Aurora's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Aurora spread their wings and ran across the meadow, but the ground would not let go. The wings were pale as morning sky, thin as new leaves, and far too weak to lift a dragon their size. Aurora was among the last of the sky dragons. To reach adulthood, they had to fly, hunt, and stay hidden from the hunters who wanted their bright scales. But wings that could not fly were only a target painted on their back. A growl rolled out from the treeline. Aurora froze. Three shapes stepped into the open. They had the bodies of lions and the sharp faces of wolves. Their yellow eyes locked on Aurora. The pack fanned out, cutting off the meadow's edges, and moved in slow steps. Aurora beat their wings hard. Dust flew. Their claws lifted an inch, then dropped. Nothing. The lead beast crouched to spring. A great shadow fell over the meadow. Wind slammed down and knocked the pack sideways. A massive dragon landed between Aurora and the hunters. Blue scales, white mane, wings wide as a barn door. Aurora had heard the old stories of the elder sky dragon who still lived. Azurewing the Eternal was real, and standing over them. Azurewing roared. The pack scattered into the trees and did not look back. Aurora's legs shook. "I couldn't get off the ground," they said. "I tried. I ran, I flapped, and nothing happened." Azurewing folded their wings and studied Aurora with a slow, patient eye. "You ran flat," the elder said. "Flat ground gives you nothing. Wings that young need a drop to catch the air. You cannot climb the sky. You must fall into it." They turned and pointed with one long claw. Across the field stood an enormous oak. Age had hollowed its center into a dark hole big enough to swallow a dragon. Its roots gripped the earth like fingers. "That tree will hide you," Azurewing said. "Sleep inside it. Its high branches will teach you to fall. Do it right, and falling becomes flying." Aurora followed the elder to the oak and climbed onto a thick lower branch. Bark scraped their belly. The ground looked far away now. Fear turned their stomach. "Open your wings," Azurewing said. "Lean forward. Trust the fall." Aurora shut their eyes and let go. Air rushed up under their wings. For three long seconds they glided, wings full and steady, before their feet hit the grass. They had not flown. But they had not dropped like a stone either. "Again," Azurewing said. "Every day, higher. But the tree hides you from wolflions, not from men. Hunters track this forest for scales like yours. Learn fast, little one. You do not have long." Aurora looked up at the hollow oak that was now their home. The pack was gone. But the elder's warning settled cold in their chest. Somewhere out there, the poachers were already looking.