Magic died out when the dragons did -Grayson.

The cold wind blew around the stone pillars, making harsh whistling sounds as it went. Skeletons, corpses that had been picked to the bone over the years by ravens, littered the ground, others still rotting away after the ravens themselves had been eaten and driven to leave the place.

The harsh and unforgiving sun was hidden behind the clouds, and so the place, unlike the rest of the world, was covered by shadow.

The arena was completely and utterly silent.

It was a very desolate place in the middle of nowhere. The very air seemed strange and out of place.

However, it was not completely abandoned.

One lone creature lived in this place. A creature that had lived for eons, all on its own, for those who came looking for it, in hopes of seeing and perhaps even possibly kill the legendary creature for its invincible armour, had all ultimately been eaten by the beast.

For it was a beast, truly. And a giant one, at that.

The creature lived out its lonely life in fear, but not for its own life, or that of its armour. What it feared was the fear of the destruction of its friends. Those who had raised it, had cared for it, had been there for it when he had needed them most.

He awaited their return. But mainly, his master, his father, his best friend, the one who had seeked to bring the creature to life. All the same person.

The creature did not have a sense of time.

So when it caught the familiar scent of a lone figure making its way through the stone pillars, he was overjoyed. He leapt up from where he had been standing patiently, waiting for his master to return.

But as the lone tall figure approached, the creatures dancing motions slowed, for he realised that although the lone tall figures walking gait was familiar, it was not that of his masters.

It was too calm, too precise, the strides too long.

The creature had stopped moving completely, and stood absolutely still as the lone tall figure finally reached him.

The tall half-breed reached one hand up, feeling for the creature's face, as he had lost his sight due in an old battle long ago. The creature lowered his head to the half-breed's hand, nuzzling his snout into the half-breed's palm.

The half-breed smiled, not caring for the fact that he could only feel his old friend and not see him. It did sadden him though, that he would not see the creature's children. He had sensed them on his way there. Delightful little beasts, carefree and gentle in their ways. They would certainly live up to a good name.

Still smiling, he told the creature this. The creature chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in its throat.

His children were not natural beasts like him. They had been made with the power of their combined magic, and so were very kind, kinder than beasts that were born naturally.

The half-breed laughed with him, for a time. The combined sound echoed throughout the otherwise deserted and empty place, and the sound was pleasant. It brought sound to the otherwise silent place.

However, the half-breed's smile soon faded. He still knew why he had come here, what he had to do.

It saddened him so.

The creature, sensing the others unease, tilted his head slightly in the others hand. The half-breed, feeling this, let his hand fall to his side. With utmost care, he reached into his pocket, and took out a seemingly ordinary silk bag.

As the half-breed reached inside it, however, the creature could instantly tell that the bag was not as small as it appeared- on the outside, at least.

The half-breed carefully took out what was in the bag and handed it over to the creature. Realising what it was, the creature actually began to tear up as he held out one clawed paw for the item.

Tears began to slide down the creature's cheeks as he held the thing in his paw.

The half-breed let the creature have its moment of silence. When the creature had stopped its crying, he (telepathically) said simply,

You miss him.

The creature nodded silently. When he spoke, however, his voice, though soft, reverberated throughout the area.

With all my being.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. If anything, I'm the one who should be sorry. I should have gone looking for him...

It's not your fault. You, here, have no sense of time. This place does it to you, you can't escape it. You didn't know, so it's not your fault.

The creature seemed to think about this.

The why did he send me here? He must have known!

The half-breed answered almost immediately, as if he had knew this was coming.

He did it for your safety. He wanted you to be safe here, you and your children, even though they do not live right here, at the arena. You can't blame him for that.

The creature thought about this, and nodded.

Yes, he thought, that is probably right.

Speaking out loud this time, the half-breed asked, "The helmet. What will you do with it?"

Growling deep in his throat, the creature answered, "I will protect it."

The half-breed nodded, and briefly took the battered metal helmet from the creatures grasp, floated up in the air to where he sensed the creatures head to be, and placed the helmet on the creatures head.

Using magic, the half-breed transformed the helmet so it would fit the creatures head snugly. Before the half-breed could transform the helmet into one of a much better quality, the creature spoke up.

"I would like to keep it the way it is."

The half-breed nodded, and let his hands fall to his sides. He slowly drifted down to the ground, where he stumbled a bit before regaining his balance.

The creature bared his teeth in a smile that would have sent any person who didn't know better running for their lives.

"Now... I am complete!"

For with the helmet now added to his armour, the creature was be un-killable. No weapon would ever pierce him. He felt strong, stronger than ever before. It was as if he had the strength of two beasts now.

The half-breed gave a weak, sad smile as the beast before him spread its wings and roared.

The creature, dropping his head down to look the half-breed in his unseeing eyes, dipped his head in thanks.

The half-breed continued to stand there, unmoving. The smile fell from his face, and he suddenly started to fall forwards.

The creature let out a cry of alarm as the half-breed started to fall to the ground in front of him. The creature moved forward to catch his friend in his paws.

Being careful as not to hurt the weakened half-breed, the creature looked for the sign of some hidden wound, or anything that could affect him so.

There was none. The half-breed's life force continued to diminish, and the creature howled in anger and despair as he realised what had happened.

The helmet. It must have contained the half-breed's life force... and now, because it had been changed, and given over to the creature, the half-breed would no-longer be able to...

"How long? How many years has it been, for you to have to use a spell like that?"

The half-breed's eyes were closed as he answered slowly and deliberately, "Far too many, my old friend."

The half-breed's breathing was becoming slower and slower as the last of his life-force was drained out of him.

"I wish that I could see your children."

The creature shook his head, tears coming out its dark eyes all the time. He knew that it was too late to save his friend, but there was one last thing that he could do before he died.

"No, my old friend. You will see them before you go."

Raising his head to sky, the creature roared, demanding his children to fly to him, quickly. And, dipping his chin down to rest against the half-breed's head, he commanded his magic to work for him, in ways that only make themselves known when the end is near.

"My dear old friend... you shall see them. Open your eyes."

The half-breed slowly opened his eyes. He smiled when he saw the little beasts flying around in circles above his head, chirping away as they did so.

"I...I am glad... thank you... old friend."

And with that, he finally faded away.

The Ender Dragons raised the heads to the heavens and roared.