THE DRAKE WARS
By: Talon Nightshade
Prologue
13 years earlier
The ancient world of Dranax was burning.
It was the Ancestral home of the drakes, a mysterious world, filled with secrets from before the time of the elemental Titans. It still had echoes of the powerful magic that had been released when the First Dragon Titan had risen. When the Humans arrived through the World tree, and began colonizing the Drakes land and hunting them, the Drakes had attacked the Humans, razing their city's until a Great wizard had cast a spell banishing the Drakes to the ruined world of Dragonspyre, making it so they were trapped there. Although not all of the Drakes were banished, some powerful enough to fight the effects of the spell, they were unable to get out of their hiding places, being too preoccupied fighting the spell, which slowly drained their energy until they were consumed by the spell and were transported to Dragonspyre, often as a skeleton. Over the years the world had prospered, filling with people and settlements. It was also a place of learning, where the Dranax institute of Magic was located. The institute was rivals with Dragonspyre academy before the fall, and Ravenwood school, It focused mostly on Balance magic, though it trained its students in every aspect of magic. Even though they were enemies with the Drakes, they were still classes in Dragon lore, to prepare the youth if there was an attack. The people of the world were proud. Almost too proud. They would be taught humility tonight.
The guards at the edge of the world looked out into the darkness with rapt attention, but over the hours they began to fall asleep, shirking their duty. A fatal mistake. The Drakes arrived at Midnight, silent as a Blood bat, deadly as an enraged Hydra. They dispatched the Guards easily, sending them tumbling down the cliff lifelessly.Then they attacked. Screams ripped through the night as the inhabitants of the world became aware they were under siege. Infernal roars echoed through the air, striking fear into the hearts of all. Claws scratching were heard. Explosions of flames destroyed the sentry towers bringing them crashing down. Above all, a chanting in words that were unable to understand resounded all round the world.
The previous owners wanted their world back. And they were going to get it.
As the Draxanians recovered from their shock, they drew their weapons and charged the enemy. Helephants and Collossus' charged as one and brought down scores of Drakes. A group of
Sun birds dive bombed a pack of Draconians, bringing them down under the onslaught of fiery pecks and kicks. Ice Giants wrecked havoc in the enemy as they froze Drakes in mid-flight, bringing them crashing to the ground. Multi-colored blasts of energy flew, hitting the enemy with explosions. But the tide of the battle was changing. A Dragon flew off with a legion of warriors. The buildings of the city began to burn from the Drake fire. Staffs broke, Wands began to lose their glow. The last defending line was pushed back towards the city under the pillar of pure destruction. A gruff voice yelled to the warriors to flee, and the last Humans on Dranax disappeared, leaving sparks as they teleported to a safe world. Flames licked the empty world, bringing it to the ground as ashes. The Drakes roared in victory, and blasted pillars of fire into the air. Then they stopped, and began to slink away. They had one more prey to capture.
A Wizard hurried across a destroyed alley on the east side of the world. He wore Black robes and wore a death pendant. His head was covered by a shroud. He brought out a Silver and black staff and blasted away some rubble blocking his path. He stopped and looked back. A steady stream of concentrated heat was being projected off the face of the world. From the center of it. He quickened his pace, reducing everything that was in his path to dust. The world had been completely destroyed by the Dragons' wrath. Once beautiful buildings and parks were now only ruins, a almost similar image to that of Dragonspyre. He looked saddened at the prospect that his world had fallen. No, not saddened, fearful. There were many secrets in the world. Secrets worth giving your life up for. The Wizard stopped at a fallen Drake. It was a magnifecant beast, ten feet long and covered with armor like scales colored of deep vermillion. It had a arrow shaped head and a tail that ended in a barb. Sharp claws protruded from powerful legs. Its body was covered in wounds, though not the usual, it was covered in claw and fang wounds, only a drake could inflict that. "Spark Fang", said the Wizard in a mysterious, yet strong voice. The Dragon opened its intelligent, crimson eyes. It opened its maw, exposing rows of hundreds of teeth sharpened to a point. " Are they ready", spoke the Great beast in a voice that aroused thoughts of a volcano erupting and a inferno of flames. " Yes", spoke the Wizard, "Take them to Merle Ambrose, teach them the ancient arts, and do not tell them of their heritage." The Wizard walked away as the Drake prepared to