4,297 B.C.
The mythical realm of Solaris was both beautiful and complex. The home of the Dragon Gods was much like the mortal realm, only without the soils man had inflicted on it such as pollution. To some, this was paradise. To others, it could be hell. Victoria Damone stood looking out over a bright blue sea, lost in her own thoughts. A light breeze blew her dark blue gown around behind her. Her arms were bare and her hair was out long. As her hair blew around her face, she could see the highlights of blue that so distinctly marked her as her mother’s child. Off in the distance she heard the sounds of her brothers sparring.
Victoria ran her hand through her hair, right through one of the blue streaks. This was maddening. She was the thirteen year old daughter of Hecate, patron goddess of magic users, and Jarel, the Black Dragon God, why should she be coddled like an infant? Sure, she’d been taught spells from the moment she could speak, but she wanted to be with her brothers, preparing to enforce the laws of her father. It was her birthright. Instead, she stood here in misery, forced to be a handmaiden to her mother.
She sighed as she looked down at herself. In the human world, she’d be considered a woman. Not that she’d have any more freedom. If she were human, she’d be a breeding mare. The thought made her scowl; she loathed the idea of life with no power to make her own decisions. Hopefully, that would change here today.
Victoria felt the presence of her father before she saw him. The Black Dragon God was as gorgeous as any god. A primordial god, he was one of the oldest beings in existence, far older than even her mother. He towered over her, gazing down with swirling silver eyes that could see into the depths of any soul. His black chiton was pulled down, revealing a light brown chest covered with markings, all of which represented his children. His long black hair hung down his back and swayed in the wind. For the moment, he seemed at peace.
“Tell me, daughter of mine, what you truly want for your life,” he told her, the deep timber of his voice immediately soothing her.
“I want the freedom to choose my path in life, Father,” Victoria answered honestly. “I do not wish to be another mindless servant to Mother.”
Jarel’s eyes flashed. “Her servants are not mindless, are they? I’ve seen some that are quite intelligent.”
Victoria scowled. “You know what I mean. I like the use of magic, but I am a warrior at heart. I cannot be content to study and simply bask in the glory of my mother. I love her, but living with her is boring.”
Jarel nodded. “As such, daughter, I present you with this choice: you may choose to remain in her service, enter mine, or live as a mortal. Keep in mind that if you choose to live as a mortal, you would have to be placed with a mortal family and your direct knowledge of the gods would be erased.”
“I have no desire to be mortal, Father.” Victoria looked towards the sound of her brothers sparring. “But I want to be trained. I’m a dragon and I deserve the same rights as the others.”
Jarel smiled. “Yes, you are a dragon. You are, in fact, the only female black dragon in existence. As tempting as it is to hold you near to keep you safe, that would be unfair.”
Victoria couldn’t hide the hope in her eyes and in her voice. “Does this mean that Mother is letting me go?”
“As much as any true mother can let go,” Jarel answered. “You are expected to still visit her and occasionally serve her. You are expected to still use what comes natural to you from her. But as of now, you are officially a dragon warrior.”
Victoria sprang into her father’s arms, filled with joy. “Thank you, Father!”
Jarel kissed the top of her head. “Run along and change. You have training to begin, under Andreas, of course.”
Victoria excitedly ran off, the prospect of training with her elder brother and strongest of the black dragons spurring her on.
“You see, Hecate?” Jarel questioned.
The lovely goddess appeared next to him, her long dark blue hair flowing down almost as long as the dark blue gown and cape she wore. Her midnight blue eyes sparkled with irritation.
“So perhaps you were right after all,” she admitted hesitantly.
Jarel turned to face her. “Her dragon nature prevailed. You couldn’t expect her to sit on the sidelines in your service forever.”
“I wish only to spare her agony.”
Jarel looked off into the distance as Victoria joined her brothers. “To live is to experience pain as well as pleasure. In the end, she deserves the same as any other. She must forge her own path in life. We can offer her guidance, the same as anyone else but her life will be what she makes of it.”