The New World

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.

A hundred years ago the grassy slopes were ribboned with streams. The children would weave their bird-bone fingers in the water, unafraid of any monster that may lurk beneath. While their parents worked they would play, entirely free as they flew from the cypress trees and floated above the valley gales.

With the high hills of the Valley and the ocean at their backs, there was no knowledge of fear or hate or terror. Those types of emotions had no place here.

No one knew what this world was capable of. But then the tides began to rise. The lazuli waves drowned the rice fields and swelled the mud-brick houses until they crumbled.

The people tried to flee at first. Stumbling from their homes into the Valley’s embrace, a cold cradle of stone and shadow that would never yield. Because with the flood came the monsters, awakened from their restless slumber.

No one truly escaped. Instead, the founders of our New World decided to vanish, burying deep beneath the Valley where we could never be found. Where we would start anew in the darkness below.

***

Pandora lived in the miners colony, the deepest of the nine that made up the New World. Nicknamed ‘The Coffin’ by its most devout admirers, the ninth colony was made up of a new kind of darkness. One of soot and greed.

The daily sirens pushed her from her lodgings and into the flow of workers. The roads here were barely wide enough to walk side-by-side, and Pandora’s shoulder scraped the rough stone as she sidled up beside her usual partner. Theus’ dark eyes barely shifted from the path as Pandora leaned closer into his shoulder. “I had another dream last night, Theus.” Pandora rumbled, lowering her voice so it matched the distant thrum of the mines. “Epimetheus?”

A quiet hum from beside her. Continue.

“There was a heartbeat, loud enough to fill the entire first colony. But something was odd about it this time.” They’d reached the entrance of the mines, Pandora catching her words as they collected their pickaxes. As they rounded the corner Theus inclined his head slightly. “With every thud the caves seemed to breathe. Hot air that shook free the stones. It felt so real that my body was even warm when I awoke.” Pandora grabbed Theus’ muddied sleeve and hissed. “Warm! In the ninth colony?”

Neither one of them spoke for some time, winding their way further and further down into the dark. In silence they approached Theus’ section and separated. It wasn’t until Pandora was ten paces away did a rough voice reach after her. “Be careful Pandora. You don’t know what you’re playing with here.”. She turned to argue after him, but the shadows had already swallowed him up.

***

Pandora’s arms ached as she raised her pickaxe, bringing it down in a steady rhythm against the rocks. If she was lucky she’d find something other than coal today. Something that may buy her a new set of clothes, or even a sweet pear tart from the sixth colony. Her mouth watered at the thought. Usually just one would gobble up a whole month's salary, but it was always, always worth it.

She’d just got to the centre of her imaginary tart when her pick snagged on the stones. Jackpot.

She sheathed her pick against her back and assessed the space before her.

Teeth bared against the darkness, Pandora lurched forwards and began to tear away at the crumbling rock. Her nails splintered against the rough flints, blood mixing with sweat and dirt. Around her the miners continued in their heavy chorus, metal and stone thrashing against one another. Good, no one had noticed her hesitation, her discovery.

Pandora raised a flame to the darkness, the light ballooning against the smokey shadow. One arm braced within the broken stones, she leaned further in, teetering on the creases of her leather slippers. The thought of the treasures beyond had her lifting a leg into the wall. The gap was as wide as her arm and just high enough that her pickaxe snagged on her shirt. As she dropped gracelessly on the other side she heard it tear.

“There better be rutting gold through here.” Pandora swore as she stretched to feel the extent of the damage.

After a moment, Pandora took another step into the cavern. The rowdy bustle of the miners echoed far behind her, filtering into the background of her mind. All around her, the dank walls shifted and shrunk from the light of her candle, gradually exposing its tattooed surface. Endless interpretations of amber and indigo covered the expanse of the sloped ceilings. The gossamer paint shyed from her light, flinching and flickering apprehensively wherever she followed. But slowly, Pandora processed what it was telling her. What the humans who hunted under the protection of the moon had died to protect.

Suddenly, a squall of hot breath gutted her candle’s flame, plunging Pandora violently into the inky darkness. The paintings of her ancestors flaked beneath her palm as she edged blindly along the passageway.

