The Black Dragon

Prologue

Deep, wide cracks broke through the earth, pushing up through the topsoil. Ancient spells and seals finally shattered after holding up for five hundred years. It stirred in the darkness, slowly awakening for the first time in ages. It slithered out; weakened, quickly fading away. It would fade completely if it didn't find sustenance. Or a host. Bloodlust fuelled its body, willing it to continue, to find what it needed.

The dog tied up outside barked and whined as it struggled against its rope leash, roused by the change in the air. Birds frantically took flight. Trees moaned and quivered in the breeze, shaking at what had awakened and at what would soon follow in its wake.

A mother and father sat down at their small table; the latter sipped some tea while the former lazily flipped through an old book. Their son was outside, trying to calm his beloved pet, not understanding why it was making so much noise. All three, were unaware of just what had awoken so close by.

However, they were about to find out the severity of the situation very soon. And, so was another unfortunate soul.