... Xoranthial and Ivory ...

The fallen, the dishonorable, the corrupted...

Corruption and evil and innocence lost,
tainted souls, turned black by sin.
The power gained wasn't worth it's cost,
because an empty shell is useless...
when there's nothing within.

They weren't always like this, believe it or not. If not, stay a while and listen to their tale, and you will hear for yourself how their wretched past had transformed them for the worst.

Prelude:

Long, long ago, before even the eldest of today can remember, Neopia's Draiks were wild, untamed and flew about in hordes. Unlike today, they were not as rare or precious. They terrorized villages and communities everywhere, and flew through the skies with unruly rage, frightening all who saw them. In these same early times, The coveted Gallion Petpets were once regal and sophisticated creatures. They stood upright on two legs as do most Krawks today, and were extremely intelligent. Most do not remember these times unfortunately, but The story of Xoranthial and his companion Ivory takes place in such a time period as this. Over the years the roles of the Draiks and Gallions have seemed to switch(meaning that Draiks are so important now, and Gallions are just regarded as unintelligent sources of income and petpets)This is the most common reason why most have a hard time believing the amazing tales of these two, and these ancient times. However, now that you are here, you can see for yourself that it is all true. Evidence stands before you in the flesh. In the form of Xoranthial and Ivory.

Click here to skip the story
(As much as I'd love for you to read it, I don't blame you. It's really quite long xD)

A Rider Born:

It was a dark night within a small Gallion village, one of many that were scattered about in the far off reaches of Meridell's mysterious untouched forests. Most of the curious inhabitants of this community were asleep by now, except one. A small, female Gallion sat restless in her straw hut. She was about to give birth, and nobody knew it but her. She squirmed around for a few hours in painful labor, when soon enough a new life was brought into this horrible world. The feeble child was weaker than the other newborns that had been born there in that village, but she wasn't one bit less special. Her scales and fur were a pristine white, an extremely rare and coveted phenomenon at that. Her mother knew from the moment she laid eyes on this Ivory coat, that only one name would suit her. And it was nothing other than Ivory. Cliche? Perhaps, but you have to admit it is a marvelous name.

This certain child was always favored within her village, as well as in other small Gallion congregations whom had heard tales about her. It was said that she was to be an omen of great change. Ivory never understood her significance, or why being different than everyone else was so important, but she just went along with it for most of her simple childhood.

Today, Gallions may seem unimportant and only aids of our more important Neopets, but back then they created something amazing that lasted for centuries. Not to mention something that was renown around the entirety of neopia years ago. I doubt however, that anyone would remember anymore.

Anyhow, because the Draiks were crazed and vicious in those times, most civilizations would resort to killing them instead of something else less violent. The Gallions were always peaceful creatures however, so every time a Draik attacked their village, they'd capture it and train it to be part of the Draik and Gallion alliance. Once a Draik was trained, a select Gallion (whom had also been trained) would become it's rider, and their souls would become bonded together forever. They would become one with each other, and they used this awesome power to defend, to help, and to fight against evil. This alliance was the talk of Neopia for centuries back in those ancient ages, and they were a most powerful force for many, many years.

Ivory always admired the riders and their Draiks. She admired how graceful they were in flight and how closely the two were connected. She had always wanted to be a rider herself, but only secretly of course. Females couldn't be riders back then, for they were only supposed to be mothers and wives for their warrior men. This troubled Ivory, and she swore that someday she would be a rider herself. She would.

A Draik is hatched:

Meanwhile, far away from where Ivory was being born(but around the same time interval) A tiny being floated around in it's yolk, protected and warm inside of it's opaque enclosure. This tiny being was a small, innocent Draikling, and after many months of waiting and growing, the life that waited inside the little tan egg was ready to be revealed. With a snap, the first crack appeared on the outside of the shell. A large Draik mother was looking on excitedly. Her only egg was hatching before her eyes. She gently guided the infant out of its dark sanctuary, into the sunlight of the outside world, and once it was completely free, she cradled it beneath her huge wings. The mother Draik named her child 'Xoranthial', which scholars claim means "honorable" in the ancient draik dialect. However, it is possible the actual translation was lost throughout the years.

