A/N : Hey guys, here a new chapter for you to enjoy ! However, before you start reading, there are some things to say.
-First of all, I would like to thank those who have favored and/or followed my story so far. I would also like to thank those who commented on this story. It warms my heart to see that you like my work.
-Secondly, if you do not like my story then you are free to leave !
-Thirdly, here are the result (so far) from the poll I made recently about what name should I give to Ancalagon's future mate and Queen :
-Adalinda 0
-Rhea =5
-Veydara = 0
-Thyndra = 0
-Morrigan = 4
-Freya = 1
-Freydis = 0
-Sigrid = 0
You still have time to vote!
-Fourthly, sorry for the late post but yesterday, I was not home… all because I had to go to the hospital to meet my newborn niece ! My first niece ! I'm so happy !
Now that everything was said, I wish you all a good reading ! ENJOY THE CHAPTER EVERYONE !
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In the Hidden World, the night had fallen and because of this, the entire area was enveloped by darkness.
Where there was previously a world of green, brown and light, there was now nothing but dark tree trunks, shadows and dark bushes. The dark mountain standing in the distance was still the same… albeit darker than usual. The moon-like circle could be seen shining in the sky, and tall shadowed pines were stretching up, pointing at the dark sky.
At night, just like during the day, many scents could be caught in the air : rotting leaves, pine needles, fresh air, earthy fungus, tree sap and moss for the most part. However, unlike during the day, the scents of the night seemed to become less pronounced… probably because of the cold air.
The sounds, like the smell and the appearance, were also different: one could hear the wind slipping through the leaves of the trees, as well as the creaking of tree trunks, the beating of wings (probably of owls and bats… as well as other unknown creatures), the soft rustling of grass and so many others. However, they could also hear other types of sounds: those coming from living beings such as howls and/or hooting.
This was proof that the night was as animated as the day… but due to the lack of light, nighttime was also the worst time of day to be outside as dangers were everywhere... but luckily for our friends, they were safe.
You're probably wondering how...
The answer was that Summer, Salem, Taiyang, Team RWBY and Cinder were all nice and warm in a cave located at the edge of the forest.
A few hours earlier, Aurora, the majestic and powerful green dragoness, had taken them to her lair where they were able to find/meet her entire family... in short, her companion, Targon, and her children. Summer and Salem (along with Fawkes who had been following them all this time) had greeted the male dragon with warmth while their companions only stared at him in fright and wonder.
Targon was easily two heads taller than his mate and he was more impressive looking. Like Aurora, Targon had four legs, four digits on each foot with opposable thumbs and thick, armored scales but otherwise, he looked completely different.
For starter, he wasn't green in color but dark brown… of the same shade that dirt with a lighter taint for his underside. He also had a short, rounded snout (with his nostrils located on the top of it) golden eyes with yellow rings around the pupils, thick, curved horns and a broad, flat head. His body was also much more muscular and robust looking that Aurora's. His wings, massive and clearly powerful, looked flexible and hand-like. Lastly, there was his tail : it was as long as the rest of his body and was clearly just as powerful. The tip looked spade-like in appearance.
Aurora had met Targon four years after Summer and Salem first came into the Hidden World. At first glance, they understood that the two of them were soul-mates and became a couple. Summer and Salem had been happy for their scaly friend… and even happier when she later got eggs !
Anyway, Team RWBY, Cinder and Taiyang, upon meeting him, had been clearly intimidated by him, but they quickly began to appreciate his presence because, despite his imposing and frightening appearance, Targon had proven to be a kind and caring soul.
Sure, he had been intimidating at first but after his partner and friends (aka Summer and Salem) explained who they were, he calmed down and welcomed them warmly. He had the accent, voice and demeanor of a 'gentleman' and Weiss had been impressed by his good manners, having been raised in 'high society'.
Summer and Salem were happy to see that for now, everything was fine... and their happiness and joy grew when their children met the offspring of Aurora and Targon. There were four of them and they were composed of 2 males and 2 females.
The first male, Strider, was the spitting image of his mother but had the color and eyes of his father. Like his father, he was well-mannered, calm, composed but had a fierce glare when angered. It was the glare his mom usually used whenever she is frustrated or mad. He was definitely his mother's son. He managed to befriend Weiss, the Ice Queen.
The second male, Fang, looked exactly like his father... but light in color and had his mother's eyes. He had inherited his mother's kind and mischievous nature. He was the prankster of the group… so it was no surprise that he became good friend with Yang Xiao Long (the parents and the girl's teammates all felt a headache coming at this).
