Chapter 28
The chamber grew quiet again after the Abyss Titan's roar faded into the distance.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The golden light running through the stone floor glowed softly around the ancient throne. The dragon statues along the walls seemed almost alive now, their carved eyes reflecting the flickering light of Kael's torch.
Ariana stood in the center of the chamber, staring up at the enormous dragon.
Vormerion.
The first guardian of the Sovereign.
The thought still felt unreal.
A dragon the size of a mountain was standing in front of her… and it had bowed.
To her.
Kael walked a slow circle around the chamber, studying everything.
The throne.
The glowing carvings.
The giant dragon blocking half the room.
Finally he stopped beside Ariana.
"So," he said casually, "you're apparently royalty now."
Ariana shot him a look.
"I don't feel very royal."
"Give it time."
He glanced at the dragon.
"Maybe the throne comes with instructions."
Vormerion ignored the comment.
The ancient dragon slowly lowered his massive head closer to Ariana.
Your power is awakening, Sovereign.
Ariana crossed her arms nervously.
"I wish it had asked permission first."
Kael smirked slightly.
"Yeah, that would've been polite."
The dragon continued.
The power inside you has been sleeping for centuries.
Now it begins to return.
Ariana shifted her weight.
"Return from where?"
The dragon's glowing eyes softened.
From your bloodline.
The golden lines across the floor brightened slightly as he spoke.
Every Sovereign carried the power of restoration.
The power to heal the world when balance was broken.
Ariana frowned.
"But the council said the Fifth Blood was dangerous."
Kael leaned against one of the stone pillars.
"They also said killing you was a good idea."
Ariana sighed.
"Fair point."
The dragon's deep voice echoed again.
The council feared what they did not control.
So they erased the Sovereign from history.
Ariana looked down at her hands.
The faint golden glow beneath her skin flickered again.
"So now what?"
The dragon lifted his head slightly.
Now you learn.
Kael straightened.
"Finally."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Training."
The dragon turned one eye toward him.
Not you, Storm Wolf.
Kael blinked.
"Wow."
"That hurts."
Ariana almost smiled.
The dragon returned his focus to her.
The first lesson is simple.
The golden lines on the floor suddenly brightened.
Energy flowed through the chamber like quiet lightning.
Ariana felt it immediately.
Warm.
Alive.
The energy seemed to respond to her presence.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"What is that?"
The sanctuary.
The dragon's voice echoed softly.
This place was built to strengthen the Sovereign.
Kael looked around again.
"So basically… a training room."
Yes.
Ariana took a slow breath.
"Alright."
"How do we start?"
The dragon's eyes glowed brighter.
Close your eyes.
Ariana hesitated.
Then she did.
The moment her eyes closed, the world changed.
She could still feel the stone floor beneath her feet.
But something else filled the air.
Energy.
Warm golden energy.
It flowed through the chamber like quiet rivers.
"Do you feel it?" the dragon asked.
Ariana nodded slowly.
"Yes."
That is your power.
Her brow furrowed.
"It doesn't feel like my power."
It is responding to you.
Ariana focused harder.
The energy seemed to move closer.
Like it was curious.
Waiting.
"What do I do with it?"
The dragon's voice became calmer.
Guide it.
Do not force it.
Ariana slowly lifted her hands.
The golden energy drifted toward her fingers.
It tickled slightly against her skin.
"Okay," she murmured.
"That's… strange."
Kael watched quietly from the side.
"Is it working?"
Ariana didn't open her eyes.
"I think so."
The dragon spoke again.
Now imagine protection.
Ariana's mind immediately returned to the battlefield above the mountain.
The dragons fighting.
The Abyss beasts attacking.
The wounded creatures falling from the sky.
Her chest tightened.
"I want to protect them."
The golden energy around her suddenly brightened.
The chamber filled with light.
Kael stepped back slightly.
"Well."
"That looks promising."
The dragon's voice rumbled with approval.
Good.
Now release the power.
Ariana opened her eyes.
Golden light exploded outward from her body.
It rushed across the chamber floor in a glowing wave.
The dragon statues along the walls lit up one by one.
Then—
a glowing golden shield formed around Ariana.
It stretched outward like a dome of light.
Kael stared.
"Okay."
"That's new."
The shield pulsed softly like a heartbeat.
Ariana looked around in surprise.
"Did I do that?"
The dragon nodded slowly.
The Sovereign Shield.
Ariana stared at the glowing barrier.
"What does it do?"
It protects.
The dragon's deep voice echoed through the chamber.
Your power will strengthen those who fight beside you.
Kael stepped forward and tapped the glowing barrier.
His hand bounced off harmlessly.
"Well."
"That's definitely solid."
The shield slowly faded.
The golden light returned to the floor.
Ariana exhaled.
"That felt… amazing."
The dragon studied her carefully.
You learn quickly.
Kael crossed his arms again.
"So what's lesson two?"
The dragon's glowing eyes lifted toward the ceiling.
Toward the war still raging above the mountain.
Healing.
Ariana's heart skipped.
"The dragons."
Yes.
The dragon's voice grew more serious.
The Royal Legion is dying above this mountain.
Ariana looked up.
Even from deep inside the sanctuary she could still faintly hear the distant battle.
Claws.
Roars.
The shriek of Abyss beasts.
Her hands clenched.
"I want to help them."
Kael nodded.
"That's kind of the plan."
The dragon's voice rumbled again.
Soon you will.
Ariana looked back at him.
"When?"
The dragon's glowing eyes darkened slightly.
When the moment is right.
Then his gaze shifted toward the tunnel again.
His expression changed.
The calm guardian suddenly looked alert.
Kael noticed instantly.
"What?"
The dragon spoke slowly.
Something approaches.
Ariana felt it too.
A cold feeling spreading through the air.
Not the warm energy of the sanctuary.
Something darker.
Something wrong.
Kael turned toward the tunnel.
His wolf instincts immediately sharpened.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"I feel it."
The dragon's deep voice echoed across the chamber.
The Abyss has sent hunters.
Ariana's stomach dropped.
"They found us already?"
The dragon's glowing eyes narrowed.
They are searching for the Sovereign.
Kael stepped forward, his expression suddenly serious again.
"Well."
He rolled his shoulders slowly.
"Looks like my training starts too."
The dragon's voice rumbled through the chamber.
The sanctuary will protect you.
But the battle is coming.
Kael's eyes flashed gold.
"Good."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I was getting bored."
Far above the mountain,
the Abyss Titan roared again.
And this time…
the sound was closer.