The Descent of Dragos - 1

The Descent of Dragos

Part 1 - Setting and Setup

October 16, 2067

The beeping of the medical equipment put Edmond on edge. Edmond Gradon was the far descendant of the king of the Day, the protector of legends. It is his lineage that makes him the choice candidate for this newest of procedures. In recent months a new archaeological site unleashed new possibilities upon the world. For the site gave meaning to the kingdoms of Day, unleashed the knowledge of magic and miracles, and beasts of myths and stories were brought to new life.

The science of cloning mixed with the new magical power allowed the creation of the pure form beast. These were wild and unpredictable, feral, and therefore not very useful to the ways of man. Nothing more than that of new biological zoos. For what everyday family wouldn’t want to see griffons dancing across the sky, hydras occupying caves, the shiny golden fields of the righteous sheep, sea monsters that are many times the size of blue whales and serpent-like. These were but a few of the animals and though their shapes were new and unique properties fun to look at, they still acted like their various cousins and family members. Like wild animals.

So with that knowledge, we come back to Edmond. This poor soul, this son of lost kings, this child of the modern age, was practically given a death sentence. Because of his vast background and the estranged ancestors, he was being prepared to become one with his birthright.

For the King of Day was the greatest protector and the legend above all others. The king whose horde of wealth was mountains of knowledge and gold, jewels and books, precious oils and vats of preserved blood. The King of Day was a magical hybred of man and beast. The king of men and beasts. Crowned with the fleece of sheep, and fire of the elders. The King was a Dragos, the perfected hybred of men and dragons. Depictions of the king flying among stars was enough to whet the appetites of modern science.

A nurse came into Edmond’s room and Edmond felt sheepish. He had been found through the planetary search. For all true citizens had been catalogue like that of many books, and if one wanted to move around Earth, Mars and Venus as well as their moons, then their blood was their identification, and therefore their passport. So with that every secret of one’s past is known and recorded.

The paper shirt that Ed wore barely covered his private parts, but from what he was told he may not be alive long enough to deal with his shyness.

“Nervous?” The question from the nurse felt like it was far away and obvious. She adjusted the IV and introduced a slow drip.

“Is it that obvious?” Ed said as he clenched the blanket in his hands.

“Just relax. The process may be the first of its kind, but it will be like going to sleep and you won’t even know what is happening.” She rubbed his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

“So I go to sleep as a man and wake up as a what? A monster?”

“As the King of Legends, the true ruler of beasts and men. Either that or you may just remain a man. That is what this whole experiment is about to find out what will happen.”

Ed laid back in his bed as he felt the cool liquid slide down the IV and through his veins. Though her words were imprecise they were slightly comforting. He did relax and he worried less. Perhaps there was truly nothing to worry about.

“Sleep for a bit. The doctors will come and take you to the operation room afterward.”

Ed did as she asked and fell asleep. Though he was restless and his dreams were dark, he still slept. What seemed like moments to him, were hours to others.

Scientists and Sorcerers, dreamers and rulebreakers, these were the men that set out to find out if gods existed. For what are myths and legends without Zeus and his powerful thunderbolt, or Heracles and his mighty strength, Ares and his power to inspire war in normal men. Some gods had the strength of nations, while others could influence worship and make themselves more powerful than others.

Doctor Charlie Hadley had been trained as a biochemical and human genetics engineer. He had doctorates in both fields and was the first man to successfully clone golden sheep with the help of his partner, Grant Crom Wizard. Grant had been an archeologist before he was imbued with the magic of the ancients. When that happened, he began to see the world in a new light. Lines of magic wrapped not only around the world but throughout the solar system and beyond. Lines of mana that would allow for travel beyond the asteroid field and even beyond the Sun’s gravity. The field of magic had allowed for wizards to make startling discoveries that would simply reshape the future of men.

Hadley and Crom had spent hours together perfecting the craft of making magical animals and items mixed so well with the science of 2045 that men could now achieve miracles. However, diseases were still detrementing mankind, cancers and viruses. Thus the cloning of mythological animals took off, and the search for the golden fleece was sought. After the sheep was cloned and flocks of gold were made, mankind was ushered in a true Golden Age

The abolishment of disease and life threatening scenarios brought about the search for life beyond Earth. Though the conditions were harsh, the golden fleeces kept every man, woman, and child in perfect health and not one was lost. But as men kept moving away from Earth, they kept moving into harsher and harsher conditions. Though the fleece would keep them healthy, it required they not be separated from it ever. And man required individuality to maintain his mental health. So another solution was sought.

