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Chapter 56: A first time training with you, hatchling of the silent world
Arriving at their home, the frame of the building so grand even great dragons feel small before it, the group of kins and their younglings can now approach the ground more than ever, and after a moment of slithering just above it, the dark blue one lands with firm and proud talons, the shock of such an act hard to diminish to a comfortable level, but for fortunately for the youngest of dragonesses, both her matching companion and her greater guardian have no intent of letting her down.
Partially settling as she lowers the first half of her body, it is with a fast but gentle grab of her youngling that the dark blue kin moves Ikarh out of her back, all before putting her on the colder and hard soil, the imposing form of her caretaker all so near. And soon, her matching one reaches her level, the young seer being eager enough to climb down from Akhanta, his agile form descending on her long and finned tail in no time.
- "Toij Ikarh, muvol ignum yth kes toij Darkstalker."
Having said that, and with the presence of her kins, the great dragoness begins to walk forward, the grand entrance of the Pyramid right in front of her. However, it is after only after a few steps that she hears the warning voice of the young hybrid, and halts, looking back with her more surprised gaze.
"Heij… Nelkemu toijyle, yth hute higus uthu soumvu tunis heia gutre, heia igos."
- "Ghyt heia surh, yth soumhute omku higus iole." Says the magical kin, her voice a doubtless one as she glances at the youngest one, the sight of such a dragonet only held in place by her companion reminding her of hatchlings she saw a few have in her own prestigious temple, nostalgia colouring her mind as well as a sense of the past being so distant…
- "Th soumvu tunis surh jiake, oem fiku yihe uthu hute surh kalup oje yth..." Comments the fiery companion as Akhanta takes and puts the blue and purple one on her back once more, his voice not so serious while his mind remembers of dragonesses he had seen more than a few times in his life of many battles.
- "Lieju uthu surh eximn tujemun uthu surh akeju foltemeia nestoq hyfen kes fenyz?"
Seeing her chuckling after telling of her far more blunt and shocking question, Azykan blinks then unfreezes just after, a silly grin appearing on his snout as he begins his march and ancient names linked with dragonets fades in the back of a mind, his orange eyes not leaving his dark blue companion…
Now progressing in the depths of the immense building, the light from outside quickly dimming to the point glowing crystals have no competitions when it comes to lighting the place, the group can feel the warmth of the interior and the every surface the elders have marked, painted and drawn over, too often with the bare justification of because they could. Though if one could see their mind, one would not find regret for their overall work.
But that is not really what the young seer focuses on, even if his eyes can not be absolute in their ignorance of everything that stands before them, said young one using of his sight to delve into the many thoughts of the kins as he walks by their side, with the dark blue one bearing the immature dragoness closest to him as expected.
Not being too serious in his endeavour, the nightwing knowing of the general mood leaning more to the mundane and of their simple goal of bringing him to the training room he went quite a few times to, Darkstalker nonetheless succeeds in getting an important bit.
Being drawn to the blue and green one as she and others speaks in a far less relaxed tone, with Azykan being quite hesitant and almost tired for a dragon like him, the young hybrid senses how uneasy, regretful and even frustrated Ayirn feels about Xamirh, the yellow kin having changed recently, and seemingly not for the better…
Despite such memories being pushed back after a short moment, the trio of great ones thinking of things far less able to stress them, a general behaviour that he does appreciate, the hybrid has gotten enough of that exchange to ponder about a few questions.
So that dragon triggered the... distaste of others? What happened for such a shift to occur? I did slept for who knows how long after all…
The moon, it felt potent, far more potent than before, and Ikarh herself, she is now there, with me and them. Could it be such progress played a role in Xamirh's recent behaviour?
Yet if I know little of their histories and personalities, and even less of their greatest goals in the technical sense, how can I be able to find the answer? But nonetheless, I should try, I should be attentive and keep track of things, as it seems something is too important to be ignored…
Arriving at their destination, now marching around the vast room and quickly reaching one of its entrances, the walls all around being decorated by epic drawings of dragonkind and its civilization, though to really have a good shot at representing such things, far more work and space would be needed, the group halts, the eyes of many seeing the doors and their depiction of the four winged deity.
