His crimson blade sliced through the beasts, reducing them to ash in seconds. His black hair was caked with ashes, his deep red skin covered in sweat and dirt. His red chest, shoulder and thigh armour were covered in scorch marks, the spikes on his black arm guard covered in crimson blood.
"Bring it underlings! Prepare to run in fear!" the boy yelled, a deep red energy pulsing in his fingertips as more creatures charged towards him. Thrust his hands forward, a deep, beastly growl echoed throughout the valley, the creatures quivering in fear before disappearing underground in hasty retreat.
"That's the second assault on the Pilgrim's Pass in the past few days. What is so important to them about this route?" the boy sighed, his war glaive on his back as he inspected himself. His black undershirt and black camo-trousers were covered in dirt, as were his red metal boots. Sighing again to himself, he opened crimson dragon wings, taking flight, letting his blood red eyes survey the area.
The boy's name was Warcry, a Dragonion living on the planet of Avionus. Two species were dominant on the planet, the Avionas having bird wings and the Dragonions having dragon wings, the only main difference being their wings. Despite this minor difference, tensions had been high between the two species, until one Dragonion, Malefor, started a three way war between the Avionas, the Dragonions and his own forces, strange beings called only 'the Destruction'.
As it was, the planet was a warzone, nowhere safe from the battles that raged throughout every continent. And yet, the main fight was between the Avionas and Dragonions, very little attention on Malefor himself. That was where Warcry came in.
He, along with two fellow Dragonions and three Avionas had joined forces, calling themselves the Black Star Elites. The six of them were devoted to keeping 'the Destruction' at bay, hoping their races would settle their war soon. That prospect, however, didn't look hopeful.
As it was, Warcry flew towards the Terrean Mountains, finding the cave he and his teammates called home and base. Standing outside was the youngest member of the team, a young Aviona called Wind, a girl with white skin, eyes and clothing. Her armour was a light blue, reflecting her powers over the air around her as much as the sword at her side, wings on either side of the hilt.
"Did you stop them?" she asked, watching her crimson companion land gently, his large form towering over her delicate frame.
"That I did. Is Fang here?" he questioned, slowly walking outside.
"Nope, on patrol," Wind shouted after him, remaining outside. Sighing, Warcry walked further into the cave, greeted by the smell of something cooking. Looking to the makeshift kitchen, he watched as Venom stood by a cooking pot, stirring some kind of stew.
The female Dragonion was manipulator of poison, her dark green skin and wings showing her dark powers. Her lighter green hair was spiky, tied into a spiky bun while the rest was covered by a dark green witch's hat. She wore a light green sleeveless shirt, darker green shorts and a tattered dark turquoise shawl. Her armour was a dark green, with spiked shoulder armour.
"Hungry?" she asked, using a wooden spoon to taste the stew before going back to stirring.
"Guess I am," Warcry sighed, sitting on the floor in front of his Aviona teammates, Tidal and Stormer.
Tidal was a water controller, his skin and hair as blue as the ocean, as were his eyes and wings. His attire was a simple blue button-up vest, dark blue trousers with several pockets, as well as heavy shoulder armour, chest armour with a cyan jewel in the heart and blue thigh armour.
Stormer was a master of electricity, his skin, wings, hair and eyes glowing like his element. He wore a dark yellow shirt and leather trousers, as well as a lighter coloured trench coat that was always unbuttoned. His armour was golden, his arm guards having a bright yellow jewel near the wrists.
"How did it go?" Tidal asked, addressing the crimson Dragonion.
"It went well. Seems Malefor's intent to keep trying to take Pilgrim's Pass. That's the fifth time this month we've had his forces in that region. What is there for him to gain there?" Warcry sighed again, taking the bowl of stew Venom handed to him.
"Who knows? As long as we can stop him from taking it, then we should be fine," Stormer muttered, tucking into the stew. After a few second of eating, Wind walked in, sitting with her male teammates as Venom handed her a bowl, also sitting with them.
"Well, decided to start without me?" a female voice asked, a purple Dragonion walking in. Her long purple coat was unbuttoned, as well as the sleeves rolled up. Underneath the coat was a purple tube top, exposing the girl's midriff. Her baggy purple pants flowed at where they split in half at her knees, revealing purple boots. Her amethyst chest armour was held together by laces, while metal skulls acted as her shoulder armour. A black bandana was wrapped around her head, as well as a veil over her mouth.
