Last of the Crystal Dragon

By Amber Hall

Restore thy gems to restore thy land. Work together face-to-face to understand. Follow thy crystal flowers to see thy past. So thy dragons can return at last.

Since the end of dragons, the self-proclaimed king Delhi has ruined the lands and the lives of many for as long as anyone can remember. In a single night, he somehow killed all the dragons and anything linked to them. No one would stand against his command until a village girl came about.

After coming into contact with a crystal flower, Esmeralda started having dreams of dragons near the mountain. When she decides to see what was calling to her, she finds a dragon from a lost time. Or at least he claims to be a dragon. Stuck in a human form, the dragon is furious about the situation and immediately lashes out at her. Unsure what to believe, Esmeralda is hesitant on what to do until danger comes after both of them.

Forced to work together, they must restore the six elemental crystals that appeared around her neck. Each one represents one of the sacred lands of dragons. Out on the run, they must find the crystal flowers and allies to get answers about the past. In order to stand a chance against Delhi, they must succeed or die trying.

Facing evil magic, curses, monsters, each other, and a past that misleads the present, can they get along long enough to solve the mysteries of what happened to the dragons before it's too late? Or will history repeat itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887631974

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

1: New Beginnings

2: Follow the Call

3: Threatened by the Past

4: A Mother's Love

5: To the Calming Springs

6: Last Wish

7: Karma

8: Chased

9: Zephyrus

10: Learning the Basics

11: Winds of Change

12: Sorrow and the Unhonorable King

13: Tampering with Magic

14: Looking Beyond

15: The Plastron Origins

16: Old Home

17: Coming to Terms

18: Playing with Lava

19: Taken

20: Close Call

21: Betrayal of Dragons

22: Escape

23: Risk

24: Battle of Dragons

25: Taming a Dragon

26: Mistaken Identity

27: Escaping Fear

28: Test of Will

29: Hidden Deep Inside

30: Backup Plan

31: Time's Up

32: Rematch

33: Final Breath

34: Lucifer's Comet

35: Stay with Me

36: Decisions to Make

37: Seeking and Being Ignored

38: New Era

About the Author

cover.jpg

Last of the Crystal Dragon

Amber Hall

Copyright © 2023 Amber Hall

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88763-196-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88763-197-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To all those who have put up with my nonsense. Thank you for your support!

Prologue

A little girl and an older woman were walking in a meadow full of flowers. The petals danced in the breeze as they walked by. The little girl had been crying from being bullied by the townspeople. So the woman wanted to cheer her up, and what little girl doesn't like gathering up flowers? They went to the last spot near their village that was still blossoming flowers. The girl was calm, but she still had her doubts about going back. She had always been picked on and cast out, but she wasn't sure what to do.

Everyone is different, little one. Some are big, some are small, and some are strong while others are weak. Much like these flowers here. Their colors and shapes make them different kinds of flowers, yet we call them flowers, she said as she put a daisy in the little girl's brown curly hair. It is up to you how you see the world and what you can be. Don't let others change who you are, and don't ever stop believing in what you can do. That is the way of someone different from everyone else, but it's better to be different than the same. Wouldn't you agree?

But what if I want to make friends?

If they can't accept you for you, then there's something wrong. You are a kind, brilliant little girl, Esmeralda, and I hope to see you grow up to be a beautiful young woman not bound to the norms of this town. I love you for you, Esmeralda. The first thing I noticed about you were your beautiful green eyes. I haven't been able to resist you since.

Is that why you took me in?

Not exactly. When I found you when you were a baby, you were a tiny thing, but it was more than your eyes that got me. I could sense the love in your tiny heart, and I knew I couldn't leave you behind. You just need to see that you can prove them wrong by being you. Now they may make fun of you, but who knows? By the time you grow up, you could slay a dragon.

Grandma Martha, dragons don't exist anymore.

Maybe for now, but never say never. Dragons were all over a long time ago, especially the crystal dragons. They were what made these mountains, rivers, meadows, and clear skies. Their magic brought peace, knowledge, and loyalty. It's a shame that they're gone. We could really use them about now. They could bring balance back into the land and take the no-good Delhi off that selfish throne.

Grandma Martha, you're silly.

