Fantasy

The Tribes of Maw Valley
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. My great-grandfather, Chief Searing Cloud, used to tell me stories about how life was for my people before we encountered the great drakes. The nine tribes that made us up, now unified, once held nothing but malice in their hearts for one another. We were quick to anger which in turn made us hateful creatures who killed one another over things that could easily be shared. Things like land and natural resources, now bountiful, felt finite then so we sent our children to fight and die for centuries.
By J.S. Daniel4 years ago in Fiction
Squelching the Flames
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. One hundred years had passed, and it had been quiet, but when the volcano started to become active, it seemed to be a beacon that called the dragons back. No one knew why, but villages had burned in the chaos they brought with their return.
By Oula M.J. Michaels4 years ago in Fiction
Chosen Roots
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Willow waited to feel the familiar tingling sensation in her chest each time she reread the first line in one of her favorite books, "The Blue Dragons." Usually, she could quickly disappear into the pages and leave this world behind when she read that book. A few words would transport her from her reality into a 200-plus page fantasy. That is what she desperately needed at that moment, but the feeling wouldn't come. Instead, her reality was latched on with what felt like an unbreakable grip, and she couldn't get it off.
By Azurai Lynne4 years ago in Fiction
The Albatross
“There weren't always dragons in the Valley,” said Alberta. Leo glanced up from tying Alberta’s shoes. She was peering intently back at him with her pale, gray eyes. “Oh, really?” he asked. “Where were they then?” He smiled and returned to his task. While this was his first time working with Alberta, he had worked with enough elderly dementia patients to not be surprised by anything they said.
By Christina Longanecker4 years ago in Fiction
Mayra and the Dragon Hunters
Chapter One There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. The Great Barrier was a magical force flied that made sure not a single dragon laid a claw on our land. Its magic protected us with years of prosperity. But, as with most magic, the Great Barrier had a major flaw.
By WRLB4 years ago in Fiction
The Great Beginning
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Then again, there wasn’t always a Valley either. Just shy of 25 years ago, the world’s greatest scientists collaborated for the NIPCA Project (Nuclear International Particle Collision Accelerator). This was in attempt to save our dying world by creating a simulated reality where trials and errors can be replicated and solutions to such concerns could be resolved in a safely controlled environment and in a time efficient manner. In success of the project, however, it grew wearily apparent that our own world may very well be that of a simulation as well. Not long after, anything became possible – Myth became truth, and things once thought to be true, mere speculation. The nations of the world swiftly banded together in attempt to protect the project and control the mass of information dumping into a society not quite ready to receive it. Yet the inevitable was bound to occur. Partial knowledge progressed to confusion, followed by anger, and finally war. Amid the chaos nearly half a year from its birth, project NIPCA proved to not only be the proof that with time, life can flourish from nothingness, but that control, ignorance and fear will continue to be possible catalysts to tear that life apart.
By Si-J4 years ago in Fiction
Waves Unknown
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Ivallena repeated the phrase in her mind, it was calming, comforting. At least it was supposed to be. It was a phrase that reminded her things had once been different, and that if they had changed once, they could change again. It was a reminder of the only certainty the universe truly provided: the promise of impermanence. However, even with all the conviction behind her affirmation, its efficacy waned every time she found herself evoking the sentiment. More often these days she found herself thinking that it didn’t matter if things would change again, if she wouldn’t be there to see it. She pushed down the negativity. She couldn’t afford to make her customers uncomfortable, not even the dreadful dragons. And so, she lightly tapped her flush green cheeks, let out a deep exhalation, and put on her most welcoming smile.
By Jim Alvarez4 years ago in Fiction
Safe Haven
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. At least, there wasn’t supposed to be. A rising dread crept up Nhial’s spine as she surveyed the scene. There was little doubt about what had caused the deep gouges in the earth, when accompanied by the still smouldering blackened patches of the tough, hardy grassland. The bleak landscape was dotted with small, windblown shrubs; the insistent, biting wind that was funnelled through the valley didn’t allow for anything to grow more than a few feet up from the barren earth. As desolate as the valley was, with boulders scattered around as if thrown by some gleeful giant centuries ago and the only colours as far as the eye could see a dreary grey and brown topped with snow-capped peaks, it was supposed to be safe from dragons. Nhial pulled her woolskin cloak tighter around her shoulders and hefted her spear, knowing that the six-foot length of aged oak with a sharpened flint held to the end with dried sinew would be of little use if a dragon was still around. Scanning the sky, Nhial held her breath, as if any small sound she made might betray her. The wind whistled in her ears, and as much as she strained her senses she couldn’t hear the tell-tale sound of beating wings or catch the scent of reptilian stink. After a few moments, she breathed out, half assured that she wasn’t facing imminent death.
By Luke Smith4 years ago in Fiction
Prologue
There hadn’t always been dragons in the Valley. Fifty years ago, executions like these had been carried out by the Dawnglaive themselves in the palace courtyard, the King looking down from the balustrade and the peers of the realm lining the steps. That was before Tedric’s time, but Kennel-master Jannes had spoken of it, grim and curt as she tightened her kit and inspected her hounds’ paws in preparation for the queen’s last escort. “There’s worse ways to die for a woman found unfaithful,” she’d said. “Worse and longer. Fire may be a mercy compared to the sword.”
By Grace Preston4 years ago in Fiction
Knox
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. These were the first few words that hung high over the heads of all who would come towards the throne room of Midas. Adorned as a part of a large tapestry that tells the history of not only the nation of Midas, but of all Fraus. An older knight and a young boy walk up the grand staircase towards the throne room. The older knight patiently waits in front of the throne room as the young boy’s eyes and mind wander to the depictions of glorious heroes prevailing over horrid dragons.
By Tyler C Douglas4 years ago in Fiction
The Chamber of Monumental Failures
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. And if it weren't for Finnegan Frey of Fernleigh Fields, there would still be no dragons in the Valley. Suffice to say, poor Finnegan Frey only did what he did because it was exactly what the Valley needed.
By Dan Foster4 years ago in Fiction
Southpaw
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. There used to be people. He vaguely remembered the shopping mall, bristling with humans going about their lazy Sunday.
By Mike Scott 4 years ago in Fiction