Author: Sparkle Itamashii

Title: Aftershock

Chapter Six: Accept

Kaiia snarled as Raheanae pulled out another sliver of rock from her hide. Blood rushed to fill the gap, spilling over even as the Panterian wiped it away. “If you move less, it hurt less.” The cat-like creature rasped at her.

“I’ll stop moving when you stop yanking chunks of flesh out of my leg!”  Kaiia said through gritted teeth as the Panterian’s talon slipped under her skin for another sliver.

“Fight stone-wings better, then I have not do this.”

“Che.” Kaiia snorted, glaring into space, “It’s all that stupid Chirna’s[1] fault anyhow.  If he hadn’t been acting stupid, I wouldn’t have had to save him.”

“Your choice then. You choose jump in front of giant claws, not blaming star-drake for it.” She glanced up as she set another sliver in the bowl of bloody slivers and stared at Kaiia for a moment. “You hate so much, you could left him die.”

Before Kaiia could reply, sounds of a scuffle rose outside the tent walls.  Lazare stumbled in, his back end slipping down very unceremoniously as he stopped. Blood ran down his leg from where one of the numerous wounds had re-opened. He hissed in pain and pulled himself into a standing position. Kaiia realized she hadn’t seen him in real day-light much at all. They’d traveled mostly at night and when they traveled in the day, they’d been in the forest or the caverns. She hadn’t realized how badly his hindquarters were torn up.

“Yer gonna get that looked at if I have to bloody well tie you down meself! Drake or not, it don’ matter ‘tall! Now stay right where y’are and don’ move a muscle until I find wat I’m lookin’ fer.” A brawny looking Panterian entered the tent. His fur was sleek, a tawny sort of brown with brown stripes. His eyes were a very brilliant blue. He glared icily at Lazare, who stared sullenly back. “Y’hear?”

“Yeah, I hear.”

“Pansy-boy’s getting bossed around by a cat, eh? Ouch!” She snarled at Raheanae and lashed out with a paw, but missed by a long shot. “Careful where you’re sticking those claws.” She warned with a scowl.

“Careful where to place yours,” Raheanae replied, touching Kaiia’s claws, “These or ones of words.

“You’re getting better, Rahe.  Almost got the grammar down pat!” He pulled a few odd-looking instruments from a basket and walked back to Lazare. “Up, and onto this bed.”

Lazare got slowly to his feet and crawled onto the bed. Fiery pain shot through the entire back end of his body, his arms throbbing with bruises.  His shoulder blades no longer held wings, having reverted to the bone-tents Kaiia had grown accustomed to seeing. He stretched out, presenting his injuries to the tawny Panterian. “They’re not SO bad.” He said in his own defense, knowing that probably wasn’t true as he watched his scales discolor with the blood that seeped over them.

“Not so bad?! My dear kit, these are worse than I’ve seen in a long time! Why look here, you’ve even begun to get gangrene around these ones! Looks like something bit you awful, doesn’t it?  And up, up,” He pushed Lazare’s chin up to look at his neck, “What could possibly leave such peculiar marks?” He wondered aloud, tracing over the three scale-less lines left by Kaiia the night the two had met.

His eyes met Kaiia, glaring, but he spoke to the Panterian, “A big, nasty creature with a very bad attitude.”

“I do not-“ Kaiia began to exclaim, but quickly silenced herself.

The big Panterian burst into laughter, startling everyone. Raheanae glared accusingly at him. “Jaskei[2], is not nice to laugh at someone.”

“But she- and he- and then she- oh bugger.” He said, silencing himself. He returned his focus to Lazare’s legs. “Well, I’m going to take out as much of the dead tissue as I can, and I’ll put in some herbs to aide in pain-killing. You’re going to need it when Master Kieranae[3] gets here.” He started in right away.

“Why?” Lazare asked, looking as though he might try to leave if it was going to be so much trouble.

“Why, she works magic, child.  She can patch it up so you can walk again! After all, if I just fixed you up and turned you loose, you’d probably not be able to walk again in a few more days. Not with that injury. What got hold of you?”

“Something bad, trust me.”

Jaskei worked in silence for a while, listening to Raheanae chide Kaiia for moving and Kaiia curse Raheanae for being malicious. Finally, he set down his mortar on the table, rinsing his fingers off in a clean bowl of water.  He smiled and rose, patting Lazare on the foot. “Just gonna have to leave you here ‘til Master Kieranae can get in.”

“I can’t feel my legs…” Lazare said sleepily.

“Good. You’ll be glad fer that in a bit, I expect.” With a grin, he slipped out of the tent. Raheanae sighed as she pulled the last sliver out.

“I’m done.”

“Finally.” Kaiia said bitterly. She turned her head just enough to see the drugged up Lazare two beds over. “If it wasn’t for YOU, we wouldn’t have had to go in there in the first place.” She spat.

“If you stayed out, I would be dead.” Raheanae said quietly, dabbing a coagulant on Kaiia’s thighs and hips. She rose after a moment, the silence becoming an almost tangible thing. “Have Master Kieranae look your hips, too.” She left silently, leaving the two alone.

