Chapter 1

Once, long ago in ages past, there was an old miner and his wife. They had lived long lives, with the husband spending his days mining valuable metals and the wife churning butter and brewing beer to trade in the nearby village. They might be old, but they were happy.

The only regret in their lives was that, despite trying for years and years in their youth, they had no children. However, they still loved each other very much and happily lived out their years in the small cottage near the mine the husband had dug.

One day, while the husband mined away at the earth, he struck something that did not cave beneath his pick. At first, he thought it to be a large chunk of ore for him to trade with the local blacksmith, so he dug the object out of the earth. When it was revealed, the object proved to be something else entirely.

It was an egg-shaped stone. The surface was covered in scales of both shiny black and a pearlescent rainbow that reminded the miner of oil under the light of the Pillar. He thought it quite beautiful and resolved to give it to his wife as a gift, as he had done with many other knick knacks he had uncovered in his long years digging into the earth.

Indeed, his wife was appreciative, saying it was by far the most beautiful of the many things her husband had dug up in his time. As such, she gave it pride of place as the centerpiece on the mantle above their fireplace. There the egg-like rock sat for many days, warmed by the flames of the cookfire.

Of course, the egg-like rock was, in fact, an egg. Something that the old miner and his wife discovered one evening while they ate their supper and the last embers of the fire cooled. Suddenly, there was a loud crack resounding through the small house before the egg rumbled and shook, falling off the mantle and into the coals of the fireplace.

The tumble did nothing to the magical shell, and the creature within proceeded to beat its way out, crack by crack, while the old couple watched on in awe. Finally, the egg shattered entirely, revealing a small creature with scales of the darkest void and iridescent rainbows. It looked at the couple with piercing eyes of brilliant white.

"Oh my!" Exclaimed the wife. "It must be Emperor Dragon!"

Her words were proven true as the infant dragon rose and bowed its head, addressing the pair. "Mother, Father, I thank you for caring for me through my gestation. Please, allow me to assist you until I am of age."

The pair accepted gratefully, and many years passed as Emperor Dragon grew into adulthood. He would spend his days in the mines with his father, digging through the earth to extract valuable ore, learning the art of hard work and an honest day's labor. In the evenings, he would cook and clean with his mother, learning both diligence and patience in equal measure. Finally, on his free days, he would practice the magic of his body, mastering the use of his breath and scales, his fangs and claws; for one day, he must leave his home.

So it was that years passed by, and Emperor Dragon grew in both body and mind, learning power and humility as he eased his parent's burdens. The old couple cared for him and loved him greatly, embracing him as their own. So it was that Emperor Dragon approached his parents when he was fully grown, towering over the pair as his scales glistened and muscles bulged. The years of diligent work and relentless training had sculpted Emperor Dragon into a creature of great power and grace, his whole body a weapon.

"Mother, Father." He spoke, bowing to them as he had once done in his youth. "All these years, I have lived with you, eating your food and sleeping within your home. You have taught me the value of hard work and diligent care. Now, I ask for your blessing as I go out into the world on a journey. It is my sworn duty to defend the Starry Sea from monsters and demons, so I must go."

"Son," the miner spoke. "You have worked the earth with me, side by side. You have grown strong but have remained humble and kind. Go with my blessing."

"Son," The wife spoke. "You have prepared meals and cleaned this house, listening to my instructions. You have grown knowledgeable and skilled but remained patient and diligent. Go with my blessing."

And so the old couple embraced Emperor Dragon as their son for the last time before he ventured out into the world to fulfill his duty as protector and Guardian.

Chapter 2

Emperor Dragon set out on his journey, traversing the continent with caution and confidence in equal measure, for too much caution would slow his stride and lead him to stay his hand when he must act, while too much confidence would hasten his pace and cause him to speak when silence would serve him better.

It was with this in mind that he passed through many villages, slaying monsters with tooth and breath and talon. He had crossed much of his home continent when he entered a region of dense jungle. There, a small village implored him to intervene. But their problem was not the monsters that plagued all mankind. It was a beast of great power who had claimed the jungle for its own. If it did not leave, the villagers would soon lose their livelihoods, as they relied on the jungle's resources.

"It is my sworn duty to help those in need." Emperor Dragon told them. "I will speak with this great beast. Perhaps he can be reasoned with."

So Emperor Dragon trekked deep into the jungle, traveling to the heart of this powerful beast's domain. His passage did not go unnoticed, and before long, he was confronted by a mighty and majestic figure leaping from the underbrush to face him.

"Emperor Dragon! This jungle is my domain! Here, none stand above me!" The beast, a lion of the highest order, roared and challenged Emperor Dragon with a massive sword in his grasp. "All who pass must pay tithe to me, for I am the King Lion of this jungle!"

