The Giving Tree
MasterDarklight's Clan
We all shine bright, just in different ways!
Clan Info
CURRENT STATUS: ONLINE
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the lack of space, and because Frostydragon is no longer on FR, she gave me her account for spare place. My dragons sometimes appear in her account because of that, and everything I write below is still the same.
*I decided my clan lore looks better at the bottom of this page, so I moved it there! It hasn't disappeared.
Welcome, everyone! My name is MasterDarklight, and conincidentally, my other name is Frosty. That's how I and Frostydragon met at the first place (insert laugh emoji here). Anyway, welcome to The Lair That Always Shines Bright, which is also called The Lair Of Brightness And Dragons. Our personal quote is: "We All Shine Bright, just in different ways!" I hope you enjoy your stay here, while you can visit my dragons and nesting grounds. We have the apartments called the Sunshine Apartments, where you visitors stay! The lair is now under new renovation and improvement, we just recently moved to the Mirrorlight Promenade! Any suggestions on how to improve my lair/profile/signature/bios are welcome, and I in fact seek them!
GENERAL DETAILS
Dragons paired with a familiar are usually not for sale. I'm soon going to run a hatchery with my friend, Alphadragon. Dragons that I sell in the AH are usually a considerably lower price, so I can get space for more beauties :3
I write bios for my dragons, and if you need help with that just say so! I have many ideas. Any dragon may be sent to you through the crossroads, if you ask for them!
DRAGON AND LAIR DETAILS
How My Lair Goes On And Work: After Shadow inherited Dusklight in her place, Forest came and bred with her. More dragons soon came to this lair. Dragons are freely allowed to discover their talent and choose their job. Dragons are also permitted to breed in a rotating schedule. New eggs will be put in the original nest for one day and be delivered to the hatchery. Dragons in the lair are free to move about.
When a bearer of the elements of the clan are found, they can be identified by the mysterious glow that surrounds them. Regardless of what elements they are, they glow the color of the element they bear, and will automatically summon the jewel representing it. This lasts until the dragon passes away and the space will be open for more rightful dragons to claim.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE ELEMENTS
The group of colored jewels are believed to connect Gloryshine's spirit and her qualities as a leader to the clan members. They are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, dark blue, purple, pink, grey, brown and rainbow colored. However, they are now concealed in the lands of this lair, and their magic still exists above the ground, held by their respective bearers.
Now everyone may think the clan matriarch herself can be challenged by her daughters or outsiders who want to take her place, right? And same goes for The Bearers. Well, they were wrong. In this clan, there is no challenging system. The leader and bearer choose whether to pass on the position or not, and only to the ones who are rightful of their claim. Those who try to challenge them will be banned permenantly from this lair.
Clan Layout And Sections
A small, neat clan in the Sundial Terrace was cleared and found by two dragons, Forest and Shadow. They started the clan, attracting dragons to come. Very soon, they expanded the lair into different parts. Each part is assigned different dragons to take care of. Guards defend the whole perimeter of the lair.
Current parts in the lair: (currently under expansion)
Dragon Lair- Where all dragons rest, sleep and stay. Lair maintainers, cleaners and one or two guards are taking care of this place.
Office- Where letters, requests and documents are sent and kept. Secretaries, mail deliverers, treasurers and the office manager take care of this part.
Clinic- Where sick or injured dragons stay or see healers and doctors. Nurses, healers, doctors take care and maintain this part.
Classrooms- Where young dragons study and learn about things. Teachers, students and the teaching commander takes on the responsibilities here.
Kitchens- Where all food is made and all new food gatherers load the thing they collected. Cooks, gatherers and nutritionists maintain this part.
Training Grounds- Where all practices, no matter fighting, running, flying or anything occur. Trainers, certain teachers, and the war commander sustain everything here.
Hatchery- Where all eggs healthily and properly hatch. Newborns are staying here for the first few hours for certain developments. Caretakers, guards and cleaners are always here.
Bathrooms- Where all dragons do their business and clean up. Cleaners take care of this place to make sure it is in the best condition every day.
Library- Dragons who love to study and read comes here to do so. Writers who want to publish their stories also come here to do so. Librarians, writers and editors work here and maintain this place.
Laboratories- Where all scientific investigations and experiments take place. Science lessons are taken here as well. Teachers, alchemists and scientists work here usually.
Brewing Room- Where advanced alchemy is done. Alchemists, their apperentices and sometimes healers access this room.
Advising Rooms- Dragons that cannot solve certain problems seek advice here. Advisers and cleaners maintain this part of the lair.
What different dragons do with different jobs:
Clan Matriarch- Shadow commands all dragons in the lair to do different things and decides everything for the clan. She controls the dragons' punishments and rewards.
Lair Maintainer- Forest uses his authority to make sure every dragon in the lair is doing well. He reports everything to Shadow. He also makes sure the lair is clean and neat. He might sometimes be given permission to punish dragons who are up to no good.
The Bearers- (mentioned in lore later on) This lair is founded and created by the magical explosion of the combined force of 10 elements. They are Respect, Sympathy, Truth, Humility, Courage, Joy, Generosity, Safety, Loyalty and Friendship.
All elements combined create the element of Friendship, which connects this clan together, despite everyone's differences. Only the dragons that have this rightful claim in their heart hold this place, and takes other dragons slowly under their teaching. Bearers of the Elements are just mere titles, and they have other jobs going by, including leading their followers indirectly.
Commanders- There are currently 7 commanders: Fighting, Gathering, Social, Health, Hatchling & Egg Care, Secret & Spies and Education & Publishing. Commanders are the highest ranking of the genre they're in, and so they can, under Shadow's permission of course, command dragons of that genre to do certain things.
Advisers- These calm, insightful dragon help dragons that are going through hard times or making decisions. They help all dragons in the lair to make better choices.
Teachers- These dragons, under the command of the school headmistress, teach young dragons everything about the world.
Gatherers- These dragons provide food for the clan and also collect artifacts. They might seem unimportant but are actually the source of food for the clan.
Fighters- These dragons put their energy and time into combat training, and help collect loot for the clan in the Coliseum. Some fighters turn into warriors when they are ready.
Defenders- Defenders are much like police forces in the clan. They patrol the clan every day, looking for troublemakers and ward off outsiders. Defenders are the second group of dragons to approach enemies, the first being guards.
Guards- Guards are almost the same as defenders, but in a passive way. These dragons spend time practicing combat skills alongside defenders, and are placed around secluded corners to stop intruders. Guards are the first group of dragons to attack if anything comes to the clan.
Cleaners- Cleaners are the main source of maintenance of the clan. They make sure everything is in its proper place, and every place of the lair is clean and comfortable.
Librarians- These dragons are in charge of the library, and deal with all sorts of problems that happen in them.
Alchemists- Alchemists have advanced knowledge of chemistry, and use their abilities to create potions and brews that help the clan. They also perform the duties of a scientist, examining and discovering new things sometimes.
Water Maintainers- This job is only for Water dragons. Water Maintainers have deep understanding about the element of water, and all its inside magic, and makes sure the water supply is not contaminated.
Healers- Healers help dragons who are in need of medical care. They also maintain the clinic. Healers can use natural herbs or plants to help dragons, or they can use magic to heal (with some practice.)
Writers- Writers produce scrolls and books with stories on it, and publishers help publish it after checking their work.
Publishers- Publishers check, print and publish work of writers. They will then sell the stories to earn treasure for their clan.
Treasure Hunters- Dragons that are given this job are rare. They scavenge for relics and unwanted items in every region of Sorneith, and sell them for treasure. Sometimes they bring back real treasure and gems as well.
Warriors- Fighters who have taken it to the next level are warriors. Instead of just the Coliseum, they fight in real wars and battles between clans of rivalry, but they fight as a thrid party, mainly to stop the death of more innocent dragons. When no battles are going on, they fight other dragons in the Coliseum.
Dragons in my lair:
Shadow The Fae (Matriarch(clan leader))
Forest The Fae (Lair Maintainer)
Canopy The Fae (Matriarch Inheritor and Adviser)
Shade The Fae (Visitor Treater)
Dewdrop The Fae (Plant Gatherer)
Flashflight The Fae (Stage Maintainer)
Violetblossom The Fae (Plant Gatherer)
Herring The Fae (Water Maintainer)
Snowflake The Fae (Fighter)
Crystallize The Mirror (Cleaner)
Blueshine the Guardian (Guard)
Galaxy The Ridgeback (Adviser)
DreamweaverThe Skydancer (Performer)
Mightyclaws The Pearlcatcher (Guard)
Forestglade The Pearlcatcher (Cook)
Purplewave The Spiral (Entertainer)
Celia The Spiral (Secretary)
Fireglow the Tundra (Explorer)
Hydrowater The Imperial (Seafood Gatherer)
Spire The Coatl (Nurse)
Ocean The Ridgeback (Healer)
Frostsky The Coatl (Teacher)
Darkmist the Ridgeback (Fighter)
Iolite the Spiral (Teacher)
Farsight The Wildclaw (Alchemist And Caretaker)
Violetdawn The Spiral (Librarian)
Vineflower The Wildclaw (Meat Gatherer)
Seaglitter The Ridgeback (Cleaner)
Deepsea The Imperial (Writer)
Nightsparkle The Fae (Healer)
Tealspot The Pearlcatcher (Commander (Gathering))
Lavender The Wildclaw (Defender)
Goldlight The Coatl (Caretaker)
Mystical The Pearlcatcher (Librarian and Office Manager)
Clearsky The Pearlcatcher (Office Manager Assistant And Plant Gatherer)
Eterna The Nocturne (Fighter)
Fantasia The Skydancer (Teacher)
Bubbles The Imperial (Seafood Gatherer)
Coldthunder The Nocturne (Insect Gatherer)
Nightstorm The Fae (Explorer)
Violetsky The Skydancer (Spy)
Valeria The Wildclaw (Guard)
Lightwave The Fae (Publisher)
Citrine The Ridgeback (Bearer Of Humility And Alchemist)
Aurum The Ridgeback (Bearer Of Respect And Adviser)
Sunstorm The Skydancer
Evergreen The Wildclaw (Bearer Of Truth And Cook)
Waterray The Nocturne (Defender)
Quickwings The Wildclaw
Sunfire The Nocturne (Cook)
Lineage & Families
Each dragon in this lair has a certain lineage, and the lineage marks his/her family. Families are counted on the side of the female dragons, unlike most clans. For instance, if a female dragon has a Blue lineage and the male has a Red, their hatchlings will adopt the Blue lineage. Lineage is determined by the parent's color, genes and breed. Lineage will not change even if the hatchlings does not adopt the same color group. Yet families are counted from the side of the male dragons. Family names are the lineage names of the father. A dragon's family is based on his/her parents, but their offspring will follow the father.
Our Clan Family Tree: (only the dragons I keep)
Shadow + Forest = Shade, Dewdrop, Canopy, Flashflight, Violetblossom, Nightstorm
Starling (exalted) + Forestglade = Mightyclaws, Starleaf (sold)
Ocean + Crystallize = Seaglitter
Mightyclaws + Celia = Iolite
Hydrowater + Snowflake = Nightsparkle
Mightyclaws + Farsight =
Clan Rules And Beliefs:
This clan is held together by the elements that are believed to contain Gloryshine's spirit, which forevers makes sure the clan is under good condition, and that it will never fall apart. The element of Friendship is usually a very high ranked and skilled dragon, which has the ability to hold all the elements at once and channel them into power which keeps an equal balance of them all.
Shadow believes every dragon that comes here to live deserves a reward, and their place here is a blessing. She does not issue rankings, for she thinks every dragon's differences and jobs should be embraced and respected as much as any other. Unlike most clan leaders, she listens to Forest and the other commanders for advice and commands the dragons fairly.
Dragons who live here have declared loyalty to the Lightweaver, and have vowed to never betray her until they decide to leave the clan. Breeding pairs are free to breed with whoever they want as long as in the suitable generation gap. Couples are allowed to sell some of their hatchlings or eggs, but not allowed to kill them. Dragons do not die of old age, but its possible to die by suffering great damage. When this happens (which is rare and Shadow prevents this at all costs from happening), dead dragons are packed in a box, sealed with their name in it, and burnt on a boat that sends them away to the distant horizon. However, it is believed that if every dragon carved their name on a stone tablet, their soul will remain. These are found in the Memorial Room, and when a dragon leaves a lair, the stone is smashed, indicating that they are no longer members.
Shadow grants complete freedom to dragons around the lair, and whenever something goes out of control, she will fix it, but nothing else otherwise. Dragons have a certain shift time of their work, which is issued clearly in the office room. When it is over, they are free to do anything they want. There are not much strict rules to follow in this clan, except for no killing or any sort of abuse to other dragons. Food that are gathered is enough for everyone, and gatherers often bring back more, so whoever felt more hungry that day gets the extra. Commands given by Shadow must be followed or suitable punishment will be given. Everyone must respect each other in the clan and keeping the peace of important to Shadow. Challenges are not permitted, and if anyone attempts it they will be banned forever.
PERSONAL IN-GAME DETAILS
My Wishlist: (might add more sometime later)
Regular Wishlist:
If you bring me any of these items, I will be willing to pay precious hatchlings like cryfaces and tricolors. I normally can afford these items, so I might reject offers.
Remove Gene: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
Scroll Of Renaming
Normal 1-3 star familiars, any that I don't have (help me with bestiary plz :D)
Treasure And Gems
Non elemental battle stones that are offensive attacks
Normal pieces of apparel which might be worth any amount of treasure
Premium Wishlist:
I will be more than willing to give anything in return for these items, as long as I can afford it! I will pay anything to get items with a "*" sign!
Skins and Accents with a blue theme
Skins and Accents from holidays (only a few certain ones)
Retired holiday sprites and familiars*
Emblems*
Scroll Of Eternal Youth*
Boon Of Fertility*
Unhatched eggs* (preferably Light, Arcane, Shadow and Ice)
Any breed change scrolls* (except guardian)
Flowerfalls*
Seasonal breezes*
Pendants
Any gene change scroll
Five/colored star familiars
Dream dragons:
I am willing to pay treasure or gems in return for these dragons if I can find them :D
Wildclaw/ Female/ Ice
Storm/ Storm/ Storm
Crystal/Facet/Glimmer
Fae/Female/Light
Lavender/Lavender/Lavender
Crystal/Facet/Circuit
Ridgeback/Female/Shadow
Azure/Azure/Azure
Crystal/Facet/Gembond
Skydancer/Female/Water
Sky/Sky/Sky
Crystal/Facet/Spines
Wildclaw/Male/Fire
Obsidian/Obsidian/Obsidian
Iridescent/Freckle/Underbelly
Pearlcatcher/Female/Fire
Sunshine/Lemon/Lemon
Iridescent/Facet/Spines
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Forums I referred to and used:
Flight Flags (free)
BB Code Guide
Free Flight Nests + Custom Commissions!
A little info about the apartment manager... (XD)
My favorite color? Blue! And gold. And silver.
What I like to do? Play FR, RPing, going online, play games, eating and sleeping
Favorite dragon breed in FR? The Pearlcatcher.
What time zone am I in? I'm 16 hours ahead of FR time.
What gender am I? Female, duh.
Why did I choose Light as my element of choice? I love bright surroundings and I am afraid of darkness. And the eyes are quite nice to me. And the Light realm sounds and looks pretty cool.
My favorite food? That's a little too hard to answer, I love eating a lot of things XD But I do love pizza! I also like desserts.
How old am I? Not too young and not too old. XD
My Hatchery!
I'm going to run a hatchery with Alphadragon soon! Be sure to check it out later on!
Hatchery Services:
I have a regular breeding schedule, but I mostly don't simultaneously breed like for days. So I have free nesting service. Just message me.
Other things I do:
I play Dragon Cave, and so I wanna have visitors often. I have eggs need to hatch. Here are some, but I'll update my signature a little.
Have a nice stay at the Sunshine Apartments!
Characters: (in order of appearance)
Gloryshine:
Lightrock:
Dusklight:
Aquawater:
Male Wildclaw Potion Giver:
Female Skydancer Potion Giver:
Random Mirror Guest:
Sundancer:
Chillsnow:
Greenleaf:
Watershell:
Liferipper:
Onyxstone:
Deepwave:
Tidesand:
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Clan Lore:
Dawn Of A New Sunrise
Chapter 1
Gloryshine dashed through the horribly dark woods.
It was in the realm of Shadow, and through the dried trees and branches, the young Fae avoided everything in sight, she had enough of smashing against branches. Lightning flickered overhead and deafening thunder sounded above the dragon who is near the edge of the woods. Gloryshine conjured up a beam of light, helping her through the extremely dark place she had got into.
She felt a drop of rain fall onto her wing. Soon the second hit her, and the third and so on. A storm was about to start. Lightning flashed again, alongside with a roaring crash of thunder. She whimpered and increased her speed in flight. She had to hurry back to where she had hid her eggs. She couldn't let both of her eggs die. The clan needed her!
Upon reaching a dead end, Gloryshine swept away a leafless bush, revealing a small cave opening. It was more of an empty hole, nothing much could fit in except a dragon like her size. Inside laid two luminescent eggs that gleamed in the darkness. Gloryshine sighed and placed a paw over both of the eggs, before cradling them gently on her back, and started her journey back to her lair, far, far away from this spooky place.
Only to be greeted by a horribly unsettling sight.
Dragons all around curled up on the piles of ruins, away from low floor which has started to flood. Rain dripped through the ceiling, making Gloryshine felt like she was still in the storm. The lair was just an opening under this place, but it lead further into other sections, and open into the sky. This was the worst storm she'd ever encountered, and the opening that lead to other places...
Was blocked by a pile of fallen debris.
All dragons nestled around had expressions of horror on their faces, and Gloryshine quickly flew to the closest dragon and asked frantically, "What's wrong? What just happened?" The female Wildclaw shakily answered, "We were getting out of the storm, but a bolt of lightning fell down, and the rest of our lair ruins has fallen. The other dragons on the other side... none of them are here now..." she couldn't continue. Gloryshine then noticed a hint of red under the pile of debris, and noticed a wing sticking out, and also a broken dragon leg. Worst of all, a body of an Imperial laid on a piece of bigger debris. It was Della, one of their lair guards.
Gloryshine felt sick. Almost half of her clan were dead, in their own lair. She didn't know what to do next; their home didn't look like it was going to sustain much longer.
A loud crack snapped her out of her thoughts, and she recovered just in time to shove a orange Ridgeback out of the way before one piece of the ceiling fell down, splashing against the water below. She stared in horror. This proved that staying here any moment longer was not safe for any other dragon. She looked around rapidly, searching for one dragon. The dragon who had eggs with her. The love of her life. The one she could never, ever lose.
"Has anyone of you seen Lightrock?" Gloryshine asked loudly. The Ridgeback she'd saved moments ago pointed over to a direction. A flash of gold scales greeted her as she saw her lover.
"Gloryshine!" The other golden Fae shouted with delight and relief. She smiled and held out the eggs. "At least they're safe for now... Keep them safe please, my love." They leaned and kissed each other.
Lightrock held the two eggs carefully before flying to perch on a bigger piece of platform. Gloryshine flew up and said in a clear, loud tone: "Everyone listen up! Staying in here is too dangerous! We must leave, AT ONCE! There must be no delay! Run as fast as you can to safety as possible! Stay together and don't lose anyone in sight! Move, now!" Just as she finished the last sentence, another piece of the roof fell off, revealing the gray, stormy sky above.
"RUN!" Gloryshine shouted. The dragons all started to leave, flapping their wings in a frantic burst of noise. More of the roof started to fall off, and Gloryshine saw cracks appearing. Just then another crack was heard, she thought it was the roof again, but when she turned around, she saw on of the eggs cracking. A purple head popped out, followed by a shade of blue. It was a female. Gloryshine smiled at her first born. She quickly flew over and carried it in her paws.
The other egg was cracking slowly in the middle, while the other dragons tried to escape. Suddenly, a loud piercing crack sounded through the whole room, and...
The ceiling fell off.
Dragons had just almost got to the exit were trapped under piles of debris and screams tore through the air. Gloryshine roared with dismay and quickly tried to get Lightrock, but piles of stone fell down, blocking her vision. Rain started to pelt down on her eyes, and wind tugged at her wings furiously. The other egg slipped off his grasp... before he was swallowed by a big pile of huge white pieces of rock.
"NO! LIGHTROCK!" Gloryshine shrieked in terror and flew over, but more showers of debris were falling. She saw many gruesome sights, a Pearlcatcher was lying lifeless under a pile of fallen ruins, and a Spiral had her neck twisted and broken. But most of all... she saw the pieces of broken eggshell and the dead dragon inside, and also the body of a gold dragon.
Her family was dead.
She had to name this dragon who survived. She quickly flew towards the exit, while her small little baby dragon clung onto her back. Rock fell and she saw that a few dragons ran out of the exit, but most of them were dead or almost on the way to, and she avoided looking back so she wouldn't feel sick. Flying outwards towards the opening on the roof, she managed to escape straight out into the raging storm...
Before a bolt of lightning struck the pile of remains of what their clan called home.
Everything burst into flames, crackling wetly in the storm. Even the dragons who managed to escape fell back in the flames, and their screams were drowned out by the fire swallowing them. Less than 10 dragons had made it out alive, and now...
10 of them were dead as well.
