Wings of Fire:On knife’s edge

=== ON KNIFE‘S EDGE ===
A WOF BASED FANFICTION STORY BY MOONCUBE2845/BLZArt
~Prophecy~
In a world full of darkness
Dragons struggle to survive
Lurking in the shadows
Nobody is left alive
In each dark alleyway
A throat is slit
Dragons will keep on dying
Unless the Fire is lit
~Prologue~
Brightsting scurried though the dark alleyways of the Scorpion Den. The three moons were shining high in the sky as she clutched the round shape, her venomous tail slithering along the dry cobblestones.
A forked black tongue tasted the air. This could save us all. She remembered the long flight to the Rainforest and back, her wing dragging dejectedly behind her. Poor RainWings. The peaceful tribe had been wiped out a hundred years ago. By the NightWings. The silver egg glinted in the moonlight.
There! She sighed with relief. A small clearing near the dark shadow of a building. Her heart kicking hard in her chest, she brushed away a stray branch.
Dark green eyes glinted in the darkness. Could it be? Rough talons wrapped around her snout. Fight! Flashing white scales entered her vision as a dragon the colour of the midnight sky pinned her down. ”Let me go!” Brightsting shouted, her voice muffled. Three more shapes materialised out of the gloom. The first dragon grinned unpleasantly.
“What have you got there?” Brightsting tried to struggle but her aching muscles dragged her down. The sandy coloured dragon managed to peel off his talons. “Nothing of your concern” she said as cooly as she could, fighting to keep the tremor out of her voice. The night dragon chuckled. “But this isn’t your egg is it?” The smooth, white egg sparkled traitoriously “It’s a NightWing egg! With mind reading and future sight if I might add.” He grabbed it out of her talons.
“Treason against Queen Vengence is punishable by death.” Sharp claws seized her tail barb before she could strike “We don’t bow to Vengeance!” she roared “We have or own Queen!” She lashed out, but missed, banking painfully on a cold stone wall. “Queen or no Queen... it is far too late for you.”
Victimslayer neatly sliced the barb off with his sharpest claw. Her screams her cut off as Victimslayer slid a disk across her throat. Brightsting’s eyes went empty as he clapped his talons briskly. “The rest of you. Destroy the body. Meanwhile, take the heir to the throne and bring her back to the palace.” The egg glinted out of sight as black talons swooped it away. “Tell the Queen...that the Assassins have completed another mission”
== PART ONE: Secrets ==
=== CHAPTER 1 ===
Mirage
Two months later...
Mirage trudged tiredly into the small barracks. Propping up her spear, she sank blissfully into a chair. The sun was sinking slowly into the horizon as she sipped a cup of tea, some relaxation after a long, hard expedition. Ahhhh. She sighed and closed her eyes.
“Mirage!” Her silence was broken as a tawny pale dragon burst into the room. Mirage sighed “Argh what is it now Dawn?” She slowly rose up from her seat “Mirage.” Mirage stared at the forlorn expression in her friend’s eyes. Her expression softened, her frown turning into guilt, then worry. 
Dawn was one of the cleverest and bravest dragons she knew, strategically turning the tables when they were about to lose and keeping calm even when General Dragonflame was captured by IceWings. “What happened?”
“Brightsting” Dawn choked. Mirage froze. Their fellow soldier and best friend had deserted the army a month ago to join the Claws of Rebellion. Half of the SandWings had agreed to be ruled by NightWings, the other half didn’t. Even Queen Diamondback, one of the most fearsome SandWing Queens in history, was carefully controlled by the NightWings. The half that didn’t went to form the Claws of Rebellion. Mirage had always scoffed at the idea and insisted she fought for the Queen. Dawn had hugged Brightsting and made her promise that she will always be safe. 
“Brightsting is dead.” Her tough posture cracked and a tear slid down her snout, collapsing on a pillow and buried her face. “What!” Mirage roared. No no no! She scrunched up her face, determind not to cry and shot out the door.
She beat her wings as hard as she could, trying to keep out the panic. The white tent flapped in the wind as Mirage arrowed through the door, past a bewildered looking guard. “Cactus!” Mirage called, trying to keep the grief out of her voice.
A handsome young SandWing came bustling out, his expression forlorn. “Mirage!” His face lit up as he brushed a tear from his eye. This was Brightsting’s older brother and captain of their squadron. “I’m sorry about Brightsting, Cactus.” Mirage said “But I would like to know exactly what happened to her”.
