Wings of Dragons

Prologue

The ground of Mortem  had been dry and dusty for a long time.  Few plants grew in the area.  Wind moved the dark dirt around.  The land had known only silence.  Then Erebos and his army arrived.

At first, Erebos, the Necrodrake, was the only death dragon.  Rumors circulated where he came from.  Some said he was the physical form of the God of Death.  Others believed that Erebos was from another continent, a member of a clan the others had not seen.  Some thought he came from the sky.  All believed in one thing: Erebos wanted nothing more than death and destruction to the land and those that lived in it.

Erebos was the largest dragon the world of Wyrm had ever produced.  He stood on his large, muscular legs.  His body was long and muscular and he walked around on his hind legs.  His wings, when opened, seemed to block out all light in the sky.  His skin was black and oily.  His long, sharp fangs filled his muzzle with dark red eyes on either side of his head. 

Over time, Erebos grew his army, numbering into the hundreds.  He found dragons who were unhappy with their lives amongst the tribes in the area.  The first three dragons he found had been exiled by their tribes for various reasons.  Treason.  Murder.  Cannibalism.  Erebos welcomed them in and converted them into Necrodrakes.  His bite transferred a piece of himself into the dragons, turning them into death-like creatures like himself.  These first Necrodrakes he dubbed the Patient Ones.  They found other dragons and converted them like Erebos had.

The clans of Wyrm banded together to stop Erebos and the Necrodrake army.  The warrior fire dragons, the Inferoths, led the charge with their love for battle.  The water dragons, the Aquanox, lend support and strategy to the fight.  The earth dragons, the Gaiajades, brought strength and power while the air dragons, the Zeyphrions, helped to scout where the enemy was.  The Ferroliths, the metal dragons, brought a ferocity of battle that could rival the Inferoths.

The battle between the Necrodrakes and the five tribes created death and chaos across the land.  Mortem was littered with blood and bodies of the five tribes.  The Necrodrakes were able to replenish their ranks with said fallen dragons. 

We need to regroup and attack, Bluewater, leader of the Aquanox, said.  His long, limbless body showed scratches and claw marks he had incurred while fighting.

Pinkair, the leader of the Zeyphrions, spoke.  The Necrodrakes are eating all of my girls.  Some were even alive.  We can’t continue.

Maybe if your tribe knew how to fight, that wouldn’t be an issue, Bloodheart, leader of the lava armored Inferoths replied.

Shut up, Bloodheart, Rockridge, leader of the Gaijades, responded.  Now is not the time to bicker.

At least your dragons are still alive, Ironfire, leader of the Ferroliths, countered.  My tribe went first and were slaughtered.  We learned of the powers of the Necrodrakes from the death of my tribe.

Well, at least they accomplished something, Bloodheart replied. 

My tribe is braver than yours will ever be, Ironfire said.  You wouldn’t even have your armor if it wasn’t for us teaching the techniques to you.

We need to work together, Bluewater.  We must use the magic gifted to us by the goddess to expel the Necrodrakes from our land.

Was braver, Bloodheart said.

What did you say? Ironfire questioned.

Your tribe was braver.  Now mine is.

We cannot fight each other, not now, Pinkair said worriedly.  The screams of the various dragon tribes echoed in the background. 

Soon none of us will have tribes if we don’t work together and combine the magic gifted to us, Bluewater said.

Ironfire glared at Bloodheart.  I’m done.

What? Bluewater said.  You can’t be done.  All of the tribes of the goddess need to work together to exile the Necrodrakes.

I renounce the goddess, Ironfire said.

Ironfire, you can’t, Pinkair pleaded.

I renounce her! Ironfire yelled.  My clan is gone and all you care about is your own.  I’m done.  Good luck. He turned his metal scaled body around and walked away. 

Ironfire, come back! Pinkair pleaded.

Rockridge turned his large, crystal adorned body to Bloodheart.  You egotistical idiot.  You just couldn’t shut your mouth.

Bloodheart glared at him.  I only spoke the truth.  Not my fault he failed as a leader.

Cries of the injured being converted to Necrodrakes grew in the background.

We only have four of the five magics that we need to exile the Necrodrakes, Bluewater stated.  I don’t know if this will work.  There’s nothing in the tablets about this.  Just that we had to work together.

My people are dying out there, Bloodheart stated.  We either attack now or surrender and await our fate.

Rockridge snorted in disgust.  When this is over, the clans shall go their separate ways.  For now, we attack Erebos and hope that we have enough magic.

They nodded their heads in agreement and raced into battle.  Necrodrakes attempted to cut them off from Erebos.  In the battle against death incarnate, the four leaders managed to dislodge the lower jaw of Erebos and infused their magic into it.  The landscape changed in their doing so.  Magic expelled from the jaw.  Necrodrakes were pulled into the ground by unseen hands.  The ground shook as a mountain began to arise from the underground.  The Necrodrakes were trapped within a mountain that grew from under the land.  The clans gathered their dead and went their separate ways, only interacting when needing to.  Centuries would pass until the Necrodrakes would be heard from again.

