Deep within the heart of her volcanic domain, the Dragon Queen rested upon her throne of blackened obsidian. Streams of molten lava flowed like veins of fire across the cavernous chamber, casting flickering shadows upon the walls. Her massive form coiled in elegant repose, scales of gold and crimson shimmering with an inner light that pulsed in rhythm with her breathing. Her luminous eyes, like molten suns, stared into the void before her.

A low rumble echoed through the chamber, announcing the arrival of another presence. From the shadows emerged a dragon of equal majesty, though his scales bore the hue of midnight, flecked with silver like the stars in the night sky. His eyes, cold and piercing, locked onto the Dragon Queen with a mixture of amusement and respect.

“Sister,” he said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of millennia. “You’ve been busy.”

The Dragon Queen inclined her head slightly, her gaze unwavering. “Brother. I assume your arrival means you’ve finally chosen to involve yourself.”

The Midnight Dragon let out a soft chuckle, the sound reverberating through the chamber. “Involve myself? Hardly. But I’ve been watching. Your little warlock… he’s intriguing.”

“He is more than intriguing,” the Dragon Queen replied, her tone sharp. “He is a crucial piece in what is to come. The Chaos forces stir, and their influence grows stronger. We cannot afford complacency.”

The Midnight Dragon tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve tied yourself to him quite deeply. A mortal, bound to the legacy of dragons… it’s a bold move, even for you.”

“Boldness is necessary in times such as these,” she said. “The Chaos forces have always sought to undo the balance. They thrive on the destruction of order, of stability. Our kind is one of the few remaining forces capable of standing against them.”

“And yet, we are few,” her brother countered. “The Age of Dragons has long passed. We may be powerful, but our strength wanes. What makes you think this mortal of yours can tip the scales?”

The Dragon Queen’s eyes flared, her fiery gaze burning brighter. “Because he is different. He does not merely draw power from me; he embodies it. The Scale Codex is a living testament to our knowledge, our strength, our very essence. Through him, our legacy endures.”

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The Midnight Dragon paced slowly, his claws clicking against the stone floor. “You speak of him as if he is the savior of our kind. But have you considered the cost? Binding a mortal to our power is not without risk. Should he falter, should he fall…”

“He will not fall,” the Dragon Queen interrupted, her voice firm. “I have chosen well. Sebas is resilient, resourceful, and unyielding. He has already begun to unlock the potential within him. The Chaos forces will find no easy prey in him.”

The Midnight Dragon regarded her for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. “You’ve always been the idealist among us, Sister. But even you must see the danger in pinning so much hope on one mortal.”

“It is not hope,” she said. “It is strategy. The Chaos forces do not act alone. They have allies, pawns, and champions of their own. We cannot face them as we are. The mortal races must rise to meet this threat, and Sebas is but the first of many. Through him, others will find their strength.”

The Midnight Dragon’s gaze softened, a rare flicker of admiration crossing his features. “You truly believe this, don’t you?”

“I do,” she replied. “And you would do well to believe it as well. The Chaos forces will not discriminate in their destruction. If they succeed, even we will not be spared.”

“And what is it you would have me do?” he asked, his tone cautious.

“Lend your strength,” she said simply. “Observe Sebas if you must, but when the time comes, stand with him. With us. The mortals may not remember our glory, but they will need us nonetheless.”

The Midnight Dragon sighed, a plume of silver mist escaping his nostrils. “You ask much, Sister. But I will consider it.”

“Consider quickly,” she said. “Time is not on our side.”

---

Elsewhere, in the swirling chaos of the void, the forces of disorder gathered. The air crackled with dark energy as figures cloaked in shadow knelt before a towering figure whose form was a maelstrom of ever-shifting shapes.

“The Dragon Queen moves,” one of the figures said, their voice a distorted whisper. “She has chosen a mortal champion.”

“A foolish endeavor,” the towering figure rumbled, its voice echoing like a thousand screams. “The mortals are weak. They squabble over scraps, blind to the power that lies before them. This warlock of hers will be no different.”

“And yet, he has already begun to unravel our plans,” another figure said. “The cultists in the forest… they were not meant to be discovered.”

The towering figure’s form shifted, its edges crackling with fury. “Then we shall ensure he does not interfere further. Send our agents. Let the mortals see the futility of their resistance.”

The shadowed figures bowed low, their forms dissipating into the darkness. As they vanished, the towering figure’s laughter echoed through the void, a sound that promised nothing but despair.

---

The Dragon Queen watched the scene unfold through the shifting flames of her scrying pool. Her gaze hardened, and she turned to her brother, who stood silently by her side.

“They move against him already,” she said. “Will you still hesitate, or will you act?”

The Midnight Dragon’s eyes glinted with resolve. “I will watch over him. But know this, Sister: if he proves unworthy, I will not hesitate to act in our best interest.”

“He will prove himself,” she said, her voice unwavering. “And when he does, even you will see the wisdom in my choice.”

The Midnight Dragon said nothing, his form dissolving into shadows as he left the chamber. The Dragon Queen returned her attention to the scrying pool, her thoughts focused on the road ahead.

“Do not fail me, Sebas,” she murmured. “For the fate of more than one world rests on your shoulders.”