The trees swayed ever so slowly as Corvo began his routine stroll through the backwoods of his farm home. He had just completed the chores his parents had tasked him with earlier, without much incident to everyone's surprise. The cow was milked without him breaking into random song, the fallen leaves were raked without him breaking into tears, he brought the chicken eggs to his mother without screaming and calling her a murderer, and he didn't utter a single chastising comment to the pigs about table manners as he fed them their morning slop. By the time he told his parents that everything was done, both of his parents had embraced him in tears. Their son had finally became NORMAL! Corvo was confused but nevertheless went along with it to help speed things along. When he was finally let go he waved goodbye as he told them he'd be out but back in time for supper.
As he got further and further away from the farm home, he began to let the ruse fall away piece-by-piece. He was emotionless as he brushed by the backwood trees, but he touched everyone he passed in a longing, yet woeful way. The animals began appearing as they sensed his presence, most emitting sharp cries of joy as he drew near. But soon sadness enveloped them, they sensed something was not right. He waved to them, his eyes full of mixed emotions as he continued along his way, fully aware that they all followed behind him. Ever since that day, ever since he discovered her, his natural connection with all wild creatures had heightened. Enough to the point that he could understand their thoughts and feelings, all of which at this point were deep pits of sadness and questions he couldn't answer.
Finally, he had reached his intended destination. He was in the middle of the forest, a vast clear meadow that, aside from the gigantic oak tree that stood in center, was covered completely in lush grass. Not to Corvo's surprise however the giant oak suddenly began to convulse and become distorted in shape, a blinding green light swallowing it whole. When the light disappeared it was she who stood in the tree's place, Madremonte the Dragon of Nature in all of her glory.
She had grown incredibly since the day Corvo had found her. At first the idea of keeping her a secret was completely ludricous, he didn't want to keep such a magnificent creature a secret from his family and village. But soon Madremonte's thoughts ebbed into his mind, showing him the possible violent and chaotic ramifications that could follow if her presence was known. The world just wasn't ready for her and Corvo began to understand, agreeing to keep her existence a secret.
The months that followed were life changing. After learning that she was a Dragon of Nature and that he was to be her "Rider", Corvo began to see changes within himself and his own surroundings. One big change that he immediately had noticed was his heightened affinity with the animals of the backwood forest of his home, the ability to communicate and understand them to a certain degree. Another was his ability to notice slight changes in the weather. One particular day while on the farm with his father, the sun was radiating brightly, not a cloud in sight. Yet the boy looked sharply up towards the sky, sniffed once, and told his father of a huge impending storm coming their way in the next three hours and the crops were in danger if they didn't make an attempt to protect them. His father had waved him off, insistent on telling the boy that there was no such thing, but sure enough after two-and-a-half-hours had passed dark clouds began rolling in. The young man swelling with pride with his successful prediction and the old man surprised, they quickly worked to protect the crops. They finished just as the downpour and strong winds began and they ran quickly inside. "Good job, son," spoke his father as he had patted him on the back.
But the biggest change of them all was the MAGIC! While sitting in the meadow one day with Madremonte she informed him of his inner ability. 'You have the power to bend the elements, young cub,' as she had taken to calling him as her size began to tower over. "Bend the... elements?" He had asked, curiosity piqued as two squirrels chased each other across his shoulders. Energy began to ball up inside of him as his eyes lit up. "YOU MEAN LIKE MAGIC???" Madremonte rumbled a chuckle as she lowered her head towards him, a ball of green light suddenly shooting from her eyes into his lap. The action caused him to jump and startled the two squirrels. 'This,' Madremonte said, 'Is my gift to you. Use it wisely.' The ball of light began to expand in his lap, shaping itself into a long, thin beam of sorts, before dimming suddenly to reveal a spear-like staff.
Corvo stood up and held it, examining it closely. "But....How do I--" 'I will teach you,' Madremonte answered, 'But not here..... We must prepare for a journey, Corvo. To a place where the destiny that lies before you can fully take shape. You'll have to leave your family in order to do so. I'm sorry, there's no other way.' Corvo slowly nodded as he took it all in. Leaving his family. A journey. And destiny. In a span of only a couple of months, his life had not only changed, it had taken a completely different shape and meaning. "I-I....Okay... We'll leave first thing tomorrow." Madremonte, sensing the shock but most of all the sadness pressed her giant head against him, 'I'm sorry Corvo...'
Looking up at her now, the full weight of the situation had hit him. He was leaving everything he had ever known to set out for the unknown. For a destiny he had no clue about. But fate had put him and Madremonte together for a reason. He trusted that she'd be able to guide him along the way as well. "I'm ready," he spoke softly as he began to mount her. "Wherever this journey may lead... I'm ready to see it through... But I'm scared Madremonte."
'There'll be no need to be. I'll be here Corvo,' the dragon reassured him as she began to flap her wings, the buffet of winds causing the animals to scatter. Within seconds she was off the ground and soon reached the skies of the heavens.
As Corvo looked down he immediately regretted it. This was only his second time flying upon her, the thought that he should've ridden her more often flashed over and over again in his mind. 'It's okay,' Madremonte reassured him again, 'Experience first-hand is the best teacher, and you'll be getting alot of it. You'll be a professional in no time.' Corvo nodded as he laid his head against her, not completely convinced. "Where are we headed?"
'To where it all began, young cub. The Dragon Riders Citadel...'
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Originally Posted by Clirkus
