Escape From the Jewel Hive

do not edit this page without my permission. I may give permission to some users but my edit remains above the others because this is my story (I have the right to remove any edits and revoke the right to edit, if I do revoke your right to edit please respect it (I will supply a reason for the revoke))
=== disclaimer: ===
# My characters may be the same name as others on the wiki if so I apologize; I just used names I found on the Wings of Fire names wiki (which apparently is a thing)
# this story is set shortly before all the canon events of the lost continent so Queen Wasp is still alive and still queen and Hivewings still are allowed to own Silkwings
# I try to keep my stories as canon correct as possible (it said on the wiki that one of the hives had a sink (apparently) so the Hivewings have running water in this story (I have no idea the context for the sink all I know is that there was a sink so sink equals running water)) however everything I know about the Silkwings and Hivewings comes from the canon wiki pages due to the fact that I am still on Talons of Power at the time I am creating this story
# enjoy the story
=== list of characters: ===
·        Atlas: Silkwing, flame-silk
·        Maple: Hivewing, has stingers on wrists and tail, venom in claws, name is short for Rosy Maple which she goes by either Rosy or Maple (Maple preferred)
·        Antlion: Hivewing, brother to Maple, 'owns' Atlas, has stingers on wrists, treats Silkwings as objects or animals rather than actual dragons
·        Tide: Seawing, around one (dragon years), Krait's dragonet, speaks like a toddler, friend of Atlas
·        Krait: Seawing, adult, mother of Tide, friend to Atlas and Maple
== Escape from the Jewel Hive ==
=== part 1: ===
From the day he hatched Atlas had been owned by a Hivewing, his egg was bought by Antlion before it hatched, according to Maple, Antlion had spoken to Lady Jewel to have Atlas unbranded (the reason for this was beyond Atlas), and for as long as he could remember Atlas was shown-off like a painting or some other piece of artwork. He was just told to sit, in the window, all day, he wasn’t allowed to go anywhere else, not even inside the house that Antlion lived in. He just had to sit and look good. Today was no different. Atlas looked out the window, One day. He thought to himself, he sighed sadly and rested his head on the rail around his window, the only place he was allowed to be. He saw Hivewings walking in groups below, some were flying to the platforms around the hive. Atlas watched the flying Hivewings, he dreamed of flying one day-even though he didn’t even have his wings yet, he knew what he wanted, something inside him just wanted the feeling of flying, the thing his body yearned for more than flying however was freedom. The feeling of not having to be someone’s decoration, the freedom to find what he wanted to do, not what Antlion wanted him to be. 
Antlion returned to the house. “ATLAS! WHY ARE YOU MOPING AROUND LIKE A LAZY SLUG?!” He demanded. Atlas straightened his back and looked at Antlion. “Sorry.” Atlas responded, bowing his head slightly. “You know better than this.” Antlion snarled harshly. “Yep, I’ll just sit here-looking oh so pretty-like a painting you hang on a wall.” Atlas added sarcastically. “What have I said about the attitude.” Antlion ordered. “Sorry, guess I can’t even voice my opinion anymore.” Atlas continued sarcastically. “Watch your tone.” Antlion hissed angerly, pointing the stingers on his wrist towards Atlas threateningly. “Yeah, yeah. Sit here-looking pretty-like the piece of artwork I am.” Atlas continued, rolling his eyes. Atlas opened his mouth to voice his opinion once more, but before he could say a single sound, he felt the sharp almost-stab of Antlion’s stinger