Dragonheart: Dawn of the Christmas Spirit

(this is when I lived in Stony, but in this story, I am only 14. My hair is short like Peter Petrelli's from Season 2 of 'Heroes', my teeth are straight, and my acne, CP, shunt, tube and scars are all still long-gone! Even though Marc and his friends are still around, and are completely normal humans, there is still world peace!)





On Christmas eve, in the year 1999, I lay quietly in bed, all alone at home. My dad and Barb were both at work, and Brandon was spending the night with a friend.

Little did I realize that something truly revelational was about to happen, in just a few hours, that would change my life forever, and open up to me a future that I could only imagine!!

I found myself dreaming about Draco, from ‘Dragonheart’. For him to give half his heart in hopes of bettering a man bent on vengeance and greed, was truly inspiring to me. I had watched the film just yesterday, and was thinking about Draco, Bowen, and Einon.

I found myself pondering the surprising realization that Marc was very much like Einon himself. This bothered me more than I cared to admit, even to myself, but it was reassuring to know that he and his friends had been locked up in the Stony Mountain penitentiary just over five years ago, never again to hurt anyone, or be released.

And Moloch, Curtis, and Dallas had all since died of fever, leaving only Marc and his friend Judas, which was further confirmation that people were safe, and not worried about being put in any danger.

Getting up, I quickly had a warm shower, cleaned up, then got dressed in my lined bluejeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my plain grey hooded sweatshirt.

Glancing at the clock, I found it was only 10:30, but I wasn’t tired now. I went downstairs, grabbed a slice of dragonfruit for a quick snack, then slipped on my black ‘Bates’ winter boots and my jacket.

Heading out, I stood on the front step. Luckily, it was one of those winter nights that was somewhat warm.

I headed down the street toward the arena, then turned onto the hill road. Suddenly I noticed something lying on the ground in front of the post office’s front door. Running over, I saw a note.

Picking it up, I unfolded it, finding someone’s elegant handwriting that I did not recognize.

Charlie,

Here is a very special Christmas gift that I have created just for you. I know of your love for Dragonheart, so I figured this would be a fitting gift. I hope you enjoy it.

You do not need to worry about your family. I have explained everything to them, and your father told me to tell you that he is very happy that you can embrace this new beginning. He, Barb, and your brother Brandon are all truly happy for you, Charlie, and they will always remember you, as will I.

Merry Christmas, my friend.

There was no signature. Puzzled, I found the door was unlocked, Going in, I saw another small piece of paper with a silver key, and a number: 421.

I suddenly realized that it was my father’s mailbox number. Intrigued now, I took the key, went over, and unlocked the mailbox in the centre of the vast rows of silver steel mailboxes in the wall opposite the post office door. Reaching in, I felt smooth, polished wood!

I withdrew the object, gasping as I saw a beautifully-crafted, cubic rosewood case with a brass clasp!!

Taking the case, I went to sit on a nearby bench, setting the case on my lap, and opening it. I felt my jaw drop as my eyes widened.

Inside, on a gold chain, was a magnificent silver pendant shaped like a flat disc with a dazzling blue stone in the centre that I instantly recognized as sodalite, which was my birthstone!! The silver gleamed in the light, as the icy-blue sodalite gemstone glowed with a dazzling icy sheen!!

Around the edges of the disc was an elegant inscription I recognized as the Old Code:

“A knight is sworn to valour
His heart knows only virtue
His blade defends the helpless
His might upholds the weak
His word speaks only truth
His wrath undoes the wicked.”

And beneath it, closer to the gem in the medallion’s centre, was another part of the Code:

“The right can never die,
if one man still recalls.
The words are not forgot, if one voice speaks them clear.
The Code forever shines, if one heart holds it bright.”

I then noticed another note folded in the bottom of the case, just visible beneath the navy blue velvet cushion the medallion had rested upon.

Taking the note, I unfolded it.

Charlie,

I hope you like this medallion. I thought of you when I saw it, and knew you’d appreciate such a gift.
Merry Christmas once again, my friend.

Smiling, I placed the mailbox key on the counter for the attendant, then left, and went back home.

After a warm bath, I dried off, then slipped on my dark green plaid pyjamas and my night robe and slippers, before heading downstairs for a hot cup of apple cider; my new gift around my neck.

The medallion felt cold against my bare chest beneath my shirt, but the metal quickly lost the chill.

As I sat at the kitchen table sipping my hot cider, I began to feel something strange; a subtle warmth under my nightshirt, right where the medallion rested on my chest.

I set my mug down, got up, and reached up to pull back my robe, gasping as I saw the sodalite stone in the center of the medallion was glowing diffusely, shimmering like a light seen deep underwater!!

Then, in a heartbeat, it happened. The stone suddenly blazed brilliantly, blinding me as I jerked my head back from the light, blinking to clear my vision. But I instantly noticed it had grown sharper, as had my other senses!

I could feel my heart beating in my chest, but now, something about it seemed…different. I stood still, listening.

'Thump, th-thump, thump! Thump, th-thump, thump! Thump, th-thump-thump! Thump, th-thump, thump!’

That’s when it hit me: my heart was just like Draco’s now!!

