Glint

All that Glitters isn't Gold...

Lore written by @/Sherina


I used to crave gold.

Shining, dazzling, intoxicating little things.

I used to love to swim in them, feeling every piece of them running down my scales like a waterfall. The sensations of their cooling touch always bring me comfort. They like the creatures alive, with good control over them, they are moving, reproducing, and helping me weave my empire. Many dragons chase them like moths to the flames. They flattered me, serving me, working for me just for the little shiny things. I stood over them, comfortably watching the other dragons like a giant watching over ant swarms. A scornful smile was always hanging on my face, no one knew who I was before all these things. Even they knew, they could change nothing. I was once no one but a small character, no, not even a character. A pawn that no one knew, doing all the dirty work for them. The ones that were on top.

However, with all my abilities, I deceived, harmed, and killed. Every time I was done with the job, I changed a face and places and started again. It was such a joke that no one found me. Finally, I changed my face one last time and became the ones wearing fancy clothes and masquerading.

Dragons chasing gold. This is carved in their blood since the time they were born. No dragons could refuse the power of the gold. I could use the gold to bribe the authorities, to let them shut up their mouths. I used the gold to get their secrets and blackmail them. At that time, thought I was at the top of the world.

Oh, how foolish I was. I achieved everything but the happiness was so momentary. I owned everything but why I couldn't be happy? These glittery things couldn't bring me happiness anymore. I thought;" maybe I should find a lover."

I met many dragons, and most of them were not fit for my taste. They were either too poor or too weak. However, there was one. She was a powerful and rich sorceress. I invited her to my lair, however, she told me that I was nothing but a monster that was fake under the golden outfit. I was enraged, but I still tried my best to keep my temper. I let her out of my lair that night, with only a thought existing in my mind: "She will be mine, and only belong to me."

In later days, I tried to gently talk, deceive, bribe, and even threaten her to come back. However, she refused. I didn't understand how she could refuse the power of gold. One day, I received the news from my spy that the was going to get married with someone else. I led my army and charged into the wedding. If I couldn't let her belong to me, I would destroy her.

I led my army charged into the wedding. We slaughtered all the dragons at the wedding, including who she was going to marry. At the last moment, with the blood still covering my scales, I told her with a smile: "Now you belong to me, forever."

She screamed.

I didn't understand.

"The gold will become your cage to imprison your greed, your power will destroy anyone who stays you in close. Your monstrous heart will be exposed from hidden, let everyone see your ugly inside." She said, her heart released the light like thousands of brilliant suns as she shattered before me.

The next second, My army and I went back to my lair. However, they screamed as they diminished into clouds of dust. The servants in my lair ran away in panic. I looked at myself, my muscles and bones twisted, and darkness oozed from my body. I wanted to call for help but no one answered. I tried to go out but no matter how I tried, I returned back to my damned throne, adorned with gold. I tried to break the curse and leave, but to no avail. The gold-adorned walls became my prison as I wandered around the dark hallways where no one stayed. I was driven mad by the pure loneliness and emptiness after who knows how long. Now I gaze at the glittering treasure, I realize they have lost their powers. They are nothing but pathetic stones. Without other dragons, they are nothing after all.

"Maybe all that Glitters isn't Gold..." I sit on the piles of gold, muttering as my voice disappears into the darkness again.