They wouldn't have died if they hadn't stayed by the entrance. They were perched on top of a few platforms that remained, and the fire engulfed the whole once-called lair. So... none of them survived.
It was all over.
Chapter 2
Nothing was left for the once simple but cheerful home.
Gloryshine had nothing left... except one.
The blue and purple baby dragon looked as shakened and sorrowful as her mother. Gloryshine sighed sadly, a tear rolling down her cheek, mixing with the rain that fell down. The storm had calmed down into a normal rainfall. She had taken shelter under a piece of stone outcropping. She noticed it was already very late... and the sky was even darker. She curled up with her baby dragon and fell asleep. In her dreams was nothing but just terrible images of fire, lightning and floods, reminding her of how huge a loss she had just suffered. Gloryshine was a clan matriarch, she held the clan together for a really long time already. But one terrible storm had ended the life of so many dragons, the dragons under her lead, the dragons who died because... because of her.
She didn't notice tears flowing down her face since she was asleep.
What can I do now? Gloryshine thought to herself mournfully. Everything is gone. There's nothing I could do right now, not with the usual organized schedule messed up. Normally, dragons would gather and prepare food accordingly in the lair, but now she was on her own, she couldn't rely on anyone else to survive. She was completely on her own now.
Getting up and settling her little dragon down carefully, she went to hunt for some insects. In the bushes and between some rocks were a few she could find. Slowly she fed the little dragon the insects, and ate some herself. Little Faes don't usually eat too much, which meant that she would have a little extra. She kept them for a while and wondered what to do next. Maybe she would start looking for a clan to stay in. She would just go to somewhere she could live. But she had to find something to carry food in.
Looking over to a plant with strong, thick leaves, she had an idea. She could weave the leaves together to create a temporary bag to keep mostly food. "I'll take it," she muttered to herself. A beautiful blue and purple glow interrupted her thoughts. She gazed up to the sky. The vibrant colors of daybreak are shown in the sky, like twilight colors showing across the whole sky as if it were a drawing canvas filled with color. The rising sun was in the east, giving the whole world a bright light. Gloryshine looked into the distance. These colors reminded her of her hatched dragon, which was really, really lucky to survive. Nobody else was lucky enough.
She glanced at the dusk sky and rising sun and glanced at the small dragon again. "Dusklight," Gloryshine said with a smile. "I'll call you Dusklight.""Mum," replied the tiny dragon. Gloryshine smiled even brighter. At least, she could raise her daughter as normal. She would look for clan to stay in. She would.
After gathering a little bit more insects on her way and finishing the bag made out of leaves, she set off her way to find a new home.
But it was already dark, and she was really, really tired. It was actually quite a long flight from the Sundial Terrace to here.
Gloryshine chose a bigger tree from a clump of them, and flew to a nicely grown branch she could sleep in for the night. It was slightly curved and backed with the tree bark, so her small dragon would be perfectly safe. Settling down, she picked a few insects that she had collected and ate them, then proceeded to sleep. Before she could, her small dragon cuddled up to her and said, "Mum?" Gloryshine smiled with her eyes half closed and nestled her closer. "I love you, Dusklight...""Mum, I love you too..." Dusklight replied. She really was clever. She could already speak. Dragons learn to speak themselves once their tongues and teeth have developed, and learn throughout the way. Gloryshine and Dusklight hugged each other tightly and fell asleep.
The next day, they woke up early, before sunrise to be exact. Gloryshine brought Dusklight along with her to hunt, teaching her how to catch insects and in situations where you can't find insects, which plants you could eat for a moment. Dusklight learned everything quickly, and soon was doing insect catching beside her mother, and hoarded the bag with more food. They ate a bit of what they have collected, and when they were done, they were really full and prepared to set off. Dusklight couldn't really fly yet, but she could walk. Gloryshine carried her on her back this time, putting the bag of food over her shoulder. She started to head closer to the tide pools.
After about 5 minutes of flying, she only could see a bit of yellow light back where her old home used to be. In front of her laid a hundred or more giant tidal pools. She was at the Tsunami Flats. Flying down towards the sandy beach, she glimpsed dragons everywhere, all with blue eyes, selling things and flying around. Gloryshine blinked her eyes, adjusting to the new surroundings.
Dragons had set up stalls at the edge of the coast to sell things like medicinal plants, even medicines, magical potions, food and some even offering services. The stalls were opposite the pools, just at the edge of the water. Dusklight was amazed by all these too. Gloryshine noticed and smiled. She knew that water dragons loved being wet, could breathe underwater and talk underwater, swim fast and also sometimes, lucky ones could predict the future or see glimpses of it.
Which reminded her- if she could find a prophet or seer or someone who can help her, she might know what to do next. But- was any of them at the stalls offering such service? Gloryshine glanced around. Nope, she couldn't see anything similar so far.
The tide pools were actually deeper than they looked. Inside, the water isn't really deep, but those who aren't for a clan are sometimes filled with more water for young dragons and even adults to splash and relax in. Those with clans living inside... Gloryshine wasn't exactly sure how. She had never seen it up close before, so maybe she could now.
Before she could do anything else, a male Pearlcatcher crashed into her by mistake. He had blue crystal scales and a shimmering aqua wings. There was a row of spines a Caribbean color on his back. He seemed surprised at this.
"Uhh.. hello. Sorry for bumping you, I've never seen you around before. He glanced at her eyes. "You're a Light dragon? There aren't many Light dragons living in the Tsunami Flats. Are you a new clan member?"
"No," Gloryshine replied. "I was a clan leader, but then... my clan is gone now. All of my dragons are... you know. I have just came her to look for a new place to stay, or at least know what I'm supposed to do next." She fought hard to hold back tears. On her back, Dusklight asked, "Mum, who's this?"
"Oh, I forgot. My name is Aquawater. Nice to meet you. You can call me Aqua." He held out a paw to shake and Gloryshine politely shook. "And my name is Gloryshine. This is my daughter, Dusklight." Aquawater nodded and said, "Come. You can stay in where I live for a while. I think I know someone who can help you." Gloryshine nodded and flew off, before adding, "Thanks."
Aquawater gave a brief nod before flying towards the other side of the pools. Gloryshine followed suit, holding Dusklight closely. She noticed that this place was really active today; dragons were yelling and advertising their sales, relaxed dragons and young dragons were burying into those empty, slightly smaller tide pools, and even one lair was particularly moving, probably their lair has expanded.
But Aquawater did not dive into any tide pools, he suddenly turned around to face the sea. At this spot, coral reefs were visible in the slight middle spot of the sea. It was beautiful, but both of them couldn't swim underwater, they weren't Water dragons after all.
But the blue Pearlcatcher seemed to have guessed her thoughts. "Oh yeah, you will have to go to one of those stalls over there." He flicked his tail toward the direction of a few stalls. "Simply choose one and tell them whatever they ask you to, and you should get a potion that has an effect that lasts for one day." Gloryshine nodded and flew towards the closest stall with a male Wildclaw sitting there. The stalls here looked more specially designed, it had a stronger, steadier roof that can shield rain and shine, and all of the stalls were back-facing a cave with various openings where they seemed to live. Strange. The roof will protect them from weather, so why do they need an extra shelter? Then again, she didn't expect many dragons going in and out during rainy days, so they probably choose to rest.
She walked over to a stall where a pinkish Skydancer was. The Skydancer smiled at their arrival. "Visitors?" "Yeah, kinda." "Name please."
"Gloryshine, and this is Dusklight. One potion for underwater breathing, please?" The other dragon nodded and handed them a medium-sized bottle with a blue, sparkling liquid inside. She was glad she had chosen this stall, the other Wildclaw she'd seen just now looked really grumpy.
"Let your daughter drink a quarter of this, and you drink the rest, miss. Have a nice day," The Skydancer said with a smile.
Gloryshine opened the bottle and drank three quarters of it. It tasted like... berries, crushed into a fizzing drink. The rest of it was drank by Dusklight. She seemed to enjoy the taste. Both of them thanked the Skydancer and flew over to where Aquawater was waiting. "Lets go then. This medicine lasts for one day, so we shall just go and rest underwater in my lair. We can get more there." He dove into the water with a splash.
Gloryshine jumped in and followed. The medicine was working, she could breathe underwater as easily as on land. She could open her eyes and see underwater, and also talk. She looked around to make sure her only daughter who survived was there. Dusklight seemed to have trouble knowing how to swim at first, but after a chain of flapping and thrashing wildly actions, she gained control and learned how to move her legs in the right way and also flap her wings at the right time. Both of them started to follow Aquawater.
The underwater air smelled fishy and had a freshness to it. Coral reefs exploded into sight as they looked closer. Red and purple lined the blue background of the sea, and fishes and all sorts of sea creatures roamed around. Gloryshine even saw one or two dragons hanging around and swimming through openings in the reef. It was really gorgeous, since she hadn't seen much of the underwater life. Dusklight was totally amazed and kept making "ooh" and "wow" noises. "This place is really awesome, Mother. I love it!" The little dragon exclaimed. Gloryshine knew that she had learned to speak really quick. She was really glad. Swimming away from the reef, she glimpsed blue scales in front of her, and recognized it as Aquawater. She swam harder to catch up, but always making sure that she kept close by Dusklight. Dusklight doesn't seem to have a problem with catching up.
After what it felt like a small eternity, Aquawater finally skidded to a stop. A gate stood in the middle of a piece of coral, and on it a sign labelled "Fishspine Reef."
Aquawater smiled and said, "Come. I bet I could guess your reaction."
Three of the dragons entered the gate, and emerged into a large, colorful place.
They had arrived at the Fishspine Reef, one of the most historical places of all.
Chapter 3
Gloryshine and Dusklight took a moment to catch their breath.
Corals and underwater plants were all over the place, and dragons nestled into great, beautifully designed openings they called their lairs. Along the reefs, a delicate pathway was carved into it, as if someone did it on purpose. Beside the path, dragons were selling things with stalls just like on the beach, but Gloryshine guessed that weather didn't really bother them here. Levels and levels of platforms which are coral reefs extend from one to another, in all sorts of different colors. She guessed that if they went downwards, they would eventually find the bottom of the sea.
Aquawater interrupted her thoughts. "Beautiful, right? My lair is here. Come on, you all might want to rest. He continued swimming along the coral. He was going upwards. After a few platforms they passed, he landed on the pathway and beside them were a lot of stalls, selling different things each. Gloryshine saw a few bones here and there, but those were just the ancient remains the dragons decided to preserve. They trailed along the pathways, hearing dragons shout out what they're selling.
"The best seafood you could find here! Guaranteed satisfaction!
"Any potion you may need, you could find them here!"
"Need any new styles? Try out everything here! Big discount!'
Gloryshine had to restrain hearing and cover Dusklight's ears for a while. It was incredibly loud, nothing like the usual calmness of the Sunbeam Ruins. "Could we hurry over to your place? And for Lightweaver's sake, I hope your home would be quieter." Aquawater nodded. "You have to be here a while to get used to this noise. Come on. Its a whole lot quieter at where I live." He continued walking along the pathways.
Soon, the sounds of the noisy marketplace was drowned out, and nothing could be heard anymore. This place was quite nice as well, nothing here was in sight except for one particular building carefully designed, dragons flew in and out of here. "That's the supermarket," Aquawater told her. "Usually we get all of our needs here." Gloryshine loved this idea since it was lot more quieter for the inhabitants here.
"So, where's your lair?"
"Over there."
Aquawater swam over a higher platform and landed on it. Around here were underwater plants of many colors- blue, green, yellow, pink, red, purple, white and more. The reefs here vary from green to purple to pink and blue, and the reef was soft to the touch. There were no pathways here, this was clearly a lair's spot. Aquawater ducked through a clump of blue plants and revealed a cavern opening. It was designed neatly with patterns of seashells and snails and anything related to their habitat. Light glowed from inside and Gloryshine sighed, finally able to relax for a while...
Before they swam into it.
Inside was just as stunning as any lair she could have seen.
She had to take a deep breath before taking in her new surroundings. Dragons from all around were nestled into spots with sand lined on the ground, and all the beds were of seaweed. Most dragons here were water dragons, but occasionally Gloryshine saw a hint of pink, green, purple and white eyes, signifying that other dragons live here as well. Dusklight stayed close to her mother, she seemed to be a little nervous about this new surrounding. Gloryshine cradled her in her arms and swam on.
"We have a special place for visitors. Come on." The Pearlcatcher swam into a doorway leading into another section of the clan. In this particular room, a table with some scrolls laid on it, and around were shelves holding some books. She guessed that these things had to be enchanted by magic to be used underwater. Intricate designs of shells and bubbles and fish have been carved into the floor, and in these niches filled with sparkling water. Walking into another doorway, this appeared to be another normal room underwater, but as Aquawater swam into the room, he headed upwards, and so did Gloryshine. She was surprised to find her head popped out of water. In this cave, lamps of soft blue light hung from the ceiling. It was rocky, unlike the sandy, soft surface of the underwater lair. Resting spots lined with seaweed were all around this place, and a small cavern led to a bathroom. Aquawater flew over to one of the seaweed beds that was purple. "I suppose you will take this spot. Rest well." He showed them the way to the bathroom and said he had things to do in the clan, so he swam off, leaving them alone.
Glad to be out of water after swimming for a long time, Gloryshine settled down in the soft, comfortable bed. She sighed before huddling Dusklight close to her, and both of them fell asleep. Dusklight had learnt how to speak. She could soon communicate with all other dragons. She was almost a few days old now. Dragon hatchlings take one week to grow to a normal size, and then they would start to mature. Gloryshine smiled and slid into the dream world.
"Sorry, Dusklight. I was just looking out for both of you." The little dragon nodded. "Its fine," she said. "Would you like to learn a bit of new things?" Dusklight was interested, so she said yes. She flew over to where Aquawater was sitting and looked at the scroll he was holding. He began to teach her about some words and how to speak with different kinds of dragons.
After about half an hour of teaching, Dusklight, with her new knowledge, thanked Aquawater and thought what would she do next. The Pearlcatcher noticed her thinking and asked, "Are you hungry?" Dusklight nodded. Aquawater patted her on the head gently. "Wait." He dove into the water and disappeared.
Dusklight flapped her wings, and realized she was lifting into the air. She squealed a little, at first by surprise then joy. She navigated around the big cave, dodging the lamps as she flew. At first Dusklight's flight path was disoriented, but soon she learned how to fly properly. Then she accidentally crashed into one of the lamps and fell back into the water, creating a splash. A Mirror was awoken by the splash, and gave Dusklight a bewildered look before falling asleep again.
Aquawater returned with a tray filled with various sources of seafood. "I know Faes probably don't eat any other things except insects, so I brought some as well. It smells a little fishy though." He said, almost apologetically. Dusklight shook her head. "No, its fine. I will try it." A few shark fins and meat laid out. Pale blue grubs and a few flies were on a dish as well, as Aquawater promised. Dusklight shrugged and grabbed a piece of fish, silvery in color. She ate it, and found out that seafood doesn't taste bad. She tried the underwater insects as well, and found out that one particular fly was delicious. She would catch it next time if she ever remembered it.
After eating a vast array of food, Dusklight turned to her mother. She wasn't awake yet. She must be really tired, Dusklight guessed.
Aquawater scooped a few insects and bits of fish into a plate and set it aside. "This would be for your mother, Dusklight. I wonder if she is really that tired." He set the plate of food on a small ledge beside the bed, where it couldn't be knocked off by the dragon sleeping inside.
"Would you like to come and learn more about everything? I am actually teaching little dragons about the world, so I'm a teacher. But class is over for the day, and I have time to spare. Intrigued, Dusklight nodded and followed the Pearlcatcher. She left a note for her mother, saying she was with Aquawater. "Come on," he beckoned her to follow.
They dove into the water again. This time, Aquawater took the other passageway, leading towards a huge room. It was not completely water as well. Dusklight knew it must be quite hard to separate these parts out of water unnaturally. In this room where it led out to a clearing, the walls were not like the rocky stone walls of where they slept, instead it was made out of soft wood. Sand lined the floor and a huge rug of blue laid in the middle of the room. Channels of sparkling water she'd seen in the other room just now flowed down from a few tiny holes in a wall and splashed down into a small, delicate, looked-like-it-is-specially-designed stream. It winded through the whole room and seemed to disappear out of nowhere. Glittering dampness met her claws as she stepped on it.
"What are these glittering water anyway?"
"Oh. Those are just normal water enchanted with a glitter spell. It doesn't really do much, rather than to create some style."
Dusklight stepped on the water. It was cooling, and she wondered if these glittering water was used otherwise. Aquawater set his pearl down on the table carefully, and grabbed a scroll from the table. "So, lets learn more about dragon types in the world of Sorneith. Tell me what do you know, Dusklight."
She piped up immediately. "Oh, I know! I'm a Fae and so is my mother! And I know Tundras, Mirrors and Guardians as well!"
"Very good. These are plentiful breeds in our world. Besides these, there are also common breeds such as Spirals, Pearlcatchers like me, Ridgebacks and Snappers. Rare breeds are Wildclaws and Coatls, and Nocturnes and Imperials only appeared later on."
Dusklight nodded, remembering everything.
For the next half hour, Aquawater taught her about new words she didn't understand, the deities, the regions and subregions of Sorneith and also the properties of dragons of different elements.
Finally, Aquawater gave her a quiz on all the questions.
"What's the name of the Wind deity?"
"The Windsinger!"
"What's the subregion of the Viridian Labyrinth that has small rivers like this?" He pointed at the small designed stream.
"The Gladeveins!"
"What is the breed that is the smallest among all of them?"
"Fae dragons!"
"That's really impressive. You've did great, Dusklight. You can come back every day and study a bit with me. Well, clever little Fae. But you're almost close to maturing." He patted her gently on the head again.
"Thank you, Aquawater. That meant a lot to me. I better go check on Mum." He nodded with a smile and Dusklight dove into the water and swam towards the resting cave again.
But before that she felt a little need to visit the bathroom... and she forgotten about the bathroom in the cave, so she asked Aquawater where is it, and he led her away.
Slowly, she blinked her eyes open. The room came into view, and on the rocky ledge beside her was a plate of food. She smiled. Aquawater must have left it for her... wait, where's Dusklight?
Gloryshine sat up immediately with a daze. She looked around, and saw a note. On the note read,
'Mother, Aquawater and I are going to have a lesson for a bit. He is going to teach me more about the world. Also, we've prepared something for you to eat. I hope you have a nice rest!
Sincerely,
Dusklight'
Gloryshine sighed in relief. Well, it was good as long as she didn't leave the lair. Aquawater was keeping good paws on her.
She grabbed the plate of food and ate it. It was nice to try seafood for the first time, and she was certainly sure that one of the underwater insects tasted as nice as those she found at home.
Her home. What she lost.
She shook those thoughts away. There's nothing she could do. She'd better stop thinking or she'd end up having violent dreams about fire and lightning monsters combining to tear her apart.
She laid down and sighed.
After what it seemed like an eternity, she didn't know what happened, but it must have been she's fell asleep.
But that wasn't important.
Gloryshine felt the whole world spinning, and she closed her eyes. That only made her pass out.
She had no idea what was happening.
Sundancer, the healer who came to see the sickly looking Fae on the bed, said: "I'm not sure. There's something wrong to this." She nudged Dusklight's mother gently. She didn't even move. "But don't worry," she said calmly to the petrified little dragon beside her, Aquawater standing with an anxious expression behind. "She is fine. See? You can feel the heartbeats." Dusklight knew, but it worried her sick to know that her mother, specifically from all other dragons, was lying there, not waking up.
"I wonder if the healers would be able to do anything. Maybe I'll call a healer who can recover with magic come and help. But this is the only thing I'm not sure about." Sundancer took a deep breath, and said: "When a healer wants to perform a healing act, physically or magically, they would have to identify the problem. If a healer doesn't even know what the problem is, it is literally impossible to cure. And this is the problem right now." She sighed. "I suppose I'll get Glidescale to take a look. She is one of the most skilled dragons in our healing genre." With that, the pale golden Skydancer slipped out of the room, and down the water.
Dusklight sat silent for a few moments. "She will wake up right?" She asked after a while. Aquawater placed a paw on her back. "Dusklight," he said softly. "I'm not a seer, or a prophet. I have no idea what happens next, or what will happen tomorrow. I can just say that, we can never expect the worst from the dragons we love. If you love your family, they will always be alive, in your heart. And you have to believe in the Tidelord, or whichever deity you believe in, that she or he will make sure that your mother is safe." Aquawater had no idea why he did that, but he pulled the little Fae, now grown a little more, closer to his wings. "She will be proud of you, Dusklight. You've done really well," Aquawater said before staring into space.
Dusklight glanced at her "sleeping" mother, wondering if that was true or not. Aquawater was probably right about one thing though. Mother is going to live in my heart forever. She pressed her claws together, closed her eyes, and prayed.
Dear Lightweaver,
I'm very glad that you've given me such a wonderful experience so far. I have made a few new friends, even if I had lost my old ones. I believe in you.I just wish for one thing that lasts forever.
Please keep my family safe. The ones I only have. I will believe in you, whether you grant my wish or not. The plans you lay out for everyone all comes from your good intentions. Sincerely, your faithful subject Dusklight.
She had light blue scales, with a pair of stunning deep blue eyes to match. She usually looked nice, but today, her smile was not on her face, replaced by a solemn look.
"I think I get the concept."
