Planet Zar: Nexus

⦿ Moonlight wanes on Zaifeth's temple as the month's end draws near and delegates from Vacillate accompany Alaram - Lord of Oceans himself - to the deep plains of Opine.

⦿ Persze watches from the foot of Zaifeth's temple stairs. He's grown a great deal in his months with Zaifeth and her acolytes, no longer round and shapeless but starting to take on the proper form of a draconoid. His nubs extended into feathery wings that dissipate in clouds of chaos. Aara and Dabir stand at his sides, hands fluttering about his fluctuating shoulders.

⦿ Persze: What if I don't like them as much as I like you?

⦿ Aara: You'll make friends, don't worry

⦿ Dabir: Someone's likability doesn't demean their value. They're yours to protect regardless of your feelings toward them.

⦿ Dabir never gives him easy answers. Persze would rather grip to Aara's optimism. He bolsters himself, drawing himself taller as the delegation approaches.

⦿ Aara: Alaram is going to show you all the secrets places of Lomeelas. You'll have a wonderful time.

⦿ Persze: But not Conflict, he won't take me there.

⦿ Aara: Not yet, not until you're ready, but there's a lot of world to see.

⦿ Beyond them, at the crest of a hill, a large golden dragon looms, their form shining bright in the moon's reflection. Beside them is the slinking shadow of a slouched figure.

⦿ Dabir: We're going to be exploring some new places too.

⦿ Dabir watches the gold dragon turn toward them and feels a kiss of something's mind brushing his. Pleasant, cool, and calming. There's power there, but also uncertainty.

⦿ But Dabir and Aara are willing to do what they must for their homeworld. No future is perfectly certain.