DRAGON HEART
Chronicles of Gíria – Chapter 1: The Awakening
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The kingdom of Gíria was a land of peace and harmony, where many races lived side by side — humans, elves, shapeshifters, dwarves, dragons, and other magical creatures. Together, they built a prosperous civilization, guided by respect among peoples and balance with nature.
But peace never lasts forever...
From the depths of the shadows emerged the Dark Elves, bringing with them a devastating darkness, killing everything that breathed and destroying every home in their path.
The people of Gíria — humans, elves, shapeshifters, dragons, dwarves, sorcerers — united as one to resist. But it wasn't enough.
The Dark Elves possessed a weapon of unmatched power: Dark Karips, forged in the depths of the abyss. Not even the great dragons could withstand its power.
But then... something happened.
From the clouds, a dragon with white scales and two hearts emerged — a celestial creature. It was the Sacred Dragon.
In a final act of sacrifice, the Sacred Dragon gave one of its hearts to the people of Gíria, sealing the darkness and banishing the Dark Elves beyond reality.
That Heart of the Sacred Dragon became the kingdom's core of protection, revered by all races. The shapeshifters, guardians of soul and form, were entrusted with guarding the dark weapon, Karips, so it would never be used again.
But time passed...
And with it came human greed — and even among the shapeshifters — the desire for immortality.
It was believed that whoever absorbed the Sacred Dragon's Heart would become eternal.
That was enough to start a rebellion. Humans and shapeshifters fought each other in a war for the sacred heart, protected by a powerful elven sorceress: Nicia.
Despite all her power, Nicia could not prevent the worst.
The Heart was destroyed.
With it, the barrier between light and darkness was shattered, and the Dark Elves returned, fiercer than ever, determined to reclaim Karips and plunge the world into an eternal age of shadows.
The war resumed. The races fought side by side once more, but they were on the brink of destruction.
Until... something mysterious happened.
The darkness suddenly... receded.
The Dark Elves stopped attacking constantly.
Some believed the Sacred Dragon had come back to life.
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17 years later...
In the kingdom of Gíria, inside a room lit by morning light, the sorceress Nicia wakes from a vivid dream.
NICIA (whispering, breathless):
— "I saw you... I saw you... You're alive..."
The door opens, and Clara, an elderly human woman, enters with a smile.
CLARA:
— Still sleeping, Nicia?
NICIA:
— After all that effort... I think I deserved a good night's sleep.
CLARA:
— So? Where shall we start the search? We've covered almost the entire kingdom and found no trace of the Sacred Dragon. And the northern people are suffering from the Dark Elves' attacks...
NICIA:
— Yes, I know. But we also don't know why the Dark Elves stopped attacking so often. Maybe we should be grateful... We should've been wiped out by now.
CLARA:
— And now? What are we going to do?
NICIA:
— Send some soldiers to help the north.
CLARA:
— Will do. Anything else?
NICIA:
— Yes... ask someone to prepare my horse. I'm going to the village of Arcones.
CLARA:
— Got it. I'll take care of it myself.
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SOUTH OF GÍRIA — FOREST
Victor, a young archer, walks through the forest with his bow. Amélia follows him.
AMÉLIA:
— Always hunting?
VICTOR:
— Just practicing.
AMÉLIA:
— You never know when the Dark Elves will attack again...
VICTOR:
— And you? What are you doing here?
AMÉLIA:
— I followed you. Wanted to see if it was really practice or hunting.
VICTOR (smiling):
— And was it worth it?
He fires an arrow that hits a tree dead center.
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VILLAGE OF ARCONES — BELGUINER'S FARM
Jack and Lion, two young workers, are feeding the horses.
JACK:
— Imagine when we buy our freedom. What will you do?
LION:
— I don't know...
JACK:
— What do you mean? You want to be a slave forever?
LION:
— It's not that. I just don't know what's out there for me.
JACK:
— We're only 17! There's so much ahead!
LION:
— Or just death. Have you ever thought about fighting a Dark Elf?
JACK:
— I want to find my parents. You should do the same.
LION (coldly):
— They sold me when I was five. They're not waiting for me.
JACK (quiet):
— Then come with me. Maybe you'll find someone worth living for...
LION:
— Stop dreaming, Jack.
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KRAVONS' CASTLE — SOUTH GÍRIA
Clara walks up to the royal throne. King Kravons watches her.
CLARA:
— My king, the Dark Elves are attacking the north. We must send troops before it's too late.
KRAVONS:
— And the shapeshifters?
CLARA:
— They're already fighting, but it won't be enough. If the Elves get Karips... it'll be the end.
KRAVONS:
— Then send all available soldiers. And alert the elves and dwarves.
And the Sacred Dragon?
CLARA:
— Still no signs, but the search continues.
KRAVONS:
— And Nicia?
CLARA:
— She left for Arcones this morning.
KRAVONS:
— Why?
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ARRIVAL IN ARCONES
Nicia rides into Arcones. There, she meets the old man Belguiner.
BELGUINER:
— Nicia! My old friend! What brings you here?
NICIA:
— I came to check if Arcones is safe.
BELGUINER:
— Everything's calm here. Come in, let's have some tea.
They enter. Belguiner calls for Lion.
LION (entering):
— You called, sir?
BELGUINER:
— Yes. That tea from last time... can you make it again?
LION:
— Yes, sir.
Moments later, Lion returns with the tea. As he hands the cup to Nicia, he stumbles, spilling some on her clothes.
LION (panicking):
— I'm so sorry! I'll clean it right away!
BELGUINER (furious):
— You idiot brat! You're useless!
NICIA (calm):
— No need. I'll take care of it myself...
But as she touches Lion's arm, Nicia's eyes widen.
She sees the Heart of the Sacred Dragon within him.
It's as if her soul was connected to that ancient force...
She accidentally enters Lion's mind and sees visions of the white dragon flying across the skies.
As she lets go of his arm, Nicia breathes deeply, in shock.
She looks into the boy's eyes and says with a trembling voice:
NICIA:
— You... you are...
— You are the Dragon.