Prologue

The sun shines down across a seemingly endless field of flowers, illuminating the rolling hills and vibrant landscape. Sitting against the base of a tree was a lone scavenger, eyes closed in content slumber with their hands gently clasped together in their lap. It had been a rough couple of days. More and more dragons were being spotted in the area, causing the small human colony to become increasingly paranoid. Night Dragons, of all creatures, were making the rounds. So every evening, he would get pulled along with the Dragonwatchers to keep track of any and all threats. Sure enough, as the small band of humans ventured through the darkness, eyes on the starry skies, they would spot a staggering number of Night Dragons during their outings. As opposed to one reported every few weeks, now it was twenty in a single night.

Today would be no different. Come dinner, he would once again be tasked with joining the scouting party to do it all again. But none of that mattered to him right now, for at this very moment, he was free. No tasks, no burdens, just the sun high up in the sky and the nice warm breeze. The only quest he has right now is to lay here in peace. Slowly but surely, his mind begins to wander, falling into the sweet beginnings of a dream. He could hear the crunching of boots on the forest floor, feel the light touch of someone’s hand, make out the voice of a friend who sounded… slightly… irritated…?

“Whisper.”

A light nudge, but he doesn’t stir.

“Oi! Whisper! Get up!”

A boot is placed against his arm, before suddenly shoving him down to his side and on to the dirt. The scavenger’s eyes open wide, and he lets out a faint gasp having been so abruptly pulled out of his rare moment of peace. Getting his bearings, Whisper shakes his head while sitting up, and delivers a pointed glare towards the familiar figure looming over him.

“Echo… that was the first time I’ve slept in two days.” Whisper starts, brushing his shoulder. Although his voice was masked with that gentle tone of his, it was clear that he wasn’t too keen on his respite being denied. “You could have just-”

Cutting him off, Echo gestures up towards the sky. Off in the distance, soaring above, were… Night Dragons. “You see the problem here, Whisp?” She says, pulling him up on to his feet.

“Few days ago these lizards might as well have been myths. But now here they are, flying around in packs during the middle of the day. These are not normal hunts. Something’s up.”

Whisper glances off towards the dragons, making out about four or five of them. All of them were carrying fantastically large spears, and their heads repeatedly turn left to right, as if they were actively scanning the area. His shoulders slump a bit as he turns back towards Echo. “Could… could be another skirmish of sorts. Perhaps the Night Dragons aren’t too fond of their desert companions.” He remarks, taking a deep breath. “It’s all too easy to jump to conclusions. We tend to forget that they have their own problems.”

Although he seemed to be just trying to brush it off, wanting to find a quick and simple explanation, it was clear from his eyes that he did not believe his own words. There is always a chance. Always a chance that they were going to be found. Always a chance that this could be the day they lose everything. But just as his thoughts begin to flood with the worst possible scenarios, Echo lightly punches his arm and cackles to herself. “Baha! Oh, you know I’d love to see that.” She throws her hands up, trying her best to mimic a dragon tackling another, waddling side to side and flailing her arms around. “Imagine, Whisp! The barbed tails of those desert lizards, up against… whatever the Night Dragons have! Do you think they breath fire? I bet they do.”

“An exceptional performance, Echo.” Whisper proceeds to gesture behind him, before glaring back up towards the sky. “But perhaps we should get going.”

Echo just smiles, patting Whisper’s back and turning to head towards the village. “Aww, what? You don’t think they’d like my impression? I think I got it down pretty well. I’d like to see you try it.”

Despite everything, Whisper laughs. A rare smile finally graces his face as he catches up to Echo, who immediately goes back to making random dragon noises. Truth be told, she always hated seeing her friends worry. With Whisper, it was easy to tell when he was genuinely concerned, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. He stares off, he messes with his hands, he incessantly taps his foot. All cues for Echo to pull him out of it.

But as the two walk through the dense forest back towards the village, Whisper cannot help but continue to try and wrap his mind around the recent sightings. It was one thing to spot those dragons during the night, but now here they are, actively flying around during the middle of the day. For what? It couldn't be for hunting. Not once during his outings with the Dragonwatchers did they see any of the Night Dragons carrying prey. Whisper tries his best to convince himself that it’s most likely just another skirmish between dragons. That as the dragons battle amongst themselves, he will be in the village, hidden beneath the trees, safe and sound.

Unfortunately, he just can't. He can't lie to himself. Because at the end of the day, there’s always a chance.

Always.