Sitting up, she took in her surroundings to calm her down. She was in her and Wakaun’s den, with the Imperial still sleeping beside her, his long body curled around her protectively. Everything was quiet--nighttime had fallen on the clan. And while everything was peaceful, Delphi couldn’t calm her pounding heart.
That dream she had...no...no it was a nightmare...a nightmarish premonition...
Delphi moved to sit up, quietly stepping around Wakaun’s limbs as she got dressed. Even at night, she wanted to hide her damaged face. But as she put the sash around her waist on, she heard Wakaun shift behind her, before finally speaking sleepily.
“E...Everything alright, hunny?” he slurred out, blinking blearily at her, “Come back to bed...”
“I can’t.” said Delphi, shaking her head, “I...I had a premonition, Wakaun. And not a good one.”
Wakaun blinked again, before sitting up and looking more awake, “What was it about?”
Again, Delphi shook her head, “I-I...can’t really say...But I need to talk with Zhir about it. She’s the only other one here that might have the power of clairvoyance. She might have more answers for me. And I need to talk to her now.”
With that, she quickly left her den, leaving behind a rather confused Wakaun, who got up and tried to follow her out, but by the time he got outside, Delphi had disappeared into the night.
“...I have a bad feeling about this...” he muttered, sitting outside of the door, waiting for her to come back.
------------------
Delphi ran into the clan, running right for Zhir’s den. She was glad to see that she was awake, and was actually outside, reading what looked like a scroll by flame. Her tail curled behind her, twitching idly. Something about her made Delphi uneasy...but she needed to talk to her.
“Zhir!”
The scarred Imperial’s ear twitched, before glancing over at the Wildclaw. It always startled Delphi that Zhir wasn’t a Plague dragon, but one of the Lightning flight. Bright blue eyes peered out from behind her mask and cowl, as Delphi came closer. She smirked, setting aside the scroll she was reading, “...I was wondering when you’d come. It was only a matter of time...”
“So...you already know what I’m going to say.” said Delphi breathlessly. Her face hurt from running so fast, and she knew she’d have to get cream to soothe the torn skin, but right now, there was something more important to tend to, “Please...Zhir...what was that? That premonition...You know what it was about...”
“Tell me again...” said Zhir airily, with an uncaring shrug. Delphi snorted at that, but decided to go with it.
“...I saw a darkness falling over the clan...” started Delphi, her voice trembling, “Not the Shade...but something else. Something bad is going to happen to the Windcurrent Clan that’s going to change it. Someone is going to come...and split this clan apart. They’re going to come in large...and with others behind them. A single event will start off a chain reaction...Then there was lightning...a-and then...I woke up...”
Zhir listened intently, nodding slowly, before sitting up a little, “Accurate. I had a similar premonition, but with more detail. I know exactly what’ll happen. And let’s say...that it’ll change the Windcurrent Clan for the better...but also for the worst.”
“The worst...” breathed Delphi, fearfully. She shook her head, taking a step towards Zhir, “But...But we just suffered a huge hardship! We don’t need another one! Please, tell me what’ll happen! We can prevent it, if we act soon enough!”
The Imperial studied Delphi, before tilting her head, “...You’re strong with the Force...with a gentle push, you could wield amazing power...”
“The Force? What’s that??” she asked, “Zhir listen, don’t change the subject!! If the clan is in danger, I have to warn Khan!! We can prevent this, we can--”
She gasped, as Zhir lifted her paw slightly...and felt a force grab her, and lift her into the air, until she was eye-level with the Imperial. She wasn’t touching her. Nothing was. Yet, Delphi felt something physical holding her up in the air--something her ruined wings couldn’t do.
“The future always changes--and things are already in motion. There’s nothing you can do.” said Zhir coldly, leaning in close. This close, Delphi could see how deep the scars were along her face and neck. Whatever happened to her...she was stronger because of it. Almost too strong... “The Force is strong with some of the clan members...and if they embrace it, they’ll pull through fine. If they don’t...they will suffer.”
Zhir scoffed, as she set Delphi back on the ground, where she staggered slightly to get her footing, “Despite your looks, you’re rather soft. You need to be more ferocious if you want to remain strong through what will pass. Be aggressive. Give in to your instincts.”
Delphi stared at Zhir as if she’d grown a second head, “...What do you know...? And why aren’t you sharing it? What is going to happen, Zhir?!”
Zhir just smiled, as she turned around, heading back into her den, “Everything will happen as the Force wills it. Some will rise...some will fall. That’s how things will go. I suggest you prepare you and your mate for the storm that’ll be coming...”
With that, she closed the door behind her, the torch blowing out, leaving Delphi alone and confused in the darkness of the night.