In spite of this threat, Emperor Dragon bowed respectfully to the King Beast and spoke with dignity and grace. "Indeed, you are a powerful beast to lay claim to this jungle. But mighty beast, beware your pride."

But King Lion did not heed Emperor Dragon's warning. He saw only a challenge his pride could not contend. "You think me too weak to face you, Emperor Dragon? I have subjugated many mighty beasts and monsters that have challenged me for dominion over this land. You will be no different!"

But Emperor Dragon simply shook his head in disappointment. "I do not think you weak, King Lion. But there is more to the world than this jungle. You may have the might to rule this land, but that is nothing in the face of the Starry Sea's depths or the Pillar's light. Let alone the infinite heights of the empty sky. In comparison, this jungle is a small place, barely worthy of mention."

Once again, Emperor Dragon's wise words fell on uncaring, unhearing ears. "Prepare yourself for combat, Emperor Dragon! Though I respect your great mission, I cannot let this insult stand!" And King Lion raised his sword.

Emperor Dragon could not hide his disappointment at this response, but he readied himself anyway. To do less would be a disrespect to his opponent. "Very well, come at me, King Lion."

The ruler of the jungle roared and raised his massive blade. "I shall show you the power of my Great, Mighty Sword! He charged forth, striking at Emperor Dragon with heavy, powerful blows that shook the earth and ripped up trees by the roots. The jungle shuddered and quaked at its ruler's strikes.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

But Emperor Dragon was stronger than the jungle. His black and prismatic scales contained the might of the Pillar's light and the vast, boundless infinity of the empty sky. So every blow did nothing but dent King Lion's sword. For all his onslaught, King Lion's attack ended without harming a single scale on Emperor Dragon's hide. Seeing this, King Lion collapsed to the ground, his will to fight, leaving in the face of Emperor Dragon's indestructible scales.

"You have failed." Emperor Dragon looked down on his attacker, pity in his heart. "You knew that my scales contained the power of the Pillar and the empty sky, but your pride led you to attack, even knowing your strength was not enough."

King Lion knelt at Emperor Dragon's feet and bowed his head. "You are correct, Emperor Dragon. I have let my pride lead me astray. I no longer deserve to rule this jungle. Take my head so that I may repent my sins."

But Emperor Dragon, in his wisdom and mercy, defied the laws of combat. "No, you have fallen to pride once more, King Lion. You are the ruler of the jungle, and you have responsibilities to it. Allowing yourself to die here and uphold your honor is to abandon those duties. You must live on, even if it means abandoning your pride and living in disgrace."

At once, King Lion's eyes were opened, and Emperor Dragon's wise words reached his heart. He bowed further, head to the ground. "Emperor Dragon, I do not have the wisdom to rule the jungle. Please, allow me to follow you as disciple and master so that I might one day return here with the proper heart and mind to rule responsibly."

"Very well, King Lion." Emperor Dragon graciously accepted. "As your master, I will teach you all I know of how to rule. Rise, for there is much evil in the world, and a ruler's first duty is to protect his subjects."

And so King Lion, first of the King Beasts, joined Emperor Dragon on his journey across the Starry Sea.

Chapter 3

Emperor Dragon and his first disciple, King Lion, were passing by a small village when they heard a loud screaming roar issue forth from a lake at the outskirts. Neither of them spoke as they charged forward. Their many adventures together had prepared them for signs of distress.

Coming closer, they found that the lake was both large and deep, extending far into the distance. The source of the scream was a young woman with her household's clothing lying scattered bout across the sandy beach. She looked up in horror at the massive lake monster towering over her. Bulbous eyes and fishy lips gaped at the young lady as a long fleshy tongue shot out to snatch her up.

Its attempt was blocked by King Lion's blade. "Foul monster, your days are at an end!" His strike severed the tip of the tongue, and his next swing carved deep into the monster's scaly hide. But before their eyes, the tongue grew back, and the cut closed in moments. King Lion struck further blows, but the monster was unmoved and unconcerned by the damage as it was restored in moments.

Emperor Dragon stepped forward. "Begon, monster!" He commanded and opened his maw. In the next moment, the monster was awash in a sea of Dragonflame.

It was only this attack that brought fear to the resilient beast, and it dove into the lake as its body began to smoke and burn. Once it was submerged, Emperor Dragon's flames could no longer reach it, and it swam away. "Are you alright, young miss?"

"She is unharmed, master! I blocked the foul monster's tongue." King Lion proclaimed. Though he could not hide his dismay at how little harm his strikes had done.

"There are kinds of harm other than the physical disciple. Do well to look after those under your care in more than just their bodies." Emperor Dragon admonished.

King Lion bowed his head. "Yes, master."

Emperor Dragon did not let his disciple wallow for more than a moment. "You saved the young woman's life, my disciple. Well done."

