Once upon a time, there was a lonely dragon who lived inside a cave, far away from a kingdom. One day, he overheard some travelers talking about a group of heroes wandering by to look for bounty. The dragon was pretty timid, and wasn't sure if he was strong enough if they decided to slay him.
When the dragon saw them arrive, they people in the fairly small kingdom said that there wasn't really a problem, but they did tell the heroes that there was a dragon in the outskirts of their town. The group proceeded up the mountains where the dragon was living in. When they got there, they were disappointed to find out there wasn't much loot that the dragon was hoarding. Nevertheless, they slayed the sad dragon and went on their way.
Weeks later the leader of the heroes became gravely ill. He told his comrades to seek out a priest to cure his sickness. They dispersed throughout the country, and found many healers. But, they all replied in a deathly tone. "Your leader may have angered the Goddess of Dragons, Tiamat." "There is no cure for this, because it isn't a disease. It is a curse." They told them to speak to their leader and ask him if he knew what he did, before the curse spreads to them.
The leader said that he was once a Dragon Knight, and had a dragon of his own that he took care of. That was a long time ago, and the dragon has been killed when he was in battle. His funds hit rock bottom and he was forced to be a mercenary, killing whatever was threatening the peasants. He had forgotten about what his dragon had said, that all dragons, no matter how evil, have a heart of kindness; you just have to know how to get to it. Eventually, something bad would happen to somebody that killed something they hold dear. The leader said he may have been spared a great torture if the Goddess hasn't felt pity for the dragon he once had.
His comrades looked at each other, Wondering what they could do before they were cursed as well. The leader suggested to find another dragon, and ask it to lift the curse. So again, they all went searching, this time in a group. Rumors tell a tale of a great dragon, wise and deadly living near the volcanic area where the land is black and riddled with dead, burnt trees. The warriors bravely fought their way to the dragon's lair, and was shaken by the power of the being.
The dragon look right at them, not a sign of fury in its eyes, but the dragon still looked a bit annoyed. "We are not here to slay you, we-" The dragon roared, shaking the entire area and causing stalactites to fall around them.
"Fools! Slay me?! No warrior could NEVER put me to my death! You are lucky that I have already had my meal, otherwise you'd end up as my lunch!" The heroes were never so scared in their life, but hey continued to ask the dragon for their favor. "It seems that your leader deserves what he had obtained. Either way what would you give me if I aided you? I have power, fame and fortune; everything a man would ever want!" One of the heroes stood their ground and asked a simple question.
"What about love?" The dragon blinked in astonishment, it had never found a mate, and was much to frightening to make friends with.
"And who in the world would want me? There is no one who has the power to match with me!"
By now the rest of the heroes regained their courage and proposed their own answers.
"What about the Dragon Goddess?"
"I've never really thought about being a God, but I am not sure whether I have the kindness or willingness"
"Why don't you become a dragon that is more suited to a mate's level?"
"It is not easy to give up what you have acquired, if you know what I mean, human."
"But isn't love worth more than anything?"
"I supposed you're right, I shall take heed of your advice." The dragon arched its neck towards them. "And if it doesn't work, by my will you shall suffer dearly..."
And so the heroes all gathered into where their leader was resting, relieved that the curse was gone. The leader declared that they shall never slay another dragon ever again, and would rather make peace with them. The great dragon they have met had finally found true love, and rewarded the adventurers with a small portion of his hoard; enough for the heroes to create their own Hall where they greet new heroes.
The leader will always remember the moral of which he was given, that all things, no matter how evil, has a touch of kindness.
They lived happily ever after, The End.
