Novafire
Plotweaver
QOXO
Qoxo swung there by her tail, her eyes watching the shadow covered egg that she held at her side. What in the world was this? Its shell was smooth as glass underneath it’s shadowy veil, tendrils of darkness enveloping her hand, wrapping around her fingers with a semi solid grip. Warmth seemed to seep steadily from it’s surface, but this felt much different than the type of warmth that one might feel from an open hearth or a sunny day. She’d never seen anything like this in her life. In all the years she spent in the various market, not once had she ever seen an egg this big; or this shadowy. Head pounding, she dangled upside down, trying to swing her body upwards. With one hand cradling the egg, it was difficult to do anything more than wiggle in mid air feebly.
Staring straight down at the street, Qoxo knew she wouldn’t be able to stick the landing. She’d at best, probably break both her legs from this height. Her mana was spent, the shadow magic she had used leaving her with only enough magic for maybe one or two more spells. Levitation magic wasn’t her thing, so letting go and simply floating down wasn’t going to do the trick. Feeling a sharp pain in her cracked horn, Qoxo groaned loudly, trying to use all the strength she had to pull herself up. The pressure of all the blood rushing to her head was making her freshly cracked horn throb. Letting out a defeated sigh, she was sure she was just going to have to drop and hope she didn’t land on her head. the younger Wyx turning her attention back to it’s shadowy form. She could have sworn she had just felt something weird there. It wasn’t a wiggle, wasn’t a twitch, no… it just felt like a heartbeat. Every steady beat Qoxo felt like her head was spinning, her eyes squinting as a rush of various emotions hit her like a train. The shock almost made her lose her grip on the egg itself. She bit her lip and pulled it closer into herself, her eyes watching it intently for any change.
Another beat... There it was again! Qoxo watched as the shadow swept egg gave off a faint crimson light at every beat, the wisps flicking across its surface. Warmth washed over her, like the happy content feeling she got sipping tea after a long day, watching the fae flit through the trees of the Middle Stack after a successful day of gambling. What feeling was this? She’d never experienced anything so strong and primal in her life. All she knew was that she had to protect whatever this thing was. she could practically feel the magic energy inside of it.
Then as suddenly as this feeling came it quickly drained away to a pitted feeling in her stomach. The faint crimson light in the center of the egg pulsed at a slightly higher rate, the dark tendrils that drifted around it clutching against the surface of her side and hand; squeezing against her. The heart rate like beating of the egg grew faster and faster; Qoxo felt her own heart rate pick up too, thudding wildly in rhythm with the egg. Panic welled inside her chest as a voice chimed behind her.
So focused on her newly found egg, she hadn’t even heard the footsteps above her. Feeling a hand grasp the back of her belt she let out a startled yell.
Hoisted up to her feet, she whipped around as soon as her boots hit the metal of the stack. Hand grasping her staff she swiped it towards the figure that had pulled her up, not knowing whether or not this person was friend or foe. Not that it mattered. Every fiber in her body screamed to protect the egg at her side. Just barely missing the tips of this mystery Bestias’ ears, she prepared to strike again as he threw his hands up.
She let out a bit of a growl, her eyes narrowing while her tail whipped angrily back and forth. “ Tor R’Tvue…” she cursed out, calling him a rather nasty Wyx slur. He had scared the life out of her… and something about him seemed oddly familiar. She ducked her head down at the bellowing roar in the distance, her eyes widening at the sound of Earth dragons closing in. What in the world were they doing? Did this have something to do with the egg? Or was it this Bestias that lured them onwards? Then, a curious chirp from the shoulder of the cat-man made her ears twitch upwards. Qoxo was sure she had heard something just then, but it was only the two of them plus the increasingly closer Earth Dragon roars.
The latter seemed more and more likely, for just as quickly as he appeared the Bestias bid her farewell. He introduced himself as Ki’Tavi, Qoxo finally remembering where she knew him from. He was pretty well known amongst Gamblers in the lower district. Though she didn’t spend much time in the lower stacks, but she had played a game or two with this trickster of a Bestias.
Before she could call out back to him, he was gone, and the pounding of Earth claws was rapidly drawing closer.
Qoxo quickly looked down at the egg as it began to beat rapidly again, anxiety filling her. she stuffed the egg down into the pouch lining the inside of her shirt. Gathering herself as best as the exhausted Wyx could, She began making her way through the various Lower Stacks, careful to stick to the shadows as the sounds of various Dragons tearing through the night filled the area. As she turned the corner of a particularly narrow set of Stacks, she found herself face to face with a sizable Earth dragon and it’s Rider.
Hot earthy air blew into her face, sending her matted and sweaty hair up into her spiraled horns. The dragon drew in a deep breath, it’s lips pulling back into a razor sharp snarl. Black and red eyes widened suddenly as the Rider drew his sword and stood atop his dragon’s back. “Halt! By the order of The Citadel, I order to surrender your weapons and empty your pockets!” The rider called out, pointing his sword down at the terrified Wyx. His thick human accent was commanding, Qoxo almost did as he asked by instinct alone.
But she didn’t. Instead all she could feel was the beating of her egg against her chest, in time with her own heart. Without thinking, the runic symbols that lined her body began to glow crimson, the egg nestled at her bosom mimicking the ominous glow before a pool of shadow formed beneath her feet; sucking her down into it’s depths. Feeling herself tumble through a second pool, she smacked down into the dirt and dust of the entrance to the forest.