“So what, you never felt like mentioning the fact that you had wings that just sprouted from no where whenever you need them, eh?” She growled after a moment, not looking over at him.

“I can’t help it…” He replied after a moment, sounding far away, “I didn’t know I had wings either.”

“How the hell do you not know something like that?! I think it’s a little important in the scheme of things, don’t you? It’s not every day dragons go sprouting wings around. Come to think about it, I should have even guessed.  I saw wings in your shadow when I saw you the first time.” She rolled slightly so she could see him. “I don’t think you’re even a dragon at all.”

“Okay.” He said dreamily, “Maybe I’m a bird.”

“Maybe you’re hallucinating and this isn’t a good time to talk to you.” She said dryly, and turned back over to try and get some sleep.

When Lazare next opened his eyes, he immediately regretted having done so. Light flooded his senses and drove spikes of pain into his head. He pushed his paws over his eyes, rubbing as gently as he could at his temples.  He waited until he could think a little bit before he slowly re-opened his eyes, letting them adjust to the sunlight. He could feel the drugs in his system still, clouding his mind.  Thoughts drifted in and out of his mind, but he was unable to keep hold of any of them for long enough for them to register properly.

The smell of roasted meat drifted through the open flap of the tent. Seemingly far-off noises dripped through the air, as though heard through a wall of water. A part of him knew the camp was very close by, and so knew that his senses deceived him still. The very air itself felt full of contented emotions, of rejoicing at the return of all members of all groups.  Lazare thought back to the little Gryfalcon and wondered if she thought differently about the events. He sent a prayer up for her, hoping that she had found someplace very nice for saving all of them.

“Awake at last, eh?” Kaiia said from her position a few beds away. She was laying like curled cat, on her belly, paws tucked in under her sternum. “Two days later, the hero awakens.” She gave him a sour look and hopped down, still looking as though she favored her injured leg just slightly.

“I’m not a hero.” He stated, trying to remember everything that happened. His brain was amazingly foggy, as if he had just taken the drugs minutes instead of hours ago. That could very well have been the case, but it felt just slightly different. Everything in his brain was jumbled, unorganized, disconnected. It felt as though someone had been rifling through his memories.  Unsettling to think about, to say the least, and he had a split second to ponder asking about it before he lost the chance.

“I know.” She said sharply, “You got us in and all you did was get us out. By the way, since I’m curious now, how did you get all those rents in your hide? Get into a fight with a tough tree?” She sneered.

“Actually, it was in a fight with a Wraith.” He defended haughtily. Would she ever give it a rest and stop taunting him? At the moment he couldn’t recall what he had done to offend her so acutely.

“You told us you’d never fought a Wraith before. So which time are you lying?”

“I said that I’d never fought one on the battlefield, as in, in a unit.” Ah yes, that’s right. The beast had followed him into the city, where it had snagged him into a brief fight before…

“If you were fighting one, you were on the battlefield or…else…” She trailed off, her eyes going wide. “You didn’t…” Anger began to color her eyes, “You were the one who led a Wraith to our city!” She accused, anger blazing.

His refusal to make eye contact only confirmed it for her. She gave him a terrible look, one that clearly said how much she thought of him. “I should just gut you, right here. I won’t, because I know better than to rile up a den of lions, but don’t think you won’t get what you deserve.” She jumped down from her bed and stalked out of the tent, tail lashing fiercely behind her, the effect spoiled slightly by the limp in her gait.

“Kaiia…!” He exclaimed, trailing off in exasperation as he watched her leave. The pain that lanced through his hips when he tried to move to follow her completely brought a halt to that course of action, so he leaned back and closed his eyes instead. Despair gnawed hungrily at his mind. She’s going to tell the rest of them. I’m going to be on my own. He realized then how much he feared being truly alone.

Callisto ducked into the tent with a backward glance. “I’d have thought you two would have cooled off by now.” She said softly, listening to something he could not hear for the blood rushing in his ears. Turning slowly to face him, she smiled, “I wanted to thank you for saving me. It’s really my fault that everyone had to go through so much trouble.”

“It’s not, it’s my fault.” He said gruffly, still staring into the space where Kaiia had disappeared. “I shouldn’t have left you alone by the river.”

He started when he felt a cool paw run down the dark pink scars criss-crossing his starry hide. “You took quite a beating. Their healer has done a fine job. Looks that you’ll even get most of your coloration back, doesn’t it?”

He snorted, raising a talon to trace the thick scar above and below his left eye, where Kaiia had first hit him as she came hurtling out from the trees. “I’m leaving.” His voice sounded far away, even to his own ears. Better that he leave of his own accord than be abandoned by the only people he had left. He could already feel the empty, alone feeling crawling through him.

Callisto was idly examining the mortar and pestle Jaskei had used while treating Lazare. “I know. Deiimos and Iio are getting the rest of the supplies ready for-“

“No.” Lazare said quietly, firmly, “I’m leaving. Your group doesn’t need me, all I do is cause trouble. You guys can do better without me, and Kaiia will love the chance to lead her own group.”

