Haunted Voices

Warning! This book includes and mentions about death and blood. Young audiences or people who are sensitive of blood and death are not recommended.

!!!!This Page is NOT completed and still in progress!!!!

## Chapter 1, Part 1

Bella was sitting down on a wood stool and was writing in a scroll. An oil lamp lit the scroll as she wrote in it, flickering brightly. She had a great passion for writing and being creative, and nobody could stop her from her ideas that popped in her head here and there. There was a light knock on her door, and she turned around, moaning.

"What is it, mom?"

Her mother peeked in. "It's getting late, and your still writing?" She caught a small glance at a clay plate on her desk. "And you barely touched your dinner."

"I'm not that hungry." She mumbled, not even looking at her food. She hadn't given the food her mother gave her a single glance at it since she put it there.

"If you eat it, I'll make your favorite honey pound cake tomorrow." She said, while Bella started fizzling with excitement.

"You will?"

"Of course I will, as long as you eat all of it." Her mother told her, just beginning to close her door again. "Make sure you eat all the broccoli, though." She winked and closed the door.

*Ugh!* Bella thought, her good mood getting spoiled. *Broccoli is the* worst. She reluctantly pushed her scroll and inkwell to the side, and moved the clay plate of food infront of her. The plate contained sliced yam, papaya and the dreaded broccoli.

She slowly ate, and it took 10 minutes for her to finish eating. The papaya was rather juicy, and the yam felt flavorless on her tongue. Now the broccoli tasted like she was lapping up those gazelles hivewings eat that has maggots on it. Gross.

Once she finished the food, she left the clay plate and dipped her talons in ink. Her talons were rather.. black because she wrote a lot. She dreamed of being a writer when she was older and write scrolls for young dragonets to read. Maybe she could even open up a library in one of the hives! Maybe she could become Queen Wasp's next librarian next. Her talons trembled with excitement of the thought. She would be so honored!

She wrote and wrote all night long, until she fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion...

Bella woke up, startled. It was still the middle of the night, or more of like, the end of the night. The sun was just starting to rise and cast light along the horizon. She wondered what woke her up until she heard a light creek. Her eyes darting along her whole room, and started to panic Who was in her home?

She quietly got off her stool and approached her barely opened door. She put her eye to the single crack that was open and saw a.. she didn't know what she even saw. It looked like.. a dark black, glitchy dragon. *Who are they?* She wondered. Without knowing it, she was leaning closer and closer.. until she crashed into the door. Startled, the dragon ran away.

"Wait! Come back!" Bella shouted, chasing after them. The stranger was quiet surprisingly fast.

She managed to corner them in the kitchen. The dragon's empty, soulless white eyes seemed to glare back at her. They lunged at her with a mix of a growl and roar, and the only thing she heard was her falling backwards into a pile of clay plates, which shattered, before all went black before her.

### Chapter 2, Part 1

Bella woke up with the worst headache ever. Her memories flashed before her eyes, the strange dragon running away, her cornering them, and them lunging at her. She struggled to remember her name for a moment, before she heard a faint calling.

*"Bella, Bella, Bella.."*

Then she actually woke up. Two blurry imagines were staring down at her. The memory of the strange dragon flashed again, and she groaned. The blurry imagines peering over at her seemed to have the same white soulless eyes.

"Get away from me!" She growled, swiping her claw aimlessly, which sliced the flesh of one of the dragons.

The blurriness seemed to clear and she gasped. Bella had injured her mother, who was withering on the floor, clearly in a state of deep agony. It looked like she had re-opened a wound on her shoulder.

"Mother-" Bella gasped, reaching for her. Her father intercepted her.

"Bella, go to your room." He growled, upset with her. "And no writing for a *week.*"

Bella gaped at her father. No more writing for a *week!?* "What do you mean, 'no more writing for a week'?!"

"You know what I mean. No. More. Writing. Go to your room, *now."* He spat out his words slowly, which were full of hatred.

She was trembling, and unsteadily nodded her head. With that, she left and slammed her door shut, which made a ear shattering noise of splinters scraping against the wall.

"AND NO MORE SLAMMING OR ELSE I'LL MAKE THAT AN *EXTRA* WEEK OF NO WRITING!" Her father bellowed.

She gulped. Why did she even do that in the first place? She wanted to scream into the silk pillow on her bed until her voice went hoarse. She felt so depressed and sighed. She was still trembling, both from fear and anger.

***Don't let the fear overrule you. Your father should be the one trapped in their room, cowering in fear.*** A voice spoke in her head.

"Who are you and where are you?" Bella demanded, whipping in all directions.

The voice cackled. ***I'm in your head, stupid. Now, for my name.. hmm.. how about you call me Error\_633?***

All at once, the name felt familiar as if she had knew or heard the name before, but from where? "Your name," She whispered. "Why is it familiar?"

***Now, now, you don't need to whisper. Everybody will think your strange, weird.. scary, even. Simply just think your words to me. I'm in your head, remember?***

Now Bella really wanted to scream into her silk pillow. *Why am I so stupid?* She thought.

***You, stupid?*** The voice broke off, laughing. ***You sure are.***

"I hate you," Bella grumbled.

***I hate you, too.*** If the voice had a body, she'd be assuming they were smiling.

"Why is my life so difficult?" She questioned to no one in particular. Well, maybe to Error\_633.

***Your only making your life difficult.*** Error replied. ***How about you take a small nap. You know, time* does *fly by faster when you sleep. A week will pass in no time if you just sleep!***

"Me? Sleep for a week?" She squeaked.

***Sure! .... Are you able to do that?***

"I-..um.. no. If anything, I only sleep for a couple hours."

***Oh.*** Error seemed disappointed. ***Just- get some sleep.***

*Alright,* She thought, sighing. She covered her windows with silk curtains. Silk, silk, silk. Everything was made of silk these days. Not that she was alive during the times they *didn't* use silk as much.

Bella jumped onto her *silk* bed, rested her head on her *silk* pillow, and got in a suitable and comfortable position. In a matter of minutes, she was snoring quieter than a mouse could squeak.

### Chapter 3, Part 1

Bella woke up hours later, with a moan. She wondered for a moment why she was in her room, sleeping, until she remembered what her father had said and what she'd done. Exhausted like she usually was after getting up, she crawled over to her door and opened it with a creek. Both her mother and father weren't in sight. Had they just.. left her alone?

She inspected the kitchen, which had clay bowls and pots alike on the floor, some shattered. She saw in the trash shards of broken clay pieces, and winced. All that wasted money.

Bella sighed, grabbed a papaya, and sliced it clean with her talons. She quietly munched on it, before whispering, "Are you still there, Error\_633?"

***Of course I am.*** They replied. ***I'm always here.***

"Why haven't I heard you before in my head all those years ago, then?"

***Because..*** The voiced paused. ***You weren't ready yet.***

"Ready for what?"

***Nothing.*** The voice replied quickly. Maybe a bit *too* quickly. ***On the day before Queen Wasp's hatching day you'll know.***

*Queen Wasp's hatching day!?* Bella thought excitedly. *Will I be some sort of honored guest? Will I find out that.. I will become an author!?*

The voice seemed both amused and annoyed by her. ***You'll just see,*** They snapped.

*Since when did* you *become bossy?* She said, glaring at nothing.

