by LJ Davies
Meanwhile, the monster did nothing but sit baring its teeth in a jaw lined with the gruesome sheen of crimson saliva. As if to make a point, the creature turned its head to the side, revealing a more frightful vision. All that remained of one of its eyes was a mangled, blood-stained socket.
Rage boiled inside me. This wasn't just any monster and even with my injured leg, I was ready to lash out.
It's thinking, assessing, it knows what will make me break. With that in mind I contained my fury. It's a game, it wants me to attack.
"Blaze!" I turned, expecting to see Risha, yet her focus was completely on her brother.
Ember moved up next to me, her wary eyes cast out to the trees. "I really hope you can pull off another move like you did back in training, because we're gonna need it."
It took a moment for me to realise she was the one addressing me. Her voice was stern, like Pyro's, as she assessed the situation with military precision. It was only when I looked to where her eyes scoured the trees that I realised our peril.
Emerging from the gloom were more of the wolf-beasts, prowling like shadowy ghosts. All holding their position at the edge of the tree line. I stood motionless, looking back to the wyvern on its rocky perch, sitting like an executioner ready to give the final order.
One of our group down and another focused on keeping him alive, we were outnumbered by the lethal killing machines – I counted at least twelve. They maintained their position, seconds dripping by like the slow patter from the tip of a melting icicle.
What are they waiting for? They have us outnumbered, why hesitate?
One last wolf-beast prowled out to stand on the rock beside the wyvern. It was larger and more powerful than the others.
Know your enemy. I thought, as Tarwin had taught me.
Three distinct scars flanked its side and around its neck hung a metal collar. It's the beast from the forest, must be the pack leader?
Raising its head in the air, the alpha released a deafening howl, its subordinates simultaneously mimicking. The sound thundered in my ears, penetrating the forest and the mountains beyond, bouncing from every surface as if none wished to hold on to it.
"By all the fires, there's nothing they teach at the academy that prepares you for that," Ember muttered, shaking her head.
Meanwhile, the monsters returned their sinister stares to our small huddle, and the lesser beasts started a slow, menacing advance.
The pain in my leg grew with every movement, shoving it to the back of my mind I backed up to Risha, forcing myself between her, Boltock, and as many of the beasts as I could. Meanwhile, the lead-beast leapt from the rock to join the mob, while the wyvern remained still, like a reaper overseeing the slaughter with diabolical pleasure.
This is it, there's nothing more I can do.
The greatest blow came from knowing that I'd led my friends to this, and that blow did more than rip through flesh or shatter bones – it devastated my soul.
That all changed when, like thunder, an explosion of flapping wings followed by an eagle-like screech penetrated the air. I glanced up to see what appeared to be a dark bolt of lightning fly overhead. Whatever the projectile was smashed into the wyvern's head, and all attention turned towards the flailing monster frantically shaking off its surprise attacker. The mysterious assailant was a new creature, its identity unfathomable, more so because all I could see were the wyvern's frantic movements.
Several of the wolf-beasts broke ranks, charging back to aid their winged master, creating holes in their formation. Exploiting the weak points, more of the mysterious attackers began to plummet from the sky, and with their attack in disarray, the wolf-beasts broke into a charge. One sprang from the pack toward me, I ducked and its momentum took it over my head. I turned to see it crash into the snow, sprawled out on the ground it was immediately enveloped by flames as Ember clawed at its head with her fiery talons.
To my left, another beast broke rank and I ducked again. Yet this one was far enough away to counter my defensive manoeuvring. I cowered, half-closing my eyes, when the charging beast was struck down by an equally large creature. My mysterious saviour collided with the monster's flank, pressing its furry bulk into the snow with a pair of fearsome talons. The wolf-beast snapped angrily, flailing and kicking; however, the new creature was more than powerful enough to keep it immobilised.
Scanning the conflict, I tried to identify our elusive saviours. My efforts were squashed as a scream sounded out from the maelstrom. I glanced over to see Risha standing defensively over her brother's injured body, furiously fending off another wolf-beast. Without a second thought, I rushed over as fast as my injury would allow, my nauseous pain doubling as the force of a wolf-beast barging past knocked me to the ground.
With my face pressed to the snow, I gave several spluttered coughs as I stumbled to my quivering paws. Through my growing daze I could see Risha standing fearlessly against a beast poised to strike, razor-sharp fangs ready to bear down against her. She didn’t fight back, at least not in the way I would have done; she retaliated without the use of claws or teeth, standing motionless with her mind completely focussed.
In the blink of an eye the air next to her began to warp and spin as tiny droplets of water materialised into a swirling shaft of liquid. As it collected, the water solidified to become a steaming spear of razor-sharp ice.
Her attention remained unbroken as the spear mercilessly obeyed her mental command, thrusting up through the underside of the beast’s jaw, effortlessly piercing its skull and bursting out through the back of its head. I skidded to a halt as she withdrew the blade from the first beast and swung it round to slash the legs of another with a simple flick of her head. She fought with the grace and majesty of legend, like a true dragon.