“What?!” Callisto said, caught off guard, “Lazare, you can’t just leave. You’re wrong, our group does need you. Don’t listen to Kaiia’s tongue, she speaks before she thinks. That is why you’re leaving, is it not?” She replaced the stone instruments as quickly as she could, turning to face him completely.

Lazare remained silent for a moment. Turning away from her, he sighed. “No.” If Kaiia hadn’t told anyone yet, he wasn’t going to be spreading the news. “Perhaps I will see you again some day. Tell the others I wish them well in life. Wind to-“

“Their wings, perhaps?” Came a light voice from behind him, in a slightly mocking tone.

“Their dreams.” Lazare said irritably, turning to face Kaiia.

What met his solid glare was definitely not Kaiia. A dragon stood before him, halfway into the tent. Her white scales glimmered in the sunlight that beamed through the opening around her. It would have been blinding had the inside of the tent not been so dark.  She cocked an eyebrow mischievously, her icy blue eyes dancing with barely contained glee. She tossed her head, the thin mane of iridescent white spines that ran from her head to her flanks tinkling together like soft chimes as she laughed.

“What’s the matter Star-child, never seen an Ienai-drake[4] before?” Her laughter tingled through him and she answered the unspoken question, “You may call me Zuri.[5]” She moved forward, the flaps closing behind her. Lazare couldn’t find his words. Her voice had a musical lilt to it, as though she were speaking as the wind speaks. She passed him, then turned to look him over better. “I should hope you’re not leaving so soon, it would greatly disappoint us.” She said, her voice hinting to her amusement.

He shook his head to clear it, and turned from her. “I’m leaving tonight.” He stared at the walls of the tent, wondering who she was. Her explanation was rather lacking in the department of explanation.

“Hmm…” She drawled almost sleepily. “Shame, because I’ve heard quite a tale about you.” She seemed to materialize beside him, watching him with a sidelong gaze.

“I’m sorry someone chose my story to bore you with.” He stated firmly, turning away from looking at her, his yellow eyes glowing slightly. The temptation proved to be too much, however, as he turned golden eyes to her pure white form once more. He froze the instant he caught sight of her.

“You like them, I see.” She said, stretching languidly. White gossamer wings peeled away from her sides, spreading to fill the tent around him. “I was hoping we might get a chance to fly together. I’ve never Flown a star-drake before.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” He growled, completely oblivious to the explicit insinuation, “Deiimos, Callisto, Naiiad, Raheanae… All of them call me ‘star-drake.’ I don’t know where this coloration came from, I don’t have a connection to the stars, so WHY?” He finished irritably.

Laughter like soft chimes filled the room. “Because you are the stars, child. There is much you should have learned by now, but there has never been a good time to teach you.”

“If you’re appearing here to tell me that you can’t tell me yet,” He interrupted, “go away. I don’t want to hear it anyhow. I don’t want any more complications in my life right now. I don’t even want the complications my life already has. Any chance you’re here to fix everything?”

Her eyes wandered over him for a moment, roaming over his glittering form.  He was not entirely impressive, being that he was of an incredibly small build for a dragon.  The necklace of heart-stones around his delicately curved neck seemed to belong there.  Her eyes flickered to the armbands around his arms and the anklet he wore before settling on his eyes and watching the range of boiling emotions she saw there. Her wings folded again in an almost resigned fashion. “I can tell you what you wish to know.”

“What I wish to know?!” Lazare nearly squawked, “What I wish to know is why all of this is happening to me and my-“ He paused only slightly. They were no longer his group, “-hometown, the people that lived there and the people who survived almost dying there. I have no idea where we’re going, no idea why we had to leave, no idea about anything any more.” His eyes burned as he bordered on baring his fangs at her, “You want to tell me how to steer my life through this storm, then maybe, just MAYBE I have time to listen to you.”

“There is more to life than you know, Lazare.” A sorrow deeper than he noticed laced her voice, though he hardly bothered to try as he choked on the words.

“More to life?! I don’t need more to life right now!” He seethed. “And how do you know my name?” Lazare said sharply, as an afterthought. He hadn’t remembered giving it to her, much less granting her permission to use it.

“I am Ienai.” Zuri stated, as though that explained everything very simply.

“Oh, because that explains it all. Okay. Well, I’m all set.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice, yet appeared lost on her. Silence drifted between them as she seemed to think he really had suddenly understood. A moment under the scrutiny of his gaze gave way to a further, if somewhat exasperated explanation.

“I know everything that was, everything that is, and everything that has yet to come to pass. I see time itself. Would you like to hear your own story, star-child?”

“I know my own story already, thank you, and it pretty much sucks. However, it’s apparent that you’re not going to go away until you’ve said whatever you need to say, so hurry up.” A pause, “And don’t call me Star-child. I know you know my name.”

The chime-like laughter filled the air again and the white drake settled down, her long, cat-like tail curling neatly around her paws. The tail reminded him of Callisto and Iio’s tails. “Then I shall start from the beginning, because that is where most stories begin. Do you know of the Star-drakes?”

