Risk
Amir climbed onto the railing of his balcony and jumped. The moonlit garden below flashed across his vision as he hurtled towards it. Swirls of dark vapor enveloped him. A second later, the vapor vanished and a ten foot tall, muscular, black dragon emerged. It spread its wings wide and gracefully switched from nose-dive to steep ascent. The dragon grinned. Awesome as always, thought Amir.
During the day, Amir was just a student living alone in tiny apartment near his university. During the night, he was the secret guardian of his country. He was part of a dragon clan that protected people from malicious magical beings. 
The cold air cut across him as he gained speed, invigorating him. He loved the clear sky, the full moon, the howling wind and peaceful landscape spread out far below. These were the few rare moments in life when he really enjoyed himself. He dived, he swerved and he spiraled; pulling off stunts with enough skill to shame an eagle.
Suddenly his dragon senses detected trouble. He rushed off towards Chittagong. A fierce thunderstorm had struck but it was caused by excess discharge of magical energy. He flew past the harbor and found the creature responsible: kraken, a colossal squid-like sea monster with sharp spikes on its tentacles.
The sea was at its roughest near the kraken, giant waves crashing as the creature reeled towards the harbor. Amir flew as low as he dared and breathed fire. The kraken stopped. Its tentacles shot out of the water and lashed at him. He swung out of the way and breathed fire. More lashing tentacles appeared. The gale and heavy downpour made flying difficult. Amir managed to dodge most attacks but got a few slashes.
He flew up and noticed the tentacles reaching for him. This gave him an idea. He dived then spiraled and twisted around the lunging tentacles. Soon the kraken entangled itself. As it tried to loosen the knot, Amir breathed fire. The kraken’s shrill cry of pain was mostly lost in the storm.
Wait, a voice spoke in Amir’s mind. It was the leader of his clan, Bilal. All dragons could establish telepathic connections with each other at will. It’s too dangerous, Bilal said.
I’ve got this, Amir replied.
He gave one last dive and breathed fire at the kraken. Suddenly the knot unraveled and the kraken sprang at him. A tentacle smacked him from behind, another wrapped around his left wing. Pain shot through him as the kraken pulled him straight into the sea. Water rushed into his lungs, robbing his fire-breathing advantage. He struggled but the kraken pulled him down further into the dark depths. Help me. Darkness took over.
* * *
Amir opened his eyes and saw light. He blinked and realized he was lying on a bed. Daylight streamed through the windows beside his bed, lighting up the small apartment, which he finally recognized as his own. He shoved his blanket away, the sunlight had filled his apartment with warmth. Gingerly, he sat up. He was in his human form. 
What happened? Amir asked.
You were unconscious when Nasir pulled you out of the water, Bilal answered. We sent the kraken back to its realm afterwards. Then we healed you. Do you realize how reckless you have been? That kraken would have killed you if we were a few moments late.
I thought I had it under control. Amir insisted.
And you nearly lost your life. Anger simmered from Bilal’s words. Is this a child’s game? Is this a place to break rules?
But Dayyan fought a troll last week! He didn’t listen to you. And you didn’t say anything to him.
That troll was already in the city. Dayyan could not wait for backup. He had no choice. But the kraken was still far from the harbor and you had it distracted. That was all you needed.
I thought I had the advantage. It couldn’t move when I tangled its tentacles.
Amir, orders are given for a reason. You cannot disobey without endangering yourself and the entire clan.
But some of the greatest dragons in history won battles without following rules.
They did it because they saw the flaws of those rules in their situation. They also knew the risks. They didn’t do it for glory.
Amir bowed his head sheepishly as if Bilal were reprimanding him in person. Bilal was the oldest member of his clan and like an elder brother to him.
I know you want to be like Dayyan, Bilal added gently. But follow his principles, not his actions.
I guess I have a lot to learn.
Bilal made no reply. He ended the telepathic connection, leaving Amir alone with his thoughts.
His gaze fell on his table, at his class assignment. Suddenly he realized he had forgotten to pass it to his friend, which meant he had to go submit it himself. He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes left. He rushed out of his house within two.