Age of Fire Isekai: To Save Hatchlings
Story by TrueForgiveness on SoFurry
On the prowl to save Natasatch and Starlight, Olivia unlocks abilities none thought possible in the blood of dragons. Lives are spared and enemies are fought, and creation comes anew in the rainfall of healing and protection. As wolves gather and birds flock, the trees of ancient elders stir to life for the first time, all answering to one dragonelle alone:
Olivia, Starweaver, Tree-Mother, and now bringer of life.
The Age of Fire: Era of the Talon
Chapter 3: To Save Hatchlings
“Go to the Lower World, save the Griffaran eggs from the Demen. Bring flocks of your kind with you, and call upon any Griffaran to bring their clutches to The Diadem. The Tree Maker will reward all with a forest, I promise. Bring those able to fight to me, save dragons, save all, need help." Olivia had whispered to the crow she had aptly named 'Qrow'.
Ever since the dragonelle made a tree for the young Qrow, the strong avian had already sired many an egg in the females perching for his tree. Devoted to the dragonelle, who now they call 'Tree-Maker'; followed her wherever she went.
"You must go," Olivia told him one night as he perched on the edge of the nest where she was sitting with some other eagles and avians that were not yet mated or laying eggs. "The Tree Maker needs you to do this." She said softly while stroking his head gently, which caused the others to look at them curiously but then return back to the situation at hand.
Olivia watched Qrow's eyes take the realization slightly before he nodded slowly. He knew what Olivia wanted him to do. It wasn't easy though when it came time to leave behind everything else. But if there is even a chance that he could get a whole forest…
He thought fondly before he flew away to the south, swift to caw out entire flocks to follow him.
Just as the dragonelle turned her head to the remaining avians in the forest, many of whose flocks had been waiting in reserve for the chance of proving themselves to her. All of those leading the flocks had been imprinted with the path to get to the Griffaran nests… enough time for them to save the young.
As the howls dawned throughout the land, Olivia returned her attention to the conflict at hand and spread her wings. With a simple command in beast speech, the crimson dragonelle took to the skies with a couple hundred avians following her flight path.
It was time to reveal herself.
A few moments later, she landed on one side of an open clearing where two large trees stood next to each other like bookends. The ground beneath was covered by several dozen black-furred wolves who were all overlooking the passage into a port town. Olivia could see from her hawk eyes that the town was under the banner of Hypat, or at least the Directories colors.
"You are going to have to move quickly," said Olivia. "The hominids will alert each other of what happens." She glanced down towards the horizon behind which the flocks of avians came from. “Follow them, they will be your eyes while you find the pups, saving them is important." The dragonelle ordered, nodding to the alpha in charge.
With another flap of her wings, the dragonelle soared into the air again and battled into the open aerial space over the town. Her wings caused many of the trees to bellow to the side and branches to crack. She intentionally used as much force as possible to catch the attention of the town of stone and wood nearly half a mile away.
The moment she heard cries from below Olivia knew it wasn't long before the townsfolk rallied someone to arms. As if on cue, the bells of alarm started to ring all throughout the outer perimeter of the wooded farmlands. Her mass was large enough to blow through entire fog banks and glowering cloud formations along the port's perimeter. It was rather easy to do so as coastlines were always dense with its humidity.
Going over the town and reaching into the open waters, the dragonelle witnessed the ships still docked at port. She witnessed the scrambling masses of men, women, children, and animals moving about. The yell of orders were easily heard from her height as men readied themselves, preparing for the worst as Olivia angled her body and started to turn her trajectory towards the ports.
And in one fell swoop, the dragonelle would ride low along the currents. She knew the hominids would fire if she went up and over them, so, to direct their full attention on her and not risk the hatchlings in cages… the dragonelle took a gamble.
Olivia landed at the open wooded dock that laid open for her to perch herself upon. The hominid guards openly rushed the port with arrows and spears, a motley crew put together amongst a few moments of alerts and response times. Taking a more elegant and 'proper' dragon stance to glance upon the hominids below, Olivia spoke.
“Citizens of Hypatia! I am Lady Olivia, Baroness of Whitestone, Tree Mother of the Forest, and Grand Mistress of The Great Hunt. I wish to speak to someone of authority." The dragonelle voiced in Parl. She saw the men and elves startle and twitch, looking around for anyone of importance. They knew that dragonflame was one thing to worry about, but an intelligent beast was another.
