Obsidian

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. But soon there would be. And when it would, nothing but bloodshed and death would be right on its heels.

Kai took one look at his father and the scowl on his handsome face and knew that this wasn't the fortune his father was looking for. They had visited the Kingdom's only seer Alaia. His father, King Cassian has ruled the Valley and every magical creature within it for over a decade. Except for the Dragon Court. Located in the Asher Mountains, Dragon Emperor Ryu and his royal court resided. They were powerful beings and considered the mightiest beings in the universe. They were also the only beings that King Cassian couldn't get under his rule. Unlike the other magical beings; no one knew much about the dragons and their creation. Where had they come from? The last record of a dragon sighting was over a hundred years ago by Kai's great grandfather Zephyr. In it, his grandfather describes a winged beast of majestic proportions. With super strength and flames that could obliterate whole villages in mere seconds. Claws that could maul an army of men with one swipe. Nothing else about its weaknesses or where it lived. This was all located in the royal library. Kai had read it nearly a million times hoping that something appears. Something he missed. Dragons intrigued him. They were full of mystery. If only he could see one with his own eyes…

" Dragons." Sneered the King, his tone bitter. Kai knew his father didn't like magical creatures. His tolerance for them only as long as his use of their magic. But there seems to be a hatred for dragons in particular. Every time Kai inquired about it, he was met with a mask of controlled rage and told to drop it. Something in Kai told him it had something to do with his mother, who died when Kai was just 5 years old. Ever since her death, his father's hatred for magical creatures seemed to grow. He dealt with them for the sake of his people. Employing elves for their healing poultices, and dwarfs for their unique craftsmanship in weaponry and armor. He even kept merfolk as servants and concubines within the castle for they were easy to control and use. He had kidnapped their children when the Mer King Avalon refused to submit to his rule. After 300 days of the war, the Mer King surrendered. In exchange, King Cassian had released the children but took the women to serve him as punishment. That's how Kai's father stayed in power. How he had enslaved every magical creature except the dragons. He found rooted out their weaknesses and used them. For the elves, dwarfs, and other Fae, he poisoned their water system with iron. Iron was dangerous to Fae creatures rendering their magic useless. Even deadly. Kai flinched as he remembered the poisoned bodies of Fae children. He still had nightmares of their screams as they died. The elves pleaded to his father for the antidote. Kai was a child back then, naïve to his father's thirst for power. To his cruelty. But not anymore. His father only gave the antidote after all of the Fae had sworn fealty to him. By then, it was too late. Numerous Fae lives had been lost. Elves were affected deeply, for the iron poisoning had made many of their kind sterile. An elven child hadn't been born in nearly ten years. Kai knew his father's greed had no bounds. The Valley wasn't enough. The Seas and Fae Kingdoms weren't enough. He needed the Dragon Court. For his father, ruling magical creatures were the only way he could keep the human race safe. His son was safe. But Kai feared that even when his father got the Dragon Court, that still wouldn't be enough.

" They hide in their mountains like cowards. I thought they were fearsome warriors." Said, King Cassian. Kai began to make a comment about his father's battle tactics when a voice yelled from behind them.

"Your Majesty!!"

Both Kai and his father turned around. Moving in fast strides towards them was Commander Caleb Garrison. He seemed to have both an excited but frantic look on his face. Behind him, a small entourage of soldiers was on his heels. When they reach Kai and his father, they all kneeled.

"You may rise," stated King Cassian. Commander Caleb and the others stood up.

"Speak Commander."

Commander Caleb nodded, his grey eyes sliding over to Alaia and Kai warily.

"This information your Majesty is of high importance. Would like to speak about this in a more private place?" Kai scowled. He was the Crown Prince, not an insolent child! How dare he suggest he couldn't be part of this conversation, that dimwitted imbecile... Kai's infuriated thoughts were cut short by his father's voice.

"Seer, leave us. Commander whatever it is that is of high importance, you can speak in front of your Crown Prince." Said, King Cassian. Alaia curtsied and exited the temple from a side door. Kai smirked at Commander Caleb. It was childish but Kai felt a twinge of smugness as he watched the commander's olive skin flush a rosy red.

"My apologies. My men have found something that may be the answer to your recent conquest"

King Cassian perked up then, his eyes taking on an intrigued glint to it.

