SYNOPSIS:
Five years ago, Aeris fought for survival and stumbled upon a mysterious dragon who offered him a new life within the Talons of Peace; in 4998 AS, Aeris and Nia continue their journey as they descend into a city of the night where everything started. However, their charming visits were interrupted when Blister returned and continued to hunt them down.
____________________________________________
[SCREEN TITLE: 4993 AS]
[scene begins with Aeris panting in an alley. He leans against the wall, wincing as he grabs his stomach, putting pressure on a stab wound inflicted by a sharp, broken piece of glass. Aeris groans as he moves his talon away from his wound, looking at it and seeing blood covering his entire talon]
[a golden, Burn armband is worn on his right arm. The armband is heavily damaged with scratches and broken chunks. There are seven sparkles embedded on the armband, indicating his status within Burn's SkyWing army]
[Aeris leans back, closing his eyes and looking above him. He slowly and shakily reaches for the glass fragment on his stomach, grabbing onto it tightly. He pulls the glass carefully and painfully, trying not to scream. He breathes a few times as he gives it another shot, barely inching the glass]
[Aeris collapses onto the ground, sitting there as he holds onto the piece. He reaches for a torn pouch strapped around his right leg, pulling out a knife. He bites onto the hilt of the knife, and he grabs onto the glass again. With one final effort, Aeris manages to pick the glass off his stomach, immediately dropping it onto the ground]
[Aeris's blood is stained on the end of the glass. Aeris leans back, sighing in relief and staring at the broken fragment lying on the ground in front of him. He sticks the knife back into the pouch, strapping it in place. He clutches the wound on his stomach and stumbles his way toward the end of the alley]
[Aeris looks out the window, seeing buildings on fire and dragons running and flying frantically. His face lifts as he stares at an explosion happening on one of the floors of a taller building. He ducks back into the alley, hiding as he sees a few SandWings running past his alley]
SANDWING #1: Go, go, go!
SANDWING #2: Blister is here!
[Aeris peeks out the alley again, seeing hundreds of SeaWings beginning to descend into the city. Aeris's eyes widen in horror as he returns to the alley. Aeris picks up his bag from the ground and limps deeper into the alley]
[Aeris makes a right turn, immediately seeing a SandWing being knocked through a door. Aeris watches in shock as he sees a knife thrown right at the SandWing's face, killing him]
[Aeris quickly turns the other way, limping down the alley. His blood is dripping off his talon and dropping onto the ground, leaving a track. He groans as he continues limping down the alley, keeping one of his talons against the wall to prevent him from collapsing]
[Aeris stops, wincing as he grabs onto the wound again. He suddenly notices a brightly lit torch from behind him, and he quickly detaches the armband, letting it fall onto the ground. He slowly turns around, raising his talon in front of him and covering the light. Aeris sees three SeaWing silhouettes approaching him]
SEAWING #1: A SkyWing out here all by himself, huh? [chuckles sinisterly] I didn't know SkyWings would be this far from their kingdom.
[Aeris notices all of the SeaWings are wearing their armbands with Blister's symbol embedded onto them. Aeris groans as he tries to figure out what to do]
AERIS: [stumbles for words] I-I'm just a visitor. I'm not here to cause trouble. [slowly lowers his talon in front of his face] I-I've been hurt, and I'm looking for someone to help me.
SEAWING #2: Ahh, you need help, mate? [continues walking toward Aeris] Why don't we figure out who you are first?
SEAWING #3: Don't move.
[the SeaWings surround Aeris, checking him. Suddenly, one of the SeaWings notices Aeris's armband, quickly figuring out that he's working for Burn. Unbeknownst to them, Aeris has been keeping his knife in his talon. With one quick strike, Aeris slashes a SeaWing's throat, killing her]
[the SeaWing drops onto the ground. Aeris leaps at another SeaWing, slicing his arm before he can reach for his own weapon. Aeris steps onto the SeaWing's tail, stabbing his neck from the back and killing him. Aeris kicks the SeaWing's body at another SeaWing, pinning him against the wall]
[Aeris turns, blocking an incoming attack from the fourth SeaWing, snapping his wrist and causing him to drop his knife. Aeris picks up his knife, kicking him multiple times in the arm before throwing his knife right at the center of his chest]
[the last SeaWing leaps after Aeris from behind, knocking him onto the ground. The SeaWing gets on top of Aeris, but he manages to throw him off of him. Aeris painfully stands as he grabs his wound, charging at the SeaWing and kicking him against the wall]
[Aeris grabs the SeaWing's head, slamming him hard against the wall. Aeris continuously slammed the SeaWing's head against the wall, eventually stopping and dropping his dead body onto the ground. A blood stain is left on the wall and slithers downward to where the SeaWing is lying]
[Aeris looks at the dead SeaWings scattered around him, grabbing his bag and armband from the ground. He takes a few steps forward before stumbling onto the ground, wincing from his stab wound]
[Aeris crawls weakly over to a wall, pulling himself upward painfully and leaning against it. He hears loud screams and explosions outside the alley, lying his head back and listening to horror happening around the city. He hears a building collapsing in the distance, and he trembles as he breathes]
[out of nowhere, a SeaWing emerges, startling Aeris, who quickly goes for his knife. Aeris flinches back and points the knife at the SeaWing, who has both his talons raised in the air. The SeaWing is carrying a bag around his shoulder]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: Let's not do this. I am not them. I do not wish to hurt you. [steps out of the shadow and reveals himself] I don't work for Blister... or any of the sisters.
AERIS: You're a SeaWing...
UNKNOWN SEAWING: Not all of us work for them.
AERIS: Then what are you here for?
UNKNOWN SEAWING: Just for work.
AERIS: What work?
UNKNOWN SEAWING: It's highly confidential.
AERIS: [suspicious] Oh, shit, really?
UNKNOWN SEAWING: [notices Aeris's stab wound] You're hurt. I can help you.
AERIS: I don't need help.
UNKNOWN SEAWING: You do, SkyWing. There's a whole war going on outside the alleys right now, and if you step out there, you're dead. [pauses] Now I know you don't have anything in that bag, so you either gonna get lucky and starve yourself, [points at Aeris's wound] or bleed yourself to death before sunrise.
