Fantasy
Spirit of the Dragon
“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” He said with a somber expression that made the wrinkles in his weathered face grow deeper beneath his bushy gray eyebrows and peppered beard that framed his chiseled jaw. Her father was handsome and wise, like any merchant sailor should be to navigate the violent seas. Diona turned her attention back to the ocean where the stars danced over the face of the water in fleeting glints. All the stars were out tonight, and the ocean swayed the ship with gentle rocking waves creating a calmness she wasn’t used to, but even with its lulling oscillation, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. In just three days they would be home and she’d be able to see her mother again. At only 9 years old, her father wanted her to begin joining him on his journeys. He and her mother had been unable to have any more children after she was born and so he had no son. But that wasn’t an issue for them, they loved her just as much as they’d have loved a son and her father taught her all he knew. Like he was now about the dragons.
By Veronica Wiley4 years ago in Fiction
Shadows in the Valley
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. So, the tales say. Once, ages ago, the Valley was a lush, verdant expanse. It is said that it was the domain of a powerful king. His kingdom was one of the mightiest in the land. One day a wizard came to the king’s court to make a request. The exact details of this request have been lost to time; some say he came to ask for the princess’ hand in marriage. Others claim the wizard came demanding outrageous things from the King. Regardless of what the request was the tale holds that the king denied it and the wizard in his rage rent the veil between this world and a darker one. The portal ripped the castle asunder and poured forth horrors. The king’s forces fought valiantly by all accounts, but they were but mere mortals in the face of evil given form. The darkness seeping from the gaping wound in reality began to transform the king’s men, twisting them into monstrous forms. Those that had fallen in battle against the creatures began to rise to their feet once more, rotting corpses in ruined armor heeding the call of darkness and joining the battle against their former comrades. The skies themselves began to darken over the valley. As his kingdom fell the King had his court wizard send out a desperate call for aid. A great red dragon answered the call, swooping in from beyond the valley and burning the corrupt creatures to ash. As the fight wore on the dragon began to succumb to the corruption spewing forth from the portal.
By SirCrispix4 years ago in Fiction
Goblins, Gunpowder, and Getaway Carriages
Chapter One - A Good Day There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Usually they stayed on the upper east side of New Camelot. Something about all the natural stone and marble drew them in. I always thought that they just didn’t like concrete. Maybe dragons were allergic to it? That would be a great headline. SNOOTY OR SNEEZY? Are our scaled friends high class or do they have street dust sickness?
By Scott Sandback4 years ago in Fiction
Skullduggery
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. As far as Dill Rose knew, her home had been dragon-free until today. The family manor, Rose Hall, stood stoic and weather-beaten atop a hillside overlooking the Valley. Bordered by ash and birch, a river meandered through the Valley’s lowest reaches. Sheep grazed along the banks. They weren’t Rose family sheep—just a neighbor’s animals grazing on Uncle’s leased acreage. Lord knows, none of the Rose family Skullduggers would descend to sheep raising. They might be the barrel scrapers of the magical world, but they were still Practitioners.
By Kathy Bjornestad4 years ago in Fiction
After The War
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The world has changed quite a bit. It all started back in 2019 when the world was ravaged by a global pandemic, then two years later russia deceiced to invade Ukraine. But the shit really hit the fan three years after that when Russia started world war three and nuked Ukrane. But that's not the worst of it. When Russa bombed Ukraine, it cracked the Eurasian tectonic plate, which lead to an opening to somingthing deeper. And I'm sure you guessed it... dragons.
By Zac Tordik4 years ago in Fiction
A Royal's Mistake
“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” The talking woman looked down at the baby in her arms and traced the crescent shaped scar that ran through the child’s left eye. “There was a time where we were the ones who lived in the Valley.” The woman looked at the stone walls of her room and added, “Back when the mountains were scenery in the distance, instead of our home.”
By Josh Ripperger4 years ago in Fiction
Draconia
The Land of Elixirs There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. They mostly came in the spring, when the trees and plants bloomed, so they could feast on its bountiful offerings. The dragons were all different sizes and are mainly herbivores now. Ever since the Great Standoff, they agreed not to eat the locals anymore. Many are still afraid of them, yet there are many who are not. The dragons especially like the fiery mushrooms. It is understood these mushrooms give them the power to breathe fire. These aren't the only magical edible the Valley offers. There is a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, fungi, floral, roots, animals, and other items that provide many enhancing benefits. Only dragons can digest the fiery mushrooms. Any others who tried, were able to blow fire but died within hours from spontaneous combustion. There are, however, numerous items from the Valley the locals diet on. Some help with nutrition, some help with ailments, and some initiate special abilities. Many are still yet to be discovered.
By Russel Bush4 years ago in Fiction
The Dragon War
There weren’t always dragons in the valley. And if it were up to them they’d wished for it to stay that way. It was a cold morning. Their breath clung to the air in little clouds. Each of them huddling together in small groups to keep some semblance of warmth in the early winter morning.
By Matthew Donnellon4 years ago in Fiction
Wars of the Icy Seas
"There weren't always dragons in the valley." Chieftess Iceni explained as she gave the shipwrecked Captain Sam 'Casanova' Morgan a tour of her flagship. "What do you mean?" he asked, very confused. Chieftess Iceni led the way to the lower deck, " There was a time when a Chieftess could live in peace and care for her people. Then the invasions started. Men from the warm Mediterranean came to take our lands and enslave our people. Than men from the east started their own campaigns. Then about ten years ago boats came from the north. The most ruthless of all the invaders. The come with no warning bringing untold hell upon us. They care not if you be a man, a woman, or a child. They will take what they will. We have had to fight with all our might to survive. We have had to be clever when kind words were all it took before. We have had to become hardened. We cannot hesitate to draw our blades and spill blood before ours stain the decks. We have had to throw out our once set morals and take what we need." she explained as they entered the Captain's quarters.
By Samantha Shaffer4 years ago in Fiction
