Somewhere in the high mountains of Arkanus...
Aetherwing, his wife, and their newborn are facing a threat.
The current environment that they live in isn't ideal for raising chicks; it was an unforgiving place that only the strongest could live in.
He may have established himself as a powerful force here, but the constant attacks on their nest are too much even for him.
There are too many intelligent predators here who are vying for power and prestige.
These reckless fools only respect the laws of the strong, and right now he is weak, or at least to them, him having a family is a sign of weakness, and they would exploit it every waking day.
He was now faced with a dilemma: should they leave this place and return to the forest once more?
Or should he protect his standing here and lose his loved ones in the process?
---
Aetherwing and his mate have been trying for a hundred years to create an offspring.
And it was the first that they had an egg, and he was glad because of it.
But right now he felt like he made a mistake in coming to this place.
Back when he was younger, after rising to the top of the forest.
He arrogantly wanted to challenge himself and went with his mate to the high peaks of Arkanus to challenge the beings there and create his own kingdom there.
Indeed he had earned his place there, but right now he was wondering if it was all worth it.
The safety of his newborn and his mate was at stake.
And they need to leave this place, but where?
Where could he possibly go and build a new nest?
And suddenly he remembered the face of the boy, his ward that he was in charge of.
"Perfect!"
His mate looked at him weirdly.
"Did my husband lose his mind already?"
"Huh?! Oh, no, I have made my decision, dear; we will leave this place at once."
"But husband, we have no nest that we can go to.
Our previous nest must have already been lost a long time ago. "
"No, dear wife, I have a place in mind. Remember a couple of months ago when I went out to get some fresh air?"
"Yes, was it the place in the forest where you found an interesting boy, correct?"
"Yes! Yes! That is the one I am planning to head there with you all and convince my ward to let us build our nest there.
I'm sure he wouldn't mind! :) "
"If you are so confident about it, then I will follow you wherever you go, dear."
---
That day they left the nest, leaving the Great Caldera of Arkanus behind.
And the opportunistic beings there rushed towards his peak to take it for themselves to fill the huge vacuum that Aetherwing left behind.
Somewhere in the high peaks of Arkanus...
"It seems Aetherwing has left with his family in tow; it is regrettable that we couldn't aid them, dear.
He had been an integral help in keeping the peace in his place of influence. "
" Ha! Stupid fool, I gave him a place that he could rule for himself, for I have found it in him that he would be great one day.
But it was only for a short while; he had birthed an offspring and must have felt the true pressure of living amongst the strong.
How ridiculous, but no matter; the laws of this land are the rule of the strong, and their strength is law, and he lost that strength.
And the opportunistic vermin have taken advantage of that current weakness of his! "
"Even so, dear, we could have helped him more. Now that he is gone, who would replace the vacuum that he left in that place and would replace him as an enforcer for the Dragons?"
The Dragon King looked at his wife, and he wondered.
"Where is that other foolish son of mine?! Chronusfyre Solumbra?"
" …"
The other dragons who heard that shivered in fear; it seems like their king is angry....