Elswyrm

"ELSWYRM! Elswyrm! HELP ME!" A shriek echoed through the Arena, as Kinnabari, a black dragon, pinned her sister Silverripple down. Elswyrm looked down, blinking back tears. It's your decision to make. Either be loyal, or betray the commander's trust. a small voice said from the back of his head. He looked down, slowly, thinking about the past times when he used to play with his sisters, Silverripple and Snowflake. YES or NO? the voice shouted, Theres no time for hesitation! Taking a deep breath, Elswyrm shook his head slowly, tears swimming in his innocent, pleading eyes. Please, Silverripple, you have to understand! I act for the commander's orders... but something eerie crept up in his thoughts. Even if that means you have to watch them die? The dragons who helped you grow up? Elswyrm wanted to scream, wanted to tear his head apart, because of the pain, the panic, the sadness his thoughts led him into. Calm down. Everything will be oka-

Suddenly a scream interrupted his thoughts. His younger sister, Snowflake, was straining herself against the chains, shouting "ELSWYRM! You can't just watch your own sister die, can you?! HELP H-"

"SHUT UP!" A dragon roared, flapping his gigantic wings, snarling. You should do something, Elswyrm. Don't let him bully her just like that. his brain gave him a small nudge, but he stood, silent and frozen to the ground, his thoughts screaming, swimming around and bumping into each other in his mind. Shhh... Deep breathes, 1, 2, 3... the strongest voice said, calming him slowly down.

Just then, a terrible, horrible, pained screech rang out, through the Arena, into the world beyond, and silence ringed in the air for the moment, as Elswyrm searcher for the source of the screech. His whole body shuddered, then grew rigid in horror as he found himself staring at Silverripple's flailing, thrashing body, fighting for air. What have I done? What have I become? His thoughts asked, ringing silently in his head. I'm a monster. I killed my own sister! Then, another voice joined in, cooing him softly. You didn't exactly kill her, did you? Kinnabari did. You did enough for her. You chose your loyalty, your path, and now, you must follow it...