Dragons vs Gods

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley,” Grandmother Gertie said. Sitting in a rocking chair next to the fireplace, as she re-braided her dark auburn hair. The years had painted white streaks throughout. She waited patiently for her grandchildren to settle down for their bedtime story. Despite being a grandmother, Gertie could easily pass for someone in their mid-30s. What gave away her age was her eyes; brilliant green eyes that had been passed down to her grandchildren. As proud as she was being a grandmother, using that title did not sit well with her. Armintha wiggled in her cushion and tucked a piece of her long, wavy brunette hair behind her ear. Strands sticking out everywhere from her ponytail after a hard day of playing and roughhousing with her twin brother, Luca. At twelve years old, they fought constantly.

Luca rocked side to side on his own cushion, knocking into his sister knowing it would antagonize her. Brushing his short, black, wavy locks out of his eyes, he ignored his sister’s thud as she fell backwards off her cushion. Looking up at his grandmother he said, “Do the magic Ms. Gertie!” he said. “Pleeeeaaaasssee,” Armintha hissed at him and shoved him back. Before another fight could break out, Gertie held up one hand and cleared her throat. “Ahem.” “Sorry Ms. Gertie,” they muttered together, crossing their legs, and placing their hands in their lap.

With a wry smile, Gertie held up her left hand and snapped her fingers. All the lights in the house extinguished as the fire roared to life. “Now then,” she began. “All legends come from a kernel of truth.” Making a grand gesture to the fire, sparks danced in the air and began to take shape. “Long ago, Gods and dragons ruled this land. Nobody knows who came first.” She held up both hands, palms up like a balancing scale. Raising her left hand she said, “Dragons were peaceful creatures that shared the land with the Gods and mortals. They even shared their knowledge of magic and the secrets the land held. The Gods, on the other hand, created a paradise of gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and anything your heart would desire. They had parties every night that mortals dreamed of being invited.” The fire took shape of a party with dragons of all shapes and sizes, people dancing, eating, and drinking.

“Wow,” the twins murmured in hushed awe.

“The entrance was shrouded in secret and could only be found if you were invited.” Smoke cascaded over the fire images of paradise, slowly fading away. “Over time the mortals became restless as the Gods kept taking the best cattle and the most beautiful people for their own selfishness. Dragons refused to interfere between matters of the Gods and mortals. But, fearing the dragons could be swayed, the Gods lured the leader of the dragons under the guise of a party only to be killed!” The fire roared to life as the room filled with an epic battle of Gods and dragons.

“How could the dragons be defeated by the Gods?! They’re. . . .like. . .Dragons!” Lucas half shouted as he threw his hands up. Noticing how close his hands were from a fire shaped dragon, Gertie’s voice sounded far away as he reached to touch the fire. Gertie bopped him on the head with her hand. “Boy,” Gertie said as she shook her head. “You are going to get burned one of these days if you let yourself get easily distracted.”

Rubbing his head he muttered, “yes ma’am.”

“Now then,” she said and cleared her throat. “Legend has it the head of the Gods, or self-proclaimed king, had a secret weapon. It would make Dragons, or any magical being, lose their magic making them defenseless.

“I wonder what the secret weapon could be?” Armintha pondered.

“I bet it was a big sword!” Luca said as he swished his arm around with an imaginary sword.

“That, my dears, is the biggest mystery of all.” Gertie conjured images of the battle coming to an end. “In one last attempt to protect all magical creatures, especially dragons, the Dragon leader was able to strike, breaking the secret weapon. Regaining some of their power, dragons were able to escape with a piece of the weapon. After that battle, the dragons isolated themselves from Gods, and mortals, unable to trust either. It is said the Gods still roam the land looking for any dragon to capture and find that missing piece so they can once again rule the land unchallenged.”

Armintha raised her hand.

“Yes darling?” Gertie said as fire dragons danced around the room. “But the dragons didn’t want to rule, only the Gods. What happened to the Gods? And-”

Gertie put up her hand before Armintha could rattle off anymore questions. “You are right little one. The Gods viewed the Dragons as a threat as the mortals started to see how the Dragons would give and the Gods would only take. As for what happened to the Gods, nobody knows. Legend says they closed the gates of their paradise to mortals.”

“I want a pet dragon!” Luca said.

Armintha snorted. “You can barely pick up after yourself, there is no way you can handle a dragon.”

Luca glared at his sister. Gertie snapped her fingers, and all the dragons flew back into the fireplace.

“Well if I have the key to subdue dragons, I would make one my pet.” Lucas asked, fighting back a yawn.

“That makes sense because you suck at making friends,” Armintha tease.

He shoved her halfheartedly, his eyelids becoming heavy.

She looked down at her grandbabies that were fighting falling asleep. The two were leaning against each other for support. Propping her head up on her hand, she rocked in the chair and took in the quiet scene. She knew Armintha and Luca were destined to do great things. She simply wished they would get past their squabbling, so they can really begin to learn and work together. Only then will they see just how talented they are. And how much they will need one another.

“Time for bed you two,” she said softly and snapped her fingers to have the house lights turn back on. The two groaned before they muttered,” Night Ms. Gertie.” They hugged her and slowly made the trek upstairs to their rooms.

As she watched them up the stairs, she pulled out a necklace, a jagged piece of blue-green stone encased with intricate writing encircling it. Pulling some light from fire, she held a small ball of fire with on hand as she twirled the necklace with the other. She smiled to herself. She could not wait until they got older to tell them just how special they really are.