The Princess's Feathers

The female nods.

At that, the male Ruffy closes his eyes while the female begins strolling away. He lowers himself to the ground, placing his arms out in front of him as the strange markings on his arms glow, and wisps of blue light form and circle around his body. His composition changes, becoming fluid-like as his body twists and contorts in impossible ways.

Kuro finches in apprehension. “Asha…?”

“He’s transforming into Kin!”

Unlike my visceral transformation, this one is far more smooth and restrained. The clothes on his body dissolve into disparate patches of stumpy-looking feathers while his limbs grow bigger, stretching into the familiar shapes I’ve come to associate with a Lithan. His eyes remain closed as his face stretches, but he doesn’t appear to be in pain. As tender wings begin to sprout from his shoulder blades, the female Ruffy settles against the ground and begins the same act of magical, fluid-like transformation.

And yet, while this astonishing spectacle plays out before us, the other Kin watching seem thoroughly unimpressed, if not bored. The drakon is preening the underside of his wing while the tawny drakaina natters with a pale gray Kin beside her. What’s more, the Lemurs who were watching the ceremony just a few moments prior have returned to their field duties, paying no mind to the incredible scene.

Could this type of transformation be… normal? Were Lemurs able to change back and forth into Kin at their discretion?

With a commanding flap of his slate blue wings, the male Ruffy is the first to finish the transformation into Kin. He flicks his tail and rumbles in a hoarse draconic voice, “That’s more like it!”

As he re-acclimates to his Lithan body, the female Ruffy finishes a few moments later, sporting a beautiful, pale copper plumage. As she opens her eyes, her tail thumps wildly against the ground. She turns to the drakon and remarks, “Oh, gosh. You weren’t kidding, Figno. The prey-scent here is really distracting.”

“Then let’s quickly depart,” Figno suggests, opening his wings with an impatient flick. “Shall we hunt in the mountains?”

The once-male Ruffy stretches his wings. “I could go for seafood, today.”

“Then we’ll fly to the ocean,” Figno nods.

One by one, all of the Kin present call their takeoffs before leaping into the warm, greenwing sky. Dragonsong echoes across the ancient city of Varecia, a surreal chorus of harmonious, savage thunder that fails to draw the attention of the Lemurs dutifully tending to the fields around us. A warm breeze blows against our feathers, and the Dragons quickly rise into a thermal that propels them west towards the great oceans of the moon.

As the songs of Dragons fade in the distance, Kuro turns to me, her eyes wide as sunflowers. “Wow!”

I laugh, scarcely able to believe the spectacle I just witnessed. “It’s just like I thought, Kuro. Those Lemurs were practitioners of magic. Like, real spells and witchcraft! I can’t believe it!”

Kuro’s head tilts. “Magic? Spells?”

“It’s, um,” I sputter, trying to think of an adequate explanation for something so mundane. “In the Farlands, there are a lot of stories about Animals having special abilities called magic. Like, being able to attack someone with a fireball despite not being a Dragon. I never believed any of them were real, but what those Lemurs just did looked an awful lot like magic.”

At that, the scene dissolves again, and the scents of Varecia are replaced by Felra once more. The Great Valley comes into focus, bathing us in the familiar nighttime glow of the prophets. Kevura remains perched on a mountain, his mid-section twirled into the air. He has a strange look of satisfaction about him.

“Was that the power of the Chimera?” I ask. “Magic?”

“Not magic,” Keuvra corrects. “Elementia.”

“You mean, like in the mural we saw in White Mountain?”

The deity inclines the entire front half of his body in acknowledgment. “Magic implies the supernatural, an illusion of reality that defies explanation. Elementia is a property of nature itself, the symbiotic relationship between Jade, Maki, and our Prophet, Sun. The energy that sustains our world is drawn from the Sun and collected on the planet Maki. Every creature that walks on Jade owes its existence to this energy.”

In a wing flap, Maki rises in the sky beside Keuvra. The meadow is bathed in pale green planetlight.

“The enlightened ones of ancient times understood this relationship. They could harness Elementia and distill it into spells, protections, and even transformations. Those who could freely transform into Dragons called themselves the ‘Chimera’ due to their distinctly mixed blood, among other reasons.” Keuvra pauses and shifts his gaze to Kuro. “There is nothing deceitful about the story the flock has learned. Until the rise of the Lordanous, Dragons were a scourge to the existence of all enlightened ones.”

A thousand questions swirl inside of my mind. This changes everything I supposedly knew about my understanding of the moon. It honestly makes me feel overwhelmed — how could I possibly have every single one of my questions answered? “But it didn’t last,” I say, addressing my most pressing concern. “I live on a moon dictated by science and technology, not spells and transformations.”

