Silver
(#28363289)
Coral's Charge
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 50/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Lightning.
Male Spiral
This dragon is hibernating.
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
4.39 m
Wingspan
2.44 m
Weight
94.41 kg
Genetics
Thistle
Skink
Skink
Maize
Spinner
Spinner
Robin
Underbelly
Underbelly
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 1 Spiral
EXP: 0 / 245
STR
5
AGI
9
DEF
5
QCK
8
INT
6
VIT
6
MND
6
Biography
"I just want to be free of this cold."
Volume I
~
Silver, Part 1, Volume I
Prologue.
~
Continued from Alga Part 1
Volume I
~
Silver, Part 1, Volume I
Prologue.
~
Continued from Alga Part 1
The sky and clouds began turning orange and purple as the day was coming to its end. The Sea sparkled as the last rays of sunshine shone down on its surface. Lazy waves lapped gently on the sandy shore of a lonely island as two large shapes splashed each other, laughing and leaping in the water.
“Here comes another one, Coral!”
“I don’t think so, Mud!”
The young Guardians giggled madly as they raised their large paws and smashed them down on the water, splashing each other with small tidal waves.
“Please—”
They paused in their play when a hoarse cry sounded overhead. Lifting their golden and brown heads, Coral and Mudflat saw something lean twisting and writhing through the air towards them, its large aqua eyes open wide as it came in to land.
“Here comes another one, Coral!”
“I don’t think so, Mud!”
The young Guardians giggled madly as they raised their large paws and smashed them down on the water, splashing each other with small tidal waves.
“Please—”
They paused in their play when a hoarse cry sounded overhead. Lifting their golden and brown heads, Coral and Mudflat saw something lean twisting and writhing through the air towards them, its large aqua eyes open wide as it came in to land.
cold Silver
The Spiral stumbled as he fell to his paws in front of the two Guardians. When he rose to stand, his entire body trembled and his bright eyes stared into their dark ones.
Mud took a single step forward. “Hey, don’t be afraid of us.”
“I-I’m n-n-not a-f-fraid,” the Spiral’s voice shook, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why are you shaking?”
The grey Spiral shivered, his teeth chattering as he replied. “I’m j-just s-so c-c-cold.” He then turned his attention to the golden Guardian, and he found her staring at him up and down.
“But,” Mud continued, noticing the new dragon’s clothing, “you’re wearing two coats.”
The Spiral smiled weakly and opened his mouth to speak again, but more shivers racked his entire body, and he remained silent.
“Coral, what should we...” Mud trailed off when he finally saw his sister’s awed expression. “Coral?”
The golden she-drake never removed her gaze from the smaller grey dragon before her. When the Spiral’s large aqua eyes once again looked into hers, Coral felt a slight ripple down her back to the tip of her tail. She seemed to step soundlessly across the sand to stand next to him, and lifting one paw, she gently pulled the Spiral close to her side.
“You’re my Charge,” she whispered to him.
The Spiral continued to shiver, and he looked up to meet the Guardian’s blue gaze. He leaned against her paw, and let its warmth flood his body. A small breeze rushed past, and he shook again.
Coral lowered one wing and curled it underneath the Spiral, and lifted him up next to her shoulder. She looked over at Mud. “I have to bring him inside.”
Mudflat could only stare at them for a moment longer before he nodded, following his sister towards the castle.
Mud took a single step forward. “Hey, don’t be afraid of us.”
“I-I’m n-n-not a-f-fraid,” the Spiral’s voice shook, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why are you shaking?”
The grey Spiral shivered, his teeth chattering as he replied. “I’m j-just s-so c-c-cold.” He then turned his attention to the golden Guardian, and he found her staring at him up and down.
“But,” Mud continued, noticing the new dragon’s clothing, “you’re wearing two coats.”
The Spiral smiled weakly and opened his mouth to speak again, but more shivers racked his entire body, and he remained silent.
“Coral, what should we...” Mud trailed off when he finally saw his sister’s awed expression. “Coral?”
The golden she-drake never removed her gaze from the smaller grey dragon before her. When the Spiral’s large aqua eyes once again looked into hers, Coral felt a slight ripple down her back to the tip of her tail. She seemed to step soundlessly across the sand to stand next to him, and lifting one paw, she gently pulled the Spiral close to her side.
“You’re my Charge,” she whispered to him.
The Spiral continued to shiver, and he looked up to meet the Guardian’s blue gaze. He leaned against her paw, and let its warmth flood his body. A small breeze rushed past, and he shook again.
Coral lowered one wing and curled it underneath the Spiral, and lifted him up next to her shoulder. She looked over at Mud. “I have to bring him inside.”
Mudflat could only stare at them for a moment longer before he nodded, following his sister towards the castle.
...
The flames inside the enormous fireplace spat sparks as the massive logs crackled with the heat. Coral and her parents had gathered close behind the Spiral that continued to shiver in front of the fire.
“So, er, Silver is it?” Kelpbeard asked. “How do you know you’re not just...cold-blooded?”
“Dear,” Saline hissed quietly.
“It’s all right, Your Highness,” the Spiral, Silver, replied as he smiled. “He’s not the only one who’s asked me that.”
“And you say that nodrake knows what may be wrong?” Saline asked.
Silver shook his head. “Not even their doctors. I don’t know who else to turn to...” he trailed off, as if deep in thought.
“Papa,” Coral began, staring to her father, “he has to stay here with us.” Her blue eyes were wide and pleading.
Kelpbeard smiled down at her and his great chest swelled with pride. “Of course, love.”
Coral bounded back to Silver’s side and lay next to him, wrapping one wing around him, leaving only his head sticking out as she hugged him close. The Spiral released one final shiver before sighing in relief against the young Guardian’s warmth.
The flames inside the enormous fireplace spat sparks as the massive logs crackled with the heat. Coral and her parents had gathered close behind the Spiral that continued to shiver in front of the fire.
“So, er, Silver is it?” Kelpbeard asked. “How do you know you’re not just...cold-blooded?”
“Dear,” Saline hissed quietly.
“It’s all right, Your Highness,” the Spiral, Silver, replied as he smiled. “He’s not the only one who’s asked me that.”
“And you say that nodrake knows what may be wrong?” Saline asked.
Silver shook his head. “Not even their doctors. I don’t know who else to turn to...” he trailed off, as if deep in thought.
“Papa,” Coral began, staring to her father, “he has to stay here with us.” Her blue eyes were wide and pleading.
Kelpbeard smiled down at her and his great chest swelled with pride. “Of course, love.”
Coral bounded back to Silver’s side and lay next to him, wrapping one wing around him, leaving only his head sticking out as she hugged him close. The Spiral released one final shiver before sighing in relief against the young Guardian’s warmth.
...
The next morning, two dragons walked along the shore, side by side. Coral stepped into the shallows as Silver remained on the drier sand, his short arms crossed over his chest as he struggled to hide his shivers. The sun’s warm light shone down on both dragons, but the Spiral was still cold, and he moved closer to Coral.
“So I’m your...Charge? What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s what every Guardian has to watch over,” Coral answered as she smiled down at him. “Some have chosen a certain object, a place, or even another dragon.”
“And you chose me?”
“Papa said that no Guardian knows what their Charge is until they happen to find it,” Coral explained.
“Really?” Silver wondered. “I must be a very lucky Ch-Charge, then.”
Coral noticed the Spiral’s body shaking and she stopped. “Maybe you should ride on my back.”
“N-no,” Silver shivered. “I’m f-f...”
Coral widened her dark eyes and scooped him up with one paw, and placed him up onto her back and between her shoulders and wings, blocking him from the wind.