Sundancer snapped her head up. Dusklight sat up from Aquawater's lap, where she had been, for the rest of the day Sundancer examined her mother. This was the second day, and her mother did not wake up.
"Look."
Chillsnow, the Tundra, one of the most skilled doctors of physical healing, pointed to an X-Ray that they had taken earlier in the day. Sundancer glanced at it carefully. "Its a strange...blow. But that couldn't really have happened, you see. There was a dragon or two where she slept, and anything that caused the blow like this sure will have made a sound. But no dragons knew what happened, we asked. It was like she passed out all of a sudden, for no reason."
Sundancer glared even closer. She placed a paw on top of Gloryshine's forehead, and shook her head for a bit.
"We need to talk for a bit. Aquawater, why not you take the little one for a little trip. We'll see when we can sort everything out."
Aquawater nodded. He dove into the water, with Dusklight reluctantly following.
When they were sure no dragons were left in the room, Sundancer leaned in closer to Chillsnow and sighed sadly. "You know nothing can survive an injury like this. It hit the vital part of the brain. Although it sounds impossible..." Chillsnow shook her head firmly. "No," she said briskly. "We will try and do everything that we can. It is our job, after all. I can't fail myself, or any other dragon, stranger or not. Our talent lies in healing." The Tundra sighed at Sundancer's sad look. "I know," she said with a hint of sympathy. "Even sometimes when we try our best, we might not suceed." She swallowed at those words. "But that shouldn't keep us from trying, because there is always a chance, no matter how slim." She stared into the sky. "The Tidelord is counting on us to complete our destiny. We just have to keep on trying." Sundancer nodded, and turned around to get the nest equipments.
Before she dove into the water, she turned around. "Chillsnow," she said softly. Chillsnow looked at her. "Promise me to not say anything to the small one. Also, only tell Aquawater when we really need to. Make sure no other healers we might need spill the beans as well." Chillsnow nodded, tunring around to continue the nest step as the Skydancer's tail disappeared into the water.
Chapter 4
The weather outside was nothing like the weather inside Dusklight's heart.
Aquawater had took her to the dining room, where dragons ate their meals. She ate some new dishes she'd never seen before, like a Bluefin Charger meat with fresh seaweed. She enjoyed it, but it was not enough to distract her from the thing that was in front of their eyes.
Aquawater now took her to a small bay where she can perch on rocks and watch the sunrise and sunset from here.
The sky should have been dark, with rainclouds and thunder roaring above. Not this- sunshine reflecting off the pale blue water, birds chriping cheerfully, and a light breeze blowing the fluffy, non-threatening clouds.
Dusklight stared into the distant horizon, like her mother did when she lost her clan. The memories of that day was like, almost two days ago, but it was as new as it just happened in Dusklight's brain. She shed a few tears without noticing she did.
"I understand what you are feeling right now."
The blue Pearlcatcher wrapped one of his wings around the Fae, who had grown larger by time. "You see, I know how is it like to lose seemingly like your whole life. You wanna hear a story?" Dusklight wiped the tears away and nodded.
Aquawater sat down beside her, the sunlight glinting off his scales. "When I was young, I lived in the Tsunami Flats. I had a brother and a sister, named Shore and Tidesand. I was the oldest sibling, and I lost my father when I was only 3 years old. He died from an infection at the tail." He sighed, and continued. "Shore did not smile for almost 1 year after my father died. He was the youngest sibling, and he wasn't even full grown yet. Our mother, Waterflame, was grief-stricken as well, and our clan all mourned for the lost of him. We were given more resources due to the natural inability of my mother to fly, since she had a wing disabled. I worked hard to take care of her and my younger siblings. But I supposed I failed..." He faltered a little, and Dusklight noticed tears forming in his eyes. "One day, I was teaching some other dragons how to hunt for a certain kind of insect, and I had warned Shore not to swim out of the borders of our clan, but he didn't listen, because at the same time he went to chase a bug he found interesting. Tidesand tried to stop him, but they didn't notice a predator coming with a certain up to no good dragon.
"The ruthless assassin had trained and led the shark here to kill dragons. He-" Aquawater sniffed at the tears flowing down his face, unable to stop now. "He made the shark snap at both of them, and Tidesand...she...she jumped in front of Shore to protect him... and got bitten on the tail...severely... and Shore was accidentally killed while he tried to get our sister. She was lucky to survive, but Shore... the assassin had sliced his throat and made him fall down to the ground, and he bled to death... since his artery was slashed... and Tidesand...her tail was fixed but it couldn't be recovered to its original position...so it now...always...look bent at an odd angle... and..and she suffered a lot of great pain during the time, and she is still limited from doing many things she wants to now..." Aquawater broke into tears as he finished his sentence with gasps and sobs. "I'm a fool! I'm an idiot! I failed to save my family when I loved them so much! I'm terrible, Dusklight... I don't understand... I just..." He gasped out the last words after screaming so hard. His tears dripped down on the surface, creating small splashes. "I can never forgive myself...never..."
Dusklight was stabbed with a knife of shock, sadness and somehow... fury. She hugged the Pearlcatcher who was sobbing uncontrollably, since he did that so many times for her since she arrived.
"It wasn't your fault..." she said softly. "It was that wretched dragon's fault. She felt a strong wave of anger at whoever that was. Aquawater wiped his tears away and tried to smile a little. "Thank you, Dusklight. I just want you to understand..." He returned the embrace around the Fae.
As in return to their emotions, the sky suddenly turned a darker color. Lightning started to flash overhead.
Aquawater turned to dive. "Come on, its time we go back. I have the potion you need, it must be almost wearing off."
Dusklight followed him into the water. "Will the effects stack?"
Aquawater swam on while answering. "It does not. The time for the dose is counted from the time you drink it. Whenever you drink a new dose, the time starts from there again."
The two dragons flew back to the lair, where Aquawater gave her a bottle of the potion and she drank it. Then, she went to use the bathroom again, and just after her tail slipped around the corner of the hallway, Chillsnow appeared in front of Aquawater, with a sad look on her face. "I've got good news and bad news."
Aquawater shot his head up, eyes wide.
"Say," he said urgently.
"The good news is Gloryshine is awake."
Aquawater was jsut going to sigh with relief, before Chillsnow raised a paw and stopped him. "Wait, its too early to rejoice." She sadly shook her head. "The bad news is... this injury cannot be removed. And it is getting worse, day by day. And one day... the life will be ended as well..."
Aquawater's eyes opened wide, this time with a jawdrop.
"That...that means..."
"Yes. She is not going on for much longer. In fact... she is going to... in four to five days..."
Aquawater looked like he might turn into a stone statue and never move again. How...how was he going to spill it to Dusklight..
"I understand. The little one must have a hard time to accept this fact. Until then, let her stay with her mother for these few days..."
Chillsnow wiped away a tear of her own. Aquawater can only nod a little, and his expression of shock was quickly replaced by sorrow and guilt. Guilt for not being able to tell Dusklight the news. For not paying attention to his guest.
"Don''t worry. Gloryshine will tell her daughter herself. Her-"
"Dusklight."
"Dusklight will know it herself." Chillsnow touched Aquawater gently. "Don't worry," she said softly. "You have done your best, what you could have done. Just slowly accept the fact, I know its never easy." Chillsnow left with a sad expression.
Aquawater could only slowly swim towards the room where they kept patients. Dusklight came out from the hallway and followed him, saying nothing on the way.
When they reached the room, separated by doors, the Pearlcatcher turned to Dusklight. "Dusklight," he said slowly and gently. "Promise me not to swear or curse the healers when you find out whatever you need to. Whatever the results are, the healers have tried their best."
The little Fae hesitated, then nodded.
They pushed the door open.
Inside wasn't much of a room, like the others. However, magic had been added to the walls to ensure privacy and quarantine patients who need it. A table and chair was at one side of her room, and all around the room contained shelves and equipments of the healers and doctors.
But most of all, Dusklight noticed the bed in the middle, along with two dragons.
Her mother was looking at her with a weak body, tired eyes, but she smiled. She smiled feebly.
"Mum!" Dusklight happily jumped over and landed softly besidde the bed.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine replied very weakly. She had almost no strength to talk, let alone move.
"Careful, Dusklight."
Dusklight looked up. The healer she didn't know was beside them. She is an Imperial, with iridescent dark greyish blue scales. She gave her a sad look. "Don't do too much. You might both need some time alone. Call me if you need anything with that button." She gestured to the device beside her, just in reach of her bedridden mother. "I'll give you both some privacy. Come, Aquawater, only Dusklight is allowed in there." He looked a little relieved and tired at the same time.
After both dragons swept out of the room, Gloryshine spoke.
"Dusklight my dear, there is something I must tell you."
"I'm listening." The Fae leaned closer with extreme anxiety.
"I won't be here much longer. I'm-"
"You're what? What do you mean by 'won't be here much longer'!? Tell me!" Dusklight was worried, very very worried.
Gloryshine's eyes began to water.
"Dusklight... I'm...dying..."
"WHAT!?" Dusklight made the loudest sound she'd ever did in her life.
"Yes.." Her mother responded with a low, weak and sad voice. "I'm not staying much longer. A few days perhaps. It's impossible to stay alive now, for me at least. But there is something I must tell you before I die."
"No...no..please! I cannot accept this! This cannot be happening! Stop it! I know I must be dreaming. I must! It makes sense. Wake me up!" Dusklight smacked herself with her own tail.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine replied a little sternly. "It is not a dream." She sighed. "Death comes for all of us one day, Dusklight. We have to accept it. Please do not let me ruin your whole life. Please."
"No...I will not let you down... Mother..." Dusklight began to sob uncontrollably. She buried herself in her mother's wings, which she almost gently folded around her.
"Dusklight. You must know something."
"Yes?"
"Did you know why I hid your egg in the Tangled Wood when you were still in it?"
"Did you?" Dusklight managed to frown through her tears.
"Yes. I have to tell you something. I always had somebody hunting me and my lair down. If they knew we had eggs, they will be coming after you, and your unhatched sister too. Too bad...your dear father and sister are dead. As you probably know." Gloryshine's tears flowed down and soaked the pillow a little bit.
"I understand..." Dusklight snuggled closer to her mother. She didn't know much about her other sister, which she could have hatched with. A normal family. With her mother and father and sister and a happily, normally functioning lair.
Too late. She was born in this completely abnormal family, and...
And she will soon be alone.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine spoke feebly. "Two dragons are ruthless assassins. Their names are Deathlurker and Soulbreaker. Deathlurker is an Imperial while Soulbreaker is a Wildclaw. They are both assassins working together, and they take great pleasure in destroying and torturing their victims. Your father, Lightrock was once a victim of their torture, but luckily escaped. He found me and we started the lair. Lightrock was a very sweet dragon. Too bad now..." she faltered, and Dusklight wiped her tears away.
"They always love torturing dragons before brutally killing them. And Lightrock had always been their target since then. But if they found out we had eggs, they would be coming for both of us. That's why I had to hide the eggs in the most unexpected place."
"Oh." Dusklight understood completely now. She had to be careful.
"Mother, I promise to be careful. I will try my best to survive on my own."
"Okay. I trust you, my little diamond." Gloryshine smiled weakly.
For the next few minutes, or maybe even hours, they spent their time together, silently sobbing and mourning for their lost family.
After what felt like ages, both of them fell asleep, enjoying each others company for one of the few last times, for both of them.
Its time for the truth.
A fate that no one would like to accept, no one would like to see or hear, yet is unable to reject any of it.
For a few days Dusklight had visited and stayed by her mother, learning how to take care of her, even for a small amount of time. She did not leave her for long, only occasionally visiting the bathroom, getting food or learning with Aquawater. Every day she gained more knowledge, and more experience.
And every day she was growing up.
Today, she, Dusklight, is already a full grown Fae. She is now in the next stage of her life.
And her mother was going there as well.
Chillsnow stood beside the bed, gently comforting a sobbing Sundancer. Dusklight herself is unable to control her own tears. Aquawater was standing with an expressionless face, but tears were flowing down his face.
The weak purple Fae lying on the bed smiled at her daughter and the others for the last time. She could barely speak now, but she can still manage to choke out her final words.
"Dusklight. Aquawater. Healers. Thank you. I'm unable to do anything else now, and I knew you've tried your best. Once again, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you all. Have...a better life. Good...bye.." Her last words weakened to a stop. The screen showing her pulse beeped more quickly every moment, and finally, Gloryshine's last moments ended with a loud sound that resonated through the room.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
"No...no!" Dusklight can barely see through her tears, but she can see the undeniable truth through a blurry fade. The pulse of her mother had stopped.
She was dead.
"No...I can't believe this...this can't be happening..." She broke down into tears. Chillsnow herself wiped away a few tears of her own, and Sundancer began to sob more loudly. Very soon, Aquawater flew over to Dusklight and hugged her, sobbing furiously.
"Dusklight..." he finally managed to choke out. "There is something you must see. Come on." He nudged her. Dusklight nodded, flying over to her mother's body and looking at her for the last time, before lightly kissing her on the cheek, for the last time as well.
She was gone.
"Dusklight...you must come." Aquawater said with a stronger voice this time. The Fae nodded and slowly and sadly left the room.
Aquawater swam out of the cave and brought her to the place they had been a few days ago, where she told him about her past. They perched on the rock as usual.
"Look."
He gestured to the water, which was reflected by the sunlight. Dusklight peered in, and manage to gasp.
"You see? You are no longer a small dragon. You are an adult Fae now, Dusklight. You cannot be lost and buried in the past. You have to move on to another stage of your life, because it is your mother's wish."
"I know..." Dusklight was still stunned by her reflection in the water. Her once small, undeveloped wings were now extended and stretched out widely, just like her mother's. Her legs and body were now stronger, and she somehow felt bigger, braver and more experienced.
"You might want to read this."
Aquawater handed her a stone tablet. Some words were carved on it, making it seem like a diary entry.
"Please read it silently."
Dear Dusklight,
It is your mother here, Gloryshine. My condition is in a critcal state now, and I know I have absolutely one hundred percent no chance to survive. I know that any time now might be the last time I ever see you, but my one of my final wishes is that I'll get to see you as an adult when my time comes. And the wish was granted.
On this day, which is when you are probably reading it, you are already a mature dragon. You have your own rights, and your newfound knowledge. You must move on to a new stage in life, and live an even better life from now on.
Dusklight. You were more than anything to me, and I want you to know this. I am already very weak when I am writing this, but I tried my best to do so, with a little bit of help. And I suppose I succeeded. And I want you to know everything I must tell you before I am gone in your life forever.
It is going to be very, very hard for you, I know, but you must live a happy life, and do not let my passing taint your happy memories and experiences. You were more than a hundred thousand hoards of gems and gold to me, my little diamond. Live your life with happiness, joy and hope, not spend it moaning about me. It is not going to be changed, no matter what. You got to be happy, and that is my final wish. I want you to have a happy life.
I suppose I'm resting in peace now, when you are reading this. Please accept the fact that I've gone through the passing painlessly and peacefully, and there is nothing to worry about me now. I promise, when my time comes, which will soon be, I will watch over you, and wish you luck.
I don't know what I should be doing now, but you probably know for yourself. And someday, when your own time comes, we will be together again, and our new adventure lies ahead of us. I'll be waiting. Live a happy life.
"But...but why would...you have this...?" Dusklight managed to choke out the words through her waterfall of tears. She was curled into a ball and holding the tablet with shaking paws.
"She wanted me to let you have it. As a memorial. You got to grant her wish, Dusklight. This is the best you can do, if you wish to."
"I..will...try." She said through her tears.
"But...what..should I do now...?" She asked feebly.
"I think I know. I'll let you meet my sister, Tidesand. She lives with her best friend, Wavewasher, and she is a Seer. She offers free service. Come on, carry your bag with you. The one your mother originally crafted when she brought you here. Its quite a conincidence we met, I am lucky to meet both of you, just letting you know.
She nodded, and wiped her tears away. She will grant her mother's final wish. She will.
Chapter 5
"Are you sure its here?" Dusklight yelled over the raging winds above them. They were swimming towards the Tsunami Flats, but it seemed like it was getting darker and darker by every meter they approach. The fierce currents were luckily not enough to shove them in the wrong directions, but it took a lot of energy for them to swim.
"I don't know. Maybe the current took us to the wrong direction..." Aquawater said hesitantly.
"What!?"
"I can't tell! But it looks like..."
He didn't need to continue. The abyss that stood in front of them gave them the answer they need.
They were at the Leviathan Trench.
"But this is the exact opposite of where we're going!" Dusklight shouted. The currents grew stronger every minute they were swimming, and the wind howled above the ocean.
"It's already late, by my assumption. We have to find somewhere to settle in for a night."
"I'm sure some of these lairs here have spaces for visitors..." The Fae looked around anxiously. The cliffs have many caves with clans nestling in them. Surely she could settled in one for the night...
A faint, soft glow of light came from one of the caves in the high cliff walls of the Leviathan Trench. She beckoned to Aquawater to follow her. Both of them swam hard towards the cave, which got closer and closer as they swam.
When they finally thudded on the stone floor of the mouth of the cave, Aquawater gave a relieved sigh. He was really tired from all that swimming, and probably hungry. They had came here after eating a little bit of food, and that's all.
"Who is here in all of places now?!" A voice of a female dragon growled. As they walked in, sand lined the floor. Dusklight wondered if all dragons living in the sea lined their clans with sand.
A female Imperial appeared in front of them. Her eyes were a color of green, which means she is a Nature dragon. She seemed dreadfully annoyed.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Oh, we kinda got lost in the middle of everything. We were going to the Tsunami Flats to see a Seer, but we somehow ended up here instead."
"Oh. My name is Greenleaf, welcome to our clan. I'm a lair guard. You both need some shelter." She led both of them in.
As they went through, Dusklight noticed the lair was lit by lamps, probably by magic. The glow was bright and welcoming, and very soon Greenleaf took them to the lair, where dragons were resting in their roosts.
"Watershell!" Greenleaf suddenly called.
A female Mirror came into view. "Oh! Visitors! We haven't have many in a long time. Well, I'm Watershell, the clan matriarch here. Glad to have some visitors at last! You can follow me to your room."
"Thank you," Dusklight replied gratefully. "My name is Dusklight, by the way. And this is Aquawater."
"Nice to meet both of you." Watershell replied as she started to walk towards a hallway.
Both dragons followed her, Dusklight studying the clan. It had many similarities to Aquawater's, considering that seashells and underwater plants were used as decorations, and of course, the floor was lined with sand. But she spotted some fish bones and artifacts from the ocean preserved in cases as decor as well. Some carvings and drawings of fishes and underwater creature were etched on the walls, and the ground sometimes had carvings of shells and underwater things like Aquawater's lair, except that it wasn't filled with sparkling water.
"Here."
Watershell gestured to their room. It was a small room, alongside with many others, separated by walls. In it was a bed made our of soft seaweed as well, and it had covers attached to it. A small desk sat on the right side of the room, while on the left was a wardrobe and some shelves.
Dusklight settled her seaweed bag down on the desk, and Aquawater flopped down on the bed. He didn't seem to feel hungry.
But Dusklight was. She could even hear her stomach rumble. "Excuse me, but can we get any food here?"
"Of course! Follow me, dear." The Mirror swept out of the room and shut the door.
Soon, they were in a room full of dragons eating and chatting. Watershell brought a plate of crunchy, medium sized beetles. "I hope it would be enough," she offered kindly. "But if you need anything else, just say."
Dusklight nodded in silent thanks, and put one beetle in her mouth. The juicy meat and crunchy shell of it was just too delicious for her to resist. She started throwing the beetles in her mouth, making loud crunching noises as she did.
When she was finished, she realized a few dragons were staring at her. Dusklight blushed furiously and mumbled a quick sorry. Then, she turned to Watershell. "May I have a fat, green caterpillar please?"
"Sure. Coming in a second," she replied before walking over to get her dish.
Most dragons down here were Water dragons, but like Greenleaf, there were Plague, Shadow, Lightning and even Light dragons like herself there. She glanced over to a far corner of the room and noticed a huge supply of potions. Those must be the underwater potions for the non-Water dragons. She herself had taken a few over the past days, and she had just drank one that morning.
Watershell returned with the caterpillar she ordered. It was nice and fat, like she liked it. Caterpillars tasted nicer if they are green, and these kind were even tastier than normal insects.
This time, she was careful to watch her manners. She slowly sliced the caterpillar into half, and broke one small piece of it before eating it. When she was done, she thought she better get some rest before sunrise.
Dusklight stood up and got ready to go back to her room...
Before a very panicked dragon tumbled into the room.
It was Greenleaf, but now she was wearing some protective armor over her whole body, and they were stunning silver. Obsidian tail and wing guards draped over her as well, protecting her from harm.
"Greenleaf, what's wrong?" Watershell asked worriedly.
"An intruder!" She shrieked. "It is a masked dragon, wearing a cloak! I can't even tell its a he or she! That dragon just attacked me for no reason and now I have to warn all of you!"
Just then, screams began to come from the other side of the room.
The dragon Greenleaf was talking about had arrived.
He or she had a sword on his or her waist, and a small dagger was tied to his or her right arm. Many other things filled the cloak and from here, Dusklight could see a hint of obsidian from under the cloak.
"Marvellous." The dragon spoke in a very unsettling voice. "So many of my ignorant victims at once."
"What are you doing here!?" Watershell roared.
