Aliska

Part I: The Avenger

THE NIGHT WAS SILENT. The only sound to be heard was the humming of fireflies, their tiny lights illuminating the violet night sky. The moon was dark, and tangles of shadow filled the land below. A good night for hunting.

Aliska crouched low on the forest floor, keeping her lavender wings closed and tucked under her dark body, ready to prance any moment at Regulus' signal. She double checked that her talons are sharp, her posture ready, and that her face would look furious. It was an important night, and once-in-a-lifetime chance to avenge the terrible death of her family.

Ever since the mass slaughter of her whole family clan, Aliska had been staying under the care of Regulus' group, or as Regulus always say, they are 'a group of mercenaries that will only work in the underworld side of Sornieth'. It's true that sometimes they get hired for dirty jobs like assassination, but most of the time they were just bodyguards for not so legal things. Still, Aliska loved her life. Their community was closely knitted, and most of all, Regulus had promised to help her avenge her clan.

She doesn't have much recollection of her old clan life though. All she remember was the stormy night, hiding beneath her mother as cries of war filled the air. Drops of rain, mixed with blood of her clanmates, pelting down on her. Her mother's desperate attempt to hide her away from the fighting, which succeeded at the cost of her mother's life. That was all she remembered, but that was enough to have her sworn to revenge.

A small star-shaped sparkle glistened on top of a cliff. The star shaped pendant Regulus always wear around his neck. Also known as the action signal.

Slowly she crept forward. All around she also felt the tense movements of the rest of the group, slowly itching forward and closing in their circle surrounding the enemy clan.

This is the night of revenge.

Up ahead, a dark shadow leapt from the cliff, the silver chain catching the moonlight for a moment. Regulus dived straight towards the enemy clan, claws out, ready to slit the neck of the nearest guards.

Aliska wasn't alone; the whole group is with her. Liara, the motherly figure in the group. Jay, the small and shy hatchling that is somehow adept at tracking. Theseus, Taps and Tara, the triplets that loved to play pranks. And of course, Regulus, the leader and pillar that holds the group together.

They are all in this together.

In a swift movement, the group attacked.


Part II: The Last Choice * Violence alert


SCREAMS FILLED THE AIR. A distinct coppery smell swarmed into Aliska's nostrils, and scarlet crimson filled her vision. She stood there, relishing that moment when her enemies trembled in fear. Now they know hope it felt to be hunted. And she was hunter.

Then she joined the party. Slashing through their throats like they are some kind of puppet, adorning herself in a dress of crimson. Their cries of help filed her ears like the most beautiful music ever. The soil all around her was now forever painted by blood.

And she liked it. Very much.

Then all of a sudden a sharp cry rose from the other side of the camp. A giant Coatl with glittering black and silver patterns picked up Liara by the cuff. Slamming her onto the ground, Liara was instantly limp as a lifeless doll, her sky blue eyes still widened with shock.

Aliska could feel herself screaming. She slashed blindly through the dragons, receiving multiple scratches on her shoulder, but all she cared was to defeat that Coatl. She was not going to lose her whole clan again.

A dark shape landed in front of her, as black wings enveloped her in a tight hug. Aliska found herself looking up at Regulus, shaking his head at her. "Let me deal with him," he growled. "You are no match for Armagon the Great Warrior. In fact, your death will greatly please him. Back off and run while you still can, Aliska."

Armagon? The Great Warrior Armagon? Aliska could feel herself shivering, her legs getting wobbly. There were dark rumours, on how Armagon had cold-bloodedly eliminated the whole army of enemies that once tried to invade his territory. Every dragon that ever challenged him never lived to tell the tale. The only time Armagon accidentally spared the lives of the enemies was when he went back to his home clan to revenge, as his mother had left him out in the wild to die, after seeing the monster he is. He was disturbed midway, and was forced to retreat and save the killing for another day. Some say he is still hunting those survivors, until this day.

"But why.....why would Armagon be here?"

Right after she asked, she realised the answer. Her. She was the survivor of that clan that was supposedly eliminated. And Armagon is the one who killed her whole clan.

Regulus looked into her eyes, waves of sorrow rippling through his onyx eyes. "Yes. Us. We are the one whom Armagon is looking for all these years." He glanced at Aliska's shocked face. "Yes. We were in the same clan. You might not remember me-I was always out on my own. I didn't think it mattered whether I was back at home."

Aliska searched her memory. She has no recollection of Regulus. Still, no wander Regulus' face had always been familiar for some reason. She tried to form words but her tongue was in knots. Her heart burned with hatred for Armagon, yet she knew there was no way she could challenge him.

Armagon kicked away Liara's body, striding towards the two remaining survivors of his home clan.

"Ah--" he hissed. "If it isn't my annoying brother Regulus. And that little mirror who survived by hiding under her mother. All my enemies coming to be killed. How wonderful!"

Brother. Aliska's her art sank. Why hadn't she notice this before? They both have those glittering onyx eyes, the sleek,midnight black wings, and the silver gembond that spirals across the body.

"Yes, how wonderful. By tomorrow sunrise the great monster Armagon will be dead."

With that said, the two siblings become tangled in a knot of teeth and claws. Aliska stared at her surroundings. With a few members down, they were slowly losing their upper hand of the element of surprise. Regulus manage to yell 'Run!', before being dragged into the battle.

She was helpless once again. And her only choice, again, is to run from danger.

And so she did.