A gentle, longing sound escapes Kevura’s muzzle and echoes across the valley. “It did not. A sordid tale for another time, perhaps.”

As Kevura finishes talking, Maki sets in the sky behind him, and darkness again descends across the valley.

“Ah,” I reply, trying to hide my disappointment. Keuvra quickly brushed that question aside. It seems he’s going to answer even fewer questions than I thought.

“Daughter-Of-Kelani,” he rumbles, addressing me directly. “You are learning this information because the need to unite the moon is so urgent that it necessitates the temporary revival of Elementia,” the golden-traced deity pauses, snaking his head across the valley to move closer to us. “If you are unwilling to retain your original form as a Lemur permanently, then perhaps you would be willing to take the temporary form of a true Chimera.”

I blink, momentarily startled by Kevura’s offer. “You mean… I could change back and forth on a whim? Just like the Lemurs in that vision did?”

“For a time,” Keuvra clarifies. “You can’t rest a talon on two islands, Daughter-Of-Kelani. A few seasons is all the God of Creation is willing to allow.”

So, I’d be like those Chimera I saw: Lemur and Kin. That would truly be the best of both worlds, wouldn’t it? I could remain Kuro’s mate but still save Ellyntide. I could threaten cities with destruction or negotiate as a Princess. “If I could freely switch back and forth between Lemur and Kin, then I would be, like, insanely powerful.”

“The Chimera of times past were indeed feared,” Keuvra rumbles with satisfaction. “We believe a modern one has the capability to change the moon forever.”

Oh, gosh. With the restored power of Elementia, I could truly change everything, couldn’t I? My mind abounds at the possibilities… I would be like no other Lemur in centuries! I flutter my wings and ask, “What about magic spells? Could I cast a fireball?!”

Keuvra pauses momentarily and then snakes his head across the valley until he’s nearly hovering above us. A faint smile forms across his muzzle as he rasps, “…No.”

“Oh.” I turn to Kuro and smile. “Can’t have it all, I guess!”

“Allowing the power to transform freely is a considerable… strain. Further, it is not without its drawbacks.” Keuvra’s body relaxes, and he retreats his head back to the valley’s ridge. “Chimera need to assume their draconic form every few days, lest they succumb to their latent predatory urges. Irritability, rage, and unintentional transformations are all possible.“

I tip my wings thoughtfully. “So, I would have to be mindful about how I use my power.”

The front half of the deity’s body nods.

I stare into the ground, overwhelmed by all the information I’ve learned. “The power to change back and forth sounds… incredible. But even if I could do that, how am I supposed to unite the entire Farlands in only a few months?”

“Well…” Keuvra says, wrapping his tail around himself. “You will find I am much more patient than the God of Creation. While you will only possess the Gift of Transcendence for a short time, my Flight to unite the Farlands has no such limit.”

“Mmh.” I rumble to myself. “Then my first priority should be to restore Ellyntide, as dangerous as that sounds. Since my plan to shoot down airship-prey and appear as an ally to Ellyntide is no longer possible, I should try to locate any remaining family allies. Miss Almandoz lives on an island in Varecia, and I’m certain she could put me in touch with animals I can trust. But entering the city as a Lemur is dangerous. Everybody there knows who the tall, blue-haired Ruffed Lemur girl is.”

“But Asha,” Kuro says. “Everyone in the Farlands thinks you’re dead, right?”

“They do, But the Nortanians will be everywhere. Even if I could somehow find a disguise to wear, someone might still recognize me. And I don’t know how to fight as a Lemur, only as Kin.” Wearily, I gaze into Kuro’s merlot eyes. “I don’t want you to worry about me.”

Kuro nods solemnly. “I don’t want you to get hurt, either. Isn’t there anyone else you know outside of Varecia?”

I frown and shake my head. “I met Calypso’s family once, but I don’t know where they live in Coleport. I would have to track them down, which might raise suspicions,” I laugh to myself and add, “I don’t want to sound like a loser who had no friends, but I was really sheltered in my home den.”

Ugh, I really wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone as a Lemur and tried to meet more animals. Those damn nobles!! Why did they make me so anti-social and paranoid of everyone I met?

“Asha,” Kuro’s head perks up suddenly. “What about your friend from the other Kingdom?”

“The other Kingdom?” I ask. “You mean, Sarlain? Kuro, I’ve never had—“

My voice trails off. Kuro is looking at me with an expectant face. I flash a glance at Keuvra and find him with an identical expression. What are they…

…

“Oh, no-no-no-no-no.”

“Asha?” Kuro’s head tilts.