God-hood.

This was not an easy task, as it required the blood of the King of Day to be found, and Ed was the long descendent of Day. With help from Hadley and Crom, Ed would become the first god in many millennia.

The hospital was cold and Ed had goosebumps. Though his dreams were dark, he had come through in regining light. His nurse was there to greet him once again.

“Are you feeling okay?” She looked up from her book and stared him in the eyes.

“I am fine. I just had a little nap, like you suggested.” He stretched reaching out with his arms and legs reaching beyond what he normally could and realized that the nurse looked oddly, too small. She looked like a child to his eyes.

“You have been asleep for some hours. Don’t move about too much.” She said placing her arm up in a restraining motion.

Ed couldn’t help but want to move. He felt like the world had been at his fingertips before he went to sleep and now, he felt like he could palm it.

“Did it already happen? The operation I mean.”

“Yes. It happened while you were sleeping. Are you feeling any adverse side effects? Any pain or discomfort?”

“No, not at all. I feel like I can do anything.” He flexed his hands and thought that he saw lightning curl out around his fingers. “So I guess that it worked.”

The nurse took a step back. Heaven help Ed, he really did think she looked like a child.

November 2067

“Try one more time, Ed.” Director Hayes from the PA said.

Ed raised his hand and tried once again to manifest a lightning bolt from his hand. He had a success rate of one out of ten, but it had not been improving at all. At least when it came to making lightning, for he had other powers as well. He no longer needed to breathe, flight was now possible by simply thinking about it, farsighted, enhanced strength and endurance. The body of an Olympian, he could not wither, lose muscle, or gain fat. A heightened sense of understanding as well as a speech that could be heard but all and understood by all. He became a truly superior being.

It had been one month since the first successful hybridization took place. Ed had technically gained godhood. However, it was just a matter of letting it out somehow. The testing seemed to just be repeating the same test over and over again. There was no true testing for his abilities.

“Do you need a break?” Hayes asked.

“I have been going for three days straight.” Ed said. “I am fine, but I worry about your mental aptitude. Can you guys keep up?”

“We are taking it in shifts. We are more concerned about you.”

“We can take a break, if you would like. Couple of days perhaps. Get out and see some people. Friends and family, maybe?”

“Don’t expect that the funders would be too happy about that, but we can get out into the local town for some local flavor. I think that would be acceptable. Can you try one more?”

“Sure.”

Ed raised his hand one more time and produced a golden bolt that raced quickly through the air and struck and found its target and demolished it. Ed turned and went to the door. He glanced back at his target and with the slightest of thoughts wished that it would put itself back together. He left the room.

Hayes met Ed at the end of the hall. His white lab coat had three pens in his left pocket, a blue one, a green one and a red one. Though the reasoning for the different colors was beyond even Ed’s comprehension. Hayes had a bottle of water and a towel which he handed off to Ed. Though he had no need for it, he was still grateful for it.

The two beings continued to walk down the hallway. They passed by a janitor on their way out.

The janitor’s name was Norman. Norman had been the janitor for the past ten years. The lab was usually pretty clean as most chemically minded people were; but this new project, though top-secret, Norman was smart enough to know that the past month was anything but ordinary. The two ton concrete blocks were getting real hard to clean up. But as stated, Norman was smart, therefore, he knew to keep his mouth shut.

Pushing his flatbed, he was getting ready for another night back pain. When he opened the door, he saw that the blocks that were supposed to have been destroyed were not. They were all neatly stacked and ready for another round.

Norman stepped just outside the door, checked to make sure that it was the right room. Sure enough, right room. He went back inside and pressed the intercom.

"Doctor? There is something odd about this room."

Doctor Ashley Simmons, the second in command, answered. "What is it Norman?"

"I think you ought to play back the security footage for the past three minutes. Because there is nothing in here for me to clean.”

“Alright, Norman, give me a second.”

The line went silent for a moment. Static filled the air.

“Norman? Come to the observation room please.” Ashley’s voice was cool and calm. There were things that she wished that she did not have to do about this job and maintaining utter secrecy was one of them. There was a certain secret that Hayes did not know about Norman and often looked at him as nothing more than a janitor.

Norman was in fact one of the producers for the god-hood experiment, but his presence needed to be unknown to both the director as well as the subject. For Norman was a self made man. He started small with home landscaping, won the lottery, had a thing for the science fiction, invested with genetics and cloning in 2035, the kingdom of Day was discovered in 2037 and his investment profits shot through the roof and he became a hundred billionaire overnight. The disguise that he wore could fool everyone that did not see him put it on. It was the science infused magic of the changeling from the kingdom of Day. He could change everything about himself and no one would be the wiser.

