Chapter 2
"Apostle of Death?!" Dream stammered. "You're wrong! I'm not a follower of the Dark God!
Frest nodded. "Through you he will rise again. That's what Scythe and Gaul have been training you to do, to be." He looked her over for a minute, stopping at her eyes. "Your family-"
"I have none." Dream interrupted. Once again the man nodded. "Then they won't notice you're gone."
"Whose 'they'?"
Frest continued. "Dream of Fandaria, I have a mission for you. I call upon thee to gather the eight members of the Star Dragon Harsgalt, known to you as the Dragon Force!" His words were meant to strike Dream in awe, but it only had that effect on Ramda.
"W-what?! You're getting an apostle to carry out that task?"
"That task?" Was Dream's dazed response. Dragon Force? She had never heard of them, or it.
"Dragon Force... You don't know of it?" Frest said, reading her mind. "Scythe and Gaul never told you of it?" He paused "Let me explain.
Legendra's creation
The ancients tell of a time before Legendra, there was a God, and his name was Toul.
Toul is known as the father of all living things. Toul loved to create and give life. However, he was alone. He then decided to make to helpers for himself. He created six beautiful goddesses and six mighty gods. The goddesses he granted the power to create and the power to destruct to the gods. Toul was pleases with his creation and he entered a deep sleep.
The goddesses began to create a universe full of stars, moons and planets. The Goddesses placed all of these things under the control of the Star Dragon.
The Star Dragon not only looked after the well being of these creations, but he also worked with the Gods to turn some of the stars into dust. The Goddesses would then use this dust to create. This cycle continued for generations.
Legend does state that once the six Goddesses and the six Gods finish their creation Toul will awaken to view it. Thus Toul will be reborn.
The Legend of the Star Dragon
By the means of Toul's will the Star Dragon and the stars were created.
The Star Dragon's life is connected to the stars. With the help of the Goddesses the Star Dragon governed over the vast universe they created. However, the Star Dragon, with the help of the six Gods would turn some of the stars into dust.
When all of the stars have turned to dust the Star Dragon will turn to dust as well.
Birth of Legendra
- As recorded by the elves
Legendra is the creation of Harsgalt, the Star Dragon. Harsgalt decided to create a star and his creation began to be known as Harsgalt's Star.
The six Goddesses and Harsgalt began to bless the star by turning it into a beautiful planet. They divided the oceans and land began to appear on its surface. In the middle of the planet there was a continent without equal. They called the land 'Legendra'. It was so enormous that four seasons would take place somewhere on it all year round. Rivers began to emerge and the land was clothed in vegetation.
The Age of Life
Astea, the foremost Goddess, loved Legendra and blessed it. She felt something else was needed to make Legendra truly beautiful. She then created three tribes: Elves, Humans, and Beasts. Each tribe was created in the appearance of a God.
The elf tribe was created first. Astea gave them the will to create and granted them a long life span. Then Astea created humans, she gave them the will to change things for the better, however, and they were only given a short life span. At last Astea created the Beast tribe. The beasts were more barbaric looking then the other two tribes. Astea so pleased with her creation that she decreed that she would stay and continue to bless them as long as they lived in peace.
When the other Goddesses saw how beautiful this land was they went in search of a new star to change into a world. However Astea decided to stay and bless this land.
Thus Legendra entered into a brilliant new era.
The Invasion of Madruk
The land of Legendra began to prosper and became very appealing to the Gods, especially Madruk. Madruk was the firstborn of the Gods and considered himself the most powerful.
Madruk continued to look longingly at the world. With lust in his eyes he began to desire to rule it. He knew that only by destroying Astea and her sisters would he have the power to destroy the other Gods. Upon their death would he claim their power. After claiming all of this power he would be strong enough to destroy Toul.
Madruk brought forth fiends to destroy the tribes of Legendra. The tribes, however, despite their weak appearance, banded together and in many instances proved stronger them Madruk's minions.
Backed by Madruk's dark power the fiends seemed without end. Astea pleaded with Harsgalt to help save the land of Legendra. But Harsgalt refused to become directly involved with the conflict. But the cries of the people began to reach clear up into the heavens. Harsgalt then decided to give eight holy warriors his dragon power. So the warriors, Faust, Miral Farla, others and myself (Frest) fought for the fate of Legendra.
