[Author's Note: Hi everyone. I want to let you all know that this story is now also on Archive of Our Own, just in case if things over here on Fanfiction dot net is being horrible again for many of us (Let's hope not).
Anyway, I want to thank Incarnate Firefly for helping me with the first scene in the prologue. He is the one who helped me knowing the general ideas for the story, so I want to thank him for giving me a few ideas, which will be shown in later chapters.
I hope you enjoy this long, coming-of-age story of Bright that is a rewrite of the original Siblings story, with the Light Furies and all that. Let's get the show on the road for this completely fresh edition, shall we?]
The lapping of the ocean waves brought a sense of calm to Scales, his shoulders easing from their usual vigilant posture. In the fading afternoon sun, the dragon's wings gleamed a near pure white, tinged with only the slightest hint of green. Black clouds were slowly spreading across the sky, diminishing the last of the light above him.
From where he paced, along the edge of the ocean, a narrow strip of land scattered with black pebble fragments led Scales towards the mouth of the island's cave. He continued to stare out at the water, until he was distracted by the sound of a Deadly Nadder's footsteps coming up behind him.
He turned and saw that it was Aquawing, ruffling her wings as she stopped by his side and lay down on the sandy ground. Her body's usual vivid blue appeared darker than usual with only its light beige underbelly still standing out in the dim light. By contrast, the deeper blue of her mottled wings now looked almost pitch black. "Isn't this place peaceful, Alpha?"
"It is indeed," he nodded. "But I fear peace will not last that much longer."
"Why's that?"
Scales looked away from Aquawing, thoughts elsewhere. Should I tell her? About the horned humans I've heard about? The news from the surrounding dragon colonies had been troubling him lately, particularly the rumors of the humans aggressively expanding their territories with their new seafaring vessels. He wasn't sure how she would feel if he were to tell her the truth.
Around them, the large rocky cliffs and dirt path led up to the clifftops farther inland. It was hard to see the top of the mountain from their position on the ground.
"Is there something the matter, my Alpha?" inquired Aquawing.
Scales looked at Aquawing. "Let us go back." He turned to walk away from the black, sandy beach, with Aquawing beside him as they made their way back to the cave.
Once they reached the mouth of the mountain, Aquawing stopped in her tracks and gave him a side glance, unable to see him with both of her eyes pointing forward.
"You look worried," she insisted, looking him in the eye. "I don't know what's on your mind, but I would like if you would share it with me, Alpha."
Scales looked around again. Several of his dragons were resting in their nests, feeding their hatchlings, and chattering among themselves. Stricken by the thought of what would happen if he failed to act in time, he turned back to Aquawing, and whispered, "I have a feeling that something terrible is about to happen."
"Tell me," she whispered back.
"It's the horned humans. It may not be long before they find us here."
Aquawing blinked, an inquisitive look in her eye. "But, you said this island was well hidden from any outsiders."
"The world is changing, Aquawing." Scales lowered his gaze. "The horned humans are becoming smarter, which means they are a lot more dangerous. They have built floating islands that can take them farther from their shores…and into dragon territory. I'm not sure I will be able to protect our colony if they really are able to travel to this island."
"Then, may I suggest something?" Aquawing asked. "What if we flee the island?"
Scales grimaced. "A risky idea, but perhaps it's the safest choice until we learn how to fight back against the humans. Very well, I will give the order." His ridge rose suddenly, and he turned to the entrance. The darkness outside was thicker than before, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"What is it?" Aquawing asked, worried.
"Nothing," Scales responded, and shook his head. He made his way to his nest, a plateau of flat rock where a pair of dragons rested. He saw Clawdia tending to her hatchling, Lightpaw. He smiled sweetly, as they noticed him.
"Pa!" Lightpaw jumped at him.
Scales chuckled at him. "Settle down, little one. I need to talk to your mother."
"About what?" Clawdia asked. A Light Fury like him, her white scales gleamed despite the darkness of the cave.
With slight hesitation, Scales looked at Lightpaw. "Can you wait here, son?"
"Sure, Pa!" The hatchling nodded obediently.
Scales walked away from the nest, with Clawdia following behind.
"Is it about the humans?" she asked.
"How'd you know?" Scales asked in surprise.