"What?"

"A girl, your Majesty. She was found crossing our borders a couple of hours ago."

"Commander, what do I care if a mere girl crosses our borders? Traders come through the Valley all the time." Kai fingered the black obsidian bracelet on his right wrist. He had this bracelet since he was born. His mother had given it to him. It was the only thing he had of her for his father had all of her pictures and belonging destroyed right after her death. It was special, for it grew with him adjusting to his wrist size over the years. But also when something was awry it grew warm to the touch. Kai knew it had some magical element to it, so he never brought it up to his father. It was warm now. Burning even. Commander Caleb looked straight at King Cassian.

"She isn't just a girl your Majesty. She's a dragon."

Kai's eyes widened. A dragon? He watched his father's face as it went from surprise to pure malice. A smirk spread across his father's face, his hazel eyes glinting.

"Take me to her. Now." Demanded the king. They exited the temple, moving swiftly through the market. As they passed, vendors bowed to the king and Kai. Kai nodded and smiled. The Valley was filled with wonders and activity. He had always loved coming to the Market with his mother after the visited the temple. The people loved her. Queen Celeste's death affected the whole kingdom deeply.

However, those memories soon faded and were replaced with dread as they approached the castle. What would his father do with the dragon girl? Kill her? Torture her? The thought made Kai's stomach sicken. Over the years he had to watch his father commit treacherous acts upon people. Especially magical beings. Lashings, beheadings, torture. The list was endless and every time Kai felt helpless and weak. What future king would he be if he couldn't protect the innocent? He was so deep into his thoughts, that he had realized they were inside the castle until he nearly ran into Commander Caleb, who rewarded him with an evil sneer. Kai glared back. He found it hard to believe that they used to be friends once. Best friends. Both grew up within the castle walls. Kai is the son of a tyrant. Caleb is the son of an aristocrat. Both have witnessed the horrors of Kai's father. Both had suffered under his cruelty. It brought them together. But whereas Kai decided to not the evils of his father taint him, the opposite could be said of Caleb. He grew to be just as ruthless as King Cassian and just as prejudiced against magical creatures. It was this same ruthlessness that caught the eye of the king and soon pushed Caleb quickly through the ranks. Caleb was well aware of how Kai felt about his father's treatment.

Caleb moved forward, leading to a corridor.

"We have her locked in the prison cells. Heavily guarded your Majesty" stated Caleb. A hint of pride was in his voice. Kai rolled his eyes.

"You believe a prison cell is going to hold a dragon Cal-, I mean Commander?" Asked Kai condescendingly. Caleb turned towards Kai.

"Yes, Your Highness. The dragon girl seems to be heavily injured. That's how we were able to apprehend her." His tone was calm but Kai knew underneath simmered fury.

"Enough of your childish taunting. Just take me to her Commander." Snapped the King. Caleb nodded solemnly and lead down to a wide iron door. Kai realized they were in the prison cells specifically for the Fae. Iron. So their magic would be cut off. They would be defenseless.

They walked down a long spiraling staircase until they reach the ground floor. They were greeted by guards. Caleb gave them a nod of consent and they moved aside. In a huge cell made of iron bars, sat a girl. Because her head was bowed down to her chest, Kai could only have seen a headful of black hair the color of ravens. Her arms and legs were shackled with iron cuffs. Her legs were curled up to her chest. She wore a tunic of royal blue and gold and gold sandals that ran up her calves. Even from where Kai was standing at the entrance he could tell they were made from rich material and not the usual wool that traders wore

"This is her, your Majesty."

"Open the doors." Ordered the King

"But your Majesty, she's…" the guard. King Cassian cut the guard a hard glare.

"I know what she is, guard. OPEN THE DOOR."

Caleb shoved the guard aside and pulled out his key. He slid it into the lock and opened the door.

"Kai, Caleb. Come." The king stepped inside the cell. Caleb glanced at Kai and followed. Kai after him. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. It pressed down like an anvil in the cell. Kai rubbed at his bracelet.

"You said she was wounded, Commander. I don't see any wounds. Nor any indication that she is a dragon."

Caleb cleared his throat before speaking.

