Light and Chaos

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley… “

Said Pop Pop as he threw two more logs onto the fire. The flames falling over as if covered in a blanket before growing taller and brighter. Its light emerging from a gleam in my eyes, revealing my curiosity. Pop Pop smirked at the sight. The idea soaking in my head, my mind unable to absorb it. “There weren’t always dragons in the valley?” I repeated “But weren’t dragons one of the first creatures; how could that be?”

“Hehe” Laughed Pop Pop. “Indeed, they were but you see they are the most beloved by the gods. And as the most beloved, the gods found it hard to part with them. And so, for the first few hundred years of our land, dragons stood at the feet of the gods, gazing down at our world. “

The more he spoke the more questions sprouted in my mind. “If the gods loved them so much, why send the dragons here? Why give them up?”

“The gods had no choice. Unlike now, our world did not know such prosperity, such kindness. Back then mans’ hearts were blackened, and their minds cuckolded by a darkness that swallowed the land.”

“What was it, Pop Pop?” I asked.

“Their name was Corakinus.”

“Boom” a loud crash shot at us from behind. The shadows raced to the corner of the room as the chilling cool air crawled up my spine. “Finally, what took you all so long?” said Pop Pop.

“Well, we stopped to play with the snow but that was a mistake, the snow liked the game so much it didn’t want us to leave.” Recognizing the voice, I turned and ran to wrap my arms around her. “Mama!” I yelled squeezing her tight. Surprised by the sudden encounter she gave a concerned look at Pop Pop. My face delved into my mother’s fur coat; I heard more steps behind her. “Let me guess,” Said a deep yet comforting voice. “Pop Pop has been telling one of his stories again and that’s why she’s so excited.”

“Papa!” I yelled letting go of mama and jumping onto papa. He too was covered in furs to keep warm as he held my nearly asleep younger sister.

“Careful there little one,” Papa said caressing my face, “let us go inside and get warm.” Pop Pop walks over to seal the door and windows shut again. Papa lays my sister next to the fire then helps mama take off her coat. As the coat falls off, her round belly is revealed; her dress hanging like curtains from it. I rush over to help her sit in front of the fire while papa puts the coats away. “So dear Latna, can you tell me why you are still up and not fast asleep?” mama asked with a wary look.

“I couldn’t sleep” I answered nervously “and it was cold so…. so”

“I told her to warm up by the fire and I would tell a story until her eyes drifted shut.” Finished Pop Pop “Don’t blame the girl.”

“I know not to blame her, for you are the one at fault.”

“Hahaha, I suppose I am” his laugh echoing off the wooden frame of the house giving it life.

“What’s so funny?” whispered my little sister as she rubbed her eyes open.

“Look whose joined us.” Said Papa as he picks her up in his arms then sitting next to mama. “It looks like Pop Pop is in trouble with Mama.”

“Pop Pop is always in trouble with Mama.” Said my sister, emphasizing the word always.

“Yes, he is.” Laughed Papa

“Mama,” I said getting on my knees and clasping my hands in front of her. “Please let Pop Pop finish the story. Nital is awake now and I promise I will go lay down as soon as it is done.”

“Story! I want to hear!” said Nital fully awake now. Mama looked at Papa searching for an answer; he shrugged his shoulders. “Fine.” Said Mama “But as soon as it is done you both must lay down without a fuss. Do you understand?” Nital and I both nodded our heads desperately.

“Pop Pop, what story is it tonight?” Mama asked.

“I was telling Latna how the dragons came to be in our world and the battle for light that came soon after.” Said Pop Pop nodding to me and Nital, signaling that he was about to begin. We both sat in front of the fire staring at him ears perked. Pop Pop took out a pouch from his belt and poured a strange shiny powder into his hand. Looking into my eyes he said, “To those who fought it, it was known as The War of Endless Night and to those who survived it, it is known as The War of the Rising Sun. But to history, it is known as The Birth of the Light Saintess and Her Dragon of Chaos.” Without hesitation, he tossed the powder over the fire. Within moments, the shadows grew larger covering the outer edges and the house became unbearably quiet. The only sound left was the howling wind and snow. As Pop Pop begins to speak, I jolted up not realizing I have been focusing on the wind. His voice deep and resonating as the fire flickers and bends in response.

“Ask not why the sun rises nor where it falls

Ask not why the moon hides nor what lies behind its’ smile

Ask not why the seasons shift so wild

Within its presence all stand beguiled

When out on your own, do not stray too far

For fearsome creatures rule the valley

Dragons, we call them, Regal and gallie”

Enchanted by his words, the flames shifted revealing the image of a dragon, wings outstretched and its eyes domineering, dwelling within it. “In the beginning, there was a growing darkness.” Whispered Pop Pop, the room fluctuating to his voice. Shadows crawled towards the fire, reaching for its light. “Growing until it swallowed the land, the darkness brought devastation with it. A frost that withered all in its touch and a storm that crumbled mountains. But the worst, came after the darkness had completely taken the land. It was a pitch blackness that even fire could not penetrate. All believed that the sun itself……. had died. It did not take long for the fear to sink in.” That’s when I heard it, a ticking noise in the shadows, like the winding of a gear. Quite as mice but slowly growing closer all around us. Nital yanked me down to her chest. Her arms wrapped around me; I could feel her shaking as her eyes became glued to the shadows.

