(Miklaus POV)
Immediately upon walking through the portal I had created, I was welcomed with the scene of a vast landscape, filled with a plethora of volcanoes, mountain ranges that stretched for miles into the horizon, large patches of volcanic soil, and finally, rolling grasslands with pristine lakes and rivers. A truly vast and diverse continent and, much like me,filled with infinite possibility.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. This land was truly perfect for my vision, a clear canvas for me, the great artist. All that needed to be done now was to start painting.
I started by walking over to one of the patches of grasslands that had yet to be scorched by the volcanic environment, deciding this wass where I’d start off the lives of these children and mortals.
I lifted my hand slowly, feeling every fiber of my power dig deep within the soil.The rune on my arm glowed a beautiful violet color as I concentrated and lifted tons upon tons of earth and stone to form a castle fit for my greatness in front of me. Beautifully carved limestone made up the walls, towers, roof, and floor of the castle, while extravagant marble stairs flowed out of the castle entrance. In mere minutes, my imagination had become reality.
A fully constructed castle towered before me, one that easily surpassed the Versailles or Buckingham of our old world. Once satisfied, I moved onto building village homes for the mortals .
Fifty granite cubes rose from the earth, each evenly spaced and perfectly in line with enough land between them for personal gardens. They weren’t as intricate nor as extravagant as the castle, as to fully highlight the majesty of the palace. I finished by sealing off the city within a massive limestone wall.
I took in my handiwork for a moment then turned around to the children whom I had been given the responsibility of teaching. In their eyes, I could see both amazement and wonder, reminding me of the look I had often seen kids wear when they experienced their first snowfall back on Earth. A slight chuckle escaped my lips as I addressed them.
“Children, we both have an understanding of why I am here. Unfortunately, before I’m able to teach you, I must have some time to myself. Please, assign mortals to these homes; one male and female each, then wait for me in the castle. Are we understood?” I asked in an emotionless tone.
In unison, the children nodded in affirmation and set off to fulfill my request. I felt guilty for these children, but that emotion disappeared into the void in an instant. These children loved us unconditionally, but not out of respect or gratitude. - They simply never had a say in the matter. They loved us because they were bonded to us from their creation, as much as someone would love themselves.
I pushed these thoughts away and focused on what I had left to accomplish. It was time for me to leave the castle, alone, with no one by my side for who could stand with a true god?
Many thoughts crept into my mind as I set off. Did Reiji understand the meaning behind my smile when we had separated? Are we making the right choice? Why were we the ones chosen for this? Did they only accept the runes’ power so that I wouldn’t be alone? Do the others hate me for this? What would happen when I leave this continent?
Though all these thoughts circled my mind like hungry wolves after a weakened prey, any emotions that surfaced with them were swallowed up immediately, as if a dragon was at the center of my very being, hungrily devouring what little humanity I had left.
I couldn’t help but feel like lashing out at my own mental struggles; however, half the universe would cease to exist if I gave in to the temptation. The world that I thought had infinite possibilities was too fragile, a glass cage for myself. Sadly, I realized that no matter what regrets I may have, none of them would matter. The choices have already been made. There was no going back. None of us would ever be ourselves again.
No more happiness, pain, joy, fear, hate, anything. We were all just hollow vessels of power now, puppets ready for their act but never in control of the play. No, that right belonged to someone above. Upon reaching this realization, I made my decision; to give myself up to the vastness of my eternal power and surrender to the machinations of the unknown. With a final, steady sigh, I let the dragon consume what little remained of me and watched, solemnly, as the lonely embers of my past life flickered out.
Immediately upon finalizing my resolve, I had an idea: to create dragons. While I wasn’t able to make a new being out of nothing like Reiji, I should be able to use my dragon scales to make a dragon. I used partial transformation to change my skin into its dragon form and began to pull off scales which grew back in fractions of a second upon being removed. When I had finished, 12 dragon scales laid on the ground in front of me.
I put my hand out in front of each scale and began to implant them with the same level of power and knowledge I had bestowed to the gods. I based each one off of the legends and fantasies of my old world.
