@
Mir
Username: Endyr
Chosen dragon: Storge
Entry:
Storge grew up in the Shifting Expanses Canyons, seemingly barred from
leaving Cenotaph's boundaries. Both physically, as she was never able to catch the wind to fly out of the canyon of Lantana Linn, and mentally, as it was deemed not safe for her or her nestmates. She always looked longingly towards the skies, narrowed by the canyon walls, and dreamed of flying towards the places beyond her canyonous home.
She loved how powerful her father was- loved him dearly for all his quirks and charms but hated the shadow that fell upon her when she tried to be like him.
Adam’s shadow was long, but Storge will become just like her father- proud of her looks, confident, and most importantly powerful, like him. She is determined that she will become like him. Storge was also cunning, much like her other parent.
She fears the fact she will defy Adam by leaving, but knows it's a choice she will have to make. Storge looked at her satchel, and her gray cloak. This is the day she disembarks on her journey, she thought. Before taking a deep breath, and wandering the halls of the place she calls home.
She found her other parent, Evike, seemingly waiting for her.
“Hello Obi,” Storge called them an affectionate nickname, one that means parent in a foreign tongue. “Where’s Father? I need to speak with him urgently.”
Evike tilted their head, with a knowing look in their eyes. “He’s in his study, my hatchling. What is so urgent?”
Storge looked away. “I have to tell him something, Obi. I don’t want you to get in the way when I do….” She trailed off, guilt and sadness in her voice. She was closer with Evike than Adam, after all.
“So, you're leaving then?” Evike chuckled, then hugged their much taller daughter. “I will miss you, but this is what you are meant to do, to leave this place, leave this canyon and better yourself.”
Storge nodded, with tears in her eyes. Evike murmured very slightly towards her. “Stop your crying, child, he may not take you seriously if you are.”
Arriving at his study she glared down her father in the face, interrupting one of his activities. Her father had been ignoring her, writing and looking over documents of sorts and with a sigh, he looked at Storge. “What do you want my dear child, I am busy-”
"Father, I will be leaving. You cannot stop me from this. " She stood proud, interrupting him. Storge was trying to be eye level with him, albeit she was still young.
Adam blinked, then sat his quill down. The look upon his maw was one of pure shock and then confusion. “Why my dearest daughter? I kept… I kept you and your nest siblings this time for a reason! I- didn’t I give you everything?” He approached, getting away from his writing. What exactly was this feeling? Hurt?
"I refuse to be in your shadow any longer father. I wish to find my way in this world, and become just like you. I cannot do this while by your side." Storge continued to stand proud, her voice slightly quivering out of fear. She was always obedient of her father’s wishes, but no more.
Adam grinned very softly, seeing her tenacity shine through. To stand him in the face and declare her intentions of defying him for her own dreams? She was ready to leave Cenotaph.
“And? What shall you call yourself now, my dearest daughter?”
“Ararinda. My name is Ararinda.”
“Well, my dearest daughter Ararinda… I grant you permission to leave Rosslyn. “ Adam rumbled out, looking away. “Now go, before I change my mind.”
Ararinda chuckled then. “If you did so father, I would fight you, tooth and claw, to leave.”
She turned and left, with a final tail flick. “Goodbye father, I shall meet you again one day.”
With that, the dragon once known as Storge, now Ararinda, was off to see a new dawn.
Ararinda was running out of resources fast, and needed to find a place
to stay. She had been traveling for weeks now, still in the vast expanse. She soon noticed a Nomadic clan while she was flying, avoiding the lightning storm brewing. She slowly landed a bit away from this clan, and bowed once she met up with them.
“Hello fellow travelers,” She spoke, looking up after her bow, sitting proudly in her slightly ragged cloak and with her Satchel at her side.
The Skydancer that stepped forward was a mixture of rags and lightning, with seemingly the sky as her scales. “Hello, Stranger.” the skydancer spoke, her voice as smooth as silk. “Do you need anything? We might have spare resources.”
Ararinda nodded, looking sheepishly deflated. “Well- yes. I’ve ran out of food and I would like some company.”
The skydancer began to speak, but was cut off by a brown spiral adorned with gilded scales and bones.“Any well experienced traveler wouldn’t make such a silly mistake!”
The skydancer looked at the spiral with a glare that expressed her emotions. “This is no time to make fun of others, Crotalus.”
