Chapter 2: The Voiceless Mountains

The Kingdom of Laera, known as the Home of the Knights, Slayer of the Dragons, the Archenemy of the Dragonae Kingdom. The kingdom set quite a reputation in the world of Elantro, one that was set apart from all kingdoms. The abundant food and water with the endless flow of magic in its nature made the world think the Laera Kingdom was the chosen one of the Fates.

This was the very reason why the dragons from the Dragonae Kingdom wanted to take hold of Laera. However, after centuries of fighting over the land, they still failed.

Why even the Knights and the royal family of Laera had no idea. The only thing they knew is that they were blessed.

But then there was this rumor. There were always rumors. Some were just passersby’s gossips, one that made people snicker amongst themselves with amusement. Some rumors could raise a few eyebrows or one only whispered about on the dark corners of the streets. However; there was a particular myth beyond the wildest of imaginations; more fantastic than the others combined…

This myth was just a rumor for some, but a truth for many who witnessed it–

And lived the day to tell its story.

~O~O~O~

"You mean to tell me there is a dragon locked in the Voiceless Mountains?"

"That's what I'm saying, forehead!"

"… you're unbelievable."

Two women leaned back in their chairs; warm chamomile tea perched at their lips. The blonde one took a quick sip before placing her mug down hard, nearly tipping it over in the process. Thin lips pursed into a frown at her best friend. Blue eyes flashing irritably right before she tilted her head to the side in annoyance.

"Whatever, Sophia. You know nothing. I know someone who's seen it."

The other female rolled her brown eyes, stirring more sugar into her chamomile tea. "Let me guess: Leon told you, huh, Jennifer?"

Her cheeks tinted, and she toyed with the napkin in her lap. "Why does it matter who told me? Who lies about dragons, Soph?"

Said woman sighed and rubbed her temples. Why would a dragon dwell in the Voiceless Mountains right in the heart of the Nightpoint City here in the Laera Kingdom?

The Laera Kingdom was always dragon-free. Dragons are killed upon sight. All of them, members of the Knights Association, are dragon slayers. Well, except for her.

Anyway, Voiceless Mountains remained off-limits because of the dangerous cliffs and wild animals that roamed the area. Anyone who entered it never returned, hence why it became impermissible. Still, the list of feral animals did not include a mythical dragon.

According to Jennifer – no, according to the myth of the dragon made specifically for children’s bedtime stories – there was a man whose sole purpose included protecting his loved ones.

“Some parts of the story were lost throughout history,” Jennifer told her, “but the story recites this man, who was once a Knight, found out that his family members were the dangerous ones. They were planning a rebellion that would kill hundreds of innocents and throw Elantro into war. Without a choice, he murdered his entire family. Angry about the man’s decision to slaughter his family without consulting him first, the Queen of Laera transformed him into a dragon, the one creature that the Knights were accustomed to hate. You heard the Voiceless Mountains rumble whenever we’re close to it, right? Rumors had it that he breathed fire as hot as the flames he engulfed his family in to chase those who try to invade his prison. Then, he remains chained inside the cave he poured the blackened ashes in, haunted by the smell of singed flesh and the screams of agony that rang in his ears.”

Jennifer was waving her hands around as if she was speaking a poetic performance in the Aisle of Music and her expression was very exaggerated. Was she trying to tell a story to a child?

“That was all a load of crap,” Sophia retorted as she sighed and put her teacup on its saucers with finesse, “Dragons are enemies. If they existed in this kingdom, the Higher Knights in the association will kill him.”

"If there isn't a dragon, why don't you go to Voiceless Mountains and see?" Jennifer gave Sophia a sly smile after picking up her teacup and drank its remaining content.

Dark brows furrowed. "Why the hell would I go out there?"

The blonde rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly. "To prove the myth about this so-called Knight-turned-dragon doesn’t exist, duh?"

Sophia grew annoyed with her friend’s persistence. She didn't care if a dragon resided in the Voiceless Mountains or not. The Voiceless Mountains is forbidden for a reason that involves severe punishment from the castle itself; therefore, no valid reason for visiting. She said this to her friend who kept the smirk on her face. An awful sensation built in the pit of Sophia’s stomach from the look she received.

"What's your problem?" she snapped, taking the last bite of her apple cinnamon muffin.

Jennifer’s bright irises sparkled in mischief. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about telling Zain what a chicken you are and he'll forget all about you. I'll be in with him and guess whose bed he'll... "

"Yeah right, you witch!"

A few heads in the teashop turned to gaze at the woman’s sudden outburst. She inched back into her chair, cheeks flamed bright red and a strong urge to wrap her hands around Jennifer’s slim neck. The silence that took over the room plus Jennifer’s smug expression made Sophia regret such an outburst.

It was no secret that Jennifer and Zain dated before. However, it was not working well and Jennifer decided to end it. Zain was not that interested so he agreed as soon as she mentioned it to him. They were on good terms and getting back together is not impossible.

