Chapter Text
Chapter 6
Winter slunk next to his sister into the prey center. A day passed since the history cave fire. Winter had managed to avoid Qibli since then, sleeping in Icicles cave that night- or trying to sleep at least. He spent most of the night staring at the wall.
He saw Qibli hanging around with Moon all day- that was fine. He would fall in love and forget Winter, and that was exactly what he wanted. He could go back to the bleak snowscape of loneliness and not worry about warmth and sincerity distracting him from his tasks. He sighed, that was what he wanted right? Or at least that was what's best for him. But whenever he thought of Moon and Qibli, warm sun against cool night, his heart constricted- Feelings in his chest he couldn't decipher.
Winter wanted to avoid other dragons today, but pangs in his stomach demanded that he attend lunch. He considered skipping it, but as much as he tried to hide it, he wasn't a dragon made of steel. He was brittle alabaster, caving under the slightest pressure. The pressure though was the thought of being left alone. If he was alone, nothing could distract him from the horrible stream of thoughts produced from his own deceptive mind. There had been an assembly earlier that day, but instead of Icicle taking pity on him, she told him to grow a backbone. Qibli would have skipped with me. Shame rose in his throat at the thought. Maybe he would have, but now.. He couldn't. Winter was going to avoid Qibli no matter what it took, he was too close to spilling all his deepest guilt and shame. He would sleep in Icicles cave, and if she grew tired of him, near one of the underground lakes.
Winter found himself alone as his sister had flown up toward their ledge while he was lost in thought. He glared up at her with disdain when he heard a crack. Horror drew into his chest as a nail blunt stalactite split from the ceiling and plummeted towards his remaining sibling. She ducked out of the way and it crashed into rubble. He jetted up.
“Icicle!” she whirled around, teeth bared at the dwindling audience.
“Who DARED attack me?” bitter ice drawled down his spine from the pure venom in her voice. Clay ran up to them.
“By all the moons! How did that happen? Icicle, are you all right?” her wings twitched with rage.
“No! Someone tried to KILL ME!” Clay looked taken aback,
“What? No- surely that was an accident.”
“Look at the clawmarks. That's no accident.” Sure enough, the shattered fragments were dappled with wounds of intention. This wouldn't end well for whoever did that.
“That bomb yesterday was meant for me. I'm the target. Someone is trying to kill me and I'm going to turn whoever it is into a GLITTERING ICE STATUE and BEAT IT TO SMITHEREENS WITH MY TAIL.” she flew down to the floor of the prey center, whipping around, eyes a searchlight.
“Icicle you can't do that! And the cactus was set to explode before class started- so no guarantee you’d be in there.” said Clay, trying to mediate.
“I was supposed to be there. I’d planned to go early to get a scroll. Just by luck I went to the underground lake first. Otherwise I would now be DEAD.” Winter raised his head, possibilities swarming.
“Icicle, did you tell anyone you were planning to go early?” she looked down, thinking. Then her eyes widened and a cruel snarl etched lines into her snout. She whipped around and charged out of the prey center. Winter could only stand frozen, frost locking him in place. A scattered audience lay in a pool of tension, attempted conversations cut with shards of silence. Suddenly, he realized he was alone. His chest caved. He forced his limbs to MOVE. He needed to find Icicle.
He ran down corridors, trying to find where she could have gone. Every step sparked a sharp jolt of pain up his arm, but it was at least bearable now, and there were more important things to focus on. His head whipped around sharply at every corner, sending his wreath of horns into a clatter of wind chime song. The underground caves were empty, so was her cave. He slid to a stop, trying to think.
He looked up sharply as shattered echoes of a fight lanced through the tunnels. That must be her. He took off and found himself in front of the library.
Winter froze, taking in the brutish scene. His sister, pristine face chiseled with brutal desperation and pained rage, with her dagger-sharp talons pressed into the throat of Starflight. Moon sat, pleading at her. Qibli was in a fighting stance, deadly tail drawn. Winter widened his eyes, horrified. Not only was Starflight definitely not trying to murder Icicle, but he was completely helpless. Winter stared at Icicle in shock and confusion.
“Icicle, what are you doing?” She didn't move.
“Stay out of this, Winter. Or be helpful and go kill Sunny.” Bile rose in his throat.
“What are you talking about? Why would we do that?” She glared at him, clearly going manic.
“Mother always said you weren't as strong or smart as Hailstorm.” His heart panged. She whipped her head around.