and was paralyzed again. “Let this be a lesson to you.” Antlion hissed, pulling the stinger out of Atlas-it never went too deep (Atlas knew Antlion didn’t want scars on his ‘beautiful artwork’), it just hurt from the venom. As if stinging me every time teaches me any lesson. Atlas thought to himself as if responding to what Antlion had said. Several minutes later Maple returned from work, gently opening the door. “Again? Really, Antlion?” She said upon seeing Atlas frozen in place like a stone dragon. Maple opened an insulated cabinet-like container, meant to keep things cold, and grabbed a bucket of ice-cold water, then dumped part of it on Atlas’s back. Atlas snapped back to life like a statue coming alive, with the feeling of ice everywhere on his back. “How many time do I need to say it, paralysis does not ‘teach’ any ‘lesson’.” Maple scolded Antlion. “I have been paralyzed, for thirty minutes!” Atlas blurted as soon as he could speak again. “The only lesson you teach him by paralyzing him is to hate you.” Maple continued scolding Antlion, ignoring Atlas’s interruption. “It never listens. It needs to learn it’s place.” Antlion said, trying to correct his sister. “Well, he probably would be more likely to listen if you would stop referring to him as ‘it’.” Maple stated, using the same tone of correction that Antlion used. “It doesn’t matter anyways at this point. I am home now; you can go do whatever little errands you need to do.” Maple said gently shoving Antlion out the door. “Fine.” Antlion said reluctantly. Antlion then angerly left the house, muttering something under his breath. Maple closed the door after Antlion was fully out of the house. “I take it that Antlion was ever so kind and gentle today.” Maple said sarcastically to Atlas. “As he always is.” Atlas responded, matching Maple’s tone. Atlas looked out the window again. “What is it?” Maple said kindly. “The usual.” Atlas responded, resting his head on the railing again. Maple walked to Atlas and sat down next to him. “One day-soon you’ll have your wings.” She said, putting her talon on Atlas’s back gently. “I know.” Atlas said sadly. “How do you even stand Antlion.” Atlas continued, the last word being said like poison on his tongue. “You want to know a little secret?” Maple asked, leaning her head closer to Atlas. “Half the time I don’t even stand Antlion.” She quietly said jokingly. Atlas laughed slightly. “Why do you stay with him than?” Atlas asked curiously. “Well, he’s my brother. My family. I have to stay with him, that’s one of the only reasons I still love him.” Maple answered, putting her tail over Atlas’s. Atlas saw an almost sad look in her eyes when she looked at him, he didn’t know why but he could guess it was about Antlion. “Plus, if I leave there won’t be anyone else willing to do anything to keep Antlion from trapping you in that window and turning you into a statue daily.” she added, putting her wing over Atlas affectionately. “I guess that’s true. I’m surprised Antlion hasn’t bought a chain to chain me to the floor.” Atlas responded, leaning into Maple. “If he did, he better pray to the moons that there’s returns on them.” Maple said almost fiercely. “I think you’re the only thing stopping him from buying chains for me.” Atlas added. “That’s way I stay.” Maple responded gently. The two conversed for several minutes longer before Antlion returned. It was nearly sunset now and Maple prepared dinner. “No dinner for you today, you were awful.” Antlion hissed angerly at Atlas. Antlion then stormed off into his room. “Here.” Maple whispered sliding Atlas some food. “Thanks.” Atlas whispered gratefully back. Atlas curled up on the floor in front of the window. One day, a change is happening. One day. Soon. I can feel it. He thought to himself, looking out the window. 
