Ok so here we are again at the start of a new journey. You know the drill. Don't post here. Feedback on feedback thread. And off we go! Chapter 1: New Friends Aeronniell walked towards her friend, Utho, named after the legendary Dragon Knight who apparently closed the Portal built by the demons and was trapped inside forever. It was a name that was common among Mages, like Utho, nowadays. Today was Chazday, or some people refer to it as Shop Day because today was the day that all the merchants put up their stands and sold gizmos that wouldn't be found in many other places. Each day of the week was named after a Dragon Knight that fought the Demons, 496 years ago. Uthoday, Chazday, Sophiaday, Valday, Daniday, Sebasday, and Moshday. Utho was at the stand that sold some books of Magic. These days, Magic was unbanned and was used on an everyday basis. "Hey, Utho!" Aeroniell called out. Utho turned around, with his newly purchased book in his hand, to see Aeroniell. She was walking towards him when one of Utho's mage friends tapped him on the shoulder and whispered to him. "There's you little elf girlfriend, Utho!" "Gah, I hate you, Eagle. I've told you many times before. She's a girl and she's my friend. Not my girlfriend," Utho replied. "Sorry," Eagle said laughing, "Always getting confused." At this time, Aeronniell was in earshot. "What's confusing, Eagle?" she inquired. Eagle laughed again and replied, "Oh nothing. Just something in this book." Utho's friends walked off, leaving him alone with Aeronniell. She was holding two chocolate bars and she handed one to Utho. "I thought you were broke from last week, Aeron," Utho said. "I am. But William gave me these for free." William was the merchant who sold all kinds of sweets. He always had a soft spot for elves. He had moved to the city of Mau with Aeronniell. Elves lived with humans nowadays. After the Battle of the Portal, elves and men began a relationship and now are friends. Besides today being Shop Day it is also the day that the Dragon Ring would get transported to Mau. The Dragon Ring, which was possessed by Prince Chaz after the Battle of the Portal, gets moved to different cities of the countries of Rilien, the country of the elves, Warden, and Velsaguard once every month. It was being brought from Carmyne where for the first time in 108 years a new Dragon Knight was chosen. Some kid named Cupod. So people had started to line up to get a chance to wear the Dragon Ring in hopes of being a new Dragon Knight. "Shall we start to line up for the Ring, Aeron?" Utho asked. "We should. Before the line gets too long." Aeronniell answered. The two walked towards the Palace. There was a line all the way down the steps. Apparently, the line had already grown long. At the end of it stood Eagle and his pals. "This will be fun," Utho muttered to himself. "Hey you two!" Eagle exclaimed, "Come stand next to us!" The two walked towards Eagle when Eagle came up and whispered in Utho's ear. "Awww...look. She got you chocolate. That's cute." Utho elbowed Eagle in the stomach. "Because she wanted to do something nice for a FRIEND, Eagle," Utho stammered. "Yes," Eagle said gasping, "Just a friend." That put a stop to all discussion on the matter. They talked of other things when suddenly a group of Mau soldiers, looking a little battered and beaten, walked past the line of civilians waiting for their chance at the Dragon Ring. An officer went up to them and started to speak. Utho could pick up a few bits and pieces of the conversation. "There's something...you need to know," one of the soldiers said. "You weren't supposed to be back for weeks!" the officer replied. "This...more important...we saw Darkmages...they had an army of creatures...at Sebas Bluffs. We need to warn everyone. We need to kill them." "I'll tell Warden. They can send a regiment of men." "No...you don't understand. There were tens of thousands of creatures there. We need everyone. And then some more." "I hope you're not lying. I'll tell King Chaz to send a message to everyone. Looks like once again the world must go to the Sebas Bluffs. Get some rest. You look like heck," the officer finished. Utho took all this information in. He looked over to see Aeronniell looking at some red bird. Then it disappeared. Must have been some Mage's conjuration. But now there were more important matters at hand. It was almost Utho and Aeroniell's turn for the ring. "I guess not this time, sir," a man told Eagle. Eagle passed them and started the long walk back down the stairs. "Miss, it's your turn," the man told Aeroniell. She stepped up to the pedestal that held the Dragon Ring. She put it on her finger. They waited for a few minutes and nothing happened. "Not for you either I-" the man was cut off this time by the sound of a dragon's roar. "Looks like we have a new Dragon Knight!" he shouted, "Congratulations!" Aeronniell was estatic. Hopping up and down and stuff like that. The dragon landed next to her. "My name is Zan. At your service, milady," It told her. She hopped on Zan. "Good luck, Utho! I'll meet you at my house." Utho walked up to the Dragon Ring and put it on. Minutes passed and nothing happened. "Guess you're not as luck-" he began. ROAR! A dragon's cry thundered through the sky. "Will they stop cutting me off," the man muttered. The dragon landed next to Utho. "Hey, new Dragon Knight. My name is Bambam. At your beck and call," the dragon told him. Utho grinned and hopped on. He flew to her house to meet Aeronniell. When she saw Utho she was in awe. Utho yelled down to her. "Looks like we both have a new friend!"
