Wings of Fire: Melting Ice #2

Chapter 4

^some art I drew of Plum^

"Nightmare is a SkyWing-NightWing hybrid," the stone answered. 

Aurora titled her head, a claw coming up to her chin. "And why did he hurt Abysswatcher?" She asked. 

"It was an accident," the stone answered. "Nightmare and Abysswatcher got into an argument, then it escalated into a fight."

Interesting. Who is this Nightmare dragon anyways? "Stone, tell me more about Nightmare," she demanded. As the stone shuffled, Aurora scooted downwards and lay sprawled on the ground as she listened.

"Nightmare was born seven years ago, and hatched with his sister, Palesky. He was born with firescales, and grew up hated by his father. His father is Overheat, and his mother is Queen Moonglider," the stone answered.

"Firescales!" Aurora gasped, her eyes widening. She scrambled to a shelf that hung from the wall, grabbing a scroll. She plopped down on the cold floor, and pried opened the scroll, her talons almost ripping the thin paper.

"Let's see," Aurora muttered, her eyes scanning the lines of words. "Firescales: a condition SkyWings are born with. Usually they are thrown off a cliff and killed for their condition," she mumbled. "Their scales are hot to the touch, and will cause burns to anything they touch. Their fire is also hotter than normal. A known SkyWing with this condition was Peril. Description: Bright copper scales, blue eyes, yellow veins in her wings."

Aurora lashed her tail. "A dragon with firescales, alive right now! I have to meet him!" She gasped. "Maybe he can finally be the one to understand me. I have icescales, and perhaps it winter affect him," she sighed. She turned her head towards the stone. "Stone, tell me more about Nightmare."

"Nightmare has jet-black scales and dark green eyes. Orange glows are in between his scales, and he has orange scales in his wings. He also has a torn ear and scars across his eye," the stone answered. "Also, he got captured by Queen Bramble and was held as a prisoner to later be sold to Queen Fissure. But he escaped. During the escape, he released prisoners and also killed three MudWings."

"Okay... Where is Nightmare?" Aurora asked. He.... killed? 

The stone shuffled. "He is currently being held captive in Queen Fissure's palace," it answered.

Aurora titled her head, bringing her talons to her face to scratch an itch. If he's there, then there's no way I'm going to meet him. Stupid Queen Fissure! She leaned back. But if he's currently being held there, then that means Queen Fissure hasn't killed him yet. But why? "Stone, why hasn't Queen Fissure killed Nightmare yet?" She asked.

"Since he has firescales, Queen Fissure is using him to brutally murder the other captive hybrids against his own will," the stone answered. 

"Three moons," Aurora gasped. "This is terrible. Truly terrible what these hybrids are going through," she whined. If I were to get captured by Queen Fissure, then I'd share their same fate. But.. maybe I can stop Queen Fissure if I were to get captured. Then she closed her eyes and sighed. Maybe I should get captured on purpose. My sister would love for me to be gone. 

Suddenly, there was clawing at the door on the ceiling. Aurora stiffened, her tail lashing. She glanced up. Should I ask who that is? No, maybe I should stay quiet. But- they're going to get in! She then stood up on her hind legs and grabbed the door, holding it shut so the other dragon on the outside wouldn't get in.

But suddenly, there was a strong force that pulled the door from Aurora's talons. She gasped as it opened, and snow blasted in her face. Suddenly, a heavy body slammed into her, and she tumbled backwards.

Aurora scrambled on the floor, talons clutching her face. "Ow! That really hurt, you know!" She growled. As she opened her eyes, she saw a familiar dragon standing in front of her. "Abysswatcher!" She cried.

Abysswatcher stood there, rooted to his spot. He shook himself, spraying the snow off of his scales. He glanced at Aurora and then ran forward, his wings spreading forward to embrace her in a warm hug. "S-sorry for startling you."

"It's fine. I d-didn't think you'd be here, though," Aurora stammered. She hadn't seen Abysswatcher ever since that incident with Plum.

"By the way, Aurora, how has your sister been?" Abysswatcher asked, sitting down.

Aurora almost let out a gasp. Am I not good enough for you? You can't just fall for her! "Why are you asking about her?" She growled, lashing her tail.

"What? Am I not allowed to know about her? I'm sorry for burning her, you know. I just want to know if she's okay," Abysswatcher defended, surprised at the hybrid's attitude.

"Why her? She's such a snobby piece of-"

"What happened to you?" Abysswatcher suddenly gasped. He touched a talon to the still bleeding scratch on Aurora's snout, but she pulled back with a definitive growl. "Who did this to you?" He asked.

"I thought you'd never ask. You seemed way more interested in how my sister's doing," Aurora snorted, turning away from Abysswatcher. Maybe my sister used her animus magic to make every male fall in love with her! 

Abysswatcher huffed, a tiny cloud of smoke rising from his nostrils. "Fine, then. At least let me ask what your problem is?" He tensed.

"My problem? It's my sister's problem, as well as yours! Ever since you shot fire at her, she's been mad at me. Verbal abuse, physical abuse. Her words are more poisonous than her claws! It's eating me up!" Aurora cried out. She couldn't take it anymore, and she slumped on the ground, her talons clutching her face as tears welled up in her eyes.

Abysswatcher rushed forward, holding Aurora. "I'm sorry. I should've been here," he breathed, his wings spreading to wrap around Aurora. Her head was buried in his chest as he leaned over her, his eyes wide. "As long as I'm here, your sister won't hurt you," he soothed.

Aurora looked up into his light cyan eyes with her wet, icy blue ones. She sniffed, tears crawling down her face. "You aren't safe at the Night Kingdom," she whimpered. "You... have to stay here!" She cried.