These warriors led the tribes in an all out war against Madruk. They began to conquer the land Madruk had ripped away from them, the tide of the battle began to change and the moral of the people improved with each passing battle.
In the heat of the battle things began to go wrong. These eight worriers had become haughty and arrogant. They began to take their power for granted. They felt that they were the ones responsible for saving the land. Each one began to lose sight of the escalating war and began to desire to rule over Legendra as an all-powerful monarch.
Madruk's anger continued to blaze against the land of Legendra due to the fact that they were able to stand up against such a mighty god. Madruk sent fourth dragonmen to destroy the people. These dragonmen were once used to help turn the stars into dust. However, under Madruk's control they began to grind the people into dust.
With the hope of the people fading the eight worriers refused to fight together. Clothed in pride they each decided to individually attack the dragonmen themselves. Astea pleaded with he worriers to work together. But they ignored her advice and were each slaughtered by the dragonmen. The tribes began to lose all hope.
Astea again pleaded with Harsgalt to help her save the people. This time the guilt gnawing at his heart was too much and he decided to help, but only briefly. He decided to seal away the power of the dragonmen. Without the power the tribesmen defeated the dragonmen.
Madruk was outraged. In some cases they proved victorious against Madruk's agents of death. He was so angered by these seemingly weak beings that he entered the battle and turned the seas red with their blood.
Without the help of the dragonmen Madruk began to question his ability to achieve victory. However, Madruk's power eventually proved to be to strong for the people. The tribes cried to Astea for a miracle. Suddenly in their darkest hour Harsgalt lunged forth to save his world.
Madruk knew that if he killed Harsgalt and claimed his power and would be able to kill Astea and her sisters.
During the battle the winds howled, the land quaked, and the oceans crashed. The battle between the Dark God and the Mighty Dragon lasted for one thousand days. The people watched in awe as these two battled for the destiny of their world.
Madruk's power was beginning to leave and Harsgalt's strength was beginning to fade. Enraged Madruk was able to unleash on last critical blow, leaving Harsgalt's wings in shreds. Despite his injury Harsgalt had enough power left to charge forth and sink his fangs deep into Madruk's throat. None of them were able to continue the fight.
Astea had given much of her power to Harsgalt and was unable to kill the God. She was only given enough power to seal away Madruk until the time would come when the eight chosen worriers would again emerge.
The dragonmen were no longer sealed with Harsgalt's power, so Astea locked them inside another dimension in Ruinledge Mountains
Astea then awoke the eight warriors from death and commanded them to wait until nine new chosen worriers were born. She told them that when they were born they were to instruct them not to make the same mistakes as they did. Astea sealed the power of the eight warriors and gave it to Harsgalt, who held the Dragon Power ready for the nine worriers of the Dragon Force who were soon to come.
After completing her tasks, Astea did not have enough power to leave this star or call upon her sisters for help. So she then lay down and entered a light sleep that would last just long enough for the nine chosen worriers to be born. With the help of those warriors, hopefully, Madruk could be destroyed...forever...
Ninth Member
Before drifting into her slumber Astea decided that there should be born a ninth member, to replace the Holy Warrior who was locked away. Before Madruk was sealed off he also decided on having a fourth apostle, one that using their power he could rise again. He had already locked off his compassion, so he used the darkest corners of his mind to create a new apostle.
Thus Legenrdra's fate was unknown.
Frest finished the story. "You of course are the apostle."
"Eight." Dream muttered. "You said I needed to find eight, but there are nine new members..." A bright thought rushed forth. "Am I the ninth member?"
"Why in the world would the ninth member also be an apostle?" Ramda hissed, and with a mere glance from Frest he become quiet again.
Frest met Dream's dark eyes with his own of almost the same shade. "Ramda" He said, and the handsome man turned to him.
"It was your job to capture her, and now it's your job to guide her, show Dream to the weaponry. Tomorrow you will head out."
Dream stared at Frest, noticing for the first time that she had never told him her name,
"Where is she?!" Snarled Gaul, his patience was about to run out. I had been a week and a half since Dream was captured, and still he didn't have her back.
