Mezereon & The Dragon II: Lyra Meets Nerys & Mezereon
While the forest’s inhabitants were well acquainted with Nerys, humans remained largely oblivious to her existence for many generations. Dragons were considered beings of myth and legend, tales told around the fire to entertain or to frighten. However, the age of Mezereon and the fulfilment of the prophecy marked a shift in this perception.
The forest’s harmony during the time of Mezereon and Nerys was noticed by the humans living at the outskirts of the Emerald Canopy. The unprecedented peace among the animals and the uncanny sense of unity stirred their curiosity. The tales carried by the wind, whispered by the birds, or told in the rustle of the leaves, reached their ears. Yet, the stories of a young stag and an ancient dragon were dismissed as folklore, mere figments of wild imaginations.
Everything changed with the arrival of a young human named Lyra. A naturalist by passion and a storyteller by heart, she had been drawn to the Emerald Canopy by its extraordinary tranquility. Living on the periphery of the forest, Lyra spent her days observing the unusual behaviours of the forest creatures and recording them.
One day, while exploring deeper into the forest, Lyra saw something that took her breath away. Amid the dappled sunlight of the forest glade stood Mezereon, his antlers gleaming, and beside him, the iridescent form of Nerys, magnificent and awe-inspiring. It was a sight that changed her life forever.
Over time, and with great caution, Lyra earned the trust of Mezereon and Nerys. She promised to respect their secret and use her knowledge for the good of the Emerald Canopy. As Lyra learned more about Nerys and Mezereon, she began weaving their tale into her writings, subtly hinting at the existence of a dragon in the forest without revealing too much.
Word of Lyra’s chronicles spread, her writings reaching far and wide. Her accounts were met with scepticism by many, but they also fascinated some. Over time, the idea that a dragon might still exist sparked a renewed interest in the protection of the Emerald Canopy. Without ever revealing Nerys explicitly, humans started to believe in her, and their actions began to reflect a desire to preserve the unique magic of the forest.
In this way, Nerys indirectly became a symbol of conservation and respect for the natural world. While her existence was not known to all, the legacy she created alongside Mezereon transformed the Emerald Canopy, and in turn, the humans who held the forest in their hearts.
First Encounter
Lyra’s first encounter with Nerys was nothing short of magical, a moment that would forever etch itself into her memory.
She had been in the Emerald Canopy for several weeks, setting up her base at the forest’s edge while gradually venturing deeper into its heart. One cool, dewy morning, she decided to explore a part of the forest she hadn’t yet charted. Equipped with her trusty field journal and camera, she stepped into the dappled sunlight filtering through the tall, ancient trees.
As she walked deeper into the forest, a feeling of quiet anticipation grew within her. She noticed an unusual calm among the animals, a silence that was peaceful, not ominous. Even the ever-chattering squirrels and birds seemed to have fallen into a hushed whisper, their eyes gleaming with shared secrets.
Lyra was reaching a beautiful glade when she saw a sight that stopped her in her tracks. There, standing tall and majestic amid the emerald foliage, was a young stag, his antlers catching the morning light. It was Mezereon, a creature she had seen from afar but never this close.
Before she could react, a gust of wind blew through the glade, and a soothing warmth spread around her. That’s when she saw her. Descending gently from the sky, the sun illuminating her iridescent scales, was a dragon. A real, living dragon. Nerys.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Lyra watched, awestruck, as Nerys landed gracefully next to Mezereon, a sight of unimaginable harmony and unity. The creatures of the forest looked on, a shared reverence in their gaze.
Lyra felt a rush of emotions – astonishment, fear, excitement, but above all, a sense of profound wonder. She had stepped into one of her stories, into a world where dragons were not just creatures of myth and legend, but of flesh and blood.
She made no move to approach them, instead choosing to observe from a distance. The respect for their peace and the understanding of the significance of what she was witnessing kept her rooted to her spot.
From that day on, Lyra’s life in the Emerald Canopy took on a new meaning. She had a purpose now, a mission to understand this extraordinary alliance and protect it. She had seen a dragon, had seen Nerys, and her life was forever changed.
