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East: Night 1 (One)

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"What The Hell Did You Do!?" The eastern dragon's anger nearly echoed through the night as he barely made out the other two on the ground. Coiled together with one clearly bracing the other down, while the silver one gasped in pain. Octtu's vocals muffled due to his muzzle being wrapped shut by a tight vine, manipulated by the attacker. With just the slightest movement, the standing serpent could see the unsettling shimmer of warmth leaking over a spike of rock through the moonlight. "You INJURED Him!?" An angry hiss that was Barely held back, punctuated by the echo from his helmet.

"I-I..." The grappling eastern dragon half whimpered, shakened as the struggling one's energy began to weaken. "I-I panicked!" He whispered. "He kept struggling and I was trying to subdue-! I was just aiming at his liver-"

"With a SPIKE!?" The standing one leaned down, lighting a lantern with the strike of a large matchstick and creating an area of light. Barely making out the red-pink scales of the angry one, while the teal shimmers of a body coiled around Octtu's own. Strange masks were worn over their draconic heads, whiskers still flowing free but a tarnished metal protecting such muzzles. Designed with curved fangs and strange eye holes that looked surreal. The 'guard' of sorts leaning down to observe the wound. "Well, you hit the liver, Duoo'lotha! [insult; along the lines of Absolute Fool] Congratulations." A sarcastic snort.

"He was looking to cross the river! I had no choice but to try to detain-"

"We Detain and Arrest, but we don't Fatally Wound People!!" Another hiss that was barely held back. "We use Flat-heads on our pikes! Not Points! Not Edges!" Only a whine in response as Octtu's breathing started to get heavier. "You've practiced this for a reason...!"

"I-I know... I just..." A whimper in heavy worry as the grappling 'guard's' grip began to loosen, not getting any fight back but prepared to fully brace the silver dragon if needed. "...What do I do?"

"...Fugitive or not, we bring them to the hospital to be treated. But they will ask questions and probably start an investigation." The teal one's heart nearly froze in fear. "Worst case scenario: we both get court-martialed, and it'll be the end of us." Several breaths of heavy thought from the pink one as his voice hardened. "Hold him still. I'm going to break that earthen spear, but we can't pull it out."

"W-we can't?"

"Not without him bleeding to death. Then I'll..." Another heavy breath through that helmet, giving off a more non-draconic sound. "I'll see what we can do to fix this mess."

The Thread Of Dawn Act 5 - Wildfire

By Bartan Tirix

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Day 3: West

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Consciousness spread over the red wyrm like a warm blanket, finally getting the sense of being grounded or affected by gravity again. What a strange sensation, even different from flying for several hours and landing, as if his entire form was made out of a gelatinous substance. Making it difficult for the dragon to collect his bearings as he took a deep inhale and lightly stretched. "Had a nice dream, I see." A vocal he did not recognize, but the volume of it was quite the clue, making Zarj release a noise in question as he opened his eyes to another western dragon in the shade of his cave... A dark yellow? No... Bronze? And what did she mean about-?

Upon lifting a paw to greet her, Zarj noticed a caked on white glaze on his red forearm. Looking at it in his haze for a solid moment until it clicked in what it was. Orange eyes widening greatly, then down at the absolute mess over his bed and entire underside as the red wyrm blushed so much he swore he turned purple! Getting a slight chuckle from the bronze female. "Not going to lie, I was irked that you didn't show up this morning. To the point where I think half your nest probably expects you to be limping out of here. But this?" She took a few sniffs and purred. "Makes it all worth it. Strange smell to it, but."

"I-I apologize-"

"-Apologize?"

"-For making you wait. I guess... I really lost track of time." Zarj said, getting up and observing his bedding for a moment before returning to her.

"You had a good night, I suppose."

"A..." The red one smiled shyly, still blushing as a vivid picture of the eastern serpent appeared in his mind. "One of the best sleeps in my life, you could say." Wuth'tarra shook her head in response as she took a look around, many of the treasures and objects within his cave lining the walls and makeshift shelves.

"You were not kidding about your involvement with the Children, were you?" She barely asked. "So that flower thing is real then."

"I... Yes. I actually had it right up there for the first day." Zarj pointed up to an empty space, then double taked at her puzzled look.

"...In a cave-?"

"-I realized the error of my ways now, Wuth." They shared a small chuckle. "What was your...?" A slight glisten got his attention outside in the sunlight, a large blade of sorts with several straps around it, causing the bronze one to follow his sight. "Is that?"

"I brought over one of our axes for you to use. Freshly sharpened myself. Have you ever used one?"

"I have not, no."

"That doesn't surprise me. Hopefully you're not too tired from your... 'Good Night' to do some work then." She winked at him before gesturing the red one follow her outside. Though still wanting to clean himself off, the male was just too curious about such an object: now realizing the blade was actually three set together. "Now, normally Lumberers work in pairs due to the sheer fact that these things are an absolute pain in the tail to strap on alone. Once you have it on, the hardest part of your job is done."

"Really?"

"No." Wuth bluntly stated then motioned him to turn around. A bit nervous about doing so, but Zarj complied. Feeling her guide that tail into position before attaching strap after strap, a contraption that half reminded the red male of belt buckles. Same concept, but much much larger. "Usually I would just tell you to take this and get your... 'Wyrmling' friend to help you put it on. But you did say yesterday-"

"That she's a bit frail, yes."

"And if she couldn't lift or even roll a simple log into a fire, she would have no chance of getting a nutriv'rii [tail-axe] on." A taut squeeze against his armored appendage nearly made the larger wyrm flinch, looking back at the bronze one making the process look so easy. Her muscles quite stocky- probably more than the male's own when she actually flexed them. Using some carved wood to help keep the blades in place; ending with one large blade underneath the tail, and one more on each side. Almost like a T fashion. "And, since you're not familiar with just how much wood they will go through, you might need to cut down a few more trees." The female tapped the sideways blades. "That's what these are for."

"To swing at the trees?"

"From the side, yes. The bottom is for when you knock it down and chop it into logs. From there... You might have to get creative to make them smaller. This is all we do and it is enough for... 'Adult dragons'." She took a quick glance behind her; where the rest of the nest would be. Hearing the male release a sigh quietly and nod.

"Thank you, Wuth'tarra. Sincerely."

"You say that now, but prepare to be sore tomorrow." The bronze one winked. "Bring this back to me when you're done with it. Oh, and don't be afraid to get it wet. The patina should still be good." She tapped the red haunch, making Zarj whimper knowing exactly what the female was gesturing.

"O-okay."

"Okay, what." She raised her vocals almost in playful command.

"U-uh... Ma'am?" Those blue eyes narrowed. "Sir? Mistress-?"

"Foregon! Say Yes, Foregon."

"Y-yes, Foregon-"

"Louder."

"Yes, Foregon!"

"Better." A playful tap on his side, hearing some of the 'cake icing' crinkle and fall off. "Go get washed up, Zarj. And try not to kill anything besides trees."

"I-I'll try." A solid nod from the bronze one as she took off to the skies, leaving the red male to observe the heavy blades along his tail. Tilting his tail for an alternate look, a little nervous about all this but definitely willing to try for his new friend. ...But first, a bath. Especially before anyone else from the nest sees him. Taking off and still smiling like a giggling wyrmling, Zarj wondered if Alkardoc woke up the same way...?

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Day 3: East

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It took a little longer for the clouds to part away and bring the sunlight out. Peering through the unobstructed window and onto the lord's bedding where the Thread had been resting. Slowly warming him to consciousness as the serpent took a patient deep inhale and started to flex his body around, stretching as he left the deep resides of a good slumber.

...Yes. Yes he did wake up in the same sticky mess beneath his covers. Almost worse as most of it was still warm and wet, knowing just how his caretaker wasn't going to be happy about it. However, the dragon himself couldn't help but smile brightly at the thought, regardless of how it felt.

Alkardoc still could not believe it: the projection worked. On a Western! The two kinds of dragons could be mentally linked for more than just communication. But how? The serpent thought to himself as he slipped out of the slimy covers and into a nearby bath. Nearly hissing at the stark temperature difference of the waters. If the western wyrms were not possessive of such magics, why was Zarj'annan able to interact so vividly?

Tales of dragons being linked to humans and similar species did come to mind, but only enough for the receiver to hear messages or see vague forms. Recalling a 'nearly invisible long beast before me' as one of their descriptions, unable to even properly see the face. Were the wyrms more capable of magic than they thought, and just lacked the discipline? Alkar couldn't tell, but there was just something... Missing. Like a single small cog that prevents their machines from working.

Washing himself free of the mess with the strong scented soaps, Alkar kept pondering on his next move. To the point where he barely heard his servant come to the double doors, struggling with the latch to the point where the serpent moved out to help with it and return to the waters. "Thank you, my lord." She chuckled half-nervously before dragging in a large laundry basket.

"You are welcome, Mira. Sorry about the mess."

"Dragons will be dragons. At least it's easy enough to wash out." The small maid stated, actually getting a whimper in question as the larger noodle blushed.

"I-I meant about the excess water..." Those cyan discs focused on the laundry basket, now full of fresh bedding. "I-I see... You..."

"I could smell it when I checked in on you earlier this morning, yes." Mira chuckled, balling up the dirty blankets and checking the sheets as well. Deciding it's best to do everything. "I'm surprised you're so flustered about it, my lord. It's not like it's the first time you've done this in the evenings."

"W-well, there is a first time for everything, that's for sure." The human maid's interest piqued with Alkardoc's statement, staring straight at him for a few moments.

"Oh...? Did you and the Lady...?" A disappointed sigh from the golden one answered her. "Ah. I suppose not."

"Correct, unfortunately, my friend. Valla'sha... She has been making an effort, to her own credit, but there is still an emotional disconnect between us." A breath from the dragon. "To the point where I'm not sure if I can make a spiritual connection to others like I have been able to."

"Ah, so this was from another mental fling?" She gestured towards the old bedding, seeing the nearly ashamed nod from the creature easily three times her size. "You'll have to break that habit eventually, my Lord."

"Yes... I believe I've just been... Touch-starved of late. So it's much easier to fall back into spiritual sessions with others to help fill that void." A breath to collect himself. "But I have been putting in the effort to make the connection, it has been much harder to do so with Valla, unfortunately."

"I've yet to meet her, myself."

"She's... Intelligent and talented, but..." The serpent pondered for a moment. "I do not mean for this to come off as villainous, but she does feel a bit lacking in soul. Not specifically in morals, but there is a lot of emotion missing within her." He spotted the maid pausing to think for a moment. "She has admitted on her own that it is difficult for her to understand such feelings, but as stated before..."

"Lady Valla'sha has been trying?" Alkar nodded at her in agreement. "It'll take time. No relationship is perfect, especially in the start." That bearded muzzle smiled at her, leaning forwards to the maid when she was close and using a whisker to gesture a pull towards him.

"That's something your mother would say." Those long appendages brough Mira in for a small hug, loving how she stroked his azure beard and ears a little. "You're becoming more and more like her."

"I certainly hope so. You speak so highly of her." She smiled, but the dragon could feel something.

"But you feel different?" The human didn't really answer. "Everyone does about their own parents, but... I can feel it now there is some... Neglect between you and her-"

"Within reason, my Lord." A nod from the large one.

"She... Worked hard and long to make sure you had a good life. Especially when the economy fell during the decade in which you were born." A quiet exhale from that long muzzle. "I feel like I'm partially to blame for her absence."

