Zirkonia's Story

A dragon cut from one cloud to the other, headed north, in the wink of an eye.

Zirkonia increased her speed as far below, the plains of stone began to rumble. A ripple of glitter undulated across them. There was nobody here to heed the call. From high up here she could see it clearly. The stone plains groaned as they quaked and split, a deep fissure forming to stretch down into the depths of Gaia. Black smoke gently seeped from the fissure. Still, Zirkonia charged north. She was old and knew the signs for what they were. Having kept in hiding for ages, she sat and watched for the signs.

Now it was time to find the others. Hiding her flight in the pink clouds, Zirkonia dodged a bolt of lightning as Eras tested her. He tested her again, the dragon dive-rolling to avoid being struck. Her wings beat harder as the air charged with static again. This time the lightning grazed her side. She roared with the impact, struggling north.

For a moment, Eras seemed to tire of toying with the white dragon. Dark blood seeped through her scales and dripped into the sky.

Sinfrost swept through the clouds as the trees slowed in their wails. The sight from above the clouds shook him to the bone. Something very bad was happening, and he didn't have enough wisdom of the past to realize exactly what. He honed in on Frendor, swooping wide of the risen Colossi and landing not far off from the magical human. Where did he go?

???A ripple of glitter undulated across the entire planet of Gaia. Almost invisible to the naked eye, but nonetheless a sign that Gaia wouldn't go down without a fight. It swirled up around Frendor, to an extent giving away where he hid in invisibility. Sinfrost didn't put two and two together and dismissed it as a trick of the light on the snow.

Another dragon, Zirconia, burst through the clouds from the south. She was white with a dark streak across one side. As she landed near Frendor, opposite of Sinfrost, the dark streak revealed itself to be dried blood. She panted, locking eyes with Sinfrost. He was younger than she, another dragon of frost and winter. He seemed wilder, unfamiliar with any tame ways. This was proven to be true when he stood taller and postured defensively, as if she was testing his dominance.

Well, now she was. Zirkonia drew herself to her full standing height. She was pleased to see that, though softer around the edges, she was taller than Sinfrost. Her scales glittered more, too, though his dark patterns likely helped with it here in the North. It was a bit darker here than all elsewhere- a bad sign. She returned attention to Frendor.

"Champion of Gaia, reveal yourself," Zirkonia commanded of Frendor in what she hoped was an unfrightening way. She postured herself at an angle to where he hid in invisibility, keeping an eye on Sinfrost. Sinfrost's glare had slipped into a look of curiosity. Champions? Why was that familiar?

Frendor had yet to accept the call of Gaia. Gaia herself would be a whisper in the wind and snow, calling to Frendor to assist in defending the realm against

Frendor allowed his cloak of invisibility to fade, seeing as the dragons could so easily see through it.

"Who or what is Gaia, and what do you mean by champion?" he whispered.

He had been hoping for a simple quest. So far, nothing was as he had expected it to be.

He started shivering in the coldness, wrapping his cloak around him. He decided that he liked those two dragons. They seemed friendly and curious, not hostile at all.

Nothing made sense to him yet.

What was that super-giant, where did it come from, was it a threat to Gaia?

"I am here; I am ready" he said to the pair of dragons, as coldness seeped into his bones and he wrapped his cloak even closer.

Sinfrost flinched backwards a hair as Frendor appeared. The dragon officially had no idea what was going on. He knew it was important. Quietly, Sinfrost listened as Frendor declared himself ready to accept the knowledge and responsibility of being a Champion.

"The Spirit of This Realm, Champion! Nightfall is coming as Eras rises," Zirkonia leaned in to say quieter, "Didn't you feel it? The call? It lead right here I swore to this exact spot..."

Sinfrost settled on his haunches and said to nobody in particular, "The entropy."

In the distance the great jotunn took a step into the north of the Groenbogs far east on Ellaria. A groan echoed through the mountains. The pink clouds above grew deeper in their hue. A great shadow was cast over the north of Ellaria as something loomed beyond the clouds. South in the Bez Daha Trees a civilization bloomed, and all across Gaia Champions answered the call.

"Eras," Zirkonia nodded, looking off to the jotunn once more, before focusing entirely on Frendor, "He grew too strong, here. Now he must be stopped."

