Narrator:

It was the Year X775 in the kingdom of Fiore on a rainy night, there the magic flourished for anyone who wish's to use it and families slept happily with one another, all was good for the citizens there. But deep within the forest of Worth Woodsea, a large majestic Willow-Wisp tree with a rooted cave beneath, lies four very young yet very poor-lost souls. Four girls, sisters by blood if you will, slept close together to keep warm while dreaming of a miracle to befall upon them. Out of the four, one was very much awake.

Third Person Pov:

The eldest child, with hair in a lovely dark shade of red in natural curls, and brown eyes that looked of the finest soil. Nicole Lightgail was her name. She sat among her sisters, keeping a close eye on them for their safety. As she should, for it is the job eldest to do so, also... she made a promise to their late mother and father, to keep herself and her sisters safe and alive their life's with happiness and joy among others in the future. That was no more then two days ago when their very home was taken by a sudden fire due to a frightening thunder storm, taking the loving couple as well.

As she sat there with her younger siblings, she listen to the natural sounds that were in and out of the cave. She was very thankful that the cave they dwelled upon was abandon, for the tree and the cave it self provided them perfect shelter from the rain, there was enough soft hay to sleep on, from the animal or creature that previously lived there.

Although, Nicole was very curious of the size of their sleeping arrangements, for the hay they were sleeping on seemed to look like a large nest. She had hoped from the bottom of her heart that whatever lived here doesn't return, for she worried for her sisters and self that if it did... it would be hungry.

Nicole noticed her youngest sister at age of three begin to stir, Rachelle, though sometimes called bug for the way she curls into a ball, as she was now next to her whimpering. "Must be a nightmare of the incident." Nicole sadly thought, without moving to much she placed Rachelle's head on her lap and began to softly sing a tune for her and the others.

(Once, as my heart remembers,

All the stars were fallen embers.

Once, when night seemed forever

I was with you.

Once, in the care of morning

In the air was all belonging.

Once, when that day was dawning

I was with you.

How far we are from morning,

How far we are

And the stars shining through the darkness,

Falling in the air.

Once, as the night was leaving

Into us our dreams were weaving.

Once, all dreams were worth keeping.

I was with you.

Once, when our hearts were singing,

I was with you.)

(Song by Enya, name: Fallen Embers)

When she stopped singing, she saw Rachelle calmly sleeping against her though she wasn't the only one. Nicole smiled at the scene before her, her other two sisters were also calmly sleeping while softly giving off a small ghost smile and seemingly closer to her as well, "As if there was no sound of the rain shower outside. Mother, thank you for teaching me those songs," she said to herself composedly. But that peaceful moment for her instantly stopped, for she started to faintly hear the sound of heavy wings in the air. Coming closer and closer by the minute as her heart pounded against her chest as well. Nicole prayed out loud to herself in a soft yet shaky whisper. "Whatever you are, please don't come here, Please don't come here."

Terrified of what is to come upon her and her siblings she trembled as it was getting closer. Thinking quick, she carefully placed her sister's head off of her, got up and ran out to the entrance of the cave and stood in the down poor. Even though it was raining hard, what Nicole saw next was like she and the world itself stood still in time. Her eyes widened in complete bewilderment, cause what she saw was none other then a large beautiful, majestic Dragon.

It had white horns that curved along on the sides of it's face going up to it's head that also had smooth carved markings on them that stood out against it's tan yet golden scales. It's chest was ridged as was the arms of it's wings, also has a long vibrant tail. Along it's neck seemed like a spiked fin down to the mid spine that looked like in any light it glowed, as well as the unique designs that littered all over it's body and wings. And it's eye's, it's eye's were so magnificent that you could easily have your mind lost to them, for they seemed to be made of the finest teal jewels you will ever see.

Nicole snapped out of it once the dragon landed in front of her a few feet away, she then held up her arms to either side wide in effort to defend the cave's entrance. Tough she was terrified she had to defend her sisters for they were all she has left, and she refuses to lose them to anyone or anything. Holding great determination in her eyes, she stood her ground proud and yes, wet. Nicole looked at the dragon directly in it's own eye's showing it that she will protect her heart felt treasures with her life, even if she is trembling like a leaf.

Not due to the cold of the rain, no, due to the fact that she's standing up to an enormous, possibly legendary dragon at the age of eleven! But she still held her ground.

The dragon looked at the little girl with curiosity, admiration, and worry. Curious as to why this one, along with the three others in her cave are here alone in this forest. Admiring the fact that a young human would have the strength to stand up to her, despite the little one's fear. But sill worry as to why there are such young children here with no one with them, especially in this dreadful weather.

"Dear child-" the dragon began to speak, Nicole jumped a bit to the sudden act. Not what she was excepting. "why are you and the other children that are in my home here all alone, and in this rain? Are your parents not coming for you?" The dragon asked with such kindness and concern, that last question was it for Nicole, she instantly broke down into tears and went down on her knees.

