The Talons of Peace

Chapter 10 - Dreams That You Dream Of

NIA: You got stuff all over your face.

SAXE: It's paint.

NIA: [looks around and pulls onto the chain] What is all of this about?

[Nia sees a few other SeaWings entering the room, standing behind Saxe. She notices one of them carrying Aeris's bag, and another one is holding Aeris's knife, and she gasps]

SAXE: Last night, Survilis was attacked.

NIA: Yeah, no, shit, I was there.

SAXE: And then you and your SkyWing walked into our territory. [raises his talon behind him, and the SeaWing hands him Aeris's bag] You're heading for the Dark Sector, huh?

NIA: [surprised] H-how do you know that?

SAXE: Kid, [reveals the Talons of Peace symbol printed on his right arm] I worked for the Talons. I was disposed of a while ago, and I found this place. These dragons are good dragons.

NIA: Not really when you just came out and attacked random dragons.

SAXE: Not... random dragons. I know Aeris.

NIA: You do?

SAXE: I didn't know if I could trust him. [looks away] I heard he left the Talons a year ago. Now, all of a sudden, he just randomly showed up thousands of miles across the continent.

NIA: Where is he?

SAXE: Unconscious. He's fine. [stands up and tosses the stool aside] I'm more intrigued about you, NightWing. You know how to end the war. Is that why he's bringing you to the sector?

NIA: Y-yeah. Wait, how did you know about him?

SAXE: He and his girlfriend came by a few times to our sector. [walks to the back of the pole] Ain't no one ever mentioned anything about it.

NIA: Oh, oh, great. Yeah, so we can trust each other, can you get me out? These damn chains are hurting my wrists.

SAXE: What'd you think I'm doing?

[Saxe crouches down, unlocking the chains and releasing Nia. Nia holds her left wrist and winces, scrubbing it. She watches as Saxe walks past her, seeing the other SeaWings leaving the room. Saxe heads to the door, standing there and waiting. He turns around to Nia]

SAXE: You're gonna get out of this dirty ass room or not?

[Nia quickly follows Saxe and the other SeaWings out of the room. She steps onto a wooden dangling bridge, seeing giant tents built over the giant lake. A few SeaWings dive into the lake, swimming rapidly as they head deeper]

[some SeaWings carrying vases turn to Nia in awe and confusion. Saxe leads Nia across the bridge, showing her around the place. Nia sees SeaWing dragonets leaping and diving into the lake, laughing loudly]

SEAWING DRAGONET #1: Whoo-hoo!

SEAWING DRAGONET #2: Come on, Olan. Get in here with us.

[Nia notices SeaWing adults dragging nets stuffed with fishes flapping around violently. She continues after Saxe as the two dragons step onto another bridge, and she tries to balance herself to avoid falling off]

SAXE: Pretty nice, huh? [turns to Nia] When I first came here, I knew this was a haven for other SeaWings out there... like me. I thought that, you know, if others can have their giant palaces and kingdoms, a little place like this would be cool.