“No,” I curtly reply with a firm shake of my head. “Absolutely not. No. Princess Lucy is not my friend!”

“But, you said she was!” Kuro reminds.

I dismissively wave my wing at her. “Kuro, the peace conference in Truce was sixteen years ago! I was seven years old! That’s like… I don’t even know how many seasons old I was! But we only knew each other for a few days! There’s no way she’d still help me!”

“I think she would.”

The thunderous voice of the deity echoes across the sky. We swivel our heads to face him, and a coy smile grows across his face.

“What do YOU know about Princess Lucy?” I glower.

“I know that she’s gravely concerned about the threat of Nortane continuing its manifest destiny,” Keuvra relaxes his body, allowing his tail to unfurl. “Lucy would never admit it, but she wishes there was still a Kingdom between her and Nortane. If nothing else, I believe a chimeric Lordanou would be an invaluable asset to her Kingdom.”

“Are you suggesting A Lordanou grovel before a Richelieu? “ I scoff. “Is your noodle body stretched too thin?”

Keuvra smirks — he must think I’m joking! “I’m suggesting you cast aside the historical feud between your families, sign the peace accords that your Mother refused to make concessions on, and collaborate with your new ally to reclaim your Kingdom and restore their national security.”

Oh! That’s... a good idea, actually. I would gain a powerful ally if I could somehow convince Lucy to support my cause. How can the Dragon deity know so much about Farlander foreign policy? That’s supposed to be my job!

Keuvra continues, “Traveling to Sarlain would not be without risks. However, your likeness is not known in their Kingdom. It would seem your Mother’s irrational phobia of photography has a silver lining.”

“Oh, that’s right…” I trail off, again surprised by his wisdom. “Mother never released any official photos of me, just some illustrations when I was a kit. And the only Sarlanians who’ve ever seen my face are King Finn and Princess Lucy.”

This plan… I think it could work. Sure, the Sarlanians knew that Princess Asha had long, blue hair. But blue isn’t an unusual hair color. Among a crowd of animals, I should blend right in. Why would an Ellyntidian Princess be walking around in Sarlain, anyway? For once in my life, I could go about public spaces as a regular citizen, free of the stresses and constraints of being a royal.

“All I need is a meeting with an Almandoz,” I declare, stamping a talon against the ground. “Ariana hasn’t worked in years, but Duncan knew every important animal in the Kingdom. If Lucy could use her intelligence assets to help me figure out where he is now and arrange a meeting with him, then we could begin to organize a rebellion against Nortane.”

“It would be like old times for your Kingdom,” Keuvra smiles.

“Only this time, it won’t be a lone Knight attacking the birds. It’ll be ME!” I snarl, licking my chops clean. Fiery memories of the fateful night we downed an airship-prey flow back to me. I would savor the chance to prey on the enemies of my Kingdom again!

Now resting against her haunches, Kuro shuffles her talons uncomfortably. “But Asha, how will you make peace with Nortane if you start preying on them?”

“Well,” I say. “Keuvra said I don’t have to do it right away.”

“But you will make peace with them,” Keuvra interjects. "Not destruction.”

“R-Right,” I stutter. Why did he barge into the conversation to say that? “Um, how long do I have, anyways?”

He lifts his head slightly and replies, “In good health, your reign could last well over two centuries.”

“My…”

A chill lances my body, capturing my voice. Oh, gosh… I completely forgot just how long-lived Dragons are! When Kuro and I visited the Grandfather Tree earlier this season, I saw endless rows of claw marks, each representing an entire season lived in the flock. I didn’t take the time to count them all, but… seriously? Two centuries?

“Asha?”

I turn to stare at Kuro, the reflection of the prophets twinkling in her eyes. “If I successfully restore Ellyntide, I’ll one day become her Queen. Not as a Lemur, but as a Dragon.”

“It is your right to ascend the throne even as Kin.” Keuvra remarks. “I must admit, I find the prospect of a Lithan Monarch… enthralling.”

A Dragon Monarch. Queen Asha, Daughter-Of-Kelani. The words echo through my head like repeating birdsong. The longest reigning Monarch in Ellyntide’s history ruled for a staggering sixty-six years. But as Queen, I would blow that record out of the water. And I’d do it as a Dragon!

“Oh…” Kuro trails off, wrapping her tail tightly around her foretalons. “That is… Asha, could that really work?”

“It has to,” I firmly reply. ”If Keuvra says it’s my right to ascend the throne, then I will. I’ll become the first Dragon Queen of Ellyntide and establish diplomatic relations with the flock. I’ll return their summer hunting grounds and offer them so much more.”

“Dragonsong will ring anew across the skies of Ellyntide,” Keuvra smiles, letting his gaze wander across the night.