One man stepped forward and raised his hands to show he was unarmed.
“I am Xori, I lead the guard of this port. What business do you have with us?"
“Your town harbors the slavers of dragons in this port. I have come to save the young they have taken from the slain mothers, fathers, and siblings of these hatchlings." She voiced, speaking truthfully in the claim of the name. “And do not lie to me, I have confirmation of their whereabouts. You will do me the action of not denying me or my people from peace."
“Thane Hammar allows for the sale of beasts and creatures."
“And your Thane would allow the sale of men, women, children?" Olivia countered, looking at the man like he was a child. She could see the guard named Xori showing silence to confirm the contradiction. “I see, so you would allow for the sale of dragons, but not other hominids. Your Thane is corrupt or the laws of Hypatia have become far weaker than I realized it used to be."
It was at that moment, Olivia started to walk forward. “You are going to amend this action by helping me reclaim the hatchlings of my kin." She commanded.
All of the hominids still kept their spears and pikes aimed at her.
“You will not pass into the docks. Thane Hamma-"
“Thane Hammar can go fuck himself for all I care. If you do not help me, then I will ensure Hypatia loses all trade for the actions of a Greedy Thane, and I will include a list of the people who allowed this to happen." Olivia threatened.
“Hypatia-"
“Will burn if they allow the slave trade of dragons to continue. Do you know where they are taking these dragons to or why so many of them are being shipped off, all at once to a location not in the lands of Hypatia?" She replied, not giving the man a moment to speak. “Think just a little, and you will understand that you are sharpening the knife of your foes."
Xori looked around nervously as the men shifted their weight on their feet. One of his companions nudged him.
"What is wrong?" He asked.
"She is right. It doesn't make sense." The companion spoke.
"How does she know this information?" Another asked.
"Who cares! I don't want to die here anyway!" Another added.
"No, no we don't…" A third agreed.
"Then let us aid the dragon and report this to someone, then get out of here."
"But what if the Thane hears about it?"
"We'll say nothing happened, and maybe she won't kill us too."
There was a small mutter among the group. Leading to the dragonelle to look into the area and screen the locale. She watched as the townsfolk all had barricaded themselves in their homes, with a few staying at the edge of their homes whilst the men of the ships went by their stations.
"Are you going to stand there and let the innocent be exploited, or are you going to take to your oaths and help save the weak and mend the broken?" Olivia demanded.
They did not answer, instead they continued to shift uneasily on their feet and look around for something else.
Several of the hominids shook their heads and averted their gaze from her. Others simply did not answer. Finally, after a minute of waiting, one man broke ranks and approached her. He held his spear loosely in his hand. He wore a brown leather vest, and his hair was cut short. His face was clean shaven except for a mustache above his lip. He didn't wear any armor aside from his belt buckle, and his boots seemed well worn. He walked past the line of guards, who lowered their weapons as he passed them.
The man stopped before the dragonelle and bowed his head. "I am sorry, my lady, but our Thane has spoken. We cannot intervene without risking his wrath."
"Do you think I care for his anger? Or the consequences of his actions against me?"
"Yes, yes I understand, but-"
"If you do not help me, then I will not come to the aid of Hypatia when these dragons and all who have been sent through this slave trade grow to adults and come back to wipe you out. And you will have to live with the shame of having failed your own oaths, your people, and your families for the sake of a selfish Thane." Olivia stated bluntly.
The man swallowed hard and nodded. "My apologies, my lady."
Olivia smiled and tilted her head to the side. "Good, now tell me where the hatchlings are." She ordered. And as she finished her sentence, several wolves had reached the town harbor, setting off the neighboring dogs in fearful barks and causing many townsfolk to scatter fearfully in their houses. However, with the wolves coming to the dragonelle's presence as allies… the hominids looked at Olivia as more of a mystic than a regular dragon allied with a faction.
“Please, tell me where they are. I need to save them."
The man nodded nervously and pointed westward, directly to the lone port poking at the edge of the harbor. Olivia's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the vessel. She could feel her senses give way to the desperation to save young ones from their peril, to kill all in her way and take them away from this venture.
