The Astral Key

Chapter 6

But I don't understand what drove me to go back.

It took all of zer energy to find the magic within rubble. To pull on the Strange Ones to save them from the flames, when nothing saved zer brood sibling. Magic called out for action, for zer to help, but there was nothing to be helped within the Strange Ones.

It took more energy to return them to the cave.

They were so small, even with zer form shrunken from missing energy. One jaw gaped bite, and zhe could bring zer revenge on them. However, mighty pressure stopped zer short from acting. As if Astral Bahamut had plans for the Strange Ones zhe saved.

And then... the little Strange One healed zer leg, when it would've taken much longer and more energy to heal.

"What you've been hearing and feeling is magic," Sukoalie spoke to the Strange One, whose expression turned into one of distress and denial. "You are not the first Strange Ones we came across with a connection to the source key." Sukoalie dropped zer head to the dirt floor. "I do understand, because every living thing is supposed to be connected to that key... However... Your side of the Astral Sea has lost its connection, drained due to the smoggy influence."

But why am I telling you this? You know nothing but how to destroy. You're a parasite to this universe. You killed my broodbrother.

The Strange One trembled with fear, but Sukoalie held a begrudging respect for one so small, unwilling to back down. "I-If you're not going to kill us, or eat me... What is your name, dragon?" He winced at the last word, as if it burned him.

Sukoalie allowed zer feathers to fluff out. "I do not throw my name randomly to each star I pass, Strange One. Especially to one who could use such a void-bringing weapon."

"My name isn't 'strange one.' And that weapon—" He sighed. "Shit... Alright, fine. I am Micah. Now... can you give me yours?"

Thunder rumbled outside the cave. None of the Second Flames had sent a retrieval team. Utterly alone with two Strange Ones. One, trembling with fear, another knocked out cold. If zhe spoke zer name to the star, he would never unhear it again.

"I am one who breaches the stars."

Faint annoyance dripped through the Strange One's— Micah's expression. Sukoalie huffed out a breath, and zhe resisted the urge to snort when zer breath almost knocked him over on his wobbly knees. "You may know me as Sukoalie... Micah Strange One."

"Micah Stone— Why am I telling you this?" He paced around in a circle. "Oh my Stars, what's happening to me?" He raised his hands up to his head. "I'm talking to a dragon, it's insane. I must be having a psionic breakdown..."

"A... what?"

"You know... paranormal phenomena unable to be described by scientific fact... Fine, magic." He threw his hands up into the air, then moved back to the unconscious Strange One. "Magic, is what you call it. We do have researchers trying to explain the phenomena, but—"

Sukoalie snorted. "One can't just... explain magic. It just is. It's everything around us. If your worlds were still fully connected to the source key, your people would understand."

Micah Stone turned back to zer. "Is that why you're attacking us?" His brow furrowed. "Is that why you're killing people? We're not connected to this 'source key'?"

"You have a lot of questions, Micah Stone."

"Well I don't have any answers," he said. "None of us do. Your kind just started attacking us unprovoked."