prologue
527 Words
Once upon a time, Eldur stood free and mighty. It’s lands were filled to abundance and creatures were blessed with great beauty. Here, each and every one found a home, ruled over under a single throne. To the north was the land of Noc, where creatures of pale skin and red lips stalked their prey under the cover of darkness. Opposite them, on the far side of the kingdom, the south was the land of Myri. Filled with soft soils, murky waters and mischievous creatures, many a traveler have gone missing within it’s borders. Farther to the East, in rich, thriving woods, the land of Togavao stood blooming, but the trees had eyes and the ground had ears. Light-footed creatures with pointy ears and sharp wits hunted with frightening accuracy. And to the west, Mauga could be found. Tall mountains pierced the sky, disappearing above the clouds. Caves and canyons littered the land, hiding creatures deep within the endless, bottomless caverns.
Surrounding everything was Vatna. The cool waters and calming waves hid the might of the ocean, as beautiful women with glistening tails and lulling voices swam underneath the surface. While high up, above the clouds, a nest and dwelling could still be found. Wings of every color and every size cast shadows over the land, as the people of Vidur took flight. Their keen eyes and sharp claws helped them hunt, but they were nothing compared to the magnificent rulers of the land.
The dragons, found at the heart of Eldur, reigned from their sprawling castle. Their gates were open to all, and despite their strength, they ruled with humility and fairness. Legends say that the dragons, in their natural form, were bigger than the castle they lived in and taller than the tallest mountains of Mauga. In their human form, they were the most beautiful, with their amber-colored eyes hiding the fires in their heart.
They ruled over the other lands, and they were loved by all.
But everything comes to an end, and even dragons fall.
Akuma came, bringing with him an army of darkness. Not even the flames of the dragons could push them back. One by one, the dragons fell under the swarm of Oni. Akuma drove the last of them to the mountains, wounded and dying.
Their flames were forever snuffed out.
The other lands soon fell into the hands of Akuma. Creatures retreated deeper into their dwelling, hiding from the demons that now plagued lands. Those that were too unfortunate or too foolishly brave were imprisoned and made into slaves.
That’s all I’ve known.
Slavery.
I grew up in the servant’s quarters. They found me inside the castle as a baby- forgotten or left, who knows? People still pray for the fire to return to Eldur. For the sound of wings to fill the sky, and for righteous flames to burn the oni to dust.
Me, I just pray I make it through the next day.
The dragons aren’t coming back. They’ve been driven to extinction, and if we’re not careful, we could be next.
See, this isn’t a fairy tale.
There is no happily ever after.
There’s just survival.
- Writer
