Chapter 15
Winter
Flashback chapter
"This looks like a dragon worthy of challenge..." Winter pointed out to Hailstorm.
Hailstorm came over to see the dragon encased in ice. "Indeed. Shall we give it a try?"
Winter looked away and poked the dragon with his spear. The ice cracked and broke until they were standing in front of a disappointed NightWing.
She looked at the IceWing dragonets in front of her, then at something behind Winter, and then, out of nowhere she snatched the spear from his claws and poked another dragon.
The other dragon seemed to be dancing or something... But the same thing that happened with the first NightWing happened to this new one.
"Is this them?" the female NightWing asked, pointing at Winter and Hailstorm.
The new NightWing inspected Winter and Hailstorm for a moment and nodded with a smile, then approached the IceWings.
"Hello IceWing dragonets, my name is Lightwing, that grumpy NightWing over there is my mother Foeslayer," he said.
Winter gasped. "Lightwing?! Prince Lightwing?! And Foeslayer? Aren't you the family of the Darkstalker? Thieves of IceWing animus magic?"
Hailstorm put his wing in front of Winter. "We've come to kill you," he said, not a hint of emotion behind his voice.
Prince Lightwing snorted. "I'm sure you are... I am going to go sit down, feel free to play and argue all you like."
The NightWing galloped to a wall and sat down, waving to Winter.
Hailstorm turned to Foeslayer with a confused expression on his face and got a shrug from the older NightWing.
Foeslayer bared her teeth after a signal from Prince Lightwing and shot at Hailstorm with her claws reaching for his neck.
Winter bashed Foeslayer out of the way. "You idiot! Do IceWings get dumber every year? Don't you want to win?" she hissed at Winter, pinning him to the wall.
"That's not what I want! I don't want to win if it means Hailstorm has to die!" Winter exclaimed. "What are we fighting for? A number on a wall? Your life is more important to me than the rankings, Hailstorm!"
"I would have said the same thing, brother... But I sacrificed myself for you once already, and it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. You can't imagine how it feels to have these memories in my head. I want my life back. I want myself back. I didn't think it would be you I'd have to destroy in order to get back to first. But it had to be someone," Hailstorm explained.
"What if I told the queen to put me in last place?" Winter suggested.
"Where's the honor for me in that?" Hailstorm mumbled, looking to the spear in his talon.
Prince Lightwing yawned. "Oh, this is so very boring to watch... Hailstorm, would you like to explain to dear Winter what the Diamond Trial truly entails?... Snow cone?" He lifted a small snow cone to offer somebody who wanted one, Foeslayer was the only one who accepted it.
Hailstorm stayed silent. "Well... Since Hailstorm does not feel it necessary to tell his brother important facts, I'll do it myself. The Diamond Trial requires two IceWing dragonets to wander into the Diamond Caves, kill myself and Foeslayer, and then attempt to kill each other – that's what all these other frozen dragons are; IceWings who lost. You must stab the other with your little spears to freeze the loser, and then emerge victorious... What do you have to say about that? Hm?"
The only sound that could be heard was of Foeslayer consuming the snow cone.
Winter threw his spear to the ground. "If we can't kill each other, maybe we just leave it like this. Hailstorm, you go claim victory, and I'll sneak out later. We both live."
"As soon as you get home, they'll throw us both into last place."
"I won't go home... I'll- I'll stay away from the Ice Kingdom."
It doesn't sound possible – leaving my whole life behind? But I've seen the world beyond the Ice Kingdom. It's not that terrible. Because happiness isn't where I am... It's who I'm with. And I know who I want to be with.
"Thank you, brother. I hope one day I'll see you again... I shall send your regards to Iceclaw."
Winter nodded, and watched his brother leave.
"Not to spoil the moment... But I know the way to get Foeslayer and myself out of here... If you're interested..." Prince Lightwing said, making himself a snow cone. "And we know where the lost city of night is... Just consider that before you leave."
By the moons, he was right! Moon needed their help! They knew where the lost city of night was! They could lead her to it and stop Jade Mountain from falling beneath thunder and ice!
List of the whereabouts and status of The Fiery Four: (Last recorded)
Jack: Identity: Lightwing, whereabouts: the Diamond Caves, status: alive
Ian: Identity: Sunburst, whereabouts: the Sand Kingdom, status: alive
Malcolm: Identity: Iceclaw, whereabouts: the Sea Kingdom, status: alive
Daniel: Identity: Bandit, whereabouts: unknown, status: alive