Chapter Text
It was about midday, the sun was high up in the cloudless sky as it shone down upon the golden scorching desert.
Winter had recently woken up from his semi-coma however he was too injured internally to fly properly and as such was stuck travelling on foot.
Plus it was way too hot to continue their journey to the Borderland anyways. And if they needed to travel on foot they would tire themselves out. So instead the group of dragonets decided to kill some time.
This was done by having Daniel give them a two hour lecture and explanation about everything he knew regarding Secrets and knowledge.
--
"And that's about it really" Daniel concluded. He didn't know how long he was speaking to them for but it had to be a long time by now.
Daniel really didn't want it to come to this, where he had to explain everything to everyone.
'Well... Not Everything' Daniel thought, he clutched his Skyfire rock tightly in his talon hoping it was blocking out Moons mind reading.
After the whole dramatic situation Daniel was indirectly forced to spill his own secrets to them.
'Of which went... Decently... I would say'
So Daniel did just that, he told them almost everything about himself.
He told them he actually wasn't from Phyrria and actually from another dimension named Earth.
He told them that he knew a lot about them because on earth there were 'Stories' about Phyrria.
'Now I wasn't exactly lying when I said that, I just left out the bit, "we wrote the stories and you guys are all actually fake"
Because I'm pretty sure that would not go well'
In reality he really didn't say much apart from being from another dimension. Most of the time was taken up by him answering Questions... A LOT of questions.
It was mainly just questions about what earth was like and such and such, nothing too crazy. Although there were a few times where he had to completely lie for their sake.
One of these times was when Qibli asked,
"So strictly speaking, if you're from another dimension... Doesn't that mean there are other dragon tribes?"
It was a basic question in their eyes because Daniel never said he was actually human. So he needed to come up with some quick thinking answers or else his real secret would be spilled right then and there.
"Well yes, sort of" Daniel lied. "We do have other tribes but the differences are mainly just scale color, nothing like what you have here.
Technically Daniel didn't lie to them, at least not directly. He just stated the different races in a different form.
If they believed he was talking about other dragons it was on them.
"Okay so anything else? I've been answering questions for the last hour and a half and I would really like to change the subject"
Daniel peered around at his friends who were just processing this new information but soon Daniel remembered something.
"Qibli... You still haven't told me where you got that weapon.. Or more importantly, how you got it"
Everyone turned to look at Qibli who looked slightly nervous.
"You won't believe me if I tell you" He said and that's when Winter piped up.
"Really Qibli, you're going to say the same story again. Like c'mon man, you can talk to us" Winter sounded both aggravated and reassuring which Daniel didn't even think was possible.
"Qibli at this point I'm ready to hear anything, just tell me"
Daniel said, now curious at how his friend had gotten his hands on a weapon that as a far as he was aware, didn't exist in Phyrria.
Qibli sighed in defeat, still thinking that nobody would believe him but he spoke up anyways.
"Fine, but when you don't believe me don't tell me to make a different story because I'm telling you the truth"
"Works for me" Daniel said calmly
And so Qibli began another forty five minute speech as he described what had happened to him in the most detail as dragonly possible.
He started from his disturbing nightmare, to his unexplainable visions of what a mysterious voice claimed to be the future, to eventually him revealing that the weapon was given to him by the voice... And that the blood on it was his own mothers.
"There... That's it.." Qibli sniffled as he finally finished recapping probably one of the most scarring moments he will ever experience.
Wiping a tear from his eye he finally asked, "Any questions?" he gave a shy smile to try and lighten the mood but it was clear he was still traumatised by what he saw.
Although Daniel noticed he was still wearing the cloak around his neck that the Voice had given him.
"Why are you still wearing the cloak?" Daniel asked.
Knowing Qibli he wouldn't do anything unless it was for a reason which is why Daniel had the suspicion that he was hiding something.
Qibli looked up at him, his eyes felt sort of panicked but at this point he couldn't tell if it was because of what Daniel had said or literally anything else that had happened today.
"O-oh uhh, no reason" Qibli said quickly though this only raised Daniels suspicious even more.
"Can I have a look at it?" Daniel asked innocently Although his skeptical glare said otherwise.
Qibli was panicking internally now, he was clutching his own Skyfire rock which Daniel had explained blocked Moons mind reading.
That was also going to be another massive debate but at the time Daniel really didn't want to get into it. So he switched the subject before they could get started on it.
It took a while for Qibli to respond but he firmly said, "Sorry Hurricane, but it's my cloak and I would prefer if you didn't touch it"
Although right after he said that Qibli shook his head and started breathing heavily.
Like he didn't know what was going on in that moment.
However Daniel did... Because he recognised the tone of voice, despite the sound of it belonging to Qibli the tone was from someone else.
