Breath of Fire
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People live and die, as countless as the stars in the sky, as fleeting as foam in water.
Why are we brought into the world, only to depart so quickly?
On a cosmic scale our lives flash by in the blink of an eye.
The Dragon Clan built a mighty empire, then faded fast, like a falling star.
During their short reign, the Dragons fought meaningless battles in pursuit of empty dreams.
Now, an ominous force emerges and to repeat the cycle.
You all are having a dream as you sleep in your own beds upstairs in a shared home you’re being raised in. At first it’s hard to see as you’re overwhelmed with darkness but slowly something comes into your vision. You see the face of a white dragon but it changes and becomes darkened until it’s black. Flames engulf it and you are awaken by Elder Eden. Your eyes open and you see flames all around. As your eyes focus you become aware the building is on fire and the Elder is rushing about the room.
”Hurry, you must get up and get downstairs. The village is on fire and the clan of Dark Dragons is outside destroying everything.” Elder Eden quickly ushers you all out of your beds and grabs a few of your belongings and rushes down stairs hoping you will follow her.
Sarinah was woken with a start from a dream that had gone horiffic and as Elder Eden shook her awake she was relieved. It took her a moment to realize what exactly was going on but when she finally saw what the Elder said she was bolt upright and out of bed. That the dream seemed to be trying to warn her of the fire was lost on her for the time being and she took just enough time to make sure the others were up an moving and then headed for the stairs.
Brim wakes sweating, the face of the dragon struggling to keep its place in his mind as Elder Eden looms over him. After hearing the news, Brim lurches up, but immediately feels calmer after seeing that Sarinah is already gathering her things. Before he can thank her for waking his sister first, Eden moves on.
Brim quickly grabs his arm, the unpacked bag he'd been using the day before while roaming the area around the village, and his blacksmiths hammer. Brim knows he won't be using it, but having it helps him feel secure. It's an extension of him, which is needed as his arm isn't on yet.
Meeting Sarinah in the middle of the room, Brim flashed her a quick sign.
Are you okay? Don't get too far away from me if the village is being attacked!
Brim hurries to the stars after his sister, clutching to his hammer.
"Agh! What!?"
Colt fumbled out of bed as he struggled to process the variety of things going on. The dream gone bad, the fire blazing around him, the Elder ordering him downstairs. "Oh... shoot!" Colt quickly scrambled for what equipment he could. His crossbow, his bag, his gear...
Putting his crossbow over his shoulder, Colt hooked up his belt and bandolier, grabbed his bag, and chased after the other two, spying Brim through the smoke. "Brim! Gimme a second, I'll help you get your arm on downstairs! Dang it! Is Sarinah up there with you?!"
Son of a smelter! Why didn't he finish that water sprayer pump!? It was meant for crops, but it would sure as heck help with this!
Brim stumbled, feeling ashamed for only thinking of getting Sarinah out, not giving a thought of if his best friend was going to be okay. The smoke was starting to get thicker, so Brim breathed in through the front of his shirt before shouting back.
"Yes, we're both fine! But hurry before this place falls down! Light! Now these locks decide not to work!"
Just as he was yelling it, the lock clicks open. Brim ushers Sarinah out, but waits near the door for Colt, dropping his fear and looking around while trying to get his arm on.
You all get downstairs to the main room where some of the village and council are gathered. They are all speaking to each other in whispers and it doesn’t take long to recognize they are all very scared. The fire has not engulfed this building but for some reason the council won’t let you leave. You can’t hear anything outside. Suddenly the door opens and in walks Sara. She says to everyone, ”Please everyone, gather close and be quiet.” She looks over at you three and waves for you to get closer.
"The locks aren't working!? Dammit!" Maybe he should've left those particular projects alone, and focused on the water pump. Ah, hindsight... always 20/20. "Don't worry about me! I'll be fine! Just get yourself and Sarinah to safety!"
Finally finishing grabbing his gear, Colt bolted for the door and down the stairs with Brim and Sarinah, finding a number of other villagers gathered... was it all of them? It didn't look like all of them... then again, he was in a bit of a rush. Finally, Sara came in from the outside. She looked a bit frantic... no surprise. Colt himself must look like a mess.
"Sara, what kind of numbers are we looking at? Can we take 'em? Just point me in the right direction! My trigger finger's itching for a target!" he said. Truth be told, he was acting much more confident than he felt... at best, perhaps they could cover the other villagers for their escape. Where could they go, though? North? Maybe... would they make it, that was the question.
