FSE

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Prologue

Resting by his favorite tree, Astor feels at ease with the rays of sunshine and the beautiful blue sky. The sweet breeze cooled his scales and feathers, exactly what he needed after a day's hard work.

“You're early." A familiar voice spoke to him, his younger sister Catriona joining him under the shade of the tree.

“Yeah, I just love this time of day the most. And there's no clouds in sight." He sighed in relief, his muscles no longer tense.

“You two weren't planning on leaving me behind, were you?" A bigger voice called to them, his older brother Magen landed in front of them.

“Already finished?!" Catriona beamed at him.

“Yes, now make room please." He sat down between Astor and Catriona.

“It's the most refreshing day in ages. No one in the village to order us around, no tedious and repetitive jobs that keep us apart and now you can teach me how to become a hero." Astor said.

“Woah there little brother, hold your tail." Magen was caught off guard. “What type of hero do you want to be in so little time?" His face was playful yet stern.

“You know, like the ones from the stories you tell me!" Astor's tail wagged, recalling all of Magen's mythic tales. “Who fly over mountains and cross oceans to stop the Malice possessing innocents. To be like Dracles, who saved his beloved, protected his friends and made his family proud."

“Asty, you know those aren't real, right? They're just fake stories to fool young dragonets." Catriona added.

“Stop calling me Asty, it's weird!" Astor poked her snout, who ruffled her feathers in response.

“Come on guys, cut it out." Magen spread his wings to split the siblings apart. “Catriona, you know Astor doesn't like that name."

“Sorry, it slipped." She poked her tongue out.

“And Astor, why would you want to be that kind of hero? We've had no big threat around us, plus I'm already proud of you as is." He embraced his brother tightly. “You don't need to prove yourself."

“Because there's likely danger out there, hurting others." He returns the hug. “We don't know if they are having good lives or not, but someone has to be out there who's calling to us."

“Why are you so concerned for literal strangers?" Cariona stood up, walking in circles. “Just like we're fine living our lives here, others also live their own lives just fine. Our village never had any real issues like in these silly stories."

“Then explain why they all left?! Because danger is on the horizon and we should've left with them."

“Calm down Astor, we're leaving tomorrow. We just need to prepare food rations."

“And the memorials for mom and dad?" As Catriona said this, there was silence, no one looking at one another.

“Actually," Magen got up abruptly, “I'll set up the memorials, you two get the food." Magen flew off, leaving before Astor or Catriona could say anything.

“I slipped again." Catriona slumped down by the tree trunk. “I get it's difficult for him, but I thought he'd feel better by now. It's been a decade since they died."

“I'm not sure, we never met them, so perhaps we'll never understand Magen's pain. But I know their loss changed him" That sorrow, that despair of losing loved ones… I just know that's what a hero is supposed to stop.

“I'm surprised you even remember how Magen used to be, yet nothing about our parents." She crossed her arms. “You were only 5 back then. And I was barely 2."

Astor remembered all too well the moment Magen's personality changed. He went from an uncaring and mean big brother into a hard working, yet sad and anxious older brother who wasn't afraid to show his affection for his younger siblings.

I don't want others to go through his pain, I'll save everyone in the world from these bad feelings! Sadness and anger are evil! Malice will perish under my watch!

**Then give your life to me, it's the only way~**

W-who-?

The surrounding area turned darker, catching the two off guard. “Where did those come from? The sky was perfectly clear a moment ago." Catriona looked around.

“I'm not sure, the skies were supposed to get cloudy until tomorrow." A knot formed in his stomach. “You don't think-"

“Guys, get over here now!" Magen flew quickly towards the two, carrying a huge bag with food as well as extra bags. “The storm is starting now, we have to leave this instant."

“Did you make the memorial?" Catriona grabbed one of the bags, then stuffed it with food from Magen's heavy load.

“There's no time, we have to go before it's impossible to clear the ravine."

“I don't want to go." Catriona said. “There's so much we had here, I hate leaving it behind."

“I don't like this either, but we can't stay here. Come on." The three took off, leaving the lonely tree once more. My favorite tree… I hope we can come back to it.

The dark clouds above them rushed much quicker than normal, completely covering the skies. Rain poured rapidly on them, lightning not being too far away.

“Astor, stay by her side while I guard the space around us. Those shadows come out in multitudes, they'll likely chase after us."

“Right, will do. Catriona, let's go. Stay with me, ok?"

“Y-Yeah, I Will. By Your Side…"

Astor ran in the stormy night, mud stuck between his claws and tail. There wasn't much time before the lightning storm ravaged his home canyon, and the safe zone was still far away. The only hope was for those malice shadows to not ambush them, but judging by their latest behavior, that hope felt void.