Her sorrow was replaced with fear, fear about what happened to Brightsting. “She” Cactus paused, then words rushed out like a cascading waterfall. “Her body was found inside the banks of the Great Five-Tail River. Her tail barb was cut off and her throat was slit. Scouts in the Scorpion Den found very small hints of blood in an alleyway along with a few black scales and a witness reported black dragons fleeing the scene.” He took a deep breath “which means there is only one possible explanation. NightWings murdered her.”
“But why?” Mirage burst out “Why would they just kill some random SandWing, with no way to know that if she was in the Claws?” Cactus met her eyes “She must have done something that made the NightWings angry.” Now that sounded right. Brightsting was the type to get herself in trouble for the ‘right cause’. Cactus was right. “I…I should go.” Without waiting for a reply, she disappeared into the night sky. I will get the truth she thought, determination sweeping through her. 
How, when and… why?
=== CHAPTER 2 ===
Obscure
“Obscure!” Obscure’s face lit up as her sister, Integrity bounded into the barren room. “Sister!” he laughed “What are you doing here so early?”
Integrity was the only dragon he trusted in the world. He looked forward to seeing her every day. There was no NightWing in history that smiled as much as she did.
“Cruelty said that you were sent on another three week mission.” She snarled “I nearly ripped out his teeth!” Well, smiles to me anyway he thought ruefully.
“So I chucked his order of Dragonbite poison into the blacksmith fire, punched him in the face and went to check on you” she finished cheerfully. Obscure hugged her and they both fell on the rock-shelf that served as his bed 
“I missed you so  much on my mission, Integrity” he sighed “Training were soo boring without you”. Integrity scowled “While you were away, Cruelty kept cornering me and ‘accidentally’ bumping into me and giving me those ridiculous grins” Obscure laughed “You should really tell him that grinning and bumping into you won’t make him like you more”
“Yeah! Go teach that stupid jerkface a lesson!” Obscure pushed her away and went back to his drawers. “Ok, ok just let me finish sorting my weapons would you?”
He popped his chakrams in a pouch and slung it over his neck. That’s typical Integrity he thought affectionately.
“I heard that Victimslayer had a successful scouting mission last month” Integrity chatted busily as they walked into the hallway.
“Victimslayer” Obscure said with an eye-roll “Always makes a spectacle of everything. NEVER cleans up the mess after assassinations and still for SOME reason, Silentdeath loves it and sends him on EVERY important mission there is.” Integrity giggled and Obscure gave her a pleased glance.
As if talking about him made him appear, Silentdeath suddenly materialized in front of them. 
Obscure gave a little jump, then flashed one of his charming grins which usually squeezes him out of the most tense situations. But not this one.
“Obscure” Silentdeath hissed, looming menacingly. His seven year old sister shrank back, shivering. Even though he was only three years older than her, Obscure puffed out his chest and stood protectively in front of her.
“What do you want?” he said calmly, even though his heart was threatening to burst right out of his body.  “Come. We have a new mission for you.” The leader of the Assassins beckoned coldly with one talon.
“What do I do?” Integrity whispered behind him “Just stay behind me.”
Silentdeath was a cruel dragon, founding the Assassins to kill anyone  who is a threat to the Queen. He is highly skilled in the art of killing and trained the first Assassins. Obscure and Integrity joined three years ago when their home was destroyed. Silentdeath’s malicious character was out of Integrity’s nightmares. I will make a subtle way to make him pay soon Obscure thought.
They walked through the hallways of the Assassins’ secret headquarters to a cold cave at the end of the system, almost like a prison cell. Silentdeath settled himself on a chair and Obscure sat on the one opposite.
“Sso” he began “We have received word from your mission commander that you are remarkably… talented.” He spat out the words ‘remarkably talented’ as if they were rotten prey.
“Oh?” Obscure said “We have decided that you will be sent on a more riskier mission. Your next target is a SkyWing prince named Summit. We want to kill him to make the NightWings’ power clear in case they have any more ideas of rebellion.” Silentdeath took out a piece of paper “Here is a map of the SkyWing palace. Find your way into his chambers and slit his throat. Leave no trace and come back immediately.  You have two more days to plan and prepare.