Bastion's lanky body stiffened. He had no answer. "Scythe!" Gaul motioned to his blue-haired partner. "Take the thief to the dungeon!"
"And Gigg?" Scythe asked, a sickening smile already on her face. Gigg's muscles tightened at this, but he let no words escape form his mouth, as he knew that doing so would only please Scythe more. Then came the answer to Scythe's question, and it left no doubt in Gigg's mind of what would happen to him.
"Scythe, you are free to do what you want with the defect." The Dragonmen could no longer help it, and howled as he was carried away.
In the dungeon Bastion could still vividly recall Gigg's blood-curdling scream, though the Dragonmen had been tortured at the very top of the East tower, the sound had echoed down to the depths of his cell. But now the screams had long passed, and all that remained of them were the harsh memories, and thoughts of what might have happened to him.
Yet Bastion knew he couldn't think of that now. He had to find a way out before he shared the same fate Gigg did. Sweat poured down the thief's face as he crawled to the back of his dimly lit cell. He had escaped from many dungeons before, so he knew what he should look for to help in his escape, a weak wall, a crack in the stone or wood, or anything else that might has been a mistake in the builder's part, or could have occurred from old age.
Finally he found something. A large crack ran all the way through the roach infested wall. He cautiously peered through it to see black rich soil.
"The dungeon must be underground" Bastion muttered. Now his chances of escaping were slim, but he had to try, so Bastion gingerly pressed his hot body against the wood, and pressed his fingers in the crack, gently applying pressure.
The wood slowly began to break off, and soil fell through to the hard cold stone floor. Bastion felt a ray of hope as he dug his fingers into the soil, and franticly began clawing at it.
Large chunks of the Earth fell to the floor, as Bastion continued to rip at the soil. Dirt and the insides of Earthworms began to pile up underneath his fingernails, but he ignored it.
He gasped at the fresh air, as the sun fell, and filled up the cell with its heavenly rays. Then the thief crawled out, and fell limply to the grass beneath him.
"Gods" He gasped, ignoring his escape. "It's going to take me forever to get home..."
"Apostle of Death?!" Dream stammered. "You're wrong! I'm not a follower of the Dark God!
Frest nodded. "Through you he will rise again. That's what Scythe and Gaul have been training you to do, to be." He looked her over for a minute, stopping at her eyes. "Your family-"
"I have none." Dream interrupted. Once again the man nodded. "Then they won't notice you're gone."
"Whose 'they'?"
Frest continued. "Dream of Fandaria, I have a mission for you. I call upon thee to gather the eight members of the Star Dragon Harsgalt, known to you as the Dragon Force!" His words were meant to strike Dream in awe, but it only had that effect on Ramda.
"W-what?! You're getting an apostle to carry out that task?"
"That task?" Was Dream's dazed response. Dragon Force? She had never heard of them, or it.
"Dragon Force... You don't know of it?" Frest said, reading her mind. "Scythe and Gaul never told you of it?" He paused "Let me explain.
Legendra's creation
The ancients tell of a time before Legendra, there was a God, and his name was Toul.
Toul is known as the father of all living things. Toul loved to create and give life. However, he was alone. He then decided to make to helpers for himself. He created six beautiful goddesses and six mighty gods. The goddesses he granted the power to create and the power to destruct to the gods. Toul was pleases with his creation and he entered a deep sleep.
The goddesses began to create a universe full of stars, moons and planets. The Goddesses placed all of these things under the control of the Star Dragon.
The Star Dragon not only looked after the well being of these creations, but he also worked with the Gods to turn some of the stars into dust. The Goddesses would then use this dust to create. This cycle continued for generations.
Legend does state that once the six Goddesses and the six Gods finish their creation Toul will awaken to view it. Thus Toul will be reborn.
The Legend of the Star Dragon
By the means of Toul's will the Star Dragon and the stars were created.
The Star Dragon's life is connected to the stars. With the help of the Goddesses the Star Dragon governed over the vast universe they created. However, the Star Dragon, with the help of the six Gods would turn some of the stars into dust.
When all of the stars have turned to dust the Star Dragon will turn to dust as well.
