Egress Unveiled - The Forgotten ft Runa n Umber

Eyes the color of starlight open in the dark. Something big has happened, and the shift in power has awakened the winged vay, Ithildantia, from their long slumber.

Raising their head, Ithildantia sees the cavern looks just as it had the day they laid down to rest. But they can sense it in the very air- a calling, tugging at her own power, drawing them to their feet.Bones that have not moved in an age feel the weight of each year that has passed, and they wonder how long it has actually been. Hundreds, perhaps.

When they emerge from their hiding place, Ithildantia’s slit pupils narrow against the dawn’s light, and they are amazed at how much the world has evolved since their slumber began. Nothing is recognizable, except for the familiar haze of magical energy that runs through all things.

Somewhere to the south, Ithildantia feels the call, coming from beyond the horizon. That is where the shift in power has occurred. 

They spread their leathery wings, testing them with a few cautious flaps, and find them weary but capable. And so, they leap from their floating mountainside and let the air currents carry them on.

As they go, Ithildantia takes in all the ways their world has changed over the past age. Not a single pebble has been left untouched! It appears that Vitalus has become home to many more creatures, and evidence of their activities can be seen scattered across the land and its many floating islands.

Then they spot it: a new chasm has broken open, revealing an underground cavern leading into the underworld. This must be it.

A soft glide and wide circles allows the winged vay to get a good look at the new cave from many angles, and countless footsteps from many creatures can be seen flooding toward the entrance. It seems they are not the only one drawn here..

---

Umber pushed out of the gate with a deep breath, this would be a long journey, she'd have to cross a part of Thedale and then take a long boat ride to Vitalus. She had been there before but it was a long time ago and she doesnt remember much, but she was excited! The air was so clean and it smelled so new and freeing, it'd be nice to have grass under her paws again. 

She gets to dockmaster at the edge of Thedale, leading to Vitalus and asks for a ride to the land of floating islands and sky breaking peaks. The captain is hesitant but reluctantly lets her on after hearing she has an important delivery to make. He's heard tales of the split in the earth leading to the caverns, with Vayrons and Empyrians dissapearing into its depths. Thinking his new passenger will meet the same fate. 

Once they arrive to Vitalus's docks he warns her about the cavern thats split open and to stay away. Umber cautiously heeds his warning as she walks off the boat and starts to run off. The moment she gets off the beach, through the forests and into the fields is when she breaths a breath of fresh air. The breeze here smelt different, it filled your lungs with a new embraced feeling of freedom and flight even if you didnt have wings. Umber cant believe her friend Ochre's ancestors originated here, she wishes she could just live in this field of grass and flowers forever.

As she's running to her destination she sees something in the distance up in the sky, heading in a straight line. It didnt look like a Empyrian, it almost looked like a Vay, she had had heard rumors of Vayrons sprouting wings, but she had never seen one in the flesh. She figures a small detour couldnt hurt and starts sprinting towards where the figure in the sky is headed. 

Once she catches up she sees what they were heading towards, a large cavern in the earth, this must have been what the captain of the boat was warning her about, she stares up at the figure with wings and see's them circling the area. She raises her voice, hoping they could hear her. "Hey up there! Are you lost?"

A voice reaches Ithildantia’s ear, and they turn their head down to see a dappled vayron staring up at them. A tuck of a wing and a quick swoop, and Ithildantia is suddenly touching down about a leap’s distance ahead of the young stranger.

“Lost?”

Their voice is warm and rich, deep and yet feminine, and as they smile it draws attention to their features, which are striking and angular for a vayron. 

“No, child, I am not lost. I was called here.”

Umber watches as the figure seems to tuck in their wings and dive down towards her, the little fur she had on her body puffed up at the sudden movement and watched as the figure landed a bit infront of her. Once they were on the ground her eyes seemed to light up, mumbling under breath in amazement. "So you are a Vay,," 

As she heard the Vay infront of her talk she tilted her head at the response, confused. "Called..? Here? By what? By the way whats your name? Ive never seen a Vay like you before." She looked at their wings in interest and delight, she was fascinated by this other Vayron infront of her.

