Ancients: Brotherly Bonds
#1 of One Shots
Inspiration suddenly hit me on this one, I might work on other chapters here and there but I don't know how far I'll go with this one.
Leave comments and votes to show your approval or disapproval of this story.
Also know that this is the first time I've ever done dragons in any kind of story so I hope I got them down right.
It has long been told that in the Ancient world that humans and dragons once lived together peacefully, humans and dragons sharing everything that both race could offer to the other and for many centuries the peace went on like this but then one day the Ancient kingdom that was S'ire'sa was suddenly destroyed by an unseen had with thousands being killed. It wasn't long after that when accusations were made, humans pointing at the dragons and dragons pointing back at the humans trying to put the blame on the other race and it wasn't long before wars broke out between the two races that raged on for two centuries before the dragon race just disappeared leaving the humans alone in the world that was near scorched and lifeless.
Confused to the sudden disappearance to such a large species the humans hunted for their enemies but found nothing and soon the searches died down and the rebuilding began, scorched earth soon coming back to life as the humans rebuilt the world without the dragons and leaving no trace to any such creatures though after several years dragons began to appear again, large Ancient dragons with immense power and the humans that stood against them were cut down without trouble and soon the new human race that tried to build a new world over the Ancient world without dragons was soon under control of Ancient dragons. The dragons that had emerged claimed to be the first generation dragons, the pure blooded creators of the dragon race and the first beings to exist on the world though they had entered a sleep to let the ages pass by on a time that they had grown tired of allowing their children to run and rule over the ages. From their claims it had been several thousands of years since they had entered their sleep though the claims could not be confirmed by the humans that were forced down to serve the great beasts and soon the daily life became serving the dragons who's only wish was to be entertained it seemed but for the price of entertaining the large beasts the humans rewards were great, the dragons taught them how to build strong and more majestic buildings, grow food fast and make the world around them flourish with life once again and soon the world was back with seven major Kingdoms for seven ruling dragons and trade routes with small villages and cities spread throughout the world.
The Seven Kingdoms that were ruled by seven dragons were spread wide throughout the world on every kind of terrain, the first city that anyone would be Es'slin which could be found resting in calm plains, a huge city built with high walls to protect the humans that lived there and was ruled by Nai'sigh a green dragoness who ruled fairly to those that obeyed her and to those that defied her ended up dead in public displays of execution to make a show of those that defied her.
In the large desert ruled a copper dragon called Seri'a who's kingdom was build from special steel and magic to protect from the harshness of the desert and keep the humans that lived there safe with the Kingdom name of Serra after the dragon who ruled over it with a loose fist and was considered to be the closest Kingdom to freedom and so long as one didn't cause trouble everyone was happy.
Far to the North at the 'Peak of the world' as it's call is the Kingdom of ice known as Ques'an which is made of shining crystal like buildings and is ruled by a white dragoness named Terr'isial who is cold to all around her and rules anything and everything in her Kingdom with an iron fist and the consequences for breaking even the smallest law are sever but for all that 'Mistress' Terr'isial as she's called protects her Kingdom for any and all foreign invaders that might threaten her rule.
To the west found in the far reaching mountain ranges is the Kingdom ruled by a bronze dragon known as Tsu'sis who has carved out the mountain range for the humans to build a stronghold out of the mountain face and has also created many tunnels so the main Kingdom that is named Gar'an is connected with all the surrounding mountain cities, Tsu'sis would be considered young by the other Ancient dragons but is a very kind and fair dragon who treats his and all others in his Kingdom fairly but like the others defiance and disobedience is met with great force.
Aura'qua is the blue scaled dragoness that rules the Kingdom of water called Lui'kuan and is a magic powered Kingdom that floats on top of water with the help of Aura'qua's magical power and the humans technology and is said to be very beautiful and is ruled over kindly and has been the only Ancient to be said to decided death only for the worst of crimes.