Ararinda glanced at the cleaver at Crotalus’ hip and nodded. “He’s right. I am… not experienced.”
The skydancer smiled under her mask, and spoke. “Then join us for a bit, there is no harm in it.”
Ararinda wasn't expecting much from this group, but soon she was settled in with the clan around a campfire. Most of them were as dark as the night, with glowing cyan adornments or even circuitry. She learnt that the Skydancer’s name was Lillith, and her eyes kept drifting towards a fae, with white scales and seemingly glitching eyes over her body that was playing with a Gloomwillow and a Sober Spirit.
Ararinda looked at Lilith questioningly. “Who is she? She seems familiar.”
“Her name is Xio. I haven’t a slightest clue as to why she’d be familiar to you.”
Ararinda got up, to walk over to Xio. The fae looked over, not reacting much like any ordinary fae. Ararinda spoke first, looking at the Gloomwillow. “I have never seen a creature such as this before..”
Xio rolled her eyes. “You’re interested in the Gloomwillow and not my appearance?”
Ararinda let out a burst of laughter. “It is not my place to judge others, fellow traveler.”
Xio looked at Ararinda before nodding quietly. “You're a descendant too, aren't you?”
“Aye, I am. We are family then, correct?”
“I.. assume so. Where are you from then, fellow glitched?”
“... I am from Lantana Linn. You?”
“Shanokia. A place that's too peaceful in my opinion… too smothering.” Xio shivered, thinking of her overprotective parents.
“I fled for the same reason.” She replied. “But I wish to become a leader much like my father.”
“I wish you luck then.” Xio looked back at her familiars, but her frills were relaxed.
Ararinda grinned, slowly realizing she made her first friend outside of the clan, albeit a cousin of sorts.
Ararinda spent a week with Lilith and her nomadic clan, learning ways to survive off the land and tips from the snarky spiral Crotalus that took interest when she said she is traveling the world.
Ararinda spoke of where she wants to head next, “I’ve always been in the Expanse- I would love to head towards the Southern Icefield.”
O'oraila piped up, Cackling softly. “Ara! I can sail you there~ There’s no trouble if I take a little journey!”
Ararinda nodded, smiling. “Please do my friend, I would be honored to sail with you.”
Sailing to the Southern Icefields left a bittersweet taste in her mouth, wishing
good luck and goodbye to the dragons Ararinda befriended. She turned towards the Icy expanse and inhaled, taking in the crisp cold air.
Alone, Ararinda slowly smiled. She’s never been alone before, nor has she seen snow. She jumped up in the air, twirling about as she rejoiced and played in the snow, giggling. This wasn't cold, far from it. It was an enjoyable experience after being in a scorching desert all her life. Ararinda burrowed into the thick snow again.
Soon, her hubris caught up with her. She grew cold. And hungry. She was playing around and enjoying herself in the ice fields, not realizing that the cold would eventually affect her.
Ararinda began to travel with chattering teeth and shaking body in a random direction, hoping she'd find civilization in the frigid conditions. She was humbled by the white fluffy blanket of deception that is snow.
Out of sheer luck, she arrived at a travel station among the snow laden pine forest.
She smiled as soon as she entered, the crackling of the hearth warmed her up. She missed being warm. She looked at her supplies, then at the counter with a skydancer cooking food. She smiled at the smaller dragon, then laid down some treasure on the table.
“I would like to purchase a hot meal and drink please.” She spoke, lowering her hood.
The skydancer grinned, and started babbling about what they had to offer today, and Ararinda thought for a bit.
“I will take… stew with apple cider.” She murmured, sitting down at the bar.
It was apparent this was the locals meetup place, Ararinda soon realized as the amount of dragons started to increase. She was eating slowly, contemplating what she should do next when she heard someone sit down next to her.
She turned her head to see a masked stranger sit down next to her.
A large ice colored imperial sat next to her.
“A stranger in these parts eh? You’re a bit cold aren't ya, lass?” He spoke, tilting his head towards the poorly clothed Ararinda.
“I quite am, but it was my fault for not preparing properly… I have more coin however.”
A hearty laugh escaped the imperial grinning. “Do you need help picking out gear then, lass?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
After her meal, she was helped by the joyful imperial in picking out different supplies while she stayed in the Icewarden’s domain.
She gained a set of ice appropriate traveling gear and food that would last, plus some other miscellaneous supplies.
