Forgotten Legends | Defenders Book #1 (FINAL VERSION)

Prologue

The world shriveled like a frail leaf, disintegrating and blowing ashes to the heavens, blotting both the suns and the moon beneath the screams and wails of the wounded and the dying, all scrabbling at the base of the wretched throne, pleading, fighting with every ounce of their pathetic beings for their survival.

Perhaps he had been merciful for too long. 

Perhaps he had given this cursed land many chances; too much freedom to think and make a life for itself, too many opportunities to rebel.

And rebel they had, in such a stupendous and flashy fashion that no one on the planet could ignore. 

Twisterheart inhaled sharply as the five hatchlings appeared amongst the swarms and he flicked his tongue against his fangs irritably, carefully rising from his anointed position to meet the littlest of inconveniences. "So, you finally show your faces," he sneered. "The Winged Five, Defenders of the Universe at last. A pleasure to make your acquaintances."

The scrawny raynbow bared his teeth, eyes glimmering with fury. "Thunderstar, that is more than enough! You were supposed to be protecting this world!" He flung a wing wide, gesturing heatedly to the corpses and ruin. "What kind of safe haven is this?" 

He bit down against the instinctive growl, smiling at the sheer determination in the male's eyes. "You do not approve of my achievements?" The words were overshadowed by the rivulets of crimson trickling from the base of his talons and the sneer of contempt drawn through his fangs like venom. As he stood, the whole of the kingdom bled, those who remained preparing for his wrathful fire.

"You call this protection?" the dragonet screamed. "How many innocents have you slaughtered for your selfish desires? How much trust have you betrayed building this tyranny?" 

The goblet tumbled from his perch, spilling amongst the ruin with an indigent gurgle, but Twisterheart paid it no mind. "My rule has brought stability to this wretched world," he hissed. "Those who serve my purpose live in wealth and without fear, need, or want. Is that not what you requested I do?"

"You know that it isn't! Killing dragons and taking away their free will is not what a hero does!"

"You call yourselves heroes," Twisterheart snarled, "but I'm not some pathetic half-bit mockery of a madman's poetic prophecy. I live in reality and in the real world, only those who are capable of doing what is necessary will survive. That is something you and your little team never understood, Clouddusk."

"At what cost?" Clouddusk snapped. "Their lives?" He thrust a wing toward the petrified onlookers. Parents huddled with their children, pulling them close under the heavy glare of their conqueror. "The entire planet? Where will it end, Star? We gave you these powers so you would use them to help!"

"Did you hear nothing I said?" He knashed his teeth and dragons on either side of him recoiled. Wide fearful eyes blinked behind his angled wings and for a moment, the gray dragonet faltered. 

But Twisterheart did not.

"I keep this kingdom safe!" He stalked from his podium and his massive tail snaked in his wake. Clouddusk and his friends raised their chins defiantly, unintimidated by the greatly larger beast. The hushed whispers rose above initial terror, amalgamations of "are they really part of the prophecy?" and "are they going to save us?" followed by the concern of "they're just a bunch of hatchlings! He's going to crush them like scarabs!"

"SILENCE!" Twisterheart roared and the hisses fell mute instantly. "Now," he went on, his attention drawn back to the five resistors. "Why don't you show me just what a hero is supposed to do against a god!" He sprang from the pedestal, landing amid the crowds and sending dragons fleeing for safety. The fire was already in his jaws and dragonets scattered. "You gave me this power, Clouddusk!" Thunderstar howled. "I think it's about time you see the consequences of your generosity!"