This is the second chapter of Darkness Looms. Hopefully this chapter will give you more insight about Nall, and yes it is longer. Much longer. I know, the prolouge was very short indeed, you'll also see how much the loveable kitty from Lunar Silver really changed. And this chapter is where he is given his human form. He won't be given the post of White Dragon Protector of Althena for a few more chapters. And the creation for taben's peak? Very far away. Hope you enjoy my story, seeing there isn't many Lunar Stories updated anymore.
Darkness Looms
Chapter One: Destiny Begins
"You damn cat, get your furry ass out of 'ere!"
Pathetic humans. There grammer is horrible, and their ability to notice a dragon from a cat is even worse. How could humans be so cruel? They used to respect me. Did respect towards non-humans suddenely disappear after the death of the newest goddess and the Dragonmaster? I was starting to think so. This world, it's so cruel and cold. It's strange, I'm all alone in this world. A never aging dragon stuck at the age of a teenager. Wisdom? I could deal with out that. Manners? Who needs them. Love? What is this thing called 'love'. Fate? There's no such thing, if there was, there would be a meaning to life by now.
Pads of my paws were beginning to hurt horribley, and the scorching sun of Meribia made my daily comutie made it appalluing. Sighing lightly, my flank lifted gentley. The dirts on my pelt were beginning to increase, so a bath was in order. And when baths were needed, the easiest result is to find a water fountain. As I contiuned my walk, tail swishes every now and then, my eyes seemed to travel off and fall upon random travelers. Anyone one of them could be of the Black Cult, an organization I have recentely heard about through the grapvine. Then again, anyone of them could be the next dragonmaster. Clenching my teeth, my ruby eyes fell upon central square oddly. What was so different about this place?
"This city holds nothing more for me, maybe a visit to Grandpa Quark is in order." The only person left that I could really relate to was the one and only legendary White Dragon. So many times before I had seeked guidance from him, so this wouldn't be any different. Would it?
Twitching my right ear slightly, I felt a gentle breeze pass through my delicate fur. The coniditons were perfect for our meeting, how did I know this? The blessing of the winds of course. You have to keep up. Stretching out my wings, I glanced around. Not one human or beast alike was phased by the display of my heavnely flying abitily.
"Cat with wings over here," I mutterted and looked downward at my paws as I slowly lifted myself off the ground. "And not one of them cares," I gazed around. When did humans become this irggoant to their surroundings? And when did I become this... cold? I was truly tunring into someone else. This wasn't me. This just couldn't be.
Flapping my wings at a constant speed, I easily made it into the air above the city I called home. How different things looked from above. I hadn't seen this view for quite some time, and just looking at it now, the spiraling buildings, the millions of people, it gave you that feeling of connection. But then again, I had no one besides Quark to be connected to. Lowering my gaze, I began to sail through the milky clouds to the white Dragon Shrine, back to where my life began.
It didn't take me that long to arrive back. True, the flight did take alot out of me, but this meeting was far more important. Settling down in the middle of the woods, the familar scent of home filled my nostrils. Just that smell made my ears perk, and my tail begin to swish contently. A slight smile, for the first time in years, passed my dragon lips. Maybe I could forgive, maybe the humans weren't as bad as I thought they were. Just possibly.
"Nall, is that you?"
My ears suddenely shot out in alarm when my name was spoken for the first time in decades. Stutteritng I glanced around to see who had summonded me. My ability to speak was oddly paralazyed, probably from shock, as I sat in the middle of the cluster of trees.
"Who.. is it?" Ok, I was a bit of a coward. But when you've had no contact with intelligable beings, besides the average alleycat here and there, you tend to get nervous. Gulping down any pride I had left up to this moment, I awaited an answer. Unfolding my wings once more, I got on alert just incase I needed a quick getaway. But that was just me. The type to flee from battle, escape instead of fight. Is this what I've become.
"My, you surely have grown. It is I, Quark. You desire a meeting with me, do you not?"
"Quark!" The name escaped my lips, and I was filled with a sudden joy. He was still alive, and he recongozied me. Just by scent, concluding he wasn't flying around for fun.. A grin passed from ear to ear as I began to think of someting else to say to the elder. "Yes, I do. Are we to meet at the White Dragon Alter?" I had been waiting for this meeting for quite some time, so I had lots of time to pratice what to say.
"I'm pleased you remember, young one. I'll be awaiting you."
And with that, the familiar warmth of a comrade disappeared as fast as it came. Pausing, I folded my wings against my back once more. Considering whether or not to waste time and transfer into my true dragon form, I decided to remain in this form. In life, you shouldn't waste your energy when not needed. You never know when you might need to protect yourself against backstabbers, or those who oppose peace.
Trotting my way through the forest to the crystal lake, the low feeling of guilt swept over me. The moment I saw that lake, I knew this wasn't going to be easy. Call me crazy, even though I probably am by now, but I swore I heard the faintest note of the song Luna used to pratice everday. Luna... Alex. I promised you I'd live for your memories. But I can not live among the humans who opposed you, and ultimately disposed of you!
Finally crossing across the marble stones and into the dragon alter, I glanced straight into the darkness. As expected, the familiar voice of the one called 'Grandpa' Quark gave a slight chuckle. Stunned, I paused for a moment, with one paw raised. Shrugging off any concern or anxiouty, I contiuned my trot down the diamond path until the dragon came into view, sitting upon the same rock he did so many moons ago.
