Chapter 1 - Rhea's Dream

"There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Long ago, Rhea, our ancestors told stories of dragons roaming the stars to distant lands, where breathable air was likely and drinkable water too. Lands that were, of course, unknown to our tribes, but neither to the inner earthlings who knew much about interstellar travel! They called themselves The Seedlings. Here is how the story was told by my great grandfather;

Once upon a time, The Seedlings came to be. No one knows exactly when or why, but one thing was certain. They were all born out of the first chaos when matter and ether were still battling for their place in the void above. They were made of rock, iron, water, and fire and played a big part in the creation of lands across different star systems over time and space. They spoke an ancient language made of pure sound that only our ancestors could grasp intuitively. Some Seedlings were ferocious, but others were more compassionate. They all had distinct personalities and carried their own unique energetic frequency. The Seedlings looked like volcanic streams made of giant space rocks and lava flow, performing mysterious dances that would resemble various geometric shapes. No one understood what they were doing precisely until all movements in unison created a magnetic vortex pulling all other elements together in perfect harmony so that the creation of planets, lands, valleys, mountains, rivers and lakes came to be." 

Rhea raised an eyebrow and looked indifferent, almost skeptical at Victor's story. Looking over the horizon, she appeared lost in thought but seemed to plunge pleasantly into the lukewarm quietude of that breezy summer night. Victor remained to stare at Rhea's fixed and unreadable gaze as if he was decoding a mystery that would perhaps unlock his next clue. He never admitted how much he liked her profile, and her expressions were always the highlight of his day. Rhea finally sighed and looked back at Victor. Dazzled by the sincerity in her eyes, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. 

"I wonder what the world would look like without dragons. Did you ever think of that?” asked Rhea. "Oh, stop it," said Victor. "Nonsense! Why would you even entertain such a thought?" Rhea looked up at the sky, and a white Sky dragon soared above her head. "Just a thought. Nothing more..." said Rhea faintly.

Victor sensed it was much more than a thought but didn't bother. They got up and headed back to the cave overlooking Crater's Lake. Rhea's mother was cooking her favorite dish that night, cod with fried Californian okras.

"Victor, why don't you stay for dinner?" asked Rhea's mother.  "I've got to get going, Mrs. Calvary. My father's waiting to train for next week's expedition. Thank you for the invitation, and I hope you have a pleasant meal! Bye bye!” Victor waved as he hurried back to the trail leading to the neighboring cave. Their families had been neighbors for generations.

Rhea seemed aloof all evening when the family gathered for supper. Mrs. Calvary noticed but was unmoved. Kinley, her brother, ate as if he hadn't eaten for days. Her father kept on a rant about the next expedition and the challenges they might face. After finishing supper, Rhea got up, puckered her eyebrows, and asked everyone to excuse her as she felt exhausted. She went to her room and fell into a deep slumber. That night, Rhea had the recurring dream she dreaded. Again.

"No! No! Stop! You're making a big mistake! Please!" she screamed and then finally woke up. She was drenched in sweat and was short of breath. It took her about five minutes to calm her nerves and gather her thoughts. "The same recurring dream," she murmured. "Maybe I should talk to the elders about it."

It was almost sunrise when Rhea took the mountain trail that led to the lake. She loved going for a morning swim even when it was cold, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Something about the calmness and stillness of the lake during those early morning hours always enticed her to jump impatiently and swim to the very bottom. Sometimes she liked sitting there until she couldn't hold her breath any longer. The waters were pretty shallow so sitting at the bottom of the lake was somewhat feasible. That morning, after being covered in sweat, she didn't want to get out of the water at all. She continued to swim into areas unexplored, and while she swam in the crystal blue water, a Hydra dragon raced her beneath her feet. She had a competitive spirit and was always up for a challenge, so she swam faster and faster, almost convinced that she could beat the Hydra dragon. Although, realistically, she knew it was nearly impossible. 

She lost track of time, and in the back of her mind, she kept thinking about that darn recurring dream on a loop until she finally came to her senses and stopped to look around. "Wow! I must have been swimming for over an hour! Is this a joke?" she thought quietly and noticed how close she had gotten to the Nara Islands, where the elders resided. She let out a big irritable sigh and thought, "I might as well. Who's going to want to swim out here again, anyway!" It took her another 20 minutes to reach the shore of the Nara Islands. The sun had already risen, and it was hot! Probably around 80 degrees. Her hemp suit was waterproof, and it dried almost immediately under the scorching sun. Her dark brown curls reached her shoulder and always looked nice and firm after a long swim. She started pondering all the different ways she could talk to the elders about her dream. After giving it some thought, she said screw it. As calculated as she could be, she actually didn't like to overthink things, especially if it came down to some dream or anything you can't relate to in a tangible way.

