Prologue

Many years ago, somewhere in the Floating Plains…

It was midday.

Five young dragons stood on one of the many floating islands on the floating plains. Far to the North and Far to the South, two great armies were heading towards each other. The Southern army was led by Hyperion, King of Clan Capricorn. And the other army, which was fast approaching from the North, was led by The White Monster. Runileon the Wicked.

Three of the five young dragons were Hyperion's three sons: Valchen, Umbra and Urobos. These three, like their father, were Black dragons. Each of them had a silver underbelly, a matching silver mane, and glowing blue birthmarks on their front upper legs. However, that's where the similarities ended.

Urobos was eighteen years old, and the oldest of the three by about a year. He was tallest, with blue-green eyes, a neatly-groomed mane, and two grey horns that pointed backwards. Valchen was shorter than Urobos, but more muscular in stature, with golden eyes and three grey horns, all of which shot out like lightning bolts. His mane was wilder than Urobos's, and he had a small bit grey hair growing on his chin. Umbra was the shortest of the three, although not by a lot. He had six grey horns: two larger ones on his head that pointed backwards, and four smaller ones that grew out of his lower jaw. He had golden eyes, like Valchen, and a well-kept mane, similar to Urobos.

The other two young dragons were Prince Alexander and Princess Catherine, the children of Runileon the Wicked. Both of them had dark grey hides, silver underbellies, glowing red birthmarks on their sides, pitch black manes, and blood red eyes, the eyes of their father. Alexander was seventeen years old, and much broader than his sister. He had five large silver horns on his head, which curved around his head. Catherine was the same age, and had four horns: two larger ones that were bent at downward angles at the back of her head, and two smaller ones that were shaped like tusks on her lower jaw.

"Runileon's army will be arriving soon." Urobos said. He looked around at his four companions. "Are you guys ready for this?"

"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be." Valchen replied, grinning.

"We came this far to put a stop to Father." Catherine added. "There's no turning back now."

"How much longer until they arrive?" Umbra asked.

"Not long…" Alexander answered.

The five dragons waited for Runileon's army to arrive.

A few months ago, Alexander and Catherine left their home in the mountains of Inferdus with the hopes of getting their father Runileon to stop his campaign of death. However, the White dragon didn't even listen to their words. And when they continued to pester him, their efforts only went downhill from there. It was clear that Runileon didn't even value their lives.

So, the prince and princess of Clan Aries left their home in search of someone who could help them put a stop to Runileon's scheme of ethnic cleansing. Eventually, they met King Hyperion and his three sons, who were more than happy to lend them their aid. As a descendant of The Great Shadow, Hyperion believed it was his duty to maintain balance in the world. The Black dragon had did his best to teach his sons this philosophy, although only Urobos took it to heart.

When Hyperion learned that Runileon was bringing his forces to attack the Floating Plains, the Black dragon King prepared his army to launch a counter-attack. He Black King didn't want Alexander or Catherine to get involved in the slaying of their father, so he ordered his sons to take the two and flee. However, Urobos and his brothers wanted to help Alexander and Catherine put an end to their father's campaign. So, when they left to escort the two away from the Floating Plains, they secretly turned and flew north, to a point where the two armies were most likely meet.

"Father's going to be furious with us, Alex." Catherine said sadly. Her brother sighed.

"That doesn't matter, Cat." Responded. "That man barely even acknowledged we existed. Why should we care what he thinks of us putting a stop to him?"

"Well, he is your father.." Urobos replied.

"Bullshit. He may be our parent, but he's not our father!"

"If you say so…"

The five dragons stood at the ready, hidden from view, and waiting for Runileon's army to arrive.

They had a plan. Since Runileon was the one controlling the forces, if he was slain first, then the hold on the Aries dragons' minds would be removed. The problem was getting to the White dragon in the first place. So, the five dragons decided to hide on one of the islands and wait for most of Runileon's army to fly past them. Then, when the White dragon flew past them, they could launch a sneak attack. It wasn't fool proof, and it wasn't going to be easy, but it was the best they could do.

And so, they waited. For a while, nothing came. And then..

Off in the distance, the sound of several hundred creatures flying through the air was getting louder and louder. when the young dragons turned to look at the approaching army, they were shocked and amazed.

Runileon's army was flying south across the Floating Plains, heading towards The Crux that was further down the Plains. And it wasn't just dragons in the army: about several thousand hideous black creatures was flying alongside the Aries dragons. The monsters were half bird and half reptile in appearance.

