Young Writers Society

The crackling of the fire was the only sound that could be heard in the crisp night air. A trail of smoke rose to the blue abyss through the canopy.

Nuddia let lose a small growl, her long thin tail flicking behind her as she crouched down her wings half unraveled from her sides.

Viper didn’t take his eyes away from the burning bush, his body going tense as he waited to see if anything would jump out of the flames.

On the other side of the clearing, another rustle came from another bush, pulling Viper's attention towards it. Smelling the air again, he picked up the same sent again through the smoke. Fear began to prickle at him. As he thought of what could be hiding from them.

A low menacing growl came from the bush. Spinning around quickly, Viper was just in time to see long-tail slither into the depths of the lush undergrowth. Narrowing his eyes all the pieces began to come together.

With a jolt of horror Viper looked at Nuddia and yowled at her. “It’s an ambush! RUN!!”

Just at that very moment, three black thin panther-like creators jumped out of hiding, their teeth beard, and their red eyes blazing with the plusher of the hunt. Slowly they began to circle Viper and Nuddia. Thick strands of saliva hanging from their narrow mouths.

A loud hiss was heard from within the undergrowth. Looking up Viper saw a much larger scaly creator step out of the flames, long red stripes traveled from the end of its snout along its sides and to the very tip of its tail. Its red eyes scanned over Viper, making him shiver with fear. Suddenly it hissed at the closest smaller creator, the dark red fins on its back bristling with the motion.

Viper’s eyes widened when he got a better look at the four cat-like creators. His eyes widened in fright. ‘Highdroes!’ he thought.

Growling and hissing filled the night air as Viper watched the four Highdroes move around him and Nuddia. ‘This can’t be, they are supposed to be dead! Their time in the world ended a long time ago, at the time of the great third war. Many dragons died in that war trying to get rid of these things!’ Viper thought dread like a stone in the bit of his stomach.

Nuddia let out a threatening growl her eyes never leaving the lager Highdroe.

Spreading his gold wings out he tried to make himself look bigger than the small Highdroes, slowly they backed off, but a low growl and hiss from the larger one made them start moving around again. Now that they were rather close Viper could see they were about half his size, he would be able to keep them at bay one at a time, but if they attack at the same time…it would be a different story.

Moving his eyes to look up at the larger Highdroe that was about the size of a dragon just without wings he sent it a menacing growl, hoping it would chase it off.

Making small clicking noised the larger Highdroe sat down its tail curled around it’s from talons as he gave out orders. On cue one of the smaller reptiles went into a crouch its tail flicking behind it as it got ready to pounce.

Viper cast a small glance at the hissing and spitting dragoness next to him, her eyes long ago turning into fine black slits. Her tail raised and ready to strike at any moment.

Ducking his head in just the nick of time, Viper watched one of the Highdroes that had just attacked fly over him, moving his tail around his feet just before it can sink its teeth into it. The Highdroe jumped to its talons and hissed at Viper, its teeth paired. Whipping around Viper growled at the medium-sized animal trying to scare it off. But to no avail, it only made matters worse.

Screaming a high pitch noise two more Highdroes showed up out of the bushes. Viper’s eyes widened when he realized what was happening. Of cores others were hiding in the shadows, there were probably lots of them still waiting to be called on. Viper looked behind him and could see Nuddia fighting three more Highdroes.

His heart drumming in his ears Viper breathed in another large breath, the flames making their way up to his throat, opening his mouth he let three small fireballs fly through the air, aiming each one at a different Highdroe near Nuddia.

The hot flames collided with the panther-like animals sending them flying through the air, rolling in agony, each one let out pained hisses and moans as Viper’s fire began to eat away their flesh.

Quickly Nuddia jumped away from the animals, her dark eyes wide with shock, glancing at Viper she briskly nodded. “Thanks.” Turning away she ran into the forest surrounding them, her figure mixing with the dark shadows.

Viper wanted to run after her, to make sure she would stay safe, but he couldn’t right now as the Alfa Highdroe slowly began to walk towards him, it's tail long and spiked. Viper spread his wings trying to chase it off with a show of dominance. But that only seemed to fuel it’s hatred as it began to run forward.

Viper had to quickly move out of the way before the Highdroe’s jaws clamped down on his neck. Its body was slow to follow his movements, but his eyes stayed on Viper the entire time.

Sucking in a large breathe Viper shot a stream of fire towards the black and red animal, the hot flames lighting up the ground. Not waiting to see if the attack had done any damage, Viper spread his wings and shot into the air, just as he was above the tree line he folded his wings in at his sides and shot down into the trees again. Reaching out with his front talons he grasped at the Alfa Highdroe’s back leaving long red lines.

Letting out a high pitched scream through the air, the Highdroe got to its feet watching Viper as he hovered in the air. Suddenly a whole lot of other smaller Highdroes ran out of the bushes standing behind their Alfa.

“Wait do I have to fight all of them off now?” Viper asked himself as he began to think about what approach he will take. Folding his wings in at his sides again, he dived down past the Alfa, reaching out he picked up one of the smaller Highdroes in his talons, then he made a jab at one of the other smaller ones.

Twisting in the air Viper darted away from the Alfa Highdroe when he tried to take a bight at his tail. Swiftly turning around Viper through the Highdroe he was holding down to the ground at the others, sending a few of them flying into the bushes.

Hissing under his breath the Alfa turned and ran back into the bushes being followed by the other Highdroes. Viper watched them leave, as he slowly began to glide down to the ground again. When his feet came in contact with the scorched ground his body gave way and he flopped to the floor.