The Land where Dragons Rule: Chapter 1: Dragon Child

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom that was not of this world. This kingdom was ruled by the Dragons, magnificent, scaled creatures that flew through the skies effortlessly. They were a peaceful people, innocent and just.1

But then there was a war. A war between the Dragons and the Tyrans, a race of metal, transforming beings which can change their appearance to anything they choose. Many creatures’ blood was shed in this conflict.2

Unfortunately, the war that I have spoken of is still being it waged. 3

This story is about a young Dragon by the name of Sear, a dragon that shall change this war, forever.4

The Ridge was an emerald cliff that looked over a valley that was always green, no matter what season. Many different animals grazed in this beautiful basin, acting as if they were happy, without a care. They were at ease in this site.5

Rae stood on the cliff, smiling as a soft evening breeze blew through her pink, scaled body. This was her favorite place to be, her happy place. She could go here to forget all her stressors and bad times.6

She heard a scream behind her. Hurriedly, she turned around and flew up to the village where the cry came from.7

Rae stopped by a straw hut and saw her seven year old brother, Sear, sitting on the ground, sobbing. She picked him, careful not to drop his small, brown body. “Are you okay, Sear?” She asked. Sear shook his head. She raised her green eyes and saw three silver coated beings in front of her. Tyrans.8

“What do you want?” Rae asked them. Sear looked at them, his childish eyes full of tears.9

“Are you the guardian of this village?” The one in the middle asked.10

“Yes. Why are you here?”11

The middle one unsheathed an invisible sword and stabbed it through Rae’s chest, straight through her heart, cutting Sear’s right cheek. Sear made a shriek of pain as the middle Tyran took his sword out of Rae. Blood started flowing out of the wounds as Rae slowly fell. 12

Her corpse dropped Sear onto the ground. He crawled into a nearby hut, frightened. They had killed her sister, the only protection he had.13

The Tyran to the left of the middle one put his hand on their leader’s left shoulder. “This village will be a piece of cake without that stupid dragon.”14

“We don’t have much time.” He responded. “Burn everything down to the ground.” 15

The two behind him chuckled as they picked up two sticks and lit them into a flare with their minds. They threw both of their wooden rods onto nearby hut, making them blow up in flame.16

Sear cried as the huts around him turned into bonfires. He crawled through a little hole in the side of the shelter, trying not to get burned. When he was outside, he was wary not to get caught by the pyrotechnic Tyrans.17

When they finally left, Sear walked around his once beautiful home. Everything was burnt to the ground.18

He saw the body of her sister, lying lifeless on the ground, a pool of blood of forming around her. Sear quickly turned his head around, trying not to cry.19

All he had had been destroyed. He didn’t know what to do. He sat down in the brown ground and sobbed.20

He stopped when he heard feet fall on the ground behind him. He turned, wiping tears from his eyes. There were four Gryphons’ in shining, silver armor walking through the village.21

“Damn!” A black Gryphon exclaimed. “We lost them.”22

“How are we going to catch them at this pace?” A scarlet one said. This one looked at Sear, a plan formulating in his mind. He walked toward him and knelt so he was closer to the Dragon, making a friendly smile. “Hello, little one.”23

Sear didn’t say anything. The scarlet Gryphon sighed. “My name is Ian. What is yours?”24

Sear stood up. “Sear.”25

“Sear, did you see three shiny people come by?”26

He nodded.27

“Which way did they go?”28

Sear pointed a finger to the west.29

Ian stood up. “They’re heading towards Traykin Shire. They should stay there for a while before they can transform to get over the mountains. Let’s move out.”30

“What about the Dragon child?” A golden Gryphon protested.31

“We can’t help him.”32

“I can.”33

Ian turned around and looked at him. He sighed. “So be it.” He threw his feathered wings open. “Take him back to Indin.”34

“Yes, sir!” The golden one said as the other three Gryphons took to the air.35

He walked towards Sear, a compassionate look on his face. “Why, hello.” Sear gasped as the Gryphon picked him up.36

His wings pumped open, careful not to drop the child. He crouched, and then jumped into the air, opening his wings to the wind. Sear squealed, excited. He had never flown before; he had only watched her departed sister fly.37

“What’s your name?”38

“Sear.” The Dragon said, paying more attention to the ground he was flying over.39

“Well, Sear, it’s a pleasure to know you.”40

The golden Gryphon knocked on the door to his apartment, careful not to drop the sleeping baby in his arms.41

“Daios, is that you?” A voice female said from inside.42

“Yes, Luki.”43

“The door’s unlocked.” Daios turned the door knob and entered the residence.44

“Hey, honey, I have something to tell you.” He yelled to the kitchen where Luki was as he rested Sear on a table by the door.45

“Come in here.” Daios obediently came forward. She was mixing what looked like cake mix in a small bowl. “What is it?”46

“Well, you know how you always wanted another kid?”47

“Yeah, What about it?” She sat the bowl on a counter and put her arms around Daios. “You feeling lucky tonight?” She had a small smirk on her face.48

“Well, kind of.” He dragged her to the front corridor. “Something came up at work, and… We have another kid… Kind of.”49

“Dai, I don’t understand.”50

“Well…” He pointed to the small sleeping Dragon in the hall.51

She stared at it and then exchanged glances with Daios.52

“You’re serious?”53

“He was in a burned village with out anyone to care for him. What else could’ve I done?”54

“You could’ve left him.” She said as she went back towards the kitchen.55

“Don’t be cold, Luki.” He said, following her.56

“Well, Daios, it’s a Dragon!” She said, almost yelling. “Do you know how much it costs to raise one?”57

“Yes, and it’s nothing I can’t pay.” He said calmly.58

“But what about Treon? It’s hard enough raising one child, let alone two!”59

“Hey, if I knew if you felt this way, I wouldn’t have saved him from dying!” Daios raised his voice.60

“Oh, Dai…” She embraced him. “It’s not that I don’t want him, it’s just that it might be too hard for us to care for him.”61

“We can do it.” He rubbed his hand through the feathers on the back of her head. “If we can’t, I’ll…” He paused to look at Sear, still asleep. “I’ll take him to the orphanage.”62

“Okay.” They both stood there, holding each other, not knowing what the future might hold.63