It was from...
๓є..
The voice spoke suddenly in his head which nearly made him jump.
"What! How are you in my mind!" Daniel yelled to the voice whose laughter was echoing off in the background.
๔เ๔ ץ๏ย гєคɭɭץ Շђเภк ץ๏ย ς๏ยɭ๔ єรςคקє ๓є?
The voice laughed, ՇђคՇ'ร Ŧยภภץ!
Daniel was uncertain, he thought he had just barley escaped that horrid dream alive.
คภ๔ ץ๏ย ๔เ๔ The voice interrupted him.
เŦ เՇ ฬครภ'Շ Ŧ๏г ץ๏ยг คภเ๓ยร Ŧгเєภ๔ ץ๏ย ฬ๏ยɭ๔ ๏Ŧ ๒єєภ ๔єค๔ เภ Շђє ภєאՇ Ŧєฬ รєς๏ภ๔ร
The voice growled. ฬєɭɭ เ'ɭɭ ђคשє Շ๏ ђคภ๔ เՇ Շ๏ ץ๏ย Շђ๏ยﻮђ, The mysterious voice echoed in the background.
ɎØɄ ₩ɆⱤɆ ₮ⱧɆ ₣łⱤ₴₮, ł₦ ₥₳₦Ɏ ĐɆ₵₳ĐɆ₴ ₮Ø ɆVɆⱤ ₴ɄⱤVłVɆ ₥Ɏ ₦ł₲Ⱨ₮₥₳ⱤɆ, ɆVɆ₦ ł₣ ɎØɄ Ⱨ₳Đ ⱧɆⱠ₱. ₴Ø ₣ØⱤ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ł'ⱠⱠ ⱠɆ₦Đ ɎØɄ ₳ ₴₥₳ⱠⱠ ₲ł₣₮
The voice started to crack, like it was losing it's ability to speak.
'What Kind of gift?' Daniel asked skeptically.
Not knowing if he should even accept it.
ⱠɆ₮'₴ ₴₳Ɏ... ₳ '₵Ʉ₮₮ł₦₲' Ø₦Ɇ...
The voice responded cryptically.
Daniel didn't understand what he meant but didn't have time to ponder as he could feel the voice starting to leave his mind.
However he needed to know at least one last thing before it left.
'Hey Dumbass! I never got your name! Or should I just call you krakenhead from now on?'
Daniel called out, he tried to make a slight joke in order to both insult the person who just tried to kill him and also to try and ease the tension in his own body.
Ⱨ₥₥₥. ₩ɆⱠⱠ ł ₲ɄɆ₴₴ ł₮'₴ ₣₳łⱤ ₣ØⱤ ɎØɄ ₮Ø ₭₦Ø₩ ₥Ɏ ₦₳₥Ɇ ł₣ ₩Ɇ ₳ⱤɆ ₲Øł₦₲ ₮Ø ฿Ɇ ₮₳Ⱡ₭ł₦₲ QɄł₮Ɇ Ø₣₮Ɇ₦ ₣ⱤØ₥ ₦Ø₩ Ø₦...
үσ𝕌 𝓬ＡŇ 𝓬Ａ𝔩𝔩 爪Ｅ...
The voice was fading away, it was getting harder to just make out what he was saying but Daniel had close attention and he could just make out his final words..
卞 廾 ヨ 呂 丹 卞 ヨ 片 ヨ ヨ 尸 ヨ 尺...
The words rang through Daniels skull, the crackling of fire and the screams of dragons blared within the borrows of his brain.
He toppled forward onto the floor as the screams continued, like they were trying to escape the prison of his mind.
Soon it became unbearable but just as Daniel was about to scream out... It stopped.
He was left disoriented, struggling to gain his bearings on the world around him.
It took a few moments but his vision began to clear slightly just as Turtle called out to him.
"Woah?! Are you okay Hurricane?" which finally snapped Daniel out from his daydream.
Daniel shook his head before he responded. The last of his dizziness fading away as the world came to a stop around him.
"Y-Yeah I'm alright.." Daniel responded, although as he got up on his talons again he felt a sharp pain on one of his palms.
This caused him to visibly flinch and caught the attention of the others.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Moon asked uncertainly.
Daniel winced as he lifted one of his front talons off the ground, he was shocked not only to find a large gash across the entirety of his left talon, but also what appeared to be the most beautiful and deadly weapon he had ever seen..
'Is this what he meant by a 'Cutting' gift!' Daniel thought angrily.
"GODDAMMIT! PIECE OF SOME STUPID CRYPTIC VOICE!"
He screamed out loud, not caring if the others thought he was crazy.
