[Trade] Higher Duty to the Cult

The sun slowly climbed into the sky, illuminating everything around it with its rays. The archipelago slowly came to life - birds began to sing, thick bushes shook with small mammals running around, insects of all kinds rose into the air in groups, even plants seemed to turn their leaves, chilled by the night, towards the sun. The new day also had an effect on the dinosaurs - especially the Sons of The Sun. The worshippers of the sun always woke up from their sleep as soon as the first rays of their holiness appeared on the horizon.

Despite the passing of months, the herd of styracosaurus still numbered only a few individuals. Their size was not very impressive, so they had to make up for it with their image - everyone in the area knew that any disputes with the Sons were not pleasant. The leader of the group, Solstice, was a particularly recognisable figure. Covered in yellow and black speckled feathers, the male was considered the chosen one of the sun, as evidenced by the bright spots on his horn and crest, as well as his unusual, intensely yellow eyes. However, the chosen one did not rule alone - even such a powerful, sensible leader needed someone who could support him in any situation.

That someone was Hyperion. He was a truly strange creature. His rough skin was covered with hard spikes, and his scales were rusty, brown-orange in colour. In addition, the patterns on his body formed strange, winding stripes, making him look more like a primitive lizard than the rest of the herd. Even if he wasn't the second most important member of the Sons of The Sun, his unusual appearance (among other strange features, he was also suspiciously tall and massive for his species) would still command respect from both herbivores and predators alike.

This peculiar group, ruled by an even more peculiar pair, cared about their reputation - fear of them spread for many miles. It had been this way for some time, roughly since the end of the War of Thorns. It was then that their recognition grew stronger. Thanks to this, they hardly had to worry about the threat posed by other dinosaurs. Herbivores stayed out of their way, giving up even the best feeding grounds without batting an eye, just to avoid conflict with the Sons of the Sun. Carnivores behaved similarly, in a silent agreement, regardless of species, staying away from the cult of styracosaurus - only occasionally would an uninformed daredevil, usually from distant places, venture an attack. Usually something like that was their last decision.

The herd therefore only had to face two types of difficulties - those caused by nature and those that came from within their group. Fortunately, the winter that year was not too harsh, allowing enough plants to survive, so they did not have to starve. Nevertheless, the few months during which the sun was often hidden behind thick, grey clouds were a difficult experience for them – they felt like children left to their own devices, without the supervision of their guardian and role model.

This allowed them to focus almost entirely on the second type of problem. Fortunately, the Sons, united by a common creed and goals, did not have many reasons to argue. Most of the time, they lived in harmony, trusting their leaders completely without hesitation. However, there was something else that threatened the cult's survival - its small size. The group had gained an unfavourable reputation quite early on (most dinosaurs probably considered them a sect), so it was not easy to recruit new members. This state of affairs worried the leaders.

Both Solstice and Hyperion were painfully aware that their cult would not survive without new followers. They needed fresh blood, new energy that could cultivate the religion of the sun. They had to achieve this somehow, if not by recruiting new members, then in some other way.

They knew perfectly well what that way could be – a clutch. It would not be the first joint brood in their history. They had been close for a long time, they could even be considered partners, but if it weren't for their duties to the cult, they would not have thought about starting a family together. However, their responsible role required such sacrifice.

The previous litter had been a disappointment to everyone. Despite efforts to ensure the survival of all the new lives, only a pair of young hatchlings hatched from the eggs. One of them, exceptionally small and rickety, was a stain on the honour of the powerful males devoted to their followers. This weak link was a threat to the Sons of The Sun, so the young male was abandoned in the name of caring for the herd. His sister, the much more sturdy Radiance, became a full member of the group, but one new member was not enough.

The hearts of all sun worshippers, well aware of this disappointment, were filled with fear. It was a sensitive subject – how could two such great leaders suffer such a shameful defeat? Until now, the lower-ranking members had not questioned their leaders, but what would happen if the next clutch turned out to be as pathetic as the previous one? No one had the courage to say these words out loud, but a seed of uncertainty had been sown among the herd.

That is why it was such a big event. The courtship of two males, although under normal circumstances it could have been completely overlooked (after all, they were already partners), was to be elevated to the rank of a religious ritual and conducted in accordance with all the rules prevailing among the followers of the sun.

An exceptionally sunny Sunday was chosen as the most appropriate day. Although it was still winter in theory, the day was exceptionally hot, and the rays of the sun hanging high in the sky were literally biting the backs of the creatures living on the earth. The whole group gathered in the heart of the endless, flat steppe, exposed to the merciless forces of nature. They were completely exposed, surrounded only by emptiness and their magnificent sun. The Sons of The Sun formed a wide, even circle, enclosing two males in the centre.

Hyperion and Solstice stood facing each other, a good few metres apart. They stared intently into each other's eyes, swaying their bowed heads and digging into the dry ground like bulls preparing to charge. Their movements were almost synchronised, as if rehearsed over months of practice - but in fact they came completely naturally to them.

Both styracosaurus moved in a circle, maintaining a constant distance between them. The other dinosaurs around them watched this dance intently, emitting a deep, low, unified sound from their throats - a drawn-out growl intended to encourage their leaders and at the same time ask the almighty sun for a successful brood.

After a few minutes of these slow, almost mechanical movements, the males suddenly lunged at each other, clashing in the middle of the circle under the scorching, relentless sun. A deafening roar echoed across the steppe as their horns met. Hyperion and Solstice, joined in this blessed embrace, pushed each other around with determination, like fighting stags. Suffocating dust rose from the ground beneath their feet, but they did not break eye contact - they were so focused on each other that they did not even notice the growing chorus around them.

Their struggle lasted a long time, continuously radiating great respect for their duties to the cult. Finally, despite all their determination, they both collapsed, slumping onto the dry, cracked ground. Only then were their horns separated from their deadly embrace. The members of the group rushed to their rescue, shielding their leaders from the scorching rays of the sun. The pair breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to enjoy some shade and rest. They had done well, not only in the eyes of each other and their companions, but also in the eyes of their astronomical god - they had fought until they fell, crushed by its boundless power. May this sacrifice be appreciated and rewarded with an impressive brood that will allow the cult to continue.