A reboot of the universe

Eons ago, the known world was one land, rich and full of the natural magic, peace and happiness of the sea and sky. Then the Gods created humans, dragons and all manner of beasts that walked, flew, crawled and slithered under the sun and moon. Humans thought themselves higher beings than the dragons, dragons thought themselves far superior to all beings.

Humans and dragons have long learned the ways of communication between the two species. Dragons co-exist with faeries, Elves, witches and pixies.

The Unsichtbar, unseen dragons, had lived in Glyvendal valley for many thousands of years. There were tales passed down through generations, of wars; horrible wars between humans and other humans, of wars between humans and dragons, and of humans seeking the aid of dragons to wage wars upon their own species. There are also tales of rogue dragons who did purposely decimate human villages, killing many innocent people just for the fact that they existed, they hated what they did not understand, for it seemed humans were prone to being more cruel than kind to one another.

There was a prophesy told by the witch Maglyon many, many moons ago, of a horned child living among the dragons who would one day change the ways of humans and Unsichtbar forever. This child would unite the two worlds making it as one. It was an old tale. No one believed it anymore.

The strikingly exotic she-dragon soared high above the forest floor, keenly searching the woods for signs of human life. The valley was truly a beautiful place, she mused smilingly, as she contemplated the serene view below. Surrounded by rock faces, colorful alpine meadows, waterfalls, brilliant, picturesque and myriad tones of greenery adorning the sides of rivers, streams and other narrow flowing bodies of water, it was a lovely peaceful and welcoming landscape. There were animals in abundance scuttling daily through the underbrush, and fish of varying assortment in the waters of the valley. These along with the prolific vegetation, served as food for the dragons. Although some of the very foolish young ones have been known to eat a person or two over the years. These people simply disappeared without a trace. Luckily no human can be sure what happened to them, except the guilty dragons, who were severely reprimanded.

Humans rarely ventured here. They lived in villages far beyond the great boundaries of Glyvendal valley. There had been peace among dragons and people for a very long time.

Dragons had, long ago, learned through magic with the faeries, the secret of invisibility. They flew undetectable, except for a bit of wind when they flew really low, humans could not see them observing their ways.

The nature of the human villages had changed dramatically year after year. Now they had high buildings with lights going on and off, no longer just little flickers in an overwhelming darkness. Their roads were no longer just stones and gravel, they were extremely long and black, with small and large contraptions resembling carriages on four wheels conveying them back and forth. They had metal dragons for transporting people across the void to other lands. There were tall tree looking posts with wires stretching forever, everywhere. People appeared to be talking to themselves a lot, using tiny devices held in their hands. They came and went, came and went, but appeared to stay in their lairs a lot more than usual when they were home. Only maybe a quarter of them stayed outdoors enjoying nature as it once was. The air was becoming more and more polluted, the earth was getting warmer as the years passed.

The she-dragon was puzzled as she watched them day after day. She yearned to learn more about this fascinating new world of the humans. She longed for the return of the dragon riders, her imagination explored the many possibilities that a more modern lifestyle could mean for dragon and riders together. The more the she-dragon dreamed, the more her determination sprouted wings. She was going to do more than just observe. How? She was yet to rationally clarify or elucidate.

Alphyoria was bored. She was in the prime of her life and still her parents were pressuring her to find a mate. What if she did not want a traditional life with a mate for eternity. Traditions were outdated. She wanted the freedom to live her days the way that she chose, not burdened by what others thought ought to be her way forward. Looking at her, anyone would wonder why she chose to be alone. Alphyoria was absolutely gorgeous, she stood a full heads height above those of her peers, silver in color, with purple tipped wide transparent wings and tail, her long sleek athletic body was the envy of the young females. Her slender head, with purple slitted eyes and shiny scales cast an air of mysticism about her. Still, she was oblivious of her appearance. Vanity was not her forte, she wanted excitement and change.

Alphyoria was given the gift of shapeshifting, as well as invisibility. She could become whomever she wanted to be. This made her standout among the dragons, it also made her lonely, as her gift was the envy of her peers.

Furthermore, she had that dream again last night. A tiny human man-child, happily, trustingly clinging close upon her back, laughing and hugging close to her neck as they flew high up in the sky. They soared high, dipped low, tumbled upside down and frolicked into the great blueness of the sky. She would awaken and be sorely disappointed to find herself alone. Alphyoria never told anyone about her many dreams, she had enough troubles without adding to the already boiling cauldron.

