“For many days now, we have searched the entirety of Greenhaven. It is nowhere to be found, and I took great risks to leave my tower, suffering heavy losses in the battle for the city. This victory is nothing without the Artefact.
Stupid Derian-he promised me that it would be found, and yet, here we are… still digging beneath the city in the vain hope of finding the most powerful needle in an oversized haystack.
I put too much trust into our deal; maybe I shouldn’t have granted him immortality. I’m beginning to wonder if he even knows its location at all.”
Vartan awoke to the sound of heavy waves crashing below him, and after a few hazy moments, he remembered the events that had taken place.
Have we arrived at Trahoterra? He thought.
Yes, Vartan, we are approaching it now. Let me show you our home.
Nymira adjusted her scales to provide him with a small window between her claws. Vartan looked down to see a large island enveloped in mist, with only the smallest glimpse visible of the razor-sharp rocks at its outskirts. He was looking over the island of Trahoterra. It reminded Vartan of a gigantic claw reaching into the sky, birds of prey circling above its peaks.
It looks so strange — unlike anything I have ever seen. There are no beaches? Nowhere for ships to anchor?
We prefer it that way. It is the island of dragons, after all. We can come and go as we please, while the island itself serves to keep out unwanted visitors.
Nymira began her entry dive, and Vartan felt his gut drop with the sudden change of altitude. He pushed out his extremities to brace himself and breathed heavily as he grit his teeth.
Do not fear, Vartan. You are safe with me, remember?
They plummeted towards the heavy mist with immense speed. Suddenly, at what felt like the last moment before they would have hit the dangerous waters, Nymira extended her wings and they caught the air, shooting through the mist like an arrow. The water blurred underneath them as they rocketed over it. Vartan let out a chuckle of pleasure.
They glided towards a large cave mouth, which looked like a serpent’s jaws prised open. The mouth appeared too small for her extended wings and just when Vartan opened his mouth to protest, Nymira contracted her wings to enter the cave, flapping them quickly once they were safely inside. The cave walls sparkled with crystals, as if they were stars filling a pitch-black sky. Like a gifted acrobat, Nymira flew at impressive speed through the cave, narrowly missing natural columns and stalactites until they broke free into a gigantic cavern within.
"Can we do that again?" laughed Vartan, a grin stretched across his face.
I told you to trust me, didn't I?
She gripped him with one claw as they descended to a gentle landing in the middle of the cavern floor. She eased Vartan to the ground, and he stood tall to take in the many wonders of Trahoterra. His eyes widened at the kaleidoscope of colours and objects that begged his attention.
The cavern was filled with gigantic golden statues of dragons, and was laden with treasures as far as the eye could see. Treasure chests were everywhere, as were legendary artefacts thought to have been lost forever.
This is not the first time that humans have allied with our kind. This is what we have left to show of that past allegiance. Just remember that these treasures are forbidden without our permission.
“Of course, I understand. I have no need for such things anyway. What an amazing sight to behold!” Vartan beamed.
I sense that Karven has returned from a hunt for food. It looks like we are right on time.
As Vartan turned, the opening to the cave was darkened by the shadows of many dragons in flight. One by one, they landed with a shudder around Vartan and Nymira in a circle, dropping their catches before them. The largest of the dragons alighted in the centre of the circle, folded his great wings, and turned to Vartan. “So, young knight, we meet again."
Vartan reeled back in shock at hearing the dragon’s booming voice.
“You can speak? I thought you only spoke through minds.”
“We can speak, Vartan. We just don’t always choose to exercise that power. So, do you remember our first meeting?”
“It has been so many years, Karven, but how could I ever forget that day? I have so many questions to ask of you that have been plaguing me all these years."
“Of course you do. However, allow me to begin this discussion with a revelation. Have you ever wondered how you channelled your power on that unfortunate night in the woods? Did you ever wonder why you didn't also die that night? Have you ever thought about why you have foreign and sometimes horrible dreams? Did you also not question how you happened to have an audience with me?”
“I do. I have thought about that night every day of my life. Finn… I failed him.”
A smaller dragon in the outer circle stopped eating and slowly raised his head towards Vartan.
No, brother, you did not fail me at all. I carved my own path.
The dragon stretched his great wings and flew to Karven’s side.
“Finn? Is it really you?” said Vartan, tears filling his vision. “By the gods, can it really be true? All these years, I thought you were dead.”
It was Karven who responded. “You weren't ready to hear the truth that night, but the time has come. Our kind has had many gifts bestowed upon us; however, some of us wish to experience being mortal, and to live a human life. There is only one path that leads to that particular destination, and it happens to be irreversible.”
“What is this path you’re talking about? And what has it got to do with me?” asked Vartan.
“It takes the form of a spell of the highest order, and one that can only be cast upon a dragon who truly wishes in his or her heart to be human. Once dragons transform, they cannot return to their forms until the event of death and the rebirth of life. Last but not least, the spell only works once. Many years ago, two of our kind requested the spell of human life, and it was granted."
"I get all of this, I really do… But what does that have to do with me?” Vartan repeated.
“The two dragons who were granted this spell were your mother and father."
