Part 1 Prologue

5005 (A.S)

South Sky Kingdom

Day 56

Major Daniels has instructed us to use guerrilla tactics by hiding in thick brush and waiting for those creatures to come to us. Apparently Mark's crew just a few clicks north say this is effective. I worry that we will see, all 3 moons are bright as ever tonight and our positions may be compromised. Not only that, but lightning is thundering over us. We also have been told to limit our gunfire to single shots, gotta conserve ammo until the gate reopens. Not expecting much, maybe a sighting, but we doubt that anything will come close enough for our puny rifles to be effective. We lost radio contact with Mitchell's company, but we think they…

Roy grasped the journal close to him as rain starting pouring, he quickly closed it and shoved it in his torn bag. "You're still writing that thing?" Jackson whispered right next to him.

"Of course," Roy whispered back, "This could be interesting once we make it home, should be any day now." He sat up against the tree trying to keep his rifle dry, protecting the few rounds he was given.

"All of you shut up," Lieutenant Charles quietly yelled from a few trees away, "One tango 400 yards out." With that, the rustling of branches and tree leaves sounded out as everyone got in position. Roy brought the garand rifle to his shoulder and aimed into the small field on the mountain side. Visibility was poor due to the rain, but eventually the sounds of wingbeats came closer until a massive white creature landed in the opening.

Roy and Jackson both looked at each other in awe, neither of them knew what that one was. Roy went back to aiming at the creature, but he noticed something in its arms. An egg, a massive orange and red egg being held tightly. The creature looked back at the open sky drastically and was just about take flight again.

Immediately a whistle's piercing shriek sounded and gunfire erupted all round the creature! Caught off guard, it huddled up and protected the egg. Roy didn't fire a single shot, he just stared at the poor creature as it cried out in pain.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE" Lieutenant Charles yelled out, then about thirty soldiers rushed out from the tree line to witness their catch.

Roy slowly approached the crowd of people surrounding the injured creature, it was still alive. "Get back! It's still alive! Hurry before your killed!" yelled Charles running up to it with his pistol drawn. Everyone backed up still excited about bringing down such a massive flying creature. Roy and a few other guys looked at it in silence, stunned at it's white scales. "Must be albino or something," one of them said.

The cheers quieted down when Charles slowly approached, examining the bullet holes in it's wing. Blue blood poured from the wounds, the creature shivered tensely as the rain came down harder. Charles approached the head, pistol pointing between its eyes. "Looks like we got ourselves a catch! Any last words?" Charles demanded. "C'mon, we know you things can speak!"

The white creature looked up at him with glaring eyes, confused and terrified it cried out "I must get this egg to where it will be safe, it's part of the prophecy!"

Charles laughed out loud, "What prophecy? If you think we're that stupid to believe something like that, then you deserve this." Charles narrowed his eyes and began to tighten his finger, but before he pulled the trigger, a shout came from on one of the troops.

"Wait Charles… We can't do this, this may be our one chance!" cried Jackson. "Maybe we can stop running, stop hiding, maybe we can try to get on these things good side." Everyone was confused, why would Jackson save this thing, he walked up to the injured creature, "What exactly is this prophecy?"

The creature sloped its neck up, "This prophecy will end the war! Bring peace to the land! Everyone can stop fighting and finally help each other!" That sentence brought a small sliver of hope to Roy, it was the best thing he heard in a long time. The other soldiers must've felt it too, they all seemed to slowly take Jackson's side.

Charles realized what was happening and slowly sheathed his pistol. "We should bring this creature back to camp," Jackson insisted. No words came from Charles, but his face showed signs of disapproval. Unfortunately his comrades were against him.

As the rain came down, the group helped the injured creature towards their secret camp. While on another mountain top, watched an enormous gold dragon witnessing it's target be dragged away. Enraged by this, it flew off in the opposite direction, back into the storm.

The familiar site of camp was always relieving, given the fact that all of the assets and equipment were camouflaged to stay hidden. Walking through camp entrance, they were greeted by the other soldiers on watch. All of them were probably wondering why the group brought back one of the creatures, but none of them dared argue with Charles and his close trust with Major Daniels.

The forest trees blocked out most rain overhead, and only lightning would light up the camp because all lights were put out to keep hidden from enemies flying overhead. Major Daniels walked out of his tent and was angered by the sight. He yelled "Now why would you bring one of these things to camp, Charles."

Charles soluted him and replied, "This IceWing claims to have a way to bring peace to the land. My soldiers and I decided to bring him back and help in exchange for refuge." Roy and other soldiers from both the camp and the patrol stood there watching.