It was 9 am when she finally reached the village. She loved the shiny roads reflecting the morning sunlight and all the houses made of gneiss stone and clear quartz. The village was always serene, quiet, but filled with anticipation. Many visitors traveled for days to see the elders with their own questions and concerns. She knocked on the door three times until Michael, one of the elders' younger sons, opened the door and welcomed her in with a big bright smile. "Rhea! What a surprise! What's the meaning of this unplanned visit? Is everything okay?" asked Michael. "Michael, it's such a relief to be here. I need to talk to the elders. Something unusual has been happening with my sleep patterns, and I can't really understand its meaning. I've never experienced anything like it, to be honest. But over the last two weeks, if not more, I've had the same vivid visions four nights in a row," said Rhea looking uneasy. "Come on in, Rhea. Let me get my parents. I'm sure they'll advise you well. No need to worry now," said Michael putting his arm gently around her shoulders.

Rhea waited in a small sitting area for guests like her while Michael prepared an exquisite strawberry mint lemonade. She sat on the floor with her legs crossed, debating back and forth whether it was comfortable or not. It certainly helped her remain alert, but the sitting area was also made of stone, smaller stones that intertwined over and over again, resembling the flower of life pattern, making it decently comfortable. Rhea sat there enjoying her lemonade and had absolutely no thoughts going through her head. She felt safe and completely engulfed by the present moment. After about 15 minutes, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from down the hall, and she began to feel nervous but more anxious about what the recurring dream could possibly mean for her. It wasn't the first time Rhea had visited the elders. In fact, when younger, Rhea often struggled with nightmares. Eventually, her parents, tired from sleepless nights, had no choice but to ask the elders for advice.

Michaels's parents finally arrive. Rhea rushes and stands to greet them with a formal bow. "Rhea! What a lovely surprise!" exclaimed Pyro, Michale's dad. "Oh, Rhea, how good it is to see you all grown up!" said Lorein, Michael's mom, welcoming her with a warm hug. They all sat down in the circle made of gneiss stones and clear quartz. Finally, Rhea looked at both of them and said, "It is so good to see you. I'm not sure where to start. But I'm worried about this recurring dream I'm having…” Michael watched outside the room, but the room's acoustics never allowed sound to travel outside the guest's circle. He could make out a word here and there but couldn't get the full scope of what was truly going on. Michael was about nine years older than Rhea. He actually watched her grow up, and in those few encounters they had, they seemed to have a particular affinity of some kind. A kind of empathic and mutual understanding, so to speak. They didn't need to say much, but their personalities meshed well and communicated clearly. 

Michael stood outside the room, waiting impatiently so that maybe he could read them after the consultation and perhaps understand the severity of the situation. Almost a half-hour had gone by, and they finally got up to head towards the hall. Pyro seemed somewhat eager, but Lorein, his mother, tried her best to hide her emotions. "Michael! Were you waiting here this whole time?" asked Rhea while leaving the guest's room. "Yes, Rhea. Do you mind if I walk you outside?" "No, not at all," said Rhea smiling. Pyro and Lorein walked Rhea to the front door and joyfully said their goodbyes but carried a subtle sadness and nostalgia in their eyes. They tried their best to make sure she was going home with a clear head and with no doubts. Rhea could read both of them like the back of her hand, but she wasn't bothered. In fact, Rhea always kept a cool head no matter what any situation entailed. She never seemed to get emotional over anything, or at least it appeared so.

"So, Rhea. How have you been?” asked Michael. "Pretty good, Michael. How's life on the tiny island?" "It's not so bad. I go fishing every day now, but the Hydra dragons are some hungry beasts!"  "I know! Tell me about it!" said Rhea. “I was just racing one on the way here, but where in the world do they find the energy to swim like that?!" 

"Hah!" exclaimed Michael. "You're funny even to think you can race one!" "I know," said Rhea and chuckled.  "Rhea, I have something to tell you," said Michael with a seriousness in his tone. "What's up, Michael?"  "I was meditating the other day, and I had a vision of this dragon that seemed utterly alien to our planet." "Really?" asked Rhea, rather curious.  "Yes. It was a black dragon but not a Thunder dragon. I have never seen one like it!" "Hmm. What else did you notice about it that was different?" asked Rhea. 