The observation room was empty except for Ashley. Norman entered quickly and quietly.

“What did the security cams show?” Norman asked.

“The most unique thing that has ever happened. The blocks reassembled themselves after Ed gave them a quick glance. It was almost as if he willed them back to their original form.” She scrolled the footage back and forth over and over again as if she still couldn’t believe it no matter how much she saw. “This is fantastic stuff! The project worked. I wonder how long it will take to extract his DNA and make it available for anyone.”

“I think that it is still too soon and that more testing still needs to be done. Perhaps in a year he’ll be able to conjure what we need to push ourselves forward more than what was planned. We keep testing and pushing his limits for now. We can see how far he goes next month.”

December 2067

The internet is the most amazing resource for information. Billions of sources of information are constantly streaming and being seen. Everything from the celebrity pick of the week to international and planetary drug policies. Now, the civilian traffic is like a pond when compared to the information ocean that governments have. Behind layers of firewalls and identity death traps, lie the inner workings of private corporations and militarized governments. Anything could be bought and everyone could be found, and Ed needed no computer. He simply held the router in his hands and looked to be in a trance.

Director Hayes walked around Ed moved carefully around Ed. Careful not to trip over any of the wires. He was scanning temperature, radio waves, radiation, not to mention the rapid eye movements that were taking place behind his eyelids. Hayes had to be mad to try this, but when he ran it by Ed, he said that he would try. He held that router and after about a minute he slipped off into a trance. He had been like that for eight hours.

Ashley stood in the observation room above the test room. Hayes preferred the hands-on approach, while Ashley liked to watch from a safe distance. Norman sat in the booth with her watching his god-hood project and seeing how far it could go. The report had not changed for eight hours. Ed’s vitals had not changed ever since he converted to his supposed god-hood and his trance seemed like it could last for a good long time yet.

Waiting was not a bad thing when one had reports to read and statements to improve upon. But everything that they had done with Ed seemed to be a one way take. Very little had been given back for their investments.

"What do you suppose is happening to Ed?" Ashley asked Norman. Norman was in his business suit and back looking like how he was supposed to be. Norman had met Ed on several occasions. Before the god-hood project and after, both as the janitor and as a businessman, and each time Ed stared at him with the same curious gaze. As if he already knew what was going to be happening and who Norman really was.

Ed blinked and seemed to slump his stance. He dropped the router and it crashed onto the ground. The group of observers straightened up and continued to watch him with renewed interest. He breathed in deep and then he sighed with relief.

"That was a lot of information." Ed whispered this under his sigh.

Ed looked up to the cameras. "Norman, may I be granted your permission to use your genetic facility for a new mutation?"

Norman leaned forward and pressed the intercom button. "Sure. As long as you tell me what you have learned."

"I have learned and absorbed everything about human genetics. How to splice and replace anything in the human genome. To create science fictional myths and stories and make them real. Vampires and werewolves, perhaps even Frankenstein's monster. To cancel death out and make it a mockery for all humanity. Super powers are within your reach already if I am any proof."

"You say that you can do this? For anyone?" Hayes asked.

"You know, your researchers were not too far from it before I was found. You got distracted and perhaps too excited for the one out of a billion odds that you were hoping for.”

“Meet me and the rest at genetic room four. We can discuss it more fully, and not through a loudspeaker.”

Hayes and Ed along with the team in the observation room left to go and meet Norman and Ashley in Cloning 4. Although the group was large the cloning facility was gigantic, room to let in case one of the clones had a fault that could cause excess damage.

Ed had gone straight to the controlling terminal and at once began to type a genetic code, freestyle. It was beyond amazing, beyond fast, and thankfully the keyboard was very durable. His comprehension for what he was doing was beyond amazing. He kept going for a solid week.

Norman, Allison, Hayes and the team left Ed alone to work. Ed was very compliant. In the experimentation, he seemed to be taking his mutation very seriously. He had shown no tendencies to escape or disappear. Ed truly was the perfect test subject.

After the week was over, Ed had been awake for 336 hours straight. He stretched and felt a wave of tiredness wash over him. Ed passed Norman on his way out and took his coffee.

"Place a human fetus in tanks one, two, and three; and you will see the mythical beings come to life." Ed said. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to get some sleep." And he left.