Since this little newborn male was created in the Tyrannian Jungle habitat, his scales were a dull brown, for camouflage of course. He grew quite a bit slower than most of the other individuals in his pack, but was without a doubt one of the healthiest. This particular pack of brown Draiks thrived in their mountainous jungle habitat happily for many years, until one unfortunate event led to the demise of many. It hadn't rained for months (which was horrible for their rainforest environment) and all their food sources were on the brink of being depleted. Their prey had all died off or migrated to a new habitat, and all the plant life was slowly turning brown and withering. What was left of their weak pack decided to relocate to the Tyrannian Plateau, thinking that even the rugged, dry, harsh desert enviornment would be a better place for them than where they currently were.

Though they were normally a docile pack (due to their jungle home being cut off from most civilization) In the desert they learned, and soon followed, the ways of the many other Draik packs that roamed around in this strange new territory. To get food, they raided innocent villages, and despite some minor casualties, they were pretty well off. For a short while at least. One day they even happened to stumble upon a huge empire of Tyrannian Lupes, and thought that stealing from these Lupes would supply the Draiks needs for months(this colony was very well off and rich with luxuries). It was a good idea, except for the fact that this thriving empire just happened to be the famous empire of notorious Draik Slaying Tyrannian Lupes. Unfortunately for Xoranthial and the rest of his pack, these slayers lived up to their titles very, very well.

Most of the strong Draik leaders of Xoranthial's pack were killed in a battle against these epic Slayers, and Those left(which included Xoranthial of course) split up. Xoranthial fled to Meridell seeking refuge, and although he was still smaller than most of the other Draiks there, he still had the integrity to terrorize Meridell's farmers and village folk. He became infamous for swooping down upon the unsuspecting villagers and severing off their heads and/or extremities, and leaving some pets decapitated, and some missing a limb but still alive. It was more terrible than killing them really, because the pets he had made into amputees had to struggle to live with one less arm or leg, which made things very hard in those times. Because of this, his name became well known around Meridell, and when his name was spoken outloud any resident would shudder in fear and disgust.

Xoranthial was proud of his plundering and infamy for some time, however, unlike those Tyrannians, the Meridell inhabitants fought back. One day, while Xoranthial had eaten his fill of cattle and was carrying one last Kau off into the distance as a snack for later, a farmer that he had attacked once before spotted him. Though unfortunatley for Xoranthial, this time the farmer was prepared. He had set up a huge spear catapult, and launched it towards the airborne thief. Xoranthial was hit by it, and it lodged deeply through his left shoulder. He cried out in pain and dropped the Kau in mid air, and began to free fall onto the land below. Luckily, his fall was broken by some large pine trees. Although they saved him from a hard impact, the trees damaged his wings quite badly. Xoranthial's roars of agony echoed through the forest for miles, he was hoping someone would hear and maybe have mercy.

The beginning of a beautiful & terrible union

Twigs crunched under the weight of Ivory's feet as she tiptoed through the woods in search of a wild Whinny or Polarchuck. She was hunting for her dinner with only a bow and arrow, and although she tried to be very quiet, her clumsy feet wouldn't allow much silence. Suddenly, as she began to realize that it was getting dark, a young brown Polarchuck hobbled out from his den. She kneeled and strung her bow, her concentration was intense. However, it was so intense, that she actually lost her balance. Ivory fell with a thud to the ground, sending an arrow upward into the canopy. She laid on her belly embarrassed by herself, when a Weewoo fell from above. The arrow was through its heart. Shrugging her shoulders, she decided that would have to do. Ivory put it in her sack and started home, when an eerily familiar sound pierced her ear drums. It was the sound of pain and it rang horridly through the forest. It was the sound of something she knew but could not remember.

Ivory began to run towards the sound, her heart was racing as she followed the roars closer and closer to their creator. The unknown beast was just through some bushes, and slowly Ivory closed her eyes and pushed them aside. A small, brown Draik lay wounded before her, a great arrow sticking out from his muscular shoulder. His breathing was labored, and he was obviously exhausted. Ivory watched as this Draik attempted to remove the giant spear from himself, but it was embedded far too deeply, and the attempts only caused him to tire even more.

