One way or another, war will likely come to Alvard.

One day, Vynn knows he'll be forced to seize the throne to keep that from happening. To keep his adoptive father from plunging their nation into endless conflict with Adrea. To keep countless lives, human and dragon alike, from falling victim to one another's cannons and claws. One day, he'll have to put his own life on the line to turn Alvard’s fate from blood and ruin to beauty, peace, and harmony.

At times, he’s not convinced he’s up to the task. He’s not even convinced that Adrea is receptive to the idea of peace with the dragons. He’d worked tirelessly to mend relations with the noble humans that *would* meet with him, but a part of him doubted that any real progress had been made, doubted that he managed to gain any real influence. When the ceasefire was inevitably broken, who was to say they wouldn’t eagerly take up arms against him?

Were his missions all for nothing? Was it all a waste of time trying to change Alvard’s fate?

Then he realized, it wasn’t just his mission alone.

His crimson eyes drifted to the pearl-white dragoness sitting beside him. On the navy blue ribbon around her neck hung a pair of silver wings on either side of a deep orange gemstone. Similar to his own, save for his medallion possessing a brilliant blue gem.

Medals given to them by the Adrean emperor himself. Gifts both signifying their status as official envoys to the empire and symbols giving hope for a united Alvard, a continent shared in harmony by humans and dragons alike.

It wasn’t just his mission. It was hers.

This dragoness, his sister, her presence meant everything to him. She was more than just a participant in the mission. With her by his side, he felt anything was possible.

Seizing the throne, ending the conflict, saving Alvard…

It was a future he believed in. A future countless humans and dragons believed in. But most of all, it was a future his dear sister yearned for stronger than anyone.

For her, he could do it.

With her, he would succeed.

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A few months ago, I decided to canonize the idea that Vynn and Arlene are brother and sister in their primary setting. Perhaps they're not blood related in the slightest, and the latter isn't even royalty whereas the former is, but having been raised and taught together, the two chose to see one another as siblings. This is the first art piece I have commissioned truly depicting their relationship, and I'm so very pleased with how it turned out!

Art by  Ashurrr~ who did fantastic work as always!