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William's Perspective

Minutes go by as my father and I make it to the mountain's base center, the Knight's Square, as people call it. There, the Matriarch stands, wrapping her wings around the center, leaving only a single entranceway. We make our way in as many riders perch onto the bridges and pillars of the mountain, looking down towards the Square as a single rider stands underneath the Matriarch.

"Dear citizens of Hearthglen, welcome to the grand celebration of the 200th millennium, Festival of Souls! Let's celebrate this momentous occasion together." The person riding had shiny silver armor with a large shoulder guard on the left side. Their hair was long and brown, combed neatly to the right.

My father guided me to a spot in the back so we could oversee everything. I leaned against a large pot that used to house a massive plant as I looked down at the Square.

In the Square, rows of seats arranged in a circular shape descended into the ground, accommodating almost four hundred people. The speaker was pacing at the bottom of the Square, delivering a big speech to the now fully packed audience.

"Today's demonstration is for us to revel in the might of the Dragon Knights. For an entire age, we have been at war with the Blight and its mastermind, Asgard, the Kingdom of Slaves."

My father scoffed, catching me off guard. He used to tell me that Asgard was the Kingdom of Slaves because the King always bought slaves for his kingdom.

I heard rumors that the King of Asgard is the rightful King of Kalos. I never understood what that meant or why he would be considered such a thing. He's the King of Slaves. How is he considered the King of Kalos?

"Our first event shall display the power of those bonded to a dragon." The rider removed his armor and shirt, exposing his muscular torso to the crowd, raising his arms as the crowd cheered for him. Even a few men and women started to whistle at him. "As you all know, all riders' bodies are enhanced by the Dragon Force given to us by our connection to our dragons. A blessing, given to us by Omara. However, the longer and more experience we have with the Dragon Force, the stronger a rider will be and, soon enough, a Dragon Knight, whose body is closer to a dragon's."

The rider waves his hand as a group of soldiers march down to the center, where the rider is. The soldiers had crossbows and spears in their arms.

"These fine soldiers are here to help me demonstrate my and my fellow riders' might." The rider poses as a few of the soldiers readied their crossbows. "Ready. Aim. Fire!"

Everyone shouted out in fear, flinching at the cracking sound of the crossbow firing as the bolts whistled through the air. Even I closed my eyes.

The Square was filled with silence as people murmured in dismay.

The only thing I heard was a few thuds and then silence. Opening my eyes, I saw the rider standing there, torso untouched, with no visible wounds present, as the bolts lay on the ground in front of him. I looked at him in awe. Everyone cheered in awe, amazed at the rider's durability.

You're telling me I would be immune to physical damage? No wonder the Blight loses to the Order.

"As you can see, there are no injuries on me. Every Dragon Rider's skin is as hard as dragon scales, just as much as our armor is. Only weapons infused with magic can harm us, and even then, The rider waved his hand again as the soldiers holding the spears took the spot where the soldiers with crossbows stood. "And now, all the way from Asgard, are the Asgardian Spears. Crafted and enchanted with Asgardian might, these weapons are used against all foes in Asgard's way. Beautiful and deadly."

Taking a better look at the spears, I saw that they were silver in color, with engravings spiraling around the shaft. The blade at the top was long and shining brightly with a magical glow. Staring at it briefly, I realized it resembled my father's bow.

"Hey, father, those engravings on the spear look similar to your bow," I said, leaning over so he could hear.

"My bow was a gift from the guild, which, as you know, is linked to Asgard."

"Ooooh," I said, leaning my head back in understanding.

It makes sense now. I always wondered where that bow originated, but I never exactly expected it to be from Asgard. Sure, its design isn't typical for a bow and is far more detailed than the spears, but the idea that it came from Asgard didn't sit well with me. Especially when it felt there was more to the story behind that bow.

I returned to my spot on the large pot, returning my attention to the Square.

The Dragon Rider then took one of the soldier's chest plates, made with metals I didn't know. "Before we start slashing at my flesh, let us demonstrate the power of these spears." The rider held the chest plate before him as he signaled for one of the soldiers to strike. With one colossal slash, the soldier cut straight through the chest plate, cutting it into two with a clean cut.

I stood there in shock.

It took one strike! How's that possible? Sure, if it were a Dragon Knight using the spear, I could see it being possible, but an ordinary soldier? That didn't seem right. How can a simple soldier holding a simple spear be so deadly? Was it the magic embedded into the spear or the material itself?

"Every soldier of Asgard possesses a weapon similar to these spears. That means every soldier is capable of great destruction, which is why the Blight doesn't attack them."

Everyone was murmuring in worry. Even I trembled with concern, feeling goosebumps rise on my skin.

We have been at war with Asgard since the 2nd Age, almost a millennium ago. If Asgard had weapons like this, why haven't they attacked us?

"But don't let that stop you from being afraid. Let me demonstrate the might of a Dragon Knight!" The rider roars out as he positions himself in front of the soldier. He waves his hand at him, telling him to strike.

I looked around, as everyone was at the edge of their seats. I grabbed onto a railing nearby, wanting to get a closer look. Curiosity was getting to me as my heart started to race up, feeling my chest thud with each beat.

What's going to happen to the rider? Was it going to hurt him? My thoughts raced as I stared at the rider.

The soldier rushes at the rider, bringing the spear over his head and swinging it down at his chest. Everyone, including myself, gasped out loud as a clear cut on the rider's chest was exposed.

But this cut wasn't as horrific as we thought it was. It wasn't a gash or a flesh wound, just a simple cut. No blood, nothing. Just a red scratch mark. The rider grabbed the spear, brought it over his head, and slammed it onto his knees, snapping the spear into two. The rider discarded it like it was nothing but junk.

Everyone cheered as the rider brought his hands over his head. "We, the Order of Drake, will protect Hearthglen and Drakelene!" Everyone applauded the rider as he donned his armor. "But now it's time to show you all our true enemy."

The rider looked up at his fellow knights and riders as they all dropped from their dragons, landing in Knight Square, startling everyone. I started to grow weary.

What did he mean by "true enemy?"

"Father?" I look for guidance. My father crossed his arms with a serious look that I rarely see.

"Watch."

I went quiet. My father's words were precise and cold.

Turning my attention back to the Square I saw a group of soldiers carrying a cage that rattled nonstop, as what I assumed to be three riders walking behind them along with a Dragon Knight.

Whatever was in that cage was dangerous. The cage was covered in a metal seal, protecting whatever was inside from prying eyes.

"I will warn all here," the rider said. "This thing is not for the faint of heart. If you believe you won't be able to handle what is inside this cage, I beg for you to leave. The same goes for the children." I gulped loudly as a rotten smell polluted the air around us. "But within this cage lies our greatest enemy to Drakelene and the world. That which we, The Order of Drake, swear to hold back, and that we have."