Chapter 1 Death Comes

The clouds shifted across the planet of Wyrm. Sun rays flowed across four large continents that dominated the world.  Trees swayed with the wind and provided shade for the animals of Wyrm. Dark-loving insects scurried under rocks and leaves to avoid potential predators.  Lakes and ponds reflected the sun, making the surrounding land brighter than usual.  Life grew across the Western Continent.  Life continued on this world, but at one-time, Death had nearly claimed Wyrm as its own.

The various clans, before the war with Death, got along with one another.  The war had changed the lives of the clans.  In the end, the evil was defeated and banished to a far corner of the planet to be forgotten or retold as children’s stories to get them to behave.  Be mindful or Death’s army will return.  No one alive on the planet was around during the war that had occurred centuries before.  Its memory was told through oral stories, stone tablets or cave drawings.  The young knew only of peace or bickering between clans over the trade of goods, and the elders knew of the stories of old. Trade routes were developed.  Culture thrived.  Alliances were forged and mended as needed.  The clans never warred with each other.  There may have been disputes, but cooler heads prevailed and negotiations and agreements were made.  Over time, the clans drifted apart, unintentionally moving away from each other.  They met as needed.  They got along because, while they could live their lives without interference, trade was needed to survive and give purpose.  Territorial markings were clear and, for the most part, respected.  Young clan members, found others their own age from other clans, liked to cross the borders in order to have some fun.  The inhabitants of this world were different from others in the galaxy, but others would refer to them as dragons.  There were four main clans of dragons: Gaiajade, Inferoth, Aquanox, and Zeyphrion. 

The clans have known peace for a long time.  Every day was considered life-giving and not to be squandered.  The light brings life to all.  But the light does not reach all corners of the land.  There was one area that allows no light in that allows no life to react, no trees to bring life.  Only darkness and death are allowed in a region known as Mortem.  At first glance, Mortem looked like a circular mountain range covered in a dark shadow.  The ebony mountains rose from the ground like a foreboding wall.  The mountains climbed for miles with a smooth, dark surface with no reflection.  The mountains travel for miles like a race track, never beginning nor ending.  A transparent dome covered the open area inside the mountain’s walls.  A black cloud pressed against the edges of the dome.  The cloud covered the land below like a blanket, creating a never-ending night.  The cloud moved, swirling around.

The mountains were not natural.  They were created by magic long ago.  The dome connected to the flat top of the mountain like glass.  The mountains created a prison with no means of escape for what lurked in the dark ground within. 

The land surrounding the mountains showed no signs of life.  The top soil was cracked and dry.  An occasional wind would release dust into the air, allowing the loose dirt a chance to become a life-giver to plants elsewhere.  As the dust migrated across the dead land, bones of long-dead creatures would be uncovered.  Many of the bones were broken, wounded by a great battle long ago.  Some dragon skeletons appeared to suffer a wound that was fatal but not painful.  Others showed the great agony of death and torture as life left the creature.  Some bones, several feet in length, showed signs of melting and the decay that followed.  The ground encircling the mountains were stained red and black from the blood of hundreds of these creatures that perished in the ancient battle. 

The skeletons of three creatures laid near the edge of the mountain.  One skeletal hand pointed towards the bottom of the rocky prison.  The light crept along the base, finding what was being pointed at: a crack.  It ran upwards several feet.  It opened wide and stretched inwards to the other side.  No light shined on the other side, as if the crack swallowed any light that tried to invade.

The crack began to fill in and shrink.  A dark, thick syrup, like liquid night sky, began to ooze and drip from the opening.  It bubbled and crawled down the side.  The dark liquid leaked down to the ground, forming a pool of darkness.  The liquid began to quicken its pace as if a leak had come to life.  It spurted and jumped from the crack like warm, wet clay being forcefully shoved through a faucet head.  The crack opened more, allowing the ooze to pour out like a plastic pool that had its side pushed down, gushing and splatting as the puddle grew in size.

The dripping slowed as the bulk of the ooze settled.  The ooze became droplets down the side of the mountain.  The last drop made its way to the puddle and became one with it.  The wind blew over the puddle, dropping dust particles along its surface.  The edges of the puddle began to shutter, sending ripples to the center.  The puddle separated itself into three separate pools like oil reforming on water’s surface.  Each one slid over to the three skeletons laying nearby like amoebas.  The ooze began covering the skulls, wrapping itself like skin tight clothing.  It moved down the skeletons, covering bones and replacing missing pieces.  Legs twitched as nerves and tendons were replaced.  Arms reformed and allowed the beast to push itself up, sitting on boney knees and hands like a dog.  Bones sprouting from the shoulder began to balance themselves, waiting for wings to return.  The lizard-like skulls snapped their jaws, trying to scream as nerves painfully reformed.