Ferria is a black scaled dragoness that rules over the Swamplands that is far to the south and one of the largest areas that consumes most of the southern areas and to live there the natural defenses are enough and only the fearless humans or those that are fleeing punishment from other Ancients have found their safety for Ferria doesn't rule so much as just control, whatever one does in her kingdom doesn't matter to her so long as it doesn't affect her but should it effect her that creatures life is forfeit.
The last kingdom is located between the Kingdoms of Gar'an and Es'slin being the main thing that divides the two kingdoms is the immense forest that is so dense that upon entering the forest there is no sunlight except that for the area which the Kingdom of Wer'eral is located, the main city is made up of a gigantic tree that has been hollowed out by the ruling gold dragon Kasi'ni who rules firmly and when he has spoken there is nothing more to say on any matter.
When the Ancients appeared again so did the younger generations of dragons though they did not seem happy that the Ancients had awoken and so it was assured that it was not them who woke the Ancients and some even tried to attack the Ancients but there attacks were met with failure for none of them possessed the power to kill let alone harm the much larger and powerful dragons and soon the younger generations had scattered fleeing the larger dragons who found it amusing to enslave the younger ones for all manners of purposes, from just having them around as entertainment by doing tricks or from as severe as eating them and enjoying the taste of their young bodies. The younger generations had to find a way to fight or hide the later being the better choice though with the humans under the dragons control they would send out hundreds to search the land to find the dragons and bring them back for whatever purposes the Ancients desired them for. Now there are only a few free younger generation dragons around hiding themselves with what bit of magic they have, trying to find a way to overthrow the Ancients and reclaim the world or at least free it from the ancient rule.
Chapter 1
It has been years since the Ancients have taken rule and all other dragons having been forced to run back into hiding but with seven Ancients each controlling a part of the world, there was nowhere to hide, and those few places where a dragon could rest they had to be cautious for the Ancients human scouts were always searching the lands for rouge dragons to present to their Masters or Mistresses for a grand prize of the humans choice, which was more or less riches in the form of shinning objects. Hiding places were becoming more and more scarce, those that were able to find refuge would remain there for years, decades and sometimes centuries just waiting for the time when the Ancients would return to sleep when they became tired of the world, many of the younger dragons tried fighting the Ancients and taking them down by force but were all met with death or enslavement and soon all hope of the younger generation defeating the Ancients faded just as the humans fate was sealed.
Slowly moving through the stone streets of Es'slin that was ruled over by the 'Great Dragoness Nai'sigh' as she was formally called by those under her, and by those under her than meant every one that was within her kingdom which once looking around was a remarkably large place. The main structure for the kingdom was built in the Plains that could be considered the middle of the world, starting with the outside a large thick stone wall circled the city being near if not a hundred feet high while being thirty feet as well as being reinforced with metal support beams, the next part would be the out skirts which were normal housing and trade stations and the basics for the 'common man' from clothing stories to food and everything a commoner needed. The level behind that was raised up about ten feet on stones with stair cases built to lead people up, the dirt streets quickly changed cobble stones and here was the residential district for mostly everyone, the commoners in front and the further you go back in the district you have the higher classes and once again separating the class level from the residents to the next level as one got closer to the castle was another wall about ten feet high with stair cases leading up to schooling district as it was called having large buildings for teaching the upper class children the proper 'etiquette' that needed for acting in the world and around the castle since most would become servants or some kind of workers under the ruling dragoness. Once past the schools the cobble stone streets change to fine marble with many rune like designs imbedded in them, now this was the center of Es'slin where a large castle stood proudly being very large to accommodate the Ancient dragoness who ruled the Kingdom, one would assume that inside the castle was just as great though only the upper class humans were allowed in with proper summons as were the humans that were trained to be guards, soldiers or mages but commoners that even stepped into the School District risked being arrested and taken to the dungeon to await trial.
