The Cindered (Anti)Hero || Book 1

Chapter 6 - To The Sand

The same dream had occurred, and Cinder wasn't surprised.

It was barely even a dream; more of a memory. A very vivid memory.

She remembered everything, down to the fear she had felt.

Screaming, and lots of it. Her mother's eyes were wide, as well as her jaw. "Cinder! What have you done?!'

What had she done? Cinder herself couldn't even remember. She was shaking. Blood was stained on her talons. She had killed someone with her bare claws. Not even she knew how she was capable of it. She had blacked out while committing the act.

She looked down to see her father's body in front of her. It was his blood he had spilt.

Why did she feel proud of it? Why did she take pride in the fact that she had killed one of the strongest SkyWings in all of Pyrrhia? She hated to admit, but even now, it seemed like a flex. She, a fresh adult dragon, had brutally beaten and killed Hawk, one of the most powerful generals in all of history.

Even Soot was as horrified as his mother, Smoke. "Cinder! You monster!"

A monster? Is that what she was? She laughed at the thought. "Me? A monster?! Take a look at him! He was the real monster! I saved you, Soot!"

Soot had whimpered and ran out of the cave. Smoke backed towards the entrance. Cinder followed her. "Ma, why do you cower? Are you... afraid of me?" She had made an awful grin, finding the idea silly.

Smoke growled. "Soot was right. You are a monster."

Those words had rung in her head for years. Even now.

Cinder awoke, acting as if nothing was wrong. The moons were still high in the sky. Angel was still curled up beside her, sleeping peacefully. Her scales rippled darker and lighter slightly.

Now that Cinder thought about it, she wondered how Ronin and Angel were related. They must have to share the same father, unless they were adopted siblings. She was too tired to ask, so she shoved that thought in the back of her mind.

Soon enough, Ronin awoke, his bright blue eyes weary. Cinder sighed, seemingly of relief. "You alright, Ronin?"

He slowly turned his head to Cinder. "Huh?"

"I said, are you alright?"

Ronin shook his head slowly, as if he were snapping out of a trance. "Yeah, yeah. All good."

"Good." She got up slowly, her body aching. "Well, due to y'er little fiasco, there's gotta be patrols everywhere. Not only are they lookin' fer you, but they know I'm here, too."

Ronin rubbed his neck. "Hey, Cinder?"

"What?" She snapped.

"Why didn't Soot react to the bite? Do you think he could be immune too?"

Cinder thought for a moment. "Hmm. I wouldn't be surprised, given m'a immunity is probably heredity." Ronin nodded. "Makes sense."

After Angel awoke, they packed their things and got ready to head out. Ronin offered to take Angel, to which both she and Cinder agreed to. "She smells like death," Angel had whispered to Ronin, loud enough so Cinder could hear. She had chuckled. "Actually, that's m'a aura, hon. I smell like rain."

Angel shuddered. "Even worse." Ronin rolled his eyes, motioning for Angel to get on his back. "Where to, Cin?"

Cinder paused for a moment. Cin. It rang in her ears, bringing back horrid memories. Soot used to call me that, she thought. It fits me. I hate it.