Prologue

In the outer edges of our galaxy, there is a war that has been raging on for over 200 years, with it being in a stalemate for decades now. This war has taken numerous lives, societies and planets. This bloody war has dragged in thousands of planets and hundreds of alien species. The remaining warriors are dwindling, the innocent either forced to endure the rule of the Eltec Empire or have been displaced from their home world, or their world or solar system completely eradicated with only a debris field only remaining. The opposing forces known as the Galactic Alliance of Species, their one and only goal is to fight back against this ruthless enemy, they have an ability to turn a former allied species into their army using unknown means. The stories on the battlefield go on saying that the Eltec Empire take their enemies' bodies, as well as their own fallen and then revive them to fight for them. At present a great tragedy and military victory recently occurred that has set into motion a new and terrible fate for all in the galaxy.

Overlooking a waterfall, a cooling calming breeze flows from the canyon waterfall carrying a refreshing, and calming scent of water with it. A slight hazy cloud of water sprays in the air slightly obscuring a twisted tree on a hill beyond the waterfall. Across from the waterfall, the twisted tree that has swayed in the wind of the canyon, forcing the tree of centuries to tilt away from the cliff due to the strong winds bellowing from the canyon. Just beyond the tree on its right is a mansion surrounded with a flower garden in a rainbow of colors. Within the flower garden there are seven rows of flowers that show the Milky Way galaxy using the flowers as a living picture.

In the center of the flower garden where the center of the galaxy there is a large dragon statue with its head held high staring to the sky, its wings spread wide open enforcing the feeling of taking flight.

Exiting from the mansion, a figure walks past the statue with an elegant pace and with confidence follows a path that winds and curves toward the twisted tree on the hill where a tall broad figure stands beneath the towering tree stump and branches.

Under the twisted tree the figure stands within its shadows, this tall and bulky figure relaxed with its head at a slight tilt to the sky. As with every gush of wind the swaying of the branches allows the sunlight to pierce the shadow below, revealing the figures dragon-like wings at a relaxed position with the webbing of its wings waving gently like an ocean current, gentle and soothing. Its tail relaxed on the thick damp grass motionless, in the subtle light that pierces through the leaves revel to us the coloring of the figures scaly thick tail, revealing a gentle gradient of grey underlining to its spine scales below a weathered and scared rough skin. The upper edges of the spine ridge exhibit a bright golden color, lining the top of each spine from tip of tail to just below the split cloak.

Appearing under the twisted tree next to the humanoid dragon figure, a middle-aged man stands just outside the trees shadow. The middle-aged man with blue hair and bear ears that blend in with the style of his long flowing hair, styled cleanly from front to back. The middle-aged man dressed formally adorned with a clock just above the left breast pocket. The clock shines on the outer edges like a clean mirror with a crest embedded within it. The crest with its intricate design and detail shows; six dragons with their tails twisted over the other showing a form of unity, the colors of each dragon facing in a clock-wise direction, shows a purple colored dragon handling a spear with a small flag draping downward with three rings on top, the next is a white dragon holding onto a book with three rings on it, after that a golden dragon is holding a large claymore with three droplets designs on the face, the next is a green dragon holding onto a triangular flask in one claw, the next a blue dragon holding a compass and a small book in the other claw, lastly a red dragon holding onto two swords with flags swathing downwards with three rings connected together from sword to sword.

The broad-shouldered figure relaxes his arms to his side and adjusting his head lower as if he is looking to the future with knowledge of what is to come.

