Fifth Day

In this city of dragons, I felt like a stranger in a foreign land. Despite my recent move here, assimilating had proven quite the challenge. While everyone extended their kindness, courtesy, and respect, I could sense their curiosity and wariness towards me - the lone human amidst them. A friendly wyvern named Leo, who had taken me under his wing, provided me with a list of local haunts and activities to immerse myself in the city's culture. He assured me that just the mention of his name would grant me special treatment, undoubtedly due to his influence and connections.

On my fifth day, however, I dared to venture beyond Leo's suggested territories. I yearned to see the authentic city, where the dragons lived their daily lives, away from the beaten path. As I strayed, I chanced upon a distressing sight, a stark reminder of the city's harsh realities. A group of dragons were brutalizing another, their claws and teeth slashing into him as he tried to escape. Before I could intervene, two guards arrived, dispersing the assailants. Instead of aiding the injured dragon, they proceeded to beat him mercilessly, indifferent to his pleas for mercy. The sight of them dragging him away, leaving behind a trail of blood, was a brutal wake-up call. It was clear that the law here wasn't based on justice, but on sheer force. The thought that I could meet a similar fate filled me with dread. I quickly took to the skies, using my wings to fly back to my home, avoiding the crowds below.

That evening, I sought out Leo to express my gratitude for his advice. He welcomed me warmly, inviting me to share a conversation. He inquired about my wings, as though he'd forgotten our previous discussions. I reiterated my tale of how I'd learned to summon them, and their unpredictable appearances. He nodded, mentioning that some griffins and wyverns shared similar abilities. He added that such a trait was particularly rare among wyverns, only manifesting in the royal family of Zephyros, a fallen kingdom. His knowledge of Zephyros was deeply detailed, from its history and culture to its wars and downfall. His impassioned storytelling captivated me, but I couldn't help but harbor suspicions. His knowledge seemed too complete, too intimate. I even started thinking that he could’ve been fabricating it all or hiding something.

He concluded his tale with a dramatic flourish, summoning a second pair of wings that were far grander than his usual ones. They glowed with a golden radiance, shimmering like a constellation of stars, covered in a substance more refined than mere glitter. Despite my awe, I couldn't fully shake off my disbelief. He then revealed his true identity, claiming to be the prince of Zephyros. His explanation of fleeing his oppressive family and his kingdom to seek refuge in foreign kingdoms, even if it meant aligning with the enemy, was a shocking revelation. His tale was fantastic, but it also raised doubts. I chose to tread lightly, complimenting his fascinating backstory without outright accepting it.

He then informed me of a meeting with the griffins the following day, hinting at the possibility of meeting their leader. When I questioned the reason behind their keen interest, he suggested that my role in a prophecy was the cause. I pondered over this revelation, asking him about the prophecy. He declined, stating he couldn't divulge details without Aura and its peers’ permission. I respected his position, diverting our conversation back to his wings. He demonstrated his control over them, but his explanations were vague. His advice to me was to practice and be patient. Despite trying to unsummon my wings, I made no progress, leading to disappointment. He reassured me, confident that I would eventually gain control over them.

Expressing my gratitude for his encouragement and advice, I bid him farewell and returned home. Another day had passed, the next one already charted out for me. Despite the overwhelming events, exhaustion eluded me. Perhaps it was better this way, the uncertainty of the future replaced with a structured plan. For now.