Atlas awoke to Antlion yelling at him-as usual-there was a new feeling however, a strange feeling in the bud that were his not-wings. “WHY ARE YOU STILL LAYING AROUND LIKE A LAZY SALAMANDER!” Antlion yelled at Atlas who was still half asleep. “I’m up. I’m up.” Atlas said tiredly. “It’s your turn for work Antlion.” Maple said, exiting her room. “That doesn’t get breakfast this morning.” Antlion said pointing to Atlas, he then exited the house. “How are you today?” Maple asked Atlas. “I feel like something’s going to happen, something big soon.” Atlas responded, his not-wings feeling more uncomfortable, almost like something wanted out from them. “I know. I feel like something big is going to happen too.” Maple responded. “Here, I made you some food.” She continued, handing Atlas some sliced fruit covered in a sweet, hard, honey-like mixture. Atlas ate the sticky, sweet fruit quickly, still enjoying them as well. Atlas noticed that there was a weird feeling in his wrists now as well. He gazed at his wrists curiously. “What is it?” Maple asked upon noticing Atlas’s gazes at his wrists and not-wings. “There’s a weird feeling, in my not-wings, my wrists seem to have a similar feeling as well.” Atlas answered, rubbing his wrists. “Can you describe the feeling?” Maple asked, sitting down next to Atlas. “Almost like,” Atlas started, pausing for a moment. “Like-something wants out.” He continued, trying to describe the feeling. “Hmm.” Maple said, thinking. “I don’t have any ideas, but I could look in the library for a book about Silkwings to see if that might have an answer.” She continued, standing up so quickly that she almost knocked Atlas over. “I’ll be right back.” She said, opening the door. Around half an hour passed before Maple returned excitedly with several books about Silkwing physiology. “I found it!” She said, her wing gave an excided flutter. She set the pile next to Atlas and took one of the books, flipping to a page she had put a book-mark in. “What. What is it?” Atlas said, noticing her excitement. “Look, right here.” Maple responded, pointing to part of the page. “It says ‘most if not all of the surveyed Silkwings have described their wing-buds and wrists having an itchy, uncomfortable feeling when they are close to their metamorphosis.’” Maple read excitedly. “I know! I can read too.” Atlas said getting excited. “It’s happening!” he said jumping with excitement. “I know! Here, I book-marked a few other sections regarding the topic in some other books I found.” Maple said, taking the other books off of the stack. Atlas started reading the sections, switching between the books. “Could you make some lunch?” Atlas asked, suddenly feeling starved. “Sure. How hungry are you.” Maple responded. “I could probably eat two dragons if they tasted good.” Atlas responded, still feeling like he hadn’t eaten anything all week. “Huh, that’s a new one.” Maple responded. “So, two meals worth?” She asked. “Yep.” Atlas responded. It was weird, Atlas never was hungry-not anything close to this-even when Antlion refused to feed him the whole day as a punishment. “Here I got some snacks.” Maple said, handing Atlas a box of honey-drops. Atlas tried to resist the urge to completely eat the box in seconds, failing mostly as he devoured the box rapidly. “Wow, you really are hungry.” Maple said, noticing how quickly he ate the food. “Sorry. I tried to resist the urge to absolutely destroy the box.” Atlas responded slightly embarrassed. “It’s all right. I could tell, you seemed like you were fighting yourself when you ate it.” Maple stated. “I kind of was.” Atlas said, brushing his talon along his neck. “Don’t worry you can eat as barbaric as your instincts tell you. I know your instincts usually are polite.” Maple said kindly, giving Atlas some cooked beef covered in a mixture of water and berries that were heated to stick to the meat. “Yeah, I don’t know what’s come over me.” Atlas said through mouthfuls of meat. “Maybe it’s your metamorphosis instincts.” Maple suggested. “You’re probably right.” Atlas responded. “And somehow I am still hungry.” He added. “Man, you’re eating like Antlion hasn’t fed you in five months.” Maple responded. “You’re right, it even feels like it too.” Atlas said, still reading the sections in all the books. “I’ll make more food.” Maple said. “You know, you don’t have to make me all the food.” Atlas said, feeling a little bad that Maple was the only one of the two who could cook. “No, it’s fine. I figure if your metamorphic instincts are taking over that I should probably answer them.” Maple responded kindly. Atlas was flipping one of the pages in the book to see if the next page had metamorphosis information when he noticed that the spots that were feeling odd were starting to let off a slight glow, like the fire-silk in the lanterns that line the Hives. “Maple, is this normal?” Atlas said nervously. Maple immediately set down the food she was still preparing after four servings and quickly came over to Atlas. He showed her his wrists which looked like someone had put a small flame under clear scales. “Does it hurt?” Maple asked. “No.” Atlas responded, still looking at the flames under his scales. “Then it probably isn’t a problem.” Maple stated reassuringly. