The Endless Forest

Oralyn stood silently as she stared down at an old grey kobold. She was in the hatchery, only her second official visit to it. However, unlike last time, which was more of a guided tour, this visit was far more personal…

Externally, she was keeping an air of stoic confidence. At no point did she want her mask to fall away and reveal what was truly going on internally. And, what was she feeling internally?

Hesitation.

She was like anyone else, born with emotions. Flawed emotions. That wasn't to say, however, that she viewed them as bad. No, instead she viewed them more as cropping up at the wrong time, especially in tense and heated moments. And, ever since she lost her one and only chance at romance, she had made it her duty to ignore said emotions when making decisions.

And it's at this moment that I've failed to contain them properly. She wanted to click her tongue in frustration at her own uncertainty, for this was one of those pivotal moments that could change the course of her life… Again.

Thankfully, her mask held. She would at least not show the world her weakness. But what should I do?

Oralyn had to give Felix credit. He had an…interesting way of charming people. She would never call him an idiot, but it had been clear since the day she met him that he rarely took things seriously. A major flaw, but one she'd seen slowly change over time.

But, that flaw? It had turned out to be more of a benefit. People rallied behind him, whether they– or him –knew it or not. Where he lacked seriousness, he made up for with care and attention.

His focus had always been upon his friends. Always giving, and never expecting anything in return. Even his offer to the Chiefs of dragon scales for payment was rather generous.

Admittedly, she had a poor view of him in the beginning. But, the moment the clearing, his home, was attacked? He changed. She saw it in his eyes while she cradled Calinna's still warm body in her arms.

They all saw it when he created the perfect monument to the victims, and promised a new era… A new book. He meant it. And now Calinna watched over them all, their vigilant protector. The others who perished would rest well too.

Blinking, Oralyn came back to the present, back to the kobold staring up at her. She sensed…something, a strange feeling washing over and through her. It pierced her mask and judged her hidden emotions.

"Elf become new Master? Tricky Master?" the kobold, Watcher, asked.

Tricky? That was an odd description for her, and one she wasn't sure if she liked or not. Unfortunately, before she could ask for clarification, Felix spoke.

"Hopefully, yes."

"Hmm… Watcher find Tricky Master…tricky. She hide feelings, bury them. But Watcher see all, Watcher see fear, doubt. Watcher see more too. Watcher see pain, suffering. I see… Hope."

For the faintest of moments, Oralyn felt her body tense. Will I be able to hatch an egg– More importantly, do I want to hatch one? She had not fully agreed to it, the thought still raging a war in her mind.

It was that war that caused her hesitancy, her fear. Would she be able to continue with the plans she laid out for herself? There was nothing more in her life than to see her people rising to the top once again.

"That's…not exactly what I wanted to hear. But I still believe she can do it," Felix responded, a sense of confidence returning despite the not-so great news.

Watcher bowed. "Watcher take Tricky Master and find egg." He suddenly grabbed her hand. "Come!"

Again, before she could respond, the kobold was attempting to drag her forward.

Felix gave her an apologetic look. "I'll wait right here– Oh, and good luck!"

Holding desperately to her mask, she merely gave him a nod before 'following' the kobold…

Once, twice, three times they made their way around the Hatchery, stopping at each den. The kobold would stick his snout in before shaking his head and pulling her to the next. It was starting to look hopeless.

Oralyn's heart sank and the little hope she did hold within, slipped away. Yeah, this was never going to work. I should have declined sooner…

"What's wrong?" Felix called out, a look of confusion on his face.

They rounded the last row of dens and made their way back to him. "Watcher no find egg," the kobold answered, letting out a dejected sigh.

"It's fine," she added. "I knew this would happen– And I admit I let my imagination get the better of me." She gave a deep, formal bow. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I shall decline."

She gently tugged her hand out from Watcher's grasp and began making her way towards the entrance…

"Wait!"

She came to a stop, a single step away from leaving. There was something in the air, something powerful but faint. A single whisper made it to her ear.

Let go of your mask…

The voice was familiar, friendly even. She immediately knew who it was. That faint power faded into nothingness.

Let it…go? The thought sounded absurd, and she almost scoffed at the prospect. And yet, a new war sparked.

