Writing Of Humans and Dragons [PG - VL]

[TheResplendent]

[font=tahoma]Though I've written many stories, this is the first i've written for the purpose of posting here in the Anthology. I hope it is an enjoyable read for most of you, and do not hold off on the feedback please :p . This particular story takes place in a fantasy world, in a similar setting to that of most medieval dragon movies (or Elicoor II from Star Ocean for those who are familiar with the game).

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[center][size=4][b]Prelude / Chapter 1[/b][/size][/center]


In the land of [color=green]Grateus[/color], man and woman lived together among creatures of lore that one typically only hears about through stories and tales. Winged creatures such as Wyverns that roamed the skies until they were harnessed and Serpents that rule the waters from coast to coast. Many years ago however, magnificent creatures known as Dragons also roamed the land. Massive in size, they could take to the air with their wings or walk the earth in similar affinity.

Unfortunately, it was also due to man?s desire for power that led to the dragon?s extinction. Once plentiful in numbers, dragons were harnessed by several groups throughout the years that fought one another for whatever purpose. War is a product of man no matter what era it is in, and the reasons seem to vary as much as we human?s do in physical appearance. As dragons were used as vessels for man to ride into battle, their lives have been shortened by a number of tragedies. Most of which involved all out attacks on dragons and their nests to weaken the advantages of the opposing army. In such expedited executions however, despite being fairly difficult it also effectively diminished the chances for mature eggs to hatch with healthy baby dragons to be born.

At the end of what has come to be known as the Continental War, the eastern continent of [color=teal]Kythira[/color] and the western continent of [color=teal]Nidorram[/color] became almost entirely torn asunder in human contact, following the victory of the forces of [color=teal]Nidorram[/color]. In addition, only nineteen dragons remained in [color=gree]Grateus[/color] after the chaos. Over the next few decades, some began to die out from either old age or wounds that even the strongest curative magic could not heal.

Forty years later, with fourteen dragons left they were now the victims of assassinations. A branch from the forces of [color=teal]Kythira[/color] that fought during the Continental War have emerged after going into hiding, under the leadership of a man named Garai. Garai and his followers sought to take revenge on those who remained from the opposition of the war, as well as their children and the dragons that remained in their keep. A new empire was born after much of [color=teal]Kythira[/color] was overrun by Garai and his forces, which grew greatly in number from town to town, city to city, and outpost to outpost. Many were still bitter from the outcome of the war, and forsook hope of one day reconnecting the continents between people in peace. They were easily convinced that the gaining of power under those who were adept a leadership and tactics in order to intimidate those of [color=teal]Nidorram[/color] was truly the right path.

A sudden uprising in power for Garai would have been impossible however if it were just a couple of hundred seeking to form an empire. It was with the help of several inhabitants of [color=teal]Nidorram[/color] who were displeased with their status, creating riots and assassinating several leaders of the Western Kingdom that allowed Garai to take full advantage of the anarchy in the capital cities of [color=orange]Pharesh[/color] and [color=orange]Khardok[/color]. Four of the remaining dragons were killed by a massive nest assault by Garai?s wizards and necromancers. The rest of the continent fell easily with the capitals in shambles, and soon enough Garai?s empire had majority control over both continents with private usage of the ports that connected travel between [color=teal]Kythira[/color] and [color=teal]Nidorram.[/color]

The remaining ten dragons were hidden due to lack of numbers to contest the Empire?s forces. Today, two resistances against the Empire exist on both continents. On the west, the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] Resistance led by Gavlin Leonus. On the east, the [color=blue]Validus[/color] Resistance led by Vidarr Kaien. Though there is not much contact between the two, their goals are the same. Private ships are run in the blind spot of the empire with hopes that it can be continued as long as needed as a form of sending messages and communicating. In addition to an agreement made between the two, 5 dragons were granted to the [color=blue]Validus[/color] in order to be on equal grounds to fight the [color=red]Empire[/color]. Each dragon has only one rider, the roles of these riders are incredibly important to the ideals of the resistances and the eradication of the [color=red]Empire[/color]?s influence and hold on [color=green]Grateus[/color].