"What are those things?" Umbra asked, bewildered.

"Those are monsters that father created to serve him." Catherine answered. "He calls them 'Crepsculi'."

"Do you think our father's army will be able to handle them?" Valchen asked Urobos.

"I don't know.." The eldest prince answered, "But this doesn't bode well."

The five young dragons watched awestruck as the massive army passed around the island they were hiding on. They were like a massive swarm of Black and Grey hornets, flying across the Plains with great speed. Spotting among their would be more than easy to accomplish...

After about a few minutes, the five dragons finally spotted Runileon. The great White dragon was a nightmare to behold.

Runileon had a blood red underbelly, with a great, muscular build. He had blood red eyes, and a mane that was black as coal. Five broad silver horns decorated his head, and two more tusklike horns grew out of his lower jaw. the Aries symbols glowed a bright Red on his sides.

But most frightening of all was his size. Runileon had used the power of Purple Gems to greatly enhance his size. He was easilly a giant among men: A normal fully grown male seemed to be a mear cub in comparison.

The Great White dragon flew forwards in the center of his great army, flying right over the young dragons' heads, competely oblivious to their presence.

Urobos fought to keep his fear in check as he charged Magical energy into his mouth. After this, there would be no turning back...

Here goes...

As Runileon passed over him, Urobos unleashed a blast of Blood Lightning at the Giant, striking him across his underbelly.

The Great White dragon roared in pain and rage. He came to a stop in midair, turning to see who or what attacked him. Urobos and the others flew out of their hiding spot and hovered before him, ready to fight. Runileon growled in rage, but stopped when he spotted his two children.

"Alexander and Cathererine..." He sneered. "What are you two doing here?"

Catherine hid behind Alexander, while the Aries Prince took in a deep breath before responding to his father.

"We've come to stop you, father." He said coldly.

"Your days of slaughtering innocent lives has come to an end." Valchen added. Runileon sneered.

"You two are wasting you time." He said coldly. "Turn and leave, right now."

"No, father!" Alexander exclaimed angrilly. "We're putting a stop to all of this!"

"You would dare to defy me? You own father!"

"YES!" Alexander bellowed, teeth beared. Runileon growled.

"Then so be it!"

The Great White dragon raised his head to shout to his many minions, who had stopped to watch the spectacle.

"CONTINUE ON TO THE CENTER OF THE FLOATING PLAINS!" He roared. "I'LL HANDLE THESE MAGGOTS PERSONALLY!"

Right after he finished speaking, Runileon immediately tilted his head back down to face the young dragons and charged at them, unleashing a blast of Convexity breath. Thie five dragons quickly dodged out of the way, flying around the attacking Giant.

The five young dragons flew all around Runileon, the two Aries heirs trying to get close enough to unleash their Pain element, and the three Capricorn heirs striking from afar with various elemental blasts. The Great White dragon rampaged after them, going back and forth between trying to swipe at the young dragons with is talons and blasting them with blasts of Convexity.

During the battle, Catherine tried to sneak up on her father to stab him in the side. However, when Runileon turned his head to attack Umbra, the Great White dragon spotted her. He quickly turned in midair and swiped a talon at her, cutting a deep gash in her right wing membrane.

The dragoness shrieked in pain as she plummeted out of the air.

"CAT!" Urobos exclaimed. The black dragon immediately flew after the wounded girl. Runileon flew after him, firing blasts of Convexity at the young dragons.

Urobos managed to grab hold of Catherine and steer in a curve to evade Runileon and his attacks. The Great White dragon roared in rage as he flew past. Valchen, Umbra and Alexander chased after the giant.

Urobos flew back up to the small Island and sat Catherine down on it.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm okay." Catherine said. "I used my Magic to numb the stinging."

with her Pain element to heal the wound.

Before they could finish, however, Runileon suddenly came flying back up into view. The Great White dragon spun around in midair and fired a blast of Convexity at the two grounded dragons. Urobos pushed Catherine out of the way of the attack.

Before he could get out of the way himself, however, the Convexity beam struck Urobos's side. The black dragon yelped in pain as the attack ripped through him.

"UROBOS!" Catherine screamed.

Suddenly, Umbra and Alexander charged at Runileon, the former firing a blast of Blood Lightning and the Latter stabbing Runileon's hind legs with his talons, unleashing a blast of Pain into the White dragon's body. Runileon writhed in agony.

