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For You, I Will Fight One More Day...

The Thread Of Dawn Act 6 - Grave Of The Fireflies

By Bartan Tirix

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Day: ???

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All was still.

Quiet, nearly just as she left it. Escaping into slumber long after the light had vanished the night before and replaced by a rain. Not a heavy one, but a shower nonetheless. Soaking the white wyrm before she returned to her cave, and thus the humidity remained even into the morning.

She must've woken up several times, just assuming the light had not returned to the sky to make it day. It wasn't until a shiver forced her to adjust in the very very slightest that she noticed he was missing. Her warmth. Still seeing the memory of his face within the candlelight, one likely burned through hours of wasted wax and wick. Book fallen out of his white paws, marker misplaced, and his body so limp she had difficulties moving him slightly so the dragoness could get comfortable.

But now, vacant. The bedding roomy. Cool, uncomfortably so. To the point where Khira sluggishly got up. Noticing some light across the bend of rock that helped shelter her cave, longing for its warmth as she staggered towards it. Her body requiring a bit more to stretch those shoulders and fores, then haunches and hind legs. Wings touching up to the low ceiling (well, low for a 20ft dragon) before finally giving her full control once again.

Her sight, however, did not appreciate the light as much as the rest of the wyrm's body did. Taking several moments to adjust while detecting a faint hum. A vocal song that became interrupted when she got too close. Barely making out the whiter body like hers, -a pristine color, like that of winter frost. Then his soft chuckle, one that warmed her to the core as she limped towards his back. "You startled me, dear." He spoke softly, doing his best to hold the female's upper weight as he sat.

"How... Long-" That was interrupted with a large toothy yawn that made him chuckle, before catching hold of such a thing himself. Not even finishing her sentence and just resting her head perfectly on his shoulder.

"Only about an hour and a half or so." He answered, continuing to work on something before him. Making out the teary blobs of color as they started to make shapes within her vision. Focus took its time to reveal the canvas on an easel, colors matching that of the mountain landscape before them- well, most of it. Whereas it was still being worked on by the dragon. "You were out late last night."

"I... Was, yes." She mumbled a bit.

"Don't be shy about it, it's alright. I just stayed up for as long as I could." A noise in confirmation from her as she watched Valkatth awkwardly hold a small paintbrush and dip it into some color, then brush it elegantly against the white background, expanding on the clouds around the mountains. "The scenery looked so gorgeous this morning, I'm hoping to recapture it for you. Though, thankfully without the smell."

"Smell?" The female double taked at him. "Ah, yes. That. I suppose I'm so used to whatever the humans are doing."

"The clouds do push it down so it lingers more in the air." A few more brush strokes. "It... Has this dark familiarity to it, I just cannot recall what exactly that smog is." No response from her for a while as the slightly larger dragoness just watched him.

"I... Had no idea you could do this."

"Paint?"

"Yes, I believe. The humans could do it, yes?"

"Correct, but rarely do they attempt such things traditionally now." There was a somber in his voice. "So something like this will not go missing."

"You stole it?"

"From an abandoned shipwreck not too far from here. I had to repair one of the stands at the bottom using some of their glue and tape," He completely missed her puzzled look as she gazed down. "But it should stand well enough so long as I don't lean on it-"

"How long have you been near them...?" Khira asked with a whispering concern, actually getting the male to double take behind him. Gently tapping his snout against hers in the process.

"...Right. Taboo. I keep forgetting about that." He went back to painting. "Nobody seen me. The place was entirely abandoned, save for the birds. But I spent a fair amount of time with the humans and many other species before coming here." Valkatth spoke softly. "Art was... Is still very important to them, but I worry that many of them have forgotten its importance."

"As it is... Or was, for us."

"It is still important to you, khirasah." A play on words, similar to her name but also sharing one with a snowflower. "But you..." There was an aura of heavy feelings he picked up, causing him to stop. "I'm sorry. I've said it too many times."

"You do keep questioning it, Valkatth."

"I know. Maybe some part of me wants to see us all live in harmony." He paused his brushstrokes to look off into the distance, between the valley where the ocean could scarcely be seen. "...Maybe some part of me misses them, and that's why I took the risk." The female paused before moving to his side, gently turning his muzzle before touching it with her own in a show of affection, one he shared.

"So long as you're cautious, and so long that Althurtrak does not see this." Those amethyst eyes rolled playfully, making her chuckle. "He is a bit uptight about anything from the humans."

"I've noticed." Valkatth grumbled awkwardly. "And he has been very suspicious of me since we first were introduced. Many of your kind has been."

"They're worried about anything uncommon." The female wyrm gave his body a squeeze, detecting his tail underneath her doing what it can to coil around hers. "We've been pushed back and lost so much over the last century, they cannot see a new thing as good anymore."

"I understand. And I am okay with their distrust in me, Khira. I only need yours, but I don't want them to start distrusting in you."

"They shall not." She whispered softly, hearing exhale in that muzzle but nod afterwards. "I trust them, I've been here for them. They'll come around to you, give them time."

"I hope so." The male mumbled, adding a few more brushes to the canvas. Allowing Khira some time to collect her thoughts. "Tell me, when you are ready." An uncomfortable noise from her, nearly of confirmation. "I won't be upset, I promise. I know I cannot be everything to you."

"It's not that, Valkatth." She admitted, getting the attention of those amethyst discs. "...Lythinar lost his home."

"What?"

"...The humans have continued to expand, claiming and consuming more of the forest." The male froze in place, looking in her direction. "I was out last night finding him a new shelter. Comforting him."

"...There's something else." Valkatth detected.

"His... His mate is missing-"

"Octjor'via?" He whispered, feeling a shiver of cold that caused his scales to click loudly down his back. Placing the brush and palette down before shifting his way around her to embrace Khira tightly. "Do you think...?"

"I do not know. Humans cannot detect us, not even with their technologies. Some part of me is just hoping she was forced to escape and got lost." For a few moments, the two just held each other.

"...I can help search."

"Finish your painting while you have the chance. Right now we've got a lot of searches moving about through the forest for any clues as to what happened to her." She took a breath. "I'm going to inform Althurtrak of last night. Word may have gotten to him already, and I cannot imagine he took it lightly."

"Odds are not." The male grumbled. "Hopefully this one he does not blame on me."

"He never liked outsiders." She sadly smiled, leaning into his neck. "Or anything else that wasn't from here." They eased their hold and shared a small kiss. "Please be careful if you do venture out towards the borders. Humans may not be able to detect us, but I fear..."

"Do not worry. I'll stay clear of them." He looked towards the ocean again. "I'm thinking about searching along the coast first, maybe on some of the isles around there. Far from any human eyes."

"Alright. But please come back home tonight?"

"I will."

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Day: 4

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It's been a long time since he felt this awful. A heavy hangover that prevented the serpent from even moving a little, his body in complete discomfort and covered in filth. Dried, sore, just like his maw and throat. Causing Alkardoc to just want to remain still and slumber for as long as he could, but that snout had other plans. Those instincts had other plans.

The scent of water was caught, forcing him to get up and move towards it within the dark room. Taking several much needed laps against his aching head's better judgement. Room temperature water, not quite as satisfying when it was from a bucket. Heavy air, somewhat stale as if from underground. Humid, filled with the scent of soot and ash... But that was likely just from him.

Last night came back to the golden one now, making him wonder what happened to the others. Then, those furred ears detected breathing nearby while his low-light vision adjusted. Spotting scales and his heart fluttered... But the body was smaller. Thinner. Causing it to fall a little. Of course they wouldn't pair the golden serpent with Zarj, that would be ridiculous. But at least he knew that Valla was still alive.

Alive and well? He wasn't so sure. Despite his body's warnings he crawled towards her, not getting a single response. Those frightful eyes staring straight forwards into space while her body curled up like a snakelet. Caught in the rhythmic cycle of deep breaths and shakes. Not of temperature, but disturbed nerves. To the point where putting a paw on her back did nothing. "Valla'sha?" Alkar whispered, taking several calls- each more worried than the last to finally get those discs to look at him. "Are you...?"

They blinked, but went back into staring in the darkness. A bit more movement now, but she was... Still in shock. Of what, he didn't really know. Giving her a few moments as he coiled around her in a form of protection and rested for several moments. Feeling the female come out of it eventually. "Blood..."

"What?" He barely picked up her whisper.

"I-it... Was Crimson... The color of blood..." She nearly whimpered. "It looked at me... Eyes as orange as the fires behind me."

"Zarj?" A shaky breath from her as the male gently grappled her. Forcing her eyes to meet his cyan ones. "Valla, I need you to stop and listen to me. I need you to listen to my voice." She still seemed so distant. "Disregard what we've been raised to believe about them, Valla. They're..." He paused, taking a breath. "Zarj'annan is not like that. He is a very kind and gentle soul."

"They..."

"He saved me. Saved me and... Octtu..." Once again the male trailed off, his heart aching with mourning for his friend. But for now he pushed it aside. "Come back to me, Valla. Do not let this fear get to you."

"I..." Alkar gently pet her, from whiskers to brows. Cheeks to chin. "I... It spoke to me."

"He tends to do that, yes." The golden one smiled sadly. "What did he say?"

"Water..."

"There's some over there, dear."

"Water... He wanted water to..." The illusion started to break, as her eyes began to focus. "To help... To save you two." A slow nod from Alkar as she focused on him. "He wanted to save...?"

"He's very kind."

"He's a giant..." That made the male chuckle.

"Zarj is quite big, yes. Especially up close."

"Terrifying up close... He could've ripped us apart- ripped them apart if he pleased...!" Again, he had to 'lift' her up from that fear. "I-I've... Never been so close to death before, I... I can't stop shaking-" A gentle shhh from the male as he coaxed her to relax. "My heart cannot calm down, every time I see them in my memory- I just get more adrenaline. I just get..." Another calm whisper from that golden muzzle. "How...?"

Alkar thought only for a second before lightly chuckling. "Because... He was just as afraid of me as I was of him... And I knew, right then and there, what was happening." The male smiled sadly. "More so I just had a very very good assumption, and my curiosity got the better of me. Besides, it was not like I could escape anywhere at the time, with the storm over us." A whisker of his brushed against her cheek, feeling one of hers coil up around it gently.

"A-and yet... That's all it took? For you not to be terrified of them?"

"A long conversation to realize they were just like us: afraid of the other due to so many stories that were passed around." The golden one sighed. "I worry, so much for him right now." Alkar's vocals quivered in a whisper as he gazed into the darkness. "He must be so scared, trapped in a cell of his own, not knowing what is about to happen."

"...What is about to happen?" The two looked at each other.

"I... Cannot be certain. I'm not even sure if he'll get a trial, and odds are it will not be in his favor." A remorseful exhale from the male. "I fear he may be used as an example..." A moment of silence before Alkardoc took a deep breath. "I have to find him."

"W-what?" Valla double taked at him, gripping his whisker a little hard with her own in the process.

"I must find Zarj before it is too late." Her worried magenta gaze nearly pierced his own. "I must-"

"You cannot be serious..." A golden paw gripped her shoulder rather strongly, interrupting Valla's thoughts and staring at the now very serious facade of the thread.

"I understand, Valla'sha. I really do. But I will not lose another friend." That sent a chill down her spine, causing her scales to clack loudly within the small room. She knew that his silver friend was wounded but didn't know how much. Watching Alkar take a deep remorseful breath, and she took one of collection.

"I understand." The red serpent stated, getting back to her rather blunt self before feeling around the room. "Shelves. Nothing on them."

"Shelves?"

"We need to figure out where we are, besides 'Area 595'."

"I... Thought it was 495." Alkar added, feeling around himself but only really finding a smooth wall. "Stone. Very cold. We are below ground." He sniffed around. "What does this smell like to you?" It got the attention of the female and she followed. "It smells familiar."

"That is definitely vinegar, some use it for cleaning." She looked around, trying to spot anything with her low light vision. "Are we... In a custodian's closet? Or a pantry?"

"When they spoke last night, it sounded like they didn't have a lot of room in the other facilities." Alkar added worryingly. "It's possible that this is only temporary."

"And that they probably plan to keep us locked up for quite some time, if that is the case." Valla pondered, hearing him do the same.

"Not to mention so many of us in one place... And a Western Wyrm encounter."

