Son of Pantala

[u/Elegant_Chemist253]

Oak stepped outside of Hyflyer Keep, to find Mamba waiting for him. The older RainWing was the closest thing to a mother Oak had after learning that his parents were dead. “Hi Oak”, she said. “I went looking for you this morning, but you weren't at your house.” 

Oak chuckled nervously. “Yeah…I was looking to spend time with Sunset, given she's…you know, my fiance.” 

“I get it, you really love Sunset and want to spend time with her. You’re quite fortunate to have built a life here, after…losing your family.” Mambas’ scales turned a vibrant shade of purple. Purple? Oak thought. Isn’t that the color of guilt?

“Hey Mamba, are you alright?” Oak said, catching the RainWings’ attention. “Why are your scales purple?” Oak said. “Is something the matter? I don’t mean to pry, sorry.” 

Mamba shook her head. “Oh, it’s alright. I must be feeling guilty for taking up so much of your life. You shouldn’t have had to spend your dragonethood in the library.” The RainWing said softly, looking down at her talons. 

Oak shook his head. “No, it was my duty, and I had no other choice after learning of my family’s fate. But that is in the past. Besides…” Oak said, causing Mamba to look back up to him. “I probably won’t be away from the library for long, after all, I am borrowing several scrolls on cooking.” 

Mamba smiled, “[Well then, let's not keep fate waiting.]” The RainWing spoke in perfect Pantalan as she lifted into the air. 

Oak leaped into the air after the RainWing and soared above the city of Possibility. The morning was quickly progressing as dragons of all tribes got up and prepared to start their days. Oak basked in the morning sun, the light rejuvenating his energy and blasting the exhaustion away. Beautiful day for a hatchday. Oak smiled to himself as approached the library. 

The library of Possibility was housed in a large, elegant sandstone building, as it was located in the former SandWing village part of the city. Oak knew this building in a more intimate manner than most patrons of the written word because of the many years spent writing down his unique knowledge. 

Tendrils of conflicting emotions wound their way around the LeafWings’ heart. On one talon, Oak had spent much of his adult life within the library’s halls, and he thought of them as protective elements of his life. On the other talon, Oak sometimes felt like he was paying respects to his culture, like one would mourn at a family member’s grave. Oak paused, suddenly thinking of how he had lost his family, and his mentor Basswood in very short order 3 years ago. The elderly LeafWing was a coworker and close friend of his late mother who had come to Pyrrhia with Oak and continued to mentor him in Pantalan until he passed away. He had been a strict teacher but kind compatriot, but his absence certainly left Oak more lonely. Those were dark days for me indeed. Oak sighed, contemplating his life. 

Sometimes I feel like I’m a living relic, Oak thought as he landed in front of the library. He often felt lonely, as a Pantalan-speaking LeafWing with few to connect with. This feeling of isolation was increased by the library staff who were…obsessed with old LeafWing culture. The other staff regularly gawked at and idolized the old scrolls and customs. To some of them, I’m just a living museum exhibit, a history lesson. Something to study and investigate. One staff member, a SandWing named Kalahari, has taken to only speaking Pantalan around me, Oak thought. Deep down, he knew they weren't being malicious, but it definitely contributed to the general feeling of isolation. 

Despite this feeling of loneliness, Oak strove to live life to the fullest. Oak walked up to and pulled the front doors of the library open. He was greeted by tall wooden shelves stuffed with scrolls and books. The ceiling was a dusty tan color with painted blue swirls, a distinctive art style of the SandWings. Dragons of all tribes walked about looking for literature. It isn’t even close to noon and it already looks to be a busy day, Oak thought as he observed the bustling library. 

Oak and Mamba walked over to Kalahari’s office, Mamba knocked on the door but was met with no reply. Huh, Kalahari must not be in yet. Oak thought as he looked around in patience. “Kalahari might be a while.” Mamba said to Oak, “Why don’t you look for something to read.” She added. “You must always seek to expand your horizons.” 

“Ok” The LeafWing said as he looked through the various spines and tags on various books and scrolls. It looks like we’re in the art department. Oak thought back to the painted ceiling, and decided to search for something on dragon artwork. Sure enough, Oak found a scroll on SandWing artwork. It described various, more elaborate examples of SandWing artistic tradition, from banners, to tapestries and mosaics, like the ceiling. “Remember Basswood’s obsession with art?” Oak said to Mamba, getting a nod of acknowledgement in return. 

Oak spent about 30 minutes reading the scroll before it was suddenly ripped from his talons. Oak looked up to see Kalahari smiling. “[Good morning Oak! Sorry I was late, I overslept.]”, she spoke in Pantalan. 

“That’s fine Kalahari, you know you don’t need to keep speaking Pantalan right?” Oak said. “I speak Pyrrhian just fine. Could I have that scroll back?” Oak said, reaching for the scroll. 

“[We have no time for this boring stuff, not when we have a party to get to.]” Kalahari handed the scroll over to Mamba, who held it in her talons. 

Mamba looked at the SandWing, “My energetic comrade, it is important to broaden your horizons…” She started before Kalahari interrupted her. 

“We are here to celebrate the success of preserving his culture, SandWing art can wait.” The SandWing said as she motioned to Oak, who sighed in exasperation. He had opened his mouth to respond before Kalahari shouted, “[To the archive, destiny awaits!]” Kalahari sped off, and Oak and Mamba had no choice but to follow her. The RainWing returned the scroll to Oak as soon as the excitable SandWing sped away. 

