Fall of the Dragon: Across the Wavering Landscape

Chapter 1

Ambrosia Io stared down at the sparkling sea that surrounded her resting place. The sun cast its fading light upon the water causing it to shimmer in shades of red, orange, and gold. The wind blew past and the serenity was broken. Waves of silver crashed against the rocks below. The sound broke her out of her reverie.

The sun cast its glow upon Ambrosia as well and gave her the appearance of a specter. Her long and wavy chestnut hair caught the glow and was cast with the illusion of flames dancing on the ends. Her amethyst eyes glimmered in the light, and her pale skin looked even whiter. The golden robes she adorned glittered even more under the failing light. It was just as if she was but a piece of the beautiful scenery surrounding her.

"Io!" a young boy called as he ran up to her, nearly stumbling when he reached the cliff. She turned around to look at him, a faint smile across her lips. Though their relationship was far from perfect, she was always happy to see the bright-faced, young boy. Part of his charm was his ability to brighten the day, even at the darkest of times, and she couldn't help but think she was in a dark time right now.

"What is it?" Ambrosia asked as she knelt down to face the boy on eye level. Even with just sitting upright, she still rose several inches above him. He was short for his age and still young; she had turned sixteen recently and was growing as tall as her father. The differences between the two of them as they sat there were obvious to anyone watching.

"Kiera is having a vision!" the boy shrieked between raspy breaths. He fell to his knees before her, letting his head sag with his body. She could tell he had run all the way here. Of course, it was to be expected. Though visions were commonplace for the seer, lately, some of the visions had been getting disturbing. The more the seer foretold the future, the more it pained her to do so. Her cursed destiny was draining her life away, and it was only a matter of time before the visions took her last breath.

"I understand," Ambrosia said as she slowly stood up, the smile quickly receding from her face. She walked away from the boy and the cliff. As she moved further away, her pace quickened. She was almost running when she finally reached the little hut settled between a scattering of trees and wretched the door open.

Seers had always existed in this world, but it wasn't until the fall of the Dragon that their powers had really become evident. The Phoenix King had sought help from a seer, and thus, they were granted retribution in the eyes of the people. Seers had almost become an everyday sight, and it wasn't odd for a family to possess at least one daughter who had the potential. When that daughter was tested, and if her powers awoke, she became a true seer in the eyes of her kingdom and the world. For nearly two decades, this had been the world for Ambrosia and her family.

"Amber!" Ambrosia shouted as she hurried inside. Amber Kiera, the young seer resting in the center of the hut, looked up at Ambrosia and gave her a weak smile. Her entire body was wracked with tremors.

Amber looked similar to her slightly older sister Ambrosia. Her hair was shorter, and the brown of it was lighter, but it still held the same wave. Her eyes were also amethyst, and the shape of their faces was almost identical. Her skin was usually darker, but right now it was drawn and taut and looked deathly pale. Her face was streaked with sweat.

"Amber..." Ambrosia knelt down by her sister's side. Amber was lying on a small cot, tangled in her blankets. Usually, she would have been at home, but she had requested that she be allowed to travel with Ambrosia, even knowing the risk that was involved. If she had a vision out here, it could be the end. Though their house wasn't too far away, it was still a couple days travel without help. The phoenix could have her home in a couple hours, but a seer could not come into contact with a phoenix without risking her and the magic bird's life. At least not the kind of contact she'd need to have the phoenix take her back.