Ryu

Ryu really, really likes to sing. The most intricate melodies, the most emotional lyrics, those are his forte. Though, he never actually sings for other dragons. He only sings for birds. Specifically, a flock of songbirds that Ryu has befriended a while ago. He sneaks away from the clan every morning before anyone else is awake, and sings to the birds. He even sings with the birds on some days! It fills Ryu with joy, to share such a special bond with these animals. They truly are his best friends.

But the nights are getting long and the days are growing cold. And while the clan never had a problem keeping their food reserves stocked before, an early winter has other plans this year. Ryu tries to help as much as he can, foraging and fishing and rationing his own meals. He even stops feeding the birds, only singing for them now. They are also suffering in the cold, those poor souls.

Ryu doesn’t notice it, but one morning someone follows him. And witnesses him sing to his birds. With his birds. He only sees the other dragon when he makes his way back to the clan. Ryu is terrified! He doesn’t want anybody to hear him sing! What if they get mad? What if they tell him that he sounds terrible? But no scenario he could make up in his head was worse than what actually happens. The dragon pulls him towards the clan elders and tells everybody about the flock of birds. Such a big flock could fill up the food reserves! Ryu knows he had to act quickly to save his friends, so the next morning he wakes up extra early to warn them about the clan. Low food reserves be damned, these birds are important to him! But when he arrives at his usual spot, the hunters are already there, and already working.

Ryu feels grief take over his soul, and he sits down, crying. What else can he do, but sing his friends one last song? So Ryu starts singing. And he feels the latent magic within him awaken.