Letting out a low moan, the Wyx turned to her side, pulling her top down ever so slightly to check on the egg. It’s pulsating was still as steady as every, outpacing her own heart rate now. Relief filled Qoxo as it seemed the egg was unharmed. What in the world was going on tonight? She had had some weird nights for sure, but this had to have been the weirdest.
Slowly, she sat up. That was the last of her mana for sure, her body’s ability to keep up with all this magic use was rapidly decreasing. Every muscle ached as she used a tree to stand, one had laid upon the rough textured bark the other cradling the precious cargo against her chest. At least she had made it back to the Middle. Before her, a line of trees that stretched up high into a natural arch. Qoxo let out a It was a long twisting path back to her home within the dark forests. While luckily it seemed as though the fae had migrated over her way, illuminating the forest in a sea of twinkling blue and yellow.
They drifted with the currents of the wind like the stinging jellyfish that littered the bay. Qoxo limped her way through the narrow paths. She knew this place like the back of her hand for the most part, her home nestled deep within the confines of the dark twisted evergreen labyrinth. Bioluminescent mushrooms scattered the floor, piling together at the base of the long gnarled roots that twisted their way across the path; lighting her way. Having grown up in the rough Dark and Lower Stacks, she never imagined living in a place as beautiful and quiet as this.
Climbing her way over a few fallen nurse logs, several saplings pushing their way through the nutrient dense wood, a small triangular glowing cabin nestled in a clearing of the trees; the smell of smoke and stew rising from a short chimney imbedded in the slopes roof. Behind it sat two other similar cabins, no sign of anyone having lived there in a very long time.
Filled with relief, Qoxo staggered up the steps and pushed her way inside, her body finally giving out as she collapsed into her small abode in front of the hearth.
The sounds of a bubbling brew filled the room, creating a delectable savory scent of rabbit stew mixed with the multitudes of hanging bushels of herbs that were drying in the warm heat of her cabin. Every inch of Qoxo’s home was littered with various ingredients, recipes, and tomes; the walls packed with various jars of colorful tonics and teas.
Padding the floor was a large rug, probably some sort of ox-skin by the look of it. Sprawling out, Qoxo closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Reaching down into the pocket of her shirt, she carefully slid the smooth shadow covered egg out, holding it with both hands as she examined its curious surface. It had the smooth glass like feel of obsidian, her fingers finding several jagged cracks along it’s shell that she could have sworn had not been present prior. The sharp points of her nails traced their jagged edges, pausing has her hand was met with a sticky black goo-like substance.
“What the-?” she muttered, sitting upright and furrowing her brow. She pulled up one of her hands and pinched the tar like substance between her fingers, finding it difficult to pry her fingers apart again. “She had never seen anything quite so strange. Off the top of her head, she couldn’t think of anything that laid an egg of this size other than the Scorch birds that came from Aurdor. Bringing her finger up to her nose, she gave it a few sniffs before touching it to her tongue. “Bleh!” Recoiling back, Qoxo scrunched up her face in disgust. It tasted both like charcoal and metal, with a hint of black licorice. She wiped the sticky goo from her hands onto the rug beneath her, feeling an overwhelming amount of happiness hit her like a punch to the gut. Qoxo began laughing, almost to the point of tears and breathlessness. She wasn’t sure where this was coming from, she couldn’t even remember ever laughing so hard in her life. Her hands picked up the egg, bringing it up to eye level infant of herself. However, her laughter quickly died down as through her fingertips she could feel the heartbeat-like pulsing from the egg had sped up to the point the egg nearly vibrated in her grasp. The shadows encasing it danced wildly around the eggshell, Qoxo quickly sensing there was something very off.
She set the egg down to the ground, backing up slowly as the darkness that surrounded the egg seemed to slither across the floor in all directions. The hearth died down to embers, its light sucked away as the entirity of Qoxo’s home was enveloped in darkness. The shadows that swirled grew wider and wider, a red haze crackling through the black smog. A bright red light forming in the center, flashing so fast the Wyx could barely keep her eyes focused on it.
Suddenly, the flashing slowed to a near stop, like the failing heart of a man. With a last feeble pulse, the room went silent for a moment before the crimson light returned, the large shadow that encased it collapsing inward before a loud CRACK exploded around the room. Jars shattered on the shelves, various liquids pooling at the bottom of her shack, the hearth flaring back to life as Qoxo stood there frozen. Pure black pieces of shell littered the floor like shards of glass. remnants of the black swirly shadow still dancing across the center of the floor, a pool of the same sticky black substance covering the ox-pet rug.
And then, a small squeak and two crimson eyes staring at her from the dark.
The shadow shifted slightly, two bat-like black wings outstretching belong the curtain of the darkness. Tho prominent claw like hangs seated on the angle of it’s wings, a small black tail swished around. The remaining smog dispersing, an angular face stared up at the shell shocked Qoxo. Her ears pinned low she stood there, motionless while trying to process what had just happened.
A dragon.
The small black dragon cocked its head off to the side, unfurling its wings further, outstretching them up in a wide display. Well, wide for the dragon. A slick black tongue flashing in and out as it stared back at her. “O-oh…” she managed to stutter out, finding herself dropping to her knees. Her hands shook, reaching out ever so slowly towards the equally curious creature who extended its elongated neck towards the Wyx. Her ears twitching upwards, she couldn’t believe what was sitting in the middle of her home right now. She didn’t even care that much that half her things had just been exploded on.