"Alone I cannot stop him" mused Frendor "but if all Gaia unities, then we can do something".

Frendor went into meditation, extending his awareness, following with his mind the path of the super-giant, looking for signs of resistance.

"Trees, can you hear me? Wind can you hear me? Champions of Gaia can you hear me? Dragons can you hear? People and races of Ellaria can you hear me? Let us unite and join forces against Eras; let us together find a way to protect and defend Gaia".

He projected the words from his mind into the air, into the sky, into the sea, into the trees and into the ground, using a broadcast of magical light. He poured all his energy into it, until he was exhausted and could do no more. Then he waited in silence.

The World Spirit of Gaia carried Frendor's light and message on the wind, north to Iskjerne Bay and south to the Great Forest and beyond.

Ellaria was being called to come together and fight for the fate of their peoples!

Zirkonia raised her maw to the wind as Frendor sent out his message of light. She recognized all the signs for what they were. Her glassy eyes leveled to drink in Frendor.

The great white dragon kneeled down and extended her neck next to Frendor. It was an ultimate gesture of trust. Sinfrost couldn't believe his eye and balked. Zirkonia huffed in return, steam rising from her great nostrils. Sinfrost grew still, although still with great judgement.

"Champion of Gaia, it would be an honor..." Zirkonia trailed off. If the legends were true, if the Colossi were to rise again, the Wyrms need rise too. The Riders would ride again.

For the first time in many lifetimes a humanoid could ride a dragon beast of Gaia, if he so chose.

Very, very gently Frendor approached the great dragon Zirkonia and very softly stroked her neck.

"The honor is all mine. I am not worthy." he said. Frendor was slightly smaller than a human and somewhat childlike in appearance, being young in elf-years, although older than most humans. He had never, ever ridden a dragon, and had only heard about dragon-riders from his elders and tutors.

He carefully chose the safest hold on Zirkonia's neck, but realized that he would have to trust her. He could never hold on by own his strength, nor even his own magic. He could sense her power; he would have to learn how to work together with her.

He knew now that riders were only passengers; a dragon would go where it willed and when it wanted. Dragons were more intelligent than most humans and some elves. Certainly Zirkonia was much wiser than he.

"Where shall we go?" he asked the two dragons and then he noticed Dvalinn watching them.

Zirkonia wondered if Frendor was familiar with the lore of this land. The flattery bemused the old dragon, who did tend to think quite highly of herself regardless of external opinion. Under any other circumstance his statement may have been true- there were not many left worthy to mount a Dragon of Gaia. However Frendor had been chosen. Her scales fluttered gently under Frendor's hand when he ran it across her neck. She braced herself with the ground to hold steady as the small elf climbed aboard her mass. It was true that she was too large for barebacked riding to be considered practical- but time was of the essence.

Sinfrost backed away almost unable to believe his eyes. So casually she was letting him climb aboard! Sinfrost wasn't so trusting of other species at all and could have recoiled at the sight- if it wouldn't be to show the deepest disrespect. No matter her choices, unless they went against that of Dragonkind, Sinfrost couldn't speak upon. She was his elder.

Frendor was aboard the great dragon. Zirconia hunched down low to prepare for takeoff, waiting for the right moment and building in her strength. Simultaneously her mind reached out to that of Frendor's, seeking to make a telepathic link to lend him strength and sight. With their minds merged they would move most efficiently through the Realm- their physical forms would follow suit. Flight would be incredible.

Suddenly, the earth stood still. Asvith Thrymm, the mountain giant casting a shadow over the mountain range, the cause of all the low rumblings throughout the mountains, had come to a stop. Light flickered as he made a great motion, punching through the clouds and towards the skies beyond, his great fist descending out of sight. The clouds puffed out as they were breached by Asvith giving those below a glimpse of what was happening above them.

A nebula of light fanned out from a central pinprick, a figure for those with eyes good enough. A massive ship was there and then suddenly was not- a great flash of light bathing Ellaria as the clouds closed up again. Zirkonia kept her eyes shut despite the dances of light outside of her lids. Sinfrost backed up against a snowy ridge.

