Incoherent Perspectives
Chapter 11 - Stormy Reflections

"Where did the rain come from?" Cassius asked. I shrugged, hopping off Aurora. The cave was a lot bigger than I initially thought so anyone can be in here. "You guys see if you can get a fire or something started. I'm going to examine the cave in case there is anyone else in here with us," I said. The others nodded as they began building a firepit. It was looking like this storm was going to last a while. At least I wasn't completely alone, the others were in here too, so that was a plus. The first thing I noticed was the final bio carved into the wall about halfway into the cave.

In the tapestry of myth, the Ignisarbor’s tale, Youngest in the prophecy, her spirit set to sail. Twelve years embraced in the shadows of fate, Daughter of Clockwork, in a realm of debate. Unlike her sire, she shuns the fight, Averse to war’s echo, in the soft moonlight. Mother lost to the Highland’s war’s strife, A chapter of sorrow etched in her life. Her wish resonates in the dragon song, For wars to cease, for the battle to be gone. A cave by the shore, a sanctuary grand, A haven of rocks, like an alpha’s stand. Storms replace her hidden in the cavern’s embrace, Yet under clear skies, she dances with grace. Eyes like sapphire, depths of the sea, Scales a yellow glow, radiant and free. In the darkness, her scales softly gleam A mythical light, a celestial dream. She commands the glow, a power untold, A tale of the Ignisarbor, forever to be told.

That meant Dawn had to be in here somewhere. So another dragon is roaming the cave, and that other dragon is Dawn. Suddenly, a young Ember came charging out of the darkness and tackling me to the ground. Why did they always do that? Asteria did that, I ended up tackling Lumina and now whoever this was, tackled me. For some time the cave was pitch black until a sudden golden glow lit up the corridor. It was the Ember's scales, glowing like a night light. She only did it so she could see as her scales dimmed after they briefly shone like the sun. "Who are you?! How did you get here?!" she shouted. For a small little Ember, she sure could yell. She was in some kind of battle stance after she tackled me and got off, ready to attack if I answered wrong... Somehow. "I'm Louis Blanchet, a human," I responded.

"A human?" she echoed. She got out of her battle stance and her scales dimmed even more. "Explain yourself, human," she said in a hostile tone that didn't match her age at all. "For the prophecy, to end the war," I responded. Her wings dropped to her sides and she looked at me with a surprised expression. She knew exactly what I was talking about. Now that she was off of me, I could get a better look at her. Her scales were yellow and her eyes were sapphire. She was Dawn, the one that Aurora and Asteria couldn't replace anywhere in the council. "You- you want to stop the war too?" Dawn asked a slight glint in her eyes. I nodded slightly and Dawn jumped back in shock.

“You believe in the prophecy?” she asked, skepticism evident in her voice. I stood up, brushing off dirt from my clothes, “I may not have seen it all, But I’ve seen enough to believe there’s something significant about it. And I’m not alone in this. There are others out there who share the same belief. Five of them in the main cave,” I explained. "Five others?" Dawn echoed "Who are they?"

"Asteria, Cassius, Aurora, Lumina and Helia." Dawn's eyes widened when I mentioned Cassius. "Cassius? The Cassius as in... Shizen's... son, the Shizen who killed my mother." I was worried about this. Even though they both care for the prophecy, their parents are mortal enemies many of their kind have died at the talons of the "Otherside's" parents. Dawn's mother was killed in the war by a Shadow Flare and Cassius' father was being held in a Sunburst Aether cell in the Sunburst Aether council because he murdered all of Cassius' siblings. Both of them had a lot in common. They both lost family to war, they both care for the prophecy and then both disagree with their parents' decision. But even with these many similarities, this still wasn't going to be any easier. They care for the prophecy but not enough to work alongside an enemy. Unless... Unless I can convince them somehow.

I walk forward, not bothering to answer Dawn. So she just kept following me in the direction, still asking. Not the brightest tool in the shed, that's a fact. I kept walking until I arrived back at the main cave and what do you know? Dawn followed me all the way there. "You found Dawn!" Lumina shouted. "He found... Dawn," Cassius said sounding incredibly unimpressed. It was still pouring rain, and the waves on the shore were huge because of the wind. Some rain pelted Aurora on the side as she was the closest to the entrance. She was dozing in and out of sleep, one minute I looked her eyes were closed and then raindrops hit her, and she was startled awake. Asteria was lying in the darkest corner of the cave, only her eyes visible from the shadows. "Y'know, I kinda liked Radiance. She had great taste when it came to scrolls she enjoyed reading. She flew off into the storm after seeing Dawn's glow in the darkness. I don't like Dawn. If she is participating in the prophecy, I'm outta here," Cassius said. “That wouldn’t be the smartest decision, Cassius. If you leave, you’re putting your mother’s life at risk,” Aurora said.

I assume Cassius didn’t appreciate that thought very much as he growled at her.” Cassius’ growl echoed in the cave, a low and menacing sound that reverberated against the walls. Aurora, undeterred, maintained her calm composure. The tension in the cave was palpable as everyone awaited Cassius’ response. “Listen carefully, Cassius,” I interjected, trying to diffuse the escalating situation. “We’re all here for the same reason—to end the war. The prophecy binds us together, and we need each other to make it happen. Your grievances must take a backseat for good.” Cassius shot me a skeptical glance, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t trust Ignisarbors and I certainly don’t trust her,” he gestured towards Dawn, who stood with a defiant expression.

Dawn's eyes narrowed in anger "You better watch your tone mister! You're mother is the one who killed mine!" Dawn shouted. She began circling Cassius, growling menacingly. He was unphased but he too began growling menacingly at Dawn. I looked toward Aurora and whispered just loud enough, so she could hear me over the growling. "If this gets out of control, you take Dawn, I'll take Cassius," I said. Aurora shot a short, subtle nod in my direction. "You're telling me to watch my tone?! I'm five years older than you!" Cassius shouted. Dawn began swatting at Cassius as if threatening him. It was like watching a catfight. But Dawn gave him one wrong look which set Cassius off. He lunged forward, tackling Dawn to the ground, throwing strike after strike at Dawn. Eventually, Dawn managed to get the upper hand. Using her agility to roll Cassius off her and pin him down with one talon on his chest.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Both Aurora and I shouted. The sudden yelling startled Dawn, as she fell back. But Cassius takes advantage of the young Ember and returns to his flurry of slashes. Without thinking, I jumped forward, tackling Cassius to the ground. I had him pinned down with all my body weight and just as Dawn was about to attack Cassius, Aurora body-checked her, knocking her to the ground.