Liam raised his head slowly, his neck muscles protesting the movement after enduring the Pavilion Master's crushing pressure. His eyes widened as he took in the sight above him, of the massive dark dragon standing in the air behind him.
Its form was both solid and somehow translucent, real yet not quite present. It looked physical, tangible, as if he could reach out and touch those void-black scales. But Liam's enhanced senses told him the truth—this was an illusion, a projection.
Yet even as an illusion, it wielded power that defied understanding. How could something that wasn't truly present in reality exert this much influence over it?
A voice resonated in Liam's mind then, speaking directly to his consciousness. It was deep and ancient, and the words werespoken with absolute authority.
Stand and proudly raise your head high.
Dragons bow to no one and kneel before nothing. No one is allowed to stand above us, not even the gods themselves.