"They were likely trying to separate us." She followed his thought process as they explored further, but something echoed in her mind. "...Separate..." She whispered, hearing the male's noise in question. "I... Never felt more detached from you." Valla could almost hear the male's furred ears fall as she searched. "I didn't mean it like that, but... I kind of did."

"W-what... Do you...?"

"As if something is... Heavy." She paused for a moment as she observed herself and surroundings. "My spirit. My connection to any magics. It's... Severed here." A moment to study for himself.

"You are... Absolutely right." The golden one spoke softly. "I can barely feel your presence, but can detect your body and its movements. Even then, I'm not certain if I'm even imagining it."

"So we cannot rely on magic to escape." They continued their search, the red one focusing on the doorway and the knob. "They reversed this lock." Valla spoke. "Without the key we cannot open it easily."

"That must have been difficult without magic." Alkardoc added as he felt around the walls. Starting with the lower end at first, and passing something that flicked his ear. "...I think there's a vent here."

"Vent?"

"For airflow, perhaps." Another feel around with his paws and those claws latched into some parts of the wall. Getting a firm grip before pulling it directly away from the wall, feeling a little bit of give. "It can be detatched!" He whispered with some hope, pulling harder while the female came near to help as well. Together they ripped off the cover to a small circular vent and the golden one sighed of relief.

"They must have missed this when cleaning it out."

"Likely in a hurry as well." Alkar spoke, attempting to look in to see nothing, but pick up the scent of dust. "It... Has not been cleaned up in quite some time."

"As expected."

"But I think I do hear something." With a faint breath and a full one to be held, Alkar tried to squeeze his head inside- only for his horns to get caught by the wall. Forcing him to retreat back out. "Drat, I'm too large for it."

"You may be due to your horns, but I might be able to." Valla'sha suggested, whereas females lacked any horns. Attempting it and getting in much more smoothly. "I... Can. But it will be a one-way trip."

"We'll find another way." Alkar sighed.

"No. I'll... I'll see if I can find something to use against the door."

"Valla'sha-"

"Keep looking around if you want, but I'm going... And hoping I do not get stuck." She half grumbled, slipping fully into the small tunnel before the golden one could stop her.

"Valla..." He called to her lightly, not getting a response besides the sounds of the serpent scurrying inside the stone pathway. "Please be careful."

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Day: ???

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The skies continued to covercast during the wyrm's flight. Making her way to a large mountain within the tropical jungle; thin for such a thing, but very high. A natural tower of sorts for the flightful to reach and observe a massive portion of the land within one area. However, flying straight to the top was difficult, even for Khira. Requiring her to circle her way up to the flat top and land with a bit of a pant.

She was unable to keep her gaze from wandering around. Easily spotting the area where she and Valkatth resided within the shrinking wildlands, the hilly areas making it difficult for many land dwellers to traverse- but a large explosion caught her attention. Facing the direction now with a massive red bird, perched on the same level she was and watching the massive cloud of debris afar. Taking a few steps closer as the vibration continued through the spire itself, eventually dissipating. "It's not a fight." The monstrous bird nearly growled, barely grabbing the attention of those light blue eyes. "Not yet anyway."

"Then why...?"

"It's not enough for them to devour our land and resources. They need to expand as well." She gazed over the area and the distance. The border between the jungle and the urban city seemed to have gotten closer since she last looked at it in disbelief. Skyscrapers being built in mere weeks at a time, and the walls of the city only pushed further. "What would our ancestors think...? They've... We've all put our blood into our homeland. These... Invaders will consume until there is nothing left."

"Althurtrak..." The wyrm stepped forwards towards the massive avian, still not getting the attention of those piercing golden eyes. "I do not wish to bring you more bad news, but-"

"That is all that remains." She paused for a moment, watching his eyes close and nod for her to continue.

"...Octjor'via is missing." A near quivering exhale from the red one. "They destroyed Lythinar's home while he was out, and there hasn't been any sign-"

"I warned them." Althurtrak snapped his beak in frustration. "I told them that the humans were getting too close."

"And they were planning to move, but haven't found..." Those massive talons dug into the ground underneath the red raptor.

"I hate this." A heated exhale as the dragon looked at him sadly. "I hate them, Khira. With everything I have." She took a step closer, speaking softly to him.

"They don't know any different." Another heated breath. "This is the consequence of staying out of sight, Althur. This is what happens when we do not-"

"They didn't need to see us before!" He hissed through his restraint. "They worshiped us! Respected us as the deities we are! They don't understand what lengths we go through to protect them-!"

"And their faith has been extinguished due to neglect, my lord." She stepped in front of him a little more as the raven took a deep breath to calm. "This isn't like you, Althurtrak. What is wrong?" They shared a look, but no answer. "We need to change that. We need to show them that we live here, that our myths that they worshiped in the past did happen- do still exist!"

"...What good would it do now?" The red one replied coldly. "They've taken well over three quarters of our sacred land, paid no mind to the animals they have slaughtered in the process. Taken several of us-!"

"You have no proof of that-"

"They Are Hunting Us, Khira!" The large bird hissed. "Somehow they've grown to detect us with their machines, I just know it! And the longer we wait...!" A growling exhale as the wyrm looked sadly at him, making it difficult for those twin suns to look into her blue eyes. Turning away and taking another breath, even causing her gaze to fall and notice some of the veins in his leg. Swollen and darken, close to that of a dying tree underneath his feathers. "I have to make a choice, and I have to make it soon."

"Althurtrak..."

"It will be easier if you are by my side, Khira. You were invaluable to us during the great infection, we need your help again. We must push back, we must regain our control or perish with the very land itself..." The dragon frowned at him.

"Things are different from back then, we can reason with them-"

"We cannot, my dear. It is too late for that." A heavy breath from the raptor as he turned away, getting ready to take flight. "If violence is the only language they speak, that is the only language they will understand. Nature will not fall so easily." She watched the red wings spread and lift off with a powerful jump, crossing the skies with tremendous speed as another explosion went off along the border. A cloud of dust and debris, this time in a far different location that she could still clearly see. After a few moments, Khira sighed heavily.

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Day: 4

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Unpleasant. The best way the red serpent could describe such a place, as she crawled through the vent across dust, scale fragments, and bundles of stray hairs. No source of light and a tight fit to boot, the definition really fit. The red one was just thankful she was not claustrophobic.

An exhaling near-growl from Valla'sha as she swayed forwards, thinking back to all the decisions that actually got her into this situation. The last twelve or so hours have drastically changed her life, to the point where she questioned whether or not it was ruined. That part wasn't specifically Alkardoc's fault, the red serpent knew that. But being arrested for helping a westerner find some water seemed excessive.

Valla paused, letting the shiver of fear pass through her as she thought about it again. Unable to get that image of such a beast out of her mind. Swearing she could still see it within the darkness in front of her; a towering feral with a massive wingspan. Several times her size, bulky and armored. Something like that would require a dozen eastern dragons to take down- likely with some losses and several injuries. And one was in front of her last night. Spoke to her last night- commanded. Demanding water-

...But not for himself. Not for himself, no. Thinking about that helped thaw her frightened heart to move again, the monster was there to save them. To save... Eastern dragons. Eastern lives. Rushing into a burning forest to save Alkar and Occtu, but how did the beast know? Know that they were inside, that they were in danger?

As much as she... Almost wanting to talk to it for answers, some visible light was starting to be seen after a corner turn. A quiet exhale in relief that there was an exit to this, she approached it cautiously. Making as little noise as possible. Hearing someone walk from afar, chatting with another as they were coming closer. "And they're still not in?"

"The glassblowers have apparently had a setback in sand, so we won't be getting any vials anytime soon." Another explained as Valla'sha remained in the vent, hidden behind another grate.

"The hospitals are not going to like that."

"I know, and neither will other doctors, nor parents. But that's all we can do for now, Escalus [the great storm] set everything back a bit more than expected." (Vials...?) "It is what it is."

"Tell that to the parents. Alright, that's my break. See you at lunch?" She didn't hear a response. "Good, we're eating at the noodle place because our usual isn't opened today for some reason." Her kitchen isn't open? Damn... But that means Alkardoc and Valla are closer to home than they thought... Unless it's a different place they were talking about.

Still, after a few moments of not hearing anything, the red serpent worked on pushing out the vent cover. A bit easier to do from the inside, but was still a bit stuck. Trying to do it quietly made it take longer, but Valla managed. Slipping out when the coast was clear and covering the vent back up to avoid suspicion, the red one took a small look around. Stone building, crystals mounted on the walls lighting the way. Nothing out of the ordinary, aside from it being... Unusually thick stone and a very tall ceiling. Even for eastern dragons. Wide as well.

But she moved on. If the only thing they did was flip the door-lock, it's possible that all she needed to do was to unlock it from the outside. Carefully moving down the hall, taking caution to any opened doorway until Valla seen the area where the vent led back to Alkar. Guarded by a couple of eastern dragons in strange masks, much like the ones they encountered last night. No. Not unless the red one made a distraction, getting to that door was not an option from this side. She would need to find something else to pick or destroy the lock. Some kind of utensil might work?

She honestly did not know the first thing about lockpicking, but the serpent had to try something. Moving down the halls and peeking quietly in every opened door she could find, not spotting anything but the occasional person with their back turned. However, soon after there were footsteps heard down the hall! And coming towards her as well!

With nowhere to properly hide, she started trying all the closed doors. The first few being locked, but one of them opened to a dark room. Perfect! Moving inside and closing it behind her silently. A few steps back and hearing the steps get closer and closer, speeding up her own breaths as Valla attempted to stay quiet, fear getting to her as she remained low. Shaking almost uncontrollably...!

Even as they passed. That fear possessed her. (You're safe. Calm down. Calm down...!) But she just couldn't. Those red scales clicked loudly, her dark yellow mane kept nearly standing on end. And she couldn't get rid of the taste of copper on her tongue...! As well as a very intense weight on her spirit-

Wait... Copper? Metal? A few sniffs in the air nearly made her cold as the scent of blood was clearly detected. A lot of it too as she slowly turned towards the darkness. Able to see where it was coming from with her monochrome low-light vision. Is that what her and Alkardoc were sent here for? To be butchered? She... Had to find out.

Moving through the small room and into a much larger one, that fear intensified. Echoing throughout her body that the dragon was in danger! That there was something within the room! The faint glow of a light crystal could be seen nearby, and she attempted to get it running. That strange spiritual weight was like a heavy air on her, nullifying any sense of magic within the room, save for these crystals that stored some sunlight. Barely able to turn them on with a gentle rotation as the room dimly lit... And Valla'sha's heart froze. Her body falling against the wall for support.

The silhouette of one of those behemoths reflected in her eyes, towering over her form as it collapsed into a pile of limp ropes. She trembled heavily as its very presence paralyzed the red serpent, yet unable to look away at it. Unable to keep herself from whimpering as her fear ran wild. As her blood drained from her face and nearly froze at such a sight. Black as the very night, scales barely reflecting some of the light from the crystals. Eyeless with wings spread widely into the air. Still. Unmoving...

...No. It wasn't eyeless. Her logistics finally started to come through, piercing through the fright of danger. They were closed. The scent of blood, the stillness... It was a corpse. A corpse of a westerner. Now starting to see many of the wire cables nearly suspending its upper half over an altar, binding it in place where its chest armor was pierced. Cut opened and nearly gutted. They were not butchering eastern dragons here, they were butchering wyrms.

Somehow that thought was even more disturbing... Only slightly so, but the sheer fact that they could... Capture such things alive. Knowing that it was dead helped Valla recover and regain control of her body again. Slowly moving towards it to get a better look at the altar... Which was more like a giant bowl, stained with red. Occasionally dripping from the wound.

It was fresh. Then a different fear appeared, was it really...? The beast from last night? Alkardoc's friend!? Overlooking such a thing as it towered over her was horrifying, that's for sure, but... No. No, this one was not the same. Definitely black scales- unless they somehow changed color when deceased. But the horns were different from what she recalled; the flames from the forest fire illuminating that red wyrm quite well.

This was not Zarj. Some... Relief came from that, but then who was it? How did they get here, and why were they executed? Drained from the heart for their... Blood, to be used... To be shipped to...? It made her scales shutter loudly just thinking about it all. (One thing at a time, Valla'sha. Get out of here first. They had to cut this open with something...) Those magenta eyes scanned around, finding a few objects but nothing that would be of use. No surgical tools or the like, what did they even use to make this wound-?

