Chapter 7:

“Sorry, miss Tidal but she insisted a lot." The guard apologized in Aquatic.

The SeaWing sighed and dropped her scroll. She bowed to Queen Coral.

“I hope you will excuse me, your Majesty." She flashed elegantly.

The Queen nodded some without raising her head and Tidal followed the guard. He was a deep aquamarine blue and his gills had cuts that had dried up and widened with time and never really healed, one of his claws was missing from his left front talon yet he still held a perfect attitude as if those didn't really affect him underwater. Tidal's curiosity tickled her but she restrained herself from asking any question.

The past months under Her Majesty's service didn't let her have much distraction, the Summer Fest was probably the longest she had in a long time. There was not a day when she didn't have to either study scrolls or practice her magic under very tight surveillance from Anemone. The princess was nice but a little too present in her opinion. She always wanted to make sure every single spell she cast had the right spelling, the appropriate comma placement, everything just had to be perfect. Even worse, she had insisted that the words sing as if she was writing a poem, like Coral…

The joy she got from the day she had been appointed as the Queen's official Animus dragon had quickly faded. It wasn't all fancy and shiny anymore. She had to attend to every single war meeting, not that there were many but Coral insisted that they regularly do drills so they stayed sharp. She'd also teach her over and over about the history of the Seawings. Tidal loved history but NOT when it was told from Queen Coral's scrolls point of view. At least, she shared that dislike with Anemone and the two girls often made fun of it.

Despite being a very strict teacher, Anemone was still making sure not to overexert her about the magic and more than anything not disgust her of it. She even swapped with her brother, Turtle, from time to time to bring fresh ways to Tidal's training.

They were both very open and more than once, she had discussed her fear of being taken over by the shear power of the Animus, as she knew she couldn't be stopped if she really wanted to but she had been educated with respect of hierarchy and would never even think of doing something to Queen Coral or her daughters. But she did fear she may one day have to take a drastic choice that she may not like.

She blinked a few times as she followed the guard in the cold currents. Her mind wandering as usual. Even if, at first, she was annoyed to be disturbed during her courses, she enjoyed the refreshing change that hardly occurred to her. She really didn't like Queen Coral's way of ruling, neither did her daughters or sons but no one had a say until one of them decided to take the throne. Of which, it didn't feel like neither Tsunami nor Anemone wanted to do. As for Auklet, she was in Jade Mountain Academy doing advanced studies on behalf of the Queen.

Tidal had once tried to be sassy about how Coral ruled when she was younger and commented to her that she should really upgrade to more interesting scrolls instead of reusing always the same old ones.

If the Queen could have killed her with her eyes that day, she wouldn't have stood a chance. She immediately apologized to her for a good ten minutes before the Queen said a word. And it took her a good week of writing apologetic scrolls every day before Coral appeared to cool down and started to talk to her again plus another week until she spoke to her the same way as before. From that day on, she had kept her sassiness to herself and to her friends. Although there had been a couple close calls, she never offended Coral again the way she did that day. Animus or not, she'd probably be dead or banished forever from the Sea Kingdom.

“I could always come back, or have her agree with me, or forget that she ever banished me. I could even make myself invincible" she thought fiercely to herself, but deep inside she knew she would never have the courage to do that. But was it really courage when it was just not being actually evil anyway even if the Queen was not always fair?

Tidal surfaced close to the main door of the Summer Palace next to the guard. She shook herself dry and was about to step forward when she heard a loud commotion from outside.

“Oh yeah? Who gave you the permission to follow me?", said a familiar voice.

“And why would I need permission to follow you, there's no rule in Pyrrhia that says I should not be flying in the same direction as you." Said a deeper voice with a very haughty tone.

“Well, there should be…", the voice trailed off as Tidal walked out of the door.

“Moonlight and…?"

“Sheerluck." Said the handsome, small and barbless gold Sandwing.

“Sheerluck… What are you both doing here? We can almost hear you both from the Deep Palace." Blurted Tidal.

“Well," said Sheerluck immediately, “after studying the murder scene of her parent, she - he pointed at Moonlight with his wing- took flight and came directly here. Well, not exactly directly, she took a nap before traversing the sea and then she…"

“Sheerluck, right?", softly interrupted Tidal.

“That's correct!" he beamed.

“OK good.", she pause dramatically. “From now on, you will not speak until being spoken to." She said in her most regal voice, happy that the Queen couldn't hear it.

