Your typical Modern day Earth. No magic, no talking animals, aside from blabbermouth humans and the occasional bird. Soul dragons are created from any living creature upon a sacrifice, living in their own realm.

Tan Sunh lived most of his life as your ordinary Siamese Fighting Fish, or Betta fish, in a rice paddy in rural Vietnam. He knew as much as a fish, as he was a fish. Two years of his life went by in his little home, life being boring. Until a mate came along, and Tan Sunh was ready to build his nest to make a family.

Before he could, his rice paddy began to dry out; they were in the middle of a drought, and a small dike had broken, draining his pond. His mate was trapped in a smaller puddle. In an act of desperation, Tan Sunh swam out of his safe puddle, and tried to make it to her. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain, and he suffocated in empty mud between the puddles.

Instead of being the end of his story, this was just the beginning. Tan Sunh awoke transformed into a magnificent, intelligent dragon; the gods had seen his selfless deed, and rewarded him. Unfortunately, they could not save his mate. While Tan Sunh was amazed and delighted at his transformation, he was angry that his mate was not saved, and for the longest time he lashed out at the other dragons. As punishment, the gods shrunk his horns. Humbled, Tan Sunh began to reluctantly get along with them.

And so he lived for 28 years, in essentially Nirvana, but not happy without his mate. He kept occupied with sparring and fighting others. During one of these fights, Tan Sunh was going for a lunge, but ended up going to Infinitas instead.

A black and gold collar on his neck, adorned with oriental square swirl designs. He almost never takes this off, and it is connected via strap to the other object...

Tan Sunh calls this his "pearl", but it is actually his soul; a large, crystal sphere with a betta fish inside. The betta fish doesn't move much, but it's emotions reflect Tan Sunh's. The pearl has a strap connected to it, which spirals inside. The whole thing is about as large as a bowling ball, and weighs as much.

His pearl is more than an item; it's a physical part of him, and although strong, it is his major weakness. If the pearl is broken open, his soul is released, and he dies. If he isn't in contact with it, he gradually becomes weaker; if 24 hours pass without contacting his pearl, Tan Sunh slips into a coma-like hibernation, and stays that way until he is reunited with his pearl.

No one knows about the Gods, at least while they're alive. None of the dragons have even seen them either, just beams of light and deep voices.Yet these beings have the ability and foresight to select entrants to their realm.

Anyone, any animal, may become a soul dragon. The gods deem whomever is worthy, but the catch is, once it happens, it is permanent; no going back, even if you want to. Most soul dragons are oriental in appearance, but they can vary from creature to creature. While they have long lifespans, these dragons are mortal, and usually perish of natural causes after a few centuries.