Silver smiled weakly and he sighed. “Th-thank you.” He closed his eyes.
Coral frowned in worry as she turned around and started making her way back to the castle.
As Silver felt the Guardian’s movements beneath him, he slowly opened his big eyes and peered past her wing to look across the water. On the horizon, he spotted the thin line of a forest in the distance. Lifting his head, Silver couldn’t tear his gaze away. Suddenly remembering something he’d heard from other dragons, he wondered if...they might be able to help him. He looked back to Coral and went to open his mouth to speak, but then remained silent as more shivers rattled his body.
The next morning, two dragons walked along the shore, side by side. Coral stepped into the shallows as Silver remained on the drier sand, his short arms crossed over his chest as he struggled to hide his shivers. The sun’s warm light shone down on both dragons, but the Spiral was still cold, and he moved closer to Coral.
“So I’m your...Charge? What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s what every Guardian has to watch over,” Coral answered as she smiled down at him. “Some have chosen a certain object, a place, or even another dragon.”
“And you chose me?”
“Papa said that no Guardian knows what their Charge is until they happen to find it,” Coral explained.
“Really?” Silver wondered. “I must be a very lucky Ch-Charge, then.”
Coral noticed the Spiral’s body shaking and she stopped. “Maybe you should ride on my back.”
“N-no,” Silver shivered. “I’m f-f...”
Coral widened her dark eyes and scooped him up with one paw, and placed him up onto her back and between her shoulders and wings, blocking him from the wind.
Silver smiled weakly and he sighed. “Th-thank you.” He closed his eyes.
Coral frowned in worry as she turned around and started making her way back to the castle.
As Silver felt the Guardian’s movements beneath him, he slowly opened his big eyes and peered past her wing to look across the water. On the horizon, he spotted the thin line of a forest in the distance. Lifting his head, Silver couldn’t tear his gaze away. Suddenly remembering something he’d heard from other dragons, he wondered if...they might be able to help him. He looked back to Coral and went to open his mouth to speak, but then remained silent as more shivers rattled his body.
...
Some time later, that same evening, Silver had curled up closer to the glowing fireplace than the previous night. Coral was sitting behind him in a small circle next to Mudflat and Alga as each young Guardian whisperes to each other, careful not to wake the sleeping Spiral.
“What’s it like having a Charge?” Mud asked.
“How did you know it would be him?” Alga wondered.
“I didn’t know until after our eyes met,” Coral said, pride clear in her voice and golden face. “I felt a strange shiver down my spine, and then I just knew. He’s the one. And...” she trailed off as she turned her head to look behind her before resuming, “he needs me,” she added when Silver shuddered in his sleep. “And I don’t think it’s just because I feel I have to look after him. I think he’ll be my best friend.”
Alga and Mud exchanged amazed glances. “Wow,” they breathed.
“All right, children, it’s time for bed.”
The three siblings heard the voice of their mother and they turned their heads to see the Mirror standing in the open doorway. Coral stayed seated as she watched Alga and Mud slowly stand to their paws and trudge up to Saline.
“He needs to stay by the fire, Mama,” Coral said. “And I need to stay with him.”
Saline didn’t respond for a few moments as she stared after her daughter and the sleeping, shivering Spiral. Instead, she then softly smiled and nodded.
“Thank you,” Coral whispered before watching her mother and siblings leave the room. The golden Guardian inched closer to Silver and curled up beside him, and she too was soon fast asleep.
Some time later, that same evening, Silver had curled up closer to the glowing fireplace than the previous night. Coral was sitting behind him in a small circle next to Mudflat and Alga as each young Guardian whisperes to each other, careful not to wake the sleeping Spiral.
“What’s it like having a Charge?” Mud asked.
“How did you know it would be him?” Alga wondered.
“I didn’t know until after our eyes met,” Coral said, pride clear in her voice and golden face. “I felt a strange shiver down my spine, and then I just knew. He’s the one. And...” she trailed off as she turned her head to look behind her before resuming, “he needs me,” she added when Silver shuddered in his sleep. “And I don’t think it’s just because I feel I have to look after him. I think he’ll be my best friend.”
Alga and Mud exchanged amazed glances. “Wow,” they breathed.
“All right, children, it’s time for bed.”
The three siblings heard the voice of their mother and they turned their heads to see the Mirror standing in the open doorway. Coral stayed seated as she watched Alga and Mud slowly stand to their paws and trudge up to Saline.
“He needs to stay by the fire, Mama,” Coral said. “And I need to stay with him.”
Saline didn’t respond for a few moments as she stared after her daughter and the sleeping, shivering Spiral. Instead, she then softly smiled and nodded.
“Thank you,” Coral whispered before watching her mother and siblings leave the room. The golden Guardian inched closer to Silver and curled up beside him, and she too was soon fast asleep.
...
“N-no, C-Coral,” Silver protested as his body shook violently. “You sh-should play with th-them outs-s-side. I-I’m f-f-fine in h-here.”
Coral didn’t know what else to say that might change his mind. She turned to look back to Mud and Alga, who stared back at her.
“It’s okay, Coral,” Mudflat began.
“We don’t mind if you stay with him,” Alga chirped. “He is your Charge, after all.”
Coral nodded and strode closer to Silver. She scooped him up with one wide wing and hugged him close to her shoulder, and she winced when she discovered that his shakes were worse than yesterday. As the Spiral’s shivered furiously against hers, Coral felt both of her eyes begin to sting, but she held back her tears, trying to smile. Her lower jaw quivered.
Alga exchanged a worried look with her brother, and the yellow Guardian stepped quietly up to her sister, and Mud followed close. Alga pressed herself against one of Coral’s sides and Mud did the same on Coral’s opposite side, letting his body heat reach Silver. The grey Spiral’s shivers lessened and soon ceased, and he sighed.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Silver said.
“Of course we did,” Mud said. “You may be Coral’s Charge, but she’s our sister. We help both of you.”
Silver looked up at each young Guardian with his big aqua eyes. He didn’t know what to say for several silent moments. He met Coral’s eyes last, and he saw worry and fear cloud her face as she looked down at him. A wide grin slowly stretched across the Spiral’s face.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“N-no, C-Coral,” Silver protested as his body shook violently. “You sh-should play with th-them outs-s-side. I-I’m f-f-fine in h-here.”
Coral didn’t know what else to say that might change his mind. She turned to look back to Mud and Alga, who stared back at her.
“It’s okay, Coral,” Mudflat began.
“We don’t mind if you stay with him,” Alga chirped. “He is your Charge, after all.”
Coral nodded and strode closer to Silver. She scooped him up with one wide wing and hugged him close to her shoulder, and she winced when she discovered that his shakes were worse than yesterday. As the Spiral’s shivered furiously against hers, Coral felt both of her eyes begin to sting, but she held back her tears, trying to smile. Her lower jaw quivered.
Alga exchanged a worried look with her brother, and the yellow Guardian stepped quietly up to her sister, and Mud followed close. Alga pressed herself against one of Coral’s sides and Mud did the same on Coral’s opposite side, letting his body heat reach Silver. The grey Spiral’s shivers lessened and soon ceased, and he sighed.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Silver said.
“Of course we did,” Mud said. “You may be Coral’s Charge, but she’s our sister. We help both of you.”
Silver looked up at each young Guardian with his big aqua eyes. He didn’t know what to say for several silent moments. He met Coral’s eyes last, and he saw worry and fear cloud her face as she looked down at him. A wide grin slowly stretched across the Spiral’s face.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
...
He woke during the night, his lean body shivering violently.