***Me? Bossy?*** Error seemed to snort. ***How about you watch your tongue, or I'll have to cut it off myself.*** They threatened.

She gasped. *You wouldn't!*

***I would.*** They seemed to flash a devilish smile.

*I'd like to see you try!* Bella snorted.

***Is that so?*** Their voice had a hint of.. how should she explain it? Like they were a bloodthirsty killer who was ready to unleash the whole world against her.

*I- actually, no. I'd like to keep my tongue, please.*

***That's what I thought.*** They smirked.

Bella finished her papaya and washed her talons covered in papaya juice clean by licking them. Little did she know, months later, she'd be washing her talons covered in blood clean with her tongue, enjoying the tangy taste of it.

### Chapter 4, Part 1

Bella was lightly roasting some apples and was lightly peeling off the tops of some kumquats. Her mother taught her to peel off some skin at the top, squeeze out the juice, and pop the kumquat her mouth. Surprisingly, kumquat skin is sweet and the juice is sour. Nobody would expect that, right?

It's been hours since she woke up, and there was no sign of her parents, not that she was too worried about them. She had secretly wrote in her scroll during some free time when she wanted to, because who could shout at her for doing something besides Error\_633?

Bella sighed. She loved making her own choices, which was surprising for her. She had always been her mother's and father's perfect little daughter, except for the fact she didn't like broccoli. She would always listen to them, do her chores, maybe with a tiny bit of complaining, and was always responsible for the things she owned.

Now, since her parents left her alone for the first time, she felt.. better, making her own choices and doing what she wanted. Or maybe it was since Error\_633 started speaking to her. She was still confused how Error\_633 could talk in her mind or be part of her body, but she shrugged it off. Who cares? Error was the only one who felt like.. her true friend. They had laughed and teased eachother, they had conversations when she felt lonely or bored. Who could ask for a even better friend then them?

Once the apples were done roasting, she gently lifted them off the fire and wiggled them free from the stick they were pierced in onto a clay plate. All their pots, bowls and plates were made of clay, mainly because wood was unobtainable since Wasp cut down all the trees.

She then set the apples aside to cool and started to finish peeling the tops off. She carefully squeezed the juice out into a small clay bowl and placed the kumquats on the same plate where the apples were. Her parents would dump the juice, but she knew a secret recipe she made up with the juice.

Bella grabbed a bottle of honey that was kept in a empty lantern that her parents apparently had bought, and poured some into the sour juice. With the combination of sweet and sour, it'll make the perfect sauce. She lightly poured the sauce on the apples and kumquats before dumping any extra away.

She sat down and started popping roasted apple pieces and kumquats in her mouth while having a silent conversation with Error\_633 in her head.

*Hello, Error. You mentioned earlier I could sleep for a week. When you normally sleep, do you sleep for a week?*

***Me, sleeping for a week?*** They snorted, ***I sleep for years. A week is barely just shutting my eyes for a moment. A nap for me is a year or two.***

*Woah,* Bella thought. *That's..both cool and creepy. How come a week for you is just barely shutting your eyes rather than just a second?*

***Time is different for me then, I guess. I suppose you could call a week for me a second. A month is equal to a minute, and a year is equal to an hour. Now a day is probably pretty fast for me. Now seconds and hours? Those feel like merely nothing.***

*Amazing,* She thought, breathless. *Are you speaking faster than going one million miles per hour for you, then? You seem to be talking normally, maybe perhaps a bit slow, for me.*

***No, I'm speaking normally. One day.. our times became the same. That event was known as the Time Clash.***

*How did it happen?*

***None are sure. Some have a theory though....*** They paused.

*What is the theory?*

***Perhaps you're not ready to know yet.***

*Seriously? We are practically best friends now! Surely you can trust me keeping the information to myself.*

***I do trust you to keep the information to yourself, but.. I'm afraid you might do something I might not like, and that you'll regret later.***

*I see,* Bella thought, even though she was really disappointed.

She finished eating the roasted apple and the kumquats without knowing and bit her talons.

"Ow!" She cried.

***Seriously? A small bite hurts?***

"Um, yeah, *duh."* She said it like it was obvious.

***Weak.*** They snarled. ***You should get some battle practice. A small bite, whether its accidental or not, shouldn't hurt.***

Bella examined her talons, where a tiny bit of blood was bleeding. It stung, though she didn't want to admit it to seem weaker to Error.

*Alright,* She thought. *What am I practicing with, though?*

***How about you make a dummy with the silk of your father's bed? I'm sure he wouldn't mind.***

She gulped. *Me, using his pillow and silk bed? He'll be even angrier with me.*

***Just do it!*** Error snapped.

*Jeez...fine. I'll do it.*

And with that, Bella got up from her dirty plate and headed for her fathers room.

### Chapter 5, Part 1

Her father's room was well organized, but in a dresser containing items were open and messy scraps silk were here and there. Bella used these scraps of silk and from her father bed and it looks like sort of a dummy. She stuffed it up with random things she found in her fathers room, including a spoiled potato that was quietly rotting inside of his dresser.

***Perfect,*** Error said. ***Now, show me your basic battle stance.***

Bella gulped. Her basic battle stance? She didn't have one. She never fought. She bit back her tongue from admitting this. So instead, she awkwardly shuffled out her talons and went in a small squat. She stared blankly at the dummy.

*Is this good?*

***'Is this good'?*** Error laughed. ***No, theres some adjustments needed.***

*How should I do it, then? I never fought before,* She said, finally admitting it.

***You never fought before? You have once your done practicing. Have your eyes focused on the dummy.***

She squinted at the dummy.

***Bare you fangs to look fiercier.***

She bared her fangs, exposing her teeth.

***Whenever your ready, your welcome to attack it.***

Bella crouched down, her eyes intent on the dummy. She suddenly leaped onto the dummy and bit its face. Silk was violently yanked out with a tear. Once she took a step back, she sputtered and spit the silk out of her mouth.

*Is that good?*

***Is that all you know?***

She silently nodded. *I do know how to scratch it, too.*

***Alright. I will teach you some more, then. Get in your stance.***

She squatted down again, bared her fangs, and squinted at the dummy.

*What now?*

***When you attack, claw where it's eyes would be.***

She nodded, though she didn't like to think about the pain of your eyes getting clawed and going blind. Bella crouched low and leaped onto the dummy, knocking it backwards in the process. She snarled and clawed its eyes with loud tears. She also grabbed what would be it's neck and bit it. The head fell backwards, limp.

Once she was done, she backed away from it and stared in horror. She had completely shredded its face and its head looked as if it would fall off any moment.

*I can't believe I did all of that.*

***I know, right? Amazing. Do you feel the power in your talons?***

Bella nervously looked down at her talons. They were covered in loose silk threads and spoiled potato was all over them. She must've clawed where the potato was. The thought of the potato and silk being blood instead sent shivers down her spine.

*Will I have to practice everyday?*

***You should. Maybe even twice a day.***

*Twice a day?* She sighed, trying not to show her disappointment. She rather practice once every other day.

***Tomorrow we can practice with a live dragon. I have just the dragon in mind.***

She gulped. *Okay, tomorrow morning.* Then she slapped her head.

Bella left the limp dummy in her fathers room and went to her bedroom, where she could write in peace. The dirty plate was still in the kitchen and hasn't been washed, but she ignored it. Nether has the plate of the yam, papaya and broccoli, so why should she care? She dipped her talons like she usually did, and starting writing with graceful strokes.