Organs began to reshape themselves.  Arteries and veins streamed around the innards.  Muscles regrew over the exposed insides like a bed sheet.  The creatures pounded on the ground in agony as muscles and nerves reconnected to the spine and sent angry messages to the new brain.  Skin reformed and covered the body, a black silk that fit tightly.  The black creatures howled as vocal cords fixed themselves.

The three monsters gasped quickly, trying to relearn how to breathe.  The breathing slowed down as the pain resided.  The three dragons looked at each other in satisfaction.  They flexed their renewed muscles, happy with the end results.  They pushed up with their arms and stood on hind legs, using their wings for balance.

The largest of the three spoke.  Brothers, after centuries of being trapped within Mortem, we will at long last destroy those who imprisoned us.

The other two hissed with excitement, spittle coming from their mouths.

The Necrodrakes will have their revenge.  We will free our brothers and sisters from their stone and magic prison.

The other two dragons salivated at the thought of revenge and what pain they would inflict.

The large one growled, The four clans believe they are safe.  They believe that we cannot escape their prison. We, the Patient Ones, will bring the return of our master.  The sacrifice of our bodies allowed only us to bring forth the destruction and death the four clans rightfully deserve.

One of the Necrodrakes vomited a thick wet sludge onto the ground.  The ground bubbled like an acid on metal.  Smoke rose from the ground.

The largest dragon said, Save your fire for the clans.  We are but three in number.  Soon, we will be more.  Now, he said as his wings spread out, we find others and force them to join our cause.

The three midnight colored dragons flapped their wings and flew into the sky.  As they distanced themselves from their former cage, the puddle of vomited liquid began to heat up and sink into the ground.  A small furry creature scurried across the dirt and came upon the deadly puddle.  The creature, with its striped fur, came to the edge of the hole.  It sniffed the air.  It was repulsed and turned to leave.  The dirt underneath it crumbled and fell into the ooze.  The creature lost its footing and fell into the smoking pile left by the Necrodrake.  The ooze latched onto the mouse and stuck to its fur.  The creature struggled to escape as layers of fur and skin disintegrated.  The muscle-exposed creature squeaked in terror as its body fell apart.  After a few minutes, the bones of the mouse lay in the puddle, floating on the surface like a broken puzzle.

Chapter 2 The Gathering

The sun rose above the land.  Light brought life to the sleepy land.  Leaves moved to greet the light.  The tall trees created a canopy.  The forest went on for miles in every direction.  In the center of the forest was a clearing.  It was the only area without trees dominating the ground.

On one side of the circular ground, the land was burnt and forcefully deprived of grass.  In the center of the charcoaled dirt was the cause of the blackening, having used their breath to scorch the land:  the Inferoth.  The three dragons stood, looking impatient.  They stood on their hind legs, arms crossed.  Their skin was a dark red.  Their wings hung from their shoulder blades.  The dragons wore cooled lava as armor that was fused into their skin.  The dark rock was worn for protection.

The smaller two dragons wore armor that protected their chests and back.  Their hands wore gloves of armor with small fine razors on the knuckles. 

The largest dragon stood with pride.  He knew that his armor proved he was the best fighter of the Inferoth.  He was the alpha male and that the rest of his clan knew it.  He wore a crown of ebony rock on his battle-scarred head.  Across the center of his skull rose three large spikes.  The rest of the crown met with the three spikes and formed a skull cap of black rock.  His jaw was covered with rock armor, completing the effect of a knight’s helmet.  His red eyes with yellow slits stared out of the openings.  He wore form fitting rock on his shoulders like the smaller dragons.  Misshapen spikes randomly sprouted from the armor.  Lava covered his talons, extending his already long nails.  Spikes started at his belly, creating two lines of hooks.  Each line went from the stomach, down the back and stopping at the end of the tail which was armed with a mace, forged into the skin.

Across from the burnt ground was a cavern.  The space was large and seemed to go on forever.  It rose out of the ground like an anthill, no mountain to call home.  However, one dragon clan did call it home: The Gaiajade.  Two dragons represented the earth clan.  One was much larger than the other.  Both dragons were muscular with dirt brown skin and possessed no wings. 

The smaller of the two appeared younger than the larger one.  Small gem crystals like stalagmites grew from where his four legs connected at the joints.  At the end of his snout was one stalagmite crystal.  The crystals had a light green hue to them.  The larger dragon had a more impressive set of crystals.  Starting at his shoulder blades, the large crystals grew up to two feet along his backbone.  Five crystals grew from his shoulders to hip.  On his snout was a large crystal that lined up with the other crystals when he raised his large head.  His snout was rounded and smooth.  The skin around his jawline was callused over and gave him a rough look.  The Gaiajade was larger than the Inferoth leader. The Gaiajades entered the cavern and found a place to sit, waiting for the other clans to arrive and the gathering to begin.

A trickling stream