The first female, who answered to the sweet name of Alassiel, was very beautiful with her dark green scales and her golden yellow eyes similar to those of her father. She had inherited all of her mother's features... but her physique was like her father, powerful and robust. However, her behavior was a mix of both father and mother : she was well mannered, calm and always peaceful but could be mischievous at time. She was also the first one to hatch and so she was the eldest of the little group.
Cinder and Blake had both enjoyed spending time with the little dragoness.
The last hatchling of Aurora and Targon, along with being the second female, was known as Valadhiel. She had inherited her father's robust and muscular body but her face, tail, her behavior was all her mother. She was very playful and, maybe because of this, she became good friend with Ruby. When they met, they played for hours, their laughs warmed the hearts of their parents as they watched.
When night fell, the parents called them back inside and despite their disappointment, they all went back into the cave. Team RWBY and Cinder, for their part, hardly protested when the adults asked them to go back inside.
Why ?
Because they still had in mind the terrible (and ugly) Amphiteres that they had met a little earlier. None of them were eager to repeat the experience... nor to know what other creature prowled in the darkness of the night. Especially since they discovered that their weapons seemed useless against those creatures.
But let's get back to present, shall we ?
As darkness enveloped the outside world, within the cavern, a fire burned. It was lit by Targon for his guests, so that they would not freeze to death during the night. The nights could be chilly at times, and usually, some lost their lives for this reason alone... especially the weakest.
Anyway, around this fire, sitting in a circle, were Summer, Salem, Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Blake, Cinder, and Taiyang, along with Fang, Strider, Valadhiel, and Alassiel. The four dragonets had chosen to sit next to the humans (and the Faunus, sorry Blake!) and their scaly bodies were wrapped around Ruby, Weiss, Yang and Blake, providing them with another source of warmth. Cinder, thanks to her Semblance, had no problem with the cold and Taiyang was seated next to Summer (and closer to the fire) so no problem for him either.
Fawkes had left a while back to go who-know-where but knowing him, he will return eventually.
"Mother ?" Fang called out for Aurora in a somewhat sleepy tone. He had been playing for hours with Alassiel, Ruby and Yang and all of them were tired.
"Yes, sweetheart ?" Aurora called back while looking down at her son with curiosity and warmth in her purple eyes.
"Can you tell us a story, please ?" the little dragon asked his mother with cute eyes.
Instantly, his siblings all spoke at the same time, looking eager
"Yes, a story !"
"I want a story with fights !"
"A story with heroes !"
"I want one about the King !"
At the word "King", Taiyang, Cinder, Ruby, Yang, Weiss and Blake pricked up their ears, intrigued and surprised while Summer and Salem looked… untethered.
"This world has a King ?!" Weiss asked them in shock, her clear eyes looking at the dragons around them in amazement.
"Of course there is! He is the great ruler of this world ! And he has been for millenniums now !" Targon replied with a shrug.
"Millenniums ? No way !" Yang cried out in shock and slight denial.
"How is this possible ?" Blake asked them calmly but everyone could see the wonder in her yellow eyes.
"The King is, like Fawkes here, an immortal Being…" Aurora responded with great respect and deference.
"REALLY ?! AMAZING !" Ruby cried out in wonder and excitement, her silver eyes shining like stars.
All adults (dragons included) laughed loudly at the young girl's excitement while Blake and Weiss, despite their shock, merely rolled their eyes in fond annoyance, used to her antic by now. Yang chuckled at her younger sister's behavior while Cinder also rolled her eyes in fond annoyance.
"Me and Salem had met the King during our first trip there… I will never forget this experience..." Summer said once she regained her composure.
"Me neither… How could I forget him ? He was the one who rid me from the curse placed on me by the Twins… and who purified me from the Grimm..." Salem added with a nod of her head and a soft smile as her mind went back to that faithful day when the King and Fawkes cured her.
"So you told us..." Cinder began to say with a nod of remembrance before asking
"But who is he really ?"
All people present (mainly Team RWBY, Cinder, Taiyang and the drgonets) looked at Summer, Salem, Targon and Aurora, waiting for an answer. The four concerned glanced at one another, as of silently having a conversation about what to do now.
After a few seconds, they all looked back at the waiting crowd.
"This is a long story… but I suppose we can tell you…" Aurora began to say in a calm tone before her mate took over by saying sternly.
"But the gruesome part will NOT be said ! I do not want to give you children nightmares !"
