Chapter no 3 – 4

Chapter no 3

Violet Sorrengail successfully crosses the parapet and becomes a cadet in the Riders Quadrant, but her challenges are far from over. Jack, an arrogant and violent candidate, vows to kill her after she narrowly escapes his earlier attack. Violet’s body begins to succumb to the exhaustion and injuries from her trial, but she hides her pain, knowing that any sign of weakness could mark her as prey among the ruthless cadets and dragons.

Reuniting with her childhood friend, Dain Aetos, offers brief comfort. Now a second-year rider and squad leader, Dain tries to convince Violet to escape to the safer Scribe Quadrant. However, Violet refuses, knowing her mother’s decree leaves her no choice but to survive as a rider or die trying. Dain reluctantly accepts her decision, assigning her to his squad and promising to protect her as much as he can in the brutal world of dragon riders.

As the new cadets gather in the courtyard, the true gravity of the Riders Quadrant is revealed. Dragons arrive in a dramatic display of power, incinerating cadets who flee in fear. The senior wingleader, Xaden Riorson, reminds the group that survival is the only goal, warning that most of them will die before graduation. Violet feels the weight of these harsh realities but refuses to falter, determined to prove she belongs despite her physical vulnerabilities and the deadly challenges ahead.

Faced with the overwhelming presence of dragons and the unforgiving hierarchy of the Riders Quadrant, Violet steels herself. She knows she must rely on her intelligence and resilience to survive. The dragons’ piercing gazes seem to assess her unworthiness, but she stands firm, repeating her mantra: “I will not die today.” As Xaden declares that to the dragons, they are merely prey, Violet prepares to defy the odds and prove them all wrong.

Chapter no 4

The Riders Quadrant spares no time in introducing Violet Sorrengail to its brutal and unforgiving nature. During the death roll, Violet solemnly listens as the names of the fallen are read, including Dylan’s, knowing this is the only tribute they’ll receive. Despite her aching knee and exhaustion, she hides her vulnerabilities, aware that showing weakness would only invite danger.

Her reunion with Dain Aetos provides a fleeting moment of familiarity, but it’s overshadowed by the revelation that Xaden Riorson, the wingleader of Fourth Wing, has moved her squad under his command. This calculated move ensures he has direct oversight of Violet, using his position to settle a vendetta against her family. Dain, now a second-year squad leader with a rare signet power to read memories, promises to protect Violet, but even he knows the quadrant’s deadly environment leaves little room for guarantees.

The day’s challenges are only beginning, with sparring on the horizon. As Violet navigates the grand rotunda on her way to class, she feels the weight of Xaden’s presence, his gaze locking onto her with an unnerving intensity. When he taunts her and Dain in front of the remaining cadets, Violet knows she’s in even deeper danger than she thought. Xaden’s every move seems designed to assert dominance and remind her of her precarious position.

Dain urges her to flee, and Violet bolts, heart pounding as she races against the constant threat of Xaden’s wrath. Survival in the Riders Quadrant is not just about strength or strategy—it’s about staying one step ahead of death, whether it comes from dragons, rivals, or the wingleader determined to see her fail.