While the other dragons battled the Great White dragon, Valchen came to a landing beside Urobos and started using his Water magic to heal his brother. Catherine lended her aid.

"You alright, bro?" Valchen asked. Urobos slowly stood back up.

"I'm fine..." He answered weakly. "We need to get back into the fight!"

"You're too weak, Urobos." Catherins said. "Just sit this out for now."

"No way!" Urobos protested. "We all need to fight!"

"You sure about that?" Valchen asked.

"Of course I-!"

Suddenly, Umbra and Alexander were sent hurtling over the other young dragons and crashing onto the ground a short distance away. Alexander was covered in claw marks.

The others turned to see Runileon hovering nearby. His body was glowing with Purple energy. Valchen gasped.

"He's about to use a FURY!" He screamed.

The young dragons grabbed theri weakened comrades and tried to fly away as Runileon charged after them, glowing brighter and brighter. Once the Great White dragon got up close to the younger dragons, Runileon unleashed his Convexity Fury.

As the Purple energy exploded outwards, it tore through the Island as if it was made of paper. the young dragons werent' able to fly far enough to avoid getting hit by the attack, but they did manage to get far enough to avoid having the Convexity tear right through them.

Nonetheless, the floating island was torn to pieces, and the five young dragons plummeted out of the sky, hurtling towards the Ocean below.

Urobos and the others struggle to regain control of themselves before they violently crashed into the Ocean. Massive chunks of the destroyed Island flew along with them. The whole time, Runileon charged downwards after them, shouting at his two children.

"I'LL BET YOU TWO ARE WISHING THAT YOU FLED WHEN I GAVE YOU THE CHANCE!" He bellowed. "IT'S TOO LATE FOR YOU NOW!"

Urobos, Valchen and Catherine managed to get back in control of themselves. Alexander and Umbra, however continued plummeting.

"ALEX!" Catherine screamed in alarm.

"UMBRA!" Valchen screamed at the same time.

Catherine and Valchen picked up their pace to catch up to their weakened comrades. When Runileon saw this, he charged forwards as well to chase after them, rushing right past Urobos. The lone black dragon followed suit, careful to stay hiddin behind Runileon.

Catherine and Valchen managed to grab hold of their respective siblings and swerve out of the way of falling chunks of rock. They flew towards a distant beach which lied to the West, Runileon and Urobos in hot pursuit.

The Great White dragon attacked with a barrage of Convexity blasts, tyring his hardest to strike the smaller dragons. Urobos charged magic allover his body, but didn't attack just yet.

I've got to find the right moment..

When the other four young dragons got close to the beach, Runileon finally managed to hit one of them with a Convexity blast. The attack struck Catherine's tail, tearing the end of it off. The princess screamed, dropping Alexander and crashing into the ocean water just a few feet away from the beach in the process. The two Aries dragons hollered in agony as the salt water stung their bleeding wounds.

Valchen flew down to the beach, dropped Umbra on the sand, and immediately turned around to help his screaming companions. However, Runileon flew towards him, smacked him aside with a talon, and turned to face his children. The Great White dragon snatched up the prince and princess in one paw and held them before him. Valchen and Umbra struggled to get back up, while Urobos stood floating in the air, waiting for the right time to strike.

As Runileon started crushing his son and daughter, Catherine started begging for her life.

"Father, stop, PLEASE!" She pleaded, tears pouring from her face.

"You honestly expect me to spare the lives of two TRAITORS?" The Great White dragon bellowed.

"I'm sorry!"

"Sorry that you dared to try to slay ME?"

Runileon crushed Alexander and Catherine even more. They screamed in agony, too distracted to use their Pain magic to heal themselves. Urobos quickly yet silently teleported around the area to face Runileon's back. If he was going to strike, it had to be now. He flew towards the Great White dragon, preparing to use the most powerful energy at his command, something that he and his brothers had only just recently learned to control: Convexity.

Urobos planned on striking Runileon with a Convexity Fury. It would drain every last bit of his Magical energy, so he had to get the right moment to use it.

The young black dragon flew up to the Great White dragon's back, and prepared to unleash the energy...

However, something happened that he didn't expect.

As Urobos flew towards the Great White dragon, Catherine flashed her gaze towards the black dragon for a moment. Runileon noticed this, and turned to look at Urobos, surprising the black dragon. Runileon opened his mouth and fired a Convexity blast at Urobos, forcing the black dragon to give up his planned attack and dodge out of the way.