Birth of Legendra
- As recorded by the elves
Legendra is the creation of Harsgalt, the Star Dragon. Harsgalt decided to create a star and his creation began to be known as Harsgalt's Star.
The six Goddesses and Harsgalt began to bless the star by turning it into a beautiful planet. They divided the oceans and land began to appear on its surface. In the middle of the planet there was a continent without equal. They called the land 'Legendra'. It was so enormous that four seasons would take place somewhere on it all year round. Rivers began to emerge and the land was clothed in vegetation.
The Age of Life
Astea, the foremost Goddess, loved Legendra and blessed it. She felt something else was needed to make Legendra truly beautiful. She then created three tribes: Elves, Humans, and Beasts. Each tribe was created in the appearance of a God.
The elf tribe was created first. Astea gave them the will to create and granted them a long life span. Then Astea created humans, she gave them the will to change things for the better, however, and they were only given a short life span. At last Astea created the Beast tribe. The beasts were more barbaric looking then the other two tribes. Astea so pleased with her creation that she decreed that she would stay and continue to bless them as long as they lived in peace.
When the other Goddesses saw how beautiful this land was they went in search of a new star to change into a world. However Astea decided to stay and bless this land.
Thus Legendra entered into a brilliant new era.
The Invasion of Madruk
The land of Legendra began to prosper and became very appealing to the Gods, especially Madruk. Madruk was the firstborn of the Gods and considered himself the most powerful.
Madruk continued to look longingly at the world. With lust in his eyes he began to desire to rule it. He knew that only by destroying Astea and her sisters would he have the power to destroy the other Gods. Upon their death would he claim their power. After claiming all of this power he would be strong enough to destroy Toul.
Madruk brought forth fiends to destroy the tribes of Legendra. The tribes, however, despite their weak appearance, banded together and in many instances proved stronger them Madruk's minions.
Backed by Madruk's dark power the fiends seemed without end. Astea pleaded with Harsgalt to help save the land of Legendra. But Harsgalt refused to become directly involved with the conflict. But the cries of the people began to reach clear up into the heavens. Harsgalt then decided to give eight holy warriors his dragon power. So the warriors, Faust, Miral Farla, others and myself (Frest) fought for the fate of Legendra.
These warriors led the tribes in an all out war against Madruk. They began to conquer the land Madruk had ripped away from them, the tide of the battle began to change and the moral of the people improved with each passing battle.
In the heat of the battle things began to go wrong. These eight worriers had become haughty and arrogant. They began to take their power for granted. They felt that they were the ones responsible for saving the land. Each one began to lose sight of the escalating war and began to desire to rule over Legendra as an all-powerful monarch.
Madruk's anger continued to blaze against the land of Legendra due to the fact that they were able to stand up against such a mighty god. Madruk sent fourth dragonmen to destroy the people. These dragonmen were once used to help turn the stars into dust. However, under Madruk's control they began to grind the people into dust.
With the hope of the people fading the eight worriers refused to fight together. Clothed in pride they each decided to individually attack the dragonmen themselves. Astea pleaded with he worriers to work together. But they ignored her advice and were each slaughtered by the dragonmen. The tribes began to lose all hope.
Astea again pleaded with Harsgalt to help her save the people. This time the guilt gnawing at his heart was too much and he decided to help, but only briefly. He decided to seal away the power of the dragonmen. Without the power the tribesmen defeated the dragonmen.
Madruk was outraged. In some cases they proved victorious against Madruk's agents of death. He was so angered by these seemingly weak beings that he entered the battle and turned the seas red with their blood.
Without the help of the dragonmen Madruk began to question his ability to achieve victory. However, Madruk's power eventually proved to be to strong for the people. The tribes cried to Astea for a miracle. Suddenly in their darkest hour Harsgalt lunged forth to save his world.
Madruk knew that if he killed Harsgalt and claimed his power and would be able to kill Astea and her sisters.
During the battle the winds howled, the land quaked, and the oceans crashed. The battle between the Dark God and the Mighty Dragon lasted for one thousand days. The people watched in awe as these two battled for the destiny of their world.