Sitting up, Silver gasped with the growing cold that was taking over. There was no denying it now. He was getting worse. He crossed his arms over his chest and shuddered. His large aqua eyes gazed to the three sleeping Guardians that lay surrounding him. Silver’s eyes began to sting when they fell on Coral. Even with each of her sibling’s combined heat, it hadn’t been enough, but they still tried. But now the cold was too great. He had to try something else.
Silver remembered the forest he saw in the distance the other day. Could those tales be true? Could there be a dragon who lived there who could help him?
The Spiral didn’t hesitate. Striding towards the open doorway, he stopped only to glance back at the three sleeping shapes, and he smiled in their direction.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I’ll come back for you.”
He slipped around the corner and marched swiftly and quietly down one end of the massive hall. It was quite dark, but Silver still managed to see well. When he reached the main foyer, he quickened his pace when he spied the back doors. Nodrake else was around, and he heard no voices near, so he slunk forward until he reached them.
The iron locks were heavy, but he managed to open one door with whatever strength he could muster, despite shivering with cold, and the chill night air greeted him.
“Out and about, are we?”
Silver froze. Shaking, he turned around. Lumiere was leaning his long body against the open doorway as he looked down at the Spiral, his four-antlered head tilted slightly as he smiled. Silver shivered uncontrollably, and he tried to return a smile as his teeth clacked together.
“Y-y-yes,” Silver said.
“Really now?” the Imperial asked, his great blue grin stretching. “You, of all dragons? Just suddenly deciding now to go out flying by himself? Sounds awfully lonely.”
“M-maybe I j-just n-n-need some exerc-cise.”
Lumiere shrugged. “All right.”
Silver stared at him, dumbfounded. Was that it?
“At least allow me to assist you with your issue,” the Imperial finished, snapping his blue claws.
Incredible warmth flooded Silver’s body, and the grey Spiral gasped, taking several deep breaths. He hadn’t felt this warm in...well, he couldn’t remember when. The feeling he now experienced was overwhelming.
He couldn’t just stand here, now could he?
Filled with absolute joy, Silver immediately spread each of his pale wings and sprang into the air, shouting his gratitude down to Lumiere.
He twisted and twirled his body through the thin clouds. He couldn’t wait to tell Coral! She’d no longer have to spend her time worrying over him, and they could finally spend their time together out on the shores again. Silver’s heart raced at the thought, and he feverishly stripped off his two coats, his fur-lined boots and tail cozy. He felt the cool night air rush past his scales, though he didn’t feel cold.
Silver didn’t head back right away. How could he? He needed this. It’s been far too long since he’s really enjoyed flying without...he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He wouldn’t think about that, now. Now, he felt free.
He didn’t know for how long or how far he’d flown, but Silver was beginning to tire. He should head back.
But another thought stopped him.
Those stories...they were about a dragon living alone in the forest he’d seen the other day on the horizon. They couldn’t possible mean Lumiere, could they? Maybe he’d remembered them wrong. But Lumiere had helped him. He no longer felt the perpetual chill that had tortured him throughout his life. Maybe…
Silver sighed. He had to know.
The grey Spiral flapped his pale wings as fast and hard as he could, heading towards the forest that loomed in the distance.
When he finally reached his destination, he landed on the shore just at the forest’s edge, and he could only stare into the dark depths. He could spot glowing mushrooms here and there, and he used them as his sources of light as he strode through the dark woods.
Looking up, Silver took in the sight of the stars that dotted the sky between the tops of the trees. He walked swiftly but cautiously over fallen leaves and rotten logs. When a stray branch snapped underfoot, he froze.
Silver stayed in place for several moments, not daring to make any movements. He slowly turned his grey head this way and that, glancing in every direction, swivelling his ears to listen. He could hear nothing, except his own rapid heartbeat. Releasing a slow exhale, he moved forward again.
“Do my eyes deceive me?”
Silver halted when he heard a deep voice singing.
“Is that a Spiral in need?”
He cast swift glances all around him, but nodrake else was in sight.
“Yes indeed.”
What he now saw before him only caused him to stare.
Silver had never seen a dragon quite like this before. The splotchy green she-drake reminded him of a Snapper, for her large body was built low to the ground, but her neck and tail were much too long. In fact, so were her claws.
“I must be quite the sight, eh?” the she-drake chuckled.
Silver snapped out of his trance. “I’ve never seen—I mean—I’m sorry if I was staring.” He turned his eyes away.
“Oh it’s alright, my sweet spark,” she smiled gently. “You’re not the only dragon I’ve caught doing that.”
Silver looked back to her. “Who are you?”
“Call me Marica,” she said. Gesturing all around her with her thick arms, she continued, “And this is my home.”
Silver didn’t answer. Could those tales have meant this strange dragon? For all he knew, she seemed to be alone, and she lived in this forest. Lumiere did not.
Marica chortled. “Aren’t you going to tell me yours?”
“Oh! Sorry,” Silver apologized. “My name’s Silver.”
“Such a lovely name! Tell me, what are you doing out here all by yourself? Are you lost?” Marica’s grin widened. “Are you needing any help?”
“I’m not lost,” Silver reassured her. “But...there is something that I’d like to know.”
Despite her size, Marica surprised Silver as she swooped soundlessly towards him, and stood by his side.
“Of course, my dear,” she said, placing one large paw on one of Silver’s shoulders. “Why don’t you come with me to my abode?”
Marica had led Silver through the forest until they arrived at a hollowed-out tree, and they each squeezed through, and climbed down a vertical dirt tunnel. Upon entering, Silver noticed there seemed to be only one room, and he caught a quick look at the candles that squatted on tables just before Marica snapped her claws, making them vanish. Two chairs appeared, and Marica sat in one as Silver seated himself in the other.
“So,” Marica began, “just what was it that made you decide to visit these parts?”
“Well—”
“Oh! Silly me, I almost forgot,” Marica interrupted Silver. She waved one wide paw and a steaming mug materialized in front of the Spiral’s snout and another in her own palm. “Each of my special guests deserves some of my homemade treats.”
Silver eyed the mug. Catching a single whiff, he gripped its handle and took a small sip. His large eyes widened. It was delicious, whatever it was. He took several deep gulps, allowing the warm, golden and sweet liquid to flow down his throat.
A deep chuckle vibrated Marica’s neck before she took a sip from her own cup. “Good, isn’t it?” she asked.
When Silver had downed the last of it, he leaned against the back of his chair, his eyes now half-closed and his mouth curved up in a wide grin. “Well, it was,” he said, eyeing the bottom of his empty mug.
“Can I get you any more?”
“Oh I couldn’t possibly.” Silver hiccupped.
“It’s certainly filling, isn’t it?” Marica asked, returning a smile. “Now where were we...” she trailed off, snapping her claws and making Silver’s cup vanish. “Of course,” she continued, “the reason you’re here now.”
“Hm?” Silver asked groggily. “Oh,” he said, now more alert. He slowly sat up straight and faced Marica again. “Well it’s...I’ve just heard some stories from other dragons about one with a certain power to rid others from any problem. A dragon who lives in this part of the forest alone.”
“Well my dear, as far as I know, that much is true.”
“So...it’s you?”
“Though...what is your trouble?” Marica wondered.
“Oh I don’t have any, now. I was just curious to see of those tales were true. And seeing you, I suppose they are.”
“You mean you’ve been troubled before? Dear me, what was the matter?”
“Well, for most of my life, the only thing that I’d ever felt was cold, all over my body. But now everything’s different,” Silver allowed another smile to escape him as he finished, “Lumiere helped me, and now I feel so much better.”
At the mention of the Imperial’s name, Marica seemed to freeze as she kept her yellow eyes on Silver’s. “Lumiere, you say?” The splotchy green she-drake returned another grin. “Oh I’m afraid he hasn’t helped you in the least,” she finished, chortling.