takeoff. " And",said the Wizard, turning around," Tell Merle of The Prophecy." He turned away as the Dragon jumped into the air, beat its wings, and leapt into the smoky sky. The Wizard stared at the remains of his world and stopped, noticing the pillar of fire had stopped. He sensed smething. A presence of immeasurable age and Intelligence. He drew a long obsidian blade from his belt, preparing to fight. Suddenly, he was gripped by strong Draconian hands and lost his weapon. He fought back, sending several of them tumbling to the ground with foul taste of his shoe on their tongues, but stopped when they brought a unconscious woman by his side." Sylvia!", he gasped before he was clouted on the ear and silenced. Thye were surrounded by Drakes. They all had their mouths open and the pungent aroma of rotten flesh was smelled around. They obviously anticipated a good meal. Suddenly a shiver went throughout the ranks, and they parted, allowing a thin, narrow aisle to form in front of the Humans. The invaders knelt, bowing their heads as a enormous, pure black Drake walked through the aisle. Its eyes were dark red, showing no kindness at all. On its back was a man wearing armour and a helm shaped like a Drake head. He had pale skin, almost if he had seen no sunlight, and Pure gray eyes. His otherwise handsome face was maured by a scar stretching from his right ear to his left jaw. He showed no compassion, though he was grinning broadly. He jumped off the back of his Dragon and landed lightly on his fight. He began to circle the Wizard, closely watching him. Then he spoke in a raspy, death-like voice. " So, we finally caught you..... Malistaire Drake." Then he lunged foreward and the world went black.
CHAPTER 1
A Wizard hurried across a destroyed alley on the east side of the world. He wore Black robes and wore a death pendant. His head was covered by a shroud. He brought out a Silver and black staff and blasted away some rubble blocking his path. He stopped and looked back. A steady stream of concentrated heat was being projected off the face of the world. From the center of it. He quickened his pace, reducing everything that was in his path to dust. The world had been completely destroyed by the Dragons' wrath. Once beautiful buildings and parks were now only ruins, a almost similar image to that of Dragonspyre. He looked saddened at the prospect that his world had fallen. No, not saddened, fearful. There were many secrets in the world. Secrets worth giving your life up for. The Wizard stopped at a fallen Drake. It was a magnifecant beast, ten feet long and covered with armor like scales colored of deep vermillion. It had a arrow shaped head and a tail that ended in a barb. Sharp claws protruded from powerful legs. Its body was covered in wounds, though not the usual, it was covered in claw and fang wounds, only a drake could inflict that. "Spark Fang", said the Wizard in a mysterious, yet strong voice. The Dragon opened its intelligent, crimson eyes. It opened its maw, exposing rows of hundreds of teeth sharpened to a point. " Are they ready", spoke the Great beast in a voice that aroused thoughts of a volcano erupting and a inferno of flames. " Yes", spoke the Wizard, "Take them to Merle Ambrose, teach them the ancient arts, and do not tell them of their heritage." The Wizard walked away as the Drake prepared to takeoff. " And",said the Wizard, turning around," Tell Merle of The Prophecy." He turned away as the Dragon jumped into the air, beat its wings, and leapt into the smoky sky. The Wizard stared at the remains of his world and stopped, noticing the pillar of fire had stopped. He sensed smething. A presence of immeasurable age and Intelligence. He drew a long obsidian blade from his belt, preparing to fight. Suddenly, he was gripped by strong Draconian hands and lost his weapon. He fought back, sending several of them tumbling to the ground with foul taste of his shoe on their tongues, but stopped when they brought a unconscious woman by his side." Sylvia!", he gasped before he was clouted on the ear and silenced. Thye were surrounded by Drakes. They all had their mouths open and the pungent aroma of rotten flesh was smelled around. They obviously anticipated a good meal. Suddenly a shiver went throughout the ranks, and they parted, allowing a thin, narrow aisle to form in front of the Humans. The invaders knelt, bowing their heads as a enormous, pure black Drake walked through the aisle. Its eyes were dark red, showing no kindness at all. On its back was a man wearing armour and a helm shaped like a Drake head. He had pale skin, almost if he had seen no sunlight, and Pure gray eyes. His otherwise handsome face was maured by a scar stretching from his right ear to his left jaw. He showed no compassion, though he was grinning broadly. He jumped off the back of his Dragon and landed lightly on his fight. He began to circle the Wizard, closely watching him. Then he spoke in a raspy, death-like voice. " So, we finally caught you..... Malistaire Drake." Then he lunged foreward and the world went black.