I am not. It's true. Well, we better head back to town so that we can do our thing later tonight. Esmeralda, could you help me gather up some rocks on our way back?

Yes. Grandma…um, thank you for today. I think I know what you're trying to get at. And I think I want to be more of myself, but just in case I lose my way, can you help me?

Of course, dear. I will always be there to guide you, no matter where you are. Now then, let's head back before the sky sleeps.

Young Esmeralda felt good about herself. Grandma Martha always knew how to make her smile. They walked back to town with rocks and flowers in their hands, and although everyone was glaring at her, she stood up straight and walked proudly forward.

1

New Beginnings

Years later

A young woman in her late teens was walking down by a small river, looking at rocks to collect. From a family of jewelry makers and crafters, she had keen eyes and knew where to find more than just rocks and crystals. The gems inside them make the beauty, but it was the odd things in them that got people's attention. The slightest change from a polished perfect gem could make or break a jewelry maker. That and it was also a good way to kill time at home and enjoy the end result even more.

She loved the challenge, and it gave her a chance to be away from town. She took pride in her work, but she was more than just a crafter. She cared for all things of life around her. As Grandma Martha had told her long ago, she didn't have to see things as different but similar.

She glanced at the sparkling river. The river was full of life while everything else seemed to have sucked out of them. The land was gray with dust and lifeless grass. Dark crevices were forming in the ground due to the severe dryness in the land. Even some of the trees were dying from this decay. It was a shame, and the girl wished the lands didn't have to be this way. Nowadays, it was getting harder to get wood for new homes as well as feed others with crops. Not that their crops would be good anyway because they all tasted like dirt and bitter. A gust of wind drier than sand blew her long, curly brown hair in her face, and knew she had to head home.

Even the town had no life of its own. Most of the buildings were old and tattered. Most were made from old warped wood that would make the houses look crooked at certain angles. A lot of the people were old men and women with spoiled children. The younger generation in the town didn't want to work and were lazy people. No matter how hard one would try to make them work, they'd refuse and never suffer the consequences. Fights in town broke out often, and the people didn't want to be involved in them.

The only thing that would bring the town to life would be the traveling vendors. It was a chance to bring in something new to the town and also deliver the news from other nearby towns. They would stop by once in a while, and when they did, everyone would crowd them. The young woman usually passed by them, but there was a vendor that was selling old knickknacks. The woman took interest and went to the traveler. The traveler was a man in his late forties with a full beard and glasses. He seemed bored for having no customers but perked up when the woman stopped by.

Hello, ma'am. What can I interest you in?

Nothing specific. I just like to look at the different knickknacks you have.

Could I interest you in some jewelry or some beautiful bags?

No, thanks. I'm not one to cover myself in jewels. My family makes our own jewelry and crafts here in town. I was just on my way home when I saw your shop. Maybe…do you have any tools like for drawing or etching?

I see. I don't have much for tools, but if you like collecting rocks, then I have something that might interest you.

The traveler turned his back for a moment, digging out something from his stock. The woman looked puzzled at first, then became awed by what the traveler brought out. It was a crystal lotus dragon flower. The crystals glowed in the light of many red colors. Esmeralda had never seen anything like it before and was mesmerized by it.

Here is a copy of a dragon flower made back in the day. Legend has it that these crystals could never be dull and never break. Although the flowers would seem frail, they would withstand a sword. All the while, they held magic inside them. It's a fake, but I got to say it's the best fake I've ever seen.

That's amazing. How much do you want for it?

Really? You would buy it? Even though I said it was fake?

Yeah. Fake or not, this is something I've never seen before, and it can also inspire some ideas when I draw designs.

Ha! Very well, I'll give it to you for fifteen copper pieces.

The woman paid the traveler, thanked him, and waved goodbye as she headed home. She was happy with her purchase. She wanted to examine it when she got home. There was something about it that was strange to her, and she wanted to find out what it was. She stored it inside her bag when a couple of boys blocked her way.

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Little Miss Bright Eyes.

Please step aside, Jackal. I don't want to deal with you.

Now that hurts my feelings. We just wanted to say hello to the witch of the town.

As they laughed, the woman rolled her eyes and turned to walk in a different direction, but they blocked her again. Now she was getting annoyed.

