A Fableous Tale

***Date Finished'**:*

***Timeline***:

***Setting***: South Blue

***Characters Involved***: Balerion, Lucidia

## Slumbering Beast

Southern Haven was a quaint and unassuming island nestled in the crystalline waters of the South Blue. With picturesque landscapes and a warm, inviting atmosphere, it had become a popular destination for tourists seeking solace and relaxation. However, in recent years, Southern Haven had gained a peculiar reputation, shrouded in mystery and whispered tales. Once every month, like clockwork, the island would descend into complete and eerie silence. The bustling streets that were usually filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation would become barren, devoid of any signs of life. No bird would chirp, no insect would hum, and even the wind itself seemed to hold its breath.

Rumors and speculation swirled among the residents and curious visitors. Nobody dared to break the silence, for it was said that anyone who made the slightest noise during this period would be relentlessly hunted and met a gruesome fate. Fear and curiosity danced hand in hand, leaving everyone baffled and intrigued by the island's secret.
Little did they know, Southern Haven harbored a hidden secret, patiently waiting for a particular time to reveal itself. Deep beneath the island's serene surface, a colossal creature slumbered, awakening only once a year and visiting Southern Haven to bask in the silence. This legendary being was known as the Slumbering Dragon. Rumors stated that the beast was As ancient as time itself, the dragon possessed a unique power—it could hear even the faintest of sounds from miles away. In order to protect its peaceful slumber, the dragon cast a spell that enshrouded Southern Haven, ensuring absolute stillness during its visit.

Legend had it that the Slumbering Dragon was a benevolent creature, respecting the island's inhabitants and their way of life. To honor this understanding, the people of Southern Haven kept the knowledge of the dragon's presence a closely guarded secret. Those who were fortunate enough to learn of the beast's existence became the guardians of the island's silence, entrusted with its preservation and the safety of its residents. On the eve of the dragon's arrival, the island's inhabitants would gather together, preparing for the profound silence that would soon blanket their paradise. Shops would close early, children would be tucked into bed, and the streets would be cleared as everyone sought shelter.

As night fell and the moon reached its apex, the Slumbering Dragon would make its entrance. With scales as iridescent as moonlight and wings that spanned across the horizon, the creature would slowly descend upon the island, settling in a hidden valley where it could sleep undisturbed. The islanders, educated through generations, had mastered the art of silent living during the dragon's visit. They learned to communicate through cautious gestures and meaningful glances. Friends and families would gather in hushed whispers, relishing the opportunity to deepen their connections through the absence of words. During the dragon's stay, Southern Haven would transform into a sanctuary of tranquility. It was said that time itself stood still during this period, allowing those fortunate enough to witness it a glimpse into a realm untouched by the chaos of the outside world. The silence became a melodious symphony, enchanting all who experienced it—a reminder of the serenity that lurks within the depths of silence.

As the last dawn of the month approached, painting the sky with a soft pink hue, the Slumbering Dragon would slowly awaken from its peaceful slumber. With one last exhale, the creature would bid farewell to Southern Haven, its presence fading like a wisp of a dream. Life would gradually return to the island, and the daily rhythm would resume its harmonious melody. Over time, Southern Haven became known as the Isle of Silence, a sanctuary loved not only by its inhabitants but also by curious wanderers who sought refuge from the noise and chaos of the world. Its secret was kept tightly sealed, passed down through generations, safeguarding the delicate balance between the dragon and the people it favored. And so, the legend of Southern Haven endured, an extraordinary tale of a hidden connection between man and beast, a sacred pact forged in silence. The Slumbering Dragon would forever return to its sanctuary, and Southern Haven would forever cherish the profound tranquility that only silence could bring.

Or so stated the Legends, passed down through generations. In regality, the mightiest creature to ever set foot upon the mortal realm was the legendary Dragon, Balerion. With scales as black as midnight and eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom, he ruled the skies and the seas, holding dominion over the island that bore his name. Balerion, a creature of immense power, chose to slumber on the island, towering over the cascading cliffs and lush forests. He had laid claim to the island long before it became inhabited by humans, for it was once uninhabited, untouched by mortal hands. The dragon's presence alone had kept it pristine and free from intrusion. The islanders, aware of Balerion's presence, did not dare challenge his authority. They were in awe of his majestic form and revered him as their divine protector. Whenever the great dragon awoke from his slumber and took to the skies, the islanders would fall silent, gazing up at him in reverence.