“What do you mean?” Silver asked, raising one scaled brow. “I don’t feel the same cold anymore.”
“I’m just saying that his magic, though powerful, I must admit, is only temporary.”
It was Silver’s turn to freeze as he stared at Marica. “Really?”
“I’m afraid so, my darling,” Marica pouted as she inspected her claws.
The grey Spiral sat still in his seat, not saying another word. His heart pounded wildly against his ribs in a sudden realization. He just couldn’t experience that feeling again. If what Marica said was true, how much longer did he have before the cold took over his body once more? And Coral...he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her worried expression again. Silver took a deep, shaking breath and looked Marica straight in her eyes.
“Will you help me?”
Marica allowed another grin to creep across her face.
Silver continued. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay—”
“Oh there’s no need,” Marica cut in. “You long to be free, that’s all I see,” she sang, “and I require no fee.” She hoisted her hefty body from her chair and strode slowly towards Silver, keeping her small yellow eyes on his large aqua ones. “That’s what I do,” she resumed her song, “I’ll help free you,” she now stood directly in front of the Spiral and lifted one paw in front of Silver’s face, “just like the others, too.”
Silver’s breathing slowed as he now began feeling a strange pulling sensation he couldn’t describe. His body relaxed but his mind raced as Marica continued singing, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her black palm.
“But on the whole, you’ll lose control,” Marica paused to release a deep chuckle that rumbled in her throat, “to my pulling on your soul!”
The last thing that Silver felt in his body was one final beat of his heart as he was dragged from his body. What he now felt was a great need to escape this new force that held him tight as insane laughter echoed all around him.
He woke during the night, his lean body shivering violently.
Sitting up, Silver gasped with the growing cold that was taking over. There was no denying it now. He was getting worse. He crossed his arms over his chest and shuddered. His large aqua eyes gazed to the three sleeping Guardians that lay surrounding him. Silver’s eyes began to sting when they fell on Coral. Even with each of her sibling’s combined heat, it hadn’t been enough, but they still tried. But now the cold was too great. He had to try something else.
Silver remembered the forest he saw in the distance the other day. Could those tales be true? Could there be a dragon who lived there who could help him?
The Spiral didn’t hesitate. Striding towards the open doorway, he stopped only to glance back at the three sleeping shapes, and he smiled in their direction.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I’ll come back for you.”
He slipped around the corner and marched swiftly and quietly down one end of the massive hall. It was quite dark, but Silver still managed to see well. When he reached the main foyer, he quickened his pace when he spied the back doors. Nodrake else was around, and he heard no voices near, so he slunk forward until he reached them.
The iron locks were heavy, but he managed to open one door with whatever strength he could muster, despite shivering with cold, and the chill night air greeted him.
“Out and about, are we?”
Silver froze. Shaking, he turned around. Lumiere was leaning his long body against the open doorway as he looked down at the Spiral, his four-antlered head tilted slightly as he smiled. Silver shivered uncontrollably, and he tried to return a smile as his teeth clacked together.
“Y-y-yes,” Silver said.
“Really now?” the Imperial asked, his great blue grin stretching. “You, of all dragons? Just suddenly deciding now to go out flying by himself? Sounds awfully lonely.”
“M-maybe I j-just n-n-need some exerc-cise.”
Lumiere shrugged. “All right.”
Silver stared at him, dumbfounded. Was that it?
“At least allow me to assist you with your issue,” the Imperial finished, snapping his blue claws.
Incredible warmth flooded Silver’s body, and the grey Spiral gasped, taking several deep breaths. He hadn’t felt this warm in...well, he couldn’t remember when. The feeling he now experienced was overwhelming.
He couldn’t just stand here, now could he?
Filled with absolute joy, Silver immediately spread each of his pale wings and sprang into the air, shouting his gratitude down to Lumiere.
He twisted and twirled his body through the thin clouds. He couldn’t wait to tell Coral! She’d no longer have to spend her time worrying over him, and they could finally spend their time together out on the shores again. Silver’s heart raced at the thought, and he feverishly stripped off his two coats, his fur-lined boots and tail cozy. He felt the cool night air rush past his scales, though he didn’t feel cold.
Silver didn’t head back right away. How could he? He needed this. It’s been far too long since he’s really enjoyed flying without...he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He wouldn’t think about that, now. Now, he felt free.
He didn’t know for how long or how far he’d flown, but Silver was beginning to tire. He should head back.
But another thought stopped him.
Those stories...they were about a dragon living alone in the forest he’d seen the other day on the horizon. They couldn’t possible mean Lumiere, could they? Maybe he’d remembered them wrong. But Lumiere had helped him. He no longer felt the perpetual chill that had tortured him throughout his life. Maybe…
Silver sighed. He had to know.
The grey Spiral flapped his pale wings as fast and hard as he could, heading towards the forest that loomed in the distance.
When he finally reached his destination, he landed on the shore just at the forest’s edge, and he could only stare into the dark depths. He could spot glowing mushrooms here and there, and he used them as his sources of light as he strode through the dark woods.
Looking up, Silver took in the sight of the stars that dotted the sky between the tops of the trees. He walked swiftly but cautiously over fallen leaves and rotten logs. When a stray branch snapped underfoot, he froze.
Silver stayed in place for several moments, not daring to make any movements. He slowly turned his grey head this way and that, glancing in every direction, swivelling his ears to listen. He could hear nothing, except his own rapid heartbeat. Releasing a slow exhale, he moved forward again.
“Do my eyes deceive me?”
Silver halted when he heard a deep voice singing.
“Is that a Spiral in need?”
He cast swift glances all around him, but nodrake else was in sight.
“Yes indeed.”
What he now saw before him only caused him to stare.
Silver had never seen a dragon quite like this before. The splotchy green she-drake reminded him of a Snapper, for her large body was built low to the ground, but her neck and tail were much too long. In fact, so were her claws.
“I must be quite the sight, eh?” the she-drake chuckled.
Silver snapped out of his trance. “I’ve never seen—I mean—I’m sorry if I was staring.” He turned his eyes away.
“Oh it’s alright, my sweet spark,” she smiled gently. “You’re not the only dragon I’ve caught doing that.”
Silver looked back to her. “Who are you?”
“Call me Marica,” she said. Gesturing all around her with her thick arms, she continued, “And this is my home.”
Silver didn’t answer. Could those tales have meant this strange dragon? For all he knew, she seemed to be alone, and she lived in this forest. Lumiere did not.
Marica chortled. “Aren’t you going to tell me yours?”
“Oh! Sorry,” Silver apologized. “My name’s Silver.”
“Such a lovely name! Tell me, what are you doing out here all by yourself? Are you lost?” Marica’s grin widened. “Are you needing any help?”
“I’m not lost,” Silver reassured her. “But...there is something that I’d like to know.”
Despite her size, Marica surprised Silver as she swooped soundlessly towards him, and stood by his side.
“Of course, my dear,” she said, placing one large paw on one of Silver’s shoulders. “Why don’t you come with me to my abode?”
Marica had led Silver through the forest until they arrived at a hollowed-out tree, and they each squeezed through, and climbed down a vertical dirt tunnel. Upon entering, Silver noticed there seemed to be only one room, and he caught a quick look at the candles that squatted on tables just before Marica snapped her claws, making them vanish. Two chairs appeared, and Marica sat in one as Silver seated himself in the other.
“So,” Marica began, “just what was it that made you decide to visit these parts?”
“Well—”
“Oh! Silly me, I almost forgot,” Marica interrupted Silver. She waved one wide paw and a steaming mug materialized in front of the Spiral’s snout and another in her own palm. “Each of my special guests deserves some of my homemade treats.”