“The Shadow Kin attacked.” Spoke Pop Pop grimly. “Without mercy or indifference, the Shadow Kin attacked all creatures. A wave of fear and death, they flooded the land.” Within the flames, beings of smoke emerged distorted and rancid. Whimpering, Nital buried her face in my shirt. “The Shadow Kin swept through the land unmatched by any warrior or army. Just as the world seemed to meet its end, a shining light was born in the darkness.” The fire grew taller, emanating a beam of light that touched the ceiling. My eyes stared mesmerized by its beauty. A figure emerging inside it.

“Like the brake of dawn, an unknown woman stood on top of the hill, the warrior raised her sword to the sky. And a creature never seen until now, flew up above. Its wings extended and its jaws a gape, the creature released a pulse of light as an infernal of fire poured out its mouth, filling the sky. It was a dragon, the first to enter our world.” My heart racing with excitement, the picture filled me. The heat of the fire now more noticeable then ever. “Like the ocean waves, the pulsing light propelled the darkness.” Said Pop Pop, his voice becoming lighter. “With the power and ferocity only seen by the gods, the warrior and her dragon bond led the people in a victory over the Shadow Kin and sealing away the darkness that threatened our world.” The emanated light from the fire now fading away, leaving the image of a crowd of people thrusting their swords up to the warrior, sitting in my mind. The fire now calmed, and the house lightened, as if the whole thing was a dream. My sister Nital now asleep next to me, her head resting on my thigh. My eyes became heavy.

“Since that day, the warrior of light had been known as the first Saintess.” Spoke Pop Pop, his voice now fading. “The dragons were given a place among us as our world’s guardians and every few hundred years, a new Saintess is chosen with the birth of a new dragon.”

“But what about the val – valley?” I whispered as my head nodded up and down.

“Hehe, the dragons made home in the valley in the months after the war. Which is the very land the war was said to have taken place.” Chuckled Pop Pop.

“Could I have a dragon bond one day too?” I asked as he carried me to bed. Papa behind him holding a sleeping Nital in his arms.

“Of course, but then you would have to be chosen as the next Saintess.”

“Could I be – be Saintess?”

Pop Pop cover Nital and I in a blanket then caressed my face. “It is possible my little Latna.” My eyes now closed; everything went dark.

“Latna”

My soft bed began to feel like rock and a pain on my side slowly growing.

“Latna”

I turned to my other side, a stiffness in my joints became present as a frigid wind licked my skin.

“Latna” said a deep voice in my mind. It was regal and intimidating but I could feel a strong concern in it as if he were talking to a loved one.

“Latna” the voice said again “It is time.”

The first thing I noticed was the smell, it was the rotting of flesh and smoke. It filled the air I can almost taste it. Feeling nauseous, I awoke to the inside of a cave. A small fire sat on the opposite side trying its hardest to stand tall against an overbearing wind. A constant booming was reverberating through the ground. I could hear cries of people and clashing of metal. As I stood up, I felt like a statue coming to life. My body was stiff and slow as the frigid air only grew stronger. I walked to the opening of the cave, my hand rubbing against the rugged stone of the inner walls. “Good your awake.” Said the voice again. Finally exiting the tunnel, I felt as if my eyes had opened for the first time. The light pierced right through them. I realized where the voice was coming from as my vision slowly became clear. Its height was that of the tallest tree and its width was that of a great lake. It stood there domineeringly in front of me, commanding my attention. “A dragon?” I thought “I see, now it’s coming back to me.”

“What was the dream?” spoke the dragon its voice taking up residence in my head. “It felt happy but there was much sorrow. “

“It was a memory from long ago.” I said placing my armor over the nearly torn apart chainmail sitting on top of me. “From a time now forgotten to me.”

“It is only natural that the mind would want to escape to happier places in conditions like these.” The cries only becoming louder and the booming more frequent, I can feel the clash of the battle through the ground. “It seems that war has started without us.”

“Indeed, “said the dragon his head now next to me looking directly at me. “Shall we see if we can turn the tide?”

“Come now, have you forgotten who I am?” I chuckled. “How about a little contest?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“The usual of course. The one with the most kills wins.” A gale of wind flooded the ground as the dragon flapped its wings.

“That isn’t even a challenge.” Smirked the dragon

“My, you are arrogant even for a dragon.”

“Shall I prove it?” said the dragon now smiling “Are you ready?”

“Always my friend.” I said pulling my sword from its sheath. Its gold hilt and silver blade shining brilliantly. “Then let us begin!” shouted the dragon as it shot through the air like a bolt of lightning. The sound of the air against its wing created a whistling screech, resonating throughout the land. He vanished into the clouds. I sprinted. Dodging the trees and large rocks, I reached the edge of the cliff. Standing there I could see the whole battlefield, reaching far past my sight. A screeching whistle grew louder behind, and I knew he was close. Closing my eyes, I imagined a light within me at my center. The flame grew into a fire, and I opened my eyes. My skin glowing like a brilliant sun, the ground began to melt. I can feel its warmth filling me. Then he flew past me as his roar bounced across the land. As everything went quiet, all I could hear was the whistle of the wind. I leaped from the cliff seemingly flying through the air. When I met with the ground again, I came with the force of a fallen star.