“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you…” she whispered softly, bending down to the small pitch black creature’s level. it sniffed her outstretched hand, grasping onto one of her fingers with it’s claw like wings like an infant would with it’s mother. Heat filled her cheeks as an intense joy filled her, the Dragon opening it’s mouth wide; displaying rows and rose of needle like teeth. Qoxo smiled and pulled her hand closer to herself, the dragon still clutching on to one finger. Waddling closer it used its wings and front legs to pull itself into her lap. Tail coiling around her arm as she moved it down beneath the tiny beast, cradling it to her chest; Qoxo felt content was over her, the Dragon pulling its way up her chest. The fabric of her shirt pulled down just enough to reveal the gaping dragon’s maw marking that seated itself below her collar bone and neck.
Qoxo felt her stomach pit at the sudden realization. She was a Wyx. And this, she was pretty sure… was a Shadow Dragon.
Her mind trailed back to the time she spent in the Lower Stacks as a Wyx youngling, listening to Fytus describe her family and their history. As young Wyx are marked at birth with magic, the symbols that lined her body each told a story from times gone past. Unfulfilled lives often appeared as accents to others, while lives of great significance appeared larger, and more detailed. The dragon’s maw that parted on her chest was know as Zekial’s mark in her culture. Not many carried it, not many wanted too. Exposure to those outside of the community could potentially mean death at the hands of those who still held a grudge against the Scourge who plagued the lands 1400 years ago. Zekial rode a Great Dragon, the last one to make an appearance since before the humans came to Eileynn. That dragon, Norgath. His element had been Shadow as well.
“Oh.. Oh no…” she whispered out, her hands beginning to push the young dragon away. Was this really what destiny had planned for her? To follow in her cursed ancestor’s footsteps? The two gasping appendages on the young dragon’s wings reached up around her neck, the hard black scales of its belly and chest lowering down onto the symbol, obscuring it from her terrified gaze. A sense of reassurance flooded into her, a soft vibrating rumble emanating from the tiny dragon nestled against her. His gleaming red eyes seemed to brighten, the runes on her body returning the same hue. Qoxo bit her lip, and took a deep breath; feeling her anxiety wash away.
“You don’t think so apparently…” she breathed out, turning her head to look at the state of her home. “Well… you made quite the mess didn’t you?” she cooed out softly. “I don’t think that stain is coming out of that pelt.”. The black dragon’s snake like tongue flicked in response. Resting its head against her chest.
Standing up albeit a little shakily, Qoxo moved over to the hearth to check on the rabbit stew that had started to simmer yet again. She dipped one finger into the thick mixture and swirled it around before pulling it up and giving it a quick taste. The dragon quickly opened its eyes and let out a shrill screech towards the cauldron, Qoxo dipping her finger into the stew and pulling out another taste for her new companion. The slender black tongue ticked against her fingertip as it quickly lapped up the savory stew, letting out a happy sounding squeak.
“Oh you like that now do you?… Malaphaes?” she asked the name coming to her out of the blue. Another shill squeal seemed to answer that question. Reaching up above the crackling hearth, the Wyx pulled down two small wooden bowls, dipping them down into the stew, hearty chunks of rabbit meat, potatoes, and carrots filling the majority of the bowl.
Plopping down she offered one bowl to Malaphaes who quickly released his grasp on Qoxo to scramble down to the ground. Bringing her own bowl up to her mouth, she loudly slurped the thick stew, feeling it’s warmth fill her belly. At the same time Malaphaes gobbled down a larger piece of meat, letting out happy grunts and squeaks at every piece. Qoxo couldn’t help but smile, feeling the same happiness fill her as well.
A knock at the door quickly dispelled this feeling however, Qoxo’s ears falling flat back. Malaphaes unfurling his wings into a semi-threatening semi-adorable display of power. Quickly scooping up the young dragon and shoving him into her shirt under the folds of her hood she accidentally kicked over one of the bowls of stew. Another loud knock pounded several times, more assertive in nature.
“Wh-Who is it?!” Qoxo called out anxiously, trying to pry the ox-pelt that had fused to the floor with the black goo that had been in the egg.
A smooth but commanding voice from the other side answered, “Citadel Knights! Open up!” he called, Qoxo’s eyes widening.
“Uh! One second! I’m just… getting dressed?” she lied terribly turning around in circles as she tried to think. She wouldn’t be able to use any magic as her mana was still spent. Half of her potions were shattered. All she could hope to do was lie her way out hopefully. But how as she supposed to lie with a mess like this? Malaphaes let out a low rumble, pressing himself to Qoxo’’s chest just before the top of her roof exploded open.
A large electric blue and green head shoved its way through, electricity crackling around its maw as the door was kicked down. A Lightning Dragon… Its cobra like head and slitted eyes stared at her intensely, sharp name like fangs dripping with a shocking saliva. Golden greased clanked their way inside as Qoxo backed to the corner. “I was coming!” she protested, seeing the larges of her shelves continuing ingredients tipped over against the hearth. Various herbs crackled in the heat, smoke in all sorts of colors and thickness rose up out of the roof of her ruined home. Walking around the room, he waved his hand towards the dragon who ceased building electricity in his mouth.
The Citadel Knight removed his helmet, revealing the angular face of a High Elf, a scowl plastered on his face. “Hand over the hatchling, Wyx.” he commanded, Qoxo shaking her head back and forth.
“W-what hatchling?” she tried to lie, Malaphaes’ head poking out from the hood with a rather ferocious little snarl.
