The moon hung low in the sky, stars vividly shone their light Onto a small village house, inside a woman gathers her 4 children round. The children had begged her the entire day to tell the tale of Gale and so she relented, caving in to their demands. And so she began telling the epic saga of a man named Gale, who had achieved the peak of power. 15000 years ago boredom sunk it's claws into his heart and so he set out seeking a challenge in this mortal realm. On his many journeys he came across the god of all dragons, Tioron. Tioron was a draconic being who had descended from another plane, going on to oppress the proud and valiant dragon race making them submit before him, truly a tyrant god. Gale engaged with Tioron in a battle of epic proportions. The fight lasted 7 full days, the two were so equally matched. The story tells of how mountains were turned to rubble from the shockwave of Gales great sword meeting Tiorons claws whilst oceans boiled from the heat of the flames Tioron spewed forth. However at the end of the 7 days Gale stood over Tiorons bloody body. In his last few moments of life Tioron gave Gale 2 eggs and requested Gale take care of them. One egg hatched and a Crimson red dragon, which he christened Fyreon came into existence however the second egg never hatched. Fyreon and Gale travelled far and wide as partners and friends, they were unmatched underneath the heavens. A group of followers gathered under the man named Gale and his dragon Fyreon, riding dragons of their own in honour of Gale and Fyreon. Gales first son headed this band of followers whilst his many other children all joined this same band. A group of dragons who hated Gale for killing Tioron ambushed the pair whilst they rested on a mountain. Fyreon suffered a mortal wound in combat, an enraged Gale quickly slaughtered the enemies. Despite Gales upmost efforts his partner and friend Fyreon passed on to the void. Gale buried his friend deep in the mountain he had been slain on, alongside the egg that never hatched, telling his son to make his followers stay on this mountain forever guarding Fyreons tomb. Gale soon achieved ascension after this tragic event. and according to legend that's how the dragon clan was first formed, the direct descendants of Gale became the main branch, whilst the other followers descendants became the much relied upon side branches. The mother finished telling this tale to her children a smile blossoming upon all of the children's tender faces.
Flames sprung into existence around the perimeter of the den he had entered, captured in cold black torch holders that were suspended off the walls. He was in a perfectly spherical room that had a diameter of at least 500 metres. The rustic torch holders surrounded the outer layers of the building casting their morbid light upon the 13 doors that were equally placed around the outside of this gargantuan hall. In the middle of this hall a great stone tablet stood proudly staring with contempt at all underneath it. This tablet was at least 20 metres high, spiralling engravings adorned the tablets surface glistening with an infallible energy. The being that coiled around this tablet was even more awe inspiring than such a great work of architecture.The sudden light cast by the flame illuminated this curious tablet and the indomitable existence the boy had awoken.
A blood red dragon had coiled it's head around this tablet and was staring down at the boy like he was minuscule ant that had annoyed him. A muscular neck disappeared behind the tablet before reappearing the other side then metamorphosing into a callous scaled body. Spikes so crimson they looked as if they had recently been dyed in the fresh blood of kings graced the powerful back of this beast. Dark wings that spoke of enormous proportions lay folded upon the creatures sides hiding most of the dragons glorious body.
It was clear to see that the child had hit a muscular tail that snaked away from the dragons body. The tail was 50 metres from the main body, those ferocious spikes ran all the way down the great limb. With a flick the tail wrapped around the startled boy who lay upon the floor, lifting him in front of the tablet. The aura of this almighty creature alone was enough to strike the boy speechless. Lying prone upon the floor in front of this god like existence the child felt hapless. When the black dragon had appeared before him only a few hours ago he thought that never again would he see such a powerful creature, however the crushing aura that this crimson dragon was emitting could easily rival that black dragons maybe even being superior.
Without the beasts mouth opening a voice sounded, that sounded like the voice of the planet itself "Youngling I shall ask again, who dare disturbs my slumber?"