Chapter 2: Receiving a Quest "We're both going to be Dragon Knights? That's incredible!" Aeronniell exclaimed. "I can't believe it either," Utho replied astonished. "So we're going to go on a quest or something? Like the heroes of old! The world is going to have another Dragon Knight Utho! That's quite a coincidence." "Indeed it is, Aeron. Well, I have to be off so goodbye. I got to tell my folks the good news!" Utho ended. Utho hopped on his new Dragon and began to walk through the streets of Mau. The cobblestone thundered under the massive feet of the majestic creature. The city looked so different from the back of a Dragon. People looked at him with mixed looks of astonishment and awe. Little kids dropped what they were holding and went over to hug the Dragon's legs or stroke his scales. Utho and Bambam reached his house to see his parents with pride on their faces. "Oh my gosh, Meome. Our boy is a Dragon Knight!" Utho's father almost shouted. "Yes, I think the whole city knows by now. But I'm really tired you guys. I'm going to bed. We can talk in the morning, OK?" Utho asked. "Of course, dear," his mother said. With that, Utho made his way up the short staircase that led into the house. He opened the carved, wooden door and stepped onto the floor which made a loud creak with every step. He learned the hard way that he could not sneak out of this place without the whole strip of houses knowing. Utho reached his bedroom and flopped onto the bed. He was asleep instantly. Utho awoke to a warm hand nudging him on the shoulder. "...Just five more...minutes mom...please," Utho mumbled with his eyes closed. The voice that spoke to him was not his mother's. "After all these years, Utho. And you confuse me with your mother?" Aeronniell spoke. Utho sat up and looked around the room. Aeronniell was sitting at his desk. She started to speak again. "Well I had an idea. You know how in the legends, Utho and Bull went off to find the Dragons? We can help with the Darkmage problem! I say that we should march, or fly rather, over to the Palace and tell King Chaz that we can help!" Utho rubbed his eyes. He heard Aeronniell speak like this before. It was her determined voice. She would not be talked out of this. Utho had doubts because he heard what the soldier had said. That they needed everyone. Which means that there were a lot of Darkmages and he wasn't trained in much battle magic and she had only used her bow for hunting. They were a far cry from seven Merged Dragon Knights. But there was no way she was going without him. "Uhh....let me get dressed and all that stuff. I'll meet you outside," he told her. "Then we'll fly to the Palace?" "Exactly." Utho put on his lucky, red shirt. He hoped it would be lucky. He would have to be very lucky in the coming months. Utho told his parents that he was going out and walked out the door before waiting for a response. Aeronniell was seated at the base of the steps. She whistled and both of their Dragons landed next to them. "Are you ready, Utho?" she asked. "Ready as I'll ever be," he answered. They flew towards the Palace. People looked like ants beneath them. Suddenly the huge building of the Palace came closer and closer and then they were finally there. They got off their steeds and the Dragons flew off, waiting to be called back again. The doors of the Palace were open and they walked through. The same man who had handled the Dragon Ring was stationed inside. "Hello, Dragon Knights. Are you here to see the King? Make it quick." They saw Chaz sitting on his throne. It was the second time they had ever seen him. But that was very long ago. Chaz looked old. Very old. Normal Dragon Knights lived as long as any human but seeing as he was merged with his Dragon, he lived for a much longer time. Not forever, but long. He stood much taller than his staff and his body was coated in scales, just like the ones on their dragons. His eyes were perhaps the most interesting of all though. They were piercing eyes the same color as his scales. His eyes looked like they could see right through you and know what you wanted. "I suppose you are the new Knights?" he inquired. "Yes, sir. We are," Aeronniell stated. "Well what do you want?" "We want to help fight these Darkmages. We are Dragon Knights. We should be able to help." Chaz chuckled. It was a deep, gruff sound that they would not soon forget. "About 497 years ago, two boys walked into the Palace of my father and said that they wanted to help. Their city was under attack by Warden and they felt they should do something. Their names were Bull and Utho. Are you certain that you can come close to being like them?" "I think we can, your majesty," Aeronniell told the old Dragon Knight. "You think you can? Thinking that you can will get you killed. Knowing you can will make you a legend." "I know we can!" Utho exclaimed, "Now, what can we do to combat the growing threat of Darkmages?" "Now that is the spirit. But, alas, I don't know what you can do. But there is one who will know. The Oracle."