[Aeris sits there without having any response]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: It's your choice. I promise to the moons I won't hurt you.
AERIS: [hesitates and extends his talon] Help me up.
[scene cuts to Aeris sitting on a chair as the SeaWing drags another chair in front of him. The two dragons are sitting in an abandoned restaurant with everything around them seemingly destroyed]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: For the place is an absolute mess, we're pretty lucky finding these chairs, huh? [chuckles] Oh, not funny.
[the SeaWing drops a bag next to him, reaching into it and pulling a needle and a rolled-up thread. Aeris sits back, staring at the roof and exhaling as the SeaWing begins stitching up his wound. Aeris groans silently, exhaling many times]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: Calm down... calm down.
AERIS: I am calm.
UNKNOWN SEAWING: [looks at Aeris] No, you're trembling. Sit still.
AERIS: Sorry...
[Aeris sees silhouettes of chaos happening through the curtain. He sees the curtain lit up brightly, lighting up his face. The SeaWing continues stitching up Aeris's wound, finally getting halfway]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: I'm almost done.
AERIS: [winces] Is this your first time doing this?
UNKNOWN SEAWING: No, I've done this a bunch of times. [smiles to himself] To animals. First time on a dragon. [quickly adds in and looks at Aeris] I'm kidding, calm down, three moons.
[after a long moment, the SeaWing cuts the thread, and he looks proudly at his work. Aeris touches the stitches, watching as the SeaWing packs the items back into his bag. Aeris turns away, looking around the messy room]
UNKNOWN SEAWING: I guess after that, we should really learn each other's names, huh? [turns to Aeris] It wouldn't hurt.
AERIS: You go first.
UNKNOWN SEAWING: [extends his talon forward and waits for Aeris to reciprocate] I'm Naiad.
AERIS: Aeris.
NAIAD: [without looking at Aeris] So how did you end up here?
AERIS: Work.
NAIAD: [deadpan] Haha, funny.
AERIS: No, really. [pauses] Burn sent me here.
NAIAD: [turns to Aeris and looks at the ground, thinking for a moment] I guess that's figured out with you carrying that stupid-looking band around you. I'm being honest.
AERIS: It's not stupid.
NAIAD: It is. [drops his bag onto the floor and faces Aeris] You're working for a murderer.
AERIS: Burn is not tha-
NAIAD: When war happens, only the innocents get hurt. Always. And it happens because of dragons like you. [looks at Aeris and tries to convince him] Because of dragons like you listening to mindless orders from your queens or whoever the hell it is. [pauses] You don't see the queens fight. You don't see the sisters out there. All they do is hide behind their little army to do the dirty deeds for them. Aeris, it doesn't matter which side you're on, you are working for murderers.
AERIS: You either work for one of them or you're dead. The continent ain't gonna let you-
NAIAD: No. [shakes his head] I get that loyalty is important, but you're loyal to the wrong dragon. [stands and approaches the window, peeping and watching destruction unfold around the city] You hurt more dragons than you realize.
AERIS: Then what can I do? Scarlet expects me to go out there and kill, a-and Burn wants me to hunt down her sisters.
NAIAD: Run. [turns back to Aeris] Get away from them. The longer you stay, the more it'll hurt you... and maybe you can still escape before you can't. You know, just a thought.
AERIS: [looks at the ground and thinks for a moment] I told her I didn't want to hurt anyone anymore. She won't let me go.
NAIAD: [searches through a few shelves] Yeah, I can tell. [rummages through a wooden crate and picks an empty glass bottom from the ground] You're an important asset. It doesn't matter how much you convince her, she won't let you.
AERIS: I can't leave...
NAIAD: Of course you can. What the hell Burn's gonna do? Hunt you down? [points at the door] I just saw you handle four trained SeaWings out there, and you did it while injured. She's too afraid to go after you. You're talented, Aeris.
[Aeris sits there, cupping his talon with another. He exhales and closes his eyes. He hears Naiad walk past him, and he opens his eyes, quickly turning to him. Aeris sees Naiad standing in front of the door]
AERIS: Where are you going?
NAIAD: Back home.
AERIS: The Sea Kingdom is-
NAIAD: Not there. [pauses] Somewhere else. [waits for a moment before turning to Aeris] I told you I work for someone. Actually, multiple dragons. We're figuring out a way to end the war.
AERIS: Like this war?
NAIAD: Yeah. Nautilus believed in peace, and he brought associates together and launched the group. I guess it's sparked, 'cause we're getting quite a few dragons this week. Haven't been that lucky.
AERIS: What is it?
NAIAD: A new opportunity. We could really use a SkyWing like you in a sector.
AERIS: Sector?
NAIAD: It's one of the five out there right now. "Hidden home of the rebels" and all that, you know? I'd say it's better than living just about anywhere else on this continent, seeing that it had burned itself to a piece of shit now.
AERIS: I can see that.
NAIAD: Mhm.
AERIS: So you're not really working for Blister?
NAIAD: I work for peace. And you can, too. Get away from Scarlet, Burn, stay with us, and give yourself a new life. Ain't that sound good?
AERIS: It's...
NAIAD: Amazing? Yeah, I know.
AERIS: It's a change.
NAIAD: You don't have anything else to lose. [pauses] It's worth a shot. But I'm telling you, the war is only going to get worse, and there won't be anywhere else you can hide.
AERIS: What do I have to do?
NAIAD: I'll talk with Nautilus. [reaches for the doorknob] Tell him a bit. [opens the door and slightly turns back to Aeris] If a SeaWing suddenly shows up to your home one day, don't kill him. It just means we want you, alright?
AERIS: Yeah, sure.
NAIAD: [extends his talon forward and shakes talon with Aeris] I'll see what I can do.
[in the current day, Blister is waiting in front of two giant doors as two SandWings open them. She enters, followed by the SandWings as they approach a large containment at the back of the room. A SandWing wearing glasses and carrying a few scrolls walks and accompanies Blister]
BLISTER: Are they ready?
