A.D. 736, DAY 12, 5th MONTH
17 YEARS AGO
A war cry escaped the horned humans. Scales' body tensed, as the humans crossed the water from their floating islands and onto the shores of the island. His muzzle slip into a snarl, and he growled angrily. "Charge!" he roared to his colony, and spread his wings, before he flew towards the horned humans with the rest of his colony behind him.
Scales pinned a human onto his back, sinking his teeth into his flesh and tore his throat out. The smell of blood filled his mouth. It was fortunately pleasant for him to feel the blood on his tongue as he licked the red liquid.
He turned and ducked underneath the swing of a metal claw from a human. He growled at the warrior, then jumped onto his body. A purple blast escaped his jaw, blowing the human up in meat and metal.
"Help!" cried someone in desperation.
Scales turned to see a male Gronckle hatchling cornered by three humans, all of which had their metal claws raised above their heads. He roared, loud enough so the humans was startled by his sudden presence before them.
He swiped his tail at their feet, knocking them onto the black pebble fragmented beach. He blasted three blasts of plasma at them, leaving them unmoving. Scales turned to the Gronckle hatchling. "Go. Find your parents, young one. Do not stop until you've found them."
The Gronckle nodded in fear, then flapping his wings and flew off.
Scales flinched when something sharp flew past his cheek, causing blood to drop on the black beach. He turned and growled at the human, who stood a few miles away from him. He jumped into the air, and crashed into the man's body, with a small wrestling following afterward. He sank his teeth in the man's flesh, tearing his heart out.
The rest of the horned humans retreated from the battlefield, and returned to their floating islands.
Scales roared loudly and, as a sign of warning, he fired a blast of plasma at one of the floating islands, exposing its hide wide open as splintered wood fell into the ocean.
Finally alone on the island with the humans gone, Scales looked at the corpses of both the humans and dragons laying on the red colored ground. He looked in disgust at the human corpses. When he neared a corpse, he clawed at it. The blood spilled out from the human corpse. Afterward, he looked away from the corpse.
He looked over to find the Gronckle hatchling he saved earlier had found his parents dead and pressed his body against their bloody bellies, and was crying.
This war has caused so much death, Scales thought, staring gravely at the dragon bodies of his colony. If we don't stop it now, everyone will die. His thoughts returned back to his dead family.
His paw grabbed tightly on the body of a young horned human, and he tossed it into the air, firing a plasma blast which burnt the body in the fire into blood and meat.
Scales grit his teeth, as a growl escaped him out of anger. The sun was high above in the afternoon light. There was an eerie silence in the air around him. These cursed humans! He let out an anguish roar.
A group of Gronckles, from where he stood, stiffed on their paws and flinched when he looked at them. He realized his anger and easing his body into its usual posture.
"Is everything alright, Alpha?" came the worried voice of Aquawing, as the Deadly Nadder ruffled her wings and stepped bravely beside the angry Scales.
"I am getting tired of this, Aquawing." He looked at her with his eyes. "Tired of everything this war with the humans that has caused too much death on both sides. If it weren't for the humans who went to our island twenty two years ago, then this would never have happened. They killed many of our dragons already." He spat, staring on the black pebble fragmented ground of the island, while a small watery tear fell from his left eye.
From his left eye, he could see Aquawing stiffening on her feet. "Maybe we could search for a new home," she suggested. "Someplace faraway and out of reach from the humans."
"Is that not what we're doing right now?" he asked shortly after a pause. "We are searching for the Hidden World, Aquawing. That is where we will truly be safe from the humans."
"But…" Aquawing looked down, "why haven't we been able to find it in these sixteen years? Why are we still looking? For all we know, it could not be out there, maybe it's just a myth."
"Are you certain of that?" asked Scales, as he began to look at her with an inquisitive glance. "Even if I know where to look for it?"
"Do you?" asked Aquawing curiously. "Do you really know where to look after the Hidden World?"
At the question, Scales was silent. For once, he never knew how to form a sentence.