And it is by taking a step first that Azykan, with some eagerness animating him but not fully, volunteers to open the great entrance. Putting his massive talons against it that he extends with his fiery will, the great dragon struggles fairly little, the fact such doors were not completely closed giving them no chance to really resist, and after only a short moment, the ancient and imposing obstacle is no more.
- "Masnurik vaieb sim yl ozeim ust jteqimun." Declares the kin of fire as he enters with all the others following, his march getting a bit more prideful as he progresses in such a vast and unique place, the absence of another inside it giving off a peculiar feeling...
Halting once the group is distant enough from the entrance, the talons of all somewhat circled by some important motif on the partially smooth and old floor, Akhanta and her little follower draw the gazes of her kins as she brings the four winged one on the same ground, the little whelp being taken under the young seer's wing, if only for a short and symbolic moment.
Glancing at Ikarh for no more than a second, the dark blue guardian steps forward only to turn back just after, bringing her majestic form to face the nightwing and his matching companion, her head closer to their level as she speaks, her tone calm and kind.
- "toijyle, ofemyl ajek u elzurt sif jteqim, ikul heia aljalest. Yth kasarh uthue sif pleosim kalup peuj astutomer, abesun prita uthu, tekeis ust yl Yfushka."
Having said that, Akhanta extends a talon just at the young hybrid's side, the movement of her claws inciting him to stay with his even younger companion, who he intertwines his tail with. And seeing that, the caring guardian can only grin, before turning away, simple words leaving her mouth as she takes her first step forward.
"Ignum yth."
Under the watch of Ayirn's gaze and Azykan's curious one, the smaller hybrid thinks of his companion and the way he could make her walk, seemingly unaffected by the attention he got as he moves in front of her.
Having expected of the dragoness that she would not close the humble distance recently created, her body only tilting in his direction, Darkstalker decides of a blunt way to make the blue and purple one use of her talons. Letting that noble and charming persona of his be, the nightwing swiftly but firmly takes over Ikarh's front talons, and in a wide gesture needing some real effort, the dark hybrid ends up with the paws of his partner on his shoulders...
Observing the young seer turning his back while his body keeps the weight of his companion's front limbs, Azykan can not stop himself from smiling slightly, the behaviour and will of the otherworldly one reminding him of good memories and traits he still values, a detail the dark blue kin does not seem to miss, her gaze easily focusing on another if she so desire.
- "Oje u ejurh pilmeo… Lieju iole ajek heij itizru hute cerux?" Comments the dragoness of blue and green as she watches the youngling marching forward while bearing the first half of the other, intrigued by his determination.
- "Aqerh, ikul yth hefum th ajek tho iole hute cerux sif ifyat toij Ikarh." Says Akhanta in reply as she makes a new step forward, her eyes watchful of the whelp's companion forcing her to be moved, but more than that, to get her back talons moving by bringing her lower and higher, a costing behaviour that he seems to accept doubtlessly.
At first impressed, the nightwing's guardian thinks for a moment after he had caught up to her, and finally decides to test him properly, simply starting a walk with her graceful but imposing form, the purposefully slower steps made by her massive talons that of a draconic giant. But not discouraged at all, Darkstalker only takes one big breath before continuing, the burden that his immature partner represents one he bears willingly…
Minute passes and the trio continues to march around the vast and mystical room, walking alongside the ancient walls and the grand scenes they depict, as well as the many crystals that bring light of colours. And despite not having made a whole turn of the place, the young hybrid complains not as the front paws of his companion firmly cling to his shoulders, his content and confident attitude unharmed by the many steps he still has to make.
Seeing from the corner of her eye how Ikarh is brought to move now, her back talons having grown familiar enough with the movement of her determined guide, the great dragoness decides to halt, an idea coming to her mind.