Could she let it go, let the mask fall away? It was a part of her identity, her being. It was what let her stay level-headed. What would happen if I panicked or worse? People are relying on me…

"Oralyn! Wait!" Felix shouted again, appearing next to her.

She bit her lip and desperately begged her legs to move forward, but nothing came of it. She remained in place. Damn it!

A crack appeared…

"Hey… Don't give up hope yet. There are still more eggs and I'm sure–"

"Why?"

Her question seemed to catch Felix off guard. "Why…?"

Oralyn nodded. "Why?"

He studied her for several agonizing seconds, his eyes somehow piercing through her veil. "Because you deserve happiness."

Happi…ness? The word sounded foreign but it struck a cord deep within her core. Deep within her chained up emotions.

The crack spread…

"I… I am perfectly happy. As I said, I am not doing any of this for some reward. I'm doing this for–"

"For your people, I know. We all saw your change after Calinna's death. You even took it upon yourself to be Eri's right-hand…woman. But, Oralyn, have you considered what it's doing to you?"

She felt offended. "To me? Of course I know what it's doing to me! I have accepted that I cannot rule but that doesn't mean I can't make a difference! I want to see my people rise once again! That is what will make me happy!"

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He weathered her storm and hit her with a gut punch. "You don't have to do it alone."

Reeling from his words, she failed to find a proper retort. Instead, in that moment, her mask shattered.

She slumped to her knees, tears streaming out as she desperately tried to hide her face in her hands. An arm appeared around her and she was pulled into an embrace.

"It's okay, let it all out," he whispered.

And she did…

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You realize you're a hypocrite, right? Zira commented. Pretty sure Eri told you something similar…

Felix winced. He was standing in the Sanctuary, waiting near the dens that held the additional eggs. I'm…aware, but I refuse to take my words back. She is trying to take the world upon her shoulders. She doesn't need to do that.

He felt Zira roll her eyes through their bond. And you plan on taking on that weight by yourself?

No…

She let her presence into his mind. Felix, I know you too well. Don't.

Their minds touched for a brief moment and only when they separated did he respond. I will do what is necessary– But! I've learned that if there is something I can't handle on my own, I will ask for help. Moving on… I'm curious, how is practice going? You and Kyrith have it all down?

There was a surge of pride. Of course! We even added to it!

He smiled. I'm excited and I can't wait to see the results. I've been doing everything I can to not peek in on you or Kyrith.

I appreciate that. But what about there at the manor? This morning was exceptionally noisy, I barely slept!

I heard it started sometime in the night. Oralyn barely slept as well by the sounds of it. But we got things mostly under control. All it took was for me to make a brief visit to the Chiefs and they got it sorted.

Zira let out a laugh. I bet they went pale!

They did! he responded, joining her. But…it's strange. I didn't really see any of this chaos myself, but I find it odd that everyone was cheery this morning. Way more than normal… Even Gillador had a bright smile! Can you believe that?

I wouldn't say it was chaos… It was like a spell was cast. One moment I was perfectly asleep and then the next I was fully awake and felt like I could take on the world.

Felix pondered that. I felt something like that. Oralyn believes it was the Chiefs rallying everyone, but I'm not so sure. Do you think someone might've cast a spell? Maybe one of the Sages?

No. I tasted the air for mana and the only oddity I found was a strong scent of sap.

He physically stumbled back. Sap? Like tree sap?

Yes.

Now that was truly strange, but it did make him wonder… Do you think the Tree of Providence had something to do with it?

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised.

He put a hand up to his chin in thought. I might go and speak with Calinna, I haven't done that in a few days.

You should take Eri too. She wanted to speak with her as well.

Yeah. Once Eri is done with her dress, we'll go and speak to her, he said with a nod.

Good, and me and Kyrith will be back later this evening. For now, though, I need to go. We are done resting and going to do another full run of our dance.

Good luck!

Zira pulled his mind into a hug before vanishing through the bond, letting him bring his attention back to his surroundings. People were busily working away at the last few details for Eri's coronation. Though, quite a few eyes were curiously watching him, Oralyn, and Watcher…

Speaking of… He ignored the noisy onlookers and focused on the elven woman and kobold. When he had last paid attention they were still going through the dens, looking at the eggs. However, now they had stopped and were discussing something.

Curious, Felix approached and listened in.

