Regarding the last update about Aurene. I'm pondering it in Dragon of Time. It does prove that there is a difference between Aurene's foresight and Nykai's though. Hers was tied to the dragon cycle. His is just part of his abilities as a dragon of time.
I'm also pretty sure that Vlast agrees to watch over his sister while she rests. She is the filter, that is still her purpose. But Vlast and Nykai... they were never planned for. They are Elder Dragons, but they weren't part of the plan. They have to figure out their place in the world on their own.
On the bright side, while Aurene rests, Nykai and Vlast are awake. They're able to help and guide things. And they can delve into a dreamstride to speak with Aurene. So she's never too far... Cor can still speak with her, at least through a messenger.
hey psst i've never posted it before but here's the full image of nykai's ascended design thanks to @akurathereaper :3c very incredibly special thanks to them!
all the wavy fins you see move constantly in slow motions, the larger ones moving with color pulsing like a ley-line. the little ones by his face and on his neck only move with his emotions.
i don't have a title for this
cactus blossom (canach/vielcos)
Kralkatorrik was dead. Aurene and Nykai ascended… They were free. At least for a time. Vielcos and Canach returned to the Grove, along with their son. Their dear, little Romeo. The human attended lessons with saplings, especially with Kahedins. The luminaries were happy to teach, to tutor.
Kralkatorrik was dead.
Nykai ascended.
Vlast collecting magic for himself.
Aurene ascended.
It was weird, not having a set goal or duty. Vielcos sat, knees pulled to her chest… Staring out at the skies. Up. The star that held her name- was she named for it, or it named for her? She supposed that didn’t really matter that much.
She heard Canach’s grunt as he sat beside her. Letting his legs dangle off the balcony. She reached for his hand, a smile faint on both their lips as they looked to each other.
They enjoyed that night, under the stars. Together. Relaxed and free.
Several weeks of peace. So much time of peace, of rest. Time spent with Romeo, helping him learn the sylvari life. Learning alongside him. Though… Something felt wrong. Vielcos frowned, staring at the odd growth of her body. How…?
Canach traced the growth. How her stomach bulged. That wasn’t normal. Sylvari didn’t gain weight like this…
In the Sylvan Lab. Twussa worked nearby, preparing a machine alongside a pair of small golems. She looked up, watching the two for a moment… Then calling. Vielcos needed to lie down, on a table. Cold metal. Not used for a while.
Even colder gel was rubbed over her stomach. She couldn’t help how she shivered. Nor how her grip on Canach’s hand tightened. Twussa lifted a part of the machine. Tiny… Odd. She carefully pressed it to the lilac, moving slowly, looking towards a screen…
“By the alchemy…” she breathed in a gasp, “I- I don’t know how this is possible, but… Spymaster, you- you have… There’s a sylvari growing inside you!”
There- what? How? How was that…?
“If I may,” the asura offered as she turned the screen for the sylvari to see. Standing to gather a few things… “I believe this may have to do with the full, complete death of Mordremoth. Until now, his magic still existed within Kralkatorrik. Now that Aurene and Nykai have absorbed it and they’ve used the magic to ascend, perhaps… Sylvari have changed.”
That… that made sense… But…
“I would tell your firstborn immediately. And… Let all sylvari know.”
She was carrying a sapling. No, not a sapling… A seedling? And Canach… She felt his pulsing pride. Elation. She felt tears hit her hand. Aww.
continuing my asking about lws4 streak, vie + descent? :3 @kerra-and-company
ooooo a very good one! (note: this is the DRAGON OF TIME version. let me know if you want the SCION AU version, as that is very different)
Vielcos and Nykai follow Aurene and Vlast, Cor and Mikhail, into the final battle against Kralk. The three Champions and Scions fight through the hordes and stop the ley magic- redirecting it to feed Nykai, as he is the least "fed" of the three.
As Aurene and Vlast carry their Champions inside Kralkatorrik, Nykai and his Champion remain outside, alongside their allies. Note that all three of them had fed on some portion of Joko's magic, so all three could be resurrected in the case of death.
They fight. They fight and protect, and Nykai absorbs the ley line magic.
Vie has no idea what's happening inside Kralk. But she knows... She trusts Aurene, she trusts Nykai.
The corpse behind them shifts.
Vlast and Mikhail burst from the dragon's maw, Vie tries to pull herself to Nykai, only for his tail to push her to Vlast.
"I join her," he snaps his jaws as the magic from the ley lines cease. "Two dragons ascend this day."
Vlast blasts a hole in the mountain. The Elder Dragons of Light and Time fly overhead.
Vie can't help herself from crying. All that has happened has finally boiled over... But she's not upset. There's laughter.
Wikki truly was a master at the art of food. Creating detailed, gorgeous pieces with nothing inedible. She smiled, humming as she worked. Enjoying the creation, enjoying every moment of it. This piece, large and round, resting on a gold filigree pedestal.
Taller than her, the asura’s golem held her up as she worked. The tiniest, minute details, immaculate in their construction. Shining, gorgeous, beautiful.
She was finished. Her creation was perfection. And in plenty of time. Wikki beamed as she jumped to the ground, carefully instructing her golem to package the cake. It would be safe, carried by her golem and escorted by herself and her feyfriend.
Dyowana appeared beside her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Hey Kiki~” They hummed.
---
Vielcos had an eye for design. She and Trahearne made sure everything was just correct, just in place. It was a small gathering, yet still perfect. The lilac gently kissed the firstborn’s cheek. This was perfection. Their beloved would love this.
It would be a surprise, but they wouldn’t scream as humans did. That would terrify the poor commander! They would instead just have the party ready. More a get-together really. But they would be ready. Aurene and Nykai chirped, wrestling in the grass nearby.
“Did Wikki make another cake for them? They’ll want some too.”
“Of course I did!” the asura called, “What, you think I’ll just not make a cake for dragons!?”
---
Ailbhe strode at Cor’s side. The Ambassador and Commander discussed a great many things as they walked. A sly smile over the tall, white sylvari’s lips, as they drew close to where the preparations were completed. She glanced over the commander’s form, reaching to take her hand and press a kiss to the back.
“Commander Cor,” she purred, “Happy awakening day.”
She moved the draping branches with a gentle hand. Cor couldn’t hide her gasp.
---
Cor’s family loves her. They do. They adore celebrating her, more than nearly anything in the world. Even Aurene celebrates, even if she doesn’t quite understand. Well, after trying to wrestle with her Champion.