The High Elf’s expression seemed to darken some as he looked from the small black dragon to the black tar covered floor, back up to Qoxo. She knew exactly what he was thinking. Even though he couldn’t see her runes, it was enough to see a Wyx with a Shadow Dragon. “Get on the floor. Now.” he said slowly, Qoxo shaking as she followed his order. Malaphaes moved through her shirt and out the back, snapping his jaws as the Knight attempted to remove the small dragon. Almost taking off a finger, Malaphaes curled tightly around the Wyx’s horns, hissing loudly.
Deciding it was more trouble by himself, the High elf Knight restrained Qoxo carefully, Watched intensely by the feisty Malaphaes. Strapped down to the back of the Lightning Dragon. her crimson and black eyes watched as smoke enveloped her home, billowing up past the tall ancient trees. As the high Elf mounted his dragon, a high pitched shriek rang out from the house.
A large blast incinerated the area around her cabin, searing the edges of her clothes with its intense heat. Her entire house went up on a cloud of rainbow swirling smoke ascending up into the sky, purple and red flames dancing across the ground where the cabin stood.
“This is exactly why I kept the Blastroot on the shelf at the opposite end of the house…” Qoxo muttered, the High Elf turning back to her with a sneer.
“Silence. You’ll answer to the High Council Hellspawn.” The Knight tapped the side of his dragons neck three times. “Fly Vais, we have work to do that doesn’t involve this lowlife.”
Qoxo had never flown before. And yes, though she was technically strapped to the back end and handcuffed, it was still invigorating. The feeling of the wind whipping against her with ever beat of the Lightning dragon Vais’ wings. The chilling sting of the wind chill. The glowing trees of the Middle Stack disappearing from sight as they ascended into the High Stacks. She hadn’t even seen the High Stacks before. Their marbled majesty extending upwards into large twisting pillars.
She’d never seen anything like it. She could even see the golden light of the Sky Stacks above, something she never expected to witness in her life. Suddenly she realized how small her life was limited to just the Low Stacks. Vais arched to the side sweeping down through the hollowed out middle of the High Stack, towards the Gilded Arches that stood infant of the Citadel Knight Headquarters.
Landing at the top of a marble staircase that stretched to the main streets below, the High Elf Knight, dragged Qoxo from the back of his Dragon, dropping the Wyx to the ground with a loud thud. Malaphaes let out a long steady growl as she was dragged by her horn through the Gilded Gates, Qoxo doing little to fight back so long as Malaphaes was safe, still exhausted from her mana output.
The High Elf dropped the Wyx at the bottom of a marble spiral staircase that descended down quite a ways, Qoxo aching as he hadn’t even bothered to let her try to walk down them. The High Elf banged his fist upon the door several times, waiting for what sounded to be an excessive amount of locks be undone.
The large black door opened, revealing a long darkened hall lit only by the crackling torches that were spaced in between each cage. The smell of excrement and death filled her nostrils as a set of guards hoisting her up; walking her through the harrowed hall. She watched as she passed several others locked inside their own respective cells. Her eyes widened as she spotted several of the other prisoners clutching dragons as well. What was going on? Where were all of these Dragons coming from?
Tossed inside an empty cell, Qoxo rolled herself upright, looking to Malaphaes as he nuzzled the underside of her jaw softly; the black dragon letting out a low soothing rumble. “I-It’s okay. W-we’re okay.” she whispered softly to Malaphaes who cocked his head. The Knight Guards left her cell open for a moment as she spoke to her dragon, walking over to a large crate that a few other Guards dragged in from another room. The guards returned, a large metal clamp reaching towards both Malaphaes and Qoxo.
Qoxo sat up fast and edged herself away, backing into the pile of waste and bones that collected along the wall’s edge. “Hey… Hey! What are you doing?! Get away!” she shouted, unable to wrap her arms around Malaphaes in defense. Malaphaes let out loud threatening shrieks flaring his wings up and swiping at the claw as it tried to grasp him. It took a few tries but the grasper managed to grab the young dragon around the neck. His Wing graspers dug into Qoxo as the two of them cried out. “Leave him alone!” she shouted. Malaphaes panicked screeching filling the hall as he was pried off of the Wyx girl. Malaphaes’ haunted screeching was ear splitting and desperate, calling out to his bonded Rider with a heart breaking caterwaul.
The screeches melded with Qoxo’s frantic screaming. “Stop! Stop, you’re hurting him!”. Pushing herself upright she quickly jumped to her feet, a burst of adrenaline rushing through her as she tried to ram into the guards, “Let him go!”.
Expecting this, a net with six bright blue rhinestones was tossed on top of her, a flash of blue light filling her cell as electricity stunned the wailing Wyx. Crying out in pain, Qoxo couldn’t move, pinned beneath the magic electrified netting. Tears flooded the Wyx’s cheeks, her eyes stinging as the runes wore off and she was left alone in the cell. Malaphaes’ emotions overwhelming her.
The guards that had snatched Malaphaes away swiftly moved out of the room as several more dressed in several different types of armor filed in after them. Each member went to the crate and pulled out specialized tools to grasp and remove the remaining hatchlings.
As the last of the hatchlings were removed, the halls grew silent, the waning sounds of crying dragons falling into silence. Only a few torches remained in the darkened room, their flickering light casting dancing shadows along the wall. As daylight cast it’s light upon The Citadel, light trickled through cracks in the cell walls. No one came in or out of the dungeon, save to sling a few profanities at anyone making too much noise. The sound of chains clinking in the stairwells broke the silence finally.
Qoxo lifted her head, pounding as the toll from last night had ravedged her. All she could think about was the ear piercing cries of Malaphaes as they pried him from her. It felt as though someone had torn the soul from her body. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, the Wyx turning to face the wall in defeat.