"Arrrghh" Daniel groaned painfully as he clutched his talon. Thick red blood seaped from the wound and onto the cave floor, which at this point could be considered a bloody canvas.
"Three moons.. " Turtle cursed under his breath, "Hold on a second I'll be right back!"
Daniel watched as Turtle ran to where Peril was sitting.
Although they had been sitting there for a while she hadn't given back Turtles enchanted stone.
It was just sitting on the floor in front of them, along with about ten or twenty other rocks.
It didn't take long to find it however as there was only one rock radiating with heat which Daniel assumed was from Perils Firescales.
Turtle grabbed the stone, wincing slightly due to the unexpected high temperatures.
Bringing the stone to Daniel who was on the verge of tears the stone was placed in his injured palm.
Daniel bit his tongue, he could feel the wound healing however there was also the agonising sensation of high temperatures on an open gash.
After a few seconds he took the stone off and placed it back on the ground in front of him.
Here he switched his attention to the voices 'Cutting' gift.
'I'll be sure to remember this you dumb shadow!'
Daniel thought.
He picked up the object, which he immediately recognised.
It was a basic metal weapon, however it was one that was by far too advanced for Phyrrias time.
'How did he even manage to give this to me'?
Well I guess he kind of did the same with Qibli so who am I to know'
Just then however, the exact dragon he was thinking about spoke up.
"You heard him too? Hurricane?" Qibli asked slightly fearful yet curious.
He gave him a small nod before Qibli turned his attention to the weapon in Daniels talons.
"And what's that?"
Qibli studied the object Daniel was holding, absolutely clueless of what it could be.
"A cutting gift"
Daniel said as he flipped open the weapon to reveal what it was.
Two golden handles span in the air for a quick second around Daniels talons before it revealed a dark ice blue blade.
"In my world we call it a butterfly knife, or the more official name.. A Balisong"
Daniel looked down upon the blade, he just didn't understand how the voice was able to give it to him.
'Or more importantly... Why...' he could of given him literally anything else. But he didn't have time to ponder for just then he had remembered what he overheard on the way back to the cave.
Winter was about to ask a question about the blade but was cut off by Daniel before he could get a word out.
"Guys, I need to tell you something..." Daniel said in a more serious tone
He paused for a small moment to make sure the others were listening.
"I'm just going to put it bluntly" Daniel took a deep breath. "Qibli, on the way back here I ran into your siblings"
Daniel watched as Qibli's face fell from a natural cheery look to slight fear and anxiety.
"Rattlesnake and Sirocco?" Qibli asked.
Daniel nodded his head
"Yeah... Them."
"Well did they do anything to you?" Qibli scanned Daniels body for any possible injuries that his siblings could of inflicted.
"No, don't worry I hid behind a sand dune and wasn't spotted by them." Daniel said, calming Qibli down slightly.
"However I did overhear them talking."
He moved closer so everyone could hear him although they were all paying such close attention that it wasn't really needed.
"Vulture wants the map. Qibli, He's sent both of your siblings to hunt us all down as we speak and as such we need to get a move on."
Daniel got up to look at the small crowed of dragons in front of him who just stared back, uncertain of what to do.
"WELL DONT JUST SIT THERE! WE NEED TO GO!" Daniel yelled, which immediately got everyone up on all fours.
However while everyone else gathered anything they wanted to bring along, Daniel spotted a worried Winter.
'Wait! Winter can't fly with his injuries! There's no way he would be able to last five minutes up there..'
Daniel had messed big time, he'd completely forgotten Winter was unable to fly. and they wouldn't be going anywhere unless he thought of something quick.
Daniel walked up to him but this time Winter was the one to cut him off before he could say anything.
"I'll manage" Winter stated flatly.
"What?"
"I said I'll manage" Winter repeated. "I know you came up to me to ask about my flying, I'll manage"
"You can't be serious" Daniel said, astounded. "You're insane!"
"The Ice kingdom is at least another eight hours of flying away! Probably more even!"
Daniel shouted.
In reality he didn't know exactly how far the Ice kingdom actually was but he assumed it Would be about that distance.
"Besides" He continued, "No matter how much will power you have you won't be able to last five minutes up in the air"
"Wow, thanks for the boost of confidence" Winter scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Daniel groaned but he wouldn't let Winter get his way.
'Because If he does it might be his last flight.. Period."
"Winter, my point is that at the moment you are not for for flying, you could... no... You WILL mess up your internal system."
"So?" Winter said, not convinced it would be that bad.
"ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME! WINTER YOU COULD DIE!" Daniel screamed.
"I can't let you do this to yourself"
Winter stared back at him, his face was cold but a small bit of tenderness lay underneath all of it.
Winter sighed.. "Fine, then what do you propose we do about my 'Incapabilty' to fly?'