Only for her to feel uneasy again, taking a deep breath to calm herself as she looked away from the gash for a moment. Swearing she saw a handle... That of a weapon. Another look when she was ready confirmed it. Sure, she was used to cutting meats in the kitchen, but this felt... Different. Wrong somehow.

It was the only thing around that she could find. Taking a few moments to gather her nerves before reaching for the handle buried into the wyrm's chest. A behemoth that was bound above her; by the wrists, forearms, and neck. It was dead, a corpse. (Just grab a hold of it and pull. That's all you have to do.) Her face twisted as the red one tried to do so with one arm, but a yank felt like it was really embedded in there. Using two fores and really needing to put her entire body into it to finally get it to give and nearly lose balance once the dagger came loose-

(Did...!? Did it just... Breathe!? Make a noise!?) ...No. It was just all in her mind. Still, Valla was here long enough. Too long, honestly. She got what she could find, and a look at the blade... It should be thin enough. Taking cautions with her tracks and moving swiftly to the vent cover again, thankful that the dagger was small enough to fit inside along with her easily. Using her tail to place the cover back on and somehow... Finding comfort in the tight tunnel. Safety. However, she kept moving. Through every bend, over every dust bunny. Hearing the whispers of the golden thread telling her the exit was close. "Valla?"

The male gave her space as the red one placed the dagger on the ground, but soon coiled up to Alkardoc, who embraced her tightly. "You did good, you did good..." He whispered, feeling the female visibly shake. "I'm sorry you had to do that, I really am."

"Alkar..." A noise in question from the golden serpent, as they locked eyes. And he could tell something was off.

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Day: ???

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The sun began to shine though the clouds, creating large rays throughout the land. Both on the jungle's treetops and over the steel buildings in the distance. Still making the white dragoness uncomfortable looking at them at a distance, but her empathy made her question such a feeling. Odds are, to them, the massive trees within the forests looked equally intimidating.

Khira wondered what their life was like within the man-made walls. What did they do with themselves, what did they hunt? What was their love like, what did they value? And most importantly; why were they doing this? Consuming until there was nothing left...

Her heart ached once again for Lythinar's loss. His home and mate, having just searched for Octjor'via before requiring a rest. Hoping someone was there to comfort the giant bearcat in this terrible time. As much as Khira wanted to be there for him, a winged one was of better use for searching the skies. That is until such wings were exhausted and required rest.

Thus, the white wyrm rested up here, hidden in the rocky but green covered cliffs. Still masked by the greens of nature while she looked over the edge of the human world. Not many came to the edge, but several of their smaller ones seemed to have decided to explore where their strange black paths took them. Piloting a strange manual transport with two wheels, unable to get a whole lot of details as her eyes could only zoom in so much.

Only to get spooked by a noise above her. One of something... Climbing the rocks above? A flat area with a massive crack that gave Khira a bit of shelter to hide in, allowing her to look from below what had climbed around here- and seeing the underside of a dragon pass by- a male one specifically. The sharp white instantly got her to suck in a breath and make the wyrm above stop mid-step, looking around to where such a noise came from. Even letting out a little purr as he stalked around.

It took a moment to spot those amethyst eyes looking down the divide, almost not quite seeing the white dragoness if it had not been for her fluttering tail giving her away. Making him chuckle a little before attempting to climb down and join her. "I thought I spotted you land around here from afar."

"Yes. I needed a rest."

"Me too-" A little bit of a yelp as his claws slipped and he landed on the uneven ground with a thud and a grumble. Shaking it off and resting beside her with a bit of a sad smile. Greeting each other with a few nuzzles and licks. "You chose quite the spot, I'll say. It was difficult for me to get up here without being seen." A sad chuckle from her.

"Any luck, Valkatth?" A head shake sank her heart.

"I was hoping that maybe she retreated to the other isles in the waters, and checked most of the closer ones. But nothing." A faint nod from the female wyrm. "I'm not sure how well a gliding squirrel can swim, but past that seems unbelievable."

"Yes..." A heavy sigh that was at least comforted by her mate. "It is, unfortunately."

"And no luck from you. What about with Althurtrak?" Another sad exhale told him everything. "Ah... What did he say?"

"He... Wants to fight back."

"Fight?"

"Yes. Claiming the only way we have a chance at this point." She met his worried gaze. "He seems so... Sure of this too. But there's also something else that worries me."

"What is it?"

"I wonder if he's ill." Her eyes drifted from his cautious ones, spotting the group of young humans starting to move on their manual vehicles. "...You've been around humans before, yes?"

"I... Have. Not these ones though."

"What are those things?" He peeked around and spotted the traveling group, following a sloped road freshly paved.

"Bicycles?" A curious purr from Khira. "They're a strange method of personal transportation." He half grumbled. "They require a specific balance to them, but... What did you mean? About him being ill?"

"It was... Hard to tell due to his feathers, but there were these strange... Black vines underneath them. I don't remember seeing them before."

"Black vines...?" Valkatth pondered as she watched the little ones, one falling behind as the others gained more speed going downhill and around a bend. However, by the time the one in the back hit the turn, they didn't make the turn. Falling off the path and into the jungle trees, instantly making Khira tense up. Raising her body to search for the young one, but not spotting it. "Khira? What is it-?" The male asked just before she took off, calling her name a few times to no avail. "I can't...!" A near frustrated growl as he looked around, knowing quite well he'll be spotted if he chased after her and instead climbing back up the wall.

Meanwhile, the female wyrm circled the air and dove into the forest. Finding a worn path likely used by the beaver and sticking to the ground. Frantically looking around the direction of where the young one fell. Spotting the bicycle in the trees and scanning the area for the little one. Some broken branches up ahead, some panting nearby as Khira moved forwards.

However, stepping past that tree's trunk she felt something. Double taking at a small human girl curled up and trying to hide- looking through the dragon as the white one looked in the same direction. Spotting nothing and following it again- no... No, the young one wasn't looking past the dragon, she was looking AT her!?

A strange fear struck the wyrm as she took a step away from the young one, despite being at least twenty times the girl's size. It could... See her? How? Fear stenched the area, making the white one's chest feel very unusual but Khira couldn't just leave this one here...

It wasn't too late. No one else witnessed this, and this girl didn't have to die here. Cautiously the dragon approached, keeping her stance and wings low to appear more friendly. Breaking eye contact once in a while and scouting the area for any other of the jungle's residents while the girl's whimpers grew. Gently- Very Gently, touching the small one's body with her muzzle in a show of friendship.

It was a surreal moment for the two: the girl learning that dragons actually exist in the forests, and for the wyrm herself to finally have some human contact. Feeling the small hand pet her soft muzzle a few times before hearing some movement in the distance, making those frilled ears flick back to where she came. A slow movement away from the young one to scout the trail, and Khira knew there wouldn't be a lot of time.

Then some calls from the city side were heard from the two, causing the dragon and girl to share a look. Knowing very well what it meant; she couldn't stay. Gently the white wyrm leaned back down, giving that same nuzzle against the child's center before going a bit lower. Scooping the small body with her head and lifting it up while the tiny hands grabbed her horns. Holding onto Khira as the large one walked towards the wall, digging her claws into it and climbing up the thing until finding the edge with the path. Dropping the child onto the vacant road while still over the ledge, sharing one last look with each other. Filled with whimsical sorrow, before climbing back down, now that the little girl was safe.

A few moments later, the other children caught up, unable to understand their language but could assume asking 'what happened'. Without much of a response the girl looked over the ledge cautiously, still catching Khira's light blue eyes- specifically them widening when the other children looked over too. Causing the large one to stand completely still as her heart froze for a moment...

Yet, they looked through her. Scanned the area quickly as if not seeing anything, even though the white wyrm was looking directly at them. Soon returning back to the road and pulling the girl with them to safety. Giving Khira a moment to climb down and back into the jungle, her heartbeat racing before hearing another dragon land up ahead. Barely spotting the white over the hill and trotting towards it while Valkatth quickly approached her with a hug. "Don't run off like that. I told you, I can't hide from them like you can-"

"She could!" The female whispered at him, making the slightly smaller wyrm double take at her. "She... She could see me!"

"What?"

"The others couldn't, but she was looking right at me. That's never happened before...!" Khira's look in disbelief met with his very worried one. "I can... Talk to them. With that girl, they can be reasoned with!"

"Do not say what I think you're going to say-"

"We need to get her!" She exclaimed with excitement as the male started to gently brace her head. "We need to get her back-!"

"Khira- Khira, no. No."

"But we-"

"That is called Kidnapping, and that would be an act of war (in some cases)." Valkatth explained to her slowly, watching her expression fall into disappointment. "You might be onto something, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea, Khira."

"But..." The whiter male held her close, causing the dragoness to do the same. "But we..."

"I know... I know..." The two held each other tightly, taking a moment of silence and not noticing the eyes of a monkey in the trees watching. Listening. Before withdrawing deeper into the forest.

======

Day: 4

======

"A Western Dragon...?" Alkardoc whispered in disbelief, still holding the red one and trying to make sense of what he was told... In panicked and frightened vocals, yes, but doing his best to comfort her for now. Looking through the darkness where the vent was, half hearing something metal be rested on the ground and definitely recognizing the scent of blood. But it was... Foreign. "We'll... Worry about it once we get out. For now, maybe we can get the door opened."

"Don't." Valla warned, much more in her normal voice. "They are guarding the door, just outside. We'll have to wait until they leave."

"Or else they'll just move us elsewhere." The golden thread sighed, adjusting himself to rest more comfortably while still holding her.

"...It wasn't red." A noise in question. "The scales... It wasn't... Your western friend."

"Are you certain?" A nod was felt. "Still, it is possible that there is another location where they bring westerners. But why would they be harvesting blood?"

"I'm not sure. A pair in the hallway mentioned hospitals, but it is possible I misheard." She could almost feel his brow shift in worry. "I am... Sorry to bring you such terrible news, Alkardoc. Especially in such a rough time."

"Thank you, dear. I... I'll grieve once we make it out alive."

Several hours passed as they held each other in the darkness. Some movement was heard outside on occasion, but nothing more than some shift changes or conversations with the guards. Still trying to find a proper place for the two, as much as Alkar could make out. Running very low on water, getting quite famished, the golden one feared he might have to communicate with them soon. But the more attention they took, the harder it would be to hide the... Weapon.

That's what she found, by the feel of it. Taking a moment to study it again like before, careful about the edges as his pawpads slid across the blade. He didn't know much about such things, but it seemed pretty... Well made. However, it was getting a bit dull where it was stained, almost being able to see the very red within the darkness as Alkar stared blankly at it... Well, where he thought it was.

The thread put it away again, not wanting to 'stare' at it for too long. Wondering just how many lives it had taken by now, and for what purpose? His instinct was to give them the benefit of the doubt: medicine perhaps? But even then, was it really worth the life of a dragon? Foreign or not, it didn't feel right to him. And once again, he feared for Zarj'annan's safety-

A little tremble was felt as his eyes glazed over the red female still in his embrace. Poor thing was still likely having nightmares, panics in her sleep at all of this. From meeting her first wyrm to seeing the corpse of another, from what he could gather and understand. Another tremor. Alkardoc wishes he could see it, to get out of this place where his magics were being suppressed- even if it's just to make absolutely certain it wasn't Zarj's body there. Yet, some part of him wondered if he was invited to see such a memory... Would it haunt him too?

A third tremor, this time shaking the ground as the crash of something outside was heard. The heavy warping of stone and... Steel? Metal? Then the glistening shimmer of crystalizing waters followed by a painful cry. The guards outside called out and ordered people to leave as Valla'sha woke up. "What's going on?"

"I-I don't know." The golden male spoke. "Stay down for now. Low until they're gone." But the red one ignored his suggestion, taking the small blade and moving towards the door. "Valla!" He whispered as she attempted to jam it into the lock, forcing it in and to twist it as the guards shouted outside.

"Hey!" Shouted at something else down the hall? "What's going on down there!?"

"T-the hell is that!?" The other one asked as a strange... Bassy hum started to be heard. "W-what do we do? We can't use magic here!"

"Get behind it!"