Ivory hadn't ever seen a Draik this close before, she only watched them soar around the training arenas from her cottage -blocked- Until today she never truly realized their amazing beauty. Ivory tiptoed up to Xoranthial's pained face, and starked to stroke him. At once the Draik called out to her angrily, telling her, first not to touch him, and second to remove the spear and to then leave him alone. "Well that wasn't a very polite thing to say to your only hope of survival." Ivory said with a smirk. Xoranthial glared at her with even more fury now, but only screeched in pain several times. Ivory wanted to save him, and she knew how to do it, but it was technically forbidden for her to do. Not to mention she was afraid.

The only thing that would keep Xoranthial from perishing, was if Ivory bonded her soul to hers, as had the many Draik riding Gallions in the alliance. It would be the only thing that would provide a strong enough life-force to heal and repair Xoranthial, and bring him back from the brink of death. All Gallions could do this, but only the males, and only those who were trained by the alliance itself were actually allowed to. She didn't want to go against her village people or her culture's customs, so she replied with a sigh, "I'm sorry I can't help you..." Her eyes wandered from Xoranthial's carrying the weight of her lie. "There must be something you can do!" Xoranthial said angrily, cutting her off. "Well.." Ivory hesitated. She wanted so badly to be a rider. She would do it, so long as this Draik complied that is. "What is your name?" Ivory said innocently, trying to lighten up the mood. "Xoranthial." Ivory grimaced at the name for she knew of him and his gruesome ways. However, if Xoranthial would agree to be her soul mate and her partner in this great alliance, he would certainly have to abandon her old 'habits'.

Xoranthial..." Ivory began, shuddering again at his name, "I can help you. I can save your very life, but to do it you must promise me something. You must comply.." Xoranthial's eyes peered into Ivory's searching for what she meant by 'comply'. "Anything is better than dying this way, I suppose." He then paused to take a long, gurgling breath. He was indeed dying. "Yes. Tell me what it is you need me to do to save my life." Again, blood bubbled in his lungs as he breathed, producing a horrid sound. Ivory began,"I can save you by bonding my soul to yours, by giving you half of myself. I am not technically allowed to do this...but I have always wanted to be a rider. To be part of the alliance- "A rider! What do you mean by that?" Xoranthial cut her off. "Well, you see," Ivory started again,".. the Gallions of Meridell capture Draiks who attack heir homes, but instead of killing them, they train them to be ridden. They become bonded to their rider and fight against evil together as one. It may seem odd but it is our way of helping the Draiks instead of just exterminating you like everyone else.."

Xoranthial's eyes had rolled back and then closed, and he didn't breathe for a while. For a few minutes Ivory actually thought he might have died, but he hadn't. After a long while, he finally responded. "Alright, I will join your little alliance." Xoranthial did not sound sincere at all when he said this, but a few seconds later he went on to add, "I have always wanted to be a great fighter..." His trailed off. Ivory knew it was now or never. She said the magical words she had listened to the riders say many times, and the two rose into the air together. Red electricity flowed from Ivory into Xoranthial encircling them in a barrier of forces, and then, nearly as soon as it had began, they fell to the ground. Ivory felt weak, yet Xoranthial was better than ever.

You really did save me..." Xoranthial said astonished, eyeing the small white creature. "Certainly being a part of you, being ridden by you, it isn't nearly enough to repay you for this." He made a motion that resembled some sort of bow. "Please, what is your name, and where can I meet the other Draiks and Gallions of this same alliance you spoke of?" Ivory was still a bit light headed, but she was grateful Xoranthial hadn't just flown away leaving her half empty. "I am Ivory, and trust me, being able to ride you is payment enough." A smile crept across her sweating face. "If you would, let me ride you to my village. I am the first and only female to have ever bonded to a Draik. Hopefully, this will be the start of something great.." Little did Ivory or Xoranthial know, this was the last thing it would end up being...

Xoranthial accepted this offer quickly, and with that, they soared up over the trees. Ivory clung to Xoranthial's neck scales, although she knew it would be much easier to have a saddle of some sort. Through the night they flew until the lanterns and fires of her village could be seen in a clearing. Xoranthial landed in front of a large bonfire, where many riders sat with faithful Draiks at their sides.