Ithildantia’s smile widens, and they lower their head in a polite bow, their dark forelock falling over their face.

“Apologies. I am Ithildantiâ, but you may call me Runa.” Their head lifts once the introduction is done, and they continue explaining, “I have lived in Vitalus for a long time, and I have a deep connection to the land and the magic that flows through all things. When the land opened up, it sent out a ripple of power that awakened me, and I felt compelled to answer.”

"Oh! Thats great! Maybe you can show me around? I havent been here too often and i make deliveries here sometimes." Umber looks back at the giant cavern and voice softens and goes to that of wonder.

"A ripple of power huh? Must be *some* magic emenating from there for it to awaken Vay's from their sleep. Oh!" Her head turns back to Runa. "Im Umber, so sorry i got distracted. Nice to meet you!" And she smiles brightly at the dark colored Vay infront of her.

Runa tilts their head a bit to the side, “In truth, young Umber, it has been a very long time since I last explored. I have been in a deep slumber, not like a normal night’s sleep, and I am not sure exactly how many years it has been. Many, indeed, from the looks of things.”

They cast their starlight gaze over the landscape, looking off into the distance, and then with a slow turn they are once again looking into the mouth of the chasm. 

“I sense that a great adventure awaits. And it seems that fate has brought us together at this first step, this dawn of a new age.”

Runa looks back, “Would you join me, Umber, on the journey below?”

Umber's expression softens as she hears that Runa is actually lost and unfamiliar with the land now, despite being called to the large cavern, she cant imagine what it must be like to wake up and your home has changed so much from how you remember it. "I can try and help you around with what i know!"

As Runa continues to talk he brings up that fate must have brought them together, and when they offer for Umber to go with them, Umber's expression brightens and she nods excitedly. "Of course! I wouldnt want you to go alone down there, especcially since so much has changed for you!" Surely Umber doesnt need to heed the captains words from earlier when she's now going with a friend? As long as the two of them stick together they should be fine! Right? 

The moment Umber jumps down to a lower ledge to signify they should start their adventure, the ledge crumbles beneath her and she falls down into the depths.

Runa’s smile warms as Umber accepts their invitation to join in on the adventure, and offers to reintroduce them to their world. Their long, silky tail sways in a gentle wag, an expression more canid than dragon.

But suddenly, Umber is off and then gone! Runa’s smile falls instantly, and they rush to the ledge with ears perked and eyes wide. 

Fortunately the drop doesn’t look fatal. 

Runa opens their wings and slips off the ledge, gently fluttering down after Umber with a small frown of concern. 

“Are you alright?”

Falling happened so fast, all Umber remembers is hitting the ground with the wind knocked out of her and she coughs trying to get air back into her lungs, she faintly hears the flutter of wings near her and blinks her eyes to clear her head. 

"Y-yeah im fine,," She lets her body fall and as her lower half lands back on the ground she pushes her head up and sits. Shaking her head like a dog. "How was your way down?" She says jokingly to lighten the mood.

Runa softly sighs with relief once they realize that Umber is okay, and their wings settle at their sides.

They chuckle, but before Runa can utter a reply, they go still, sensing something. Not a sound or scent, but there is a definite presence nearby..

Runa turns their head, staring off into the dark in time to see what appears to be an empyrian rising up over a cluster of rock. It quickly becomes clear that this is no empyrian, however. It looks.. draconic! 

The creature perches atop the rock pile, his azure talons easily navigating the grips as he gazes down at them with shining, blue orbs. 

“More uplanders, leaving the surface and sunlight for the mysteries below?”

His tone is bassy and deep, resonating in the cavernous maw of the cave, and he eyes them with mild curiosity. 

“Yes.. I am Ithildantiâ,” Runa replies with a cautious bow, “and this is my traveling companion, Umber.”

“I am Elysion, of the Forgotten Clan,” the creature returns the bow, the glow of his eyes disappearing briefly before he lifts his chin again to face them.

“The sudden arrival of so many outsiders, all vying for the approval of the haedian clans, has many of my kind on edge. Especially those who have suffered so long. I wish to serve as your guide on this journey- whether you seek knowledge or riches or glory matters not.”

