The Realm

There weren't always dragons in the valley!

However, I do remember a story about the very first dragon that was found in a cave on the cliffs of Parago...

Parago Nation

A cantankerous winter breeze disjointed the heavily constructed, dark green velour hanging screens in the oversized royal foyer. A sullen blue hue from the first full moon found its way down the hall and engulfed the throne of King Kalimar. Prisms of Jasper and Emerald mingled with twilights of diamonds gyrated atop the floor of polished marble.

Soon the cock will crow. The morning dance again brings forth maleficent forces of evil. For now, a single moment of grandeur displayed amidst darkness will abide unappreciated.

Sunbeams from the early morning rise replaced the moon rays that once inhabited the room. King Kalimar made his way to the throne for the starting of his daily hold sways. He was quite an irritable man. Adorning a face holding no expression as the courts came to life. The solitary moments, appearing few and far between where he appeared halfway lucid, are when the princes of Parago, his identical twin sons, Hazard and Holden, come before him for their morning apparel approval.

The King adjusted himself on his throne. The maidens with the court jesters in the room momentarily paused their morning customs. He runs a tight ship. If he so much as passed gas, chambermaids were at throne side fanning his air.

Kalimar came from a long line of egotistical, arrogant beings from the dark side. Back when time began. Evil won over the lustful heart of a woman in the garden, Angels known as the watchers, from the spiritual realm, mingled with the offspring of men delivering decedents known as the Nephilim. Although they were part earthling, their young damned for being half angelic. They lived soulless and without redemption.

The Nephilim learned of forbidden knowledge from the watchers who were their forefathers. Out of anger. The angels shared private information with the Nephilim. Who became highly equipped with knowledge and sorcery. They roamed callously throughout the years. Nearly a thousand years later, the bloodline remains strong. Kalimar is living proof of that.

In the realm of Parago, the next in line to inherit the power are the sons of the King. The twins are the first of their kind ever born to a Nephilim. After their birth, the nation was closed off and became known as the realm. The watchers accepted the double identity as a warning of a second coming barricading Parago from any optical view.

The castle was in complete session when the matriarch announced the arrival of Parago's First Lady. Hand-carved solid maple and brass-trimmed doors opened wide. A long red carpet blanketed her walkway as an entire castle lined either side before Queen Azoria made her entrance. No woman has ever been that could compare to her beauty. Long crimson hair loosely braided flowed waist-length, cascading like water over her bare shoulder. A scarlet gown intensified the natural swagger by clutching her perfect curves and enhancing every movement. Kalimar enjoyed admiring his chosen crown holder. It has long resided in his blood since the fall of the angels to appreciate the glamour of mortal women. Lust is a powerful disconnect to all logical thinking when the mind is weak.

The watchers were very in touch with their sexuality. It was a need that no one would ignore. They grew weak by the sinful hearts of the human offspring and allowed themselves to give in to the desire. The watchers gave up their place in heaven to remain tormented outside the angelic province of safety. Once their offspring inhabited the earth, they too were doomed.

The much-admired Queen of Parago made her way to the side of the King. Today was no different than any other. Smells from the royal galley that led to the kitchen filled the room with roasted elk and wild garlic. The raw vanilla bean used to bake the royal cake for the twins left an admirable aromatic fragrance. It was their 10th birthday today. The castle was on high alert for the festivities that would take place. The princes of Parago, were worshiped because of their uniqueness. Oddly Identical in every way, down to the same strawberry red birthmark on the right forearm shaped like a double moon. Azoria was considered the mother of a new beginning. Giving birth to Hazard and Holden secured her reign over the populace of people in Parago. The entire empire adored her and appreciated the chance to shower her with lavished gifts and oils.