With a deep and heavy sigh, "You know Syn, when I return home, it feels like everything melts away. All the scents of blood in the air, the darkened skies of smoke for burning buildings, the grime that covers every inch of my scales on my body from tail to horn…"

A slight breeze sways the tree branches showing us a scaleless face of a middle-aged man, his eyes shine with a golden iris when the light passes over it from the swaying leaves. Over his right eyebrow a large deep gash that looks to have been recently carved into his face like a sculpture. His face shows slight wrinkles around his eyes, a dark circle around his showing much fatigue from sleepless nights and tiring endless battles. His strong chiseled chin and lightly rosy cheeks hide previously healed scars and few darker, deeper scars. In the middle of his forehead is a gem that is translucent as if a window that allows us to see into his inner mind. The gem reveals a golden color matching his spines on his tail but with a flow moving and pulse matching the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Syn slowly moves closer to the figure under the tree with cautionary steps, bowing forward to the dragonkin showing respect from every movement of his motions, in a calming and reassuring tone, "Master Argus, the slight breaks between your missions is a small glimpse to a future with no war or strife. Every sacrifice that is made, every scar that you carry, and with every drop of blood that is shed paves a way forward toward a peaceful future, a future that you have paved by hand for your family…"

Argus slowly turns his broad-shouldered body, moving slowly with his wings and tail lagging behind him, turning to Syn towering over him like a mountain covered by a looming thunderstorm, tilts his head slightly down to see Syn's dark blue shoulder length hair with a small tie holding onto a longer patch of hair that is tied and draped over his right shoulder.

Argus raises his left hand and gently places it on Syn's left shoulder, in reaction Syn slightly raises his head, "Speaking of my family where, are they? I did not see them when I got home. Did Tatianna, Tienerra somewhere? I was looking forward to seeing them."

Syn, feeling the gentle pressure on his shoulder, feels the worry and urgency of Argus's desire to see his family.

Syn, "Master Argus, Missus Tatianna and lady Tienerra will be returning shortly from their visit to the Soltar Hall of Records. As Tienerra's Trial of the Blood Path…"

Argus moves his hand slightly to the side of Syn's shoulder gently suggesting to Syn to stand straight and face him. Argus slowly moves towards the trunk of the twisted tree and reaches out his hand placing it on the tree, as to feel the tree's heartbeat.

"Ah, yes she is turning 10 in a week." Argus turning to his right to face the water fall that roaring with power in the distance.

"One day these missions and battles will be over. When that time comes, we should all go on a long trip in space to get away from everything and to properly celebrate Tienerras birthday." Within Argus's voice reverberating a subtle tone of anxiety, despair, and hope reverberating from within him.

"I may be the youngest General to have ever led the Soltar Marine Corp, I may be the head of the Santii family household and one of the six core families, but I would give almost anything to be able to have, a day, without all of this. I only want to see Tienerra grow, to see her smile, to hear her laugh…"

"If I may speak frankly sir…" Syn slightly drops his shoulders and releases a heavy felt sigh. "During the 200 years of this war with the Eltec Empire, we the Soltar race and the Galactic Alliance of Species, have been at a stalemate for many decades now, with neither side giving or losing a system or sector to the other…" Syn turns to face directly to the back of Argus, holding back his urge to place his hand on Argus's shoulder as he did for him earlier.

Argus stands tall and brings his hand back down to his side while his wings retract to square up with his shoulders, turns his head slightly to aim his ear towards Syn.

Syn continues, "We have suffered many losses and many races have been purged by the Eltec Empire. There is a small glimmer of hope after what happened on Daridus Delta, we may have the advantage for the first time in these last 200 years. That planet was the Eltec Empires primary military manufacturing planet. It is truly a heart-breaking thing to hear that the entire populace of the planet passed with the destruction of Daridus Delta..."

Syn gives a slight pause as to give remembrance to those who lost their lives on Daridus Delta, with a heavy and lower tone, "but it did hit the Eltec Empire hard as this should now slow down their development in space carriers, reeducation camps and other atrocities they have committed on that planet…"

"Master Argus, this can mean that you and all the other warriors may have the chance to be with your family sooner than later. So please stay strong and hold onto all the memories that you make with Tienerra in the meantime. Use her comforting smile as your strength to push forward, to help bring this war to a quick end…"

A momentary silence between them fills the air around them, all that could be heard are the local animals' gentle calls, the distant roar of the waterfall, and the calm breeze that never left.

Argus stands motionless enjoying the current moment, "Syn, your family have served the Santii family for generations, correct?"