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Atlas responded. Maple then returned to the food she was making. Atlas searched the books for an answer to why his scales on his wrists looked-like they were on fire, he finally came across a part in one of the books that read, ‘some individuals that were questioned in the survey had glowing silk-glands and it was found that when they emerged from their cocoon almost every individual was recorded to be a flame-silk.’ Atlas was a flame-silk. This meant that he could use his silk for more than just weaving, or strangling Antlion with, he could use it to light places, and burn things, or other non-flame-silk dragons if he needed to. Atlas kept this information to himself for some reason. Something inside him told him he shouldn’t tell Maple quite yet. He continued reading all the sections on metamorphosis within the books as he could, eating nearly the entire time. Antlion returned home a little bit before dinner. “WHY ARE YOU EATING! WHERE DID YOU GET ALL THAT FOOD!” He demanded as soon as he entered. “Don’t worry. I’ve been feeding him all day.” Maple responded. “And why did you feel the need to use nearly a fourth of our food supplies.” Antlion hissed angerly, his tail lashing threateningly. “It is getting close to his metamorphosis, so I’ve been supplying his needs. You don’t want any deformities to happen, do you?” Maple defended herself, using the threat of an imperfect Silkwing decoration to drive her point. “Fine. If it were any other reason.” Antlion responded. “What good is a wing-less Silkwing?” He continued proudly. Antlion went into his room, stomping out proudly, going on about how ‘his Silkwing would be the envy of the Jewel Hive’. Atlas’s hunger had started to die down after dinner. Maple came over and sat down next to him. “So how are you feeling?” She asked. “Not hungry anymore. Soon, I can feel that it’s happening very soon now.” Atlas said referring to the metamorphosis. “Do you want me to stay until it happens?” Maple asked, gently holding his talon. “Yes. Please d-” Atlas started suddenly freezing for a minute partially through the last word, he shook his head quickly. “Are you all right?” Maple asked gently cupping her talon around his head. “I think-I think that it’s happening.” Atlas responded, freezing a second time for a second. “Don’t try to fight it,” Maple said, moving her talons off of Atlas. “Just let it happen.” She continued gently. Atlas made a sound of agreement, then started spinning around, rapidly weaving a silk dome around him. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU’RE MAKING A MESS!” Antlion demanded after seeing Atlas weaving. “Sh. Let it happen.” Maple said putting her talon in front of Antlion. “His time has come.” She added. Those words echoed around in Atlas’s head for several minutes-at least he thought they were minutes-longer before it faded into blankness. The last thing Atlas could remember was a dark empty silk dome being sealed around him, by himself.
Atlas couldn’t tell how long he had been inside the cocoon for, it could have been years for all he knew. He awoke to the same darkness he saw before, very little amounts of light were shining through the smallest gaps in the cocoon. Atlas tried to break through, he pushed on the cocoon with his head until it freed him. The first thing he saw was Maple who was curled up, waiting for her friend to return. He poked his head out of the opening he had created. Maple’s ears perked up hearing the tearing of the silk cocoon. She turned around and darted to Atlas immediately upon seeing him. “You’re out!” She said, sounding somewhere between relief and excitement in her tone. “How long has it been?” Atlas asked quietly. “Just about five days.” Maple responded, cupping her talon around Atlas’s face. Atlas leaned his head into Maple’s talon gently. Atlas pushed his talons into the cocoon walls to break the rest of his body out. The walls gave in, falling like a spider-web after a dragon runs their talon through it. Atlas fell onto his front talons, something about