The Trials of Ascension ~ Chapter ⅠⅠ

Instructions

S T O R Y : They both flew west, to a smoldering volcano called Ethar. Along the way, they discussed how they thought the giant continent had been divided by the miles-wide rivers. Other SkyWings, LunarWings, and DesertWings were also heading there. When the siblings landed, Dusk sighed with relief. “The line isn’t too long. I’ll wait out here for you!” He called as Sunrise got in line. As Sun moved in the line, she went through a large hole in the volcano. “Wow,” she breathed. The center of the volcano was plated in translucent rubies so you could see the lava circling in the heart of the volcano. The rubies were a special kind that had been specially crafted for containing the lava. The lava itself was orange with shades of swirling rainbow inside. Soon Sunrise came to a small door that led her directly into the heart. Once again, the lava was kept out by a layer of rubies, that shone with heat where the lava came in contact. Sunrise was mesmerized by the lava twisting and turning throughout the tube. An old SkyWing with scales the exact same as the lava was standing there. She was the Awakener. 4 other draganets were in the center chamber with her, two DesertWings, one LunarWing, and one other SkyWing. “Today,” announced the adult dragan, “I will awaken your fire. When I call your name, step into the circle on the floor.” She called up Sunrise first. Then, slowly, she turned her hands and removed the rubies. Sunrise looked around in amazement as the lava slowly circled her, twisting into delicate-looking threads. The threads enveloped her in a fiery cocoon and she fell into a deep sleep. When she woke, her scales were… different. They shone and shimmered like the lava, but did not have the rainbow colors in them like the Awakener. The Awakener was a dragan with very rare firescales and could control any form of fire. Awakeners were very rare and were protected fiercely. As Sunrise watched her scales, they started to shimmer less and less until they were back to normal. She looked around. All of the other draganets were still in cocoons. “Thank you…what’s your name?” Sunrise said to the Awakener. “Celosia.” said the Awakener kindly. “Thank you, Celosia,” Sun replied, bowing her head as she walked out of the room. She walked out of the volcano, where Dusk was waiting for her. “How did it go?” he asked her when she caught up to him. “It was so cool!” she told him with excitement while eyeing the long line stretching out. “You were right. The line really wasn’t too long! That’s an awful lot of DesertWings.” The line now stretched off the side of the volcanic island, so some had to hover in line. “There are quite a few dragans. Lots of DesertWings hatch in the summer, so lots of them come. Plus, more than half of these dragans are parents or siblings.” Dusk gestured at the line. “Let’s go back to the main island. I have something to show you.” They flew back south to the part of the continent where they lived, but Dusk dove down before reaching it. “There’s this hidden beach over here!” he shouted over the sound of the wind. “You can practice your fire there!” They swooped down and landed on the secluded patch of sand. There was nothing too flammable on the beach, which made it perfect for a dragan who just got their fire and could not control it. Sunrise spent a few hours practicing her aim so she could get it just right. Soon, it was getting dark.” We’d better head back,” commented Sun. “Soon we won’t be able to see where we’re going.” “I was thinking we could head back when it was dark,” replied Dusk. “You could practice your fire some more.” “Ohhh, great idea!” chirped Sunrise. The siblings flew back when it was plenty dark, and when they reached their home, their parents were there. “Dusk!” cried their mother, Cloudwing. “You came home early!” Their father, Summit, smiled. “I missed you so much,” he said, as he wrapped his wings around Dusk. “How have you been?” “Fine, but missing you,” replied Dusk. “Is there something to eat? I’m starving!” The family ate dinner and talked for a while, and then they went to sleep. Sunrise curled up in her hanging bed and fell asleep to dreams of winning the Trials.