FESCAR: It's not guaranteed...
BLISTER: And you are sure they can handle him?
FESCAR: It's a possibility.
[Blister and Fescar stop, standing there as they continue the conversation. The two SandWings following them have stopped as well, stationing behind Blister with their chests puffed forward]
BLISTER: Possibility?
FESCAR: Your Majesty, you are sending our dragons toward the most dangerous assassin out there. [pauses] We've all seen what happened. This SkyWing you're talking about... [looks at Blister and shakes his head] he's deadly.
BLISTER: I cannot risk my position on the throne with mere "possibility".
[Blister walks away, and Fescar and the two SandWings follow after her]
[the dragons arrive in front of the containment. Blister and the two SandWings stand behind, watching as Fescar opens the containment, revealing eight SandWings inside, all of them are trained assassins. Each of them is wearing a belt containing a special-made knife]
[two of the SandWings in the group turn and see Blister standing there with her arms crossed. There is a giant scar running along the neck of one of the SandWings. He is sharpening his weapon, tucking its bag into his belt, and standing up]
FESCAR: I still recommend not using them, the continent would figure out-
BLISTER: Get every one of them in the air now. [turns to Fescar] I don't care what they see. Find the SkyWing. They kill him, I get the dragonet, and the continent won't know of it.
FESCAR: But-
BLISTER: I want him dead.
FESCAR: [thinks for a moment and looks at his scrolls] As you wish. [turns to the SandWing assassins] Aeris the SkyWing. Kill.
[Blister smirks as she watches the assassins leave the containment. Fescar stands there with his scrolls, second-guessing his decision. He watches the assassins leave the room]
[scene cuts to Aeris and Nia walking together in the forest. Aeris stares blankly ahead as he walks, and Nia is looking around cautiously. She's holding a map in her talons. After a moment, Aeris turns his wrist, revealing the wound that has gotten even worse]
NIA: You're sure this is the right way? [looks at the map] I have a feeling we're lost.
AERIS: [climbs over a giant, fallen log on the ground] We're not lost. [grunts as he lands] I've been here a couple of times, I know where we're going. It's close. You'll see it when you get there.
NIA: You better be right. I don't wanna sleep on the ground anymore. [ducks under a branch and turns back to Aeris] It's dirty, there's a bunch of weird little shits crawling all over me, [mutters quietly] and your loud mumble...
AERIS: I don't mumble in my sleep. I mean, not anymore.
NIA: You do, loud ass.
[Aeris chuckles as he continues wandering across the forest with Nia. The two dragons walk along a stream, and Nia dips her talon into it. Aeris is walking next to her, staring at the birds chirping on the tree when he is suddenly splashed in the face by Nia]
[Nia laughs, pointing at Aeris's wet snout and snickering. Aeris nudges Nia into the stream, causing her to fall into it. Aeris scoffs and smiles proudly as he continues walking ahead]
NIA: Aw, that's cheap.
[later, the duo sees a beautiful valley to their right. Nia stares at the scene in awe, looking at the giant river flowing between the valleys. Aeris arrives next to her, standing there silently and looking at the valley as well. Nia blinks a few times, turning and continuing her journey across the forest]
[Aeris follows behind, slowly catching up to Nia. He walks past her, sliding down a small cliff and standing at the bottom. Nia stays on top, watching as Aeris extends his talons toward her]
AERIS: Get down here, I'll catch you.
[Nia leaps off the cliff, falling right into Aeris's talons. The two dragons continue forward, with Aeris leading the way. They walk in silence for a long moment, Nia following closely behind]
[Aeris looks around the forest, watching the squirrels jumping from tree to tree. He notices a woodpecker perched along the tree's stump, clicking its beak against it]
AERIS: You know, April was a very good hiker. [brushes his claws along a tree] She was a very different SkyWing.
NIA: Oh, yeah?
AERIS: Yeah. Unlike the typical grouchy SkyWings, she had a lot of energy. She was fun, and actually had a passion. [chuckles slightly] She brought me to hike with her every week... and I don't know how, but she finds a new trail every time.
NIA: Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.
AERIS: We did. Just her and me, alone and counting the stars in the sky. She told me she wished moments like those would've been endless. [pauses] I think you two would've been great together.
NIA: Uh huh.
AERIS: I know she would.
NIA: Bet I would, too.
AERIS: Yeah.
NIA: Was she like you?
AERIS: Oh, no, no, we were almost the complete opposite. [thinks for a moment] And I think that's what made it so special.
NIA: You're a fighter, so I guess she's a pacifist?
AERIS: She fights, too. The only times she did were for the Talons, though. Other than that... [sighs] she doesn't hurt a lot of dragons. She was brave. She did things I didn't know she could. [looks away sheepishly] We fell for each other more than ten years ago.
NIA: Cute. [turns to Aeris, who continues walking forward] Was the war better back then? I mean, like, before things got outta control.
AERIS: [deep in his thoughts] I-it was. But we still lost a lot, though. [looks ahead of him] And, hey, we're finally here.
[Nia arrives and stands next to Aeris, staring at a giant city standing in the distance at the bottom of the valley. Aeris grabs his bag tightly, watching as Nia fixes her gaze on the city. Giant, wooden fences surround the city with dragons stationed around every post]
[there are four entrances of the city, packed with dragons entering and leaving]
AERIS: Not like anything you've seen before, huh?
NIA: Whoa...
[scene cuts to Aeris and Nia walking toward the west entrance. Aeris grabs onto his bag tightly, and he brings Nia over to a trail that cuts right into the city]
AERIS: They named this place "Survilis". [sees Nia turns to him with a confused expression] It means "wishes" in the Old Language. There's a statue of Mazaque at the center of the city, she's supposedly an animus who grants dragons wishes.
NIA: Hence the name.
AERIS: That's right. This place was attacked about six years ago when I was here. Her statue was one of the few things left standing. [smiles] No one knows how.
NIA: It sounds like a good, little tale.
AERIS: It's true.
NIA: You said you've been here?
AERIS: Yes.
NIA: For how long?