Runa blinks, then looks back at their companion, fairly certain that neither of them have any objections.

As Umber got herself situated back on her feet again she looks surprised at the creature that came over the rocks, it looked like a empyrian but it had 4 legs like a vayron. As she hears it speak it sends a rumble down her spine, and hearing it echo off the cave walls. Umber bows with her new friend as a sign of respect.

Umber nods calmly, trying to not let excitement get the better of her for this new adventure they were about to embark on. "We would be honored to have you as our guide." And she looks at Runa and smiles.

Runa nods, smiling at Elysion, “And we will honor your clans and their traditions as we meet them.”

Elysion hums his assent, “Very well. Come, there is much to see. First, we shall visit my clan.”

Runa trots forth to catch up to Elysion as he turns and starts heading deeper into the cave.

“The Forgotten,” Runa recalls the name from the introduction, “Why, may I ask, are they called that?”

Elysion is able to slink over and around obstacles like hunks of crystal and rock without breaking his stride or interrupting his speech. He is almost serpentine with his movements, keeping his head low and beside the vayrons as they go.

“We are all outcasts, or descended of outcasts,” he explains, “Many have grown bitter after lifetimes of rejection, hunger, or injustice. We live and die by our own code, and do what we must to survive.”


As Umber catches up with them and hears out Elysion, she feels somber, to think that they just abandon their own kind so easily, of course she doesnt know their stories, or if the ones who were exiled or outcasted deserved it, but the ones who are descended? To still have that burden, even though you yourself are not at fault? What a sad life that must be.

--

"Oh is this? The camp?" She asks, looking around at all the haedians that warily stared at newcomers. Once she gets the confirmation from Elysion, she scans over everyone and see's a sickly looking youngster. She speaks softly and with saddness in her expression. "That poor thing. We should help if we can." And she looks at Runa. "Food or medicine, if theres any nearby."


Elysion nods, speaking low, "These are my people."

Runa's heart aches, seeing the pain and fear in the eyes of the poor souls staring at them. She almost feels guilty for coming here, as so many others have before. But hearing Umber's suggestion gives her resolve.

Runa draws in a breath and nods, their saddened expression replaced with their gentle smile. "Good idea, Umber. I'm certain we can find something to help."

"Unfortunately, there isn't much around," Elysion says. "Unless you plan to make many treks back and forth from the surface, there aren't many ways to get supplies. We Forgotten, well.." he pauses, ears tipping back, "heh, well, we take it from the more fortunate clans."

"You mean stealing."

It wasn't a question. Runa knows exactly what the haedian is talking about. She doesn't like it, but traveling up to the surface, hunting enough supplies, then hauling them all the way here, doesn't seem plausible. 

"... Very well."


Umber nods and as she listens to Elysion and frowns once she hears that there isnt much around besides taking from the other clans, she looks to Runa. "Listen i know stealing is wrong but if the other clans are fortunate enough to have enough food and medicine then surely that means they can spare some right?" 

She tilts her head and waits for an answer. Once she hears Runa begrundingly agree she looks to Elysion. 

"Where's the closest Clan?"

--- 

Getting there was of course rough, climbing over rocks and stalagmites aswell as trying to fit through small crevices, though Elysion said this would be the fastest way, and it was easier since Vayrons were smaller than Haedians. 

Once they get to where it opens up more Umber pads up to rock to hide behind and see's the supplies that they can take and bring back. "How do you wanna do this?" She says quietly looking back at Runa.

Runa frowns, long ears tipped back, but their gaze is resolute. 

"You'll stand out, Umber. Let's use that, and while they're distracted, I'll swoop in and take whatever I can carry."


Umber continues talking with them for awhile, waiting for Runa to be completely out of sight and gone before Umber politely excuses herself and wishes the Haedians well and she goes back behind the cover she came from, she feels bad slightly because the Haedian's seemed nice, but the sickly one in her mind about the forgotten clan was still imprinted in her mind.

She meets back up with Runa once they get back through the tight crevices big enough for the two of them and notices her haul. "Lets get this back to the forgotten,, hopefully those haedians will understand in some way..,"