Brim bites his tongue to keep from demanding the answer as to why they're not outside yet. He remembers something about an attack, but it's hazy as he was just waking up. Instead of talking, he heads to the group with Colt and Sarinah. He would need to hold in his temper. No sense taking it out on the people that were going to help.
Emboldened by Colt's statement Brim pipes up as well, hoping to strike again before the iron gets cold.
"We can't let them take our home without a fight! We can do somethin' 'bout it right?"
Slipping his hammer through a loop on his belt, Brim begins to strap his arm into place, glad at the familiar feeling as it falls into place. Colt helps him with it as they listen to what Sara has to say.
Sarinah was surprised they ahdn't fled the building. It was a horrifying thought to still be inside as it burned but she knew Sara, trusted Sara, and did as she was bid. She stayed close to Brim and approached as Sara bade.
Sara whispers to everyone, ”The Dark Dragons are outside and it appears they intend to destroy everything. I am sorry I have to do this.” Sara slips a note into Sarinah’s hand and before you can do anything, everyone around you including yourself is turned to stone.
Your vision darkens to a black. You have a dream. You see a dragon with white scales that almost look pink. It is fighting a larger darker dragon that looks black but is almost jade. Lightning strikes blurring out the images of these dragons, so much lightning filling your vision, escalating. Suddenly it stops, the white dragon collapses and you wake up.
An unknown amount of time has passed as everyone becomes flesh again. The villagers are looking concerned and frantic and the council members attempt to calm them. The building you were in is now burnt to a rubble and you can see the blue sky above as the roof has collapsed over while you were stone. None of you appear to be harmed by the fire.
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The Note: If you are reading this, a Dark Dragon named Zog has raided Drogen in attempts to destroy any possible surviving Light Dragons. You are some of the last, but you are not strong enough. Not yet. Help the people get to Camlon, then travel to Nanai and acquire the Earth Key. You will have to use your abilities I have been teaching you. The council can give you more information on the Earth Key. Remember to be careful with who trust and who you give your knowledge to but allies are important. Be strong. When you’re warriors, you’ll bring peace to the world.
Colt blinked as Sara mentioned about being sorry? But that question suddenly got answered as he felt his flesh start to petrify! Looking back at Sara, he moved to reach out and speak... but was frozen before he could even stretch out a hand.
Looking around, it seemed like the place was destroyed... but they were safe! Smart thinking! Stone doesn't burn, so protect everyone by turning them to stone! But that dream... it still haunted him. "Hey, uh... did... did anyone see something while they were... uh, stuck?" he asked, before looking at the note in Sarinah's hand. "Oh! Sarinah, what'd Sara sa- SARA!"
Colt forgets his question to see the note, instead running to the doorway (or what was left of it, at least) to look outside for Sara... perhaps there was a chance she was still alive!
However, that dream still bugged him... was that... Sara he had seen?
Colt starts to search for Sara. Elder Eden grasps you by the shoulders and pulls you face to face with her. "I need you to stay calm. I sense Sara is still alive, but I don't know where she is. We have to make sure everyone in the village is safe."
Brim was still trying to wrap his head around Dark Dragons attacking the town when he became stiff, then light shut out completely. As his body regains it's normal composure, he shakes his head.
What's with these dragon dreams? he thought before realizing he was surrounded by rubble. Sarinah and Colt were reading a note. He read over their shoulders, but was much slower are reading.
"Hey, uh... did... did anyone see something while they were... uh, stuck?"
"Did you see the dragons too?" Brim asked absent mindedly while reading.
Colt began to yell and pull away, but Brim was too distracted by the note to notice what was happening. His sister was a Dragon of Light? It made sense to a certain degree though. The powers she had gained as a child, her constant desire to help people. Well, if there were trying to kill her then he would stop it. He may not be trained, but he sure could figure out what to do to be able to protect Sarinah.
Finally finishing the letter, He sees Elder Eden shaking Colt by the shoulders.
"...I don't know where she is. We have to make sure everyone in the village is safe.
Brim suddenly realized that Sara wasn't there anymore. Suppressing a groan, he walked over to Colt as Elder Eden.
"Do you know what the letter says? Somethin' about an Earth Key...I know, we need to check the village first, but you do know?"
Colt takes a moment to pause, before nodding at the elder's words. Right... Sara wouldn't want him panicking. "Right... you're right. Okay... we need a plan." he replied, nodding to Brim. "The letter says we should get everyone to Camlon first... that's north, if I recall right. Okay, end product. Now for the steps. First things first... we need to make sure we have everyone. So let's do a head count, see who's missing. Once we've got everyone, we can pack up what's left and get moving. After we've reached Camlon, we can worry about that Earth key and whoever this 'Zog' guy is... because I have a looooong list of questions for him."