A new legacy established:

Ivory was unsure of how her village would react to the decision to make Xoranthial her bonded, but how they actually did react was incredibly unexpected. They were astonished by her boldness, and bowed in respect. They were amazed that she'd managed to 'tame' a Draik with no prior training, and proclaimed her as the new leader of the entire alliance from then on. Also because of Ivory and Xoranthial, they began allowing even females to train in the alliance, and this began a great, and very powerful legacy.

By the time both Xoranthial and Ivory were fully grown, the alliance had grown immensely. They never had any previous problems with defending their territory from evil for years, but now something different was ascending in the ranks of evil. A new power was rising, it was none other than that of Lord Darigan.

When Darigan found out about the alliance and their great power, He immediately attacked. He sought to destroy any power that was a threat to his own, and most of the time succeeded in doing so. However, the alliance had grown huge since the time Ivory had first bonded to Xoranthial, and they even overpowered Darigan Himself. Lord Darigan was infuriated, but within his evil mind he deviated a plan. He would trick some of those in the Draik Gallion alliance to join his side, and he would force them to fight against their own blood.

Because of Lord Darigan's current plan, the alliance eventually began to fall apart piece by piece. One by one, riders and their Draiks would turn to the evil side, and Darigan's power was increased by adding them to his forces. Ivory never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would turn dark, be engulfed by evil, but Darigan thought otherwise. He knew that she and her mount Xoranthial were the most powerful leaders in the alliance. He had yet another plan to aid the alliance's downfall.

Turning into the darkness:

On a peaceful day with little conflict and fighting, Xoranthial and Ivory found themselves enjoying a slow flight through the blue skies. They talked of their adventures in their younger days, and they talked of the days when everything was in order. They laughed and reminisced about those glorious, melancholy days, when suddenly, they noticed a shadow trailing behind them. It made Ivory very uncomfortable. Xoranthial stopped and hovered in mid air as both of them squinted to see this alien thing that was approaching them. To their surprise, this mysterious shape was in fact Lord Darigan himself. They almost fled, and probably should have, but they didn't. The both of them were too curious to leave just then. What could such a maniacal fiend want with them?

With a devious look, Darigan approached them quite politely for the cruel military dictator that he was. "I have come to offer you something. Just to...talk a bit. Hear me out, wont you?" His devious smirk was hiding an evil plan, one that Xoranthial could sense very well. Since he and Ivory were bound by heart, soul, and mind, they could convey their thoughts and emotions to each other without them being out loud. Xoranthial used that to his advantage just then. Ivory, this man can't be trusted. He's up to no good, we should just decline whatever it is he wants us to do... Xoranthial warned. Being the more impulsive one, Ivory replied with this, No, I honestly don't think so. Maybe he really has something insightful to offer us. I want to talk to him. Please... Xoranthial could never resist Ivory's pleas, and so they agreed. "Good, very good." Darigan hissed under his breath, and then cleared his throat. "Wont you two come back to my quarters to discuss this...offer with me?" Ivory was still intrigued, but Xoranthial didn't trust him at all.

Ivory's eyes were locked steadily onto Darigans, while Xoranthial fidgeted in his spot. The smell, the air, the very semblance of this place just made him so uncomfortable. He stared out into the dark clouds from a shabby tower window, paying little attention to what Darigan was saying. Ivory, this isn't right... Xoranthial warned again with agitation, but he got no reply. Finally Xoranthial tuned back into what was going on in the room, and listened in horror. "Ivory my precious flower, I can offer you power, a seat in your own throne next to mine. You can be my queen, if all you do is one favor.." Ivory perked up when he said all of this, and Xoranthial had a bad feeling that Ivory would abandon all of her morals for this...Darigan. She swore she'd never turn dark, but Xoranthial feared for the worst now. Darigan had become very powerful, more so than the alliance even, and Xoranthial knew Ivory might consider being on anyone's side if they were the current most powerful force in Neopia.

