Wings of Fire: Forever Hoping

Chapter 3

Beetle tackled his father and stabbed him with his tail out of rage. Gnat then remained quiet and still, although his eyes were filled with pain, fear, and anger. Queen Sphex and Digger stood behind two armored guards, frightened on what he had done.

"Queen Sphex, I bid you farewell. But just to let you know, Gnat has been lying to you this entire time. I trust Digger to tell everything, as we have both experienced his cruel behaviors." Beetle turned to his father and snarled in his face. "Let's just hope she lets you live in the dungeons for the crimes you've done to us." With a flap of his wings, he took off to the entrance of the Hive.

~~~

The salty sea breeze filled Beetle with comfort as he talked to Horntail. His tail hung over the edge of the cliff and his claws scratched the rock in the same area multiple times, soon creating little ridges.

"By the moons, I can't believe you did that!"

"And he deserved it. He had no right treating us the way he did. Honeycomb either." He turned his head to the ocean, wondering if Serpent was listening.

"So, what're you gonna do now? Your obviously not allowed back to live with Gnat and Honeycomb, if they don't go to the dungeons."

"I'm going to live at Pyrrhia. Maybe find Possibility, Sanctuary, or Tranquility. Either way, I'm not going to be living under a Queen anymore. Pretty sure I'm not welcome here after I hide the fact that I have Nerve Poison and used it on Gnat in front of Queen Sphex."

"Mean, I don't blame ya. I might've done that same thing if my parents treated me that way."

"Your glad they don't. They love you. Something mine could never show." The two exchanged smiles and hugged each other.

"Promise me you'll at least come back to visit me and Digger."

"I promise," Beetle said and bid farewell to Horntail as he flew away. He glided down to the beach and looked out at the ocean. The warm feeling from the sand curled up his legs. With a sigh, he flopped onto the sand and started to tear up.

"Hey, you okay?" Startled, his lifted his head to the ocean and saw the familiar light green Seawing from before bobbing his head in the water.

"Honestly, no." Serpent swam to the surface and arose from the ocean, his scales dripping water. As he walked to Beetle, he got a warm feeling within every step.

"What happened this time? Didn't drown again, did you?" the Seawing said with a slight laugh. Beetle still remained upset and draped his wings over his head. "Oh-guess it's something serious. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"It's okay. My problem is nothing you can fix, but I appreciate you trying to cheer me up." Serpent unfolded his wing and covered it over Beetle's shoulder.

"Well, I try," he said with a chuckle. Beetle slowly folded his wings and smiled. The two looked out at the ocean, where the sun was setting not far away. "So, what're you gonna do?"

"I'm moving to Pyrrhia. I just gotta find a way without traveling over the ocean."

"Oh! You've never heard of The Passage? Follow me!" Hesitantly, he took to the sky and followed closely behind Serpent. Is The Passage a common thing for dragons to know about? Beetle once again admired all the wildlife they flew over, especially the crocodiles. He remembered when he was younger, he would watch the reptilians catch their meals as they were vulnerable drinking or trying to cross the treacherous waters. Serpent noticed Beetle watching the crocodiles.

"Have a thing for those animals, don't ya?"

"Yeah. They're my favorite animals. Such amazing creatures. What's your favorite animal?"