Nike

When the deities slipped into obscurity, it could only be natural for new forces to maintain the balance and harmony of a world on the brink. Chaos threatened, hanging over the surface-dwelling dragons as heavy iron chains. No matter their choices, they were bound by the havoc and turmoil promising to consume their world if things fell out of balance.

To constitute the absence of the Eleven, the world began to change. Celestial objects produced their own beings all across Sornieth. The stars, the planets, even earthbound elements, all things were creating new life and new forces to rule in the deity’s negligence. Here is born one of many. Her creation was found in a solar flare of blinding light and overwhelming warmth. On the hottest day in Sornieth’s recent history, a celestial being was brought into existence.

Her name was Nike. The knowledge of this was innate. As was a kind, gentle voice in the back of her mind as her consciousness slowly took form, long before her body would.

Nike… That is who you are… a being of light and joy and warmth… uphold these values and you will one day be placed among the stars. With me.

She understood these words, even if she had no tongue of her own with which to respond at the moment. Even under different circumstances, she isn’t entirely sure what she would have said back to that voice. However, disoriented and confused, her awareness came to light. But among the confusion, the search for meaning behind this sedated birth of hers, there was a lighter, kinder emotion. In her newly-formed mind, there was curiosity. And a primal urge to create.

After this newfound consciousness came the design of her tangible form. The form that would reside near Heaven’s Court for the remainder of her youthful eternity. It was that of a large ridgeback dragon with a blinding sun set dead center in her translucent wing. From her body was emitted an overwhelming light, comparable to the very solar flare from which she was born. Even the other celestial beings who called the Court home could not withstand the gleam.

Though it saddened her, to spare the others discomfort, Nike retreated to the mountains that lay beyond the Court. Where she would remain.

It greatly pained her to stay alone and isolated when all she wanted was to show herself to the surface dragons. Her kin had every right and ability to interact with them as they saw fit, but Nike had not the privilege. In her confinement, the being began to design things. She found within her the power of creation, to grant blessings to the dragons below. Nike found great joy in doing this, and despite her own inability to directly interact with others, her heart soared when she looked down on them to see them thrive in her light and blue sky.

However, over the years, things only got lonelier. The tired repetition of watching alone started to creep into Nike’s mind. More often than not, she retreated deeper into the mountains to reflect on why she’d been created this way. Why had that voice- her creator, perhaps- left her in a place where she must watch from the wings? No matter how often she dwelled on her questions, Nike was so thoroughly convinced that she would never learn their answers. Over time, she began to accept that.

She would watch the creations and presences of the other celestial beings who resided in the Court. Watch the shifting and beautiful auroras of North and the descending power of Olympus. But even these momentary interactions were fleeting, and she was once again left to her own reflection.

All that changed with the creation of Kimita, a being born of the stars. When she descended on the Court, she heard rumors about Nike. Heard of the dragon’s blinding visage, and like the curious mind she was, traveled to the mountains to seek her out. When Nike heard her approach, she retreated into a cave and warned Kimita not to approach her.

“It’s too dangerous… the sun’s light is too much for other dragons… even the celestials,” she whispered from the darkness.

“What is the sun if not also a star?” Kimita was firm in her approach. She walked into the glowing cave to look for the owner of the voice. When she saw Nike, even her eyes so accustomed to the brightness of the cosmos went narrow in a wince of pain. But it was not unbearable. And she dipped her head in respect. “We are Sisters of Light- your radiance is incredible but I assure you it’s not too much for me.”

Nike slowly lifted her head, astonished that another could withstand her light. Cautiously, she approached the newcomer, seeing her scales aglow with starlight.

From that moment was born a friendship. Kimita would frequent the mountains and Nike’s lair within. Together, they would watch the surface dragons below and discuss the simple joys in their mundane lives. Kimita even took to referring to Nike as Sister. Knowing that even one being could directly interact with her eased the heavy feeling of loneliness in Nike’s heart. Now, even as she wished she could join the surface dragons below and interact the way her kin did, she could smile fondly with Kimita visiting to observe them as well.

Nike never received the answers to her questions. Who or what created her. Why. But she’s made peace with that. In fact, she no longer retreats into her own mind to dwell on those questions. Nike takes joy in offering her subtle, quiet blessings to the dragons below and spending time with Kimita. Even if the two cannot be together long, which Kimita often being recalled to fulfill her duties in the Court, that friendship has meant more to Nike than she can state with direct words. Even now she upholds the values of light and creation, smiling down on the surface-dwelling dragons who relish the sun’s warmth.