I have to admit, I’m feeling far more convinced to go forward with this. It isn’t lost on me that I’m probably the only creature alive that can still save Ellyntide. And with the power of the Chimera, I think I stand a chance of succeeding. I could make peace with Sarlain, save my family, keep my promise to Calypso, and ascend the throne with Kuro on my wing. It’s a win-win if I can do it. Certainly, it won’t be easy. Some animals will stand in my way and try to stop me. I’ll need to learn or teach myself how to communicate with ascendants as Kin. And through all that hardship, I’ll need to keep Kuro safe from harm. But Keuvra wants me to do this. A deity is asking for my help. I’d be a fool not to do this for him, right?

…Right?

…

“You’re beginning to convince me that this is a good idea,” I say, turning to lock eyes with the deity. “But what if I refuse? Then what happens?”

I want this — I really do. But before I agree to move even a single feather, I need to know that I still have control over my life. I’m not just some puppet of the deities like Gust, trundling around the moon as I carry out their whims in a way that makes Azurrel happy.

Keuvra’s barbels sway as his expression moderates. “Then you will leave my den as you are now. My declaration remains true, Daughter-Of-Kelani. The skies of Felra are your home, and they always will be.”

I turn away from him and slowly nod. “I see. With Kuro on my wing, I’ll have a placid life in the flock.”

For a silent moment, I consider my path forward. It seems like I’m still in control of my own destiny. If that’s the case, I could back out of this arrangement later if it ends up being a bad idea or if I fail in my quest to restore Ellyntide and unite the Farlands. As long as I still have the freedom to choose my own path through the sky, then I want this. I’ll become a Chimera and save Ellyntide.

“Alright then,” I say, folding my wings. I’m—“

“Asha, wait.”

My voice is cut off by my mate’s anxious plea. I turn to her, slightly ruffled. “What is it?”

Kuro frowns and looks away. “Asha, don’t you think you’re flying into this too quickly?”

I exhale a little and relax my feathers. “It’s rather sudden, I know. But my Kingdom is still very important to me. As is my family.”

“What about our future together?” Kuro quavers. “I’m a part of your family too, Asha!”

I stare at her as a terrible realization draws over me: I’ve been making a huge decision, perhaps the biggest of my entire life, without first consulting my mate about it. Oh Goddess, what have I done?!

Before I can say anything, Kuro continues talking. “I was so concerned when you told me you wanted to fly to Ellyntide and fight airship-prey for your Kingdom. But I accepted it because I knew how important it was to you, and I believed you would return home to Felra. But now you’re talking about doing things far more dangerous. Asha, I can’t protect you if you become a Lemur again and mingle with dangerous Farlanders in Sarlain.”

“I promise I’ll be safe,” I try to reassure her.

“Asha, that’s not enough! I… I can’t lose you…”

Her voice trails off, her head lowers, and tears slide down her facial feathers. I rush forward and prop her head against my own, pulling her up and relaxing her gently into my embrace. She weeps softly as I groom her neck feathers, allowing me a moment to flash an expectant glance at Keuvra. In response, the deity simply relaxes against the mountain, allowing his tail to wrap around his body and his gaze to pierce me like talons. Despite the supposed urgency to unite the Farlands, Keuvra won’t be helping me convince Kuro.

Feeling anxious, I gather my courage and whisper into her ear, “At the first sign of trouble, I’ll leave. I’ll turn into Kin, fly away from Sarlain, and never look back.”

Kuro raises her gaze and whimpers, “Asha…”

“I won’t take any risks. If a situation becomes dangerous, I’ll turn around and get out of it. I used to be a Princess — I know how to defend myself. I’ll be safe.”

Kuro stares at me a moment before sighing placidly. She closes her eyes and returns to rubbing her head against my neck feathers. As she does, an intriguing idea crosses my mind. Again, I turn my gaze to the deity across the valley and ask, “Can she…?”

Heartfelt grief settles across Keuvra’s face, and he slowly shakes his head. Damn it. I honestly don’t think Kuro would agree to become a prey-animal, even if it meant staying close to me. Still, it was worth asking.

I return to mate and murmur, “You can join me in Sarlain. I shouldn’t be there for long. You could roost in the mountains outside their capital city, and I’ll fly up there to visit you.”

Kuro looks at me with tear-swollen eyes. “What about airship-prey?”

“I’ll tell Lucy she can’t harm you. She has a lot of authority in her Kingdom; she can order them to leave you alone.”

Admittedly, that won’t be easy. Everyone in the Farlands is probably terrified of our existence, especially after we proved we could shoot down an airship-prey. But if Lucy truly wants my help defending Sarlain, she’ll have to agree.

