Author Note: This is just a short story that I wrote for a contest on a different story website and I greatly enjoyed writing it so I thought you might enjoy reading it! And I know Torak is already a character name, in Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, but I didn't know that when I came up with this character and I like him and his name too much to change it. Enjoy! :D

He stood on the very edge of the cliff, his sharp, glistening claws grasping the soft rock. He could feel the air buffeting his face and his eyes remained adamantly closed. The harsh wind that blew against him dared and taunted him. Its loud whispering sound echoed the large waves of the battling sea that cracked and smacked against the dangerous rocks below. The wind and the sea mocked him for his cowardice; it sought to open those fierce eyes that were clamped shut.

Torak sighed; he knew he must open his eyes at some point. He knew he must do the thing he dreaded, he could not stand trembling on the cliff top forever. Fear and excitement almost overwhelmed him as he released his trapped eyes. These amber eyes flashed in the brilliant sunlight and the sea seemed to wink back at Torak as he surveyed it. Its friendly gleam caused his grip on the cliff edge to lessen and he gathered himself for what he was about to do. But then he looked down and fear once again laced his stomach and, without him realising, Torak's claws sunk back into the cliff soil. The ragged rocks below spelt death.

Should I stay or should I go? He wanted to both, but of course, that was not possible. Torak shook his long narrow head from side to side with indecision. His golden scales glittered in the light as he did so. Many were envious of his beautiful golden scales. But surely they would become dashed, broken and bloody on the rocks below if he leapt?

Torak, you are a dragon. You are young and brave and you can do this! He told himself. But perhaps I should wait; I could always do it next year…

But the young golden dragon winced as he imagined waiting a year. He would not be able to look his fellow dragons in the eye. What would his friends, Ked and Tyne think? And besides there was nothing he wanted more than to fly. Could he really wait any longer? His heart thundered in his chest with fear and anticipation, he opened his wings and they shook gently in the wind. Torak's mind was still clouded with indecision. He could make the leap off the cliff edge and achieve all that he wanted; to fly like all dragons should. For what was life without flight to a dragon? But if he made the leap he may lose his life by simply plummeting to his death on the rocks below. Torak had never flown before and had no idea what he was supposed to do. His father had once said that it was instinctive. This did little to give Torak confidence. I don't want to die, Torak almost wailed to the sky.

The golden dragon then growled loudly at himself. He despised his own lack of courage and felt glad no dragons were here to see it. Torak curved his long neck back and looked up at the daunting sky that seemed so allusive to him. His amber eyes widened as he saw a seagull lazily drift on the wind. He envied it. Torak looked back at the sea and once again his beautiful scales sparkled. He took a deep breath which announced that he had made up his mind. Torak gathered his strength, angled his horned head towards the horizon and leapt.

There was a rush of air and alarm threatened Torak as all he could see was a blur of blue. But then his fear was replaced with exhilaration as his wings caught the wind and he soared over the rocks and on over the sea. The young dragon's heart filled with joy as he swept through the air and gained height, the waves becoming smaller and smaller. Again the sea seemed to wink at him and Torak bugled in triumph. Nothing could mock him now. Instinct governed his every move and it was as if the young dragon had flown for years as skill saw him dive and swoop above the waves. Giant, blue and glistening, the sea stretched on beneath him. His fears seemed laughable to Torak now. He felt like he owned the world. Like his father before him, he had become a ruler of the skies. He was the golden dragon and he could fly.