Wizards: Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 6: Powers Established

Monday, October 20th, 1997….

The next morning….

Stefan, Karl and Gunter were having breakfast whilst listening to the radio. It was giving another report about the situation over in the Middle East, to say that the situation was grim was an understatement.

The reporter was saying, "since the expiry of the American ultimatum to the Soviet Union yesterday, there have been intense diplomatic efforts to mediate between the two countries. There is still no information on Iran itself. No news teams have been allowed in or out of the country since phone and telex lines were cut on Friday."

Stefan grumbled, "this situation just keeps getting worse and worse."

Karl couldn't agree more with his father and said, "it sure does dad, it sure does."

Gunter then asked, "do you think that a war could break out dad?"

Stefan said, "I honestly hope it doesn't, my boy. I honestly hope it doesn't…."

Karl however disagreed and said, "I'm afraid that it just might be."

Stefan said, "regardless…. If a war breaks out or not, we've gotta stick together."

Karl and Günter nodded in agreement.

Later that day, Klaus was mowing the front garden. The weather was cool, and so Klaus had the day off from work. He noticed that the grass was getting a little long, so he decided, why not?

He mowed the grass as evenly as he could, the sun glinting brightly.

Klaus had just finished mowing the lawn when he looked up. He saw that their next door neighbors, the Weber's, were packing their car. They were loading boxes, suites into their boot, they were even tying a few things to the top of the car.

Klaus was curious and asked, "say Hans, what are you doing?"

His neighbor, Hans, turned to him and saud, "oh we're going to my brothers in the country."

Klaus then asked, "the country, why are you heading there?"

Hans said, "well, with all of that crazy stuff going on in the world, I figured a family visit in the country would help us forget about all the drama for a while."

Klaus then nodded, "really how long are you going to be?".

Hans frowned and said, "until this whole thing blows over, and since we don't know how long that will be, then probably indefinitely."

Klaus said, "well, I wish you a good vacation. Stay safe out there."

Hans gave a grateful smile at Klaus and said, "thanks. Besides, we're probably going to be much safer in the countryside. Where we're going only has a single row of houses, a small shop and a pub. They're probably not going to bomb that if a war breaks out anyway."

Klaus said, "well, I can't fault your logic."

Hans then nodded and turned to his wife and asked, "Carol, see if we packed that extra set of school clothes for Heinrich?"

Carol said, "it's right here, sweety. I just checked."

Hans nodded before turning to their son who was playing Super Mario World on a Game Boy Advance, "alright Heinrich, it's time to go."

Heinrich said, "coming dad."

Heinrich turned off his Game Boy as he headed over to the car with his parents, he was just about to hop into the car when he remembered that the family dog was nowhere to be seen. Worried, he began to look around for him, but could see no sign of him.

He then asked frantically, "Dad, where's Spot?"

His parents looked at one another in worry. Had the dog gotten out?

Just then they heard a barking, they turned and saw Spot racing towards them. Hans then caught Spot and carried him over to the car. Heinrich then hopped into the car and put on his safety belt, Hans then put Spot onto Heinrich's lap and then closed the door.

Hans muttered, "phew. That was a close one."

Satisfied that their dog was back with them, both Hans and his wife got into the car and drove away. Klaus watched them disappear into the distance, he gave a sigh as they disappeared.

He hoped they would be safe from all of the dangers that had sprung up these days.

….

In his office, Mayor Heinrich was on the phone. He received a call from the government about the recent state of events and that he and the predetermined emergency committee would need to operate in a fallout bunker for a whole month. He had also been informed that if necessary he can be given full powers of internal government.

He sighed to himself. The situation between the various countries just seemed to get worse and worse with each passing day.

He said silently to himself, "I just hope that this isn't going to get any worse."

But he knew that chances were, things were gonna get worse.

And they most certainly were.

He had the radio on and was listening to some music, when it was interrupted by a news report.

….

Albert and Elsa were both in their apartment and were watching the news, as were Klaus, Mila, Anna, Stefan, Karl and Günter.

The reporter who gave the report confirmed, "our top story today, a dark day in the history of mankind. Just one hour ago, the United Nations in New York City received information from their ambassadors that the countries Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have united to form an alliance that they have named, 'the Communist Powers.'"

Albert and the others all gave uneasy expressions. This sounded like a very bad thing to happen.

The reporter continued, "these new Communist Powers have formed, due to all four of these countries claiming to want to branch away from the capitalistic lifestyle of most other countries", the news reporter continued as he was given some new paper, "this just in from the United Nations in New York; the United States of America, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have just joined to form their own alliance, The Western Powers."

Albert, Elsa and the others all looked at each other when they heard the news. This definitely meant that things were soon going to unfold, although they did admit that the Western Powers sounded better than the Communist Powers. They continued to listen as the reporter continued to talk.

