𝘼 𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙇𝘼𝘿 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎 𝘿𝙀𝘼𝘿 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘿𝙔𝙄𝙉𝙂, wings of fire

Chapter One

THE SHADOWS WRITHED AROUND THE figure of the massive dragon standing among them, unseen by the many others of all shapes and colors passing it by, chattering away without any idea that the stranger observed them quietly, even its breath silenced in its throat.

     A small group of chatting dragons passed it, vibrant hues rippling across their scales. They were followed by a few deep blue and gray individuals, who were loud, and acted boisterous.

     There was a rainbow of color all around the massive courtyard, fitting for the place, if the stranger was being honest. This place was called the Academy of Divided Light, a name which indirectly meant a school of rainbows, and looking around, there was an entire canvas of dragons mingling.

     Finally releasing an audible exhale, the massive dragon emerged from the shadows, folding its wings against its sides and side-stepping to avoid stepping on a small white dragon who darted in front of it. As they passed, a freezing chill emitted from their scales, causing the larger, paler dragon to wince slightly.

     IceWings, always cold. It told itself, carving an arc around where the clustered dragons gathered and talked to one another excitedly. Most were grouped together according to their tribes — it could see some SandWings chatting together, recognizable by their pale golden-yellow scales. There were also one or two visible HiveWings among the more vibrant SilkWings, beautiful scales shining in the partial light of the rising sun.

     Perched on ledges high above the other dragons were the regal SkyWings, massive wings similar to that of the wanderer. It caught the gaze of one, the color of bright flames, and saw her dip her chin slightly in acknowledgment, which the stranger did not return, dropping that gaze and slithering toward the admissions table.

     Better get inside before it was crowded at the front, the wanderer decided, approaching a large MudWing standing near the doors. He was bulky, but it had seen many of them in its lifetime, so his stocky build didn't deter it from halting a few paces away.

     He lifted his amber eyes, taking in the strangers build and color, before tapping a talon upon the clipboard he held. "Name?"

     Swishing its tail, the wanderer replied, "Aether."

     The MudWing glanced back down at his clipboard. "Tribe?"

     "Hybrid."

     A SeaWing that the dragon had not noticed before cleared their throat. "Um, hybrids are referred to as 'DustWings' here," they piped up, receiving a sideways glare from the MudWing.

     DustWings? Aether internally rolled its eyes. Of all the possible names we could have been called, they chose DustWings? However, not wanting to alert any potential mind-readers, it wisely dismissed the thoughts, returning to the calm and collected headspace it had learned from its friends back home.

     "Fine, DustWing." It replied calmly.

     There was no further questioning; the MudWing handed it a few scrolls and a metal bracelet and flicked his tail. "Be sure to pass through Scorch's lair to get your tag welded."

     Aether tilted its head at him. "Welded?"

     He nodded, gesturing with a claw toward a NightWing student with a bracelet melted onto her wrist. "It will hurt at first," the MudWing told it. "But you can choose where the band will go. Most choose their wrists for easy access, though I've seen a few have theirs welded to their horns or tails. So long as it's on your body and we can access it."

     Seems rather dramatic, Aether swished its tail, but said nothing, talons curling around the metal in its palm and passing through the gateway into the main part of the academy courtyard, where only a talonful of dragons currently resided. It caught sight of its first LeafWing as it stepped into the warmth of the greenhouse-like center of the Academy of Divided Light. Draped across tree branches or tending to the flowers along the pristine white walls, the beautiful green and brown dragons seemed to be right at home where the sunlight filtered through the canopy which served as a roof overhead.