Aldyan Kilwing

The Aldyan kilwing has formed a light bond during its evolution to the Kil'Nathra and the Te'Nathra. Because of this bond, they have a melted metal running through their veins, akin to magma. They have two large wings and shorter legs. At the join of these wings, its thumb is free from the membrane. It uses its thumb (which is the only finger that ends in a claw) and feet to cling to cave walls. While the kilwing is hiding, sleeping, or otherwise immobile, the magma in its body is dulled and barely visible. When it is in motion or its emotional state is high, the temperature of its body increases and the magma in its wings and body cause light to emanate around it.   The length of the kilwing from head to tail is 64 in (162 cm). The kilwings have their front limbs modified to be able to fly. Its wingspan is 20 ft (6 m). They have powerful and large muscles in their chests and shoulders to help the wings lift them in the air. Their hips and legs, however, are thin and weak as they are not often used. The wing shape is made by the finger-like bones that are elongated and joined by a membrane that extends from its legs to the tips of their fingers. This membrane, though thin, is where the magma courses through. Due to the magma, each beat of its wings generates heat so scalding, they can burn other creatures. When not fully extended, its skin gathers into wrinkled folds and the magma almost seems to bubble under the skin. Because of this, it takes a few extra beats when they unfold their wings to move the magma about and get them ready to fly.   The kilwings have another magma membrane between their legs that allows for longer gliding in flight, increasing their aerodynamics. Between the membrane is the kilwing's tail. This membrane is used when catching prey, as the kilwing will tuck the prey against its membrane. During this maneuver, the kilwing will take its victim headfirst and then press it against the magma-filled membrane, cooking it alive.   The neck of the kilwing is largely immobile and short. It has a very large pinna (external ear) that is wing shaped and pulls backwards on the head. These ears are used for highly precise and directional assessment of their areas. The backward pull of the ear allows for the kilwing to pick up on echoes within the cave and determine their location with ease. They are mobile and can be moved, flicked back and forth to pick up the sonar signals the kilwing produces.   They have a rodent-like muzzle and metallic teeth. The teeth are composed of kil'terrum, which is absolutely necessary for their survival. If the teeth were not kil'terrum, they would melt away when the kilwing performed its main defensive maneuver: lava projection. When the kilwing feels endangered, it will compress its stomach and expel the magma within it. This magma is made in the kilwing's reticulum, or second stomach. It will consume rocks it finds in the caves and, with the use of its high body temperature, will melt the rocks and store the magma in its reticulum. When expelled, the kilwing flees and hides higher up in the caves.  

Lava Projection

The act of projecting lava is a dangerous last resort for the kilwing. While the internal workings of their bodies are equipt to handle the heat of the melted metal, their exteriors are not. More often than not, when the kilwing is trying to escape the danger that caused them to expel their lava in the first place, they get a large majority of the molten substance on their own skin, which burns deep, mutilating their wings as they try to fly away, and eventually killing them in a horrible and painful way.

Pups

When the female kilwing births her pups (usually 3-4), they will cling to her fur and stay there until they grow almost as big as her chest. They will suckle for this entire time. The pups are entirely reliant on their mother, so the mother will stay hanging from the ceiling, not eating, for the 3 months it takes for the pups to grow.  

Adolescent

When the young kilwings grow too large to hold on to their mother anymore, they will fall down from her and land on the cave floors. They will unfurl their wings and flap them vigorously, causing the magma substance between their membranes to heat up and glow for the first time. The majority of their adolescent life will be spent on the cave floors hiding from the large males that have already claimed territory. Many young kilwings are devoured by their own kind before reaching adulthood.  

Adulthood

After a few months, the young kilwing will be able to take flight, its membranes have hardened and adjusted to the heat, allowing them to lift their incredible weight. When this occurs, they will either leave the cave they were born in to find a new one to mark as their own territory, or will explore the one they are in and find an unmarked or stale area. At this point, the males are sexually mature and the females are simply hiding out amongst the ceilings until they are.