CHAPTER 1
On Unicorn way, In a small cottage right next to the Hedge Maze, Daniel Ashleaf glanced at himself in the mirror. His hat was crooked and his robe was too big. He strapped on a pair of normal brown boots and took a deep breath. He was ready for his first day of school.
Daniel walked down the stairs, tripping and almost decapitating his family's pet fire cat, Tiger. The fiery feline gave him a angry look and padded away, leaving soot marks in his wake. Daniel went down to the kitchen, and saw his mother and father already ready for his Initiation Ceremony. " Good Morning, Daniel! ", exclaimed his mother, hugging him close. Wilona Ashleaf was a stout woman, who seemed to bring happiness with her. Daniel forced a weak smile, not able to talk with the nervousness in him."It's not everyday my Danny starts his wizard training!", she said happily, gently pushing him into his seat. Daniel took a box of Frosted Drakes, recoiling back as a jet of icy wind chilled his face."So, dear, remember we, we still love you no matter what school your chosen for",his mother said gently." Fat chance if you get into Death", his father said darkly, shoving a enormous amount of Drakes into his mouth. Daniel's father was a tall man, who seemed menacing yet friendly at the same time.He was a Pyromancer of the highest degree, graduating at the top of his class and becoming a Technomancer, a job where one uses their fire power to create advanced metal structures. He had recently returned form a trip to Marleybone after the Big Ben clock had broken down. " Blaze!, don't discourage him!". Daniel genuinely smiled into his bowl, Home sweet Home. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Mrs.Ashleaf shouted from the door, "Cameron and Abigail are here!". Daniel jumped up from his half finished bowl of cereal. grabbed his fallen hat, hugged his parents, and ran out the door. Outside was a very small and pale boy with curly hair and a large girl wit striking purple eyes and fizzy brown hair." Hiya Danny!", said the girl, ruffling his hair." hey Abby", Daniel said, swatting at a group of faeries which had mistaken his hair for one of their nests. Abigail Windhaven was from a family of Storm Wanderers, a elite class of Storm wizards that could manipulate the sky at their will. It needed strict discipline to be one, though, which Abby was not good at. She was reckless and unpredictable, but destructive in battle. She wore her trademark purple armor, and a Hydra amulet she had picked up in Mooshu. The boy next to her nervously fingered a bronze timepiece, absentmindedly freezing it." We should be going, Daniel", Cameron said in his Marelybonian accent. His parents were private detectives, and when Cameron was born, was asked to help with the efforts against the O'leary crime spree. Cameron had grown up there, still doubting magic could trump science. He was a thaumaturge, and was as smart as a icicle, but was not not able to get any friends. He was picked on a lot, though was perfectly capable of freezing his tormentors into a block of ice. Cameron lived on Colossus Boulevard and Abigail on Triton Avenue, and couldn't see each other as much as they wanted. But now that Daniel was starting his magical education at the Initiation, they would live on the same campus. The Initiation was a ceremony each year where new students were welcomed and older students ranked up. It was a ancient Magical ceremony, dating back thousands of years. Cameron would this year become a apprentice, now being a senior Novice. Abigail would become a grandmaster, though had already become one unofficially, after she had mastered all of the storm spells. This would be her Seventh year at Ravenwood, marking her final year and start of her career. Sometimes one of the students earned the arcane title legendary. This could only be accomplished by doing great, heroic deeds. The Initiation ceremony would be a starting point in Daniel's whole life. It was a big day.
