Walk with me a sec, ok?
So in The Dragon Prince, we see a fair share of death. But the ways in which the Archdragons die has always caught my eye. Just look at Sol Regem and Rex Igneous as an example
Sol Regem, a sun dragon, turns into fire and motes of light. Rex Igneous, an earth dragon, crumbles into molten rock. Both return to the primal source they are bonded to
You could also extend this to the other god-like beings of Xadia: Startouch elves. When they die (with similar flair I might add), they “return to the heavens,” ie., their primal source
There seem to be rites in elven culture that embody this concept too, like the Sunfire elves soul flame ceremony, but it’s pretty clear a physical return to the source only happens with the most powerful beings in Xadia. After all, we see plenty of dead/dying humans and elves, but none of them spontaneously combust!
The only exceptions that comes to mind are Ibis and Khessa. In Ibis’ case, Zubeia specifically requests that Callum perform a ritual that turns the body into a flock of birds, and affirming that he was her friend. Perhaps it is considered the greatest honour in Xadian culture to have your physical body rejoin your primal source like the Archdragons? Conversely, Aaravos flicks Khessa on the chin and turns her to ash - but it is unclear if this is a twisted way of giving her a ‘death fit for a queen’, or if it’s something else entirely
I guess the point I’m trying to make is if the natural end for Archdragons/Startouch elves (and the honoured tradition for regular elves) is for their essence to rejoin their respective source in death - then to be denied that would be deeply unnatural and disrespectful
Perhaps that is an additional element to the tragedy of Leola and Avizandum’s deaths? Leola, who should have been laid to rest among the stars, was cast down and denied that right. And Avizandum, who should have returned to the sky, had his body and soul imprisoned in stone