"I don't know where 'Behind It' is-!" A sudden tremble in the ground as something rammed the top corner of the doorway; a massive stone pillar that was driven up from the ground. Causing the two guards to curse and the actual door to warp, as Alkardoc pulled the red one back into the room. Hearing more and more destruction before that glistening shine pierce the air once again, followed by a horrible noise of someone getting impaled. A panicked scream of another dragon before the crushing of bone as that bass grew louder and louder. Moving in front of the doorway where the two were being held inside that makeshift cell.

The actual door, though warped, was holding up. Blocking their view until it started to bend and fold over like a foil, letting lots of light in, but before the two eastern serpents was a void of darkness. A dome of complete black, darker than the very night sky. Terrifying the two as Alkar did his best to hide Valla behind him. Sticking low to the ground and staring at the aura of near nothingness, trying his best not to look like a threat as it studied them...

Before moving on. Before causing more destruction while getting further and further away. Giving at least the golden male to breathe a heavy sigh of relief while the red one was still felt shaking behind him. "I...? Did I...?" A look behind to meet her magenta eyes; staring into the open space where the void was. Remaining still as Alkar turned around and gently touched the side of her head, causing her to focus on those cyan discs.

"No." He whispered. "You did nothing wrong. Do not think about that." Another heavy crash in the distance got his attention for a moment. "Let's... Get out of here, while we still can." A nod from her, very faint and still frightened as he took a breath as well. Getting up and cautiously moving out the broken door first, around the massive pillar that erupted from the very ground a few meters in front of their door; lodged into the room. And they could once again smell blood.

A lot of it, as they looked down the hall where it came from. Waves of water coiled up the walls of the hallway, around the ceiling. All frozen solid and within carrying some of the staff members of this building. On the other side of the rock pillar was another spire of ice that seemed to totemize one of the guards; holding up his body by impaling him through the chest. As for the other, a second stone pillar coming from the ceiling leading to a red stain on the floor. Parts of a broken mask, identical to what they wore scattered nearby.

There was no saving them, Alkar's heart sank when he realized such things. Not without his ability to use magic, still nullified as he took a step closer to the frozen water in the hallway. Even several feet away, he could feel his warmth draining when near the frigid ice. "They are..." Valla spoke, looking at the people within from afar. "...Deceased."

"How can you tell?"

"...Their bodies are slightly swollen." She added grimly, taking a step closer. "Frozen meat will do this in the mountains. This..." A shaky breath as she looked at Alkar with a bit of sorrow. "This water did not freeze from the outside in."

"It froze...?"

"From the core of their bodies to the outer waters." Again, the golden one's heart sank as he moved towards the red serpent and embraced. Hearing both of their stomachs growl, begging for food and sharing a sad look. Not needing to say anything as they looked at the carnage and moved towards the direction of where the void went: carving through every wall, a straight upwards slope to the outside. Traveling between the gaping holes of walls, completely missing the crystals that were built within the stone as they climbed out into the forests. An eerie silence filled the woods as the void was nowhere to be found.

The taste of fresh apples never felt so soothing, as Alkardoc pulled another one off the tree branch. Bright red, almost shifting to a yellow and so incredibly juicy that it doubled as fresh water. Both of which were much needed, but the thread knew something else was going to be required. Taking a few more and carrying them over, missing his ability to float and fly- even slowly, as he moved towards the red serpent: lifting another wall of earth to help build a shelter within a circle of trees.

Offering her another apple, Valla took it and panted. Studying the red fruit for a moment while catching her breath. "...Something you don't know about me is... I really don't like apples."

"No?" The male asked, playfully.

"I'll not turn these gifts of nature down, by any means. But if given a choice, I don't really care for them."

"You must be the first person I've met that actually dislikes them." Alkar chuckled, though there was still a heaviness in his attitude. Those magenta eyes gazed at him as he looked over the shelter-in-making. "You're still feeling okay?"

"...Yes." She answered after a pause, taking a bite out of the apple. "After leaving that place, I started to feel my connection to magics again. Have you?" A nod from the male as he looked over the shelter a bit more, still missing a roof and thinking about how to make one. "I'm thinking about growing a tree in the center, extending some branches out to the walls and covering it with leaves."

"That should work, providing no heavy rain." Alkar mumbled, overlooking the ground. "It'll keep us hidden, but we'll need some warmth too. As well as to find more than just a few apples."

"Some water would also be nice. I wonder if we can make a well?" She asked, starting to move outside but getting a gentle golden paw against her chest.

"Please, rest for a moment. I'll see about making that." A nod from her as Valla laid down in the center of the rock ring. Watching the thread hover along the grass and finding a spot, almost as if sniffing the ground before placing paws on it and lightly making a hole. Concentrating, but he was starting to also feel a bit dizzy himself. "I did find some. It's just a bit deep."

"Let's make a bowl then." The red one came over, and together they carved a bowl of smooth rock, as clean as they could get it. Within the center; a hole where the water would be pulled out. Manipulated by the two dragons until they made a small fountain of water. Panting while also giving smiles and sighs of relief. "Well done." They eagerly lapped and washed their faces (away from the bowl).

"Thank you." A faint breath from him. "I was never any good at wilderness survival."

"...Likewise." Valla admitted, moving back to the shelter. "Gather some things for a fire for now. Sticks, rocks, and we'll see what we can do. I'll finish up here." The golden male nodded in response and circled the area for some branches, then some rocks. Placing them in a circle on the grass and starting to 'cone' the sticks upwards, honestly feeling like a snakelet as he occasionally watched the female grow a small tree in the center of the stone walls. Hearing her stop and pant to catch her breath as once again their stomachs growled. Turning about and Alkardoc instantly returned his attention to his silly looking tower of sticks. Taking two rocks and striking them together to make a fire. "I'll... I'll get to it. I'm just too fatigued right now-"

"It's okay, a little bit at a time..." He trailed off, once again sensing something wrong. Fear? From the red one again? Those cyan discs looked up to see her once again frozen and wide-eyed. Looking into the widened path and attempting to follow her sight, but not seeing anything. "Valla'sha?" He followed again, and nearly didn't see it. But it was almost like a bubble in water; a warp in the air as it began to dissipate and unveil something large. Black. Quadruped. Equipped with wings, horns and a large tail. Gemstone eyes staring at the two from several yards away. A wyrm. Stepping out of what seemed to be reality itself.

======

Day: ???

======

The evening was eerily calm as the warm breeze flowed through the meadow. Making the long grass dance and reflect what little sunlight remained for the day. Late enough for several dozen flickering lights to begin emerging from the woods, hypnotic as they floated about for a fraction of a second before drifting along the winds.

They always put a smile on the dragoness' muzzle, as sad as she was. Unable to shake the feeling that she would never see them again. That the next time she'll be here, there will be nothing left of the forests. Having several questions swimming in her head, only dividing whatever convictions Khira had into weaker and weaker positions. So lost in thought she didn't hear another land somewhat near her, double taking at the pristine white scales that made her heart glow with warmth. "This is where you are." Valkatth spoke, walking up and resting beside her. Blanketing her slightly larger form the best he could with a wing. "I didn't see you back home."

"No... The smog was bothering me too much."

"It was pretty strong there, yes." The male mumbled a bit sadly. "I'm surprised it isn't here, but odds are it is; just higher up." A quiet sigh from the dragoness. "It concerns you."

"Heavily, my love." She admitted. "I don't know what it is, but it does not smell natural. It's... Harmful, in ways that I cannot quite tell yet."

"If I'm being honest, there is a familiarity to it, but I cannot quite place it." Valk got her attention, meeting her worried blue gaze. "I know I've encountered it before... Before I came here, I mean." A faint nod from her as that gaze fell, barely reacting when the male's snout cupped under her neck in a nuzzle. "There's something more. Speaking about it will help."

A sigh from Khira. "...There's something I never got to tell you earlier... About Althurtrak." She detected the smaller dragon freezing in place for a moment. "He wants me to fight again. He's convinced that the only way we can survive is violence and war."

"Again...?" Valk questioned feeling her sigh.

"It was... A long time ago. Before you came here. Back then, our home, our territory was several times larger. Almost too large, that one part of it went unnoticed for so long." She met those amethyst eyes. "There was some... Strange infection that got into the plantlife. It mutated many of the insects and creatures. And the only way we could stop it was..."

"To... Scorch the earth." He spoke softly, almost spotting her fractured morality within those blue discs.

"I... I was young. Wanting to prove myself that I could lead a section of the forest as an elder. Wanting to be a warrior that people would remember me by, much like my parents." A moment of silence as Valk waited patiently. "I scoured, searched every possible means to make them proud, and when I got word of what was going on, I jumped to help. Suggesting the idea to a few comrades that all lined up to help in their own ways, until Althurtrak gave me the command." Some more silence as he could feel the female struggling with her composure. Then, a teardrop on his neck.

"...It hits different doesn't it?" The permafrost wyrm spoke, barely detecting a nod. "The fantasy of it is glorious, enlightened and full of valor. But the reality..."

"I... I just wanted to be the one to stop it. Walls of stone and plantlife erupted to barricade in the infection, marking where I needed to start. Where a few of us needed to start casting the area in flames. Both me and Althurtrak were in the skies, along with a few others that were shot down... I can still hear their cries..."

"Of your fallen?"

"Of the ones infected as well. I wasn't informed but they were ill. They were sick, contagious, but very conscious and aware. They were still... People. Locked inside that hostile territory because they couldn't be trusted, couldn't be cured." A few sobs from Khira and Valk did his best to comfort her, lapping at her tears in a gesture of kindness. "I didn't know what it was until we were long past the section, and I hardened myself at the time. Thinking it was just that parasite screaming in agony, when it was..."

"Your own people." The male mumbled sadly, doing his best to catch the dragoness' falling head. "That must've been... Haunting."

"It... Was. But Althurtrak was right, and it did work. We burned the infection out with minimal losses... On our offense, that is. Many people still got sick beforehand and perished, yet they still celebrated. They told me I made my parents proud, my ancestors proud. Many of these were ones who didn't hear the screams, calling me some kind of hero for what I did..." A long pause as she shifted her head to rest on Valk's neck. "...I had nightmares for weeks. Multiple per night to the point where I was afraid to sleep. I'd stay up all night watching them." A gesture to the fireflies. "No matter what the weather. I just blamed whatever fatigue I felt on over-exerting myself on that day, and dealt with the burden alone."

A nod was felt as the male wyrm shifted closer and hugged her chest. "...It wasn't until you showed up." Khira continued. "Maybe it was because I haven't seen another dragon in ages, but the first time I saw you... That night was the first slumber I had that didn't consist of nightmares; those flames or screams. I... Dreamt of flying, with another dragon but..."

"But what?"

"It wasn't you." There was only a nuzzle against her chest in response. "It didn't have your snow-whiteness, but it was... Black. Obsidian."

"Oh?"

"And... I didn't know how to..."

"So you avoided me because you were shy?" The female shook her head in response, causing Valkatth to withdraw underneath her 'weight'... Or at least attempt to, getting a bit of a struggle as she avoided those amethyst eyes. "Then what?"

"...I... Felt like I was being escorted." The male's head tilted in a shrug at her statement. "...By Death."

"Death...?"

"Like I was being flown away, by a dark version of yourself." No response. "And I... As frightful as I was... As frightful as I am for telling you this. I... accepted such a thing."

"When we first spoke..." Valk mumbled again. "You told me you were okay with dying." A slow nod from Khira, and the male sighed through his muzzle. Scooching closer and hugging her tightly. "Am I what you thought?"

"...No." She spoke softly with a sad smile. "Instead, you were the best thing that's happened to me in my life." That made the male smile, and her as well too as they touched snouts. "Thank you." A nod from the male followed by a small smooch and the two rested in silence for quite some time. Watching the sun set as the lights of the bugs became brighter.

"I remember..." Valk spoke up. "When I was very very young, before I was even able to fly. I was chasing a flightless bird, I think it was actually a chicken really, through the forests near home." A noise in question from her. "I was quite deep into the woods, and before I knew it, the sun was setting. And I was lost."

"Awwh..." A nudge from Khira as she sincerely asked. "Were you scared?"

"A little, yes. But I have disappointed and worried my parents before." The two shared a chuckle. "But once all light from the sun was nearly gone..." He looked towards the sparkling yellows seen in the distance. "I saw them."

"You saw the fireflies?"