"Uthu hute ghyt masne toij Darkstalker, ikul ofemyl yth kasarh sif moxon heij temylkes Ikarh tunis ghyt wein thamej." Tells the surrounding guardian as the nightwing breaths little to recover, his body seemingly enduring enough.
Quickly understanding what is expected of him, the blue eyes of Akhanta more focused on the one just behind, the young seer lets go of his companion, or tries to as such purple eyes tells she has no idea of what to do.
Pushing back the spark of impatience almost immediately, the dark hybrid thinks but not for long. And so letting a peculiar sense of gentleness express through him, Darkstalker turns his neck, and putting his snout at his shoulder's side, in contact with Ikarh's talon from below, the night dragon relaxes that part of the younger dragoness and takes it away, its paw falling to the colder floor while her gaze remains on him, unwavering.
"Jykon, ofemyl th ajek elzurt ythe enavet yl tekeis sif gutre."
Saying that, Akhanta takes a single step toward the youngling as her companion steps aside, before presenting to her the claws she possesses, the gesture so close and captivating as the great dragoness decided to intensely light her paw with her own essences. Seeing that, Ikarh can only be enchanted by the other and her flame, a fact that the guardian exploits by lightly patting the blue and purple one before retrieving her talon, her imposing form bringing itself backward by stance, and being all to inviting for the one intensely staring at her.
Predictably, such a young dragoness can not do nothing when the object of her raw desire distances itself from her, and so it is almost by instinct that the quiet whelp moves in its direction, first tilting her pretty and smooth body, then extending her back talons, a move she discovered very recently thanks to her companion's help.
However, while the captivated youngling is closer to the vivid flame Akhanta holds in her claws, her mostly unmoving front limbs blocks her from going any further, a detail both her partner and her great guardian do not miss. So sighing, it is Darkstalker who comes back to help, an idea already in mind.
You really are the silliest dragonet of all, without even knowing it. Such a strange nature you have…
Bringing his talon behind Ikarh's folded one, her four winged draconic form kind of stuck in place, the nightwing moves it further down. Taking hold of such a part, his companion tensing instinctively before relaxing, the hybrid of night swiftly dislodges it from the ground, causing the dragoness to shift forward as her talon falls back on the floor, now further away and extended.
Watching quietly the scene unfolding just before her, Akhanta, and her two kins who have come to approach her, can only appreciate how dedicated the young hybrid is when it comes to support his younger partner, passing to the next iteration of the same task again and again, the slow speed at which the pair moves coupled with their guardian stepping back not discouraging him one bit...
"Iole ajek wulen toijyle." Declares the dark blue kin to her pair of far younger followers, the fire of her paw being extinguished as her talon retouches the marked floor.
Seeing in her mind the simple concept of what she wants, the nightwing steps aside, leaving Ikarh alone once more. And as soon as that happens, the dark blue dragoness leans into her, doing in a similar manner her little show of power. As expected from such an immature mind, the youngest of dragonesses thinks of almost nothing but the flame she focuses on, and tries to reach it.
However, as the blue and purple one becomes really motivated to move forward, her whole body tilting with her unfolded back talon, Ikarh, under the important pressure she put on her first half, ends up using of her front limbs, the innate and freeing extension of a talon followed by its fall further down the line.
Watching his companion behaving on her own, the young seer feels a sense of pride growing as his matching hatchling hesitates less and less in her steps, her movements suite gaining in fluidity until she reaches the one holding the flame she desires, a smile present on the guardian's snout when looks at her little purple eyes.
Suddenly, the flaps of great wings can be heard by everyone, quickly drawing the gazes of others due to his unexpected coming. Turning back, the young seer discovers it is Azykan who is doing that act, the grin his horned face bears making the moment more silly than anything, a fact that Ayirn does not necessarily disagree with as she stares at him, slightly shocked as she does not fully understands.
