Chapter 44

**Chapter 34: The Council's Conclave**

The hallowed Judgment Hall of the Dragon Gods was a place where time seemed to stand still, yet the sudden entry of Astraylius and Diggory shattered the silence like thunder, leaving the divine assembly in a state of shock. The ten Dragon Gods, each a paragon of ancient power, recognized Astraylius as the Child of Gods, the Extraordinary One whose deeds were woven into the fabric of legends.

As the trial commenced, Lythiria, the young dragon heir, faced a choice that would define her essence. Her reaction was swift and fierce, her Astra, the Green Purgatory, manifesting with a power that left the gods in awe. Bahamut, the embodiment of annihilation, stayed his hand, wisdom prevailing over wrath, for he knew the consequences of challenging the favored of the gods.

Lythiria's decision to stay with Diggory was met with joy by her mentors, and the Council, recognizing the depth of their bond, invited all to a feast of celestial proportions. As the gods and goddesses reveled, the conversation turned to the day's events, each deity sharing their perspective on the extraordinary occurrences.

**Tiamat, the Matriarch of the Depths**, her voice the ebb and flow of the ocean, added, "The bond you share with Lythiria is deep as the abyss. It is a connection that transcends the mortal realm."

**Vritra, the Storm Warden**, thundered, "Your presence has stirred the winds of change, Astraylius. The skies themselves watch with bated breath."

**Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serenity**, whispered, "Peace follows in your wake, yet so does the shadow of destiny. Your choices shape more than your own path."

**Nidhogg, the Rootbound Ravager**, rumbled, "The roots of fate are tangled, Astraylius. Your actions today have shifted the earth beneath us."

**Fafnir, the Hoarder of Flames**, declared with a fiery gaze, "The flame of courage burns bright within you. It is a fire that even the gods respect."

**Jormungandr, the World Encircler**, intoned, "Your journey encircles the very essence of existence. We are but observers to the saga you weave."

**Ladon, the Orchard Guardian**, murmured, "Growth and renewal, Astraylius. You bring forth a new dawn for us all."

**Ouroboros, the Cycle Eternal**, spoke, "Infinite are the cycles of the cosmos, and you, Astraylius, are a herald of eternity's march."

**Leviathan, the Tidebringer**, concluded, "The tides of destiny are fickle, yet you navigate them with the grace of a divine mariner."

As the feast drew to a close, and the gods returned to their realms, Astraylius bid farewell to Lythiria and Diggory, entrusting them to the forest's care. With a jest about the blade Diggory had forged, now a relic of a battle never fought, they parted ways, their laughter echoing in the hearts of gods and mortals alike.

The night had draped the world in its serene cloak as Astraylius made his way back to the mansion, the abode of his heart and hearth. The door creaked open to reveal Imana, the embodiment of grace and wisdom, leaning against the frame with the patience of the stars themselves.

Astraylius's gaze met hers, a silent conversation of souls that had weathered storms and basked in the light of countless dawns. With a tenderness reserved for the sacred, he leaned forward, placing a kiss upon her forehead, an unspoken ode to their shared journey.

Imana, her strength matched only by her love, allowed herself to be guided to their shared sanctuary, the bed that held memories of laughter, tears, and dreams intertwined. There, in the quietude of their chamber, they found solace in each other's presence, a testament to the enduring bond they shared.