- Written by Johnny Silverland -
Ah Traveler I see your weary. Come to my fire, warm yourself, and sharpen your blade. You look tense, rest easy. Even if my intentions were ill. My legs are sore from walking from the pouring woods.
There you go. Isn't it nice to be warm in these trying times? Now why don't you rest. Hm no…? Right afraid I'll slit your throat in your sleep? Right as if I had a reason. Although your armor is quite a sight. Mind if I take a peek. Calm down, I only jest…
Well if you won't sleep at least attempt to hold a conversation. Or perhaps you would like to hear a story? Well since you're not quite the talker, I'll take your silence as a yes. How about an old tale about when dragons roamed the earth…
As all great stories begin, we start with a man with a drive, a passion, a sense of burning determination. It would take an ice dragon's heart to extinguish it. His name is Joe, but don't let his lackluster name fool you as it did with I.
Joe grew up in a clan of dragon slayers. When Joe was 20 he decided to take the scroll of the dragon's heart. a scroll that if completed would allow the person to become a dragon slayer. The quest, as you guessed, is to bring a dragon's heart to the leader of the clan.
So Joe decided to venture out to the great plains in hope of spotting a dragon to claim its life. He traveled for weeks, his feet were blistering from the hot ground, his hunger was unbearable, and he was restless. However his integrity was unbeatable. So he continued until he finally collapsed in the plains of fire. He was tired and he shouted "Why gods why have you forsaken me!" He screamed. He bowed his head down in defeat, preparing to make his way back.
Before a shadow loomed over him. He thought it was the sun's retreat over the horizon. Then he heard a crash behind him. His heart raced as he slowly turned his head. To the behemoth dragon. Yes Traveler the very dragon known for destroying over 30 villages in the borders of the grand mountains.
Joe stood up slowly, and drew his blade with trembling hands. The dragon looked at him as if a panther would look at a rabbit. Then the dragon breathed in and exhaled a mighty blaze. A wall of fire was bestowed upon Joe, he ducked behind a Boulder. The fire surrounded him. The dragon crawled on its feet, and wings towards him. Joe vaulted over the large rock, And hit the dragon. The sword bounced off its rocky skin. He lost balance and fell to his back. The dragon opened its mouth wide prepared for its feast. Joe quickly rolled off the cliff, slamming down on the rocks below. He squirmed in pain. The dragon scaled down the mountain. Joe ran towards the lava pit. Stopping near the cliff side, he stared at the magma below. Finally coming to a conclusion. He took out his bolas swinging them over his head. The dragon once scaled down and crawled towards him. Yet Joe wasn't afraid. He aimed towards beast feet he had on chance. Once the dragon was 15 or so feet, he threw it, ensnaring the beast making it slide.
Joe rolled towards his right, nearly being hit by the dragon's body. The dragon rolled off the edge into a fiery pit below. Joe collected himself and walked towards the screeching below. The dragon was squirming trying to make its way towards the small piece of rock to save itself. By the time it was weak, disfigured, it collapsed. Joe jumped down. Looking at the creature. He took out his dagger, kneeling next to the beast's chest. It was barely breathing. He raised the blade over his. Saying his clan's prayer. "May the gods mercy allow salvation." Stabbing into the beast. It let out one more roar. Before its wounds took hold. He carved through the beast, the heart was at least 5 feet. He slid it not knowing how he would scale the mountain above, he took out his clan's horn and signaled for help. He sat down the adrenaline fading left alone with his thoughts. After a few hours the clan rode around the pit on the journey back. They let down a rope taking the heart and Joe in a wagon back to the camp.
Once he returned the camp cheered. The mighty behemoth had been slain. He was celebrated. He went to the leader with the massive heart. The leader bowed in respect. He took out the clan's sacred blade and cut into the beast heart. He scooped the beast's blood in a bucket and took it to a cauldron. He mixed it in with a demi-god's tears, the eyes of a leviathan, And a three buckets of boiling water. He stirred and called in three of the clan's dark priests and they prayed over the cauldron. Once it cooled he took a chalice and took a cupful of the contents. He gave it to Joe and commanded him to drink it. He took the chalice and drank. He felt ill and before his body twisted and he felt power rush through his veins giving him the abilities of the unnatural. He was now under the dragon's blessing. The clan leader went through his chest taking out an ancient spear and handed it towards Joe. Once Joe held the spear it was engulfed in an eternal fire.
After that Joe was known as a legend. Many say he's the reason why dragons are extinct today. Of course that's just a story. Although many say he travels through the plains looking for dragon's still. I see you managed to stick through my story Traveler. Were you intrigued? It's certainly a myth worth retelling. Anyway I need rest. May the gods bless you on your travels my friend.