"There you go, Alpha," said Aquawing with a sigh. "If we have been looking for more than two decades, then how is it that we are still out here in the open, free of being continuously attacked by the horned humans?"
"I…" started Scales, uncertainty in his voice. "I have no idea," he finally admitted. "For once, you may be right, Aquawing. I have not been able to find the Hidden World, despite my mate wanted us to find it."
Aquawing gave a toothy smile. "I'm just glad you realized what you are doing. That is what a good leader should be doing. And what about the colony?"
"Let us assemble them and search for a place, we can finally call home for the time being," replied Scales.
Aquawing nodded, pleased. "Very well. I shall assemble everyone who are alive and well from the attack in the nearby forest."
"Thank you, Aquawing," said Scales gratefully.
Scales watched her leave to do as she was told. He looked skyward and whispered a small prayer: "Please, Clawdia. Watch over me. You too, Lightpaw. Watch your Pa be a good leader to the colony."
•••
A.D. 753
PRESENT DAY
Scales was staring at his paw, the moonlight shining down upon the ground. Everything was silent around him, the dragons having fallen asleep in the Dragon Mountain. All except him.
Why did I have that dream? He looked confused as he continued to stare at his paw. Is there something I should be careful about what I am doing? Surely I must be dreaming, right? I need to be careful with where we are going. No more dragons should be killed by the humans — and that includes the safety of Flashwing's son.
Scales's right ear twitched at the sound of pawsteps coming closer to him. He turned and noticed Aquawing. "I thought you had been gone to sleep." His voice spoke with a sound of concern. "You do know everyone will need their energy, right?"
"Yes, I know. And I couldn't sleep," she said, ruffling her wings as she approached him. "Something's been bothering you. I can sense it."
Scales let out a breath of air. "It's about the human hatchling, isn't it?"
"No. Something else." She stared deeply into his blue eyes, as if piercing through his soul with one side eye. "Could it be what happened back then?"
"How'd you know?"
"I was having the same dream," said Aquawing shortly.
Scales looked up to the star filled sky. "I'm sorry if I haven't been able to protect those dragons who died during the human attack. I was powerless to stop it."
A smile grew on Aquawing's muzzle. "There is something else that has bothered you."
"How can you tell? It's during these warring times that I need to be careful, and it's not just because of the war with the horned humans. If it werent't for them, I would not have experienced loss so quickly after my hatchling was only a few moons' old during the time."
"But?"
"But I was so focused on finding the Hidden World, that I would not have been a better leader for the colony, which I will try to make up for it."
"I thank you for letting me know of your mistake," Aquawing began, looking at him with her right eye. "I'm grateful for how you are realizing your role as Alpha of the colony. But, there is something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"I would like for you to be more kind toward the hatchling," said Aquawing. "He is no more than a year old. And I would be more than happy if you would teach him all of the wisdom you've learned during our travels while trying to find the Hidden World. So, to that note, may I ask why you've been hesitant to teach him?"
"It's obvious," stated Scales, stiff on his paws when he looked at her. "The hatchling would grow up and threaten our kind. If there wasn't anything else I could have done, then I would most likely have killed him on the spot."
"Yet, you didn't."
"No," he admitted. "I did not. Why does this have anything to do with the Hidden World?"
"Because Bright is more important to us than you think," said Aquawing with a smile. "If you want my opinion, then I think you are growing on the hatchling."
"I do not. You can stop right there, Aquawing."
"If you said you would kill him on the spot, in front of Flashwing, how would he feel?" asked Aquawing, staring curiously at him with her eye.
Scales opened his mouth to speak, but no words came from him as silence overtook him.
"Exactly." Aquawing nodded, continuing to speak: "Flashwing would feel devestated. He is the hatchling's father now. There is nothing you would have done to damage his heart than to kill his son."
"He is different," said Scales. "More different than us. He has the heart of a human."
"He is different, yes, but he has with him the soul of a dragon. I can sense it in him. He wouldn't harm a single dragon in his life, nor would he kill one when he grows up under the care of the Night Furies."
