Redeeming the Broken Dragon

Chapter 4. The Cool Down

Solstace’s steps pressed firmly into the underbrush, a steady rhythm marking his resolve as he neared the edge of the Moondance Pack’s territory. No better way to let out some steam than to fly North, he thought to himself. This area should be secluded enough. He undressed and hid his clothes for when he would return.

As Solstace took flight, the northern winds sliced against his scales, each gust sharper, colder, biting into him with a relentless chill. The familiar, gentle woods of the Moondance territory soon faded, giving way to a rugged expanse where jagged cliffs and untamed valleys sprawled under a star-studded sky. The lush foliage diminished, replaced by sparse spruce trees and snow-capped hills. Beneath him, silver streams wound through the land, reflecting the pale moonlight, their waters flowing swiftly in the quiet of the wild.

Solstace, in his magnificent dragon form, soared effortlessly. His wings caught the cool currents, elevating him above the clouds where the world felt more distant, and his frustrations seemed, at least momentarily, smaller.

As a young dragon, Solstace often journeyed through similar lands, reveling in the raw power of nature. The mountains and forests had been his playground, and he had worn his youthful arrogance like a badge. The cold air brushed against him, a stark contrast to the simmering anger within him from his recent confrontation with the Council of Allies.

A girl? he huffed. Smoke escaped his nostrils. The memory of the council’s words ignited a spark of annoyance. The mere thought of having Crimson imposed on this mission annoyed him. His scowl deepened, not solely at her being a woman—a bias he begrudgingly acknowledged—but at the sting to his ego, the unspoken challenge to his assumed supremacy. A supremacy that few had challenged in recent years.

For as long as Solstace could remember, he’d been the powerful force nobody doubted. Now, he felt sidelined, as if the council questioned his ability, his strength. Maybe they didn’t trust him after all. How could he ever redeem himself?

He inhaled deeply, the frigid air filling his lungs, a crispness that momentarily cleared the fog of his tumultuous thoughts. The world below looked so different from this height—smaller, more insignificant. Just like his problems should feel. But they didn’t. Not yet.

Solstace remembered their first encounter as he pondered on his reaction toward Crimson.

Who does she think she is, twirling around like she owns the place? Solstace grumbled. Yet, he couldn’t help but admire the effortless grace in her glide.

As he ventured further north, the landscape turned brutal, a stark white world of relentless cold. Soon, even the hardiest greenery surrendered to the persistent cold, leaving a pristine canvas of endless white, a world erased and redrawn in snow and ice. Jagged icy formations, monuments to nature’s unyielding strength, were the only things to break the snowy plains. The silence of this frozen land was both calming and intimidating.

Solstace descended, the snow-covered ground beckoning. He wanted to feel its cold, to let it numb him, if only for a moment. Landing heavily, the crunch of snow under his colossal, scaled feet echoed, a crisp sound in the vast silence, a tangible contrast to the turmoil within. He didn’t shift back to his human form. The cold would bite into his flesh immediately.

Surrounded by an expanse of emptiness, Solstace stood alone, his thoughts swirling like the snowflakes around him, each one a whisper of doubts and fears. Is my big dragon ego getting in the way, or am I... scared?’ The thought hit him harder than he expected, a mix of defiance and uncertainty in his voice. Am I worried I’ll look weak or find out I need someone else? These truths struck like a claw to his chest, a harsh, unyielding reminder of his pride and its shadows, even for a dragon as mighty as Solstace.

He snorted, sending a plume of steam into the cold air. Too damn cheerful, a low grumble escaped his chest, eyeing the endless expanse of snow. That kind of happiness... it’s unnerving, unnatural.

Looking at his surroundings, Solstace remembered his mother’s teachings about the ancient art of nesting.

*FLASHBACK Solstace*

“A dragon’s nest,” she had said with a glint in her wise, age-old eyes, “is not just a place to rest. It is a sacred sanctuary where our deepest thoughts and fiercest storms find solace.”

Solstace spent countless hours perfecting his nest-building skills as a young dragon. Each element, from the choice of location to the materials used, reflected a dragon’s soul. A nest was a fortress, a temple, a quiet corner of the world where a dragon could be truly alone with their thoughts and emotions.

He recalled the first nest he had built. It was clumsy and awkward, much like he had been in his youth. But with time, his nests had become more refined, each a testament to his growing strength and wisdom. They were made with layers of leaves, twigs, and

earth, meticulously arranged to provide comfort and security.

While Dragons nested beside each other or in groups, a nest was a personal and sacred place.

Solstace’s mother had also spoken of the communal aspect of nesting. “In times of need,” she had explained, “dragons used to come together, sharing the warmth of their nests. In those shared spaces, bonds were forged and strengthened.”

