Silence pressed down upon the hall like a held breath.
The massive doors groaned as they opened, and four figures stepped inside.
Their mere presence seemed to bend the air itself, Kartik felt it instantly—their strength was not something that needed to be shown. It was felt, heavy and undeniable, sinking into his chest.
His eyes moved from one figure to the next, measuring shadows, posture, the quiet confidence carved into each step. And then—
His gaze locked onto the old man.
The man looked to be nearly three times older than Kartik's age, his thick silver hair falling neatly against sharp, unyielding features. His eyes—ancient, knowing, and far too aware—rested directly on Kartik.
Kartik froze.
A chill ran through him, It felt as though the man could see straight through him, past the crowd, past the noise, into something Kartik himself did not yet understand. Panic flickered. Kartik quickly lowered his head, breaking eye contact, shrinking inward as though he could dissolve into the mass of people around him.
As the four guests fully entered the hall, the tension loosened—just enough.
Eisha's father, Mr. James, stepped forward with practiced grace. A composed smile touched his face as he greeted each of the visitors with deep, unmistakable respect. The formal exchange acted like a signal. Slowly, carefully, the hall breathed again.
Music rose once more, weaving through the space like a returning heartbeat. Couples reclaimed the center of the hall, spinning beneath golden lights. Servants glided between guests, trays balanced effortlessly in their hands—richly spiced dishes, glowing drinks that shimmered like bottled starlight.
Dort wasted no time.
He grabbed Kartik by the arm and dragged him toward a long table overflowing with food. "Come on," Dort said cheerfully, already piling his plate high. "You'll regret it if you don't try this."
Kartik barely noticed the food. His eyes flicked around the hall, he asked dort "Where's Eisha? And Aemma? "They should eat too."
Eisha had been intercepted by her father.
From across the hall, Kartik could see her standing beside Mr. James, listening intently as he gestured toward the four special guests. She turned her head just long enough to catch Kartik's eye, offering him an apologetic smile before returning her attention to the conversation.
Aemma joined them later, though she seemed distracted. Her gaze kept drifting toward the towering windows, toward the darkness beyond the glass, where the night sky waited—vast and watchful.
The three of them sat together at the long table, surrounded by laughter and clinking plates. The spread before them was nothing short of miraculous—dishes glowing faintly, colors too vivid, aromas that felt almost alive.
But Kartik's appetite was gone.
His thoughts circled back to the old man. To that gaze. He decide to avoid that old man
He leaned closer to Dort and Aemma. And ask quietly "When do the mysterious creatures come?"
Aemma answered looking away from the windows. The creature will appear "When the moon is at its brightest," and no clouds dare to cover it.
Kartik nodded, his pulse quickening.
As he looking around the hall again, his breath caught.
The old man was seated directly across from him.
Their eyes met.
For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to that single connection. Then the old man calmly looked away as several people approached him, eager to speak. The moment broke—but the unease did not.
Kartik pushed back his chair.
He no longer felt well. He told Dort he was going to his home to sleep, but Dort was far too absorbed in his food to hear him.
So Kartik left alone.
He rose quietly and walked toward the back of the hall. A group stood near the exit, blocking his path. Not wanting attention, he turned instead and headed upstairs, toward the quieter upper floors—and the roof beyond.
Halfway up the second floor, a sudden awareness prickled his body.
Someone was following him.
His breath caught. Without thinking, Kartik slipped into the nearest room and shut the door behind him.
The moment he turned—
Thud.
He collided with someone.
A girl stood before him, older than he was, her sharp eyes instantly narrowing as they assessed him. She asked "What are you doing here?". "You shouldn't be in this room. Leave."
"I—I'm sorry," Kartik stammered, backing toward the door.
His fingers brushed the handle when her voice stopped him. "Wait. What's your name?" you are not from this continent or i am wrong
His mind went blank. Nervousness tightened his throat, stealing his words.
Before he could answer, the door opened again.
Eisha stepped inside, relief flashing across her face. She turned to the girl and greeted her warmly. "The creature is about to arrive," she said. "Everyone's waiting for you outside."
The girl nodded. "I'll come in a moment."
Eisha grabbed Kartik's wrist and gently pulled him away. Over her shoulder, she added casually, "He's my friend."
They left the room.