As she peered towards the direction, she would see three scores of men looking onwards from the bearing of a Galleon ship; pointing and arching in a manner she knew would be fit to carry many young hatchlings and dragons. Without a single thought, the dragonelle dragon-dashed past the guards and took off to the hominid vessel in flight and landed at the dock where the ship was located.
Knowing how the men would react to a dragonelle coming to save her own, many swords, spears, and bows were drawn at her. She could see at least fifteen humans going to the side of the ship, ready in the event she came and charged immediately. Since the dragonelle was not attacked by the guards and the wolves of the town aiding her in her measures… The outlook for the crew was very grim.
So the dragonelle threw them a lifeline.
“Men of this ship, you are engaged in the slave trade of dragons! I, Olivia of my blood, am here to free them! If you value your lives, you will surrender yourselves to me and not move from your place; otherwise I will see you as attempting to deny me from saving the hatchlings in your cargo hold!" Olivia roared in Parl, declaring herself. “Who is your captain, so I may parley and leave in peace!"
“Why would we, you will just kill our captain and then us!" A young and daring man roared with his bow drawn.
“Unlike you cowardly lot, I am not the monster you hominids believe dragons to be! I am one of honor, civility, and dedication to my kin! if you do not adhere to my word, I will resort to your own beliefs and slaughter you all, just for stalling me from seeking the freedom of my people!"
“Enough, enough!" A stalwart and unfavorably sighted man roared, taking the moment to raise his hand and bring the men to lower their weapons. “I see this dragon has the town guard and a host of wolves at his beckon, you seek our cargo ye?!" Roared the captain in question.
“They are dragons, give them the honor of their name and not your nicknames, fool!" Snarled the dragonelle.
“You speak quite high and mighty when we hold them, be nice and I may give them to you whole!" The captain growled.
“You disrespect dragonkind anymore than what you have done before and now, I will open you from balls to brains to see what you fucking cowards are made of!" Olivia snarled, her fire bladder growing hot as she was ready to pounce. She would see many of the men starting to look nervous as they wanted so well to move up and shoot her.
“Alright, no need to be hasty." Grunted the captain, soon motioning a bowman to come. “You see this, my lad here will go get them. Easy enough." He spoke, looking at the young man and nodding… with the lad giving a slight smirk as Olivia witnessed.
“Not just cowards, but idiots too. So be it," the dragonelle snarled. With a flash, the dragonelle leaped from the deck and came upon the men like a cannon. Her eyes saw red as she blew past the side of the ship, causing the sailors to fall to the ground. The only thing the captain was able to see in this flash movement was the dragonelle's body blowing past them…
Only to see the bowman he ordered halfway into the dragonelle's bloody jaw.
One daring man tried to get up with his sword in hand, only for one of the female's claws to come down on him in a crunchy and bloody mess. Another tried his luck with an arrow only for the dragonelle's silver armor to take the blow for her. In response, the dragonelle cracked her tail at the man and successfully wrapped itself along the human's neck... crushing it in a sudden twist for him to fall down dead. A third sailor tried lunging with his spear at her belly only for it to be thrown away by the dragonelle's swift turn of the body. In response she used that momentary opening to snap one of her claws around his head like a vice grip... tearing it off with ease as he fell limp from his hands down onto his knees.
Four men were dead before the fifteen sailors could fully recover from the assault. In a few stomps, half of the crew were dead or with broken, missing limbs. The dragonelle was swift in her actions, but spared no one as she roared and suddenly thrashed on their ship; sending two men flying into each other like rag dolls then falling down injured on their own bloodied bodies. One man who was sent flying landed on the docks next to the ship... where wolves surrounded him and started tearing the screaming man apart piece by piece. Seeing their fellow crewmen dead, six of the men decided to rush the dragonelle in a last and desperate measure to kill her.
In that moment, an instinct flashed into her body like a memory she didn't have. It was warm like a memory of training or hunting... yet... insightful of battling on the ground. It gave the dragonelle that millisecond to act against multiple opponents coming at once... that edge against the masses. With the muscle memory of battle instincts rushing through her blood like a dragon rage, she dashed to the side; avoiding a spear thrust and rushing a defenseless bowman.
A single claw swipe gashed pieces of the spearman next to her, but the defenseless bowman lost half of his torso in a bloody mist. Then with another twist she turned herself over and sent another clawed strike up into a swordsman's face... gutting the man and throwing him to the ground. Two more swordsmen came at her with one more arrow flying at her neck, which she dodged with ease not even bothering to breathe hard... letting slip a fierce growl as she cut one off with a thrust up with her horns and the last swordsman with her bite.