"Azykan surh smena sif ometake toij Ikarh, uthu soumvu yenuv tushmit uthutias tushoke okarn." Says Akhanta as she imitates the gesture of her fiery kin, her tone as far as it can be from serious.
Staying near his four winged companion, Darkstalker is uncertain of what to do as he observes the scene, his gaze even crossing that of the magical kin, if only for a second. But seeing the smiles of the two great ones and the simple feeling of joy that colours their minds, it only takes Ikarh glancing at him for the seer of night to start flapping his wings as well, an act that, adding to everything else, succeeds in making the dragoness of blue and green snort...
patting the youngest one with two claws, the light they hold no more than bare embers now that the test has been passed, Akhanta circles her quiet pupil with her long tail, her mind and gaze shifting to the young seer as she does so.
- "So… maybe it is finally my turn to train." Mutters the nightwing as he stares back at the dark blue guardian, his body and confident or at least unworried attitude showing he still has a lot of energy to spend.
Hearing his voice and knowing he can see her mind, the extent of which she ignores and cares little at the moment, the great dragoness turns away and looks deeper into the room and its vastness… Until she speaks once more, her clear voice concerning her kins as she unfolds her long and finned tail.
- "Olvumt ust Zyetias feny, yth muka u nomirtun sif ouery nestoq yl leaqis toijyl."
And with these words, the dark blue kin lets her companions behind with the most immature of whelp while Darkstalker follows her, getting eager for whatever "game" is to come, his memories clear with the nicest ones taking the first place...
Halting now that the distance between them and the others is judged sufficient, Akhanta glances at the young hybrid, her voice sharing an energy not dissimilar to his own.
"Cuxt lieju uthu surh lihotu prita Zy?"
Standing from not so far, with the blue and purple one settled nearest to Ayirn, she and Azykan watches the young dragon of night start running in all the glory a wilful youngling can evokes, a pair of orange eyes following him with interest and mundane satisfaction while blue ones stay on the quiet whelp.
Ikarh, being such a young one surrounded by giants and the many things such a bright place she has yet to recognize can offer, remains under the magical kin's wing, the great dragoness' gaze ever watchful of her, not just to analyse her frail and mystical being, but also because of the many feelings she gets, her thoughts flowing faster and questioning.
- "Lieju uthutias kumista surh feshur nolmytu kalup zikosymun, uthutias ekyzu feshur ekium u toij oje Akhanta?"
To the fiery kin's question, the hatchling sees Ayirn blinking then turning in response, her blue eyes no longer on the silent child as she answers in a normal voice, one the smaller companion still shakes slightly at.
- "Lieju uthu uzethu gistem oij alest teloum ythias genyle surh tey tha eastu?"
- "Hie, ikul ghyt heia higus oij artufo genyle tunis reitup sim u owhur efegur." Replies naturally Azykan, his warm voice undisturbed by his kin's words and expression.
Letting his matching companion think for a moment, the fire kin only cast a quick glance at the relatively far away pair, the nightwing still energetic enough to put up a fight against his guardian in that game of catching the other, before his gaze stumbles upon the youngest dragoness. And leaning his head far closer to her, Ikarh can only be drawn to him, if only partially.
"Lieju uthu surh heia tarkaunen ust feshur itegu omus yl musnon? Yth eiuf loperu iole..."
Saying that, the great dragon does not wait to grab the whelp laying at her guardian's side, and now that she is in the firm and unfortunately less caring grip of his, the whelp is brought on is red and orange scales, the beating of his giant heart undeniably heard and felt by her. And looking at him with her mildly more serious gaze, it is with a rather calm voice that Ayirn tells him what she needs to.
- "Pelyle ashek asrunte nestoq toij Ikarh, neiatyl kasarh sif moxon tha feshur muka yl okuti ust surh olumen."
- "Iole eiuf heia sitrilm, kes uthu kasarh sif kenib ujaie? Dueti uthu eiuf telfyat yth. Zyetias feny okutes sif surh jteqimen sylis almu…" Says Azykan in returns, a grin of confidence and playfulness on his face as the scales of his partner glow a bit more...
