The Will to Kill a Dragon

Chapter 2B - A Stranger Child

"Long ago," Ibrahim chanted to the children of Dartchester, "We were but animals from another system - another time. We lived amongst the herds of sheep; harvested with the ants of the Earth. Yet, for all similarities we had with this system, there was one crucial objective that made humankind stand out: the will to exist. 

And so, the people learnt to make their surroundings thrive and prosper. The farmer planted crops to decide where the grass grows. The crafter weaved furniture and shelters that would last even after their deaths. And the scholar learnt to write so that his memories didn't succumb to the ravages of time. 

This was the birth of the culture of life. What set us out from the animal was that we wished to express ourselves, and remember. We laughed, and we cried, and we became angry, and we dreamed, and so on. But all these emotions held meaning to us - we never let the moments go, and that was what humanity stood for. 

Yet heaven scowled at our unwillingness to let go — we, who built tombstones to the times long lost. And so from the skies which grew scarlet came creatures of mass destruction - many of which were dragons. This was the day of Wings' fall, and it saw many homes, farms and parishes scorched to the ground - heaven's judgement. 

Many years after this day, man would hide, hunchbacked in caves. Desperate to find food, even resorting to eating animals, and vulnerable to disease and fatigue; forced to live in those caves. Those who tenaciously worked to bring our precious culture back often found themselves die to the monsters of Wings' fall.

These were dragons such as Arcangela, the beast adorned with the whitest dove feathers. And dragons such as Demetria, the red drooling demon of blood whom it is said could foresee the future. And there were many, many more like this who needn't feed, drink or love to survive. These dragons never aged, were immune to all disease, and never even grew old. They were Gods. 

Decades after Wings' fall, an order of druids were founded. This was the Cult of Origin. They were not warriors, but rather pitiable scavengers and survivors. They sought one last hope to return mankind to their former glory - by imploring the heavens themselves for a solution. The Cult of Origin believed that the scales between life and death had tipped too far the other way, and so they thought the Heavens had a responsibility to act. 

All five prayed nightly to the sky, but rumour had it if one sought an audience they must climb the highest peak to address heaven. This peak was known as Mount Salazar - a legendary mountain which was told to pierce the skies themselves. Miles and miles to the top, but we the people were endangered - there seemed no other hope to save ourselves. 

Around this time dragons very often roamed the skies, and it is said four of the five druids sacrificed themselves so that one could reach the peak. This final druid was named Alaric, and he revealed himself to the skies, beseeching pity for all life on Earth. 

And heaven, riled with guilt over the colossal loss of life for not only humans, but plants and animals alike took pity. A voice possessed the mind of Alaric and told him that they would grant him a barrier to protect his kind from the realm of the outside. But no one within the barrier would be allowed to venture beyond Dragon's Land. The people would be safe, but they would be encased forever, living off their land as animals. They would be able to express culture, but only with themselves. 

And the heavens led many more scavengers and wanderers to the area which would later become Dartchester. The village would then be encircled, not only in a magical barrier but in the remains of Mount Salazar. Thunder would reign from the skies for a day and a night, and the once-great summit to the heavens would crumble. 

Alaric would lead these people and would ensure that we expressed our inner selves, while never taking for granted the village's protection. Lastly, the connection between the heavens and the grounds below became severed, and these substantial forces from above would never interfere with life below ever again."

Ambrose had been told this many times growing up; what he did not know was that this was no more than a druid fairytale. 

**TO BE CONTINUED**

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Authors Notes 

I've got some pork in the oven - pretty sure it's burning because of the concentration I put in this chapter. xD