### Chapter 6, Part 1

Bella abruptly stopped writing when she heard a loud, deep knocking noise. Unsure of who it might be, she set her talons down and went to the front door. She opened it, and to her surprise, her father and mother were standing there.

Her father eyed her dripping talons. "Has it been a week?"

"No. But you were away." Bella offered.

Her father's ears twitched with annoyance. "Just because I'm gone to mend to your mother doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. We still are our parents."

"Oh, now just because your here now means I have to listen to you?" She snorted. "You weren't here before, so I get to do whatever I want. Nobody was here to shout at me whats I'm doing wrong."

*Besides Error..* Bella thought.

"Well, I'm here now. So go. To. Your. Room."

"Who says I still have to listen to you, even if your here? I can make my own choices now."

Her father looked as if he was ready to explode. He stormed to his room, only for him to let out a loud, terrified gasp.

"WHAT. HAPPENED. TO. MY. BED?" He bellowed.

Bella entered in. "I thought maybe I should do some battle practicing."

Both horrified and angry, he stared at the shredded dummy, before leaping onto her.

***Quick! This is your chance.*** Error said hurriedly.

Bella nodded before stepping back to avoid getting scratched at and crouched low.

***Claw his eyes like I showed you. Bite his legs! Shred his wings!***

Instead of doing what Error told her, she hesitated for a moment, but that moment seemed like years. It seemed her whole body and mind was chanting quietly to her and urging her to attack her father.

*Blood, blood, blood, blood,* Her mind seemed to chant in a quiet whisper. *Blood, blood, blood.*

Overwhelmed, she scattered back. Seeing the chance, her father leaped on top of her and scratched her belly, without a single hint of hesitation. She let out a pained cry, trying to escape his grasp. He only scratched and bit her more, until her mother burst in.

She pulled her father off of Bella, leaving her laying on the floor, panting.

***Bella? Why did you attack him like I told you? You could've twisted his horn at the least.***

*I"m sorry, Error.* She burst into quiet sobs. *I just couldn't.*

***What do you mean? Act as if your father is the dummy. Invite the hatred and pain, and feed on it. Make him the one suffering. Make him the one acting as your servant. Make him listening to you.***

She did as Error told her, and tried to imagine her father as a dummy. She heard laughs of mockery from her father, and him taunting her.

"Weakling," He was laughing, "You can't even get the urge to even *claw* me."

Now full of sudden rage, she got up. Her scratches no long stung. Her bite marks no longer held her back. With a growl full of hatred and anger, she leaped onto her father. Now she didn't hesitate. and clawed his eyes. *He* was now the one yowling in pain. Bella hissed, and shredded his wings. Her father's desperate struggling and thrashing did no use. She pinned him down on the ground, and he thrashed in her grip.

"Bella, no!" Her mother cried, knowing what she was about to do.

*"Yes,"* She hissed, and snapped her fathers neck. Her mother backed away, horrified.

"Who are you?" Her mother whispered.

"I am Bella. Your daughter." She smiled. "Your *sweet sweet* daughter." She lunged at her mother, and knocked her against the wall. There was a quiet thump before her mother got knocked out and closed her eyes.

"Yes, your sweet daughter." Bella said, staring down at her fathers corpse in disgust and hatred as if she could set it on fire.

## Chapter 7, Part 2

Bella was making oatmeal for her mother while she was waiting for her, and purposely burnt it. Steam and fire was everywhere. She wasn't scared, she wasn't cowering back from the fiery flames. She would enjoy the scorching heat. Embrace it.

Her mother woke up and moaned. She was tied to a stool and her talons were tightly squeezed together so she couldn't use her silk.

"Well, well. The prisoner has finally awakened." Bella said, yawning. "Took you long enough."

"Prisoner?" Her mother said, horrified. "I'm your mother!"

"You are *not* my mother. Take the name Failure instead." She spat. "Your lucky I'm keeping you alive. Not for too long, though, of course. We wouldn't want an accident happening, would we?"

Failure swallowed hard. "No, daughter."

"For the last time, your not my mother, therefore I am not your daughter!" Bella hissed.

"Fine, then, Bella."

"Don't call me that either. Call me *Master.* Now if you don't mind, I have a few rules to go over now."

"What are these rules?" Failure asked, her eyes narrowed.

"First, you need some manners and respect for your master. I'm the reason your alive." Bella said proudly.

"And I'm the reason you were born." Failure hissed.

"Silence!" She roared. This was more difficult than she imagined. "You will always bow when I'm in your presence, and whenever your around somebody else, *do not mention about me.* Act as if I simply disappeared. Gone."

"You mean, you will release me at one point?"

Bella laughed. "Who would said I'd release you? No, I will simply untie you and make you run the errands needed. Once you've gained my trust, that is. Now, have some oatmeal." She shoved steaming hot oatmeal in Failure's mouth.

Upon contact, Failure shrieked. The searing hot oatmeal burned her mouth, and her eyes were full of pain. She spat out the oatmeal as quick as she could.

"Not very grateful for the food you have, do you? I suggest you eat up, because the next time your eating won't be soon."

She fed the rest of the oatmeal to her prisoner, and they were quiet, though she could tell she felt serious pain. When there was no more, she kicked her mother down so she could lap up the remaining oatmeal on the floor, which had a small chance to cool down.

*How am I doing, Error?* Bella asked.

***You've done an amazing, outstanding job. It hasn't been long and already you've done great.***

Touched by Error's words, she left her mother there and went to her room. She shredded the scroll with a story which she had worked on for awhile. She grabbed an empty, clean scroll with no words written on it. She wrote down with hasty marks on it. She wrote:

𝔉𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 - 𝔇𝔢𝔞𝔡

𝔐𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 - 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔯

𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔚𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔢 ℌ𝔦𝔳𝔢 - 𝔘𝔫𝔱𝔬𝔲𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔡

She rushed into the kitchen and took a knife. Bella went back to her room and pierced the piece of paper onto the wall with the knife. By the time she was finished and went back to her 'prisoner', they were done eating.

Just as she was going to open her mouth to say something, a series of shrieks and shouts came from outside of the house. Her eyes flickered and darted what seemed to be every corner of the room before growling to her mother, "Stay here." And thrusting open the door and rushing out.

Before she rushed out of the house, though, she had grabbed two planks of wood and used that to lock the door shut. After doing that, Bella followed the sound of the shrieking. As soon as she got there, she saw why the silkwings and some hivewings were going crazy. A large, no, *huge* fire was in the center of the hive, and she even spotted some hivewings and silkwings wrapped in a tight coccoon of flamesilk. She guessed a flamesilk must've caused the fire.

Bella scanned the hive carefully, trying to think if she were the flamesilk, where would she hide or run to? Her eyes searched and searched to find a dragon who looked out of place or a perfect hiding spot. Her eyes mainly stopped at shops, as it would be a good hiding spot, and would always stare at the shop as if staring at the shop might make the flamesilk hiding it in it come out.

Even though there were many screeches and shrieks, one scream in particular caught her attention. A group of hivewings were surrounding a magenta silkwing, which had a bleeding leg. Another hivewing lashed out and got the leg across from the other leg they had attacked. Because both legs were now weak and bleeding, they collapsed on the ground, though their eyes were still open. A hivewing marched up and clawed their side, before the flamesilk finally gave in and closed their eyes.