Now that’s new Obscure thought. “Yes sir.” Obscure nodded and started out the room. “Oh and Obscure” the sinister NightWing purred. “Your untrustworthiness has been made clear by your last mission. So my son Cruelty will go with you.” He smirked and slithered out the door.
Obscure’s scales boiled with fury. “What are you going to do about… that?” his sister asked in a small voice. “Don’t worry Integrity.” He grimly set his jaw “What’s one more death going cost?”
=== CHAPTER 3 ===
Summit
The grey sky rumbled as it poured vast torrents of rain. The majestic curving spires of the Sky Palace were slick with water, dripping down into the echoing abyss. 
Staring out the window, Summit sighed. Why couldn’t he use just a little Skyspeak to make the weather better?
No. His terrifying mother had ordered him to make it rain for the next three days for the crops to grow. Grrr. He paced a circuit around his room and went back to staring gloomily out the window.
“Summit!” Summit jumped in surprise as a wet figure sprinted into the room. The dragon shook himself dry and grinned at him. “Tailwind!” Summit exclaimed “What are you doing here?” 
Tailwind’s grin faded away. The palace’s fastest messenger as well as Summit’s best friend was usually joking and grinning. Summit looked at him worriedly “What’s wrong?” “The Queen has required your presence at the courtyard” Tailwind said, his face sombre “I have no idea why.”
Summit patted his friend’s orange scales reassuringly, trying to fight back the terror that was quickly starting to surface “At least it’s not you about to face her” Summit tried to joke.  
Tailwind turned his anxious gaze towards the prince “No. I’m worried about you.” Tailwind was right. Every meeting with the Queen, his mother was another chance for him to displease her, a chance to get put to death like his three brothers and his great-grandfather, Cliff before him.
“Well I got to go now. She doesn’t like waiting.” Without waiting for a response, he darted into the hallway and crashed smack-bang into Flare.
“Oww” his sister complained and the guards around her bristled. Guards? he thought with a startled yelp. “Guards! Grab that son of a toad an- oh Summit.” Flare sniffed disapprovingly and stalked away.
What was that about? Probably nothing. Flapping through the palace, he dived towards the courtyard doors.
The rain hit him instantly as he emerged into the storm. Raindrops the size of blueberries pelted him as he struggled to stay in the air. Scanning the courtyard, he spotted dark-orange and he sucked in a deep breath.
Queen Topaz saw him and gestured impatiently for him to land. Summit crashed hard onto the ground and stumbled on a rock that jutted out from the cold, wet grass. 
“Sssonn” she hissed disapprovingly “You are late” “S-sorry your M-Majesty.” They sheltered under a big, leafy canopy. Topaz liked to organize meetings at very odd places so Summit wasn’t surprised “We have matters to discuss” she began curtly “Our spies say that the NightWings seem to be planning something.” 
Summit bit back a gasp “Spies?” he managed to blurt. Spying on the NightWings are strictly forbidden since they took over the continent, a hundred years ago when they wiped out the RainWings. They’ve got the IceWings, MudWings and half of the SandWings wrapped under their thumb and the SeaWings and SkyWings desperately trying to avoid their wrath.
“Yes” she smiled slyly “They seem to be planning… an assassination  in the Sky Kingdom.” Summit gasped again “I’ve doubled my guard and I’ve put guards on your sister.” Ahhh. That explains those guards. 
“But you don’t and we’ve run out of guards.” She turned to him with a serious expression. “I’ve requested for Queen Diamondback to send her best minor soldier to be your personal bodyguard. Because we can’t afford to lose you… or your power can we dear son?” She breathed a spurt of flame and smiled menacingly. 
Summit shivered, his mind a mess of worries and questions. Soldier? Is he a SandWing? 
Is someone trying to kill me?
=== CHAPTER 4 ===
Mirage
“Ugh, I don’t see why I have to guard some prince” Mirage grumbled “What makes you think I’m a good soldier?” The sun shone cheerfully in the semi-clouded blue sky as two dragons flapped towards the snow-capped peaks of the mountains. “Well for a start, your tough” Cactus explained “And you can keep calm in dangerous situations. Plus you have quick reflexes.”
“Hrmph. Fine. I need some time away from the palace anyway.” Her heart still ached from losing her friend. Maybe this place will help take my mind off things for awhile she thought with a sigh.
They approached the mountain that held the towering Sky Palace when the first raindrop landed.