his back felt almost heavier. He turned around to see four beautifully colored wings, he nearly fell over with excitement upon seeing the wings. The front larger ones had blue around the edges, the blue faded into a purple color, then the purple faded into orange that faded into a yellow in the center of his wings, they looked like the sunsets that some of the books Atlas had read described. The back pair had a blue color that faded into an almost white color at the tips, he saw some purples mixed into the darkest blue near the beginning of his wings. They were perfect, everything he had ever hoped for. “They’re perfect aren’t they.” Maple said, looking at Atlas’s new wings as well. “Perfect.” Atlas echoed, still in awe at his new wings. “You must be hungry.” Maple said starting towards the kitchen. “Yeah, I could use some food. Not quite as hungry as I was before though.” Atlas answered. “So, what is it like. The cocoon?” Maple asked from the kitchen. “I don’t really remember anything from the cocoon.” Atlas said, trying to remember his experience within the cocoon. “What do you remember?” Maple asked gently. “I remember almost the entire day up until after dinner.” Atlas said. “I remember you asking me if I wanted you to stay until I went into my cocoon, but after that I don’t really remember anything else.” Atlas continued. “Do you remember freezing when you started to go into the metamorphic trance?” Maple asked, handing Atlas Some mango slices covered in some bitter-sweet chocolate. “What? Definitely not.” Atlas said confused, taking the mangos. “I do however remember Antlion’s normal ‘Rah! Why you no be my artwork!’ yelling about me making a mess. Did I knock something over?” Atlas stated, mocking Antlion jokingly. “You didn’t knock anything over, Antlion was referring to the large silk cocoon you were weaving in the middle of his display window.” Maple responded. “Oh.” Atlas responded. “The last thing I can remember is seeing myself seal the cocoon closed, it didn’t feel like it was me controlling my body though.” He added. “I guess your metamorphic instincts really took over.” Maple said, handing him some sliced pears, and fish covered in mushed-up berries mixed with water that was heated so it would stick to the meat. “Thanks.” Atlas said. He then ate the fish first, saving the best part for last. Atlas liked the way pears tasted, so Maple often used them in recipes that involved fruit. “You know, you’re lucky I did my research.” Maple said. “Why is that?” Atlas asked. “I probably would have torn you out of the cocoon if I didn’t know the length of time that Silkwings were supposed to be in the cocoon for.” Maple stated.
Atlas spent nearly the entire day staring at his wings. Antlion returned to see Atlas still studying his wings. “Great you’re out. And with a mighty set of wings as well.” He said, almost complimenting Atlas. Atlas sarcastically made a sound of agreement. “All right. Back to your spot Silkwing.” Antlion ordered, not yelling to Atlas’s surprise. “No yelling this time?” Atlas said with a sarcastic hint of disappointment. “Did you have a change of heart while I was cocooned?” Atlas asked with sarcasm heavily lingering in his tone. “I was hoping you would have had one.” Antlion hissed with a tone that was between disappointment and his normal angry tone. “Nope. Still same old me.” Atlas responded. “Sorry if I disappoint my wonderful master.” He continued still with sarcasm. “Just go sit in your window.” Antlion ordered out of annoyance, pointing towards the window. “It’s the only thing you’re good for.” He hissed under his breath, not quietly enough, however. Antlion went into his room as usual and closed his door. Atlas resisted the urge to mock Antlion again. He rested his head on the railing. “I take it the balcony is off-limits to me now.” he said, referring to the balcony that surrounded his window. “I think Antlion revoked your balcony privileges when you tried to jump off of it.” Maple said jokingly, sitting down next to Atlas. “Ah, that. Yeah, that seems about right.” Atlas responded, remembering the time when he was younger and thought of jumping from the balcony to freedom below, he nearly succeeded, he jumped off but was quickly caught by Maple who knew he would have hurt himself doing that. “You forgot about that didn’t you.” Maple asked gently. “Completely.” Atlas replied in a happy joking tone. Maple laughed slightly. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” Atlas stated, referring to Antlion using him as art. “I know, me neither.” Maple agreed. “Some days I just feel like smashing through the window and flying, in a straight line, until I can’t fly any longer.” Maple added. “I know just how you feel.” Atlas said, looking out the window at the flying Hivewings passing by. Maple leaned closer to Atlas to assure that only he could hear what she was going to say. “We could now you know.” She quietly whispered to him. “I would, but I feel like someone would catch us before we got very far.” Atlas responded. “If you were alone, maybe, but if I go with you, other Hivewings would just assume I am your owner.” Maple stated, still in a whisper. “And they would only be half wrong.” She added. “How is that?” Atlas asked. “Well, Antlion and I split the cost for your egg, agreeing that we would both work together to raise you. I just wish I would have known Antlion’s motive behind buying the Silkwing.” Maple explained. The two conversed for a while longer, stopping to eat dinner, and when Antlion exited his room to eat his food. Atlas had curled up to go to sleep for the night. “ATLAS! WHY ARE YOU LAYING ON THE GROUND LIKE A USELESS PUDDLE!” Antlion yelled angerly. “It’s called sleeping, I do it every night.” Atlas said in a monotone. “You are allowed to sleep only after dark, until then you stay in your window!” Antlion ordered. There was only about an hour of daylight left and Atlas was exhausted for reasons beyond him. “There is no one outside to even see me, let me sleep.” Atlas requested. “I am giving you only one warning to lose the attitude.” Antlion warned sternly. “I am giving you no attitude.” Atlas argued politely. “That’s it!” Antlion burst. “You are not sleeping tonight. No rest for you, you disrespectful animal!” He hissed angerly. “So, I don’t sleep at all today?” Atlas started. “You do know that sleep is kind of needed. It’s not just another privilege that can be taken away.” He continued. “You are well on your way to no food for the rest of the week in addition.” Antlion warned in his normal always angry tone. “Antlion you can’t just starve Atlas every time he makes you unhappy, you keep that up and I’ll stop making you food.” Maple threatened, walking out of her room upon hearing Antlion’s more recent threats. “Maple I’d watch my tone if I were you.” Antlion warned. “Or what? You’ll stop feeding me? I feed myself and everyone else in this house.” Maple snapped back. “You don’t own me. And might I remind you that you only half own Atlas, we agreed to share caring for him.” she added fiercely. “You have always been soft on it. The only way to get it to listen is to use force.” Antlion hissed. “Force isn’t the only way to get dragons to listen. Respect goes both ways and will make others more willing to obey you.” Maple responded. “Watch, Atlas go into the kitchen please.” She requested politely. Atlas got up and walked into the kitchen, rolling his eyes as he passed Antlion. Antlion looked like he was going to explode from anger. “You could have had a chance earlier to earn the respect you think you get by force, now you might have burned every bridge you were given.” Maple stated strongly. “Atlas, I am giving you five seconds to return to your window if you want to be able to move for the rest of the night.” Antlion ordered sternly, ignoring what Maple had just said. Antlion lashed his tail in anger, bent back to launch himself at Atlas, but before he could even think of a next move Maple quickly jabbed her stinger into his arm just enough so that Antlion was paralyzed. How do you like it. Atlas thought, he kept this thought to himself however, it probably wasn’t the right time for that comment anyways. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way but since you refuse to listen to a word I say and only think of how you are going to keep your power higher than Atlas; I have to do this to you.” Maple said almost apologetically, but still mostly anger in her voice. “You are getting close to losing the last family you have left. Do you want me to leave and never even think to look back.” Maple continued. “I am asking you as your sister, as your family to listen to what I have to say. You need to stop depriving Atlas of basic needs that any living thing needs to survive!” She begged angerly. “Atlas will return to his spot in the window, and I am going to let you out on one condition, until I bring this back up none of this happened. Understood?” Maple bargained sternly. She then poured the ice-cold water from the bucket onto Antlion’s back. Antlion made a grunt of angriness and stormed into his room grumbling something under his breath. “I’ll stay here until morning just to make sure nothing happens.” Maple said gently to Atlas. “You can go to sleep now.” She added. Atlas curled up and went to sleep in his window spot.
