Kai marched through the lava lands, Wyldfyre clinging tightly to his chest. She had passed out a few hours ago, the tears on her face finally having dried. It had been nearly a week since Heatwave's death and while things were still raw, they were improving.
Wyldfyre was finally speaking, and she was speaking in Ninjargon, no less. Kai made sure to speak in dragon tongues here and there. She was also finally eating, though it was in small amounts, but it was better than nothing.
Kai looked up at the horizon grimacing; it was starting to dip. Pushing some sticks into formation, he made a small camp. Igniting his fist, he shot a small blast that lit up the twigs, accidentally jostling Wyldfyre awake.
"I'm sorry," he whispered down to her. "Would you like to stretch for a few minutes and eat?" despite offering the worry in his heart was getting in the way.
She nods weakly, settling down gently next to him. He sat down on the large log he pulled to the camp. Rustling through his makeshift backpack he pulled out some fruit.
A small gray and black photo dropped to the ground, delicately he picked it up, sadness and happiness washing over him.
"What's that?" her voice was weak, hurting Kai's heart more.
He handed the photo over to her. "This is an old friend of mine, his name is Flame."
"He's a dragon," she whispered. "Where is he now?"
"He's gone," a slight warble entered his voice.
"Just like Heatwave," tears pricked her eyes.
"Yes," he patted the log motioning for her to sit down, wrapping his arm around her he began to speak. "I know this is hard Wyldfyre, but just because they aren't here doesn't mean they are fully gone."
"They aren't?"
He shook his head. "We still have our memories of them, all the good times together, all the bad times, and so long as we remember them, they are always with us." He whispered. "Would you like to hear some stories about Flame?"
She nodded softly again.
"Back when I had just found flame we were inseparable," he smiled and looked at the sky. "We roamed the skies freely, we rode from one end of Ninjago to the other, we would play hunter and prey where we would try and tag each other, I even managed to get him a couple of times."
Kai ignited his fist and touched the dying embers and ignited them upon the fresh stick. She tried to mimic what Kai did but her flame was smaller and put more of a strain on her. Noting it he brought his fist to hers adding his fire to her. She had never felt so much strength even from Heatwave.
Tears pricked both their eyes, Wyldfyre stared up at Kai realizing how similar they truly were, she played with Heatwave the exact same way. A realization came to her as she told stories about Heatwave, this dragon that happened to stumble across her was strong, and with him, she would get stronger, she would never be weak again and fail her family.
"There we go." He whispered wrapping her in a red blanket as soon as he felt her fall back asleep. A small puff of flame escapes his nose as he warms up his body, trying to mimic how a dragon warms their young.
It seemed to work as Wyldfyre slept much easier but still clung to him, taking in the heat. His own sleep was coming much easier too thanks to her, though it didn't stop the voice fully, it was much more tranquil than he had ever been.
Kai rustled awake, the sun shining directly into his eyes.
"Good morning," Wyldfyre whispers.
Kai blinked in surprise this was the first time she had spoken in the morning.
He whispered it back to her, sitting up he cleaned up the camp and picked her up, marching forward again. He didn't feel right questioning her yet, but there was one thing he wanted to say to her.
"I promise to take care of you Wyldfyre," he rubbed her head. "You're part of my family, and when you meet the rest of my family they'll protect you too, you'll never be alone, we will be with you."
A teary smile covered Wyldfyre's hidden face.