Feeling his body being taxed due to his continuous efforts to escape the giant and those he made before, Darkstalker nonetheless remains determined, still using fully of his talons and the agility of his body to make sharp turns, jumps and the constant act of running. But unfortunately for him, the great guardian is still far above him in that game, even without spells and more advanced arts, as while the dark blue kin is a lot grander in size, the freedom of movements granted by her majestic form and its endurance generously make up for that difference.
And so in the end, things results in what was expected, with Akhanta finally deciding to end that test in little time, lunging with strength and grace to bring herself before the running young seer then following that move with a glorious unfolding of her wings, the sight of it instantly sowing doubt in the youngling's mind, allowing his protector to catch him with vividity.
- "Yth hute dweshi uthu!" Declares the dark blue kin not without mocking pride, her attitude making the nightwing forget about his last feeling of defeat.
"Ikul sif surh kalup desfuq, uthu hute ghyt ejurh toijyl. Uthu surh alomu kes yth surh alnesta ust uthu."
Hearing her words told in a warmer and personal tone, the young seer blinks in surprises. He may not know of the meaning behind each individual term of this foreign tongue, and even less of its written form and all the stories the few survivors of this desolate world told with it, but right row, the young hybrid is sure of the feelings that sentence tried to convey, the mind of his guardian seemingly brighter due to its presence.
Saying nothing, Akhanta slowly extends a talon, and with gentle claws, pats the head of the one she took under her wing while her long tail circles him, his being viewed at the moment as no different from one of the many whelps she brought comfort and guidance to despite the more than heavy burden some had on their souls...
Retrieving her comforting paw, the dark blue giant takes on a more formal stance, and lets a short moment for her pupil to recover before she speaks again, the tone of her voice telling it is a question, but not one lacking in seriousness or having too much of it.
"Cuxt heij uthu hefum ythe soumnuv ghyt ofemyl toij Darkstalker?"
Hesitating naturally to answer, the young hybrid remains silent and unfocused, until he realizes his guardian is looking away, and seeing how she seems interested by what she is watching, the nightwing looks in the same direction as her, and discovers how Ikarh is settled on the fire kin's back, with the blue and green one using of her powers to captivate her.
"Aqerh ythe soumvu tunis ospea thee." Comments simply Akhanta, the image of everyone being together coming to her mind.
- "Ko"
Nodding in return, the great dragoness starts her march toward the others with Darkstalker, the seer of night watching with a keen gaze the pair of kins and their little one in action, the feelings they radiate devoid of darkness…
Approaching the trio, it is the nightwing's guardian who speaks first, her voice warm in tone while she does not forget to cast a glance at Ikarh, the whelp being very occupied with the act of gazing upon the many and colourful essences the enchanting giantess guides with her almost dancing body.
- "Yth surh yutive sif moxon uthu surh feshur wilute ythetias toij feny masne. Prita u fefmyl zait yl iute yth hute muka kemosihane, ikul ofemyl the surh melik ineuj…"
- "Iole ajek jykon sif kenib." Replies the kin of fire almost immediately, his body swiftly turning to meet the coming pair with enthusiasm.
- "Vezkit… Ikul yth linf oxtup oij uthu eiuf ifyat ythe?" Adds Ayirn, her voice less energetic than her partner while she partially turns to gaze upon the whelp on his back, the center of what matters for her being clear.
Hearing the words of great ones, Darkstalker seems to have something in mind he judges more important as he walks forward, quickly reaching the side of the warm elder bearing a blue and purple one, his gaze on her while the others quickly give him their own… Blinking only once in surprise, it does not take long for the one nearest to the nightwing to speak, his mind clearing itself from its recent confusion.
- "Cuxt uthu eximn kasarh sif surh nestoq toij Ikarh."
Casting a glance at the dark blue dragoness, Azykan needs nothing more than her absence of contestation to execute his idea. Rising one of his massive front talons, the warmest one does not hesitate to take the young seer and lay him on his back as well, all without his consent, and it shows.