“Don't give up everyone, we'll make it there safely." Magen scouted around us, checking for any kind of danger; carrying father's yellow scarf around his neck. “I won't let those monsters hurt you!"

“Stay close, I'll keep you safe." Astor covered his sister under his wings, providing whatever warmth he could.

Most other families had already left the canyon, as per the rule of everyone for themselves, but he insisted on waiting for his parents; they had the most control over earth and wind. Though, if Astor was being honest, he didn't want to leave.

“Look out." Catriona notices shadows on the attack. At this, Magen spat a ball of fire behind them, striking down a shadow.

“They picked the worst time to pester us."

The last thing they expected to see were strange shadows sprawling across the canyon. Magen clawed several shadow whelps away from them, as they approached the grand valley leading to the lowlands.

“Remember, stay close to me once we fly away. I'll make the wind current as wide as I possibly can, so don't go far. You two will go first so we can all fit."

He stood at the cliffside, spreading his wings as he focused on the winds around us and pushed them towards the other side of the giant ravine. Rain started to pour all around us, as lightning fell far from us, but close enough to feel its tremor. Astor and his younger sister shook from fear and cold, as Magen twined his tails with theirs once more.

“Don't worry, we're sticking together." His voice faintly gave off an air of anxiety, one that he knew all too well. Magen, I really hope to be like you one day.

“I W-Want Dad… Mom-" Catriona sobbed next to Astor, leaning onto him.

“It'll be alright Catriona, the three of us will get through, I'm sure." He twined his tail with hers, her trembling form calming down. Magen leaned much closer to us, providing his warmth.

“Get ready guys, spread your wings. Astor, keep an eye on Catriona."

As everyone got themselves ready, lightning struck again, closer to us than before. Astor and Catriona shook in fear, wind pushing them back as their wings falter. Magen stood behind them, helping them find their footing again.

“Don't panic, everything will be okay. Just focus on staying close and we'll reach the other side." His tall form evaporated the rain around them as well as providing warmth from his fire body. His wings opened, redirecting the air.

“On the count of three, we'll glide to the other side." The winds now formed a strong current to get across.

It'll be alright, I trust them. We all have to make it through, for them.

“Three, two, one, GO." As Magen finishes, everyone flaps their wings; pushing themselves towards the wind. As they all entered, the current guided them across the ravine, disorientating some of them.

“Steady there Astor. Catriona, keep your tail straight." Magen spoke with a soft yet loud voice so they both heard him.

They flew peacefully for a while, passing the halfway point when a harsh gust pushed the group. Catriona lost her balance, falling off the wind current.

“Look out." Astor dives to her aid, pushing her back into the current as another lightning bolt strikes his wing, causing him to fall into the ravine.

“Astor." Catriona reached out for him, but was pulled back into the current by Magen.

“Keep going guys, I'll find you. Don't worry about me." He was falling past the thick fog, clouding his hearing.

“Astor." Magen yelled with a sorrowful tone, as he helped Catriona calm down in the air to cross over. Then, the fog clouded his view.

Aster tried to open his wings to soften his landing, but the pain was too great. That lightning struck me hard. I'd be dead if my element wasn't the same.

His mind passed by any solution he could think of to survive, but nothing popped up. Then, he spots a small lake at the bottom of the ravine. If only I could- open my wings for a bit…

With immense pain, drops of blood and cracking bones, he forces his wings open; guiding himself into the great lake, landing hard into it.

He rests inside the lake for a few seconds, trying to push away all the pain and blood. Until he needed to breathe, he forced himself to swim back to the surface. He pulled himself out of the lake with his arms, dragging his lower body and broken wings behind; lying on the floor tired.

How will I get back to them? The lowlands are so far away from here-, and I'm too weak to go back up. Is there… even food down here?

He forced his body to get up, until he sat down by a stable stone. He panted for what felt like hours, trying to get his wings to feel better. There didn't seem to be any caves in sight, so he'd be stuck with rain for a while longer.

The lightning seems to have stopped, which should make their travels easier.

He wasn't particularly worried about his family, his mom and older brother alone were quite tough, but he couldn't shake off that concern regardless.

What were those shadows? They better stay away from them or I'll-

“Get away from them, I won't let you hurt them.." A gruff voice echoed the ravine, it was close by. And they were in trouble. My resting can wait.

With pain striking inside him, he rushes towards the distressed voice. Passing by rifts and a sharp turn, he finds an armored Savragriff soldier fending off various shadows away from a cave entrance, buried in giant rocks.