*I need that flamesilk.* Was her first thought. She spread her wings and followed the hivewings carrying the silkwing. They carried the silkwing to where Bella thought were the other flamesilks were. Unlike all, or what seems like all, she knew where and what happened to the flamesilks. She only knew this because from reading scrolls, heard her mother and father discussing it, and saw with her own eyes once as a young silkwing a flamesilk getting carried away to a strange room where she theorized where the other flamesilks were.

Bella kept following and following them until they led her to the other flamesilks, and the whole entire time she hadn't been noticed by any hivewings. Just as they were going to bring the magenta silkwing in, she silently attacked and killed them faster than they could scream. The only noise that was made was the quiet thumps of their bodys falling on the ground.

She quietly dragged away the silkwing, and wrote a message with the hivewing's blood,

𝐵 𝐸 𝒲 𝒜 𝑅 𝐸 . 𝐼   𝒜 𝑀  𝒞 𝒪 𝑀 𝐼 𝒩 𝒢  𝒯 𝒪  𝒦 𝐼 𝐿 𝐿  𝒜 𝐿 𝐿  𝒪 𝐹  𝒴 𝒪 𝒰

and left with the silkwing. *I will come back for the rest of you. One day I will imprison you all.*

### Chapter 8, Part 2

Bella kept dragging and dragging the silkwing until she made it back to her house. Her mother was still awake, and still on and staring at the ground.

"Hello, prisoner," Bella greeted her without a hint of kindness.

"What are you doing with that silkwing?" Her mother asked, her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she tied them to a chair.

"Imprisoning them." She said it like it was no big deal. "It's a flamesilk."

"What do you need even a flamesilk for?"

Bella shrugged. "I dont know. Thought I'd just imprison them since they're a flamesilk. They caused a nice fire and alot of pain to harmless silkwings. Maybe we could form an alliance."

Just as she stepped away, the silkwing's eyes slowly fluttered open. "Wh-where am I?" They muttered, and tried moving their wrists as if to rub their head. When they realized they couldn't move their wrists and arms, their eyes grew wide and looked around.

"Where am I?" They demanded.

"At my home." Bella replied, and the flamesilk seemed to just notice her.

"Oh great, I've been imprisoned by a *silkwing.*" They muttered, rolling their eyes. "Is this some sort of trick of the hivewings?"

"Um, no." Bella's eyes twitched with annoyance. "I killed the hivewings." She paused thoughtfully before saying, "I killed all of the hivewings guarding the flamesillks, too."

"Great, now can you just untie me now?"

"I was the one who imprisoned you, you know. I'm not just going to untie you because you said so."

"Fine!" They snapped. "I'll just escape myself." They tried shooting out a stran of flamesilk, but it only landed on her mother's foot and she shrieked in pain.

When her mother shrieked, she got an idea. "Okay, lets make a deal. Produce me jars and jars worth of flamesilk and I'll release you."

*Little do they know...* She thought, smirking.

The flamesilk snorted. "Seems legit enough. You better place that jar on the other dragon's foot if you want some, 'cause my flamesilk isn't going to go anywhere else but there."

"Excuse me!?" Failure said, shocked. "Am I just a "other dragon" to you?"

"Actually, yes. I do not know you and you don't know me."

Ignoring the conversation between the flamesilk and her mother, Bella grabbed all the jars and bowls she could find and set a jar on her mothers foot.

"Ready," Bella mumbled.

The flamesilk shot out firey strans of silk and kept filling the jar until she told them to stop. They seemed to repeat this process for awhile until every single jar or bowl or anything that could hold something in it was full of flamesilk in it.

"Perfect," She said once the last jar was filled.

"Now, do you mind releasing me now?" The flamesilk asked, trying to move their head to where Bella was standing.

"Nah." She said, screwing on the cap of the jar.

"What?!" The flamesilk sounded shocked. "I trusted you and did what you said?"

Bella laughed. "Really? You *actually* trusted me and thought I'd free you afterward, even though *I* was the one who imprisoned you?"

"Just. Let. Me. Go!" They roared, shaking the chair and spurting out flamesilk that wrapped around her other prisoner's legs, who shrieked in response.

"Now, now." Bella smiled. "If you don't cooperate then I'm afraid I'll have to.." Carefully with the skin of a banana, she picked up and threw a handful of flamesilk, which whipped and burned the flamesilk. They roared in pain and struggled even harder to get out.

She crouched down to look at the silkwing in the eye. "Now, whats your name?"

"So thats what you needed the silk for," They hissed under their breath. "And why should I tell you my name?"

"Would you rather have the name Prisoner? Nothing?" Bella asked, hissing.

The flamesilk merely shook their head.

"That's what I thought. Now mind telling me your name?"

"It's Emperor."

"I think I should become Emperor and you should take my name." Bella said thoughtfully. "Calling *you* Emperor surely will cause confusion."

"And whats your name?" Emperor asked, narrowing their eyes.

"Bella."

"*ME!?"* They laughed, "Me, having the name Bella? That's a name for a *weakling."*

"Oh, is that so?" Bella hissed. "Well, I heard that a weakling named *Bella* killed the hivewings that *you* coundn't kill, killed the hivewings that were guarding the flamesilks, and imprisoned the O great holy 'Emperor'."

Emperor's eyes flared with both anger and embarrassment. "I will not take a weakling's name! Emperor describes me best. Smart, clever, demanding, strong," And with a final flare of her eyes, she burst out, "*POWERFUL!*"

Bella had to looked away and shield her eyes. An explosion of fire was everywhere, including flying shards of clay and splinters flying in the air. Unfortunately for her mother, her wrists were bound, so all she could do was close her eyes and hope for the best. But also fortunately for her, closing her eyes was enough to protect her eyes, but still got scratches.

Once the smoke and explosion cleared, she was able to look. Emperor was gone. The tiny flame of anger in her heart grew into a great roaring fire.

𝐵 𝐸 𝒲 𝒜 𝑅 𝐸 . 𝐼   𝒜 𝑀  𝒞 𝒪 𝑀 𝐼 𝒩 𝒢  𝒯 𝒪  𝒦 𝐼 𝐿 𝐿  𝒜 𝐿 𝐿  𝒪 𝐹  𝒴 𝒪 𝒰

### Chapter 9, Part 2

Faster than she ever had flown or ran, Bella thundered out of her house and went back to the flamesilks faster than what seemed like she could whip a dragon. When she was near, she slowed down and slipped inside. Her message was still there, shining bright red on the walls.

Strangely, the flamesilks were still in the room, and it seemed they havent even noticed her message yet.

As she scanned the room, one dragon caught her eye. *They have the same wing color as Emperor.. same eye color..* Right away she realized they were Emperor's mother. Bella watched them go into their cave and followed them.

Bella was careful to be quiet... to be still... before wrapping her silk around their eyes, wrists and mouth. With their wrists tied together, they couldn't shoot silk. Without their eyes, they couldn't see who or what was kidnapped or doing this to them. And finally, with their mouth covered, they couldn't scream or shout for help. When she tried leaving, they kept flailing and withering in her grip.

"Listen here," She hissed as quietly as she could in their ear. "You better stay still or I can kill you right on the spot."