The human who's clothing look different from those around him stood at just before the entrance of the one of the four main gates to Es'slin standing out not only by his clothing but by standing still as all the others moved around him, his head lifted showing his clean shaven face though several strands of his pitch black hair covered his face as his piercing yellow eyes stared around the city, his expression showed no emotion but looking around he was obviously curious. Slowly starting toward the castle the humans boots kicking up a bit of dirt as he makes his way through the crowd pulling the hood of his black hood over his head to cover his face, his clothing drew gazes from local humans and caused them to whisper as he passed them. He knew his clothing drew looks since he was not from here, black boots that stopped just past his ankle that looked to be made of a strange material but looked very sturdy as well as having metal inside of them, long black cloth pants with that hung loosely off his legs looking like they might fall off his form and a large leather belt hanging from his bent was a sheath sword in a finely decorated sheath, his torso was covered only by a black leather vest and finally his head had donned the black hood that was wrapped around covering his neck with the extra length hanging over his right shoulder.
He paid little mind to the stares even though he could make out some of the whispers 'What are his clothing made out of,' Wouldn't you like to know lady, came his thoughts 'He's very pale,' which was very true and he knew it though didn't try to shield his arms which were nearly the color of grey, 'What's with that sword,' that making him smile though it was hidden by his hood, his left hand moving up to lay on the palmel of his sword as a few memories of how it came to him flowed through his mind just as he stared up the stair case to the Residential Level.
His boots clopped against the cobble street as he continued making his way to the castle but soon slowed to a stop as he looked up seeing the sun leaning toward the western sky letting all know that there was only four hours before dusk came and then night, nodding to himself before turning and moving down a small space between the upper class houses and sitting himself down with his legs crossed, his right hand moving up to rub the front of his neck as he lets his mind wander, waiting for night.
The sun shifted slowly as it fell to the west and soon had fallen behind the horizon and the human who was patiently waiting stood from his hiding place in the small alley between the houses, turning and slipping from the alley before quickly hurrying toward the castle dodging a guard patrol here and there as his boot touched marble and he stood in front of the large castle. Looking up at the large stone fortress before looking to his left then right before beginning to circle the building looking for any possible way to get in and soon after finding it around at the side seeing two guards standing at post though there was a small wagon carrying whatever supplies into the castle, moving quickly he ran over slipping behind the wagon that smelled like raw meat and had stains of blood running down the cracks with flies swarming around trying to get under the tarp that covered the meat to have a feast.
The four men that had been pulling the wagon explain their business to the guards though they had a conversation with the guards that was filled with chuckles seeming to know one another and this delay giving the man enough time to slip under the tarp laying against the cold raw meat wincing as he caught the full on smell of the meat that he was laying against. Soon after he felt the wagon began to move as it was pulled into the castle, looking out a lifted part of the tarp to see the guards slowly slipping beside him as the wagon was pulled inside, after several minutes he slipped out of the wagon wiping his vest off a bit smelling like a walking piece of meat at the moment but setting that fact aside he looked around seeing that the marble under his feet was now a crimson color while the walls were a white marble mixed with swirling black but were not large enough for an Ancient so he figured he was still in the human part of the castle and needed to move deeper.
Quickly yet cautiously making his way deeper his footsteps being as quiet as he could make them for getting caught here would mean his end in more ways than one and soon as he continued on the walls and ceiling began to space themselves wider and he knew he had arrived in the area where the Ancient resided as well as his goal. Slowing his quick jog to a walk as he became more cautious, his boots not making any noise as he moved forward looking around for any signs of guards or worse, the Ancient, though seeing no signs he pushed on until he saw two very large doors leading to what he could only assume was the throne room but the silver and golden trim on the door only made him nod as he dubbed the room the throne room. Moving over and looking over the door seeing that it would take several men to push these doors open and finding himself in a bind before he saw a small line on the right door with a small golden handle, pulling on this handle the lines slowly showed that it was a small door which made him smirk before pulling the door all the way open and peeking inside seeing that he was right about this room being the throne room.
