“Have you lost your mind? What you speak of is treason!” Admiral Granger rumbled, and the Old Dragon clutched his walking stick furiously. “Do you blame the Drakk’N Clan for the death of your children? Is this your revenge?” General Illumoon rumbled sharply, and everyone erupted. The old Dragons and clan members shouted and rumbled at each other, while the younger Dragons sat and watched.

“I accept your condition. I will even play the role of executioner if such a future comes to pass.” Victor rumbled sincerely and the audience fell silent, while another lizard Dragon scoffed. “How noble, but that would be the end of us all. The Council chose your son for a reason. To go against him is to go against Them.” A short and stocky Dragon rumbled sternly, and the audience erupted again.

“Aye, and I was chosen before him. Look carefully, Septimus. My son is beyond your blade’s reach. However, he is well within mine. If my people need me to, then I will commit the sin of filicide.” The Dragon Guard General rumbled sincerely, and the audience fell silent once more. They turned to the battlefield, and a bored Kagiso. His expression had changed with his resurrection, and his energy output had increased.

“My son is a true immortal. He has infinite lives. Infinite bodies. Infinite time. The next step in our evolution. A true Heir of The Council’s lineage. He will lead entire generations to the future and raise those that have come before him to the stars.” Victor rumbled reverently and the Black Dragon massacred the remaining recruits with the snap of his fingers.

“Behold, my Prince, and lament. Steep is the price of power and lonesome is the mountaintop.” The voice said and Kagiso scanned the field of granite slabs. “This may be selfish of me…in fact, it is cruel. Then why can’t I stop myself? Don’t. Stop.” The Black Dragon pleaded as he inhaled deeply, and the Keystones sparkled.

“He wishes to recreate Project Ascension.” “Impossible. The Council has forbidden it.” “Have they not sanctioned it with their choice?” “Death and rebirth, we have already mastered both.” “Aye, I have yet to see any spark of divinity.”

“The Drakk’N have bitten off more than they can chew this time.” “Indeed, Victor thinks he can stand beside The Council.” “You think he’s trying to stand on his son’s shoulders?” “Why else would he even agree to such a preposterous proposal?”

“How shameful? He would sacrifice his own son?” “That’s the Imperial Guard for you.” “Who would heed the words of such a cruel council?” “I never liked the old clans.” “Arrogant dinosaurs, who do they think they are?” “They must think we’re stupid.” “Raise your kin and leave us all behind, hey? Nice try.” the audience whispered to one another.

Kagiso let out a mighty roar that silenced everyone. The granite slabs vibrated violently, before they secreted wispy clouds of Mana. The glittery vapour swirled around the stones and a bright, sparkly light flashed. The recruits looked around and the audience stood up. The Black Dragon caught his breath slowly. He smiled at everyone and fell over. Duke and Raymond appeared in front of their brother. They held him up and slung his arms over their shoulders.

“No, old friend. It seems he is even beyond you.” General Creed rumbled and his awe surprised Victor. The nine hundred- and fifty-metre-tall Bear Dragon bowed humbly to the unconscious Chosen Heir, before he glanced at Granger and vanished. The old Dragon waited for his commander to finish her prayer, before they both bowed and vanished. The Dragon Guard General waited for everyone in the audience to take their leave, before he too vanished shortly afterwards.

*

A month had passed since the final examination and attendants delivered the results to the recruits. They broke the seals, read through the scrolls and changed their titles accordingly. Everyone that had passed the exam received the title of Dragon.

The dozens who joined the Dragon Guard received the ranks of Private or Seaman Apprentice, all except for the Moonglow Brothers, the Golden Eyed Sisters, Shen, Domanique, Kenpachi and a quiet Dragon called Vera. They received the ranks of Corporal, Specialist and Petty Officer respectively.

“Here she is again. I’m surprise much isn’t known about her.” Kagiso said with surprise, and he rolled up the scroll. A notification popped up in his field of view. “My camps finally ready. I hope they haven’t stolen anything…well, anything they shouldn’t have.” The Black Dragon thought, with a chuckle, before he stopped laughing immediately and vanished.

Kagiso appeared above the southern eastern meadows and jungles. He had just laid eyes on the pirate groups and their people when a notification popped up. The Black Dragon descended slowly. He read through his orders and frowned at the tree insignia at the very top.

“The Guild? These aren’t orders, these are requests. Why was I sent this? Erect a hall…establish a trade route…develop relations with the locals…locals? This is a different planet. They’re sending us to another planet. Am I leading an expedition?” Kagiso exclaimed, and he scrolled down the long list.

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Crane was pouring through medical texts, when he felt the familiar energy signature high above his head. The spectacled pirate captain smiled and closed his books. He adjusted his glasses and strolled out of the tent.

“Is he back yet?” Feng asked, and the silver-haired pirate scoffed. “Aye, and he hasn’t left his tent since. However, my crew say platters of food and entire vases of liquor have been carried in by all manner of half-naked men and women.” He replied, and the pirate enchantress laughed hysterically.

“He must have been starved on his travels.” Feng joked, and Crane rolled his eyes. “Why does he look so upset?” Bokbaard asked, and he bit off an enormous chunk from the haunch of meat in his right hand. “I told you we should have commissioned a city with the funds.” A young captain, with a cybernetic hand, said and the other captains stared at him.

“Who are you?” Crane, Feng and the old pirate asked in unison. “Ha ha, very funny. It’s me. Captain Silt-”“-Florence, who is this clown?” the Pirate Enchantress asked impatiently. “A captain of one of the smaller pirate groups that followed us out of the maelstrom. He didn’t do much on The Island though.” Captain Starborne replied, and the young Captain looked around frantically.

