Fantasy

Destiny's Rider
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Brenn Half-Blade, wood elf swordsman, could scarce remember a time where there were not though. However this was before the Great Calamity of twenty summers ago, during the Magi War which had wreaked havoc the world around. Dragons, as much as they could be given how territorial they were, had been fairly plentiful. In fact, they had strived to build lasting relationships with the villages and cities in their territories, and in exchange for acting as protectors of a sort, would be supplied food for their bellies and gifts for their hoards by the grateful people who lived therein. Brenn remembered the wise old green dragon who had protected his village of tree elves with sad fondness.
By brandon vonseggern4 years ago in Fiction
Prey of the Valley
“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” An old, grey man sitting across from me spoke yet again, another complaint. He had been rambling on the entire tip.
By Jeanne Timmerman 4 years ago in Fiction
Sentinel
There weren’t always dragons in The Valley. The beasts were accustomed to remaining in their vast caves which honeycombed the surrounding Crimson Range, emerging only to mate or to hunt. As mating season lasted only a few days each year, and as there were Scargoats aplenty to be found in the mountains for food, the dragons had no real motivation to descend from the Range. Nevertheless, it wasn’t uncommon, as the occasional charred, discarded bones of a Sapper attested.
By Simon Ohlhaut4 years ago in Fiction
THRAINE
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. They’d arrived in chains and cages a week ago, along with the news that Emperor Titus Cereillius was dead.
By James Goggin 4 years ago in Fiction
Lost Heir
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. It used to be a peaceful place, one filled with life and happiness. Those times have long since passed, however I still look back on those memories with fondness and hope that one day those times will return. I look forward to the day when you can watch the dryads' once again frolic through the serene fields, collecting wildflowers for their hair, or weaving them into crowns to gift to one another. I know that one day the rivers will no longer be the sludge they are now and will be restored to their previous life-giving beauty, providing sustenance and nourishment once more to the Valley. However, none of that can happen until the dryads of the Valley are no longer cursed to be confined to their trees, unable to break free due to the charred remains holding them captive.
By Kylie Kopf4 years ago in Fiction
𝑫𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑰𝑺𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑬
There wasn’t always dragons in the valley. Nor clean stream in the lake. As long ago it may seem, ‘‘twas a time of true sadness. Glimpses of grey and weakened eyes met amongst the poverty fog. 1941, Lancashire - north of rural England. Father moved a lot for work and as follows so did I. But this town, this one little lost town held something profound. Something that didn’t want to be found. Far greater than a pirates treasure and beyond the wealth of even the deepest pockets.
By Chanté Naomi 4 years ago in Fiction
Fate Bender
FATE BENDER By Kyle Edwin Salveson There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Yet, from his vantage upon the towering cliffs of Trapitl-Himilien, the keen, celestine eyes of Aodh Ollaimhalla discerned three figures aloft, soaring splendidly on the waning warm winds of summer's end. The ruby, emerald, and sapphire of their scales glimmered with divine enchantment. They flickered in and out, illuminated in the night sky by the pale light of a shattered moon, whose tragic fragments trailed eerily across the void. Circling amidst the thin cloudscape with supreme grace and strength, the dragons saw, heard, and knew all that transpired within the verdant expanse, the Valley's solemn guardians. Aodh found it a sobering reverie, surveying the far-flung sanctuary of the elusive wild elves, which was now a refuge for the final congregation of surviving creatures of the world.
By Kyle Edwin Salveson4 years ago in Fiction
Sins of the Father
“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” Hedwig, Violet’s great-grandfather, shifted in his seat, obviously uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the youngest of his son’s line. He had never known how to speak to her properly after her mother had died under his watch. “Our people did not live here either, back then; we were outcasts, always traveling from land to land, city to city, for we could not live anywhere for long. We were cursed, you see, to never find a land of our own.” “How can we live here, then?” Violet cut in, her serpent coiled around her arm. “Curses can’t be broken so easily; I’ve never even heard a story that would suggest something so ludicrous. Our neighbors have one on their household, and they’re fairly lucky that it’s so mild. Even so, their kid can barely breathe sometimes because he broke a promise they made on his behalf! Once! It’s almost insulting that…” She trailed off slowly. The old man was watching her, patiently waiting for her to stop speaking so he could resume his story. From the darkness behind him, another pair of eyes stared, amused, at the exchange, and the long, tapered tail that formed the body attached to them wound tighter around Hedwig’s chair. Glints of multicolored light shimmered as they caught the feathers around the dragon’s head, as it leaned down to hear the discussion more clearly. Shrinking back into her seat, Violet’s dragon looked back and followed her cue, slithering back up her arm and hiding inside her hair, with only its head left poking out. “Objection withdrawn. Sorry. That was out of turn.” “It’s alright,” the old man said, “it’s an unbelievable claim, I know. But you and I both know that none of your cousins who left the Valley of Serpents and settled beyond it have lasted very long. It was only last week, I believe, that Darion and his wife moved out, no? Martha?” “Yes, sir.” The maid in the corner answered as if the conversation had been scripted beforehand. “And how are they settling in?” “According to their last letter, Darion has been having anxiety attacks since they reached their new house, and their baby has fallen ill.”
By lhamestes4 years ago in Fiction
Under the Dragon's Wing
There weren't always dragons in the valley. One day they just appeared there, as if out of nowhere. No one knew why or where they came from. The valley was surrounded by a ring of magical fire. Deep red flames flickered and flared but never died even in driving rain or biting cold, flames that never spread to the woods surrounding the valley or the village on the other side. An ever-present burgundy glow marred the village’s otherwise drab horizon, a tantalizing reminder of a mystery unsolved.
By Morgan Rhianna Bland4 years ago in Fiction
The Death Save
Chapter 1 Death is Only the Beginning "There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Nor was their existence in this realm natural, for they had to be summoned from the pits of Hades itself. Since the last days of the Orc King, Kral, there is only one being to exhibit absolute mastery over these beasts of fire. The smell of sulfur fills the air as a low rumble resonates from behind the Gates of Felheim." Kyle says in an overly epic voice. He sits behind a folded board game wall with legions of enemy game pieces at his disposal. All there to tell the story of his carefully constructed tabletop dungeon crawler campaign that's taken weeks to prepare. However, this is a new twist.
By Shea Lambert4 years ago in Fiction
A Fateful Journey
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Once upon a time, this world was free from magic. We went about our lives with peace and purpose.
By Alicia Anspaugh4 years ago in Fiction
The Dragons Remember
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. When I was still young, the morning sun creeping above the horizon, I would lead our goats through the village gates to lazily wander wherever the choicest grasses led us. On really hot days, I would lounge on the mossy bank beneath the old willow, its thin silvery leaves waving gossamer fingers in the breeze.
By John Cox4 years ago in Fiction