AERIS: [rubs his eye] Two months.
[Aeris gives the guards a nod, entering the city with Nia. Nia looks around, seeing dragons working together to construct a new building. Many dragons are hanging banners and posters all over the city, promoting the upcoming festival]
NIA: Festival?
AERIS: You don't know? It's the new year tonight.
NIA: What's a "new year"?
AERIS: The Talons don't teach you about this?
NIA: They're shitty dragons, Aeris.
[Aeris shakes his head as he leads Nia along, who giggles teasingly. The two dragons continue down the street, and Nia keeps looking at the decorations being displayed around the city. A few dragons seem to notice Aeris as he walks past them]
[out of nowhere, a SkyWing arrives and tackles Aeris away, startling Nia. Nia reaches for her knife, and pulls it out of her sheath, but she stops when she realizes the SkyWing isn't harming Aeris. Instead, she seems to be excited to see him]
SHAD: Aeris! It is you!
AERIS: What?
[Shad jumps off of Aeris, who slowly stands up. Multiple dragons are watching as they surround the scene. Nia looks around uncomfortably, walking over to Aeris who picks his bag up]
SHAD: Three moons, it's been a while.
AERIS: Shad?
SHAD: Yeah, I'm from your division back then. [to the crowd] This is Aeris the SkyWing.
[Nia watches as Aeris and Shad hug. She clips the knife back into her sheath. Aeris turns to Nia, heading back over to her]
AERIS: Don't worry, this is just my friend.
SHAD: [wipes the dirt off her arm] What are you doing here with a NightWing dragonet?
AERIS: Can we talk about this somewhere private?
SHAD: Uh... sure.
[scene cuts to Shad walking through a door, followed by Aeris and Nia. The three dragons arrive in a giant library, with elegant chandeliers hanging overhead. Nia runs over to the shelves stacked with books, and she opens her mouth in awe as she pulls them out of the shelves]
NIA: Three moons, there are so many books here. I'm gonna die.
SHAD: [turns to Aeris] She's cute.
AERIS: But a pain in the ass.
NIA: I heard that.
AERIS: Yeah, you should.
[Shad brings Aeris over to the tables, and Aeris signals for Nia to follow him. Nia runs after Aeris with a stack of books in her talons. The three dragons arrive at one of the tables, sitting down and facing each other. Nia plays with the lamp standing on the table, continuously flicking it on and off]
NIA: How does this thing work?
SHAD: The base of the lamp stores all the oil. When you turn it on, a few are sucked out and the fire sort of lights them up. [groans] You know what? I'm not really the best dragon to describe these things.
AERIS: We need to-
NIA: [to Shad] How did you guys know each other?
AERIS: We were from the same group while we were in the SkyWing army.
SHAD: But you left.
AERIS: I had other things. [grabs his head] So when did you move back here?
SHAD: After they finished the Spherical Center. That was almost two years ago. Well, for war veterans like me, it was actually quite easy settling in. They gave us a place to stay right away.
NIA: Oh, shit, that's nice.
AERIS: Nia. Behave.
SHAD: [chuckles and looks at Aeris] She's like you.
AERIS: [thinks for a moment] Wait, "us"?
SHAD: Oh, three moons, I haven't introduced him yet. [shouts to a dragon reading a scroll behind the counter] Kane, can you come over here?
[Kane puts the scroll down on the counter and approaches the table. Aeris watches as Shad moves aside, letting Kane sit down next to her. Kane waves and smiles at Aeris]
SHAD: We met about two months after I returned. He's my husband now. [holds Kane's talon and smiles at him, turning back to Aeris] I sent an invitation to our wedding about a year ago.
AERIS: I-I guess it got intercepted.
KANE: Don't worry about it.
SHAD: I'm just glad you are safe, Aeris.
[Aeris watches as Shad and Kane laugh and lean against each other. Aeris's ears begin drooping as he remembers about him and April. Nia turns to Aeris, noticing the change in his face]
AERIS: [nods shakily and smiles] Congrats on the wedding.
SHAD: Thanks. Are you doing okay with April?
AERIS: [thinks for a moment] Y-yeah. She's fine.
[Nia looks at Aeris, seeing him trying to hold his tears]
SHAD: Happy to hear that.
AERIS: Is there a station somewhere where we can get a few things? [points at Nia] I have to get her to a little town near the shore.
SHAD: Aeris, the shore is still five hundred miles away. Getting there would take you all night, and I wouldn't recommend you flying around this part at night. You don't know who or what could be out there.
AERIS: I can take them.
SHAD: You are welcome to stay. We have a lodge down the street with food for you two to spend the night. You can continue your flight tomorrow, and it'll give us time to get some stuff ready for both of you.
AERIS: [nods and turns to Nia] What do you think?
NIA: I think we should stay.
SHAD: [to Aeris] You agree with that?
AERIS: Alright, we'll stay.
SHAD: We'll let the others know you're here.
[scene cuts to Aeris leaving the library by himself. Nia is carrying the books in her talons, and Aeris offers to put them into his bag. The two dragons walk down the street, making a right turn and arriving in front of the alley that Aeris was at back then]
NIA: What is this place?
AERIS: The night when the SeaWings attacked this place, I hid here. I was stabbed, and I almost bled to death, but some SeaWing helped me. I didn't know who he was, but he told me he worked for the Talons. He told me I should join them, and I did. [pauses and looks at the ground] Maybe it wasn't the best choice.
NIA: Aeris...
AERIS: Maybe if I hadn't taken the offer, she would still be alive.
NIA: [brushes her talon along Aeris's body and tries to calm him] Hey, hey, it's alright. It's alright. You're fine, okay? Calm down...
[cuts to the afternoon, when the sun begins to set. Many buildings are starting to light up, and lanterns are being lit by a few SkyWings. A couple of banners are still being hung over the streets. Many dragons are crowding around the city, wearing masks and covering themselves with paint]
[there is a concert being held across the city, and dragons are cheering and shouting. A few fireworks are being shot into the air, exploding and lighting up the sky in colorful patterns]
[Aeris and Nia are led into a room by a SkyWing. Nia walks forward, and Aeris enters after her. The SkyWing leaves, and Nia listens to his footsteps as he heads down the house, opening the door and leaving. She steps forward, feeling the soft bed, and dropping herself onto it]
NIA: Well, this isn't too bad.
