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Chapter 2: The first steps in the unknown
Approaching the Mountain, Nightfulflies as quickly as can, his limbs not allowed to fully rest asnumerous thoughts fills his mind, their feelings piling up to the point of anger and fear. As forhis sight, the nightwing would not have one so sharp if he did not have the light of a far but glorious beacon to guide him.
Curse you Timegazer and your stubborn focus on the past, and curse me for making that ever precious stone without a sufficiently worthy safeguard! If I had it in my claws just now, much of that mess could have been avoided…
Judging himself to be close enough to such a building after almost an hour of flight, his blue eyes now able to see in details the many features such a grand structure has, the nightwing begins his descent, his talons tensing up in anticipation of landing.
This will be harder than I thought, but I have no choice, time remains against me…
Staying focused as much as he can, the young seer is nonetheless not spared from pain as his body reaches the ground, the momentum he still had at the end enough for the sharper rocks hidden beneath the grass to cut into his flesh.
That… could have been worse I suppose.
Finishing to stare at his somewhat bleeding paw, Nightful seems quite adamant on reaching the tower and its entrance that stand before him, the pain he still feels and the magnificent motifs of the tall building doing little to distract him, though as he was about to get there…
- "So you have decided to come, a bold choice to make after what you did." Says a young dragoness of night as she opens the grand door to come out, halting the nightwing in his tract.
- "I did what I had to do Timegazer… For the best of everyone, the timeless Power must not be a guide but a servant!" Responds Nightful with such emotions in his voice he ignores the recent wound of his paw, the other even blinking at such a response.
- "I see… You won't give up on your stance. In that case, I must overcome the final obstacle you decided to be, right here and there!"
Having used of her far stronger tone, the dragoness shows that she does not have just words as she points a spear at the other seer, her paw holding the slightly glowing weapon firmly. And seeing that, Nightful can only shift into a battle stance, his body moving in anticipation of his new opponent.
- "Already so quick to get rid of me? I knew you were not on my side the moment you spoke after my grandparents died…"
- "I just know better than to let earthly concerns get over my head." The young dragoness says witha snort, not a tinge of regret contained in her voice as she steps forward.
- "You are but a cold monster in disguise… I will do what must be done, and not what others tell me to."
Having said such words, it is an instant later that the ambitious nightwing charges into the battle, his intent bearing no pity like that of the other…
Starting to awake on the smooth soil which would be cold if not for the lasting presence of his body, the nightwing takes more than a bit of time to come to his senses, his whole form twitching from head to tail before he finally opens his eyes.
What… happened… I'm… still here?
- "I am... still here?!"
His feelings getting stronger, Darkstalker waits not to stand up as he pushes his body to do so, forcing his limbs to move even when lacking full accuracy. Though in the end, the dragon does shifts to the desired stance, his claws partially clenching over the glassy ground.
A sense of disliking growing in him as he stares over the shining but still dark and desolate landscape, the seer of night suddenly stands higher than before, his head now gazing at the void where skies should be. Before letting it fall, a tinge of defeat colouring his mind as he begins to accept the situation he finds himself in.
"Well, if that is the realm I am truly in today, I better not loose sight of things."
Having said such words to himself, the sound of his voice almost comforting compared to the noises of a cold wind blowing up dust from quite far away, Darkstalker begins his march… Only to realizes a few steps later something odd about his skin.
Looking closer at it, his body slowing to halt for the betterment of his task, the young dragon spots despite the oil some little and hollow irregularities, the traces of missing scales.
What…
Using of a gentle claw to check them, the nightwing discovers no wound nor does he feel any pain. But still, his suspicion remains as he resumes his journey, his head pointing again in direction of the crater's edge he plans to pass over…
Now more than close enough to that goal, Darkstalker has started running on the way, his young body gradually using his strength as he slowly prepares to soar at the end, his heart beating faster without bringing trouble.
I hope my body does not fail me like it did last time, but everything should be okay… I could fly before and my wings don't complain about my will… By the three moons, let me ascend in the sky of this dark world…
Staying focused until the end, it is with a powerful jump that the nightwing strips himself from the ground before beating his wings with all his power, these parts of him answering to his demand with greater fidelity than he hoped. And now in the air, it is only a matter of patience and perseverance for the young seer to attain the distant light...
…
Time has passed more than he would like, his wings beginning to feel quite tired again. But in a world of obscurity with few landmarks, keeping oneself on a clear path remains what matters the most. So ignoring the mild pleas of his body the same way he did with his pride, Darkstalker continues his flight toward the light he now realizes comes from a fire, held at the top of tower. One that seems tall, but it is hard to tell with such a dark and rough landscape.
So that is not a mirage, such a building does exist… Good, very good. It means civilization has been there...