The boy could only lie upon the floor his mouth hanging gawp, fright having seized his heart. "Don't make me ask thrice Youngling"
This thinly veiled threat quickly shook the boy out of his frightened stupor "I...I have yet to undergo my naming initiation....I'm a scion of the noble dragon clan, I stumbled upon your mighty self as I sought an exit" His reply was hastened in panic and laced with humbleness.
"The dragon clan? The guardians of this mountain?" The dragon pondered aloud to himself. Silence greeted the gargantuan beings musings. The dragon turned to the boy inquisitively and questioned "Youngling explain to me how you found yourself here?"
The boy was beginning to relax, the lack of ill intent towards him was making him feel more confident about the situation. So the boy told his story. He told of how a great black dragon flew down and obliterated the plateau his clan resided upon, and that there was not a single survivor apart from him. He told of how the plateau collapsed and he fell with it into the cavernous lake. He told of how he had discovered the infinitely dark barrier that sucked in energy and of how after entering it he felt a strange pulling in his chest that led him here through that vast grass plain to this building. Whilst telling his story tears rolled down the boys cheeks as he thought of all the souls that would never wander this earth again. His mother despite her flaws had still been his mother and the thought that she was gone for all eternity was only beginning to sink into the youths mind.
Throughout the boys telling of his deeds the crimson dragon only stared down upon him impassively seeming entirely unaffected by the tragic developments. Once the boy finished silenced enveloped the hall, the flames vigorous spitting was the only noise to be heard. After an age of silence the crimson dragon spoke "Youngling you are most certainly very lucky, if what you claim is true then I have no obligation to silence you here"
Relief flooded the youths heart as he realised he may make it out of this hall alive. "However I have need of you first, tell me Youngling if I am stronger than this black dragon?" Bewilderment was stark on the boys faces. He didn't know how to reply to such a question. If he said no he may incur the dragons wrath and his life would be forfeit, however he couldn't say yes for sure as he was only judging on the two beings auras.
"Judge well Youngling" saying so the crimson dragon bared his glinting fangs furiously, letting off a vast amount of bloodlust. Some primal ancient instinct told the boy to turn and run.The aura of this bloodlust was so oppressive that it had a physical weight to it, the youth could feel himself being suffocated by this great weight. The world seemed to crack and dissipate around him, devoured by roaring flames as he felt himself being uprooted from this world, his soul itself threatening to leave his body.
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"Youngling calm down" the weight lifted and the boy could breathe again, having been rooted back to reality by that voice.
"Without a doubt you are many times stronger, if that black dragon were to ever meet you then he would be lucky to walk away alive" the youth instantly told the crimson dragon his first impressions. After just feeling such an oppressive aura, the youth had no doubts it was the truth, the black dragon had been powerful there was no questioning that. However the soul crushing aura he had just been engulfed in was a whole level above the black dragons.
A deep chuckle seemed to resound around the hall "I presumed so but to have such verification is still" a slight pause as the crimson dragon mulled over his words. "Never mind. Youngling bare your brow, I must make sure of your usefulness"
With trepidation the boy steps closer to the enormous dragon. The dragons whipping tail came towards him. The end of this limb was crowned by a vicious spike that had rugged serrated edges. The tip of this tail brushed upon the child's forehead. A blinding flash of light then the child was standing on air. The crimson dragon was seated in the same position as before, his tail still touching upon the youths brow.
All around the pair were vivid colours that looked viscous in nature, these colours flew around one another dancing in-between each other's grips. There were flickers of stormy grey drifting about occasionally bursting with a yellow flash shinning through the patches of grey, a deep blue colour floated around moving freely like water in a ocean and numerous solid chunks of brown were rooted in place appearing as steadfast as the earth itself. The patches of storm grey had the greatest concentration in the area by far, nearly entirely eclipsing the other patches of colour.
"Where are we" the bewildered boy queried, panic and fear were evident in the boys face and voice.
