The Blood Moon Killer

Chapter 12: Discovery

"Okay." Kelp said "sacrificing is not something I expected the Nightwings to do back in the day. But if they needed to keep this secret, then we need to assume the worst case scenario. They were sacrificing other dragons. But who and why is what we need to find out."

As they were about to go in deeper, they heard some steps coming towards them from behind a door. Jumping back, they all eyed it as the steps grew louder and more frequent. The boys stood in front of Whiteout as she was ready to unleash her Frostbreath on the door. Jet and Kelp were good at claw to claw so they would usually go first, Aardvark was good at long distance and so was Whiteout so they usually were like this in their 'defensive' position.

Then, the steps stopped for a moment before the doors opened. Out came a Nightwing with the blood red scales where the silver ones should have been. The Nightwing looked at the dragonets "and what are you all doing in here?" The boys looked at Whiteout as she began to read the mind of the Nightwing. It was like shooting stars. Every time she would try to read her mind it was blocked or just disappeared. She only got the dragon's name.

"You're Astraea." Whiteout said. "Like... The dragon that Nightmarekiller and Dreamweaver told us about?" Jet asked, astonished. "The exact same." Astraea tilted her head "oh my. You're a Mindreader. And a Hybrid. I've never seen an Icewing hybrid before, they usually keep to themselves. Very peculiar." Astraea then looked at the rest "a Seawing and a Rainwing, and a Skywing and a Mudwing. Accompanied by a Sandwing. So much variety, it's like I'm looking at all the tribes at once. Moon Drop Curiouseyes would have been very pleased."

"What is this place?" Jet asked, stretching his wings to protect the others "this is the Temple of the Moon. Have you come because you wish to convert?" She asked, looking at Whiteout "n-no, we got trapped in here and need to find a way out." Astraea sighed "such a pity. You would have been a nice Moon Oblation."

Aardvark gave Whiteout a worried glance as she just tilted her head only for Astraea clear her throat "you said you were trapped here yes? Then let's get you guys out of here. Follow me." She did a swift turn and grabbed a torch before going through the door the she came through. "I was quite relieved when I was found, I do not remember how long I was trapped. But, my kingdom... My home... It's in shambles. A mere sour reflection of the great nation it once was. The past Queens would weep if they knew what we are now."

Astraea sighed "what happened?" She asked as she looked behind her to the dragonets. "A lot has happened." Aardvark began, walking a little faster to catch up to the Nightwing "first of all, this area was flooded for centuries and the water has been receding only recently. Like, 30 years recently. Also, this place has been untouched and unkept for 2 000 years. Also, there was a lot going on in the years you've been gone."

"How much?" She asked, looking at Whiteout curiously. Aardvark could see that Astraea's eyes were constantly focused on Whiteout. The small Sandwing followed the Nightwing's gaze and noticed that it was focused on the teardrop shaped scales. The he saw Astraea smile, but Aardvark knew too well that was a sweet smile hiding a more devious one. 

"Quite a bit. First of all, the 20 Year War. But that was done before we were born." "'20 Year War'?" Kelp nodded "from what my dad told me, the late Queen Oasis died suddenly and her three daughters Blister Blaze and Burn gathered tribes to fight. The Mudwings and Skywings supported Burn, Seawings backed Blister and the Icewings were with Blaze." "And the Rainwings, Nightwings, Beetlewings and Leafwings?"

The dragonets looked at each other "the Rainwings didn't join because everyone thought that they were lazy. The Nightwings were as stealthy as ever and were rarely seen in Pyrrhia... Beetlewings and Leafwings?" Aardvark said, looking at the others "she's probably talking about the Hivewings, Leafwings and Silkwings. And no, they're gone. They're in Pantala which is across the ocean." "Hmm. I was curious as to why I haven't seen any. But Silkwings and Hivewings are new."

"My mom said that when she was there, she learned that Clearsight moved there and had dragonets with a Beetlewing named Sunstreak. And from there came the Hivewings and Silkwings." "Why did Clearsight leave?" Astraea asked, as she opened a door that lead to the surface. Light shown through and the dragonets climbed up first as Astraea extinguished the flame and climbed up and the closed the door. "Well, Darkstalker kinda almost destroyed the world. So you should be glad you missed that fiasco."

"Darkstalker? Whose that?"

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Astraea walked through the forest and began to lead the others out. "How does she not know who Darkstalker is? And what's the deal with Beetlewings and Leafwings?" Jet asked as he eyed Astraea. Aardvark thought for a moment. "I never knew that those other tribes were here in Pyrrhia. As far back as I know, it's only been the Seven Tribes. But the way she said it was like it was just a normal day, and just how old is she if she doesn't know Darkstalker?"

Once they were out of the forest, Astraea stopped "well, this is as far as I know. You guys are going to need to go back to your base yourselves." Whiteout smiled "why don't you come with us? I'm sure everyone would love to meet you and my mom could help you out."

Aardvark's ears went back and his gut turned. He got this sense of fear. Qibli told Aardvark that he got that from him. Astraea tilted her head. "What do you mean?" "My mom can see the future and read minds so she might be able to help you find your way here. My aunt also knows a bit of what you're going through so she'll be able to help you."

Astraea smiled widely and nodded "that sounds lovely. I would love too."