Finally, in a quick motion, the dragonelle rushed the last bowman and threw him up with the swipe of her tail. As he neared the ground from the fall, Olivia spun around and brought her claw down on him, killing the human in a final, satisfying crunch.
The captain, Olivia saw, was seen trying to open the cargo hatch. And before he could reach it... she was upon him in what seemed like slow motion as she took a large bite off of him. She crunched hard on the human and made sure to squeeze hard to rip and tear into him.
Snarling, the dragonelle tossed the limp body of the dragon slaver to the side, removing herself of the feeble and weak man that had dared to challenge her. With the rest of the ship bloodied and full of dead traders, the dragonelle turned her head to the incoming Hypatian guards, all of whom were wide eyed at the swift execution of the men. They could be able to see that the dragonelle held back her rage, something that scared them all deeply.
In her move, the dragonelle crossed to the hatch and opened her way to the hold where the two hatchlings were held where she knew they would be. Reaching inside, she felt the warmth of the hatchlings presence, but also sensed the fear within one she knew was in distress from hatching into a world without a mother to guide or a father to spare wisdom... only the pain of a Blighter and the shackles of men.
The dragonelle stood in front of one cage with its occupant still inside, her eyes watered at the sight of the broken hatchling; weak and starved like the hatchling was from memory. Its skin was dry like parchment paper as if it had not been bathed in weeks or months; its eyes were weary while trying to adjust from its world into hers.
And the moment Olivia opened her mind to his...
All she could do was wince at the unchecked memories of the hatchling, wailing, crying, and crawling in pain. The poor beast howled as if it were drowning in its own blood as Blighters kept beating it with hammers until it passed out cold for days on end... The screams... The screams seemed like they would never stop...
That was the moment Olivia felt a surge within herself that caused her insides to go numb with agony as she felt something new... something unfamiliar... and when she realized it; her sii had lifted and caused vines to grow within the wooden jail and break the cage door open for her to pass. Whatever this was, Olivia knew her emotions caused the breaking of this cage. Still fresh with the visions of the young Starlight's memories, the dragonelle would take a step into the cage to help a broken soul.
As a reaction, the young hatchling hissed like a defensive animal, fangs bared open as venom spurt upon the ground. The only thing that she could recognize from Starlight's mind would be fear: The fear of being beaten like he remembered.
"Please, you are safe now..." Olivia spoke, trying to speak through to the young dragons mind.
"He... won't listen." Came the weak voice of Natasatch. She was caged like the drakka she was in memory, unable to move and unable to free herself of the bonds she held.
"I can still help him, Natasatch... giving up on a young one who has only learned of suffering in his life could become a better person; a better dragon." Olivia replied to the hatchling, looking in the direction of the green drakka and flashing a small and weak smile. "And I will not leave you both to suffer."
"You have no idea what we have endured..." Natasatch jeered back at Olivia as she looked around at her surroundings, at how small her cage was compared to her young green physique, how small it seemed compared to everything else she knew... and the pain that led her here.
"I am sorry," Olivia replied, bowing her head in Natasatch's direction. That caused the young drakka to stay silent from the apology of a simple misunderstanding.
The dragonelle soon turned her attention from Natasatch back in front of whom she was with before, now turning her attention to the pained hatchling. Closing her eyes, Olivia did what she thought was best and sung a motherly tune to the hatchling. Olivia assumed that taking the moment to sing, would sooth the young one like that of any babe...
And Olivia sang the tune in his mind with that of a rhythm of latin, hoping to encourage the young one to calm. "Cantare... Cantare..." Olivia sang softly while facing him in front... "Cantare..." She sang again, placing her mental images to soothe a spirit and a pained heart from the suffering of the world. The effects of her song caused the young one to lower its head, nearing the hymns of a near sleep.
In one word, the young one would speak... it was the memory that Olivia had accidentally slipped in his mind as she attempted to soothe him.
"Mother... mother..." He cried, soon soothing himself to the feeling that the dragonelle resonated. The meaning of the word
The moment she witnessed the young Starlight show no hostility to her... Olivia walked ahead and bit the chains off of the hatchling. Now free, Starlight would be motioned to climb upon the crimson dragonelle's back... to cling on as she would lower herself to him. As soon as she felt his foot upon her backside... The dragonelle turned around toward Natasatch's cage... She knew that they did not have much time before they would need to move.
