The skies rumbled ominously over the wide desert as a vast square platform appeared, wide enough to accommodate twenty large dragons. These majestic creatures had gathered to discuss dominion over the world's twenty countries. Each dragon would be assigned a nation to rule, for the world was divided into exactly twenty realms.
Balaal, the Dragon of Light, brought the meeting to a close by firing a radiant beam into the sky, a signal for the others to follow. One by one, eighteen dragons released their beams, with Malzahar, the Shadow Dragon, completing the ritual last. Thus, the meeting ended, and each of the twenty dragons took charge of their respective countries, ushering in an era of peace that would last a century.
Malzahar, the Shadow Dragon, presided over Beastonia, a land inhabited by wild beast-men. The dragons had the power to bestow godly strength upon their servants, though none could match the might of a dragon. In this world, dragons were revered as gods, particularly by their own subjects. Despite being given the smallest country, Malzahar's domain held vast, unexplored territories.
While the other nineteen nations boasted advanced civilizations, they did little to explore their lands as Beastonia did. From humble beginnings, Beastonia rapidly evolved into one of the world's fastest-growing nations. The other dragons watched warily as Malzahar's influence and kingdom expanded with each passing year.
A dragon's strength grew in proportion to the number of people who worshipped and praised them. As Malzahar's power increased, so did the concern among the other dragons. The ultimate goal for any dragon was to evolve into a Supreme Dragon Lord, achieving a humanoid form, a transformation that came with unparalleled power.
All of them were aware but didn't think it was possible, so they just turned a blind eye. Malzahar's ways were not those of a tyrant or a dictator who would take over a country by force. However, due to his shadow element and dark aura, he was often misjudged and disliked by the other dragons. So, during those 100 years of peace, Malzahar and Beastonia became strong.
Even other dragons began merging their countries to avoid being threatened by the rising force. And then one day explorers from Beastonia discovered a massive, undeveloped island inhabited by 500,000 tribal people. Upon landing, they took control of the land effortlessly, having driven away the wild beasts that the tribe could not manage. This was the key to establishing a thriving nation. This world was filled with magical creatures, and with a dragon's protection, the wild beasts would vanish. As a result, the tribe's leader accepted Malzahar as their ruler, and Beastonia grew to become the largest country, even surpassing Balaal's realm of Velkara.
Malzahar was adored and celebrated by the people, who offered him tributes and performed rituals in his honor. Unlike other dragons, who were worshiped out of fear and served as judge, jury, and executioner, Malzahar led his people with integrity and sought peace rather than war. The magnificent kingdom of Beastonia held a ritual, during which a population of two million offered their prayers to Malzahar for his leadership and kindness. This ritual would be remembered in history for the tremendous surge of mana and aura that radiated from Malzahar throughout the world.
Malzahar, the Shadow Dragon, became the first Great Dragon to reach the final stage of evolution, transforming into the first Supreme Dragon Lord. This alarmed Balaal and the other dragons, as they recognized that the power struggle would soon lead to a significant imbalance. Consequently, they resolved to attack Beastonia.
The top three countries, Velkara, Fangrath, and Rotflick, launched an assault on the nation while Malzahar slumbered for 2 weeks to finalize his transformation. His 5 generals, empowered by his blessing, fought valiantly to protect their homeland, yet the overwhelming strength of the 3 Great Dragons proved insurmountable. The relentless force of Balaal, Drelgoth, and Ignarion unleashed devastation across Beastonia for 7 days, resulting in genocide; women, children, teens, beastfolk, and tribes were slaughtered mercilessly. Malzahar remained in his lair despite having done nothing to the Great Dragons. In the meantime, Balaal Drelgoth and Ignarion formed an alliance and summoned the other 16 dragons to watch Malzahar's lair.
On the 11th day, Malzahar's lair glowed with mana as a gray energy burst surged into the sky, illuminating the entire world. While the three dragons remained in Velkara, the other sixteen fought Malzahar, marking the beginning of the Great Dragon War, which endured for three nights, during which Malzahar defeated nine dragons single-handedly.
The power of a Supreme Dragon Lord is light-years ahead of a Great Dragon. The other dragons fled to their respective nations, while four dragons ventured to Velkara, and Malzahar went to different countries to pursue the remaining dragons. As a Supreme Dragon Lord, nobody could hinder him. As the other dragons perished, the remaining 7 dragons in Velkara received increased prayers and reverence due to fear. As Malzahar rested and mourned his people in his charred kingdom, the other seven dragons were evolving into Supreme Dragon Lords in their own way.
Malzahar sat on his throne in Beastonia, surrounded by the ruins of his once-great kingdom. The scent of ash still clung to the air. He knew it wasn't over. Now that the other dragons had evolved into Supreme Dragon Lords, they would come for him.
He waited.
Soon, they arrived, humanoid now, gods among dragons. Seven Supreme Dragon Lords stood at the gates of his ruined castle. They didn't come to fight fairly. They came with a strategy. With ancient magic, forbidden spells, and divine seals, they launched their plan.
It wasn't even a battle. They never intended to kill Malzahar. Supreme Dragon Lords were immortal. Instead, they sought to banish him to send him somewhere he could never return from.
Beneath the abyss of Fangrath, there lay a cursed gateway. A fortress guarded by warriors blessed by all the dragons. It was the only known path between the surface and the underworld, where demons ruled. No one had ever crossed it from below not gods, not monsters.
That would be Malzahar's prison.
For two days, they bound him in unbreakable seals. When the ritual was complete, Malzahar, the Ultimate Shadow Dragon Lord, was cast into the underworld.
With him gone, the seven Supreme Dragon Lords divided the world into seven massive kingdoms. The Great Dragon War was over. An alliance was formed. They rewrite history, branding Malzahar the villain who started it all.
"A necessary sacrifice," they said. "For peace."
But peace built on lies never lasts. And in the shadows of the underworld, Malzahar waited.