Lazare shook his head just a tiny bit, as if he were just barely recalling something, a fragment of information he could cling only tenaciously to. “Celestial beings, ah… The Creators in many legends, rule from the stars… I think.”

“Correct, they are creators of the universe and everything there-in.  They live among the stars, one species of two that have the ability to do so.”

“They exist, for real?!” He exclaimed. Never really one to readily believe in something he couldn’t actually see with his own eyes, he had always been rather skeptical of the Star-drake legends everyone told one another on cold nights. It made a certain sort of sense, he supposed, that there was some sort of all-powerful being out there, messing around in everything they had created. Light only knew he had been through enough to believe it.

“As real as you and I.” She replied, studying him far more carefully than he could bring himself to appreciate. “What else do you know? Do your legends tell you what they look like?”

“Shadows.” He replied almost instantaneously. That much he had always remembered. “Blacker than the night sky.  Their skin has the patterns of the stars on it, and the pattern moves to fit the stars as they move.  Shooting stars for head-spikes, suns for eyes. Wings like fire and ice and elements unknown and beautiful.” He looked a little sick at his own words. Realization stung like knives as he made a strangled noise and gave the beautiful dragon before him a look of utter confusion. “They look… like me…” His voice sounded hollow even to his own ears, strained.

So that was why everyone called him ‘star-child’, why everyone almost reverently related him to the stars.  He looked like one of the gods, one of the untouchables that only legends were made of. They saw him as something great, something maybe powerful, despite not seeming to know what he was doing. Hell, I don’t know what I’m doing… He thought bitterly. Since they had not seen his former colors, it seemed an almost logical connection for them to make… Even though he knew… he did know there was no way he was related to those drakes in any way, right?

“Precisely.” She agreed, startling him as he panicked, thinking she could read his thoughts. He relaxed a bit as she continued, “Your coloration is very close to that description. It’s little wonder. Did you know your father, Lazare?”

The little black dragon suddenly had the sinking feeling that he really, really did not want to know anything about his father. “No…” He replied weakly.

“I did. I still do. His name is Ista[6]. He is a Star-drake.”

Even expecting the response had not softened the sense of shock, and Lazare closed his eyes in an attempt to keep the words from echoing around in his skull. So he had the blood of their gods running in his veins. Despite not wanting anything to do with any of that, there was still a part of him that wanted to know more, wanted to ferret out the rest of his origins. “So what.” He said, finally, hoping his voice sounded more nonchalant than he knew it did.

“So what…?” Zuri echoed, a little confusion tainting her voice.

“Yeah. So what? That doesn’t change who I am. I’m still the same person I was ten minutes ago. Knowing that changes nothing.”

“Lazare, it changes everything.”

“How? I want an explanation, that’s all I want. Direction.” The exact moment his self-resolve crumbled was almost tangible. “Please, Zuri. Please tell me how to fix everything that’s broken in my life. I don’t know what to do from here.” His voice sounded strained, tired, even to his own ears.

She shifted uncomfortably, and Lazare could see the guilt in her eyes. He knew she was hiding something from him, but there was no way for him to tell what that might be. Finally seeming to come to a decision, she offered him a weak smile. “I’ll tell you more than you should be allowed to know, Lazare.”

“Allowed…?”

“Yes.” She wasn’t going to bother to explain that, however. “Star-drakes are not what you have been lead to believe. They have become a lonely, twisted, nearly immortal race of creatures. They had spent millennia evolving before the first of their females, became afflicted with a genetic disease they could not fix, killing them off. They should have become a dying breed, but they were saved by their creation abilities and by that same gene which condemned the females. They were able to, in the void of the nothing, create worlds. Systems that revolved around a solar power. Those systems had the ability to support life.”

“Like here.”

“Yes, like here. So they created their solar systems and grew apart from one another. They were content, for a while, to watch over their creations, to keep to themselves aside from contact through the Ienai-drakes… And that was when the first of the Star-drakes began to die. Everyone was in shock- the Ienai-drakes panicked, disappearing, thus removing the only link that still existed between the Star-drakes.  They traveled to the old meeting places, grouping together as they met others of their kind, each one as panicked and afraid as the others. They feared the same disease that had wiped out half their race so long ago.”

“Was it?”

She shook her head with a small smile, “Oh no, not in the least. Star-drakes are ancient creatures, they have been around since time began, but they are not immortal. Time was finally catching up with them, as Time is wont to do. They knew something had to be done, but none of them had any idea what.”

“So why are they still around? Why didn’t they just die off?”

“Well, they probably would have if a group of younger, upstart Star-drakes hadn’t taken charge of everything.  They had been very, very young when the females died off, and had stayed together afterwards. This grouping was the key to saving the Star-drake species.  After taking control and calming everyone, they started planning. Worlds that had been running for billions of years were scoured over in the hunt for a species that was close enough in resemblance to the Star-drakes to merit an ability to breed.”