Ararinda asked a question, looking at the icy imperial. “Anything strange happening around here then?”
The imperial considered for a moment, then flicked his tail. “Lass, there was a giant meteor shower that fell over the icefields a few months ago. Ever since then, an aurora has been seen every night northeast of here.”
Ararindas eyes widened at the information. “Thank you, I shall investigate it.” She grinned a smiled, “in the morning, of course.”
The imperial let out a chuckle. “I wish you luck, lass, try not to get yourself frozen.”
The next day, after another warm meal, Ararinda was off to investigate northeast of the outpost. The information was tantalizing to her. As she trudged in the snow her mind wondered about what it could be. A magical artifact? Another naomi descendant like herself? Something… Powerful? She slyly grinned. She sunk into a snow filled crater, then another. Looking for whatever it was… Until she came face to face with a pink wildclaw with a very, very sharp spear pointed at her throat. She recoiled back a bit, bowing. “I apologize for intruding sir- I mean no harm.”
The wildclaw also hastily recoiled back, then relaxed. “No- it is quite alright I feared you were a creature who meant harm!”
Ararinda rose up from her bow, tilting her head. “You were doing what is necessary, I understand… sir…..”
“Nioko. My name is Nioko.”
“Sir Nioko.”
Nioko coughed before turning around, walking towards a very hastily made shelter- and obvious construction was going on around. Ararinda followed, observing the mess. It was… quite disorganized.
“We apologize for the mess, we had an accident and… our previous home… blew up.” He let out a mournful sigh.
Ararinda looked around, seeing the flurry of activity of a clan desperately trying to rebuild, but spirits were far from dampened. All of the dragons of this clan were working together. An obvious close bond. But what, or who, could be managing this mess of a clan?
“What is this clan's name?” She asked, interested.
Nioko replied, walking into the shelter. “Lantern Forest will be its name soon enough. Synda! We have a guest!” He shouted into the tent, and a calm, yet meek coatl soon emerged in tow of Nioko. She seemed to be all of the shades of the ocean's waters.
“Welcome to the remnants of the Lantern Clan,” The coat spoke in a soft voice. “My name is Synda, co leader with Nioko.”
Ah. That's it. In Ararinda’s mind it clicked. This clan is disorganized but loyal to these two.
“It is lovely to meet you both, my name is Ararinda-”
There was a loud boom nearby and the trio turned to look at two star covered fae causing a mess. Synda turned before going over to scold the two… and Ararinda picked up their names. Redrin and Seranus. Seranus had a striking similarity to Xiomari from Tempest Wing. She kept note of that.
A little later into the night, Ararinda was relaxing into a shelter set up- she asked to spend a few days to rest in Lantern. She hummed to herself, reading a book she found. She was quite into this work of fiction when a quiet voice popped up out of nowhere.
“Hello travelling Unnie- are you enjoying your book enough to ignore anyone tryin’ ta get your attention?”
She was startled, looking over from the book suddenly to meet the eyes of that tiny fae- Seranus- with white scales and a constellation covering his wings. He wore a bandana at the top of his head, with a piece of starsilk wrapped around his upper neck and seemingly ever blooming flowers wrapped around the lower part, near his shoulders.
She flicked her tail, reigning her composure. “Yes, you are interrupting a good part of it.. Seranus was it.”
Seranus giggled slightly, flying over to perch on her folded wing. “What's so fun about that book? I wanted to spend time with one of my unnies. It’s not everyday when one of us walks in not masking their presence.”
Ararinda looked over at him, narrowing her eyes. “You can tell?”
"Of course. It's hard to hide glitched blood from those who can sense it!" He chirped out, climbing higher. “I inherited it from my mother in Shanokia! She’s very good with such abilities.”
"You... read energies?"
"Precisely!" The small fae chirped. “Plus also a side of Invisibility. It wasn’t your fault for not noticing me.”
Ararinda blinked before laughing. “I must visit this Shanokia one day. Tell me, who is your mother? You remind me of someone I've met on my travels from here. Xiomari?”
“Little Xio? You found her? She’s my sister who went missing!” Seranus exclaimed, happily. “IS she alright? Oh please tell me-”
With that, Ararinda told Seranus about her adventure thus far, and who she is. Seranus listened intently, then grinned.
