Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 81 - Frozen

"We must first begin our tale in Dragnof," Irene said. "A country I'm sure you've heard of in fairy tales, or passed around in rumors. It's been long ago swallowed by the rise of the Pergrande Kingdom, its ruins left as tourist attractions or turned into homes for the rich. It took many, many years for us to arrive at the creation of Dragon Slayer magic, but know that the impetus for it stretches back as long as humans and dragons were familiar with one another.

"It was inevitable that the relationship between human and dragon—that of predator and prey in most places of the world—would lead to all-out, honest-to-goodness warfare. However, such an idea was unfathomable to me, from my high seat atop the kingdom." Irene smiled. "Though it feels now that the position I held with the Empire was of higher regard, I was indeed once a queen. That of Dragnof, before I ever earned the moniker Queen of the Dragons. As such, I had to do all sorts of things queens do. Placate peasants, settle ugly money issues, and, to settle the issues of land and war with other kingdoms, court men and eventually marry one that would land us in the least hot water."

Irene tilted her head at Erza. "That man was Rung, a high-ranking general in a neighboring country whose name is better left for history to forget. He was a good man, honest. A proud warrior more than a proud husband. I saw something in that—a righteousness that proved his honor. Things were different back then. Your ability with a blade, matched with your rank, could get you many places in the world.

"However, it could not get you far in the western reaches of the world, where dragons continued to ravage the land. Humans were no more than rats to them. Humans were endangered, and within a few hundred years, could become extinct. Ironically, I learned much of this from my friend and mentor, the Sage Dragon Belserion." Irene held her hand up. "Indeed. Much as you all had your dragons that trained you and imbued you with their magic, Belserion did as much for me. I inherited his power, and soon, his name.

"From Belserion, I learned that the dragons of the west in Alikitasia were preparing an invasion of Ishgar to begin their pillaging here. We had to prepare for war. Belserion and the dragons of Ishgar stood alongside us. They believed, as did I, in the power of the bond between human and dragon. There was a harmony between us, a beauty to the life we created. Dragons shared as much intelligence as we humans did our creativity, and Ishgar not only thrived but showed an ability to soar to greater heights than either could alone.

"Dragnof was a kingdom built on harmony, prosperity, and progress. Mildian and its many academies were champions of this shared knowledge. Without our shared knowledge, kingdoms like Minstrel, Enca, and Sin wouldn't even exist. There was more to protect than our lives—it was culture, and it was life. A future not guaranteed by anything other than what foundations we could lay.

"Much as Belserion attempted to stave off the invaders, they came anyway, and within mere moments, it felt, war broke out over all of Ishgar." Irene sat up, letting the light of the fire consume her whole body. "An event known as the Dragon King Festival."

Cana sat up. "That fire dragon, the Eternal Flame out in the Sun Village...he mentioned something about that."

Irene smiled. "Little Atlas Flame? Yes.  I remember him. The apprentice to Igneel the Fire Dragon King."

Most of the Fairies perked up at the name.

"Igneel raised Natsu," Lucy muttered.

"As I'm sure Metallicana did Gajeel, and Grandeeney Wendy," Irene said. "Always looking out for the little ones, that bunch. Their valiant spirit served us all well, though it was Atlas who had the right idea in the end—to run, foster life, and avoid the ire of those whom..." The shadows slipped over Irene's expression. "I ushered in.