The moment the door closed behind them, and they leave the floor Eisha turned sharply toward him. "What were you thinking?" she whispered fiercely. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"
"There's no time," Kartik said. He tightened his grip on her hand and ran.
They burst onto the roof.
Cold night air struck them instantly. Above, the clouds slowly drifted apart, unveiling the moon—huge, brilliant, commanding the sky. Moonlight spilled over the city like liquid silver, setting rooftops and towers ablaze with quiet fire.
Then—
The sky moved.
From beyond the clouds, a colossal shape emerged.
A dragon.
It flew with impossible grace, its vast body glowing like a living constellation. Sparks of light drifted from its scales, trailing behind it as though the stars themselves were shedding fragments. Its length rivaled the mansion below, and with each slow, powerful beat of its wings, the night shimmered.
Kartik stood frozen.
Fear vanished, replaced by awe so overwhelming it stole his breath.
Beneath the unveiled moon, the legendary creature ruled the sky—ancient, beautiful, impossibly real. It seemed to swim through the clouds, and whenever moonlight touched its scales, it glowed like a diamond, illuminating the heavens.
Kartik and Eisha watched in silence.
In that moment, the world felt vast
The dragon passed above them in utter silence.
Kartik and Eisha followed its path with wide, unblinking eyes as it glided farther and farther away, slipping beyond the veil of clouds until even its lingering sparks dissolved into the night. The sky slowly returned to stillness, as though nothing extraordinary had ever disturbed it.
They waited.
Seconds stretched into minutes.
But the dragon did not return.
At last, they sank down onto the floo of the roof, the city spread beneath them like a sleeping ocean of lights. The moon watched quietly overhead, no longer dramatic—only gentle.
Eisha broke the silence first.
"That was the closest I've ever been to him," she said softly. Her voice carried wonder rather than fear. "I've seen the dragon before… but never like that."
She turned to Kartik, her eyes shining. "Thank you. If you hadn't pulled me here, I would've missed it."
Kartik smiled, the tension finally easing from his shoulders. "I'm glad you saw it," he said. "It felt… meant to be."
For a moment, neither spoke. The sky seemed endless above them, vast enough to hold every dream unspoken.
Then Eisha spoke again, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful. She told him of her dream—to see the entire world beyond the mansion walls. All four continents. The people who lived there. Their magic, their struggles, the way life unfolded in places untouched by her own.
I want to understand how they live, "Not just from stories. I want to see it."
Kartik listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he gave her a calm, certain smile. He said "Your dream will come true," "I know it will."
Their eyes met, and a shared happiness passed between them—silent, sincere. They looked back to the sky, shoulders brushing, the night wrapping them in quiet companionship.
Footsteps echoed from the stairway.
Both turned sharply.
Dort and Aemma emerged onto the roof, slightly breathless. Aemma crossed her arms, relief mixed with mild irritation. "Where have you two been?" she asked. "We searched the entire mansion for you."
Eisha waved her off with a smile. "Don't worry. We just came up to see the magical creature."
Understanding dawned on Aemma's face, and her expression softened.
The four of them descended together, laughter slowly replacing the weight of earlier tension. Back in the hall, the celebration welcomed them again. They ate until their plates were empty, danced until their feet ached, and let the music carry them through the final hours of the gathering.
When the function finally drew to a close, Kartik turned to Eisha. "I'm going to Dort's house," he said.
Eisha frowned, concern touching her eyes. She knew those two well—when they were together, trouble had a habit of finding them. Still, she said nothing more than, "Be careful."
They exchanged goodbyes.
Aemma added, "Go safely," as Kartik and Dort stepped stepped outside.
The night had deepened. Most of the city slept, windows dark, the world wrapped in peaceful silence. Kartik and Dort walked side by side, half-asleep themselves, their footsteps echoing softly against stone.
Then Dort slowed.
His expression sharpened. "Kartik," he murmured, barely moving his lips. "We're not alone."
Kartik's drowsiness vanished instantly.
A shadow along the wall behind them, keeping pace. Dort quickly realized what was happening—and Kartik followed his gaze.
Someone was following them.
Without turning around, Dort whispered a plan. Ahead of them lay a narrow, quiet street—empty which they saw in the morning.
Together, they changed direction.
The moment they stepped into the silent street, the air seemed to tighten.