The clouds above Skyhold twisted like a storm awakening.
Lightning flashed across the sky as the shadow dragon circled the floating city. Its wings were enormous and ragged, leaving trails of dark smoke behind them.
The rider on its back raised his black spear again.
"Deliver the Gatewalker," his voice thundered across the clouds, "or Skyhold burns."
Panic began spreading through the city.
Citizens ran across the crystal bridges while soldiers in silver armor rushed toward the outer towers.
Commander Lyara turned sharply toward the guards.
"Archers to the eastern platforms!" she shouted.
"Shield mages to the sky walls!"
The soldiers moved instantly.
Skyhold was clearly used to war.
But Kael was not.
He stood frozen beside Aeralion.
"Okay," he said slowly, "I officially regret leaving my attic."
The great griffin's golden eyes never left the dragon in the sky.
"This is no ordinary hunter," Aeralion said.
"The Void Emperor would not send a weak servant for the Gatewalker."
The shadow dragon dove lower.
Its rider pulled the chains on its neck and pointed the spear toward the city.
The dragon opened its mouth—
And unleashed a blast of black fire.
The flames crashed against the glowing shield surrounding Skyhold.
The entire city shook.
Kael nearly lost his balance.
"THAT THING BREATHES DARKNESS?!"
Aeralion spread his massive silver wings.
"Yes."
Then the griffin crouched.
"Stay here."
Before Kael could respond—
Aeralion launched into the sky like a living thunderbolt.
The wind exploded across the plaza as the griffin soared upward toward the dragon.
Above the city, the two enormous creatures met in midair.
The dragon roared.
Aeralion answered with a piercing eagle cry that echoed across the heavens.
They collided.
The impact sounded like mountains crashing together.
Claws tore through the clouds.
Wings slammed against wings.
The dragon snapped its jaws, but Aeralion twisted through the air with incredible speed and slashed its shoulder with razor talons.
Black blood scattered into the sky.
The rider snarled.
"Guardian beast."
He pulled the dragon higher.
"Kill the griffin."
Below, Kael watched with wide eyes.
"That is the most insane thing I've ever seen."
Commander Lyara stood beside him, gripping her spear tightly.
"Aeralion has protected Aetherion for centuries," she said.
"But even he cannot fight the armies of the Void forever."
Kael looked at her.
"So what exactly do you expect me to do?"
Lyara pointed to his chest.
"The prophecy says the Gatewalker carries the Power of the Seven Thrones."
Kael blinked.
"Yeah… I don't feel very powerful right now."
Above them, the dragon suddenly broke free from Aeralion's grip.
The rider lifted his spear.
Dark energy gathered around its tip.
"Enough games," he growled.
The spear erupted with black lightning.
He hurled it toward the city.
The weapon screamed through the sky like a falling star.
Straight toward Kael.
Lyara's eyes widened.
"MOVE!"
But Kael froze.
Everything slowed.
The spear came closer.
Closer.
Then suddenly—
The glowing mark on Kael's chest burst into light.
Seven brilliant stars appeared around him, spinning in the air.
The entire plaza filled with blinding energy.
The black spear struck the light—
And shattered into dust.
Silence fell across Skyhold.
Even the dragon in the sky stopped moving.
Kael stood in the center of the glowing stars.
He stared at his hands.
"I… did that?"
Aeralion hovered above, his enormous wings beating slowly.
His golden eyes shone with something new.
Not just recognition.
Certainty.
"The prophecy is true."
The dark rider's voice echoed through the clouds again, colder this time.
"So the stories were not lies."
The dragon slowly turned away from the city.
But before leaving, the rider pointed one armored finger toward Kael.
"The Emperor will want to see you himself, Gatewalker."
The dragon disappeared into the storm clouds.
The sky slowly returned to calm.
Below, the people of Skyhold stared at Kael with awe.
Some even dropped to their knees.
Commander Lyara spoke quietly.
"The Seven Thrones have awakened."
Kael looked up at the sky where the dragon vanished.
"Something tells me that guy isn't done with me."
Aeralion descended slowly, landing beside him once more.
"You are correct."
The griffin folded his wings.
"The Emperor of the Void Mountains has ruled darkness for a thousand years."
His golden eyes locked onto Kael's.
"And now…"
"He knows the Gatewalker is alive."
Far beyond the clouds…
In the black mountains of the north…
A throne made of shadow waited.
And its master had finally found the one enemy he had feared for centuries