Slipping inside and closing the door behind him before looking around the throne room which was massive by any standard, there was only two large pillars that held the roof up that were sitting mid room that had to be a good two hundred by two hundred feet with a ceiling standing over a hundred feet high and he knew without question that the ruler was indeed an Ancient dragon. Moving into the throne room looking around seeing no signs of anyone, human nor Ancient which didn't mean that they couldn't just show up but he just wanted to get what he came for and get out and soon he was standing at the side of the right pillar looking around getting a better view of the room. There were no windows though the entire room was marble from floor to ceiling though there was gold, silver and jewels imbedded in marble, the crimson marble running from the massive doors all the way to the other end of the room, stopping just short of a raised level of the room which he knew was where the Ancient laid when they were here but was glad it was empty now. After taking a look around he quickly jogged over to the raised level of the throne room looking over the small steps which he wasn't sure the purpose for except for humans maybe cleaning the marble but didn't care as he looked around the raised level seeing that at the top of the stairs it suddenly dipped down showing thousands of pillows and blankets which were from the Ancients comfort, this making him shake his head before freezing hearing the sound of metal clanking to his right, jumping to his left his right hand grabbing his swords hilt as he glared over at what made the noise before looking up in surprise.
On his right there laid a black dragon with a large collar around its neck with a heavy chain that was connected to the marble floor and the dragon was now staring at the human curiously blinking a few times, the human looking over his shoulder behind him seeing another green dragon laying on his stomach with its head on its paws watching the human curiously. Releasing his sword before looking back behind the throne seeing several chained dragons laying and sitting there all curled up with one another, to say he was shocked was an understatement but he quickly scanned over the dragons laying there before his eyes locked onto a white dragon laying curled up near the far end of the group of dragons and he quickly ran around the throne moving through the dragons who just stared at the human curiously.
Upon reaching the white dragon he kneels down petting its head causing the dragon to opens its eyes, the dragon was pure white and stood around seventeen feet high one could guess just by the looking at the size of the dragons head. The humans hand was gentle as it rubbed over the dragons eye ridge making the dragon close its ebony eyes in enjoyment before the human stood looking at the dragons collar, reaching up under his hood and pulling out a few small metal lock picks as he looked over the collar but a deep giggle made him freeze his yellow eyes widening before he turned and gazed down at the two pillars he had passed seeing a dragon sitting on its hunches just watching him as he stood between the collared dragons.
His shocked looked changed to an angered growl as he saw the green dragon who could have been none other than Nai'sigh, the rule of the Es'slin Kingdom and one of the Seven Ancients, slowly turning to face the huge dragoness that slowly tilted her head a smile playing over her large muzzle as the human walked up the steps standing on the step just before stepping into dip where the cushions and blankets were.
Glaring at the dragoness this being the first time he had seen an ancient he made sure to get every detail he could from her, she stood tall at around fifty feet on her hunches and probably an extra thirty if she stood up, her scales were a deep shining green with the front of her body fading into a yellow that ran from the underside of her muzzle down over her chest, stomach and between her hind legs, her wings were folded nicely against her form the arches behind the same deep green as her scales while the webbing between them was the same smooth yellow color. Looking over her seeing her tail was curled around her large paws that brandished large ebony claws, her form was lean and not bulky though her muscles were visible even as she just sat there, her head tilted and upon her head were to large ivory horns that twisted around from the back of her head, her eyes being a light green color and her large teeth pure white as her upper lip lifted in a smile as the human glared defiantly at her.
The Ancient dragoness slowly stood up and began to step forward her large claws thumping against the marble sending loud echoes throughout the room all the dragons around the human averting they're eyes and lowering her heads and ears in a submissive manner all except the human who glared up at her as she neared standing there only a step away from her throne before she sat down and smiled once again to the human before speaking in a surprising pleasant voice that was expectantly deep but not booming like one would think
"I must say I surprised that the younger generations can still perform such feats" the human showing his teeth as his hands to ball into fists which only made the dragoness grin "Oh yes child I can see through you" and with that the humans form slowly shifted his clothing disappearing as scales began to form over his body being pitch black and grayish white horse forming from his the back of his head and twisting around and stopping at the edges of his mouth as his muzzle formed, moving down onto all fours and a long tail sprouting though his piercing yellow eyes remained glaring up at the dragoness.