Norman went over to the terminal to see the progress that Ed had made. The terminal ran a check and the DNA sequence was unknown and with many faults. But the idea of cloning true human hybrids to gain more knowledge was something that Norman could not resist. He signed the order for three fetuses and let the cloning work begin.

August 2068

The time of the clones to be fully formed and "birthed" had come. For the creation of magic and its description of the time that is yet to come is the reasoning of these tales.

Ed in his time as a god, had created and observed things that men had long forgotten. He had been given much permission to travel around Earth as long as his observation team traveled with him to the scattered forests of the world. It was there that time was spent and the world, that had been asleep, awoke. It was unlike anything that Hayes and the team had ever seen. For they said that the mountains, hills, and trees all seemed to breathe. They exhaled a long held breath. Songs erupted, as if they had waited for a long time. Wills of Wisps and fairies sprang to life. And the areas of the forest that had seemed to be diminishing, rallied, and sprang forth. The Earth whose green had shrank, and the primary reason for the departure of men, had revitalized and been reborn. Cities that had long been abandoned, were knocked down and reclaimed by nature.

Though Earth had long been the home of men, men have been seeking the stars more and more. Since the rediscovery of magic, man was more determined than ever to leave his home and seek new places to call home. However, there were still many men that called their home on Earth. The company that Norman ran was one of the few that was still vitaliy important to the ever expanding colonies.

Ed was the new god for the old world, and he was breathing new life back into the old. For the time of men on Earth was almost over. The children of Ed would become the new inhabitants of Earth, the man made clones for the new earth. The god coded vampires, werewolves, elves, dwarves, goblins, orcs, and other children of magic.

Though the intentions of the new god were not know to the company that created him, Ed was certain that his intervention would not go unheeded. Afterall, Norman was not a slouch of man, he knew a lot more than he let on. The company would resist upon hearing the news, but the news would come far too late for Norman to do anything to stop the retaking of the old world.

The first new clone species that the old world had seen in a long time had finally awoken. Though all babies, they were truly the first in a long line of new treasures.

A vampire little girl, perhaps she would become the immortal queen of the night. Though she was made with pale skin it did not mean that she could not go out during the day, the light would be harsh and the cool night would become a welcome relief.

A werewolf little boy, truly a child of rambunctious nature. His world would be forever exploring the vast new forests and living off the land. The king of the forest that would know all and yet know how precious life could be.

Then the final of the first three was to be the true mixture of man and magic, the elven girl. A child that is to be blessed with long life and knowledge of the old, modern, and new worlds.

The age of man had passed when man abandoned his home in order to seek new homes on distant stars. The age of Magic had allowed man to leave and restart the Earth for new species to flourish. Some men would still be on Earth and would accept it or lose their way entirely.

November 14, 2075

“Hey, Mary! I could use your help with this one!” Ralphie said as he was being chased through the forest with a giant hydra chasing him. Ralphie was a seven year old werewolf and always the most energetic of his siblings. He began to run before he knew how to crawl, his life had been the most entertaining to watch as he grew with both men and dogs, feeling kinship with both; and always he felt that his father would all be there to protect him.

Mary was up in a tree watching her brother. She had a book in one hand and a parasol in the other. She looked down at her foolish little brother and couldn’t help but wonder what his intent was to eat a golden sheep. They don’t really taste that good after all. The book that she had was a simple novella. Though only seven she had the mind and soul of old that was much older. She often played protector to Ralphie.

“I am tired of fighting off the pets that you happen to find.”

“Well, if they weren’t so much fun to tease, you probably wouldn’t have to fight them.” Ralphie ran away and dodge the snake while on all fours. He was often running on all fours, it was much easier for him.

“Bring him closer and I will help.” She closed her book, it was one that she had read many times already.

Ralphie was on the other side of the clearing and the Hydra was between the two siblings. He jumped from tree bark to tree bark that snake was hot on his trail. Ralphie had to move around the seven headed reptile and back toward his sister. He wasn't exactly sure what she was about to do, but he was sure that it would be spectacular.

The seven heads lunged at him, one after another, each of them barely missed the child. In fact, Ralphie was pretty sure that the seventh strike was sure to have gotten him if it hadn't glanced away at the last moment. Though Ralphie thought that the snake was sure to have gotten him.

He had made it under the tree where Mary was in. The snake had come along as well. Two heads struck low at Ralphie, another two went high. Ralphie went between the four and jump through the necks and across the body.

Mary had claimed the other three heads in a sort of hypnosis. The captured heads began to attack the other four. The hydra tore itself apart and died. Mary had defeated a much larger foe with little effort.

