"This happened." Glory said pushing Ashley's book toward Tsunami. "And other stuff as well."

The other dragonets waited to see her reaction, only Clay was still chewing fish.

"What is it ?" Tsunami wondered, tilting her head.

"Ashley called it a book, it's basically a scroll, but the paper is put differently, and it has this sort of cover instead of a casing," Starflight said to her.

Tsunami grabbed the book with her talons and studied it. "This feels very awkward," she said sliding her claws in between the pages. Eventually, she put it side to side with Clay before her eyes to compare the two. "Why does this Mudwing look so much like Clay ?" She asked.

"Precisely because it's him," said Glory.

"I'm not sure I understand." Tsunami frowned, looking at her friend.

"There's nothing to understand, it's just him." Glory snorted. "And that 'book' of him is older than us by the way."

Tsunami turned to Ashley with confusion. "But how ?"

"Magic ?" Ashley said, raising both his shoulders.

Glory growled. "That's not a valid answer."

"What is it about anyway ?" Tsunami inquired.

Ashley sighed. "It's about you." He pointed to the book. "That book, it's your story." He conceded.

"About us ?"

"Yes, it tells the journey of you from the time you leave the cave to when you fulfil the prophecy, and end the war."

"So you do know how we stop the war." Glory said.

"I know how you are supposed to." He added. "The things that happen to you are what build up to how you choose to end it. If we skip all those steps, it's not going to happen."

"I am not convinced," Tsunami said. "Knowing it would make things considerably easier."

"EASY ? You think ending a war is EASY ?" Ashley responded. "Look around you ! Dragons have been fighting for almost TWO DECADES. Entire generations have grown up knowing nothing but war. Do you think there is an easy way to do that ? That maybe you could just tell them to stop fighting and they will ?"

"But no one likes wars, so why is it so hard ?" Sunny asked almost plaintively.

"Hatred is stronger than love. The word 'enemy' has been hammered in their heads, and all queens have killed. You can't simply choose one, because if you do, two-thirds of Pyrrhia will hate you for your choice, and they won't allow an 'enemy' to climb on the throne."

"So what are we supposed to do then ?" Clay asked.

"Rare are the souls who have been spared the violence of the conflict, and you are one of those. You know better than anyone that hating each other because of the tribe you are from is pointless. I never thought I would ever say such a thing but-" He breathed in. "I believe you are the light needed by this continent to break away from the conflict. Or to put it in simpler words, you're the only ones that are fitted enough to be the origin of said break."

His sight panelled from left to right, he saw the expression of weightiness on the Dragonets' faces, yet, it was accompanied by their usual confidence and strength of mind he found so uplifting.

"You're good with words." Glory said.

"Oh, thank you." That's surprisingly positive coming from her right now.

"I don't like it."

Of course.

"And you have a story that tells you all of that, yet you don't want to share the solution with us," Tsunami said.

"I cannot tell you, because if I do, it doesn't really come from you anymore. And from what I know is supposed to happen, it's that the ultimate decision didn't come from some elaborated plan or objectively calculated smart decision." Tsunami raised a questioning eyebrow at Ashley. "It was the result of your adventures and struggles that chose who should be the Sandwing to rule."

"The way you put it makes it sound like it's a good thing, but I can't see any of us choosing one of the three sisters." Glory said. "We've seen Burn, everyone seems to agree that Blaze is not fit for the position, and all we know about Blister raises red flags about her personality."

"You know my opinion about it, I don't think any of them should rule."

"Well, I believe most of us could agree with that at least." The Rainwing added.

"The book," Starflight started with a hint of fascination in his tone. "You told us what's in it, but, it sounds crazy that such a thing could exist. It really contains a lot. How did you even get your- huh.. 'hands' on it ?"

"It's... complicated."

"We have all the night." Glory said bluntly.

"No. I mean. Ok, let's get back a bit in time then." Ashley looked down. "I'll tell you."

"But no more lies."

"Yeah... no more lies."

Ashley had to give in, if he wanted to keep the Dragonets' trust, he would have to be truthful. But there were still some things he wished to keep quiet. He eyed each of them, all looking at him with a clear look of expectation on their faces.

Maybe he had been wrong.

"Alright, well..." He breathed deeply. "You're the first dragons I ever met."

There was a short silence.

"How is that related ? Didn't you already tell us that ?" Tsunami said.

"Not really," Starflight responded. "He said he met that Sandwing before, Boa, the animus. Who allowed him to speak dragon."

