Cheers filled the air as the fifth Trial began, a stark contrast to my downcast state. This was the Trial I would fail, the only one I would fail. I had known this for years, but knowing the ensuing ridicule was in short order pained me more than I'd like to admit.
In elemental class it was so easy to put up a tough front, to act as if my nonexistent element didn't bother me in the slightest, always joking about it with my peers. Here though, in front of hundreds of dragons?
I'm going to die.
As Tyrlev, the elemental instructor, roared the command to begin, I could only stare dumbly at the canvas on which a target was painted, unable to draw up even a speck of an element.
Everyone had told me my element was that of fire, my red eyes and maroon scales being a dead giveaway, but now, not for the first time, I began to wonder if it was possible to not control an element. If there were other dragons out there like me who struggled to generate even a spark from within themselves.
I hated every second I stood there under the scorching eyes of judgement that belonged to not just the spectators, but also the instructors. Finally the Trial was concluded, and I rushed to shield myself from the crowd by blending in amongst my peers.
The final Trial was my overall favorite. Seeing as I don't have an element, I can't rely on magic to get me out of sticky situations. Instead, I can only rely on my combat skills and precision, precisely why I trained so hard in that class. Where others whined about the "unrealisticness" of being unable to use their element in combat, I used it to my advantage to overtake my opponent and win the fight, a skill I had mastered both on land and in the sky. Should there be any surprises today, I would be prepared.
~~~
There had been no such surprises. Only two more dragons stood between me and winning the entire Trial, and I was determined to make it out on top.
All I have to do is beat them, and then I'll surely have impressed the instructors!
I made the first move against my Avelth opponent, darting forward and launching an attack at his side. His quick reflexes saved him, leaving me with only a few light-grey tail feathers grasped between my jaws as he soared into the air. He screeched a challenge down at me, and I accepted by leaping into the sky. I saw him grin then, thinking me an incompetent aerial fighter.
You'll learn just how wrong you are soon enough, Avelth.
Hoping to goad him into making the first attack, I feigned uncertainty, pretending to struggle with keeping him in my sights while gradually flying higher to maintain the high ground. Finally he made his move, bolting forward so that my back was now to him before banking towards me and diving for my back.
You fool! Going for the back of an enemy much larger than yourself!
I allowed a smirk to slip past my lips, tasting victory. I watched his shadow as it drew near, counting down the seconds.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
3...2...1!
With a powerful thrust of my wings I was now above the Avelth, dodging his attack successfully before launching a counterattack of my own. I folded my wings and dropped like a stone, grasping one of his wings within my claws and dragging him down with me. As the ground rushes up to meet us, I shout to him over the wind, "Yield!"
He hesitated for a moment, but upon spotting the ground rapidly approaching, he surrendered the victory to me, and I released him from my grasp before throwing out my wings to slow myself enough to land softly on the ground.
"Rylar wins!" The announcer shouted, resulting in a wave of screams and shouts from the crowd, before continuing to proclaim, "Now, for the finale we have Rylar against Fyrlia! Make sure you stick around for this one folks, things are about to get real interesting!" The crowd once more cheered us on, before turning to their neighbors to debate, and for some bet, on who would emerge victorious.
I spotted her then, a dragon who resonated beauty and danger in equal waves. She was a Farralyn, colored white and gold and black with great wings which supported her alongside two legs. Her top scales were the purest of white I've ever laid eyes on, purer than the snow that lay on this very mountain, and great care obviously went in to maintain that color. Her underbelly was not so piercing white, instead being a shade darker and contrasting beautifully. Her crown-like horns were a shiny gold, matching the horns that ran down her neck and the spikes at the end of her tail. Her striped pattern was as black as the darkest night, and while not nearly complete, it still managed to suit her just right, the still-forming stripes adding to her regal look.
How have I never seen her before? She's beautiful!
"Fight!" The announcer roared, signaling the start of the match. I shook my head in an attempt to refocus on the task at hand. I'd have time to admire her later; right now I had a Trial to win.
She made the first move, launching into the sky before diving for my side, a move nearly identical to the one I made against the Avelth in my last match. Rather than dodge, I swiveled to meet her head on. Most dragons at this point would break their charge and wait for a better opportunity, essentially playing the slow and cautious game. Fyrlia; however, was undeterred, continuing towards me with intent.
I see. She's going to overpower me as quickly as possible and use her temporary advantage to draw fifth blood.
The combat Trial has very simple rules: you're pitted against your peers in a 1v1, and whoever yields first loses. That's all there is to it, at least until the final match. In this match the rules change: the fight continues until a yield or until someone draws fifth blood. Fyrlia wasn't planning on dragging this fight out. Instead, she was aiming to draw fifth blood as quickly as she could, even if it meant taking some hits herself. Seeing as we were about the same size, myself being a tad bit larger, I decided I'd do the exact same as her, albeit in a slightly different fashion.
Fyrlia closed the gap, thrusting her talon-like claws forward and flaring her wings so that she'd bowl me to the ground and keep me off balance for long enough to get fifth blood. Recognizing this, I braced myself, ducked my head, and threw my shoulder forward into her line of attack. Rather than bowling me to the ground, she smacked off me and lost her own balance, though not for long.
I released a snarl, and a bite to accompany it, before dodging out of her reach.
We're even now.
Both of us had drawn blood, and now both of us circled each other, wary and alert. Gnashing my teeth together, I sprinted towards her, aiming for her leg, a plan formulating itself in my mind as I ran.
She was not as nimble as myself on the ground, having two legs instead of four. If she lifted her wings she'd have better mobility, but to do that is to risk defeat because she'd loose balance very easily. I weaved around her in a complex array of motions, all meant to throw her off and allow myself an opening. Finally, I saw it. Her wing was raised as she turned, leaving her leg exposed. Fast as a snake I darted forward, my fangs sinking in. She let out of a roar of pain, lashing her spiked tail towards me in retaliation. Undeterred, I bit again, flinching as her tail cracked across my back, leaving a trail of blood behind.
I need to hurry. Two quick strikes and it's over.
As she stumbled away from me and swung her head around, I launched myself forward once more, caring not for any damage she might inflict upon me. My claws met scales, struggling for a moment to draw blood before finding an opening and doing just that. She sunk her teeth into my wing, releasing a bestial howl from within me as I struggled to pull myself forward and get a second hit.
If I release her she will get away, but if I'm not quick enough...
Her tail rose above me again, her bloodstained teeth once more aiming for my wing. Finally I managed to pull myself forward enough to sink my own teeth into her, breaking through the scales much easier than my claws ever could. Her own attacks landed not a second later, leaving both of us on the ground, spent and in pain.
Releasing a sigh, I relaxed my grip on her side and stood, saying only, "Good fight." Before I could say anything else, blood rushed to my ears and a void filled my vision. I felt my body tumble to the ground, and heard one last thing before the darkness claimed me.
"Rylar wins!"