The weather took a turn for the worst. The waters grew choppier, and the storm clouds blocked out the stars. The Candidates stepped out of the drop ships and the civilian crew surprised them.

The engineers raised their left hands, and their wristbands projected holographic monitors. They scanned the drop ships and logged the results in their holographic clipboards.

The three-metre-tall Candidates nodded, before they walked cautiously to the cargo lifts. They stared in awe at the thousands of men and women working tirelessly at their respective stations.

“A colony?” “They entrusted a Candidate, with a colony?” “How close to Ascension is he?” “Are all three of them this powerful?” “I heard the youngest brother cleared a dungeon on his own.” “Why didn’t he bring his ship?” “Did he think his wouldn’t be needed or is he keeping it a secret?”

“Arrogance. They think they are above the other Clans.” “Isn’t Moonglow Meadows the Dragon Guard’s headquarters?” “I heard their parents are in the Dragon Guard.” “Of course. They were born with power.” “Then the trial is just a formality for them.” “Did they even suffer during their evolution?” the Candidates whispered amongst themselves.

“They are awfully loud.” Gloria said with a giggle and a one-horned man, with orange eyes, scoffed. “You should know better than to mock them. Their whispers will breed resentment and infighting.” Regius scolded, and Gloria giggled again. “Good. They deserve a good wallop. They better not bring those attitudes onto my ship.” She rumbled threateningly and the whispering died down. The Candidates, in the bowels of the ship, closed the private channels and exited the lift.

“Some of us still remember the Old World and its petty problems. Greed, bigotry, violence and secrecy. These things corrupted humanity and now they will corrupt us.” Regius rumbled sorrowfully.

“No, my friend. It is precisely those things that drive our society. We protect weaker species, because we hold ourselves above them. We claimed the Milky Way, and every galaxy beyond its shores. And The Council cemented their reign in the shadows, where we laid our enemies to rest.” Gloria rumbled proudly and her voice drowned out the wind and rain.

“Weaker? But not weak enough to sire or carry their children? There weren’t any great battles when we conquered the stars. No wars or enemies. We are a budding flower. An empire of empty colonies, pompous explorers and silent star systems. And now an enemy has challenged The Council in the light. However, you and many others would have our people cling to the shadows.” Regius rumbled, and the Candidates felt his disappointment. Jane laughed and the two-horned magician’s orange eyes flared.

“Cling? No, you are to embrace the darkness within you. The Void is our birthright. Oh, then again, most of you are half breeds and experiments. A true Dragon is born from the Dark Womb.” Jane rumbled confidently and the Candidates felt ashamed. “Enough. Enough.” Duke rumbled stoically and the Candidates breathed a sigh of relief.

“You all have your jealousy, immaturity and ignorance to blame. The Council only dolls out responsibilities to those that have proved themselves worthy. Blood has nothing to do with it. Take my oaf of a brother, for example.” Kagiso rumbled jovially, before he vanished and appeared behind Duke playfully. The two-horned man towered over every candidate. His armour was well decorated, and he had shut his eyes tightly. Kagiso cleared his throat and Duke growled.

“He was born with only one horn, and by the Universe he memorised a few spells and became a new man.” The two-horned man said playfully, and his eyes glowed blue.

Kagiso studied the runes and seals carved into Duke’s power armour. The stoic candidate swung at his brother’s head. Kagiso ducked and narrowly dodged the backhand. He laughed hysterically and his speed surprised Duke. Jane laughed again.

“Then show them your abilities. Share every experience that you have spent years drilling into your heads with a stranger. No? That is what I thought.” The two-horned woman rumbled confidently. “Some of you should have rejected this quest. Now you will die, before your awakening.” Jane rumbled and her contempt.

“See what you’ve done now? This argument started with your remark.” A tall and slender man rumbled. Laurence filled his soft voice and disapproving tone, with as much love and compassion as he could muster.

The Candidates felt a moment of empathy. They felt each other’s distrust, apathy and frustration. Suddenly, a wave of fear surged from beneath their feet. The Candidates lowered their heads and the thousands of terrified crew members let out a collective sigh of relief.

“So, you have finally noticed? The strong rarely notice the struggles of the weak. Similarly, the weak do not understand the struggles of the strong. How does a society made from both evolve? You were right, Kagiso. This experiment will be fun. Where are my manners? My name is Priya. Priya of the Moon Cities and I look forward to working and learning with you.” The one-horned woman rumbled humbly and her eyes glowed blue.

“I see now why you wanted her to come along.” Raymond whispered. “Aye. I would not be here if it were not for her. Priya has become a good friend, and she is another who understands what it means to be a Dragon.” Kagiso replied proudly. “Excuse me if I do not heed the words of an off-worlder-“Kenpachi smacked the back of Clyde’s head. He grabbed his dreadlocks, shoved his head down and bowed humbly.

