High above the new volcanic biome, the red dragon hovers, satisfied as he looks upon the statue and tombstone he made for Nagaro.
He was an interesting human.
But rules are rules. No race, except dragons, has the right to know about our lands.
With a beat of my wings, I return to my dwelling.
But since I am already awake, I will take a flight and see how things are around here.
First, I shall pass by the Silver Forest to see if there is any careless child there.
As I approach, my eyes behold, while flying over Argenthyr, the Forest of Silver Determination, home of the remnants of Argyron. Despite the temptation to descend and walk among the trees, I focus only on watching and searching for lost young and baby dragons who must be removed before they turn into silver.
An amused thought makes me laugh.
That warrior, Nagaro, was very lucky. If he had entered this forest, he would have turned into a silver statue at once.
There is no way a mere human could pass through it.
Realizing that there are no lost babies or young dragons here, I change direction, intending to fly around the city.
With a beat of my wings, I cross the sky at greater speed. I see the drakes and wyrms worshiping me as usual, and the wyverns landing atop the trees to revere me.
I look at them with disapproval and see them tremble under my gaze.
Pathetic dogs, they could not even stop a human.
But that had its positive side. If they had killed him, I would not have found him nor entertained myself so much.
In an instant, I arrive at the outskirts of my city. My eyes reflect the five Silver Mountains at the center of our dwelling.
Dragons of all colors cross the sky, while others walk upon the ground; all of them seem to have forgotten that they carry the blood of conquerors.
As I approach the five mountains, my gaze becomes solemn and respectful. Four of them are the domain of the Emperors, the strongest dragons in the world, and at the center stands the fifth and greatest mountain, where our King rests.
The afternoon sun radiates strongly, making the Silver Mountains shine softly.
A smile remains on my face as I recall a fragment of the childhood chants.
"Dracoria has always been beautiful…"
"...The eternal city…"
Before returning to sleep in my cave, I fly over the surroundings of the city to see if there are still true dragons there.
But my expression hardens slightly as I realize the city is so different from the Dracoria in my memory.
High above the clouds, I see dragons living peacefully: parents taking their children for walks, some flying while others land inside caves, and ancient dragons resting atop the rocks.
There is no ferocity. Not even a drop of Draconic Intent lingers in the city. The fierce nature I once knew is gone.
I turn my face in another direction, seeing other young dragons sleeping lazily in the daylight, children running and flying in a foolish and disorderly way.
My expression grows harder and harder. But nothing surpasses the outrage I see in another direction.
Nearby, toy shops are crowded with parents buying those useless items for their children. Not far from there, my eyes even see a baby hugging a large plush dragon while holding a lollipop.
I almost grit my teeth when I see that scene.
Baby dragons should not waste their time with such things.
I let out a long sigh, trying to regain my calm.
But when I turn my attention further ahead, I see a young dragon leaving a restaurant, wiping his mouth with napkins. There is no blood on his claws. No scent of prey. Only comfort. Only weakness disguised as peace.
Dracoria… what kind of city have you become?
I remember that in my time, the others and I had to hunt. If we wanted something, we made it ourselves and conquered it.
"Hmph!"
A thought comes to my mind as I see how careless these people have become.
That human fought until the end, even knowing he would lose.
How many dragons here would still do the same?
Irritated at seeing the state my city is in and what it will soon become, I beat my wings and return to my post, far from this decadence.
***
Upon arriving at my dwelling, which is my post as guardian, my eyes see my cave, hidden among tall trees and bushes.
My gaze begins to compare my residence with the dwellings the dragons in the city have. I admit in my thoughts that it is quite rustic if we draw a parallel, but my home is the most dignified place for a dragon to reside.
I shake my head and affirm the truth.
Those dragons in the city have already lost their essence. It is lamentable.
I land on solid ground, without great commotion. The silence and tranquility of the forest become the best company a guardian like me can have.