"Awwwwwww..." Yang, Ruby and the dragonets all whined in disappointment while Blake and Weiss, along with Cinder all nodded in reluctant acceptance.
Taiyang nodded with total agreement, ignoring the betrayed looks he was receiving from his daughters and adoptive niece.
"So… Who should tell it ?" Summer asked Salem, Targon and Aurora with a curious raised eyebrow.
"I think our scaly friends here should tell it... You and I may know the story, but our dear friends here know it better than us... And, let's be honest, Summer, I'd rather hear Aurora or Targon tell this story that you... You have never been good at telling a story…" Salem retorted with a tiny smirk on her face as she shot a sideway glance at her old friend.
While Targon and Aurora were smirking toothily at Salem's words, Summer, her, spluttered in denial while squawking in indignation, causing everyone present to laugh loudly at her misery. In respect for the older woman,Weiss and Blake were the only ones not laughing, but you could clearly see the amusement shining in their eyes.
It took them a moment to regain their senses but once they did, the atmosphere became serious again as silence was the only thing that could be heard now.
Targon and Aurora looked at each other for a moment, immersed in silent conversation, then the two powerful dragons turned their massive heads towards the group who were all looking at them (not including Taiyang, Summer and Salem) with wide eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
"Before we tell you about the King, you must first know the history of our world... a world that existed long before the creation of Remnant by the Two Brothers…" Aurora began to say in a serious tone before being interrupted by Fang.
"But Mom ! We already know that !" the dragonet whined to his mother while at the same time Yang blurted out in surprise and shock.
"The Twin Gods exist ?!"
Of course, Yang wasn't the only one shocked by the news as Cinder, Ruby, Blake and Weiss were also staring at the Dragons with disbelief.
"Perhaps, but most of our guests here does not !" Targon retorted while looking sternly at his second son who ducked in head in embarrassment while mumbling a little 'sorry' in apologize.
"And to answer you, dear, yes, they does… Everyone in the Hidden World knows of them… and what they did..." Aurora said to Yang in a collected tone.
Summer looked at her daughter with a sharp glare of disapprobation and the blond brawler of Team RWBY ducked her head in embarrassment, mumbling an apology.
"Forgive me, sir, ma'am, but you just said that the Hidden World was older than Remnant...Exactly how many years ?" Blake asked the two Dragons in a curious and intrigued tone.
It was Targon who answered her by saying "The Hidden World was created many millions of years ago... but it was not known as such in all that time..."
Cinder, Ruby, Yang, Blake and Weiss gaped at the male dragon at those revelations : MILLIONS OF YEARS ?! It was sure a total shock.
"What was this world known as then ?" Ruby asked them with a titled head while the dragonets all looked bored… minus Alassiel and Strider.
"It depended on the civilizations to be honest... The Romans called it Mundus, the Vikings called it Midgard... but before the arrival of the Twin Gods, humans called this world 'Earth'..." Aurora answered the young girl in a calm and gentle tone.
" 'Earth' ? Really ? That's a stupid name !" Yang retorted with a mocking laugh and everyone present (in the human group) mumbled their agreements.
While the civilizations named were totally foreign for the people of Remnant, they were amazed by the name they gave to the world. It was definitely better than 'Earth'.
"I have to agree with you on that… the last generations of Humans were not known for their intelligences...At least to name things..." Targon replied with a shrug, not at all bothered by the comment.
Aurora and the dragonets all snorted in agreement.
"This is all very interesting, but could we focus on the story, please ?" Weiss Schnee asked the dragons politely.
"Yes please !" Yang and Ruby said at the same time alongside Fang and Valadhiel.
Taiyang, Cinder, Summer, Salem, Blake, Targon and Aurora were amused by those words but the adults (minus Cinder) all nodded their heads in agreement.
"Very well, listen carefully now…" Aurora said to the little ones in a serious but kind tone.
Nodding eagerly the dragonets, Ruby and Yang leaned forward with shining eyes of curiosity while Alassiel, Strider, Blake and Yang all looked on with composed faces… but still looking curious and intrigued.
"A long time ago, several millenniums to be exact, the world, known as Earth then, was divided in two : on one side, there was the 'normal' world where normal humans lived, devoid of magic but possessing significant technological knowledge, and non-magical creatures like dolphins, deer, or worms..." Aurora began to say before her mate took over.
"And on the other, hidden by powerful spells, was the magical world... the creatures that lived there were very different from their normal counterparts and humans in that part of the world could cast spells through 'wands' '..."