Horns from the royal chorus blew to announce the start of celebratory actions unfolding in honor of the princes. Wild lions and bears stored in cages made a make-shift zoological garden so the royal children could enjoy their sprint from the castle gates to the large arena. Merry men and dancers of all shapes and sizes frolicked about leading the brigade. Festivities went on throughout the day into the night. Once again, the double moons hovered above the giant oaks. The King signaled for his men to escort his sons to the palace. The rest of the village carried on with free food and barrels of wine. Everyone enjoyed the surplus until there was no more to appreciate. The realm was a place where sexual freedoms were encouraged. An organic orgy of activities among one another was a natural undertaking. Nephilims enjoyed lustful actions and thrived on encouraging such provocative performances.

Once the King and his Queen returned safely to the castle, they retired to their chambers. Suddenly, the double doors of the royal suite swung open, and in trotted Hazard, the first born of the twins. Holden walked staggeringly behind his brother, grasping his silk-trimmed hand-sewn quilted duvet. He was the emotional one of the two. Hazard is more downright forward. Although he loved his brother, Hazard's attitude was much like the Kings Stern and to the point. Hazard took the lead by proclaiming his brother was being dramatic and overbearing because of the shadows cast on the floor of their room. Holden walked to the side of the bed his mother lay. He sought out the comfort he was desiring. Hazard, of course, veered to the opposite side of the big overstuffed bed. He climbed three steps before standing on the landing and settling at his father's side. Kalimar adored his double demons. Nephilim never dies. He saw the fullness of time when he looked at his offspring. Maleficent evil will succeed them. The world in his eyes would be theirs forever.

Holden knelt by the side of his mother's bed. She benevolently whipped the hair off his tear-infused face exposing his firm red cheeks. Tenderly she asked: what is it that disconcerts you so badly?

Holden looked into the eyes of his mother with discernment. She could see the tears forming as they collected in the corner of his eyes, pulsating before releasing their fury. The shadows are back. They call out to me.

The Queen looked at Kalimar as he turned after hearing the agitated manner of his son.

What do they say?

Holden lowered his head as well as his tone. Then repeated what was articulated to him by the shadows:

You are the lesser of two evils. Hazard will bring honor to the Nephilim.

Is what they tell me!

Kalimar, threw back his bed linens with great exasperation. Quickly, he ran as fast as his feet would go to the room where the shadows were befalling his son. He understood what Holden was witnessing. The Watchers came to visit, not tree limbs in the moonlight. They were commissioned to prepare them for transition. Kalimar’s 1000-year reign is coming to a not so anticipated termination. Their appearances will become more frequent and more interactive. The King witnessed no silhouettes moving about in the room. He swiftly moved with great tenacity, making his way up the mighty stone belfry and exiting atop the castle summit. He summoned the head of the Watchers. Kalimars eyes pierced the darkening sky.

Suddenly the binary illumination became extinguished by the prophesied emergence of giant fallen angels, casting a shadowy clustered conglomeration as they hovered above the enormous oaks encasing and securing the perimeters of Parago. The mammoth of the assembly they call Samyaza, who leaned in to converse one, to one, with Kalimar. A wingspan of an ignoble watcher can engulf the mightiest of all castles. Kalimar found himself dwelling in the darkness of their casted silhouettes. He feared the repercussions of calling upon the watchers. Their herculean stature is enough to intimidate anyone, even Kalmar.

Upon whose orders are you here conversing with my son?

Samyaza hurriedly responded:

Why is it you feel authorized to interrogate my actions!

The king's head aggressively sloped to the right as Samyaza bellowed in his face. The violent impact of his breath caused the headpiece the King adorned to spin like a frantic top on an uneven cobblestone footpath. King lost his footing and toppled over, landing on his back. Adjusting himself on his iron-dressed elbows, the Watcher continued with his irritate disappointment before answering the question of the King.

You know there have never been two of the same children born at one time. We have closely monitored their progress from the beginning. Hazzard has exceeded expectations, Holden, however, has not! Samyaza replied.

Kalimar threw his arms in the air and asked with confusion:

What does that mean for Holden? Is one better than the other when they are two in the same?

Samyaza flapped his wings and stood tall.

They are the same on the outside only. Weakness and compassion are not traits to admire. Holden will only breed confusion among the Nephilim. Hazzard will be the next successor.

Then what will become of Holden? Is he not the rightful heir to the throne as well?