"Oh, I'm afraid the one who can tell you the story other than me is dead." The dragon dragged a lump from behind and tossed it on the ground.
Expressions of pure horror filled the whole room.
A male Nocturne, scales smeared with blood, laid on the floor, with a slash to his throat and many other cuts and bites on his body. Watershell looked horribly petrified.
"Deepsand..." She stammered. "You...you fool!" She lashed out at the dragon suddenly, slashing wildly at her. Greenleaf gasped and pulled her back. Dusklight didn't know why, but she helped as well.
"Oh, I didn't know the clan leader wanted to die so badly." The dragon smirked. "Right now, you should probably know who I am."
The dragon slowly withdrew all weapons from the cloak, including poisonous darts, sharp knifes and so on. Then, the dragon flung the cloak to her floor, revealing the identity of an assassin.
A male Fae, one of the bigger ones she'd seen in her life, glared at them with pink, malicious eyes. An Arcane dragon.
"I've been searching for dragons to kill since I broke free from a nasty prison. Well, your unlucky clan mate was doing some hunting I suppose. I found him and had some nice fun while you all were gone."
"No!" Watershell began to sob with anger and ferocity in her eyes. "You monster..." she snarled.
"Well, I have so many dragons to kill now! That's amazing, lets start with this one." He gestured at the clan matriarch, who glared back ferociously. "If that means you want to fight," she said fiercely, "I'm not afraid. Its my duty to protect my clan from you!"
"Bring it on, then. But beware, its not easy to defeat Liferipper, one of the best assassins known!"
Watershell ignored him. She jumped forward, lashing at the Fae.
Liferipper slinked around slowly, as other dragons started to pour out of the room through the only exit. Watershell dashed to the other side of the room, hoping to lure him there.
Greenleaf started forward, but Watershell light shoo her head, and flew over to her just in time. "Get the warriors," she ordered frantically. The Imperial obediently followed, and rushed out of the room in an instant. Soon, the only dragons left in the room were Dusklight, Watershell and Liferipper.
"Run, Dusklight!" The Mirror shouted.
"No, I'll help." Dusklight assured firmly.
"Oh, what an amusing sight. You're barely half my size as a Fae, little dragon."
She flapped her wings and lifted into the air. Kicking her legs out, she swam as fast as she could, while Watershell shot him with a blast of water.
Dusklight had never been in a real battle before, so she had no idea how to fight a merciless assassin. But she had to try. She couldn't let more dragons die innocently, especially when she had treated them so well.
She built up her power as a Light dragon, feeling warmth growing inside her. Dusklight wondered if all Light dragons felt this way when they fight.
She charged a beam of light and shot it at Liferipper, who fliched a little, but that's all.
She tried again, this time gathering the energy into a ball before unleashing it at the dragon. He flapped his wings a little, but she didn't know what that meant. Pain? Confusion? Or any side effects? She had absolutely no idea.
The dragon turned around, opened his mouth, which seemed to glow a bright pink, and shot a blast of energy at her. She rolled away just in time. It was Arcane energy, and from her lessons with Aquawater, Light dragons were weak to Arcane attacks.
Aquawater!
Was he safe? Did he make it? Was he killed?
Watershell lunged forward at the Fae, grabbing his fins. She strongly wrapped her tail around his hind legs, making him trip if he walked backward. Liferipper drew a knife, and slashed it across her front paws. She screamed in agony, and with the last of her strength in her other arm, she charged up Water magic and slashed her opponent with a strong cut of water.
The Fae gave a whimper and fell back. There was a cut on his neck, which had began to bleed, and a bruise of where the water had hit him earlier on the shoulder.
But Watershell was bleeding even worse, the knife had dealt great damage. Liferipper grabbed a dart and flung it at the Mirror, who barely dodged it. Then, unexpectedly, he shot another blast of Arcane energy at Dusklight.
At first she thought he missed, but after a moment, flaring pain made her howl in agony as she rolled on the floor. It sizzled off her scales like smoke, but didn't burn. It just hurt a lot, that's all.
The Fae grabbed another blade and lunge forward. He tried to drive it into her heart, but she avoided his attack and this time, shooting another blast of her own Light energy onto his back.
The attack seemed to make himstagger forward and lose balance, and she dashed at him again, doing a simple rake of her claws to his side.
He didn't roar with pain or anything. It was strange, to fight a dragon that made no sound. She fell back, lashing her tail out to try and trip him. Watershell was right behind them. She struck him with another bolt of water, then slashed at him with her own claws. With a swift moment, Dusklight rolled underneath the black dragon and raked his underbelly again.
This time, it earned a roar of agony from the Fae.
Liferipper snarled and dashed at her again. No time to plan another attack. She grabbed the fins on his head and shoved him aside before the Arcane energy hit her. Then, she felt claws locking around her shoulder.
No, she thought.
The dragon was surprisingly strong. He shoved her until she was backed against a wall. Then he drew his knife.
But luckily Dusklight had a sense of escape. She drew in a breathe and shot a small ray of light, not enough to deal too much damage, but it blinded her opponent for long enough for her to escape.
When she was free, she didn't know what prompted the attack, but she conjured up a strong beam of bright light, and moved it in a ray across the dragon's body.
The light was hot to the touch, and it left a red, raw mark on Liferipper's dark scales. He howled in pain, and she grabbed hold of his neck.
With a loud CRACK, she broke the assassin's neck, her energy flooding through her whole body like lightning zapping her.
He was dead.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just a nightmare," she remarked, trying to sound unbothered. But Aquawater was not convinced.
"You don't sound so good."
"Alright. You've got me," she sighed. "I feel uneasy about the dragon I killed just now. I never did that, and its just...wrong. I don't know why I can't keep my mind off it."
"Liferipper was a bad dragon. He would have died in other's claws otherwise. You did something for the greater good, intentionally or not. No worries, Dusklight. Every dragon might have killed someone in their life. The thing that is important is that you don't kill without reason, like an assassin. You did it because you have to. Its your life or his."
"I know. But its hard to get over..."
"I understand. But this might be one of the things you need to know to continue your life."
"Yeah."
Both dragons somehow drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, another sad news awaited them.
Greenleaf stood silently with a few tears down her cheek. In her paws was a box with a few holes, and around her neck was something that wasn't there before.
"I have to tell you both something," she said sadly. "Watershell was injured badly yesterday, when she was fighting. She...died of her injuries last night."
Aquawater fell off the bed and stood upright with his eyes wide. Dusklight flapped her wings in shock.
"What?"
"Yes. She wants you to have this," Greenleaf opened the box she was holding. Inside was a mouse, bigger than most mice but not too big. It scampered up to Dusklight.
"Her Glowing Pocket Mouse needs a new owner now. She can no longer take care of it, but she thought you,, Dusklight was perfect for it. She wants you to have it..."
"I will take care of it." Dusklight assured firmly.
"That's great. Also, this." She took off the necklace she was wearing, and it turned out to be a pendant necklace. It was shaped like a starfish painted in blue.
"This is her lucky charm. She wants you to have it, so you will always be safe and sound. I wish you both good luck on your journey..."
The Imperial sadly walked out of the room, leaving both of the dragons standing with sorrow.
"Aquawater, we should probably go..."
"I know. Lets get some food and pack up before we leave."
Before they prepared to leave, Greenleaf came in to meet them.
"A Skydancer wishes to see you both. Come on out and meet her."
Chapter 6
Sundancer stood in the doorway, dressed in silver armor and draped with a bag. She looked at both of them hopefully.
"I was worried about both of you, so I decided to come along with you. Anyway, the healers could spare me."
"But how did you find us?" Dusklight asked skeptically.
"Well, I-" she clearly looked embarassed. "The truth is, I followed you. I was surprised that you headed this way instead, since you said you were going to the Tsunami Flats. But I suspected you had other plans."
"We kinda got lost," Aquawater explained. "We were heading to the Tsunami Flats, but ended up here by mistake. But we are lucky to have you come with us."
"Actually, we are coming as well."
The three dragons jumped at the new voice.
A male Mirror was standing behind them. He was armed with a sword and some knives around his waist, and his whole body was dressed in a suit of metallic armor. Behind him was a Spiral, which had also the almost same array of weapons, but he was armed with poisonous darts, and a bag filled with all sorts of equipments were there. He looked like a real warrior, with silver filgree armor draped all over him, and he looked fierce. Not that the Mirror looked any less fierce, though.
"My name is Deepwave, and I'm Watershell's mate. I have to thank both of you for destroying that retched dragon. Now, I want to come with you to protect both of you. And this is Onyxstone. He is one of our best warriors."
"Nice to meet both of you," he said gruffly. The Spiral was not like his normally energetic, silly, uncontrollable tribe. He was steady and serious, perhaps trained from young to be a warrior.
"Thank you. Come on then," Dusklight said.
"Wait. You can't go away unarmed. We have some armor and weapons to lend you both. Come on."
The five dragons flew inside the lair again, this time Deepwave taking them to a room with all sorts of things warriors use. Aquawater chose a few arrows that he can carry with a bow and a sheath, and he wore shining iron armor on his tail, legs and wings. Around his neck carried a satchel with the mouse, which got along very well with Dusklight. They decided to take turns in carrying and taking care of it. Apparently, it had been injected with the underwater medicine as well.
Dusklight chose a variety of items. She saw a set of golden armor, so she put it on. Everybody gasped, even Onyxstone. She looked majestic in them. She also chose a few poisonous darts to put in wraps around her front legs, and a few knives as well.
She still had the food bag her mother made, which was refilled with supplies and added with some extra equipments.
"We prepared this armor for you. Our savior," Deepwave bowed a little while saying so. "You destroyed one of our most powerful enemies."
Dusklight swallowed at the word "destroyed". She didn't know what to think about it now, but she had to move on. Move on to find her new destiny."
"So, where should we go now?"
"To the Tsunami Flats. I know the best seer so far."
Aquawater had let Dusklight take another dose of medicine after the effect was over, and now she had one more day to go. He dove into the tide pool, and to their surprise it was secured with a small wooden door.
The Pearlcatcher knocked on it, and another one opened it. She was surprised and happy to see Aquawater.
"Aqua! I wasn't expected you at this time! Come in, and bring your friends as well!"
All dragons went into the small home built by the Pearlcatcher, which was different from the ones they've seen. Pictures of her and Aquawater hung on the walls, and some underwater plants were placed around the room. A sofa and a wooden table were placed in the middle as well, and of course, the floor was a sandy one, under a tide pool.
"Tidesand, I am bringing my friend here so that she knows what to do next."
"Sure. What are you names?"
"I'm Dusklight, and this is Onyxstone, Deepwave and Sundancer."
"Nice to meet you all. I have a few rooms around, Aqua and me can stay in my bedroom, while Dusklight can sleep with Sundancer in the other room. The rest of you can stay in my spare bedroom. Come on, Dusklight. It's free of charge." She smiled as they followed her. The others went into their rooms to rest, while Aquawater, Tidesand and Dusklight enter another doorway without a door and found themselves in a place with a table for eating, and a small door beside. Tidesand went in and beckoned Dusklight to follow.
"Aqua, would you kindly wait outside first?"
"Sure, my dear sister."
Both of them hugged each other before Aquawater sat down on one of the chairs while they entered the room.
When Tidesand walked in, Dusklight saw her tail bent at an odd angle, with bandages still binding it. It must have been fixed incorrectly somehow, but better than nothing. Aquawater's sister might had more frightening memories than hers.
Tidesand sat down on a chair beside a table. On the table were all sorts of things- shells, fish bones, ancient relics and so on. A crystal blue ball stood in the middle. Tidesand looked like a very professional seer.
"Come on, dear. Sit down on that pile of sand mould in that circle. She pointed to a circle not far from where she was sitting. A chalk was drawn to make a seperated area.
Dusklight sat down as she was told, while Tidesand opened a drawer below the table, and in it was een stranger things. Feathers of birds, and some even from dragons, pearls, jars of peculiar liquid, and more laid inside.
"Now Dusklight, no matter what happens next, do not get off the sand mould and do not move too hard or it will destroy the spell." She nodded in response.
On the table was a stone bowl with a pestle, which was for brewing, she guessed. And she was right. Tidesand filled the bowl with a bright green substance and mixed a handful of sand, specks of clouds, leaves, and all sorts of things inside, which seems to be from respective elements of Sorneith. Only one exception- Light, which was her own element.
After adding all the ingredients, Tidesand grabbed a colorful feather and stirred the mixture around, turning it different colors every second. Then, she muttered a few strange words before pulling out a light yellow jewel from inside the drawer, alongside with 10 more.
It was the colors of the respective elements.
The jewel glowed brightly, shining onto Dusklight and making the circle she was in flare up in bright yellow flames, occasionally flashing with other colors as well, mostly blue. The sand swirled up in mini tornados, and the sand mould she was sitting on seem to be fading as well. But she did not move.
After a while, a bright beam of light came into focus. It shone from Dusklight's eyes to the crystal ball, and she was staring directly into it.
"Now, place your paws on the ball." She could hear Tidesand's voice still speaking.
She was supposed to be far away from the ball, but she extended her talons anyway. When she put it in front of her, it touched the clear blue surface of the crystal ball, even if it made no sense. The surface rippled like water, and suddenly, everything was blinded by a bright flash of yellow light.
Then, she was staring at her past.
The images of her clan being set on fire, their journey to the ocean, her mother dying, and how she killed Liferipper and appeared here, finally.
"I can't believe it," Tidesand whispered. "I've never seen such a terrible past for a young dragon like you. Now, let's see what will your future hold."
The images faded away, and Dusklight felt her tears fading away somehow. Her whole body glowed with a magical aura, and the surface of the ball shimmered like smoke.
Tidesand came into view, her eyes closed. Everything else was a blur. She softly said:
"Dusklight. You have suffered a terrible past. But you will have to forget it. We cannot alter the past, but we can control our future. So take it from here." She smiled lightly. "The Tidelord has everything planned. When something bad happens, a good thing follows next. Your future will be a bright and glorious one. But to achieve your goal, you will have to solve this riddle."
Tidesand began to chant in a strange, mysterious tone.
To stop a terrible fate,
you must not miss the date;
Where a magical force will be there
And carry the spirit of her.
The answers that you need must be indeed true,
Compassion is yet something you can't lack.
Beware of the arrogance that might seep into your life,
It might just relight all your fears.
Find it, my little dragon, find it.
There is more to discover, more to know,
However you shall not leave anyone in peril,
in your quest for the unknown.
The spirit of real power will be with you,
And no one should go through the dangers that you did.
Follow the guiding light of life,
do not stop because of fear,
and discover a whole new power
that will soon hold your clan together.
Beware, for you will need it,
the real answer and real power to leading,
might be another powerful dragon,
so do not be blinded by power,
and learn to share the pleasure.
Dusklight blinked in astonishment as everything was blinded by the light again, and she reappeared, safe and sound, in the room, sitting on the sand mould. Tidesand was still in her orginal position, eyes still closed.
"But...does that mean I have to take my mother's place as a new clan matriarch? Is that my destiny?"
"You are right about your next step. You shall lead a group of new dragons, but be reminded that you will need help. Go, go start a new clan, solve the riddle, and find what is truly important to keep the whole clan steady, forever."
"Thank you."
Dusklight waited until the closing of the process was finished, then left the room to rest after a long day of adventures.
Dusklight awoke to a voice and force shaking her. She blinked her eyes slowy and a panicking Sundancer came into view.
"What's wrong?"
"Aquawater is gone! He just mysteriously vanished this morning! Tidesand is looking for him as well, and Onyxstone and Deepwave are helping. You have to help us!"
She got out of the bed in a hurry. She must help. She cannot let her savior die, or anything.
"Come on," she said urgently, swimming out into the water.
Chapter 7
"Where are we?" Onyxstone roared.
"I don't know! I've never seen this before!" Deepwave shouted back.
"Guys, I think we are lost."
Dusklight can't see anything except bare rock. The ocean floor here was hard and a few cracks were found here and there, and occassionally a few rocks stood. Nothing was there. No schools of fish, no coral reefs, not even a single strand of seaweed. She could even swear there was no moss.
"But, there's nothing here!" Onyxstone snapped. "How can we even go back? We spent too much time looking for him and forgot to keep track of where we are going."
Something dark flashed briefly behind them.
"Did you see that?" Dusklight asked. "That might be something." Maybe it's Aquawater. Maybe he got lost as well. Please be him.
It came by again. But it was not a dragon.
She could see more than four long legs, that means it wasn't a dragon. Bubbles emerged from it, and Deepwave hissed as he got closer.
"A giant octopus. Just what we needed right now," he rolled his eyes.
A whimper was heard coming from it.
"What was that? Can you hear that? Is that a dragon?"
"We have no idea." Sundancer replied. "But we have to risk this. Dusklight, be prepared. We understand the underwater creatures more, as the way they are."
She nodded as they swam towards the dark creature Deepwave called an octopus. She had never seen one, and never eaten one as well. Its legs seem to get longer and longer as they approached.
A scream tore through the air.
Sundancer was snatched by the octopus, its tentacles trapping her. And in shock and horror, Dusklight noticed Aquawater and Tidesand being strapped too.
"NO!" Deepwave roared. He jabbed his sword at the creature, but it smacked his paw out of the way easily. And with a swift movement, it swam off into the waters, leaving trails of bubbles behind.
"Come on! Follow them!" Onyxstone cried and swam after it immediately.
Suddenly, a towering structure starting to form in view.
"This is so wrong," Deepwave growled, but still swimming quickly to keep up. Dusklight couldn't believe her eyes.
The Spiral Keep. Somehow they had ended up here, with a majestic gate standing in front to welcome them in.
The octopus seemed to slow down for a moment, and Aquawater succesfully struggled free of it's scaly grasp. Underwater, Water dragons had the most benefit. Aquawater whirled his body upwards and smashed his tail into the gigantic sea creature.
The others didn't hesitate. Deepwave crashed into the slimy octopus and slashed its skin with his claws. However, its skin was hard and rough, and not easy to rip apart. Clashing hard with the creature, Onyxstone drew out a few knives and jabbed it into the hostile creature, tearing open a few wounds. Meanwhile, Aquawater had swiftly rescued Tidesand while shooting at the tentacle that was holding her.
Dusklight took a deep breath, and then she felt the hot energy building up in her before she shot another ray of burning light at the creature, which seemed effective. It made a voice that sounded like a groan, and backed off the dragons surrounding them.
Sundancer grabbed a few poisonous darts and fired it at the octopus. Dusklight wondered if the poison can paralyze it, or something else. Not backing down, she drew a knife and jabbed the octopus with it. Using another surge of Light energy, she successfully slammed it down on the ground and Aquawater took this opportunity to finally kill it by aiming an arrow at it.
"Finally a beast gone for good, and this might make a meal as well," Onyxstone muttered as he and Deepwave dragged the octopus across the land. "We better get back," Deepwave growled. "What we really don't need now is another kidnapping by an underwater creature."
"Um, you guys might not like this." Sundancer said nervously as she pointed to the gates leading to the Spiral Keep.
Aquawater and Tidesand were swimming towards it.
"Hey, wait!" Dusklight shouted after the two Pearlcatchers, who didn't seem to listen.
Then, Dusklight heard it, too.
A cry came from somewhere beneath the gates, and coral reefs started to appear in their view. She sighed before swimming on to catch up with both of them.
The deity of Water dragons.
*MORE TO COME SOON!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the lack of space, and because Frostydragon is no longer on FR, she gave me her account for spare place. My dragons sometimes appear in her account because of that, and everything I write below is still the same.
*I decided my clan lore looks better at the bottom of this page, so I moved it there! It hasn't disappeared.
Welcome, everyone! My name is MasterDarklight, and conincidentally, my other name is Frosty. That's how I and Frostydragon met at the first place (insert laugh emoji here). Anyway, welcome to The Lair That Always Shines Bright, which is also called The Lair Of Brightness And Dragons. Our personal quote is: "We All Shine Bright, just in different ways!" I hope you enjoy your stay here, while you can visit my dragons and nesting grounds. We have the apartments called the Sunshine Apartments, where you visitors stay! The lair is now under new renovation and improvement, we just recently moved to the Mirrorlight Promenade! Any suggestions on how to improve my lair/profile/signature/bios are welcome, and I in fact seek them!
Lair Of Brightness and Dragons
In the Sunbeam Ruins, its hard to locate anything since everything looks like piles of old buildings that had collapsed. But in the hidden corners lies a lair, accepting any visitors and living bright, cheerful dragons. Nothing is better than living in the Sunshine Apartments, which has many spaces for visitors. It is located in a shadier corner, which is a perfect spot for passerbys. Dragons in here are welcoming and friendly, so enjoy your stay!GENERAL DETAILS
Dragons paired with a familiar are usually not for sale. I'm soon going to run a hatchery with my friend, Alphadragon. Dragons that I sell in the AH are usually a considerably lower price, so I can get space for more beauties :3
I write bios for my dragons, and if you need help with that just say so! I have many ideas. Any dragon may be sent to you through the crossroads, if you ask for them!
DRAGON AND LAIR DETAILS
How My Lair Goes On And Work: After Shadow inherited Dusklight in her place, Forest came and bred with her. More dragons soon came to this lair. Dragons are freely allowed to discover their talent and choose their job. Dragons are also permitted to breed in a rotating schedule. New eggs will be put in the original nest for one day and be delivered to the hatchery. Dragons in the lair are free to move about.