Kuro rumbles a soft, contemplative noise. She still seems anxious.

“Kuro,” I say, wrapping my tail around her side. “On the day we met, you told me all about the Farlands and how much they fascinated you. If I save Ellyntide, then you’ll be able to live with me in Varecia. We’ll never have to worry about going hungry or being cold ever again. We can build a den under the Elder Tree and live there for the rest of our lives, safe and happy. It’ll be wonderful, I promise.”

Kuro is silent in contemplation. She exhales and asks, “What about Frida? How can I care for her when she’s grounded at the Grandfather Tree?”

I rub my tailfeathers against her forelegs. “We’ll figure out something for her, I promise.”

In fact, I have an idea for Frida and how she can remain useful to the flock despite her broken wings. It will be… uncomfortable to suggest to Kuro. And quite frankly, I’m having trouble accepting the idea myself. But I'm willing to do anything to calm Kuro’s anxious heart.

Kuro lowers her head and gazes across the valley. After exchanging glances with her leader, she allows her wings to settle across the grass and stares into the ground. “I always believed we would roost in my den in the Great Valley, just like my parents did. But living deep in the Farlands, so far away from the flock… I don’t…”

“Why don’t you think about it,” I suggest. “And we’ll decide later what we want to do?”

Kuro stares at me for a moment, a peculiar look across her face. But instead of responding, she turns away. She’s so close to accepting this.

“If you don’t want to live in the Farlands, then we won’t,” I tell her. “We’ll save Ellyntide — as much as we can — and return home to Felra. My family in the Farlands may not be happy, but I meant it when I said I’d never leave you, deary.”

At that, Kuro’s head perks. She turns back to me, and two pairs of heartfelt eyes lock together. “Y-you’re my deary too, Asha. If this is truly what you want, then… alright. I’ll support you.”

A wave of relief flows over me like warm water. Thank the Goddesss! I bury my head into Kuro’s neck fluff as she rumbles affectionately for me. I knew I could count on my mate! It’s one of the reasons why she’s so dear to me.

“I still want to have a say on where we roost,” Kuro speaks softly into my ear.

“Of course,” I tell her. “And I promise I’ll respect your decision, no matter what you decide.”

Kuro exhales, and her feathers relax against my own.

“I love you, Kuro.”

I affectionately nibble on her feathers, and Kuro does the same. We bask in our warmth for a short while, simply enjoying our presence. But eventually, I feel the urge to continue my conversation with the deity. “Alright, then,” I say, pulling my head away from Kuro’s neck. “So, how does this work? How do I become a Chimera?”

At that, Kuro sits up and smiles. “Have you decided? Are you truly ready?”

“Yes,” I tip my wings. “I want this. I want to turn back to normal so I can save Ellyntide.”

Keuvra rumbles in satisfaction. “Very well, then.” He stands from the mountain, placing one talon on a lower peak to steady himself, and unfurls his tail to draw it across the valley. His head lowers, and the sigils on his arm begin to glow bright gold. His tail dips, and a wave of lightheadedness washes over me, temporarily blurring my vision as if I were underwater.

“Whoa,” I say, using my wings to steady myself.

“Asha?” Kuro moves to balance me, but I’ve already regained control.

“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I’m fine.”

“Daughter-Of-Kelani,” Keuvra rumbles across the valley. “The true power of the Chimera has been unlocked within you. With this, you now possess the Gift of Transcendence. May you use it to unite our troubled lands in peace.”

As Kevura finishes speaking, something within me changes, something I can’t adequately describe. “Whoa,” I chirp, gazing around me in confusion. “Keuvra, what is…?”

Keuvra’s eyes narrow to slits. With his feathery tail still drawn across the valley, he waves it before me reassuringly. Somehow, like a lightbulb illuminating a dark room, everything makes sense. I can’t think about transforming; I just have to do it.

“Okay, I think I know what I’m doing here. I’m going to try turning back to normal.” I release a heavy sigh and turn to my mate. “Kuro, are you ready?”

Standing beside me, her talons curl into the grass. She raises her head and nuzzles against my neck feathers, trying to commit my scent to memory. She draws a long breath and exhales slowly. I can’t help but give her one last affectionate nibble.

“Yeah,” she murmurs, pulling her head back to smile. “I’m ready.”

With the preparations finally complete, I fold my wings tight and brace myself to the moon. So, this is it. I’m finally turning back to normal. The wind blows against my feathers, the very ones that carried me to Felra, helped me locate my mate and discover the life I was always meant to live. No matter what happens as a Lemur, this is the form I was always meant to be, the one I’ll remain after everything is put back to normal. This is my future.

With my future decided, I release a long breath and close my eyes.

