Secrets of the Hearth

DISCLAIMER: This story may include..
* death 
* violence and fighting 
* kidnapping 
* arson 
* multiple other crimes 
* mentions of 
** blood, death, fighting, war 
* and much more!!
Please stop reading if you don’t feel comfortable with these things! 
<tabber>
information =
HEY YOU! yeah, you! This is the Written Version or story version of Secrets of the Hearth. If you want the drawn (less accurate) version, look here!
Secrets of the Hearth is a story featuring Pyro’s backstory and current story. 
|-| blurb =
Pyro always found herself strange.
She wasn’t part of any tribe, and any family. And she found herself a part of a unusual orphanage. The house, this is where she grew up in. At first glance it seems normal, until you realize it’s almost hidden from view and contains dragonets trained to kill villains. Of course Pyro didn’t worry about the big crimes yet, she was still in rank three after all. But when she found out about her parents.. everything goes downhill. 
|-| progress =
Chapter 3 is in the works! And don’t be scared to ask how close I’m done, I would love a reminder. 
|-| characters =
major 
*Vervain (Prologue PoV) 
*Pyro
*Horizon
*“Father”
*Cyro
minor
MINOR CHARACTERS ARE OPEN! 
*Hypothermia (Owned by Hybrid) 
*Sundown (Owned by Flurry) 
*Torrent (Owned by Jae) 
canon 
*Queen Glory 
*King Deathbringer 
*Some other Queens (Thorn, Snowfall, etc) 
*The Jade Winglet (Moonwatcher, Qibli, Winter, Kinkajou, Turtle + Peril) 
*The Dragonets of Destiny (Clay, Tsunami, Starflight, Sunny) 
semi-canon 
(Characters somehow related to canon characters, e.g. dragonets or mates) 
*Glory and Deathbringer’s Family (Firefly, Silverscroll, Brilliant, Solar) 
*Tsunami and Riptide’s Family (Conch, Seafoam, Jetstream) 
*Turtle and Kinkajou’s Family (Glassfrog and Betta) 
*Moon and Qibli’s Family (Sandnight, Moongazer, Short-tail) 
*Moon and Winter’s Family (Brightmoon) 
*Sunny’s Family (Burrow [adopted]) 
|-| trivia =
* page created on May 8, 2024 
* a large plot was taken from the main plot which was Pyro being promoted to Rank 7 
** decided to take it out since it didn’t affect her much 
 
</tabber>
== prologue: a blaze lit by moonlight ==
V E R V A I N
__NOEDITSECTION__
The cavern was pitch dark, he couldn't see anything, and he was forbidden to bring light. That'll change once the plan work. The plan was simple, but risky. It was to take down this sickening group, this one full of poor, enchanted dragonets.
That was the truth, Varvain didn't have to see it for himself. He invited himself years back, to earn everyone's trust and respect, get into a high rank, just to get the information for the good side.
The true side, right? The dragonets here weren't happy, they were enchanted and abandoned to a worse life than the streets…right? 
Varvain sighed, he was a weirdling too. He was an IceWing-SandWing hybrid, one completely flightless and with a terrible mix of fur and spikes on his back. That's why he was taken in.
Varvain's eyes darted in the darkness, he always had a hard time memorizing the way to the base, especially now. The only sound was the tapping of his claws and a trickling of a water nearby... and other talons? He must be close. 
A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he heard the familiar noises of other dragons on stone. He remembered how he got in. When he was younger, he was forced to be in a organization his parents were in. But after his parents died of "unknown reasons";he was thrown in to replace them.
Varvain apparently entered the group when they were planning their newest plan, to take down this organization, The House of The Exiled. Being the youngest and fitting all the criteria, he was the chosen one to join this "House of Children" and spy for them. 
4 years passed, he's much older now. 
Varvain shook the last of the water off of him, it was pouring like crazy outside, he could even hear the pattering from down here. He finally reached the door, it was also made of stone, making it almost impossible to spot it. He hesitated before knocking the combination on the door. A long silence followed. As he reached again to knock, the door swung open. A regular looking SkyWing with a mask stand in front of him, staring at him as if the SkyWing could see all his secrets. 
Most new dragons wouldn't know what his SkyWing's oddity is, he looks normal after all. But many know that he was the first loyalist to "Father". This SkyWings oddity is loss of hearing. He had lost it in a battle when he was younger, then thrown out as he was useless. How does he hear? The SkyWing's a hybrid, a NightWing hybrid. He was granted to read minds. 
"We been expecting you." The(mostly)SkyWing dipped his head with narrow eyes. His voice was gruff but clear, like a foggy, winter night. Oh yes, the hybrid's name is Skull, headmaster of the "Guardians". Varvain smiled wary. Of course they have. That explains the continuous letters. 
Skull stepped back to let him in, eyeing him closely. Skull gestured to follow him, as he lead him down the lit up hall. But the way he narrowed his eyes before, could it be possible? No, I kept it hidden for so long. Vervain glanced at the muscular SkyWing. Unless.. did they figure it out? 
The place was the same as he left it, with the stringed lights and the younger dragonets giggling from some other room. They passed the Banquet Hall, the Rooming Hall, and walked to the office in silence. 
There was a lot of new dragonets now, some sneaking from the side to stare at the stranger with wide eyes. The little one had different colored eyes, her other friend was blind, presumably, wearing a blindfold. He also saw a teen SeaWing with awfully clawed gills. Seeing these dragons, he couldn't help but think what the future holds for these dragonets. 
A sudden stop made him crash into Skull, who scowled at him. "Watch it." Varvain heard him mutter angrily. They stopped at a door without a engraved words like the others. Vervain suddenly remembered, The office, we were forbidden to go there. Skull knocked on the door. 
"I thought I told you to not interrupt my work!" A annoyed growl echoed from inside. The voice was cold, like snow drifting in the frozen winter. 