The flock had chosen a large valley as their home, the valley was surrounded by huge stone pillars that reached far up into the sky, the only approachable entrance, except from above, was through a secluded aperture not easily discernable to the natural eyes, it was so high up in the air, they did not have to worry about intruders, unless they flew in, which would be very unwise considering who lived there. There were very large caves throughout the valley, more than enough to accommodate the entire thunder of dragons.

Alphyoria had her own space, she kept mostly to herself lately, tired of the scrutiny, tired of being judged. She was different, so what? Slowly she turned and flew high into the sky. Another disappointing day was ahead of her, she hoped that tomorrow would bring her dream to life.

The next day dawned bright and cheerful, and yes, she had dreamed of her human child again.

Her mother was waiting at the entrance to her cave.

"Good morning, my daughter. I hope you slept well".

"Good morning mother. I did so, thank you. How are you and father doing today"?

"Fine, still waiting for an answer to those grandbaby dragons".

Alphyoria was annoyed, but held it in. "Have a wonderful day mother, I am going hunting for food and exercise right now, give father my love". She gently nuzzled her mother's face and soared high into the inviting clear sky. She found fish in abundance to sate her appetite, selected a few choice vines and relaxed by the side of the stream for a while preening her wings. It was fun puffing a little dragon fire at the falling leaves. She suddenly remembered that she had to train the new adolescent dragons in the fire breathing technique.

As she turned to go, Alphyoria heard a distant strange noise. A shrill piercing sound that she did not recognize. Cautiously she became unseen, rising into the open expanse, she peered down towards the direction of the wailing sound. Seeing nothing, she carefully landed and walked a short distance. There in a shaded area between two large trees overhung with branches, was a human child nestled in an open child holder. On seeing her, the young one wailed even louder. Knowing that she must appear very frightening, she backed away and stood still. The crying stopped, curiosity replaced the need to wail.

Strange, she was unseen, yet this child had obviously seen her, but before she could approach the child, a rustling sound behind a nearby tree caught her attention. A man was there, peeking anxiously to discern the reason for the child's sudden silence. Trying not to startle him also, Alphyoria decided to speak to him a bit while still unseen, then reveal herself to him.

"Hello. Don't be afraid, you can't see me, but I am directly if front of you. I am about to become visible, but first tell me who you are and why this child is here".

"Who are you"?

"I will explain after you tell me about the child". She replied.

The man ran over to stand beside the child. "He is my son. My wife died giving birth to him, he has a peculiarity, and I don't know how to take care of him by myself".

What is the peculiarity"?

"He was born with tiny horns on his head"!

Alphyoria was so startled that she became unseen without actually meaning to show herself. The man jumped back in alarm, more startled than scared. He had come to the valley specifically looking for the dragons. He knew that once, there were dragon riders, maybe they would take his son and love him enough to become one with them. He was not going to allow the government to place his son in a lab to be studied like a specimen. He explained all this to the really lovely, obviously female dragon who was looking at him with kind eyes.

"What do they do in these labs, as you call them"?

"They lock them away, probe and study people and things they do not understand, those who are different", the man explained.

Alphyoria was nodding her head, "different I understand", she replied smiling.

"I am Alphyoria, what is your name, and by what name is the child called"?

"I am Zeka, and my son's name is Ghyllan, I am happy to meet you face to face".

The she-dragon nodded politely. All this talking had sent the child into a quiet sleep. He sucked on his thumb and smiled peacefully, as if he had somehow come home at last.

"How old is he now"

"He will be three by the next new moon". Zeka replied.

She looked at Zeka standing there, unsure of what he was about to do. He needed reassurance that his child would be taken care of. It must be a hard decision to make. Alphyoria decided to tell him about the prophesy of her dragon kind. As the child slept, she began her story. Zeka sat on a large tree stump and listened keenly. The dragon paced back and forth with excitement.

"It is said that a child of Elfin, nymph, or faerie blood would one day arise among us dragons to direct and change the fate of the world. The child would be horned in the way of the dragon, winged in the way of the faeries and cunning in the ways of the elves. He would be shunned by his born kind and be made to live among the dragons. His mother dragon would know by her dreams when the time had come. The child would be born in the twenty second century of mankind, when humankind had heated the earth unto the point of extinction, and a child would again be their savior".

"Either you or your mate must possess, or had possessed since she is no longer here, one of these blood lines that I spoke of, it is possible that long ago others were among humankind".