What do I have? Pathetic teeth, claws and a leg that's about ready to fall off. Glancing back at the bloody limb, I staggered in the mud. How can I keep denying that I'm not like them? If I am, then I must have something, like the Elders told me I should?
At that moment, I was ready to fall into the muddy squalor, to leave this nightmare. At least until I looked back and saw another wolf-beast prowling up behind Risha.
There wasn't a moment of hesitation, through all the stomach-churning pain, I launched myself into its flank, taking it by surprise and instantly digging my claws into its mangy hide. It gave a stunned yelp as I clawed my way to the top of its head and sank my claws into the thin coat of taught flesh stretched over its skull. Blood seeped through the open wounds, pouring in streams across its face.
"Try tasting your own blood!" I shouted, as my fury reached boiling point. "See how you like it!"
Taking in another deep breath I gritted my teeth and held on while the beast yelped and violently shook its head, before breaking into a blind charge towards Risha.
No! My mind screamed, as I thrust my claws in harder, dragging them through the creature's hide in a futile effort to steer it away.
The pain in my flank reached a searing crescendo as reason, control and even consciousness seemed to burn away. Steam began to hiss from my claws, but it was as though the moment was as far away from me as the stars.
The boiling grew hotter, the smell of burning flesh crept into my nostrils and I swore I felt the beast's burning skull begin to crack. My talons turned into blazing spears as fury pulsated around my body like a primal fire. Instinct drove me to rear my head, coil my neck and open my mouth. My lungs burned like hot coals, the beating of my heart fuelling the fire like a forge's bellows, flames building until a burning energy surged from deep inside and filled my throat.
I took in one more breath before exhaling a blast of blinding-white energy, instantly vaporizing the beast’s skull. My scales felt like they were on fire, a feeling of all-consuming power scorching away any pain as what remained of the destroyed animal swayed beneath me.
Finally, the headless body slumped, throwing me off. As soon as I hit the ground the unbelievable power abandoned me, leaving me exhausted an
d gasping like a beached salmon.
What did I just do? I can't have... Even if I did, no fire is that powerful!
I tried to raise myself to my paws, staggering backward before they gave out under me.
What did I do? I inwardly repeated as I looked at the steam rising from my bloody foreclaws.
It was my enemy! I destroyed it because it was going to destroy me! I dared not even lift my forepaw to my own face. Such power and... And... I just killed it without so much as a thought!
No! Stop it! It was that thing or you. You did it to keep your friend safe!
Relief flooded in to extinguish my concern when I turned to see Risha standing over her brother's body, Ember by her side. Beyond, a hoard of frightened eyes stared at me, until a loud howl echoed over the silent battlefield and as one the beasts turned and scampered back into the forest.
They're running? From what? I slumped to the charred mud. From me?
Dead bodies littered the clearing, some smoking and singed, others pierced and oozing blood. I'd heard Tarwin’s father say the sight of battle could drive a person to madness, and now I believed it.
Dragging my head up I turned away from the massacre, slowly rising to my paws, and my injured leg's torment gradually returned.
Finally, my eyes fell upon one final monster, perched on its rock, its head shredded, clawed, and leaking oily black blood. The wyvern was different, it was far more intelligent than the wingless beasts, no fear lay within its glaring eye. Fixing me with an envious glare it released a ferocious roar before its huge, leathery wings spread wide and with one powerful flap it lifted into the air. The departure left only one thought: this retreat isn’t going to last.
"Are you okay?" I asked, mustering enough energy to speak as I approached the others.
Risha tended to her brother religiously, Ember observing with concern. The fiery-orange dragoness was the one to assure me that both she and Risha were fine; the same could not be said for Boltock.
The sight of his injuries resurrected the guilt-ridden twist in my gut. He was still breathing but was also out cold.
That may be a mercy for now. I concluded.
His wing was shredded, the middle membrane torn to ribbons and the fragile bones seemingly shattered. I crouched down beside Risha as she directed her magic into holding a watery bandage to his wounds. Before I could speak, however, a shadow loomed over us and I glanced up to find myself staring into a pair of piercing, avian eyes.
Chapter 9
Storm Peak
It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, standing twice my height with the lean bulk to match. At first glance it looked like a giant eagle, with yellow, bird-like eyes peering around a powerful beak. A layer of thick brown feathers covered its body, while two wolf-like ears and a crown of white plumage marked its head. A pair of scaly-black feet, each with three forward and one backward-facing toe, supported its body.
My first view of the creature was confusing enough, and as I looked further, I became even more baffled. The coat of feathers, in fact; its entire bird-like appearance, stopped halfway along its body, beneath two large wings. A hide of golden fur covered the rear half, stretching all the way down to a pair of feline hind legs. Finally, a long tail extended from its rear, tipped by a small tuft of black fur. It was a weird concoction of a bird and, well, something else. The strange smells I'd noticed before the first attack now made sense.
Despite their sudden intervention and seemingly peaceful attitude, my first instinct was not to trust them.
"Are you okay?" the clearly male creature questioned, his stern, authoritative voice immediately confirming we could understand one another.
I was surprised he spoke at all. The shock of being able to communicate with my own kind was significant enough, but now I didn't even know what I was about to talk to.