Madruk's power was beginning to leave and Harsgalt's strength was beginning to fade. Enraged Madruk was able to unleash on last critical blow, leaving Harsgalt's wings in shreds. Despite his injury Harsgalt had enough power left to charge forth and sink his fangs deep into Madruk's throat. None of them were able to continue the fight.
Astea had given much of her power to Harsgalt and was unable to kill the God. She was only given enough power to seal away Madruk until the time would come when the eight chosen worriers would again emerge.
The dragonmen were no longer sealed with Harsgalt's power, so Astea locked them inside another dimension in Ruinledge Mountains
Astea then awoke the eight warriors from death and commanded them to wait until nine new chosen worriers were born. She told them that when they were born they were to instruct them not to make the same mistakes as they did. Astea sealed the power of the eight warriors and gave it to Harsgalt, who held the Dragon Power ready for the nine worriers of the Dragon Force who were soon to come.
After completing her tasks, Astea did not have enough power to leave this star or call upon her sisters for help. So she then lay down and entered a light sleep that would last just long enough for the nine chosen worriers to be born. With the help of those warriors, hopefully, Madruk could be destroyed...forever...
Ninth Member
Before drifting into her slumber Astea decided that there should be born a ninth member, to replace the Holy Warrior who was locked away. Before Madruk was sealed off he also decided on having a fourth apostle, one that using their power he could rise again. He had already locked off his compassion, so he used the darkest corners of his mind to create a new apostle.
Thus Legenrdra's fate was unknown.
Frest finished the story. "You of course are the apostle."
"Eight." Dream muttered. "You said I needed to find eight, but there are nine new members..." A bright thought rushed forth. "Am I the ninth member?"
"Why in the world would the ninth member also be an apostle?" Ramda hissed, and with a mere glance from Frest he become quiet again.
Frest met Dream's dark eyes with his own of almost the same shade. "Ramda" He said, and the handsome man turned to him.
"It was your job to capture her, and now it's your job to guide her, show Dream to the weaponry. Tomorrow you will head out."
Dream stared at Frest, noticing for the first time that she had never told him her name,
"Where is she?!" Snarled Gaul, his patience was about to run out. I had been a week and a half since Dream was captured, and still he didn't have her back.
Bastion's lanky body stiffened. He had no answer. "Scythe!" Gaul motioned to his blue-haired partner. "Take the thief to the dungeon!"
"And Gigg?" Scythe asked, a sickening smile already on her face. Gigg's muscles tightened at this, but he let no words escape form his mouth, as he knew that doing so would only please Scythe more. Then came the answer to Scythe's question, and it left no doubt in Gigg's mind of what would happen to him.
"Scythe, you are free to do what you want with the defect." The Dragonmen could no longer help it, and howled as he was carried away.
In the dungeon Bastion could still vividly recall Gigg's blood-curdling scream, though the Dragonmen had been tortured at the very top of the East tower, the sound had echoed down to the depths of his cell. But now the screams had long passed, and all that remained of them were the harsh memories, and thoughts of what might have happened to him.
Yet Bastion knew he couldn't think of that now. He had to find a way out before he shared the same fate Gigg did. Sweat poured down the thief's face as he crawled to the back of his dimly lit cell. He had escaped from many dungeons before, so he knew what he should look for to help in his escape, a weak wall, a crack in the stone or wood, or anything else that might has been a mistake in the builder's part, or could have occurred from old age.
Finally he found something. A large crack ran all the way through the roach infested wall. He cautiously peered through it to see black rich soil.
"The dungeon must be underground" Bastion muttered. Now his chances of escaping were slim, but he had to try, so Bastion gingerly pressed his hot body against the wood, and pressed his fingers in the crack, gently applying pressure.
The wood slowly began to break off, and soil fell through to the hard cold stone floor. Bastion felt a ray of hope as he dug his fingers into the soil, and franticly began clawing at it.
Large chunks of the Earth fell to the floor, as Bastion continued to rip at the soil. Dirt and the insides of Earthworms began to pile up underneath his fingernails, but he ignored it.
He gasped at the fresh air, as the sun fell, and filled up the cell with its heavenly rays. Then the thief crawled out, and fell limply to the grass beneath him.
"Gods" He gasped, ignoring his escape. "It's going to take me forever to get home..."
