Dragon's essence

Alexander had never seen a dragon, but as he fixed his gaze on the golden glow ahead, he could make out a blurry silhouette. 

A massive, elongated body with eyes shimmering in golden light stood atop the source of the light. 

Then, as if it realized Alexander was staring, it opened its mouth and let out a dragon's roar—a sound that struck directly at the soul, halting Alexander's advance as he stood frozen in place.

"My goodness... Is that really a dragon?" Alexander's expression was one of shock as he continued to swim forward, soon reaching the front of the orb. 

The orb resembled a glass sphere, possibly containing the dragon's essence—a source of power! 

"Why is the dragon's essence here, and why is it bound by so many chains?" 

After observing for a moment, he understood that these chains were connected to nine stone monuments above, all part of an array.