The Frigid Truth

Chapter 1

Seal sat alone on the balcony of the arctic outpost, his gaze drifting over the sprawling low-circle city below. The memory of his last goodbye to Yeti six years ago was still vivid in his mind.

"How am I going to see you again?" four-year-old Seal had whispered through his tears, clutching his talons tightly. With his fifth hatchday approaching, the looming reality of being stationed at an outpost filled him with dread.

Yeti had been rising swiftly through the ranks, soon to join the prestigious 3rd circle, leaving Seal with the gnawing fear of an ever-widening chasm between them.

"What if you'll never talk to me again?" Seal had asked, his voice breaking, his heart heavy with uncertainty.

Yeti's eyes locked onto Seal's, and in that moment, Seal felt like Yeti could read him like an open book. The fear and regret in Yeti's eyes made Seal ache to pull him into a hug, to reassure him that everything would turn out fine.

But deep down, Seal knew things weren't okay.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Yeti reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out a pair of opal-pendant earrings. The delicate metal, ivory in color, framed a circular opal gem that glittered in the soft light filtering through the window of their small hut.

"Then I'll remember you with this," Yeti said gently, holding up one of the earrings. He offered it to Seal, his voice steady despite the weight of their parting. Seal took the earring, feeling its cool, smooth surface against his talon as he carefully clipped it onto his ear.

Yeti carefully clipped the matching earring onto his ear, mirroring the one Seal had just fastened. The opal gem sparkled against Yeti's beautiful sky-blue scales, creating a striking contrast that made Seal's heart feel a touch lighter. For a moment, Seal lost himself in the sea-green glint of Yeti's eyes, wishing he could remain there forever, lost in that comforting gaze before the harsh reality of their separation pulled them apart.

"And make sure you remember me with yours, okay?" Yeti said with a rare, warm smile. Though he didn't smile often, when he did, it had a way of easing Seal's fears, offering solace even in the direst of moments.

Seal's voice wavered with unspoken sorrow as he blurted out, "I'll miss you." The words came out soft and trembling, laden with the weight of their impending separation.

Without hesitation, Yeti wrapped his wings around Seal, pulling him into a heartfelt embrace. Their wings enveloped each other, holding tightly in that final moment of closeness. Yeti's whisper, "I'll miss you too," was barely audible but filled with sincerity, leaving Seal with a bittersweet sense of closure.

The memory of that hug was etched into Seal's heart, a lingering ache that never quite faded. As he stared out from the balcony, he wondered if Yeti still held those feelings close. Did Yeti miss him as much as Seal missed him? Or had the pressures of rank and prestige dulled those once-vivid emotions?

Seal shook his head, pushing the memories aside as he tried to focus on the present.

Ever since the two dragonets had parted ways, Seal had been left with a hollow uncertainty about Yeti's whereabouts and achievements. Whispers in the marketplace spoke of Yeti possibly becoming the "Third upcoming general," a rumor that had traveled far beyond their old, familiar outpost. It was a bittersweet sensation for Seal; while the idea that his friend had risen so high filled him with pride, the reality that they might never cross paths again cast a heavy shadow over his heart.

Seal had always admired Yeti's dedication and drive. It was a testament to Yeti's character that he had managed to climb the ranks so swiftly, proving his worth and earning his place among the elite. Seal was genuinely proud, even if it ached to think that Yeti's rise might have come at the cost of their friendship.