Skye Evans.

Scar.

      Pristine, small, white feathers drifted from a miniscule place in the air. Detaching themself naturally from her youthful wings. Leaving a small trail behind her. Rays pointed from behind her, the imprint of her figure etched onto the barren sides, covered in uneven cracks. As if she was a spirit, here to bring rain upon this wasteland.
      But she was not. She was but a curious eight year old, who escaped from the confines of her cloud home in the busy of the morning, her heart set on exploring the rocky Hades Cliffs. Accompanied by her companion, the dog whom she had adopted in one of her previous adventures. Who fluttered his tiny wings beside her, tail still wagging and tongue still out, even in the air. 
     Still growing arms outstretched themselves, raising higher, slowly. Opening herself up to the place, in the hopes it would do the same in return. This was not the first place she had explored. She didn't think it'd be her last. 

     "Oh, Isn't this just so cool, Breeze?" She flapped her little arms around in form of excitement,  mimicking the other. White eyes scanned every surface, every crevice, every change in type of rock. It was just waiting to be explored. 
      From the little research she was able to conduct on the area, it was abandoned, and dangerous to be in. Everyone who wasn't a Flamewing described the area as strikingly hot. She didn't think so, though. But her friend certainly did. Even though they were still a good distance away, he was already panting, and when she put her hands on him, he was all wet and stinky!
      The girl giggled, wiping her hands on her ruffled dress. "Ewww, Breeze!! Hehe, how about you stay over there? I'll be quick, since you can't come. I just really want to see that ruby!" 

      The true reason that such a young Skywing had come all this way to Ignatius was mainly for the thrill, to feel some excitement, but she also really wanted to see a rumored gem. In the heart of the mountain, hidden under the rocks. Skye couldn't know if it was true for sure if she didn't see it with her own two eyes! The same sources also said there was a dragon... but there was no way that was real!
      After all, didn't all those dragons get killed off by the bad men yeeeeaaaars ago?

      Landing, she straightened out her poofy grey dress, which fell well below her knees, and tucked in her feathered wings. At first, when she began to wander around, she saw a whole lotta... well... nothing. Just rocks, and rocks, and rocks! Some were pretty sparkly, and she pocketed them. The few that could fit in her cloth's pockets at least. They were pretty heavy, but she trudged on.
      Running her fingers against the course material, a red glow caught her eye. It flickered in a slow beat. Growing and subsiding. Almost like a heartbeat.

      Bum.. Bum.. Bum..

      Was that her or the thing that was emitting that strange aura? Whatever! A glint appearing in her eyes, she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her and the gems.
      The closer she approached, the harder it was the difficult to navigate. At first, it was just a bunch of pebbles in her way that she could just kick or step on. But they grew it size, and when the item was just out of her view, they were half her size.
      One just wouldn't move, so she pushed with all her might. It rolled up, just a bit, and she shoved forward. But rock beats skywing, and it fell back down. She was quick to move her feet out of harms way, but her dress wasn't as fortunate. The frills were pinned under, and the material was so well made that she couldn't even tear it to get out! Not that she wanted to or anything, her mom would be super mad!

      The source of the light was hidden behind an edge. But it seemed to be growing closer. Slowly. And with each second of brightening, she would be shaken by a large stomp. A few more seconds, and she could hear heavy breathing.
      At first, it was exciting. Exhilarating, even. Who knew what kind of creature was back there? But as the sound of growls grew and a large silhouette appeared, her eyes began to widen not with excitement, but with fear. She scrambled desperately to get the rock off of her, but it refused to budge. Though her wings were strong, she couldn't even fly out. She realized that it was because of the trinkets within her clothing, but by then, it was too late, and she was frozen. Fingers lost their grip on the useless rocks, instead falling plainly to her sides.
      Two eyes. Two beating harts. Two beings, staring at each other. One old, one young. One bound to the big wide world, for something more. One confined to a jagged peak. 

      One helpless, one attacking.

      Looking back, it's hard for her to explain what exactly happened. A blazing fire, she would say. And they would look at her crazy, for it was obvious the scar that rested on her face was not from burns. The faces in the mirror disagreed with her. 
      Red, so much red. Mountains and lakes of blood. It dripped down her face, stained her dress, stained her skin, stained her mind. It stained her. Forever.

      How long did she lay there? How long did she clutch her face and scream out? Minutes? Hours? It felt like eternity. 

      But then a soft feeling pressed against her back, and the soft flutter of wings joined her mind. She felt herself lift off the ground, though with much struggle. Violently shaky hands trembled down, her weak fingers strengthening in their grip around the fur. Surely, it was painful. But the winged dog made no sound, had no reaction as it carried the changed girl home. 

•༄──────✧༄✦༄✧──────༄•

      The door to the Evans' home creaked open, and what came stumbling in was the bloody, frightened girl alongside her companion. Standing nearby, her mother, who came rushing over instantly. 

      "Oh no... Oh no..." She didn't ask any questions, didn't yell and wonder how on earth the wound appeared on her face. Merely wrapped her arms around her trembling daughter, and hummed a soothing tone. As Skye's breathing slowed, her gentle face turned concerned.

      "Is it already happening..?"