" We saw her in her, um, another form your Majesty. It seemed as if her wing was injured. We found this next to her." From his pants pocket, he pulled out a long arrow. He handed it to the king. The king twisted in his hands. It was narrow with a black shine to it. It was covered in gold writing.

"It was made with great quality. What is it made out of?" Asked the king.

"We are unsure. I planned on sending it to the alchemist for testing. Or the dwarfs" said Caleb. Kai moved closer for inspection. He has seen this material before. He was wearing the same material on his wrist. Black Obsidian. The bracelet warmed as if in agreement. Something told him it wasn't a coincidence. What were the odds that this arrow that injured the dragon girl was of the same material that the bracelet his mother gave him? Something was astir.

"Ask the dwarfs. Tell them their king needs a favor." Said, King Cassian. Kai stopped himself from an eye roll. Everyone knew it wasn't favor but a demand. His father didn't ask.

"Go, quickly. Whatever this is, it affected our alleged dragon. Which means they have a weakness." He handed the arrow back to Caleb.

Caleb bowed his head and left the cell.

Now it was just Kai, his father, and three guards. Kai watched his father walk up to the girl.

"Father, don't you think we should be cautious? We have no idea what she's capable of."

King Cassian chuckled darkly.

"Dakarai, do you honestly believe this girl is a dragon?"

" I don't know but to be carelessly approaching an opponent without caution…" trailed off Kai. King Cassian smirked and leaned over to touch the girl's hair.

Without warning, the girl lifted her head and spoke.

"Get your filthy hands off of me before I bite it off." She growled. She raised her head and glared at both Kai and the king. Kai froze. This girl was beautiful. Her beauty was harsh and cutting. Even the king stood stunned. With her head upwards, her black hair fell to her shoulders. It was complemented by skin the color of chocolate. It reminded Kai of the chocolate bars the traders often brought castle. Her lips were full and pink, her face heart-shaped. Kai couldn't imagine this beautiful girl being a dragon. But it was her eyes that gave it away. They weren't human. They were the deepest shade of violet Kai had ever seen. In the middle were pupils that were black slits, like a snake. They were both entrancing and dangerous.

"She speaks." Smiled Kai's father coldly. He had also seen the girl's eyes. It was all he needed to confirm the girl's identity. She was a dragon.

The girl snarled and leaned forward. Kai saw a small glint of fang as she winced. She was injured. Severely it seems. But as quick as the wince came it disappeared underneath a glower.

"If you think I'm going to tell anything about the dragons or my home. Just kill me. Oh. Wait." She grinned at the king, this time revealing a full fang. "You can't." Kai covered a small smile with his hand. This girl was arrogant. Even in the face of death. This only enraged his father more. One thing King Cassian didn't like was being made a fool. Before Kai could react, his father had his hand around the girl's throat.

"You arrogant girl. Do you think you can beat me with your words? You will tell me the location of your kind." His hand tightened around the girl's throat as if to emphasize his threat. Kai stepped forward. His father was going to kill her.

"Father.." he began until he was cut off by the sound of laughter. It took a moment until he realized it was coming from the girl. Kai widened in disbelief. Maybe it was the shock, he thought. She was losing her mind.

I'm not losing my mind, princeling.

Kai reeled back to the voice in his head. It was smooth and rich with archaic undertones that suggested a more medical upbringing. It seemed to fit perfectly for the woman with strange eyes. Kai cleared his throat.

"Father, if you kill the dragon we won't be able to obtain information."

"Information we won't be able to get if she doesn't cooperate. At least ill get the pleasure of killing her." Snapped King Cassian.

"Maybe we can try a different approach Father." The king glared at him but took his hands from around the girl's throat. Kai hadn't realized his father had practically lifted the girl off the floor until she fell back down with a loud thud.

"I have matters to attend to. Get the information out of her Dakarai. One way or another." Kai knew what that tone implicated. Do whatever it takes. Including torture. He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat at the thought and gave his father a sure nod.

"Of course, I will update you on any progress."

With one last withering glare at the girl, the king stepped out of the cell and left. It was only when the king left that the girl decided to speak.

"Dakarai? Seems a little dramatic for a prince." Kai quirked a smile in response.

"Why were you in the Valley?" Asked Kai. The girl rolled her eyes.