Keeping his keen gaze over the brighter building, the nightwing soon reaches a space close enough to land. But true to his more stubborn curiosity, the young seer remains well above the ground and its faint light, deciding to circle the imposing frame in hope of answers. And what he can see… only generates more questions.
No paint to cover the rusted metal, no words to tell of what should be least be forgotten, and no mark to distinguish such a structure from its peers should it have some, except from spreading vines that are more glowy than real.
As for its top, it is nothing but a roof and a prison for the great and blinding flame inside, its heat a glorious one that engulfs the few rods and brings out countless lively sparks which inevitably cool down, all falling as mere dust all around the old tower.
Okay, that is enough for now. I should land before wondering about that all I want...
Letting himself loose altitude, his wings staying fully unfolded and moving little to glide on the way, Darkstalker has not forgotten how harsh the soil can be. And that is why he waits until the end before allowing himself to touch the more colourful earth, making sure to loose as much momentum as possible before his paws touch it.
No real pain? I guess I did better this time.
Taking the time to catch his breath, his body tired from his prolonged efforts, the nightwing looks all around to discover how this place clashes with the obscure lands all around. Over a veil of more nuanced dust stand numerous vine like accumulations of such matter, held together by the will of a colourful and bright energy.
Genuinely curious, his eyes no longer near something bleak looking for once, it is in no time that the young dragon finds himself rubbing such things, almost hungry for the new sensations they give him.
Such an odd thing to touch, and yet… It feels good. I guess what holds such… an entity together is magical in some ways. Who knows, maybe an animus created that substance...
Letting the sort of vine be, it is with more seriousness that the nightwing turns to the tower, stepping closer to better observe it and that which covers its frame. Getting in details elements of both, it is at a slow pace that Darkstalker walks around the building, almost admiring the marks of decay that prove its age as well as the imitations of plants that cling into it...
Leaves sprout indeed from them, but only there, not from those slithering at the tower's feet…
A flower? You do look pretty despite the crudeness of your composition.
Halting against the first sight of such a thing, the nightwing almost surprises himself at how a simple flower could bring joy to his heart, his snout leaning naturally closer.
"Not sure this one has a good scent to it, or even one at all, but… I guess your presence is appreciated by me, keep it up."
Resuming his march, the young seer quickly ends his turn around the burning tower. And as he does so, there is little for him to do except gaze at what is so distant from him and wonder about… anything.
Two more lights in the distance, close enough to the horizon. How grateful of fate to give me such a sight… And I suppose my foresight will tell of something extremely important, right?
With some frustration in mind, the nightwing uses once again this power of his. But against some of his expectations, what he sees is far more than simply the pulse being slightly stronger. Wherever there is one of these plantlike elements, his eyes seems to get all of their colours as well as their flows, a discovery that nicely surprises him.
"Well, it seems I'm wrong, and that's a good thing for once."
Ending his sentence on a high note, it is at a gentle pace that Darkstalker comes to the sole flower again, a faint smile forming on his snout as he stares at it… Settling down, it is without trouble that his talons fold while his wings fall, allowing his body to fully relax. And turning to gaze in direction of one of the lights, the nightwing wonders more deeply.
Should I expect the same kind of towers from these lights? Is it logical to expect such buildings to be there, so far away? Maybe, they do work fine as beacons of some sort…
But why build them when there seem to be nothing else around? Did I miss something?
Turning back, the young dragon glances at the tower once more, from bottom to top, all in search of answers though there is only so much he can deduce.
This one at least does not have doors. Perhaps there are some openings but at the top? Though I wonder who would accept to work so close to an intense fire…
Well at least the ones building them are quite knowledgeable in some field, but it comes when to finding them…
Turning again, Darkstalker now looks at the landscape and its horizon like he was before, a sense of being turning into hopelessness coursing through his mind before melancholy takes its place.
"Should I expect the builders to be… no more?"
Moving again, the young dragon can't help himself but glance at the imitation of a flower, almost seeking comfort from the cold and dark lands that surrounds them, as well as an uncaring wind.
What should I expect from something resembling a kingdom or a tribe in such a realm? Is it not clear enough there is no place for that, only proper shelters at best?
I think I'm starting to understand why you sent me there Clearsight. You wanted me to get rid of me but you couldn't due to my enchantments, so you made sure I would never come back nor would I live a good life.
You really deserve my hatred, my one and only love.
Now looking at the ground more than anything, Darkstalker sights, then takes the time to calm himself, knowing that clinging into such a negative feeling would bring him nothing good. So gazing at the two lights once more, it is seconds later that the one blessed by the moons turns back to the tower and its warm light.
Glancing at the colourful flower, a glimmer of joy colouring his spirit, the nightwing finally lets his body rest. His head now laying on the not the almost smooth soil before closing his eyes, a single thought remains in his mind.
Sleep well Darkstalker, sleep well. You will need it for… everything the future will ask of you.