"Grandma, tell us a story."<br/><br/>"Which one do you want to hear today, children?"<br/><br/>"The one about the princess!" "No, the one about the paladin!" "No, I want to hear the one about the Archdragon!" "Ooh, yeah, that one!" "Please, grandma?"<br/><br/>"Alright, alright, settle down, dears. Of course I'll tell you about the Archdragon."<br/><br/><div align="center">*****************************************************************************************************************************************</div>Long ago, when our world was in turmoil, torn apart by a thousand different gods, all fighting and warring, the Archdragon appeared among us, in the guise of a mere mortal. He led his people with great compassion, and taught us the value of family and friends. He cared for all of his followers, and would sacrifice anything to protect them. He offered to lead us to an age of peace, and protect us from the Dark Things that lie beyond our worlds.<br/><br/>But, alas, he was not allowed to guide us to peace, for his wicked sister, The Breaker of Worlds, refused to accept that. She fought him, many times, and their clashes tore entire worlds apart. And he was not strong enough to fight her, and the Dark Things. And so, he gathered so many people; mortals, gods, everyone he could, relying on the great alliances he'd forged, across the worlds. But she would not rest, and she allied with the Dark Things, and corrupted many of the gods and mortals to her service, as well, until, finally, everyone was divided. And then... they fought.<br/><br/>The battles were terrible and fierce, and entire worlds trembled beneath their mighty blows, until, finally, the Archdragon and the Breaker of Worlds met, doing battle in the same place from which they entered our world... and he was struck down. But, just as it looked as if everything was doomed, the faith of his followers returned him to life. Empowered by this, he struck her down, and banished her forever, destroying her wicked ritual, and saving all of us.<br/><br/>However, the exertion left him weakened, and he was forced to return to where he came from, to rest and recover, and so, he left his steward in his stead, to watch over us, and protect us from the Dark Things, while he recovered, to lead us to the great peace he promised us, so many years ago. And, so, we wait, always keeping his memory alive, so that, when he returns, he may again draw upon our strength, and guide us.<br/><br/><div align="center">*****************************************************************************************************************************************</div><br/>Elsewhere, atop a ruined, indestructible spire, standing at the heart of an ancient battlefield, there is a small flash of light, as a few figures appear, where nothing stood, moments ago. Elsewhere, in a mountain as old as time itself, a young girl sits, looking over an inscrutable game board, giggling slightly, as she places an old, well-cared for piece, back on the board, a small figure of a man, with draconic features. "Your move," she whispers, quietly, as she tenderly places the piece, and sits back, to observe.