The sun had risen above the horizon, peeking through fluffy clouds. Its rays painted the whole world lilac and vermillion, like the countless strokes of an experienced, masterful artist.
On every surface they touched, warm colors ignited, and the darkness resided. But despite its majesty and an absolute command over brilliance, it failed to get rid of the gray that had set upon the team. The girls were tired and fatigued, and the darkness had seeped deeply into their souls. They sat in silence above the defying yet unbroken #212 as they glided through the clouds.
They had endured through something that their minds weren't ready to contemplate upon. Isra sat with her legs clenched between her arms, meanwhile, Khadija tried to put on a brave face for her friend and cheer her up. Isra would return a smile or two but go back, her mind churning hundreds of thoughts at the same time.
She could not stop worrying and thinking of ways to help Qatan but all the thoughts and plans she'd devise collapsed at dead-ends. The feeling of helplessness frustrated her to the core.
Before she could lament further, Khadija suddenly poked her arm and asked her to look, dragging her away from the ever-moving train of thoughts. Isra looked to her left and saw that they were accompanied by a flock of tiny birds that looked extremely close to baby dragons but much fluffier and majestic, shining with hues of iridescent color under the direct sunlight.
One of them parted from the group and flew too close to #212, inspecting him closely, looking into his eyes, playing with him. Others joined as well.
Another one glided too close to Khadija and sat on top of her head. It made itself comfortable and started tweeting in a sonorous voice. It was so melodic that the colors returned to them, and they couldn't help but laugh with joy because the tiny bird was trying to give the performance of its life.
Then, after it finished, it jumped down in front of Khadija and simply closed its eyes. She started caressing its fluff, which made the girls chuckle. Where the brilliant sun had failed, this tiny dragon bird had won over and made the darkness dispell from within the girls.
But unfortunately, it was too deeply engraved for some.
#212 was indifferent to the whole thing. He had stopped bleeding a few hours ago, and the wounds were almost closed. But brushing off against death again and again and losing his team in the process had left him numb.
He was also worried for Qatan; the damn cloud was annoying, but still, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of connection to him.
"We're close," #212 said.
"Just in a few more minutes, we'll reach the Grove and Khadija. Drop him. His mother will come looking for him, and she's not very friendly," he continued.
Khadija picked up the fluffy, big-eyed bird and dropped it, and it lazily joined its siblings.