"I've known for a while," she reminded him with a kind smile. "When there's something troubling you, I always make sure to find out what."
Scales sighed. "I don't know if asking everyone to leave is the right decision. It'll be a long flight for the hatchlings, and I'm not sure they can all make the journey."
"The mothers can take turns carrying each others' hatchlings," Clawdia said, nuzzling him. "We will look out for each other, like we always do."
Scales felt anything but reassured, however. "And how far is far enough from the horned humans? What if we never find a safe place?"
"There is a safe place, dear," she told him. "I want to find the Hidden World."
"The Hidden World?" Scales frowned. "That's nothing but a legend."
"It's real, I know it." She said determinedly.
Scales opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of a boom was heard outside the caves, causing the ground to shake beneath their claws. "It can't be…not yet…"
"The horned humans," Clawdia snarled, panic-stricken in realization. "They're already here!" She turned to the nest and ran toward it immediately.
"Clawdia!" shouted Scales. "We must stay together at all times!" He heard another boom outside as something crashed into the walls again. He turned toward the entrance and saw long, wooden floating islands carrying humans onboard. He growled, baring his teeth. Those monsters! I won't let them do this! He let out an ear-deafening roar, startling every dragon in the cave.
Aquawing arrived by his side in an instant. "What's going on?" She gasped when she spotted the humans outside the cave entrance. "No, it's too soon…"
"Everyone, to battle!" Scales roared, determination burning in his eyes.
Aquawing spread her wings without a word and took flight with the others toward the invading humans.
Scales bolted outside, soaring with several others in a V-formation behind him. The horned humans were firing their sharp wooden spikes at the dragons, and he let out a commanding roar. "Aquawing, take your Nadders and destroy those rock-throwers!"
Aquawing squawked at her flock, who took off with her towards the rock-throwing towers on the beach.
Scales looked down as a horned human fired a wooden spike at him. He flew to the side and growled before opening his mouth, gas filled his lungs as he let out an ear-deafening screech and let loose a plasma blast at the human, who was flung onto his back in a purple mist, motionless.
A cacophony of roars and battle cries were heard all over the beach. Another barrage of flaming rocks were hurled at the walls of the nest, and the walls began crumbling in earnest.
Scales spotted a human preparing to run into the nest, and he landed in front of him, snarling. The human reared back, but he still raised his handheld metal claw above his head and charged.
Ducking underneath the swing of the metal weapon, Scales grabbed the human and sank his teeth into the human's throat. Red blood sprayed inside of his mouth and covered his teeth.
Scales widened his eyes when he saw four sets of human footprints leading into the mountain. He rushed into the cave, the rest of the battle momentarily forgotten.
As he made his way inside, Scales desperately sniffed at the air, then heart racing as he caught the scent of humans leading in the direction of his nest.
In a panic, he scrambled through the cave…and then he saw them.
The bloodied forms of Clawdia and Lightpaw, lying motionless on the ground in a sickening mix of human and dragon blood. Three humans lay dead nearby, and the fourth was struggling to pull his metal claw free from Clawdia's heart.
Scales let out an enraged roar, and the last human barely had time to turn around before a furious barrage of plasma blew him into chunks of meat and hot metal.
He roared again, this time one of pure anguish.
Scales didn't even turn around when he heard the sound of wings from behind. "Alpha, are you alright?" came Aquawing's voice.
"My family…they're…" Tears filled his eyes.
"I am sorry, Alpha, but we must leave now," she started. "There are more floating islands coming, and the humans are too great in number for us to wipe out."
Scales nodded shakily. "You're right." He took one last look at the bodies of Clawdia and Lightpaw before flying out of the cave with Aquawing. He fought back a sob, reminding himself that the rest of his colony was still in danger. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, my beloved. I promise I will find the Hidden World like you wanted, so this can never happen again.
•••
A.D. 714, 7th MONTH, DAY 12
6 MONTHS LATER
The first tinges of sunlight began to shine brilliantly through the clouds in the sky as morning was showing up with the rising sun by the time the light bathed Scales on his white scales as the light of the sun cast a long shadow underneath him. He stood at the edge of an island his colony had recently started to call home. His cold breath was a sign of the ever-fast approaching snow season.
