Standing on the floating island, my eyes were still filled with disbelief. I couldn't quite believe what I had just heard, alas the reality of it was stretched before me. The dozen Dragons and Deities suddenly lowered their heads in our direction, as if paying their respects.
I turned to my Grandfather for help, seeking an explanation, perhaps he was wrong. I mean, how could it be that father would fall? It was simply inconceivable. To my despair, Grandfather turned toward the activated teleportation gate and spoke; "Let's go," his words were short but they immediately dashed any hope I had left in me. My father was dead.
A heavy silence hung in the air as we all moved toward the activated teleportation gate. Each step felt like an eternity, laden with the weight of grief and loss. My mind raced with memories of my father, his teachings, and the moments we had shared.
The other Dragons and Deities accompanying us seemed to share in our sorrow, offering their condolences in their solemn silence. It was a stark contrast to the triumphant air that had surrounded us when we had returned from behind enemy lines.
Grandfather's shoulders were slumped, and his typically fierce aura had diminished, replaced by a profound sadness that I had never seen in him before. As we approached the teleportation gate, I couldn't help but glance back at the battlefield beyond, where the struggle against the Shades continued.
With a heavy heart, I stepped through the gate, leaving behind the battlefield and the uncertainty of war. The path ahead was clear, marked by the mourning of a loved one and the responsibilities that lay in wait.
The trip back was almost a blur. The teleportation gates whisked us across different realms, each one distinct and unfamiliar. As we were traversing a tapestry of worlds, connected by threads of cosmic magic. With each new stop, our group swelled as more Dragons and Deities joined our procession.
As we emerged onto the final floating island, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation. The landscape was unlike anything I had seen before, with unique flora and a sky that held hues I couldn't name. Grandfather led the way, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he carried the weight of the entire cosmos on his shoulders.
The Dragons and Deities behind us mirrored our somber mood, their expressions etched with grief and respect for the fallen. We were a solemn army, united by a common purpose, marching toward the final honoring of my father.
"Arsal, wake up!" Grandfather suddenly roared. His voice reverberated across the unfamiliar planet. My eyes scanned the surroundings but did not feel any presence, perhaps my mind was still distracted by the news of my father.
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"Arsal!" Another roar.
Grandfather then calmly led us away from It, and we stood floating in space overlooking it as the entire place crumbled. The planet's violent tremors and jolted me from my distracted state. As I gazed upon the crumbling world, I realized that something truly extraordinary was happening. A colossal dragon, larger than any I had ever seen, was emerging from the heart of the planet itself. It seemed as though the dragon had been slumbering within the world's core, and its awakening was causing the planet to fracture and crumble.
The dragon was a majestic sight, its scales shimmering with a regal golden hue, and its eyes, a deep crimson, radiated power beyond comprehension. Its presence bore down upon our assembly, overwhelming us with its aura. The rest of the Dragons and Deities in our group appeared awestruck and apprehensive, but Grandfather remained stoic.
"Ready yourself, we are going back to the main plane." Facing this colossal being, Grandfather displayed no emotions. His voice was steady as he issued the command to prepare for our return to the main plane. It was as though it was not his first encounter with the Dragon and such knew exactly how to handle the situation.
Without uttering another word, Grandfather pivoted and began to lead our group away from the awe-inspiring sight of the colossal dragon. As we retreated, the enormous dragon continued its slow, almost languid stretch, as if it had been roused from an eons-long slumber. The planet continued to disintegrate in its wake, leaving behind a chaotic trail of destruction.
The sheer scale of the dragon's awakening was an unforgettable sight, one that would stay etched in my memory for years to come. I knew we Dragons could grow big, but that was an entirely different type of 'big'.
The journey back to our plane was a solemn and eerie one. The massive army, now numbering in the thousands, followed Grandfather as we made our way home. Once the plane was visible, my eyes scanned the surroundings with a heavy heart. The quietness of space was unsettling, devoid of the chaos and clashes with the Shades that had become the norm. For the first time, in what I was sure was a very long time, the surrounding space was calm.
As we descended towards our plane, we took on the appearance of falling stars, a celestial procession making its way back to the realm we called home. Grandfather chose to lead us directly to the Royal Road. Instead of soaring overhead as he'd often done, we walked solemnly along the wide road, flanked by statues honoring the fallen. The weight of the moment was palpable, and the statues seemed to echo our somber mood.
With each step, the pressure on my heart grew heavier, and the pit in my stomach felt as if it was eating me inside. 'He died? He really did? He didn't even leave his soul space behind? Nothing? When was the last time I saw him?'
As we continued our procession, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. The silent march of our colossal army seemed to mirror the heavy atmosphere that weighed down on me.
Our solemn walk brought us closer to the end of the Royal Road, where the statues of the fallen stood as silent witnesses to the sacrifices made. There, in front of the statue of Amanita, closer to the end of the road was another monument that struck me to the core: the statue of a very familiar Dragon… My father.
The somber tone that had enveloped us all grew even heavier as I stood before the tribute to my father's memory. His absence had felt unreal, but seeing his likeness cast in stone made the harsh reality sink in even further.