Random Rainimator Stories

Faraway Plains

She remembered fire, of flames licking her skin until she was numb. She remembered the sensation of falling, of kicking her legs in the air, her wings failing to lift her. She remembered explosions, of loud noises ringing in her ears. She remembered her world growing dark.

There was debris all around her when she woke up. Bits and pieces of wood scattered along with bodies and bodies and bodies and-

She noted how quiet it was. She tried to look beyond the debris. Tried. It was all she could see. All that could be seen. Notably, she didn't feel anything as she stood up. No stiffness, no pain, no aches. It was like she had never been injured.

The walk to the Frostbourne took ages from the Far Plains. Considering the distance, it made sense. Many nights and days passed, spawning every weather type known to man.

Yet, Doraine felt the same throughout her journey. Empty and hollow, body temperature just right, exhaustion non-existent. Nobody noticed her as she walked, but she was too determined to survive her walk home to consider this strange phenomenon. Instead, she carried on, one foot in front of the other, her feet barely leaving an imprint in whatever environment she found herself in.

It was about a week before Doraine finally saw the castle in her view. She had always admired its architecture. She remembered a time when Lyria had voiced her own opinions on it. They were total opposites in that regard. A wagon being pulled by a horse approached the tall, imposing gates. Doraine used it as a cover, sneaking into the castle successfully.

Finally, she was home.

There was a sombre mood in the atmosphere as Doraine surveyed her surroundings. She wondered what had happened in the Battle of the Far Plains to cause this mood. Did they win? Did they lose? How she wished she could remember! Why did nobody come to take her home?

She thought over her next steps. She decided that she wanted to visit Azura and demand answers from her. Why wouldn't she, her best, best friend (and fellow leader of the Elytra Corps, but that seemed insignificant compared to their history because they went WAY back), rescue her from the Far Plains? After that, she'd go to Hilda, or maybe Sire if one or the other was in a bad mood. If all else failed, then there was always Daryll. Oh, and Lyria! Doraine could never forget her, and she never wanted to. She'd bump her up the list. See her straight after Azura, in fact.

Doraine's footsteps were silent upon the snow. She barely made an indent in them, almost as if she wasn't there. The doorknob felt light as she made her way inside the castle, the torches inside flickering like stars above. The mood inside was even worse than outside. It was as if the Frostbourne were in mourning, though, after some thought, Doraine supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Still, it was unnerving, to say the least.

The door to Azura's downstairs lab was locked. Doraine cursed as she looked through the window, a frown plastering her face immediately. It hadn't been touched in a while, she observed. She knew this from the way it looked. She and Azura had talked there just a week before they went to the Far Plains. It was frozen in time. Doraine hated it. However, that raised the question of where Azura was now. If she wasn't actively working in her lab, then where was she?

She had her answer as soon as she saw Patrick and Hilda rushing down the hallway, frantic whispers leaving their mouths. Patrick had mentioned visiting Azura in the medical wing, which had made Doraine slap her forehead in annoyance. Against her better judgment, she had forgotten that Azura was also a healer. At least, she thought she was. All that travelling from the Far Plains to the Frostbourne Castle had made her memory fuzzy. She'd have to ask Azura once she saw her.

As she approached the medical wing, she could see rows and rows of beds, all full of patients recovering. Doraine had to shield her eyes. Those were some nasty wounds that she could hardly stomach. Amidst the sea of patients, she spotted a head of sky-blue hair. Perfect. Just the scholar that she needed.