"Oh yes, I remember now." Tsunami turned her head back to Ashley. "So that was a lie ?"

"Yes." He said. "The truth is I don't know how I got here."

"What do you mean ?"

"Simple : one day, I went to sleep, and when I woke up." Ashley made a hand gesture to show the whole room. "I was here, in Pyrrhia."

Now he could see their much-confused face, trying to make sense of that. Sunny lifted an awkward claw.

"Wait-" She said. "Do you mean you are not from Pyrrhia ?"

"No, and my ability to speak dragon, I don't where the hell that comes from either."

"That doesn't make any sense," Starflight said, shaking his head.

"I know," Ashley replied. "I woke up on this continent, in the middle of nowhere, and I had all my stuff with me, and even stuff that I never carry with me. In addition to that, I could speak dragon, not that I ever met one before. You think that makes sense to me ?"

"that's so- weird," Tsunami commented.

"But where do you come from then ? Another continent ?" Glory supposed.

"Err, technically correct yes." Ashley wasn't sure how to continue from here, wondering what more he could tell.

"...but there's more to it." Tsunami completed.

"Yes," he said. "But I don't know how and if I should say more."

"Oh come on." Glory huffed. "You can't just do that now, especially after all that."

"Where I come from. We consider dragons not to exist, the same goes for magic. They can only be part of stories and legends." He breathed in. "It's a whole different world for me."

"How did you get a story of us then ? How did you get that book." Sunny wondered. "We are very real."

"I'm not sure." Ashley continued. "A friend gave it to me and said there was a bit of magic in it. But I am uncertain about how he meant it now. I never expected it to be more than a fiction."

"So the scroll argument wasn't true then," Tsunami said.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"That is right." He said. "But the story is not the same as what happened since I have been with you. I'm not supposed to be in there."

"Well, at least you're consistent on that part," Glory mumbled.

"Everything I've said about what I know and what I don't was true."

"So how did you know about that Seawing Animus then ? Because he doesn't seem to be part of our story to me, and you didn't mention it in your great speech." Glory said sharply.

"I'm sorry a WHAT ?" Tsunami cried.

"Oh yeah. Ashley found a Seawing animus and used him to give himself the ability to regenerate," Glory explained.

Tsunami stared at him in shock, looking almost scared for an instant, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Hey ! I would have died otherwise !" Ashley shot back.

"Oh, so that's how you got your arm back then," Tsunami realised.

"Indeed it is," Ashley confirmed.

"You shouldn't play with that kind of thing, it's dangerous," Tsunami said.

"No one should," he said. "but half the dragons who end up with those powers can't handle them properly either."

Starflight lifted one talon to oppose him but put it back on the floor. "Yeah, he's right on that one."

"That doesn't explain how he knew it though." Glory said, squinting her eyes. "I don't think he's part of our story. Unless there is something we should know maybe ?"

"No, he's involved later. Months away, for something else, completely different." Ashley lifted his chin, a bit more confident. "A small project of yours after the end of the conflict, to try and make the world a better place."

Glory stared at him pensively.

"I like the sound of that," Sunny said. "I would be reassured if you tell us how he is involved, however."

"He will be like... a student ? Yeah, that." Ashley responded.

"A student of who ?" Tsunami asked.

"Well, you."

"Us ? Ew." Glory snorted. "I don't think I could ever bear being a teacher of any sort."

"To be fair, you are the only one who doesn't get to be one," Ashley said, Glory tilted her head dubiously at him. "But I'd rather not sell the bear's skin before killing it."

"Now what does that mean ?" Tsunami said.

"It's just an expression. It basically means don't tell something as a fact if it hasn't happened yet, or don't claim victory too soon."

"Oh, I see."

"Victory huh ?" Glory echoed. "So it's not because of something bad then ?"

"Depends how you see it," Ashley said with a grin. "For most, they would say it is a win."

"Can we pause right there and account for everything he told us ? It's starting to be a bit overwhelming." Clay asked, visibly lost.

Starflight raised a talon and started counting with his claws. "Well, obviously, there is everything he told us about his 'book', which is about us. He is from a continent different than ours, and somehow ended up on hours, in a way that sounds like teleportation. And he doesn't know how he can speak our language. He thought for a moment, contemplating his hand. "I think this matches up with what he told us before. That would explain what we thought was impossible at least, and all the evident differences."

"Why didn't you tell us all that before ?" Glory asked.