Silence ensued!

"But this is a human child, this could not possibly be about your fable". Zeka was frowning, but hoped in his heart that his son could be that special and could have a great life after all.

"I have been dreaming of this child for many moons now. The prophesy is true, and I will take the child. He will be fed on fish, fruits, berries and nourishment from the faeries. You may visit whenever you like after one of your year has passed. I will be in touch after that time. Speak to no one of this. When the time is right, the world will know of our secret".

"Upon my word. It shall be as you say. Thank you Alphyoria. Goodbye for now. I will rest easy knowing that Ghyllan is safe". Zeka kissed the sleeping child's forehead, he wept as he turned and hurried out of the forest, but his mind was a little clearer. It would take some time to understand everything that he had just heard, but he at least knew that there was hope for his son. He had no choice but to place his trust somewhere. Pray, he fervently assured himself, that he was doing the right thing for the young lad..

Zeka

Zeka had managed to escape with the child by night by disguising himself as a woman. He had travelled the long distance to the valley of the dragons, no one ventured there unless they were fugitives or were desperate as he surely was. The men from the government had already tried to kidnap the child after he had refused to willingly turn him over. Now after returning home, they were watching him day and night. His neighbors had called the authorities after noticing that he no longer had the child with him. They thought he had harmed the little boy or worse. He had been taken in and questioned, locked up for days, but was released with the lack of evidence of the whereabouts of the child.

Meanwhile, Ghyllan was happy and striving very well. He had been welcomed into the dragonfold with joy and great wonder. No one had thought that the prophesy was true, and even more wonderous to actually behold the child with their own eyes was truly a miracle. Faeries, Elves and Dwarfs had emerged from the forests to bless and welcome the bringer of a promised new age of prosperity, peace and togetherness with all world dwellers.

The faeries with the help of the witches spun Ghyllan hardy clothing, strong enough to weather the wear and tear of playing and training with dragons. The pixies made him shoes of animal skin, but only from the animals needed for food.

Although the child strived and blossomed wonderfully, he refused to speak. A year passed, Ghyllan was carefully examined by the Elvin healer, but they found nothing physically wrong with him. His father was summoned to spend some time with him, he advised them to give it a little more time, he was reluctant to have the child seen by a human doctor, he trusted no one. The young boy was learning fast, human, Elvin, dragonspeak and any available language, it was fascinating how fast he learned without actually speaking. He spoke with his eyes and hands.

He wrote everything down, he drew everything. He learned the ways of the dragons, flew with his mother dragon, played with Elvin and dragon children and was happy. He learned the ways of the humans whenever his father visited. Still he would not speak!

At the age of fourteen , he spoke his first words. "They are coming mother"!

Alphyoria's joy

The she-dragon had never been happier, there was no shortage of hands to assist with the day to day care of her child. She watched over him, doted on him, and he loved her dearly. The faeries converted her cave into a home for the child, he even had a little window to let the sunlight and moonlight in. His little horns grew a tiny bit, and his ears pointed a little in the ways of the Elves. She looked keenly for wings, but he never sprouted any. Maybe she thought, he was meant to fly upon dragon wings. Ghyllan loved to soar high into the sky with his mother, he especially loved going with her on her late night escapades, he loved the moon, the stars and the sheer exhilaration of the night sky. Sometimes she shifted into human form and they walked the land, meeting and romping with the animals. They were at peace with the world.

His drawings evolved with time, and Alphyoria knew that he would speak whenever he was ready to do so. When he finally spoke, she sprang into action. It was early evening, he was frantically drawing in his magical book which the faeries had made, it never ran out of pages, no matter how much he drew. He paused and brought his book to her, drawings of human death and warfare covered the pages. She was alarmed.

"They are coming mother"!

Alphyoria stood still. For one moment the world went completely still. She could not move.

Collecting her thoughts again, she urgently asked him to explain. Gently she grasped his shoulders. "Who is coming my heart"?, she asked, using her playful phrase that he loved.

"The iron birds, the helicopters. There are many. They have come for me. They have father Zeka, they hurt him".

Alphyoria hurried out of the large cave, she sounded the dragonic distress call. In a few minutes dragons had amassed.

"In the sky, attack, they have come for the child"! She shouted.

"Wait".

The dragons turned to see Ghyllan standing there.

"He speaks"? Akron his best dragon friend asked incredulously.