As she descended, the air curdled into ash. Stale puffs of vapour emitted from beneath her feet, crowding against the dampness on her skin like insects. Only when she padded her way around the final edge of the cavern wall was Pandora able to breathe.

She had reached the anti-chamber. Her stone-faced guide ended bluntly, phasing out into an unseen plain. Cool gales traced the damp patterns of her spine making her shudder; whether it be in anticipation or fear, she did not know.

Her body was suspended in the dark, a panoptic deity trapping her in the tasteless and unfeeling air. Pandora blinked furiously, desperate to see more. Without a second thought she fell forwards into the darkness, the ground beneath her embracing her weight with a sharp crunch. Splinters, sharp as bone, pierced into the thin leather of her slippers. Despite the pain, Pandora could barely make a sound as the surrounding stone started to glow.

Pandora squinted as hundreds of aquamarine tiles blinked into life, spreading like a wildfire from the shattered mass beneath her. Their glare was as bright as the hottest hearth, and yet no heat emitted from within their pulsing, glass hearts. And finally, like an animal, the darkness shrank back, hiding as the chamber unveiled itself.

A dozen pools of clear, crystalline water ran from one another. Rock faces smoothed by decades of running water housed tide pools, larger than any man, and steaming with a chthonic likeness. In their multitude, those arrowhead tiles lit up the depths beneath, flashing against the fins of fish and the pearlescent snap of clams.

Rubbing the dull ache from her eyes, Pandora glided into the nearest pool, scooping a dozen crystals into her open palms. Not a thought commanded her body as she sank to her knees. Water rushed into her clothes, fabric straining as she dragged a steady hand over the ripples. She was naive to think gold was the paragon of wealth. So unthinkably naive.

Pandora ranted silently, baring her teeth at the illuminated ceiling. Her grin slipped sideways as she took in the sloped graces of stone and quartz above her. Delicate depictions of man, just as the ones she had seen before. But this time they were not alone. They were not being watched by the sky, they were within it, flying atop the dragons.

There was no hate, no fear, no greed. What she saw here was pure harmony. Dragons and mankind working as one.

Pandora recoiled, shuffling backwards desperately. She was blind once more, confusion and betrayal pushing her onto the silky shoreline. A dark, slumbering beast yawned from within her as the truth settled.

There was never an invasion. The dragons were not the enemy, but allies, familiars, friends.

Pandora’s chest heaved. The dull roar of the water a whole world away. She shivered against the cold, the ground beneath her stirring, sighing.

Her head emptied. The only sound, her clothes, her hair, draining onto the ground beneath her.

Not ground. Beast.

Drip, drip, drip.

Pandora’s eyes widened as the dragon beneath her came alight. She was a fool, this was no cavern, those were no crystals. This was its leir and she has stolen its scales.

She didn’t have time to think as she heaved the pickaxe from her back. It’s dull metal absorbing the aqua glare of the dragon's stomach. She didn’t care that the Founders had hidden this from her, from them all.

For there was only one thing that fetched a higher price than crystal, and she was sitting on it.

With a practised ease, Pandora raised the steel above her head and slipped soundlessly into the water. The water parted around her as she traipsed up the length of its body. She had to move before it awoke. She had to go for the head.

Pandora thought about the ache in her stomach, and the tear in her shirt. She thought about the bleak darkness of her bedroom and the bell that signalled her to something even darker.

She thought about every bit of pain as she readied herself, muscles taught and eyes closed against the light.

One breath in to steady her aching wrists. One breath out as she opened her eyes… and met the gaze of the dragon before her.

Neither one of them moved.

Those eyes, so different from the green hue of the cave, truly did burn her. Because there was no death promised there, no resentment or hunger.

The pickaxe crashed into the surf between them, rushing those fired-amber eyes with water.

The dragon blinked against the spray, distracted, as Pandora turned and ran like hell.

***



Pandora didn’t stop running until she reached The Barge. A direct journey to the first colony powered by the Waterfalls from Above. Water from the flood caused by the dragons.