Judging by the growl Targon released at the word 'wands', the young ones all understood that the mighty Dragon wasn't a fan of them.
"Why were those worlds separated ?" Blake asked them with intrigue.
"Magical humans, known as witches and wizards, decided to hide the magical world to protect it from normal humans... For centuries, normals hunted magical people, then known as demonic creatures. .. To avoid extinction, the Wizards decided to live separately from normal humans... and at first, it was a good plan... but very quickly things went wrong..." Aurora answered the Faunus in a dark tone at the last part.
"Why ? Their worlds were separate, right ? How could things could go wrong ?" Yang asked them with a frown, confused.
Cinder and the rest of Team RWBY (alongside Taiyang) were just as intrigued by this… and the same could be said for the dragonets. It was Targon who answered them in a icy tone that caused everyone present to shiver in fear.
"Because Humans, regardless of whether they have magic or not, have the same fault: that of wanting to control everything... After a few years of peace, the Wizards began a long campaign to subdue magical creatures... and they succeeded... Thanks to their wands and their knowledge of spells, magical humans quickly became the masters of the Magical World..."
"For the centuries that followed, we magical creatures lived in the shadow of Wizards... Some were used as ports of call like the Elves, others as attractions... or were used as ingredients for their potions. .." Aurora added in a somewhat sad tone, taking over her mate for a moment.
Needless to say, their words made everyone present (except Summer and Salem who already knew the story) gasp in shock and horror. Ruby's face was pale in horror and Yang clenched her fists in rage as her lilac eyes turned blood red for a moment. Blake was horrified and Cinder bared her teeth as a look of rage appeared on her face. Even Weiss had to admit that what those wizards had done was terrible and she showed it by looking outside the cave with an expression of cold anger. The dragonets looked equally horrified and angry by those revelations.
"Its horrible..." Ruby commented shakily while pressing herself against her older sister who wrapped an arm around her shoulder in a comforting manner.
"It is..." Summer and Salem said at the same time with a nod, their faces serious and emotionless.
"Wizards were really that cruel ?" Fang asked his parents in a tiny voice.
"They were… but thankfully, things turned for the better..." Targon answered his son with a kind look.
"Really ? How comes ?" Blake asked him curiously with an eyebrow raised.
At the question, everyone stared at the two dragons, waiting for their answer.
"For a long time, magical creatures were oppressed by wizards but one day everything changed..." Targon started to say before Aurora took over.
"A being of great power and great heart appeared and put an end to the tyranny of the Wizards in a torrent of flames and a wind of justice and vengeance..."
"THE KING !" the dragonets, Ruby and Yang all loudly cried out at the same time. Weiss and Blake rolled their eyes at the antics of their teammates but they understood it as themselves had almost did the same.
"Indeed ! Thanks to him, the magical creatures regained hope and all united to put an end to the wizarding governments and establish another... Life changed for all magical creatures after that and for years, our world knew only peace... but like all good things, there is an end..." At the last part, Aurora's voice turned somber and many shivered at this.
"What happened ?" Weiss asked her with curiosity and slight dread.
"The normal humans eventually discovered the magical world... From then on, things got worse... Many magical creatures were captured, experimented on, and killed... We tried to fight back but many were massacred to the last like the Centaurs or the Goblins..." Targon answered the Schnee Heiress in a calm tone but we could hear the sorrow in his voice.
At those words, many started paling in horror. Yang and Ruby were hugging one another, Weiss was looking at the two dragons with wide eyes of pure horror and Blake looked like she was ready to throw up. Cinder looked horrified and angry while Taiyang looked pained and angry. The dragonets were as horrified as the others, huddling together in comfort.
None of the adults could blame them for it… as it was dreadful.
"Worse, the Wizards and Witches, who had been hiding since their governments fell, allied themselves with their non-magic counterparts !"
At these words, everyone was both angry and outraged at the abhorrent behavior of the Wizards: Cinder looked ready to BURN something, Weiss to FREEZE something, Ruby to SLICE something, Yang to HIT something and Taiyang MASSACRED something. The dragonets, for their parts, looked ready to CLAW and BITE something (they were too young to spit fire).
What about Blake ?
She was deep in thought. Sure she was horrified by those revelations but, after hearing what the Wizards did to have their revenge, it reminded her of someone she knew and she couldn't help but shivering a bit.
"Fortunately, the King managed to save the survivors and fervently protected them against the deadly weapons of humans..." Aurora spoke again, in an attempt to brighten the mood.
"But then, things changed when the Twin Gods came into our world..."
