Delse led them to another room. It was well lit, almost too bright, and held many strange devices that Violante had never seen before. She didn't need to question what they were for-- it was easy to guess.
"Umm, let's see," she said. "You're going to torture me until I tell you all my secrets?"
"No," Delse said. "I wasn't planning on it. This is a test."
"Of... what?"
"Of you in general. Most people only show themselves under truly trying experiences. Krayan, get in the chair."

Violante was nervous. She had never traveled this particular road through the Swamps before, and for good reason. For one, it was the worst road you could choose, having so many potholes and overgrowth it was almost not even a trail. For two, it was foggy and nearly impossible to see. For three... let's just say her company wasn't the greatest. It was-- at least, these were her names for them-- a Monkey, Idiot, and Nobody.

Evangeline Selene was a girl of Heart. That is, she lived in a land called Heart. The land was not what the name implied. While you might think a land of golden sunshine, gorgeous blooming trees and flowers, lush grass, gently rolling plains and such like, it was , in reality, a bare, grey, empty place, where few people lived. Those that did were the toughies, the stoics, the resilient, the... yeah, you get the point.

Listen to this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvuc_GjzfU

Imagine the earth.

Imagine looking out over the horizon. Imagine trees and birds. Imagine laughing rivers, massive oceans and expansive skies.

Now, imagine it all gone.

Imagine a dead world, where rock and dust replace the once lush plains of the world we used to call home. Imagine a planet scorched by the flames of a red sun. Everything is cold.

Come sit down. I will tell you a story.
This story was told to me by a wise old dragon. He says that the story is true. Whether or not that is so, is up to you to decide. Now, listen to the tale...

Previous Chapter

Three months later...

Nick appeared in the living room with a smile on his face that would have put the cheshire cat to shame. "Hey guys!" he yelled.
"What?" shouted Meg.
Nick jumped on a chair. "Everyone get in here!"

Once upon a time there was a young woman who was very deeply in love with a handsome prince. But, little known to her he was a coward and would not for anything be made to do any brave or wonderful acts. When the young woman, who's name was Felina, was captured by a giant, she wrote a letter, begging her love to save her. He never came, instead he ran to his father and begged him to send an army to rescue her. His father, the king, said that he could not spare any and would have to rescue her himself. But the prince was afraid and locked himself In his room for a week.

Warning: A strong PG, mild PG-13. If any of the following bothers you, don't read:

-Use of the word 'gay' to describe someone's sexual orientation in a non-derogatory way

-One religious exclamation

Thank you!

_________________________

Chapter One

I opened my eyes.

I was blinded by light. Not just any light—bright, clean white that smelled so pure it made my throat burn. There was an ache in my chest, one that stemmed from my very center, squeezing out painful shivers with every heartbeat.

1: ...you've researched dragons more than geography.
2: ...you come up with stories surrounding names from street signs.
3: ...noises in the night scare you more because you invent a reason for them.
4: ...you've succeeded in creating your own version of english.
5: ...your friends aren't worried when you mention magic, death and war in normal conversation.
6: ...you have a secret christmas list for swords, armour and period clothing.
7: ...you have long conversations with yourself and your friends about whether or not magic is evil.

1. …you spend countless hours inventing an Elvish alphabet.
2. …you have an ongoing debate with a friend over whether dragons are irredeemably evil or not. *cough cough*
3. …you’re worried that the FBI might investigate you because you keep Googling things like combat strategy, defenses, fortifications, weaponry, explosives…
4. ...you mutter nonsense syllables to yourself, trying to decide if they sound Elvish or not.
5. …you interview an EMT and one of your questions involves a stabbed character in a subterranean environment.