During Lynerius' many deployments, Hayze was looked after by caretakers of Lynerius' selection. The year Hayze turned 6, he was enrolled in the Temple for schooling, a decidedly controversial decision, but one permitted by the Council and the Temple Headmaster. As if to lessen outrage, Hayze was placed in a 'low-born' Flight, to a Flight Master of Lynerius' choosing, Master Therris, whose kind outlook on dragons and disbelief in inherent nature made her a safe choice for Hayze. [Page 2, 9, 137]

Of course, problems were bound to arise. While other hatchlings were being tutored to discover their elements, Hayze was left out; his elemental discovery undesirable, dangerous, even. Still, in an uncommon display, he discovered his Element with no aid, and began practicing it in secret; something he found joy in. He would play with it while alone, even sneaking away after schooling hours ended, sneaking in some practice before being picked up by whomever his caretaker sent to do so. [Page 12]

Inevitably, he was discovered, by his oddly Clan-blooded Flightmate, Vitreus of Clan Frostspear. The incident turned bloody, with both boys injured, and Hayze taken home by Lynerius himself. Though with no joy, and clear remorse, Lynerius harshly whipped Hayze for his transgressions—a common corporal punishment, particularly in Clans such as Stormbringer, but a harsh one nonetheless. The Commander could not afford to be gentler, for Frostspear—notably, Vitreus' father, Commander Frossar—arrived shortly to demand Hayze's arrest. Lynerius defused the situation, lying outright, to spare Hayze further trauma. [Page 13-24]

Hayze had no such incidents in the next ten years of his life. Despite his very young age he grew wiser... but he did not shut away his element. With the unique abilities of Shadow, he could access places no one else could, and train in peace. [Page 26, 27]

And at age sixteen, he had become quite powerful; not only to defend himself should the need arise, but to one day return to his place of origin. [Page 52, 108]

In the midst of 3016, Hayze's Flight was selected to train with the purple dragon of prophecy, Malefor. Though normally not allowed to train, Hayze was given an exception by Elder Guardian Amberius, who pressed Hayze into participating. Though Malefor had beaten all his Flightmates, Hayze stood his ground, but was steadily losing. Misinterpreting the supportive chants of his Flightmates—who wanted at least one of theirs to beat the purple dragon—Hayze fell into a panic, born of the very real fear of being murdered for what he is. This caused a temporary surge of power, in which Hayze used to knock Malefor, and himself, out of the Dojo ring. Satisfied despite a scare of Malefor's injuries, Malefor and his Elder Guardian departed. [Page 35-51].

Commander Lynerius, who had just returned from a victorious, yet bloody, battle, was enraged by this. Not by Hayze's actions, but the apparent fact that the Council had used Hayze to give the purple dragon practice facing dark dragons in battle, and in doing so, put Hayze's safety at risk. Still, he was forced to leave this for later, required to attend a 'celebration' of Warfang's major victory, and left Hayze again. [Page 62-65].

Hayze said his goodbyes, as he felt it was time to enact his plans, and escape Warfang. Leaving a letter for his caretaker, Hayze began his escape... yet on his way to the City walls, in the midst of a clearing, he ran into Malefor of all dragons. The dragon of prophecy revealed quickly that he'd come searching for Hayze, wanting to spar again. Hayze, however, realized grimly that Malefor's own escape would have the entire Warfang Guard searching for him. [Page 69, 76, 78, 79]

He was correct, as the Guard; led by Commander Frossar, arrived and attacked Hayze; deeming this scene as proof of Hayze trying to mislead Malefor to the Dark Lands. Hayze was arrested, and the two of them brought immediately to face the Warfang Council; among them, the Elder Guardians and the heads of Stormbringer and Frostspear. [Page 80-83, 87-88]

Lynerius himself arrived quickly, bringing lightning with him. A trial began, Hayze's elemental abilities and escape attempt wielded as proof of illegal training and defection. Sending him to Sanctuary was a weighted option, but Frostspear, intending to drive Lynerius to disgrace his Clan, insisted Hayze be put to death. Lynerius' rage was further stoked by Frossar injuring and committing to end Hayze himself, despite no such call being made by the Council. The Elder Guardians intervened, saving Hayze just as Malefor himself exploded with rage and elemental Fire, burning Frossar and stunning every present dragon with his unexpected elemental discovery. [Page 89-103]