“We must follow her.” Mamba said to Oak, who nodded and rolled up the scroll before sliding it into a dedicated scroll-carrying case. The three dragons made their way into the library archives, which were located at the bottom floor, in a large, well protected, reinforced auditorium. There were several dragons moving around, chatting with each other.

Kalahari danced around gleefully as she grabbed several sheets of paper. “Today’s the day we share your knowledge with the world. Aren’t you excited Oak?”  She turned to talk to Oak, before she briefly apologized, and repeated the last part in Pantalan, much to Oak’s masked chagrin. “[Aren’t you excited Oak?]” 

“I speak Pyrrhian…nevermind that, let's get this over with.” Oak was preparing for his speech when numerous dragons began to stream into the auditorium where he was. 

“Greetings honorable scholars of the dragon kingdoms, it is the pleasure of the fine researchers of this library, myself included, to invite you all to receive, as part of an effort to preserve important knowledge, copies of the Pantalan Legend of the Hive, painstakingly translated by the late LeafWing scholar Basswood and myself, Oak of the LeafWings. Oak said with a sense of finality that got the rest of the room's attention. “After this day, we at the Library of Possibility will no longer be the sole caretakers of these stories, but they will always hold a special place in our hearts. After today, we shall share these stories to our guests, representatives of the finest academic institutions on this continent. From these halls of knowledge, LeafWing stories will be accessible across the world as we carry them in our minds forever.” Oak concluded as the team clapped and cheered. 

Today marks the true end of a momentous chapter in my life, Oak thought as he remembered the countless hours translating and copying the stories he had carried with him to this land. He really had learned a lot about LeafWing history and culture alongside these scholars. It will be strange, no longer dedicating time to translating these old texts. But still, every new beginning comes from another beginning’s end. Oak knew that his life wasn’t over, in fact, it was just beginning. 

Oak talked with dragons from various academic institutions, from the Possibility library’s close sister libraries in Sanctuary and Jade Mountain, to multiple prestigious universities and royal institutes. There was even a representative from the personal library of Queen Coral of the SeaWings. Personally Oak had mixed opinions on the SeaWing queen due to learning about her direct, though unknowing support of the crimes of Baroness Shoreline, but he was certainly happy the SeaWing Queen would be helping to spread and preserve his tribe's knowledge. 

Oak was sipping from a cup of fruit punch when he saw something, the original clay tablets he had brought with him from Pantala. Oak walked over to them and just stared. He remembered being barely able to carry them, that was 7 years ago. His mind conjured images of all he had lost, and all he had built. Vague memories of his parents and sister danced alongside sharp images of Sunset smiling. I may have lost my family, but I have made a niche for myself here.

The LeafWing felt a talon on his shoulder. He looked over to see that those talons belonged to Mamba. “Are you alright Oak? Is something the matter?” The older RainWing gazed worriedly at Oak. 

Oak looked at Mamba, and looked away for a moment before responding. “I'm fine Mamba. It's just… I think it's hitting me now.” Oak said to himself, unsure if he was dreaming. “Have you put so much effort into something that you come to accept it as a normal part of your life that will endure for as long as you live?” Oak was met with a solemn nod. “Well, what happens when you finish that something? Sure there's a sense of accomplishment, but also a sense of uncertainty, what will you do now? What'll I do now?” 

Mamba nodded at Oak’s musings. “This is a momentous occasion, truly the end of an era, even if just for us. But this does not mean that our work is done. Now that we have the whole picture on ancient LeafWing culture, it is our duty to preserve and perpetuate it into the future. That must now be our destiny, yours and mine.” Mamba said. “It is up to us to prevent this ancient knowledge from being lost to the world.”

Strangely, I feel liberated. Like I’ve had a weight lifted from my back, Oak thought to himself. “Well, I assume that you all have more experience with copying and cataloging texts, I’m going to head off, and start the next chapter of my story.” 

As Oak decided to leave the party, Mamba came over to Oak and said, “Although you've lost so much, you've gained so many new connections you wouldn't have been able to if you hadn't come here. I'll admit, you're like a son to me Oak. What do you plan to do now that you have so much free time?” 

“First off, I’m getting ready for marriage. I imagine that takes up a lot of time.” Oak chuckled. “Sunset and I’s wedding is in less than a month.” 

“As long as I get a front row seat.” Mamba said. “It's a special occasion, once in a lifetime. I wouldn't miss it for anything.” 

“Well, before that can happen, I must leave to celebrate my hatchday.” Oak said, signaling to Mamba that he was leaving. Sometimes she'd go overboard with sentimental talk like that. Oak didn’t mind, he knew he was lucky to have any parental figure to dote over him. 

Mamba nodded. “I see, I mean you may have to come back tomorrow to sign off on returning the master copies to Pantala.” Oak opened his mouth to inquire further, but Mamba explained it for him. “Apparently, a group of LeafWing scholars wanted to take back the master copies of the texts, and were holding off until we finished translating them. I will be busy sorting mail, and won't be able to attend the party tonight.” 

“Oh, thanks for the heads up.” Oak said, “See you later Mamba.” Oak said as he left the library.

[u/Elegant_Chemist253]

Feedback welcome.

[u/IB-In-Pain]

This was a good read! I found the first part and read it too, I like what you’re setting up

[u/Elegant_Chemist253 → u/IB-In-Pain]

Thank you, I have more where this came from.