"No no, my Lord. I know now that... You and your mother were giving her work, when there was struggles to find said work." A faint nod from the long dragon as she felt a tap on his snout. "Now, you've got to get cleaned up. You have a couple of meetings today, yes?"

"I'm planning to meet up with Octtu. Weirdly enough I did not see him yesterday, nor did I get a proper connection. I suppose the day got away with him."

"That is a bit strange. Perhaps he's looking for a mate of his own?"

"Possibly." A faint sigh as the serpent retreated to his waters. "I just... Have this feeling like I am going to lose our friendship from this whole engagement. As if, me having someone new in my life is going to somehow push him out of mine."

"That... Is unfortunately likely true, my Lord." An exhale of disappointment was heard in the forms of bubbles within the water. Soon resurfacing to take another breath. "It is a part of life, and you are expected to shift your relationship priorities."

"I know-"

"And so should Octtu." Mira assured. "Maybe he just needs a bit of time, this all came about so suddenly after all." A nod from the dragon as he took another breath to clear his mind.

"I hope you are right, My dear."But I should still see if he'll show up for breakfast this morning."

"Best to get to it then, it is getting a bit late for such a thing." The maid chuckled.

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Day 3: West

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With a heavy slam, the tailblade cleaved through the log, making the distant observer clap and nearly cheer at the progress. "You're getting better, Sire!"

"Thank you." The large red wyrm chuckled a little, shaking his body a tad to ease the muscles of his lower back and rear appendage. "It definitely takes time to get used to, that is for sure." He stepped a little to the side, moving up the tree and resting that large blade onto it. Taking a moment to breathe before lifting it straight up and slamming it down onto the wood, hearing the beginnings of a chop and requiring to do it a few more times before finally getting through. Releasing a bit of a huff before sitting down to rest that lower back. "They really do make this look easy, that's for sure."

"They?"

"The dragons I borrowed this tool from." Zarj explained, curling his tail into view and lightly adjusting it a bit for comfort. "They made it look so effortless, swinging their tails to one side and coming down with an immense amount of power. Then the other side for a full chop- like what I was trying to do earlier. But I have not gotten the accuracy down just yet."

"I-I see." The one eye'd civet stated, catching the almost saddened expression as the wyrm laid down in front of her. "You have... Done a lot for me, Sire-"

"Zarj'annan." The red one smiled, leaning his snout towards her playfully but stopping before making contact, juuuust in case. "I know how difficult draconic names are for Chi-erm... Smaller ones, but Zarj will do just fine, Nithu."

"Still, I am... Very grateful."

"So am I." A whimper in question from the feline. "Not only for what you are doing for me, my dear, but also for giving me this opportunity. I enjoy learning new things, overcoming the challenges that both you and I face. As well as learning how different we are, and finding ways to use our own strengths to our advantage." Another much more gentle attempt at a nudge, getting a furred paw between his nostrils. "Even if that is the strength to make friends."

"I..." That red snout exhaled very warm air, like that of an actual campfire before being lightly pulled away.

"I never noticed how much I enjoyed it until I lost it. Then I recently found it again. Even other dragons from different regions see the world so differently than us, including the ones that were using such contraptions." Another gesture of his tail. "As well as... Others that I've been told to avoid." His orange gaze moved to his specific flower within her garden, causing Neetu to look as well at it.

"Avoid, Sire?"

"It is... Complicated, Nala." Zarj exhaled a quiet breath. "But for as long as I can remember, we've always been told to never cross nor go near the eastern river. And it is... Heavily enforced. Draconically so." Another breath. "We wyrms do not have many laws for our kind to follow, but that has been a very strict one."

"The eastern river...?"

"It may be a little too far from here for you to know about, it is several minutes of flight from here. There are... Other dragons beyond it, that we are forbidden to interact with. And when that massive storm hit..." Those red scales clicked loudly down his form when the larger beast recalled those terrible winds.

"My lord?"

"I was out inside its gales. Foolishly trying to fill a silly request from some wyrmlings in my nest, ones that I still swear were trying to get me killed." Zarj snorted, making the feline lightly chuckle but trying to hide it. However, he smiled at her to show it was alright and not offensive to his pride. "I don't think I'll ever be more thankful to them for such a thing."

"P-Pardon?"

"Because being out there, caught in the worst winds I've ever felt and unable to fly properly, led me to a cave." A deep breath as Zarj looked over at that flower. "It led me to him."

"Your... Friend?"

"One I have immense feelings for, yes. But he... Please Naothu, do not tell this to anyone. Not a single soul." She nodded nervously at the beast's plea. "He was an eastern dragon, one we were..."

"Forbidden to see." She looked at the flower as well. "And that's why you cannot just visit them again. To do so would mean crossing the river, breaking that law..."

"That flower was a gift from him, and one of the very few connections I have of that loving serpent. It is the most important thing to me currently, besides Alkardoc himself." A bit puzzled, but she soon put it together. "So please... It may not seem like it is very important for you to care for a single flower, but I do not exaggerate when I say it means the world to this young fool."

"Young?" The sudden curl of the dragon's neck as he double taked at her, sending the civet into giggles. "I-I'm sorry, Sire-"

"Why do you question that?" A playful snort. "I'm still in my prime! I know you don't see many dragons up close, but this is what an adult dragon looks like." All he could do was smile at her chuckles, his chest nearly glowing at her reaction. Settling down after a few moments. "Try to remember that, won't you?"

"I... Will try, Sire. Yes." She looked at the flower again. "I just... Never seen myself being in the care of something so important before." A double take from the large dragon.

"Important? I was talking about me being young." The slight shock in her face made him chuckle and gently nudge her with that muzzle. "I jest, Nutella. I did actually mean the flower, yes." A sigh of relief from the feline as the wyrm looked off to the distance, exhaling through that muzzle.

"There's... Something that is troubling you?" A very slow nod from the large one as those orange eyes scouted around the area before releasing a warm exhale through that snout.

"...Maybe you can help." A slightly nervous noise in question from the civet as she followed the dragon's sight to the forest. Likely towards the direction of the nearest city. "I... Had an old friend who passed away recently, and one of the things he taught me was that sometimes vocalizing your thoughts can really help to put things into perspective."

"O-okay?" Neetu watched the large one take a deep breath.

"I... I've been wanting to challenge that border between our dragonkin, maybe see if we could lift it entirely. I've got a meeting setup for it with the highest of our elders to persuade them, but I'm... Nervous." Zarj admitted. "I'm nervous about what they'll say, what they'll think."

"Because it is forbidden?"

"That, and many of our elders are solidified in their ways." The red wyrm grumbled, spotting the small female covering her muzzle to hide her chuckle. Making him smile as well. "I've spent a lot of my time just thinking about what to say, about possibly setting up trade offers with the eastern dragons. As well as hopes for... Visits."

"Because you want to see him again."

"And not by sneaking around. Many rumors are that the border is heavily watched, and I'm not the smallest of critters out there."

"R-reds do tend to stick out of green, that's for sure."

"Exactly." Zarj chuckled. "You seen earlier how bad I was at stealth." That made her smile, thinking back on the day they first met. Then the dragon took a breath. "I worry about what I offer isn't going to be enough. I worry about how strict they're going to take it, perhaps even banishing me from my nest if they find the suggestion too... Rebellious." A noise in confirmation from her as the red one looked over at a nearby (still standing) tree. "I feel like I have one chance to cut this... barrier down like a tree, but I'm afraid I don't have the strength for it, nor the right tools."

"L-let alone, it will still leave a stump." Those frilled ears perked as those draconic eyes locked onto her. "I... Really don't know much, Sire. Much less about politics, but..."

"Stump...?" The wyrm was still fixed on it, looking at the tree again.

"Y-yes." That orange gaze moved back to her, still having gears turning in his head. "I-if the tree grows in your path, you can... Cut it down, but it will still leave a stump in it." Those strange eyes shifted in space, making the feline feel a little bit nervous. Then watched as he looked over the trees that he brought over and carried to chop for firewood; completely derooted from the actual ground. "O-or usually when people cut down trees it leaves a stump." But the wyrm just focused on it, for an uncomfortably long time. "Sire...?"

"It... Grew." A whimpering noise in question from Neetu as he continued. "We left it for so long that it grew into a grand tree..."

"Left what so long?" No response. "The... Border?" That time she got a response as the beast immediately snapped his sight towards the civet, nearly making her yelp when spotting those curious eyes. Then that orange gaze moved to the standing tree earlier.

"It's more..." Zarj actually got up and walked towards the apple tree.

"S-Sire, please... Do not-"

"I'm only... Looking, Nala. Thinking..." The dragon mumbled still half in thought and circled around it. Then looking at the base of it, where some of the large roots were half exposed. Stretching out quite far. "It's just what we see." The red wyrm gently cupped a single growing apple from the branch. "What we see is just above the surface. Large and sturdy, a wall or barrier that is difficult for us to cross over, the stories we grew up with..." A look down at the roots. "But there's more underneath?"

"Y-yes. All plants have roots that burrow under the ground." The strange curious gaze was growing on Neetu. "They... Have to grow the roots first before anything above."

"Which is why they're difficult to remove from the ground..." Zarj thought aloud.

"Sire...?"

"How did this start...?" The large red wyrm asked, looking towards the east. "Where are its roots?"

"I... I don't understand, Sire." She watched as the large beast moved towards one of the trees he derooted.

"In order for me to get this out, either the base of the tree split, or I had to dig it out of the ground." He explained. "Maybe... That's what I have to do."

"You have to... Dig at the roots?"

"To remove the tree. That way there's no... Stud?"

"S-stump?"

"Stump, that was it." The wyrm pondered for a moment, then gave a solid nod before approaching the much smaller civet. Giving her a (stronger than expected) nuzzle with that large snout that she attempted to guard herself against. "Thank you, Valna."

"Y-you... Are welcome, Sire-"

"Zarj."

"Z-Zarr." A smile was felt along that longer muzzle as she tried to pet the large one. "But I don't... Understand."

"I now have an idea of what to do next."

"You do?" Another nod as Zarj pulled back and looked towards his own nest.

"I must find out how this started to begin with, where the roots of this taboo lie. Only then maybe I can cut us free from it." A slow breath from the dragon, as he looked at his own tail; armed with the strange 3 bladed axe. "But first, let me finish here."

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Day 3: East

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The lunchtime rush was just beginning to start, as the golden serpent rested on the hammock. This time in one of the outdoor tables, thankful for their elevation as many people began to enter the restaurant from the streets. It's amazing how good the weather becomes after the great storm passes, lasting well over a week with steady sunshine and warm air as the cleanup finishes, or finally getting around to the outer villages. At least having good weather to make the needed repairs.

Yet, worry still filled the eastern dragon's heart. Not getting any message or signal from his friend, and Octtu's already running very late for their brunch. Unable to shake off this feeling that something bad happened, to the point where Alkardoc was lost in thought until the white of a snakelet below him got his attention. Spotting the mother place a few things onto his empty table before double taking at the dragon hanging above on the hammock. "S-sorry, could I set my things here for a moment?"

"Oh, go right ahead, ma'am. I'm just waiting for someone." The golden one smiled at the pair of deep purples. The smaller considerably more glossy in scales as the serpentine parent tried to coax him. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes. He's fussy today, recently got his last scalemites shot." A large nod in understanding from Alkar.

"Ahhh, I remember that one. It felt like my veins were itchy for a few days."

"Oh yes, I swear I can still feel it when I think too hard." The mother and him shared a chuckle. "But a few days of discomfort are worth it in the end." She comforted the squirmy young serpent.

"Did the shot still have a deep red color?"

