Night Fury's Wrath

Chapter 14: All Falls Down

-Well, that's an ominous chapter name, isn't it? There will be a big hint as to who the big bad guy is. Some of you correctly guessed who it was...

Enjoy!

-NFD

~~~

It's nice to be alone for once.

Our search continued the very next night, headed toward an island that was covered in fields of tall grass. Unfortunately, there wasn't a freshwater source on that island, so we stayed for a single night before moving on. The second island wouldn't have looked like an island at all if I hadn't seen it from a distance. 

It was massive. There were forests, fields, craggy cliffs, caves, hills, and a single, tall mountain with a white peak. Clean water flowed down its slope from an unknown source, turning into a shallow stream that zig-zagged over the island. We spread out to search for suitable shelter with a plan to return to an unusual stone that stood upright in the center of a field by moonhigh. It gave me a chance to be alone for a while, which I happily accepted.

I lived separated from everyone except close family for many season-cycles, so that was what I was used to. I'd only known Myrkr for... a full season-cycle, and maybe two seasons after that? Most of that time, I was skittish around him and kept a gap between us as much as possible. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved Myrkr, my feelings for him still grew every night, but I needed an escape. I was starting to get antsy and easily irritated while I was around him. Just last night, I snapped at him when he tried to nuzzle me. This new step in our relationship was still very new to me, so I needed time to adjust to sharing my life with someone like that. What's more, I had to get used to sharing my body with someone. He wanted to be close to me all the time, but I wasn't used to sharing my personal space so frequently.

He and Dad were the only ones who didn't split up. Dad promised me that he would explain everything Myrkr needed to know about me; how I saw things, my general attitude for intimacy, how to 'get me out of my shell,' how to comfort me, and other equally important stuff. I knew Dad wouldn't say what Splinter did when she had that talk with me. I especially trusted him not to explain to Myrkr the details of what made me a female.

Anyway, I wasn't so much 'searching' as I was 'relaxing,' but I had a feeling Dad knew that would happen. Being social tired me out quickly, but hiding away for a while helped me recover some of that lost 'energy.' Dad had once called me an 'extreme introvert,' whatever that meant.

I flew leisurely over the treetops, my magic keeping me invisible from any prying eyes. I knew how to fly just as well as Dad did; he taught me all of his tricks, so I could be a bit of a daredevil like he was. However, this time, I did the bare minimum required to keep me in the air, letting the wind currents carry my wings wherever they desired. 

I already felt so much better. Unfortunately, my depression decided I didn't need a clear head, reminding me of my weaknesses and failures. It took a lot of effort, but I managed to force it back into a corner of my mind. There was no way it would ruin my relaxing-

Wait...

Since when could I do that? I just pushed it to a place where it would be less harmful, something that was impossible for as long as I could remember. What changed? I was free from the oppressive nest, I was older, and I'd fallen in love. It could be any one of those things or all of them. 

I guess it doesn't matter what caused it, only that it's getting better... somehow... I hope?

Come to think of it, I wasn't sure what to call this new step in my relationship with Myrkr. He had won my heart, so I wasn't being courted anymore. We weren't mates either because we hadn't mated or formed the Mate's Bond yet. I had accepted him as my future mate, but I couldn't call him my mate yet. Was there even a name for what we were?