Glory

"Guilt is a powerful thing. It changes you."

Glory was born on Sornieth, but not in the same way other dragons were. They formed deep inside the Sea of a Thousand Currents, where the homelands of Light and Fire coalesced in its midst. From that energy came a creature harboring aspects of all three flights; a fiery passion with a need to create, a near-consuming obsession with truth and justice, and a gift in seeing visions and prophecies. This energy found itself wandering the planet, trying to make sense of its sudden existence. For years and years it traveled, watching the world change around it, although it always found itself returning to each of the three lands that helped birth it. It studied dragonkind. It studied the multitudes of clans and tribes and societies that they built. And slowly, so very very slowly, it began longing to be part of it. Each time it would come across hardship, famine, disease, war, it ached in a way it didn't understand. How could so much pain exist in this beautiful world? It wanted to help. It needed to help. And through it's own will, it was born a second time.

Glory awoke on the border separating the Ashfall Waste and the Sea of a Thousand Currents. They laid on a beach of warm, black sand, listening to the peaceful sound of the waves going in and out. They stood, rearing back on their two hind legs.

They had taken the shape of a Skydancer, the breed they had found the most aesthetically pleasing during their travels. However, they lacked any antennae on their head, and their wingspan seemed too massive for them to be able to carry. They also walked solely on their hind legs, wings folded neatly behind them.

Glory began their journey across the Ashfall Waste. They visited every settlement they could find, whether it be dragonkind or the Beastclans. It mattered not to them who they were, just how they could ease any of their suffering. The strange Skydancer was often met with suspicion at first, but almost always was quickly welcomed into the groups they were visiting. Across the continents they traveled, traveling up and around every Flight's territory, meeting group after group after group. From the smallest family circle to the largest empire, they made sure to meet as many individuals as they could.

Eventually, they found themself deep withing the Viridian Labyrinth. The vines and brambles seemed to shift in their direction as they walked, as if they were looking at them. Glory often heard whispers pass through the branches in the trees, down their wide trunks and into the grass, circling around them constantly in a near silent chorus of prophecies. Their first few days traveling through the dense jungle were a bit overwhelming, but they soon found great comfort in the constant murmurings.

However, as they continued deeper and deeper into the jungle, the whispers seemed to be directing them. They urged them in certain directions, under and over ridges, weaving around some of the largest trees they'd ever seen. The whispers turned into murmurs and then into words. There were too many words for them to hear any of them clearly, but they got louder and louder as they traveled. Glory became restless, never stopping. They rushed forward for several days straight, desperately trying to find whatever it was they were looking for.

And then suddenly, it stopped.

Glory emerged from the foliage and found themselves standing on a cliff, looking down into a large, expansive hollow. The area was nearly a perfect circle, with cliffs on all sides except for a small passageway at the opposite end from where they were standing. Over the gap, a large tree grew, its thick roots stretching across the cliffs. Several caves lined the cliffsides, each adorned with their own personal flair. The area was obviously inhabited, but there was not a single creature in sight. They carefully navigated their way down the cliff, peering into some of the caves looking for any sign of life. A horrible sense of dread hung over the area.

Finally, they reached the bottom and stood in the middle of the large area. The grass was trodden down, suggesting there were quite a few creatures moving about in here. Or at least...there used to be? From where they stood they noticed one of the caves was much more heavily decorated than the others. Moss and hundreds of flowers grew from the cracks in the rocks, covering the entire cliff face with color and greenery. A few tiny saplings had even taken root and were beginning to grow. Several bones and skulls adorned the ledges, each having flowers placed carefully around them. Their placement didn't seem malicious, but respectful and maybe even...mournful?

Cautiously, Glory approached the cave entrance. Peering in, they were greeted with a long, dark corridor that they couldn't see the end of. They entered, keeping a hand on the right wall to keep their bearings. Part way through, the tunnel curved slightly, and suddenly they could see light at the end. Their pace quickened, their hearts pounding hard. Something definitely didn't feel right about this place.

Finally they reached the end, and the dark tunnel opened up into a large room. A crack in the ceiling allowed light to filter through, casting rays down into the area. They stepped into the room, finding themself at the top of a large natural staircase made of stone. Moss grew between the cracks and all along the walls. In the distance, they could make out the faint sound of trickling water. They peered over the edge and down into the room, still unable to find any living creature. Beginning their descent, they began to notice intricate carvings in the walls, some of them decorated with gemstones and more bones. Drawings accompanied the carvings, clearly depicting what looked like a Guardian, Wildclaw, and Mirror.

At the bottom of the stairs was a small pool of water, a tiny waterfall pouring in from some cracks in the wall being sure to keep it filled. They navigated around it, and finally, finally, found what they had been looking for. Life.

He was nothing more than green scales and bones, huddled in the far corner of the room. His tattered wings were wrapped around him, mostly obscuring Glory's view, but it was impossible to miss the signs of stress. They approached him slowly, and they must've made a sound, because the creature unwrapped himself suddenly. His green eyes were sunken in from apparent weeks without sleep. His ribs showed through under his skin, and his hands were visibly shaking. The large kill-claw on both of his feet were anxiously tapping at the stone under him. He locked eyes with Glory, not moving.

Glory continued their approach and stepped into the light that was pouring in from the ceiling. The warmth on their back heavily contrasted the horribly cold and dark feeling the room permeated, but they persisted. The Wildclaw's expression slowly changed from one of horror and into almost....bewilderment?

Glory stood before him, massive wings spread, the sunlight behind them almost making them appear to glow. Not a single word was spoken. They outstretched a hand. And slowly, weakly, but determined, the Wildclaw reached up and grasped it.


Clan Florna was in shambles. Or at least..what was left of it. The Wildclaw, who Glory would come to know as Shar, sat with Glory in his personal den and recounted the area's history. He told them how he and his ex-mate were born directly from the Gladekeeper's energy and had been building the clan from the very minute they were born. It was his life, but everything seemed to fall apart no matter what he tried. Truth be told, he had given up.

Glory could feel the anguish emanating from him, hitting them like waves. He spoke of his Clan and their history with such passion and love, heavily contrasting his dilapidated form. Glory felt his suffering in a way they hadn't yet in all of their travels, and this poor Wildclaw's story had so quickly and easily sunk its claws into Glory's soul. They couldn't leave here. This is why they were born. It had to be. They were meant to find this place.

As it turns out, the rest of the hollow wasn't abandoned after all. The other residents had all just taken to sheltering themselves in their own personal dens. They felt the same despair that Shar did, although to a much lesser extent. There was also a deep connection between everyone; they may have all been suffering, but they were suffering together.

Within a couple days things were already looking more lively than Shar had seen in months. Everyone was curious about the strange new Skydancer poking around their home, although some were not as welcoming as others.

Suddenly, Shar announced to Clan Florna that he was voluntarily stepping down as their leader and giving all control to Glory.