Qoxo swung there by her tail, her eyes watching the shadow covered egg that she held at her side. What in the world was this? Its shell was smooth as glass underneath it’s shadowy veil, tendrils of darkness enveloping her hand, wrapping around her fingers with a semi solid grip. Warmth seemed to seep steadily from it’s surface, but this felt much different than the type of warmth that one might feel from an open hearth or a sunny day. She’d never seen anything like this in her life. In all the years she spent in the various market, not once had she ever seen an egg this big; or this shadowy. Head pounding, she dangled upside down, trying to swing her body upwards. With one hand cradling the egg, it was difficult to do anything more than wiggle in mid air feebly.
Staring straight down at the street, Qoxo knew she wouldn’t be able to stick the landing. She’d at best, probably break both her legs from this height. Her mana was spent, the shadow magic she had used leaving her with only enough magic for maybe one or two more spells. Levitation magic wasn’t her thing, so letting go and simply floating down wasn’t going to do the trick. Feeling a sharp pain in her cracked horn, Qoxo groaned loudly, trying to use all the strength she had to pull herself up. The pressure of all the blood rushing to her head was making her freshly cracked horn throb. Letting out a defeated sigh, she was sure she was just going to have to drop and hope she didn’t land on her head. the younger Wyx turning her attention back to it’s shadowy form. She could have sworn she had just felt something weird there. It wasn’t a wiggle, wasn’t a twitch, no… it just felt like a heartbeat. Every steady beat Qoxo felt like her head was spinning, her eyes squinting as a rush of various emotions hit her like a train. The shock almost made her lose her grip on the egg itself. She bit her lip and pulled it closer into herself, her eyes watching it intently for any change.
Another beat... There it was again! Qoxo watched as the shadow swept egg gave off a faint crimson light at every beat, the wisps flicking across its surface. Warmth washed over her, like the happy content feeling she got sipping tea after a long day, watching the fae flit through the trees of the Middle Stack after a successful day of gambling. What feeling was this? She’d never experienced anything so strong and primal in her life. All she knew was that she had to protect whatever this thing was. she could practically feel the magic energy inside of it.
Then as suddenly as this feeling came it quickly drained away to a pitted feeling in her stomach. The faint crimson light in the center of the egg pulsed at a slightly higher rate, the dark tendrils that drifted around it clutching against the surface of her side and hand; squeezing against her. The heart rate like beating of the egg grew faster and faster; Qoxo felt her own heart rate pick up too, thudding wildly in rhythm with the egg. Panic welled inside her chest as a voice chimed behind her.
So focused on her newly found egg, she hadn’t even heard the footsteps above her. Feeling a hand grasp the back of her belt she let out a startled yell.
Hoisted up to her feet, she whipped around as soon as her boots hit the metal of the stack. Hand grasping her staff she swiped it towards the figure that had pulled her up, not knowing whether or not this person was friend or foe. Not that it mattered. Every fiber in her body screamed to protect the egg at her side. Just barely missing the tips of this mystery Bestias’ ears, she prepared to strike again as he threw his hands up.
She let out a bit of a growl, her eyes narrowing while her tail whipped angrily back and forth. “ Tor R’Tvue…” she cursed out, calling him a rather nasty Wyx slur. He had scared the life out of her… and something about him seemed oddly familiar. She ducked her head down at the bellowing roar in the distance, her eyes widening at the sound of Earth dragons closing in. What in the world were they doing? Did this have something to do with the egg? Or was it this Bestias that lured them onwards? Then, a curious chirp from the shoulder of the cat-man made her ears twitch upwards. Qoxo was sure she had heard something just then, but it was only the two of them plus the increasingly closer Earth Dragon roars.
The latter seemed more and more likely, for just as quickly as he appeared the Bestias bid her farewell. He introduced himself as Ki’Tavi, Qoxo finally remembering where she knew him from. He was pretty well known amongst Gamblers in the lower district. Though she didn’t spend much time in the lower stacks, but she had played a game or two with this trickster of a Bestias.
Before she could call out back to him, he was gone, and the pounding of Earth claws was rapidly drawing closer.
Qoxo quickly looked down at the egg as it began to beat rapidly again, anxiety filling her. she stuffed the egg down into the pouch lining the inside of her shirt. Gathering herself as best as the exhausted Wyx could, She began making her way through the various Lower Stacks, careful to stick to the shadows as the sounds of various Dragons tearing through the night filled the area. As she turned the corner of a particularly narrow set of Stacks, she found herself face to face with a sizable Earth dragon and it’s Rider.
Hot earthy air blew into her face, sending her matted and sweaty hair up into her spiraled horns. The dragon drew in a deep breath, it’s lips pulling back into a razor sharp snarl. Black and red eyes widened suddenly as the Rider drew his sword and stood atop his dragon’s back. “Halt! By the order of The Citadel, I order to surrender your weapons and empty your pockets!” The rider called out, pointing his sword down at the terrified Wyx. His thick human accent was commanding, Qoxo almost did as he asked by instinct alone.
But she didn’t. Instead all she could feel was the beating of her egg against her chest, in time with her own heart. Without thinking, the runic symbols that lined her body began to glow crimson, the egg nestled at her bosom mimicking the ominous glow before a pool of shadow formed beneath her feet; sucking her down into it’s depths. Feeling herself tumble through a second pool, she smacked down into the dirt and dust of the entrance to the forest.