"As if I would tell you, princeling." She pushed herself back against the wall, rolling her shoulders. A flash of pain crossed her face. The injury had to be in her shoulder area.

" I can help you. If you just tell him what you know…"

She laughed humorlessly. "So he can slaughter or enslave my people? Even in Asher Mountain, we've heard the horror stories of what happens to magical folk who don't bend to your dear daddy's rule."

"But maybe I can spare your life. Maybe I can plead on your behalf—" She cut him off. Her eyes narrowed in anger.

"I rather die than betray my people."

Kai sighed. He didn't want her to die. Not another life. He had to help her somehow from his father… Without thinking, he reached for his obsidian bracelet from up his sleeve where he hid it from Caleb and his father.

"Where did you get that?" Kai snapped out his thoughts and looked down at the bracelet.

"My mother gave it to me when I was a child." He clutched it defensively.

"Impossible. That's black obsidian." Kai looked at her face. For the first time since he met her, he saw her face filled with fear. True fear. Something that didn't even come when his father's hand was wrapped around her throat.

"I know. It's made from the same material as the arrow that harmed you. Where does it come from?" Asked Kai. The girl went to open her mouth but decided against it and closed it immediately.

"Why would your mother give you a bracelet of black obsidian?"

Kai narrowed his eyes this time.

"An answer for an answer."

"How do I know you won't run and tell your precious king?" Her tone was constricted and filled with anger. Kai sighed.

"Trust? Look, I'm not like my father. I don't know why he's obsessed with dragons. He's been like that since my mother died." Kai sat cross-legged in the cell. "I don't know why my mother gave me this bracelet. I know it must be made of magic. It adjusts as I grow on its own and its warms when something is wrong."

The girl glowered at the bracelet.

"It's from the dark elves. Only they have black obsidian in their realm. It rare and hard to come by."

"So my mother bought me a luxury item?" Retorted Kai. The girl rolled her eyes this time. After a deep breath, she spoke.

"The arrow, where is it?"

"My father's commander has it. He going to take it to the dwarfs to run tests on it. See what it is."

"Shit." She muttered at first then she began to swear in a foreign language.

"Hey, um Dragon lady?"

"Aria! The name is Aria!!" She snapped, glaring at him.

"What's the big deal? It's just obsidian. It cant kill you." Said Kai. Aria gave him another glare.

"Then why didn't you tell your father about your bracelet?"

Kai opened his mouth to speak but shut it back. Because he didn't know why he hadn't told his father about the arrow and the bracelet being the same material. It was an inner voice that told him not to. So he went with the truth.

"I don't know. Something told me not to."

"You don't know," Aria said. It seemed more to herself than him.

"Know what?"

"Black obsidian is deadly to dragons, even fatal," stated Aria. "It is the only thing that can either kill us or pierce our armor. And now your tyrant asshole of a father has a piece of it." She dropped her head into her hands. "And it's my fault."

"Aria?" Said Kai softly. When she lifted her head, there were tears in her eyes.

"How did you end up in the Valley?"

Aria took a sleeve of her tunic and wiped her face. She exhaled deeply before speaking.

"I left Asher Mountain. My father, my elders they warned me not. But I wanted to see outside of Asher mountain. I thought if I just flew quickly around once, I could be back before anyone noticed. I didn't get far before I got attacked. By a bunch of dark elves called the Triad. They are mercenaries." She paused. "Dragons are nearly invincible due to our armor. We aren't affected by magic or magical weapons. Except for one made out of black obsidian."

" The arrow."

Aria nodded. "One of the Triad is an archer. She shot me with an obsidian arrow in my wing." She pointed to a dark spot on her tunic near the shoulder blade.

"I killed the Triad but I wasn't strong enough to fly. I came out of my dragon form. I managed to crash into your borders. There I was caught by your commander and his henchmen."

"This black obsidian… what else can it do?" Kai couldn't pinpoint but it had to be connected to his bracelet somehow. To his mother.

Aria shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is it kills dragons. And once your father finds out, he will use it to torture information out of me." She looked at Kai, her face pleading. "I have to get out of here. I have to warn my family."

Kai looked at her. God, she was beautiful. And innocent. He couldn't let his father kill her. Just for being a magical creature. Slaughter her family. She had to get out of here. But if his father found out about his betrayal. To him, to their kingdom….

