Chapter 426: The secret

As we settled down inside the house, Syra brought a tea tray and set in on the table before serving everyone a cup. I gave her a nod and muttered a quick thanks. Ynos was already sniffing his cup with curiosity before he took a big sip. 

"It's good!" He exclaimed, causing the old dragoness to chuckle before she answered.

"Well, I would hope so. It is very expensive after all, at least by mortal standards." 

"You are not supposed to drink it in one gulp," little Essie commented by the side.

"Huh? What do you know about that?" Ynos huffed.

"Grandma taught me," Essie stuck out her tongue in response.

While the two bickered, I took a light sip from the fragrant tea. It was mint tea, very sweet too. I liked it more than I cared to admit.

Raising my eyes, I met Breta's gaze and gave her a warm smile. The Goddess nodded curtly, her trademark expressionless mask on her face like always, but I could see the hint of a smile around her eyes. I have gotten better at reading her moods ever since our first meeting. Now I was sure, she was just bad at expressing her feelings.

"Your aura feels different," Sidus suddenly asked, and the entire table went silent. 

All eyes turned toward me before Immy who was sitting next to Sidus slapped the back of his head.

"What was that for?!" He growled.

"That was too direct," She muttered.

"And?"

"And rude," she continued.

"How was that rude?!" 

"Haha, I don't mind," a chuckled escaped my mouth as I raised my hand to stop them from arguing.

"Well, I think a change in aura was inevitable, considering what had happened," I said.

Sensing the sudden serious tone in my voice, everyone went silent and focused on me, waiting for me to recount my tale. And so I did, I began by retelling my journey, from the very beginning, when I reached my 'death'. The table was so quiet with everyone holding their breaths. Even Breta had a deep frown on her face.

*****

"And that's about when Syra came to pick me up," I concluded my story, and for a while, no one said a thing. 

The sound of a chair being pushed back broke the silence, as Essie jumped into my arms for a hug.

"Oh," 

"Are you okay?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

A smile extended across my face and I couldn't help but gently pat her light fluffy green hair. Even as a human, she was still unbelievably adorable.

"Of course I'm fine! Who do you think I am?" I replied with a laugh.

"So... are you stronger now?" Ynos hesitated for a split second before asking.

"I can still beat your ass if that's what you're asking," I grinned.

This seemed to ignite his spirit, but Syra who was quiet this entire time suddenly spoke, "Don't start anything here, dears," her tone was icy and it sent literal shivers down our spines. Ynos's rising aura died right after that.

"You said you will explain everything once he is here," Sidus suddenly asked the question that had been on my mind. 

"What exactly is going on?" He continued. I inwardly gave him a thumbs up of approval before turning my attention to Syra with a nod. 

Essie settled comfortably in my lap as I continued to pat her head, while Immy and Breta looked just as curious. Ynos took another final sip of his tea downing the entire cup before asking, "Are we in danger?" 

A sigh escaped Syra and for a moment her carefree facade seemed to fall off. 

"You are not in any immediate danger, not now at least." 

"But we might be," Immy added to which Syra nodded.

"It all depends on how the war escalates." 

"What exactly do you know?" I asked.

Taking a deep breath, Syra waved her hand and I could sense her mana weaving through the table forming a sort of barrier. One that didn't quite seem to be meant for protection against physical attacks, or any attacks for that matter. 

"What about to tell you, may come as a shock, but although all of you are young, you are officially adults, so you need to keep your bearings."

Her words only served to further feed the anxiety building up in my chest, but I still tried to stay calm and gave a shaky nod in reply. 

"What do you know of the King?" She asked.

Confused, Sidus was the one to first reply, "He is the strongest Dragon? The first one?" He added hesitantly. 

Breta nodded by his side and added, "The strongest being, and the creator." 

Syra nodded, "True, True, True, and also True. The King is all of those, but he is also much more." 

"You see, the war between us and the Shades is... more complicated to say the least." 

"You are running around in circles, just say it straight, what is going on?" I was growing impatient, but Syra seemed hesitant.

"What do all Dragons have in common?" She suddenly asked.

"We are all Dragons!" Ynos jumped in enthusiastically.

"Ah-" Syra's mouth opened and closed before she scratched her head, "Yes, we are all Dragons but what's something other races don't have?"

Essie who was still on my lap tilted her head and spoke, "Soul space?"

Syra's eyes lit up before she nodded, "Yes, all Dragons have a Soul space," She paused and looked at me, "Almost."

"Ouch?"

"Now, what about the King?" 

"Safe to assume he also has one," Breta replied. 

"Correct. Now, within your soul space, you are able to control everything at will, you are omniscient, omnipresent, your soul space is akin to your own miniature world, right?"

My heart picked up as I began to realize the direction where this conversation was going. 

"Right," Sidus answered, his aura fluttering. It seemed like he figured it out as well.

"Now, the Shades have a pretty interesting take on the matter, to say the least," Syra grimaced.

"No," Immy whispered 

"It can't be," Even Breta was unable to keep her calm.

"What? What is it?" Ynos's eyes darted across the table with confusion.

Essie raised her head to look at me and forced a smile back.

"But the King is good, right?" She asked. 

And for the first time, I was unsure of how to reply.

"What is it?!" Ynos kept asking.

"Ah damn it you bloke, the Shades think we are all inside the King's Soul space," Sidus replied with a shout his hands crushing the tea cup in his hands.

"Careful with that dear," Syra said with an ice-cold expression.

"S-Sorry."

"Huh? His soul space? You mean everything?" Ynos asked again.

All eyes turned to Syra who shrugged,

"That's what they say."