They just saved us, but I don't know why – their reasons may not be in our best interests? But if they're out to hurt us surely they'd have already tried by now?
As much as I disliked having only one option, I was going to have to take a chance.
"Yes, mostly," I replied, hiding my injured leg.
I can't let them see I'm injured. If they're not scared like the wolf-beast, they may think I'm weak and easy prey.
Unfortunately, my efforts were in vain, there was no hiding from the stranger's sharp eyes. He turned his head, peering around my side like a curious seagull before giving an odd huff.
A moment later I watched as he marched through the snow towards another of his kind. This one looked slightly different. He was taller, with more bulk. His front feathers were grey and most of his thick chest plumage was covered by a large metal plate combined with two clawed gauntlets around his front talons. An open-face helmet covered his head, exposing his eyes, beak, and ears.
Their armour is like some of the dragon guards I saw back at the temple. I surmised, silently judging my new comrade while constantly searching for any reason to suggest they weren’t on our side.
One obvious observation was that the armoured creature had authority over the others, leading me to assume that they must be soldiers. The thought of more creatures behaving in a militaristic way was strange. Despite seeing similar behaviour depicted in the temple murals, witnessing it for real only served to increase my concern that this world was far larger and stranger than I'd imagined.
For a moment I recalled imagining myself living the life which I'd always dreamt of, with my own kind. Only now I didn't even recognise the picture. This vast world was so full of fantastic things, their influence forcing me to change and in that moment of rage, I'd felt like I could destroy everything.
I recalled what the Elders told me: ‘not once has a dragon like you been recorded’.
I could no longer deny that I was unique because of more than just my scales. Even so, in my rapidly expanding world, I continued to feel out of place.
Is the whole world out to fear me? I wondered, the image of the wary wolf-beasts firmly in mind.
I tried to reassure myself I had friends and a whole city of dragons that didn’t fear me, and from what I could tell neither did the creatures who'd just saved us.
That's right, they're my friends. No matter what happens. I glanced over to the others. Let's make sure I can keep them.
Ember and Risha were still beside me, while Boltock lay motionless on the ground. He appeared to be having difficulty breathing and a coat of deep crimson ran from his mauled wing. The wound was barely visible through a distorted layer of water which Risha had suspended against him, just as she had done for me. Her concentration was unbreakable, her eyes locked tight, blocking out every other aspect of the world.
Another shadow fell over us and I turned to find myself staring at another of the mysterious creatures. This one had a distinctive, almost regal appearance, far sleeker than their fellows.
She must be female? I observed, noting her slightly smaller stature and less flamboyant plumage.
White feathers covered her body and she appeared to have some sort of satchel strapped to her back. Without a word she knelt in front of Boltock, scanning his limp body with a pair of sky-blue eyes.
"We're going to have to get this one back to Storm Peak," she announced, glancing over at what I'd assumed was the lead creature.
He nodded and quickly marched to advise his troops, while the female at Boltock’s side looked at Risha.
"You're doing a great job there," she commented in a voice as smooth as a gentle summer breeze. "But if we don't get the help he needs, he may not make it," she added.
Risha remained focused on her brother while Ember glanced up, pausing for a moment before gingerly placing her wing over Risha’s back.
"Risha?" she whispered close to her friend's ear, "I know you promised him, but you don't have to do this on your own."
Risha slowly opened her eyes, relinquishing her intense focus, allowing the blood-stained water to pour away into the grass. Her eyes fluttered, freeing the las
t of her tears as she glanced at the mysterious creature.
It's as if she knows what they are. I thought.
The look she gave said as much and was enough to alter my initial impression; however, Ember maintained a more accepting demeanour.
"You better know what you're doing, featherwing," the fiery dragoness demanded.
The white creature gave a nod of reassurance; however, her kind actions were still challenged.
"By the creators, if anything happens to him!" Risha snapped as she took a step back.
"He’ll be safe," the featherwing assured. "You have my word."
Even so, Risha turned away with a huff, almost walking into me. I dreaded her reaction, but to my surprise her aggression subsided, to be replaced with a strangely passive attitude as she glanced my way.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there." Her words broke into weak fragments as she sniffed.
I attempted to hide my injury, she didn't need anyone else to worry about; and I didn’t deserve her concern. Meanwhile she gave a weak snort before walking by and leaving me to stare into space.
"She'll be okay," Ember whispered, walking up beside me. "She's always been very protective of him."
"I know, she's got every reason to be," I replied.
Ember appeared confused for a moment, before nodding in understanding. The sound of more voices caught my attention, and I tried to correct my slouched form to match Ember's formal pose at the sight of the group leader peering down at me.
"So, you're the one?" he asked, blatantly glancing over at the fallen beast with the disintegrated head.
What does he mean ‘the one’? In my mind's turmoil I managed to form the connection between the words of the Elders and the lead-creature.
"What do you mean?" I asked curiously, doing my best not to look pathetic.
He opened his beak to speak when a sound bellowed from deep within the forest. A now familiar howl.
"Ghauls! Get everyone airborne now!" the lead-creature barked, and his companions swiftly prepared for take-off.