“That would have thinned the breed, there wouldn’t be any pure-blood Star-drakes. There’s no way you can save a race that has no females left.”

“That, also, should have been the case. However, the same gene that killed the females made it possible to save the race. The males have a gene that the females don’t. It’s a stabilizing gene that takes effect in the early years of their lives.  The females lack this stabilizing factor and the highly morphic makeup of the Star-drakes collapses upon itself if left uncontrolled.”

“Okay, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Zuri shook her head, thinking of a simpler way to explain it to him. She couldn’t think of a way to explain it without completely confusing him. “Inside the females there was a force that would take over and destroy them unless they had the opposing, calming force that the males had within them.”

“That makes a little more sense…”

“They eventually found a species that would suffice. With a bit of refining through selective breeding, the Star-drakes were able to breed, at last.  None of the mothers survived, and many of the offspring, mainly the females, died soon after birth. The Star-drakes that survived were weak, small, and sphere-bound. They could not leave their planet, as bringing them to the void killed them instantly. Hope appeared rather lost, and the Star-drakes were disgusted with their efforts. Abandoning the few children that were left after the attempt, the Star-drakes left, heading for their far-away ends of the universe. The younger drakes that had first pulled them together fell into disfavor. Your father was among them.”

Lazare’s eyes widened as he stared at her, her words sinking in. “How long do they live? He’s still alive now?”

“A very, very long time, and he is.  It was not very long by their scale, around twenty of your years, before the first of the abandoned children appeared in the stars.  Ista, who had been drifting in the area, musing over what had gone wrong, spotted the lost, sobbing youngling. He immediately snatched it up and the two traveled  to the closest of the younger drakes. Ecstatic at the chance to really save their race, they hunted down an Ienai-drake, asking him to bring the rest of the Ienai out from hiding to aide them.  Soon the Ienai had gathered for the young drakes, and the rest of the newborns had been found and collected.”

“How did…?”

“They reach the stars?” Zuri chuckled. “Their Star-drake genes had ravaged the other genes in their bodies, literally taking over and morphing it to fit the Star-drake gene pattern. They had become true, pure-blooded Star-drakes. The male side of their gene structure took over soon after, finally becoming active, calming them, taming them, keeping them alive.”

“So did they just waltz up there or what? What are you trying to tell me…?”

“They were killed. By inhabitants of the planet. When their genes took over they were bewildered. Many thought they were using magics to disguise themselves to look like the gods. They were lynched by the people they had lived among all their lives.  Oddly enough, however, their killers used an herbal poison, taken from the plants of the planet. That ended up being their saving grace.”

Lazare looked considerably ill. “I have to… die?” He said weakly, eyes unfocusing.

“Everyone dies eventually, Lazare.”

“Die, NOW?” He refined his query. How could she be so calm about this? The feeling of cold creeping through him only seemed to intensify the panic that was quickly taking over.

“Not yet, you have yet to see this world.”

“Can’t I see it just fine from up there?”

“I think you’ll find it rather hard to meet the inhabitants of this planet from the stars. You’ll have a better chance at getting to know them if you stay here for a while longer.”

“Why do I need to meet them?” Confusion pushed panic to the back of his mind. He wasn’t going to die right now- this was a good thing as far as he could see. But then, what IS she on about…? He thought, studying her pale form.

“Because you’re going to be judging them.” She said solemnly.

“Judging…?” It made no sense.

“Oh yes. After the first group of children survived, the drakes tried many more times to breed once more. They were unsuccessful, because they had not realized what it would take to get the drakes to the stars.  The Ienai finally brought them the solution, as they spent many hours studying what had happened.  The drakes were saved, but at a price.  They could no longer afford to live alone, they could not separate themselves from one another as they had been used to doing in the past. The Ienai agreed to relay messages between them, but they needed more. The younger drakes who had taken control of the situation the first time rose up, taking control again. They created a council, called the Nova’s, through which they governed the others.”

“I don’t mean to sound rude, but what has that got to do with judging the people on this planet?”

“Patience! Is this an untaught virtue on your planet?” She smiled, shaking her head and thought for a moment. “The Nova’s knew they had to find a way to bind the Star-drake species together. They proposed a game.”

Blanching, Lazare closed his eyes. He had a bad, bad feeling, an instinct that somehow told him this was the part he was NOT going to like. “A game.” He echoed, looking up to her once more. “What kind… of game?”

“The worlds they had created to amuse themselves became the game pieces. A world would be created and monitored, watched over from above. After creating suitable living conditions and leaving a small population of ‘dragons’, as the breeding creations were called, the Star-drakes were allowed to interfere on only a small scale. Control the weather, create new creatures, and when a suitable mate was found, to breed. The child would then be allowed the make the decision about whether the planet would be permitted to continue existing.”

“That’s insane! Why would anyone want to destroy a planet?”

“Some planets are simply not working.  There is often corruption overtaking everything, and the controlling Star-drake may do nothing to interfere save for to add creatures to the mix, which is almost never productive.”