When a bearer of the elements of the clan are found, they can be identified by the mysterious glow that surrounds them. Regardless of what elements they are, they glow the color of the element they bear, and will automatically summon the jewel representing it. This lasts until the dragon passes away and the space will be open for more rightful dragons to claim.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE ELEMENTS
The group of colored jewels are believed to connect Gloryshine's spirit and her qualities as a leader to the clan members. They are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, dark blue, purple, pink, grey, brown and rainbow colored. However, they are now concealed in the lands of this lair, and their magic still exists above the ground, held by their respective bearers.
Now everyone may think the clan matriarch herself can be challenged by her daughters or outsiders who want to take her place, right? And same goes for The Bearers. Well, they were wrong. In this clan, there is no challenging system. The leader and bearer choose whether to pass on the position or not, and only to the ones who are rightful of their claim. Those who try to challenge them will be banned permenantly from this lair.
Clan Layout And Sections
A small, neat clan in the Sundial Terrace was cleared and found by two dragons, Forest and Shadow. They started the clan, attracting dragons to come. Very soon, they expanded the lair into different parts. Each part is assigned different dragons to take care of. Guards defend the whole perimeter of the lair.
Current parts in the lair: (currently under expansion)
Dragon Lair- Where all dragons rest, sleep and stay. Lair maintainers, cleaners and one or two guards are taking care of this place.
Office- Where letters, requests and documents are sent and kept. Secretaries, mail deliverers, treasurers and the office manager take care of this part.
Clinic- Where sick or injured dragons stay or see healers and doctors. Nurses, healers, doctors take care and maintain this part.
Classrooms- Where young dragons study and learn about things. Teachers, students and the teaching commander takes on the responsibilities here.
Kitchens- Where all food is made and all new food gatherers load the thing they collected. Cooks, gatherers and nutritionists maintain this part.
Training Grounds- Where all practices, no matter fighting, running, flying or anything occur. Trainers, certain teachers, and the war commander sustain everything here.
Hatchery- Where all eggs healthily and properly hatch. Newborns are staying here for the first few hours for certain developments. Caretakers, guards and cleaners are always here.
Bathrooms- Where all dragons do their business and clean up. Cleaners take care of this place to make sure it is in the best condition every day.
Library- Dragons who love to study and read comes here to do so. Writers who want to publish their stories also come here to do so. Librarians, writers and editors work here and maintain this place.
Laboratories- Where all scientific investigations and experiments take place. Science lessons are taken here as well. Teachers, alchemists and scientists work here usually.
Brewing Room- Where advanced alchemy is done. Alchemists, their apperentices and sometimes healers access this room.
Advising Rooms- Dragons that cannot solve certain problems seek advice here. Advisers and cleaners maintain this part of the lair.
What different dragons do with different jobs:
Clan Matriarch- Shadow commands all dragons in the lair to do different things and decides everything for the clan. She controls the dragons' punishments and rewards.
Lair Maintainer- Forest uses his authority to make sure every dragon in the lair is doing well. He reports everything to Shadow. He also makes sure the lair is clean and neat. He might sometimes be given permission to punish dragons who are up to no good.
The Bearers- (mentioned in lore later on) This lair is founded and created by the magical explosion of the combined force of 10 elements. They are Respect, Sympathy, Truth, Humility, Courage, Joy, Generosity, Safety, Loyalty and Friendship.
All elements combined create the element of Friendship, which connects this clan together, despite everyone's differences. Only the dragons that have this rightful claim in their heart hold this place, and takes other dragons slowly under their teaching. Bearers of the Elements are just mere titles, and they have other jobs going by, including leading their followers indirectly.
Commanders- There are currently 7 commanders: Fighting, Gathering, Social, Health, Hatchling & Egg Care, Secret & Spies and Education & Publishing. Commanders are the highest ranking of the genre they're in, and so they can, under Shadow's permission of course, command dragons of that genre to do certain things.
Advisers- These calm, insightful dragon help dragons that are going through hard times or making decisions. They help all dragons in the lair to make better choices.
Teachers- These dragons, under the command of the school headmistress, teach young dragons everything about the world.
Gatherers- These dragons provide food for the clan and also collect artifacts. They might seem unimportant but are actually the source of food for the clan.
Fighters- These dragons put their energy and time into combat training, and help collect loot for the clan in the Coliseum. Some fighters turn into warriors when they are ready.
Defenders- Defenders are much like police forces in the clan. They patrol the clan every day, looking for troublemakers and ward off outsiders. Defenders are the second group of dragons to approach enemies, the first being guards.
Guards- Guards are almost the same as defenders, but in a passive way. These dragons spend time practicing combat skills alongside defenders, and are placed around secluded corners to stop intruders. Guards are the first group of dragons to attack if anything comes to the clan.
Cleaners- Cleaners are the main source of maintenance of the clan. They make sure everything is in its proper place, and every place of the lair is clean and comfortable.
Librarians- These dragons are in charge of the library, and deal with all sorts of problems that happen in them.
Alchemists- Alchemists have advanced knowledge of chemistry, and use their abilities to create potions and brews that help the clan. They also perform the duties of a scientist, examining and discovering new things sometimes.
Water Maintainers- This job is only for Water dragons. Water Maintainers have deep understanding about the element of water, and all its inside magic, and makes sure the water supply is not contaminated.
Healers- Healers help dragons who are in need of medical care. They also maintain the clinic. Healers can use natural herbs or plants to help dragons, or they can use magic to heal (with some practice.)
Writers- Writers produce scrolls and books with stories on it, and publishers help publish it after checking their work.
Publishers- Publishers check, print and publish work of writers. They will then sell the stories to earn treasure for their clan.
Treasure Hunters- Dragons that are given this job are rare. They scavenge for relics and unwanted items in every region of Sorneith, and sell them for treasure. Sometimes they bring back real treasure and gems as well.
Warriors- Fighters who have taken it to the next level are warriors. Instead of just the Coliseum, they fight in real wars and battles between clans of rivalry, but they fight as a thrid party, mainly to stop the death of more innocent dragons. When no battles are going on, they fight other dragons in the Coliseum.
Dragons in my lair:
Shadow The Fae (Matriarch(clan leader))
Forest The Fae (Lair Maintainer)
Canopy The Fae (Matriarch Inheritor and Adviser)
Shade The Fae (Visitor Treater)
Dewdrop The Fae (Plant Gatherer)
Flashflight The Fae (Stage Maintainer)
Violetblossom The Fae (Plant Gatherer)
Herring The Fae (Water Maintainer)
Snowflake The Fae (Fighter)
Crystallize The Mirror (Cleaner)
Blueshine the Guardian (Guard)
Galaxy The Ridgeback (Adviser)
DreamweaverThe Skydancer (Performer)
Mightyclaws The Pearlcatcher (Guard)
Forestglade The Pearlcatcher (Cook)
Purplewave The Spiral (Entertainer)
Celia The Spiral (Secretary)
Fireglow the Tundra (Explorer)
Hydrowater The Imperial (Seafood Gatherer)
Spire The Coatl (Nurse)
Ocean The Ridgeback (Healer)
Frostsky The Coatl (Teacher)
Darkmist the Ridgeback (Fighter)
Iolite the Spiral (Teacher)
Farsight The Wildclaw (Alchemist And Caretaker)
Violetdawn The Spiral (Librarian)
Vineflower The Wildclaw (Meat Gatherer)
Seaglitter The Ridgeback (Cleaner)
Deepsea The Imperial (Writer)
Nightsparkle The Fae (Healer)
Tealspot The Pearlcatcher (Commander (Gathering))
Lavender The Wildclaw (Defender)
Goldlight The Coatl (Caretaker)
Mystical The Pearlcatcher (Librarian and Office Manager)
Clearsky The Pearlcatcher (Office Manager Assistant And Plant Gatherer)
Eterna The Nocturne (Fighter)
Fantasia The Skydancer (Teacher)
Bubbles The Imperial (Seafood Gatherer)
Coldthunder The Nocturne (Insect Gatherer)
Nightstorm The Fae (Explorer)
Violetsky The Skydancer (Spy)
Valeria The Wildclaw (Guard)
Lightwave The Fae (Publisher)
Citrine The Ridgeback (Bearer Of Humility And Alchemist)
Aurum The Ridgeback (Bearer Of Respect And Adviser)
Sunstorm The Skydancer
Evergreen The Wildclaw (Bearer Of Truth And Cook)
Waterray The Nocturne (Defender)
Quickwings The Wildclaw
Sunfire The Nocturne (Cook)
Lineage & Families
Each dragon in this lair has a certain lineage, and the lineage marks his/her family. Families are counted on the side of the female dragons, unlike most clans. For instance, if a female dragon has a Blue lineage and the male has a Red, their hatchlings will adopt the Blue lineage. Lineage is determined by the parent's color, genes and breed. Lineage will not change even if the hatchlings does not adopt the same color group. Yet families are counted from the side of the male dragons. Family names are the lineage names of the father. A dragon's family is based on his/her parents, but their offspring will follow the father.
Our Clan Family Tree: (only the dragons I keep)
Shadow + Forest = Shade, Dewdrop, Canopy, Flashflight, Violetblossom, Nightstorm
Starling (exalted) + Forestglade = Mightyclaws, Starleaf (sold)
Ocean + Crystallize = Seaglitter
Mightyclaws + Celia = Iolite
Hydrowater + Snowflake = Nightsparkle
Mightyclaws + Farsight =
Clan Rules And Beliefs:
This clan is held together by the elements that are believed to contain Gloryshine's spirit, which forevers makes sure the clan is under good condition, and that it will never fall apart. The element of Friendship is usually a very high ranked and skilled dragon, which has the ability to hold all the elements at once and channel them into power which keeps an equal balance of them all.
Shadow believes every dragon that comes here to live deserves a reward, and their place here is a blessing. She does not issue rankings, for she thinks every dragon's differences and jobs should be embraced and respected as much as any other. Unlike most clan leaders, she listens to Forest and the other commanders for advice and commands the dragons fairly.
Dragons who live here have declared loyalty to the Lightweaver, and have vowed to never betray her until they decide to leave the clan. Breeding pairs are free to breed with whoever they want as long as in the suitable generation gap. Couples are allowed to sell some of their hatchlings or eggs, but not allowed to kill them. Dragons do not die of old age, but its possible to die by suffering great damage. When this happens (which is rare and Shadow prevents this at all costs from happening), dead dragons are packed in a box, sealed with their name in it, and burnt on a boat that sends them away to the distant horizon. However, it is believed that if every dragon carved their name on a stone tablet, their soul will remain. These are found in the Memorial Room, and when a dragon leaves a lair, the stone is smashed, indicating that they are no longer members.
Shadow grants complete freedom to dragons around the lair, and whenever something goes out of control, she will fix it, but nothing else otherwise. Dragons have a certain shift time of their work, which is issued clearly in the office room. When it is over, they are free to do anything they want. There are not much strict rules to follow in this clan, except for no killing or any sort of abuse to other dragons. Food that are gathered is enough for everyone, and gatherers often bring back more, so whoever felt more hungry that day gets the extra. Commands given by Shadow must be followed or suitable punishment will be given. Everyone must respect each other in the clan and keeping the peace of important to Shadow. Challenges are not permitted, and if anyone attempts it they will be banned forever.
PERSONAL IN-GAME DETAILS
My Wishlist: (might add more sometime later)
Regular Wishlist:
If you bring me any of these items, I will be willing to pay precious hatchlings like cryfaces and tricolors. I normally can afford these items, so I might reject offers.
Remove Gene: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
Scroll Of Renaming
Normal 1-3 star familiars, any that I don't have (help me with bestiary plz :D)
Treasure And Gems
Non elemental battle stones that are offensive attacks
Normal pieces of apparel which might be worth any amount of treasure
Premium Wishlist:
I will be more than willing to give anything in return for these items, as long as I can afford it! I will pay anything to get items with a "*" sign!
Skins and Accents with a blue theme
Skins and Accents from holidays (only a few certain ones)
Retired holiday sprites and familiars*
Emblems*
Scroll Of Eternal Youth*
Boon Of Fertility*
Unhatched eggs* (preferably Light, Arcane, Shadow and Ice)
Any breed change scrolls* (except guardian)
Flowerfalls*
Seasonal breezes*
Pendants
Any gene change scroll
Five/colored star familiars
Dream dragons:
I am willing to pay treasure or gems in return for these dragons if I can find them :D
Wildclaw/ Female/ Ice
Storm/ Storm/ Storm
Crystal/Facet/Glimmer
Fae/Female/Light
Lavender/Lavender/Lavender
Crystal/Facet/Circuit
Ridgeback/Female/Shadow
Azure/Azure/Azure
Crystal/Facet/Gembond
Skydancer/Female/Water
Sky/Sky/Sky
Crystal/Facet/Spines
Wildclaw/Male/Fire
Obsidian/Obsidian/Obsidian
Iridescent/Freckle/Underbelly
Pearlcatcher/Female/Fire
Sunshine/Lemon/Lemon
Iridescent/Facet/Spines
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Forums I referred to and used:
Flight Flags (free)
BB Code Guide
Free Flight Nests + Custom Commissions!
A little info about the apartment manager... (XD)
My favorite color? Blue! And gold. And silver.
What I like to do? Play FR, RPing, going online, play games, eating and sleeping
Favorite dragon breed in FR? The Pearlcatcher.
What time zone am I in? I'm 16 hours ahead of FR time.
What gender am I? Female, duh.
Why did I choose Light as my element of choice? I love bright surroundings and I am afraid of darkness. And the eyes are quite nice to me. And the Light realm sounds and looks pretty cool.
My favorite food? That's a little too hard to answer, I love eating a lot of things XD But I do love pizza! I also like desserts.
How old am I? Not too young and not too old. XD
My Hatchery!
I'm going to run a hatchery with Alphadragon soon! Be sure to check it out later on!
Hatchery Services:
I have a regular breeding schedule, but I mostly don't simultaneously breed like for days. So I have free nesting service. Just message me.
Other things I do:
I play Dragon Cave, and so I wanna have visitors often. I have eggs need to hatch. Here are some, but I'll update my signature a little.
Have a nice stay at the Sunshine Apartments!
Characters: (in order of appearance)
Gloryshine:
Lightrock:
Dusklight:
Aquawater:
Male Wildclaw Potion Giver:
Female Skydancer Potion Giver:
Random Mirror Guest:
Sundancer:
Chillsnow:
Greenleaf:
Watershell:
Liferipper:
Onyxstone:
Deepwave:
Tidesand:
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Clan Lore:
Dawn Of A New Sunrise
Chapter 1
Gloryshine dashed through the horribly dark woods.
It was in the realm of Shadow, and through the dried trees and branches, the young Fae avoided everything in sight, she had enough of smashing against branches. Lightning flickered overhead and deafening thunder sounded above the dragon who is near the edge of the woods. Gloryshine conjured up a beam of light, helping her through the extremely dark place she had got into.
She felt a drop of rain fall onto her wing. Soon the second hit her, and the third and so on. A storm was about to start. Lightning flashed again, alongside with a roaring crash of thunder. She whimpered and increased her speed in flight. She had to hurry back to where she had hid her eggs. She couldn't let both of her eggs die. The clan needed her!
Upon reaching a dead end, Gloryshine swept away a leafless bush, revealing a small cave opening. It was more of an empty hole, nothing much could fit in except a dragon like her size. Inside laid two luminescent eggs that gleamed in the darkness. Gloryshine sighed and placed a paw over both of the eggs, before cradling them gently on her back, and started her journey back to her lair, far, far away from this spooky place.
***
Away and away from the cursed Tangled Wood she flew, and it got brighter and brighter as she approached the Sunbeam Ruins.Yet it was a lot more darker than usual. The rain had abruptly turned into a raging storm, with howling winds and even more lightning. She had both of her eggs safe though, she quickly ducked into an opening between a pile of ruins, and poked her head into her own home...Only to be greeted by a horribly unsettling sight.
Dragons all around curled up on the piles of ruins, away from low floor which has started to flood. Rain dripped through the ceiling, making Gloryshine felt like she was still in the storm. The lair was just an opening under this place, but it lead further into other sections, and open into the sky. This was the worst storm she'd ever encountered, and the opening that lead to other places...
Was blocked by a pile of fallen debris.
All dragons nestled around had expressions of horror on their faces, and Gloryshine quickly flew to the closest dragon and asked frantically, "What's wrong? What just happened?" The female Wildclaw shakily answered, "We were getting out of the storm, but a bolt of lightning fell down, and the rest of our lair ruins has fallen. The other dragons on the other side... none of them are here now..." she couldn't continue. Gloryshine then noticed a hint of red under the pile of debris, and noticed a wing sticking out, and also a broken dragon leg. Worst of all, a body of an Imperial laid on a piece of bigger debris. It was Della, one of their lair guards.
Gloryshine felt sick. Almost half of her clan were dead, in their own lair. She didn't know what to do next; their home didn't look like it was going to sustain much longer.
A loud crack snapped her out of her thoughts, and she recovered just in time to shove a orange Ridgeback out of the way before one piece of the ceiling fell down, splashing against the water below. She stared in horror. This proved that staying here any moment longer was not safe for any other dragon. She looked around rapidly, searching for one dragon. The dragon who had eggs with her. The love of her life. The one she could never, ever lose.
"Has anyone of you seen Lightrock?" Gloryshine asked loudly. The Ridgeback she'd saved moments ago pointed over to a direction. A flash of gold scales greeted her as she saw her lover.
"Gloryshine!" The other golden Fae shouted with delight and relief. She smiled and held out the eggs. "At least they're safe for now... Keep them safe please, my love." They leaned and kissed each other.
Lightrock held the two eggs carefully before flying to perch on a bigger piece of platform. Gloryshine flew up and said in a clear, loud tone: "Everyone listen up! Staying in here is too dangerous! We must leave, AT ONCE! There must be no delay! Run as fast as you can to safety as possible! Stay together and don't lose anyone in sight! Move, now!" Just as she finished the last sentence, another piece of the roof fell off, revealing the gray, stormy sky above.
"RUN!" Gloryshine shouted. The dragons all started to leave, flapping their wings in a frantic burst of noise. More of the roof started to fall off, and Gloryshine saw cracks appearing. Just then another crack was heard, she thought it was the roof again, but when she turned around, she saw on of the eggs cracking. A purple head popped out, followed by a shade of blue. It was a female. Gloryshine smiled at her first born. She quickly flew over and carried it in her paws.
The other egg was cracking slowly in the middle, while the other dragons tried to escape. Suddenly, a loud piercing crack sounded through the whole room, and...
The ceiling fell off.
Dragons had just almost got to the exit were trapped under piles of debris and screams tore through the air. Gloryshine roared with dismay and quickly tried to get Lightrock, but piles of stone fell down, blocking her vision. Rain started to pelt down on her eyes, and wind tugged at her wings furiously. The other egg slipped off his grasp... before he was swallowed by a big pile of huge white pieces of rock.
"NO! LIGHTROCK!" Gloryshine shrieked in terror and flew over, but more showers of debris were falling. She saw many gruesome sights, a Pearlcatcher was lying lifeless under a pile of fallen ruins, and a Spiral had her neck twisted and broken. But most of all... she saw the pieces of broken eggshell and the dead dragon inside, and also the body of a gold dragon.
Her family was dead.
She had to name this dragon who survived. She quickly flew towards the exit, while her small little baby dragon clung onto her back. Rock fell and she saw that a few dragons ran out of the exit, but most of them were dead or almost on the way to, and she avoided looking back so she wouldn't feel sick. Flying outwards towards the opening on the roof, she managed to escape straight out into the raging storm...
Before a bolt of lightning struck the pile of remains of what their clan called home.
Everything burst into flames, crackling wetly in the storm. Even the dragons who managed to escape fell back in the flames, and their screams were drowned out by the fire swallowing them. Less than 10 dragons had made it out alive, and now...
10 of them were dead as well.
They wouldn't have died if they hadn't stayed by the entrance. They were perched on top of a few platforms that remained, and the fire engulfed the whole once-called lair. So... none of them survived.
It was all over.
Chapter 2
Nothing was left for the once simple but cheerful home.
Gloryshine had nothing left... except one.
The blue and purple baby dragon looked as shakened and sorrowful as her mother. Gloryshine sighed sadly, a tear rolling down her cheek, mixing with the rain that fell down. The storm had calmed down into a normal rainfall. She had taken shelter under a piece of stone outcropping. She noticed it was already very late... and the sky was even darker. She curled up with her baby dragon and fell asleep. In her dreams was nothing but just terrible images of fire, lightning and floods, reminding her of how huge a loss she had just suffered. Gloryshine was a clan matriarch, she held the clan together for a really long time already. But one terrible storm had ended the life of so many dragons, the dragons under her lead, the dragons who died because... because of her.
She didn't notice tears flowing down her face since she was asleep.
***
Gloryshine blinked away the blurriness of sleep, the bright place she lived in coming into sight. Yesterday had been such an awful, probably the worst day of her life. But there was no time for her to worry and grief; she had to know what she had to do now.What can I do now? Gloryshine thought to herself mournfully. Everything is gone. There's nothing I could do right now, not with the usual organized schedule messed up. Normally, dragons would gather and prepare food accordingly in the lair, but now she was on her own, she couldn't rely on anyone else to survive. She was completely on her own now.
