Nucifera

A warm emerald light whizzes through the undergrowth, weaving in and around each trunk and vine. It flits and hovers briefly over every flower and fruit.

With only its own thoughts to match its speed, it cycles a frantic chant over and over, "Where? Where are you? You must be here somewhere, but where!" It's been months now since the beginning of this transition, and there was very little hope of actual success, but there are still some dragons on Sorneith who keep to their word even if it means they forfeit everything else. Such is the way of the devoted, and like a seed loved by the sun and kissed by the rain, that devotion is eventually rewarded.


A rustle of leaves echo from a hallowed out stump.

The sprite halts and perches silently on a branch. It strains its ears carefully, summoning the flora to be still as it does.

"hrmm.. mm...mmrrr...zzz...."

It's eyes widen at the sound, and like a knife cutting the darkness it beelines straight for it. It's an old stump, likely one that lived when the territory was once whole. It radiated a familiar aura, and at once she knew her forever search had finally come to an end.

Around and around she spiraled into the stump until her light came to a halt. Before her, she saw a very little creature nestled under one of the larger leaves. The aura emitted was of the clan's great matriarch, but the creature before the Nature sprite was ... tiny. It was a hatchling. She made no further queries. Instead, she eyed the little dragon over, making sure it wasn't injured or ill.


As the sprite approached, the little dragon glistened as it caught flecks of light, and gleamed with an iridescence of mermaid scales. This was quite different from the matriarch she knew who donned best in very dull brown earthy colors that helped her blend into her surroundings. No. This little one was white with bright green patches and shimmery opal scales. Blending in was not going to be her forte any longer, but maybe that's a good thing? The little dragon released a yawn appropriate to her size. In that moment, the sprite's thoughts were flooded with her dragon's first yawn, and how small it was just like this one is now. She had lived with the clan matriarch while she was still an egg. She watched her grow strong and establish her own clan. She tended the wounded during Dominance, without care for which flight they hailed from. Some stayed to assist and strengthened the clan. As the sprite watched her slumber, it became obvious to her that this little creature IS that same dragon. She had found her. She had found her.

The sprite sighed with relief and nestled in with her old friend. "It's okay now. We've found you at last." She nuzzled it gently and patted it's head. "Everything will be fine now. Just fine."

---

Mornings beneath the canopy are unlike that in the den. Many creatures can detect dawn long before first light and so they begin their usual romp while most of the isle is asleep. As time ticks by, the warmth of the sun stretch wide atop the trees diffusing light below. A small ray of light reaches the little nature sprite, nagging her eyes to open, like an excited hatchling wanting to play.

She squints her eyes as she reaches out to yawn. It's a new day. She should help the hatchling find some food, but just as her thoughts come to mind, she looks up at the canopy. "Hmm? Weren't we in a hollowed tree stump last night? She spun on her hands toward the hatchling and instead finds herself face to face with a wall of scales. She quickens to the air and hovers about. "I'm not quite sure what happened, but the markings seem to be the same." She flutters toward the head of the dragon, "Nuci? Nuci? Is that you ... in there?"


The dragon, now much larger in size, yawned upon hearing her name. She opened her eyes. What was once emerald and true have now become a bright green, like midmorning light through leaves. This color was carried throughout; like paint on a white canvass. Her entire body was sprinkled with opalescent scales that shimmered a pinky hue whenever it caught the light. She was no longer an earthy colored tree-dragon. "Oh Nuci .. you've blossomed!" exclaimed the sprite as she hugged her.

The guardian, recognizing the sound of her sprite responded, "Good morning."

"Good morning! Heh. Good morning, indeed!" the little sprite said laughing with her eyes glistening as she spun about. "Oh. We've been so worried. It's been so long since the lot of you vanished into the cloister."

Nuci outstretched her wings to briefly examine them. She had a lot to say, but much to do first. "Find Oleandra. Send them in. Tell them we found the way through."

The sprite nodded yet asked, "Alrighty, but I thought only guardians can enter the Cloister?"

Nuci tried to piece together her memories of the trial. "My memory ... is still foggy, but I can say for certain that the trial was not just for us. It was for The Five. Therefore, we must all undergo it." she turned toward the sprite. "Tell her as much. They belong with us. They'll understand after. Now, go."


.

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4/20/21
Length: 10.15 m
Wingspan: 11.67 m
Weight: 9031.77 kg