"What... was that?" Natasatch asked. She still could not believe what just happened... She had never thought that a dragonelle would show such compassion... or demonstrate such magic in front of her.
"My name is Olivia." The dragonelle said with a smile as she freed the young one from her bounds, this time using the vines to break the chains and let the young drakka climb upon her. "But you may call me by any name you wish. I only hope you do not think me strange for the circumstances I bring." She spoke as she looked over at Natasatch's cage, breaking it once more.
"You are far more different than..." Natasatch said with an uneasy look on her face while lowering herself down on top onto Olivia's back; much smaller than Olivia herself. "Why did you save us?" The drakka asked as she clung on tightly with both hands on her chest area as if trying to absorb all that was happening around them... or perhaps just trying not to fall off Olivia's back during their journey across the land.
"Because I wish for all of dragonkind to live and rejoice in a new age... an age of happiness and peace." Olivia replied with a soft smile as she closed her eyes briefly before opening them again... "I wish for our kind to stave off extinction and become... more." She added as she looked up at Natasatch while touching Starlight on his head.
As the dragonelle rose and left the hold with the hatchlings on her back, the trips and taps of coming rainfall echoed throughout all areas that they passed through; its drumbeat giving life into this land. The rain drops echoed off every corner they could see while restoring what had been long forgotten about this land: its beauty and grace; its bright skies as if lit up from within rather than darkness or misty clouds blocking it all away like they were meant to do so for ages past...
Emerging upon the main deck, the guards by now looked into the air and out into the distant town. Both man, woman, child, and wolf alike received a healing vestige from the rain that came. Wounds were healed, illnesses were cured, those who were broken had been mended, and the crops of the town booned a harvest.
"You have allowed me to save some of my people, now I have saved some of yours." Olivia spoke, realizing what she had done. "Tell Hypatia of what is to come, and you may save your people too."
In the end of the dragonelle's words, she departed from their sight with Starlight and Natasatch clinging on tightly to Olivia while they soared up towards the sky. The roars of the dragonelle would bring the wolf packs surrounding the town to vacate, to leave...
As she did.
KelGore now wished Olivia was here to handle the dwarves and the implications they brought when given insight into new technologies. While KelGore did not like explaining things he did not understand fully or has any experience with it at all; he did realize that the technology he brought to the table as provided by Olivia would be very useful in battles.
The dwarves, however, took this application into a new level of their own. In their minds, they saw that Olivia's weapons could be quite useful for war if used correctly; seeing as how they were feeble and weak against all lands. Enforcement of trade laws across borders were very important for anyone who wished for peace in their lands; KelGore could understand this very well as he had seen it done by very powerful people before him in the many Princedoms.
Such applications were useful... but tedious. Once when his use was finished in providing insight into this weapon, he departed as quickly as he came... not without receiving a pension of gold and wealth to the mine.
Finished providing the insight into the weapon of Olivia's time, KelGore returned to what he enjoyed most:
To be among his own kind. To enjoy the company of others who had insight to whom his father was. Upon returning to the mine, he made his way to his home deep within the mountain. It was here where he came into smelling distance to AuRel, which the dragon lumbered from the distance ahead and looked upon him with a staring look.
"It seems the dwarves have not killed you and used your knowledge against us." AuRel snorted.
“They seem to be inspired and they have provided us with funding to make it happen." KelGore replied, soon taking a gold coin and tossing it to AuRel. “We get the gold and food to sustain our nature, they get their devices and we have a home. For now, it is the nature of the game we play, arm them to protect us. They will know more… but hopefully we won't need to be in conflict with them for what we can provide."
“This is a dangerous game you are playing. Arming our enemies so they can protect us… or use us." AuRel shook his head. “We will be leaving after long." The dragon spoke.
“You won't need to, my mate has additional plans for us. She mentioned what is… giving active intelligence before she left." KelGore replied, turning to walk ahead. “What she said is something I could not comprehend. However, she spoke in some kind of… code that I do not know."
“She is being a Commander." Irelia pointed out. As she emerged from the shadows of the mine, the dragonelle had looked remarkably and even more healthy than the many months with little food or nutrition. “Much like SiDrakkon."