They nodded quietly, and stayed still, except they kicked one rock. The rock skidded across the floor, alerting the other flamesilks. A few flamesilks whipped around at the sound and managed to catch a glimpse of Bella before she slipped out.

She could hear the shouting and yelling as she quickly flew back to her house. Confused silkwings watched her fly past before a large mob of flamesilks thundered by. Even more screams could be heard as she entered her house, without even gasping for air.

She tied them to another chair before getting rid of the silk covering their eyes and mouth. They gasped with wide eyes as they looked around.

"Who is that now?" Failure asked.

"Emperor's mother." Bella replied.

She moaned. "What is up with you, kidnapping mothers?"

Bella's eyes twinkled. "I'm going to use them as a bait for Emperor while I kill the rest of the flamesilks."

Just as she said that, what seemed like all the flamesilks ever existing, burst into her house shouting.

***Quickly, get their legs so they fall and finish them off.***

*What up with you, Error? You've been strangely quiet for a long time now.* Bella asked. *And that's a good idea, but I think I rather give them a slow, painful death.*

***I have just been observing your actions. You've done so good without me... It's almost like you dont need me anymore..***

*Of course you need me!* Bella thought as she swiftly clawed as many legs of the flamesilks she could and dashing away to attack the next flamesilk before they could crumble.

Once all of the flamesilks were done, except for a special few she had better plans for, she shredded some of their wings, twisted some of their legs or horns, blinded some, and let them flail on the ground until they died.

Failure and Emperor's mother had to watch this all, wide their eyes wide in horror as the flamesilks slowly crumbled on the ground and died. Blood was everywhere.

There were four silkwings left, and she had them bound together faster than they could fly away. She slammed and locked all of the doors shut before she untied all of the flamesilks, including Emperor's mother, and her mother.

"I command you to fight each other to death." Bella said in her most demanding and powerful voice she could.

"What if I, or we, don't want to?" Her mother asked, trembling.

"Then I'll have to kill you myself." She snarled. "And dont expect me to go easy on you."

Bella barely finished her sentence before one of the flamesilks clearly made up their mind and tackled her mother. Failure barely had a moment to even flail in their grip before they clawed her belly and her wings.

Emperor's mother didn't hesitate for a moment to launch herself onto the flamesilk attacking Bella's mother and knocking them off. The other three silkwings watched wide eyed before deciding to join in instead of getting killed by Bella.

Two of the flamesilks worked together and wrapped Failure in a tight coccoon as the other two fought Emperor's mother.

Bella's claws tingled with excitement as she watched them fight, fighting the urge to join in as she watched her mother shriek and after a few times of trying, finally burst out of the flamesilk with eyes flaring even wilder than she ever seen them. Faster than a flash, Failure pinned one of the flamesilks and whispered, "I'm sorry," and broke their neck.

Hearing these words for her mother, Bella couldn't help but to stand out and hiss, "Never feel back for your enemy! It is a sign of weakness. Would you rather them kill you?"

Her mother gulped before helping Emperor's mother take down the two silkwings. She was cornered by the two silkwings and she had deep gashes along the side of her body that oozed with blood. Just as one of the silkwings raised their claw and was going to strike, Failure head-butted both of them while Emperor's mother quickly dashed away from the corner and helped fight.

Bella seemed to loose track of time as she watched them fight with excitement before Failure and Emperor's mother took down the last flamesilk after a long, bloody fight. A flamesilk with a broken neck lay on the floor. A flamesilk with shredded wings and a broken leg was on the floor, looking as if they died out of exhaustion and from their injuries. The third flamesilk had a knife that Emperor's mother stole from Bella's knife display pierced in their throat. The last flamesilk died in a firey coccoon.

Her mother had a shredded wing, badly injured jaw, and other scratches, bite marks and burns along her body. Emperor's mother had a broken leg, torn ear, and other scratches, bite marks, burns and gashes like her mother on her body. Clearly, the four silkwings and the two mothers put up a good, long lasting and exciting fight.

"Excellent, excellent!" Bella said, clapping her talons together. "You two put up an amazing fight. And you two are a rather good team... Oh, I can't wait for your next fight!"

"Wait, we are fighting *more*?" Bella's mother asked, shocked.

"Why, of course you will. Today you showed your worthy enough to be kept alive for more battles. I'll have you two keep battling and battling until you both die."

"What happens if only one of us dies?" Emperor's mother asked.

"Then I'll kill you myself. Its no fun if you don't have your partner because they are *dead*." Bella said as she grabbed out the knife that was pierced in the dead silkwing before putting it back where the rest were.

"Aren't you going to wash off the knife?" Failure asked curiously.

"No." She replied like it was obvious. "Shouldn't I keep the proof its been used to *kill?"*

"Uh...It's just.. kind of disturbing?" Failure said hesitantly.

"You just killed some silkwings, and yet you dont call *that* 'disturbing'?"

"Well, you forced us to fight! I would've been killed if I didn't."

"So you only care about if *your* alive?" Bella asked. "Gosh. I never knew that you were so *selfish*."

Upon hearing herself described as "selfish" Failure flinched and backed away.

"You *will* fight more, whether you like it or not."

### Chapter 10, Part 2

Emperor quickly dashed to where one of the silkwings directed her where supposedly the flamesilks were. She didn't trust them entirely, but listened to them anyway. She heard many stories from her father that her mother was a flamesilk. Will her mother like her? Will the other flamesilks be there? Her mind whirled with questions as she stood at the enterance. Hivewing bodies lied lifelessly on the ground as she entered in.

The area seemed to be deserted, but strans of flamesilk were here and there. Caves full of flamesilk letters where everywhere, like a whole colony of dragons lived here. *This must be it,* Emperor thought. *But.. where are the dragons?* As she explored the area more, something gleaming red caught her eye. As she approached it, she saw it was blood. It read,

𝐵 𝐸 𝒲 𝒜 𝑅 𝐸 . 𝐼   𝒜 𝑀  𝒞 𝒪 𝑀 𝐼 𝒩 𝒢  𝒯 𝒪  𝒦 𝐼 𝐿 𝐿  𝒜 𝐿 𝐿  𝒪 𝐹  𝒴 𝒪 𝒰

Emperor gasped, stepping back. She suddenly got the creepiest feeling she ever had. Hadn't Bella told her something about dead hivewings... oh, right. She said, 'I killed the hivewings.' and before pausing before also saying, 'I killed all of the hivewings guarding the flamesilks, too.'

A shiver ran down her spine. This message was from Bella. She had to go back, *now.* She took a few steps backwards before turning her back and dashing out.

"Are you sure she's going to go where the flamesilks are and see the message?" Her mother whispered to Bella.

"Of course she is. She's going to go and search for her mother before coming back here, knowing *I* imprisoned her mother and the rest. She might even think im going to kill her mother." She laughed. "Of course.. *I'm* not going to kill her unless I have to step into a battle because *someone* isn't cooperating."

Her mother gulped. "What are you planning to do with Emperor once she comes here, anyway?"

"You'll see." Bella smiled, though Failure didn't like the looks of her smile.

They stood around and waited for awhile before just like Bella predicted, Emperor burst in, her eyes darting everywhere.

"I saw your message," Emperor hissed. "Give me back my mother and the flamesilks." Obviously, she was unaware of the dead flamesilks underneath her talons.