Balerion, in turn, deemed it his duty to safeguard the islanders as their god. He protected them from the perils of the surrounding seas, battling fierce storms and sea monsters that threatened their shores. In times of great need, the islanders would pray to Balerion, and the dragon would unleash his fury upon their foes, defending his loyal followers.

As the winds quietly howled, they carried some unnatural sounds with them, the kind that could not be associated with anything from nature. But a familiar sound nonetheless, as it came with the undertone of whimsy and joy that was steadily approaching. The sounds of someone who was clearly in a good mood, confidently and audibly emitting said sounds of joy as they strutted through the streets.

It was no act of malicious intent to upset anyone who lived in the area, but a blissful unawareness of their culture and traditions, being too absorbed in their good mood to try and keep their happiness to themselves. With long strides, and spring in their step, a surprisingly tall figure made its way through the streets, with a wide smile on their face and closed eyes, truly consumed in their own personal bliss.

The tall figure was a woman with medium-length blue hair that looked like a sea of waves, wearing a long green cloak on her shoulders that seemed to be more fit for a winter environment, contrasted by a bright orange robe, a pink scarf wrapped around her belly and a red dress decorated with golden highlights. Somehow looking like she was both youthful and mature.

“Hmm-hmm-hmmmm~ ♪ Hmm-hmm-hmmmm~ ♪.”

Her joy knew no bounds, even as the people around her didn’t seem to be too thrilled about her outwardly cheerful behavior. Not that it would ruin her mood however. The moment she stepped foot on the island, she had the biggest most infectious smile on her face that a person could possibly have. Even without all of her humming and good mood, she exerted a certain aura that managed to cheer people up. But this place was noticeably different.

“You guys got quite the drab little place here! Why don’t we all cheer up a little?”

She asked, completely unaware as to why the place was keeping so quiet, even though she had never failed to cheer a place up before.

"Please be quiet, Miss," the elderly man whispered to her with urgency, his voice strained with worry. He shuffled as fast as his old bones could carry him, making his way toward her. The other islanders quickly scattered, disappearing into their homes to avoid any wrath that could befall them. The streets emptied, leaving only an eerie silence behind.

"Did you not hear the silence?" he hissed, his eyes darting toward the towering mountain in the distance. Fear etched deep lines on his weathered face, causing his skin to resemble the ancient tree bark that surrounded their village. "You will wake the beast if you make a sound. Please, be silent. "It was through the silence that we found strength. In the face of the beast's wrath." he whispered with a voice mellowed by the passage of time.

“A beast you say? How could I have possibly known that! Is that beast causing you guys trouble? I can’t stand creatures or people who ruin the fun of others! You should be able to express your joy at all times! Are you truly free when you have to hide? I mean, come on people!”

Though the way she spoke might seem serious, the tone in which she spoke conveyed the opposite. Even at the thought of a beast forcing the people into silence, she had a cheery tone in her voice, a smile on her face and a spring in her step. Though she tried to join the man by whispering, the volume of her voice was still significantly higher than what would be appropriate.

“Good thing I’m here then! I can help you with your little problem and bring the cheers back to your home! Tell me where to find that beast! I ain’t scared!”

She flexed her arms repeatedly, striking a new pose every couple second, brimming with optimism and joy.

"You don't understand," the Old Man stated, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern, as he tried to reason with the girl. He had always been a patient man, but this young girl's stubbornness was testing even his resolve. "Child," he began, his voice heavy with a lifetime of knowledge, "what you do not understand is the delicate balance we have forged with this creature. By disturbing it, you risk unleashing it;s fury upon our village."

“So wait… You guys keep quiet, just so that thing doesn’t kill you all? That isn’t a delicate balance, that is a looming threat! A disaster waiting to happen! I mean, think about it, all it takes is one poor schmuck to drop a plate at an inopportune time, and you’re all toast! Now tell me where I can find that thing!”

Not versed in the culture and way too stubborn to truly listen, all that she ended up picking up from the conversation was the fact that if these people didn’t hold their breath to the maximum, they would all meet their end by that beast. All the while she was getting herself pumped up, jumping from side to side, doing shadow boxing and flexing her arms.

"You will find it Up on the mountain range." A village answered in a whisper from one of the windows above the duo. "That is where the beast resides." He continued while ignoring the glare that the elder sent him in the process.

