"Aether, you're coming with me," Grandmother announced, her voice carrying an air of authority.

A deep frown creased Sidus's brow upon hearing her words. It was clear that he wanted to protest, but in the end, he chose silence. Immy's expression mirrored Sidus's, and I could sense her frustration. On top of my head, little Essie stiffened, her tiny form radiating apprehension.

Ynos, however, had no qualms about voicing his thoughts. "Why is it only him, Grandmother? What about the rest of us?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.

Grandmother regarded Ynos and the rest of my siblings, including Breta, who wore a complicated expression.

"I would like to join him as well," the Goddess unexpectedly spoke up, surprising us all.

But Grandmother swiftly quashed any dissent with a resolute, "No. He has a mission only he can undertake. The rest of you will be assigned different tasks."

A heavy silence descended upon us as Grandmother acknowledged our fate. She nodded to me, and without another word, she turned and began making her way towards the mountain peak. I glanced back at Breta and my siblings for a fleeting moment.

In an attempt to lighten the somber mood, I offered, "It's okay, they probably need me as a carrier or something like that. That's the only reason I can think of for why she's taking only me."

Essie, however, interrupted my thoughts. She jumped onto my face, giving me an affectionate and tight hug. "Stay safe, brother," she whispered, a genuine plea in her voice. Her gesture brought a small, warm smile to my draconic visage.

Ynos approached next, and we tapped our tails together. "I'll be waiting for you," he said with a hint of optimism.

Immy followed, her emotions palpable as she pressed her head against mine briefly. It was an unspoken exchange of love and concern, conveying more than words ever could.

Sidus, however, wore a dark expression, his inner turmoil evident despite his efforts to conceal it. I used my tail to gently flick his head, surprising him. "What—"

"I'll be leaving them in your care," I declared, my voice solemn, my gaze unwavering as I locked eyes with him.

Sidus's demeanor shifted quickly, and he bowed his head before responding firmly, "Don't worry about us. Stay safe, brother. I'll handle everything," his words oozed reliability and determination.

Finally, I turned to face my first and only friend, Breta. Her typically emotionless exterior was now tinged with a hint of sadness. In her true form, she stood at an impressive height, almost matching mine. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, words eluded me.

"I—" I began.

"Don't die, you stupid lizard," Breta whispered, her voice laced with a touch of affection.

A wide grin spread across my draconic face, and I quipped, "You too, stupid Goddess. Wait for me!"

With that, Breta extended her head and gently rested it against mine, catching me off guard as my body stiffened. I didn't move we shared a moment of silent connection before she withdrew and walked away in silence, leaving me behind with complicated feelings.

I cast a final look and nod towards my siblings and a long look at Breta, silently promising to return. Then, I turned and made my way towards the mountain peak, following in Grandmother's formidable wake. The uncertainty of the journey ahead weighed on me, but the bond I shared with everyone remained unbreakable, a source of strength to me as I ventured into the unknown.

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Standing at the peak, with the world below us like a vast canvas, Grandmother had reverted to her human form. This time, she appeared notably older, the weight of time etched upon her features. Her gaze, as it turned to meet mine, held a complexity I couldn't quite decipher.

"I'm here, Grandma," I said softly, my voice carrying a mix of curiosity and readiness.

A sigh escaped her lips, and she gestured for me to join her. "Come sit next to me for a moment," she requested.

I complied without hesitation, moving to her side. "Yes, Grandma," I replied, my curiosity growing stronger with each passing moment.

As we sat in contemplative silence, our gazes fixed on the horizon, I sensed that Grandmother had something important to convey. So, I waited patiently, allowing the tranquil setting to envelop us.

Finally, Grandmother spoke, her words weighed down by solemnity. "Aether, they want you to teleport some of the elders into the main Shade worlds to launch surprise attacks and deliver a decisive blow against the Shades."

"Teleport?" I echoed, my concern surfacing. "I had a feeling it would be something like that. But, Grandma, I can't teleport to places I've never been to before. Furthermore, I've never attempted teleporting over such vast distances."

"I understand, child," Grandmother nodded sympathetically. "That's why I initially refused, thinking that those old council members don't know what they're doing. But the order came directly from the King himself," she added, her gaze turning toward me.

"Ah, so they have a way to assist me with the teleportation," I mused, a glimmer of hope in my eyes.

Grandmother paused, her expression grave. "Yes, they claim to have a solution," she acknowledged. "But, Aether, you should know that the battlefield they intend to send you to is unlike anything you've experienced before."

I couldn't help but smile at her concern. "Well, Grandma, if they have a way to aid me, then it might be a good thing, don't you think?" I said optimistically.

Grandmother hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice laced with emotion. "Is it, though? The battlefield they want to drag you into is on a whole different level than what you've been accustomed to," she confessed, her eyes bearing the weight of her maternal love. "I've already lost a son. I don't want to lose a grandson."

Her words hung in the air, resonating with the gravity of the situation. The enormity of the task ahead, along with Grandmother's unwavering concern, left me with a deep sense of responsibility.

"I'm not planning on dying, Grandma," I laughed, though the levity in my voice couldn't entirely conceal the gravity of our conversation. "I'm still too young for that!"

Her gaze softened at my response, and a warm chuckle escaped her lips. "You are too young, that's right. And it's precisely because of that youth that you need to survive," she emphasized.

Grandmother paused, her eyes locking onto mine, as though peering deep into my soul. "Aether, don't die," she said with a sincerity that resonated within me.

My determination surged, and I replied firmly, "I won't, I promise."

A sense of understanding passed between us, a shared understanding of the weight of the task at hand and the unspoken bond that connected us. It was a promise made not just to Grandmother but to myself and to all those who depended on me.

"Good," Grandmother said, her tone filled with approval. "Now then, let's go. They are already waiting for us."