Silver eyed the mug. Catching a single whiff, he gripped its handle and took a small sip. His large eyes widened. It was delicious, whatever it was. He took several deep gulps, allowing the warm, golden and sweet liquid to flow down his throat.
A deep chuckle vibrated Marica’s neck before she took a sip from her own cup. “Good, isn’t it?” she asked.
When Silver had downed the last of it, he leaned against the back of his chair, his eyes now half-closed and his mouth curved up in a wide grin. “Well, it was,” he said, eyeing the bottom of his empty mug.
“Can I get you any more?”
“Oh I couldn’t possibly.” Silver hiccupped.
“It’s certainly filling, isn’t it?” Marica asked, returning a smile. “Now where were we...” she trailed off, snapping her claws and making Silver’s cup vanish. “Of course,” she continued, “the reason you’re here now.”
“Hm?” Silver asked groggily. “Oh,” he said, now more alert. He slowly sat up straight and faced Marica again. “Well it’s...I’ve just heard some stories from other dragons about one with a certain power to rid others from any problem. A dragon who lives in this part of the forest alone.”
“Well my dear, as far as I know, that much is true.”
“So...it’s you?”
“Though...what is your trouble?” Marica wondered.
“Oh I don’t have any, now. I was just curious to see of those tales were true. And seeing you, I suppose they are.”
“You mean you’ve been troubled before? Dear me, what was the matter?”
“Well, for most of my life, the only thing that I’d ever felt was cold, all over my body. But now everything’s different,” Silver allowed another smile to escape him as he finished, “Lumiere helped me, and now I feel so much better.”
At the mention of the Imperial’s name, Marica seemed to freeze as she kept her yellow eyes on Silver’s. “Lumiere, you say?” The splotchy green she-drake returned another grin. “Oh I’m afraid he hasn’t helped you in the least,” she finished, chortling.
“What do you mean?” Silver asked, raising one scaled brow. “I don’t feel the same cold anymore.”
“I’m just saying that his magic, though powerful, I must admit, is only temporary.”
It was Silver’s turn to freeze as he stared at Marica. “Really?”
“I’m afraid so, my darling,” Marica pouted as she inspected her claws.
The grey Spiral sat still in his seat, not saying another word. His heart pounded wildly against his ribs in a sudden realization. He just couldn’t experience that feeling again. If what Marica said was true, how much longer did he have before the cold took over his body once more? And Coral...he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her worried expression again. Silver took a deep, shaking breath and looked Marica straight in her eyes.
“Will you help me?”
Marica allowed another grin to creep across her face.
Silver continued. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay—”
“Oh there’s no need,” Marica cut in. “You long to be free, that’s all I see,” she sang, “and I require no fee.” She hoisted her hefty body from her chair and strode slowly towards Silver, keeping her small yellow eyes on his large aqua ones. “That’s what I do,” she resumed her song, “I’ll help free you,” she now stood directly in front of the Spiral and lifted one paw in front of Silver’s face, “just like the others, too.”
Silver’s breathing slowed as he now began feeling a strange pulling sensation he couldn’t describe. His body relaxed but his mind raced as Marica continued singing, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her black palm.
“But on the whole, you’ll lose control,” Marica paused to release a deep chuckle that rumbled in her throat, “to my pulling on your soul!”
The last thing that Silver felt in his body was one final beat of his heart as he was dragged from his body. What he now felt was a great need to escape this new force that held him tight as insane laughter echoed all around him.
...
Weak rays of sunlight shone through the windows, waking one of the three Guardians that lay curled up on the floor in front of the now-extinguished fireplace. The golden Guardian stretched her wings and each of her limbs and glanced to the two large shapes of her siblings sleeping beside her. Suddenly realizing her wing was empty, Coral froze before looking at both of her wings and down to her sides.
Where was Silver?
She sprang to her feet and cast wild glances around the room.
He was nowhere to be seen.
Coral’s heart began beating wildly as she lifted each of her feet to look underneath herself. The Spiral wasn’t there, so she hadn’t rolled onto him. She turned to Mudflat and pushed at his side to roll him over.
“Hm...huh?” a groggy reply answered. “Coral, what’re you doing?” the brown Guardian wondered. “Whoa!” he exclaimed, crashing onto one side.
“What’s going on?” Alga asked quietly when she felt somedrake start shoving her over.
Coral ceased her pushing and suddenly raced to the door. “Silver?!” she called frantically as she entered the hallway.
Mud and Alga stared in the direction their sister had gone before they exchanged worried glances.
Coral bounded down one end of the hall to the next, calling the Spiral’s name and asking every dragon that was now awake and wondering what was going on if they’d seen him. One after the other, each dragon shook their heads, including her parents, and they all said the same thing.
“He’s not with you?”
She thought her heart might stop. Coral bolted for the back doors and burst them open, racing to the beach and screamed his name one last time when she reached the Sea’s edge. She turned her golden head in every direction, her dark eyes widened with fear.
Wait, what was that?
Something was drifting on the surface of the water in the distance. Something grey and beige.
Coral’s eyes began to sting and her heart beat faster. She charged into the water and kicked her legs as she swam towards the object. As she got closer, she realized it wasn’t him, but one of his coats. She gripped it tight in her paws, looking it over before turning her head to look all around.
“Silver?” she croaked.
He couldn’t be gone. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Coral’s body started shaking. Her eyes stung even more until she scrunched her face and couldn’t hold back her tears as they cascaded down her face. She thought somedrake had reached in and squeezed her heart.
Weak rays of sunlight shone through the windows, waking one of the three Guardians that lay curled up on the floor in front of the now-extinguished fireplace. The golden Guardian stretched her wings and each of her limbs and glanced to the two large shapes of her siblings sleeping beside her. Suddenly realizing her wing was empty, Coral froze before looking at both of her wings and down to her sides.
Where was Silver?
She sprang to her feet and cast wild glances around the room.
He was nowhere to be seen.
Coral’s heart began beating wildly as she lifted each of her feet to look underneath herself. The Spiral wasn’t there, so she hadn’t rolled onto him. She turned to Mudflat and pushed at his side to roll him over.
“Hm...huh?” a groggy reply answered. “Coral, what’re you doing?” the brown Guardian wondered. “Whoa!” he exclaimed, crashing onto one side.
“What’s going on?” Alga asked quietly when she felt somedrake start shoving her over.
Coral ceased her pushing and suddenly raced to the door. “Silver?!” she called frantically as she entered the hallway.
Mud and Alga stared in the direction their sister had gone before they exchanged worried glances.
Coral bounded down one end of the hall to the next, calling the Spiral’s name and asking every dragon that was now awake and wondering what was going on if they’d seen him. One after the other, each dragon shook their heads, including her parents, and they all said the same thing.
“He’s not with you?”
She thought her heart might stop. Coral bolted for the back doors and burst them open, racing to the beach and screamed his name one last time when she reached the Sea’s edge. She turned her golden head in every direction, her dark eyes widened with fear.
Wait, what was that?
Something was drifting on the surface of the water in the distance. Something grey and beige.
Coral’s eyes began to sting and her heart beat faster. She charged into the water and kicked her legs as she swam towards the object. As she got closer, she realized it wasn’t him, but one of his coats. She gripped it tight in her paws, looking it over before turning her head to look all around.
“Silver?” she croaked.
He couldn’t be gone. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Coral’s body started shaking. Her eyes stung even more until she scrunched her face and couldn’t hold back her tears as they cascaded down her face. She thought somedrake had reached in and squeezed her heart.
...
