The Eighth Kingdom

Prophecies of the Eighth: Part 1

Zero flew over the rocky mountains, his mighty wings casting great bellows of air, and stirring the shrubs that grew sparsely on the mountain crags.

Exiled. Disowned. Unloved.

These thoughts pushed against Zero's mind, seeking to throw him into a cycle of grief so deep it would drive him mad. He didn't allow them to. His mission was too important for him to fail now. Onwards he flew, the constant, steady beats of his wings gradually calming his nerves and allowing him to go over the past events of his life. He acknowledged that he had been exiled, a fact which was painfully clear to him. But at the same time he had become an important stepping stone in the history of Pyrrhia. His exile was only the beginning of this journey that was before him.

When he had been exiled, his father had given him such a lashing he had barely been able to fly away. By the time he had reached the edge of the Ice Kingdom, he had collapsed from exhaustion and pain. Thats when an old NightWIng hermit had come to his rescue. She had took him in to her home, nurturing him until he was well enough to receive his message and leave. He had been exceedingly grateful for her care, but he wasn't sure if he was ready for a great destiny like the one she had laid on his shoulders. He was only a dragonet after all. The reason for his exile had become clear at this time. He was too powerful. Too cold. He had taken the ice breath from his twin brother while they were still in the egg, nearly killing him, and making Zero one of the most powerful IceWIngs in existence. The Queen and his father felt threatened by him, therefore exiling him only a year after his brother was exiled.

His brother flew to the far west corner of the Ice Kingdom, staying in the wastelands that held the other exiled members of the Ice Kingdom. There he would have a chance to live, yet Zero still worried about him; he had no ice breath in him to protect him from other IceWings. Zero wished he knew how his brother was doing, but he didn't dare to go back and check. He had a mission to do. So there he was, flying towards the Rainforest Kingdom and away from the Ice Kingdom. He could see Jade Mountain off in the distance to his right, and he could just barely make out the tips of the Jungle trees directly ahead of him. His determination grew as he flew closer to them.

He reached the edge of the jungle just as the sun slipped below the horizon. He slowed, tilting his wings downward to land. It would be foolish to fly through the forest at night. He slowly glided to the ground, searching for a safe place to sleep. He finally glided down to a patch rock hidden well by long grass. He lay down and fell asleep, exhausted.

......................................

Boa watched as the large IceWing glided towards the ground. He growled silently to himself. IceWings were not welcome without good reason. He waited until the IceWing was out of sight before he took off towards the heart of the jungle. He hurtled through the jungle trees, using his tail to jump from tree to tree. It was only a short time later before he reached the village. AS he reached it, his sister, Piranha, walked to him, a questioning look on her face.

"No time to explain. I need to see Queen Glory. Now."

Piranha didn't question him; running towards to throne room. A few moments later she poked her head out and waved him in. Boa changed his colors to a deep green and brown, then entered the throne room. Queen Glory sat on her throne, her scales a deep purple and silver color.

"What is you you need Boa?" She asked, exhaustion edging her voice.

"Your Majesty, there is an IceWing at the northern edge of the jungle. He had landed to rest, but I figured that you would want to know." Boa said, dipping his head slightly in respect for his Queen. She raised her head in thought. For a couple of minutes it was complete silence. Then Queen Glory lowered her head.