The Sandwing stood speechless and Tidal felt so smug about it, she almost dropped the act. The guard raised an eyebrow and Moonlight stifled a laugh.

“You've obviously decided to follow her but you are not here to speak in her stead and as her Majesty's official Animus, I shall hope that you will respect our rules."

Sheerluck stood up straight and nodded.

“Yes, m.. M'am!" he said like a guard standing to attention.

“Please, wait us here with this guard, while Moonlight and I go talk in private."

Sheerluck nodded again but didn't say a word.

Tidal spread her wings and flew away with Moonlight to the nearest isle where she felt they could have some privacy.

As soon as they landed, Moonlight stared straight at Tidal. She seemed to study her for a good minute. The pale green veils over the NightWing's eyes shining softly from the sun reflections over the sea. Although it had barely been a week or so, she appeared way older, as if life had been sucked out of her.

“Moon, what's this…"

“Moonlight, please." The NightWing interrupted.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you… Moonlight. Please, tell me, what's this story about your parents that this dragon talked about."

Moonlight attitude seemed to have hardened, her muscles tensing and shivering under her scales, her tail lashing firmly behind her, she lowered her neck as if she was about to attack her. Her front claws curled up and scratched the ground.

Tidal cowered in shock more than in fear, the way Moonlight stared at her made her feel guilty.

“Is it t…" she started to ask but couldn't finish her sentence before she was pinned down against the boulder behind her, a firm talon pressing on her neck, its sharp claws dangerously sliding under her scales. She could, no… She should cast a spell to stop Moonlight but she was too afraid to act. Afraid she'd hurt her maybe but also afraid of her somehow, she could feel her fury unleashing all at once as she growled.

“WHY DID YOU DO IT?"

Moonlight was screaming directly in her ears as she held her down with all her strength. Tidal didn't even try to fight her, she just wanted to understand.

“IT'S YOU, DON'T DENY IT, I HAVE THE PROOF!", the NightWing kept yelling, tears flowing from her eyes, her black scales glistening with a hint of purple.

Tidal didn't know what to say. Had it been someone else, she'd probably have pushed them back and drown them in the sea or attack them with a spell but it didn't feel like the correct course of action at the moment. She coughed a bit as Moonlight's talons tightened on her throat. The NightWing's eyes widened and her grip loosened. A few seconds later, she let go of her and then fell back on her tail. Tidal winced for her. She looked totally beaten with her head hanging low and tears dropping from her closed eyes, her whole body violently trembling, Tidal even wondered how she could still stand on her legs.

“Moonlight, I'm… I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean…", calmly explained the SeaWing while she pulled herself up slowly.

“My parents… They were killed… a week ago, when I came back from the Summer Fest. I… found a scroll there… And it has the same aura as you." She explained between sobs.

Tidal blinked several times.

“I'm sorry but… I don't follow, what's this aura thing you're talking about?"

Moonlight then proceeded to explain how she wasn't entirely blind, how she could see auras, and then how she realized that some auras like Tidal's were different from the others she had seen.

“But how many other dragons have you seen with an aura like me before?"

Moonlight looked up straight into Tidal's eyes.

“You're the only one."

She froze and her mind went racing with thoughts.

“Is it because I'm an Animus? I've been told I'm the first one alive since the disappearance of magic. But what if I'm not? And if I am, could have I have done it without knowing? I remember Anemone distinctly telling me that I couldn't just wish something by accident but I did at the Talons of Power ceremony…" she rummaged for a long moment.

“Moonlight." She said solemnly, “I have something important to tell you."

The NightWing cocked her head a bit.

“I am an Animus and that's maybe the reason why I have this unique aura..." She paused.

Moonlight shivered and a took a step back, her expression looked panicked as if she wanted to flee but somehow something prevented her. Tidal's heart skipped a beat. Should I have told or not? What if she doesn't want to talk to me again? I didn't do it. I didn't kill her parents… I need to prove it to her, but how?

Meanwhile, Sheerluck had moved closer to them after he'd seen the fight and the guard was gone.

Tidal took a step forward and pressed her talon gently under Moonlight's chin, then pulled it up softly. The NightWing tears were running on her claws. Tidal's heartbeats increased. She stared intently at the black dragon. Her scales were shining under the sun with a perfect undertone of purple and deep forest green, her scales looked immaculate. Her eyelids were closed and a pearl of of liquid flickered between them.

“Moonlight…", she said as calmly as she could master. “I cannot claim to understand your pain, I probably never will but if I can do anything to help you, I will."

She paused a bit.

