Stelian

Stelian pressed against her brothers. Ayumu wrapped his wings around her, while Marlo patted her head. They knew it was hard to hear her parents fighting. Quarrae and Venture had always got along. Well, almost always. They had the occasional squabble, as most mates did, but nothing had ever been like this. Ever since Askan had been exalted… Stelian shivered at the thought. So many things had gone wrong since then.

These days Stelian’s parents seemed to alternate between arguing loudly and not speaking to each other for long periods of time. The tension in the family cave was so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Marlo was tired of it, and talked constantly of running away. The thought frightened Stelian, who clung to the belief that everything would soon be okay again. But ever since her brother had first mentioned it, the thought of escaping the constant angry clamor loomed ever-presently above her; hovering like a shadow of a dragon descending from the skies, prepared to attack.


...

The night sky was among Stelian’s favorite things about the Southern Icefield, next to sunrises and sunsets. It was those times when the land had more than two colors- white and icy, icy blue.

Tonight the moon was full and bright, showing off its pearly luminescence for all to enjoy. I bet the moon isn’t as beautiful anywhere else as it is here, Stelian thought proudly. She was right. There were trees in the forests to block the view, and dust in the Earth territory to obstruct the moon’s majesty. But in the Icefield it shone nobly, reflecting off of the frozen surface of the ground for miles and miles all around.

Stellian had chosen this day specifically for her escape. A full moon was the best way to do it- to her, anyway. Her more practical brothers left during a new moon, unbeknownst to their little sister. But Stellian trusted the moon to guide her. She took the bright, full moon as a sign of luck rather than a disadvantage that would make her easier to spot against the sky. Stellian took a last breath of the crisp winter air and took off.

The sky was clear and calm at first, but soon wind began to pummel her wings. She didn’t want to stop to rest, fearing that if she paused her frantic flapping, the wind would blow her backwards where she didn’t want to go. So Stellian fought her way east, heading towards- well, she didn’t know, actually. She hadn’t really formulated a plan. But I’m sure I’ll know it when I see it. Just like the dragons in storybooks. She brightened at the thought. “Our hero Stellian flew bravely through the gusts of wind, on a heroic mission to-


And then it began to snow.
…

Usually, Stellian found snow beautiful. But usually, she was also in the warm safety of her cave, reading by candlelight (no matter how many times her brothers warned her of the dangers when putting a scroll near an open flame). Now it was just cold, and dreadful, and she cursed the snow with the fire of a thousand suns! She liked the way that sounded. Particularly because at that moment, she would do anything for the warmth of the sun, which she had never really felt. That gave her a burst of excitement. I’ll feel warm sunlight on my scales for the very first time! But for now, she’d just have to keep moving. And so she continued. On and on and on and on and on and-


Warmth.

Yes. Finally! Where was she? The Light flight, perhaps? She felt like she had flown so long she could be all the way in the sunny Promenade! In fact- Stelian paused. It was then that she realized. It wasn’t a comforting warmth; no, it was a searing heat. Her scales felt like they were melting into each other until she became a lump of… melted-ness. She didn’t like it here, not at all. But where was she?


Stellian had reached the Ashfall Waste.
…

Stellian hissed when she saw the lava flowing beneath her. To be fair, she had never seen lava- the oozing, slimy-looking goo was a bit frightening. Sparks flew, and the constant banging of metal on metal gave her a headache. If she was going to live anywhere, Stellian decided that it would not be here. Which meant she had no choice but to keep flying. The thought made her wings droop sadly. She was so tired… but it had to be done, didn’t it? It was either that, or hover over the sizzling heat of Fire territory for an eternity. Nothing would come out of moping. She would just have to get on with it.

The Ashfall Waste seemed to last forever. And the further she ventured into the territory, the hotter it became. Exhausted, she continued her flight. She could go south to the sea if she wanted to, where it would certainly be cooler. But Stelian decided that cutting through Fire territory was the quickest way to get… she frowned, remembering that she didn’t have a plan. Well, wherever she ended up, it would be better than here. This much she knew- so she kept flying. Again. Forever. Or at least, that’s how long it seemed to take. It was when she could barely move a muscle, when she began to flutter hopelessly in the air like a seasick butterfly, that the volcano exploded.
...

Stellian dropped from the sky, clawing uselessly at the air around her. Her began to eyes water, and she gasped for air- all around her was black smoke, so thick that she couldn’t see anything an inch in front of her. She tried to get away and find fresh air. But her sore wings wouldn’t carry her any further. Flailing, she dropped onto the hot stone ground. She didn’t know it at the time, but she was right on the border between the Emberglow Hearth and the Highland Scrub. On one side was a bubbling, smoking volcano; on the other was a crackling storm. But neither places had a bit of moisture, and Stellian’s throat felt dry and dusty. She tried to move, tried to get up, but pain seared along her backbone and both of her wings, which were twisted at odd angles beneath her.


It was no use.
Stellian closed her eyes, thinking of home. And with that, she succumbed to the darkness that was beginning to surround her.
...