The Elder Guardians then offered the only compromise; Hayze would become their ward, such as Malefor, and no longer be that of Stormbringer's, or Lynerius'. Though Lynerius resisted, he ultimately knew this was now the only way Hayze could remain safe. [Page 104-106]

Immediately, Hayze was transferred to the Ancestor Temple, where he was put in the care of a peculiar servant, Jordhin, who turned out to be indentured due to their crime of attempting Corruption; the process in which dragons turn themselves into dark dragons. This conflicted Hayze, as he could not understand why someone would choose his life. [Page 115-123]

Hayze spent the next few months at Malefor's side, continuing his schooling with the purple dragon, and even being permitted to train his Shadow so that he may one day be able to defend himself and Malefor, should the need arise. The two teens grow a little closer. [Page 164 - 169, 190, 192, 196]

But then, after an uncomfortable encounter with the Golden Flare heir, Commander Solsticus, who tyrannized Jordhin, Hayze and Malefor fall into an argument over their differing perceptions of Warfang's dragons being good, Farsanct's dark dragons being evil, and Malefor's idea that Hayze is not part of the latter, whom it is his destiny to destroy. [Page 204-208, 209-212]

Only shortly after, Hayze is reunited with Lynerius after their three months apart. Though their reunion begins happily, if awkward, it devolves into an argument due to Lynerius' distrust in others, and their conversation turns to Lynerius' reasons for adopting Hayze. Lynerius refuses to give any answers to this, and snaps when pressed. Hayze, in turn, becomes deeply upset, and runs away. [Page 218 - 230]

[To be continued]

Commander Lynerius

The only father Hayze has ever known. Even if the man insists not to be called such, it is abundantly clear that Lynerius cares for Hayze like nothing else. For Hayze, he has sacrificed his reputation, and after Hayze's trial, his freedom. It is unknown, even to Hayze, why Lynerius has gone so far to protect him, and even tried to make a life for him in Warfang City by sending him to the Temple school. Lynerius' refusal to share the true reason or cause for him to adopt Hayze has caused a rift between them.

Despite having gone to such lengths, Lynerius has always been emotionally unavailable—to everyone, including Hayze.

Hayze, for his part, cares deeply for Lynerius, his father.

Vitreus

Vitreus, ever since laying his eyes on Hayze, has considered himself Hayze's warden. This self imposed duty is inspired by his family's unique duty, guarding the dark dragons in Sanctuary; the northern ice fortress where Warfang has sent its prisoners of war. This was heavily encouraged by his father, Frossar.

Vitreus' life has revolved around Hayze, this duty even permanently marked on his face by his father's insistence, so that Hayze's attack will scar Vitreus for life.

Though only to his father, Vitreus's devotion to this cause weakened for a time, as he never caught Hayze doing something illicit again. Though, desperate for his father's love and approval, he steeled his resolve, and began antagonizing Hayze for a reaction—something that never really worked.

When turned away by his birth mother, Hayze offered Vitreus sympathy, which Vitreus did not know what to do with, and responded to in anger and flying away.

Hayze's trial shocked Vitreus, and the suddenly real possibility of Hayze being sent away or executed brought him pause. His help was reluctant, but he wanted to please his father. He was horrified to see his grandmother insist on Hayze's execution, not genuinely believing that Hayze's transgressions warranted death.

Hayze, however, was too preoccupied to notice Vitreus' struggle. Growing up by him, Hayze had learned that Vitreus was not a genuine threat. Hayze did not take him seriously, teasing him on many occasions. They were not friends, but Hayze did not consider him an enemy; evident in his attempt at comfort when Vitreus was upset by his mother.

It is yet unknown how Hayze feels about Vitreus after the trial.

Malefor

The two boys are opposites in many ways, from their personalities and to the way their society looks upon them. While initially overwhelmed, Hayze has gotten used to Malefor and his... eccentricities. His bluntness, and general lack of social skills, normally does not trouble Hayze.

However, Malefor's common view of dark dragons has come to light, and despite Hayze's friendship, he believes in his destiny to destroy the dark dragons of the east, lest they destroy Warfang first. He chooses to believe Hayze is different, and not truly a dark dragon due to being raised in Warfang. Hayze resents this, insisting that he is a dark dragon, and that Malefor cannot just contrive a reason as to why his destiny does not affect Hayze.