“I can tell you the location of Shanokia if you want to head there after your visit here.”
She shook her head. “I still want to travel first. I’d still enjoy knowing where it is though.”
Seranus chirped, then sat near her claws, taking one and shaking it. “You got a deal! Visit and say hi to mom for me okay?”
She grinned, nodding. “Of course my new friend.”
The days she stayed at Lantern Forest soon flew by, and she soon got antsy wanting to depart. She waved goodbye before setting off once more, flying up into the clear sky. Onto a new adventure, hopeful to find a place to call her own.
Ararinda continued her journey until she felt the winds, and her soul pull her
towards the Windsingers' domain so strongly that she couldn't ignore it any longer. She was heading towards the famed clan of Shanokia, the elusive clan her friends had talked about or came from. She continued to fly, the feeling of wind under her wings normal now. She flew towards the crescendo, twirling in the air laughing. She soon felt a pull towards the Reedcleft Ascent- where the bamboo was in bloom once again. She swooped down, slowly tucking her wings as she followed what her soul- her shade and glitch told her to go. Among the bamboo, trees soon began to appear. Transplanted from the Viridian Labyrinth itself, these trees blocked out the harshness of the sun, but still let enough light through. She soon came upon a clearing, feeling pulled towards a house there. Soon enough, she felt… another one of her kind behind her, and she turned. It was then it was obvious she was being watched from the trees, with a crowd of well camouflaged dragons among the branches. The one she was pulled to, however, was a brightly yellow colored fae. The shade within her clawed, trying to get her away from the oddly dazzling fae.
“Who are you?” The fae spoke, flying towards her, oddly expressional with his voice.
“I am Ararinda.” She purred out, looking back at the hut. “This cannot be all of what I was told to find.”
A fae poked her head out of the window, a naomi colored fae with swirling arcane eyes and mesmerizing starsilks.
The fae nodded towards the yellow fae, as if to confirm something. “She’s one of us.”
“You’re Ararinda? We were told to expect you.” He lowered his guard, smiling. “Welcome, cousin. I am Java, a son of Mara. And you? I can tell you’re the daughter of Adam.”
Ararinda flicked her tail, turning her head. “So what? Are you going to not let me stay due to it?!”
Java shook his head, flying up to her nose and sitting on her snout. “Quite the contrary. You have been given passage here.”
Ararinda nodded, slowly looking around. “So where is….” her voice trailed off as it felt like a fog was lifted from her mind, and she stared into a cavern where there was nothing but bamboo and trees. Illusion magic to the highest degree, powered by those of the Gatekeepers blood. Ararinda was in awe of the cavern, of the various dragons whose blood sang with Shade, with the beast's blood, and with Naomi’s blood herself.
Java grinned before flying back into the trees, disappearing as a Coatl born of wind, approached. “Welcome to Shanokia, wayward child. I am the one who maintains this great illusion around our home, Vulonlok. They call me the Matriarch, but I am anything but that.”
Ararindas eyes widened as she stepped foot into Shanokia’s cavernous mouth. The cavern, once inside,was tremendous. Several large imperials walked about, not even close to the ceiling. Lush trees grew everywhere, and even a river ran through the cavern with a bridge crossing it. Houses dotted along the walls of the cavern, with balconies hanging every which way for landing. Some places were dug out- long hallways of various sizes and roosts for fae and spirals too. Greater still, Shanokia had an artificial sky maintained by a powerful disciple of the Arcanist, lights provided by a disciple of the Lightweaver and powered by a disciple of Stormcatcher. A marketplace, run by various council members is always busy with dragons of various allied clans walking about.
This clan was peaceful, a safe haven for her kind yet tension was heavy in the air, past the facade of kindness, peace, and prosperity. There was a war brewing, she was sure of it.
What luck, that she stumbles upon a clan with no true leader. She bowed her head towards Vulonlok, walking past several homes. Ararinda finally removed her hood from her face, smiling towards the coatl.
“I thank you for welcoming me into your clan, Vulonlok. I am Ararinda, daughter of Adam.”
And in her heart, Ararinda spoke silently. She shall become the leader of this place, and follow in her father's footsteps, after all.
Acknowledgements
Maplematcha, for helping me by bouncing ideas off of her
Corvyssal, for beta reading and letting me borrow Clan Tempest Wing
RedSiren, for moral support and letting me borrow Lantern Forest