Chapter 3: Time to Go "The Oracle? How would we be able to talk with her? She's been sealed off from the world for centuries," Utho said. Chaz got up from his throne and spoke again, "The last time she spoke was to the heroes of legend. If you two are going to important for the fate of the future then I think she will speak again." "So what are we waiting for?" Aeronniell asked. "Let's go!" "There is one thing I ask you. I want to come with you," Chaz asks. "But...don't you have duties...and..." Utho starts. "And I'm too old? I may be old but I can still destroy most anyone. I can get one of my descendants to run this place. Also seeing as I've lived this long I have watched my friends, sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons grow up and die while I still live. I wish to die soon but before that happens I would like to do something good for the world. And you'll need help. So there's no reason to say no is there?" Utho and Aeronniell pondered this for a little bit but gave in. "Well let me go pick up my bow. Uh, King Chaz-" Aeronniell started. "Please. Just Chaz. We're all Dragon Knights here. Well I'll ask the kitchen to make provisions for the road to Rige. Utho...you get a sword from the smith. While you are still training your battle magic you need some way to defend yourself." The new fellowship of Dragon Knights split up to perform their various duties. Utho walked through the marble halls of the palace. Covering the walls were various paintings of battles that Chaz fought in. There was a canvas of the Battle for Carmyne against the Warden army. It depicted Chaz who looked to be a young, fully human man stabbing a Warden and in the corner was Utho of old, blasting an archer with lightning. The young Mage wished he could do something like that. Perhaps in the future he would be nearly as powerful as the old one. There were many more paintings but only one more stood out. It was the old Utho in a magic battle with Nightmare. This painting depressed the young one. If these Darkmages that they were fighting were anywhere near as powerful as Nightmare, then he would be blasted to bits. Utho opened an iron door to the forges and told the smith his request. "You say Chaz sent you? Well then let's see what we can do for you." The old smith pulled out a short sword. It was a light and dexterous weapon that would be easy for Utho to pick up. He swung it around and accidently knocked over a rack of axes. "You'll need some practice. I'll ask Chaz to send York with you to Rige. He'll help a bit." The three Dragon Knights joined together again to get on their way. A man approached them. "I heard a certain man needed help?" he asked. "Hello, York. Yes. Utho could use some training on the way. Then you can come back to Mau afterwards," Chaz explained. "Alright, Dragon Knights. Let's be on our way. We gotta kill some Darkmages."
Chapter 4: Onwards to Rige The newfound group travelled the roads to the Velsan city of Rige. Many days Utho trained with York in sword fighting. He's gotten to the point where he could slightly defend himself against a minor swordsman. York and Chaz would still wipe the floor with him. Then Utho got an idea. "There is a spell I know. It's called a Mage's Arena. Basically what it does is let people go in it and fight to the death and then can walk out unscathed. So Chaz and York could maybe show me how they would fight each other." "So I would be able to stab Chaz in the back and he'd be fine?" York asked. "Yes. What happen in Mage Arenas, stay in Mage Arenas," Utho answered. "Then go right ahead," Chaz's voice boomed, "Create this arena. Let's do battle York." Utho nodded and started creating the spell. Chaz went over to his supplies and pulled out his sword. Now none of them had seen it before so they were surprised to see it. The sword was a massive, six foot long blade. The handle added another foot. York will be lucky to block one blow from it. "It's ready you two," Utho called. The fighters stepped in the Arena. From the outside it just looked like a tiny circle on the ground, but when they stepped in, it began to form into a real arena lookalike around them. With Utho and Aeronniell sitting in the stands. Chaz and York drew their weapons and charged each other. Chaz two-hand swung his massive blade to the right of York. York dodged and stabbed Chaz under his left arm. On any normal human that would be a crippling blow but Chaz's scales just got scratched. Chaz looked as if he would swing left but then took his sword back and stabbed. York went right into the sword. The blade pierced York's body. York was still alive when Chaz slid him off the sword then stabbed down again. York died on the floor. Then Utho closed the Arena and saw York step out. "You didn't tell me it would hurt like dying..." York mumbled while clutching his chest. "Oopseys," Utho said. They packed up their gear and made their way to Rige, which was now in sight. The guards saw Chaz and stared. They spoke and Utho could barely make out the words. "Dragon Knight...come...right through here..." The group made their way into Rige. People turned to look at one massive, Merged Dragon Knight, one mage riding a dragon, an elf riding a dragon, and a man with a sword walking down the street. The white, stone building that stored the Oracle was in view and they walked toward it. The huge, wooden doors were sealed shut. Or they were sealed until the group walked up to