Colt turned back to Elder Eden. "Okay... let's see who's missing, then we can find any stragglers while you all pack up... whatever's left."
Once he had a chance though, he leans close and lowers his voice to Brim. "(You saw dragons fighting, right? A pink one and a dark green one? A lot of lightning all over the place?)"
Elder Edens face sinks when you say Earth Key. "Who told you about the Earth Key? Did Sara tell you it's in danger? Oh my..." She begins to pace a little. "There are seven keys, they were used to lock away a Goddess that showed up long before any of us were born. She was Tyr, Goddess of Destruction. They locked her up using 7 keys and spread them around the world where the pact promised to protect. If Tyr was to be let free, we surely are doomed."
Colt listened, folding his arms and thinking a bit. "Tyr? Sara... mentioned that in one of her lessons, didn't she?" he mused, trying to think back. It was a bit of a jumble... history was never his strongest point.
"But why are the Dark Dragons trying to resurrect Tyr anyways? And who's Zog?" Colt frowned, looking down before turning back to Brim and offering to help. "Here, let's get your arm in place. Sara said that we need to get that Earth Key and become warriors to stop Zog... and it'd be a lot easier if you had two arms instead of one."
Once Brim was settled, Colt will help do a headcount of the villagers remaining and see who was missing.
Standing with his mouth open, Brim tried to take what had just happened in. Colt was on it, coming up with a solid plan off the top of his head. And Elder Eden...he'd only seen her pace when she was really worried. But Goddess of destruction? They were getting thrown into the thick of it. After hearing the answer to the seven keys, Brim wished he hadn't asked so soon.
"You saw dragons fighting, right? A pink one and a dark green one? A lot of lightning all over the place?"
"The pink one seemed more white to me...But ya... lots of lighting too. Pink dragon died?"
"Tyr? Sara... mentioned that in one of her lessons, didn't she?"
"I think she might have mentioned it, but nothing in depth that I can remember." Brim wished he had spent more time paying attention. Surveying the groups of people, he tried to count, but kept getting distracted by the memories of the dragons fighting. Why hadn't the white dragon won?
"Right, let's get my arm the rest of the way on." Brim said, barely catching the small joke Colt made. He was ready to rid himself of this fuzzy mind.
After his arm was on though, Brim studied Sarinah to make sure she was okay.
You hear a little girl crying outside.
Jerk of his head inn that direction, Brim glances one more time at Sarinah before heading to the sounds of crying.
Brim finds a little girl alone crying outside. You recognize her as Wendy. Her father left them a long time ago and it's just been her and her mother living alone in a small shack to the south of the village.
"I can't find my mommy!"
Colt followed the sound of crying as Brim led the way. Outside, little Wendy couldn't seem to locate her mom... he just prayed she was missing under some rubble of something, not... the alternative. Still, he had to keep a strong facade up for her.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't cry. She's just... busy." Colt said, kneeling down and fishing some old cloth out of his pocket to wipe her face down. "Here, you go keep Elder Eden company, and we'll go find your mom, alright? Ask her to tell you a story. By the time she's done with it, we'll find her!" he offered, smiling and directing the little girl into the building.
Though, once she was out of earshot, he turned grimly to Brim. "...I wish I felt as confident as that sounded. They live in a small shack to the south... what say we fan out from there?" he offered, before starting towards their little shack.
Sarinah didn't know what was happening, she couldn't really see Sarah through all the smoke, so when she felt her body seize up and stiffen she panicked and let out a rare cry of sound, a scream of fear, before it was cut off as she turned to stone.
When the spell on her ended the first sound Sarinah uttered was her scream of terror for a brief moment. She realized that suddenly the feeling faded and she managed to withdraw her terror and felt the note in her hand. She unrolled the paper as she tried to slow her breathing and read intently while others read over her shoulder and when she finished a tear formed in her eye. She didn't know how she knew it but Sarah was gone and she wasn't coming back. At least their mentor had given them a place to start. The fact that she was a light dragon wasn't much of a surprise, she knew she and her brother were special, just like the est of the orphans, and it seemed she now knew why.
