault that you left Winter behind, and you didn't expect someone like Winter to go missing and get hurt. This isn't your fault," Moon said as she placed her talons on Qibli's shoulder.
His gaze remained fixed on the ground. He soon realized that Moon had read his thoughts, he blurted out, "Huh... Wait, did you just read my thoughts? I thought I had sky—"
"Skyfire?" Moon interrupted gently. "Yes, you must've left it somewhere. I woke up because your thoughts were... loud, Qibli. But are you okay? You were yelling so many..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the pain etched across his face.
Qibli clenched his talons into fists, slamming them into the stone floor with a force that left cracks in the rock. His mind seethed with dark, violent thoughts—I'm not fine, Moon. I want to kill them. I want them to suffer for hurting my Winter!
"Shhh... it's okay to cry. I promise we'll find justice for you and Winter. Trust me, I'll help you find whoever did this," Moon whispered.
Qibli slowly uncovered his face, though his tears still flowed freely. His eyes, red and swollen, met Moon's, and for a moment, the rage softened. His voice cracked, barely above a whisper, as he pleaded, "Promise me, Moon. Promise me Winter will be alright. He'll wake up… won't he?"
Moon hesitated. The uncertainty in her heart flickered behind her eyes, but she forced herself to nod, her voice trembling with the weight of her words. "I promise," she whispered. The uncertainty lingered, unspoken, casting a shadow between them.
As the two dragons headed to the Prey center, Qibli began to miss Winter's rare smiles, which made him tear up. Sad thoughts started to seep in. Then he felt Moon's claw on his shoulder and saw Moon's eyes on him. "Qibli," she murmured.
Moon comforted him, easing him up, though that barely affected his aching heart.
As they strolled towards the dining halls, their gaze flitted around the room until it landed on a striking sight: a bright yellow and pink spotted RainWing, a SeaWing with dark emerald green scales, and a SkyWing aglow with glistening red scales.
"Hey, it's Moon and Qibli!" the RainWing exclaimed, her tail wagging excitedly.
"Qibli, we've been wondering when you're coming back," Turtle inquired.
"Perhaps we should find somewhere else to talk. I don't want to accidentally burn someone, and it might not be wise to chat in the middle of incoming crowds," Peril suggested, glancing around and being mindful of any dragons she might inadvertently harm.
The group nodded in agreement and soon sought refuge in Kinkajou's and Moon's sleeping cave for a more private conversation.
As they settled into more comfortable spots, Qibli couldn't shake the image of Winter's cold body next to his, their tails intertwined, and his sandy wings enveloping Winter's back.
"Hey Qibli, have you seen Winter? I haven't seen him at all for like... a whole week," Kinkajou said with concern evident in her voice.
Qibli's heart skipped a beat at her words.
A week... a whole week... he went missing, and nobody noticed until now? They didn't even notice Winter went missing. Qibli thought to himself, feeling a surge of anger and guilt bubbling up inside him. Qibli lowered his gaze to the ground, his already fragile mental state beginning to crumble under the weight of his emotions.
"Qibli found Winter... it's just that... he is hurt, like really hurt. Winter is in the healing cave... unconscious," Moon said quietly, her eyes reflecting worry and sadness.
The news left all of them, except for Moon and Qibli, in a state of both worry and shock.
"What?!" Kinkajou exclaimed in disbelief, her scales quickly changing color as her emotions mixed with anger and sadness within her.
Turtle, eyes wide with panic, bolted toward the door. "I'll get my healing rock!" he shouted, his voice desperate, already halfway down the hallway before anyone could stop him.
Peril, who had been quietly absorbing the news, stepped forward, trying to offer some comfort. "He'll be fine, Qibli," she said, her tone gentle, though tinged with uncertainty. "Winter survived my fire scales, remember? He's strong. He can survive this too."
But her words had the opposite effect. Qibli snapped. His eyes blazed with fury, and his heartache boiled over into raw, uncontrollable rage. "Survived because of you? No!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "He survived because of Turtle! If Turtle hadn't been there... Winter would've DIED!"
Tears streamed down his face, his voice cracking with the weight of his pain. His claws were out, sharp and gleaming, and his tail curled menacingly, ready to strike. The room's atmosphere shifted, becoming heavy and dangerous.
Peril recoiled, her eyes widening in shock. She instinctively wrapped her wings tightly around her body, shielding herself from the venom in Qibli's words and the threat in his stance. Confusion and fear washed over her as she stared at Qibli's trembling form, unsure of what had triggered this level of rage.
Kinkajou stood frozen, her gaze darting between Qibli and Peril, unable to process the sudden escalation. The room had descended into chaos, and the normally composed Qibli seemed like a completely different dragon, his fury palpable and terrifying.
Just as Qibli lunged toward Peril, his body coiled to attack, Moon stepped forward, her voice loud and commanding. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!" she shouted, her wings flaring out as she physically placed herself between Qibli and Peril.
The tension mounted, and all three dragons were caught off guard by Moon's sudden outburst of anger. With a determined look in her eyes, she approached Qibli and gently took his claw in her talons, enveloping him in the protective embrace of her wings. "Shhh... it's going to be okay," she murmured soothingly. "It's not her fault. She didn't know that it would make you angry, okay?" Her voice was filled with empathy and understanding, as she sought to calm the turbulent emotions swirling within Qibli.
"Qibli," she said softly, her voice calming, yet firm. "This isn't going to help Winter. We need to work together, not tear each other apart."
Qibli struggled to keep his anger in check, his breath ragged as he fought the storm inside him. He knew Peril was only trying to help, but the overwhelming fear for Winter's life had twisted everything in his mind. "I didn't mean to lash out at you, Peril. I'm sorry," he said, his voice softening, though his face still held traces of pain and guilt.