“Who?" KelGore asked.
“Our commander. During our fight with the Griffaran, he commanded us to take the fight to the aerial feathered beasts." AuRel spoke.
“If it weren't for your sire, SiDrakkon would have captured me when we left. He was smart, even if vain." Irelia pruumed. “Now you adhere to your own SiDrakkon, I do not know whether to admire or pity you, KelGore."
“I don't, she's far more cunning than any hominid I have ever known." KelGore stated proudly. “If anyone can speak a dwarf down, Olivia can. She has information they will kill each other for, humans and elves might as well follow."
“What if they won't kill each other… or listen?" Came the voice of Wistala, an intelligent little drakka that was watching the exchange happen.
“I do believe Olivia has a backup plan for her backup plan." KelGore chuffed. The young hatchling was perceptive on the point and was quick to sit on her haunches and look at him.
“That seems-"
“Irelia, my dear, this dragon is defending his mate. Your sire would do the same for me if words were turned upon me." Irelia interrupted Wistala, soon looking at AuRel. “Would you, AuRel?" She asked.
“Only if you weren't talking so much." AuRel humored, causing the crack of Irelia's tail to whip against the backside of his head.
KelGore merely chuckled as a response, soon turning his attention to Wistala. “You do have a great sense of perception, I know for sure Olivia will ensure that you gain her insight into matters along with the insight of your sire and dam." He would voice, looking to the two parental dragons as they were still protective of their hatchling.
“However, I would like to continue knowing about NiVisseth; my sire. What was he like?" The young dragon spoke with a curious look in his eyes. His interests made him sound like a prancing hatchling, his tail wagging to the side out of pure desperation.
“What wasn't he?" AuRel humored, earning a glare from Irelia.
“NiVesseth was an Anklene, a dragon who was a part of the order of dragons known for following the ways of Anklamere, the human sorcerer." Irelia began.
“Yes, I know a great deal about the hominid. Olivia spoke of him as if she knew him." KelGore spat out excitedly, wagging tail and standing on his haunches at this point.
Irelia gave the young dragon a curious look at the mention of this information. However, the dragonelle would continue on and sate the young male's rapid-fire mindset. “As much as a proud Anklene he was, NiVesseth was our mind in the war against Griffaran. He had much insight in battle, while AuRel and I were battle companions of Skotl and Firemaid descent." She explained.
“At the end of the day, he was the one who did all of the thinking, Irelia the talking, and I the fighting; a good combination in Lavadome during the war." AuRel continued, looking at Irelia.
“In short, yes. NiVesseth, your sire, was one who thought ahead. He was perceptive, spoke riddles and poetry. If we were in a different time, he would have chosen the life of a poet, one of the Anklene riddleweavers in the large home of the empire." Irelia implied.
“It looks like I am destined to be with those who think akin to my sire. Olivia always speaks ahead, connects the future to the past, detailing the present." KelGore pruumed, thinking fondly of his mate.
“Don't get ahead of yourself, you still need to find your way past the dwarves." AuRel corrected.
“Especially since they are not the Wheel of Fire dwarves." Irelia also spoke.
“It seems you both had dealings with them." KelGore implied, cocking his head to the side.
“...yes." Irelia spoke, causing Wistala to speak up.
“Why deal with these Wheel of Fire dwarves? Who are they?" Wistala asked, now coming into the middle of the three dragons as they talked.
However, just as Wistala asked the question, a powerful gust of wind bellowed the coming of another dragon.
“Treacherous and vain, that is what the Wheel of Fire dwarves are. Gobold, as you have suspected, is king of their kind now. They have made a pact with The Dragonblade and The Wyrmmaster to kill dragons and dragonelles, then take their young." Came the voice of Olivia as she panted and laid on the ground.
AuRel, Irelia, KelGore, and Wistala both were surprised to soon see the sight of two lanky and food deprived hatchlings slowly leaning down to gain purchase on the ground. “Starlight and Natasatch need food and water… they have been through much." Olivia sagged momentarily, looking at KelGore and motioning him to go get the dwarves.
Nodding, KelGore rushed out the entrance and flew down to the Diadem.
In a curl, Olivia brought the hatchlings close to the dragonelle's side, with a wing draped over their cold bodies to share with them her warmth. “Cantare…cantare…" She whispered, speaking the words to calm Natasatch and Starlight beside her. Her soothing tone and words were an effect to her silver armored radiance and her crimson glare upon the barren world.
