The Catastrophe: Chapter 1 (WoF Fanfic)

(Trigger Warnings: Violence, War)

Story by TropicalTheRainWingSeaWingHybrid (based off of Wings of Fire)

There *were* a few signs, looking back on it. Maybe, Virtue thought, it was why he hadn't believed them. Maybe it was why he hadn't stepped up.

Almost as if the forces of fate itself had been trying to warn him, Virtue had actually been sick that day.

Well, it started in the middle of the night. He’d woken up from his bed, sweating and feeling cold at the same time. He was shaking uncontrollably and felt extremely thirsty.

*We can’t afford more water right now*, he remembered thinking. *Go back to sleep.*

Virtue tried to close his eyes and huddle under the blankets, but the smell and feel of his own sweat was nauseating and cold shivers were spreading through his scales.

Finally, he relented, stumbling out of bed with his talons wobbling.

*If only Father were here…although I suppose he doesn’t get enough sleep as it is*…now he was debating if he should go to his sister, Probity’s, room, or his mother, Constellation’s, room.

Thinking for a few moments, he reminded himself about the ‘incident’ two years ago.

He hadn’t been sick that time.

*He had been plagued with his nightmares-not visions, not visions-and he couldn’t sleep, waking up with his heart pounding and the feeling of a heavy, sinking pit in his stomach. His claws were sweating as he grabbed his small teddy bear.*

*Virtue had walked over to his Mother’s room. “M-mommy? I’m having nightmares again…” He had slowly tried to shake her out of her bed.*

*When Constellation awoke, she had gasped with fright, with a look of wild desperation in her eyes.  Before Virtue could react, she had immediately grabbed a dagger from her pillow and pinned it against his throat.*

*The feeling of the sharp, cold steel on his throat had terrified the six-month old dragonet. He was hardly aware of the small trickle of blood flowing down from his scales. He had dropped his teddy bear on the floor.*

*He had cried out: “M-mother! It’s me! What are you-” Tears were beginning to spring from his eyes. “P-please, please don’t-”*

*Constellation, recognizing the voice, put her dagger down, her talons still shaking with adrenaline. She stared at him for a moment with a guilt-ridden look.*

*“Sweetie,” she managed to say, “I’m..no, I’m so sorry. I thought you were…” she didn’t finish the thought.*

*Now, glimpsing the blood falling from his throat, Virtue felt shaky. Heavy tears were pouring out from his eyes and he was gasping with shaky breaths. His vision felt blurry and he was looking at Constellation with terror. He tried to speak, but he couldn’t, instead tasting the salt-soaked tears slowly reaching his mouth.*

*Constellation was frozen, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t. Instead, she embraced Virtue, patting his head softly and trying to intertwine her tail around his.*

*“It’s okay, it’s okay,” she cooed. “Mommy just made a…a m-mistake, is all. It’s not your fault.” She brushed away Virtue’s tears. “Please don’t cry. Please don’t cry in front of me.” She picked up his teddy bear and offered it to him.*

*Virtue quickly grabbed it, feeling numb. He wasn’t quite old enough to comprehend what had just happened, and why, but he was old enough to carry around the feeling of betrayal and pain surrounding this incident.*

*He moved his tail away from Constellation’s and shook out of her grasp, stepping backwards. “I’ll go back to s-sleep...” he whispered fearfully.*

*He started to turn around, holding back his tears and trying not to blink. He was looking down at the ground, not wanting to meet Constellation’s pleading gaze.*

*“Wait, sweetie.” Constellation took a step closer. “You have to promise Mommy something.”*

*Virtue only nodded, wanting to do anything to get away and go back to bed.*

*“Please, please don’t ever tell your father or sister about this. I’m begging you. Then they’ll get mad at me and I might be in trouble. You don’t want the arguments again, do you?”*

*Virtue shook his head rapidly. “N-no.” He really didn’t.*

*Constellation smiled. “Thank you, sweetie. And…I’m…really sorry about this.”*

*She hesitated, noticing how Virtue was avoiding her gaze. “ You’re not mad at Mommy, are you?” Virtue shook his head again, clenching his teddy bear tightly.*

*“Alright! Well, go back to sleep! You have school tomorrow!” Constellation’s chipper tone was forced, as if she wanted to pretend nothing had ever happened. “Goodnight, Virtue!”*

*Virtue slowly walked back to bed, his wings drooping and his tail dragging against the floor. He didn’t manage to sleep that night.*

*“Hey,” Probity had said over ‘breakfast.’ Breakfast being a small, lonely carrot that was divided in half. “What’s up? You seem distracted.”*

*Virtue had been glumly picking at his carrot half, pushing it around his plate. Constellation wasn't eating anything, as usual. She was busy reading from a scroll-or, in this case, pretending to read a scroll while glancing at Virtue.*

*Don’t tell her, remember? That’s what she was telling him with that glance. For a moment, a pleading look flashed across her face. Only Virtue saw it.*

*“ I-I don’t like these carrots anymore,” Virtue mumbled. “They stink.”*

*Probity sighed, seeming to believe his lie. “Well, you have to eat it, Virtue! We’re not getting any more food until tomorrow. Remember, you dummy?” She cracked a smile.*

*“O-oh. Yeah.” Virtue grabbed his carrot, forcing himself to eat even though he was extremely nauseous. Constellation gave a small, subtle nod, looking pleased.*

Virtue had never really felt the same way about his mother again after that night. It wasn’t a feeling of active hatred; it was more like unease. A lack of trust. The once-loving relationship between the two was now broken, full of awkward silences and remorseful looks.