Daniels looked closely at the IceWing, "So you have a way to bring peace, huh? You got my attention, explain yourself," he demanded.

The IceWing replied, "This egg here needs to get to our hideout in these mountains, it contains the dragonet that will help end this war. The prophecy must happen, or else." He held out the orange and red egg from his chest, still protected from harm.

"And apparently you can offer refuge to me and my troops if we help you?" Daniels asked. The Icewing nodded back and brought the egg back against his chest. Daniels whistled over some of the medics, "Get this IceWing some proper care." He then turned to his assistant, "Get me the reconnaissance commanders and their maps, we need to find out where to take that egg," he ordered. Turning back to the large crowd surrounding him, he called out, "Everyone back to your business, we got this under control."

Roy walked back to his barrack tent, tossing his journal into his footlocker and falling into his cot. Jackson right next to him sat on his cot, "Can't believe we're actually doing this. I never would think that Daniel's would approve of helping that thing."

Roy looked up at him, "I thought that was what you were trying to do?"

"It was," Jackson responded, "I just didn't think that Major Daniels would agree. I guess it was worth it."

Roy chuckled, "I guess it was, I wonder what happens now? Maybe we have a chance to turn this around. Perhaps start something new-" His sentence was cut short by a sounds of gunfire coming from outside. Both of them looked to the doorway, "What the hell is going on out there," Roy yelled out in unease.

Jackson grabbed his helmet, "I don't know, but we need to help!" Both of them darted for the exit. Outside the tent was a horrific sight. The quick glance towards the gate showed dead guards, everyone else in camp scrambling to their position. Both Roy and Jackson sprinted to the armory tent just across from their tent, inside most of the weapons were gone. Fortunately there was some left, Roy grabbed one of the grease guns on a table and Jackson took a Winchester.

Back outside a few military jeeps were driving frantically with 50 calibers mounted. The two thought this was a good thing, but when they ran out to it, the soldier on one of the gun started firing at them. They both dived to cover behind a crate next to them, Roy tightly holding his helmet over his head, screaming in the process.

Jackson with hatred on his face turned around and aimed the shotgun, he fired one round before being shot in the chest and right shoulder. Roy screamed in horror and pulled his dying friend next to him. Jackson spat out blood with a few words, "Get out… of here… you must…" The last breath was given.

Roy was still in shock and hugged his friend's lifeless body. He grabbed the shotgun and slung it on his back. His anger took over, Roy gripped the grease gun and stood up firing the gun at the enemy whilst running towards the maintenance tent on the far side of camp. Bullets whizzed passed all around him, but his aim was sharp and he hit the gunner in the leg. At the corner of the tent Roy witnessed the main attack force charge through the gates gunning down the rest of the resistance.

A big tear in the side of the tent was easy access to get inside. Roy looked around between the rows of equipment and parts. He stopped when he saw the body of the IceWing, lifeless. Roy covered his mouth to stay quiet. He quickly freaked out because the egg was gone and so was everyone else.

Just then a familiar voice called his name from inside the tent, "Roy… get over here!" He looked around and saw an arm wave him over, quickly running through the tent and behind an old truck. "Did you know what's happening?" Duncan said with terrible concern.

Roy knelt down by the front bumper next to him, "I was going to ask you the same question." He nudged towards at the Icewing.

Duncan pulled Roy to the back exit and they both started to escape. "We had to act fast, Hvitur was dying quickly so we needed to find their secret hideout. We just managed to get it marked on a map before he died. It was unfortunate, but we just sent out a team with the egg right before the gunfire started."

Just outside the tent there was another soldier, this one named Tex. He was watching the sides of the tent armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle. They both ran over to him, Tex quickly stated, "Daniels isn't back yet, he said to go if he was gone for too long."

Roy frantically asked, "Where's Daniels and Charles. Weren't they here in the tent."

Tex looked back at him and Duncan took watch around the corner. "Charles left with the team," Tex stated, "But Daniels went to investigate the gunfire. He said for us to leave if he didn't come back."

Duncan gasped, "Oh no… I know where Daniels is." All three of them peeked around the corner and saw the horrible sight. Daniels and a few others were lined up in the center of camp. Daniels in particular looked like he was being interrogated by someone.

"Where is the egg?" the guy demanded, "We know you have it! Give it up now." The interrogator punched Daniels straight in the face. Roy wondered why these guys would want to destroy the egg, it didn't mean anything to them.