“I apologize on my behalf of brother. Welcome Priya of the Moon Cities. I am Kepachi of the Emerald Isles. I have heard many tales of the Moon people and their technology. I too, look forward to learning with you.” The imposing one-horned man said humbly, and Clyde tried to break free from his grasp. Kenpachi tightened his grip and the gangly one-horned man glared at his brother, out of the corner of his eyes. He saw the emotionless stare and stopped struggling.

“My apologies. Forgive me.” Clyde rumbled sincerely. A few of the Candidates snickered and giggled. The rest were all humbled by the imposing warrior’s humility and respect. Mdu sighed and Kenpachi let go of his brother. The Candidates looked around, before they introduced themselves to one another.

Kagiso chuckled and patted Priya on the back. The Candidates raised their head in unison. A debilitating fear coursed through their veins, and their instincts told them to run.

“Take refuge inside of the ship. Sound the alarm and prepare to submerge.” Raymond instructed to the Candidates before he opened a private channel and addressed the bridge crew.

“Hide? What happened to your sense of adventure? Who wants to hunt a monster?” Kagiso asked eagerly and a siren blared. The lights on the deck of the ship flashed red and the doors to the cargo lift opened automatically.

“Hunting a sea monster is not the same as fighting a wild beast. Do not risk your lives unnecessarily. This is a problem we can avoid.” Raymond instructed, and his eyes glowed purple. The three-horned man lowered his head and turned around. Most of the Candidates followed him to the cargo lift, and the rest stayed with Kagiso.

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“A sea monster that travels through the sky?” Mei asked curiously. “Aye. A remnant of the experiments conducted during the First Invasion.” Kagiso replied and the surrounding Candidates exchanged looks, before they ran towards the cargo lift. Jane laughed hysterically. “What is it doing this close to our shores? Do they not prefer deeper waters?” Mei asked, and her golden eyes flashed.

“They do, and they usually only leave the water at night.” Kagiso replied, and he scanned the stormy horizon. “An anomalous one. Its head will make a fine trophy.” Jane said eagerly and her eyes flared. “No, we need to capture it. Could you imagine the commendations we would receive for any discoveries?” Mei asked and a few Candidates stopped in their tracks.

“If we can capture it. I do not like how close it is to our coast.” Kagiso said ominously. He took a brief run up, leapt over the taffrail and rocketed into the stormy night sky.

The eight Candidates flew for a few minutes, and they spotted the glittery flashes of light in the distance. Lightning flashed, and the sea monster cast a colossal shadow on the clouds.

*

Gloria strolled around the bridge, while Duke and Raymond discussed their formation. Hugo and Jabu scanned the walls, ceiling and floor.

The two brothers stared at the bridge crew silently. The men and women sitting in front of their monitors ignored the intense stares and worked tirelessly, while the rest of the crew prepared to submerge.

“Well, this is fun. I am going to go snoop around.” Gloria said playfully and she vanished with a giggle. The golden eyed candidate wafted through the walls and the passages. She passed by a group of Candidates gathered near the map rooms and headed straight for the infirmary.

“I knew I would find you here. I was looking for Raymond’s library. I heard he asked The Council for coded texts from their private store.” Gloria whispered, and Laurence giggled.

“I doubt he would keep them on his ship.” Laurence replied, and the medical officers’ heart rates spiked. “There is no need to be so concerned, Dr Voster. My sister is harmless. So long as you stay on her good side.” The tall golden eyed man said, and the medical staff breathed a sigh of relief.

“My lord-oh, my apologies.” A doctor said, before they noticed Gloria and bowed quickly. “Speak freely, Doctor. I am only here to observe.” Gloria said cheerfully and the bald man nodded. “The warehouses are fully stocked. However, the reserve beds are faulty. They will take some time to repair.” Doctor Finch reported nervously.

“What is Raymond thinking? We may be fine, but civilian crews need infirmaries that are fully stocked and prepped before every voyage.” Laurence scolded, and his golden eyes flashed.

The three horned-man’s ghost slipped out of his body and through the tiled floor. He followed the lift shaft, passed through the ceiling and entered the warehouses. The four-metre-tall figure strolled through the infirmary carefully, even when the medical staff had given him a wide berth.

“Do not be so hard on Raymond. Priya’s words rang true. I have long since complained that the ships are too large for mortal legs to traverse.” Gloria said softly and Laurence sighed. “I know, but still. They should not have to suffer for our mistakes.” He rumbled stoically and the medical staff looked around. The men and women in white coats exchanged confused looks, when they heard the strange rumbling noise.

“That is the price of being a Lord. Look at them. Most of them have only seen him once. And even then, it was for the briefest of moments. If I did not know better, I would swear The Council wants us to be worshipped.” Gloria whispered to her brother and his ghost split into four copies. They drifted down the aisles, split once more and passed through each hospital bed in storage.