The reporter said, "the Western Powers have claimed their new alliance is to counteract the harmful consequences of the opposing side."

Albert and Elsa held hands worriedly.

The situation was indeed growing more and more serious by the day. It seemed that war was now becoming more and more inevitable. The two of them looked at each other.

Albert was desperately trying to think of ways to keep his family safe.

But he couldn't think of anything, not one single thing. That was beginning to make him feel completely useless, both as a fiancée and a father. If something were to happen to both Elsa and their unborn child…. He didn't wanna think about it.

He wished he had someone to help him…. But wait…. He did!

A certain scaly someone. Maybe they could offer some help? Even if it was a long shot, Albert had to try.

But then he thought of Elsa, how would she react to him. She had always thought that he was just a purely fictional character. What would her reaction be to discovering that her favorite character was a real flesh and blood, living being?

He really hoped she would take it well.

Albert then decided to tell her the truth and said, "Elsa."

Elsa looked at her fiance and asked, "yes?"

Albert then said, "you remember my mothers books?"

Elsa was confused and asked, "yes why?"

Albert said, "well, in a few days, I have something to show you…."

Elsa, however, was curious and said, "why, what is it Albert? You can tell me."

Albert looked uncertain about it and asked, "wouldn't you like to find out for yourself instead?"

Elsa, however, just gave a smile and said, "you can tell me Albert, I promise that I won't laugh at you."

Albert thought about it for a moment.

Albert then said, "my mothers book series, the Age of Myth?"

Elsa asked, "yes, what about it?"

Albert took a breath and said, "it's based on real events."

Elsa looked at Albert incredulously, "what?"

Albert said, "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true."

Elsa however was in disbelief and said, "Albert, you can't possibly be serious. There's no such thing as magic, nor wizards, elves, trolls, dwarves, centaurs, dragons or goblins!"

Albert said, "but there is! I have proof! And have I ever lied to you before?"

Elsa looked at him, "no you haven't, but what proof do you have?"

Albert then said, "I'll show you."

Albert then ran into their bedroom, a few minutes later he had returned with a VHS tape. He then placed it into their VCR and switched on the television.

Elsa looked at the TV in confusion.

The footage showed a much younger Albert, about 10 years old. He was with Klaus, Mila and Anna, who was four years old at the time. They were heading up the forbidden trail in the Black Forest, which had been long infamous for its disappearances, the most infamous being the SS soldiers and their commanding officer in 1942. The family soon came to a large cave, they then stopped at the entrance.

Elsa was watching the footage as she then turned to Albert, "why are you and your family going into a cave?"

Albert said, "just watch and you'll see."

Elsa reluctantly turned her attention back towards the screen.

The Wagner's stood outside the cave as if they were waiting for someone to emerge. But no one did, so they decided to see if their friend was home.

Albert called, "Great Dragon are you home?"

Elsa raised an eyebrow as she heard thumping noises coming from the cave in the footage.

The footage then showed a large and golden scaled Dragon emerge from the cave entrance. He then looked down at the Wagner family who had come to meet him.

Elsa gasped in shock.

It was a Dragon, a real life breathing Dragon. No that just couldn't be, Dragons were creatures of pure fantasy and legend. If they were real then the scientific community would have proven it decades ago, this had to be a trick. Yes, that's what it was, a trick. That wasn't a real Dragon she was seeing on the screen. It was just a simple animatronic, although a very convincing one at that.

The Great Dragon yawned and stretched as they let out a burst of flames in the air.

Elsa gasped.

Albert looked at her with a smirk and asked, "still thinks he's fake?"

Elsa looked at Albert in shock.

She managed to splutter out, "how, why, where, what?"

Albert said, "it's a long story."

Elsa then turned her attention back to the footage.

The Great Dragon then gave the Wagners a smile, he was glad that his human friends had come to visit him today.

He said in the footage, "hello there Albert, Anna, Klaus and Mila. How are you lot doing today?"

Klaus said, "good. Just thought we'd pay you a visit."

The Great Dragon smiled at them, "that was very kind of you."

Albert then switched off the footage as he turned to face a disbelieving Elsa.

Albert asked, "well…. Believe me now?"

Elsa said, "so…. All of that stuff I read about…. Is real?!"

Albert smiled at his beloved and said, "yes, every single bit of it."

Elsa simply said, "... woah."

Elsa couldn't believe it, what she had both seen and what Albert had just told her. She had always thought that the Age of Myth was just a work of fiction, a series of very successful books that Albert's mother Mila had written, after having come up with the idea of course. But the VHS tape that Albert had showed her had just proved that it was all real, all too real.

Albert took hold of her hands to help her calm down.

Albert spoke to her gently, "it's okay Elsa, I know this is a lot to take in."

Elsa nodded and said, "it is. This is…. So crazy."

