Wings of Fire: Trust

Chapter One: Opal

Thorns... Ripping at pearly scales... Branches... Whipping colourful spikes.

Opal stumbled through the forest, her vision blurred by salty tears and small drops of scarlett blood. A sharp talon caught on a stray root and Opal collapsed onto the muddy ground, panting.

She curled into a small ball, feeling raw sorrow grip at her, which reminded her of the shadowy hunger clawing at her stomach. She lay in silence as tiny rivers flooded down her face. She let herself rest for a moment, willing her mind to slip away from the many problems waying down the small dragonet.

Eventually, hunger won the everlasting battle and Opal struggled to her feet. She pushed through the undergrowth, scrabbling desperately around in search of any source of food. I'd even eat a cow! She wailed silently.

Disappointment and panic flooded through her. She'd been looking for what seemed hours, and she still hadn't found anything! Not even a berry!

She lowered her gaze to the leaf strewn ground, ready to give up, before catching sight of a sunset orange burst of colour. Opal looked up, her eyes shining and she pushed herself into the air, just managing to clutch a mango in her jaws before she landed.

She sank her teeth into the juicy fruit, savoring the sweet taste before leaping up again. She crunched down on another fruit happily, feeling her strength revive.

Opal continued eating until her stomach hurt with a different kind of pain. By then, she was continuously looking up and down, as if wondering if she should keep going with it. She even considered carrying the remaining mangos but decided against it.

Opal flopped down, feeling more relaxed, but she was tired. She let her snout rest on the ground and her eyes were just about to flutter closed when she heard a growl.

She leapt to her feet, her colourful crystals bristling, her tail waving high, her opal eyes narrowed.

A large Leafwing dove from the bushes, its amber eyes blazing.

"What are you doing on our territory, pesky dragonet!?" He snarled. "Oh, I see... you're stealing our food!" He let out a hiss, and Opal fixed her horrified gaze on the dragon's claws. She was sure she could see drops of glistening sap leaking from them...

There were small clouds of black smoke forming around the Leafwing's horns, and Opal took this as a sign to run!

She pelted through the foliage, looking back to see how far away he was. No! Oh, somebody help me!

She ran until every muscle in her body screamed for her to stop. She didn't.

Opal was focused on looking straight ahead and going as fast as possible.

Abruptly, pain stabbed through her. She let out a yelp. Just above her eyes there was a bright red gash. It burned like searing fire but it also ached horribly. Stupid branch! It was bleeding badly, and a large pool of scarlet blood dripped from it and leaked into her eyes.

A hot wave of panic crashed over the dragonet. I can't see! What do I do!? She pushed herself forwards, gaining speed. She even flapped her wings in a desperate attempt to get away. Why don't these stupid things ever work!? Her mental-self screamed.

She heard the consistent thudding of her and her enemies' feet as they sped along the dusty ground. Wait... dusty?

The Leafwing halted and through her confusion, Opal was grateful. She ran and ran and ran.

Suddenly her thoughts clicked and she stabbed her tail into the earth, desperately trying to stop, but she was too late.

Wind howled in her ears as she fell. She spread her wings but it wasn't enough. She hit the ground below the cliff with a sickening thud.

She let out a groan of pain before her consciousness slipped away and everything went black.