How do I help him? My wings still hurt and I'm not any good at combat. Though, he's never really tried before. Magen was always around, always helping with the heavy lifting.

“I'll get you all out of this, I promise. I'm not leaving you behind." He kept shouting back the blocked off cave, as he clawed and pecked the shadow monsters away.

I have to try, what's the worst that could happen? I die. Even if he didn't fully grasp the concept, the thought of never waking up again, your body losing all color and your soul floating away was terrifying

Mom and dad's bodies turned gray and cold… I'm not looking forward to that day. He slaps his face. Shut up, brain. Focus. He tried to move, but his body was frozen and shaking.

“You're not taking my family away from me, you hear?." The Savragriff kept on fighting, his voice growing tired as his slashes were getting slower. One of the shadows landed a bite on his leg, making him drop to the ground in pain.

Come on, just do it. He bolts from his spot, clawing one of the shadows with his legs, keeping his wings in place with his arms. He lands in front of the Savragriff, standing against the shadows.

“Are you alright?" What are you doing? He hoped his confident voice was enough to hide his fear.

“Yeah- I'll survive."

“Who's inside the cave?"

“My parents. Lightning struck nearby, causing an avalanche that trapped them inside. I was going to release them but then these guys showed up and really put a number on me."

Looking more closely, his muscular body had plenty of scratch and bite marks; he was dripping with blood, yet still had energy left to stand. How did he fend for himself like this? He looks around the same age as me, right? Then I should be able to fight as well as him.

The shadows turned to each other, nodding then morphing their appearance. Their forms twisted and cracked, as they resembled dark silhouettes of dragons; shining an uncomfortable shade of red and purple.

“Stand back, I'll handle them myself. Go back to your family, this place ain't safe" The Savragriff forced himself up, blood still dripping from his leg.

One of the shadows shoots a blast of cold Ice, Astor barely dodges the attack as it scrapes by his wing. If I'm not careful my wings will be destroyed.

“You're out of your mind, I'm not leaving anyone with these foul beasts. And btw, my wings got damaged, so I can't fly to my family. Why don't you run away with me and catch up with them?"

“My parents are trapped inside this cave."

Another shadow shoots a ball of ice, past both of them and striking the cave blockage; freezing it shut.

“No." He sprung towards the cave entrance, desperately scratching the ice to no avail.

“Mom. Dad. Answer me please." He kept clawing the ice away, hurting his own claws in the process.

“Nabu, we're fine. You must run, leave us. We'll find a way out of this." A faint voice barely leaves the ice barrier.

Another shadow strikes him with fire. His wings cover his body, not leaving a scratch. Astor slashes his tail at the shadow, evaporating after contact.

“Mom, I'm not leaving you here. We can make it through, I can feel it."

Lightning struck yet again, breaking away a chunk of the cliff; blocking the path to the lake.

“Listen to your mother, we'll find a way out. We still have strength to survive here, you need to find safety. Leave with your friend there."

“Dad, even with your wind power there's not enough space for oxygen in there."

A strange light shone around the biggest shadow. It launches a blue orb of light at the cave entrance, creating a large field of light in its vicinity. The earth trembles, as a gust of dirt slowly floats upwards.

“Nabu, we have to get out of here, now." He pulled Nabu by his arm, rushing towards the only path available.

“No, I'm not leaving them. Let go." He was too weak to break free, he hesitantly moved forwards with Astor.

As the cave got farther, a giant quake struck the ravine. Turning around, the shadows and a huge chunk of the cliff suddenly disappeared, including the cave.

“Mom. Dad." Before Nabu could rush back to check the anomaly, the cliffs around it crumbled and fell.

We'll be crushed. Astor resumed pulling Nabu away from the danger, going against his own wing pain. An avalanche chased after them, the earth desperate to swallow them up.

“Why?" Nabu couldn't keep his thoughts straight, as he was busy catching his breath for most of the running. After minutes of running and running, they both jump into a giant clearing of mud. The avalanche stopped behind them, finally giving them a breather. They both dropped to the muddy floor, resting their injured bodies.

“They can't be gone, I refuse to believe it." Nabu tried to get back up, but his body refused to respond. He removed all pieces of armor, revealing his emerald green body, scattered with feathers and scales. He was tearing up.

“You're too weak, it's suicide to go back." He nearly died trying to save his mom and dad…

“You're a lightning dragon, aren't you? Why didn't you stop the storm?." His tired yet frustrated voice barely left his beak.

“I can barely control it, the most I can do is survive lightning bolts; with immense pain mind you."