“Thank you very much! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be having a word with that beast!”

With great confidence, the woman did not hesitate as she began to make her way towards the mountain range. Even now she was oozing with joy, despite the possible danger that was present. Those that could see her face as she was passing through would see nothing but a bright, wide smile on her face. She had even forgotten to introduce herself due to how invested she was in the moment.

A goal in mind and a destination to reach, there was nothing and no one who would be able to stop her now.

Watching the young woman leave, the Elder turned towards the man who whispered from the window and gave him a smirk and a nod. The villagers, who had been anxiously waiting, began exiting their homes with radiant smiles on their faces. As the villagers gathered around the Elder, their eyes were filled with anticipation. The Elder cleared his throat and addressed the crowd, "Good work, Roddrick. Your quick thinking and resourcefulness have saved us once again. Thanks to you, we won't need to offer a sacrifice this month."

Silent Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. The burden of fear and despair that had held the villagers captive for so long was finally lifted, replaced by a sense of hope and relief. Roddrick humbly accepted the praise, his face beaming with pride. Every few month when the beast returned, the villagers were offered a sacrifice to appease the creature and keep it from wreaking havoc upon their homes and loved ones. It had began to become taxing on their economy as they lost a significant amount of islanders over the course of the last few decades, however thanks to Roddrick who had came up with the idea of spreading the rumor of the beats and the island of silence to lure people to the island who they could use as sacrifices instead and so far it had worked wonders.

Smirking deviously the Elderly man looked to the path the woman had taken with satisfaction knowing her death would save his people.

High up on the mountain range, nestled between jagged peaks and obscured by unforgiving mist, an ancient legend stirred. The form of a colossal black dragon, larger than any mortal had ever witnessed, lay slumbering on the rocky precipice. Its scales shimmered with an otherworldly iridescence, reflecting hues of midnight blues and fiery reds in a mesmerizing dance. The dragon's presence commanded both awe and fear, for it was said to possess unimaginable power, capable of incinerating entire landscapes with a mere breath.

Throughout the years, countless brave souls had attempted to challenge the creature, seeking to claim its rumored hoard of treasures. Yet, none had returned to tell the tale. Convinced of their might and swayed by the allure of riches, they had ventured into the dragon's lair, only to succumb to its fiery wrath. As a result, the surrounding area was littered with the skeletal remains of the fallen, a grim testament to the immense power and cruelty of the slumbering beast. But despite its immense power, the dragon chose to remain in peaceful slumber, undisturbed by the world below. Its majestic wings embraced the mountain, creating a haven where life thrived. Lush vegetation clung to rocky crevices, and crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded down from precipitous heights, quenching the thirst of the surrounding wildlife.

Around the creature were various scattered bones from all variant of creatures from Humans to Sea Kings. Suddenly, the eye of the dragon snapped open, its emerald iris gleaming with a sense of curiosity and vigour. For centuries, the majestic beast had guarded its resting place deep within the heart of the ancient mountains. But today, something had disturbed the tranquility of its domain. As the dragon focused its piercing gaze on the path leading to its lair, a ripple of anticipation coursed through its magnificent scales. It had been a while since an intruder bold enough to venture into its territory. The dragon spread its massive wings and effortlessly took flight, eager to confront the unknown trespasser.

The dragon's voice, deep and resonant, filled the air. "Who dares to disturb my slumber and enter my dominion?" it thundered, its words echoing through the mountains. The wanderer, his voice trembling, explained his purpose, seeking answers to ancient riddles that could only be unraveled by the dragon's wisdom.

With the churning winds and that bellowing voice, any thought of a more traditional, animal-like beast immediately left her mind. As she wandered towards the mountains in order to come face to face with it, she was instead greeted by the sight that was straight out of a fairytale. Her eyes widened as the large frame of that dragon casted a shadow down. Whereas any sane person would turn tail and run, she was much too preoccupied with being at awe. Smiling throughout, being amazed rather than frightened.

“Well, I’ll be damned! This is what the old guy meant? A beast? That’s not a beast, that’s a dragon alright! There is a clear distinction between those two!”

As the dragon asked about who’d dare to disturb him, she couldn’t help herself but try and make as much of a grand entrance as he did. Albeit, she wasn’t a giant flying dragon, so she had to get creative. Looking around the area, completely ignoring the many signs of danger created by the numerous skeletons, she instead made a straight line towards an elevated, rocky hill. Not as high as a mountain, but able to be scaled in a shorter amount of time.