Thunder boomed and lightning crashed as the wind tried to grab them and toss them away. “This way!” Cactus shouted, swooping towards the large palace.
Mirage beat her wings as hard as she could and gritted her teeth. Suddenly, a cold, hard shape struck the side of her skull. NO. Rain slipped off her wet scales as she felt her consciousness fade.
Mirage beat her wings frantically with the last of her strength “Cactus!” she roared “CACTUS!” The wet, leafy branches of a tree caught her aching wings as she slipped into darkness.
“Hello? Hello? Are you alright?” Blurry shapes entered her vision as Mirage sat up with a groan. She had a vague memory of green leaves fluttering around her before she fainted. 
Rubbing her head, she looked around. Mirage was in a large cave where someone had laid leaves for her to be comfortable. Right next to her, a handsome crimson and tangerine dragon stared at her curiously with warm amber eyes.
Mirage jumped back abruptly with a yell as a new memory entered her mind. Strong red arms carrying her through the raging storm. She squinted closely at the stranger “Who are you?”
He barked a laugh, which was strange because nobody laughed at her except her closest friends. “Summit. Prince Summit. What about you?” Mirage narrowed her eyes. This was the prince she was bodyguarding? Well, at least he wasn’t a spoiled upper-class brat, carrying her through a storm.
“Why haven’t you guessed? I’m probably one of the only SandWings here. What do they teach there at prince school?”
Summit laughed again and Mirage wanted to claw is face off. But for some reason, she couldn’t. “Alright” Mirage snapped “My name is Mirage and I’m here to be your bodyguard. Or are you too dim to realise that?”
“That is no way to speak to a prince” Summit said in a mock haughty voice, helping her up on her feet. Mirage didn’t even have time to smother a laugh before their talons were touching.
They looked at each other for a moment. What is this feeling? Why have I never felt it before?
Summit slowly pulled away and added “Well you haven’t done a very good job of bodyguarding. It was me who stopped the storm and carried you here. Or are you too dim to realise that?”
This time, Mirage tried hard to not laugh but when she caught the mischievous expression on Summit’s face, the snort that she let out echoed around the cave. Mirage paused, then remembered what he said.
“Did you say stop the storm?” Mirage demanded. Summit sighed “The other tribes aren’t supposed to know but yes, I can control the weather.” He smiled weakly “Mother will be furious when she sees that I stopped the storm early.”
Mirage looked outside and he was right; the birds were chirping again and the sky was blue. He stopped a storm. Risking the wrath of the Queen. For me.
Without thinking about it, she twined her tail around his. Summit flinched, surprised but he didn’t pull away as they watched a small sparrow flit from tree to tree.
Summit tentatively brushed his wing against her wing. “Thank you for stopping a storm for me” Mirage finally blurted out. Summit smiled “Anytime.” They looked at each other again.
This is forbidden Mirage thought. We’ll get into so much trouble. But as she gazed into his eyes, she realised that she didn’t care.
=== CHAPTER 5 ===
Obscure
The mission began shortly after midnight. Two moons were high in the sky, creating shadows for two Assassins to hide.
“I think we should go this way” Cruelty declared, pointing west in his you-have-to-listen-to-me-because-I’m-the-head-of-the-Assassins’-son voice “That way, we can stop at the Scorpion Den for a rest.”
Obscure rolled his eyes. At least I won’t need to put up with this for much longer. “Fine.” Cruelty smirked in that triumphant way that made Obscure want to strangle him. Cruelty took a run up and took off into the night sky.
Obscure reluctantly followed. No wonder Integrity hates him so muchhe thought with a snarl. The ruins of the Old Night Kingdom dotted the landscape as Obscure soared gracefully over it. 
Wind whistling against his face, he had never felt more alive. He could see the shifting sands of the Scorpion Den ahead of them, the twin peaks of Jade Mountain to the south and the glittering Diamond Spray Delta due east.
Obscure felt the wind of another set of wings as Cruelty flew next to him. “Obscure” Cruelty blurted. Obscure shot him an annoyed glance “Yes, what?” “Just in case something happens to me or I don’t make it… tell your sister that I love her.” Too bad you definitely won’t make it Obscure thought pleasantly “Alright, I’ll pass the word on.”
They flew towards the lights of the Scorpion Den when Cruelty suddenly banked towards a cluster of trees. What’s that about?Obscure found him at an oasis, greedily lapping up the cool water.