Where do you think you're going, Bright Eyes? No one wants you in this town, so why don't you just get lost? You're the plague that destroyed the land and ruined everyone's lives. Not even your real parents wanted you because you were such a pain.

Bright Eyes was only one of many nicknames the townspeople had given her. She had tried taking a step, but Jackal pushed her back, nearly making her fall. Although close in age, they still acted like they were little kids and thought they owned the place. They continued to laugh at her. She had enough. She punched Jackal first, then his buddy in the face. They fell to the ground and held their faces. After they were taken by surprise, the woman took her chance and left before they could get up. She didn't care if she broke their noses or not. Although she wasn't one for violence, she didn't regret it. She made it home without another hitch. There Grandma Martha was making tea.

Oh, you're back, Esmeralda. Did you have any luck by the river?

Sort of. Found a handful, but that was about it. But I did find a cool gadget from one of the traveling vendors.

Oh, let me see.

Here it is. The vendor said it's a copy, but I'm not so sure. Grandma Martha, what do you think? said Esmeralda as she handed over the dragon flower.

My, my, this is something else. I've only heard stories from my grandfather about these. But you said that the vendor said it was fake? asked Grandma Martha as her eyes brightened by its beauty.

That's right, but something's off about it. I'm not sure why, though.

Well, the crystals are real, that's for sure. It's a nice find, said Grandma Martha as she handed it back to Esmeralda.

Yeah, I thought it could inspire some new designs for our jewelry.

All right. Did you have any trouble heading home?

Oh, the usual stare and glare. The traveler was nice.

Esmeralda didn't want to tell Grandma Martha about her run-in with Jackal. It would've only made her worry, and she would've given Jackal a piece of her mind. Although up there in age, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind.

Well, I'm glad he made your day.

Esmeralda embraced Grandma Martha and had tea with her. As they sipped on tea, Esmeralda took in their home. Their little cottage wasn't much. It was a simple home for the two of them, two rooms and a living space with a small kitchen. It was also their shop to sell their crafts. Sometimes when traveling vendors were to come, they would buy their jewelry and crafts to sell in other towns. It kept them afloat, at least. The walls were aged wood and were beginning to wave in different directions. Grandma Martha was always in a good mood when Esmeralda came home. Her smile always made Esmeralda's day, no matter how bad the people in town had treated her.

Esmeralda unloaded her rocks and they examined them together. It has been getting harder to find rocks that contain gems and crystals lately. Only a few had potential. The rest they tossed and went to work on shaping them. Hours had passed by before they were done at shaping them and noticed they had forgotten to eat. Afterward, they ate, and Grandma Martha went to bed.

Esmeralda went to her room to draw on her desk. Her room was only big enough for a bed and her desk. At times it would feel small, but she didn't mind it. The dragon flower was stunning in her fingers. She couldn't take her eyes off all the crystals. Each one had a life of their own, and Esmeralda couldn't think of how the crystals had lasted this long since everywhere around their area had no crystals left. They also reminded her of a flame from the different shades of red. Plus, at the right angle of light, the light would reflect like flames dancing inside the crystals. After admiring it, she started to draw. Eventually she fell asleep at her desk and let her dreams take her away.

*****

Esmeralda found herself in a land similar to her own, but it was different at the same time. The land was green, the sky was clear, and the air was fresh. Not a single trace of the land she knew was there. In a way, it felt strange to see everything so lively. Esmeralda only recognized certain landmarks like the river and some of the older bigger trees because it was so drastically different than what she saw before. A shadow flew over her head, and to her amazement, a dragon flew over her.

It had to be a dragon, Esmeralda thought. From the stories Grandma Martha had told her, it partially described them as big creatures with wings that ruled the skies. A big blue one blazing across the sky at amazing speed. She tried to see more of it, but it was too fast as its gigantic winds carried it away. As she watched it disappear, a musical tune called to her ears. She looked around but saw no one. The tune came again, so she tried to follow it. As she followed the sound, the land only became more beautiful. It was a harmonious tune echoing at her, and she couldn't help but be drawn to it.

