Bloodwing Academy, #1
On Wings of Blood
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
Chapter 54
Overview
Medra and Regan complete the blood rite to enter the dome and confront blightborn spider-hybrids made from fallen students, including Medra’s friend Naveen. Medra overcomes grief to grant Naveen a merciful death, then saves Regan so they can proceed. The trial hardens Medra’s resolve and deepens the moral cost of the Games.
Summary
Medra and Regan arrive last at the dome, finding ritual doors and an empty offering bowl. Regan cuts her palm, then "slips" and slashes Medra’s forearm, opening the doors as Blake’s blood quickly heals Medra. Inside, torches ignite and they arm themselves with swords and bucklers.
Two blightborn spider-hybrids emerge—once students remade into horrors. One is Naveen, Medra’s friend. Regan derides the repeat trial and engages the second creature, while Medra freezes, devastated by recognizing Naveen. Orcades’s inner voice urges Medra to accept that Naveen is gone and act.
Naveen strikes with terrifying speed, wounding Medra. Tempted to surrender, Medra instead draws strength from thoughts of Florence, Blake’s unexpected protection, and Naveen’s parents. He disables a leg, loses his sword, then uses Coregon’s dagger to rip open Naveen’s chest, ending him as Orcades confirms the dark magic had already taken his soul.
Hearing Regan’s scream, Medra hesitates—justice would be leaving her—but chooses to help. He distracts the second hybrid so Regan can land killing blows. Regan survives, masking gratitude with arrogance, and they head through the newly opened exit without further words.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonProtagonist; enters the dome, confronts and mercy-kills blightborn Naveen, then saves Regan, choosing compassion over revenge.
- ReganRival-ally; slices Medra during the rite, fights a spider-hybrid, and survives thanks to Medra’s timely distraction.
- NaveenFormer friend turned blightborn spider-hybrid; attacks Medra and is mercifully killed to end his cursed existence.
- OrcadesMother’s guiding voice in Medra’s mind; urges acceptance and a mercy killing, reinforcing Medra’s resolve.
- First Year girl (blightborn)Unnamed student transformed into a spider-hybrid; slain by Regan after Medra distracts it.
- BlakeAbsent but influential; his blood heals Medra, and Medra recalls Blake’s protective intent to press on.
- FlorenceAbsent friend; Medra’s memories of her kindness help him choose resolve and mercy.