"Well, you know," Jennifer began, her smirk growing wider. "Zain was the one who brought up the subject of the dragon. He’s interested in the truth."

Sophia growled at her sudden interest in seeing if there lied truth to this mythical creature. If Zain wanted to know if the dragon existed in the Voiceless Mountain, discovering that information may impress him.

“You have to stop being a pathetic loser here, Sophia,” his words echoed in her mind. “You’ll just get yourself killed and become a burden for us.”

Perhaps, Zain will change his mind once she returns and tell him about her discovery in the Voiceless Mountains. That would help start a bridge between their pretty thin friendship.

The woman analyzed the setbacks of exploring the Forbidden Forest that surrounds the Voiceless Mountains. Zain was worth the risk, so she said, "All right, I'll go."

"Great!" the other woman exclaimed. "We'll go this weekend! You, Caiden Mournflame, Zac Haven, and me! I'll pack... "

Jennifer’s voice faded as Sophia's mind drifted off into thoughts about this trip. Dread formed in her chest at what she agreed to. She lacked the desire required for traveling into the middle of a forest during summer to fight off insects and whatever else. It was possible because she had dumb friends and she seemed to lose common sense with Jennifer’s constant blackmail when it comes to Zain, the end of her life may be closer than it should. Oh fates, help them.

 ~O~O~O~

"Come on, Sophia!"

Said woman sighed as she gazed up at the bright, but partly cloudy sky. Why did she follow through with this idiotic idea, in the middle of summer, sweat pouring down her body, and insects eating her alive? She contemplated this wasn't such a good idea, especially on a ninety-degree day with what had to be one hundred percent humidity. Life sucked at the moment. She believed it would be easier just to go up to Zain and talk to him about doing her very best next time instead of taking this roundabout, idiotic way of trying to impress him.

"Shut up, I'm coming!" Sophia shouted back while attempting to fight her way through a stubborn bush. After breaking through with a struggle, Sophia stumbled toward the bright yellow jumpsuit that moved farther and farther away. Wouldn’t that be the worst outfit to wear in this kind of mission, though? "Zac, slow down, you idiot!"

The spiky-haired male looked over his shoulder but continued to walk away with Caiden and Jennifer a few feet in front of him. "You're moving so slow, Sophia! Catch up already!"

"Why you... " Sophia muttered, having every intent on bashing that guy's head at the moment she caught them. They were her childhood friends but once she gets into trouble here… "Dang it, I'll... "

Her sentence stopped abruptly when her sandal got tangled in a mess of roots. Sophia cursed her luck and attempted to unwrap herself from its clutches. Eyes darting ahead as she tugged, she barely saw Zac and the others from how far ahead they had gotten. Sophia attempted to break the vine, but the root held fast and she got more irritated the harder she fought with it.

"Wait for a second, guys!" she shouted and her heart sank when they continued walking.

Great, she was all alone, miles deep into the woods, the roots still refused to let go of her sandal, and now the sky darkened with the threat of a storm. Damn the weatherman for saying it would be a sunny day. Enraged, Sophia yanked her shoe so hard that she ripped the foliage and fell flat on her butt. She cursed again, stood up, and tried to dust the dirt off her brown combat pants when a drop of warm rain plopped on her nose. Turning brown eyes up to the sky, Sophia’s spirit deflated further at the sight of the darkened clouds. Thunder sounded overhead, and she took off in the direction she last saw her three childhood friends.

"Jennifer!" she yelled as she dodged trees and jumped over bushes. "Zac! Caiden! Where are you, idiots?!"

The howling of the wind picking up sounded as her only reply. The rain fell heavier and lightning majestically forked the sky. Sophia's eyes darted in every direction trying to find shelter from the storm, but her immediate surroundings included only forestry. She had to put some distance between herself and the many trees. A lightning storm this strong created high electrocution rates and dying in such a way had been omitted from her to-do list.

"Dang it," Sophia cursed while brushing her wet locks out of her face. "Just my luck for this to happen to me! Of course, they wouldn't bother to make sure everyone was still together."

The lost woman got soaked to the bone within seconds and just when she thought underneath a tree would be her only shelter, out of the corner of her eye, Sophia spotted a cave in the side of a rock wall. It seemed a little... intimidating, but a bright flash of lightning and a deep roll of thunder threw all hesitation out the window.

Sophia bolted for the cave and once inside, she placed her hands on her knees and struggled to catch her breath. Her sides screamed with each breath and her throat was raw from how much oxygen she tried to inhale at once. After a few moments, the exhausted girl managed to slow her breathing, and she paused a moment to take in her surroundings. Her eyes had to adjust to the dim lighting and when they did, Sophia saw the cave sharply grew narrow. It went deeper into the side of the mountain. Could it be…