[OLD] Fear The Whispers - Book 1 [Wings of Fire Fanfiction]

Chapter Two - Welcome to Jade Mountain

Essence and Swellow landed at the base of the mountain. They arrived early so there were not many dragons there yet, though a few streamed through the entrance.

"Well," Essence said between pants, "the good news is I still have wings. Bad news is, I feel nothing but pain."

"I told you you would regret trying to fly faster than a skywing," Swellow responded, swatting her playfully with a wing. Essence responded with a wince.

The two looked up at the Jade Mountain and Essence took a breath in awe. The mountain's sheer size could dwarf even the biggest of dragons. More dragons were here now, coming in waves through the sky, and Essence couldn't help but feel self-conscious. Although she looked enough like a full Nightwing, her wings lacked the usual star pattern, replaced by a bright nebula pattern. She bunched in her buzzing wings against her sides.

And then she had a vision.

Essence helping Swellow forge a sword in the workshop class. Now they were with four other dragons that she didn't recognize, searching through a cave. Swellow dueling with Queen Mantis, her sword (swords?) glinting in the sunlight.

Fear the Dragons In Between

Essence snapped out of the vision with a gasp. The world and its senses rushed into her like a wave. The cliffs were swarming with dragons now, some giving her strange looks. She shook out her wings as they screamed in pain.

"Essence? Are you ok?!"

Swellow?  "I'm fine," Essence responded quickly, sinking to her knees. "I'm just a bit sore."

"That doesn't look like 'fine,'" the older dragon gave her an odd look. "That looked like a vision...an intense one."

"It was nothing important."

"Sure, judging from the fact you nearly collapsed."

Essence didn't want others to know of these types of visions partly because she didn't truly know what they meant.

" Look, it's fine. I have visions daily and I'm just sore."

"Whatever you say, Essence." But Swellow took a step closer as if shielding her from onlookers.

Essence knew Swellow was still suspicious.

"I'm impressed you outflew us."

Essence and Swellow turned around and saw Qibli and Moonwatcher landing behind them. Wistfully, Essence wished she hadn't flown so quickly.

"Welcome to the Jade mountain," Moonwatcher said with a sad smile. In her head, Essence glimpsed a huge Nightwing, breaking through the ground and giving out gifts. But as quickly as the memories came, they were gone. Her mother had become quite good at hiding her thoughts.

Qibli wrapped a wing around her mother as if he could read her thoughts. I guess sometimes you don't need mind reading to know what someone's thinking, Essence thought.

"Alrighty, let's go in, shall we?"

The two dragonets were ushered into the entrance. This was not her first time at the academy as she had visited it two years ago, but a huge expansion had taken place last year to support the influx of Pantalan dragons.

At the entrance, an odd-looking Sandwing was giving out small leather pouches and scrolls, telling the newcomers where they should go. Sunny.

As they approached, the golden dragon burst into a smile at the sight of Essence's parents, if it was possible for her smile to get any bigger.

"Qibli! Moonwatcher! I can't believe you're here, well, of course you're here! We're going to start the tour soon, you should come too and... ohmygosh you must be Essence!" Sunny turned toward her, her green eyes flashing.