Obscure frowned at Cruelty disapprovingly. He seriously has no stamina. He sat on a smooth rock as Cruelty gasped for breath, his snout dripping with water. Obscure had to heave him into the air with him. “C’mon. One last drink?” Cruelty protested, shooting the pool a wistful look. “NO. Let’s go”
They had just passed near the Claws of the Clouds mountains when the sun started rising over the horizon, sending beams of bright light shooting into their eyes. Finally.
They found a cave at the foot of a mountain where they landed “Need to sleep” Cruelty mumbled drowsily and collapsed on a rock shelf. Obscure watched his chest rise and fall through bone-rattling snores. Do it. Do it now while you still can.
Obscure reached into his pouch and took out a chakarm that glinted wickedly in the sunlight. Creeping towards Cruelty, Obscure held the disk up to his neck. 
Without thinking twice, he raked the serrated edge across his throat. Cruelty tried to scream, but blood gurgled out instead. His head lolled sideways and he tumbled from rock shelf, dead. 
The weight of what he just did suddenly slammed into Obscure as he watched the red liquid spill out from Cruelty’s neck. He just killed one of his tribemates and plus, he was Silentdeath’s son.  So he couldn’t ever return to the Assassins.
But Integrity! Obscure felt a sharp pang in his heart as guilt rolled over him. He couldn’t return to his beloved sister. I’ll find a way to get her out of there.
Washing Cruelty’s blood off his talons in a nearby pond, light poured into the clearing. In the meantime, let’s decide if we want this prince dead after all…
=== CHAPTER 6 ===
Summit
“So. Is your mother all that scary?” A fire flickered dimly in the centre of the room. “Of course.”
Mirage stopped sharpening her spear for a moment. “Summit, you don’t need to be so afraid. She’s just a dragon who happens to be your mother and the queen of the SkyWings.”
“But if I displease her, she’ll have me killed! Like my brothers before me” Summit said. Mirage looked into his eyes “I will make sure nobody hurts you. I mean, this is my job right? Come on, get some sleep. Besides, she needs your power. We can discuss this tomorrow.”
Summit curled up on his ledge while Mirage lay down by the door. He longed to jump off his rock shelf and fall asleep against her warm scales but he stayed put. “Goodnight Mirage” he mumbled and fell into dreamless slumber.
“Wait! No, stop! I come in peace. Why- get that thing off me!” Summit woke up with a start. His eyes darted around the room and saw Mirage grappling with a NightWing “Miarge! What is going on?” 
The black dragon roared in protest as Mirage clamped a talon over his snout “This is the Nightwing assassin! I’m not letting you kill him you slime-weasel!” “Wait.” Summit rushed up to the NightWing’s side. “Let him explain himself first.”
Mirage reluctantly heaved herself off the stranger. The handsome NightWing shook himself and gave Summit a grin “Your SandWing is right. I am an assassin. But I’m not here to kill you.” 
He held out a talon “My name is Obscure. My mission was to originally kill him.” Obscure pointed at Summit “But I decided not to. We need to go right now.” Mirage growled “Don’t trust him. He’s a NightWing. He was supposed to kill you, Summit. Let’s kill him right now.”
“We don’t have much of a choice” Summit said, nodding at the stamping of feet coming from the hallway “The guards are coming.” “Yep. He’s right. Let’s fly!” Without waiting for them, he launched himself out the window.” Summit grabbed Mirage and hurled her up with him “Come on. Fly!”
They followed Obscure through the valleys of the Sky Kingdom and Summit felt a rush of adrenaline through his veins. We’re escaping! No more ‘Summit do this Summit do that’ because I’m free! He did a loop in the sky as he caught sight of Mirage’s worried face. He reached out to brush his wing. “Hey. Look at me. We’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
Mirage smiled weakly, but her smile was hesitant “I just- should we trust him? Because now, we’re fugitives. They’ll be on the hunt for us now.” Summit ducked his head to meet her obsidian black eyes “Everything will be ok. Because we have each other and that’s all that matters.”
Her smile became a little more real just as Obscure banked and landed in front of a massive, ruined building. “Another reason why I came here… was this.” He blew away the dirt from the entrance sign and Summit bit back a gasp. They were standing in front of an ancient library.
== PART TWO: Fugitives ==
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