Letting out a low moan, the Wyx turned to her side, pulling her top down ever so slightly to check on the egg. It’s pulsating was still as steady as every, outpacing her own heart rate now. Relief filled Qoxo as it seemed the egg was unharmed. What in the world was going on tonight? She had had some weird nights for sure, but this had to have been the weirdest.
Slowly, she sat up. That was the last of her mana for sure, her body’s ability to keep up with all this magic use was rapidly decreasing. Every muscle ached as she used a tree to stand, one had laid upon the rough textured bark the other cradling the precious cargo against her chest. At least she had made it back to the Middle. Before her, a line of trees that stretched up high into a natural arch. Qoxo let out a It was a long twisting path back to her home within the dark forests. While luckily it seemed as though the fae had migrated over her way, illuminating the forest in a sea of twinkling blue and yellow.
They drifted with the currents of the wind like the stinging jellyfish that littered the bay. Qoxo limped her way through the narrow paths. She knew this place like the back of her hand for the most part, her home nestled deep within the confines of the dark twisted evergreen labyrinth. Bioluminescent mushrooms scattered the floor, piling together at the base of the long gnarled roots that twisted their way across the path; lighting her way. Having grown up in the rough Dark and Lower Stacks, she never imagined living in a place as beautiful and quiet as this.
Climbing her way over a few fallen nurse logs, several saplings pushing their way through the nutrient dense wood, a small triangular glowing cabin nestled in a clearing of the trees; the smell of smoke and stew rising from a short chimney imbedded in the slopes roof. Behind it sat two other similar cabins, no sign of anyone having lived there in a very long time.
Filled with relief, Qoxo staggered up the steps and pushed her way inside, her body finally giving out as she collapsed into her small abode in front of the hearth.
The sounds of a bubbling brew filled the room, creating a delectable savory scent of rabbit stew mixed with the multitudes of hanging bushels of herbs that were drying in the warm heat of her cabin. Every inch of Qoxo’s home was littered with various ingredients, recipes, and tomes; the walls packed with various jars of colorful tonics and teas.
Padding the floor was a large rug, probably some sort of ox-skin by the look of it. Sprawling out, Qoxo closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Reaching down into the pocket of her shirt, she carefully slid the smooth shadow covered egg out, holding it with both hands as she examined its curious surface. It had the smooth glass like feel of obsidian, her fingers finding several jagged cracks along it’s shell that she could have sworn had not been present prior. The sharp points of her nails traced their jagged edges, pausing has her hand was met with a sticky black goo-like substance.
“What the-?” she muttered, sitting upright and furrowing her brow. She pulled up one of her hands and pinched the tar like substance between her fingers, finding it difficult to pry her fingers apart again. “She had never seen anything quite so strange. Off the top of her head, she couldn’t think of anything that laid an egg of this size other than the Scorch birds that came from Aurdor. Bringing her finger up to her nose, she gave it a few sniffs before touching it to her tongue. “Bleh!” Recoiling back, Qoxo scrunched up her face in disgust. It tasted both like charcoal and metal, with a hint of black licorice. She wiped the sticky goo from her hands onto the rug beneath her, feeling an overwhelming amount of happiness hit her like a punch to the gut. Qoxo began laughing, almost to the point of tears and breathlessness. She wasn’t sure where this was coming from, she couldn’t even remember ever laughing so hard in her life. Her hands picked up the egg, bringing it up to eye level infant of herself. However, her laughter quickly died down as through her fingertips she could feel the heartbeat-like pulsing from the egg had sped up to the point the egg nearly vibrated in her grasp. The shadows encasing it danced wildly around the eggshell, Qoxo quickly sensing there was something very off.
She set the egg down to the ground, backing up slowly as the darkness that surrounded the egg seemed to slither across the floor in all directions. The hearth died down to embers, its light sucked away as the entirity of Qoxo’s home was enveloped in darkness. The shadows that swirled grew wider and wider, a red haze crackling through the black smog. A bright red light forming in the center, flashing so fast the Wyx could barely keep her eyes focused on it.
Suddenly, the flashing slowed to a near stop, like the failing heart of a man. With a last feeble pulse, the room went silent for a moment before the crimson light returned, the large shadow that encased it collapsing inward before a loud CRACK exploded around the room. Jars shattered on the shelves, various liquids pooling at the bottom of her shack, the hearth flaring back to life as Qoxo stood there frozen. Pure black pieces of shell littered the floor like shards of glass. remnants of the black swirly shadow still dancing across the center of the floor, a pool of the same sticky black substance covering the ox-pet rug.
And then, a small squeak and two crimson eyes staring at her from the dark.
The shadow shifted slightly, two bat-like black wings outstretching belong the curtain of the darkness. Tho prominent claw like hangs seated on the angle of it’s wings, a small black tail swished around. The remaining smog dispersing, an angular face stared up at the shell shocked Qoxo. Her ears pinned low she stood there, motionless while trying to process what had just happened.
A dragon.
The small black dragon cocked its head off to the side, unfurling its wings further, outstretching them up in a wide display. Well, wide for the dragon. A slick black tongue flashing in and out as it stared back at her. “O-oh…” she managed to stutter out, finding herself dropping to her knees. Her hands shook, reaching out ever so slowly towards the equally curious creature who extended its elongated neck towards the Wyx. Her ears twitching upwards, she couldn’t believe what was sitting in the middle of her home right now. She didn’t even care that much that half her things had just been exploded on.
