Our flight towards the Council didn’t take long. As we approached, it became clear which structure was our destination. The Council building was a towering, magnificent structure, standing out among the surrounding architecture like a beacon of authority and grandeur.

Looking downwards, I could spot myriads of people going in and out through its massive entrance. There were many airship piers that surrounded the building at various heights, yet the one we docked at was the smallest, as well as the one positioned highest, near the summit of the structure.

I turned to Eryen and Arthur, feeling a mixture of gratitude and regret. “Thank you for the ride,” I said sincerely, looking from Eryen’s mischievous grin to Arthur’s stoic demeanor.

Eryen clasped my hand warmly. “It was our pleasure, Juniper, plus your friend there paid us a good fee, “ she mentioned, looking towards Gort, who was headed towards us. “Remember, the Cloudskipper is always around Gearford if you need us and you got the coins,” she ended with a wink.

Arthur gave a curt nod. “Take care,” he said gruffly, but there was a hint of warmth in his eyes.

With a final nod to both of them, I followed Gort off the airship onto the pier, feeling the solid ground beneath my feet once more. Looking around, I noticed that the entire area was deserted, not a soul besides me and Gort stood on the pier.

Is there no security or checkpoint? We just walk in?

“Juniper,” Gort said, signaling for me to approach. As I drew near, he continued, “This is as far as I can go. The Council’s inner chambers are restricted to all but those summoned.”

I felt a pang of disappointment but nodded in understanding. “I see.”

Gort held out his hand. “I will need the bracelet back, I’m afraid.”

I hesitated for a moment, the weight of the bracelet suddenly feeling much heavier on my arm. It had been my only way of communication so far, a symbol of guidance and safety in this strange new world. Reluctantly, I removed it and placed it in his hand.

“Thank you,” Gort said while putting the bracelet away.

Well, there goes my voice once again.

“Well then, good luck out there.” He said confidently as he turned around and walked back on the ship.

Wait a moment, is that it?

I stood there, alone on the pier, feeling a mix of confusion and mild panic. The ship had already begun to pull away. I watched it gracefully steer and reposition itself as it resumed its journey through the skies.

The pier remained eerily silent. The Council building loomed ahead, and I took a deep breath. "Well, Juniper," I muttered to myself, "onwards and upwards, I guess."

With a resigned sigh, I started making my way up the pier towards the main building. My footsteps echoed on the stone, adding to the surreal sense of isolation. I couldn't help but feel like I was trespassing, despite having been invited.

As I reached the grand entrance, I half expected someone to jump out and yell "Surprise!" Instead, the massive doors creaked open with an almost cinematic slowness, revealing an interior that took my breath away.

The inside of the Council building was a marvel of luxury. It reminded me of the grandest palaces from Earth, with its towering marble columns, intricate tapestries, and chandeliers that seemed to be made of starlight. Everything about the place screamed wealth and power.

I stepped inside, my mouth slightly agape as I took in the sheer magnificence of the place. "Okay, now this is impressive," I murmured to myself. "I guess the Council does alright for themselves."

Still, there wasn’t a single person in sight. I wandered through the entrance hall, marveling at the luxurious decor and the sense of history that seemed to permeate the air.

As I ventured deeper through the hallway, I began to feel a little bit lost.

How is this place just completely empty? There were hundreds of people running in and out of the main entrance downstairs!

I approached a particularly grand set of double doors. Taking a deep breath, I pushed them open and stepped inside, only to find myself in a large, empty room.

"Well, this isn’t it," I muttered, backing out slowly, yet before I could turn around and leave, something caught my eyes. The entire room was covered in various paintings and tapestries of different shapes and sizes, but one in particular stood out to me.

As I approached the painting, I began to make out its details, and it drew me closer until I was standing directly in front of it.

image [https://i.imgur.com/7swlufc.png]

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The imagery depicted a clash between a dragon and a strange creature, there was also a humanoid figure, seemingly spectating the fight from a small distance. My eyes were first drawn to the dragon. Its wings were spread wide, powerful and imposing, and its thorny scales seemed to shimmer even in the painted form.

"This is incredible," I whispered to myself, my gaze tracing the dragon's form. "Look at you, with your magnificent wings and all." I chuckled softly, a hint of irony in my voice.

It was the first time I had seen another one of my species, even if only on a canvas. I marveled at the dragon's fierce eyes, the detailed scales that covered its body, and the sheer power that radiated from its stance.

