"Where will you all go to train?" Celestia asked her son's uncle.
"Our ship is still being repaired, but many of our engineers are still injured," he told her, opening the door ahead of them with his rites. "For the time being, we'll be training in the mountains."
She felt a bit of relief knowing that her son would be close by, but it seemed odd after she thought about his earlier training. "I thought he needed to train alone?"
Figanti nodded. "He does, and he will. We won't be coming back and forth. He'll need to sleep on the ground or on a rock, wherever he finds one." Celestia's sliver of hope diminished, and Figanti noticed. "Ichima, this time it won't only be about him. Nyla has become stronger with his training, but now it's time their connection became absolute."
She understood, knowing how strong the connection between a Signa and a dragon was. With a sigh, Celestia glanced towards the other League Members. They held regretful and determined expressions, save for Renkan. She, above all the others, could feel what Celestia was experiencing. Having her son forced to leave her, to become something he was destined for. She stepped closer to Celestia, meeting her eye to eye. A smile worked its way onto her lips, and she took Celestia's hoof and held it firmly.
"Your son... is a wonderful person, Ichima," she whispered. "You've kept him on your mother's path for us... for his true parents. But... you have to let him go." Renkan stepped out of her armor, which detached from her form, and hugged her. The others watched with surprise, but Figanti only smiled.
Celestia was shocked at first as well. However, she was grateful for the comforting embrace, and soon returned it. "Thank you..." She looked up to Figanti and gave him a stern nod. "Whatever you do, make sure Draco finishes this... once and for all."
The uncle of her son smiled briefly, then bowed respectfully to her. "I will... and I promise he'll come back." Renkan stepped back from Celestia, her armor assorting itself over her body again, and nodded.
"It's the hardest thing for a mother... seeing them become strong on their own," she whispered, looking to the side. "You wish they could always be with you... but you know in your heart it's only right they grow up."
She moved closer to Celestia once more, then placed her right hand on her correlating shoulder. "His mother would thank you for all she's done... I know she would."
The League made to depart, and Renkan slowly followed, turning to give Celestia one last smile. The alicorn smiled softly as she sat on her throne, recalling the day her life changed forever. From the moment she saw Draco's ship, to when his mother handed him to her. A baby boy without his mother, turning to her without a single ounce of fear. He'd put his life in her hooves, and throughout his entire life he never let go of that faith. For now, she'd need to put her faith in him. She had to believe he would unlock his power, that he would become a warrior of legend. He would rid the universe of a plague that threatened everything her mother had made.
Her son was an Alamonshuor, after all.
Draco exhaled as he got onto Nyla's back, gripping the reins and waiting for his uncle to take off. Once they were airborne, he followed his uncle over the k, then across the massive landmark until they were at the opposite end of Canterlot.
It will be fine, Reku'un.
I know... I know, Nyla. It's funny... I'm close to my family, but at the same time I'm still with my family.
And you always will be. I am here for you, forever and always, Reku'un.
They landed on a flatter piece of rock that jutted out from the incline of the mountain. The Signa dismounted, then stood across from each other. "We won't have much time, so be ready for tomorrow. For now, stay with Nyla and do not leave this mountain." Draco nodded softly, then watched as Figanti went over to his Nera’ak and left.
We should find a cave. It will be colder in time.
Yeah. Lead the way.
They explored the area near the plateau until they found a cave large enough to fit Nyla in. The night air had already turned into a chilly breeze, prompting Nyla to start a fire. Draco watched in amazement as a small ember erupted into a small, smokeless, flame that refused to spread.
How isn't it extinguishing? There's nothing feeding it.
It's a Nera'ak's flame. As long as I live, I can keep this flame from ever dying out.
That's amazing... I wonder what else you can do.
She grinned and snorted softly, craning her neck around to lay comfortably.
I wonder as well... it's hard for a Nera'ak without a partner to aspire to what the elders have. When I saw what our kind had become on this world, I wondered if I would be like them.
What does that mean?
Reku'un, they've become something else entirely. They aren't Nera'ak anymore. We live to fight for Minira, to die beside one another and to protect what is just. They are oblivious to what this galaxy is teeming with, and the greed and savagery of the others startled me.
Nyla, it's been lifetimes since they had any contact with their roots. They aren't Nera'ak anymore... their dragons. Earth's dragon race.
Well, I hope they aid us in the coming battle.
...
...
Nyla... are you afraid?
...
...
...of course.
...
Are you?
...
...
I'm terrified.
He chuckled lowly and looked up to her. She smiled softly as she stared into the fire, her eyes drooping sleepily.
Some Loki'irians believed we were made to keep a Signa sane. You all fight, kill, and witness horrible things. You tell each other many things, but what a Signa will never admit is that he is afraid. But you tell us... you only tell us.
...
We will become stronger than any Signa and Nera'ak have ever been. I know we will.
Then we'd better get some sleep.
Nyla let out a deep chortle, then extinguished her flame and brought her tail around. Draco leaned against the cave wall, trying his best to get comfortable until he accepted that he was in a cave. He laid back on the ground, but gasped when Nyla's tail pulled him over to her and laid him against the base of her large neck. The cold air vanished, and he felt indescribably warm.
Signa usually sleep with their partner's in the cold. Our eternal flame is strong enough to keep us warm, so this is how we normally sleep.
It's... better than the ground.
Nyla smiled once again, then nuzzled him gently and decided to rest. Draco rubbed the crest over her eye, chuckling as she growled pleasantly.
We're going to become good friends, Nyla. I know it.