I am old. So very old, yet, I have never experienced anything akin to this.

Darkness... Darkness Stretching as far as I can see, mist crawling around the ground leading towards what seems to be a pedestal.

Is this hell? Heaven perhaps? I can no longer feel my former self, gone is the feeling of water pulsing through my veins, gone is the delight of having the sun bless my bark, gone is my connection to my leaves...

What am I? I float, as though one I am of my leaves, yet, my way is not forced by the gales of the sky. I can see as though I have eyes... One may think of this as amazing, but, this place has robbed me of my most precious feeling. I cannot sense my surroundings... I cannot sense what is under the floor, above my branches or, more importantly, what is beyond this pedestal.

In order to find out, I suppose my only option is to do as I am wanted, to follow the mist and head to the pedestal.

Hmm, to float without the force of the elements changing my path is certainly a strange sensation, however, even if there's no wind or rain here, my way is being forced still by the danger I feel lurking outside of the calm mist...

The pedestal seems to be bigger than I had first expected, it seems to be made out of marble and reaches about two hundred or so leaves high... It seems to have a book of some sorts on top...

What? It cannot be... That's a Book Of Shadows, there's simply no mistaking it! I had thought the last one had become lost to time so long ago... If this is here... It seems I am not yet destined for Heaven or Hell. I have been honoured the chance of Heroes, it seems my destiny is greater than I had anticipated...

If that is truly the case then... Yes! Not far from here, straight ahead, I can see another pedestal. No doubt that holds the Goblet and so, not far from that must be the flute...

I will just have to bring this bulky yet weightless leather book along with me until I have all three items.

Luckily, it seems as though just by thinking it, the book is floating beside me. I see a very faint veil of mist enveloping the book, perhaps the reason it is able to float?

I must say, floating is a lot easier than I found it before, I am able to float faster, it almost feels like the times my leaves would get caught on a bird...

Oh, those were good times, I do miss birds... Most birds anyway.

As I had thought, atop the pedestal sits a Celtic, jewel embrewed golden goblet, which, just as I approached began to lift due to a sudden mist appearing beneath it.

Quite strange. I do not see another pedestal... Though I do see what seems to be a hill in the distance, perhaps the flute lies within? The only way to find out would be to investigate.

At first sight the hill seemed far in the distance, however, I am very quickly nearing.

I had thought that it was a hill from my previous observation, however, now that I am closer, it appears to be a cave.

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Its huge entrance seems to stretch far higher than even I used to. Outlined in an old mossy cobblestone, the entrance stands sturdy and secure.

I cannot see inside the cave. Its a solid pitch black colour and it seems to have a strange suction power as although I am about 30 leaves away, I can feel a pressure trying to pull me inside in intervals of a few seconds.

Well. There's no other way but straight through. 

As Aosthau floated towards the pitch black abyss of an entrance, the suction power continued, steadily pulling and pushing. Making it quite the difficult task for Aosthau to breach the darkness.

Upon breaching the darkness, Aosthau was welcomed with the jingle of gold coins and jewellery falling as he floated above. 

However, before Aosthau had any chance to take in his surroundings there was an avalanche of coins with a deep rumbling from deep below. 

Before he had time to understand what was happening, thousands of golden coins and accessories were flung across the cave slashing holes in the walls as they collided. Wave after wave of gold was pushed away to make room for an enormous creature with ashlike scaley skin coated in what looked like melted coins and gold glimmering in the splendrous light.

"Strange... What is this, this is not a human... You smell like the forest, what are you? Where does a being of the forest get the gall to wake me, the eater of souls, the destroyer of kingdoms, the wrath of the gods and the serpent of gods?! SPEAK!" The creature declaimed with a demeaning and arrogant tone that shook the cave

Speak? How? I have never once spoken nor do I have the ability to do so...

"Could it be you are in awe of my majesty? Heh, it wouldn't be the first time. Go ahead, take in my might. You best not test my patience though." It sits atop the pile of gold, looking down upon Aosthau with a long, proud grin plastered on his scarred old face. Occasionally spitting his tongue out to rip the air.

Even with Aosthau's endless knoledge, he could not figure out a way to converse with the creature without being able to talk and try as he may, it was not possible.

"Could it be you cannot talk? I sense great age from you, so you shall be granted the benefit of the doubt, as they used to say. I'm sure I have a parchment and quill around somewhere." 

With that, the huge, scaley beast sucked in a great deal of air before softly blowing out, sending a visible stream of air around the cave, passing a tapestry depicting many failed attacks on the dragons life, before finally lifting up an old scroll, ink and quill and somehow breathing it back towards Aosthau.

"Write. Who are you?" The creature demanded as it towered over Aosthau.

The quill seemed to magically dip itself in the ink and ready its self to be used on the empty back of what seemed to be a majestry decree of some sort, with just Aosthau's will.

What follows is what Aosthau wrote. As the dragon circled in curiosity. Occasionally letting out a scoff or a demeaning chuckle.

I am Aosthau. 

I have been on this land far longer than you. I am your elder. I saw Etha's egg appear on this earth and I saw her death. I know what you are, Dragon. Do not put on an act in my presence, I am not to be underestimated, it would be a grave mistake on your part. You are but a child to me, although physically you may be almighty, spiritually, you are nothing to me. I do not know fear and I do not know hope. My end has already passed. You're kind is running out, I had thought the last one died out a very long time ago, you are lucky to still be clinging on. I am simply seeking to see my final chapter, do not test me, child. Now, allow me to move onto my true trial.

The dragon, seeming to somehow know Aosthau was finished with the parchment, summoned the mist to bring it for his viewing.

As the dragon read through the parchment, his face went through many different emotions. At some parts, he or she seemed happy, some parts it seemed cautious and some it seemed to find hilarious.

"Great oak? Quite entertaining, you are truly very sure of yourself, aren't you... Very well. I suppose I should take you. Although you may be older, do not take this experience lightly. It will never happen again, no one rides Eagla a second time. If you appear in front of me again, you won't be leaving this cave.