Hybrids of Hope or Hell

Chapter Seven : Strelitzia

Confused amber and red eyes watched a mess of pale green and blue scales curl up into ball in front of the cell's door, shaking her head slightly in disbelief of the nerve. A small huff escaped her tightly pressed lips, the SandWing IceWing hybrid's eyes flittering around the cage for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "Are they always this recklessly stupid?"

Eclipse, who had silently been watching the passive aggressive interaction, shrugged in response, "yes. They have a habit of making impulsive decisions without thinking through the consequences."

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Time passed as the HiveWing hybrid slipped in and out of hazy sleep. Eventually the sound of metal keys jangling together roused them from their restless slumber. The echoing melody of clanking metal also caught the attention of Eclipse and the other hybrid, the pair casting a curious look towards the sleeping heap on the cold stone floor.

Maintaining the slumber charade, Cuckoowasp listened carefully to the SandWing guard gruffly marching towards the food bowl close to the supposedly sleeping dragon.

The cave seemed to fall silent for a moment, as if the air itself had contracted in anticipation. Then came a swift swoosh before an awful ear splitting wail.

Cuckoowasp thrust their prepped stinger into the guard's eye, releasing toxic boiling acid directly into his bloodstream. The acid's fatal affect began to take impact almost immediately. Another agony strangled cry tore it's way out of the SandWing's throat, the venom causing his muscles to convulse and spasm in pain. Clutching at his deteriorating eye socket, he dropped the food dish to the rocky ground with a sharp clatter. Stumbling backwards, he collapsed to the floor, clawing at his own face.

Horror and shock twisted it's way into the pit of the Sandwing IceWing's stomach as she watched the guard writhing on the ground madly.

Finally stilling after what seemed like a hellish eternity of gargled dying sounds, the large male SandWing stilled until motionless. The acidic smell of burning scales and meat filled the cramped cell.

A low whistle made Cuckoowasp jump as the other hybrid shook their head in disbelief, "damn kid, you really went for it."

Wordlessly gazing at the guard they had just executed, they scanned the guard's corpse. He had scarred scales of pale gold that reflected the dim torches gloomily, rough brown ridges decorated his body. Torn wings lay limply around him on the ground, dark steely grey eye wide open in agony. Weary lines were carved into his scales, showcasing his long and brutal life. Numerous scars littered his flesh, each one a testament to the many battles he'd fought and won. But not this time.

Peeling their eyes from the guard's eternally twisted expression, the pale green dragon began creeping into the hallway cautiously. Before a harsh bark of warning erupted from the stranger, "idiot, wait!" She hissed in a low voice, trying to keep her volume down as to not attract unwanted attention. "Don't go out there. You'll get yourself killed, or worse."

"Or worse? Like being trapped in a cage until you die of starvation or infection?" Cuckoowasp shot back, earning a low growl from the SandWing's gritted teeth.

"Damn it, kid. You have a point. But still, that's stupidly reckless and you're going to get yourself killed. Just... be careful out there, okay? I don't want to be stuck in here by myself if you get slaughtered." The stranger was visibly worried for the HiveWing hybrid's safety as you prepared to venture further into the prison cave system. Her eyes were fixed on the green dragon as she grumbled under her breath, still skeptical about the plan.

"You going to wait in there until you die of infection or are you two coming?" There was a beat of silence after their words as the long term prisoner considered her options, her expression conflicted.