Chapter 1
"So what do you think?" Darkstalker asked, "Are you ready to become an animus dragon?" He drew a circle in the air around the floating gemstones, and they all whirled into one another until they became a crown, glowing with gems from all over the world. Darkstalker nudged the crown to set it floating gently toward Qibli.
Who would say no to their secret dream come true?
Why would I ever say no?
Say yes to the magic.
Say yes to the bright future.
Say yes.
Qibli looked up into Darkstalker's eyes and said," Y….."
"Qibli!" roared a voice, the Sandwing looked up and saw a pale dragon bolting toward him, "You traitor, about to accept a deal with this maniac!"
Qibli looked up at Darkstalker and saw a creepy amused look in his eyes.
"Excuse us," Qibli said to him as he backed up," Winter, let's talk about this, in private." He put his wing over Winter's freezing shoulder, and ushered him into a quiet corner.
"First of all, how in the world did you get all the way back here? Weren't you sent back to the Icewing kingdom with everyone else?" Qibli asked.
"Well, Turtle summoned me back," Winter answered with an annoyed tone.
"Okay, but secondly you don't have the right to spy on my conversation like that."
"Well, maybe if you weren't talking with psychos I wouldn't have to."
"You talk to psychos all the time."
"No, I don't!"
"Oh, so we are just going to pretend you never talked to your family?"
"Don't you talk about my family, Sandwing!"
"I'm just telling the truth."
Winter stared straight into Qibli's eyes and saw them soften. Winter knew Qibli was right and there was no use fighting it.
"Listen, I didn't come here to argue with you," Winter said at last," I came to kill him." He pointed at Darkstalker who was pretending that he wasn't listening to what the two were saying.
"Winter, no," Qibli said after a pause, "I'm going to say yes to the magic."
"WHAT!" Winter yelled," That means that you will have to take that tacky earring off. Who knows what kind of evil spells he may put on!"
"Well, it's not your decision to make.''Qibli turned around and walked toward Darkstalker.
It's about to happen. I'm going to be able to change the world.
But Qibli forgot there was an angry Icewing behind him, and a life skill he had learned was to never turn your back on an angry Icewing. Winter grabbed Qibli by his leg and he fell down with a thump. Qibli whirled around to Winter.
"What was that for!" Qibli roared.
"I won't let you do this!"
"Well, it's not your choice Icewing," Qibli spat. He looked into Winter's eyes and saw how hurt they were. Winter had called Qibli by his tribe before, sure, it wasn't as much as an insult but like playful banter between them. But Qibli had never called Winter by his tribe and in this context, he was insulting him. As soon as Qibli saw the hurt eyes they vanished and they were filled with pure hatred.
Qibli tried to say sorry but Winter pounced and pinned Qibli down. The Icewing clawed at Qibli's face leaving a nasty scratch along with it.
"Well, at least my tribe is smart, unlike Sandwings," Winter growled.
He did not just insult my tribe! Qibli thought furiously.
Suddenly nothing else mattered but to avenge his tribe. Qibli threw Winter off of him and Winter landed with a thump. Before he got a chance to stand up, Qibli whacked him with his tail and Winter went tumbling back. Qibli walked around to him, but Winter was ready and frost breath burst out of his mouth. He ducked and the frost breath went straight to Darkstalker and landed on one of his talons, which made him reel back in pain. But Qibli was too focused to notice - he shot a flame at Winter who shot up into the air and dove toward Qibli which pinned him to the ground once again. Winter lifted Qibli up and pushed him back into a wall, then walked off. Qibli shot his tail which narrowly missed Winter. Winter looked over his shoulder at Qibli who was trying to stand but he was too bruised to. Winter was walking toward Darkstalker. Soon the dragon who could make Qibli's dream come true would be gone. Qibli was clawing around for something to throw at Winter that might slow him down. His claw closed around a rock and he threw it, but it just bounced off and Winter walked on. Qibli groped for whatever was around him - rock, rock, rock. Nothing stopped Winter. Qibli finally found his claw to a metal stick.
Was that always there? He shook the thought off. His talons closed around it. He threw it with all his might.
Everything else was in slow motion for Qibli. As the metal stick left his claw he saw it was a metal spear and a sharp one, which was head straight toward Winter's back.
"Winter watch out!" he tried to yell but it was too late. It hit him square in the back. "Nooooo!"
Qibli crawled toward the Icewing, all his muscles were screaming in pain, but he had to see his friend.
He is going to be alright, Qibli thought.
He has to be alright.
Winter was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by a pool of blue. He had scratches all over his body and some dots of red, which were Qibli's.
"Winter, I'm so sorry," Qibli sobbed, "This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Qibli," Winter rasped, "Take care of… Moon." Then with one shuddering breath, he went limp.
"Winter?" Qibli asked, shaking him, "Winter?"
But it was no use, the Icewing was dead.
