The Song of the Last Dragon
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Arlandria, there lived a mighty but kind-hearted Dragon, Azurial. He was said to be centuries old, the last of his kind, living in solace atop the kindest peaks of Mount Dracis. The common folks of the land lived in fear of his fable yet in awe of his sanctity.
One day, a young boy named Eliot walked into the heart of the village, his eyes filled with an adventurous spirit. A singer by heart and a storyteller by soul, Eliot was mesmerized by the fable of Azurial. The thought of an extraordinary creature living atop their humble land intrigued him. And so, fascinated, he resolved to visit the aged dragon.
Eliot ventured through the thick forest, climbed steep mountains, and braved the chilling winds, determined to meet Azurial. Finally, reaching the peak, he was met with a sight like no other - a dragon, colossal in size, shimmering blue scales reflecting like sapphires against the bright sun, resting on a bed of pure gold and treasure. Eliot, awestruck yet brave, approached Azurial. Sensing him, Azurial opened his azure eyes and looked at this young boy.
'What brings a human child to my solitude?' asked Azurial.
'I wish to meet the legendary dragon of Arlandria. To learn your tale and share it with my people,' replied Eliot.
Satisfied with his answer, Azurial shared his tale; tales of old wars, treacherous betrayals, the fall of the dragon-kind, and his exile. Each tale painted vivid images, each a song of triumph, loss, love, and solitude. Eliot, captivated by the dragon’s tales, decided to render them to the world.
Eliot returned to Arlandria and shared Azurial's tales, his voice echoing in the village, spreading the dragon's lore. The fable of Azurial spread, no longer painting him as a monster but as the last symbol of an ancient world; a guardian, a wise sage; living all these years carrying the weight of his kind's legacy.
Thousands gathered every evening to hear Eliot sing Azurial's song. The villagers who once feared him now revered Azurial, growing fond of the old dragon who was not a menace but their protector, ensuring their peace by dwelling on the peaks.
One day, Eliot felt a calling, a tune carried by the wind, the dragon's song. Sensing urgency, Eliot immediately journeyed to the dragon's abode. Arriving at the peak, he saw Azurial, his eyes losing their shine.
'It seems my time has come', Azurial whispered, his voice weak. 'Eliot, remember, dragons live as long as there are those who remember them. Sing to the world, keep us alive.'
With those words, the era of dragons came to an end as Azurial took his last breath and turned into a massive statue of pure sapphire, frozen in time. Eliot, heavy-hearted, took the last narrative to his people - the dragon's death.
News of Azurial's demise swept over Arlandria, the people mourning the loss of their protector. From that day forward, Eliot sang not just the stories but also the lament of Azurial. His tales and songs traveled far and wide, preserving the legacy of the dragons, keeping alive the old dragon's final wish.
Eliot's songs allowed Azurial to live on, immortalized in people's hearts. Despite being the last of his kind, Azurial, through Eliot's songs, was not the last. For the dragon-kind lived on, their flames kept alive in the souls of Arlandria, the echoes in the wind, and the heart of one incredible storyteller.