Elwyn

I



From the moment of her hatching, Elwyn knew she was meant for more. Whilst her peers focused on growing into their roles, Elwyn sought to bring herself to greater heights. She sought books that would show her a world she couldn't find in the hatchery she grew up in, or the clan she began with. Devoured tomes and history, learned maths that made her peers heads spin. She would show that she deserved more, and she did.

She was successful. For a time, at least, she could pretend she was happy. The clan head's son offered his hand for hers, and she accepted, thinking finally that she had gotten the recognition she deserved- only to be put onto a pedestal like a lovely doll.

"My brilliant mate," her spouse would croon, parading her about in front of others like a toy, do this math problem. Share this history tidbit. It was as if he was all but saying "bark like a dog." and she was doing it.

It truly shouldn't have been any surprise when she snapped, two years into their marriage. No nests were filled between the two of them, but her true downfall was letting her ire show in public before she carried out the act. Disobeying her husband, glaring at him, arguing with him. While he had been on the path to inherit the clan after his father's passing, if she had just held out for a little while longer, it was now she who found herself exiled from the land of her birth.



II

She fled North, at first. Finding herself in the land of the Tidelord, his domain far too wet and unwelcoming for her to feel safe. She lingered only for a short while there, long enough to ensure she had the necessities to continue her trip, and then left onward. The Tangled wood, much like the Sea, held no home for her. Nightmares plagued her for the entirety of her stop there, each step and wingbeat haunted by the laughter of the inhabitants, as though they were laughing at her failure. No, she found no home as she continued northwards, but to go back was to admit defeat.

Her relief, finally, came in the form of the Viridian Labyrinth. Here she found no mocking laughter, no constant rushing of water or suspicious stares. Clans here were distant with each other, left her to her devices, and that suited her just fine. But- again, only for a time. Eventually, she felt the need to prove herself again. To find somewhere she could slip in, an easy fitting as though she were the puzzle piece they were missing. It was then that she stumbled upon Epoch and his charge.



III

Veldan's Sanctuary.

Epoch told her it would become a home to his kingdom, ruled by Felicuth. Felicuth- who insisted she call him Feli- promised it would be his kingdom, and he would be reigning King. To Elwyn, it was opportunity.

The opportunity to finally put herself into the place of power she had deserved for so long, to have her name recorded into history books, to be great. Whatever attempted curse her original clan had tried to put onto her was, obviously, a farce; because here? Here, Elwyn found her place.

And she would destroy anything that tried to take it from her.



IV

She was... dead? Yes, that felt right. She had fought... she had fought, someone. And she had lost. And she was lost, left adrift, unable to ascend, unable to find her tether, unable to find what kept her there... Until she wasn't so lost, anymore.

Small whimpers, barely audible; yanking at her heart and dragging her forward as if on a leash, and there- there he was. Her little boy; her darling one. At his side, attempting to comfort him futilely, was their little girl.

save them...

Elwyn was bound to respond to the call, the plea. Felt, more than heard, though even the words themselves came through clearly.

And then...

Elwyn opened her eyes to the world of the living once more.

"It... It worked. It worked! Haha! I knew it! Oh, I knew that book wasn't garbage, those idiots- Ah. Right. E. E?"

Elwyn blinked slowly at the nocturne before her, gaze still unsteady around the edges.

"Ah, you know what? At least you can see me! Can you understand orders, though... E, Stand at attention."

Elwyn felt her body moving without her consent, form stiffening as she stood up to her full height. Something felt... Wrong. Off.

"Hahahaha! I knew it! Yes! Wait until I tell His Majesty! He'll be so pleased to see you, yes... And Fritz and Ara and I will be secure here... yes. Yes!"

Elwyn, unable to control her body, said nothing.

"You, E. Stay here."

Unable to disobey, Elwyn complied.