The herald bells in the tallest towers over the verdant valley ridge ring a steady dirge.
Floating on a small raft in my oxbow river pool, I pause halfway through a sip of my tangy mai tai and hope to the Goddess that those bells are not tolling for me. I'm not going to bother checking in at the cathedral like all us Fabled Heroes are supposed to do. If it is my turn to save the fucking world again, I don't want to know, not until the moment I can no longer ignore those damnable tolls. Enjoying more of my drink, I kick back and relax on my raft with my legs and tail in the cool water, soaking up the bountiful rays of the Heavens' Solaris high up in that wondrous pale blue amidst the puffy white clouds.
"Ahhh… This is the life… I hope nothing changes…"
And then… everything changes.
"Crimson!" a woman sharply demands. Ah. Great. My ex-girlfriend, Hilde. "What are you doing? Get your lazy ass up and get dressed! Goddess, how many times do I have to tell you? It is–"
"Every Fable's duty to answer the call," I quote before she can say it, not budging in the slightest. "I know, I know. Listen, Hilz, I'm incredibly busy, as you can see. Far too bogged down by my current responsibilities to go picking up anything more. Why don't you attend on my behalf? Let me know if it's something interesting."
She crosses her arms, giving me that look of hers. Always dressed in flowing white fabrics and adorned with silver jewelry of all kinds, the cobalt blue scales on her arms, legs, wings, and thick tail practically shimmer in the sunlight off the water. There's a flower crown atop her head, white daisies to compliment the light blue of her long, long, long hair. How she doesn't trip over it is still a mystery to this day. Her backwards curving horns are perfectly polished and sharpened, dangling with more silver jewelry and charms and gemstones.
Locking eyes with her, I loudly slurp the mai tai.
She lifts a brow.
"Damn it. I'm bringing my drink."
"Wonderful."
Dragging myself out of the water, I flick my white tail in her face and grab my clothes out of the tree branches. White linens for me, accented with a few reds here and there. Simple, comfortable, but stylish. I don't bother with long skirted robes like Hilde. Again, I don't know how she doesn't trip over them. All of mine are at least above the knee. After tossing my head around like a dog to get the water out of my white hair, I straighten it up and untangle it from my horns–red as roses, a little unkempt, and unadorned. I haven't gotten around to trimming them down so they're a touch long, arcing from my forehead to the Heavens like scimitar blades, and I can't stand the feeling of things dangling around and knocking against them.
Jewelry is a nuisance. I don't wear any.
Once dressed, I make sure to refill my cup before returning to Hilde. With a sigh, I meet her icy slitted eyes and begrudgingly nod.
Then I smirk. "Race you."
Pumping my white and red wings, I take off first. All I hear is a brief scoff from her and then I'm gone, soaring through the Heavens over my gorgeous marble castle on my gorgeous green skyland while making sure not to spill a drop. I enjoy a brief laugh to myself, which doesn't last. A massive blur of cobalt blue rushes past and her wings nearly beat me out of the damn sky. There she goes. Can't compete if she's using her full dragon form.
Otherwise I'd have to toss my drink. As if.
Though I challenged her, I take my sweet time. I figure the longer it takes to get there, the longer I can ignore the whole thing. I'm just on a nice float through the clouds, going nowhere in particular. But then Hilde swoops by and fucking grabs me in her talons.
It's all I can do to cover the rim of my cup and pray it doesn't spill.
She flies us both up to the highest Heavens closest to the Solaris and quite forcefully drops me off at the towering cathedral before circling around and joining me on foot. A head taller than me, Hilde gives me a smug look and gestures for me to go first., specifically so she can make sure I don't scamper off. I'm already here and I have half my drink left, so it's less of a hassle to just go and get it over with.
With another sigh, I stroll along the white marble walkway, looking up at the enormous and ornate cathedral in the clouds, which is rife with dragons of all kinds who are arriving just as late as we are. As I climb the steps into the grand hall, I take a moment to mentally prepare myself for what's to come.
"Listen, Hilde–"
"I know." She struts past with those long legs of hers. "Just stay behind me."
