Deep within the soaring Emberglow Peaks lived Cinder, a young dragon with scales the radiant color of sunsets.

Unlike his fiery kin who loved soaring under the celestial moon, Cinder much preferred the warm, bright glow of their volcanic cave.

Cinder: ““The shadows outside look dreadfully long tonight, Ignis,” Cinder murmured, peeking nervously from the cave mouth.”

Ignis, his older sister, snorted a confident puff of warm smoke, her crimson scales shimmering with impatience.

Ignis: ““Dreadfully? Don't be a little hatchling, Cinder! The night holds magnificent wonders, not just shadows!””

Cinder: ““But it's so dark! What if a grumpy rock suddenly tumbles, or a shadowy creature sneaks up behind me?””

Ignis: ““Silly Cinder, grumpy rocks stay perfectly put! And shadow-creatures are just your wonderful imagination playing tricks!””

Cinder: ““I still feel undeniably uneasy, even with all your brave and reassuring words!””

One evening, Mother Dragon gave Cinder an exceedingly important task: retrieve the glowing Moon-Moss.

Cinder: ““Moon-Moss? From the notoriously dark Whispering Gully?” he squeaked, recalling Mother Dragon's instructions with genuine dread.”

Ignis: ““Yes, Cinder,” Ignis confirmed gently, “And you must go alone. It's vital for our cave's cheerful luminescence.””

Cinder: ““My heart is thumping like a drum! Alone? In the utter darkness of that spooky place? I simply can't do it!””

Ignis: ““You can, little brother. Remember, the Moon-Moss only blooms and glows brightest there after dark.””

Cinder: ““But... the Gully is famous for its… eerie whispers and strange echoes! What if they're not just the wind?””

Ignis: ““They are absolutely just the wind, Cinder. Find your remarkable courage and make our home wonderfully bright.””

Cinder took a deep, shaky breath, knowing in his heart he had to bravely try.

Taking another deep, shaky breath, Cinder finally stepped from the bright cave into the velvety, starlit night.

Cinder: ““My wings feel utterly wobbly! How did Ignis say to fly again? Left wing up, right wing down?””

Cinder: ““Every rustle sounds like a giant snoring beast, just waiting to pounce on a small dragon!””

Cinder: ““Hello? Is anyone... friendly... out there? It's just me, Cinder, flying very carefully!””

He huddled closer to a jagged rock face, his internal fire barely a tiny, flickering spark.

The entrance to the Whispering Gully was a gaping, shadowy maw in the dark mountainside, truly intimidating.

Cinder: ““It looks exactly like a giant's open, hungry mouth,” he whimpered. “I can barely spark a flame, I'm so scared!””

Suddenly, a small, luminous orb zipped teasingly past his nose, making him jump.

Cinder: ““What was that? A glowing bug? Another new and mysterious scary thing I don't know about?””

Ignis: ““Having fun, little brother, conversing with rocks and glowing insects in the dark?” Ignis's voice echoed, making him leap.”

Cinder nearly vaulted out of his scales, letting out a surprised, tiny puff of smoke from his nostrils.

Cinder: ““Ignis! You... you followed me! I truly thought I was completely alone in this big, scary night!””

Ignis: ““Of course I did! I just knew you'd need a little... sisterly 'guidance' through the daunting gloom.””

Ignis: ““Here, take this. It's a special glowing ember from Mother, to truly light your brave way.””

Ignis: ““Hold this ember tight. It makes the deepest darkness feel much less... overwhelming. Go on, try it now.””

With the ember’s warm, steady glow in his claw, Cinder felt a tiny, hopeful spark of courage ignite within him.

Together, the two dragons ventured bravely into the Whispering Gully, the ember painting their path with a soft, guiding light.

Ignis: ““Hear that, Cinder? Those 'eerie whispers' are indeed just the wind dancing through the cavernous space.””

Cinder: ““Oh! There it is!” Cinder exclaimed, holding the ember high. “Patches of shimmering blue-green moss, so beautiful!””

Cinder: ““Look, Ignis! The Moon-Moss! And it's truly magnificent, not scary at all, especially with the ember!””

Cinder: ““I'm actually doing it! I'm collecting it in the dark, and I'm not even scared anymore!””

Ignis: ““See? I told you the night holds wonders, Cinder. You just needed to see them differently, little brother.””

Back in their cozy cave, the gathered Moon-Moss filled their home with a gentle, sleepy luminescence, chasing away all shadows.

Cinder snuggled deeply into his soft bed of warm volcanic ash, the soft, comforting light filling his heart.

He closed his eyes, no longer afraid of the dark, dreaming of glowing wonders and brave, happy night flights.