“I see you edging closer, Sandwing. Look- I’ll take the librarian with me and I'll release him once I'm a safe distance away.” Moon glared at her.
“She’s lying. She’ll kill him as soon as she gets a chance.” Icicle narrowed her eyes, biding. Suddenly she whipped her head towards Qibli and spat a jet of frostbreath at his sandy scales. Winter's heart seized. Moon jumped in front and jagged peaks of ice froze on her back. Winter hissed, enraged at the unprovoked attack. Icicle growled and slammed Starflight into a scrollshelf, knocking him unconscious. Qibli whammed into Icicle, but she rolled and pinned him down, raising his own tail like a stake so he couldn't use it. She grabbed him by the throat before slamming him into Starflights desk. Winter held his breath. Get up! He urged his talons to move. Icicle turned to Moon, frost building behind her growl. He forced his claws from the floor, shook his head out of a daze of shock and bolted, slamming into his sister.
“Icicle, don't!" She threw him off easily, his limbs weak.
“You never won when we fought in the hatchery. Don't bother trying now.” she glowered. “And for what? A couple Nightwings? Don't you remember what they did to our tribe? To Hailstorm?” He did, of course. Icicle restated it. “They came out of the sky and killed every last Icewing in Scarlet's prison- while they were still bound and chained- To make Queen Scarlet free that one.” she pointed a deadly sharp talon at an unconscious Starflight. “He’s the reason they’re dead.” The scene that haunted him for so long replayed in his head. Hailstorm captured by Skywings and put to death. Icicle was wrong. It was his fault. He glared at his talons. Icicle shoved Moon again, pinning her head to the ground. She struggled, trying to open her mouth.
“But Starflight’s not to blame, Winter. He’s the kind of dragon who would stop the killing. He’s good inside.” She looked up and met his eyes. “Just like you are.” he swallowed.
“Good? Pfft. Would you rather be good or strong?” Icicle challenged, still pinning Moon. A deep seated resentment rose from somewhere inside him. He narrowed his eyes. Spinning, he whacked his sister with a whip of ice, drawing blood from the impact of his tail. Moon scrambled up as Icicle was knocked aside, choked gasps escaped her throat. He glared at Icicle.
“Starflight didn't kill Hailstorm! Queen Scarlet did! She’s the one who took him prisoner! He would have died sooner or later in the arena.” he swallowed, ice building around his voice. “How can you work for her?” Icicle rose, blood ravaging her cheek, Breathing heavy. Her eyes belonged to a desperate rabid animal.
“Because,” she choked out. “Our brother is ALIVE, you fool! Scarlet kept the important prisoners in a secret, separate prison.” Winter choked on air as breath was drawn from his lungs. Stunned silence drew thin. Her words hardly registered in his head. He looked down in shock.
“Hailstorm is.. alive?” His voice was small, powerless.
“Yes! And if I had succeeded in killing the prophecy dragonets, she would have given him back.” A chaos of tangled emotion rose in his throat. “But instead you've killed him all over again. And now you have to live with that forever.” Pain ran up his chest.
“Why didn't you tell me?” he demanded, voice broken. She growled.
“Because you’re worthless. And I didn't want to waste time arguing with your moral sensibilities.” Moon lifted her head.
“She means she didn't want to be talked out of it. She knew you’d try, and maybe even succeed. Because you’re not worthless; you're smart and brave and capable of caring about other dragons.” He glanced at her, his expression a mix of everything sad. Did she really mean that? Hollowness filled his voice.
“Hailstorm isn't dead..?”
Icicle sighed.
“Theres still time, Winter. We could kill the dragonets and get him back.” He looked down. All those years of guilt and pain, and he was alive the whole time? He swallowed.
“Not with more killing. Not for Queen Scarlet. It won't work.” Icicle snarled.
“Fine. I hope you choke on a walrus and die.” with that she flung around and tore through the leaf windows. He ran to the window, calling out.
“Icicle! Stop! We can find him together!” But she didn't turn back, diamond scales glinting distant in the sky. He fell back, limp with shock. An odd hollowness clouded his thoughts. Hailstorm’s alive. He isn't dead. And Winter needed to save him before he died again.
Winter pounded down a long hallway, heart thumping. Hailstorm is alive, Alive, ALIVE. You killed him all over again. He’s dead dead dead! His thoughts cycled, repeating over and over until he couldn't bear it. He needed to leave. He had to save Hailstorm.