"It's the one you sent for." Skull answered, ignoring the half-threat. He could hear a sigh. There was a short silence thaf followed, then a sound of something moving, paper moving. 
"Come in." The voice, no "Father" called back, sounding emotionless and cold as ever. Skull opened the door and led Vervain in. "Father" was a mutated HiveWing, SkyWing, NightWing tribrid. The mutation made her scales all pale and white, except for her NightWing sides, which gave her black scales as well. The children never figured out her oddity, knowing that she has one brought to many theories. Does it have to do with her powers? Maybe it's the scale mutation itself? She might be lying, she may not have one. 
"Vervain! It's a pleasure for you to come back." "Father" said with a sly smile. She was in front of her desk, which was littered with paperwork and scrolls. 
"We welom-" 
"What do you want from me?" 
Vervain interrupted, suddenly angered with suspicion. But as soon as he said that he knew he made a mistake. Oh no. Skull's head whipped towards him, growling intensely with a 'watch it' message. Though "Father's" expression was one more of a.. disappointment then it quickly changed to the famous cold expression. 
One of "Father's" talons rised up to silence Skull. "Hush down, Skull." She said with her oddly comforting, but yet chilling voice. Vervain shuddered. 
"It seems like our friend here forgot their lesson." She reached for a scroll, pulling it closer to her. 
"Let's teach them again, shall we?" The scroll is open at this point, then he realizes in pure horror. 
The ranking book. 
"Father" already had dipped one of her sharp claws in the red ink. 
"Wai-!" 
"Guards! Take him away!" Skull shouted it, roaring it loud enough to echo through tge long halls. Vervain could already hear the clawsteps thundering towards them. It only took a moment for the guards to get here, immediately seizing him. 
"Wait! Stop! I can explain!" Vervain helplessly yelled and he was pulled to the door. He knew resisting was useless, though he still tried anyways. Where is he going to go now? 
Then he saw it, "Father's" claw shining with red ink that seems to resemble blood crossing a name off. And he knew who it was. 
It was him. 
He is now officially crossed off of The House of The Exiled. 
---- 
"Who will you replace him?" Skull asked, still staring at where that traitor left. He finally looked back at Nexus, who was simply looking at the ranking book. He was about to speak up until she opened her mouth again. Her mind was thinking about Vervain, the one who just left, and who he was working for. 
"Pyro." Nexus said. 
"Escuse me? Pyro? The rank 4, Pyro?" Skull repeated, confused out of his mind. 
"Don't question me Skull, you know better than that." She answered back. "This will do her good." He knew that there was no changing her mind now. 
She was already writing Pyro's name under Rank 7. 
The red ink bright, like a fire. 
== chapter l: surprises come in many forms ==
P Y R O 
2 years ago 
“AHHH!” 
A shrill scream echoed through the hallway. “Geez, Shell. Your screams are so loud.” A male SeaWing winced as he rubbed his sensitive ears. 
“I take that as a compliment.” Shell responded with a sassy tone, “Anyways, do your part!” 
“Oh yes, um.” Thalassophobia, or just Thal, cleared his throat. “I, the great animus prince, Albatross, just killed my own sister!” he declared with a very confused and unsure voice. Shell opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by thunderous talonsteps. 
The door burst open, and a large SandWing and a bundle of guards with their spears up ran into the room. “What is it? Who’s hurt?” The SandWing growled with a concerned but threatening tone. The dragonets giggled as the SandWing realized what was happening. 
He sighed tiredly, then waved his talon to send the guards off.  “Kids, don’t make false alarms like that.” he said with an amused face, looking at the couple of dragonets who were splayed across the floor. 
“Horizon!” A small red dragonet leaped towards the SandWing, hugging with her little wings. 
“Hello there, Py,” Horizon said with a soft smile, petting the small dragonet. He looked around the large room again, it was the garden. The garden had lush green and colorful plants stretched across the entirety of the glass room, this was one of the few rooms that had sunlight streaming through from the colored glass ceiling. 
“What are we reenacting today?” He asked, but he knew already. 
“The Royal SeaWing Massacre!” Pyro said, with a bit too much glee. “Thal is Albatross, Shell is Queen Lagoon and the other dead SeaWings, and Lilypad is Indigo.” She answered, pointing at the others. 
“Shell is all of the dead ones?” Horizon questioned, and Pyro fiercely nodded. Horizon hummed and set Pyro down. “Well you may continue.” 
The others smiled. “AHHHHHHHHHH-“ Shell roared, but a bit lower this time, “OH NOO, MY FAMILY, NOO-“ she shouted dramatically as she slowly fell down. The watching dragonets, including Thal, all giggled. 
“Haha. I will now kill the rest of the tribe!” Thal responded, still sounding unsure. 
“Stop, Albatross! I am here to stop you!” Lilypad, a SeaWing, LeafWing, RainWing hybrid said out loud. “I am Indigo the Animus Slayer!” She pretended to throw a spear. 
Thal suddenly shot his talon to his heart and acted like the spear had lunged into it. “AH! The pain! The agony!” He said until he fell along with Shell. The dragonets burst into laughter because of the poor acting. Horizon chuckled along with them. 
The door swung open again and the dragon they all knew stood before them. The room silenced as soon as a blink. “G-greetings Father!” Thal stuttered, sitting straight up and motioning to the others to do the same. 
This was the first time Pyro had not met, but seen Father. She had met her before, she was sure of it. 
Pyro looked up at the looming figure, “Father” was a HiveWing, SkyWing hybrid with leucistic. She had a tall, lean shape with glaring eyes. It was hard to think how this cold dragoness could be the one in charge of them. 
“What is the meaning of this?” She asked, voice almost toneless. Father was looking at Horizon for answers. 
“The children were acting out the Royal SeaWing Massacre.” Horizon replied, sneaking a glance at the dragonets in concern. 