"And what if you're proven wrong?"
Aquawing was silent for a moment. "Then…the last thing I would do is to stop the bloodshed," she said with a slight hesitation in her words.
Scales nodded. He stood and stepped down from the plateau of flat rock to the dirty ground. "I will go for a stroll. Please, Aquawing, go back to sleep."
"As you wish, Alpha."
Scales waited until her spiky tail disappeared around the corner of her nest. He let out a sigh, then began to walk away from the plateau. He continued his way through the connected tunnels until he arrived at his destination and peeked into the cave.
Flashwing was sleeping with Bright underneath his wing, and the tail was curled around his body. Beside him was Penumbra, and in the small grass nest lay Luna. All of them were fast asleep.
So, Bright has grown slightly since last time, he noted upon seeing Bright underneath Flashwing's wing. What should I do? Clawdia, if you are up in the stars, please give me a sign of what I can do for the better of the colony. He closed his eyes to listen to the calm wind. It came to him, as if whispering something in his ear After a short moment, he opened his eyes and walked away from the cave, and back to the plateau.
I will do what a good leader must do. To protect everyone in the colony.
•••
The next day, Flashwing woke up to the beaming light of the sun. He uncurled himself from Bright's body, and rose up on his paws. He looked at his family, before walking out of the nest.
When he stepped through the Night Fury tunnel, he was greeted by Scales, who had patiently waited for him. "Is there anything you'd like to speak with me about, Alpha?"
"As a matter of fact, there is something," said Scales. "Come with me."
Flashwing saw him walk toward the entrance tunnel and followed after him. The darkness of the entrance tunnel was soon blinded by the light of the sun outside Dragon Mountain. They were met with silence at the beach of the island, with the calm lapping ocean waves reaching the shores.
"Do you know what happened after you and your mate was accepted in the colony when the Night Fury species was on the brink of death?" asked Scales.
Flashwing nodded. "You took us in under your watch, as if we were your family members."
"Yes, but there is more to it," said Scales. "When you were accepted, I could only think there was missing one Night Fury. A young male hatchling, who was taken by the Red Death to her nest, Dragon Island. I fear that with her mind control ability, she can be a threat to our colony."
"Even if she is a dragon, like us?"
"Exactly," nodded Scales in confirmation. "However, an alpha who abuse their dragons does not seem worthy of the title as leader of their colony. If you or your son happen to encounter the Red Death, be very careful without looking directly into her six eyes."
"Are the eyes really that powerful?" asked Flashwing.
"They are," replied Scales. "They can pose a problem to us, if we are taken under her control. This Red Death is a monster. She cannot be taken for granted if she does control us for her to use us against humans or other opposing dragon colonies."
Flashwing began to ponder over the way he spoke of her. His inquisitive expression was noticed by Scales, who gave him a comforting and reassuring smile.
"Do not worry, Flashwing. I promise I won't be going down that easily if we encounter the Red Death."
"Despite all the odds if they are not in your favor?" asked Flashwing.
Scales put a claw under his scaly chin. "I will see what I can do. Remember, we have yet to get close to her nest. It's probably way farther south in the islands than up here in the north."
"Which is a relief," spoke Flashwing.
"Indeed it is," agreed Scales. "But, all of this is something you should not wonder about too much, Flashwing. All that you should be doing right now is to raise your son and daughter, and let them be ever closer to each other. So that one day, they…" He trailed off.
"They, what?" wondered Flashwing curiously.
"Never mind," replied Scales with a shake of his head. "Go back inside, my friend. I need some fresh air."
Flashwing nodded in understanding, then turned tail toward the entrance tunnel and walked away from Scales, who was left alone outside.
Flashwing continued walking through the connecting tunnels to the Night Fury nest, and when he made it to the nest, he saw Bright and Luna outside, playing with each other until they spotted him and stopped their play-fight.
"Pa!" said Bright, standing up from his position on the ground. "You back!"
"And where were you this time, Daddy?" asked Luna, tilting her head.