“What are you saying…?" Wistala asked Olivia, trotting up to the dragonelle whilst giving curious glances to the hatchlings she sheltered under her wing and sii. “If it is drakine, I have never heard it."
“It is Latin… a dead language. It means to sing… I am singing the young ones to sleep and be calm." Olivia replied in a connection to her thoughts. To touch the young hatchling's mind, Olivia felt such a curiosity and a wild insight to learn and know what was before her.
“Does the language work on dragons? It sounds like you are humming them to sleep than you are speaking it. Are you using magic? Do dead languages bring magic?" Wistalia unleashed in questioning, bringing the dragonelle to pruum in humor as Irelia moved to stop the young hatchling.
“My dear Wistala, you do have a curiosity. Yes, the language does have a… certain tone or magic to them. It works on the young ones, and it helps soothe their minds. A mothers voice is something they have had a long time without, and I fear one hatchling has never bore the touch of a mother or father… so I sing a tune to bring them the voice of a mother to raise them hence." Olivia replied, even showing some thought images to bring the curious Wistala a sign of what she meant as one without having bore a heritage of sire or dam.
“I… that's…horrible." Wistala choked. “Is that what they… would have done to us?"
“More…" Olivia replied, not even holding back a grim look on her face as she clutched the young ones slightly harder. “I know what they would have done to you and your family. So at least give your brothers and Jizara more care and love, even if The copper might bear shame."
“Why should the copper be given anything? He betrayed us!" Wistala squeaked.
“He had no choice Wistala, and his bearing is not one he was responsible for either. Life has been very unfair for him, and you should care for him as much as the ones who are being taken and sold like cattle." Olivia replied back at the hatchling, soon looking at AuRel and Irelia. “We should be caring for each other, especially now."
“What do you know of him, you never heard of him." Wistala pointed out.
“I have Wistala, so of you, Auron, Jizara, AuRel and Irelia. I know of your past, present, and future. What could have been if I was not here, and possibly now that I am." She implied, looking at Wistala. “You have a heavy burden on your shoulders, young one. But you are not alone, not anymore."
“What do you mean?" Wistala asked in mind-speech. “What would have happened had you not come?"
“Your mother and Jizara would be dead, chopped up into pieces. Your father would return late and discover the results of the horrors inflicted on your dam. He tries to avenge the massacre, but is unsuccessful and wounded, you would have found him and healed him partially… but The Dragonblade, sworn enemy of our kind, finds you and AuRel. You escape while AuRel dies to hold them off in a death song." Olivia began. “You, Auron, and The copper survive, and you three begin a long road to survive the end of this age… all three of you will become pivotal in The Age of Fire, which now, we may begin earlier than anticipated."
“You may hate The copper now, but in time, he will become the greatest ally to our people and you the avenger of the family. AuRon, he will save many dragons and survive many fates… many to which now I believe you will inherit." Olivia continued. “What becomes of The copper now? Does he still live?"
“He… hides in an eggshelf where Auron can't reach him. Jizara has not gone to help him and I lashed out and wounded him. Father nearly clawed him open from vent to vent, had your mate not stopped him earlier." Wistala replied, now looking a little guilt stricken with the news of the dragonelle.
“What your brother needs now, is a helping claw or love in the world. Protect your brother, he might be someone you don't like now, but he is still someone who might one day become your savior." Olivia spoke, soon opening her wings to check on the hatchlings, who had both gone to sleep. “Tala, mend the wounds you have dealt; please care for the young and the old. He who saves one life, saves the world entire." Olivia spoke softly, truthfully, and solemnly before standing up gently and walking away from the hatchlings.
Olivia would look at Irelia and AuRel, as both had listened to her words to Wistala.
“I shall go to save more hatchlings. I know you both are wondrous about my origins, why I know you all so quickly and the implications of the future… in time, I shall tell you everything. But for now, hatchlings like Starlight and Natasatch here will need to be rescued. I need you both to protect and look after the hatchlings, even your own clutch, and especially The copper." Olivia spoke, looking at them both closely.
“Why should we look after a clutch that is not our own?" Irelia asked.