Winter burst into his cave, locking onto the ironclad cage. He couldn't carry Bandit with him, but he couldn't leave him here. He latched onto the handle and launched out of the window. Heavy sheets of rain lashed his scales, pulling his wings to the ground. He spiraled towards the rain-laden wood, dropping into a clearing. Winter tipped the cage towards the ground, opening the latch. Tears brimmed in his eyes, and frustration made him shake the structure. He could barely form a thought behind the blizzard raging frosty spikes through his chest.
“Go on, Bandit. Get out of here. I know it's raining, but it's better than the Ice Kingdom.” he could barely force out the words. Moons why was he so emotional?
“Winter!” A call from the sky, drowned by rain. He locked onto the shapes winging towards him. Was that.. His winglet?
“Moon? What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” She called, slightly breathless.
“And we found you! We’re amazing.” Winter frowned at Kinkajou's statement. Why would they look for him? To drag him back?
“I’m not going back. I need to look for my brother.” Moon landed along with the others.
“I thought so. We want to help you.” He widened his eyes. Help?
“You can't come. I'm going to Queen Glacier. I need her help to find Hailstorm.” Qibli stepped up.
“Or you could go after Icicle. Try to find out more about what Scarlet told her.”
“I don't know where she’s gone.”
“I have a guess. Everyone knows what Glory did to Queen Scarlet. I think Icicles gone to the rainforest to kill the dragonet Scarlet hates most.” Winter looked down, considering. It would make sense. Thunder clapped.
He looked up sharply at a gasp, Moon collapsed, clutching her head. Seconds later she raised up as if possessed and words poured monotonously out of her chest. He stared at her, slightly fearful. It was a rhythmic speech spewing words of darkness and fire and ice and night. His heart stopped. That sounded like.. A prophecy. It ceased as suddenly as it started, Then Moon raised her head, dizzy.
“Turtle, please give Winter one of the rocks.” Turtle fiddled with his cuff and handed something to Winter. He inspected the miniscule obsidian-like gem.
“Winter, there are a few things you need to know about me.” He looked up- that sounded ominous. “The Nightwings really have lost their powers. There hasn't been one who could read minds or see the future in, well, a very long time. Until me.” He froze, gaping at her. His heart studded against his ribcage. He didn't want to believe it. That look in the prey center.. She- he looked down in horror. She continued, attempting to explain herself.
“It's because I hatched in the rainforest under two full moons, I can do both.” Winter’s breath strangled out of his lungs.
“Both.. both what?” he knew already. He needed to hear it out loud.
“See visions of the future. And.. read minds.” Winter stepped back.
“But you’re safe now, Winter! That rock is skyfire, it shields your thoughts from me. I can't hear anything you’re thinking while you have it.” Winter barely registered what she said. He wheezed.
“You- you knew.. The whole time you- why didnt you-” he stopped. Moon recoiled, understanding dawned on her face. He shook his head. “You’ve been listening to us from the moment we met. Deceiving us. Spying on us.” he took another step back, breathing heavy. “I should have expected as much from a Nightwing.” He thought in horror at the things she heard in his head.. What she knows. He tried to keep his voice steady.
“Go back to Jade Mountain. All of you, and leave me alone.” he said, dangerously calm. He turned to Bandit, anger now spilling into his voice. “And you, GET OUT OF HERE!” the little scavenger looked up in fear before bolting out into the rain. Then Winter turned and ran, ignoring the calls of his winglet.
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Qibli stared after Winter, his scales blurring into the rain and shadows of the night. Worry for the Icewing seeded in his heart, Obviously anyone might be upset at Moon's secret, but he seemed particularly distressed. There must be an explanation for his reaction. You knew. Something deep between Winter and Moon sparked with both of their reactions. She must have breached his trust deeply, affecting him more than the others. It must be something Moon heard in his head. He thought back, specifically to the way she looked at him in the prey center just a few days ago, that could have something to do with it. Did she know what happened to Winter that day? Whatever it was seemed to have affected him deeply given his recoil. He sighed in frustration, he wanted to help Winter so badly, but he wouldn't let him in. Yet.
He needed his trust. Paired with the news of his brother and Icicle, he must be incredibly overwhelmed. He needed to check on Winter. Something stuttered in Qibli’s heart when he thought of his cold brooding face. Feelings that he had so far ignored. He shamed himself for thinking of Winter like that when he could be suffering. He turned to Moon, he couldn't let Winter run from confrontation again
“Moon, what did he mean by that, what did you hear?” She looked so many things at once; guilty, sad, confused.