Ghyllan did not reply. He raised both of his hands, there was a ripping, tearing sound. Large grey wings tinged with black erupted from his back. The dragons roared in unison at the miracle happening before their eyes.

Ghyllan flapped his wings twice and soared high above the ground. The helicopters slowed, unsure of what thy were seeing. "Do not fire, we want him alive", the lead chopper ordered.

Raising his hands and making twirling movements, he pointed them towards the helicopters, there was a rending sound as the tops all tore off and the pilots ejected. He gathered the pilots in a bundle and brought them safely to the ground in front of the dragons. They cowered in fear. Meanwhile the grating sound of mangled metal could be heard as over a dozen choppers fell to the great rocks in the valley below.

Shock, joy and consternation were some of the expressions on the faces of men and dragons alike. Alphyoria clasped her wings around her son when he finally landed. She was speechless. Finally she turned to the frightened men.

"Why are you here"?

"We were ordered to bring the young man back to his people, we were only following orders". Obviously this one was in charge.

Ghyllan walked over. "They speak the truth. They do not know. Please set them free, send them back to let the world know that the time for change has arrived, they will know it when it begins, but not when it ends. There is nothing that they can do to stop what is coming".

Dragons were dispatched to fly the reluctant men back to the safety beyond the valley. They soon returned to hear the story of what just occurred.

There had been many questions being thrown at the young man. He promised to try to answer them all.

Ghyllan then turned to his mother dragon. "You have been chosen to lead the dragon world from here on. Humankind have had their chance. Dragons have evolved intelligently and taken pride in preserving the natural evolution of life. If the world is to survive and the land, sea and air continue to sustain life, humans must lose control and dragons become the dominant species once again. Your ability to be invisible or unseen, and to walk among them, is the key to the success of the impending changes".

"I, along with many others like me, were sent here fourteen years ago. The creator of all things saw the looming and imminent end of the world by the hands of men. Their hearts have become black and cold, no longer capable of seeing the wanton destruction their habits are wreaking on the delicate fabric of time and space. It must end. Tomorrow we will, together with my other brothers and sisters, make a new plan of action for the world. There shall be no bloodshed. There has been enough suffering, just a gradual reset of the world with man returning to the natural elements from which he began".

"Go, get a peaceful night's rest. We have much to do tomorrow". He turned, bowed to his mother, and flew to his cave home where he immediately retracted his wings and laid down to sleep. When mother dragon came in he was already sound asleep. She too went to sleep, it had been an interesting day.

A door to a new life had been opened while everyone slept. Ghyllan was no longer in the cave.

All the dragons awoke to unanswered questions, and no one to answer them. They took to the skies at Alphyoria's request. They would respect the wishes of Ghyllan as they learned the entire story behind the strange happenings of yesterday.

They found him circling the open sky above. All across the globe the world as we knew it had changed, all except the dragons and all other species which were not human.

There were no cars, buses, trucks or even roads. There was no technology or iron birds flying overhead. There was no sign that man had advanced past the age of anything, except the urge to plant the land and hunt for their food. The natural balance had been restored. The homes were basic, but workable. they left them electricity, powered by all natural sources as the only reminder that they had long evolved into something more tangible. Their leaders still led, but with a new perspective. The scholars were still scholars, geniuses still geniuses. In short, the world was still balanced with it's share of right or wrong. They had just been pointed in a new direction.

The dragons watched him in the sky surveying the new landscape. As far as the eyes could see, the sea, land and air were in great abundance. Down below people were out farming as if it were just another regular day.

"Come mother, come all, let's ride around and observe. You are the ones with the old and new knowledge now, my other brothers and sisters are doing the same thing all around the world. You must help them now. You will be the source of travel for humans for a long time to come, but first you must gain their trust, they may resist, but you must find a peaceful way to co-exist. With mother's ability to become one of them, communication should not be a problem. My human father will not remember me. He is happy now with a new family".

Ghyllan was with them for another week before he, along with his brothers and sisters were recalled home, no one knows where. Alphyoria put on a brave face, she had done a lot of crying when he told her he must return to his real father.

One week to the day he promised, he had disappeared never to be seen again.

The world continued as if were not altered in the least bit, The air was clean, the sun brighter, the water cleaner, the fruits and food untouched by impure and unnatural substances. The animals, birds, the grass of the ground, were once again in their natural habitat. The planets had realigned, All was again well with mother earth.

The world of dragon rule had begun.

This time, hopefully, everyone and every dragon would get it right!

A people without a purpose is surely doomed.

N.A.