- "You could-"
- "Iole ajek heij uthu kasarh, cuxt ujaie uthu surh feshur oysmer? Muvol boun uthumej…" Says the great dragon with a turned neck, his very big snout almost touching the nightwing's own and bearing this smug expression that says it all.
Hitting him with a wing, the not so serious impact still shaking his imposing body and the ones he bears a bit, Ayirn easily draws his attention before she speaks, her voice unamused.
- "Azykan, lieju uthu soumvu tunis surh kalup boun? Yl toijyle surh omus uthutias aurediz, lieju uthu feldim?"
Saying nothing, the red and orange kin seems to accept his fate and simply relaxes, letting his wings fall partially before Akhanta decides to talk, all the while Ayirn keeps her gaze on him.
- "Emio yl uh fenyz surh ofemyl omus uthutias ynetra, heij meocen ythe ghyt?"
Not really staring at the blue eyes of the one asking, Azykan lets his companion answer while his being still supports the two younglings, the blue and purple one only resting against the other while the seer remains focused on the ones talking, trying to get something from their minds if not from their words...
Finally, and to his surprise, the great ones have decided to do something far more mundane and peaceful. With the whole group now walking to the exit, Darkstalker can see how they picture his companion and himself resting on a fabric, in a room he went once before.
Remaining a bit wary of the one transporting him, but feeling far more protective of Ikarh, the hybrid of night simply looks around for the time it takes to reach the entrance of the exceptionally large room, his eyes more often staring at the dark blue kin if he must gaze upon a great one, her mind a presence he really is growing to love...
Exiting the area where they trained, the group only takes a moment to walk through the painted corridor and enter in another room filled with beds on both sides, its ambiance far different but not unwanted as Akhanta and her two great companions walk inside quite smoothly, their gazes not rejecting of the place they now find themselves in.
And halting not far from the entrance, quite close to the central pool of water that one may drink from, it is the dark blue kin who stops the group by looking back, her eyes glancing at both Azykan and Ayirn before she settles her gaze on the bed nearest to her, her intent easy to make out before she has even spoken.
- "Iole shimoy soumnuv surh wulen..."
Hearing the words of Akhanta, the fiery kin does not wait to lay down his younglings on the floor, using of his firm and quick talons to bring both where they are needed, their comfort being the least of his worries.
Staying near the blue and purple one, Darkstalker glares at his last guardian with short tempered contempt, before the great dragonesses intervene, with the magical one inviting him on the path to his surprise, the other using of her grand strength to bring another bed close to the designated one.
With the second furniture now settled right where it was needed, but not without some uncomfortable noises, the young ones quickly reaches and climb the crude double bed, his paws helping the immature companion to join him when he sees her struggling against what she should climb...
- "Uthue surh jukon ofemyl, kovtur ognut prita u elzurt, uthuetias xefnuite okutes ust iole." Says Akhanta in a peaceful tone, her gaze a kind one that watches over the two far younger ones like they were her most beloved gems, until she turns back, and resumes her talk with the kins.
Watching the trio of elders speaking to each other, the seer of night does get that the matter they are discussing gains in importance, some of the joy and the mundane leaving their minds as they do so, especially when images of the yellow kin and its name come back, a piece of information that only generates more questions.
But after a few minutes, and with the great dragons distancing themselves from him and his partner, especially the one of fire, Darkstalker finally turns, his blue eyes gazing upon the immature dragoness once again, and completing his embrace over her, his wing of night covering her two pairs of the mystic while his talon surrounds her neck, he brings his form against her own.
Now feeling the heartbeat of the enchanting whelp like she feels his own, the hybrid adjusts her colourful and vivid body on the fabric he stands himself on. And having put her in the right position for her to rest, the nightwing wishes her good fortune in the moons' name, and with his mind full of thoughts and more subtle feelings, rests quietly as well, if only with open eyes...