"Yes. And it was like they were leading me home. Helping me find a way outside the forest until I could hear my father call for me." Valkatth smiled at her. "That was the first time I ever really scared my parents, though my mother was surprisingly not as worried. She was somehow confident that I would be okay, yet relieved that I was back safely regardless." He gazed back at the sparkling lights in flight. "But I will always be thankful for them."

Khira nodded and rested with him for several minutes, gently lowering his head to use the male's white neck as a pillow, which he happily offered. Eventually, after the sun had finally left the sky, the female took a breath. "...What should I do, Valk?" The male worryingly pondered, trying to think of a proper way to phrase it. "I can't leave."

"I... Understand. Sad to hear that, but I... Get it." Valk mumbled. "It's not easy to leave home, let alone when it is being invaded by others." Her heart sank. "...I know you want to reason with them, but..."

"You don't think it will work?"

"Humans... Have a difficult time with other species, let alone themselves." The male spoke sadly. "They are driven so vividly by fear that it makes them terrified by change. For them to suddenly see that gods of the forests do exist, they probably would not take it as lightly as you might think."

"...So they would fear us."

"And they would see you as a threat. Likely pressing against you harder." The two sighed heavily. "Some can be reasoned with, but you need a mass majority to understand for them to change their ways."

"How... Do you know all of...?" Khira started to ask, catching just a glimpse of those amethyst eyes before they turned away. "So... The only option is to fight."

"Or to flee."

"I cannot... Do that, Valkatth." The male sighed, but nodded.

"Then your only other option would be to confront the humans and hope you can persuade them. But..."

"But?"

"...I also highly doubt that Althurtrak would even trust them, after everything they have done to the forests already." Once again that sank her heart, as the larger female embraced him tightly.

"...I love you."

"I love you too, my khirasah [snowflower]." That made Khira smile sadly and take a breath.

"And for you, I will fight one more day."

======

Day: East

======

The two eastern dragons stared in fright at the sight of another one. Another wyrm that had crossed the border into their land. Nearly appearing out of what seemed to be thin air as both remained quiet. Fear coated the area, as not even the breeze was freed from the paralysis as those gemstone eyes shifted between them... And then something else.

"You're doing it wrong." The black wyrm spoke, finally shattering the silence with a rather deep and rumbly voice. Almost groggy as he slowly started to approach the two, putting the serpents more on edge as they started to retreat. Backing into the tree as they kept an eye on the stranger that moved to a bare spot in the grass near the campfire. Sitting down, placing two paws onto the ground and a faint shift was felt within the soil. Even from afar. Then with each forepaw pulling out a solid column of pure earth and topsoil. Only about a foot deep and placing them to the side.

The wyrm then reached down in one freshly made hole and dug the earth out with his claws, until reaching the other tunnel. Scooping out some of the dirt and laying it nearby where he placed the dirt columns before looking at the two; still with the same frightful stares. "...You're hiding, aren't you?"

"H-hiding?" Alkar asked.

"From... Someone? Some group? Law Enforcement?" The wyrm nearly snorted at them before gesturing to the circle of stones and sticks Alkardoc was working on. "If you make a fire like that, they're going to see it for miles." Those black paws signaled the two holes he dug out. "Make the fire into the ground, the light will be much harder to see from afar, while still giving you the warmth you need. Will also reduce the smoke significantly." The serpents just stared at him. "You're not the first to give me that look." The black one half grumbled, offering a paw towards the thread and gesturing the sticks. To hand them to the wyrm and Alkar quickly gathered them to place on the foreign hand, though not making any scale-contact.

The larger dragon took several and placed them into one hole, then began peeling off the thin bark to the others in silence. Occasionally looking at the two eastern ones as if to make sure of something... Reminding Alkar of an... Instructor? "Flint." Another black paw offered, and without thinking the golden one gave him the rocks. Only for the black beast to take hold of them and instantly stop in place looking at it. "...These are stones."

"Y-yes. That's all I could find here."

"And you were... Trying to light a fire with frozen magma." The wyrm half grumbled, rather unimpressed. Those gemstone eyes shifting between the two before closing and taking a breath through that muzzle. Tapping his black tail on the ground with a thump, lightly startling the red one before spotting a dark rock being thrown from behind the black beast, nearly landing in front of him where he caught it and offered it to Alkardoc. "Got any steel on you at least?"

Alkar looked over at Valla for a moment; who only kept her gaze entirely on the larger dragon. Thinking perhaps the dagger she found may have been steel, but they did not take it with them. "N-no." The golden one admitted a bit sadly. "No, we don't have anything on us." Some silence from the wyrm as an exhale left that larger muzzle. A light pulse was detected by Alkardoc coming from the western dragon, witnessing his other paw raise off the ground and with it came a scrap of metal. Rusted and old, as the larger one barely glanced at it before offering it to the golden one.

"It's your lucky day." The wyrm stated, giving the serpent plenty of time to carefully take the strange rock and metal before he shuffled back. Allowing Alkardoc space while the thread just looked at the pieces given to him. "Place the bottom of the steel towards the fire hole." The black one instructed rather bluntly.

"You're..." Valla started, getting the wyrm's eye attention, but not his head. "A western..."

"And we breathe fire, yes?" He finished her sentence. "So why don't I just do that? Because then you won't learn anything." Another rather blunt statement told them that he was getting a bit frustrated, then that obsidian head turned towards the structure. "You can shape the earth." The two looked at the rock walls. "You can grow plantlife, but you cannot make fire. If you could, you wouldn't have been trying to use stone to ignite wood. So, you have to make due with non-magical means to find your source of heat if you want to survive. This is one." Another look back at Alkar, gesturing him towards the fire hole and watching as the serpent moved towards it, as well as closer to the wyrm. Placing the end of the rod towards the opening of the hole with the sticks and bark in it. "Now take the flint, place it at the top. Hold onto the steel firmly, and slide the flint down it."

The golden one nervously did so, but nothing happened. "Harder. Firm grips. Get that friction in there." Another instruction as Alkardoc tried again. "Good, again. Scratch that rust off of the steel." A few more times, and a shower of sparks suddenly came out of the strike. Startling the rather inexperienced noodle to the point where he was taken aback. "Again. Keep going until you see the bark start to smoke." Still nervous, he did so, seeing more and more white streams float into the air. "Good, now blow gently into it." Alkardoc tried. "Harder." Another breath and the tinder began igniting, burning quickly through the small bark but soon going out. "You had it, you just needed more tinder." The black wyrm stated, putting a paw above the hole and suddenly causing the sticks to burst into flames within it. The sudden wave of heat took the golden one aback as the wyrm laid down and fed the flames a few more sticks. "But otherwise, good job."

It wasn't sarcasm, but there was a slight dismissive tone in it. However, it did make the golden serpent faintly smile and relax a bit more. "...Thank you." He spoke, getting the wyrm to make a vocal of confirmation and remain silent. Staring at the small fire for a few moments. "You... Know magic?"

"Yes." The large one answered, not pulling his attention away. "And so do you." A slight gesture towards their makeshift shelter. "Crude, but functional."

"Earth is... Difficult. At least for me." Alkar admitted. "I enjoy water and air myself." The thread turned to Valla, who was still quite shaken. "She's extraordinary with plantlife, but..."

"Weakened?" The wyrm asked, his eyes overlooking the red serpent's nervous form. "And severely anxious. How long were you in there?"

"W-what?" She barely whispered.

"That cell- which honestly felt to be some kind of closet or storage." A whimper from her in response as Alkar suddenly felt unusually nervous about the black one. To the point of shuffling back to a sitting position.

"Y-you...?" The image of that void came to mind and both of the eastern's scales shivered heavily. "That void-?"

"It was you two in it, yes?" The beast asked, rather calmly. "I couldn't see, but I could feel something in there. Too frightened to move." The wyrm just stared into the small fire, adding another few twigs. "Am I right? Was it you two?" The serpents shared a look, while Valla shook her head to signal the golden one not to say it, Alkar nodded at the black one.

"It... Was." The long male admitted. "We were captured last night. I was trying to save a friend from that forest fire, if you heard of that." A slow head shake that didn't divide the attention of the black one from the flames in the hole. "...I nearly perished in there with him, only for another dear friend to come and rescue me."

"Her?" The wyrm asked, still not shifting his gaze. Even when she double-taked and looked at Alkar.

"N-...No." Another confession from Alkar. "But another... Westerner. Like you." No response. "He pulled us out of the fire, where she was waiting for us... And apparently those masks were too." Barely a blink. "They took almost all of us to different locations, save for me and Va-... Her."

"I see." The black one muttered.

"How long were you in there?" A slow blink turned into a sightless breath, as those gemstone eyes moved towards the thread. "We were only in there for less than a day. How long...?"

"I don't know." The wyrm admitted, taking another pause as he thought. "If I'm being honest, I'm not even sure what the time of day is. I just eventually woke up and decided I didn't want to be imprisoned anymore." A snort from him.

"So you...?" Valla started, getting one of those frilled ears to flick towards her direction, but nothing more. "You were able to use magic there? How? Ours were nullified."

"Nullified?" The black beast half-questioned, thinking back. "Now that you mention it, it was a bit harder to use it. I just pinned it down to me being groggy." A shrug from those large wings as he looked to the sky, trying to find the sun.

"It should be..." Alkar started, looking for it as well. "Late afternoon, early evening." A nod from the westerner as the beast got up and stretched a little bit. His larger size intimidating the two a little bit.

"Means we still have time." The wyrm stepped away where the forest was clearer.

"Time?"

"To hunt something." The larger dragon looked over the other two. "I'm starving, and I can tell you are too. I still have the energy, so I'll hunt. Keep building your shelter, and you; find more firewood... Or sticks, I guess."

"W-wait." Alkar requested, getting the large one to stop in place. "I... I'm Alkardoc. This is Valla'sha."

"...Ruvenan." The wyrm answered, looking over them for a moment and meeting Alkar's sad smile. "I'll be back." With a tremendous strength and a surprising gale around him, the western dragon took off to the sky. Thankfully not putting out the fire in the process.

======

Day: ???

======

The white wyrmess soared over the treetops in the late afternoon, still a little groggy from the night before. Spending it with Valk still made her smile thinking about it, but there was just this... Overwhelming feeling of dread that lingered in the air. Sinking whatever good feelings thinking about the male gave her.

...Maybe it was just that smell, with a possible incoming rain. Pushing the smog lower into the forest once again, giving everyone a difficult time to think or function. Hearing the complaints about lingering headaches and fatigue, then how the trees to the southeast have grown strangely thick. Oozing out sap and entrapping some of the smaller ones.

To the southeast... That's where they relocated Lythinar. Khira wondered if the binturong was possibly stuck too, and from above the dragoness could see the difference in the trees. The leaves grew darker as if armoring themselves with a bark. Causing her to circle around it to really see the outline of such a thing, only making her more worried as this was indeed the spot Lythinar had currently resided.

Landing into a more safe zone, the white wyrm gazed deeper into the forest. Seeing how much darker the heavier leaves made it as she started walking forwards. Like passing into a thick fog, she felt it. In the air, in the shade, and the strange feeling on the ground where she stepped. Like every press was lightly sinking into the thousands upon thousands of leaves that fell since the last two days. As if the very trees gained a new layer of bark.

Darker. Almost encased in some strange ashened wood. Spiraling up the very trunks and branches of every tree. Giving the dragoness flashbacks to that infection, but this was definitely... Different. This wasn't a decay of sorts, or at least it didn't feel like it. But a... Shelter? A shell? Some sort of protection from the smog the humans were making? But why out here?

The further Khira moved within, the deeper her paws sank. Like stepping in a strange quicksand that was only so deep... And... Kind of sticky? Looking over her paws and really feeling something on her scales, slightly uncomfortable, but otherwise clear. Yet, the dead leaves on the ground were coated in it. A strange dark-orange... Sap?

It worried her. Moving deeper into it while trying to keep some kind of protection on her paws with the leaves. Hoping they would absorb most of the strange snaring substance that leaked through the blanket of dead leaves and sticks. As well as... Bark? Shed from the trees? Taking a moment for a closer look and it appeared surprisingly fresh.

A worried gaze at a nearby tree, almost swearing her ears could pick up a strange heartbeat or groan as the wind blew through the forest. Causing her white scales to click loudly in a shiver, maybe it was just her heartbeats instead. They were getting louder the deeper she entered the area.