Getting up and settling her little dragon down carefully, she went to hunt for some insects. In the bushes and between some rocks were a few she could find. Slowly she fed the little dragon the insects, and ate some herself. Little Faes don't usually eat too much, which meant that she would have a little extra. She kept them for a while and wondered what to do next. Maybe she would start looking for a clan to stay in. She would just go to somewhere she could live. But she had to find something to carry food in.
Looking over to a plant with strong, thick leaves, she had an idea. She could weave the leaves together to create a temporary bag to keep mostly food. "I'll take it," she muttered to herself. A beautiful blue and purple glow interrupted her thoughts. She gazed up to the sky. The vibrant colors of daybreak are shown in the sky, like twilight colors showing across the whole sky as if it were a drawing canvas filled with color. The rising sun was in the east, giving the whole world a bright light. Gloryshine looked into the distance. These colors reminded her of her hatched dragon, which was really, really lucky to survive. Nobody else was lucky enough.
She glanced at the dusk sky and rising sun and glanced at the small dragon again. "Dusklight," Gloryshine said with a smile. "I'll call you Dusklight.""Mum," replied the tiny dragon. Gloryshine smiled even brighter. At least, she could raise her daughter as normal. She would look for clan to stay in. She would.
After gathering a little bit more insects on her way and finishing the bag made out of leaves, she set off her way to find a new home.
***
The sun had began to set on the western horizon. The rays of sunlight left beat down on purple and yellow scales, and a small hint of blue. Gloryshine had flew from the Sundial Terrace to the edge of the whole Sunbeam Ruins. She was at the edge of the sea as well, where huge tide pools could already be seen. From the map she'd seen in her life, the sea looked pretty small, but now, it looked enormous, a hundred times bigger than the lake she had known in her own home. She had never traveled to anywhere else other than her own place, except for The Tangled Wood last night. She had chosen to avoid it, so she was now heading towards the sea.But it was already dark, and she was really, really tired. It was actually quite a long flight from the Sundial Terrace to here.
Gloryshine chose a bigger tree from a clump of them, and flew to a nicely grown branch she could sleep in for the night. It was slightly curved and backed with the tree bark, so her small dragon would be perfectly safe. Settling down, she picked a few insects that she had collected and ate them, then proceeded to sleep. Before she could, her small dragon cuddled up to her and said, "Mum?" Gloryshine smiled with her eyes half closed and nestled her closer. "I love you, Dusklight...""Mum, I love you too..." Dusklight replied. She really was clever. She could already speak. Dragons learn to speak themselves once their tongues and teeth have developed, and learn throughout the way. Gloryshine and Dusklight hugged each other tightly and fell asleep.
The next day, they woke up early, before sunrise to be exact. Gloryshine brought Dusklight along with her to hunt, teaching her how to catch insects and in situations where you can't find insects, which plants you could eat for a moment. Dusklight learned everything quickly, and soon was doing insect catching beside her mother, and hoarded the bag with more food. They ate a bit of what they have collected, and when they were done, they were really full and prepared to set off. Dusklight couldn't really fly yet, but she could walk. Gloryshine carried her on her back this time, putting the bag of food over her shoulder. She started to head closer to the tide pools.
After about 5 minutes of flying, she only could see a bit of yellow light back where her old home used to be. In front of her laid a hundred or more giant tidal pools. She was at the Tsunami Flats. Flying down towards the sandy beach, she glimpsed dragons everywhere, all with blue eyes, selling things and flying around. Gloryshine blinked her eyes, adjusting to the new surroundings.
Dragons had set up stalls at the edge of the coast to sell things like medicinal plants, even medicines, magical potions, food and some even offering services. The stalls were opposite the pools, just at the edge of the water. Dusklight was amazed by all these too. Gloryshine noticed and smiled. She knew that water dragons loved being wet, could breathe underwater and talk underwater, swim fast and also sometimes, lucky ones could predict the future or see glimpses of it.
Which reminded her- if she could find a prophet or seer or someone who can help her, she might know what to do next. But- was any of them at the stalls offering such service? Gloryshine glanced around. Nope, she couldn't see anything similar so far.
The tide pools were actually deeper than they looked. Inside, the water isn't really deep, but those who aren't for a clan are sometimes filled with more water for young dragons and even adults to splash and relax in. Those with clans living inside... Gloryshine wasn't exactly sure how. She had never seen it up close before, so maybe she could now.
Before she could do anything else, a male Pearlcatcher crashed into her by mistake. He had blue crystal scales and a shimmering aqua wings. There was a row of spines a Caribbean color on his back. He seemed surprised at this.
"Uhh.. hello. Sorry for bumping you, I've never seen you around before. He glanced at her eyes. "You're a Light dragon? There aren't many Light dragons living in the Tsunami Flats. Are you a new clan member?"
"No," Gloryshine replied. "I was a clan leader, but then... my clan is gone now. All of my dragons are... you know. I have just came her to look for a new place to stay, or at least know what I'm supposed to do next." She fought hard to hold back tears. On her back, Dusklight asked, "Mum, who's this?"
"Oh, I forgot. My name is Aquawater. Nice to meet you. You can call me Aqua." He held out a paw to shake and Gloryshine politely shook. "And my name is Gloryshine. This is my daughter, Dusklight." Aquawater nodded and said, "Come. You can stay in where I live for a while. I think I know someone who can help you." Gloryshine nodded and flew off, before adding, "Thanks."
Aquawater gave a brief nod before flying towards the other side of the pools. Gloryshine followed suit, holding Dusklight closely. She noticed that this place was really active today; dragons were yelling and advertising their sales, relaxed dragons and young dragons were burying into those empty, slightly smaller tide pools, and even one lair was particularly moving, probably their lair has expanded.
But Aquawater did not dive into any tide pools, he suddenly turned around to face the sea. At this spot, coral reefs were visible in the slight middle spot of the sea. It was beautiful, but both of them couldn't swim underwater, they weren't Water dragons after all.
But the blue Pearlcatcher seemed to have guessed her thoughts. "Oh yeah, you will have to go to one of those stalls over there." He flicked his tail toward the direction of a few stalls. "Simply choose one and tell them whatever they ask you to, and you should get a potion that has an effect that lasts for one day." Gloryshine nodded and flew towards the closest stall with a male Wildclaw sitting there. The stalls here looked more specially designed, it had a stronger, steadier roof that can shield rain and shine, and all of the stalls were back-facing a cave with various openings where they seemed to live. Strange. The roof will protect them from weather, so why do they need an extra shelter? Then again, she didn't expect many dragons going in and out during rainy days, so they probably choose to rest.
She walked over to a stall where a pinkish Skydancer was. The Skydancer smiled at their arrival. "Visitors?" "Yeah, kinda." "Name please."
"Gloryshine, and this is Dusklight. One potion for underwater breathing, please?" The other dragon nodded and handed them a medium-sized bottle with a blue, sparkling liquid inside. She was glad she had chosen this stall, the other Wildclaw she'd seen just now looked really grumpy.
"Let your daughter drink a quarter of this, and you drink the rest, miss. Have a nice day," The Skydancer said with a smile.
Gloryshine opened the bottle and drank three quarters of it. It tasted like... berries, crushed into a fizzing drink. The rest of it was drank by Dusklight. She seemed to enjoy the taste. Both of them thanked the Skydancer and flew over to where Aquawater was waiting. "Lets go then. This medicine lasts for one day, so we shall just go and rest underwater in my lair. We can get more there." He dove into the water with a splash.
Gloryshine jumped in and followed. The medicine was working, she could breathe underwater as easily as on land. She could open her eyes and see underwater, and also talk. She looked around to make sure her only daughter who survived was there. Dusklight seemed to have trouble knowing how to swim at first, but after a chain of flapping and thrashing wildly actions, she gained control and learned how to move her legs in the right way and also flap her wings at the right time. Both of them started to follow Aquawater.
The underwater air smelled fishy and had a freshness to it. Coral reefs exploded into sight as they looked closer. Red and purple lined the blue background of the sea, and fishes and all sorts of sea creatures roamed around. Gloryshine even saw one or two dragons hanging around and swimming through openings in the reef. It was really gorgeous, since she hadn't seen much of the underwater life. Dusklight was totally amazed and kept making "ooh" and "wow" noises. "This place is really awesome, Mother. I love it!" The little dragon exclaimed. Gloryshine knew that she had learned to speak really quick. She was really glad. Swimming away from the reef, she glimpsed blue scales in front of her, and recognized it as Aquawater. She swam harder to catch up, but always making sure that she kept close by Dusklight. Dusklight doesn't seem to have a problem with catching up.
After what it felt like a small eternity, Aquawater finally skidded to a stop. A gate stood in the middle of a piece of coral, and on it a sign labelled "Fishspine Reef."
Aquawater smiled and said, "Come. I bet I could guess your reaction."
Three of the dragons entered the gate, and emerged into a large, colorful place.
They had arrived at the Fishspine Reef, one of the most historical places of all.
Chapter 3
Gloryshine and Dusklight took a moment to catch their breath.
Corals and underwater plants were all over the place, and dragons nestled into great, beautifully designed openings they called their lairs. Along the reefs, a delicate pathway was carved into it, as if someone did it on purpose. Beside the path, dragons were selling things with stalls just like on the beach, but Gloryshine guessed that weather didn't really bother them here. Levels and levels of platforms which are coral reefs extend from one to another, in all sorts of different colors. She guessed that if they went downwards, they would eventually find the bottom of the sea.
Aquawater interrupted her thoughts. "Beautiful, right? My lair is here. Come on, you all might want to rest. He continued swimming along the coral. He was going upwards. After a few platforms they passed, he landed on the pathway and beside them were a lot of stalls, selling different things each. Gloryshine saw a few bones here and there, but those were just the ancient remains the dragons decided to preserve. They trailed along the pathways, hearing dragons shout out what they're selling.
"The best seafood you could find here! Guaranteed satisfaction!
"Any potion you may need, you could find them here!"
"Need any new styles? Try out everything here! Big discount!'
Gloryshine had to restrain hearing and cover Dusklight's ears for a while. It was incredibly loud, nothing like the usual calmness of the Sunbeam Ruins. "Could we hurry over to your place? And for Lightweaver's sake, I hope your home would be quieter." Aquawater nodded. "You have to be here a while to get used to this noise. Come on. Its a whole lot quieter at where I live." He continued walking along the pathways.
Soon, the sounds of the noisy marketplace was drowned out, and nothing could be heard anymore. This place was quite nice as well, nothing here was in sight except for one particular building carefully designed, dragons flew in and out of here. "That's the supermarket," Aquawater told her. "Usually we get all of our needs here." Gloryshine loved this idea since it was lot more quieter for the inhabitants here.
"So, where's your lair?"
"Over there."
Aquawater swam over a higher platform and landed on it. Around here were underwater plants of many colors- blue, green, yellow, pink, red, purple, white and more. The reefs here vary from green to purple to pink and blue, and the reef was soft to the touch. There were no pathways here, this was clearly a lair's spot. Aquawater ducked through a clump of blue plants and revealed a cavern opening. It was designed neatly with patterns of seashells and snails and anything related to their habitat. Light glowed from inside and Gloryshine sighed, finally able to relax for a while...
Before they swam into it.
Inside was just as stunning as any lair she could have seen.
She had to take a deep breath before taking in her new surroundings. Dragons from all around were nestled into spots with sand lined on the ground, and all the beds were of seaweed. Most dragons here were water dragons, but occasionally Gloryshine saw a hint of pink, green, purple and white eyes, signifying that other dragons live here as well. Dusklight stayed close to her mother, she seemed to be a little nervous about this new surrounding. Gloryshine cradled her in her arms and swam on.
"We have a special place for visitors. Come on." The Pearlcatcher swam into a doorway leading into another section of the clan. In this particular room, a table with some scrolls laid on it, and around were shelves holding some books. She guessed that these things had to be enchanted by magic to be used underwater. Intricate designs of shells and bubbles and fish have been carved into the floor, and in these niches filled with sparkling water. Walking into another doorway, this appeared to be another normal room underwater, but as Aquawater swam into the room, he headed upwards, and so did Gloryshine. She was surprised to find her head popped out of water. In this cave, lamps of soft blue light hung from the ceiling. It was rocky, unlike the sandy, soft surface of the underwater lair. Resting spots lined with seaweed were all around this place, and a small cavern led to a bathroom. Aquawater flew over to one of the seaweed beds that was purple. "I suppose you will take this spot. Rest well." He showed them the way to the bathroom and said he had things to do in the clan, so he swam off, leaving them alone.
Glad to be out of water after swimming for a long time, Gloryshine settled down in the soft, comfortable bed. She sighed before huddling Dusklight close to her, and both of them fell asleep. Dusklight had learnt how to speak. She could soon communicate with all other dragons. She was almost a few days old now. Dragon hatchlings take one week to grow to a normal size, and then they would start to mature. Gloryshine smiled and slid into the dream world.
***
Dusklight blinked away the darkness and awoke to see the Pearlcatcher just now, sitting on the bed beside them."Sorry, Dusklight. I was just looking out for both of you." The little dragon nodded. "Its fine," she said. "Would you like to learn a bit of new things?" Dusklight was interested, so she said yes. She flew over to where Aquawater was sitting and looked at the scroll he was holding. He began to teach her about some words and how to speak with different kinds of dragons.
After about half an hour of teaching, Dusklight, with her new knowledge, thanked Aquawater and thought what would she do next. The Pearlcatcher noticed her thinking and asked, "Are you hungry?" Dusklight nodded. Aquawater patted her on the head gently. "Wait." He dove into the water and disappeared.
Dusklight flapped her wings, and realized she was lifting into the air. She squealed a little, at first by surprise then joy. She navigated around the big cave, dodging the lamps as she flew. At first Dusklight's flight path was disoriented, but soon she learned how to fly properly. Then she accidentally crashed into one of the lamps and fell back into the water, creating a splash. A Mirror was awoken by the splash, and gave Dusklight a bewildered look before falling asleep again.
Aquawater returned with a tray filled with various sources of seafood. "I know Faes probably don't eat any other things except insects, so I brought some as well. It smells a little fishy though." He said, almost apologetically. Dusklight shook her head. "No, its fine. I will try it." A few shark fins and meat laid out. Pale blue grubs and a few flies were on a dish as well, as Aquawater promised. Dusklight shrugged and grabbed a piece of fish, silvery in color. She ate it, and found out that seafood doesn't taste bad. She tried the underwater insects as well, and found out that one particular fly was delicious. She would catch it next time if she ever remembered it.
After eating a vast array of food, Dusklight turned to her mother. She wasn't awake yet. She must be really tired, Dusklight guessed.
Aquawater scooped a few insects and bits of fish into a plate and set it aside. "This would be for your mother, Dusklight. I wonder if she is really that tired." He set the plate of food on a small ledge beside the bed, where it couldn't be knocked off by the dragon sleeping inside.
"Would you like to come and learn more about everything? I am actually teaching little dragons about the world, so I'm a teacher. But class is over for the day, and I have time to spare. Intrigued, Dusklight nodded and followed the Pearlcatcher. She left a note for her mother, saying she was with Aquawater. "Come on," he beckoned her to follow.
They dove into the water again. This time, Aquawater took the other passageway, leading towards a huge room. It was not completely water as well. Dusklight knew it must be quite hard to separate these parts out of water unnaturally. In this room where it led out to a clearing, the walls were not like the rocky stone walls of where they slept, instead it was made out of soft wood. Sand lined the floor and a huge rug of blue laid in the middle of the room. Channels of sparkling water she'd seen in the other room just now flowed down from a few tiny holes in a wall and splashed down into a small, delicate, looked-like-it-is-specially-designed stream. It winded through the whole room and seemed to disappear out of nowhere. Glittering dampness met her claws as she stepped on it.
"What are these glittering water anyway?"
"Oh. Those are just normal water enchanted with a glitter spell. It doesn't really do much, rather than to create some style."
Dusklight stepped on the water. It was cooling, and she wondered if these glittering water was used otherwise. Aquawater set his pearl down on the table carefully, and grabbed a scroll from the table. "So, lets learn more about dragon types in the world of Sorneith. Tell me what do you know, Dusklight."
She piped up immediately. "Oh, I know! I'm a Fae and so is my mother! And I know Tundras, Mirrors and Guardians as well!"
"Very good. These are plentiful breeds in our world. Besides these, there are also common breeds such as Spirals, Pearlcatchers like me, Ridgebacks and Snappers. Rare breeds are Wildclaws and Coatls, and Nocturnes and Imperials only appeared later on."
Dusklight nodded, remembering everything.
For the next half hour, Aquawater taught her about new words she didn't understand, the deities, the regions and subregions of Sorneith and also the properties of dragons of different elements.
Finally, Aquawater gave her a quiz on all the questions.
"What's the name of the Wind deity?"
"The Windsinger!"
"What's the subregion of the Viridian Labyrinth that has small rivers like this?" He pointed at the small designed stream.
"The Gladeveins!"
"What is the breed that is the smallest among all of them?"
"Fae dragons!"
"That's really impressive. You've did great, Dusklight. You can come back every day and study a bit with me. Well, clever little Fae. But you're almost close to maturing." He patted her gently on the head again.
"Thank you, Aquawater. That meant a lot to me. I better go check on Mum." He nodded with a smile and Dusklight dove into the water and swam towards the resting cave again.
But before that she felt a little need to visit the bathroom... and she forgotten about the bathroom in the cave, so she asked Aquawater where is it, and he led her away.
***
Gloryshine dizzily tried to open her eyes. Everything was a blur at first, and she didn't remember of what happened before this. Oh yeah, she was in an underwater lair, in a guest room.Slowly, she blinked her eyes open. The room came into view, and on the rocky ledge beside her was a plate of food. She smiled. Aquawater must have left it for her... wait, where's Dusklight?
Gloryshine sat up immediately with a daze. She looked around, and saw a note. On the note read,
'Mother, Aquawater and I are going to have a lesson for a bit. He is going to teach me more about the world. Also, we've prepared something for you to eat. I hope you have a nice rest!
Sincerely,
Dusklight'
Gloryshine sighed in relief. Well, it was good as long as she didn't leave the lair. Aquawater was keeping good paws on her.
She grabbed the plate of food and ate it. It was nice to try seafood for the first time, and she was certainly sure that one of the underwater insects tasted as nice as those she found at home.
Her home. What she lost.
She shook those thoughts away. There's nothing she could do. She'd better stop thinking or she'd end up having violent dreams about fire and lightning monsters combining to tear her apart.
She laid down and sighed.
After what it seemed like an eternity, she didn't know what happened, but it must have been she's fell asleep.
But that wasn't important.
Gloryshine felt the whole world spinning, and she closed her eyes. That only made her pass out.
She had no idea what was happening.
***
"Why? What has happened?" Duslight asked frantically, terrified.Sundancer, the healer who came to see the sickly looking Fae on the bed, said: "I'm not sure. There's something wrong to this." She nudged Dusklight's mother gently. She didn't even move. "But don't worry," she said calmly to the petrified little dragon beside her, Aquawater standing with an anxious expression behind. "She is fine. See? You can feel the heartbeats." Dusklight knew, but it worried her sick to know that her mother, specifically from all other dragons, was lying there, not waking up.
"I wonder if the healers would be able to do anything. Maybe I'll call a healer who can recover with magic come and help. But this is the only thing I'm not sure about." Sundancer took a deep breath, and said: "When a healer wants to perform a healing act, physically or magically, they would have to identify the problem. If a healer doesn't even know what the problem is, it is literally impossible to cure. And this is the problem right now." She sighed. "I suppose I'll get Glidescale to take a look. She is one of the most skilled dragons in our healing genre." With that, the pale golden Skydancer slipped out of the room, and down the water.
Dusklight sat silent for a few moments. "She will wake up right?" She asked after a while. Aquawater placed a paw on her back. "Dusklight," he said softly. "I'm not a seer, or a prophet. I have no idea what happens next, or what will happen tomorrow. I can just say that, we can never expect the worst from the dragons we love. If you love your family, they will always be alive, in your heart. And you have to believe in the Tidelord, or whichever deity you believe in, that she or he will make sure that your mother is safe." Aquawater had no idea why he did that, but he pulled the little Fae, now grown a little more, closer to his wings. "She will be proud of you, Dusklight. You've done really well," Aquawater said before staring into space.
Dusklight glanced at her "sleeping" mother, wondering if that was true or not. Aquawater was probably right about one thing though. Mother is going to live in my heart forever. She pressed her claws together, closed her eyes, and prayed.
Dear Lightweaver,
I'm very glad that you've given me such a wonderful experience so far. I have made a few new friends, even if I had lost my old ones. I believe in you.I just wish for one thing that lasts forever.
Please keep my family safe. The ones I only have. I will believe in you, whether you grant my wish or not. The plans you lay out for everyone all comes from your good intentions. Sincerely, your faithful subject Dusklight.
***
A female Tundra with a gentle smile was in a room with two Faes, one in a coma-like condition, one Pearlcatcher, and one Skydancer.She had light blue scales, with a pair of stunning deep blue eyes to match. She usually looked nice, but today, her smile was not on her face, replaced by a solemn look.
"I think I get the concept."
Sundancer snapped her head up. Dusklight sat up from Aquawater's lap, where she had been, for the rest of the day Sundancer examined her mother. This was the second day, and her mother did not wake up.
"Look."
