Episode 23: Dragons Heart

It took us nearly 4 days to reach Khonrigek, capital of the Supaenid Empire, since the squad I was with had ventured out further than expected.

Inozkez had told me that it was usual for squads to patrol larger areas than were originally designated out of diligence and a protective nature for their home land. I could relate to that.

When I'd been a Neofelis Soldier, I'd patrolled large areas by myself and dealt with enemies solo. That was the responsibility of being such a high-class soldier.

Why did they throw me away then? Sure, I had no artefacts, but still... I thought as we neared towards the gates of the city.

If I ever see them again... My thoughts darkened, but I was pulled out of my internal problems as we reached the city.

The gates were tall and grand. Gleaming white marble and silver etchings that looked ancient and alien. Three towers, each equidistant of a few yards from the one beside it, stood imposing and intimidating. It was the size of the towers... but what was on the towers.

On top of the towers, more spires than towers, actually, were statues of different dragons of different coloured scales and clearly owned different factions.

The right-hand dragon had flowing red scales that shimmered like a river. Glaring, scarlet eyes and flames were flickering out of their gaping mouths. There was an effect that radiated from its body, the heat causing ripples and distortions in the air as it heated up the air. I could feel the warmth of its scales from several yards down below.

The left-hand statue had spikes along its spine. Sharp and razor claws and had a white mist flowing out its partially open mouth. Sky-blue scales blended into the sky and made it hard to spot the statue if it weren't for the royal blue eyes that pierced me with a cold and icy gaze.

Finally, in the centre, there was a statue of a dragon that seemed larger than the other two beside it. This dragon had dark grey scales that seemed to crackle with an awe-inspiring flow of lightning across its body. It's teeth looked like their own tiny cyclones, sharp and grey with sharp and crackling lightning focused to a point to make the teeth sharper and electrifying. Its yellow eyes had a fury within them that seemed to squash any bravery or self-confidence I had before reaching the city. A tingle of excitement ran through me at the prospect of meeting this true dragon.

All three dragons had their gazes fixed upon the entrance of the city, most probably to help drive off anyone who would dare charge at the city head-on. I couldn't drive away the feeling that these three dragons weren't just there for decoration. It sent a nervous shiver along my spine, exciting yet fearful. The mix was electrifying.

The large gates began to shake and split open. The shape of the gates were wings that began moving and folding inwards. It was a magnificent sight.

The inner city was even more beautiful than the gates and the stars in the sky. Tall buildings of gold and white colour stood towering over the streets which had clean and neatly aligned cobblestone for pathways. Air currents flowed in the sky, acting as 'paths' but for dragons and dragonkin who could fly. Their system was ingenious. Dragonkin, all different to one another, flew over my head and walked past me. Some gave me suspicious looks while others gave me welcoming smiles.

I was stunned to see the level of advancement the dragons had achieved. In history books, the dragons had been portrayed as traditional and old. But everything I saw here contrasted that entirely.

Inozkez did say they survived through isolation though... I thought to myself as we walked down the cobbled streets. There were kids, running around having fun, while adults watched them with gleaming faces of joy and pride.

I tapped Inozkez's shoulder and he pressed his finger to my head.

"This place... Khonrigek... it's truly beautiful. And the people are so happy," I said in awe and reverence.

"I'm glad you think so. I'm aware some people have looked at you rather... indifferently. I apologise for that," Inozkez replied. I shook my head with a smile.

"I was expecting it. Don't worry yourself," I responded calmly. He nodded and removed his finger as we made our way towards the largest and grandest building in the city, which could only be one place.

The Palace of Dragons.

There were guards waiting outside and they definitely looked the part. Silver shining armour coated their bodies, the pauldrons looked like the upper jaws of a dragons mouth that protected the shoulders and the gauntlets ended in radiant moonstone claws. The main chest plates were silver and embroided with glittering gems along the sides, with fur at the openings.

That's some grand armour they've got. I thought quietly as we passed them. The Palace doors opened and we walked through. The walls were decorated in tapestries of battles, each depicting a different fight with a different dragon being the hero of the story. Pillars of marble reached up and held the ceiling up that was sky high. A calm and confusing mist rested at the top of the hall where the ceiling was.

As we neared a room I could feel the clashing of elements within. The heat and ferocity of flames, the sharpness and apathy of ice, and the rage and thunderous power of lightning. I could sense, without seeing, the dragons and the power they exuded throughout the whole Palace.

Inozkez waved aside the guards who bowed to him and moved into step behind me. We entered the room and I felt the primal urge to escape. Three dragons, larger than the average house were perched on three floating platforms that overlooked the large area that me and my escorts were in.

All at once, I felt the piercing gazes of all three dragons as they fixated on me. When I looked up I realised they were the dragons from the spires at the gates. Their majestic stature imposed on me and I couldn't help but be in awe at the way they carried themselves.

"You. Human. Why are you here?" The dragon on the left asked. They were in the same order as the spires, with the fire dragon on the right, the ice dragon on the left and the lightning dragon in the middle.