But why? Why did our ancestors run, and why did the Dragons turn on mankind?

Seated between the rotten hull and an apple crate, Pandora didn’t have time to think on it as she dove into a heavy sleep.

***

A high pitched ringing broke through Pandora’s shackled sleep. She pondered the possibility of the past hour having been a dream. That she had simply dozed off in the heat of the mines and this was the welcome call of the dinner bell.

The Barge banked left violently, spitting Pandora out from her cradle of wood rot. Baltic amber eyes flashed before her mind.

“Definitely not a dream then.”. Theus would be shocked to hear her say such a thing. If she ever saw him again.

Pandora chose note to follow up on the thought as she eased up off the damp ground and followed the ringing into the docks.

The first colony was at once the largest and the most reclusive of the nine. It was home to the three Founders, their lap dogs, and the Waterfall. All of whom they commanded under a strict watch. Luckily for her, however, they also were keen to accept pious grovelling from any faithful servants. A type of gratitude they accepted in only one place.

Pandora rolled back on her heels to take in the full extent of the Ivory Temple. Balanced on the highest point of all the colonies, the temple required a dozen pillars, each as thick as a giant’s heel, to hold up the ornate roof. The entirety of it was open, gutted like a beggar's ribcage. All except the back wall of course, which was streaked with the flowing shimmer of the Waterfall. Pandora dug her nails into her palm. The Above was right there, it was time enough that human’s returned to the skies. With a final huff, she began her accent towards the temple.

By the time Pandora reached the foam-white columns her legs were shaking like seagrass. Before she could catch her breath, a young girl raced towards her, cotton blue skirts fanning at her feet. The delicate splay of her fingers hid most of her face but did little to smother the sounds thundering from her mouth. Deep, visceral sobs leaked from the vents in her ash brown hands. Pandora reached out wordlessly, unable to tear her gaze from the girl as she disappeared down the steps. What existed in this world to create so much sorrow?

But she couldn’t worry about that now, not with so much at stake. She shook out her silver hair to cover the mangled fabric of her shirt, laughing internally at the pathetic attempt to make herself presentable. Suddenly, a sonorous voice called out from within the temple. No. Three voices, speaking as one.

“Pandora Elpis, step into the light.”

She resisted the urge to duck as she stepped over the threshold of the temple. Looming masses of Ivory, carved into the most delicate curves, rolled in waves towards the centre of the room. Detailed with the stories of humanity’s rebirth, Time in all its many forms carried her towards the apex of it all. Here, at the centre of the room, each wave of words converged into a rising peak. Upon which sat three thrones; the thrones of the Founders who were each staring at her with an unbreakable stillness.

Weight crushed Pandora’s shoulders, pressing her knees into the floor.

“Speak, and tell us why you have come.” The first founder spoke, her youthful face aureoled by the water behind her. To her right sat two other women. One was middle aged with hair so dark it gobbled the light around her, whilst the other was ancient. Age had caused her face to curl into itself, disappearing within its own shadows.

Pandora lowered her eyes against their weighted stares and began to speak.

“There is a cavern beneath the mines, it's cradle sunken by a dozen pools.” She swallowed against the dryness in her throat. “I awoke something there - a light- nothing about it true to this world we have created. But it revealed to me a certain truth.”

Pandora finally raised her eyes to the three Founders, each one a strict juxtaposition of the next. “Our ancestors lied, we were never enemies with the Dragons. Instead, they garrisoned our armies, carried our soldiers and protected our people; perhaps it can be that way again.” She uncurled her feet from beneath her. “Perhaps it is time for us to return to the Valley, to stop hiding in the dark.”

Pandora forced herself to meet their glares, steeling herself against their apathy. She just had to convince them she wasn’t a fool. “What I found is proof we can live up there again, maybe rekindle what was lost. If you’d please just listen to m-” The air rushed out of her lungs as the Mother lifted her palm.

“Enough.” Her voice was rough, her gaze noncommittal as she allowed Pandora to breathe once more.