Lumiere was sprawled out across the roof of the castle in the early dawn. Until a cry woke him.
Now, he had heard more than his fair share of the anguished wails of dragons over the centuries. Those belonging to ones who’ve lost loved relatives, friends, or even the odd squealing of hatchlings that happened to misplace a toy.
But what he heard this time grabbed his attention and held it, as if Marica's power had taken him, as well.
What a ridiculous thought.
He lifted his antlered head and his yellow eyes immediately fell on the golden Guardian out in the Sea. She seemed to be holding something, but Lumiere could tell it wasn’t Silver. Coral wouldn’t be gripping the Spiral’s body that tight. The screams that were torn from her throat made the Imperial know. He looked past Coral, towards the line of trees on the horizon.
Even after what he did for Silver, that fool of a Spiral had still sought her out. Because of his idiotic curiosity, he was now gone.
Lumiere never tore his eyes away from the forest. He furrowed his white brows in a deep frown, and a growl rumbled in his throat, and he hoped to the Eleven that that witch could hear him.
“Where are you, Marica?”
Lumiere was sprawled out across the roof of the castle in the early dawn. Until a cry woke him.
Now, he had heard more than his fair share of the anguished wails of dragons over the centuries. Those belonging to ones who’ve lost loved relatives, friends, or even the odd squealing of hatchlings that happened to misplace a toy.
But what he heard this time grabbed his attention and held it, as if Marica's power had taken him, as well.
What a ridiculous thought.
He lifted his antlered head and his yellow eyes immediately fell on the golden Guardian out in the Sea. She seemed to be holding something, but Lumiere could tell it wasn’t Silver. Coral wouldn’t be gripping the Spiral’s body that tight. The screams that were torn from her throat made the Imperial know. He looked past Coral, towards the line of trees on the horizon.
Even after what he did for Silver, that fool of a Spiral had still sought her out. Because of his idiotic curiosity, he was now gone.
Lumiere never tore his eyes away from the forest. He furrowed his white brows in a deep frown, and a growl rumbled in his throat, and he hoped to the Eleven that that witch could hear him.
“Where are you, Marica?”
Continued in Rockpools Part 1
~
Silver, Part 2, Interlude
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~
Silver, Part 2, Interlude
???
~
Nodrake knew when he would show himself again, but they knew he was always with them.
When dances were hosted in the grand ballroom, dragons twirled with their partners in the shining hall to lively music. Those who were quick enough to catch a brief glimpse of the ghostly Spiral darting amongst them were considered fortunate by the others. Silver would vanish and reappear behind and around everydrake as they continued dancing, exchanging beaming smiles with him when they got the chance.
He would visit Bubbles every time the young Spiral was too afraid to fall back to sleep after waking from a nightmare. Silver’s transparent form would glow softly in the dark and he stayed with the dark drake until he would crash to sleep again a few hours later.
He was there for Pigeon when she was too weak or in too much pain to move from her bed when she needed her stuffed mith doll or just a glass of cool water. If she felt she was up for it, Pigeon gladly accepted Silver’s ghostly paws with her frail ones and struggled to pull herself up so Silver wouldn’t have to do all the work. But Silver never minded lifting her from her bed, gently grasping her paws in his and slowly guiding her and helping her walk, always and only little steps at a time, around her room until she grew too exhausted, and he would stay until she drifted back to sleep.
He stayed with the king and queen when they mourned the disappearance of their eldest daughter, Coral, whom Silver loved dearly, for he had been her Charge. Frantic searches had been sent out whenever they could, but every dragon who returned had not been able to find the missing golden Guardian.
He cried and wailed with Alga, Coral’s younger sister, after the yellow she-drake told him in a choked voice the real reason Coral had left. Silver didn’t want to believe his Guardian would do such a thing to her youngest brother, and he only wailed harder when he realized why she did it was because she had lost him.
But he was here for her now. Why didn’t she come back?
Alga then reluctantly told him of what her magic, and Lumiere’s, were doing right now, and he stared up to her in utter bewilderment.
The blue Imperial had found her.
Silver could hear their voices in the room with them. Lumiere’s smooth voice was low and persuading Coral to return home, to her family, her parents, her sister.
To Silver.
But she wouldn’t listen. She refused to listen. She knew Silver was gone, how could Lumiere mock and torture her like this?
Why was Coral lashing out at Lumiere? The Imperial wouldn’t lie about something like this. He wasn’t lying.
What Lumiere said next, directed to Alga, before she told the ghostly Spiral herself, shook him to his core.
“We can’t tell you where she is,” she murmured, tears cascading down her vibrant face.
Silver heard her next words, but he wasn’t certain he was listening.
Alga explained that it would be too dangerous for him if Coral returned in her current state. Her fury, her sorrow, her anguish and grief that raged inside her, would only hurt him if she did something reckless.
With great reluctance, Silver accepted what Alga was telling him. Guardians who lose their Charges, she said, especially if they happened to be other dragons, also lost a part of themselves. And just as Coral had lost Silver, he too, lost her.
He wailed again, his own grief filling his whole being and he stayed with Alga all through that night. After she’d cried herself to sleep, Silver gazed out the window, into the darkness of the night.
He would wait, however long it would take.
He would always wait for her.
When dances were hosted in the grand ballroom, dragons twirled with their partners in the shining hall to lively music. Those who were quick enough to catch a brief glimpse of the ghostly Spiral darting amongst them were considered fortunate by the others. Silver would vanish and reappear behind and around everydrake as they continued dancing, exchanging beaming smiles with him when they got the chance.
He would visit Bubbles every time the young Spiral was too afraid to fall back to sleep after waking from a nightmare. Silver’s transparent form would glow softly in the dark and he stayed with the dark drake until he would crash to sleep again a few hours later.
He was there for Pigeon when she was too weak or in too much pain to move from her bed when she needed her stuffed mith doll or just a glass of cool water. If she felt she was up for it, Pigeon gladly accepted Silver’s ghostly paws with her frail ones and struggled to pull herself up so Silver wouldn’t have to do all the work. But Silver never minded lifting her from her bed, gently grasping her paws in his and slowly guiding her and helping her walk, always and only little steps at a time, around her room until she grew too exhausted, and he would stay until she drifted back to sleep.
He stayed with the king and queen when they mourned the disappearance of their eldest daughter, Coral, whom Silver loved dearly, for he had been her Charge. Frantic searches had been sent out whenever they could, but every dragon who returned had not been able to find the missing golden Guardian.
He cried and wailed with Alga, Coral’s younger sister, after the yellow she-drake told him in a choked voice the real reason Coral had left. Silver didn’t want to believe his Guardian would do such a thing to her youngest brother, and he only wailed harder when he realized why she did it was because she had lost him.
But he was here for her now. Why didn’t she come back?
Alga then reluctantly told him of what her magic, and Lumiere’s, were doing right now, and he stared up to her in utter bewilderment.
The blue Imperial had found her.
Silver could hear their voices in the room with them. Lumiere’s smooth voice was low and persuading Coral to return home, to her family, her parents, her sister.
To Silver.
But she wouldn’t listen. She refused to listen. She knew Silver was gone, how could Lumiere mock and torture her like this?
Why was Coral lashing out at Lumiere? The Imperial wouldn’t lie about something like this. He wasn’t lying.
What Lumiere said next, directed to Alga, before she told the ghostly Spiral herself, shook him to his core.
“We can’t tell you where she is,” she murmured, tears cascading down her vibrant face.
Silver heard her next words, but he wasn’t certain he was listening.
Alga explained that it would be too dangerous for him if Coral returned in her current state. Her fury, her sorrow, her anguish and grief that raged inside her, would only hurt him if she did something reckless.