“Perhaps they do, in their own way. Perhaps the mortals should, in their own way. Simultaneously, I would not fault them if they did not. This war party has reminded me of how different we are. Would that difference not reflect in our people? I think that is what The Council wants us to understand. Our people are free to choose, much like we are.” Laurence whispered back, and Gloria smiled. “I wonder if Raymond and his brothers feel the same way.” She said and her brother giggled.

*

A blur streaked past the barracks, and the soldiers inside exchanged frustrated scowls. A few sighed with relief and the rest stared in awe.

“Amazing. Can you imagine what life must be life at their speed?” a young corporal asked softly. “I don’t have to imagine. One day, I’ll live my life that way.” Another replied. “Oh please, you would have already risen above your rank if you had the talent to obtain such power.” A jaded sergeant said snidely.

“Ha! Still sore about your rejection letter?” a tall and muscular woman asked, before she let out a booming laugh. “Captain.” The soldiers said, and they saluted her in unison.

“At ease. I came to check on you all. I am glad to see you are in high spirits.” Captain Titan said, and her ears twitched. The hairs on her arms stood on end and a debilitating fear coursed through her veins. She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. Captain Titan scowled and clenched her teeth. “Captain? W-what’s the matter?” the corporal asked hesitantly.

“Let me go!” a tall and muscular soldier roared. “Farah! Mason, calm down. Farah!” another soldier called out. Captain Titan raced through the barracks. A blur streaked past her, and she carried on running. The commotion died down, before Captain Titan reached her destination, and her heart sank into her stomach.

“Please, forgive him-““-at ease Captain. The situation is under control.” Kenpachi said calmly. “He felt the sea monster’s presence, and it happened again.” a tall and slender soldier said as he held the muscular giant in his arms.

“Mason. Is he alright?” Farah asked, and Kenpachi nodded. “Aye. I shared a meditation technique that will help to quell the rage. Still, I am surprised. You have great ambitions, young one, and your prey is too large for you to hunt. Give up on your quest. It will not end in success.” The imposing one-horned man rumbled warily, and Mason stared at the ceiling.

*

“That was close. I thought we were dead in the water there.” The slender giant said, and Farah scoffed. “The Dragons don’t kill for pleasure.” She said confidently and the terrifying presence drew nearer. Mason clenched his teeth and fidgeted in his bunk. Farah walked over to his bedside and held his hand.

“Just this once. Think of home. Think of the dark blue skies and red sands. Think of the domed cities, the agricultural zones and the endless dams and reservoirs. The blimps and the artificially generated clouds. The first patches of Martian grass and the pine forests we grew up in.” Farah whispered, and Mason closed his eyes. He thought about his homeland and the intoxicating rage faded away.

“I heard a few have, though.” Marshall whispered, and Farah closed her eyes as well. “Farah’s right.” Mason croaked out. “I remember the day that thing showed up. The fear immobilized everyone. The air grew so thick that it drowned the children, and the sunlight was so bright that it struck down the elderly. I remember screaming for help, but no sound came out. It took hours for the beast to fly over our territory. Hours of suffering and death and for what?” Mason asked, and Farah sighed.

“Seven weeks later. We found out that a guild of mages had been conducting experiments. The First Invasion kicked off and after our first deployment, we saw him. He just, descended from the clouds like a ship. Easily half a kilometre long and his wingspan was just so fucking massive. I’ll never forget how he just hung in the air without flapping.” Farah said with a smile, and Mason stared at the ceiling.

“Tons and tons of magical cells, oceans of Mana, but he didn’t even kick up a single cloud of dust. Power and control. The Dark Guild burned to the ground that night. And that was the last time humanity ever challenged the Dragons.” Mason said and Kenpachi’s warning rung in his ears. Clyde listened in on the conversation and stared at the ceiling.

“I had no idea they held our people in such high regard.” The gangly one-horned man said, and the imposing one-horned man chuckled. “I know you didn't, but now you do.” He replied. “Not anymore, it isn’t.” Marshall blurted out. Farah scowled at him, and Mason glanced at him out of the corners of his eyes. Clyde scowled and Kenpachi placed a gentle hand on his right pauldron.

“Someone must have sent this one, right? Doesn’t that mean there are humans working with the enemy?” Marshall asked, and Clyde’s expression softened. “Indeed, which is why we are here. It’s our job to apprehend or eliminate those threats.” Farah said confidently and the blanket of terror was lifted. The civilian crew, that noticed the beast’s presence, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“It’s dead.” Mason said, and he closed his eyes. “So quickly?” Marshall asked, with surprise. “Yes, but it must have been quite the battle.” Farah replied, and Clyde clenched his fist. He vanished regretfully and Kenpachi sighed, before he vanished as well.