Albert smiled at her and said, "I know it is Elsa but you'll soon get used to it"

Elsa then asked Albert, "so all of those fantasy races like in Dungeons and Dragons are real?"

Albert gave her a nod and replied, "they are, well some of them were, but not anymore."

Elsa tilted her head and asked, "how come?"

Albert then told Elsa about the tragedy that befell some of the magical races when the Age of Myth ended. The Great Dragon told him and his family that during their last visit with him.

….

Flashback….

The Wagner family was visiting the Great Dragon in his cave in the Black Forest. He was currently telling them about the Age of Myth and of how life was magical back then, of when humans and magical creatures lived side by side.

The Great Dragon noticed that Mila was writing in a notepad and decided to ask, "what are you writing there, Mila?"

Mila said, "I was writing down the stories you told. I'm working to improve the stories and books I've been writing."

The Great Dragon nodded and asked, "and how are your books doing at the moment?"

Mila said, "very good. People are taking to it like flies."

Albert then said, "remember how you reacted when mom showed you a copy of the first book Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon chuckled and said, "oh, do I ever. Hehe. I was quite flattered, honestly."

Klaus then said, "you once said that all the magical races are real, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon gave him a sad sigh, "that's true Klaus, or at least it was true once."

Albert and his parents tilted their heads in confusion.

Mila looked up from her notebook and asked, "what do you mean, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon looked sadly at them and said, "I'm afraid many of the magical races are tragically extinct."

This made all three humans give sad looks.

Albert then said, "really? That's terrible."

The Great Dragon sadly agreed and said, "it sure was."

Anna, who was quiet, asked, "which magic races are extinct, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon said, "too many to count."

Albert then asked, "well maybe you can name a few, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon then thought for a moment before answering, "there the Giants, the Gnomes, the Centaurs, the Satyrs, the Mermaids and the Leprechauns."

Mila asked, "that many?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "I'm afraid so and they were just a small number."

Klaus then asked, "how did they die out, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "the rise of technology brought their downfall."

The Wagners looked at each other sadly, the mere thought of many of the magical races dying out was a very tragic thing to happen. But surely there had to be some survivors, the Great Dragon would surely confirm it.

Albert was the one who asked, "but some of the magical races are still alive, are they Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "they sleep deep within the Earth."

Mila asked, "which ones did survive, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon said, "various elves, dwarves, goblins, orcs, trolls and fairies survived."

Klaus asked, "were you close to any of them?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "I was friends with the Elf Kings of the forest realms, the Dwarf lords of the mountain halls and the fairy folk of the skies."

Albert asked, "are any of them asleep?"

The Great Dragon nodded, "yes."

Mila asked, "what kind of sleep, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon said, "I told you already, did I not? The magical beings are all in a state of hibernation underground."

Mila just grinned sheepishly, "sorry."

Klaus then asked, "but what about the other three? The Orcs, Goblins and Trolls. What was your relationship with them?"

The Great Dragon said, "most of them…. I don't get along with. Most of them are angry, rage fueled creatures."

Mila curiously asked, "how come, did they have any particular reason?"

The Great Dragon said, "some creatures just have an innate desire to watch the world burn."

Klaus asked, "are they in hibernation too?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "yes. They are."

Albert then asked, "what about the Dragons and Unicorns, where are they all now?"

The Great Dragon said, "there is still a small number of unicorns left. But dragons are almost extinct at this point."

The entire Wagner family was shocked by this, the entire Dragon race was almost extinct. How could that have happened?

Klaus asked, "how did the Dragons come so close to extinction?"

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "some of it was from the rise of technology. Some of it was quarreling amongst themselves."

Mila asked, "quarreling among themselves?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "indeed. Dragon's can be quite territorial and egotistical."

He then paused before continuing, "but it was mostly due to the Grand Culling of the Wyrms!"

The three humans tilted their heads in confusion. What was the Grand Culling of the Wyrms?

Albert asked, "Great Culling of the Wyrms? What's that?"

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "that's a long story. It was a mass slaughter of Dragons at the tail end of the age of myth."

The Wagner family was even more shocked by this. Mass slaughter of Dragons, how could anyone do such a despicable thing to such majestic creatures and sentient ones at that.

Mila asked, "how and why?"

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "well…. Let me tell you a tale…."

….

"Many years ago, as the Age of Myth was coming to a close, man grew a taste for Dragon hunting. They created new and dangerous weapons, primitive flying machines, and all sort of terrifying traps to catch and kill every Dragon they could. They harvested their scales, horns, teeth and leather, much like the poachers of today. Very few dragons managed to survive the countless days of hunting that went on…."

….

The family looked at the Great Dragon in shock.

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "those were dark days indeed."