Father took a look at the dragonets again, leaning slightly towards them from the height difference . “Where’s your assigned teacher? He was supposed to teach you in a more formal manner.” 
Horizon then finally realized and gazed at the kids as well. 
“I-um,” Thalassophobia gulped as he was glared at by Father silently for his shuttering. “we couldn't find him.” 
The younger dragonets were probably shaking in fear at this point. Father straightens back up, her expression seeming to decide on how she should react. She then turned around to leave. “Get the children to their rooms, we have guests.” she had concluded before disappearing through the halls. That was a first encounter for most hatchlings that day, and they were all frozen in fright. The littlest ones had started to cry, while the older ones attempted to cheer them up with Horizon. Pyro was about the age of these crying dragonets. However, Pyro simply stared at the spot where Father had left. 
Tilting her head and wondering who she really was. 
- 
1-ish year ago 
A small red egg with strange gold markings shook in the rising moonlight, the lasting sunbeams washing over the egg as it sank into the horizon. The egg was in a garbage basket. The poorly made holder made of leftover reed looked like it could fall apart any second. But that’s what the garbage baskets were for, to be used for garbage and nothing else. The basket was set in the alleyway, for the garbage-picking dragons to pick it up in the morning. 
The egg was just thrown out of “Barrel’s Hatchery and Adoption Center for All”, the largest and the best known adoption center. The egg was separated to get raised from the shell in a family. 
The first family wanted an egg to fit their tribe, which was a SkyWing and SandWing. 
-
“You liar! This egg is neither SkyWing, nor Sand!” 
“I don't know what you mean sir, the egg coloration looks completely like a SkyWing, SandWing hybrid.” 
“The professional medic said that the egg fits none of our tribes! I knew moving to a multi-tribe town was a bad idea.” 
- 
The second family, more of a single father, wanted something different. He had said that his family were taking pity on the dragonets who were here the longest and offered to take them all in. That included the egg, as most unhatched hatchlings were adopted as soon as they came in. 
-
“There’s something wrong with this one, the others hatched already but this one is still here.” 
“Be patient, it’s an egg. Have you checked it at the healers yet?” 
“Yes, they noticed that this egg was checked out before as well.” 
“Why have you brought it back?” 
“We believe your company is false. This one is mutated isn’t it? This one will die before it even hatches, we don’t have enough scales to deal with the aftermath, which is why I’m returning it to you.” 
- 
After these two incidents, the owner, Barrel, went furious. He had thought odd dragons would collect more attention, not bad reputation. The other hatchling that was found with the egg was still with the family that adopted her, but Barrel knew they would return soon. Both were found in a river, separate baskets, but the same channel. 
This was why the egg was abandoned in the alleyway, it was useless, weak, hated. It would never get adopted into the loving, caring family they promised. 
Crack 
A small crack appeared at the top of the egg, the moon has risen now, the stars glimmering in the distance. 
CRACK 
A larger one appeared, a small squeak sounding from the inside. The newhatched hatchling wanted to escape this cozy prison, she wanted to see the sky. 
A small snout broke out, then toppled over onto the uncomfortable container. The little creature was on her back now, staring at the small gap of the alleyway to the colorful sky. 
What is that? The red hatchling wondered, amazed by the bit of the moon rising. She reached for the stars, then failed. Even if the small sliver of the night was far in the sky, every part of it was a show to the hatchling. The hatchling curled up in her large fluff on the end of her tail, watching the night sky shine. 
--- 
It rained the next day. 
The sky was cloudy now, the small red hatchling tried to press herself in the back. But the rain wasn’t her main concern. The garbage-picking dragons had come, picking up the basket to move it in the front with the others, though the dragon had left the basket as they thought it was empty. 
The main road was bustling even in the rain, but it just seemed like the dragons of the different tribes were racing or flying to get home. There was a storm coming. The hatchling peeked from the basket, she had eaten the food scapes that were thrown in with her, but she was still hungry and thirsty. The amount of dragons scared her, making her return to the safety of the basket. 
She simply stayed in the basket for the entirety of the day, watching as the rain drizzled on. 
The next day came, and the hatchling wanted to look at the dragons, they were also running around today. The red hatchling looked as a dragonet much much older then her was hugged tight around an older dragon's chest. An older dragonet was flying to chase after them. 
There were two things that she noticed, who were these older dragons she saw with the dragonets that were her age? And the wings. She raised her own wing up, admiring the colors. 
If the sun sunk, she couldn’t tell. The clouds were getting so dark that it looked like night even at day. The dragons weren’t even running around today, everyone was warm and cozy at their home. 
home. 
What is home? 
Is home where you feel warm and safe from the rain? Is home here? 
The red and gold hatchling merpled quietly, curled up in the corner, shivering to its tiny little skull. She could hear the soft thunder in the distance, where does thunder come from? The hatchling had so many questions, but she didn’t know if there would be any time to answer them. She had eaten all the scraps long before, and in the blink of everlasting sleep. 
The day seemed to last forever, she couldn’t tell if the stars shined tonight. The thunder was louder now. 
Then a lightning flashed across the town, lighting up the area for a split second. A lean dragon loomed above the hatchling. 
“You poor thing,” she had said. “come with me and I will protect you and your siblings from the harsh world.” 
The dragon gently picked up the shaking hatchling, too tired to protest. She held the hatchling on tightly, like a loving mother. 
“You will be protected in the safety of the hearth.”
== chapter ll: the higher I fly, the harder I fall ==
Present day - 2 years after first ‘flashback’ 
Pyro dwells through the shadows, a dark hood drenched over her head. She took a deep breath before poking her snout out of the alleyway. This is where she was found, huh? No wonder. 
Everyone looked busy in some way; one could be buying from the market, while some could be chatting away on the main street. No one would even look down to some garbage basket, especially in the rain. But Pyro wasn’t here to poke noses about who her real parents were, she was on a mission. She was only in rank three but Horizon said that Father said she had “good potential”. Of course she didn’t mind, she didn’t need to do any hand-to-hand combat or killing yet. 