Scales stood on the cold, hard dirt while the calm wind blew against his face. In front of him, the lapping ocean waves collided with the rocks at the base of the island. From the scars on his chest, he was like someone who had went into a couple of fights.
To his left, Aquawing ruffled her wings and sat down on the grass. "This place sure is nice," she said. "After a long journey, we finally came upon an island we can call home."
"Indeed," agreed Scales with a nod. "It looks to be peaceful here. Plus, there are plenty of fish in the water around the island."
Aquawing hummed.
Scales looked out toward the ocean once more. After a long moment, he soon began to spot multiple winged creatures flying in through the clouds. He noticed they were making their way to the island. "Inform the other dragons," he told Aquawing. "We're about to have guests. Be sure to have them feel a warm welcome."
"As you wish, Alpha." Aquawing stood and left his side to make her way inward to the nesting grounds.
Scales looked and saw the newly arrived dragons landing near the edge of the island. Some of them were stretching their wings in relief from an apparent long flight. One of them approached him and appeared to be the leader.
"You've made it," rumbled Scales in his deep voice. "I didn't think you'd come, Greenwing."
"But we did," Greenwing nodded. "And you look like you had been fighting the horned humans, Alpha Scales."
Scales studied him with a thoughtful look. Greenwing looked green in the color of his wings, while his snout was red, and his body appeared to be a brighter blue from the morning sunlight. Scales bared his teeth in anger, stating, "Those cursed horned humans have no right to drive us from our homes. If anything, then they are the ones who should be gone for good."
From behind him, Aquawing returned, but she stood still, as if frozen by the sound of the venemous growl Scales let out.
Around them, both of the colonies were resting on the ground.
"Indeed they do," said Greenwing. "I am deeply sorry for the loss of your mate and hatchling, Alpha. You have my condolences." He bowed respectfully.
"Thank you," said Scales gratefully.
After a short moment of silence between them, Greenwing asked, "If I may say something, Alpha, what is it that you've summoned me for?"
Scales looked upward to the blue, cloudless sky, then stared back at him. "I am going to establish a new home for us," he informed. "We are going to search for the Hidden World."
Greenwing tilted his head. "And how are we going to find this Hidden World?"
"We are going to the edge of the Archipelago," replied Scales, uncertainty in his words. "At least, that's where my mate was told it would be, and I have faith in her words that we can find the mythical world."
"That is what bothers me," said Greenwing. Then, he spoke carefully of his next words, "If it's a myth, how would we know where to locate it? I mean, it would be impossible to get there if it doesn't exist."
Scales growled, stomping his paw onto the dirt. He sighed, letting his mind relax and exhaled a breath. "Life isn't easy, and that is why we need to count on each other if we are to survive in this world of man," he began. "As you may know, the humans have constantly raided us from island to island, intending to drive us into extinction. But I won't have that. And neither do you, Greenwing."
Greenwing stepped back, blinking in surprise.
"I would be sending some of my dragons to the other colonies," continued Scales. "They will be needed when we are going on this perilous long journey to the Hidden World."
"That is a wonderful idea," Greenwing nodded. "I will be having some of my dragons to join yours to find the other colonies."
"Then, we have an agreement?" asked Scales.
"We do." Greenwing ruffled his wings.
Scales smiled. "Good. Then, let us prepare ourselves for the journey."
"Very well, Alpha."
Scales felt a sense of pride in him, when he turned to Aquawing, who had been standing nearby. "Give the dragons a chance to get their hatchlings ready. When the sun sets, we're leaving the island."
"I understand, Alpha," she spoke, turning and left them.
"We also need to make some rules," continued Scales, looking at Greenwing, who was standing beside him. "You know what I am trying to say?"
Greenwing nodded. "I do."
"Good," said Scales. "We need to make sure that no one in the colony will be able to leave for the human settlements without an escort to guide them safely. When we raid, they must form groups of their own species to stand up against humans. Also," he added, "whenever we are migrating to a different location, we need not be at one place for more than two years, in hope of confusing the enemy — the humans."
"Very well, Alpha Scales," said Greenwing. "I shall inform my dragons about this."
Scales let a small smile on his expression, then nodded, pleased. As Greenwing turned to leave him, he turned to the ocean and said quietly: "You will no longer be able to harm us, people of the God, Odin. I can make sure of it."