“Dragons hardly ever wander far from home!” Lazare exclaimed, as he motioned to Callisto, to the outside of the tent where the rest of the group should be. “All of them, us, we’re exceptions. Our people destroyed themselves, and we were forced to move on. If the council hadn’t been like that, I would never have left! How could I have judged a planet I’ve never… I’ve… oh light…” He clamped down on the ill feeling taking over as he began to tremble. “You…”

“Callisto, actually.” Zuri said, motioning to the frozen dragon a few feet away. “I’m sorry, Lazare, it was the only way. If she hadn’t destroyed the city, you would not have left. We tried everything we could think of before resorting to such devastating actions. You must understand…”

Lazare understood. He understood all too well. All the times he had been rejected from joining the army, from staying and fighting. The council had, time and again, suggested that he leave to explore, to bring them news of the outside world. They had offered him, on numerous occasions, the chance to voyage for an artifact or some sort. Every time he had turned them down, stubbornly refusing to leave, demanding they let him stay and fight, defend the city. Kaiia was right. It had been his fault that the city was destroyed. If not because he led a Wraith into the city, then because he had refused to remove himself.

“That’s why I survived. She protected me because I still had to…”

Zuri shook her head and offered him a smile she knew could not heal everything roiling in his mind. “You saved yourself. Your wings are the wings of a star-drake, and they can shield you from any force that could bring you harm. You had no control over them, but your drake blood is taking over, now. You should be able to use most, if not all, of your abilities in a short matter of time.”

“What about the others? What are they going to do?”

“They were kept alive for a reason. They have a part to play in this as well. The Star-drake child has four companions while they walk the planet. The Blood and Sun dragons and the Light and Moon dragons. One pair will show you the negative sides to the planet, and the other pair will show you the positive side. It is up to you to decide between the two, to choose a side. Which-ever side you choose will decide the fate of the planet. Should you side with the Blood and Sun dragons, the world will be re-created and given another chance to attain perfection. Should you side with the Light and Moon dragons the world will be allowed to continue.”

“What happens to me after I decide?”

“Whichever way you choose the planet will be given to you. Your father will recreate the planet if that is what you decide, and you will be allowed to populate it and oversee it. If you decide that the world should remain, you will be given governing power over it.  You will be able to participate in their game.”

Lazare growled at the reference, temper flaring. “These are LIVES we’re talking about. An entire PLANET you are just casually referring to creating or destroying! How can they TOY with something like that?!”

She smiled, a real, genuine smile. Whatever she had to say on the subject, though, she managed to retain. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes!” He snarled, trying to put a damper on his anger and keep himself under control. “You can’t just mess around with people’s lives as if they don’t matter. I don’t care if the Star-drakes DID create the world, that doesn’t give them the power to do whatever they please! These are PEOPLE. Individuals who can and do think for themselves! I can’t play a game like that, and I WON’T be a pawn.”

Slowly, with a faint trace of a smile, she nodded, looking regretful. “Then I suppose that’s it, then. If you don’t make a decision your father will be disqualified and the world will be scrapped permanently. Everyone here will cease to exist on a permanent basis. You will be disqualified, if the Nova’s decide to allow you to remain in existence at all.” She eyed him as he spluttered indignantly, mouth working but speech failing him.

It took only a few moments for him to calm down, smooth his scales over and take a few deep breaths. “So that’s how it’s going to be. Do or die.”

“You have a day to decide. I will find you then.”

Before he could protest, the world slammed into existence once more, sound washing over him. He hadn’t realized how deathly silent it had been until this moment.  He sank to the ground as Callisto worriedly rushed to his side, calling for the medic. It was all he could do to keep his eyes open as he watched her shouting and shouting, blood rushing past his ears, drowning her voice out.  There were Panterians rushing through the tent flap as he closed his eyes, losing his grip on consciousness.

Lazare sullenly watched the rest of the day pass. He had recovered quickly, and the healer had finally let him wander off, lost to them until evening. Time seemed to have slowed down, sound fading to a background lull as his thoughts chased circles around themselves and tied his gut in knots.  Things had never seemed quite as hopeless as they seemed right now.  He had learned more than he had ever wanted to know. It was hard to come to a decision- he wasn’t sure if he should be angry, confused, or hurt, or if he should just suddenly take charge of things and start giving orders.

Raheanae barked orders below him, directing Panterians in every which way without any order that Lazare could see. Her voice drifted to him on the wind, alien and beautiful in its own right. He couldn’t understand what she was saying, and he didn’t suppose it mattered.  They were setting up for a celebration before the group continued on their way. Autumn appeared to be setting in, the cooling breezes sliding like ice along his scales. A new appreciation for life had beset him, and he knew it.

Quick motion from the edge of the camp quickly turned into a distraction as Kaiia came thundering in, golden scales flashing in the fading sunlight. He could not hear everything she said, but he knew she was looking for him. He heard Callisto’s name several times and sighed. No one had yet thought to look for him in the tops of the trees, and the Gryphons paid him no mind as they swept through the air above him, keeping watch. He had been hiding for most of the day, trying to sort through the maze his mind had become. He had been avoiding Kaiia especially, desperate to avoid another conflict. He’d had quite enough of that for a lifetime.

