Ruby

Mute, and co-owns Antares (a local cafe) with Laila. He communicates through sign language, but doesn't even use that all too often. He had the opportunity to gain his voice back through technology, but decided not to.

Dear Mom and Dad
I'm sorry.
I know it's been years since I left.
I know you told me not to go to the Hewn City that day. But Sunrise and the others really wanted to see it, no matter how bad everyone else said it was. Of course, I went with them. I couldn't let them go alone, and we have relatives out there who could take care of us if something happened.

Do you remember them? Moria, Sunrise, Dia, and Lyric? I saw them all there. I saw what was left of them, and I saw them get torn apart. The Emperor was merciless.

It wasn't long before one of it's heads noticed us. We all froze, staring into it's rotting orange eyes. In that long moment, I swear it smiled, its decaying lips peeling back and revealing blackened teeth.
It went for Moria first, grabbing her by the head and throwing her into a wall like a toy. Her pearl shattered, and a scream broke our paralysis as the emperor shot its head towards Lyric, easily snapping its jaws around his entire body. The others ran, but I took off into the air, wings beating as hard as I could make them. I couldn't see them behind me.

Some nights I still hear their screams.

Suddenly, Sunrise appeared beside me, and for a moment, I had hope we'd survive. Until she began to fall. I pivoted in the air, realizing too late that only half of her had made it. The other half was between the emperor's teeth as it shook her back and forth like a stubborn piece of prey.
For a moment, all I could do was stay airborne. That moment almost killed me.
I watched it swallow her corpse, and one of the other heads turned towards me. Its eyes caught mine. I think it realized I was too far away for it to reach me, and it roared in anger.
A plume of fire raced from its jaws, hitting my neck. The fire spread around my entire body, burning my feathers and flesh. I barely managed to land in a destroyed fountain before passing out.

I still have no idea how long I was out. A passing skydancer found me and took me here. Their healers did their best, but it was impossible to heal all of the damage, inside and out. I don't feel like the same dragon.
I won't be coming home. I don't want you to see me this way.

I love you

-Ruby