After a moment, my attention shifted to the other figure in the painting. The creature stood in stark contrast to the brilliant dragon. It was a towering beast made of pure darkness, its form shadowy and indistinct. Its glowing eyes pierced through the dark void that seemed to compose its body, giving it an eerie and malevolent presence. Its stance was aggressive, arms raised to strike at the dragon, and the tension between the two figures was palpable.

"And what in the world is that supposed to be?" I muttered, tilting my head slightly as I tried to make sense of the creature.

“That would be a demon.”

I jumped and turned at the sudden voice. Standing at the entrance was a figure that immediately grabbed my attention. It was a luminar woman, her hands folded neatly behind her back as if she had been waiting for me. She was dressed in flowing black garments that contrasted sharply with the grandeur of the hall. Yet, what struck me the most was the blindfold covering her eyes. Despite this, she seemed to be looking straight at me, a fact that was both unsettling and fascinating.

Her presence was serene yet imposing, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence mixed with curiosity. The blindfold was a deep, midnight black, matching her attire, and the fabric was adorned with intricate, silver embroidery.

"Did I startle you?" she asked, her voice calm and melodic.

"Just a bit," I admitted, trying to steady my racing heart. "You must be one of the Council members."

She inclined her head slightly. "I am not, but I am here to take you to them, you may call me Elyra." She concluded while approaching me.

As I looked at the luminar making her way towards me, suddenly it dawned on me.

“How can you understand me? I don’t have one of those fancy mind reading bracelets anymore…”

“Indeed I can, although I’d rather not discuss my classes and abilities with someone I just met, I hope you understand why,” she smiled as she stopped before me.

I guess that is personal information… although at least it tells me that she has a class that lets her understand my language.

“Of course… Uhm, should I not be here? I’m sorry but I didn’t see anyone until you showed up so I didn’t really know where to go…”

“Please do not worry, you are not in any trouble. I see you were captivated by this illustration,” she continued while turning towards the painting.

“It is an old depiction of an ancient battle between a dragon and a demon. A fight between light and darkness, power and corruption.”

How does she know all this with the blindfold on…

“Have you seen this painting before?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Elyra’s lips once again curled into a faint smile. “I see more than most, even with this blindfold on,” she replied enigmatically.

I nodded, turning back to the painting. “The dragon is magnificent. It’s the first time I’ve seen another dragon, even if it’s just on a canvas.”

“Yes,” Elyra said softly. “Dragons are rare in our world, and their power is immense. This dragon fought valiantly to protect our realm from the encroaching darkness.”

She paused for a moment, seemingly admiring the depiction for a few moments before continuing. “We should be on our way now, we do not want to keep the Council waiting.”

“And the demon?” I asked as I followed Elyra out of the room and back into the hallway.

“A creature born in the depths of the earth, spawned by an ancient evil deity. It represents chaos and destruction, a force that seeks to consume all light and life.”

I shuddered at her words, the image of the demon becoming even more terrifying in my mind. “What about the other figure?” I asked, thinking about the humanoid person watching the clash.

“A witness to the battle,” Elyra said. “Some say it is a representation of the mortal races, caught between the forces of good and evil.”

As Elyra and I continued down the grand hallway, my mind raced with thoughts and questions. The painting's imagery lingered in my mind, but the weight of finally meeting another dragon felt heavier with each step.

“Elyra,” I began, my voice hesitant, “why was I summoned here? What does the Council want with me?”

Elyra glanced at me, or at least it felt like she did, despite the blindfold covering her eyes. “Regrettably, I do not know the exact reason,” she replied with an apologetic tone. “The Council is often mysterious in its ways, even to those who serve closely. However,” she added, “I suspect it has something to do with who you are.”

I frowned, puzzled. “Who I am?”

Elyra nodded, her hands still folded behind her back as she walked with a graceful, fluid motion. “There are not many dragons left alive in our world, Juniper. In fact, there hasn’t been a newborn dragon in centuries. Your existence alone is a marvel and a mystery. The Council must believe there is something significant about you.”

Her words hung in the air, filling me with a mix of pride and apprehension. To be one of the last dragons, possibly the only new one in so long was a lot to take in.

We walked in silence for a while, the grandeur of the building around us doing little to calm my nerves. The walls were adorned with more paintings and tapestries, each depicting scenes of great battles and mythical creatures. It felt like walking through a living history book, one that I was somehow a part of now.

Eventually, we reached a set of large double doors, ornately carved with symbols and runes that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Elyra stopped and turned to me.

“This is the Council Chamber,” she said softly. “Beyond these doors, you will find the answers you seek.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “Thank you, Elyra.”

She gave me a small, reassuring smile as she pushed open the heavy doors, and I stepped through, my heart pounding in my chest.