“Future mates and the continuation of your bloodline… and mine." Olivia implied, looking at them both. “Like I said before, we need to stick together. And fuck what tradition says, they do not answer for the countless scores of dragons, dragonelles, drakes, drakka, and hatchlings dying out there now…" Olivia spoke, her pained expression giving the dragons a slight glimpse into the memories and pained screams that she witnessed from the orb.
In horror, Irelia and AuRel widened their eyes at the slight pull of resistance.
“I… we will do as you say." Irelia replied with a shock.
Upon realizing what she had done, Olivia closed her eyes and gave a deep breath of regret. “I am… sorry about that." She spoke, keeping her head low to them. “That was unbecoming of me. I should not have revealed that."
“What was that? Why were there… so much screaming? What happened to you?" AuRel asked.
“Remember the magical exposure KelGore and I explained to you when we met?" Olivia asked.
“Yes." AuRel answered, grunting as if he suffered a headache.
“That magic exposed me to the suffering of our kind. I felt all of dragonkind that day, so pained, broken, alone. Hatchlings borne without sires or dams, dragons with murdered mates, dragonelles without a clutch to raise." Olivia explained. “I felt all of it, and now I can no longer stand to hide, but go out and save as many as I possibly can… before death claims me."
“Then go save them Olivia, save them from the hominids." Irelia nodded, motioning the dragonelle to leave.
As a response, the crimson dragonelle bowed her head to Irelia and AuRel and walked outside to take her flight. Ready to save even more hatchlings from the grasps of the terrors of the world.
In the aftermath of the dragonelle's departure, the magic-infused rainfall transformed the landscape, leaving a palpable sense of wonder in its wake. Nature seemed to have been reborn, flourishing in a way that had not been witnessed for generations. As the first raindrops kissed the ground, a strange phenomenon began to unfold.
The fallen elves, whose bodies had long since been claimed by the earth, started to stir. The prior conflicts of old and new had seen many elves perish, their life force returning to the land as they turned into trees upon their death. Now, under the influence of the dragonelle's magic, these trees began to awaken, imbued with a newfound vitality.
Slowly, the trees came alive, their branches swaying rhythmically to the sound of the rain. Leaves sprouted, vibrant and green, filling the air with a fresh, earthy scent. As if in response, the other plants and vegetation around them also began to thrive, their colors deepening and growing more intense with every passing moment.
The townsfolk, astounded by the transformation, ventured outside their homes to witness the miracle unfolding before their eyes. Children giggled and danced in the rain, their laughter mingling with the gentle patter of raindrops on the cobblestone streets. Adults exchanged looks of amazement, their faces alight with hope and gratitude.
The wolves, sensing the shift in energy, paused their rush through the forest and onto their main objective. They sniffed at the air, their eyes wide with curiosity as they took in the changed world around them. As man and beast alike experienced the healing power of the rain, a sense of harmony settled over the town and the forests surrounding it.
The guards on the main deck stared in awe at the spectacle, their previous suspicions and fears washed away by the life-giving rain. They shared relieved smiles, their hearts swelling with a newfound appreciation for the magic that had restored their home to its former glory.
As a result of the following magical phenomenon, scores of trees began to come to life. What came from the essence of the elves bore in the aura of the trees. The children, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, and grandmothers to the elves were given a second chance. They could feel the essence of the Tree Mother coming to the lands, a dragonelle they felt was responsible for their second chance.
Turning from the direction of the town, the legion of trees made their march further into the land, deeper into the forest from whence they came. They could sense the dragonelle's desperation, the need to save all dragons in this land at all costs. Her memories of the magical connection to dragonkind was felt in them… their needs, their desperations… were now the revived elves' own as well.
It was time to save hatchlings tonight.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this new chapter into the Isekai story! Upon inflection of writing this part of the story, I left this up to D&D rolls and encounters to essentially see where it was going to lead (other than seeking to save Natasatch and Starlight). As a result of those rolls, it led up to where Olivia got to where she needed to be, and made for some interesting results that I hoped y'all would like!
For those of you who are wondering, yes, I did playThe March of The Ents song from Lord of The Rings while writing up the end to this chapter.
*Now with the inception of the wolves, the birds, and now the ancient elders of elvenkind rising to the rescue of innocent hatchlings, what will our foes devise next? *
Thank you all so much for your time and don't be afraid to like, share, and provide feedback, they are always appreciated!
-True