Dragons: Hidden Lore

[Daemon]

a story I'm writing on my DA: http://throughtheanomoly.deviantart.com/


CHAPTER 1
Among the peaks of the Rockies, there is a valley, where one wouldn't expect to find anything at all. However, that is if you look with your eyes. If you look with your mind, you can see the Brown Dragons, flying high above a forested valley, filled with oaks and pines. Many cliff faces are filled with holes where a dragon at some point or another had resided. On a cliff near the south end of the valley, stood a magnificent Blue Dragon, just waking up in the dawn, on the first day of April. His name was Ah'reega.

Ah'reega stretched his wings and roared happily, the skull being used as a mask shifting a little from the sudden movement. His scales sparkled in the morning light, and his teeth gleamed. He was young, scarcely over 900 years old. That's 16 in human years.
He was full of youthful energy. The morning was coming, and he wanted to explore. But one thing he couldn't do, as he was often reminded by his Elders, was to not go near any of the human's cities.

Humans are these strange, two-legged, fur-and-scale less creatures who seemed to do nothing more than mill about. They lived as closely together as the ants under Ah'reega's feet.

Ah'reega jumped from the top of his cliff, and swooped down into the valley, at speeds of a jet plane. All above him flew the other brown dragons; some tinted the same, rare blue that was his.

He tucked his wings in for a steep dive, and only pulled up a mere 30 feet from the ground. The feeling of adrenaline was exhilarating.

He landed and looked about; looking for the broken tree that signified the hideout, known as the Cave of Stars. He saw the broken tree, and ducked under it, entering the Cave of Stars, what he and his friend called "The Anomaly". It was called the Cave of Stars because once a month or so, the Caves would light up in a heavenly aura, much like a star.

They were all warned to stay away from it then, lest a curse worse than death be placed upon them. Ah'reega snickered, a deep, throaty sound. He didn't believe it one bit. It was just a foolish story to tell hatchlings to keep their noses out of trouble. He slid down the small, rocky bank that led to the main room, where his friend, Balzhamest, greeted him.
  
"If you flew any more slowly, I could have gotten to the far end of the cave and back before you got here" Balzhamest mocked, flapping his wings in the limited space. Balzhamest was only slightly shorter than Ah'reega, but MUCH stronger.
  
"At least I can hunt without worrying about getting attacked by any birds." Ah'reega retorted.
  
A few months back, in February, Balzhamest had been attacked by a Eagle, and almost had his eyes pecked out.
  
"Hey, that's not fair! I didn't know that that was its territory."
  
"Then why didn't you kill it and take its territory?"
  
Balzhamest bowed his head sadly. "No hunter of the skies should end their days as a meal. Especially not even one as an eagle."
  
Ah'reega nodded. That was the truth they were taught, yet the Dragon Territory Wars still took place. Ah'reega flashed his eyes across the room, and spotted Shiirah. She was a White Dragon, and therefore allied with the Browns.
  
This seems like a good time to explain the differences between the dragons, other than their colors.
  
Brown and Blue dragons are ones for the mountains. They are known to have a stronger connection to Gaia, the Great Spirit, giving them magic powers.
  
White and Gold dragons are considered holy, as they stomp out any evil as it appears. They have healing abilities, which Blues and Browns don't have. They are allied with the Browns and Blues.
  
Red and Green dragons are natural warriors, much larger than all other dragons, and much more aggressive. They go out of their way to start a fight. They aren't necessarily evil, though. They are allied with the Black Dragons.
  
Black Dragons are sneaky. In other words, they have camouflage. They enjoy pranks, and are generally fun to be around. However, when riled up, are as aggressive as Reds and Greens. They are allied with the Reds and Greens.
  
Bronze Dragons are a rare breed, and act as diplomats between all other dragons.  There other color is not really a color. Phantasm Dragons are generally a deep purple. They enjoy wandering, and can phase through all but sand and concrete. They are very passive; the only way to provoke one to attack is by harming its children.
  
Then the Black Dragons other color are the Darkburst Dragons. Their color is a mixture of black and white. They study Necromancy, and this makes other dragons resent and fear them. However, they study Necromancy in the hopes that it will prevent the Elder Gods from rising above the waves and destroying all the humans and enslaving the dragons.
  
Darkburst Dragons, Phantasm Dragons, and Bronze Dragons are not allied with either faction, and do not go to war.
  
Anyway, Shiirah stands up on all fours. "Do you know why I am here?" she asked, him voice reverberating off the cave walls.
  
"No, it was supposed to be just me and Balzhamest." Ah'reega responded.
  
"Well, simple really." She said. Ah'reega sighed. When a woman told you something, there was nothing to do but wait. "We have found your father."