"I wasn't sure it was a good idea," said Ashley. "What could change if I did, maybe you would have just started to believe I am crazy as well."

"I don't think the latter would have changed." Glory said. "You kind of already are."

Ashley sighed. "Alright, ok..."

"Hey, I'm sure she didn't mean it in a mean way," Sunny said.

"Is there anything else you're not telling us ?" Tsunami asked.

"Yes," Ashley responded. "But I'm not going to share it."

"Why ?"

"Because it's HARD." Tsunami made a slight backward movement as he said that, surprised. "There are things even I don't understand, and that I am still trying to make sense of."

"Why don't you tell us and we try to help you figure it out then ?" Said Tsunami.

"Because you can't help me, not now at least, and it only concerns me. It's things that I should figure out myself before even thinking of sharing them."

"Why."

"Because, unlike all of you, I might never see my family and friends again !"

A dead silence fell on the cave, and the Dragonets all stared at each other.

"I don't know why or how I got here, neither who or what did it, and the only few guess I have considers that shit." he pointed to the book inside Tsunami's talons. "And I can't tell you more, because I have seen how you will react to some information. And if I tell you some things you won't respond well."

"What do you mean you've 'seen how we will react' ?" Glory demanded fiercely.

"You don't know how many lies surround the prophecy. Every tribe is playing around and trying to use it in some convoluted way, except one or two maybe."

"But we're still going stop the war, right ?" Sunny said, wrapping her tail around the egg.

"Yes, that happens. But I would be lying if I said you've done the hardest of it yet."

"What happens next ?" Glory wondered.

"Listen, you guys need to meet the rest of the Sandwing heirs and meet your families. You're going to need both to make the right decision. After we're done with the Seawing Kingdom, after this egg hatches." Ashley pointed at the egg held by Sunny. "We're going to the Rainforest." He saw Glory's face lit up with interest. "That's where the real shit comes in. Remember what I said about the Nightwings ? That they had their own plans ?"

"I remember that." Starflight gulped. "What about it ?"

"yeah, so the Nightwings are nothing more than a dying tribe that uses the remains of some past influence to reach their goal. The only reason they have shared the prophecy is because their home is killing them and they want to invade the Rainforest to fix that."

"WHAT ?" Glory burst out. "THEY WANT TO WHAT ?"

"You heard it right. And that's why they asked Starflight to choose Blister, because she might help them."

The Rainwing turned to him. "Is that right Starflight ?"

"Yes." He looked down, looking once again as if his world had been completely thrown upside down. "They wanted me to influence you to choose her, but I didn't know why."

Waves of red spilt across Glory's scales, brighter even than before. "Who do they think they are ?"

"See ? I told you everyone wants to use the prophecy their own way." Ashley continued. "Blister wants to gain the support of the Nightwings and hopes this will turn the public attention in her favour. The Nightwings want to divert the attention and get her help once she becomes queen to take over another tribe. Blaze ? Well, she probably never thought of interfering with the prophecy herself and just believes she's the right one."

He paused, trying to find how Burn was using it. She hated it, but while she was trying to destroy everything related to the prophecy, she certainly wasn't going to let out any idea if she had a chance to use it against her sisters.

"What about Burn ?" Clay asked.

"Hum..." He thought for a moment to remember what he knew. "Oh no-"

"What's wrong ?" Tsunami said worriedly.

"She's infiltrated the Talons of Peace with spies to find where the Seawings are hiding their palaces and attack them. If I'm right, she attacks in only a few days at best." As he said that, Tsunami's face slowly became more livid.

"We need to warn my mother ! They must evacuate the Seawings !" She cried.

"I also know this happens after Blister comes. So as long as we don't see her, we should have time." Ashley looked at the small window carved into the stone wall, the outside was completely dark, and only the sounds of rain and casual thunder could be heard. The night had fallen. He returned his attention to Tsunami. "Your mother is probably going to seek you as soon as tomorrow morning right ?"

"Seeing how she has been so far, that would make sense yes." She said.

"It's too dangerous for you to go out now. Wait and tell her tomorrow, try not to sound crazy while you do that too. We wouldn't want them to figure out something we don't want them to."

"What should I tell her then ?" She asked.

"I don't know, something with the talon of peace, you've been with them since you hatched. Say you recognized one in the Sky Kingdom maybe. Make things up so that she takes the right decision if you need it." Ashley proposed, Glory winced at his last words.