"Young one, what is it that you request from me?" His voice was frailer then I remembered. The usual powerful tone was replaced with a calmer, and eldest voice. A bit taken back, I took a few moments to collect my thoughts.
"Grandpa Quark, I want to know what am I to do! What do I do with my life! My friends.. they all died at the hands of humans and beast alike! Time and anger killed them. How can I live to forgive? What am I to do!" By the end of my plee, I was basically on the edge of the path, yelling for answers. Holding back the tears of remeberance, I starred into the vacant eyes of the wise one. He seemed so still, and at peace with the world.
"You have many things troubling you, young one. It is not the humans fault your friends were killed. You said yourself time was the murderer, after all." His expression did not change when he answered me. Feeling a bit angry, I dug my claws into the ground deeper, hoping to maintain my anger.
"But what am I to do, Grandpa Quark! What purpose do I serve?"
"Protection, young dragon."
"P-protection for the goddess?" The words became slurs as I starred at the elder. Was my life really built around that one simple task. I wouldn't allow it. There was more to life then living as a servant to a goddess, especially when that goddess used to be your friend, but was replaced when death knocked upon her door.
"Yes, young white. You must protect the Goddess Althena at all costs. Along with that responsibility however, comes blessings, and abilites," Although the subject was lightening up, the same vacant stare contiuned in his eyes.
"Abilites, grandpa?" What possible abilites could a dragon need?
"Abilites that will enrich your life as a white dragon." Quark whispered softly. The flicker of amusement passed his eyes and my heart sank.
"What powers? The power of unlimited fire?" Excitement flashed in my eyes.
"No, not those, young one." Quark sighed..
"Then which ones?" My heart was pounding, and my tail began to swish rapdily. I was far too excited for my own good, but just the thought of actual powers was well worth it.
"Ones that will teach you a lesson about life. Hmmm, I see fit that this gift should be given to you know," He closed his eyes, and began mutterting the ancient Bluestar language only known to the few dragons. Everything went black for a few moments, before I opened up my eyes once more. Nothing felt different.
"If you don't mind me asking, grandpa, what power did you give me?" I questioned.
"That is obvious, young one," A smile flickered across his ancient lips. I tried to dig my claws into the ground from anger, but oddly... no reaction came. In fact, I was on.. two legs!
Jumping back from startlement, I starred down at this wretched body that had been given to me. A.. human body. My heart sank a thousand times and my pulse began to increase. What possible purpose did turning me into the one thing I despied help?
"Is this some sort of joke!" I hollered, lifting up my right arm with my left. The usual muscle I felt was gone, and the weak support of two legs was two akward. No wonder humans hated their own kind so much.
"Dear Nall, if you are to serve your purpose in life, you must be able to live among the humans. You were born for serving the goddess, yes, but you can do far more with your life. Reach out to the humans, the younglins, show-" Quark began but his vacant stare suddenely turned into a stunned look. Heart pounding, I whirled around to see what he was starring at, but resulted in my clumsily falling down on the ground and knocking my head.
"Clumsy human body!" I hissed, standing up. Looking into the dark tunnel, I saw the glow of fire drawing closer. Fire? But wouldn't that be spreading, not just concentrated. Then that must mean.. humans had enfiltrated the wholy Dragon Den!
"HUMANS!" I spat and quickly tried to turn into my ultimate form. I waited a few moments, no cooperation.
"What the!" I began but saw humans pushing past me, in robes, holding torches and staves. Falling over ocne more, I was pushed against the side of the wall. Trying to stand up, I found myself weak and frail. How could this be possible? Starring at the humans, I watched as one took the lead and stepped forward to Quark. What were they planning to do!
"Quark, you're reign of protection for the goddess is over. You're time ends here!" The human utterted. My heart stopped and I heard a scream escape my lips.
"You damned human!" Twitching, I felt sparks run down my back. Sitting powerlessly, I watched in horror as the man took of his hood. No.. it couldn't be.. the man who was going to kill the last person I held dear to me, was Ghaelon!
"I've lived a good life, dragonmaster.Being slayed by one who truly understood dragons is no crime, but a reward," Quark closed his eyes and I sensed anger flash up in Ghaelon.
"Grandpa! What are you saying!" I hissed through the pain.
"Don't ever call me by that title again. I am no dragonmaster. This world will soon rule under I, and the ancient lord Zophar. Mock my words, Quark. But you won't get to see this empire now will you?" And with that, the cave went white. My body became numb, and everything seemed to die. Nothing was like it was.
I woke up, laying down in the middle of what looked like a cabin somewhere. Reaching out, I scratched my hair, seeing I was still in human form, and dared to open my eyes. Along my body were several scratches, wounds, and scars. Glaring, I managed to stand up and regain control of my body.
"Where the fuck am I..." I spoke to myself. Wherever I was, whatever was going to happen, I knew one thing was certain. The humans were going to pay. They will all die under my control, that's a promise. They will suffer for the pain they've caused through my life. The humans will all pay for this...
AN:
Ok, so it was alittle longer. Angst? Alittle. It might make some sense. Ha ha! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had lots of fun writing it. Poor nall, this is where he turns so bitter in l2. Poor poor nall. and if you're wondering where he is, think for a moment ;) You'll find out in the next chapter. Honestly, it isn't that hard to guess.