Dragons of Arcadia

PROLOGUE

The Dragon-Keeper Shaman stood before the people of Arcadia, announcing these words of the prophecy and words to remember, because when the time came, they would need to be ready.

“The devil dragon time is coming and the object from the stars will fall, when this happens, the demons of Arcadia will break the seal and break the wall. Take this in prospect, because when the time comes this you need to remember, the land of Arcadia may turn to embers…”

The Shaman spoke in rhyme, confusing to some, but appealing to others. People thought nothing of this as the crowd was saying- “A bunch of folly!” “People can’t believe this stuff!” “Ridiculous!” because the Shaman has never been right. But nothing is perfect and this time, the Shaman was going to get it right.

Chapter ONE         

“Eldemir stood valiantly against Black-Eye, fending of his attacks while Vladis pinned Raxx to the ground. The Guardians fought strongly, but the might of Drakus ultimately turned the tables. The Guardians grouped together around the remaining Demons and combined to create this planet’s very core, while entrapping the Demons.” read Jack, to an audience of 3 young children. “Read more!” one demanded playfully “Yeah! More!” another one cried out “Okay, okay. I’ll finish the last part of the book.” Jack replied

“But as nothing is perfect, the sphere shaped Guardian core entrapping the Demons was imperfect. A small crack in the Guardian core was forged into the planet surface, and there is a rumour, that when the time comes, the demons will break through and wreak havoc on Arcadia. The ‘Dire Rift’ now lies in the heart of the Shadowmount Citadel. All the modern dragons in Arcadia evolved from the fragments of either the Guardians of Demons factions.” Jack finished, while closing the book. The younglings’ mouths were open with excitement and amazement. “Awesome! Can I go to Shadowmount?” a child asked “No-no-no-no-no. Don’t even think about doing that. Shadowmount is corrupted to a level no one knows. Don’t go there.” Jack replied, knowing that no child should dream of such thing. “Okay. My shift for child-minding is over. Bye kids.” Jack said, somewhat relieved as he tagged the next person for the shift, then walking back home.

 Arcadia was a planet separated by war and legacy. One side of Arcadia was named Medora, after the name of the first dragon rider. On the other side, is Shadowmount, a name chosen purely because it struck fear into the hearts of other Arcadians, for Shadowmount used to be a word Arcadians dare not use, believing that it would release the demon dragon spirits into Arcadia. The people living in Medora believed that with hope the demons will be locked away forever, the people of Shadowmount however, thought that there was no hope, so in an attempt to preserve their very own life they decided to worship the demons and rebel against Medora.

Jack walked home, taking the bridge across the Narocus River thinking excitedly about the surprise waiting for him tomorrow. ‘A dragon! A dragon for me!’ he thought eagerly. Jack had been waiting for this moment his whole life.  Arcadian law states that at the age of 14 all children acquire a dragon to be their defender and companion for the road ahead. Jack was excited. What dragon was it going to be? A Shrieking Banshee? A Gliderscale? He could barely wait. Suddenly Jack remembered something. “Oh man. I forgot to get the Harrow fillet and the Lycos Berries.” Jack sighed, as the excitement slowly drained out of him. Quickly, Jack ran to the Great Tree, where he could buy the fillet and the berries.

The Great Tree was a massive tree in the middle of Medora which was the go-to for nearly everything in Arcadia. From fruit to meat, handcrafted toys or weapons, clothes or armour, everyone went to the Great Tree for something. The ancient people carved pathways and small cavities through the trees, but they are now used as trading stores and markets.

Jack strode hurriedly to a shop that sold fruit and vegetables, buying the Lycos Berries and a Rabua Fruit to eat, then walking down to underneath around the roots of the tree to the fishmongers to get the Harrow fillet. Quickly Jack exited the tree and started the walk home again.

Chapter TWO

In the dark reaches of Arcadia rests Shadowmount. People there either lived lives of luxury or lives of labour. But a majority of people were living the labour life. Shadowmount was always shrouded in red fog, which came from Fogdye dragons, which would spray out fog the same colour as the food that they ate. Every day the Fogdye dragons would be given Tamulos, a ground vegetable that stained anything that rubbed across it red.