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HylianPharaoh Thanks! Here's my story. Pivoting to the story of another dragon in my lore, Marianna. You can read all the lore
here. This is Marianna's Origins, Part 3. Sorry it's kinda long!
Warning for especially dark themes in this one, and death.
"Greetings, governer." First Storm gave Marianna a smile.
"Greetings," Marianna replied, bowing to the gods. "What matter did you want to discuss with me?"
"The gods and I have been in discussion," First Storm told her. "There is something we've been hiding from you."
Marianna's stomach dropped. Would they not be able to provide the citizens with food anymore? "W-What is it?"
First Storm was outwardly frowning, but on the inside, she was smirking. "The truth is, we require sacrifices in order for our godly powers to keep from going out. It's like a flame. And this one requires the fuel of dragons."
Marianna nodded. This was a lot to take in--but it wasn't an insurmountable obstacle. "I'll be your sacrifice." She didn't hesitate. "I volunteer."
First Storm smiled. She had known this would happen, but having it actually occur was different--more delicious. "Excellent."
"I'll explain everything to the village. Let them know what's going on before you . . . before you sacrifice me."
"Good," First Storm said. "Who shall be the one to sacrifice you? Who shall hold the blade?"
Immediately a dragon sprang to mind. At first, Marianna tried to deny it. But the more she thought about it, the more she knew it had to be Ayaka. "I know who can do it," she told First Storm. "I'll let her know as soon as I can."
The Lightning God grinned. "Good."
"There's not a moment to waste. Let's make the arrangements."
__________
The day she was to be sacrificed came all too soon. Marianna faced her village, trying not to let her sorrow show on her face.
"Ayaka and I will go down to the gods' cave," the Imperial told her people. "Only one of us will be returning." There were murmurs of sadness from the dragons around her. "I thank you all for letting me serve you," she continued. "It feels too soon, but I have already said all of my goodbyes. I am ready."
With that, she turned and walked down the stone steps, and went down into the cave. She went onto the stone table in front of the gods, and nodded to Ayaka.
Ayaka was crying. "I love you," she said between her tears.
Marianna nodded. "I love you too, so much. Now please, do it."
Ayaka nodded. She brought down the knife.
There was a moment of pain. Then, nothing.
__________
And then, Marianna woke up.
She looked at herself, and realized her body was translucent. Turning around, she could see Ayaka sobbing over the stone table, with her dead body at the center.
"I can't believe you fell for that."
She turned around to see First Storm behind her. The god was smiling, and unlike her usual, kind demenor, this time, a malevolent aura surrounded her. Marianna gulped. "Fell for what?" she asked, a chill running up her spine.
First Storm laughed. "Fell for our little act," she told the spirit. "Our 'kind little gods' act."
Marianna gulped. "So it was all a lie?"
"Oh yes," the Lightning God replied, laughing. "You mortals are so gullible. That's why I like you so much."
"So you don't need sacrifices?"
"Oh, we need sacrifices," the Lightning God replied, smirking, "but you, you I want to keep. I think we'll drink up part of that soul of yours, and seal the rest in the grove outside of the village. That's where we like to keep our most prized trophies, you see.
"But first, we'll savor that delicious soul. . ."
Marianna's eyes widened. The other gods came out of the shadows. laughing and cackling. "No . . . no . . . wait--AHHHH!"
The gods sucked at her soul, making her scream and cry out. Pain rippled through her body as they tore into her, showing no signs of stopping. She was going to die, she was going to--
"Stop."
First Storm's voice stopped the gods' advances, and they retreated. Marianna was almost out of energy, and for a moment, she felt grateful. But then the Lightning God continued: "Now, to seal her in the tree."
Marianna tried to stand, but couldn't. "N-No . . . please. . ."
Too late. First Storm snapped her fingers, and an instant later, the Imperial found herself outdoors. She tried to move, but couldn't go further than an inch in any direction.
"So, they got you too, huh?"
Marianna frowned and turned her head. To her surprise, there was another dragon sealed in the tree next to hers! "Who are you?!" she asked, startled.
"Adustus," the Pearlcatcher replied. He sighed. "I knew this would happen the moment you all arrived. But I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"Why?" Marianna asked. "Who are you?"
"I led the group that used to live in this location, centuries ago," Adustus explained. "Like you, I led them. Like you, I was the first to step up to the altar. And like you, I ended up here."
"So those gods . . . they've done this before?!"
The Pearlcatcher nodded. "They fed on my people for a long time. But unfortunately, disease wiped them--my people--all out. I'm the only one still left."
"Well, there has to be a way out of this situation," Marianna said, panicking. "Right?!"
Adustus shook his head. "I tried, once," he said. "But I couldn't find a way. Now, I've given up."
"I'm not doing that," Marianna snapped. "I will not give up."
"Suit yourself. You'll change eventually."
The Imperial faced forward. She could see the gods' cave from here, and her heart filled with rage.
__________
"And here's the thing--Marianna's heart is still full of rage, as far as I know! Every time one of us checked up on her, we could all see how angry she was. First Storm wasn't worried, since Marianna's sealed in the tree.
But if you ask me, First Storm
should be worried. I think Marianna's gonna find a way to get out one day, and help her people get free. And that'll be a great day."
Hawk smiled and looked up. "So! What do you think? Good story right?"
Claudia, Ira, and Delta all exchanged glances. "Whoa," Claudia muttered. "That's . . . quite a story."
"And useful information," Delta said, smiling. "I have an idea.
"Hawk, do you remember exactly what tree Marianna is sealed in?"
