Reprise: Okay….fixed up this so it's more up to date.
Summery: While on their way to another world, a strange force changes their route and they enter the strange country of Eldire, a country of dragons and humans. But, Eldire is a very violent world with no color and is tormented by shadow dragons and robbed of their dragons of light. People who are in search of the thing that is strong enough to rid their country of the nightmarish dragons take in Syaoran, Sakura, Fye, Kurogane and Mokona. The five of them decide to help the rebels in their search (while they also search for Princess Sakura's feather). Unfortunately, there is no escape from these creatures' unearthly ability…an ability that could harm Sakura's missing feather.
Instead of making an Introduction like I always do with my stories, I merged it with Chapter 1…saves time.
Dragon Chronicles
Chapter 1:
"A Place That's Not a Home"
There is a place far from here, where light cannot touch it.
Beauty dies in shadow's grasp as all fades away.
Through hollow years, the memories slipped away,
seeping through the people's tight fists.
And all has faded, all is now lost.
Lost in this nothingness…
Lost in this place that's now so impure.
Over the hills where the green grass once grew, a small village stood empty and quiet. The cold wind blew bitterly, whistling through the trees and blowing in petals of flowers from somewhere far. It brought the smell of something long gone from this place…something that still existed somewhere else, giving a sense of need and desire. The village seemed so dead and yet when noon came, the people slowly began to come out from their hiding. They would go about their daily lives despite their uneasiness throughout the entire time. The farmers would go into the fields and people would go into the markets. Though the lands were gray and forlorn, it seemed normal. But, when the sun began to set, the bells in the towers that stood high in the villages began to ring loudly as the people ran into their houses, collecting carefully made goods into baskets. The women and children stayed fearfully in their houses as the men took the baskets with them to the other side of the hills. With their bravery pushing them forward and keeping them focused, they treaded over the hills with a quick pace, setting the baskets on a large circular stone plate that was located at the bottom of the hills and then would quickly leave.
No lights shined inside the small houses, giving the impression that no one was home. As night quickly fell upon the country, shadows crept out from all directions, slithering like snakes, running like wolves, crawling and creeping like something deviant. Towards the stone plate would they all come to, grabbing the baskets and breaking them open like eggs, eating the foods and pocketing the treasures. These wonderful offerings….all for them and no one else. All for them to take and have while the people stayed silently in their places of hiding. These creatures of shadows, mistakes of natures and of God take all that they want without trouble for nothing among the humans could ever keep them away. If ever such a thing would come to defy them would they kill without remorse or mercy.
The creatures must have felt uneasy that night just as the people had always been, for as they viciously snatched the baskets from the stone plate did they feel a something different move throughout the lands. Something different slowly spreading…
They flew through the winding tunnel of lights like birds. The first time they had gone through this tunnel of lights, they were lost in wonder for it was something so new and so make believe to them. But now, the five of them were used to this. Syaoran, Sakura, Fye, Kurogane, and Mokona were on their way to the next world to find Princess Sakura's next feather. It seemed as if they were almost to the next world when the lights in the tunnel began to flicker. The lights began to change colors and the path ahead was no longer clear. There was only a ball of darkness ahead of them. Sakura tightly grabbed Syaoran's hand and closed her eyes, afraid to look at what was before them.
"What is that?!" yelled Kurogane from behind him.
"I don't know but it doesn't look like it always does!" Syaoran called back.
Despite their efforts, there was no way for them to avoid the black sphere that was ahead and as they neared it, the sphere began to spread like shadows, attempting to wrap around them and pull them inside it. Sakura screamed at the sight of the lively shadows and Syaoran immediately held her tightly to keep her safe from it. The shadows took hold of them and before they could do anything else, were sucked into the darkness. The shadows then lashed out and took hold of Kurogane and Fye, pulling them towards it too. (note: is Mokona always with them while they're going through the tunnel or is he somewhere else? I dunno, I just never saw him floating with them).