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Donovan turned his attention down toward the field from his position upon the mountaintop. The enemy?s Wyvern Brigade was sure to reinforce it?s ground units, and in very little time. It was hardly anything to worry about at that moment however, the numbers were greatly in the favor of the Resistance. It was exactly that however that puzzled Donovan. [i]?Why launch an attack on a strategic stronghold of the Resistance with such a menial force??[/i] and [i]?Doesn?t Garai care about the slaughter that is sure to befall his troops this day?? [/i]were two prominent questions that ran through his head.

Time passed by as the field began to grow more abundant in numbers that supported a victory for the Resistance. The young commander rested his eyes for a few brief seconds, as his thoughts seemed to be answered by his companion.

[b]?It does not seem as if Garai will be sending his Wyvern Brigade in, Donovan. This battle has been won with no aid from us.?[/b]

Donovan stood from his kneeling position and grunted as he fixed his weapon to the custom made sheath that was strapped around his companion, in a gesture of agreement with her. Donovan wielded a hybrid knight?s sword that was fashioned like a lance. A 24 inch hilt with a thick blade nearest the hilt that narrowed into a more than ample piercing capable point.

[b]?Such a wasteful battle, what was its purpose? In comparison to the Empire we are little in numbers, yet on this day we crushed an attack by their Legion. Garai is not such a fool that this was merely unfortunate, this is most unsettling.?[/b] Donovan said, as he tugged lightly on his beard.

[b]?Let us return and check with Felix. Though it appears to be a tactical victory for us we should get the official report.?[/b]

Donovan nodded to his companion, as he grabbed hold of her side and leaped up onto her back. He settled himself in and gave his faithful dragon a light back and forth pat on the back of her neck.

[b]?Adria, let?s go!?[/b] Donovan yelled as the dragon spread it?s massive wings and swooped down from their mountaintop position. As they descended, the final remnants of the [color=red]Empire[/color]?s Legion could be seen scattering from the mere sight of the grandiose dragon. The sight of one of the five dragon riders of the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] Resistance also caught the eye of another under the service of Emperor Garai.

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A laugh came from a thin yet muscular soldier from the opposite side of the field. He stood, adorned in black armor with the golden crests of the Empire on his breastplate. With his fingers he swiped away a piece of his long black hair from his eyes and motioned with his hand for a group of particular soldiers to accompany him away from the battlefield.

[b]?I?m sure that?s been plenty of time. Can?t say I?m too pleased with Garai sacrificing a number of my men for this but we have enough to spare I suppose,? [/b]the man said as he sheathed an unusually long Katana style sword by his side. Soldiers dressed in the recognizable armor of the Legion followed their commander as he climbed atop his horse.

[b]?But sir! What of the wounded??[/b] asked a soldier, trying to help one of his own who sustained a serious wound to his torso.

[b]?Leave anyone that cannot walk on their own. We must make haste back to the capital. The small force we attacked with today should have caused enough of a suspicion for Wyvern reinforcements to keep the guard around the mountain area tight. If Titus and his men have not made ample use of the diversion we created to steal the scroll then it is of no fault of mine.? [/b]

[b]?But sir! We cannot leave our own behind!?[/b]

The second plea was met with a swift draw of the Legion Commander?s blade and a thrust right above the unsuspecting soldier?s collarbone. Blood trickled, then streamed down the blade as it was pulled out and promptly cleaned using the clothing beneath the armor of the murdered soldier. The other soldiers watched in horror as their temperamental commander slain one of their own without hesitation.

[b]?Does anyone else have any qualms about leaving anyone behind??[/b]

[b]?No Commander Deimos!?[/b] was the cohesive response. Commander Deimos nodded and smiled slyly with satisfaction as he flew off with his battalion following behind.

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Donovan landed beside the mountain base of the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] Resistance and dismounted from his dragon to speak with the Garrison Lieutenant, Felix Orion. Felix stood tall and was rather large, mostly with muscle however. His beard was as thick as the leaves on a small tree and his eyes were sturdy and focused, the calling card of a true soldier. He was years older than Donovan, yet his lower position never once caused him to feel malice or discontent. Felix was all about doing his duty, and cared very little about glory.

