Chapter 10: Bonds and Choices

 Chapter 10: Bonds and Choices

The night air over Glittering Meadows carried a heavy stillness, broken only by the faint rustle of trees swaying in the breeze. The golden glow of Celeste’s horn cast long shadows across the ranch as the family tried to process Ariel’s revelation. The Wyvern, standing awkwardly on its three good legs, snorted and moaned softly. Every sound seemed laden with pain, fear, and a cautious curiosity.

Nick’s voice, strained with equal parts disbelief and pragmatism, finally broke the silence. “We can’t just let a Wyvern roam free. How do we know this is actually what happened?” He gestured to the towering creature, its golden eyes fixed on Ariel.

Ariel’s fists clenched at her sides. “It’s real,” she said sharply, her voice thick with exhaustion and conviction. “I don’t know how to explain it, Dad. I just... I felt it. I saw it.”

Noah crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the stone barn where another Wyvern moaned in response to its sibling. “You want to let that one out too?” he asked incredulously. “The same one that almost killed me and Zed? That sounds like a great idea.”

“That’s the same Wyvern that almost killed both of us,” Ariel shot back, her voice rising with frustration. “And injured Zed. But I’m telling you, Noah, we caused this. They’re just scared and angry. We need to fix what we broke.”

Beka, silent until now, placed a firm hand on Ariel’s shoulder. “If Ariel says we caused this, then we must do what we can to make it right.” Her tone was resolute, her expression one of quiet strength.

Nick frowned. “How do we trust them to just... walk home? They’ll terrify everyone on the way, and if the wrong Emberite sees them—someone without Ariel’s gift to understand them—they’ll be hunted. Or worse.”

The tension was palpable, every voice carrying the weight of fear and uncertainty. They all turned toward the barn as the moaning inside grew louder, triggering a mournful response from the Wyvern standing near Ariel. Its golden eyes softened momentarily before snapping back to Ariel, watching her as if she were the only one it trusted.

“I need to check on Celeste,” Beka said suddenly, the realization hitting her like a bolt of lightning. In the chaos, she had almost forgotten about the unicorn that had been struck by the runaway wagon. She hurried across the meadow, kneeling beside Celeste’s still form. “She’s breathing,” Beka called back, relief washing over her.

Nick exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “All right,” he said finally. “We’ll release the one in the stone barn first. Ariel, stay close but behind me. He’s not going to be happy about any of this.”

“What about the one that ran down the forest trail?” Noah asked.

Nick groaned. “Ah, shoot.”

“What one in the forest trail?” Beka asked, her voice tinged with alarm.

Nick explained quickly, gesturing toward the dark woods. “One of the Wyverns broke loose and chased one of the men who tied it up. There wasn’t much we could do—it was that or risk the farm being destroyed by the other.”

Beka shook her head in disbelief but didn’t press further. There were bigger problems to address.

Nick strode toward the stone barn, gripping the unicorn blade tightly. He heaved the heavy wooden latch off the doors, which groaned under the strain, and nodded to Noah. Together, they pulled the doors open with all their might.

They barely had time to leap aside as the Wyvern inside rushed forward, crashing the doors against the barn walls. Its scales gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and its fiery eyes blazed with fury. It roared—a sound that rattled the ground beneath their feet—and released a blast of fire into the sky, as if declaring its rage to the stars.

But before it could charge again, it froze. Its gaze shifted to the Wyvern standing protectively near Ariel. Recognition flickered across its features. The two creatures began to communicate, their moans, snorts, and head movements carrying a language no one else could understand.

Ariel watched, her heart pounding. The imprisoned Wyvern, slightly smaller with silver streaks glinting on its wings, stepped forward. Ariel whispered, “We’ll call you Silverwing.” Then, placing a trembling hand on the larger Wyvern, she said, “And you... Neo.”

Zed stood nearby, watching the interaction with cautious curiosity. His horn glowed faintly, a quiet show of support.

The tension between the Wyverns eased. Whatever they communicated, it brought a sense of calm. Silverwing nudged Neo with its snout, as if reminding him of something important. Neo snorted, glancing back at Ariel with a wary but softened gaze.

“We need to feed them,” Ariel said suddenly, the realization hitting her like a pang of hunger in her own stomach. “They’re starving.”

Nick stared at his daughter, his brow furrowed. “We’re feeding them now? What are we supposed to give them?”

Noah chimed in, his tone half-serious, half-joking. “Fish? Maybe they eat fish?”

Ariel smirked, despite her exhaustion. “They almost ate you earlier, so I’m guessing fish would be an upgrade.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Glad to see you’re feeling better.”

Their brief moment of levity faded as the group began to plan. “We’ll gather supplies and rest quickly,” Nick said, his voice firm. “Then we’ll head out as one group to find the third Wyvern. If Ariel’s right, only these two will be able to calm it.”

Beka returned, her hands stained with dirt from tending to Celeste. “She’s stable for now,” she said. “I’ll stay with her while you get the Wyverns some food.”

Nick nodded but hesitated. “We’ll go together after we’re ready. Whatever’s waiting out there, we face it as a family.”

---

As the family worked quickly, Ariel watched the two Wyverns. Their enormous forms, though still intimidating, no longer seemed monstrous. Neo rested his injured leg, his movements deliberate and tired. Silverwing, ever watchful, nuzzled his sibling, their quiet interactions speaking volumes.

“They’re not so scary anymore,” Noah said quietly, standing beside Ariel.

“They’re not scary at all,” Ariel replied. “Just hurt. Like us.”

Noah glanced toward the woods, where the third Wyvern awaited. “Where do you think their mom is? Or their dad?” he asked softly.

Ariel’s expression grew somber. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I think we need to find them too.”

Noah nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Yeah. We do.”

As the siblings stood together, the two Wyverns lay side by side, their massive wings folding in as if to rest. For the first time that night, peace felt possible—if only for a moment.

End of Chapter 10