Anna then asked, "and what about the Unicorns how did they fare, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon said, "they fared only slightly better, due to being such beautiful and seemingly peaceful creatures", he then gave another sign, "however, I'm afraid that there's only one herd left in the entire world."

That was a very depressing thought for the family.

The Great Dragon explained, "like the dragons, the Unicorns were hunted for their horns, their hides and hooves, or to be used for manual labor. They fared only slightly better than the dragons due to being seen as less ferocious beasts."

Mila then remembered something and asked, "it is also well known that the Unicorn horn possessed great healing powers, wasn't that the main reason they were hunted?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "indeed. The people who hunted them used the horns for various magical marvels."

Klaus then remembered something himself before speaking, "according to legend the Coronation Chair of Denmark was said to be made from Unicorn horns, is that true, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "sadly, it's true. So many unicorns died for that chair…."

Seeing the Great Dragon's pain Albert asked, "if you were given the chance, would you destroy the chair, Great Dragon?"

The Great Dragon sighed and said, "I'm…. I'm not sure."

Klaus said, "but I thought that the Coronation Chair was made from Narwhal horn?"

The Great Dragon said, "that was a cover story, since Narwhal's horns look so similar to unicorn horns."

Mila then asked, "so Great Dragon, which magical races are left?"

The Great Dragon gave a sad nod and said, "only Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Goblins, Trolls, Faeries, Dragons and Unicorns."

Albert asked, "really? Only those ones?"

The Great Dragon gave a very somber nod and said, "yes, sadly."

Mila asked, "how come?"

The Great Dragon said, "these species were able to better hide from those that hunted them, and the species that are now extinct were eradicated before any of the others."

Albert said sadly, "so they are the only magical creatures left in the world."

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "and they will be the only ones who will endure until the sun goes out in 5 billion years time."

Klaus asked, "you mean when the end of time happens?"

The Great Dragon simply nodded.

Mila then said, "well, at least they are the lucky ones."

The Great Dragon nodded and said, "sad, but true."

Klaus then looked at his watch, he saw that the time was 5 o'clock.

He said, "it's getting a little late."

Mila looked at her watch and saw the time as she said, "alright Albert and Anna, home time."

Albert and Anna both groaned in disappointment.

The Great Dragon then tried to reassure them as he said, "cheer up, you'll see me again soon."

Both Klaus and Mila looked a bit uneasy at this mention.

There was something that they would have to tell the Great Dragon.

Klaus was the one who said, "I'm afraid that we mightn't be able to see you for quite a good while, Great Dragon."

The Great Dragon looked at his human friend in confusion and asked, "how so?"

Mila said, "we have been planning on moving in a few weeks."

The Great Dragon looked at them and said, "really? And I also take it that education is another main reason for it?"

Klaus and Mila nodded.

The Great Dragon looked a little down at this news. But he knew that education was very important, besides both he and the Wagners did have very good memories of all the wonderful times they had.

He said, "well…. I wish you luck. And I'll always be here if you're in the neighborhood."

Both Albert and Anna gave the Great Dragon a hug on each of his forelegs. Both Klaus and Mila watched the scene.

It was a bittersweet moment, seeing the kids say goodbye to the GreatDragon.

Albert and Anna then broke away before joining their parents at the cave entrance. The Wagners then took one last look at the Great Dragon.

They said together, "goodbye, Great Dragon."

The Great Dragon gave them a smile and said, "goodbye, my friends."

And with that, the family left the cave as the Great Dragon sighed and laid down.

He was really going to miss his friends….

Flashback Ends….

….

Albert smiled sadly at the bittersweet memory.

Elsa was stunned at her fiance's revelation. All this time, magic was real. Elves, Trolls, Dwarves, Centaurs, Dragons and Goblins were real. All real and not mere fantasy, but pure fact! And both Albert's video and story had proven that.

She said, "so…. What I've always wanted to believe is true. Magic exists!"

Albert smiled at Elsa and said, "it is Elsa, magic is real. It was here long before science was here and it will be here long after science has been forgotten."

Elsa gave an awe inspired look.

Albert then asked, "so would you like me to take you to see the Great Dragon in a few days?"

Elsa gasped and asked, "really?"

Albert smiled at her, "that's right, so what's your answer?"

Elsa then thought for only a moment whether or not to accept Albert's offer. She was a bit nervous about it.

She heard that, according to folklore, Dragons were known for having a taste for virgin maidens and for hoarding treasure in their lairs. But at the same time, she did want to see a real living Dragon for herself.

And she had heard in Mila's books that the Great Dragon hated the thought of eating people.

So, after a few moments, she smiled and said, "I'd love to…."

Albert smiled at her. It was going to be very nice to see the Great Dragon again. But this time, he was going to bring Elsa along with him. He wondered how the Great Dragon was going to think of her. He really hoped his old friend would be fond of her….

….

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