Creatures big and small roamed the area, crystals were all over the place, and the roars of dragons echoed around the mountain. The sight took her breath away. Esmeralda came to the base of the mountain. The mountain reached for the sky, and the tune echoed around her.

Trying to find where it was coming from, she started to climb the mountain. The mountain was steep and not easy to climb. The music got louder as she climbed up, but one wrong move, and she would fall. Gusts of strong wind would attempt to blow her away, but she kept her grip. Then she heard a roar. Another roar of a dragon overran the music tune. She froze when she saw one flying around her.

This one was a red one, and it didn't look friendly. It glided on the wind as it spotted her. Esmeralda stared back at it. This red one had black horns on its head and had giant talons ready for use. Suddenly it was flying straight toward Esmeralda. There was nothing Esmeralda could do. She was on the side of the mountain with no way out. And the dragon was too fast for her to let go and drop. She closed her eyes and screamed.

*****

Esmeralda woke up in a sweat at her desk. She breathed heavily from a peaceful dream to a violent end. It felt so real that she was even shaking. She was glad it was only a dream. The sun was beginning to rise when she looked out her window. It was a beautiful sunrise. She took a few deep breaths to calm down. She got up, stiff from her desk, and went to go take a bath. As she left, little did she know that the dragon flower had fallen to the floor and was faintly glowing.

2

Follow the Call

Days passed, and Esmeralda was having the same dream over and over again—the same beautiful land with the same tune leading her to the mountain. Each time she woke up, it was a different ending in her dreams. One time it was falling off the mountain, another was the wind took her away, and another, fog blocked her from the mountain. Every time, she would get taken off. She would also see the same red dragon flying about as if watching her. She couldn't understand what they were leading her to. Esmeralda didn't want to tell Grandma Martha about her dreams, for she herself wasn't sure what they were. She was determined to find out what was at the mountain in her dreams.

Esmeralda, are you okay? It seems you have been lost in thought the last couple of days. Are you getting enough sleep?

I'm fine, Grandma Martha. I just haven't been sleeping that well lately.

Grandma Martha accepted her answer as they made jewelry together. As the day passed, a few travelers came by to buy some crafts, but for the most part, they were alone. Esmeralda enjoyed this, partly because she got to spend time with Grandma Martha. Although she tried to hide it, Esmeralda knew that Grandma Martha hadn't been feeling well for the last couple months. Grandma Martha had been trying to hide some signs of weakness in her movements as well as her appetite. Esmeralda knew that Grandma Martha didn't have much time left, so she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her.

That night, Esmeralda tried to fall asleep and found herself at the base of the mountain. The tune sang to her as she climbed the mountain once more. The wind whipped at her from all directions, trying to make her fall. She held on and pushed forward and saw the red dragon once more. The dragon stared at her intensely. Esmeralda kept climbing before the dragon could strike at her like last time. She was pretty high up and finally came to a ledge.

There wasn't much to grab on to, and she stretched her arm out. She took hold, the rock broke, and she began to fall. One second she was falling, and the next she stopped. When she opened her eyes, she found herself on the red dragon's back. It had saved her and was bringing her back up to the ledge.

Esmeralda got down from its back and thanked the dragon. The dragon nodded and flew away. It disappeared as fast as it came. Esmeralda had wondered why it had saved her when last time it attacked her. She turned around and saw a cave on the side of the mountain. The music tune was coming from inside. Esmeralda walked inside the cave. The cave was damp, dark, and she couldn't see much as she continued forward. As she walked, the sound grew louder and louder.

She used her hand to guide herself along the walls, deeper inside. A faint glow entered the end of the tunnel. When she came through, she found an empty area. She looked around to see where the light was coming from and saw a necklace hanging on the wall. It felt suspicious floating there. It looked like an old necklace with six gems along it. Esmeralda was puzzled and noticed that the music was gone. She got closer to the necklace and tried to examine it. When she touched it, a flash of light blinded her.

While enveloped in the light, Esmeralda heard a voice calling out to her, "Restore thy gems to restore thy land. Work together face-to-face to understand. Follow thy crystal flowers to see thy past. So thy dragons can return at last."