"Mmm." I grumble a low tone, gazing around at the congregation up ahead. "Aren't your Valiant Order colleagues going to judge you for arriving with your flotsam wastrel ex-girlfriend?"
"They're beneath me." Her tail curls. "I care not for the opinions of mere drakes."
""Right. Drakes. The most prestigious and acclaimed Fables of our time, likened to mindless crawling lizards. Is that verity or delusion, my darling Hilz?"
"It's a little of both," she winces over her shoulder, then begins the performance. "Raiden! Kayus! Lucien! How delightful to see you! The Goddess has certainly given us a lovely day! Are those new horn adornments I see?"
Even though I know she has some perfect plan for explaining away my very presence to her elite colleagues, I save us all the trouble and slip away the moment her back is turned. It's just easier this way. I don't want her to feel obligated to defend me from them, and she chose them over me anyway, so this way it's like I'm setting her free from the burden.
Me.
My wings folded tight and my tail held low, I make my way through the crowd and find a spot by myself just under one of the incense burners to sip what's left of my sweet, citrus drink. I have plenty of people I could hunt down and associate with, but I don't even want to be here. This way, I can escape this place the instant I know it isn't me being summoned. No strings attached.
I actually was doing something important. One of my serpents in the oxbow pool always has difficulty molting, but the hardened scales along the top of my tail are her favorite things to scratch against. Sharper than river rocks, that's for sure. The sooner I get back to finish helping her, the better.
The Seraphim, an albino quetzal with feathers that shimmer and shine in the decadent sunlight pouring through the giant stained glass behind him, raises his head at the front of the cathedral, beyond the altar and beneath the Highest Knells. He's ancient beyond belief, with heavy pale pink eyes and one thousand lanterns dangling from his horns, which shine like stars even in this daylight.
"A summons," he rumbles, voice low but soft. "For one…"
The crowd begins to chatter. Single Fable summons are coveted dearly. Everyone wants their chance to have the glory all to themselves and impress the Legends, so they can join the ranks of the Goddess's chosen. I don't tend to give it much thought. Advancement through the ranks isn't in my interest.
The Seraphim moves his head so that all the lanterns start clanging against one another. As they do, the light they're emitting gradually grows brighter and brighter. This, one of the many means by which the Goddess communicates with us. One thousand flames for one thousand Fables. As they move, more and more of the lights blink out, extinguished.
Until only one remains.
"Crimson," the Seraphim announces.
"Shit," I hiss before killing the mai tai.
The crowd's chatter takes a more sour note, and slitted eyes start cutting my way from every direction as the others grumble amongst themselves. Most of them are simply disappointed it isn't them and have no issues with me personally, but I know a fair number who are likely furious. The Fables of the Valorant Order are most certainly malding. For all I know, Hilde might be upset too.
It's not like I asked for this. Quite the opposite. However, my lament ends here. I'd prefer to stay home but I've been chosen, and I will stay true to my duty as a harbinger of the Goddess's will. I'll have to ask someone to look after my pets and plants…
"To the world of Avi," the Seraphim elaborates as I pass through the glaring congregation on my way to the front. "The enemy… One to us all. Such is the abhorrent cruelty… of the Fallen Queen. The Wretched Overgrowth… threatens the balance once more. And must be… contained."
Kneeling at the altar, my head tilted far back to look up at him, I ask, "Why me, luminous one? Dozens of us have fought the Fell in the past, but I am not one of them. Why would the mortals of Avi summon me and not another?"
"It appears they believe… The might and swiftness of the Red Storm… is best suited. To the particular… parameters of the crisis." Coiling up and flaring his brilliant feathers, he lowers his head to draw closer to me. "Do you accept these summons?"
"I require one condition, Seraphim. The lifeblood of my home needs tending to while I'm away. My serpents, salamanders, snakes, and such. As well as the greenery…"
"It will be done."
"Thank you. In that case…" I set my empty cup on the altar and bow my red horns. "I accept the summons. The Goddess's will is mine to execute."
"Then go forth, Fabled Hero. The fate of Avi… is in your talons…"
A swirling iridescent portal opens between us.
I don't look back, passing through the Aether.