"Almost as if it were blood, yes. They've always looked like that, even when I was a little wurm." The purple stranger smiled. "It gave me nightmares that first night after every shot."

"Same. It was a common side effect, but much better than getting mites." Alkardoc's scales clicked in a shiver. "I've... Heard a lot of stories of how terrible they felt underneath the scales, how hard they were to get rid of. And how they seemed to-"

"Stout magic development? I heard similar stories, yes." The smaller dragon whined in her arms. "He'll be grumpy for a few days, but he has already started to show some magical manipulations. Especially in the tub."

"Water does seem to be the first thing snakelets seem to move around. So early in life though? He must be... One and a half?"

"13 months old, actually. Very close to 14 now, but you were nearly spot-on." The purple mother smiled. "Do you have some of your own?"

"I do not, but I hear my own mother talk a lot to young parents." The two chuckled. "She's gotten to be quite the positive gossip in her early-elder years."

"Plenty of wisdom to be shared, that's for sure." The two nodded. "Alright, I best be going then before he makes a scene. It was wonderful to meet you, sir."

"Likewise. Keep an eye on the little one. The terrible twos are going to start any day now." Another small chuckle from the two and they waved their goodbyes. The male appreciated the several moments of reprieve away from that foreboding feeling, but it returned to him like a cloud over the sun. Once again losing himself in it, attempting to find some sort of clue what it could be hinting towards.

"Is everything okay here?" A panda waitress asked, though tending to another nearby table in his view, making Alkardoc nod in response.

"Yes, dear. I... Just have this gloomy feeling that I cannot shake. Like something bad is about to happen, and I'm not sure who it involves."

"And it has been persisting?" She asked, once more getting another nod as the dragon sipped at the last of his tea. "I do not wish to make it worse, sir, but... That is troublesome." The two locked eyes. "My grandmother used to tell me that dragons are like strings of fate, if they keep getting terrible feelings like this..."

"Someone is likely in danger."

"Including yourself, sir. Please be careful." A faint nod from the serpent as he paused for a moment and made his way down. Moving near the waitress as she washed some of the tables and nearly getting spooked by the large dragon up close. "M-my lord?"

"Thank you." He handed her a few coins. "Please take cautions for yourself too, since I cannot pinpoint who is in danger here." A nervous nod from the panda as she watched the larger one cautiously merge into the streets and fly off. Then looking at the 'tip' she was given, nearly whimpering about how much it was.

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Day 2 (Two): East

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The whimpers of pain prevented him from resting. The constant whispering pleas for help was also starting to really get to the teal serpent. Gnawing at his willpower via guilt as he once again attempted to wash the blood from his paws. Needing to bring it out into the lantern light within the smooth, low-roofed cave. A location that looked... Unnaturally made, but more constructed using the magics of the east.

That didn't help the ventilation any, the air was still a bit heavy and dense. Making Hur'ther wonder if this was all just a hallucination. That his great mistake in a panic was just a nightmare that he couldn't wake up from. A place that felt so real as he once again dipped those paws into the cold water, shaking and trying to drown out those whines in pain.

The sounds of the heavy trap door spooked the green-blue noodle, making him jump and spill the bowl of red tinted water. Lightly cursing at such a thing while exhaling to calm his nerves, trying to instinctively use magics to just let the water sink into the dirt flooring to avoid cleaning it up. However, unable to draw anything outside of his body. As if the very ‘limb’ was bound. Instead just covering it with some stray dirt in hopes to hide the mess, half cursing those crystals in his head. Then looking through the thin doorways to spot the red-pink dragon's return, studying the stoic muzzle before being presented a small crate. Too dark to properly see inside. "...Feed him."

"W-what?" Hur'ther whimpered in a gasp.

"Feed. Him." A very worried look in those dull blue eyes, gazing at the pink one in disbelief. "We're not moving from this location right now."

"But Phara..." No response, and those purple discs just seemed to remain quite cold. A breath to collect himself, attempting to challenge that stare with his weakened own. "He needs help-"

"We can't do that-"

"He's septic! If we don't get him medical treatment now, he'll-"

"He was a smuggler, and we have our orders, Hur." It hurt the teal one to hear that as Phara exhaled a breath from his muzzle. "I talked with a friend higher up in private, and I was taught it backwards: If they die in the confrontation, the officer isn't punished due to self defense. But if the suspect dies in captivity, then it's on the person or persons who did the fatal blow."

"All the more reason to get him to a hospital-"

"Only for people to ask questions, and for us to get court-martialed. If he does, he will ruin the rest of not only your life, and mine as well." The older one leaned in closer as Hur whimpered. "No. One. Crosses. The River. No one goes NEAR the river. If they come even remotely close, we detain them. No matter what. You took an oath to uphold this." The pink dragon's vocals echoed through the small bunker. "That is our duty as officers. Don't throw our lives away for a criminal- not a civilian." A strong paw gripped that green shoulder, making Hur'ther whimper a bit. "You jumped to excessive force too early, Hur'ther. It was a mistake, but it will scar your permanent record for the rest of your career. And that's the best case scenario. Do you want that." He barely asked.

"...We... Can't just let him die, Phara." Those purple eyes didn't falter.

"Feed him, Hur." The teal serpent's heart sank. "I'm still working on a few things, but you must keep him here." Phara then turned around and opened the trap door with manual labor, getting a sudden surge of fresh air momentarily before the heavy barrier shut once again. Leaving the eastern officer alone again with the whimpers, his head being weighed down by guilt to the point of breaking down into tears. Heavily breathing to collect himself before turning around, opening the small stone hatch to make sure he could see the prisoner first. Then opening the double stone door that acted like a rock wall, one carved with magics, but unable to operate it with such right now. Taking a lantern into the blood-scented room, illuminating the silver serpent coiled up on the ground as far from the appearing doorway as possible. Pleading in whimpers and whispering his sorrows.

"...I'm sorry too." Hur nearly sobbed. Hanging the lightsource up on a makeshift hook and resting the small box of supplies near Octtu. "I... I didn't mean for this to happen."

"T-then... Why...?" A heavy sigh from the teal one as he looked away. Unable to face the prisoner.

"We... Need to reinforce the fear of the border. At all costs." Hur mumbled. "E-even... At the cost of lives. Or else..." A quivering breath from the teal one. "...Or else the West will do so much worse to us. To all of us." Those pale blue discs looked over at Octtu's wound, and his silver scales that were becoming discolored. "You... We were all warned of the risks, and were told not to go near the border..." Hur struggled to keep his composure in front of the injured one as he moved outside the room. "Don't try to communicate with anyone you're linked to, they cannot hear you here." Slowly closing that rock double-door behind him. "I'm... I'm sorry."

======

Day 3: East

======

The visitors center seemed to be surprisingly vacant within, but many of the elderly residents were enjoying the day outside. Most of which were dragons, sometimes requiring the care of both younger dragonkin and human kind to survive, but it was comforting to Alkar to see them being cared for. Though most were busy, to the point that the front desk was unoccupied, a familiar face that was occupied with an elder nodded at the golden serpent gesturing him to go on through.

It put a smile on the Thread's muzzle as he moved forwards with his small pouch, hoping the little jingles inside would paint the very same on his great uncle. Looking through the opened doorways of the residences to see most of them unattended for the time being, but soon spotting a rather tarnished golden serpent with a very long beard. One with a blue tint to it, to the point where it could be mistaken for Alkardoc's father.

A faint knock didn't pry the elder from his reading material, and it wasn't until the older one adjusted his glasses that he spotted the visitor- immediately brightening the face of the uncle as he nearly chirped. "My lord!" Reaching for the bookmark and putting it down on a nearby desk. "Come in, come in! It's great to see you."

"As it is to you too, uncle Phyrin." The two approached and nearly coiled in a family embrace. "It isn't much, but I did bring you a small gift." Alkardoc spoke quietly, giving the larger serpent the pouch and watching him take it while scanning the hallway.

"They didn't confiscate it on the way in?"

"They did not, no. But they were busy. I suppose trying to get things back to normal after the storm and its damage."

"Indeed, yes. Though fortunately not a life was lost here when a tree crashed through. They were definitely quick about removing it and getting repairs done." Phyrin chuckled. "Snakelets these days work so much faster than we did in the past."

"Collaborative efforts, I imagine." Alkar smiled, watching his uncle gently close the door and peek into the small velvet pouch. Pulling out a few coins and nearly shuttering at their sight. "They were not easy to come by-"

"Are these from the Barrathastan area!?" The elder could barely contain his excitement, looking over the copper disc and attempting to read the language with his multi-lens glasses.

"They are, yes. Quite a few in there are from that region." The faded scales clicked loudly as the old one rubbed the coin with a digit, breathing it in.

"Goodness... The amount of lives this one has been a part of..." A sad smile from Phyrin, almost shaken from such a thing. "Thank you, my son."

"There's more in there as well, including..." Alkar leaned in to whisper. "A few from the western lands." Those old ears perked up like a snakelet's. "I've met quite a few travelers who came that way, and managed to trade some coins for those. I hope that'll bring you some entertainment in this place."

"Yes, but I'll have to hide it. They don't like us dragons taking in non-perishables." The elder chuckled. "We already take up enough room, they say, and can't have us creating large hoards for their staff to work around. Like that organ incident."

"I suppose that is true." Alkardoc smiled, hearing the story about the musical instrument before. "Usually homes are built around said luxuries." The two shared a small chuckle. "Have you been doing well here?"

"I have, my dear. Don't worry about me, but your visits are always welcome." Another hug from the two. "It has been quite lonely, less and less people seem to be visiting everyone here lately."

"More and more people are required to work in order to keep ahead, I'm afraid." The Thread's expression saddened. "It hasn't been easy, and I, myself, have been worried about what the future holds. I've... Been fortunate enough to have my mother's wealth to rely on, but..."

"My great niece has always been a frugal one, that's for sure. Speaking of which, I heard she's gotten you to start chasing tail." The two males chuckled. "And that Escalus [the Eastern name for the giant storm] interrupted one of your plans."

"Y-yes. We were having a rehearsal the night the storm hit. It... Nearly got me as well."

"People underestimate it, aye. Always have." Phyrin rested in his bedding. "It may return once every decade or so, but it reshaped the world. Back then we could make homes out of wood or even clay in the south."

"Homes made of wood? Entirely?" The younger one's question made the elder chuckle.

"Very much so, yes. Even then, stone is not invincible. Precautions are still required, that's why we must always listen to the warnings and the tides."

"Yes, of course." Alkardoc nodded, pausing for a moment knowing this question might be hard for him. "Uncle? I... My visit today is slightly work-related. I was hoping..."

"You're seeking advice?"

"I..." A breath from the more golden one as Alkar rested on the floor. "My mother told me ages ago that you... Witnessed such a thing, yes? Escalus being made?" The smile faded from Phyrin's muzzle as he faintly nodded. "Where did it come from?" A pause but another, more solid nod from the older dragon as he closed his eyes took a deep breath.

"It was so long ago, and I only had a few years in my scales. Back then, we didn't have beds for everyone, and could barely afford a thin blanket to stay off the cold ground." The old one began preparing a smoking pipe, taking a deep breath of remembrance. "I felt something in the ground, so faint but powerful enough to wake me. I tried to get my parents up, but they were too exhausted from working at the time. However..."

"Your sister?"

"Brother, yes. I had a half-sister later, but she wasn't there at this time. Vudell felt it though too, but was too scared to move. It's possible he felt it stronger than I did." The strike of a match as he lit the flame within the long pipe. Taking a deep breath of the relaxing brume. "Something struck the earth not far from here, I barely saw something fall from the heavens just before it. Enough to wake my parents soon after, but just assumed it was a small earthquake."