With great reluctance, Silver accepted what Alga was telling him. Guardians who lose their Charges, she said, especially if they happened to be other dragons, also lost a part of themselves. And just as Coral had lost Silver, he too, lost her.
He wailed again, his own grief filling his whole being and he stayed with Alga all through that night. After she’d cried herself to sleep, Silver gazed out the window, into the darkness of the night.
He would wait, however long it would take.
He would always wait for her.
Continued in Coral Part 3
~
Silver, Part 3, Volume III
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~
Continued from Viola Part 1
Silver, Part 3, Volume III
???
~
Continued from Viola Part 1
Bursts of magic flashed and colourful sparks flew, lighting up the darkness. A pale figure raced through a gloomy forest, his green eyes hard and face creased in a determined scowl. He dodged and slashed at yellow orbs of smoke and light, his targets evaporating away with each strike.
He slid to a halt when a massive smoke-monster rose up and towered above him, looking down with fangs bared in a hideous and crude smile. The pale dragon's claws sparked over the end of his staff, making the globe on the end glow as he charged it with magic.
The smoke-creature stretched open its maw, ready to swallow him whole—
—until another dragon darted up to stand between them, facing the monster.
“Stop,” Silver pleaded with it. “Dewlap's had enough tonight.”
The smoke-thing rolled its eyes and snapped its wispy claws once. In no time, the forest was gone, but the darkness remained, and the towering smoke-creature shifted into a big, blue Imperial.
“And just how is he going to learn anything when you keep interrupting our sessions?” Lumiere wondered, arching one brow.
A powerful blast suddenly knocked him back and he crashed hard. When Lumiere lifted his head, he saw Dewlap holding his staff pointed directly at him, the globe glowing a fierce green.
“That's what I'm looking for!” Lumiere chuckled, rising back to his feet. “But,” he added as he waggled one claw, “I'm going to have to take points off for striking your unprepared opponent.”
“Doesn't matter to me,” Dewlap answered with a sneer. “I've been wanting to do that for years,” he said, flexing his claws. “By the way,” he added, narrowing his eyes, “what was that back there? With Viola?”
“Why, whatever do you mean?”
“Don't pretend you don't know.”
“Ohhh, you mean about suggesting she'd get with Rocky.”
“Do you really not know or are you just toying with him?” Silver questioned the Imperial.
“That day Coral lost Silver was the same day she made Rocky kill another dragon,” Dewlap snarled to Lumiere. The Nocturne saw Silver flinch out of the corner of his eye, and he met the Spiral's gaze with regret in his eyes. “And Viola just happens to look just like that dragon,” he finished, softer.
Lumiere sighed with a huff. “I may know many things, but if I had known that, I wouldn't have dreamed of trying to get the two together. When I heard Coral crying her heart out for Silver, I knew he would've gone to see Marica, as he secretly told me about her without wanting to worry Coral further.”
Silver and Dewlap remained silent for several moments, exchanging looks. Silver remembered that night clearly, the night before he decided to leave Coral to see the mysterious witch Marica, he had met with Lumiere in secret, confessing to the Imperial about the stories he had heard. But the night after, Silver's chill had been cured by Lumiere...
And I still chose to seek her out... Silver's thought consumed him.
“Now, I could keep going on about my attempts to hunt down Marica six years ago...but you boys have dragons to get back to,” Lumiere said. To Dewlap he added, “Same time tomorrow night?” and the Imperial opened a space in his void.
Before Dewlap went through, he exchanged a final look with Silver. The Nocturne's eyes betrayed exhaustion, but Silver knew the old dragon would be in no mood for anything more from Lumiere tonight. Finally, Dewlap left through the open space in Lumiere's void. Before it closed, Silver caught a glimpse of the wizard with his wife Trove, and worry shone in her brown eyes. Soon, they were gone from sight.
“When are you going to tell them the truth?” the Spiral pressed. “When it's too late? When they're all in danger?”
“No need,” the Imperial insisted. “You'll be happy to know that I've set up a spell to keep who or whatever my missing soul sliver is possessing out of the Sea.”
This surprised Silver. “Really? When did you do that?”
Lumiere looked thoughtful. “About thirty years ago now? Shortly after Alga woke me from my sleeping spell.”
“And you're just saying this now?”
“Better late than never, I suppose?” The Imperial suddenly shuddered violently once, and when he stopped, he stared intensely at the Spiral, unblinking.
Silver stared back, unsure how to respond to what he witnessed. When he found his voice, the grey Spiral stood frozen. “I suppose,” he echoed softly. “And I think it's time I go see Coral now.”
Lumiere shuddered once more, and blinked. Another smile crept up and he answered, “A wise decision.” He opened another space for Silver, and the Spiral darted out, leaving him and he closed it hastily.
The Imperial's smile fell, his look turning to one of confusion. “That can't be...” he mused to himself. “Unless...”
He slid to a halt when a massive smoke-monster rose up and towered above him, looking down with fangs bared in a hideous and crude smile. The pale dragon's claws sparked over the end of his staff, making the globe on the end glow as he charged it with magic.
The smoke-creature stretched open its maw, ready to swallow him whole—
—until another dragon darted up to stand between them, facing the monster.
“Stop,” Silver pleaded with it. “Dewlap's had enough tonight.”
The smoke-thing rolled its eyes and snapped its wispy claws once. In no time, the forest was gone, but the darkness remained, and the towering smoke-creature shifted into a big, blue Imperial.
“And just how is he going to learn anything when you keep interrupting our sessions?” Lumiere wondered, arching one brow.
A powerful blast suddenly knocked him back and he crashed hard. When Lumiere lifted his head, he saw Dewlap holding his staff pointed directly at him, the globe glowing a fierce green.
“That's what I'm looking for!” Lumiere chuckled, rising back to his feet. “But,” he added as he waggled one claw, “I'm going to have to take points off for striking your unprepared opponent.”
“Doesn't matter to me,” Dewlap answered with a sneer. “I've been wanting to do that for years,” he said, flexing his claws. “By the way,” he added, narrowing his eyes, “what was that back there? With Viola?”
“Why, whatever do you mean?”
“Don't pretend you don't know.”
“Ohhh, you mean about suggesting she'd get with Rocky.”
“Do you really not know or are you just toying with him?” Silver questioned the Imperial.
“That day Coral lost Silver was the same day she made Rocky kill another dragon,” Dewlap snarled to Lumiere. The Nocturne saw Silver flinch out of the corner of his eye, and he met the Spiral's gaze with regret in his eyes. “And Viola just happens to look just like that dragon,” he finished, softer.
Lumiere sighed with a huff. “I may know many things, but if I had known that, I wouldn't have dreamed of trying to get the two together. When I heard Coral crying her heart out for Silver, I knew he would've gone to see Marica, as he secretly told me about her without wanting to worry Coral further.”
Silver and Dewlap remained silent for several moments, exchanging looks. Silver remembered that night clearly, the night before he decided to leave Coral to see the mysterious witch Marica, he had met with Lumiere in secret, confessing to the Imperial about the stories he had heard. But the night after, Silver's chill had been cured by Lumiere...
And I still chose to seek her out... Silver's thought consumed him.
“Now, I could keep going on about my attempts to hunt down Marica six years ago...but you boys have dragons to get back to,” Lumiere said. To Dewlap he added, “Same time tomorrow night?” and the Imperial opened a space in his void.
Before Dewlap went through, he exchanged a final look with Silver. The Nocturne's eyes betrayed exhaustion, but Silver knew the old dragon would be in no mood for anything more from Lumiere tonight. Finally, Dewlap left through the open space in Lumiere's void. Before it closed, Silver caught a glimpse of the wizard with his wife Trove, and worry shone in her brown eyes. Soon, they were gone from sight.