The ground began to slope downhill, nearby where she last spotted the binturong days ago. Her frilled ears flicked at every unnerving sound, every creak and moan of the wood. Reminding her of a wounded animal that was bleeding out, being so close- surrounded by a strange scent of death. But not of carrion, not of flesh or fur. Scales or feathers. But of... Nature?

The slope led to a larger and larger one. Leading to an underground cave occupied with piles and piles of amber. Massive gemstones, sleek and rounded to perfection, where did such things come from- until she spotted some leaking out from the roof of the cave. A large syrupy goop of it drizzling down. It wasn't a gemstone, but... Sap?

Her whimper brought a nearby bush to life, slowly unfolding itself before her eyes as it rotated and transformed into a large quadruped. Still about half the size of the dragon, but looking much larger with all the nature’s debris covering it. Branches of the dark bark leaves covering its head and eyes, nearly masking large antlers that held the same dark veins that Khira saw on Althurtrak earlier. "Who... Goes... There?" It spoke, attempting to sniff out the wyrm.

"I-I... Am Khira. I'm-"

"Khira...?" It spoke slowly, constantly lapping at its own mouth as if something sticky was within. "Oh... I'm sorry I haven't... Gotten the place cleaned up for guests..." Only for it to click in the dragon's mind.

"Lythinar...?" She whispered, barely getting a reaction out of it. "Lythinar?" Louder this time, getting the beast's attention. "What are you...?"

"Yes?" A slow response as it began moving to one of the amber piles. "I'm... Making myself at home, my dear." A worried look from those light blue eyes as she got to observe his body. Sap dripping down from it, pieces of bark, leaves, branches and sheets of rock glued to the thing. Weighing the bearcat down, even more so with the massive collection that his once thin tail had collected. Creating a large abdomen like you would see on an insect. "I'm sorry about the mess... I... I need to protect myself, until Octjor'via is found. Until she returns." His head slowly moved; sheltered with the branches and covering the beast's eyes entirely. The wyrm could scarcely make out his snout. "Have you found her yet?"

"...No. But we're still looking for her."

"My dear Octjor'via..." The somber in his voice nearly broke her composure. "They told me that they would find her... But I must survive... That's what Khira told me. The most important thing I can do right now is survive." His forepaws dug into the thick bubble of sap, bringing out two large handfuls and mixing it into the branches on his head. "It... Itches. So much. But it protects me." Another handful, and a third. Mixing it through his head the best he could. "But I needed so much of it..."

"So much... Sap?"

"The blood of nature, of trees." He attempted to look up, making the wyrm as well to spot many of the roots above. Quite a few dozen had chunks taken out of them, several were re-sealed with the sap while others were still dripping. "I need so much... Then when she comes back too... My Octjor'via..." A slow breath. "I need to protect her as well."

"Lythinar..." Khira stepped forwards, the more she observed, the more she was unable to recognize the bearcat anymore. "We should leave. We should get you some help."

"I... Cannot." The beast exhaled slowly. "I need to wait for her... For Khira to return Octjor'via to me." A look towards the white one's direction, still unable to properly see the dragon. "I need to stay. I was told to survive... Here." He moved towards the collection of sap again. "I'm sorry... Whoever you are. I need..."

"But I'm... Khira." The wyrm nearly whimpered at him.

"...Khira...? She's bringing... My dear Octjor'via..." A near growl in discomfort. "I'm... So... Itchy...!" It twisted her heart to see the binturong like this, but she couldn't help him right now. Maybe if she could really find his mate it could snap him out of it, but for now Khira needed to find Althurtrak. Something really wrong was happening to their forest, just like the days of that infection.

======

Day: East

======

Another round, another pile of sticks to use. Allowing the golden one to accumulate a sense of accomplishment, even though it seemed to minor to him. Wishing he could enjoy the outdoor setting a little more, but was still anxious about running into those masked dragons. Wondering if they were still watching, searching, and wondering if the two were safe here.

Alkar moved to the well and took a drink, he felt a little safer with another around, that's for sure. Able to hear Valla grow another branch and attempt to fill in some gaps with a lot of leaves. However, requiring to stop quite often and regain her energy, to the point of not noticing the floating male in the doorway until a little later. Very lightly spooking her, but accepting the comforting hug as he went inside. "It's... Coming." She mumbled, almost dizzy.

"Yes, it looks lovely-"

"It looks terrible, Alkardoc." She half grumbled in stress, at least getting a peek of a smile from that red muzzle. "I don't think I've ever..."

"Felt so stressed." He finished, getting her to nod. "I know what you mean, dear. For now, just take your time. After something to eat, you will likely feel better."

"So... You do want to stay around and wait for him to return?" Valla'sha nervously whispered, and the male did not know how to answer that.

"...I... Understand your fears about Ruvenan, but..."

"There's a darkness surrounding him." As much as the thread wanted to reassure her, he felt it too. "And I don't think we can trust him."

"He is a stranger in a strange land, one willing to help us."

"But for what in return? To smuggle him to the other side? It's bad enough we're already being accused of going against the taboo once and helping a westerner- no matter the context." She interrupted him before he could speak. "Are we really forced into conversing with another?"

"Another willing to help us survive."

"For how long? And to what end?" The golden male frowned as he stared into space.

"There are strength in numbers-"

"I know that, but-"

"And I'm almost certain in our conditions and collective knowledge, we will be in more danger from the wilderness."

"And if we are caught again?" Valla asked in a thick whisper. "One encounter with a westerner can possibly be dismissed. But two...?" A heavy breath from her as she covered her eyes with a paw. "I... Don't want to be involved with this anymore, Alkardoc." That made their hearts sink nearly together, as the golden one squeezed her a little tighter but nodded.

"...I am sorry-" Those fluffy ears flicked up and Alkar sucked in a breath. Immediately pulling Valla'sha down to the ground with him, against the corner between the floor and the makeshift stone wall. Placing a paw on the ground and creating a large bed of flowers that covered over them. Before the female could say anything, she heard it too.

"Looks recent." An unfamiliar voice stated. "Still going, recently fed."

"Who the hell builds a fire in the ground?"

"Look here. Clean cuts. Definitely done by magic."

"Is anyone inside that?" Another asked, and soon through the bushes the two saw the silhouette of an eastern dragon. But more importantly; the mask he was wearing. Feeling Valla's grip tighten around his body and paw as they tried to remain still.

"Looks empty and unfinished. Think they heard us coming?"

"Possible. But also possible they're trying to hunt for something-" The loud thud of something large fell on the grass outside, lightly spooking the eastern enforcers. Only to hear them curse at the loud wing flaps, hearing and barely spotting the black wyrm land outside. "Q-quitha [common semi-vulgar curseword], that one's big...!" The closest one to the shelter whispered, attention fully on Ruvenan as Alkar adjusted himself to see the large one just overlook the enforcers.

"You're on the wrong side, Westerner."

"I get that." Ruven bluntly stated. "Consider me a little lost then."

"Then go that way, or we will be forced to detain you."

"On what grounds." The black one snorted, barely asking. "I'm not disturbing anyone."

"You're… You’re Tresspassing." The nearest enforcer to the shelter stated, nearly confused.

"And I'll be out of your backyard tomorrow morning." Ruven passive-aggressively stated, adjusting the buffalo-like animal to be harvested. "I'm alone here, you can just say you never saw me. I'll leave nothing behind that won't be covered up. Unless you really want to do the paperwork." He snorted at them.

"It doesn't work that way, westerner. No one crosses the river." Alkar spotted the black one pausing his action, then completely stopping it before getting up and taking a few steps closer. Feeling a thick nervousness over the entire area as the large wyrm approached them. "S-stop, or we'll have to use-"

"Look." The black one spoke thickly in a whisper. "I am Unbareably famished and I'd rather not starve to death. Leave or TRY to detain me, I don't care which. But nobody here is going to say a thing if you walk away." The golden one could feel the fear rise within the bodies of the enforcers, nearly reaching a peak of panic as Alkar started to uncoil himself out of the embrace and slither outside of the flower bed. Spotting the black wyrm and a bronze eastern dragon in a staring match, one clearly towering over the other, just in time to see a rod of earth shoot out from the ground. Ramming into Ruven's side where his liver was likely located- but barely getting a flinch out of the western dragon. The other two enforcers creating stone locks and vines against his black limbs-

Only to spot something silver shoot up from the ground underneath the bronze one, piercing under his jaw, whiskered muzzle, and up through his snout. Morphing the top like a giant cufflink of sorts, nailing the enforcer's snout shut as he whimpered heavily out of pain. Getting no relief from those gemstone eyes until a vine wrapped around the black muzzle. Instantly locking onto the white serpent by the shelter controlling it and making the smaller one whimper at the intense gaze.

A strange, threatening energy coated the air and in a small flash like a bolt of lightning Ruven appeared behind the third enforcer! Completely escaping the binds with the 'teleport' and swiping the hind legs from underneath the earth-controlling blue noodle, while also quickly making a stone casket underneath the serpent. Ruvenan slammed the enforcer into it while the smaller one was still in mid-air, sealing the coffin and burying it near instantaneously. Eyes once again locking back onto white eastern dragon closest to the shelter.

A terrified whimper as he felt the ground shift around him, caged metal bars suddenly shooting up from the ground surrounding the serpent- then sealing the top with a 'lid' of metal bars that slammed shut above. Trapping him in a cell as it quickly began to sink into the earth- taking the trapped serpent with them as he cried in panic. Attempting to use vines from the same ground to coil around the bars, but they could only stall the cage until it completely submerged into the soft dirt. Taking the white serpent with it.

Still trying to get his muzzle freed from the cufflink, the bronze one whimpered in horror as the black beast approached. Lifting a paw to nearly puppeteer the serpent with the metal link: pulling on it with invisible strings and causing the enforcer pain. All while keeping himself locked eye to eye with the wyrm as Ruven spoke thickly. "You should've aimed for the head." Then a sharp inhale-

"Stop!!" Alkardoc shouted, coming out of the shelter. Getting the attention of the bronze one but not the black. "Please! Don't...!" No response. "I know you're scared... You're in an unknown land with people hunting you within..." Still nothing, but the wyrm remained still. "You think the only way out is violence, but it isn't... Please... They're just as scared as you are, if not significantly more."

That time the gemstone eyes glanced at him. "You... You don't have to kill them." Silence. "Doing so will only cause more damage... Don't give them a reason to fear your kind. That's the only way we're going to repair this." Another stare at Alkar as he lowered his long self a little. "Please-" The golden serpent begged, only to suddenly yelp at the sudden emerging cage with the white eastern one. Hearing the enforcer cough and spit as the dirt flowed through the bars, then soon the stone casket emerge as well to an upright stand. Carving out a small hole for the blue noodle to see the situation, detecting a panicked gasp for air. Alkardoc released a breath of relief as the wyrm moved his gaze at the bronze one, paw still raised and holding him by the 'strings'. Taking a deep breath before breaking the cufflink's bar in the middle, allowing the piercing to slide out with as little damage as possible. Dropping the serpent then setting the other two free as well.

"...Leave." Ruvenan half grumbled. "And forget you saw us." With a set of whimpers, the enforcers fled in flight. The wyrm waited until they were very out of sight before moving back to the hunt. All the magic used returning to the earth, save for the broken metal cufflinks, as the red serpent came out to witness what she heard. Looking over the makeshift cage still sinking into the ground (vacant this time, thankfully) and the metal bits in the grass. Floating towards them as Alkar cautiously walked towards Ruven.

"Thank you." The golden one spoke sincerely, not really getting a response as the black one 'made' a glass knife out of thin air. Using it to carve the bounty in order to get to the meat. "They... Don't deserve to die-"

"No stable mind believes they themselves deserve to die." Ruven half grumbled. "They're convinced that whatever atrocities they are committing are justified in some way. Likely in order to fulfill a certain outcome." Those gemstone eyes looked up at Alkardoc's cyan ones. "The question is, at what point are they not worth sparing? When they're trying to take your life?" Alkar's expression saddened. "Hers?" The serpent looked over at Valla'sha as she was picking up the metal bits. "At some point there's going to be a line you'll have to cross. Making the decision: either you and the ones you care about, or them. Pacifism. Does. Not. Work." No response from the eastern male and the wyrm exhaled through his muzzle. "Why are they after you." Ruvenan barely asked.

"We..." Alkardoc started, not really sure how much he should say. "We were with a westerner, like you."

