Night Rider

Chapter 1- Night Fight

A deafening roar filled the night and all noise ceased immediately. The large dragon at the front gave orders to the crowd. While he was talking he noticed, but didn't mind, that a human, me, was darting among the various dragons. He watched as I stopped beside the two Night Furies, Arian and Flint. I climbed upon Arian and he stopped his speech, turning from the crowd, towards the water and called, "Move out!"

As one the dragons rose into the dark sky and soared towards the village. They were going to attack it again. This all started when one of the humans, I think they call themselves Vikings, from the village killed a Terrible Terror. Ever since, the dragons have attacked them.

I smiled as we flew. I loved the feeling of the wind on my face, blowing back my long black hair. I enjoyed the sensation of being to do whatever I wanted, when and wherever I wanted. I guess that's what it feels like to be a dragon. I can only dream of being a dragon, wings, fire and all.

I was jolted back into reality as Arian dove, sending a blue fireball through a building. I laughed as the villagers below screamed the familiar, "Night Fury!" I heard it a little further off, near the cliffs, and knew Flint had been spotted as well.

I was so confused by these humans, we attacked them constantly, burn down their homes, destroy their village and yet they don't move, they don't run and hide; they fight us until we leave. We send a fireball at them; they send a rock at us. We steal their animals; they capture and kill us; these humans are odd. Soon, the battle starts to die down. After many of the dragons are killed, they've lost many as well, the first light of dawn starts to peek over the horizon and we retreat back into the mist to go back to the cave.

We arrived back at the shore and I look around for Flint, wanting to congratulate him on another night of success, but he was nowhere to be found. I asked some others but they didn't know where he was either. It wasn't until I went over to one of the many Monstrous Nightmares that I got some answers.

"Sparks, have you seen Flint? I can't find him…" I asked tentatively.

"Wha-Flint? Umm, the last I saw him was on the cliff," he paused and I let him go on, "Wait! I think he was taken down!"

I froze. "What? Flint was what?"

"I'm almost positive he was shot down. There was a boy with a strange contraption that took him down," he saw the devastated look on my face and continued quickly, "I chased him off though. I'm sorry, Ryuko, I don't think you're going to see him again." He put a large clawed paw around me but I shook it off.

"No. No! I don't believe that he'd be taken down that easily! I'm going to find him!" I shouted and ran off to find Orekan.

"Orekan! Orekan!" I called out as I got near to the large dragon, "Orekan, I need to go back out!"

He looked at me, confused, "Ryuko, why do you need to go out after a raid? What could you possibly need to do?"

"Flint got hit! I need to find him!"

"That's not possible, no one could shoot him or Arian down when they can't see them."

"Sparks said he saw it! I need to make sure he's okay!" I screamed as I pounded on his arm.

He thought for a few moments and spoke again, "I'm sorry, maybe later, it's too soon after the attack to risk going back out into their territory."

"Argh! Why not? You know that I can fly without being spotted!"

"I thought the same for Flint, my answer is no and that's final. You can go out later. Now leave, I need to talk to Garen," he commanded.

I glared at him before storming off towards Arian.

"You know, you could be a little easier, she is-" Garen started.

"I know! You don't need to keep reminding me of that. I know what she is, that's why I keep such a close eye on her, I don't want her to get hurt," Orekan sighed.

"You mean you don't want her to find out. If she did…"

"One can only hope she won't," Orekan paused, watching the black haired girl talk to Arian, "For all of our sakes…"

~Back to Arian and Ryuko~

"I can't believe him! Why would he say no? Flint's in trouble!" I shouted.

"Calm Ryu, I'm sure Orekan knows what he's talking about, he is the one acting as our leader," Arian stated.

"I guess, even though the Red Devil is actually our leader…"

"Yes, but he doesn't exactly talk to us, does he?"

"No, he just wants us to bring him food, or sacrifice ourselves for food…" I shuddered.

"Exactly, so since Orekan is our leader, we need to listen to him," I was about to protest, "Even if we don't always think its fair or the right choice. He said we'd be able to go out, just a little later, Flint can handle himself till we get there." She reasoned.

"Fine," I sighed, "As long as he doesn't make us wait too long."

I settled down with Arian for some sleep, since I didn't really rest the night before. I was woken by a claw to the shoulder.

"Ow!" I shot up to face my attacker, only to find it was Arian, "You didn't have to be so rough. What is it?"

"Orekan wants to see you," she told me.

I walked over to find him near Garen again, "You called?"

"Yes, I've decided its been long enough, you and Arian may go out and search for Flint." I beamed. "But only if you keep out of sight, I don't want to lose you two as well as Flint."

"Yes!" I exclaimed, "No problem! Arian!" I called her over, "Time to go!"

She raced over and I was on her back in an instant, "You don't have to worry 'bout me; I'll be fine!" I called as we flew out.

"You don't know how much I do though…" he whispered as we soared into the mist.

As we flew over the town, I looked to see if there was a group of people, signifying that Flint had been captured, but saw no such thing. Good, that means that he should still be out there. "Head for the woods, Arian." I said.

We sailed in the lower clouds over the trees, keeping a sharp eye out. I spotted a younger looking human on a path and whispered, "Careful." I kept my eye on the person. He was a male with short brown hair. He looked annoyed as he walked loudly, picking off leaves of trees and mumbling to himself. Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I pulled my eyes away from him, even though my hightened senses could still pick up his stomping and grumbles. In that same heartbeat, I saw a line of broken trees leading to a small clearing. I gasped when I saw a large black figure curled by a rock. Flint! "There he is!" I whispered and we descended into the trees near the clearing.

I hopped off Arian when we landed. "Stay here, I'm gonna check it out; there's gotta be some reason he hasn't gotten back," I stated as I slowly stepped to the thinner trees near the edge. I peered over and gasped again when I saw that Flint was bound by something.

I was about to go run and help him, when I saw the young male racing down the slope. I dove back over the ledge and peeked over, watching him step up to Flint. Then my heart stopped.

The human was holding a knife.