Sarinah was just about to ask if anyone else had the dream when she saw the other's all begin to rush outside. She couldn't just let them leave without her so she quickly followed. When she saw little Wendy crying she quickly rushed over to the child and knelt before her and pulling the sobbing girl into her arms. She lifted the girl and signed to her brother, "I'll take her to the Elder's and come back out to help with the survivors. I'll set up over there so bring the injured to me if you can." With that she carried the sobbing girl into the remains Elder's house.
Wendy sobs as you hand her over to Elder Eden. "Molly is a very gifted girl, hopefully she managed. Go find her. The other Elders are spreading out to the nearby farms to gather them. We plan to travel to Camlon, we can't stay here like this."
Seeing Wendy crying tugged at Brim's emotions. He hoped that she wouldn't have to wake the next morning in the same shared space as him. Seeing Colt's reassurance bolstered his confidence.
"...I wish I felt as confident as that sounded. They live in a small shack to the south... what say we fan out from there?"
"Yes, let's spread out. Let's meet at Molly's home. If she's stuck we'll need all the help we can get to dig her out." Brim was surprised that his voice didn't waiver.
"I'll take her to the Elder's and come back out to help with the survivors. I'll set up over there so bring the injured to me if you can"
"Do you need us to bring anything back for you?" Brim asked before moving on with the others.
Colt nodded, pulling out his crossbow, clicking it into a ready position before heading out towards Molly's home. The fires might be gone... but the Dark Dragons may not be.
"Keep your wits about you..." Colt instructed, moving forward. His eyes peeled for any trouble or any sound, he twitches at each sight, keeping an ear out for any calls or moans of help.
Neither of you were able to find any evidence of Molly at her home.
Sarinah signed back to her brother, "Just bring me anyone who needs help or get me if they can't be moved." Then headed to where the Elders were.
Sarinah left the poor little girl in the care of the Elders and grabbed what the Elder had taken from their room last night for them before heading back out into the ruins. She made her way into teh center of town and saw the total devastation of the place and knew that this was likely the last time they'd ever be here. She had many memories of the place and did her best to supress them so that she could focus on the task at hand. She set her things out on the ground and prepared the are for the injured that may come and then meditated while she awaited anyone needing treatment.,
Colt inspected what was left of the shack, before shaking his head. "No signs of her here... c'mon, fates, cut me some slack on this one..." Colt pondered a bit, before opting for a different line of thinking. If she wasn't here... maybe she was somewhere else!
"Stay clear... lemme get a good look at the ground. Might be some tracks through the dirt around here..." Colt said, looking through the rubble before turning his attentions to the ground around the house. Perhaps she'd run to safety...
Colt takes some extra effort and spends more time to take a 20 on his perception. Finally you see tracks that lead into the small wooded area nearby. They look humanoid and small enough to belong to a petite young woman.
With that survival, you think you can follow them.
Brim sees Colt examining the ground before starting off on the direction of the wooded area nearby. Still renaming silent as to not distract him, Brim follows.
Seeing where the tracks were going, Brim stopped. He didn't like the idea of leaving Sarinah alone if they were gone for long. What if a dark dragon came back? Or was hidden away already.
"Colt, I'm going to get Sarinah. Don't want anything happening to her if we're out awhile."
Brim headed back hurriedly. Sarinah was waiting for others to come with the wounded still. Trying to keeping his worry hidden, Brim walks up to Sarinah, making sure she say him coming.
"Molly isn't at her home. Colt found tracks that lead to a wooded area. Will you come with us in case she's hurt enough that we can't move greet?
With no one left to tend to it seemed Sarinah saw her brother approaching. When he told her what was happening she nodded and gathered her things together. Once she was done and had her pack ready she rose and signed, Show me the way. She followed behind Brim as he led her towards where the others were waiting for them.
Colt, you are able to follow these tracks that lead you into the small wooded area. They lead you to a beautiful location you've enjoyed before, but something is different. You see a big caved in hole at your feet. It's too dark to see down there.
"Good call. We could use her magic if things get dicey." Waiting for the others to return, he nods, before leading the way to the edge of the woods. A welcome respite from the destruction of his home...
Colt halts at the edge of the cave, looking down into the darkness before kneeling down and pulling his lantern off of his pack. "Tracks stop here... ah... I don't recall this hole behind here before. Let me light this up and get a good look."
Flicking the lantern on, Colt closed the waterproof casing before holding it up and leaning into the hole "Molly? Molly, are you down there!? It's Colt, from the village! Please tell me you're alright down there!"
The light you shine doesn't reach the depths of this hole. As you call down you hear Molly respond, "Oh finally! I am so glad someone finally found me. I fell down this hole and I can't seem to climb out."