AERIS: [tosses the bag onto his own bed] At least it's better than what Anwa gave me.
NIA: [presses her face against the window and looks outside, seeing a parade being held on the street] Whoa, look at all these dragons. They've never done any of this back in the sector.
AERIS: You don't really get a lot of these now. [walks over to Nia and stands next to her as he watches the parade] Survilis is special because it's a city with no differences. You can be anyone from anywhere and no one will judge you for it.
NIA: This is what the continent should be.
AERIS: That's what it was.
NIA: We should go out.
AERIS: You want to?
NIA: Yeah, it's the new year.
AERIS: [smiles] Alright. I'll take you.
[Aeris and Nia walk out of their small, temporary home. Aeris clips a golden necklace around him, leading Nia through the incoming crowd. He is wearing a new bag over his shoulder, and Nia was given a small bag to wear as well]
AERIS: We just gotta navigate through all this crap.
[as the two dragons push themselves across the crowd, Aeris suddenly notices a SandWing walking into a theater. Aeris immediately recognizes who it is, and he turns to Nia behind him]
[both dragons finally make it past the crowd, and Shad suddenly arrives and bumps into Aeris. She turns to him, seeing Nia behind him]
SHAD: Both of you are coming to the festival as well?
AERIS: [points at the theater entrance] The SandWing that just walked in? That's Horus, right?
SHAD: Yeah. He's here for the festival.
AERIS: I have to go see him. [to Shad] Can you watch Nia for me? It won't take long.
SHAD: S-sure.
NIA: Aeris.
AERIS: [turns to Nia] It won't be long. I'll take only fifteen minutes, alright? [pats Nia's shoulder and turns to Shad] Bring her somewhere, I'll look for you guys after I'm done.
SHAD: Alright, Nia, come here.
AERIS: [nods] Behave.
[Aeris watches as Shad brings Nia away, standing there while the crowd passes him. After a moment, Aeris turns to the theater, and he begins heading toward it. He pushes through the door, revealing a giant lobby]
[Aeris heads to the end of the lobby, where he pushes through another door and finds himself in a grand auditorium. He looks around, seeing the elegant boxes above the seats and the smooth stage ahead]
[Aeris finds the SandWing standing next to a seat by himself, staring at a little piece of scroll in his talon. After a moment, the SandWing tucks the scroll into his bag, turning and noticing Aeris approaching him]
HORUS: Aeris? [turns his bag behind his back] Three moons, what are you doing here?
[both dragons shake their talons]
AERIS: Got myself a mission.
HORUS: Shit, you're still working for them?
AERIS: I guess...
HORUS: You wanna talk about this over a drink?
AERIS: No, I don't have time to go to the bar.
[Horus grabs a small container filled with dragon breath inside and two small glasses. He eyes at Aeris, seeing him smiling. The two dragons sit down next to each other, both staring at the stage. Horus pours the red liquid into the glasses, handing one of them to Aeris]
HORUS: You're doing okay?
AERIS: Yeah, yeah, why am I not okay?
HORUS: You look like you just got trampled by a horde of bulls. [takes a sip of the drink] It's what it is, you just flew across the continent anyway. How long?
AERIS: Been out there for more than three weeks now.
HORUS: Yeah? [finishes his glass and pours himself another] And the NightWing?
AERIS: She's fine.
HORUS: It's been a while since we've done something like this. How's the sector?
AERIS: [shakes his glass and thinks for a moment] Uh, it's going well. Shad told me you're here for the week. Where'd you come from?
HORUS: Just a little town off the shore.
AERIS: Off the shore?
HORUS: It's not the sector.
AERIS: Yeah, but you can bring us there. [stands up and lowers his glass on the seat] You know the way here to there. It's only a five-hundred-mile flight, we'll get there in three days.
HORUS: You even know where the sector is?
AERIS: Not... particularly.
HORUS: So you're lost.
AERIS: I'm not lost. Horus, the farthest I've been from my sector is here. I don't know what's on the coast, I've never even been to the place.
HORUS: [lowers his glass and sighs] Well, if you're heading there, be careful. The place is extremely screwed up. You know, some of our guys were attacked while coming here?
AERIS: Your guys?
HORUS: What? Do you really think I'd come here alone? [sighs] Ten dragons turned into two.
AERIS: It'll be easy for us. We can fight, we'll get there with no problem.
HORUS: Sorry, Aeris, I can't.
AERIS: W-what do you mean you can't? [chuckles] You've made it here, you know these places. I know you can fight-
HORUS: I can't, alright? [turns to Aeris] What Shad told you isn't true. I'm planning to stay here. I don't want to go back there. The place is messed up... marauders and all these shits. It doesn't matter how skilled you are, they kill you if you take one step into their territory.
AERIS: So you're just gonna sit here? There's a mission to save the continent.
HORUS: Your mission. Not mine. [pauses] L-look, the dragons are happy here. You are welcome here, and you and your little dragonet can stay. It's better here than getting both of you killed out there. You don't have to do this for yourself, Aeris.
AERIS: I'm not doing this for myself. [grabs his bag in frustration] Busting my ass out here saving everyone else's.
HORUS: I really want to help you, Aeris. Really. But if anything happens and the wrong dragons find out about this place, [sighs and shakes his head] I don't want the same thing to happen again.
AERIS: You're living with the wrong dragons.
[Aeris puts his bag over his shoulder, walking away from Horus and heading down the path. He approaches the door in frustration]
[Horus sits there, sighing and looking at Aeris's glass, which is still half full. Aeris pushes through the door and heads outside, looking around him and trying to find where Nia is]
[after making his way across the entire city, Aeris eventually finds Nia standing next to Shad as the two dragons watch a SkyWing group performing on a stage. Aeris pushes through the crowd, finally arriving next to Nia]
AERIS: [puts his talon on Nia's shoulder] Having fun?