The moment I step out of it, I'm assaulted by chaos. The Supreme Shrine is within the ribcage of a dragon's skeleton so enormous that it contains an entire mountain, and the mortal denizens of Avi who are assembled here on this night are locked in fierce, cantankerous debate. I'm not certain anyone has noticed I've arrived. I don't care to announce my presence, so I take the moment to gaze up at the rest of the gigantic skeleton, framed by the moons, the dazzling stars, and the Rings of Avi.
Nyth. The Goddess's firstborn son. The legends claim he buried the tip of his tail into the world's core, while his horns likewise pierce the Heavens. Like this, he chose to sacrifice himself for the sake of mortal kind, both Above and Below, such that his bones would provide an eternal bridge between Avi and the Heavens.
Which never made much sense to me.
If his tail goes that deep, isn't he also a bridge to the Hells?
"Hark, believers!" someone bellows above all the rest. "Behold! The Goddess has delivered unto us the Red Storm!"
Then suddenly they're all prostrating before me, directing muted gratitudes to the Goddess above and to me for endeavoring to combat the Wretched on their behalf. Makes my scales crawl. I disdain this odd reverence, which so many of the noble elite Fables can't seem to get enough of. Still, it's nice that they've all quieted down.
"Greetings," I say simply, swishing my tail and tasting the air with a flicker of my white forked tongue. Humid. Rich. Floral. The beginning of the growing season, then. "These summons seem urgent, so let's not waste any time."
They stare at me in awe, confusion, and befuddlement.
Wait, I need to speak in the common tongue.
"Tell me the situation," I say, moving toward them. Most mortal species of Avi are quite small compared to us Fables. Even the tallest among those present only reach hip height. "The Wretched, I've been informed. They've breached from the Below?"
One man begins to answer but another talks over him, and then everyone's back to arguing. With a sigh, I cross my arms and thump my tail around, praying to the Goddess for patience. I briefly consider waiting it out just to make a point, but the sooner I can get back to my castle in the sky, the better.
"That's enough," I declare, then point a red claw tipped finger at the first person who catches my eye–a shadowy man near the back who looks like he doesn't want to be here either. "You. Let's hear it."
With a cold look left and right, he sighs. "Aye, Lord Crimson. They've pierced the lines, out in Settesia. Much of the Ardhor Peninsula was taken practically overnight. Not much left to save, if anything at all. Last I heard, the capital is under siege."
"Then it's already lost." I scratch at a horn, frowning in thought. "Strange. Why Settesia?"
"Border conflict with the Hatfords. Dropped their guard to reinforce it. The Wretched stole the opportunity. You ask me, it was devised. The Fallen Queen likely instigated the clash."
"Likely indeed. That's all I need to know. Do you travel?"
"I wander wherever I'm needed."
"Good, I'm taking you with me."
"And I'll go gladly away from these noble pricks."
"Wonderful. Just a moment."
I take flight and make some distance before shifting to my draconic form. Unlike Hilde as a true dragon–two wings, two arms, and two legs–I'm actually a wyvern–two wings that double as arms and two hind legs–with scales the color of snow save for the hardened plating down my spine and at the crest of my head, my claws and talons, and the vicious curved blade at the end of my tail, which are all blood red. The webbing of my wings is a lighter shade of red, which is my namesake. Crimson.
Darting between Nyth's ribs, I circle back around and take hold of the mountainside, lowering my horns before the congregation. "The closer to my head, the smoother it will be."
He climbs on right behind it, minding the spikes. "No reason to make things any rougher, is there?"
"Right you are. The rest of you, man your borders and watch the Below. Stay on guard for anything, and cooperate. Whatever conflicts stir in your midst are now irrelevant. Enemies you may be, but the Wretched are an enemy to us all, and will not discriminate between you when they begin the slaughter. Protect yourselves and each other at all costs."
I don't delay any longer than that, taking flight once more at speeds only amphitheres can rival. I'm just as fast as they are but thrice as lethal. Checking to make sure I haven't lost my newest acquaintance, I ascend above the clouds to catch the airstream going westward across the Feldon Sea–the gap between the Ashbour and Cambrid continents.
