Dragonfly

There weren’t always dragons in the valley, but as the story is told, the one passed on by the elders. Long ago back in days of old mankind was free and had free-will but their hearts were of greed and full of lust, they were a plague that brought destruction in its wake. Man took and ravished what they wanted, with no remorse they took for granted all that nature provided them with. They fought amongst each other with no mercy for the weak or old, power is what they sought and riches is what they cherished which in turn set the path for their own demise.

Nature who was in charge of all creatures, could destroy the human race if it deemed fit, but Nature itself was not good nor was it bad but it was and forever bound not by the world but by balance for both.

To have light you must first have dark, to have day you must first have night, to know the good one must know bad, balance is law and nature the keeper, although Nature saw the humans as barbaric and lost it knew that not all mankind was such as is with all creatures.

Humans were a developing race, but if nature could not see the balance they held, it would make sure mankind no longer exist, for everything has a place and time and a time in a place but all must be balanced.

As time went on and natured observed many meaningless battles and more and more land destroyed, Nature could no longer do nothing, Man would soon throw balance out of its place and that was unacceptable. Nature began the preparations to rid the world of all humans, as it had done with species before, that were not needed to balance life, It paused for a moment to see a young boy standing on a battle field where his kind had left blood and carnage days before, so much so that the scene was still fresh, but the boy paid no mind to any of it he only looked up as if to search the sky, Curiously nature watched wondering what he could be looking for then suddenly it knew why.

A dragon, Large with beautiful gray scales and scars that covered her left wing landed in front of the boy, intrigued by the sight, Nature wondered what would happen next, would she eat him, crush him or turn him into ash?

Such are gruesome outcomes, yes but it was no secret that dragons hated most things that they felt were beneath them, Insignificant creatures were merely food, certain dragons who fell short of the higher dragon hierarchy there for looked down upon by the dragon’s monarchy itself but most of all they hated humans so much so that the King of dragons passed Dragon law that all dragons were to kill on sight to do anything else was acts of treason.

Nature watched as the dragon circled the boy, the boy couldn’t have been more then a mere two of age at most. Nature watched and as it did it saw the dragon throw back its head and lay flames the field of bodies.

Flames? If she was a gray dragon how could she produce such flames? Obvious there is more then what meet the eye with this one. Locking eyes with the boy it began to transform into a smaller, more intimate form, the dragon took the form of a human. She was still a wonderous sight, with hair that was a salt and pepper gray and eyes that glowed purple like amethyst gems. Normally any gray dragons would have dulled gray eyes to match.

Nature watched as she then scooped the young boy into her arms and carried him all the way back near dragon country to a cottage on the outskirts of Tribel.

Tribel was Dragon Country and was not tolerant to humans young or old, in many ways the dragons so high and might were like the humans they despised and for that fact were next to be in consideration for annihilation, but to see these two creatures interact, will this fascinated Nature, to see a different side of both beings, so much so that it postponed judgment on man.

Nature is timeless and lives outside of mortal bounds and binds, it stayed close observing and watching the dragon laugh and care for the young one.

The Dragon, who was aware of nature’s laws paid her respects and homage in order to carry out her plans. She knew that the boy would grow and soon the outside world would intrude on the one they have come to create for their selves, with that in mind she knew as well as nature they were already living on borrowed time.

The dragon, each night as the boy slept would place her hand upon his heart, this was her transferring her power and life essence from her to the boy. The dragon performed this every night and every day the boy got stronger, moved faster, grew taller. While he did the dragon became slower, she didn’t fly as much as before and she seemed a lot weaker than in her prime, but her smile was always bright whenever the boy was near, Balance, is what all are bound by.

Meanwhile time moved on as time does and mankind was raising chaos. Humans were taking more and more of dragon territories and in response the dragons were killing and capturing more and more humans.

One night as the dragon was giving the last of her life essence the door to there cabin flew open and many dragon soldiers in their human form burst through. Four soldiers took the dragon and the boy and brought them to their knees and held them there as another broke threw and read

“for acts of treason against both your own kind and kingdom, the king here by sentence you, Uma the gray to death”.

To weak to fight back she looked up with a smile and tears in her eyes and whispered “please spare my son” and with on clean cut the steel blade slid across her neck and the dragon fell limp upon the ground. With the body of the only mother he had known the boy was in rage. he too losing himself to his anger with speed of lighting the boy took the sword of the closes dragon and rammed it through the one who carried out the sentence, he broke the arm and nose of the one who read the decree but before who could finish another blew gas filled the air and began disorienting the boy and knocking him out cold.

When the boy came to his hands were cuffed and chained, and he was no longer home. His head still spinning, while he tried to take in his surroundings. The boy was dragged in a line glass cased torches and soldiers around the room, about twenty he though. As he fought for control over his sight he could see he was lined up and place with what looked like ten other humans all of different age and size.

It was then boy could see the face of the dragon his mother had told him so much about, here face to face with the ruthless, tyrant of a dragon, that he had promised would never capture him, The Dragon King himself, Drax.

Drax was a merciless ruler, he was bigger then most dragons and much stronger, as were those who ruled before him, for he was a legacy red dragon. The dragon stood in his dragon form and watched as each human was collared. One by one two guards went locking an enchanted leather-like collar around each of the humans that stood in line with the boy, at the same time the king began to speak

“You’d be wise to listen well ye Mutts, for that is what you are from here on. That collar is to be worn at all time, not like you have any choice. Around your neck are binding collars only to be removed by the dragon master you are contracted to, but I wouldn’t get your hopes high because you see, everyone of your contracts…belong to me” he said with a sinister grin that showed his long and sharp teeth.

The king Drax hated humans with a passion so taking a human form was never a choice for him, looking at each human he continued

“-So, know now mutts that collar will never be rid of you, unless that is you die. Until the end of your days… You live and serve dragons as it was always. Meant. to be.”