Pyro looked around the part of town she was in, it seemed like a market area. Dragons were yelling discounts and advertisements to passing strangers. 
“FRESHLY COOKED SCORPIONS! ON SALE NOW! BUY TWO GET ONE FREE!” 
An especially loud roar was heard above all else. She turned her attention towards him. 
“Hello sir,” The SandWing bowed slightly in respect to a SkyWing. Pyro blinked at the sudden change of tone, the once loud voice changing of a regular one, which was already drowning with the other chatter. She headed back in the alleyway to get closer to them. 
“Would you like a roasted scorpion, Lord Range? This one is specially seasoned.” Pyro noticed the special offer and the title ‘lord’. Lord? Is he a noble? There was a list of dragons she needed to eliminate, and you would be surprised with how many villains are in this world. Lord Range.. That sounded too similar. 
“Oh, haha, no thank you.” The Lord said, waving a talon at him. Pyro knew instantly that the noble didn’t want common food. “Are you sure? It’s free!” 
Lord Range declined again and continued to walk to his destination, ignoring all the free deals. Pyro’s ears perked up as she finally remembered. Lord Range, he’s the one who steals scales from commoners isn’t he? 
She wasn’t here for him, she was just here to scout the area, but this is killing two birds with one stone! Pyro took her hood off and shoved it in her underwing pouch. “Hello!” She said with an innocent grin. She had to stand on her hind legs to see the SandWing but that didn't matter. 
“What’s a small hatchling like you doing here? Where are your parents?” The SandWing confusedly asked, looking around to try and spot the dragonet’s parents. 
“Can you tell me who that shiny dragon?” She questioned, ignoring the SandWing questions, eyes wide and pleading. 
“Oh um, Lord Range? He’s the most wealthy noble of the town, and he also has a hate-club. Some thinks he takes more than needed when collecting taxes.” The SandWing replied. “But of course he isn-“ 
Pyro had left at this point, she heard what she needed to hear. 
She trotted through the dark, confusing alleyway again, following the snobby rich. The SkyWing stopped again, this time in front of a building right in front of Pyro. She sighed in annoyance, she’ll definitely get caught like this. So she moved to another alleyway, much farther but still able to see him. Pyro was waiting for the door until she heard a bundle of dragonets giggling and laughing. 
Confused, she turned her head to see some hybrids and pures tumbling on each other, laughing. Fascinated by the joyful scene, she kept watching. They were play-fighting in front of an orphanage it seemed. The building was short but looked spacious. A SilkWing was smiling warmly as they watched them roll around. 
Father would never smile and watch over us like that. 
The SilkWing disappeared for a moment before appearing in the doorway. “Lunchtime kids!” she said with a sweet voice that dripped with honey. 
Father never would never showed herself just to announce lunch. 
The dragonets untangled from each other's limbs, racing to see which one of them could arrive first. “Hi, mom!” A few of them said, before running past them. It sounded almost like a joke, it sounded clumsy and unplanned, it didn’t have any sense of hesitation or favor. They said ‘mom’ too. 
We always called her ‘Father’. 
Pyro unknowingly drifted towards the building, standing on her hind legs to look through the window better. There were other dragonets sitting next to a long table filled with food. “Thank you Mom!” They all said in a messy unison, then they all ate without manners, chatting and laughing away with each other. 
Like a normal family. 
Father taught us manners for the dinner table as soon as we could talk. 
Pyro watched silently, fascinated by the carelessness and the merry sounds that rang through the afternoon. Why can’t I get that? She pondered, drooping her ears sadly. She loved her home, but sometimes she wanted to be normal. And did Father really love them? She barely sees her these days. Horizon seemed to do the actual “parenting” to most children in The House. 
There were a few ways to see Father, the moonly banquets and randomly seeing her. Pyro has gone to these dinner banquets only a few times. But since she wasn’t in higher ranks, she wasn’t invited to much. Which she didn’t really mind, not getting invited to banquets means the due date for these listed dragons were longer. 
Now she thought about it, wasn’t she doing something before she got distracted? Pyro widened her eyes, the SkyWing! She whipped her head towards where the noble was, he was gone. Oh great divine above! I lost him! She ran to the building looking around wildly for any SkyWing, he couldn’t have gone too far right? 
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a red tail drenched in jewelry. Aha! I caught you now! She thought, running over to where he disappeared. She was right, Range was going to the next house down the street. Pyro returned into the safety of the dark, following him as quietly as possible. 
“Ah, Lord Range! What a pleasure to see you here!” Another salesdragon exclaimed, rushing in front of him. “We have a great sale for Lords like you! Let me get the things real quick.” Range stood there looking at the dragon in annoyance, but the salesdragon didn’t seem to get the hint. 
“Look! Sales! Deals!” The salesdragon continued to call out. It looked like Range was trying out to breath fire in his face, though he knew he had to show manners to his subjects. 
Pyro took this chance to sneak up behind him. And when the salesdragon turned away to reach for more things to sell, she took a rope and clothed it over Ranges head. “An- Lord Range?” She caught the salesdragon say confusedly. 
“HY! WHF DU UI THIK YUF DOFING?!” Range’s muffled voice rang through the alleyway. Pyro winced at the echo, she didn’t want to be caught today. 
“DOF YM KNF Ho I amf..” Ranges' voice faded away, replaced by the streetsounds of the mainroad. Pyro poked his head, seeing if he was still awake. She had used a sleeping powder, it should work for a few hours. 
--- 
A large fire blazed behind her, lighting up the small area around it. Pyro winced as she imagined the dragon  slowly burning to death. She knew the dragon she just technically killed was almost evil, but punishing them to the point of killing them? She didn’t know what to feel about that. 