He made sarcastic claw gestures at the word 'incapability' but he was willing to not go through with his original plan,
For now at least.
"Hmmm.." Daniel mumbled as he put a claw on the bottom of his snout.
"Well I do have one possible solution.."
It was definitely one of the most stupid ideas he ever had, but they were desperate.
'Well.. It's worth a shot I guess..'
Daniel sat down on the floor, his limbs tucked closely to his body so he would be able to stand up easily..
"What are you doing Hurricane?" Winter asked, eyeing him skeptically.
"Well since you can't fly I'm going to have to carry you, now get on"
Daniel explained.
"Ha! Good one" Winter laughed for one of the few times he did, but his face slowly fell when he realised Daniel was just sitting there patiently.
"Wait you're serious" Winter said, his face falling to disbelief.
"Once hundred percent" Daniel smiled.
"I think you're the insane one this time." Winter replied coldly not wanting to take another step closer to Daniel.
"I'm not riding on your back"
"I don't think you have much of a choice on this one dude" Daniel pointed out, gesturing to the rest of the group who were already gathered at the cave entrance.
Winter stared back before he swore under his breath.
"Fine, But if I die or something else happens to me or to you. It's YOUR fault" Winter said as he pointed a sharp claw at Daniel.
"Fine by me, now get on already, we got places to be"
Winter grumbled as he walked around to Daniels backside.
Under his breath Daniel heard Winter say.
"Moons, I can't believe I'm actually doing this"
Winter sat down on Daniels back, he leaned forward a little to where his head was almost next to Daniels.
His limbs were tucked neatly along his sides.
Winters scales were close to freezing and it sent multiple shivers down Daniels spine and scales.
"Oof, you're heavier then you look Winter" Daniel said.
"Are you calling me fat" Winter growled dangerously.
"No not at all.. Just wondering how the best way to carry you across a desert is.
Daniel responded coolly.
He wrapped his tail around Winters which made him hiss.
"Oi! What are you doing!? Having to hang on to you is bad enough I don't need your tail there as well." Winter hissed "Plus Isn't that kind of thing for couples?"
"Not necessarily, it helps with support." Daniel said. "Plus. It's good practice for when you get to do it with Qibli over there.. Hehe"
Daniel watched as Winters face turned from ice blue to navy within seconds.
"SHUT IT" Winter bellowed.
"Fine, fine, I won't tease you anymore" Daniel spoke before adding, "For now atleast.. But hold on cause I'm getting up.
Daniel lifted himself onto all fours again. He nearly fell over due to the large amount of weight on his back but he managed.
"You feeling alright up there Icy?" Daniel teased although he had just said he would stop.
"Mhmm," Winter confirmed. "And don't call me that"
"Sorry couldn't help myself" Daniel half apologised. "alright, now down to business"
Daniel walked over to the others, they hadn't seen him yet but when they did thier faces changed to a mix of puzzlement and confusion.
"Hey guys, we're ready to go" Daniel said confidently.
"Okay... But what exactly am I looking at?" Moon asked.
"Well since Winter here can't fly due to his internal injuries I reckoned I would carry him." Daniel explained "Plus I think he enjoys the view"
"SHUT IT!" Winter spat, which nearly made him lose balance and fall off however he held on by tightening his tail around Daniels.
"You do know that I could just enchan-" Turtle started but was sternly cut off by Daniel
"No. You're not going to enchant anything, your soul is priceless and I won't let you throw it away. Winter can manage."
Turtle looked between his claws and Daniel before he reluctantly agreed.
"Fine.." Turtle sighed. "Oh and by the way, here's your stuff back"
Turtle handed Daniel his ouch with all his belongings, including a much missed Barrens map.
Daniel smiled, "Thanks for keeping it safe for me."
"Well actually it was Winter who cradled it the entire time you were away so you have him to thank"
Turtle pointed out.
"Oh, well In that case, Thanks Icy" Daniel teased once again.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" Winter bellowed which only made Daniel and the others laugh a little.
"Sigh.. can we please get out of here already, this is humiliating" Winter complained from on top of Daniel.
"Yeah, yeah, calm yourself" Daniel said.
"Alright guys let's go, we know where the border is right?"
"Yep, about ten to twelve hours Northwest, we'll be there by sundown." Moon confirmed.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's Go!"
Daniel took off the ground in the direction of where Moon pointed.
The others followed behind him and Winter as they flew away from the cave and the high noon sun.
"You better get comfortable, it's going to be a long ride" Daniel laughed as he heard Winter sigh.
He looked forwards as the rest of Phyrria loomed in front of him.
He was both excited and terrified of what was to come.
'But as long as I'm with the gang I'll be fine. I know that for a fact.'
"Ice kingdom, here we come!"