Bella pointed down as in saying for her to look down, and Emperor just did that. Instantly, she gasped and looked as if she regretted doing that. Dead flamesilk bodys were everywhere, and dried blood stained the floor.

"Why did you kill of the flamesilks except for my mother?" She whispered.

Bella laughed. "It's really obvious. I'm suprised you haven't noticed..."

"...I used your mother as a bait."

Emperor stood still for a moment as if to process what she had said before trying to dash out. She was too late and Bella slammed and locked the door shut.

"Now, I have just the thing in mind for you." Bella smiled.

"What is it?" Emperor growled.

"You have to fight your mother, one-on-one, to a fight until death."

"What!?!" Emperor shouted. Both mother's eyes were wide with horror and fear.

"Your mother and Failure already killed four flamesilks themselves."

"Is this true!?" Emperor asked, staring at her mother, her eyes full of hope that Bella was lying.

She nodded silently, and Emperor stood there, shocked. Everyone stood still and silent for a moment before her mother spoke up.

"Bella forced us to. Just like you two, she made me and your mother fight the four silkwings or else she would come in a probably kill all of us."

"How. Dare. You. Make. My. Mother. Fight!" Emperor roared, springing onto Bella.

Bella was quicker than Emperor and swiftly grabbed out a knife. When she sprang onto Bella, she stabbed the knife into her stomach. Both filled with shock and pain, Emperor scattered back as she pulled out the knife.

"You *will* fight and cooperate."

Emperor's mother swallowed and sprang onto her daughter, before scratching Emperor's face. She roared with pain and kicked her mother in the stomach who staggered back.

"I cant," Emperor whispered. "I won't fight my mother." A single tear fell.

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to fight you." Bella growled. She barely waited a second before attacking.

Bella clawed Emperor's legs, and reopened her wound from the hivewings. She felt a deep feeling of satisfaction as she roared. She waited for a moment for Emperor to attack, and she tried clawing Bella's neck. Bella was quick and swift, and dodged the attack.

"Come on, I know you can do better." Bella taunted. "Are you just afraid?"

"I am *NOT* afraid!" Emperor roared, springing onto Bella. She clawed her stomach, but not a single roar or shriek escaped her. While she was busy clawing her stomach, Bella kicked one of her legs, and, surprised by the sudden attack, fell down. Not wasting a moment longer, Bella shredded Emperor's wings without the slightest hesitation and pinned Emperor.

"I thought maybe I could form an alliance with you," She snarled. "Clearly, the moment you opened your eyes, you weren't searching for a partner. An *alliance*. You just wanted to escape and be with your mother."

Just as she was going to claw her neck, Emperor's mother knocked Bella down. Both Bella and Emperor were shocked, and she seized that moment and clawed Bella's neck. She started chocking on her own blood and her vision started going blurry. What seemed like one moment ago she was going to kill Emperor, but now she was dying from a *weakling's* mother.

*Error...* She thought weakly. *I can't believe it... I'm already dying..*

She knew Error responded, but it seemed like she was in a large hurricane and couldn't hear anything. Her own eyes betrayed her and slowly closed into a deep, dark abyss. The last thing she heard was, "We did it. We killed Bella."

### Chapter 11, Part 2

Bella's eyes fluttered open. Her talons and body was covered in dried, hard blood. Her wings were shredded and cut badly. She had many injuries and bruises along her body. She felt weak and wanted to close her eyes and die forever. But then a sudden thought struck her mind so hard she could've been knocked down by the force of it.

*Shouldn't I be dead?*

She lifted her head and unsteadily got up. Bugs were crawling all over her body and some scales were missing, leaving bare, bloody skin left. The only sounds were the soft blowing of the wind against the grass and the buzz of bugs.

She started looking around and thinking what to do next. She could either go back to the hive and reveal she was still alive, or wander aimlessly through the grasslands. It was probably a bad idea if she showed she was alive, so she decided to wander about.

Bella kept wandering and wandering until her legs were sore and would sit down. How long will it take to regain her strength? Will she ever make it back to the hive? Where and what are her mother, Emperor and Emperor's mother doing? Then another thought came to her mind. Hadn't they 'killed' her inside of her house? So what was she doing outside?

She was about to get up until a call stopped her.

"Wait, wait!" They were shouting, and she turned around.

She couldn't see the figure quiet well and squinted at them for a moment. As they got closer and closer, she realized they were a *leafwing*. She jumped up and started running. A thousand thoughts at once rushed in and out of her head. Weren't all of the leafwings dead? Should she go back to the hive and report the leafwing? Will they kill her? Are they friendly? Could she trick them into telling all the information they knew and then kill them?

Bella hadn't run far before her legs were sore and weak again and she was panted hard. The leafwing managed to catch up to her and blocked her away.

"What are you going to do to me?" Bella whispered, trembling. "Are you going to hurt me?"

They seemed shocked. "Of course im not going to hurt you!"

"B-but.. your a leafwing..."

"Just because I'm a leafwing doesn't mean I'm dangerous. Sure, I have the ability to *speak* to plants, but its not like I'm going to kill you."

*I would kill you if I were in better conditions.* She thought, before realizing what she said before that. "Wait.. You can speak to plants?"

"Oh, right." They blinked. "I dont think I was supposed to say that. Oh well! You need to sit down and rest. I saw a figure flying out of the hive and went over to investigate, and then I saw you! I visited your body everyday, wondering if you were alive."

*I guess that's how I ended up outside.* Bella thought. *They must've threw me out the window.*

"Anyways," They were still chattering, "I should bring you back to my home so you can get all healed up. My mother used to be a healer but she died. Are you able to fly?"

"I haven't tried..." Bella said, examining her wings. "They are all shredded up. I dont think I can fly."

"Oh. In that case, we will have to walk." They sighed. "*So* much slower. Whats your name by the way?"

"Bella." She said, and started following the leafwing.

"My name is Ghost."

*Ghost...* She thought. *What a strange name.*

As if Ghost could read her thoughts, she sighed. "I know you'd think most dragons would be named something more naturey, but believe me, your right. Strangely, my family has always had these light light green scales. We were so pale colored that we were often casted away from most leafwings. We decided to make a small village of our own and called ourselves Ghostwings because of how pale our scales were and how we were often treated like ghosts. I was the first dragonet that hatched and my parents named me after our new tribe."

"That's... almost sad." Bella commented. She wasn't a big one for sympathy.

"I know, right? I feel almost special having a different name, though."

"Yeah, I guess having a different name is cool and all."

Bella and Ghost kept walking and walking, before taking breaks every so often, and finally at sunset they made camp. They found a bush and that was the best they could use to shelter. Bella dug up a large hole while Ghost used her leafspeak to make the bush grow bushier and spikier. They together crawled into the hole underneath the bush as small thorns scraped their scales and closed their eyes.

It wasn't long before Bella opened her eyes and the bright sunlight struck her eyes. When she crawled out, she saw Ghost was already outside and awake.

"Oh, hello Ghost. You up.. quite early." Bella said, rubbing her sore eyes.

"Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about stuff. Come on, have some grasshoppers and crickets. I managed to catch and roast a few." Ghost held out two grasshoppers and crickets, one of each roasted, with a wide smile. "You can either have one of each or two grasshoppers or crickets. Though.. I prefer grasshoppers more than crickets.."