The fire roared and crackled loudly as Pyro attempted to run away faster, the quicker she got to her home, the safer she’ll be. 
If only she could fly, soar gracefully through the air, the sun bright on her wings. But dreams are just dreams, her wings were taken away from her and she’ll live to learn the lesson. Pyro glanced at her wings, it was painfully ripped up and burnt, blaze scars scattering on the body nearest to the wings. She winced as she remembered the memories. 
--- 
In the past 
Pyro remembers the red hot flames, chasing her as she failed to run quicker. She remembers the crackling, the roar of the fiery monster. She remembers the searing pain of the blaze catching up, eating her alive. She remembers the scream of her siblings as they attempted to save her. 
She doesn’t remember what happened at the same time. Everything was a blur, smoke-filled, a nightmare. 
Pyro knew what they meant when they said outside the hotel was dangerous, but past the home island was deadly. She knew she would listen to every order the guardians or higher ranks gave her after this. She knew, lying on the heated ground, that the fire should’ve killed her, sooner or later. 
But it didn’t. 
She was dying much, much slower, but she was still here. Though Pyro didn’t know this yet. 
Where did the fire come from? She would’ve thought later.  It couldn't have been her own powers, it came from afar. Someone must’ve lit it. But who? Barely no one knew about The House, only the children and the guardians knew about the location and doings. It must have been a traitor! That was the only answer right? 
She was wrong. And she couldn’t tell if it was a good thing or bad. 
She remembered Father being there, next to her as she laid on the medical bed. When she woke up in the nursing wing of The House, her wing stinging like crazy. She remembered when she looked back, she stared in horror at the remains of her wings. They were bandaged tightly, but she could feel it, the teared skin, all burnt off. Pyro was told she wouldn’t be able to fly anymore, her favorite thing to do. There was other bandages wrapped around her limbs and body but she could only think about her wings. 
She remembered she was confused, blinded by the bright light above. Pyro had asked where Father had went but was replied with a “She’s busy” 
Father returned the next night, washed in moonlight as she announced that she was finished with her business. 
It wasn’t until later that Pyro found that Father usually doesn't leave to finish the job on her own. 
She had left the nursing wing, when she overheard Thal and Horizon talking. 
-
“What was the business? Normally she would send one of us to finish it, whatever it was.” 
“She told me, I was the first to know.” 
“..oh?” 
“She knew who started the fire, but got enraged when she saw one of her children hurt.” 
“...” 
“Don’t worry Horizon, just don’t tell anyone this, especially one of the injured ones. 
I don’t want them to fear the world right now.” 
__NOEDITSECTION__
- 
== Chapter III: keep going ==
Pyro didn't stop running. 
That was her first internal rule, never stop. 
Just keep going. 
You might think that if she did this almost all her life, her stamina would be great. But her endurance is one of her weak spots, along with strength. 
Pyro panted heavily as she crashed through the bushes, flinching as she received a cut from some sticks. Ow.. 
She knew guards would come soon, spotting the showy flames. Good thing she had a first start ahead. If she kept this pace, she would reach the motel in a few hours. But like I mentioned earlier, she has horrible stamina. 
She halted, breathing in gulps of air, as if she was drowning. She leaned on a tree, her head dizzy. This would be so much easier with wings. She thought miserably. But I would get caught immediately. 
Pyro sighed, knowing she would have to run the whole way. Why did she volunteer again? 
---
She slipped through the door, trying not to stick out. Pyro walked past the front desk, ducking her head low, heading towards the hall with the rooms. She stuck the crooked key in, creaking open the door. 
"You're back? That's good, Father would like it if we arrived earlier." A clear voice called out, it was one of her guardians, here to supervise her. "..Pyro? You good?" 
"What? Oh yeah, mhm, I'm fine." She said quickly. "When are we leaving?" Pyro looked around the room, the small but liveable space had carpeted floors, two beds, a table, and a closet. The walls were beige, and the floor a darker gray. 
Hypothermia glanced at her, concerned. "Well, I finished my side of my job so I think tonight?" The taller dragon suggested, looking out the small window they were provided. The sun was setting quickly, the land getting washed with the soft orange light, stars starting to glisten in the darkening sky. Pyro grimaces slightly at the thought of traveling again, her chest still heaving from the long run before. But going home faster would be safer for all of them, and home is much better conditioned then this sad place. 
She nodded in agreement, walking towards the window to stare at it to pass the time. "Soo, how did your mission go?" He asked. Pyro thought about her "mission", should she tell him that she almost got caught? 
"Um, mine went wonderfully.. I think." Hypothermia replied when she didn't get a response, she said the last part in a quiet tone. 
"It wasn't much of a mission, just a patrol." Pyro answered finally, curling her tail around her. "But thank you for asking." She turned around, giving a small smile to relieve her guardian's worry. 
Hypothermia shrugged, smiling back. "Let's get going if we want to arrive in a week," She said, shoving some stuff in a bag they brought with them. "oh and, is that cut bothering you? We could stop by Sanctuary for some aid." The sun had almost set completely, the last sliver of sunlight soon disappearing without a trace. 
Pyro shook her head again. "It's fine, I'll wash it off later." 
--- 
The journey back was tiring. Without wings, traveling from place to place took more time than usual. "I'm sorry if I'm slowing you down." Pyro muttered, dipping her head down, guilty as ever. 
Hypothermia looked at her in surprise. "Slowing me down? No, no Pyro you're not slowing us down. Don't worry." 
Pyro glanced at her. "Really?" 
Hypothermia nodded, giving her a "mhm". 
She smiled, lifting her head up. "Okay then!" Pyro had a better mood now, back to her talkative and extroverted side. "Can we go to the Rainforest? I heard that the queen there rules two tribes!" 
Hypothermia smiled as she thought about it. "The Rainforest is dangerous, Pyro. Especially with two of the deadliest tribes we would have to get a personal RainWing guide." Pyro grumbled, dragging her tail. 