Daniels, now kneeling on the ground, slowly looked back up at him showing no sign of giving in, "It's gone, you're too late. I bet it already where it belongs. But why would you do this, we're brothers… allies… yet you do this to us."

The man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at his head, "This is a new world, and the principles of the old world are gone. We need new allies to survive, and there's a SandWing out there who wants that egg destroyed. She's paying us heavily to do that." Roy looked away… a gunshot ringed through the forest and the subtle laughing of many people followed.

Tex and Duncan looked away after, "Okay… Now we have to get out of here," Tex mumbled. The group turned to the tree line, but were cut short by shouts from behind.

"Look! Three more that way!" one soldier yelled. A volley of gunfire followed, Tex turned around and fired back at them. Roy and Duncan pulled him back into the forest as the enemy force enclosed on them. Fighting turned to running through the thick brush as the enemy was close behind.

Another volley of gunfire followed, one bullet hit Duncan in the leg, he screamed in pain and stopped behind a tree. Tex and Roy stopped to help but Duncan refused to move, "Get out of here!" he yelled. "I'm dead weight now, you get that egg to safety," Duncan pulled out a pistol and prepared for his final stand. Tex tried to help but Roy pulled him back the other way, eventually they both started running again.

Pistol shots and Duncan's yelling was heard for a few minutes until a few cheers silenced it. Tex screamed in agony over his dead friend, he stopped running and fell to his knees. Roy grabbed his shoulder, "We have to keep going, what we do tonight will change the course of everyone's survival."

Minutes later, Roy and Tex were both out of stamina and the adrenaline had worn off, but they still kept running down the mountain side. Roy realized that they didn't know where they were going, but the thought was cut short when he was quickly grabbed by someone from behind a tree and held up against it. Tex was about to shoot the person, but he quickly realized it was Charles.

Charles let go of Roy, "Sorry, I thought you were one of those traitors." Roy was out of breath to answer, so he just waved him off understandably. "Is there anyone else, please tell me that Daniels is with you. Duncan? Jackson? Anyone?"

Tex replied, "Nope… we're all that's left." Charles was speechless, nevertheless he guided them to the small group. The group consisted of him, his assistant, and two other guys holding the stretcher with the red egg strapped on.

Charles pointed south down the mountainside, "That cave is about 15 clicks south of here, we need to hurry before the sunrise. Only a few hours left." The soldiers got up and were on their way, not wasting any time.

Now in a clear pasture and the morning sun coming over the mountains in the east, the group was running as fast as they could. The two carrying the egg in the stretcher were tired and their arms in pain, but they all knew that the fate of the prophecy was in their hands.

Roy felt his legs giving up and he started to fall behind. Charles suddenly stopped in the front, everyone else subsequently stopped too. Roy figured this was for him to catch up, but he noticed them all looking up towards the early morning sky. Roy realized what they were looking at, it was one of those creatures. A golden one patrolling the skies, he started to sprinting again towards the group. Roy another look at the creature, only to see it diving on his friends ahead.

The soldiers put down the egg and pulled out their weapons, forming a perimeter around the egg. Roy was still running when he saw the golden creature land, towering over them. He stopped running only about 20 meters away when the massacre started.

Tex yelled out and opened fire, everyone else did as well. Unaffected, the golden creature used it tail to slam one of the soldiers away, then another one being crushed by its talons. Tex stopped to reload his weapon, Charles fired his carbine in retaliation, but in mere seconds was engulfed in a flames. Tex yelled out once more vengefully, but was slashed away by the barbed tail. The assistant didn't stand a chance with his pistol, and was seamlessly killed by the creature's talons.

It circled the unprotected egg a few times, Roy stood there in the open. Everyone he knew was dead, and they have failed. The creature stopped and locked eyes with him, but instead of killing him, it smiled and smashed the egg, then flew off into the sky, over the horizon.

All alone, Roy walked over to the site. No words could explain his guilt, he didn't bare to look at the crushed egg. He felt broken, like there was nothing left, no hope or future. Roy looked over to the assistant's corpse, the pistol was still intact, laying in the grass. Roy picked up the weapon and looked at the horizon towards the rising sun, only the breeze on the grass could be heard. A single tear rolled from his eye, "I'm… sorry…" He gripped the pistol in his hand, "We failed," he whispered.

Nothing else was heard that morning, nothing but a lone pistol shot echoing in the wind. Not much later a large SkyWing investigated the scene. Bodies of the new Scavengers laid everywhere, surrounding the destroyed egg. She was angered by what they have done, and she had no idea where Hvitur was. Eventually she took off back towards the secret cave, wondering how they would fulfill the prophecy now.