Wings of Power: The Rising Tribe [SERIES CLOSED]

Chapter 22

Vein's mind spun, thinking of all the ways how his stupid sister Gory killed a loved one. Now that Vein thought of it, his blood boiled. He turned to face Blizzard and Andesite. Blizzard never mentioned that he had parents, and Andesite was orphaned. If his sister had killed either of their parents, Vein was going to go right back to the Isle of Volcanoes, look for his sister's limp corpse (which, Vein later learned, was buried by the boulder. The boulder served as a grave) and gouge out her fury-filled eyes.

Slug backed up from Vein, his eyes full of fear. He wanted to help him, but he knew going closer would scare Slug even more. He backed away from Slug a little, and noticed his expression calmed down a little. 

"Don't worry, Slug," Vein said softly. He had a knack for soft-speaking, whereas most BloodWings couldn't do that. "I won't hurt you. I'm not like my sister."

Slug stopped the frantic shuffling and looked up at Vein. Vein thought that Slug might be easy to work with . . . but Slug proved he wasn't going to be pushed around. Vein slowly approached him, curling his tail into a spiral to ensure safety. Vein was about a dragon tail length from Slug, and he crouched to him.

"Look, Slug . . . I'm sorry for what my sister has done to your family."

Slug scowled up at him. "I will not accept that apology until that horrible sister of yours is dead."

"She is dead," Vein replied. He tried not to lurch into Slug with guilt. Even though he hated his sister, if she wasn't here, Vein wouldn't be able to fight. "She was crushed by a fallen boulder five years ago, when I was two."

Slug looked reluctantly at Vein. "Are you sure? I need---"

"Slug," Andesite interjected. "It's true. Blizzard has seen it with his magic," she said, nudging him."

"Um, yeah." Blizzard started nodding.

Slug shot a dirty look at Andesite and Blizzard. He spotted Cactus and his expression softened. Maybe CoralFins and SunWings are just naturally fine. "Shush up, you two. I want to hear it from the BloodWing, full with description, date, and time. Also, what was happening at that time of year?"

Smart.

So Blizzard explained what Slug asked for. He told him every info, and it felt just as if it happened yesterday. Vein tried to ignore the ache in his heart as he retold everything. When he finished, Slug's expression went back to curiosity. 

"So, what do you guys need me for?" Slug asked.

After Blizzard explained, Slug nodded his head, the scroll clutched in his arm. "Ah, right. Disabling one's magic. That is hard work." Slug suddenly noticed the scroll in his arms and tossed it into the water. Then, turning back he said something Vein had never heard of before.

"Blizzard, do you know about the Five Tribal Stones?" Slug said, quite formally.

Blizzard lit up. "The rocks that are in each queen's palace? The ones that when put together can either destroy or create?"

Slug nodded. "The very one. Once we can put it together, it will be able to track down Marble and zap her with this. While she's down, Blizzard can cast the spell for disabling her. But he will need the Five Tribal Stones or else it won't work."

"Wow!" Cactus called from behind Vein. Vein jumped back, startled. "Oh, hey, what's this fluffy thing?"

"What thing?" Slug asked, stepping towards it.

Vein, Andesite, and Blizzard realized what it was a split second before it happened.

"IT'S MARBLE!" They all yelled in unison. But it was to late. Marble's back legs sprouted from the whole and smashed into Slug.