"Alright, how about this? We'll stop by at The House and we'll ask Father." Hypothermia sighed. "Even if we can't go directly to the Rainforest, it's break season for school because of the Moon festivals around Pyrrhia, so there's a good chance the Queen could come with her dragonets to visit the hotel." Pyro gleamed brightly with this answer. " 'cause everyone knows that the hotel has the best spot of the moons. But! If they don't come, and Father says no to go. You will not complain." 
She nodded quickly again, agreeing immediately. "I'm fine with that!" She replied happily. 
Hypothermia hummed and looked forward as Pyro ran around her, looking at the tiny detail of the small forest they were in. She looked up at the night sky, the moon festival. It was one of the busiest days of the year. The festival was a well-known holiday that most dragons in Pyrrhia, now Pantala too, celebrated. The week-long holiday celebrated the time when the moons shone the brightest. NightWings want their dragonets to hatch on this week, as the brighter and fuller the moon means that their dragonet would be more powerful. Also there was always a chance it could be a three full moon. 
As the moon festival was coming up, many of the towns decorated their houses with moon-related ornaments and became much more lively at night to prepare for the all nighter week. Shops and hotels were always full, schools taking breaks, and royals discussing almost everyday in their famous meeting center with their representatives. 
Pyro loved the moon festival. She loved the food, the decorations, the concepts, just everything. Dragons were just all so happy and joyful, as if that was the only thing in the world. She wishes everything could be good, everyone happy. But where would the balance of good and bad be? 
It was also on moon festival week that the world-famous Dragonets of Destiny and The Jade Winglet could be seen. Everyone, she means everyone, including citizens, royals, tribes, wants to see their hero. Pyro didn't hate them, they did save technically the continent from two different mass destruction but maybe the attention they were getting was a bit too much? It's been years since the SandWing Succession, though the Darkstalker Accident happened a bit after. Yet dragons from the two continents praised their name, each tribe, almost worshiping, one. Most loved Moonwatcher, the very first mind reader and visionseer, who stopped Darkstalker and has one too many books written in her name. Pyro could go on and on about the others until Hypothermia spoke up after hours. 
"Hey, there's a royal council or something going on tonight right?" She asked. 
Pyro ears perked up, "Really?! Can we go? Can we?" She plead, she had never listened to the Queens before. Spying was one of the easiest things to learn in her home, and this was the perfect chance to practice! 
The meeting place was always somewhere in the SkyWing mountains, where the Queens that were able to come, came with their representatives to discuss important matters. "Well, Father had asked me to see if they talked about the hotel." A few weeks ago, one of her siblings had been asked to sneak into the Rainforest and slip an advertisement of the hotel to each RainWing and NightWing's house. They had hoped that the multi-tribed Queen would spread the news to the other queen about this new hotel that appeared in her territory. 
"I'll be good, I promise!" 
"I wasn't saying you can't go.." 
"Alright then! Let's go before it ends!" 
Hypothermia shook her head with a smile, watching the still young dragonet bounce towards the leaning mountain. 
--- 
"Is everyone here?" An elegant voice called out in the cave. It was followed with more discerning "yes"s. 
"What are everyones thoughts about the festival?" Another said. Pyro, crouched above them all, was looking through a skyhole. She looked at Hypothermia, silently asking who the one that just talked was. "Thorn" She mouthed back. 
Pyro nodded and looked at the royals around a table. "The SandWings are quite excited and are painting the entire kingdom with the decorations." Thorn said with a chuckle. "Thankfully my daughter Sunny, and Qibli here are helping with the organizations." She gestured to a male SandWing with freckles who laughed awkwardly. 
"It's nothing!" He said, brushing the compliment off. 
"My NightWings are especially thrilled as well, the first time celebrating after all." The first voice spoke, a RainWing. "Queen Glory?" Pyro mouthed at Hypothermia, which she answered with a nod. "Moonwatcher thinks that this will be a good time to revive the NightWing powers once again." The other Queens hummed in response. 
"Oh and.." A rustling sound was heard, Pyro peaked down again to see Queen Glory reach for something in her bag. Hypothermia was also leaning down now. "Did anyone else get this.. flier?" She saw the green Queen place the folded paper on the table. It was their advertisement! 
"It was built on the far island in my kingdom. A hotel of some sort?" She watched as the dragons leaned in to get a better look of the advertisement. "Soleil et Lune Hotel.." 
"It appeared out of nowhere." Glory said. 
"Well I supposed you just missed the construction." The SkyWing Queen, Ruby replied, shrugging. 
"I might be a trap! Animus-touched, danger!" The NightWing representative growled. 
Glory hit him gently with her tail. "Deathbringer! Must you think everything's a trap, or a danger to your queen?" She snapped, rolling her eyes. "It's fine, it'll be safe." 
"Have you thought about visiting, Your RainWing Majesty?" Qibli questioned. Glory thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I didn't want to risk it yet, the RainWings are still in training and the NightWings are still recovering. It also feels pointless simply going there to look around and leave. 
"How about you visit with your friends and family over the Moon Festival? You could enjoy the vacation, yet it's not that far from your kingdom. And while you're there you could inspect it and not look suspicious." Qibli suggested. 
"But who will watch over my tribe?" Glory said, worried. 
"I'm sure there's some trustworthy dragon over there." 
Glory thought for a moment then huffed in agreement. "You with your smart head." She complimented. "Thorn should be proud of you as her advisor." Qibli flushed slightly. 
"Why don't you bring the Jade Winglet too?" The IceWing Queen butt in. "Student-teacher reunion.. I'll pay for Winter." 
"I'll pay for Moon and Kinkajou." 
"I'll pay for Qibli." 
"I'll pay for Peril." 
"I'll send a letter to Queen Coral, we don't know if she'll let us though." 