"We... Don't have many of those."

"No, but since it did not continue everyone tried to get more sleep. I was too curious... So I went to our doorway to see if anything had changed..." A pause as those old green eyes reflected. "There were no signs of a storm. No scent of rain carried on the heated wind, no clouds in sight. But I recall a bolt of lightning that erupted from the sky, the flash blinding me for a moment, and the thunderous claps that came from it."

A deep inhale from the pipe as Alkardoc listened carefully. "I didn't realize it at the time, but my younger brother had gotten up to follow me. He was terrified of lightning, the flashes in the sky... I felt every thread of my mane begin to raise up, the wind nearly lifting rocks on the ground. Then... The sky was divided in the sharpest of lights, just before Vudell'tha covered my eyes to protect me."

"Vudell'tha..." The younger one whispered. "...That's how he went blind?"

"I'm surprised you remember that."

"I was only a snakelet when we met." Alkardoc sadly smiled.

"Just a small little thing, yes. It meant the world to him to feel your heartbeat." A breath of remorse from the old one, taking a second one to collect himself. "From that light came the divide. The earth screamed and deafened us all for what felt like days. What came from the fissure was Escalus; The Eternal Storm."

A near quivering breath from the elder one and Alkar slipped right beside his uncle for comfort. "It ravaged the land immediately. Tearing up villages and forests that were woefully unprepared. Winds that carried boulders, rains that flooded the streets within seconds. Not favoring debris or people, even we were swept away from it into the newly created river." Another inhale of that incense. "I have never been so afraid of water..."

"That sounds horrifying."

"So much happened all at once, it was difficult to really tell in the dark. I remember feeling the stings of electricity, dodging debris in the dark. Attempting to get both me and my brother up for air, only to get pelted by hail. We managed to find an overturned fishing boat and take shelter in that for a while, but something else ran into it, prying us out and dragging us into the undertow." A long slow breath. "My son, one does not know the power of water until they are surrounded by it."

"My mother has steadily warned me of such throughout my hatchhood." Alkardoc nearly whispered to him, still trying his best to comfort the elder while also feeling his fear of such a night. "But you survived?"

"Aye... We struggled, far past the point where we were exhausted. Even got separated once, but found each other within a sea of debris. The winds still howled heavily as we coiled ourselves around a floating torn-out tree, the air was so cold, the waters were not much better... But my brother and I hung on for survival." A breath of strength from Phyrin as he looked into those bright blue eyes. "I have been an activist, a speaker for the dangers of that storm. I do not hate it by any means, my son, for it is only nature."

"I can feel that, yes."

"But a lot of people died that night. Many many villages who used the bay as a fishing harbor were completely wiped out, and several that were inland were decimated as well. Mine being no exception... When the morning light came, I did not recognize my home, nor my land. It had been..."

"Torn down?"

"Wounded." The elder corrected him, seeing the concerned yet puzzled look from the golden one. "Though my family... Somehow survived with injuries, far too many were not so fortunate." A pause. "Alkardoc... There are many things that happened around that time, most of which were overshadowed by the destructive power of Escalus. The river being one, the use of magics in our youth-"

"W-wait, the river....!?" The younger one whispered loudly in question. "What do you mean?"

"The river that divided our lands, it did not exist before Escalus' creation. The storm itself divided our lands into two, to the point where..." The elder frowned when looking at the curious golden Thread, still making contact to comfort the faded one.

"To the point where, what?" He watched his older kind take an inhale from that pipe and pause for a moment. "Uncle Phyrin?"

======

Day 3: West

======

The large cave was much bigger than his, likely used to house a dragon's entire growing family at one point. Though many of the areas were occupied with treasures, bedding, and heirlooms, they seemed quite ancient. Save for the actual blankets for the nest, with some evidence of older material buried under the objects and illuminated with the standing torches. "Who goes there?" A half grumble of the elder female echoed through, getting Zarj's attention but didn't seem to be intimidated by the loud vocal. Instead, just kept himself in the well lit area as he approached the back; where the voice came from. "Zarj'annan?"

"Yes, elder."

"Come to ask about your meeting with the Council, have you?" The large one shook his head, but didn't spot those yellow eyes in the dark. Concluding that she did not see his answer. "I have not gotten word back from them. They will pass a message down once they have time."

"Thank you, Illa'kaa. However, I did not come to visit about that." That time he got the old grey one's attention, as she stopped mid-reading some kind of large tablet. Studying the red dragon for a moment before moving away from the makeshift 'desk'. "I'm... Surprised your cave wasn't inherited."

"They didn't win the fight." She growled a bit coldly. "I may be past my prime, wyrmling, but I'm not feeble."

"O-of course, my elder. I meant no such thing, just... Surprised. I don't recall you being challenged for your-"

"It was long ago, but well within your lifetime." She stated, taking a heated breath but calming it. "It still angers me to this day. I thought I raised those four better, expecting them to leave the nest with a rested body and full belly. Instead, they tried to take this place from me."

"To be fair... It was four against one. Your young probably thought-"

"That I would surrender? It was only later on they realized that all of them would eventually have to fight each other to presume lead." A nod from the red one, as his orange gaze sorrowed a bit, making the grey one curl her neck slightly. "What's with that look." Barely a question.

"You don't find that... Harsh?"

"It was their damn choice-"

"I know, elder. I mean that with respect. And I realize that you do have an important role here, one that..."

"Is more important than my clutch. Especially now, yes." Illa'kaa hardened her voice. "...You're weak, Zarj." The red wyrm didn't deny that. "Any dragon who attempts to be around those Children becomes infected with their weakness."

"Maybe..." The male paused. "Maybe I just want to see a different outcome. That we shouldn't have to kick our own breed out-"

"Says someone who hasn't devoted a fraction of their life raising a single one." She snorted, watching the red wyrm tilt his head in a shrug but nod. "Why did you come here, Zarj? If not to ask about your audience with the elders."

"Actually... I was hoping for a little bit of a history lesson."

The grey wyrm curled her neck. "About what?" Zarj took a moment to look back, to make sure no one else was around.

"About... The border." He expected the narrow gaze from those sharp yellow eyes. "I need supplies from the eastern lands for my experiments. Ones that I cannot-"

"Absolutely not-"

"-Ones I Cannot Get Here." Zarj growled, making himself stern. "And to hire merchants to find such things is impossible."

"Then don't."

"But I need-"

"You do not need anything from them, Zarj'annan." Illa growled. "Their technology is nothing more than a poison-"

"They can make our lives better-!"

"Or they can make things absolutely worse for us! Is that what you want?"

"How do we know if we don't at least try!?" The male started to raise his voice and lightly spread his wings. "Why stagnant progress because you fear the worst outcome!?"

"Because things are working the way they are now, they have been for decades. You just lost respect for them."

"Maybe they work for you, because you are used to it. You've settled within your prison of tradition and refuse to venture outside of it in hopes to see if something else could be better." The red one growled.

"Things will not be-"

"You. Do Not. Know That." Zarj nearly roared, lightly panting from the adrenaline as some steam vented from his maw. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes to calm down, sitting on the ground and standing tall. "I understand the want of things to stay the same, it feels safe. But the world doesn't stay the same. Not for a century, not for a year. Not for a month, week or day. It changes. Constantly. And those who do not change along with it are doomed to be forgotten, elder." The two just stared at each other for a few moments, enduring the thick tension. Until the grey one closed her eyes for a moment.

"...What do you want to know." Illa'kaa barely asked, making the red one take another breath.

"How did the division start?"

"Division?"

"Between the Eastern and Western dragons." The yellow eyes narrowed at him thickly.

======

Day 3: East/West

======

"Uncle Phyrin?" The younger serpent asked, still trying to comfort his elder while feeling an intense amount of... Remorse?

"Alkardoc... No, I should not burden you with such information." An exhale through that old muzzle. "It is better... Safer if you do not know."

"...That's how the Taboo started, isn't it?" Alkar whispered, getting a sad look from the elder's eyes, but not a definitive answer. "But how?"

"My son..." Phyrin exhaled for a moment, and through the contact the younger one could feel... Conflict, within the older dragon. "I... I'm torn. The life you were given has been a good one, and I do not want to ruin that. But at the same time... You should know your history."

"The history they did not teach us, you mean." There was some guilt felt, but the elder nodded in admission. Letting Alkar have his moment of thought before removing contact and looking into those lightly faded eyes. "I would like to hear it, uncle. I would like to know."

"You are certain?" The younger one took a breath and nodded in response. Even though Phyrin thought about it for another moment, he nodded as well. "...As I said before, I was very very young when the storm hit, and the relationship between the western dragons and ours were already rocky. They had... Tremendous strength, being warhardened for so long with the people of their lands, themselves, and sometimes even some of our tribes." Another intake of that pipe. "I never seen any violence from them, myself, but there was always a sense of danger when they were around. Even off in the distance."

---

"They feared us?" Zarj asked, getting a nod from the grey wyrm. "Why?"

"Why wouldn't they? Everything fears us dragons. We are the symbol of power, the greatest threat of all the land and to everyone. But that did not mean we went around picking fights." Illa explained, looking over her cave and pulling out a few treasures. "Our ancestors took everything they wanted because they could, leaving the rest with scraps. Eventually only able to steal from other dragonkin. Civil wars broke out within the nests and we couldn't have that. A group of elders from each territory came together to agree on a ceasefire and eventually a peace treaty within ourselves. Vowing to only take what we needed, instead of what we want."

"When was this...?"

"Far before the creation of that storm. This is how our reputation started, Zarj'annan. We were indeed feared because we were terrible. Order within western dragonkind is what grounded us, and why we must respect it." She grumbled thickly, not phasing the younger male. "Without dragons rampaging, the children began to thrive. One got a taste of wealth from a deceased wyrm's hoard and that greed consumed them. The entire species wanted more, wanted riches and valuables. Including the ones to the East."

"Children or dragons?"

"Both, from what I was told. The numbers were likely exaggerated, but for a very long time, the tensions between our lands were growing. They seen us as a barbaric threat, we seen them as thieves. Every attempt to cross such territories just fueled that stigma."

---

"To protect ourselves," Phyrin continued. "We allied with our kin and our people. Together, and with the advancing technology of the humanoids, we could stand as a posing threat towards the western dragonkin." A breath of remorse. "We knew they were strong, physically and magically..." A puzzled look from Alkar that was out of the elder's vision. "But we never expected their magics to create that disaster..."

"Disaster...?" The younger one's scales clicked in a shiver. "Escalus...? T-they created the storm!?" Another exclaimed whisper. "H-how!?"

"I do not know, but it created a lot of tension between our lands. To the point where we were nearly at war. The Westerners stated they had nothing to do with it, while our own dragons accused them constantly. That no ritual of ours- be it human or dragon kind, was ever strong enough to bring catastrophe on Escalus' scale." A breath of incense. "My father being one of them, a friend of his nearly starting a fight between the two dragonkins. In an effort to prevent an actual war between us... Both sides agreed to a border. Strict any crossings from the newly formed river that divided our lands, be it Dragonkin or Humanoid."

"But...?"

---

"Why?" Zarj spoke softly, nearly to himself. "Why blame that on us?"

"I do not know. I was quite young and had a difficult time following it. Information and claims spread within our talking circles like wildfire, everything from 'We Created The Storm' to 'Gaia Itself Wanted To Punish Us.' And before we knew it, talks of a border were being put into place... Right along the new river that divided the land."