"Well Fang, you did take your time getting here," Venom laughed, getting up to prepare a bowl for the team's leader.
"Well, you know how patrol is," Fang shrugged, joining her team as Venom gave her a bowl, her sandals clapping against the cave floor as she walked.
"See anything interesting?" Tidal questioned, setting his bowl down. His armour clanked as he moved, his blue whip sitting beside him.
"The Avionas have the Dragonions retreating in Hamlowa, while the Dragonions are hammering the Avionas at Magunta. Both sides are in a stalemate, yet no-one's backing down," Fang sighed, slowly eating the warm stew.
"Just typical. Can't they see there's a greater threat to both of them?" Wind sighed, cuddling up to Stormer as Warcry lit a fire in the centre of the group, lighting the entire cave.
"That's the point. Malefor started this war, knowing full well the two sides would fight each other and pretty much ignore his plans, whatever they are," Venom mumbled, retreating further into the cave. "I'll be asleep if you need me," she added, disappearing into darkness.
"Me two. Wake me if anything happens," Tidal yawned, following the green girl.
"Ever notice how he follows her like that?" Stormer asked, whispering to avoid the two missing team members hearing.
"It is pretty obvious. Just like how much Wind likes cuddling up to you," Warcry chuckled, noticing how the golden elemental's cheeks turned as red as his own. Said wind master was asleep, while Fang sat in deep thought, seeming to pay no attention to the banter.
"Well, I'll take Wind to bed and turn in myself. You two staying up late again?" Stormer yawned, standing up with the pale Aviona in his arms. After receiving a nod from Warcry, he walked off, leaving the two Dragonions alone.
"Something on your mind?" Warcry inquired, noticing his friend close her eyes, now deeper in thought. "Well, if you're going to be up all night, I'll go to dream land," he sighed, stepping over the fire.
"Good night," Fang whispered, her red teammate giving a quick backward glance of acknowledgement. Now alone, the amethyst coloured girl walked towards the cave entrance, taking a deep breath of the calm night air before jumping, her large wings lifting her into the sky.
Her mind was constantly at work, trying to piece together a massive puzzle. Malefor had started the war, but was now hiding in the shadows, avoiding the main battles, while trying to capture areas of little significance. And, since the formation of the Black Star Elites, the six of them would be branded traitors to their races.
"Nothing makes any sense. What does Malefor plan to gain? What are his motives?" Fang mumbled to herself, turning back towards the cave. Her active mind was the stark opposite to her tired body, so sleep seemed the only real way of maybe thinking of answers to her questions.
Out of the six team members, Venom was the lightest sleeper, able to be on her feet in seconds should a twig snap outside the cave entrance. As it was, the sound of something metal dropping woke her instantly, her green eyes scanning the darkness for the source of the noise. Looking over her teammates, she was surprised none of them were woken.
Silently, she tip-toed towards the main area, wincing when her bare feet landed on a stone. Her hands were glowing with a sickly green mist, casting little light inside the cave. It was then that she smelt the gas, recognising it as knock out gas. Due to her powers over poison, no form of poison, disease or drug could affect her badly.
When she got to the entrance, she glanced around, unable to see anything in the surrounding area. Still on the alert, she turned to go back in, only for her arms to be grabbed and yanked behind her back, two Dragonions with black wings, skin and attire holding her there.
"What in Krataa's name are you doing here?" she demanded, watching as someone landed in front of her. Like her, he was a poison elemental, with similar skin, wings and hair colour. The main difference was the large axe on his back.
"We're dealing with traitors, one at a time. Warcry and Fang can wait, but you, we needed you out of the way first," the boy hissed, keeping his distance as the girl's arms and wings were bound and a piece of cloth pulled into her mouth. "And I plan to make it as painful as possible," he added, his face a hair's breadth of hers. This didn't stop Venom from ramming her knee in the guy's groin, winding him while she kicked him in the chest.
"Restrain her legs!" the boy growled getting up quickly before punching her in the gut, Venom's body rendered immobile as rope was wrapped around her ankles. With a sweeping gesture, the three Dragonions left with their captive, disappearing into the night almost without a trace.