But before I can enter my cave, I feel displeasure as I sense his presence. I turn my face to the sky and see a dragon with blue scales.
Four horns crown his head: two slanted backward, two twisted forward, just like mine. He towers twelve meters tall, radiating pure, imposing presence. His blue scales shimmer intensely under the light, and his eyes of the same color carry an almost palpable arrogance. Gigantic wings project from his back, and his thick, powerful tail cuts through the air with authority.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that many draconian females would admire him.
When he touches the ground, the force of the impact raises a storm of wind and dust.
As soon as the dust settles and the wind ceases, I see him before me.
The peak of physical form and youth that an adult dragon can have.
When our eyes meet, I see him smiling at me.
My expression hardens instantly. He is one of the few whose presence I detest the most.
"Ninth Guardian, what is the reason for your visit here?"
"As far as I know, your post is far from this area."
The blue-scaled dragon approaches.
"Calm yourself, my veteran."
"What has happened to your manners, Tenth Guardian?"
"I only came to stop by."
"It has been decades since I last saw you flying in the sky as you did today."
"I even felt the fluctuation of your Source and Skills from far away. I almost thought you had abandoned your post."
"What is it? Have you finally decided to stretch those ancient bones?"
I look at this blue dragon with disdain.
"Ninth Guardian, do not mistake curiosity for intrusion."
"My existence does not require your supervision. Leave."
The blue dragon glances briefly toward my cave and smiles at the corner of his mouth.
"Interesting…"
"I see you still live among the archaic."
"I do not know if you are aware, but guardians may now reside within the city in places worthy of their merit, no longer in burrows like animals."
"Tenth Guardian, why do you still guard your post as if the world had not moved forward?"
My gaze remains cold.
"Watch your words, child."
"You have not lived long enough to understand the weight a guardian carries."
The Ninth Guardian only looks at me mockingly.
"Ooooh!"
"Really?"
He stomps hard on the ground and approaches, covering me with his shadow.
"You have already lost to me before, Tenth Guardian, or should I say… Former Ninth Guardian."
"I do not know why you still insist on being a guardian. You are already too old for this role."
"Retire at once and live your peaceful life. Let someone younger and stronger take your place."
The blue dragon seems thoughtful, but his expression makes it clear he already has someone in mind.
"Like, for example… my brother."
"Did you know? Soon he will be of age to compete for a place among the guardians."
"When my brother takes your post…"
He smiles.
"I hope you are still alive to watch him."
Soon, the blue dragon trembles slightly and is forced to step back a few paces when he sees my red eyes glowing with fury.
Everything around us begins to burn.
Rage fills me, but upon realizing that my home is being affected, I quickly calm myself before this fool.
Calm. He thinks he can unbalance me with these cheap provocations.
Soon, I will show him the strength a true dragon must possess.
I look at him with my emotions restrained.
"Child… you won only once, and even then you needed time on your side."
"How long do you think luck will protect you when true strength finally awakens?"
The Ninth Guardian fixes his expression and soon looks at me with a mocking smile.
"Beautiful words for a future elder."
"I will be waiting to see this true strength."
As soon as he says those words, he takes flight and leaves my presence.
I watch his back with a look of disgust.
"Go. Before your noise begins to bore me."
The Ninth Guardian throws me one last furious glance before disappearing into the sky.
I look around me, seeing that I have already caused slight damage. I almost burned my home and the forest I care for so much.
I raise my paw and use my Flames of Restoration to accelerate the healing process.
The yellow fire envelops the vegetation, returning vigor to the plants.
Seeing that everything is restored, I let out a long sigh of disappointment.
What a pity that I cannot return to my prime with the Flames of Restoration.
With my emotions calmer, I walk into my cave and seal the entrance with solidified magma.
In the depths of the cave, my scales hardened by time still shine, but they no longer move with the lightness they once had.
I lie down upon my gold and treasures. The body grows tired, but the mind does not.
If they think I am old… then they will see what an ancient dragon can do when he decides to awaken.