"Two rivers." Zarj corrected, getting a snout toss from the grey one.

"The point is, they accused us for the division and the creation of Mjo'lithara [western name for the giant storm]. Claiming that they even had evidence of such a thing that they found through the debris."

"Evidence...?"

"But that was the last we heard of it."

---

"Over time, they allowed Humanoid travel to help economies, but both our leaders and theirs agreed to uphold our end: to keep both Eastern and Western dragons separated from that point onwards. Not even using much in terms of communications, only through messages. But even then..." A remorseful breath from Phyrin. "I advocated against it, and for quite some time was one of the leading figures. I realized that the danger was still looming around us- regardless of who started it. Escalus did not respect borders, and when it returned more fiercely than before... If the West did possess such magics to create the storm, they could help us dispel it. Some seen our idea as a means to get them to plead guilty to such an act, but I sincerely just... Wanted it to end."

"I... Understand." Alkar mumbled sadly. "It took a lot from you."

"The storm took a lot from everyone, not just Easterners, not just Dragons. And every decade the death toll of it grows and grows." A heavy exhale from the elder. "Our children and their future should not have to shoulder the burden of the past, because some are too damn prideful or begrudging." A moment of silence. "I attempted for years, appealing to political parties to call off the Taboo and put it all behind us, that we are stronger together- but fear stops them."

"Fear?"

"Fear of war. Fear of the Westerners' strengths. Even with our current generations' worth of magics, I'm afraid that the West Dragonkin are still able to overpower our own. Who knows what they are capable of, how much their own elders taught to their young..." The younger one kept quiet, as much as he wanted to comfort his uncle, Alkar knew that if he made contact it was possible that Phyrin would detect those feelings. "I'm... Sorry that I could not give you a better world to live in, Alkardoc. You and all generations after mine."

---

"It was for the better of everyone if we seperated." Illa'kaa spoke, looking at a nearby map on parchment. Having many details within the western lands, but absolutely nothing on the eastern. "Our ancestors' callous thoughts and actions gave our kind a certain reputation, and we had to accept it. To remove all contact was the best choice to prevent any kind of war between dragonkind- and at the time, that was considered a radical decision."

"That is precisely my point, elder." He expected that yellow glare. "How long has that ban been in place?" She did not answer. "We've respected it, changed our ways and soothed our past. Maybe we are not perfect nor united with the Children like they are-?"

"What do you mean." Illa grumbled, barely asking him.

"I've spoken to a lot of Children, Illa'kaa. You know this." Those grey frilled ears moved flat against her head in irritation. "They still have trades across the border, and with trades of goods comes trades of stories. This is how I know what I need is over there."

"And you want to break a century of peace so you can play with some children's toys-?"

"I want that." Zarj stepped forwards, nearly challenging her thoughts. "I want to share ideas with the Children- because they have great ones that could improve our quality of life." No response. "I've seen what they are capable of... Heard stories of what the Eastern Dragons do for them... Elder, we can be a great society if unified."

"...You're too hopeful, Zarj." The grey one bluntly stated, making him exhale and nod. "The elders will never agree to such a thing."

"I know. I know they will not."

"And to do so will just be a waste of their time-"

"Hence the reason why I was going to start small. Open trade routes: create a neutral area for both dragon kinds to cross and interact. Even if it's just a simple island, that way it is much easier to keep track of or monitor." Zarj took another step forwards, speaking softly towards the old female. "Your change worked, elder. For over a century, it functioned. Isn't it time to try something else?"

---

"You have done tremendously well, uncle." The younger one took the risk, reaching forwards and clutching one of the aged paws. Already feeling a whirlwind of emotions, pains and regrets, almost seeing stills of the riots and rallies that were being held. Some resorting to violence to grab attention, many others saying goodbyes to their families to the west. "It sounds... It was awful..." Alkar let out a shaky breath, feeling the elder's gaze over him before being gently pulled in closer for an embrace.

"The talents of the youth never cease to amaze me." Phyrin smiled sadly, brushing the fluffy beard on the younger one's cheek. "You've always been an empathetic one, much like my brother." Another tight hug that lasted several moments. "Alright. As much as I appreciate your visit and don't want it to end, you do have things to do, I imagine."

"Yes. I've been... Trying to get a hold of Octtu for our daily brunch, but it's the second morn that I have not heard from him." A chuckle from the elder.

"Odds are he is envious of your new mate and is looking for his own. I had a friend much like him before, always getting into trouble."

"Oh yes." Alkar snickered as well. "I do recall the stories of you and that rebel. She was...? How did you put it-?"

"The Salt Of The Earth."

"That was it." The two laughed lightly. "I'd like to hear more of them sometime."

"Another day, my son. For now, I hope you got what answers you were looking for."

"I did, thank you, Uncle." They embraced once more.

======

Day 3: East, Elsewhere

======

A warm breeze brought about it a strange chill to his teal body as it rested high up in the trees. Doing his best to try to remain hidden, not just from possible smugglers, but from the heavy glare of guilt. From the haunting whines of pain that he could swear he could still hear from dozens of feet above ground.

It tore Hur'ther's heart apart, knowing that the prisoner was suffering. That their body was becoming more and more sick by the hour. To the point that even if the teal one got the smuggler to a hospital now, it might be...

The thought made his face twist in pain, doing his best to stay together. Wishing there was just some way to explain what happened, that it was an accident. That Hur was never the best at using Earth magics, and his first two detains didn't require it. Only his third when the damn dragon wouldn't stop moving in a panic, to the point where he aimed at the liver-!

It replayed in Hur's head over and over. The mistake that cost a life. The question is, should it be his own? If he brought the criminal to a hospital- private, government operated, or public, they would ask questions. Especially one of his own kin. They would find out what happened, and punish Hur'ther accordingly, whatever that would entail.

"...I deserve it." He spoke so softly within the trees. That prisoner down there doesn't deserve this pain, even if he was a smuggler. He at least deserved a trial, even if he was no longer going to make it there alive... Or was it too late? Every moment the teal one squandered lowered the chances for the 'criminal' to survive. And it was Hur's own incompetence, he knew that. He, alone, was responsible for this. Not the 'smuggler' that he had yet to hear his name, not Phara. But he would have to do it before the pink one's return.

With a heavy breath, the teal serpent slid off his branch and started to descend down the large tree. Camouflaged with its many leaves and branches that he actually spooked the pink one that just re-entered the area, making the two double take and nearly get a little spooked at each other's presence. "What are you doing out here." Phara barely asked, carrying a large can of lantern oil. Stunning those dull blue eyes for a few moments as that feeling of dread froze him for a moment.

"I... I needed some air." No response as the pink dragon stared at him thickly. Enough for those dull discs to lower towards the entrance of the hideout, but only for a moment before returning to the oil can. Unable to ask what Phara just assumed.

"I've made a plan."

"A-a...?"

"We're going to re-create the encounter, but also scorch the area. But I need you to listen closely, Hur'ther." The pink dragon stated thickly, making the teal one whimper. "Here's what happened: We detained the smuggler and held him in a small enclosure for interrogation. During movements, he escaped and we pursued, the smuggler fought back." More and more, Hur's expression really hit his guilt. "Desperate, he attempted to use some oil he found and set you on fire. In turn, he set the forest and himself on fire, while we withdrew. Understood?"

"W-what?" That sharp gaze made him breathless, to the point where he couldn't respond.

"Repeat. What I. Said." The older one commanded, causing Hur to lower his posture in a near cowardice one. "Hur'ther."

"W-we... Detained him." The teal one whispered, swallowing loudly. "Then he escaped. Tried to lose us through the woods."

"Go on."

"...Next time I-I seen him... He had an oil lantern-"

"A can of lantern oil." Phara corrected, releasing a whimper from the teal one.

"A-a can... A-attempting to make a distraction for us, but spotted me approaching." A quivering breath as his own heart twisted. "H-he tried to splash me with it and set me on fire a few times... B-b-but slipped and dropped the lantern. Setting the area, a-and himself..."

"Ablaze." The pink dragon rested both his forepaws on those blue-green shoulders. "Good. Keep that story straight in your head, Hur. The courts will believe that." Those hardened purple eyes finally moved, releasing the teal one from their weight while gazing over the grassy ground. Giving Hur a moment to think before speaking up.

"...How?" Those purple eyes shot back at the teal one again. "That doesn't make any sense, they're going to know it was a lie-" A whimper interrupted Hur as the pink dragon nearly loomed over him. "T-t-this isn't going to-"

"Don't worry about it." The veteran stated coldly. "Just keep that story straight in your head. Repeat it over and over again. If they come to us for a report, just say what I told you."

"But that won't..." The pink serpent turned around and that blue gaze stared into space, eventually falling to the ground. Knowing quite well underneath the earth was a small bunker of sorts, nearly undetectable with only a few air vents hidden within the trees.

"I'll knock him out. He should remain unconscious until it's over. We'll move out with the sunset."

======

Day 3: West

======

The evening silence was once again interrupted by loud chops and the splitting of wood, scaring most of the smaller critters and birds away to observe the large red beast breaking down sections of logs into smaller and smaller pieces. Having to adjust the tailblade once again, never realizing how hard it was to really put one of these on alone. The civit did her best to tighten the straps, but she could only do so much.

Buuuuut at the same time, to enter an elder's chambers with a 'weapon' would've been a very bad look for Zarj. It was the only opportunity he's had so far this week to at least pick at her skull for some information, and now that the red one had it... He wasn't entirely sure what to do with it. He knew going in that the elders were stubborn when it came to breaking traditions and changing their ways, and it was likely not going to take just a week to succeed.

Starting small was his best option. To realize they were not a threat towards each other, but now Zarj knew. The eastern elders blamed the western dragons for the creation of the storm? They feared his own kin for a power they did not have. It was all a misunderstanding, he knew this. However, that got the red one to ponder... If the western dragons did not create the storm, and if the eastern ones could be trusted in their word that they did not as well... Who or what did?

Then there's that 'evidence' they claimed to have found. As much as Zarj would enjoy attempting to solve this mystery, odds are whatever they discovered would still be in the eastern lands. A place where Zarj could not enter... But what if there was a way he could? Faintly recalling his old friend Conway speaking about some... Visitor. The word they used escaped him, but the description stuck around: someone who was free to cross the borders for... Debauchery purposes? No, no. That wasn't it. That's just what the dragon's mind went to at first.

Deep... Diq...? Diplomatic! Exchanges in messages- words, and information. Likely due to trade or political reasons. Such a thing never came to mind, but now it filled Zarj's imagination. To the point where he stared up at the sky just as a wyrm flew overhead, not quite paying enough attention to the color until it came around again. Prepping for a landing of sorts. "Tix'gharr?" The red dragon called, rather surprised at the smaller one's appearance. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been looking for you." The green male spoke, though distracted by the nearby house. Almost frightened by it as he scooted closer to the red one. "Is that...?"

"The shelter of a friend of mine, yes. We are exchanging favors, and I've been in the process of fulfilling mine." Zarj explained with a shy smile, nearly blushing nervously when those cyan eyes stared at him in question. "I'm... Chopping her firewood for the winter."

"And... That explains a lot." The green male mumbled, looking increasingly uncomfortable being in the vicinity of the 'Children'. "There's been a lot of rumors circling around the nest about you."

"Rumors?"

"W-well, the first one, when you didn't return when the storm hit, was that you died out there in it. Then came back with something strange." Zarj's heart skipped a beat, what did he mean? Alkardoc's scent maybe? -Did the wyrm not completely wash it off? "That... Plant of yours."