Here's a chance to talk, but neither he nor I seize it. I'm grateful he keeps his mouth shut. I don't particularly care for idle chatter or any conversation at all while I'm flying. It's meditative for me. I simply shut my mind off and soar.
It's a long distance, something like eight hundred kilometers, but with my pace we clear it swiftly enough within a couple hours. When I spot land, I pump my wings and accelerate, eager to see just how bad the damage is. With a fair warning to my acquaintance that I'm about to dive, I drop beneath the clouds for a better look.
The moonslight and Avi's rings reveal plenty. There's little to nothing remaining of the coastline. As far as my eyes can see, it's all been taken. The Wretched Overgrowth has swallowed the lands of Settesia.
Roses. It's all roses. Giant ones, some of them bigger than I am. Twisting lengths of stems like vines are tangled up with one another, covered in thorns ranging from normal sized to the breadth of my wings. The deep red blossoms' petals are like treetop canopies over a forest of dark green vegetation so thick I can't see through it. Even in the low light of dark, there's a thin haze of something like blood-tinged fog hanging low over the horrific garden. The rich, sweet, and decadent scent of the flowers carries far and wide through the air, tantalizing to the mind and a bit numbing to the senses. Or perhaps dulling would be a better word. The effect is akin to being a touch inebriated. Clouded. Dazed.
"I hope you have something to breathe through," I tell the man.
"Aye. I'll make do. No need to concern yourself with me, Lord Crimson."
I decide to take him for his word. Descending lower, I follow the coast a short way southwest, heading for the capital port city of Petonwich. It sits right at the mouth of the… Barmouth River, I believe. In and amidst the verdant Green plains of the Northamia Shire.
At least, under normal circumstances.
When it comes into sight, I drag to a standstill, beating my wings to maintain my altitude. The biggest roses of them all stand towering before me, reaching for the clouds, and rooted amidst the cemetery that once was a city. I sincerely doubt there are any survivors. Nothing for us there, not unless the Fell Queen's forces are still active in the area.
Better to check, I suppose. At the very least, I may find some leads on which direction they came from. My first priority is to slam the door shut behind them, so to speak, by finding and sealing whatever breach they made. At that point, it becomes a task of simply cleaning up.
Resuming my flight, I circle above the city a few times, weaving through the gargantuan rose vines and trying to pick out anything remotely of particular interest–most specifically, motion. Once I find a small section of a towering stem with fewer thorns on it than most, I sink my claws in deep, perching high above to watch far below.
The dreadful garden is still. Quiet. Only disturbed by the wind off the ocean. No, I don't see anything of note here, and I'm not going down here to dig around with no idea what I'm looking for. My next best bet is to circle the peninsula as a whole and seek out where the corruption is the densest. Most likely inland, near or within the mountain ranges farther to the west.
"Lord Crimson," the man says, tapping my crest. "What's that up there?"
"Hm?" I look up.
It's too late.
A streak of black dives from the clouds and crashes into me, something so catastrophically large it rivals even the biggest of roses. The impact rips me from my perch and nearly snaps the stem in two. Like I'm nothing more than a doll, the thing grips me by the neck and swings me around to bash my spine against the castle walls, shattering the palisade like it's a lineup of twigs. Astonished by the sudden onslaught, shocked by the sheer aggression, dazed by the rosy mist, and now stunned by the fierce brutality, I struggle to fight back against the grip around my neck.
I'm lifted high into the air, kicking and thrashing, trying to claw my way free. All in vain. It's all in vain. So much for my chance at glory. I lost this battle the moment it began. The man I carried here is gone. Certainly dead already.
Wings plume. The webbing is made of rose petals. The scales are red as wine, accented with black protrusions the shade of midnight. A true dragon of mythic proportions, twice as big as Hilde and at least four times bigger than me, rises to its hind legs and lifts me even higher. Sharp, serrated teeth and vicious fangs are bared as the monstrous leviathan growls like a roll of thunder. To my horror, I take notice that its eyes are clouded and milky white, unfocused and somewhat glazed over.
This is no Wretched draconid.
This is the Fallen Queen.
With a low purr of mirth, she whispers in the night.
"You're coming with me, little wyvern."
Fighting for my life, I'm dragged by the neck into the Below.