Abigail Elliott

Tipping the Scales

By Abigail Elliott

April 5, 2023

There was once a land of peace. Not just of peace, but of love and faith in others. What was this place you ask? This was the realm of the Dragons of Old. These were dragons of power in strength in a land of natural magic. Most powerful and benevolent were those of the Fae Dragons. Fae Dragons were not as common but were powerful beings indeed. Their magic was always used for good. For example, Grimold the Gentle used his Fae magic to ensure a good harvest for all those in the Dragon Realm. Andira the Protector used her Fae powers to reinforce homes throughout the realm with magic weather protectants to aid stability in storms. Fae Dragons were the keepers of peace and magic throughout the realm. 

However, peace was not always ensured.

Fel Lazuli, a powerful Stone Dragon from the Earth clans, hated the Fae Dragons and everything associated with their mighty magic. Lazuli began to gather supporters, spreading harmful rhetoric against the Fae Dragons. He preached the dangers of them and the lie that Fae Dragons were planning on taking over the realm with their powers, therefore ruining their egalitarian society. Soon, his supporters amassed into an army bringing together the different primary clans of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air Dragons. Fel Lazuli called upon the other leaders of the primary elemental clans: Frostgail the Ice Dragon from the Water Clan, Obsidite the Volcanic Dragon of the Fire Clans, and Zephit the Wind Dragon of the Air Clan. Executions and the hunting down of all the Fae were the goals of this army. Fae numbers dwindled as time went on. Many lay dead in once fruitful fields in pools of their own blood. Their sunset color now tainted red from the blood of their attackers and themselves. This became known as the War of Blood-Soaked Scales within the Dragon Realm. 

The remaining Fae Dragons used their magic to go into hiding from the rest of the world. A spell was cast around the dark forest on the east side of the continent that hid the small city of Fae Haven. This was home to the last of the Fae Dragons. 

They lived very peacefully in Fae Haven for many years, however, their numbers continued to drop. Therefore, their magic began to dwindle. The spell protected everything in the forest to the tip tops of the trees. Anything above that line would be seen, revealing their location to Fel Lazuli and his armies. What did that mean you ask? The once powerful dragons were now grounded. Their wings had not been used for years. It would need a feat of great strength to be able to fly right away. 

As the magic began to dwindle, holes within their invisible smoke screen began to shine through. Soon enough, Lazuli’s armies got word and he amassed his largest force yet. The armies attacked at dawn when most Fae Dragons were asleep in their homes. The forest was surrounded by dragons of all types, bloodthirsty to kill the last of the Fae. And so it began.

Fel Lazuli and the other leaders led the assault, leaving rubble-soaked blood in their path. Roars from mothers whose children were torn from their claws echoed louder than the screams of those who died fighting and protecting their homes. After a day-long siege of Fae Haven, all that was left was the old city hall that they used as a means of final defense. However, that was not truly their last defense. While many Fae Dragon younglings were slain in the battle, a small band of fifteen made it to the hall. In case of emergencies, the last Fae leaders made a passageway to the old mountains where they might be safe. After tearful goodbyes, the last of the Fae Dragons, youngling orphans, were on their way to God knows what. The screams of their elders were now cemented in their heads as it echoed along the passageways walls. 

But you see, that is not the end of the story. 

The leader of the orphaned Fae Dragons was Paegon. He was a powerful illusionist dragon meaning he could appear as something completely different in the eyes of others and create things that are not actually there. And what did Paegon do you ask? Paegon grew strong and devised a plan to restore the Dragon Realm to a land of peace and to end the war. With the help of the remaining fourteen, Pagon was snuck into Fel Lazuli’s city of darkness and despair on the eve of the Primary Conference between all four clans. Using his powers, he adorned his magic, turning his appearance into a fellow stone dragon. Paegon could not tip the scales of time back all on his own. He needed the world to know that he was not a monster. From bar to bar, store to store, and home to home, he pleaded for those to help him in talking down the mighty Fel. And yet, no one answered. 

Except for one. 

Paegon had stumbled into Ice Dragon territory and he was terrified. Much had changed in the city since Fel Lazuli had taken over. This area was always lived in by Ice Dragons and was once full of light and beautiful hues of silver and blue. Now, the ice stands melting and the once light streets are overtaken by darkness.

As Paegon maneuvered through the alleyways knocking on doors, he was struck with a frigid, heavy object out of sight in the shadows. Knocked out cold, literally, Paegon thought that all was lost. 

He awoke in a chamber that resembled that of the ice caverns of old. Above him, enlarging her wings in all their glory, was Frostgail the leader of the Ice Dragons and the Water Clan. Her beauty was astounding to all who beheld her. Yet, with time, she grew to look tired and her once magnificent icy, blue color faded to a gray. Paegon was almost sure his death was imminent when he saw one of the most powerful leaders of the Dragon Realm and one of Fel Lazuli’s closest allies.

Once was a close ally.

Frostgail melted, breaking down any sort of barrier that could possibly shield the truth from anyone. At the beginning of the war, she and Fel were in love. Two dragons of opposite elements, but powerful in strength. Blinded by love, she aligned herself and her people with Lazuli despite her long-time respect and admiration of the Fae Dragons. She, in a sense, was frozen in her allied position. After Lazuli came to power, the love that was once there withered away. Focused on ruling and greed, he let the welfare of other dragons all across the land fall drastically, leaving many sick or in desperate need. As Paegon listened to her story, he could tell that she was indeed being earnest. She truly wanted a better life before all of the Dragon Realm was left in ruin. 

After she was done, she removed the shackles from his scaly wrists as a sign of goodwill. Paegon was convinced. He would trust the one dragon whom he thought would kill him without hesitation. 

Suddenly, out of the corners of his eyes, he saw flames and heard the soft roaring of wind. Paegon, quickly shielding himself behind Frostgail out of fear, saw the other two leaders of the Dragon Realm, Obsidite and Zephit. What had really happened was that they too were ready to take back the land in the name of peace and put an end to the war once and for all. Slowly, Paegon came together with the other three dragons to create a plan. A coup for justice. 

And just that was done. Using his powers of illusion, Paegon was able to sneak him and the other dragons into Fel Lazuli’s fortress. Once inside, Frostgail led the way to Lazuli’s rooftop chambers where he would stare across the Dragon Realm. Paegon had never seen the fearsome dragon before so he knew this would be a battle to be frightful of. 

Upon the party entering, the stony scales of Fel Lazuli roared as he took to the sky. This was a battle of the heavens. Frostgail, Obsidite, and Zephit took to the skies engaging him in combat. Paegon’s wings, rarely used due to the treetop shield of Fae Haven, shuddered open with much fearful force. With a deep breath, he cautiously rose into the field of battle. Using his gifted Fae powers, Lazuli was disoriented by Paegon’s illusions so much that the other three could detain him on solid ground. It was a long and arduous battle, but a worthwhile one. 

With Fel Lazuli defeated, he was struck of all semblances of power and thrown away into a dungeon where he would never hurt another dragon as long as he lived. The others looked to Paegon to rebuild and rebuild he did. He brought back the once-egalitarian society that had prospered long ago and founded a new day for peace and love. He also sent out a decree saying that the Fae Dragons, any who were remaining, were welcome back with open arms into all of the Dragon Realm. No longer did dragons of any creed have to live in fear of Fel Lazuli. Paegon truly showed that it was possible to outweigh fear with peace and magic and create a world out of goodness. In doing so, the balance of life and the true Dragon Realm was restored.