The moment the dragon saw this, she knew that waiting for the parents was futile. She moved forward a bit and extended her neck to the child, nudged her to comfort. Nicole rapped her arms around it's muzzle excepting the gesture, but still wept.

"Come child, let us go inside and out of the rain." The dragon kindly suggested to her. Nicole nodded, got up and headed into the cave while the dragon fallowed. As soon as they were in, the dragon notice the other three girls sleeping so close to each other. Nicole sat back down next to Rachelle. The dragon then rapped it's body around the girls, while using it's tail; it made a small patch of dirt in the nest and used the hay that was there to make a fire. The girls seemed to shiver less and made themselves more comfortable near the fire in their sleep.

Nicole sat closer as well but kept herself awake. The dragon notice, "Get some sleep child, clearly whatever you and your sisters endured, you need your strength." She reasoned. Nicole looked up to the creature surprised, "How did you know-" the dragon cut her off with a heart felt chuckle. "It seemed to be the conclusive, also you and their sent is what told me. A dragon's senses of smell can help you in many ways." She said with proudly.

Nicole nodded in understanding and started to lay herself down to sleep, which was in an instant from complete exhaustion from the past and now. The dragon smiled at the sight before her, the four young girls sleeping soundly. "They'll make fine Dragon slayers." she thoughtfully said, now laying her head down to rest, excitingly waiting for tomorrow.

...

The next morning, Nicole was rudely woken up by the harsh shaking on the shoulder. "Nicole...Nicole...Nicole?!" Rachelle yelled in a whisper while being awed about it, Nicole pondered why then suddenly recalled the events that happened last night and got up quick. As soon as she got up her other two sisters went behind her. Both having brown hair but having blue eye's instead of brown like hers and the youngest. The second eldest at eight name is Renee, the third is Lauryn at seven.

They coward due to waking up to see a dragon sleeping with them. The two trembled behind their elder sibling and practically using her as a shield (much to her dislike). "Its alright guys, it doesn't mean us any harm." she told them, "How do you know that! For all we know we could be it's next meal!" Renee disputed. Upon hearing this, the dragon awakened.

The girls excluding Nicole and Rachelle, jumped in fear and whimpered behind her. The dragon let out a heartfelt laugh from that, "Not a day goes by without humans old and young jumping at the sheer sight of me, classic!" it bellowed, the girls stared at the dragon dumbfounded at it's antics, Nicole wasn't amused and sweat dropped "Really, your gonna laugh at their shock instead of reasoning with them? That's swell." She sarcastically thought.

She looked over at Rachelle and notice that she just stood there in awe at the dragon, then... "Drawgon!" she yelled excitedly and ran right up to it, "Rachelle!" her sisters cried out. The dragon brought it's head down to meet with the small child. "Why hello there little one." she kindly said with a smile. "Hi I'm Rachwell" Rachelle introduced, "that's Nicole, Renee, and Laurwyn." She finished.

The Dragon smiled at the child's spirit and addressed itself to her and the others, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Elemencha, dragon of the elements and Queen of all dragons."

The girls were amazed by this, they weren't in the home of just any dragon but a Queen! Nicole looked back on the two that were behind her, "If either of have something to say, say it now. Don't just sit there behind me gawking, it's getting annoying." She deadpanned, they looked at each other nervous on what to do next, then Lauryn stood up went in front of Nicole and asked "So you're not going to have us as you're next meal?"

Elemencha was taken up back from that question, then did something that took them by surprise. Let out a good belly laugh? It pretty much made the whole cave shake because of that, "Oh! oh dear, child what had you come up with that deduction?" While tying to collect herself, "I mean, yes I am a dragon but I'm no monster." She inquired.

"That depends on your meaning of that." The older girls sweat dropped, Rachelle giggled to the whole scene. Once Elemencha was fully composed she asked the children how they came across her abode, sadness befell them but Renee took it upon herself to tell their story. Elemencha was heartbroken, hearing that their parents passing and they were left exposed to the elements and the world on their own at their age as well.

This extended her plans for the girls even further. She got up and went to the other end of the cave, "Follow me, lets discuss this more else where also there's something I'd like to show you." She told them, the girls looked at each other in puzzlement however Rachelle didn't hesitate to rush to her side. Nicole soon got up and followed, she looked back to the other two and implied, "I don't know about you, but I want to see where this is going. You guy's can stay here if you want," she took one step forward then stopped having a sly smile on her face. "And maybe watch the cave while you're at it," a gust of wind went by her and the two were already ahead of her. "Hey!" she cried.

The girls fallowed Elemencha down to where ever they were going, curious as to what was expected to see once they're there. "We're almost there." As soon as she said that they soon were led to a stair case that led to an extraordinary cavern.

They were lost for words, except the dragon of course. The cavern had stone formations that looked liked trees that were surrounded by a river with a small falls. As well as there were large crystals every where as far as the eyes can see. The girls also noticed that there were many balls of light through out the cavern.

"Wha are those?" Rachelle asked, "Their not fireflys that's for sure." inputted Lauryn. She got a bop on the head for that, "Ow!" "Don't be rude!" Nicole scowled her, Renee cut in before they quarreled further, "But still, like Rachelle asked. What are they?"