*END FLASHBACK*

As he gazed at the setting sun, Solstace contemplated the nest he would build tonight. It would be a solitary nest, a place for him to wrestle with his thoughts about the council, Crimson, and his place in the rapidly changing world.

Solstace lowered his massive head and used his powerful claws to clear away the snow. With each sweep, he revealed the frozen earth beneath. His breath fogged up in the chilly air, like he was right in the middle of the Arctic, while he kept at his work. He wanted his nest to be secure on the ground, providing insulation and protection from the elements.

With the nest now taking shape, Solstace lowered himself into it. His scaled body settled comfortably onto the icy bedding, and he curled his tail around himself for warmth. The cold didn’t bother him; it felt like home.

As the stars began to twinkle above, Solstace completed his nest. It was more than just a place to sleep; it was a symbol of his journey, a testament to the struggles and triumphs of his dragon heart.

Once settled, his thoughts inevitably returned to Crimson. Her vibrant energy, her relentless spirit, and yes, that pixie hair that danced like a halo around her every time she moved. Why does she bother me? He had faced many adversaries, but none had penetrated his emotional armor as she did.

He closed his massive eyes, attempting to drift into the realm of dreams. But instead of the serenity he sought, he heard it—soft, tinkling, and so distinctly Crimson. Her laughter. That chime-like, carefree sound. It echoed in his mind, taunting and teasing.

He tossed restlessly in his nest, scales rasping on ice. That laugh of hers, it’s like Crimson’s right here, taunting me, irritation lacing through his mind. Whenever he came close to finding peace, the image of her mischievous eyes and her laughter would pull him back.

This isn’t just about her. Man, I’m feeling ancient! Everything’s shifting, and I’m not sure I’m up for all these changes, Solstace grumbled a twinge of anxiety beneath his words. She is change, growth, and adaptability—qualities that I, in my pride, had too often overlooked.

As the snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Solstace closed his eyes, feeling the tranquility of his winter sanctuary enveloping him. He had found a temporary haven in the northern wilderness, far from the Moondance pack territory. Solstace was finally at peace in his snowy nest.

Crimson’s haunting laughter faded, replaced by the comforting lullaby of the northern winds. Finally, with a deep sigh, Solstace let sleep take him, his thoughts fading into the quiet of the night.

Morning came too soon, reminding Solstace of the reality of his situation. With a deep sigh, he began his journey back. He took the lessons of the cold with him: sometimes cooling off isn’t about ignoring feelings but confronting them head-on, that pride can be both an asset and a liability, and that seeking help or collaboration doesn’t diminish one’s worth.

The sky had taken on the rich hues of dawn, a mesmerizing blend of purples, pinks, and golds. Solstace stirred, his massive frame stretching out, shaking off the frost that had accumulated on his scales. Now bathed in soft light, the serene glade felt even more secluded and peaceful.

But he couldn’t afford to linger in this peaceful moment. Duty was calling, loud and clear. The weight of his responsibilities and the impending council meeting pressed on him. He took off with a powerful thrust of his wings, heading straight for Moondance pack territory.

The rhythmic beat of his wings and the crisp morning air felt invigorating, yet there was a lump in his throat.

As the northern winds howled, they sounded eerily like Dimitri’s voice, calling out to him from some distant past—a haunting reminder of promises made and secrets shared.

Dimitri had stood by Solstace’s side for more years than he could count, their connection cemented by endless conflicts and confidences exchanged. But when their last skirmish went south, and Solstace ended up a captive, Dimitri slipped away and disappeared without leaving a single clue behind.

Where is he now, and what is he up to? Solstace wondered.

Dimitri and Solstace were convinced that the prophesied hybrid -Lila- was the solution to save the dragons. They believed in a poorly translated prophecy that said that a rare vampire-werewolf hybrid born under the blue moon could mate with any species. Solstace had long coveted that hybrid to save the dragon species. But the translation was wrong; it talked about the hybrid’s child being super powerful.

Dimitri and Solstace also believed the hybrid to be powerful, and they wanted that power for themselves. But now Solstace knew he was a mere pawn in a different chess game. What about Dimitri? Has another master recruited him? I need to find out. I cannot let him hurt more people.

Approaching the Moondance territory’s border, Solstace descended, landing gracefully amongst a cluster of tall pines. He shifted, his grand dragon form shrinking and contorting, bones rearranging, and scales giving way to human skin. He stood there, the rawness of transformation evident in his heaving chest.

Tucked away beneath a hollow in a tree, he retrieved his clothes. The fabrics of his clothes felt constricting compared to the freedom of his scaled hide.

Knowing he had limited time, Solstace quickly returned to his quarters.

He dressed himself after a quick shower. He hurried towards the conference room. With the future of the Moondance pack and its allies teetering on edge, Solstace was ready to step up. Whatever it took.