Swear Not By The Wings
14 Attack

I am currently with Elio and Malachi, choosing a battle partner. When I was told that I get to choose my dragon for the tournament, I was beyond ecstatic! Freya brings out all of the creatures and I eye each and every one carefully.

They come in all colors such as green, yellow, orange, purple, blue, you name it! Some of the beasts are small and fierce-looking. Others are tall and certainly have a nasty bite!

My criteria for choosing a dragon goes like this...their teeth cannot be too sharp, their eyes cannot be too murderous looking, and they must be gentle! Elio simply shook his head upon my request, but I will replace the dragon right for me. I can feel it!

My eyes roam the creatures in wonder. None of them look friendly, in fact, they don't appear to want me as their temporary owner at all! Just when I think all hope is lost, a familiar purple dragon catches my eye. This is the same dragon that I went flying with on my second day here! The creature seems to recognize me and playfully licks my face while wagging its tail.

"It seems that he has taken a liking to you," Elio says from beside me.

"What is his name?" I ask while petting the friendly creature. This dragon does not fit my criteria, but it got the gentle part right! That is the most important standard.

"His name is Dart," Malachi says flatly. Elio and I burst out into fits of laughter.

"Who on earth named him Dart?" I wheeze. Malachi holds a hand over his heart.

"I named him Dart," the purple-headed fae mocks sadness. I laugh at his childishness and attempt to climb onto the dragon. I fail miserably. Similar to before, Elio lifts me up by the waist and places me on Dart's back.

"Thank you," I squeak and Elio just nods. Malachi whistles and the dragon is suddenly lifting me up into the air. This is the first time I rode a dragon by myself, but surprisingly, I am not scared. I don't know Dart that well, but I already love him like a pet. I hug the creature's back when he guides me around the sky.

I spot Freya approaching me with a fierce red dragon. Right, this is supposed to be a fight! I look to Elio for guidance but he doesn't provide me with any. I ignore his distant attitude and call for Malachi.

"Hey purple! What am I supposed to do?" Malachi cringes at the nickname.

"Just order him to do stuff, Dart is a good listener," The fire fairy informs. Okay, sounds easy enough. Before I can direct Dart, Freya's dragon is already spitting fire at us. Dart easily dodges the blow and roars back.

"Dart! Fire!" I shout. Dart listens to my order and stuns Freya's dragon. Freya laughs as her battle buddy blows with the wind.

"Dixie, calm down! It's just Dart!" Freya pats her dragon. The beast called Dixie regains her composure and charges at my dragon. I stop ruling Dart around when I realize that he has the whole situation under control.

I am having a good time until something unexpected happens. Dixie is struck by an unknown force and is sent to the forest floor, wailing in pain. What was that?

"Arrietty! Come back now!" Elio shouts to me.

The winter fae has a stunned look on his face. I hear the shrieks and cries of fairies from below. Dart roars at something in the far off duration and I follow his glare. It was then when I realize that we are under attack.

Four unique-looking fairies that I've never seen before are invading the practice. Each of the fairies comes on the backs of demon-looking dragons. These beasts are similar looking to the fairies I've encountered on my way to Adriel's castle. They must be ghoul dragons and if they're anything like ghoul fairies, they attack due to impulses.

My mouth drops when I see that the dragons have the unnerving mastery to disappear while flying, making it difficult to see them. The most frightening part about this very moment is their focus on me and Dart. What do they want?

"Dart Move!" I cry in terror. Dart quickly starts flying in the opposite direction of the fairies and their dragons to which they follow. I can tell Dart is feeling frightened as he is cowering under the presence of the larger creatures. The fairy with black and white-colored eyes barks a decree at her dragon.

The creature immediately obeys and shoots shards of ice out of its nose! I've never seen an ice breathing dragon before and it's equally as scary as a fire breathing one! Dart and I freeze in place as there is nowhere to go. I wait for the ice to pierce my flesh and close my eyes.

I hear a heartbreaking yelp and snap my orbs back open. Elio jumped in front of Dart and me, saving us from taking the hit. My heart aches as I watch the fairy fall.

"Dart catch him!" I command. Dart breaks out of his fearful trance and soars down to capture Elio before he hits the floor. We succeed in snatching the very wounded winter fairy and search for safety. I notice the intruders flee upon the arrival of the woodland warriors. We are under attack no longer.

Ellowyn rushes to the scene along with health fairies and steadily takes Elio from my possession. I can't help but blame myself for the attack. I look around and see many battered faeries. What pains me the most is the sight of Freya crying over her dead dragon, Dixie.

Tears begin to fall from my own eyes as I slide off of the back of Dart.

What have I done?

Chance picks me up from the ground and carries me over to Arden who inspects me of any injuries. I'm not physically injured, but my heart sure does hurt immensely. My sobs are mixed in with the wails of the woodland's creatures.

I look around at the once beautiful forest and see that it is now up in flames. Arden keeps asking me if I am okay, but I can only respond to the crafts fae with one word,

"Elio."