This event took place 300 years ago, almost a century before I had the pleasure of meeting your wonderful mother. At that time, the world was relatively stable, with no major disruptions. Wars were still happening, but they were confined to conflicts between humans, not involving mythical creatures like ourselves. As mythical beings, we possessed a deeper understanding of the world. We avoided conflicts because our longevity and powers granted us a different perspective. Humans, driven by greed and jealousy, were more challenging to coexist with. In hindsight, perhaps we should have made more efforts to bridge the gap or mitigate the tensions between our races.
However, it all changed when someone decided to provoke the humans. Rumors swiftly spread about the Demon King's siege on the Brounia Kingdom, causing massive devastation. While we were surprised, we couldn't say we were entirely shocked. We were aware of the human holy churches' perception of demons as evil creatures, and it seemed that the demons had grown tired of being vilified.
Thus began the great war between demons and humans. Initially, we decided to stay neutral, understanding that lending support to either side could have dire consequences for us. The demons were still Mythical creatures so of course we thought it was going to be an easy win on their side. In a surprising turn of events, the humans started gaining the upper hand. We reasoned that their overwhelming population was the primary factor behind their success.
During the war's midst, the Demon King approached the dragon kingdom, humbling himself before our king. He pleaded for our aid, revealing that the tides were turning against him due to the actions of four "heroes" and the rebellion of his subjects. This act of submission by a king was unprecedented and greatly angered our ruler. Our king berated the Demon King, instructing him never to bow down again and even suggesting wiping out the entire Demon race. It was a display of pride, a reminder that as kings, we couldn't easily concede defeat. The Demon King, however, found inspiration in our king's words, though it proved to be short-lived.
The following year, news arrived that the Demon King had perished, leaving us devastated. As a response, the mythical races convened in a council to discuss our next steps. Regrettably, we made an ill-fated decision to spare the humans, but we did make a solemn promise. Our kings and queens united as a council, and ventured to the largest human kingdom, making a resolute stand. We vowed that we would not stand idly by if they ever attacked us in any form or manner. It was a historical moment, uniting our races and asserting our collective honor in the face of humanity.
We were filled with elation as we left that proclamation. Finally, after so many years, we had shown solidarity and confronted the humans. We believed that we would be vigilant, keeping them on our radar and employing our vast knowledge to anticipate their next moves. Little did we know, we were oblivious to the imminent danger that awaited us.
One day, the Beast King's son visited our kingdom, accompanied by his subjects, their expressions strangely vacant. Concerned, we inquired about the reason behind their unsettling demeanor. They revealed that their former king, his father, had passed away, and they were mourning his loss. The news struck us shockingly late, as word of royal deaths usually spread swiftly. Despite our reservations, we welcomed them into our kingdom, leaving questions aside at the moment.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
It was during this time that our king received the Beast King's son's arrival, extending a warm greeting before an act of betrayal unfolded. Without warning, the Beast King's son stabbed our king in the chest, prompting our ruler to retaliate, hurling him against the wall. In his final moments, he uttered a single anguished plea for help before his expression turned vacant, and chaos erupted. The Beast King and his subjects unleashed a frenzied rampage upon us. We hesitated to retaliate, knowing they were under some form of control, manipulated against their will. However, their relentless attacks forced us to defend ourselves. Unbeknownst to us, the human army had amassed outside our gates, and it was then we encountered the four heroes who had supposedly faced the Demon King.
What unfolded was not merely a battle but a massacre. Yet, it wasn't the bloodshed that shocked us the most. One of the heroes, seemingly a mage, employed spells that enslaved our people, confirming the Demon King's earlier claims. He hadn't been betrayed; his subjects had been enthralled. We yearned to strike down the mage, but he manipulated our brethren against us. How could we bring ourselves to murder our brothers and sisters?
As our king collapsed on the ground, surrounded by beasts, dragons, and humans, the heroes approached him. Desperate attempts to reach him were thwarted by the onslaught. The mage began casting a spell on our king, who, fully aware of the situation, refused to allow it to proceed. Intense pressure built within our king's body, threatening to unleash a catastrophic mana explosion. In his one final act of defiance, we charged at the heroes, sacrificing ourselves, hoping to trap them within the imminent blast. Alas, they possessed an item that instantaneously teleported them away. Yet, our king's sacrifice had left them seething with fury. We longed to halt their rampage, but we knew it was futile. With no choice left, we were compelled to flee or face certain death.
Fearing enslavement and the need to fight one another, we dispersed, each going their separate ways. It soon became apparent that not only the dragon kingdom but the entire mythical race was enslaved. Our kind pitted against each other in battles orchestrated by the humans. It was during this tumultuous time that I encountered your mother. She was fleeing from the ravaged Dryad Forest in the west, appearing weary and fragile after days of relentless running. I embraced her, nursing her back to health, and in those months, love blossomed between us. The mythical race remained in hiding for another century, while the human heroes met their demise from old age, as reported in the news. We believed it was finally time to reclaim our lives and fight back.
However, the heroes left us with a final act of malice. They had learned from the mage hero how to enslave the mythical race. They devised tools and parchments that could be easily replicated. Among their ranks were individuals of our races, coerced into servitude alongside pitiful humans. Powerless to resist, we could only hope for the spell's eventual release.
Some slavers scoured the land, seeking to capture mythical beings. One such slaver was Dr. Marth, whom we encountered. He took pleasure in capturing our kind, subjecting them to torturous experiences that often resulted in us being disfigured or if we were lucky death. When we first encountered him, his gaze lingered on your mother, and he couldn't help but laugh. I confronted him, demanding to know his intentions. He revealed that your mother, as a pregnant Dryad, had caught his attention. Claiming expertise in studying pregnant mythical creatures in a sinister tone before, he informed us that he knew of her condition. To his delight, he had the means to track your birth precisely through a bloodline spell cast upon you, my son. He eagerly anticipated your arrival so that he could abduct you. To protect you, we had no choice but to go into hiding once more.
So, my child, that is the story of how our lives unfolded and how we ended up in this secluded place, far from the reach of those who seek to harm us. You must understand the history and the dangers that lurk beyond these borders. One day, when you are ready, we will reclaim what is rightfully ours and restore the balance between humans and mythical beings. But for now, we must remain hidden, training and preparing for the day when our time will come.