Killing Monsters

by R T Islington

  The Premature born elves were driven from their homelands and dumped into the local woodland forest to simply die out, however, when left in the mass forest area, a miracle happened that would cast light onto this misery and save the premature born elves, allowing them to ascend and form their own race! That event is a different glorious story! Though much time has passed since this dark chapter, a new era of elves sees them try to forget the wrongs of their forefathers, however this is a story that Dragons Continent will not forget, reminding people even elves are capable of monstrous actions. From the year 200, due to the advances in elven magics and spells, formulas were created to see to it no elven woman would give birth prematurely again.

  The second historic demon elves remain sensitive about occurred early into the year 201. The king in power at this time, King Aronion had caught the attention of Storm, as unlike King Bellcaunion, he seemed to have a heart and was more compassionate, though Storm was wary of the typically selfish and greedy elves. A disease had spread across Centre Plate that affected all the races, and Aronion and his elves decided to share their remedial medicines to prevent an unstoppable plague, however, Aronion had his reasons to help and selfish gains to be had at Storm's expense!

  The grand dragon Storm returned to the elven lands for the first time since his disagreement with King Bellcaunion in the year 199 to listen to a request of King Aronion, and upon asking for the king’s request, Aronion simply replied. “Segregation.”

  Though this request was well within Storms power, it still shocked the grand dragon as he knew the elves would forever be hated and despised, he asked Aronion. “Do you really think yourselves to be that superior, you cannot even stomach sharing a continent with others?”

  Aronion arrogantly replied. “Yes! I saved this continent and these pathetic people from death. I did not do this out of kindness, I did this to earn a favour from you! We want our own lands as we no longer wish to mingle with scum!”

  Storm flew back to his brethren of dragons on their island of Dragon Watch to rest, as he knew this request would require all his power and might to enact. As arrogant as Aronion was, Storm knew he was right, the elves had indeed saved the continent from a plague and mass death, so perhaps if he did cast the elves away to their own lands, maybe tensions would ease with the elves far away. Since the dawn of time, elves have always viewed themselves as the superior race and all dragons knew that, so did the rest of the world. Upon numerous meetings between Aronion and Storm the request was made ever so clearer, and more alarming! At this time in the year 201, the elven lands were not separated, instead they shared the Centre Plate with wolfmen, blood maidens, human settlers, and mages. The elves, in order to be certain of their segregation from all other species, requested Storm used his power to smash into the adjoining mountain ranges that surrounded the elven area of the map, and blast the mountains with dragon fire, melting them so they can harden again into an impassable wall like structure, preventing other races from coming into contact with elves.

  Ultimately, Aronion's goal was to cut off elves from all contact with the rest of the world! King Aronion could not help but notice some elves were setting up households with humans and interbreeding, which made most elves uneasy, although since they shared Centre Plate this was known to happen, however it had started to happen more and more. There was something else that worried King Aronion, something that would shock all races to the core! From the year 179, strange reports had surfaced that humans started to develop mutations that enabled them to harness magic and create spells, though the magic seemed much weaker than elven magic. Elves had kept these reports secret from public elven knowledge, with only a few elves knowing of this. Now in the year 201, Aronion ordered the closest serving members of the Elite Elven Guard to make sure this news did not reach their homelands, for they were supposed to be the only ones that could harness magic, perhaps in truth, it was the fact the humans may shortly be able to possess magic that really drove Aronion’s desire for segregation. Keeping this revelation secret, Aronion was backed fully by all elves for the request of segregation, and desire for an elven only land!

  After pondering on Aronion’s request, Storm decided to give in to Aronion’s wretched plea, though he wanted to kill Aronion much more!

  Storm raged to his fellow dragons. “If the elves want to remove themselves from the rest of the world, then so be it!” and Aronion’s request was accepted!

  Storm flew up high, way beyond the clouds and remained there, channelling all the power and magic within his very being deep into the night. After some hours, the sky turned black and Storm’s roar was heard throughout Centre Plate. Storm came crashing down from the sky faster than seemingly possible and surrounding his golden scales and gigantic wingspan glowed a black and red aura. Storm smashed himself directly into the mountains that adjoined the elven lands, causing a huge impact that cracked the west side of Centre Plate, the force shook not just Centre Plate but the oceans as well. The sky began to glow a mysterious mix of purple and green, Storm flew up again and broadened his posture, before breathing a gigantic breath of green fire directly into the crumbling mountains. The entire Centre Plate and its oceans were trembling and shaking, and those that could not take cover, could only watch in horror at Storm's unparalleled power. More dragons appeared and joined Storm in smashing into the west side of Centre Plate, greatly increasing the number of crumbling mountains. Shortly after the impacts and mass dragon fire, the mountains surrounding the elven section of Centre Plate began melting, thus creating a wall formation. It was as if the dragons were melting the mountains to re-mould them, like they were made from clay. Aronion and his people, having recovered from the apocalyptic shockwaves and impact, looked out of Ruby Top Castle to see the entire sky blackened and engulfed in a green and purple aura, Storm and his dragons were breathing magnificent bursts of fire into their mountains. This event lasted many hours and when finished, the physically exhausted Storm and his dragons collapsed on Centre Plate.