The next morning seemed just like any other, the only difference was that Antlion somehow was much angrier than usual. Antlion had gotten up earlier for work. “UP!” He demanded immediately after clearing the hallway that his and Maple’s rooms were in. Atlas got up, stretched and eyed Antlion tiredly. “You’re early.” He pointed out tiredly. “Sit up and stop slouching like a depressed puddle!” Antlion ordered. “All right. All right. You know you could ask nicely for once.” Atlas said, sitting up in his ‘artwork’ pose. There was a sudden sharp jab of Antlion’s stinger piercing Atlas’s skin just enough to paralyze him. Antlion had just paralyzed Atlas in Atlas’s ‘beautiful artwork’ pose, the paralysis would last the rest of the day and Maple was already gone, running some errands. Antlion opened the door to leave. “Remember to be careful of what sides you choose next time.” Antlion hissed before slamming the door shut. As if there will be a next time. Atlas thought to himself.
Atlas was paralyzed for around twenty minutes by the time Maple returned. “Are you serious!?” She stated in shock when she saw Atlas paralyzed. She immediately got the bucket of water and dumped it onto Atlas to un-paralyze him, she then took out some leather satchels. “The first thing he did when he woke up was just yell at me to get into posture then paralyze me.” Atlas said, annoyed. “So, I take it he stormed off to work?” Maple responded, putting some small boxes of food into a satchel. “Yep. He should be gone until dinner, or lunch.” Atlas answered. “How long has he been gone for?” Maple asked, packing a few other small items into a different leather satchel. “About twenty minutes. Why?” Atlas replied, starting to get confused. Maple was shoving another box of food into a third satchel and looking around the house as though the house was going to explode soon, searching for any item she might need. “I think it’s time.” She said, handing Atlas the second satchel of food and an empty one as well. “You mean-” Atlas started. “Now?” he added, taking the satchels, and putting them over his neck. “Yep. We can’t stay here forever. Anything of importance that could fit in that?” Maple said, pointing at the empty satchel. “You already put the books that I enjoy reading in your other satchel.” Atlas answered. “All right then, let’s go. Unless there’s something you need to do.” Maple stated, opening the door. After all this time Atlas’s freedom was at hand. He finally wasn’t going to be a slave to Antlion’s ‘Be a piece of art or die’ forced lifestyle. He could finally find out who he wanted to be, on his own. 
Atlas stood up and exited through the door, following Maple through the inner halls of the hive. Maple turned down a large staircase that spiraled down. She turned to make sure that Atlas was still following her. “Before we leave, we need to stop at the Glitterbazaar, where the shops are.” Maple informed Atlas as they walked into a large area full of shops and stands trying to sell everything from food to wearable items, and a few, Atlas saw, had some animals being sold as either pets or special food. “Don’t worry Antlion never comes here. He leaves all the shopping up to me.” Maple stated, trying to reassure Atlas. Atlas followed as closely as possible to Maple to avoid being lost in the crowd of dragons, mostly Hivewings but Atlas saw a few Silkwings wondering as well. Maple stopped at a shop that seemed to have a variety of foods in it, Atlas could smell the sweet aroma of different treats being cooked inside. “You want to stay out here?” Maple asked. “No, I’ll come with you.” Atlas responded. He didn’t want to wait outside and risk any chance of encountering Antlion. “All right. Just stay close.” Maple requested. The shop had many different types of food each organized by desserts, fruits and other edible plants, savory food, and several other sections. “You could pick something from this section if you want.” Maple said, gesturing towards the non-perishables section and handing Atlas some Scales. “Ok.” Atlas responded. “I’ll give back any change.” Atlas added. Atlas looked over the different items that were meant to last months or even years and still be edible. Atlas found a section that had some fruit with all their juice removed, he searched for a particular fruit that he was hoping was available, after about a minute of searching he found a bag of dried fruit labeled under ‘Dried Mangos’. Just the thing he was looking for, and he had more than enough Scales for it. Atlas grabbed one bag of the fruit and got in line to pay for it. A Hivewing entered the line behind