Golden light shines through the thin spaces of a closed door, the door I walked through at the start of this journey. As I gaze through the shafts of light, something compels me to look down. Illuminated against the darkness is a key, the one that’s been sitting there this entire time, just waiting for me to pick it up. As I touch it with my fingers, I feel my heart reverberate through my body. Slowly, I inset the key into the lock, each sound reflecting off me and fading into the room’s darkness. I can sense the blue lights surrounding me as I turn the lock and the door draws open. The light is so bright I have to shield my eyes; I can barely sense the changes that are occurring to me. As my eyes adjust, I feel the warmth of summer against my body. The scents of a Varecain Rosebush drift through my nostrils, the one I cared for ever so dearly. The one Sandoz grew for me and the one I ran to when she passed. The scene beyond is the Royal Gardens in full bloom, the place I spent so much time when I was Lemur. It calls to me, inviting me back to the world that was so unfairly torn away from me. I step through the door, feeling the sun’s warmth against my fur. Every plant, every flower, every stone is just as I remember it. A glimmer of light reflects from the windows of the Lordanou Palace, drawing my attention. Somehow, the stones of the building seem brighter than usual today. Everything is vibrant, full of color and life, harmony and happiness.

This is not the world I belong to. Not anymore.

I gaze at the key, still in the palm of my hand. This is not mine, either. But for the time being, I’ll hold onto it. I slip it into my pocket and step out into the world.

I open my eyes.

Keuvra is lying on the mountain, a peculiar look of satisfaction and curiosity scrawled across his face. My body flinches — for some reason, I find his presence disquieting. I’ve been in his den for some time now. Why does it feel like I’ve never seen him before? Is it because I’m so much lower to the ground? Memories stifle dulled senses, reminding me of where I am and calming me somewhat. Instinctively, I try to sample the air, but only the scents of pollen and sedge surround me. A bolt of anxiety shocks me — Is something wrong with my nose!? No… nothing at all is wrong. This is simply the limit of my senses as a prey-animal.

So… I’ve done it, haven’t I? I turned back to normal. I’m a Lemur again.

I try to fold my wings back against me but merely shuffle my shoulders. Er, right. I wouldn’t have those anymore. I brush away my embarrassment and hold my fuzzy hands out before me. Gone are the talons that have dismembered countless prey-animals the past two seasons, replaced by ten skinny fingers moving slowly in unison. This simple action fills me with morbid astonishment. These are my hands, a part of my body. I look up my arm, surprised to see the blouse I wore on the morning of my transformation. Somehow, it has returned to me.

“Oh, wow…” a breathless whisper flows past my tongues. “Oh wow, oh wow…!”

At once, the familiar act of two-legged locomotion returns to me. I swipe a dandelion from the grass with my foot and pass it to my hand, smelling scents I haven’t known since last autumn. It’s merely a dandelion, but it smells incredible! I jump and pivot to my other foot, using it to grab a tuft of grass from the ground. Opposable thumbs! I don’t have to grab things with my jaws anymore! I laugh to myself, feeling the elation of experiencing what I thought was lost forever.

“Oh!” I say, holding my hands against my chest. “M-My voice!! It’s so soft! And quiet!”

Gone is the draconic edge in my throat, replaced by the gentle murmur of a Lemur woman. I try to rumble my chest but only exhale a labored breath. I attempt to tickle the special fire-inducing muscle in my throat but find none. It seems that my draconinity, the force that made me feel powerful and complete, has been totally excised from my body. In a way, it makes me feel inadequate, but a return to this body is what I wanted for so long. And now, it’s back!

“Asha…?”

Kuro’s voice rumbles across the meadow, causing my fur to stand on end. Oh, right. There’s a Lithan standing behind me. I hesitate to respond, recalling how unsettling Kevura appeared a few moments ago. How will I react to seeing the most important soul I’ve ever known? Slowly, I gather my courage and turn around to see Kuro sitting a short distance behind me, as tall as a three-story building. A doleful look spreads across her face, and our eyes lock together. Unbidden instincts engage, and her pupils dilate wide with opportunity. But she refuses to act on her nature, keeping her talons planted firmly to the ground.

“Kuro…” I breathlessly respond. “Kuro, can you still understand me?”

Her tail twitches but remains wrapped around her foretalons. “Oh, Asha…” she trails off, fighting for words. “I can understand… you! I can’t believe it, but it’s you!”

“Yeah…” I smirk, holding my hands behind my back. “Since the day we met, you knew I used to be a Lemur from the Farlands. But to actually see your mate as prey… well, I’d be flabbergasted, too!”