"Oh, the flower."

"The one that was a gift-" Tix suddenly stopped and gasped in a whisper, looking over at the garden and spotted the distinct blue flower within dozens of pinks and purples. "That's who gave you that...!?" A shy whimper left the larger dragon's throat, did Tix actually put it all together!? The small one was with him when they seen Alkardoc in the distance beyond the border the other evening. "Y-you... Courted...!?"

"I-I can explain-"

"A Lumberer?" That left the red male stunned for a moment... Lumberer? Wuth'tarra? "That's why she visited you this morning, yes?"

"W-well, she visited me to lend me this." The red tail curled into view, still equipped with the blades. "Which reminds me, give me a hand here tightening the straps, please." A slightly nervous look from the smaller wyrm but he started to look it over. "Just pull the one closest to my mid-tail."

"This one?" A nod from Zarj and though the green one was significantly smaller, he could still pull the straps harder than Neetu could. "I think that's the best I can do."

"It feels better, thank you." A worried look from Tix made the red one double take. "Is something wrong?"

"N-no, it's... The children have been rubbing off on you a lot." A slight whimper of shyness from Zarj. "We don't usually use words like that for..."

"And you don't think that should change?" The large one repositioned himself over a log and gave it a heavy chop with his full body. Snapping the section off in nearly the single strike and finishing it with a second one. "Maybe the middle strap too?" He asked, bringing the tail over but stopping just out of reach to prevent harming the green dragon.

"I... Don't know." Tix mumbled, approaching the strap. "A-about the change, I mean. We were raised..."

"To nearly be shunned at the idea of changing our ways, I know. But I've seen many differences in my visits to the Children's cultures that could change our own lives for the better. To possibly get rid of this stigma that we are selfish forces of nature." He could feel the blue eyes gaze over him as the green one paused his pull. "But it's been very difficult. Our kind is a little selfish, that part is true. But we are much more stubborn in our ways, which makes this task very difficult."

Tix remained silent, flowing his sight down the larger wyrm's back and tail. Spotting the strange unfamiliar tool of three blades along the second half of Zarj's tail. Then the pile of wood chunks in the surrounding area, unable to escape the sight of the unnatural shelter that the 'Child' called home. Swearing he could see a single eye in the doorway, something that gave the green one an uneasy feeling of discomfort. "I..." He trailed off, wanting to say something but his mind was blank.

"I've been having a lot of weird thoughts lately, Tix'gharr. I know." A sigh from the red one. "To the point where I'm expecting to be exiled from the nest any day now due to such 'revolutionary' mindset." Such a thing came to the smaller wyrm's mind before, but hearing Zarj state it aloud... "I'm rambling again, why were you looking for me Tix?"

"Oh... Erm..." A breath from the green one. "Elder Illa'kaa, she came by the nest again looking for you."

"Already?" Zarj spoke in surprise. "I just talked to her earlier."

"Well, apparently something came up and someone had to cancel their hearing with the Elders. She said you were looking for one, it'll be tomorrow at sunset."

"Tomorrow...?"

"She just told us to tell you whenever we see you." Tix's gaze looked off to the side. "Since sometimes you disappear for a few days, I thought-" He suddenly noticed the red body shift and hugged the smaller wyrm tightly, nearly making the green one's yelp muffled. Then heat up intently when Tix noticed that it was an embrace.

"Thank you." A shy whimper from the small one as Zarj chuckled. "It really means a lot that you would take the time to find me for this."

"Should...? We be worried?" The hold loosened to a rest as Zarj's head could clearly be seen shaking slowly. "Then what...?"

"I've been wanting to ask them about making trades with the Eastern lands. There are things that I can only get from there-"

"Zarj-" The green male nearly whined.

"It will be fine, Tix." Those blue eyes were filled with worry. "I promise."

"But trades...?" The larger dragon could almost read Tix's mind, going through the memories of the night before as they pieced together like a puzzle. "That night-!?" A sudden shhh from the red one, scolding Tix to lower his voice. "(That night by the river...!?)"

"I was... Waiting for someone. Hoping to see them."

"Someone... From the other side?" A slow nod in response from the larger dragon. "A-and then..." A few pats from that red paw against Tix's back, almost signaling not to say anything. "I... I should leave you to this."

"Yes, I'll be here for quite some time. Maybe even until dark." Another 'gentle' hug from Zarj that made the green wyrm whine shyly again. "Thank you, Tix. Sincerely, But perhaps distance yourself away from me for a little while, at least until I know for sure the Elder's reactions."

"Zarj...?" The red one took a solid breath.

"I am... Content with banishment." He broke the hug to look Tix in the eyes. "I do hope that is not what will come to pass, but I can accept being exiled from the nest. Most of them believe I have fallen too far from their ideals as it is." A single digit lifted that green chin up, while the larger one's face hardened. "But I will not ruin the life of another for my own 'radical' decisions."

"Zarj, I..."

"You have your own life ahead of you, Tix'gharr." Zarj'annan whispered. "Don't take that for granted." A moment of silence before the red one stepped back, moving into position for another chop against the large tree. Taking a few while the green wyrm stared at him, stared into open space. Taking a breath for himself, Tix flew away back to the nest, knowing the red one had made his decision.

======

Day 3: East

======

The sun was beginning to set as the streets slowly became less and less crowded. Many rushing to get back home and relax from the day's work, as Alkardoc flew gently over them. Usually there were more of his kin within the traffic, but many were still likely working in the outskirts on the cleanup.

It was so strange to the golden thread; within a few dozen hours things were getting back to normal. For how devastating the storm's visit has been within his lifetime, people here have learned to adapt well to Escalus. What used to require weeks of cleanup and the unfortunate ends of dozens of lives now is a slight inconvenience for a few days. A minor disruption that some assume they can schedule a dinner rehearsal to Alkardoc's wedding without interruption.

Floating to a stop before his fiancee's place of work, now unusually closed as the golden one took a moment to study it. Trying the door regardless and feeling it open slightly, unlocked but not enough to set off the entrance bell. Taking a moment to ponder before moving around the back side to the building through the alley, not nearly as well presented as the facade of the restaurant but fine enough.

The back door was open, allowing the scent of an active kitchen to reach his muzzle while those ears picked up the sounds of such things. Broiling, taps and small thumps of things being placed or used. Making the eastern dragon more curious as he slowly moved inside, cautious about being in the way of someone possibly leaving the building through the back exit.

However, peeking through a second doorway inside was enough for Alkar to notice a familiar red tail. Following it up to the red female in a custom made apron for long dragons, watching her stir a large pot of what was likely a stew of sorts, judging by the aroma. "It smells lovely." The male greeted, nearly spooking Valla'sha who looked surprisingly happy to see another face.

"I hope it tastes lovely, but I've been testing it all afternoon. I need a fresh tongue." She stated, beckoning the golden one to come closer as she obtained a clean spoon. Getting a sample for her mate to try, though her ears went flat against her head when he flinched at the hot soup.

"S-sorry, still very sensitive to heat." He gently blew on it like a hatchling which didn't improve that magenta gaze. "But it is delicious, my dear."

"Good, it should be ready for the event tomorrow." A double take from the male.

"T-tomorrow?"

"Not our dinner, do not be alarmed." Valla stated, prepping a few spaces and moving some dirty dishes to the side. "We've been hired to cater for a gathering tomorrow, but I wanted to make a few things tonight before I went home." The male stopped and panned around the kitchen, finding all the surfaces occupied mostly with baked goods and meals, while the rest were dishes. "...One thing led to seventeen, yes."

"When was the last time you had a break?" The red one tilted her head a little, curiously looking at him.

"A break?"

"To... Sit down and rest?"

"No, I am way too busy for that. Have you seen this place? It's a mess." She started moving towards the dishes, only to feel a gentle grab on her shoulders stopping her. Looking at Alkardoc in question once again as the golden serpent sighed quietly.

"Stop, please. Rest, even just for a few minutes. I'll start on the dishes for you."

"You do not need to do that-"

"Please." The male pleaded, getting her to exhale through that red muzzle and nod in agreement. Taking off the apron and giving it to him while she sat down. "It has been a long time since I've done dishes, so forgive me if I do something wrong."

"Just make sure the water is hot."

"It's already hot enough in here as it is." Alkardoc panted as he started cleaning out the sink. "Have you gotten any sleep lately?"

"A little. But... I find myself just worried about..."

"Past the waters?" Alkar asked in secret, the two making eye contact and nodding when they understood that the subject was about the Western side. "I understand."

"My body has been getting rest, but my mind has been wandering with so many hypotheticals."

"Like what?" The male glanced at Valla's soured look, instantly knowing where those thoughts have been.

"...Yes. Ruse. I... I'm instantly pulled into thinking that this is all some kind of Honey Pot that is being displayed." The red one admitted, spotting the faint nod on the thread. "And I worry if what you're getting into..."

"I know, dear. I do..." Alkardoc whispered loud enough for her to hear. "But... If you met him, met Zarj'annan," His fluffy ear flicked at her faint whimper. "Felt what I felt... There was no signs of malice within his heart or nature."

"But who's to say we can even detect it on them-?"

"Because everything else seems to work." The golden one spoke quietly again, inbetween the sounds of his dishwork. "I have felt his strong feelings of love, curiosity, interest, fear, and concern. I have seen images of his homeland and forests with his consent. And I..." Those magenta eyes looked over the golden one with a bit of fright as the male stopped completely for a moment. Exhaling before looking at her. "I... Have made a spiritual link with him-"

"-You...!?" She had to clamp her own muzzle shut and growl in a heavy curse, closing her eyes while the male nearly cowered at her... Expected reaction. "Alkardoc..." Valla whimpered in thick frustration. "I am... Trying. Really hard not to erupt against you, but you are..."

"Making it very difficult, I-I know." The male whined as she paused for a breath.

"Are there any more secrets you wish to admit about your encounter with this one?"

"W-well... We did fornicate." An exhale of expected disappointment through her muzzle was heard.

"At least within dreams he cannot hurt you."

"O-out...side of the dream realm too..." The golden one admitted, causing the female to freeze in place and stare rather numbly into space for a few seconds before getting up to leave the way Alkar came in. No word was spoken, but the male could feel the cocktail of emotions from her. Or maybe he was just imagining what she was likely feeling, it was difficult to tell. A strange mix of intense fear, disappointment, and heavy uncertainty.

The golden male let out a quiet breath but continued on his dishwork. Allowing his fiancee some time to possibly process what he just confessed, and wondering if it was even the right thing to do. This entire thing was a mess that he started, Alkardoc knew that. A chain of terrible decisions from not going to his rehearsal early before that storm really started, to... Engaging with the western dragon he was so curious about.

However, he wondered what would happen if it was someone else? Would they have divided the cave in half using an earthen wall to protect themselves? Or would they have conversed like he had with Zarj? ...But then again, Alkardoc understood Valla'sha's fears; what if Zarj was the exception?

That intense feeling of negativity nearly overwhelmed the golden serpent again. Nearly making him feel hot within the already heated kitchen and he needed some cool air. As much as he did want to give Valla some space, he was starting to feel dizzy. Moving his way outside to spot her resting on an empty wagon of sorts, covering her eyes.

Alkar frowned at the sight, taking a shallow breath before silently floating towards her. Wrapping his body around her coiled one in a show of comfort and detecting her heavy exhale. "...I'm sorry, Valla'sha." No response for a few moments. "I didn't mean to betray you-"

"It is not that, Alkardoc." She stated, shaking her head and placing both paws on his body before her. Though still not looking the male in the eye. "I... Half understand. I'm not a good companion-"

"Don't say that-"

"Alkar." That time her magenta gaze met his cyan one, stonewalled and nearly cold like something was missing. "I know what I am. I know what I'm like, and it is not what most people are looking for." Her gaze fell a little. "Believe me, I've tried. I've listened."

