Chapter 317: A familiar figure

From our vantage point, I beheld a sight that stirred a deep sense of unease within my auras. The broken fragments of the floating island served as a perch, affording me a harrowing view of the devastating aftermath. The colossal planet that lay before me was filled with wreckage, a testament to a cataclysmic event that had ravaged this once-majestic realm.

Even at a distance, well before I set foot upon the forsaken plane, the malevolent aura emanating from it cast a profound impact upon my countenance. The visages of the dragons around me mirrored this unsettling transformation. A collective unease washed over most of us, tainting our features with an expression of concern and apprehension.

As our eyes surveyed the scene from afar, the distressing sight unfolded before us. Cracks marred the once-intact continents. Flames ravaged one side of the planet, devouring all in their path, casting an eerie glow against the backdrop of desolation. On the opposite side, an impenetrable shroud of dark, foreboding fog enshrouded the land, obscuring its secrets and filling the air with an ominous presence.

This scene, with its stark contrasts and overwhelming sense of ruin, stirred a mixture of dread and determination within the group's collective auras. Yet, even in the face of such darkness, the dragons remained steadfast, fueled by unwavering resolve. With eyes fixed upon the broken and afflicted plane, they steeled themselves for the trials to come, ready to confront the bastards that caused this head-on and take revenge for the fallen.

As I contemplated the next course of action, an extraordinary sight unfolded before my eyes. Dragons continued to materialize upon the broken platforms surrounding the planet, their numbers swelling with each passing moment. Soon, our ranks expanded into the thousands, an awe-inspiring display of unity and strength. The collective force of our auras reverberated through the very fabric of space, causing it to tremble in response.

Amidst this gathering multitude, five elder dragons approached Dralina, their revered presence signified by the solemnity etched upon their faces. Floating just outside the broken platforms, their gazes swept over the world below, their intentions and discussions veiled from my understanding. However, to my surprise, a couple of them along with Dralina redirected their attention toward me and Sidus. The radiance of Dralina's aura became so intense that I had to lower my head in deference.

Curiosity gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but wonder about the significance of their scrutiny. After a while, the elders withdrew their gazes, and a sense of relief washed over me. The weight of their presence was palpable, demanding both reverence and caution. Sidus, sensing the intensity of the moment, voiced his observations.

"They were looking at us, brother," he remarked, his tone mirroring my own unease.

"I am aware," I responded, my brow furrowing. "And where is Breta?"

In response to my question, Sidus gestured toward a different platform, where the imposing form of the Goddess could be discerned amidst the formidable army of dragons.

"What are we waiting for?" As the impatience grew evident in Sidus's voice, his struggle to contain his emotions became increasingly apparent. The restlessness that gripped him seemed to mirror the sentiments shared by many dragons gathered here, myself included. An undeniable undercurrent of bloodlust pervaded the atmosphere, emanating from each of us with tangible intensity.

Casting a glance towards the elder dragons, their wise and solemn presence juxtaposed against the fervor of the multitude, I contemplated Sidus's question. His question echoing the collective sentiment. In response, I offered a thoughtful reply, my gaze lingering upon the old dragons.

"Perhaps," I suggested, "we are awaiting the arrival of further reinforcements. It's possible that there are yet others who will join our cause, bolstering our strength." The notion of additional support, of more dragons lending their power to our purpose, held a glimmer of hope amidst the tempest of anticipation.

"Or," I continued, "maybe we await the arrival of a specific someone."

The uncertainty of our wait mingled with the simmering anticipation that saturated the air. We yearned for action, for the opportunity to unleash our collective might and quench the thirst for retribution that coursed through our auras. Yet, understanding that patience was a virtue in the face of such a formidable task, we steadied ourselves, prepared to heed the call to action whenever it should come.

Just then, a sudden tremor reverberated through the platforms, causing the dragons to fall into a hushed silence. The very foundations beneath us quaked as if responding to an unseen force. In unison, the elder dragons and Dralina redirected their gazes towards a distant region of space, their expressions now tinged with a mixture of reverence and anticipation.

A radiant, bright red flame approached, its aura pulsating with a power that commanded unwavering respect. As the flames drew nearer, its compelling presence compelled every dragon in its path to lower their heads in deference. Even the elders, were no exception to this profound show of respect. In that moment, an air of awe and solemnity descended upon us all.

Sidus and I, caught in a state of shock and disbelief, stared wide-eyed at the approaching aura. Its familiarity struck a chord deep within our souls, surpassing our ability to comprehend. The pressure it exerted was undeniable, forcing our heads to bow in its presence. Though rendered speechless by this profound encounter, I harbored no doubts as to the identity of the being who approached.

"Grandfather!" we both cried out involuntarily, the words escaping our lips before we could restrain them.

Within moments, the grandeur of his arrival manifested before our eyes as he materialized in the presence of the five elders. His very being consumed by a blazing red flame, he exuded a potent and dangerous aura that enveloped him. His gaze, icy and piercing, scanned the assembly of elders, weighing their presence with a calculated intensity.

As the tension thickened, it was Dralina who took the initiative, breaking the silence with her formal greeting. "Greetings, esteemed Destroyer," she uttered, her voice carrying a mixture of reverence and deference. The others swiftly followed suit, their voices resonating in unison, offering their acknowledgment to this formidable entity.

The salutations continued, echoing across the platforms as thousands of dragons, scattered far and wide, joined in unison. "Greetings, esteemed Destroyer!" Their unified voices reverberated through the air, underscoring the magnitude of the moment and the collective respect they held for the powerful being before them.

Grandfather's countenance remained unchanged, his eyes shifting their focus towards me and Sidus. With a wave of his claw, an unseen force seized hold of our bodies, drawing us closer to him. Silently, he shielded us from the overwhelming auras emanating from the elders, ensuring our protection before he spoke.

"My grandchild is still in there," he declared, gesturing towards the beleaguered planet below.