Kuro loosens an uncomfortable smile. Slowly, she lowers her head to my level and examines me up close. To think, the same head that used to groom my feathers and playfully nip my neck is now larger than my entire body! Slitted eyes watch my every movement as I present myself to my enormous, draconic mate. I raise my arm as she rotates around me, allowing her to stick her muzzle close and sample my scents. With each breath she exhales, a small gust of wind pushes against me, ruffling my clothes and stirring my hair. I should probably be terrified right now, but I feel completely safe. Two seasons in Felra have afforded me an intimate understanding of Dragon body language; Kuro doesn’t see me as prey; she’s merely curious.

“This,” I say, spreading my arms to my sides, “Is who I was for the first 23 years of my life. A Ruffed Lemur from the Farlands; A sister, a daughter, and a Princess.”

Insanely conflicting emotions stew inside my head. Deprived of my draconinity, I no longer feel like an equal to my own mate. I’m the Princess again, just like I was in Varecia. But I still know Kuro. I know her warmth, the feeling of her feathers against my own, and all the experiences we’ve shared over the past two seasons. I don’t find myself intimidated by her, but I do feel inferior — a separate creature from the one I love so dearly.

Needless to say, it’s a very strange feeling.

I reach my arm out to Kuro, and her eyes widen slightly. Slowly, I take a step forward and brush my fingers against the tip of her muzzle, running my hand gently across her feathers. She exhales a soft and friendly noise, one she’s made to me countless times before. For a fleeting moment, I find myself revisiting the awe of meeting a real-life Dragon in the flesh.

“Asha… I really can’t believe it. Even your voice sounds familiar.” Kuro pulls her head back and gazes across the valley “But, how can I understand her? Is it because Asha is a Chimera?”

Kevura unravels himself and rises to rest on his foretalons. “There are no language barriers in my den. However, in the mortal world, Asha’s perception of language was changed at the moment of her transformation into Kin. This alteration will be lost when she returns to her original form.”

“So…” I trail off, trying to make sense of his explanation. “That’s why everyone sounds like they’re speaking the Goddess Language to me. In reality, they aren’t. So if Kuro and I decided to leave your den right now, I’d sound like a normal Farlander to her.”

“When spoken to, yes. However…” Keuvra draws his tail across the valley once more and waves it towards me in a reassuring manner.

“Wait…” I trail off, understanding washing over me. “Are you serious?”

Keuvra speaks inside my head.

“Asha?” Kuro’s voice rises from behind me. “Why did everyone stop talking?”

Before I can respond to her, Keuvra continues,

The Gift of Translation…?

…

I can’t explain why, but when Keuvra told me I already had this gift, everything made perfect sense. When I become Kin, I’ll be able to talk to Farlanders like Kevura is speaking to me now: inside their own heads. And when they talk back to me, I can translate their speech into the Goddess Language. Moreover, I won’t lose this power when I become a Lemur. I’ll still be able to talk to Kuro and listen to the conversations of ascendants speaking in a different language… needless to say, if there’s someone I need to communicate with, I’ll be able to.

My body stiffens, and my fur stands on end. As if the ability to transform at will wasn’t enough, I’ll now be able to talk to anyone regardless of their language! Honestly, what have I done to deserve this sort of power? Uniting all of Jade in peace no longer seems as impossible as it once did.

Kevura says with a flick of his tail.

Oh! Right, Kuro is still looking between us, confused. I turn back to her and, somehow… I feel myself making a connection; a strange feeling inside of my head unlike anything I’ve felt before. My senses target her and only her, focusing my inner voice in such a way that not even Keuvra will be able to hear it.

I ask, projecting my voice.

Her eyes bulge, and she nearly stumbles backward in shock. “Asha?! Is that you?”

I respond, chuckling as a shower of down feathers drifts to the ground beside me.

Kuro flashes a slack-jawed glance at Keuvra. “You mean, you get two gifts? How are you talking to me?”

“Both gifts?” Kuro scoffs. “I’d rather suck on litsha dung than become a prey animal. But, I’m happy we’ll be able to talk to each other when you’re a Lemur,” she pauses uncomfortably before adding, ”For a little while.”

“Just a little while!” I smile. I extend my puny right arm outward, wiggling it like the limp leg of a dead Spikehorn. “See? This body is far too weak, you know?”

“We both know,” Kuro rumbles, shaking the ground beneath my feet. She playfully bares her fangs before quickly hiding them. “But even if you’re physically weak, being able to talk to Kin makes you tremendously powerful.”

“Yeah, Nortane has no idea what’s coming for them!”