Where the human stood there now stood a black dragon standing at near twenty feet tall, piercing yellow eyes glaring up at the Ancient, his tail slowly moved back and forth showing his defiance as his black claws extended the tip scraping against the marble floor, upon seeing the human shift the dragoness licked over her muzzle hungrily with her forked tongue as she looked over the lean muscular form of the young dragon who showed his defiance though simple actions such as moving his tail, glaring up at her and holding his head up though the dragoness noticed a large spiked iron collar resting around the young dragons neck with a several links of heavy chain dangling in front of his chest.
A few moments passed before the dragoness spoke again in her normal pleasant voice "For all the years that I have been awake I have yet to have such a beautiful dragon enter my domain so willingly without the motive to kill me, yet here you are in my throne room while I was away..." she slowly moved down laying on her stomach, crossing her front paws and placing her large head on them just watching the young male "Tell me what you are after" with that the young male growled baring all his fangs but only seeming to amuse the Ancient as she giggled with her eyes closed before slowly opening them and tilting her head "You are very young and full of energy unlike those around you..." her tongue came out to lick over her muzzle again, whatever thoughts that went through her mind as she did were best left unsaid.
The black dragon continued baring his fangs before yelling out in a demanding tone gaining all the smaller dragons attentions "You stole my brother, return him now" the Ancient blinking once before looking over seeing the pure white dragon laying there looking at the back of the black dragon who was demanding his return
Nai'sigh nodded slowly to herself as she thought "He was crying something about a brother when he was first brought here" looking down at the black dragon giving another smile "And here you are, I'm sure he'll be thrilled that you two can be together again...in chains of course" this only raising the black dragons anger as he roared at the Ancient who slowly stood up "Really, do you think you can honestly beat an Ancient child" this comment making him crouch down glaring up at her angrily ready to strike though she only smiled watching him completely amused with his actions.
Jumping at the larger dragonesses with a loud roar though she simply placed her right hind leg back a bit to balance herself as her left front paw raised up to swat the small male down, his yellow eyes seeing the large paw coming at him he immediately spread his wings and gave a strong wave sending him just above her paw though the wind pushing him even higher toward her face but that didn't discourage him as he roared again pulling back his right paw his claws extending and swiping down with all his force hitting the larger dragons muzzle who only seemed to giggle at the feeling, his claws were too short to cut through her thick hardened scales. He placed all his paws onto her snout and pushed off flipping backwards and lading in her throne as she looked down at him
"Mmm, what shall you do now child, there is no possible way for your tiny claws to penetrate my ancient scales and your fangs could to little better" stepping forward and tilting her head curiously down to the small male waiting for his answer as his eyes darted around, even though he hated to admit it, she was right he had no way of harming her physically but maybe, that, would work.
Crouching down again and jumping toward the Ancient dragon who smiled and didn't even try to swat him away this time though her expression immediately changed as she felt a deep power surge in the small dragon, her eyes widened as she say him open his mouth a white light forming in the back of his throat before a large white flame burst forth making Nai'sigh reel her head up to keep the flames from her face and even take a few steps back as the flames washed over her neck and chest. Landing just before the dragonesses throne as all the smaller dragons stared in amazement as the young black dragon had actually made Nai'sigh, the great Ancient dragoness and ruler of Es'slin back away from his attack and she was far from happy as she glared at the young dragon growling angrily as she felt the stinging against her chest from the flames, it had long been believed that the younger dragons had lost the ability to breath fire so she had not expected that from him and she had paid for underestimating the young dragon. Stepping forward angrily as her claws dug deep into the marble before she spoke
"I see that the great power we have passed down has not been lost, it's too bad it's wasted on a young unworthy dragon such as yourself" spreading her front paws and baring all her fangs as the young black dragon did the same white flames pouring from his maw as he did, Nai'sigh did admire such determination in such a young one but defying her as he had and even causing her pain was unforgivable and he would pay dearly for such an action, despite a dragons size or their strength the fire from another dragon was a deep magical power that even hardened scales could not protect against.