No matter how much Constellation tried to make it up to him, he would never forgive her, even when he said he did. And, since his father was often absent for months on end, busy fighting against the IceWings, he really only had Probity to confide in.

Which is why Virtue chose to go to her door, instead of Constellation’s or Oathbreaker’s. Stepping forward dizzily, he walked into Probity’s room.

It was small and shabby, much like Virtue’s; but she had managed to make it cozy somehow. A pile of scrolls were in the corner of the room and the floor was almost spotless. Clearly, she was dedicated to keeping her room clean, unlike Virtue.

*Must be a habit from all of her training…*

It looked like Probity was sleeping in her bed. She used to have a beautiful, silky purple blanket, with shiny gold patterns on it, but she had decided to give it to Virtue instead after his constant nightmares.

According to her, it wasn’t because of sympathy or generosity or anything-she just wanted to him to shut up and quit bothering her in the middle of the night.

*Hmm. Maybe I shouldn’t do this. Well, it’s because I’m sick this time..she’ll understand, right?*

Right when Virtue was about to wake her up-a little hesitant-Probity opened her eyes slowly. “Nightmares again?” She had been awake the entire time. Was she expecting him?

Virtue looked shamefully down at the floor. “N-no. Not this time.” His wings were shaking. “I-I think I have a fever. I don’t know if I can go to school…”

Probity’s eyes widened. “A fever?” She leaned out of the bed. “You’re-you’re not pulling my tail, are you?”

Virtue stepped in closer. “No…no, I’m not. Can you tell Mother tomorrow? That I won’t be able to make it to school? I’m too…I’m too sick to do it myself…”

Of course, that was another lie. He usually had Probity act as a ‘messenger’ between him and Constellation. But, surely she didn’t notice. Virtue did a good job at hiding it. *No, she can't suspect anything…*

Probity shrugged her wings nonchalantly. “Well, sure. If you insist.” She paused for a moment. “But…you’re feeling okay, right? You think you’ll be fine?”

Her voice was dripping with concern. Only Queen Verity and the royals got to have medicine-it was NightWing law. If you weren’t a member of the aristocracy and you got sick, you better hope you would recover in time.

Otherwise…

Virtue didn’t like to think about it, but otherwise, he could be *exiled*. There were enough struggles with food already, and the NightWings couldn’t waste the limited supply on feeble dragons.

If a dragon was bed-ridden for more than two months, they were exiled from the island with nothing more than a hollow “good luck" as reassurance. Everyone knew that those dragons would die sooner or later on their own-either from the IceWings, or from their illness.

“I’ll probably be okay by tomorrow evening,” Virtue mumbled. “I probably…probably just need some rest…don’t worry.”

Probity sighed, relieved. “Good! If you stayed in bed for too long, I’d just drag you out, anyway,” she said teasingly. “You’re so lucky...”

She looked towards him longingly. “Cadets aren’t allowed to take days off, ever! Even if they’re sick! If, moons forbid, I showed up sick, Strongwill would only make me train even *more* vigorously! He’s *merciless*. I can already imagine his voice..”

Probity scrunched up her face and narrowed her eyes, mimicking the lieutenant’s gruff tome. “**The IceWings won’t spare you just because you’re sick! Deal with it, you insubordinate lazy little worm! Unless you don’t support the NightWings? Huh? Huh?**” She started giggling.

“Yeah, yeah, y-you’ve told me a million times,” Virtue countered. *I’m not looking forward to it myself. In three years I’ll have to train, too…ugh.*

“Well, if you think you’ll be fine, quit bothering me! Your older sister needs sleep, too,” Probity joked. “It’s not all about you, Virtue…hey, that even rhymes!”

Virtue let out a smile, amused. “Uh huh. Well, goodnight then, Probity.” Feeling a little better, he shuffled back to bed, preparing to get a good night’s sleep…

***The air was full of smoke and ash. The smell of sulphur was so overwhelming, Virtue almost choked on it. Oathbreaker pointed towards Mount Quordai, a horrified look in his eyes. The volcano was erupting-a loud crackling came from the base of the volcano, and, before any of the NightWings understood what was happening, magma was flowing out from the top.***

***A cacophony of screams rose from the air. Dragons were running towards their houses, dragons were flying away, and a few dragons were standing still in shock. How could this happen? Queen Verity had promised the NightWings that the volcano wasn’t a problem.***

***But Virtue knew. He had foresaw it. If only he had spoken out earlier…why didn’t he? Why had he been so selfish? It was all his fault!***