  The morning came and the mountains were gone, they had been smashed and melted into a giant wall-like structure. The dragons regained their energy and left. The elven section of the map was now secluded and protected by a wall of mountains much to the delight of the King. And so, Aronion got his wish on this fateful night and the elves got what they wanted, though many beings caught in the crumbling mountains lost their lives during this cataclysmic event. It took the elves some years to rebuild their towers, pyramids, statues, and megalithic structures, however they had got what they wanted, their own land populated by elves only. They had got their segregation! To date, the elves remain just as arrogant and volatile as they had always been. The elves have also furthered and improved their magic and building structures, as well as raised three mighty dragons who protect their lands, it’s no wonder they still see themselves as the master race and view other races as nothing more than savages with sticks!

  Woodlanders

  The humble and proud woodlanders of Dragons Continent have probably had to endure the most hostility, segregation, and abuse of all the races. During the early few hundred years, woodlanders were conceived and born in elven lands, and from birth their lives were filled with misery and sadness. For reasons unknown at the time, multiple elven women would give birth prematurely by some months, and all the time these premature born elves were smaller and weaker than other elves that were born healthy. Premature born elves also had no natural ability to use magic, and bizarrely these premature born elves also had a light green skin tone compared to the normal elves who had a pale skin tone. Bullied, ridiculed, and harassed every day for the mere fact they looked different, they were no longer even referred to as elves, and instead were branded and named ‘Prematures.’ These small green elves were shunned by their fellow elven brothers and sisters, and even their own parents would look upon them with resentment as if they had been punished for sins committed. Ultimately these poor small elves were forced to the outskirts of the city, and their inabil
ity to wield magic would forever follow them with shame everywhere they turned in the elven lands. Over time, kings and queens would enforce stricter laws banning them from inns, schools, events, and even treatment for illnesses. During the first 200 years it is recorded that hundreds of premature born elves died due to basic and easily curable illnesses, that could have easily been treated if the elves would have been generous enough to help. It was the worst kept secret that elves hoped the prematures would simply die out.

  The way these premature born elves were treated, you would think them to perhaps be ghastly beasts, when in fact, these smaller elves were somewhat pretty and pure looking with their light green skin complimenting their green eyes and youthful appearance. The men, even when fully grown, looked youthful and fresh faced with no facial hair ever growing on their faces, and their skin remained as smooth as silk. The males were seemingly blessed with toned and slim bodies which gave them surprising agility and reflexes, and though they could not perform magic, they started to practice hand to hand combat as a means to protect themselves and were quite capable with small daggers, knives and light armour. They also began practicing their archery to hunt for food, as their spiteful superior elven cousins banned them from marketplaces. The female premature elves also had piercing green eyes with light green skin; however, they were of a short, slim, and curvy build, which made them much desirable amongst the men of all races. Female prematures also had long black eyebrows, seductive eyes and lips and intoxicating smiles to match their soft feminine voices, these traits in time would see them viewed as nothing more than sex objects by humans and vampires.

  It would be fair to say these elves were born with a natural gift of beauty, a small gift to be proud of considering they were still viewed and regularly referred to as ‘scum’ and ‘abominations’ by the more dominant elves, even though all these prematures were, was quite simply harmless mutations of the elven gene.

  The relationship between the prematures and elves would reach a chilling climax in the year 199, when the ruling elven king at the time, King Bellcaunion demanded the prematures to be banished. They were to be rounded up and forced out of their homelands to a nearby mass forest, and with the advances of elven magic now available to prevent premature births, the King knew he could kill two birds with one stone, which was to banish the prematures then use the new found magic on elves as soon as new pregnancies were discovered, ensuring no more premature born abominations. King Bellcaunion was emphatically supported with a majority at the Elven High Court and the order was passed. The king enlisted the help of his fellow elves in the archery and combat schools to rid them of the prematures, and even though the smaller prematures resisted, they were outnumbered and out fought.

  The forest of which they were to be dumped was thick with vegetation, with large trees as far as the eye could see. Large amounts of moss-covered logs, woodland areas and small lakes of fresh water ran through valleys and created multiple streams. There were magnificent waterfalls and hidden caverns as well as a calming aura. The sun, mostly blocked out by trees still managed to pierce through, providing warmth and a calming light. At times, a mysterious green and grey mist would appear, and the giant Ivy would move around at ground level as if it was alive. There was an eerie silence throughout this forest, however everyone knew all types of animals lived here, as well as fierce beasts, so the challenge was laid down to the premature elves, could they survive here!?

  The elves and the prematures knew this was a disguised death sentence, a way of genocide without needing to raise a sword, however the superior elves didn’t care and the prematures were dumped outside the mass forest and left to die.

  As a few days passed and death seemed inevitable, a miracle happened that would shock the world and rid these prematures of their derogatory inherited name and see them transform into a race that would be known as the woodlanders! When all hope had been lost, when death seemed certain and all had accepted their fate, one man rose up, one man decided to lead, and one man laid down foundations for all to follow! He was the first to tap into their undiscovered power and became the first woodlander, he was the mighty Erynion!