“You've told me the aura of that scroll looks like mine, but I swear on my life that I have nothing to do with this. However, if I am correct, that means there's another Animus around…"

“Ooh, you're almost as good as me!", beamed Sheerluck.

Tidal turned her eyes to him suddenly, her stare as cold as ice, if it hadn't been for the moment, she'd have cast a spell immediately so he would never speak again. Instead, she gave him a very angry look, that actually had the same effect… more or less.

“Er…" he stammered, “I think I saw a plant that er… I want to study, back there, yeah…"

He stumbled a bit and flew off.

Tidal closed her eyes and sighed for a long time. Moonlight had wiped her tears. She was looking at her again. She had her eyes opened, the pale green veil barely letting her see Moonlight's pupil and iris behind it. She couldn't make up what color it was as it only appeared to be a slightly darker green. Somehow she wished she could see them in all their glory… if Moonlight would want to see again one day.

Only if she wanted to though.

“Moonlight, I am an Animus but I didn't do that. I will come with you if you want and help you solve it and find whoever did that."

Moonlight smiled a bit

“Thank you Tidal, I… just wish things were clearer in my mind. It's so confusing now and I'm so angry too…"

Tidal gently nudged her by pushing her snout under Moonlight's and softly pressed against her.

“Don't worry, I will avenge your parents!"

Moonlight chuckled.

“I'm sure you would do that", she sniffled a bit and smiled again.

“Of course, I would, after all I AM Tidal, the Animus!", she proclaimed, trying to make Moonlight smile by being her sassy self.

“No one is going to avenge anyone.", interrupted a cold voice behind them.

Tidal jumped and turned towards the voice as Moonlight froze.

It was Queen Coral.

“You, NightWing!", the regal dragon bellowed.

Moonlight stood straight and then bowed some.

“I have been told you attacked my Animus dragon." The Queen continued.

“Oh no, it's not that, it was a mi…", Tidal interjected as she put herself between Coral and Moonlight.

The Queen looked at her with daggers in her eyes and pressed a talon against Tidal's chest.

“I was NOT talking to you! Stand aside as your Queen speaks!"

Tidal wings drooped for a moment, what would the Queen do to Moonlight? She didn't mean to attack her. I probably would have done the same thing if it was me, wouldn't I? Heck, with my powers, I would have forced her to tell me the truth, or worse… She shivered at the thought. What should I do? Defend Moonlight and risk facing Coral or let Moonlight gets punished for that?

As she kept rummaging, Coral took a step towards Moonlight, she look down her nose at her. She wasn't going to excuse whatever she thought happened. Tidal noticed the guard who accompanied her earlier now behind Coral. Surely, he must have told her what he imagined was an assault on me. Must be quite the coward to run for the Queen rather than try to defend me…

“What do you say for your defense, NightWing? Not that I care either way but I want to hear it before I punish you."

Moonlight was still bowed in front of the Queen.

“My name is Moonlight, Your Majesty."

“Your name doesn't matter, NightWing, I want to know why you did this."

“I… I was mad and angry… and misguided, I thought Tidal had killed my parents but I was wrong, I'm sorry, I…", Moonlight trailed off.

Queen Coral shot a glance at Tidal, the young SeaWing felt suddenly very small next to her Queen.

“Ah!" The Queen exclaimed, “as if we, SeaWings, would kill any of your kind, NightWing."

She paused, inclined her head left then right and raised an eye-ridge.

“And I see, you have the mark of a mind-reader, so you should have known that she didn't do it before attacking here, or even before coming here!"

“I… I can't read mind, Your Majesty… My power is… different", Moonlight explained.

“Different how?" the Queen asked impatiently.

“I can see auras of living things. It's unique and no one has heard of this power before. And when I saw an aura matching the one from Tidal's, I thought it was her. She has a… unique aura."

The Queen scoffed at her.

“Sounds like a bunch of lies to me. Guard!" she called to the one that had remained behind her all this time. “Arrest her!"

Moonlight shivered but didn't move, her eyes closed again, it seemed she had lost all will to defend herself, her wings touching the ground beside her. The guard had prepared some shackles and was walking towards her with a stern look on his face.

Tidal quivered as what felt like an electric discharge ran through her spine and she suddenly positioned herself between him and Moonlight.

“STOP!" she said firmly, her posture straight and engaging as if she was ready to fight. Her left talon raised up with her palm cupped like she was holding a sphere with it. She almost imagined herself with a ball of power between her claws that she could shoot from her talon.

