A Fight for Survival ~ Darkness Approaches Chapter 7

Viper felt his heart stop in his chest as Venom called out his name to the crowd. He was going to be one of the dragons to go on the mission! But why not send a much more qualified warrior instead of a plain soldier that only just came out of training?
He felt Nuddia tense up next to him, her mouth agape and her eyes were wide. “M- me?” She asked herself her voice only just loud enough for him to hear her.
“I believe they will be the right dragons for the job.” Venom looked over at the two stunned dragons. “The elders have agreed, and they believe it would be the best choice. They will be leaving tomorrow.”
“But they only just came out of training!” One of the older dragons in the crowd snarled. “Wouldn’t it be better to send one of your warriors instead?”
Venoms eyes swooped over to the dragon that had spoken. “Do you doubt the elder’s decision?”
The older dragon on Venoms right placed a wing on Venoms back. “It's fine brother. We need more Sand Wyverns like him. Allow him to speak his mind.”
Venom sighed. “If you insist Senzue.” He let out a low snarl and stepped back. Allowing his brother to speak.
Nodding gratefully at Venom Senzue looked over to the dragon that had just spoken. “I understand they are young and inexperienced in your eyes, but they trained with Venom for many years, learning all they can form him, I’ve never seen such potential in two dragons before. Being that they are young they will have the energy to do what needs to be done. I believe in them, I think it’s only fair you do too.” He hissed out the last part, his teeth as white as newly fallen snow.
Shrinking back into the crowd the dragon that had spoken before didn’t say a word.
“Hey Viper.” A dragon whispered in Viper's ear.
Jumping Viper looked in the detraction the sound came from. He was then met with another’s familiar dark pools. “Nukas!” He hissed quietly.
“Hehe, sorry.” Nukas apologized, he then let out a sigh. “You and Nuddia doing on a mission together, and one of the top-ranked missions.” He looked over at Viper. “How do you feel about it? I mean knowing you you’ve probably thought about all the outcomes.”
Viper rolled his eyes. “Not really, I will say it’s a little scary, it’s not something I thought I would be doing so soon that is. But I…” He let out a large breath. “But I believe Nuddia and I can get the mission done, no matter how hard it is.”
Placing a wing on Viper’s back Nukas gave him a large grin. “I’m sure you will.”
“I will go over the mission with Viper and Nuddia, to make sure they know what they are doing. And while they are gone we will get ready for the possible outcomes! Dismissed!” Venom hissed his tail like a cats flicking to and fro.
Viper watched all the dragons file out the room. He watched as Nukas followed, his friend glanced over his shoulder and gave Viper a wink, before turning into a dark shadow down the hall.
Once everyone was out the room Viper looked to the five dragons still standing on the platform, their shadows casting over the room.
“Come over to the map you two,” Senzue ordered, his eyes fixed on them.
Casting a nerves look at Nuddia they both slowly walked over to the table the map was on. Viper looked over the map of Lavvania, all the kingdoms were they are supposed to be. Looking up he asked. “So what’s our mission?”
Venom stepped up next to Senzue his face as hard as stone. “You will be infiltrating the Onyx Wyvern fort.”
“What?” Nuddia yelled. “Are you series?” Her eyes went wide with worry.
Viper gasped. That’s a mission for a dragon that knows all the tricks. Venom shouldn’t be sending them on a mission like this. Even if he believed they could do it.
“Forgive me sir, but you really should send someone else on this mission, we aren’t ready to infiltrate the Onyx Wyvern fort.” Nuddia hissed, fear in her voice.
A dragoness that was standing behind Venom walked over to Viper and Nuddia. “We understand, but we need you to do this mission, only you two can do it.” She looked over at Nuddia. “And you know it.” She said the last words to Nuddia as if telling her something in code. She dipped her head a little and walked back onto the platform.
Letting out a sigh Nuddia nodded. “I understand.”
“Good.” Venom growled, he lifted a talon and pointed to the map. “Now listen closely, this is what you will need to do. You will leave before sunrise tomorrow-”
“Before sunrise?” Viper’s eyes went wide with worry, “But the Doomtors aren’t even in their caves by then.”