it, then its doors opened. The Dragon Knights and York could see the Oracle sitting down. As if she has just been sitting there for the past 496 years. Which is a possibility. "Hello you four," the Oracle said. "It is time again for heroes to step up. Face a new evil to our land. As you know, Darkmages have been making their armies and we need a force equal to that to stop them. There aren't enough men or elves in the world to combat them. We need a certain item. It will be of great service in the coming months. You will need to travel to Dorte, just like Chaz once did centuries ago. Because there is something still hidden there. Much, much older than the dragons. And much, much more powerful." They paused for a few seconds. "Well what is it?" Aeronniell inquired. "It is the Tome. It is the greatest weapon anyone can have," the Oracle continued. "The Tome? That's it? A book?" Utho asked unimpressed. "The Tome is an ever-changing book that charts everything, everyone will do. If you put your hand on it then you link your body to it. So any moment you wish you can know where your enemies will strike, what weapons they will use, and even what they are going to have for breakfast. Anything. But there is one downfall. After a few months then your mind will start to crumble due to all the knowledge. Basically, you will go crazy. So, Chaz. I would suggest that you do the honors of the link. I know you wish to die soon so this will be perfect for you. You will also need the blood of the new heroes of legend. Utho, Aeronniell and, Cupod." "Cupod? That kid in Carmyne?" York wondered. "Yes. He is a Dragon Knight, and a new hero of legend. So I would recommend telling him of this quest and getting him to join you." "Well thank you, Oracle," Aeronniell told her. "No need for thanks. Just doing what I was born to do," she replied. With that, the travelers left the Oracle to herself and made their way through the stalls of merchants. It was Chazday again. Utho saw a familiar red bird sitting on top of one of the stalls. There was one peculiar merchant that York noticed, who was seated in a stall. There was no one with the merchant and he was selling nothing. Also he was staring right at Aeronniell. He was a teenager dressed in all black and had long, black hair. Then without any kind of warning the boy stood up, holding a crossbow. He took aim right for Aeronniell and fired. York knew what he was about to do and did it without hesitation. York pushed her out of the way and took the bolt in his side. Screaming rang out in the city. Utho turned around to see York laying dead on the ground and then looked up to see the assassin loading another bolt. Rage built up inside of Utho. This man had killed his friend while trying to kill Aeronniell. He tried to kill her. Utho stuck his hands out at the killer and a pillar of light, like the one Utho of old used on Nightmare, and it blasted a hole in the man's chest. "Long live the Darkmages!" The assassin cried out while falling to the floor. He was dead before he hit the ground. Chaz spoke, "Perhaps you know more battle magic then you think, Utho."
Chapter 5: Death and Crime Utho looked at his hands. He had never done something like that. Something so....deadly. Utho looked down at York's body and sighed. He also wished he had done that earlier. Now there was a crowd surrounding the scene. Citizens were watching with a mixture of awe and horror. They had seen two people shot down by bolt and magic in seconds. The assassin, sent by the Darkmages gave them worries. The Darkmages knew they were coming and there were worse things than humans that they could throw at them. "Hasn't this town seen enough blood?" one man said. That comment hit Chaz like a slap in the face. He was referring to the recent death of Dani, Dragon Knight. His friend of over 400 years. The reminder hurt almost as much. The death of other Dragon Knights. Utho is trapped in the Demon Realm, most likely dead. Val was replaced from his duties in the Siege. Sebas died in battle. Mosh runs the Xotos and he doesn't know if he's alive. Sophia is running the Elves. And now Dani is dead. This is a couple reasons that Chaz wishes to die soon. "Well we should get going soon. Cupod is not safe from Darkmages. They surely know about him," Chaz said with a choked voice. Utho noticed the red bird still sitting there. Then it just disappeared. They were being watched. But by who? Darkmages, most likely, he thought. The city promised York a proper burial and the diminished group headed off to pick up a new friend. They left Rige in silence and started down the String of Cities. Mostly it was quiet until the fourth day through. In the town of Camotan they were attacked by bandits. Chaz was in the inn paying the innkeeper when six bandits approached them. "Give us all valuables. Anything worth anything," the supposed leader demanded. "You really do not want to be doing that," Utho simply stated. "And what are two unarmed kids going to do?" "It's not what WE are going to do. It is what THEY are going to do," Utho said as he gestured to the two dragons behind the criminals and the ancient of war and Merged Dragon Knight Chaz behind Aeronniell. Chaz was carrying a crossbow in his left hand and the massive sword in his right. The followers ran off quickly but the leader remained. Chaz simply dropped him with the crossbow and put it away. The body count of this journey just rose one more notch.