Ancient

Prologue

From the Journal of Archaeus:

"The time of dragons is ended. And with its fall came the rise of the human race. My kind tried to negotiate a way for both our species to live amongst each other, each learning from the other. Unfortunately for my people, the human race was as merciless then as it is now. They rejected our cries of peace, slaughtering my people in brutal furiocity. There was no mercy shown in those dark times. There was the occasional human who showed us a small act of kindness, but most dove into the war with an eagerness that would startle even the most violent of dragonkind. They reveled in murder, rejoicing in shedding the blood of my brothers and sisters, slicing and burning until only I was left. The only dragon on Earth.

I feel fortunate to have lived as long as I have, although these days my longevity has seemed more like a curse than a blessing. Many centuries have passed since the Dragon War, and humanity has all but forgotten the atrocities committed by their race.

With no possibility of ever living amongst humanity in peace, I have chosen to dwell in a secluded cave near the edge of the Great Sea, avoiding contact with my human neighbors. It is better that they live in their ignorance than I risk the possibility of another war.

Despite mankind's past wrongdoings, and against my better judgment, I have grown fond of the people in the town by the sea. I still long for a day when I might communicate with them and have no fear of death by human overreaction. Alas, in my heart I know that day will never come ...but there is no harm in dreaming."

The old dragon closed the book, a feathered quill gripped in his claws. He added the quill to a small crevasse in the cave wall, where it rested amongst its brothers until the next time. The sun, that bright blaze of light that had shone in its magnificent glory, had begun to set; the sky was awash with a rainbow of reds, oranges, pinks. Dashes of blue peered out, the last of the daylight drowned by the oncoming darkness.

Archaeus squinted, the fading sun shining into his eyes as it set. "It is truly a miraculous evening." His eyes narrowed. "Wouldn't you agree?"

He turned to face the intruder, a dark-furred wolf-like demon, with long curved horns emerging from its head, just behind its ears. Archaeus had noticed the monstrosity creeping into the cave not long before. It had long, sabre-like fangs, which gave the demon a look of one gone mad.

The demon's eyes glowed in the dim light, a faint glow in the darkening night. "Yes, I suppose it is. Who might you be?" He was casual, almost as if he had expected the question.

"I could ask you that same question," Archaeus noted, not liking the careless manner in which the demon had addressed him. "You did not have permission to enter."

The demon shrugged. "My apologies... friend." The way he said the word was almost mocking. "Allow me to introduce myself- I am Alkar. I recently moved into a den not far from here, over by the old Fae field. Since my arrival in this wondrous new place, I set out to introduce myself to the neighbors. Please forgive me for not visiting sooner."

Despite the sugary voice and soft, flattering words, Archaeus had met enough demons in his lifetime to know their words usually meant nothing. Alkar was probably just another trickster, waiting for a chance to make a name for himself. The dragon squared his shoulders, fully intending to remove this pest from his abode. "I don't care what your reasons are, demon! Get out of my home!"

Alkar had been admiring Archaeus' vast collection of coins, some occasionally making their way into a pouch hung around the demon's neck. He turned back toward the dragon, a hurt expression in his eyes, "Those are some harsh words, my friend. I had hoped to form a friendship with you, but it seems I was mistaken." The demon left, vanishing into the shadows. His parting words clung to the darkeness like moss on a tree- "I sincerely hope you'll change your mind. Not all of my kind are black-hearted cowards."

Archaeus let out a puff of smoke, daring the demon to set foot in his home again. Friends. What could a demon ever know about friendship? All they did was manipulate others to achieve their own evil ambitions. They were probably the ones who started the Great Massacre. He stormed over to the stack of furs at the opposite end of the cave, circling the soft material a few times before settling in for the night. Mayhaps this is all just a dream, and there was never a demon in my home. It didn't take long before his breathing had slowed, and sleep overtook him.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll stick around to read the rest of the story! Don't forget to vote!