Peril cautiously unfurled her wings, the defensive tension easing from her posture. Her expression remained calm, almost indifferent. "It's fine, Qibli," she replied, offering a casual shrug. "I've fought in arenas before. I'm used to... well, intense situations." She raised two claws, mimicking a thumbs-up gesture, her attempt at lightening the mood.
Kinkajou, witnessing the energy shift, let out a small breath of relief. Her scales shimmered back to their usual bright, joyful hues, a sign that she, too, was beginning to relax.
"Hey, I got the stone and—" Turtle entered the cave with his healing stone in claw, only to be taken aback by their unexpected postures. "Whoa—so, umm... what's going on here?"
Before anyone could explain, Qibli darted forward, his claws snatching the healing stone from Turtle's grasp with a speed that caught everyone off guard. The urgency in his movements spoke volumes; there wasn't a second to waste.
"Qibli!" Moon called, startled, but she quickly followed as Qibli dashed out of the cave, heading straight for the Healing Center. Without hesitation, the rest of the Jade Winglet—Moon, Kinkajou, Peril, and Turtle—rushed after him.
Qibli's heart raced as he stumbled upon other dragons, but his mind was solely focused on Winter. "Hang in there, Win. Please be alright, Winty," he pleaded silently. Each step toward the healing center was filled with mounting anxiety, his thoughts consumed by Winter's well-being.
Qibli's heart shattered as he reached Winter's bedside, seeing the once-proud IceWing swathed in bandages, his pristine white scales now marred by injuries. Tears welled up in Qibli's eyes, and his voice trembled as he whispered, "You'll be alright, Win, I promise." With trembling claws, he gently placed Turtle's healing stone on Winter's most severe wounds, watching as the magic slowly knitted the torn flesh back together beneath the gauze.
The sight of Winter's slow recovery brought a flicker of hope, but the pain in Qibli's chest didn't subside. He reached for Winter's face, cradling it tenderly as he leaned in, pressing his horns against Winter's, tears spilling freely from his eyes and splashing onto the cold cavern floor. "I won't let you go... I'm here, Winty... please, please stay with me... please." His voice cracked with desperation.
Moon arrived quietly behind him, her heart aching at the sight of Qibli's raw anguish. Her tears mirrored his as she watched him pour every ounce of his love into healing Winter, willing him to wake up. Kinkajou, unable to bear the sight of Winter's battered body, looked away, while Turtle and Moon offered silent comfort to the devastated Qibli. Peril lingered near the entrance, the weight of the moment heavy on her shoulders, her fire scales useless to help this time.
Minutes passed, each one stretching endlessly until a RainWing healer entered the room. Qibli recognized her instantly as the healer who had attended to him the day before. He shot up, barely able to contain his anxiety, as the questions tumbled out of his mouth. "How is Winter? Is he getting enough treatment? Will he be okay? Please, please tell me he's going to be alright!"
The RainWing raised a soothing claw. "Calm down, Qibli," she said softly. "Winter is stable for now. I've already sent a dragon to fetch a specialized healer. They should arrive by this evening." Her voice was gentle but firm, and though Qibli's worry still gnawed at him, the reassurance eased his frenzied mind, if only a little.
"I just... I just want the healer here now," Qibli pleaded, his desperation spilling over. "I can't stand seeing him like this... please, hurry.
The RainWing healer inquired with genuine curiosity, her eyes reflecting her interest. "May I ask what exactly happened? How did Winter end up like this?" she asked.
Qibli attempted to speak, but the words eluded him.
Moon stepped in, her voice steady but strained. "Qibli found Winter in a cave far from Jade Mountain," she explained, her eyes filled with sympathy for both Qibli and Winter.
The RainWing's eyes darkened. "This wasn't an accident," she murmured, glancing between the two of them. "Someone did this on purpose. But why? And if they were capable of this, they may have already escaped."
Qibli, consumed by fury, growled, "I will catch that dragon and make them pay for what they did to my Winter! I'm going to kill them!" His voice was sharp, dripping with menace as his blazing red eyes glinted dangerously. In his heart, only rage pulsed—raging hotter than any desert sun. He was barely aware of the shocked gazes of the healers and his friends, fixated only on his vow for vengeance.
Moon, who had seen the depths of Qibli's emotions before, remained the least surprised. Yet, her heart ached to see him consumed by this much anger. She approached carefully, her voice gentle but firm. "Qibli… you need to relax. I know you're hurt. I know you're angry, but—"
"Winter almost died! And because of them, I will kill that bastard!" Qibli roared, his voice shaking with raw fury. His whole body trembled, the need for retribution taking over every part of him.
Without a second thought, Moon wrapped her wings around Qibli, pulling him into a tight embrace. She could feel the storm of emotions swirling within him, the helplessness and fear disguised as anger. "Shh… Qibli, it's okay," she whispered soothingly, pressing her snout against his in comfort. "Winter will wake up. He won't get hurt anymore, I promise you that. You don't have to do this alone. We'll find out who did this, but revenge won't heal him."
Qibli's chest heaved as he struggled to calm down, his breathing ragged. For a moment, he melted into Moon's embrace, but the fire in his heart still flickered fiercely. "Moon…" he murmured, his voice thick with desperation. "I'm begging you, promise me that Winter will be okay. Please. And promise me that we'll find out who did this. They can't get away with it. I… I can't lose him, Moon. I can't…"
Moon's heart broke at the desperation in his voice, but she held him tighter, trying to soothe his torment. "I promise, Qibli," she whispered, her voice soft but unwavering. "Winter will be okay. We'll find out who did this. And justice will be served."