"Well, the vision came in quick. I saw its head, mainly, and the eyes lit up with flames. Its body looked very strange as if it was made of giant rocks, and-- " "Wait, really?" interrupted Rhea.  "Yes, really..." "What a coincidence! Victor was just talking about some legend his ancestors told his great grandfather about similar-looking dragons! Hah! Go figure!" "Wait, Rhea. There's more," said Michael.  "What?" asked Rhea.  "After the dragon disappeared, I saw you. But you were wounded and looked exhausted from fighting." Rhea stopped and, probably for the very first time, looked afraid.” 

"Did you see anything else?" "No," said Michael. Rhea paused for a minute. She then quickly thanked Michael and asked him to visit her sometime. Rhea finally walked back by the lakeside to swim back home, but a kind fisherman offered her a ride on his canoe. She was relieved.

It was 3 pm, and the sun was scorching still. Summers could get brutal, but depending on the climate each year. The climate on the planet was still very volatile when dragons and humans co-existed. You just never knew how the seasons were going to change. Rhea was helping her mother peel potatoes for dinner. Roasted salmon with dill mashed potatoes were on the menu that evening. "Are you all right, Rhea?" asked Rhea's mother. Rhea seemed to have entered a profound meditative state as she slowly peeled the potatoes one at a time. "Rhea? Rhea? Rhea, are you there?" Rhea finally heard her mother's voice as if traveling to her from afar. "Yes, Mom," she said finally. “You don't seem like yourself lately. Is everything okay?" asked Rhea’s mother. "Yes, Mom, everything's okay," said Rhea and didn't even mention she had visited the elders that morning. 

Rhea never really opened up to anyone in the family. Even if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, she'd rather keep it to herself. "I need you to do me a favor," said Rhea's mother. "I need you to go to the lavender fields and collect some lavender, please. Oh! I almost forgot. I also need some wild roses, mint, and thyme if you have nothing on schedule this afternoon." "Of course, mother," said Rhea. She went to change her clothes and wore a neutral sage and slightly loose-fitting dress made of flax fibers that shaped her body figure well. She wanted to feel comfortable, and the flax fibers kept her body cool during those hot summer afternoons.  

It was 3:30 pm when Rhea headed toward the Night's Woods before reaching the lavender fields. She always felt a bit eerie when walking through those woods but didn't mind the feeling of uncertainty that came with it. In fact, Rhea was known for her adventurous spirit and bravery. When she was only eleven years old, she had saved her brother, Kinley, from a young Grid dragon, who can be pretty dangerous when first working with the ley lines on the planet. They don't have good coordination when fertilizing the land, creating new pathways, and connecting with the ley lines at the same time. Her younger brother was almost burnt to ashes before Rhea came in and saved him from the burning flames. It was a traumatic experience for both, to say the least, but something that connected the two in a special way. 

Rhea entered the woods and started thinking about the dream again. "It can't be," she muttered. "It's just another stupid dream that probably means something else, just like all other dreams. It sure can't be a premonition of some sort. That would be ridiculous. Or can it...?" She crept through the woods and suddenly heard Victor shouting from a distance. "Rhea, wait up! Rhea!" She turned around and saw Victor running as happy as can be. She felt relieved to see him, although his "always ecstatic" attitude annoyed her most of the time. He's gasping for air when he finally catches up. 

"Victor, what are you doing here in the woods?" asked Rhea. "I went to find you, but your mother said you were gone for the lavender fields. Happy to see me?" asked Victor, barely catching his breath. "Of course! How can I not be?!" remarked Rhea sarcastically. "Come on! It's okay for a girl to admit being afraid of the Night's Woods. Who isn't?" "Well, I'm not," said Rhea, clearly annoyed by his blatant statement.  "Is that why you look so happy to see me?" asked Victor while holding a massive grin. Rhea ignored him. 

"Hey, remember that legend you mentioned the other day about those alien dragons or whatever?" "You mean The Seedlings?" asked Victor. "Yeah, The Seedlings. Do you know anything else about them?" "No, I don't think there was anything more to that story. At least, I don't think there was, not like I remember it all that much, to be honest. I was only five when my great grandfather told me a bunch of stories. But that night, when he spoke about The Seedlings, was a rare night. That's why I could never forget it. 