NIA: Yeah.
SHAD: You're gonna take her back?
AERIS: [to Nia] What do you want?
NIA: [reaches her talon toward Aeris] Alright.
[the three dragons stand there and watch the performance until it finishes. Later, Aeris holds onto Nia's talon as the two dragons walk down the crowded street. Nia sees many dragons wearing masks and paints on their faces, while others are carrying giant instruments on their shoulders]
NIA: Do you guys do this every year?
AERIS: We... did. Until they blew up the town. But I guess folks are getting back to it.
[both dragons walk silently without speaking to each other for a long moment. Aeris notices Nia staring at the concert on the other side of the city, and he exhales. He lets go of her talon suddenly, and Nia turns to him in confusion]
AERIS: You said that this is your first new year?
NIA: Uh huh.
AERIS: I know a place.
[scene cuts to Aeris and Nia flying to the top of a bell tower, where they land on the edge of the roof and settle down. Nia sits down first, while Aeris slowly lowers his bag]
AERIS: When I was here, this is the place that I go to when I need some time by myself. [grabs two cylindrical objects from his bag and heads over to Nia] The best view of the city. You can see the entire place.
[Nia looks around and sees all corners of the city being lit up as preparations for the new year. She sees dragons celebrating in the southeast section of the city, while a bustling market stands on the other side. She looks below her, seeing dragons walking up and down the street, and she smiles]
NIA: For the entire war, I never knew dragons could do things like this. Coming together and celebrating, instead of slaughtering each other.
AERIS: [chuckles softly] Yep.
[Aeris puts the objects next to him, keeping them still to prevent them from falling off the tower. He puts the bag back over his shoulder, picks up the items, and heads over to Nia, where he sits down next to her]
AERIS: Well, since it's your first time celebrating a new year... [holds the cylindrical object toward Nia] it's a sparker. I got it while I was away. Some genius figured out how to put a firework into a container, and you get this.
NIA: [takes the sparker and inspects it in awe] How do you use it?
AERIS: [moves the sparkler's head away from Nia] Keep this part away from your face. You don't wanna blow your entire snout right off. [points at the thin string at the other end of the sparker] Breathe a little fire, and light this string.
[Nia steadily holds the sparker and points it at the sky. Aeris watches as she breathes slowly for a moment, building the fire in her snout and breathing a small plume on the string. The string light up, and the fire slowly runs down the string until it reaches the butt of the sparker]
[a flare shoots right out of the sparker, flying into the sky and detonating, exploding into a colorful fireball. Nia laughs in awe, covering her snout and laughing. Aeris hands her the other one in his talon]
AERIS: Happy New Year, Nia.
NIA: Holy shit, this is the first time I've ever had this much fun.
[Nia shoots another flare into the sky, which detonates and explodes into green sparkles. The two dragons suddenly hear multiple other fireworks being shot across the city, lighting the night sky with colorful sparks. Nia looks around, chuckling in amazement]
NIA: So what year are we in?
AERIS: Four thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight... After Scorching.
NIA: What's "After Scorching"?
AERIS: It's... it's a long story. [smiles] Well, only a year left to go until the next millennium. [pauses and thinks for a moment while staring into the starry sky] I want to see it. Think about it. When in your lifetime do you ever get to witness a new millennium?
NIA: It's rare for sure.
AERIS: April would've been delighted. [chuckles softly and sniffles] She dreamt of it. I promised that I would take her to Jaros.
NIA: I'm sure she'll see it.
AERIS: You're right.
[Nia leans against Aeris, and the two dragons watch the fireworks ahead of them. Out of nowhere, Aeris's right ear suddenly flicks, sensing a sudden burst from the western side of the city. He turns to where the noise came from, seeing a horde of SkyWings and SandWings running frantically down the street, trampling on each other]
AERIS: [stands up] What the hell?
NIA: [sees a building explode and falls onto the street] Aeris?
AERIS: [looks outside the city, seeing an army of MudWings and SeaWings arriving at the border of the city] It's them. [backs away slowly] Come on, we need to get your stuff now.
[guards stationed on the gates are trying to defend the city from the invasion, but they are easily overpowered by the army. Behind the army, the group of SandWing assassins arrive, scouting the chaos in the streets and looking for Aeris]
MERASTAT: Find him.
GIROV: We'll take the other side.
[scene cuts to Aeris and Nia running down the street, dodging the incoming dragons running in the opposite direction. Aeris helps make the way for Nia, pushing through the crowd]
NIA: How did they even find us here?
AERIS: I warned that damn asshole.
[Aeris sees the lodge in the distance, and he rushes toward it as quickly as possible. Nia looks at the sky, seeing a large cactus bomb falling from the air and dropping through the roof of the house. The bomb detonates, exploding and destroying the entire house. Aeris quickly stops, standing there and looking as the lodge bursts into flame]
AERIS: Shit.
[Aeris turns around, seeing the army slaughtering the dragons in the street. Nia looks behind her, seeing more cactus bombs raining from the sky and destroying the city. Aeris leads Nia to the other side of the city]
NIA: Where are you going?
AERIS: I need to find Shad.
NIA: [running and ducking as a few pebbles fall on her head] Ahh!
AERIS: [slows down and picks up Nia, raising his arm over her head] Okay, I got you, I got you. We just gotta get to the-
[Aeris suddenly stops when he sees a SkyWing in the corner of his eye. He catches a small glimpse of Reela landing in the chaotic street, slowing down and seeing her looking back at him]
[Aeris continues making his way through the city, busting through the door and running across a house. Just a moment after he leaves the home, it explodes as a result of a cactus bomb]
NIA: Aeris...
AERIS: It's fine, it's fine. Close your eyes. Look at me, don't look behind you. I'll get us out of here, alright?
[Aeris leaps across a fallen pole, holding onto Nia tightly as he lands. Suddenly, a cactus bomb detonates right next to him, exploding and knocking him away. He loses grasp of Nia, who falls forward]
[Nia turns around, watching as Aeris dazedly stands. Aeris sees Shad and Kane arrive, helping Nia stand up. The four dragons meet together]
KANE: Three moons, you guys are okay.
