Chrysalis

Chapter 6 - Controlled Beasts. Untold Powers

SYNOPSIS:

Returning to Hymeno after almost a decade, Nomada reunites with Sigil. The two dragons must depart to find Jade as dangers spark in the undercity; across the city, Silver and Vivian continue their search for the dragon behind the augments; in Fyrerost, Ravel witnesses the horrifying result of her creation.

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NOMADA: It all happened so quickly.

[Nomada breathes shakily, and the scene begins with him and Sigil standing next to each other on the roof of a building. They overlook the dark city, and Sigil stares at the SilkWings walking along the streets below. She turns to Nomada as he walks away from her and sits down on the floor]

NOMADA: [puts his talon on his head] I watched her run into an army of HiveWings. [pauses] And I saw them... with Solar in their talons. [sighs] They...

SIGIL: [crouches down next to Nomada] What did they do with Jade?

NOMADA: Wasp scared her away. She ran, and none of them bothered going after her. I-I thought she had run back down here. [pauses and looks away] Then Wasp and her dragons dragged me into her prison.

SIGIL: [shakes her head in disappointment] I thought... that was the last time I'd see all of you. [groans as she slowly sits down next to Nomada] After a month, I told myself I had to take care of Xigt myself.

NOMADA: Where is he now?

SIGIL: He ran away. Six years later. [exhales] He grew up, disappeared, and I was left with Articho. [places her open talons on the floor as she leans back] There's really nothing to do when you guys aren't there.

NOMADA: I'm sorry. I shouldn't-

SIGIL: I know. You were just trying to protect them.

NOMADA: [thinks for a moment] Yeah... yeah.

SIGIL: After, uh, you know, the officers came down and destroyed the shop, Articho and I had nothing of ourselves. He went back and wallowed in his own pity, and I was left for the streets. [looks at the ground] So I got into the fight club.

[Nomada nods and continues listening to Sigil explaining her past nine years]

SIGIL: [raises her talon in front of her snout and turns it around] Now, I punch dragons for a living. [turns to Nomada and smiles slightly] Ain't the best job out there. [chuckles] Got knocked out a few times, a couple of black eyes here and there. It was exhausting, but it got me through. It was all I had.

[Nomada looks at Sigil, and he turns away and stares at the vast city ahead. Sigil turns and observes the city as well. The two dragons sit in silence, and Sigil finally decides to speak]

SIGIL: And what about you? What got you through the last nine years?

NOMADA: After they threw me in prison, they said they wanted to "teach me a lesson". [turns his body slightly and reveals a scar on his body] What they've done to me... were the same as what they've done to the SilkWings.

SIGIL: That must've been painful.

NOMADA: The only thing that got me through each day was the thought of you guys. [pauses] I knew I had to find my way back here and find all of you again. So the moment I got out of that prison, I came down here.

SIGIL: So you're a fugitive again?

NOMADA: Well, eh, sort of. They prohibited me from entering the undercity. [chuckles and stands] Idiots. Should've known.