The Black Dragon of Astria

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. A fissure cracked the valley-wide open, and dragons soared out into the open sky; they were spread across the land of Astria, and humanity was given magical powers representing the colors of the dragons. People found new ways to live in Astria with their newfound gift from the dragons, and while there was for a time of wonder in curiosity, unfortunately, the land of Astria found itself in a long war called the Prismatic War. “Why is it called the Prismatic War,” a young boy asked. “Yeah, why not the Astria War” a young girl echoed. “Well, young masters, the war was between many mages that represented the colors of the dragons; now, will you let me continue the story, young masters?” the older man explained. “Alright,” both children sighed. Many lives were lost during the Prismatic War. Still, four heroes rose from the battlefield, each representing a color during the war. Their names are Hayden Azure, the blue mage, Rae Oran, the green mage, and your father, Godfrey Aidan. As the elderly man is about to say the last name, a person enters the room in full knights armor, but it wasn’t just regular knights armor; it was knights armor imbued with red dragon scales from head to toe with a red dragon head as a crest on the shoulder plates and chest of the armor. The knight walks forward, removes his helmet to show his face, kneels, and says, “Robert, Isabel, your father is home” both children run up to embrace their father. The elderly man stands and bows, “I hope your meeting with the other kingdoms went well, my lord” the elderly man says, “Ah yes, It went as well as I expected, Galwell,” Godfrey says, hinting that the talks between the other kingdoms haven’t gone anywhere in quite a long time “Father elder Galwell was telling us the story of how dragons came to Astria nad how you were apart of it!” Robert says with excitement in his voice. “Oh, he was well, let me get out of this armor, and I will take you to the throne room to finish this story.” With a snap of his fingers, flames erupt below and dissipate in seconds. Godfrey went from wearing his armor to a comfortable red and gold tunic with his creat over his heart and a long red cloak with gold trims. “Alright, with that done, let us go, my children.” they start to walk down to the throne room others who work in the castle bow in the presence of their king. They stand at attention and salute the maids, bow their heads, and admire the Godfrey not only because he is a pretty handsome man standing tall with long brown hair and dark brown eyes with a body that seems like it was sculpted by the gods, but not only did they admire him but they were jealous of the queen for being married to him. The throne room is massive; not only at the head is the king and queen’s throne made with red dragon scales, but there was enough room to comfortably fit the other kingdom’s royal company. “Alright, we are here, and there is where we finish our tale.” Godfrey points to a large stone tablet with a carved-out picture of him and the other two heroes with shiny gemstones, one blue, one red, and one green. “Wow, Father, I didn’t know you were in the center?” Robert looks in awe at the stone tablet. “So this sire is this what you and the other kingdoms agreed about” Galwell looks at him, knowing he had to do a lot of convincing to not only put himself in the center but also have the old tablet be on his throne room instead of the others “Hmmm oh yes well I couldn’t let this piece of history go to a museum I rather have it here.” Godfre,y says, “Father, what are those Dragons behind you and the heroes?” Isabell asks, “Oh well, those were the dragons that entrusted us with their strength, and we could end the war with that strength.” then, outside the window, a loud roar echoes outside. “Was that?” Robert runs to the window and looks all around, looking for what made that sound. “Here he comes, children; you might want to stand back a bit” Godfrey snaps his fingers, and the roof of the throne dissipates in flames, and a giant red dragon descend into the throne and lands in front of Godfrey. “Hello, old friend.” the Dragon pushes his head into the hand, and a voice echoes in Godfrey’s head. “Hello Godfrey, good to see you as well, friend.” the Dragon speaks to him telepathically. Robert and Isabell hide behind the chair cause they have never seen a dragon so up close, only in books. “Come over; he won’t eat you; he’s a friend.” Godfrey waves them to come over. Robert and Isabell walk cautiously to the Dragon, reaching their hands and touching his nose. “They were much smaller last time I saw them.” the Dragon tells Godfrey. “Well, they grow up fast.” Godfrey says aloud, “Can he talk, Father?” Robert asks, “Yes, they can but only with the one they trust their power and knowledge to... Where are my manners? Let me introduce you two to Azolla, one of three dragons that helped us win the war.” Azolla spread his wings wide and raised his head, and roared. Both kids looked up in awe. A beautiful woman came into the throne room wearing a long red dress decorated with scales and fire and a Godfrey family crest on her right shoulder. “I knew I heard Azolla roar from outside,” the woman says. “Ah, and there’s my beautiful wife, Queen Susanna!” Godfrey walks to her and embraces her. “Ah, I see you negotiated to get the stone tablet here …. And did you also get that statue at the bottom of the tablet?” she points to a statue that no one seemed to notice until now. It’s an obsidian statue of a man in full black armor standing up and holding a claymore over his shoulder. While everyone else looks in confusion, Godfrey and Galwell look in surprise. “This is a statue of a man tempted by dark magic from a black dragon. We defeated him after the war when we finally had peace, but he wanted more” Godfrey walks up to the statue and looks at it, and his eyes ignite red with fire. “Well, I don’t know where they got this from, but we don’t need it here, Azolla, destroy this statue!” Azolla’s chest glows as he reels back and blows a beam of fire straight at the statue, engulfing it in flames. Initially, the statue would be melting down, but it seems it’s absorbing the flames into it. “Azolla, stop!” Godfrey raises his hand and notices the statue doesn’t even have a scratch. Still, then all of a sudden, the statue begins to crack and pules with purple light as if something is beginning to break free. Then in a blink of an eye, the statue glows bright and bursts into an explosion that breaks the windows of the throne room. From the center of the explosion, a man falls out as if he had been in there for many years. Then he rises to his feet and looks around. “Ah, I know where I am, Godfrey Castel. I wonder how I got there, though?” the man says, curious, looking around the room. “Father, the evil man, came out of the statue,” Robert points towards the man “Evil man? I’m not surprised I guess the victor truly wrote history, eh Godfrey”.