A heavy mist set in around the hidden cavern. It was a desolate area where few creatures could survive. It was perfect for the Great Dragons. They have hidden themselves away here for the past 10 years, listening and observing the world of man. Since the calamity of Sanctum the Dragons felt it best to lay in waiting; plotting for the day they could return with new riders and find the evil that swept through the lands a decade past. Their council had finally come to the conclusion that now was the time to venture out and train new riders. Warriors from the eight nations will unite with them to hunt down and vanquish this unknown force of evil that lingers in the air. Out on a large rocky plateau, the Eight gather and discuss the next events to occur.<br/><br/>â€œWe should first find out what this evil is before we go off snatching up new riders. They at least deserve to know what theyâ€™re up against!â€<br/><br/>â€œA valid point but there isnâ€™t enough time for this. And letâ€™s say we do find out what it is that threatens everythingâ€™s existence, whoâ€™s to say that when we tell our would-be riders that they wonâ€™t decline and flee?â€<br/><br/>â€œThen theyâ€™re not worthy to ride at all if theyâ€™re going to be cowards!â€<br/><br/>â€œSilence! Itâ€™s simple. The local animals of every nation can help us. We will charge them with finding out whatever they can for us. Our main concern is to find and prepare our new riders as quickly as possible. If we choose wisely, it wonâ€™t matter what we are up against, our riders will lead us all to victoryâ€¦and to peace.â€<br/><br/>The Eight looked around at each and nodded in agreement and at once they spread their mighty wings and took flight to the nation they felt the strongest pull towards. Each Dragon could already feel their rider; the only trick now was to find them.<br/><br/>********************************<br/><br/>â€œElio?! Elio come quick!â€ the soft voice of Daelia shouted out from the inside of the farmhouse. A young man knelt in the patch fields, pulling up vegetables for the town market sale. His worn leather vest and trousers stained with dirt from the long day of work that was only halfway behind him. He paused a moment as he listened again for his sisterâ€™s voice.<br/><br/>â€œElio come quick I said!â€ With a large sigh, Elio stood and raised a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun.<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™m coming, Iâ€™m coming!â€ He broke into a light jog until finally he was at the farmhouse doors. He peaked around the corner and saw Daelia wrought with fear, balled up in the far corner. On the ground not four feet away was a field snake. Elio smirked and began walking quietly towards the serpent. With a swift motion, Elio snatched the snake by its head and grabbed the rest of it with his free hand.<br/><br/>â€œThere, see? Was that so hard?â€ Elio teased. Daelia simply glared at him with a scolding look. Elio laughed and turned to walk out of the farmhouse. After going around to the side he set the snake down and it slithered off into a burrow.<br/><br/>â€œIs it gone?â€ Daeliaâ€™s sweet voice came through a large crack in the door. Elio dusted off his hands and walked back to her.<br/><br/>â€œYes itâ€™s gone. You knowâ€¦they canâ€™t hurt you Dae. Theyâ€™re just little snakes that eat little frogs and mice.â€ Elio attempted to comfort his little sister.<br/><br/>â€œWell theyâ€™re ugly! And scary lookingâ€ Elio simply laughed again.<br/><br/>â€œWell maybe they think that of you too? They get scared too you knowâ€ Daelia just frowned.<br/><br/>â€œHow about you go back to the house and see if mom needs help with the cooking. I have to finish gathering those vegetables.â€ Daelia ran off towards the house and Elio slowly made his way back to the fields. As he bent over to begin picking up more crops, Elio suddenly felt like he was being watched. His eyes shifted towards the woods, and he began to feel himself drawn to them. Suddenly the voice of his mother snapped him out of his trance.<br/><br/>â€œElio, hurry and grab what you have and bring it inside. Thereâ€™s a bad storm on the way. See for yourselfâ€ She pointed out towards the west horizon, and sure enough, a large and ominous black cloud began easing its way towards the farm. Elio took one last glance back at the woods, then gathered the baskets and ran inside just as the rain began its downpour.<br/><br/>***********<br/><br/>Elio looked on out the window back towards the woods, trying to see through the heavy rain that still fell outside on the farm.<br/><br/>â€œTaxes are being collected early this week. Iâ€™ll need you to take whatever weâ€™ve harvested so far and go into Sanctum for the market sale.â€ Elioâ€™s mother pulled the last of the dishes out of the bucket of water and handed it to Elio to dry.<br/><br/>â€œYes mother.â€ He replied dryly, still staring out the window.<br/><br/>â€œAnd youâ€™ll have to do it early if you want a decent spot. You know how crowded those streets get at times.â€ She patted her apron dry then glanced at Elio.<br/><br/>â€œWell hurry up and finish so you can get to bed.â€ Elio blinked his eyes then finished drying the dish. He still couldnâ€™t shake the feeling of being watched. The strange thing was, it didnâ€™t feel threatening. It feltâ€¦familiar somehow. No matter. Elio shrugged it off then headed for bed. He had a big day tomorrow.