Side Story 1.7: The Dilemmas of a Sovereign
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Aetherwing's Nest
*Somewhere in the high mountains of Arkanus...*
The cold wind howled across the jagged peaks, whistling through the crevices of a grand nest perched precariously on the mountainside. Within this fortress of branches, stones, and ancient magic, Aetherwing gazed down at his sleeping mate and their newly hatched offspring. His wings, now spanning the width of 60 meters, and his height doubled from the 20 meters, back when he was still with August after he became a Guardian Beast. His body had adapted and grown to contain more power than he previously had before he became a Guardian Beast. He twitched with anxiety as he contemplated their future in the Great Caldera of Arkanus.
This harsh domain of rock, ice and fire wasn't ideal for raising a chick; only the most resilient beings could survive here. Though Aetherwing had established himself as a formidable force among the mountain dwellers, the relentless attacks, challenges on his newly found power, and on their nest had become too frequent—too dangerous—even for him.
The intelligent predators that stalked these peaks respected only strength and dominance. In their eyes, having a family was not a sign of accomplishment but of vulnerability—a weakness they sought to exploit at every opportunity.
Aetherwing faced an agonizing dilemma: should they abandon this territory he had created for himself and return to the forest of his youth? Or should he stubbornly defend his standing here, potentially sacrificing his loved ones in the process?
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A Decision to Return
For more than a century, Aetherwing and his mate had attempted to create an offspring. And now their first successful eggs had filled him with immeasurable joy, but now that joy was tainted with regret. He questioned his decision to settle in this unforgiving realm.
In his younger days, after rising to dominance in the forest below, arrogance had driven him to seek greater challenges. He and his mate had ascended to the treacherous peaks of Arkanus, where he intended to challenge the ancient beings there and carve out his own name as one of the powerful beings who rose into the peak.
Though he had indeed earned his place among them, the price now seemed too steep. The safety of his newborn and his mate hung in the balance. They needed to leave—but where? Where could they possibly build a new nest that would provide both safety and prosperity?
Suddenly, the image of a young human boy flashed through Aetherwing's mind—his ward, the one he had been charged to watch over months ago by a powerful entity.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed, his eyes brightening with realization.
His mate stirred from her rest, regarding him with confusion. "Has my husband lost his mind already?" she asked, her melodious voice tinged with concern.
"Huh? Oh, no," Aetherwing replied, shaking his magnificent head. "I've made my decision, dear. We will leave this place at once."
"But husband," she protested, shifting her wings to better cover their sleeping chicks, "we have no nest to which we can return. Our previous home in the forest must have been claimed by others a long time ago."
"No, dear wife," Aetherwing said with newfound confidence. "I have a place in mind. Remember several months ago when I ventured down the mountains to breathe fresh air and survey the lands below?"
"Yes, the place in the forest where you found that interesting boy, correct?" Recognition dawned in her golden eyes.
"Exactly! I plan to bring us there and convince my ward to allow us to build our nest nearby. I'm certain he wouldn't mind!" His expression brightened with hope.
His mate's eyes softened. "If you are that confident, then I will follow you wherever you go, my love."
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Abandoning the Peak
That very day, they abandoned their mountain stronghold, the vast Caldera of Arkanus shrinking behind them as they soared through the clouds. The opportunistic creatures they left behind immediately swarmed toward the vacant peak, eager to claim the territory Aetherwing had relinquished.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the highest reaches of Arkanus, two massive dragons observed the departure.
"It seems Aetherwing has left with his family," remarked the Dragon Queen, her scales shimmering like opals in the sunlight. "It is regrettable that we couldn't offer them aid. He was instrumental in maintaining peace within his domain."
"Ha! Foolish creature," the Dragon King snorted, smoke curling from his nostrils. "I granted him territory to rule because I recognized his potential for greatness. Yet it lasted only briefly. The birth of an offspring made him feel the true burden of living amongst the powerful."
The king's tail lashed against the mountainside, sending boulders tumbling into the abyss below. "How ridiculous! But the laws of this land are immutable—the rule of the strong is absolute, and their strength is law. He lost that strength, and the opportunistic vermin have seized upon his weakness!"
"Even so," the Queen countered softly, "we could have offered more assistance. Now that he's gone, who will fill the void he left? Who will serve as our enforcer among the lesser beings?"
The Dragon King turned his ancient eyes toward his mate, contemplation evident in his fiery gaze. "Where is that other impetuous son of mine? Chronusfyre Solumbra?"
The silence that followed was deafening.
The other dragons and dragon kins who overheard their king's words trembled visibly. The king's anger was a force more terrible than any storm these mountains had ever witnessed.