“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you…” she whispered softly, bending down to the small pitch black creature’s level. it sniffed her outstretched hand, grasping onto one of her fingers with it’s claw like wings like an infant would with it’s mother. Heat filled her cheeks as an intense joy filled her, the Dragon opening it’s mouth wide; displaying rows and rose of needle like teeth. Qoxo smiled and pulled her hand closer to herself, the dragon still clutching on to one finger. Waddling closer it used its wings and front legs to pull itself into her lap. Tail coiling around her arm as she moved it down beneath the tiny beast, cradling it to her chest; Qoxo felt content was over her, the Dragon pulling its way up her chest. The fabric of her shirt pulled down just enough to reveal the gaping dragon’s maw marking that seated itself below her collar bone and neck.
Qoxo felt her stomach pit at the sudden realization. She was a Wyx. And this, she was pretty sure… was a Shadow Dragon.
Her mind trailed back to the time she spent in the Lower Stacks as a Wyx youngling, listening to Fytus describe her family and their history. As young Wyx are marked at birth with magic, the symbols that lined her body each told a story from times gone past. Unfulfilled lives often appeared as accents to others, while lives of great significance appeared larger, and more detailed. The dragon’s maw that parted on her chest was know as Zekial’s mark in her culture. Not many carried it, not many wanted too. Exposure to those outside of the community could potentially mean death at the hands of those who still held a grudge against the Scourge who plagued the lands 1400 years ago. Zekial rode a Great Dragon, the last one to make an appearance since before the humans came to Eileynn. That dragon, Norgath. His element had been Shadow as well.
“Oh.. Oh no…” she whispered out, her hands beginning to push the young dragon away. Was this really what destiny had planned for her? To follow in her cursed ancestor’s footsteps? The two gasping appendages on the young dragon’s wings reached up around her neck, the hard black scales of its belly and chest lowering down onto the symbol, obscuring it from her terrified gaze. A sense of reassurance flooded into her, a soft vibrating rumble emanating from the tiny dragon nestled against her. His gleaming red eyes seemed to brighten, the runes on her body returning the same hue. Qoxo bit her lip, and took a deep breath; feeling her anxiety wash away.
“You don’t think so apparently…” she breathed out, turning her head to look at the state of her home. “Well… you made quite the mess didn’t you?” she cooed out softly. “I don’t think that stain is coming out of that pelt.”. The black dragon’s snake like tongue flicked in response. Resting its head against her chest.
Standing up albeit a little shakily, Qoxo moved over to the hearth to check on the rabbit stew that had started to simmer yet again. She dipped one finger into the thick mixture and swirled it around before pulling it up and giving it a quick taste. The dragon quickly opened its eyes and let out a shrill screech towards the cauldron, Qoxo dipping her finger into the stew and pulling out another taste for her new companion. The slender black tongue ticked against her fingertip as it quickly lapped up the savory stew, letting out a happy sounding squeak.
“Oh you like that now do you?… Malaphaes?” she asked the name coming to her out of the blue. Another shill squeal seemed to answer that question. Reaching up above the crackling hearth, the Wyx pulled down two small wooden bowls, dipping them down into the stew, hearty chunks of rabbit meat, potatoes, and carrots filling the majority of the bowl.
Plopping down she offered one bowl to Malaphaes who quickly released his grasp on Qoxo to scramble down to the ground. Bringing her own bowl up to her mouth, she loudly slurped the thick stew, feeling it’s warmth fill her belly. At the same time Malaphaes gobbled down a larger piece of meat, letting out happy grunts and squeaks at every piece. Qoxo couldn’t help but smile, feeling the same happiness fill her as well.
A knock at the door quickly dispelled this feeling however, Qoxo’s ears falling flat back. Malaphaes unfurling his wings into a semi-threatening semi-adorable display of power. Quickly scooping up the young dragon and shoving him into her shirt under the folds of her hood she accidentally kicked over one of the bowls of stew. Another loud knock pounded several times, more assertive in nature.
“Wh-Who is it?!” Qoxo called out anxiously, trying to pry the ox-pelt that had fused to the floor with the black goo that had been in the egg.
A smooth but commanding voice from the other side answered, “Citadel Knights! Open up!” he called, Qoxo’s eyes widening.
“Uh! One second! I’m just… getting dressed?” she lied terribly turning around in circles as she tried to think. She wouldn’t be able to use any magic as her mana was still spent. Half of her potions were shattered. All she could hope to do was lie her way out hopefully. But how as she supposed to lie with a mess like this? Malaphaes let out a low rumble, pressing himself to Qoxo’’s chest just before the top of her roof exploded open.
A large electric blue and green head shoved its way through, electricity crackling around its maw as the door was kicked down. A Lightning Dragon… Its cobra like head and slitted eyes stared at her intensely, sharp name like fangs dripping with a shocking saliva. Golden greased clanked their way inside as Qoxo backed to the corner. “I was coming!” she protested, seeing the larges of her shelves continuing ingredients tipped over against the hearth. Various herbs crackled in the heat, smoke in all sorts of colors and thickness rose up out of the roof of her ruined home. Walking around the room, he waved his hand towards the dragon who ceased building electricity in his mouth.
The Citadel Knight removed his helmet, revealing the angular face of a High Elf, a scowl plastered on his face. “Hand over the hatchling, Wyx.” he commanded, Qoxo shaking her head back and forth.
“W-what hatchling?” she tried to lie, Malaphaes’ head poking out from the hood with a rather ferocious little snarl.
