The Dragon in the Cave- a Wings of Fire OC Story (1)

Chapter Four

The morning after, Cornsnake felt sunlight pour into the hut from the window, and he groaned as it hit his eyes. He felt movement from next to him and realized Visionseeker was still sleeping quietly from under his wing. He felt his heart drop when he realized Cloud was staring smugly at him from across the room. Raindrop had an affectionate expression on her face.

"You're up early," Cloud remarked. "Sleep well last night?" Raindrop jabbed him in the side with her elbow and he scowled at her.

"It's nice seeing her so relaxed," she said. "I wasn't sure how she'd sleep after the day she had yesterday. I'm sure she was exhausted. Were you guys up late?" He shook his head.

"No, we just talked for a little bit," he said. "She did mention being overwhelmed. Maybe we put the Sand Kingdom on hold for a bit? Let her settle here first?" Cloud scoffed.

"Cornsnake, three moons," he said, standing up and stretching. "You're making a big deal over nothing. We'll be fine." He sighed. Visionseeker stirred from next to him and blinked her eyes open. He pulled his wing back as she stretched her talons out in front of her.

    "That was the best I've slept my entire life," she murmured sleepily. Cloud laughed and hauled her to her feet, and she grinned at him. "Seriously. My wings are so sore but I feel good." She flexed her wings and shook them out. "Are we still going to the Sand Kingdom?"

    "Mhm," Raindrop said, twining her tail with hers. Cornsnake felt his heart begin to race, and he shifted anxiously on his feet. That was the last place he wanted to go.

    After breakfast, the four took flight towards the Sand Kingdom. Cloud, who kept the map grasped firmly in his talons, led the way. He and Raindrop talked for most of the flight. Cornsnake hadn't realized how far behind he'd gotten until he realized Visionseeker had appeared next to him with a concerned look on her face. She nudged him lightly with her wing.

    "You okay?" she asked him. "You're being super weird." He glanced at her, then sighed.

    "I just... don't like this place," he said. "And I don't see why we have to go." She kept her eyes trained on him, listening for more. He sighed again. "Listen, there's a lot of bad there. I ran off when I was little because my family was awful to me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But I have no reason to go back and it sucks I have to see it again." He went quiet, and looked at the earth below him.

    "I'm sorry, Cornsnake," she said softly from next to him. "Thank you for telling me. Can you please come fly with the rest of us?" He nodded and followed her to the front with Cloud and Raindrop.

    About ten minutes later, Cornsnake felt the temperature change. He lifted his head as warm air hit them, his body feeling refreshed from this new weather. As a SandWing, he preferred warmer climates. But he had gotten used to not being around sand and constant hot weather, and this was a nice change. Cloud, however, was having the opposite reaction and looked as if he were regretting wanting to come to the sandy kingdom. Raindrop pointed to a small village, and Cornsnake felt his heart drop. It was his village- the one he'd escaped from all those years ago. But he knew his friends needed to rest, and followed them as they landed with a thump on the sand. In the middle of the village was a small pool of water and Cloud immediately began to drink. Cornsnake saw Visionseeker shift closer to him as she noticed the curious looks from the surrounding SandWings. She looked up at him and noticed his anxious expression.

    "What's wrong?" she whispered.

    "This was my family's village," he answered quietly. "I figured it got destroyed during the last war. Evidently not. I just hope I don't recognize anyone." She looked around, also anxiously.