Chillsnow, the Tundra, one of the most skilled doctors of physical healing, pointed to an X-Ray that they had taken earlier in the day. Sundancer glanced at it carefully. "Its a strange...blow. But that couldn't really have happened, you see. There was a dragon or two where she slept, and anything that caused the blow like this sure will have made a sound. But no dragons knew what happened, we asked. It was like she passed out all of a sudden, for no reason."
Sundancer glared even closer. She placed a paw on top of Gloryshine's forehead, and shook her head for a bit.
"We need to talk for a bit. Aquawater, why not you take the little one for a little trip. We'll see when we can sort everything out."
Aquawater nodded. He dove into the water, with Dusklight reluctantly following.
When they were sure no dragons were left in the room, Sundancer leaned in closer to Chillsnow and sighed sadly. "You know nothing can survive an injury like this. It hit the vital part of the brain. Although it sounds impossible..." Chillsnow shook her head firmly. "No," she said briskly. "We will try and do everything that we can. It is our job, after all. I can't fail myself, or any other dragon, stranger or not. Our talent lies in healing." The Tundra sighed at Sundancer's sad look. "I know," she said with a hint of sympathy. "Even sometimes when we try our best, we might not suceed." She swallowed at those words. "But that shouldn't keep us from trying, because there is always a chance, no matter how slim." She stared into the sky. "The Tidelord is counting on us to complete our destiny. We just have to keep on trying." Sundancer nodded, and turned around to get the nest equipments.
Before she dove into the water, she turned around. "Chillsnow," she said softly. Chillsnow looked at her. "Promise me to not say anything to the small one. Also, only tell Aquawater when we really need to. Make sure no other healers we might need spill the beans as well." Chillsnow nodded, tunring around to continue the nest step as the Skydancer's tail disappeared into the water.
Chapter 4
The weather outside was nothing like the weather inside Dusklight's heart.
Aquawater had took her to the dining room, where dragons ate their meals. She ate some new dishes she'd never seen before, like a Bluefin Charger meat with fresh seaweed. She enjoyed it, but it was not enough to distract her from the thing that was in front of their eyes.
Aquawater now took her to a small bay where she can perch on rocks and watch the sunrise and sunset from here.
The sky should have been dark, with rainclouds and thunder roaring above. Not this- sunshine reflecting off the pale blue water, birds chriping cheerfully, and a light breeze blowing the fluffy, non-threatening clouds.
Dusklight stared into the distant horizon, like her mother did when she lost her clan. The memories of that day was like, almost two days ago, but it was as new as it just happened in Dusklight's brain. She shed a few tears without noticing she did.
"I understand what you are feeling right now."
The blue Pearlcatcher wrapped one of his wings around the Fae, who had grown larger by time. "You see, I know how is it like to lose seemingly like your whole life. You wanna hear a story?" Dusklight wiped the tears away and nodded.
Aquawater sat down beside her, the sunlight glinting off his scales. "When I was young, I lived in the Tsunami Flats. I had a brother and a sister, named Shore and Tidesand. I was the oldest sibling, and I lost my father when I was only 3 years old. He died from an infection at the tail." He sighed, and continued. "Shore did not smile for almost 1 year after my father died. He was the youngest sibling, and he wasn't even full grown yet. Our mother, Waterflame, was grief-stricken as well, and our clan all mourned for the lost of him. We were given more resources due to the natural inability of my mother to fly, since she had a wing disabled. I worked hard to take care of her and my younger siblings. But I supposed I failed..." He faltered a little, and Dusklight noticed tears forming in his eyes. "One day, I was teaching some other dragons how to hunt for a certain kind of insect, and I had warned Shore not to swim out of the borders of our clan, but he didn't listen, because at the same time he went to chase a bug he found interesting. Tidesand tried to stop him, but they didn't notice a predator coming with a certain up to no good dragon.
"The ruthless assassin had trained and led the shark here to kill dragons. He-" Aquawater sniffed at the tears flowing down his face, unable to stop now. "He made the shark snap at both of them, and Tidesand...she...she jumped in front of Shore to protect him... and got bitten on the tail...severely... and Shore was accidentally killed while he tried to get our sister. She was lucky to survive, but Shore... the assassin had sliced his throat and made him fall down to the ground, and he bled to death... since his artery was slashed... and Tidesand...her tail was fixed but it couldn't be recovered to its original position...so it now...always...look bent at an odd angle... and..and she suffered a lot of great pain during the time, and she is still limited from doing many things she wants to now..." Aquawater broke into tears as he finished his sentence with gasps and sobs. "I'm a fool! I'm an idiot! I failed to save my family when I loved them so much! I'm terrible, Dusklight... I don't understand... I just..." He gasped out the last words after screaming so hard. His tears dripped down on the surface, creating small splashes. "I can never forgive myself...never..."
Dusklight was stabbed with a knife of shock, sadness and somehow... fury. She hugged the Pearlcatcher who was sobbing uncontrollably, since he did that so many times for her since she arrived.
"It wasn't your fault..." she said softly. "It was that wretched dragon's fault. She felt a strong wave of anger at whoever that was. Aquawater wiped his tears away and tried to smile a little. "Thank you, Dusklight. I just want you to understand..." He returned the embrace around the Fae.
As in return to their emotions, the sky suddenly turned a darker color. Lightning started to flash overhead.
Aquawater turned to dive. "Come on, its time we go back. I have the potion you need, it must be almost wearing off."
Dusklight followed him into the water. "Will the effects stack?"
Aquawater swam on while answering. "It does not. The time for the dose is counted from the time you drink it. Whenever you drink a new dose, the time starts from there again."
The two dragons flew back to the lair, where Aquawater gave her a bottle of the potion and she drank it. Then, she went to use the bathroom again, and just after her tail slipped around the corner of the hallway, Chillsnow appeared in front of Aquawater, with a sad look on her face. "I've got good news and bad news."
Aquawater shot his head up, eyes wide.
"Say," he said urgently.
"The good news is Gloryshine is awake."
Aquawater was jsut going to sigh with relief, before Chillsnow raised a paw and stopped him. "Wait, its too early to rejoice." She sadly shook her head. "The bad news is... this injury cannot be removed. And it is getting worse, day by day. And one day... the life will be ended as well..."
Aquawater's eyes opened wide, this time with a jawdrop.
"That...that means..."
"Yes. She is not going on for much longer. In fact... she is going to... in four to five days..."
Aquawater looked like he might turn into a stone statue and never move again. How...how was he going to spill it to Dusklight..
"I understand. The little one must have a hard time to accept this fact. Until then, let her stay with her mother for these few days..."
Chillsnow wiped away a tear of her own. Aquawater can only nod a little, and his expression of shock was quickly replaced by sorrow and guilt. Guilt for not being able to tell Dusklight the news. For not paying attention to his guest.
"Don''t worry. Gloryshine will tell her daughter herself. Her-"
"Dusklight."
"Dusklight will know it herself." Chillsnow touched Aquawater gently. "Don't worry," she said softly. "You have done your best, what you could have done. Just slowly accept the fact, I know its never easy." Chillsnow left with a sad expression.
Aquawater could only slowly swim towards the room where they kept patients. Dusklight came out from the hallway and followed him, saying nothing on the way.
When they reached the room, separated by doors, the Pearlcatcher turned to Dusklight. "Dusklight," he said slowly and gently. "Promise me not to swear or curse the healers when you find out whatever you need to. Whatever the results are, the healers have tried their best."
The little Fae hesitated, then nodded.
They pushed the door open.
Inside wasn't much of a room, like the others. However, magic had been added to the walls to ensure privacy and quarantine patients who need it. A table and chair was at one side of her room, and all around the room contained shelves and equipments of the healers and doctors.
But most of all, Dusklight noticed the bed in the middle, along with two dragons.
Her mother was looking at her with a weak body, tired eyes, but she smiled. She smiled feebly.
"Mum!" Dusklight happily jumped over and landed softly besidde the bed.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine replied very weakly. She had almost no strength to talk, let alone move.
"Careful, Dusklight."
Dusklight looked up. The healer she didn't know was beside them. She is an Imperial, with iridescent dark greyish blue scales. She gave her a sad look. "Don't do too much. You might both need some time alone. Call me if you need anything with that button." She gestured to the device beside her, just in reach of her bedridden mother. "I'll give you both some privacy. Come, Aquawater, only Dusklight is allowed in there." He looked a little relieved and tired at the same time.
After both dragons swept out of the room, Gloryshine spoke.
"Dusklight my dear, there is something I must tell you."
"I'm listening." The Fae leaned closer with extreme anxiety.
"I won't be here much longer. I'm-"
"You're what? What do you mean by 'won't be here much longer'!? Tell me!" Dusklight was worried, very very worried.
Gloryshine's eyes began to water.
"Dusklight... I'm...dying..."
"WHAT!?" Dusklight made the loudest sound she'd ever did in her life.
"Yes.." Her mother responded with a low, weak and sad voice. "I'm not staying much longer. A few days perhaps. It's impossible to stay alive now, for me at least. But there is something I must tell you before I die."
"No...no..please! I cannot accept this! This cannot be happening! Stop it! I know I must be dreaming. I must! It makes sense. Wake me up!" Dusklight smacked herself with her own tail.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine replied a little sternly. "It is not a dream." She sighed. "Death comes for all of us one day, Dusklight. We have to accept it. Please do not let me ruin your whole life. Please."
"No...I will not let you down... Mother..." Dusklight began to sob uncontrollably. She buried herself in her mother's wings, which she almost gently folded around her.
"Dusklight. You must know something."
"Yes?"
"Did you know why I hid your egg in the Tangled Wood when you were still in it?"
"Did you?" Dusklight managed to frown through her tears.
"Yes. I have to tell you something. I always had somebody hunting me and my lair down. If they knew we had eggs, they will be coming after you, and your unhatched sister too. Too bad...your dear father and sister are dead. As you probably know." Gloryshine's tears flowed down and soaked the pillow a little bit.
"I understand..." Dusklight snuggled closer to her mother. She didn't know much about her other sister, which she could have hatched with. A normal family. With her mother and father and sister and a happily, normally functioning lair.
Too late. She was born in this completely abnormal family, and...
And she will soon be alone.
"Dusklight," Gloryshine spoke feebly. "Two dragons are ruthless assassins. Their names are Deathlurker and Soulbreaker. Deathlurker is an Imperial while Soulbreaker is a Wildclaw. They are both assassins working together, and they take great pleasure in destroying and torturing their victims. Your father, Lightrock was once a victim of their torture, but luckily escaped. He found me and we started the lair. Lightrock was a very sweet dragon. Too bad now..." she faltered, and Dusklight wiped her tears away.
"They always love torturing dragons before brutally killing them. And Lightrock had always been their target since then. But if they found out we had eggs, they would be coming for both of us. That's why I had to hide the eggs in the most unexpected place."
"Oh." Dusklight understood completely now. She had to be careful.
"Mother, I promise to be careful. I will try my best to survive on my own."
"Okay. I trust you, my little diamond." Gloryshine smiled weakly.
For the next few minutes, or maybe even hours, they spent their time together, silently sobbing and mourning for their lost family.
After what felt like ages, both of them fell asleep, enjoying each others company for one of the few last times, for both of them.
***
The time had came.Its time for the truth.
A fate that no one would like to accept, no one would like to see or hear, yet is unable to reject any of it.
For a few days Dusklight had visited and stayed by her mother, learning how to take care of her, even for a small amount of time. She did not leave her for long, only occasionally visiting the bathroom, getting food or learning with Aquawater. Every day she gained more knowledge, and more experience.
And every day she was growing up.
Today, she, Dusklight, is already a full grown Fae. She is now in the next stage of her life.
And her mother was going there as well.
Chillsnow stood beside the bed, gently comforting a sobbing Sundancer. Dusklight herself is unable to control her own tears. Aquawater was standing with an expressionless face, but tears were flowing down his face.
The weak purple Fae lying on the bed smiled at her daughter and the others for the last time. She could barely speak now, but she can still manage to choke out her final words.
"Dusklight. Aquawater. Healers. Thank you. I'm unable to do anything else now, and I knew you've tried your best. Once again, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you all. Have...a better life. Good...bye.." Her last words weakened to a stop. The screen showing her pulse beeped more quickly every moment, and finally, Gloryshine's last moments ended with a loud sound that resonated through the room.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
"No...no!" Dusklight can barely see through her tears, but she can see the undeniable truth through a blurry fade. The pulse of her mother had stopped.
She was dead.
"No...I can't believe this...this can't be happening..." She broke down into tears. Chillsnow herself wiped away a few tears of her own, and Sundancer began to sob more loudly. Very soon, Aquawater flew over to Dusklight and hugged her, sobbing furiously.
"Dusklight..." he finally managed to choke out. "There is something you must see. Come on." He nudged her. Dusklight nodded, flying over to her mother's body and looking at her for the last time, before lightly kissing her on the cheek, for the last time as well.
She was gone.
"Dusklight...you must come." Aquawater said with a stronger voice this time. The Fae nodded and slowly and sadly left the room.
Aquawater swam out of the cave and brought her to the place they had been a few days ago, where she told him about her past. They perched on the rock as usual.
"Look."
He gestured to the water, which was reflected by the sunlight. Dusklight peered in, and manage to gasp.
"You see? You are no longer a small dragon. You are an adult Fae now, Dusklight. You cannot be lost and buried in the past. You have to move on to another stage of your life, because it is your mother's wish."
"I know..." Dusklight was still stunned by her reflection in the water. Her once small, undeveloped wings were now extended and stretched out widely, just like her mother's. Her legs and body were now stronger, and she somehow felt bigger, braver and more experienced.
"You might want to read this."
Aquawater handed her a stone tablet. Some words were carved on it, making it seem like a diary entry.
"Please read it silently."
Dear Dusklight,
It is your mother here, Gloryshine. My condition is in a critcal state now, and I know I have absolutely one hundred percent no chance to survive. I know that any time now might be the last time I ever see you, but my one of my final wishes is that I'll get to see you as an adult when my time comes. And the wish was granted.
On this day, which is when you are probably reading it, you are already a mature dragon. You have your own rights, and your newfound knowledge. You must move on to a new stage in life, and live an even better life from now on.
Dusklight. You were more than anything to me, and I want you to know this. I am already very weak when I am writing this, but I tried my best to do so, with a little bit of help. And I suppose I succeeded. And I want you to know everything I must tell you before I am gone in your life forever.
It is going to be very, very hard for you, I know, but you must live a happy life, and do not let my passing taint your happy memories and experiences. You were more than a hundred thousand hoards of gems and gold to me, my little diamond. Live your life with happiness, joy and hope, not spend it moaning about me. It is not going to be changed, no matter what. You got to be happy, and that is my final wish. I want you to have a happy life.
I suppose I'm resting in peace now, when you are reading this. Please accept the fact that I've gone through the passing painlessly and peacefully, and there is nothing to worry about me now. I promise, when my time comes, which will soon be, I will watch over you, and wish you luck.
I don't know what I should be doing now, but you probably know for yourself. And someday, when your own time comes, we will be together again, and our new adventure lies ahead of us. I'll be waiting. Live a happy life.
Sincerely,
Your mother, Gloryshine
Your mother, Gloryshine
"But...but why would...you have this...?" Dusklight managed to choke out the words through her waterfall of tears. She was curled into a ball and holding the tablet with shaking paws.
"She wanted me to let you have it. As a memorial. You got to grant her wish, Dusklight. This is the best you can do, if you wish to."
"I..will...try." She said through her tears.
"But...what..should I do now...?" She asked feebly.
"I think I know. I'll let you meet my sister, Tidesand. She lives with her best friend, Wavewasher, and she is a Seer. She offers free service. Come on, carry your bag with you. The one your mother originally crafted when she brought you here. Its quite a conincidence we met, I am lucky to meet both of you, just letting you know.
She nodded, and wiped her tears away. She will grant her mother's final wish. She will.
Chapter 5
"Are you sure its here?" Dusklight yelled over the raging winds above them. They were swimming towards the Tsunami Flats, but it seemed like it was getting darker and darker by every meter they approach. The fierce currents were luckily not enough to shove them in the wrong directions, but it took a lot of energy for them to swim.
"I don't know. Maybe the current took us to the wrong direction..." Aquawater said hesitantly.
"What!?"
"I can't tell! But it looks like..."
He didn't need to continue. The abyss that stood in front of them gave them the answer they need.
They were at the Leviathan Trench.
"But this is the exact opposite of where we're going!" Dusklight shouted. The currents grew stronger every minute they were swimming, and the wind howled above the ocean.
"It's already late, by my assumption. We have to find somewhere to settle in for a night."
"I'm sure some of these lairs here have spaces for visitors..." The Fae looked around anxiously. The cliffs have many caves with clans nestling in them. Surely she could settled in one for the night...
A faint, soft glow of light came from one of the caves in the high cliff walls of the Leviathan Trench. She beckoned to Aquawater to follow her. Both of them swam hard towards the cave, which got closer and closer as they swam.
When they finally thudded on the stone floor of the mouth of the cave, Aquawater gave a relieved sigh. He was really tired from all that swimming, and probably hungry. They had came here after eating a little bit of food, and that's all.
"Who is here in all of places now?!" A voice of a female dragon growled. As they walked in, sand lined the floor. Dusklight wondered if all dragons living in the sea lined their clans with sand.
A female Imperial appeared in front of them. Her eyes were a color of green, which means she is a Nature dragon. She seemed dreadfully annoyed.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Oh, we kinda got lost in the middle of everything. We were going to the Tsunami Flats to see a Seer, but we somehow ended up here instead."
"Oh. My name is Greenleaf, welcome to our clan. I'm a lair guard. You both need some shelter." She led both of them in.
As they went through, Dusklight noticed the lair was lit by lamps, probably by magic. The glow was bright and welcoming, and very soon Greenleaf took them to the lair, where dragons were resting in their roosts.
"Watershell!" Greenleaf suddenly called.
A female Mirror came into view. "Oh! Visitors! We haven't have many in a long time. Well, I'm Watershell, the clan matriarch here. Glad to have some visitors at last! You can follow me to your room."
"Thank you," Dusklight replied gratefully. "My name is Dusklight, by the way. And this is Aquawater."
"Nice to meet both of you." Watershell replied as she started to walk towards a hallway.
Both dragons followed her, Dusklight studying the clan. It had many similarities to Aquawater's, considering that seashells and underwater plants were used as decorations, and of course, the floor was lined with sand. But she spotted some fish bones and artifacts from the ocean preserved in cases as decor as well. Some carvings and drawings of fishes and underwater creature were etched on the walls, and the ground sometimes had carvings of shells and underwater things like Aquawater's lair, except that it wasn't filled with sparkling water.
"Here."
Watershell gestured to their room. It was a small room, alongside with many others, separated by walls. In it was a bed made our of soft seaweed as well, and it had covers attached to it. A small desk sat on the right side of the room, while on the left was a wardrobe and some shelves.
Dusklight settled her seaweed bag down on the desk, and Aquawater flopped down on the bed. He didn't seem to feel hungry.
But Dusklight was. She could even hear her stomach rumble. "Excuse me, but can we get any food here?"
"Of course! Follow me, dear." The Mirror swept out of the room and shut the door.
Soon, they were in a room full of dragons eating and chatting. Watershell brought a plate of crunchy, medium sized beetles. "I hope it would be enough," she offered kindly. "But if you need anything else, just say."
Dusklight nodded in silent thanks, and put one beetle in her mouth. The juicy meat and crunchy shell of it was just too delicious for her to resist. She started throwing the beetles in her mouth, making loud crunching noises as she did.
When she was finished, she realized a few dragons were staring at her. Dusklight blushed furiously and mumbled a quick sorry. Then, she turned to Watershell. "May I have a fat, green caterpillar please?"
"Sure. Coming in a second," she replied before walking over to get her dish.
Most dragons down here were Water dragons, but like Greenleaf, there were Plague, Shadow, Lightning and even Light dragons like herself there. She glanced over to a far corner of the room and noticed a huge supply of potions. Those must be the underwater potions for the non-Water dragons. She herself had taken a few over the past days, and she had just drank one that morning.
Watershell returned with the caterpillar she ordered. It was nice and fat, like she liked it. Caterpillars tasted nicer if they are green, and these kind were even tastier than normal insects.
This time, she was careful to watch her manners. She slowly sliced the caterpillar into half, and broke one small piece of it before eating it. When she was done, she thought she better get some rest before sunrise.
Dusklight stood up and got ready to go back to her room...
Before a very panicked dragon tumbled into the room.
It was Greenleaf, but now she was wearing some protective armor over her whole body, and they were stunning silver. Obsidian tail and wing guards draped over her as well, protecting her from harm.
"Greenleaf, what's wrong?" Watershell asked worriedly.
"An intruder!" She shrieked. "It is a masked dragon, wearing a cloak! I can't even tell its a he or she! That dragon just attacked me for no reason and now I have to warn all of you!"
Just then, screams began to come from the other side of the room.
The dragon Greenleaf was talking about had arrived.
***
The cloaked dragon was wearing many weapons.He or she had a sword on his or her waist, and a small dagger was tied to his or her right arm. Many other things filled the cloak and from here, Dusklight could see a hint of obsidian from under the cloak.
"Marvellous." The dragon spoke in a very unsettling voice. "So many of my ignorant victims at once."
"What are you doing here!?" Watershell roared.
