Yakisugi

Tartarean Subspecies

The Tartarean dragons were the first to see the harpy attackers and were the first to flee from the fight. The dragons knew the battle was lost and left their eggs to reach the great furnace safety. Yakisugi was among those whom abandoned the fight but didn't go unscathed as some harpies flew after them, killing some and injuring many. Yakisugi was given many opportunities to save some of her fellow brethren but tried her best to ignore their screams, making her the first to reach the furnace. Slowly overtime, more and more injured dragons emerged from the skies and landed near the furnace. Yakisugi knew the battle was over when the screams died down. Yakisugi looked over the survivors and only saw that 4 of her kind survived. These Tartarean dragons saw her and immediately started screaming at her for not helping. Yakisugi could only take their saddened cries for so long and left to hide.

She needed to see the field; no more putting it off. It was nearly 3 months later that Yakisugi decided to go back to the war zone. When she did arrive, at that was left were some bones, egg shells and silence. She wandered, remembering seeing her home before, remembering the faces of those killed. She did this... she helped. Yakisugi picked up a small pebble and threw it with all her might. The rock landed but made a weird sound. Yakisugi intrigued, went over to the pebble and saw a difference in ground. She began digging around the spot and shortly after saw the shell of an egg, an egg that didn't looked cracked. She took her time to remove the egg and carefully cradled it. She knew it wasn't one of her own species eggs but that didn't matter, the egg needed heat fast. Yakisugi flew off with the egg still cradled in her arms and headed back to her hidden home.

The egg took longer than most to hatch but when it did, she definitely wasn't expecting an imperial to emerge. The imperial was skinny and smaller than a regular baby imperial which immediately put Yakisugis potion skill to work. She made the little one drink many different types of potions and eat three times her body weight each day. She couldn't let the baby die... she couldn't. With each day gone by, Yakisugi gave her newly named child Kiona less and less potions and food. Kiona did start growing and learning how to walk was Yakisugi next task. They took learning extra slowly, to be on the safe side with her body. Kiona finally learnt how to speak common just after she could run and later on flying.

Kiona finally grew up. Yakisugi was so proud of her baby and allowed her to practice magic if she wanted. Kiona did decide to learn magic but not what Yakisugi specialised in; Kiona wanted to learn how to harness fire for life not death. Yakisugi stayed supportive for her daughters efforts and allowed her access to all her books. It wasn't a week later that Kiona finally emerged from her room asking for help. Yakisugi agreed to help her daughter and worked all day on many objects until they found a plant that needed fire to live. While not technically creating life, Yakisugi congratulated her daughter at her success at germinating the 'gum' tree seeds. Kiona continued to made many seeds sprout, so much so that the room was starting to be filled! Yakisugi and Kiona took the time to pick up as many as they could and flew with them, dropping the seeds at random locations. When the infestation of seeds were gone from their home, they congratulated once more and headed to a well deserved sleep.

Yakisugi didn't expect the seeds to actually grow. While her home looked so much prettier she knew she just gave her position away. She couldn't think straight "what if they find me, what if they hurt her?" Negative thoughts flowed through her mind. Kiona must've sensed her worry and tried to comfort her but Yakisugi was already too deep into her mind. Kiona decided to keep her distance from her mum for the day and didn't say anything before heading to bed.

"Did you think you could hide forever?" The hisses loomed in her ears as she panicked awake. Something was pinning her down and forcing her eyes and mouth closed. "It's revenge time you murderer." Pain shot from her chest and wings, desperately wanting to make her scream. The pain only got worse over time as she felt her body become heavier. She didn't know how long she was conscious for after her bonds became softer and her punishments pain started to dull down. Before she had time to pass out a different voice said "set the murederer life and house ablaze already." All that was left in her mind was Kiona and the smell of smoke.

Yakisugi woke up in a panic; she had to find Kiona. She tried to move but pain shot through her body forcing her to stay on the bed. She continued to try some more times but gave up quickly realising that if she did get off how would she find her. So she stayed and waited for someone to come. It felt like an hour later before a black guardian walked into the room. He explained everything to her: how she was saved by Kiona from the burning house, how she flew her to the closest place she could find and that Kiona was safe and living in a house made for them. Yakisugi felt a wave of relief but the guardian asked her who did her damage. Yakisugi never looked over herself and saw her body and wings bound with coal. The guardian said he wouldn't tell anyone who and Yakisugi felt the trust on him and told him the last of her kind. The guardian huffed and told her to rest for a little longer and then he'll take her home. So Yakisugi did rest and the next day the guardian helped take her to Kiona. Kiona was so happy to see her mother alive and asked what happened. Yakisugi apologised and said she couldn't tell her yet.

The two now live happily near the clans centre. While Yaakisugu isn't allowed to be near major fires, she still does fire magic for her own fun. They both asked the black guardian, Scivil, if they could make a guardian behind their home which he agreed to. Their garden grows many plants from miniature gum trees (created by Yaakisugu magic), herbs, fruit trees and fungi.

Mopus story

"Mum did you get us an Ashspine Widow?"
"Why would I do that?!"
"Mum can we keep it? It's already making a home between the gum trees!"
"You know what, fine; as long as it doesn't bite me or you and stays away from the house."

And so Mopus the Ashspine Widow became a member of the household. Mopus is actually very helpful in the garden as he catches all the bugs and birds that attempt to eat the seeds and since it has a stockpile of food it's never angry at Kiona or Yaakisugu (unless they knock the web!)

artwork by Alaia