Atlas and the shop owner seemed almost ashamed or disgusted upon seeing Atlas in the front of the line, oddly. The shop owner walked quickly over to Atlas. “I’m terribly sorry, I am going to request that you move to the back of the line please.” He said trying to be polite to Atlas, but Atlas could tell there was an underlining tone of hate to the seemingly polite Hivewing. “But I was here first?” Atlas said confused as to why the shop-owner seemed to not want to help him. “I am truly sorry, but you are going to have to wait until after we serve the two Hivewings then we can serve you. I do hope you can understand.” The owner explained, pointing to the Hivewing in the line and Maple- who was still looking for a certain item in the non-perishable section. “I got in line first though.” Atlas said trying to make sense of the situation. “I am sorry, but higher-class citizens must be served before servants, you can understand. Yes?” the owner continued. Maple noticed the owner talking to Atlas and began walking over to the owner. “Is there a problem sir?” she asked the shop owner in a much more polite tone than Atlas usually heard her speak in. “Don’t worry this only concerns this Silkwing servant.” The shop owner respectfully stated, although he addressed Atlas like he belonged in a cell somewhere. “This does concern me, as the ‘Silkwing servant’ you are having trouble with belongs to me.” Maple headstrongly stated. The shop owner seemed shocked almost as soon as he heard this information “Oh. I am terribly sorry; I had no idea.” He stated apologetically, and far too innocently. He leaned towards Maple. “A recommendation: try to teach him his place in society.” He whispered, losing his polite tone, and instead having an almost indignant tone. “I will take that into consideration.” Maple said in a polite monotone. “I will help you now that you’re ready.” The store owner said with his polite tones returning to his words. Atlas set the dried mangos on the counter and Maple set a couple different food items on the counter as well. The owner added the price up and told it to Maple who paid it fully. Maple and Atlas left the shop. “You should be more careful.” Maple said sternly. “About what?” Atlas responded confused. “Hivewings have put themselves on the top of the societal pyramid, and Silkwings are on one of the lowest sections of said pyramid. Hivewings expect you to bow to them.” Maple explained. “Most.” Atlas added. “Yes, most Hivewings, not all though. It’s better to assume the Hivewing will treat you like a slave and not be disappointed than to expect all Hivewings are like me.” Maple responded. The two walked into the center of the bazar where there was a large statue of Queen Wasp, it was about two times the size of a normal dragon, and it showed her defeating a Leafwing. Atlas noticed a Silkwing put something in a crack on the statue. “We’re almost there, stay close.” Maple said to Atlas. She turned down an alleyway that had a window at the end of it. “Through here.” she said quietly. Atlas squeezed through the window and stopped outside it. The landscape was a massive grassland of dried-up grass as far as the eye could see. The sky had a beautiful hue of light blue speckled with blotches of cloud, the sun shining through the sky’s blue hue. “Are we going, or do you want to stare at the sky a little longer?" Maple asked jokingly. “Sorry, it’s just-” Atlas stated, still in awe at the sky. “I know. You think this is amazing, just wait until sun-rise.” Maple replied. Maple jumped through the window and hovered in place, waiting for Atlas. “Come on. We can’t enjoy all of this if Antlion catches us.” Maple said, mostly as a joke, but also to get Atlas going. Atlas jumped out the window and spread his wings. The wind caught his wings and allowed him to glide slowly. Atlas flapped his wings to gain height again. He then stopped in a hover. Maple swooped towards the ocean, with Atlas following. “There’s no turning back now. You know that, right.” Maple said. “What is there that I would want back there, the library, maybe.” Atlas responded, trying to do a loop mid-air. “Good point.” Maple said. “Try arching your back more to keep the loop tighter.” She suggested. Atlas did another loop, this time doing a tighter loop. “Good job.” Maple said. The two flew towards the ocean and away from the continent. “What if we don’t find anything?” Atlas asked. “There has to be something, there is no way that this is the only land-mass in existence.” Maple replied. She had a point. 
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)
Category:Content (Rainwing1234)