Esmeralda woke up after hearing the voice. She didn't know the voice that spoke to her. She was puzzled by those words but sensed that she had to do something. It was still dark outside, so she decided to go to the mountain in the morning. She needed answers but knew she'd be a fool to go out at night. Going at night was never the best thing with some of the creatures that still lurked by the mountains.

She laid back down in her bed to try to rest her thoughts. Meanwhile, Grandma Martha was near her door, carefully watching her as she was worried about her. She could hear Esmeralda toss and turn and looked to her desk and saw the dragon flower glowing. Whatever the magic was, Grandma Martha knew that something was about to begin. And she knew that Esmeralda would be a big part of it.

*****

That morning, Esmeralda got up, packed a few things, and was about to leave the house when she saw Grandma Martha standing at the doorway, staring at the sky.

Morning, Grandma Martha.

Morning, dear. Off somewhere?

Yeah, I thought I would try to find some rocks by the mountain.

Grandma Martha raised an eyebrow at her, but she smiled. Although she didn't say anything, she knew there was more to Esmeralda's story than she was leading on. Esmeralda wasn't sure of what to say and didn't like lying to Grandma Martha, but she had to find out what was calling out to her. Grandma Martha gave her a big hug and held out the dragon flower.

I think you'll need this to find what you're looking for.

Wait, how did you—

Oh, c'mon, I know you better than that, Esmeralda. And something tells me that you'll need this to show you the way. Just be safe, and I'll see you when you come home.

Thank you, I will. I'll see you later.

Esmeralda took off for the mountain and waved goodbye to Grandma Martha. Grandma Martha was happy to see her go, but she was also worried what trouble Esmeralda would find. She watched her until she was out of sight and looked up to the sky as the clouds danced in the air, praying for her safe return.

With the rising sun behind her, Esmeralda followed a trail that led to the mountain. It was an unused trail that had begun to cover up with dead grass. Esmeralda was glad that she wouldn't be bothered on her way to the mountain. She was enjoying the fresh morning air and the sounds of the trees whispering in the wind. The farther she got away from the village, the more lively the area became to an extent. The grass was a little greener, and tiny animals roamed about. The trees looked better, and the streams coming from the mountain were clean.

Esmeralda knew it would take most of today just to get to the mountain, and she took her time. She had enjoyed going to the mountain since she was a little girl. There was always something new to look at, whether it be the new animal families or the change of colors from the seasons change. Even looking in awe at the magnificent structure of the mountains themselves was worth the trip. As much as she wanted to get to the mountain at a fast pace, she knew that going too fast could lead to trouble for the creatures that live nearby. Disturbing the wrong animal nearby could lead to trouble.

Hours passed by, and Esmeralda took a break from walking. She watched a family of ducks heading to a nearby pond. Watching the family made her smile. But her smile ended when she pondered on where her family was. She had never known her family and had often wondered what it would've been like to have a sibling, a mother, or a father. She had always been curious what a family really meant. Grandma Martha had been wonderful to her, but it wasn't the same.

Seeing the ducks swim away farther in the pond, Esmeralda got up to continue walking. She didn't want to think about it anymore and focused on making it to the mountain.

The sun had begun to set when she arrived at the base of the mountain. Esmeralda tried to recall the area in her dream, but the area had changed so much it was hard to tell where to start. And with the sun setting, it was getting harder to see if there was a ledge anywhere. Eventually she gave up and set up camp for the night. She decided to try in the morning after a good night's rest.

After walking all day, her feet were also killing her. While relaxing by the fire, Esmeralda grabbed her sketchbook and began to draw. She didn't think about what she was drawing. It just came onto her page bit by bit as she drew the necklace she had seen the night before. As the last rays of the sun fell, the page glowed and became an orb of light. The light blinded her for a moment, and when she looked down, her drawing was gone, and she heard a voice speak out to her.

"Follow thy light to thy place, and you'll see where you are meant to be."

Esmeralda looked for the orb of light and saw it behind her next to a boulder. She grabbed her bag and ran for it. The light shot up when she caught up to it. It hovered over her playfully. Now this was the tricky part, climbing the mountainside at night with nothing to guide her but a ball of light. Esmeralda was hesitant at first, then made up her mind. Gathering up her courage, she started climbing. The light kept close as if to make sure she wouldn't fall. The temperature was dipping