Dragonlord

Ep 175. Get To Work. (4)

Ep 175. Get To Work. (4)

Aymeia stood awkwardly in place, staring at the looming structure with unease.

- ‘Here, this is as far as I can take you. Good luck!’

“…Eugh.”

The former deity longingly stared up towards the sky Ilias had fled to. It looked so distant from the valley’s lowest floors.

Frankly, she didn’t know what to expect inside: other than the fact that a bunch of elder dragons would be inside with Serenis, Aymeia had little knowledge of how the dragonkin handled their affairs. Things may have been different when she yet possessed her divinity and Vulka’s memories, but those days were now long gone.

And yet, she knew she’d never hear the end of it if she went back empty-handed to Raizel.

…In fact, she wasn’t sure if she could even climb out of here on her own.

‘It can’t be that bad, right? The dragonlord’s there too, it…should be okay…’

Aymeia continued to reassure herself internally, repeatedly drawing up the dragonlord’s figure in her head like a mantra. If another dragon decided to stomp her underfoot, Serenis was the only individual that could possibly stand between them.

But before she could steel herself to a satisfactory level, a voice from behind caused the former deity to jump.

“…Excuse me, young lady.”

“Eep?!”

Aymeia abruptly turned around to find her first elder dragon. In contrast to their bleak, greyish hair, a pair of holden horns jutted forth from his head – quite unlike all the darker shades she’d seen in Serenis and Ilias. Though, that didn’t necessarily make the elder’s gaze any less pressuring.

But before Aymeia could step aside or pretend she was dead, the elder looked to her with a gentle smile.

Only then did she notice their unsharpened gaze.

“I believe…a questioning was being held…is that correct?”

“I, uh, I’m not- I mean, yes! T, the elders are all gathered here!...I think!”

“Har…thank you.”

After a brief acknowledging nod, the elder seemed to stare into Aymeia’s eyes for a long while.

But instead of studying her features, the elder’s gaze remained fixed in place, as if to make out what he was even looking at.

“Mm…apologies for my staring. My sight hasn’t been the same these past few years…”

“Oh…is that why you’re…?”

Aymeia spared a brief glance at the elder’s golden horns. It didn’t need much explaining that they were a dragonkin.

And yet, they’d seemingly walked here instead of flying like Ilias had done so easily.

“Indeed. I’m afraid flight has become a luxury I can no longer afford, lest I  take to the air half-blind. Why, summoning my wings alone has become a chore.”

“Oh…”

“Of course, that’s no excuse to arrive so late to a gathering…if I may, would you be so kind as to take the lead, young lady?”

“I…I would, but…I’m not actually a dragon like you. Is that okay?”

Again, the elder only returned an acknowledging nod. Instead of backing down and showing contempt, he only beamed back at the former deity.

“Har, it’s quite alright. One does not need sight to see the goodwill of others.”

✧   ✧   ✧

When Bruton and Aether had called Serenis to the guest hall, they were well aware of Xerun’s intent. They were well aware that the dragonlord would be brought to question, and asked to return the heart she’d taken from her son’s grave.

What they hadn’t expected were all the preparations Xerun had made in advance.

The two dragons looked to each other, then at their lord standing in between them. Despite the numerous dragons surrounding them with a deadly spell of their own, Serenis remained static, as if nothing had changed at all.

But as much as they wanted to ask Serenis to say something in retaliation, with Xerun’s threat looming overhead, asking her to speak was out of the question.

In the end, all Bruton could do was turn to speak to the elders’ representative himself.

“…Xerun, you are out of your mind. Retreat the kin.”

“And allow a human child to play king among us?”

“What do you care?! Lord Serenis hardly held us to her will! The only times she’d done so, she’d done so for noble reasons!”

“The importance of our actions lie not in its function, Bruton. The importance lies in preserving who we are.”

Xerun’s eyes soon drifted back towards Serenis.

And, even as the two glared at each other, the elder beamed a soft grin.

“The kin does not serve; we have never needed a king, nor will we ever live to need one. If there truly lies a treasure that our predecessors possessed, it belongs in the hands of our kin, not in a human child’s.”

“…”

“You seem hesitant, dragonlord. Even in the absence of words, surely you could yet return what you’ve stolen.”