"And that's apparently a bad thing here." He couldn't quite tell if that statement was sarcasm or not, especially with the added snort afterwards. "And just like that they've got the secret police after you? For being a sympathizer?"

"Wyrms are..." Alkar tried to search for the correct words.

"Say it. You will not offend me." Ruven bluntly stated rather calmly, adding in plates of stone to place the fresh cuts onto. Gesturing a satchel nearby. "Take that, season the meat with the spices inside. You, Red. Make a spit for us, will you? Sturdy enough to hold at least 80 stones." When he got no response, the wyrm looked at her. Catching the frightened, curious, and slightly dumbfounded expression while also still holding onto the cufflinks. "Spit." The wyrm tried to explain to her. "Rotisserie Spit. Metal rod, lever. Goes over an open flame-?"

"How...?" Those frilled ears perked up a little as she looked over the broken cufflink and then him. "How did you do this?"

"Well, I would've used a muzzle but I was being dramatic to send a message." The black one snorted.

"You made... Metal?" A blank stare from the larger male, before moving his gaze to the golden one.

"How many...?" The wyrm started, shifting his gaze between them and the makeshift shelter they had. "Atonements do you have?"

"Atonements?"

"Schools of Magic." The two eastern ones looked at each other. "You likely have a different word for them-"

"Teachings?"

"Probably." Ruven's head gestured towards the shelter again. "Earth, Plantlife," Then a motion towards Alkardoc. "You mentioned water and air, occasionally fire but it's restricted."

"Fire is too destructive-" A near angry exhale from the wyrm interrupted Valla's statement as he lightly pointed towards her.

"Put a pin on that. I might rant about it later." A phrase that she did not understand. "Are there no others?" Another look was shared between the eastern ones. "Annnnd that would explain the confusion."

"There are other Teachings of magic?" The red one asked, a shred of excitement in her voice as the black one exhaled. Closing his eyes while pausing for a few moments.

"I am way too hungry to be patient about this." Watching him get up and look over at a slightly larger area and stare at the center of it. "Be thankful, you're getting a free meal." He grumbled, and within a moment the very grass began igniting in a somewhat large circle. Burning the plantlife rapidly before extinguishing and the ground 'bowled' downwards into a small pit.

Ruven then moved towards the forest, spotting a fallen tree that was rather recent. One likely from the storm as he rolled it onto flat ground. Several sections of metal staging were raised from the ground in sections; one on each side of the log before closing off with a thick sharp blade at the top. Something resembling very close to a guillotine; with both sides of the staging bracing the log and the heavy blades slamming down to chop the tree into sections. All while returning to the ground.

A few tosses into the pit as the wood rolled into the 'bowl'. Three rods formed out of the ground, along with their own 'Holds' (Legs? The Stands for the rod) over the pit. Bringing them over to the plates of meat and motioning them to come over for their own. Taking some of the many vials in the leather handbag and quickly seasoning the cuts. "Try to skewer it in lengthwise-" Only for a small ringing to be heard, grabbing even his attention as he took the glass knife and tossed it into the bushes. Only to soon hear an explosive 'pop' coming from the area. "Ignore that."

"That is..." Alkar spoke softly, looking over the pit, and even the stone plate. "You've done this for a very long time."

"Long enough for it to be routine." The wyrm half grumbled. "I'm guessing you two live in a city?"

"We... Do, yes." The thread admitted. "I..."

"You don't have to tell me which, but it does explain a lot." Another gesture towards their shelter. "You haven't hinged on using it for survival, just convenience."

"We've also..." Valla took another look at the metal bits of the broken cufflink from afar, noticing it had some blood on it. "We're forbidden to weaponize it."

"To help prevent conflict." Alkardoc added.

"To suppress it, you mean." The wyrm half grumbled. "Means to the same end. You can run your societies however you want to. I don't care." Ruven moved his rod onto the holds, waiting for the others to do the same. Resting on one side while the other two remained on the other, taken aback when the logs within the bowl suddenly burst into flames without so much as a flinch from the black beast. As the wyrm only stared at it, barely blinking as it got hot enough to start turning his lever. Signaling the others to do the same; rotating their skewered meats with the motions.

For a little while they were silent, still a little uncomfortable around such a threatening creature as Valla searched for words. Occasionally looking at Alkardoc who was staring into the flames as well. However, one time while looking back at the wyrm, those gemstone eyes locked onto her magenta ones. Spooking the female a little bit. "What do you want to know." The black one barely asked, but stated rather calmly. Once again, she wondered where to start, but tensed her jaw.

"How... Many are there?" A long pause from the western dragon but that stare did not let off. "In your society-?"

"That's a little tricky to answer, but I can give you the rundown." Ruvenan stated, taking a breath and closing his eyes for a moment. "We'll start with yours. Water: manipulation of most liquids and pressure." A small ball of water floated behind the black dragon.

"Pressure?" She asked.

"Including vapors." The wyrm continued. "Earth: Soil and Stone." An orb of brown; half topsoil and solid rock. "Some other materials will work here as well, like clay and minerals." A sphere of fallen leaves joined them. "Plantlife. Some may think you're getting permission from nature itself, but you're only forcing it to do your whim. Be it to help or harm them, they do not get a say in it." The larger dragon stated a bit coldly.

"Air." A swirling ball of wind. "And also sound, the ability to manipulate the vibrations of the very wind. And of course..." Within the flames a sphere of embers began to emerge and float before Ruven. "Fire. Your so-called bringer of destruction. Controller of the very flames and heat."

"And you see it differently." Valla stated, a little nervously as she spotted the very orbs move above the black one's head.

"You asked me how many I know of." The wyrm paused. "Metal: You can figure that out, it's very similar to Earth." A silver sphere added to the roster. "Sharper, more durable, but rarer to find." Then a ball of white. "Frost and cold. Then finally..." A bright, iridescent sphere. "Light."

"Light?" Alkardoc asked, slowly getting the attention of the black one.

"One I thought of when I seen you." Those furred ears tilted. "Where I come from, we were not hatched with these abilities. We got an affinity with a single one, to the point where they would change our scale colors permanently. Light Atoned dragons were Golden, much like you." That made the thread smile. "They were also dirty tricksters." Ruven grumbled, making the serpent a little nervous, but less so when the wyrm half smirked at him.

"Light though...?" Valla asked, getting a nod of expectation from Ruvenan as he casually lifted up a paw. 'Summoning' the earth orb to the open claws and letting it hover over them.

"Light is a bit of a strange one, but it's the only reason why we are able to see the way we do." The rocky orb began to glow brighter and brighter. "Adding light to either a surface or area of an object can make a good source of it, much like a torch. And a sudden spike of it can easily blind a lot of unexpecting people. Especially if they're sensitive to the dark."

A breath from the larger dragon as the terra sphere began to blur and eventually disappear. "You can also bend light around and through objects. Including yourself or other people. Rendering them invisible to sight, though you would need the aid of Air to nullify your sound."

"Invisiblity...?"

"As well as illusions." A second black wyrm spoke, approached, and laid down between the two serpents. Causing them to yelp a little and scamper back as the 'clone' of Ruven rested in front of the fire. "Which can make it difficult to tell which one is real." The mirage stated, yet seeming to look both of them directly in the eyes (one after another) before entirely disappearing. "Now. What happens when we reduce the light?" Attention was directed to the sphere of earth again as it became visible but started to darken. "Let alone the entire area around it." A sphere of shadow grew slightly, getting darker and darker before becoming rather familiar for the two.

"T-that's how...!?" Valla approached it, moving around the campfire as Alkar rotated her meats for a bit.

"By stopping all light in the area around me, I could create an area where they could not aim or could not see what they were up against. Playing against their fear of the unknown as well." Ruven lightly smirked at her, but motioned for the red one to return back to her place. "But this..." The wyrm started, taking a breath for a moment. "This is why it's difficult to answer the question of 'how many'."

"You mean, 10?"

"Is it though? What counts as a whole Atonement? Does Water get to be counted on its own, or does pressure become a separation of it? Is Metal just an off-shot of Earth? Air just an advanced version of Pressure?" A sigh through that black muzzle as his gaze returned to the fire. "...My brother theorized something, working on it in secret and I only found it after his passing." Alkardoc frowned at him. "I found his written works, hidden in a spot we used to play in as wyrmlings. An idea that with my Fire; I could heat things up, yes. But could I cool them?" Returning the earth orb and bringing forth the fire one. "Could I reverse the temperature, go lower and lower," The small flame grew even smaller until completely vanishing. Becoming a mist... No, Cold. "To the point of being in in the negatives. To being a Frost instead."

"What about the other direction?" Ruven asked, turning the small mist back into a flame. "Could I intensify the flame? Make it hotter." It grew brighter. "Hotter, hotter." To the point of the energy arcing towards his opened claws like a lightning. "Breaking into a new state of matter. With this I could reach into plantlife and control it. Shape and break off bits of earth to lift or magnetize metals. Keeping the temperature at a lower level means I could push and pull water when needed. Manipulate pressure... But what if I didn't have to stop at one state of matter?" Brighter and brighter it became, no longer a flame but a floating shard of rays. "Using my energy to charge photons. Light."

With a closing of his lifted paw, the other orbs returned to where they all came from. Keeping silent as Ruvenan rotated his dinner a bit more over the opened flame. "My brother... Theorized that while there were a dozen or so disciplines of what we call Magic... There was only One Atonement." Those gemstone eyes shifted to the golden serpent. "And yes. I have been using it for a very... Very long time."

"To the point where... You were using them for violence." Alkar said a bit sadly, making the red female look at both males.

"...And that's why you mentioned the thing about destruction. Because-"

"Every 'Teaching' can be immensely destructive with the wrong intentions." The wyrm bluntly stated, still staring into the fire.

"Even Plantlife-?"

"You clearly have not seen the results of when Nature gets tremendously pissed off." Ruven snorted. "Water is relentless and all powerful, especially with its currents. Air possesses astonishing strength, able to tear even castles asunder. Earth can shatter mountains with little effort if it so pleases. Metals cleave through even the toughest of matter, durability barring none. Roots can burrow through nearly anything with ease, prying with unreal might. Frost withers everything it comes in contact with, bringing with it a fragility unseen. Light itself can decimate entire ecosystems and black out the very sun. For Fire, the damage is just immediately apparent, that's why it gets a bad name." The two serpents were quiet as memories of the night before replayed in their heads. But something still bothered the golden one.

"But..." Alkar spoke up, getting a frilled ear to flick towards him. "Zarj. He told me he has no magic, that none of the westerns do. They can breathe-"

"Fire?" Ruven interrupted. "Some are able to do that without magic, just as some dragons are able to naturally fly." A slight spread of a single black wing before it folded back in. "But every dragon I've ever encountered could use magic. Some stronger than others, depending on their lineage. However, they need to be taught the discipline of it." The thread took a moment to think. Many of the things he did try with Zarj seemed to work, almost as if the wyrm was connected spiritually. Could Ruvenan be correct in that?

The golden one's heart raced as he took a breath and stood up, lightly bowing his head towards the black wyrm who barely paid attention to it. "Ruvenan, I... I have no right to ask this of-"

"No." The beast stated thickly, making Alkar whimper. "I will not teach you."

"T-that... Wasn't..." Alkar shook his head and started over. "They... We all believed that western wyrms were in possession of great magics. That's why something was suppressing ours in that building." He nervously shuffled around and approached the ill-impressed black dragon. "I... Zarj. I recently lost one friend, I cannot lose another-"

"And you want me to bust him out." Ruven snorted. "You want me to risk my life-"

"I-" Alkar nearly choked on his words. "Even at our strongest we cannot use magic in these places, but you can." A lean closer. "I need your help. Please-" As soon as his golden paw made contact with those black scales, an overwhelming sense of dread shocked the golden serpent. To the point of him nearly stumbling back and holding that arm in ethereal pain.

Yet, the large one didn't move. Those gemstone eyes just looked at Alkar with a stoic defiance, unsure of what happened but didn't question it. Just took a deep breath, closing his eyes again and facing towards the fire. "I'm looking for someone too. Since none of this land looks familiar, there's a good chance who I'm looking for isn't here." Alkardoc's heart sank, but he nodded sadly. "I've done enough for you."

"Yes." The male serpent answered. "You have, thank you."

"Once I can see the stars, I'll be gone." A gesture towards the golden one's dinner. "Your meats are burning. Get to it."