[Daemon]

Chapter 2
Ah'reega's eyes bulged. He had thought his father had died in the last battle between the Reds and Blacks. "How is he-"

"We do not know." Shiirah interrupted. "He is with the Phantasms, in Peru. He seems to enjoy the travel."

Balzhamest flapped his wings impatiently. "What about my father? Is he alive?"

Shiirah seemed to shrug. "We don't know. He may yet be with the Bronze or Darkburst."

Balzhamest's eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting my father is one of those demons who dare call themselves 'Dragons'?" Balzhamest was referring to the Darkburst.

Shiirah sighed. "Hold your tongue. I might have to bite it off, you do that again."

Balzhamest never backed down. Balzhamest still had not graduated to the next age group of dragons, like Ah'reega and Shiirah. He was still a whelp, even though he was barely 30 years younger.

"Well." Ah'reega began. "What are we going to do today?"

Shiirah gave him a one eyed stare that made Ah'reega's scales itch. "What are you doing?  You will be heading to Peru to meet your father."

"What?!"

Shiirah sighed. "Must I repeat myself?"

Ah'reega gulped. "Err, no. I'm good."

"Good, then get moving. You've a long journey." Shiirah turned to leave.

Balzhamest jumped up. "What about me?"

"Are you a hatchling that must be watched day and night, lest you tumble down the side of a cliff and perish?" Balzhamest seemed about to answer, when Shiirah continued. "You may go, so long as Ah'reega permits. May He Who is Holy watch over you." And she left with a flick of her tail. Not a moment later, the flap of her wings could be heard.

Balzhamest looked over to Ah'reega. "Don't bother asking" Ah'reega said. "You're coming." Balzhamest smiled.

* * *

Shiirah flew above the copse of trees that hid The Cave of Stars, and sighed. These two were as likely to get themselves killed as get to Peru. She hoped they were ready for a fight for their lives. One that she truly wished they didn't have to. Especially that Balzhamest. He was far too young for this, but she wasn't supposed to stop him. Those were her orders. Those were the only reason for this.

* * *

Ah'reega had flown to his home, in one of the caves on the cliffs, to see one of the Elders sitting there, an old one known as Haamuuk. He towers in at both massive size and massive weight, both three times the size of Ah'reega. Haamuuk was also the oldest living dragon currently, and the wisest.

Ah'reega gave him a stiff bow. "Elder." He said in a near-whisper.

Haamuuk gazed at him through one clear blue eye. "Do you believe yourself ready? Do you truly think that you can stand against your fears?" His deep rumble of a voice sounded like two mountains sliding together.

"What does that mean?" Ah'reega said apprehensively. Was there something Shiirah had not told him?

Haamuuk shook his head. "You are too young; not ready. You needed more training." Haamuuk turned to leave.

"What the hell is going on? What aren't you telling me? Is it some sort of freaking conspiracy? What?Tell me, what?" Ah'reega said. He was in a rage, no one was telling him anything; no one was letting him understand. He felt alone, and it made him angry.

Haamuuk turned and snapped, stopping mere feet from Ah'reega's face. "You dare yell at an Elder?!" Haamuuk was angered. "You, a mere hatchling, demanding answers from me? After nine hundred years, you have yet to learn respect. If you had been one of my brood, I would have punished you for your insolence."

Ah'reega shrunk away. "What aren't you telling me? Please, I want to know. I'm sorry." He said in a voice that showed his fear, and his regret.

Haamuuk closed both his eyes, shook his head, and left. Ah'reega watched as he left, feeling… unsure. He huddled in the corner of his home. He felt empty, alone. Most of all, he felt afraid.

That was the first time in a long while that Ah'reega had cried. The first time in a while that Haamuuk shed a single tear, as he flew away from Ah'reega, towards the Flight of Elders.

* * *

Balzhamest arrived at his house. It was empty, having been abandoned by his mother, his father going off to fight in the same battle as Ah'reega's. But he was excited. He was on an adventure.

"Oh, poor Balzhamest. Pulled into a plot he doesn't understand. Pulled into a world that hates. That fears. That kills" The voice that said it was snake-like. And the way it said that last word was as a predator would cherish its first meal in a year.

"What? Who said that?" Balzhamest yelled as he spun around, tail smashing into the walls. He saw the human before he heard him. "A human!" Balzhamest said in surprise.

The little human sneered. "Yes… that's what I am… call me Charlie."

"Human's aren't supposed to be here. There are wards to prevent that!" Balzhamest said. Something about… Charlie made Balzhamest afraid. He seemed far too cold to be anything alive. Yet here he was.