As the three friends walked to school,they talked about what to expect this year. The Headmaster had now allowed students to study the newly discovered Astral magic as a elective this year, and the dorms had been expanded to accommodate the growing population of the student body. They strolled through the commons, listening to the sounds of the waking city, They passed a tree and they tripped and sprawled on the ground, their feet resting on a unseen force." Whaaaa...", exclaimed a sleepy voice which seemed to come from the tree. Daniel and Cameron stood gaping, but Abigail muttered a incantation, which aroused a storm cloud an promptly doused a space next to the tree." Hey! Stop it!", yelled the now completely awake voice. Suddenly a wet boy garbed in yellow robes appeared out of thin air." Abby!", he sighed, I was in a really great dream!". "Sorry to burst your bubble, Dream boy, but we're going to be late to the Initiation because of you, which you should be at", Abigail said curtly, her purple eyes flashing angrily. " ok, ok, I'm sorry, now could you please quit with the drenching", the boy said exasperatedly, rubbing his eyes. Abigail snapped her fingers and the monsoon stopped." Daniel, Cameron, this is my...... friend Alex LegendDreamer,which is pretty much all he does. He's in myth, and we're in the same year". The boy smiled at the younger wizards, though still looked a little disgruntled at Abby's behavior. They all got up and proceeded the trip to Ravenwood. Alex had the tendancy to nod off after every few minutes, dreaming in some far off land. The arrived at Ravenwood, nodding at the school trees they passed. They came to Bartelby, who looked a bit sad, but brightened at the sight of the students. Bartelby spoke in a voice that sounded like the wind rushing through a tree and it swaying." Your all a bit late, ( Abby gave Alex a sharp look) but you can squeeze in". The old tree smiled and opened his mouth wide, allowing the students to pass through and into the Spiral chamber. They stepped in and experiance the swirling feeling of coming into a magic place. They found themselves in a circular chamber filled with wizards. In the center where the spiral door usually sat was a pedestal with a great old book on it. Next to it was the old, wizened wizard known as Merle Ambrose, who was the Headmaster of the Ravenwood school of Magic. Students stood in the chamber, slowly stepping up to Merle and who asked the book, which he called the Book of Secrets. He consulted the book for every student, which seemed to decide whether to rank up the student, or which school they would major in . After the school was determined, thed student was teleported to meet their teacher. Slowly the amount of students in the chamber dwindled, and the four of them came to the front. Both Abigail and Alex succesfully graduated to their Grandmaster year, and Cameron to his Apprentice. Before Cameron teleported, he whispered to Daniel" Good luck!". Daniel nodded back in thanks, but The other boy was already gone. Daniel took a deep breath and walked to the Headmaster. "Come boy, I won't bite!", Merle said impatiently, he had a meeting with Mr.Lincoln after this. As Daniel came closer to the book, he began to notice that it was written in a arcane language, and seemed to move across the page. Suddenly when he approached, the book's letters began to swirl and jumble together. The pages began to glow and ruffle, flipping back and forth. suddenly, the book opened to a ancient page, which was lined with dust. Daniel noticed that it was page number 32,104, but the book seemed to carry only a a few hundred pages. As Proffeser Ambrose's gaze lingered over the page, his eyes widened in shock. His hands began to shake as he withdrew a old sheet of parchment that was tucked into a corner. The Headmaster began to stammer as he saw the desicion of the book. Suddenly, the old man said shakily,"The Prophecy.....It has begun.....".
