Fantasy
The Charge of the Dragons
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. But when they came, they were strange and terrifying to behold. Writhing, hateful masses of tentacles. These maritime nightmares had long, reptilian mouths filled with wicked teeth, on stout bodies from which countless appendages protruded. Strands of seaweed still clung to their jaws and foam ran down their backs. They were ripping up the snow and soil beneath themselves as they charged blindly ahead with gnashing fangs. There were roughly a dozen of them in this stampede. Hissing and clicking, beating themselves further into a rage. Clouds of vapour began to rise from their blubbery torsos as the exertion of scrambling up the dry land heated their bodies against the biting of the air. Fuelled by the fire of fury within them, they continued tearing up the hard dirt beneath themselves, leaving a dark trail behind of ruined land like a stroke of a tarred brush on a fresh canvas.
By Max Armstrong4 years ago in Fiction
The Unveiling
There weren’t always any dragons in the valley. While I was out for a run this morning trying to prepare for a color run marathon I so stupidly said I would be a part of, I came across a valley near the foot hills in Tennessee. This valley was as beautiful as the heavenly skies all around it. With its rich beautiful meadows, charming landscape and trees as far as the naked eye could see. At the center of this valley stood a luxurious waterfall that feel about 2 hundred feet down the side of the mountain, splashing and spreading water to all the gorgeous plant life in the valley. The valley was my favorite place to run, relax and think. It is a place I could run to and get away from the world around me. I was finishing up my senior year of high school. This year looked as if it was going to finally be my year. I have had a very difficult time all throughout school. Being bullied by people that could never understand me and most certainly did not understand the nature of my physical self. Growing up I spent months on end in he hospital so I could walk. Even through endless hospitalizations and surgeries, I wanted nothing more than to be something I so desperately dreamed of. That was to be athletic and compete in sports. I loved many sports and wanted to be apart of that click. I figured that running this color run marathon, I could finally gain the respect and just maybe a small amount of admiration from my fellow students. This valley would give me peace of mind and an even stronger peace in my heart. Even though I truly have no idea of who I really am, out here I could truly be me. Being out here made me feel at one with nature. In the real world, I was nothing, a nobody and people saw that in me. Because of that I was bullied and picked on relentlessly. I am a naturally quiet person and not one for confrontation. I just stood there listening to the mean comments, and took the embarrassment of the practical jokes. People took advantage of my non confrontational demeanor.As I was running along the river to get to the waterfall. I could smell smoke all around me. Thinking maybe there were some survivalist out camping or something of that nature, but as I drew closer to the waterfall I could hear some really odd noise's also. The noise was so unfamiliar that it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Even though I thought this was a little creepy, my curiosity get the best of me and I had to investigate. I was feeling a strange pull towards the edge of the waterfall. something wanted me to see what was happening. I finally got to the waterfalls edge. I stopped to take in the majestic view. It was as peaceful as the birds in the sky and as beautiful as the sun shining on millions of diamonds reflecting all the colors of the rainbow. As I admired the scene, the water began stirring around, at the same time it was turning as orange as hot molten lava. I did not understand what was happening, but it was so orange that it actually had a glow as if I was looking at a forest fire on the horizon. The smell of smoke was becoming more profound and I began to cough. The smoke became so thick that I was struggling to breathe and I felt light headed. As I stood there trying to regain my footing my vision began to sway like I was falling into a nightmare. My knees buckled and I fell to the ground hitting my head on a small rock. I don't think I passed out however I'm truly not sure, because what I saw in the sky circling like a vulture waiting for the carcass of a dead animal that was being eaten by another predatory animal. It was something very large and seemed to be spewing fire from its mouth. Realizing it was a fire breathing dragon I could not wrap my mind around what I was seeing. The dragon seemed angry and it had lit all of the valley on fire like it was eating its lunch.The dragon was huge in the sky, I could not imagine how big it was up close. I could see the dragons individual scales, they seemed to be the size of a small tire. They were black and emerald green with a shimmering like a pond of gold. The eyes were also emerald green with specks of gold throughout and I could see them clearly when I looked up from the ground. All I could do was lay there on the ground at the edge of the waterfall, I could not move, my legs were so tired and my head was beginning to ache as if someone was hammering nails into it. The dragon made me feel safe and for some odd reason I knew that this dragon was not going to hurt me. I closed my eyes just for a second and when I opened them, she had landed across the river from me. She was a beautiful creature. I struggled to sit up and look into her stunning eyes. Its wing span was so large i could not see the edge of them no matter how hard I tried. Suddenly, the dragon clapped its wings together over the water creating a round puff of smoke over the waterfalls edge. The smoke was circling in a counter clock wise manner like a portal to another realm. I have to admit I was frightened but at the same time I was much more curious about what was happening. Without warning, the dragon roared, causing me to cover my ears, she clapped her wings together and suddenly everything went black.