We will do it." After a long while of considering, that is what Ivory blurted out. "Just perfect.." Darigan hissed as he does. "What you will need to do, this one small favor, is to retrieve an artifact from Jhudorah for me..." His smile was not the leat bit auspicious. Not a single part of Xoranthial trusted him. "It is....just something I need to...improve my magic" Darigan spat out hesitantly. "It is extremely important that I have it, and also...." He paused and his eyes wandered away. "You must never touch it with bare hands, or look directly at it for too long. Which is why you must only look at it only through this mirror, and touch it only with these gauntlets. Also, once you are holding it with the gauntlets, you must put it in this satchel and keep it there until it is in my hands... " "Well why-" Ivory started, only to be cut off by Darigans raspy voice. "Because you mustn't!" He said in a harsh tone. This frightened Ivory, so she asked no more questions. With a map of faerie land in their possession, the two took flight and headed towards Jhudorah's cloud. This was probably the biggest mistake they'd ever make.

This 'artifact' that Darigan had sent them to retrieve was actually the sacred and highly coveted, Orb of power. All of the greatest leaders of Neopia were after it, for it was said to give anyone who has it in their possession the greatest power that exists. Though this may have been true, those who have had it have only been corrupted by its evil. It turns friends against one another, it makes individuals selfish and vile. It turns once good pets into power hungry maniacs, and despite all of these things, everyone still desires it. Darigan didn't really want to share his throne with Ivory and Xoranthial, he would never be so kind. Darigan only sent the two as minions to get the orb for him, so that he could be the most powerful leader that there ever was. However, neither Xoranthial nor Ivory had any idea of his cruel intentions.

Corrupted by power:

Xoranthial and Ivory retrieved the orb with strange ease from Jhudorah, following all of the instructions that Darigan had set out for them. They were both curious, but didn't want to go against what he had said. The flight back was going fine, until they both heard a voice looming in their head. It was coming from the satchel. It was a woman's sensual whisper, the kind that is tempting and sinful. It was the kind that you know you shouldn't listen to, but can't resist. Look at me. It urged. Look into my core and you shall see the truth...Don't trust Lord Darigan, he just wants this power all for himself. He doesn't want your help, he only wants me.... Ivory and Xoranthial looked at each other to confirm that they both had heard it. Please, just put your hand inside of this satchel and touch my glassy surface...it is then and only then that you can see the truth... It was an eerie, tempting voice that kept luring them to it, but the two remained faithful. That is, until they confronted Lord Darigan about it.

It was...whispering to us." Ivory said suspiciously. Darigan's eyes lit up with fear. "What did it say?" He asked frantically. "Oh just...that it could be used to make the best spells for any magic." Ivory lied. Darigans sudden, suttle confused look gave a blatent hint to both of them that he knew exactly what was going on. That was not what the dark orb had said, and Darigan knew it. "Lord Darigan," Xoranthial intruded, "With all due respect, why can't we know what exactly is in the satchel. If we are going to be leaders with you, we should all kno- QUIET!" Darigan screamed as he held the glowing purple orb of power in his hands. His eyes became red with fury and his face twitched as he was engulfed by the power of this curious thing. "Now I will be all powerful! The orb of power is mine!" At once, Ivory and Xoranthial realized what they'd done. They had heard stories of how the evil orb had used its dark magic to poison the minds of countless leaders. Without thinking, Ivory grabbed it-to try and get it away from Darigan. She had no intention of being poisoned by it along with Darigan, but it was an inevitable occurance the minute she touched it. Her white coat became a sheen black, her eyes became a blank and clouded white, and her pupils became nothing more than slits. Xoranthial was fearful for her, and knocked the orb away from both of them with the end of his tail.

Immediately, the tip of Xoranthial's tail turned black from the poisonous magic within the orb. It rolled to the edge of the Citadel, and fell right off. Xoranthial was slightly relieved, and hoping that he had spared Ivory from the corruption, despite the fact she was already completely black. Xoranthial grabbed Ivory by her small arm, and tried to take leave from that horrible place. To his disappointment though, Ivory was already too far infected beyond repair. She screamed in fury and dug her sharp claws into the spot where the spear had pierced Xoranthial's shoulder long, long ago. This pained both of them since their souls were bonded, and it struck a fear in the heart of Xoranthial that he'd never felt before. He was in a state of such shock, that he simply listened to and obeyed every word Ivory said, and grabbed the orb in his talons before it could smash on the ground below.