As Urobos was distracted, Runileon struck him by tossing Alexander and Catherine at him. All three young dragons fell to the ground and collapsed on the sand below.

As the three young dragons writhed in pain, Runileon approached them. All the while, Catherine begged for her life.

"Father...I'm sorry..." She said, tears pouring from her eyes.

"SILENCE, TRAITOR!" He bellowed, frightening all three of the young dragons. Runileon lifted a forepaw, preparing to crush the them. "THIS IS WHERE YOU ALL DIE FOR YOU INSOLENCE!"

The three young dragons seemed doomed. Runileon brought his paw downwards..

Suddenly, Umbra appeared in front of the Great White dragon's face, catching him off guard. The black dragon immediately fired a blast of Lightning into Runileon's left eye. The Great White dragon roared in pain and rage.

As Runileon was distracted, Valchen appeared over Urobos, Alexander and Catherine. He immediately used his magic to heal Urobos, and then both black dragons got to work healing Alexander and Catherine.

"How are we going to stop him?" Alexander exclaimed, slowly getting onto his feet. "He's too strong!"

"We'll have to use Convexity." Urobos said. "It's the only way!"

"You just might be right, bro." Valchen agreed.

The two black dragons turned to face Umbra and Runileon. The third black dragon was flying around the White Giant, who was snarling as he tried to swat him away. Umbra seemed to be trying to find the right moment to slash and claw at the Giant.

"Let's go!" Urobos shouted.

Immediately, the two black dragons took to flight, charging their Magic for the right moment. They started flying around Runileon as well.

As the three Capricorn heirs did this, Alexander proceeded to sneak up on his father. He thought that Catherine was following him for a moment, but when he turned back to face her, she was backing away from the battle. He turned around and went to confront her.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"He's too strong.." Catherine said sadly. "We aren't going to win, Alex."

"Of course we are!" Her brother snapped. "Don't give up so easily. We can do this."

But Catherine wasn't convinced. Alexander sighed.

"We'll beat him, Cat. Trust me."

Catherine looked away for a minute, deep in thought.

"Catherine?"

She then looked back at him, sighing.

"Alright, let's go." Alexander smiled.

The two Aries heirs turned around to face Runileon. When they did, they gasped in horror.

...

As the three black dragons charged their magic, Urobos had flown around Runileon and made a grab for the Giant's horns. The black dragon was the first one to finish charging his Fury, and was trying to grab hold of Runileon's head to damage him point blank.

However, before he could grab hold, Runileon swatted Urobos out of the air. the black dragon crashed onto the sand, struggling to get back up. Hie built up Fury energy vanished. Runileon then brought his paw downwards, attempting to slice the young dragon with his talons. Urobos tried to get away, but he was too weak.

Suddenly, Valchen flew in front of Urobos, taking the blow that was intended for him. The airborn black dragon hollered in agony as his torso and belly were torn asunder, flesh and blood spilling onto the sand.

"VALCHEN!" The other young dragons shouted.

The black dragon crashed onto the sand before his brother, bleeding profusely.

"NOOO!" Urobos screamed.

Runileon laughed at the sight.

"Pathetic!" He exclaimed.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Umbra screamed, attempting to claw at Runileon's face.

The Great White Dragon quickly turned and caught the black dragon's upper body between his jaws.

"NO!" Alexander shouted.

The Aries prince flew into the air, attemtping to attack his father. The Great White dragon turned and struck his son with his paw, sending the dark grey dragon hurtling away. All the while, Umbra struggled to break free of Runileon's grip, wildly clawing with all four limbs.

But it was no use.

Runileon proceeded to crush the young dragon's torso between his jaws, swinging his head back and forth to yank to increase the damage dealt. He then spat Umbra onto the sand next to Urobos and Valchen.

Runileon laughed at the sight of the mortally wounded black dragons.

"I'll leave you all to rot!" He shouted. Runileon then turned to face his two children. "No, to deal with you two!"

As Runileon walked off to face Alexander and Catherine, Urobos looked back and forth between Valchen and Umbra. His brothers were barely breathing.

"No..." Urobos said, horrified. "Valchen...Umbra...you can't be..."

"Urobos?.." Umbra managed to ask. The short black dragon slowly turned to look at his elder brother.

"Umbra!" Urobos shouted, struggling to get onto his feet. "You're alive!"

"Not for long..." his brother said sadly, coughing up blood.

"I'm dying too, bro..." Valchen added, also struggling to look at Urobos. Blood was pouring out of his mouth.

