King of the Wyverns

Prologue

Ares has been royalty all his life. He was the First Prince of the Lightning Wyvern kingdom. Getting top notch food, the best education, and training from the top-tier hunters was nothing unusual for him. Because of him being spoiled and coddled all his life, though, he became very dependent on others.

Way too dependent.

“Cleo…,” Ares groaned. “Can you get me some food?”

Ares looked to his right where he saw Cleo in the midst of quite a few trees. “I don’t have any,” Cleo said. “Why didn’t you bring any?”

Ares groaned again. “I didn’t think we would get lost out here.” He starts to sniff around for possible prey. “I knew I shouldn’t have followed you out here,” he mumbled.

Cleo sighed. “You know, we could just fly up and look for our way back.”

Ares looked at Cleo. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?!” He flew up into the sky, Cleo closely following.

“Because,” Cleo said, “You’re too dependent on other people and you know it.”

Ares rolled his eyes.

“I was trying to get you to be independent for once,” Cleo went on. “I thought that you wouldn’t count on me to find our way out.”

“Well,” Ares said, “I’m not dumb or anything. I could find my way out of here alone.” He sticks his chin out defiantly.

Cleo smirked. “Cya, then.” She started to fly off, quickly flapping towards their home.

Ares looked at the retreating Cleo and then started to fly after her. He pulled up beside her and said, “I’ll go with you to make sure you don’t get lost.” He doesn’t meet her eye.

Cleo laughed and playfully rammed into Ares’ side. Ares feigned annoyance. “You cannot push me! I’m the First Prince! Just because we’ve been friends since birth doesn’t mean you are exempt from the rules!”

She laughed, which caused Ares to laugh and start shoving her. They go back and forth like that for a while until they reach The Royal Trench: the home where only Royal Wyverns may live.

Cleo and Ares walked into the room that served as his father’s room. Ares had only had his father as his parent ever since birth; his mother supposedly ran off one day.

“Dad?” Ares called. Empty.

Cleo said, “Let’s check the hatchery. You know he’s been in there a lot lately.”

Ares knew alright. His father had spent a lot of time with Ares’ new little step brother lately. Ares understood that babies need more attention than a 2 year old wyvern like him, but he still wished that he at least listened to Ares’ and Cleo’s daily excursions they went on.

Cleo and Ares started to walk out of his father’s room when they were met by Hiro: Ares’ father’s most trusted servant. Hiro was also the only Fjordhawk serving The King Lightning Wyvern. “Oh, hey Hiro!” Ares says. “Have you seen my dad?”

Hiro nods. Instead of his usual bright smile, though, Ares and Cleo are met by a heavy frown. “Right this way, Ares and Cleo.”

Ares hesitates; Hiro always addresses Ares by Prince. And most of the time he calls Cleo ‘Lady Cleo’, since Cleo was engaged to Ares. Cleo follows Hiro and Ares swiftly trails after them.

Instead of the hatchery like Cleo guessed, they end up in the executioner room. Ares started to freak out. He looks to Cleo and sees that she isn't going crazy, so he tries to calm down. It works until he sees his father- the King of the Lightning Wyverns- chained up.

“Dad!” He cried, trying to rush forward. Two guards held him back. “What’s going on?”

Hiro cleared his throat. “We have recently discovered that your father has secretly married another race of wyvern, which is how you were born. According to our law, this is not legal and must be punished.”

Ares stopped thrashing around. “W-what does that mean?”

Hiro grinned. “Your father and you must die. After all, you are the offspring of a forbidden marriage.” Hiro nodded at a guard, who promptly slashed a talon across Ares’ dad’s neck.

Ares looked on in horror. His father looked at him and whispered, “Run, Ares,” before he died.