Wane surveyed his fellow disciples and friends, concern etched across their faces. "What happened?" he inquired, seeking answers amid the palpable tension.

Lana's response weighed heavily on the gathering, her voice laden with somber gravity. "Master's family has arrived," she conveyed.

Kaida's eyes widened, disbelief apparent in her voice. "What?!"

Wane's confusion only deepened. "Then why are we standing here? Shouldn't we be out there to welcome them?"

Jon, who had maintained silence until this point, calmly raised his hand and broke the news. "They're not outside, Wane. They're down here."

Wane furrowed his brow, puzzled by Jon's revelation. "Down here? Do you mean they've taken refuge inside the mountain?"

Jon nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. They arrived in secret and sought to remain concealed. So, I've had to hollow the inside of the mountain for their accommodation."

Understanding dawned on Wane as he processed the absurdity of the turn of events. "Huh, you had to—"

Morena voiced her thoughts, her tone reflecting her efforts to steady herself. "I suspected something was amiss when Jon gathered us, a rare occurrence. But this...this is beyond expectations."

Halbor, who had remained silent thus far, finally spoke up. "How many of them are here?"

All eyes turned to Jon, who, in turn, glanced at Lana waiting for her to speak. "F-Four," she replied, her voice tinged with hesitation.

"Four!?" Wane couldn't contain his astonishment, his voice rising in exclamation.

Halbor's question mirrored the disbelief coursing through the group. "You mean to say there are four Dragons concealed within this mountain right now?"

Lana nodded in confirmation. "Yes."

Without hesitation, Wane's determination surged. "What are we waiting for, then? Let's go!"

Morena offered a gentle reminder, her voice carrying a note of reverence. "Remember, they are Master's family. Proceed with respect."

With a collective nod, the group steeled themselves for the momentous encounter that awaited them, their emotions and expectations running high.

****

Jon assumed the role of guide, leading the group away from the unassuming mansion that had concealed the truth of the mountain. Their path took them to a seemingly ordinary section of the mountain's exterior. To the disciples' amazement, a massive rock shifted aside, revealing a hidden set of stairs descending into the earth.

As the group approached, Wane couldn't help but mutter, "Fancy."

Jon gestured for them to proceed. With measured steps, he descended first, followed closely by Lana and the rest of the group. The stairwell led them deep into the mountain, and the disciples quickly realized that the interior was far from solid. In fact, it appeared that the mountain was but a facade, held together by Jon's mastery of Earth magic.

The disciples' eyes widened as they entered the hollowed core of the mountain. A small platform awaited them, offering a breathtaking view of the cavernous expanse below. It was here that the four Dragons resided, and the sight that met their gaze left them awestruck.

Even Jon, who had previously encountered these majestic beings, couldn't contain his sense of wonder. The aura emanating from the Dragons was palpable, an overwhelming force that left the disciples breathless.

One of the colossal figures, a hulking golden Dragon, spoke with a commanding voice that reverberated through the mountain, shaking their very bones. "Is it them, Immy?"

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Immy, the graceful white Dragonness whom they had met on a prior occasion, responded with a hint of amusement. "Keep your voice down, Ynos. Yes, they are the apprentices of Brother Aether."

Halbor summoned a nimbus of wind, using his speed cloud to descend and guide the group to the cavern's floor. As they stood there, they felt like diminutive ants before these immense creatures, whose collective gaze bore down upon them.

Despite the overwhelming presence of the Dragons, Jon, as the eldest apprentice, assumed a position of leadership. He lowered his head and spoke with a tone of deep respect, "We humbly welcome all of you, esteemed guests."

In a show of unity and reverence, the other disciples followed Jon's lead, bowing their heads in acknowledgement.

The golden Dragon, Ynos, mumbled to his companion, "Interesting little creatures, aren't they?"

Immy, her voice gentle and soothing, responded, "Indeed, they are. You may raise your heads."

With a sense of wonder and anticipation, the disciples gradually raised their heads, ready to engage with the legendary beings who had ventured into the realm of mortals. The presence of these ancient Dragons, concealed within this mountain, was a sight to behold, a convergence of two worlds that filled the disciples with awe.

Almost immediately, the smallest of the Dragons, a Green Dragonness, approached them. In a dazzling display of wind mana, her massive form transformed into that of a breathtakingly adorable green-haired girl. It was an enchanting sight that momentarily left all six apprentices in a state of stunned amazement before they swiftly regained their composure.

Her voice, slightly high-pitched and filled with an irresistible charm, resonated in the cavern. "Wow, that was wind mana! Can you do that again?" The question, accompanied by her delightful appearance, was enough to disarm even the most stoic among them.

Halbor, ever mindful of the true majesty concealed behind the façade of this captivating girl, promptly lowered his head in a show of respect. Though her appearance now made her seem shorter than him, there was no doubt that she was a deadly and majestic being. "Yes, my lady," he replied and summoned his wind cloud once more.

The adorable Dragoness continued to express her fascination. "Oh! It's funny how you use mana!"

Her brother, the imposing Black Dragon, who had been silently observing, decided to intervene. His deep voice reverberated through the cave, imposing a sudden, deadly silence. "Essie, enough."

The cute green-haired Dragoness, now subdued, lowered her head sadly and withdrew, her enthusiasm momentarily quelled.

The Black Dragon turned to Immy with an air of impatience. "What is taking Breta so long?"

Immy, the White Dragonness, responded with serene assurance. "She should be here shortly."

Before Breta's arrival, Immy turned her benevolent gaze toward the group of apprentices and proposed a matter of importance. "Before that, I believe we owe them an explanation."

The Black Dragon, content to observe the proceedings from his regal position, simply laid down and closed his eyes, signaling his consent to the forthcoming exchange. The cavern remained hushed, a palpable sense of anticipation filling the air as the apprentices prepared to learn more about the Dragons' presence in their realm.

"Well, it's good to see that all of you are doing well. I'm afraid, however, that we do not come bearing good news," Immy said, before starting her briefing.