The camp was slowly becoming a living entity below him, as he had been watching throughout the day.  The Panterians were a beautiful race of creatures, very lithe and colorful.  They had all manners of earthy tones to their fur, from a patchy fall pattern to the jet black of obsidian to the striped patterns of greys and reddish oranges.  He had not noticed at first, but they all had wings, small and angular like a falcons.  They could not have been any good for actual flight because of their size, but that didn’t seem to matter when they had the Gryphons.  He had been quite taken aback when he saw a black and white Panterian jump from the back of an airborne Gryphon.  Before he could leap to his feet or make any sort of warning noise, the Panterian’s sides had seemingly fallen away, melted into gorgeous black wings that were perfect for gliding safely to the earth.  No one else seemed to take any sort of notice.

The wind swirled at his flanks and tiny claws pricked at the raw flesh that was healing there.  He looked over his shoulder at the disturbance, not fearing the light weight of the creature that had landed on him.  Blinking, he sorted through the feathers and fur of the tiny being before recognizing it.  The young Gryfalcon was settling down for a nap on the soft, scale-less skin of his hindquarters, oblivious or uncaring as to whether he noticed or not. She apparently, had decided he was not a threat. He reached over with one finger, claw withdrawn into the skin so he wouldn’t hurt her, and stroked gently down her spine. The feathers were surprisingly silky, though tough as nails, just like the feathers of the Gryfalcon in the cavern.

He recoiled suddenly in horror as images of the selfless creature flashed behind his eyes. His skin crawled with the sensation of her blood, spattered across his face and front. Her defiant screams rang in his ears to the exclusion of all else, and shock and fear paralyzed him all over again. He tried desperately to tear his mind away from the memory, upsetting the Gryfalcon from her perch in the process. His talons tore into the thick branch he had been laying on as he scrambled to his feet, sides heaving with the effort of breathing. It felt as though someone had clamped pincers around his chest.

Then, was that the kind of world he had to make a decision about? A world where the innocent, brave souls died so quickly without a second thought? That small creature had, without a doubt, saved their lives and no one had thought twice about it afterward.  No one had mentioned the little Gryfalcon who sacrificed herself to save the rest of the group.  Was that the kind of world worth saving?

Though… His thoughts collected themselves again, slowly, as his heartbeat returned to normal, and the terror passed. Though, she had saved them. The selflessness of the action spoke volumes for the world.  That the Panterians had not thought twice about it could mean no more than that they had already resigned themselves to that fate, and that though they said nothing about it, they did not necessarily forget. Perhaps that was the way things were for them, that the courage of one to save many was not uncommon, the virtue was not unknown. He needed someplace completely alone, someplace to think everything out carefully, maybe someone neutral to discuss this with.

“Are you going to hide in the trees all day, little one?” Drifted a voice from the tree opposite of his own.

His eyes rose and met with Naiiad’s sad-but-smiling ones. “If that’s what it takes to get some peace and quiet.”

Kaiia’s voice drifted on the breeze, still screaming over something or other she was sure Lazare was responsible for. Naiiad grinned. “I think you’d have to go farther than a few trees away.” She studied his as he smiled wanly and resumed his crouch on the branch. “So tell me what’s really the matter.”

He looked up at her, studying her muscular form. She was born to fight, to die in a war she hadn’t started.  She wouldn’t be here today if she had not joined that war and partnered up with a small slip of a dragon who was part of a scheme so large none of them had comprehended what they had gotten themselves in to.  She didn’t know what was going on, that the fate of the world lay in his own very small paws. She didn’t know that her fate was tangled with all of theirs simply because she had been in the wrong place at the right time. So what if she thought he was being random.

“Do you think the world is worth saving?” He asked quietly, his chin dropping so he could study his paws more intently than he had ever studied anything.

He felt her eyes range over him, drift away, and return to him.  Her thoughts were careful, and he knew she was taking him very seriously.  Finally, she smiled, the sad smile he hated to watch people wear. The smile that said so plainly that the wearer had lost so much but remained in high spirits. That said please don’t pity me, but know that there are hard things in this world that you must be careful of lest they hurt you as they have me. She shook her head and a claw strayed to her heart-stone.

“I think so.” She caught his eyes as he looked up, and held them. “There are a lot of good things on this planet, Lazare. There is love and creation and life itself.  These people, our people, Iio and Umbra’s people.  The tiny Gryfalcon whose heart was stronger than any Gargoyle…” He smiled at that, at last. “There are a lot of bad things in this world too, things that cause pain and destruction, death and misery.” Her eyes softened. “We were a part of that, if you recall Iio’s story about the Wraiths… Our people caused that pain and exile of an entirely new race. But even in the worst of things there is a glimmer of good. When the Gargoyles woke and shook the cavern with their cries, did you not feel a sense of awe, as they took to the skies with the Gryphons, did you see their beauty?  Our people are gone because of our own stupidity, our own hatred. Yet look upon us now, Lazare. Are we evil, unrespectable people? Even Kaiia, with her insufferable temper… Is she not worth saving?” Her voice quieted on the last few sentences, and he dropped his gaze to the ground.