SHAD: What happened?
AERIS: It's Blister and her dragons.
KANE: If it's Blister, it ain't good. We need to get out of here now. Those MudWings and SeaWings back there already killed about a hundred civilians.
AERIS: You guys head out of here first.
NIA: What?
AERIS: I recognize someone back there. [turns around and turns back to Shad and Kane] You guys get her out of here first, I'll be right back. Don't let anything hurt her, please.
SHAD: Where are you going?
[Aeris leaves without answering. Nia watches and shouts after Aeris as he makes a turn and disappears behind the black smoke. She stares in worry as Shad pulls her away]
SHAD: Nia, let's go now.
NIA: We have to wait for him!
SHAD: It's too dangerous.
[scene cuts to Aeris arriving outside an alley. He stops, staring at the alley ahead and remembering what he did about six years ago. He breathes quietly, entering the alley and listening to the explosions outside]
[memories crawl back into his head of that night, but Aeris continues deeper into the alley. He finally arrives at an intersection, where he sees a SkyWing silhouette to his right]
AERIS: R-reela?
REELA: Aeris.
AERIS: [takes a step back] Why are you here?
REELA: I wanted to see you. [steps out of the shadow and looks at Aeris] You've grown so much. [chuckles] Bigger than me now.
AERIS: [smiles] Y-you shouldn't be here.
REELA: You, too.
AERIS: I'm only here for-
REELA: Let's go home.
AERIS: Wha-what? Home?
REELA: The kingdom.
AERIS: [pauses] I can't. I-I have something I need to get done. Reela, they figured out how to end the war. This is what you wanted, right? There's a chance for us right now.
REELA: [approaches closer to Aeris] It's dangerous out there. Come home with me, and let someone else do it. You don't have to get yourself hurt over this.
AERIS: [shakes his head] No, no, you don't understand, Reela. There's no one else who can do this. You said I was the best SkyWing, right? [pauses] Right? So let me do this. If someone takes her, they'll lose her within a day.
REELA: It's better than losing you.
AERIS: What?
REELA: Her... Majesty wants you back.
AERIS: Better than losing me? Reela, this dragonet is our only hope. I don't have anything else to lose, but this kid, she can save thousands of lives. Let us finish this, and I'll come back to you.
REELA: I've tried, Aeris. I tried to delay this. But if I don't bring you back, she will send someone else who will. And I don't want to see you get hurt.
AERIS: I can't believe you did this.
REELA: This is my only choice, Aeris. Y-you really think I want to see you here as much as you do? This is for both of our own good.
AERIS: No. [shakes his head and feels betrayed] This is only for you. Because you only cared about dragons in the kingdom. [hushes his voice down to a whisper] Leave, now.
REELA: Aeris-
AERIS: You don't get to tell me to do what you want anymore. Leave. I'll go with the dragonet, you head back to the kingdom. Tell Scarlet to send all her SkyWings if you want, I'll kill all of them.
[Aeris notices Reela pulling a dagger from her sheath. He exhales for a moment, staring at her right in the eyes. Reela swings the dagger right at Aeris's chest, but he quickly dodges. Aeris rolls to his right, picks up a plank from the ground, and throws it at Reela]
[Reela bats the plank away, charging right at Aeris. Aeris quickly ducks under her attack, seeing the dagger's blade gliding across his face, inflicting a cut along the side of his snout. Blood slowly runs down his snout, and Aeris winces in pain as he touches the wound]
AERIS: Reela, this is enough.
REELA: This is for your good.
[Reela spins the dagger in her claws, charging at Aeris and leaping into the air. She slams down with the dagger, but Aeris catches her wrists, stopping her from driving her dagger further]
AERIS: Don't do this.
[Reela drops the knife, catching it quickly and inflicting another cut on Aeris's chest. Aeris groans, grabbing Reela's arm and kicking the dagger off her talon. He grabs her arm, pulling her onto the ground and pinning her there]
AERIS: You don't know anything about Scarlet.
REELA: Yes, I do.
[Reela attempts to throw Aeris off of her, but he reacts quickly and drags her toward a wall, slamming her there and keeping her immobilized. Aeris steps on Reela's tail, stopping her]
REELA: [exhales] You fight better than I thought.
[scene cuts to Nia being led out of the city, where she is brought into a forest. She looks back at the burning city, seeing many other dragons fleeing in all directions. Shad arrives next to Nia, tugging on her arm and trying to bring her deeper into the forest]
SHAD: Nia, let's go, it's not safe out here.
[Nia stays there silently, and Shad turns to her in confusion]
SHAD: Nia, we need to go now!
NIA: I can't leave him.
[Nia hesitates, and she takes a deep breath. After a moment, she charges back to the city. Shad tries to pull her back, but she loses her grasp on her. Shad tries to run after Nia, but Kane arrives and pulls her back]
KANE: There's no time, we have to get out of here.
SHAD: Nia!
[scene cuts back to Aeris, who is still pinning Reela against the wall]
AERIS: We both went through hell, and I can't leave her now. She needs me.
[Aeris picks up the dagger from the ground, holding it tightly in his talon. Reela looks at the blade, seeing it smeared with Aeris's blood. Aeris points the dagger right at Reela]
AERIS: What happened to those times between us? [pauses] I thought I could've trusted you to take care of it. I thought you would've hid me from her. [sniffles] But you gave me away.
[Aeris remembers all the training he went through after he was taken by Queen Scarlet]
AERIS: You said you know her but you don't. From sunrise to midnight, she makes me tear myself apart to fight her war. [begins to have flashbacks of him being abused during training, and he shouts, startling Reela] Do you understand all the things she did?
[Aeris keeps the dagger pointed at Reela. He remembers about him being jabbed by wooden sticks multiple times, drowned in barrels of water, and sliced by knives. He thinks about Queen Scarlet, who stands on the sideline and watches as he trains against her SkyWing assassins]
[Aeris remembers the night when he was cast out of the kingdom for a month, where he learned how to survive by himself. Memories of him shivering in a dark cave begin engulfing his head]
AERIS: And after all of it, you ask me to go back?