It was a warm October night, but just right. We all gathered to go stargazing and watch the Orionids meteor shower. I don't think I've had any other experience or moment that could match the euphoria and enchantment I felt that night, Rhea. I laid my head gently on my great-grandfather's lap while watching the shooting stars and listening to his stories, not to mention the soft crackling and popping of the fire. My great-grandfather caressed my arms just as I liked, and the sweet scent of roasted chestnuts, the awe, anticipation, and beauty everyone dwelled in, had me wishing I could just freeze that moment in time. I just wanted to sit with that moment forever. Do you know what I mean?”

Rhea liked Victor's stories very much, mainly because of how descriptive he could get but never told him. Every time he opened up like that, she could feel this warm fuzzy feeling coming over her chest, like a soft blanket or a soothing balm. 

"Um... I wouldn't know," said Rhea. "I don't really remember anything when I was five. So you don't remember anything else, huh?" "No, but if something comes to mind, you'll be the first to know. Why do you suddenly care anyway? You seemed pretty disinterested the other day."  "Well. I'm just trying to connect some dots, that's all,” said Rhea. "Dots? What dots?" asked Victor, slightly derisive. "I don't know, Victor! I'm still trying to connect them. Do you get it?" "Okay, okay. Jeez," said Victor and went silent for a while.

The two continued to walk at a steady pace. Rhea often caught Victor gawking at her dress with her peripheral vision, and although somewhat agitated, she had too much going through her head to even bother and say something. At least 15 minutes of complete silence had gone by before they instantly stopped.

"Did you feel that?" asked Victor. "Yes, I did. You felt it too?” asked Rhea. "I think so. Do you think it's an...?" "It seemed to be, and we both felt it," said Rhea with her voice cracking.

They barely moved an inch before another earthquake shook the ground beneath them. "Rhea!" shouted Victor. It must have been at least a magnitude six earthquake since they could barely stand on their feet. Some of the trees surrounding the area were uprooted and began to collapse on top of each other. It persisted for a good minute with only a few interludes, or so it seemed. Rhea had fallen to the ground while Victor could barely stand or get near her as the earthquake became more potent with every second. It felt like an eternity had passed, although it only lasted under a minute. Finally, Victor gets Rhea and holds her in his arms.

"Rhea, Rhea! Are you alright?" Rhea had fallen unconscious and didn't respond. Victor was unsure whether he should move or not. He thought about a possible aftershock and decided to find a safe place until Rhea regained consciousness.

Meanwhile, while unconscious, Rhea dreams again. Or rather, it was a memory from her childhood. She was on a river bank in the high mountains and about nine years old. She had accompanied her father on an archaeological expedition organized by her tribe. The mission was to collect stones and fossils of older and unfamiliar objects in which the abandoned territory was still rich in. She separated herself from the group and left quietly on her own. There was incredibly beautiful and lush vegetation in the area, and she felt good while alone and more attuned to the surroundings.

The sun was beaming, and the river flowed calmly among the rocks. Suddenly, she was overtaken by a strange silence and felt a slow vibrating hum. She spun around and, less than a few inches away, saw a giant insectoid twice her size. It was something she had never seen before. It had a long neck topped by a triangular head and large wings. It fixated its gaze on her as if studying her with its big crystalline eyes. A sudden terror encompassed her, so she screamed with all her strength, but no one answered. She then tried to overcome her fear by awakening a scientific interest in the new discovery, but its hairy legs that almost touched her face completely paralyzed her. Her legs were shaking, and yet... Its beauty shocked her. She felt alone but also the only guardian of a great secret. It was a moment of terror and, at the same time, of great exaltation. Suddenly it hissed, and she lost consciousness.

"Rhea, Rhea. Oh, thank god, you're awake! Are you alright? Are you in pain?" Rhea slowly regained consciousness and began to move her feet. "Yes, I'm alright. What happened? Are you hurt?" "No, I'm not hurt, but you lost consciousness and have been out for a while. Let's see if you can stand on your feet. Hopefully, you haven't broken any bones or anything." Rhea tries to stand on her feet but still feels paralyzed by her childhood memory. "I think I'll need some time before I can stand." "Don't worry," said Victor. "We're safe here. Just try and relax and breathe deeply." Victor was worried to death that another earthquake could possibly hit but tried to keep calm and assure Rhea instead. Rhea slowly but surely began to feel all her injuries from falling to the ground. Her hip, ankle, knee, and lower back were throbbing with pain.