“What. Did. You. Say?" The Queen blurted enraged.

“I said: Stop." Tidal felt like she had reached a point of no return with her Queen. Her heart beating fast while she tried her best not to appear shaken, she knew what was going to be next. She turned around towards the bowed NightWing.

“Moonlight, go!"

“But…", Moonlight rose her head slightly and tried to protest.

“Go now! I will find you and I will join you!" She nuzzled her and whispered, “I promise."

Queen Coral had taken another step forward trying to grab onto Moonlight's neck while the guard attempted to jump onto the black dragon. At the last second, Tidal threw herself at the guard and they both fell on the ground as Moonlight scrambled, turned around and after a few missteps into the water, took flight and was away.

“You will pay for this!" Coral fumed.

Tidal straightened herself, with a quick glance at the guard who was still trying to untangle his shackles. The poor dragon was apparently a recent recruit and didn't seem to know much about how all of this worked. Tidal suddenly felt bad and didn't want to make it harder for him so she stood still and waited patiently.

“I intend to, Your Majesty." She replied, with just enough respect that she thought was due to her Queen.

“You better remember where your loyalty stands, young one."

_ I very well do, Your Majesty_, she thought as she shot a glance behind her at the dark spot in the sky and then bowed her head just enough. She didn't feel like playing the whole royal courtesy anymore. Something had broken in her. Something that could never be repaired. She knew she would never be able to obey Queen Coral as before and Queen Coral knew it too.

_ Don't worry about me, Moonlight, I'm an Animus, Coral is more afraid of me than I am of her. She will neither try to kill me nor punish me for fear of retaliation._ Tidal stared into the Queen's eyes. Not that I would ever do it.

Coral was the first to look away. Tidal kept staring for another good minute as the guard was locking her wings and wrists, in hope that she could cross the Queen's eyes again but she didn't look back at her.

The walk to the jail was slow and silent, Coral accompanied her all the way. She walked obediently next the guard and entered the designated area before he removed everything and then the water poured down around her. Coral looked straight at her through the fall.

“I know you are an Animus, Tidal, I know this prison will not stop you if you want to escape. This is symbolic, so that everyone knows what you did. You can choose to escape but if you do, I will banish you from the Sea Kingdom… forever. And you will not be allowed to have any contact with any SeaWing under me anymore." Coral coldly lectured.

Tidal didn't have the will to make a witty reply. She stood there, staring at the water until the talonsteps of Queen Coral and the guard were long gone and then she lay down and closed her eyes. She knew deep inside that what she did was for the best even if that meant destroying her own childhood dream. Ever since she discovered she had Animus power, she wanted to the appointed Queen's Animus dragon, the one all respected for all the goods she provided to her Queen and her tribe. But now, it was too late to go back. Even if she silently spent as long in jail as Queen Coral deemed appropriate, it would never be the same and she would never trust her again.

As she was about to fall asleep, she heard the sound of the water stopped. She opened her eyes and Anemone stood there on the other side of the pond next to a guard.

“Dinner time." said the guard and threw her a couple fishes. She looked down at them. Those were the kind of fishes only high-ranked SeaWings close to the Queen would usually eat. She was quite puzzled and didn't really expect that, she looked up as the water started pouring down again and she could hear the guard walking away.

“She still respects you a lot you know.", Anemone said.

Tidal looked at the fishes flopping, “I… guess?" she shrugged.

“She does." The pearl SeaWing continues. “Now, it's up to you. You can still be her Animus dragon as you wished to be again…"

“Or?" Tidal asked immediately.

Anemone chuckled softly, “if you know what I'm going to say, why are you letting me say it?"

“Because I love hearing you lecture me, Princess!", Tidal replied with her cheeky voice.

“Or, you can go save her soul… Moonlight, right?"

“You know your mother is going to banish me if I run away."

“Oh, she will definitely do it!"

“And if I don't, she's going to keep me here for months."

“Absolutely!"

Tidal sighed, “What would you do…"

“I'm not in your position, Tidal.", the princess retorted.

“… if it was Tamarin's soul?"

Tidal waited for an answer until it was clear that Anemone left her alone pondering her choice. She stepped in circles around the fishes and eventually curled up to eat them before trying to fall asleep.

_ I could use magic to escape, magic to find her and help her. I could use magic to make Coral give me back my position. I could even take the throne if I ever wanted. I could give Moonlight her sight back and I could give her her parents back… maybe. I can just do anything I want.

Then why don't I want it?_