Looking down into the deep dark hole Sarinah was possessed with an idea. She didn't realize they'd found Molly yet and so looked for something on the ground she could use. Picking up a small stick she focused and gestured over it causing it to light up and glow like a torch. She then tossed the stick down the hole and peered down to spot Molly if she could.
The stick falls, revealing the tunnel goes about 70 ft down. You can see Molly sitting down there.
"Ah! Good thinking, Sarinah!" Colt watches the stick fall down, judging and guessing that it was a good deal longer than the rope he had on hand. "Don't worry! We'll get you out! Just... need more rope..."
Kneeling down and pulling off his pack, Colt nodded up at Brim. "My guess is she's about 70 ft. down... I've got a good 50 ft of rope here. Unless anyone has any spare strands, you'd best head back and find some more rope so we can get her out."
Staring down the deep hole, Brim judges it approximately 70 feet deep as well. The sides of the hole look rough, but no sharp rocks that could cut through rope that he could see.
"Good thinking Sarinah. How long will that light last?"
Brim signed before getting his rope out of his pack. "Have anything else that could make this easier?"
Turning, Brim hands his rope to Colt. Brim doesn't pay much attention to him, absently telling Colt to cut it as he needed. Brim's attention was on the hole and how to get down there as safe as possible. Molly wasn't strong enough to climb for that long, so they would have to get her. More assuredly, he should be the one to get her unless Colt's roof climbing skills would work with Molly on his back. But maybe there was another way...
"Colt, do you think you could carry Molly back up? Or would it be easier to go down to tie the rope around Molly's waist and pull her back up?"
"Depends on if she can walk... if she can, you're a lot stronger than any of us, you'd probably have the easiest time pulling her up. If she can't, well... you'll have to climb up with her. It's a 70 foot fall... not sure how well she made it..." Colt said, finishing latching the ropes together and finding a suitable tree to tie it around.
"You think you and Sarinah can shimmy down the rope and lend her a hand? She might be hurt... and Sarinah would have to be close to lend her a hand. Molly! We're sending down a rope! How banged up are you!?" Colt called, before lowering the rope down the hole.
Molly shouts up, "Yeah I'm ok, I fell like a feather so I wasn't hurt. Did you know this place was here? There is strange paintings in here of weird creatures I've never seen before. What's even weirder is I think they are wearing clothes."
"Whew... that's a relief. Hang on, we'll be down in a moment! And a... painting? Of creatures wearing clothes..?" Now THAT intrigued him... enough that he wanted to get a replica of it, if he could.
"Sounds like she's alright. Brim, I'm gonna go down and help send her up. Think you can pull her up on my mark? I'll be up afterwards... I wanna have a good look at this picture down there." Double checking to make sure he had some paper and charcoal for sketching, Colt steadied the rope on the tree, before carefully climbing down the hole, lantern hanging off his belt to shed some light.
Colt climbs down the rope. You find yourself inside a cavern with smooth walls. It is dark and there are no places for torches. You find Molly. She is wearing a rather scandalous outfit with feathers in her hair as usual.
You peer around the room and you see a large emblem on the wall as well as a mural on one of the other walls of some creatures that look a lot like moles with long sharp claws. They are wearing clothes, just like you. They are depicted as standing tall and proud, almost like a military would when getting painted. The imagery seems to be faded, probably due to the pigmentation fading over the years.
Molly watches you land. You recognize her better now, Sara told you about how she more recently developed a blindness but can see in the dark up to 30 feet. Sara called it a blessing and was telling you guys about how she was going to help her unleash her magic, just like she did for you.
Lifting his lantern up from his belt, Colt managed to get a good look at the walls and the creatures on it... but paused when he noticed Molly's choice of clothing. "O-oh! Uhm... ah, s-sorry..." he said befuddled, trying to avert his gaze a bit and focus on the mole creatures. "A-ah... yeah, yeah, we, uhm... here." Colt quickly took of his cloak and handed it to Molly so she could get dressed a little more modestly. "That's, uhm... that's some very... light clothing for spelunking down here..."
Placing his lantern on the ground and tying a sturdy loop at the end of the rope, Colt tested it before stepping aside so Molly to board the makeshift lift. " Lucky you didn't get hurt in the fall... and that you can see in the dark. Brim's up top. He should be able to lift you all the way up. I'll be up in a moment, I wanna get a good look at these images first..." Colt pulled out some charcoal and paper from his pack, placing the paper up and trying to get some etchings of the work. He'd never heard of mole people before... wonder if the elders knew about these.