[b]?Felix, what have you gathered??[/b] Donovan asked, as he pulled the gauntlets from his hands and stuffed them into his belt.

[b]?Commander, it is as you probably noticed from your position. The Legion was pushed back and minor damage was sustained to the base?s gate. We are still in possession of [color=purple]Beliarr[/color], and as long as I have anything to say about it we will not lose it so easily!?[/b] Felix exclaimed, standing at attention while his battle axe reflected bits and pieces of the sunlight beaming down from the sun?s lingering position towards it?s setting.

[b]?While that is good news, I fear there was more to this attack then meets the eye. The inner city guard was light but the base?s inner gates themselves were astutely watched over. Despite this, it?s possible that the false anticipation of reinforcements from the [color=red]Empire[/color] was part of a ploy to concentrate a great amount of force on breaching the inner city. Have you received word from Kraus??[/b]

[b]?Come to think of it, no. What you say is a cause for concern, sir. Allow me to go and check on things. You can bring Adriana back to the falls.?[/b] Felix said in an assuring tone.

[b]?I will come with you, Felix. It will be thanks to my oversight of this possibility if this scenario is indeed truth.?[/b] Donovan said, already leading the way. Felix followed as Adriana stood guard outside of the gate.

[i]?Hm, and how I was hoping I?d get some exercise today. Ciela is probably having the time of her life on the western coast.? [/i]Adriana thought to herself as she stretched out her wings a bit more trying to create the illusion of getting a work out.

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Halfway into the tunnel leading to the inner city gates, Donovan and Felix were greeted with blood emblazoned guards along with many other clear signs of a break in. Felix rushed inside as Donovan knelt by a couple of the guards, checking to see if there was a chance they would still be alive. Negatives on the vital signs were the general response, as he gritted his teeth in an attempt to hold back his anger toward himself.

[b]?Commander! It?s Kraus!?[/b] the voice of Felix echoed through the first corridor. Donovan ran to Felix?s position to see another high-ranking officer of the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] Resistance in Lieutenant Kraus Balder on the floor surrounded in a pool of his own blood. Donovan knelt before him and lifted his head slightly. Felix watched on as he pulled a dagger out of Kraus?s side and applied pressure to it immediately with a thick sheet.

[b]?Kraus! What happened??[/b] Donovan pleaded, trying not to move his head too much. Kraus reached his hand up to Donovan?s head but could barely speak coherently. It was clear seconds afterwards that his wounds were much too serious for him to survive. Donovan looked over to Felix who had given up already on keeping the wound closed. Donovan looked back down and noticed Kraus?s head slumped in his arms.

[b]?I should have known this would happen?there was no way Garai would have been so foolish as to not have a plan behind this faux attack.?[/b] Donovan exclaimed in a disdainful tone. He closed his fallen ally?s eyes with his fingers and commenced to recite a short prayer for him.

[center][I] Pater noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, Sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie.
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem: Sed libera nos a malo.
Amen.
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[b]?Sir, this is of no fault of yours! Garai and he alone is to blame for all the atrocities that have befallen this land. This should be no different. If I may, however??[/b] Felix began to say, before stopping in order to ask Donovan?s permission to ask him a question.

Donovan nodded his head, as he stood straight once again.

[b]?What would the purpose of breaking into the inner city be? What was the Legion looking for??[/b]

[b]?I know not, it is a mystery to me as well.?[/b] Donovan answered, as he began to walk toward the residential area of the city. Felix followed as they walked through the open gates leading to the city within the mountain that served as the base of operations for the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] Resistance. It was more like a town then a city, as much an ample area for living normal lives as it was a headquarters for offensive and defensive tactics.

[b]?Sir Donovan! Sir Felix! You?ve come!?[/b] an elderly female citizen screamed as she ran toward them.

[b]?Tell me, what has happened? Did the Legion attack the people?? [/b]Donovan asked. The women shook her head and struggled to catch her breath. Her vocal chords shook with signs of trepidation, clearly caused by the sudden break in.

[b]?They killed nobody my lord, but they sacked the vaults and held us at bay with soldiers. We?re all sorry my lord, there was nothing we could do!?[/b] she cried as she wavered in her stance. Felix rushed to catch her and keep her steady.

