Battling in the Air: Ashton, Ambriel and OPEN to other fliers
Ashton's scales, hardened by the lava of his home, held against the assault of the Otherworlders, but his wings had become damaged. Instead of slowing the dragon down, it only angered him more. The snags in his wing membrane would scar over, becoming stronger, but now they burned and stung. Ashton's nostrils blew hot air and his tail began to lash again as he was overcome by smaller creatures.
On the brink of using his Life Element as a last frustrated resort, Ashton saw the light from Ambriel's wings and the narrowed pupil of the dragon's eyes thinned into a slit. Allies, it seemed, were of great assistance. He was clear of the monsters and rose up onto his rear legs, wings snapping open, and then roared his own taunting challenge in echo of Ambriel's shout.
Ashton's tail flung bodies away from them, some creatures sailing all the way over the treetops. When another of the larger Otherworlders came crashing through the branches, Ashton leaped at him. He brought the monster down under his weight, holding him with black talons and snapped his jaws down. With teeth fastened around the creature's torso, Ashton blew flame. The monster burned to ash.
Another leap sent the dragon landing on a group of them, crushing bodies, picking up others, and he beat his wings to take flight. With the tears in the membrane, he had to fight a little harder than normal to gain altitude, but he rose above the trees again and flew at the cliffs. The wriggling bodies of the Otherworlders were smashed against the rock cliffs. Ashton crowed in triumph, trumpeting success and confidence. This was his territory!