"Oh, I'm afraid the one who can tell you the story other than me is dead." The dragon dragged a lump from behind and tossed it on the ground.
Expressions of pure horror filled the whole room.
A male Nocturne, scales smeared with blood, laid on the floor, with a slash to his throat and many other cuts and bites on his body. Watershell looked horribly petrified.
"Deepsand..." She stammered. "You...you fool!" She lashed out at the dragon suddenly, slashing wildly at her. Greenleaf gasped and pulled her back. Dusklight didn't know why, but she helped as well.
"Oh, I didn't know the clan leader wanted to die so badly." The dragon smirked. "Right now, you should probably know who I am."
The dragon slowly withdrew all weapons from the cloak, including poisonous darts, sharp knifes and so on. Then, the dragon flung the cloak to her floor, revealing the identity of an assassin.
A male Fae, one of the bigger ones she'd seen in her life, glared at them with pink, malicious eyes. An Arcane dragon.
"I've been searching for dragons to kill since I broke free from a nasty prison. Well, your unlucky clan mate was doing some hunting I suppose. I found him and had some nice fun while you all were gone."
"No!" Watershell began to sob with anger and ferocity in her eyes. "You monster..." she snarled.
"Well, I have so many dragons to kill now! That's amazing, lets start with this one." He gestured at the clan matriarch, who glared back ferociously. "If that means you want to fight," she said fiercely, "I'm not afraid. Its my duty to protect my clan from you!"
"Bring it on, then. But beware, its not easy to defeat Liferipper, one of the best assassins known!"
Watershell ignored him. She jumped forward, lashing at the Fae.
Liferipper slinked around slowly, as other dragons started to pour out of the room through the only exit. Watershell dashed to the other side of the room, hoping to lure him there.
Greenleaf started forward, but Watershell light shoo her head, and flew over to her just in time. "Get the warriors," she ordered frantically. The Imperial obediently followed, and rushed out of the room in an instant. Soon, the only dragons left in the room were Dusklight, Watershell and Liferipper.
"Run, Dusklight!" The Mirror shouted.
"No, I'll help." Dusklight assured firmly.
"Oh, what an amusing sight. You're barely half my size as a Fae, little dragon."
She flapped her wings and lifted into the air. Kicking her legs out, she swam as fast as she could, while Watershell shot him with a blast of water.
Dusklight had never been in a real battle before, so she had no idea how to fight a merciless assassin. But she had to try. She couldn't let more dragons die innocently, especially when she had treated them so well.
She built up her power as a Light dragon, feeling warmth growing inside her. Dusklight wondered if all Light dragons felt this way when they fight.
She charged a beam of light and shot it at Liferipper, who fliched a little, but that's all.
She tried again, this time gathering the energy into a ball before unleashing it at the dragon. He flapped his wings a little, but she didn't know what that meant. Pain? Confusion? Or any side effects? She had absolutely no idea.
The dragon turned around, opened his mouth, which seemed to glow a bright pink, and shot a blast of energy at her. She rolled away just in time. It was Arcane energy, and from her lessons with Aquawater, Light dragons were weak to Arcane attacks.
Aquawater!
Was he safe? Did he make it? Was he killed?
Watershell lunged forward at the Fae, grabbing his fins. She strongly wrapped her tail around his hind legs, making him trip if he walked backward. Liferipper drew a knife, and slashed it across her front paws. She screamed in agony, and with the last of her strength in her other arm, she charged up Water magic and slashed her opponent with a strong cut of water.
The Fae gave a whimper and fell back. There was a cut on his neck, which had began to bleed, and a bruise of where the water had hit him earlier on the shoulder.
But Watershell was bleeding even worse, the knife had dealt great damage. Liferipper grabbed a dart and flung it at the Mirror, who barely dodged it. Then, unexpectedly, he shot another blast of Arcane energy at Dusklight.
At first she thought he missed, but after a moment, flaring pain made her howl in agony as she rolled on the floor. It sizzled off her scales like smoke, but didn't burn. It just hurt a lot, that's all.
The Fae grabbed another blade and lunge forward. He tried to drive it into her heart, but she avoided his attack and this time, shooting another blast of her own Light energy onto his back.
The attack seemed to make himstagger forward and lose balance, and she dashed at him again, doing a simple rake of her claws to his side.
He didn't roar with pain or anything. It was strange, to fight a dragon that made no sound. She fell back, lashing her tail out to try and trip him. Watershell was right behind them. She struck him with another bolt of water, then slashed at him with her own claws. With a swift moment, Dusklight rolled underneath the black dragon and raked his underbelly again.
This time, it earned a roar of agony from the Fae.
Liferipper snarled and dashed at her again. No time to plan another attack. She grabbed the fins on his head and shoved him aside before the Arcane energy hit her. Then, she felt claws locking around her shoulder.
No, she thought.
The dragon was surprisingly strong. He shoved her until she was backed against a wall. Then he drew his knife.
But luckily Dusklight had a sense of escape. She drew in a breathe and shot a small ray of light, not enough to deal too much damage, but it blinded her opponent for long enough for her to escape.
When she was free, she didn't know what prompted the attack, but she conjured up a strong beam of bright light, and moved it in a ray across the dragon's body.
The light was hot to the touch, and it left a red, raw mark on Liferipper's dark scales. He howled in pain, and she grabbed hold of his neck.
With a loud CRACK, she broke the assassin's neck, her energy flooding through her whole body like lightning zapping her.
He was dead.
***
Dusklight woke up gasping, from a nightmare of angry souls chasing her. Beside her, Aquawater was shaken awake as well."What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just a nightmare," she remarked, trying to sound unbothered. But Aquawater was not convinced.
"You don't sound so good."
"Alright. You've got me," she sighed. "I feel uneasy about the dragon I killed just now. I never did that, and its just...wrong. I don't know why I can't keep my mind off it."
"Liferipper was a bad dragon. He would have died in other's claws otherwise. You did something for the greater good, intentionally or not. No worries, Dusklight. Every dragon might have killed someone in their life. The thing that is important is that you don't kill without reason, like an assassin. You did it because you have to. Its your life or his."
"I know. But its hard to get over..."
"I understand. But this might be one of the things you need to know to continue your life."
"Yeah."
Both dragons somehow drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, another sad news awaited them.
Greenleaf stood silently with a few tears down her cheek. In her paws was a box with a few holes, and around her neck was something that wasn't there before.
"I have to tell you both something," she said sadly. "Watershell was injured badly yesterday, when she was fighting. She...died of her injuries last night."
Aquawater fell off the bed and stood upright with his eyes wide. Dusklight flapped her wings in shock.
"What?"
"Yes. She wants you to have this," Greenleaf opened the box she was holding. Inside was a mouse, bigger than most mice but not too big. It scampered up to Dusklight.
"Her Glowing Pocket Mouse needs a new owner now. She can no longer take care of it, but she thought you,, Dusklight was perfect for it. She wants you to have it..."
"I will take care of it." Dusklight assured firmly.
"That's great. Also, this." She took off the necklace she was wearing, and it turned out to be a pendant necklace. It was shaped like a starfish painted in blue.
"This is her lucky charm. She wants you to have it, so you will always be safe and sound. I wish you both good luck on your journey..."
The Imperial sadly walked out of the room, leaving both of the dragons standing with sorrow.
"Aquawater, we should probably go..."
"I know. Lets get some food and pack up before we leave."
Before they prepared to leave, Greenleaf came in to meet them.
"A Skydancer wishes to see you both. Come on out and meet her."
Chapter 6
Sundancer stood in the doorway, dressed in silver armor and draped with a bag. She looked at both of them hopefully.
"I was worried about both of you, so I decided to come along with you. Anyway, the healers could spare me."
"But how did you find us?" Dusklight asked skeptically.
"Well, I-" she clearly looked embarassed. "The truth is, I followed you. I was surprised that you headed this way instead, since you said you were going to the Tsunami Flats. But I suspected you had other plans."
"We kinda got lost," Aquawater explained. "We were heading to the Tsunami Flats, but ended up here by mistake. But we are lucky to have you come with us."
"Actually, we are coming as well."
The three dragons jumped at the new voice.
A male Mirror was standing behind them. He was armed with a sword and some knives around his waist, and his whole body was dressed in a suit of metallic armor. Behind him was a Spiral, which had also the almost same array of weapons, but he was armed with poisonous darts, and a bag filled with all sorts of equipments were there. He looked like a real warrior, with silver filgree armor draped all over him, and he looked fierce. Not that the Mirror looked any less fierce, though.
"My name is Deepwave, and I'm Watershell's mate. I have to thank both of you for destroying that retched dragon. Now, I want to come with you to protect both of you. And this is Onyxstone. He is one of our best warriors."
"Nice to meet both of you," he said gruffly. The Spiral was not like his normally energetic, silly, uncontrollable tribe. He was steady and serious, perhaps trained from young to be a warrior.
"Thank you. Come on then," Dusklight said.
"Wait. You can't go away unarmed. We have some armor and weapons to lend you both. Come on."
The five dragons flew inside the lair again, this time Deepwave taking them to a room with all sorts of things warriors use. Aquawater chose a few arrows that he can carry with a bow and a sheath, and he wore shining iron armor on his tail, legs and wings. Around his neck carried a satchel with the mouse, which got along very well with Dusklight. They decided to take turns in carrying and taking care of it. Apparently, it had been injected with the underwater medicine as well.
Dusklight chose a variety of items. She saw a set of golden armor, so she put it on. Everybody gasped, even Onyxstone. She looked majestic in them. She also chose a few poisonous darts to put in wraps around her front legs, and a few knives as well.
She still had the food bag her mother made, which was refilled with supplies and added with some extra equipments.
"We prepared this armor for you. Our savior," Deepwave bowed a little while saying so. "You destroyed one of our most powerful enemies."
Dusklight swallowed at the word "destroyed". She didn't know what to think about it now, but she had to move on. Move on to find her new destiny."
"So, where should we go now?"
"To the Tsunami Flats. I know the best seer so far."
***
They had been travelling for a whole day, and by the time they reached one of the middle-small tide pools of the Tsunami Flats, it was nightfall. The moon shone brightly tonight, partially hidden by some clouds. Dragons from all around had nestled into their lairs and went to sleep.Aquawater had let Dusklight take another dose of medicine after the effect was over, and now she had one more day to go. He dove into the tide pool, and to their surprise it was secured with a small wooden door.
The Pearlcatcher knocked on it, and another one opened it. She was surprised and happy to see Aquawater.
"Aqua! I wasn't expected you at this time! Come in, and bring your friends as well!"
All dragons went into the small home built by the Pearlcatcher, which was different from the ones they've seen. Pictures of her and Aquawater hung on the walls, and some underwater plants were placed around the room. A sofa and a wooden table were placed in the middle as well, and of course, the floor was a sandy one, under a tide pool.
"Tidesand, I am bringing my friend here so that she knows what to do next."
"Sure. What are you names?"
"I'm Dusklight, and this is Onyxstone, Deepwave and Sundancer."
"Nice to meet you all. I have a few rooms around, Aqua and me can stay in my bedroom, while Dusklight can sleep with Sundancer in the other room. The rest of you can stay in my spare bedroom. Come on, Dusklight. It's free of charge." She smiled as they followed her. The others went into their rooms to rest, while Aquawater, Tidesand and Dusklight enter another doorway without a door and found themselves in a place with a table for eating, and a small door beside. Tidesand went in and beckoned Dusklight to follow.
"Aqua, would you kindly wait outside first?"
"Sure, my dear sister."
Both of them hugged each other before Aquawater sat down on one of the chairs while they entered the room.
When Tidesand walked in, Dusklight saw her tail bent at an odd angle, with bandages still binding it. It must have been fixed incorrectly somehow, but better than nothing. Aquawater's sister might had more frightening memories than hers.
Tidesand sat down on a chair beside a table. On the table were all sorts of things- shells, fish bones, ancient relics and so on. A crystal blue ball stood in the middle. Tidesand looked like a very professional seer.
"Come on, dear. Sit down on that pile of sand mould in that circle. She pointed to a circle not far from where she was sitting. A chalk was drawn to make a seperated area.
Dusklight sat down as she was told, while Tidesand opened a drawer below the table, and in it was een stranger things. Feathers of birds, and some even from dragons, pearls, jars of peculiar liquid, and more laid inside.
"Now Dusklight, no matter what happens next, do not get off the sand mould and do not move too hard or it will destroy the spell." She nodded in response.
On the table was a stone bowl with a pestle, which was for brewing, she guessed. And she was right. Tidesand filled the bowl with a bright green substance and mixed a handful of sand, specks of clouds, leaves, and all sorts of things inside, which seems to be from respective elements of Sorneith. Only one exception- Light, which was her own element.
After adding all the ingredients, Tidesand grabbed a colorful feather and stirred the mixture around, turning it different colors every second. Then, she muttered a few strange words before pulling out a light yellow jewel from inside the drawer, alongside with 10 more.
It was the colors of the respective elements.
The jewel glowed brightly, shining onto Dusklight and making the circle she was in flare up in bright yellow flames, occasionally flashing with other colors as well, mostly blue. The sand swirled up in mini tornados, and the sand mould she was sitting on seem to be fading as well. But she did not move.
After a while, a bright beam of light came into focus. It shone from Dusklight's eyes to the crystal ball, and she was staring directly into it.
"Now, place your paws on the ball." She could hear Tidesand's voice still speaking.
She was supposed to be far away from the ball, but she extended her talons anyway. When she put it in front of her, it touched the clear blue surface of the crystal ball, even if it made no sense. The surface rippled like water, and suddenly, everything was blinded by a bright flash of yellow light.
Then, she was staring at her past.
The images of her clan being set on fire, their journey to the ocean, her mother dying, and how she killed Liferipper and appeared here, finally.
"I can't believe it," Tidesand whispered. "I've never seen such a terrible past for a young dragon like you. Now, let's see what will your future hold."
The images faded away, and Dusklight felt her tears fading away somehow. Her whole body glowed with a magical aura, and the surface of the ball shimmered like smoke.
Tidesand came into view, her eyes closed. Everything else was a blur. She softly said:
"Dusklight. You have suffered a terrible past. But you will have to forget it. We cannot alter the past, but we can control our future. So take it from here." She smiled lightly. "The Tidelord has everything planned. When something bad happens, a good thing follows next. Your future will be a bright and glorious one. But to achieve your goal, you will have to solve this riddle."
Tidesand began to chant in a strange, mysterious tone.
To stop a terrible fate,
you must not miss the date;
Where a magical force will be there
And carry the spirit of her.
The answers that you need must be indeed true,
Compassion is yet something you can't lack.
Beware of the arrogance that might seep into your life,
It might just relight all your fears.
Find it, my little dragon, find it.
There is more to discover, more to know,
However you shall not leave anyone in peril,
in your quest for the unknown.
The spirit of real power will be with you,
And no one should go through the dangers that you did.
Follow the guiding light of life,
do not stop because of fear,
and discover a whole new power
that will soon hold your clan together.
Beware, for you will need it,
the real answer and real power to leading,
might be another powerful dragon,
so do not be blinded by power,
and learn to share the pleasure.
Dusklight blinked in astonishment as everything was blinded by the light again, and she reappeared, safe and sound, in the room, sitting on the sand mould. Tidesand was still in her orginal position, eyes still closed.
"But...does that mean I have to take my mother's place as a new clan matriarch? Is that my destiny?"
"You are right about your next step. You shall lead a group of new dragons, but be reminded that you will need help. Go, go start a new clan, solve the riddle, and find what is truly important to keep the whole clan steady, forever."
"Thank you."
Dusklight waited until the closing of the process was finished, then left the room to rest after a long day of adventures.
***
"Wake up, now! This is urgent!"Dusklight awoke to a voice and force shaking her. She blinked her eyes slowy and a panicking Sundancer came into view.
"What's wrong?"
"Aquawater is gone! He just mysteriously vanished this morning! Tidesand is looking for him as well, and Onyxstone and Deepwave are helping. You have to help us!"
She got out of the bed in a hurry. She must help. She cannot let her savior die, or anything.
"Come on," she said urgently, swimming out into the water.
Chapter 7
"Where are we?" Onyxstone roared.
"I don't know! I've never seen this before!" Deepwave shouted back.
"Guys, I think we are lost."
Dusklight can't see anything except bare rock. The ocean floor here was hard and a few cracks were found here and there, and occassionally a few rocks stood. Nothing was there. No schools of fish, no coral reefs, not even a single strand of seaweed. She could even swear there was no moss.
"But, there's nothing here!" Onyxstone snapped. "How can we even go back? We spent too much time looking for him and forgot to keep track of where we are going."
Something dark flashed briefly behind them.
"Did you see that?" Dusklight asked. "That might be something." Maybe it's Aquawater. Maybe he got lost as well. Please be him.
It came by again. But it was not a dragon.
She could see more than four long legs, that means it wasn't a dragon. Bubbles emerged from it, and Deepwave hissed as he got closer.
"A giant octopus. Just what we needed right now," he rolled his eyes.
A whimper was heard coming from it.
"What was that? Can you hear that? Is that a dragon?"
"We have no idea." Sundancer replied. "But we have to risk this. Dusklight, be prepared. We understand the underwater creatures more, as the way they are."
She nodded as they swam towards the dark creature Deepwave called an octopus. She had never seen one, and never eaten one as well. Its legs seem to get longer and longer as they approached.
A scream tore through the air.
Sundancer was snatched by the octopus, its tentacles trapping her. And in shock and horror, Dusklight noticed Aquawater and Tidesand being strapped too.
"NO!" Deepwave roared. He jabbed his sword at the creature, but it smacked his paw out of the way easily. And with a swift movement, it swam off into the waters, leaving trails of bubbles behind.
"Come on! Follow them!" Onyxstone cried and swam after it immediately.
Suddenly, a towering structure starting to form in view.
"This is so wrong," Deepwave growled, but still swimming quickly to keep up. Dusklight couldn't believe her eyes.
The Spiral Keep. Somehow they had ended up here, with a majestic gate standing in front to welcome them in.
The octopus seemed to slow down for a moment, and Aquawater succesfully struggled free of it's scaly grasp. Underwater, Water dragons had the most benefit. Aquawater whirled his body upwards and smashed his tail into the gigantic sea creature.
The others didn't hesitate. Deepwave crashed into the slimy octopus and slashed its skin with his claws. However, its skin was hard and rough, and not easy to rip apart. Clashing hard with the creature, Onyxstone drew out a few knives and jabbed it into the hostile creature, tearing open a few wounds. Meanwhile, Aquawater had swiftly rescued Tidesand while shooting at the tentacle that was holding her.
Dusklight took a deep breath, and then she felt the hot energy building up in her before she shot another ray of burning light at the creature, which seemed effective. It made a voice that sounded like a groan, and backed off the dragons surrounding them.
Sundancer grabbed a few poisonous darts and fired it at the octopus. Dusklight wondered if the poison can paralyze it, or something else. Not backing down, she drew a knife and jabbed the octopus with it. Using another surge of Light energy, she successfully slammed it down on the ground and Aquawater took this opportunity to finally kill it by aiming an arrow at it.
"Finally a beast gone for good, and this might make a meal as well," Onyxstone muttered as he and Deepwave dragged the octopus across the land. "We better get back," Deepwave growled. "What we really don't need now is another kidnapping by an underwater creature."
"Um, you guys might not like this." Sundancer said nervously as she pointed to the gates leading to the Spiral Keep.
Aquawater and Tidesand were swimming towards it.
"Hey, wait!" Dusklight shouted after the two Pearlcatchers, who didn't seem to listen.
Then, Dusklight heard it, too.
A cry came from somewhere beneath the gates, and coral reefs started to appear in their view. She sighed before swimming on to catch up with both of them.
***
The seashells and aquatic plants that welcomed them indicated they were getting closer and closer to the big conch located in the middle of the whole coral reef structure. The Tidelord himself was somewhere in there. Thinking about that made her have chills of excitement.The deity of Water dragons.
*MORE TO COME SOON!
Recent Comments
New addition to my lore!
Hi, new addition to my lore! Hint: next chapter will be surprising.
Hey do you know what happened to Vipsie she started in april same as my sister ValkyrieDragon so I think she's probally Stoped playing
Wow, lore is amazing! And yes, I all my food stores are depleted, because I have been away on vacation.
Vunderbar! So, shall we start? Am rp like this will require intricate planning and decisive plot from both sides. I already have a base idea. Oh, and it's not a fight rising rp. It's a furry rp.. if that's alright with you of course
Jello ^^ i saw your plot for an rp and i hve to say, i been looking for an rper like you! Someone who isn't afraid to go in-depth with only the highest details of rp. I can tell you more of the rp i want to do butit has to be in messages. Char limit :/
Awww, I feel so bad, Watershell seemed like such a good character... In love it though! (The story, not Watershell dying.)
Gobble gobble!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
NEW UPDATE ON MY LORE!!!!
*Maniac grin*
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! WINGS OF FIRE ROCKS!!!!!!!
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Player ID
175833
175833
Date Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Jul 20, 2015
MasterDarklight
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Welcome To Our Underwater Paradise!
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Someone keep me away from the art forums.
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Live life and love dragons :3
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Here's to the ones we mcfreakin' lost along the way
Here's to the ones we mcfreakin' lost along the way
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everyone's a little mad. that doesent mean we're crazy..
everyone's a little mad. that doesent mean we're crazy..
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