***Everything was his fault! Now the island was doomed.***

***Any hopes the NightWings could have had…it was all consumed under the raging, burning fires that set the grass and trees and animals aflame.***

***The pool of lava was moving closer and closer to the palace. Closer to the palace…closer to the prisons inside…***

***“PROBITY!” Virtue desperately looked towards Oathbreaker. “We have to get her! We can save her if we hurry! Please help me!” He started flapping his wings, preparing to burst into flight.***

***Oathbreaker didn’t say anything for a moment, staring towards the volcano. Finally, he spoke. “I’m sorry, Virtue. We have to leave. No, YOU have to leave.”***

***“What?! What are you talking about?! We can save Probity together!” Virtue tugged Oathbreaker’s wing. “Hurry up!”***

***“No, we can’t.” Oathbreaker was struggling to form the words. “I had been..keeping it a secret from you. I didn’t want you to know...”***

***He stared at Virtue. He looked vulnerable. Like a helpless dragonet, instead of the war-decorated soldier that he truly was.***

***“We should have believed her. She had been trying to warn us. And we didn’t listen." He gestured towards Mount Quordai with a bitter expression on his face.***

***"Maybe it's karma...maybe we deserve this.”***

***Virtue looked towards Oathbreaker. What was he talking about?! What did he know about Probity?!***

***“TELL ME!” Virtue was screaming. “WHAT WERE YOU HIDING FROM ME?! TELL ME!” A horrible, cold feeling was rising through his scales...***

***Oathbreaker slowly walked over to Virtue, a heavy look in his eyes. “This isn’t easy to say. Remember a few weeks ago? After the meeting with the Queen? When I promised-“***

Virtue woke up. Although his room had no windows, he could tell it was daytime already by the sound of the chirping birds outside. Almost time for school…except that he was sick, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

I had a nightmare again. Fantastic. Although they used to be only a rare occurrence, now they were getting to be more and more common. Was Probity...was Probity safe? She needed their help!

*No, it’s not real. It’s your imagination…it can’t be real. It’s just…it’s not real. Oathbreaker's not even home...*

Still, Virtue had the urge to ask Constellation about her, to make sure she really wasn’t in danger. Still feeling miserable and still shivering from the cold, it took him a few minutes to leave his toasty-warm blanket.

About to step into her room, he stopped when he heard a voice from down the hall. It was unfamiliar to him, but sounded very serious. What was happening?

Virtue felt a pang of fear rise through his scales. Was it one of the soldiers? Is Father okay? He should be coming back in a week…right?

“-extremely important that he doesn’t find out.”

“Well, of course!” Virtue recognized that voice. It was Constellation. “There’s nothing wrong with my dragonet, anyway! If you ask me, w-we shouldn’t even bother with-”

“Excuse me.” The mysterious dragon’s tone turned cold. “Are you suggesting that we abolish the ceremony created by Queen Verity herself? You don’t agree with her?”

“No, I-”

“Because that would be treason. Only the Moonborn would dare to oppose Her Majesty’s official assessments. And I know your family is extremely proud to work for the Queen…right?”

“...Yes. Of course.”

“Good. Now, go fetch your little dragonet. Remember, don’t let him know anything about today.”

Virtue heard talonsteps approaching towards his room. Quickly, he jumped under the covers in his bed, closing his eyes quickly and pretending to be asleep. What’s going on today?! I can’t do this right now, I’m sick…Probity said she would talk to Mother-

“Virtue, wake up.” Virtue opened his eyes with a bleary expression, pretending he had just woken up. Constellation was standing in front of him, avoiding his gaze.

“Oh..hello, Constellation…” Virtue looked towards his talons. “Um-” I have to let her know! Why didn’t Probity…?

“I’m feeling sick t-today, so-”

Constellation raised her talon in the air, motioning for Virtue to stop talking. “I have no time for your jokes today, okay? Go to school.”

“But I really am sick! Didn’t Probity tell you before she left?!” Virtue glared at Constellation. “I’m not lying. I promise.”

Constellation looked torn, but kept talking. “Please, spare me the excuses. You’ve already been daydreaming in school enough, I’ve heard. Look, just go for today, and if you still feel sick afterwards, you can stay at home tomorrow, okay?”

Virtue had no choice now. Slowly getting out from under the covers again, he squeezed past Constellation, walking towards the hall. There was no visitor anywhere. They must have left…

Grabbing his school pouch and tying it around his leg, Virtue started to walk out of the house when he heard Constellation call after him.

"Wait, Virtue, please, I need to.." She stopped.

She had a grave look on her face. “Virtue, just…” she gulped. “Good luck today.”

Constellation slammed the door shut, leaving Virtue stunned. What had just happened? What does she want to tell me? What had she been talking about earlier? Who was that dragon?

Virtue looked towards the school, feeling cold-but not just because of his fever. Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling spreading through his scales, Virtue started walking, hoping nothing bad would happen. There was no way any harm could come to him and his talonmates...

But he was wrong. Later that day, a dragonet would die.