“I..” she paused as if the words were caught in her throat.
“Wait. Don't tell me.” If he was going to gain his trust, then he couldn't breach his privacy so blatantly, he understood Moon didn't exactly have a choice in what she heard, but Qibli did. He rose and started towards where Winter ran. Kinkajou stood. Moon reached out a talon to stop her.
“Wait. We can't overwhelm him with all of us at once, and he won't want to talk to me. Winter.. He trusts Qibli” he looked towards her, understanding. Though he didn't catch the layers of meaning under her tone. He turned and ran off through the undergrowth.
Bitter rain seeped in through Qiblis warm scales. Trampled ferns and bushes lay in his wake. He looked for any signs of Winter, a tread of splintered twigs and ferns lay in front of him, that must be where he went. Qibli reached a break in the trees. In front of him was a small creek, a wide cliff, and a dark cave. He swallowed, it was worth a look. Qibli approached the small entrance and his heart froze. Inside he could hear sobbing. His eyes widened, he stepped forward and almost tripped. Under his talons was a silver floral-engraved cuff. The same one that Winter wore. He took a deep breath and walked up. He didn't want to scare him, so he called out.
“Winter..?” there was no response besides what sounded like a dragon trying to stifle a sob. He crouched down and pushed himself inside.
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Winter curled in a fetal position. mind racing, limbs twitching, the cool wall of the cave cradled him. He couldn't comprehend anything. Moon- she knew. She knows. She tore him open and spilled all he was. And Hailstorm. Sobs escaped him at the barrage of thoughts circling.
He’s alive, Alive, ALIVE. You killed him all over again. He’s dead dead dead! He stood suddenly, unable to contain his emotion. He paced back and forth across the cave. He couldn't do it again, he couldn't he couldn't he couldn't. Moon would see it in his head and see how pathetic he was- again. The stupid rock she gave him was obviously another Nightwing lie to give them a false sense of security.
Keening noises of a pained animal escaped his throat. Why couldn't he just be normal and competent? He had to save Hailstorm and get far far away from this cursed mountain, but it was all he could do to not fall apart, secrets and bones strewn about the ground- and he was still failing at that. His pacing wore a slight groove into the soft dirt, a metallic scent drifted from the dried blue under his talons. He couldn't stand it, the smell made him so deeply ill and caused his stomach to turn. He reached the wall, resting his head against it and stared at the churned earth. He felt brackish tears slop down his face and the wild sound of himself trying to stifle his cries. He stood there for a while, and then his talons gave out and he curled towards the wall again. He couldn't stand this. He had to do it. He needed it. Moon wouldn't find out. He could run- somewhere deep and private where he’d never have to talk to another dragon again. His claws twitched towards his exposed arm, where had his cuff gone? He didn't remember taking it off. He can't. He can't he can't stop it. A claw was digging into a scabbed over cut. Nerves ripped apart, he gasped at the shocking pain. Something was fogging his mind, he focused on the pain, the only thing that was real. He looked down, a number of cuts were split open and oozing lazuli. An odd feeling of loss suddenly sunk through his skull, a strange peace. What would it matter if he bled out right then? His family despised him, no one would notice if he just didn't return. He truly had no one in the whole world. Some dragon would one day come across his bones, finding him one with nature and finally at peace. He wouldn't have to be angry anymore. He wouldn't have to hope for something that could never be. Qibli and Moon could be happy together, and he would be forgotten. Stifled sobs left him raw and exhausted, he hardly noticed his claws reaching for his throat, tender and vulnerable. The easy way out. Such a coward.
“Winter?” He jerked up, snapping out of a daze. A voice called his name at the entrance. No no no no NO. He stood, whipping around for any possible escape. He clamped his claws over his snout, facing the wall, but his cries had already given him away. Sandy scales backed by moonlight and rain slid through the entrance. He hadn't considered that Qibli- or anyone really- would try to find him, that they would even care at all. There was no way out, so he wiped his face and angled his arm away from view. He plastered an angry frown over streaks of tears. He could explain this, he was crying for some stupid reason and he wanted to be alone. It would be fine. He glared at the wall as Qibli approached.