"Let go of me!!" yelled Kurogane as he attempted to take out his new sword.
"I don't think there's anyway of breaking free," Fye cried over to him, "We should just go along for the ride if we want to find Syaoran-kun and Sakura-chan again."
With that, Fye was pulled into the darkness and as he continued to fight, Kurogane was pulled in as well….
Syaoran opened his eyes to nothing but darkness. Around him, he saw Fye, Kurogane, and Mokona and in his arms, he tightly held Sakura. They all floated in the nothingness, the air around them constantly changed, going from cold to warm. The others seemed to be in between sleep and consciousness and upon trying to wake them up, he found that his voice was scratchy and dry. Nothing came out but a slight squeak. In his determination, he was about to try again when he heard a sudden noise from afar, immediately stopping him. Syaoran listened to the sound as it smoothly and softly flowed through the darkness, it's exact location untraceable. At first, the sound was faint and he couldn't tell if it was someone's voice talking or the sound of something moving. As it grew louder, he found that it was a harmonic sound, similar to a harp and was beautifully playing a song that was unfamiliar to him. As he continued to listen, the others slowly woke up from their deep sleep, the music instantly catching their attention.
"Where's that coming from?" Kurogane asked crossly.
"I'm not sure," replied Syaoran.
"Mokona likes it!" Mokona squeaked happily.
"You would," Kurogane said under his breath, "So you were pulled in too? I thought you were what makes the tunnels to the different worlds. How'd you get pulled in?!"
"Mokona doesn't know," he replied, "Mokona woke up in here."
"So…whatever it was that pulled us in here made us all sleep."
"Shh."
They sat in silence, listening to the sound. As they tried to pin point the music's location, the sound of someone's voice singing to the melody echoed. The tone of the music began to grow and as it did, the cold air around them began to change and stay warm. Syaoran listened carefully to the sounds and was finally able to pin point the direction it was coming from. He turned behind him and watched carefully, waiting for something to coming into view. Suddenly, like something flowing in the wind, a bright, shining, white creature appeared from within the darkness and made its way towards them. As it neared, Syaoran saw that the creature was not a horrid looking monster, but a beautiful and elegant dragon. Its face was narrow and smooth like a china doll's and its eyes were lovely amber brown. The dragon's body was smooth and slender and glowed a beautiful light bluish-white hue. It had long thin ears at the top of its head that looked similar to Kurogane's dragon kudan. On its forehead was a beautiful emerald green design that looked like two long diamond shapes twisting together as they got longer. Long spikes that pointed downward went from the top of its head and lined the back of its body and were black. The dragon's front and back legs were muscular yet still elegant. It's beautiful tail was long and waved up and down to the movement of the rest of its body, what looked like a green gem was near its end.
Syaoran, Fye, Kurogane and Mokona watched in silence as the dragon came up to them, curiously studying them. Now that it was closer to them, Syaoran noticed that there were smooth white wings folded closely to the dragon's body. He wondered why it wasn't using its wings to fly through this place. He then realized that they themselves were floating and that the place they were in must not have gravity. The dragon turned to Syaoran and put its face close to his as it studied him. The dragon's eyes reflected gentleness and Syaoran felt a wave of relief brush over him. He felt safe in this creature's presence.
The silence was then broken as a black streak from the in shadows shot out and violently slashed the dragon in its right shoulder. The dragon cried out in pain as it flailed around, turning away and began to fly to the left.
"Wait! Please help us!" Syaoran cried out to it.
The dragon looked back sadly at Syaoran but didn't stop. As it continued to fly, it let out an almost harmonic roar or moan, which triggered something to appear before it. A multi-colored light appeared and the dragon disappeared into it. Strong wind began to pull Syaoran and the others towards the light and before they knew it, they were gone from the dark place.