The young dragon roared once again as he jumped into the air pushing his chest out to once again breath his fire only to immediately be swatted down by Nai'sigh's right paw, she was fast, too fast, he didn't even see her paw move let alone have any chance to block it and the sound of him smashing into the marble below made many of the dragons around wince and lower their heads and ears. Nai'sigh stepped over the dragon she had just hit seeing he was slowly trying to push himself out of the marble though was struggling, his left front leg seeming to be broken as was his left wing, blood coating his beautiful black scales as he whimpered loudly in pain even making the calls for help that a hatchling would normally make for their mother. Nai'sigh showed no emotion though couldn't help but feel sadness for the young dragon, she had little desire to kill her own kind and as such whenever one was found she simply placed a collar around their neck which made her look back down at the young dragon remember his collar finding it strange that he would wear such an item without the talk of an escaped dragon reaching her ears from one of the other Ancients. Leaning her head down sniffing at the small dragon who slowly dragged himself from the smashed marble his blood flowing onto the floor as he whined out in draconic, once again the noise that a hatchling made for their mother which lead Nai'sigh to believe that he was still very young though he was near twenty feet tall, at this time the white dragon who had been watching the black dragon fight off the Ancient dragon who was now his Mistress get swatted down like an insect and immediately stood looking very concerned even though he had been broken into being a slave he had not forgotten his brother.
Nai'sigh watched as the young dragon fell whimpering pitifully as his right front leg pushed against the ground still trying to move despite his body being broken, after several moments Nai'sigh steeled herself before raising her head looking firmly at the wounded dragon who still had defied and even hurt her, he would not be forgiven for his actions. Raising her massive right paw and placing it on his back his claws pressed between his wings and the back of his neck and he whined, the white dragon now pulling at his collar desperately trying to free himself causing the dragons around him to watch uncertain as to what they should do.
Nai'sigh paid no mind to the black dragons whines as he struggled to pull himself free turning his head and biting down hard on one of her toes trying to force her to let him go, she admired him for never giving up and didn't notice the white dragon panting heavily glaring at the marble that the chain was connected to before taking a deep breath as she lifted her paw up extending her paws to end the black dragons life. As she went to spear her claws through the young dragon a light caught her attention, looking over and seeing the white dragon that was the black dragons brother breathing out fire onto his chain which quickly melted and soon he was charging her taking a deep breath and exhaling casting fires at her which she moved from though was not about to be pushed back a second time.
As the flames neared her Nai'sigh extended her right wing and thrusted it using the strength of the wind to shove the white dragon through the air before smashing into the wall and falling to the ground, shaking heavily before struggling to get to his feet glaring just as defiantly toward her as the black dragon had. From one defiance came another and they were indeed brothers, turning her attention to the new threat as the white dragon slowly neared her panting heavily a few stray flames pouring out of his maw as he neared his brother the ancient dragoness waiting for him to make his move. It took only moment before the white dragon charged forward staying on the ground for now, Nai'sigh immediately pulling her right paw over and swiping though he was not in a blind rage like his brother and jumped over the strike extending his claws and clutching onto the dragonesses forearm before breathing a large breath of flames out onto her shoulder and neck causing her to roar out in pain and anger, the roar shaking the entire castle and several of the surrounding buildings waking the entire kingdom as she immediately shook the white dragon from her and pulled back shaking her head to get the flames off of her neck.
Nai'sigh growled angrily as she spun her head forward to find where the white dragon had gone only to find he had disappeared, the black dragon had disappeared as well both taking the opportunity to run while she was shaking the flames from her neck, turning left and right making sure that they weren't in the throne room as humans charged in asking what had happened seeing the scorched scales of the large green dragoness who was their ruler though she offered no answers to their questions of what happened, she only glared forward his eyes slitted as she bared her fangs growling out one sentence
"It appears this world has not become dull just yet."