The first six dragon scales became enormous dragons. The first was Tiamat, a beautiful, aqua colored, western styled dragon. The second was the Azure Dragon, a gorgeous cyan colored, Chinese styled dragon. Third, was the Hydra that was a solid silver color. Fourth was Shenlong, a majestic emerald, Chinese style dragon. Fifth was Tianlong, an Amber colored, Chinese styled dragon. Sixth was Nidhogg, a solid white colored, western styled dragon.
The other six scales followed suit in creating dragons of equal magnificence. The Seventh dragon was Fafnir, a golden colored, western styled dragon. The eighth was akhekh, a pink colored, Chinese styled dragon. The ninth was Kholkikos, an ivory colored, Chinese styled dragon. Tenth was Kukulkan, a maroon colored, Quetzalcoatl styled dragon. Eleventh was the Stoor Worm, an onyx colored, serpent styled dragon. Lastly was the Vritra, a solid, jet black colored, Wyrm styled dragon.
I watched as each dragon took form and was shaped to my image of them. I granted them forms to mimic my own; a dragon form and a human form, while also being able to use partial transformation. I walked down the line slowly to name each of them and give them their titles.
“You will be Tiamat, the Dragon Queen. Next will be the Azure Dragon, the Dragon King.” I then pointed to five of them who were males. “You five will be Shenlong, the Stoor Worm Dragon, the Vritra Dragon, Fafnir, and Kholkikos, the five Dragon Princes. The other five will be Akhekh, Tianlong, the Hydra, Kukulkan, and Nidhogg, the five dragon Princesses.” I finished saying, but the dragons made no sounds or movements. They just looked at me with piercing eyes.
“Ah yes, I forgot dragons are prideful creatures, correct? So you won’t show me respect unless given a reason. Well, allow me to help you with that.” I said with an evil smirk on my face.
I pulled another dragon scale off my arm and perfectly recreated another Tiamat. I smiled at the other dragons as I thrust my hand clean through the chest of the newly created dragon with no effort. I felt the dragon's body quiver from the pain and reveled in the sensation.
As they began to cough up large portions of blood, I flexed my arm. The dragon’s body erupted into a fountain of blood and gore, with the only thing remaining being the dragon’s heart, still pumping in my hand. I crushed the heart as a bloody mist began to settle around us. All twelve dragons shared the same expression of utter despair and reverence; a visible chill traveling down their forms.
Not suppressing my devilish smile, I looked over the petrified dragons. “Would you all like another demonstration?” I joked. They immediately kowtowed without another word. I couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing such powerful, mythical beasts, once seen as gods in their own stories, cower before me. It was just too comical.
“That won’t be necessary, uhm, sir?” I heard Tiamat mutter with a shaky voice.
“Ah right, I haven’t introduced myself. How rude of me. I am the True God of Infinite, Miklaus Ouroboros, but among the twelve of you, I will be known as the Dragon God.” I answered with a slight bow. “Please, raise your heads” I watched as the twelve stood back up, and regained their composure.
“Lord Dragon God, if I may ask. Why have you created us?” said Fafnir.
“Well, to be honest with all of you. It’s simply just because I like dragons and I want more protection for this continent.”
“By protection, what exactly is it you want us to do?” The Azure dragon asked me.
“That entails a few things. Firstly, I have other “children” who, much like you, were born from me. You will train with them everyday so that you may both grow stronger. Secondly, by protection I mean, you will kill any and all invaders who would dare step foot on these lands. I don’t care if it’s man, woman, or child. Kill them all without mercy, understood?” I finished with a voice daring them to challenge me.
“As the Dragon Queen, I believe I speak for all of us when I say we understand.” Tiamat said, bowing her head again.
“Great, then let's take you to meet your siblings.” I commanded as I turned around to lead the dragons back to the castle.
Upon arriving at the castle, I heard the dragons each share expressions of amazement as we walked up the marble stairs to the large cedar wood doors with golden handles. As I opened the doors, I saw the sixteen children sitting at a large ash wood table with fifty spruce wood chairs. The children rushed over as soon as they spotted me and stood in a straight line with curious expressions at the twelve people standing behind me.