[Reela thinks for a moment, and she suddenly reaches forward, grabbing Aeris by the neck, causing him to lose grasp of the dagger. Reela throws Aeris through a crate, but he quickly stands]
[the dagger lies between the two SkyWings, and both dragons charge toward it. Aeris and Reela reach for the dagger, and a soft stab is heard. Both dragons stand there in silence, barely moving and looking at each other. Reela breathes heavily as she takes a step backward, revealing the dagger impaled through her chest. She looks up at Aeris]
[Aeris stares at the dagger stuck in Reela's chest in horror, trying to help her. Reela raises her talon forward, stopping him. She grabs the dagger's hilt, wincing and pulling it off her chest. She drops the dagger onto the ground and stumbles backward, collapsing against the wall]
AERIS: No, no, no. [crouches next to Nia and covers the stab wound with his talon] Shit. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Reela, hey.
REELA: [smiles and raises her talon toward Aeris's snout] Go... get her away-
[both dragons hear a loud explosion outside the alley, and Aeris tries to block the debris from hitting Reela. He continues putting pressure on her wound, looking at her and panicking]
AERIS: Come on, come on.
REELA: Get out of here. [exhales weakly] Don't let Blister or Scarlet find you. Aeris... go-
[Reela's talon drops from Aeris's snout, and she leans backward and takes her last breath, succumbing to her stab wound. Aeris crouches there, shakily moving his talons away from her wound. He stares at the ground, closing his eyes and punching the ground in anger]
[Aeris hears a noise behind him, and she turns around, finding Nia approaching him slowly. She looks at the dead Reela behind him with the wound visible. She turns to the dagger on the ground, seeing it sitting next to Aeris]
AERIS: I told you to stay with her.
NIA: I'm worried about you.
[Aeris turns to Reela, slowly raising his claws toward her eyes and closing them. He stands up painfully, grabbing his bleeding chest and limping over to Nia. The two dragons tread carefully out of the alley, leaning against each other]
[the sky begins raining, and Nia feels the rain dropping on her head. Aeris peeks out of the alley, finding a patrol of MudWings clearing the street in the distance. He heads back into the alley, followed by Nia, who's watching him curiously]
AERIS: They cleared the entire city. [drops his bag onto the ground and rummages through it violently] Three moons, I told you to go with Shad.
NIA: Are you mad?
AERIS: Yes. And now I have to-
[a bomb rolls in front of the dragons, and both of them stare in horror as the explosive stops in front of them. Aeris quickly grabs Nia, turning her away from the explosive before it detonates and knocks both dragons out of the alley]
[Aeris falls onto the mud, and he hears loud ringing in both of his ears. He slowly adjusts his vision, seeing Nia coming into his view]
NIA: Aeris, get up. They're here.
[the eight SandWing assassins surround Aeris and Nia. Aeris groans as he painfully stands, clutching the side of his body, which has been impaled by many little thorns. He sees the SandWings stopping as they circle him and Nia]
THORO: Aeris the SkyWing.
AERIS: You know me?
MERASTAT: The Death Crimson. You're him.
[Nia stands closer to Aeris, clutching his arm and looking around. The SandWings arm themselves with knives, and Merastat approaches Aeris slowly and viciously. Aeris keeps his eyes on him, waiting for him to strike first]
[Merastat shoots his tail right at Aeris's face, but he easily dodges it. Aeris grabs his tail, holding it tight as he breathes his fire at it, burning him. Merastat screams as Aeris kicks him backward]
[Aeris fills his snout with fire, breathing a giant fire wall between him and the SandWings. The assassins watch as the rain slowly puts out the fire, noticing that Aeris had disappeared with Nia]
MERASTAT: [huffing loudly] Run... SkyWing.
[the dragons hear footsteps behind them, and they turn, seeing Blister walking through the smoke. She is wearing her shiny armor and carrying a spear decorated with multiple gems embedded in it]
BLISTER: He escaped?
COLOFIN: We'll find him, Your Majesty.
BLISTER: Don't. I already know where he's going.
[two MudWings arrive behind Blister, dragging an injured SandWing with them. The SandWing is revealed to be Horus, who's heavily injured. A sharp stake is impaled right through his thigh]
BLISTER: Thank you, little SandWing.
[Blister smirks as she stares at the forest outside of the burning city. The rain continues to put out the fire that has been inflicted on the entire city. One of the buildings collapses in the distance, followed by loud screams from SkyWings]
[scene cuts to Aeris running across a wide field with Nia being his arms. He pants heavily, stepping through the mud and almost tripping himself. He quickly regains his balance, and continues to run when he sees a giant river splitting the field in the distance]
[Nia is covering her head with Aeris's bag, hiding herself from the rain]
AERIS: Once we get across, we should be safe.
NIA: Were those Blister's dragons?
AERIS: [thinks for a moment] Yeah. They'll keep following us. I have to get you to the sector now.
NIA: But Shad told us not to fly around here at night.
AERIS: We don't have a choice. We stop, Blister's gonna catch up to us.
[out of nowhere, a grappling hook is thrown across the air, catching Aeris by his neck and dragging him to the ground. Nia falls out of Aeris's grasp, and she is shot forward. Nia stands, but a SeaWing lands behind her and holds her back]
NIA: Aeris! Let go of me!
[Aeris pulls the grappling hook off his neck, and he tries to stand. A net is suddenly thrown over him, preventing him from getting up. Aeris stumbles forward, trying his best to stand when another SeaWing arrives and kicks him to the ground]
AERIS: Nia!
[Nia tries to escape from the SeaWing's grasp, flailing violently. She watches as many more SeaWings land around the two dragons]
[Aeris struggles to stand, tripping over the net and stumbling into the mud again. A SeaWing arrives next to him with a stone spear, standing next to him. Aeris flails underneath the net, and he is knocked in the temple with the butt of the spear]
SEAWING #1: Stay down, SkyWing.
[a trail of blood runs down the side of his head, and Aeris falls unconscious, collapsing onto the mud. He hears Nia's voice muffled as his eyes close]