Ed appeared after the children had celebrated their victory and he brought along the third sibling, Eve. Eve was the third of the cloned children and surely not the last. Indeed, already since their birth and development into adolescence, another brood had begun their journey into life. Though humans were the base for all of the blueprints, the creatures that came to be were much more complex and infused with magic.

Eve clung to Ed’s leg and the two looked like father and daughter. Though all three called Ed father, Eve was the only one that continually sought to be with him. Mary and Ralphie were happy enough to be more independent and enjoyed each other’s company. When all three were gathered in the company of their father, they all acted like family and no remorse or regret was felt.

November 14, 2075 - Ed’s path

Ed and Eve were enjoying the leisurely walk through the newly awoken forest. The magic sprites and wisps seemed to be dancing with the new growth. Eve was smiling and picking pretty flowers and making a boquet. The wisps did not seem to enjoy her picking the new growth and tried to burn her in an effort to stop her. She used her own magic and shot forth spouts of water and soaked the little spirits and they back offed and gave her room. She giggled at the joy of freely using her magic. Ed watched and wished that he had as much magical control as she had.

They walked out into a clearing. Not so much of an actual clearing to where the sun could be seen. Rather a spot that the trees had vacated and provided shade for those that were passing through. The feeling was nice enough that Ed and Eve felt a relaxing peace while there and sought to remain for a while.

Spirits that had not been seen since the dawn of the world, since before the formless had form. The barrier between life and death was weaken and the after could be seen and felt. Ghosts, angels and the occasional demon were seen, but there was no malice felt. There was an eerie calm, but there was no mistake that a presence greater than Ed was coming towards him.

Eve clutched closer to Ed’s leg, hiding behind him. She was afraid. Ed looked down at her and noticed that she was trembling while trying to look past the trees. Ed place his hand on her head and cradled it and he felt her shake no more. She looked up at him and gave him a half smile, then she went back to starring. Ed followed her gaze and tried to look beyond the forest and waited.

They pair did not wait long as a woman, clad in vines, leaves and tree branches, came waltzing out of the forest and into the clearing. She seemed to be old but getting young by the minute. She was clearly someone beautiful from years past, and she was now regaining her youth. Her platium blonde hair was regaining more golden color and the sun seemed to take part in making it shine. Her skin, though currently old, wrinkly, dry and covered in tattoos; began to clear and regain the former youth though not quite going to a maiden, rather a beautiful mother that has kept her beauty no matter how many children she has had. She was affecting nature with her every step, nay her every gesture. For the woods responded to her and moved around her and flowers and grasses lept to her knees.

Ed kept his distance and Eve stayed next to him.

“Oh to see the forests again rise up from the ashes that it once knew all too well.” The goddess said. For that is what she clearly was. A being from beyond known science and magic. An actual for which Ed was just a copy. She breathed and the forest around her breathe too.

“To whom do we have the pleasure of meeting?” Ed asked as took more of a defensive stance. Though Ed was a god, he was manmade and probably an insult to this being.

She looked in his direction and he felt her eyes pierce though his very soul. He lost what air he had in his lungs and was gasping for his next lung full of air. He looked down at Eve and she had knelt down to gain her next breath as well.

“Well, I must said you two are very interesting. Man made gods? Oh how the apes have ascended. The girl is not a god though, she is not even a human. I have read stories about how there were creatures that were shaped like men and lived with magic as long as they wished. There are two more nearby as well that are also an afront to nature. I believe you would call them a werewolf and a vampire. From their battle skills and the creature that they are fighting, I would say that you have created them just fine. Though I cannot say for what reason.” She seemed to notice that Ed and Eve were still having issues breathing, she waved her hand and the air resumed its flow through their lungs.

"Man-made gods are still not as strong as the real thing?" She said this with a little smirk attached to her mouth.

Ed coughed and wheezed. He checked on Eve and she seemed to be okay.

"Real gods are supposed to be extinct, or at least uncaring." Ed said.

"I cared a long time ago. Back when to world was new and unexplored, back when men were in the middle of the food chain and still afraid of the world. Too much was done, too many wars fought, too much blood spilt. I have just recently awoken when I felt the great forests and jungles stretch forth and reclaim that which was lost. Was it you that allowed this to happen?"

