Our Beloved Mother Dragon and the Arrogant Sir George

Once upon a time in the land of Altairus, deep within the Goldscale Plains, two races were at bitter odds with each other. Dragons, who had lived in this land for centuries, were beset upon by a gang of beings not of this world. These were known as Gaeamophen (humans, literally "Earth beasts"). They opposed Anima in every way they could; they worshiped none other than the very forces of death, of destruction, of desecration. They smeared themselves in the blood of animals and paid homage to a god of fire and suffering. Every day, they sacrificed yet another dragon to their twisted god.

To combat this travesty, the dragons of the Goldscale Plains called upon our beloved Mutamoph (Mother Dragon) for assistance. Together, they conjured up a plan to deal with the humans once and for all. For you see, the humans were ruled by a royal family. One who had a daughter as fine as snow. It was decided that Mutamoph should be the one to capture and raise the child as her own. Perhaps away from her own kind, the princess would learn the ways of Altairus. Then, she could go back and persuade the humans to give up their monstrous ways.

So that's what they did. In the dead of night, Mutamoph snatched the princess from her bed. Unfortunately, as she did so, she shattered a window, awakening the royal guard. They drove spears and swords into Mutamoph's hide, but nothing could pierce her scales, strong as steel. She spread her wings and took to the skies, the human child in her claws.

The next day, the king of the Gaeamoph province held a meeting to see which of his warriors would be the one to rescue his daughter. The one who was chosen for this task was known as Sir George.

When the sun was at its peak, Sir George rode into the heart of the Goldscale Plains. He found a cloud of billowing smoke up in the Minor Goldscale Range, where Mutamoph was keeping the princess.

The obsidian dragon was there to greet him at the entrance of a great cavern within the mountains. The princess cowered behind her wing.

"How happy I am to meet your acquaintance, young knight," Mutamoph gave her salutation.

"Enough, foul beast! Where have you hidden the princess?!" Sir George barked.

Mutamoph's face hardened. "She is under my wing. You will not pass unless you agree to a few conditions."

"You have no place to speak, demon! Now, prepare to face my wrath!" He unwisely charged at Mutamoph, embedding his sword in her chest scales. She harmlessly plucked it out, the blade not even penetrating the whole of the scale. She lifted the knight off the ground by his leg in ire.

"I do not appreciate your approach, Gaeamoph. I am the mother of all in Altairus, and you will treat me with respect as such." Her nose billowed with smoke.

"Put me down, demon! In the name of God, I command you-"

"PATHETIC GAEAMOPH!" Mutamoph roared. "YOUR DEVOTION TO YOUR GOD IS LAUGHABLE. YOU BELIEVE THAT WORSHIPING A GOD OF DEATH WILL BEGET ANYTHING BUT MORE DEATH?! YOUR GOD WON'T SAVE YOU. THERE IS ONLY ME AND FATAMOPH (Father Unicorn) IN THIS WORLD. NOW, YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR INDOLENCE!"

And just like that, a stream of fire burst from Mutamoph's mouth. It burned the arrogant knight to a crisp, just as his kind believed they would burn if they did not capitulate to their god of evil. All that was left was a carapace of steel, armor fused into a solid piece.

The young princess peeked out from under Mutamoph's wing. "Um... is he gone?"

Mutamoph turned towards her and smiled. "Indeed. His evil has gone from this land. Do not worry, child. I will protect you."

Over the next few days, the king sent out his other nights. None were any match for Mutamoph. Finally, in his desperation, the king asked about Mutamoph's demands.

"My condition is that you leave the Goldscale Plains in peace. Then you may have the child."

"Please, father. No more death," the princess pleaded.

And so it was done. The Gaeamophen departed from the land, leaving the dragons in peace. Proving that the powers of life and magic will always prevail over death and desecration.