Bella abruptly backed away in disgust. "I'm fine starving instead."

Ghost shrugged before popping a grasshopper in her mouth. "Suit yourself."

It didn't take that long for Ghost to finish eating before they were on their way to the Ghostwing's village. They took many breaks and it took many days before they were there.

"Here we are!" Ghost exclaimed standing infront of a half circle of mountains by a river. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and awe.

"Yeah.. its a nice view and all but.. wheres the village?" Bella asked.

"Don't you feel how alive it feels? Don't you feel and sense the vibrations and-" She stop talking once she saw Bella's look. "Oh. I forgot. Your not a leafwing." She sighed. "I suppose I'll have to tell you the boring way."

"The village is *inside* of the mountain."

### Chapter 12, Part 2

"Your village is inside of a *mountain*?!" Bella exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Ghost replied cheerfully. "Isn't that amazing? No enemy killer dragons could *ever* find us!"

*Maybe some 'enemy killer draagon's could find you and your tribe.* Bella thought. *After all, you are leading one to your own village you thought was protected from my kind of dragons.*

***You could kill them all off one by one silently when they aren't expecting it and pass the blame onto somebody else!***

*That seems like a good idea.* Bella said, a small grin spreading onto her face.

"If your village is inside a mountain, how do you enter in?"

"We have a secret entrance thats hidden by a thorny bush. We use our leafspeak so we can get in and out. The other tribes can't get in because they don't have leafspeak, unless they are a hybrid."

Ghost led her to a bush that looked very normal until it branches and leaves bent away and revealed a hole.

"Are we going in there?" Bella asked, peering into the tunnel.

"Yup! You can go in first, after we are both in I can close the entrance."

Bella hesitantly went in before the darkness swallowed her. She and Ghost seemed to walk for an endless time until they saw a faint light and Bella scrabbled ahead before looking around in amazement. Huts made of weaved plants were everywhere and the cave was full of lush plants and bustling dragons. There were lanterns lit with fireflies that illuminated the huge cave inside the mountain and despite being a cave, trees seemed to be everywhere.

"Wow..." Bella said breathlessly.

"I know, our village is so great! Its so lit here and naturey!" Ghost exclaimed. "Let me introduce you to Alstroemeria!"

She led Bella to a hut at the end of the cave and went inside. A young yet mature looking Ghostwing was there, their deep red eyes seeming to pierce right through her.

"Let me explain," Ghost said quickly once they opened their mouth. "They're the silkwing I told you about I kept visiting. A couple days ago they woke up and brought them here to get healed. They aren't in the best shape." She daringly glanced at Bella's wings and body.

"Hmm.. I *have* heard about the silkwing you visited before," Their voice was deep and rumbled while they thought. "Very well. They may stay until they are healed. What is your name, Silkwing? I am Alstroemeria."

"I'm Bella." She nodded her head rather awkwardly. "Nice to meet you.."

Ghost was bouncing up and down the whole time before showing Bella around the village before nighttime soon fell.

***Whats your first target?*** Error asked curiously.

*Alstroemeria.* She replied. *She seemed like the queen of the tribe here and would be the first one to suspect me killing anybody.*

***Your thinking smart.*** Error said, grinning. ***I'm way beyond proud of you. All you need now is.. to be a..ruler..***

Error's last couple words trailed off as if they were unsure.

*Thats a rather good idea.* Bella said, ideas clouding her mind. *I can kill off Alstroemeria and take over the Ghostwing tribe. They could almost all be my servants and prisoners!* The memory of her mother and Emperor's mother fighting the four silkwings flashed in her mind, but she quickly shoved it away. That was too painful to remember.

Ghost led her to a hut known as the 'Guest Hut' and Bella entered in. A couple of hammocks were tied inside, but all of them were empty so Bella picked any one she wanted.

She stayed there in the bed for awhile to pretend she was asleep, but once or twice she'd have to wake herself from almost actually falling asleep. After a long amount of time passed, she quietly got up but froze at the sound of muffled voices. She leaned closer to the entrance of the hut to see outside and hear better, but it was still unclear.

"Tracks...here..where could.." A rather faint voice said. It was almost familiar, but she quickly ignored that fact.

"Look..strange bush.." Another voice said, their voice getting louder and clearer by the second. Bella heard a rustling noise, and an 'Oomph!' that echoed from far away. Clearly, a few other dragons hear, including Alstroemeria, and went over to the entrance. The group of Ghostwings stood there at the passageway to see who came out from the tunnel.

A silkwing, with magenta scales and covered with thorns, came out from the tunnel followed by three more silkwings, including two that looked hauntingly familiar.

Bella almost choked. *Emperor, her mother and.. my mother.* The last silkwing she didn't recongize, but she bet they were a friend of theirs.

"We have a suspicion your keeping a dangerous dragon here in your camp." Emperor said. "We've been tracking her down since we realized she wasn't dead to actually finish her off. The tracks ended at the bush covering your camp. They are a silkwing, with teal scales, pink wings and gold eyes. Are you keeping them as a guest here?"

The Ghostwings looked at eachother before Alstroemeria growled, "Are you spies assigned from the Leafwings?"

"What? No!" Emperor exclaimed. "Aren't you guys Leafwings? I didn't even know Leafwings existed until I met some while we were tracking!"

"They kind of gave us a small hassle." Bella's mother said sheepishly. "Our journey here got delayed by a day because of it."

"We broke away from the Leafwings after we weren't treated fairly." Alstroemeria explained. "Sometimes we get the feeling we are getting spied on. Sorry for being hostile."

"It's okay," Emperor's mother said. "But are you keeping a Silkwing here?"

The Ghostwings were quiet for a moment. "Yes we do. Infact, your description of the silkwing your tracking matches them perfectly. They are in the Guest Hut. They should be asleep, so you can kill them in their sleep. They wouldn't even feel a single bit of pain."

A pair of eyes full of alarm from the shadows flashed over to the Guest Hut.

*Somebody else is eavesdropping?* Bella thought, squinting at the pair of eyes better. It wasn't long before she realized the other dragon eavesdropping was Ghost.

"Great," Emperor grinned. "But I prefer if she has a long, painful death. She has caused so much pain and misery to others.." Bella heard the noise of approaching foot talons as the group of silkwings advanced forward.

When they entered in, they saw nothing. Emperor whipped around, their eyes full of rage.

"YOU LIED TO US!" She shouted, springing onto Alstroemeria. A fight broke out between the dragons, but Bella wasn't to be seen.

She finally let out a deep sigh. "Thank you, Ghost, but I'm afraid your time is up."

Ghost's eyes flashed with fear from behind the Guest's hut. "W-what? You- you aren't really a killer- right?"

"I certainly am a killer." Bella said, grinning. She then suddenly turned around and leaped on top of Ghost. She teared out her throat with a swift move.

"I- I trusted you.. and..believed.. in you.." Ghost said, their voice breaking off as they choked. "And... I still.. do."

Ghost was holding a blue flower in her talons. She placed it in Bella's blood soaked talons.

"It-it's a.. forget-me-not..flower..its supposed...to grant one wish...to the holder. I...want you..to have it." She smiled sadly. "And.. I really do..hope you dont.. forget me." She finally relaxed after getting those few sentences out and closed her eyes.