“You remember her, but you don’t remember me? She’s had just as much scr-”“-Ah! M’Lord! You have finally decided to grace us with your presence?” GoldJack boomed and Kagiso looked down. He spotted the Pirate Lords and smiled. “I expected to find a city when I returned. Instead, I find a field of tents.” The Black Dragon said, and the pirates laughed. “Makes it easier to pack up and run, when we’re caught!” Bokbaard shouted, before he laughed hysterically, and the Black Dragon let out a booming laugh.

Kagiso dropped like a stone, vanished and stopped abruptly. He reappeared before the Pirate Lords and landed like a feather. They looked up at the seven-hundred-metre-tall titan and stared into his eyes. The Pirate Lords worked their way down. They burned the image of his black scales, his wings closing and his broad chest into their memories. The Black Dragon’s throat bulged, and the pirates raised an eyebrow. They watched as the Dragon’s eyes closed, its head shrunk and it regurgitated another head.

“Well, that was rather unsettling.” Captain Marauder said, and the others nearly jumped out of their skin. Kagiso’s legs grew longer, and he stood upright. His titanic robes flapped in the wind and his skin absorbed the excess mucus. “Not all transformations are elegant. Some are painful, disgusting and demeaning. However, now you can see it is I.” the heterochromatic Dragon said, and the Pirate Lords smiled.

“There was no doubt in our minds. You are our Lord.” Crane rumbled proudly. “Aye, and there is much we must tell you. We reserved a lot for you in the centre of the camp.” Florence said, before she turned a bright shade of red. “Hmm. Captain Starborne, you are a rare sight. Happy to see you’ve…crawled out of your shell.” Kagiso said happily, before the shy captain vanished and he laughed hysterically.

“S for my home, A simple hut will do. A circular building with a thatch roof built from the dirt and reeds found around us. When that is done, we will feast and exchange gifts. Until then, I would like to hear all that you have to tell.” The Black Dragon said, and the Pirate Lords bowed humbly.

*

“Hub Worlds? Do you know what is beyond these planets?” Crane asked in awe. “Aye, the rest of the Universe. The Hub Worlds were built to house and connect all magical folk. To each other and to the Universe. The Council placed each one around the centre of the Universe, so that they could one day make the Universe’s Heart their home and leave us to rule over the Magic Realm.” Kagiso rumbled reverently and he left out any thoughts of or feelings for Earth.

“And now one has fallen, and we must take it back from the Demi-Gods.” Feng deduced and the Pirate Lords groaned. “Are these Quests enough to take an entire planet?” Bokbaard asked sceptically. “Of course not, they are meant to win it over slowly. One accomplishment and one reward at a time. A true meritocracy.” GoldJack rumbled optimistically and he stroked his beard.

“What did you learn on your travels?” The Black Dragon asked, and he filled the Dwarven Captain’s goblet with the snap of his fingers. “Thank you.” GoldJack said, before he tilted the golden goblet. Feng held her fan to her face and stared. “Hmm. I have heard stories of Wine Gods. Drunkards that were renowned for their great martial prowess. It seems you have as well.” She whispered, and Fundi nearly spat out his drink.

“Uh hum. I reached the shores of four major continents in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as two more in the north and one from my homeworld.” GoldJack reported. “Wait, you know of these Hub Worlds?” Crane asked, and the Dwarf remained silent. “The people of the Magic Realm are whispering rumours of the trials and the invasions. The Gates have been closed, and the keepers have barred everyone from crossing. To see titans bend the knee for wee mortals. It was quite the sight.” The Dwarven Pirate Captain reported.

“Good. The chaos will pass, and order will reign. Still, I didn’t expect so many mortal races to know about the Trials and how they ended. Our enemies are trying to destroy their confidence in us. And we’re trying to destroy their people’s reliance on them.” Kagiso rumbled stoically. “Dragons, Gods and Ascensions. Pirates and Adventurers. What a strange time to be alive.” Bokbaard said with a laugh.

“Aye. The invasion fleets and armies are gathering their strength, and so should we. Especially if we are going to be in the very centre of the formation. Be careful around other forces. Especially while some of our enemies lurk in the shadows.” The Black Dragon rumbled warily. “M’Lord, as you recall, I rejected your gift when it was presented to me.” The Dwarven Pirate said nervously. “Have you decided on a gift worthy of the great Fundi GoldJack?” Kagiso asked with a chuckle.

“Aye. I wish for nothing more than to become a Dragon.” The Dwarven Pirate rumbled earnestly. “Oh?” the Black Dragon replied, and Clyde’s stench wafted up his nostrils. The traitor’s visage flashed before him, and he gave it some thought. Suddenly, everything that Shen and Kenpachi has said rung in his ears.

“That would depend on the contents of your soul, my friend. I could grant you this form, but you would be a Dragon in appearance only. My people have a saying: We fight with our minds, bodies and souls. If you master those, then I do not see any reason why you cannot become my kin.” Kagiso rumbled hopefully.

“Thank you. I…I knew I would not receive the secrets of your blood. However, your blessing is more than I expected.” GoldJack rumbled happily and a single teardrop rolled down his cheek and into his beard. “What a wonderful time to be alive indeed. A toast to our Lord. May the Universe forever be in your favour.” Feng rumbled proudly and the Pirate Lords raised their goblets.

A messenger’s Astral body appeared behind Florence. She whispered something in the red-haired pirate’s ear and disappeared. “M’Lord, powerful barriers have been detected to the east.” Captain Starborne reported, and the other captains received the same message from their crew.

“Ah, then our guests are already here.” Kagiso said, and he snapped his fingers. The powerful energy signatures approached the small palace. The Pirate Lords, sitting on either side, watched as the table grew longer. The Black Dragon raised the invisible curtain and unveiled the rest of the cushions, plates, goblets knives and forks at his table.