By Dawn Adams4 years ago in Fiction
Pestilence
There weren't always dragons in the valley. Granted, "dragons" is really just how they’ve come to be known. A colloquial calling, if you will. Nobody cares to talk about what they really are. I don't blame them. Nobody likes to talk about how it all started. And again, I truly don't blame them. They don't want to accept the part they play in the chaos they create.
By Hailee Boucher4 years ago in Fiction
Thorne
Thorne By Sheryl Cruger Chapter 1 There weren’t always dragons in the valley. My father’s stories always started off with that phrase. On the cold winter nights my sisters and I would gather around the fireplace and beg to hear the tales of what life in the valley had been like in the days of his youth. Before the five great, impervious, black fortresses of stone erupted from the earth, bringing their guardians, the dragons, with them. Before the wars between these fortresses had scorched the earth black with dragon fire. Before the fields and forests finally regrew from the ashes in the uneasy peace from the war… Before I found myself now, soaring through the endless blue sky, touching clouds with my fingertips.
By Sherry Cruger4 years ago in Fiction
The Dragon Wars
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Though it was all I’d ever known, there were those who remembered. I’d grown up hearing tales of a time when men and dragons existed in peace. Our region thrived in those days with beautiful, thick forests and crystal lakes. None of that existed now.
By Shell Fowler4 years ago in Fiction
A Cure for the Dead
“There were not always dragons in the valley. They used to not even exist, but something pulled them from the fiery depths of imagination and brought them forth into reality. The gods allowed them to come forth and reign their terror on the earth for I am sure this isn’t the only valley infected by the parasites. They wander all day and night looking as if they are dead. The shells of these creatures ravage the valley. They were once only of legends and stories; however, they were never said to be this grim. The dragons of old were told to have claws of steel and wings of gold. Their breath was as hot as the noon sun and their wisdom exceeded even the monks. They were beautiful and glorious! But I suppose those are just fairy tales and fiction, for the real dragons are ruthless and terrifying. When they came, they brought darkness with them, covering the land with gloom as far as the eye could see. The sky is still covered to this day. They are out at all hours, ravaging the bottom of the mountains, waiting for prey to wander down into their domain. I have seen it before, even though I wish I had not. The fury that comes upon each and every being as soon as they step onto their land is absolutely terrifying. And no one can escape them. They try to run and hide but the dragons all follow until their enemy is dead. They don’t even eat their catch…only kill it. The dragons cannot be killed; well, no one has been able to succeed. There have been some who tried to confront the beasts; yet, they all froze in fear and were destroyed by their foe. People have left this land in droves in the hopes of finding a better, more tranquil place to dwell. Some left for a distant kingdom, DeQual, that we are allies with. However, when I have tried to contact my old friends, I never receive a response. I almost assume that DeQual has also fallen to these same beasts that plague our valley. But I have noticed they are no longer staying in the valley. The dragons have gotten more daring and are starting to cross even their own borders they assigned to their land. Sometimes I will look out of the watchtower and spot one wandering a little too close to the outer walls of the castle. But what does that matter now. I am the only one here in the once-great land of Kaln. All people have left in fear of what the dragons would do. No one but I am curious enough to stay, to see what these creatures will do. I do not know what the future brings, but I am hopeful it is not as dark as some of the stories I have read in the now abandoned library. Entry 1; Date: 37-42 of the year 907.”
By BabyDragon Inc.4 years ago in Fiction
Sanctity Lost
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. But it would certainly have seemed that way to almost anyone. The dragons were born second only to the primal deities, and of course to the Creator God. They were the firstborn children of Nature, and as such took on certain qualities of her. There was Water and Wind, Earth and Fire, Summer and Winter, Light and Dark. From these original eight, the lesser dragons were born, but it was only these primal ones who were recognized by humans as worthy gods.
By Ryland Wilson4 years ago in Fiction
The Accursed Mountains
“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” Edon’s voice boomed over the field. “That’s what your children and your grandchildren will tell each other.” He held his sword up to the cloudless sky, the sunshine an indicator that there was still ample time before the fighting would begin. Rovena, standing near the back of the army, worried about the pleasant weather. “In rotted castles and lifeless towns, they’ll whisper to each other the tales of the golden days. Of the days when the sun shone, and crops still sprouted-”
By Annie Marie Morgan4 years ago in Fiction