"Watcher sure of it! Egg in here hatch for Tricky Master!"

"And… And all I have to do is go and touch them?" a nervous Oralyn asked.

He felt a pang of guilt. I never meant to make her break down and cry like that… He had apologized, but there was a part of him that was glad to see her remove her mask. And now that it's off, hopefully it stays that way.

"What's going on?" he asked aloud as he came to a stop next to them.

"Watcher feel it! I feel egg calling for Tricky Master!" the gray kobold answered excitedly.

Why am I not surprised? "Really? Can you figure out which one?"

Watcher began to nod but then suddenly froze. "Master tell Watcher stay away…"

"Ah." He briefly considered an exception until he glanced over to Oralyn. She had a determined look in her eye that she tried to hide, however, without her metaphorical mask, it didn't work.

That's going to take some time to get used to… "Come," he gestured for her to follow and entered into the den.

Felix found himself surrounded by eggs and incredibly dense mana. He hadn't noticed it before but the concentration of mana was even denser in here than out in the Sanctuary. I wonder why?

He knelt down next to a cluster of eggs and activated his mana sight. His eyes reflectively closed as bright colors threaten to blind him. But this was not his first time.

Waiting a few moments he slowly opened them and took in the scene. Mana was indeed gathering here within the den. There was a 'draft' near the front where it was being sucked inward.

He peered down at the eggs and watched as the mana circled, slowly being consumed by them. That…should not be happening, right?

Thinking back to everything he knew about dragon eggs, the Hatchery, and the Sanctuary, he was fairly confident that Fea had meant for these eggs to sit here in reserve. The ones back at the Hatchery were the ones that were closer to hatching.

Yet these ones are consuming mana… That's bad right? Unfortunately, his thoughts were distracted as Oralyn let out a gasp.

He turned his attention over to her and found her standing before another cluster located near the far wall. "Did you find it?" he asked, rising up and making his way to her.

"I… I don't know? But–" Her voice caught and her eyes widened.

Following her gaze he noticed one egg standing out among the others, one that was absolutely glowing in his mana sight. Gods! It's ready to hatch!

In shock he barely noticed its physical appearance. It was quite large, similar in size to the ones Kyrith and Zira had hatched from. However, it was truly unique in color. In fact, Felix had a hard time differentiating it from the mana swirling around it.

The egg had a coppery color but one with an iridescence. Faint reds, blues, yellows– The entire rainbow played out as he observed it. Yet, there was more to this beautifully strange egg. Upon closer inspection, he saw faint spiraling, squares that overlapped one another to form the outer shell.

A metallic dragon? It was his first thought based on looks alone, but the formations confused him. It was unlike any other egg within this den or others…

Oralyn took a single step forward as if in a trance before dropping to her knees. She raised a shaky hand and slowly began to reach for it.

"Wait!" Felix shouted, pulling her back. That broke her out of the spell.

She blinked. "W-what happened?"

He lowered himself next to her, wearing a bright smile. "I think you just found the egg, but hold on for a moment."

Her eyes darted between him and the egg, clearly debating whether or not she should listen. "Okay…"

"Thank you." He brought his gaze back to the egg, letting his thoughts from before come back to the forefront of his mind.

Now, why are you ready to hatch? He slowly scanned the rest of the den, hoping to find some sort of hint. It finally came to him as he noticed how barren the walls looked, both normally and through his mana sight.

"Hey Watcher?" he called out. "Tell me, do you see any runes? You know, like the ones on the dens in the Hatchery?"

There was silence as the kobold quickly inspected the entrance. "Watcher see no runes," was the reply he got back.

That has to be it! The Hatchery has runes to control the flow of mana, but here these eggs are just bathing in it. They were the furthest away from hatching… But now they might be even closer!

This discovery changed things for him. With these eggs constantly bathing in mana, they were on the brink of hatching. And all they need is a little encouragement…

"Oralyn," he said suddenly.

"Yes?" Her attention was still entirely on the egg, her hands close to her chest as if she was afraid they would reach out all on their own.

"Ready to be imprinted?"

"Im..printed? What do you mean?"

"Never mind," he answered, waving her question away. "It doesn't matter… I'm going to tell you what to do, okay?"

She gave a nod. "Okay."

Taking a deep breath, he began to instruct her…