RUMBLE
A loud sound breaks the silence, and the rune on the stone door glows. A woman appears behind it, walking slowly as if to not wake Eghiss and Ryllie, who are still asleep. But the sound seems to rouse them.
They jolt up, smiles lighting their faces—a feeling I envy. I think back to my mother—or at least who I thought she was—and wonder why she left me. Why did hers stay?
I always thought I'd be forsaken by my world, abandoned by my mother, yet they aren't. I wonder why.
I wonder. And wonder. And wonder.
The dragon before me has a commanding presence. Her wings are large and spiraling, much like Kundra's, but they carry the weight of years of battle. Her full silver eyes, sharp and weathered, tell stories of countless fights.
She wears simple clothing, similar to her children, yet there's an elegance in the way she moves, as though every action is shaped by experience. Her horns are short and curve backward, much like Eghiss', and her features reflect the strength and quiet intensity of all her offspring.
Her appearance speaks of years of fighting, each mark a testament to the battles she's survived.
The woman before me stands tall and steady, her gaze sharp as she studies me, almost like she's testing me. Her eyes seem to read every detail, every movement. She looks sure that I'm no threat, which only makes me feel more out of place. Kundra, beside me, suddenly jolts up with a smile, his excitement almost too big to contain.
He turns to me, his voice filled with pride. "This is Judra," he says. "Our mother."
I bow to her, not knowing what else to do. She doesn't respond, her gaze still heavy on me. There's something about her silence that makes me uneasy, but I try to keep my composure.
Judra looks me over for a moment, as if considering something. Then, she speaks, her voice calm and steady.
"Who is your mother?" she asks.
I hesitate. "I don't know."
The uncertainty stings. I've always wondered, but now it feels heavier.
Her eyes soften slightly, but she doesn't say anything right away. Then, unexpectedly, she speaks again, her tone warmer.
"Well, I'll take you in. We can be a makeshift family."
I'm taken aback by her offer. It feels like something I never expected, something that feels too good to be true. I smile without thinking.
"I'd like that."
Before she can respond, the sound of movement stirs behind me. Eghiss and Ryllie are sitting up, rubbing their eyes as they wake from their sleep. They both blink at Judra, their expressions curious.
Judra notices them too, her smile softening a little as she turns to face them.
Ryllie, always the first to speak, stretches and then asks, "Where have you been, Mother? We waited for you."
Eghiss adds, her voice quiet but insistent, "We're hungry."
Judra chuckles lightly, a sound that feels like it could have been heard from miles away, warm and reassuring. She gives them both a knowing look. "I was flying with Fial," she says, her voice casual but a little apologetic. "Lost track of time."
Ryllie pouts slightly. "You always get caught up with him."
Judra shrugs, a slight smirk forming on her lips. "He has a way of making time fly."
I watch the exchange, unsure of what to say. They seem so natural with each other, as if family comes easily to them. I glance down at the floor for a moment, suddenly feeling the weight of everything around me—the unknown, the unfamiliar.
But Judra doesn't leave me in silence for long. She turns to me. Her expression shifted slightly.
"Oh," she says, her voice suddenly quieter. "Availeth..."
The name feels strange in the air as she says it, and something flickers in her eyes.
I blink, confused. "What?"
She mutters something under her breath, just loud enough for me to catch the words:
"I'm sorry."
Eghiss tilts her head, frowning at Judra. "What's wrong, Mother?"
Judra doesn't answer immediately. She seems lost in thought for a moment, as if wrestling with something inside her.
Finally, she looks up again, her expression unreadable.
"Nothing," she says.
"H8,"Judra muttered.
Ryllie and Eghiss exchange a glance, but they don't press her further. I stand there, wondering what she meant. I almost ask again, but something tells me not to. There's a weight to her words, something deeper, and I don't want to disturb it.
Kundra, excited by the moment, grins wide.
"I can't wait to go to other continents! I've always wanted to see what's beyond this place."
His voice is full of hope, his energy infectious.
Judra's expression shifts, her gaze sharp and direct. "Not yet," she says, her tone firm.
Kundra's smile falters for a moment, but he doesn't argue. He's used to her way of speaking, I can tell. I glance at him, then at Judra, wondering what she means. Why isn't he allowed to explore?
I can't help it—my curiosity takes over. "What are the other continents like?" I ask, wanting to understand more.
Judra seems to consider my question for a moment before responding, her tone thoughtful. "There are four continents, each with its own foundation of power."
I nod slowly, trying to absorb everything she says. The idea of these places—each so different, yet all connected by the same strange power—makes my mind race.
Judra looks at me, almost like she's reading my thoughts.
"When your wings grow," she continues, "You'll want to see what's out there. It's not always as easy as it seems."
Kundra falls silent, his enthusiasm dampened but not gone. He seems used to her authoritative tone.
I watch them, feeling a little out of place but still filled with questions. "Are you a Tetravice?"
I'm not sure why I ask—maybe it's because Judra feels different, powerful in a way I can't quite understand.
She laughs softly, the sound light and unexpected.
"Not close to that," she says, shaking her head.
I nod, not fully understanding, but accepting her answer for now.
Judra lets out a quiet sigh, stretching slightly. "I need rest," she says, her voice becoming softer. "But you three should go and explore. There's no harm in that, just don't wander too far."
I look at Kundra, then back at the closed door as she disappears behind it.
The silence settles in again, but this time it feels different—less heavy, somehow.
"Order, neutrality, action, and chaos—those are the foundations of power," Kundra smiles, his voice filled with a quiet certainty as he explains.
I nod, trying to wrap my mind around the words. It all sounds so simple, yet so vast. Each word holds so much weight, like it carries the very essence of the world itself.
I feel a longing rise inside me, something I can't quite place, but it's strong and real.
Eghiss and Ryllie trail behind us, walking slowly, almost as if they're making sure Kundra doesn't get lost.
It's like they've done this before—moving with purpose, as if their very steps are part of some plan they've been following for ages.
At this moment, I wish I could fly, like them. I imagine soaring above the ground. Feeling the wind rush against me. The freedom that comes with being able to leave everything behind.
I let out a sigh.