Then, my robe began to feel tight. I turned, and hurried outside to the backyard. Luckily, I was all alone.

Glancing up, I saw the crescent moon, and turning my gaze northward, gasped!

The stars of the constellation Draco now shone with surprising clarity in the winter sky!!

I found it odd that my favourite constellation would be visible on Christmas eve, as Draco was normally at its brightest in July, in the middle of summer. Why it was so bright now, I didn’t know.

But that was a minor side note as I suddenly noticed the stone in my medallion had grown brighter, almost matching the intensity of the stars of Draco itself!!

Suddenly I gasped as I watched brilliant fingers of silver flame erupt from the medallion’s crystal, enveloping me while lifting me off the ground, looking almost exactly like the powerful mystic sand whenever it was unleashed from the golden dagger in 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time', only this fire was brilliant silvery-white instead of fiery golden-yellow!!

I was absolutely mesmerized as I watched my body grow and change; scales enveloping and replacing my tan human skin, stopping the winter night’s chill!!

I was unable to keep my eyes open as the light intensified even more, as I lifted my head to the night sky; the power swiftly transforming me into a magnificent young dragon midway between Drake and Draco!!

My hide was greyish-copper like Draco’s, but my horns were short and stubby like Drake’s, although I appeared midway in age between them: older than Drake, but younger than Draco!!

The power soon began to weaken, as I drifted back down to the ground, landing softly on all fours as the power faded from around me like thinning mists, and was gone!!!

My pyjamas and robe were also gone!! Puzzled, I quickly glanced around, but they were nowhere to be found!!

I then noticed the medallion was still around my neck; the sodalite crystal now normal, no longer glowing.

I glanced up at the sky again, seeing the stars of Draco shining like diamonds in the dark sky!

I suddenly felt a tear slide from one eye, and looked down, raising my right hand to catch it, where it lay gleaming in my palm, reflecting the moon’s dim light like a mirror!

I stared in wonder at a real, gleaming diamond! I could hardly believe it. Like a dragon, I now wept diamonds instead of liquid tears!!

Holding the diamond tear up, I noticed with amazement that it was almost invisible against the softly-falling snow; diamond itself being the purest natural element known on earth!!

Letting the diamond fall to the snow, I turned, walked to the gate, and opened it, going out and closing the gate behind me.

I easily jumped the fence, and headed to the middle of the grassy field. Luckily for me, the streets were deserted and silent; all the houses dark.

I glanced up at the sky once again, seeing Draco, then looked down as I slowly reared up, reaching up to slowly lift one breast scale; the dim amber glow of my dragon heart illuminating the snow before me, as the soft mesmerizing rhythm of my heart echoed in the night.

“So it is true!” I whispered. “I now have become who I truly was meant to be!!”

Smiling, I closed the scale over my heart, slowly spread my wings to their full, 60-foot span, and glanced once more up at the night sky; Draco gleaming in the night.

I then took off, feeling the winter wind beneath my wings, and soared gracefully up toward the stars, before disappearing into the night.

And, deep in my heart, I knew that even though I would never again return to the only home I had ever known, the immeasurable and unbreakable love that my family and I held for each other would let me live a life of happiness and joy in the exciting times to come.

I had finally found my true destiny, and had become who I knew I really was at heart!!

I found myself softly singing one of my favourite songs: “Corner of the Sky”, by Matthew James Thomas.

“So many men seem destined to settle for something small, but I won't rest until I know I'll have it all!

So don't ask where I'm going, just listen when I'm gone, and far away you'll hear me singing softly to the dawn...

Rivers belong where they can ramble. Eagles belong where they can fly.

I've got to be where my spirit can run free; gotta find my corner…of the sky!”

And I knew: Whoever the gift was from, had truly believed my life could be changed into something greater than I could have imagined, and now it had come to pass, and I would embrace my new gift, and my newfound freedom, with all the spirit of the holiday season!!

I truly enjoyed my new life from that moment, and as I was busy exploring the countryside about a week later, and experimenting in all sorts of ways with my new dragon form, I suddenly heard the tolling of the church bell in the distance, followed by the distant dazzle of fireworks on the horizon; the strike of midnight signifying the first hour of the year 2000, heralding the beginning of the new millennium!!

I smiled, before kneeling on the cliff edge as I spread my wings to their full span, lifting my hand to my heart as I bowed my head and closed my eyes. I prayed thanks to Jesus for giving me this new life, and promised Him that I would cherish this gift for all time.

I then laid down to rest on the cliff edge, and went to sleep, dreaming of the truly wonderful times to come.

Many hours later, I awoke fully refreshed and rested, and finally noticed the first dim glow of dawn start to creep across the countryside.

Standing up on the cliff, I turned, and smiled as the first brilliant golden rays of the coming dawn sliced across the landscape, throwing the land into a dazzling golden glow!!

I smiled to myself, before once again spreading my magnificent dragon wings, and taking to the sky, flying east into the coming sunrise; my silver medallion gleaming as the sodalite stone in its center flashed with startling brilliance!

"Watch for me!" I whispered to the world. "Drake Starfire is coming!!"