Kaiia stood at the edge of the camp, golden scales shimmering with all manner of reflected colors in the sunset.  Her horns curved gracefully, just so, giving the illusion of deadly beauty.  Her eyes, icy blue, were locked on the camp, the ferocity he normally saw there banished by the look of concentration now held.  Her lithe body was relaxed, ready to move at a moments notice, or lay down and fall asleep should the situation turn the other way.  Yes, she was deadly, argumentative, and almost always all together every bit as insufferable as Naiiad eluded to… yet the beauty she held, the courage, morality, and cool strength she possessed were far more than he had noticed. She had saved his life in the caverns, knowing full well that she might die in his stead. He remained silently watching her, unable to answer either way.

Naiiad shook her head at his continued silence. “Why do you ask? Are you planning on saving the planet or something, Little One?”

He did not have an answer for her, which pained him. “I don’t know, Naiiad. I don’t know anything any more.” He rose slowly and leapt into the air, landing gracefully on the ground far below. She put her head on her paws and closed her eyes.

Lazare stumbled forward as a paw cuffed the back of his head.  Catching his balance, he whirled around to face Kaiia. “What was that for?” he cried, touching the back of his head with a look of disdain.

She shrugged as she started walking past him. “I dunno. Where have you been all day?”

            He gave her a scathing look she did not see as he began to follow her, a pace behind. “Hiding from you.”

            “Scared?”

            “You wish. I was thinking.”

            “Hope you didn’t hurt yourself too badly. Apparently, the world needs you to save its sorry ass.”

He snorted. “You’re supposed to be the one convincing me otherwise, aren’t you? You’re the sun dragon, right?”

She stopped so suddenly he almost run into her. “I’m all for the world starting over, myniimy.  Everything gets a new chance to be all that much better than it was. Maybe we won’t get too many people like you next time.”

“Lazare.” Came Deiimos’ rumbling voice before he could toss her a nasty retort. The big red was making his way slowly across the camp toward them.  Panterians stayed well away from him, the area immediately around them became deathly silent the moment he reached them. “May I speak with you?”

Lazare shot Kaiia one last look before turning. “Sure.”  Kaiia rolled her eyes and left, muttering under her breath. “What’s going on?”

Deiimos studied Lazare for a moment. A habit, Lazare had begun to notice, everyone was taking up far too often for him to be comfortable with.  Finally, the red sat and took a breath, letting it go in a sigh. “I’m assuming Zuri has spoken with you. Did she… tell you anything about me…?” When Lazare shook his head, Deiimos sighed again and looked upward, where the sky was darkening.  Stars began to twinkle far above them. “I suppose that’s one thing to be grateful for.”

“If I asked you, would you tell me?” He was curious, now, but careful. There was obviously something the larger red dragon did not want him to know. He hoped that ignorance would not be harmful later on, should he fail to extract an explanation.

Deiimos lowered his eyes only long enough to catch Lazare’s for a moment. “If you asked, I suppose I would have to tell you.”

“But…”

“But I would rather not right now. It’s far too long and unhappy.”

“Another time, then. I would like to hear it, but only when you want to tell it.”

Lazare opened his eyes the next morning to Zuri’s patiently smiling face.  He snarled wearily, as if only half of his heart was up to feeling anything at all. He climbed from the bed of rushes he had lain on, and brushed past her, hardly bothering to acknowledge her as a presence. The camp outside was frozen, paused in time as he stalked through it, away from her. She trailed behind him and he could hear the chime-like noise her mane of spines made as she tossed them in mirth.  Finally, she spoke up, appearing before him.

“Have you decided, young one? Will you accept?”

“Yes.” He said bitterly. “I don’t have to like it, but I accept the assignment.”

“Good! You have exactly one year to make your decision. On the southern coast of this continent there is a city. Umbra knows where it is. In it you will find an orb, and it can tell you all the stories of this world, past, present, and future. Please try to spend at least the last quarter of your decision period viewing the orb, as you will learn much. You are to meet at least fifteen intelligent races or your decision will be considered void.  You have already met four- Dragons, Panterians, Gryphons, and Gryfalcons. Good luck, kit. You’re going to need it.” With that, she faded from view and the world came crashing back to life around him.

End Chapter Six, Aftershock

Notes:

Well… That’s it for a while. That’s all the consecutive storyline I’ve managed and until I finish this horribly life-possessing fanfic I’m writing I probably won’t be working much on this… Though it is exactly next in line. So another week or two, maybe even three before I get back to writing on this one. Hope if anyone reads this they won’t die. Especially you, mom. Yeah, you.

~Sparkle

[1] Chirna- Keer-nah

[2] Jaskei- Jass-key

[3] Kieranae- Kee-rah-nay

[4] Ienai- Yayn-eye.  Translated- Time-drake

[5] Zuri- Zoo-ree

[6] Ista- Ees-tah