"Valla."

"That's why I attempted the Maoth'ueturrck [the ritual of discovering a potential mate, nearly though 'line-up' alone], because I knew I was never going to satisfy the emotional cravings of another." She admitted. "Though many do insist that I... That we continue down the path of Maoth'ck ["Marriage"], I..." Another breath as she looked at him in the eyes. "I was prepared to be the more difficult one to deal with in any relationship. And I am sorry if that sounds cold."

The golden one frowned and his ears lowered along with his gaze. Feeling her own hand squeeze and lock into one of his fores, and he placed his free one over hers. Taking a breath himself. "...My mother forced me to try the Maoth'ueturrck. She didn't expect me to get chosen first thing, she just knew I was in a slump lately and wanted grandchildren." A faint nod from her was detected as he swallowed loudly, pausing to think but still felt... Off. Unusual. "I've been... Perhaps a little too addicted to contraceptives lately."

"Birth control?"

"I haven't been specifically taking anything myself, but I have been 'chasing tail' for the better part of three years now. This last year being a bit of a slow-down." The male admitted. "Depression, perhaps. I've been looking for something that the one night stands cannot fulfill, but at the same time I never felt like I was the type to settle down, to become a father." The weight was hitting him harder, but she squeezed his hand a couple of times and listened. "I... Still do not think I am ready for that. I was thrown into this, just to get my muzzle out there- to start meeting people again. It was poor luck that..."

"We met." That blunt statement actually hurt him, to the point where he nearly whimpered. Hearing her awkwardly grunt. "That was too harsh, I am sorry."

"It's..." Another exhale from the golden one. "It is true, though. To the point where I'm now wondering if we should..." The red one nodded slowly.

"I have considered it as well. At least until I'm better at providing emotional support." Valla mentioned, though pausing for a moment. "...And not to just distance myself away from you and your..."

"Felonies?" Alkar whispered, getting her to nod. "Yes... This... Was never my intention. And I am sorry-"

"Do not be." She interrupted, lifting her free hand and placing it against his neck. Keeping eye contact. "Because I believe you have found what you were searching..." Valla trailed off, concerned. "You are... Hot."

A slight blush from the male as his eyes shifted away for half a second. "H-hardly the time-"

"You are very hot to the touch- are you ill?" A breath from the male as he very very lightly swayed his head while trying to keep still. "Alkardoc?"

"I... Don't know. I feel like I'm still in that kitchen-"

("_ Help!! ") A sudden grasp of his own head as Alkar winced in pain, hearing the echo of a familiar voice within the cry of agony. (" Help Me!! Anyone!! _")

"Alkar?"

"Octtu!?" He gasped, looking around above the surrounding buildings. "Octtu! That was his voice!"

"Octtu? Your friend, the silver-?" He quickly nodded in response and looked a little higher.

"He's... He's in trouble-!"

"Alkar..." Valla got the golden one's attention, looking off into the distance where an orange glow was above some buildings. "That's not the sunset." The two shared a worried look before both flying off towards the illumination. Once high enough it was clear what it was.

"A forest fire?"

"How?" Valla barely questioned as they both continued forwards, clearly not the only ones who noticed such a thing. "We just had a complete downpour from Escalus, nothing should be this flammable!" A sudden whimper in pain as she spotted the golden thread grasp his skull again.

"He's... In there."

"Alkar-"

"I have to help him!"

"Alkar, you cannot go in there-!" But the golden dragon sprinted ahead regardless, causing the female to double take at such a reckless act before chasing after him. "Alkardoc!"

"I have to do something! I...!" The male didn't stop, darting towards the fire while trying to mentally connect with the silver serpent. "I can sense him! I know where he is, I can lead him out!"

"Don't be irrational! That's a forest fire, Alkar! You'll burn to death trying-!"

"I'm not going to leave my best friend behind!" The thread bolted, disregarding the constant calls of his name as he dove into the flames. Leaving behind the red one as she swooped to the ground, stopped by the intense heat.

"Alkardoc!!"

======

Day 3: West/East

======

A few swings to cut off a few branches before another chop. Finding the task a bit easier, yet the dragon's tail muscles were definitely getting sore. To the point where he did have to stop every few motions to take a breath.

Perhaps it wasn't for his endurance or for rest, but to reflect on Tix again. The green wyrm was almost like a younger sibling to Zarj in the past; stuck as the only dragon his age for that generation. Remembering just how long it took them to realize a lake and river were tainted, making eggshells too brittle and losing many would-be dragons. Not to mention the countless lives lost from the 'Children' species.

Within that era came a miracle, a dragon that hatched too early but did survive. Having such high hopes for him that Tix'gharr just could not live up to; he was smaller than other wyrms for his age, weaker, slower, but alive and able. ("A reminder that we dragons are not above nature itself"), or whatever caused that taint.

However, the end result was a lonely green dragon. Too young to fit into the older group, too old to be part of the wyrmlings. A disappointment in most others besides his parents, but they perished looking for the cause of such a thing long ago. Determined to make sure it never happened again, but sadly did not return.

Thus the runt of a disastrous era was left alone, and thus attracted to the only one within the nest with a kind heart. Though it also didn't help that the stigma around Zarj and his curious habits (usually involving smaller species) already spoiled any positive outlook in the young dragon. Often questioning or making fun of the things the young adult was doing because that's what the other nestmates did.

...Maybe that's why Tix grew so attached lately. Guilt? Maybe the fact that when the green one stole something of Zarj's, hoping the large one wouldn't notice? ...Maybe Tix just wanted the red dragon's attention, to once again not be overlooked or left behind. Zarj'annan was spending a lot of time with Conway during those seasons.

Regardless, the red wyrm did not want to ruin his chance at a future. If Zarj was going to actually involve himself with disassembling this border restriction, he wanted to make sure it was just his own life he was destroying. That no one else would be dragged down in the process... But was it really worth it-? "Is everything okay, sire?"

A double take from the wyrm to the small feline, taking a small breath and nodding at her. "Yes, Nalvatla. I was just pondering again."

"About the East?" A slow nod from the large one. "You will figure something out."

"I hope so." He started to exhale, but noticed her getting into the vision of those orange eyes. Carrying what seemed to be a large bowl of something; soup? Holding its handles with a pair of large pads. "What is this?"

"I... Made supper for myself, but tried to make enough for you as well." That made the dragon smile brightly as he offered a single paw, one that dwarfed the bowl quite heavily. Nearly turning it into a cup to the large red beast as he gently lifted it up and inhaled the scent.

"It smells lovely, my dear." That made the small one shyly smile and half hide her face from her blind side. Though turned slightly in surprise when he started to lap some of it, then a bit of a flinch when his throat rumbled in a purr. Yet the beast's expression was that of delight and satisfaction. "I cannot describe in words how good children cuisine is-"

"I-I..." A noise in question from Zarj as he finally noticed her worried look. "Are you okay? I'm sorry if it was too hot."

"Too hot?" Those frilled ears perked as he looked at the bowl again. "Oh, no. The bowl is a comfortable temperature, dear. Dragons are not bothered by the heat." He went in for another few laps, keeping it in his maw for a few moments before swallowing. Releasing that satisfying growl before going in for a little bit more. "I'll admit, it does take some getting used to."

"I-I'm sorry, I only have so much-"

"Nutella." Zarj playfully scolded, giving her a very gentle nudge. "I do not mean your cooking, but the idea of... what was the word? Peeping your meal?"

"P-prepping."

"Ah, that was it. We can cook our hunts from time to time, occasionally some dragons will have some greens with their meats, but that is the closest thing we do have to such things. To take... Water, greens, and some vegetables..."

"A-and some old spices I found. I'm afraid I really don't have too much." The beast leaned his head down with a soft smile, attempting that nudge again and feeling her paw against the bridge of his snout.

"It is... Astonishing to me that you are capable of such feats, my dear. But you are too... Humble, I believe is the correct word." A very faint whimper was heard inside that furred throat. "You should be more proud of what you can do."

"...It is the bare minimum that is expected of a wife." A shift from that muzzle so the orange eye could meet hers for that fraction of a second before it disappeared. Trying to avoid the wyrm's gaze. "Or even a widow."

"I've heard of the title Wife before, but what is a widow?" The anthro's expression soured, still avoiding eye contact.

"...It's... When a wife loses her husband..."

"Oh... I see." Some silence. "In our culture, that is called Wyrmori'kveal: a dragon whose mate has been Escorted by Death." A faint exhale from the civet was heard, causing the dragon to slowly blink at her before looking back at the bowl. Finishing up the rest of it before giving her a gentle-ish nuzzle. Officially grabbing her attention as the bowl was returned to her by a large red paw. "...It was lovely, Nuu'th. Please do not think otherwise." The feline's expression soured until that snout nudged a little stronger. "That is the verdict of a dragon, dear. And dragons know what is valuable-"

"What is... Valuable." She repeated (almost) along with him. Exhaling almost in disbelief but nodding and taking the bowl with one arm. Her hand touched his warm snout as she nodded faintly, not expecting that now-free red hand to reach behind and pull her closer to the large muzzle. Causing her to whimper while being pushed into this strange form of embrace with the wyrm's now vertical head; with the snout pointed at the ground.

It was... Empowering, really. To get the affection of such a large beast, almost to the point of feeling undeserved of it. Yet the warmth of him was too comforting, nearly melting away the cold thoughts for that moment. Hearing the small one take a near quivering breath and drop the bowl onto the grass, hugging Zarj'annan's muzzle with both arms and feeling him smile. "...Thank you." She felt the beast smile in response as the embrace lingered.

The heat was beyond intense, and the pain it caused against his golden scales constantly echoed a heavy danger to the eastern dragon's surroundings. To the point where it was hard to concentrate, hard to see even when past the thick ring of fire and into the burning embers. Adrenaline surging through his system as it was difficult to breathe, instincts demanding him to make it back to safety, but he could still feel traces of Octtu! Constantly pleading, apologizing for... Something that was hard to make out.

A heavy remorse, pain, and mental anguish was felt. Worrying Alkardoc to no end, but using it as a beacon towards his friend. Moving around the many burnt and still burning trees as his own scales seemed to nearly meld together. Twisting around the area as his eyes dried, making his vision hazy as the golden one coughed on occasion. The heat and smoke getting into his lungs, whatever air he could draw in scarcely held what he needed. But he was so close!

Some branches began to fall overhead, causing the golden one to dash forwards and feel the heated wood scrape against his tail. Trees started to fall over nearby as the serpent continued to move, feeling so lost- but his eyes spotted something reflective! Bolting towards it to find the now tarnished silver dragon, nearly unresponsive to his touch. "Octtu! Octtu-!!" Alkardoc attempted to shout but ended up coughing instead-

Only to feel a strong and desperate grip on his arm from the silver one. He was alive! For a precious second, the golden one just embraced him tightly. "I'm going to get you out of here, okay!?" Another heavy cough from both of them as Alkar did his best to lift him up- only to hear a heavy cry in pain. Looking down to find the puncture wound that had been infected for quite some time.

"I'm... Sorry..." The silver one panted heavily. "W-we... Need... Out of Forest."

"I know, I know-" Another cough from Alkardoc, only to get that grip again.

"They're...! In...! Forest!"

