Umbra - The Hidden Ones

Chapter 1 - The Heroine
She finally did it. She reached her goal. Years of hard work, years of blood, sweat and tears finally paid off. She was someone. Gleefully, she breathed in the fresh air, felt the sunlight on her cheeks and listened to the jubilant crying and shouting coming from the crowd in front of her.

She heard steps approaching - huge, heavy steps, accompanied by the clinking of a worn armor. "Well done, Palavi. I don't know how we could have done this without you.", a booming voice exclaimed. Palavi turned around, a large grin on her face. Of course it was him. He had a talent for showing up at exactly the right moment. "Master!" She looked up. "Where have you been? You missed the ceremony!" He laughed, shaking his head. "You know," he said, stroking one of his braids, "I don't need to watch any old ritual. I know that my little girl is the best, regardless of any ceremony or medal or whatever." Palavi looked at him, at his hair - that beared an uncanny resemblance to a Blangonga's fur, if it weren't for the two hideous braids - at his way of standing, arms folded. He smiled, but still had that characteristic frown. His black eyes were full of wisdom, despite his age of merely thirty years. "Thank you, master. Without you I would never have been able to do this." She gave him a sudden hug, slightly startling him and making the crowd erupt in even louder cheering.

Several hours later, Palavi and her master sat in her room. It was a quiet night, the first quiet night in a long time. Finally she and her master could talk about past events, about their friendship, without having to worry about another attack. "Master, did you ever manage to slay a Teostra?". He stiffened up and answered: "No, never. To my dismay... you see, this is why I am so proud of you. You saved Belrina. You saved your friends, my friends," he said with a soft smile. They continued talkin long after the last light in Belrina was put out.

''Meanwhile, a heavily wounded red dragon walks through a dark cave. It approaches a glistening blue eye, before breaking down in front of it. Suddenly the room starts to tremble, a dark and loud roar sounding through it. The Teostra is engulfed in black fire, before emerging again. It has changed, its eyes being as blue as those belonging to the mysterious entity. "Remember!" a voice, dark and filled with anger, hisses. The Teostra leaves the cave and takes to the skies.''

WIP.