It all went by so fast. Syaoran had closed his eyes the entire way through the tunnel of light. He would have kept them open if not for the bright light that shined throughout the strange hole. But, in a flash, the light was gone and Syaoran opened his eyes to the sight of tall trees towering above him, blocking the sunlight with their dinner-plate-sized leaves and thick branches. He looked down to see Sakura, still asleep in his arms. Behind him, Syaoran saw Fye, Kurogane and Mokona. Mokona dancing on Kurogane's head happily as he yelled at him to get off, Fye sat where he was a watched the two fight.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Syaoran.
"Yes, I'm alright and it looks like Kuro-pin and Mokona are okay too," answered Fye.
"What did you call me?!" yelled Kurogane as he pulled Mokona off his head.
Sakura's eyes slowly opened and looked up at Syaoran, a smile appearing on her face. Slowly, she rose from on his lap and rubbed her eyes sleepily and looked around curiously. She had been asleep the whole time and was clueless as to what had happened. All she remembered was the ball of darkness pulling her and the others in and then there was nothing.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," answered Syaoran, "Mokona, do you sense Sakura's feather anywhere on this world?"
"Mokona senses many different things here. I can't tell which is Sakura's feather," he answered.
"Then we should stay here and see if it's really here or not."
Sounds of wildlife stirred in the thick forest that was in front of them while in the back, sounds of some other kind of life could be heard. The sounds intrigued them and after rising from the ground, they began walking in the direction of the strange sounds. As they cut through the thick bushes and grass, the sounds became clearer. The muffled sounds now sounded like cries. The more they heard, the more worried and interested they became and began to quicken their pace. Looking through the undergrowth, they saw a small village. People were running around back and forth in a panic, worried and fearful looks on their faces and baskets of goods in their arms. Others were arguing violently with one another, from verbal exchanges to physical fights, as groups of others watching taunted and cheered them on. A large circle of people then formed and they assumed that there was a big fight taking place within it. The screams grew louder and people began to run from the fight, keeping the children and goods away. Syaoran, Sakura, Fye and Kurogane walked out from within the woods, Mokona was tightly held in Sakura's arms. They slowly walked towards the village, not wanting to get anyone's attention and cause more panic. A woman noticed them coming towards her and her suspicions caused her to step back, trying to avoid them.
"Excuse me," said Syaoran to the woman, "Can you tell us what's going on?"
"Who are you? Where did u come from?" she asked them fearfully.
"We're travelers," said Fye, "We're new here."
"I'll say," replied the woman crossly as she looked at them from head to toe.
"Can you tell us what's going on?"
"Same thing that goes on every time those rebels come," said the woman, pointing towards the circle of people.
In the circle, a large man was fighting with a teenage boy, about the same age as Syaoran and Sakura. He had very dark brown hair and amber brown eyes. He wore a long black hooded coat and had black baggy pants with black boots. His shirt underneath the coat was dark blue and on his hands were fingerless black gloves. The older man was tall with a heavy build and was slightly balding. His eyes were a fierce reddish-brown and he wore a green vest-like shirt that was lined orange and he had brown pants. He clenched his fists tightly as he tried to hit the boy who swiftly dodged each blow. The man then took out a pocketknife and began to try and slash him, but still did not succeed.
"Why don't you just get out of here and stay out?!" yelled the man.
"Why won't you accept what we're trying to do for you?!" snapped the boy as he pulled out a long dagger of his own and lunged at the man.
The two clashed blades with each other, glaring spitefully at one another. Pushing away, they both fell backwards, keeping their balance and staying in a fighting stance, glared at each other even more in intimidation. Lunging toward each other again, the man was able to over power the boy, knocking him to the ground.
"Ignorant boy, you're wasting your time!" shouted the man, "There is no such thing as the hybrid!"
"Yes there is! You're the ignorant one!"
Syaoran and the others watched with interest.
"Hybrid?" Syaoran quietly asked to no one.
Before the boy could get up, the crowd around them suddenly began to depart at the sounds of a woman's yell.
"Stop this nonsense now!" shouted the voice crossly.