Sensing his hesitation, Aria spoke.

" Help me, I can take you to my people. There we can find out more about the bracelet, find out why your mother gave it to you."

"My father will kill me, Aria. I will betray my people. My kingdom."

"Dakarai, please. You say you aren't your father. Prove it." She looked at him, her violet eyes drilling into him. Into his soul. Kai reached over and unlocked her arms and legs cuffs. He stood up.

"Call me Kai. Dakarai is too dramatic, remember?" He grinned at her. Aria stood up. She was slightly taller than he expected.

"I, Aria of the Dragon court promise to help find the truth in your bracelet Prince Kai of the Valley. Dragon's honor." She bowed. Kai flushed at the grand gesture. Suddenly he felt a small sting on his forearm. He pushed up his sleeve. On his arm was a golden tattoo of a dragon. He looked at Aria, on hers was one of the same in black. Kai arched his eyebrows in question.

"It's a dragon oath tattoo. It binds me to you until my oath to you is fulfilled. Dragon custom." She pulled down her sleeve. Kai followed suit. He looked at Aria and extended his hand.

"Let's get you out of here and to your people." Aria hesitated. After a few seconds, she grabbed his hand. This was for her people. For the dragons. It meant nothing…

Cassian

Cassian hurriedly left the prison cell and made his way to his bed-chamber. After all these years, a dragon had appeared. In his kingdom of all places. A smile spread across his face. He would get the Dragon Court and finally, he would have full control. Magic at his whim. The dragons could finally pay. Pay for the deaths of his father. His mother. He would enslave them all. Use his magic to expand his kingdom. In his bedroom, he reached into his bureau and pulled out a photo. He gazed at it with both love and hatred. It was his wife. Queen Celeste. She was the better half of him. Until he found out about her betrayal. As he conquered every magical creature and its home. Except for the dragons. The Dragon Court was nearly impenetrable with its home residing in Asher mountain. He had tried every method but was of no avail. Until he found his wife's letters. They were of correspondence between herself and the Dragon Emperor! She had asked the Emperor for help to overthrow him! Tyrant, she called him. Enraged, he brought them to her. She didn't deny them. Instead, she demanded he stops prosecuting magical creatures. Enslaving them. He refused. She threatened to expose the truth to the people. For what he was. What he was doing. Before you know it, he had his hands wrapped around her throat. She fought viciously. But as life seeped out of her body, she smiled… smiled as if she knew something he didn't…

"Your Majesty?" There was a light knock on the door. Cassian put the photos back in the bureau and closed it.

"Enter."

Commander Caleb entered the room. He bowed.

"Your Majesty."

"We are alone, Caleb. No formalities needed." Caleb nodded and cleared his throat. He was a handsome man. Resourceful and smart. He had the true grit of a leader thought Cassian. Unlike his soft-hearted son. Cassian snorted.

" I've found out what the black arrow is made of."

Cassian went over to his table and poured himself a cup of wine. For the atrocities that they were, centaurs had the best wine. Thought Cassian. He took a long sip.

"And?"

Caleb pulled the arrow out and handed it to Cassian.

"It's made out of black obsidian. Dark magic. Cassian put his wine down and with nimble fingers, lifted the arrow to the light. It glinted the gold lettering on it casting a soft glow on the ceiling.

"What about the lettering? What is it?"

"Runes, your Majesty." Cassian gave Caleb a withering look. Always so formal that one. Even after everything that transpired between them.

"Only elves can cast runes, Caleb." And this was dark magic. Dark magic wasn't permitted in the Valley.

"Correct, these are runes created by the Dark Ones. I spoke to a dwarf by the name of Soren, he said that only dark elves skilled in the Dark Art could forge a weapon made out of black obsidian. It's rare to come by."

"Yet our little dragon was shot with one of these…. Why?" Cassian began to pace, twirling the arrow between his fingers. Dark Elves were dangerous. The magic they practiced was one that often required great sacrifice. And just like that, it hit him. He stopped pacing. His hand stilled. That was it. The black obsidian had wounded a dragon. A dragon with impenetrable armor. A wolfish grin crossed Cassian's face. He had found it. A weakness. And just like that, a plan began to form….

The End