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They were fighters.They were fierce.They’d never seen defeat until that horrible, horrible day.

They’d suffered unimaginable losses.They’d done all they could.They’d been outnumbered.

They’d needed a way to escape and a place to heal.

When they believed all hope was lost, Queen Doireann of Tribe Connacht called for help.Princess Rionach of Tribe MacLorren begged for reinforcements.But the call that finally reached his ears, pricked his conscience and forced him into action was from Empress Scathach of Tribe Clonburren.

Three simple words… Spoken with unrelenting faith and a belief that could move mountains… “We need Hope.”

The situation was utterly untenable.So many of their kin slaughtered.The enemy was unrelenting.Death was knocking at the door.The Clans had done everything they could.It was either retreat or be killed–but there was nowhere to retreat, and death was not an option.

They simply could not be killed.If they were to die, then an entire race of Others, the oldest of the Winged Warriors, the Mothers of the Original Dragon Kings would become extinct in the blink of an eye.Unlike any other of Dragonkin, these female Dragons, Vibrias, Queens of their Race were blessed by the Goddess of All.They were given the Magic of the Ages to carry on Dragonkin come what may.

It had been decreed long ago, on the fifth day of Creation by all the Powers That Be and Chaos that there could never be a world without Dragons.Not only were the ferocious in battle and fierce in their loyalty, but those Winged Warriors had hearts of gold and a benevolence that shined as bright as any sun.Their sense of right and wrong, just and unjust, coupled with their ability to exact judgement on the guilty was beyond reproach.

Quite simply, they were unlike any other, and therefore, could not be forsaken.Hopper didn’t think twice.He answered the call.He raced to the rescue and brought them to the only place he knew no one would ever find them.

Then he’d called Pat.

As soon as his Cousin appeared on the white sands of Dreki Island, they’d worked together to place a sphere of impenetrable Magic around the southernmost tip of the island.They’d made sure no one–god, goddess, human, or Other–could detect the special ‘refugees’, and for centuries, what Hopper and Pat referred to as Dreki Island was safe and sound.

It hadn’t been easy to keep the secret.More times than he cared to count, he’d wanted to share the burden with those he knew he could trust.His heart and soul had begged him to tell his Mate, even though he would have had to write a letter since she hated the mere sight of him.

But none of that mattered.He knew Hel would help if needed.It was of no consequence that she didn’t want to be within a country mile of him.That woman, that goddess, that amazing person had a heart of gold and would help any that were deserving.He’d seen it with his own eyes.She was so much more than anyone realized–and she was his.All he had to do was convince her of that fact.

But he’d never told anyone about Dreki Island, other than his Cousin.And he and Pat had kept the confidence no matter what happened.

Oh, sure, there’d been times he thought someone–specifically his other Cousins–had found what they were hiding.He was sure if they had they would unwittingly put those he’d saved in danger.

Thankfully, that hadn’t happened.

Trust wasn’t the issue.He trusted them with his life, and more importantly the life of his Mate.He never told them because the more people who knew, the greater the chance that the wrong people would find out and once again, these very special beings would be in grave danger.

These Dragons had a Destiny.They had a Calling.And when the time was right, he knew the Tribes of Otrera would be ready to take their place among The Powers That Be’s Chosen Warriors.

There was no doubt in his mind.He’d seen glimpses of the Future, the bits and pieces afforded him by his Aunties, and knew that in modern times, everyone would think the threat of the Hunters and the horrific group known as For Humankind had been eradicated, or at the very least, was no longer a threat, but Hopper knew better.The part of the Future for which he had no doubt happened a year after an incident in the Chihuahuan Desert, very clearly showed that Pandora O’Baoill was still a threat.

And there were others like her roaming that beautiful blue and green ball in Milky Way.Other bigots who had nothing better to do than spread hate and vitriol against anyone different.They were the true Evil.They were the Darkness that only served to make the Light brighter and keep Hopper and Hope alive.

But no matter how bad things got, or would get, he was who he was and all of it was just another day in paradise…

The Omnipotent Being known as Hope wasn’t a gig for the faint of heart.But it was his job, his Calling.Dammit, it was who he was, and he took it very seriously.

But there were simply times he needed to be alone.Didn’t everyone?

Sure, they did.Even Omnipotent, Immortal Beings needed a break.It wasn’t a crime or shameful.It was what had to happen so he could keep putting one foot in front of the other and helping those who needed him.

And that number was growing exponentially on a daily basis.The larger the population, the more important an optimistic state of mind was and the harder it was to maintain.More people inevitably meant a greater need to stay motivated and positive during difficult times.

Even still, Hopper refused to give up.None of the Virtues ever gave up.It simply wasn’t in their DNA.And for Hope, it simply wasn’t an option.He knew that good things, even though not a certainty, were possible as long as the goal was kept in sight and the inspiration never failed.

All it took was the promise of a better tomorrow and a smidge of what only he could give them,hope, and anyone could forge their own path.No, it wasn’t easy.Then again, nothing worth having ever was.

But the humans with good intentions never gave up.They focused on what had to be done and believed they could accomplish anything.Many times, that was all down to him, and it was one of the best things about his job.

Hopper never forgot the look in the eyes of anyone with hope.It was that special spark, indescribable and beautiful and utterly unstoppable.The people with hope had a sense of purpose.They knew what needed to be done, and they were not afraid to do it.

It had been the same since the first couple walked the Earth.Then the population grew, and hope, the feeling, made even the most isolated among them felt less lonely.It was the most amazing thing Hopper had experienced, and he never wanted it to end.