“Oh, I'm sorry about that. I can barely control the wind; most I do is float a little above the ground. A Savragriff my age who can't glide, I know: embarrassing." His face turned sorrowful, as he pouted.

I can't glide either, he shouldn't be so hard on himself.

“Pushing that aside, I don't believe we've introduced each other. You heard my name from my parents."

“You're right. Nabu is an easy name to remember."

“Well, that's the name used by those I care deeply for. I'd rather strangers call me by my full name: Nabonassar the Sixth, from Zakova valley."

Astor looks at him with curious amusement, making him embarrassed.

“But you're free to call me Nabu, I get it's a mouthful. So, what's your name?"

“I'm Astor, plain and simple. I don't think your full title is a mouthful, but Nabu sounds better in my opinion. And by the way, I get your frustration with your element. I don't think you're embarrassing, if anything your resilience is admirable. Standing up to those shadows by yourself was impressive: a hero from the epic tales of old."

Nabu turned to look at him, a shocked expression on his face. “You mean it?"

“Of course, you look like a legendary hero. I myself aspire to be one. Though I'l admit it's been a long while since I've read those." Do I have what it takes or am I daydreaming? Is it even worth trying?

He didn't respond, yet his side expression showed a faint smile. “Oww… this mud really does its job to push away this pain on my scales. Shame about the mud on my feathers, they're a pain to clean."

“Yeah, glad I didn't inherit my mother's excess feathers." On the other hand, the air is too cold for comfort, so some extra feathers would've been ideal.

The air stirred around the center of the mud pit, as the same blue light that vanished the cave appeared above them. A large figure drops from the air, landing and splashing inside the mud pit. The impact showers both Astor and Nabu in mud. “It's all over my feathers, it'll take ages to clean."

“Guys, where are you?. They're attacking, please help me." The yelling came from the center.

Nabu shoots wind at themselves, pushing away most of the mud. Both rushed to the yelling voice, to find a… wingless dragon? He was large, scaly and feathery; under the mud he was colored in a soft shade of orange. His arms were incredibly tiny, a drastic contrast to his massive head, legs and tail. He was shivering, his eyes completely shut as he muttered to himself.

“Please, leave us be. I promise I'll do what you want but please leave my family alone." He curled his tail around himself, shivering stronger than before.

What is he? And what is he dreaming about? His body was filled with scars of various sizes and shapes.

“Hey, are you alright?" Nabu gently nudges the massive form. He slowly opens his eyes, sitting upwards.

“Who… what? Where did you take me?." He springs up, lashing his heavy tail at them.

“Don't worry, no one's hurting anyone."

“I beg to differ." They all turn to look at the upper part of the pit, finding a cloaked figure standing at the edge. Judging by the pale green scaly tail visible, they were most likely a scaled twolegs.

“Hey, do you mind helping us out? We're tired and some of us are bleeding."

The figure launches a blast of cold ice, freezing the mud right in front of them, trapping the odd looking dragon. “I'm afraid your request is quite… complicated for me to fulfill. You see, I have bigger priorities, with the ancient behind you." His red eyes glowed with malice.

“Ancient? What are you talking about? And what's with the attack?" Nabu stood his ground, still pained by his injury.

“I simply cannot risk such a valuable individual to escape me, he's vital. And if you didn't know, he's a member of all our ancestors: the ancients. Now, if you have no more questions, you're free to leave, I have no interest in either of you two." Wind surrounded the cloaked figure, descending him into the frozen mud.

“Astor, we should leave. He has no business with us, and I'd rather we don't get on his bad side; I doubt your wings are fully recovered."

Leave? Do we just abandon him? Nabu was right on one thing: they were too weak. But it didn't feel right to abandon someone in need. And he felt awful about abandoning Nabu's parents.

“Please, stay away from me. I don't even know you." The odd dragon tried to get up, but his massive legs kept slipping on the mud. He nearly whips his tail at the lizard twolegs, but he ducks.

“How rude. I simply need your cooperation for our personal project, nothing more."

What's this guy's deal? I can't let that guy hurt him. His body moved by itself, standing in between the figure and the weak orange dragon.

“Watch it, don't get ahead of yourself. I'm giving you a chance to leave with your life. If you don't step aside, I'll have to make quick work of you."

“Astor, what are you doing?" Nabu cautiously reached for Astor, stepping closer.

**Lay down your life, it's the only thing it's good for~**

Quiet! I know what I have to do.

“It's not fair to abandon those in need. I've failed too many times already, but not anymore." This is for you, mom, dad.

“... alright, I'll help. But if this is our end it's on you." Nabu readies the winds around him, weaker than the enemy's.