"You speak human language?" I raised a brow in confusion.

"Of course. We are as old as the very country you live within," it replied. It took me a second to understand what it was saying.

The Laexanad Empire was established over 500 years ago so that means... they're all over 500 years old?!

"You did not answer the question human... why are you here?" The Black dragon in the centre glared as it growled its question at me.

"I was stranded here in Nuhevom... I..." I paused, trying not to reveal the fact I was the number one most wanted person in the Gods eyes. "I was teleported here against my will... I don't know how to get home."

"Leave us," the sky-blue dragon said to the rest of the dragonkin. They all bowed and did a salute I wasn't familiar with and then departed from the room, leaving me and the three great dragons alone.

"I will introduce us to you," announced the red dragon on the right. "I am Kayndarth, Lord of Fire," Kayndarth bowed his head to me ever so slightly. "The sky-blue dragon is Erentiss, Lord of Frost. And in the centre is..." he said but I smiled and cut him off.

"Eothaniss right? Inozkez told me," I stated calmly, attempting to show them I had confidence in myself. These were not beings to be messed with... however...

I got down on a knee and bowed my head. "Oh great Lords of the dragons... while impudent of me, I'd like to request a favour."

Eothaniss raised his head and I felt the fury in his gaze. His voice boomed and shook the Palace. "You dare to request from us when intruding on our lands?! I should vaporise you for your-"

I activated {Destructive Aura III} and I could see all three of the dragon's eyes widen as I let out my pressure. While it was enough to shock them initially, it was clear that the third stage of this skill was not strong enough for beings like these dragons... and thus not enough for the gods.

"You... how do you hold so much power?" Erentiss asked. I stood up straight and cancelled the spell. "I hold a special artefact... however I am in a dire situation," I responded honestly.

"And that would be?" This time it was Kayndarth who spoke. I looked at the red dragon who had so far shown the most interest in listening to me.

"I... am wanted by the Gods," I said flatly.

The term 'Gods' seemed to get a clear reaction as the room exploded into a mix of fire and ice and the ceiling became covered in roiling storm clouds that thundered into a deafening noise. Flickers of lightning crackled off and struck the walls.

"The Gods themselves want you? What for? And if you are wanted, then what good does it do to have you here right now?!" Eothaniss, showing his hatred and animosity for all to see, growled at me.

His reaction confused me, however, "are you not on good terms with the Gods?"

Erentiss snorted coldly, mist spouted out his nostrils that made the temperature of the room drop by at least a few degrees. "Good terms? Boy... you are clearly not aware of anything but your own country... you do not even see your own ignorance."

He was correct. I had never been outside the lands of Vorrennath and so I didn't know anything about the cultures of any other species living on this continent. "You're right, I am ignorant, however I am willing to learn and hopefully..." I paused as I collected myself, "hopefully strike a deal in which I help protect you from the Gods."

Kayndarth laughed with hot breath filling the room. "Protect us? You do not really think that you, a human, can protect us, dragonlords, do you?"

It was at that point that I smiled. Having entered the throne room it wasn't just the direct gazes of the three dragonlords that had overwhelmed me, but also the amount of mana that was being contained within the room.

"You do have artefacts here don't you? You knew what I meant when I said I had a special artefact didn't you?" I responded with a calm voice. The dragons grimaced and knew I was right.

"If what you say is true, what good would our artefacts be to you? If we have any of course," Kayndarth asked. This had turned into as much of a negotiation as it was an interrogation meant to pry out my secrets.

"Judging by your animosity and obvious anger towards the Gods, I'd assume you're currently waging a tight war with them, right?" I said smugly.

Eothaniss scowled but Erentiss looked at me curiously, "You're very perceptive... who are you?"

I doubt that these dragons will have heard of a single Neofelis Soldier, especially one without artefacts. I thought as I contemplated what to reply with. "I am Lough Freed, former soldier of the Laexanad Empire, and former Neofelis Soldier." I said with a small, pretentious bow.

I heard, to my shock, one of the dragons rise off their platform and they landed beside me. "You were a Neofelis Soldier? What was your codename?" Kayndarth asked as he lowered his large and sleek head towards me, his scarlet eyes looked into my own and I could feel the fire in his gaze.

"Codename... Daggerfall..." I responded.

"Daggerfall? So you're him... I see..." Kayndarth turned to the other two dragons and spoke again, "we should train him... he is not so stupid as to think we don't expect anything in return... however this boy... he will prove as a useful ally."

My heart practically leapt out of my chest.

Seriously? Train me? I hadn't even asked that yet, I won't complain though.

"I thank you for the opportunity, when should-" I started, however...

"You will face my son... in one-on-one combat... the outcome will decide whether you are worthy of our tutelage," Eothaniss said with a prideful and arrogant tone.

My lips curled up into a grin and my mood was elated despite my current state. I glanced at my missing arm and I grinned further, and I opened my mouth to make my declaration.

"The Gods can kill me before I let something like this stop me, get Inozkez out here!"

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