"Is it decided then? The Jade Winglet and The Destinys will inspect the hotel." Snowfall announced. 
"Let's speak about the festival then.." 
Pyro wanted to listen more, but Hypothermia pulled her out when Deathbringer looked up. "Something wrong?" She heard Glory whisper to him quietly. "I thought I saw something.." He responded. "You're worrying too much, our dragonets will be fine." Glory whispered gently, twirling their tail together secretly behind them. That was the last thing she got before Hypothermia motioned to get out of there. 
She let out a sigh when she disappeared from the mountain's sight. "So that's a royal meeting." Pyro noted. 
"Yep." Hypothermia popped the "p". "Not very interesting, I know." 
"What? I could listen to that everyday!" Pyro exclaimed. "You get to listen to the news of each tribe and see the Queens." 
"Pyro.. you do know that we'll eventually have to kill one of them there right?" She said, carefully. 
Pyro nodded. "But none of the Queens are bad right? Not yet, I think." She replied, climbing a tree to get a better look of where they were. "But it's always an honor doing a mission for The House." She could see just a tiny sliver of the Rainforest. 
"Hey! We're almost there!" Pyro informed happily, jumping from the tree with a thud and running forward again. 
"Py! Slow down, I thought you were tired?" Hypothermia yelped as the dragon dashed past her. 
--- 
"I can't breathe Py." Hypothermia winced as she reached for a talon that was tightly wrapped around her neck. She was flying with Pyro on her back to reach the island, since Pyro can't fly, she was on Hypothermia's back. She wasn't heavy, that wasn't her problem, but it was that the red dragonet was deathly afraid of heights. 
"S-sorry!" Pyro shakily said, she loosened her grip just a tiny bit. 
Hypothermia sighed, it was the next day from the Royal gathering. They had crossed paths with a MudWing patrol, leading to a fight in which they escaped from. They both received deep cuts, not that major, but they seemed to target Pyro since she was smaller. But it was because of her powers they could escape. "It's fine, we're here anyways." 
She landed on the dry ground, Pyro jumping off almost immediately. She led her to the hotel which was still very barren from the lack of guests. The hotel itself was extremely high-quality, fancy as well. Spiral staircases wrapped around the register, the walls decorated with shiny mineral and other materials. The rooms, when she checked, were much bigger than the motel she stayed at, the beds were especially cushioned and cleaned constantly, a window or balcony showing a beautiful scenery of either the far rainforest or the forest nearby, multiple rooms for the executive members. 
Of course her home was under the hotel, it was supposed to be a secret afterall. She trotted over to the back where a staircase led to an empty cavern with tunnels. The path to the entrance was nearly obvious if you look hard enough, the right path had smoother floors with slightly higher ceilings and cleaner than the other tunnels. The others led to outside the hotel, and the right one led to the main entrance. Of course there were other entrances for dragonets who were scared of the dark, but most learned to use this one as it was the safest way. 
The two crept through the tunnel, which led to another, and then another, until it opened into a cave with a tiny sliver of light creeping from above. A normal dragon who wasn't used to this darkness would have missed the stone door blending in with the stone walls, yet Hypothermia went right up to the door and knocked the secret combination that they all learned ever since they were hatchlings. 
The door creaked open, light washing over the once dark cave. A RainWings guardian stood before them, "Oh! Hypothermia and Pyro! You're back?" He announced, his scales turning yellow with happiness and slight relief. He stepped in to let them in. 
Hypothermia nodded in agreement and walked towards the office, Pyro said a "hi" before following the IceWing. She passed through the home where she grew up in, the rooming halls, the garden, the dining room.. speaking of the dining room, the long table was starting to fill with food. The warm and delicious stance drifted towards her, making her mouth water. They didn't even have to reach the office to talk to Father, who was speaking to a Rank 8 that almost everyone knew. 
"Horizon! Hello!" Pyro exclaimed, almost jumping towards them. The older SandWing greeted her with a pat of her head. 
"Is this a wound?" Father asked sternly, gently raising her talon to reveal a slightly bleeding cut. "Did you get involved in a scrimmage?" She questioned, inspecting her talon more. 
Hypothermia nodded sheepishly, "MudWing Patrol." Pyro heard Father tsk and flick her tail to a SeaWing nearby. She's motioning for the medic. The said SeaWing scurried off and returned quickly with the medic, Mirage. Father raised her talon to show her and the SandWing hybrid nodded. 
"Let's get you patched up, sweetie." Mirage said, taking the talon to disinfect and bandage it. Then she moved on to some other injuries she had after muttering some cautions. 
"They got the fliers," She heard Hypothermia explained to Father. "They're all coming next week." Pyro knew that Father understood who "they" were. Though she couldn't catch the other words shared. 
Mirage shooed her off to help decorating after she was fixed up. She held up some hanging strings with paper moons and tiny fairy lights. "Here." She announced, giving a SkyWing named Golden the string for them to hang up. 
"Thanks Py!" Golden replied, taking the string and hanging it. All the dragonets were contributing to decorating the entire place, they had to decorate the hotel too. 
"Hey Pyro? That's your name right?" A SilkWing hybrid spoke. Pyro was attempting to make fancy tissue designs by folding them. She looked up to see a pale SilkWing with colorful feathered wings. 
Pyro nodded slowly, confused. Living in the same household doesn't mean that she knew all of her siblings, there were a lot of them and also she had horrible memory. "I'm Sundown!" She announced proudly. She looked a bit older. 
"And I want to hear what the queens said." Sundown asked, shaking her tail from side to side similar to a dog. 
"Oh um.." Pyro thought about where to start. "The DoD and the Jade Winglet are coming next week, or in a few days. Andd.. I couldn't stay for the whole thing but Thorn mentioned that the SandWings were really excited and Glory said the same for the NightWings." 
"Oh.. Glory." Sundown grimaced. "Is it true that she rules two tribes?" Pyro nodded. 
