HEY MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! I AM SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS BRAND-NEW ORIGINAL STORY. THIS IS ONE THAT I HAVE WANTED TO WORK ON FOR A WHILE NOW AND I REALLY REALLY HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY THIS JOURNEY. BEFORE WE BEGIN I JUST WANT TO GIVE A QUICK WARNING TO THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEYRE GETTING INTO. FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH MY WORK, THIS ONE WILL BE MORE STORY-FOCUSED THAN MY OTHERS AS I HAVE TO BUILD THIS WORLD AND THE CHARACTERS FROM THE GROUND UP. ALSO, THIS STORY WILL CONTAINS THEMES OF VIOLENCE, WAR, SEXUAL CONTENT AND ALSO INCEST. JUST GONNA COME OUT AND LET YOU KNOW. ALSO LIKE MY OTHER STORIES, THE MAIN CHARACTER IS INTERSEX, SHE IS A GIRL WITH A PENIS. IF THESE DO NOT APPEAL TO YOU, THERE ARE MANY OTHER FANTASTIC STORIES YOU CAN BE READING NOW SO GIVE THEM SOME LOVE. WITH ALL THAT SAID HERE WE GO!

XXX

The year was 2020…that's when the Dragons descended from the sky.

There was no time to contemplate what was happening as fire reigned down upon the earth, and humankind was left with no choice but to fight back. However, even with the most advanced technology and the latest weaponry, there was no hope against the incredible beasts. The skies turned red, and clouds were replaced with ash and smoke as each country fell.

The Dragons were not simple, mindless monsters. They spoke. They fought. They knew how to strike us down and hunt us until almost nothing remained. In a few short years, the world was brought to the brink, and Dragons cemented themselves as the alphas of the world. Just when it seemed like humans would become the latest of Earth's creatures to become extinct, the Dragons ceased, offering the humans a chance to live and serve under them.

Humans became their cattle. Humans became their entertainment. Dragons used us in whatever way they saw fit, whether that be to create great landmarks in their honor, or to fight in gladiatorial arenas for their amusement.

After all while, the Dragons became bored with their new playthings. Yet, they did not want to let go of the world they claimed. So, they created new children of fire. Drakes. Half dragon, half-human. Drakes kept the world in motion and controlled the humans to continue their work while the Dragons rested. They stole the mountains and lifted them into the sky to create their new home to rest.

No one has seen a full Dragon in centuries.

Darkes ruled over humankind with an iron fist. Despite not being as powerful as their masters, any human rebellion was easily snuffed out. Their power of Dragonfire was too great for even the bravest men and women.

Whether because Dragons had forgotten or simply didn't care, there were humans that refused to surrender and live as slaves. They fled underground, creating colonies beneath the earth, away from their greedy eyes and clawed talons. It has been over seven hundred years since the Dragons attacked, and their reign of terror showed no sign of slowing down.

But, I believe there will come a day when humans will rise up and defeat the Dragons and reclaim their home.

''But when?''

Helen gazed down, unable to hide her laugh upon seeing her daughter still just as awake as when she had started her story.

The older woman, dressed in rags and a ripped skirt, with grey hair stretching down to her back sat on the edge of the bed she shared with her daughter. The rocky terrain did little to offer comfort for the two in their rundown hut. However, anything here was better than whatever fate had in store for them upon the surface. This was their home. Hundreds of feet buried underground. Their only source of light was a small candle on the floor.

The candle was almost kicked over when the young girl of seven, with bright red hair and a roundish face, jumped up to her feet and raised her fist in the air triumphantly. ''You never tell me the end of the story. I want to know how we will defeat the Dragons and go back to the top world!''

''Oh Isabel,'' Helen brushed her daughter's short hair and patted her head to soothe her excitement. ''We haven't reached that part of the story yet.''

''You always say that,'' Isabel huffed and sat down, folding her arms over her chest. She pouted harder when her mother laughed at her cute, angry expression. ''Don't you think we're going to win one day?''

''I hope so. That's why I tell you these stories of our past. To keep hope alive that one-day things will return to normal.''

''Why don't you tell anyone else in the colony about our history then?''

Helen sighed. ''People don't like historians. They think digging up our past will bring the Drakes down upon us.''

''That doesn't make any sense. We're already dug down. If we keep digging, we'll get away from the Dragons and Drakes.''

Helen laughed once again before she scooted herself down so that she was snuggled up against Isabel. Holding her daughter tightly, this encouraged the little girl to cuddle back and lie down as well. ''You're a very smart young woman, Isabel.''

''I know I am.'' Isabel said proudly. ''I'm so smart, I know how we're going to defeat the Dragons.''

''Oh?'' Helen said interestedly.

''I think a hero is going to come and save us. If Dragons came from the sky to make evil, maybe someone will come up from the ground to make good.''

Helen smiled, trying to hide her sadness away as she closed her eyes and tried to drift to sleep. ''That would be a very happy ending. Do you think that hero will be you?''

Isabel nodded. ''I'm going to grow up to be big and strong one day. I'm going to save all of us mommy. I'm going to be the hero in your story.''

Pressing her forehead against her daughter, this action was enough to cause the little girl to become very sleepy. Isabel yawned while Helen smiled. ''Until you're big and strong, I'm going to keep you safe. It's just the two of us now. I promise that I won't let anything happen to you.''

''I promise the same to you too.'' Isabel said, gradually falling into a peaceful sleep.

Despite the harsh cold that filled the underground colony, Isabel had no trouble falling asleep in the warm embrace of her mother. Her head was already filled with enough dreams to last a lifetime. She didn't want nightmares tonight. She didn't want to think of the horrors the Dragons had caused the world. She didn't want to think of her father, venturing to land to find supplies and never returning. And most of all, she didn't want to think of any danger coming to her mother.

She held her mother's arm tighter. ''I'm going to be our hero.'' She whispered in her sleep.

Though the world may burn and mankind may fall, stories still find a way to inspire a new generation.

XXX

WHAT DID YOU THINK? IT WAS ONLY SHORT BUT THIS WAS JUST AN OPENING TO GIVE A BIT OF BACKSTORY TO THE WORLD AND WHO OUR MAIN HERO WILL BE. THERE WILL BE A TIMESKIP IN THE NEXT CHAPTER AND THAT'S WHERE THE REAL MEAT OF THE STORY BEGINS. THERE WILL BE ACTION. THERE WILL BE EXCITEMENT. THERE WILL BE DANGER. THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME NAUGHTINESS, BUT IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU SHOULD COME TO EXPECT THAT FROM ME. BUT I DO INTEND TO MAKE THIS MORE OF A STORY-DRIVEN NARRATIVE WITH AN EPIC WORLD TO EXPLORE. PLEASE DON'T BE SHY, LEAVE COMMENTS AND REVIEWS TELLING ME WHAT YOU THINK. TA-TA FOR NOW.

I ALSO HAVE A P/A/T/R/E/O/N. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEW CHAPTERS A WEEK EARLY, GET THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT MY WORKS IN PROGRESS, AND EVEN READ EXCLUSIVE STORIES THAT I WON'T RELEASE ANYWHERE ELSE, YOU CAN DONATE TO THE TIER YOU LIKE. THANK YOU.