*Grants one wish to the holder, eh?* Bella thought, a wicked smile spreading across her face. *Oh, trust me, Ghost, I won't forget you, for you are the reason my dreams will become reality.*

## Chapter 12, Part 3

***So, what did you wish for last night?*** Error asked for the fifth time.

"I told you," Bella grumbled, "you'll find out soon."

***Soon isn't soon enough.*** They complained.

"Who would've knew impatient Error existed?" Bella chuckled.

Error let out a small laugh before sighing. ***What are you going to do now?***

"You know, back at the leafwing village, you said that all I needed was to be a ruler. That sounded quite like a good idea, so I'm going to pick the perfect place to make my *empire*."

***Empire?*** Error asked. ***Was you wish to make a huge empire to be built? You know, just because you have a fancy empire doesn't mean most will follow you willingly.***

"Oh, trust me." Bella said, "They will be loyal to me, even if they aren't willing to."

***Or was your wish to make every dragon love you?***

"You'll have just wait and see!" Bella smiled.

***Arghh I hate you.*** Error muttered.

Bella finally reached the top and looked over at the other mountains and trees and those tiny hives in the distance.

"Error," Bella began, "I present to you the future land of Mjesto."

***Mjesto?*** Error repeated. ***The place is nice and all but... where even are we?***

"Why, on top of the tallest mountain!" Bella exclaimed. "Well.. not really. More of like a large cliff of land. I can build the empire right on top of here in plain sight for everybody."

***How far does Mjesto go? And why are we so close to the Ghostwing village? We are literally one or two mountains away from their camp!***

"Mjesto is this whole entire mountain area. And this place just happens to be by their village. Looks like they are going to be my first servants." She grinned. "I cant wait to see Alstroemeria bowing down at me, helpless and all."

Error seemed to be slightly uncomfortable. ***Yeah..***

"Come on!" She exclaimed. "Cheer up! We'll be the best rulers ever! Everybody will fear and work for us, and we'll be unstoppable."

***Alright... when is the empire going to be built?***

"Now, thats a surprise! You'll have to see next morning."

***But wont it take you years to build your giant empire? You cant build it in a few hours!***

"Trust me, it'll *will* be finished."

***If you say so.*** Error sighed. ***That reminds me. What happened to the flower?***

"It wilted after I made a wish." she shrugged.

***Did you try making a second wish after it wilted?*** Error asked, before adding, ***just incase Ghost lied?***

"Yeah, it failed," Bella lied breezily.

***Thats a shame..*** Error sighed. ***A couple extra wishes would've helped us out.***

"I guess so." She replied, looking up at the sky. The sun was soon going to set. Who would've knew it would take so long to walk the length of a few mountains?

There were a few, long awkward moments of silence.

*Error?* Bella asked. There was no reply.

*Perhaps they're thinking... lost in thought.* She waved it off and headed for the forest to collect some materials for a makeshift bed and food for the night.

The forest nearby the overhanging cliff was plentiful in plants. There were bright green, healthy trees that shaded the ground and wild plants grew bushy and big. She found so many plants that could provide her food, including white carrots, ginger, arrowroot and much more. She decided to collect an eggplant and a handful of blackberries before returning back to her "camp".

When Bella returned, she started to eat some of the food she gathered. If she were back at home right now, or had her empire right now, she could've cleaned the food first and roasted the eggplant. Immediately she felt disgusted for even thinking about home.

*That small building made for poor dragons is* not *my home. My empire will be my home.* She thought. *After tonight I won't have to feel homeless.. poor..* She felt a surge of anger. *Everybody will respect me, fear me..*

***Bella.*** Error suddenly said sharply.

*What?* Bella snapped, in no mood for a conversation.

***Why did you kill Ghost?*** They asked. Their voice wasn't curious, but instead had a hint of anger.

*They could've leaked out information about me. It was the right decision to kill her.* She replied curtly.

***It was not the right decision to kill her! You dont know whats the right and wrong decision, so stop assuming!***

A even deeper feeling of anger washed over Bella. Beneath the tsunami of anger she felt, there was hurt. *Well, how do you know whats the right decision for me? Your probably just jealous. You probably wished you could've killed all of those dragons in your own talons. You just envy me.*

There was no reply. She guessed that what she said was the truth, because Error couldn't think of anything to reply back.

When her focus was back on the blackberries and the eggplant, she suddenly had no appetite. She left the food on the ground before assembling her makeshift bed. The sun was only now a faint light in the sky, and the sky was darkening.

The sooner she slept, the sooner her empire was built, the better.

*Because then I can finally-*

### Chapter 13, Part 3

Bella woke up, unsurprised to find herself lying in a grand, fluffy silk bed. She gracefully got up, her talons hitting the stone tiles on the floor. Oh, how different her room looked compared back to that.. she couldn't even think of an insult to describe her old home. Instead of her room being made of ugly treestuff, her room was made of stone.

She couldn't get over how smooth, how shiny and pretty stone looked. She rubbed her talon softly against the wall, before abruptly drawing it back. She was acting so strange, so immature. She had to act like a ruler, an empress.

Bella walked over to a wood drawer and opened it. Inside, there was a crown and a pink cape to match her wing color. In her opinion, pink wasn't the best color, but it matched her wings so she chose it.

She carefully lifted the crown on her head, and draped her cape around her, before fastening it close with a wood button.

*Perfect.* She thought. *Now for my first servants.*

She opened her wood door and walked down the stairs, acting as if she lived here for a long time and knew her way. She stopped at one of the lowest floors, and walked along some hallways.

Finally, Bella entered into a large courtyard. In this wide room was where she was going to decide which dragons are guilty and which ones aren't as well as summon her servants in there.

The door behind her locked, and a smiled appeared on her face. *Any moment now...*

The whole entire tribe of Ghostwings appeared out of thin air. Immediately the tribe was in chaos, shouting and even fighting eachother in the confusion. To her surprise, she noticed flashes of colors that weren't the typical Ghostwing colors.

*Of course.* She realized. *I asked for all the dragons in the Ghostwing camp. That means theres prisoners here, too. And the only ones they must have right now..*

There was a flash of magenta, and Bella felt a dragon pinned her down.

"Emperor." She smiled so warmly at the furious dragon atop her. "I'm so glad to see you."

"I'm sure you are," Emperor snarled, before scratching Bella's face. She could feel herself bleeding, but didn't care. Infact, it didn't even hurt.

In a calm way that could make a dragon furious so easily, Bella watched Emperor magically stop attacking before letting her get up.

"What-?" Emperor said in a panicked voice, while she bowed against her will. "What are you doing-"

"Oops. Looks like I forgot to make you shut up." Bella said breezily. In a moment, Emperor was quiet.

"In case your wondering, I put a itty bitty spell on you."

"I made it so I can control what you do. And when I'm not, you obey me without any hesitation or doubt. The second spell I added was so you couldn't talk. I made it so you can have your own thoughts, so you still can think and watch yourself do things against your will. It would be no fun if you were just a fully fake servant. I needed to add some realism to it, didn't I?"

Bella waved her talon, and Emperor walked away. Then, she quietly put the all the dragons in the room except for her to be under the same spell as Emperor. Then, the door of the room unlocked, and all of her new servants marched out in a straight line. Once they all were gone, Bella walked up the stairs, past her room, to the very top where her throne room was located.