Claws of Power Book 1: A New Destiny (WOF Fanfiction)

PART ONE: WITHIN THE BORDER- Chapter 1

Flora was a dragon who wanted to change things for the better. Yes, she was a princess, of course she should be happy, but it sometimes felt like she was restricted from doing fun stuff that everyone else could. Seriously, so what that she was royal? It wasn't like the Venomwings were going to kidnap her and take her to their unsettling kingdom. In fact, no one has heard from the other tribe for over a century, and vice versa.  The queens were planning to keep it like that, and tomorrow, building a wall to divide the territories was going to be her next life project.

The glittery pink dragon lay awake in bed, gazing at the stars through the skyhole at the top of her bedroom. She didn't sleep. She thought about how her life would be if she wasn't born a princess. Would she feel free, or would she miss living in a palace with the highest ranks?

Flora could see a yellow band of light expanding in the sky. It was dawn, and today was her last day as a princess. Her last day to enjoy herself.  The sun was rising quickly.

Footsteps were pounding near Flora's room. She immediately got out of bed. "Come in", she called, and the door opened. It was her father, King Phoenix, second in command of the Mythwings.

King Phoenix was a firey red gold Mythwing wearing a gold amulet with an emerald embedded onto it. Literally everyone who passed by him instinctively bowed down without question; he probably had the most unique (and most recognizable) scales in the kingdom. Every dragon respected him, as he was a good ruler, protective and kind.

"Good morning daughter", he greeted her politely. "Good morning Father," She greeted back. 

"Any big plans for today?"

"What do you mean?", she was confused.

"Well, you are going to be a big dragon tomorrow on your birthday. You'll be 16, and you'll have to lead the Mythwings instead of your mother."

Flora sighed. Did he really have to remind her? "Couldn't mother just keep the throne until she ages or something?", she frowned.

"Well, Mythwing rules state that a queen cannot rule for more than 50 years, and that a daughter must inherit her throne at the age of 16", Phoenix said sympathically, "but there's nothing to stress. You're going to be a great queen."

"But...what if I mess up or something?"

Her father smiled kindly. "You won't, and if you do, Your mother and I will be here to guide you and protect you."

This brought Flora to her next question. "Father, I was just thinking, why do you want me to build a wall separating the territories? I mean, we already know we aren't allies, but why reinforce that? Are the Venomwings going to attack or something?"

The King's face darkened. He started fidgeting with the emerald amulet around his neck. Flora felt like she probably shouldn't have said that so fast.

"The Venomwings are not going to attack, Flora. We are just making sure they won't and will never. Besides, we can't let them know that we are getting a new queen, it'll make us seem vulnerable. You know?"

"Oh"...was all Flora could say. Was her own father implying that she would make a bad queen? That she'd endanger her tribe if she were crowned?

Would I?

"But what if I don't want to be queen? Couldn't I just decline?"

"I'm sorry, Flora, but it is your destiny. You know it was and always will be. Besides, what else were you planning to do?"

Um...something more free, like on guard patrol or a job in the village. But then again, if I become queen, I'll have a chance to lead my subjects and boss everyone around. Ooh, that'll be fun. Maybe I'll have some spare time here and there in between all that stress...besides, it's my DESTINY.

"I guess I don't really know," Flora admitted. "Maybe you're right. After all, as Princess Flora of the Mythwings, daughter of the beloved King Phoenix and Queen Reborn, I shall take my throne with full fledged wings and declare my throne with PRIDE!" she said in an overdramatic voice.

Phoenix laughed. "That's my little girl!" he beamed. Now you should really get going. The sun is almost fully up. Your mom is out there getting everything prepared for tomorrow."

"Can I go see my friends Iris and Blossom?" she asked.

"Of course!" He exclaimed. "Go have fun! Make your last day the best one."

Flora got up from sitting and hugged her father. "Thank you." Phoenix hugged back smiling. Flora walked to the door and opened it; before going out, she took one last glance at him. He smiled, but not a big one. She smiled back and went out, suddenly having a bad feeling inside.

Was it just me, or did he look a little...distracted?

She could've sworn his second smile seemed forced in a way. Maybe he was just nervous or worried for her, probably just normal nerves, but here was the thing: he was crossing his claws.

Phoenix only crossed his claws when he was really scared, which usually meant something bad was going to happen eventually, no matter how soon.

As Flora walked through the long empty hallways of the palace to the back entrance, she felt a weird chill through her scales.

Does he know something that I don't? Something about my coronation? About the Venomwings?

She didn't know what would happen tomorrow, but she already knew something was not right. As if King Phoenix suspected that he would never see his daughter again. 

A/N- Hey guys! Crystalflower here! Sorry if this chapter was a little short. They'll get bigger and better as I work on them. I'm in the middle of school right now and I won't be able to update very often, but I'll try my best. I hope you like my story so far and keep on reading! :)