“When are you going to tell them the truth?” the Spiral pressed. “When it's too late? When they're all in danger?”
“No need,” the Imperial insisted. “You'll be happy to know that I've set up a spell to keep who or whatever my missing soul sliver is possessing out of the Sea.”
This surprised Silver. “Really? When did you do that?”
Lumiere looked thoughtful. “About thirty years ago now? Shortly after Alga woke me from my sleeping spell.”
“And you're just saying this now?”
“Better late than never, I suppose?” The Imperial suddenly shuddered violently once, and when he stopped, he stared intensely at the Spiral, unblinking.
Silver stared back, unsure how to respond to what he witnessed. When he found his voice, the grey Spiral stood frozen. “I suppose,” he echoed softly. “And I think it's time I go see Coral now.”
Lumiere shuddered once more, and blinked. Another smile crept up and he answered, “A wise decision.” He opened another space for Silver, and the Spiral darted out, leaving him and he closed it hastily.
The Imperial's smile fell, his look turning to one of confusion. “That can't be...” he mused to himself. “Unless...”
...
As Silver was leaving the void, his once-grey scales and creamy wings turned transparent, showing what he really was: a ghost. His bright eyes also turned pale, and they gazed to the blue belonging to a golden Guardian. Coral was no longer being held in the dungeon, now allowed back in her own room, and tears were already falling the moment she saw him drift over to her.
Coral, he thought to her, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Silver,” she choked, drying her tears. “Were you just with Lumiere?” she worried. “What were you doing in his void?”
He didn't answer at first, hesitant about what he should say. He knew she would have seen him leave Lumiere's void, and he had already thought of a lie, though part of it was true.
I'm sorry, he thought with a start. I can't stay too long tonight. I spent too much time in his void, but only to keep an eye on how he was training Dewlap. He's been pushing him too hard, he finished.
“Oh,” Coral said quietly. “I understand.”
Coral, I'm so sorry, I wanted to come sooner, but—
“It's fine,” she whispered as another tear slipped. “I was just worried...but I'm glad you're safe and that I got to see you tonight...” she sniffled.
I promise, he vowed, I won't stay there as long anymore. Though he didn't know if that was true.
For the remainder of his visit, neither of them spoke another word, only rejoicing in each other's presence. Silver's entire being ached at the thought of leaving her, if only for tonight, but other worries gnawed at his mind. More tears fell from Coral's eyes as he told her he needed to go, and that Pigeon couldn't remain for much longer either, and they wished each other good night, and he vanished from sight.
But he didn't go to where Pigeon was visiting her foster family. Not yet. He appeared in Alga's library, which had already been locked for the night, and he knew she'd still be here. But the yellow Guardian was surprised to see him.
“Silver?” she hushed in disbelief. “What are you doing here?” she wondered. The ghostly Spiral twisted his way over to her, pressing his forehead to hers to share his thoughts.
We might have a problem...
As Silver was leaving the void, his once-grey scales and creamy wings turned transparent, showing what he really was: a ghost. His bright eyes also turned pale, and they gazed to the blue belonging to a golden Guardian. Coral was no longer being held in the dungeon, now allowed back in her own room, and tears were already falling the moment she saw him drift over to her.
Coral, he thought to her, pressing his forehead to hers.
“Silver,” she choked, drying her tears. “Were you just with Lumiere?” she worried. “What were you doing in his void?”
He didn't answer at first, hesitant about what he should say. He knew she would have seen him leave Lumiere's void, and he had already thought of a lie, though part of it was true.
I'm sorry, he thought with a start. I can't stay too long tonight. I spent too much time in his void, but only to keep an eye on how he was training Dewlap. He's been pushing him too hard, he finished.
“Oh,” Coral said quietly. “I understand.”
Coral, I'm so sorry, I wanted to come sooner, but—
“It's fine,” she whispered as another tear slipped. “I was just worried...but I'm glad you're safe and that I got to see you tonight...” she sniffled.
I promise, he vowed, I won't stay there as long anymore. Though he didn't know if that was true.
For the remainder of his visit, neither of them spoke another word, only rejoicing in each other's presence. Silver's entire being ached at the thought of leaving her, if only for tonight, but other worries gnawed at his mind. More tears fell from Coral's eyes as he told her he needed to go, and that Pigeon couldn't remain for much longer either, and they wished each other good night, and he vanished from sight.
But he didn't go to where Pigeon was visiting her foster family. Not yet. He appeared in Alga's library, which had already been locked for the night, and he knew she'd still be here. But the yellow Guardian was surprised to see him.
“Silver?” she hushed in disbelief. “What are you doing here?” she wondered. The ghostly Spiral twisted his way over to her, pressing his forehead to hers to share his thoughts.
We might have a problem...
...
After speaking with Alga, Silver hurried to where Pigeon was: with Alyss, Ophelia and their son Twig. All three dragons had tears spilling from their eyes as they spoke with Pigeon, and once they saw Silver, Pigeon's foster family wept uncontrollably. Alyss, most of all.
It's time to go, Silver thought to Pigeon.
Her silvery eyes betrayed sorrow, but she nodded in understanding. To the others, she thought to each of them, I have to go...I'll see you tomorrow night...I love you...
Alyss wailed, begging her not to leave, telling her that he was sorry for not doing enough to save her. Ophelia and Twig had to hold him back and he buried his face in Ophelia's arms, her embrace muffling his cries, his tears soaking her scarf and scales. Just before the two ghostly dragons vanished from view, Alyss lifted his head to see them go, his eyes meeting Pigeon's one last time that night.
After speaking with Alga, Silver hurried to where Pigeon was: with Alyss, Ophelia and their son Twig. All three dragons had tears spilling from their eyes as they spoke with Pigeon, and once they saw Silver, Pigeon's foster family wept uncontrollably. Alyss, most of all.
It's time to go, Silver thought to Pigeon.
Her silvery eyes betrayed sorrow, but she nodded in understanding. To the others, she thought to each of them, I have to go...I'll see you tomorrow night...I love you...
Alyss wailed, begging her not to leave, telling her that he was sorry for not doing enough to save her. Ophelia and Twig had to hold him back and he buried his face in Ophelia's arms, her embrace muffling his cries, his tears soaking her scarf and scales. Just before the two ghostly dragons vanished from view, Alyss lifted his head to see them go, his eyes meeting Pigeon's one last time that night.
...
Entering Churnscar Wharf...
His bloodied wing hung, his steps limping forward, his smile creeping higher. He arrived at the border to the Wharf and stopped, his grin falling, turning to confusion. Didn't he want to go here? Wasn't he just travelling here? Grimacing, he turned to leave—
—until his entire body began to shine with a sickening glow, and his smile returned. His elusive magic came to him once again, just like it had when it had taken him all the way to Cinderslag. He whirled around, daring to cross to the Wharf...
...and he suddenly shuddered once, his grin stretching from horn to horn as he giggled maddeningly.
He is here...he is here...HE IS HERE...
Entering Churnscar Wharf...
His bloodied wing hung, his steps limping forward, his smile creeping higher. He arrived at the border to the Wharf and stopped, his grin falling, turning to confusion. Didn't he want to go here? Wasn't he just travelling here? Grimacing, he turned to leave—
—until his entire body began to shine with a sickening glow, and his smile returned. His elusive magic came to him once again, just like it had when it had taken him all the way to Cinderslag. He whirled around, daring to cross to the Wharf...
...and he suddenly shuddered once, his grin stretching from horn to horn as he giggled maddeningly.
He is here...he is here...HE IS HERE...
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