"What's wrong with that?" She asked, tilting her head to her head. She stopped folding the tissues. 
"I don't know, it just seems weird that she started ruling at the age of seven," Sundown emphasized the "seven. "That's not even an adult!!" She mumbled. 
"Maybe she's just a good queen?" Pyro wondered, she didn't like to point, even at the worst dragons. 
"Rumors said that she's dating her bodyguard." 
Pyro perked her ears, interested. "Oh?" 
"Yeah! Some say eggs too." 
"Yep that's true, I heard them talk about them at the meeting." She informed, starting to fold the tissues again. 
"I knew it!" Sundown exclaimed, raising her head with pride. 
"Dinner time! Everyone!" Horizon's booming voice echoed from the other room just as Sundown was about to speak again. Pyro thought about the delicious food she was about to consume as the two walked towards the dining hall with the other children. 
--- 
She was seated at the table, watching intently at Father also coming over to the table to eat. She was going to list the announcements now. 
"For the first news," Father started. "We all know that Moon Festival Week is coming up very soon, so we should be working harder than ever to get the place ready for the special guests coming." An excited murmur ran though the table, Father waited for them to be silent. 
"The special guests are royals and so-called-heroes." Father explained further, reading off a small paper. "Please inform me or any of the higher ranks if any of them bothers you, and do not befriend their dragonets. Remember, all the rules still follow." 
"The next news," Father continued again. "is a promotion in ranks. As some of you know, a rank 7 user has been exiled." A confused mutter of talking rang through again. Ah, Vervain. The SandWing, IceWing hybrid never really noticed her and he didn't play with them as much as anyone higher would. He had always looked annoyed at them and stayed in his room. Vervain ignored most of The House's daily life. 
"So we would need someone to fill in that role, and we will be choosing any one of you." Father paused. “So be on your best for the next few weeks, or a month. We will be watching.” 
After that announcement, some of the dragonets sat up straighter. The children soon started to dine properly. Pyro reached for the fork to start eating, seasoned cow beef with hot potatoes on the side, with a more vegetable and fruit version for the vegetarians. 
I wonder who they would pick? Must be a rank 6, but they said anyone.. 
Her train of thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a cluster of two or three pointing at something on the ground in the distance. She had lost her appetite but still ate some bites, so instead she excused herself and walked over to them. 
When Pyro stood on her tippy-claws and stretched her neck to see what they were doing she noticed a small white and black cat hissing at them. The group laughed as one pressed a stick towards it, not hurting it but more like taunting it. "Look at its fur!" One snickled.
"Haha! It's so helpless." Another teased, they didn't seem to notice Pyro's presence. 
"Hey!" She growled, flaring her wings. She was a bit smaller than the others but she realized that her wings made her look bigger. "Leave it alone!" 
The group laughed at her attempt to stop them. "Of course, Sparky!" One crackled as they ran away. Pyro grumbled annoyed by the mocking nickname. She took a glance at the kitten, who was licking its fur in a corner. 
"Come m'ere kitty." Pyro whispered, motioning to the small cat that was backed up in a corner. The kitten was shaking with fear. 
Pyro held out a gentle talon towards the cat, with some leftover dinner smeared onto one of the claws. "I'm sorry." She murmured, "They were loud weren't they?" The kitten responded with a barely audible mew, sniffing the wobbly talon. Pyro didn't like the noise much either, it reminded her of something she couldn't even remember. 
Pyro made a happy noise when the splotched kit licked the food held out for it. She slowly got closer to it, but accidentally made a sudden movement. The cat jumped back, hissing, its tail and fur on its high end. "Sorry! I'm sorry." Pyro retracted, moving back a bit. 
The cat watched as the talon slowly made its way towards it again. Reaching its neck to sniff it once again, its fur softened. Pyro smiled as the cat was just barely there to lick it once again until, 
"Pyro, what are you doing? This is not how you spend your time excused from dinner." A familiar voice sounded from right behind her. She gulped, looking bitterly at the kitten who hissed again and ran off. 
"Hello, Father." Pyro uttered, glancing at the space where the cat had scurried off. 
"Look up Pyro, have we never taught you manners?" Father observed, her voice was cold, but not angry. 
Pyro raised her eyes to level with Father, "I felt bad for the cat, Father." She admitted, she knew lying wouldn't serve much. "It looked so hungry, so I thoug-" Pyro stopped, looking down. "I apologize.." 
Father looked silently at Pyro, eyeing her closely. "Return back to dinner before it ends," Father replied, a small sigh being audible, then turning away to leave her alone. "Do not be late." 
Pyro celebrated quietly in her mind, grinning in relief. She wasn't scolded! Yet knowing that dinner will be over soon, she left a small pile of food near the hole where the cat had left, hoping that a mouse wouldn't eat it instead. 
When she returned to the table her mind wanted to think about the whole moon festival, but right now Pyro was just tired. She had a whole day tomorrow to decorate and prepare the hotel for the guests coming in a few days. And she didn't want to be weary from staying up late again. 
Even if the back of her brain demanded she would think about it she pushed it back and declared it was tomorrow's problem. 
After all, everything has an end right? 
== trivia ==
* i want this story to be relatable, that main characters aren’t always happy and proud, they also feel sad and lonely 
** even though we haven’t gotten to the “deep” parts yet 
* i’m trying to interpret my own life experience into Pyro’s life as well 
* the title comes from The House of the Hearth from Genshin Impact, which The House of the Exiled was based on 
* chapter 3’s “cat scene” was planned way before the actual chapter was written
* a major change has occurred, Pyro was supposed to be ranked up to rank 7 as foreshadowed in the Prologue, but I had decided she will be promoted in the next book as it didn’t do much to the plot 
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Genre (Mystery)
Category:Genre (Adventure)
Category:Content (FireWolfyLove)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)
Category:Fanfictions (Semi-Canon)