"That could work," Tsunami observed. "Alright, I'll do that."

"Oh, and by the way. While we're covering things up, could we continue the Sandwing Animus thing with other dragons ? I told you the truth, but that doesn't mean I want anyone to raise questions."

"I guess we can do that." Glory said. "But what about the dragon ? Did you completely make her up so that you could tell us this ?"

"No, she is very real, I would be very surprised if Starflight didn't know about her before we met."

"I've never read about any Sandwing animus called 'Boa'," the Nightwing said. "But I know about one named Jerboa, so I guess that must be her."

"Maybe we don't mention the future knowing stuff either too." Glory said reluctantly.

"I agree," said Starflight.

"Thank you." Ashley finished.

"I don't really like that way of thinking," Sunny said. "We shouldn't hide what's important, how are dragons going to trust us ?"

"Would they trust a human who can talk to dragons, comes from an unknown place, and knows the future for no reason ? Would they trust that ?" Ashley countered.

She lowered her head. "Well, if you put it that way-"

Tsunami fell flat on the floor, huffing out. "That... was a lot."

"Your little princess activities got you tired ?" Glory said with sarcasm in her voice.

"I'm exhausted." Tsunami simply answered.

"Are you satisfied with your answers now ?" Ashley asked Glory.

"It will do," she said. "For now."

"It's so strange to think about," Sunny said, curling around the egg. "A whole story about us. But maybe that's what the prophecy is too, in a way," she supposed.

"Do you know what happens tomorrow ?" Tsunami asked.

"I'm not sure I know when 'tomorrow' is, Tsunami," Ashley answered. "My days are messed up and I've lost track of them."

She sighed, disappointed.

"But if I'm right, the next major thing that should happen is probably Blister's arrival."

"I see." She turned her head to her friends. "Let's get some rest then, better if we're presentable in case she arrives tomorrow right ?"

"Mhm," Starflight nodded at the idea, although his mind was clearly already wandering into its own space for a while now.

The dragonets' attention was starting to falter. Clay bit into one last fish before curling up with Sunny, helping her to shelter the egg with his scales. Starflight and Tsunami both joined them to form a warm pile of scales. The Nightwing tried to fit himself near Sunny while Tsunami simply rested her head on Clay's shoulder.

Only Glory was left, standing beside Ashley.

"I believe I owe you an apology." She said to him.

Ashley blinked a few times, unsure of what he just heard.

"I might have been a bit too harsh earlier." She said. "I was angry and I doubted your intention, but I didn't want the situation to turn that way." She lifted a talon to her snout, where Ashley had accidentally hit it with his knife during his panic. It was barely visible already, the injury was minimal enough to be nothing but a scratch.

"It's not your fault, while not adapted, your behaviour was justified, I panicked when I shouldn't have. My mind tricked me and for a moment I thought I were somewhere else." Ashley said.

"What do you mean ?"

"Well". Ashley took a small sip into his bottle. "I thought I saw Scarlet for a moment."

"Now that's just plain insulting." She lowered her sight. "Do I really make you think of her ?"

"I mean, you definitely absorbed some of her temperament during our visit to her palace."

"Very funny." Glory huffed. "But more seriously, how does that happen ?"

"Well, we've all got our problems."

"What problems ?" Glory tilted her head sideways, curious.

"That's not something I wish to discuss," Ashley said, staring into nothing.

An awkward silence settled between the two, occasionally broken by one of the dragonets' snoring.

"I didn't know." She eventually broke out. Ashley raised his head at her, shooting a curious glance at her, Glory's voice was softer now. "I never thought about how it was for you, I didn't realise."

"It's ok, I didn't expect you to."

The two of them looked at the pile of dragonets.

"You should join them," Ashley said. "Get to sleep."

"You're not joining us ?"

"Well-"

"No more words." She cut him. "You're going to get cold if you stay alone, and we don't want that, so you're coming with me."

There was no arguing with that. Glory brought him to the pile and he found a place to lodge himself without getting accidentally crushed during the night.

He wasn't very tired, and it took him a while before finding sleep. But he didn't last long before his mind started to wander off.

At some point, Sunny shifted a bit and one of her wings ended up covering him. Eventually, Sunny's warm scales and the constant rise and fall of the dragonets' breath drove Ashley to the edge of sleeping.

But just before he fell asleep, one single thought made its way into his mind. She didn't tell us anything about Kestrel. Does that mean she survived ?