Eclipse's snout wrinkled in disgust at both Sunspot's words and the splatter of saliva the Lunarwing spat into her face. A loud hiss rose in her throat and she turned on Sunspot with a cold glare. But she was too exhausted to fight with the Solarwing, and instead of responding, just pulled back her dagger, spun it backward in her talon, and slammed the pummel into the side of the Lunarwings head, knocking her out.
She dropped the dragon onto the sand and limped backward sheathing her dagger.
"We aren't going to be able to sneak into the Scorpion Den before the sky starts to brighten," she said, all the sarcasm and sting in her words gone. She was too drained to think up some clever retort for Sunspot right now. She hadn't slept, had already fought seven Nightwings, kept watch while Sunspot had drowsed, and then fought a Lunarwing for no reason that should have concerned her in the first place.
And I still have to fly across the continent and over the sea before tomorrow night, she thought miserably, letting out a tiny audible groan. Regardless of how exhausting her day had been, she was not going to miss that meeting, if she fell from the sky trying.
"Let's get back to the tunnel. You're gonna have to stick with me a little while longer now, but I think we'll survive."
She grabbed the Lunarwings shoulders and, forcing every last bit of strength into her wings, rose into the air and flapped off in the direction of the tunnel.
(Have to do some serious work on the article now because of some technical difficulties. I'll be back shortly, but don't expect an immediate reply.)
In the half second before consciousness left her, there was almost a sense of gratefulness.
Sleep was sleep, even if it was going to result in a headache later.
Neoma’s mind went dark.
*a bit later after being dragged away and stuff*
Neoma’s eyes opened.
Sunlight softly fell through jade leaves.
It touched her scales and warmth spread through her. She was sitting in a pool of sunshine, and the sweet smells of warm soil and fresh foliage surrounded her.
In the background, she heard laughter, squeals, and rustling in the bushes.
Water burbled and tripped gaily over rocks in a creek, and birds twittered merrily in treetops.
The rustling was getting closer.
So was the laughter.
Neoma looked down.
Her talons were smaller.
She was smaller.
And-
“OOF!” She huffed as she was bowled over. She landed on her back, and looked up to see two chortling faces above her;
One small with light blue eyes, the other with green…
Milza giggled.
“Got you! Told you we’d get her Kyler!” She leapt off of Neoma, and spun around, snapping at falling leaves.
Kyler stayed right next to Neoma, looking up at her with a bright gleam in his eyes.
Neoma stared down at him, knowing what was coming.
She had relived this hundreds- no- thousands of times.
Kyler laughed. He was only 10 years. His voice was still young, his talons small, his wings still not fully experienced.
And not quite enough to get away from anyone who wanted to hunt him down.
Neoma looked away from Kyler, hopelessly looking at Milza, who was still twirling in the trees. She was nearly 16. Strong and fast. Their protector now that their parents had died.
Protecting them, even from Darltrax when he gave angry glances at them.
What had happened to Milza to cause this?
Neoma glanced down at Kyler again.
A tear fell down her face.
She couldn’t do anything, helpless as she turned back to Milza and watched her face contort.
From a happy joyful smile to a dangerous stare.
Milza’s eyes darkened and took on a glint that Neoma had only seen aimed at Darltrax.
Slowly, Milza turned and stared straight through Neoma.
How Neoma wished she could stop what she knew was coming…
Milza was looking straight through her- at Kyler.
