Chapter 7: Moon

The dragon glided through the night sky, its vast wings slicing through the darkness with effortless grace. Inar and Lior sat comfortably on its back, watching the horizon as the creature soared toward the part of the planet untouched by the sun—the land where night reigned.

The sky was speckled with stars, shimmering like forgotten thoughts, yet the darkness around them was dense, deep. The dragon breathed steadily, its wings generating gentle currents that whispered silent stories through the air.

Lior, gazing at the infinite sky, furrowed his brow.

— "Sister…" — he called. — "Don't you think something's missing?"

Inar turned to face him. His hair glowed in silver and gold, reflecting the brilliance of the stars.

— "What do you mean, Lior?"

— "Look at the sky," — he pointed. — "We have the sun on the other side… but here, there's only the stars. They're beautiful, but… something's missing, you know? Something to accompany them. Something like the sun, but… smaller. A guardian of the night."

Inar tilted her head, thoughtful. Her eyes scanned the sky, and then she understood what her brother meant. The starry expanse was vast, but lonely.

— "Perhaps you're right," — she said.

She raised her hand, and as she did, the particles of matter that composed the cosmos began to react. From the void, tiny specks of light gathered, swirling and compacting into a pale core. The sphere slowly grew, taking the shape of a large, luminous stone. Its glow was soft, cold, and soothing.

Inar smiled.

— "I shall call it… Moon. She will reign over the night, just as the sun reigns over the day."

The moon ascended into the sky, settling into place with a serene grace. Its silver light spread across the world, bathing oceans and forests in a tranquil glow. Trees cast soft shadows, waters shimmered with pale reflections, and nocturnal flowers unfurled, curious to greet their new companion.

Lior watched his sister's creation in awe. His eyes sparkled, and his hair turned golden with excitement. There was something in his chest—a mix of pride and… a fleeting touch of envy. Not bitter envy, but that youthful desire to create something just as grand.

— "Incredible…" — he murmured. — "You always create such wondrous things, sister."

Inar turned, unaware of the momentary melancholy on her brother's face. She was too enchanted by their new creation.

The dragon continued its silent flight, but Lior kept his gaze fixed on the moon. He wanted… to complete the work. Something inside him urged him forward.

Then, without warning, he stretched out his hand.

The particles of matter responded. They trembled in the air and began to gather beside the great moon. Inar widened her eyes in surprise.

— "Lior… what are you doing?"

— "I want to help," — he replied with a mischievous grin.

The mass of matter condensed, spiraling and taking form. Lior shaped a second sphere, smaller and subtler than the first. Its glow was not as bright; its light was timid, diffused, as if it only wished to accompany the larger one.

— "She won't be as big as yours," — Lior said, slightly breathless. — "I don't want to outshine your creation… just complete it."

Inar laughed, touched by his gesture.

— "You did it, brother. Now the night has two guardians."

The two moons hovered in the sky, slowly orbiting the planet. The larger one, majestic and solemn; the smaller, a faithful and quiet companion. Together, they created a dance that bathed the night in silver and mystery.

The dragon descended gently, landing on a tall mountain where the siblings could overlook the entire expanse of the primordial world. The wind blew softly, carrying the fresh scent of newly born forests.

— "So, brother," — Inar said, sitting on a stone. — "Have you thought about what you will create to bring life?"

Lior sat beside her. His hair shifted in color—from silver to gold, then to greenish hues, until it settled into a brilliant, almost glass-like emerald tone. His gaze grew distant.

— "I want to create something… that embraces all four pillars, just like the dragon," — he murmured. — "But it cannot be the same. It must be… different."

Inar remained silent, curious to see what he would do.

Lior stood up, extended his hands, and closed his eyes.

The particles of matter began to stir. The ground trembled slightly beneath his feet. First, a curved beak formed—strong and sharp. Then, a head covered in fine feathers that rippled in the wind. The plumage cascaded down its neck, blending into a body draped in striped fur that shifted and flowed with each pulse of energy.

From the sides of the body, massive wings emerged, powerful and covered in long feathers sharp as blades. The front legs were sturdy, armed with talons that could grip the earth, while the hind legs were built for powerful leaps. Finally, the tail grew long and ended in a fin-like shape, resembling that of a whale, designed to slice through water.

The creature glowed faintly with a golden sheen, and its breath came out warm, signaling its connection to fire.

Lior opened his eyes, mesmerized by his creation.

— "I name you… Gryphon," — he declared.

The moment he spoke the name, the being opened its eyes and let out a piercing cry—the sharp call of an eagle mixed with the roar of a great feline. The sound echoed across the mountain, surged through the night sky, and struck the earth like thunder.

Inar clapped her hands, laughing.

— "Lior, you did it! He's magnificent!"

The gryphon looked at the siblings and flared its wings, testing its strength. Then, with a single, mighty leap, it took to the skies. It soared, cutting through the air with precision, diving and then rising again, playing with the wind currents.

Lior ran a hand through his hair, which returned to its golden hue.

— "I think I did a good job," — he said, proud.

— "You did, brother." — Inar leaned her head on his shoulder, gazing at the moons above. — "We've created so much in so little time. The primordial world is… alive."

The dragon let out a soft rumble beside them, and the gryphon answered with another sharp cry as it soared through the starry sky. The wind danced through the trees, the waters followed their endless cycle, and fire flickered in the depths of the earth.

And as the siblings sat upon the mountain, they knew this was only the beginning.