Wings of Fire Legends: Conquer: Prologue

Instructions

☙⁂☙ Prologue ☙⁂☙ ⸎Six Years Before the Dragonets’ Journey⸎ 〘⧚ The Brightest Night ⧛〙 A SandWing-NightWing hybrid dragonet stood at the edge of the cliff, clutching a trembling RainWing hatchling against his chest. His claws scraped the stone as he tried to steady himself, but his legs shook with fear. The wind tugged at his wings, threatening to pull him backward into the abyss. In front of him, Kestrel loomed like a wall of fire and fury. The SkyWing’s wings spread wide, blotting out the stars, her golden eyes gleaming with rage. Her talons flexed, gouging deep cracks into the rock. “Hand over the RainWing,” she snarled, her voice sharp as steel. “Now.” Conquer’s amber‑and‑violet eyes flickered with terror, but he tightened his wings around the hatchling. “N-no. Glory hasn’t done anything wrong,” he said, his voice trembling but defiant. Kestrel’s lip curled. “You think you get to decide that? You’re nothing but a hatchling. One bite, and your defiance is over.” She leaned closer, hot breath washing over him, daring him to flinch. Conquer shuddered, but he didn’t look away. She was enormous — three times his size, her wings casting him in shadow, her talons gleaming like knives. Every heartbeat told him she could crush him in an instant. Behind her, Webs shifted uneasily. His tail flicked against the stone, his eyes darting nervously between Kestrel and the dragonets. “Kestrel…” His voice was low, hesitant, almost pleading. “Do we really have to? She’s just a dragonet. Maybe—maybe we don’t need to—” Kestrel whipped her tail, striking the ground with a crack that made him jump. “She’s not part of the prophecy,” she snapped. “You brought her here, Webs. Don’t forget that. And now you’ll stand there and watch while I fix your mistake.” Webs flinched, his shoulders hunching as though he wished he could vanish into the rock. He muttered something under his breath, too quiet to hear, but he didn’t argue again. His wings stayed pressed to his sides, his gaze fixed on the ground. Kestrel ignored him. Her golden eyes locked on Conquer, glittering with cruel satisfaction. She stepped forward, each talon clicking against the stone, each movement radiating menace. She grabbed Conquer by the neck and lifted him off the ground, but he refused to let go of Glory. Glory squeaked under his wings and started trembling harder, which made him tighten his grip on her despite being choked. He kept his eyes on Kestrel the entire time she was gripping his neck, and Webs stared in sheer horror at what she was doing. “S– Kestrel, stop!” Webs shrieked. “Conquer didn’t do anything to deserve–” Kestrel cut him off by blasting fire in his direction, and the SeaWing yelped and dodged the flame narrowly. “He defied the orders given by the Talons. He deserves this,” Kestrel spat back with fury. “Now GET back in line and watch the other dragonets.” Conquer squirmed in her grip, but kept his hold on Glory. Dune stood nearby, his normally semi-cold eyes laced with horror. However, he quickly hid it with a façade of disapproval. “We don’t waste time on strays,” Dune growled, lashing his tail. He spread out his destroyed wings, crooked but still commanding. “Enough stalling.” But Conquer knew he didn’t mean a word he was saying—he was trying to hide his horror at Kestrel’s violence with his own military coldness. Conquer coughed, shaking, breath shallow under Kestrel’s claws. “Please,” he croaked, trying to get out of her grip. “Glory’s just a child…” He shuddered, forcing his eyes to stay open, awake. Kestrel snorted a wisp of smoke into his face, making him cough harder. She dropped him, and he fell to the floor, still clutching the barely-hatched dragonet. Glory’s eyes popped open, and her green eyes locked with his own. She babbled, squirming to get closer to his chest, cooing softly. The young NightWing’s eyes softened, and he nuzzled closer as well. “You’re going to be okay, little one,” he croaked, nuzzling the little hatchling. She giggled quietly, her scales flashing gold and pink with happiness and gratitude. She soon curled up under him and fell asleep. He kept himself around her, eyes flicking to Kestrel, who was now angry at Webs, too. “Well, Webs, why aren’t you listening either?” Kestrel snarled smoke curling from her nostrils. He shuddered almost audibly, keeping himself tall-ish despite his fear but still backing away. “I’m just saying that you’re being a little extreme!” Webs yelped, dodging her talons as she swung at him. “All he’s trying to do is protect her!” He rolled and dove into the cave to the dragonets inside, and a burp followed as the MudWing dragonet, Clay, apparently came up for air from his berries in surprise. Cont. in N&C