Frendor held on to Zirkonia, allowing his awareness to extend and align with hers, while also keeping his mind open to Sinfrost. Was it just to be the three of them? Four, counting the world spirit. Dvalinn seemed indifferent; or perhaps even aligned with the enemy. But, what was that sky-ship that he saw. Suddenly he saw he ship as Zirkonia has seen it; he felt the love of flight, the innate curiosity, but also a sounding of caution. Frendor remembered the voice of the wind. So, that was six, at least, against the super giant.

We need to create a distraction, he found himself thinking, some way to make the giant lose the battle with the mysterious ship.

He found himself wondering if he could create an illusion, large enough to fool Asvith Thrymm. In his mind he formed the image of another giant, centered around the location of Zirkonia, and mirroring her movements. When she turned her neck, then Terakon Luvinair would turn the same way, only at a safe distance. For good measure, Frendor started to conjure another image to be controlled by Sinfrost.

Terakon Luvinair's head appeared through the clouds, staring directly at Asvith Thrymm. The dragons had somehow become invisible, except to each other. Another giant appeared, Khale Fewtal, also as large and looming as Asvith Thrymm.

Khale Fewtal turned to stare menacingly at Asvith Thrymm. Now the illusion depended on these giant image puppets to move fast enough that Asvith Thyrmm could not hit them. If he touched them then he would notice the lack of resistance, and yet ...

Wind, may I ask you to blow and buffet Asvith Thyrmm, whenever he touches one of the images.

Dragons may I ask you to mimic the voice and roar of a giant?

Terakon Luvinair stares at Asvith Thyrmm

Khale Fewtale shakes his fist at Asvith Thyrmm

Frendor decided to add another tactic. He projected and magnified the force of his arms so that the super-giant would feel the illusion of imaginary blows and punches, as the dragons circled around. He was hoping drive away Asvith or at least to distract him.

He lost sight of the super-giant. Where did he go?

"Let's follow him!" cried out Frendor.

Aewisp of the wind, being from a plane of astral and away, was unable to hear Frendor as he called upon her for help. However there was another who heard his call and was compelled to answer. The wind blew faintly around Frendor, tickling his hair about in response.The wind was not strong, but the wind would attempt to assist. The wind had unfortunately been drained of it's autonomy largely by Eras, as Gaia slipped into a slumber having had taxed herself assisting the Champions dotted across her mass.

Zirkonia was pleased that Frendor seemed to take so kindly to Gaia, and was thankful for his arrival. Gaia had chosen her champions wisely. She opened her eyes and gently tilted her head back to marvel at the upwards illusion. It appeared to her ghostly. Sinfrost too was impressed, but didn't quite know what to make of all of this. He couldn't deny the safety awarded by the illusion, though.

Brace yourself, she thought to Frendor, and inhaled deeply. Zirkonia leveled herself somehow even closer to the ground and opened her great maw, unleashing a roar which echoed through the mountains. It rolled over the snow covered peaks and up to the clouds: she aimed it at Asvith Thrymm and knew that if he had ears he would hear it. Most in the mountains likely would. Her great neck extended upward, her body reverberating as the great roar escaped. Even so she was careful of the position of her shoulders - part of the reason she positioned herself so was to ensure the safety of the Champion on mount.

Sinfrost, who hadn't been paying attention, gave a little start as the great roar began. He looked to Zirkonia and was admittedly struck with a bit of fear himself. Again, he had never seen a dragon so great as Zirkonia. He watched with growing awe as her roar continued for longer than most. When her great jaw finally snapped shut there was a little smirk playing on her scaly lips. Her eyes twinkled for a moment at Sinfrost as if daring him to try to match her roar.

There was a rumble as higher on the mountain a great mass of snow and ice broke free, creating an avalanche. The avalanche cascaded down the mountain. Sinfrost watched as it rumbled down in the not-so-far distance, then as it started to fall even closer. Snow showered the two dragons and Frendor as a clump broke on a rock higher up, but thankfully that seemed to be the most of what would hit them.

Sinfrost shook the snow off of himself and let out his own giant roar. Nowhere near as impressive as Zirkonia's - not earthshaking to say the least- but it was loud, and it was powerful, and as he closed his mouth he looked towards Asvith, who had taken a giant step and seemed to be heading off.