"Yes!" The woman spoke up, recovering from her shock. "Thank you, great warrior, Emperor Dragon." She bowed to each of them. "You have saved me from an awful fate."

"You are most welcome, young miss. You know that monster?" Emperor Dragon asked kindly.

"Indeed I do. It has terrorized my village for more than three months!" The young lady huffed. "He is Baobath, the Gluttonous Toadfish. Many towns and villages ring Turtle Lake, and Baobath hunts us all. He had developed an unsavory taste for human flesh and that of the young most of all."

"Three months!" King Lion exclaimed. "How has it remained so long? Is the monster truly so mighty? My master nearly slew him in but a moment!"

The woman shook her head, her displeasure evident. "No, Baobath is indeed a resilient and sly monster, but he has only lived so long because the Guardian of Turtle lake is a coward who refuses to confront the monster."

"Hmm." Emperor Dragon contemplated the problem. "Where might this Gaiurdian be?"

"He resides on an island temple in the middle of the lake, Emperor Dragon." The young lady left and returned to her village after giving them directions to the Guardian's home. The master and disciple saw her off with promises to slay the monster one way or another.

"This is most absurd, master." King Lion growled. "A Guardian who does not guard is no Guardian at all!"

"Indeed," Emperor Dragon agreed. "We must see this cowardly Guardian at once."

So they set off. Emperor Dragon stretched his mighty wings and carried them aloft across the expanse of Turtle lake until they came upon the island in its center. It was a small but of land, with an even smaller temple. As they landed, Emperor Dragon noted that, although the temple was small, it was meticulously well cared for. There was no sign of dirt or dust, breaks or rot.

"Guardian!" King Lion roared. "Come forth! Emperor Dragon would speak to you about the monster attacking those under your Guardianship!"

The call was met with silence for the longest time. King Lion grew furious at the blatant disrespect and moved to either strike out into the temple or roar another challenge, but Emperor Dragon stopped him. Half a day passed before an answer was heard.

"A-are you s-still t-there?" The words came from a deep, powerful voice that shook and trembled as it spoke.

This response further incensed King Lion's rage. Only Emperor Dragon's hand stopped him from reducing the temple to rubble. Instead, Emperor Dragon himself spoke. "Indeed we are, Guardian of Turtle Lake. What is the meaning of this grave breach in hospitality?"

"G-go a-away. I-i am n-no h-host." The Guardian sounded bitter and sad.

Having formally claimed no ownership of the temple, the master and disciple entered instead of leaving as the Guardian requested. Inside, they found the building as well-maintained as the outside. They even discovered a kitchen with a well-stocked pantry. For all this Guardian's faults, he was meticulous and fastidious in caring for his home.

Upon entering a higher floor, they found the Guardian. He faced away from them, praying at a lovingly cared for and maintained shrine. His shell was magnificent, embossed with scenes of battle and victory on shiny white plates. His limbs bulged with muscle and vigor. This was no weakling.

"W-why have y-you entered t-this p-place? P-please l-leave." King Turtle stuttered.

"King Turtle! You are the Guardian of this lake?" King Lion exclaimed. "For shame! How could a fellow King Beast fail to stand against a monster for those under his Guardianship?"

Finally, King Turtle turned. At once, Emperor Dragon recognized that this was a young man, very young. And his words illuminated the truth. "I am no King of Beast. M-my father was K-king B-before me. H-he has p-passed on and left the m-mantle to m-me. But I am no King."

At once, Emperor Dragon responded. "Lies. Lies of the highest order."

King Turtle recoiled from Emperor Dragon's damning words. "W-what?"

"Who built this temple?" Emperor Dragon asked. "Who supplied the food that fills your pantry or the logs you burn to survive the winter? You?"

“N-no.” King Turtle stammered. “T-the V-villages-”

"Indeed." Emperor Dragon pressed on. "You live in this temple, eat that food, and use those logs. You are King of Beasts so long as you do so. You are Guardian by virtue of the sacrifices made by those that support you. They expect you to save them, as is your calling and obligation. Your esteemed father, may he rest eternal, raised you to be a Guardian, a protector of this lake and its people. You cannot balk in your duties."

King Turtle hung his head in shame, for Emperor Dragon's words were true. He had not fulfilled his duties. "Alas, I am a coward." He cried. "I-I am f-full of f-fear."

And in this, Emperor Dragon nodded his approval. "Such is right and natural. If monsters were not creatures to fear, then the smallest child would fight them. But fear and cowardice are not the same. One can be afraid and still fight. This is bravery. King Turtle, you must learn to become brave."

And within the heart of King Turtle was born a flickering flame. A small, burning kernel that wished to one day, someday, be brave. "Please, Emperor Dragon. T-teach me h-how."