“It has long been prophesied that a girl would send up a gift from Below” Pandora’s rasping breaths filled the silence. “This girl was to release truth into the world, and with it jealousy, disease, and hate. Violations to this World we have created.” The Mother hissed, her serpentine canines breaching her lips. “It appears that you have delivered her right to us, so we may dispose of the threat accordingly.”

Pandora blanched, her voice barely a whisper as she responded. “The oath bids me a final wish.”

The Crone rolled out a grey, wrinkled finger from beneath her cloak, beckoning her to continue.

“I want the truth. If I am to die anyway.”

Before the Mother could refuse her, the Maiden spoke, her dulcet voice a comfort in her mortal ears. “It is granted.”

The youngest Founder stood, her hair shifting over the lace bodice of her gown. “Centuries ago, Dragons and Humans lived in peace. The Valley was ruled by a rhythm of understanding between the two races. But we soon realised Dragons could give us more, could do more in death.” Pandora’s palms became slack with sweat. “With every sacrifice the lands grew stronger, the people along with it. Still, it wasn’t enough. There remained violent and unforgiving disease, suffering even for the innocent. Only one such dragon could rid us of that burden.”

“The Dragon of the Moon.” Pandora interrupted, her whole body cold. The Mother gave a deep nod, confirming.

There was silence, not one of the Founders feeling charitable enough to reveal more.

But that did not matter. Pandora had known the truth for some time now, even if her body had refused it. “But you misjudged its power, didn’t you?” She didn’t wait as she barrelled on. “The Dragon of the Moon wasn’t like any of the others, its power was unique, isolated.”

Pandora gritted her teeth at the chill that settled over her. The Waterfall flared, roaring in its own wordless resentment. “You three killed it and kept its power for yourselves. You stole the moon from the sky and flooded the Valley.” The accusation settled in the room like a mist, dark and dizzying.

The Maiden, Mother and Crone were silent and denied nothing.

Dirt stained the ivory floors where Pandora lifted the pickaxe from her back.

“You naive girl, you think you know anything? You think we could possibly be harmed by such a weapon.” The Mother croaked. “You cannot take on all three of us.” Both the Maiden and the Mother eased back into their thrones, training their eyes on the dull sheen of her pick.

Her breath was coming out in heavy clouds, illuminated by the sea green glow of the Temple. Pandora traced the ivory dais, its height and history, the lies it resembled. She thought back to the girl racing off into the darkness. So much misery lingered here, trapped beneath the water and rock. Stuck behind the aquamarine waterfall and the glowing amber within.

She lowered her pick, resignation tracing her shoulders. The Founders sneered down at her impetuousness.

“I know.” Pandora sighed. “I can’t kill you. But he can.” That aquamarine glare erupted as a creature ripped through the waterfall. The Dragon’s scales blinked within the foam-white tiles of the Temple, its colour dancing from pillar to pillar as it leapt for the dais.

From atop their thrones the Founders lounged still as stone; still sneering as their heads rolled inanimately.

Red trickled over the waves of ivory. Three gentle streams flowed towards Pandora’s feet.

The Dragon circled once and landed gracefully beside her, its aqua glow subsiding. Side by side, the two of them stared up at the fallen Three, the now-silver sheen of the Dragon’s scales a beastial twin to Pandora’s muddied locks.

No fear stained her breath as Pandora spoke. “Take back what is yours, Dragon of the Moon.”.

At once, it sat back on its haunches, those giant claws digging into the ivory tiles like sand. Bracing itself, she realised, as it released a roar so profound that it seemed to shatter the very catacombs of her mind.

The Ivory Temple appeared to respond a moment later. Its layered roof clattering against the stone ceiling. Slowly, the Waterfall began to flood, washing the blood from her leather slippers and trailing down the stairs beyond. After a moment, the water began to ebb away. The ringing in her ears drew back to make room for the silence. Pandora could say nothing as light filtered in from above. Real, golden light.

Pandora placed her palm atop the Dragon’s muzzle. His hot breath lapping through her fingertips as she whispered.

“Take us home.”

There were always dragons in the Valley. Threatened from their home by what humanity could do, and reunited by what they could not.