"They are wisps, Harmless and gentle spirits that roam this cavern and the tree above." Nicole was still puzzled, "Why did you bring us here?" Elemencha looked down to them and smiled at them, "Because dear children, this is were I will be teaching you magic and learn the ways and principles of becoming dragon slayers." she implied. Nicole and the others were shell shocked from this, "Why would you want to teach us something that can harm you?!" wailed Renee.

Not fazed by that out burst, She answered while coming down the stairs. "There are other dragons out in the world besides myself that exist and not all are friendly to approach like me. And other dangers lie out there in the world that may or may not have magic that can still do you harm."

She led them to a small bay at the end, wide enough to see and wonder. Not containing it any longer Nicole went up to Elemencha and asked, "Why are you doing this for us. I mean, out of all the girls in the world you chose us to do magic under your care-" She was cut off by the raised of claw, "That is it Nicole, I care. I care for what will become of your well beings and what you might do for your future. I care, because I would like to raise you four myself for your parents sake, so they may rest in peace knowing that their children are safe, protected, and loved for, for them." She answered with much sincere to the eldest.

All the girls stared at Elemencha, astounded then ran up to her in tears of joy and hugged her. "Thank you!" they cried, Elemencha chuckled a bit to this; "You are welcome, now there is something you must know and understand if you are to be trained by me." The girls looked and listened to her as she continued.

"As we train, you must know that time stops competly here where as the surface stays the same. But when you leave this cavern and back outside it will be like you never left." Renee was a little skeptical with that, "Wait, so if we left the cave above at a time where we left it then say we spend less then a day in here, after that we come back to cave at the same time we left?" Elemencha nodded, "That sure is a lot to take in at once." said Lauryn.

"I think it's nice, I mean down here we can spend more time with one another while we can come back up and not miss a thing outside." Nicole figured, "Exactly. I will also teach you techniques that benefit you greatly but you should still be cautious, for magic requires a certain amount of energy. Also I'll tell you secrets and techniques that you should not use or reveal unless you must." Elemencha said with complete seriousness. "Do I make myself clear?" All four girls nodded their heads. "Good, Now to this day, I am your mother and mentor, as you are my daughters and students. And I have a feeling that you four will do wonders for this land."

The four smiled greatly at each other as they started their lives with their new guardian, knowing fully well that there on out things will change for the better.

...

Two years have gone by and the four sisters adapted to dragon slayer magic exceedingly well and pasted Elemencha's teachings with excellence, as it seemed to feel like they've spent each others entire lives with one another. And even though it was only two years the bond between the dragon queen and the sister's will last further then a century.

One day the girls woke up finding their mentor gone for the first time. "Where's mama dragon?" Rachelle wondered as she looked through the cave. "I'll see if she's in the cavern." Lauryn suggested as she left to see, "I'll look in the fields since she does like to sun bathe sometimes." Renee went to see if she's correct. Nicole stayed with Rachelle in the cave, "This doesn't make sense, Elemencha wouldn't leave without notice." Nicole thought, as she was thinking Rachelle saw something in the nest, she went over to it and found a small orb that seemed to be made of crystal. "Nicole, look what I found." she said as she waved the ball around for her sister to see.

"What did you find bug," Rachelle handed it to her. "A message lacrima? Hmmm." Using a telepathy sell that only she and her sister's can use, she contacted the other two, "Renee, Lauryn, come back to the cave Rachelle and I found a message lacrima, I think Elemencha might have left it for us." As the two returned to the nest, all four girls were present Nicole activated the lacrima. A small holographic image of Elemencha appeared, and she began to speak.

"My dear girls, if you are hearing this, then it means that I'm no longer with you. Fear not, I'm in good health, but I can not be there for you any more. Please understand that I have my reasons to leave and keep some secrets from you, and as Queen of all dragons I have responsibilities I must endure. But don't believe that I'll leave you four with nothing, for you still have much to learn about magic and I don't want you to live the rest of your lives in the confines of the cave or the cavern. As you know there are places called guilds out in the land that allow you to use magic for work."

"Where is she going with this?" Rachelle asked, a bit concerned. Her three elder sisters knew but were still hesitant then listen to the rest of the message.

"There is one that was founded by a good friend of mine, that one will do you all good in many ways, and will provide you a better future. I wish I told you all this personally, but I had no time. Understand that I love all four of you from the bottom of my heart and know that one day we will see each other again. There is a map in this lacrima that will led you to the guild. I wish you the best girls, be careful, be safe, and be there for each other. Goodbye."

"Goodbye mom." All four girl said sadly, they took a moment to absorb all that was said, then Nicole took a breath in raised her head high with pride. "Alright guys lets gather all our things and start heading out. Lets trust her word and do what she said and make her proud when we see her again." The other three nodded and started to pack all their things.

So the four girls packed and set off on their journey to the path that Elemencha had set for them, little did they know that the guild their off to is just the beginning of everything.

To Be Continued ...