[b]?Please, you?ve nothing to apologize for. Any of you! You did the right thing, your lives come before any possessions??[/b]

Those words reached more then just the citizens, as the somewhat deep and official sounding voice of a female came from the direction of the vault. It was the type of voice that seemed to command as much as it allured.

[b]?That may be true, Donovan?but the [i]possession[/i] they took is quite important. I fear this will cause much trouble for both resistances in the near future,?[/b] came a female voice, cutting off Donovan before he could finish his sentence. Donovan and Felix looked toward the top of the stairs that served as the entrance to the city vault to see a well-fit woman with ear-length dark brown hair. She was dressed lightly, but in cloth and chain mail. One look could tell that she wasn?t a citizen, but a member of the resistance as well.

[b]?Lucia!?[/b] Donovan exclaimed, surprised to see her standing there.

[b]?I came in through the back tunnel when I saw a unit from the Legion keeping watch outside the gate. I assumed they had already breached and decided to sneak in to see what I could do. Turns out I was too late, and found that the Uroboros Scroll was missing.?[/b] Lucia said, leaping off the stairs to the floor.

Her words hit Donovan hard as he began to curse himself for not realizing that the scroll would be the ideal target for a breaking in tactic.

[b]?Sir, forgive me for asking. It is unfamiliar to me what this Uroboros Scroll is. What is its importance??[/b] Felix asked, generally perplexed. Donovan sighed deeply and turned himself toward the entrance.

[b]?The one advantage the [color=blue]Sapiens[/color] and the [color=blue]Validus[/color] have had all these years against the Empire were the preservation of the last ten Dragons in [color=green]Grateus[/color]. Though there are nine left, due to death of Raiden a short time ago. In any case, it was the Uroboros Scroll that contained the ancient text that was used to create bonds of magic between a dragon and it?s rider. Anyone who can learn the text and master it could possibly take command of a dragon in addition to obtaining the magic related to the dragons.?[/b] Donovan explained, as he began to recall briefly his time learning the text so he could understand Adriana as well as be recognized by her.

[b]?Yes, it looks like Garai?s plan is to take our advantage out right from under us and turn it into our disadvantage. Can?t say it?s not a smart move, but it?s a real bad one for us.?[/b] Lucia added.

[b]?Indeed it is.?[/b] Donovan began to say, as he turned his head toward Felix. [b]?Felix! Send word to the [color=blue]Validus[/color], and send for the other riders to return here.?[/b]

[b]?Yes, Commander!?[/b]
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[Blayze]

[b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode]BKStyles[/font][/b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode], I salute you. I really do. In this current trend of OB fanfics pouring out left right and centre, it really is refreshing to see such a detailed piece of original work. You have clearly put a lot of thought into this, and thought a lot about the whole background of the world. This is an incredibly important thing to do when writing something, but then again, having written a lot in the past, you probably know that already.

I really like the idea of dragons actually being peaceful creatures, but ones which men have corrupted to use for war. It does sound like the kind of thing humans would do in such a situation.

Your description is superb - I really could imagine just what was happening here.

So, in summary - good work, and please keep it up. I look forward to the next chapter of this with great anticipation.
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[TheResplendent]

[QUOTE=Blayze][b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode]BKStyles[/font][/b][font=Lucida Sans Unicode], I salute you. I really do. In this current trend of OB fanfics pouring out left right and centre, it really is refreshing to see such a detailed piece of original work. You have clearly put a lot of thought into this, and thought a lot about the whole background of the world. This is an incredibly important thing to do when writing something, but then again, having written a lot in the past, you probably know that already.

I really like the idea of dragons actually being peaceful creatures, but ones which men have corrupted to use for war. It does sound like the kind of thing humans would do in such a situation.

Your description is superb - I really could imagine just what was happening here.

So, in summary - good work, and please keep it up. I look forward to the next chapter of this with great anticipation.
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[font=tahoma]I greatly appreciate the feedback, Blayze. It doesn't seem like I have impressed too many other people, but I will probably continue the story anyhow, lol. I already had a second chapter in mind so might as well go with it. But again, thanks for the compliments and your interest. [/font]