"I was just outside on the beach with the Alpha," replied Flashwing, honesty in his voice.
"Really?" came the voice of Penumbra, who stepped toward him. "And what did he want with you this time around?"
"He just wanted to warn me about something dangerous…" replied Flashwing carefully. He shook his head. "But that is something you three should not worry about for now. So," he cleared his throat, looking at Bright, who stared curiously in return. "Shall we begin with your next lesson, son?"
A slight groan escaped Bright. "Me not like the lessons, Pa…"
Flashwing chuckled lightly. "You will like this one, then. Come up here!" He slid himself underneath a surprised Bright with his head. He turned to Penumbra. "We will be going out for a few hours while I teach him."
"Very well," said Penumbra with a nod. "Be careful out there."
"We will." Flashwiing licked her on the cheek, then turned tail and left the two dragons alone in the nest and went outside the Night Fury tunnel to the entrance. Once he was certain no one was looking, Flashwing spread his wings and flew skyward into the air.
Bright squealed in delight, laughing as the wind blew in his face. "Where we going, Pa?"
"To someplace you might remember," replied Flashwing. "Where a certain someone is waiting. But, do not say a word about this to your mother or the others, understand?"
"Me understand, Pa," said Bright with a nod.
"Good. Hang on tight, son!" called Flashwing as he sped up by beating his wings, while Bright laughed at the high speed they were going.
Re wux mobi, sia sune? Flashwing asked.
Flashwing, came the voice of Arne, who sounded excited. I was wondering when you'd call me with your mind. So, how is Bright doing?
Bright's fine. I am getting closer to the island where you are at right now, in fact, replied Flashwing. He looked up and saw Bright tilt his head in confusion at him. I would like for him to be taught your language, Arne.
Excellent, said Arne. I shall be expecting you shortly, then. I will be looking forward to when you arrive.
The communication was cut off, and Flashwing looked up at Bright, who blinked. "Who that, Pa?"
"A friend who helped me feed you when you were but a few days old," replied Flashwing. "And I take you heard the conversation, am I correct?"
"Yes, Pa. Is it bad thing?"
"No, no. It's a good thing, actually. It means you're learning," explained Flashwing. He beat his wings to stay in the air until he spotted the island where a lone human was sitting patiently while fishing. "We're here now."
He saw Bright lean forward with his ever curious look on his expression. Flashwing landed down on the piece of land, folding his wings in and let Bright get down from his head.
"Hello, Flashwing," said the human. "I am glad to see you have returned."
Flashwing nodded. "It was a bit hard to go unnoticed for the past few moons, Arne. Thus, I have been unable to join you."
Arne waved dismissively. "It's fine, my friend. Do not worry about it. And hello to you, Bright." He smiled down at the boy.
To Flashwing's worry, he was uncertain what Bright would make of Arne. But, to his surprise, Bright cralwed on all four toward Arne, who knelt down to his height.
"You sure are an interesting hatchling, Bright," commented Arne.
"You friend with Pa?" asked Bright.
Arne chuckled. "I am indeed a friend of your father."
Bright looked at Flashwing with wonder eyes. Flashwing nodded to him. "He will be helping me to teach you all about your natural language, son."
"Indeed I am," added Arne. "It's about time you will learn Norse, Bright. But, please. For my sake, do not talk about our meeting with your colony."
"Why?"
"Because they might hunt me down and…" Arne trailed off with a shake of his head. "Never mind. We shouldn't worry about that. All we need right now is to have you learn your language, young one."
Flashwing concluded: "So by all what we're trying to say is that you should not utter a word while we have our…ahem…father and son trips outside Dragon Mountain."
"Me understand, Pa," said Bright with a nod of his small head.
"Good!" Arne clapped his hands together. "Let us begin the first lesson, shall we?"
Bright nodded, though not as energetically as Arne.
•••
After a long noon with Arne, both father and son returned home to Dragon Mountain while they managed to get to their nest.
When they came by the entrance to the Night Fury cave, Luna sprinted forward and hugged Bright with her forepaws. Flashwing laughed.
