cursed

Chapter 1

The breeze ruffles through your scales, trapping you in an unfamiliar peace. Another dragon stood by your side, looming over your small, frail body. You shivered at the sight of their large wings and claws. Claws that could rip you apart in seconds. Wings that could carry him away from you. You shake your head. The last thing you would need at that moment was the fear of losing him. But of course he wouldn't leave you alone! You wouldn't survive! Semblance cares enough about you to not abandon you, right?

But Cardinal. Cardinal was your best friend. He was the dragon who would wrap his large wings around you. He was always there when you needed comfort. He only fought when he needed to.

All of the sudden, the scene started changing around you. Your friends swept away in a blur, leaving only you.

''Cardinal! Semblance!'' You call, but your voice drains with the rest of the world around you.

The location changes to an unpleasant memory. Two dragons soar through the air, sending large gusts of wind flying into you, knocking you over. The audible shouting coming from the beasts possesses you in inescapable pain and fear as you desperately make your way over to them in an attempt to stop their quarrel.

''Please stop!'' You cry. Again, your words sweep away. Rivulets of blood leak from the dragon's necks, staining the cliffside below them red.

After a moment of hesitation, you decide to land on the uneven ridge. Your friends still fight in the air.

''Crimson! Run!'' Cardinal's familiar words ring through your head. But you can't move. Your legs stay still, paralyzed in fear.

''Crimson! Don't you hear me?! Go!'' He calls again. Your talons finally take a step back. Then another. Then another. Suddenly, you find yourself running. You run faster than you ever have. You lift off into the air, your wingbeats echoing through the air. You can feel yourself hyperventilating, panic spreading through your body like a wildfire. You try to whisper sweet nothings to yourself, but nothing seems to prevent your frantic and hitched breathing. The trees of the forest around you close in on you. Infinite eyes stare you down, mocking you for running away. You should've stayed and helped your friends. They would've listened to you and stopped their fight. They would've brushed it off and got along with their mission.

What were they even fighting about? The unsettling question hits you like a brick, sending you into another spiral of panic.

Eventually, a village comes into view. Luckily for you, the town seems to be rich with civilization, possibly making it easier for you to find support. You stumble out of the air, landing near what seems to be a small shop. With as much strength as you could gather, you walk in. Almost immediately, another dragon rushes to your side.

''Great Serpent! What happened!'' She exclaims, letting you lean on her shoulder. You suddenly become aware of your bleeding snout and mouth. You grimace as you remember when you ran into multiple trees, but you still kept going.

''Help.'' You manage to croak out as she gently guides you away from the entryway with as much care as a mother.

As much care as Cardinal.

You flex your claws as you push away the thought. You did not want to think about your possibly-dead friend in your moment of distress.

''Don't worry, I'll get you help. Just rest for now.'' She says as she helps you lay down. You smile. Your cares about your friends seem to float away, leaving you in peace once more as you finally drift away into sleep.