"Yes, it was I. I am a magical experiment who is a direct descendant of the King of Dragos, the last Sorcerer king before magic disappeared from Earth. I am made through genetic alteration and biological transmorgrafaction. After my recreation, I promptly downloaded and exploited the wealth of humanity's knowledge and wisdom, I predicted that humans would mostly leave Earth after their misdeeds condemned it to suffer. After most them left within the past seven years, a small contingent remains as scientists and caretakers."

"Did you do something to their internet while you were connected to it?" The goddess asked.

"Of course. I planted misinformation that showed the earth would implode unless a mass evacuation was to commence. Ten point nine billion left to colonize planets beyond the solar system. And the system has been placed in a quasi-quarantine."

Ed felt a tug at his leg. Eve had recovered and was trying to get his attention.

"Papa, I'm hungry!" She said.

The goddess had notice the child and knelt to present her with an apple that had come through a pine tree and to her hand. Eve hid her face behind her father’s leg.

"Go on, sweetie, take it and be satisfied." The goddess said.

Eve looked up at Ed and he nodded, giving his approval. She took the fruit and nibbled at it cautiously. The juice that went bursting into her mouth was unlike anything that she had ever tasted. The sweetness and tartness was perfectly balanced. She quickly devoured it and felt perfectly satisfied and yearned for food no more.

The goddess smile as she watched the child. "Though you may have perfected the looks it seems that her magic seems to be out of balance. That apple will fix that. For her and all that she will bear."

The goddess gently wiped Eve's face and Eve smiled happily at the goddess. "Child, because of your father's hard work, this blessing I shall bestow upon you, life everlasting and the fortitude to deal with it. Your memories will last beyond time and your siblings will understand, a sweet life full of wonder and majesty."

She turned and looked at Ed in his eyes. Her eyes were deep ocean blue and gentle as a breeze and as harsh as salt.

"You realize," She said. "That even with the good you imposed that your path must travel through dark roads."

"Yes, I know. Every man must die. But that is a consequence that I am prepared for. I know that my children will outlive me by many lifetimes, and that may be for the best."

Eve heard this and perhaps she may have even felt a bit sad. However, she kept quiet and dared not move in the pairs conversation. Ed felt her attention grow weaker, as if her childlike tendencies wanted to play.

The goddess felt Eve's impatience and felt some pity at this.

"You are correct man god, and I can sense that your children need you still, you will not die today, indeed not within fifty years. We can talk more later and discuss the bright future of the world."

The goddess disappeared into the wind like so many petals in the wind. Ed and Eve bowed their heads as a sign of respect and of farewell. And like that she was gone but not forgotten.

"Come Eve, let's go collect your siblings and head back to the lab. I am sure Norman and the others will want to hear who found us."

December 24, 2075

Christmas is tomorrow. Mary has prepared cookies using a recipe using nutmeg and cinnamon. Ralphie has curled up in front of the fireplace, Eve in a big, fluffy chair fell asleep waiting for Santa Claus to show up. Ed was outside collecting some extra firewood for the night's ration. The laboratory was kind enough to provide a cabin for Ed and his children to stay in for the holiday.

Ed was proud that his kids had done so well in their lives, short though they may have been. They had shown to be resilient and powerful. Children though they were, they would become the dominant beings of this world in time.

Sleep crept upon the children and they all snuggled up to Ed. And one by one they each fell asleep until Ed was by himself watching the burn. A gentle breeze could be felt coming through a window. The cool air brought about a nice reprieve that the warm room needed for a level of comfort.

The goddess appeared within the wind and sat next to Ed, though the children prevented her from getting too close.

Hushed whispers and quiet tones were used between the two so as not to disrupt the sleeping children. The two discussed the plans for the future for many plans had to be made and maintained for the new species of the planet.

For starters they discussed how the remaining humans should be imbued with magic. As humanity had no true affinity for magic, they would need to be adapted for the new world. Whether they are imbued with magic or have the power to use it freely, that would be a decision that they would have to make. The goddess made the decision that humanity would have to make the decision on their twentieth birthday to live with youth or to reshape the world. Such would be their new fate.

The next thing that they discussed was the making of new creatures and how they could be made as if by magic. Ed told her of a few cloning facilities that were abandoned, there she would find the items necessary for making more and more magical creatures. For all different kinds of creatures would be made to repopulate the recently evacuated world. Creatures and beings that would cultivate and nurture the world. make it into a paradise that all manner of beings could enjoy, and one that would be unrecognizable to any men that return from the colonies.

They discussed long into the night and both fell asleep hugging the children. Such was the magical family’s first Christmas.