At the mention of the Twins, the dragonets, Cinder, Taiyang and Team RWBY all turned their heads to stare at the adult dragons, their eyes shining. Summer and Salem couldn't help but glancing at one another with a tiny smirk, amused by the looks but deep down, it reminded them of the night when Lord Scalanis of Malon told them of this story.
"When the Gods arrived on Earth, humans stopped their campaigns against magical creatures to focus on these new arrivals... the Gods, seeing only negativity in this world, decided to purify it and therefore, destroyed all living creature !"
A loud gasp escaped the crowd of listeners as they stared at the two dragons with wide eyes of fright, horror and disgust.
"Thankfully, us, magical creatures, had avoid extinction..." Targon added quickly and they all became confused by his words.
"I don't understand... if the Gods led a campaign of extermination of all living creatures, how did you escape the massacre ?!" Weiss asked the two adult dragons with disbelief and intrigue and, at her sides, her teammates and new friends looked just as curious.
"Mother told us how the gods wiped out the first humanity on Remnant... So how did you manage to survive ?" Cinder added with a frown, her amber eyes narrowed a bit.
Summer, Salem, Aurora and Targon exchanged a smirk and a knowing look with one another before looking back at the crowd of waiting people around the fire.
"We owe our survival to the only creature who had the power and strength necessary to face these newcomers... and who had previously freed us from the yoke of the Wizards and protected us from the weapons of the Humans..." Aurora answered them with a calm expression on her face but everyone could hear the deference in her voice.
"Are you saying it was the King who saved you ?!" Yang blurted out once her mind processed those words.
Around her, all youngsters gasped loudly at this while staring at the adults with wide shining eyes.
"He did... Thanks to him, we not only avoided annihilation, but were also allowed to live... He made a deal with the Gods and together they reshaped our world so that 'he is what he is now... But above ours, the Twins created your world, Remnant... So, we magical Creatures would have no contact with the inhabitants of Remnant... and this worked until a few years ago when some people accidentally ended up here…"
At the last words, Aurora's purple eyes landed on Salem and Summer. In return, the two shot their draconic friend a look before chuckling.
"It had been the first time humans came into our world… but Lady Salem and Lady Summer were mostly accepted by everyone in the Hidden World… They had proven that they weren't like the humans of old and the King had declared them 'Friends of Dragon folk'…" Targon added while nodding his head at the two mentioned women.
"Wow..." the dragonets, Ruby and Yang said in awe while looking at Salem and Summer who looked a bit embarrassed by it. Weiss and Blake, who not acting like their friends, would be lying to themselves if they said they weren't as amazed as them.
"The King sounds so cool !" Ruby cried out with stars in her silver eyes.
"Yeah ! He sounds like a Great Hero !" Valadhiel said in agreement to Ruby's words before the two exchanged an high five.
"He does sounds AWESOME !" Yang agreed with the two with a smile.
"Amazing..." Blake commented in awe while still processing everything she heard so far.
"Excuse me ? May we know the name of this individual ?" Weiss politely asked the adults, still curious about him and in awe of his accomplishments.
"In the Hidden World, the King is known under many names : The Black Dread, the Shadow of Death, the Soul Devourer, the Bringer of Death, the Black Inferno, Dragon King, the Black Guardian…" Targon said in a respectful tone and the youngsters were impressed by the name the King was given.
"But his true name, known to everyone and everything living in the Hidden World, is Ancalagon the Black !" Aurora added and instantly, they all felt it.
Team RWBY, the dragonets, Taiyang and Cinder, like Summer and Salem before them, instantly felt the power and might radiating from the name alone and they shivered in both fear and awe. Just by hearing the name, they all felt compelled to show respect and deference.
"Ancalagon… A very strong name..." Weiss commented while testing it with her tongue.
"It does..." Blake said in agreement with her cold looking teammate.
"IT SOUNDS BADASS YOU MEAN !" Yang cried out with a bright expression on her face while pumping a fist into the air.
"Yeah ! Not only he sounds amazing but his name is also cool ! I would love meeting him !" Ruby added with a bright expression on her cute face while jumping up and down from her seat as she imagined the scene in her head.
Hearing this, Summer, Salem, Aurora and Targon all glanced at one another with smirks on their faces and knowing looks in their eyes. After that the rest of the night went smooth and later, they all went to bed with the little ones dreaming of Ancalagon the Black and what he looked like while Summer and Salem were thinking about how they would react when they will meet the mighty Dragon King for the first time… they just have to wait and see.
(To be continue…)