Day one, Time, 9:00 PM

The sun had set in the territories of the west, bathing the land of Deltora in a tranquil night. The water lapped slowly against the shore of the lake Tor. Beside the lake, the magnificent white city of Tora stood out like a pearl in the dark ocean. Inside the people were settling down for the night. They wished each other peaceful dreams, and shifted the weather in their city to that of the outside world. And far above the city, completely invisible to any looking into the sky, were the violate guardians of the land. They swerved through the sky, singing sweet songs before they to landed and drifted off into harmonious slumber.

By the light of a withering candle however, one being remained awake. The little dragon sat in the Toran library, a large stack of books in front of him. His light source had depleted from a burning white tree to nothing more than a flickering stump. He paid this no mind however, and dove deeper into the stories and histories before him. The only times he had broken this concentration was when the Toran Elders had asked for him. And being a generous guest he couldn’t refuse their hospitality. But now he was free to lose himself in tales that rivaled those of the founding of Equestria.

In just one day he had taken in so much about this land. He had studied the seven ancient tribes that inhabit it, each different yet at the same time similar. The land itself had given them each a great and powerful gem to symbolise their tribe and all that was unique about them. The tribes were weary of each other however, and waged war feverously against one another. The tales of some of these made the young dragon shiver. While it was true that the pony tribes had hated one another, they never took their aggression to this extreme. He felt his eyelids begin to drop, but he forced himself awake. He had to learn all he could.

Then things began to get even more extreme for him. The text he was currently reading was labeled The Rise of Adin. And even though the battles of the seven divided tribes had been a shocker to Spike, he quickly regarded them as mere filly’s play to what followed.

Long ago, during the last ages of the Land of Dragons, a terrible event befelled our land. A horrific army of men who were not men descended from the Barrier Mountains of the north. They were cruel in appearance and mind, for they had been created for the sole purpose of conquest.

Across the mountains, in the vile domain known as the Shadowlands, a powerful and wicked being had been growing in strength. His servants called him the Shadow Lord, a vile and wicked sorcerer whose dark powers were unrivalled. He had cased his vile gaze across our land, and after many years he was ready to take it.

His army swarmed the north, burning small settlements and slaying all in their path. Even the lands mighty guardians, the seven dragon tribes, were unable to even slow down the advancing force. Whenever they tried, their attention was drawn by the Enemies most loyal and wicked servants, the seven monstrous Ak-Baba, who slayed lone dragons and retreated when the numbers didn’t favour them.

Most of the northerners fled to their fortified cities, like Rithmere and Hira, or sought refuge in the lands of the south. Those poor fools were quickly killed once all information had been taken from them. Even thought the lands of the south were aware of the danger, they decided to ready their armies and wait for the tide to swallow their northern enemies. For surely the shadow army would best the north in no time at its current speed.

As luck would have it however, a terrible winter coated the land that year. The crude foot soldiers froze in their tens of thousands, and their wicked master was forced to abandon the attack until the frost reseated. The people praised the heavens for this blessing, but they knew that it was only temporary. If they were to survive they would need a miracle.

And from this despair, their miracle came. His name was Adin. He was a humble blacksmith of Del. One night he dreamt of a belt, a magnificent belt of steel with seven medallions. In each of them resided a great gem; Topaz, Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Ruby, and Opal. He knew then that he was destined to forge this belt, and unite the tribes behind it. So for months he fashioned the dream belt and set off to each of the seven tribes.

One by one he won their trust and one by one they added their gem to the belt, and with it swore themselves to Adin. Finally by the time the snow reseated and the Enemy returned Adin had the armies of all seven tribes at his back. And on the plains of Hira, at the center of our land, he drove the enemy back to its vile domain.

Adin was then crowed the first king of the land now called Deltora. He married the a Toran women named Zara. This connected our two great cities until the end of time. Adin ruled for many good years and was loved by the people, to whom he was just as willing to die for as they were for him.

He never forgot however that the enemy, though defeated, was not destroyed. He knew that the enemy was patent and clever, and to its anger and envy a thousand years was a blink of an eye.

So he wore the Belt of Deltora always, and never let it out of his site.

Spike was just barely able to finish those last words before fatigue finally won over the young dragon, and he toppled face first into the book. Just as he drifted off into the world of dreams, the tiny candle finally snuffed out.

*****

Spike was hovering above a walled city, much like Canterlot if it were on the ground. It sat in the middle of a barren plain. The young dragon knew he was looking at the city of Hira, the very heart of Deltora. Turning north he saw crimson mist poor over in great waves, and within the mist were hundreds of thousands of deformed creatures that resembled crude clay figures. They bore no intelligence in their eyes, and no mercy in their souls. All they knew was how to harm and destroy. And that is what they would do to the walled city and all who defended it. Screeching above them were seven monstrous beings that were too wrapped in the mist for Spike to make out. He could tell that, whatever they were, they had been bread to kill.

Suddenly the gates of the city burst opened wide, and a bright light that only Celestia could conger emitted from it. From the light stepped a single man with black hair and kind eyes. His face was a humble and trustful one, but it also bore great determination and spirit. He drew his sword and raised it high, tossing back his cloak and revealing a magnificent belt. “For the Land!”

And suddenly from the light came a grand and powerful army. Despite never seeing them before, Spike knew right away who these men and women were. He saw the people of the Del tribe, dressed in simple cloaks and armor. But what they lacked in defence they made up for in courage and spirit. He saw the pale skinned Ralads, who while not warriors themselves; could build master constructions and amazing traps. He saw the silver armoured warriors of the Plains fighting for their home alongside their bitter enemies; the savage black leather armoured Mere. In between the soldiers were the honorable Dread Gnomes. While no bigger than a pony, they each had an arrow notched, and each and every one would find its mark. Spike easily recognized the mages of Tora, who stayed near the back to assist with their magic. And finally he saw the mighty golden armoured knights of the Jalis, who moved with such sink and precision that it was like you were watching a machine.

All of them had put aside old hatred and beliefs to save their land. And all of them had pledged loyalty to Adin. Spike watched in awe as the seven tribes all charged from the city with determination and fire he had never seen. He watched as their forces met with the advancing shadow army. And he felt the wicked force that controlled it watch also, but not with rage or fear. Instead, Spike sensed something else.

Patience.

Author's Note

Good News Everyone, this is the last chapter for Day one!