Venom looked over at Viper, a scowl on his face. “Let me finish Viper.” Letting out a sigh he continues. “You two will have to travel done south towards Whispering Forest, then you will have to make your way through Twisted Cave, some were in the caves is a small forest, there you will be able to stock up on energy.” Venom paused for a moment the eye to two then looked back to the map. “Once you make it through the caves they will open up onto Grass Plains, after that you will be in Onyx Valley. From there it is up to you to take the next move.”
SenZue nodded his head. “There are going to be many dangers on this mission. When you two get to Twisted Caves you must be careful, those used to be the old homes to a panther-like animal we call HighDrose. They are ruthless creatures, it is said they were killed off in the last war but we don’t know if it is true.”
Viper and Nuddia nodded their heads, paying close attention to the thing they were being told. This was a life-changing mission, nothing must go wrong, and many lives depend on it.
“Do you understand your ordure’s?” The dragoness from before asked, her voice raspy with age.
Both Nuddia and Viper nodded. “We understand.” They both said. The rush of adrenalin rushing through their veins.
“You two are now dismissed,” Senzue said his voice soft and warm. His eyes held the worry of a father watching his dragonet be sent to war.
Viper turned around and walked towards the exit to the cave he was in, he could feel Nuddia behind him. They both didn’t say a word as they walked through the halls. A sick feeling filled Viper as he thought over what he needed to do. Will he be able to do this mission?
“Viper! “Viper!” A shrill voice yelled through the halls.
Viper looked up to see Ndutu rushing towards him. The dragonet almost fell over his tail a few times just to reach him as quickly as he could. Viper let loose a small chuckle.
“Viper can we train now?” Ndutu asked when he reached Viper, his eyes shining.
Looking over at Nuddia Viper’s eyes pleaded for help.
She just shook her head and said quietly. “You should train with him, teach him a few things before you leave.” She looked down at Ndutu and gave him a small smile. “I’ll see you guys later.” She turned away from the two and turned down another hall.
“Yeah let’s do some training.” Viper sighed, he knew Nuddia was right, he was going to be gone for maybe a whole moon.
…
Ndutu looked at Viper with intense eyes, not letting his guard down when Viper began to walk around him, his steps light and quiet.
Lifting a talon Viper made a swipe for Ndutu’s legs.
Thinking fast Ndutu jumped into the air, fanning out his wing and flew away from Viper.
Opening his own wings Viper flew after Ndutu. Sucking in a deep breath he shot a stream of fire at the dragonet who dived to the right just missing the fires hot grip. Looking between his legs Ndutu shot his fire at Viper.
Beating his wings Viper shot upward and hovered above Ndutu. “Don’t be so tense.” He instructed as he eyed Ndutu’s muscles. “You won’t be able to react fast enough then.”
Ndutu nodded in understanding, then dived away from Viper, his body like a diving bird, his wings fanned out as he made his way to land.
Viper lunged after him, tucking his wings in at his sides, the warm afternoon wind zipping past his face and to the tip of his tail, at the very last second he fanned his wings out around him catching the wind in time to swoop up just before touching the ground. Tucking in his right-wing he spun around in the direction Ndutu had flown in.
Fanning his wing out again Viper flew after Ndutu. It didn’t take him long to be side by side with the dragonet.
With a hasty escape, Ndutu turned to the right, diving away from Viper. But he was suddenly jerked back next to the older dragon. With a startled look he glanced down at his tail that had a talon wrapped around it.
“You should be more aware of what is going on when you are in a battle.” Viper instructed, curling his tail inward underneath him.
…
Hours passed and Viper finally glided down to the sandy ground, the soft dry sand made its way between his talons as he landed. Ndutu was right behind him, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes became droopy as he flopped onto the floor.
“Th…at… was…to…to…much!” He said in-between pants, his tong lolling out his mouth.
Viper let out a small laugh, “Pushing yourself is the only way you’re going to learn, it’s also the best way.” Viper said his goodbyes to Ndutu and walked back into the cave, his head suddenly being filled with the worries of the mission ahead.