Right as the solider approached the boy with a binding collared he moved behind the soldier, twisting his arm back and braking the soldier’s wrist grabbing the soldier’s knife holding it to his throat while doing so he spoke with venom staring directly at the King.

“There is nothing a cold murderous fly like you could offer that would ever make me give into your demands, I rather death be my path!”

This angered King Drax, making his blood boil and eyes full crimson. The disrespect from not a dragon but a lowly human, Drax without breaking eye contact began to stocked closer to the boy still holding the guard at knife point, did not look away.

“Step forward boy, so that I may get a better look at such filth, who dare to challenge me-“

AS he stocked closer as an apex predator cornering his prey he continued

“You are the boy that was hidden in treason, I can smell Uma the gray from a mile away, her stench is all over you, -Show me what that traitorous outcast of a dragon risked her life to save.

The boy stepping forward, holding tight to the knife and tossing the injured solider to the ground, the Boy kept his eyes on the movement of the fearsome red dragon that now circled

“Uma the gray, fairly mute but pathetic non the less. Do you want to know the truth boy? That worthless Dragon had not only broken the laws for you but held Traitor blood in her veins since birth. Gray dragons are scarce for a reason the last of them died out in exile, all because of the last gray dragon commander betraying his kingdom and nearly wiping out dragon country from the days as we knew it. He made deals with witches only to save himself and his greed”

The king close, snarling with every word, continued to circle never breaking the boy’s eyes but as he continued the boy was steadfast arms at the ready for listing with anger rising

“However-” said Drax “He betrayed the wrong Covent and a curse was placed on him and all of his loins-”

Drax paused “Although She would never admit her dirty filthy line, we all knew all could tell, simply from the Gray in her scales. She could only be the spawn of the most hated and cursed dragon Tartarus. He was a traitor and So was She-!

At that moment Drax pounced but the boy was quicker scratching the tip of the knife along the Kings underbelly while yelling

“SHUT THE HELL UP!”

The king swung his tail and knocked the boy clear across the room slamming him against the wall.

You dare speak to me that way! Listen up all ye mutts watch as I show you what will happen if even a hair falls out of line!”

Turning his attention back to the boy, who struggling to get to his feet

“Death is the path you choose, then I will send you to your beloved traitor”

The King then raised his neck and threw his head back, inhaling massively before he aimed right at the boy and breathed flames that could rival all levels of hell, disintegrating everything in its path.

As the flames burned and danced, The King looked back at the rest

“There is nothing! no hope no hero, your lives are mine-!” Drax boomed

Yet once the flames cooled and the smoke cleared there stood the boy unharmed and naked as the day he was born, fangs pultruding and scales like armor that cased his whole body. Drax was taken aback as he seen the boy with eyes that glowed purple as amethyst gems.

“What are you boy- Drax whispered “w-who are you”

With ever step he took towards the King he answered with a voice not like his own but as if his mother spoke every word with him, through him

“I am the soul of love, the life essences and power of my mother who was no traitor’s spawn but the hatchling of a gem and golden warriors, and I am her revenge, I am my mother’s justice…Rynair!”

At that moment the boy moving quicker than light launch his self at Drax and the two began two began to fight.

Moving too fast for mortal eyes, as fire blazed, soldiers and humans alike tried to not get caught in the battle of the two.

At this moment Nature choose to manifest itself and freeze the bodies of all that was present.

Although frozen all ears could hear, and for the first time Nature begin to speak

“I am as old as time, as old as the dust of the earth, I am the keeper of balance. I speak today for I have watched and observed many things for some time now and I have come to realize much.

Humans are barbaric and lost, but you are a young race. Much is needed to curve your ways, so I will not destroy but indulge dragons till proven otherwise. Therefore, ones that are captured or obtained will follow your system of mutts, except those who are pure in heart they will be groomed and cherished as the two things most you proud dragons lack a heart and soul.

Dragons, your power will be half its truth until you can obtain and bond with your human soul, a bond so that your hearts may beat as one. Stuck are you the form you most despise until are balanced, including you King beware time is not on your side anymore until this comes to pass. This will be my decree and any who breach or break the balance I have set will endure my wrath, both races will end. This will be till I deemed otherwise or till peace has balanced itself once more.

As nature disappeared before their eyes the collars among the young fell and the King began to shift against his will he becoming trapped in his human form.

The king infuriated by the words of nature, for even though he could breath his flames, show his strength, and scales would come and go, his wings until he finds his heart and soul were forever clipped.

Rynair left the castle with those whose collars were dissolved and made his way, leading all who would listen and follow him. They traveled out and away from Tribel, away from dragon county, To settle on land all of their own. They called it Freyland and there Rynair reigned and would speak to all that would believe. There he would teach his mother’s teachings and warn those of nature’s decision. At first many doubted and thought Rynair’s words were the ramblings of a mad man, but then as dragons would capture their love ones and clasp collars around their necks, unable to break free, more and more would come from land all over for sanctuary. Those, however who wore the collar Rynair could not protect and was bound to obey and against all morals he had to give them back. The only salvation would be the hope of bonding and being free of such ordeals. As time went on more were captured but more were being born into the life of collars. This sickened Rynair and knew something had to be done but what?

In time The King, Drax’s anger and despair grew, for years he had hunted humans in order to find his bond and get rid of this treacherous curse nature had place upon him and every dragon but despite years of efforts, there had been to no avail. Finally, in his final attempt he wrote to Rynair requesting

that one night out of the year they would come to lay down their differences, so that dragons and souls alike could possibly find their bond.

At first Rynair was hesitant but thought it through and this may be the only way he could help all those he had to give back. In agreeing to this came the start of what is called the “Soul ball”