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The Age of Scyinium

Prologue: Rising Tensions

By Andrea LawrencePublished 2 years ago 7 min read
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There weren't always dragons in the Valley of Lucerna. It used to be a haven for biodiversity: woodland creatures, colorful butterflies, huckleberries, and wildflowers. About 30 years ago, a warlock searching for the rare aurum rosa (a flower known for its healing properties), came across traces of the indestructible metal: scyinium.

The warlock met with King Thracius the IV and Queen Hortensia of Cerasus. He told them about the location where he found the highly sought-after metal. Scouts were sent to survey the valley, and soon plans were made to mine the area between the two peaks: Albus Stella and Widow Mortem. The metal, scyinium, is exceptionally heavy. A cupful of it weighs somewhere around half a ton or 70 stones. It cannot be excavated simply by human methods.

Scyinium is valuable as Gigans can't break through it with their fists and weapons. The seers of the Kingdom of Cerasus foretold war in coming years with the giant species. The rivers and lakes would turn blood red, skeletons would be stacked in the castle courtyard, and the stars would weep and send flaming rocks to hit the planet's surface.

The Gigans are far stronger and faster than humans. There had been peace for many years between the two groups, but it was becoming clear that the Gigans of the North were quickly depleting their resources, and soon they would break peace agreements to sack Cerasus.

The king's advisors were in agreement that if they could forge scyinium and build walls and domes with it, the Gigans could be stopped. Rumors have swirled since then that scyinium has other desirable properties. The metal is said to heal wounds, slow down time, and make people immortal. There are many a tale of its uses at pubs and inns. Most of the rumors are hogwash.

In order to procure the metal, King Thracius the IV turned to the School of Mages to use their spells to manipulate dragons. The beasts are strong enough to haul heavy ore and bring it to a forge. The liminia mages, sometimes called the gray mages, invented necklets imbued with spells for the dragons to wear. While wearing the necklets, the dragons stay under the control of their masters, never fighting back, obeying their commands, and acting like machines.

Dragons were captured from every corner of Cerasus: the Forests of Umbra Song, the Ignis Desert, and the Tempestas Plains. The beasts were chained and connected to mine carts. They're whipped when they try to win back their autonomy; they're not allowed to misbehave by even a thread. They must show obeisance to the Crown, or else they'll become the food and clothes of the Gigans.

Every person and creature must dedicate themselves to Cerasus' mission to prevent the North from having a successful invasion. Gigans are ruthless and cunning. They're the parasites of the planet. They consume whatever they want and plunder whenever they've gone empty. They live north beyond the mountains. They force slaves to build them golden mansions. They wear bright jewels and expensive furs. They have no compassion for what they deem as lesser species, so they feel no regret for the suffering they cause.

Many have wondered if the dragons are under a spell of obedience or if they know what terrible things could happen under the rule of foreign enemies. The reptilians' sacrifice helps delay the pains of war.

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The Valley of Lucerna has been turned into a barrenscape for mines. No lily waves in the wind, the birds don't sing their songs, and the small mammals no longer play. The valley is hot and dangerous as the dragons drag their bellies on the ground, puffing up dust into the air. On occasion, a dragon will breathe out fire, making for a violent inferno that only the beasts can withstand. Humans watch over the operation from the mountains. They must wear protective gear if they work in the area.

For 30 years, the plans of the King and Queen of Cerasus unfolded without a problem. Walls and towers were built. People began to believe they had a fighting chance against their enemies. But on one fateful day in Aprilis 262AD, something strange happened in the mines. Agents of the Crown had to call one of the Masters from the School of Mages for help.

A white dragon went missing. Dragons are worth a fortune, so losing one is a major loss. This was the first one to disappear.

The Master of somnum mages was called to assemble a team of four. Somnum mages practice the healing side of magic; they're uniquely trained to find and heal humans and animals. They're well-suited to find a missing dragon. The Master, Syan Fieddgler, assigned the following mages to the quest:

Yero Scavius: An old man who has practiced somnum since he was a child. An expert at confusing and silencing foes. He prefers to live as a hermit, casting spells to send strangers away and leave him in quietness. He remembers what the Valley of Lucerna was like before the mining process began.

The man carries with him daggers and short blades as a form of protection. A knife can come in handy when wandering the woods and mountains.

Recinia Jyde: A young woman who knows how to turn plants into medicines or poisons. The teenager has been referred to as the Forest Witch of the age. She can quickly assemble the necessary ingredients for a potion. Her family is a famous group of nomads: they travel around the country to encounter and chronicle new flora. Syan recruited Recinia to the school after coming across her family's medicine stand at the Festival Honoring the Dragons.

The young woman carries with her a bow that's been passed down her family. She crafts her own arrows.

Cressidan Hycroft: A middle-aged man known for his spells that can make others believe they're in a state of euphoria. He has the ability to hide pain. Cressidan and Syan are cousins. They grew up together in Cerasus Proper, the city surrounding the royal castle.

The man is an experienced fencer. In his youth, he went to an academy for swordplay.

Eradinae Hrolt: A woman, slightly older than Recinia, who is perhaps the most clever of them all. She has the rare ability to call upon the help of the Aether World to do any healing magic she dreams of creating. Eradinae is a recent graduate of the School of Mages. She grew up in an adopted family in Kthroligen, a small rural village east of the Tempestas Plains.

The woman has a staff made from one of the branches of a tree in the Forest of Umbra Song. It has ancient runes engraved on it.

The four somnum mages are stationed at different parts of the Valley of Lucerna. They have begun their search for the white dragon. Eradinae has taken the most curious path, which is where this story begins: the woman's descent into the underground to find the dragon and her encounter with the Pumilio, the forgotten dwarves who know of the ancient history between the Cerasusians and Gigans better than any other living soul.

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Before venturing into the saga, there is something the reader should know. The seers of Cerasus have long foretold of a hero like Eradinae. Since the last great war with the Gigans more than 300 years ago, a prophecy has been passed down:

"The rolling waves of darkened sea bring forth

a child wrapped in yellow silk and jewels.

A carriage will take the girl yonder north

where quick she'll drive out cantankerous ghouls.

A girl to wander the woods, plains, and hills

the places where her ancestors once thrived.

Rumors will abound of her magic skills;

souls will pilgrimage to places she lived.

The girl wields a staff with ancient runes;

she won't know how to read its strange script.

But she will be the one to birth two moons

and free the sacred dragons from the crypt.

The high priestess is coming with her dreams

the one who will find the forgotten streams."

Fantasy
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About the Creator

Andrea Lawrence

Freelance writer. Undergrad in Digital Film and Mass Media. Master's in English Creative Writing. Spent six years working as a journalist. Owns one dog and two cats.

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Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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