"Oh, boo. Then I guess I'll have to leave." Charlie laughed, an insane maniacal laugh that suggested death and destruction. His face turned serious. "Your Elders lied to you. And now they seek to kill you and your friend. It'd be best if you joined me."

Balzhamest's nostrils flared, smoke pouring out. "Leave. Now."

"Or what, you'll eat me? Ha. You try that and I'll have to kill you. Pity, really. Dragons make such great companions. I know you're dad did." Charlie smiled as Balzhamest's ears perked up. That got his attention. "If you want to know more, visit me in Peru. There, I'll tell you how much your... Elders care for you." Charlie simply walked out. He called back. "Oh, you try to attack me; I'll kill your mother." Charlie smirked at the look on Balzhamest's face.

Balzhamest watched the retreating form of Charlie. His mother and father were still alive, under control by this mad man.

"Humans." He said aloud, in a sneer. "They disgust me."

No one was around to hear him.



That night, it rained.

Post Merge: June 22, 2011, 03:33:23 AMChapter 3
Ah'reega woke, stiff from sleeping huddled in the corner. The sun was bright in his eyes. It must have been at least ten in the morning by now. The ground was wet from the night's rain. There were no clouds in the sky, which was the pale blue of the early morning. That was a good sign.

The sudden flap of wings made him jump. He walked over to the mouth of his cave, and peered out, just as a shadow passed over him. Looking up, he saw Balzhamest coming down for a landing.

"Hey." Ah'reega said as Balzhamest landed. "Elder Haamuuk visited me last night."

Balzhamest looked blank, his eyes glazed over. It took a minute for him to respond. "Haamuuk visited you? Why?"

Ah'reega shrugged. "I don't know, he started saying something about not being ready." Ah'reega was silent for a moment. "I got angry with him, and yelled."

Balzhamest seemed to not hear. His eyes were glazed over and out of focus. He came back from his reverie with a start. "Huh? Oh, Yeah. That's cool."

"Is there… something wrong?" Ah'reega asked. He worried often about Balzhamest. They were like brothers.

Balzhamest was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I'm fine." He didn't want to tell anyone what had happened last night.

Ah'reega was skeptical, but decided not to pry. "It's probably none of my business." He muttered.

They stood silently for a moment. Another moment later, Balzhamest said "Aren't we supposed to leave?"

* * *

There was no good-bye party. There were no tearful farewells. There was just Balzhamest and Ah'reega floating above the valley and one other person. The other person with them was Va'reah, a Blue. Her eyes were as deep as a fiery pit and the color of one too.

"I am here to see that I present to you the biggest secret of our race. But, to see it, you must stay here for one more night." Va'reah said, in that monotonous voice of hers.

"Why? Shiirah told us we were to leave today!" Balzhamest said.

Va'reah sighed. "No, she didn't"

"How do you know?"

"I'm an Elder. I know everything." Va'reah said, with a wink and a rare moment of emotion in her voice.

"But I want to see my father!" Ah'reega groaned.

Va'reah waved a scaly paw. "It'll have to wait. You younglings are always so impatient. No Dragon leaving should go without learning it. This is valuable information, and is not to be ignored. Now, go back, and wait until later tonight."

* * *

The sun was just starting to hide behind the treetops, soon to pass behind even the mountains. Ah'reega stood, looking defiant, even though his fear was evident on his face. No one had ever gone into the Cave of Stars, at least, not during one of the Star nights. Ah'reega couldn't remember the last time someone had. Balzhamest simply stood, mouth working in a silent panic, for all he could've been frozen.

Haamuuk arrived, his great wingspan beating pressure down upon them with each stroke, slow and steady. He was followed by Va'reah, her smaller wingspan beating faster than Haamuuk's, but powerful nonetheless.

"These two are still too young for this." Haamuuk muttered. Ah'reega heard, and turned a glance to Balzhamest, who looked back, mouth finally having stopped moving. They turned towards Haamuuk as he coughed.

"Today, you are to be imparted the secret of our race. It has allowed us to see what these humans do in their lives, allowed us to feel like them, breathe like them, live like them. They have long since forgotten about us, long since the Dark Days, what the humans call the Medieval Age. Long since Dragons fought the Dinosaurs for survival. Long since He Who is Holy created us. Now, we impart upon you our greatest of powers." Just as Haamuuk finished that last sentence, the sun went down behind the mountains, creating twilight within the valley. At the same time, the first stars appeared, and the Cave of Stars lit up with its celestial aura.

"Now enter, and prove yourselves worthy." Haamuuk finished.

Post Merge: June 22, 2011, 03:34:01 AMChapter 4
Ah'reega stared at the soft glow emanating from the Cave of Stars, eyes glazed over. It felt wonderful; it made him feel as though he could move the world.