The Elder Guardians

Hayze has no close relationship to these powerful elder dragons, but he has formed different levels of comforts towards them. He has developed the most trust in Amberius, who bowed in apology for his part in making Hayze face Malefor—in the spar that was leveraged against Hayze in his trial—and helped him hone his Shadow element.

Hayze has also warmed to Arcadier, who offered knowledge of Hayze's origins and past, if only to lighten his spirits.

Hayze has not truly spoken to Nivalis, and has the sense that his presence has had a negative impact on the Elder Ice Guardian, who suffers horrible night terrors.

Terrenus is the Elder Guardian that Hayze keeps a healthy distance from. Though there is no indication of the elder posing a danger to him, Hayze is aware that the Elder Earth Guardian fought in the dark war, and suffered losses to Hayze's kin. Terrenus accepts Hayze's presence, but does perhaps not agree with it.

Jordhin

It was no surprise that Hayze felt quickly comfortable with the half-Corrupted; Jordhin was the closest thing to another of his kind that Hayze had met. As such, Jordhin was in much the same situation that Hayze was; bound to the Ancestor Temple. Though deadpan, Jordhin was helpful and forthcoming, and soon looked after Hayze beyond their own duty. Hayze views them like a guardian, or mentor.

The Grand Masters

Hayze has had little interaction with the Magical Grand Master Eurune, but finds that she treats him about the same way she treats everyone else; with an air of superiority. She does, however, appear have an interest in his Element.

For his part, Grand Master Healer Feurin dislikes Hayze; at least his presence in the Ancestor Temple. However, not even Lynerius believes Feurin to be a danger to Hayze, due to his devotion to his duty as Healer.

Therris

Therris is, on all accounts, Hayze's first mother figure. Though her care and comforts were genuine, they were also professional in nature, extending to all her Flight and not Hayze exclusively. Hayze cared greatly for her and found comfort in her when he needed it. Even no longer her student, he knows he can write to her, and that she will write back.

Auralis

Hayze's relationship to Auralis is somewhat different. Though he was twelve when they first met, they met in the context of Auralis being a potential wife for Lynerius, which led Hayze to see her as a potential mother. This was a position she was truly willing to fill, lovingly treating Hayze as the child he was, and as someone who might be her son one day.

Still, there was a gap in their relationship they could not cross, in part due to the unlikelihood of Lynerius agreeing, by his own will, to marrying Auralis. Then, there was the disapproval around Auralis, from her father and the Royal Guards at her side, preventing them from growing closer; if only because it made Hayze reserved.

They did not get to see each other a great many times, but often sent each other letters.

Hayze would have loved being a big brother to her children.

Terin

Terin was the only one in Therris' Flight that made an effort to interact with Hayze, in the beginning, despite clearly being afraid of him. After Hayze wounded Vitreus in front of her eyes however, she became too frightened to continue reaching out to him. In large part, she couldn't help but fear him for what he was, but she also, paradoxically, recognized that he was kind.

Kindlo

Hayze met Kindlo when they were six, Kindlo being in a parallel flight to Hayze's, and thus at times they would spent time in each other's vicinity. Kindlo was almost entirely oblivious to what Hayze was, simply finding his coloring intriguing, nicknaming Hayze 'Soot'. Kindlo's deeply kind nature prevented him from making any judgments or assumptions about Hayze, seeing him for who he was. They became friends.

As they grew older, Hayze drifted away. Kindlo had dreams of Guardianhood, and Hayze knew their association already reflected poorly on his friend. So, he thought it better that they no longer be friends.

Hydris and Rayne

Hayze learned to tell Hydris and Rayne apart within their few first days at the Temple. He noticed that Rayne was quieter, and Hydris often loud. The former was also wary of him, but the latter somewhat curious.

The twins maintained some skepticism towards Hayze, if only because they never had any personal relationships with him, but they never feared to let their guard down around him, nor did they fear him or hesitate to speak to him.

Incendis and Kindra

Though their initial relationship as children was rocky, with the Fire siblings supporting Vitreus' attack on Hayze, it eventually evolved into one largely indifferent. Incendis did not like Hayze, but also no longer cared, unlike Vitreus. Kindra readily gave Hayze the stink-eye, but Hayze did not find her much kinder to others.