Chapter 399: The council

Following Grandmother, we embarked on a journey from our home planet towards the small, floating island that hovered in the vastness of space. This particular island served as a vantage point, overseeing our plane, and it held the all-important teleportation gate, patiently awaiting our arrival.

"Is it just us?" I inquired, perplexed by the absence of any other Dragons or Deities nearby.

"Yes, the others are already waiting," Grandmother confirmed with a nod.

Without hesitation, we stepped through the gate, and the world transformed around us. Colors stretched and shifted before settling into a new reality.

Surveying my surroundings, I couldn't help but be taken aback by the unfamiliar sight that stretched before my eyes.

"Where are we?" I asked, momentarily lost in the spectacle.

"The Council. Stay by my side," Grandmother's words were a solemn reminder, and I nodded quickly in response.

We had emerged from the gate into a world unlike any I had ever experienced. Countless floating celestial islands adorned the sky, each brimming with vibrant mana and a multitude of otherworldly flora and fauna. Below these islands lay a sea of clouds, resembling an endless, ethereal ocean. The sky itself was devoid of the usual celestial bodies, bathed in a gentle, almost orange hue that cast an otherworldly glow over everything.

The island we had teleported to was substantial in size, dominated by a vast, open castle. What made it truly unique was the complete lack of ceilings, giving the castle an unusual, exposed design.

Grandmother led me towards the castle without uttering a word. My eyes darted about, greedily soaking in the surreal panorama. The entire world exuded a breathtaking beauty that held me spellbound.

As we approached, I noticed vague shapes on distant islands that appeared to be Dragons. Their sizes varied greatly, some towering and imposing, others more diminutive, each possessing its own distinctive features. My keen eyes even caught sight of what might have been humanoid dragons, though I couldn't be entirely certain.

The auras emanating from these beings were diverse, some unmistakably Dragon-like, while others carried more enigmatic signatures. It occurred to me that we had reached the council's realm, a place shrouded in mystery, one that I never knew it even existed.

Part of me wondered why the council had even constructed a gate in this place, but I kept my inquiries to myself, choosing to remain observant. Once we crossed into the castle, a surge of cosmic mana enveloped us, sending a shiver down my spine. We had teleported once again, albeit with a degree of subtlety that would be imperceptible to those lacking an affinity for cosmic mana.

"Fascinating," I couldn't help but mumble under my breath, marveling at the sheer wonder of the world I had entered.

Our arrival led us into an ancient temple perched upon a colossal pillar. A sweeping panorama revealed numerous similar pillars, each with Dragons standing proudly atop them. The middle of this ethereal congregation offered an open expanse, featuring a small, vacant platform.

Yet, what truly rendered me speechless was the vista that unfolded above. Dozens of planets, each of varying sizes, along with countless brilliant stars, painted the sky with their radiant hues. My initial instinct was to dismiss this breathtaking sight as an elaborate illusion, but upon closer examination, it became evident that it was undeniably real.

All those planets, the shimmering stars, and the distant galaxies, they were not mere figments of my imagination. They existed in the boundless expanse above me. A hushed reverence descended upon me, and my breath seemed to catch in my throat as I marveled at the cosmic spectacle.

For a brief moment, I lost myself in the beauty of the celestial bodies that adorned the firmament. It was as if the planets and stars were communicating with me, their allure beckoning me to join them among the cosmos. In that suspended moment, I nearly unfurled my wings and took flight, drawn to the allure of the stars and planets. It was a siren's call, and I was on the verge of succumbing to its enchantment.

However, a gentle cough from Grandmother served as a gentle reminder, snapping me back to reality. With newfound clarity, I turned my attention back to the temple and the Dragons gathered upon the pillars, all awaiting the proceedings that were about to unfold.

Their imposing forms were perched atop towering pillars, casting an aura of grandeur and power.

A colossal green Dragon, easily twice my size, broke the silence with a haughty proclamation. "About time you arrived!" His tone carried an air of arrogance as his gaze bore into us.

Grandmother maintained her poise, choosing to ignore his insolence. Yet, in that charged moment, a familiar voice resonated, emanating from a nearby pillar. "Mind your tone, Nazem! That's my wife and grandchild you are speaking to!" The voice was unmistakably Grandfather's, and his presence was enough to fill the chamber with a palpable authority.

In response to Grandfather's rebuke, the green Dragon, Nazem, begrudgingly lowered his head, restraining himself from further impertinence.

Before tensions could escalate any further, an ancient voice resonated throughout the temple, commanding everyone's attention. My gaze shifted to the far end of the temple, where an enormous gray Eastern dragon was coiled around a pillar. He possessed wise silver eyes and a pair of golden horns that glistened with timeless wisdom.

The sight of this regal figure evoked memories of the guardian Dragon I had encountered at the teleportation gate, standing beside Grandfather. This elder Dragon, however, exuded a sense of power far greater than I had ever witnessed. The profound aura that emanated from him compelled everyone, including Grandfather, Grandmother, and all those gathered, to bow their heads in reverence. Without hesitation, I followed suit, paying my respects to this ancient and mighty being who presided over the council.

"Aether, raise your head," the ancient Dragon addressed me by name, a surprising familiarity that stirred my curiosity. Slowly, I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

A benevolent smile graced his ancient draconic visage as he posed a pivotal question, "You have been chosen for a mission of immense importance. Are you ready to serve, my child?"

With profound respect, I responded, "I will do my best, esteemed elder."

His contemplative nod acknowledged my willingness. "Hmm, good."

However, the serene moment was disrupted as Grandmother suddenly voiced her objection. "My lord, I object. He is too young and inexperienced for this." Her words resonated throughout the chamber, and countless pairs of eyes turned towards her, some brimming with hostility. The ancient Dragon, however, remained composed, his presence undisturbed.

Grandmother's protest met a firm response. "This is a direct order from the King. Are you planning to defy his mandate?" he inquired with unruffled composure. An unseen weight seemed to descend upon Grandmother, forcing her to grit her teeth and bow before the council.

In the tense silence that followed, my anxiety grew, and I found myself speaking almost instinctively, "Esteemed Elder, my Grandmother is simply expressing concern for my well-being. I am eager to stand alongside the others and join this mission!"

The unseen pressure intensified, but Grandmother was granted a reprieve, rising once more. Her eyes, however, remained frosty and unyielding.

"And fight you shall, my child," the ancient Dragon declared, reaffirming my commitment to the cause.