“You… what are you doing?" The ancient stood up, his body quaking furiously.

“Very well, you've sealed your fate." The figure is surrounded by strong winds once more, levitating in the air as the air around them gets colder. “I bid you both farewell."

He pulls out a dark gray staff from his cloak, featuring a spiky design at the top, emanating snow from it. A pale green gemstone shines, as cold wind grows stronger around him. It shoots fast blasts of ice at them.

Everyone dodged them, but the figure struck in a blur, dropping the trio to the ground. He swings the staff above his head, spreading harsh snow across the mud field. Nabu lounges at him, slashing rapidly to no avail. He scratches a piece of cloth off the figure, but he pulls back and launches a barrage of ice blasts, striking Nabu on his chest non-stop. He stands in front of Astor and the ancient, shielding them from the attacks.

“You, what's your name?" Astor asks the ancient, who's panicked reaction was so delayed he was nearly struck by ice.

“W- Walken." He stomps the ground, causing chunks of earth to rise above from the mud.

“You stay where you are, we'll get you out of this. But if you guys could hurry… my strength is… leaving me." The attacks kept getting stronger, and Nabu's legs were close to giving in as blood spilled across his body.

“Walken, please help us fight. Your earth power looks more than capable." Astor raised his arms in the air, getting no results from the skies above. “Nabu and I are still inexperienced with our elements."

The cold started suffocating them, as the figure was relentless in his attacks. “Are you chatting back there? You should be worried about catching a harsh cold, or worse. This is my final warning before you suffer cold death."

“Please Walken." Astor whispered to him. Walken shook out of control and cowered into a ball, shaking the earth around them. No- what can I do?

“Suit yourselves." He raised his staff in the air, the staff's gemstone losing color. “I call upon the cursed power of Lord Malice Cain, freeze these peasants into solid, dead sculptures. As one of your primary followers, shower my being with your evil."

Lightning, come to me. He pleaded and forced his will to summon lightning, to no avail. Why can't I summon it?. Gods please, I can't let them die. He felt pain in his chest, heat emanating from within.

“Farewell bystanders." He shoots a massive tornado of frozen wind their way, Nabu still blocking the way.

“Nabu." Astor rushes towards the tornado, his chest shining a blinding light around him. With a crunch in the winds, a barrage of lightning bolts strike the land around them at rapid speed. All across the field, bolts struck in random locations away from the trio. One struck the figure, undoing his icy tornado. His cloak burns away, revealing a slightly burned green lizard twolegs underneath. His face bore a unique scar on his face.

“You dare stand against me."

Walken whips his giant tail at him, launching large boulders that strike him in the chest.

“Leave us, creep." He stomped on the ground once more, the torn chunks of earth rose slowly.

“No one mocks me, even fascinating individuals. A few decades in this ravine should be enough." He shoots a cold blast into the skies above. A dark cloud obscures the top of the ravine, covering it completely. He runs off, vanishing entirely. Walken whipped his tail once more, chucking every stone at him, all of them missing their mark.

Astor dropped to the ground, with Walken reaching to him and Nabu.

“Astor. Are you alright?" Nabu pressed his talon on his chest, over a burned symbol in an odd shape.

“My head hurts." Can't… think straight. His chest continues to burn from within, with no visible injuries. He notices the odd symbol on his chest as his mind starts going numb.

“Are you two cold? We should probably huddle for warmth. I don't want anyone to catch a nasty cold." Walken wraps his tail around them, encircling them close. “I'm sorry for being useless. My thoughts froze and I didn't know what to do. I don't know where I am or where my family is and I hate being alone because I could be hurt by creeps like him and-". He started hyperventilating, his body shook uncontrollably.

“Walken, breathe." Nabu places a talon on his shoulders, with a serious yet comforting expression looking back at him. “The danger is gone, you can join us for the time being. We're also apart from our families: we're going to find them together."

Astor faintly raised his shaking arm, a faint smile on his face. “I concur, we can take care of one another. I much prefer companions than going solo." I pray Magen and Catriona make it safely to the lowlands. Who knows how long we'll be stuck down here.

“You mean it? I promise to make a better effort to protect you two, make sure we don't get into any danger."

“One step at a time, you've only met us for a short time. But I won't deny, having friends sounds like fun. For our families."

“For our families." Everyone shouted to the skies, letting the mud work its healing properties.

What happened? Why did my body burn so badly and how did I summon so much lightning out of nowhere? I'll worry about it- later.

Astor grew tired, eventually falling asleep with his new companions, the trio huddled together. The warmth reminds him of resting with his siblings, feeling the same comfort and peace after all the peril. I don't want this to go away.