December 31, 2075

Norman sat in his living room, the fire in its place was the only light given. He had felt betrayed by his own creation. For many months he had tried to tell the United World Government that their information was false and nothing more than a scheme cooked up by the created god, Ed. He had been laughed at and mocked, for no power on Earth had ever been able to convince the entire population that the world was going to end. So many people believed that it was, scientists and conspiracy theorists agreed for once that the world was doomed to die.

Norman did not.

Norman had watched the man-made god for a solid week with an internet router in his hands, rewriting history. There where articles in history that had been consider myths, proven to be positive facts in other parts of the world. Nothing major, but just enough that the autoprinted history books would deem it facts that were never not known.

As a creator, Norman could not be more pleased. As a human in the know, he was terrified of what had been done. Now, the whole world had fled because of what had been done. Ed had caused enough world panic that the people left the world.

A knock came from the front door. It was odd because Norman was not expecting anyone at this hour. Indeed most of his family had left with a colony bus charter for New Dallas in the Virgo constellation. But the knock persisted and Norman went to the door to see who it was.

Ed was standing in the doorway. He looked like a man that had accomplished the impossible and felt a bit remorseful. But that was not enough to cancel the anger that Norman felt.

"May we come in for a bit?" Ed asked.

A young girl was clutched to the side of Ed's leg. This was the elven princess that was created by his company and perhaps the future ruler of the world. He motioned that they could come in. The two of them were dressed in what seemed to be warm cloaks.

"What can I do for you two?" Norman asked as they went into the living room.

"There are three of us. Myself and Eve and the reawakened goddess, Gaia." Ed motioned to the left of himself and the odd shape of a woman appeared next to him. "This is Gaia. The goddess of nature, she woke when the forests took the cities."

"And what is it that you are seeking?" Norman said, he was deeply annoyed at this interruption.

"I believe that is a question that we would like to ask of you." Ed said. "In the past seven years, humanity has departed from the scapes of the world. They have left to seek wealth and life in the stars above. Yet you have remained. You and your company are some of the last vestiges of humans. In your life's pursuit you have gained the world and lost it."

Gaia placed her hand on Ed's, and he ceased talking. The quiet that settled was chilling. Norman thought about all he had accomplished and all that was laid out for the future. Humans were quickly becoming a minority on the planet. The magic that had been awakened had brought forth old creatures and monstrosities that had be long thought to be campfire tales. Most men in Norman's position had thought that the end of the world would have been brought about by machines destroying the world. None of them had even considered that magic would bring about the revolution. Then again, all of his competitors got run out of business and swallowed into his. He had millions of people under him and he was responsible for them and their families.

"I can see despair starting to creep into your psyche." Gaia said. Her voice was as sweet as honey. Though it had been a long time since Norman had thought of his mother, her memory came flooding back like horses rushing through a valley. "Worry not for your responsibilities. Everyone still living will be blessed by me to have long and fruitful lives. And those to come shall be well endowed with magic. They will be able to use it, or live with it. It is well that the new year is tonight. For a new era shall produce new life on this world and the cities of old will house new places for growth. Norman, you shall be remembered for all time as one of the men that help reshape the world for the better."

Norman could not help but feel despair. But that might have had more to do with his growing age. For all men must die and his time was coming.

"I need you all to go." Norman said quietly. "I need time to process this. It is too much for me to handle that I have had a hand in dooming the human race."

With that request, Gaia disappeared and Ed and Eve got up and went out the front door. Norman stayed seated and wept for the future.

January 3 , 2076

"What do you mean the cloning facilities are gone?! Those are buildings bigger than starships, they cannot have just disappeared!" Norman was furious. Never in his life had such a thing ever occurred.

He had woken up to his communication device blaring an emergency alarm. That alarm was never to be used unless the world was truly on fire. The buildings disappearing might as well have been such an emergency. Those labs, which were ordered shut down due to the New Year conversation, were stocked full of the new breeds of humans. Homo Vampiric, Homo Kanis, Homo Elden, those were the children of Ed. The labs to disappear meant that the clones meant that Ed must have taken them somewhere.

"Where is Ed? Place him in custody! Lock him down!”

“Ed’s not here.” Ashley said. “He’s out in the forest in north Britain. He’s supposed to be looking for the last remnants of dragons.”

“Send whatever we can out there to find him and his children and place them under house arrest until we can figure out what happened to the cloning facilities.”

Ashley nodded, picked up her communication device and walked out.

Norman looked out the window and stared out into the space that was Chichgo, it was in a state of constant repair and construction. Buildings were known to fall and collapse. The city engineers that kept the city beautiful for hundreds of years, all left to construct new cities in space.