I wonder what Calypso would say if he could see me now, fulfilling my promise to him in the most striking way possible? When I made my promise to avenge his death, I understood that I would one day use the power I harbored against those who attacked us. But who could have foreseen I’d possess the gifts I have now? Not only can I turn Nortane’s cities to ashes, but I can become the Princess I used to be, working with those I used to trust to more subtly eradicate the enemies now occupying our Kingdom. I can talk to and be understood by anyone I need to communicate with. And if all else fails, there’s another, even more powerful Dragon I can call on to lay waste to those who would stand in our way. Honestly, President Weatherlight? If I were you, I would just surrender now. Because I’m not going to stop until I get my way. And trust me — you don’t want to upset an already furious Dragon.

“Duaughter-Of-Mecali,” Keuvra speaks up. “I would request some time alone to speak with your mate.”

Eh? Keuvra wants to speak with me privately? What could he possibly have to discuss that can’t be said around Kuro?

Similarly surprised, my mate raises her head to stare at the deity. “Oh… Of course, Almighty Keuvra.” She pauses and allows her feathers to flatten. “Um, I guess I’ll head back to the elder’s den. It was an honor to be welcomed here and speak to you.”

Kuro mantles for her leader, and the deity dips his head in kind. “It was a pleasure to speak with you as well, Daughter-Of-Mecali. The next time you see your sister, please give her my regards. Warm currents.”

Kuro’s face glows. Unable to hold back her elation any longer, she stamps her talons happily and beams, “Thank you, almighty Keuvra! Warm currents!”

I can’t help but smile. I used to wonder why Kuro and the flock held such a strong reverence for their deity. As a follower of The Goddess, I could certainly relate, but only to a certain degree. Why did Kuro still believe in Keuvra, even when it seemed certain he was leading us to our demise? But everything makes sense now that I’ve seen him across the aerie and visited him in his den. If I had grown up in Felra, unaware of the wonders of technology that exist in the Farlands, I too would be enthralled by his appearance.

Kuro folds her wings and turns about, lowering her head to face me. “I’ll be waiting in the elder’s den for you.”

“Okay,” I say. “I promise I won’t be long.”

Kuro opens her wings slightly to tip them. But instead of turning to leave through the portal, she continues staring at me, almost like she was expecting a response. An awkward silence drifts between us as we remain staring at each other, mesmerized by our stark difference in appearance.

Finally, I laugh to myself, “This is really weird, you know?”

“It is,” A smile grows across Kuro’s muzzle. “But that’s okay. I’ll always love you, Asha. No matter what you look like.”

Oh, Kuro…

A gentle warmth spreads through my body, a feeling utterly unfamiliar to me during my lonely life as a Princess. I extend my arms outward, angling them suggestively toward Kuro. She takes the hint, happily lowering her head to my level and allowing me to bound forward and hug her squarely on the muzzle.

My hands sink into her feathers, and my head nuzzles softly against hers. Kuro rumbles affectionately for me, and I return the gesture as best I can.

“I love you so much, Kuro.”

Kuro closes her eyes and makes a soft, affectionate chirping noise. It reminds me just how surreal it is that I fell in love with Dragon. That is until I remember that I’m a Dragon, too. Maybe I don’t look like it, but the soul inhabiting this body is as much a Dragon as Kuro’s. I don’t need a deity to tell me that — all I need is this, right here. The warmth of my mate, the one I’ll forever love.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Keuvra staring at us with a tremendous smile across his muzzle. Er, right. He seems happy, but I don’t want to make a deity impatient. “Alright,” I exhale. I kiss Kuro on the feathers and pull my head away from her. “I’ll see you soon.”

Kuro stares at me for a moment and nods. Her head rises, and she furls her wings. “Warm currents.”

I give her a friendly wave with my tail, and Kuro responds in kind with a tip of her folded wings. As she turns to step through the portal, she stops and looks at Keuvra, a gentle look across his face. She dips her head once more and begins to enter the swirling mists to return to the elder’s den. I watch her silently until the last of her soot-plumaged tailfeathers slip through the clouds.

“Well, then!” an unfamiliar voice speaks from behind me.

“Wha—“

“Now that it’s just the two of us, I thought I’d slip into a somewhat more appropriate form for a visiting Princess.”

Somehow, A young Ruffy man in formal clothes is standing before me in the meadow. Spry and full of life, I gaze past his shoulder-length blonde hair, looking to Keuvra for guidance. But the Dragon deity is nowhere to be found, conspicuously absent from the mountain ridges he’s been lounging across our entire meeting. As I stare on in confusion, a realization draws across me, one I long ago cast aside as too improbable to be true.

“…Oh, you’re kidding me.”

Keuvra chuckles, “You’re quite intuitive, Asha. I’d expect nothing less from a fellow Lordanou.”