The people moved to the sides to let an old woman walk by. She wore a white inner kimono with a lavender outer kimono over it. She had dark purple hakama pants and a matching kimono sash across her waist. A small cherry blossom pattern lined the front of the outer kimono. Her face was delicate, despite her age and she looked at the two sternly.
"I demand that you stop this senseless fight!" she snapped, "Leave each other alone. I care not what reasons you fight for or of what business these rebels come with. Be at peace now."
The older man lowered his knife, looking at the woman in frustration and then again at the boy. Feeling defeated, he put away the knife and walked away, pushing people to the sides. The boy sighed as he put away his dagger, looking down at the ground tiredly. The old woman walked up to him, her stern look replaced with a sad one.
"Why do you do this?" she asked him.
"You know why."
Things seemed to quiet down as the people went back to their own business, packing things in baskets and other bags. Syaoran, Sakura, Fye, Kurogane and Mokona looked around and felt that they were well blended in with the crowds, even though they wore slightly different clothing. But, this ended as the woman who they had talked to before called out to the old woman.
"Priestess!" she called out, "Priestess, these people are travelers!"
The old woman turned and looked their way, a look of interest on her face as she walked up to them. After she looked them over carefully, she gave them a welcoming smile.
"Travelers, eh?" she asked, "And for what reason do you come to a place like this?"
"Um…well, we're looking for something," answered Syaoran uneasily.
"Travelers!" shouted the boy from behind the woman, "You're all looking for it too then!"
"Actually…I don't think-"
"You should come with us then. We'll look for it together," the boy said eagerly.
"Calm down," the woman said, "Please excuse him. It is rare nowadays for anyone else to believe in what they do and dedicate themselves to it. I am Lady Katiya, the priestess of this village. This is Aidiaro, he is one of the rebels of this country."
"And what country is this?" asked Fye kindly.
"Eldire," answered Lady Usagi, "Come with me and we'll talk more. You obviously are new to these lands if you don't even know its name."
Lady Usagi led them to her own large hut, where she alone stayed. Since she was the head priestess of the village, she was very respected. Inside, they all sat around a large rectangular table. Ladies dressed in red and blue came with tea, biscuits, and other foods and set them on the table. Lady Usagi took a small sip of her tea before setting it down and looking at Syaoran.
"So, you are looking fro something?" she asked him.
"Yes, we're looking for-"
"The hybrid!" interrupted Aidiaro.
"Actually, we're looking for something else," said Syaoran, "It a feather…a special feather for Princess Sakura."
Syaoran pointed to Sakura who was sitting next to him. Aidiaro's excited face quickly turned to disappointment and he looked blankly into his cup of tea.
"I'm sorry for assuming that," he apologized.
"It's alright," said Syaoran.
"Can you tell us what this hybrid that you keep mentioning is?" asked Fye.
"Of course," said Lady Usagi as she took another sip of tea, "In our country, we humans live peacefully among dragons. But, some years ago, the good dragons were driven away by the dragons of the shadows. The Nightmare Dragons, as we've come to call them, have controlled our way of life for many years and it has caused the people of Eldire to become violent and fearful."
"So that explains why everyone was running around like that," said Kurogane while Mokona secretly stole a biscuit from his plate.
"And the white dragon we saw while coming here," added Syaoran.
Aidiaro stopped and looked up at Syaoran with wide eyes.
"A white dragon? You saw a white dragon? With brown eyes, right?"
"Yes. Its eyes…I could tell it wasn't a bad dragon," Syaoran said as he remembered the kind eyes of the dragon, "I guess that's how you can tell the good ones from the bad… a feeling."
"Yes. But sadly, they left and never came back," said Lady Usagi.
"And where does this hybrid thing come into place, huh?" asked Kurogane.
"It's been said that the only thing that can rid Eldire of the Nightmare dragons and bring the dragons of light back from wherever they've gone to is the Hybrid…half human and half dragon. The mixed species," said Aidiaro in admiration.