Norman had been left in charge of Earth. He was the highest authority left on the planet, but that rule only applied to men. The gods and goddesses that were left seemed to ignore the laws of men. That sounded bad enough as it was. Who knew fifty years ago that gods would be real? At least the real one hasn’t shown himself yet, or perhaps he had and that was the real cause of the abandonment of the planet.

“Get me Earl Taylor.” He said to his secretary.

Norman may have been the highest authority of men, but he still had advisors to help him. Earl Taylor had been one of the few military men to stay. Though most of the military had contracts with cloning, the actual might of the military laid within the robotic division.

There was such delight for what used to be machines of wonder and fear. But when people left, wars left with them, the robots now sat cold and useless in hundreds of warehouses.

“You wanted to see me?” Earl Taylor said walking into the office. He was an older man, in his early fifties, but not quite out of his prime. His muscular figure was a sight to behold, he truly was a man not to mess with.

“Earl, I need your robots. The magic that we sought will soon be our undoing. We need to stop it from rising and wiping out the rest of mankind.”

“Do you intend to kill you freakshow experiment?”

“Yes, the time has come. Men need to retake what was taken. Ed has outlived his usefulness. Send some of your bots to be fitted with magicule trackers. We have got to stop them before more can come.”

“I’ll get right on it. To tell the truth I have been looking forward to it for some time. Just been waiting for the word to proceed.”

January 3, 2076

Dragons were supposed to have been the armor tanks of the sky. Larger than houses and as fast as jets. That is not what Ed saw in the diminutive creatures flying circles in the cavern. These were a special sort of dragon that was the size of a cat. They flew around, they sucked in air to go up and expelled fire to descend. The fire was hot for only an instance for the air that they inhabited was ice cold.

Ed and his children were playing among these ancient creatures.

Ralphie was chasing three around, he preferred to chase them on all fours. His skin transformed slightly to produce more hair. His nose and upper jaw protrude slightly to seem more like a snout. But whenever he stood up, and calmed down, he became perhaps one of the cutest little boys that one may have ever seen.

Mary, on the other hand, was usually not as wild. Today seemed to be the opposite. For wings had sprouted from her back and she flew among the dragons with a smile wide upon her face, with her fangs proudly on display.

Even Eve was having fun. With her command of magic she made rings of fire and was training a small group of them to fly through the rings with absolute precision.

Every child was using their abilities to show off to their father and Ed laughed and played along as best as he could.

Then something truly magical came next, a dragon descended from the heavens above. It was bigger than a 747 boeing jet. The shockwave that it brought down with it was simply amazing as all three children were swept into Ed’s arms and all four were picked up into the wind and carried with the dragon. Hand in hand all four flew through the air carried by magic and all were laughing.

The journey by wind lasted for about ten minutes before the dragon dropped them off at a green cliff side in Norway. Then the dragon, itself, descended and in a front flip changed into a man. He had a smile on his face that could only be matched by the others that he had brought with him.

“I bid you welcome and thanks. For it is because of you, Ed and children, that we ancient ones can come out once again.” The dragon said. “I am Halberd. Me and my family are at your beckon call for as long as our lines shall last. For you shall not find as fierce warriors as we dragons. Though our numbers are few, it lies with us that we shall command the sky as long as magic remains. The realms of men shall not know what to do against the might we wield.”

The smaller dragons finally caught up and the children played while Ed chatted with Halberd. The smaller dragons, feeling safe in this environment, openly transformed into small children and back into small, flying lizards at will. Mary, Ralphie and Eve laughed and giggled as the dragons flew and ran around.

“I have to say, when Gaia said that the dragons were waking, I honestly didn’t know what to think. So I rounded up my kids and knew that we had to come and see. It was something that I had always dreamed about.”

“This world has been delivered back to those of magic. There will be others that will awake. We are just the first of many. But I meant what I said, my family will be there when you call for us.”

“I don’t know about myself, but perhaps when your children get bigger, you can send three to be with them.”

“That proposal seems reasonable. As long as my children are near to yours they shall be immortal.”

The two shook hands on that.

Halberd smiled again and then jumped up high and transformed back into the giant dragon that he was. He roared once and all of his children changed into dragons and flew after him.

“What did you two talk about?” Mary asked Ed as the three came back.

“We were securing your future and the future of the planet. It seems that this world will keep on changing for a long time yet to come.” Ed said as he picked up Mary in his arms.

The four waved goodbye to the dragons as they flew away.