  Erynion knew this forest would be their home and they had to adapt, so using his charm and charisma, he urged his people to move deeper into the forest and several days later, strange things started to happen. The woodlanders started to hear voices throughout the forest all around them, different sounds, different tones, and these voices seemed to be coming from different animals and beasts.

  It seemed as though the forest itself was talking to them and the same questions would be heard and directed at them. “Why are you here?” was a common whispered question that the forest asked, and. “Who are you?” would be asked repeatedly, but the question most asked by the forest inhabitants was. “What are you doing here?” and on one fateful night, Erynion and his woodlanders had their lives changed forever!

  Many weeks had passed since the prematures had been banished by the elves, they had started to build small huts and living quarters with the endless supply of timber and wood available. The fern leaves seemed stronger than usual here and made for good roofing material. Some woodlanders started climbing trees to gain a better view of their surroundings and were able to identify fishing spots and deer to hunt. The woodlander’s skin had started to turn a slightly darker shade of green, and they were able to start to sense the presence of animals near them such as rabbits, foxes, deer and birds, it seemed as though they were merging with nature and the forest itself. One night the Woodlanders had settled down for a hard-earned sleep when all of a sudden, a blood curdling roar was heard throughout the forest, then moments again, only closer, as if a monstrous beast was closing in on their location and charging towards them. The woodlanders picked up all the weapons they had managed to craft out of wood and sharp rocks, they gathered their bows and arrows and stared into the pitch-black forest. The leaves started to rustle, grunts were heard coming right towards them, and the sound of a powerful charge as if something was brushing against the trees at tremendous speed, then all of a sudden silence. Erynion, like any good leader, was on the front line, staring forward when he noticed a pair of red glaring eyes gazing right at him and his people. The huge beast stepped out to reveal himself to Erynion and his people which terrified them all into a deep silence, and even Erynion froze.

  “My little friends, what is this connection I feel?” asked the beast curiously.

  The Woodlander’s paralysed with fear could not speak let alone move. The beast which stood before them was a great forest war-bear. The war-bears are savage predators that occupy multiple habitats, from woodland areas to mountains and open plains. This great war-bear standing in front of the defenceless woodlanders was around twelve feet tall on hind legs, with a dark green coat of fur allowing him to blend into the forest environment, the only thing not matching the lush greenery was his demonic red eyes. The thick black razor-sharp canine teeth and claws seemed to glow in the dark and shine like an onyx stone. The war-bears fur seemed to be turning grey around its snout and along its back, signifying it was perhaps into its twilight years. War-Bears are kept as attack units by wicked warlords, and throughout the Eastern Plate, the humans starve them and beat them for days before setting them on their enemies or prisoners! They are formidable killers and a symbol of power amongst kings and warlords.

  Erynion regained his composure and spoke back to the beast. “Great beast of the forest, how do you know our native tongue?”

  The beast replied coldly, “Strangely, I have been able to listen to all of you for days now and have been watching, waiting, and deciding your fate.”

  The beast had a fresh wound on its hind leg from an arrow shot, so Erynion moved closer, as if he could sense the pain the wound was causing. The beast remained cautious, seemingly still unsure as to whether he would slaughter the new inhabitants of his forest, however as Erynion got closer, his hands started to glow green, creating a magnificent aura. The aura started to
light up the area in front of him, he then placed his hands onto the wound and the beast relaxed, as if he was being soothed by Erynion.

  The brave little Erynion kept his hands on the wound for roughly a minute and upon removing them, the wound had been healed! The beast spoke again in shock of this revelation. “So, this is why I was drawn to you people. It seems as though nature and this great forest has bought our species together, but why? Can a bond between beast, nature and people lead to something grand?”

  Erynion responded merrily. “I’d like to find out! It seems as if fate had a plan for our species after all. Great war-bear, my name is Erynion, and it would be an honour to be your first friend.”

  And so, the friendship of Erynion and the war-bear began. It was revealed over time that the prematures did indeed harbour magic within themselves, this magic was different to that of the elves that banished them! The woodlanders found they could communicate and understand animals, they could also heal animals in times of need. After spending more time in the forest, they found that the forest itself enhanced their abilities and broadened their understanding of their gifts from nature. The woodlanders began communicating with all living things that they shared their new home with, creating friendship and unity between themselves and the animals around them. As the old war-bears days drew to an end, the great beast walked Erynion deep into the forest to an undiscovered location, and laid down to rest one final time, just before its last slumber Erynion began to cry, as his first friend of this beautiful forest began to leave him.

  The war-bear licked Erynion tears and spoke for the last time. “Cherish this life and the creatures in it. Show the world what bonds can be forged between all living things, and most importantly, thank you for being my friend.” The war- bear passed on peacefully.

  Erynion began to cry uncontrollably, his tears soaked into the green fur of his cherished friend, and then, the forest dragon appeared from her den and spoke soothingly. “Come now Erynion, your journey has just begun.”