“You can’t be serious! Are you suggesting that I’m a…” Vartan trailed off.
“Yes, that is exactly what I’m suggesting. You may not have been born of scales, but two humans of dragon blood created you, and of course, your brother,” said Karven.
Vartan looked from Karven to Finn and stepped back in bewilderment. Looking upon the dragon Finn once more, he began to see similarities in the features of the dragon’s face; most notable were Finn’s eyes.
Karven addressed him again. “The spell allows this to happen, but you must understand that if you are killed or — should you be lucky — die of old age, you will never be able to return to your human form again. And your dreams are not dreams at all; they are visions."
Vartan’s face contorted as he asked, “Visions?”
“They are visions of the past, the present and of the future. Although you are as fragile as any other human, you are empowered with many of our gifts. Magic, visions and telepathy are all skills you can learn to harness.”
Vartan put his hands on Finn’s neck and attempted to give his brother a hug. “I have missed you, Finn. I just can’t believe it’s really you.”
“Do you know why Greenhaven has been attacked?” asked Karven. “Why Kassina would take such a bold risk? Have you ever wondered at its beauty, and how such a structure could be realised by human ambition alone as your history books have taught you?”
Vartan released his brother’s scaly neck and turned his full attention back to the King of Dragons. “Of course I have."
“Many thousands of years ago, the ancients, our allies, built a weapon of immense capability. Talonsphere is an artefact that was created as a last resort to completely destroy the Forces of Darkness.”
“How do you know all of this? Why haven't I been told this before?”
“I know all of this because we helped them to build it. And is it such a surprise to you that nobody would share this with you? Not even the late King Arman knew the full history of Greenhaven and some secrets are guarded for a good reason. This is not the first time in history that we have faced the Forces of Darkness, Vartan, and it likely won’t be the last. However, the prophecy has almost been fulfilled. We have a chance to rid the world of our oppressors forever and experience eternal peace, and it all depends on you.”
“Me? What are you talking about? How do I fit into this prophecy?”
“The prophecy says that a man born of two dragons in human form will unlock the Talonsphere and rid the world of the dark forces that plague us. You are the final hope, for your kind and ours. Finn is unable to fulfil this prophecy, as he has returned to his true dragon form."
Vartan paled as he stared into the distance. "I understand. So I am the last hope for Marithia… This is quite the burden to bear. What else can you tell me?"
"Greenhaven was built to designs found in ancient scrolls, and its intended purpose is to protect this weapon, the Talonsphere. However, the language of the ancients is no longer spoken, and the average Marithian is unable to read the written word. Only a few have passed the ancient language on to their children. One of those children was King Arman. Upon his ascension to the throne, he was provided access to the royal library, including the ancient scrolls. After years of study, he located the blueprints of Greenhaven, and learned that Talonsphere was buried at a location hidden in the scrolls."
“Then Kassina can destroy it?” asked Vartan.
“That is the greatest of all our fears. If the weapon were to be destroyed, then we would lose the chance to rid the world once and for all of the Forces of Darkness. We would all become slaves to the underworld."
“Surely you could just build another Talonsphere?”
Karven let out a chuckle. “If only it were that easy, Vartan. The ancients disappeared long ago, without a trace: none of those with the necessary skills to build such a weapon are alive. The materials alone would take hundreds of years to collect, even if we had the ancients here to build it. No, this is our only chance. We need to recapture Greenhaven, and we will not be able to do it alone. Even with our powers, we could be overwhelmed by Kassina’s forces. Our numbers are limited; we will need allies, and the strength of our combined efforts."
“Queen Andrielle and Princess Helenia… They should have escaped to the Elven Woods — I remember the king's commands myself. The elves would prove the strongest of allies. They practice powerful elven magic and should have the numbers we need. I also still have a duty as a knight to ensure their safety, and I must see them again. Can we not travel there now?"
“You are wise beyond your years, Vartan,” replied Karven. “If what you say is true, then we must seek out the elves for reasons other than this war alone. However, you need training in the arts of magic before we even think of letting you leave the protection of our island. Come and eat with us, and regain your strength. If the queen and princess are still alive, then we have plenty of time on our side.”
“I understand, but I need to seek out Helenia soon. I can ill afford to waste time,” said Vartan.
“I understand your feelings completely,” said Karven. “But you must learn to trust in our guidance. We only have your best interests at heart. You will not be misled by any dragon-it is others which you need to be wary of.”
Vartan watched as another dragon flew over to them, a freshly killed calf gripped firmly in his talons. He dropped the carcass in front of them and returned to his position in the circle. Vartan's stomach turned at the sight of the deceased animal. “Thank you, Karven; I appreciate your kindness. I really am starving, but I don't eat raw meat."
Finn laughed heartily, took a deep breath and engulfed the calf in a breath of flames. “Is that cooked enough, brother? Or would you like it crisper?”
Karven’s face hardened and his voice reverberated in Vartan’s mind.
Vartan, there is something very important you and I need to discuss about Talonsphere. We shall talk about this in private. Just let me know when you’re ready, as I’m sure you would like some time alone with Finn. But we must soon take flight to the Elven Woods. Use this time wisely.