In this moment Syn can sense that at this moment they are not master and servant but equals in life.

Syn, "that is correct the Brigands family have served and devoted our blood to the Santii family ever since the Great Separation millennia ago."

"I know I shouldn't say things like this but if anything, ever happens to me or Tatianna. Please take care of Tienerra. If that includes teaching her everything about this war and the atrocities that have come of it, please try to lead her in the best direction you can."

Syn collects his feelings as well as the feeling of his heart in his throat takes a step forward to Argus standing equal to Argus's shoulder looking into the distance with confidence.

"Speaking freely Argus, we both know that anything can happen, and I have always had the intention to protect Tienerra as my own child." Syn relaxes his stance and turns to Argus with a gentle stare as an older brother looks at his younger brother.

"Besides Tienerra can take care of herself as she has caused us countless hours of searches, visitations with the school administrators. She reminds me of you when you were a kid." Syn gives a gentle nudge to Argus's arm with a warm and whimsical smile.

Argus cracks a gentle smile, coughing up a subtle laugh from within is chest, "If I remember correctly, you were many a time the main reason we got into trouble when we were kids. So, you should be able to handle Tienerra as well as your four kids."

Argus holds his gentle smile, staring out into the distance reminiscing about the past that brought joy and happiness to him. During this moment he thinks back on how he met Tatianna. He was fresh back from the front line after a long thirty-four battle with the Eltec army, getting berated by his commanding officer for ignoring orders to advance.

Shortly after that warmth fills him, he then remembers the moment Tienerra was born his second child and only daughter. Seeing her filled his heart with unrelenting happiness, warmth and the greatest determination to protect her even if he has to fight the universe alone.

Syn then makes a subtle jerk to his right as if something shocked him, while focusing on something that is not in view.

"Master Argus, you received a message from the Burday family head. They are requesting an emergency meeting with you as soon as possible. He states that it has to do with time sensitive information…"

Argus is then snatched back to the present with all the warm happiness being blocked out by the constant thunder and shadows of war smothering that warmth away. Briefly thinking about Tatianna and Tienerra refilled his determination to fight for their future, for a future full of laughs and smiles with his family.

Argus tenses up, tightens his fist, his wings spread out just slightly wider than his shoulders, "This must be about his recent expedition into enemy territory. Tell him I will be ready here for when he arrives…"

Argus then releases all his tension from his body, his wings squared once again to his shoulders but with a slight sag to them his clenched fist loosened.

The wind and the scenery are filled with tension from the conversation but after a mild gust that shakes the tree branches, wipes away the tension that was once there. Argus slowly turns to walk past the tree trunk, looking forward toward the mansion and seeing that Tienerra and Tatianna are out in the garden standing by the statue.

Tienerra smiling and laughing while running around the stature looking around the flower garden excitedly. Tienerra then looks at the tree, seeing him, she jumps in excitement with her little wings and tail flailing around begins to run up the path towards him and Syn. She begins to run forward lifting her skirt reveling a small tail, while her wings are spread open completely as if she was trying to fly to Argus.

Argus then waves back to his daughter with a gentle smile on his face. While waving he sees Tienerra trip and fall, causes him to jerk in her direction in worry of her being hurt, while also having the urge to destroy the ground that dared trip and hurt his little princess.

Tienerra then stands back on her own patting the dirt off her dress and continues up the path to reach Argus.

Argus relaxes his arm down to his side and takes a deep breath, while scanning the scenery again, "Syn, I'm afraid that what happened to Daridus Delta may be the beginning of the end for this war, but it may not be for the side that we are hoping for if they don't heed my warnings…" Taking in one last deep breath Argus takes a step past the shadow of the tree, with Syn following shortly at a distance from Argus's tail.

Slowly the two walk away from the twisted tree and disappear behind the hill. The air around the twisted tree begins to pick up. The breeze becoming more violent, burst up from the canyon passing through the tree causing it to shake violently, pulling leaves from their branches, then shortly with a snap and crack a large branch fell from above the spot where they stood before.