"Yes, but there is no such thing as the Hybrid," Lady Usagi said seriously, "It is only rumor…a mere myth."
Syaoran saw Aidiaro's face turn cross, his eyes glaring into his tea and his grip on the cup slightly tighten.
"Aidiaro and his sister lead a group of rebels who are determined to find the Hybrid in order to get rid of the Nightmare dragons," she continued, "They have been for a while now and many of the villagers feel that they are making the Nightmare dragons angry with them. But…Aidiaro…you told me that you were told that there is no Hybrid. So I ask you…why do you persist?"
Aidiaro was quiet and did not look up at Lady Usagi, his eyes still fixed on his reflection in the cup of tea. It seemed as if he was trying to block out that fact from his memory, not wanting to believe it completely. An uncomfortable feeling overcame both Syaoran and Sakura as Kurogane tried getting his food back from Mokona; Fye only sat there, trying to divide his attention.
"We could help you look," Sakura said, breaking the awkward silence, "And you could help us find my feather."
"That sounds good to me," said Fye.
"You…you would want to help us find it?" asked Aidiaro with surprise.
"Yes."
Aidiaro couldn't believe his ears and took a few minutes to let it all sink in before jumping up to his feet.
"Then come on, we have to go now before it gets dark," he said as he ran out the door.
Confused, the five of them quickly got to their feet and followed. As they came out from inside the hut, they saw a young girl, a couple years older then Aidiaro, walking up towards the hut, pushing and hitting guys out of her way as they run towards her threateningly. She was about medium height and had long straight black hair that went down to the small of her back. She had piercing amber brown eyes and wore a black and red outfit, similar to a kimono and hakama pants. Strapped to her back was a sword.
"Aidiaro!" she called, "I thought you weren't gonna bother the villagers again."
"Sorry. But, it's a good thing I did. I found some people who are gonna help us," he said, turning towards them, "This is my sister, Syaika."
"Introductions later, Aidiaro. We have to go before it gets dark," she said hurriedly as she turned away, "Let's leave the people to give another hard day's work as offerings to their dragon oppressors."
Following Aidiaro and Syaika, the five of them left the small village behind in their fear. Apart of them wished to stay and help, but inside they knew that going with the rebels would help them more then staying. As the sky began to turn orange and red, they watched as the people in the villages ran from the fields and hurried, collecting things in their baskets.
"What are they doing," asked Sakura.
"In order to keep the Nightmare dragons happy, the people are forced to farm their crops from noon til the sun sets and then they all collect half of their farmed goods and other stuff in baskets," explained Syaika, "The men then go to the other side of the hills and leave the baskets there, then return to the village where they stay in the basements of their houses. They only live in their houses during the day and go in the basement for safety at night."
"That's not a very nice life to live," said Sakura sadly.
"And that's not a life we want to have to live," added Aidiaro.
Everyone, especially Aidiaro, remained quiet as they continued down the dirt path that led towards the forests. Something was going on in his mind, nagging at him and upsetting him. Syaoran looked at Aidiaro, noticing the expression of sadness on his face. Not wanting to pry, Syaoran didn't ask him what was wrong. Unknown to Syaoran was the fact that no one would be able to tell him what was going through his mind…what was bothering him so much.
As night fell on them, they heard the distant cries of the Nightmare dragons. Their terrible shrills echoing throughout the land of Eldire and somewhere out there was Sakura's feather…waiting to be found just like the mysterious Hybrid.
To be continued…
Reprise: Finally, I finished this chapter XD. You don't know how badly I've wanted to finish this. Here are just a few things for you:
Pronunciations:
Aidiaro: Aid-E-r-O
("A" is long like in aid; "E" is long like in ear; say the R and then the o; "O" is long like in open)
Syaika: sIgh-Ache-a
("I" is long like in the word ice; first "A" is long like in aim; 2nd "A" is short like in cat)
I just thought that's be helpful 3. Hope you liked it so far and I'll try my best to update soon. Please review! (no flames, thank you)