Are you ready to fly, Champion? Zirkonia asked Frendor, crouching down again to prepare for take-off

Frendor was impressed at how well Zirkonia and he were working together. It was as if they were already of one mind. He felt excitement at the thought of flying and joy at the prospect of hunting down Asvith Thrymm.

Yes, I am ready, most worthy one, most beautiful gallant dragon. Let us fly, let us chase down Eras. Let us bring healing to Gaia!

Yet, deep inside, he was filled with self-doubt. He no longer had access to his mentor, Elvaron, nor had he seen any fellow wizards or high elves yet answer the call of Gaia. He greatly admired the two dragons and drew comfort from the wind, but he still doubted his own abilities. Would be make an error like the infamous Sorcerer's Apprentice, or would he prove himself to become a true master wizard. There was still so much for him to learn and master; working with illusions, with the wind and frost, aiding dragons and facing down super-giants, with only a limited source of power. He was an apprentice of many magical skills, journeyman of a few skills and as yet master of none.

He also sensed that Gaia was waning in power. He needed to think about this. How to weaken the power of Eras and strengthen the hand of Gaia's champions? His only strategy so far was to distract and harass Asvith Thtymm, hoping that the super-giant would reveal a weakness.

With a great push from the ground below, Zirkonia took off into the skies! The snow fell from them as they ascended higher and higher, Zirkonia's great wings beating in slow intervals against the air. With each flap the air around them grew more cold, and more thin. Zirkonia labored not- she was used to these altitudes. For a moment the great dragon was lost in her ego and power, so buffed by Frendor with his words.

She aimed to pierce the clouds.

Sinfrost watched them depart. Part of him thought the two a fool for going after something so large in such a way, but the rest of him felt something he couldn't put words to.

Humans call it hope.

Frendor noticed that Sinfrost was not following them. He tried to reach and sense his mind, calling him to join them, but they were traveling too fast. All Frendor could see was sky and clouds. How to find the enemy? How to find the other champions? He allowed to mind to see what Zirkonia was seeing and also drew in his awareness to the remaining pockets of Gaia's energy. He was looking for a pattern, either a sign of disturbance, or a situation that needed help.

As they rose above Ellaria, a few things below caught the eye of the dragon. The Empyrean Sea, far, far, far to the south was sending forceful winds north. They ascended even higher, the skies were visibly dark and brewing over the sea. Just north in the mountains was a settlement in a bay. It was populated, active, thriving. However something about it didn't seem quite right, Crimson stained the snow and the people moved in strange patterns. A great ship also rested here. There was a depression in the mountain where it had slid down. A new ravine had formed as well. The rock face inside was stark and black against the white of the other peaks, the Tartarean sea swirling the bottom into mud. Just as Zirconia was about to breach the clouds she noticed the Hearthwater Channel pulse a periwinkle. Her heart surged, for that was a good sign.

A great dragon, gleaming white, with a rider almost absurdly small in comparison, burst through the clouds from above Ellaria, and the view was spectacular.

The clouds up here were bright pink. They rolled and puffed across Gaia as far as beyond the horizon. Zirkonia stayed close to the shadows in the mists of the sky, intending to stay undetected. She took a flight path slightly wide of the great cranium of Asvith Thrym. His form was impressively huge, even she had to admit. Above the atmosphere another force had appeared in the sky-a nebula of light peeking over the edge of the planet-distorting the pink of the skies over the distant horizon curving around the the skies of the great storm in the seas to the south

Nightfall, Zirkonia thought to Frendor as she took note that Eras had gone from being a dark smudge in the sky, to faintly glowing a deep crimson. When the light of Eras shined anew, the Darkness would swallow the children of Gaia and plunge them in eternal night. This was the worst of signs.

Sinfrost dind't follow them, but should the illusion sustain in Frendor's absence, the dragon looked forward to having a little bit of fun.

He roared again!

The illusion of Khale Fewtale the Frost Giant, continued to follow Sinfrost and open its mouth when he roared, although growing ever slightly fainter with time, whereas the first illusion Terakon Luvinair, appeared to be flying through the air at high speed, hurtling towards wherever Zirkonia and Frendor where going.