"So, where were you?" asked Luna.
"Oh, we were just outside on a flight," said Flashwing.
Luna's eyes shined brilliantly. "Can I come with you next time?"
"Uh…maybe," replied Flashwing with uncertainty in his voice. "For now, Bright must be tired from the flight."
At those words, Bright yawned, prompting Flashwing to chuckle once more. Flashwing took Bright in his paw and walked inside the cave, placing Bright in his grassy nest on the ground.
"Where is Penumbra?" asked Flashwing, turning to Luna.
"Mommy is with aunties right now," she replied. "Something about a mother and auntie meeting."
"I see." Flashwing smiled at her. "Well then, now that Bright is asleep, what would you do, Luna?"
"See my friends. They are waiting for me, I recall."
"Then, off you go!" said Flashwing, waving with a paw forward. "Or do you want me to accompany you?"
"No thanks, Daddy!" Luna immediately shook her head. "I know the way."
"Very well. Be careful out there, daughter. We wouldn't want any incidents to happen, now would we?"
Luna frowned at him. "Daddy, I am grown up. I'm two years older than baby brother."
"That's still a hatchling, though," he commented.
"Hmph," harrumphed Luna, turning tail and walked away from him.
Flashwing shook his head in bemusement. He turned to Bright, who was half-awake.
"Pa, no teasing big sis," said Bright in a tired voice.
"Sorry, son. I know it must be one of those adulting things that has you confused."
"Me know."
"Do you?" Flashwing raised a scaly brow. "Or do you say th at because you do not know any of this?"
Bright stared at him. "Me would not want you to tease, that is all, Pa."
Flashwing smiled gently. "I know, son. I will not tease Luna again," he promised. "But, that does not mean your mother is going to do the same to you when you grow up."
Bright gave a slight groan. "Me do not like sound of that."
"Oh, really?" came a familiar voice. "Do you even know what you are saying, my dear hatchling?"
Flashwing blinked and looked over his shoulder to the entrance and noticed Penumbra. "Well, there you are!" he laughed. "I was wondering when you'd get here."
"Where's Luna?" asked Penumbra, looking around.
"She's with her friends," replied Flashwing, smiling as she walked up by his side.
Penumbra nodded. "I see. She did tell me at one point she was going to meet them when you got back. So," she added, looking at a tired Bright, "it's time for you to be put in your nest, little one."
"Ma, me not tired yet."
"No?" she spoke with a raised scaly brow. "But your eyes tells me otherwise." She walked up to him and began to speak a small lullaby to him.
Flashwing chuckled at the sight of them. I hope nothing bad will occur with my family. If we do encounter this Red Death, then I should be prepared for anything that could happen. Once he saw Bright fast asleep, he decided to join Penumbra by her side.
•••
Scales paced around on the flat plateau of rock while Aquawing was standing in front of the plateau. "Do you think I did the right thing to warn him?"
"About the Red Death? Absolutely," she nodded. "It means he will be prepared for it if we encounter her. I know you wouldn't want anything bad to happen with Bright's family, since you care about him."
"I do not care about the human," said Scales.
"No?" Aquawing stared at him with a side glance. "But your expression tells me otherwise that you do care about him. He's like the grandson you've never had. Or am I wrong on this?"
Scales stopped his pace, and looked at her. "How can you tell?"
"The frown you did told me," she replied. "How else would you explain it to me?"
Scales sighed. She wasn't easy to deny the truth. In truth, he did care about Bright. The human had something of an attachment to dragons unlike anything he had seen. "Look, Aquawing. Let us not worry about the Red Death for a while, as Bright grows up under Flashwing's care. Right now, we need to figure out how we can find the Hidden World."
"Haven't we already tried all our options?" asked Aquawing.
"Well…yes, but I won't give up on my desire to get the colony to safety from the horned humans," said Scales.
"And I will follow you no matter where you will be going, Alpha," added Aquawing with a toothy smile.
"Thank you, Aquawing," began Scales gratefully. "I thank you for supporting me on this journey."