In fact, Xerun was right: Serenis was indeed hesitating.

But it wasn’t the gesture of returning her heart that she was hesitating on.

No, what Serenis was hesitating on, was…

- ‘An adult ought to fight other adults, not children. I’ll take care of them.’

Serenis beamed a soft smile as she reflected on what would’ve been.

A thousand years ago, Arkrana would’ve been standing at her side to say those exact words.

Had Raizel been here, the youngling would’ve said much the same.

…Of course, they were the odd ones. Bruton and Aether’s reactions were the normal kind: uneasy and uncertain of what to do next.

After taking a deep breath, Serenis hovered a hand over her chest, as if to resign her very own birthright.

But contrary to Xerun’s expectations, the dragonlord’s hand then lashed outwards, sending a ring of light spreading outwards.

“…!”

The surrounding dragons widened their eyes in surprise. Some even released their magic in retaliation, unaware of what Serenis had done.

Unfortunately, none of their spells were properly executed as the dragonlord’s spell began to corrode their form, killing the spells within.

“What-“

Xerun’s eyes darted from corner to corner, looking for even a single dragon that had been able to execute their magic – to which he found none. They remained as dazed as he was, staring at their own two hands in confusion.

With the looming threat gone, Serenis quietly opened her lips.

“Did you truly think I were powerless without my speech?”

“…”

“…Do you still take me to be a mere human child?”

Before Xerun could return his answer, Serenis approached the gold-horned elder with heavy steps. Prismatic lights formed over her head, and the stone floor crunched beneath her foot.

Xerun reflexively took a step back, though he quickly realized the absurdity of his own actions. He soon raised his own hand into the air, condensed lightning gathering into his palms.

“Whatever sorcery you may have at disposal, we will not-!”

“My, it does seem we’re late. My sincerest apologies, young lady.”

As an elder’s leisurely voice cut through the air, everyone’s attention instantly shifted over to the hall’s entrance.

There, they could see another dragon – a bearded elder seemingly limping their way inside, together with a human girl holding their arm for support.

Though, as much as the elder was holding onto Aymeia for physical support, she was seemingly holding onto him for dear life.

“No, it’s…it’s completely fine…”

“Har. Did I interrupt something, elders?”

Despite his casual voice, the late dragon wore a satisfied smile – as if his interruption had been well-intended.

In response, Xerun narrowed his eyes, glaring at his two newest guests.

“…Elder Ardion. I see you’ve managed to get on your feet for once.”

“Mm. A struggle still, but I do seem to be managing.”

“…Who is that human with you?”

“Ah, a kindred soul I’ve asked for guidance.”

A heavy silence followed suit as Xerun stared down at the elder dragon.

But as if he couldn’t even see the pressuring gaze, Ardion only let out another hearty chuckle towards Xerun.

“Har…I apologize for my late coming. But I do wish I was given an invitation beforehand.”

Xerun scoffed at the elder’s sarcasm. They both knew exactly why Ardion hadn’t received an invitation – as well as the fact that the council wasn’t expecting their appearance to begin with.

“…The elder council is currently discussing an important matter. We’ve no time for your interruptions, Ardion.”

“Elder council? Strange. A dying brood like myself must not count as elder anymore, then.”

“…Ardion! This is a formal gathering. Watch your words.”

Serenis pursed her lips at the sudden shift of focus. Despite her presence, Xerun didn’t seem half as concerned about her as he was regarding Ardion’s sudden appearance.

And, using the small window, she leaned over towards Bruton to whisper in his ears.

“Bruton. Who is that dragon with Aymeia?”

Bruton paused for a moment to properly make sense of the dragon he was beholding. It was almost as if he couldn’t believe his own eyes.

Then, he finally turned to Serenis with a stuttering answer.

“That’s…E…Elder Ardion. The eldest of our kin, I believe.”

“Eldest? How old are they exactly?”

Bruton pursed his lips at the dragonlord’s second question.

And, soon enough, he regretfully shook his head.

“…My apologies, but…I’m not so sure. Elder Ardion’s been an elder since my hatchling days.”

“…?”

Serenis made a quizzical frown at the answer.

Bruton was an elder himself. Judging by appearance, he was at least 400 years old, if not more.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Then…

‘…How old is this elder exactly?’