“Children, I know you have questions about those behind me, but those will be answered soon enough. Firstly, let me give each of you your names.” I said as I pointed at each of them from left to right.
“You will be known as Odin, Thor, Loki, Hel, Tyr, Freya, Ullr, Heimdall, Amaterasu, Tsukyomi, Izanami, Susanoo, Hachiman, Raijin, Fujin, and Inari Okami.”
“Now, let me introduce you to your new siblings. Tiamat, the Azure Dragon, Fafnir, Shenlong, Tianlong, Nidhogg, Akheku, Kholkikos, Kukulkan, the Stoor Worm Dragon, The Hydra Dragon, and the Vritra Dragon.” I finished, both groups giving each other a deep bow.
“Father, if we are to be called gods, then what will they be called?” Odin asked.
“These twelve will be known as the Dragon Royalty.”
“Will they live in the castle with us?” Amaterasu questioned.
“No, the dragons will make their home in the volcanoes. It fits them better than being confined in a castle. Any other questions?” I asked. With no responses besides a few head shakes, I continued.
“Then firstly, allow me to do this.” As I said this I lifted my hand, and created a room with a portal in the middle of it that led to a separate reality. “This portal will lead to a land that’s like this continent, but made from my power. Meaning, you can train at full power as much as you’d like without needing to worry about destroying anything. You’re to use this room everyday to train together and grow stronger, understood?” I asked as they nodded in agreement.
“Next is to bestow you with the name I have decided for this city and continent. The continent will be called Ormr which means dragon, with the capital being known as Drakonis. Collectively, this continent will be known as “The land of Dragons”.” I finished.
“We have heard you, Father, and we gladly accept these names.” Nidhogg said, as the others nodded their heads in agreement.
“Then, all I have left is to teach you what I’d like you to follow for the future. I want you all to seek as much power as possible, whether it be within yourself, or military strength. Power is everything now. Respect only power and kill anyone who dares to try and take it. Whether it be man, woman, or child. Anyone who invades this continent who’s not a True God, or one of your other siblings, are to be killed immediately without mercy. Do you understand?”
A few nods was all it took for me to continue. “I shall be leaving soon, but first there’s something we must see together. All of you, with me.” I commanded as I led them outside.
“My Dragons, take your true forms.” Upon me saying this, they each ran forward, and began to change. Tiamat and The Azure Dragon were the largest of the twelve, both being 100 meters tall and long, with wings that spread out 200 meters across on both sides. The other ten all varied from 50 to 75 meters tall and long, with matching wingspans.
“Good, very impressive indeed. Please return to your human forms for me.” I watched as they all reverted back to their human forms and gathered back next to me.
I looked back to see the children with awestruck expressions at the majestic sight they just witnessed. “Children, it's time for me to leave. I can feel the others gathering back together and I must not be late. Head back to the castle and start your training together immediately. The Dragons will join you tomorrow.”
I watched as they all nodded their heads toward me, not daring to argue with my orders as I created a portal to go to the volcanoes with the Dragons behind me.
Upon stepping through the portal, we arrived at the base of the largest Volcano that easily stood over three thousand meters tall. “This will be your home. You’re free to do with it as you please. Once I reach my friend Reiji, I will have him create animals all over the continent so you may have a food source, but, before I go, there’s one last thing I’d like to show you.” I said, as I turned around to them with an evil smirk.
“What could that be, Fath—?!” Tiamat’s voice cut off and changed tones from eager to pure terror, as I started to change into my own dragon form. Once my own transformation was complete, I looked down to see all twelve of them, petrified in place with fear as I towered over each of them. I was filled with pride and a surreal sense inside. I then returned to my Human form.
“You’re truly the ruler of us all, Father. Your title of Dragon God would be an understatement.” Tianlong managed to say with a shaky voice.
“Keep what you just saw a secret between the twelve of you, understood?”
“It shall be a secret that never leaves our lips, Father” Kukulkan said.
“Good, then it is time I leave. Rest here and build your homes tonight. Tomorrow, each of you, return to the castle and begin your training.” I finished as I turned away and flew up into the sky to meet the others.
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