Sinking to Ascend

POV Vesuvius:

The tall and majestic form of the dragon remained unmoving with his eyes closed. The clouds of smoke and steam drifted through the currents of time, carried by them around the dragon.

Energy trickled into him in river-like streams from the giant floating islands, with trees and grass growing on them and swaying within the streams of time and haze of the vapours.

The pools and ponds of magma bubbled under their roots and their leaves burned in eternal fire. Occasional sparks of lightning jumped between their branches.

More islands of ice and water drifted in the distance, the thousands of ice crystals shimmering under the influx of light.

Suddenly the dragon's eyes opened, revealing his reverse-slitted pupils glowing in bright golden light.