Balzhamest gave him a small nudge with his snout. "C'mon, get moving! I want to see my dad… if he's there."

Ah'reega turned to Balzhamest and gave a small nod, and gulped as he took the first step towards the Cave of Stars. He turned to look behind him, towards Haamuuk and Va'reah. But they had disappeared. Ah'reega tossed his head, trying to shake off the last of his stupor.

"We have to go into the Cave of Stars?" Ah'reega asked.

"Yes." Balzhamest responded. "That's what they said, isn't it?"

Ah'reega gulped, and then took a step forward. His eyes never left the luminescent entrance of the Cave. He slowly made his way to the entrance of the Cave of Stars, his clawed hands padding on the dirt ground, echoed by Balzhamest. Ah'reega stopped right outside of the entrance, then turned to Balzhamest. Balzhamest nodded, then Ah'reega took a step into the luminescent light, and disappeared.

Balzhamest jumped. "He- hey, Ah'reega? You inside?" Silence, "I can't believe I'm going to do this." Balzhamest followed Ah'reega inside.

The first thing Ah'reega noticed upon entering the Cave of Stars was the darkness that surrounded him. It wasn't the darkness from the Night, it was far darker than that. But it was punctured by small specks of light that seemed so out of place. Balzhamest came in and looked around in interest.

"Welcome to the Caverns of the Universe." A deep voice said. It seemed to echo off of nonexistent walls. "You are here to learn the secret? The one that made sure Dragons survived during the Dark Ages?"

Balzhamest muttered. "I thought we were in the Cave of Stars."

Ah'reega ignored him. "Yes. We are here to learn."

The voice seemed to chuckle. "Then speak the rites, and let the truth be revealed."

Ah'reega had no idea what to say, and was about to say so, when… something came into his head. The words to say.

"By He Who is Holy, I swear to uphold the Ancient Pact. To reveal none of our secrets to mankind, nor to any other intelligent being. Nor to kill unjustly, with no reason. I swear to show mercy to my enemies, even those that would strike me down. I swear, by the Stars, Moon, and Lathia, that I will uphold the Meanings of the Light, and am ready to learn the truth." Ah'reega didn't understand half of it he realized, as he finished. He turned towards Balzhamest, who seemed to have been talking at the same time. Balzhamest shrugged, he didn't know what he said meant, either.

"Good. Then let your mind flow." The voice said. Two small, white orbs, roughly the size of an apple, flew out of the darkness, and hovered before each of them. They slowly floated closer… eventually passing through the fronts of their head, and into their skull. A slow, reverberating bell sounded in Ah'reega's mind. It made Ah'reega's mind more open, more capable, more… calm. He smiled in his reverie.

"Now listen, as the Emissaries speak. Let them cleanse your brain, and fill it anew."

Ah'reega only subconsciously documented what was said by the voice. The white orb that was pulsing in his brain was all his focus. He didn't hear anything fully, except for the bell.

"Interesting… your memories… they show much about you, young one." A voice said inside Ah'reega's head. It wasn't the deep voice, this one was more… melodious, cheerful. Maybe even motherly. "So much to learn. Little truly known. But you will grow to do great things, Ah'reega. You and Balzhamest both."

"Who are you?" Ah'reega said aloud. The light voice gave a light chuckle. "I am one of he who created you. You, as in Dragons. Even if, at some other point, you went as the Dreh'hankra. Much has changed since last one of your kind was here. Last one to come here betrayed your race, nearly two centuries ago."

"Who?" Ah'reega asked.

The light voice hissed. "We do not speak his name!" A twinge went through Ah'reega's head and traveled down his spine.

"You must learn our secrets, must you not? When we created dragons, we created them to govern all races. To create equality between all living things. It all went well, until the most advanced race, the Humans, decided they wanted their independence. They fought the dragons, nearly driving them extinct. The few that remained were brought away from Lathia, what humans now call Earth, and to a safety zone. There, we gave them new abilities. Flying, fire-breathing, what you call magic, and the ability to change form. With those abilities, the Dragons were able to come back to Lathia, and live again. You are here to learn the last ability, changing form. It will allow you to travel without being seen as a Dragon by humans. You know how they are, mass hysteria, conspiracies, all that."

"So, I can turn into anything?" Ah'reega asked tentatively.

The light voice hesitated. "No, not exactly. Just humans, and some forms of birds. But don't risk turning into a bird. It's not exactly perfect yet."

Ah'reega opened his mouth to ask what would happen if he tried anyway, but the light voice cut him off."Loosen up your muscles, this may sting a bit."

Ah'reega had only just loosened his muscles in time to feel the stab of pain right behind his eyes. He roared in pain momentarily before blacking out.