The evening was quiet, save for the occasional crackle of the ground fire. A red hue painted the sky in the distance, barely able to be enjoyed through the trees as the golden serpent hid within. His jaw still aching, though the meats were... Good, his was a bit too well done and tough for his own liking. There was only so much they could do with so little, and Ruven stealing those spices did help.

Alkardoc's mind was elsewhere though, pinned down by the weight of heavy thoughts and memories of events past. To the point where they drowned out any movement from the other two. Getting used to the heavy sounds of that black body shifting around in its armor, even from afar to the point where it didn't alarm the golden serpent anymore.

Though all Ruvenan was doing was just putting out his own fire. Returning the metal to its roots and burying the embers. To the point where it nearly looked invisible to the red female who watched, especially when the area was re-covered in grass. "That's that." The wyrm stated, glancing at the sky and barely beginning to see some twinkles shine through the blue, white, and pink. "Stay the night here, but move out in the morning. If one group found you here, odds are it's in the line of a patrol."

"A-alright." Valla answered, almost lowering herself when that gemstone gaze looked over her.

"Still nervous around me?" She didn't answer right away, but made eye contact briefly.

"I... You're the second Westerner I've ever seen. And..."

"And?"

"There have been a lot of stories in our land about how... Monstrous and terrifying your kind is." A slow blink from the black one but he quietly exhaled, muffling the sound of his pawsteps as he moved towards her. Only detecting his presence nearby and nearly yelping as he 'appeared' much closer, but her muzzle was caught gently by a black paw. Gently petting down her neck in strange warmth of contact.

"Don't believe everything you hear." Those magenta eyes gazed into his for a few moments. "Close your eyes." A near whimper that time at Ruven's whisper, and after a few shaken moments she did. Still feeling his paw against her scales. "Take a breath." Valla did so, heart still racing. "A second one... Now a third. Okay, open up." The serpent did so, almost expecting something else to happen. But it was still just the same black wyrm, stoically staring at her with those purple jewels. "Fear manipulates us into doing and believing a lot of things. But we can control it if we do not let fear control us first. Even if you do fall into its paralysis, you can still will yourself out of it." A shaky nod from her as he put his paw down. "Now touch me."

"W-what?" She whispered.

"Reach out and touch what you fear." Valla'sha stalled for a few moments, almost stunned by such a command. Lost in an array of thoughts; The beast wanted her to touch him? To make contact with his dangerous body? That titanic form with enough strength to likely uproot trees? ...Touch him where? After what seemed to be several moments of him just blankly staring at the red noodle, Ruven tried to repeat the command. Only for her to panic and reach out towards his muzzle, accidentally driving that red paw into his maw and grabbing his tongue. Making the two freeze in place for a moment before she really did panic and step backwards, letting go of the muscle. Allowing the wyrm to turn his head to the side and lightly spit. "Most people just reach for the chest."

"I-I was trying to touch-" A panicked whimper from the shaken red one.

"One of the most dangerous parts of me, clearly." Ruven snorted, but that caused the female to stop in place. Looking at her hand that was once in a westerner's maw. "And yes, you are still alive."

"I...?"

"Though next time you shouldn't put your paw in the woodchipper when you can just touch the casing." He looked off to the side in the middle of saying that, completely missing her lost gaze. However, Valla didn't question the strange statement. But finding herself looking around as well, resting her eyes on the golden one. Saddening her gaze as she thought about what to say. "He's not taking it lightly."

"...No. Both of our worlds have nearly fallen apart." The red one quietly sighed. "And I'm... Not good at being emotional support."

"It's not easy, that's for sure." Ruven grumbled, taking a much louder breath before getting up and moving towards Alkardoc. Snapping the serpent out of his thoughts as he double taked at the large beast, watching him lay down and stare straight forwards towards the scenery. Remaining silent for a few moments.

"...Dinner was good." Alkar started.

"No." The wyrm half grumbled. "You don't have to be polite, it was nooot good. It was just good enough for the time." A snort from the black one. "I felt like I hadn't eaten in decades."

"I don't think I've ever gone so long without food." The golden one smiled at him sadly, then returned his gaze to the scene.

"It's often a luxury we take for granted." A nod from the smaller male. "That's why it's important to know how to survive without depending on that luxury. Same goes for many of the dangers within the wild: shelter, warmth-"

"And stranger?" A slow nod from the black one. "We've been very lucky then."

"Yes... Yes you have. Most are not so." The two stared forwards for a few moments. "...I feel like I need to explain myself." Ruven broke the silence.

"N-no, you don't-"

"Yes. I do." A single gemstone eye nearly stared the eastern dragon down, keeping that snout faced straight forwards. "Even if it's just to satisfy the goblin in my brain." A head tilt at such a thing. "I have spent... An _ ungodly _ amount of my life doing things for others. Helping others- satisfying others, because I felt like I had a responsibility" He lifted and gazed at an open black forepaw. "To use these the best I could. So I get into these situations where I meet someone, and they have someone in need of saving. And then someone else who is in trouble, or caused by some organization that will be a danger to multiple people. I get trapped in these... Stories where I give and give and give like the taathing tree, while all the rocks around me sit and do nothing." Alkardoc's maw was left open staring at the wyrm, getting that eye to once again glance at him and nearly toss that black snout upwards. "That probably sounds like more madness from me, I know."

"Y-you know of that tale...?" That time he got the full attention of Ruvenan, sharing a look for a few moments. "What says the tree to his friends the rock?"

"When he lives and breathes while they sit and mock?" The larger dragon answered rather quickly.

"He grows strong for centuries long."

"But finally dies and begins to rot."

"You really do..." Alkar whispered, once again sadly smiling in disbelief. "Zarj did not know of the tale."

"You mean Globus Hystericus?" Ruven half asked, getting a rather puzzled look from the serpent. "Nevermind. My point is, I can't... Keep taking care of every person I come across. Especially when someone I care about is in danger." An exhale from the wyrm as his gaze lowered. "...If they're even still alive."

"...I understand." Alkardoc quietly spoke, placing a hand on that black forearm only to flinch back in pain once again. Observing his golden paw for a moment and not seeing any physical damage, but a strange pain still echoed through him. Meeting those gemstone eyes, stoic as ever with his own cyan and saddened gaze.

"Empath?" A noise in question from the serpent. "Nevermind." The western one leaned a little closer. "Be smart. Be patient. You can figure something out to bust out Serg."

"Z-Zarj?"

"Whatever." The light snout toss made Alkar chuckle.

"Zarj'annan."

"Sergeant Ham." Ruven snorted, getting a smile from the serpent. "You're Articuno and she's Valhalla. Got it." The wyrm stood up and stretched those large wings. "...Good luck on your search, Al...can...?"

"Alkardoc-"

"That's what I said." A head shake from the golden one, but still keeping a sad smile over that muzzle.

"Just... One last thing, Ruvenan. Please..." The wyrm stared at him as the thread collected his breath. "Please don't kill anyone?" That stare was worryingly stoic, hearing the beast exhale through the dark muzzle.

"...I'll try not to, but I make no promises."

"I will take that answer." A heavy breath from Alkar. "Good luck to you as well, Ruvenan." A nod from the black dragon.

"I'll probably need it." And with another powerful jump that led to a gust of wind the beast took off to the sky, now able to see the stars through the fading hue. Within moments they could no longer hear the wyrm's wingbeats and the strange sense of uneasiness vanished with him. Leaving the two in silence with only the breeze, forest life, and the crackling of the in-ground fire to occupy their ears. Taking in the visual sunset through the trees as many flickering lights began to peer through the shade. Fireflies, dozens of them slowly coming out as the night approached.

The sounds of the female serpent walking towards Alkar didn't phase his ears, waiting until the red one laid down in the grass beside him before scooting his body closer. Making contact with her warmth without a sting of phantom pain, but still detecting her fear. Of the westerns? Of their situation? Of something else? It was difficult to say. But the two remained quiet and coiled for support. "...What do you think we should do now?" The golden one asked, hearing Valla take a deep breath before answering.

"...They... Did not take our information, it's possible our arrest was not recorded." A nod from the thread as she continued. "We could try to go back to our lives, but..."

"Zarj..." Alkardoc whispered, barely spotting that red muzzle look away from him. "No... you are correct. It's my burden, he's my friend. I will find a way to help him."

"I am sorry, Alkardoc."

"I am too, Valla'sha." The male bunted her. "For... Putting you through this. For everything that has happened."

"It wasn't... You who did this. I chose to follow you, but I..."

"You cannot be expected to, I know dear." They shared a look and a gentle boop of their noses. "And I will no longer ask. But I thank you for staying with me this entire..."

"Ordeal?"

"I-I was thinking more like Journey or Adventure." A sad smile from the male, turning into a nervous chuckle when her unimpressed expression didn't change. "For now..."

"Let us finish the shelter and get through the night." Alkar nodded in agreement. "And in the morning..."

"We will return home." The golden thread added, taking a deep breath for himself.

(And I Will Find A Way To Save The One I Love.)

======

East, Morning of Day 4

======

The air was humid and stale, surrounded by the mustiness of cold rock and soil. Encaged within a large cell of dirt, barely big enough for the red wyrm to even turn around. That much he could tell just from laying there, his wings touching both walls while in a neutral resting position.

It was both what Zarj'annan wanted and feared at the same time; to be on the East side of the river, while also being detained by them. Facing what was likely going to be an uphill battle of whatever 'legal system' (as Conway called it) they had in place for such a crime: Tresspassing, with a 'weapon' no less. Breaking the Taboo. And... Possibly the burning of their property? There was likely a word for that, the dragon just did not know it.

He completely understood why though, it was still in the air. It was still around every serpent he approached or was escorted by. A thick fog of fear that nearly thrilled the wyrm's heart out of instinct. Not necessarily to attack them, but to chase down like prey- more in the wyrmling variety. It reminded the red one of how he used to play when he was younger with the other little ones: taking turns to pursue the other before going on the escape. He can't say it was very hard to fight such instincts, but engaging with those feelings would likely not help the adult westerner's case.

How would they see it though? How would they react? The question came up nearly behind the answer: frightfully. Zarj could even feel it through Alkardoc when they reunited in that burning forest- if not just for a moment. Fear was laced in the air in this region. Fear of the dragon's own kind. Of course it didn't last too long with the golden one, but that... Red one Zarj spotted outside the burning forest...

Who was she? A random bystander? All he could really feel was fright omitting from those crimson scales at the time being, as well as the intense heat of the surrounding air. Leaving the present Zarj to sigh as he replayed the scene in his head. Getting to hold his dear Thread for a few moments, and then bound by... Something really strong. Dozens of them, and being told not to fight it.

And the wyrm did not. Zarj was blindfolded and escorted away by several really frightened serpents he did not recognize. Sounds and signals caused his ears to flick along the path taken, separated from the others without being able to say goodbye... His heart ached still, given the gift of seeing the thread of dawn for a few precious moments, only to soon be met with the pain of distance once again. Feeling even further apart than before.

A deep breath in concentration, overpowering his remorseful feelings as a whimper caught his frilled ear. Sharply looking back at the barred doorway made of metal. A strange thing built into the rock wall, and spotting one of the serpents staring around the corner at him. Uniform of dark and green. Brown trimmings, all covering most of his own blue scales. Frozen in place as the wyrm's orange eyes stared at him.

"...It's alright." Zarj spoke softly, once again feeling a wave of that intense fear coming from the eastern dragon. "I won't hurt you."

"Y-" He started, only to be interrupted by his own whimper. "You... Can speak?" A soft chuckle from the red one.

"You're not the first to ask me that, funny enough." Zarj slowly adjusted himself to face the blue one, still keeping himself laying down. "This is the first time you've seen a westerner, yes?"

"...Yes." The answer was so faint.

"And you are terrified." Though it was dark, the wyrm could see a tremble in those yellow eyes. "Let me... Assure you: I am no threat to you or anyone here. This is... A bit of a misunderstanding."

"What...? What do you mean?"

"Your kind can tell when others are lying, correct?" A sharp whimper in response. "I did not cause that forest fire, sir. I only rescued the two who were trapped within it."

"How...?" A step out from the shadows, though still in the safety of the bars. "How did you know that? That we...?" A slow inhale and exhale from the red dragon, now picking up the scent on the tray of food the blue serpent held...