"I know, I'm going to get you out of here. I promise, just stay awake for me, Octtu!" The golden one spoke, but trailed off as he looked around. Feeling an intense sense of dread... Which way was out?

The embrace lasted longer than she ever expected, honestly unsure of the last time she felt so warm and protected. Especially near something so massive compared to the civet. But when the wyrm stopped purring she knew it was time to let go. Opening her eye and spotting something from afar, a strange orange glow through the trees. Was she really doing this all night?

A strange breath from the dragon as he began to pull back, making the anthro immediately release him and step away. "Is everything...?" She started, watching Zarj place a paw on his head.

"I'm... Not sure." Those orange eyes shifted around. "I just feel a little strange, like I'm in... A daydream." Another grunt as he felt a pain, almost as if it were at a distance. "I..."

"Maybe you should stop for the evening then." Neetu suggested, moving around that large body towards his tail. "You should rest. You can even rest here tonight if you like-"

"No..." Zarj whispered, still almost dazed. "Something's wrong Natla. I... I don't know why I can feel it, but I just..." He started gazing along the trees, the same direction as the glow but couldn't really see the strange orange due to the filled out branches and leaves.

"You see it too?" She asked, immediately getting his attention as she pointed towards the same area. "I'm not certain what it is, but it shouldn't be daybreak." He kept looking back at her hand and then in the direction, but it wasn't until the dragon lowered his head that he seen it. And that feeling intensed. A danger, a heavy danger that someone he cared about was in trouble. "What is it?"

"...Fire."

"Fire!?"

"It's a fire... And someone's in it...!" The wyrm got up rather suddenly, enough to startle and cause the anthro to fall into the grass. "Tix...!" Those red wings spread widely, never making the civet feel so small as Zarj paused for a slight moment to look at her. "If you're in danger, I'll come back for you, Neetu."

"S-sire!?"

"But I have to make sure he's safe too!" Before she could respond that massive behemoth of strength and scales took off. A heavy blast of wind caused her to shelter herself with every flap of those wings, and before she knew it, Zarj was gone.

The red dragon sored over the trees towards the orange glow, seeing it more and more into the distance with every foot of air he ascended. Easily concluding that it wasn't near Neetu's path yet, that perhaps the dragon could somehow stop it from spreading. However, the glow started to reflect off the distant ground too.

Wait... No, not the ground. The waters! It was across the rivers? In the eastern lands? Tix was likely safe, but that feeling persisted. A danger, an intense dry heat in that direction. "Alkardoc...!" The wyrm nearly turned pale as that feeling intensed, and he bolted towards it! Making out more and more of the burning forest, the heavy clouds of smoke that lifted from the flames.

His heart raced, was Alkar really in there? Was Zarj really going to risk crossing the border on a gamble? To ensure that his friend was safe-? ("Over Here!") That voice fluttered his chest! He knew it immediately! ("We're over here! There's Two! Help, please!") It was him! The Thread Of Dawn! And he was inside that damn inferno!

Without caution, Zarj dove to get speed then stabilizing for a steady glide across the treetops. Not stopping in the slightest when it started to thin out and quickly change into waters, focused so hard on that burning glow. Striking down that fear of breaking the taboo- his friend needed him! His love needed him! And the closer he got, the more he could... Feel it. See it! As if having some sort of intense light that shined in the direction of the golden serpent!

The heat was absolutely intense, disabling the eastern dragon's compass entirely as he wandered the grounds of the charred plants. Carrying the near full weight of his silver friend over his form, feeling him still alive, still apologizing over and over again through his mind. Warning that something was in the forests, Alkar got that far, but wasn't quite sure what he meant.

There were other dangers first, that's for sure, and they were running out of time. The lack of proper air was getting to the golden one, the heat was nearly making him pass out. Relying on adrenaline and a quick educated guess of the right direction of where 'out of the forest' was. Worried that perhaps the golden one's instincts were wrong.

He called out mentally again, hoping that someone could possibly hear. Perhaps a rescue crew of sorts, or maybe what little relationship with Valla he had built up. Swearing he could pick up some of her calls, but the roars of the flames were just too loud. The snapping and breaking of dried wood, felling trees- then one really really loud one as Alkar looked up. Spotting the log through the smoke coming down towards them!

The serpent lunged with all his energy to dive out of the way, just in time. Hearing it shatter on the ground and send a spray of embers everywhere. Further making it difficult to see as ash scattered. Then another breaking of a tree, a little further ahead of them. Blocking the path he was taking while still on fire. A few more snaps in the surrounding areas as the plantlife could no longer support itself, making the dragon afraid to move as some trees fell down within the smoke, with one soon falling directly towards them-!

Only to hear a heavy roar and something swoop in to slam against it! A much needed breeze of cool air invigorated Alkardoc, even if it didn't last long. Taking with it some of the smoke and grey dust to see something large and red pressing the tree back up with its momentum! The base of the wood cracking further to the point of being completely broken off, and the red beast using the burning log to ram against more of the trees in its path. Creating a chain of fallen logs that did not last too long.

It wasn't until the behemoth landed and started moving towards Alkar that he could focus on it. "Za... Zarj!?"

"Alkardoc!" The red one immediately hugged both him and the silver one in those strong arms, hearing them cough a little bit in response. "I'm going to get you out of here."

"How did you-?" Another set of coughs, but the wyrm didn't answer. Instead just bending a wing while lifting the other high up, pulling the weakened serpents onto his back and closing the wings the best he could.

"Just try to stay on, okay? I'll get us out!" Zarj took a second to find the row of fallen trees and started moving down the newly found path. Though with his much more bulky body, he did have a more difficult time to get through the dense forest. Not paying any mind to the burning bushes that only tickled his scales, the smoke and ash his lungs were already used to, the patches of flames that his resistant paws trampled out. But the very trees themselves was the issue, a wall of three large ones completely blocking their path.

Until something came to mind. The Nutriv'rii, the tail-axe! Leaping the distance towards a thick tree, pivoting during his landing on the ground and slamming the base of it with his tail. The blade creating a large gash in its already weakened wood before pivoting the near-full rotation on another one before him, nearly breaking that tree entirely. With a heavy spin and strike against the middle tree.

It wasn't quite enough to topple any of them, but the dried wood cracked loudly. Perhaps it was some of his primal nature to use such a tactic, but the wyrm took a few steps back. "Brace yourselves!" Zarj growled at the two on his back, feeling some coils tighten around the base of his tail before the western one charged at the three trees. Ramming his entire side against them and hearing the wood split heavily in response- enough to start giving into gravity!

Some spikes of the leftover trunks scratched his belly scales, but nothing that Zarj couldn't handle. Doing his best to keep his weight against the three pillars as they toppled further and further! Falling against other trees and creating another domino effect that opened the path for the wyrm to advance. Even if some of the trees began to actually support all that weight, those rash instincts took over again. Using the multiple logs as a ramp as he started running up them. Causing some of the still alive wood to bounce in support of the heavy beast, just hoping they would give the three one final gift; to last just long enough for the dragon to reach up-!

"Alkar!!" Her voice was getting hoarse calling the golden one as Valla'sha stayed clear of the flames. All instincts were telling her that Alkardoc had perished, but she still had a little bit of hope. As foolish as it was. Even if the rescue team had gotten here, it was unlikely that he would have made it out alive. Speaking of which, where were they? Surely someone had already contacted them by now.

(...Maybe I should've gone in as well.) She shook her head quickly at the thought, it was just the guilt talking. (No, that would be illogical. That would be suicide.) She attempted to justify it, but there was still an intense worry within her red chest... As well as something else. Determination. (You can't just sit here and wait for him. He won't make it out by himself. Think-think-think. There's gotta be something you can do! Water? It would take an entire monsoon to douse this, and that would require at least 50 of you! Air? You'd only feed the flames. Earth? Going in underground would be safer, but it would also leave you blind the entire time. You'd be better off going through there yourself.)

A frustrated growl as she turned around to leave. To think clearly and not towards the intense heat while the sounds of trees fell within. Nearly screaming at herself for a solid few seconds before turning about again towards the forest. "Oh, what the hell am I doing!?" Before charging in- only to hear a heavy swoop and landing out in the grass. Her magenta eyes locked onto something large and red... And Valla's heart froze.

It was massive. An absolute behemoth of scales and muscle covered in red and black. A grand wingspan multiplying its size before her as it rooted itself into the cool grass. Taking a moment before looking around and instantly spotted her with orange discs. Fear, that's all she felt. The most intense fear like that from her worst nightmares multiplied by the dozens. It was inside the east lands. It was burning their forests.

It was a Ruse.

That is, until it lowered its head to reveal silver. Blacken silver and gold. Shifting his back and lowering one wing significantly, allowing the two to roll off- serpents. Dragons! The familiar azure and strange green of his friend. "A-Alkardoc!" She cried, though with a crack in her voice. Starting to move towards them, but those orange eyes locked onto her again.

Her blood froze, sending a heavy chill through her form- regardless of the burning forest beside Valla. Almost shaking from it as it shouted something at her- a language she didn't understand, but it almost sounded like- "Water!" Water? I-it could speak!? "Hey! We need some water here!" Zarj shouted at her, a thickness of command in his heavy voice.

They were here to take our water?

"Help them!!" The roar wasn't really helping, but it did help shatter her out of the paralysis. ('Them...?') Valla'sha thought. The western dragon was... Here to help? "Please!" Another loud snap of wood nearby created a new fear within her as she moved away from the intense heat, though finding herself closer to the foreign dragon. Though still terrified of it, Alkar needed her help. Powering through it she pressed herself down into the grass, using her senses to detect a water source underground and moving towards it.

"T-this way!" She called to him, getting a nod as he picked up the two serpents with a single arm- now realizing one is wounded. Hobbling on three legs to follow the red eastern dragoness as she felt for the right spot, splitting the earth just enough and pulling the water up over the four of them. Helping to cool them down, but nearly losing her concentration when Valla realized just how close the western one was. And realizing just how much larger the beast seemed.

Yet, he paid more attention to the golden thread; still panting to regain his energy. "You... Came. You actually came...?" Alkar whispered in disbelief.

"I heard your calls." Zarj replied with a sad smile, spotting the serpent's attempt to lift himself up into those broad red arms and meeting him 80% of the way. Supporting the serpent against his chest for a moment before looking over at the unconscious silver one. Instantly feeling the worry in the western body and gently breaking the embrace to check on his friend. "Is he okay?"

"I... Don't think so. We need to get him some medical attention-" A sudden grip on his muzzle as a powerful vine coiled around Alkardoc's snout! Pulling him down onto the ground as others wrapped around his body! Then witnessing the same thing happen to Octtu and Valla'sha! The silver one was unable to struggle, but the others did! The heavy growl from the wyrm was heard as dozens were heard wrapping around the beast's limbs, tail, and neck! "Don't fight it!" Alkardoc called to him, knowing exactly what it was when the sights of other eastern dragons came through the darkness. All wearing masks that lightly reflected the glow of the fires. "Don't struggle, Zarj! You'll only make it worse!"

A heavy growl of anger from the western one was natural, but Zarj'annan complied. Finding themselves surrounded by many other eastern serpents and detecting their fear. "By Lothranis... An actual...?" One of their voices echoed slightly.

"Do you think it started the fires?"

"Nevermind that." Another commanded. "Cover their heads. We don't have enough room for all of them in the nearest location. You five, take that one to Site C. You, take this one to H for medical attention. The other two we'll take to 495."

"Sir? Site 495? That's..."

"That's the best we can do right now. Quickly, before any civilians see them."