Tales of Astora: Legacy

Chapter 101: Damnation

Chapter 101: Damnation

With the dragon continent of Oros now under a new order, the dragons quickly began the recovering of their kingdom. Well, it was called recovery but most of the work was done by Celdora and a few top elected others who mainly focused on determining the hierarchy and how the political process would begin from now on. Unlike the other races with their countries like Ceadric, the dragons had no need for houses or sophisticated buildings to live in. A simple cave or even a plain field big enough for their size would more than sufficient. In this aspect, the dragons were not very complicated in details.

However, it was not about rebuilding that was the focus of the debate. It was about the relationship between the dragons and the rest of the world from now on. For long, they have closed off their borders and holed themselves on this continent while ignoring everything that was happening around them as long as it didn't concern them directly. But that attitude no longer seemed to be working anymore...or did it work at all after all these years?

It was out of question for the dragons to even consider the option of joining Valhalla at this point. Their pride simply could not allow it and to be frank, there was no meaning in that. The original aim of Morrigan was to reunite the three kingdoms of the humans since they were the ones with the most hatred toward the demon kind. As for the other kingdoms, she might conquer but did not plan to rule over them too. But just as many things in life that never went according to plan, she somehow managed to have also Malatas and the beastmen of the Whispering Forest too. And that in itself was the start of troubles. It was impossible to just bring all the races and everyone under the rule of a single person. That diversity, the culture and we were not even talking about the different level of acceptance concerning the demons just yet... there was simply too much difference. This kind of kingdom, built on such a fragile foundation, was bound to one-day collapse. It might last for a time but what would happen after Morrigan was gone? Or Alastor was gone? Without a real absolute power in the top of the chain to keep them in check, conflicts would surely rise again in order to take control of that throne.

That was what the dragons of Oros feared. When that day came, they would prefer not participate in that fight. Old habits died hard after all. But instead of doing just that, Celdora had a better proposal: the dragons should prove themselves as the protectors of the world and cooperate with Valhalla to maintain the balance of power all while keeping the peace. As the elder ones holding centuries or even millennia of knowledge thanks to their lifespan, they must be an example to the young races. And to do that, the dragons themselves must change their way of thinking. No longer would it be just about Oros or a small group of privileged individuals but the new council, under the rule of Celdora, must become the heralds of the world, spreading words of peace to those in need, to protect the weak from the oppressors and to shatter all sources deemed as evil to order and peace.

But while Celdora and the other dragons were preoccupying themselves on that matter all while maintaining a close contact with Ragna and Valhalla, a lonely old figure was sitting by himself near the large lake little Syralth used to come to play. With his sorrowful and tired expression, he expired a long sigh, wondering why he was even still alive at this moment. He has lost everything: his fame, his position and even his own son. But it was Taragon's betrayal that struck the heart of the old dragon the most. Even more, he blamed himself for being so blind to what was going on right in front of him. All those years, he was deceived, used as a tool by his own family member for their selfish goal. In the end, that son died in the most horrific way possible and even then, Maragon was helpless to do anything.

"Why am I still alive? For what reason do you want me to continue this pitiful existence?" the ancient dragon mumbled to himself, asking the Gods who created him.