The eldest brother looked between his two dying siblings, tears in his eyes.

"I won't let you die!" Urobos shouted. He immediately set to work trying to heal his brothers with his Pain and Water elements.

"It's no use, bro.." Valchen said solemnly.

"We're far too broken to be saved." Umbra added.

"Don't say that!" Urobos yelled frantically. "You can' t die! YOU CAN'T!"

"Urobos, you're the only one who can stop Runileon now.." Umbra said.

"Take what's left of our energy..." Valchen pleaded. "Use it to..stop that monster.."

"But.." Urobos stammered. "But..."

"Urobos, please..."

Urobos shut his eyes, struggling to fight back tears. He didn't want to accept it, but his brothers were correct. "...Alright."

Urobos placed a forepaw on each of his brother's shoulders. They two dying black dragons started filling Urobos with every last ounce of Magical Energy they had. And after this, they filled Urobos with every last ounce of Lifeforce they had.

As both Valchen and Umbra slipped away, they both said the same thing to Urobos.

"Goodbye, brother..."

And then, they were gone.

Urobos burst into tears at their loss.

"Goodbye..."

Urobos turned around and looked at Runileon. the Great White dragon was trying to swat Alexander and Catherine out of the air.

Urobos glared at the Great White dragon, snarling. He shook with rage. His body started glowing with Purple energy...

"DAMN YOU!" He screamed at Runileon.

Immediately, he eploded off the sand, flyng toward the Great White Dragon with impossible speed. He struck Runileon's torso with incredible force, knocking the Giant onto his back.

"WHAT?" Runileon bellowed in surprise.

Urobos came to a hard landing on Runileon's belly, stabbing the talons on all four of his paws deep into the Giant's flesh. the Giant roared in pain. Alexander and Catherine were both amazed and frightened with Urobos's newfound ferocity.

"PERISH!" Urobos roared at the top of his voice.

Almost immediately, Urobos unleashed a mighty Convexity Fury. The White dragon roared in agony as heis enitre body was completely engulfed in the Purple energy. Alexander and Catherine flew away to avoid getting hit indirectly.

...

When the Fury came to an end, both Urobos and Runileon were breathing heavily. The Giant's body was completely covered with rapidly bleeding wounds.

"Damn...you..." Runileon sneered, struggling to stay alive. Urobos removed his talons from Runileon's flesh and climbed off of the giant. Alexander and Catherine came to a landing next to their friend.

Catherine set to work using her magic to heal Urobos, while Alexander glared at his dying father.

"This is where you leave this world and go to the Underworld, father." Alexander said coldly.

"You will pay for your treason, Alexander.." Runileon hissed.

"Save it. You're slowly slipping away. What could you possibly do to harm us now?"

Runileon grinned evilly at his sone and daughter.

"A curse." The two Aries heirs became confused.

"A curse?" Catherine asked.

Suddenly, Runileon's eyes glowed Purple. And then, his entire body started glowing, shocking the three dragons.

"You may believe that I am the most Wicked White dragon that ever lived.." Runileon began, "But mark my words: There will be another one. One much more powerful and far more monsterous than I ever was."

"How do you know that?" Alexander demanded. His father laughed.

"Because I hereby sacrifice myself to MAKE IT SO!" He bellowed. "The next Great White dragon shall be one of your descendents, and they shall bear my likeness! This I swear on my own fading LIFE!"

And with that final bellow, Runileon's body exploded in a flash of Purple energy. The three young dragons were sent flyng backwards. Part of the Purple energy entered inside Alexander and Catherine's bodies.

And then, Runileon's voice laughed malevolently as the Purple energy faded into nothingness.

And then, Runileon was gone.

The three young dragons got back onto their feet.

"Do you think what he said was true?" Catherine asked, concerned.

"You mean the thing with the curse?" Alexander replied. "Naw, he must have been bluffing to scare us."

"Are you sure about that, Alex?" Urobos asked. "He seemed to put a lot of effort into saying all of that."

"Well, he's dead now." The Aries prince responded. "It doesn't matter what he said."

"I guess you're right..." Urobos said. The black dragon glanced back at the bodies of his brothers. He sighed sadly.

"Come on. We need bring Valchen and Umbra with us back to The Crux."

Alexander and Catherine nodded in agreement, and the three dragons set to work gathering the slaind bodies of the two black dragons.

Little did any of them know that Runileon's curse was very much real.

And it would one day manifest in the form of Runefor.