Chapter 2
As the three friends walked to school,they talked about what to expect this year. The Headmaster had now allowed students to study the newly discovered Astral magic as a elective this year, and the dorms had been expanded to accommodate the growing population of the student body. They strolled through the commons, listening to the sounds of the waking city, They passed a tree and they tripped and sprawled on the ground, their feet resting on a unseen force." Whaaaa...", exclaimed a sleepy voice which seemed to come from the tree. Daniel and Cameron stood gaping, but Abigail muttered a incantation, which aroused a storm cloud an promptly doused a space next to the tree." Hey! Stop it!", yelled the now completely awake voice. Suddenly a wet boy garbed in yellow robes appeared out of thin air." Abby!", he sighed, I was in a really great dream!". "Sorry to burst your bubble, Dream boy, but we're going to be late to the Initiation because of you, which you should be at", Abigail said curtly, her purple eyes flashing angrily. " ok, ok, I'm sorry, now could you please quit with the drenching", the boy said exasperatedly, rubbing his eyes. Abigail snapped her fingers and the monsoon stopped." Daniel, Cameron, this is my...... friend Alex LegendDreamer,which is pretty much all he does. He's in myth, and we're in the same year". The boy smiled at the younger wizards, though still looked a little disgruntled at Abby's behavior. They all got up and proceeded the trip to Ravenwood. Alex had the tendancy to nod off after every few minutes, dreaming in some far off land. The arrived at Ravenwood, nodding at the school trees they passed. They came to Bartelby, who looked a bit sad, but brightened at the sight of the students. Bartelby spoke in a voice that sounded like the wind rushing through a tree and it swaying." Your all a bit late, ( Abby gave Alex a sharp look) but you can squeeze in". The old tree smiled and opened his mouth wide, allowing the students to pass through and into the Spiral chamber. They stepped in and experiance the swirling feeling of coming into a magic place. They found themselves in a circular chamber filled with wizards. In the center where the spiral door usually sat was a pedestal with a great old book on it. Next to it was the old, wizened wizard known as Merle Ambrose, who was the Headmaster of the Ravenwood school of Magic. Students stood in the chamber, slowly stepping up to Merle and who asked the book, which he called the Book of Secrets. He consulted the book for every student, which seemed to decide whether to rank up the student, or which school they would major in . After the school was determined, thed student was teleported to meet their teacher. Slowly the amount of students in the chamber dwindled, and the four of them came to the front. Both Abigail and Alex succesfully graduated to their Grandmaster year, and Cameron to his Apprentice. Before Cameron teleported, he whispered to Daniel" Good luck!". Daniel nodded back in thanks, but The other boy was already gone. Daniel took a deep breath and walked to the Headmaster. "Come boy, I won't bite!", Merle said impatiently, he had a meeting with Mr.Lincoln after this. As Daniel came closer to the book, he began to notice that it was written in a arcane language, and seemed to move across the page. Suddenly when he approached, the book's letters began to swirl and jumble together. The pages began to glow and ruffle, flipping back and forth. suddenly, the book opened to a ancient page, which was lined with dust. Daniel noticed that it was page number 32,104, but the book seemed to carry only a a few hundred pages. As Proffeser Ambrose's gaze lingered over the page, his eyes widened in shock. His hands began to shake as he withdrew a old sheet of parchment that was tucked into a corner. The Headmaster began to stammer as he saw the desicion of the book. Suddenly, the old man said shakily,"The Prophecy.....It has begun.....".
Chapter 2
Headmaster Ambrose began to realize that Daniel was there. He looked strangely at him. He regained his composure and said steadily and slowly. " Go to my office and wait for me, I will be there shortly." The boy walked out and Merle wiped his sweating forehead. He grabbed his hat and sent a text chat message to Mr. Lincoln, canceling the meeting. The old man hurried out of the chamber, not feeling the cold winter wind. If the boy is the one in the prophecy, he thought, then the Darkness has arisen. He shook his head and cleared his mind from the negative thoughts. Everything would be certain when he got to the Grimoire. Ambrose came to the old establishment that was the library and went inside. It was mostly filled with students studying or trying to get out of the cold. He nodded to Harold, the librarian, and walked towards one of the entrances to the restricted section. He calmly passed through all the enchantments blocking the students. The restricted chamber was a long corridor filled with books, lit only by oil lamps every few meters. Many of the books were old and decaying, wasting away on the shelves. Ambrose rushed past these, intent upon getting to the end of the hall. The restricted section was like a maze, going in different directions, including down and up. Only those who had permission were able to navigate their way through its winding passageways.From looking outside, you would never had known that it stretched this far. Merle came to the shelf, stopping and gazing upon the old bindings. He raised his hand and lifted a thick volume from a middle shelf, opening it. It was a Grimoire, a powerful book of magic that is capable of extraordinary things in the hands of an experienced Wizard. He flipped the pages to the last section, full of yellowing parchment. A brilliant flash of light blasted the room. When Headmaster Ambrose opened his eyes, he was looking at a life-like version of the spiral. This enchantment was a much better version of the spiral model in his tower. He raised his hand and willed the energy to be directed to a small world at the edge of Spiral. The image zoomed in and Ambrose gasped, the world of Dranax was destroyed, and serpentine creatures slithered through the alleyways. Wizard City had had no contact with Wizard city for more than a 20 years. They once used Malistaire Drake as a ambassador between the two worlds but after his wife had passed away he had become more and more reclusive. She was said to have died from a sickness, but no one knew what type of sickness had killed her. Malistaire began to talk of "Listening to the Drakomaster" and "Resurrecting Sylvia" He had one knight stolen one of Bartelby's eyes, the eye of history, and had Transported the whole death school to Nightside. He had gone to Krokotopia, Marelybone,Mooshu, and Dragonspyre to find out a way to raise the Dragon Titan and use its power to destroy all of the worlds. A student of the school, Jacob Darksword, had been able to defeat Malistaire in the nick of time, but Malistaire took his secrets to the grave. Merle closed the book and opened it again to another page, causing the light to fade. He had one more thing to collect.