She made her way towards it, running up the side as though she was ignoring gravity altogether, though it was merely a combination of great core strength, sufficient speed, and a considerate amount of excitement. Within the matter of seconds, she had scaled the rocky hill and positioned herself at the very peak. Then, a roaring voice announced itself.

“The one who’s entered your domain is none other than me! The brightest light in even the darkest nights! The manifestation of jubilation! Remember my name, for it is… Lucidia!”

She then struck a pose, her feet having a solid grasp on the ground, with one fist raised high up into the air. Lucidia stood at the top of the hill, quite literally surrounded by a vibrant blue light and golden sparkles. Her voice echoed throughout the area, spreading the joyful tone of her voice to be heard far and wide.

Instead of answering, the dragon merely lowered its head until it had one eye directly staring at Lucidia. The intensity of its gaze had frightened man that came before her. "Why have you disturbed my slumber?" the dragon questioned, its voice resonating with power and wisdom. A stream of flames erupted from its nostrils as it breathed, creating a breathtaking display of fiery brilliance.

“I’ll tell you why! The people on this island fear you so much that they won’t even dare to make a sound, lest they wake you up and destroy them all. At first I thought it was just a mindless beast, yet you actually turned out to be a dragon! It just dawned on me that you can talk too! I was so…”

Lucidia was slipping up, while trying to act somewhat serious for the occasion, the tone of her voice was more akin to someone just goofing around and acting all hero-like, rather than someone who was actually speaking for the concern of other people. Her excessive cheerfulness and tangents made it difficult to tell just how serious she actually was at this very moment. One thing that was for sure though was that she was joyful beyond reason.

“Nevermind that! My point is that I want you to leave those people be! I mean come on, you can talk, so you can be reasonable to! Think about it, I don’t go outside to squash every cricket outside just because they make noise when I am trying to sleep! You’re above this! You’re a dragon! I am sure we can reach a reasonable agreement!”

"You Humans and you Morals." Balerion stated as he laid his head down once more deciding that Lucidia was just another human who wasn't worth the effort of paying any attention to. Balerion had always held a dismissive attitude towards humans and their ever-changing moral compass. In his eyes, humans were insignificant creatures whose morals were as fleeting as the wind. Priding himself on his majestic scales and fiery breath, Balerion saw no need to concern himself with such trivial matters.

“Morals are a good thing to have! It’s what separates you from just being a complete monster! Tell you what, the only reason people fear dragons is because they think they are monsters! Why don’t you break that bold and prove to everyone that you’re more than that! Be better! Be social! Make friends! Heck, I’ll be your friend! My name’s Lucidia, but you haven’t even told me yours! Come on big guy, tell me more about yourself!”

Still no ounce of fear or concern, Lucidia was more consumed by the fact that she was actually speaking to a dragon. He was no mere beast like the people described him, and if he truly was one, then this encounter would’ve turned aggressive a whole lot quicker. But Lucidia spoke from the heart, a person who wanted nothing more than to share her unbridled joy with others.

Even now, she was practically glowing. Her tone never wavering, and constantly in a good mood. It was quite literally radiating off of her, with a faint vibrant blue glow around her body and small, golden sparkles.

"You act as if I should care," Balerion stated, his deep voice resonating with an air of ancient authority as he decided to humor the woman who stood before him bravely. His colossal form loomed over her, the embodiment of draconic majesty. "We dragons are monsters, and we are more than content with that. What reason should majestic creatures such as us have to lower ourselves to be friendly with you humans?" he questioned, his eyes glinting with a mix of indifference and disdain. The woman's courage in addressing him earned a condescending tilt of Balerion's head, as if acknowledging a fleeting amusement in entertaining the notion of conversing with a mere mortal.

The dragon's words echoed in the air, a reminder of the vast gap between the realms of humans and dragons. Balerion's response carried the weight of centuries of dragonkind's pride and self-assuredness. To him, the idea of forming alliances or friendships with humans seemed inconceivable, for dragons saw themselves as creatures of unparalleled grandeur and power. The exchange served as a stark illustration of the inherent differences in perspective between the two species, emphasizing the daunting challenge of bridging the gap between the mortal and the mythical.