Xoranthial did this without thinking about the effect it would have, which was yet another mistake. Black began to creep up his arms from the orbs evil, and suddenly his mind filled with vicious thoughts. His eyes turned completely blank white. The orb was corrupting Xoranthial as it had both Ivory and Darigan. It filled him with images of himself as an all powerful ruler. Again, since the two were bonded, Ivory saw the images too, except in her vision, it was she that was the all powerful ruler-not Xoranthial. The orb was giving them both visions, but it was just an illusion. Though everyone saw mostly the same thing, it corrupted each with images of themselves being the ruler of entire Neopia. It just tricked them, and catered to their own personal desires. They all loved what they saw, they wanted more, and that was why it was coveted so. Xoranthial and Ivory enjoyed their visions for a few moments, but they had forgotten that Darigan was still watching them soar away from his citadel, his prize within Xoranthial's grasp.

And suddenly everything changes:

Darigan had been looking over the edge to see what would become of the orb, when he spotted the two escaping with it minutes later. Using his magic, Lord Darigan did the only thing he could, and turned Xoranthial Darigan with an evil beam. His features and colors all started to change, except the blackened spots where the orb had tainted him with its corruption. Xoranthial grew large wisted horns, spikey ridges on his back, and the most devastating thing, was that his wings disappeared instantly.

The change immeadiatley shocked Xoranthial, and he let go of the orb. It had only stained his arms halfway for he hadn't been holding it for too long, but even seconds was enough time to corrupt his once fragile mind. Ivory clung to Xoranthial as they plummited towards the unknown abyss below. To their perfect convinience, what was below was a very deep part of the sea, and so they survived a fall from hundreds of feet. Since the orb had slipped away from Xoranthial's hold, it too fell and disappeared within the ocean's abyss. The two became distraught because of that. Now that they'd had a taste of its toxins, it was like a horrible addiction. They were both infatuated with it, and needed more. They were addicted to the orbs dark magic and it was an addiction that could not be cured.

They pondered what to do about the missing orb, what was now their very reason to live. For weeks, months even, they searched, when finally they decided that they needed to get Xoranthial wings if they would ever be able to go anywhere inaccessable on foot ever again. Ivory and Xoranthial traveled the forests and eventually came across a pack of kind Mutant Draiks. They tricked one into getting too close, and they tore his wings right off of his back. Ivory, using the magic her Gallion village once taught her, cut open Xoranthial's back and inserted two flight runes on either side. Ivory then took thick leather strings and stitched the wings to Xoranthial's skin. With some magic words, Xoranthial began to feel and control the wings again, and as Ivory expected, he could fly. Though the wings were a grimy swamp green color when they had been taken, the minute they touched Xoranthial's skin they too became tainted, and turned the same evil blackish-purple that had afflicted Ivory's white coat and Xoranthial's arms, legs, and tail.

The end is just another beginning:

Since that fated day, Xoranthial and Ivory watched as the once proud and powerful Draik and Gallion alliance fell apart into oblivion. It was their fault the alliance fell, and it was Ivory and Xoranthial's fault that it ended so violently. If the two had not turned to evil, the alliance would have lived on-therefore, they brought shame and Dishonor to all the riders and Draiks that had been in it.

Other than that, they watched the Draik population decline immensely, they had watched as the Gallions were captured by people and enslaved. They saw that the Gallions were being forced into tiny cages that made them bend over. This is why today, they have become accustom to walking on all fours, and why it is the only way you'll see them walking. Ivory is probably the only standing Gallion that exists to this day, and no doubt the last of the Draik and Gallion Alliance. She and Xoranthial have watched many things change over time, but have still kept true to the one thing that has changed them forever. The orb.

Xoranthial and Ivory are still on the search for that sacred orb of all power, as well as Jhudorah, the other Faeries, Lord Darigan and many, many others. They are all hell-bent on finding it(for many different reasons), but none have succeeded in doing so as of yet. Xoranthial and Ivory have been around since those ancient times searching, and they have yet to realize that they may never, ever find it.

The end?