“Winter I know that was.. a lot to take in, but we’ll get through this all right?” He was trembling, he couldn't speak. He felt a growing lump in his throat that would escape into a sob if he opened his mouth. He looked down at the blood slicked from picked scabs on his arm. How could he hide this? Drips were flowing steadily and surmounted in a circle of blue. He felt hot tears track down, joining them. His throat ached, Qibli would hate him after this. He hated himself for getting attached in the first place.
“Winter?” He took a deep breath.
“Go away, Qibli” his voice was cracked and wavering. He could almost imagine the worried expression on Qiblis snout. This would be it, when he truly realized how bad Winter was. He hated the way he was already grieving him. He couldn't hold it any longer. He felt his shoulders slump and betraying sobs consumed him again. He glared at his inability to just be normal.
Winter flinched at a sudden warmth over his back. He jerked his arm away, covered with his wing.
“Winter, please talk to me.” Winter stood quickly, hiding the cuts. He took a shuddering breath and wiped his face, straining from holding back his tears.
“I-i cant. I cant”
“Please, I just want to help you.” Qibli pleaded. Winter shook his head.
“I need to go. I- I have to save Hailstorm.” He started towards the entrance- Maybe he could get out of this.
But in a flash Qibli was in front of him, blocking the night.
“Not yet, Winter. You need to stop running.” Something indignant flashed in Winter. He narrowed his eyes, Anguish turning to anger in seconds.
“Who are you to tell me what to do?” Words spilled before he could think. “You can't fix me, Qibli. You couldn't understand half of what I've been through.” Sorrow filled Qibli's eyes, but still he blocked the entrance. Trying to help Winter would only hurt him, so why wouldn't he take the hint? Qibli gazed into Winter's eyes.
“I want to understand.”
Winter froze, heart seizing. His mind went blank. Cries broke through his throat.
“I can't. I- i don't want yo-” he choked off with a sob. Qibli shifted.
“Are you.. Bleeding?” Winter looked down, panicked. Spattered drops of cobalt were dripping from his talons.
“Winter, please let me help. I can't bear you being hurt.”
“I-” a world ending pit of fear clawed its way up his throat, constricting his chest. Why did he have to care? No one was ever supposed to find out, especially not perfection in the shape of a cocky sandwing. He looked into Qiblis eyes, no judgement lay there, only warmth and concern. Winter felt his heart ease, felt that maybe, everything could be okay.
He squeezed his eyes closed, attempting to swallow his fear. Hesitantly, he let Qibli inspect
his arm.
He cowered, waiting for yelling or a strike for being stupid enough to cut himself. But it didn't come. Warm talons cupped his arm. Silence began to grow, so Winter opened his eyes. Immediately guilt rose in his throat. Qibli looked.. So sad.
“I-im sorry. Please dont hate me, Im sorry im sorry im so-” He cut off as heat enveloped his scales.
“Winter- I'm sorry. So so sorry.” He paused, choked “I.. wish the world had been kinder to you” Tears pricked again in Winter's eyes. He felt a stab at his chest. That was something he never expected to hear. Talons wrapped around his torso. Tears soon shook his body.
He felt everything, years of abuse and loneliness, it all poured out of his chest onto Qibli’s shoulder.
“Winter, I'm.. proud of you for showing me.” He felt his cries build up, and he could only weep. He couldn't understand how anyone could be proud of this. Of him. But at that moment, he trusted Qibli. He was his friend, and he.. cared about him. He smiled softly. I won’t ever leave your side. He finally believed it.
Winter soon lay drained in Qiblis arms. He sank down, and Qibli wrapped his wing around him. He was empty now. And full. Like he had been scattered and then pieced back together. He had never felt so.. warm.
A constellation of glowworms gave the cave a dim illumination. He hadn't noticed them before. They were so pretty. They outlined Qibli's face. Rain danced in the wind outside. His eyes were leadened.
“I'm so tired, Qibli.” His voice was broken and thin. Qibli brought a talon to his face and wiped away a tear.
“Thats alright, Winter. I'm here, and we don't need to worry about anything else right now.” Winter closed his eyes, in Qiblis arms everything was okay. His words blurred with sleepiness.
“I think.. I love you.” Winter mumbled, and then he panicked. Why in pyrrhia did he say that? He raised his talons to his face and covered his eyes, groaning. But Qibli only rested his chin on Winter's head.
“I think I love you too, Winter.” he smiled small, and they embraced, warm sun against cool ice.