Claws of time

Chapter 5- The SeaWing Massacre

It had been a very long time, over 2,000 years to be exact, and apparently the only reason why I am still alive is because when I enchanted myself all those years ago, when I was on my way to Pantala, it had accidentally made me immortal. During these years however, I was called back to Pyrriah by the new IceWing Queen, Queen Diamond, who had heard of me as some kind of legend back in the Ice kingdom. On top of that, The BeetleWings and LeafWings seemed to grow hostile towards me, and I could tell they wanted me gone, so I took the opportunity to go back to Pyrrhia. It was a long journey, but it wasn't as bad, since a map was made during the first trip. It took me quite a few Nights but finally I was on the border of the SeaWing's territory. As I approached, I could hear music, and dragons talking amongst each other. It sounded like the SeaWings were throwing a party, must be a new queen as well because Bluegill rarely held parties. I made it onto land and had to stop to rest for a bit. I started approaching the palace area where all the SeaWings were gathered, singing, dancing, and just having a good time. I walked into the party and was stopped by one of the guards, "State your business IceWing, I don't remember Lagoon saying anything about IceWings coming to the party. What are you doing here, and why did you approach from the north border, that's across the sea?" I raised my talons up in a non threatening way, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any problems. I come from a really far away continent called Pantala, I was recently asked to come back in terms of Queen... Diamond, I do believe that's right. And the map leads from this border, since this is the last place I was at on this continent over 2,000 years ago." I held up the map to show her. The SeaWing was staring at me as if I was some strange new creature. She shook her head, and grabbed my talon, "Barnacle, come here, I think I just captured a crazed IceWing." A blue gray SeaWing walked over to the SeaWing that held me, "What's going on Algae? Barnacle asked, confused. "This IceWing showed up at the bay that goes out into the ocean, nowhere near the Ice kingdom, and is stating all kinds of crazy facts." Barnacle hummed, "Hm, maybe they're delusional? Or starved, they look like they haven't eaten in a few days!" They both shrugged, "I'll bring them to Queen Lagoon, and see what she wants to do about it." Algae suggested. Barnacle nodded his head, "good idea." Algae and I walked farther into the party, gasps fell over the crowd as a knife cut swifty across a dark blue SeaWings throat. Algae dropped my talons and ran over to them, "Three moons! Queen Lagoon, your majesty, what happened?" Queen Lagoon was staring at a very pale, almost icy blue SeaWing holding a bloody knife. Lagoon raised her talons to her neck, "But, I'm the Queen!" and immediately fell into the fountain next to her, turning the water red. Algae cried out in terror. The whole party started up in panic, all kinds of SeaWings darting every which way to get away from the scene. Two SkyWings flew up into the sky, but were immediately struck down by the same knife the pale icy blue SeaWing was controlling. A dark green SeaWing stood next to me transfixed on the situation but was eventually grabbed by a purple SeaWing, and dragged away. My head was spinning with confusion, what exactly was happening, and why? Was this an assassination attempt? Who is the SeaWing targeting, is it only royalty? No, that couldn't be it, he killed the SkyWings... Will he try and kill me next? Would it even work? I was asking myself so many questions while still watching the scene unfold before me. Eventually another dark blue SeaWing approached him, "Albatross, brother, why are you doing this? I can understand you might be upset but why would you kill the Queen and all these innocent dragons?" Albatross said nothing, the knife he was holding flew out of his talons however, killing the SeaWing trying to calm him down. Behind him another SeaWing lunged at him with a spear poised in their talons, however the spear twisted out of their talons and turned on them. I couldn't stand here much longer, I might end up as his next target. Almost all the other dragons that were around me had either escaped, or died. I turned and hurriedly ran out of the palace heading towards the ocean again. As I was about to take to the sky, I heard a crash of wood on the ground and some shouting. I turned my head and saw the purple SeaWing with their claws in the gills of Albatross. Albatross roared with anger and pain as the green SeaWing watched in fear. The green SeaWing rose to his feet in an instant and reached his hands up towards the ceiling of the nearby palace, "Spears, kill my grandfather!" In just a flash two spears shot out and towards Albatross. Albatross screamed in terror, "No, spears-" but was cut off when the purple SeaWing clamped their talons around his snout and bit hard on his ear. Albatross grabbed the pearl necklace around the purple dragon's neck, but eventually let go of them. With a crash both of the dragons fell to the ground with blood covering almost every inch. The green SeaWing ran over to the purple one and started cradling their head, I could tell even from a distance that they were badly bruised, and the green dragon was sobbing. I was sure that the purple SeaWing was dead, it would be a miracle if they were alive, but to my surprise they eventually sat up, their bruises and gashes healing slowly. I could only assume that the green dragon used his magic to heal them.
After everything that had happened, I decided to stick around and help the SeaWings find any missing dragons, and the bodies of those who died. There were only two heirs left to the throne, according to the green SeaWing who's name was revealed to be Fathom. And miraculously one of the SkyWings, Eagle, survived, and lectured the SeaWings about the dangers of Animus, and Animus magic. After a while of staying around I was about to leave and head for the Ice kingdom, like I had originally intended, but the new Queen of the SeaWings, Pearl, had stopped me, and wanted to speak with me. "Yes, your majesty?" I bowed my head at her. "I have been meaning to ask, who exactly are you? And why are you in the Sea kingdom?" "Well, my name is Shiver. I am here in the SeaWing territory because I have come from a very far away continent called Pantala, and the map led back to this border of the kingdom, since it is the last place I departed 2,000 years ago." Pearl looked at me strangely, "How is that possible? There are no other continents that any tribes are aware of, and you should be dead if it's really been that long." I thought for a moment on how to explain, "I have a map!" I started digging through my pouch to find it, pulling all of its contents out, but to my dismay the map was gone. "Uhm... hang on just a moment your majesty, it appears I have lost my map." Pearl looked at me with a bored look, "Enough theatrics IceWing, I don't know if Queen Diamond sent you for some reason, or if you're just crazy, but there's no need to put on this act to find a map to a place that doesn't exist." I blinked in surprise at her remark, "I promise you I am not crazy. I am telling the truth, and no this is not a set up from Queen Diamond. However I have been called back to the kingdom by her, which is another reason why I am here." Pearl thought for a moment, "Hm, alright then Shiver, I'm going to send some guards with you on your journey back to the Ice kingdom, that way I can know if you're lying or not." Pearl snapped her fingers to call over two guards standing nearby, the same two that found me last night. "Won't they freeze? This is the Ice kingdom after all." Pearl shook her head, "Don't you know about the gift of diplomacy? I shook my head confused, "You'll have to forgive me, I haven't been here in the last 2,000 years, what is the gift of diplomacy?" Pearl sighed, "They're three bracelets that allow dragons from other tribes to pass through the Great Ice Cliff, and enter the kingdom, and not freeze to death." "Oh." I replied in wonder, "So, are they Animus touched?" Pearl looked uncomfortable for a moment, "Yes... they are in fact... Animus touched." She finished her sentence slowly, with a long pause between the word Animus. "Oh, interesting, I wonder if there are any more gifts of Animus objects over there." Pearl nodded. "Yes, now anyways, I will send you, Algae, and Barnacle off to the Ice kingdom."