The High Elf’s expression seemed to darken some as he looked from the small black dragon to the black tar covered floor, back up to Qoxo. She knew exactly what he was thinking. Even though he couldn’t see her runes, it was enough to see a Wyx with a Shadow Dragon. “Get on the floor. Now.” he said slowly, Qoxo shaking as she followed his order. Malaphaes moved through her shirt and out the back, snapping his jaws as the Knight attempted to remove the small dragon. Almost taking off a finger, Malaphaes curled tightly around the Wyx’s horns, hissing loudly.
Deciding it was more trouble by himself, the High elf Knight restrained Qoxo carefully, Watched intensely by the feisty Malaphaes. Strapped down to the back of the Lightning Dragon. her crimson and black eyes watched as smoke enveloped her home, billowing up past the tall ancient trees. As the high Elf mounted his dragon, a high pitched shriek rang out from the house.
A large blast incinerated the area around her cabin, searing the edges of her clothes with its intense heat. Her entire house went up on a cloud of rainbow swirling smoke ascending up into the sky, purple and red flames dancing across the ground where the cabin stood.
“This is exactly why I kept the Blastroot on the shelf at the opposite end of the house…” Qoxo muttered, the High Elf turning back to her with a sneer.
“Silence. You’ll answer to the High Council Hellspawn.” The Knight tapped the side of his dragons neck three times. “Fly Vais, we have work to do that doesn’t involve this lowlife.”
Qoxo had never flown before. And yes, though she was technically strapped to the back end and handcuffed, it was still invigorating. The feeling of the wind whipping against her with ever beat of the Lightning dragon Vais’ wings. The chilling sting of the wind chill. The glowing trees of the Middle Stack disappearing from sight as they ascended into the High Stacks. She hadn’t even seen the High Stacks before. Their marbled majesty extending upwards into large twisting pillars.
She’d never seen anything like it. She could even see the golden light of the Sky Stacks above, something she never expected to witness in her life. Suddenly she realized how small her life was limited to just the Low Stacks. Vais arched to the side sweeping down through the hollowed out middle of the High Stack, towards the Gilded Arches that stood infant of the Citadel Knight Headquarters.
Landing at the top of a marble staircase that stretched to the main streets below, the High Elf Knight, dragged Qoxo from the back of his Dragon, dropping the Wyx to the ground with a loud thud. Malaphaes let out a long steady growl as she was dragged by her horn through the Gilded Gates, Qoxo doing little to fight back so long as Malaphaes was safe, still exhausted from her mana output.
The High Elf dropped the Wyx at the bottom of a marble spiral staircase that descended down quite a ways, Qoxo aching as he hadn’t even bothered to let her try to walk down them. The High Elf banged his fist upon the door several times, waiting for what sounded to be an excessive amount of locks be undone.
The large black door opened, revealing a long darkened hall lit only by the crackling torches that were spaced in between each cage. The smell of excrement and death filled her nostrils as a set of guards hoisting her up; walking her through the harrowed hall. She watched as she passed several others locked inside their own respective cells. Her eyes widened as she spotted several of the other prisoners clutching dragons as well. What was going on? Where were all of these Dragons coming from?
Tossed inside an empty cell, Qoxo rolled herself upright, looking to Malaphaes as he nuzzled the underside of her jaw softly; the black dragon letting out a low soothing rumble. “I-It’s okay. W-we’re okay.” she whispered softly to Malaphaes who cocked his head. The Knight Guards left her cell open for a moment as she spoke to her dragon, walking over to a large crate that a few other Guards dragged in from another room. The guards returned, a large metal clamp reaching towards both Malaphaes and Qoxo.
Qoxo sat up fast and edged herself away, backing into the pile of waste and bones that collected along the wall’s edge. “Hey… Hey! What are you doing?! Get away!” she shouted, unable to wrap her arms around Malaphaes in defense. Malaphaes let out loud threatening shrieks flaring his wings up and swiping at the claw as it tried to grasp him. It took a few tries but the grasper managed to grab the young dragon around the neck. His Wing graspers dug into Qoxo as the two of them cried out. “Leave him alone!” she shouted. Malaphaes panicked screeching filling the hall as he was pried off of the Wyx girl. Malaphaes’ haunted screeching was ear splitting and desperate, calling out to his bonded Rider with a heart breaking caterwaul.
The screeches melded with Qoxo’s frantic screaming. “Stop! Stop, you’re hurting him!”. Pushing herself upright she quickly jumped to her feet, a burst of adrenaline rushing through her as she tried to ram into the guards, “Let him go!”.
Expecting this, a net with six bright blue rhinestones was tossed on top of her, a flash of blue light filling her cell as electricity stunned the wailing Wyx. Crying out in pain, Qoxo couldn’t move, pinned beneath the magic electrified netting. Tears flooded the Wyx’s cheeks, her eyes stinging as the runes wore off and she was left alone in the cell. Malaphaes’ emotions overwhelming her.
The guards that had snatched Malaphaes away swiftly moved out of the room as several more dressed in several different types of armor filed in after them. Each member went to the crate and pulled out specialized tools to grasp and remove the remaining hatchlings.
As the last of the hatchlings were removed, the halls grew silent, the waning sounds of crying dragons falling into silence. Only a few torches remained in the darkened room, their flickering light casting dancing shadows along the wall. As daylight cast it’s light upon The Citadel, light trickled through cracks in the cell walls. No one came in or out of the dungeon, save to sling a few profanities at anyone making too much noise. The sound of chains clinking in the stairwells broke the silence finally.
Qoxo lifted her head, pounding as the toll from last night had ravedged her. All she could think about was the ear piercing cries of Malaphaes as they pried him from her. It felt as though someone had torn the soul from her body. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, the Wyx turning to face the wall in defeat.
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