"We are where we were Youngling" a cryptic answer that further confused the boy, however the dragons calming tone settled the boys sporadic nerves. Without hesitating the dragon launched into a lecture"What currently surrounds you is the universes energy, this energy makes up the universe that we know, I have allowed you to visually see this energy in its natural state. It's this very same energy that your warriors take in with dances and sutras to use in fights. Such a powerful substance will strengthen the body of whoever absorbs it, increasing their power many fold. Some talented individuals can even weave this energy in certain ways to create miraculous effects, which you know as magic. However the weak techniques you mortals use to absorb this omnipotent energy are pathetic, you can only absorb a fist size worth of energy in a year, and even this energy that you absorb is in the very same state as you currently see it, muddied and dirtied. There are actually three types of energy making up this universe, earth energy, sky energy, and water energy. So when you humans use your weak sutras you absorb all three kinds of energy and consequently the power you get is drastically diluted. Youngling I posses ancient techniques that will allow the user to absorb only a single subtype of energy. The type of energy absorbed depends on the user, however the user must be suited to these techniques otherwise there will negative effects."
The youth was overwhelmed having received so much information in such little time, he had known about the powerful substance that was ever present around him, however he wasn't aware of the further three types of sub energy that it could be classified into. Processing all of this the boy grew only more confused. "I don't understand why are you telling me all this?"
The great dragon chuckled throatily before replying "Youngling I'm offering you power, more power than you ever dreamt of achieving"
This revelation was astounding to the boy who had thought the flame of his life would be snuffed out as he was sent to join his family and friends in the after life but mere minutes ago. "Why? Why me?"
"Do you know where this universal energy is stored in the human body Youngling?" A quick shake of the boys head informed the dragon of his answer "Universal energy is stored in the soul Youngling which is located right here" a quick flicker of movement and the dragons tail tip rested upon his sternum. "This barrier was made by a practitioner of the sky style and so contains a abundant amount of sky energy as you can see" the crimson dragon the gestured with his head to the great amount of stormy grey colours "If you truly felt such a resonance as you came here Youngling then your soul must be suited to sky style energy"
"Even still why would you go so far as to train me? what benefit is there for you" the boy insisted lusting to know the truth of the matter.
Silence greeted the youths question, the great dragon peered quietly at the boy deliberating the best course of action. Eventfully the dragons gravelly voice sounded "Youngling in answer I must tell a tale from an age long past. Long ago my master was close to achieving ascension, however he possessed an invaluable treasure that he couldn't take with him so he instructed that I personally guard this treasure. At that the time I wasn't quite as formidable as I currently am, so my master in fear of a dangerous foe overwhelming me, spread the word that I had fallen in combat, constructed this powerful barrier deep inside of this mountain for me to shelter in and set up the dragon clan to keep a vigil over this mountain protecting me from my masters numerous enemies. Now the time for me to pass on the vigil has come, I must create a worthy guardian to take care of this treasure when I achieve ascension"
The boy didn't know how to respond to such information. Ascension was something that only a few had achieved, and they had all been legendary figures that possessed enough power to shake the world itself. To hear someone, even if it was a prestigious warrior such as the crimson dragon, so easily talk of ascension was blasphemous to the youth.
Seeing the boy closely ponder his offer the crimson dragon further prompted him "what purpose do you have have in life Youngling"
Without hesitation the boy boldly looked straight into the crimson dragons eyes and said with no qualms "revenge" The grief of loss had buried all other feelings since his entire clans destruction. Now a boiling sea of rage was beginning to take shape inside the boy as the grief dulled. He thought of that callous black dragon who had taken his past life from him and his hatred began to form.
The crimson dragon chuckled at the youths audacious answer "from what you've told me that dragon is of considerable power Youngling? How do you expect to take revenge with such a lack of power? I'll give you the means to take revenge however in return you must take over my vigil once I ascend" The dragon reasoned with the boy fuelling the flames of his hatred and the possibility of his revenge.
The boy needed no further deliberation "so be it"
"Well then Youngling, let me introduce myself, I was once know as Fyreon in the wider world"
Like pieces of a puzzle clicking together the final piece fell into place. The realisation made the boy fall down onto the cold marble floor and truly look at Fyreon. His glittering Crimson scales, his powerful muscles that lay coiled under those very scales and his incise eyes that glistened with intelligence and a wisdom that only came with great age. Living, breathing before this child was a figure right out of the story's of his youth.