AOAA - Sanctuary (Book 2)

Chapter 3.

Sorry it took so long for me to update, life has been kind of hectic😅
Anyways, like always, if you have fanart then tell me and it will become the cover of the next chapter.
Also, I'm still looking for someone to make a cover of this book because I'm not happy with the quick one I made for it currently.
Anyways, that's all! Please vote and comment to share your feedback, it means a lot to me!

A flurry of wings and scales of every shape and color surrounded Tropic as a loud gong echoed through the hallways. Students swept through the halls, pushing and pulling and shoving until Tropic was unaware of where Lily was.

Confusion raced through her. What was the Academy? Where was she? Who were all these dragons?

Her scales turned pale blue and she shrunk back into a small corner until the hallways began to clear out. She watched the last students walking through the corridor with much interest.

She yelped as a group of dragons walked towards her. A small Sandwing bounded forward, closely followed by four other dragons of different tribes, the largest being a Mudwing and the smallest being a tiny Icewing with white scales.

The Sandwing tilted her head, her glittering black eyes blinking once before she began talking so fast Tropic didn't understand a word she said.

As Tropic began taking steps back, the Seawing shoved the Sandwing to the side and gave a dashing smile. "The name's Tide-"

He was pushed away by a slender Nightwing with gleaming purple eyes. "What Tide And Tornado we're trying to say was, welcome. We heard that Lily brought you here." She gave a smile.

"News travels fast around here." Tornado piped in, a grin on her face.

The Nightwing sighed. "We're Lily's winglet."

Tropic didn't know what a winglet was, but didn't want to interrupt to ask.

"My name is Mamba." Explained the Nightwing. "That's Tide And Tornado." She said, gesturing to the Seawing and the Sandwing. "And that's Swamp And Snowstorm." The Icewing And the Mudwing were fidgeting nervously in the back of the group, whispering softly to each other.

"And you've already met Lily, I assume. She was, after all, the one that brought you here." Said Mamba warmly.

Tropic nodded, her head swimming with too much information.

"You probably have questions..." Mamba Said, "Feel free to ask me anything."

Questions raced through her mind, but she decided to ask only one. "What is this place?"

"This is the Academy!" Chirped Tornado.

Tide glowered at the Sandwing. "In your dreams. This is barely the place it used to be."

"It's more of a safe-haven now. A sanctuary, of sorts." Snowstorm said softly, an empty look in his eyes.

A look of sadness flickered over Tornado's face, but barely noticeable as she began smiling happily again. "But now rebels come here for a safe place to either stay overnight for a drink and a warm bed, or until the Queen is gone."

Swamp flicked his tail. "If the Queen ever gets defeated, that is. Which she won't."

Tornado frowned. "You don't know that."

Snowstorm shrugged. "He's probably right."

Mamba rolled her eyes, before smiling back at Tropic. She exhaled, staring at her talons. "This Academy was built to be a safe-haven for all animus dragons who were unwanted in their tribe during the war. We were all misfits. Either we were brought here to escape the bad hand that life gave us, or brought here because our loved ones wanted us to be safe."