Daniel walked out of Bartelby, catching the Ancient tree's eye. " How was it?", Bartelby said. " He left without saying what school I was in", Daniel replied glumly. He waved half-heartedly bye to Bartelby and walked through Ravenwood, taking in the chatter of students. How he longed to be one of them. He walked through the Commons tunnel and strode towards the Headmasters house. He suddenly noticed a person in behind one of the houses. With a erie feeling he understood the person was staring at him. When he met the students eyes, they seemed to melt into the shadows. In his haste to see the person, he crashed into somebody. Papers flew everywhere and somebody screamed shrilly. " I am so sorry!", Daniel told to a a small life wizard. She had bags underneath her eyes and her hair was everywhere." No..No, I should be sorry, I was thinking too much of Headmaster Ambrose's appearance at the opening of the newly constructed Balance tower-"she stopped at Daniel's confused expression and changed the conversation," I'm Destiny SpellBlade, Assistant to Professor Ambrose." She shaked Daniel's hand rapidly and started to gather up all her papers."Wait!" Daniel exclaimed quickly," I saw a person who had eyes that were black and wore the mark of a legendary wizard, do you know who that is? " Thats probably Jacob Darksword, he saved the spiral from Malistaire". " O that's where I've seen him! Daniel had read a newspaper article in Wizard City Times half a year back which
showed Jacob on the front page. He had looked gloomy in that picture, and Daniel wondered why. " Ok, thanks!", Daniel told Destiny and she hurried on her way. Daniel walked to the front door of the Headmasters house and took a deep breath. He opened the door and saw Merle Ambrose sitting on his desk holding a bundle and looking very worried. He was not alone. Jacob Darksword looked at Daniel with a very gloomy expression.
Daniel walked out of Bartelby, catching the Ancient tree's eye. " How was it?", Bartelby said. " He left without saying what school I was in", Daniel replied glumly. He waved half-heartedly bye to Bartelby and walked through Ravenwood, taking in the chatter of students. How he longed to be one of them. He walked through the Commons tunnel and strode towards the Headmasters house. He suddenly noticed a person in behind one of the houses. With a erie feeling he understood the person was staring at him. When he met the students eyes, they seemed to melt into the shadows. In his haste to see the person, he crashed into somebody. Papers flew everywhere and somebody screamed shrilly. " I am so sorry!", Daniel told to a a small life wizard. She had bags underneath her eyes and her hair was everywhere." No..No, I should be sorry, I was thinking too much of Headmaster Ambrose's appearance at the opening of the newly constructed Balance tower-"she stopped at Daniel's confused expression and changed the conversation," I'm Destiny SpellBlade, Assistant to Professor Ambrose." She shaked Daniel's hand rapidly and started to gather up all her papers."Wait!" Daniel exclaimed quickly," I saw a person who had eyes that were black and wore the mark of a legendary wizard, do you know who that is? " Thats probably Jacob Darksword, he saved the spiral from Malistaire". " O that's where I've seen him! Daniel had read a newspaper article in Wizard City Times half a year back which
showed Jacob on the front page. He had looked gloomy in that picture, and Daniel wondered why. " Ok, thanks!", Daniel told Destiny and she hurried on her way. Daniel walked to the front door of the Headmasters house and took a deep breath. He opened the door and saw Merle Ambrose sitting on his desk holding a bundle and looking very worried. He was not alone. Jacob Darksword looked at Daniel with a very gloomy expression.
