Shatterwing

Shatterwing

He was born to the two most powerful sorcerers in the clan, but he was born frail. One of his wings was incredibly small and shriveled, and his magical essence was very weak. None of the other dragons thought he would survive past a few days, but somehow he beat the odds.

Unfortunately, having such a weak magical essence meant that any attempt to heal his deformed wing with magic was useless. His body refused to absorb the healing magics, and eventually even his parents had to admit defeat. He grew up unable to fly and unable to do magic - two of the most basic things any dragon was supposed to be able to do.

For most of his adult life he shut everyone out. He never went outside, never talked to anyone. He would fall into frequent, long depressions. He had basically given up on living.

Then, a somewhat peculiar Guardian found his way into town. He was exotic and bright, with the biggest wingspan Shatterwing had ever seen. He was bitterly envious when the white and pink dragon flew into town.

The Guardian, named Cyperus, was on his quest to find his charge, which had led him to this clan. It did not take him long to find Shatterwing, and an immediate magical connection linked them. Cyperus grinned happily and told Shatterwing that HE was his charge. Shatterwing was not happy about it.

And yet...he could feel that magical link between them and had to suppress his tears. He had never felt magic inside of him before. It exhilarated him, but his jealousy over Cyperus' ease of flight still stung him.

The following months consisted of the two doing a sort of dance. Cyperus would try to get closer, while Shatterwing would push further away. The Guardian couldn't understand why his charge was so adamant about refusing his role, but he persisted. He'd watch from afar as the Fae would go about his day and marveled at his tenacity. He couldn't fly, and yet he could figure out how to get to places in town that should have only been accessible by flight. As time went on Cyperus grew to admire, and even love the deformed Fae.

One dark night, Shatterwing emerged from his dwellings to find his parents had let the Guardian into their home! Furious, he shouted at all of them, saying he didn't want to be a charge, he didn't need anyone's help, and he wasn't anything special. "You've got the wrong dragon! Leave me in peace!" He sobbed and ran out into the moonless night.

He ran for hours into the tangled wood, not caring where he wound up. Eventually his fragile body gave out though, and he tumbled down a ravine, breaking his leg. Not having the strength to get up, he laid there wondering if this was finally where he would die, and fell unconscious.

He suddenly awoke to the sounds of hissing. It was still pitch black, so when he looked around he saw nothing. Nothing but the eyes of several large beasts, all looking at him. A pack of Acid-Tongue Serpenta had found him, and decided he would make a good meal. Unable to move or defend himself, Shatterwing squeezed his eyes shut to wait for the end.

But instead if the end, he heard a mighty roar as Cyperus decended from the sky. Standing protectively between his charge and the Serpentas, he roared out a challenge, "None but the gods have the right to take a Guardian's charge! Face me!"

The Serpentas hissed and attacked, but were no match for Cyperus. He broke their resolve and sent them running, then turned to Shatterwing. The Fae sat there with his head in his claws. He sobbed and lamented how he was useless and weak, and how could anyone think he was anything more than walking dead weight?

Cyperus stood shocked. Never once had he thought of Shatterwing as useless. He reminded him of his talents, and told him how he thought he was brave and inventive and possibly the smartest dragon he had ever met. Shatterwing sat dumbfounded as Cyperus poured his heart out. He had never thought that anyone but his parents would ever care about him. The feeling was...intense.

The small Fae reached up and wrapped his arms around Cyperus's neck. They embraced for a long moment as Shatterwing sobbed. It was a mix of elation and confusion and pain from his broken leg. Cyperus gently curled around his charge, and watched over him all through the night in that ravine.

The next morning Shatterwing awoke warm and cozy. He had snuggled right into Cyperus's neck, and awoke with one pink and purple eye watching him protectively. He blushed profusely and tried to move away, only to be reminded of his broken leg.

Cyperus wasted no time that morning. He quickly splinted Shatterwing's leg and went about figuring out how to get him back home. As he argued with himself about the safest way, Shatterwing's mind drifted to the events of last night. He dug into his mind, trying to figure out how he felt about his protector and what, if anything, the future might become for both of them. He realized that he had never been angry at Cyperus, he just refused to let himself believe anyone would want to be around a dragon who can't fly or do magic. He had so totally convinced himself over the years that he was useless that that's the way he thought everyone saw him. But Cyperus's confession the night before had made him start to doubt that.

As the Fae pondered, he didn't realize that Cyperus had decided on how to get him back home. He half-heard the Guardian ask him something, and absentmindedly agreed. Before he knew it he was on Cyperus's back between his two great pink wings. Flushing profusely, he held on with all his might as Cyperus kicked up off the ground and rose into the air.

Shatterwing had never flown before. Had never felt the wind under his wings, or the crisp feeling of the higher atmosphere. He could not contain his pure joy as they soared as one through the clouds. Cyperus, too, was overjoyed, but more so because his charge was finally smiling.

They flew for hours. Not because they could not find the town, but because they didn't want the moment to end. When they finally touched down outside Shatterwing's home, his parents rushed out to meet them. They were so thankful their son was alive.

Now, Shatterwing's leg has healed. You can find him never too far from the large white and pink Guardian that saved his life, and confessed his love for him. They have recently moved into a new lair together, and Shatterwing has changed quite a bit. He's happier, more confident, and is exploring his interests more. He still struggles with depression and the feeling of uselessness, but now he knows that he has dragons who love him that he can lean on in times of need.