Irsayryn | The Cursed Dragon

The forest's lively heart once bustling now echoed with deep enduring grief. Its ripple hung in the air, visible in the ground, and reached the faint beats of the smaller forest's magic. The charm of the Everspring Woods once friendly and bright, was fading to a mere shadow of its former self, a ghost of its past wonder as the most magical place. Life continued, with trees and animals still calling the forest home, but the spark that defined the area was gone. The power that had run through every leaf and branch was almost spent. The nature spirits and their friends who had made their homes here left the cursed land looking for fresh starts elsewhere.

Five thousand years had passed. Five thousand years since the blight struck this place changing the Everspring Woods into the Cursed Forest. In the past, it had been a spot of heavenly beauty full of life and magic. The recollections of those times were now far-off, like the dying sounds of a dream that Irsayryn couldn't remember anymore. Still, he held onto them, because they were all he had left. The memories, and a tiny bit of hope that wouldn't go away.

Every day, the Guardian worked hard to care for his troubled home. He fought non-stop to push back the never-ending curse cleaning the poisoned ground and helping hurt animals. But each year made the fight harder. Irsayryn had lost most of his magic when he locked away the evil spell hundreds of years ago leaving him with just a bit of his old power. Still as long as he lived, he would keep trying.

He stopped next to a twisted tree with bark that was black and cracked, leaking dark sap that smelled rotten. It used to be a tall oak standing guard over the Everspring Woods, with branches that reached up to the sky. Now, it looked like a warped version of what it once was showing how darkness had taken over the forest. Irsayryn put his hand on the tree's trunk and felt a faint sign of life inside struggling to stay alive.

"Shh, old friend," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that resonated in the stillness. "This too shall pass."

He closed his eyes and let his remaining magic flow through him, down into the tree. It was a delicate dance, coaxing the life back to the surface without overwhelming it. The curse was always there, lurking beneath, ready to pounce on any sign of renewal. But Irsayryn would try anyway, even if it took the last drop of magic left in his body.

The tree shivered under his touch, and ever so slowly, the blackened bark began to soften, brightening to a dusky brown. A single green leaf unfolded on one of the lowest branches, trembling as if unsure of its place in this darkened world. Irsayryn smiled, a rare expression on his weary face. It was small, hardly a victory, but it was something.

He shut his eyes and allowed his remaining magic to stream through his body seeping into the tree. It required a subtle balance urging life back to the surface without overpowering it. The curse always lingered underneath ready to attack at any hint of recovery. But Irsayryn would make an attempt regardless even if it drained the final bit of magic from his body.

The tree quivered at his touch, and bit by bit, the black bark started to mellow turning to a dark brown. A lone green leaf opened on one of the bottom branches shaking as if it felt out of place in this gloomy world. Irsayryn grinned, an unusual sight on his tired face. It wasn't much a win, but it counted for something.

Then, out of nowhere, Irsayryn's keen ears caught the clear sound of steps, not too far off. This wasn't a deer's walk or a rabbit's hop. These were human steps. Here deep in the Cursed Forest. After all this time.

His heart raced, and in an instant, his wings spread wide lifting him into the air. He flew fast toward the noise. Irsayryn believed his gods had forgotten him long ago, but he still asked them - let this be a being that means no harm. Please, I can't stand being alone anymore.

Then he spotted them. He landed hard in front of the stranger blocking their way.

"You," Irsa said trying to sound strong but not scary. "A trespasser. Why have you come to this place?"

Some creatureswere skittish, and he could only hope he didn't scare them off. The dragon folded his large wings to appear less imposing even as his heart raced at the chance to talk with someone at last. He couldn't quite stop his tail from tapping the ground in a steady beat — a sign that gave away how excited he felt.